Seyruun High Jinx –NEXT!
Chapter 30
Something Fishies
"I'm not sure about anything any more. "I think it's the incense."-- Zelgadiss
Note: Count D belongs to Matusuri Akino, Pet Shop of Horrors, TokyoPop; nods to the Clamp Campus Detectives by the ladies of Clamp; TokyoPop (subnote—the Clamp boys are used at the ages at which they appeared in the 'X' Clamp manga stories.)
Something Fishlike.
That night Xelloss had the strangest dream. He was at the beach, walking along the shore, when he felt overwhelmed with longing. Candy appeared, but --as in the crazy way of dreams–- she didn't look like Candy. She looked like a fish, with legs and arms...and long eyelashes. Sort of. Now, why he thought she was Candy, he didn't know, but Candy she was and he was in love with her. He began to run toward her. She dove into the water, playing hard to get.
"Candy, I can't swim!" he shouted, but dashed off into the waves like a raving manic.
Why had he said that? He had just learned and was now a pretty fair swimmer, but, alas, dream-Xelloss was not. He was in over his head, arms flailing stupidly.
"I'm Laila!" she shouted merrily some ways off.
Well, yes, that was true...he knew that...but a hell of a lot of good that information would do him now!
Then he was swimming like a fish. His head bobbed up and he thought Lina was chanting spells at him, making him buoyant. Gotta love that Lina! What a lifesaver! No...he wasn't just swimming like a fish, he was a fish, and one damned ugly one at that! Damn! Now where did Laila go? Was that her on shore? Now what's with that?
He was not too pleased with this turn of events, but he nevertheless continued his relentless pursuit of Laila to the shore. Once back on terra firma, he was happy to find that even in his fish-like form he had legs and arms, although they were skinny like one of those magnetic Joe-Bender toys. His annoyance with his diminished appendages was appeased by knowing that at least Laila was as fishy-strange as he was.
What's that! Laila was not a fish-person anymore. She was...
"Laila?"
"No, I'm Candy, silly!"
Of course you are...
"...And you are Kerel, my true love!" she said, without a scale or gill to be found– he was looking her over pretty carefully to be certain.
"Er...ah...no, I'm Xelloss the...ah...new most important man in your life, remember?"
But, since this was a dream, the moment he said this, he was standing on a dune looking down at Laila and Kerel, at least he figured the fish-guy was Kerel. She was happy with that fact and sank into his arms like they'd been apart for maybe...twenty minutes, tops!
Ah, well...that was not good. He remembered thinking that, but in an unattached way, rather than a deeply emotional way. On the other hand, and yes...he had his own hands and feet and regular guy limbs and torso and...probably a head... Yes, his normal head was back, too! In dreams you can look at your own head sometimes. He was back to being Xelloss again. He gave one last look at the happy couple, and was thankful– thankful that he wasn't a fish-guy, despite losing the girl.
Was that laughing he heard now or his own? Lina. Lina had magically returned him to his right state. He should thank her for that. He looked around for Lina, but there was only the laughter. He followed the voice. Now why had he thought that sounded like Lina? It didn't sound like Lina at all. It sounded like...Filia.
And there was Filia. "You idiot!" she yelled, but then went right on laughing.
Then he woke up. How unsatisfying! He'd wanted to say something back to Filia. He couldn't recall what now...but it had been very clever...and cunning...and...oh...well. Maybe it was time for a new pet. A furry one.
Something Fishy.
The morning phone calls brought an unusual team of investigators to the Graywords/Metallium/Agares home. Three nice-looking young men shook Zelgadiss' outstretched hand and followed him into the front room.
Zel handed their card to Xelloss, who had entered from the kitchen. "I'll check this out..." he assured Zel and disappeared into his room.
While Hallas chatted amiably with the visitors, Zelgadiss prepared tea and waited for Xelloss' analysis.
Five minutes later, Xelloss joined him, smiling. "They're squeaky clean."
"Thanks. Lets see what they have to say. Could you carry the cups?"
Xelloss distributed cups and introduced himself. "I'm Xelloss and let me guess which is which...you are Nokoru Imonoyama, and president of the agency." He passed a cup to the oldest of the three, a nice-looking young man with carefully-tousled blonde hair.
"That is correct," he smiled winningly. "A brilliant deduction!"
Xelloss smiled. "And you are Suoh Takamura." He handed him a cup of tea. This one had a look of immutable seriousness on his young face, a look which transcended his bluish hair (done in the same style as Zelgadiss...coincidence? Or had Zel unwittingly started a fashion trend?). He took the cup in a controlled, precise movement, betraying his years of training in martial arts. "You're his body-guard, and you handle the accounting."
That won Xelloss a curt nod. "You've done your homework."
"That makes you...Akira Iyojuin!" Xelloss reasoned and set down a cup of tea near the youngest man of the trio. He had large brown eyes and black hair and reminded Xelloss of an older, happy-looking Subaru.
"Yes, and since you know so much about us, I'll bet you won't be surprised to learn that I've brought a cake!" The young man called Akira produced a pink cardboard box which he presented cheerfully to Xelloss. "I baked it last night and I hope you'll all have a piece."
"I will and if Val wakes up, he'll eat the rest," Xelloss chuckled. "So, what are the Clamp Campus Detectives doing on a case definitely off-campus?"
Suoh answered, "Hallas is an alumnus of ours. Even if he left after eighth grade, we still take care of our own, especially in cases with complicated personal issues, our specialty."
Hallas was asked to explain the entire situation, answer questions, then repeat it all again for additional details. When he was done, the three detectives conferred privately a short time.
Nokoru nodded Hallas' way. "I think we can take this from here on out. I see no way that his stepmother can lay any claim to his inheritance or force him into an unfortunate marriage. Hallas do not worry. You're going to be set to rights; the Clamp Campus Detectives guarantee it!"
"And you can come stay with us for the holidays while we're getting this all worked out," Akira offered. "I bet there are friends you haven't seen in a long time there."
Suoh caught Xelloss' then Zel's eyes. "I would like to know how you learned so much about us so quickly. Our identities are something we keep well hidden. A low profile helps us in our line of work, as you might agree."
"We also have to keep a part of our lives a secret," Xelloss said.
"Especially those with such distinguished syndicate pasts," Nokoru said with a twinkle in his eye. "It's all right. As you can tell, we did our homework too. We have no love for the syndicate and have followed the events of the recent past relating to them. It's odd how the 'facts' in the paper really don't explain the outcomes based on the unusual circumstances surrounding them."
Zelgadiss shrugged. "Journalists..."
"There are those who honor your covert accomplishments to bring down the syndicate, and we would like to be counted among them. Please, if we can bring our resources to your aid or can in any way be of use to you in the future; do not hesitate to call on us. You have our card." Nokoru offered.
"Never know when a friend might be able to lend a helping hand!" Akira added cheerily.
"Thank you..." Zel muttered. He was both unable and unwilling to say more about their circumstances.
The detectives understood. "Do not feel like you need to explain. We understand. Perhaps your team and ours can cooperate synergistically in the future," Nokoru assured him. "If there is nothing else?"
"I, ah, think that's pretty much...all," Xelloss smiled and shrugged. "Unless you want another cup of tea. The cake is great! Um...should I wrap up the left-overs for you to take back?"
"Oh, no!" Akira shook his pretty little head. Having longer eyelashes than Subaru seemed a dangerous occupation. He had to bat them compulsively. "It's all yours! I love baking, but The Chief and Takamura-san can't eat it all!"
"I try, though," Nokoru laughed. "It's just that I can't get much help from Suoh; he doesn't like sweets too much." Suoh blushed and turned away, very, very ready to leave.
"Sounds like someone I know," Xelloss glanced Cheshire cat-like at Zel.
Zel cleared his throat, his planner out already. "But we really can't chat much longer, because you're going to visit Subaru, if you remember?"
"Oh, yes!" Xelloss remembered. Well, now he knew what to do with the rest of that scrumptious cake...
"Subaru?" Nokoru inquired. "If you don't mind...do you mean Subaru Sumeragi?"
Now, usually they would not be so quick to dispense with the poor kid's identity. But, as with the crazy Count D, there was something about these people that inspired sort of surreal confidence. It was as if...they all belonged to the same world; a world the normal people of their school and the businesses could never understand... Could that be syndicate connections? Xelloss found none, to be sure. These detectives had said that they were enemies of the syndicate, and Count D had sold them wolves... Everything the syndicate touched seemed enchanted, either fair or foul...
"Yes, he's a priest at the White Shrine with me," Xelloss explained. "He's sort of become a family friend, and we visit him to cheer him up."
"He hasn't been playing with the band recently," Nokoru nodded. "Has he been working?"
"He's always working," Zel sighed.
"Well...tell him hello from us!" Akira effused. "We haven't seen him since his band played at the School a while ago. We'd love to come visit some time if he wouldn't mind!"
"We'll be sure to tell him," Zel agreed. "But...he isn't very responsive right now, I warn you."
"Then it is worse than I thought..." Nokoru mumbled. "Yes, we'll come visit him soon, I think. But not today. Come on, Hallas! Let's be off before we outstay our welcome here! And thank you, gentlemen, for letting us strange men into your home," he bowed.
"It's...all good," Zel coughed.
They all wished one another well and saw Hallas off at the door.
Xelloss and Zel exchanged looks. "Were they for real?" Xelloss asked.
"I don't know, but they took that Hallas character away so for that...I am thankful. Anyway, time to pay our favorite count a call?"
"After you..."
Something Fishies.
Since earplugs had become such an essential part of his life, Zel began to wonder how to patent nose-plugs. Not that his nose was as sensitive as his ears, but the thick, cloying stink of incense made him almost miss the pungent musk of animal that this pet shop mysteriously lacked.
This time, as he and Xelloss were going in to pick up Subaru's fish, now set up in the habitat Xelloss had ordered last time and ready to be presented to he unsuspecting boy, Zel was able to identify the words on the sign outside: and yes, it did indeed say 'Count D' in florid script. But it looked so old! Generations old. Zel wondered if, at some point, they all went out for Chinese food in the area (there was a great-looking Dim Sum place he wanted to try), he would find ancient Chinese-Seyrunnian patriarchs who remembered buying their first puppy at Count D's...
"Come along, little brother!" Xelloss called.
Zel blinked. He'd been spacing out as badly as Xelloss. What a reversal!
"Yes, you would not want to be left behind," the count smiled as pleasantly as one could with black lipstick and two-inch fingernails. "It is not always safe to be alone in this establishment."
"Of course not..." He should have guessed. The gremlins would get you if you weren't paying attention...
"Are you sure that you two can carry that on your own?" the Count wondered, sympathetically but unhelpfully, as Zel and Xelloss hunkered down with their arms around the large ceramic urn.
"I'm a black belt," Xelloss grunted, putting some strength into it. "And Zel is pretty tough, too."
'Pretty tough'? Xelloss was going to get hours of silent treatment for that...that is, if they didn't both get dumped in the hospital for twin hernias...
"I'd say you are!" the count chuckled. They had the pot up, and were wobbling down the hall to the door. "So unusual, for someone to have arms suited to pouring tea as well as hauling heavy objects. You are both delightfully unusual people."
Zel swallowed a snort and forced the front door open with his back.
Of course, the cars doors were shut, and the convertible top was up to protect the leather interior from the nasty winter weather.
"Oh, allow me!" the Count, looking very much a fish out of water outside his sultry shop, deftly, almost magically, managed to pop open the top for them to load the pot into the back seat.
Zel decided to worry about how he did that later. For now, he was simply grateful. Relieved of the burden, he slumped against the car to let his muscles return to their original shape. And that was without the water in it! It was like a pond for your living room! What if Subaru wanted to rearrange his furniture? He wouldn't be able to budge it an inch!
"Now, you do have un-chlorinated water to fill that with, I presume?" the Count made sure.
"Of course! I have everything ready, as per the contract. As soon as we pick up the equipment and the fishies, we'll take it right to Subaru's and set it up for him," Xelloss was getting excited.
"Ah, yes. And the other elements of the environment..."
"The agates and quartz river-rocks for the bottom?" Xelloss reminded him.
"Right here," the count pointed to a bag next to the counter. "Though I'm afraid I cannot lift them myself."
Zel wasn't surprised.
"Oh, Zel will get them. How about the water plants?"
Zel was even less surprised. He grabbed the rock bag and hauled.
"Yes, here are the bags...three lotuses and five water-lilies. They should reproduce until the habitat is filled, and they will attract houseflies and other bugs for the koi to eat. Of course, there is a bag of starter food, as well."
"Oh goody!" Xelloss took these in two leisurely trips. Zel came back, sore.
"You could use some help around here, couldn't you?" Zel noted. "It seems like a lot for one person to handle."
"Oh, not at all. It is a labor of love. This is a shop that sells hopes and dreams, after all," the count sighed happily. "But thank you, you poor child. You've been working hard. You do a lot for Subaru."
"It's more for Xelloss," Zel shrugged. "For Subaru, I'll hire someone to take care of the damned thing."
D laughed. "Yes, that is true. This is for your brother's sake, more than for your friend's. But I think that Subaru will be pleased, as well."
"I hope so. But somehow, I don't think that another responsibility is what he needs."
"But he seems to like responsibility," D pointed out. "Are you sure it is not yourself you mean?"
"I'm not sure about anything any more," Zel grunted. "I think it's the incense."
"Probably," D agreed. "It's a special blend to take care of the animal odor, and to keep them happy and calm. But...it also has an effect on certain humans, as well."
"And what is that?" Alarm alarm alarm...
"It makes some people sneeze," D shrugged.
"Okay! We're ready for the pretty fishies!" Xelloss returned from his haul, having positioned the bagged plants in the dry pot for safety.
"I've got that," Zel lifted it for him observe.
"Oh! I almost forgot!" Xelloss cast about for the bag they'd brought in (it had Zel's keys in it, after all), and found it where he'd left it, next to the counter. "We brought you some lovely cake!"
"Oh?" D peered closer with interest. When the sweet was produced, a look of complete ecstasy came over his face. "Oh! Oh, you wonderful people! That-that is a confection of the great Akira Iyojuin, the Prince of Pastry himself! Sadly, he works as a detective, so they say that the only way you can taste his cooking is if you're invited to one of the CLAMP School balls, or if they donate something to a charity auction, which will cost hundreds of dollars!"
"Oh no!" Xelloss shook his head. "He brought it for us today. He and his partners are working on a case for someone we know, so..."
"You've met him! And you'd give this to me? This is his Royal Quince Custard Cake! A genius recipe no one has been able to duplicate!"
"Yes, it was very good, but we couldn't possibly finish it. I thought you'd appreciate it. It's just a thank-you for your service," Xelloss assured him.
"Really, you are too much! Discount! Thirty-percent discount!" he declared.
"That won't be–"
"I insist!"
"Well, we charged it, and it already been processed..."
"Oh, then weren't you thinking of a pet for your lady?" the count remembered. "Come in again, in a week or so, and I'll find you–both of you–whatever you like!"
Zel blinked. "Well, thank you..."
"And I was just thinking that I should like a pet! Something furry...a rabbit?"
"You...would not want a rabbit," the count evaded. "But we'll find something perfect. Oh, you two are such darlings! Now I have something extra special to share with my detective friend, officer Orcot...he always comes for tea when he's in the area, and there was a mysterious death yesterday night, so I'm sure to see him today!" there was an eerie gleam in his eye.
"Well, enjoy! Thank you for all your help!" Xelloss waved as they left.
"And your understanding," Zel shrugged.
"No no no, thank you! I'm so glad we've met! I'm sure this will be the start of a mutually gratifying business relationship!" D sighed, looking starry-eyed at the cake he now held out before him to admire.
"For sure!"
Zel smiled. Was it coincidence or were they accumulating future working relationships with the oddest people? But then, who was he to judge? "Well, that was a good idea. The cake, I mean," Zel clarified, looking at the shimmering fish-shaped mass of responsibility swimming around in the bag Xelloss cradled.
"Yes, yes it was. But it leads us to the question of the day," Xelloss decided.
"Which is?" Zel raised an eyebrow, which luckily was reflex so it didn't distract him from his driving.
"Are there ANY straight detectives in Seyruun?"
Some Fish!
"Whoa–what the heck is that?"
A poor novice, set sweeping the front steps of the Shrine living quarters building, stared wide-eyed at the strange object that the well-dressed young men, who had driven up in a suave new convertible, were lugging like a pair of fashionable young movers.
"Fish tank!" Xelloss supplied between grunts of effort. He hated this physical labor part. Really! Zel should have thought of that and hired someone to help! Gourry, at least. This was HIS kind of thing.
"Trouble," corrected Zel. "Is nnff Subaru in, do you hffn know?"
The kid shrugged. "If the door's unlocked I guess so. But I don't know who that is. Sorry."
"That's uff! okay!"
They set the pot down in front of Subaru's door. Zel knocked, and they waited. He should be in. He knew they were coming. He couldn't NOT be there, not when they'd hauled that THING all the way–!
The door opened. "Hi," Subaru said. "Sorry. I was on the phone with a client."
"Not a problem," Zel assured him. "Um..."
"Oh, my...that is a...big jar, isn't it?" Subaru didn't know what else to say. "Did you...carry it all the way?"
"We have a surprise for you!" Xelloss smiled.
"It was Xelloss' idea," informed Zel.
"Here," Xelloss continued before Subaru's expression got even more pathetically blank. "We'll carry it inside and set it up for you!"
"All right," Subaru gave up wondering and opened the door wide. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Oh, no, just watch! Zel and I will take care of it. Zel, can you–"
"Roll it in on its side," Zel told him. "It's the only possible way. I'll get the stand and the rocks..."
"Rocks?" Subaru asked.
"Yes. It'll be very clean, don't worry. We won't make a mess," Zel promised.
Subaru smiled and shook his head. "I wasn't worried. You two are very neat."
"So are you," Zel noted, casting a glance around the Spartan apartment. It hadn't changed at all since they'd last been there; it was as if no one lived there at all. The floors were bare, the walls nearly so, and there was absolutely nothing lying about.
Xelloss had the pot in the 'living' room now. Zel excused himself, and returned momentarily with the wooden stand and the bubbler/water-circulation apparatus. "Can we plug this in here?" he pointed to the nearest outlet.
"Certainly." Subaru was entertained, anyway. He was beginning to understand what was going on, though he wondered why.
Next came the plastic containers of specially prepared water, the bag of rocks, the water plants. Xelloss took care of the machinery, Zel the water, and Subaru stood by, more interested than ever. The jar was pretty. A shimmering bluish-green raku glaze job on a classic Asian shape, with appliqué clay designs around the lip, like ceramic lace, full of lotuses and blue dragons. It reminded him of pictures of the Water Dragon King, Cephied... He had pretty much convinced himself that he wouldn't mind having it around.
"Look how pretty the water is over the rocks!" Subaru said, staring into the jar.
"And these plants just float on top..." Xelloss had the water plant-care booklet the Count had included open on the floor.
"Are those water lilies?" Subaru asked.
"Right! Lily pads, but without frogs."
"Do they flower pink? Or yellow?"
"Pink, I think!"
"Like Monet's garden..." Subaru mused.
"You like Monet?" Zel perked up.
"Very much. His paintings are...both vibrant, and soothing. The colors are bright, but they have a sense of calm, of simple joy..."
"His later paintings especially are soothing," Zel agreed. "And heartfelt."
"And when you get up close to one, you can see how he painted them, with all the brush-strokes and blotches of color," Xelloss put in. He liked Monet, too, although not as his favorite. He liked Degas better, though that was probably the subject matter...or maybe the in-between, transitional world that Degas painted was just more appealing to him than tranquil gardens? "Up close, they are all the same." Plop! The last of the lilies went in. Next, the lotuses...
"Up close, it's like looking through tears," Subaru said. "I like all the Impressionists. I like landscapes in general, and wildlife illustration. Pictures of people are...not real enough. They're just not quite right, no matter what you do."
"You talk like you've tried painting," Zel realized.
"Oh, I just draw a little..." Subaru blushed.
"Okay! Now that it's all set up...the last brush stroke, and our masterpiece will be complete!"
Subaru smiled at Xelloss, who produced the bagged koi. "Voila! Here they are!"
"Oh!" Subaru's gaze fixed on the fish. "They...are beautiful..."
"Koi symbolize eternity!" Xelloss proclaimed. "They can live almost forever! And if you follow all of the instructions, they can even grow to know you, and will let you hand feed them, and touch them!"
"Black and white together...like a Yin-Yang."
"I thought you'd like them!" Xelloss sighed, relieved that he had done a good job. It worked! Subaru liked them!
"Oh, it's wonderful! May I...put them into their new home?" Subaru asked.
Of course he could. He held the bag underwater and undid the tie.
"And you just leave the bag in there for them to swim out of–oh! There one went!" Xelloss laughed.
Subaru removed the empty bag and watched the paired fish swim hypnotically around their new habitat. "Like Monet...or a Sumi-E brush painting..."
"Now, here's the starter food, and this is the contract-it has the care instructions so that nothing will go wrong. You have to feed them everyday, and this says to talk to them and to play them...well, this says they like Mason Williams..."
"Xelloss," Zel warned.
"I'm not kidding! And they like Paul Winter and Enya, too..."
"Give me that!" Zel grabbed for the paper.
"But they like romantic sax best of all!" Xelloss finished, and sat on the contract. Zel gave him a dark look.
"I could play my saxophone for them..." Subaru was entranced by the way the light shimmered on the fishes' scales, the way the black and white swathes were truly in the curved tear-drop shapes of the two halves of the yin-yang. Light and dark, harmonizing in the living creatures. It gave him...hope.
Let Them Eat…Some Fish.
"Miss Filia?" Amelia noticed her friend was a little low. Lina and Sylphiel were in the mansion's well-stocked kitchen collecting refreshments to lug over to the practice room.
"Yeah..."
"What's happened between you and Mr. Val? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. It really isn't my business, I know...but..."
"It's...okay. I kinda need to talk about it, too. I...you know, have been real busy. Ever since this summer when I wanted to leave the priestess training, but then got talked back into it by Milgasia... the responsibility has been loaded on me double-duty, it seems."
"That's too bad. Is it good work, I mean, you like it, don't you?"
"Mostly I do...especially on weekends when Val's been there. It's just that...he likes to do other stuff and there hasn't been time really. Then...oh...it's so stupid...but...I wanted to go to that country club of his. He said we'd go play tennis and have dinner, and I thought he was serious."
"Mr. Val doesn't seem the devious sort of guy to me," Amelia concurred. "Not about a date!"
"Well, I got all ready, packed a change of clothes and all and walked to Milgasia's where he stays and he was all...stretched out on the couch watching TV. He said he didn't 'play no tennis'...that he was just kidding."
"No!"
"Yes! I was so mad. I told him to take me to dinner then and he said he'd already eaten! Then we started yelling...Milgasia came in and sent me home. ME! I was so mad at him...and hurt!" Filia wiped a stray tear with her hand.
"Well, I would have been too! What was his problem? Did he say?"
"Not really. I think he was just mad that I'd been doing things without him and leaving him out of things– which I had, but...well, you can understand that, right? I can't take Val just anywhere. He intimidates the other boys and flirts with the girls at the settlement, which doesn't' bother me much because I know he's just messing with their heads, nothing serious, but still... He won't join us all for much more than riding. So this just has kept going on and on...until the recording job. Now, I was going to invite him to the art show, not that other goofball, but he was ignoring me again and...I don't know. I think I wanted to hurt him back, too. So...I went with Xelloss and then we went to your party and he...left with your sister."
"Yeah, I remember that. I didn't even know she was home. She has an apartment in Seyruun now so she isn't home very much. I was surprised she even came to the party...and more so that Mr. Val seemed to kinda...like her." Amelia looked embarrassed for having said that.
"It's okay, I figured it out too. I told him that he still owed me a dinner and he told me to pick a date and I said after solstice and he said...whatever...he agreed, I guess. So in the meantime I know he's going out with Nahga and...I can't hate her, you know? She's really..."
"A personality!" Amelia said. "Yeah, even daddy can't stay mad at her for long. She's not really all that bad..." Her eyes met Filia's, who were laughing. "Okay, she is, but she makes the miles fly by."
"Trouble is...I think he likes her...that it isn't just a passing thing. Well, think about it. They're a lot alike in some ways–- his father was the head of their clan, wealthy, they both like to party and...all. Kinda wild. Attractive. How old is she anyway?"
The question caught Amelia off guard. "Ah...um...twenty-one. She's only three years older than him..."
"Vices...Did you know he's back to smoking? Oh, he sneaks them, but I know. And the drinking...I know he's just barely made it out to the settlement in one piece a few times. I'm really worried about him."
"Miss Filia, I didn't know...I'll talk to my sister about that. She shouldn't be supplying him with alcohol. That's against the law!" She was about to begin a tirade against underage drinking, when she noticed her friend wasn't paying attention. She was lost in thought.
"Hey guys, couldya grab that box of pizza-flavored fish crackers and another six-pack of soda on yer way over!" Lina shouted over her shoulder as she and Sylphiel made their last trip back to the practice room.
"Yes, Miss Lina!" Amelia answered, then returned to Filia, who appeared to be stirring from her chair. "How much do you really like him, Miss Filia?"
"Who... Val?"
"Who else? Or is there somebody else we should be talking about, too?"
"Oh...there's nobody. I don't have time for maintaining some needy boyfriend right now. But...I kinda miss him, too. Come on, kiddo, we'd better get over to practice before Lina has to come back for us."
"Okay!" Amelia jumped up and followed her out the door. She figured that Filia must really like Val and be jealous of how close her sister was getting to him. Poor Miss Filia! What could she do to help, she wondered?
Go Fish.
"I could have sworn we just did the laundry!" Xelloss said baffled.
"You are thinking of running the drier doing towels the other night," Zel suggested.
"Ah, yes...maybe so."
Of course, we do laundry every other day, so you might be thinking of that as well."
"Perhaps that's what it was. Well, there's one more load done. I should just stay home everyday and do chores rather than run around sorting out that musical."
"Be the little homemaker? You'd get bored."
"I could dream about the little woman coming home after a hard day of work...eager to see me..." Xelloss let out a long sigh and smiled dreamily.
"Aren't you curious why I'm home early from class?" Zel asked, determined to get Xelloss off that subject.
"Ah, tell me, Zelgadiss, why is it that you are home and not in Japanese class at the high school this lovely, rainy-turning-to-icy afternoon?"
"No class. Language teacher conference day. So I came home. Val's here too, in his room. The others are going directly to Amelia's for band practice."
"Lucky me. So..." Xelloss continued talking while Zel half-listened. They had moved to the kitchen where Zel was making himself a cup of tea.
"...So, um...pretend that you're interested for a minute, 'kay? So... my question was...is...what am I doing wrong?" Xelloss asked. He was teasing his own goldfish with his finger; touching it to the surface as if to feed it and drawing the fish upwards each time. He hoped Subaru was enjoying his new pet...
"Shall I consult the usual list, or would you care to limit that question to a single universe?"
Xelloss frowned at his friend. "That wasn't nice, Zelgadiss. I'm being serious here. I've been talking about me and Candy. I've tried everything, but she suddenly put up her shielding...distancing herself from me. I ask what's wrong, but she says nothing. She's busy..."
"Maybe she is busy. We do have that math final tomorrow. Anyway, you were with her last night; not what I'd call 'distancing'."
"Emotionally. Not...physically..."
Zelgadiss cleared his throat in warning. "Maybe you should talk to Val about your problems. He's more...in tune with you, I think."
Xelloss thought that was rather cold of him to say. "I did. He doesn't get it. His idea of success is scoring with chicks, which requires emotional de-coupling. I...I just want someone to want me. I give all I can, but it's not enough. I just fall short of...being real."
Zel shook his head. "You just said it then– until you can be open about who you are, it's you who seems detached...like you are acting out one role after another trying to see which is the best fit."
"But, you know I can't just tell her I've got the syndicate breathing down my neck at every turn in the road no matter what escape route I'm on? Oh, and I'm so damned involved in the hierarchy I have to murder all my relatives to be free–-well, except you, I guess."
"I guess," Zel smiled faintly. "You don't think that's true, do you? That they won't leave you alone eventually?"
"Not as long I have control of the funds, which I do. Darkstar's funds, part of the Grauscherra Dynasty's money, all of the Metallium endowment...I currently control several multi-million...billion-dollar funds around the world. No, I don't think the syndicate is ready to just write me off. And...I can't tell Candy about it."
"You don't trust her?"
"Yes and no. I don't think she's a gold-digger, although the rock-star image impresses her. I want to feel more...commitment on her part before I dump that truth on her. She says you are always you, real and honest, but...we both know that you have your secrets, too."
Zel looked away. "I am always me. I don't try to get people to like me, so I have no false front to put up. Oh, a colder one, yes, but it is no less real. She also isn't trying to get to know me better, whereas with you, she's pushing those boundaries now. You want her to fall in love with you, but you aren't in love with her, that's the problem. I can't help you with that, Xelloss."
"But I do...mostly. I mean...I could!"
"Xelloss, I know you mean to love her, you certainly want to enough, but...maybe you have to be satisfied with simply infatuation or...lust and let it run its course. Maybe the relationship isn't meant to be."
"What if it is? Maybe it's worth saving? How do I know? How can I be sure?"
"How can anybody? You are asking me? I have no idea. As far as I'm concerned, a relationship is meant to be if it just doesn't go away, but then...I'm not going for deep or meaningful at this point. So far in my life, the friends I have have stuck around regardless."
"But, come on, Zelgadiss, you have had to work at this 'friend' thing. You've nearly died saving your friends on more than one occasion. After our fights, you've taken the first step at reconciliation as often as I have. No, you have that part wrong, I think. You definitely have to work to maintain friendships."
"Well, I have no ideas for you. Why not just let up a bit and enjoy doing things together and if things develop, well...great, but if you find that you're drifting apart, then...it was just not meant to be, and let it go, move on, and find the next possibility."
"The next possibility? Like there's an endless stream of girls lining up to...well...there were quite a few at that concert the other night, weren't there?"
"Yes."
"But...it takes so much time and effort to get to know someone and all..."
"My point exactly. Why bother?"
"Because I need somebody! I don't want to be alone."
"Well, that's where you and I differ, I guess," Zel sighed. "I am perfectly accustomed to and happy with being alone. I can put my time and effort into doing other things."
Xelloss shook his head. "I don't believe that. I don't think it's true. Either you are lying to me or to yourself, I don't know which, but you do like company and you want someone to share your life with you. That much I know about you, Mr. Zelgadiss Graywords."
That won him a dark brooding look from Zelgadiss. "You might start by keeping your hands off Lina when your girlfriend's looking on. Even father could have seen how...attracted to her you were...still are, and he's blind." Zel lowered his voice. He could hear Val stomping through the front room, headed their way. "What I don't understand, is why Lina didn't pound you into the ground afterwards."
Val heard that anyway. He chuckled roughly, "He's breakin' down her reserves, heh heh...Is that the fish you bought? Plain...don't look so special ta me."
"No, we gave Subaru his fishie already. He loved them! They were a pair of expensive, gorgeous koi. This is my simple, plain, inexpensive little goldfish. It's been here for months. You're a really attentive observer, aren't you Vally-boy?"
"I see plenty. I noticed how ex-ci-ted you were with Lina, and how low-key you are with yer girlfriend," Val argued.
"I'm restrained...romantic. The hyper-version frightens her, I think. I try to tailor myself to fit the circumstances..."
"And you wonder why Candy's commitment-shy? Don't you think she can sense that, hell, she just witnessed you off meds and back on within twenty-four hours...the full personality loop-de-loop..." Zel started.
"An' prac-ti-cal-ly makin' love ta Lina on stage..." Val pressed his point.
"I was not..."
"You were!" Zel shouted. "Act or not, that's not the point. She's an ordinary person, Xelloss, leading an ordinary college-type life and you...you...aren't. Your personality took her by storm, but now she's searching for substance. If you can't give her that, and I'm not saying you ought to nor should either, then she'll turn to someone who can." Zel sighed and stood. "Listen, you're my friend, Xelloss, I don't want to hurt your feelings by saying the wrong thing. This is just my opinion, which isn't worth much..."
Xelloss was staring at him oddly. "What do you mean? What do you know that you're not telling me?"
Val spoke up. "She was seein' her old boyfriend over Thanksgivin' break."
"I...I was told that. They were neighbors...grew up together as kids, much like you, Zel, and Lina and Gourry. Naturally, they'd run into one another when they'd go home for breaks from school. He's at some college in Atlas City. Not so far."
"So whatdaya think'll happen over winter break? It's a lot longer an' you'll be out'a town?" Val asked.
"Nothing," Xelloss insisted.
"So she was engaged to the dude last summer. That's gotta be an easy thing to fall back into compared ta you."
"Me? What's wrong with me?"
'Ahhh, nothin' dude. I didn't mean it that way. I meant that he was like an old shoe that fits okay, while you're the new one that looks better, but can rub the wrong way at first. Pretty good an-aly-gee, huh?" Val grinned with pride.
"You're really deep, Vally. So, you think I look better? You ever seen...ah...Kerel?"
"Yeah, so have you, but ya didn't know his name. Gourry and Filia figured it out with the help of the yearbook. Remember last year when you broke some dude's kneecap in the hall? No, that wasn't Kerel. He was there, though. Gourry re-cog-niiized him as one of the 'good' guys that helped break things up and take the injured away."
Xelloss shook his head. "Don't recall him."
"Not par-tic-u-lar-ly anythin'. Your size, bit heavier...brown hair, parted in the middle, tan."
"Filia thought he was a quarterback."
"Naw...she gets everything wrong. Ex-soccer player...place-kicker. He ain't got yer glamorous looks."
Xelloss made a face at that comment.
"Xelloss, you're only about nineteen. Quit pressuring yourself to find some perfect bond."
"Right, Zelgadiss... embrace my rejections and move on, I heard you before."
"No, enjoy what you have and lighten up on the expectations. Which reminds me..."
"Time for practice."
"Yeah, then what do ya have ta do tonight?"
"Well, there is that math final..." Xelloss smiled. "What would you like to do?"
"Pool challenge!" Zel and Val cried out with a hand-slap.
"Gourry, too?"
"Sure, why not? I'll ask him."
"No, let me. I want to talk to him anyway," Xelloss said as he followed the others to the door.
"All right. By the way, I'm glad to see you guys are getting along better these days. You think Candy's been good for that?"
Xelloss smiled. "Lina's magical, but Candy works miracles."
"Yeah," Val added with a punch to Xelloss' head (missing). "Just keep in mind that there's always more fish in the sea..."
Fishing for Trouble
"I have had enough of your silly games, Daniel."
"Oh, Sherra-dear calm down. You don't hear me dissing yours now, do you? Oh...I'll take that..."
"Go ahead... You leave me nothing! I spend time setting up an intricate ploy, and then you louse it up...every time!"
"My dear, don't blame your mistakes on me. You have to play the hand you are dealt. And if you let one get away...slip through your fingers...well...you wanted to play the game with me, so cut your losses and get out before you lose more. Oh..." the man hesitated. Head of the Grauscherra dynasty, he was still young, handsome, and planning to live a long, if practically frivolous, life. "You've been losing a lot of money too."
"The bigger the risk, the bigger the return. The bait must be the right kind and value to reel in the catch."
He sighed. "Well, are you going to make your play or not? It's getting late and I'd like to watch the late-night show."
"Sure, okay then... Do you have any...Jacks?" Sherra asked hesitantly.
"No! Go fish!" The man laughed, picked up the discarded card and laid out his entire hand. "Done! Finally! I thought you'd ever give me that card."
"You knew I had that?"
"Of course I did! It is my deck we're playing with."
"You cheated! You would cheat even me?"
"My dear, it's only a simple card game. Don't be too upset. Now, pay up for all you are holding and let's have a nice drink. You make the drinks. I'll turn on the TV."
"Yeah, such an effort on your part. Click a button," she sniffed, but counted out a couple bills and stood to go pour two glasses of wine.
"Nothing is worth any more effort than that, Sherra-dear. Remember that, and you'll live a long, healthy life."
From the Authors:
We have been requested to provide a simple explanation for this the multi-chaptered story (NEXT) in the SHJinx series. First, this story revolves around four interwoven plots:
. Band troubles- getting famous plus interactions
. Xelloss' penance for not protecting Hokuto (and for putting off the syndicate problem in general) is to take care of Subaru at shrine
. Lina vs Xelloss and Gourry et al… romancing her
. Grauscherra and the syndicate returns
The single uniting theme for the entire series (all 3 so far) is the growth of the characters over time. This is the second year together and much of the time is spent reflecting on that and marking changes, sometimes brief, sometime sharply contrasted. Mostly, we see how one small change can affect the entire world, like a ripple effect, which is in essense Chaos theory.
To do this we use several plot lines, some of which are obvious, like the main ones above,and many minor and yet to come. Each chapter attempts to work in the themes and the plots in a little story of its own. Sometimes there is action, sometimes not. As with the cannon series, there are times when the story goes a bit surrealistic. Pardon us for that diversion and please be patient if seems rather long… We will try really hard to make it up to you in future chapters!
Thank you all for continuing to read our story and for all you valuable feedback!
Where are the pictures?
Seyruun High Jinx has a home. Please go to the author profile for Kaeru Shisho and choose the link. You will find the contest results as well as pictures under Seyruun High Jinx NEXT. Pictures for each of the other stories are associated with their links.
KS
End Seyruun High Jinx –NEXT! Chapter 30.