(((.-)) Zel |||^.^||| Xelloss |{{^.^}}| Lina |((.^)|| Gourry ((^.^)) Amelia |))-.-((| Val
Chapter 39
THE SLAYERS
Saturday Night.
Val left a stack of seven Filia-made, but blank, Valentine cards beside the computer for Xelloss to 'fill out' when he was feeling better. Lina followed the tottering two boys down from the loft.
"Be sure to test his temperature and make him drink and …okay, later…" she finished and sped out the door to the main house. Lina had to get out of there. What Xelloss had said stabbed her in the heart. She knew exactly what he meant…about the confusion. One minute, she was in charge, the next…someone or something was spiraling out of HER control. He really had to be needed and cherished and loved, by someone good enough to realize what a prize he'd be someday.
"Amelia still up with Zel? Oh, God, I'd better go save him now…" she gasped between pants from her inter-house run.
Remembering her own advice, she knocked first, "Hey…Lina, here. Can I come in, or do I need to blast a hole in the …er, thanks Amelia. Zel? You look…improved…"
Zel's penetrating gaze clouded, then dissipated as he took in the transformed image of Lina. He gasped, then choked, and then ended up in a coughing fit, which covered up any laughter that might have risen to the surface.
Amelia did the talking, "Miss LINA! What did you do to your hair? It's so, so…huge!"
"Like another lifeform…" Zel sputtered.
Lina hadn't really looked at it since she had been out getting food and card-making supplies in the wind. She had noticed a tendril or two hanging about her face, but she had a lot of hair. Okay, Xelloss had remarked about it too, so…she marched into Zel's bathroom and looked in the mirror. The sharp intake of air said it all, to Zel at least. For everyone in the neighborhood, the screams that followed said the rest.
"OH MY GOD! WHAT IN THE SEVEN HELLS HAPPENED TO MY HAIR! HA, Ha, ha, haaahahaha…" she collapsed onto the floor laughing herself into a state of hiccups. The VERY kinky, enormous mass of long, flaming red hair had been further teased into a giant 'Afro' by the misty rain and wind. It appeared to be swallowing Lina whole, from the top down.
Zel was sitting up in bed dressed in a T-shirt and sweatpants. Around him were Valentine cards and in his hand, a pen. "I'd ask you to be my Valentine, but it looks like THAT got to you first, oh well…I'll have to write something else more appropriate then," he smirked, sarcasm oozing from his pores. "Let's see…Lina the wild and wooly, came down via rope and a pulley, she ensnared me in hair, vowed my life she would spare, if only to not look too silly… Wait, wait…I can do better… Ah, ensnared in her locks… I chanted a spell, changed my skin into rocks…and escaped with my life and my socks…hold on pound oof! No…stop that…I almost had it right that time…pound…save me AMELIA!"
Amelia was torn. Lina was right to be mad at his teasing, but…she decided to pull Lina off of him…even the just and righteous could be weak. Besides, he was sick, right? And weak, right?
"Come on, Miss Lina. Mr. Zelgadiss is still sick. He's even had a difficult time concentrating on finishing his cards!" Amelia pleaded.
"The one you make for me had better be good," Lina growled at him, then grinned evilly. "Yours will be. I promise. I think that I'll go work on it now, while I'm in the … right mood, especially after my latest chat with Mr. Needy across the way."
Lina made as if to go.
"Lina, NO!" pleaded Zel. He needed her…sarcasm for a break from sweet Amelia. "Ah…how is he? What's going on?"
"He is…taking a cold shower with Val…to lower his temperature…he was speaking in tongues deliriously… He is absolutely unable to practice music and will probably keep Val amused by moaning and whining. Otherwise, why would I have left and come here to be criticized?" Lina ranted a bit.
Zel stared at Lina. I think I'll choose to ignore that cold-shower part , "So is everybody going to tonight's basketball game?"
"Yes!" answered Amelia, "Unless you think I should stay…"
Lina shrugged her shoulders, "Depends on Val's report. He's gotta go to work soon, so can't stay with Xelloss until later tonight. Looks like you're well enough to take care of yourself, Zel."
Zel nodded. "Amelia, go have some fun. You could use a break. I'll go and watch over Xelloss. I can manage that much. When you go, I'll give you my cellphone and then we can keep in touch, all right?"
"Fine with me. Amelia, you keep the phone cause your purse is big enough. Did you guys eat yet? Well, I haven't so I'm gonna eat and make cards…Later…" Lina hopped off the end of the bed where she had settled herself after her hysterical outburst.
"Okay, now…you promised to help me with my poetry, Mr. Zelgadiss. It was embarrassing to find out Val was so much cleverer at it than I was! Even Gourry's not bad!" Amelia said pouting 'cutely'.
"Oh joy…"Zel thought, settling back onto his pillows. "Let's start with…Gourry. What do you like about him? Start with that. What else? Write that down…what? HAS to rhyme…all right…Read it back."
"Okay…Your smile warms the hearts of all who know you, your eyes sparkle with kindness. I'm so glad to call you friend and la,la,lalalalalalalsomething-ness."
"Ah…try… I'm so glad to call you friend and fellow Slayer, and wish you a lifetime of happiness," Zel suggested.
"Oh thank you! Now Xelloss…I know, stay away from 'purple', it's hard to rhyme anything with it! Let's see… You're so generous to share your home with us every week, I will always remember your version of Puck. And even though you're a bit of a sneak…I hope this Valentine will bring you good luck! THERE! I DID IT! Oh thank you so much Mr. Zelgadiss! Now, show me what you've written!" Amelia insisted vehemently.
"Ah…How about this one, 'Dear Miss Amelia I wish that you would, call me Zelgadiss like a good friend should. Drop the formal Mister or I promise I will call you my sister and…' I just made it up…but I wish you'd call me Zel, all right?"
Amelia looked at her hands wistfully. "I try but…then the last time…you became so distant. I must have overstepped my bounds with…that kiss. I didn't want to assume…too much. I know we are friends now, but for a while, I wasn't so sure. I would never want to do anything to jeopardize our friendship. You are one of the most intelligent, brave, and wonderful people I know!"
"Amelia…" Zel began to stop her from saying more. "I'm just a seventeen year old guitar player who's lucky to have friends who care about him. Now, back to the poetry…how many more do you have to do?"
"Where did Lina put that thermal-tape thing? Oh…101 degrees…is that better? Sounds high…look, it's time for a drink of water. Xelloss? You okay?" Val was worried about the listless kid lying on the bed.
"No. I'm not…maybe I'll do everyone a favor and die…" Xelloss answered morosely.
"Die? You've got the flu, for chrissakes! If the crime lord of the western world can't kill you, the flu certainly won't. And it wouldn't do me no favor to have gone to all this work for noth'n…besides, where would we find a drummer to replace you in time fer the dance, huh? Listen, fer what it's worth, I can count the people I'd call 'friend' on my two hands, but the ones that I'd trust with my life… on one hand. I can't afford to lose one of those. Now I gotta go to work, and Lina'll …do someth'n awful to me if you're not better before I go, so plaster on that smile," Val was waving his arms in an animated way.
Xelloss closed his eyes and remained silent.
"Dude? What's the matter? Really," Val knelt down beside him.
"I'm scared. I am so scared. I gotta meet this guy next week…make him trust me…extort information from him…to find Gaav. In the meantime, I start the novice program and learn how to heal and be all holy or something … and … and what if I fail? What if I can't do it?"
"Then you get your wish and die young, but doom me and Zel. Listen, you can't fail at the priest stuff. If that Miroku dude can do it, and he's as impure as they come, then you'll pass with flying colors. And that other guy? You're 'bout the best actor I know. I don't wanna start sound'n like Amelia, but if anyone can pull this off, it's you." Val sat back on the daybed and watched Xelloss. "That's not all that's bother'n ya…"
Xelloss shook his head.
Val smiled, "Bet a year ago nobody'd be here taking care of ya, huh?"
"A year! How about only a few months ago? Before this school year you guys hardly knew I existed!" Xelloss spoke emotionally.
Val nodded, " So, there you go…same with me. When I was in jail…you all came, owed me noth'n. Look what Amelia's family's done for me! Hey, I might even graduate thanks to you guys!"
Xelloss ventured a small smile. "Yeah…"
"Feel'n better? Somewhat?" Val asked.
"Ah, a little heart-sick…"
"Oh, that…Lina…" Val sighed knowingly. "Would ya rather have never known her? Never have felt love?"
Xelloss shook his head, "Noooo…"
"Me neither. And if I knew what would change her mind…I wouldn't tell ya, heh, heh… I would have used it long ago! So just sit back and wait…never know what new twists fate has in store fer ya…" Val said with a touch of wistfullness.
"That philosophy come out of your mouth?" Xelloss chuckled softly.
"Yeah, well…keep it to yourself."
"Ah, yes…it's…a secret," Xelloss smiled and closed his eyes.
"Val? You in here? Oh, up there. Time to go, bus in ten minutes…no, seven, Zel tells me. I'll stay with Xelloss now…until nearer to game time," Sylphiel said.
"Later, dude," shouted the lanky punk, chains jangling on his way down stairs. "Oh, she's bringing ya some more cards fer poetry writ'n time, HA, HA!"
"Poetry? Oh, hi Sylphiel. Yes, I'm presentable…I think. No, it's really okay! I'm even clean, thank God I got my hair washed. It was driving me nuts." A look of relief passed over his face, then his attention settled upon the stack of cards. "Eww, do I hafta?" he whined as a joke.
"Uh, huh, Filia says so and Amelia's got Zel to do his. Gourry's done and Val did his in a snap. First, though I'm supposed to play nurse and check your temperature, in case Val didn't, and be sure you're drinking enough water, and something else…so many things…ah…well, Lina says so. Did you eat yet? No? I bet it had to do with that…yucky cold soup. Microwave? That was it! Here you take the cards …oh Val already brought some? Well, we'll do extras for …Martina and…Megumi and… oh…the soup, almost forgot again!" she giggled and carefully carried the bowl down the staircase to heat it up.
Xelloss sighed and looked at the blank cards. What would he write…could he say to these people that meant the world to him…and not sound…ridiculous?
"Okay…here it comes…ouch! It's real hot now. I'll take your temperature, Lina showed me how to do it too, while you eat." She smiled and fumbled with the strip, then smoothed it above his brow. "You look soooo different with glasses on, you know? Kinda…smarter, not that you aren't smart enough already! Let me see, 100 degrees even, is that good? It is? Now I've messed up your hair, can I fix it?"
Xelloss was starting to accept his friends messing with his hair, "Ah, there's a comb someplace…by the bed…I combed it out after my shower."
She smoothed it out in back and swept the bangs off his face and to either side, "There. I've ALWAYS wanted to do that! It looks more…like the way guys wear their hair…you know?"
Oh he knew. He just didn't think it mattered. He liked it the old way, but humored her and let it go.
"You're very kind…and beautiful, you know?" he smiled. That made her blush and move back off the edge of waterbed. He was ready for that and so held his bowl so that it didn't slosh soup out onto the covers. "I'm sorry if that embarrassed you. If it makes you feel better, just think it's the fever getting to me." He thought to himself, She can put her hands on me but I can't compliment her, what's that all about?
"Oh…it's all right…but…you shouldn't say things like that…now. You're not supposed to even THINK about girls!" she said seriously.
"What gave you that idea? I read the rules. Nowhere did it say that I couldn't compliment an attractive young woman. Just not much else. And see? You've made me helpless…my hands are full of hot soup which I surely won't drop to…try anything. I know! I'll eat and dictate my poetry, and you write it in the cards. That way the work gets done and Filia won't have cause to attack me again and you fulfill your…assigned duties," he smiled.
Sylphiel didn't follow all that he said, but he certainly looked non-threatening so she nodded and picked up a card and…purple pen nearby. "Okay… who do want to start with?"
"Gourry. 'Ah, Gourry, my friend with the biggest heart I know. 'Course you're the biggest guy I know soooo. You tolerate my jests each day, and never vow to make me pay. I think you're great and am glad to have you fighting a common foe.' So, how did that sound, okay? I'm not much for writing poetry, are you? Read me one of yours…" Xelloss smiled teasingly.
"Mine? I didn't bring one…I can't remember any…but that sounded nice to me! Who's next?" she asked, taking the empty bowl of soup from his hands and setting it down on the desk.
"How about…you? My dear friend, Sylphiel, whose shiny hair rustles like silk...Why are your eyes so sad and gray stark against skin of milk? What secrets do you keep inside, what mysteries do you conceal? I hope you trust me to confide, how it is you feel." That, he thought, ought to send her packing.
"Oh, Xelloss that was soooo…cool a poem. Is it true, though? Can I really talk to about…things?" she drew closer, stunning him with her reaction.
"Eep! Ah, of course, Sylphiel!"
"I've been dying to tell somebody, but…it's so hard. Here goes, for the longest time I've dreamed of Gourry being the perfect man for me. He seems to be soo shy that I'm not sure he ever understood how I felt... but now…I feel untrue to him…" she paused to see if Xelloss was listening. He was aghast. "You see…there is someone else, but…"
He noticed that she was waiting for him to do something. Nod or…"But?" he supplied.
"His heart is unattached but…his soul is in a higher place," she sighed dramatically.
"Umm, he's dead?" Xelloss was lost now.
"Dead? No! But…you know…he's not…" she began, exasperation apparent in her voice.
"Sylphie? Time to go! Hey, Chaos-kid! Send her down will ya? Time to go cheer on the team!" Filia yelled from the open door down below.
"Chaos-kid? My name's Xelloss, remember? Thank you for helping with the cards, Sylphiel. I'll work on the others, I promise," he said lightly.
"Should I take the bowl too? Okay…you'll keep my secret?" she whispered to Xelloss.
"Secret? Everyone knows you like Gourry, Sylphiel…" he attempted to say.
"No, I mean about…the other guy…" she added hurriedly.
"What other guy? I mean, since I don't know who he is, I can't give you away, can I?"
"Oh, you are soooo clever! Bye! Okay Filia! I'm coming… Oops! I almost forgot the bowl again…bye! Don't forget!" she cried as she scooped up the bowl and left.
Xelloss sank back onto his pillows. He wasn't sure whether to laugh or to scream.
He heard a knock on the door below. "Come in!" he shouted. "Whoever you are…" he whispered.
"Xelloss? It's Zel. Everyone's gone save yours truly. Amelia has my cellphone. Well, if I hadn't given it to her, she might have insisted on staying! Yeah, she's been…fine. But after having been showered with hours of kindness and attention… I came to see you and…"
"…Be showered with hours of abuse and neglect from me. How thrilling! I feel sooo appreciated!" Xelloss sang.
Zel had climbed up to the loft and had taken his seat on the daybed. "Feel like killing something? Lost universe?"
Xelloss shook his head. "Maybe later. I mean, I DO feel like killing…but I'm too weak to sit at the keyboard. If I had that staff…I could almost pound on the keys from here."
"All right, later. So you had Val and Sylphiel for entertainment. Lina put it in an interesting way…'he's taking a cold shower with Val'. Yes! That's how she put it! I …let it pass. Amelia…whoosh over her head. Yeah, Lina's hair was pretty…out there too. She tell you about it?" Zel asked.
"Screamed it. I might have raised an eyebrow when she casually mentioned staying over at Gourry's house, and then she blasted me for having dirty thoughts. What's with her, taking up mind reading now? I can't win!" Xelloss wailed.
Zel ignored his friend's dramatics, "Changing your hair as well?"
"What? Oh, God, Sylphiel…I think she…no, doesn't even matter what I think anymore, I'm always wrong or being duplicitous or…something. From now on I'm keeping my opinions and comments to myself. If anyone asks me anything, I'll go back to answering 'that's a secret.' Then I'll just be annoying. It was simpler then, you know…just being annoying. Did I just say 'you know'? Shit, I hate that irritating phrase…And those damned cards and poetry writing! I hate writing poetry…what do I say to …you for instance?" Xelloss complained.
Zel chuckled, "Where's the 'off' button on you? It looks okay, the hair, by the way. Anyway, I'll re-heat leftovers for dinner, when you feel like it. Want me to go?"
"No. Thanks for listening… with Sylphiel around, I guess I was holding it all in…she's so…pure…"
Zel was cackling, "Heh, heh…Val once said something like that about you… or was that gay? I had to create 'poems from the heart' for Amelia as well as myself. Yeah…you should feel better. It wasn't so bad. I made them short and not one will cause tooth decay. Which ones have to be done?" Zel asked. Xelloss pointed to the pile, which Zel picked up and proceeded to leaf through. "This isn't your handwriting…your pen…not your script…how can I tell? This I can read, your writing's crap."
"Sylphiel took dictation."
"You had her write out this? …'Skin of milk, silk' …sounds like a love poem to me. What were you thinking?" asked Zel incredulously.
"God only knows…I was having a bit of fun…testing…I thought she'd get embarrassed and disappear. Didn't work. Kinda backfired…" Xelloss muttered.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that. So, let's start with Amelia, she's safe, right? All right. What do you admire about her…don't tell me just write it down, write something else and say happy Valentine's day…don't say love or beautiful or anything that might be taken as a leading statement…which in your case may make this awfully dull," Zel smirked, then continued.
"Ready for Filia? Well who really ever is? How to start…'Thanks for not bruising me too badly, and sparing my life-ah…Thank you for cutting my hair so well, I'm still recognizable and that's not a trif-le. Thanks for sharing the band with me even if I have to play drums holding a rifle.' You're welcome. Consider it my gift to you. Next…Val. You got that one? Great. That leaves Lina and me. Lina…You've been an important part of my life. Your singing is amazing. Thanks for being my friend. Have an enjoyable Valentine's day.' Well, it's safe. And mine can be the same, except for the name part. See? All done. Ready for games or dinner? Dinner, it is…I'll be back. By the way, don't worry about Sylphiel. She's been gossiping about some basketball player of mutual interest to Filia. She gets crushes on a different guy each week…the Gourry thing is a fall-back position. How did I know? I heard them talking…elf ears with demon hearing!"
Monday.
The Monday morning announcements included: Due to the problem with printing student's class schedules the week before, the new semester class lists have not been available in the office until now, Monday morning. Please excuse our delay. Tutoring begins again next week on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school in the same rooms as last semester. The Valentine dance is this Friday night featuring our own band, the SLAYERS…
Zel was not surprised to find his new elective was cooking, even if it wasn't on his list of alternatives. Gourry was a bit put off about it, however, and at lunch, voiced his opinion. Lina smoothed his ruffled feathers when she told him he could eat what he made.
"Besides, someday you won't be living at home and won't have your mom to do your cooking!" she noted poking her carrot stick in his face.
On the second poke, he lunged forward and snapped off the carrot with his teeth. "Okay, Lina…"
Xelloss took the bus to the Whispering Oaks Retirement Home for his service job during what used to be his computer lab with Zel. Apparently, he would be late for cooking class every day. Zel realized his duty was to cover for him. After fifteen minutes, Zel was elevated to 'cooking assistant' and paired with the 'late boy' for the rest of the term.
"Of course…" Zel sighed.
Everyone else worked independently, but the atmosphere was relaxed and the students ended up working together and making communal feasts. It made for a satisfying end to the day.
Filia, Val, and Sylphiel already had a project in mind for the silk-screening class, and so, would be allowed to work together for the term—if they could agree on any of the T-shirt designs!
It was just another beginning of an extraordinary week in the lives of the SLAYERS.
Monday, Band Practice.
Val, Zel, and Xelloss happily accepted the 'Amelia Van' ride to the practice room. Val's ribs were sore after a long day of activity and seemed a little low-spirited. The other two were still suffering from the flu. The van stopped at the market for drinks and food supplies, then dropped off the kids.
The break from practice did them some good. They meshed better than ever, even if they played with less energy. Gourry's newest song was fine and ready for the dance. Xelloss' was nearly perfect, just a few rough spots remained. It would be ready.
Lina assured everyone her song would be sung by a 'mystery' singer the night of the dance. They would not get a chance to practice with her before that time, unless a miracle occurred for Wednesday's practice, so… "Get it right with me and don't change a thing!" she warned everyone.
Zel's instrumental on the acoustic guitar would be performed solo and was left up to him to determine if it was ready. He assured them it would be, then played it completely. He received their applause with grace. Surely, this was a different Zelgadiss than the one which had joined the band originally.
They had a couple of instrumental 'slow songs' to add to the mix. Then Lina boldly put forth, "We gotta do 'Can't Buy Me Love'! I heard it on the radio last night while I was soaking in the tub and thought it would be perfect for us. Come on guys, you know that one, don't you? Okay, take a few mins to work out the instrumentals, while we figure out all the verses…"
That's how it went. Lina's taste ruled. She rarely turned down one of their ideas either. After an hour or so, they broke to rest and to consume food and beverages.
"Check it out!" shouted Val to Zel as he pealed off a new riff on the keyboards. "Just figured out how the dude did that, cool, eh?"
"Yeah, you're naturally talented…and practice pays off," Zel noted, guzzling a second glass of water. "But you've got the right hands too. Strong and agile fingers that are long…good reach. They work independently, but execute the same kind of movement. As opposed to guitar, which requires each hand to operate differently and with different timing. See? I have to hold strings down a fraction of a second before my right hand picks or strums the string…so the fingers are doing different things with slightly different timings to make a sound. Now, Gourry's hands are huge and strong. I can barely play the bass for more than a few minutes. Try it! Those strings are thick and hard to hold down. His are perfect. Xelloss? Well, karate has strengthened his wrists. Drumming is in the wrists, so both activities were mutually beneficial."
Zel paused and finished his drink. "Just something I've noticed. What's wrong?"
"I haven't heard ya talk so much before, that's all…interesting though…" Gourry smiled.
"So what's with you?" Filia asked the subdued Val.
"Aw…Time's runn'n out on my being able to camp out at Sano's. Gaav's not in custody, so I can't go back there. Laws, probation… I don't know where I'm gonna be put next. Eh, don't worry, somethn's in the works. I gotta phone call this morning before school from that lawyer-dude, Fribrizzo…he says an offer's been made and I might hear 'bout it today. I can accept the new place, or decline…that's what he said. Ah just hope it ain't far outta town or noth'n," Val shrugged and downed his drink.
"Oh Mr. Val… I'm so sorry. I forgot all about that 'temporary' thing…" Amelia sympathized.
"Val, if it weren't for getting back and forth from your job, there's no problem with you getting a place out at the settlement…I'm sure," Filia offered hesitantly.
He wasn't sure what to say. While he was thinking, there came a knock on the door.
Xelloss moved slowly, but opened before the third knock. It was his mother. "Yes?" he asked, one eyebrow raised in query.
"Hello…dear, how did your day go? Good? Well, you'll have to tell me all about that community service project…later. Actually, I'm here to see…Val, there you are. May I speak to you, privately dear…it won't take long. Thank you," she smiled knowing that she was startlingly beautiful and walking beside an unsure, gawky teenage boy who couldn't tear his eyes off her.
Xelloss silently mouthed, "NO!" then slammed the door. Zelgadiss, fresh from a coughing fit, asked, "What do you think?"
Xelloss smirked, "And that is how I acquired a foster brother, eh? What do YOU think? Let's see, where will he go? The guest bedroom? Probably…I wonder what HIS color will be? Do I sound bitter…or merely sarcastic?"
Lina snarled, "She can't possibly be the one who called … You don't think Zelas is trying to get her claws into Val now, do you? Who's in charge downtown that would let…"
"You're asking who would let the high school principal and her professor husband take in the nasty, punk step-son of that bastard Gaav…with two smart, clean-living sons to turn him from a life of depravity? Who wouldn't? Remember that we know the truth, and very few others do. AND there's no solid evidence. Amelia's father and Sylphiel's father believe us, but can't give away what they know or I'm up shit creek. No, Val's moving in, I can FEEL it," Xelloss said darkly.
"Sano will be safer," noted Zelgadiss. "Saygram won't be able to get his hands on Val so easily. Don't give me that look, Xelloss! I'm simply pointing out that there are some pluses to weigh in as well."
"Well, you might all be wrong. So wait until he gets back before making judgement," sniffed Filia.
Silence.
"So…" started Lina, "How's it at home? Nahga settling in, I take it?"
Amelia's turn to look dismayed. "Oh, Miss Lina…you know how worried daddy gets about her…well she's at a 'troubled teen' dude ranch in Utah for a few months. I hope it helps her. Either that or she will corrupt the camp!"
A tiny giggled escaped Amelia's lips, "Oh, I shouldn't laugh about her, but she's so…"
"Suggestive and corruptive?" Xelloss offered. "Course that was my impression after knowing her for... Zelgadiss, how long was it before she had her hands on…"
"We picked up Lina and her in Sairaag, Amelia, then dropped her at your place, remember? Lina, Xelloss, and I were late getting to the play practice that day…Martina was waving a sword around…Yeah, that's the 'meeting' he's referring to," Zel spoke rapidly. He wanted to clarify his minimal involvement in the Nahga saga before Xelloss could insinuate his take on the whole affair back into the conversation.
"She was pretty friendly then, and later after the last night of the play, she…" Xelloss continued, pleased to watch Zel take a turn in the squirm-chair.
"She did recognize us, didn't she? I hear Val returning. Xelloss, get the door!" Zel scowled. He was simply trying to avoid embarrassing Amelia over her sister's behavior. Amelia had been very…kind to him and she didn't deserve teasing.
None of this was lost on the others. Xelloss was being irritating and Zelgadiss was not so indifferent as he wished to appear.
Amelia smiled at Zel, "It's okay, Zel-gadiss. I know all about my dear sister. I love her bunches, but…she's wild. I'm not surprised she was attracted to you, though…"
Xelloss opened the door, to find Val about to knock. Val appeared unharmed, but a little shell-shocked. "Ya wouldn't believe what she just offered me…but I told her I'd have ta think about it tonight."
Xelloss smiled, "Welcome to the Metallium-Graywords House of Horrors. Your life will be endangered every waking moment, and nightmares will fill your sleeping hours. During your stay, please restrict yourself to the kitchen and your own room. Being found outside those safe zones of the house or cavorting upon the surrounding grounds will entitle you to immediate and painful reminders that you have sold your soul to the demons within. So, choose your 'color' and have a happy day!"
Val stood gaping at the strange purple-haired kid, "Ah, gray, mebbe or black. Thanks." He stared at Zel. "How'd ya guess?"
Zel shook his head, "Want to hear the plus side?"
"I gotta be careful what to wish for… What'd ya say?" Val tuned in again.
"Saygram and Gaav will leave you alone here. You get your own bathroom. No rent, so you'll save money…" Zel began.
"Live-in tutoring, cooking and cleaning provided…" chuckled Lina.
"You all can walk to school together and take the bus to work or the dojo together…" add Amelia cheerily.
"Are you okay, Val?" asked Gourry. "Ya look kinda…spaced out."
"She said I can stay in the guest room or…share with you, Xelloss. Why would she want me here?" Val wondered aloud.
"To keep you out of Gaav's clutches, no doubt. However, I will ask her directly tonight...when we have our little talk. Val, I'm sorry I got you into this mess," Xelloss said honestly.
"So are you going to be moving into their house?" Sylphiel asked.
"Guess so…What do you think?" Val was looking at Xelloss, then Zel for confirmation.
Lina had been waiting for her chance. "I think…do it. Hear me out. Whatever Zelas has planned, Xelloss can figure it out or be a part of it, most likely. Our advantage is that she doesn't know that we know…that sounded dumb. Okay, Xelloss, tonight you blow up. You don't want to hav'ta share anymore space with more 'ingrates', etc. You don't want him to get involved and have to risk your neck bailing him out. How are you going to keep Zel in the dark and out of everything with Val spilling the beans…blah, blah, blah… Get the point? Now she'll have to explain why Val's not a problem and give away info while you come away having lost no ground at all. Make sense?"
Xelloss nodded, "I was thinking along those lines. Worse case I'll offer to team up with Val, but that would make it really difficult. Don't you see? I'm trying to fool my mother into thinking I want to help her run some evil empire, all the while actually infiltrating it to provide evidence to bring her down. At the same time I'm pretending to be an innocent bystander in an old-folks home and pure-as-driven-snow as a novice becoming a priest. Also, I'm protecting Zelgadiss and Val from being caught or the rest of you being 'found out'. It's COMPLICATED!"
Lina chuckled, "I just thought of a nickname for you, when this is all over…Xelloss the Trickster Priest!"
"Oh, Miss Lina! That's not a nickname…more of a title…" Amelia cried,. "And not very complimentary either."
After awhile, Gourry, Val, Xelloss, and Zel returned to their music.
Lina beckoned the other girls over to talk, "Do you realize that if they succeed, actually defeat Gaav, Rezo, and Zelas and survive, that Xelloss, Val, and Zel will be fantastically rich? For one, they'll own their own houses, right? Then there's the whole inheritance thing, part of the Shabrinigdo inheritance they each get, plus Zel gets even more through both the Rezo and the Metallium connections. Also, Val gets something from the ancient Cephied clan fund and his mother's insurance that Gaav's been scamming away from him somehow. And Xelloss…the Metallium syndicate must be worth billions…if he gets to keep any of it…"
The girls sat aghast. None of them had thought about the monetary end of it before. "I know the financial gain part has never crossed their minds!" Amelia said defiantly.
"No…but they all look far more attractive…in that light…" Filia smiled devilishly.
And for a moment she was literally correct. The last of the low, pale-yellow, afternoon sun shown though the open window above the door, bathing the 'boys' in a warm, golden glow. It only lasted a few minutes, then passed with the arrival of new storm clouds, amassing for the evenings pending onslaught.
"All right everybody!" Lina called to her band and friends. "Time to smooth those last rough edges cause Friday's the dance and this is our chance to practice! Oh, yeah, since we didn't get a chance to alter our wardrobe, en masse shall we say, WE are requesting that you all wear a different shirt, top, or whatever…in red, pink, or green. Everyone got one of those? Good. Okay, one more time through MY song first,…"
Very late, Wednesday Night.
"I am supposed to spend my time socializing with the Whispering Oaks residents," Xelloss began his mid-week report to Zelas. "I helped them find activities, chatted, and…assisted in any way I could. I was introduced to Mr. Saygram, Sr. Apparently, he's a crotchety old hermit because one of the employees hinted that if I could draw him out, then I'd be hired!
"His name-- you could have warned me, Zelas-- gave me pause. I must have reacted enough that he asked if I recognized his name. Luckily, I had the presence of mind to get around my error…hmmm? I asked him if his family made whiskey. He snorted and said that the name of the whiskey was SEAGRAM'S…but that his family made plenty of trouble. He must have warmed to me, though, because he growled about my helping him find a decent chess player for him. He dared me to!
"I said, 'okay…ME!' So we sat at a table and played a couple games. Yes, I was careful not to win or play too well, just good enough to keep him entertained. I wasn't about to tip him off. He's sharp…but I'm sharper!"
"And I am the sharpest of all, eh?" Zelas smiled and set down her wineglass. "We'll see. He's a wily old devil…I know him by another name…but you did well for this first week. Play the fool and don't get caught."
"Now…about Val…" began Xelloss. "I am really tired of you bringing my friends into all this! He knows what kind of man Gaav is, in a small way, but not you. It's hard enough keeping secrets from Zelgadiss, but now you've added Val! Moreover, I'm tired of sharing with more and more 'brothers'. Couldn't you stuff them in Rezo's old place!"
Zelas waited him out. "Are you over your jealous tantrum? Good. Val is here because Saygram was coming back for him. Val and all his wealth would be back under Gaav's control. Oh, he didn't even know? The mayor's lawyer nearly had the paperwork filed on behalf of Val for certain… benefits to be in his name only, since his parent was… missing. If Val was returned to Gaav, then…he'd lose those benefits again, Gaav would get them."
"B-but he's eighteen! Why does Gaav still have control over Val's 'benefits'?" Xelloss asked.
"Clan rules, dear. As long as he's dependent on his parents for support, his parents get the benefits. Living here, and in my employment…settle down! I didn't say working for the syndicate. I was thinking 'school' jobs, that way he'll have the benefits again, and the money should come directly here; that is, to him."
"But isn't Gaav hiding out from arrest warrants or something?" Xelloss asked, curious about the laws of the land.
"Only in Seyruun…and he's not guilty of any crime, dear, he's never been tried officially. Actually, he's holed up somewhere to escape me and…Hellmaster. I want his empire, what's left of it…Hellmaster? Well, I'm not sure. Gaav likes to collect…relics…to sell…to fund his little rising crime world. He's been on the hunt for the Red Priest's mantle and staff, so perhaps he stole something of Hellmaster's."
Xelloss looked thoughtful, "So what can I tell Val?"
"Val? Whatever you like, if you recruit him, he'll report to you, after training…both of you," she lit a new cigarette and sucked in the smoke. "Considering that he can handle firearms and is fairly well acquainted with the world of petty crime, he could be of some benefit to you. You faint at the sight of blood, correct? Not much good if you plan to attack Gaav, or were you planning to take him dancing and seduce him?"
"What?" Xelloss blanched and choked, startled at the suggestion.
"Don't be naïve, dear. You're intent on drawing Gaav out and, now how would that little girlfriend of Zelgadiss' put it…'having him put to justice'?" Zelas chuckled evilly. "You are attractive, I'm sure he'd think so too…especially those scars…"
Xelloss was shook to the core. "Those are not your orders, are they?"
"Mine? Why, I haven't completed my plans for you yet. As I said, you need training first. Then I'll know the type of work for which you're suited. Now go. I have some calls to make and you have school work to finish, hmmm?"
Xelloss bowed slightly and strode from the room, out the door, and to his place. He climbed to his loft and began hammering on the computer…
Instant Messaging on
Zel, U up? ||~.~||
X, O Yea I heard |||.~|||
I hate her ||~.~||
X? I think she was pulling ur chain |||.~|||
What kind of mother would say that? HUH? I hate her ||~.~||
A bad one. I'm sorry. |||.~|||
Come over? Lost Universe? ||~.~||
OK |||.~|||
Instant Messaging offFriday, Valentine's Day.
Lina dumped a bag full of heart-shaped lollipops on Zel's desk. Zel eyed it suspiciously, but said nothing.
Xelloss cried out, "None for me?! Why Lina, I'm hurt!"
"Here's yours," she said unceremoniously dumping a similar bag on his desk, and one in front of Filia. "Hey, don't eat'm! They're for you to SELL! We're selling them for the lacrosse club fundraiser. You owe me $5 for that bag, empty or otherwise by the end of the day."
Zel hadn't touched his bag. He wondered to whom he'd sell them. He couldn't just walk up to some strange kid, or worse, one he barely knew and ask them for money. He looked over at Filia, who was collecting money from a bunch of guys and telling them, "That's right…it's Valentine's day and now you have something to give that special someone…"
He could hear the crinkle of plastic wrapper and the smell of cherry. Xelloss he knew was eating one already… 8:05 AM.
"We are ready to begin our new text, Jane Eyre. I am handing out the books along with the first worksheet to be completed and turned in next Monday. I suggest you get started right away because there will be a writing assignment also. As a reminder, you must do an extra-curricular project for this semester. This list is posted in the back of the room and includes some musical and theater events, period cooking, art shows, and poetry readings at the university. Don't wait until the last week to do these, since the times for many of the events are fixed …so, plan ahead. Now for today's topic," the teacher continued in this vein for the rest of the hour.
History class was interrupted thank God! by a string of cheerleaders – Sylphiel included. Filia rose and stood impatiently with them. The 'leader' shoved a bouquet of red/white balloons into the teacher's hands, and then led the rest of the girls in a 'He's the best!' cheer for the coach.
Lina used the opportunity to trade candy for $'s, fueling the 'gotta get her/him something' frenzy that seemed to have taken over the spirits of the otherwise indifferent students. "Well, that's the last of that bag, on to bag three!" she grinned gleefully.
Zel shook his head gloomily. How ever would he get rid of those candies?
Xelloss tossed one to Ryoga, who jammed the money owed into a paper wad and tossed it back. Even HE could find a way to sell the stuff. Zel simply couldn't bring himself to touch the evil bag.
By lunchtime, Zel had worried himself into an upset stomach. He didn't want to join Lina at the table empty-handed. He also didn't want to listen to all the 'what did you get' talk. HE knew his band would be exchanging cards at practice later, and that was enough for him. He wasn't handsome or charming or considered a 'catch' so nobody would be bothering him with 'love notes'. Did he still have that box of…oh yes, he remembered where he'd hidden his tiny collection of treasured notes from fourth and fifth grades. He'd almost thrown them out several times, but couldn't. Lina, Sylphiel, and others' handmade cards with carefully composed assurances of constancy and caring in their awful neophyte cursive. Some included pictures or photographs or the spot where a tiny candy, long removed and eaten, had been taped or glued. In elementary school, everyone had to give a card everyone, but not all cards were equal. He had seen what some of the less desirable kids got, so he knew that his were very special creations just for him. What a joke! Now, those two girls were the only ones from his class that would look him in the eye or give him the time of day. Valentine's day had become just another reminder of the life that had been taken away from him the day his…father's lab blew up in his face.
"Zel? What have you got there?"
Zel's eyes flew up to meet those of the beautiful, and quite healthy, Kagome. "Ah…candy…for the Lacrosse club…" he managed to say.
"Oh, wonderful I need something to take over to…that other school later…Let's see…$3 worth…thanks, Zel, great timing! Bunny's looking for something too…Hey Bunny! Zel's still got some! There! That's all he has…yep! So will I see you at the Asian Celebration this weekend? Cool! And of course at the dance tonight…wouldn't miss a chance to hear the SLAYERS! Later, then!" Kagome smiled and waved goodbye.
Zel counted out his $5, tossed the empty bag into the trash, and then turned to face his friends at the lunch table. Lina appeared out of nowhere, blocking his path. Before she could ask, he offered her the money, "Here's my entire share, now can I go eat?"
"Good, I'll take it. It was my cover for collecting for Val's birthday present. It's worked too, he has noooo idea we know," she winked.
"What birthday?" Zel sighed.
"18th. His name, Zel. Think about it. Today is…Val's day," she stared at Zel like he was a nitwit.
"Val-entine's day…is his birthday?"
"AND his name!" she grinned hugely at this. "Sylphiel picked up a gift certificate from the music store where he works last night. Hey, his boss and co-workers took up a collection and tossed in some extra so he can get whatever cool stuff he wants there…$100 worth! Anyway, I'll give this to her and we'll surprise him at practice with a 'Valentine' party, dinner, and then go to work at the dance!"
"His name is Valentine?" Zel was near bursting at the seams.
"Don't give away that we know, buster, or it will spoil the surprise! You, Xelloss, Sylphiel and I are the only ones that know," Lina hissed.
Her expression sobered him immediately. He nodded and hurried off to buy a bagel and drink. Xelloss traced his birth record down, of course…
Two younger guys were at 'his' spot at the table, between Amelia and Xelloss, so he pulled up an empty chair alongside Sylphiel. He listened as he chewed and sipped.
"I couldn't decide on a single red rose, or the chocolate truffle…so I got ya both!" sighed Duo from the acting class. Amelia blushed prettily and graciously thanked both boys for thinking of her. Zel glanced up at the other one, but didn't know him. He was probably another freshman, like Duo. He never really thought about Amelia and other guys. She was always around Lina and the band when I see her. Of course she had many other activities and clubs and, apparently, admirers. Then why did she even give him the time of day? Oh, yeah, I'm her 'cause', poor Zel, the freak…
"Ah, Zelgadiss?" Xelloss called out. "I'm going over to buy a cookie, want another bagel or something?"
Zel shook his head. In his hands, the uneaten bagel was crushed to crumbs. How I hate this day… He silently stood up. Gourry's place was littered with mementos, candies, cards…so was Filia's and Amelia's. Sylphiel and Lina had somewhat less. He hadn't noticed Xelloss' place, save for a pile of candy wrappers. His chest tightened with a pain he never chose to reveal. Zel, unable to even breathe, turned and left.
Out of the cafeteria, out of the building Zel rushed outside into the cold winter mist. All those tightly restrained emotions of yearning were about to overwhelm him. He did not want to feel, he did not want to care, he would not let himself be touched, he would not be hurt, he was aloof…hard, uncaring, scornful, and impenetrable. I am a rock… He successfully held back the tears that threatened to fall, and swallowed. After a few minutes, he was composed. He hid his face with his bangs and pulled up his hood closer around his head. I am an island… He zipped up his sweatshirt and pounded the wall with his fist. As a trickle of blood ran down his knuckles to the cement walkway, he smiled grimly, "And a rock feels no pain, and an island never cries."
Kids were wandering around, distributing cards, flowers and candy. Allan Schezar appeared over Lina's shoulder.
"Hello, Slayers band. I thought I'd visit over here a bit…where I'm generally unappreciated," he smiled, expecting some words to the opposite. Not getting them, he continued. "You see the Draconian cultists don't…observe Valentine's day, so I had to get way from all the grieving girls who don't understand when I tell them I can't accept their gifts. I see the Cephied Believers exchange love notes…"
Filia smiled, "I can see nothing wrong with letting a person know how you feel, especially if it's nice!"
Xelloss smiled, "And you do it anytime as well…you don't even need a special day!"
Filia started to say something back at Xelloss, when Allan knelt between Filia and Lina, effectively blocking Xelloss from her view. "That's a wonderful philosophy. Yours or Cephied's?"
His finely chiseled features, expressive eyes, and well-tended, long, blonde hair made Allan an extremely handsome man. And although he wasn't much taller than Filia, he was financially well-off and intelligent enough that she found this particular upper-classman very suitable…as arm candy…or a trophy…
"Mine," she assured him with a knowing smile. "Although it is in accordance with my cult's beliefs as well."
"That's good…I admire a…woman who knows her own mind…" he said silkily.
Val was bristling. Here was a guy he'd love to mash into the sticky cafeteria floor, but this was not the time. That behavior would get him suspended and worse. So he gritted his teeth and made an all-out effort to maintain an aloof posture.
Lina, however found Allan's continued presence annoying. She didn't care for his superior attitude, and she was unable to sell her last lollipops with him in her 'space'.
"Hey, Allan! If your not buying candy, shove off and make room for those that are!" she said, smacking him on the head for emphasis.
"Lina…" he said, a tinge of annoyance seeping through. "By all means…sorry to have disturbed you…I will see you all to night at the dance, won't I? Filia, I'll look foreword to that beautiful song you sing with…Val." The last words he said smiling some and with a glance to the punk sitting at her side.
To his credit, Val said nothing. Filia nodded and waved. Allan disappeared into the crowd. Before anyone could say another word, the bell rang to end the period.
The cooking class baked and decorated Valentine 's Day cookies. Zel's were spectacular. Xelloss was late, as usual, and so, Zel let him do all the decorating while he helped the cooking-impaired finish at least a few presentable specimens. Gourry, who had helped with cookies at home, helped Amelia and Lina roll theirs out evenly and cut without wasting dough. By the end of class, every student had at least a dozen cookies that could be graded average or above.
The teacher thanked the two boys for all their special efforts to make the day go so smoothly and so pleasantly.
Gourry nodded.
Zel sighed, Oh, joy!
Val was expecting a Valentine 's Day party during Friday's practice time (where they'd party and then pack up for the dance that evening) and so, he did not find it peculiar when some of the band members took off to go to the store first. He walked to practice with Gourry and Sylphiel. Walked to Xelloss', Zel's, and, as of this weekend, his home. If they only knew…what a birthday gift this was to him. The guest room and bath had been emptied and painted already. Plush carpeting, all new and in a soft gray color, was being installed this afternoon, while technicians were busy re-wiring the old house for better lines, including DSL for both his and Zel's rooms. Wood shades like Zel's were on order, but a new bed, dresser and desk would be arriving tomorrow. Zel and Xelloss would be driving over in the morning to pick up his boxes and drop him at Gourry's. From Gourry's he'd be going to the Asian Celebration with Lina and Filia, and meet up with the rest of the Slayers. What service!
The very best and most exciting treasure, to be sure, was his very own computer. Wednesday, after band practice, Xelloss and Zel and gone with him to pick out the newest, hottest gear…CD burner, and stuff he'd never even heard of before. To top it off, Zel's old computer was going back to the chemistry lab to end its days grinding out reports. Zelgadiss had been floating on a cloud all afternoon ogling, weighing, and then finally choosing his replacements as well as helping Val with his choices. This made for a weird bonding of punk-nerd-musician-dom that was not lost on the sales people in the store.
Together, the three kids clashed.
Their hair and sizes clashed. Val was tall and golden–skinned with tattoos and piercings for decoration and green spiky hair that shimmered. Pale-skinned, Xelloss stood nearly a foot shorter and when he moved, his distinctive shiny purple hair swayed. Zelgadiss' wiry-lavender mess of hair and hooded sweatshirt hid most of his disfiguring scars and slender, but strong, physique.
Their movements and speech patterns clashed. Val swaggered arrogantly, chains jangling as he scoffed and gesticulated brashly, or admired silently. Xelloss skipped about or walked gracefully and giggled foolishly or spoke clearly and knowledgeably in complete sentences. Zelgadiss sprinted about or stood arms crossed while describing curtly the essential components or sarcastically blasting unnecessary ones.
Nevertheless, despite their obvious differences, they were closely tied together by their friendship, music, and now, by their common address. Xelloss smiled calmly as the astonished salesperson took his credit card, ran it though, and received…an approval for many thousands of dollars worth of equipment.
"You must have one hell of a job to make that kinda money!" the saleskid said jokingly.
"It's hell, to be sure," smiled Xelloss. "So, can you help schlep boxes for us?"
The kid nodded. This sale had certainly made his day.
Val smiled at the recollection. "My room, my furniture, my computer, my color, even MY SET OF KEYS! Ha! Happy birthday to me! Better enjoy it while it lasts, for tomorrow I shall pay, no doubt."
He unlocked the practice room door (it was all he could do not to giggle with excitement) and opened it wide for Sylphiel and Gourry to enter first.
"Hey, I'm gonna check on m'new room. Wanna come?" he asked fighting down his own eagerness.
"Yeah!" answered Gourry. "Ya haven't said much, but…ah… you mind moving in with these guys?"
"Don't matter ta me. I've been movin' 'round lots lately so what's one more. 'sides… Zel's cook'n is real fine," Val chuckled. Hope that sounded cool enough…
"I think you're taking this really good, you know? I'm sure I'd be really upset having to leave my home so many times," cried Sylphiel sympathetically.
Gourry toured the empty room, "…view out back's nice…Do ya get along with everybody okay?"
Val knew he meant Rezo. He lowered his voice to a near-whisper, and said, "Ahhhhh, Zelas, she's been real nice, but I can hardly take my eyes off her, ya know…whoa baby! Rezo. My sympathies go out to Zel, man. His ole man is rigid! Hardly says a word…orders everyone but Zelas around. He's not happy about my be'n here, fer sure. Mostly…it's the creepiest place I've ever been, especially knowin'… that they've tried killin' their own kids and all. On the plus side, as Zel would say, they're not here much of the time, so we get the whole place to ourselves. We'll see…"
(((.-)) Zel |||^.^||| Xelloss |{{^.^}}| Lina |((.^)|| Gourry ((^.^)) Amelia |))-.-((| Val