Seyruun High Jinx –NEXT!
Chapter 32
Diversionary Tactics
"Bite it off! Bite it off already!" Lina screamed.
The next few days flew by in a blur with a few notable events. One of these, they discovered with relief, was that as recognizable as they were, the Slayers found that they could walk the streets, shop, and eat resulting in only small disturbances. No masses of frenzied fans trying to tear them apart. Kids giggled and ran up to them for autographs and to say a word or two, but nothing like what they had endured in Sairaag, which compounded their belief that that had been one unnatural event. All things considered, the Slayers kept a low profile, minimizing their public appearances and traveling in groups of three or four, at the least.
Gourry had more problems with his hair becoming entangled in the fingers of his more avid fans. Filia suggested that they cut it off, which led to some stress-relieving horse play. "I brought my hair trimming tools along for later, but I could put them to use now."
"N-no!" Gourry looked near to panic. He danced behind Zelgadiss for protection, swinging his heavy mane behind him, insisting, "It's my problem!"
Filia, fully as tall as Zel, looked him directly in the eye. "You're not stopping me. I could get past you in a second. I bet you're ticklish, aren't you?"
Zel's eyes grew large as another of his secrets was about to be revealed. As Filia made a grab at his sides, his quick-as-lightening reflexes kicked in and he caught her by the wrists. "Are you?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Xelloss picked this time to join in. Filia was attacking two friends and she was immobilized. "Let's find out!"
Amid squeals and shrieks, and a few grunts and groans, Filia, Xelloss, and with grudging acceptance, Zelgadiss also, tussled for dominance. Gourry meekly stepped back out of the fray.
"See what you started?" Lina snarled at him accusingly. She was about to land into Gourry with a fist, when Sylphiel spoke up.
"I know what we can do!" Sylphiel convinced him to let them style it. "Duo wears his in a long braid all the time at school. We'll braid it and then you can, you know, stuff it under your sweater in back and it won't get pulled."
"Okay." He agreed to the braid reluctantly. "But if I think it makes me look like a girl, it goes."
With a roll of her eyes, Lina snorted, "It would take more than that to fool anyone." Even with make-up, pigtails, and a dress, Gourry had only made a passable 'girl' under the cover of darkness. "Let her get it over with so we can get back to work. Speaking of work..."
Xelloss and Filia spun around, dragging the now hapless Zelgadiss along with them so that they all managed to push one another into Lina, knocking her off balance. Lina smacked both Xelloss and Zelgadiss across their backs in succession. "Stop acting like brats! Didn't anyone ever teach you that guys don't pick on girls!"
Filia smiled and gave Xelloss one more push and poke in the ribs.
"I was only protecting myself," Zel said defensively.
"She started it!" Xelloss cried out. "I was only... Look, I'm all black and blue where she pinched me!"
Lina kicked him in the seat of his pants. "Shut up! Stop flashing yer flesh and get back to yer drums. You (Zel) find yer damn pick and get back to that instrumental you keep blowing until you get it right. And you (Filia)... help Sylphiel get Gourry's hair done in this century. Now, where'd Val go!"
"Bathroom, Miss Lina!" Amelia answered quickly.
"Oh. Well...that's all right then. Geessh!"
In other words, things were pretty normal in the studio.
They had not hired a security agent replacement for Dilgear yet. With help like his, they felt better off without. Rodimus and Zolf disagreed, and so, moved into the house with the least possible amount of room shuffling. They agreed to share the den so as not to disrupt the room arrangements, but Zelgadiss felt that the space was insufficient and forced Rodimus to accept the master bedroom as well.
"Lina, I know you think you're owed that room to yourself after your great sacrifice, but Rodimus and Zolf need accommodations. Val, Xelloss, Gourry and I already share the one kid's room; you can share with the other girls." The sarcasm was not subtle. Zel sounded a little self-righteous even to himself.
Lina was at Zel's throat in a flash. She knew that he still thought, incorrectly of course, that he had bested her in a fight, and was getting more and more uppity; fearless even. "There's not enough beds in there, so unless I get to keep my room, you'd better be prepared to give up your bed!" she snarled with a smack to his ear.
Zelgadiss smirked as he effortlessly stepped aside, avoiding the contact. "I'm certain that you won't get any complaints from Xelloss... or Gourry and Val, for that matter. Take it up with them, then, I'll sleep on the living room couch..."
Lina's cheeks pinked. Once again, she was as near to throttling him as before. "Zel..." she growled. Her eyes narrowed dangerously, and then her lips twisted into a dangerous-looking smile. "You want me to sic Filia on you again and tell her about ...your feet?"
"No..." he gasped, "You wouldn't..."
But she would and he knew it so he set out to find Lina a bed. Tucked away in the back of the garage was a roll away bed, but he couldn't get to it without help. Fluttering about the house like a trapped bird was his helper. "Come on, Xelloss, help me out in the garage and do everyone a favor. Before you dash out your brains on the walls in here."
"It's the ice, the ice! I can't walk outside so I'm stuck inside and I have nothing to doooooooooo... Okay, I'm coming!" Xelloss lightly sprang after his friend and swiftly followed him out.
"Over there," Zel pointed out the bed. They huffed and puffed and rearranged a few boxes to get to it.
"Why are we doing this again? Did I forget? Or did I never get told?"
"Lina wants a bed in the girl's room because Zolf or Rodimus is getting the master bedroom."
"And I'm doing the labor instead of Gourry, because..."
"He was asleep. And quiet. Whereas you, my friend, were about to be tied up and thrown out into the cold by Filia."
"She just can't keep her hands off me, you know," Xelloss grinned.
Zel shook his head. "Better watch it. Val seems to be protective of her again...since that accident."
"Speaking of busy hands..."
"We weren't," Zel muttered, sorry to have brought up the subject. Oh, that's right, he hadn't.
"What was that between you and Amelia today?" Xelloss' smile grew in proportion to Zel's discomfort.
"Nothing. She was slipping on the ice and I caught her before she fell. That's all. I would have done it for any of them." He recalled the warm, full feeling of having an armload of girl, and blushed.
"Ummm-hummm. Sure you would, little brother!" Xelloss laughed, then picked up his end of the bed and pushed it up the step and into the house. "Didn't notice you helping Lina."
Zel hadn't noticed Lina needing any help. "Well, ah...she...ah...had others to..."
"Gottcha! She never slipped! You just did! You are in love! I knew it!"
"Shhhhh! Xelloss, for the godssakes shuddup, will you!" Zel hadn't recovered from his earlier blush; he just overlaid the first with the next, darkening. His feelings, whatever they might or might not be for Amelia, would not be discussed with Xelloss. Not now, anyway. He needed a distraction. Ah, yes, Lina. "Call Lina. Ask her where she'd like us to set this up."
"Okay, but I know your secret..." Xelloss giggled and ran off to find Lina before Zelgadiss could sputter out a caustic reply.
Xelloss and Filia had another round at each other that evening. Amelia had asked conversationally how he'd come by the video recorder which he had used to entrap Dilgear.
"Oh, he's big on them. Probably carries one with him all the time. He's the expert at perverted footage," Filia blurted out. A moment later, she felt a pang of guilt at having said those words.
Amelia's sharp intake of air alerted Zel from across the room. Xelloss' cold stare was frightening. His face drained of blood made is eyes stand out like jewels; his lips pressed into a thin line.
"Miss Filia!" Amelia croaked in disbelief. "And that was only a year ago that...that awful man was caught!" She was thinking of the DuBois in the school bell tower tragedy. He had once videotaped Xelloss, his young stepson, as he tortured him, then had returned years later to reenact the horror in the tower-- the second time with Zelgadiss trapped as well. It was Beast along with Zelas who rescued them in the end, but both boys had been injured.
Zel rose to his feet, but said nothing. He still had nightmares about that day, and couldn't imagine the ones Xelloss must still have. The poor guy didn't need to be reminded in that manner.
"Oh, Xelloss..." Filia choked on her words. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that to come out that way... I was thinking of that crow-mating tape you did." She was sincerely regretting her thoughtless words; her face anguished. "Really, Xelly, it was a really stupid, mindless thing to say."
The shadow passed from his face and the color returned. "Forgiven. Although..."
"Yes?"
"I would really be interested in knowing how you got a look at that tape. I thought that I'd recorded over it." He smiled, eyes twinkling with mirth.
Filia's blush spread from her neck up. "Well, I...ah...don't recall now. Wasn't it at the end of that stuff you were not using?"
"Nooooo. That was all destroyed in the fire, remember? Were you snooping about my room in the loft? Ah...I bet when I was hurt and staying in the house... Luna was staying up there. Did she find my tape collection, or was it you?" He was smiling broadly now that he had her squirming in her seat. Would Filia admit to messing around with his stuff or turn on Luna? Neither were a very pleasant prospect.
Zel and Amelia, Sylphiel and Val, Lina and Gourry all turned to Filia, anticipating her answer.
"Ummm...it's a secret!" she blurted out.
Embarrassed to the core, she fled from the room, while Xelloss rolled on the floor in a fit of giggles.
They were having a group feed at a nearby restaurant, when Val was aggravated by a group of other patrons seated at a table nearby. Speaking in a loud tone was an older man bragging about the newest fitness club in town. He claimed that it sported the finest tennis courts and pro in the land, far superior to that old Seyruun Country Club.
Val was irked at having overheard that tripe. He was secretly proud of the fine reputation his country club had, even if he wouldn't set a foot in its well-polished door for anything. He was of half a mind to set the brash man to rights. Too bad that half was in control…
"Hey, dude…" Val drawled, standing over the man's left shoulder. "That ain't true, and ya know it. That's my club yer dissing and I don't like it!"
"Oh…I see--" The older man contemplated his opposition a moment then said, "If that's so, then you wouldn't mind a little friendly competition, would you?"
"Friendly…or not. My place is the best and I don't gotta prove nothin' … but I will."
The man seemed pleased and handed Val his card. "My name is Ruud. Call me in a day or so with some names and conditions. I'll come up with a tournament and the stakes, agreed?"
Val grinned, "Yeah, no problem. What sport ya got in mind?"
"Tennis. You play?"
"Nah, I don't do none of that shit. But don't matter. I'll get some teams, don't worry."
They shook on the plan and the man's party broke up and left the Slayers their privacy.
Thankfully, during their uneventful week they also made exceptional progress on the CD. It would be more than half done by the time of their two-day Solstice break. This meant that they had a good chance of finishing the CD ahead of schedule. Not only would this leave them some down time, but it would save them recording studio costs. Lina was thrilled, and when Lina was happy, everyone was happy.
"That's it! We are outta here!" Lina exclaimed at the close of the first week's work.
Zolf was securing their equipment in the studio storage lockers. He would drive one of their vans back to the house later. Rodimus was driving the kids in the other van; slowly picking his way through ice-slickened, snow-laden streets. Snow in abundance was uncommon in the Atlas City/Seyruun/Sairaag territory, so plows and cleanup were in short supply. Roads were generally a mess under the circumstances, and this had been an unprecedented series of snowfalls and freezing rain storms since the day they left Seyruun. Travel was tricky at best.
Xelloss was busy on his cell phone checking connections and other ride arrangements. He, Sylphiel, Filia, and as it turned out Val and Amelia too, would be taking the train back to Seyruun. He had tried for a helicopter, but the airports were both closed in anticipation of another bout of freezing rain predicted for the day. The rails had been de-iced, however, and the trains were running on time, which was funny because they rarely did when the weather was fair. From the train station, a limousine would take them on to their appointed calls. For Val and Filia, this would be the settlement and for the others, the White Shrine would be their destination. Milgasia, as it turned out, ended up meeting and driving Filia and Val to the clan settlement, simplifying everything. Those clan leaders really wanted to keep strangers from knowing about there property entrances!
It was keeping him, Xelloss, occupied, at least.
Val's decision to go had been his own. He understood the debt he owed Milgasia and he had some personal honor, but he really did it to keep his eye on Filia. This wasn't a trust issue; he was worried about her safety. She would be in parades and events tomorrow surrounded by strangers and crowds. As a participant, he could be close to her at all times. Besides, the excitement was getting to him a little bit, although he would never admit it. He would be driving a tractor pulling a float behind the one Filia would be posing upon.
He'd be in a good position to watch her and the crowd. They were in Milgasia's kitchen when he learned about his costume for the parade...
"It'll look nice," Filia assured him.
"White! I never worn no white clothes before!" Val snorted, then poking at the other garments in the box, he uttered a low guttural noise. "Grrrr…. What's this, a skirt? Oh...no...I ain't wearing that...no way...!"
"Oh pooh! That's mine. Now sit still so I can trim your split ends."
"Next yer tellin' me no spikes, right? Yeah...I knew that would happen. Studs don't come out, ya know?"
"I know. You can leave all your earrings in too. Those make you cute." She wrinkled her nose and laughed at his startled reaction. "Don't jiggle or I'll poke a new hole in your face."
"Go 'head..." he said sulkily.
"No one will recognize you dressed this way, if it makes you feel any better. There now, see how it shines? Your hair is really a beautiful shade of green, so pale... and soft. Real still now while I check the lengths in front. I want both sides to be the same."
Filia pulled a lock of long bang from each side, drawing the hair through her fingers until the tips met under his chin. He watched her eyes lost in concentration, so blue. Her warm breath on his nose, then passing away. She was wearing perfume. Very faint. Like a meadow. So perfect. What if he had lost her when the car had spun? What would he have done then? He grabbed her shoulders in his calloused hands.
"Va-al! You made me drop the scissors!"
"Yeah..." He didn't look very concerned 'bout no scissors. "Bad me..."
With his considerable strength, he pulled her onto his lap. "Real bad..." He raised one hand and cupped her cheek, running his thumb across her lower lip. "Ya got me thinkin'..."
"Oh? A-about what...Val?" She was unsure why he was being so aggressive, not that she was having a real problem with it since he had softened his tone with tenderness. She wasn't afraid of him. She trusted him. But she sure was anxious now.
"'Bout the accident and how I mighta lost ya and how...empty my life woulda been...then..."
Filia swallowed. Was this Val? Was Mr. Arrogant himself opening up with some feelings?
He continued to caress her gently. "Ya gotta be the most beautiful thing I've ever touched." He moved closer, leaning in and brushing his lips across her forehead. "I want you..." he murmured in a voice so subdued she barely heard him.
But she did. That made her sit bolt upright. Of all the nerve! "I'm not some two-bit hussy for your convenience, Vally-boy." She slid off his lap and stood, shaking off a few stray green hairs sticking to her own golden ones. "You got me confused with that other girl, you know who I mean. The rich chick with the boobs and the easy–!" But she couldn't finish, she was so hurt...defiled. A Nahga substitute! "I should have known you couldn't have a real heart. Well, I got news for you, I do and mine is locked away from depraved boys like you trying to seduce me!"
He watched in disbelief as she stomped off. "Two-bit...what's 'two bits'?"
Xelloss had ordered security with the limo that took himself, Sylphiel, and Amelia to the shrine. He had called his friend on the force, McGywn, for references on a few moonlighting officers. He chose one who was available and paid the man in advance to meet them with the limo driver at the train station.
Once he had checked in at the shrine, as all the priests were required to do, Xelloss had the driver take him home to change clothes. He had no duties until after dinner, and so, called Candy for directions to her father's home, where she was visiting over break. He was excited to meet her father, but more excited to see her. He had it all planned out. He hoped she liked him in his priest's apparel and wanted to attend the White shrine activities with him later that evening as well. But mostly he hoped she wanted to be with him that night. It had been a long time since he'd slept alone in a house. He was a little apprehensive.
Amelia had gone reluctantly. Daddy needed her close; Nahga called to tell her that. The Dilgear scare had made him wary and uneasy for her safety, plus he was still on edge following the loss of his nephew, Alfred. Additionally, Amelia was a priestess, although not seriously, and had a few limited duties, if she so chose to carry them out. But most importantly, and what changed her mind, was that she was the mayor's daughter and the parades and events of all the different religious, ethnic, and cultural groups who regularly participated in the city-state needed to see her standing proud alongside her daddy– united, healthy, dignified...twin pillars of the community representing the just way.
"Would you like to come back to Seyruun with me, Zelgadiss?" She gazed up at him with luminous eyes.
"I'll think about it," he replied brusquely, looking over her head and avoiding her eyes. What excuse did he have to return to Seyruun? Everyone would be busy but him. At least in Atlas City there were new places to explore, or so Lina had said. Besides, Amelia would probably change her mind again and stay in Atlas City where she could hang around him, or so he figured. He was certainly more interesting than her father, surely!
But Amelia was determined to be with her father when he needed her most. So, when the time came to go, she asked Zelgadiss once again to join her. Perhaps with foolish pride, he simply shrugged and told her no, still expecting her to remain with him. He would have thought she would have killed for the chance to have him all to herself...well, and Lina and Gourry too. But...she chose differently. Amelia had seemed downhearted, too, as she climbed aboard the train, but in the end…she left him. Zelgadiss couldn't believe it when she actually left!
He saw them off at the train station, and, along with Lina and Gourry, climbed back into the van with Zolf for the ride into the downtown shopping district of Atlas City. He was stunned. When he took his seat, trance-like, he found that Amelia had left her bracelet behind. Nothing special, but one of a pair she wore all the time. As he picked it up, he found a note beneath, face down. 'Something to remember me by- Amelia,' it said.
The corner of his mouth twisted up into a faint smile. He tucked the item into his jacket pocket alongside his cell phone– two lifelines resting side-by-side.
"Keepsake?"
Zolf's question came as a surprise. Zel had thought his activities had been unseen. "Ah...yes," he admitted, eyes downcast, unable to meet the steady gaze of the other man in the rearview mirror. "Amelia... She...ah...left it behind." He was at a loss for words.
"Hey, that's nice. Sweet girl." Zolf turned back to the wheel and drove on.
"Yes, she is," Zel agreed. He wondered why she thought he might forget her. Amelia, he could never forget.
"Zolf? Better go straight to the restaurant. I wanna have plenty to eat before I gotta go shoppin'. You know where that all-you-can-eat place is?" Gourry asked.
"You bet. I used to live here, remember?" Zolf concentrated on the treacherous road.
"Hello, I'm Xelloss. I'm here to pick up Candy."
The older man with balding hair grunted and held open the door. "Laila we call her here at home. Don't know why she'd want to change a nice name like that...family name...my mother's."
Xelloss stepped inside. "I agree. Laila is a beautiful name. Ah, is she ready to go?"
Again, her father was looking the young man over. His eyes rested on his tall staff. "Priest, I take it. Fancy thing like that...a kid your age shouldn't have a valuable thing like that!"
Xelloss was taken aback. Why would this man assume that? He didn't even know him! "Pardon me, but I worked hard to earn this staff. It's also a family heirloom, and following the deaths of both of my parents, I am its uncontested owner."
Candy's father looked uncomfortable, but offered no apology. "I'll go see what's keeping my daughter."
While waiting, Xelloss roamed the front room looking at the numerous photographs displayed around the room. Laila at various ages. A picture of a woman who looked like Laila, but older, he thought, must be her mother, of whom she spoke rarely. Others showed her father to be a hobby fisherman. One photograph in particular caught his attention. It looked recent, summer by the sunlight and light-weight clothing of the couple seated outside at a patio table. The girl was Laila, wearing glasses instead of her contacts, and the boy with her...resembled himself. His face was heavier, tanned, his hair shorter and brown, but the features...it was uncanny, to his mind. Like in his dream... Her father's voice at his back startled him back to reality.
"That's Laila with Kerel last summer. They were engaged, you know."
"Yes," Xelloss' heart turned cold. He said in a controlled tone of voice. "But not now." He was very uncomfortable now and didn't understand why the man had taken such an immediate and obvious dislike to him. Seeing his date enter the room, he turned to her. "Hi."
"Wow! I've never seen you in that! You must be pretty important at the shrine. I had no idea." Her smile warmed him throughout.
"We'd better go. Our ride awaits," he said with a bow and smile. "Good day!" he called to her father politely, and then with a hand on her back, pushed out the door.
"We should go straight to the movie. It's bound to be crowded. Bye Dad! I'll call if I'll be very late!"
"Okay," Xelloss said agreeably and spoke to the driver about directions.
"Fil, hey stop! Listen...don't run off like that!" Val caught up with her in two long strides. "Gimme a chance here. Come on..."
She stopped, back turned.
"Hey, it's not like that..." he began.
"Oh? You tell me what it is then. How was that any different from what Allan was doing in the car, and you nearly broke his neck for…it!"
"Fil, he didn't know you like I do. Ah...I'm not so good at this... See, I...it's you..."
"Me? My fault? I've got the problem?"
"No, its not that it's just...when I get near ya, I feel...fuzzy."
"Fuzzy. That's a new one on me."
"No, I mean my brain goes fuzzy. I can't think straight. All I see are those eyes of yers and...I can't think right."
"Oh, I see… then it is me with the problem."
She was torturing him now. But, she wanted a confession out of him.
He sighed in exasperation. He nervously ran a hand through his long, soft hair. "Filia..." He reached out and grasped her hand. "Whaddya want from me? I'm no good at ex-pres-sin' e-mo-shuns, like Xelloss is. I said that I wanted you, and I do; I won't lie 'bout that. That don't mean I'm gonna hurt ya or nothin'. I wouldn't do that, you know that don't ya? Fil, I'd never hurt ya. Yer just too important to me."
Filia nodded. "You seem able to say quite a bit." But her voice was tender and her expression, soft. She'd never felt so close to him before. She knew he was struggling to say he liked her, but to her, it was important that he try. He either was falling for Nahga, or not, but she didn't want to play second fiddle to her.
As if he read her mind, he said next, "Nahga's not...my girlfriend, Fil. More a...business partner..."
"Right!" she snorted. "Interesting business..."
"It is! I might even tell ya 'bout it sometime...some other time. But right now, I want ta show ya how I feel 'bout ya, but when I try an' do somethin' ya push me away. I look at ya and think...okay...she wants me too, then I find ya don't. I ain't no mind reader. I could be anyplace right now, but I wanna be here with you. Give me a break here, 'kay?"
"Okay. We have the rest of the afternoon free. Take me to a movie. Be nice."
"Sure...I can do that," he grumbled. He looked around a second then loped over to the chair he'd used for his haircut, and scooped up his black hair tie from the floor. His hand was shaking. He was nervous. Him, Val Agares, punk supreme! Cool personified! What was it about her that made him feel that he was severely disadvantaged at times?
"Here, let me," Filia offered. She wrapped it around his head, while he held it in place at his forehead, then tied it firmly off at the side. "There..." She pulled and tugged at tufts of his hair, straightening parts and forcing a few locks to stay over into his eyes. "That looks hot, without the gel."
"If you say so," he grinned and rolled his eyes. "Think Mil will let us take his SUV?"
"Uh-huh," she smiled. "I already asked."
Val gave her a second look, "Oh yeah?" He placed a hand on her shoulder and massaged it some. "I'm gonna want somethin' outta all this."
What could only be described as a Zel-smirk spread to Filia's lips. "Okay...I'll buy you some popcorn." She broke free and whipped her ponytail in his face. Man, he sure needed help in the romantic-talk department. Nothing like Xelloss... She sighed, fondly remembering a few close calls...maybe he'd give Val some pointers...?
"Bitch..." he muttered in a very low tone.
"What was that?"
"I said...that was rich..." he corrected immediately as he followed her to out to Milgasia's.
"Uh, huh..." she laughed as her usual haughtiness returned to match his arrogance. Oh, she was satisfied that she'd been able to bring him down a few notches. He deserved that. She wasn't sharing a guy with anyone. She sighed audibly.
"So...are you my girlfriend now, or am I just supposed to pretend yer not an' let everyone guess?" Val asked as his strong arm snaked over her shoulders.
That, she hadn't expected. She halted abruptly. "I-I don't know. Let's see how today goes first, then decide."
"Sure..." he grinned. "Take yer time now that you've gotten a confession outta me."
"A confession? Of what?"
He blinked. Well he had made it clear how he'd felt, right? Maybe not. "Ah, shit...just...let's wait an' see how the day goes, as you say."
"Sure thing."
Zel, Lina, Gourry spent a few hours bumming around town. The outlet malls would be open the next day, so they put that off. An old-fashioned marquee glowed in the hazy light of partially frozen ice crystals suspended in fog. Gourry read the headliners, and then titled his head toward Lina. "Wanna see that new Return of the King movie?"
Without thinking, Lina remarked, "Is that out?" Of course it was. The advertising couldn't be missed, but her attention had been focused on other things. She imagined the snotty retorts others might say, but not Gourry.
Gourry raised his eyebrows. "Yeah! I figured you might have already seen it!"
She rewarded him with a smile for that sensitive reply. "Nope! Good idea, though. Hey, Zel, come on."
Zelgadiss allowed himself to be dragged along. He felt a bit odd, though. No Xelloss...no Amelia. He adjusted his earplugs in anticipation of the spectacular special effects and Dolby Surround Sound and bought his ticket.
"Place sure is full. Over there look good?" Val pointed to a pair of empty seats in a dark corner.
"Depends what you call 'good'. Yeah, looks like those may be the only ones free on this side. Sure."
"Oh gods..."
"What? You okay, Fil?"
"Is that Xelloss and Candy over there?"
Val followed her pointing finger to... "Yep. Well, what were the chances of that happenin', huh? Just sit back. It'll be dark soon an' ya won't see him again. Now what?"
"Over there, know that guy?"
"Who? Fergit it. Let me hold that popcorn for a bit. No, I'm gonna keep it right here on my lap. I want yer hand, you can give me that much, right?" Val gave her a wink.
"Yeah, sure..." she sighed dramatically, but then smiled at him. He cut a strikingly handsome figure at the moment, she thought. She had nothing to be ashamed of sitting with him, should anyone she know see her.
"No, I don't want to try and hold two seats in this crowded place. Just pile the coats on a seat in the middle for me, and I'll go get food for the both of you and you'll just have to be satisfied with what I get." Zel would brook no arguments. He would have preferred sitting and hiding in his theater seat, but he didn't want to fend off folks needing seats more.
"Sure, suit yourself," Lina waved him off.
Gourry was about to offer him some money, but Zel was already gone.
Xelloss and Candy settled into their seats juggling popcorn and drinks. His cloak and staff remained wrapped in the limo under guard, so that Xelloss could snuggle up a little to, as he explained, 'stay warm.' As the movie unfolded, his attention strayed. He couldn't help but compare this event to the first movie with Zelgadiss, Lina, and Gourry. Lina was so excited and vocal. Candy sat immersed in the picture, but was complacent, maybe to a fault. She was a difficult girl to get excited over things, which was probably a good thing with him as a boyfriend. Nevertheless, near the end Xelloss closed his eyes and imagined Lina acting out the scene...grappling with Golem for the ring within Sauron's Mount Doom...
"Bite it off! Bite off his finger already!" Lina screamed.
Gourry wrapped an arm around her shoulders and settled her back in her seat. "Folks can't see..."
Zel scrunched lower in his seat, a smile on his face. He was glad Gourry was brave. His smiled faded as he reminded himself that if he were half the man Gourry was, he would have accompanied Amelia back to Seyruun. He was broken out of his pit of doom by a smart rap on his head. "Hey!" he complained.
"Hey yourself. Cheer up, it was a great movie!"
"Lina, it's more than three hours of my life that I'll never get back. I could have spent that time re-reading the book…"
Lina frowned. "Whose cell phone is that ringing?"
"Mine. Hello? Amelia?" That was unexpected! "Ah...fine. Is everything all right there?" Zel shrugged his shoulders in answer to Lina's insistent hand waving.
"Oh...well...I, ah...missed you here too," he admitted in a near-whisper and turning his back to the others. "What? You are? Oh, no, Amelia you certainly cannot travel alone on that train all the way here. No." He pulled the phone away from his ear a ways and winced. "No, I don't say that because I consider you to be a little girl. It's dangerous for you because you're being targeted by the syndicate. I'll come get you. I'll call and let you know, but it's liable to be around midnight before I get in. All right. I'll check the schedules and call you with the times. Fine. Bye."
"Amelia wants ta come back?" Gourry asked.
"Yes...Amelia was so depressed after her duties were done today that her father promised to send her back to Atlas City in the morning. Naturally, someone will need to accompany her, so I volunteered."
Lina couldn't believe her ears. She was speechless. Amelia shucking her 'duty'? Zelgadiss offering to go out of his way to help someone, Amelia in particular? She pinched herself checking to see if she wasn't really just dreaming it all.
Gourry slapped him on the back good-naturedly. "Way ta go, Zel. That's real nice of ya. I'll guard Lina then."
Lina choked, "Wha…?" Then straightened up when no one seemed to be listening to her. "Zolf should stay too and Zel outta take Rodimus," Lina noted logically.
Gourry didn't think so, but he wasn't thinking logically, he was thinking with a guy's heart. Zel wanted to be Amelia's champion just as he wanted to be Lina's—that he understood, even if Zel wouldn't admit it.
"The special effects were outstanding in those battle scenes, don't you think?"
"Ummm-hmmm," Xelloss agreed, pulling Candy along through the crowded passageway out of the theater.
"Laila! Over here! I thought that was you!"
Xelloss turned toward the strange male's voice just as he felt Candy drop his hand. This just wasn't his day, he could tell.
"Kerel? Oh, hi! Um...this is Xelloss. We're in math together. You just see the movie, too?"
"Yeah," Kerel now noticed Xelloss and started when he recognized him from the skirmish in the high school hallway a year ago. "Ah...yeah, we've, ah met…from school."
Xelloss smiled, barely. "Hello." The guy looked just like he had in that picture, heavier even. Xelloss still didn't recall his face other than that. Up close, they didn't look as similar as he'd thought they did from the photo, except that the guy clearly was keen on Candy.
"So...you wanna meet up with some old friends at the coffee shop 'round the corner?" Kerel asked Candy, ignoring Xelloss.
"Well ah..."
"I'm sorry. Maybe another time," Xelloss interrupted. "We have other plans for this evening." He took Candy by the elbow and steered her out the door. His heart was pumping, his brows drawn into a frown.
He opened the limo door before the driver could hop out. "Shrine," he barked.
"You're jealous."
Xelloss didn't bother to deny the obvious. He squeezed his eyes tightly to avoid tears from forming. "Yeah... It's obvious that he's still in love with you." He didn't bother to add, '…and that you still love him…'
She was bored waiting for Xelloss to complete his priestly duties at the shrine that evening, but was entertained from time to time by Xelloss' friends. Sylphiel and Amelia joined her when they could. Miroku sat with her, flattering her with all kinds of compliments. Subaru let Sylphiel introduce him to Candy, but he had nothing to say and only stood awkwardly a moment or two, then excused himself politely. He had to feed his fish.
"Are you done now?" Candy asked a rather weary looking Xelloss.
"Yes. Sorry, there's going to be a lot going on tomorrow and everything had to be reviewed first. But ... It's done now. I... I would like you to stay at my house tonight. Just call your dad and let him know you won't be coming home, okay?"
"I can't tell him I staying with you..."
"Why...?"
"I'll say I'm with friends and staying at a party or something. He'll understand that."
Xelloss thought the truth sounded better than that, but didn't argue. She was going home with him tonight and that's what was important.
"Okay, Zel. Call when you get into Seyruun. We don't care what the time is, promise?" Lina demanded.
"I'll see that he does," Zolf agreed and climbed aboard the train first.
"Yes," Zel sighed. "Later, then." He gave a little wave and jumped up the step and disappeared.
"Well, Gourry. It's just you and me now."
"Um...and Rodimus," Gourry added. Gourry had to be satisfied that at least the handsome Zolf was leaving. "Think he'll wanna stop off for somethin' to eat on the way back to the house?"
"He'd better!"
"So, ya wanna go back ta my place tonight?"
Filia shook her head. "I don't think so, Val. It just wouldn't be right." She blushed and looked away.
"Hey, I wasn't thinkin' of doing anythin', just a place ta go and talk in peace. That's all, ya know?"
"No. Besides, I don't want to disturb Xelloss and Candy, if they're there," Filia said. "If you want, we can go visit the horses when we get back to the settlement."
"Horses? Ain't ridin' in the dark..."
"Who said anything about riding them? We can talk to them and...have some alone time, okay?"
Some form of understanding sank in at last. "Horses. Yeah sure, Fil. Pretty weird idea though..."
Xelloss came from the shower, shaking out his damp hair. "I feel better now. It's been a long, dirty day." He hung up his towel and sat on the edge of the bed. "You okay?"
"Yeah, just tired. Tired and achy. I hope I'm not coming down with the flu or something."
"Me too." He bent over and kissed her. "So...? Miss me? It's not as bad as we thought, right? I worked out some time together, didn't I? And the CD recording is going fast. We may be done a whole day or two earlier than expected so we can spend part of the break together and go...skiing like you wanted. Is that okay with you?"
"Um-hmm," she agreed and pulled him closer.
"I missed you, and this," he assured her, pressing his body into hers until they melted together.
"So Zelgadiss is really coming on the train tonight to take you back to Atlas City?" Sylphiel squealed. She had gone home with Amelia to keep her company until Zel called from the train station. It was either that or be put to work at the shrine; there was always something to do there this time of year with so many important events going on.
Amelia wore a dreamy expression as an answer.
"Zel must really like you, Amelia. I mean, like, he showed that when he took you out on your birthday. And, you know, he just never lets anyone touch him, but you he holds!"
Amelia smiled warmly at the memories. "Yes, but we haven't had any time alone since then and he's far to shy to hold my hand even around you guys."
"How can you stand it? You know, the waiting with him? I don't see how you can be so patient. I know I would have given up long ago..."
"Oh really?" Amelia laughed. "Like you did with Mr. Gourry?"
A band of pink colored across Sylphiel's cheeks and nose. "Well, it's different. With him, I've sorta come and gone. Lately, he's been so sweet. Taking me places, helping out. I know he likes Lina, but at least now I think he kinda likes me too. He admitted that he thought we had a lot in common."
Amelia didn't know what to say. She wanted to be loyal to Lina and Sylphiel both. "Well, that's okay, I think. The better he gets to know you the better chance he had to compare the two of you and see where his heart really lies and his future holds. It's the right thing, I guess, but I wish everyone would just end up happy in the end with the perfect match."
"I think Xelloss and Lina make a cute couple. So does Val and Lina, which would pair Xelloss with Filia. Hoooo!" Both girls laughed at that match.
They spent the next few hours playing matchmaker for everyone they knew, until Zel's call came.
"Time to go, Amelia-dear!" her father called from the den. His voice carried through the house like a fog horn. Mayor Phil insisted that he do the driving, pick the boy up himself and drop Sylphiel home on the way back. Dangerous roads, dangerous people out there, he reminded them.
"Right, Daddy!" she cried out and charged off. Leaving Sylphiel to hurry after them both as best she could.
For the first time, Lina and Gourry were occupying a house alone—well, nearly. Rodimus had fallen asleep watching TV in the den so they were for all practical purposes alone. They played a few video games, watched a late night horror flick, and then camped out on the floor of the living room with blankets listening to music. It was nice and simple, comforting and fun. Gourry couldn't have planned it better if he'd tried. He really couldn't have planned it at all, try or not. The key to success? Zel had gone and taken all his dark karma with him.
Xelloss woke up. It was dark. Candy's hand tightened on his arm. "I...heard something too," she whispered.
He slid out of bed nimbly grabbing his staff off the floor and his kimono robe off the chair in a single graceful motion. He put a finger to his lips and motioned for her to remain in place as he silently opened the bedroom door and then passed out into the hallway. Moving with cat-like grace, Xelloss checked for an intruder, conducting a room by room search. Had Zelgadiss been here, he mused, he would have known exactly where to look first by listening for breathing. He kept in the darkest shadows, his silk pants and top making no sound, all the way to the front room. Cold air. His eyes noted shards of glass gleaming on the floor refracting the streetlight. He scanned for a heavy object and found one; a brick, wrapped in paper. How predictable!
He had been gone what felt like a long time and it was so quiet that Candy decided to venture out into the house. Brave or foolish, she was getting worried about him. Just outside of the bedroom, she could see him silhouetted against the front room window, tip-toeing sleek and agile as a gymnast, then stooping to pick a lump off the floor.
"Gottcha!" She felt the hot breath on her neck as one rough, calloused hand crushed her mouth, muffling her cry while the other hand dragged her backwards through the doorway and onto a bed.
Xelloss spun and leaped in the direction of the sounds of scuffling. "Damn!" he cursed aloud. He'd been taken in by as amateur a diversion as there could be, putting his girlfriend at risk.
He snarled and kicked open the door to his room, staff at ready for attack. A surly looking thug was holding a gun to Candy's temple. "Don't do nothin' dumb."
Xelloss weighed the man, his abilities, and the danger to Candy, and then he smiled and twirled his staff. The ruby orb glittered, distracting the man for an instant, long enough for Xelloss to lunge forward, plowing his staff into the thug's gut, then knocking the gun from his hand before his defensive mechanisms kicked in.
Candy screamed and rolled off the bed. When she looked up, Xelloss already had the intruder face smashed against the wall, spread-eagled, patting him down, searching for another weapon.
"See this?" Xelloss hissed and pushed the orb into the man's face. "Recognize it? You do? Then you know who I am? Good. Now, tell me who contracted you, or I'll start breaking bones."
Candy gasped. Who was Xelloss this time? She crushed her hands over her eyes to make it all go away.
"I...dunno...all… secret. I… just supposed to… delay anyone here..."
Xelloss frowned. Why would that be important to waste an employee on...? Delay anyone. From what? Something else more important, obviously. Something else was going down and the Slayers were divided! "Damnit anyway!"
Xelloss couldn't believe how entirely stupid he'd been. He swung around and caught Candy's terrified gaze as she dropped her hands at his harsh curse. "Candy, get my cell phone on the bed stand...please hurry. That's right. Now punch 16 and bring it to me."
She moved robotically, tossing the instrument to him as if it were a poisonous snake in her hands. He could tell that she was frightened to death, and tried to offer her some comfort. "It's okay. This guy won't hurt you now. Excuse me...Hello Detective McGywn? Ah...Xelloss here. Major emergency...I have an intruder disarmed in my bedroom and a broken front window...hold on! There's more. He's only a diversion to keep me here, or one of us. Something big is about to happen. I don't know...the Mayor's place?...Ah...where else...the Shrine! The downtown shrine! I don't know, but it might be there. I'll find out by the time you get here. Oh...I have my ways and I don't have to follow the same nice laws your men do. I mean, the guy got banged up when I disarmed him, sorry. Ha! I gotta warn Sylph and Amelia now."
He tossed the phone back to Candy. "Punch 5..." then slammed his staff over the man's windpipe, pinning him by his neck to the wall. "Okay, so where's the action?"
The smell of hot horse enveloped Val's senses. They'd returned the SUV keys to Milgasia and told him they'd be walking out to check on the horses. Milgasia raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Now, he was following Filia around the stable. He couldn't have told her how many horses there were as his mind was elsewhere.
"Val?"
He stepped closer. "Yeah? Oh, ah...yeah, his eye's better."
Her eyes narrowed. "How can you tell? You're not even looking at the horse's head."
"I'm looking..."
"At me-e! You're not looking at his eye."
"Yeah..." He gave her a lop-sided smile. "Ain't that too bad?"
"Idiot!" she sniffed, but smiled too. When he wasn't so cocky, he was sweet. On impulse she stretched up onto her tiptoes and pecked him on the cheek.
Val caught her before she got away. "Don't kiss me like yer little brother," he muttered in a low growl, then drew her face upwards with a hand. She wasn't complaining, so he kissed her lightly, pulling back to check her response. Her eyes were closed, her cheeks tainted pink. Good enough for him. He moved his hand on her back and pressed her firmly to his chest and this time he tried to transmit some of his passion through his lips.
"Val! VAL! Are you out here!"
Reluctantly, Val released Filia and turned toward the voice. "That you, Julian? Yeah, I'm here..." His voice betrayed his annoyance for the intrusion.
Panting with effort, the twenty-something year old man jogged into the stable. "There...there's two guys apprehended at the gates. Say...they say that they're friends of yours. I didn't see them, but Milgasia's there now. Could be those two guys that hung out with you up on that mountain last summer. They've got some urgent message, or so they say."
"Jillas and Gravos," Val growled. "What do those dudes want at this time of night?"
"Follow me!" Julian shouted. And Val and Filia trailed him toward the gates. A clansman waved them down, directing them over to Milgasia's house.
The news wasn't good.
"The Shrine you say?" Val gasped. "Gotta call Xelloss and Sylph..."
"Sylphiel, I'm going to drop you off at the shrine first," Phil bellowed from the front seat.
"Just let me out in the back. That's where the private entrance is and it's so crowded now with all the events," Sylphiel pointed out. "I can get out here. Looks like the lot's full."
Zel opened his door. "I'll walk you to the door. It's slippery and dark."
So gallant! Amelia thought to herself. She glowed with pride for him and hoped her father noticed, too.
The lot was empty, save for the parked cars and them, which was why Zelgadiss noticed the odd metallic scraping of a lock being broken. He stopped mid stride, and grasped Sylphiel by the wrist. "Isn't that your car?"
"Why...yes...why?" she began looking over at her snow-dusted car. There was something wrong about the snow. A chunk was missing over the door.
"Stay here..." his voice warned. She started to ask 'why?', but he had lurched off, hopping icy spots, and dashing pell-mell across the lot.
Amelia watched as Zel took off into the parking lot while Sylphiel looked on, her face stricken. "Daddy? Something's going on. I'll be right back."
(The action continues in the next chapter… See ya next week!)
From the Authors:
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 32.