(((.-) Zel . Xelloss $.$ Lina ((.) Gourry ((.))Amelia

Seyruun High Jinx

Chapter 20

THE SLAYERS

Ah, got all their attention...No, Val's slipping away. Got him! Take that, shit head! Just my personal nickname for him.

"Okay," I started. "So on Thursday, I went to Gourry's for Thanksgiving dinner and it was, like, the biggest most delicious sea of chaos I've even had the pleasure to sail. That turkey was the size of his little brother, I swear! Maybe it was…wasn't one of them missing?"

"Yeah, Chuckie, but he was just sick in bed," Gourry assured me.

I don't know how he can keep those little buggers' names straight. They all look alike to me. Chuckie, Alfie…uh…a bunch of little girls. No, one was Joey who just looks like one of the girls…heh heh…I dunno. But Gourry's really devoted to them. It's kind of sweet.

"Anyway, the pumpkin pie was--"

"Was there some point to your story?"

That would be Zel. He's so matter-of-fact and to-the-point, it's annoying. But that's okay. He was raised by his demanding Grandpa, so he's bound to be a bit weird. Oh yeah, and that scarred for life thing. I don't even think about it anymore. At the time, I used to cheer him up by playing that he would find he had amazing super-powers, like super-strength or stone skin or something, but we sort of grew out of that. He thinks he's grown out of a lot of stuff, but I know he's still like that bright, precocious little second-grader who told me out on the playground that I wasn't supposed to hit boys. I gave him a bloody nose. He called me a bully and several other things. Yeah, that was eight years ago, and I still remember what shoes he was wearing-black sneakers-weird, huh?

"Yes, there WAS a point; I'm just giving it some background information!"

"But Lina, it's mean to brag about your Thanksgiving dinner when some of the others," she gazed at Zel, ".didn't have such a nice dinner."

Zel blushed and turned his back to us. Gods, Amelia, how can I get it through your thick skull? No matter how much you like the guy, if you keep embarrassing him like that all the time, he's going to hate you. Besides that's my job, heh, heh. Zel doesn't want to be saved; he wants to do it himself. He has his male pride to contend with.

"Okay, I'll get to the point! So this morning, while you two were sleeping, me and Amelia were...fixing up her house for this thing, and I had to get up at SEVEN THIRTY IN THE MORNING ON A HOLIDAY to do it! Then, we had to get in the van and drive all over the place, finding Gourry and Val and Sylphiel, who, thank goodness, offered to go pick up Filia here.

"Stupid Gourry forgot to mention to his mommy that he was going somewhere today, so we had to beg, plead, and kow-tow in order to get him away from baby-sitting duties!"

Ha ha ha! Gourry looks so sheepish and embarrassed. Serves him right, can't ever remember a damned thing…except for the stuff I don't want him to remember. He's great with that kind of stuff. Man, Gourry is so weird. I mean, he's got this huge family, lots of little monsters, his parents are the salt of the earth, and he's a real nice guy. But he used to hang out with all the skater-punks and rough guys, a faction of Val's crowd. I don't know how such a good-natured guy went through that gauntlet without being eaten alive.

Aw, now he looks lost and sad. Better go cheer him up with…more of my story!

"So, then Sylphiel remembers that the cake is back at her place, sooooo we turn back and wait forever while she finds the packed up cake and carries it out to the van."

Gods, she's even weaker-brained than Gourry. Lots of guys seem to like her type, quiet and sweet and pretty and polite and dumb, dumb, dumb. So why doesn't she go and hang on one of them? Noooo. She's decided to dedicate herself to pleasing Gourry, which-thankfully--has been restricted to baking him goodies and agreeing with every idiotic thing he says. Geesh! How lame. Ahhh well, he doesn't seem to be softening yet. Ha! He's tougher than he looks.

Anyway, she can sing back up good enough and does what she's told so that's something. Oh yeah, now I remember another funny story. Once in what...third or second grade? I told everyone that Zel was Sylphiel's younger sister. He sure was mad! She wasn't too thrilled either, but she stopped telling everyone she had a crush on him, heh, heh. So where was I?

"The van trip! Who could forget? So, now we head toward Zel's place and. the van pops a tire! So we all get out and help the driver change the tire and of course the spare's a piece of shit so it's probably going to die within the next few days...or maybe the gravel road in front of the trailer park'll do it in right now..."

We pulled up and let Val out to retrieve the drum machine, which let me talk about him behind his back a bit! "The spare was good enough to get us going, but when we get into the van Val and Filia are having a problem."

Val, I could write a book about that character. We met at a Rave dance club my old 'friend' dragged me to at the end of last year. He's pretty cute, in a vile sort of way, and could he ever dance! He's a lot smarter than he acts too. If he did any homework he'd get good grades, but that sickening stepfather of his, Gaav, never did anything to encourage him. For a while there I think he had a thing for me; I had to combat his wandering hands several times.

Lately, though, I think gorgeous Filia has snagged him. She's a bit of a snob and part of that weirdo Cephied Believers crowd. It would sure turn out funny if Val really is a native born 'Believer' too. Anyway, she gives him a smile and he's a sappy little puppy dog. Oh, well. Keeps him out of jail and in school!

I wish Filia were less of a bitchy snob and lived closer so she was a lot less trouble. Yeah, yeah, yeah…back to the story.

"So, I sit next to Val, Filia next to Amelia, who's holding the cake, and Sylphiel is glomming onto Gourry in the back. But not for long because Zel's place is close and he's ALWAYS READY TO GO ON TIME. I get out and bang on the door. No answer. I bang some more. No answer. I run to the back. No answer. I climb the back stairs to the balcony. No answer. Maybe Zel's hurt, or his grandfather has slipped and fallen and Zel's in trouble. So...I jimmy the louvered windows next to the sliding patio door. I didn't so much as break the window as take it apart. Then I reached in and unlocked the door and - am I good or what? - ran screaming for Zel. And what do you think? That's right, no goddamned answer. And do you know why? Because no one is there! Now I'm frantic. Zel's never missed an appointment. His grandfather is gone and so is he, so obviously…THEY'VE GONE TO THE HOSPITAL!"

Hey what does a girl hav'ta do to get a drink around here? Oh, thanks Amelia…water cooler in a van… oh yeah! Okay I can go on now.

"So I get back to the van and I'm a bit more frantic than usual. Amelia goes ballistic on me and insists that the driver take us to the hospital immediately!"

Amelia is a character all right. She's a real cute kid. Smart and eager to lend a hand or ear...whatever's needed. Yeah, she bugs me with that 'justice and the righteous cause' garbage, but everybody bugs me sometimes. If I had a choice, she'd be my little sister, and her older sister and mine could drive off a cliff together. I think Amelia'd like that, too.

Last year I hung out with her sis Nahga. What a wild pair we made! But now she's into alcohol and dropped out of school. Too bad. If not for the iron hand of my sister, it might have been me goin' down the tubes with her. And I would have missed all this...irritation, annoyance, stress-you pick it, I've been through it today with this bunch of lovable idiots. (Did I just say lovable? Geesh, I'm getting all soft here. I gotta get me that other writer. She writes me tough dialog, not all this introspective, mushy pabulum! . (((.))) )

"So when Amelia gets going there's no stopping her, or the van. Now we're ripping along to the hospital and Val's getting carsick. I kick him up to the passenger seat up by the driver and put him in charge of the music. He's happy, I've got room to stretch out, and then it's time to get out. I let Amelia field this one, while I hang out in the van. About the time I start sawing them logs, everybody piles back into the van. Whoa, I've got Gourry back, Val's glued to the CD and Filia and Sylphiel are sitting together. Amelia is sitting in front of me and yaks on and on about how neither Zel nor Professor Greywords is in attendance at the hospital. Great, so where are they?

"Gourry suggests we stop in to see Xelloss and let the driver take the cake back to Amelia's before he eats it. Good idea, Gourry! But first we stop at the pastry shop to get Kiki. Lucky for us, she's not been contaminated with Zel's karma and so she is ready and quick to be on her way. So we pull up to Xelloss'-You know that sounds really stupid. You need a nickname. What? Xel? No I don't think so...I'll think of something later, anyway where was I? Oh yes--, hop out, and low and behold, who should we find lounging around Xelloss' pad, but Zel!

"Now, you tell me, who had the better time?"

I was breathing down Xelloss' neck like a vampire ready to strike.

"We didn't ASK to roll off a cliff and spend Thanksgiving in the hospital!" Xelloss defended.

"Well, you could have called us to let us know what happened!" I raved. "What were we supposed to think, pulling up to an empty house! Or even coming in to see you all bandaged up like that! Why didn't you call me?"

"It was very late at night," was Xelloss' excuse.

"We had more pressing matters to attend to, like Xelloss' wound! By the time we got back from the hospital, he had to stay awake for a few hours, like we told you, and as soon as it was safe for him to sleep, we both just crashed."

"Umm, Lina? I think Xelloss might have called me on Thanksgiving...but we were so busy...it was noisy too, I couldn't hear him very well…I, umm, forgot to tell you."

"What? You JELLYFISH-for-brains idiot! You knew Zel was here all along and forgot to tell ME!" I screamed. My righteous wrath rained down upon him until Zel pulled me off.

Xelloss sidled up to Gourry and whispered, "Thank you."

"Okay, so then why were you hanging out with Xelloss on Thanksgiving anyway! I thought you two were, like, pissed of at each other or something?" This was really weird. Why don't they tell me stuff I need to know? What if this wasn't just a stupid party, but someone was in trouble and we needed Zel's help or something, and he wasn't there? I'm not just nosy, I'm thinking about the future. They don't get it. Zel's always had this problem about revealing his personal info, and Xelloss has based his whole personality on it. So selfish, really. Someday they're going to need my help, and I won't be there, and they'll be left on their own.

"I…not just Thanksgiving," Zel mumbled.

"He's not doing it by choice. My mother and his grandfather are...at a conference, and we've been crammed together for a few days because my mother doesn't trust me to take care of myself, or something. Besides, you don't think he'd do this and not get paid, do you Lina?"

Whoa, Xelloss sounded pretty bitter, there. Do I even want to get involved in this? Obviously, yes.

"Stop it, Xelloss." Oh dear. Zel's serious. "You're wrong. I'm not doing this because I'm being paid," he spat. "That's disgusting. That's just...disgusting. How could you even think that? Your mom asked me to because she didn't want you abandoned for days, okay? And it isn't good for either of us to be alone, even though I...and…yeah…and it's not so bad. I mean, anyone else would jump at the chance to spend a few days alone with a friend, right?" Everyone nodded silently to themselves. "So…so why should it be any different with you? I'm…I'm doing it 'cause I'm your friend and what would have happened if you'd fallen and I wasn't there, or vice versa? Maybe your mom was right. I'm…sorry. And I really like your dog."

Is Zel getting sick? That was the most disjointed, rambling, kindest thing I've ever heard him say. Where did all that logic and order go? Ah, despondent nerds in social situations. Heh heh. But he's good in a crisis, isn't he? Maybe I don't have to worry about that someday when they'll need help. Maybe by then they'll be able to stand on their own. 'And I really like your dog.' that was lame, even for Zel. I think I'll tell him so.

"'I really like your dog'? Lame, man, just lame," I shook my head.

"I think Beast likes you, too. He's half wolf and really fierce and he usually jumps up on people and bites them." He 'attacked' Kiki's shoulder, sending her into giggles. "He ignores me, but he gets along with you just fine." Xelloss was his cheery self again. Good, he did notice how nice Zel had been. That means we don't have to worry about any more antipathy from those two. Which is great, since this is a PARTY we're going to, not a THERAPY SESSION FOR GODS' SAKES! ahem

"Oh, he's just an old deaf dog who likes anyone who feeds him. Remember when your mom shot at me when she thought I was an intruder? Your 'half-wolf' didn't even come down to see what was up." Zel put it to rest, though he was smiling.

Too much mirth. Time for me to yell at him some more. "Yeah, well, it's a good thing we did find you, because if you'd been absent for your own surprise birthday party, I would have killed you when I found you!"

Let it sink in. Ooh, just as we're driving under the 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZELGADISS' banner over the gate-I couldn't have orchestrated that if I'd tried. Now push Zel's nose to the window…that's right…he's blushing…his eye is a saucer…let's move that hair away...Yes! He does have two eyes.

"Hey! It's not my fault! It was Amelia and Xelloss' idea! Ask anybody! I just came along for the ride!"

"Not me! " cried Xelloss. "She just volunteered me so that she could use my name to replace hers!"

"No, you were supposed to fold up your drums and call Zel and a whole list of things that you totally neglected," Filia sniffed.

"Well, I couldn't very well say, 'Hey Zelgadiss, leave the room so I can help plan your surprise birthday party'? Or maybe just go ahead and fold up my drums, and when he asks me why the hell I'm doing that, just say 'that's a secret' until he kills me?" Xelloss sniffed back.

"That would have been just fine with me. I can do with a lot less of you."

Filia was in a snit. Maybe she needed some cake and ice cream; I know that always makes everything turn out all right for me!

"So, Zel, what say we go in and party?" I asked, swinging the door open. He fell out. Gourry, as usual, was there to pick him up and hustle him indoors. "Oh come on, Zel, it's not that big of a deal! You thought we'd forgotten your BIRTHDAY!"

"Forgotten?" he sputtered. "You've never remembered my birthday because you never knew about it. It was one of my best kept secrets. You didn't forget, you just found out about it! And I bet I know who…where did he go…he's hiding."

Zel stood angrily yanking at his hair looking to kill, and yet, becoming mesmerized by the illuminated adornments.

Amelia had gone all out on decorations. Lavender and blue crepe paper hung swag-like from the central light fixture to all corners of the room. Helium balloons of all colors ( thankfully) covered the ceiling. Tables had been brought in, which were laden with food and a gorgeous triple layer cake, baked by Sylphiel. Zel was dumbfounded, overwhelmed, and flabbergasted all at once. He walked around the room saucer-eyed, murderous thoughts forgotten. His friends, smiling and eager to dive into the food, followed him like vultures.

"Well, say something!"

"Why? All this for…me?" he gasped.

"Well, I'm hoping you'll SHARE the food with the rest of us!"

Zel plopped down onto the floor and stared up at the quivering balloons.

"Is he gonna cry? Shit, if he's gonna start cryin' I'm outta here soooo fast," Val threatened.

"Oh, shut up!" Filia slugged him in the arm, "It's so...sweet actually."

"Gaaah! Now I'm gonna be sick. Lina?"

Val is going to be dead. "Gourry?" Oh he's all ready on it…good boy!

Gourry stopped Val with a hand and a head shake. He smiled and said something that made Val laugh. Gotta love him. I wonder what he said?

(Gourry moved over to Val and said, "If you don't surrender now, Lina will be on the warpath and nail us both... so…just smile and pretend we're joking about something."

"Whoever thought you weren't smart?" wondered Val.)

Xelloss magically reappeared in the shadows. "Lina, the instruments are all set up. Do you want to treat to him a little song first or let him eat, then..."

"Are you kidding me? Eat first, always eat first. Haven't you learned anything yet? Hey everybody! How about we eat this delicious looking food!"

Well, that seemed to please everyone. Sometimes it works. Gourry placed Zel at the head of the table and stuck a party hat on his head. We all ate tons, well I did anyway, though I had to stab Amelia once or twice to make her give up on that last piece of fried chicken. Luckily, her attention was mostly on Zel. She made it her duty to see to it that he had a chance to try everything at the table. Funny, he seemed to enjoy the attention for a change. He must have inadvertently said something nice, because hearts were pouring out of her eyes. Poor Zel.

"Zel, we have a…oh, just follow me. Come on everyone, time to earn a piece of that cake!" I shouted.

Xelloss had set up the instruments as best he could in the adjoining sound room. Val fussed with his stuff and Gourry made a couple adjustments.

"All right then on a count of 2. 1 & 2 …Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you...Happy birthday dear Zelgaaaaadis…Happy birthday to you!"

Everybody had sung in bad harmony then cheered. Zel grinned and blushed and whispered something under his breath. Amelia and Gourry each gave him a big hug. Val patted him condescendingly on the head. Filia and Sylphiel gave him a little peck on either cheek at the same time, which caused him no end of distress. Xelloss kept his distance, probably wise in his case. And me, well I almost pounded him on his sore shoulder, but I just stood in front of him and stared.

"Don't you dare," he began.

"What? What did you think I was going to do?"

"I-It doesn't matter…just do me a favor and…get me out of this." Zel blushed madly.

"Sure, fine, whatever...Cake time everybody!"

Amelia rushed ahead and lit seventeen candles before Zel entered. Again Gourry led Zel into position in front of the cake.

"Make a wish…and don't tell! Then blow out the candles." Amelia dictated the steps she knew he had never executed himself.

"I know, Amelia, thank you." Zel smiled slightly, closed his eyes, and then blew out the candles.

Everyone cheered again and Zel looked around. "Oh well, you're all still here..." he smirked.

"So how come you're older than most kids in your class?" asked Val as he stuffed another bite into his mouth.

"My grandfather probably forgot to enroll me until the authorities got on him," Zel said straight-faced.

"Actually, you were awfully small and frail in kindergarten as it was, so it was probably for your own safety. I remember pulling some big oaf off of you and cleaning his clock. That's how we met," I winked maliciously.

Zel could've died. Heh! That's for stopping your punishment earlier. So, I'm not always nice.

"I could have taken care of him myself. We were just fighting over a pencil and I nearly had it back when you stepped in and interfered," Zel said defensively.

"You remembered! Yeah, and I had to sit out the next two recesses while you got a piece of candy!" I laughed, but so did Zel.

Amelia ran out and returned carrying a big, beautifully wrapped package, lavender with blue ribbon. "It's from all of us. Happy birthday, Mr. Zelgadiss!" she smiled.

Zel, dumbfounded, sat and stared at the package resting on the table like it could be a bomb.

"Well, open it up and see what it is!" I laughed.

It was an effects box, or whatever. To one of the uninitiated such as me, the thing looked like a control panel from an alien spaceship, black and silver casing with a sea of little knobs and dials. Val told me that you plug your electric guitar up to it (and the amp, somewhere along the line, I guess) and it messes with the signal and makes lots of cool sounds.

Of course he loved it! Val couldn't wait to show him how it worked and had it set up for him to try out in a heartbeat. But he must have done something wrong, 'cause feedback attacked our ears at an inhuman decibel level.

While the rest of us held our ears and cursed, Val fiddled with some dials and the sound dove down to a mere hum. "Signal was too hot," he muttered.

"Yeah, and we'll be in real HOT water if we make that noise again!" I threatened. I stopped going to raves and dances and stuff to get AWAY from that kind of noise!

"Hot water? Like a hot tub?" asked Gourry, out of the wide blue ether of his mind. Then somehow the topic of hot tubs was being talked about.

Apparently, there was one. Amelia was squealing for all us girls to go first. Val was complaining that everyone should be included. Gourry was agreeing until Sylphiel reminded him that no one had brought anything to wear. As realization crossed his face, I butted in and linked arms with the other girls to go for a soak.

(Zel told me this part later.) After a few minutes Val took off after us.

"Val, what do you think you're doing?" Zel asked suspiciously.

"I'm gonna find the girls. What else? Don't give me that look. They expect us to try and peek. Come on, it'll be fun!"

Gourry followed, then Xelloss and lastly Zel, sighing, "Lina embarrassed and mad…you have a masochistic idea of fun."

Apparently we were making a lot of noise, because Zel told me that they had no trouble finding the right direction. However, about half way there, a very dark, formidable, and unmovable object blocked their path. It was the Mayor.

"And where do you think you're headed boys?" Phil asked, his black eyebrows shadowing his face.

Val stood frowning with his arms folded. Gourry simply stood and looked stupid. Zel shook his head and muttered, "…idiots."

So Xelloss took it upon himself to answer. "Oh my, good evening Mayor! We were on our way to find the hot tub. I believe our turn is next!" he grinned.

"Well you are at least honest. Since the girls just got started, they will probably be there for some time and not wish to be disturbed. Why don't I find something interesting for you all to do while you're waiting?"

Zel told me that they all obediently fell in behind Phil, who led them to a large comfortable BILLIARDS ROOM. I would have liked that! We soaked until we were prunes…it was getting boring waiting for those clowns to show up and I was ready get dry, so we got dressed and wandered around until Phil directed us to their den. Now Val and I had visited a few pool parlors so I expected him to be doing pretty fair, but Gourry had a touch as well. I guess Zel and Xelloss' math skills helped them out because they were holding their own, too. Hey, I only had to twist a few arms and they let me play. 'Course I was better than any of the guys, heh, heh! Beautiful, talented, smart…I've got it all! Because I'm Lina Inverse, and I will rule the world! Oh ho ho ho ho ho hooo.no. That was Nahga's laugh…maybe I should quit while I'm ahead here...but then, I wouldn't be Lina if I did that, would I?

Back in the coach house, we helped ourselves to more cake and discussed what to do next. Xelloss fell asleep. Kiki was sitting beside him on the floor looking about ready to crash too. Zel was 'resting his eyes'. I guess we know who the party poopers are now!

"We should just leave them here. It's safer than being alone with some shadowy creep hanging around." Sylphiel quavered.

"But wasn't there a police car parked out front? Just wake them up and take them home," advised Filia. This was really in her own self- interest, since she'd be spending the night and didn't want the two boys in the picture.

"I could ask my father. I'm sure he'd know the right thing to do, but I don't think Mr. Xelloss wants his secrets told," said Amelia with a great deal of sensitivity.

"Well I for one want to sleep in my own bed tonight. I'm sure Kiki's parents want her home, too. I say we pack up everybody…leave the equipment, and drop off Kiki, then roll by the House of Xelloss and check in with the police car. If it's not there, you'll bring them back here…after dropping off me and Gourry and Sylphiel and Val…you're staying here, right Filia?"

The police car was parked out front. I stepped out and introduced myself. I wanted to be sure my boys were in good hands. Satisfied with the job our city's finest was doing, I gave them a wink and waved goodbye. Zel and Xelloss were safe to go 'home'. We waited in the van until they were inside and then we drove off.

What the rest of them did the remainder of that evening, who knows, but I went home, finished up my writing assignment and fell asleep watching the moon. And you know what the best part was? It was only Friday night and I had the whole weekend to look forward to! It's just great being me!

Light was coming in through my dirty window so I knew it was morning. My sister was pounding on my door and screaming. "You've got company. Get decent!"

Who would be coming around today? There's a band practice, but that's not until after lunch. I had pulled on a t-shirt that reached about mid-thigh when I heard a gentle tap at my door. "Lina? Ahhhh…Can I come in?"

"Gourry? What the hell are you doing here? Just a minute." I found a pair of almost clean red jeans under my bed and was pulling them on when he stepped in.

"Ahhh…You were going to come over and walk through the floor plans with me and Dad. You didn't forget, did you?" he smiled.

"Forget? No! An elephant never does, but I just woke up. What time is it? 9:00 AM! It's Saturday and you got me up at 9:00 AM! You're crazy! I need my beauty sleep!"

Then he smiled that languid 'it's okay' smile of his that sometimes made my knees go all jelly-like. "Why would YOU need 'beauty sleep'? So, uh...breakfast's waiting...pancakes and sausages...milk and sliced apples. Hey wait for me...Lina?...!"

Okay, I was a little embarrassed, hmm, okay, a lot, so I moved faster than usual. But that's better than smashing him on the head, isn't it? I'm maturing some. And there was food waiting and I didn't want it to get cold, right? Oh, who am I trying to kid? I didn't know whether he meant that as a compliment or an insult, and I didn't want to find out. Not that it matters. I AM beautiful… but he didn't have to say that and give me that look...like I'm a little girl needing codling…or a not so little girl needing compliments. I don't know which is worse.

Well, the food was good. While I was daintily devouring the breakfast, Gourry and his dad were pouring over a huge blueprint spread out over the other end of the table. From what I could see, the top of the garage was being converted into three bedrooms and a bath and staircase. Gourry wanted another staircase giving him a private entry.

"Yeah," I added, "Doesn't one on the outside give you an emergency exit, too?"

Gourry gave me a thankful look and his father agreed. Am I good, or what? Next came lighting. They seemed to have a pretty good handle on that so I kept my mouth…busy with the food at hand. Shower or bathtub? Shower, of course, but make it adjustable for the shorter tykes. Yes! Heating? Boring, so I drank another glass of milk. Floor coverings…Oh, come on, they're guys! Don't waste effort on carpeting which will dirty and hard to clean. Make it vinyl and add throw rugs. See? One, two, three strikes and I'm outta here!

Next we paced off the garage to get a feeling for the size. Not too large, but better than sharing with two or three little terrors. Well, okay not so little. I mean the nine year old was as tall as me and Joey was about Zel's height...it doesn't matter, just big. Well, now I was awake and fed, time for action.

Alfie, I think that was the nine-year old bro's name, dragged me to the backyard, where we were joined by at least eight others about our, er his, size and some, or most, of which were somehow related. We kicked a soccer ball around for half an hour before Gourry found us and joined in. Mostly we just made him stand at one end as a goal because he had an unfair advantage of being so tall and good.

Everything was going super until one of the little wretched beasts said that the redheaded boy was too slow. I was about to tear him apart, when Joey or Chuckie or Fifi whatever, stopped us. He told the other kid not to hit me because I was a girl and not just any girl. I was his big brother's girlfriend and he would beat him up if anybody touched me. The little beast stood down, cowed by the news. I turned Zel-red and lost contact with my speech facility. Gourry just stood there smiling LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. I noticed the ball come rolling my way and I ran up and sent it sailing into Gourry's head. That got his attention. He may even have looked a bit hurt…okay so maybe I'm not that mature, but I needed to do something to maintain my…me-ness!

Hey this journal writing stuff is therapeutic. Maybe I'll get Zel into it. Gods knows he needs help! Course having some friends other than me has improved his disposition a lot. I hope Amelia doesn't undo all the good the others do for him. She's too...intense and moony-eyed. Right now, I'm at our Saturday afternoon band practice. The soccer game really helped me work out my aggressions and now I'm ready to sing. I don't see Zel, though. "So where's his honor today?"

"Out walking Beast…alone," answered Xelloss. "He needed some space. That must be him locking up at the house now."

"I'm amazed he's even on the same continent after spending how many days with you?" smirked Filia, and then with a twitch of her long braided ponytail she stalked off to talk to Val.

"Are you jealous because I didn't invite you?" Xelloss baited her.

"What? I wouldn't stay under the same roof alone with raw garbage like you for all the tea sets in Rosie's Shop!" she cried.

"Garbage! Garbage!" Xelloss was about to lose his temper. Time for me to step in before it gets physical.

"Stop it both of you! Grow up and shut up. This is band practice. I have an agenda to roll through and your personal-insult-tossing period is not on it! That's right…Zel! Nice of you to drop in. Now here's what we're going to do. Ah, Amelia has an announcement. Yes, she IS on the agenda… then we will run through our best numbers…then…well let's get on with it."

"Thank you, Miss Lina. I'm sure you know that the Mayor gives a large winter party each year. Traditionally this has been exclusively ballroom dancing. This year he wants to include local bands; jazz, folk, and popular. In particular, he wants several high school bands to play. Try- outs will be in two weeks. Guys, this would be our first job! There's only time to play a couple songs, but then we get to join the party. What do you think?" Amelia was bubbling with excitement.

I think the realization that we could really be a band struck about then. I for one was all for giving it a try, "Hey guys, we gotta do this. It's our best chance to see if we got what it takes! Why else are we going to all this work, if not to play music in front on an audience?"

"Two weeks? Two songs? No sweat." Val said coolly.

"Could be fun." Zel smirked.

"You know I'm in it if you are, Lina!" Gourry said agreeably.

"Of course!" said Sylphiel with a shy smile.

"Sure, but what will we wear?" Filia asked.

"Ummmm," Xelloss began, with a flustered expression.

"What's the problem, Xelloss?" I asked.

"When is it? I have that Karate tournament to attend during winter break," He said softly.

"Oh, it's going to work out just fine, Mr. Xelloss." Amelia pointed to Lina's large calendar. "See here is your meet, Friday of the first week before winter holiday. The Mayor's Winter Ball is...the first Saturday, the next day. Okay?"

"Ummmm," he began again.

"Spit it out!" I said.

"I'll need help taking down and putting up this drum set. I've…never had to do it before," he said sheepishly.

"No, prob. Val here's an expert, right?" I hoped.

"Yeah. We'll practice a couple times…oh and I'm ready to paint that logo today," Val added.

"Then it is decided? All right! The Slayers have a job!" I cried and lead the band in a round of cheering, well yelling anyway. Filia and Sylphiel lead the cheers.

"Now, Filia had a point. We need a…look. Pirates, monsters, period clothing, whatever. Where should we start?"

Amelia jumped up. "I know! Let's combine our play costume hunt with our music costume hunt and start at my house with the collection there!"

"Then we could try the second-hand shops downtown," I added. "So, then when can we do this? Does anyone have any plans after 3:00 today? No? Then practice will end then and we will go clothes hunting for a couple hours. Gods, now what's your problem, Zel-gaaadiss? Then stop groaning if you have no positive contribution. However, if anyone doesn't want to come along, you will have to accept WITHOUT COMPLAINT whatever is chosen, and Amelia has several lovely prince outfits. That's what I thought. Then it's agreed."

We played our hearts out for the next two hours. I had two new songs, one for me and one other one. The later was sort of strange, a lot of retro-riffs and stuff. Xelloss fell in love with it, and I left it in his hands. He said it was missing something.

"There's just this empty space in the chorus."

"Yeah, I got disgusted after all that sap, and just left it off," I shrugged.

"I have the perfect idea! Everybody sha la la la la…'" he sang.

I groaned, but only on principle. It was disturbingly fitting. Val made some comment about 'f-ing showtunes', but I hit him and squelched that.

The familiar sound of the Amelia van pulling up sounded from the driveway, and we were off, onwards and upwards. The Slayers were getting dressed.

(((.)) Zel . Xelloss . Lina ((.) Gourry ((.)) Amelia

End Seyruun High Jinx Chapter 20