Hello, everybody!! Finally got all moved in, though there's still stuff to unpack, and I decided to post up another chapter since it's been two weeks since the last one. Hope everyone in America has a good forth of July and all you other people have happy weekends! Movie fun abounds in this chapter, but don't worry, you don't have to have seen the movie to understand what's going on.

Yours,

Ukchana

Chapter 24

Hong Kong, China
June 7th, 2002

Filia scrubbed at her hair angrily, the hot passion still pushing at her, burning inside of her. The scalding water pouring down her back did nothing to quench the frustration building inside. This is really a bad sign, she told herself, gritting her teeth as she bathed, I WANT to mate so BADLY . . .

For so many decades she'd suppressed the urges; at first, she purified herself by praying, then after a while she found taking brisk walks did the trick. But how could she last for so long without going insane . . . it was only natural to feel that way . . .

Maybe I should do some yoga in the bedroom and ask Xellos to leave, she sighed, hands on the tiled walls as she dunked her head under the faucet. Water flowed into her mouth and over her lips as she ran her hands down her skin. I have to stop flirting as much, I can't let my hormones take over my mind. We don't have to be cold, but our characters have been married for ten years, they wouldn't necessarily be so fiery.

The blonde shut off the shower, then stepped out and wrapped herself in a brown-yellow towel, rubbing her long hair with another. Her blue eyes caught her reflection in the mirror, and she stopped to gaze into the glass.

Eyes pained, Filia removed the towel from her body and studied her human form, clasping her breasts in consideration, feeling the muscles in her arms, squeezing her hip bones. Leaning over, she stared into her own eyes somberly. "Am I attractive?" she asked herself. Sighing, the blond dropped her head, stringy wet hair brushing the countertop. "My breasts are too small," she began, ignoring their adequate size, "My legs are too skinny." Gripping her stomach, she pulled at the slight fat and grimaced. "I need to lose weight."

With a glum exhale of breath, she wrapped herself up again, turning from the mirror. Xellos was just being nice. Nobody would want to marry me.

She shook her head and opened the door, flicking off the light and leaving her reflection behind in the darkness.

(-(-(-)-)-)

"Okay!" Xellos said as he entered the living room area of the suite, a travel bag in his hand, "as this is our first night on vacation, we're going to have a slumber party!" He beamed as he leaned over the couch and smiled down at Valgaav.

Sighing, the boy turned from the static-filled television screen, shutting it down. "How?" he said, tossing back his damp turquoise head. "The satellite is out from the storm, so we can't buy any movies or watch anything." He sat up on the couch, looking very young in his t-shirt and baggy cotton pajama pants.

The Mazoku chuckled at the boy and shook a finger at him, resting his forearm along the back of the sofa. "I planned ahead! I brought a movie for us to watch, some card games-"

"Come on," Val rolled his eyes, lying back again. "That's silly, Dad." He eyed him tiredly. "A 'slumber party'? What are we gonna do, put on makeup and play 'truth or dare'?"

"Yes!" Xellos exclaimed, mouth opening happily as he clapped his hands together, "that's a great idea! I'd almost forgotten that game existed!"

Groaning, the dragon sunk deeper into the cushions and covered his face with his hands. "Great, just great. I can't play truth or dare with my MOM!"

"Hmmm." A frown crossed Xellos' face, and his violet eyes narrowed. "True, that would be rather uncomfortable, and while I wouldn't mind hearing about your exploits with women, being your father and all," he beamed, "I'm afraid your mother would not be too keen about it." He crossed his arms over the couch-back and nodded his head, strands of wet purple hair bobbing with the movement. "Hmm . . ."

The door opened to Iyzeka's room, and the girl popped out, chortling. "I heard you talking!" the redhead announced, then twirled around, showing off her matching pink and yellow bunny pajamas. "See, I'm all ready for a sleep-over!" Her green eyes latched onto the prone young man and, laughing, she ran around the sofa and sat down on his stomach. "Come on, Val, it'll be fun!"

Blushing, the boy's mouth twitched as he gazed up at her. "Um, I . . . I guess so."

"Yea!" cried the tiny girl, flinging her hands into the air. "What movie did you rent for us, Mister Mettler?" she asked eagerly.

Beneath her, Val muttered, "You're heavy."

Xellos shook his head, "Now, Iyzeka, we have to wait for Veria to come out." He smiled happily and picked up his bag again, rummaging through it gleefully.

The young man pushed the demoness off of him and sat up, only to be pounced on once more by the giggling girl. "I'm sure Mom will be thrilled to hear your idea," scoffed Val, flushing as Iyzeka sat on his lap. "Hey," he murmured, gold eyes worried, "not in front of my Dad."

"Oh," Xellos said loudly, "I don't mind at all, Val!"

Val dropped his head, crimson flooding his cheeks. "Great."

(-(-(-)-)-)

The rain pounded violently against the windows, and Filia breathed.

She was sitting naked upon the floor in mid-darkness, the bedside lamp the only illumination. Legs in a lotus position, her hands lay gently along her thighs.

Her focus was the sound of the storm, the steady roar that threatened to engulf the room at any moment . . . it ebbed and flowed, and the dragoness had fallen into the rhythm, inhaling, exhaling . . . the slow numbness filling her body, until she could feel it, fleeting . . .

Time, her mind whispered to her, and she breathed.

It sounded once more. Feel your darkness . . . The darkness was within her. The same as you have good, there is evil. Accept it. She had to accept the evil she was capable of, instead of trying to control it or banish it . . . it was a part of her.

Once I can accept it, she exhaled slowly, then it will not haunt me or control me. Mastery, not control. The ultimate understanding.

Time.

Rain pounded, and ghosts screamed in the storm, ghosts of her past.

Time to wait.

Wait.

Thrice you will wait. Heat ran down her body, and she inhaled, brilliance beneath her eyelids.

Years for days and days for years, the thoughts became more skewed, and Time will starve on your flesh . . .

Thunder shook the room, tossing Filia from the trance, her eyes wild. "Xe-" she caught herself, gasping as she climbed to her feet. Dropping her head, she looked down at her naked form and breathed a faint whisper. "Xellos."

She grabbed the towel from the floor and pulled it to her chest; the shadows in the room were suddenly quite frightening, looming above her eerily.

Gaping, the dragoness backed into a wall, eyes darting around her. With a whimper, she found herself sliding to the ground, hiding beneath the saffron towel in the darkness.

(-(-(-)-)-)

The sudden fear struck all three empaths heavily, but they managed to maintain the façade. "Hmm," Xellos said calmly, setting the bag back down behind the couch, "your mother is taking a while, I think I'll go check on her." A little too quickly, he turned and headed back for the bedroom, all the while repeating in his mind,Be okay, be okay, it's alright, Filia's fine—

He opened the door calmly to find her huddled against a wall in the lamplight, shaking. "Veria?!" Xellos rushed to her side, and let himself get upset; no woman would be hiding, naked, in the dark like this. "Veria, what's wrong?!"

Squealing, she suddenly grabbed him, shivering as he patted her. "Zander!" she cried, and Xellos sighed with relief to hear the pseudonym.

"Veria, what happened? Are you hurt?" The purple-haired man pulled her back to look her up and down, taking the towel from her head. "I don't see any wounds," he inspected her naked form clinically, "what's wrong?"

Filia hugged him again, burying her head against his chest. "I-I was meditating, and, and . . . and the thunder scared me," she said shamefully.

Laughing out loud, Xellos helped her to stand. In his mind, however, he wearily said, —That's not all of it, is it.—

—I can't tell you yet,— the dragoness gazed up at him with sad azure eyes, —I'm not sure myself of what happened.—

"Let's get you dressed," he said, sitting her down on the large bed. "If we turn on the lights in here, maybe you wouldn't get scared so easily." Forcing a grin, he flicked on the lights and turned back to the nude woman. "Are you sure you're alright?" —I have to know, Filia,— he demanded in her head. –Was it a Mazoku? What did you feel?—

The blonde nodded at his vocal question and began to pull away. –Not a Mazoku. It was ME, in my mind . . . yet, I wasn't controlling it. Almost like a prophesy, but I've never had one before, so I wouldn't know . . . It's been a long time since I meditated,— her thoughts became confused as she dropped his hands, —but this never happened to me before . . .-–

The unclothed dragoness turned away from him, a wave of shame coming from her as she walked up to the chest of drawers and hurriedly looked for a pair of underwear.

Xellos frowned, violet eyes narrowing as he sat on the bed and watched her.Filia definitely needs some fun tonight. If she's having prophesies . . . well, damn, now we have two prophetic dragons.

Of course, a horror movie might not be the best idea, but I didn't bring any non-horror movies . . . and it would out of character for Zander to change the movie selection just because Veria is afraid of thunder.

Raising his head, the Mazoku looked over at his 'wife'. "Veria?"

"Hm?" Filia turned to him, her creamy skin pale against the black undergarments.

Xellos stood and leaned a hand on the dresser. "I planned a sort of 'family night' for tonight. Like a sleepover!" he smiled. "So, if you have any baggy nightclothes . . ."

"Not lately," her mouth twisted, no doubt remembering the garments Zelas had told the servants to pack for her, "but I bought some today; seeing how cold it was getting, I thought it couldn't hurt." Her blue eyes flashed up, then she turned away. "I'll change, then. So, what are we doing?"

He glanced back at the closed door, the wind howling angrily in the darkness beyond the windows behind him. "You'll see. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll feel better after tonight."

(-(-(-)-)-)

"O-kay!" Xellos announced to the three immortals sitting on the couch, "time for the movie!"

Val glanced at the two females at either side of him under the blankets as the General-Priest began futzing with the DVD player. "And what movie is it again?"

"The perfect movie for tonight," came the reply. "Hm, good thing I brought a DVD and not VHS," he mused absently.

His mother frowned, crossing her arms over her powder blue nightshirt. "So what movie IS it, Zander?" she demanded dryly, peering at the collection of junk food on the coffee table before them.

"Yeah, Mister Mettler." Iyzeka snuck some popcorn from one of the bowels, earning her a quick glance from Xellos. "Sorry," she blushed as he tisked her.

The television began to play a dark screen, and he turned to face them, hands in the pockets of his black khakis. "A movie with intrigue, humor and romance. I'm sure you'll all love it."

Val's brows rose lazily. "You got a movie with romance in it?"

Glaring, the violet-haired man huffed, "It's not ALL romance."

"Whatever." Valgaav laughed as his 'father' rolled his eyes and turned away to shut off the lights. "So, are you gonna tell us the name of the movie or do we have to guess?"

"You have to guess!" Xellos declared happily, returning to Filia's side. "Scoot over, honey," he said, and the woman crossly obliged.

"Come on," the blonde said as the piracy warning flashed on the television, "what movie is it?"

The demon sat down next to her under the blankets and shivered. "Even with the heat turned up it's getting kind of cold."

"Stop avoiding the question!" she growled at him, then rolled her azure eyes as he snuggled up against her.

"You're warm," purred Xellos, eyes closed joyfully.

Valgaav and Iyzeka watched them with interest as Filia sighed, her anger spent. "Okay," the dragoness murmured, leaning into him. "I guess I'll let it be a surprise."

Iyzeka shrugged at the tall teenager beside her, then grabbed a soda and some candy bars. "Yum, chocolate!" she giggled, relaxing against her 'boyfriend'.

Haunting orchestra music suddenly began to play as the DVD main screen came up on the TV, and Filia cried, "Hey, this is 'Sleepy Hollow', a horror movie! You said it had intrigue and romance!"

Val covered his face with his hands as Xellos started the movie playing. "Well," the demon said, "it does have intrigue, romance and humor. It's just kind of gory."

The redhead beside him began bouncing in the shadows. "I never saw many movies, I bet this'll be great!"

Groaning, the young man just sunk deeper into the covers. "Yea."

—

Filia shivered as silence fell over the group, the slow, eerie sound of children singing and string instruments blossoming from the speakers. The only light came from the television, and she found herself huddling closer to the man at her left. "Xellos," she whispered very softly, "I really don't want to see a horror movie tonight . . ."

"I know," he murmured into her ear, snaking his arm around her waist. "But I only brought horror movies," laughed the demon nervously. Light reflected in his amethyst eyes, his pale skin tinged blue by the dim glow of the screen. "I'll tell you before anything happens, alright? That way you won't have to see anything gory."

She gasped at the television as drops of scarlet dripped onto parchment. "Ew, there's already blood . . ." The dragoness wrapped her arms around him and hid her head. "I hate these kinds of movies."

"But look," Xellos smiled, "romance! They're holding hands."

Filia chanced another glance, "what, the blood?" On the screen, a firm hand signed on parchment, and she winced to see the scarlet liquid pooling on the paper. "Yuck."

"That's not blood," he scoffed, violet eyes flickering back to her. Xellos chuckled as a stick of red wax appeared on the screen, crimson dripping from the tip. "See, I told you."

Scowling at the screen, the blonde turned away and buried her head into his shoulder. "Whatever."

Xellos sighed, running his hands down her back. –Filia,— he spoke in her head, mind-voice soft, —please forgive me . . . I didn't expect you to have something so fearful happen to you . . .—

—It's not your fault,— she replied sadly, then took a deep breath of his scent, wading in his warmth and closing her eyes.

Time passed, and then Xellos nudged her. "Hey, look, you have to see this part," he demanded, and the music swelled violently.

Filia gasped as he stuck his cold hands up her shirt. "I don't want to!" she hissed, but turned to glare at the television anyhow, pushing at his fingers on her back.

A horse-drawn carriage barreled down a road through the dark of night, an old man gasping frightfully within the car as something rushed by them. The high-pitched shirk made Filia jump. "W-what . . ."

The elderly man leaned his head out the window . . . "AHHHH!" the blonde screamed, seeing the driver's headless corpse upon the carriage seat, then turned on her companion. "You said you'd warn me!" Filia cried, bludgeoning him with her fists as he chuckled.

"Hey, I forgot this part!" Xellos retorted.

"SHHHH!" They turned to see Val and Iyzeka glaring at them. "Keep it down, we're trying to watch the movie!"

(-(-(-)-)-)

It's not real, Iyzeka told herself as she winced, but it sure looks real. "Val," she murmured, emerald eyes peering up at him, "Is that how a real dead person looks?"

The young man frowned, watching the introduction of Ichibod Crane as the constable discovered a rotting corpse. "It's pretty close." —Are you telling me you've never seen anyone dead?—he asked her, slightly shocked.

—Mistress Zelas kept me away from that kind of thing. I never saw anyone tortured either, though I knew that occasionally it happened.—

—Then how could you know how horrible Xellos was supposed to be?—

—Rumors and stories. And Mistress Zelas warned me very early to not get on his bad side,— she replied nervously.

—Interesting. Well, don't worry. None of these people really died to make the movie.—

He smiled down at her and Iyzeka beamed back. –Thanks.—Exhaling peacefully, she tightened her hold on him and returned to watching the screen.

—

Ichibod glanced around the quiet town as he walked through it; people closed their windows upon seeing him, and men gathered at a watch-tower, readying their guns for nightfall . . .

"He kind of looks like you," Filia said in his ear, and Xellos glanced over to her.

"Thank you," he said, breathing slowly and enjoying the feel of her body against his.

The blonde shifted a bit, leaning her head back on his chest and holding the blankets to her chin. "Yep . . . skinny, pale, kind of scrawny . . ."

"Scrawny?" Xellos whispered, grabbing at her in mock-anger, "I'll show you scrawny! You think I'm weak, huh?"

Giggling, she struggled to escape his hold, but he had her firmly against him. "Okay, not scrawny."

"And pale and skinny?" he asked, one brow rising as he looked down at her.

Her mouth pursed as she buried her head against his chest. "I like pale and skinny," she muttered.

"Good, then." Xellos tried to look dignified as she chuckled at him. "Quiet and watch the movie, you imp."

—

"-but unlike his compatriots, who came for money," the elderly man on the screen paused slightly, "the Horseman came for love of carnage."

Filia's cerulean eyes widened and she clutched at Xellos as the flames on the screen loomed closer, burning like the fires of Hell . . .

"Where battle was joined, there you'd find him." Fires raged in the night as a crazed, demonic man appeared on a ferocious black steed, lopping off the heads of his enemies gleefully.

Screeching, the blonde gaped at the expression on the warrior's face.—Xe-Xellos . . .— She turned to look up at him, and found a haunted dullness shining in his violet eyes.

"He was infamous for riding his horse hard into battle."

"Xellos," she whispered softly into his ear, and the man nodded once. "What . . ."

His arms around her tightened, pulling her roughly to his chest, but his gaze still held the television. —It didn't strike so deep a chord, when I saw it two years ago . . .— The Mazoku's answer was hesitant and catching. —I never want to be like that again . . .—

—Were you?— she asked, finding her eyes drawn back to the screen, back to the demonic visage slicing his enemies apart.

"He'd filed his teeth down to sharp points to add to the ferocity of his appearance," the grave voice continued, and the camera focused on the crazed eyes of the madman.

Filia pushed against his grip, pulling herself up to murmur the barest sound. "You did not do that," she pointed out.

"I didn't have to," his velvet voice breathed against her neck. "All knew to fear me as soon as they saw me."

Her head fell; with the link still active, she could practically taste his anguish. Xellos.

—Let's not dwell on this,— he said as the Horseman's horse was shot down, falling into the snow. Xellos gazed into her eyes as she pulled back a bit, his hand brushing her face. —You should watch the movie.—

The blonde closed her eyes and snuggled against him. —I'd rather you be happy again.—

—Then just hold me,— sighed the demon, and she could feel him drop his head to brush a kiss against her temple. —Having you with me helps a great deal.—

Filia sighed and relaxed into his embrace. —If I fall asleep, will you let me?—

—You'll miss the rest of the fun,— he informed her, and she could feel a trace of disappointment.

Rolling her eyes, she conceded with a smile. —Well . . . I wouldn't want to ruin your night.—

A bloom of happiness welled from him as he rubbed his cheek along her golden hair. —Thank you.—

Katrina and Ichibod stood within the remnants of the old cottage, each one recalling memories holding vastly different emotions within.

Valgaav glanced over at his 'parents' as they embraced; it wasn't fair that they weren't together. Hmm . . . wonder if I can do anything about that. "Hey, Mom," he whispered, remembering their conversation from earlier, "Katrina kind of looks like you." He grinned as she turned her head to peer at him in confusion. "Don't you think? And Ichibod looks like Dad . . ."

Blushing, Filia rolled her eyes at him and looked away. "We're both blonde," he heard her mutter, "that's about it."

Iyzeka sighed against him, and Val was forced to once again realize, in exquisite detail, just how it felt to have her pressed up close to his body. "It's so romantic," murmured the demoness. "Don't you think so, Val?"

The turquoise-haired boy froze as she shifted. She's perfect in every way . . . well, that's just because it's a fake body, she made it, a part of him tried to argue. Of course it would be perfect, that's what she would want.

"What's wrong, Val?" the burgundy-haired girl beamed up at him.

He tried to smile back, but it was more of a simper, and he hated it. "Nothing . . ."

Giggling, the little flirt rested against him, replying, "Okay!"

—You LIKE making me nervous, don't you.— Valgaav shook his head at the girl, his eyes on the glowing screen.

—Of course! You're so adorable when you're embarrassed, and it's fun making men uncomfortable.—

—It's MEAN,— the young man stressed, glancing down at her.

The petite redhead looked away shamefully. —Is it? I'm sorry. I'll try not to do it anymore, but wouldn't that be out of character?—

With a sigh, he shook his head. –Isn't it more out of character for an 'innocent maiden' to act so promiscuous?—

—Hmmm . . . – she contemplated this for a moment, then smiled back at him. –Well, if teasing you is mean, then I can make up for it by having sex with you!—

Valgaav dropped the bowl, splashing popcorn all over everyone as he blinked at the screen. "Whoops," he attempted, flushing heavily and cleaning up the mess. ­–IYZEKA!— he cried in her mind, —that's NOT FUNNY!— His blush darkened as he sensed the wave of sincerity flowing from her.

—I'm serious,— answered the redhead quietly, her green eyes following him. —Why? I've never had sex before, but I'm sure it would still be great. Mistress Zelas taught me all about how to do it correctly!—

—Didn't she also teach you,— Val shot a glare at her then looked back to the television, —that you shouldn't sleep with just ANYONE?—

—Well,— Iyzeka looked away nervously, —yes. But . . . if I was mean to you, I should make up for it. And, you're not just anyone. You're very nice and I have a lot of respect for you.—

His mouth tightened and he leaned back in the couch, ignoring the glances that his 'parents' sent him occasionally. —You should only sleep with someone you're married to,— the dragon tersely informed her.

—But . . . I'm Mazoku. We don't get married.—

—You could at least wait until you're in love with someone!— he argued, eyes narrowing as he glanced over at her.

"Don't be mad at me," she whispered, full mouth trembling. "I just wanted to make you happy."

Val closed his eyes, dammit, I HATE it when girls cry. "Hey," he muttered, "I, I'm not mad at you. I just . . . I think you should save yourself for someone who you know better."

"But," tears welled up in her emerald eyes, "the only person I know better than you is Mistress Zelas, and she's like . . . like my mother."

Hushing her with a waving hand, he murmured, "I'm sure you'll find someone . . . really." Wincing, the young man put his arm around her as the tears began to run down her face. "Come on, don't cry. It's okay."

"I," she said softly, sniffing, "I could change my appearance if that's why you don't like me—"

"Inever said I didn't like you," came the faint reply, Val's free hand clenching the covers. "Come on, just wait until you find someone to love. I know you will."

"You do?" Suddenly happy, the girl huddled against him, rubbing her head on his chest. —I hope so. If Master Xellos and Lady Filia are in love, it must be the most wonderful thing in the universe. They always feel so delicious when they're hugging and happy.—

Valgaav blinked as he adjusted his arm around her shoulders. —What do you mean? I thought Mazoku only fed off of negative emotions. I never believed they were truly damaged by the positive ones, but it sounds as if you can feed from those as well.—

—I can. As far as I've found, — explained the girl, —monsters can gain astral energy fromany emotion displayed. It was social brainwashing that taught everyone that they were unable to feed on good feelings and would be damaged by them.—

Frowning, the young dragon bent his head, ignoring the approaching gory scene of the movie. —Very strange. So, then it's how I always hoped.—

—Hm?—Iyzeka heard a noise from the television, and turned, only to scream loudly as another man was decapitated.

"Shhhh." Pulling her closer to shield her eyes, he muttered, "never mind, it's okay. Shhh . . . just don't look at those parts . . ." As he rubbed her back, Valgaav sadly smiled despite himself; he was still male, after all . . . and it was nice having a girl to hold.

(-(-(-)-)-)

Ichibod, Katrina and their loyal young retainer Masbeth stepped out into the brilliance of newly fallen snow amidst the bustling streets of New York. Eyes wide, the boy looked around himself, spurring his master to say, "You'll soon get your bearings, young Masbeth. The Bronx is up, the Battery is down, and home is this way."

With a smile, the handsome young constable nodded to his companions, and they walked off into the light . . .

A wave of tranquil happiness interrupted Xellos from his own peculiar peacefulness, and he looked down at the blonde in his arms. His stomach tightened as the emotions began twisting within him. Why do I have to be affected by mushy romance? the Mazoku griped, finding himself caught by Filia's blue gaze, her head upturned to look at him.

Forcing himself to smile calmly, Xellos asked, "So, did you like the movie?"

Filia nodded, eyes shimmering. "It was so sweet that they were happy in the end. I like happy endings." Her head dropped and he sighed at the sudden spike of embarrassment she felt. A recent memory flitted through his mind, her voice soft in his recollection . . . "It's just that . . . I never really felt very attractive . . ."

Ignoring the children as they stood and stretched, Xellos hugged Filia once and brushed her chin with his fingers. "Hey, don't be sad." He kissed her cheek, bringing a smile to her face. "I'm with you," whispered the demon, "you don't have to feel so alone." But, he told himself darkly, that's not what she wants. She needs a romance, not a friendship. He felt so inept that it sickened him.

Filia nodded and beamed weakly at him, then began to stand. "So, what next?" she asked, yawning as the lights were turned back on.

Across the room, her son shrugged and dropped his hand from the light switch. "It's Dad's party. So . . ." His brows rose as his golden gaze fell upon the General-Priest.

The boy's eyes heavy on him, Xellos rose as well, forcing a yawn for realism. "How about your game? Or," he grinned at the blush spreading across Val's cheeks, "the girls can give everyone makeovers." He took note that Iyzeka had left, but her empathic signature showed her to be in the restroom.

Ducking his head, the green-haired dragon muttered, "I'm not sure which is worse." —Hey,— he said in Xellos' mind, —I hate to bring this up, but . . . what exactly IS going on between you guys?—

The blonde next to him was starting to smile slowly, a thoughtful look in her cerulean eyes. "I guess it would be kind of fun to put makeup on you," she smirked at him.

With another grin, Xellos crossed his arms and shrugged. "So, go get your makeup set, then." To Valgaav, he returned, —Quite a lot. I well understand your concern- —

—Do you?— Val interrupted sharply.

The General-Priest sat down on the couch again as his 'wife' disappeared into their bedroom. Trying to keep his emotions light, he found his fingers running along the edge of his polo shirt; somehow the physical movement seemed to facilitate his thoughts. —I do.—

No answer forthcoming, Xellos continued, bending his violet head in reflection. —You fear that I may be using this as an opportunity to . . . have relations with your mother.— Closing his eyes, he breathed evenly, not allowing himself to feel any of the betrayal and anger that was within him.

Val's subdued reply came slowly. —I . . . you're right, it's . . . it's stupid. It's just that . . .—

—Both myself and your mother feel attraction towards each other,— he bluntly returned, —and you can feel it. Filia can't suppress her instincts the way I can, so she's been having a difficult time. You know, even better than I, that when under stress it's common to fall back on animalistic programming as a catharsis. Your mother is simply another victim to that instinct.— He smiled as Iyzeka returned, and sent a final missive. —I'm trying my best to keep your mother from harm . . . especially harm stemming from myself.—

Giving him a glance, Valgaav beamed at Iyzeka as she took his hand. —I'm sorry . . .—his mind-voice sighed. —I hope you won't hold this against me. I . . . I guess I'm too controlled by my emotions. I have a long way to go,— the boy's eyes met his own, —before I reach your level.—

—Don't think of it that way,— Xellos stood and grabbed his 'party' bag, then sat down again to look through it absently; something crimson and gray tugged at his mind, but every time he grasped onto the thought, it flickered away.—Mazoku begin with weak emotions. Iyzeka is a very abnormal case, the speed with which she gained feelings was swift. She is actually over a century older than you, but less serious because of her age. The older we are, the stronger the emotions.—

—But, you're older than Iyzeka and less unbridled,— argued the boy.

—I am.—Finding a deck of cards, the General-Priest studied them. –However, I am also much, MUCH more damaged.—

It was something about . . . blood . . . Inhis mind, wide eyes flashed from a slit within a metal coffin . . .

Val spoke with Iyzeka, but Xellos heard only the boy's words in his mind. —The brainwashing. It slowed your emotional development?— With the touch of assent from the Mazoku, the young man went on. —Then you had to work to feel . . . whereas I will have to work to master my feelings . . . for I feel too much.—

Xellos shook his head as he shuffled the deck, and thought to himself, 'Feeling too much' . . . these emotions don't seem as uncontrollable as before. He paused to look through his thoughts, and an answer surfaced with surprising speed.

I stopped fighting them.

And by losing . . . I have won.