During their little venture, they chatted and giggled like old friends, talking of their lives and funny stories. Jade was fascinated by Lina's life. A young, beautiful sorceress who traveled the world with her friends. It sounded like a fairy tale to her.
"So, Jade. Why don't you tell me a bit about yourself?" questioned Lina.
A shadow was cast over Jade's face. "..There really hasn't been anything too great in my life. I don't know anything about my family, if I even have one...I've traveled around alone, trying to solve my mystery, but the more I find, the more confused I become."
Lina blinked in shock. "...What have you found?"
Jade looked ahead. "...I have no family. No mother, no father. Nothing. I don't even know if I'm human."
Lina comforted her. " That must be horrible. But maybe my friend Xelloss can help you with your racial problem! He usually comes to visit me around dinner time. He keeps the loose ends between all of us tied up. He may be a monster, but he's never really lied."
Jade smiled. " He sounds amusing."
"You don't know that half of it!" Lina laughed.
The two continued their journey into Aville.
~*~
3 hours later, they reached their destination. They checked into a comfy inn, and searched the town shops for a restaurant.
" How about this one?" said Jade, reading a sign. " Phibby's Pub..."
Lina laughed. " Yeah, we may as well try it. But that sounds like Phibrizo's Pub to me! I doubt that, the little bastard's dead."
Jade looked unsure. "Well...Maybe one of Hellmaster's followers decided to set one up in his memory.."
Lina looked at Jade. "So...You know about Hellmaster Phibrizo too, I guess."
Jade shifted her weight. "Well, yeah. I just don't sit around without a good education of the world around me. I am a traveler. It would be a stupid idea to run around without a single clue about who's who and what's going on."
"Very wise concept, you have there." Lina chuckled.
Jade smiled. "Yep! Well...I'm famished, can we eat??"
"You don't have to ask me if we can eat! Food is the #1 priority for health!!"
With that, they entered the Pub.
~*~
The pub was your average basement-type bar. Pictures of famous Mazoku hung around the booths, and pictures of Mazoku gone wacky were pasted behind the bar, making one huge collage.
Lina and Jade approached the bartender, and began asking him a barrage of questions.
"Excuse me, sir." Lina asked. " Would you mind telling me why this is called 'Phibrizo's Pub?"
The bartender stopped cleaning, and rested his elbows on the counters.
"Well, sure. Phibrizo, as you all know, is Hellmaster. He used to belong to the corporation that owned this building, and plus our boss idolizes him. So the screwball decided to name it Phibrizo's Pub."
Jade laughed. "So, this restaurant has never even been touched by his feet?"
"Nope." sighed the bartender. "But there are some rumors about his spirit haunting this Pub that graces his name, that I'm not sure of."
Lina smiled. "Interesting. How did these people see him?"
"They say he now looks like a deranged, torn puppet, walking around mumbling the meaning to kill and live. They say when Lina Inverse killed him, she summoned the Mother, and Mother killed Phibrizo. So maybe that's what he's muttering about."
"Hmm..," said Lina, "You're very wise for a bartender."
The bartender chuckled. " I like to observe. So, may I take your order?"
Jade looked thrilled. "Yes! I'd like 3 orders of Fish and Chips, 2 Beers, and 5 side dishes of chicken wings!!!"
The bartender was blown away. "Umm...Okay, and you , miss?"
"I'll take everything on the left hand side of the menu! And 2 Beers, also." gleamed Lina.
The bartender gulped. "O-Kay. Who's name shall I put on the bill?"
"Mine."
"And your name, miss?"
"Lina Inverse."
~*~
The two walked out of the bar satisfied, with big grins on their faces.
Lina burped. "There's nothing like a good meal after a long day's travel."
Jade smiled. "You said it."
"So...," said Jade, "When's your friend Xelloss coming?"
Lina laughed. "Hopefully while we're not getting dressed. He has the tendency to do that. He says it's an accident but I know he's lying."
Jade giggled. "Probably."
~
The two girls checked into the Inn, and headed for their room.
Once they entered their room, they started to dress.
"Okay, here's the deal," stated Lina, " While you're getting dressed, cover ALL important body parts. Xelloss will appear right in front of you, which is the most embarrassing thing."
"Okay." agreed Jade.
The girls started to undress, and of course, our beloved fruitcake decides to visit them.
"Why, hello, ladies..." greeted Xelloss.
"Hello!"
Luckily for them, they had just gotten dressed.
Xelloss winked. "So, Lina, have you made a new friend? Aren't you going to introduce me?"
Lina smiled. "Oh, yeah. Jade, this is Xelloss, yes, the annoying mazoku. Xelloss, this is Jade."
Xelloss kissed Jade's hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Jade."
Jade blushed.
Lina smiled. "All right, now that we are all aquatinted, why don't we all have a chat on the bed?"
Xelloss laughed. "Ohh...Kinky thinking, Lina. I'd love to have a threesome with two lovely ladies...."
Lina bashed him upside the head. "It ain't gonna happen, Fruitcake."
Xelloss pouted. "Not fair..."
They all jumped on top of the bed (AN: Wheeeee!...Couldn't resist...)
and started to chat.
"So, Xelloss. Jade has this dilemma. She says she has no parents, and doesn't know what race she is of." stated Lina, as she grabbed a pillow.
Xelloss got under the covers. "Well, let me ask you a question, Jade."
Jade was resting under the covers as well. "Yeah, go on."
"Are you good at using magic? And if so, what type?" questioned Xelloss.
"Well, I'm not a good judge of myself, and I've never performed magic in front of people before. I have, but those people were criminals who didn't live to tell me if it was powerful. To answer your second question, I haven't got a clue. I just one day started using magic, of what sort I'm not sure. I've researched into it, but I've only found it to be neither white or black." explained Jade.
Xelloss was intrigued by the explanation. He loved a good mystery, but something about this case seemed a bit disturbing to him.
"Interesting. Tomorrow morning, would you mind performing one of your spells for us?"
Jade nodded. "Of course."
Lina yawned. "So, Xel. You want to join us tonight so you can see her?"
Xelloss yawned as well. "Sure. Well, goodnight."
After 15 minutes, Jade had fallen asleep under the covers with Xelloss and Lina.
Lina whispered into the night. "Xelloss?"
Xelloss's voice was heard in the dark. "Yes?"
"What is she? Human, dragon, or monster?" asked Lina.
"None."
