Blinks were shared all around as the group stared at the still body. Xelloss, being the ever observant one, stated in a manner of fact tone, "Well, she's passed out."

Zelgadiss glared, pushing a wisp of, now soft, lavender hair from his face, "Of course she's passed out, fool!" He glanced down at her still body. The lithe frame relaxed in an unnerving way, "Lina....." He turned to Amelia, "We need to get her somewhere, out of the sun..."

Amelia backed a step. She didn't think Lina would want these people around her, but..."Her house. I know where it is. Not far."

Nodding, Xelloss examined the situation, "Someone will have to carry her." Again, matter-of-factly.

All eyes turned to Gourry, who stared back a moment before realization dawned on him, and he retreated, waving his arms frantically, "Nuh-uh, no way. I may not be in the honors, but I definately know I'm not doing THAT."

Xelloss quirked a brow, "Come now, swordsman, your definitely strong enough, and..."

Gourry met his confusion with a cool stare, "She could charge me, I could get sued. And I'm not a swordsman."

"Charge you? She's unconscious, for the Gods' sake!"

"Look buddy, you know what I mean...."

"Hmm, it appears that the opposite sexes are not allowed to approach each other without consequence in this world...."

"It's not that...Just, well, we're not going out or anything..."

"Oh? So if your not 'going out' with someone, they can charge you?"

"Yup."

"Does it hurt?"

"..."

"I see....Hey, Zel!"

"I'm standing right here, you don't have to yell."

"But it's so much more fun!"

"Grr..."

"Heh, anyways...Looks like you're gonna have to carry her."

"ME?! Why me?!"

"Because she can't charge you?"

"And why the hell not?"

"Because your not from this world."

"But I'm in it!"

"Technically, you're not."

"Yes I am!"

"Not totally. It seems that only your mind is in this world. Not your body. Which explains why your not a rockboy."

"I should kill you..."

"I'll charge you."

"You just said you can't!"

"No I didn't"

"You did!"

"Mayhaps we should discuss this Iafter/i we get her away from her."

"I hate you..."

"I know."

Zel gulped, and knelt beside Lina. Brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, he picked her up as gently as he could. Even without his chimeric strength, she weighed almost nothing in his arms. Amelia watched Zelgadiss hold Lina so gently, and imagined his arms holding her...She jumped when he turned to her, "Where's her home?"

Oh... "J-just this way..." Amelia led the little procession, conscious all the while of the peering eyes. Oooohhhh, what if someone told her father...

"What's on your mind, little princess?"

She jumped, "Eah! N-nothing...I'm not a princess..."

"Not in this world..."

She looked at him over her shoulder, "Alright, I admit I still don't know what going on, but I want you to tell me everything you know about me...Or, I mean, this Iother/i me, that's your convinced actually is Ime/i me, when it's just...uh.."

Xel winked at her, "But of course, princess. Hmm, let's see, you're the daughter of the crowned prince Philionel De Seyruun..."

Amelia listened to what he said, as he described her. It was odd, the description was right, though slightly exaggerated. Some stuff, though, was just strange. Her, a master of white magic? Protector of justice? Hmm....

Gourry walked in the middle of the group, alone. He kept making quick glances over his shoulder until he caught Zel glaring at him. Yeesh. Weirdos, both of them...Poor Lina...

Zelgadiss had long fallen to the back, the added weight, though not much of a burden, slowing him somewhat. Lina stirred, and snuggled deeper into his arms. At first he stiffened, but soon relaxed and allowed her warmth to warm his arms and his heart.

Lina swam in a void. From the darkness, tendrils leapt at her, darkness within darkness. They writhed in front of her, hypnotically daring her to be caught by them, wanting to drag her to the deeper oblivion. Great arms surrounded her, giving her warmth in a gentle embrace. Not quite aware, she let herself be hugged, falling into those arms. A voice spoke in her head, strangely distant, but familiar at all the same time. "Little one," it said, "Little fire that warms my heart. I cry for you. Now you see me as any other. Please, accept me. I need your love, your respect, when my time of need comes. Lina inverse, I love you. But...You could never love a monster like I...Come back to me..." The voice was sad, but encouraging. She fought for the surface of consciousness, wanting to see the light and the one who cared for her.

She stirred in his arms. Zel looks down, tightening his grip slightly so as not to drop her. Moving her head away from his shoulder, Ruby eyes blinked at him, unfocused, "Zel...?"

He nodded, "It's I. Are you alright?"

"I-I accept you, now and always..."

She drifted off again. This time into sleep, not unconsciousness. Zel bit down a gasp of surprise. How could she know? Did she remember? No...She must just be delusional. But what did those words mean? Did she...?

"Zelgadiss? We're here..." His thoughts were interrupted by Amelia, who stood at the front of a house, looking at him strangely, "T-this is Lina's house. I'll open the door and you bring her inside."

He nodded, following the retreating form into the odd looking home...