Love Sees Not With Its Eyes
by Cooking Spray
First of all, everyone (especially Kioku!), I'm very, very sorry for neglecting this for so long. I had really bad writer's block, and when I began this fic I had just gotten over the flu. And, as good ol' fate would have it, right after I contracted strep.
Which, of course, was a very long time ago. (Try February?) To tell you the truth, I almost gave up on this, but I felt really guilty when I read everyone's review, and knew I had to finish it. So here, everyone, it's truly your doing that I bring you chapter three! Reward yourselves!
~*~*~*~*~
Act II:
Winter Weather and a Rendezvous at the Pearl Shrine
Las Sailoon awoke amassed in blankets of white powder, courtesy of the previous night's snowfall. Amelia pressed her face against the windowpane, looking out into the dusted courtyard. She adored snow, its blinding pluming purity, but today the pleasure of its presence was not full, as in the corner of her mind still hung the rendezvous with Zelgadis, identity of the mysterious stone man. His irrationality was amazing, and though she was nervous, curiosity still prevailed.
A knock sounded on the door. Amelia's attention turned to it. "You may enter."
Plainly-clothed, yet with finely carved chestnut features and natural grace, a chambermaid entered, carrying with her a silver breakfast tray piled with delicacies. "Good morning, Princess Amelia. Your breakfast." Her voice was very polite, but naturally flowing and with a pleasant ring.
"Thank you, Alena." She sighed, and the maid, having served her since she was only five, immediately sensed something troubling her.
"Would you like me to stay, Princess? I may not be qualified to say so, but I believe there's something on your mind. Would you like to talk about it?"
Amelia's sapphire eyes traveled once again to the winter wonderland that had unfolded beneath her, sighing. Her breath made a cloud in the chilly air, hovering there as if voicing the frustration its creator had been feeling. "A night ago, as you know, I was presented to Las Sailoon's finest personages in a banquet honoring my coming-of-age."
The maid shook her head in affirmation, listening with a patient and sympathetic ear to her plight.
"There, the shrine maiden Filia Ul Copt, told me of a stone man who had been wandering the city. I took it upon myself to find him... and I did. His name is Zelgadis, and he's looking for a cure for his skin. And today... I promised him that I'd show him the magic that our city has to offer."
Alena was amused, and her eyes glittered as she placed a hand comfortingly on the princess' thigh. "Ah, a meeting with a stone man, eh? Sounds interesting. That's a big risk you've taken to protect our city, your father would be pleased."
Amelia snapped to attention, turning to the older woman with a look of urgency. "Promise... promise you won't tell him? Please?"
The maid winked, removing the hand and standing up. "Nah, I wouldn't dream of it. Your secret's safe with me."
Amelia was visibly relieved. "Thank you, Alena-san."
The auburn-haired woman grinned. "Any time! I'll let you finish your meal in peace, now, and I'll be in to collect it and help you dress when you've finished."
The princess nodded as Alena made her exit, shutting the door behind her. Her eyes shifted to the mentioned breakfast, a mound of fluffy pancakes, warm porridge, hot cider and sausage links.
I wonder what Zelgadis-san is having for breakfast...
~*~*~*~*~
Amelia adjusted her hood as she trod among the snowdrifts, almost to the Pearl Shrine. There weren't nearly as many people about due to the frosty temperature. She studied the snow-engulfed cobblestone beneath her feet, having doubts. Her warm breath formed little puffs in the frigid air, a reminder of the cold. Did she really have to do this?
She reached the shrine at just the right time. Surveying her surroundings, she didn't immediately see Zel, until he abruptly emerged from behind a large stone pillar. Amelia jumped a little in surprise, making her escortee chuckle.
"So, the princess is true to her word," the chimera stated, regarding the violet-haired girl with a smirk. "I didn't think you'd come through. There've been many in the past who haven't."
Amelia suddenly felt a twinge of guilt for almost going back on him herself. She was glad she had came after all. How horribly people must have treated the poor man...
He smiled up at her again. "Perhaps you'll be different. So, where are we headed?"
"The Library of Marlegavon. He was an alchemist here in Las Sailoon fifty years ago, and his findings and research were recorded and placed in his own library, as well as some of the many books he used himself. It's open to the public, so we shouldn't have any problems going in. I thought it'd be a good place to start."
Zelgadis nodded, eyes closed. "Indeed." He turned to smile at her again. "Shall we get going?"
The smaller girl affirmed his inquiry with a small nod, and shivered involuntarily. How could he endure the cold? Her thickest fur coat did its best to shield it, but still the arctic weather grated into her bones. There must be advantages to having stone for skin... She perked up, again brushing her thoughts from mind. "Do you know magic, Zelgadis-san?"
"Shamanism," he replied in answer. "And you?"
"White magic," Amelia responded a little sheepishly.
"Well, I guess we're set then. Alright, Amelia-hime, may we depart?"
Another nod was all she could manage, due to her sudden shyness and the persistent winter wind. "Levitation!" she recited.
"Raywing!" Zelgadis chanted behind her, and followed her lead to their first stop of the day.
~*~*~*~*~
Like all libraries of the age, Marlegavon gave one the air of being imprisoned in a dungeon, with its shelves and passageways lit by only a few flickering torches poised thoughtfully on the stone walls. It gave Amelia the creeps.
She and Zelgadis-san had parted ways some time ago, each resolving to look for titles that might contain valuable information on his condition. So far, she'd came up empty-handed, although a particular dusty volume on statue transfiguration left the princess with sudden chills.
Wandering the shadowy shelves with evident caution, she continued to search. Further inspection of the books' contents gave her a really frightening feeling about this Marlegavon guy. Why would anyone ever need an anecdote for 'loss of gender distinction'?
Much to Amelia's relief, soon she met up with Zel, who'd experienced similar luck.
"Did you find anything helpful?" she questioned, turning pale as she caught sight of spooky-looking librarian.
"No," the chimera answered, and spoke seriously. "Professor Marlegavon studied and did research into the properties of mineral substances and humans, but however it was merely research. Being an alchemist, his exploration into the topic at all was probably experimental, and limited to the transfiguration of smaller organisms and objects." He sighed. "What about you?"
"Nothing," Amelia admitted sadly. Wow, he sounds so dejected. He must have been searching in a lot of places before coming here. Not for the first time that morning, she felt a swell of pity for her stony accomplice.
Zel forced a smile onto his face, and regarded her a second time. "Where's our next stop?"
The violet-haired youth took a deep breath before beginning. "The Ryuuzoku Temple, Miss Filia Ul Copt's shrine. She's been a priestess to the temple of the Fire Dragon King for some time now, and it's rumored that she can tap into holy magic. I thought it might be worth a try, considering very few are familiar with holy magic in the world these days."
Zelgadis closed his eyes. "Yes..." he said absently, "The art was lost years ago."
Amelia nodded, unsure of what to say. She was becoming familiar with the emotion, especially since becoming acquainted with the stone man. "Um... can we head off, then?"
"Certainly." He smiled.
As they took to the air, the young royal's mind swarmed with thoughts. He didn't grovel at her feet, bow at her position of superiority. This should have irked her, but instead she was in puzzlement. He treated her with respect, like an equal, like, despite their obvious conflictions of society status, they were just two human beings trying to help each other out.
And to Amelia, it felt kind of nice, for a change.
~*~*~*~*~
At last, chapter three is completed! I'm starting to like writing this again, so with hope my next update won't take as long as the last one. Oh, and for fans of Xel/Filia (myself included), there'll be a humorous little cameo at the beginning of the next chapter. Perhaps I'll work in more characters if I find the time...
And, just a link here. Some of the best Slayers art on the net!
~*NEXT CHAPTER*~
Act III:
An Argument at the Ryuuzoku Temple and a Promise Under the Stars