(((.-)) Zel |||^.^||| Xelloss |{{^.^}}| Lina |((.^)|| Gourry ((^.^)) Amelia |))-.-((| Val
Chapter 44
THE SLAYERS
Saturday morning each of the Slayers received a special telegram delivered to their home. Val, Zel, and Xelloss were not home. They were asleep. The boys slept through the morning, through the helicopter's early comings and goings, and would have slept all day, had Milgasia not awakened them.
"Time to rise and shine, boys. The Mayor has some special announcement, and the settlement has prepared a bountiful brunch for you before the helicopter takes you home," the older man enlightened the groggy kids.
Xelloss silently suffered the lack of a shower, toothbrush, and change of clothes with panache. Zel straightened the kinks out of his hair, brushed off his pants and followed the lanky, disheveled Val to the door.
"This morning I am drinking coffee by the gallon," Zel said with a determined set to his jaw.
"Think again, Dr. Zel," Val chuckled. "Where you are, there ain't no coffee or caffeine here outside of a rare cup of non-herbal tea."
Val's smile grew as he felt the 'disturbance in the force' that he was causing. "No meat, no so-das, no un-re-fined su-gar. Think: whole grains, lotsa fruit and ve-ge-tables. Remember how pissed off I was after bein' here a week? De-pra-va-tion. I need it to keep ma at-ti-tude."
Xelloss thought that Val was hysterical and laughed accordingly. Zel was gloomy to the extreme, and did not.
"I can't wait to go home and be alone. Oh, wait, you guys live there too. WAIT! What about my car? Look, over there! It's buried in snow! I gotta get it out!" Zel flew into a panic.
Val wrapped his arms round the smaller guy, holding him still, "Relax, Zel. It ain't goin' nowhere. But we are. Eat! Build them reserves, dude!" Val joked and pushed Zel ahead of him.
Milgasia had walked on ahead, and now awaited them at the door, "Hurry up! Don't keep them all waiting!"
"Everyone's in such a hurry around here," observed Xelloss. "Babies, FOGs (Funky Old Guys- Rat's own term—spread the word!)… Ah, Filia! Good morning! Don't you look lovely this snowy morning?"
"Shuttup, Chaos-kid. The only time baby-bro was quiet was when Mom and Dad took him off in that helicopter, so I got zero minutes of sleep. They're all back now. Everybody's 'groovy', Mom says. Her word, not mine! Oh, the Doc wants to see you in private, first. Gods, Xelly, you were the last person I thought would take drugs. That was really stupid!"
"Gods, Filly, you were the last girl I figured to get seduced by that Schezar jerk. That was soooo stupid!" he taunted her in imitation of her own voice.
Her mouth fell open, a blush flushed her face, and her eye's flashed dangerously. Then…
Zel brushed by them both, "You're both capable of better moments. And Filia? Is it possible for you to find me some form of caffeine? Help the guy who helped bring your brother into the world?"
His offhand statement diffused the situation and his question caught her off guard. "I'll check. Strong black tea is a possibility," Filia sighed too tired to play verbal war with Xelloss.
"Make it so," Zel commanded waving his hand and passing through the door. He'd been dying to use that phrase since the very first time he'd seen Star Trek…
The food was plentiful, tasty, and healthy. Doctor Adams stood and spoke first. Xelloss was declared sound and whole after last night's taste of drug-induced stupor and sickness. It had been an accident and now a lesson for them to pass on to save other kids. He congratulated the happy mother for her grace under pressure and the father for his perfect timing (that got him some laughs, even from the dour Milgasia.) Zelgadiss and Valentine (Yes, Filia told them all his full name for fun or spite) were lauded for their courage and competence above and beyond the ordinary call of duty. He finished with a toast to the new baby and his family, and then took his seat.
Mayor Phil responded with a toast of his own, and then cleared his throat, "I have something more to say. Tomorrow's paper will run a couple articles with certain identities carefully kept secret. I wanted to acknowledge our young friend for his significant contribution at a special dinner tonight at the Mayor's Mansion with his closest friends, and I will, no matter how difficult gathering you all together will be in this blasted snowstorm! Who am I talking about? Let me read from this article first:
"Ah, and I paraphrase this…Operation shuts down child porn network—reads the headline. Teachers, priests, healthworkers, childcare professionals, policemen, a bus driver, photographer…the list of people being indited as we speak for crimes against our children. One third of those arrested have admitted to molestation as well, proving that viewing is not a harmless diversion. Children are currently being moved out of harm's way…
"The other article announces that our state has passed legislation to hold Internet Service Providers (ISPs) legally responsible for blocking child porn. Huge fines for failure to comply or report."
"I would like to thank Mr. Xelloss Metallium for his hours of tireless service to this community to accomplish this," Phil paused while those at the table reacted with a combination of astonishment and delight at the disclosure. "You may say something, or not, son," he added kindly.
"If you don't, I will. So you'd better tell all,"sighed Zel contently sipping his second cup of tea.
Xelloss stood, uncomfortable with the attention for this achievement. "I'm sure no one's interested…"
Filia shouted, "I am, so tell me!"
He smiled, "It started out as a way to trace my stepfather. I had spent four months in a hospital having my body repaired following torture and abuse at his hands. My mother had planned the job in order to either kill me or send me to the mental hospital for life. As it was, I spent the next year and one-half institutionalized after I attempted to kill myself. I was despondent and alone. In the mental ward I met an unusual girl who taught me how to use the Internet for fun and profit. Her name was Lain. She was at the Cyberia club, remember?"
"We started searching for my face on the porn sites. You see, my stepfather had videotaped my torture and told me why, but he spoke in French so I didn't understand until…he was caught at last. The tape was recovered thanks Zelgadiss! and it is in a secret location. That information should never leave this room, by the way." Xelloss stopped and stared at Milgasia. He had just provided his 'enemy' information to endanger lives.
"If certain people knew of that tape, several innocent people would be killed, without a doubt. Anyway, I continued to search for child porn distributors, established a covert circle of other 'watchers' who reported illegal activity to police, sent evidence, and closed down sites. I guess we made a difference."
He slipped back into his seat, looking uncomfortable, aware of his rumpled appearance beneath the bewildered stares of the others sharing the table.
"Xelloss!" Filia gasped. She was sitting beside him and had dropped her knife and fork sometime during his revelation. Now she flung her arms around his neck and cried into his hair.
This was the second time in as many weeks that she'd done this, but before it was after condemning him and insulting him. And that other time was in front of his friends. Now he was seated at a table with her parents, the mayor and her clan leader. Xelloss was astonished. He wasn't sure if he should say something or where even to put his hands. He couldn't think for a second, so he looked up at Zelgadiss for help.
Zel knew the story, and was proud that his friend was going to get some kind of recognition for all his selfless work, if only from his closest friends. He almost laughed when he spotted that oh-so-familiar look of panic on Xelloss' face; he had certainly felt it many times. Zel stifled a chuckle and kicked Val under the table. Val's moved his glare from Filia and Xelloss to Zel. Zel mouthed follow me and quickly hopped out of his seat and joined Filia in a group hug. Val understood and added his unwashed body to the huddle.
Xelloss gasped, "That's enough humanity!"
All four kids laughed and released him to breathe fresher air again. Zel and Val congratulated him and slapped him on the back. Other kind words ensued as the adults registered the enormity of his activities. Milgasia alone sat guarded and unmoved.
"Please don't let an accident of birth completely mar your opinion of me." Xelloss bowed his head in the clan leader's direction.
Milgasia pushed back his chair and muttered through clenched teeth, "Accident! You are a symbol of all that is wrong with kids today. You appear so noble, fooling these fine people, when beneath that smile is a heart of evil and malice. You hide a cunning mind behind a mask of innocence, even from your friends. But, not from me. I know garbage when I see it and smell it…"
"It's not my fault I didn't get my morning shower!" Xelloss giggled in defiance of the mistaken man. He was actually very shaken by the attack, but his 'conditioning' had prepared him for verbal assaults, and worse (although the sight of blood was still too much at times, wasn't it? He thought.)
"Don't mock me, Godless monster!" Milgasia bellowed. "Filia!" he shouted, demanding her attention. "As your clan leader, I forbid you from consorting IN ANY WAY with this living, breathing, vessel of evil! And you!" Milgasia pointed an accusatory finger at the tall green-haired kid, "Valentine of the Ancient clan, the same goes for you. You must not go back to that den of demons! A room for you will be made up at my home immediately, where you shall live from forthwith."
Filia, exhausted and shocked by the pronouncement, burst into tears and ran into her father's arms.
Now Val was not an idiot, but he was low on sleep and high on stress after running on adrenaline most the previous night, so his judgement was a bit impaired. He also had had it with control freaks running his life. All things considered, Val was not going to take it any more.
"What?" he roared, for a start. "I'm 18 years old now and go where I want and see who I want, for starters. Xelloss is my friend and his mother is my foster mother, by legal action bound to my… probation and accepted by the courts or somethin' like that, so I can't just walk away from that. He and I are in a band together and I'm not about to give that up now either!"
He stopped as Zel's warning hand on his arm registered. "Um, sorry fer yellin' in yer home, Mrs. Ul Copt. I think I'm gonna help Zel find his car now."
He flew out of the room, with Zel at his heels. "Hold up, Val!"
"Ya wanna find yer car, right?" Val growled.
"Sure," Zel answered. "I think Xelloss is coming too."
Xelloss stood as Val made his exit. "I'm sorry too, Mrs. Ul Copt. I make no pretence of who I am, but I am not a corrupter of anyone. I hope that you'll be able to make the ceremony the first week of April, Filia. I will be received into the shrine as a full priest at that time and hope that all my friends can attend. Thank you all for your hospitality," he added with a bow to Milgasia, then hurriedly left the room in search of Val and Zelgadiss.
Phil jumped to his feet, stopping Milgasia from saying or taking any other action. "You don't know the complete story about that young man, Milgasia. Don't say anything more, you may regret your words in the future."
"That young man is a syndicate member, Phil! He admitted it to my face. You know who his mother is…and now she has those other two young men under her roof! How much longer before she has them all doing her dirty work?"
The mayor was at a loss for words, a rare occurrence. He couldn't give away the kid's plans, even to this man who could be of assistance. He shook his head, "I don't know, but I believe they have what it takes to resist."
Dr. Adams was whispering to the Ul Copts and chose now to make his exit. "I need to speak to the boys again, excuse me. Phil, when is that helicopter due to arrive?"
Snow was no longer falling, but the narrow, winding roads of the settlement had not been cleared. Zel stood shivering beside the white mound that was his car. "If I can get the snow off, do you think it will start?"
Val shook his head, "Mebbe. I might get it goin' fer yer, but ya got that card, right? The 'Oh! My Goddess' guys? They might be able ta help. The problem's the roads. Until the highway's open the car stays put."
"Can't be helped then," Zel sighed, and, hearing the approach of boots in the snow, turned around to see Dr. Adams approaching the trio.
"Hello," the kind man greeted them. "Pretty rough in there, huh?" He asked, patting Xelloss on the back.
"Nothing I haven't come to expect from the Cephied Believers," he smiled carelessly. "But I'll kill them all in the end…"
They all stared at him after that outrageous threat.
"…with kindness, of course!" he laughed.
The good doctor shook his head. Zelgadiss was glad that he was around to witness this side of Xelloss. He made another decision, and so, strode up to his goofy friend, pulled open his jacket, and yanked up his shirt. His recent bruises were exposed. "Doctor, did he tell you about these? They're all over his body!"
Xelloss knocked his hands away angrily, "Mind you own business, Zelgadiss!"
"You are my business, Xelloss! Until this mess is over, I'm making you priority number one! You said that you were being 'conditioned' and trained by your boss or whatever. Looks like thugs are beating you up, to me. Next time you go, I'm going with you!" Zelgadiss yelled.
"Not possible. I'm fine," Xelloss shouted back.
"Sure you are! You're crazy! You faint at the sight of blood and you think you can take on Gaav! You let some thugs beat you black and blue and say that you're fine. You are not living in the real world!" Zel screamed.
"I'm not crazy! I don't answer to you either! I only take orders from one person and it's not you!"
"Your mother. After all she's put you through, you listen to her and not me? Oh, yeah, she's family and I'm just some half-nephew, stepbrother, freak you have to share your house with!" Zel hissed.
To give him some credit, Xelloss didn't use a karate punch to him and break his jaw, instead, he slapped Zel's face, bloodying his lip.
Val was about to punch them both out, but Xelloss saved him the decision as to whom to go for first. Before his fist could reach its target, however, Xelloss blocked it with one arm, and had Zel rammed up against his snow-covered car with his other.
Zel placed a hand protectively across his mouth, smearing blood on his hand and face. Seeing it frightened him. Xelloss had never struck him before. What was happening to them?
Xelloss was panting as he held his friend motionless against his car. Their eyes met. Zel's sorrowful blue-green eyes pleaded with Xelloss' flashing purple ones. Dr. Adams stood between Val and the others, shaking his head. Don't interfere!
Time stopped. Zel could hear the sound of the helicopter overhead. He felt awful. Tired, hurting inside and out, he didn't want to go home like this. He wouldn't. "Xelloss, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I said those things. You're more than just my friend. I'm so worried about you, you know? I don't want to wake up some morning and find out that you're on death's door in the hospital or laying dead in a gutter. I feel so helpless, and you're pushing me away, closing me off, and keeping your secrets…taking them to the grave. And I'm so sorry…"
Zel stopped in a whimper. He was cold and sad. He closed his eyes and struggled to hold back tears. Xelloss' weight lifted off his chest as his hand pulled back. "Zelgadiss, I'm not working for my mother. She transferred me to…someone worse. I am his until my contract is complete, or until one of us dies. I can't talk to her anymore and I shouldn't be telling you this. But it's done. Next Wednesday I get my final instructions and Friday it begins. I'm going after Gaav, officially. You and Lina and Gourry, for sure, are to accompany me. Val, you I must protect from Gaav. Please understand your task will be no easier, believe me, but you will not be with us. That…is all I know."
"That's all you will say," Zel corrected-- eyes still closed.
"And…I'm sorry too, little brother. I shouldn't have hit you," Xelloss said in his low voice.
"Yeah, and his lip was the only un-scarred part of his face too!" added Val. "Shit, now he even scares me. Ah, sorry, Zel, but ya ain't the fairest in all the land, ya know," Val muttered, looking for a hole to climb into.
Dr. Adams pulled out a clean handkerchief and pressed it to the swollen lip. "Friends again? That's good. Actually, that was the healthiest exchange I've seen you two go through. You weren't holding in your feelings, Zel. And you were letting out some of that pent up aggression, Xelloss. 'Course it connected with Zel's face and that's not good. It's time to go back and say good bye and collect the mayor."
"Can we see the baby again?" Zel asked, to the surprise of his friends. "You know, I never got to hold him after all!
"You want to do that?" Xelloss asked incredulously.
"Ya wouldn't believe how small they are," Val said with a touch of wonder in his voice.
"Didn't you say you wanted to get married had have a BUNCH of kids? Maybe you ought to hold one first!" Zel smirked.
Xelloss made a face, "Do I have to? I saw it come out, that was awful enough!"
Val opened the door, "They probably won't let the 'evil one' touch him, so don't get too excited, Xelly-boy."
Dr. Adams stepped in and searched for Mrs. Ul Copt. Phil rose to greet the kids. Milgasia was nowhere to be seen.
"Oh, of course they should hold the baby before they go," she cried out as she carried the quiet bundle down the hall. "I just changed him so he's dry and happy. Here, Val, you're closest."
Filia was standing in the doorway watching. Val laughed and carried the baby, which appeared even tinier resting along his long arm. "You're frowning at me just like your big sister. Bet she was a crabby baby too! Oh, that you, Filia?" he winked, good humor twinkling in his eye. She flipped her ponytail and stuck up her nose, but she smiled too.
"Zel, ready. Like this…" Val insisted.
"I know, Val. I've taken care of Gourry's youngest…even changed his diapers. Thanks, though. Oh, you're not so small are you? Vally's just too big. Nice hair, like a tennis ball. Now you slumber soundly tonight so Filia can get her beauty sleep," Zel spoke in his soft low voice.
"The Gods know I need it too," Filia laughed at herself in a rare mood. "I'm just glad no one I know's here to see me like this!"
Val shot her a look that said 'what are we, dead meat?'
"Oh, you guys are friends and don't count. You wouldn't notice if I was nude!" she sniffed.
Her mother muffled a laugh with the extra baby blanket she was holding. She noticed the looks those three boys gave her beautiful daughter, two of whom she was sure were in love with her.
"I'd notice that!" Xelloss giggled. "Oh, is it okay with you?" he asked Filia's mother when Zel offered him the baby.
She nodded, "Of course, dear, but it's easier if you sit first."
He took her suggestion and sat on the nearest chair. Zel lowered the bundled into his friend's arms. He copied the way Zel had held the baby and sat uncomfortably staring down into the tiny beady eyes. "He doesn't look anything like any of you!" Xelloss said with surprise.
Mrs. Ul Copt laughed, "No, I suppose he doesn't right now, but you come back in a couple months and he'll look very different, I assure you."
"Can I? Come back sometime? I'd like that," Xelloss grinned. "Filia? Come here a minute…take a look. Doesn't he remind you of that guy, what's his name? – on the football team. I broke his arm or something… Oh, it was all in self-defense, Mrs. Ul Copt! I'm not a violent person!"
Val was about to point out Zel's swollen lip, when Filia noticed it. "Zel? What happened to you? I'll go get you some ice!"
"Nothing! Don't bother, Filia. I'll be fine, besides, there's miles of snow outside if I want it."
"Good, I'm too tired to get ice anyway. What are you doing now, Xelly?" she asked, teasing him with the nickname.
"Smelling the baby, Filly. He has a different smell. Clean, milky, powdery, and wonderful…" Xelloss said transfixed on his new discovery.
"You get loonier every day!" sighed Filia. "Thank Cephied the helicopter pilot's signaling for you to go. I can't take you guys being all sensitive and all. Give me my little brother, Xelly."
Xelloss relinquished his prize to Filia. "O-kay, do-kay! I want one too! You're so lucky!"
"Don't look at me, Chaos-kid!" she sniffed and passed the baby to her mother. "Yes, he's always this annoying. He and Zel are the biggest nerds on the planet! Come on, Val. I'll walk you to the helicopter…well maybe not. It's too cold. I'll wave from here, instead."
Dr. Adams, Phil, and her three friends plodded though the snow and climbed into the crowded helicopter. Filia waved and fell onto the couch beside her mother. "I'm glad next week's the last week before spring break and I can stay home and help you."
"Me too, dear. You're always so busy with your friends. But, now I see why."
"What do you mean, mom?
"They're very cute boys and they think well of you. Oh, a mother can tell. They watch you all the time. I especially like the way they tease you."
"MU-THER! They're just friends and guys in the band," Filia insisted.
"I know, but two of them would like to be more," her mother said quietly.
Filia supposed she meant Val. But Val and who else?
"You can't tell, dear? They are both so cute about it too. Why, qaaaaaVal and Xelloss, of course. You knew that, didn't you?"
"What? Val, maybe…once upon a time, but Xelloss? Oh, no. You're wrong about him. He likes Lina, but she doesn't like him…besides just being friends and all. Mom, really, he's just an annoying jerk most of the time. And Val's an interfering, loud-mouthed punk! Zelgadiss is the nicest. If only…Lina brought in his fifth grade picture and he was so amazingly gorgeous before… his accident. Anyway, I told you I'm helping Amelia to try and get him to notice her, but…he's so shy around her! And touchy! Yeah, they were just on good behavior while they were here, but back at school they are all just meat-eating animals."
"Well, I liked them all, now that I know them better. WAHHHH! Time to eat? Very well…They are the ones that brought you home last night, dear. Would you like to tell me about that?"
"Oh, I suppose…they were at the same dance club we were, them and Lina and Gourry. Allen was showing me off to his snobby friends and I was bored so he offered to take me outside for some fresh air. Course it was cold, it was about to snow! So we went to his car to get coats and warm up first. Then…he started making some moves on me, which I was avoiding on my own when that interfering clod, Val rips open the door and threatens Allen. Lina and Gourry show up and stop the blood bath, or court action, whichever. Eventually we all have to go rescue Xelloss from the sirens--he's soo clueless about girls and he is a novice and is supposed to be ignoring them. We all get in the car, drop off Lina and Gourry and then…me. Zel, Val and Xelloss all share a house these days. And that's my story."
"Whatever happened to Allen?"
"Who? Oh, him. I don't know, went home, I guess. He offered to drive me home, but I told him I wasn't comfortable alone with him. Boy, am I glad it wasn't him here instead of Zel and Val and Xelloss! Oh, don't lament his passing, mom. He'll find another girl, probably has one already. Did I tell you he has an illegitimate son? No? Well, he does, cute little boy, Chid, as in Ra-Sheed. Shocking, huh? Oh, well. When they look too good to be true, they probably are! I'm going to take a nap now…homework later…"
"Rest well, dear," her mother sighed.
"Quenten WHAT?" Lina yelled into the phone.
"His name is Quenten Shadowrun Ul Copt," Zel sighed. "So, I have to take a shower and get something done before tonight at Amelia's. You're going, right?"
"Quenten. What kind of a name is that to tag on a guy? Huh?"
"Lina, goodbye. I'll see you tonight," Zel hung up the phone and undressed. He passed by the bathroom mirror and observed his reflection. "Nice job, Xelloss. What a pal. At least I have a lip…" Actually the bruised lip was only slightly swollen, giving him that 'bee-stung' kissable look the movie stars were getting injections for.
He decided to fill the tub and soak. "Ahhh…so relaxing…"
Until…
"Zel-ga-diss? Are you there?"
Pad, pad, pad, pound, pound, pound
"Are you okay?"
Zel opened one eye to catch a glimpse of purple. "I was. Go away."
"Amelia's been trying to get a hold of you so she called me and said that the van will be by to pick us up in about half an hour, but that was…"
"Amelia. What makes you think that's worth busting down my door and disturbing my bath? And don't look at me, you idiot! I want some privacy, all right. Get out!" Zel shouted crossly.
"BUT…that was twenty minutes ago so now you have ten minutes to suit up!" he giggled, wagging his finger at him.
"What! You waited until NOW! Shit! I got to…get me a towel, be useful…I can't believe I spent an hour in the bathtub! What am I going to wear?"
"I'll choose, okay? Here, white shirt… khakis… navy blazer… underwear… socks. Tie? No?" Xelloss casually tossed the articles onto his bed.
"Sure. Thanks. Is my hair okay?"
"Looks like it always does. It doesn't even hold water, does it?" Xelloss asked in an amused tone, leaning against the closet door.
Zel glared at him, "Don't stare at me. Have the decency to leave or look away at least."
"You know, the scars are hardly noticeable on your body. Just your face and arms. Did I do that to your lip? Looks painful," Xelloss commented as he moved closer to the door.
"Yes. It's not any more. I told you not to look at me, Xelloss. I really hate my body this way."
"I know, but no one else cares. At the club, you didn't seem to be suffering at a loss of interested girls," Xelloss smiled.
"WE talked about our dogs, Xelloss, and she has a boyfriend someplace. They all do. If they are smart, nice looking, and talking to me…they're somebody's girlfriend. See, I'm safe. No guy would be jealous seeing their girlfriend with me, so they're cool about it."
"Not Inu. You are bothering him. And Amelia's everything you mentioned, except she's quite available. That's what bothers you about her, isn't it? No excuses. You're not the poor little scarred boy no one loves if you accept her feelings for you," Xelloss smiled at his revelation.
"But she doesn't like me for me. She's attracted to the poor scarred boy. She's drawn to causes. I've told you that before," he said as he finished buttoning his shirt.
"Yeah, yeah, but I don't think so anymore. I think she's trying to be your friend and sometimes trying to attract your attention. You should try being more outgoing. You'll either scare her off or…"
"Or what? What makes you think I even want a girlfriend? Just because you seem to have an out of control hormone problem that results in needing a girlfriend doesn't mean I do. I don't want to date or make a fool out of myself," Zel sniffed and tucked in his shirt.
"Zel, you are so scared that you'll show some feelings, and get them hurt, that you're missing out on the fun!"
"Fun? Dating is fun? I have nothing to say, I don't like eating out, or eating much anyway, I don't like loud music or movie theaters or going to most sporting events!" Zel snapped and jammed on the blazer, and started for the stairs.
"Putting it that way, you're not much of a catch…Just kidding! Hey you don't have to do any of those things. Invite her over and cook for her. Play games on the computer, sing songs on the guitar together, walk in the park, make-out on the beanbag chairs…" Xelloss chirped. How he loved to tease his serious friend!
"XELLOSS! There's the van…let's go! Shit, where's your head? Make-out on the beanbags…Where's my coat? Oh…yeah, thanks…I'm not…I don't…You don't either! Oh, forget it! VAL! VAL! Oh, he's already in the van. You lock the door, then!" Zel groused, blushing furiously.
The highway out to Filia's was still closed and wouldn't be cleared until that night. She called to say hi and moan about being trapped at home with the howling monkey boy, little Quinny. "Oh, and Zel? Your car looks fine. You and Gourry should drive out in his truck and pick it up tomorrow."
"Fine with me, if Gourry can GET the truck," Zel looked hopeful.
"If not, the van can take you out. Just call me and let me know," Amelia offered.
"Ah, thanks, Amelia," he blushed. Gods…please help me stop that reaction!
The dinner was huge, and so, wonderful for the voracious teenagers. The mayor was in a good mood and told several off-color jokes that his daughter called 'awful, Daddy!' As dessert was being served, he stood and toasted Xelloss for his achievement in disbanding a child porn ring. Then he grew more serious. "I understand that some very dangerous times are in your futures, kids. I am proud to call you the future hope of Seyruun and promise to aid you in any way that I can. I toast you all tonight, and look forward to doing this again with you all after the danger is past."
Zelgadiss' Journal Entry for: Sunday, March BG (Before Gaav).
All I remember about Sunday was doing homework and working out at the dojo. Oh, yes, my car. The highway wasn't cleared until late morning, and Gourry couldn't get the truck until late afternoon. He picked Xelloss and me up at the dojo and drove out to the settlement. I think Filia's mother thought it was that other tall, blonde at the door, because her tense expression softened when she recognized Xelloss and me.
"Hello, Mrs. Ul Copt!" Xelloss said cheerfully. "Just wanted to check up on you and little…Quinny before we take Zelgadiss' car back. Oh, this is Gourry. You met him when we dropped Filia and Val off after the beach gig. He was the band's driver!"
"Oh, yes, I do. Come in and warm up. Filia's changing the baby now and my husband's fixing dinner. Would you like to stay? There's plenty," she added generously.
Xelloss was about to say yes, but I interrupted and excused us, "Thank you but I want to get back before dark. Xelloss is driving and I want to survive it."
"You're such an ego boost, little brother!" he smirked.
We followed her into the front room where Filia joined us with the 'howling monkey'.
"Good lungs," Xelloss winced and passed on him. "Gourry's turn. He's had two younger sisters and three younger brothers to take care of, right?"
Gourry swept up the wailing tyke and settled him down with a whisper and that soothing touch experience has.
"What nice hair you have, Gourry," her mother said admiring a strand. "And so long. Didn't you find those little siblings of your hard on it, pulling and yanking, I mean?"
"Ah, yeah. My mom braided it at home. One big one. Until my older brother told her I looked like a really tall girl. Now she ties it back into a ponytail. Uh, he's gonna be real cute, Mrs. ….Filia's mom."
"How can you tell?" Xelloss waltzed over to gaze at the ugly little face. "He smells good, though."
"Xelloss, you idiot!" I snapped. "All babies look odd at first. He's perfect. Nice head, beautiful eyes."
"Why Zelgadiss! I think you're in love!" Xelloss teased.
I blushed and stammered some nonsense. Filia smacked Xelloss with the meat tenderizer—'works on ice, too!'—and saved me the trouble.
I chose that time to say good bye and drag both of my idiot friends out the door. "And bye, Filia. See you in English tomorrow!"
"English! OH! I have to finish that book tonight, don't I? Thanks for the reminder, Zel, you're such a sweetie!" Filia gushed and waved us out the door.
"Ooooo, Zelly's a sweetie!" Xelloss squealed.
"Don't call me Zelly, that's your nickname now, Xel-ly! And I am sweet, sometimes," I smirked.
"I said I didn't want to be called Xelly. I'm Xel or Xelloss, sweetie!"
"Oh, no…I'm Zel, you are Xelly. You can't be Xel, ever, not then, not now, not ever…Xelly-poo!" I chuckled as the car turned over on the third try.
"Ah, Zel? Sure you'll be okay? Yer not gonna strangle him while he's drivin' or nothin', are ya?" Gourry asked with a knowing twinkle in his eye. "Okay, I'll see ya later!"
"You need to know where the light switch is, Xelloss. It's likely to get dark before we get home, in fact, turn them on now, like Gourry is. He's the best driver I know. Yeah, thanks, just follow him out to the highway."
That was Sunday. Oh, yeah, Xelloss got us home safely. He's okay with the driving as long as he keeps his attention on what he's doing and doesn't talk. I actually find it pleasurable being a passenger in the car with him. Quiet. Blissful silence. No radio—broken, years ago-- no talk: silence. I have incredible hearing, far better than normal—yay, accident. So silence is one of my greatest joys. It lasted about half an hour, then we were home, but I treasured that time.
I knocked on Val's door and helped him find some information on the Internet for a history report. He's another good guy, now that I'm getting to know him better. I feel for him and his messed up life. I wish him all the luck courting the Queen of the Amazons. And as hopeless as it seems, I think he's as good for her, as he thinks she's good for him.
But that's not my business, especially after I sensed something else going on today with Val not present. Xelloss likes her. He may not even know it, or he may be hiding it so well—but when has he ever hidden his feelings? He told me he was in love with Lina. Could be true, but how long could he sustain that for her? No, he likes Filia…course he 'likes' anything in a skirt it seems, these days, so it's probably nothing. Of course he told me he was 'giving up girls'. What kind of idiot does he think I am?
It had better be nothing. Filia'd take his feelings, mash them with that meat-tenderizer, and jam them down his throat. Yeah, that's a romance that's going one way fast: away! Wait…if he brings down Zelas, Wolfpack Island is his…his gift, to give away. And whom that would impress? Oh, shit…he's not doing all this, risking his life…for Filia? Oh…I hope I'm just delirious with lack of sleep. Better go to bed and forget I thought it up at all. Yes. Sleep. Twelve hours of sleep…who's there? Oh, it's you Beast…sure climb on up and find a spot. No, not in the middle, on the edge, the middle is mine. This is my room and my bed. I share just about everything with you Metalliums, but not the middle of my bed…oh, hell, just move over enough so I don't fall off. At least you're quiet. And warm. Bad breath though! Gah! Pant the other way. Yeah, I love you too, now stop licking me and settle down. Good night.
End journal entry STARDATE 3789BG (Before Gaav).
Monday was back to the gray blot of school. In Science lab they were making plaster of Paris fossil casts from some found article from home, or the bottom of their pockets, as the case may be. Lina had remembered to bring some small treasure. Of course she wasn't busy delivering babies over the weekend either. Zel pulled out a tiny purple paper crane that had migrated down to the bottom of his book bag unscathed. That alone set it apart from his other choices. After coating the objects in petroleum jelly, they placed them in cups, poured on the mix and waited for a few millennia to pass. That gave Lina plenty of time to go socialize. Today she chose to be the glutton for punishment and sought out Xelloss for entertainment.
"So… whattaya fossilizing today?" she asked in her cute voice.
"That's… a secret, Lina. You know that!" he smiled angelically.
"It's a secret from everyone else, but you can tell me, right?" she pressed.
"Well, well, Lina, since you are in such a good mood for a Monday, I'll tell you! Ready? It's my secret signature identity key for the secret syndicate society club membership," he grinned.
She frowned, "That's not funny."
"No? Well, its not when I use it either. But it keeps my real name off records and mislabels evidence later, if I need to. Of course, when its fossil is found a million years from now, I'll be dead and it won't matter," he joked and wiped the goopy white cement off his finger and onto the end of Lina's nose.
Lina grumbled and cleaned off her nose on his shirtsleeve, which grossed him out, "Serves you right! So tell me about Quenten. You were there, weren't you?"
"Yes, sort of. He's little, like this," he held up his hands eighteen inches apart. "Ugly like his sister, although…Gourry says they improve with age, like a fine wine. But I'm guessing more like a moldy cheese, since he smells like milk. Milk and something else…I can't quite put my finger on it…"
"Then you probably haven't changed a dirty diaper!" she snorted.
"Eeew! I said 'on it' not 'in it'! And it wasn't that kind of smell. A nice one…" he smiled dreamily.
"Whatever," Lina moved on. "So why didn't you get Filia to cut your hair? It's got to be bugging ya, in your eyes like that."
"Oh, she was too busy mashing me with a potato masher or meat tenderizer. And now, she's forbidden to consort with the enemy! I'll have to find a new hairdresser…interested?" he smiled down at her from his perch on a lab stool.
"Why's that? What did you do this time?" Lina asked narrowing her eyes and ignoring his question. "And this had better not screw up the band, Xelloss!"
"Me? Nothing! Milgasia is an even bigger snob than Filia and her father's his friend, to whom he kowtows on every issue, it seems. Her mother, on the other hand, is a real lady. And tough! She calmly let two kids she hardly knew deliver her baby!"
"Two? Which two?" Lina asked warily.
"Zelgadiss and Val," Xelloss answered.
"What were you doing? Oh, I get it…that's why Filia was beating on you. While the other guys were helping out, you were going after Filia!"
Xelloss nearly gagged. He did lose his balance and slip off his stool. "I did no such thing! I was… was… "
Zelgadiss had wandered over when he had heard his own name being mentioned. Now this was a good time to cut into their conversation. "…Unconscious in the den, isn't that right? The babies head was showing and then a shoulder and I called for Val to get ready to catch him, when you blundered in and, it was Filia who caught you though, wasn't it?"
By now half the class had surrounded them, and was asking questions in disbelief. Even the teacher interrupted class and made Zel tell the entire story. What he had done was no mean feat, and he spoke about it so casually, you'd have thought he was talking about a stroll in the park.
By the time lunch rolled around the story was all over the school, evolving over time with each retelling like a mutated organism. Filia wasn't at school today, which fueled the fires in gossip hell. By the end of the day it wasn't clear, but Zel had secretly delivered Filia's baby, the father of whom was Allen, Val or Xelloss. Thankfully, Xelloss wasn't there most of the day to hear any of that, but it cast a shadow over his role. Either he was the father, or he was not and so he was in a jealous rage and threatening to kill everybody. Sylphiel heard it in art with Val sputtering in red-face denial, "She's got a baby BROTHER, morons! Shit! Where'd ya hear that crap!"
His rage fueled the fires even more. By the end of the day Amelia was in tears. How could anyone even THINK those things about her friends! How she wished she had 'fists of justice' to smash some sense into everyone!
The cooking class was studiously quiet, having the hero, Zel, and his loyal bodyguards, Lina and Gourry, in class and acting normally.
"Lina, I keep getting the oddest expressions. Do you know what's going on?" Zel asked finally.
She shook her head, "No, but I know what ya mean. I'll nose around and see what I can come up with."
Gourry knew. He'd been in history with Val and Sylphiel earlier and heard it all. He nudged Lina and told her to wait a few minutes until class was over and he'd tell her everything on the walk to band practice. There was no reason for him to contribute to Lina's going ballistic in cooking class. Nice, relaxing cooking class.
And, Lina did go ballistic. At least they were outside where damage could be kept to a minimum!
That evening at the dinner table it became the topic of conversation.
"Val, darling, would you pass the salad this way…thank you. Such nice long arms. Well, Xelloss-dear. I'm so glad you were able to join us tonight. I haven't seen you in ages, it seems."
"Really? I guess not!" he smiled.
"Well, the way I heard it today, I need to keep a better eye on you boys. Let's see one of you is a father, one a doctor, and one about to murder the other two! Oh, it doesn't matter much which is which, does it now? Although I don't think Zelgadiss-dear is the murdering type," she smiled bemusedly at him.
I'm thinking differently…You with a stake through the heart would suit me just fine. I could borrow that meat tenderizer from Filia…and drive it in with nooo problem… Zel thought.
"Oh, Zelas, you just can't believe all the crap you hear from kids at school," Xelloss smiled benignly.
"No? But you are cutting classes, dear, and that isn't a tall tale," she shot him a sharp glance.
"That new employer is quite…demanding. I don't think he's really into school work either," Xelloss met her glare with one of his own, and then smiled.
"So, how is work coming along? You finding your new employer satisfactory?"
"I don't see him much, and when I do, mostly we play chess," Xelloss lied smoothly.
"Well, don't displease him, dear. You know what he'll do, don't you?"
Xelloss' left eyebrow twitched. Only Zel noticed.
"Didn't he tell you what he does to staff who fail him? Yes? How about the ones that double-cross him? No? He gives them to his grandfather. And you know what he does with the pretty ones? Not that you'd mind. The lucky ones die," she said in a tone of voice that most mothers would use to read off a favorite recipe.
Zel could hear Val starting to growl. He kicked him under the table. He didn't like the bent of the conversation either, but he could tell that she was testing her son's ability to keep his anger under control.
Xelloss squirmed imperceptibly. "Oh that's just a lot of poppy-cock! Mother, you are listening to way too much gossip these days! But… Zelgadiss should tell you all about our wonderful stay with the Cephied Clan. We're such favorites out there now. We even got to bunk up at Milgasia's for the night. He's such a trooper! What? You want me to tell it? Okay, I'll get the story going, and then we can take turns, okay guys?" He said in his silly simpering tone that irritated Rezo to near distraction. But Zelas said nothing. She nodded to him to continue.
"I think I'll start at the club. I had a great time. Met an old mental patient chum, danced, was slipped illegal drugs…Oh, don't worry! Val saved me from actually doing any permanent damage to myself, or so the doctor says. Oh, but that's later, I'll get to that part!" he paused and sipped water. "Did you have a good time, little brother?"
"Yes, actually. I didn't have to dance much and after your friend supplied me with earplugs, I enjoyed the music. Too bad we had to leave so soon," Zel sighed for affect.
"By the way Zelgadiss-dear, I love what you're doing with you ears. Rezo have you noticed? Of course not, darling. I'll tell you then, Zelgadiss has earrings…how many? I count 1,2, maybe 3 in each ear!"
Rezo began a rant about the evil punk invasion that Zelas stifled with a few well-chosen words, more wine, and a dizzying kiss.
"Now, back to our story," Xelloss giggled. "Our hero, Val was about to dismember Filia's seducer, when... Tada! Lina and Gourry come to the rescue!"
"Yeah, well…if we hadn't gone after Filia, who knows what woulda happened to her," Val said defensively.
Zelas turned her attention toward him, "Filia, dear? She's the one you stayed with over the winter holiday?"
"Yeah, and practice with four times a week in the band and see every day in art and at lunch…yeah, that one! But she was out with some other piece of shit who attacked her in his car, so I put a stop to it," Val said with a note of pride in that no-nonsense style of his.
"That's the Allen Schezar piece of shit, mother," Xelloss smiled.
"Oh, yes one of those rich Draconians," she smiled back.
"Bing-go! So we all drove her home like the boy scouts we are! Well, Val and Zel did. I wasn't feeling so sharp, seeing as my liver won't metabolize chemicals properly and my nervous system is shot! Never matter, where was I? Oh, arriving at Filia's place…Zel?"
"We went in, dropped off Xelloss to throw-up and then sleep the rest of the night, when Mrs. Ul Copt starts having contractions. As luck would have it, her husband and the only medical authority on the settlement were both gone together in town here, on the night of the heaviest snowstorm in the city's history and amazingly enough the only midwives were off on holiday as well!" Zel sighed, but was now getting into this story-telling thing.
"That's YOUR karma kicking in, Zelly-poo!" Xelloss laughed.
"I called Dr. Adams for assistance…" Zel began.
"That won't be billed to me, will it?" Zelas asked, disinterestedly. "Which reminds me boys, you're starting to pile up the doctor bills on a regular basis. Perhaps I should try hiring him on full-time, our private physician?"
"Don't bother, Zelas," Xelloss yawned. "Don't you already own his old man? You know, the one that signed the papers to institutionalize me with a mental disorder I DIDN'T HAVE!"
"Talk to your new employer, then, and have him pick up the medical bills," she said with a hard edge to her voice. Her eyes flashed and gave away her anger. Xelloss was getting to her. Zel could tell. "I'm sorry, Zelgadiss-dear. Go on with your story."
Back to cooing at me, huh? Zel smirked to himself.
"The good doctor was very helpful over the phone, and led me through a successful delivery of a baby boy with the steadfast assistance of nurse Val. Xelloss did his best to stay out of the way and keep Filia busy at the same time. All in all, it was a fine evening with the Ul Copts," Zel finished his tea and his story.
"But you left out the exciting part where the Mayor, Milgasia, and the missing father all fly in by helicopter to find the clan has grown by one!" Xelloss chirped. "Then Milgasia, that fine upstanding asshole, puts us all up at his place. I must say, Mother-dear, that you must have screwed him over well once upon a time for him to have given ME such royal treatment!"
Rezo slammed his hand on the table, "That's enough of your foul-mouthed insults and insinuations directed at your mother!"
"Well, you must know her better than me, but I wasn't implying anything. I meant that she must have done something to hurt my image with the guy since he had a hell of a chip on his shoulder when it came to 'those Metalliums'. He forbid Val and Filia to have anything to do with me. ME! Why me, you ask? What did I ever do to the clan to be so thoroughly despised? Apparently, when I was born I was used as a pawn to swindle the clan out of their ancestral home… WOLFPACK Island! Thousands of the clan lost jobs, many died, and you know what? They all blame me! Imagine that! And there I am like some demon hanging out with their little angels in the kingdom of the gods! I'm lucky they didn't have me drawn and quartered, or, better yet, burned at the stake! Oh, yes! What a day, what a day for Metallium De Fey!" he sang the last line. "So that's what I meant when I said she 'screwed him over'… of course, that was probably after she found out that sleeping with him didn't work."
Rezo was about to strangle Xelloss, but he was much too quick and agile.
"You were doing a lot of that back then, weren't you, Mother-dear. That's why my father started drinking himself to death, wasn't it!" Xelloss smiled triumphantly. Zelas was turning purple.
"Gotcha! You didn't know I found out, did you? I found his jour-nal (sung in a silly singsong voice)! It's filled with lots of juicy gossip. I bet you'd like to know where it is too! Well, I can't tell you because… that's a secret!" he smiled and wagged his index finger in a teasing manner. "Good night everyone! I'm going to go to my room to do my homework. Oh, I do so love these family chats over dinner!" he laughed and left the house.
Val and Zel collected the dishes, cleaned up, and got the hell out of the kitchen in record time.
"He's nuts! Cer-ti-fiable! He just cut his bridges and wrote out his death sentence!" Val gasped to Zel in his funky gray room.
Zelgadiss sat at Val's computer. "Maybe, but I don't think so. Xelloss is not dumb, Val. Everything he does is well thought out. Well, not with girls because that's all new territory, what I mean are devious schemes and clandestine ventures, those make up his dominion. He had that entire skit sketched out before walking in ON TIME for dinner. We added the spontaneity he needed to move the conversation along to touch on all his points—his declining health due to her, buying off doctors, using him from the moment of birth for evil purposes, her…ah, general lack of morals. Get it now? That was all for my father's benefit. He's her weak point. For some reason she needs his support. If Xelloss can undermine that, even a little, then at some critical time he might fail her and all her plans collapse."
"Whoa…he told ya that?" Val asked in awe of the crazy kid.
"Him, Xelloss? No. I just figured it out."
"Just? As in, just this moment?" Val pressed.
"Yes. Tonight, when I saw an odd glimmer in Rezo's eyes, like he was seeing for the first time."
Val pondered what he'd heard. "Now what?"
"Internet," Zel said as he typed furiously. "Know anything about breaking into the DMV records? I have a car license plate number…"
Val shook his head and studied Zel's progress, "How'd ya get past those passwords?"
Zelgadiss smiled slyly, "I've been testing it each night from different servers and hiding my identity. Last night I broke it, so here we go… Hmmm, HM company car?"
"HM… Her Majesty? " Val suggested.
Zel grinned, "Hell Master. Xelloss is working for Hell Master Phibrizzo, another underworld syndicate leader up there with Gaav and Zelas. I don't know anything else about him or what having that information will do for us now, but it might come in handy later. Don't let anyone know we learned this, all right?"
"Course not!" Val growled. He knew dangerous material when he heard it. Moments later he added, "You gonna tell me that password, just in case I need it?"
Zel narrowed his eyes, "What do you think?"
Val chuckled, "Just asking!"
Zel grinned back, "Just leaving!"
Zel's next stop was to check in on Xelloss. After knocking and hearing a muffled grunt, he let himself in and re-locked the door.
"Xelloss? You up there?"
"Yeah."
Zel climbed the stairs and rested his eyes on his friend, stretched out on his bed, shirt off, cold compress on his head.
"And don't yell at me. I know I'm banged up."
"Little early for bed, isn't it?" Zel asked, examining the marks and making a mental note of the number.
"Not for me."
"God, Xelloss, look at yourself," Zel moaned and looking away when he felt his stomach lurch.
"I do…regularly. Unlike yourself, I don't mind my own appearance."
"So you're trying to match your skin tone to your hair, is that it?" Zel asked.
"Wednesday is the last day of conditioning. Hey, it's working! I didn't lose it down there this time," Xelloss smiled half-heartedly.
"Yeah, I noticed…Rezo, you got through to him tonight. I hope it was enough. So…no plans tomorrow?"
Xelloss slowly rolled his head back and forth, "No…."
"Good. I do. In the morning get up like you always do for school. We'll eat and go. Dress warmly and pack a change of clothes, just in case it's raining."
Xelloss removed the compress from over his eyes, "Where're we going, little brother?"
It was Zel's turn to smile, waggle his index finger and say, "That's a secret! Now, go to sleep and I'll see you in the morning."
"O-kay, Do-kay!"
"Oh, ah…was that true…about your liver not working right?"
"Yes."
"Does Dr. Adams know that?"
"Yes."
"All right then, good night, Xelloss."
"Zelgadiss? Thanks for caring. About me, that is."
"Ah, sure, Xelloss. That's what friends are for."
"But you're more than just a friend."
"That's right, and I do more, too. That's what a real family is all about."
"Zelgadiss? What would I do without you?"
"Um, I don't know…good night!" Zel said and left quickly.
The next morning Zel called into the school office and reported three absences due to illness. Val was settling into this life of crime, nerd-style. Breaking into DMV records, skipping school and reporting it, oh, yeah…
Zel was keeping to the speed limits, though, as he drove the scenic route to the coast. What weather! Snow one week, in the fifties the next, and sunny! The smell of fir trees signaled the climb over the coastal range was nearly over. Down the other side brought the scent of salt air and…
"F R E E D O M!" the three boys screamed out the open windows, wind hitting their happy faces and pushing their words back into their open mouths.
Zelgadiss stopped at a State Park, paid the fee, and found a parking spot. They made a run for the beach. Zel won. He always did. He was the fastest runner in the world, or so he joked. But he wouldn't join the track team. He wouldn't expose his scarred arms and legs to the eyes of the other kids, no matter what.
Zel came to this beach because of the great piles of logs and driftwood. He'd always wanted a brother or friend to come here and build a fort. Now he had two, if he could convince them to help, and they were strong to boot. Zel was so excited, though, that finally, even Val broke down and helped schlep huge logs over to a clear spot. After awhile, a fort grew out of the jumble of sticks and Zel showed them how to play. He showed the boys who had lost their innocent childhoods too soon how to pretend to be knights and pirates, sea captains and dragons. Tee hee!
"I shall be a great black dragon," Val laughed. "Of the Ancient Clan, whose blood has been tainted by that of the soulless demons, and now is out to destroy the world!" He growled and looked most fierce and ferocious.
"I am a dark and mysterious shaman sorcerer swordsman!" Zel chanted. "I will serve and protect the world from evil, even as the world shuns me for my frightening appearance and power." He picked up his wooden sword and dove at the dragon-boy.
"I am one of the demons, but you cannot tell since I am fair of face," Xelloss smirked evilly. "I wield powerful black magic spells and you never know what side I'm on or who I serve! Like a priest, I appear and my staff is full of chaotic energy!" he hissed flipping his crude staff like a bo.
No one won or lost that battle, except the fort, which was destroyed in the melee for world dominance. By early afternoon the war was ended, having no victor, and the boys walked back to the parking lot.
"So where do we go for lunch?" Xelloss asked, taking his turn in the back seat.
"Everybody like clam chowder?" Zel asked. "Good, then I know a place."
They huddled over their hot, steaming bowls of thick soup, dipping in hunks of bread and sopping up the broth before dripping the messes into their mouths. They were sitting outside, LIKE MEN, in the now chilling afternoon air that ripped off the ocean and down the coast every day. They were colorful, noisy, sloppy, and happy. They were alone outside, comrades and brothers at heart.
They were laughing at some off-color joke of Val's, when he stared at Xelloss and shook his head.
"What?" Xelloss smiled.
"Too bad ya don't have a sister I could date," he joked.
"Well, I did…"
"Oh yeah?" he asked, forgetting the past.
"That…would be my mother, Val," Zelgadiss reminded him with a punch to the nearest arm.
"Ah, shit. That is just too weird to want to remember."
"Tell me about it!" Xelloss and Zel said simultaneously.
"Don't do that!" Val laughed.
"It might start happening to you next," Zel grinned.
"If you keep hanging around with nerds like us!" Xelloss finished in his silly voice.
"What? Talkin' like goofball here or findin' out I'm related to ya in some perverted way?" Val chuckled.
"No chance of either!" Zel remarked. "Not unless I start pickin' up yer slang…"
Val glared at his friend, "Cute, Zel."
Xelloss looked thoughtful, "Related, hmmm. That's a thought,"
"That's a bad thought, Xelly. Think 'bout what we go do next!" barked Val.
Xelloss smiled evilly.
Zel moaned, "Wrong, Val. Now you've set him a challenge."
Xelloss, "Got it! It explains a lot too! Listen, Milgasia has something Zelas wants to have or control or pollute or something. She can't negotiate for it so she seduces him. The happy little result of that must be hidden, of course, so Milgasia hides you…"
"ME!" Val snorts.
Zel wisely stopped listening at the word 'Listen' and was now studying the roadmap that Xelloss had packed away in his coat pocket.
"YOU, in with a big family of far-away-clan where nobody bothers to count…" Xelloss smiled.
"No way!" Val scoffed. "Our birthdays aren't far enough apart anyways…"
"UNLESS… You are really only 17 or actually 19! What's a year or two one way or the other, right? So that would explain why Milgasia hates me, the handsome hero, but adores you, the rough-hewn villain. BUT… the clans are gathering and you are coming."
Val's eyes narrowed, "So what?"
Xelloss' gleamed, "You have green hair, unusual for clan…"
Val shrugged.
"Zelas is a natural green, not blond!" Xelloss introduced gleefully. "So Milgasia has the plane detour into a mountain. But, low and behold… you are safe! Well, he stifles your inclusion into clan events and all is well until he finds out Zelas has arranged Gaav to become your stepfather. He can't fight you both so he gives up and leaves you to fry in hell with the demon lords. It must be tearing the guy up inside to think that you are living under the same roof as Zelas and me. And you thought it was your magnetic personality and charm that has had her pawing all over you!"
"Are you done with your nonsense now, Xelloss? There are holes in that tale big enough for you to drive my car through to these tide pools, if you guys are interested," Zel observed.
"Tide pools! OH GOODY!" Xelloss exclaimed. "Can I drive?"
"Yeah," Zel smiled and handed over the keys. "Hey, Val? You're not actually taking any of that seriously, are you?"
Val stared at him, waiting for Zel to illuminate that gaping hole in the story.
Zel nodded, "For one, your birth certificate is legit. And for another, Zelas is a natural blond."
"How would you know?" Val asked.
"Well, the birth certificate is backed up by official clan documents…" Zel began.
"Not them things, the blond part," Val demanded.
Xelloss looked interested as well and jangled the keys nervously.
Zel blushed. The blush went two shades deeper when he choked out, "She- she… she runs around sometimes without clothes on and once or so I've noticed… GAH! Let's just go! Xelloss, before I change my mind!"
Val and Xelloss laughed at his discomfort. But Zel felt bad for his friend. Deep down he knew Xelloss was hurt by his mother's behavior.
On the way home, Xelloss remembered something and turned into the strip mall near their house.
"Be riiiiight back!" he sang as he skipped out of sight.
Val had fallen asleep in the back seat but, now bleary-eyed sat up, "What'sup?"
"We'll have to wait and see. It's a Xelloss stop. We're almost home though. I'm going into the deli and pick up dinner," Zel said and left the car to Val.
Xelloss returned with a package tucked under his arm, "Where's Zel?"
"Dinner. Deli. What ya got?"
"Have to wait until we get home! We'll have a picnic outside and I'll show you these!" Xelloss smiled.
Val sighed.
Zel returned with a huge sack. "Good, you're done. I'm hungry."
Xelloss and Val exchanged 'hungry? Zel's hungry?' expressions, and then they drove off.
On the grassy lawn outside the practice room, Zel spread out the food on an old blanket from the back of the car. He was ravenous from the fresh air, exercise, and good times.
"So what's that?" Val asked Xelloss.
Xelloss smiled and unwrapped the now-framed pictures Zel had drawn of himself, Val (who didn't know Xelloss had even taken it), and Lina.
"Tada! Aren't they great?"
"Yeah…thanks," Val gasped. "Art for my room!"
Zel chuckled. Life was good. Life was wonderful!
(((.-)) Zel |||^.^||| Xelloss |{{^.^}}| Lina |((.^)|| Gourry ((^.^)) Amelia |))-.-((| Val