Seyruun High Jinx –NEXT!
Chapter Five
Warning! Rough Sea
"Paaaaaar-adise." -- Val"I was born at the wrong time," Xelloss began loftily. "The 30's or 40's with the big band music and real dancing would have been a better fit. Songs of romance were sweet… 'you're lovely…let's fall in love…get married…and live happily ever after.' And, I should have been in a big city where the action is! How about you?"
Zel looked at him then said his piece, "I guess I'd like to try the future, far future. Live out my life on another planet. I don't know. I don't' think I'd fit in anywhere, anytime."
"Well, I think the Disco Era's for me!" Amelia laughed not trying to be serious for a change. "I just love that dancing and I think that the music's great!"
Lina rolled her eyes and shook her head. The boys groaned.
"The here and now. I wanta change music and create...be a part of the new wave to tomorrow. That...or the Roaring 20's. That was pretty exciting even in the most boring text books retelling. Gangsters and crime Lords and…" Lina looked thoughtful, then added, "'Course I'd have to be part of the women's lib. movement and wear funny hats, soooo… Nah…" she scratched her head and smiled. "Right now's the best. It's our time!"
"Well," said the driver as they pulled up to the mansion. "It's your time to get out and help unload the apple crates and pumpkins."
Xelloss groaned about his already sore arms.
"We'll loosen them up at the pool, or did you forget we had that tonight?" Zel smirked and grabbed one end of a crate.
"Where's that scheduler of yours? I'm throwing it away!" Xelloss shouted, grabbing at Zel and nearly causing him to spill the apples.
"Don'cha know better than to upset the apple crate!" Lina yelled, then started to laugh hysterically at her own silly (and out dated) joke.
"Yo!"
"Hey."
"Ya 'bout done here?" Val folded his arms and scanned the workers at the site uneasily. He never knew when some past acquaintance might show up and a construction crew could harbor all kinds of temps, he figured.
"Just packin' up," Gourry pushed his bangs out of his eyes and rested his hands on his hips. "Whats'up?"
"Nothin' much. Can ya split?"
"Just gimme a minute." Gourry finished loading his tools into the back of his father's pickup, then loped off to tell his dad that he had another ride home that day. Returning to Val's Suburban, he nodded, "Okay."
Val drove a short distance away and pulled over. "Here." He got out of the car and waited for Gourry to join him on the sidewalk.
"Ah…um…big empty lot?" Gourry had no idea what Val had in mind.
"Remember me an' you drawin' those plans at school last year?" Val smiled a bit. No, Gourry didn't, he could tell by the blank expression. "Here's a clue, dude…" Val made gestures and postured as if he was crusin' on his board.
"Skate park?" Gourry gasped. "Here?"
"Yeah, man! The permit came through on this over the summer. We…were busy at the time. Ma lawyer, Mr…Fri-brizzo, scouted this place out fer us an' did the paperwork. 'Dozers comin' tomorrow."
Gourry shook his head, awed by the reality of a dream come to pass. "Just like we wanted?"
"E-ver-ry thing, dude! " Val was grinning now. "Down to the last deeeetail. Everythin' we could think of and bigger. Drinkin' fountain too. And…'cause I paid fer it, I even got to name it."
Gourry chuckled, "Whatcha gonna tag it with?"
"Paaaaaar-adise."
"Paradise… Park?" Gourry smiled ad his eyes lit up. "That's awesome, dude."
"Yeah…They're puttin' up a sign in front with the name and all…You're name's gonna be there too, as one of the designers. Dude, you'll be faaaa-mous for the biggest park of its kind in the world!"
Gourry laughed along with Val. Yeah, it would be really awesome!
"Let's go see if Lina's back an' show her, 'kay?" Gourry asked. "She'll like it, I bet."
"Yeah."
Zelgadiss was about to climb into the passenger's seat of his car, when he heard the distinctive sound of Val's powerful Suburban winding its way up the drive to the Mayor's mansion. "Hold on, Xelloss."
Xelloss turned off the engine and watched his friend run off, fleet of foot.
"Where's he off to?" Lina muttered from her cramped position in the back. "I actually have homework to get home to! Oh, it's Val… with Gourry?"
Out Lina popped.
A few minutes later, Zelgadiss returned. As he closed his side door, he said, "All right. Let's go on home now."
Xelloss looked straight ahead and asked, "Shouldn't we wait for Lina?" His voice was low, knowing, and not liking the answer to come.
"No. Val and Gourry have some skateboard park they're involved in and are taking her for an inspection."
"Oh," Xelloss said, disappointed at Lina's departure. "Okay then…"
A few minutes later, Zel warned Xelloss to slow down, "25 MPH in residential areas."
Xelloss sighed and nodded. He also slowed a bit, to 32 MPH. He whipped the car into their driveway, shut off the ignition, and got out, slamming the door and stomping up the walk to their house. Zelgadiss gave him some space, then followed.
Zelgadiss didn't see Xelloss until Val came home and he'd finished putting together their dinner. Xelloss ate in silence, listening to Val's description of the park and nodding amiably, but not participating.
"Yeah, Lina'll be there, maybe even take up skatin' again," Val laughed.
Xelloss pushed away from the table and offered to do the dishes. When he had finished making a great deal of noise and leaving a few pots to drip-dry, he slunk back into his room.
Val knocked on Zel's room, "Yo."
"Come in."
"I, ah…so…what happened? Lina said she'd had a great time pickin' pumpkins and all. Xelloss seems…pretty pissed 'bout somethin'."
Zelgadiss sighed, "I can only guess that he was a bit annoyed when Lina left us and went home with you…and Gourry, especially him." In a dismissive tone he added, "You can go ask him." He hoped that he had put an end to that conversation.
Val did not budge. "Gourry's a hard guy to get riled up, but…somehow Xelloss has got to him. He's over there teachin' Joey drums and his sisters are all in-fa-tu-a-ted with him. He's like an idol at the Gabriev's. Then he's at Lina's doin' that dance thing and then all day today… Luna gives him free-rein at the house, but Gourry's gotta 'bout make an appointment to get past the door. I just don't wanna be around when…"
"…The dam breaks," Zel suggested.
"Yeah, ta put it cleanly."
"You want me to talk to him, right?" Zel raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I thought he was over Lina…moved on…ya know, the other chicks… Sylphiel…Eris… What's up?" Val asked, frustrated at his ignorance. "I figured you'd seen him more lately and might have a clue. You don't think he just does it just to bother Gourry, do ya?"
Zelgadiss looked at Val's intense face then closed his eyes and sighed, "I hope not. I am no mind reader, but I think…Xelloss only has one thing in mind, and that is the pursuit of Lina Inverse."
Val nodded and paced a bit. "Mebbe I'll have a word or two with him."
"Do what you want. I'll talk to him tonight about an assignment anyway and… I don't know what else. Perhaps if he sees that he's causing strife within the band and that that would drive a wedge between him and his…goals faster than anything else, maybe he'd lay off a bit. I don't know…I'm not good at this kind of thing and I wouldn't want anyone sticking their nose into my business either."
"The band thing…yeah. We don't wanna mess up that, not when its about to take off," Val agreed. "Well, ah…thanks, dude."
Zel nodded to him on his way out, then let his head sink onto his arms which were resting on his desk, sighing, "Gods, Xelloss…you are such a pain in the ass sometimes…"
"I'm hoooo-ome!" Lina yelled as she through her jacket on the floor by the door and stepped out of her shoes.
"Hang it up!" Luna's commanding voice shook the mirror on the wall.
"Yeah, yeah… So, you brought us dinner from the restaurant tonight?"
"Yes, wash up and come eat. Tell me all about your day."
Lina thought that was odd. Why was her sister getting all chummy all of a sudden? "Ah…yeah…sure…" Lina muttered hesitantly.
After a rush of eating, Lina was washing down the last of her dessert with a glass of milk, when her sister asked. "So? What are you going to do about them?"
"Huh? Say what?"
"Gourry and Xelloss, your two admirers. Unless you want them to put on a show and duke it out over you…" Luna gazed intently at her impish little sister over her cup of tea.
"That's their problem. I do nothing to encourage them one way or the other. I've made it clear that I'm not interested in acquiring a boyfriend in the foreseeable future." Lina waved her arm around as if to push aside that topic of conversation.
"That's not going to work with those two, Lina, and you know it! They don't understand why, nor want to. They just figure you can't make up your mind and so they are competing."
"Like birds? Peacocks?"
Luna smiled slightly, "Kinda, yeah. Eventually you will pick the one who can provide you … whatever it is you want… that's what they are trying to figure out. Now Gourry, he's not so clever, and hopes to appeal to your need for security. But he's got patience going for him, that and a big heart. A big, dumb, heart."
"Luna!"
"Okay, a good, strong heart, weak brain…" Luna smiled maliciously. She wasn't crazy about the young man, nice that he was, but she didn't want to put Lina on the defensive either. "Xelloss, on the other hand, is short on the patience part, but always scheming and planning his next move. He's tenacious and his heart is no less certain."
"Nonsense. He's always looking for a girl to grace his arm. He was out with Filia and her folks the weekend after breaking up with Eris."
"Ah…don't let his flirtatiousness and charm fool you. I can see it in his eyes when you are near him, you are all he sees and when you are not… "
"Oh ho! Don't give me that 'you are all he dreams about' crap! He has a life." Lina said, but with a touch of uncertainty.
"Yes, and he wants you to be a part of it in a big way. You know, if you wanted to be a manipulative bitch, you could get those two, plus that Val kid and of course your little Zel friend to jump through burning hoops."
Lina burned holes through her sister's forehead with her fiery stare. "Good thing I'm not…and good thing you're wrong about them if I were..."
Luna simply shrugged her shoulders, "Okay, but that changes nothing. Gourry and Xelloss will be at each other's throats before too long, and that marks the end of your band. Like it or not, you have to resolve this."
"Oh yeah? Me? What should I do that I haven't already done? Beat them both senseless?"
"Might work," Luna smiled. "Or just pick one and try dating for once. Nothing major, just a movie or dinner…"
"What? You think that's what they want? I don't want to become somebody's 'thing'…ornament and I don't want… Geesh! Gourry's saving for a house! And Xelloss…who knows what he's got goin' on inside that head of his, but last he was goin' on about futures he was talkin' kids, for gods'sakes! I just want things to stay the same. The band, my friends, is that too much to ask!" Lina cried out and pounded the table with her fist.
"Apparently it is, Lina." Luna set down her cup and leaned closer to her sister. "If Momma was here, she'd know just what to tell you. But she's not. So I'll do what I can. See, everyone changes, that's what's going on. Some faster or sooner than others. Gourry and Xelloss, Val too, are older—not that they act like it much of the time, but part of them is. They are doing what's natural for them, and you are…"
"Irresistible…ah Luna…give it up!"
"Attractive anyway. It's just what happens, Lina. The point is, if you want the band to hold together, you'll have to settle those two boys down," Luna said seriously.
"I repeat…by doing what!"
Luna leaned back and smiled as she folded her arms, "Well, if it were me…I'd snag the rich, sexy guy any time."
Lina coughed, "Gah! Why don't you go for him then?"
"Because," Luna patted Lina on the back warmly, "He's in love with you." Then she laughed loudly and slapped her hands together. "That and his hair…I'd look like his imperfect sister! His is so perfect!"
Lina's eyes narrowed. She hadn't seen the humor in the situation. Her band's existence was at stake! All because a couple of guys were having a hard time controlling their hormones. Guys were all idiots, well except for Zelgadiss, he seemed able to restrain himself and act like a normal human being! She'd talk to him about it. Maybe he could drive some sense into his friend's tiny male brains. Zel, yeah. But would he really be any help?
Xelloss opened the manila envelope. I had been slipped between the front door and the screen door. It had no return address or address at all, only his name 'Metallium' typed on a sliver-trimmed label. He snatched it up before Zelgadiss, following closely behind, even saw it. No reason getting him all stirred up over…nothing, because that was exactly what it would turn out to be. One big nothing, right? Right. He escaped into the private confines of his room and ripped it open. Tapping in on its end caused a single photo and typed note to fall onto his desk. It was a photograph of him, taken over the summer while they had been on the road performing. Xelloss blinked, then blinked again as tears threatened to obscure his vision. It was a candid shot. In the picture, he was holding up a blow drier to his hair and he was wearing only a pair of striped boxers. Who could have taken this? He wiped his eyes with his sleeve and looked more closely. No, the picture was blurred, as if…it had to have been taken from some distance away--maybe through a window? Then enlarged…
He found the note and read it. Again. And again. 'I am watching you', it said. Huh?
He quickly shoved the note and picture into the envelope and flipped it over. His heart was racing and his hands trembled as he backed away from his desk. Without even removing his clothes, he dove under his covers, hiding he head under a pillow and started to scream. "It's not fair! Why me? What did I do?"
"Ah, Xelloss?"
Xelloss stilled, then sat up as he recognized the voice. Huskily he answered, "Yeah?" Gods, what time was it? Xelloss looked up at his alarm clock. Morning? Had he really fallen asleep in his clothes? Memories of the picture and note came to the forefront of his mind. Maybe that was all a dream. He sat up. Zelgadiss had said something to him. "What?" he shouted back as his eyes settled on the manila envelope on his desk. Not a dream.
"Ah…I'm just about to go with Lina to this art show, sure you don't want to come along?" Zel asked. He was certain Xelloss would say no again. He hadn't wanted to get in the way. He hadn't wanted to interfere. Fine, but now Zelgadiss was a bit concerned at his friend's emotional as well as physical disappearance into his room last night, and didn't want to run off without checking up on him.
"Um…okay!" Xelloss croaked. He ripped off his shirt and grabbed a clean one on his way past the door to the bathroom. "Just hold on a minute…I, ah…have to go to the bathroom, okay?"
Zelgadiss shrugged to the door, "All right. Just don't take all day in there."
Ten minutes later, a carelessly dressed Xelloss emerged and they were on their way to pick up Lina.
"You want to get in back and let the 'lady' sit in comfort?" Zel said lightly as he parked at Lina's house.
Xelloss stared at him blankly, then nodded and got out of the car as Zelgadiss strode up to Lina's front door. A few minutes later, Zel and Lina were ensconced up front while Xelloss, silent, was stretched out along the back seat.
"So, what changed yer mind?" Lina shot to the back seat.
Xelloss managed a weak smile. "I wasn't feeling like being alone, I guess. Val's out at the settlement until late tonight."
"Oh. I just thought you might have suddenly become interested in cel collecting. It's catching on," Lina said conversationally.
Xelloss, she had noticed, had seemed oddly subdued since she had gotten into the car. In fact, those were the first words out of his mouth. He didn't appear to be well, pale, with circles under his eyes, and he was wearing his glasses to boot!
"You coming down with something? I wanna know if I was exposed to anything yesterday on that hayride." Lina even added a smile, to lighten the mood.
However, Xelloss had closed his eyes and leaned his head back as if he were asleep. He wasn't even aware of the passage of time.
"Shall I leave you here in the car or…?" Zelgadiss asked, poking his head toward the back seat. "We're here. Parking is easy on Sunday. Coming?"
Xelloss nodded and gracefully exited the little car. "Not many people coming to the show." His voice sounded hollow and distant, even to him.
Zel looked at him. "Ah, the exhibit's open for several weeks, this is only the first hour or so. It's liable to get crowded this afternoon. That's why I suggested we go this morning before our swim."
"Yeah," Lina nudged him. "This is the second day this weekend that I've been up before 10 o'clock too! Better be worth it!" She tried to be short and gruff, but Xelloss' mood dampened even her spirits.
At one point, they both left Xelloss sitting on a bench in front of a vibrant display of Lodoss War cels, while they continued to look around and take notes.
When Lina found a dark Trigun grouping, she paused and waited for Zelgadiss to join her.
"That looks like it might be an interesting anime. Do you know it?" he asked.
"Yeah, it's been around a while. Ah, say, Zel…I got this problem," Lina began uncomfortably.
Raising an eyebrow, Zel muttered, "Are you certain I'm the right guy to talk to?"
Glaring at her avoidance-oriented friend, Lina whispered, "It concerns Gourry and Xelloss."
"Ah…" Zel felt a cold chill. Not this conversation! He sighed again and said, "Val…was asking me about the same two people last night."
"Oh?"
"I guess Gourry confided to him about some …problems he's having with Xelloss being an idol around his house and being a fixture at yours. It's just what Val told me, Lina. I haven't spoken to Gourry for a few days, and not about this."
"Luna said…"
"Luna!"
"Yeah, must be something, if she noticed the strained relations between them that day…after the funeral. She says…it's over me."
Zel closed his eyes and folded his arms over his chest defensively. "Like I said, I haven't heard anything first hand. Last time Gourry and I talked was at the contest and Xelloss…I, um…don't…share…talk about…"
Before Zel's mutterings got any more annoying, Lina cut in, "You avoid it all. I know. When you can. I'd like to too, ya know! Why can't they just be like you…mature and…treat me like a person— a beautiful, clever person— not like some…object to fight over…like the grand prize! If they screw up the band so help me, Zel, I will blow them to…little tiny bits! Can't you DO something!"
Zelgadiss drew back from the beautiful, clever, and fanged girl with the fuming eyes. "No."
She was not pleased.
Zel has his pride, but now was not to time to assert it, he decided. "Well, all right. I'll tell them to give you some space and make the band their number one priority. But, Lina, it's awkward to accuse them of something…Xelloss in particular! He's been so caught up in Subaru's problems and I thought he was off romance right now anyway. And Gourry…he'll just give me that sad-eyed, you-don't-really-know-me hurt look and tell me that he just can't trust Xelloss, but that there's not the real problem."
Lina was cooling off some. Zel's words worked like magic, or at least like an ice-cold bucket of water, putting out her fire. "Yeah…guess so… I think I'll just beat them into submission."
Zel smiled his little smirky half-smile, relieved that she wasn't about to include him in that program. "Much more sensible than leaving it up to me or attempting to carry on a reasonable conversation."
Lina gave him a hard look to see if he was teasing her. "Damned right!" She gave him a cute wink and moved off.
When they had circled through the remaining exhibits, satisfied that they had seen enough and had a couple of good angles from which to begin their review, Lina figured it was time to seek out their pensive friend. "Now where do you suppose Mr. Happy is today?"
"Xelloss?"
"Yes." She halted mid stride and raked her eyes over Zel's face looking for something. "Oh and, by the way…thanks, Zel. Sometimes you're the only one I can count on to help shoulder the load. I'm glad we're still friends."
Taken aback by her sincerity, Zel choked first, then coughed through a blush. "Yes…well…anytime…Ah, we left him back in that room." He quickly led the way as he backtracked through the walls of art.
"Done already?" Xelloss smiled wanly up at Lina and Zel.
"Yeah, great stuff but two of the artists really stand out. I'll have no problem starting this paper tonight. I'll get what I've done to ya tomorrow afternoon, okay Zel?"
"Or later, no rush," Zel stared at Xelloss trying to recall when he had taken this sudden down turn. "Xelloss, did you hear from Subaru today?"
"No, I guess I need to stop by and see him today. Could you…?"
"Hey, can I go too?" Lina asked. "I really miss him. Maybe I can give him something new to think about."
Xelloss seemed to pull himself together after that and return to a quiet, but functional facsimile of himself.
Zelgadiss waited until they were home that evening and completely inside the house, door closed, lights on. "All right. What happened to you?"
Xelloss rolled over a couple of clever replies in his head, choosing at last his old tried and true, "That's a secret."
"Not from me."
Xelloss opened his eyes and met Zel's. "Okay. Let me show you…"
Zelgadiss stared at the picture a moment, then read the note. "Damn, some crazy fan has found out where you live. I'll give McGywn a call and have him…" Zel paused. "You don't think it's a fan, do you?"
Xelloss simply shook his head. "No."
"I'm calling McGywn," Zel stated and went on a search for a phone.
"Class, I would like to read aloud a very fine example of the type and quality of paper that I am expecting from you." The Advanced Literature teacher announced following her role count.
Lina gave Filia a thumbs up and twisted around to whisper to Xelloss, "Suck up!" But she grinned to prove she didn't mean it and turned back to Zelgadiss. "Ours is almost done. I'll get it to ya by Japanese and you can take it home and edit it…not that it needs it."
"Ahem…
KIROV BALLET – ATLAS CITY WINTER TOUR
Le CorsaireOmitted by the teacher: Reviewed by Xelloss Metallium Copy-edited by Filia Ul Copt
by the teacher:I attended the Kirov Ballet's last performance of "Le Corsaire" in late summer. The leading dancers were Uliana Lopatkina as Medora, Igor Zelenski as Ali, Konstantin Zaklinsky as Conrad, and Irina Zhelonkina as Gulnara. As you may well know, "Le Corsaire" is a ballet with a very complicated story and a mish-mash of musical styles. However, it all somehow comes together as a great show, which I really enjoyed.
Uliana Lopatkina is one of the wonderful young principals of the Kirov, following in the tradition of many great Kirov ballerinas of the past. She uses her long legs and arms to great advantage as she expresses both elegance and a strong will through her dancing. With just one look at her, three bullies on the stage--as well as all of us in the audience-- melt and fall in love with Lopatkina's very noble and warm dance.
Igor Zelensky was a dynamic Ali. The sweep and power of his jumps are so large, that he seemed to have a bit of difficulty trying to adjust his dancing to a space smaller than what he is used to at the larger Mariinsky Theater stage. Zelensky's interpretation of Ali differs from that of another Kirov star, Farouk Ruzimatov. Zelensky openly expresses his strong love for Medora throughout the ballet, while Ruzimatov expresses his hidden passion for her only during his Act II variation.
I was just as impressed with Konstantin Zaklinsky's Conrad. He was a true actor, overshadowing all other dancers on the stage through his very powerful mime and secure dancing. I used to think of him only as a dancer of the Romantic Prince variety, whereas now he has become a wonderful character dancer who can continue to perform and delight audiences for many years beyond the "dancing life-span" of the classical princely dancer.
Recognizing the Kirov's great tradition, and in light of the company's recent large and swift alteration in the roster of its principals and other dancers, I was a bit skeptical that the Kirov would no longer be the Kirov from years past. However, I am happy to report that the young principals and soloists are very secure in their technique and artistry, and display sincerity towards their art. The corps de ballet was every bit as wonderful as I expected. Now, the Kirov only seems to be lacking in master-soloists for the character dances (e.g., Spanish dances, Czardas, etc.). Their ranks will soon be replenished as one generation is groomed to follow the other, no doubt.
The Kirov Orchestra, led by Maestro Victor Fedotov, was yet another reason for the success of the evening. When this troop next returns, I recommend that you purchase your tickets early; there will be another sell out show."
The teacher looked up to see if anyone had been listening, then sighed, "And believe me, this next year I may just do that and see for myself if what is said here is true. Very nicely done, and you know who you are. Now, the projects are not due for awhile, so now that you see what you have to shoot towards, lets look at some very bad examples written tortuously in the late 19th century by…" and the teacher continued to drone on and on…
"Uh…the torture…" Zel groaned under his breath.
Later that Monday afternoon, Zelgadiss dropped Xelloss off at the shrine before Letting Lina out at her house. When he arrived home, Val was waiting for him at the door.
"Val?" Zel gave him a questioning look.
"Look at this," Val said curtly.
Zel followed his gesture to a spot a small box on the table. "A box," he commented, stating the obvious.
"For Mr. Meee-tal-lee-um. It has a syn-dee-cat clearing house smell about it," Val sneered.
Zel paled, "He got a strange picture and note the other day…from some nutcase spying on him. I put in a call to McGywn, just in case. Could be a crazy fan."
"Ya don't sound convinced of yer own logic," Val growled.
"I…I'm not," Zel admitted.
"Should I go get Lina?" Val asked.
"Yeah, she should be told."
By the time Sylphiel dropped Xelloss back at his house an hour later, there was quite a group waiting for him. He was surprised to see both Val and Zel standing in the front room, but when he noticed that Lina was there as well, he had to force down his unease. "Ah, hi guys!"
Val pointed at the box. "This came for you today via City-State Express. Didn't need ta sign fer it and when I checked, the tracking number was non-ex-is-tant."
Xelloss smiled and passed his hand over the silver-edged label, "I see."
"Well, open it!" Lina demanded.
"Lina, ease off and let him do it in private if he wants," Zel admonished her while uncharacteristically protecting Xelloss. "We are here to support him, not attack him."
Lina grumbled something, but Zel continued, "Xelloss, let us know if it's anything…important, all right? In light of that picture you received earlier…"
"Okay," Xelloss smiled at Lina and carried his box off to his room, closing the door behind him.
A short time later, Xelloss came back out and assured them all that it was okay…no big deal…just some things his mother had saved…'Probably found it at Wolfpack Island when they were cleaning it out…' And, no, there were no menacing or threatening notes or identification to confirm where it had originated. So, Zel left Val to 'baby-sit' while he took Lina back to her house for the second time that day. False warning…
"Zel-gaaaadiss?"
"Yes, Xelloss. I'm in here." Zel turned from his computer in time to watch his best friend fall onto his bed, a new book in hand. "Ah, McGywn called me today. No new news, but he's on it…said 'not to worry', all right? What's that?"
"My journal."
Zelgadiss stared at the blank cover, pleased. "So, you took my advice."
"Yep!" Xelloss rolled onto his side and placed it on the edge of the mattress. "Val's doing it too. You should be proud, Dr. Greywords."
"It's not for me," Zel corrected him. "It's for you to have an outlet for some of those disturbing thoughts and hidden secrets which you would otherwise conceal for the rest of your life."
"I…know…that."
"Have you written anything in it?" Zel asked. It looked to him as if it had never been opened.
"Lots! All kinds of things up to and including the first time I met …you and Lina!" Xelloss giggled and rolled around.
"Last year. That's most of your life, Xelloss. That was rather fast."
"Well, I did get to events of the past few days, but I skipped a lot along the way. Actually, I was referring to the year before last. I knew you our first year of high school, remember? We had three classes together. The English one, the Biology one, and the…"
"Computer lab." Zel finished for him. "I do remember you in there. I hated your guts."
"You were just challenged by me and hated that I was better…more clever!" Xelloss rolled quickly to his other side to avoid getting a pillow to his gut.
"You weren't better, just trickier and you caught me off guard. I got my disk space back."
"Eventually, but I ended up with the extra memory board." Xelloss gave him a little smirk.
"So," Zel sighed in defeat. "I got the better game driver. However, I lost some important stuff I had just downloaded. Some medical leads I'd taken months to trace! My cure might have been in some of that stuff and you just…took it away and…it disappeared in a puff of smoke. That's what you came to see me about? Old times?"
"Yes…and no," Xelloss grew more serious. "Um, your cure wasn't in any of those files. I scanned them first, guessing what it was you were searching for. Yeah, I know…a bit presumptuous of me, but I saved you a lot of grief. The news was grim and out-dated. Anyway, on a brighter note…I'd like you to do something for me."
Zelgadiss caught the mood change and straightened. "All right…"
"Nothing…terrible or anything," Xelloss smiled nervously. "But I'd like you to promise not to...I don't know actually… I guess 'hate me when you're done' will do."
Zelgadiss did not like to play this game. He frowned slightly. "I might hate you, I might not. I won't promise you immunity from my subconscious reactions. However, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and hear you out, if need be. Now what is it that's making you so nervous?"
Xelloss put a finger on the book. "I want you to read this."
Zelgadiss looked at the book and then at Xelloss. "That's it?"
Xelloss nodded.
"Isn't it a bit too personal to share?"
"I think I want, no that's not right…I know I want you to know what's in here. You have accepted me for all my faults…"
"Of which there are many…"
Xelloss smiled, "All my faults … and I believe I owe it to you to understand why I am the way I am."
"No secrets any more?"
"Well, its not done…" Xelloss smiled slyly.
Zelgadiss sighed and picked it up. "All right. I'll read this." He looked down at Xelloss' worried face and added, "But that doesn't mean that I will let you read mine."
Xelloss nodded. "I would, if you wanted me to, but only if you wanted me to."
Zelgadiss shook his head. He was not ready to share that much with anyone. Maybe he never would.
"I'll just go study now," Xelloss whispered, and let himself out of the room.
Zelgadiss opened the blue journal and was surprised at how many pages were filled up. Nearly the entire journal! And typed! Xelloss had typed it up on his computer and had it bound! Well, just as well, Zel thought with a smile, since he could never read Xelloss' messy scrawl anyway.
He stood and straightened out the bedcovers, plumped up his pillows and stretched out to read.
End Seyruun High Jinx –NEXT! Chapter Five.