Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN SLAYERS. You'd think by now you get the idea, ne? ^_^
- JUST ANOTHER AU FIC -
Chapter 11: A Walk In The Moonlight... Ah, Yes, Where Were They?
The night, as all nights are supposed to be, was dark. Well, as dark as you can get with moonlight and city light crossing paths with each other on the shadowy ground. A cool breeze blew gently on the well-trimmed azaleas dotting the minimal yet delicately beautiful garden just outside Ippon Yari, the Japanese restaurant where Lina and co. where currently eating the night away.
And what of the two particular people they were supposed to be keeping an eye on?
Sorewa himitsu des-- err, nevermind... (-_-;;;)
Well, they happened to be in the garden at the moment. Under a cherry tree, by a small, pebble-filled, crystal-clear fish pond, to be exact. And no, unfortunately they weren't making out. The blonde woman was rather quiet and uncertain, and the purple-haired, smiling man beside her was equally as still. And as fun as it would be to imagine those two both nekkid and in the pond together, the fact that this particular author cannot write lemons, no matter how hard she tried, totally disintegrates all hentai expectations of y'all good readers out there. Gomen. Well, on with the story.
This is getting nowhere, the Mazoku thought finally as he regarded his date who was, at the moment, content in just studying the pool of water as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.
"Alright, Filia," Xellos said indulgently, facing her. "We're outside, in the garden. What is it you wanted to tell me? Nothing particularly naughty, I suppose?" he added, cracking one eye open.
She looked away, his gaze making her hesitate in what she was about to say. "*You* tell *me*, Xellos."
The Mazoku stared at her quietly. He perfectly knew what she was getting at. Typical she should doubt. "Tell you what?"
She glared at him. "What are you up to? Why are you doing this? I mean, there has to be a reason you're--" She closed her eyes. Calmly, she continued, almost apologetically, "Look, just tell me. No more riddles. Why?"
He stared at her. Why? Well, that wasn't something he found easy to explain without having to lie. He looked deep into her large blue eyes, so earnest. So solemn. And so exquisitely beautiful. He smiled. "That's a secret."
"Namagomi!!!" *THUD*.
Xellos grinned innocently as he observed the large ornamental rock embedded right on the spot where he was a few seconds ago, then back to the reddening Filia.
"Sou desu ne." He shrugged. "Maybe I missed you. Maybe I like you. Maybe I just find it highly entertaining being around you. You are truly a very amusing individual, after all."
That abated her somewhat. She paused, considering what he'd said. Just the words she wanted to hear. And what she hoped weren't lies. But...
"I... I missed you, too, Xellos," Filia began hesitantly, dearly hoping it was too dark to see her blush. She went back to gazing at the fish pond, their reflections rippled by the slight wind. It also offered her the chance to stare at him without being too obvious. No, he wasn't bad looking at all. On the contrary...
"Do you trust me, Filia?"
"Wha-?" Jerking away from her thoughts, the blonde glanced back up to Xellos, rather surprised. The purple-haired man's eyes were open now, unnervingly staring at her. "W-what did you say?"
"I said, did you trust me," he repeated, violet slitted eyes shutting as he smiled.
Had it been a week or so before, she would have hit him for the question. But now...
"Well, yes, I guess," Filia replied. "I mean, I wouldn't have agreed to go out with you alone if I didn't, right?" She turned her head up to the night sky, unable to look him in the eye. Yes, it was definitely a full moon. Didn't she read, from somewhere, something about how the moon is related to insanity? Lunacy was the clincher word. Something about the moon's gravitational pull affecting one's reasoning. Yeah, like that. Made it hard to think straight. She made a mental note to herself to blame the full moon for all this craziness after tonight. After tonight.
He seemed to pause an awfully long while, letting the statement sink in. "I see," he finally said, after some deliberation. He shifted his gaze towards the inky sky, a rather thoughtful expression crossing his face. "So tell me, do you hate me, Filia?"
What is this, twenty questions? "Hate you? I--"
"I mean, do you still hate me. Right now, while we're here together."
A pause. "What do you think?"
He chuckled. Strangely enough, she didn't find it particularly annoying this time. The moon. Blame the full moon. "I think you like me," he answered. "And I think you know. Do you?"
She could feel the blush rising to her cheeks again. "I... No. I don't know. What are you talking about?"
He ignored her last statement. "It's really rather hard to tell."
Silence.
The moon and the cloudy black sky got their full attention for the passing minutes. She really was in for it. The moon. Blame it on the moon.
"Beautiful night," he remarked softly, facing her.
"Hai, beautiful," she agreed.
He leaned in closer to her, and she tilted her head up. He kissed her. She kissed him back.
*~*
The world was spinning in irregular, tilting motions. "Sh... Stop, I'm gettin' off," Zelgadis slurred, then laughed, hearing the sound of his own drunken voice.
"M-more sake, Zelsh... Shel-- Zelgadish-san?" Amelia inquired beside him, eyes cloudy with drink as she grabbed her own cup of sake and waved for the skinny guy in the Japanese-style outfit. There really had to be an appropriate name for the attire, but she didn't really care at the moment. She felt great! She could sing! In fact, she will! "Tthhheeeee sun'll come OOUUUT, TOMOOORROWWW! Bet y'ar bottom dollar tTHASH, TOMOORRROOOW... IT'LL BEE SUUUN!!!" She gigled good-naturedly as Zelgadis applauded her, then promptly collapsed on the floor with a dull *thud*. Lina-san and Gourry-san snored loudly as they slept, face down, amid a humongous pile of sushi plates, sake cups, and chopsticks.
The waiter came over to their table at last, regarding the cheerfully drunk occupants rather nervously. It was way past 11:00, and these four were the only ones left. Even the couple he thought they were eyeing had gone almost a full hour ago, and they'd all been too drunk to notice. "Sumimasen, but we're about to close--" the waiter began, bowing hurriedly even as the dark-haired young woman shook her head repeatedly.
"Aww, just one more roundsh, pleaase?" she pleaded, staring up at the waiter with big, blue eyes.
He shrugged it off, them poured them both a cup full, however reluctantly.
"Chheeers, Amelia," the wiry-haired, blue-skinned guy beside her called out, holding up his cup.
The woman obliged, and the waiter could only sweatdrop and smile politely as the two proceeded to make loud, slurred speeches about love and justice to each other.
*~*
Meanwhile, in quite another part of the city -- in the international airport, to be exact -- four besuited men were getting off the first class luxury jet. Attendants scurried in and out of the plane, carting away the passengers' belongings and conferring with the older guy in the traveler's coat.
"I take it you'll be staying at the local hotel, then, Heigel?" the gray-haired man beside him went on conversationally.
Heigel nodded. "Saillune Continental," he confirmed, brushing some imaginary dust away from his immaculate formal dark blue jacket.
"So we shall be seeing you, hm, perhaps in a couple of days, or so," the guy in the traveler's coat acceded. He turned to the large, dark-haired man. "How about you, Senator?"
"I'll be at the hotel as well, Frenchman," the senator replied in his booming voice. "Tell Elise and the kids I send my regards."
Frenchman smiled, pulling his traveler's coat more closely around him. "I will," he replied, patting his old friend on the back. The senator had a weak spot for children, seeing as he himself had lost contact with both of his daughters about four or five years ago. Frenchman wouldn't discuss it with the man, of course, but he felt sorry for him. "You take care of yourself, Phil."
"Will do," the senator stated, nodding solemnly, even as an attendant approached them, informed that the taxicab they called for had arrived, and proceeded to escort them to the car.
*~*
Author's Notes: LEGOLAS RULEZ! Alright, I wouldn't really call THIS a chapter, more of an in-between to bridge things together. Skim to the next, I dare ya! And don't worry, Filia'll get one up in the end. You don't think I'd let Xel-kun get all the glory, ne?
THIS IS MORE OF AN INTERMISSIVE MUSH, I GUESS... ^_^
- JUST ANOTHER AU FIC -
Chapter 11: A Walk In The Moonlight... Ah, Yes, Where Were They?
The night, as all nights are supposed to be, was dark. Well, as dark as you can get with moonlight and city light crossing paths with each other on the shadowy ground. A cool breeze blew gently on the well-trimmed azaleas dotting the minimal yet delicately beautiful garden just outside Ippon Yari, the Japanese restaurant where Lina and co. where currently eating the night away.
And what of the two particular people they were supposed to be keeping an eye on?
Sorewa himitsu des-- err, nevermind... (-_-;;;)
Well, they happened to be in the garden at the moment. Under a cherry tree, by a small, pebble-filled, crystal-clear fish pond, to be exact. And no, unfortunately they weren't making out. The blonde woman was rather quiet and uncertain, and the purple-haired, smiling man beside her was equally as still. And as fun as it would be to imagine those two both nekkid and in the pond together, the fact that this particular author cannot write lemons, no matter how hard she tried, totally disintegrates all hentai expectations of y'all good readers out there. Gomen. Well, on with the story.
This is getting nowhere, the Mazoku thought finally as he regarded his date who was, at the moment, content in just studying the pool of water as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.
"Alright, Filia," Xellos said indulgently, facing her. "We're outside, in the garden. What is it you wanted to tell me? Nothing particularly naughty, I suppose?" he added, cracking one eye open.
She looked away, his gaze making her hesitate in what she was about to say. "*You* tell *me*, Xellos."
The Mazoku stared at her quietly. He perfectly knew what she was getting at. Typical she should doubt. "Tell you what?"
She glared at him. "What are you up to? Why are you doing this? I mean, there has to be a reason you're--" She closed her eyes. Calmly, she continued, almost apologetically, "Look, just tell me. No more riddles. Why?"
He stared at her. Why? Well, that wasn't something he found easy to explain without having to lie. He looked deep into her large blue eyes, so earnest. So solemn. And so exquisitely beautiful. He smiled. "That's a secret."
"Namagomi!!!" *THUD*.
Xellos grinned innocently as he observed the large ornamental rock embedded right on the spot where he was a few seconds ago, then back to the reddening Filia.
"Sou desu ne." He shrugged. "Maybe I missed you. Maybe I like you. Maybe I just find it highly entertaining being around you. You are truly a very amusing individual, after all."
That abated her somewhat. She paused, considering what he'd said. Just the words she wanted to hear. And what she hoped weren't lies. But...
"I... I missed you, too, Xellos," Filia began hesitantly, dearly hoping it was too dark to see her blush. She went back to gazing at the fish pond, their reflections rippled by the slight wind. It also offered her the chance to stare at him without being too obvious. No, he wasn't bad looking at all. On the contrary...
"Do you trust me, Filia?"
"Wha-?" Jerking away from her thoughts, the blonde glanced back up to Xellos, rather surprised. The purple-haired man's eyes were open now, unnervingly staring at her. "W-what did you say?"
"I said, did you trust me," he repeated, violet slitted eyes shutting as he smiled.
Had it been a week or so before, she would have hit him for the question. But now...
"Well, yes, I guess," Filia replied. "I mean, I wouldn't have agreed to go out with you alone if I didn't, right?" She turned her head up to the night sky, unable to look him in the eye. Yes, it was definitely a full moon. Didn't she read, from somewhere, something about how the moon is related to insanity? Lunacy was the clincher word. Something about the moon's gravitational pull affecting one's reasoning. Yeah, like that. Made it hard to think straight. She made a mental note to herself to blame the full moon for all this craziness after tonight. After tonight.
He seemed to pause an awfully long while, letting the statement sink in. "I see," he finally said, after some deliberation. He shifted his gaze towards the inky sky, a rather thoughtful expression crossing his face. "So tell me, do you hate me, Filia?"
What is this, twenty questions? "Hate you? I--"
"I mean, do you still hate me. Right now, while we're here together."
A pause. "What do you think?"
He chuckled. Strangely enough, she didn't find it particularly annoying this time. The moon. Blame the full moon. "I think you like me," he answered. "And I think you know. Do you?"
She could feel the blush rising to her cheeks again. "I... No. I don't know. What are you talking about?"
He ignored her last statement. "It's really rather hard to tell."
Silence.
The moon and the cloudy black sky got their full attention for the passing minutes. She really was in for it. The moon. Blame it on the moon.
"Beautiful night," he remarked softly, facing her.
"Hai, beautiful," she agreed.
He leaned in closer to her, and she tilted her head up. He kissed her. She kissed him back.
*~*
The world was spinning in irregular, tilting motions. "Sh... Stop, I'm gettin' off," Zelgadis slurred, then laughed, hearing the sound of his own drunken voice.
"M-more sake, Zelsh... Shel-- Zelgadish-san?" Amelia inquired beside him, eyes cloudy with drink as she grabbed her own cup of sake and waved for the skinny guy in the Japanese-style outfit. There really had to be an appropriate name for the attire, but she didn't really care at the moment. She felt great! She could sing! In fact, she will! "Tthhheeeee sun'll come OOUUUT, TOMOOORROWWW! Bet y'ar bottom dollar tTHASH, TOMOORRROOOW... IT'LL BEE SUUUN!!!" She gigled good-naturedly as Zelgadis applauded her, then promptly collapsed on the floor with a dull *thud*. Lina-san and Gourry-san snored loudly as they slept, face down, amid a humongous pile of sushi plates, sake cups, and chopsticks.
The waiter came over to their table at last, regarding the cheerfully drunk occupants rather nervously. It was way past 11:00, and these four were the only ones left. Even the couple he thought they were eyeing had gone almost a full hour ago, and they'd all been too drunk to notice. "Sumimasen, but we're about to close--" the waiter began, bowing hurriedly even as the dark-haired young woman shook her head repeatedly.
"Aww, just one more roundsh, pleaase?" she pleaded, staring up at the waiter with big, blue eyes.
He shrugged it off, them poured them both a cup full, however reluctantly.
"Chheeers, Amelia," the wiry-haired, blue-skinned guy beside her called out, holding up his cup.
The woman obliged, and the waiter could only sweatdrop and smile politely as the two proceeded to make loud, slurred speeches about love and justice to each other.
*~*
Meanwhile, in quite another part of the city -- in the international airport, to be exact -- four besuited men were getting off the first class luxury jet. Attendants scurried in and out of the plane, carting away the passengers' belongings and conferring with the older guy in the traveler's coat.
"I take it you'll be staying at the local hotel, then, Heigel?" the gray-haired man beside him went on conversationally.
Heigel nodded. "Saillune Continental," he confirmed, brushing some imaginary dust away from his immaculate formal dark blue jacket.
"So we shall be seeing you, hm, perhaps in a couple of days, or so," the guy in the traveler's coat acceded. He turned to the large, dark-haired man. "How about you, Senator?"
"I'll be at the hotel as well, Frenchman," the senator replied in his booming voice. "Tell Elise and the kids I send my regards."
Frenchman smiled, pulling his traveler's coat more closely around him. "I will," he replied, patting his old friend on the back. The senator had a weak spot for children, seeing as he himself had lost contact with both of his daughters about four or five years ago. Frenchman wouldn't discuss it with the man, of course, but he felt sorry for him. "You take care of yourself, Phil."
"Will do," the senator stated, nodding solemnly, even as an attendant approached them, informed that the taxicab they called for had arrived, and proceeded to escort them to the car.
*~*
Author's Notes: LEGOLAS RULEZ! Alright, I wouldn't really call THIS a chapter, more of an in-between to bridge things together. Skim to the next, I dare ya! And don't worry, Filia'll get one up in the end. You don't think I'd let Xel-kun get all the glory, ne?
THIS IS MORE OF AN INTERMISSIVE MUSH, I GUESS... ^_^