Seyruun High Jinx

by Kaeru Shisho

The Slayers characters experience the highs & lows of a high school year and band formation. This is the first in a series of four stories. The next story tells of their summer adventures. Completely updated for formatting errors December 2003.

24. Chapter 24 122203

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

Chapter 24

THE SLAYERS



It was suggested to me that I sort out my 'problems' by keeping a journal, as I wrote before. I usually fight the advice of anyone taking a psych class, but I like to write…and I do have some problems to work out, so here goes another entry into the journal of Zelgadiss Graywords.

Zel's Entry, Early December, Tuesday:

I slid into my seat as usual. Lina was chatting with Filia, Xelloss humming a tune; I think the one Lina had recently written for him. The teacher was smiling, always a dangerous sign.

"The rest of the time before winter break will be spent on a new project, one for the Cultural Fair. The Cultural Fair highlights our diversity. Each and EVERY one the students in this classroom will be contributing a project, which I will discuss now…project board...photos...family tree...written history..." she droned on while passing out a detailed specification sheet. "Before you begin asking questions, read this paper. You have the rest of the class period to read it thoroughly and think about how you will satisfy the requirements."

I slunk into my seat, scowling.  "I have no family."

Filia glowed, "I can trace my family history back more than 20 generations! Just think of that, Lina. I can't imagine how to fit it all on a single project board!"

"You can use some of Zel's board, he has no family, right Zel?" squawked Lina. "Hey, Zel? How's this for family history. I, Lina Inverse, raised by a terrifying sister, a knight of Cephied the Dragon god, was born in a small, secluded wine-making town of Zephillia. Despite an early education limited to the study of white magic, I rose by the sweat of my brow to become the Omnipotent black magic sorceress supreme! Feared by all! Respected by the darkest of the dark lords! And with a hoard of minions, like you and Xelloss, to do my bidding! Pretty snappy, eh?"

I gave her 'the look'. "I was created in a laboratory in the catacombs beneath my house by a mad scientist. He made me out of a fruit-fly, a lump of coal, and a can of baked beans. And not vegetarian baked beans, either. Make that fly a brillo pad to explain the hair. What do YOU think?"

"Reminds me of what's rotting in the kitchen sink at home! Regular beans, that's important. Gotta have some amino acids. Speaking of that, how's the ole Endoplasmic Reticulum coming along?" Lina asked.

"Funny you should ask.  Val brought me some samples of 'ribosomes' for size and shape analysis. Take a look." I offered her a zip-lock bag of different colored pills hidden inside a small paper bag.

"Ahhhh, are those all legal?"

"Not a one, I'm sure. Guaranteed suspension. Want to store it in your backpack?" I offered.

"No thanks. Now put them away. That idiot! Which brings to mind the other nutcase…So, Xelloss! What's your story?" Lina asked without thinking.

"I was raised on an island of howling wolf packs amongst demons and monsters. Pain and fear give me strength. A world devoid of life and thrown into total chaos are my goals. I don't know, but something along those lines…is it okay?" He smiled evilly.

"Eeeuuuuwww! You are soooo disgusting!" squealed Filia.

I couldn't imagine what I'd really have to report on. Little did I know what the Gods had in store for me…and that our wildest imaginations hadn't even come close to constructing...

~*~



After school tutoring was cancelled due to some room scheduling error, so I had nothing to do when I met Xelloss at our locker. All day after the composition class, Xelloss had been wearing down my adversity to approaching my grandfather and pressing him for family information. To silence him I agreed to talk to him this very night.

"So you're just going to ask him, right?" he nagged as he followed me out his door.

"Yes," I answered.

"You'll change your mind and chicken out."

"No. I. Won't."

"I'll come along and make sure you go through with it."

Sigh "Suit yourself. It makes no difference to me."

"It might. Maybe your mother was someone really famous and it's had to be kept a secret."

"Probably not. She was VERY young, probably not married. He probably knows nothing about my father, who probably ran out on her."

"So why not tell you the truth?"

"Because she was probably his daughter and he disinherited her…since she's not around. It's probably not a high point of his life."

"But he kept you and raised you."

"Probably a mistake, and not the high point of my life either."

"Seven."

"Yeah, but why keep count if you know I'm going to ask you how many times I repeat a word? (We had both had so many IQ tests that we were familiar with all the tricks. One of them was asking sudden questions like: how many times did I say the word 'wait' or how many times did I switch hands with the pen?)"

"Don't want to disappoint you!"

"Oh joy, probably not."

"Eight."



"What? You want to talk to me?" asked Rezo, my grandfather, as we entered the living room and took seats near his.

"I-I…" I stuttered and fizzled out.

"He wants you to tell him about his mother and father. It started with a school assignment and now it's important for him to know about his ancestry," answered Xelloss, supplying voice to my silent solicitation.

"So what are you doing here?" Rezo asked gruffly.

"I'm his voice and guts...just kidding!"

"Not now! Another time…there are… extenuating circumstances. There's someone I must talk to first…then we'll talk, Zelgadiss," Rezo said. And that was that. The end of discussion.

"Told you it wouldn't work. There's some secret and he's going to take it to his grave. Let's go to your place and...play that Lost Universe Game, all right?" I asked, more demanded, than asked.

"O-kay, do-kay!"   Part way there he brightened and smiled. "Of course there are other ways of finding out."

"What are you talking about? Those court records are sealed, he told me."

"Birth records aren't...marriage licenses aren't…and seals can be broken."

"Xelloss! We are not, I repeat NOT going to break the law to get information on my parents. I've lived this long without knowing who they were; I can wait until he decides to tell me."

No one listens to me, especially my friends, especially him.

"OoooKaaaay….let me seeeee….hmmmmmm. You were born in the year…okay...November 28th.Where? Let's start in this town, shall we? Birthplace, Seyruun. Twenty-eight births…fourteen were boys! Names…two are sealed…McGee, Trotter, Seacliff… nothing Graywords, of course it might have been different at birth. I'll check the mother's names…no Graywords…course your mother might have been married, eh? Hmmm...no I'm not giving up! These were just the simple checks. We knew it wouldn't be that easy and you mentioned 'sealed' records so…Let's check those seals. Look! Look! A simple encryption code!"

"Let me see that." I love solving cipher puzzles, riddles, and math brainteasers. Of course he knew this and that's how he roped me into breaking the codes, and thus, the seals. "There that was simple...what's this? A still born boy, nope, not that one... How about the last one…Z-gods… Zelgadiss G-Graywords? GASP! "

"REALLY? You found your birth record? So... gulp there must be a mistake or something...father Rezo Graywords…mother…Kimberly M-Metallium Graywords? So your mother was married to...Rezo? And her maiden name was Metallium? What a coincidence, huh? I don't have any relatives with the name Kimberly that I've ever known."

"He's my FATHER? Why would he pretend to be my grandfather? Why tell me I was abandoned?" I was shocked and angry at such a stupid deception. Xelloss was busy typing away.

"Okay, I'm checking marriage licenses…say seventeen to nineteen years ago.  Graywords...found one! Sealed again!" Xelloss scooted out of the way and I decoded the file after a couple minutes.

"Rezo Graywords married...he was thirty ears old…to Kimberly Metallium…fourteen, my Gods! She was just a kid, like Amelia! So who signed as witnesses…What? Could that possibly be your (gulp!) mother's signature, Xelloss? Looks like the one on the school newsletter 'message from the principal', for the most part…and the other looks like another Metallium too. Your father?" I asked excitedly.

"Well, they would have been married by then...I guess the name is more than just a coincidence." Xelloss mused.

"So my mother was a relation of yours? One that you've never heard about...maybe a distant (really distant, please) cousin or something.  So why do you think Rezo and Zelas have been pretending to have just met? Obviously they've known each other since before you were born," I wondered.

"Your grand, er, father and mine must have been friends at the university. They were both about thirty years old, full professorships. Why not? Maybe your mother and mine were friends too. My mother was only fifteen when I was born so they're about the same ages too."

"Possible.  So, you and I are distantly, remotely cousins, or something? Oh, joy!" I moved to the daybed and crashed flat on my face to moan. "NO, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no…my life sucks rocks. I am soooo cursed."

"I know!" Xelloss hopped up. "We'll go ask Zelas to explain! She won't have had all that baggage to worry about all these years.  Come on! Let's go! Everything's…"

"…Going to be all right!" we chanted together.

sigh "All right." I acquiesced.

We found Zelas relaxing with a glass of wine, cigarette and book in the living room. Xelloss recited everything we knew as fact and what we had conjectured, and then stood arms crossed waiting for some confirmation.

"What has Rezo said to you, Zelgadiss?" she asked, drawing a lung-full of smoke, and blowing it out slowly.

"Nothing. He'll never talk to me. What's to hide now? Is he my father? Who was Kimberly Metallium?" I was shaking with nervous energy.

"Kimberly...was my best friend. The rest...just a moment…" she moved with cat-like grace, first to extract her feet from the sleeping Beast, then to leave the room, cell phone in hand.

I stood staring out the window, into the blackness. One street light. A single parked car. Tree. Headlights…white van speeding by…

"Zelgadiss. You shall have your answers. This night. But, we are going to include Rezo. It's important and you both should be there so we'll take the car over now," Zelas said, snuffing out her cigarette and setting her glass on a napkin. "Come along now."



A more uncomfortable setting I could not have imagined. I don't spend time devising torturous situations to put my self in…for fun. My life just does it for me! Call it karma or bad luck. Doesn't matter. So there we sat, Zelas and Rezo, Xelloss and me, Zelgadiss. Sounds like a storybook tale about a family of bees (ZZZZXZZZZ) or wasps, to be more accurate as it turned out.

Rezo looked a little older to me that night. Yes, he was, IS, my father. Rezo Graywords met my mother at Xelloss' father's house, her house.

Kimberly was Xelloss' father's daughter by his first wife (when he was what… 15?). Zelas was Kimberly's best friend. That's how Xelloss' parents met. High school girls, barely! University professors seeing underage girls! Gods, I was feeling sick. Stress gives me an upset stomach, so I don't eat much.

Xelloss had been quietly frowning from his seat on the floor, when suddenly he perked up and blurted out, "So let's see if I have this right, o-kay? You, Zelas, married your best friend's father, who is also my father. She, my half-sister, Kimberly, in turn, married my father's best friend, Rezo, who shortly became Zelgadiss' parents. Soooo, that makes me…Zelgadiss' Uncle.  Step-Uncle…? Half-Uncle? That's…"

I ran off to the bathroom. I was feeling really sick. I lost my breakfast, lunch, and…well I hadn't had dinner yet, but I wouldn't now. I rinsed out my mouth and waited until I could breathe normally before returning to the torture chamber, the front room.

More explaining began after my return. Xelloss' father was Japanese. He came from a very traditional family. He married young, an arranged marriage, which ended suddenly with the death of his wife in childbirth. The child was Kimberly. He left Japan with his daughter, completed his college education and worked his way into a full professorship at the Seyruun University. At this point Rezo pulled out a photo from a dusty box he had retrieved from the basement laboratory.

"Here we are.  That's me and your father, Xelloss, in back.  Kim and Zelas in front. Your father played show tunes on the piano and we'd all sing along.  Kim was a gifted violinist taking lessons from a university teacher."

"I thought you said your father was tall, Xelloss?" I asked.

"He was...Of course at five years old, I was pretty short!" he grinned. "See his hair's like mine, shorter naturally, but purple. But you know, Zelgadiss, you look so much like your mother…hair expression...I can't tell much about those weird blue eyes of yours though, she's smiling."

"Zelgadiss reminded me so much of his mother, his hair, when I touched it at night when you slept, and your love of music. Zelas, you told me he looked a great deal like Kim…before his accident," Rezo said softly.

"That must have been difficult for you as well as a comfort…to have him as a reminder of Kim," said Zelas in a rare show of compassion.

"We four hit it off. Again for perspective, it was not uncommon for older men to attach themselves to much younger women in his past culture. He blessed our marriage soon after his own to Zelas. Soon Xelloss was born…ah, let's see, yes…here is a picture taken at our wedding...a month or so before you were born, Xelloss."

These were very happy and devoted people. Nothing prepared me for that discovery. My mother was small and delicate and beautiful. Zelas and Rezo had aged, but very little.

"Here's a picture sometime later.  Xelloss isn't a year old and you are a month or so from coming into my life, Zelgadiss," Rezo said.

"She didn't survive that, did she? Just like her mother had died..." I put two and two together.

"Just like her mother before her...same problem…inherited. She knew at the hospital that she would not survive. The doctor believed that she had a chance, but that they couldn't guarantee that both the mother and the child would live. I told them…to save her. But as she felt her fragile life ebb away...she whispered good bye and begged them to save her baby boy. The doctor changed tactics and…she just slipped away, and there you were…I was told, blue and tiny. I didn't, I couldn't hold you for many weeks; my grief was so deep."

"I remember coming three or more times a week to check on you, Zelgadiss," Zelas took over as Rezo's voice cracked. "You were a rather sickly little thing, while my boy was running around and demanding attention every moment. We were living out of town, closer to the Cephied Clan Settlement area. It was a way to maintain our privacy. When the small minded people in town where you were living…this house in fact... had seen Kimberly and Rezo together, they assumed her to be his daughter. So when you, Zelgadiss, were brought home, you were naturally his grandchild. Dear Rezo was so…depressed he made no move to correct the error, and so, it was easier to excuse his inattentiveness over time. Oh, I know you would do it differently if you could, dear, but what's done is done and Zelgadiss deserves the truth."

"The truth," I sneered. "He loved my mother, fell into a depression after her death, and raised me, deprived of family and affection, to become a miserable, cold-hearted, freak. I feel sooo much better knowing all this!"

"Don't forget sarcastic! You left that one out.  That's your strongest character flaw," chuckled Xelloss.

"MY character flaws? Don't get me started.  Some masochist could write a book about yours! Starting with annoying, fruitcake, jerk..." I began to rant at the person closest to me, the one whose feelings I just might be able to hurt. I was just getting into the mood when THE ADULTS put the snafu on it.

"Zel, dear? Wasn't it only the other day that you were telling me what good friends you two boys were becoming? Perhaps you had a blow to the head too? No? Well then, enough cruel banter.  I hear enough of that at school all day." She snuffed out her cigarette as well as my mood, and then continued.   "We stayed in contact with the both of you over the next few years, slowly lengthening the time between visits until…my husband's health deteriorated and I spent more time nursing him.  He died of cancer, my dear, liver… stomach…it spread very fast."

Rezo took the lead and ran with it. "When I heard of the death of my closest friend, I was again sunk into a deep depression. This time however I took medication and received counseling. I found the best cure was in activity, and so, I went about establishing Zelas in a suitable occupation. Money was only one side of the coin. She needed something to do, and teaching was her best objective. Over time the middle school opening arose, and I put in a good word where needed, and…yes, your welcome, my dear, she improved herself."

"Oh yes! Was hubby #2 part of that self improvement?" Xelloss smirked. He was complaining about MY sarcasm!

"He…was a mistake.  Nice looking…"

"In the same way a boar's ass is attractive to a…" Xelloss was muttering under his breath, barely.

"…but a lard brain, but he wasn't bad to you, so..." Zelas began in defense before Xelloss cut her off.

"How would you have known that?  You never knew what was going on in my life.  But…if I give you that, then…I figure that…you added that Dubois charmer to your list of hubby #'s to cover THAT contingency, right  Zelas?"

"That...was unfair, and you know it!" Rezo charged in where few had gathered before- defending Zelas, that is. "You were a…difficult boy, Xelloss. Those dancing lessons were the only thing she could give you that you would accept and not break. NO one had any idea what kind of man he was…until it was too late."

"Naaaturally…But before we speak of that cheerful topic, wouldn't we all rather hear about Zelgadiss' ACCIDENT? That fits the timeline better too!" Xelloss stretched out on the floor and gazed up at Rezo with a goofy smile.

I know that Rezo sighed. He had patience; I had to give him that! "All right. All I will say is that you didn't follow instructions and stay out of the lab that day. I know you were calling me to the phone, but when I left, you didn't. Yes, well… curiosity killed the cat, and nearly you. Moments after I left to take the phone call, I heard the explosion and…when I found your body soaked with that chemical mix.  I hoped you were dead. The paramedics took a look at you and I waited for the inevitable news."

"But it didn't come. I wonderful officer, McGywn, was the first on the scene. He had a son a few years older and…was very moved. He had a very young officer…new to the force…Randy…something…who found your pulse.  He guaranteed to do his best to get you to the hospital in time to save your life. His car led the escort, I remember."

Xelloss and I exchanged knowing looks at this. We had met McGywn again recently concerning the 'shadow figure' and video photo.

"I remember bringing Xelloss into the hospital to see you, Zelgadiss, on the way to your dance class, dear. Yes, I know you don't recall. They wouldn't let you into the sterile ward and you walked on to your lesson alone. I recall seeing your form lying on the white hard mattress. You were completely bandaged head to toe, with the tiniest opening for your left eye to see out of. You were enclosed in a tent with tubes and air lines. Your...father was simply devastated. Little did I know that I would be back in that damned hospital to watch my own son struggle to hang onto life in only a few months!" Zelas brushed a tear from one eye.

Again Rezo traded off with Zelas. "Actually, I believe Zelgadiss was home before Xelloss entered. When you came home, you were an angry, belligerent boy, Zelgadiss, with reason…but you only communicated with your computer, your guitar, and occasionally that wild Lina girl. I wanted you to go back to your middle school, but it wouldn't happen for another year. I believe you'd already been promoted to the high school principal job, right Zelas?"

"Oh yes, before his accident I think…Oh it doesn't matter." Zelas appeared shaken by the awakened memories.

"I recall now that same nice young officer, McGywn, visiting Xelloss at the hospital. He had made the arrest that afternoon, nearly damaging his career when he broke both Dubois' arms and almost shot a hole through his head. Doctor Adams was in charge of the emergency crew…hmmm. Nice man too. You see I had just gotten home from PTA meeting. The house was empty. I checked a couple rooms for sleeping boys or computer-engaged ones...but found a disarrayed bathroom and ...the note you left me dear, on the mirror."

She lit another cigarette, noticed the dirty look Xelloss gave her, then stubbed it out and went on. "I was angry and confused. What were you doing getting into my makeup like that? Writing on the mirror and all with my best lipstick."

"It was in a drawer in the bathroom I used, so it couldn't have been your best," muttered Xelloss.

"In any case, when I arrived at the dance studio. I had no idea what to find going on there. However, the front was all locked up so I went around to the back. I climbed in through the back window, which opened into a small room filled with various kinds of video camera equipment. That was no small trick considering I was wearing high heels! One camera was operating. One look at the tiny viewer, and I called the police. I had to break down the door separating that room from the one where you… were. I held the camera in one hand and tried to beat him off. I screamed bloody murder for what seemed like hours, cursing him to hell and back, trying to keep his attention until McGywn arrived. You, dear, were a bloody mess. I thought you were dead. The paramedics assured me you had a pulse. I couldn't imagine how your mind might recover and prayed that if it couldn't…that you'd die first."

"Touche' Zelgadiss! Our parents hoped we'd both die, but we lived to bring torment to them the rest of their lives. Isn't that sweet? Gods, I can't wait to write up this story for my composition class! At least I'll have your hell-for-a-life story to back mine up…she'd never believe mine, but yours? She'll be crying rivers after reading it," Xelloss cried dramatically.

"That's true. The teacher likes me. I will, of course, leave you out of my story and deny any part in yours. She'll call you a slanderer and scrap your paper, while mine will be plastered with A+'s !" I smiled in an imitation of Xelloss' little demonic one.

Rezo stopped our lively dialogue with a word, or two. "Shut. UP. Both of you! What are you talking about, young man? You were not considering re-telling these stories for the amusement of a class, were you?"

Before Xelloss could stick his foot in his mouth again, I started, "That's what got all this started. Our teacher assigned everyone the topic, 'My Family History', to write about…pictures…family tree...for the upcoming holiday Cultural Fair. All that dirty laundry to air in public, eh?"

"Well, then…" said Zelas with a smile so deadly it scared me shitless. "Let's make up a NEW family history…of our own liking. We'll begin with your mother, Zelgadiss."

After an hour, both Xelloss and I had new sanitized, abridged, and revised versions of our independent families, complete with famous persons and exotic locales. Xelloss wanted to keep some kind of ties between the two families; I preferred to sever them completely. I won, well, not really. In the end we agreed to share one of the more interesting historical characters as an 'Un'-common ancestor. It was my first family project. Very creative! We all had a good time. We celebrated by going out to dinner, Chinese, where Xelloss had another ace up his sleeve before the evening was over.

"Well, I don't know about you, Zelgadiss, but I have had a break through tonight," he began twirling his chopsticks and finishing with a drum roll.

I took the bait. "OH? How so, Xelloss?"

"As I see it, you have I have a family tradition to uphold now."

"Oh, joy. And what might that be?"

"Before I get too much older, you, it seems may have a few years leeway…I must find a willing and able young lady…to marry, of course! Now, looking over the possibilities…there's Lina-- not too willing that one, besides we'd have to battle for the right.  Oh wait, I have the black belt, I'd probably win!"

"I have a sword. You might die. But I don't believe we'd fight over Lina."

"You're right! There are fish in the sea, eh? Filia? No…too long in the tooth, that one. Remember, tradition, tradition, tradition.  Ah, ha! Amelia and Kiki! Fourteen to fifteen…good age range.  So, Amelia..."

"Leave her out of this, Xelloss!"

"…certainly likes you, which gives you a head start."

"The mayor's daughter?" Zelas asked, tuning into our conversation.

"That's the one! Bonkers over him!" Xelloss announced gleefully.

"Xelloss...shut up!" I muttered.

"Now, Zelgadiss, maybe you would like to tell us about the other one, Kiki?" Zelas prompted.

"She's just moved here from France and has glommed onto our Xelloss-man-about-town. Is she going to be your target?" I smirked getting into the fun at last.

"Why not?  Shall we have a contest?" Xelloss grinned.

"What kind of contest?" I asked dubiously. He couldn't be serious.  I decided to call his bluff.

Rezo didn't like the direction he believed the conversation was heading. "I assume you are joking around here. You will not participate in any activities that could damage the...reputation of those nice girls-That is clear?"

"What a spoilsport!" Xelloss sighed dramatically. "Now I know where Zelgadiss gets his fun-loving attitude."

Zelas stared daggers at her son, who smiled nonchalantly at her, then ate his dinner. I grinned, "Course...it could be fun!"

He perked up. "Indeed it could!"

"Xelloss! Zelgadiss! That's enough!" Rezo warned.

"Dear? Maybe now is the time to share…our other news?" Zelas purred.

Xelloss set down his utensils and folded his arms over his chest- combat mode. I gagged on the cashew I'd just swallowed. Oh, no, not more 'news'.  I did not want to hear more 'news'. I can't breathe. I can't breathe here...

"Might as well get it out in the open and over with," Rezo smiled, barely. "You do the honors, my dear."

Just spit it out! Whatever it is don't trade pleasantries while I'm… I'm…I need air…air…

"Boys…Zelgadiss? Are you all right, dear? Sit up and listen then," Zelas began.

I'm dying here…air…air...

"Rezo and I…are getting married.  Oh Dear! What's wrong with Zelgadiss? Xelloss get over there and help him up.  He's so pale!"

"He's fainted. It's happened before. He gets all excited, hyperventilates, and passes out. That was a good one, though, getting married.   1, 2, 3 strikes your out?  Shit, mom...where are we going to live?" Xelloss whined.

"He called me 'mom', dear! Did you hear?" Zelas crooned to Rezo.

~*~

"I can't believe…ah, Zelgadiss? Welcome back! Yes, we're back at Zelas' place. You are lying on the bed in my old room, pre-practice room. They are waiting for you to come back and enjoy some more quality family time, so heave ho and up you go!" Xelloss sang while sitting on a chair beside the bed.

"Ahhhh, tell me this has been one big bad dream," I moaned.

"This has been one big, bad, dream… come true, Zelgadiss-style!" Xelloss smiled.

"The bright side…assuming there can be one? I'll be eighteen in another year. I can move out, go away, never to be seen or heard from again. Travel the world, find my cure, have adventures…"

"WHAT? Yeah, he's awake now but he's blabbering on about adventures. What? O-kay, Do-kay. Come on, little step-brother x half-nephew, let's go. Everything's going to be all right!"

"All right," I muttered.

That was when I found out that my house was to be sold. "The basement catacombs were all sealed years ago, after the accident, so there's nothing worth keeping the place for," Rezo said matter-of-factly.

"Where do I live?" I asked dryly.

"Why, Zelgadiss dear, you can stay with Xelloss out there…or… you can have his old room. You saw it, the one you just woke up in?  The carpeting can be changed and fixed up with your things. There's also the guest room downstairs, but this one is larger. Think about it!" Zelas was trying to be kind. I think I was a bit overwhelmed.

"So...when's the big day?" Xelloss asked. He was fiddling with pencil betraying his nervousness.

"We were thinking…over the winter break. That's when I have the time, no school appointments, you know.  I'll miss your Karate meet…" Zelas began.

"T-That's okay...my…ah...friends were all planning on going so…it would make it simpler.  I don't mean that I don't want you there, but…it's not the most important…the next two are." Xelloss stumbled over his words. He was just a kid and all the 'news' had to have some effect on him, though he tried hard to act like it didn't.

Rezo interrupted, "Nonsense, we can stay in town for the meet, then go. When is it? See?  That's only a day's delay? Fine, then that's settled. Zelgadiss? Decide where you want your things to go. The room will be fixed up and your things moved over before the break."

So that was that. Xelloss and I walked back to his/my room. I noticed all his old furniture was better than mine. In fact, the window had a view as far as the park. "This will be fine. I'll just box up my clothes and a few mementos and my sword. I don't even mind the carpeting.  Mine was gray, or maybe that was just the dirt."

Xelloss nodded silently then left the room. He figured, correctly for once, that I needed to be alone. He must have filled his mom in on my decision, because minutes later I heard them stomping up the hall to my/his room.

Xelloss was yelling.  "Leave him alone! Gods! Haven't you tortured him enough for one day? He's my friend, but I don't for a second think that he's thrilled to find out that he's related to me and now has to live with the three least desirable people on this planet!" Xelloss yelled angrily.

That must have given her pause, because the footsteps stopped. They were standing outside my room. "I'll speak to him for only a few minutes. If you want to walk him home later, go ahead," Zelas said in a controlled voice, then opened the door.

I was sitting, unmoved on the bed. Zelas moved to sit beside me. Suddenly she wrapped her arms around me and hugged me. I think Xelloss gasped. It was so...motherly. "Zel-dear, I DO have some sympathy for your situation. I want you to know that you have been in my heart and life for years…even if you didn't know it. Your mother was like a sister to me, her father…the love of my life. I have a chance for a little bit more happiness, and I hope to bring some hope back into your life. I'll make you a promise…and it doesn't have to be a secret.  I talked to Doctor Adams, our…family doctor now. He wants to schedule some laser surgery for you. He's hopeful. Now here's my promise: I will see to it that everything possible is done to return your appearance to…what you'd like it to be. Zel-dear? Can you do something for me?"

I was shaking. I was REALLY trying not to cry. I was REALLY excited. I was REALLY uncomfortable. I realized that I was expected to reply. "Ah…maybe…I can try…" (shit, what do I call her?) "…Zelas." That'll do.

"Choose another color for this room. Purple is so..."

"Xelloss?" I supplied with a smirk.

"Exactly!" she smiled back, course it was HIS smile, and then released me.

"Green then…you choose...I mean it… it doesn't matter."

"Rubbish! Of course it matters! We'll go one afternoon this week…skip some classes," she said casually as she rose and left the room, leaving me sitting stupidly on the bed and Xelloss leaning against the door jam and shaking his head.

"A can't wait to have MY little talk with your...father," he winced.

"Oh joy!" I moaned and fell backwards, arms covering my face.  Darkness took over my mind, and I was grateful for the reprieve from reality.



Next thing I was aware of was warm, drowsy, sun…hunger. I bolted upright. Where was I? Oh shit! The whole previous day re-enacted by my troubled brain came crashing and burning onto my tender consciousness. I closed my eyes and sank back onto my pillow...his pillow, gahhh! THE pillow! What time was it anyway? 12:30 !?! I've missed half the day? I hadn't missed a single day of high school, until…now.  I didn't even call in sick, heh, heh. I'll just let Zelas take care of that one!

I suppose there's no use trying to go now.  Now…I'd have to face my friends at the lunch table. Shit! Xelloss is all alone to tell them all about our…news...maybe he's not feeling so sharp either. Let's hope he full of 'secrets' today. Lina will be suspicious. Oh well, at least I know my way around the kitchen. I have to eat something. I don't think I swallowed any dinner last night and I know what happened to breakfast and lunch."

I noticed that someone had left some coffee to re-heat. I made toast and, throwing caution to the wind, scrambled TWO eggs. I had just finished washing up, when I heard a car door slam and footsteps tic-tic-tacking up to the front door. A key turned in the lock and in stepped…Zelas Metallium.

"I am glad to see you are up. Good you've eaten and you are…cleaning up after yourself? How self-sufficient a boy you are! Now just put on your shoes and coat."

"Um, where are we going? I'd like to change clothes first and..."

"Shopping, dear! Oh we'll take care of those clothes too! Come along then, you want to be back for your band's practice later right?"

I really must grow a backbone. I turn to putty around some types. Rezo, for one, and Zelas too…sometimes Lina…any one with any strength of will, I suppose. Before I knew it we were breezing along the highway in search of the mall.  Hell.  I'd avoided this place all my life and now. sigh I felt better knowing that at least nobody I knew would see me there.

First, we stopped at a home decorating store. After my initial horror, I let myself relax and found the task not so bad. Sage green carpeting, wood levered shades for the windows, ivory paint on the walls, maple computer desk. Textures, colors, things that had very descriptive names and cost more money than I know had ever been spent on a room for me before. I kept objecting to the prices, but she just pooh-poohed me saying she NEVER had the opportunity to do things like this with Xelloss.  HE refused! HE had a backbone (my words, not hers).  Then she told me that I was so much fun to buy things for. I gave up and allowed myself to be led into a clothing store.



Bags of new pants, shirts, socks were whisked off to the car. My head was spinning. I think sage green was to be MY color, since sheets, towels (and probably pajamas) appeared to be largely in that part of the color wheel. When we returned 'home' gasp, gag, I helped carry my new 'things' up to 'my' room. Together we changed the bed and towels (she did that actually) and hung up and put away clothes. A few drawers contained Xelloss material, which she tossed into an empty box. The room was to be totally emptied tomorrow, then painted and the new carpeting installed. The larger items, including the computer desk, would be delivered on Saturday. My things could be carted over on Sunday. Zel's move complete, done, sealed, and delivered on Sunday.

I had NEVER been fussed over, and although I hated to admit it, I was enjoying myself a little…okay, a LOT. To celebrate, I took a shower, brushed my teeth, and changed into my new khaki cargo pants and black T- shirt. I started to slip on the new sweatshirt, when the hood struck me to be odd in some way. Oh, joy! It wasn't gray, it was sage green, too. sigh Too late to change that, besides...it did go well with lavender…GAH! Did I really think that! Yes, I did! Oh, well…

I was practically whistling on my way downstairs.

"Zel-dear? Oh how nice you look! Listen the kids are arriving for band practice and I know how eager you are to join them, but I wanted to say one more thing."

Oh, dear Gods, what now?????

"Xelloss hasn't said a word. His feelings are difficult to fathom. I imagine he might be hurt, jealous even, I don't know," Zelas said.

"You want me to go easy on him, right?"

"If you would, because…he may not be so careful with your feelings, I'm afraid," Zelas' voice faded.  "He's not as… affable as he seems."

"That's all right, Zelas.  I'm used to him. I like to think I'm all cold and heartless, but…I'll think of something…and…thanks…thanks for all the cool stuff and…all." My voice faded as well.

She nodded vacantly and I escaped the house and ran to greet my friends gathering outside with Xelloss fumbling with the keys…  Keys!  I'd have to get me some of those, too!



The band practice started out fine. Amelia squealed when she saw my new clothes and everyone wanted to know why I wasn't at school. I glanced at Xelloss for direction, but he was busy messing with one of his drums.

"Ahhh, I overslept and…took a mental health day, that's all. What song are we doing first?" I said, and then gasped in shock. I had opened my guitar's case. There on my otherwise spotless Fender's face were white scratch marks. I couldn't believe it! How could anything like that happen in a closed case?

I looked closely at the marks. It appeared to be three Z's with a larger X crossing over the smaller Z's. Zelas, Rezo, Zelgadiss, Xelloss. Bastard! He couldn't have! He couldn't have scratched my Fender! Anger sealed away for hours boiled up. It took all my self control not to attempt murder at that moment.

What's that? A tiny serrated edge along one side of the scratches caught my eye. Tape? I used my fingernail to scrape carefully at the line. Yes. The tape peeled off leaving a sticky smear, which I rubbed off with my sleeve. He wrote on a piece of tape with white ink then stuck it on. He didn't see as well with his glasses as I could, or he wouldn't have left the tiny clue. So now what do I say?

"Something the matter?" Xelloss asked from his kit.

"No, just a smudge. Now, Lina, shall we run through Friday's set?" I asked smoothly. I am so good.

The songs went well, except that Xelloss sang slightly off key on my piece, leaving out a word or two, messing with the rhythm. It was bugging me, but I wouldn't give in and react. By the last song, Lina had started smoking midway through her vocals. Gourry was wailing on the bass. The backup singers were in sync. Val and I were creating new riffs on the spot, when Xelloss pierced his recently-replaced tom-tom through the top with a drumstick. He knocked over his throne and climbed the stairs to his loft, two at a time.

"Whoa! What's with him?" Val asked.

"He was creepy all day at school," Lina commented. "What do you know, Zel?"

"Why do you think I know anything?" I asked, packing up my guitar and locking the case, this time.

"I'm hoping you know something so the problem can be solved before our tryouts tomorrow!" Lina answered, her voice rising in pitch and ending in a scream.

"Guys?" called Amelia, "The van's here so..."

"I'm out of here. See you tomorrow at school everybody!" cried Filia.

"Me too!" Sylphiel said.

"Not me, I want to stick around for the show," Val smirked.

"Gourry and I will walk.  Zel too, thanks…bye guys!" Lina answered for the others. "Now then..."

"Lina, there is a very serious problem. I don't know if I can or want to discuss it with my friends yet, or ever. Parts maybe. In life's convoluted way, Xelloss is involved too.  I must respect his privacy as well. But, just a minute…" I left a flabbergasted Lina, Gourry, and Val to find Xelloss in his loft.

"GO AWAY!" he shouted when I sat on the daybed.

"Xelloss. Talking will help. Just the facts. Leave your mother's identity out of it. Come on. Help me out here. The sooner we start 'dealing' with this, the sooner we'll get over the shock. Just a minute or two? Please?" I spoke quietly and as kindly as I ever had.

SIGH "I'm sorry.  I don't understand why I feel so…bad…and why I'm taking it out on you..." he whispered as he sat up and crawled out of bed.

"I can think of two reasons right off the bat. First, your old bedroom has been turned over to someone else, so you are losing part of your childhood. Second, and even more disturbing, it's me. If that happened to me, and it kinda has, I'd be mad too."

"So why aren't you?" he asked huskily, wiping his eyes with a sleeve.

"Because…despite everything that's happened, I've been given hope. I'm seeing Doctor Adams to run some tests.  Maybe I'll be able to look at myself again, someday.  Hey…so…before..."

"Zel? You guys coming down or what? Never mind, we're on our way up!" shouted Lina.

"Too late." he smiled.

"How about some light? That computer glow does nothing for my complexion." Lina chuckled and felt around for a light switch.

"Let's keep it dark.  There are several things I need to say. There's no good starting point…I know…Xelloss and I found out some info about my mother on the internet. We eventually had a group discussion with Xelloss' mother and my...father.  Lina, Rezo's really my father and my mother was…"

"Rezo? Isn't he your grandfather? How can he be both your father and your grandfather…oh that doesn't..." Gourry stopped mid sentence. I was shaking my head.

"He was my father. People thought he was my grandfather because my mother was so young they thought she was his daughter. It was easier I suppose. I won't try and justify his actions."

"Doesn't sound so bad, Zel. Inexcusably cold but..." Lina began. "…But there's more, huh?"

"Oh yeah. M-My mother," but I stopped to take a deep breath. "What should I say here, Xelloss?"

"Might as well get it all over with..." he mumbled into his pillow.

"My mother was the daughter of Xelloss' father…a very young couple in an arranged marriage in Japan. GASPS  When his wife died, he moved here with his child and eventually ended up with a professorship at the University here."

"Xelloss? What did he teach?" Lina asked trying to encourage her friend to talk some.

It worked. He sat up and, face hidden by his bangs, answered, "Astrophysics."

"So…" Lina summarized. "You have a half-sister, who is also Zel's mother?"

"Did. I never knew h-her..." Xelloss faded.

Again, I took over. "She died when…I was born. But that's skipping ahead a bit. It gets complicated. Rezo was a professor of chemistry, whose best friend was…yes, Xelloss' father. Xelloss' father met my mother's best friend, who was about the same age.  Eventually, they were married,   and a year later, Xelloss was born. When Rezo visited at them at their home he met Xelloss' half-sister…and  they married too. When I was born about a year after that, my mother's death sent Rezo into a depression and left me neglected for the next 17 years. Four years later Xelloss' father died of cancer. His mother and Rezo stayed in contact over the years."

"You mean that your grand...er…father and Xelloss' mother have known all this and kept it a secret for all these years? Why? That's so...cruel!" Lina shouted, voicing the general opinion.

"I didn't ask.  All this stuff is still just sinking in.  They had issues and problems of their own. The last piece of the puzzle…"

"There's more? Shit you were packin' this shitload of crap all day, Xelloss?" Val asked incredulously.

Xelloss sank face down onto his bed again, so I dropped the last shoe. "The last thing I'll tell you tonight is… that his mother and my father are getting married…really soon gasps AND my house is being sold."

"Oh, Zel, no..." commiserated Lina. Gourry put a hand on her shoulder to get her to stop.

"And I am moving into Xelloss' old room in the main house.  I'll be moved by this weekend. The happy couple will leave after the Karate tournament, and be gone the rest of winter break… There that's it for now."

"Damn!" Val said as he leaned back onto the daybed.

Lina crept on her hands and knees over to where Xelloss was lying on his waterbed, and began rubbing his back. I had never seen her so caring toward him, or anyone else for that matter.

Gourry sat on the other end of the daybed staring down at the floor. "We should all go someplace this winter break. Line up some gigs…music…camping. We'll need something bigger than the van to carry us and stuff."

Xelloss sat up, a real smile spreading across his face. "Like a school bus. I can get us one of those!"

"How can you be so sure?" Val asked.

"Oh, he's full of tricks, aren't you, Xelloss?" Lina smiled. "The biggest problem will be getting the 'nice' girls to get approval and for Val to get his probationary clause amended. And don't try and tell me you can do those things, Xelloss. That will take the power of the Mayor's office. Now about those playing gigs, I have some ideas."

"School bus? I'm licensed to drive some big rigs for my dad. I'll check on buses, those smaller ones are no prob!" Gourry smiled. No one had thought his idea was stupid.

"Xelloss? You wanna trade places? Stay at Sano's awhile and I'll live in this fine private abode?" Val grinned as he tucked his arms behind his head and settled in more comfortably.

These guys were filled with surprises. I wondered how Xelloss would react.

"Sure! Thanks a lot! I'd like that, but…I can't…You see I have work, important stuff to do on my computer and I couldn't hook it up and leave it a Sano's."

"You could come visit your place, you know." Val was pushing for a better reason.

"Mostly...my family's a…mess. I don't want you to find out about..." Xelloss began.

"It's the gorgeous babe for a mom you have, right? What's her name? Wait, what's your last name?" Val pressed.

"Remember, she's marrying Zel's father? So she'll be a Graywords, if she so chooses. Now, you know that… as for the rest…that's a secret!"

"Ah, come on! With all this other family shit to deal with, we can take one more bit of crap, right guys?" Val asked.

"That's all right. Some things are not meant for now. Trust me, this is one of those things," I warned.

"So Xelloss, no deal?" smiled Val.

"Not for now, but can I think about it more…maybe some time in the near future?" he asked.

"Just give me the word!"

"What about Sano? Wouldn't he care?" Zel asked.

"Him? Wouldn't even notice.  Okay, he'd notice, but he knows Xelloss from Karate. You'd be all right with him, right?" Val asked.

"Sano? I'd kick his butt if he tried to give me any trouble," Xelloss smiled.

We all laughed at that. Sano liked to pick fights and was tough. He appeared to be the opposite to Xelloss in every way, but Xelloss was his superior in karate and could probably take him out in a heartbeat.

"But…actually, before I take on Sano as a roommate, I should probably learn to get along with my little step-brother." Xelloss grinned evilly at me. "Yes, I'm the evil older step-brother and you are the poor, scarred youth whom mother likes best. Yes she does! See the clothes? Didn't she take you out shopping today? I bet you have a color now! Yes! Shall we guess? Lina, see my color was purple. Everything for me was purple or had to color-coordinate with purple. Hmmmm...black? No, that's her color.  Khaki? Maybe..."

"Green," offered Gourry. "You're wearing that new green sweatshirt… or is it gray?"

Xelloss turned on a reading light and pointed it at me. "Mint?  No.  Heathered? "

"SAGE GREEN!" I shouted.

"Carpets and towels?" Xelloss smirked.

"Yes...yes...I am so..." I began.

Lina pounded me on the back, "What's wrong with you two! Zel, someone's fixing up a room for you? That dump of a room you had before…you couldn't wait to leave it! Xelloss, you already have your own place! What does it matter if your old room gets recycled to a friend, your best friend? Gods, I'd love to have my best friend live with…well…what I mean is I wouldn't complain if someone wanted to put in new carpeting and stuff for me…and if a friend needed to move into my room, I'd take the 'beanbag depository' room in a snap. Now as for the family connections…well that sucks, but it's not your fault. The living situation is only for a couple of years anyway, right? Heh, heh."

"And some part of this insanity strikes your funny bone?" I asked Lina.

"I was thinking of your cultural fair projects.  You should put them side by side and show the inter-connectedness of it all using s-strings..." Lina laughed instead of finishing her sentence.

"What I've told you guys, doesn't leave this room. I trust you to keep this secret. As for our Projects, we have created new family histories, which will be unveiled at the Cultural Fair." I said sternly to make my point. "I trust you guys because, well Lina and Val have histories with darkness and depth and can commiserate .Gourry, you're a brick, solid as they come.  I might tell Amelia…and the others, but if so, it'll be awhile. Xelloss?"

"Nothing here…except…I have an idea, hold on…" He stretched his arm to his desk, grabbed first his glasses, then his cell phone, and then made a call. "Me. Where are you tonight? Right. Okay. click "

Lina raised an eyebrow. She was curious and he was smiling, eyes flashing from under his bangs.

"We can use the… ah…just come on, I'll show you!" He giggled and leap up and bounded down the stairs.

There was nothing else to do but get up and follow the nutcase. He was standing at the door beckoning us to hurry. He skipped over to the main house and unlocked the door then disappeared inside.  Gourry was smiling at his antics, Lina was really curious, Val grumbled about the fruitcake, and I was resigned to our doom.

"I'm upstairs!"

"Zel, you go first.  You've been here before and you can show us your, ah…room too," urged Lina.

"Oh joy." I sighed leading the troupe up the stairs and down the hall. "This is a bathroom and here is where I'll stay.  Yeah, it's bigger than my old room.  And I'm getting a computer desk, but keeping his other stuff." I was interrupted by Xelloss calling us from the master bedroom complex at the other end of the hall.

"Come on, and looooook! See? We can all fit. There are speakers for music, we can light candles…jets too! What?"

Lina looked over the enormous hot tub x spa perched on an outdoor balcony. Steam rose from the water.

"What's the matter?" Xelloss asked her.

"I looks great, but I don't have a bathing suit and I KNOW nothing of yours will do…and..."

"AND?"

"We haven't had dinner yet. I'm starved!" Lina confessed.

"No problem! Zelgaaaadiss? Can you fix us dinner while we go get the 'proper attire' for these guys?" Xelloss was determined to have his way.

"Give me a chance to see what's in the larder, Master Xelloss."

"Oh, 'big brother' will do!" He giggled a bit.

After a quick scan, I declared that I could devise something. "Just don't take too long. I have homework and make-up-work too, probably!"

As it turned out, the only stops needed were to Lina's for clothes and Gourry's for trunks for both him and Val. Our macaroni and cheese with peas and pear juice dinner was dispatched with in haste, and then to the spa we fled. Everyone changed in 'my' room, save Lina who owned the bathroom by female rights. Xelloss made a few trips to find me some swim trunks of his, then to deliver towels, then set out candles, which Val lit with his omnipresent lighter, and lastly he returned with a remote control.

Outside it was cold. We allowed Lina 20 seconds to get into the water before the rest of us stormed the pool. Gods, it felt great. With only candlelight to see by, our scars were invisible. And with these friends, our pasts didn't exist. We were living the moment. Soft music wafted on the wind.

"Gymnopedies by Eric Satie," Val whispered. "Hey! Don't look so surprised, I listen to all kinds of stuff."

Gourry's hair was a problem. Xelloss didn't want it clogging the filter, so Lina got out, grabbed her brush and some ties.

"Ahhhh! It's soooo cold out there. Here let me bust it up into a pony…you know that high tail-thingy that guys wear in those Samurai movies? Yeah, it looks cool and so will yours. There done. Now, Zel! Your stiff hair will hold the Captain Harlock style, see? Swept to the side and...presto, space captain for all time. Val...oh yeah...spike it up and tie this black band around to make it stay up and voila'! Xelloss..."

I really thought he might cry when she tried to touch his hair. She finally gave up and had to content herself by just tying hers up in a Japanese knot secured with a pair of chopsticks. It looked nice, course Lina always looked nice.

The jets spurted bubbles to massage our secret aches and sent me into blissful oblivion.

"I don't care where you're gonna stay, Zelgadiss. I'm movin' in here startin' tonight. Heh, heh. There's that guest room downstairs…even if it's f***in' puce-colored… I'll take it. What do ya say, Xelloss? Or do I gotta be one of your f***in' relatives too?"

"VAL?" screamed Lina. "Shuddup! And someone better move his paw off my leg..."

"Oh, sorry, Lina, I thought it was...ah…" Xelloss giggled while desperately thinking of something to say.

"Zelgadiss?" suggested Val, who promptly got punched, by Lina, and dunked, by me, and kicked to the far side of the pool by Xelloss.

He came up burbling. "Hey! I didn't mean anything by that...it's just that he's sittin' next to her and is the next skinniest guy, I mean person, in the water."

DUNK, SPLASH, OOF!

The rest of the evening was spent in relative quiet and introspective contemplation. Good thing, we had the Mayor's ball try-outs tomorrow and we needed to repair some.  And so ends this entry, STARDATE 205947. Yeah, I always wanted to write that too!

--Zelgadiss



(((.+)) Zel |||x.x||| Xelloss |{{~.o}}| Lina |((.o)|| Gourry ((~.o)) Amelia

End Seyruun High Jinx Chapter 24