(((.-) Zel ||^.^|| Xelloss {{^.^}} Lina ((.^)|| Gourry ((^.^))Amelia



Seyruun High Jinx

Chapter 10

Monday morning announcements reminded students of the chess club rescheduling to Wednesday 4:00, sporting events, play tryouts, and that Friday was an early release day with classes ending at 12:00 --Cheer's!

Zelgadiss was looking at his weekly planner, a smile creeping to the corner of his mouth.

"Well, aren't you chipper this morning?" said Lina

"I'm turning over a new leaf, Lina. After listening to the problems Xelloss and Val, especially Val, have, mine seem only…skin deep."

"That's nice," smiled Lina.

"Just kidding," Zel added.

"I know," Lina finished.

"Did you enjoy the dance?" Zel asked.

"Some. Did you?"

"There were moments."

"Moments? Actual measurable time slices, how generous, Zel."

"Possibly two… or three."

"And those were…?" Lina's eyes narrowed.

"Your song… and leaving."

"Oh joy."

"Hey, that's my line!"

"Get a new one."

"I just thought of another moment…before the dance…that vamp outfit you were wearing."

"VAMPIRE! I tried on a vampire costume, but it was a bit too..." Lina began.

"Exactly."

"Exactly, what are you getting at, Zel?"

"It looked nice."

"No it didn't! I looked like a..." Lina began.

"A tramp, a vamp, and a bit of a..." giggled Xelloss slipping into his seat behind Zel.

"Can it, Bozo!"

"Scamp, I believe it goes.  Sonny and Cher opening song," Xelloss smiled.

"Is this day going to be like this all day long?" wheezed an exasperated Lina.

"Oh joy," he murmured as sarcastic grin spread across Zel's face.

"What was that?" asked Lina.

"That was me getting my line back," Zel smirked.

"That's a V-a-m-p, la, la, la, la, la, VAMP!" Xelloss finished his song.

"Idiots, I am surrounded by idiots, all of you!" and Lina dropped her forehead to her notebook.

"Today class we are going to begin the persuasive mode of writing. There will be a single-page paper due tomorrow to be written in the persuasive mode. The paper will have the usual requirements with the following exception: do NOT put your name on the paper, use your student number from your ID card. We shall be reading them aloud in class. I want you to try and convince the reader to take a particular action. The readings will be conducted anonymously, and a vote will decide if you've done a good job or not. "

"Good Gods, it just gets better and better," moaned Lina.

"Welcome to my life," he began, but stopped when the teacher turned her eyes to him.

"Life in Zel...sounds like hell, to me, oh well…" sang Xelloss.

"And yours, Xelloss, should convince me not to send you to visit the principal's office," added the teacher.

"Good job, Xelloss! If I were you I'd write the best paper ever," said Zel on his way to calculus.

"You have no idea," Xelloss said with a rare frown. "See you in science lab."


Science lab began with a substitute teacher. "Turn to page 47 please class. Your teacher would like you and your lab partner to choose a project from that list. You will have all week to complete the lab work and the write-up will be due on Monday of next week. Now does everyone have a partner? No? And what's your name? Xelloss?  How unusual a name… Never work with a partner? You poor thing. Here, I'm sure those two will be happy for you to join in, right kids?"

Lina and Zel looked at Xelloss. "Happy, happy day," one of them said, doesn't matter which.

Zel looked over the list. "This one with the titration measurements sounds tedious but useful.  What do you think, Lina?"

"Fine with me. Let's get it over with. Hey, Xelloss, give us a hand with the setup."

Xelloss deftly connected the beakers, flasks, piping, and Bunsen burner. Zel read directions and began measuring fluids. Lina took out her pencil and ruler and drew a chart for recording the data. The hour swept by and they left their equipment in place for the next day.

"That wasn't so bad," said Lina brightening with the sun and a good lunch set out in front of her. Xelloss and Zel had bought drinks and bagels and seated themselves across from Lina. Gourry staggered over to his customary spot beside Lina, and carefully rested his food trays one at a time onto the table.

"What, Lina? The dance?" asked Gourry.

"Well that too…but I was speaking of the science lab."

"Are you talking about the dance?" chirped Amelia.

"I'm so glad I went," trilled Filia misty-eyed.

"I had a nice time, too!" twittered Sylphiel, sliding in beside Gourry. "And I brought a slice of pumpkin pie, for you, like it?"

"I sure do! Thanks." The tall blond kid beamed a golden smile. "So do you think we'll see Val tonight?"

Zel shrugged his shoulders.

Xelloss answered, "I'll find out!" then pulled out a cell phone and dialed a number by memory. He was having a difficult time hearing over the din of the lunchroom, so he stood up and left the room.

"So, Miss Filia, was Mr. Val a good dancer?" asked Amelia smiling. "You danced with him a lot I noticed."

Filia blushed, "Uh-huh (yes!), but his hair kept tickling my nose so I'd sneeze.  He probably thinks I'm allergic to him." She leaned in to whisper, "Has Zel said anything to you about the dance?"

Amelia shook her head.

Filia smiled a 'leave it to me' smile. "So you guys have been pretty quiet about the dance.  Gourry?"

"Umm?  It was okay…" He quickly returned to his sandwich and an interesting pile of crumbs.

"How about you, Zel? You are an articulate person," smiled Filia.

Zel choked on his drink, then sputtered, "Nice decorations."

"Decorations? Is that the best you can do?" teased Lina. "Did you enjoy the dance part of the dance too?"

Zel glared at her with his one visible eye. He knew everyone, Amelia included, was hanging on his every word. He actually liked dancing and Amelia had been the best partner he'd ever had, but he wasn't going to blurt that out.

"Yes, but the music wasn't.  It was too noisy. My ears are still ringing," Zel complained, then took a bite of bagel.

Amelia looked a little disappointed, but what was a guy supposed to say? He turned to her and said quietly, "You were a much better dancer than Bunny." Then he blushed and stuffed the last of his bagel into his mouth to stop himself from saying any more embarrassing words.

"Are you STILL talking about the dance? Well, I enjoyed the last dance!"

That was Xelloss. He had folded up the phone and returned to his seat. Now he was smiling, arms folded staring un abashedly at Lina.

Lina opened her mouth to speak, but Xelloss beat her to it. "Lina is a very accomplished dancer, and singer, too!"

Lina's turn to blush, while her friends showered her singing and song- writing skills with praise. She would kill that guy, but it was hard to put her finger on the 'why' exactly. He had told a simple truth and answered honestly. It was her problem that she was so embarrassed.

Gourry looked hurt. He had wanted to and had fully intended to dance with Lina, but somehow he had missed out entirely. He was so laid-back and easy- going that Lina had slipped away.

Lina had no snappy comeback, so instead, changed the subject.  "So was there any news about Val?"

Xelloss answered, "Why, yes there was! His case has been dismissed for lack of evidence and extenuating circumstances. Looks like Idiot#1 had no stolen goods on him and Idiot #3 had the weapon. Oh yes, the Clown they tried to rob is going to survive his injuries too, so murder charges are dropped."

Xelloss paused while the others cheered the good news, and then continued, "He's staying with Sano indefinitely, though not permanently. And he is currently picking up a trunk of his mother's from his house. His house is under surveillance...hoping for the chief demon, I mean villain, to return. So looks like band practice is on tonight."

"WHAT BAND PRACTICE?" screamed a chorus of girls.

"Gods help me…let me disappear," moaned Zel.

Amelia patted him on the arm, "You're not going to pass out are you? Can I get you some orange juice?"

Lina chuckled, saw Zel's terrified expression, and then burst out laughing, "Oh Amelia, I don't think one glass will be enough. Ice too! And hurry he's fading fast!"

"Miss Lina, stop it now. You are embarrassing him more," said Amelia.

Zel stood up. "I'm fine, but I think I will go for some fresh air. Alone." He left and no one followed him.

Lina looked at Gourry. He so rarely got angry, but right now he looked definitely unhappy. Maybe he'd like a change of scene, too. "That's not a bad idea. Come on Gourry let's get some fresh air."

And Lina pulled the surprised kid who towered a foot and one half over her out of the room.  "Ah, Lina? Where are we going?" Gourry asked, confused.

"Outside, away from all the moody, silly, nosy idiots, our friends," said Lina.

"Okay!" he smiled. "Umm, you know, I'm sorry we didn't get to dance together...next time, right?"

"Uh…r-right...next time...ah..." she stammered.

"And, Lina, ah…would you do that song for us…so our band can learn it? Learn the music part, you know…no one can sing it like you!"

"Okay...when, today?"

"Yeah, we can walk home together, you can drop your stuff, then we can go to...the practice room, at…um …his place…" Gourry said, proud of his plan.

"Sounds fine…Umm, you don't like Xelloss much, do you?" she asked.

"He's…hard to get to know.  I don't trust him yet, that's for sure," and he continued babbling on until the bell rang signaling the end of lunch.



Zel had nothing to say in computer lab. He had setup the new computer hardware and software for the 'project' with Xelloss. But until they did actual video taping, there was no way to begin testing the editing programs. So he was showing two freshman girls how to use different search engines on the Internet. Xelloss was helping another student 'unhang' his terminal. Zel was determined not to talk to that 'fruitcake' unless absolutely necessary.

"There it should be fine, just don't try to download so large a data file, this computer is too slow," Xelloss explained to the boy for the second time that day.

Zel shook his head and moved out of hearing range. Another student looked exasperated. He recognized him as Ryoga from his history class. "What's up?"

"I don't know.  I was trying to find an article on China, but no matter what I do, the sight I found it on yesterday is gone! I've been searching for hours and it's lost...oh…yeah…that's it! Thanks Zel."

"Yeah, sure.  Actually you were going around in circles. Next time try holding down the 'BACK' key and choosing one of those sights before," Zel continued to advise Ryoga.

Xelloss was back with the first kid looking a bit frustrated. "Hung again, Hojo? Tell me, what did you try this time?" he asked while starting up the computer again.

By the end of the hour, Zel was playing a chess game while listening to that kid explain why for the 5th or was it the 6th time his terminal was hung. He was surprised by how well Xelloss was keeping his cool. Maybe it was Zel's turn to stir things up. Zel thought a moment, and then sent a message to Xelloss' computer.  He waited for Xelloss to return to his seat and read his message.

Xelloss dropped his smile, eyes wide, then found Zel's eyes and frowned.

  He must have a crush on you! (((.'^)

Xelloss sent a message of his own, but Zel had already turned off his computer and left the classroom.

Computer lab was still weighing heavily in Xel and Zel's minds as they walked to Xelloss' practice room in a cluster. Gourry, taking Xelloss' suggestion to heart, had an enormous grocery bag of snacks, which he and Lina delved into, keeping them relatively quiet. This left Zelgadiss off the hook, as he silently trudged along hauling his Fender. The four of them all lived within walking distance of school, and, therefore, each other's houses. If they got enough practice in, they'd all be able to walk over to each other's houses all summer, and that kind of independence was greatly appreciated.

Val was already waiting outside Xelloss' door. "Took ya long enough," he huffed as they clambered around with joyous greetings.

The instruments they had left had been carefully replaced in their cases and set, along with their amplifiers, in an orderly line-up against the wall. Xelloss, apparently, was a neat-freak. But that made him the perfect one to supply the digs, since it's easier to play music in a clean space. The friends set upon their implements of music and set up their equipment.

"I haven't seen that guitar in a while, Zel," said Lina. "And I didn't even know you played the bass, Gourry!"

"You never asked," he smiled, tuning up.

But Xelloss' drum set impressed her most of all. "Gaa! I-I never even suspected! I mean, I always thought Gourry should be a bass-player since he has such big hands and all, but I never would have guessed you'd be a drummer! What hat do you pull all these talents out of?!" she shook her head. "Ooh… And they're shiny and purple, too!"

Lina had always been attracted to shiny things, like a crow. Her big red eyes automatically trained themselves on any shiny object near her. Some girls can't take their eyes off of boys, others food, but for Lina, it was anything shiny. And food.

"Thank you, Lina. Would you like to try them? Here, I'll show you the percussion toys." Xelloss offered Lina the throne and stood behind her, pointing out noise-makers for her to beat. She liked noisy things, too.

"Shit, Lina! If you don't stop that I'll-" Val yelled but was cut off when Lina leaped from the drums and over to his keyboard.

"Can I play with this a little, too? You know, I don't have any musical instruments at home. I had to write music over at other people's houses, since we don't even have a piano!" she lamented.

"Uh, s-sure," Val stammered. Lina was a little...strange all of a sudden. It was her 'cute' act, which she hadn't dredged up in quite a while. He actually liked it. All the boys liked it, though it could be a bit embarrassing. It let him forget that she was the toughest, scariest one of them all and allowed him to think of her as just a girl for a little while, at least.

When she was finished with him, which didn't take long since she was on a roll, she tackled Gourry.  "Hey, can I see your axe?"

"Sure! Though I always think of it as more of my 'sword' than my 'axe'," he shrugged. But since the bass only had four strings (and she'd never had a music lesson in her life), she didn't have much to play with, and got bored of it quickly. Besides, what she really wanted to get her hands on was Zel's beautiful guitar.

"No. Absolutely not." It was final. He clutched it as if it was his child the evil wolf Lina intended to consume brutally. It was his second- most prized possession, his first being his real sword that lay in a glass case in his room. No one laid a finger on either of these items if he could help it, which was why he had dragged his guitar home and to school, so that it wasn't left to Xelloss' devices.

"Pleeeeeease?" she hoped, cutely. Stars shone in her eyes, and she clasped her hands. "I'll be reeeally careful with it, I promise!"

"No. You'll scratch it or drop it or-"

"Oh, come on you stingy bastard!" she dropped the cute act and became raging. "I've always wanted a guitar, you know that! Just let me touch it?" the stars and cuteness returned by the last statement.

Zel grabbed her hand, pulled one finger away from the others, and used it to stroke the guitar in a two-inch sweep.

"There. You touched it. Now let's play something!"

"You didn't have to be so mean about it," she sniffed.

"Yeah, well, unlike those other pathetic guys, I'm immune to your 'Jedi mind-tricks'," he cracked a smile.

"Okay, let's take 'Satisfaction' from the top!" Val cried, and they dove into it, with Lina as the audience.

"Whoa whoa whoa!" she interrupted, "Time out!"

The music died.

"The singing…needs some…work." she looked away from Val's seething face. "Let me sing it! Then you can focus on the keyboards, Val, okay?"

Everyone was fine with it, save for Val. "I can sing it-"

"Yeah, but it's hard to do both, right guys?" Lina looked to the others for back-up, which they supplied. "So if you sing, you're neglecting the keyboards, and only you can do that part, whereas I can sing and nothing else, got it?"

"So you're bored, and we all have to bow to your whim?" Val asked.

"Exactly!"

They did so, as it took less effort than standing up to her would. It wasn't so bad, either. Lina could really belt it out. The next three songs didn't have vocals, so she just listened to them as politely as it was possible for her. But when they got to 'Yesterday', which Zel had been reluctant to do anyway, things got bad.

Lina burst out laughing halfway through the song. It was inevitable from the beginning, as she'd taken on the countenance of a volcano about to erupt. Now she was rolling around on the floor, tears streaming from her cinched up eyes.

Now, Zel did not deserve this. It wasn't really fair. His life was already so full of torments, from his inner and outer scars, lack of confidence, terminal loneliness, and control-freak grandfather, that he didn't really need to have his friends torture him, too. But it was just so much fun to see him squirm! And he turned such a lovely array of colors when he blushed.

"Lina," Gourry said, aghast. "What's wrong with you?" he looked from her twitching mass of giggles to a very red, stiff Zel.

"Yeah, who invited her anyway? All she does is rag on our singing," Val snorted, in a rare show of standing up for Zel.

"No!" she gasped in between chortles of laughter, "No, not at all! Zel! I'm sorry Zel! You have a really nice voice, really! Stop looking all wounded and tragic! I'm not laughing at you!"

They all turned to her with renewed interest. Zel did not have a forgiving look on his face.

"Oh really?" he asked, in a voice oiled with venom.

"Yes! I swear! You don't remember? I mean, it was a long time ago, but you don't remember?" she asked, sitting up and appealing for his acquittal.

He looked darkly confused for a moment, and then enlightenment spread across his face, followed by a deep red blush in rapid succession.  "Oh gods... I had forgotten all about it."

"Are you going to clue us in, or is that a private tea-party?" Xelloss asked, raising a hidden eyebrow.

"Okay," that was an opening for Lina, who didn't mind torturing Zel a bit more in the least, "when we were about six- oh, shut up Zel, I'm telling the story!- anyway, we used to listen to music and- just let me tell it, okay Zel?- we'd sing along with it and that was our favorite one! We sang it together in the elementary school talent show- Gods, Zel…it's not that bad, so stop trying to hang yourself!- and it was a lot of fun!"

"That was you?!" Gourry cried, recognition burning in his eyes. "I remember that! But you were with some dark-haired girl-"

"That was me, before the accident," Zel muttered. He might as well surrender his dignity once again.

"Whoa! You were a girl before the acci-"

"No, Gourry! He's always been a guy!" Lina intervened since Zel had collapsed.

"Barely," Val snickered. "He's pretty femi-"

"Val, you're just making things worse!" Lina moaned.

"Yeah, if we keep this up, he might faint again," Xelloss warned, smiling cheerily. He got him back for the computer lab.

"He's certainly making a weird noise," Gourry said with concern. "Zel? You okay?"

"Yes… I'm fine. I'm perfectly… fine," he rose to his feet and leaned against the wall.  I wish that I could disappear…or go insubstantial and melt through this wall…or blow them all up with an energy ball.  Yes, now that would be satisfying!

"Okay everyone, we've tortured the poor guy enough." Lina the Mediator was back.

"I'll get us all something to drink!" Xelloss opened the refrigerator.  "I got some other kinds of drinks this time."

"Beer?" pressed Val.

"Nooo," answered Xelloss, "But I did get some JOLT… extra caffeine and sugar. It says so on the label!"

"Oh boy! Sounds good to me," Lina took one, and passed another to Zel.

They sat there, relaxing for a moment in silence. Then Gourry noticed something. "Woah, there's like, no furniture in this room!"

He was right. Before they'd arrived and dropped off their instruments, the only thing in the room had been the drum set and throne. "Well, it is only a practice room. I didn't really expect to ever have any friends over here," shrugged Xelloss.

Lina thought a second, and then said, "Hey, I know! We've got, like, an entire room filled with bean-bag chairs! Come on let's go get'em! It'll be nothin' if we all carry one or two!"

One look at the expression of horror on Xelloss' face, and Zel was gung- ho. Gourry followed like a puppy, while Val dragged Xelloss out. "Aren't you always tellin' us about the benefits of fresh air? What's your problem? 'Fraid Lina's stuff will ruin the décor?"

Well…yes… that and also how unsanitary they probably were, but Xelloss wisely kept his mouth shut this time and trudged along. Lina's place needed yard work and a paint job, but the inside needed everything. The path through the living room, down the hall and into the 'bean-bag' holding cell was littered with coats, shoes, books and other detritus dropped casually where they were removed, and then forgotten. Val didn't notice. Gourry stepped lightly over things and tossed a couple items into a trash can. Zel passed through the doorway, sighed then found a chair, emptied it of its contents and waited for instructions. Xelloss stood just inside the door, arms folded.

"Where are you guys? Here take these two, Xelloss, and here's an especially large one for Zel, Gourry? Good boy…Val? All right! Next practice, we can bring more?"

"More?" coughed Xelloss, "H-How many?"

"Lots…loads...enough for everyone plus extras for friends," smiled Lina.

"Oh, joy..." smirked Zel, passing Xelloss, who was not looking his usual perky self.

"Lina these are..." Xelloss' face was pale as death as he began to explain.

"Cool huh? We help clean out the dorms where my sister goes to college and every year we get to keep the best stuff!" Lina was glowing.

"Hey, Xelloss, you don't look well," said Zel in mock interest.

"Shit, you two are sooo delicate," crooned Val, jumping out of the way of Zel's flying giant beanbag, "I like these things Lina. Beats the floor anytime."

"Thanks, Val.  Say there's enough for you to take one to Sano's, if there's room." said Lina.

"Really? Yeah, my first piece of furniture!" and Val laughed a real laugh.

Lina sent one of her 'chairs' flying at Gourry, which lead to both of his flying at Lina. Zel caught Val's in the back of the head and fell on top of Lina.

"Lucky for you I'm on something soft!" she growled.

"So am I," he chuckled and then lifted his head in time to see fangs. He ducked, unfortunately, she was attempting to sit up. He turned his usual state of crimson-blush and tried to right himself.

"In coming!"

Zel heard the shout, but couldn't move. He looked desperately into Lina's glowing eyes; no forgiveness there. whoomp Xelloss's beanbag chair, knocked them both flat, nose to nose.

"Woopsie!" cackled Xelloss, dragging his giant beanbag off the flattened pair.

"Watch those hands, mister!" Lina yelled, pushing the shell-shocked boy off of her, "You can get up now."

Zel was murmuring "Sorry..." over and over like a mantra.

He was saved from Lina's wrath, by a coughing fit, hers and his.

"That's it!" shouted Xelloss uncharacteristically. "I sleep in that room! Those things are filthy, look at the dust clouds. There's a cleaners at the strip mall on the corner around the block. I'll pay."

In the end, he won out, but they ended up returning to Lina's and dragging seven more beanbag chairs to the cleaners. Xelloss had to pay a deposit, and they promised to have all the chairs ready by Friday morning, latest. By the time they reached the practice room Zel had to leave, so the band quickly planned the week's next practices.

"I can't Wednesday." began Xelloss.

Ah, ha! Sango was right, it's a big deal at the Dojo, thought Lina to herself.  The others shuddered at the evil smile spreading across her face.

"Yeah, Gourry and I should practice before Friday's tournament," added Zel.

Thursday was good for everyone. Friday was an early release day, and so, they would all practice before going to the fencing game, and then go out to dinner.

"We can pick up the beanbag chairs and camp out here after dinner," chirped Xelloss smiling as usual.

"Ah… sure that's okay, but...not too late," then Val added, "I have a curfew…rules ya know...so I can stay a Sano's."

"I'll ask Amelia and Filia, Filia will probably be able to stay at Amelia's," began Lina.

"I meant stay here. A big overnight party!" Xelloss glowed.

"You've got to be kidding, Xelloss! Filia is lucky to be allowed to stay outside of her compound and do overnights with Amelia at the Mayor's mansion. Do you think Amelia would be allowed at a sleep-over at a boy's house, in his room with three other guys? Even I'd give that a second thought," Lina said.

Val was laughing.

"Correction.  Not even a second thought. No, Xelloss, you GUYs can work out what you want, but my participation ends at…what's your curfew...midnight? Midnight." Lina said.

Gourry shook his head, "I'll have to check at home. Saturday AM I usually have to walk one brother or sister to a soccer game. So...I'll let you know, okay?"

Xelloss nodded. He hadn't expected anyone to agree, but he'd never had friends stay over; he'd never had friends to ask.

"Same for me," Zel croaked, "I-I often have to do a lot of work at home.  Grandfather never let's me..."

"Oh, that's not true!" interrupted Lina, "He let you stay with me several times."

Zel blushed, "We were under twelve then…anyway…I'll ask. I've got to go now." And in spite of the heavy book bag and guitar case, Zel sped away at a mind- boggling speed, grumbling, "Why can't she keep her mouth shut sometimes.  I'd like to have some secrets…some dignity."

"That was harsh," laughed Val, "Someday he's gonna blow up at you."

"No he's not," smiled Gourry, "He knows she cares about him, right Lina?"

"Yeah, ah…I like to keep him in his place or he'll become an arrogant asshole like Val," Lina cackled.

From my observation, I think that he simply likes you too much, Lina, but that should stay a secret, I guess. Xelloss smiled to himself, turning away as the others started for home.


**** ( ^^ ) ****

End Seyruun High Jinx Chapter 10