The Slayers: Lina Zelgadiss Xelloss Gourry Amelia Val Filia Sylphiel

~*~ Seyruun Summer High Jinx Special! ~*~

Part Thirteen

It was cooling down now that it was well past midnight. The rich smells of honeysuckle and the bloom of lush growth settled in with the less welcome whine of mosquitoes. This was not Seyruun, the cosmopolitan city-state; this was the settlement in the heart of the clan lands.

Nels Lahda let out a long sigh. "This has been one hell of a summer for all of us. I have missed my dearest Sylphiel lately, but I must say I'm glad that she missed this last debacle."

Mayor Phil grunted in agreement, then added, "She's a good girl, your daughter. Now this time last year, wasn't she having a birthday party?"

"Could be. Her birthday is coming up. Right before school starts. We'll probably have a little get together sometime after she gets back, which is tomorrow on the noon flight, if the plane's on time."

"The kids know about that? I know Amelia was planning on meeting her plane, but I thought that wasn't for another week or so?" the mayor asked. He was a man of duty with a built-in scheduling program active all the time and a calendar hard-wired into his brain. He recognized similar attributes in young Zelgadiss, which had endeared the boy to him (unbeknownst to Zel, of course!).

"I guess I should let them know about the time change. It seems that something came up and her mother and her decided to cut the trip short. Something of a surprise to me, as well…" Nels frowned a bit and said no more. Phil thought it best not to press the head priest for what appeared to be painful details.

"Your daughter is coming from Japan tomorrow, you say?" Rezo asked. "You'd best let the kids know. They'd be disappointed to miss that…one person in particular."

Nels Lahda was about to say something when the call for evening nightcaps chimed, and what he was about to say skipped his mind.

The kids were back at Milgasia's so Val could remain bed-ridden and yet participate in their discussions.

"Okay, so after hangin' with Nahga again for a few days," Lina began. "I got this idea to improve the earlier one I had for a song. I was thinkin' of having her sing it or a duet or somethin' but…It's called Midnight Blue. Here's how it goes…"

She hummed a bit and sang a few lines. Everyone approved. Music was a connecting thread that bound the unlikely gang together, that and Lina.

Naturally, the conversation centered on planning for the next weeks, the last before summer's end and the return to another year of school.

"Well, last year Miss Sylphiel had a birthday party at the shrine. None of you were there because, well, we weren't all friends back then. Strange isn't it? I can't imagine any other people I'd invite, now. Anyway, she's supposed to be back only a few days before school starts so we should plan something to surprise her with, okay?" Amelia asked.

"I was there…" Gourry commented without thinking.

"You were? Why wasn't I invited?" Lina asked, narrowing her eyes at Amelia.

It wasn't Amelia's fault! Zelgadiss sighed and said caustically, "Because you weren't her friend. You were her competition. Besides, if you were there then Gourry wouldn't have had enough to eat."

"Very funny. I bet you weren't there either!" Lina snapped.

"No. No, I wasn't. I had been invited but…I wasn't the party animal I am today," he smirked.

"Why you little…" Lina said, preparing to punch Zel's smug expression off his face.

"I'm sure she'd invite us all this time, Miss Lina!" Amelia interceded on Zel's behalf. "So… what should we do for her? She's always the one to bake the cake!"

"Why don't you let Zelgadiss and me take care of the cake, okay?" Xelloss smiled. He removed his glasses and wiped a lens with a shirttail. "There's another thing I have to do…I ran out of lenses again. Why am I the only one who has to wear glasses, huh?"

"Because the Gods want you to suffer the most, naturally," Zel said. "So, Xelloss, chef du pastry, where are we going to find a kitchen to do the cooking? And, more importantly, have you ever baked a cake before?"

Xelloss adjusted his glasses then giggled, "That's a secret!"

Val interrupted, "Ya know, it's almost someone else's birthday…" He nodded toward Filia who was sitting at the side, oddly silent.

"Hey, Fil? When's your birthday?" Lina shouted.

Filia smiled, "Labor Day. Ain't that a riot! Everyone take's it off, so none of my friends were ever able to make it to a party and school always started the next day!"

"Oh, that's too bad!" Amelia commiserated with her. "I have an idea…Miss Filia? Would you mind celebrating a little early and sharing your party with Miss Sylphiel?"

"A party?" Filia mood improved. "Would you really do that, for me you guys?"

"Yeah, what the hey? A party is what we need, right guys?" Lina chuckled.

They all agreed, and started a plan. They would have it in the park or on the shrine grounds, if Sylphiel's father would allow it.

"So, then, what should we get Miss Sylphiel? Should it be a group thing or individual?" Amelia wondered aloud.

"Oh, don't much matter what we give her," Val leered at Xelloss. "What she wants, only Xelly-boy here can give her…"

And Xelloss blushed. It was maybe the second time he had in more than a year, but he did, amid hoots and hollers from his quick-to-tease-the-trickster friends.

Xelloss had to hide his face with his arms and run out of the room to escape them, his friends, his best friends. Zelgadiss was sent out to drag him back, without an apology, of course. Guy-friends don't apologize for getting even, and Val and Zelgadiss had a lot of ribbing to dish out to even the score. In fact Zel whispered, "That's what you get for mooning over girls all the time…"

"I don't 'moon'! What is 'mooning' anyway, where did you dig up that archaic term from?" Xelloss asked.

Val heard him as they reentered the room, and started laughing, "Hey, Zel! Show him what 'mooning' means! Heh, heh, heh…"

Zel blasted Val with a dirty look, "Shut up!"

"Gods, please spare us!" Lina roared.

More silliness ensued. So where were Milgasia and the two doctors? Not at that house! Julian had invited them over to his place with Luna and the other unattached mid-twenty to mid-thirty year olds. All the old FOGs (funky old guys) were settling back with the Ul Copt's for a few minutes before deciding what to do and whether or not to go home. After a few telephone calls, it was decided that 'the boys' (Gourry, Xelloss, and Zel) could camp out at Milgasia's place so that Nels Lahda and the Mayor could have their beds in the den. That drove Milgasia to do some telephoning of his own. Straightway, he found a friend willing to rent out his cottage to the doctors and their clan leader for next to nothing. That settled, everyone packed up their belongings and moved to their new lodgings.

Sometime in all the comings and goings, Amelia asked Nels Lahda about using the shrine for a combination birthday party for his daughter and Filia. That's when he informed her of Sylphiel's change of plans. He also gave her permission to hold a party at the shrine.

"Everyone! I just found out that Miss Sylphiel's changed her flight and is landing tomorrow afternoon!" Amelia cried out.

Another planning session resulted in Val letting Gourry borrow his big Suburban to drive all the kids to the airport tomorrow. Filia could stay at Lina's and Val would either stay overnight at Gourry's, depending on his health, or get a ride back to the settlement with someone as yet undetermined.

"I could probably drive you and your car back," Filia said. "I mean, I have my license, but I've never driven anything that big."

So things were left unsettled but good enough for them. By this time, it was late and Val was pretty whacked out. Dr. Adams jogged over to check his temperature and give him some pain relievers and instructions to go to bed at once! Xelloss and Zel agreed to let Gourry have Milgasia's room, while they each took a bed in the spare room. In about twenty minutes, they were all out cold. It had been a very busy week and tomorrow they were going home, at least those that had homes to go to!

~*~

It wasn't so long ago that they were all at the airport to see their friend off. They were jubilant then, full of excitement and confidence from their successful run of gigs. Now they were subdued. Val, in a wheelchair to reduce his activity, sported bruises and lacerations which when combined with his regular punk attire gave him an especially frightening appearance. They all took turns pushing him through the airport and up elevators, and strangers gave them a wide berth.

Thankfully, the plane landed on time. Nels Lahda was to meet his wife's party outside the customs area, then bring them to the Slayers convention to socialize while he bothered with the bags. And he knew there would be bags, lots of them.

"There she is!" Gourry shouted. "I can see her and her dad and a short lady that must be her mom, huh? And…some other people…"

"Huh?" Lina grunted. "Where? Where?"

"Oooooooooo! There they are, over there! The tall one, that's Gourry!" Sylphiel could be heard squealing to a boy a few inches taller than herself. "Hi! I'm Baaaaaaaack!"

"Oh! You all came! OH MY GODS WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU, Val?!" she screamed.

"I went rock climbin' and ended up spel-unc-king," he growled.

She gave him a confused look for a moment, then brightened, "Oh, well I have the BEST news! Come here, Tarou-kun! Everyone, this is Tarou Yamada, my fiancée!"

Shocked best describes the average of her friend's reactions.

Xelloss, who had hung back at first, was standing in front of Gourry, when she made her announcement. He nearly fainted. He didn't, but he fell back onto Gourry, who nimbly supported his weight and whispered, "Steady there, Xelloss."

What Gourry wanted to do and say, Lina did.

"What? Your WHAT?!" Lina shouted. She pushed her way to the front and planted herself in front of Sylphiel. "Are you nuts? NO? Well then, you are the most insensitive jerk on the face of this planet! What am I screaming about? You can't guess? Are you that damned stupid? Remember a sweet guy named Xelloss who you've been fawning over for months? Yeah, him! Ever think of his feelings? Don't you think you could have saved the 'news' until after you'd had a chance to break it to him privately first? WHY? WHY?! Oh, I give up…I just give up. Let's go everybody. I'm sick and wanna go home…"

She grabbed Xelloss by the arm and murmured to Gourry, "We'll take the stairs and meet'cha at the car, okay?"

Gourry nodded and jingled the car keys nervously in his pockets. He would have done the same, but Lina had beaten him to it. Probably better having it come from Lina, he decided. He pushed Val towards the elevator with Filia running alongside panting.

"We should wait for Amelia…" Filia gasped.

"Zel'll get her. He knows where we're parked," Gourry said. He shook his head and said, "I just don't get why Sylphiel would go and pull somthin' like that on us…on him in particular…"

Meanwhile, Amelia launched into a flourish of good-byes and 'I'm sorry's' of weak sincerity, but intended to cover for her friends' abruptness and rudeness to the innocent young man fresh from Japan and caught in the middle. Zelgadiss snapped out of his trance as Val was being wheeled away by Gourry. He strode up to Amelia, pressed a hand to her back, and pushed her toward the elevator.

"We should leave them to sort out their affairs, Amelia. I don't think her father was prepared for that announcement either," Zel told her in a low voice.

Gourry held the elevator, and the five kids stared at anything but one another inside the small compartment.

"Um…if anyone can help him now, it's Lina, ya know," Gourry said.

Zel nodded. "So, how soon until he can move into Val's place?"

Gourry shook his head, "Not tonight. He'll stay with me…Joey's room, maybe."

"Rezo offered us both the den at his place, but it's not very private or spacious. Of course, it might work for a few days," Zel said resignedly. He was casting about for more suggestions.

"There's plenty of space where I live," Amelia said. "I'll call daddy and explain. He can fix you both up in the coach house for as long as it takes. No strings attached, Zelgadiss." She dropped the 'Mr.' purposefully. "Mr. Gourry's poor folks have enough kids to deal with!"

Zel nodded and she placed the call as soon as she could get a clear reception.

"Well, that's done," she smiled. "It's an option for either or both of you, if you want, okay?"

"Thanks, Amelia," Zel said. "We'll see what he says…"

~*~

"Lina, slow down!" Xelloss begged. "We don't have to run away. No one is following us, no evil bandits or anything."

"Yeah, well…I was so mad if I didn't get her outta my sight I might have just…blown to bits. Sorry, wanna sit?" Lina asked, gasping for breath herself.

"Thank you, yes…ah…where?" he raised an eyebrow. They were still in the stairwell on their way down to the street-level, terminal exit.

"Pick a step, any step," she waved her arm carelessly.

"Oh…'kay," he chose one close to her, but, he gauged, safely out of her striking range.

They sat in a comfortable silence, she not being one to want to draw out anyone else's inner most secrets and feelings, and he too numb at first to know where to start. Loquacious by nature, however, Xelloss decided to begin with a polite word or two.

"Thanks, Lina, for…saying all that and sticking up for me back there," he smiled and readjusted his glasses unnecessarily.

"Hmmm, sure. I meant what I said, too! If I lose her as a friend, I don't care. It was tenuous at it's best anyway. She's certainly replaceable in the band. Hell, Martina has a better voice!" Lina was covering her sympathy with brashness.

"Only when she sings," he chuckled.

"Oh, yeah, that's what I meant," Lina corrected herself quickly. She raised her eyes and stared hard at him, trying to read his mood.

"I'm not going to go nuts, if that's what you're worried about…" he said.

"Ah…not exactly. You just…must feel bad and on top of everything else…it's not fair."

He smiled faintly, "Everyone keeps looking at me, half expecting me to start tearing out my hair or to slit my wrists or something."

Lina smiled, "Well? Are ya?"

"That's what my mother would have wished, so I won't. I'm…disappointed, of course, but not really broken hearted. I wasn't in love with her, you know. It just seemed like I had no choice at times. She was there and ready, willing and able, as they say…and me too. It's just… I can't understand w-why…" he voice cracked and he hid his face in an attempt to control his emotions. Outbursts like that offended Zelgadiss and probably would send Lina packing as well, and it was a special moment to have Lina all to himself like this and he didn't want to blow it.

Lina shifted uncomfortably on her hard seat. They should get going…

"You're a girl, Lina, can you tell me what's wrong with me? Why nobody…with any brains…likes me? I try, I really do!" His miserable sounding voice cut to her heart. She couldn't meet his eyes at all.

At last, she found her voice, and said, "I'm not your typical teenage girl looking for a boyfriend so you have me at a disadvantage, ya know. I have no idea what's considered… desirable or even acceptable by most girls. Just look at the covers of some of those magazines at the pretty boys they flaunt and…go for that or…just keep trying to be who you are, Xelloss. If you think about it, you really isolated yourself with just us Slayers last year and Kiki—I almost forgot—and that was a big move wasn't it? All right, then, this year you can branch out a bit. Hey, you and Zel have a chance at both the college crowd and the incoming high school freshman!"

Xelloss wiped his eyes and put his glasses back on, "Sure, of course…um… I guess so."

"Course ya do, cause Lina calls 'em straight! Now let's get to the car before we give the others something else to worry about," she said.

Xelloss gave her a second glance to see if she meant that, but since she was up and on the move, he simply smiled and stood too.

"Lina? Would it be okay if we talked some more?" he asked.

"Yeah, I guess so," she said then stopped abruptly. Xelloss had to leap around and down a couple pairs of stairs to avoid colliding with her. "You can't go back there, can you?"

"To the shrine? No, I don't think I could take that,' he said in a low voice.

"You can stay with me, then. Luna won't mind, I'm sure. I mean, you gave up your place for her and me to stay for weeks, right? You can have the guestroom."

His eyes flew open in amazement, "The one that had all the bean bag chairs in it? Is there even a light bulb in the socket?"

Her eyes narrowed, "Yes…and a mattress on the floor which is reasonably clean…"

"It sounds wonderful, Lina, thank you for offering. It will make my return to Seyruun palatable, um…better than that, really!" he said enthusiastically, but too much so.

In fact, it was all he could do to control his overcoming urge to start singing and dancing (in his mind he was singing to the tune of the old 'I love Lucy Show' this: I Love Lina, and she loves me…We're as happy as we can be!) But control himself he did, even if he had to pinch himself so hard it brought tears to his eyes to stop from grinning like an idiot.

Lina cast a quick look at him before they left the terminal, and thought his eyes looked troubled and watery.

~*~

"So where am I stopping first?" Gourry asked.

For a second, everyone looked at Xelloss, who dropped his eyes.

"Where are you staying tonight, Zel?" Lina asked.

"I'm not sure. The mayor has room enough for any number of us in the coach house," Zel muttered. He was bit embarrassed to sound dependent on Amelia for a place to live.

"Say, that sounds terrific, don'tcha think, Xelloss?" Lina said with a slap to his arm.

"Huh?" Xelloss croaked coming out of his very pleasant 'Lina' daydream.

"You'll like that better, right? More your style, all clean and stuff. And you'll be able to keep an eye on Zel while you're at it!" Lina said.

No! Trading Zelgadiss for Lina was not better! Xelloss wanted to shout, scream, stop the caaaaaar! But before he could, Gourry started talking again.

"So, I'll drop you all off at Amelia's, okay? You guys got any stuff to move?" Gourry asked. "Uh…besides a load of swords and stuff in the back of this car…

"I have a trunk of crap someplace, but I forgot where now. Doesn't matter," Zel sighed.

"I'm certain Mr. Nels Lahda will send over anything you've left at the shrine, Mr. Xelloss," Amelia said. Had she been caught in his death-glare, she would have been vaporized on the spot.

Why was he going to Amelia's place? He couldn't figure how he'd been transferred from Lina's to Amelia's.

"Listen, I will feel good enough ta go shoppin' fer clothes and stuff tomorrow," Val said. "I know yer got nothin' but those borrowed things, right? 'Kay, we'll go get clothes tomorrow."

Clothes? Who gives a flying fig about those?! He had been going to stay over at LINA'S HOUSE!

"Not too early," Lina mentioned. "I wanna go, too, but I don't wanna get up before noon."

"Are you sure you're going to be up for all that activity, Mr. Val?" Amelia asked. "We should take the van and have someone else drive, then. Filia? Would you like to stay at my house too?"

Oh Gods, not Filia, too! Hmmm… Xelloss smiled with a new idea, "Why not invite Lina over!"

"Nice try…" Zelgadiss whispered in his ear.

"Oh, Luna has big plans for her little sis," Val snickered. "I heard her tellin' Juuu-lian all about them."

"Lucky for you…" Xelloss grumbled.

"Yeah!" Val grinned. He was happy to have Julian's attention diverted away from Filia for a while.

So to make it easier to sort out the next day's activities, Val stayed with Gourry, Filia remained with Lina to ensure Lina got up, and Amelia took both Zel and Xelloss home to be fed well and pampered. From the time they got into the car, until the last kid was delivered to a home, Sylphiel's name was never mentioned. Not once.

~*~

The next morning around 10:00, Xelloss and Zel sneaked out of the 'castle' and climbed aboard the bus to school. They hopped off a few blocks short of the high school and jogged the rest of the way to Gourry's house.

"Hey! It's like way early to see you guys!" Joey cheerfully greeted his big brother's friends. "Want me ta go wake 'em up for ya? I'll do it! It's really fun, too! It really annoys my brother so much and I'm practicing to be a real pest so he'll wanna move out and then I get his room! A room to myself!"

"Better you than me," Xelloss smiled.

"Is there coffee?" Zel asked the retreating young blonde boy.

"I dunno…I drink milk. Mom says it makes you grow!" He giggled and scampered off.

Zel rolled his eyes at Xelloss and sighed, "You have corrupted him and stolen his soul."

"Not possible. Besides, you've known him longer, so it must be you who drives us to the extremes of our personality," Xelloss smirked. "Oh, Mrs. Gabriev, hi-i."

"Good morning boys, would you like some breakfast while you wait? Come on into the kitchen and talk while I cook," she said kindly.

After setting a glass of orange juice in front of each of the boys places at the table, she proceeded to crack eggs into a bowl. Zel counted 11 before she spoke again.

"Last night, Val and Gourry told us the story of what happened. Xelloss, we are so sorry to hear about the loss of your family. Despite what they did or what they had become, once you must have been a loving family, for you to have turned out so good a young man," she rested her hands on his shoulders and leaned in to kiss his forehead.

"T-thank you…" he barely managed to choke out. He wiped his eyes and got himself under control, for Zel's benefit. "Everyone's afraid to say anything to me about them. I think they're afraid I'm going to have a break down or try to kill myself. But…I'm really okay about it all, not depressed or anything like that. I already thought they'd died and now I'm…relieved that it's over...truly over. Except…"

She waited for him to continue.

"My mother said something to the affect that my inheritance was tied up with that last mission, which I lost…And if so… I don't know how I'm going to pay for…anything, like college…or food… I have nothing right now but my friends," Xelloss smiled slightly.

"My money's yours, you know that," Zel mumbled.

"Hey, ya still got that purple-sparkle kit! That's someplace, isn't it?" Joey cried out as he entered the kitchen and fell into an empty chair.

"Oh, yes, my drums. Where is that stuff, Zelgadiss?" Xelloss asked.

"Amelia's, with all the other band equipment," Zel said. "Toast? Dry, please. Um, thank you."

"I wonder if the music store ever placed my order for that new drum set? Good thing I paid for it in full, huh? I'll ask Val when he…" Xelloss began.

"Ask me what?" Val growled. His eyelids were a bit puffy and his hair was flying in all directions. "And it better be good fer getting' me up early. Pretty smart of ya ta send the kid. Him, I didn't kill!"

"I…we wanted to go clothes shopping without the female contingency this time," Zel said dryly. "So, we left a note for Amelia and suggested we all meet after lunch. Lina won't be up before then, anyway."

"Makes sense ta me," Val agreed.

Mrs. Gabriev broke a few more eggs.

"Mo-om, permission to take out my little brother!" Gourry shouted. Water was dripping from his yard-long hair as he mopped his face with a towel.

"Save me!" Joey cried and hunkered down between Zel and Xelloss.

Val laughed, "Yer thinkin' those two wimps can save you? You'd be better off beggin' me and I'm barely walkin'!"

"Wimps! We are certainly not wimps!" Xelloss countered.

Zel, remembering how effortlessly Gourry swung his huge family sword-- the one that he could nearly lift off the ground far enough to amputate his foot—said, "Compared to Gourry? Yes, yes we are, Xelloss. He could lay us out on the floor with one swipe of that sword of his, and then sit on us before you or I got off one magnificently executed sword stroke or graceful Karate blow."

Gourry gazed over at Zel. Wow. Coming from Zelgadiss, the compliment felt good.

Joey looked up at his older brother, sudden admiration beaming from his eyes. "Sorry, Gourry…'bout the water. Guess that wasn't a very nice way to wake ya… Cool, but not nice," Joey said, then grinned.

Gourry smiled, "Yeah, well…clean up the floor and change the sheets and we're even, okay?' He caught Zel's eyes and silently thanked him for the kind words.

"The sheets, too?! Awww…" Joey started to complain.

"You bet you will, young man," their mother cautioned. "And you'd better be quick, breakfast is almost ready and if you're not here…"

"I know! I won't get nothin' 'cause the big vacuum-eaters will suck it all up! Okay, I'm goin'!" he shouted and clamored out of his chair. He bounded out of the room, slamming into furniture and doors as his passed through the house.

"What a Klutz!" yelled one of Gourry's sisters. "Gods, I can't believe he's ever going to grow up! Oh! Ummm, hi…"

"Dear, could you and your sister finish folding laundry and leave us in the kitchen a little longer. The boys and I are having a talk," her mother said firmly.

"…So we can stop by the store on our way shopping and see about your order. I need to quit formally, too," Val was telling Xelloss quietly.

"We should go and order the paint and carpeting for your place," Gourry suggested. "I could bring the measurements along."

"Please do," said Zel. "The four of us can get that done in half time or better without the…"

"Female part of the group, yeah, I get yer point," Val chuckled. "I take it you've got some complaints with certain ones."

Zel blushed and pretended to be busy eating. Xelloss bit back a teasing remark and simply nodded, then asked, "So, where do we go for clothes?"

"You boys are clothes shopping then? Will you make my son get some new things? He's wearing the only clothes that cover him decently right now…"

"Mom!"

"Here, take this money and get pants and underwear…socks…Oh, dear…you need school things too!" she moaned.

"I like to buy clothes," Xelloss smiled. "It's fun to be able to pick out what I like…and Val knows the best places…"

Mrs. Gabriev frowned at her son. "No tattoos or anything piercing a body part. Other than that…it has to cover more than it reveals."

"Mom!"

"And, since I'm playing everybody's mother this morning…that rule goes for all of you. That includes you too, Val! Get something fun, but spend your money wisely on good quality clothes that will last… Oh, all right, well, get good underwear and shoes at least," she demurred under the astonished looks of the four kids at the table.

Xelloss moved first. He wrapped her in a big hug and kissed he cheek, "Yes, mom. No thongs, I promise!"

Zel chuckled and smiled, "Sure…good shoes."

Val patted her on the back, "Okay, Momma Gabriev. I won't damage their minds…much more…"

"Now, leave something for Joey, Gourry. You've had enough! If you're going to do all that shopping before lunch, then you'd better run!" she said, pushing them out the door before her other children descended upon them.

Zel and Xelloss looked at one another and said, "17!"

"Eighteen, I broke one egg before you came into the kitchen," Mrs. Gabriev smiled knowingly.

Xelloss giggled insanely. Zel sighed and Gourry assured him that she could do those 'Jedi mind tricks' as well. From that day forward, Val, Zel, and Xelloss called Gourry's mother 'mom', just as they called Zel's father 'dad', except for Zelgadiss, who always called him 'father'.

~*~

"You know, I did this not that long ago," Zel sighed as they entered the interior decorating store. "You start with the wall color and then the carpeting…and make them lighter than you think or the room becomes a cave, which could be a good thing too."

"Cave. Yeah, sounds depressing. I think I'll go for yellow or orange," Val said wandering off to the paint strips.

"I'm staying with what I had before," Zel muttered glumly. "Then I don't have to think about it."

"What do you think?" Gourry asked Xelloss, hoping to get out soon.

"Stripes! On the diagonal…blue and orange. Oh, wallpaper…" Xelloss gasped and floated to a wall display of assorted papers.

"Oh, joy…"

A young woman sidled up to Xelloss and began asking him questions. She was an employee and quite knowledgeable, Zel recalled from his previous visit with, shudder, Zelas. So, he didn't bother them. Let her try and narrow him down to a single choice in under an hour.

Ten minutes later, Xelloss was calling them all over to give their opinions. Rice paper on the walls and a plush teak-colored carpet with black-lacquer-trimmed rice-paper shades. Very elegant and simple.

"Can you help me?" Val asked the woman, obviously impressed with her taste.

"Certainly, do you have a color we should stay away from?" she asked to begin with.

"Cave!" all four boys said simultaneously.

By the end of a half an hour, they had an appointment set for the next day. She would be out at the house to come up with plans for the entire house, furniture and all!

Next, they entered the mall for clothes. They stood just inside the doors and hesitated. Where to go? They wanted to go in, make their purchases, then leave—a quick and painless procedure—but it had been months since their previous encounter and they hadn't been hunting for clothes. Gourry pointed out a directory a quarter mile away, which was as good a starting point as any.

"All right," Zel smirked. "This place specializes in over-priced skater stuff and nearby…there's the over-priced punk, jock, rodeo-prince, and…no that's a girl's place…I guess for anything ordinary we have to go to one of the large department stores. Shoe places are in-between…Any preferences?"

"Rodeo-prince?" Xelloss wondered aloud as Val took the lead.

"Sure, I figured that one would appeal to ya!" Val scoffed. "Fringes and buckskin!"

Xelloss trotted up beside him, "I didn't say it interested me. I only was wondering what it was! Besides, what's up with 'fringes and buckskin'? Sounds cowboy-like…that's not bad is it?"

Val laughed, "Not on Gourry, but on you…Shit!"

"Oh, I get it…You don't think I look macho enough to pull it off!" Xelloss said.

"That's right, but I didn't say it," Val smirked. "Hey, try it out if ya want! You can pull off punk-rocker fine, though."

"That's 'cause he's thin enough to ta look like one of yer druggie types," Gourry said, adding his perspective to the assortment of images.

"Don't forget pale as a sheet," Zel smirked.

"You should talk!" Xelloss shouted. Gourry gave him a warning glance that screamed 'don't go there!'

Xelloss chose to ignore the look and plowed right on in, "You're skinnier than me by pounds! And talk about pale! You're…right. I should get more sun while it's still summer. Let's got to the beach! We can go tomorrow and put off the interior décor-lady to some other day, okay? OKAY?"

Zelgadiss, who was bristling in preparation for some stinging remark concerning his complexion, choked on his own indignation. "Ah…"

"I guess I could do that, the construction job hasn't needed me for weeks. I'll check in this afternoon and, yeah…I could use some vacation," Gourry smiled.

"R & R… I'm ready. Where should we stay? Hell, I'll just buy us a house or somethin'!" Val said.

"That's the spirit!" Xelloss cried out. "How about it, Zelgadiss? You'll come too, please?"

Sighing, Zelgadiss asked, "What do we tell Lina?"

Surprisingly, Xelloss had an answer for that too, "I'll talk to her later. She's pretty sensitive to this whole…Sylphiel thing and will understand if I'd rather not surround myself with other 'couples'."

Zel started to deny his inclusion as a 'couple', but got the point and shut up instead. Amelia was 'paired' with him as per her father's remarks—symbolically—just as Lina and Gourry or Filia and Val would be. Without Sylphiel there, Xelloss would be the odd man out—symbolically speaking.

"We don't need no girls ta have a good time," Val nodded. He would love to see them all romping on the beach in skimpy beach attire, but was sympathetic to Xelloss' case.

Xelloss smiled and caught his eye, "I bet we'll be able to find some, if we try though!"

"So, we need to buy swimwear and towels and sunscreen…" Zelgadiss added to his mental notes.

They stopped at the skater store where Gourry and Val both found pants and t-shirts. Gourry lingered over some accessories while Val considered a hat. One look at him wearing a cap mashing down his livid, green spikes and even Gourry had to chuckle.

Next door at the punk clothier, Val was resolute: they must all get at least one new outfit for band, his treat. "Here, Xelloss, try these!" Val insisted, jamming an armload of things into his arms.

"Okay…"

A clerk, one who had recognized Zel from school assailed Zelgadiss. "I know ya…yer with them … Yer played at the dance, right?"

"Yes, we've been starting for the Suzaku Seven this summer," Zel answered. Here was someone who wouldn't have given a guy like him the time of day at school acting like he was cool. Cool.

"Shit…that's cool… Here lemme show ya some new stuff ya might like. We got yer size, no prob…" the clerk said while motioning to a stack of baggy pants to Zel.

Gourry did need help. He was big and the selection for his size was more limited. Val recommended a couple things, but shirts would be the easiest to find there.

"Val!" Xelloss yelled from inside his dressing room. "These are obscene!"

Val snickered, "Ah, just come on out and lemme look. The sales guy will find ya somethin' else if it's too much, 'kay?"

Xelloss slunk out of the room. He poked his head out into the store, and said, none too quietly, "These jeans are so tight I can't wear underwear under them!"

Suddenly everyone's attention was riveted on him.

"And I certainly can't sit and play drums in them!" He noticed the attention he'd drawn and frowned. "Bring me a larger size," he demanded, turned and disappeared.

One of the salesclerks jumped and offered to help him with anything… "He's pretty hot!"

Val reached out to snag him by the arm before the guy made a mistake, but changed his mind at the last second. "This will be good," he grinned wolfishly.

"Ah…I don't like this, Val," Gourry said. "The clerk could lose his job."

"Crap, didn't think of that!" Val gasped. "Well, he shouldn't do anything anyway! Okay, I'll go stop whatever…"

Zelgadiss was having a better time with his things. He chose a long-sleeved mesh shirt and a couple t-shirts. He had to agree with Xelloss; most of the pants were…too tight, too low, too…too.

"Xelloss? Is that you next door?" Zelgadiss asked.

"Yes, I'm waiting for someone to bring me a larger size of pants. I don't know what Val's trying to dress me like, the shirt's mostly open on the sides and…my bellybutton shows…even without the scars its not really me…"

knock, knock

"Someone needing clothes?" the salesboy called out.

"Great," Xelloss said and opened his door.

Gasp!

"What? Oh, pretty awful looking, huh? Well, I certainly didn't choose these, that guy with the green hair did," Xelloss muttered trying to cover up his embarrassment for his clothes.

"Oh…wow…no…you look…absolutely terrific in that," the salesboy gushed openly.

Zelgadiss was curious now. Who could that other guy be? Wisely, though, he stayed where he was, minded his own business, and listened.

An expression of disbelief swept Xelloss' face, "You must be kidding. This looks good? Val, you can go away. He's bringing me new stuff. You've done enough."

Val ignored Xelloss and dragged the salesboy away whispering, "He's got a Blackbelt and good reflexes too, but…he's into girls only, so back off, got it?" He took the larger sized jeans and tossed them over the door to Xelloss. "Here, try these, then let's split."

The poor salesguy nodded and rushed away.

Xelloss opened the door to his dressing room and looked around for the salesboy. "Val! Why did you do that?" Xelloss asked, starting to get whiny.

"Because…the guy was more interested in what was in yer pants than the pants," Val said. One look at Xelloss' clueless face, and he continued, "It mighta been funny, but…I didn't want the kid to lose his job over it."

Xelloss made a face, muttered some obscenity, and slammed his door. "Very funny… Go bother someone else now."

Zelgadiss picked through the pile of clothes, separating the keepers from the godawfuls. He smiled thinking how glad he was to have stayed out of that mess. As he left his dressing room, he ran into Xelloss.

"Get anything?" he asked.

"Oh, yes, in the end I have a new shirt for the band and a couple okay t-shirts, but…I need to do more. How about you?" Xelloss asked.

"About the same. My tastes are pretty simple, but this stuff's fun, like wearing a costume so my other persona can come through," Zelgadiss said.

"Me too! I need some comfortable clothes also. Gourry? You find a shirt?" Xelloss asked.

"Yeah, but that western shop? Across the way, over there? Says it carries extra-tall. I think I'll look there too," Gourry smiled as he paid for his purchase.

"Fine, Val, you interested?" Zel asked.

"Oh, of course he is," Xelloss smiled, then smirked at Val, asking, "You ride horses out at the settlement, don't you? So, let's all take a look."

They had to kick Val through the door, but once they were in, he settled down and followed Gourry peacefully. Zelgadiss passed the time trying on hats. Xelloss found a black, suede leather jacket with fringe galore, and bought it! Gourry rounded up some shirts and some jeans for working at construction sights that fit great and were made of very durable fabric. Val, to everyone's amusement, bought a pair of boots, black leather with snake skin decoration.

Val and Xelloss congratulated one another on their extravagances on their way out the door. Val now stood taller than Gourry and his heels made a little clicking noise when he walked…so cool. Xelloss fluttered. Next stop, the BIG DEPT department store, one of a large chain throughout Seyruun and the surrounding city-states.

Zelgadiss had a list of what he needed. Xelloss and Val had a similar one…everything. Gourry found a salesman, "This is gonna make your day…"

The salesperson brought over two more and insisted that they begin with proper measurements. Val was emphatic; he would do it only if Gourry agreed to as well. "Okay…" he said reluctantly, knowing it was the only way they'd ever get out of the place before lunch, and a late lunch at that.

They entered the names and numbers onto their database and began selecting styles and colors. "Will you be wanting suits as well?" the head salesperson asked.

Before Val could say 'no', Xelloss said, "Yes, we have some places to go where a suit will be required and… one sports coat and two pairs of slacks… shoes, socks… What is it, Gourry?"

Gourry was shaking his head, "I didn't bring that kind of money with me, you know that. What's with the weird looks, guys?"

This time it was Val who said, "That's a secret!"

Gourry punched him playfully and chuckled, "No, really…"

"We're in league with yer ma, Gour-ree," Xelloss teased with a silly accent. "We doin' this fer her. Now don't you worry none!"

Gourry started laughing and gave up. If buying him some clothes would make his friends feel like they were doing something nice for his mom, well, he wouldn't stop them…this time. What he didn't know was anything about the plans they were making to thank his folks for fixing their house and putting up with all of them. That would come after the trip to the beach, and would require a suit.

Zelgadiss was quiet. He felt strange choosing a complete wardrobe all at once and having a personal attendant waiting on him. He knew he was unusual looking, but the young man helping him was polite and never seemed nonplussed by it. He did ask a few questions, though, "We don't often have so many guys needing…complete wardrobes."

"No, I wouldn't imagine that you would," Zel said. He felt a bit sorry for the guy and added, "We were sharing a house and it burned down."

The young salesman's eyes widened, "Oh, I saw the pictures on the front page of the paper almost a month ago! That was…you guys…you're in that band…the Slayers. That's awesome… the band…not the fire, I mean. I don't know what I'd do if it happened to me? All my stuff! I, er…it must be tough for you."

Zelgadiss simply nodded. "Listen, I'm not very clothes-conscience or fashion-aware, so…"

"Don't you worry. We'll go through each section and pull some things. Try them on and see what suits you. Um, just curious, but…is your hair natural? I have a friend, well me actually, who'd like to try that look." the salesman asked.

Zelgadiss sighed, but smiled slightly, "It started dark brown, but I was in a chemical accident which did that to my hair and gave me the scars." There, with that out of the way the poor guy could probably get on with the job.

The salesperson nodded, "Too bad…doesn't sound easy to reproduce. Oh, well, I guess I'll just stay brown!" He said it lightly and smiled. "Swimwear too? This way…"

~*~

Val was wasted. He shouldn't have been that active at all, but he knew it needed to be done. Gourry found him a chair and made him rest, then found Zel. "Val's gotta go home.

Zel walked over and spoke to Val a moment, then found the salespersons. "We're done. They're ringing it up now. Gourry, bring the car around to this door and we should be paid up and ready to leave."

When the charges were cleared and the multitude of packages assembled, Gourry loped in and told them the car was right outside. Gourry led Val out and settled him in while Zelgadiss directed the sales people who were carrying the dozens of sacks. Xelloss collected business cards and a promise from the tailor to have their suits, slacks, and sport coats ready in a few days.

"You feel warm, Val. That fever's not comin' back, is it?" Gourry asked.

"No, just hot an' bothered. Turn up the AC!" Val suggested. "Ah… no stoppin' by the music store today. I'll just call in later…"

Gourry cranked up the air conditioning.

"Better, I'm not really a summer person, I guess," Xelloss maintained. "More lizard. I don't like it too hot or too cold. Hope it's foggy at the beach."

"Or dark!" Zel agreed. "We could sleep all day and only go out at sunset. That would be fine with me. Don't lizards like to bake in the sun to warm up?"

"Some more than others. Xelly must be one of them shade-lizards, or lounge lizards. You ever get sun on that skin?" Val asked.

"Who? Me or Xelloss? Me? Not by choice. Even with sunscreen, the scars get redder. I just cover up some and…don't worry. I'll be fine. Val, you're the only one with a tan, although Gourry's a close second. Xelloss, you…"

"…Will have to bathe in sunscreen, I know. Once we get to Gourry's place, can Zel and I borrow your car, Val?" Xelloss asked.

"Yeah sure, fill it up too, will ya?" Val said, then sighed. "I'll just go in and sleep… Wake me for…dinner, if I miss lunch." He climbed out of the car and stumbled the rest of the way into the house.

"Hope he didn't over-do it," Gourry said. "Want lunch first?"

"Actually, no," Zel answered. "I'd rather go get the rest of the stuff we'll need for a beach trip, plus some other necessities. I'll go alone."

"Just a minute," Xelloss shouted as he bounded after Val, "Wait for me, Zelgadiss. I'll be just a minute!"

Gourry shrugged, "I'll stay and check on Lina. See if there are any messages. It's later than I thought."

Xelloss passed Gourry going in on his way out, "You coming or going, Gourry?"

"Stayin'."

"Later then!" Xelloss waved and slid into the passenger seat beside Zel. "So, you finally get to drive the 'baby'. That's what Milgasia called it. Val told me the basics of what he needs, until we get into our place. Sounds good, huh? OUR place."

Zel nodded, "I'm glad the university starts later than the high school. I'm not at all ready to start thinking about the science and math classes we'll be taking there."

"Ugh! Why did you have to bring that up? No, I'm not going to stress out about that now. I'm going to take a vacation at the beach… Which reminds me…Mrs. Sherrer, the lady your dad's shacking up with, ha, ha, ha., sharing his house with then, like that better? Well, her sister runs a place at the beach, condos mostly, but there's a couple houses. What's their phone number?" Xelloss asked.

Zel recited it from memory.

"Hello? Xelloss here. We've been out buying clothes and wallpaper. Is you roomie there? Housekeeper, right. At the deli? Do you know the number there? No, I'm not going to bother her…Oh, well, I guess I was. I'll stop by instead. No, its okay, we were thinking of taking in some beach and R & R and I remember her saying that her sister has some rentals. You will? Thanks! I don't know where I'll be, but you can just call Zel or me. Val's resting. Wow, say thanks, Sir—I mean, Dad! Yeah, well…bye!"

Xelloss closed up his phone and said, "He told me they had already reserved both houses for a couple weeks-- some chemistry department thingy-- but that the dates got moved around so we can have one for a few days, like we wanted. Only one problem."

"And that is…"

"Your dad and his housekeeper will be in the smaller house."

"And Beast?"

"We get him too," Xelloss wrinkled up his nose. "Wet dog, yummm."

Zel's cellphone rang. A loud, angry ring.

"Hello? Oh…yeah. So, you talked to Gourry and… Oh. Just a minute," Zel handed the phone to Xelloss and told him, "Here, it's for you. Lina wants to know how come she isn't invited along after we promised to do so the next time we went."

Xelloss stuck out his tongue, "Thanks, little brother, I guess I'm the only one with… Hi, Lina! I'm sorry…Yes, well it was my fault, yes… No, I like you lots, you know that, but its just that… Yeah, I know…Yes… um…"

Zel parked the car outside the drugstore, pulled out Xelloss' cellphone and called home, "Hi, its me. Father, I have a bit of a problem. Lina called and wants to be included. Yes, I'm sure Amelia and Filia will want to come as well. It's Lina! No. No, I can't, Gourry couldn't, and you know Xelloss will cave in too." Zel held up a hand to Xelloss and mouthed 'stop'. "What? Okay, thanks a lot. I know, I owe you big…"

Zel closed up his cellphone and gave Xelloss a pathetic look, "Tell Lina we have a little house for her and two friends, that's all it will hold, though."

Xelloss smiled, "Good news! You and two friends are cordially invited to share your own beach house next door to ours, at our expense, of course. Who? Oh, courtesy of Zelgadiss' travel agency… Tomorrow 10:00 AM. Why? Because…that's a secret… Bye!"

"I hung up on her, Zelgadiss, but she was satisfied with the plans. Whew! That was a close one," Xelloss smiled, closed his eyes and leaned back. Zelgadiss slapped Xelloss' cellphone onto his open, outstretched palm. Xelloss stuffed it into his pocket and asked, "What now?"

"We get the rest of the things that make life on this planet possible."

"Toothpaste, shampoo, sunscreen, and deodorant?"

"Yes. We'll get the personal items we need and…how about your contacts?" Zel asked as they left the car.

Xelloss withdrew his cellphone from his pocket and tapped in a number. "Phoning that in now…Yes, I know I need to have them checked, but that can wait for two more weeks according to my memory of my last appointment. Yes, I thought so. Yes, I have very good memory. Make the appointment, too, if you would. Fine, I'll remember that! So, when will they be ready? Okay…thank you." Xelloss folded up his cellphone as they entered the store. "I can pick them up around five. Do you think we need to bring food to the beach?"

"What do you think?" Zel asked. "We'll buy it in town and let Lina do the choosing. It's less painful that way."

"Zelgadiss?"

"What?"

"Does this make us wimps?"

"Changing our plans to accommodate Lina, you mean? No. Just smart and proves that we value the right things," Zel answered.

"Like our friendships," Xelloss smiled.

"Yes, and our lives…" Zel smirked.

~*~ End, Seyruun Summer High Jinx Special, Part Thirteen. ~*~