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.

27. Chapter 27 122203

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


Chapter 27

THE SLAYERS



"So what are you doing?" Lina asked no one in particular. Gourry, Zel, Xelloss, and she were walking in the direction of home.

"Sheet rock and plumbing," provided Gourry. "Dad's showing me how tonight-- on my new room--"

"Wow! That's coming along fast-- let me know when you need a painter!" winked Lina.

"Sure, Lina!" he smiled warmly. "I seems to be taking forever… for me…I want it done before the break…mostly, you know."

"Zel?" Lina cast her glance his way.

"Mom and Dad insisted that I help them pack. It'll take me five minutes, but I've got to do the kitchen and hell knows what else. Xelloss gets to help tomorrow. This is supposed to be quality time alone with me gag," he managed to actually choke himself and coughed for the next block to his place.

"Too bad…" Lina commiserated. "See ya for band practice tomorrow!"

"Oh joy…" he muttered and climbed the steps to his old place.

Xelloss, Gourry, and Lina waved to his retreating head.

"Oh--"

"What's wrong, Gourry?" Lina asked.

"I was supposed to meet my dad at this other place. I gotta run or I'll be late… but… I'll be sure ya get home, okay…?"

"No worry! I have nothing better to do. You heard Zelgadiss, one-on-one with mom and dad.  I guess that leaves ME with nothing else to do than see that Lina gets home all safe and sound." Xelloss grinned like the Cheshire Cat.

"I'll be okay, Gourry. It's only another block. You don't want to keep your dad awaitin'!" Lina smiled at him reassuringly.

"If you say so," he answered, staring sharply at Xelloss a second (Everything had better be okay), then loped off.

Xelloss carried Lina's book bag, something she didn't notice until they were opening the door to her house and she realized she didn't have to shuffle her load of stuff in order to unlock the door. "Err, thanks…you didn't have to do that though," she muttered as he followed her inside.

"Oh, I know!" he chirped merrily, stepping carefully around and over the detritus on the floor.

'Have a seat. I'll get us something to eat!" she shouted from the kitchen.

Xelloss looked around the disaster zone, frowning. He spied some empty, mostly, plastic shopping bags stuffed under a pillow, somewhat. He proceeded to uncover the couch, dropping candy wrappers, apple cores, and old homework casualties into the bags. Next, he turned to the coffee table, stacking magazines and book into orderly piles. Extraneous clothing, he piled beside the hall entrance. When Lina reentered, carrying glasses of milk and slices of cake from the restaurant, the room was transformed, to her eyes anyway.

"Wow! What happened in here? Xelloss? You did all this? It looks great! Where did everything go?" she said excitedly. "Gods, when Luna sees this she'll-- have a heart attack or something!"

"If you have a vacuum and dust cloths-- and show me where your washer is…" he began.

"Hey! You're a guest, you shouldn't have ta…  Okay, this way… but only for a few minutes… the milk'll get warm…"

Xelloss showed her how to change the vacuum's liner bag, after some searching for a badly needed new one. Lina cleaned the now visible surfaces while he took care of the floor. The discarded clothes were quickly sorted into two piles. Lina ran off and returned carrying armloads more. "Might as well do full loads, eh?"

The milk was still cool when they returned to the front room. "I can't believe how much we, er… you, got done, so fast! Hey, look a special on TV on dancers!  That's--"

"Gene Kelly! Very athletic style," Xelloss said enthusiastically. He didn't have a TV in his 'place' and so rarely watched it.

He continued to narrate the rest of the show until the commercial, at which point he could sit still no longer.  "Here, let me show you. Stand up!" he demanded.

Lina shrugged and did as she was told. He was only about eight inches taller than she was. A comfortable difference she remembered from the Halloween dance. He held her gently and gracefully led her around the now-cleared floor, demonstrating several of the moves they'd seen Mr. Kelly dance with his partner. Xelloss hummed the tune and kept excellent rhythm; he was a drummer.

"Commercial's over--" she reminded him.

"Oh? I hadn't noticed."  He simply looked at her, the barest whisper of a  smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

For a moment she was certain he would try and kiss her. Instead, he loosened his hold on her.

"Ahhh, yeah… Ah, thanks for the lesson," Lina blushed and freed herself from his loose embrace.

He joined her on the couch, sitting closer than before. "Anytime, Lina!" he whispered.

They watched the dancers in silence. He was entranced and thoroughly absorbed in the program, until his sixth sense told him that Lina was staring in his direction. Before he could ask her why, she lurched at him, pushing his head into the couch.

"Shhhh, get down!" she hissed, kicking Xelloss to the floor. "I'm not supposed to have any boys over when my sis isn't here!"

"Li-na! Are you home? Are you...OH MY GOD! DID YOU DO THIS? WOWEE! HOLY SHIT! SIS IT'S-- who's the friend?"

Xelloss had hit the floor with 'yelp' and Lina's foot kept him down. He knew the intruder must have been her sister, so he tried to stay still. His hand slid under the couch, where it encountered a hand-sized, smooth, hard object. "What's this?" he mused. Then Lina kicked him to silence and he let out an audible gasp.

Hearing the 'friend" question, Xelloss rolled way from the couch and stood waving the found object in his hand. "Hello!"

Luna's eyes grew as large as saucers.

"I'm gonna die--" thought Lina.

"You found it! The remote! You found it, you angel!" Luna danced over to Xelloss and gave him a hug. "So, what's your name?"

"Xelloss," he replied simply, handing her the treasure-from-beneath-the- couch. He smiled and thought he remembered her from the restaurant during the 'Val in jail' incident. She seemed nice. Not as scary as Lina made  her out to be.

"XELLOSS? That's a weird name, like all sissy's friends. You did this…cleaning, didn't you?"

"Yep! Now there's room for dancing!  See there's Fred and Ginger! I learned that series of steps!" he grinned at Lina, pointing to the TV.

Luna looked at her sister, "I like this one!  He cleans, he can dance, he's good looking-- I don't suppose you cook too?"

"Cook? Not really, Zel's teaching me, but I can follow instructions!" he smiled.

"Good, then come into the kitchen and help me get dinner ready and you can stay. By the way, I'm Lina's sister. You can call me Luna."

Lina followed meekly. She sat on the counter and watched her sister empty the grocery sacks and listened to her bark out orders. All the while Xelloss tossed out trash, wiped down counters, washed dishes, and eventually did a little vegetable chopping. In forty minutes, the kitchen was relatively clean and in order and dinner was on the table.

"So, you're a friend of, who's that kid? Zel something? Or are you two-- ya know--"

"No!" Xelloss yipped, "He's moving in-- no that's not right, well it is but, not in the way it sounds--" he looked desperately to Lina for damage control.

Lina finally found her voice. "They're just friends, sis. However, Zel's father is marrying Xelloss' mother so Zel is moving into the main house. Xelloss lives in the loft above the practice room. You know Zel's a good cook, I've told you about that.  Just like you know his name…"

"Yeah, yeah, that weird looking, depressing guy. I thought he lived with his grandfather? Long story, huh? Another time then. So you're part of the band I've heard about?" Luna settled her gaze upon poor Xelloss again, and continued the interrogation.

"Yes! I'm the drummer!" He punctuated this announcement with a little finger drum roll on the table.

"Another idiot like that Gourry dolt! Too bad-- Lina when will you ever learn!"

"He's not an idiot! He and Zel are at the top of their class and are both running out of classes to take at the high school!" Lina shouted. And why am I defending him?  Her sister brought out the worst in her.

"Well then… What other hidden talents do you have?" Luna smiled evilly at Xelloss, whose appearance seemed paler than possible.

Lina supplied an answer. "He works at the local dojo, where he…"

"He works, too?" Luna gushed, rudely interrupting her little sister, "Tell me more--"

"Umm, don't you have to get going and help Zel do some packing?" Lina nudged Xelloss.

"Oh? Yes, I do-- I will just clean up these dishes then I'd better go!" he cried, then dashed to the sink and started scrubbing in haste.

"Well, sis," Luna leaned in toward Lina, "I think this one's a keeper," then louder laughed to him, "Too bad you're not at least eighteen!"

"Oh! But I am!" He glanced at Lina, to whom this was news and shrugged. "I spent some time-- traveling before moving here." That's improvisation!

Luna wrapped an arm around a very nervous looking Xelloss as he made his way past the hall trash and to his jacket and shoes by the door. "Well, if things don't work out for you and little sis here-- come on by the restaurant sometime," she leered.

He may have said, "EEK!" followed by, "Er, ah-- thank you-- see you tomorrow at practice Lina!"

As his form disappeared into the darkness, Lina turned to her sister and said, "Well that's the last time he'll want to walk me home!"

"Humph! That was the idea! If he's frightened of me, he'll never be strong enough for you!"

"But Luna! He's just a friend to me! I'm not hunting for boyfriends, just friends. I don't want to lose friends-- especially the best drummer around!" Lina shouted.

"Oh really? He sure looked interested in you!  Burr… it's too cold for me out here. I'm going in!"

Lina followed her sister inside and closed the door.  No, he isn't-- she's wrong-- not him-- not Zel, not him…ah…Who am I trying to kid?


Xelloss ran up the steps to Zel's place. The door was unlocked, so he stepped in. "Zelgaaaadiss?"

"In my dump," came the muffled reply from upstairs.  "I just got up here myself--did the kitchen already…"

"Cold and dark! It's got to be hard to pack anything in here," Xelloss complained. He closed the door and sat sown on the edge of the bed. "Is that someone at the door?"

Rezo was pounding at Zel's bedroom door. "Zelgadiss, you in there?"

Zel jumped up and went to the door, while Xelloss bounced on his sheetless mattress. "Yes, we're in here. It's a mess--"

Xelloss had dumped the contents of two drawers on the messy bed and began to whine, "Zel-gaa-diss, what do you want to keep, or can I just throw it all out? Oh, hi, Professor Graywords, coming to help?"

"I wanted to let you know that we were here-- doing the same thing," the man muttered.

"All right. I already packed the kitchen and the hall storage. We've got a long ways to go so...bye," Zel muttered back and closed and locked his door. "Shit!"

Xelloss was chuckling. "And you thought you'd have the place to yourself one last time?"

"No, I don't actually think that they care enough, but they do like messing with our minds. Well, might as well take a walk down my depressing memory lane-- Just throw out all that stuff-- all right, here's one box for the recycling, one for the trash, and one to keep," Zel said, getting down to business.

They emptied all the drawers, sorted, and boxed. It took fifteen minutes.

"Want to see my sword?" Zel asked proudly. "Whatever my lineage, some grand-person left this to his oldest son, who left it to his, until it dribbled down to me. It's the nicest thing I own. That and my Fender." He basked in the glow of his friend's admiration of his treasure, until Xelloss turned it over and gasped at the handle.

"What? What's wrong?" Zel shook with concern.

The purple-haired boy's voice was choppy with emotion, "S-See this I- insignia? N-Now look at the metal fob on the key-chain I gave you."

Both had the same mysterious design with entwining circles, pyramid, and indiscernible glyphs.

"What is this, Xelloss?"

"It's like a family seal. This is my mother, me, some other guys I don't know, and this represents the Cephied clan, like the one Filia and Val are part of, and  more I'm not clear about. We'll have to ask Zelas to explain it all. Now, why you've got an old family heirloom with my family's seal on it-- it's odd."

"It means we do have a family connection, of some kind. But this seal is odd. Why is it in some weird script? It's not Japanese or any language I recognize." Zel stared at the characters, but he could not make sense of any of them.

"It's a lost language. That's what Zelas said anyway.  So, are we done? This is it? Everything you have in a box?"

"Yeah, except for my hanging clothes and what's already at my new place. Oh, yeah, the computer--"

"I'll get another box for it. We might as well pack it up too and be done. You really don't keep much, do you?" Xelloss looked around at the emptiness and bare walls. "No posters, stereo, CD player, tapes?"

"No. Unnecessary, Rezo would say. He's right. None of the furniture will be moved, and up until these last few months I haven't had anything to spend money on-- so I've been saving. Maybe I will be able to buy a car."

Xelloss was impressed. "Hmmm, such a good boy you are--" Then he grinned, just as the another rap came at the door.

"Xelloss? Zelgadiss?" It was Mother-dear this time.

Sigh

Zel opened the door and said quietly, "We're done in here."

"Good, we're about to leave. You can put your boxes in the car and we'll take it back for you."

"Ahh, thanks. There's a box of stuff, a box with my computer, and my hanging clothes to go.  I'll carry this (the sword) and the other boxes are recycling and trash. We'll dump those."

"This can't be all? Oh my, such a deprived child.  Well, that sword looks heavy, dear. Put it on top.  I'll take very good care of it. Rezo, let's go."

They stowed Zel's things in the car, but chose to walk back to Xelloss' place, Zel's new house, together. When the car was out of sight, Xelloss leaned his head toward Zel's and said softly, "I'm not sure what to say-- I'm sorry for you to have to leave your home like this."

"It's not your fault.  I'm a bit confused, too.  I won't miss the house, though, just the nearness to Lina and Gourry and my…places. I'll be closer to the park, the strip mall, and school..."

"And me. Will you visit me in person or E-mail me?" Xelloss asked in an odd voice.

"That depends--"

"On what?"

"On whether or not we're sick of the sight or sound of one another," Zel smirked.

"I hear ya!" Xelloss laughed.

"Mostly I just want to get a lock put on my new room. I've always had one for privacy issues. It also keeps out snooping parents who are checking for missing boys at night," Zel smiled.

"This was a problem for Rezo? You snuck out at night a lot?" Xelloss wondered about his goody-goody friend for the first time.

"Actually, I did.  Lina and I built a tree-house thing-- platform, mostly. I'd climb up and look out over the neighborhood. Sometimes in summer, I'd sleep there pretending I was traveling alone searching for treasures, I guess."

"That sounds fun but lonely. What happened to it?" Xelloss asked.

"Oh, a windstorm knocked down the tree a few years ago, but the wood was all rotten anyway… " Zel mused, then smiled at a memory.

"Yeah? What?"

"I snuck out to visit Lina, too; that is until-- heh, heh-- Her big sister caught us! Was she mad! I was just sitting in her window talking and Luna burst in screaming at us. This was days before my accident when Lina's mother was living at her house, but she was on some business trip at the time and Luna-- I think she was only a junior or senior in high school-- was left in charge. She nearly murdered me! Talk about scary people!" Zel's eyes grew large at the memory.

"I know! I met her tonight! I walked Lina home. We watched a TV special on famous dancers and I gave Lina some lessons--then this wild woman flies in and--" Xelloss frowned a little as Zel started to laugh. "Hey, it wasn't funny at the time! I didn't know I shouldn't have been there! But before I know it, SHE has me helping her make dinner and she's giving me the third degree. Asking questions…  I left as fast as I could, though."

"What? Did she yell at you and warn you never to return?" Zel smiled.

"Noooooo…I think she liked me. She called me a 'keeper'! Pretty funny, huh? Wait there's more! She said that if Lina didn't WANT me, that I should give her a call!"

Zel stopped laughing. "Shit, Xelloss don't take that seriously! She was just trying to scare you off."

"That's what I thought! And it would have worked except that…she patted me on the butt when I went out the door, for God'ssake!"

Zelgadiss thought this was hysterically funny and doubled over, heaving, sputtering, gasping, tearing flowing from his eyes. Xelloss waited a minute then kicked him.  "Get up or I'll leave you here in a heap like you deserve. Oh, one more thing--wanna hear? No, maybe I should keep it a secret?" Xelloss said in a teasing voice Zel hated.

"I'm getting up."

"I kissed Lina!" Xelloss announced.

"WHAT!?!" Zel sobered immediately and grabbed Xelloss by his shirt collar, nearly strangling him.

"LET GO! I was only kidding!" He pushed his friend away. "I NEARLY did though-- we were thiiiis close--" he grinned then broke into a run, hopping over empty trash cans and piles of leaves, about a half a block away from home.

Xelloss had a head start, or he wouldn't have gotten as far as his house before Zelgadiss tackled him. Both boys landed in a puddle and rolled through the mud before coming to rest abruptly against the tree in the parking.

Zel stood up and stared down at his friend. Xelloss simply remained glued to the spot looking totally baffled. Mud was clinging to his hair and ground into his clothes.

"You all right?" Zel asked concerned. The last time they'd tumbled, they ended up at the hospital.

"Yes. Um, my pants are ripped--"

"You're a mess. So am I, but you never have a hair out of place so it's pretty odd."

Xelloss smiled. "I never, you know, did much rough and tumble play…with friends… as a kid. Karate's different."

"Yeah, maybe you can introduce mud into your special activities at the dojo?" Zel chuckled.

"That would be fun!" Xelloss smiled, then more seriously added, "I'm sorry about the Lina dig. Nothing happened, really--"

"But, you wish it had?" Zel prodded, as he offered the muddy kid a hand up.

"Who wouldn't? I can't help it. Lina's so cool!" Xelloss danced a couple steps.

"Yeah, I know, but--"

"But what? Maybe she likes me, too! No? Why not? She's free to do what she wants! Gourry's nothing special."

"He's our friend! And I know how much he cares about her. Besides, what about Kiki?" Zel asked and shook some mud out of his wiry mess of hair.

"She's nice too! But when I'm around Lina--you know--you know, you know too. That fight you guys had? You are so hung up on her you get into those big arguments just to have her attention all to yourself!  You don't think I have a chance because you want a chance first, huh? Don't give me that look! I'm no fool--well, no blind idiot, then--like that insult better? So where does Amelia fit into all this, huh?" Xelloss responded defensively.

Zel shook his head. "I don't know about anything or anybody. I don't get anything. I just want things to be they were, before…everything got so damned complicated! And now I'm cold. I'm going in and going to bed."

"O-kay, but…Zelgadiss?"  Xelloss knew he had said too much, gone too far.  He didn't want to mess up this friendship just as it was becoming solid.

"What?"

"I challenge you to a game of Lost Universe. My place in 30 minutes."

Zel looked at his goofy friend.  They'd yelled at each other and…they were still friends.  "Make that 33 minutes."

"32. Last offer."

"32 ½ tops!" Zel yelled, and then he ran up to the door of his 'new' house and disappeared inside.

Zel was clean and in his sweats in 13 minutes. His spirits were pretty good, considering.  On his way down stairs, he overheard Rezo and Zelas chatting in the front room.  He hesitated, then pressed his back against the wall, out of sight, and listened.

"I don't know what to do with the place. Selling it would bring on a big tax liability. I certainly don't want the bother of no-good renters driving me mad either!" Rezo grumbled.

Zel brightened. He skipped the stairs and slid on the banister the rest of the way down. "Excuse me!" he cried, bouncing into the room.

"Zelgadiss?" both adults said together in shock.  Who was this child?

"I couldn't help overhear what you said," Zel panted as he scurried into the room, hair dripping slightly. "Um, a friend of ours, Amelia's new best friend, Kiki--her family is moving here from France over the holidays. They need a place to rent or buy maybe. Kiki's Aunt and Uncle own Polly Pies and Pastries and the cleaners. She's been living with them since this school year started and would really like to stay close to her friends and school. I--I have their number, if you'd like to talk to them about it?" Zel wound down. He realized that he'd been ranting on for some time rather haphazardly.

"Kiki? The little delivery girl Xelloss was talking about the other evening?" Zelas asked in a bemused tone. "Yes, I looked…into her background since you mentioned her.  Her family owns several old vineyards and her mother is a visiting professor in the linguistics department, which is why they're moving here. Rezo, they'd be perfect choices. Thank you, Zelgadiss dear, I'll take that number and handle this. By the way, what do you think of your room?"

Zelgadiss had sneaked a peek. "Ah, it's empty. I'm staying with Xelloss on the daybed, if we go to sleep! We have a tournament tonight and I'm going to nail his fighter if it takes all night! Umm, do you need me around tomorrow with the painting and carpeting and all? No? I have that family history project and band practice to do tomorrow. What? Oh, yeah, Xelloss does, too so… we'll be busy but available if something comes up. Bye!"

Hours later…

"Who has 24 hour ice cream?" Xelloss mused.

"No one.  It's your turn to destroy everything I've set up for the past hour," Zel grumbled.

"Oh, but there is a place very close! Wanna brave the house with me or  shall I do delivery?"

"Suit yourself--Hey, come back! Aren't you going to finish this game? Ah, I guess not. Well, Zel, your fleet of cross-breeds will live another day safe from the demon massacre you're destined for unless…All right! I'm coming!"

"So what's this flavor called again, Apple Crapple?" Zel tasted the scoop in his bowl cautiously.

"Ha! Apple Crunch. It's new! I really love ice cream, you know. Now you know another one of my secrets."

"Like your birthday is coming up and then you'll be 18." Zel smiled, too. "See? I figured out one of your secrets."

Xelloss' eyes glazed over, then he blustered. "How---how did you find out when I was born?"

"On the back of one of those family pictures-- dates were scribbled followed by initials, everyone but mine of course. But I won't tell. Besides, you'll be legal soon enough." Score one for Zel.

"Yeah, well--I'm going back--You done with that?" Xelloss mumbled and rinsed out both bowls.

"How about strawberry ice cream with jellybeans? Or banana nut with chocolate covered gummy worms," Zel mused.

"What are you talking about?" Xelloss asked crossly as he locked up the house and stalked over to his place.

"Ice cream flavors yet to be discovered. Like fruit punch with peppermint pieces or grape with coconut--"

He stopped just inside his door. "Have you had too much sugar or something? You sound nuts. Get in! You're letting in icy air!"

Zelgadiss grinned and bounced in, then hurled himself onto a beanbag chair laughing hysterically.  "N-Nuts with licorice and wasabi-he-heeeee…"

Xelloss stood over him, arms crossed. "Nothing is that funny," he grumbled and turned away.

"You sound like me!" Zel chirped. "See, we traded roles! I was being goofy-you and you were being serious-me!"

"Really?"  Xelloss said flatly, then disappeared into the bathroom to brush his teeth.

Satisfied that he had gotten Xelloss back for the 'Lina' thing, Zel stole Xelloss' purple blanket and waited for his turn in the bathroom. In the end, they were just teen-aged boys, both moody, both troubled, both in need of a few social skills, and both learning to get along.

~*~

The two boys diligently finished their family stories and cultural fair projects in the morning. They were proud of their ancient samurai warrior common ancestor. He was placed far enough in the past to make their gene-link weak, but historically interesting and somewhat glamorous enough to impress at least a few kids. They used names created for the purpose of the false reports and linkages to known celebrities that were so odd, that it was believable.

Zelgadiss' reputation was squeaky clean but this just might be pushing it to the extreme, Xelloss thought. "Well if yours passes, mine has to." He was relieved to find that Zel was back to his sullen, studious norm.  He liked others to be reliable, even if he couldn't be.

They finished off the morning by creating copies of fabricated birth certificates, counterfeit letters of authenticity, and even included some outstanding forged signatures on false photos of famous 'ancestors'. Posters made, papers attached, the boys had completed a couple of masterpieces in subterfuge and deception. Xelloss had definitely found his calling.

Zel made them a lunch of toasted cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, while Xelloss set up the rest of his drum kit. Zel was about to call him over to eat, when he thundered into the kitchen, "Hey, Zelgadiss! Your desk is here. Where do you want it?"

"This way," Zel directed the movers to the guestroom. "I thought this was coming tomorrow? The room's not ready yet."

The mute men simply shrugged and shoved a pen and clipboard into the lavender-hair youth's face to sign. Tearing off a copy for Zel to keep took a moment, and then the movers were gone.

"Oh, joy. Tomorrow we get to lug the monstrosity upstairs!" 

"We? What 'we'?" Xelloss grinned. "That's your problem, not mine! Oh--I was joking!" He ducked as Zel sent a wet kitchen towel flying at his face. "Sure I'll help you carry the thing, little brother. Someone's got to supply the brawn! Yelp! "

Lina made sure Amelia's van stopped by her place last in order to have lots of helpers carry food and drinks. She owed her pal Zel an apology, and how better than with lots of food! Xelloss must have spent a small fortune in supplying drinks to the band over the past months, so he'd welcome those too. Lina had scoured the restaurant for goodies, and a dinner feast was in boxes and take-out doggie bags by the dozens.

"Hey, guys, I NEED some HELP here NOW!" Lina shouted. Gourry and Sylphiel were the first to meet her at the door. "Come into the front room. I've got more stuff to load into these crates to take and you can start with what's there."

"Hoy, Lina! What happened in here?" Gourry exclaimed in shock.

"Xelloss happened--Remember? On the way home from school, you met your Dad, Zel left to pack, and Xelloss walked me home, and well, I guess he needed a place to sit down, heh, heh. He's a neat-freak and made me help-- though it's kinda nice to see the floor. Here, take this out and stop gaping!" Lina demanded nervously.

"I think he was very nice to help pick up a little--" Sylphiel agreed.

"Yeah, and dust and vacuum and do laundry and fix dinner--my sis made him do that, heh, heh!" Lina added. "You and him would make a great couple, Sylph! Why hadn't I thought of that before? You even have the same general hairstyle!"

Sylphiel and Gourry shook their heads, picked up full crates, and took them out to the van.

"Stay clear of Lina today," Sylphiel warned Filia, who was on her way in to help. "She's a little scary in a cheerful way."

Lina was a bit aghast at her own goofiness. "Does 'Xellossness' rub off on a person with too much contact?" she wondered as she scooted a crate along the kitchen floor to the front room. "Val! This one's got bottles so be really careful! Gourry is everything loaded? Cool, let's go!"

Zelgadiss and Xelloss were still setting up the band equipment, when the Amelia van arrived. "Make way! Make way! Xelloss! Open up the door NOW! Hurry this stuff's heavy! Thanks--oh, hi Zel! Look what we've brought! Dinner en crate, Heh, heh! Get it? EN CRATE--instead of the French for 'in crust'!" Lina laughed loudly at her own joke and continued to direct her other minions' crate-delivery activity

"Clever," answered Zel dryly. "So, what's the occasion? My birthday's over."

Lina grinned impishly and smacked him on the back. "Just my way of saying sorry for hurting your feelings Friday.  Hey, you're always cooking so now ya don't, no big deal, right? And Xelloss gets drinks and it's kinda a moving party too! Do we get to see your room and all?"

Zel stood staring at the wound up girl, wondering what had gotten into her and what to expect next. "Er, thanks, Lina--it's very--nice--"

"Are these your cultural fair projects? Wow! You used my string idea, huh? Let me see…" Lina shouted. Gourry was examining the top portion over her head and Filia and Val sauntered over to what craziness was afoot.

Xelloss was closest so he entertained them with highlights from the past.

Gourry interrupted, "I never heard of a samurai--SHA BINGO?"

"That's Shabrinigdo. Zelgadiss has his ancient sword! See the pendant I'm wearing? This has a family seal, and the symbol at the top is of the Gods, kinda, and then the Cephied guy and Shabrinigdo next," Xelloss explained.

"Lemme see that pendant!" demanded Lina, eyes sparkling. Her attention was diverted by a loud squawk from Filia, however, and she dropped the metal fob for the time being.

"No!" gasped Filia. "Bruce Willis is NOT, I repeat NOT your Uncle!"

"My, my, Filia-dear! Whatever is so hard to take? Check the report--page 8--photocopy of picture of Uncle Brucie with Aunt Sally at a picnic and birth certificate showing Uncle Brucie's parents are the same as Sally's. Well, the next great big family get-together, I'll see what I can do to introduce you, okay?" Xelloss winked.

Amelia had cornered Zel on entering the room. She wanted some affirmation of his affections or at least have him show some recognition of her existence. He was in Zel-land. "Uh, hi, Amelia--excuse me a moment."

"Mr….ah, Zelgadiss? How is your move going?" Amelia asked.

"Fine. I need to get the spare cable.  Just a moment."

When Amelia overheard Xelloss telling Gourry that her Zel had a sword, she nearly swooned, "Oh, please, Zelgadiss! I want to see it too!"

"It's not here," Zel sighed. "It's in the main house, which is off limits today." Zel glared at her until she stepped aside, then ignoring her hurt feelings, began digging through a box of band stuff.

Lina had had a nifty idea. "Amelia, come here. Do you have more of that twine you used at top to join the two posters at Old Shabbykins, Xelloss? Yeah, then get it--and scissors too--and another note card! Okay, Amelia, you have great printing, so here's what you do…"

"Why thank you, Miss Lina. I did win an essay contest once on Justice for All! Mine won in all areas, including hand writing!" she glowed.

"I bet--now here's what you write-- Got that stuff yet Xelloss! Yeah, just hand it over gleep! NOW! That's better. Awww, I didn't hurt you, stop whining!" Lina yelled.

"What are you going to do, Lina?" he whined anyway.

"Shuddup and get me a stapler--or I'll have to punch holes into the posters and tie the string on that way! I thought so! Get a move on!"

"Okay, now you can look!" Lina grinned evilly. She pulled Amelia back so that Zel and Xelloss could get a good look first.

Lina had attached one string to Xelloss' mother's name (Betty Fine, of course he made that up!) and another string to Zel's father's name (Rezo Graywords, everyone knew that name, but not the 'father' designation). On the card she had had Amelia write 'To Be Married December 22nd, 2001', then Lina cut it heart-shaped and punched two holes at the top. She strung the loose strings through the holes and tied them into a neat little bow.

"Get it? Now it's linked at the top and the bottom-- Great, huh? No need to thank me, Lina Inverse strikes again!" she said proudly.

"Xelloss Fine? So what's with that last name? Why keep it a secret?" asked Sylphiel.

"It's not his last name, obviously," snipped Filia. "This whole thing is a crock, I'm sure of it! It just reeks of falsehood!"

"Well, with an attitude like that, maybe I won't invite you to our next reunion!" Xelloss retorted in an imitation of her voice.

"I looks pretty real to me!" smiled Gourry. "Hey, Zel? Would you introduce me to that cousin--ahh--the Buffy chick? Her mother is your mother's sister, Gellars, right?"

Zel shook his head. What had seemed fun at the time was in reality going to be hard for him to pull off. He did not like being devious and sly, well, mostly he didn't want to draw undo attention to himself. At least most kids wouldn't even look at the projects, just walk by and look for pictures in color. He smiled inwardly when he remembered that he'd probably miss that part, too, on Monday, if he made sure the doctor's appointment took long enough--only through first period--that shouldn't be so hard…

"ZEL!" shouted Lina. "Oh great, here I bring you this SUPER TERRIFIC dinner and help you with your project and now you're all withdrawn and-- okay, I'll leave you alone, as long as you play music!"

~*~

Meanwhile, in Zel's new room, the paint was drying and the carpet was rolled out. The wooden, louvered window coverings were being hung where the paint had dried. Workers placed his furniture as directed, including the new desk. All that remained was for Zelgadiss to unpack his boxes and hook up his computer. Even the lock was replaced and a key placed on the desk.  Downstairs, Zelas and Rezo were happily ensconced in the front room. The TV was on, but the volume turned low, and they were in fervent conversation.

"Things are moving too slowly. That boy of yours is almost 18 and it will too late!"

"My, dear--how would I know he'd manage to pull through. Dubois did everything he could without killing him. How he avoided suicide, I don't know--Besides I might go as far as saying you botched your son's accident. He's alive and sane as well!"

"That wasn't my doing!  Besides, I still have time! By the way, what about that doctor--Adams. He put that fool in the mental institute before, and there he had him in the hospital again and all he had to do was falsify the test results and --"

"I told you, the Adams I dealt with was the old man! How was I to know that he would retire and leave his son in charge? He should have let me know--for that, he will pay."

Rezo was not comforted. "And what about my son's cure, then? Will this Adams play along with us? I am sure that Zelgadiss will sign away everything he owns for a chance to repair his body--but he must believe that he can be cured and that one is at hand!"

Zelas shrugged.

He continued drilling, "But, it's not him I'm worried about now. Unless Xelloss is dead or instituted before he's 18, the inherence will be his-- we won't see a dime! It's the fault of that Lina Inverse girl! She saved my boy and now somehow she's saving all those good for nothings! Are all those years of planning you've done are going to be spoiled by a 15 year old little girl?" Rezo hissed.

"How about Amelia? She's nearly as much a threat! If she gets her hooks into your son, then we'll have Mayor Phil and his infinite resources to contend with."

"Yes--and now little Miss Kiki. Do you think your son knows that she is the heir to all those vast estates and landmark vineyards in France?"

"No. He never even noticed girls before this fall. I'm sure he's totally intimidated by her--such a fool--If I was clever enough, I'd find a way to latch onto her inheritance as well. I'll call her parents tonight and ensure that they take the house--that way if all else fails I can keep an eye on her."

"All else?" Rezo smiled thinly for the first time that evening. "What ace have you got up your sleeve? Can you pull that Dubois character out of a hat again?"

Zelas sipped her wine. She did miss her cigarettes at times like this. Oh, well… "References to tricks? This will be better than magic, but I can't tell you the details.  If something goes wrong, I want you absolutely clueless."

"What are you planning, Zelas?"

"As I said, that's a secret, dear! Now, enough business. Pour me another glass and turn up the volume. I want to hear the evening news…"

~*~

The next day, Zelgadiss took the time to check out his new digs. It looked nice. The computer, still boxed, was resting on his new desk. The paint smell was nearly gone, replaced by new-carpeting smell from the soft sage- green rug. The wooden louvers on the windows gave the room a comfortably masculine, office attitude. He could hear Xelloss bringing the others. The band was over and now all noisily climbing the stairs and arriving at his door.

"I figured to find you here. Looks--great Zelgadiss!" Xelloss gasped when he saw the change in his purple childhood room.

Lina and Gourry congratulated him on his room. She had worked that morning at the restaurant and now was ready for another practice. Lina had written a new song, one too sappy for her to sing. Filia had loved it and agreed to sing the lead if Lina could strong-arm Val into working out the rest of the tune. They had just left them to go check out Zel's new room. Amelia was quiet. Sylphiel was talking to Zel.

"I can sew curtains--and embroider flowers--" she offered.

"No thanks. Save that for Gourry's place," Zel muttered.

"Mr. Zelgadiss?" Amelia asked in a quivery voice. "Would it be possible to see that heirloom sword now?"

Her return to formality caught Zel's attention. He sighed, "Yes, of course.  Just a moment, it's in the closet."

ooooohs aaahhhhs

Lina loved it. Gourry's eye glowed, the other was lost in a fringe of hair, but it too was glowing. Amelia and Sylphiel thought it looked… dangerous. Zel removed his treasure from its case and tenderly entrusted it to Gourry's care.

"Why him? I wanna hold it too!" demanded the fiery red-head.

"Lina, Gourry knows how to handle one of these safely. You play on the fencing team for a year, and I MIGHT let you hold it, but until then--" Zel began. Then noticing that she was about to lose control, he called for reinforcements. "Xelloss? Would you take care of the lady, please?"

"LADY? Are you having him throw me out?" Lina screamed, pointing wildly at first Zel and then at Xelloss.

Zel nodded. Xelloss smiled and gently pushed all the girls out the door. "Why not move on to some refreshments and music, hmmm?"

This mollified her somewhat. No one but Gourry was being allowed to touch the chosen object. There weren't any refreshments, however.

"I'll go get some things.  Lina? How about some fresh air and exercise--and you can pick out the treats!" Xelloss added.

"Sure, why not--" and she stuffed her arms into her warm red and black jacket, tied up her boots and kicked open the door. "Let's go then!"

Xelloss ran to catch up. Again, tiny snowflakes swirled in the streetlights. Only 2:00 PM and it was hardly light out. The sun arched low and the shortest day of the year was only a few days away. "Hey! Wait up! What's the hurry?"

"It's cold out and I'm mad," she stomped onwards.

"Really? Zel again?" Xelloss asked.

"Yes, Zel again. He treats me like I'm still a little girl. He really can be an arrogant, cold, condescending…bastard…" she sighed. "I really need to punch something!"

"Punch me then!" Xelloss smiled. "You can't hurt me, but you can try!"

She did. She punched and he blocked her every move. Frustrated, she jumped on his back and tried a choke-hold. When she realized that he wasn't resisting or fighting back, she jumped off and landed a solid punch to his midsection. He landed with a thump doubled over trying to catch his breath.

"Feel…better?" He asked between pants.

"Yeah, I guess so, thanks," she grinned.

"Oh…my pleasure, Lina!" he said, standing slowly and following her at a safe distance.

"I'll take those and those and all of those and…Is that roll-thingy any good? Sure, then some of those…How much does that come to? Don't we get a free something for every dozen? Okay make it one of those-- no, no, don't put it in the box. Give it to me!" Lina ordered. She bit into her haggled-for prize and smiled greedily. "That should do it!"

"Oh, it's snowing for real now!" Lina shouted for joy as she and Xelloss stepped out of the pastry shop. "I love to throw snowballs!"

"I imagine you do," he smiled, shifting the heavy box of treats to his other arm.

"Ya, know, it's always bothered me how someone can say every snowflake's different. I mean, how would you know if this one right here wasn't identical to one that fell, say--one thousand years ago?"

"Well, I was alive then, so I can say with authority that that one is an original!" he laughed.

"Idiot! You're the original, Xelloss!" smiled Lina. "I like that about you, I guess."

"Then, you like me, Lina?" he asked quietly. He paused at a bench near a bus stop, and set down the awkward box.

"Ah--yeah, sure," she admitted and blushed, confused by the turn of conversation. "I like all you guys. You're my friends and band members and the most important people in my life." There, that ought to settle that.

"I like you too." He smiled more. He moved closer. With quick, graceful movements, he swept her up and danced a one-two-three, one-two- three waltz in the falling swirling snow. She felt as much as heard his soft voice in her ear as he proceeded.

"I could dance with you all night--"

Well, she liked it too, but this was getting uncomfortable. She managed to push herself off a bit, when he bent down and kissed her.

THWACK!

She had hauled back and slapped him full-force on his face.

He was stunned. He hadn't been expecting that response at all. He dropped his hands, freeing Lina, and stood motionless as his eyes teared with shame and pain.

"You shouldn't have done that, Xelloss. I-I'm sorry I hit you so hard, just a reaction to a threat, I guess. I said I liked you as a friend, get it? I'm not interested in anything else right now."

He turned away to gain his composure. When he found his voice, the asked, "A friend. Like Zelgadiss?"

Lina nodded, "Yeah-"

"Like Gourry, too?"

Lina nodded. "Yeah, him too. Xelloss, I'm not ready for a boyfriend, that's what I'm saying. Maybe in another year, maybe never. I've got lots of stuff on my mind and stuff to do and -- Stop looking so hurt! I should be a lot madder than I am! You've gone and spoiled everything. How can I trust you? Besides, I thought that little Kiki girl liked you. You've been giving her a lot of attention lately. Say something, will ya!?!"

He turned back and smiled slightly. "I'm sorry, Lina. I really do like you a lot. I think you are the most beautiful, talented girl anywhere! So do you? Good, then we can agree on that one point. I'm sorry ( not really, I'd never take that kiss back in another thousand years!) for…that. It won't happen again (I don't promise you though!)  Please don't say we can't still do stuff together! Your friendship means… a lot to me, Lina. It keeps me sane sometimes."

Sigh-- "Sure, if you say so. Just keep your paws off me like the gentleman you pretend to be, okay?" 

"O-kay, DO-kay! I can do that  (I hope!)"

"Then, come on! Let's go! I'm getting cold and hungry!"

"And Lina hungry is not a good thing.  Cold on the other hand…" he grinned.

"Xelloss! Get the box and get a move on--NOW!" Lina demanded. He did.

After a few steps Lina asked, "So, you and Zel are pretty close now?"

"Zelgadiss? Yeah, I suppose so. You and he are the only people I can converse with--and Kiki too, sometimes. There are times when he's a different guy and we're like brothers, then there are those others times when I know he wishes I were dead," Xelloss answered seriously.

"Yeah, well then you know him real well. He's always been moody; accident or not, though he's been more up lately than ever, until-- Something happened with Amelia. I could probably pound it out of her, but I wondered if maybe you knew and could save me the trouble," Lina smiled slyly.

"Maybe… Amelia kissed Zel the other day and I think he's in shock," Xelloss laughed. "No, it wasn't much really. More of a hug with lip contact and…"

"Gahhh! I don't want details! Poor Zel, he's so inhibited that that nearly killed him, I'm sure. Well that figures then. He either has to admit feelings he denies on a daily basis or return to his shell. And so, he's gone into his 'I am a Rock' mode toward her. Okay, thanks, I won't betray any confidences here, but I know what's up and can soften the blow for her. I don't get it. Why can't he just--"

Xelloss stopped and looked at Lina, eyes bright and non-smiling. "Lina, you aren't that naïve are you? I had the guts to tell you how I felt and not much embarrasses me, but Zelgadiss… You must know how he feels and Gourry too and Val to some extent. If Zelgadiss lets himself 'like' Amelia, then he has to let you go. You're his absolute closest friend on earth, what do you think? He can't take rejection, not from someone he cares about. He'll never say a word directly to you. Also, he's too loyal to Gourry to compromise that friendship. Gods, Lina, there's another guy who'd take a bullet through the heart for you!"

Xelloss shook his head and walked on ahead, face hidden, until they reached the practice place a few minutes later.

"Hey, Lina!" called Gourry as they entered. "Ya gotta hear Val and Filia do your song! Whoa, is that food you got there, Xelloss. Just a minute--"


(((.-)) Zel |||==||| Xelloss |{{~.~}}| Lina |((.o)|| Gourry ((^.^)) Amelia |))-.-((| Val

End Seyruun High Jinx Chapter 27