(((.-)) Zel |||^.^||| Xelloss |{{^.^}}| Lina |((.^)|| Gourry ((^.^)) Amelia |))-.-((| Val
Chapter 40
THE SLAYERS
Friday Afternoon, Valentine's Day.
Lina, Amelia, Xelloss and Zel loaded the shopping bags, and one pastry box, into the van and drove off to Xelloss' place.
"So do we have dinner or open cards first?" wondered Amelia aloud.
"Dinner," Lina snapped. "While we do the packing, Zel and Xelloss prep the food, then we can eat and party together, okay? Zel, you have a problem with that?"
"No," he said simply.
Amelia looked at Lina, then Xelloss. "Here we are!" she said hopefully.
Zel and Xelloss disappeared into the house with the bags and box.
"Miss Lina, Zelgadiss has said one word all day. He might not be feeling too sharp, but I think something else is bothering him," Amelia said.
"Well…start with the day," Lina said while helping check off band equipment off the list and tossing it into boxes.
"It was a really neat day!" Sylphiel giggled. "Candy, cards… I even got roses from some of the basketball team!"
"You did? Who? Let ME see!" asked Filia, while folding some clothes for the evening's performance.
"There, Amelia, does that explain Zel's attitude? How many 'things' do you think he got? This is only his second year back at school since that accident. The last time he 'did valentines' was in fifth grade. Can you imagine how many he got back then? Tons!" Lina sniffed. "God, it's even getting to me now… so… I don't think it was a very good day for him."
Gourry added, "I think he left the table 'bout the time your friends came 'round, Amelia."
She thought about that a moment. Duo and some other person, Heero… they brought me all kinds of nice things…oh…could he be jealous of them? Or just hurt …
"Xelloss has been so…sober all week. I'd be more worried about him," mused Filia. "There, those clothes are done, except for Zel's and Xelloss' shirts. I'll go to the house and ask them. By the way, Val, that green shirt you put in looks great. I've never seen it before."
"Ah…go'in away present from Sano. I, ah…move out tomorrow morning. Listen, don't bug Xelloss about the way he is… I mean, something happened this week and he's been sick about it…and, NO, I'm not telling ya what," Val answered. "Gourry? You done with the amps? Give me a hand with the drums, 'kay? Yeah, they're loads of fun…"
"You don't look so good either," Gourry whispered to Val while unscrewing hardware.
"Ah…Zel just told me what happened. Zelas implied that Xelloss should try… seducing Gaav. M'step-dad never touched me, but I know he had lotsa young guys around…for fun. Zel thinks she was teas'n him…God knows why… poor kid. I don't get her. She's so… kind, in a creepy way, to me…Zel too, apparently, but treats her own son like shit," Val shook his head and started counting off parts and marking the list.
"We gotta do someth'n to stop that. NO one should havta put up with that kinda talk," Gourry said meaningfully. "You know, I have a real sword too, family heirloom…not mine, actually…my dad's, but still... Yeah, that's why I took up fencing, so I could be the greatest swordsman of all time…heh, heh…I was a kid then…Now, I can lift it, at least, but I'm also a dead-on shot with the rifle…squirrels. When the time comes, I'm gonna be by Zel's side…told him so. Course, he don't want me ta get hurt…but I told him, we Slayers stick together. I know it's serious, and deadly, but …so am I," Gourry said this in a rare, -for him-low, chilling voice.
"That's good, 'cause things are heating up… ah, the cases for the cymbals are in one of the drum cases…yeah…Okay, that's it. I'm done with the drums! What's left?" asked Val loping on over to Lina and Amelia.
Lina had just shared the birthday secret with Amelia, who was excited that she'd get to light the candles on his cake. Lina waved Val out of her way and drew Gourry aside to tell him that there would be a birthday celebration for Val in a few minutes. "Filia's not back with the shirts yet, is she? No? I'll give her one more minute, and then I'll go check on her and let you know if dinner's done. Val? Check the fog machine…" she winked meaningfully.
Filia entered the kitchen. Her nose told her that dinner would be Mexican food of some sort.
"Coming to help?" Zel asked, glancing at the beautiful girl standing near him.
"Ah, sure. What do you need me to do?" she asked, curious about Zel's cooking skills beyond spaghetti sauce.
"The rice was cooked last night. It's in the refrigerator. Yeah, mix it with that bowl of red sauce and heat it one minute in the microwave…stir, then give it another minute, all right?" he said, opening the oven and checking a casserole dish. "Done. Good. Xelloss? How's the coleslaw coming along?"
"Taste it and tell me what you think it needs…" he smiled at Filia.
"Wow! That's terrific, nothing! You're turning into a good cook too!" she gushed.
"Pepper, black…that's all," commented Zel.
"Zelgadiss is the master here. I just take orders, but thanks, Filia. I'm learning something everyday from him. Would you like to help me set the table? We can all fit if I add a couple leaves…" Xelloss said, skipping out of the room.
"Did Lina tell you the occasion? Yes, it's Val…entine's birthday… our Val… his 18th birthday…and Valentine's his name… Yes, it's true!" Xelloss giggled.
Filia laughed, "He would keep that a secret. So who found out… you, of course. Well… that money Lina collected for some club today… she's so devious! Um, I need a shirt from you and Zel… red, pink, green…I figured you'd both forgotten. Lina only reminded you everyday! What? You want me to go looking… okay…Zel? I need a shirt for you…red, pink, green…for tonight…Should I go upstairs and find something? Okay… Be right back…"
Filia climbed the stairs and found Zel's neat, clean room. She found a 'sage green' T-shirt in his drawer, removed it, and left the room quickly. "Zel? Will this do?"
"Yeah…a bit tight… I like them baggy, but I've gained weight…believe it or not," he sighed and stirred a pot of beans bubbling on the range. "If you're going over…tell everyone that dinner's ready."
"Okay…nice candles, Xelloss. It looks very charming tonight…special," she smiled and patted him on the arm. "I'll bring everyone over," she added on her way out.
Xelloss watched her leave, "For a moment, I was sure she was going to hit me again. Why? I never know why, until she tells me." He shrugged his shoulders, took the bowl of coleslaw from Zel, and set it on the table.
"Here, two hot pads and I'll bring the rice and beans…the enchiladas are in the oven…there, now the drinks…and the guests," Zel said cheerlessly.
"Hey, little brother, smile a little, okay? These people care about you. You don't have to suffer or remind them why you do…not tonight. This is Val's day now. Val's night. And we're going to forget our troubles, right? You with me here?" Xelloss smiled and ran a hand through his hair. "Help me forget my problems too?"
Zel nodded, "I'll feel better after I've had something to eat."
Everyone was seated around the table, passing food and talking quietly. Amelia informed everyone that she'd been in touch with Macross Studios in Atlas City, when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get that," called out Val as he sprang from his chair.
"I think we should plan a trip there over spring break to check it out. What do you think, Miss Lina?" Amelia asked. Lina nodded.
That moment Val returned, leading another man into the room. "Ah, Zel? Xelloss? The Doc's here ta see ya!"
"OH!" they gasped simultaneously.
"I should say…whoa, did I interrupt a dinner party?" Doctor Adams asked.
"Um…Can you stay? We have plenty and Zelgadiss' cheese enchiladas are to die for!" Xelloss insisted.
After some coaxing, Doctor Adams pulled up a chair while Xelloss set another place at the table for him. "Ah, thanks, Xelloss. Listen, I was a bit worried when you two didn't show for your appointment Wednesday evening. I had surgery yesterday, and have been busy up until now…so I stopped by to check on you."
"Sorry, we forgot all about…the appointment. We should have called too," Zel apologized. "We had another…glitch or two this week…" He looked at Val, who nodded. "Val, here, yeah, I know, another patient of yours, is…moving in this weekend. Yes, this god-forsaken house. He'll be safer, in some respects. Anyway that and…Xelloss and his mother had an …encounter of the bad kind."
Zel lowered his eyes, then remembered Xelloss plea before dinner, "But …this is the band and we're playing at the high school dance tonight. Let me introduce you to Gourry…right, another one of your patients…Sylphiel, Amelia, Lina, and Filia. Everyone, this is Doctor Adams who has been patching Xelloss and me together so much lately. We've also confided in him…about everything, so you don't have to watch what you say around him."
The dinner continued with light conversation. Amelia excused herself. Instead of the bathroom, though, she went to the front room to light the candles on Val's cake. Filia and Sylphiel helped Xelloss clear the table, forcing Zel to relax a moment.
When she was ready, Amelia scampered back to the table, "Zelgadiss? I have a minor problem here, could you give me a hand a moment?"
Zel sighed and stood. The cake, of course, she knows she's clumsy and might drop it…"No problem, Amelia. Lead the way."
That was Xelloss' cue to get all the helpers back to the table and ready to sing…
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU… HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU… HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAREST VAL-EN-TINE… HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!"
And, yes, he was very surprised.
The doctor finished his cake and left, glad to see his 'kids' having some healthy fun and good times, for a change. "Sorry to miss your show, but I must go to bed…I'm on call this weekend! Nice to meet you all…"
Val opened his birthday card and nearly died when he saw all the signatures and the $100 gift certificate, "I-I can't believe y'all did all this fer me…I've never had anything like this before…what with the new digs and furniture and computer, and all…thanks everyone…I…" He wiped his eyes, embarrassed at the show of emotion, and laughed at himself. "Better not tell anyone… 'bout the name … especially, promise guys?!" he added, punctuated with a punch to the fist.
Even Lina promised… to try.
Filia insisted that they exchange valentine cards, while they still had time. She opened a shoe box-full and dumped them onto the table. Everyone found their seven, and with a certain degree of confusion and excitement, opened them. There were giggles, gasps, and a couple of frowns, especially from Lina.
"Zel! What's all this 'ba-dump' stuff about?" Lina growled.
"Amelia said, and I quote, "what you say should be from the heart!' That's what my heart does…'ba-dump…' -- it beats. I thought you'd appreciate it!" he smirked and opened one of his.
"Ah, Xelloss? I think I got the wrong one…take a look," said Gourry, handing over a card written in purple ink.
Xelloss frowned and read the poem, "No, it's for you."
"Lemme look!" said Lina, tearing the card out of his hands. "Um, Xelloss, I think he's wondering about this part…blah, blah…'I would kiss your face.' What's that about, huh?"
Xelloss blanched, "What? That's not what I wrote! It's 'I would miss your bass', the guitar thing he plays! Shit, Lina, are you blind?"
Many chuckles followed that outburst.
Zel smirked, "It's that handwriting problem you have…I'm having some problem with yours too…"
Lina interrupted, "Xelloss, I can't believe you'd actually write this! Zel look, before I strangle him, see if it's says what I think it does…"
Lina shoved the card under Zel's nose. He read to himself, Please don't hit me on the head…rather have fun with you instead…It's just the feelings I can't shed… then aloud read, " …you take better when you're with me in bed…' That does sound a bit less from the heart and more from… OUCH! LINA! I was joking! Here Xelloss, it's your problem, fix it!"
Xelloss rapidly snatched up the card and read his scribbles. "I-it says, 'you take better when you've just been fed.' Honestly, Lina, see? That's and 'f' not a 'b'…and these words here…"
He looked so near to panicking, that Lina took back the card and waved a hand to dismiss the entire misunderstanding.
Val raised an eyebrow, "Ah, Xelloss, about what yer wrote here on mine…? Which one is yer favorite? It's hard ta read that part…"
Xelloss, recovering a little from the earlier mishaps, said weakly, "The tiny gold dragon on the left ear."
Val touched the earring briefly, "Ah, yeah…I like it too…thanks."
Amelia giggled, "Mr. Gourry, that was sweet, really. You have a knack for poetry. You too, Mr. Val! Thank you everyone for saying such nice things, even you, Mr. Xelloss."
"EVEN me! Why? Am I expected to write bad things about everyone? I like to think of you as my friends…and even though I've only known you all for the past five months or so, you are the most important people in my life…and…I love you all," he abruptly pushed back his chair and left the table.
Amelia and Sylphiel cornered him in the kitchen. Amelia was apologizing profusely over her error in semantics, while Sylphiel was trying her best to smooth over the situation.
Zel's head sank to the table, "Gods, he's such an idiot."
Gourry shook his head, "The Gods made us idiots, but I don't think that they're idiots…"
"Yeah, He just has a crappy sense of humor," Val sneered.
Zel raised his head and looked at them both, "I am so lucky to be surrounded by comedians…oh…joy…"
Xelloss allowed himself to be dragged back in to finish looking at cards. Filia laughed, "Thank you, Zel, for another to add to my collection. I love dragons and I have a collection of tiny pictures and drawings in a scrapbook. What, Sylphie? Okay, I'll bring it to school sometime."
"I didn't get a drawing!" complained Lina, leaning over to get a look at Filia's. She knew that Zel was a skilled artist, a talent he hid from the world, and she had forgotten to reveal that secret about him to the world.
"Next time…if you're lucky," Zel winked.
Amelia gazed at her card. No one would ever touch her treasure. A poem and a drawing of herself…standing on the top of a…tower (maybe?) fist upraised and saying 'Life is Wonderful!' She simply couldn't take her eyes off it for a moment.
"Uh…Zel? What's that grow'n outta my forhead? A horn? Cool man…like a demon or somethin, huh?" Val laughed at the picture in his hand.
Gourry was beaming at the picture Zel had drawn for him. "All right! Just like my dad's sword…"
"Zel, Like, I love the tiny dragon thingie, but…why am I holding a mace? Super picture, but, like…am I that violent?" Filia smiled.
"Yes, you are," Zel smiled back. "I thought of putting that mirror you hit Xelloss with into your hand, but it seemed too…it looked as if I was hinting that you spent to much time focussing on yourself, so I changed it to…the mace…just popped into my head."
"You drew my priestess garb perfectly! You are such a good artist, Zel. I just love it!" Sylphiel squealed.
Xelloss looked down at the picture in his hand. No mistaking it, it was of himself in the priest's cloak Sylphiel had made him, standing with Rezo's staff…no, a different one, with a red glowing jewel at the top. "Thanks, little brother, I'll have it framed…" he smirked. "So what's with the black swirly clouds things around me?"
"That's your evil aura," Zel smirked again. "Okay, your…powerful demon aura, then…like that better?"
"So why didn't I get I picture, huh?" Lina growled at Zel.
"Why didn't you write me a poem, huh?" he returned in an imitation of her tone.
"I did…just not in that card…" she demurred. "Here…" she said, and handed him a torn piece of note paper. "It just took longer."
He smiled, "Then…you can have this." He pulled out a picture, slightly larger than the rest and handed it to her. "Satisfied?"
He read his poem and smiled, then tucked it inside her card to him. She turned the picture out to show everyone. The title was 'Lina Inverse, Sorceress Supreme!' Centered, was a wild-haired Lina, black cape flapping in the breeze caused, presumably, by the explosion emanating from her hands. The drawing was superb, with expert inking and details.
Gasps from the audience.
Xelloss whispered, "Leave it here and I'll have it framed…and return it, I promise!"
She nodded silently.
"Shit! It's the van…we have got to get moving fast!" yelled Zel, who moved at lightening speed to leave the room and fly out the door.
"Someone's embarrassed," chuckled Val, standing to leave.
"Well, he shouldn't be. He's a great artist and shouldn't be ashamed if his drawings get admired," said Amelia as she walked out the door.
"I don't think that's what's bothering him," sniffed Filia. "I think he got caught showing some emotions, even if it was only on paper. These drawings must have taken him hours to do…something straight from his heart."
They were getting very professional about setting up for a gig. Their equipment in place, they ran through sound checks with only a few minor modifications necessary. Then it was time to change into their costumes.
Sylphiel and Filia had made a few fundamental changes to the outfits. All three backup singers would be wearing pale-pink tank-tops with glittery hearts emblazoned on them…front and center. The black leather shirts and vest remained the same. It had taken some work, but Lina agreed to a tiny glittery slip dress of a similar color. It fit her like a glove, one she hoped would stay in place!
The boys…looked for their 'green' shirts from home, but they found matching light-green tank tops (without hearts, thankfully)… except for Zel's, which was long sleeved. "I hope they won't be too upset," worried Sylphiel about the time Val loped in to get his clothes.
"So what's this? What happened to my new shirt?" he asked Filia.
"It's your costume for tonight. What's your problem? You're a show-off! Aren't those tattoos there for looking at?" she snapped and turned on her heal to face Xelloss.
"S'okay…just ask'n…that's all, no reason to get all huffy…" he wandered off mumbling.
"Don't you give me that look!" Filia glared back at Xelloss. "You're practically hidden anyway…no one's gonna see anything but your face, and I couldn't do anything about that!"
"The scars on my chest will show. No way!" he frowned, flinging the nasty garment back into her arms.
"Then you'll wear nothing, because that's what we've brought for you!" she snarled back.
"Great! I'll wear what I have on then!" he answered with a smirk.
"No way!" she laughed and poured the rest of her cherry diet coke over his pale yellow shirt front. "I think not!"
He gasped a curse or two that brought Lina charging over. "For god's-sakes, can't you two leave each other alone! Whoa…that shirt looks bad, Xelloss, better go rinse it out before that stain sets in and…put on your costume for the band…we go on in ten minutes!"
Xelloss glared at both girls, then stomped off in a snit of his own. Zelgadiss looked at his shirt and shrugged. He'd gotten off easy. Without a word, he turned and left to the bathroom to change.
Gourry stood examining the green tank top.
Filia, incensed from her encounters with Val and Xelloss, snapped, "What's YOU'RE excuse? You've got nothing to hide and plenty to show off, so go. GO, go, go!"
Gourry looked at her with his big blue eyes, half hidden by his bangs and knew he'd lost. There was no arguing with her today…Lina was…looking real good in that…can't-really-be-a-dress-can-it? and was not going to coddle him, that was certain. Oh, well…he sighed and followed Zel to the men's room.
There, Gourry found that Xelloss was still fuming and ranting to a silent Zel and bored Val. Gourry changed and looked at himself in the mirror. What were those girls thinking when they bought these?
"Hey, it's surfer Gabriev!" snickered Val, who looked truly wicked in green and black.
"Hey, yourself…ah, Zel, you ready?" Gourry asked.
Zel nodded.
"I AM NOT GOING OUT THERE IN THIS SHIRT!" shouted Xelloss.
"Will we have to carry him out?"
"Kick'n an' scream'n it seems…"
As soon as Xelloss saw that his fellow band members were not going to give in, he pushed them away, stalked out, and planted himself, pouting behind his drums. Not a happy drummer.
"What's wrong with him?" Amelia asked, bouncing onto the stage.
"He doesn't like revealing clothes…on himself, apparently," answered Zel, checking his tuning against Val's keyboard.
"He looks…really good," whispered Sylphiel.
"Tell him, it might work coming from you," Filia suggested with a smile.
"Okay…" she smiled back and sashayed over to Xelloss.
"What's Sylphiel going to do?" asked Amelia innocently.
Filia smiled a bit wider, "Get him out of his funk…watch…"
Meanwhile, Zel had finished checking his tuning, turned and stared open-mouthed at his childhood friend.
"Wha'cher gawking at?" Lina asked. "Is something showing that shouldn't be?"
"Yes. Everything. You're wearing a dress over that, aren't you?" he said dryly.
"What do you mean…when did you become such a prude? Just 'cause you don't want to show a little skin, doesn't mean I can't."
"I wasn't referring to skin. You don't have to be insulting either. I cover myself for…everyone else's sake. That…slip leaves nothing to the imagination, Lina. And I have a pretty good one, if you can recall," his sarcastic grin in place.
"Keep it for the drawings, mister!" she hissed and stomped off.
Sylphiel approached Xelloss quietly. He was testing the position of his drums, by letting loose of a few rolls. "Yuss…" he muttered, not looking up to see whose shadow it was hovering beside him.
"Hmmm…that looks good on you, you know? That…tank," Sylphiel said in a sultry voice.
Xelloss' eyes flew open.
"Karate sure gives you muscles…and the drumming…I never noticed that before."
Xelloss dropped his drumsticks. One rolled out of sight.
"Here, let me…" she purred and leaned over, revealing more of her than usual.
His heart was pounding and he shut his eyes, Don't look, don't look…
"Here, you go…" she giggled, handing him the drumsticks. "Xelloss? Are you okay? You look a little pale?"
He opened his eyes. Her hand was on his bare arm and she was gazing into his eyes from…much to close up. "Gahh!" he gasped and fell backwards into Filia, who had arrived to find out how Sylphiel was doing.
Filia smiled down at his surprised face She's doing fine. It seems that she has thoroughly confused the poor guy, good job! "You're not going to faint, are you? Just a little…over-heated?" Filia placed her cool hand on his forehead, brushing away his bangs. "Warm, but…no fever. Where's your water? You're probably dehydrated…"
Xelloss sat up and found his voice, "It's…right here…down there…somewhere…by my foot pedal…"
"I see, it's fallen over. I'll get it and…" she began.
Val came to the rescue, but of whom, it was hard to tell. He scooped up the bottle and handed it off to Amelia. "Would ya fill it up again…we only gotta minute or two."
While Amelia rushed off, Val stood, his arms folded, and glared at Filia. "What was that all about?" he whispered roughly.
"We were distracting him. See it worked. He's ready to play music now and isn't so…self-conscious. What's your problem anyway? You're not jealous are you?" she said in a condescending tone, then poked him in the arm –right in the middle of the dragon tattoo—and stalked off to get in position.
Xelloss was nodding agreement to something Lina was telling him and did certainly look relaxed. Val watched them all for a second, Okay, so it worked, but that looked like teasing to me. If you like a guy, well that's one thing, but if you know he's off limits, then…it's not right. No matter what. Especially someone so…unprepared. Val gave Sylphiel a deadly glare and Filia a stern one. That guy's more trouble…Zel and I are either protecting him from the guys or the girls. Well, when this whole 'thing' is over, he can protect himself. That's…Now, what the hell? They're laughin' at me!
Sylphiel stood beside Filia and whispered, "Ooooh, I think we went too far. Look how angry Val is…"
Filia answered, "Yeah…he's cute when he scowls that way!"
Both girls giggled.
Val was broken out of his revere by a Zel warning riff. He loped over to his keyboards and nodded to Lina.
Gourry started the rhythm then Val and Zel kicked in, followed by a crash of cymbals, "Hi everybody! Ready for some danc'n? ALL RIGHT!" Lina screamed and began the first raucous number.
Performing at the dance was exciting for the Slayers. Zel was so relieved to be performing on stage rather than on the dance floor, that he even smiled from time to time. Their friends and developing fan base hung out closer to the stage. Kagome was there and had brought Miroku, Sango, and Inu to watch the band. Most of the play cast showed up and made up the most vocal of the supporters. Even Ramna and Ryoga put in an appearance, though it appeared that they spent most of their time arguing over some girl problem.
Lina screamed and sang a couple numbers to get things rolling, then rested her throat while Sylphiel sang her solo. Her voice soared and couples clustered to the dance floor to sway along with the languid rhythm. Half of the basketball team, a squad of cheerleaders, various classmates, and Shrine inhabitants supported one of their own with a roar and cheer at the end.
Xelloss signaled his readiness to do his new number with a drum roll. After Lina introduced it, he leaned into the mic and added, "This one is dedicated to our leader, Lina…
"…'Come on! Let's go! It's gonna be all right! Are you okay? I'm sure it'll be all right…'"
Sano and Megumi chuckled alongside Miroku and Sango, "Odd kid…odd song…catchy though…" Their cheering almost drowned out the caustic calls of 'Fag!' from of small, evil-looking group in the back.
Next, Lina introduced Gourry's new country-flavored song. He hammed it up with a turquoise-studded string tie and cowboy hat. The skater crowd whooped and cheered him on. At the end of the song they all joined arms and sang the 'Laaa, la, la, la, la, la ,la, la, laaaa…' with him. How fun! For most people, that is. That same group was amassing, and more comments were flung, as well as a few cat-calls at Lina's hemline. The Slayers ignored them, if they noticed.
Amelia's song got the dancers back on the floor. A large coalition of government and debate club friends of hers pushed to the front and clapped along. She punched up the song and glowed with happiness. "'Stand up and be yourself!'"
Near the end of the first half, Lina announced that she had a guest singer for the next song.
"She's never sung this with the band before, so give some extra support for… Martina Xoana Mel Navrachoa!" Lina shouted.
Martina and Zangalus had been standing quite close to the stairs to the stage. She squeezed his hand and giggled, then flew up the last couple steps to stand beside Lina. "They'll do that introduction, like I've hummed, and when you begin the words…they will fall in with your tempo. Smile, you'll do great!" Lina coached her one more time, handed off the microphone, and melted back to join the other background singers.
"'Until that day, I believed the days when you loved me uncontrollably would last forever… with the two of us… Who was that person you were with?'" Martina emoted a sadness she must have actually felt at one time. "'Your arms around each other…under one umbrella?'"
Amazingly, the band played it well, following her lead and tempo changes like pros.
"'Tell me that it was a joke! Don't give me an excuse…It just makes me feel worse…'"
The song ended as she warbled the gut-wrenching finale, "'I have been paralyzed since that day… I am alone in rain I cannot get out of it…FAR AWAY!'"
Lina took back the mic amid the applause for Martina. "Thank you…thank you every one…we're gonna take a fifteen minute break then return for more dancing!"
"That crowd of assholes by the door is really starting to get to me," Lina growled.
"They're just taunting you…jeering us to get a reaction. Ignore it as best you can," advised Zel as he sat aloof, sipping his water.
"Yeah, well, if they give me another cat-call I'm gonna beat the crap out of them," she said with sincere ardor, and strode off to find a way to cool off a bit.
Val and Gourry were laughing about some joke. As they drew nearer to where Zel was sitting, he heard Val remark, "Hey, at least my top half is ven-ti-la-ted, leather pants warm up fast!"
Gourry agreed, "We'll need someth'n else before summer or I'll pass out. Hey Xelloss? Are those silk pants cool? …Leather's gett'n hot…"
Xelloss was wiping his face off with a towel, "Barely, though I have to admit the tank tops are better than I thought. Next time…something less revealing would make me…more comfortable."
Val shook his head, "Well, I'm gonna strip…"
"Not here, you won't!" warned Lina walking by with all tall icy drink and a wet towel around her neck.
"That drink looks yummy…" cried Filia. Come on, Sylphiel, let's go get something…Amelia, coming?"
Val took a quick peak, made sure that the girls were gone, and said, "So did ya notice those two bouncing beauties ogling us? Yeah, nice. I bet they'll come 'round after the show…Ah, Xelloss, we're going for ice, wanna come?"
Xelloss nodded. To be included, even in a small way, maybe especially in a small way was so important to him. "Come the back way…not so crowded," he smiled brandishing his keys and opening a door behind the stage.
Zel hopped off his perch and followed behind Gourry, deep in thought. He had been secretly working out a song on his own, not an original piece. If they seemed to be running out of material, he'd do it tonight. Funny, for a guy who shunned attention normally, he did like to perform. CRASH!
"Ah, um…Zel? Door's over here," Gourry said gently. He was getting used to Zel's 'fazing out' from time to time. He knew Zel kept most of his thoughts to himself and was often deep inside his head, but he usually could walk and think at the same time. "Problem?"
Zel smiled and shook off the bump on his head, "No problem, really. I was thinking about a song I'd like to do and forgot to look where I was going, that's all…thanks."
"Sure. Zel? I was wonder'n…I have this sword I'd like you to take a look at tomorrow, when you drop Val off…" Gourry brushed his bangs out of his eyes to look down at Zel.
"All right, but Xelloss and I have to get to the Asian Celebration early to set up the mats and all…I'm just pointing out that I can't stay long, but I'm interested."
"'Kay…" Gourry held the door for his friend, and they passed through to join the mob at the refreshment stand. "Ya know, after the celebration thing's fine too."
Amelia held her drink in one hand, and the other was gesticulating wildly as she described her latest coup in government class to a group of male, mostly, admirers. Zel watched, using Gourry as a screen so as not to appear too curious. He heard muffled words and whispers as kids recognized the band members joining the throng. Gourry passed him an ice tea and stood, back to Amelia. "Ice tea okay?"
"Yeah, thanks again. I'd probably never make it through that gauntlet. Do you see Val or Xelloss?" Zel asked while still half listening in on Amelia's conversation.
"Um…looks like Val's tak'n care of him. Over there," Gourry answered, pointing off to the corner.
Xelloss was literally cornered with a tall drink, Val, and a growing group of kids. Gourry hinted that they should move too. As much as Zel wanted to be in two places at once, he couldn't decide, so his Karma stepped in and pushed him into a decision.
Amelia caught his eye and cried out, "Zelgadiss! Come meet some of my friends, please?"
Zel turned to say something to Gourry, but he was already lost to the crowd around the other two. Oh well…
Amelia was proudly reeling off classmates' names and… holding onto his sleeve, he suddenly noticed. He folded his arms over his chest, and the little hand stayed put. So is she showing me off? Couldn't be…so what's this about, then? Am I supposed to say something clever, or…
"Didn't you?" she was asking him something and looking up into his blue eyes expectantly. "Our road trip was a success, right?"
"Road trip…ah, yes. Another room and less rain would have been nice…" Zel began.
"Rooms? Ya mean you guys stayed overnight too?" asked one kid.
"Well, ah, yes. We had two performances; one in the evening and the other the next day. It would have been ludicrous to drive back and forth to the beach and play both times," Zel said defensively.
"And you had to share?"
"Of course. We couldn't afford our own rooms…another bathroom would have been nice…" Zel began again.
"So, lemme get this straight. Four girls and four guys and one room at the beach…rain…"
"No!" Zel broke in to explain. "One bathroom! Actually there were…" but his words were lost in the humdrum of raised voices.
Amelia was patting his arm, "It's okay, they all know me better. He was just teasing, I think. How much more time have we got?"
Zel tore his eyes off her blouse. Shit! What's with them and tank tops all of a sudden? "HUH? Oh, ah…seven minutes. I'm going back."
"Me too, then. See ya all later!" she cried and waved back at the group of kids. "They couldn't believe it when I said I was in a band with older kids. They SAW the video and KNOW I eat at Lina's table and STILL they didn't believe me!"
"So I was there to offer proof?" he raised an eyebrow and stared at her.
"Yes!" she paused to watch his reaction. "I mean, none of them could call the most mysterious and coolest guitar player in the Slayers band their friend, could they! And I got a Valentine from him…from an older man…" she grinned.
"YOU SHOWED THEM THAT!" Zel choked back a scream.
"Nope. I'd never show them the poem. Just the envelope. They drooled!" she giggled and pulled the astonished kid through the crowd.
Val was laughing about something with one of the 'girl groupies' he'd spied in the crowd. Xelloss was pressed, back to the wall, in retreat mode.
"Gods, those scars look really horrid? Did it hurt?" asked a girl he didn't recognize.
"Ah, yes…" he started to say, but chose another tact. "But only at first, then it tickled."
"Awesome, man…better'n tattoos…" some boy remarked.
"Except that they can't be removed, you know!" Xelloss pointed out.
"How far do they go…down?" breathed a soft voice in his ear followed by a warm hand on his chest.
"Ahhh…" his attention was diverted.
The hand moved, and then was removed. A rough voice warned, "Hands off, babe. This guy's a novice at the Shrine and ain't datin' or nothin', but he's too nice ta tell ya ta shove off, so I'll do it for him."
"Ah, thanks, Val, for reminding everyone…" Xelloss whispered.
"Ya needed it, I could tell…You wanted me to, right?" Val asked uncertain what Xelloss' expression was all about.
"Yeah, guess so…It was just so…strange all at once, girls touching me like that…My scars make most people sick," Xelloss shook his head in wonder as they fought their way back to the gym.
Val stopped him and gave him a hard look, "It should. If the girl thinks scars from torture are attractive, she's no good, remember that. A friend will learn to…adjust to 'em, and accept them and you."
"Okay…" Xelloss nodded and walked thoughtfully beside his tall friend.
As Gourry, Zel and Amelia stopped off at the bathrooms, Lina, Sylphiel, and Filia were coming out.
"Five minutes?" Lina asked.
"Four…and 22 seconds…nearly," smirked Zel.
"Nerd," Lina slapped him playfully. "I'll look for the others…"
With a few minutes to go, Filia was bored, so she started chatting. "Oh, good, Zel's back. Oh, Zel-dear!" she called cutely.
That drew his attention. "What?" he shot with a slant-eyed look.
"So…what did Lina's poem say? It must have been a good one since you've been so secretive about it and all," she taunted the poor kid.
Zel was unprepared. Gourry gave him a glance, and then quickly looked away. Oh …shit…, then to Filia he said, "I didn't hear you reading yours either, but since you asked, I'll recount mine. Ready…it's pretty… choice," he paused for effect. "Who cares about roses? Who cares about violets? Let's you and me go… join up with some PIRATES!"
He recited it from memory. Gourry smiled. Yep, that sounded something like the one she'd written him. He could picture a younger Lina and Zel playing pirates once, swords and everything. He still did with his little brothers.
Filia snorted, "That's not very interesting at all!"
Zel smirked, "Sorry to disappoint!"
Val, Xelloss and Lina waltzed by. "Time to go!" she sang, and as the boys passed by, she gave Zel a wink. "Nice cover-up, man."
They opened the second half by cooling things off with Filia's solo and Val at the piano, a slow, romantic number for the kids to dance to with their sweethearts.
"Feeee-ling bitter and twisted, all alone…" Filia warbled.
Lina shook her head. There was chemistry between those two, the punk and the cheerleader, and in that moment, she could see the connection between them, some link they had from the Clan. They looked so much alike, tall, beautiful, statuesque, and, as their piece finally revealed, capable of great emotion. The piece ended, and brought Lina, thankfully, back to reality. And she was ready for it! All this Filia & Val stuff was like an outtake from Grease or something…
Lina faced the crowd, a tiny figure whose presence made her fill the stage. "Okay, guys, enough of that sappy stuff! How 'bout some retro-action!" She turned to her band, "Hit it guys! 'Can't buy me lo-ove…'"
That was a real crowd-pleaser. Everybody knew the Beatles, and most of the kids knew vintage dance moves to go with the music! Lina was so pleased, she declared the next few numbers an official Time Warp, with a soulful Yesterday, Xelloss's 'Secret-Somebody's Message', and Zel's secret solo.
The songs were success after success. All the Slayers felt the rush, the rush of performing. This feeling is one of pure ecstasy, it's a whole other space, another level. You're not yourself, but a larger-than-life version of you, and it feels like you're outside of your body, like you're being controlled by the great gods of entertainment, not yourself. Lina felt it, but paid it no mind, since she was in constant motion, playing with the crowd, singing her heart out. Xelloss, drummer-boy, was in his own little world, which he graciously shared with everyone in his song. Every girl's heart must have beat a little faster at his poignantly sweet lyrics and like voice. But they were really in for it with Zel!
"Zel, your 'surprise solo' slot is coming up…you ready?" Lina asked in between numbers.
Zel was sweating and exhausted, but it felt so good! There was pure joy running in his veins. Here, he wasn't a high-schooler, he wasn't the poor scarred boy, he wasn't Xelloss' little brother, teen genius, or part of a dangerous crime loop. Here, he was a guitar player, and a singer. He was a rock star. "Yes, Lina, I'm ready."
Sensitive guitar…"'A winter's day… in a deep and dark December. I am alone, gazing from my window, to the streets below on freshly fallen, silent-shrouded snow,'" Tears fell as he crooned, "I am a rock…I am an island…"
The lines described him, and he knew it, as did the Slayers.
"A fortress deep and naïve…'
Filia smiled.
"'…that none may penetrate…'
Amelia looked away.
"'…friendship causes pain…'
Xelloss shook his head, smiling.
"'…Don't talk of love…'
Sylphiel blinked.
"'...I have my books and my poetry to protect me…'
Gourry sighed.
"'…shielded in my armor…'
Val grinned.
"'…I touch no one and no one touches me…"
Lina grinned wider.
"'And a rock feels no pain, and an island never cries."
The sincerity, the pain, the feeling he put into it, both of disdain and of belief, confused and struck all who listened. Only Lina truly understood what he meant by singing it, after all he'd gone through. It wasn't his creed. It was his shame, and now that he admitted it, maybe he could move on. But what a downer to leave with the crowd!
"Give it up for Zelgadiss Graywords!" They did. "But now, let's give up on Zelgadiss, and move on to ME! Here's one of the first ones we ever did! Come on guys, 'Get Along!'"
The song pulled them together, rallied them for their finale, and the penultimate.
"We're the Slayers! Me, Lina Inverse, the beautiful sorceress genius, lead vocalist! Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun, Sylphiel Nels Lahda, and Filia Ul Copt, the astounding back-up! Gourry Gabriev on the blazin' bass! Zelgadiss Graywords igniting the guitar! Xelloss, drummer extrordinaire! And, the amazing Val on keyboards! Cheer louder for him, people! 'Cause today really is---Valentine's Day!"
Laughing, he threw a punch, which she ducked, and they began the pure grunge-rocker 'Only A Lonely Soldier.' Val forsook the keyboard to yell the song down at the raving audience. Only one small group raved the wrong way. One unprintable comment, one cat-call, some uninspired line making fun of Valentine's name--
Lina couldn't take it. To bear the obnoxious kids would be graceful, but it just wouldn't be Lina. Val, passionate and in his element, wailed a guttural, "'Everybody go to hell!'"
—And Lina, with a raging howl, leaped down off the stage and into the sneering crowd of kids.
"'I'm goin' to fight with hypocrites…'" Val bellowed.
"Jeer me, will ya!" bellowed Lina.
During a heavy-duty guitar solo by Zel, Val laughed like a maniac, saying, "Lina's gotta be the only high school-band leader who'd start her own mosh pit!"
"… Only a Lonely Sol-dier! …" the guys roared to the driving beat.
And Lina beat up some bandits!
The song wound down and Gourry reached down into the throng, grasped Lina, flung her over his shoulder, and set her, gently back on stage. "Okay, Lina, take your bows and say good night…it's time to wrap this one up," he smiled down at her and backed off, just in case. Gourry blinked. Nope, she's not beatin' on me or yellin', and she's still there. He pinched his arm. Not dreamin' either…
Their friends and fans stormed the stage to congratulate the band. Val's punk friends sidled up and muttered to him, wisely choosing to ignore Lina and the others rather than start a fight. He shrugged his shoulders…played it cool, fer sure. Jillas and Gravos were whispering something that made him frown and caught Zel's attention.
His attention, however, was further diverted by Kagome as her entourage surrounded him.
"Way ta go!" Inu slapped Zel on the shoulder hard enough to send him reeling into Gourry. "Er…lose yer balance?"
Kagome pressed a pink card into his hand, "I hope it's not too late! I was in such a hurry at lunch…then you simply disappeared! Well… go ahead…open it!"
Zel stared at the envelope, 'Zelgadiss'. Yes, it was for him. "All right…" He chuckled as he read the words, "Thanks, Kagome. And I promise to start practicing the archery soon." Zel noticed Inu glaring jealously from beneath a shock of bangs. "What are you worried about?" he snapped at him when Kagome's interest their conversation was distracted by Amelia. "You know she couldn't be at all interested in…someone like me, right?"
Inu raised an eyebrow, "Whaddaya mean…like you? You're smarter than me…good with the sword and…do archery too! You see her everyday…"
Zel interrupted him, "Don't neglect mentioning the attractive scars, hair that can scratch like wire, and deformed ears…"
Inu crossed his arms, "She don't care 'bout that shit."
"Of course…" Zel smirked at the handsome Inu, who was not without his own fangs, wild hair, and gruff appearance. "Unlike everyone else…"
Before he could argue the point further, Kagome reached for Sango, "Hey we gotta go if I'm going to make curfew! Bye Zel, Bye Amelia! You too, Inu, if you wanna ride!"
"I just don't understand why it didn't work tonight! That fog machine has become the bane of my existence!" Amelia lamented, with feeling. "Stop smiling that way, Zelgadiss. I was really hoping it would work after finding it and all…"
"It's all right, Amelia. Just throw it away…all right, then, give it away and make me, er…us all…happier," Zel uttered in annoyance. Inu's insensitivity had set him off a bit, now all he needed was some annoying…
"Hee, hee, hee, hee…" CRASH purple-headed idiot to trip over his foot.
"Xelloss! Look where you're going with those cymbals! Shit! You could've…Oh, um…Hi, Bunny…" Zel quieted down as more fans/friends approached.
Meanwhile, Allan had made his way to the stage. "Nice dress, Lina," he said appraisingly as his eyes scanned Lina's figure. "But not really suited to fighting, is it? Ah, Filia, fetching in pink, as usual. I was wondering..."
Val was wondering too, but had to attend to a different matter. Sano dropped off an overnight bag with Val. He whispered a quick tale about Kenshin fighting off Saygram's minions earlier that evening. "So…don't come back, except with your buddies to pickup stuff in the AM. Ah, don't worry 'bout us. He's only lookin' for you. So get moved in and invite me over sometime, 'kay?"
"Thanks, man, fer coverin' fer me and all," Val said sadly. He looked around for Zel or Xelloss to pass on the news. Zel and Xelloss were surrounded by fan-girls, so he decided to join them… protect them. He passed by Filia close enough to hear her explaining something to Allen.
"…It's about a half an hour drive to get out there. You sure you really want to that much?" she paused to glance at Val over her shoulder.
He pretended not to notice, and slipped in-between Zel and Xelloss. He must have been wearing his tough-punk attitude, because Bunny jumped when he appeared. "Ah…one of the set designers…Bunny, right?"
"Aaaaah, Val Gaav? Hey, guys? This is the guy…yeah, like really tall, huh? He played Demetrius," the pretty girl giggled as she recovered from his sudden appearance. Bunny was a bit starry-eyed. The arrogant kid had never so much as sneered at her before. So she was a bit un-focused. Flustered, in fact, when she continued introducing her group of friends to them.
"Oh, and this is my good friend Rei. She's a shrine priestess too. Oops! You're not a priest-ess! I mean, you're a priest and she's a priestess so I thought you two might have something in common to talk about and, like, you know, Zel and me and you guys might wanna go out some time and, you know…" Bunny began.
Before Xelloss could answer, or Zelgadiss could formulate a polite answer, Val stepped in, "Xelloss here's a novice, ladies, and can't date. But we could make it a group thing sometime. Think of me as his foster-brother who's watchin' over him…all the time."
He grinned as the girls stepped back in fear and wonderment. Before Bunny could recover her voice, Val pulled the annoyed Zel and 'Xelly' to the side. "Sorry 'bout ruinin' your action but…I gotta problem," Val paused to look around and assure himself that no one else could hear what he had to say. "Trouble at Sano's just before the dance. I can't go back. Yeah, everyone's okay; Kenshin saw to that. Sano dropped off some stuff so I can crash at your place tonight."
"It's your place too now, Vally," Xelloss said with a smile.
"Action?" Zel growled. "Let's get the rest of this equipment boxed and loaded, all right?"
"So what did they write on the cards to you? Anything good?" giggled Sylphiel as she, Filia, Lina, and Amelia loaded up a box. "I can tell you that Xelloss' was suggestive!"
"No!" chuckled Amelia. "Show us! Mine were rather tame, although…Zelgadiss wrote the sweetest."
"Okay, share, share…here's one of mine, 'When you sit beside me and sing, your voice sends shivers down my spine. I think of summer rain and the smell of dust dampening. I might reach out and touch your hair. I might…' I, ah… can't read the rest," Filia's voice sank into a whisper.
"Filia!" Sylphiel gasped. "Did Val write that? What's the rest?"
"It must be too personal, right, Miss Filia? He wouldn't want you to share that, I'm sure," Amelia advised with sensitivity.
Sylphiel read the poem Xelloss had dictated to her when sick in bed.
"Hair like silk…skin like milk…oooooh he's noticed you, all right!" laughed Filia.
"Shhh, not too loud, he'll hear you!" shushed Sylphiel with a furtive glance at the purple-haired boy, currently downing a bottle of water.
"Oh, let him hear us! He wrote it down, it's now in the public domain!" Filia said with the sensitivity of a meat-axe.
"I don't think—"Sylphiel began.
"Really? I would never have guessed," Lina intruded upon the conversation. "What's goin' on?"
"Oh! Nothing…" Sylphiel blushed.
"We were just reading our valentines, Miss Lina," Amelia answered.
"Hmm, really? What did everybody have to say about you guys?" Lina asked, half-interestedly. She had a towel and was mopping sweat of her brow and everywhere else. Band-leading was hard work, and those stage-lights over heat one so much…At least she wasn't wearing any skin-tight leather. She wondered how the boys managed to survive…maybe they didn't and they were all really walking dead right now. She could believe it, from how exhausted Zel, Gourry, Val, and Xelloss looked…Oops, she tuned out Sylphiel's prattling about her cards, and Filia had just started hers…Oh, well…
"Hey, you're skipping some!" Lina noticed, and swiped the deck of pink and red valentine cards from Filia, to the amazon's dismay. "Let's see…'you were a mesmerizing Hippolyta', blah blah blah…'long golden tresses' yeah, you sure are blonde…Ooh! Who's this from? Sure knows how to write poetry—oh! It's mine, never mind…" Lina laughed good-naturedly. "Wow! Val's really got it fer ya, Filia! If he wrote anything like that on mine, I'd probably pound him into the ground…"
"Lina! Not so loud! He'll hear…" Filia cringed, trying to wave her sanguine friend into complacency.
"Oh, let him hear it! It's not as if he cares!" Sylphiel burst out unexpectedly.
Surprised to hear anything so vehement come from the priestess' mouth, Lina looked up at her. This gave Filia the opportunity to snatch back her cards.
"Sylphiel, what—"
"Lina!" the usually mild young woman addressed her sternly. "What—what did dear Gourry's card say to you? What did he write to you?"
Lina was taken aback. "Why do you want to know?" she shot. "'Roses are pretty, Violets are nice, but you're better than flowers at any price.' Not bad, eh? He's got nice handwriting, too, 'cause he takes it nice and slow, probably. Why do you ask, Sylphiel?"
But she knew. Lina knew all too well that Sylphiel, though she was as flaky as they come, had been enamoured of Gourry for years. She never could understand why, but it was true nonetheless. At least Gourry did his best to seem oblivious, or maybe he really was oblivious. Lina didn't care. This was not of interest to her, and she had no desire to get in a cat-fight with Sylphiel over anything like this. But the ire was rising in Sylphie's little heart.
"Oh, no reason," was her lame reply through clenched teeth. "I just wanted to know what kinds of things he writes to someone he likes, since I'll never know myself—"
"Now get this straight, Sylphiel!" Lina cried. This was going in the exact opposite direction from cool! She could not have this conversation! No more sappy self-pity! "That was a poem like any of us wrote to our friends! It wasn't love poetry any more than what I wrote to you! We're not going out, we're not covertly conspiring to ruin your life, and we're not secretly aliens from Mars, either! Relax, and stop quivering!"
Lina had blown. Sylphiel had blown. The lightening was shooting back and forth between their eyes, gray and red, mild and wild. Filia and Amelia simply stared on in horror, wondering if this was the end, barely daring to think. Both were about to interfere when help un-looked for came in.
"Hey, uh, we've got all of the stuff packed. Ready to go yet?"
The two girls looked up to see Gourry, dazed and confused as always, yet still smiling sunnily.
Sylphiel burst into tears, and Lina patted her shoulder and soothed her. She might be a tyrant, a despotic, insensitive, evil dictator—but even Sylphiel was her friend, and she loved her, too.
(((.-)) Zel |||^.^||| Xelloss |{{^.^}}| Lina |((.^)|| Gourry ((^.^)) Amelia |))-.-((| Val