"So now what do we do?"
"What do you mean "What do we do?" We've got to confirm that this is really Amelia, then figure out a way to undo what that kooky doctor did."
"And how do you propose we do that?"
"Hey, you're the quester for cures. Surely you've come across something?"
"No, actually. Nor have I ever looked for such a thing. Who would ever cure a Were of their humanity?"
"Who indeed."
"Hey look, she's waking up."
"It's about time. Next time you tackle somebody like that, do it without your breastplate, Gourry."
"I said I was sorry."
"Shh! You'll scare her."
Amelia awoke to the sound of human voices, but she had no way to know what they were talking about. As she opened her eyes she saw three shapes hover over her, and instantly panicked. Her way to freedom was abruptly halted by a rope around her neck. Unsure of the humans' motives, and fearful of the restraint, she began to pull in every direction to get away.
"Whoa, calm down! We're not going to hurt you, Amelia!" Lina tried her best to sound non-threatening. A difficult thing to do when being dragged. "Hey, who's idea was it for me to hold the rope?"
"Your's actually, Lina." Gourry replied.
"Why do I even ask? Will one of you come here? Ack! Hey, would you cut it out, Amelia? Gourry, hold the rope, will ya?"
"No problem, Lina." Gourry grabbed onto the rope, leaving Lina's slack.
"This will work for the moment but...hey, Zelgadis, come stand over here." Lina said.
"What is it, Lina?" Zelgadis walked to Lina.
Lina began looping her end of the rope around Zelgadis' waist.
"What are you doing?!" Zelgadis gasped.
"Just taking advantage of the situation." Lina tied the rope, making sure the knot would hold. "All right Gourry, you can let go now."
Amelia continued tugging as before, only now she made no progress.
"You see? You make an excellent weight, Zel." Lina smirked.
"Do you expect me to put up with this all night?" Zelgadis grumbled.
"Better you than Gourry and me. Besides, with you there, even if she keeps that up all night, I doubt she'll move you more than a foot."
"That's a comforting thought."
"I knew you'd like it." Lina winked. "Now let's get some sleep."
"I thought you were going to make sure that was Amelia?" Gourry pondered.
"I would, but she's too freaked out right now. Besides, my woman's intuition thinks so, and it's never steered me wrong."
"Says you."
Lina tossed a discarded spoon at Zelgadis. "Keep that up and I'll have a Fire Ball waiting for you. Now get some sleep."
"Easy for you to say." Zelgadis sat on the ground, unable to lie down with Amelia still trying to get away. Zelgadis did his best to ignore it.
Eventually Amelia got tired, so she lay down, still facing the others. She dozed sightly, on the alert all night for anything the humans might do.
The group awoke early the next morning and set off for the nearest town.
"If I have to sleep on the ground again, I may turn violent." Lina grumbled.
"But Lina, I thought you didn't care?" Gourry responded.
"I don't, but things change when I wake up covered in dew."
"You have a point."
Lina looked over her shoulder, "Hey Zel, are you coming, or what?"
"Why don't you do this?" Zelgadis was currently dragging a very unwilling wolf down the road. "She certainly has Amelia's stubbornness." he complained.
Lina snickered at Zelgadis' predicament. "Did I hear that right? You said my intuition was correct?"
"I said nothing of the sort."
"Uh-huh. Anyway, just keep walking. She'll follow you eventually."
"Yes, but by her will, or mine?" Zelgadis muttered.
Lina, of course, was right, give or take a few hours. Amelia did eventually tire of straining to get away, and since her captors had made no move to harm her (yet), she cautiously trailed behind Zelgadis. It was a good thing too, as they reached a town soon after. Lina being Lina, she made her first stop at a quaint restaurant.
"Lina, are you sure it's a good idea to take her inside?" Gourry asked.
"Relax. She'll have to cope with it sooner or later. I prefer sooner."
Zelgadis turned to Gourry. "Famous last words." They all proceeded inside and seated themselves.
If Amelia had been scared before, she was terrified now! There were people everywhere, and no way to escape! Still leery of Zelgadis and Gourry, Amelia dove under Lina's seat.
"Food! Food! Delicious food!: Lina sang happily to herself.
"We haven't even ordered yet, Lina." Gourry stated.
Lina was too far gone to hear him.
Shortly after a waiter came along and took their orders. Once the food came along they commenced eating. When the meal was all but gone Lina cleared her throat.
"Now that that's been taken care of, I need you two to do some errands."
"All right, what do you need?" Gourry asked.
"We need some basic gear to stay out in the wilderness, for starters. Think you can handle that?" Lina replied.
"Yup!" Gourry smiled.
"Wait Lina, why aren't you going to get what you need?" Zelgadis wondered.
"We can't traumatize Amelia too much in one night." Lina said.
"If that even is Amelia." Zelgadis muttered.
Lina glared at Zelgadis. "Anyway, it's obvious she trusts me the most, so I'm going to go get us a room for the night."
"How are you going to afford everything, Lina?" Zelgadis asked.
"I always have some spare coins on hand, just in case. I'll be expecting some compensation from Phil when this is all over! Keep track of how much you spend, okay Gourry?"
"You bet! Let's go, Zelgadis."
Zelgadis got up and followed Gourry out of the restaurant. "Shopping for Lina. This can't be good." Zelgadis sighed.
Lina smiled then looked under her seat. "Are you ready to go?"
Amelia whimpered in response.
"Okay, come on." Lina tugged on her makeshift leash to drag Amelia out from under the chair, then dragged her back out into the street.
"Now this isn't so bad. Let's see... Ah-hah! There we go! C'mon, Amelia."
After much debate with the innkeeper (he wasn't too keen on letting a wild animal into his inn), Lina finally got a room. Once inside, she closed the door. Frightened by the sudden confinement, Amelia pawed at the door.
"Oh no you don't!" Lina pulled Amelia away from the door, tying the leash to the bed. "Now then, I saved a little something for you, but you have to promise to behave." Lina revealed a drumstick she had swiped from her meal earlier.
Amelia was instantly silent, watching the food.
"Good girl!" Lina cheered. "Now then, this will only take a second." Lina knelt down to loosen the rope around Amelia's muzzle. "All right, there you go." Lina placed the food on the floor.
Amelia looked eager to eat the drumstick, but then she stopped and glanced at Lina.
"What? What's wrong?"
Amelia continued to stay motionless, obviously wanting the food, but making no move for it.
"Don't even tell me you aren't hungry." Lina stepped toward Amelia.
Amelia instantly stepped back.
Lina stopped, then backed up a few paces, watching to see what Amelia would do.
Amelia in turn moved forward again, toward the food. She looked down at it, but again glanced up at Lina.
"It's all right, I'm not going to take it from you. Wait!" Lina moved farther away, then turned her back to Amelia, acting indifferent.
Amelia watched her a moment, then seeing no further response from Lina, dove at the drumstick.
Lina glanced over her shoulder. "Ah, so that's what it was all about."
After Amelia had finished off the drumstick, Lina took away the bone, then sat on the bed. "So Amelia, do you understand me yet? I don't mean you any harm. We're going to find a way to help you, even if we have to go up against the people who did this to you!"
Amelia cocked her ears in Lina's direction.
"At least I know you're listening to me."
Amelia suddenly got up and hid under the vanity near Lina's bed.
"Hey, where do you...?" Lina was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Lina got up and opened the door, revealing Gourry and Zelgadis.
Gourry walked into the room. "We got the stuff, Lina."
Lina looked about. "And where is it now?"
"Oh, we left it in our room. We just came to let you know that if you need anything, we're just a few doors down." Gourry replied.
"Are you sure this is wise, Lina?" Zelgadis asked.
"Stop whining! Everything is just fine. Amelia and I were getting along quite well until she heard you coming."
"Even so..." Gourry trailed off.
"Gourry, I'll yell if I need anything." Lina smiled at Gourry.
Gourry smiled back. "All right, then good night, Lina."
"Good night. Oh! And promise me you won't sleep outside of my door again." Lina said.
"We're going." Zelgadis replied.
Lina laughed, then closed the door after the two men. She then got herself ready for bed.
"All right, Amelia, you heard them. No funny stuff."
Amelia was already curled up, fast asleep, under the vanity.
"Good. I'm glad we were able to come to this understanding." Lina then crawled into her bed and went to sleep.
I bet you were expecting an update sooner than this, weren't you? Sadly, my schedule doesn't permit it (I work most of the week), but I'll definitely have at least one new chapter up each week. (Until I run out of what I've already written up! Hopefully I'll be inspired to write more soon.)