Note to Readers: One thing to bear in mind. In most AUs, as with this one, the characters are based on the originals, but placed within entirely new situations, and sometimes being fundamentally different. Such as in this case; the entire cast is human. Even Xellos is capable of emotion here, and only Lina knows anything regarding any kind of magic, and I seriously doubt there's anything like a Fireball or Dragon Slave in voodoo. The challenge of an AU is writing the characters out while staying within the social and situational confines of the times. For example, I cannot write Gourry as dumb as he appears in the anime (and he's not even that dumb in the novels) and actually have him in this story, since he would be far more likely to be thought to have brain damage (i.e., what ADD was thought to be in the 1940s), and institutionalized, or at the very least, a social outcast and one of those relatives you don't talk about at the reunions.
And an aside to a reviewer of mine, gomen! But I already had a certain character scripted into a certain role in this story when I plotted it out, so please don't think it is a reflection on you. When going over what I'd written after I saw the review and the name chosen, I decided to clarify that point.
~ Zanne
L'amour Existe Encore
CHAPTER THREE
Lina pulled up in front of the malt shop and shut off the engine. "Well, the movie starts at two-fifteen," she said. "I think Filia and I will go to the dress shop before that, if I find her. In the meantime..." Lina scrambled out of the car. "Milkshakes!"
Amelia watched her older friend with amusement while she interpreted what was being said for Zelgadis. She climbed out, giving her a quirky grin. "Every time I see you, you're usually eating," she teased. "What, do you have a tapeworm or something?"
Lina stuck her tongue out at her. "Or something. Do what you want, but there's a sundae in there calling my name, and Filia usually shows up here for lunch."
"I thought it was a milkshake." Amelia tugged her riding jacket down, straightening it. Although most people didn't wear their jodhpurs and blazers out on the town, she did just about every weekend, when she would usually wind up going places with Lina after riding over in the mornings.
"Those are to drink. Sundaes are to eat. I need the milkshake to wash it down." Lina winked and walked into the shop.
Amelia looked over the car hood to Zelgadis. "Want to go in?" she asked, vetoing her voice for the moment in favor of just sign language.
Zelgadis looked up at the sign, thinking, then shrugged. "Sure."
"When Lina and Filia go to the dress shop, we can go over to the library. It's on the way to the movie house," Amelia suggested.
Zelgadis held the door open for her. "That sounds fine."
She turned around, backing into the shop so she could keep signing to him. "Is there anything you wa--" Amelia let out a startled yelp as she collided with someone, tripping backward. A strong hand seized her wrist as Zelgadis caught her, keeping her from falling down completely, and she blushed. "Oh! I'm so sorry!"
"You should be," snapped a female's voice, and Amelia inwardly sighed.
"Hello, Martina," she said, turning around to face the blonde.
"Some people just have no class, no matter who their daddies are," Martina replied, smoothing back a blonde wisp of hair that had escaped her pompadour. "But of course, that's obvious by the company they keep."
Amelia glared at the older teen, and was about to retort when Lina stepped in.
"Martina, shut up, and leave Zel out of this."
"Oh, dear me, did you think I was referring to him?" Martina smiled, stepping to the doorway, pausing halfway through it. "I meant you."
Amelia blinked and grabbed her friend tightly around the waist, keeping Lina from lunging at Martina and doing any number of the various things she had heard her threaten to do sooner or later. Martina stepped out, the bell above the door jingling as it shut behind her.
"Miss Lina! Miss Lina! Calm down!"
"Oh, I'll calm down, all right," Lina growled, "once I rip every last strand of hair from her head."
Amelia noticed that the shop's manager was watching, and with a rather unamused expression to boot. "Milkshakes, Miss Lina. Sundaes. Hot fudge. Strawberries," she recited, trying to distract her friend. Lina looked at her out of the corner of her eye, growing still, then shrugged out of Amelia's grip as she straightened her clothes.
"Aw, you're right. She's not worth missing a milkshake over."
Amelia nodded enthusiastically. "Chocolate, Miss Lina. So thick you need a spoon."
Lina cast one last look to the doorway, then sat down on a white and red vinyl chair. Amelia breathed a sigh of relief. Not that she liked Martina any more than Lina did, but it would be rather embarrassing if her own father had to prosecute Miss Lina for assault and battery. Amelia sat down beside her, and Zelgadis took a chair across from Lina.
A soda jerker came over, and while Lina was racking up her order, Zelgadis tapped Amelia on the arm.
"What was that all about?" he asked.
Amelia kept her voice mute while she replied, lest the mention send Lina into another tailspin. "Miss Martina and Miss Lina do not get along in the slightest," she replied. "And you know Miss Lina has a bit of an unladylike temper. Miss Martina likes to provoke her."
"And you, miss, what would you like?"
Amelia looked up at the soda jerker. "Oh. Um..." She thought for a moment, and then beamed a bright smile. "A root beer float."
"At this hour of the morning?" Lina teased. "Oh, you shameless lush, you."
Amelia made a face at her, then turned to Zelgadis. "What do you want?" she asked him.
He hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Coffee?"
"Coffee?" Amelia blinked. "Well, they have it, certainly, but don't you want any ice cream, or milkshakes, or any of that?"
"So I like coffee."
Amelia shrugged and grinned at him. "So coffee it is." She relayed his order to the soda jerker, who raised an eyebrow but otherwise said nothing as he went to fill the orders.
"So, what do you two have planned while I'm at the dress shop?" Lina asked.
Zelgadis looked away from Amelia's hands to Lina and shrugged. "Amelia suggested the library."
Lina listened to Amelia translate, then blinked. "It's a Saturday! And it's a gorgeous day. Why are you wanting to waste it in a library?"
"I like reading!" Amelia protested.
"Bookworm." Lina shook her head and looked to Zelgadis. "And you're letting her drag you there?"
He shrugged. "I don't mind," he replied. "Reading's about all I do on my off hours."
Lina shot Amelia a look as she finished translating. "Is that really what he said, Amie?"
"What? Miss Lina? Do you think I'd lie?" Amelia asked indignantly. "Lying is unjust! There is nothing more pure and sacred in all creation than truth and justice! Lying only darkens the true light of our hearts, and it tries to stand in the way of all that is right, honorable, and good! Lies are a weapon used by the evil Axis and is quite thoroughly un-American! Why, I declare th--"
Amelia blinked as Lina's hand was suddenly clamped down on her mouth. She looked at her friend, who had her eyes squeezed shut tightly.
"Okay, okay, I get the point, Amelia. Now shut up. Please."
"Miss Lina..." Amelia pushed her hand from her mouth. "Don't you believe in the cause of justice?"
"I believe, I believe!" Lina said quickly. "I'll believe in anything you want me to! Just shut up!"
Amelia huffed. "Well, okay, but that's not very nice of you, Miss Lina."
"Err, your orders?"
Amelia looked up to see the soda jerker balancing a huge tray.
"Yes! Ice cream! Sundaes! Chocolate and lots of it!" Lina stared intently at the tray while the soda jerker set down Zelgadis' cup of coffee.
"Miss Lina, you'll remember to wait until he sets the food in front of you, won't you?" Amelia cautioned.
Lina blinked, and the soda jerker looked decidedly nervous. 'What?" Lina said. "Of course I will, don't be ridiculous."
"Well, there was that day in Baton Rouge..."
"That one time!" Lina huffed. "Besides, I hadn't eaten all day."
"So you've forgotten the trip to Galveston?"
Amelia glanced over to see Xellos and Filia standing behind Zelgadis. Xellos was grinning at Lina.
Lina's cheeks took on a faint pink tint, but she held her composure. "I deny everything."
"What are you talking about, Mr. Xellos?" Amelia asked, and saw Lina shoot him a threatening look.
Xellos merely grinned. "C'est un secret, Mademoiselle Amelia."
"Filia?" Amelia looked to the other woman.
"My lips are sealed. She threatened my hair." Filia patted her long, blonde tresses, coiled up in a loose topknot.
"Why don't you join us?" Lina asked.
Amelia looked at the small table, barely big enough to handle occupants for the four chairs that surrounded it. Xellos apparently had the same thought, because he guided Filia over to a neighboring table.
"I believe we'll sit over here," Xellos said, and grinned. "Close enough to talk, far enough away to disavow any knowledge of you whatsoever if it should come to that."
Filia lightly backhanded his shoulder, giving him a smirk. "Besides, we'll save that chair for Mr. Gourry."
"If the jellyfish shows up," Lina replied.
Amelia chuckled and glanced to Zelgadis, her smile fading rapidly when she saw his expression. His jaw was set, and his eyes were hostile.
"Mr. Zelgadis, what is it?" she asked silently, relying on her fingers.
"Just the company." His gestures were clipped and curt, and Amelia drew back, feeling as though he had just slapped her.
"I'm sorry?"
Zelgadis shook his head. "Not you. Him." He shot a look at Xellos.
"You've met?"
"Long time ago."
"Well, look who's joined our happy little group," Xellos said, looking at Zelgadis as he pulled back a chair for Filia. "How nice of you to take on a charity case."
Amelia abruptly stopped using sign language and glared at Xellos. "He is not! He's my friend."
"Xel, knock it off," Lina told him.
"Oh, my mistake," Xellos said, smiling. "I was just rather surprised to see the daughter of our fair city's lead attorney consorting with a mere stable hand." Filia tugged on his sleeve, giving him a pleading look, and he patted her hand. "But no matter." He gave them all a bright smile, then snapped his fingers to get the soda jerker's attention as he sat down.
Zelgadis' gaze constantly snapped back and forth between them, trying to follow the conversation without Amelia interpreting. And she had no intention whatsoever of relaying what Xellos had said.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," Zelgadis told Amelia.
"Don't say that, please!" she begged. "Ignore Mr. Xellos. He can be a bit of jerk sometimes."
Zelgadis raised an eyebrow, his expression slightly sardonic, but nodded.
"Are you eating all that by yourself?" Filia asked, eyeing the miniature banquet before Lina incredulously.
"Yup."
Filia shook her head, her expression dismayed. "How you can do that and not gain a pound is beyond me."
"Oui, some of us must sacrifice such indulgences in the quest for beauty," Xellos said, and Filia shot him a look. He grinned, and took her hand, kissing the palm. "Of course, some of us have achieved that quest beyond anyone's wildest dreams."
Filia blushed at the compliment, giving him a warm grin.
"Ugh. Sap alert. You two have more sugar than this entire order." Lina swept her hand over the various desserts.
"In more ways than one," Xellos replied, giving her a cocky grin as he rubbed his fingers and thumb together in a gesture indicating money.
"Money's sugar?" Amelia asked.
"It's a rather old slang term," Xellos replied. "From our parents' generation, I would think, or perhaps grandparents."
"Oh, sure, flaunt your family wealth," Lina shot back.
Xellos grinned, then placed an order for both himself and Filia as the soda jerker arrived. Amelia glanced over at Zelgadis, who wasn't watching what she was saying, but rather, sipping his coffee and staring at the tabletop. As if he had felt her eyes on him, he glanced up, and his expression softened into a faint smile that made her heart lift. She grinned back shyly and sipped her float when Xellos resumed the conversation.
"It's not as though you're lacking in that arena either," he reminded Lina. "How many vineyards is it your family owns?"
Amelia considered interpreting again, just to avoid having Zelgadis feel left out. When she glanced out of the corner of her eye at him, he was staring at the tabletop, a terse expression on his face. Amelia bit her bottom lip in a slight wince, and decided against it for the moment.
"Two in California on my mother's side, three in France from my Father's." Lina's expression was as bored as her tone by the new topic.
"Ah, yes. My parents served up a 1906 Burgundy last night with dinner. From one of your French estates, I believe. Very good year."
"Couldn't have been that great," Lina said, and then shot him a cheeky grin. "I wasn't born yet."
Xellos smirked. "That's debatable. But my mother was wondering, how have the French vineyards fared?"
Lina shrugged. "We don't know yet. Daddy's been more concerned with getting word on how our relatives over there are doing."
"Have you heard anything yet?" Amelia asked.
"Some, yeah. A few we've heard from directly, but most of our news comes from Luna. She's been able to do the most through her army contacts." She looked to Xellos. "What about your family?"
"We've gotten back in touch with the majority in the last few months," Xellos replied.
"That's good news," Filia said.
"Eh. Comme ci comme ça." He waggled his hand back and forth. "For the most part, I'd agree. I'd hoped, though, that several of my more annoying cousins would have dropped off the face of the earth. I should have known I wouldn't be that lucky."
Amelia blinked, feeling more than a little appalled by his casual disregard for their safety. "That's not a very nice thing to say, Mr. Xellos," she chided him.
"Maybe not, but it's honest, at any rate. Besides, if you had the displeasure of meeting them, you'd probably agree with me."
Lina licked her spoon. "These are your mother's brother's kids?"
"No, all our relatives over there, as far as I know, are more distant. Second cousins twice removed, and third cousins. That sort of thing."
"You have an uncle, Mr. Xellos?"
"Apparently," he said dryly, quirking a grin. "Not that I remember ever meeting him, mind you. Or my aunt, for that matter."
"Oh." Amelia studied him curiously. "Why not?"
"Well, Uncle Dynast lives, hmm, last I heard, up north somewhere, New England or thereabouts. He and Mother have been in something of a feud for as long as I can recall. I also have an aunt, but she's off in an institution somewhere, mad as a hatter." Xellos paused, thinking for a moment, then shook his head. "Damned if I can recall her name, though. Mother, on the rare times she does speak of her, always calls her by a nickname."
"And I've been meaning to ask you about that," Filia said. "Why does your mother call her sister 'Dolphin'?"
Xellos frowned as he tapped a finger slowly on the table. "Hmm." He shook his head slowly, then Amelia saw his eyes light up, and he snapped his fingers. "Now I remember. When they were young, she got sick. I think it may have been around the same time their little brother died of diphtheria, possibly the same thing. At any rate, it messed up her breathing, and Mother said she had the queerest laugh for a couple of years after that. Somebody said she sounded like a dolphin, and the name stuck."
"Isn't that kind of mean, Mr. Xellos?"
He shrugged. "I wouldn't know if she even noticed. Mother said she'd always been a few bubbles off plumb. At any rate, it was a good twenty years or something before I was born, so I can say with reasonable certainty that it's not my fault."
Filia chuckled, and patted his hand. "I hope this war's over soon," she said, changing topics.
"From your lips to God's ear," Lina agreed.
"Daddy's pretty optimistic, from the news reports," Amelia said, starting to interpret once more. The conversation had moved away from Xellos and his family, after all. "It might be over soon. The Allied forces are really showing those Nazis what we're made of."
"Oui," Xellos said, then smirked. "Blood, bone, and various assorted innards."
Lina groaned. "I'm trying to eat here."
"Je suis désolé," Xellos replied, his tone mockingly penitent. "I wasn't aware anything could make a dent in your appetite."
He didn't move quick enough evade the flying dollop of ice cream Lina launched at him with the skill of an expert marksman, and fell back in his chair with a startled cry. Amelia tried not to laugh, she honestly did, but the sight of him with a bit of vanilla dripping from his black bangs was too much. Xellos glared at Lina, then shot a smirk to Amelia as he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiping the ice cream away.
"So my misfortune amuses you, mademoiselle?" Xellos asked Amelia, and then looked to Filia, giving her a suggestive grin. "But perhaps you would care to help me clean this off, oui?"
Filia's face grew bright red, and she grabbed a napkin from Lina's table and balled it up, throwing it at him. "There's my help!" Xellos laughed as he picked up the napkin. "Vous canaille," she muttered under her breath as she sat back, shaking her head.
The soda jerker's return with their order interrupted the conversation, and the group fell silent briefly while he placed the large banana split between the two, and set down a couple of milkshakes.
"Do you want to go by the dress shop soon?" Lina asked. "Amelia's asked me along to see a movie this afternoon."
"That sounds good to me," Filia agreed, looking grateful for the change in topic. "What movie is it?"
"The new one that's coming out today," Amelia said. "It's called The Enchanted Cottage. Why don't you and Mr. Xellos come with us?"
"We can do that," Filia said, and looked to her boyfriend. "Right?"
"Whatever your heart desires, mon chéri."
"Well, it looks like I'll have to track down the ol' jellyfish," Lina said.
"Do! We can have a triple date!" Filia replied.
Amelia blushed faintly, still interpreting the conversation for Zelgadis while sipping on her float from time to time, lips resting around the straw. He tapped her arm, and she let go of her straw, glancing to him.
"My curiosity's finally gotten the better of me," Zelgadis said. "Why does she call Gourry 'jellyfish'?"
Amelia paused, thinking. "I'm not sure either. She always has as long as I've known him." Amelia flagged down Lina's attention. "Why do you call Gourry 'jellyfish'?"
Lina chuckled. "Oh, geez. You know, it's been so long, I'm not even sure I remember the full story. It was in third grade, I think, shortly after he moved into our parish. It had to do with Gourry trying to trick me that some jelly his mother made was actually made with fish eyes. Fish jelly. That eventually evolved into 'jellyfish'."
"Makes sense," Amelia said, "in a disgusting, disturbing sort of way."
Zelgadis smirked. "Now I'm wondering if you actually ate any of that jelly."
"And you'll keep wondering," Lina retorted.
"I'll sell the answer for a modest fee," Xellos said, ignoring Lina's glare.
Zelgadis snapped his first two fingers against his thumb in a curt, sharp motion, not even looking to Xellos. Amelia blushed, and tried to soften the blunt rejection of the offer. "No, thank you, Mr. Xellos."
"If you even try it, Xellos, I'm going to tell everyone about that incident in fourth grade," Lina threatened.
"What incident?" Filia asked, blinking.
Xellos blushed, scratching the back of his head. "Nothing of any importance. So, lovely weather today, non?"
Lina grinned at him wickedly.
"Uh-oh." Amelia glanced to the door as she heard Gourry's voice. "I know that look. What sort of impending disaster are we looking at?"
"The potential destruction of Xellos' calm and cool reputation," Lina replied, still grinning at the black-haired teen.
"Er, Lina, really now. There's no need for that. I was merely joshing you, after all," Xellos stammered.
"I'm really curious about this 'incident'," Filia said, propping her chin on her fist.
"I'll get it out of her," Gourry offered, "then you can tell me what she's wearing to the prom."
"And that's a secret I'm taking to my grave, merci beaucoup," Lina retorted.
"Darn, foiled again." Gourry sat down next to her and eyed the empty dishes. "Is there even any ice cream left in the place for me?"
"I didn't eat that much!" Lina protested.
Gourry grinned and kissed her on the forehead, getting back to his feet. "I'll go to the counter and order. I don't want to give the poor boy a heart attack at the idea of coming back to take more orders from this table." He moved away quickly, but not before Lina swatted him on the arm.
"Oh, Gourry! Be ready to meet us at the movie house at two!" Lina called after him.
"Why? What are we doing?"
Lina stared at him. "We're going to steal Xellos' convertible and go for a joyride and play mailbox baseball."
"But isn't that illegal?"
Lina slapped her palm over her face.
"We're going to see a movie, Mr. Gourry," Amelia explained.
"Oh, so we're not stealing Xellos' car?"
"Over your dead bodies," Xellos said.
"No, jellyfish. We're not stealing anything. Amelia wants to see a movie, and we thought we'd all go."
"That sounds like a good idea. I'm all for it! Oh, Zel! You're here too?" Gourry grinned, and waved at him. "Great to have you here." He turned back to the counter, placing his order after Zelgadis gave him a slight wave in return.
Amelia felt a tug on her riding jacket sleeve, and looked to Zelgadis.
"Is he going with us?" From the slightly aggressive look in his eyes, Amelia guessed whom he meant.
"Well, they all are," Amelia said, trying to answer indirectly. "Why? What's wrong?"
For a moment, she thought that perhaps he would answer her, but in the end, he just shook his head. "It's nothing, Amelia. Just an old..." Zelgadis trailed off for a moment, thinking. "An old fight. Nothing more."
"Are you sure? We can do something else if you'd rather..."
"No." He patted Amelia's hand, giving her a smile. "That's okay. I'd still like to go."
"If you're sure?"
"I'm sure, Amelia." He looked at his cup, then gestured to her glass. "Are you about done?"
Amelia moved her straw around, finding just half-melted ice cream froth. "Yep." She smiled. "Do you want to go to the library?" Zelgadis nodded, standing up, and Amelia turned her attention to Lina. "We'll meet you at the movie house. We're going to the library."
"Leaving so soon?" Gourry asked as he returned to the table. "I just got here!"
"We'll see you in a little while," Amelia said. "We're going to the library while Miss Lina and Miss Filia get their dresses."
"And we'll leave you two boys to entertain yourselves," Lina added.
"We should probably leave now, if we're to be done by two," Filia said, looking at the clock.
"Good point." Lina devoured one last bite of ice cream as she stood. "Remember, jellyfish, movie house, two o'clock." Lina joined Amelia at the counter where they paid for their treats.
Filia kissed Xellos on the cheek. "I'll see you in a little while. Do try to behave."
"This is me you're talking to."
"Which is precisely why I said that," Filia retorted, giving him a quick grin. In reply, he caught her hand, kissing the inside of her wrist.
Amelia chuckled as she listened to their banter, and paid more attention to where she was going as she stepped the malt shop. She really had to quit doing things like that. Her chronic klutziness might have been somewhat endearing as a child, but it was hardly desirable in a woman and future lawyer.
C'est un secret - That is a secret
Mademoiselle - Miss
Oui - Yes
Comme ci comme ça - so so
Je suis désolé - I'm sorry
Vous canaille - you cad (literally: you dirty)
Mon chéri - my darling
Non - no
Merci beaucoup - thank you very much
And an aside to a reviewer of mine, gomen! But I already had a certain character scripted into a certain role in this story when I plotted it out, so please don't think it is a reflection on you. When going over what I'd written after I saw the review and the name chosen, I decided to clarify that point.
~ Zanne
CHAPTER THREE
Lina pulled up in front of the malt shop and shut off the engine. "Well, the movie starts at two-fifteen," she said. "I think Filia and I will go to the dress shop before that, if I find her. In the meantime..." Lina scrambled out of the car. "Milkshakes!"
Amelia watched her older friend with amusement while she interpreted what was being said for Zelgadis. She climbed out, giving her a quirky grin. "Every time I see you, you're usually eating," she teased. "What, do you have a tapeworm or something?"
Lina stuck her tongue out at her. "Or something. Do what you want, but there's a sundae in there calling my name, and Filia usually shows up here for lunch."
"I thought it was a milkshake." Amelia tugged her riding jacket down, straightening it. Although most people didn't wear their jodhpurs and blazers out on the town, she did just about every weekend, when she would usually wind up going places with Lina after riding over in the mornings.
"Those are to drink. Sundaes are to eat. I need the milkshake to wash it down." Lina winked and walked into the shop.
Amelia looked over the car hood to Zelgadis. "Want to go in?" she asked, vetoing her voice for the moment in favor of just sign language.
Zelgadis looked up at the sign, thinking, then shrugged. "Sure."
"When Lina and Filia go to the dress shop, we can go over to the library. It's on the way to the movie house," Amelia suggested.
Zelgadis held the door open for her. "That sounds fine."
She turned around, backing into the shop so she could keep signing to him. "Is there anything you wa--" Amelia let out a startled yelp as she collided with someone, tripping backward. A strong hand seized her wrist as Zelgadis caught her, keeping her from falling down completely, and she blushed. "Oh! I'm so sorry!"
"You should be," snapped a female's voice, and Amelia inwardly sighed.
"Hello, Martina," she said, turning around to face the blonde.
"Some people just have no class, no matter who their daddies are," Martina replied, smoothing back a blonde wisp of hair that had escaped her pompadour. "But of course, that's obvious by the company they keep."
Amelia glared at the older teen, and was about to retort when Lina stepped in.
"Martina, shut up, and leave Zel out of this."
"Oh, dear me, did you think I was referring to him?" Martina smiled, stepping to the doorway, pausing halfway through it. "I meant you."
Amelia blinked and grabbed her friend tightly around the waist, keeping Lina from lunging at Martina and doing any number of the various things she had heard her threaten to do sooner or later. Martina stepped out, the bell above the door jingling as it shut behind her.
"Miss Lina! Miss Lina! Calm down!"
"Oh, I'll calm down, all right," Lina growled, "once I rip every last strand of hair from her head."
Amelia noticed that the shop's manager was watching, and with a rather unamused expression to boot. "Milkshakes, Miss Lina. Sundaes. Hot fudge. Strawberries," she recited, trying to distract her friend. Lina looked at her out of the corner of her eye, growing still, then shrugged out of Amelia's grip as she straightened her clothes.
"Aw, you're right. She's not worth missing a milkshake over."
Amelia nodded enthusiastically. "Chocolate, Miss Lina. So thick you need a spoon."
Lina cast one last look to the doorway, then sat down on a white and red vinyl chair. Amelia breathed a sigh of relief. Not that she liked Martina any more than Lina did, but it would be rather embarrassing if her own father had to prosecute Miss Lina for assault and battery. Amelia sat down beside her, and Zelgadis took a chair across from Lina.
A soda jerker came over, and while Lina was racking up her order, Zelgadis tapped Amelia on the arm.
"What was that all about?" he asked.
Amelia kept her voice mute while she replied, lest the mention send Lina into another tailspin. "Miss Martina and Miss Lina do not get along in the slightest," she replied. "And you know Miss Lina has a bit of an unladylike temper. Miss Martina likes to provoke her."
"And you, miss, what would you like?"
Amelia looked up at the soda jerker. "Oh. Um..." She thought for a moment, and then beamed a bright smile. "A root beer float."
"At this hour of the morning?" Lina teased. "Oh, you shameless lush, you."
Amelia made a face at her, then turned to Zelgadis. "What do you want?" she asked him.
He hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Coffee?"
"Coffee?" Amelia blinked. "Well, they have it, certainly, but don't you want any ice cream, or milkshakes, or any of that?"
"So I like coffee."
Amelia shrugged and grinned at him. "So coffee it is." She relayed his order to the soda jerker, who raised an eyebrow but otherwise said nothing as he went to fill the orders.
"So, what do you two have planned while I'm at the dress shop?" Lina asked.
Zelgadis looked away from Amelia's hands to Lina and shrugged. "Amelia suggested the library."
Lina listened to Amelia translate, then blinked. "It's a Saturday! And it's a gorgeous day. Why are you wanting to waste it in a library?"
"I like reading!" Amelia protested.
"Bookworm." Lina shook her head and looked to Zelgadis. "And you're letting her drag you there?"
He shrugged. "I don't mind," he replied. "Reading's about all I do on my off hours."
Lina shot Amelia a look as she finished translating. "Is that really what he said, Amie?"
"What? Miss Lina? Do you think I'd lie?" Amelia asked indignantly. "Lying is unjust! There is nothing more pure and sacred in all creation than truth and justice! Lying only darkens the true light of our hearts, and it tries to stand in the way of all that is right, honorable, and good! Lies are a weapon used by the evil Axis and is quite thoroughly un-American! Why, I declare th--"
Amelia blinked as Lina's hand was suddenly clamped down on her mouth. She looked at her friend, who had her eyes squeezed shut tightly.
"Okay, okay, I get the point, Amelia. Now shut up. Please."
"Miss Lina..." Amelia pushed her hand from her mouth. "Don't you believe in the cause of justice?"
"I believe, I believe!" Lina said quickly. "I'll believe in anything you want me to! Just shut up!"
Amelia huffed. "Well, okay, but that's not very nice of you, Miss Lina."
"Err, your orders?"
Amelia looked up to see the soda jerker balancing a huge tray.
"Yes! Ice cream! Sundaes! Chocolate and lots of it!" Lina stared intently at the tray while the soda jerker set down Zelgadis' cup of coffee.
"Miss Lina, you'll remember to wait until he sets the food in front of you, won't you?" Amelia cautioned.
Lina blinked, and the soda jerker looked decidedly nervous. 'What?" Lina said. "Of course I will, don't be ridiculous."
"Well, there was that day in Baton Rouge..."
"That one time!" Lina huffed. "Besides, I hadn't eaten all day."
"So you've forgotten the trip to Galveston?"
Amelia glanced over to see Xellos and Filia standing behind Zelgadis. Xellos was grinning at Lina.
Lina's cheeks took on a faint pink tint, but she held her composure. "I deny everything."
"What are you talking about, Mr. Xellos?" Amelia asked, and saw Lina shoot him a threatening look.
Xellos merely grinned. "C'est un secret, Mademoiselle Amelia."
"Filia?" Amelia looked to the other woman.
"My lips are sealed. She threatened my hair." Filia patted her long, blonde tresses, coiled up in a loose topknot.
"Why don't you join us?" Lina asked.
Amelia looked at the small table, barely big enough to handle occupants for the four chairs that surrounded it. Xellos apparently had the same thought, because he guided Filia over to a neighboring table.
"I believe we'll sit over here," Xellos said, and grinned. "Close enough to talk, far enough away to disavow any knowledge of you whatsoever if it should come to that."
Filia lightly backhanded his shoulder, giving him a smirk. "Besides, we'll save that chair for Mr. Gourry."
"If the jellyfish shows up," Lina replied.
Amelia chuckled and glanced to Zelgadis, her smile fading rapidly when she saw his expression. His jaw was set, and his eyes were hostile.
"Mr. Zelgadis, what is it?" she asked silently, relying on her fingers.
"Just the company." His gestures were clipped and curt, and Amelia drew back, feeling as though he had just slapped her.
"I'm sorry?"
Zelgadis shook his head. "Not you. Him." He shot a look at Xellos.
"You've met?"
"Long time ago."
"Well, look who's joined our happy little group," Xellos said, looking at Zelgadis as he pulled back a chair for Filia. "How nice of you to take on a charity case."
Amelia abruptly stopped using sign language and glared at Xellos. "He is not! He's my friend."
"Xel, knock it off," Lina told him.
"Oh, my mistake," Xellos said, smiling. "I was just rather surprised to see the daughter of our fair city's lead attorney consorting with a mere stable hand." Filia tugged on his sleeve, giving him a pleading look, and he patted her hand. "But no matter." He gave them all a bright smile, then snapped his fingers to get the soda jerker's attention as he sat down.
Zelgadis' gaze constantly snapped back and forth between them, trying to follow the conversation without Amelia interpreting. And she had no intention whatsoever of relaying what Xellos had said.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," Zelgadis told Amelia.
"Don't say that, please!" she begged. "Ignore Mr. Xellos. He can be a bit of jerk sometimes."
Zelgadis raised an eyebrow, his expression slightly sardonic, but nodded.
"Are you eating all that by yourself?" Filia asked, eyeing the miniature banquet before Lina incredulously.
"Yup."
Filia shook her head, her expression dismayed. "How you can do that and not gain a pound is beyond me."
"Oui, some of us must sacrifice such indulgences in the quest for beauty," Xellos said, and Filia shot him a look. He grinned, and took her hand, kissing the palm. "Of course, some of us have achieved that quest beyond anyone's wildest dreams."
Filia blushed at the compliment, giving him a warm grin.
"Ugh. Sap alert. You two have more sugar than this entire order." Lina swept her hand over the various desserts.
"In more ways than one," Xellos replied, giving her a cocky grin as he rubbed his fingers and thumb together in a gesture indicating money.
"Money's sugar?" Amelia asked.
"It's a rather old slang term," Xellos replied. "From our parents' generation, I would think, or perhaps grandparents."
"Oh, sure, flaunt your family wealth," Lina shot back.
Xellos grinned, then placed an order for both himself and Filia as the soda jerker arrived. Amelia glanced over at Zelgadis, who wasn't watching what she was saying, but rather, sipping his coffee and staring at the tabletop. As if he had felt her eyes on him, he glanced up, and his expression softened into a faint smile that made her heart lift. She grinned back shyly and sipped her float when Xellos resumed the conversation.
"It's not as though you're lacking in that arena either," he reminded Lina. "How many vineyards is it your family owns?"
Amelia considered interpreting again, just to avoid having Zelgadis feel left out. When she glanced out of the corner of her eye at him, he was staring at the tabletop, a terse expression on his face. Amelia bit her bottom lip in a slight wince, and decided against it for the moment.
"Two in California on my mother's side, three in France from my Father's." Lina's expression was as bored as her tone by the new topic.
"Ah, yes. My parents served up a 1906 Burgundy last night with dinner. From one of your French estates, I believe. Very good year."
"Couldn't have been that great," Lina said, and then shot him a cheeky grin. "I wasn't born yet."
Xellos smirked. "That's debatable. But my mother was wondering, how have the French vineyards fared?"
Lina shrugged. "We don't know yet. Daddy's been more concerned with getting word on how our relatives over there are doing."
"Have you heard anything yet?" Amelia asked.
"Some, yeah. A few we've heard from directly, but most of our news comes from Luna. She's been able to do the most through her army contacts." She looked to Xellos. "What about your family?"
"We've gotten back in touch with the majority in the last few months," Xellos replied.
"That's good news," Filia said.
"Eh. Comme ci comme ça." He waggled his hand back and forth. "For the most part, I'd agree. I'd hoped, though, that several of my more annoying cousins would have dropped off the face of the earth. I should have known I wouldn't be that lucky."
Amelia blinked, feeling more than a little appalled by his casual disregard for their safety. "That's not a very nice thing to say, Mr. Xellos," she chided him.
"Maybe not, but it's honest, at any rate. Besides, if you had the displeasure of meeting them, you'd probably agree with me."
Lina licked her spoon. "These are your mother's brother's kids?"
"No, all our relatives over there, as far as I know, are more distant. Second cousins twice removed, and third cousins. That sort of thing."
"You have an uncle, Mr. Xellos?"
"Apparently," he said dryly, quirking a grin. "Not that I remember ever meeting him, mind you. Or my aunt, for that matter."
"Oh." Amelia studied him curiously. "Why not?"
"Well, Uncle Dynast lives, hmm, last I heard, up north somewhere, New England or thereabouts. He and Mother have been in something of a feud for as long as I can recall. I also have an aunt, but she's off in an institution somewhere, mad as a hatter." Xellos paused, thinking for a moment, then shook his head. "Damned if I can recall her name, though. Mother, on the rare times she does speak of her, always calls her by a nickname."
"And I've been meaning to ask you about that," Filia said. "Why does your mother call her sister 'Dolphin'?"
Xellos frowned as he tapped a finger slowly on the table. "Hmm." He shook his head slowly, then Amelia saw his eyes light up, and he snapped his fingers. "Now I remember. When they were young, she got sick. I think it may have been around the same time their little brother died of diphtheria, possibly the same thing. At any rate, it messed up her breathing, and Mother said she had the queerest laugh for a couple of years after that. Somebody said she sounded like a dolphin, and the name stuck."
"Isn't that kind of mean, Mr. Xellos?"
He shrugged. "I wouldn't know if she even noticed. Mother said she'd always been a few bubbles off plumb. At any rate, it was a good twenty years or something before I was born, so I can say with reasonable certainty that it's not my fault."
Filia chuckled, and patted his hand. "I hope this war's over soon," she said, changing topics.
"From your lips to God's ear," Lina agreed.
"Daddy's pretty optimistic, from the news reports," Amelia said, starting to interpret once more. The conversation had moved away from Xellos and his family, after all. "It might be over soon. The Allied forces are really showing those Nazis what we're made of."
"Oui," Xellos said, then smirked. "Blood, bone, and various assorted innards."
Lina groaned. "I'm trying to eat here."
"Je suis désolé," Xellos replied, his tone mockingly penitent. "I wasn't aware anything could make a dent in your appetite."
He didn't move quick enough evade the flying dollop of ice cream Lina launched at him with the skill of an expert marksman, and fell back in his chair with a startled cry. Amelia tried not to laugh, she honestly did, but the sight of him with a bit of vanilla dripping from his black bangs was too much. Xellos glared at Lina, then shot a smirk to Amelia as he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiping the ice cream away.
"So my misfortune amuses you, mademoiselle?" Xellos asked Amelia, and then looked to Filia, giving her a suggestive grin. "But perhaps you would care to help me clean this off, oui?"
Filia's face grew bright red, and she grabbed a napkin from Lina's table and balled it up, throwing it at him. "There's my help!" Xellos laughed as he picked up the napkin. "Vous canaille," she muttered under her breath as she sat back, shaking her head.
The soda jerker's return with their order interrupted the conversation, and the group fell silent briefly while he placed the large banana split between the two, and set down a couple of milkshakes.
"Do you want to go by the dress shop soon?" Lina asked. "Amelia's asked me along to see a movie this afternoon."
"That sounds good to me," Filia agreed, looking grateful for the change in topic. "What movie is it?"
"The new one that's coming out today," Amelia said. "It's called The Enchanted Cottage. Why don't you and Mr. Xellos come with us?"
"We can do that," Filia said, and looked to her boyfriend. "Right?"
"Whatever your heart desires, mon chéri."
"Well, it looks like I'll have to track down the ol' jellyfish," Lina said.
"Do! We can have a triple date!" Filia replied.
Amelia blushed faintly, still interpreting the conversation for Zelgadis while sipping on her float from time to time, lips resting around the straw. He tapped her arm, and she let go of her straw, glancing to him.
"My curiosity's finally gotten the better of me," Zelgadis said. "Why does she call Gourry 'jellyfish'?"
Amelia paused, thinking. "I'm not sure either. She always has as long as I've known him." Amelia flagged down Lina's attention. "Why do you call Gourry 'jellyfish'?"
Lina chuckled. "Oh, geez. You know, it's been so long, I'm not even sure I remember the full story. It was in third grade, I think, shortly after he moved into our parish. It had to do with Gourry trying to trick me that some jelly his mother made was actually made with fish eyes. Fish jelly. That eventually evolved into 'jellyfish'."
"Makes sense," Amelia said, "in a disgusting, disturbing sort of way."
Zelgadis smirked. "Now I'm wondering if you actually ate any of that jelly."
"And you'll keep wondering," Lina retorted.
"I'll sell the answer for a modest fee," Xellos said, ignoring Lina's glare.
Zelgadis snapped his first two fingers against his thumb in a curt, sharp motion, not even looking to Xellos. Amelia blushed, and tried to soften the blunt rejection of the offer. "No, thank you, Mr. Xellos."
"If you even try it, Xellos, I'm going to tell everyone about that incident in fourth grade," Lina threatened.
"What incident?" Filia asked, blinking.
Xellos blushed, scratching the back of his head. "Nothing of any importance. So, lovely weather today, non?"
Lina grinned at him wickedly.
"Uh-oh." Amelia glanced to the door as she heard Gourry's voice. "I know that look. What sort of impending disaster are we looking at?"
"The potential destruction of Xellos' calm and cool reputation," Lina replied, still grinning at the black-haired teen.
"Er, Lina, really now. There's no need for that. I was merely joshing you, after all," Xellos stammered.
"I'm really curious about this 'incident'," Filia said, propping her chin on her fist.
"I'll get it out of her," Gourry offered, "then you can tell me what she's wearing to the prom."
"And that's a secret I'm taking to my grave, merci beaucoup," Lina retorted.
"Darn, foiled again." Gourry sat down next to her and eyed the empty dishes. "Is there even any ice cream left in the place for me?"
"I didn't eat that much!" Lina protested.
Gourry grinned and kissed her on the forehead, getting back to his feet. "I'll go to the counter and order. I don't want to give the poor boy a heart attack at the idea of coming back to take more orders from this table." He moved away quickly, but not before Lina swatted him on the arm.
"Oh, Gourry! Be ready to meet us at the movie house at two!" Lina called after him.
"Why? What are we doing?"
Lina stared at him. "We're going to steal Xellos' convertible and go for a joyride and play mailbox baseball."
"But isn't that illegal?"
Lina slapped her palm over her face.
"We're going to see a movie, Mr. Gourry," Amelia explained.
"Oh, so we're not stealing Xellos' car?"
"Over your dead bodies," Xellos said.
"No, jellyfish. We're not stealing anything. Amelia wants to see a movie, and we thought we'd all go."
"That sounds like a good idea. I'm all for it! Oh, Zel! You're here too?" Gourry grinned, and waved at him. "Great to have you here." He turned back to the counter, placing his order after Zelgadis gave him a slight wave in return.
Amelia felt a tug on her riding jacket sleeve, and looked to Zelgadis.
"Is he going with us?" From the slightly aggressive look in his eyes, Amelia guessed whom he meant.
"Well, they all are," Amelia said, trying to answer indirectly. "Why? What's wrong?"
For a moment, she thought that perhaps he would answer her, but in the end, he just shook his head. "It's nothing, Amelia. Just an old..." Zelgadis trailed off for a moment, thinking. "An old fight. Nothing more."
"Are you sure? We can do something else if you'd rather..."
"No." He patted Amelia's hand, giving her a smile. "That's okay. I'd still like to go."
"If you're sure?"
"I'm sure, Amelia." He looked at his cup, then gestured to her glass. "Are you about done?"
Amelia moved her straw around, finding just half-melted ice cream froth. "Yep." She smiled. "Do you want to go to the library?" Zelgadis nodded, standing up, and Amelia turned her attention to Lina. "We'll meet you at the movie house. We're going to the library."
"Leaving so soon?" Gourry asked as he returned to the table. "I just got here!"
"We'll see you in a little while," Amelia said. "We're going to the library while Miss Lina and Miss Filia get their dresses."
"And we'll leave you two boys to entertain yourselves," Lina added.
"We should probably leave now, if we're to be done by two," Filia said, looking at the clock.
"Good point." Lina devoured one last bite of ice cream as she stood. "Remember, jellyfish, movie house, two o'clock." Lina joined Amelia at the counter where they paid for their treats.
Filia kissed Xellos on the cheek. "I'll see you in a little while. Do try to behave."
"This is me you're talking to."
"Which is precisely why I said that," Filia retorted, giving him a quick grin. In reply, he caught her hand, kissing the inside of her wrist.
Amelia chuckled as she listened to their banter, and paid more attention to where she was going as she stepped the malt shop. She really had to quit doing things like that. Her chronic klutziness might have been somewhat endearing as a child, but it was hardly desirable in a woman and future lawyer.
C'est un secret - That is a secret
Mademoiselle - Miss
Oui - Yes
Comme ci comme ça - so so
Je suis désolé - I'm sorry
Vous canaille - you cad (literally: you dirty)
Mon chéri - my darling
Non - no
Merci beaucoup - thank you very much