Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN SLAYERS. If I did, I wouldn't have a site with those annoying banner ads... (*grumble*grumble*ggrrrumble*) . . . Uh, just ignore me. ^_^;;;
- JUST ANOTHER AU FIC -
Chapter 13: Will The World Come Crashing Down?
"Am not."
"Are too."
"Am not!"
"Are too."
"Not!"
"Are."
"Not!" Filia yelled, arms crossed, glaring for all she was worth.
Xellos grinned, leaning in closer. He trailed one thumb over the blonde's cheek. "You are," he whispered in a low voice, just before gently tilting her face up to kiss her.
After some time, Filia pulled away, blushing heavily. "You are *so* impossible!" she stated, trying to sound irritated, but letting the slightest of smiles play on her lips.
He simply grinned back, settling down on the wooden seat. "Am I?"
She leaned in close, lightly running one finger down his cheek. "You are."
They both broke out laughing.
"Alright, alright," Filia finally put in, waving one hand as she steadied herself. "Tomorrow night, my place. Just don't be late, namagomi!" She added, in a feeble attempt to be firm.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Xellos replied, winking. Inwardly he blinked a moment. Hm. Well. Just at what point in their wonderfully blossoming relationship did he start getting used to being called garbage? Didn't even irk him as much as it used to. To a point.
The two of them were at the teashop, empty save for them, as it was late afternoon, and Filia had decided to give the rest of the crew, particularly Jiras, who usually took over minding the place in the evening, a long-deserved day off. Business had gone rather well lately; in her last inventory she found that they'd actually gained considerable profits this month. It wasn't actually so big to celebrate about, but, well -- everyone needed a break now and then, ne?
The namagomi had just invited himself to dinner at her place. It's not like it was a serious thing, actually -- but they had run out of places and classy restaurants to date. My, and wasn't it totally convenient that Val was out of town for a youth conference; and wouldn't be back until next week. What was the Mazoku up to?
She found herself blushing ever-so-slightly.
Dying sunlight poured out in shafts of molten gold through the glass windows, spilling just short of the table they shared, facing each other.
Xellos shrugged, studying her, as only he could do with both eyes closed. He'd decided to drop by, as he had grown accustomed to doing for the past few weeks, and have a cup of tea or two. He didn't have to say it out loud or anything, but he *had* grown perhaps a little addicted to the tea. Wouldn't take a genius to figure out why Juuou-sama was after it, Xellos mused, looking down at his long empty cup.
Of course, the Mazoku mused, gazing just a little too casually at the blonde, the tea wasn't the only reason he kept coming back. Not that he had to remind himself that.
"What do you want for dinner, anyway?" Filia went on, standing up to take away their dishes. "For tomorrow, I mean."
"Now, now, let me help with that," the Mazoku interceded. He unfolded his arms, standing up as well, and stacking up the saucers and cups. "It's your treat. I'm sure anything you cook will be most delectable. I trust you wouldn't find it in your heart to poison me, though?" He continued breezily as they both headed to the kitchen.
Filia raised one blond eyebrow at the suggestion. "Now would I do that?" She replied innocently, smiling warmly in spite of herself. "Just don't expect anything too elaborate. Fancy food isn't my area of expertise. How's pot roast for you?"
He gently deposited the dishes on the sink. "Sounds fine." He grinned, turning on the tap. He took off his long-sleeved black coat, hanging it on a rack by the wall, turning back to the waiting pile of china.
"Wait-- you don't have to--"
"What?" Xellos inquired piquantly, as he proceeded to wash the dishes, glancing at the blonde's expression. "Now just you relax Filia-chan, I know you've been working all day. And I promise I won't be breaking anything."
She put a hand to her forehead in a mock gesture of defeat. "Right, you won't." She said, sounding anything but assured. "Here, I'll--" she began, only to be cut off by (what else?) the telephone ringing.
Filia sweatdropped. "Telephone call," she amended in a rush, and left the kitchen. Ah, yes. Yet another conversation to be cut off abruptly by a ringing telephone. What an inventive method of changing scenes, ne?
Xellos simply nodded understandingly, turning back to the dishes. Scrub, scrub, scrub. Bubble, foam, bubble. Hey, so what if he can't cook, he seems to have a talent for this!
*~*
The sun was setting in another city. Not to go around it, but it happened to be the city where Val was staying in for three days now. So Val had a good view of the setting sun from the window of the first class hotel room as he sat there, drinking a nice, cold glass of iced tea. Ah, habits have a way of being picked up, ne?
The door opened, letting in two shadow-cast figures in the carpeted room. Jiras and Gravos, both sporting sweaters and slacks, hung their olive green golfer caps on the coat rack.
"Master Valgaav?"
"Boss?"
"Geez, I thought you guys would never arrive." The youth rose from the cushioned stool he had propped near the window, turning to face the beast men. He shook his head wryly. "And stop calling me that. Ya know I'm no longer Lord Gaav's prodigy. Clean and straight, remember?" He stared his former 'bodyguards' down to make sure they get the point.
The two just smiled sheepishly. "Eh, we do go an' forget that sometimes," Jiras agreed, scratching his furry head. "Sorry."
Val just put a hand to his forehead. "What took you so long, anyway?"
Gravos shrugged. "Traffic cloggin' up the whole place 'ere. The Boss-- well, the other boss, Miss Filia -- she let us out early, -- that Xellos fellow came an' visited, ya understand -- but the cab we rode up here went just as slow as a turtle in the tar pi--"
"Xelly's with mom?"
The two looked up. The croc man nodded. "Ya, he came a few minutes before we closed up. Anythin' the matter, boss?"
The youth smiled toothily. "Nothing." He approached the drawer by the bed, retrieving a small white card, and held it up for the others to see. The White Serpent Jazz Club, 3rd Street, Harlet Village, Mahogany, proclaimed the simple reddish gold letters inscribed on the surface.
Jiras' one good eye widened. "Lord Gaav's stayin' in there?"
"As far as I'm sure, yes." The aqua-haired boy adjusted the edges of his polo shirt. "He's frequented the place, comes by once or twice every other month. The lady owner of the bar's his girlfriend."
Gravos blinked. "Gaav-sama?"
"Yep." Val shrugged, taking a once over at the room he was staying in as his school's representative to the Youth Leaders Organization Annual Assembly. The meeting had been dismissed hours ago, and he inferred he had the evening left to meet with his 'old man'. "And we're going there this very night." He looked at the both of them.
Jiras stared back at him, eye wide, mouth open. Gravos sported a similar look of amazement. They stared at each other, then back at Val, then back at the card, then back to each other. Then...
"WE'RE MEETIN' GAAV-SAMA!!!" The two yelled happily, clasping each other's hands and going SD all around the room.
Val sweatdropped. "Yes we are." He ruffled his hair, one hand on his lean waist, as he tried not to get dizzy from the two beast men doing gleeful cartwheels and victory dances around him. "Now behave yourselves, and fix up. I've already arranged a cab to take us there, and it's bound to arrive in five minutes."
They ignored him.
"WE'RE MEETIN' GAAV-SAMA!!! WE'RE JOLLY BE GOIN' AN' MEETIN' GAAV SAMA!!!"
The youth gave up. "Yes we are," he repeated, then eased his way out of their path to grab a few belongings he'll be needing for the ride.
*~*
She pushed back a wayward strand of blond hair over one pointed ear. Business as usual in the Saillune Continental Bistro, she thought, recounting that Xellos had taken her here once or twice in the weeks they saw each other. Zelgadis had called, saying that he had something to talk to her about regarding Dragon Crest. He didn't elaborate much, only insisted she meet him in the hotel restaurant. Just go as soon as possible. No, don't go with Xellos. These are rather... special circumstances.
So she had called a cab and got here by herself. She found Zelgadis sitting alone. Their... business prospects had gone for the moment to the lounge, but would be back any minute now.
Fiia stared patiently at the younger attorney over the rim of her tea cup. No coffee. Grave in manner, as he usually was, but something about the way he looked seemed just a tad too... peculiar?
First Amelia, now him, the blonde thought. Maybe...
"Alright, Zelgadis, what is it?" She finally asked, setting down her cup.
He wouldn't meet her gaze. He shifted slightly in his seat, and Filia noticed for the first time that his usually creaseless long-sleeved tailormades were rumpled. "Filia..." he began. He put a hand to his forehead, shaking his head slightly as if to clear away his thoughts. "Miss Ul Copt, I mean..." he faltered, then fell silent.
She looked curiously at her friend. "Is this about you and Amelia?" she offered.
The Chimera's head jerked up abruptly (not THAT head, hentai!), staring at her. "W-what?!"
Filia smiled. "Come on, I'm not totally blind." She clasped her hands over the table, observing the nice shade of pink visible on the wiry-haired man's cheeks. "So this *is* about her, is it?" She continued, cocking her head to one side.
Zelgadis blushed a hotter pink. "No -- it isn't -- I --" he amended, then stopped, seeing who came back from the lounge.
"So you're Filia." A smooth, oiled voice declared from behind her.
*~*
Author's Rants: *waves from her small corner in lurkerdom* Hiya all!!! Missed me? (sweatdrops as readers run away screaming) Sorry, gomen nasai, patawad for the delay! I've just finished shoveling through a ton of schoolwork, and am barely alive. Thankfully, now I'm FREE!!! FREE!!! . . . and bored. Just plodding through, as usual. ^_^ Hang in there!
PLOT HOLES... SO MANY PLOT HOLES... -_-;;;
- JUST ANOTHER AU FIC -
Chapter 13: Will The World Come Crashing Down?
"Am not."
"Are too."
"Am not!"
"Are too."
"Not!"
"Are."
"Not!" Filia yelled, arms crossed, glaring for all she was worth.
Xellos grinned, leaning in closer. He trailed one thumb over the blonde's cheek. "You are," he whispered in a low voice, just before gently tilting her face up to kiss her.
After some time, Filia pulled away, blushing heavily. "You are *so* impossible!" she stated, trying to sound irritated, but letting the slightest of smiles play on her lips.
He simply grinned back, settling down on the wooden seat. "Am I?"
She leaned in close, lightly running one finger down his cheek. "You are."
They both broke out laughing.
"Alright, alright," Filia finally put in, waving one hand as she steadied herself. "Tomorrow night, my place. Just don't be late, namagomi!" She added, in a feeble attempt to be firm.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Xellos replied, winking. Inwardly he blinked a moment. Hm. Well. Just at what point in their wonderfully blossoming relationship did he start getting used to being called garbage? Didn't even irk him as much as it used to. To a point.
The two of them were at the teashop, empty save for them, as it was late afternoon, and Filia had decided to give the rest of the crew, particularly Jiras, who usually took over minding the place in the evening, a long-deserved day off. Business had gone rather well lately; in her last inventory she found that they'd actually gained considerable profits this month. It wasn't actually so big to celebrate about, but, well -- everyone needed a break now and then, ne?
The namagomi had just invited himself to dinner at her place. It's not like it was a serious thing, actually -- but they had run out of places and classy restaurants to date. My, and wasn't it totally convenient that Val was out of town for a youth conference; and wouldn't be back until next week. What was the Mazoku up to?
She found herself blushing ever-so-slightly.
Dying sunlight poured out in shafts of molten gold through the glass windows, spilling just short of the table they shared, facing each other.
Xellos shrugged, studying her, as only he could do with both eyes closed. He'd decided to drop by, as he had grown accustomed to doing for the past few weeks, and have a cup of tea or two. He didn't have to say it out loud or anything, but he *had* grown perhaps a little addicted to the tea. Wouldn't take a genius to figure out why Juuou-sama was after it, Xellos mused, looking down at his long empty cup.
Of course, the Mazoku mused, gazing just a little too casually at the blonde, the tea wasn't the only reason he kept coming back. Not that he had to remind himself that.
"What do you want for dinner, anyway?" Filia went on, standing up to take away their dishes. "For tomorrow, I mean."
"Now, now, let me help with that," the Mazoku interceded. He unfolded his arms, standing up as well, and stacking up the saucers and cups. "It's your treat. I'm sure anything you cook will be most delectable. I trust you wouldn't find it in your heart to poison me, though?" He continued breezily as they both headed to the kitchen.
Filia raised one blond eyebrow at the suggestion. "Now would I do that?" She replied innocently, smiling warmly in spite of herself. "Just don't expect anything too elaborate. Fancy food isn't my area of expertise. How's pot roast for you?"
He gently deposited the dishes on the sink. "Sounds fine." He grinned, turning on the tap. He took off his long-sleeved black coat, hanging it on a rack by the wall, turning back to the waiting pile of china.
"Wait-- you don't have to--"
"What?" Xellos inquired piquantly, as he proceeded to wash the dishes, glancing at the blonde's expression. "Now just you relax Filia-chan, I know you've been working all day. And I promise I won't be breaking anything."
She put a hand to her forehead in a mock gesture of defeat. "Right, you won't." She said, sounding anything but assured. "Here, I'll--" she began, only to be cut off by (what else?) the telephone ringing.
Filia sweatdropped. "Telephone call," she amended in a rush, and left the kitchen. Ah, yes. Yet another conversation to be cut off abruptly by a ringing telephone. What an inventive method of changing scenes, ne?
Xellos simply nodded understandingly, turning back to the dishes. Scrub, scrub, scrub. Bubble, foam, bubble. Hey, so what if he can't cook, he seems to have a talent for this!
*~*
The sun was setting in another city. Not to go around it, but it happened to be the city where Val was staying in for three days now. So Val had a good view of the setting sun from the window of the first class hotel room as he sat there, drinking a nice, cold glass of iced tea. Ah, habits have a way of being picked up, ne?
The door opened, letting in two shadow-cast figures in the carpeted room. Jiras and Gravos, both sporting sweaters and slacks, hung their olive green golfer caps on the coat rack.
"Master Valgaav?"
"Boss?"
"Geez, I thought you guys would never arrive." The youth rose from the cushioned stool he had propped near the window, turning to face the beast men. He shook his head wryly. "And stop calling me that. Ya know I'm no longer Lord Gaav's prodigy. Clean and straight, remember?" He stared his former 'bodyguards' down to make sure they get the point.
The two just smiled sheepishly. "Eh, we do go an' forget that sometimes," Jiras agreed, scratching his furry head. "Sorry."
Val just put a hand to his forehead. "What took you so long, anyway?"
Gravos shrugged. "Traffic cloggin' up the whole place 'ere. The Boss-- well, the other boss, Miss Filia -- she let us out early, -- that Xellos fellow came an' visited, ya understand -- but the cab we rode up here went just as slow as a turtle in the tar pi--"
"Xelly's with mom?"
The two looked up. The croc man nodded. "Ya, he came a few minutes before we closed up. Anythin' the matter, boss?"
The youth smiled toothily. "Nothing." He approached the drawer by the bed, retrieving a small white card, and held it up for the others to see. The White Serpent Jazz Club, 3rd Street, Harlet Village, Mahogany, proclaimed the simple reddish gold letters inscribed on the surface.
Jiras' one good eye widened. "Lord Gaav's stayin' in there?"
"As far as I'm sure, yes." The aqua-haired boy adjusted the edges of his polo shirt. "He's frequented the place, comes by once or twice every other month. The lady owner of the bar's his girlfriend."
Gravos blinked. "Gaav-sama?"
"Yep." Val shrugged, taking a once over at the room he was staying in as his school's representative to the Youth Leaders Organization Annual Assembly. The meeting had been dismissed hours ago, and he inferred he had the evening left to meet with his 'old man'. "And we're going there this very night." He looked at the both of them.
Jiras stared back at him, eye wide, mouth open. Gravos sported a similar look of amazement. They stared at each other, then back at Val, then back at the card, then back to each other. Then...
"WE'RE MEETIN' GAAV-SAMA!!!" The two yelled happily, clasping each other's hands and going SD all around the room.
Val sweatdropped. "Yes we are." He ruffled his hair, one hand on his lean waist, as he tried not to get dizzy from the two beast men doing gleeful cartwheels and victory dances around him. "Now behave yourselves, and fix up. I've already arranged a cab to take us there, and it's bound to arrive in five minutes."
They ignored him.
"WE'RE MEETIN' GAAV-SAMA!!! WE'RE JOLLY BE GOIN' AN' MEETIN' GAAV SAMA!!!"
The youth gave up. "Yes we are," he repeated, then eased his way out of their path to grab a few belongings he'll be needing for the ride.
*~*
She pushed back a wayward strand of blond hair over one pointed ear. Business as usual in the Saillune Continental Bistro, she thought, recounting that Xellos had taken her here once or twice in the weeks they saw each other. Zelgadis had called, saying that he had something to talk to her about regarding Dragon Crest. He didn't elaborate much, only insisted she meet him in the hotel restaurant. Just go as soon as possible. No, don't go with Xellos. These are rather... special circumstances.
So she had called a cab and got here by herself. She found Zelgadis sitting alone. Their... business prospects had gone for the moment to the lounge, but would be back any minute now.
Fiia stared patiently at the younger attorney over the rim of her tea cup. No coffee. Grave in manner, as he usually was, but something about the way he looked seemed just a tad too... peculiar?
First Amelia, now him, the blonde thought. Maybe...
"Alright, Zelgadis, what is it?" She finally asked, setting down her cup.
He wouldn't meet her gaze. He shifted slightly in his seat, and Filia noticed for the first time that his usually creaseless long-sleeved tailormades were rumpled. "Filia..." he began. He put a hand to his forehead, shaking his head slightly as if to clear away his thoughts. "Miss Ul Copt, I mean..." he faltered, then fell silent.
She looked curiously at her friend. "Is this about you and Amelia?" she offered.
The Chimera's head jerked up abruptly (not THAT head, hentai!), staring at her. "W-what?!"
Filia smiled. "Come on, I'm not totally blind." She clasped her hands over the table, observing the nice shade of pink visible on the wiry-haired man's cheeks. "So this *is* about her, is it?" She continued, cocking her head to one side.
Zelgadis blushed a hotter pink. "No -- it isn't -- I --" he amended, then stopped, seeing who came back from the lounge.
"So you're Filia." A smooth, oiled voice declared from behind her.
*~*
Author's Rants: *waves from her small corner in lurkerdom* Hiya all!!! Missed me? (sweatdrops as readers run away screaming) Sorry, gomen nasai, patawad for the delay! I've just finished shoveling through a ton of schoolwork, and am barely alive. Thankfully, now I'm FREE!!! FREE!!! . . . and bored. Just plodding through, as usual. ^_^ Hang in there!
PLOT HOLES... SO MANY PLOT HOLES... -_-;;;