Chapter 18:
Luna arched an eyebrow at her husband as he exited the inn, with a satisfied smirk on his face.
"What took you so long?"
Chuckling, the Trickster shook his head. "Some problems sprung up, that's all."
"Which would explain all those frightened men who came dashing out like their asses were on fire. What did you do to them?"
"I merely persuaded them to give us their rooms for a night. Besides," Xelloss gestured towards the inn. "Why bother putting them in an inn first? We could've easily teleported them to…ah."
Reading almost immediately what his violet-haired wife had in mind, the Trickster smiled. "Another night to get used to harmonization again, eh?"
"At the rate they're going, they are not going to last in there."
"Hm. It's a good choice though, this inn. It's only a few minutes walk."
"Of course. Now let's go get the others. I won't be surprised to find them all lying in a heap because of some childish fight."
* * *
Zelgadiss leaned against a tree, face impassive as he watched his wife thrash the blond mercenary for a certain comment he had implied upon the areas she was most sensitive about. Unity? Peace? Not likely.
His sapphire eyes roved round the group. The verbal argument between Shuu and Dynast was still ongoing and getting more heated as time passed. If either side had swords, the battle would have began an hour ago. Zellas was having her fun torturing and humiliating the small Hayashi, along with a more-than-happy-to-join-in Hellmaster. It ended with a crying Hayashi lying sprawled out on the muddy ground with the young dark-haired thief sitting atop him. That wasn't even the end of it. There was more. Perhaps the only people who would pass this test were Sylphiel, Katsura and Dolphin.
Just then, the bushes at the side rustled, revealing Luna and Xelloss. Taking a single glance at the situation before her, the Knight of Ceipheed decided to reserve her comments for later.
* * *
"We'll be staying here for the night. Split yourselves into twos. There will be a remaining group of three for the last room. And just what do you find so amusing, Xel?"
The violet-haired Trickster shook his head, his voice filled with mirth. "Might I mention that you sound like a tour guide, Luna chan?"
"Might I also mention that this tour guide has the ability to spear you through with her sword?"
Chuckling, Xelloss blocked the Knight's slash as he made his last remark. "You just admitted yourself as a tour guide."
"Ah, lovers. Can't you just see their love bloom and blossom before you with their seemingly fierce disagreement…" Placing his hand upon his heart, the poetic Kaze closed his eyes and raised his face to the ceiling in a dramatic pose.
The group filed right past him and up the stairs, eager for a good night's rest. The ex-Dragon God's face drooped at the loss of audience. One, however, remained.
Sitting cross-legged on a chair, the Trickster leaned forward with an expression of utmost interest. "I see you haven't lost your sense of poetry, Kazeryuu. I'd love to hear more."
Thrown by the fact that someone actually wanted to hear his poetry, a stunned expression crossed Kaze's face, before he willingly obliged the request. The entire recital carried on until dawn the next morning.
* * *
Indigo eyes flashed at him as he entered the room. "That was rather cruel, Xel."
"Why, Luna my dear," the Trickster whispered huskily as he wrapped his arms round her waist and pulled her closer to him. "What are you talking about?"
"Asking Kaze to recite his poetry, then laughing directly in his face."
"I'm an honest man, dear."
"Ever heard of tact?"
"Of course. But it takes the fun out of life, don't you think? Cest la vie."
"Don't get latin on me."
Xelloss nuzzled his wife's neck. "It means to make full use of life and enjoy it."
To the Trickster's amazement, Luna purred. It was low, it was seductive. It was simply not Luna. "Well, why don't we then?" Deciding not to look the gift horse in the mouth, the man began raining kisses upon his wife, only to be shoved away.
Her face bleak and stern again, Luna rolled her eyes at him. "Go bathe first. You stink."
Muttering silently, Xelloss headed to the bathroom, with a smirking Luna behind him.