(((.-)) Zel |||^.^||| Xelloss |{{^.^}}| Lina |((.^)|| Gourry ((^.^)) Amelia |))-.-((| Val
Chapter 38
THE SLAYERS
Friday morning.
Zelgadiss awoke early Friday morning, dressed, and appeared in the kitchen before realizing that there was no need… no school today. He sighed in disgust and made a pot of coffee to further torture his body.
"A note, from Zelas, no doubt. Yep… see you Sunday night… late. Well, that simplifies meal preparation. Xelloss will want to go out and eat at least once. Why is the coffee taking so long? Oh. Perhaps it would go faster if I turned it on. Maybe it's a sign for me to go back to bed. Good, no argument. I'm going back to bed, screw breakfast."
Lina woke up, sun filtering into a brightly painted room decorated in the color PINK. "God, where am I? Oh, yeah…the little girls' room… heh, heh. They'll sleep for half the day after I kept them up far too long last night. Kinda fun, though, playin big sister for a change. Do I sleep in or…bacon…I smell bacon…pancakes…oh…decisions, decisions, decisions… bacon… Okay, breakfast it is!"
She hopped out of bed and pulled on her jeans and yesterday's t-shirt, She yanked the 'sleeping' t-shirt over the top, rolled and tied the hem at the side, then looked at the results. "That'll do…Ohmygosh! My hair! I gotta get these braids out… panic too many… yank ouch! Scissors…"
Lina tip-toed out of the sleeping-girls' room and down the stairs to the kitchen. Gourry and his mother were there, she was cooking and he was watching. He looked so young, like a little boy hoping for a sample. His long hair tied back loosely with a scrap of shoelace—a mother-thing to do, she guessed, because he never wore it that way at school.
"So did you have a good time last night?" his mother asked him.
"Hmm, yeah, though Shari and Keri bugged us all the time," he groused.
"No 'alone' time? Well, you were supposed to be sitting the younger ones," she reminded him kindly.
"Oh, we did…Lina mostly…she sure put up with a lot…I played video games with Chuckie and Alphie some…Joey kept yankin her hair and stuff like he was a two-year old," Gourry complained some more. "And…he wanted to have some new kid from school over…I said no way and Lina said no and then he got mad…so you'll probably hear 'bout that today…"
"Oh? Must be…Phil. Joey's excited about him, though he's new to your sisters' middle school…lives in the neighborhood, I guess," his mother mused. "And what did Lina do about Joey's antics?"
"Ah, she kicked him some and he thought that was funny and stopped. Then she made him pay by makin' him practice singin' with her, but… I don't think he minded much…" Gourry smiled.
"No, I don't think he did. Don't you think he might have a little crush on her? They used to play a lot of soccer together, remember? Well, I do. She knew him before you did. You just noticed her this past summer."
"I noticed her before…" Gourry started to argue, but he hadn't a chance.
"Oh, don't worry about your brother now. He's just growing up. It's all right. You can't blame him, can you? Lina's a girl who can take care of herself…Oh, Lina! Good morning! Were we being too noisy down here?"
Lina had stayed out of sight during their conversation. She didn't mean to eavesdrop, but… "Nosey…I mean, Noisy? No! It was the bacon! Hmmm, is it ready yet? Oh and I need some help with these crazy little braids…"
"Gourry-dear, see what you can do for her…"
Amelia had cried herself to sleep. It was clear. Zelgadiss did not want to have anything to do with her. Whatever signal he'd given out earlier was not the one he was giving out now. She was certain that there was no other girl. She wondered if all the news about his grandfather was disturbing him that much. Of course, that had to be it, especially with Xelloss reminding him of his problems all the time. Now that the light of day shone, even her darkest thoughts seemed less dreary. Amelia smiled, "Yes! I shall call Mr. Zelgadiss before practice and see if he just needs someone to talk to. It's the right thing to do…"
Xelloss groaned and rolled over. He'd had another nightmare, but thankfully, its memory faded from his mind as he became more awake. He decided that he'd eat before showering…Zelgadiss probably had something going… However, when Xelloss entered the kitchen, all he found was the opened note from his mother and the coffee maker on, but warming a pot-full of water, no coffee grounds. Odd, why would he do that? Zelgadiss was nowhere to be found…Xelloss climbed the stairs and tried his door. Unlocked. He quietly opened the door. Zelgadiss was lying on his back asleep. Xelloss was about to shake him awake, when he noticed that Zel's skin shown with a sheer sheen of sweat. Heat emanated from him. Fever?
"Zelgadiss? I'm sorry to wake you but you're burning up. Take off some of those clothes and I'll bring a cold washcloth…for your forehead," Xelloss said softly. Zel answered with a moan.
When Xelloss returned with the wet cloth, Zel had turned on his side facing the wall and wrapped himself up thoroughly in all his blankets. "That won't do at all. Come on, Zelgadiss, give me a break here. Turn over…ugh, you're steaming! I'm getting this heavy sweatshirt off, that's all, so stop complaining…"
Zelgadiss looked up and tried to focus his glassy gaze on his tormentor, who had successfully wrestled him out of his top. "Leavemealone…goway," he groaned and swatted at the hand applying the cold compress.
Xelloss wasn't sure what else to do. Then he had an idea. He picked up Zel's cell phone and dialed Sano. "Xelloss here…sorry, ah…Zelgadiss has a really high temperature. I wonder if your friend, Megumi, might help…got it, thanks for the number." He dialed the clinic's number and asked for Megumi. When she picked up the call, he explained the situation. She gave him some ideas to try and promised to stop by during her lunch break in an hour or so.
Relieved, Xelloss continued changing the washcloth and wiping down his friend's face. Once he attempted to place the cloth on his chest, but Zel shivered so spasmodically, Xelloss was frightened and took it off. He allowed Zelgadiss a single sheet as a cover and started to leave to wait for Megumi.
Zel's cellphone rang. Xelloss picked it up, "Hello? No, it's Xelloss, Amelia. Zelgadiss… has a fever and is sleeping now. Ah, Megumi's coming soon to check on him. Chicken soup? Ah, yeah, great idea! I hadn't thought of that. He does most of the cooking…Yeah, come to the main house first. I'll leave the door open. Practice? We'll see…yeah, bye."
Xelloss checked the sleeping form one more time, then left the room and re-entered the kitchen. His stomach growled a warning. Cereal. That would do for now. Halfway through the bowl, he heard a car pull up and park outside. He looked out the window and saw a very attractive, refined woman with long black hair and wearing a white smock over her normal clothes get out. Megumi.
Xelloss met her at the door, opening it before she knocked. She greeted him with a small smile and said, "Hello, I'm Sano's friend…Oh, I recognize you from the Dojo, though I don't believe we've ever talked!"
He smiled, "You're right! I'm usually beating up people there. Ah, thanks for coming early, though he's asleep now…"
"Yes, I had a few cancellations and came early… Where is…Zel…ah…?"
"You can call him that. It's Zel-ga-diss. You'll recognize him when you see him. Upstairs…" Xelloss said, leading her upstairs.
"Oh…" she said with a quick intake of breath. "Yes, Zelgadiss…the burn victim. 103 degrees…Oh, hello Zelgadiss. It's okay, I'm Megumi, a friend of Sano's and a trained medic. I just took your temperature and have some medicine for you to take. Please drink this and then …Xelloss? Please bring him a glass of water. You should drink a glass every hour, okay? Your temperature should come down in 20-30 minutes then you should have something simple to eat. Thank you, Xelloss."
He handed Zel the water, which he drank silently. "A friend's bringing over some chicken soup, so he'll have something to eat. I'm not much of a cook," Xelloss looked apologetically at the confident young woman who was actually about his age. "But Zelgadiss is and he's been teaching me… So…what's the matter with him?"
"The flu is going around, probably that. Usually hits worst around finals time because of all the stress. Remember, eat something and drink every hour, okay? Nice meeting you, Zelgadiss. Good bye. Xelloss, I need to go, would you show me the way out?"
Zelgadiss was mortified. He felt like shit and knew what he looked like. He had awakened to find a beautiful girl examining him…without a shirt on, for Godssakes! Ah…kill the Xelloss… kill the Xelloss…a new mantra. Good thing he was gone. Zel sat staring out the window. He was glad to have that window at times like this. Sick. He hadn't been sick since…he couldn't remember the last time. Oh, sick to his stomach, sure. The whole Metallium clan was responsible countless times for that.
He must have dozed off, because the next thing he knew, someone was putting a cool compress on his forehead.
"Xelloss, get the hell outta here," Zel muttered.
"Umm, I'm sorry, Mr. Zelgadiss, but Miss Megumi left instructions to keep you cool and make sure you had something to eat and drink. I've brought you some home-made chicken soup. Daddy says it'll work miracles!"
"AMELIA!" Zel gasped, sinking under the thin sheet.
"Yes, now which will it be first, soda or soup?" she smiled.
"Just leave both on the desk and I'll get them later," he said weakly, closing his eyes against the intensity of her gaze.
"I can't do that. Instructions are…"
"All right. Water, er…soda…" he sighed.
After a couple sips, Amelia showed him the 'instant-read' thermometer. "I've never used one before. See? I put it on your forehead like this… wait… now look… 101 degrees. Now the soup."
He found that it was easier to just give in, rather than argue. He swallowed as much as he could, then said, "Thank you, Amelia, but I think I'm very tired now."
Whoever said 'misery loves company' was an idiot, he thought to himself.
"All right. Just close your eyes and I'll read to you. It's a book of Shakespeare sonnets, a favorite of mine," she insisted.
He did. When his breathing was slow and even, she closed the book, set it on the nightstand beside a glass of water, and removed the dishes to the kitchen.
The Slayers were gathered downstairs in the main house, eating, naturally, and watching TV. Without Rezo, the TV was free. Right now Filia and Val were grappling over the controls. She wanted Martha Stewart, he wanted…anything else. Amelia wanted to talk, so she sat beside Lina, who was sopping up the remaining soup with a slice of bread.
"Miss Lina? You've known Mr. Zelgadiss the longest, was he…always…this way…so…" Amelia hesitated to finish the sentence.
"Dark and gloomy?" Lina finished for her. "Or do you mean arrogant and unresponsive? Well, whatever…but, well, let's see," Lina searched the memory banks, trying to find a way to put it. "Nope. Not at all. I mean, he's always been smart and unusual, never had too many friends 'cause he's smarter than most people and can't stand stupidity. When we were little, there'd be all the little boys playing Big-Muscled-Hunk-of-Hulking-Massive-Patriotic-Army-Dudes or something like that, and all the little girls playing Magical-Fairy-Princess-with-Long-Blonde-Hair-and-Magical-Animal-Friends, or whatever it was. And then there'd be us, explaining to each other what new morsels of knowledge about the universe we'd picked up and arguing over them, reading the Narnia books and even Tolkien back then, acting out the battle scenes and reciting noble speeches, singing along to Beatles songs, drawing crap, making up stories and worlds and stuff in our heads. We'd take the radio and some drawing utensils up to the tree-house and just hang there for hours, making up fantasy worlds where we could be the super-strong sorcerer-swords people, saving the world and reforming its political systems. He always gave himself a tragic edge even then, but it was funny. He was goofy and animated and never thought about the 'social consequences' of anything he did. You remember that picture of him in the yearbook? He was the bright-eyed, genius fairy-child that all the grown-ups loved and all the kids stood in awe of, and he knew it too."
"He was so cute," Sylphiel sighed dreamily. "Everyone had a crush on him."
Ignoring that intrusion, Lina continued, "You know, he was a hell of a lot like a little mini Xellos back then, really. A HELL of a lot like you," Lina finally stopped and looked at Xellos with scrutiny. Her eyes were becoming bleary, as were most of her companions'.
"Gods, no wonder he hates you sometimes," Filia said with no sensitivity whatsoever to Xelloss. "You're older and yet live out his childhood. It's a good thing Lina wouldn't have anything to do with you or he probably would have killed himself."
"FILIA!" several of the friends shouted with hostility. Xelloss looked defeated.
"That's not true," Lina growled. "Zel and I…were never like that…never. We were just KIDS! Now we lead separate lives and look out for one another…friends, Filia. Don't lay any guilt on chaos-kid here either. He is as he is…but…"
"But, if I remind him of what he once was, then the more I'm around him the more depressed he's going to get…" Xelloss finished for her.
"No…not that either. He's much better, ya know, more open and talkative this year than ever…since…you know. So, he's not getting worse at all. I don't think he'll ever be the way he was, none of us can be right? Life changes us all the time. We just have to adapt and get ready for the next shitload of trouble." Lina winked at Xelloss. "Besides, it's not ALL about you! Zel's gone from the peak of self-confidence to the pits of despair, and survived…you can't bug him that much can you?"
"Oh, why does everything have to be so complicated?" Sylphiel wailed and fell back onto the couch.
"Because life sucks," Val supplied.
A few nods of agreement. Amelia sat in silence thinking. "So where are your parents today, Mr. Xelloss?"
"Parents? Oh, Rezo and Zelas…at their resort…Wolfpack Island, for the weekend," he shrugged.
"Wolfpack Island? They go there?" Filia expressed alarm at this.
"Oh yes…her company's place…" he answered without thinking.
The usually reserved, Filia exploded.
"Your mother owns WOLFPACK ISLAND?! God, now I know why I hate you sooo much!" Filia launched into Xelloss with a fury he was totally unprepared for.
"Filia!" screamed Lina and Amelia, both trying to peal her and her angry fists off of the stunned kid.
GRRrrrrrrr
"What's THAT!" screamed Sylphiel, tucking herself behind Gourry for safety. "It's a rabid dog!"
Xelloss whirled around to catch a glance of Beast growling menacingly at Filia. "Beast! It's okay. She's…I'm okay…really…shit where's Zelgadiss when I need him…Come on boy…nice…doggy…yes…now where does he find those dog biscuits? Ah, here…catch…oh, yeah you're about blind too…well your nose's okay…" Xelloss patted the wolf-dog timidly, and then walked back to the front room to face off with Filia. "Sorry, Sylphiel, if he scared you. He's getting over-protective in his old age, I guess."
Filia was seething, but restrained by Lina and Amelia. Val and Gourry looked on with a mixture of concern, confusion, and curiosity.
"Y-you! You a-are responsible for destroying the lives of c-countless clan members!" Filia cried out. "That island belonged to the Cephied clan…you can ask Lina's sister, Luna!"
"Hey calm down!" Lina demanded. "Stop shouting accusations and think for a minute. Right. Now sit down and carefully explain what this is all about."
Filia and Xelloss, both quite shaken sat, she on the couch, and he on the floor some distance away.
"All right. Many of our people lived on that island—not MY particular clan, we've always been in the Seyruun area—anyway… to protect the native wolves. They were on the endangered species list! Well by hook or by CROOK, most likely by some fraudulent paper tricks, the clan was snookered out of that land…by that nasty Metallium conglomerate. Thousands of people's lives were torn apart in a matter of minutes because some monster…some baby came into the world and inherited it away from them. You!" she spat, staring at Xelloss with unabashed hatred.
"Oh, Filia…that's nonsense!" Lina snapped.
"No it's not! It happened before I was born. I thought it was ages ago, the way folks talked about it all the time…but now it all comes together… Luna's been our hope, our knight in shining armor! She's forwarded our causes so many times through the university research teams and demonstrators. So, the clan lost their property, livelihoods, hope…most joined our settlement, which just moved over the summer—again! All that sorrow…so a resort could be built! And it's yours! What's left now? One half-dead blind animal reduced to 'pet' status which was once a proud member of a strong pack running wild and free…and a place for your mother to party! You all make me sick!"
Filia took a deep breath before continuing her tirade. "Metallium…it's a common enough name in Seyruun. She's the principal of our high school! How does a principal get a hold of money like that, huh? And, YOU! How can you sleep at nights knowing you…" Filia continued her raving.
"I-I don't sleep very well…I had nightmares last night, in fact! But it had nothing to do with…what you've said here… This is all news to me! And if it's true…I feel awful. But I didn't do it! I own nothing but my clothes…maybe my drumset…" Xelloss' voice cracked. His hair hung lank and stuck in places on his damp forehead. His normally cheerful countenance was lost in sorrow. Filia hated him. That hurt, to be hated.
Lina had had enough, "That's it, Filia! You've had your say, now it's my turn. I just want to point out that he's no more responsible for the acts of his mother than…say, Zel is for his grandfather destroying Sairaag and killing Sylphiel's father… oh, oh…should not have said that… Crap. Now I've gone and done it…" Lina moaned.
Amelia sat in shock, "Oh…good thing Mr. Zelgadiss isn't here now…Lina…"
"Well, what's said is said. Can't be undone. So…" Lina shook her head.
"Better tell the whole story," Val said tensely.
Lina told the story of Sairaag and the Red Priest and her own father's death. She explained as much of about the evil empire, and the inter-connectedness of it all. "So, Filia, despite doing nothing but being born, Xelloss and Zel are planning some huge dangerous event to trap Gaav and, and…I don't know what else…free the shrine of evil controls and whatnot. Do you get what I'm saying? They could die! Real end, zippo, no more Zel and Xelly to punch or tease or…anything!"
Lina's emotional outburst silenced everyone. Xelloss was pale and looked like a crumpled rug. Val stood, "I'm workin with them too. Turnin' against my step dad…I owe him too, but… what he's done… it's wrong. If any of them get wind of this…we're all dead meat. Even afterwards…Xelloss here won't be worth shit…Someone in the syndicate will probably knock him off."
If Lina's argument hadn't done it, then Val's had…Filia's fight was gone…wind out of the sails and all that. She slid off the couch and crawled over to where Xelloss was huddled. "Xelloss? I'm sorry I was so…cruel. For some reason I thought you knew it all and…well, can you forgive me?"
He nodded and smiled weakly, "Does this mean…you'll still trim my hair?"
At first she just stared, then burst out laughing. She leaned forward and gave him a light hug then pulled back suddenly, "You're HOT!"
He grinned, "You just now noticed?"
Filia blushed and snapped back, "Xelloss, don't push it! Like, you have a temperature! Gods, I hope I don't catch it too!"
Val chuckled and said, under his breath, "Xelly's got cooties!"
"Cram it, Val!" Xelloss sighed, too exhausted to even punch him a little.
"Well, Lina called you 'Xelly' so I figured it was your new nickname," Val teased.
"No. I have no nickname… Zelgadiss took it. Give him the Zelly name and give me Xel back."
Lina shook her head, "We never called you Xel, but Zel's always been Zel."
Sylphiel came to Xelloss' defense, "He was called Xel at his other school, Lina."
"Well, too bad. You can be Xelly or Xelloss, take your pick," winked Lina.
"I'll take Xelloss, thank you…and I'm going to bed…" he said as he struggled to his feet. "Whoa…spinning…"
Val grabbed his arm to steady him, "I'll take ya over…"
"So who's going to take care of Zel now? And Xelloss for that matter?" asked Lina.
Val thought a moment, "I'll stay with Xelloss. I'll check in with Sano…I'm sure I can spend the night…What? Oh, I don't need nothin…"
Gourry stood up, "I'll stay here with Zel. There's a guest room…um…I'll go home and get a couple toothbrushes and… food maybe."
"We'll go out and get food at the market!" suggested Amelia. "You'll need something for dinner, breakfast, lunch…at least!"
"Fine. Sylphiel? You drove over? Good we'll take your car then. Amelia? You stay with Zel, we'll drop off Gourry at his house and then we'll do the shopping…might as well all stay for dinner too, right? Ah…Amelia? You got some money? Thanks. Come on, let's go!"
Zelgadiss woke up. Amelia was sitting on his bed changing the washcloth on his head, just at Xelloss had done earlier. "Ughhh…" he moaned.
"Oh, Mr. Zelgadiss! I hope I didn't wake you up. I just came back from Mr. Xelloss'…did you know that he slept on a waterbed? So jiggly! Sylphiel's back from shopping and is helping now…" Amelia rattled on.
"What…are you talking about, Amelia?" Zel opened his visible blue eye and riveted it upon her.
"Hmmm? Mr. Xelloss, he nearly collapsed. He has the same flu you have. Megumi and Sano stopped by to drop off more medication so he can feel better too! So, Val's going to stay over with Xelloss tonight and Gourry's staying with you…I think in the guestroom downstairs, if you need him. Isn't that nice? Lina insisted that we stock up your refrigerator with food and…here's some water, by the way…"
ring ring
Zel picked up his cellphone, "Yeah?"
Xelloss' distinctive voice could be heard on the other end, "Hello…I have two minions. Sylphiel to apply cool compresses and Val to keep my computer games company. How about you?"
"Ah, only one so far…I'm promised another for the night. So you're sick, ha, ha…I told you I'd get you back for playing that stupid trick with finals scheduling!" Zel smirked into the cellphone.
"Thanks…." moaned Xelloss.
"Hold on, my …Amelia wants to read something to you…" Zel pointed to her book of sonnets. "Amelia, Xelloss wants you to read to him…oh, from the beginning, I think," Zel closed his eyes and smiled inwardly knowing that Xelloss would listen politely or tear out his own eyes.
Lina pounded on Zel's door, "Okay, stop yacking already! Dinner's ready…hey, you got Xelloss there? Good. Tell the others to come over and eat…saves me the trip."
"Okay…Mr. Xelloss, sorry to have to stop so soon, but dinner's ready. Would you tell the others to come too? Thanks! Oh, here's Mr. Zelgadiss back…"
Zel watched her leave the room then said, "See what you're missing?"
Xelloss sighed, "Lucky you. Ah, there they go…quiet at last."
Zel chuckled, "No kidding…"
"So…does your throat hurt?"
Zel answered, "Yes. Yours?"
"Yes, tell me what else hurts, so I can know what to expect in the next hour or so. I like to be prepared."
Zel sighed, "Everything…wait, no…my hair's all right."
"Argh! Even my hair hurts!" Xelloss wailed miserably. "I should have taken that shower before breakfast but…I decided to check on you first. Well, breakfast was a pot of hot water…which lead to you and…groan"
"Uh, Amelia's back with some soup…and she says yours is on the way too…I'll call you back," Zel said hanging up, then noticed that he was still only half dressed and croaked weakly, "Amelia, would you…um…hand me a shirt… doesn't matter which, anything! Yes, that one will do."
"I'll have to go soon. Filia's staying at Sylphiel's tonight and tomorrow after the game so… Lina's invited me to stay at her house! Anyway, we'll all be close if you need anything," Amelia smiled. To be of service to her fellow man was her highest aspiration, and to be able to spend so much time alone with Zel was beyond her wildest dream, even if he was too sick to say much. She just knew he appreciated her.
Zel sipped at his soup and thought, "Oh joy…"
Sometime later, Amelia and the girls had gone. Leaving Zel to close his eyes and … ring, ring
"Huh?"
Xelloss asked, "Everyone gone…except Val and Gourry?"
"Guess so…What's Val doing?"
Xelloss listened for a moment, "Taking a shower."
"Gourry too…curious…"
"Unsettling development…" Xelloss added thoughtfully.
Zel's voice cut in, "Hey! Gourry's going by the room…" then more loudly off to the side said, "What's going on?"
Gourry stuck his head in the doorway to Zel's room from the hall. "Ahhh, checking out the hot tub," then he closed the door.
Zel could hear his steps retreating down the hall. "Xelloss! Gourry's going to the hot tub!"
"Val's running out the door!" Xelloss shouted, "Wait…I can see part of the balcony from here…yeah I can watch Rezo and Zelas, when I'm really bored…JUST JOKING! I can just see…them… GAH! NO, no, no, no, no, no!"
"WHAT'S WRONG?!?!" Zel screamed, hurting his raw throat.
"They're messing with the controls! What if they screw something up?" Xelloss whined.
Zel sighed, "Well…what can you do?"
Xelloss groaned, "Nothing…"
Zel said, "Can't be helped then…"
After a bit of silence, Xelloss added, "I hope Beast eats them."
"No chance, he's sleeping on my bed…though…I wonder if any of those yahoos fed him?"
Xelloss said, "I gave him a couple biscuits…should have let him eat Filia…"
"You didn't feed BEAST?" Zel demanded.
"I didn't know where the food was…" Xelloss answered lamely.
"For gods'sakes, Xelloss…how many years have you lived in this house and you still don't know where the dog food is stored? I found it in 15 seconds, 30 tops!"
Meekly, Xelloss replied, "I never spent much time in the kitchen…"
"Oh, I know that! Good thing you have me to teach you survival skills," Zel said smugly like driving and cooking…
"My hair! I haven't had a shower and a feel so…yuck…my haaaaaair…" Xelloss whined some more.
"Don't complain about YOUR hair. MINE doesn't even grow! Besides, you don't need a shower every day. It removes the skin's natural oils," Zel said moodily.
"I have too many natural oils. My face…"
"Is flawless. The girls are envious, I'm sure. Mine on the other hand…no pimples anyway…course you couldn't see them if there were any," Zel sighed again. "I got an idea… three-party call. Hold on…. Lina? Yeah it's Zel. Listen, I need you to feed the dog. Yes. Come over and feed the dog now."
Lina's higher pitched voice squeaked in surprise, "??@!!! Damned dog can rot…"
"Why Lina! You wouldn't want Filia to find out that you let the last of the Wolfpack Island wolves die of…starvation?" Xelloss chuckled.
Lina thought for a moment, then furthered her argument, "Gourry, where's he…or Val…that's what they're there for!"
"Gourry, Gourry? Who is he?" sang Xelloss.
"They…are ignoring us," Zel said sharply.
"They are soaking in our hot tub at this very moment while we all are dying, Lina! Save us!!!" chortled Xelloss as his voice faded into a cough.
"HOT TUB!" Lina cried. "On. My. Way. Can't let poor little Beastie starve!" click
"Oh...no, no, no!" warned Zel too late.
Xelloss snickered.
"What?" asked Zel.
"Cool… wait until she finds out what the boys are wearing in there…"
"No…" Zel gasped in mock horror.
"That's right! Noooo-thing!"
Zel laughed, in spite of his headache.
"Did she mention that Amelia was staying at her house tonight?" Xelloss asked slyly.
Xelloss could hear Zel's sudden intake of air, "oh… no…"
"Wish I could be a fly, no… a moth on the wall when they all meet…" Xelloss smiled. "Maybe if I really stretch I can see."
"Oh joy..." Zel groaned.
"Ah…shit…my hair's all stringy and oily…"
"Shuddup…Lina's here…Gourry, Val didn't even lock the front door! Ah, yes and her little shadow, Amelia's here too… Oh, man…Gahhh! They're coming to use MY bathroom! Don't I get ANY privacy?" Zel covered his head with the sheet.
"Gonna tell'em?" Xelloss asked teasingly.
"About the current status of hot tub attire? Ah…no. No I'm not. No way. They will have to figure it out without my interference. I didn't invite them to soak. They are on their own. Eeek! They're coming out of the bathroom."
"Oh, no need to hide! " Amelia giggled as she held a towel up against her voluptuous, bathing suit-clad body. "Can I get you some fresh water first?"
"W-water? Yeah, sure…thanks," Zel sputtered. "Find the dog food? Good. Yes, I noticed him leaving my room but I thought he might be going to protect me from the intruders in the house…Hear that Xelloss? Lina found the dog food! What? moan All right! Amelia? Xelloss needs water too… Fine. Xelloss? Amelia says after her soak. Have fun ladies!"
"Miss Lina? I think Mr. Zelgadiss must be feeling better. I think he smiled."
Xelloss began his play-by-play, "I… see them going outside…Oh, Val and Gourry are surprised…Gourry's shaking his head…Doesn't stop Lina or Amelia…getting in…Val's turning on the jets…Lina's creeping up on Gourry…he's backing off…ah, come on guys, there's lots of foam and bubbles…that was Val…Lina approaches, Gourry retreats, okay…there…he's had to tell her…Ooh!"
"What? What!" Zel prompted him.
"Lina's laughing…Amelia, hard to say, probably blushing and starting to get out…Lina's stopping her! Looks like Lina's telling the guys to leave. Ha, like that would work! I wonder what she'd say if they did? Anyway, Val's shaking his head. HE'S going NOWHERE! Gourry looks like he's staying too. One for the guys! They are at one end and the girls at the other…disappointed, Zelgadiss?"
Zel groaned.
Xelloss settled back onto his bed, moaning, "I should have done the laundry…this morning…wish my sheets were clean."
"Maybe our slaves and minions will do that for us tomorrow," Zel sighed.
"Slaves! I can't even seem to get a drink of water! No, I don't want them messing around with washing machines. Val will have all his nasty crap here…mixing with…"
Zel choked, "Gah! That's enough! Oh, oh…I hear voices. They're coming back! NO! Go! Go! NOT IN HERE!" Zel croaked as he hid under the sheets again. "Lina and Amelia are using MY bathroom to change in…Ah…GIRLS in MY BATHROOM! NO PRIVACY! Here comes Gourry… and Val too! I should let them all just…hold on, Xelloss. Gourry, Lina and Amelia are in there…yeah cool, so … and take Val with you. Oh, and Val? Get Xelloss some water, he's dying over there. Xelloss? Hear that? Well, don't say I've never done anything for you."
"Water? Gee, thanks, little brother…"
"Yeah well…don't get too familiar with that nickname. Remember that what romance can create, the divorce courts can pull asunder in no time….What was that? Rezo and Zelas! Whom else could I be talking about? Stop that laughing…Heh, heh…coughing fit? You deserve it too. It's stuff like that that really pisses me off, you know that too! You all right? Yeah…so where's Val sleeping?"
Xelloss wiped his eyes off with his sheet, "Ahh…the daybed's been offered, but that's probably too close for comfort…Noooo, I meant that he doesn't want to catch this flu so he'll choose a beanbag chair…shall I point out your FAVORITE one? No? Then be nice."
"Least he's clean now…"
"Hmmm, that helps…Think they'll clean up the kitchen?" Xelloss wondered aloud.
"Probably not. Hold on, girl-alert. Lina? No, that's a crazy thought…Amelia? Would you please check that all the controls are turned off…Yes, and the mess too…Thanks. See, Xelloss? MY minion does work!" Zel smirked.
Lina shouted, "WHAT WAS THAT!"
Xelloss giggled, "I could hear that! It's not fair…my little worker bee isn't here…God, I hope they didn't screw up the hot tub…Zelas will KILL me!"
Zel snorted, "She hasn't been able to yet, so don't worry…'Night Lina, Amelia…thanks for the water and…feeding the dog, ah…here he comes to warm my feet. Coming back in the morning? Ah…not too early…KEYS? THOSE ARE MINE! Ahhhh! LINA!"
Xelloss snickered, "She took your keys…"
"Yes. Gourry? DON'T LET LINA TAKE MY KEYS…YOU WILL NEED THEM! Hope he's stronger than he looks…" Zel fell back wearily onto his pillows. He could hear Xelloss talking to Val on the other end.
"Val? Water? Ahh, thanks…you shall be rewarded…You can sleep on the daybed…too close, huh? How 'bout on a bag of beans…not the green one…yeah, that's Zel's special one…Blue one's cool. Yeah you can play computer games…won't bother me…"
Zel interrupted, "So, Xelloss…earlier, when I was sleeping…what did you all talk about?"
"You, mostly."
"Oh…joy…"
"Hey, my minion needs computer help and attention. Talk in the morning…Later." Click Xelloss disconnected the cellphone.
"Oh, all right…" Click and Zel hung up too.
Zel turned to Gourry indicating that he should take a load off and sit at his desk. "So…I hear tell that I missed some gossip downstairs."
Gourry cleared his throat, "Lina…Amelia, ah…asked about you as a kid, before…ya know… She was nice about it…"
"I see. So I couldn't defend myself against her assault…what else?"
Gourry looked uneasy, "Ahh…everyone knows about…the priest dude, your grandfather, and blowin' up that town…and…ah…Zelas stuff."
Zel moaned, "Not good, not good…"
Gourry continued in Lina's defense, "But that was because Filia blew up at Xelloss…"
"Oh? He look at her crossed-eyed?" Zel smirked.
"No…he said Rezo and Zelas were off at Wolfpack Island for the weekend…and she had a fit…Guess some other people used to live there with the wolves to guard'em I guess. Then she took it over…Xelloss got it or somethin' and drove out the clan. Lot'sa people got hurt…"
"He never mentioned any of this…" Zel pondered the new information.
"Xelloss? He said it was all news to him. I ahhh…believe him too, this time I think he telling the truth. His feelings got hurt real bad. Filia said she hated him…even though later they kinda made up…I think…Well, if anyone ever screamed at me like that…I'd…it hurt me just to have to hear it, ya know?" Gourry finished sad-faced.
"No wonder he called me…" Zel thought. "But he didn't say a thing…"
Xelloss was explaining to Val how to use 'cheats' to get more out of the computer game. Val was having the best time he'd had since the road trip. "Ah…by the way…thanks fer lettin' us use the hot tub…really helps with those broken ribs…Say, you still hurtin' from Filia's temper tantrum?"
"Ah…guess so," he murmured looking away. "Lot's of people don't like me. Actually very few DO like me, but unadulterated hatred…"
Val shook his head, "I think that she meant all that …hate stuff…for Zelas, but you were sittin' there. If she really hated ya, she'd never have touched ya."
Xelloss looked up at Val, "Really? Think all girls are like that?"
"Huh? Oh, mostly, though some are more…affectionate in a touchy-feely way than others," Val smirked.
"Yeah, like…Amelia is, but Lina's not!"
"Yeah…" agreed Val, happy to know more about something that Xelloss.
Xelloss was glad to talk about relationships with Val, who had had some experience, "Sylphiel is kinda…but shy, except with Gourry….Filia?"
"Stuck up," Val summarized.
"That too! I thought it was a way to keep the riff-raff away...like me, but not you, I noticed," Xelloss noted, hoping he was not touching on too sensitive a spot.
Val shrugged, "Sometimes...like at the settlement. She was really warm and friendly. Now, there are days when she can't stand to even look at me."
Xelloss laughed without humor, "Huh, like the water in the boy's bathroom across the hall from the cafeteria…runs hot and cold, but rarely in-between. So, you like her, huh?"
"Yeah, but…I got other possibilities too," Val said defensively.
"Don't worry. If you can hold out you have the ultimate edge… You are clan, and clan sticks together," Xelloss winked.
"Huh? Well, heh, heh…you talkin' serious stuff now. I was hopin' fer…not that anyway," Val chuckled.
"So how many girlfriends have you had?"
"Nosy aren't ya? Nah, that's all right…a couple, but didn't amount to much. Girls worth more than…well anythin' don't go in fer punks they gotta bail out. And the druggies…just want you to get them pills…it ruins their looks too. So whatever happened with…Kiki?"
It was Xelloss' turn to shrug, "I dunno. It's not as if we were…anything, but for a while it was nice thinking I meant something to someone. But I don't…no one's interested in me, so I'm on a 'hate all girls' thing. Being a novice is fine. It will keep my mind off school and life. Though it is fun to watch the others…"
"Oh, you mean like watchin' Gourry and Zel sufferin' is fun?"
"Yeah, Gourry's in way over his head and doesn't care. And Zelgadiss…"
"Oh, Mr. De-ni-al!" chuckled Val. "It's hard to understand why a pretty little thing like that Amelia would go for a moody freak like him. Oh, don't get me wrong! I like the guy. I think he's…actually pretty cool—and I know, despite the problems, that you guys are good friends—but be real! What kind of life can he have? He'd scare the patients, if he were a doctor…the students, if he were a teacher… the customers, if he ran a store… you get the picture. So he's got this terrific chick looking him in the eyes and what does he do? Hide! He's lyin' there half dressed, does she blink an eye? No! He looks like hell and she's givin' him those puppy-dog eyes! He's crazier than you are! If it were you, even you'd know what to do, but he just hides, pushes her off, tells her to leave him alone…shithead."
Xelloss chuckled, "Well maybe I would…but I seem to scare them off too. Zel thinks she's too young, though she did have a birthday not long ago so that's just an excuse. It's more of 'it's better to be the rejecter than the rejectee'. Course, I simply thrive on rejection! And pain…love it, love it, love it!"
Val laughed, "Well when this…" he waved his hand to imply something very large, "… is all over, Seyruun will owe us all. Amelia, Lina, Sylphiel, Filia will be more than happy to comply with all of our wishes!"
"Gods, Val, and they say I'm nuts!" Xelloss sighed.
Val chuckled, "Dude, I bet ya drive Zel nuts. I'm surprised he hasn't killed ya yet…"
"I can hear you…" Xelloss muttered into his pillow.
"You ask him 'bout personal stuff?"
"I try. He's not very forthcoming…"
"No kidding! 'Course his life lately has been…"
"Reclusive, except for Lina… yawn " Xelloss finished for Val.
"Almost as much as you, but yer…different…you do like to talk," Val chuckled.
"He does, just not about girls. See for us, when we started middle school, girls were…little girls. Next thing we knew, we were here in high school and they suddenly were…women. But, and here's the catch, WE hadn't changed. I mean, what's with that? Heh, heh… so I need to talk about it to figure it out and Zel…he sits back and watches… and avoids contact."
"…for obvious reasons. Yeah, poor kid," Val mused.
"That's it, I'm really wasted. I can't stay awake any longer…even to go brush my teeth. You can stay on the computer all night…won't bother me…" and Xelloss slumped under his covers.
Wolfpack Island.
"You've what? Have you lost your mind?" Rezo growled at the beautiful, deadly woman at his side on the yacht.
"I said, I've taken on my son. Listen, he knows too much. If he's successful, I'll have my link to the Shrine in place and Gaav out of the way. And if he fails…well any number of people will clean up that mess," she smiled.
"How can you be sure my son won't get dragged along? I want him safe! He has as good as signed off on the inheritance and I don't want him harmed!"
"Hmmm, if I didn't know better, I would have thought you cared about him… Oh, don't worry. Even Xelloss doesn't want him involved, too honorable—your son, not mine!"
"What now…I know that smile…" Rezo looked askance at her evil grin.
"I was thinking of Gaav's son…he needs a proper place to live…with some adult supervision…"
"That punk, Val? Not in MY house!"
"You forget, dear, whose house it really is…" she took a sip of wine. "Let's go back, dear. The sea's too choppy for this today."
"Ah, yes…you're right. You ought to do something about those danged wolves…baying all night…can't get a decent night's sleep!" Rezo complained.
Saturday early afternoon.
True to their word, everyone was back for lunch. Zel and Xelloss stayed holed up in their respective rooms, but were subjected to frequent visitations. Amelia couldn't be talked out of visiting Zel every hour, if just to watch him sleep. Once, Lina nearly tore off her arm stating, "He needs to sleep in PRIVATE…oh, sorry, Zel."
Val was thrilled to remain parked in front of Xelloss' computer – where he was now -- or the TV. Filia was antsy…time for… "Got it! Sylphiel! Come here, I have an idea. Listen…" They whispered together a few minutes, then included Lina who was dragging Amelia from Zel's room.
Filia and Sylphiel giggled, and then took off, with promises to return soon. Lina shook her head and left to check on Xelloss.
Gourry looked to Amelia for explanation. "So, ah… how's Zel?"
"Hmm? Sleeping. He still has the fever. You want to know what they have planned?" Amelia smiled, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Do I?" he asked more afraid than before.
"Oh, Mr. Gourry...It will be fun! Why not make valentine cards today? We can't go shopping or do very much practicing. We have hours before the game or Val has to go to work…" she sighed thinking of what she might write.
"That's six, no… seven cards I have'ta make? I got nothing to say…" Gourry pouted.
"Then just say something simple, like how well someone sings or how much fun it is to play music together…or how you like their story-telling. Things like that!"
"Yeah, I guess I can do that," he smiled at her.
"Of course you can! You're good at lots of things and are always nice to everyone. I can't wait to read yours!" she smiled, sighed, and sank onto the couch beside him to watch… 'Xtreme Sports: skateboard finals' on the TV.
"Mr. Gourry, does Mr. Zelgadiss ever talk to you…about me? No, I don't mean to pry…it's just…he's so hard to read. If I thought that he really…hated me like Filia dislikes Xelloss, then… then I'd never bother him again."
Gourry gave her a quick sidelong glance before returning his attention to the TV and answering, "He doesn't hate anyone…but he, ah…doesn't like being…"
"Embarrassed. Yes, I've noticed. I think he's so…cute and smart and…oh, sorry…I'll save it for the Valentine I make him!" she smiled.
"Better not to…" Gourry suggested.
"Well…what do you suggest, then? How can I let him know how I feel and not bother him? And don't say I'm too young. I'm 15 and he's 17…You're 18 and Lina's nearly 16, right? So it's about the same!"
"Ah…he knows, Amelia. That's all I can say," Gourry said gently.
"He's so private a person. He needs to open up more. He must not have been given many hugs when he was little," she lamented.
"None's my guess," Gourry agreed. "Ya want my advice? Be his friend. Oh, that was the lamest jump! Didya see that? This is no good…Ah…time for the snowboardin' …they got it in the Olympics now, ya know."
"Oooo, did that guy get hurt?" Amelia asked.
"Hurt? Naw…he knows he screwed up his chance at the finals though…"
"He needs a friend to tell him not to give up hoping," she mused.
"They both do," Gourry sighed. He looked at Amelia to be sure she got the point, "Zel too, I mean."
"Yo," said Val falling onto the couch beside Gourry. "Cool… snowboarding…"
"Are you leaving Mr. Xelloss all alone?" Amelia cried out.
"He's an adult, kiddo…'sides, he's sleeping beauty now and Lina's with him…messin' with his computer, I think," Val smirked at her. "So where'd the dudettes go?"
"Picking up supplies for making valentine cards. Oooo, she's going to win the gold, isn't she?" Amelia screamed.
"Whoa… yeah…gold for the USA!" smiled Gourry.
"They're makin' cards fer us?" Val asked cautiously.
Gourry shook his head, "WE are too."
"Oh, sure…what about the sleeping beauty and the beast? They gotta do'em too!" said Val. "Fair is fair! If they don't hafta, then we don't, am I right?"
"You tell'em when they get here," Gourry said simply.
"Point made. Easier to just go along with them than fight'em mostly."
"Yup. Like I always say…" smiled Gourry.
"I haven't had to do cards since…3rd grade…" Val mused. "Roses are red, Violets are blue, yer boyfriend's half-dead, sick in bed with the flu…heh, heh…"
Amelia gave him a dirty look.
"Roses are red, violets are blue…what's to come next…I haven't a clue…" Val chuckled to himself.
Gourry shook his head, "Roses are pretty, violets are…nice, but you're better than…"
"A bowl full of rice…no…ten-thousand blind mice…okay, ah…" laughed Val.
"Than flowers at any price!" Gourry smiled proudly.
"Ooooo…Amelia, didya here that one? Pretty fair-to-middling, huh? Betcher can't do better!" Val jabbed her in the side.
"Sure I can, ahem Roses are red, your eyes are so blue, I can't say here why I'm so fond of you. Oh, that's not great, I can do better…um… Roses are red, your eyes are blue, Hey, look at mine! They are blue too! Oh…that's even worse," Amelia groaned.
"Ah…you're problem is you're too nice. You need some...edge. Try… Roses are red, get out of your head, or you will be blue till you find that your dead," Val suggested.
"Oh, that was awful and the rhyme-scheme was all wrong!" Amelia complained. "What about… Lina's hair's red, Xelloss' purple, Gourry's been fed, and … what rhymes with purple? I'm not good at this, am I?"
"Don't despair…LINA INVERSE IS HERE!" she cried out. "And it's time to heat up a can of soup the sickies and chips and salsa for the rest! They back yet?"
"Roses are red, violets are blue…you stick to me… like gum to a shoe! Beat that one!" Val roared with laughter.
The door crashed open and Sylphiel and Filia waltzed in carrying sacks.
"Oh, Miss LIIIINA! Val's better at poetry than me!" Amelia wailed.
Filia sniffed, "I'll be the judge of THAT! Here, make seven cards each." She dropped colored paper, paper doilies, glue, scissors, stickers, and pens on the kitchen table. Gourry, Val, Amelia, and Lina joined Sylphiel and Filia at the table. Amazingly, they all worked quietly for many minutes. Lina opened the soup and started heating it up. Beast's toenails click, click, clicked on the linoleum floor over to his empty bowl of food. He howled a baleful howl.
Lina have him a disgusted look. "You Metalliums are ALL the same… whining, helpless complainers all! Okay, here eat till you puke." Then she ruffled his fur and whispered, "Good doggy."
"Amelia? Dog's up, so Zel probably is too. Wanna take him lunch? Oh, and be sure to knock this time, okay? He prefers to be warned… Oh, Xelloss needs food too, any volunteers…Oh, I'll do fetch-and-carry this time…" Lina mumbled and added some bread and a fruit drink to her 'tray' –a cardboard box that once held cans of dog food.
Using the keys Val had borrowed, Lina made it through the gauntlet of doors and locks to the interior of the practice room. "Xelloss? You awake?"
"Is that you Lina? Uh…I am now…Are you coming to visit?"
"Yeah, and I have food too…Yeah, yeah, yeah…I'm a regular Florence Nightingale. Can you move at all? It's hard to carry this up stairs…Oh, thanks…" she said as he grasped the far edge of the box out of her struggling hands.
She blushed. He was wearing his purple pajama bottoms, scared chest bare. His hair hung limp and dull, skin pale and cheeks flushed with fever. He looked very attractive, in a sick, helpless sort of way, not that she cared. He lowered the box to the floor beside his bed, then sank onto his pillows and quivering mattress with a sigh.
"That was my exercise for the day!" he smiled. He reached for the water and drank deeply, then closed his eyes. "So…what am I missing?"
"Filia has everyone else making Valentine cards," Lina smiled in returned.
He opened an eye. "No way."
"Oh, yes. Be glad you are over here with an excuse."
"I'm sure Zelgadiss is…Val too? Hmm…Want to know a secret?"
Lina loved extracting secrets, but here Xelloss was offering her one? "What's the cost?"
"For you? None, Lina. Free of charge. Go over to the computer and look at the screen…then delete it…"
"This is Val's birth record? How did you get…oh my…oh…my…Oh am I going to have fun with this…Wow…for that…just a min…" Lina said, then hopped down from the loft to the bathroom below.
"Now, time to cool you off…" she winked as she put the cool damp washcloth on his forehead. "Have you taken any of this crap from Megumi today? No? Bad patient...here, one teaspoon, it says. You won't feel better until the fever comes down. Zel? I haven't seen him yet. Yeah, that makes my visiting you even more special, doesn't it? I need to check your temperature here…how does this work? Oh, just press it to you head…104! Get these covers off! Where's the switch for your fan…I'll chill down this whole place. There…yeah, I'll stay a bit longer. Ya know, you look older without the bangs…the glasses too."
He smiled weakly. "I'm not very good company, I'm afraid, Lina, not a happy invalid."
"Who is? Not me! I get so crabby even Luna won't get near me. Time to change that cloth…it's steaming! "
"I-I'm cold, Lina," he whined.
"No you're not! You're body's so confused…maybe if you took a …tepid bath or shower…it says here on this list of instructions that that will bring down a high temperature. Wanna try the shower? Do you need Val here to help? Well…I'm gonna get him cause I 'm certainly not going in there with you…I'll give him a call…Filia? Put Val on…"
"He's burnin' up over here…Dump him in the shower but be sure he doesn't drown or anything…Yes, there's more, take his temperature after he gets out and back into bed. Don't let him have any more than a sheet to wrap up in either! If he gives you trouble, call me, got it? If he wants, let him eat, if not, you can re-heat the soup later. Yes, you can call Sylphie over to help, after he's decent…you know what I mean! Right…"
Lina hug up click. "I'll wait until he's here…shit, you know your timing isn't good…we need to be practicing those new songs…the old ones too. Instead I'm sitting here playing nursemaid to a… a…don't give me that look."
"Look? I simply opened my eyes to see who was shouting at me. Oh, hello, Lina. You look pretty today…kinky hair," he smiled and closed his glassy, feverish eyes.
"Kinky…oh that, well, ah…Gourry's little sisters braided it up into all these little …whatevers, then I slept with them in, then Gourry had to help me undo the mess this morning…" she dictated the events in order.
"So you stayed all night at…Gourry's?" Xelloss whispered suspiciously and fixed his purple gaze on Lina.
"Well, yeah…we were baby-sitting his hoards of…waitaminute…I STAYED IN THE GIRLS' ROOM! We were supervised every split second by teams of little girls or boys…especially that Joey character, who'd better watch where he put his hands…better yet, cut out the tickling stuff… GET THE PICTURE, BOY WITH SICK MIND!"
"Yes!"
"That's better! I gotta keep at this all the time, don't I? You don't hold a very high opinion of me, I gotta say," Lina glared back, ruby eyes glittering with hurt.
"Yes I do! That's why I…was curious if I'd misheard or something. You know…how I feel about you. A-and I won't say it, it's just that…I know how HE feels about you too. Lina, I may be older, but life's all …some big mystery to me. I know, barely, how I feel, even less what I think about it, and nearly nothing about what to do about it. So, I'm really clueless about what anyone else feels, or thinks, or means…unless I ask, which gets Zelgadiss mad, you even madder, and everyone else in various stages in-between. I feel like an idiot, which I know you all think I am so I guess I'm right on target with that one, right? Yeah, thought so. You don't have to answer…you are saved by the man…Hi, Val…you don't have to do this…"
Val had loped on over and now was steadying Xelloss down the stairs and into the bathroom. "Oh, yes I do…sounds like yer fever's gone to yer brain. Come on…I'll help you stumble down the stairs…yeah, just short of breakin' yer neck… Lina? Can you, ah, don't bother…I'll get him some clothes later…go on back and paste doilies for Filia. I'm done with'em… ALL SEVEN too!"
Xelloss assured him he could take care of the rest, but Lina made sure Val sat on the stairs and waited.
(((.-)) Zel |||^.^||| Xelloss |{{^.^}}| Lina |((.^)|| Gourry ((^.^)) Amelia |))-.-((| Val