Seyruun High Jinx –NEXT!
Chapter 15
Slayers Misunderstood
"Damn… they think I'm a crime lord? Mercenary, dude…way cool!" Val smirked.
By the time Zelgadiss had driven to their home, Xelloss' self-control had ebbed away markedly. A tear trickled from his eye, which he hastily wiped off before Zel could see it, and replaced it with a scowl. As they were entering the house, Xelloss asked, "Okay… So… Who, how much and when do we tell the others?"
However, their surreptitious behavior had not gone unnoticed, and when they turned on the lights, Val bounded out with an answer. "Make that us and everythin and now !"
Zel jumped a foot at least at the sudden appearance of his other roommate. "Gah! Val! I thought you and Gourry were studying at his place!"
Gourry stepped out of the shadows from the bathroom, causing Xelloss this time to lurch off to one side. "Ah…we were gonna. Er…we were at my house when we saw yer car leavin' the park…ah… 'Cause we were outside… and, um… We followed ya to the school…"
Val growled defensively, "We were on our way ta get some food at the corner and it wasn't much further…"
"Kinda late fer goin' back to the school, Zel." Gourry brushed back a heavy fringe of bangs.
"So we knew you were on to something," Val finished. "So? Didya find some ev-ee-dence?"
Zelgadiss turned to look at Xelloss who smiled and shrugged in defeat. Zel sighed significantly, then said, "Since I don't suppose you'd accept it being a secret… I'll read you this note. I got a glance at it when I had my interview with Mr. Grauscherra today. We went back and retrieved it from the trash…"
"You broke into the school and stole that paper?" Gourry did not seem thrilled by this news. He stared hard at Xelloss, whom he blamed for the illegal activity.
Xelloss jangled his keys, "Call me the 'doorkeeper'. I simply opened the doors, and that was a discarded piece of paper." He smiled unconcernedly.
Gourry frowned. He knew Xelloss was trying to get off on technicalities. Val, on the other hand, didn't care. "I don't give a shit how ya got what ya got. I juss wanna know whatsup?"
Zel began to paraphrase, "It says…: Keep a look out for these persons of interest. They must be considered dangerous at all times. They did execute three top-level executives of the syndicate, Darkstar himself, several high order Volphied and Overworlder leaders, plus several mid-level syndicate members and countless lower ones. Reports have been unclear and err-prone, so you must tread carefully. Females: Lina Inverse, CIA; Amelia, Seyruun' government offices; Filia, high order of the Golden Cephied clan; and Sylphiel, head priestess of the White Shrine. Males: Xelloss Metallium, international syndicate mogul; Val Gaav, crime lord syndicate refugee; Zelgadiss, the Red Priest, and Gourry Gabriev, mercenary at large. Notify when located. Contain if possible and await further instructions."
Zel looked up, "Xelloss identified the syndicate stamp. It's from the Grauscherra Dynasty."
"Sur-prize…sur-prize!" Val smirked. "Damn… they think I'm a crime lord? Mercenary, dude…way cool!"
Gourry shook his head. He may not have known what one was from the blank look on his face.
"Killer for hire," Xelloss smiled, relishing his explanation. "One could create a private army with mercenaries, for instance. I, as a mogul, would be one to do just that. Or you might work for Val, our resident crime lord, or both, playing both sides of the game!"
"You are lovin' this, aren't ya?" Val grinned.
Xelloss sobered instantly, "No, actually. I find it terribly disturbing. That these people have all of our names, the girls in particular, with confused identities, to the extent of making us sound like adult murderers, has me worried most. Grauscherra is taking it seriously also, which is obvious by the fact that he's already pinpointed the four of us…five, including Lina, in the first couple months of school."
"Well, he didn't learn nothin' from me," Val sniffed. "He ain't even certain I'm the guy he's lookin' fer…what with the name change on my records." He recognized Xelloss' contribution to his identity make-over with a quick nod.
"You may have set him off course-- maybe – but don't count on it for long. You hang around us, which makes you guilty…" Xelloss began.
"…By as-so-she-ay-shun. Yeah, yer probably right 'bout that." Val grunted in dissatisfaction.
Gourry shifted uncomfortably. "So, what can we do? We gotta protect them. Lina needs to know, too."
Xelloss took this opportunity to remove the folded manila folder from its uncomfortable hiding place and inspect it closely.
Zelgadiss watched his face, and then moved over to read what he could. "Codes… ID codes, you think? Passwords?"
Xelloss nodded, "And more. I think we have an absolute idiot on our hands, this Grauscherra guy. Zelas would never have kept as valuable a file as this just…out on the shelf like that! First, she would have memorized everything. Then she would have stored this in a safe of some sort at home or on the island."
Zelgadiss said, "But won't it be worthless now that we have it? Won't he change all these codes once he finds them missing?"
Xelloss shook his head, "I don't think he even knows it was slipped in there. Look!"
The label on the file said 'Miscellaneous'.
"There were dozens of these, all marked the same way and mostly filled with copies of school district memos. The rest of this folder is stuffed with more worthless printouts of e-mails. Some assistant that pretty little Sherra lady is, huh? She must have stuffed this in by mistake. Nothing was really filed in any sensible order. It was more by chance that I happened across this one." Xelloss scanned the sheet of paper again while the others shuffled through the rest of the file, just to make certain he hadn't missed something. He hadn't. Val looked up to see a mischievous smile spread across Xelloss' face.
Zelgadiss was about to prod Xelloss a bit more. He wondered what had drawn Xelloss to that particular innocuous file, when Val interrupted his train of thought.
"Yer got a plan goin'," Val said in his gravely voice.
"Per-haps," Xelloss replied. "But what that is…is a secret…" To avoid a not-so-gentle- punch or two, he said quickly, "Until I have a chance to check out the validity of these codes…which I'm on my way to do…immediately!" Xelloss scampered out of Val's reach and locked himself in his room.
"Let him be," Zelgadiss suggested to the other two who had chased Xelloss to his door. "He's sneaky, but careful and knowledgeable about what his doing. But mostly, he won't do anything that might bring harm to Lina. A-andtotheothergirls!" he added in a rush.
Val settled down immediately, but Gourry required a few moments to unclench his fists and relax. This bothered Zel. He preferred the gentle, easy-going skater-Gourry to this over six and one half foot, 250 pound angry, jealous young man, who looked every bit the mercenary the syndicate north thought him to be.
"What we've got is some time. Time to develop our plan. If those codes do what I hope, what I think he hopes, they can do, we'll be able to run this show our way this time. Right now, this Grauscherra guy's got to be confused. There's no way he can think that the guys, and girl, he's interviewed can be the ruthless killers described to him. I mean, Lina…CIA? Get real… He might even decide his orders are so screwed up, he'll cancel the entire show." Zel stopped. His eyes took on a glassy appearance as he sat transfixed, staring out into space.
Gourry, back to normal, passed a hand through that space, passing once or twice in front of Zel's eyes. "Um…Zel? You there?"
Zel shivered and came to, "Oh, ah…yes. I just had an epiphany, of sorts." Then he just whispered the word 'show' and became thoughtful and silent.
"Right, we got that damned musical to do on toppa school, gigs, fans, and…now the f-& syndicate again." Val slammed his hand onto the coffee table, shaking the stack of glasses and books.
Gourry sighed, "Its fer Lina. We gotta do it fer her. So, I guess we don't tell her 'bout all this until he's done figurin' out those code things?"
Zel nodded in agreement, but said nothing. He had his mind in another world entirely. What he had to admit to himself was that he agreed with Val; that man's eyes were remarkably like his own, part-Asian and cerulean blue. And then there was the show…yes…that… With luck, with good karma, it all might work out…
Friday, the band practiced first with young Joey to get him comfortable playing his drum part with everyone else in the 'Sexy, Sexy' song. He practiced his cues for when to come on stage and when to go off, and where to stand in between. Xelloss and Lina sang, but did not dance. After that they took a break. Gourry called his mom to come pick Joey up so he could do his homework. Although Joey didn't want to leave, he understood that they others had material to cover which didn't involve him, and so, he left reluctantly but without complaining.
After Joey had left, Amelia had an announcement to make while the others were snacking on their break. "Daddy suggested I call our lawyer about our song copyrights to the music and licensing fees and all. I just wanted to let you know that he'll probably be calling you, Miss Lina, for details. Also, Mr. Tamahome's been covering for our fees for performance royalties, which are tracked and paid out by the performance rights organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.
"PRO customers include just about anyone who plays music in a public place -- even those who play "hold" music for their business. These include television networks, cable television stations, radio stations, background music services like Muzak, colleges and universities, concert presenters, symphony orchestras, Web sites, bars, restaurants, hotels, theme parks, skating rinks, bowling alleys, circuses, you name it…"
"…Ya already did…" muttered Val in the background.
Undaunted, Amelia finished what she had to say, "…If they play music, they have to have a license and pay royalties."
She smiled at Val and went on, "Technically, anyone performing music publicly anywhere has to pay if you are playing songs held by ASCAP or BMI. If you do not pay and you get caught, you can be sued. That we want to avoid because the fines are pretty steep -- sometimes thousands of dollars! Plus, it's…"
"Un-JUST," Val filled in with a condescending snort.
"Yes," she agreed with merely a nod in his direction.
She would indeed make a good politician, Xelloss smiled. She could really roll with the punches.
Amelia was saying, "Now, this made sense for Mr. Tamahome's to so since the Suzaku Seven only does covers and we've been doing 99 percent our own material, but now that we're going out on our own and doing other folks' music… we need to pay."
Lina sighed, "So, you got that covered, I take it then, Amelia?"
"Yes! So don't any of you worry. I'll handle that part of the finances," she beamed proudly.
"This is getting so complicated…" Sylphiel sighed.
"Not for you," Lina said a bit harshly. Sometimes the whole band thing was overwhelming. She was truly thankful for Amelia's determination to help her. And for Val and Zel's ability to plan out the technical needs for their outdoor change of venue gig. And for Gourry to think of his younger brother's needs. And for Xelloss to hold up his end of the musical project workload without requiring her prodding. And for Filia and Sylphiel for not making trouble for her… "Ah…sorry 'bout that… Hey guys…I just wanna say how really grateful I am for all you do. I'm not nearly as stressed out as I thought I might be and we got so much to do."
Well, that was a surprise! They were all stunned hearing words like that coming from Lina's lips. "Ah…that's okay…" Filia managed to say for them all. "I mean, we all have to do a little more these days, but the rewards…It'll be fun to share all that too."
"Which reminds me," Xelloss piped up. "Would you all like to come with Sylphiel and me to see Subaru after practice? Your last visit really meant a lot to him. He even said so!"
"Yeah, that's a good idea. Get my mind off this stuff for awhile," Lina agreed.
They all decided to end the practice immediately, then after packing up their equipment for the next night's gigs, they took the van to the Great White Shrine downtown.
The White Shrine housekeeper was extremely pleased to see all the kids again. She chattered on about the comings and goings around Subaru- not much- and then thrust a magazine into Lina's hands. "You seen this yet? No? There's a piece in here about your band. I bet he'd get a kick hearing you read it to him then talk about what you do. It's so far removed from his world."
Lina was about to ask the woman who she was. She didn't sound like 'just a housekeeper' to her, but the woman had disappeared as quickly as he had appeared when they first arrived. "Very odd woman, that one…" Lina murmured to herself.
After greeting the somber-faced Subaru at his room, they all proceeded down the hallways to where Sylphiel's family lived. There in the kitchen, she brought out refreshments and Lina hauled out the magazine. "So I was just handed this. I haven't read it, but it looks long. Wanna hear what this guy's take on our band is? Okay, here goes…"
The Article:
'Who's News? A Weekly Focus on Music in and Around Seyruun.
This week's band of interest: The Slayers. Winner of the Battle of the Bands in the 'New Group' category– Dylan Tryptich
I covered the Battle of the Bands at the conclusion of the summer, but noticing that the up and coming Slayers band was appearing locally with the Suzaku Seven, I thought I'd drop in on one of their shows and see their entire act, and get a chance to catch some of their backstage rapport.
Let me begin by saying that if you haven't seen and heard the Slayers, then you must. Young and new, they perform like seasoned veterans. Professional, but not too polished as to lose their spontaneity. The musicians know how to play their instruments and the singers understand their roles and have the cords to do it. Dazzling smiles and lustrous hair abound in this band. Blonds, brunettes, redhead...and the rainbow boys with purple, silver, and green. Something for everyone! I also like the camaraderie between the band members. It shines through their smiles and music.
The leader, primary song writer and lead singer is one hot firecracker, Lina Inverse. She has the versatility of a woman much more experienced, belting out rockers one moment, and tender soul-searchers the next. Her energy is awe-inspiring and carries the audience along on a magical musical joyride. Not to mention she is hot. That's another appeal this band carries– stunning beauties...and the girls are sensational as well!
The three background singers meld their complex harmonies seamlessly into the musical tapestries woven with instruments. The lovely ladies, Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun, Sylphiel Nels Lahda, and Filia Ul Copt, are more than just eye candy. These are vocalists with a reason to be up there on stage. And even if you miss their complicated counterpoints and harmonies, you will be able to hear and appreciate each lovely lady during their solo pieces.
The instrumentals are handled solely by the four boys. On the bass is the tallest young man with hair as long as the lead singer is tall! Gourry Gabriev lays down the bassline flawlessly, adding a few inventive fingerings of his own others will be challenged to copy, unless they have over fifteen inch hand spans. He is the glue necessary to bind a top-notch rock and roll band together.
The lead guitarist, Zelgadiss Greywords, hides his unusual appearance under an expanse of wiry hair. Wondering what kind of bottled potion he used to achieve his unique 'look', I was informed that it is natural. He is part elf, he says. Elf or not, he commands my respect when it comes to guitar licks. His fingers move at lightening speed along the fingerboard of his instrument enabling him to achieve arresting new riffs.
On keyboards is Val Agares, who looks like he belongs in a punk band someplace else; that is, until you listen to how his clever playing and edgy, grittiness tames the sweetness of the girls. His tender side is reveled during one particularly moving song where he accompanies one of the singers with his piano alone. In his solo numbers, his screams and howls shake the room. There's no snoozing through a Slayers performance!
Adding the necessary dynamics, seasoning and snappy pizzazz, is the drummer, Xelloss Metallium. He introduces a variety of percussion into their numbers uncommon to the run of the mill rock and roll bands. Chimes, conga, maracas and various gongs adorn his drum set arena. And he seems to be enjoying some private secret, there on his throne apart from the others wearing his ever-present smile.
Prior to the show, I tried to do my homework. A good journalist should be able to dig up some juicy bits even about a bunch of high school students. Amazingly, I discovered next to nothing about them. To be sure, Miss Seyruun is the mayor's daughter, and Miss Lahda, the daughter of the head of the White shrine. No secrets there. Miss Inverse lives with an older sister for her guardian. Miss Ul Copt and Mr. Agares are clan hippies, while Mr. Greywords, although part elf, is also the son of the well respected Professor Greywords of Seyruun University. Mr. Metallium is the son of the late principal of the high school. Those are the facts, but what brought this unlikely group together? What make them click? I found them backstage after the show to find out...
First to greet me was the tall bassist. He shook my hand with a steel grip, causing me to wince.
"Sorry," he apologized.
"No problem." Then I ask him what he plans to do when he graduates.
"I work for my dad and plan to do that more. I'm learning the computer to help do bids and all."
How is that for a taste of reality? That is one guy with something on the ball! He knows the final outcome of most rock and roll bands and is preparing for his own solid future.
I caught the little leader of the band and posed the same question to her.
"A writer. Hey someone, gimme a soda!"
"Ha!" I smiled in reply. "I wrote some poetry myself when I was in high school."
"...Isn't that nice for you. Thanks Val!"
Val handled her a soda can and grinned, "Here, babe."
"Your boyfriend?" I asked her.
Lina gave me a deadly stare, "No." She turned away from me rather rudely and spoke to the studded punk. "Val, he's yours."
She started to walk away. I caught her attention again. "Before you run off...really...what do you want to be when you grow up?"
"I said: a writer."
"So you want my job?" I smiled.
"No, I want to be a writer!" Then she stalked off to change out of her costume.
Sassy little thing, that Lina. She had handed me off to the keyboardist. "Val, the only record of you I could find was your name on the figurehead of the Seyruun Country Club. Pretty funny, don't you think?"
"Oh, yeah?" His face jewelry glittering, but he was not forthcoming.
"You don't live there..." I pushed harder.
"Hell no. I have a re-peu-tay-shun to up-hold."
"Is that so? So, why can't I find anything on you, Mr. Agares? I figured a guy like you might even have a rap sheet with the police, you know...for that reputation of yours."
Val smiled. "Sucks, don't it? You can find me out at the settlement."
"That's a counter-culture colony, isn't it? How does that fit in with the rock and roll lifestyle and what you to be when you grow up?"
"You ever been there?" he asked.
I shook my head to the negative.
"Didn't think so," he said. "You don't know shit about the clan, so don't go dissin' it. See Filia over there? Yeah, the hot babe. She's clan too, and note that she ain't no hippie either. Hey, I gotta help pack."
Now there's one dude with a chip on his shoulder! So, the keyboardist stalked off, chains rattling, to help the drummer take down his kit. I followed up on the other clan member—who up close looks like she stepped out of a magazine, no…better than that, healthier… more of a model that eats. "Filia, I understand you live out of town with the clan?"
"I'm a priestess, yeah," she answered with a toss of her hair and a reproachful glare in Val's direction.
"Are there many opportunities for a young lady singer like you out there?"
"I don't know. Right now, a bath and bed sound good to me."
I didn't think she was propositioning me; she looked dead tired, but a gorgeous dead. Since she didn't have anything more to say, I turned to the dark-haired beauty bustling around picking up discarded costumes. "Sylphiel, I can see you are busy, but I was wondering what young people in music were thinking about, as far as their future was concerned."
"You mean like a job? I am a priestess with the shrine, but I'm studying diets and all. I want to be a dietitian. I can work at the hospitals... Oops! Gotta go!"
What a sweetie! There's another one with her feet planted firmly on the ground. Like that other industrious one, the bassist. That's when I found the other little girl. "Amelia..."
"Yes, Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun, Mr.–?"
"Tryptich...You are the youngest member of the band, right? Quite young to be at venues like this, don't you think?"
"I'm fine and Daddy doesn't mind. He says working is good for young people—but not on school nights!"
"Your father, the mayor, right? Yes...he doesn't mind you staying out so late with these older young men?"
"Certainly not! They are my very best friends. We do stuff together, like camp out and stay at the beach. They are nice guys and bunches of fun!"
This girl is just bubbling full of enthusiasm, youth, and naïveté. I decided it was time to meet the other 'nice guys'. The drummer was still breaking down his kit, so I caught him for a moment. "Hi!"
"Hi."
"Xelloss. I wasn't able to gather much history on you. Can you fill me in a little about yourself?"
"Really? Well, I'm a priest at the White shrine..."
"Same one as the other chorus girls?"
"Amelia and Sylphiel, yes. But Amelia is only part-time these days."
Xelloss looked like another serious one. I guess he saved his smiles for the stage. Maybe he wasn't just another pretty face to thrill the pre-teen crowd. He was distracted by his other band members a moment, so I just stood back and recorded what I overheard them say.
"Zelgadiss? I need to see Subaru tonight," Xelloss called out.
Zelgadiss, the 'elf' guy wandered over. Good, this might give me a change to speak to him as well. "Sure. He needs your company as well. Why don't you stay over? Make things simpler..."
So, sorry girls, I guess this drummer really does march to a different beat.
"Crap! Not this again!"
Lina had to break from her reading since she couldn't be heard over the groans and indignant remarks.
"Man, why did he have to listen in to that part?" Van groaned. "The moron…"
"So, it's Subaru, this time! Not this again!" he spat. "What is it that I have to do? Wear a sign around my neck that screams 'I like girls!' or something?"
"Maybe take off the one that says 'Boys like me!'" Filia teased.
He and she shared deadly stares.
Lina and Zel were watching Subaru throughout this discussion. He seemed to be paying attention, yet he looked baffled. "I—I'm sorry, I think. But…could you explain something to me?"
A look was passed around over his head.
"I…seemed to have caused some trouble for you," he looked at Xelloss seriously. "I would like to prevent it from happening in the future, but I don't quite understand what that journalist was saying."
Lina shook her head. "You didn't do anything wrong, Subaru. The stupid hack just made something up in his mind. Don't worry about it."
"But—" he began.
Filia filled in. "The guy was implying that Xelloss is gay, which he's been accused of before on more than one occasion," she explained.
He shook his head. "I don't understand…"
It occurred to Lina what the problem was. She opened her big mouth next. "The idiot misinterpreted what Xelloss said about visiting and spending the night with you as evidence that you two have a relationship going on—a sexual relationship," she amended quickly, not wanting the stupid puzzlement to go on any further.
Enlightenment came across Subaru's face in the form of a deep blush, hearkening back painfully to the post-Hokuto days. "Oh. Oh. Dear. I…"
"Duh, Lina," Filia flipped her hair over her shoulder impatiently, not understanding the problem that had just been solved and feeling a bit put off that her explanation had been ignored. "That's what 'gay' means."
Subaru was pondering something with a glazed look in his emerald eyes. "So, then…that is something very bad?" he looked up again for guidance.
Then it hit Filia, and she felt very much the idiot. Everyone blinked and tried to find a way to answer him. He looked very, very confused, and there was a brand new darkness over his face. Zel alone knew why, and wondered how on earth he should handle this. Damn it, why did these things always fall into his lap!
But Lina got there first. "No. No, there's nothing wrong with liking someone who's the same gender as you. Nothing. But not everyone thinks that way. Some people find many ways to separate others into neat, labeled, hate-able groups."
He nodded.
"But that doesn't mean they're right. Love is better than hate, and so it will always conquer adversity!" Amelia declared, joyously.
Subaru let out a breath. Then he looked at her. "Is that so? Do you think love always wins? That it's always better?"
She blinked. "Of course! How could it not be?"
His eyes were very distant and very dark. There seemed to be a chill in the room, despite all of the bodies crammed in there. "What if someone loved something evil? What if they loved death, or pain, or suffering?"
Amelia didn't skip a beat. "Well, they'd be evil, wouldn't they? Then it's not really love. Loving death would be like hating life, right?"
Xelloss shook his head. "Not necessarily. Everything has to die sometime, or else there wouldn't be room for new life. Death isn't evil."
"Well, in that case—"
"But murder is," Subaru said. "Right? Isn't it wrong to kill people? Even evil people?"
To avoid another deeper, darker discussion, they all just murmured agreement.
"Death seems to work perfectly well by itself; it doesn't need any more help," Filia pointed out. They all laughed, the humorous break was so welcome.
But Subaru didn't laugh, and Zel thought he heard, amidst the mirth, the boy say, "Why do we have these feelings, then?" But it was clear that he did not expect anyone to hear, let alone answer.
After that, Lina declared it gold to continue reading the interview. Here it goes…where was I…? Oh, yeah:
"You and Val okay with taking care of my kit and all?
"As usual, yes. Call in the morning and let me know if you need a lift back."
"Sylphiel might be able to. We need to go over the math for the exam on Monday?" Xelloss asked. He must be the serious one, he was the only one mentioning school at all.
Zelgadiss shrugged his indifference.
Xelloss checked his watch and glanced around. "We need…hey, Lina, what time's tomorrow's gig?"
"8:00," she hollered from the other end of the stage.
Gourry looked down at me and explained, "We got the idea to get together, as a band, from listening to bad stuff at a Halloween dance last year."
"You are telling me his band has only been playing together for a year? That's incredible!"
Gourry grinned, "Nah, that's Lina!"
What a guy, huh? "You have accomplished a lot fast."
"Fast, ya think?" Lina interrupted. "It's been a lotta hard work, that's fer sure. Not much money in it yet either. Take the school we're doin' next. They pay next ta nothin', but this year I told 'em we'll pack the gym so up the entry fee and pass a bit of that extra our way... Hey, Amelia! Where was most of that money gonna go to, remember?"
Amelia jumped up, "I don't have the charity list with me, but I could send it to you."
She looked at me when she said that, and then turned around hunting for another band member. "Zelgadiss, do you remember?"
He shrugged again, then quipped, "Benefit for insane principal fund?"
I moved up close and personal to the jokester guy, Zelgadiss. I must say, his appearance is...striking in close quarters. He must not be touchy about it, since he draws attention to himself. So I tell him, "I don't know much about stage makeup, but the scars are a bit over the top, I think, even for rockers."
Touching one dominant scar on his chin, the 'elf' guy replied with a smirk, "Got me there. I had to check for a minute. Looks like that one's placed properly."
I couldn't read him well enough to know if he was pulling my leg entirely or not. I decided to plow ahead and ask him about his future.
Without a pause, he said, "Call me Zel. Currently, my plans are to become a doctor...perhaps...a brain surgeon." With his teasing smile clearly evident now, I realized that he had been testing my gullibility.
"Yeah, thanks." I smiled in return. So, I found the funny guy. Always one of those in a bunch.
As for the future? My money's on the bass playing construction guy and the singing dietitian! In the meantime though, if you have the opportunity to catch one of their concerts around town, you ought to go. You will not be disappointed in the money spent to hear this newest Seyruun sensation, the Slayers.
That's it. End article," Lina said.
They continued to rip apart the article for another hour over milk and cake, which Subaru did not partake in, preferring his tea, as Zel did. Amelia asked Subaru if he still had contacts in Atlas City. He did. "We'll be driving up to record several times this month and next. Maybe you'd like to join us?"
The barest smile turned up the corners of his mouth. "That would be…very nice. Thank you."
Lina then reminded everyone of the importance of sleep prior to their two-shift gig the next day. Amid groans and smiles, the Slayers parted company with the strange, kind-hearted boy for the week.
At least he smiled. A little. He had not for a very long time.
In another part of town, Mr. Dynast Grauscherra was keeping company with Miss Sherra at his apartment.
"I don't know. None of them seem capable of knowing which way to point a gun, much less load one and fire it at a target. And these seemed to be most important names! I haven't even spoken to three of the girls, but I can't imagine…"
"I agree," Sherra said. "The blonde hulk is on the fencing team, but even his teammates don't think he has a killer instinct to be much of a threat to them! That other little guy, Zel-whatever. He's on the team too, and is quite skilled, but he's no priest. Didn't they think he was a priest of some sort?"
"The Red Priest. That man's been dead for years. These agents are so out of date! Where they come up with this ridiculous stuff, I don't know. Why, they associate that little squirt of a girl, Lina, with the CIA. All she has on her mind is some musical project and boys—one boy, that…Xelloss character. Syndicate mogul! Ha! That wimpy kid! He's a…dancer, Sherra. A daaan-cer, if you know what I mean? Head of the syndicate! His last name is right but, my gods… Gods! I just love this insanity! And that's what they stick me with! This incredibly asinine mission, with inaccurate facts like these! Where do they dig up their informants, do you think? Oh! Yes, and Val Gaav! Gaav's dead too. They even listed him as one of the guys these people were supposed to kill! They can't even get the players straight, forget the actual particulars! Ludicrousness, simple and plain!"
Sherra agreed and tried to sooth his harried, but not especially clever mind while refilling his wineglass. It wasn't difficult.
From the Authors:
Seyruun High Jinx now has a home! Ever wanted to see what the kids look like as envisioned by Frog? No? Well, you can anyway now that our staff photographer has been to their dimension and returned with photos! If you are interested, visit the website. Where? Please go to the author profile for Kaeru Shisho and choose the link. Hope to see you there! --KS
End Seyruun High Jinx –NEXT! Chapter Fifteen.