Project: Telmor
By Karu Leonnese
Notes: Telmor is 'fear' in Spanish. And to everyone who reads this that's waiting for Never Knew You, I'm still gonna finish. Sorry bout the wait on that.
Chapter One
"This does not look good..." Zelgadis looked almost calmly at the indicator he held in his hand. It was lighting up red in color. "Red usually means bad..."
He looked around the dimly-lit corridor he was in. In fact, the only light at all came from his small flashlight, solitary beam of light bouncing nervously into every corner. Thick red carpeting muffled his steps, and small pillars sat every so often along the walls, holding up ceramic statues of serious-looking people. The door on the other side of the hall seemed farther away that it really was, and it felt like he had entered the corridor an eternity ago. And of course, in between those two doors was a stretch of walls and musty smelling carpet, giving the whole hall a distict odor of antiquity. Why did places with a haunted reputation always look so...haunted?
It was cold. Even through a long-sleeved white t-shirt, khaki pants, fingerless gloves and an old leather jacket, Zelgadis could still feel the chill. And that was almost an even worse sign than the red indicator.
Ironic enough, Zelgadis had started this business as a means to discover his own 'defect', as he referred to it. His niche was the paranormal. Everything from ghosts to just plain unexplainable. Which is what he was. Zelgadis possessed some sort of disorder, which seemed to belong to him alone, which made his skin a pale sky bluish color, as well as littered by small brown-grey stones at some points. His hair, a pale lavendar, was almost wirelike, jutting out every which way. No one, not even himself, was completely sure what caused this, but it didn't affect his health, so no one worried much. Except Zelgadis. But presently, there were more pressing issues to deal with than his curse.
"I should've waited for Gourry..." Zelgadis sighed quietly and took a cell phone from its place clipped on his belt. He pressed the speed-dial button and waited for the rings. Finally, it clicked.
"Gourry? Are you there?" he asked.
"Sorry, I can't come to the phone right now..." came the reply of an answering machine With some annoyance, Zelgadis waited for the beep..
"Gourry, you should get over here as soon as possible," Zelgadis told the machine, "I've got a red indication, and I'm at the place by myself."
Zelgadis hung the phone up. He motioned to clip it back on his belt when suddenly it was knocked from his hand by an invisible force. The phone flew through the air, crashing into one of the walls. Zel crused softly and turned to the wall.
"Looks like this guy doesn't want to wait for company..." he whispered.
~*~
It was coming closer. He was going to hit it if he didn't do something.Yet he went on, even quickening his speed. And at the last minute, he swerved, missing it by a hair.
Gourry smiled to himself. So far, he had 50 points. This was his best game of 'Dodge the Leaf' ever.
He continued along the sidewalk, careful to avoid the crunching sound of leaves. It was a game he played by himself often, whenever he walked alone. It helped to pass the time, especially during long-distances.
He shook his head, long blond hair waving slightly. He knew he had to get to the office fast. He was already running late when his car broke down, and he jad been walking since then. Zelgadis was waiting on him.
Gourry finally reached the office, a small room of a business building, with the sign G & G Paranormal Investigations. The two had started the business together, for different reasons. Zelgadis had wanted an excuse to study unexplainable phenomenon, and needed something to pay the bills. Gourry wasn't completely sure why he had gotten into P.I. Maybe it was because he wanted to help Zel. The two had been friends for quite some time, though their personalities clashed so much even they themselves were sometimes forced to wonder why they got along so well. Zelgadis was quiet and contemplative, while Gourry perferred action and tended to be a bit loud and, at times, very clueless. Yet the pair were a great team and excellent friends.
Zel obviously wasn't there, as the door was locked and the lights were out. He checked the mailbox, where the two would leave messages for each other when they needed. He found a small slip of paper in the box, written in Zelgadis' careful handwriting.
Gourry, I went ahead without you. This place is probably nothing but a small case. I'll bet I'm done before you even get there. ~Zel
Gourry frowned as he turned to leave. Now he'd have to walk all the way to the house they were investigating for ghosts. Did any buses run down by there?
His thought was interrupted as a thin hand clamped over his mouth and pulled him into a doorway.
~*~
Zelgadis looked around cautiously. Apparently, this wasn't an ordinary case. He had underestimated the power of this spirit.
A fatal mistake if there was one.
He heard laughter. Whipping his head around to locate the source, he forced himself not to be afraid. He knew spirits couldn't hurt him, but it was frightening all the same.
"Gourry, where are you...?" he whispered.
Another laugh. Almost like a giggle. Whomever and whatever this thing was, it seemed to enjoy toying with him. Zelgadis clenched his teeth. If it could laugh, then it could talk.
"Show yourself. Who are you?"
The unmistakable form of a hand pressed on his right shoulder. The cold went right through jacket and shirt. "I could ask the same of you..."
Wide-eyed, Zel turned a one-eighty, whirling to face the quite visible form of a man, eyes closed in a mischeivous smile. Zelgadis yelped and backed away.
"Oops...did I scare you?" The hint of joy in his voice denied the concern of the words.
The figure stood still, giving Zelgadis a moment to take in the features of him. Pale skin and shoulder-length purple hair. He was still smiling. He was dressed in blue jeans. His bright red sneakers contrasted with the orange t-shirt he wore, which read: "Warning: Contents Hot"
Zelgadis frowned slightly. This did not look like a spirit. It looked more like someone who had walked in from the street, curious as to know why an abandoned house was lit up by a flashlight.
"You'd best leave. I'm busy."
"What's a cute thing like you doing in a place like this?" the purple- haired figure grinned, eyes still closed. He seemed normal enough, yet Zelgadis sensed something odd about him. Something unsettling that he couldn't place.
"Go away," the blue-hued man snapped.
"I'd rather not," the other replied offhandedly, "I don't want to leave you all alone...Zelgadis."
~*~
"I am not going to harm you. Please do not yell." a soft calm voice hissed. Gourry nodded, and the hand was removed from his mouth.
The blond turned to face the other. "Who're you?"
He stared into a pair of icy blue eyes, belonging to a man with limp brown hair, an oddly shaped nose and a rather emotionless face. He wore a hooded grey sweatshirt with the hood up, covering the back of his head, and dark brown pants. His hair was a bit longer than shoulder-length, and hung in tendrils in front of his face and around his shoulders.
"My name is Vrumugun. I am sorry to scare you like that, but I have an urgent matter to discuss with you."
Gourry, never one for quick thinking, was quite confused. "O...kay..."
"You are from the Paranormal Agency, are you not?"
The blond nodded, noting in some small corner of his mind that Vrumugun seemed to speak very properly, without using contractions. It struck him as odd, but he didn't say anything.
"Good. I have a friend that has been kidnapped. I have reason to believe it was by something...something that was not human."
~*~
Zelgadis stared at the intruder. "H-how do you know my name?"
The other stepped closer. "I know a lot more than you think I know. You can call me Xellos."
"How about I call you nothing. I'm leaving." Zelgadis moved down the hall towards the door. Xellos did nothing, just stood there, smiling. With an odd look, Zel turned his head momentarily back to the other. "You're not going to try an stop me?"
Xellos shrugged. "If I thought this was really the end of our meeting, I might try to detain you."
Zelgadis glared at Xellos. He definately didn't like this guy. "Well, it is. I'm going out the door, and out of here. And you'd better not try to follow."
"I have no intention of following you."
Zel glared once more at the purple-haired man, then continued to the door. It was a slow walk through the hallway, with the silence between the two. Finally, he reached the door he had entered. Opening it, he muttered, "This place was hardly haunted anyways..."
The doorknob yanked itself out of his hand and the door slammed shut. Zelgadis stared at it with wide eyes.
"I said I didn't think this was the end of our meeting..."
Zelgadis didn't have to look at Xellos to know he was still smiling. Or smirking at any rate. "What are you...?"
Xellos calmly walked over to the blue-skinned figure without saying a word. Then he waved his index finger and tapped Zel lightly on the nose and grinned. "Sore wa himitsu desu."
~*~
"So, what you're saying is that you got a case for us?" Gourry looked quizzilcally at Vrumugun.
"In a matter of speaking, I suppose so." Vrumugun leaned against the doorframe, looking down.
Gourry blinked a few times. Finally an idea came to him. "You wanna come with me? I'm supposed to go meet my partner at this house. We can talk about it there. He's the brains of the outfit anyways..."
The brown-haired man thought about the invitation. "Alright."
Gourry smiled disalarmingly. "I'm Gourry."
"Yes, I know. Zangulus had told me about you."
"Your friend?"
"Yes."
Gourry decided that Vrumugun probably didn't want to explain things twice, so he didn't want to ask much about the kidnapping. Better to do it when they met up with Zel. He'd understand it better anyway. The two started down the stairs, with Gourry in the lead.
An uncomfortable silence occured between them. Gourry hated uncomfortable silences, which is usually why people labeled him as a moron. He tended to talk rather than suffer through silence. And what usually came out was unprepared speech, which led to nonsense or saying the wrong thing about the situation.
This was one of such times.
"So...what's with your nose?"
Vrumugun stopped short. He hated comments on his appearance, especially when they did not involve the slightest indication of tact. "Nothing," he muttered.
Gourry got the point through Vrumugun's tone. "Sorry. I didn't mean-"
The other cut him off. "It is alright. I am almost used to it by now."
Mentally cursing, Gourry stopped Vrumugun with a hand on his shoulder. "I didn't mean it like that. Sorry. I have this habit of blurting things out."
Vrumugun looked at Gourry, scanning his face for traces of sadistic humor he usually found in those that tormented him about his looks. Finding none, he decided that the blond was sincerly apologizing. "It is fine. I know you did not mean it."
"It's just different is all..." Gourry shrugged and left it at that.
~*~
"Let me go," Zelgadis ordered. Xellos just stood inches from his face, eyes closed in that ever-present smile.
"Now where would the fun be in that, Zel-chan?"
"Don't call me that. You still haven't told me how you knew my name."
Xellos giggled slighly, sending an uncomfortable shiver down Zelgadis' spine. "Silly. I never answer questions directly. It's more interesting the other way around."
"What do you want?"
"Nothing much. I just wondered why you're snooping around my house."
Zelgadis started. "Your house? This place has been abandoned for years!"
Xellos laughed out loud abruptly. "And I liked it that way. It was, until you brust in here!"
Zelgadis saw that this conversation wasn't getting him anywhere but annoyed with Xellos, so he took the oppourtunity. "Then let me go. I'll leave you alone and never come back."
Xellos waved his index finger again, this time in Zel's face. "Nah...now that I've met you, I'm having too much fun to just give it up!"
Zelgadis started to reply, but he was interrupted by a loud bang on the door. He looked from the door to Xellos.
"Ooh...more visitors!"
He opened the door in one fast motion, that Zelgadis barely saw him move at all. Standing in the doorway was Gourry and someone he didn't know.
"Gourry!" Zelgadis gasped.
"Hey Zel," he motioned to the brown-haired man next to him, "This is Vrumugun. He's got a case for us when you're done with..." he saw Xellos for the first time, "Who's this?"
Zelgadis rolled his eyes. "That's what I'm asking myself..."
Xellos grinned. "I'm Xellos. Any friends of Zel-chan are friends of mine!"
Gourry blinked. "Zel...chan?"
Zel sighed and shook his head. "Don't ask."
By Karu Leonnese
Notes: Telmor is 'fear' in Spanish. And to everyone who reads this that's waiting for Never Knew You, I'm still gonna finish. Sorry bout the wait on that.
Chapter One
"This does not look good..." Zelgadis looked almost calmly at the indicator he held in his hand. It was lighting up red in color. "Red usually means bad..."
He looked around the dimly-lit corridor he was in. In fact, the only light at all came from his small flashlight, solitary beam of light bouncing nervously into every corner. Thick red carpeting muffled his steps, and small pillars sat every so often along the walls, holding up ceramic statues of serious-looking people. The door on the other side of the hall seemed farther away that it really was, and it felt like he had entered the corridor an eternity ago. And of course, in between those two doors was a stretch of walls and musty smelling carpet, giving the whole hall a distict odor of antiquity. Why did places with a haunted reputation always look so...haunted?
It was cold. Even through a long-sleeved white t-shirt, khaki pants, fingerless gloves and an old leather jacket, Zelgadis could still feel the chill. And that was almost an even worse sign than the red indicator.
Ironic enough, Zelgadis had started this business as a means to discover his own 'defect', as he referred to it. His niche was the paranormal. Everything from ghosts to just plain unexplainable. Which is what he was. Zelgadis possessed some sort of disorder, which seemed to belong to him alone, which made his skin a pale sky bluish color, as well as littered by small brown-grey stones at some points. His hair, a pale lavendar, was almost wirelike, jutting out every which way. No one, not even himself, was completely sure what caused this, but it didn't affect his health, so no one worried much. Except Zelgadis. But presently, there were more pressing issues to deal with than his curse.
"I should've waited for Gourry..." Zelgadis sighed quietly and took a cell phone from its place clipped on his belt. He pressed the speed-dial button and waited for the rings. Finally, it clicked.
"Gourry? Are you there?" he asked.
"Sorry, I can't come to the phone right now..." came the reply of an answering machine With some annoyance, Zelgadis waited for the beep..
"Gourry, you should get over here as soon as possible," Zelgadis told the machine, "I've got a red indication, and I'm at the place by myself."
Zelgadis hung the phone up. He motioned to clip it back on his belt when suddenly it was knocked from his hand by an invisible force. The phone flew through the air, crashing into one of the walls. Zel crused softly and turned to the wall.
"Looks like this guy doesn't want to wait for company..." he whispered.
~*~
It was coming closer. He was going to hit it if he didn't do something.Yet he went on, even quickening his speed. And at the last minute, he swerved, missing it by a hair.
Gourry smiled to himself. So far, he had 50 points. This was his best game of 'Dodge the Leaf' ever.
He continued along the sidewalk, careful to avoid the crunching sound of leaves. It was a game he played by himself often, whenever he walked alone. It helped to pass the time, especially during long-distances.
He shook his head, long blond hair waving slightly. He knew he had to get to the office fast. He was already running late when his car broke down, and he jad been walking since then. Zelgadis was waiting on him.
Gourry finally reached the office, a small room of a business building, with the sign G & G Paranormal Investigations. The two had started the business together, for different reasons. Zelgadis had wanted an excuse to study unexplainable phenomenon, and needed something to pay the bills. Gourry wasn't completely sure why he had gotten into P.I. Maybe it was because he wanted to help Zel. The two had been friends for quite some time, though their personalities clashed so much even they themselves were sometimes forced to wonder why they got along so well. Zelgadis was quiet and contemplative, while Gourry perferred action and tended to be a bit loud and, at times, very clueless. Yet the pair were a great team and excellent friends.
Zel obviously wasn't there, as the door was locked and the lights were out. He checked the mailbox, where the two would leave messages for each other when they needed. He found a small slip of paper in the box, written in Zelgadis' careful handwriting.
Gourry, I went ahead without you. This place is probably nothing but a small case. I'll bet I'm done before you even get there. ~Zel
Gourry frowned as he turned to leave. Now he'd have to walk all the way to the house they were investigating for ghosts. Did any buses run down by there?
His thought was interrupted as a thin hand clamped over his mouth and pulled him into a doorway.
~*~
Zelgadis looked around cautiously. Apparently, this wasn't an ordinary case. He had underestimated the power of this spirit.
A fatal mistake if there was one.
He heard laughter. Whipping his head around to locate the source, he forced himself not to be afraid. He knew spirits couldn't hurt him, but it was frightening all the same.
"Gourry, where are you...?" he whispered.
Another laugh. Almost like a giggle. Whomever and whatever this thing was, it seemed to enjoy toying with him. Zelgadis clenched his teeth. If it could laugh, then it could talk.
"Show yourself. Who are you?"
The unmistakable form of a hand pressed on his right shoulder. The cold went right through jacket and shirt. "I could ask the same of you..."
Wide-eyed, Zel turned a one-eighty, whirling to face the quite visible form of a man, eyes closed in a mischeivous smile. Zelgadis yelped and backed away.
"Oops...did I scare you?" The hint of joy in his voice denied the concern of the words.
The figure stood still, giving Zelgadis a moment to take in the features of him. Pale skin and shoulder-length purple hair. He was still smiling. He was dressed in blue jeans. His bright red sneakers contrasted with the orange t-shirt he wore, which read: "Warning: Contents Hot"
Zelgadis frowned slightly. This did not look like a spirit. It looked more like someone who had walked in from the street, curious as to know why an abandoned house was lit up by a flashlight.
"You'd best leave. I'm busy."
"What's a cute thing like you doing in a place like this?" the purple- haired figure grinned, eyes still closed. He seemed normal enough, yet Zelgadis sensed something odd about him. Something unsettling that he couldn't place.
"Go away," the blue-hued man snapped.
"I'd rather not," the other replied offhandedly, "I don't want to leave you all alone...Zelgadis."
~*~
"I am not going to harm you. Please do not yell." a soft calm voice hissed. Gourry nodded, and the hand was removed from his mouth.
The blond turned to face the other. "Who're you?"
He stared into a pair of icy blue eyes, belonging to a man with limp brown hair, an oddly shaped nose and a rather emotionless face. He wore a hooded grey sweatshirt with the hood up, covering the back of his head, and dark brown pants. His hair was a bit longer than shoulder-length, and hung in tendrils in front of his face and around his shoulders.
"My name is Vrumugun. I am sorry to scare you like that, but I have an urgent matter to discuss with you."
Gourry, never one for quick thinking, was quite confused. "O...kay..."
"You are from the Paranormal Agency, are you not?"
The blond nodded, noting in some small corner of his mind that Vrumugun seemed to speak very properly, without using contractions. It struck him as odd, but he didn't say anything.
"Good. I have a friend that has been kidnapped. I have reason to believe it was by something...something that was not human."
~*~
Zelgadis stared at the intruder. "H-how do you know my name?"
The other stepped closer. "I know a lot more than you think I know. You can call me Xellos."
"How about I call you nothing. I'm leaving." Zelgadis moved down the hall towards the door. Xellos did nothing, just stood there, smiling. With an odd look, Zel turned his head momentarily back to the other. "You're not going to try an stop me?"
Xellos shrugged. "If I thought this was really the end of our meeting, I might try to detain you."
Zelgadis glared at Xellos. He definately didn't like this guy. "Well, it is. I'm going out the door, and out of here. And you'd better not try to follow."
"I have no intention of following you."
Zel glared once more at the purple-haired man, then continued to the door. It was a slow walk through the hallway, with the silence between the two. Finally, he reached the door he had entered. Opening it, he muttered, "This place was hardly haunted anyways..."
The doorknob yanked itself out of his hand and the door slammed shut. Zelgadis stared at it with wide eyes.
"I said I didn't think this was the end of our meeting..."
Zelgadis didn't have to look at Xellos to know he was still smiling. Or smirking at any rate. "What are you...?"
Xellos calmly walked over to the blue-skinned figure without saying a word. Then he waved his index finger and tapped Zel lightly on the nose and grinned. "Sore wa himitsu desu."
~*~
"So, what you're saying is that you got a case for us?" Gourry looked quizzilcally at Vrumugun.
"In a matter of speaking, I suppose so." Vrumugun leaned against the doorframe, looking down.
Gourry blinked a few times. Finally an idea came to him. "You wanna come with me? I'm supposed to go meet my partner at this house. We can talk about it there. He's the brains of the outfit anyways..."
The brown-haired man thought about the invitation. "Alright."
Gourry smiled disalarmingly. "I'm Gourry."
"Yes, I know. Zangulus had told me about you."
"Your friend?"
"Yes."
Gourry decided that Vrumugun probably didn't want to explain things twice, so he didn't want to ask much about the kidnapping. Better to do it when they met up with Zel. He'd understand it better anyway. The two started down the stairs, with Gourry in the lead.
An uncomfortable silence occured between them. Gourry hated uncomfortable silences, which is usually why people labeled him as a moron. He tended to talk rather than suffer through silence. And what usually came out was unprepared speech, which led to nonsense or saying the wrong thing about the situation.
This was one of such times.
"So...what's with your nose?"
Vrumugun stopped short. He hated comments on his appearance, especially when they did not involve the slightest indication of tact. "Nothing," he muttered.
Gourry got the point through Vrumugun's tone. "Sorry. I didn't mean-"
The other cut him off. "It is alright. I am almost used to it by now."
Mentally cursing, Gourry stopped Vrumugun with a hand on his shoulder. "I didn't mean it like that. Sorry. I have this habit of blurting things out."
Vrumugun looked at Gourry, scanning his face for traces of sadistic humor he usually found in those that tormented him about his looks. Finding none, he decided that the blond was sincerly apologizing. "It is fine. I know you did not mean it."
"It's just different is all..." Gourry shrugged and left it at that.
~*~
"Let me go," Zelgadis ordered. Xellos just stood inches from his face, eyes closed in that ever-present smile.
"Now where would the fun be in that, Zel-chan?"
"Don't call me that. You still haven't told me how you knew my name."
Xellos giggled slighly, sending an uncomfortable shiver down Zelgadis' spine. "Silly. I never answer questions directly. It's more interesting the other way around."
"What do you want?"
"Nothing much. I just wondered why you're snooping around my house."
Zelgadis started. "Your house? This place has been abandoned for years!"
Xellos laughed out loud abruptly. "And I liked it that way. It was, until you brust in here!"
Zelgadis saw that this conversation wasn't getting him anywhere but annoyed with Xellos, so he took the oppourtunity. "Then let me go. I'll leave you alone and never come back."
Xellos waved his index finger again, this time in Zel's face. "Nah...now that I've met you, I'm having too much fun to just give it up!"
Zelgadis started to reply, but he was interrupted by a loud bang on the door. He looked from the door to Xellos.
"Ooh...more visitors!"
He opened the door in one fast motion, that Zelgadis barely saw him move at all. Standing in the doorway was Gourry and someone he didn't know.
"Gourry!" Zelgadis gasped.
"Hey Zel," he motioned to the brown-haired man next to him, "This is Vrumugun. He's got a case for us when you're done with..." he saw Xellos for the first time, "Who's this?"
Zelgadis rolled his eyes. "That's what I'm asking myself..."
Xellos grinned. "I'm Xellos. Any friends of Zel-chan are friends of mine!"
Gourry blinked. "Zel...chan?"
Zel sighed and shook his head. "Don't ask."