Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN SLAYERS. I am just another deranged anime fan... with an expertise at smoe bomb dodging!
- JUST ANOTHER AU FIC -
Chapter 18: Getting Straight Answers From This One Is Harder Than Straining Water From A Rock
The camera zoomed to just outside the entrance of Filia's Teashop, where quite a number of news people and interested passersby had gathered and was practically mobbing the large croc man and a few employees trying to get through the crowd.
"Sir, so is it true that the real owner of Dragon Crest happens to be a certain Heigel Kaiser of--"
"No comment."
"Or that there will be an embargo in as soon as a week after--"
"No comment."
"Sir, I would truly appreciate it if you would at least--"
"I said no comment!" Gravos glared into the screen, one eye glinting. "Now sign off, for L-sama's sakes, me an' my men got work to do, and yer in the way."
"Just a moment, sir, if we could at least get a word from Miss Ul Copt about--"
Zelgadis shut off the television. Lina shrugged. "Well, at least Gravos and the others seem to be handling the press well enough."
"At least," Filia asserted, leaning against the wall. "But I really think it would be better if I go down there and face the media myself..."
The Chimera shook his head. "Don't be silly, Filia. We can't afford to leak much to the press this early." He stood by the window, one hand tucked casually in his pants pocket, as he surveyed the activity below. "Looks like they're about to give up..." the lawyer relayed to the rest. "For now. But we should still anticipate they'll be back. Count on that."
"And we better be prepared by then," Lina put in.
The blond woman frowned, but settled back in her seat. She knew they were both right. Relaying and revealing too much too soon would invite trouble, breed a host of several unhealthy speculations. While some may work to their favor, it was still risky. It would be better to keep the issue quiet. For the time being.
They were in the conference room, two floors above the shop. Lina, Zel and Amelia had briefed her as soon as they came back yesterday of what they had decided would be a good offensive against Heigel. The redhead had even gone as far as phoning Martina, Filia mused, just to help her with this. And Ame had run the shop for the two days her own mind was in the gutter. They've given so much. They had to win this. No way will she let them down.
The door opened suddenly, interrupting her thoughts, and letting in Amelia, who looked relieved and more her usual cheerful self. "They've left," the dark-haired secretary announced, catching her breath.
"About time they did," Lina commented dryly. She turned to the others. "All right, folks, it's time to wrap this up!"
Call to order. Yeah. Calmly, the group settled themselves on their respective seats, Filia at the head.
"Alright," the blonde began, both hands clasped together on the table. "First of all, from what we all know, Heigel Kaiser definitely came from Lyzeille, and is currently assisted by his father's former legal adviser, and perhaps by another family friend, a senator."
Lina nodded. "That's right. Anyway, I managed to obtain a print out of Heigel's bio from the Lyzeillian Municipal Department--" trying not to sigh, she took out a sheaf of papers from her leather folder. Copies were passed around as she continued.
"Heigel Kaiser, age twenty-seven, sole heir of Ronald Kaiser. But get this: he was..."
"Born out of wedlock."
The redhead folded her arms over her waist. "Yeah. Actually, when his birth mother died, Ronald Kaiser, his father, took custody of him. He was 'adopted', but everybody knew the real score. Anyway, the Kaisers sent him to many educational institutions. He obtained degrees here and there. Three years ago he came back to Lyzeille. Supposedly, he was to inherit and manage his father's real estate agency."
Zel read through the document. "Hm, but around this time, that company was encountering difficulties... Hey, it went bankrupt after two years."
"That's right. Though the rest of the family didn't know it until after his death, about six months ago." Lina stood up. "Anyway, these are just superficial info. What really drives me is what I read of that real estate company's accounts older than the time Heigel came back. Page seven, everyone."
Papers were shuffled, collective glances.
Lina nodded agreeably. "You see, Kaiser's company had its high times and low times, just like any other. And it appears that one of its lowest times ever -- aside from its bankruptcy a year ago -- occurred eleven years ago. Lyzeille was experiencing an economic recession back then, companies here and there were selling out, shutting down. And Kaiser's Real Estate was no exception. The company was forced to give out bonds to stay afloat." The redhead paused, adopting a smirk. "Now guess who was one of the bond recipients."
Filia's eyes widened. "Dragon Crest?"
"Exactly," Lina affirmed.
The entire group fell silent.
"That means..." Zelgadis began.
Amelia leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "Filia-san could get Dragon Crest back!"
"Right you are," the flame-haired lawyer intoned. "However," she added, settling back into her seat, "There are some things we have overlooked here."
Filia nodded. "Yes." She frowned. "Like why, if Kaiser 'owned' Dragon Crest at that time, would he even float bonds? Why didn't he just up and took over Dragon Crest?"
"Excellent question, Filia!" Someone's cheerful and oh-so-familiar voice called out from the office doorway.
The group turned to see...
"Xellos!" the blond woman exclaimed. "Why are you here?"
"Why, to help my Fi-chan, of course!" the purple-haired man replied, making an exaggerated bow.
Filia blinked.
"Well, originally I thought I'd give you guys a call, but then I decided it would be better if I could deliver this to you in person," he continued. "Either that, or because the author of this fic is trying to avoid the old telephone call plot contrivance to change scenes. So here I am!" He finished cheerfully with a finger waggle.
The rest of the group SWEATDROPPED.
"I must congratulate Lina's skills in finding out this much of Kaiser's background," the Mazoku continued, stepping fully inside the room. "You really are a dedicated friend to go as far as dealing with Martina-san. And to have this info in one day -- just extraordinary."
"Uh, right," the redhead interceded, blinking. "And how the heck did you find that out?"
Xellos grinned. "Now that, of course, is a secret!"
Lina facefaulted on the spot. Zelgadis shook his head wearily. "You never learn, do you?"
The Mazoku simply shrugged happily as he continued, "I have my means, you know. It would be quite an easy matter for one of my influential position." He sat himself on one unoccupied seat. "At any rate, it would be at your advantage that we don't waste any time. To get to the point, Filia, I have a bit of news for you," he said turning to her. "I think you would find it rather... demeaning, of your elder's character, but it would solve the problem of why Kaiser never got your company."
Filia stared at him in inquiry. "Which is--?"
The air seemed to pause, awaiting his answer. Pages were deposited down the polished surface of the table, all eyes focused collectively to the besuited individual whose own eyes were closed, evasive, mysterious.
His smirk widened. "A secret."
"Namagomi!!!"
*~*
It was 10:02 in the morning, as was indicated by the dial of his wristwatch. Moreau was silent, he had just arrived here where the senator was waiting for him, in this small but exquisite cafe. True, he was but a man of few words especially for small talk, but even the large, dark-haired man noticed his friend's rather unsettled demeanor.
"Now, Moreau, what could be the matter?" Phil asked the gray-haired lawyer.
He sighed. "Heigel." He shifted one foot, sliding listlessly on the polished marble floor, training his grip on the coffee cup. "He grows... more stubborn each passing day."
The senator frowned. "Well, are you still up for tomorrow?"
"Yes. We shall be accompanying him to the teashop to meet with the staff," Moreau concurred, nodding. "What worries me... Oh, you need not hear of all this."
"What are old friends for?" Phil interposed lightly. "Moreau, are you sure there is nothing you wish to disclose to me?"
He shifted his gaze from the drink, peering at the other's face with tired eyes. He hesitated, and shook his head slowly. "No, nothing."
His friend looked doubtfully at this. "Alright, I'm not pressuring you," he replied. "You're old enough to decide this for yourself."
Old enough, indeed, Moreau mused, suddenly feeling drained of strength. Here he is, drinking coffee with a friend, just like old times, when Ronald wasn't too far gone and quite the lively chap, and the lines on all their faces weren't so deeply defined as now. He himself was quite the dynamic lawyer back then, just fresh out of law school -- determined, ambitious. His skill helped the older Ronald out of a terrible ditch more than once.
Only that this last time, he'd been too late to save him.
So in his stead, as was his promise, he helped his friend's son. All went well -- too well, in fact. And now, when Heigel had no further real need of him, he could do nothing. It had progressed to the point where Moreau didn't know if he should feel happy, grateful, or ashamed of himself.
"-- soon."
"What?" Was he dozing? He turned his head, blinking the daze out of his eyes.
"Heigel would be with us soon." Phil repeated, staring carefully at him.
"Oh," Moreau asserted. He peered dutifully into his cup, realized it was empty.
"More coffee?"
He nodded. The senator motioned for the waiter, sat motionless as the lad poured him a drink. Steam rose from the darkened brew; he blew on it softly.
"Brings back old times, doesn't it?" Phil suddenly commented wistfully. He sat across him, a large man with dark hair, brows furrowed as he gazed out the glazed window.
"Yes. Ronald..." He began, then realized he didn't know what to say. He, Moreau, he wasn't needed, he was useless, save for... Yes. The bond. He must never forget about the bond. Where was it? He'd put it away--
"Was a good man," the senator finished for him. "Ruined, perhaps... But he was a good man, through and through. We must never forget that."
--in a safe place. Yes, that's where it is.
Moreau turned to his friend, expression incorrigible, almost pleading, but not quite. "I've never forgotten." He found himself drifting off, remembering, as he saw blindly through the glass and drank.
*~*
Meanwhile, in a cluttered room in a certain ritzy part of the city, a lanky aqua-haired teenager was typing furiously on his slightly outdated but still dependable Windows PC. Fingers flicked deftly over the keys almost as quickly as the flickering cursor, with the rest of the individual seemingly motionless, golden eyes hardly blinking, fixed on the screen. Bypass this, tackle that, trip it up, trip it up-- accessing... Ha! they call *this* a decent block? They might as well be holding up a sign saying 'Hack me, please!'. Only a little more... There. The boy let out a whoop and hit the ENTER key. A toothy grin surfaced on his angular features as he viewed the fruit of his figurative labor.
Just then a tall, powerfully built older man with long red hair and bushy eyebrows entered, striding across the room and looking over the young man's shoulder to the screen. His wild, sharp features contrasted with the elegant dark suit he wore, shadows playing upon it as he leaned forward.
"I'm in," Val answered before the man could put a word in.
Gaav chuckled fondly. "I knew you would," he replied in a gruff voice. The large man whistled, holding out a copy of the Saillune Express in plain view. "Looks like this Heigel struck it big, eh?"
Val nodded. "He's a jerk, is all," he said, giving a furtive glance to his mentor before turning back to the screen. "Graduated from a prestigious school, spent most of his years knocking about in the Outer Continents, only came home about three years ago. Hey..." He leaned forward, scrolling down the window.
"What is it?"
The youth scratched his nose, eyes never leaving the computer monitor. "So he IS a bastard. Mother was a prostitute, lived in the slums -- until Mr. Kaiser took him in."
The gang boss raised one bushy red eyebrow. "Pretty dramatic past." He folded massive arms across his chest, expression gravely thoughtful. He smirked. "So when and how do you want me to do him in?"
Val sweatdropped. "I'm sorry, but no killing."
"Eh?"
"Mom-- Miss Filia wouldn't like it." The aqua-haired youth explained, turning the chair around to face him properly.
"Well, she doesn't have to know..."
The younger man shook his head. "Nope. Not this time."
Gaav let this pass up, opting to half-consciously scratch his chin. "Well, you've definitely changed." He sounded amused.
Val cocked his head to the side, and smiled. "I guess, sir. But I'd rather blame it to principle."
"Principle, huh?" He shifted his stance. "Well, then, what do we really do, sport?"
"Your men are already in the field?"
"Of course. Nothing much going on in the underworld recently, anyway."
The youth nodded at this. "All good," he acceded. "Tell them to stand by."
Gaav let out a low rumbling laugh. "Hmph, that a thirteen-year-old could order me around..." He shook his head, patting him on the shoulder. "Come on, boy, the lady of the house is waiting for us downstairs. Lunch and all."
Val gave him a fang-toothed grin. "Right there with you." He stood up, letting the older man lead the way to outside. "But I swear, that you could fall for a woman with a laugh like that..."
The two men walked down the stairs together.
*~*
The hot midday sun baked the pavement, the intense heat creating ripples of dust and light on the concrete field. It seemed to stir through everything. The dry air filled with the grating sound of engines, the steady mechanical hum becoming a roar as the sleek aircraft landed gracefully on the runway.
All was done and carried off with the best efficiency and finesse, the staff was more than accommodating, bags and trolleys of clothes, statues, and other such things that had caught her fancy were carted away directly. All good. She did not expect any less. Nor should they. She owned the whole place, didn't she?
They smiled at her, exchanged respectful bows, as the woman emerged from the cabin, movements graceful yet strangely dangerous, predatory. Her long, wavy blond hair cascaded past toned shoulders, contrasting with her deeply tanned features. She smiled agreeably back at them, narrow slitted eyes taking everything in confident acknowledgment.
"Welcome back, Ma'am--"
"--d you have a nice trip--"
"Hope our staff was of assistance--"
"-- would be arriving shortly."
"Yes, yes, I understand, thank you," she drawled leisurely. The entourage followed her to the vacated terminal.
In two more hours she would be there.
*~*
Author's Ramblings: I know, another cliffhanger and dangling potential plot hole, but it wouldn't be like Xellos to reveal everything all at once, right? ^^ Though I managed to work things out... a bit. Thank you again for your comments and reviews -- and for understanding how difficult it is to get out a decent chapter every week. ^_^v Crawling along, as usual. Typed this while listening non-stop to Hikki's new single, Letters! So cool! Expect more predictable plot twists and diabolical plot contrivances in the next chapters! Mwahahaha!
NOW TO CONTINUE, IN THE NAME OF FLUFFERS THE CUTE LITTLE BUNNY RABBIT!
- JUST ANOTHER AU FIC -
Chapter 18: Getting Straight Answers From This One Is Harder Than Straining Water From A Rock
The camera zoomed to just outside the entrance of Filia's Teashop, where quite a number of news people and interested passersby had gathered and was practically mobbing the large croc man and a few employees trying to get through the crowd.
"Sir, so is it true that the real owner of Dragon Crest happens to be a certain Heigel Kaiser of--"
"No comment."
"Or that there will be an embargo in as soon as a week after--"
"No comment."
"Sir, I would truly appreciate it if you would at least--"
"I said no comment!" Gravos glared into the screen, one eye glinting. "Now sign off, for L-sama's sakes, me an' my men got work to do, and yer in the way."
"Just a moment, sir, if we could at least get a word from Miss Ul Copt about--"
Zelgadis shut off the television. Lina shrugged. "Well, at least Gravos and the others seem to be handling the press well enough."
"At least," Filia asserted, leaning against the wall. "But I really think it would be better if I go down there and face the media myself..."
The Chimera shook his head. "Don't be silly, Filia. We can't afford to leak much to the press this early." He stood by the window, one hand tucked casually in his pants pocket, as he surveyed the activity below. "Looks like they're about to give up..." the lawyer relayed to the rest. "For now. But we should still anticipate they'll be back. Count on that."
"And we better be prepared by then," Lina put in.
The blond woman frowned, but settled back in her seat. She knew they were both right. Relaying and revealing too much too soon would invite trouble, breed a host of several unhealthy speculations. While some may work to their favor, it was still risky. It would be better to keep the issue quiet. For the time being.
They were in the conference room, two floors above the shop. Lina, Zel and Amelia had briefed her as soon as they came back yesterday of what they had decided would be a good offensive against Heigel. The redhead had even gone as far as phoning Martina, Filia mused, just to help her with this. And Ame had run the shop for the two days her own mind was in the gutter. They've given so much. They had to win this. No way will she let them down.
The door opened suddenly, interrupting her thoughts, and letting in Amelia, who looked relieved and more her usual cheerful self. "They've left," the dark-haired secretary announced, catching her breath.
"About time they did," Lina commented dryly. She turned to the others. "All right, folks, it's time to wrap this up!"
Call to order. Yeah. Calmly, the group settled themselves on their respective seats, Filia at the head.
"Alright," the blonde began, both hands clasped together on the table. "First of all, from what we all know, Heigel Kaiser definitely came from Lyzeille, and is currently assisted by his father's former legal adviser, and perhaps by another family friend, a senator."
Lina nodded. "That's right. Anyway, I managed to obtain a print out of Heigel's bio from the Lyzeillian Municipal Department--" trying not to sigh, she took out a sheaf of papers from her leather folder. Copies were passed around as she continued.
"Heigel Kaiser, age twenty-seven, sole heir of Ronald Kaiser. But get this: he was..."
"Born out of wedlock."
The redhead folded her arms over her waist. "Yeah. Actually, when his birth mother died, Ronald Kaiser, his father, took custody of him. He was 'adopted', but everybody knew the real score. Anyway, the Kaisers sent him to many educational institutions. He obtained degrees here and there. Three years ago he came back to Lyzeille. Supposedly, he was to inherit and manage his father's real estate agency."
Zel read through the document. "Hm, but around this time, that company was encountering difficulties... Hey, it went bankrupt after two years."
"That's right. Though the rest of the family didn't know it until after his death, about six months ago." Lina stood up. "Anyway, these are just superficial info. What really drives me is what I read of that real estate company's accounts older than the time Heigel came back. Page seven, everyone."
Papers were shuffled, collective glances.
Lina nodded agreeably. "You see, Kaiser's company had its high times and low times, just like any other. And it appears that one of its lowest times ever -- aside from its bankruptcy a year ago -- occurred eleven years ago. Lyzeille was experiencing an economic recession back then, companies here and there were selling out, shutting down. And Kaiser's Real Estate was no exception. The company was forced to give out bonds to stay afloat." The redhead paused, adopting a smirk. "Now guess who was one of the bond recipients."
Filia's eyes widened. "Dragon Crest?"
"Exactly," Lina affirmed.
The entire group fell silent.
"That means..." Zelgadis began.
Amelia leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "Filia-san could get Dragon Crest back!"
"Right you are," the flame-haired lawyer intoned. "However," she added, settling back into her seat, "There are some things we have overlooked here."
Filia nodded. "Yes." She frowned. "Like why, if Kaiser 'owned' Dragon Crest at that time, would he even float bonds? Why didn't he just up and took over Dragon Crest?"
"Excellent question, Filia!" Someone's cheerful and oh-so-familiar voice called out from the office doorway.
The group turned to see...
"Xellos!" the blond woman exclaimed. "Why are you here?"
"Why, to help my Fi-chan, of course!" the purple-haired man replied, making an exaggerated bow.
Filia blinked.
"Well, originally I thought I'd give you guys a call, but then I decided it would be better if I could deliver this to you in person," he continued. "Either that, or because the author of this fic is trying to avoid the old telephone call plot contrivance to change scenes. So here I am!" He finished cheerfully with a finger waggle.
The rest of the group SWEATDROPPED.
"I must congratulate Lina's skills in finding out this much of Kaiser's background," the Mazoku continued, stepping fully inside the room. "You really are a dedicated friend to go as far as dealing with Martina-san. And to have this info in one day -- just extraordinary."
"Uh, right," the redhead interceded, blinking. "And how the heck did you find that out?"
Xellos grinned. "Now that, of course, is a secret!"
Lina facefaulted on the spot. Zelgadis shook his head wearily. "You never learn, do you?"
The Mazoku simply shrugged happily as he continued, "I have my means, you know. It would be quite an easy matter for one of my influential position." He sat himself on one unoccupied seat. "At any rate, it would be at your advantage that we don't waste any time. To get to the point, Filia, I have a bit of news for you," he said turning to her. "I think you would find it rather... demeaning, of your elder's character, but it would solve the problem of why Kaiser never got your company."
Filia stared at him in inquiry. "Which is--?"
The air seemed to pause, awaiting his answer. Pages were deposited down the polished surface of the table, all eyes focused collectively to the besuited individual whose own eyes were closed, evasive, mysterious.
His smirk widened. "A secret."
"Namagomi!!!"
*~*
It was 10:02 in the morning, as was indicated by the dial of his wristwatch. Moreau was silent, he had just arrived here where the senator was waiting for him, in this small but exquisite cafe. True, he was but a man of few words especially for small talk, but even the large, dark-haired man noticed his friend's rather unsettled demeanor.
"Now, Moreau, what could be the matter?" Phil asked the gray-haired lawyer.
He sighed. "Heigel." He shifted one foot, sliding listlessly on the polished marble floor, training his grip on the coffee cup. "He grows... more stubborn each passing day."
The senator frowned. "Well, are you still up for tomorrow?"
"Yes. We shall be accompanying him to the teashop to meet with the staff," Moreau concurred, nodding. "What worries me... Oh, you need not hear of all this."
"What are old friends for?" Phil interposed lightly. "Moreau, are you sure there is nothing you wish to disclose to me?"
He shifted his gaze from the drink, peering at the other's face with tired eyes. He hesitated, and shook his head slowly. "No, nothing."
His friend looked doubtfully at this. "Alright, I'm not pressuring you," he replied. "You're old enough to decide this for yourself."
Old enough, indeed, Moreau mused, suddenly feeling drained of strength. Here he is, drinking coffee with a friend, just like old times, when Ronald wasn't too far gone and quite the lively chap, and the lines on all their faces weren't so deeply defined as now. He himself was quite the dynamic lawyer back then, just fresh out of law school -- determined, ambitious. His skill helped the older Ronald out of a terrible ditch more than once.
Only that this last time, he'd been too late to save him.
So in his stead, as was his promise, he helped his friend's son. All went well -- too well, in fact. And now, when Heigel had no further real need of him, he could do nothing. It had progressed to the point where Moreau didn't know if he should feel happy, grateful, or ashamed of himself.
"-- soon."
"What?" Was he dozing? He turned his head, blinking the daze out of his eyes.
"Heigel would be with us soon." Phil repeated, staring carefully at him.
"Oh," Moreau asserted. He peered dutifully into his cup, realized it was empty.
"More coffee?"
He nodded. The senator motioned for the waiter, sat motionless as the lad poured him a drink. Steam rose from the darkened brew; he blew on it softly.
"Brings back old times, doesn't it?" Phil suddenly commented wistfully. He sat across him, a large man with dark hair, brows furrowed as he gazed out the glazed window.
"Yes. Ronald..." He began, then realized he didn't know what to say. He, Moreau, he wasn't needed, he was useless, save for... Yes. The bond. He must never forget about the bond. Where was it? He'd put it away--
"Was a good man," the senator finished for him. "Ruined, perhaps... But he was a good man, through and through. We must never forget that."
--in a safe place. Yes, that's where it is.
Moreau turned to his friend, expression incorrigible, almost pleading, but not quite. "I've never forgotten." He found himself drifting off, remembering, as he saw blindly through the glass and drank.
*~*
Meanwhile, in a cluttered room in a certain ritzy part of the city, a lanky aqua-haired teenager was typing furiously on his slightly outdated but still dependable Windows PC. Fingers flicked deftly over the keys almost as quickly as the flickering cursor, with the rest of the individual seemingly motionless, golden eyes hardly blinking, fixed on the screen. Bypass this, tackle that, trip it up, trip it up-- accessing... Ha! they call *this* a decent block? They might as well be holding up a sign saying 'Hack me, please!'. Only a little more... There. The boy let out a whoop and hit the ENTER key. A toothy grin surfaced on his angular features as he viewed the fruit of his figurative labor.
Just then a tall, powerfully built older man with long red hair and bushy eyebrows entered, striding across the room and looking over the young man's shoulder to the screen. His wild, sharp features contrasted with the elegant dark suit he wore, shadows playing upon it as he leaned forward.
"I'm in," Val answered before the man could put a word in.
Gaav chuckled fondly. "I knew you would," he replied in a gruff voice. The large man whistled, holding out a copy of the Saillune Express in plain view. "Looks like this Heigel struck it big, eh?"
Val nodded. "He's a jerk, is all," he said, giving a furtive glance to his mentor before turning back to the screen. "Graduated from a prestigious school, spent most of his years knocking about in the Outer Continents, only came home about three years ago. Hey..." He leaned forward, scrolling down the window.
"What is it?"
The youth scratched his nose, eyes never leaving the computer monitor. "So he IS a bastard. Mother was a prostitute, lived in the slums -- until Mr. Kaiser took him in."
The gang boss raised one bushy red eyebrow. "Pretty dramatic past." He folded massive arms across his chest, expression gravely thoughtful. He smirked. "So when and how do you want me to do him in?"
Val sweatdropped. "I'm sorry, but no killing."
"Eh?"
"Mom-- Miss Filia wouldn't like it." The aqua-haired youth explained, turning the chair around to face him properly.
"Well, she doesn't have to know..."
The younger man shook his head. "Nope. Not this time."
Gaav let this pass up, opting to half-consciously scratch his chin. "Well, you've definitely changed." He sounded amused.
Val cocked his head to the side, and smiled. "I guess, sir. But I'd rather blame it to principle."
"Principle, huh?" He shifted his stance. "Well, then, what do we really do, sport?"
"Your men are already in the field?"
"Of course. Nothing much going on in the underworld recently, anyway."
The youth nodded at this. "All good," he acceded. "Tell them to stand by."
Gaav let out a low rumbling laugh. "Hmph, that a thirteen-year-old could order me around..." He shook his head, patting him on the shoulder. "Come on, boy, the lady of the house is waiting for us downstairs. Lunch and all."
Val gave him a fang-toothed grin. "Right there with you." He stood up, letting the older man lead the way to outside. "But I swear, that you could fall for a woman with a laugh like that..."
The two men walked down the stairs together.
*~*
The hot midday sun baked the pavement, the intense heat creating ripples of dust and light on the concrete field. It seemed to stir through everything. The dry air filled with the grating sound of engines, the steady mechanical hum becoming a roar as the sleek aircraft landed gracefully on the runway.
All was done and carried off with the best efficiency and finesse, the staff was more than accommodating, bags and trolleys of clothes, statues, and other such things that had caught her fancy were carted away directly. All good. She did not expect any less. Nor should they. She owned the whole place, didn't she?
They smiled at her, exchanged respectful bows, as the woman emerged from the cabin, movements graceful yet strangely dangerous, predatory. Her long, wavy blond hair cascaded past toned shoulders, contrasting with her deeply tanned features. She smiled agreeably back at them, narrow slitted eyes taking everything in confident acknowledgment.
"Welcome back, Ma'am--"
"--d you have a nice trip--"
"Hope our staff was of assistance--"
"-- would be arriving shortly."
"Yes, yes, I understand, thank you," she drawled leisurely. The entourage followed her to the vacated terminal.
In two more hours she would be there.
*~*
Author's Ramblings: I know, another cliffhanger and dangling potential plot hole, but it wouldn't be like Xellos to reveal everything all at once, right? ^^ Though I managed to work things out... a bit. Thank you again for your comments and reviews -- and for understanding how difficult it is to get out a decent chapter every week. ^_^v Crawling along, as usual. Typed this while listening non-stop to Hikki's new single, Letters! So cool! Expect more predictable plot twists and diabolical plot contrivances in the next chapters! Mwahahaha!
NOW TO CONTINUE, IN THE NAME OF FLUFFERS THE CUTE LITTLE BUNNY RABBIT!