Part II: Scenes by the Water
Amelia came thundering down the road up to the Mazouka's chest. Or what she thought was the mazouka.
"Mazouka. You may not have him. You will not lead him to evil."
"Who?" Xelgadis asked. "Oh yeah, you think that- Well this is awkward."
"Amelia. What?"
"Xellos, I above all others have supported you. I have defended your honor when Lina and Zelgadis would have left you."
"Yeah you're a real peach." Xelgadis said wistfully from behind her. "That's why he doesn't blast into a greasy smudge for all your nauseating and bitter justice speeches."
"Zelgadis-san please." Amelia shushed him.
"But you cannot seek to corrupt the heart of my-- " she shook her head "My friend with your evil heart."
Zellos was utterly dumbfounded unable to articulate anything in his mind except a desperate cry "When?"
"You love Zelgadis." Amelia frowned.
"Huh?" Zellos twisted his brow "But I'm- Oh yeah..." Zellos laughed.
"See like said awkward" Xelgadis whispered to Zellos shook his head.
"But you cannot love with a heart of justice. You are a demon and know only lust and carnality."
"Hey at least he follows his strengths." Xelgadis says. Xelgadis muttered under his breath "What a preposterous thought. What does that little guttersnipe know...
"I care about Zelgadis and if you ever separate us-"
Zellos covered his mouth. He could feel flesh so it had to be a dream "You want Zelgadis don't you? "
The girl blushed.
Zellos shook his head in disbelief, "He's a chimera. He's a monster just like I am. You would want him anyway?"
Xelgadis looked at him, smirking before Amelia could see.
"I seek only to save him from evil. From you. If you tried to corrupt Lina or anyone I still would defy you."
Xelgadis lowered his eyes "What a little coward she can be." He muttered.
Zellos tightened his eyes "Say what you mean. Don't mess around. Do you realize how lonely and desperate he is? How he has dreamed some girl would come along and show him what love was? To love him for what he was? He dreamed of this everyday. So you are messing around with something very dangerous."
"I will not speak to the likes of you. Stay away from Zelgadis." Amelia said.
"Amelia, do you love him?"
Amelia turned around and walked away. "I need to be alone. I'll see you back at the inn, Zelgadis. Stay away from Xellos." She walked on.
Zellos tried to run after her, looking for some answer. The only answer the one that would last forever. He wanted Amelia to say, I love you. For anyone to say it and have it in their heart.
He was about to touch her arm when in front of his path Xelgadis materialized.
"Oh that must be nasty." Xelgadis shook his head tsking " I had no idea that she could be so cruel. And the worst of it she doesn't even realize it. Come on Zel-chan. Time for bed." Xelgadis said. He patted Zellos on the back.
Zellos didn't move, he was crouched in pain like someone had punched him. Xelgadis touched his soft hair.
"Amelia she... no no. But I'm... She loved me."
"Hmmm. She didn't say it." Xelgadis said.
"I was so wrapped in my own skin I couldn't see it. Now she doesn't. She loves you." Zellos grabbed the chimazouka
Xelgadis grinned "That's pretty neat."
"Oh my god. She's annoying too. Am I so pathetic that I can only attract the most annoying people in the universe? But she doesn't love me. I'm Zellos. I'm Zellos. I'm Zellos."
Zellos curled on the ground. Xelgadis paused.
"Zellos. Read my lips. She never said she loved Zelgadis. This is just... stop being so silly." Xelgadis turned around sharply.
"Amelia was the- Oh god, my life, it's over."
Xelgadis sat down and crossed his legs."
"Sleep." Xelgadis touched him "Because if you sleep, won't the pain go away? It will be better if you are asleep, right? Then you'll feel nothing...." Xelgadis guarded his words carefully. He couldn't say that. He couldn't say what he waned. But Zellos was there looking so hurt, not hurt damaged "And it won't hurt." Xelgadis had said it. But still Zellos wasn't listening
"You don't want it too hurt. It doesn't have to hurt, be cause your not cursed, not anymore Zel-chan. You are free. And I'm just messing with you. So you'll sleep and not hurt anymore." Xelgadis was sure he had lost his mind by now. He wanted to stop hurting a mortal. No he wanted to stop hurting Zel. But it was worse. He didn't want anything to hurt Zel. He was on the edge.
"I don't understand." Zellos held onto him. The boy's thoughts becoming more desperate and stranger. Painful but bad.
Zellos touched Xelgadis "Why would she do all those things if..." Could it be she loved him? Loved Zelgadis the chimera? He shook his head. Xellos had said so. The old Zelgadis couldn't even stand to look at his own body. Now he had a human body. Was it his soul cursed to bring such misery?
He looked at his soft hands and soft flesh. White skin. He never thought he would see hands. But these weren't even his. He had wondered how his body would have changed if he had grown like a normal man. Xellos looked like him when he was mortal except for the gorgeous violet hair. He should be glad his body was handsome, and like when used to be human.
Xellos, Amelia, even strangers were attracted to Xellos in his old body, and still repelled by this mazouka form. Even if it was a human body.
He traded his hated body to become the most reviled and powerful mazouka on Earth. He didn't even have that power or did he? Maybe the magic was just an illusion. What if he had sold his last ounce of humanity for this body and it didn't matter.
Zellos sighed. But I'm human? Is my soul tainted by this curse? Am I only pretending the curse is gone?
Xelgadis teleported him in his room. He laid him on the bed. For a second Zellos missed the strength to pitch Xellos around. To the regular eye it looked as if Xellos wouldn't even fit in his arms. But in reality chimeras were very strong.
"You say you are not a mazouka, but you like to feel this pain. Even though it really does hurt you." Xelgadis brushed his neck, softly touching soft hair. "That is more human than I have ever seen."
Xelgadis tucked him into the blankets, "If you do not go to sleep all this pain will damage you, Zel. Turn off your pain, even for a few hours."
"You realize Amelia will probably never say she loves me." Zellos said.
"So what else is new?" Xelgadis smirked.
Zellos laughed "Fruitcake."
Xelgadis looked around hestitantly as if he thought the world would end if he was seen, sat on the bed and brushed back his hair "Does that feel good, Zel... for you?"
"Yes."
"That wasn't so bad." Xelgadis smiled. "See I can do this kind of stuff."
Zellos smiled, "Thank you."
"I think I better leave before I make you feel better and embarrass myself on your carpet." Xelgadis stood up. "I don't want you feeling better. It makes me queasy to see you too happy."
***
The second day of the Chili Pepper Festival was going off full tilt by the time Zellos woke up. No one had come to get him for breakfast. Xelgadis on the other hand was dragged out of bed by Amelia. Zellos plastered on the fake grin and wandered down stairs.
"I wonder if they missed me at all." Zellos thought. "No one ever really checks up on him like Amelia or Lina checked on me. No wonder he spends all his time hounding us. We'd never give him a second glance if he didn't."
Amelia was a good friend. Having her hate him for no reason was maddening. But she couldn't know what they had done. He must try to trick her, no matter how much it hurt him.
They all walked out into the square together. Gourry was the first to wander off. It wasn't long before Zellos was gone as well. So with two girls at his side Xelgadis wandered through the fair.
"Hey Zelgadis. Look it's Candy." Lina elbowed him in the ribs.
"I'm not interested." Xelgadis tossed his head, "Amelia, pretend to be my jealous violent sorceress girlfriend."
"Pretend?" Lina snorted.
"Your girlfriend. Oh ZELGADIS... I- I- Oh Zelgadis..."
Xelgadis looked at her and rolled his eyes "Lina would you be my jealous violent sorceress girlfriend."
"With pleasure, snookies." The sorceress looked at Candy and grabbed unto him like a side of ham.
"More drool. less cross eyed. That face is ridiculous."
"I'm not making a face."
Near the pottery stands, Zellos looked at the pretty red head, Candy. She had liked him even when he was a chimera. If he was a real human he would be able to attract her. She was awfully pretty.
Something in Zellos changed slightly. Well if he was a lecherous and evil mazouka why not pretend and get something. Why not? Zellos straightened his violet hair and walked towards her.
"Hi. My name is Zellos Metallium. I could help but notice you were all alone." "Hi." The girl looked at her manicure. "What going down?"
She wasn't even looking at him "Well it's just I don't think that a girl as pretty as you should be alone." He leaned towards her grinning mischievously.
"Hey you're Zelgadis's friend." The red head covered her chest.
"I was wondering if you would care to-" Zellos grabbed her hand and tried to kiss it salaciously.
"I really liked your little chimera friend. You know all that marble blue skin. It must be so hard going around with such a babe magnet and not get jealous of all those girls."
Zellos tried to touch her shoulder "Say maybe I could-"
She stared wide eyed. "Oh dear."
"What is it, Candy?"
She stepped back "How did you know my name? Did Zelgadis-"
"Yes I asked him, because he-"
"Now I didn't mean to send you the wrong message. I'm not interested. I'm sorry but I really don't want to ruin it with your friend Xelgadis. But thank you."
Zellos felt his heart sink.
"But I do have a friend."
A dark haired boy knocked her out of the way and placed his hand right on Zellos's shoulder "Who is your cute friend Candy?" He winked.
"What?" Xellos shrunk back at the flirtatious boy "Go away!"
"Well Zelgadis said you were a Fruitcake. I over heard you two talking."
"Xelgadis!" the purple haired mazouka grumbled. "I'm not ... It's that fruitcake. Oooh he's trying to make me look, oooh. When I get my hands on that fruitcake" Zellos muttered and sparks flew from his fingers.
"Oh yeah keep dreamin honey. That chimera is as straight they come." the boy said "Real fine looking fella."
"Durn right." Zellos said he walked away from the too.
Candy shook her head "Man that guy is a complete fruitcake."
***
Lina slapped Xelgadis's butt. She glared at Candy
"I think it's working." Lina said. "She's flirting with Xellos.
"Lina-kun you don't need to touch my butt." Xelgadis giggled uncomfortably.
"Are you sure I think my character would-"
Xelgadis smiled cheerily. "Get your hand off my ass, sweet heart or I'll blast you." He let out a soft chuckle. Lina hugged him
"You're in such a good mood lately. I think it must be all the mountain air." Lina said, but she thought "Or maybe it's Xellos. They are both so weird, it has to be true. But it can't be Amelia loves him."
"Miss Inverse?" A man in a black robe with a bushy moustache called out softly "The Opening Ceremony for the Pepper Eating Contest is starting. Places Challengers."
A burly troll like farmer snapped his lapels. "Everyone dropped out when they saw my boy Petey come on stage."
"Ooh Xelgadis. I gotta go." Lina
"Lina don't leave me. That red haired Candy-cow will.-"
"Just tell her your gay with Xellos. He's always around."
The chimera almost smirked for a second. But Lina ignored it as she walked to the stage.
The Judge's white moustache bristled and twitched while his eyes and mouth were nearly hidden "Challenger 1, Peter "the Dragon" Piscataway
The townies shouted. As a lump on the hoizon moved Standing at 7 feet, he looked down at Lina. "Did you lose your mommy little girl?" The 'man' had the visage of a jungle pig with four tusks
"I thought this contest was for human beings not warthogs."
"Hai there you messing with my Momma."
A wart pig squealed in the audience.
"You can't-"
"We are a peaceful village. If a warthog man wants to join in the contest, there are no rules to prevent him from doing so."
The ground shook with Pete's laughter.
The old man straightened his armor and walked up the stairs.
"And the returning Champion, His Majesty King Van of Fanelia-"
"Hi There Hihi-chan. Hello Pelonia."
"And that's--" the judge looked at the card.
"I'm here too me me me." Lina waved her arms.
"And the challenger 3. Rina Unifers."
"That's Inverse. Lina Inverse L-I-N-A then I-N-VER-SE."
Amelia grabbed the microphone away "The Infamous sorceress Bandit Killer, Slayer of Monsters, Friend to Seiryun and Dragon Spooker, Lina Inverse."
The crowd laughed.
The judge grabbed the phone away "The pepper eating contest will begin at 4 o clock, tomorrow morning.":
From the crowd a man shouted "You mean in the afternoon."
The judge was beat red at all the interruptions "When the winner will be named Hot Pepper King."
"Or queen..." Lina grabbed the microphone away.
"Yeah right." Petey laughed. "Yer bouts as tiny full as a bug."
"Quite right, Young lady." The old man said, "This is a serious eating contest."
Lina put her foot on the chair in a macho pose. "Therr isn't an eating contest on Earth I can't win. I once sailed 400 miles in a driving rainstorm to get Dragon Cuisine. I once paralyzed a man for stealing my mutton. I once killed a man just to take his taco."
Amelia gasped "When did that happen? I don't remember that."
"I can eat anything, any place and anyone you dare me too." Lina stood up "I am Lina Inverse. Sorceress, Woman and Glutton."
"You can't use your fancy spells here. This is an eatin contest." Petey said
The judge grabbed back the microphone "And as a supplement prize, The Lady of the Moon will cast her fortune for the winner."
"Oooh." Petey snorted in excitement, "I can't wait to hear my fortune."
"Hihi-chan. What are you doing? You said that you can't tell fortunes.""
"And if you win Mr. Fanel, I suspect the smell will be so bad, I predict you are sleeping on the couch for a week." The Seeress waved her nose.
Petey looked down at Lina "See ya tommorow Little Bug Girl." The wart man snorted.
"If you wish to walk out with dignity no one would blame you Lina." Van brushed off his fingers
"I'll meet your challenge Fanel." Lina said.
***
Zellos used this opportunity to sneak in a store and by some new underwear. They didn't have blue all they had was pink for ladies. How many people in the world went around without underwear? He sulked out of the store quietly hoping none of the others would see him Unfortunately his respite would not be short.
"It's a flying monster. He's just floating there."
"A chimera. I can't believe it
Xelgadis was sleeping on top of the foutain levitating in mid air. The shocked villagers were buzzing and nervous about the chimera and if he breathed fire or ice. They were obviously magically illiterate
"I say fire." the yokel said.
"I say he has ice breath." The village idiot insisted.
Zellos nearly dropped his bag and levitated next him pulling him down
"Acts over folks we'll be here until Thursday." Zellos chuckled nervously.
Xelgadis yanked Zellos to his side. The chimera rubbed his eyes "Hi Zellos. I was taking a nap. I'm so drowsy."
"You need some coffee?"
"I don't drink coffee." Xellos said "It's not good for you."
"My body needs the caffeine. I always have coffee in the morning and Orange Pekoe at lunch."
"I can't drink coffee. It makes my seratonin go all funky. There was a mazouka who killed himself by taking Extra Strength Tylenol. He took three instead of two and his brain caved in then exploded. You shouldn't drink so much caffeine. No wonder you are grumpy."
Xelgadis saw Candy and smiled, and glomped onto Zellos in fear.
"There you are. Smoopy. Your protecting me until Lina gets off stage. Let's hold hands."
Zellos shoved him "Don't touch me."
"Candy is after me. Pretend to be my jealous evil mazouka boyfriend who likes to bite."
"Surprise surprise. You want her to be jealous." Zellos said.
"A fella's got to eat. Even if he is chimera."
"What kind of crazy girl falls for a chimera or a mazouka? I'm still cursed. Even if I change body no one can bear my presence. My soul is dirty, tainted. Who says I'm human at all anymore."
Xelgadis jabbed him in the shoulder.
"Ouch. Stop it."
"If you were mazouka you'd want me to do it again. If you were a chimera you wouldn't feel it."
"I can't be human inside." Zellos said.
"You know you still look very beautiful and familiar. But you do taste the same." Xelgadis purred with his strange light voice.
"Stop it or I'm asking Candy for a three-way."
Xelgadis purred. "You naughty thing."
Zellos turned away. No use giving the mazouka/chimera more things to think about."
"You know it's fun to pretend like I'm you. Thinking that all the pleasure is wrong. But I never really went after something I didn't desire."
"Desire is-"
"Desire is the worst kind and suffering there is. Attaining it, denying it, all leads to misery and death. I embrace it. You deny it. And none of us our better for it."
Xelgadis brushed his stony knubs against the small of his back.
"You like that. And don't say you don't." Xelgadis whispered in his ear. "
Zellos peeled his arms off.
"I'm leaving. Get some coffee and-" He smiled "From the bottom of my heart I hope feel much better." Zellos glared at him smiling a bitter grin.
"Now that is horrible thing to say. If I feel any better you might find me in the bathroom. Do you know how hard it is for mazouka on festival days? Good food family community togetherness. If it weren't for your discomfort I don't think I'd be here at all. Well maybe Lina, but you are much tastier than Lina."
"Then go bother her."
"Just remember my offer. The one inch no one can scratch the same itch better than someone who felt the same one."
Zellos only offered a look of disgust. So Xelgadis went to look for coffee.
Zellos couldn't believe how aggravated and strange he felt. He sat on the fountain as long as it took before the cool water helped him... compose himself.
***
At the inn he couldn't wait to shower. He took off his wet clothes. And tossed the towel on his body.
he couldn't help looking at his legs, but quickly looked up. His thoughts swirled, "This is so perverted. I don't want to know what he looks like. But he is me. I'm going to wash my hair, and not look down." By the time he noticed the scar from the battle with Phribrizzio, it was too late.
The naughty mazouka thoughts in him kept jabbing his brain. This was his body now. It wasn't wrong to look at himself. Besides he couldn't spend the rest of this trip only washing his hair. He had to shower sometime.
He peeked under the towel wrapped around him and coughed.
"What in the Samakin Hill?" It was not supposed to be that color. "My hair is not that color. And my eyebrows are black Guess the drapes don't match the carpeting."
"Zelbobis-kun. Where are you?"
Zellos stood up straight and covered himself. He prayed he didn't say that too loud. Couldn't he ever say his name right? He crossed his legs trying to forget that strange vivid color.
"Gourry."
"Xellos I was looking for Zeldogis We were going to go and hot tub."
"Oh yeah."
"Don't you worry Xellos-kun I would never take him away from. This is just a guys night out. Lina would kill me if I separated Zelgadis from his one true love. She scares me."
"Women."
Zellos admitted he did Miss the "Schvitz and Bitch" or the old SB. Gourry had more emotional problems with Lina than people gave him credit for. Like for example He was attracted to her and not as the result of recent head trauma and she liked him. And the fact she was Lina Inverse also didn't help. Not to mention his problems with Lina. Everybody he knew was insane.
"Well he probably has better... Why don't I join you?"
"Do you have hotspring on Wolf Pack Island?"
"Sure Sure."
"I wish Zeldodidas was here to go hot tubbing. It's so much fun with him around. I can tell him anything without him really bejesus smacking me."
Xelgadis appeared out of thin air with a little rubber ducky, shower cap with the scrub brush in his teeth like a dog.
"Hellooo Mr Gabriev!" He spat out the scrub brush. "Time for your ten oclock hot tub appointment."
"Zelgatti. How did you get here so fast?"
"Oh a little trick I learned from Zellos. He's teaching me special magic."
"Xel-CHAN, shut up." Zellos gritted.
"Don't call me Xel-chan, mazouka fwuity woot cake" He tweaked his nose and pinched his cheeks. Real believable
Xelgadis clapped his arm around Gourry, "Well, come on. Let's have some hetero man fun. I'll scrub your back."
"But I already washed off in the shower."
Xelgadis's chimera fangs glimmered with drool as he obscenely swatted his wrist with the scrub brush . "Momma say a CLEAN boy is a happy boy."
Zellos fell on his face and grabbed the chimera.
"Zel-kun. You got a fever?" Gourry checked his temperature on his forehead.
"Why don't you just see how hot I am first?" Xelgadis twitched his nose at the swordsman.
Zellos pulled himself from off the ground.
"Xel-lo-di da da. what are you doing?"
"You are no fun."
"You are acting weird ... because of a fever or your drunk or something."
"Gourry I'll take care of Zellos you go ahead. get in the hot spring. Go go go."
Zellos caught his breath sucking in as much air as he could so he would split his own ear drums. "What are you doing?"
"I am going to hot tub with the sexy blond. I don't know what planet you are on. But I'm on the Planet Hot Times. Shuttles Departing on the Half Hour."
"This is Gourry. Gourry Bleu Gabriev. You are going to seduce Gourry."
"I was just planning on spanking and leering. But Seducing? Are you sure you aren't a mazouka?" he punched Zellos in the arm. "That would be the more insidious thing to do while I'm in here." he made a bicep. "I am Xelgadis Greywers."
"BUT-"
"Right it is too easy. Like candy from a blond bishounen baby. Oooh How about I get him to cause trouble with his scary sword? I bet if you stroke it it gets bigger."
Zellos stood in front of the chimera, "I'm not letting you do it."
"Join us then. I'm sure you wouldn't mind sharing."
"I've got to keep you away from him. Or Lina will kill us both."
Xelgadis smiled "If you really didn't like it, if it didn't fire some passion inside you to see him like that..." Xelgadis whispered in his ear "...don't you think I would know."
Zellos realized in flesh it was harder to ignore some things in this body. Including the full body blush.
"You enjoy the view. His legs and his muscles. You think it's everything you are not and will never be. You like his pale flesh and-"
"Okay so what? It's a thing that happens. So I get a little hard watching him... So?"
"I'd like to see how long you'd hold out in flesh. You have massive reserve of patience. I don't and never have. Not even as a chimera.."
"Don't think so high of yourself."
"And don't think you can deny your desire for too long. It denies your very nature."
"I'm not myself anymore anyway. Why should I let your freaky perversions corrupt me?"
"Guess the fruitcake doesn't only come out at Christmas." Xelgadis blinked.
Now the stupid mazouka woud flirt with the blond on purpose, just to annoy him. He quickly tried to join them.
Xelgadis was practically sitting on Gourry's lap.
"So I was wondering how long does your sword get. Can I see?"
"Oh you are so-" Gourry laughed and blushed.
Zellos slapped himself mentally. Goury was responding.
"I learned my lesson it makes the handle get all rusty." He nodded.
"I really wanted to see it." Xelgadis tried to get even closer.
"Hey look wine." Zellos intercepted Xelgadis's advances.
"Hmm. I think you're trying to get me drunk, Gourry." Xelgadis said.
"I hope we get real drunk." Gourry laughed.
"You know I'm a cheap drunk." Xelgadis slapped him saucily.
"Ouch." Gourry stared "You drink more then anyone I've ever seen in my life. I saw you and monkey polish off a bottle of Zefildian Gin. You're almost as bad as Syphiel and Naga that one time."
Zellos gasped "Syphiel drinks?"
"Oh well let's see." Xelgadis said
Zellos took a sip and coughed and his face turned red. Xelgadis sipped then gulped.
"Whoa slow down little man. This is Sandorian Merlot." he patted Xellos on the back. "I like Sandorian Merlot. It's my favorite." Zellos frowned and tried to breath again.
"Why don't you lay off the-"
Zellos drank more. He held up his glass. Apparently Sandorian Merlot wasn't Xellos's favorite. for obvious reasons
***
Zellos tried to sit up. His normal metabolism let him drink way more than a normal human. Not to mention Xellos's low body weight body was a cheap three goblet drunk.
"Wow I've never seen a monster drink that much."
"Oh he's just faking it. Monsters love to get drunk. The Depressants in alcohol does wonders to supress the production of pleasure inducing chemicals."
Zellos muttered incoherently.
"A mazouka would love to be drunk, right?"
"Oh yeah. I'm fine Gourry."
"Poor Zellos. Someone should put him to bed."
"Xelgadis. because I don't you alone with Gourry, you are a stinky." Zellos pointed at the chimera mazouka.
"Wow he I think he tipsy." Gourry said.
"I think he's smashed. Yes Mazouka are like that. They can't appreciate the joys in life. Simple unavoidable pleasures." Xelgadis craned his head in towards Gourry's chest.
"Oh he's not so bad just a little pink.
"Gourry... " Zellos fells asleep.
"I thank the gods I am not a mazouka and just a chimera. Even thought it is a lonely life. Being a chimera. No one to love."
"Awww. Really. Man." Gourry frowned The concerned friend patted him on the shoulder "Well I hope you know I'm your friend."
"Of course you Gourry. Stainless perfect valiabnt Gourry. Your heart as pure as diamond, big as the moon and as warm as fire."
"Oh thank Zel. You're really neat too. The way really cool and you're made of rock. Even though I can't say your name." Gourry blushed a little.
Xelgadis felt the fire of passion beat under his stone skin. To his face. Gourry's blue eyes sparkled with the strange low light of the baths like stars in a fog.
"In fact Gourry. I don't understand mazouka at all. They aren't like us." Xelgadis smiled.
"Yeah. But he's-"
Xelgadis grabbed his large soft hand. Warmer than the water. Such warm hands.
"In fact it may be the wine talking now but... Xelgadis edged closer.
"What? You're my best friend Zel. You can tell me. Don't be afraid."
Xelgadis looked into his sapphire eyes open and innocent.
"I think there is one too many people in this hottub."
That caused Gourry to blink. Twice. "Oh."
Xelgadis touched his face.
"Oh Oh. Oh my I see." Gourry smiled
"You do?" Xelgadis sat back.
Gourry laughed a light sweet giggle "I know exactly what you want me to do."
"Yes Gourry you-"
"Don't be shy. I'm not blind."
"Oh Gourry." Xelgadis tipped back his head seductively.
The blond made his move.
"Bye Bye Zelbongas. You have fun." Gourry giggled. He winked at Zellos.
"What?" Xelgadis garbled under the water. Xelgadis sunk under neath the water. The statuesque blond pulled his muscular body out of the hotspring. Xelgadis gritted his teeth and hoped that Shabrindingo was watching as he tried not pass out from lust. He grabbed his towel and wrapped it around his well sculpted perfect thigh and abs like Dinner plates. He pranced off giggling like a school girl.
"Oh there better be a Ciephied up there. If I am good for no reason-" Xelgadis muttered.
Drunken Zellos pulled him up from underneath the pool.
"I never thought I'd see the day." the chimazouka shook his head in disbelief.
"I told you to leave Gourry alone. Now you are rejected." the drunken Zellos put his hand in Xelgadis's face.
Xelgadis crossed his arms "He is just too stupid to be seduced."
"It doesn't matter to me. I can wait. There are more gullible people out there." he looked at Zellos "He Zellos. WHy don't I take you back to my room?"
"I feel fine. I'm in a good moved. I am. I want to stay up and be alone.."
"Come on Zel-chan. You could always say you were drunk."
Zellos looked glassy eyed at the chimera and tocuhed his lips.
"I've got soft lips. They aren't stone."
"No they aren't." Xelgadis said. Zellos looked again. "The hair is just so sharp."
"Thanks."
Zellos smiled for no reason before he kissed Xelgadis.
***
Gourry was walking down the hall whistling "Love is a many splendor'd thing."
Amelia was waling from the bathroom ready to curl into her bed, nice and cozy and quiet.
"What a long day?"
"Yes but what a beautiful night. Romance is nice."
"Romance. Gourry you heartbreaker" Amelia perked up "Romance is the endeavor of the just heart. Who's the lucky girl?"
"Oh it's not me Amelia. I'm just matchmaking."
"Oh who? Do I know them?'
Gourry was about to tell her the wonderful news until over his shoulder the phantom superdeformed head of Lina Inverse.
"You Baka! Amelia loves Zelgadis. She'll be sad when she finds out that Zelgadis loves Xellos."
Gourry turned around. "Lina what are you doing up there?"
"Don't mind me. I'm just a figment of your imagination."
Gourry furrowed his bor "Figs are a kind of fruit. Oh you are made of fruit?"
"No mental lightweight I'm in your mind."
"No wonder you are small Fruit Lina. How do you fit inside my head? Are you inflatable?"
"Listen buddy. Amelia thinks you are talking to yourself. I may only be a symbollic manifestation of memory and consciousness but I can bite your ears."
Amelia stared where Gourry was staring.
"You're talking to yourself, Gourry-san."
"Wow the Fig Lina is right. Even smarter than regular Lina."
"See just don't tell her."
"I won't say a thing about Xellos and Zelgadis."
Amelia dropped her arms and her eyes filled with fire. "What?"
"Um Nothing. Oh good job you Figgy Dumb thing. Now she knows."
The apparition sweatdropped "Quick run away and hide under the bed where she can't get you."
"Good thinking Fig Lina."
They ran into the room and hid under the bed.
"She'll-"
"What are you doing in my room?" Lina said.
"Oh hey Lina number one. This is The Fig Lina. We're hiding from Amelia."
"Under my bed?"
"We gotta keep the secret. About Zelgadis. He likes Xellos."
"What?"
"Xel and Zel are out there in the hot tub." Gourry said.
"What you left them alone in a hottub? How could you?"
Gourry shrunk his pupils "Did you want me to stay? I'm not that kind of boy." He twisted his lips.
Lina sweatdropped. "Xellos and Zelgadis are making out in the hotspring?"
Amelia gasped.
The Figment pointed at Lina "She said it not me. I'm out." and the head vanished.
Amelia pulled back her feet and walked backward rather than risk turning around and wasting time. A yellow cloud of fire collected around her body like a cocoon of flame and some static electricity.
The guardian of the spring stood up as the flaming sparking Amelia strolled backwards into the gentleman's bathing area.
"Hey girlie. This is the mens spring. No visitors."
"I must stop him."
Xellos was waiting. Drunk as a skunk on shore leave.
"What did you do to him?" Amelia said softly and a steel knew to her voice rasped light as a breeze, enflamed by her passion.
Zellos looked up.
Amelia grabbed the mazouka and shoo "WHAT... DID... YOU... DO?"
At this exact vibration the mazouka couldn't contain his stomach from-
Amelia took a step back and grabbed an extra towel.
Xellos wiped off his mouth "That and then he said um good night."
"You drunken reprobrate." Amelia threw the towel at him.
"That was my towel." Zellos said.
Amelia stood over him.
"I love Zelgadis. I would do anything to be with him. And if you stand in my way may Shabrindingo have mercy upon you. For the justice gods."
"You do?"
"Yes. I will not have you..."
"But this isn't..." Xellos swam away.
"I'm not done with you. You defiler of chimeras. You seducer. You cad. I'm not done."
"I think I am. But you love him right?"
"Yes."
"Oh." Zellos looked at his hands. "Well that's nice. I guess that's okay." Zellos knew his brain was fogged. He couldn't. He didn't even care. She was here declaring her love for him. For Zelgadis, and he didn't have a single thing to say back to her. Zellos stood up wrapped the towel around his body. He looked in her sweet innocent face and those wide eyes. Looking for some response, and then it came.
"I'm going to bed. I'm drunk."
"You can't brush me off." Amelia placed her hand on his shoulder "I'm the one who loves him."
"Look girl. I've heard this same thing for these years. Don't you think he could have guessed? Don't you think he'd want some girl with the courage to say 'I love you.' He dreamed of it every night. And it couldn't happen. Because he didn't know anymore about the world than she or love or anything besides his magic and his dream to be like he was." Zellos let the tears flow. "What is wrong with you, Amelia? Don't you know what it would have meant to him?"
"I can't tell him that. It's not how it's supposed to be."
"If things were how they were supposed to be he wouldn't even be him. He would be another boy another human. He wouldn't be a freak. So keep telling me and yourself that he is everything you desire, and he's your perfect knight. But until you can tell him and mean it. And until you can really love him you are just full of crap."
"I love him. But I can't just tell him."
"Of course you can't. You're just so wrapped up in this image of him you never cared." Zellos sat down "One 'I love you' could have saved him. That was all he wanted."
Amelia turned away "I was shy. He's so great and powerful. The perfect man for me. There is no one more worthy of my-"
She was a child. She didn't even realize that love bound both souls together. It was never the right guy. It was never a situation. It was a context, it was more than something that happened.
"Can't you tell when a man isn't interested?"
Amelia turned around hiding her tears from him, "I could ask you the same. You only pester him."
"He is a boy in a ageless tomb for a body. He was too foolish to see the truth and will never stop kidding himself. His eyes are as sensless as rocks. His heart is as cold as stone."
"How can you say that about Zelgadis?"
"I know him very well." Zellos looked at his borrowed skin.
"He has only been confused by you. I know his soul is pure and good."
"Oh really?"
"It is only the soul that matters his body means nothing to me. Such concerns are of weak people. His beauty is his valour, his strength, his introverted and intense charms. A mazouka cannot know the love like this."
"Love of the soul?" Zellos looked straight at her. She was looking at the thing she said she loved. The real him in this new body. Everything he was, was there, in this form. Amelia had no idea. She did not know. She never knew. She could not love what she would never even try to understand.
"Oh I see you love his soul."
Amelia growled "Yes."
"But only his soul?"
"Of course."
Zellos turned his back "That is where you are wrong." If she truly knew his soul wouldn't she be able to recognize him in this body.
"You are a mazouka. You do not know what love is."
Zellos looked in her eyes "Look into my eyes, Amelia."
She let the mazouka grab her wrist. "What would you say if I said I love you?"
"You don't love me. Your eyes are cold. Your eyes don't burn with love."
"Huh? You are my perfect girl. You've been so nice to me. And your pretty and you are sweet if annoying. And we've been through the end of the world and we united kingdoms. Why wouldn't I love you?"
"The heart does not work that way."
"You don't like the way I look. I mean I'm not a chimera. Hmmm. I'm beautiful too right."
Amelia hauled off and smacked him "You are not Zelgadis and only my love can love me."
Zellos held his cheek.
"I only love Zelgadis. Only him. He is the only-" she was losing her resolve, "I will never ever ever sleep with a mazouka. Never in a thousand years."
Zellos leaned back in the water.
"All right take him."
Amelia was startled "Pardon?"
"You have won your love with the justice in your heart." He saluted. He could barely see straight without telegraphing his joke. "A mazouka the likes of me can't compete with the power of Love. Go forth and declare your love for Xelgadis. I don't love you. I hope you are happy. And I really hope you leave me the hell alone."
Amelia was stunned to silence. The wind blew across the pond. A tear formed in her eye and she babbled to stop that horrible feeling
"I am sorry my Justice had to defeat you Mazouka. Buit Justice is Blind and so is love. Love and Justice sees not with the eyes but with the mind. So is winged Cupid is so painted blind"
Amelia turned away.
Zellos poured hot water on his cheek where she hit him. Zellos wondered what would have happened today if it had been the real Xellos there instead of him. He probably would have distintegrated the girl for slapping him. Love was a strange thing. He was glad to be out of it with Amelia.
To think right now she was curled up in her bed fantasizing about one of the most evil mazouka on the planet, just because he looked like him, made him smile.
Zellos had only begun to start laughing.
***
Amelia came thundering down the road up to the Mazouka's chest. Or what she thought was the mazouka.
"Mazouka. You may not have him. You will not lead him to evil."
"Who?" Xelgadis asked. "Oh yeah, you think that- Well this is awkward."
"Amelia. What?"
"Xellos, I above all others have supported you. I have defended your honor when Lina and Zelgadis would have left you."
"Yeah you're a real peach." Xelgadis said wistfully from behind her. "That's why he doesn't blast into a greasy smudge for all your nauseating and bitter justice speeches."
"Zelgadis-san please." Amelia shushed him.
"But you cannot seek to corrupt the heart of my-- " she shook her head "My friend with your evil heart."
Zellos was utterly dumbfounded unable to articulate anything in his mind except a desperate cry "When?"
"You love Zelgadis." Amelia frowned.
"Huh?" Zellos twisted his brow "But I'm- Oh yeah..." Zellos laughed.
"See like said awkward" Xelgadis whispered to Zellos shook his head.
"But you cannot love with a heart of justice. You are a demon and know only lust and carnality."
"Hey at least he follows his strengths." Xelgadis says. Xelgadis muttered under his breath "What a preposterous thought. What does that little guttersnipe know...
"I care about Zelgadis and if you ever separate us-"
Zellos covered his mouth. He could feel flesh so it had to be a dream "You want Zelgadis don't you? "
The girl blushed.
Zellos shook his head in disbelief, "He's a chimera. He's a monster just like I am. You would want him anyway?"
Xelgadis looked at him, smirking before Amelia could see.
"I seek only to save him from evil. From you. If you tried to corrupt Lina or anyone I still would defy you."
Xelgadis lowered his eyes "What a little coward she can be." He muttered.
Zellos tightened his eyes "Say what you mean. Don't mess around. Do you realize how lonely and desperate he is? How he has dreamed some girl would come along and show him what love was? To love him for what he was? He dreamed of this everyday. So you are messing around with something very dangerous."
"I will not speak to the likes of you. Stay away from Zelgadis." Amelia said.
"Amelia, do you love him?"
Amelia turned around and walked away. "I need to be alone. I'll see you back at the inn, Zelgadis. Stay away from Xellos." She walked on.
Zellos tried to run after her, looking for some answer. The only answer the one that would last forever. He wanted Amelia to say, I love you. For anyone to say it and have it in their heart.
He was about to touch her arm when in front of his path Xelgadis materialized.
"Oh that must be nasty." Xelgadis shook his head tsking " I had no idea that she could be so cruel. And the worst of it she doesn't even realize it. Come on Zel-chan. Time for bed." Xelgadis said. He patted Zellos on the back.
Zellos didn't move, he was crouched in pain like someone had punched him. Xelgadis touched his soft hair.
"Amelia she... no no. But I'm... She loved me."
"Hmmm. She didn't say it." Xelgadis said.
"I was so wrapped in my own skin I couldn't see it. Now she doesn't. She loves you." Zellos grabbed the chimazouka
Xelgadis grinned "That's pretty neat."
"Oh my god. She's annoying too. Am I so pathetic that I can only attract the most annoying people in the universe? But she doesn't love me. I'm Zellos. I'm Zellos. I'm Zellos."
Zellos curled on the ground. Xelgadis paused.
"Zellos. Read my lips. She never said she loved Zelgadis. This is just... stop being so silly." Xelgadis turned around sharply.
"Amelia was the- Oh god, my life, it's over."
Xelgadis sat down and crossed his legs."
"Sleep." Xelgadis touched him "Because if you sleep, won't the pain go away? It will be better if you are asleep, right? Then you'll feel nothing...." Xelgadis guarded his words carefully. He couldn't say that. He couldn't say what he waned. But Zellos was there looking so hurt, not hurt damaged "And it won't hurt." Xelgadis had said it. But still Zellos wasn't listening
"You don't want it too hurt. It doesn't have to hurt, be cause your not cursed, not anymore Zel-chan. You are free. And I'm just messing with you. So you'll sleep and not hurt anymore." Xelgadis was sure he had lost his mind by now. He wanted to stop hurting a mortal. No he wanted to stop hurting Zel. But it was worse. He didn't want anything to hurt Zel. He was on the edge.
"I don't understand." Zellos held onto him. The boy's thoughts becoming more desperate and stranger. Painful but bad.
Zellos touched Xelgadis "Why would she do all those things if..." Could it be she loved him? Loved Zelgadis the chimera? He shook his head. Xellos had said so. The old Zelgadis couldn't even stand to look at his own body. Now he had a human body. Was it his soul cursed to bring such misery?
He looked at his soft hands and soft flesh. White skin. He never thought he would see hands. But these weren't even his. He had wondered how his body would have changed if he had grown like a normal man. Xellos looked like him when he was mortal except for the gorgeous violet hair. He should be glad his body was handsome, and like when used to be human.
Xellos, Amelia, even strangers were attracted to Xellos in his old body, and still repelled by this mazouka form. Even if it was a human body.
He traded his hated body to become the most reviled and powerful mazouka on Earth. He didn't even have that power or did he? Maybe the magic was just an illusion. What if he had sold his last ounce of humanity for this body and it didn't matter.
Zellos sighed. But I'm human? Is my soul tainted by this curse? Am I only pretending the curse is gone?
Xelgadis teleported him in his room. He laid him on the bed. For a second Zellos missed the strength to pitch Xellos around. To the regular eye it looked as if Xellos wouldn't even fit in his arms. But in reality chimeras were very strong.
"You say you are not a mazouka, but you like to feel this pain. Even though it really does hurt you." Xelgadis brushed his neck, softly touching soft hair. "That is more human than I have ever seen."
Xelgadis tucked him into the blankets, "If you do not go to sleep all this pain will damage you, Zel. Turn off your pain, even for a few hours."
"You realize Amelia will probably never say she loves me." Zellos said.
"So what else is new?" Xelgadis smirked.
Zellos laughed "Fruitcake."
Xelgadis looked around hestitantly as if he thought the world would end if he was seen, sat on the bed and brushed back his hair "Does that feel good, Zel... for you?"
"Yes."
"That wasn't so bad." Xelgadis smiled. "See I can do this kind of stuff."
Zellos smiled, "Thank you."
"I think I better leave before I make you feel better and embarrass myself on your carpet." Xelgadis stood up. "I don't want you feeling better. It makes me queasy to see you too happy."
***
The second day of the Chili Pepper Festival was going off full tilt by the time Zellos woke up. No one had come to get him for breakfast. Xelgadis on the other hand was dragged out of bed by Amelia. Zellos plastered on the fake grin and wandered down stairs.
"I wonder if they missed me at all." Zellos thought. "No one ever really checks up on him like Amelia or Lina checked on me. No wonder he spends all his time hounding us. We'd never give him a second glance if he didn't."
Amelia was a good friend. Having her hate him for no reason was maddening. But she couldn't know what they had done. He must try to trick her, no matter how much it hurt him.
They all walked out into the square together. Gourry was the first to wander off. It wasn't long before Zellos was gone as well. So with two girls at his side Xelgadis wandered through the fair.
"Hey Zelgadis. Look it's Candy." Lina elbowed him in the ribs.
"I'm not interested." Xelgadis tossed his head, "Amelia, pretend to be my jealous violent sorceress girlfriend."
"Pretend?" Lina snorted.
"Your girlfriend. Oh ZELGADIS... I- I- Oh Zelgadis..."
Xelgadis looked at her and rolled his eyes "Lina would you be my jealous violent sorceress girlfriend."
"With pleasure, snookies." The sorceress looked at Candy and grabbed unto him like a side of ham.
"More drool. less cross eyed. That face is ridiculous."
"I'm not making a face."
Near the pottery stands, Zellos looked at the pretty red head, Candy. She had liked him even when he was a chimera. If he was a real human he would be able to attract her. She was awfully pretty.
Something in Zellos changed slightly. Well if he was a lecherous and evil mazouka why not pretend and get something. Why not? Zellos straightened his violet hair and walked towards her.
"Hi. My name is Zellos Metallium. I could help but notice you were all alone." "Hi." The girl looked at her manicure. "What going down?"
She wasn't even looking at him "Well it's just I don't think that a girl as pretty as you should be alone." He leaned towards her grinning mischievously.
"Hey you're Zelgadis's friend." The red head covered her chest.
"I was wondering if you would care to-" Zellos grabbed her hand and tried to kiss it salaciously.
"I really liked your little chimera friend. You know all that marble blue skin. It must be so hard going around with such a babe magnet and not get jealous of all those girls."
Zellos tried to touch her shoulder "Say maybe I could-"
She stared wide eyed. "Oh dear."
"What is it, Candy?"
She stepped back "How did you know my name? Did Zelgadis-"
"Yes I asked him, because he-"
"Now I didn't mean to send you the wrong message. I'm not interested. I'm sorry but I really don't want to ruin it with your friend Xelgadis. But thank you."
Zellos felt his heart sink.
"But I do have a friend."
A dark haired boy knocked her out of the way and placed his hand right on Zellos's shoulder "Who is your cute friend Candy?" He winked.
"What?" Xellos shrunk back at the flirtatious boy "Go away!"
"Well Zelgadis said you were a Fruitcake. I over heard you two talking."
"Xelgadis!" the purple haired mazouka grumbled. "I'm not ... It's that fruitcake. Oooh he's trying to make me look, oooh. When I get my hands on that fruitcake" Zellos muttered and sparks flew from his fingers.
"Oh yeah keep dreamin honey. That chimera is as straight they come." the boy said "Real fine looking fella."
"Durn right." Zellos said he walked away from the too.
Candy shook her head "Man that guy is a complete fruitcake."
***
Lina slapped Xelgadis's butt. She glared at Candy
"I think it's working." Lina said. "She's flirting with Xellos.
"Lina-kun you don't need to touch my butt." Xelgadis giggled uncomfortably.
"Are you sure I think my character would-"
Xelgadis smiled cheerily. "Get your hand off my ass, sweet heart or I'll blast you." He let out a soft chuckle. Lina hugged him
"You're in such a good mood lately. I think it must be all the mountain air." Lina said, but she thought "Or maybe it's Xellos. They are both so weird, it has to be true. But it can't be Amelia loves him."
"Miss Inverse?" A man in a black robe with a bushy moustache called out softly "The Opening Ceremony for the Pepper Eating Contest is starting. Places Challengers."
A burly troll like farmer snapped his lapels. "Everyone dropped out when they saw my boy Petey come on stage."
"Ooh Xelgadis. I gotta go." Lina
"Lina don't leave me. That red haired Candy-cow will.-"
"Just tell her your gay with Xellos. He's always around."
The chimera almost smirked for a second. But Lina ignored it as she walked to the stage.
The Judge's white moustache bristled and twitched while his eyes and mouth were nearly hidden "Challenger 1, Peter "the Dragon" Piscataway
The townies shouted. As a lump on the hoizon moved Standing at 7 feet, he looked down at Lina. "Did you lose your mommy little girl?" The 'man' had the visage of a jungle pig with four tusks
"I thought this contest was for human beings not warthogs."
"Hai there you messing with my Momma."
A wart pig squealed in the audience.
"You can't-"
"We are a peaceful village. If a warthog man wants to join in the contest, there are no rules to prevent him from doing so."
The ground shook with Pete's laughter.
The old man straightened his armor and walked up the stairs.
"And the returning Champion, His Majesty King Van of Fanelia-"
"Hi There Hihi-chan. Hello Pelonia."
"And that's--" the judge looked at the card.
"I'm here too me me me." Lina waved her arms.
"And the challenger 3. Rina Unifers."
"That's Inverse. Lina Inverse L-I-N-A then I-N-VER-SE."
Amelia grabbed the microphone away "The Infamous sorceress Bandit Killer, Slayer of Monsters, Friend to Seiryun and Dragon Spooker, Lina Inverse."
The crowd laughed.
The judge grabbed the phone away "The pepper eating contest will begin at 4 o clock, tomorrow morning.":
From the crowd a man shouted "You mean in the afternoon."
The judge was beat red at all the interruptions "When the winner will be named Hot Pepper King."
"Or queen..." Lina grabbed the microphone away.
"Yeah right." Petey laughed. "Yer bouts as tiny full as a bug."
"Quite right, Young lady." The old man said, "This is a serious eating contest."
Lina put her foot on the chair in a macho pose. "Therr isn't an eating contest on Earth I can't win. I once sailed 400 miles in a driving rainstorm to get Dragon Cuisine. I once paralyzed a man for stealing my mutton. I once killed a man just to take his taco."
Amelia gasped "When did that happen? I don't remember that."
"I can eat anything, any place and anyone you dare me too." Lina stood up "I am Lina Inverse. Sorceress, Woman and Glutton."
"You can't use your fancy spells here. This is an eatin contest." Petey said
The judge grabbed back the microphone "And as a supplement prize, The Lady of the Moon will cast her fortune for the winner."
"Oooh." Petey snorted in excitement, "I can't wait to hear my fortune."
"Hihi-chan. What are you doing? You said that you can't tell fortunes.""
"And if you win Mr. Fanel, I suspect the smell will be so bad, I predict you are sleeping on the couch for a week." The Seeress waved her nose.
Petey looked down at Lina "See ya tommorow Little Bug Girl." The wart man snorted.
"If you wish to walk out with dignity no one would blame you Lina." Van brushed off his fingers
"I'll meet your challenge Fanel." Lina said.
***
Zellos used this opportunity to sneak in a store and by some new underwear. They didn't have blue all they had was pink for ladies. How many people in the world went around without underwear? He sulked out of the store quietly hoping none of the others would see him Unfortunately his respite would not be short.
"It's a flying monster. He's just floating there."
"A chimera. I can't believe it
Xelgadis was sleeping on top of the foutain levitating in mid air. The shocked villagers were buzzing and nervous about the chimera and if he breathed fire or ice. They were obviously magically illiterate
"I say fire." the yokel said.
"I say he has ice breath." The village idiot insisted.
Zellos nearly dropped his bag and levitated next him pulling him down
"Acts over folks we'll be here until Thursday." Zellos chuckled nervously.
Xelgadis yanked Zellos to his side. The chimera rubbed his eyes "Hi Zellos. I was taking a nap. I'm so drowsy."
"You need some coffee?"
"I don't drink coffee." Xellos said "It's not good for you."
"My body needs the caffeine. I always have coffee in the morning and Orange Pekoe at lunch."
"I can't drink coffee. It makes my seratonin go all funky. There was a mazouka who killed himself by taking Extra Strength Tylenol. He took three instead of two and his brain caved in then exploded. You shouldn't drink so much caffeine. No wonder you are grumpy."
Xelgadis saw Candy and smiled, and glomped onto Zellos in fear.
"There you are. Smoopy. Your protecting me until Lina gets off stage. Let's hold hands."
Zellos shoved him "Don't touch me."
"Candy is after me. Pretend to be my jealous evil mazouka boyfriend who likes to bite."
"Surprise surprise. You want her to be jealous." Zellos said.
"A fella's got to eat. Even if he is chimera."
"What kind of crazy girl falls for a chimera or a mazouka? I'm still cursed. Even if I change body no one can bear my presence. My soul is dirty, tainted. Who says I'm human at all anymore."
Xelgadis jabbed him in the shoulder.
"Ouch. Stop it."
"If you were mazouka you'd want me to do it again. If you were a chimera you wouldn't feel it."
"I can't be human inside." Zellos said.
"You know you still look very beautiful and familiar. But you do taste the same." Xelgadis purred with his strange light voice.
"Stop it or I'm asking Candy for a three-way."
Xelgadis purred. "You naughty thing."
Zellos turned away. No use giving the mazouka/chimera more things to think about."
"You know it's fun to pretend like I'm you. Thinking that all the pleasure is wrong. But I never really went after something I didn't desire."
"Desire is-"
"Desire is the worst kind and suffering there is. Attaining it, denying it, all leads to misery and death. I embrace it. You deny it. And none of us our better for it."
Xelgadis brushed his stony knubs against the small of his back.
"You like that. And don't say you don't." Xelgadis whispered in his ear. "
Zellos peeled his arms off.
"I'm leaving. Get some coffee and-" He smiled "From the bottom of my heart I hope feel much better." Zellos glared at him smiling a bitter grin.
"Now that is horrible thing to say. If I feel any better you might find me in the bathroom. Do you know how hard it is for mazouka on festival days? Good food family community togetherness. If it weren't for your discomfort I don't think I'd be here at all. Well maybe Lina, but you are much tastier than Lina."
"Then go bother her."
"Just remember my offer. The one inch no one can scratch the same itch better than someone who felt the same one."
Zellos only offered a look of disgust. So Xelgadis went to look for coffee.
Zellos couldn't believe how aggravated and strange he felt. He sat on the fountain as long as it took before the cool water helped him... compose himself.
***
At the inn he couldn't wait to shower. He took off his wet clothes. And tossed the towel on his body.
he couldn't help looking at his legs, but quickly looked up. His thoughts swirled, "This is so perverted. I don't want to know what he looks like. But he is me. I'm going to wash my hair, and not look down." By the time he noticed the scar from the battle with Phribrizzio, it was too late.
The naughty mazouka thoughts in him kept jabbing his brain. This was his body now. It wasn't wrong to look at himself. Besides he couldn't spend the rest of this trip only washing his hair. He had to shower sometime.
He peeked under the towel wrapped around him and coughed.
"What in the Samakin Hill?" It was not supposed to be that color. "My hair is not that color. And my eyebrows are black Guess the drapes don't match the carpeting."
"Zelbobis-kun. Where are you?"
Zellos stood up straight and covered himself. He prayed he didn't say that too loud. Couldn't he ever say his name right? He crossed his legs trying to forget that strange vivid color.
"Gourry."
"Xellos I was looking for Zeldogis We were going to go and hot tub."
"Oh yeah."
"Don't you worry Xellos-kun I would never take him away from. This is just a guys night out. Lina would kill me if I separated Zelgadis from his one true love. She scares me."
"Women."
Zellos admitted he did Miss the "Schvitz and Bitch" or the old SB. Gourry had more emotional problems with Lina than people gave him credit for. Like for example He was attracted to her and not as the result of recent head trauma and she liked him. And the fact she was Lina Inverse also didn't help. Not to mention his problems with Lina. Everybody he knew was insane.
"Well he probably has better... Why don't I join you?"
"Do you have hotspring on Wolf Pack Island?"
"Sure Sure."
"I wish Zeldodidas was here to go hot tubbing. It's so much fun with him around. I can tell him anything without him really bejesus smacking me."
Xelgadis appeared out of thin air with a little rubber ducky, shower cap with the scrub brush in his teeth like a dog.
"Hellooo Mr Gabriev!" He spat out the scrub brush. "Time for your ten oclock hot tub appointment."
"Zelgatti. How did you get here so fast?"
"Oh a little trick I learned from Zellos. He's teaching me special magic."
"Xel-CHAN, shut up." Zellos gritted.
"Don't call me Xel-chan, mazouka fwuity woot cake" He tweaked his nose and pinched his cheeks. Real believable
Xelgadis clapped his arm around Gourry, "Well, come on. Let's have some hetero man fun. I'll scrub your back."
"But I already washed off in the shower."
Xelgadis's chimera fangs glimmered with drool as he obscenely swatted his wrist with the scrub brush . "Momma say a CLEAN boy is a happy boy."
Zellos fell on his face and grabbed the chimera.
"Zel-kun. You got a fever?" Gourry checked his temperature on his forehead.
"Why don't you just see how hot I am first?" Xelgadis twitched his nose at the swordsman.
Zellos pulled himself from off the ground.
"Xel-lo-di da da. what are you doing?"
"You are no fun."
"You are acting weird ... because of a fever or your drunk or something."
"Gourry I'll take care of Zellos you go ahead. get in the hot spring. Go go go."
Zellos caught his breath sucking in as much air as he could so he would split his own ear drums. "What are you doing?"
"I am going to hot tub with the sexy blond. I don't know what planet you are on. But I'm on the Planet Hot Times. Shuttles Departing on the Half Hour."
"This is Gourry. Gourry Bleu Gabriev. You are going to seduce Gourry."
"I was just planning on spanking and leering. But Seducing? Are you sure you aren't a mazouka?" he punched Zellos in the arm. "That would be the more insidious thing to do while I'm in here." he made a bicep. "I am Xelgadis Greywers."
"BUT-"
"Right it is too easy. Like candy from a blond bishounen baby. Oooh How about I get him to cause trouble with his scary sword? I bet if you stroke it it gets bigger."
Zellos stood in front of the chimera, "I'm not letting you do it."
"Join us then. I'm sure you wouldn't mind sharing."
"I've got to keep you away from him. Or Lina will kill us both."
Xelgadis smiled "If you really didn't like it, if it didn't fire some passion inside you to see him like that..." Xelgadis whispered in his ear "...don't you think I would know."
Zellos realized in flesh it was harder to ignore some things in this body. Including the full body blush.
"You enjoy the view. His legs and his muscles. You think it's everything you are not and will never be. You like his pale flesh and-"
"Okay so what? It's a thing that happens. So I get a little hard watching him... So?"
"I'd like to see how long you'd hold out in flesh. You have massive reserve of patience. I don't and never have. Not even as a chimera.."
"Don't think so high of yourself."
"And don't think you can deny your desire for too long. It denies your very nature."
"I'm not myself anymore anyway. Why should I let your freaky perversions corrupt me?"
"Guess the fruitcake doesn't only come out at Christmas." Xelgadis blinked.
Now the stupid mazouka woud flirt with the blond on purpose, just to annoy him. He quickly tried to join them.
Xelgadis was practically sitting on Gourry's lap.
"So I was wondering how long does your sword get. Can I see?"
"Oh you are so-" Gourry laughed and blushed.
Zellos slapped himself mentally. Goury was responding.
"I learned my lesson it makes the handle get all rusty." He nodded.
"I really wanted to see it." Xelgadis tried to get even closer.
"Hey look wine." Zellos intercepted Xelgadis's advances.
"Hmm. I think you're trying to get me drunk, Gourry." Xelgadis said.
"I hope we get real drunk." Gourry laughed.
"You know I'm a cheap drunk." Xelgadis slapped him saucily.
"Ouch." Gourry stared "You drink more then anyone I've ever seen in my life. I saw you and monkey polish off a bottle of Zefildian Gin. You're almost as bad as Syphiel and Naga that one time."
Zellos gasped "Syphiel drinks?"
"Oh well let's see." Xelgadis said
Zellos took a sip and coughed and his face turned red. Xelgadis sipped then gulped.
"Whoa slow down little man. This is Sandorian Merlot." he patted Xellos on the back. "I like Sandorian Merlot. It's my favorite." Zellos frowned and tried to breath again.
"Why don't you lay off the-"
Zellos drank more. He held up his glass. Apparently Sandorian Merlot wasn't Xellos's favorite. for obvious reasons
***
Zellos tried to sit up. His normal metabolism let him drink way more than a normal human. Not to mention Xellos's low body weight body was a cheap three goblet drunk.
"Wow I've never seen a monster drink that much."
"Oh he's just faking it. Monsters love to get drunk. The Depressants in alcohol does wonders to supress the production of pleasure inducing chemicals."
Zellos muttered incoherently.
"A mazouka would love to be drunk, right?"
"Oh yeah. I'm fine Gourry."
"Poor Zellos. Someone should put him to bed."
"Xelgadis. because I don't you alone with Gourry, you are a stinky." Zellos pointed at the chimera mazouka.
"Wow he I think he tipsy." Gourry said.
"I think he's smashed. Yes Mazouka are like that. They can't appreciate the joys in life. Simple unavoidable pleasures." Xelgadis craned his head in towards Gourry's chest.
"Oh he's not so bad just a little pink.
"Gourry... " Zellos fells asleep.
"I thank the gods I am not a mazouka and just a chimera. Even thought it is a lonely life. Being a chimera. No one to love."
"Awww. Really. Man." Gourry frowned The concerned friend patted him on the shoulder "Well I hope you know I'm your friend."
"Of course you Gourry. Stainless perfect valiabnt Gourry. Your heart as pure as diamond, big as the moon and as warm as fire."
"Oh thank Zel. You're really neat too. The way really cool and you're made of rock. Even though I can't say your name." Gourry blushed a little.
Xelgadis felt the fire of passion beat under his stone skin. To his face. Gourry's blue eyes sparkled with the strange low light of the baths like stars in a fog.
"In fact Gourry. I don't understand mazouka at all. They aren't like us." Xelgadis smiled.
"Yeah. But he's-"
Xelgadis grabbed his large soft hand. Warmer than the water. Such warm hands.
"In fact it may be the wine talking now but... Xelgadis edged closer.
"What? You're my best friend Zel. You can tell me. Don't be afraid."
Xelgadis looked into his sapphire eyes open and innocent.
"I think there is one too many people in this hottub."
That caused Gourry to blink. Twice. "Oh."
Xelgadis touched his face.
"Oh Oh. Oh my I see." Gourry smiled
"You do?" Xelgadis sat back.
Gourry laughed a light sweet giggle "I know exactly what you want me to do."
"Yes Gourry you-"
"Don't be shy. I'm not blind."
"Oh Gourry." Xelgadis tipped back his head seductively.
The blond made his move.
"Bye Bye Zelbongas. You have fun." Gourry giggled. He winked at Zellos.
"What?" Xelgadis garbled under the water. Xelgadis sunk under neath the water. The statuesque blond pulled his muscular body out of the hotspring. Xelgadis gritted his teeth and hoped that Shabrindingo was watching as he tried not pass out from lust. He grabbed his towel and wrapped it around his well sculpted perfect thigh and abs like Dinner plates. He pranced off giggling like a school girl.
"Oh there better be a Ciephied up there. If I am good for no reason-" Xelgadis muttered.
Drunken Zellos pulled him up from underneath the pool.
"I never thought I'd see the day." the chimazouka shook his head in disbelief.
"I told you to leave Gourry alone. Now you are rejected." the drunken Zellos put his hand in Xelgadis's face.
Xelgadis crossed his arms "He is just too stupid to be seduced."
"It doesn't matter to me. I can wait. There are more gullible people out there." he looked at Zellos "He Zellos. WHy don't I take you back to my room?"
"I feel fine. I'm in a good moved. I am. I want to stay up and be alone.."
"Come on Zel-chan. You could always say you were drunk."
Zellos looked glassy eyed at the chimera and tocuhed his lips.
"I've got soft lips. They aren't stone."
"No they aren't." Xelgadis said. Zellos looked again. "The hair is just so sharp."
"Thanks."
Zellos smiled for no reason before he kissed Xelgadis.
***
Gourry was walking down the hall whistling "Love is a many splendor'd thing."
Amelia was waling from the bathroom ready to curl into her bed, nice and cozy and quiet.
"What a long day?"
"Yes but what a beautiful night. Romance is nice."
"Romance. Gourry you heartbreaker" Amelia perked up "Romance is the endeavor of the just heart. Who's the lucky girl?"
"Oh it's not me Amelia. I'm just matchmaking."
"Oh who? Do I know them?'
Gourry was about to tell her the wonderful news until over his shoulder the phantom superdeformed head of Lina Inverse.
"You Baka! Amelia loves Zelgadis. She'll be sad when she finds out that Zelgadis loves Xellos."
Gourry turned around. "Lina what are you doing up there?"
"Don't mind me. I'm just a figment of your imagination."
Gourry furrowed his bor "Figs are a kind of fruit. Oh you are made of fruit?"
"No mental lightweight I'm in your mind."
"No wonder you are small Fruit Lina. How do you fit inside my head? Are you inflatable?"
"Listen buddy. Amelia thinks you are talking to yourself. I may only be a symbollic manifestation of memory and consciousness but I can bite your ears."
Amelia stared where Gourry was staring.
"You're talking to yourself, Gourry-san."
"Wow the Fig Lina is right. Even smarter than regular Lina."
"See just don't tell her."
"I won't say a thing about Xellos and Zelgadis."
Amelia dropped her arms and her eyes filled with fire. "What?"
"Um Nothing. Oh good job you Figgy Dumb thing. Now she knows."
The apparition sweatdropped "Quick run away and hide under the bed where she can't get you."
"Good thinking Fig Lina."
They ran into the room and hid under the bed.
"She'll-"
"What are you doing in my room?" Lina said.
"Oh hey Lina number one. This is The Fig Lina. We're hiding from Amelia."
"Under my bed?"
"We gotta keep the secret. About Zelgadis. He likes Xellos."
"What?"
"Xel and Zel are out there in the hot tub." Gourry said.
"What you left them alone in a hottub? How could you?"
Gourry shrunk his pupils "Did you want me to stay? I'm not that kind of boy." He twisted his lips.
Lina sweatdropped. "Xellos and Zelgadis are making out in the hotspring?"
Amelia gasped.
The Figment pointed at Lina "She said it not me. I'm out." and the head vanished.
Amelia pulled back her feet and walked backward rather than risk turning around and wasting time. A yellow cloud of fire collected around her body like a cocoon of flame and some static electricity.
The guardian of the spring stood up as the flaming sparking Amelia strolled backwards into the gentleman's bathing area.
"Hey girlie. This is the mens spring. No visitors."
"I must stop him."
Xellos was waiting. Drunk as a skunk on shore leave.
"What did you do to him?" Amelia said softly and a steel knew to her voice rasped light as a breeze, enflamed by her passion.
Zellos looked up.
Amelia grabbed the mazouka and shoo "WHAT... DID... YOU... DO?"
At this exact vibration the mazouka couldn't contain his stomach from-
Amelia took a step back and grabbed an extra towel.
Xellos wiped off his mouth "That and then he said um good night."
"You drunken reprobrate." Amelia threw the towel at him.
"That was my towel." Zellos said.
Amelia stood over him.
"I love Zelgadis. I would do anything to be with him. And if you stand in my way may Shabrindingo have mercy upon you. For the justice gods."
"You do?"
"Yes. I will not have you..."
"But this isn't..." Xellos swam away.
"I'm not done with you. You defiler of chimeras. You seducer. You cad. I'm not done."
"I think I am. But you love him right?"
"Yes."
"Oh." Zellos looked at his hands. "Well that's nice. I guess that's okay." Zellos knew his brain was fogged. He couldn't. He didn't even care. She was here declaring her love for him. For Zelgadis, and he didn't have a single thing to say back to her. Zellos stood up wrapped the towel around his body. He looked in her sweet innocent face and those wide eyes. Looking for some response, and then it came.
"I'm going to bed. I'm drunk."
"You can't brush me off." Amelia placed her hand on his shoulder "I'm the one who loves him."
"Look girl. I've heard this same thing for these years. Don't you think he could have guessed? Don't you think he'd want some girl with the courage to say 'I love you.' He dreamed of it every night. And it couldn't happen. Because he didn't know anymore about the world than she or love or anything besides his magic and his dream to be like he was." Zellos let the tears flow. "What is wrong with you, Amelia? Don't you know what it would have meant to him?"
"I can't tell him that. It's not how it's supposed to be."
"If things were how they were supposed to be he wouldn't even be him. He would be another boy another human. He wouldn't be a freak. So keep telling me and yourself that he is everything you desire, and he's your perfect knight. But until you can tell him and mean it. And until you can really love him you are just full of crap."
"I love him. But I can't just tell him."
"Of course you can't. You're just so wrapped up in this image of him you never cared." Zellos sat down "One 'I love you' could have saved him. That was all he wanted."
Amelia turned away "I was shy. He's so great and powerful. The perfect man for me. There is no one more worthy of my-"
She was a child. She didn't even realize that love bound both souls together. It was never the right guy. It was never a situation. It was a context, it was more than something that happened.
"Can't you tell when a man isn't interested?"
Amelia turned around hiding her tears from him, "I could ask you the same. You only pester him."
"He is a boy in a ageless tomb for a body. He was too foolish to see the truth and will never stop kidding himself. His eyes are as sensless as rocks. His heart is as cold as stone."
"How can you say that about Zelgadis?"
"I know him very well." Zellos looked at his borrowed skin.
"He has only been confused by you. I know his soul is pure and good."
"Oh really?"
"It is only the soul that matters his body means nothing to me. Such concerns are of weak people. His beauty is his valour, his strength, his introverted and intense charms. A mazouka cannot know the love like this."
"Love of the soul?" Zellos looked straight at her. She was looking at the thing she said she loved. The real him in this new body. Everything he was, was there, in this form. Amelia had no idea. She did not know. She never knew. She could not love what she would never even try to understand.
"Oh I see you love his soul."
Amelia growled "Yes."
"But only his soul?"
"Of course."
Zellos turned his back "That is where you are wrong." If she truly knew his soul wouldn't she be able to recognize him in this body.
"You are a mazouka. You do not know what love is."
Zellos looked in her eyes "Look into my eyes, Amelia."
She let the mazouka grab her wrist. "What would you say if I said I love you?"
"You don't love me. Your eyes are cold. Your eyes don't burn with love."
"Huh? You are my perfect girl. You've been so nice to me. And your pretty and you are sweet if annoying. And we've been through the end of the world and we united kingdoms. Why wouldn't I love you?"
"The heart does not work that way."
"You don't like the way I look. I mean I'm not a chimera. Hmmm. I'm beautiful too right."
Amelia hauled off and smacked him "You are not Zelgadis and only my love can love me."
Zellos held his cheek.
"I only love Zelgadis. Only him. He is the only-" she was losing her resolve, "I will never ever ever sleep with a mazouka. Never in a thousand years."
Zellos leaned back in the water.
"All right take him."
Amelia was startled "Pardon?"
"You have won your love with the justice in your heart." He saluted. He could barely see straight without telegraphing his joke. "A mazouka the likes of me can't compete with the power of Love. Go forth and declare your love for Xelgadis. I don't love you. I hope you are happy. And I really hope you leave me the hell alone."
Amelia was stunned to silence. The wind blew across the pond. A tear formed in her eye and she babbled to stop that horrible feeling
"I am sorry my Justice had to defeat you Mazouka. Buit Justice is Blind and so is love. Love and Justice sees not with the eyes but with the mind. So is winged Cupid is so painted blind"
Amelia turned away.
Zellos poured hot water on his cheek where she hit him. Zellos wondered what would have happened today if it had been the real Xellos there instead of him. He probably would have distintegrated the girl for slapping him. Love was a strange thing. He was glad to be out of it with Amelia.
To think right now she was curled up in her bed fantasizing about one of the most evil mazouka on the planet, just because he looked like him, made him smile.
Zellos had only begun to start laughing.
***