(((.-)) Zel |||^.^||| Xelloss |{{^.^}}| Lina |((.^)|| Gourry ((^.^)) Amelia |))-.-((| Val
Chapter 41
THE SLAYERS
Saturday Morning.
Zel's alarm had gone off two hours before, but he had slammed it off so hard the batteries had fallen out, so the 10-minute reminder buzzes never came. Instead, it was a hungry Beast nuzzling his face that brought him to eventual awareness. "Go 'way…it's only… GAAAAH! " he gasped as he focused on his wristwatch.
Zel scrambled into his clothes and flew down the stairs, banging on Val's door and shouting, "Let's go get your stuff…We'll grab something on the way!"
Val muttered something inaudible from behind the door as Zel slid across the slick floor to the side door. Flinging open the door and jamming his feet into his boots, Zel dashed across the yard and hammered on Xelloss' door, "Hey! Time to go…" Silence. Zel grumbled about worthless people and searched his key ring for the 'purple' one, "Got it! I'm coming in! Xelloss? You up?"
"Huh?"
"Moving Val…Asian Celebration…Ring any bells? Yeah, I overslept too. Must be the aftermath of having a gig at the end of an exhausting week on top of the flu," Zel smirked.
"You think? Okay…I'm up…just a minute and I'll take a shower and…" Xelloss began.
"No shower, you had one before you went to bed anyway, right? See I know your habits as well as my own. Move now or we'll be late…no food either!" Zel commanded.
Xelloss slumped down the stairs, zipping pants and shirt in hand, "I have to eat before the Karate show!"
"Get in the car. I'll get Val and we'll eat en route," Zel yelled over his shoulder as he flung the keys at Xelloss.
"All right…Put it in gear… 'Drive', yeah…Step on the gas…you know where the brake is…YES…" Zel instructed Xelloss as they cruised to Val's ex-residence. "Turn left at the next corner then keep on going."
Val was impressed. Xelloss was learning to drive as he did, behind the wheel on the way to a job without licensed adult driver supervision, as far as he knew. He didn't know about Zel's special dispensation from the doctor allowing him to oversee Xelloss. Nope, the 'goody-goody' guys weren't treated special, were breaking the rules, and would get into trouble, just like him…if they got caught.
Xelloss was so excited he forgot to complain about his hair or lack of food. He helped load the car with Val's stuff, including Lina's beanbag chair in neon green, then cheerfully asked, "Where to, sahib?"
"Stop at Polly's…I'll run in…egg, ham, and cheese croissants? Milk, juice…same for you Val?" Zel asked automatically jotting notes into his scheduler. "Val? You might as well come with us…to the Celebration. We can pick up the food, stop at the house, unload your stuff fast, change our clothes…Xelloss? You have that kimono wrapped to give to Sylphiel? Almost forgot that, didn't you? Admit it!"
Val started laughing in the back seat. He'd never seen Zel so animated before. This was the side of his personality that Zel kept hidden so well. He unveiled it only when he was in very comfortable company, and only very recently. "Croissants?" he croaked out in wonder, "You guys eat that kinda food often? Oh…no…that's okay…I'll have the same. So…no coffee, Zel?" Val asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"No. I've switched to tea, mostly…coffee on weekends but not before physical activity so I don't get…what? What's so funny?" Zel frowned.
"You! Who is that guy in the passenger's seat? Nah, I'm not laugh'n at yer. I'm just used to…we'll not used to wak'n up to all this action on a Saturday," Val chuckled. He didn't want to hurt the guy's feelings. He was happy to have a light-hearted Zel around. "So…Xelloss is quiet (he almost added 'for a change')."
"Yeah. While he's driving with me, he can't talk. We shouldn't, either, distractions… Here, take your time parking…yeah, you have enough room on this side. Be right back…" Zel said, leaping out of the car.
Xelloss shook his head and twisted around to face Val, "Meet the real Zelgadiss! Strange, huh? He's like this, unless strangers or, more importantly, strange girls come around, or he gets into a mood, or…he crawls into his rock mode, or it's the second Tuesday of the month, or…"
"Well, you're not such a… fruitcake anymore either," Val remarked good-naturedly.
Xelloss made a face, "What do you mean?"
"Ya don't act so… goofy and weird…"
"Oh. That's…good."
Val changed the topic, to avoid accidentally hurting this guy's feelings either, "So if my new stuff comes and we're not home, what happens?"
"Zelas and Rezo are home. Her car's parked out back, which is why Zelgadiss' car was out front. They must have moved the cars around late last night. She gets up late on the weekend. Rezo plants himself in front of the TV as soon as he gets up. He could just as well listen to the radio, but…I hate them both. And they hate me, so it works out. It'll all be over soon…" Xelloss said seriously. "By the way…I need to talk to you about Gaav… Ah…breakfast cometh…" Xelloss smiled and pushed open the door for Zel.
"Sorry it took so long…crowded in there," Zel panted.
"Whatcher wanna know 'bout Gaav?"
Xelloss pulled out of the parking lot and drove the short distance to his house. Zel looked at Xelloss then back at Val. Xelloss parked the car then waited for Zel to get out and open the trunk. Xelloss then said, "I'll see if I can answer that. The other night, I was brainstorming possible plans. I know Gaav wants you and the financial reasons for that, but hesitate to use you as the 'bait' to draw him out. Why? He might have you dragged off before the police get there to arrest him, for one… you'd be endangered needlessly, for another. Better to dangle the 'Val carrot' as a last resort. I need something else, and not what Zelas suggested either! Um…" Xelloss shook his head and paused as Zel glanced his way, picked up a box, and started for the house.
Val popped open the back door and grabbed a box to carry in, "He came here lookin' for the Red Priest's staff. You promise him that, he'll come," Val looked down at Xelloss who was lifting a box out of the trunk. "I told yer 'bout that at the beach gig, 'member?"
Xelloss remembered. He hadn't been able to get his hands on that staff, honestly, and he didn't want Zelgadiss involved. "I know where it is, Rezo has it, but won't even let me borrow it for the upcoming initiation ceremony at the shrine. Actually, it's Zelgadiss', but…I want him kept out of this. Listen, if I had my way, I'd arrange a meeting, just Gaav and me, then I'd try and convince him to turn state's evidence against Zelas and the syndicate in exchange for the staff, lets say, also getting him to admit (all this under police undercover surveillance, you see) his guilt in corrupting you and other kids and stealing your inheritance and insurance money –which the lawyer's working out for you right now anyway—and getting him and Zelas locked away forever!" Xelloss began to lug the heavy box of, well… it was hard to tell what, to the house.
Val shook his head, "There's nothin' you could offer him…to get him to do somethin' like that."
Returning from the house, Xelloss suggested, "What about...me. I'm working for Zelas, what if I say I want to go work for him to bring her down? We get to talking…I tell him a few secrets to convince him I'm serious… he shares a few tidbits about her…He hates her, right?" Xelloss asked, then started back to the house to dump the last of the boxes on the floor of Val's new room.
"Oh…he hates her, and is probably terrified of her as well. But he'd have to be pretty plastered to give much away…and you don't drink, right?" Val asked, knowing he was right. He shut up when they entered the house.
"There's got to be something," Xelloss snapped in a whisper, staring at Zel, who looked away, then at Val. "Something…"
Val knew what Xelloss was getting at and shook his head. Outside he said, "Ya know, Zel and Gourry and me…won't let you go in there alone. Make a new plan. Zel? Why haven't you said nothin'?"
Zel checked the car for any oversights, then closed the door and sighed, "Believe it or not…I try not to think about all that crap. In order to appear 'out of the loop' to Zelas and Rezo, I actually try to be. Thinking about all this…it's too much, I can't dwell on it or I might go nuts. I don't know enough, or have, OR WANT ANY ACCESS TO information. When Xelloss is ready, I'll do whatever he needs me to do, but for now, I'm just trying to live my life."
Zel glanced at his watch, "Now, we have to move it to make it to the convention center on time. Val, want to come with us? Here's the cellphone. Call Gourry…punch #5…let him know, all right? Besides, the truck will be too crowded. I've been that one in the middle…I'm thinking of Lina, now. Gourry on one side, you on the other Filia on…your lap, I suppose, and an unhappy Lina mashed into Gourry. You'll be happier lounging in the back seat here with… Amelia and Sylphiel."
Val grinned at that, "Ya gotta be jokin'! YOU'd be happier! It'll be more convenient for ya, I'll give ya that, but I couldn't possibly be happier!"
Zel glared at him a moment and then followed Xelloss up to their houses to change into 'dojo' attire.
Val shrugged and looked at the phone. He didn't get Zel. How could he be so…indifferent to their problems? Wasn't Xelloss his best friend?
"Gourry? Val here, yeah, running behind schedule, Zel says. I'll just stay here and ride with them…Ah, here comes Sylphiel now with Amelia. We'll be off in a minute, I guess then. Yeah, you pick'n up Filia? Lina first, then Filia. When are ya starting? Well…yeah, I'll stay with these guys…give ya some breath'n space in that truck of yers. Mr. Nice Guy, that's me! Later, dude!" Click
Zelgadiss helped set up the mats, props and weaponry the other dojo members would be using for the exhibition. He had volunteered for the job in order to be allowed to stay out of sight, for the most part. He might have to be a dead weight to throw or hold boards or set up equipment, but he wouldn't have to demonstrate any newly-learned skill. Xelloss listened to last minute instructions from his sensei, and then stood aloof, as if meditating. Val walked from room to room getting a feeling for the show's layout. Food vendors were setting out samples from cauldrons of prepared food. Outside, a dozen barbecues were smoking with skewered chicken, pork and beef. Artwork for show and sale was in another room with diffuse lighting coming from overhead skylights. Hundreds of booths had been erected for the sale of merchandise of all kinds: Tarot reading, Tibetan imports, clothes, jewelry, and 'your name written in Chinese characters' read one sign. Tiny bonsai plants worth hundreds of dollars lined a wall.
Val found Sylphiel and Amelia putting the finishing touches on Sylphiel's stall. "You make those?" he asked astonished by the quality of her work, as best he understood it.
"Yes. These I made for the show and this…is Xelloss'. They're very comfortable, you know, and the fabrics were imported from Japan by my mother. She's my aunt, really, but she's so wonderful to do this for me. She doesn't want me to lose my mother's culture. She's taking me sometime this summer," Sylphiel chattered on.
"I'd like ta have one made," Val said thumbing through the fabric swatches.
"For you?"
"I'd like that, but first I want ta have one made…for a friend. He's about my size, slightly heavier," Val considered two swatches carefully. "He's got brown hair, so…What do you think?"
"The black and royal blue would look nice, but it's a very expensive silk. Who's it for?" she asked.
"Ah, it's a thank you gift for Sano. He's had to put up with a lot lately."
"Sano. He would look good in those colors. How about this heavy cotton? Its color comes from a traditional blue dye. I could trim it in black and it would be under $30," she suggested with a smile.
"Deal," Val grinned and counted out the money from a tight wad. "I know ya can't say when it'll be done, not know'n how many orders yer gett'n today. Just let me know when it's done, okay?"
"Oh, thanks. You're right. But I want to get started right away. Bye!" she smiled.
By the time he'd cycled around back to the exhibition hall, Val noticed that most the dojo participants were gathered for a final run-through of the activities. He nodded to Sano. Smiling at Sango reminded him that Miroku should be around, maybe that pretty Kagome too. He wanted to find someone to talk to besides himself, so he bought himself a soda and cruised the place all over again.
When the door opened for the public, Val was standing to the side to catch sight of Lina, Filia, and Gourry.
"Yo! Over here!" he shouted as they entered the building.
"Yeah…we made it…though it took forever to get out of the settlement. Filia's mom is waaay out there now and wanted to chat with us a while. Seems she doesn't get to see much of Filia these days. Oh, and she says 'hi' to you too. So where's everybody?" Lina asked congenially.
Filia retained her regal silence. At the dance, she had agreed to go out with Allan Schezar, if he followed through with her demands to meet her family and drive to and fro from Seyruun to the settlement on the outskirts of town. Today, she wasn't so excited, but wasn't sure why.
Val gave his friends the tour. They ran into Kagome and Miroku near the demonstration stage where Sango, Xelloss, Sano and other kids were waiting. Zelgadiss and Inu were examining the weaponry offstage.
Gourry sought out Zel. "Ah, Zel! When's the show starting? I, ah, wanna know if I got time to get someth'n to eat…for Lina…me too."
"Go ahead. We don't start for another 17 minutes. Just ask Lina to save you a spot. The seats are filling fast. Oh, hi Amelia. Leaving your post with Sylphiel?" Zel sighed and sat on the edge of the stage.
"I wouldn't miss this for anything! Later I get to be in the dragon parade too. Miss Filia's with Miss Sylphiel now and Miss Lina will take over after that. Are you excited, Zelgadiss? I know I am!" Amelia gushed, exuberance overwhelming her so that she had to hop around to extinguish part of it.
"Nauseous better describes how I feel. Ah, excuse me. Sensei calls," the sensitive guy said softly as he rose to his feet.
Gourry shared a plate full of yakisoba noodles with Lina during the karate presentation. It was not unlike the competition they had watched. First, the beginners demonstrated rolls and simple self-defense blocks and punches. The intermediates, like Sango and Sano, showed attacks that are more complicated and the use of other offensive techniques.
The advanced students were last. Nuriko and Xelloss were the youngest and were paired up for fighting and dangerous weapon mastery exhibition. Everyone came to see this part so it was very crowded around the stage area. Xelloss was not in top form, having barely recovered from the flu and having played drums to the near-exhaustion stage the night before. Nuriko landed a few hits past his defenses in the hand-to-hand part. Xelloss woke up in time to beat the smile off his opponent's face near the end when he was free to use his bo staff.
When the ordeal was over, the dojo students were asked to stick around a few minutes to answer questions. Again, Bunny and her friends appeared near the stage.
"Oh Zel? Xelloss that was, like, sooo amazing. I didn't know that you did that kinda stuff! That's sooo cool! So, do you guys know Ami, Makoto, and Mina? Yeah, you met Rei last night, " Bunny said to the guys.
"Rei Hino?" asked Miroku, joining the crowd. Then in a low voice to Zel and Xelloss added, "Quite the looker, I might add. And smart."
She must have overheard because she smiled sweetly and said, "Smart enough to avoid you, Miroku! I'm not dating either, Xelloss, but Usagi, er, I mean Bunny, is the captain of our sailing team and has come up with an idea to raise some money for boat rentals at the lake this summer. You see, there's a new dance club in town and they're donating a percentage of the door to our club for everyone we get to go there," the pretty, dark-haired Rei explained.
"Sailing team? Our high school has a sailing team?" asked Lina jostling through to the front.
"Yes! The girl's team is called Sailor Moon, get it? We're five girl sailors from Sey-ruun…and we're like that famous Sailor Moon movie team!" squealed Bunny.
"So how does this work? We go there and tell'em you sent us?" asked Lina, figuring the angles out for her own purposes.
"Almost. We have these coupons. To get in costs $10, so you buy a coupon from us for $5 and hand it over at the door. We get to keep the money, you buy food and drinks. We get 50%! Terrific, huh? Well, only if we can get people to go…" the short-haired girl, Ami, told them.
"Incredible!" said the surprised Lina. "How did ya get that kinda deal?" Bunny grinned and the two separated to discuss details.
"So what place is it?" asked Val as he encroached on Lina's absented space. He knew every dance hole in town and out of town for that matter.
"Cyberia!" the sailor girls said in unison.
Zel was shaking his head. He didn't want to enter the world of popular teen hang-outs, where loud music, dancing, and most certainly drugs, rules. Alas, Xelloss was excited, as was Lina and Val. They were snatching up tickets when Val nudged Zel, "Ya gotta come to help watch over chaos-kid over there."
So that is how Zelgadiss ended up buying a couple tickets to a dance club. "Oh, joy…"
Behind the demonstration stage was a corner of practice mats. Xelloss and Zel were cruising the food stands, while their friends were either doing the same or grabbing mats and setting up a huge picnic. They passed Lina and Amelia who were laughing over the most enormous trays of noodles, rice, and sushi dishes that they had ever seen; that is, until Gourry strode by carrying two mighty trays.
"You'd have thought that they played an entire tournament!" Zel smirked.
"Oh, they did! Miroku was sitting between Lina and Amelia!" Xelloss laughed and looked at Zel who didn't understand the implication. "Miroku has a bad case of 'wandering hands'."
"I thought he was a priest at the shrine. Aren't they suppose to have some restraint? Morals, anyway?" Zel asked his friend.
"I guess not! Hey, it's okay. Val says If he could make it, I shouldn't have any problem," Xelloss smiled.
Zel stopped and looked at him seriously, "I think you should try and aim a bit higher."
"I'll aim for the stars then, little brother. And make you proud," Xelloss said as he popped a sushi roll into his mouth.
"Just eat and shuddup," Zel growled. What he liked most about friends like Gourry and Van, were there high standards of honesty, loyalty, and ethics. They all followed a similar code of right and wrong which Zel found admirable. Val and Xelloss, sadly, lacked these qualities to some degree, though that was due to their unfortunate upbringings. Zel hoped fervently that the future would bestow upon them both higher principles and virtues.
Zel sat deep in thought on a mat, slightly apart from the others.
"Zelgadiss? Hello, may I share your mat?"
Zel looked up to see the kind smiling face of his mentor, Kenshin. "Ah, yes! Sorry, I was thinking about…a couple of my friends."
"Were you? You look confused and heavy-hearted. Would you like to unburden yourself? I won't judge you, that I won't, and I won't even give you advice unless you want it," he offered.
Zel considered this. Kenshin Himura, the most talented swordsman of their era, said to have a dark and mysterious past, was a short, skinny, pale guy with lots of red hair and stunningly lavender eyes, which were large and kind. His every expression was simple, happy, and open, as if he was an innocent, ancient child looking out at the world with wise and yet naïve windows. How strange he was with his contradictory nature and weird speech patterns! Zel had liked him immediately, and felt that he could trust him. Besides, Kenshin was an adult. Maybe he would know something that 17-year-old Zelgadiss didn't…
"Well, you see, they're both in a lot of trouble…" he gave him an abbreviated, anonymous account of their current drama. "...and I'm just not quite sure where they're going to end up. I'd say 'I want to save them', but…"
"But you know that it is not your place to do so, correct? You see that as being presumptuous and crass, even, to think that it is up to you to 'save' people. You have a friend who comes to mind, I see, someone who always has a cause to preach about?"
Zel nodded, and flushed red to think that Kenshin could read him so well. It made his problems seem so insignificant, to think that Kenshin was so familiar with them that he understood so well.
"You may be right, but isn't it better to believe in something than to simply criticize? Oh, but now I'm preaching. You must forgive me, that you must! I keep forgetting that I promised not to give you advice!" he smiled and laughed quietly.
"It's okay…I never really said that I didn't want any…" Zel mumbled. That was so strange! Why was he talking about all this? It was so…strange…
"People your age should not have to go through what you are, that they should not. But that is beside the point. You are going through it, that is the truth, no matter what any adult around you may say. I am sorry that you're being robbed of your childhood, that I am, and I can empathize, identify, with you because my childhood was stolen from me, as well."
Zel was taken aback to see Kenshin's usually sunny face darkened as if clouded by memories of his past. Seriousness shadowed his humorous face, making him seem grim and sage-like.
"I have also seen my friends around me dissipate, fall into bad hands. And I have also seen friends come out of it, rise above it. True, sometimes they needed a little help, like Sano..."
"You saved him?"
" You could say that I 'saved' him, I suppose. But it is more correct to say that I helped him. I gave him the opportunity to change, the promise of a better path. He had to take it himself, that he did." The sunny smile had now completely driven away the clouds and was shining brightly. "I think that if they are worthy of the feelings you have for them, they will be good enough to come out on top, I really think so. Speaking of whom," he looked up, to where eight or nine pairs of legs had fenced them in. It was the gang, newly arrived with trays of exotic, delectable food fresh from the court.
"Hey, what'chu talkin' about? Not boring the kid to tears with all that philosophy, are ya Kenshin?" Sano asked, picking his teeth with a skewer from teriyaki chicken.
"Oh, we were just talking about plans for the future, weren't we, Mr. Graywords?" Kenshin smiled. "He was wondering what you two in particular had planned, I believe," he set his unfathomable, yet open purple gaze on Val and Xelloss. "What do you want to do when you grow up?"
Zel choked. No no no! Don't tell them! But it was too late. Kenshin seemed to have a plan, ineffable as it was, and Zel could only sigh and experience the ride.
Xelloss and Val looked thoughtful as they settled onto their mats.
"Me? I'm already grown up. I work at the music store. I sell stuff and I'm learning to repair lots of different instruments and electronics. Ya know, music's real important to me…so's the band. I wanna keep play'n forever," Val grinned.
All the Slayers agreed to that.
"I have my father's business to grow into," said Gourry once he'd cleaned up most of his tray-loads of food. "I like building stuff and there's always work needed to be done."
"Construction work really suits you, Gourry," said Sylphiel kindly. "I've found that being a priestess of healing at the shrine makes me think about nursing. But I really like to cook too! So the guidance counselor at school suggested that I think about becoming a dietitian at the hospital. Two years of community college is all it takes!"
"That sounds like a good fit for you," said Lina twirling the last of her noodles onto her chopsticks. "Hey look! I finally got the gist of these chopsticks!"
"Law school for me!" Amelia cried. "I'm going to be an attorney-an honest one, crusading for truth and justice in a world of slander and hypocrisy! And someday, someday I'll rise up to Judge! That's my future! And I want to get married and have a fabulous wedding, too!" she added, slightly less righteously.
"I hear you, Amelia! But not law school…I know that I want to help save the environment from all those corporate exploiters," Filia said with a meaningful glance at Xelloss, "but I don't think I'm quite cut out for slogging through wet-lands in the rain, screaming at demonstrations like Luna does." She shrugged. "So I don't quite know what I'm going to do."
"Lots of conservation organizations have spokespersons…and there are lobbyists! You are smart and attractive and have a good speaking voice. You could do that for the environment," Lina suggested.
"You're right…" Filia smiled. "Interesting, Lina. You've been awfully quiet, Zel. You have a plan for everything. What do you want to do?"
Zel shook his head, "I was groomed to go into the chemistry department at the university for as long as I can remember. It's still my favorite subject, but…computer hardware and design attracts me as well. I don't really have much of a plan. I'll just go to college and see what happens."
"'Just go to college!' That's great for you, you're rich! Some of us aren't drowning in cash, however," Lina huffed. Amelia, Filia, Zel, Xelloss, even Val had some sort of inheritance, and Sylphiel had plenty of money as well, from the shrine. Only she and Gourry were left, they'd have to scrape to get by, while all the others floated along, oblivious to poverty. "I'm going to have to start bidding for scholarships pretty soon, entering in writing contests and doing volunteer work and that kind of brown-nosing shit. I wanna go to college too, but I have to work to get there!"
"But what do you want to do in college, Miss Lina?" Amelia asked, wide-eyed.
"Eeh, like Zel, I'll probably figure it out fer sure when I get there, but I'm thinking writing, journalism and creative writing both sound good. Anything expressive!" she laughed.
"What's all this 'you're rich' crap going on?" Zel spat through gritted teeth. "Would you trade places--for any money--with me? Xelloss? Val? It's not worth it, Lina. Besides, who says we're even going to see any of that money? We're not seeing much of it now, except for Xelloss, and even that's mostly just what's owed him from years of demanding nothing. Ha! We've spent more in hospital bills than anything else! And by the time we're through with—" Kenshin put a hand on his shoulder, a quiet reminder that some things shouldn't be said. Zel checked his voice, which had been rising shriller, to a low whisper. "By the time we're through, who knows what will be left? Who knows if we'll even live so long?"
And he said nothing more for a very long time.
But Lina had a hard time being quiet for so long, and since what she wanted to tell Zelgadiss, to reassure him, wasn't for the ears of all the others, she focused her gaze on Xelloss, changing the subject. "So, chaos kid, what do you have to say for yourself?
He smiled and answered, "I want to get married and have a house-full of kids."
Silence.
"You've got to be kidding, Xelloss. What kind of time-warp did you pass through getting here?" Filia snapped.
"I'm not kidding. That's what I've always wanted. I family. A nice family. A simple life without…" Xelloss began.
"Without any goals! Without ambition! Without occupation! You'll die of boredom!" shouted Lina.
"I want to be happy. I have a job now. It could be full-time if I wanted," he said defensively.
"Kenshin, you're the adult. You tell the idiot that he's got to do something with his life!" Lina demanded.
Kenshin smiled shyly, "Well, it's best to know your heart and work at what you feel is the right thing. You may have to put off what you want most, though, until you've paid your dues, that you might."
"This coming from the wimpy-looking guy who's 28, single, the most talented swordsman in the country, and yet STILL lives alone in a trailer park, hanging out with losers like me!" laughed his friend, Sano.
"You're happy, though, aren't you, Kenshin?" Xelloss smiled. "You are the only contented, satisfied person I know over twenty, save perhaps my doctor, and he's got some guilt to contend with. Simple. I want a simple life with a family. Either that or I want to run a criminal syndicate with worldwide ties to the underworld on every continent and destroy the environment while I'm at it. Did I manage to offend everyone?" he giggled hysterically at his joke.
Kenshin laughed with him, for he did not know the whole truth of his outlandish statement. Then he nodded to the left, "You're being watched. Don't look. A boy, small, with dark hair, wearing blue."
Gourry glanced around quickly, "Ah…I think it's a friend of my brother Joey. Name…I forget. Wait, Phil! Yeah, Phil. He's a new kid at the middle school, but lives near our house, I guess. Now where did he go…"
Nuriko sat close to Xelloss and asked him if he was all right, "You took some hits I didn't think would connect. Want me to check that shoulder?"
As innocent as it sounded, Xelloss shook his head, "Ah, that's okay. Thanks anyway. I've had the flu all week, plus I haven't been putting in the practice time I should. Busy."
Nuriko finished braiding another bead into his hair then said, "Busy? Anyone I know?"
Xelloss shook his head, "No. Nothing like that…"
"Too bad. You look like someone who could use some fun," Nuriko smiled and started to massage Xelloss' shoulders from a kneeling position behind him.
"The band played last night. And, did I tell you? I'm a novice at the Shrine now," Xelloss smiled in return.
"You're going to be a priest! Wonderful! Slayers got a gig? That's great too. So I won't worry about you. Course you're not a kid any more either," Nuriko sighed.
"Suzaku Seven still paying the bills?" Xelloss asked.
"Hmm, yeah. And I think Hotohori is warming up to me a bit too," Nuriko chuckled and punched Xelloss on his sore shoulder gently and sat beside him.
Xelloss shook his head, "That's a dead-end street. I figured you to be smarter than that. Didn't you say he was interested in some younger girl? Why torture yourself? Hey, you can become a priest and hide away for awhile too!"
Nuriko chuckled, "I don't think so. No, I'm just a fool in love, I guess."
Xelloss frowned, "A fool anyway…I'm sorry. I'm not much smarter, but I like to think I learn from my mistakes. By the way, here come your friends now."
Nuriko waved and hopped up to join a couple other of the Suzaku Seven. Tasuki said a word or two to Lina, passing on a name of one especially good sound recording engineer at Macross Studios.
"Remember, Max Sterling. Tell 'em I sent ya!" the wild punky red-head said.
"No, don't, Lina. Max'll probably throw you out! Tell him the only things you have in common with Tasuki are the hair, temper, bad language, and, ahhhh, better leave out all that," giggled Nuriko, who set off with the others to get more food.
Filia made a big point of needing a cup of tea to settle her stomach after too much purple fruitcake. Zel shook his head. He thought his friend was more tolerant than necessary, certainly more than himself. His thoughts were interrupted by Amelia. She'd noticed the 'Nuriko x Xelloss' episode and Zel's reaction, then remembered something she'd intended to say to Zel. "Oh, Zelgadiss? I wanted to say…um, about Valentine's day…"
"What, Amelia," he prompted her somewhat impatiently.
"Those two boys at the table, giving me the flowers and things?" she began, hesitant beneath his cerulean glare.
"You owe me no explanations."
"I've known Duo and Heero since first grade. We've been friends for ages and they've always showered me with presents, just for fun. I mean, how could anyone get romantic about a guy she'd seen eat paste?" they both chuckled a bit and relaxed. "Anyway, I… I thought you might have misunderstood," she added gently as possible.
No he hadn't known. Zel hid his eyes in his bangs and spoke in a low voice, "Thanks for the information. I hadn't noticed them, much. It was a bad day for me, Amelia, that's all. And…one I don't particularly want to remember."
She nodded. Now she'd just made things worse.
He looked up to see her countenance fall. He hadn't meant to hurt her feelings (much) just cover up his own. "But playing at the dance felt really good, I thought," he ventured.
She brightened, "Oh, yes it was wonderful. Especially how Martina pulled off her song without a practice together! And your song. It was moving…Oops! The time!"
Amelia had to get into the dragon costume for the exciting parade/dance with drummers and cymbals, so she left with a smile.
Lina wanted to get another serving of the chicken curry from the Indian vendor and Gourry was sure the inari-zushi could be made at home, if he sampled it one more time for himself. Sylphiel decided to return to her booth and Val had to run to catch the bus to work.
So Xelloss and Zelgadiss relaxed and people-watched awhile.
"What's next?" yawned Xelloss.
"Gourry wants me to take a look at a sword, a family heirloom, at his place after we leave here. And homework for English. That special project, too. Given that any thought?" Zel asked.
Xelloss wrinkled his nose, "We could go to the new French subtitled film, Amelié , and write a review?"
To his surprise, Zel agreed, "Shall we ask Lina and Filia to join us?"
Xelloss shrugged, "Whatever, little brother. But I can guarantee that they won't come if I'm with you."
"Why do you think so?" Zel asked.
"Filia is obviously repulsed by me and Lina is coolly tolerant. Anything like that could be considered a thinly disguised date will result in an instant turn-down," Xelloss said glumly.
"Then I won't ask them," Zel replied. "I don't need the grief either." He added and gave his friend a rare, warm, and knowing smile.
Lina returned with a tall iced tea. "Hey, stay there. I'm, tak'n this to Sylphiel…yeah I'm the sweetest. Actually, she and I had a…not-a-fight, but anyway, I just wanna let her know I'm not mad at her. Wait. Zel, you're smiling, that means you're planning something. So what's up? And you do know better than to say nothing, doncha?"
Zel froze; smile fell. He gave Xelloss a quick glance for some reassurance. Xelloss smiled and said, "We've decided to go see Amelie for that special project in English.
"WITHOUT ME?!?" she cried, then put on her 'cute' act. "I wanted to see that anyway and I could use a ride…Hey, I bet Filia will want to come along too. Hold on, I'll get this to Sylphiel and find Filia and be back in a flash!"
They watched her retreating form. "Ah, well…that's done," sighed Zel.
"Yep. Lina likes to be in control doesn't she?" Xelloss chuckled. "Filia won't join in though."
"Probably not."
Gourry returned and settled comfortably onto a cushion. "Zel? I was wonder'n…think you could make these sushi thingies? I'd buy 'em for lunch off ya."
"Find me a Sushi cookbook and you can have them in trade," Zel replied.
"Sure!" Gourry smiled. "I know where ta find 'em too. Oh, and, ah…you comin' over? Xelloss, you can come too, ya know."
"Yeah, but I'd like to leave soon. We have some other stuff to do. Amelia and Sylphiel are staying and getting rides home from their respective fathers. You have to drop off Filia and Lina. Course Lina's in the neighborhood. Filia's the problem…" Zel muttered as he did his thinking out loud.
"How am I a problem?" Filia asked, sneaking up from behind and yanking on Zel's hair.
"Ow! Gahhh! Filia!" Zel sputtered in annoyance.
"Ew! Your hair is so weird feeling, you know? So this Amelié thing, like I'm a problem?" Filia glared into his eyes.
"Ahhh, no. Come here a second though," said Zel, pulling her off to the side and rubbing his sore scalp. "I don't think Gourry's involved but don't want to hurt his feelings. Xelloss tore the listing out of the paper this morning…here it is, ah, 7:00."
"Oh, that's okay. Amelia invited Sylphie and me over after this…I didn't know then, but… I'll check, but you could pick me up at Amelia's at 6:30-ish," Filia said.
"Too complicated," Zel said curtly.
"Oh, you're just afraid you might have to invite Amelia too," Filia teased.
"Yes. And Sylphiel and Gourry and Val and… I haven't the room in the car and it's too complex. Just Xelloss, it WAS his idea, Lina, you, and me…for our English project," Zel crossed his arms and stared at her with his one visible eye.
They stood eye to eye. She nodded, "Whatever…"
When Zel and Filia re-joined Xelloss and Gourry, Lina had already blurted out the entire plan. Gourry, afraid he would have to go as well, was sweating in fear. He seized Zel and whispered his wish to be excused this time. Zel assured him that he would be permitted to stay home. One problem down. Gourry, relief evident in his voice, invited Filia and Lina over to view the sword, if they wanted to. Problems solved. On the way out, they stopped to say goodbye to Sylphiel and wave to Amelia as the dragon parade passed by.
Gourry's siblings were delighted to see Lina and Zel again. Filia was aloof, serene, beautiful—breathlessly admired by the twin girls. Joey glommed onto Xelloss, his idol, and tried to get Lina's attention by yanking on her hair.
"Joey, ah, come here," called Xelloss. He sat him down and laid out the do's and don'ts of how to gets Lina's attention, from his own experiences. "Here's some advice that might help you survive the future. Girls can touch you, but you can't touch them, okay? Yep! Don't talk about fairness, there's no such thing. Oh, there's more, but that's a start. Okay, one more…watch the compliments. Girls don't take to those too well either. Ah, well, they get the wrong idea."
"Compliments? No way. Well, I'm not talk'n to any girls but Lina and she don't count," Joey said, proud to have found his own solution.
"That's going to be difficult! More than half the people on the planet are female. And since you can't ignore half the world, you might as well learn how to deal with it. Especially Lina, who's the person of interest, right?" Xelloss smiled conspiratorially.
"So keep your eye on Zelgadiss," Xelloss continued, enjoying being the older, experienced guy for a change. "He's her best friend, near equals, and great at the game, though he's unaware that he's even a player. See? He's pulling Chuckie, or whomever, off Lina and 'saving' her by wrestling around with him. Gourry's not bad either, mind you. See, he's making her a snack to lure her into the kitchen with him. It's really amusing, when you're not the one involved!"
Joey was gaping and shaking his head. Too perplexing.
Gourry signaled for the Zel and Xelloss to follow him. Lina, curious, hopped up the stairs as well, while Filia stayed with Gourry's sisters.
"This sword has been in the family for…a really long time. It's my father's but he lets me handle it cause I fence, and all. Here, take a look, Zel," Gourry said, proudly offering the huge sword to his friend.
Zel was speechless. It was a gorgeous hand-forged sword. Clearly ancient, but well-cared for.
"I can hardly pick this up!" Zel gasped, holding it aloft in both hands. He arms were quivering in seconds so he lowered it to rest on Gourry's bed. "It's fantastic!"
Gourry smiled. Zel's apparent adoration of the object was most gratifying. The big guy picked up the sword and swung it around in controlled, practiced strokes. The two were made for each other.
"I've been work'n with it awhile. It's not like fenc'n. You could chop off heads with this!" Gourry grinned.
"You could!" Zel chuckled. "I'd hack off my own head. I'd have to get a lot stronger to handle that."
Lina and Xelloss looked it over and chatted about whose heads they'd like to see separated from their torsos. After a bit, Gourry put the heirloom away, and they returned to the kitchen downstairs.
Filia was stirring a cup of tea and suggesting a new hair cut for one of the girls, while the other was trying to glean information about their plans tonight.
"Tonight?" Filia said, flipping her ponytail flirtatiously. "Oh, that. Nothing much…school assignment. We see this foreign film and write a report or review. Like, just slightly less boring than nothing!" She added the last part as if to dismiss her involvement totally. Gourry and the others walked into the room in time to hear the young girls twittering.
"So is Xelloss YOUR date? I thought he couldn't go out! You gonna cut his hair again? Who's with Zelgadiss? Why are they dressed in pajamas? I thought you liked that other guy…with the chains! Isn't my brother going with you, Lina?" they asked in a chorus of giggles.
"For godsakes no! It's not a date in ANY way. We're all in the same English class together. As for the pajamas… Zel? You and chaos-kid going to change first?" Filia asked, interrupting his conversation with Gourry.
"Yes," Zel nodded. "Xelloss? Ready to shower and change out of these gi's? All right, we'll be back by…"
"What about dinner?" cried Lina, apple in hand. "We gotta eat before the movie!"
"I know a place near the theater!" chirped Xelloss. "We are going to the one downtown, right? It's not far from the dojo and, if you want, we can stop in and say 'hi' to Val at the music store," he smiled.
Filia wasn't sure if that was intended to be a dig at her or not, so she answered defensively, "I'm sure I don't care, but we probably won't have time. What kind of 'place' were you thinking about eating at? I won't go into some dive with you!"
"I don't eat at DIVES," Xelloss snapped back. "It's nothing special…meatloaf sandwiches, hamburgers, meaty veggies, meat and potatoes…"
"And salads and non-meaty things too, Filia," added Zel, cautioning Xelloss with a glare. "It's fine. I've eaten there before. Come on, let's get changed!" he said to Xelloss and pulled on his gi sleeve. "Grow up! Stop baiting her. She's capable of doing more damage than you, anyway. Don't give me that look either! Remember my advice when she's holding a pair of scissors about to trim your bangs! I thought you'd see it my way."
As it turned out, the tiny restaurant served a wide variety of tasty foods in ample quantities to please everyone. They were rushed to get to the movie, and slid into their seats midway through the 'coming attractions'. Filia sat on one end beside Lina. Xelloss sat on the other, beside Zel. In this way the movie passed in calm, for the most part. From time to time Xelloss would burst out into giggles when he recognized gross translation errors, stating, "It deserved even more 'R' than the rating implies!"
Zel gasped and sputtered to contain his own laughter when Xelloss would share a tidbit. He wouldn't pass them on to Lina, however, which prompted her ire to rise, and forced her to do a little beating-about-the-Xelloss to obtain information, which disturbed poor Zel, who she had to lean over to reach the purple-haired kid.
'And if I had offered to tell her such dirty jokes, she'd have lacerated me!' he thought. Interesting... he'd made another realization to add to his 'about girls' bank.
On the way out, Filia moved beside Xelloss and traced a line in his bangs, higher on forehead, "I can cut them higher if you like HER look."
Xelloss closed his eyes and leaned into her hand a moment, then turned, glanced at her quickly and smiled. "I'd like to meet someone like her someday," he said and then skipped over to the car and slipped into the back seat, leaving her wondering what insane fancy just passed through his moronic brain.
The next week of school flew by. February flowing into March with the torrential rainfall. Lina was bored. It was history and the gray rain poured outside the window. Inside the classroom, it was women's history month and everyone had to suggest report topics for women who were pioneers in their field.
"Sally Field!" shouted one kid.
"Jane Goodall, " Filia suggested. "…and Kit Carson, who wrote Silent Spring!"
"Rosa Parks," yelled another.
Lina's eyes glowed. She had some ideas, "Lizzy Borden, so clever a murderess they could never prove that she did it! Virginia Wolfe…ah, Lady Boudiccea, a cool red-haired war lady of the Celts. In a fit of excitement she strangled her enemy with his own backbone!"
"Ahem…" interrupted the teacher. "That will do, Miss Inverse."
Zel grinned, "Nicely done."
By Wednesday, the rain had let up and everyone simply slogged around in gloom. Xelloss never even made it to cooking class that day. In fact, he never made it to band practice. Zel didn't even see him until after 10:00 that night…
Wednesday evening.
"This week I met Mr. Saygram, Sr.'s grandson…Phil, Phil Brizzo. Cute kid, shaggy dark hair and big, bright eyes who looked as young as ten but could be fifteen. He told me that I could play him, once I beat his grandfather at chess. Plucky creep. Saygram, Sr. motioned for me to take a seat at the table, as he positioned the chess pieces on the board. I figured that this was THE Phibrizzo you'd anticipated I would contact. Again, you might have warned me to expect a child. So we played a game and I beat the old man easily. That promoted me to the child opponent. We played seven games; tied 3-3 in the first six. I had let him start and we'd traded wins. For the seventh game, he began…he won. 'Did I let him?' he asked. I answered, 'That's…a secret!'
"I was afraid he's have a temper tantrum, but then he smiled and cracked-up laughing. He grabbed my hand and hopped off to his grampa's room. He told me he liked me very much. No had dared to play to win against him before, or refused to answer his questions. " Xelloss shrugged then continued his report to Zelas Metallium.
"So…now I'm to play chess with grampa and the kid, Phil…Phibrizzo, on Fridays. When Saygram Sr. left the room to the bathroom, the kid asked me my name. I told him Xelloss Graywords, he shook his head, and said, 'It hasn't been that always, has it?'
'No, my mother recently remarried. I was born Metallium,' I answered, just as we had discussed, right? " Xelloss looked for some confirmation from the stern woman he seldom called 'mother'.
"Then he smiled and pulled out this envelope. He told me to save it until I got home then I should read it and consider its contents. He'd see me on Friday, to play chess and hear my response. It was time to catch my return bus, so I said good bye and left."
Zelas crushed out her cigarette and stood to watch the wind blow through the leafless trees in the streetlight. "And the note. What does he want?"
Xelloss handed his mother the note and waited. He was tired. The day had been long with emotional vicissitudes. He knew Zel was helping Val with his computer, and wanted to part of that too.
"Do you understand what this means?" she demanded as much as asked.
"Ah, no…I was hoping you would," Xelloss said with a hint of sarcasm. "I've never been to Atlas City."
"It means Gaav's there, somewhere. That's not what I mean, though. This is an assignment, from Phibrizzo. If you accept it, you will be working for him. He's requesting you from me on loan. Notice the stamp? Yes, it is the Shabrinigdo hierarchy from the pendant, but with a significant difference. Notice that our family crest is faint, masked out with tape. My approval is required."
Zelas moved to the desk by the window, opened the drawer, which also contained the flashlight and lighter, and withdrew an ink pad. "Well? It's your decision. If you are going after Gaav, this is your chance. However, once you agree, you are in… and under his command until you've completed the contract. I suggest you read his contract very closely, my dear, he's quite devious. Yes, he looks much younger than he is… don't let that fool you either. "
Xelloss nodded. There was no backing out now. Syndicate, hit-man, here I come! He pulled out his pendant from beneath his sweater and pressed it to the pad.
"Place it directly over his imprint…that's right…done. When he receives this on Friday, he will give you a contract. Use the pendant for your signature, if you accept. You may refuse, of course. If you do, then you return to me. If you accept, then this is our last conversation for…until your contract runs out, or you die, or he dies, of course. Are you sure about this?" Zelas asked, showing almost a mother's concern for him.
Xelloss didn't trust his voice. He nodded, turned, and ran out of the room.
Val was eager to surf the net with the best of them, once Zel finished installing the software. "This DSL crap is more confusing…" he muttered. "Ah, Xelloss, it's about time. I thought you were going to take care of the server installation, but I…Xelloss! W-what's wrong?" Zel asked as his best friend staggered into the room, white-faced.
"I-it's starting. Friday, it begins…" Xelloss stuttered.
(((.-)) Zel |||^.^||| Xelloss |{{^.^}}| Lina |((.^)|| Gourry ((^.^)) Amelia |))-.-((| Val