Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN SLAYERS. I merely borrowed these characters because I love them so much. ^_^
- JUST ANOTHER AU FIC -
Chapter 15: In Bed And Breakfast
The hotel suite was dimly lit; but a few streaks of light managed to peek through the heavy velvety curtains covering the wide glass window. Moreau sneaked a passing glance at his watch, not appreciating the lack of sunlight which made it hard to distinguish the exact placement of the tiny hands in his old age. Only 9:37 a.m. He sighed, and steeled himself for a conversation with the young man sitting opposite him.
"Alright, Heigel, you got what you wanted," he began indulgently. He wanted more than anything to make quick work of this.
Heigel raised a frosty eyebrow at him. "You speak as if I don't deserve all this, Moreau," the blond man returned, ringed fingers clasped together as he sat back on an ornately decorated chair. The lawyer wouldn't say it out loud, but the furniture reminded him of something a tyrant would sit on, like a throne. The design itself reminded him of horns and bones. Morbid, yes, but he found it strangely appropriate for the man currently situated on it. "Really, but do you still feel as though I am cheating everyone by taking what's rightfully mine all along?"
Moreau frowned. "My feelings do not matter. But to dupe everybody, most significantly the Ul Copt clan, into thinking--"
"'Dupe'?" The younger man repeated, steel blue eyes adopting a cold glint as he stared at him, never wavering. "Dupe? We committed no fraud, my good man." Heigel shifted and crossed his arms. "We simply... witheld some bits of truth that may work to our disadvantage." He laughed lightly. "Certainly nothing wrong with that."
"Maybe so. Still, we must take into consideration that by going through with your takeover, there would be complications -- protests, from the staff, the media, maybe even the local government. There might be an investigation. And if she files for a case--" The gray-haired legal adviser shook his head. "What it boils down to, Mr. Kaiser, is that we are playing a very tricky gamble here."
"Is that so?" He gave him a look of thinly veiled contempt. "You were not quite as reluctant when we began this."
"That was way back, when we were in Lyzeille!" Moreau defended. "Now our situation is quite different. We are in their territory, and if they try hard enough, prod well enough, they might--"
"They won't," Heigel corrected sternly. "Didn't you make sure of that? And anyway, what is there they could find? The deed is as genuine as genuine could be. It is definitely no fake."
"But what if they find the second--"
"They will find nothing." The blond man's oily voice dripped impatience. Moreau now knew their little discourse, what there was of it, was coming to a close. He definitely did not want to listen. "Enough with this talk," he continued boredly. "You are one to worry a tad too much, Moreau. I now find it hard to fathom what possessed me to summon you here."
"You said you wished to talk about the possibility of a quick embargo."
He reverted back to his cold grin. "So I did."
Moreau turned away from the younger man, too weary now to argue with him. Knowing that he would not listen to him, eitherway. There was a time when Heigel had listened. He sighed again. "You are Ronald's son," he said deliberately, more to remind himself than the other, actually. "Just before he died I made a promise to him to--"
"Touching." The blond man commented. "Look, I'm sure you are very enthusiastic to regale me with stories of my loving, honorable father--" he said this with a sneer marring his features, "But you must be on your way. Arrange for a meeting with the other two -- El Di, and his businessman friend." He made no move as Moreau stood, proceeding to the doorway. "As soon as we get this done, the better. Well?"
The older man bowed his head slightly. "I will do what I can," he answered simply.
He could feel Heigel watching him with those contemptous eyes as he headed out into the hallway.
*~*
Sunlight poured in radiant shafts through the window of Filia's room. She stirred, then snuggled deeper into the warm covers. Just a few more minutes...
"Ohayou, Filia-san," a very familiar and suspiciously happy voice greeted from somewhere, making her jump a few feet above the bed and then dive down into the blankets, remembering her disheveled state. Recovering, she turned, staring with a mixture of shock, anger and embarrasment at the purple-haired man standing in the doorway.
A purple-haired man who was carrying what looked to be a plate of charcoal pancakes, coffee, and extra crispy-fried black shapes that were supposed to be bacon on a silver breakfast tray; a rather sheepish but generally cheery expression on his face.
She blinked, not believing her eyes. "Xellos?"
"I hope you wouldn't mind terribly if I took the liberty of using your kitchen," he was going on as he expertly deposited the tray on top of Filia's lap as she sat up, a perplexed look on her face.
She studied the tray of (edible?) food, not really sure what to say at the moment. "Xellos..." she began haltingly, "What are... these?"
"Breakfast," The Mazoku answered simply. "Isn't it obvious?" Still smiling, he sat himself by the side of her bed. "Well, aren't you going to eat? The food might get cold. Or do you want me to spoon feed you?" He finished the statement with a slightly leery grin.
". . . . ." Was Filia's intelligent reply. What exactly happened? Why was he still here? And most importantly, what was the state of her kitchen after Xellos made off with his little cooking spree?
She tried not to think more about that particular chilling thought as she looked dubiously at the food tray, then at him, then back, trying not to cringe. "Thanks, I guess..." She finally said, then took just a teeny bite of a slightly more identifiable piece of blackened pancake.
. . . . . .
And immediately went for the cup of coffee. Downed everything in one big gulp. Relief. She winced, rubbing her forehead, as her complexion returned to something decidedly healthier than green.
The purple-haired Mazoku frowned. "Are you alright?"
Filia tried to smile. "Yes. Just my hangover, I guess." Shouldn't be really hurting his feelings now. He did go to all that trouble to prepare what could be very loosely term a meal... even if it did turn out anything but appetizing, or edible, for that matter. She poked lightly at the plate of bacon, bemused, before looking back up to him.
Then she really sweatdropped.
"Xellos," she called out.
"Hm?"
"Stop staring at me."
"Oh." He blinked, as if snapping out of some trance or something, and looked away. Filia gave him an inquiring look as she put her fork down. Was he blushing? "Sorry about that," Xellos continued, abruptly standing up and taking a step backwards, nearly bumping into her bedside table. He seemed to be suddenly nervous about something. "Look, I got to run, duty calls and all that, and--" He made his way to the door, giving her a final, shy glance. "Hope you have a nice meal." The Mazoku finished, grinning.
He was out of the door in a flash.
Filia blinked, then blinked again for good measure. (Yes, the dreaded blinking disease that plagued this fic early on has struck again! *author cackles madly*) That was rather abrupt. She stared down on the food tray, a somewhat sappy grin on her face as she slowly lifted it off of her.
Looks like she'll be eating out for the day.
*~*
"You WHAT?!"
Zelgadis closed his eyes, slightly wincing at the sound. He could swear the walls of the office they shared just shook. "Lina, just calm down, I've been trying to explain to you--"
Lina fixed him a look that said 'Why should I listen to you?' but quieted down. A bit. "Calm down? I've only just heard. Dammit, Zel, we're partners, we're both friends of Filia's and now you tell me to calm down when--" She was quickly working herself to a fit.
Better diffuse the situation, the Chimera eyed her warily, groaning inward. "Look, we'll be meeting with this guy in a few days. Right at the shop. You're free to yell and rant in front of him for all I care. Just hear my side, will you?" He said, exasperated. "I didn't want either Filia, you or anyone to know about this because--"
"Because you thought you could handle this by yourself," Lina finished for him. She crossed her arms. After taking a deep breath, she asked, calmly enough, "Well, are you sure this whole mess can't be fixed? That this Heigel jerk really *is* the legal owner of Dragon Crest?"
"I've checked. The deed can't be faked. Of course, we could hire an expert to certify it for us, but, as far as I could tell, it would be useless."
"OK, I get the picture," the redhead replied. Zelgadis being sure of it would be as sure as anything. The guy was as meticulous as hell when it came to legal documents.
But something tapped at the back of her mind, something she knew they were both missing in this whole disastrous scenario. No one could contest the fact that Filia, legal deed or not, was the true and rightful owner of Dragon Crest. Hadn't she worked really hard for six years just to keep it afloat? No, Lina wasn't so totally hyped up about love and justice as Amelia was, but it felt wrong, having some stranger take away what a friend has labored on so long and hard to stay afloat.
"Lina-san?"
Speak of, the flame-haired young woman mused, looking past Zel to the doorway.
Amelia entered the room.
Zelgadis looked as though he was about to faint. Or run the hell out of here. Or both. "A-amelia?"
The dark-haired secretary looked at him. "Oh, you're here, too, Mr. Zelgadis," she greeted. She turned to Lina and shook her head sadly. "This is terrible!"
"Tell me about it," the redhead affirmed. She settled back to the seat behind the desk as the Chimera tried to put his words together.
"Why is she-- I mean, why are you-- I thought you called Filia--"
"She couldn't make it," Amelia explained, slightly puzzled at the way he was acting. "So I went in her stead, and-- Zelgadis-san, are you alright?"
Lina watched this little scene in sneaky amusement. Man, it was so obvious! "Come on people, enough of this," she broke in between the two, waving a pen to catch their attention. "We'll be meeting this dork in less than three days, and we better be prepared for it. So, any ideas?"
The wiry-haired attorney recovered enough of himself to nod, and he and Amelia sat across of her to begin.
There has to be a way out of this.
*~*
Author's Rants: Dying. Really. Brace yourselves. Thanks, one and all, for bearing with this fic! ^^ To Kaerra: author was a dolt. *kicks herself* Thanks for the insight! And keep an eye out for the plot holes! Author still trying to plug through them... *tromps off and away*
Xellos: (sigh) Why doesn't anyone appreciate my unique culinary skills?
Filia: (calmly sipping tea) That's simple. It's because you don't have any to speak of, namagomi.
Xellos: (twitch) Well, since we've gone through more than a dozen chapters of this fic, Fi-chan, would you please quit with the name calling?
Filia: (sipping contentedly) Why should I, when it describes you so very well?
Xellos: (trying hard to retain smile while cheek TWITCHES) (mutter) Selfish dragon...
Filia: (twitch) What?!
Xellos: (grinning innocently, while rummaging through a familiar-looking brown bag) Nothing. (holds up a flimsy little article of clothing) Oh, look what we have here. This does not by any means belong to you, does it, Filia-san?
Filia: (blush, eyes wide) G-GIVE THAT BACK!!!
(the blonde chibi, cute beribboned tail sticking straight up, chases a maniacally grinning Xel-kun off the screen)
KEEP CLICKING... GO ON! XELLIA FANS UNITE! YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT YOUR... DISCLAIMERS?
JIYUU: LAME. LAAAAME.
- JUST ANOTHER AU FIC -
Chapter 15: In Bed And Breakfast
The hotel suite was dimly lit; but a few streaks of light managed to peek through the heavy velvety curtains covering the wide glass window. Moreau sneaked a passing glance at his watch, not appreciating the lack of sunlight which made it hard to distinguish the exact placement of the tiny hands in his old age. Only 9:37 a.m. He sighed, and steeled himself for a conversation with the young man sitting opposite him.
"Alright, Heigel, you got what you wanted," he began indulgently. He wanted more than anything to make quick work of this.
Heigel raised a frosty eyebrow at him. "You speak as if I don't deserve all this, Moreau," the blond man returned, ringed fingers clasped together as he sat back on an ornately decorated chair. The lawyer wouldn't say it out loud, but the furniture reminded him of something a tyrant would sit on, like a throne. The design itself reminded him of horns and bones. Morbid, yes, but he found it strangely appropriate for the man currently situated on it. "Really, but do you still feel as though I am cheating everyone by taking what's rightfully mine all along?"
Moreau frowned. "My feelings do not matter. But to dupe everybody, most significantly the Ul Copt clan, into thinking--"
"'Dupe'?" The younger man repeated, steel blue eyes adopting a cold glint as he stared at him, never wavering. "Dupe? We committed no fraud, my good man." Heigel shifted and crossed his arms. "We simply... witheld some bits of truth that may work to our disadvantage." He laughed lightly. "Certainly nothing wrong with that."
"Maybe so. Still, we must take into consideration that by going through with your takeover, there would be complications -- protests, from the staff, the media, maybe even the local government. There might be an investigation. And if she files for a case--" The gray-haired legal adviser shook his head. "What it boils down to, Mr. Kaiser, is that we are playing a very tricky gamble here."
"Is that so?" He gave him a look of thinly veiled contempt. "You were not quite as reluctant when we began this."
"That was way back, when we were in Lyzeille!" Moreau defended. "Now our situation is quite different. We are in their territory, and if they try hard enough, prod well enough, they might--"
"They won't," Heigel corrected sternly. "Didn't you make sure of that? And anyway, what is there they could find? The deed is as genuine as genuine could be. It is definitely no fake."
"But what if they find the second--"
"They will find nothing." The blond man's oily voice dripped impatience. Moreau now knew their little discourse, what there was of it, was coming to a close. He definitely did not want to listen. "Enough with this talk," he continued boredly. "You are one to worry a tad too much, Moreau. I now find it hard to fathom what possessed me to summon you here."
"You said you wished to talk about the possibility of a quick embargo."
He reverted back to his cold grin. "So I did."
Moreau turned away from the younger man, too weary now to argue with him. Knowing that he would not listen to him, eitherway. There was a time when Heigel had listened. He sighed again. "You are Ronald's son," he said deliberately, more to remind himself than the other, actually. "Just before he died I made a promise to him to--"
"Touching." The blond man commented. "Look, I'm sure you are very enthusiastic to regale me with stories of my loving, honorable father--" he said this with a sneer marring his features, "But you must be on your way. Arrange for a meeting with the other two -- El Di, and his businessman friend." He made no move as Moreau stood, proceeding to the doorway. "As soon as we get this done, the better. Well?"
The older man bowed his head slightly. "I will do what I can," he answered simply.
He could feel Heigel watching him with those contemptous eyes as he headed out into the hallway.
*~*
Sunlight poured in radiant shafts through the window of Filia's room. She stirred, then snuggled deeper into the warm covers. Just a few more minutes...
"Ohayou, Filia-san," a very familiar and suspiciously happy voice greeted from somewhere, making her jump a few feet above the bed and then dive down into the blankets, remembering her disheveled state. Recovering, she turned, staring with a mixture of shock, anger and embarrasment at the purple-haired man standing in the doorway.
A purple-haired man who was carrying what looked to be a plate of charcoal pancakes, coffee, and extra crispy-fried black shapes that were supposed to be bacon on a silver breakfast tray; a rather sheepish but generally cheery expression on his face.
She blinked, not believing her eyes. "Xellos?"
"I hope you wouldn't mind terribly if I took the liberty of using your kitchen," he was going on as he expertly deposited the tray on top of Filia's lap as she sat up, a perplexed look on her face.
She studied the tray of (edible?) food, not really sure what to say at the moment. "Xellos..." she began haltingly, "What are... these?"
"Breakfast," The Mazoku answered simply. "Isn't it obvious?" Still smiling, he sat himself by the side of her bed. "Well, aren't you going to eat? The food might get cold. Or do you want me to spoon feed you?" He finished the statement with a slightly leery grin.
". . . . ." Was Filia's intelligent reply. What exactly happened? Why was he still here? And most importantly, what was the state of her kitchen after Xellos made off with his little cooking spree?
She tried not to think more about that particular chilling thought as she looked dubiously at the food tray, then at him, then back, trying not to cringe. "Thanks, I guess..." She finally said, then took just a teeny bite of a slightly more identifiable piece of blackened pancake.
. . . . . .
And immediately went for the cup of coffee. Downed everything in one big gulp. Relief. She winced, rubbing her forehead, as her complexion returned to something decidedly healthier than green.
The purple-haired Mazoku frowned. "Are you alright?"
Filia tried to smile. "Yes. Just my hangover, I guess." Shouldn't be really hurting his feelings now. He did go to all that trouble to prepare what could be very loosely term a meal... even if it did turn out anything but appetizing, or edible, for that matter. She poked lightly at the plate of bacon, bemused, before looking back up to him.
Then she really sweatdropped.
"Xellos," she called out.
"Hm?"
"Stop staring at me."
"Oh." He blinked, as if snapping out of some trance or something, and looked away. Filia gave him an inquiring look as she put her fork down. Was he blushing? "Sorry about that," Xellos continued, abruptly standing up and taking a step backwards, nearly bumping into her bedside table. He seemed to be suddenly nervous about something. "Look, I got to run, duty calls and all that, and--" He made his way to the door, giving her a final, shy glance. "Hope you have a nice meal." The Mazoku finished, grinning.
He was out of the door in a flash.
Filia blinked, then blinked again for good measure. (Yes, the dreaded blinking disease that plagued this fic early on has struck again! *author cackles madly*) That was rather abrupt. She stared down on the food tray, a somewhat sappy grin on her face as she slowly lifted it off of her.
Looks like she'll be eating out for the day.
*~*
"You WHAT?!"
Zelgadis closed his eyes, slightly wincing at the sound. He could swear the walls of the office they shared just shook. "Lina, just calm down, I've been trying to explain to you--"
Lina fixed him a look that said 'Why should I listen to you?' but quieted down. A bit. "Calm down? I've only just heard. Dammit, Zel, we're partners, we're both friends of Filia's and now you tell me to calm down when--" She was quickly working herself to a fit.
Better diffuse the situation, the Chimera eyed her warily, groaning inward. "Look, we'll be meeting with this guy in a few days. Right at the shop. You're free to yell and rant in front of him for all I care. Just hear my side, will you?" He said, exasperated. "I didn't want either Filia, you or anyone to know about this because--"
"Because you thought you could handle this by yourself," Lina finished for him. She crossed her arms. After taking a deep breath, she asked, calmly enough, "Well, are you sure this whole mess can't be fixed? That this Heigel jerk really *is* the legal owner of Dragon Crest?"
"I've checked. The deed can't be faked. Of course, we could hire an expert to certify it for us, but, as far as I could tell, it would be useless."
"OK, I get the picture," the redhead replied. Zelgadis being sure of it would be as sure as anything. The guy was as meticulous as hell when it came to legal documents.
But something tapped at the back of her mind, something she knew they were both missing in this whole disastrous scenario. No one could contest the fact that Filia, legal deed or not, was the true and rightful owner of Dragon Crest. Hadn't she worked really hard for six years just to keep it afloat? No, Lina wasn't so totally hyped up about love and justice as Amelia was, but it felt wrong, having some stranger take away what a friend has labored on so long and hard to stay afloat.
"Lina-san?"
Speak of, the flame-haired young woman mused, looking past Zel to the doorway.
Amelia entered the room.
Zelgadis looked as though he was about to faint. Or run the hell out of here. Or both. "A-amelia?"
The dark-haired secretary looked at him. "Oh, you're here, too, Mr. Zelgadis," she greeted. She turned to Lina and shook her head sadly. "This is terrible!"
"Tell me about it," the redhead affirmed. She settled back to the seat behind the desk as the Chimera tried to put his words together.
"Why is she-- I mean, why are you-- I thought you called Filia--"
"She couldn't make it," Amelia explained, slightly puzzled at the way he was acting. "So I went in her stead, and-- Zelgadis-san, are you alright?"
Lina watched this little scene in sneaky amusement. Man, it was so obvious! "Come on people, enough of this," she broke in between the two, waving a pen to catch their attention. "We'll be meeting this dork in less than three days, and we better be prepared for it. So, any ideas?"
The wiry-haired attorney recovered enough of himself to nod, and he and Amelia sat across of her to begin.
There has to be a way out of this.
*~*
Author's Rants: Dying. Really. Brace yourselves. Thanks, one and all, for bearing with this fic! ^^ To Kaerra: author was a dolt. *kicks herself* Thanks for the insight! And keep an eye out for the plot holes! Author still trying to plug through them... *tromps off and away*
Xellos: (sigh) Why doesn't anyone appreciate my unique culinary skills?
Filia: (calmly sipping tea) That's simple. It's because you don't have any to speak of, namagomi.
Xellos: (twitch) Well, since we've gone through more than a dozen chapters of this fic, Fi-chan, would you please quit with the name calling?
Filia: (sipping contentedly) Why should I, when it describes you so very well?
Xellos: (trying hard to retain smile while cheek TWITCHES) (mutter) Selfish dragon...
Filia: (twitch) What?!
Xellos: (grinning innocently, while rummaging through a familiar-looking brown bag) Nothing. (holds up a flimsy little article of clothing) Oh, look what we have here. This does not by any means belong to you, does it, Filia-san?
Filia: (blush, eyes wide) G-GIVE THAT BACK!!!
(the blonde chibi, cute beribboned tail sticking straight up, chases a maniacally grinning Xel-kun off the screen)
KEEP CLICKING... GO ON! XELLIA FANS UNITE! YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT YOUR... DISCLAIMERS?
JIYUU: LAME. LAAAAME.