Seyruun High Jinx –NEXT!
Chapter 36
Rebellion
"Those who forget the meals of the past are destined to repeat them in the form of leftovers." -- Zelgadiss
.
From Rezo's residence to the hospital, Amelia stayed by Sylphiel's side holding her free hand and imparting optimistic and cheering solace. She was also consoling her father, via the cell phone, who was alarmed at the danger his darling, treasured daughter had once again been put through.
"Yes, I'm fine, Daddy. I'm on the way to the hospital with Miss Sylphiel. She got shot in the arm, but the bullet pierced her sleeve only nicking the surface so it's not bad at all. The ER people were really nice and are taking all of us to be checked for smoke inhalation because of the possible danger of the burning chemicals. Oh, yes, there are specialists testing the fumes and stuff. Professor Rezo insisted.
"Everyone else? Oh, Mr. Xelloss has a few burns, which is pretty lucky for him. He was trying to get the other university people... er...scientist, just the one, out while Mr. Zelgadiss carried Miss Sylphiel and helped me get out. Mr. Gourry and Miss Lina helped Professor Rezo. No, that man...the one that shot at us died. He hit his head when he fell backwards and broke a huge glass container of fuel that exploded setting the floor on fire. They said it knocked him out and he drowned in the fluid before he burned. Um, sprinkler system put out the fire really fast and the air circulation vented the worst-- I feel fine, Daddy. Well, I banged my knee getting up on one of the lab tables.
"I'll call you later, we're here. Love you too Daddy!"
She was right. Sylphiel's wounds were superficial and required a little antiseptic and bandaging. Xelloss received treatment for minor burns to his ankles and lower legs, and laughed about this trip to the hospital missing his birthday by a few days. They wanted to keep Rezo overnight for observation, but he wouldn't have it. There was no problem with smoke inhalation, thanks to the Gabriev ventilation and emergency sprinkler system, and Rezo wanted to go home and rest and think over what had happened.
"Oh..."
"Amelia? You okay? You sound like you need some cheering up, you know?"
Amelia smiled briefly. "Yeah, you are precisely right, Sylphiel. Exactamundo correcto. Life just sucks sometimes."
Sylphiel looked over her younger friend. That didn't sound like her upbeat, optimistic self. Now, Sylphiel wasn't deep, but she was intuitive and she could tell when her friend was down. "What's the matter? Tell me. I have awhile until my father comes and they release me."
"Oh, I don't know. So much... nothing..."
"Okay, so start with Zel the Jerk. He's gotta be the 'much'."
Amelia smiled, "Good guess." She explained her frustration getting through to him. How they would seem to become close, then he would say something cutting or off-putting and there she'd be wondering what was going on. "I think he's my boyfriend, but then he gets all weirded out and then we're lucky to be friends. Tonight he was so far out there. I don't know if he was pulling everyone's leg, about that helping Rubia stuff, to bide time for Xelloss to come...or if he was serious...or something in-between!"
Sylphiel was nodding. "Uh, huh, yeah. He's just so...hard to get, ya know? Too...stuck in his head. I thought he was acting, though, you know, until Xelly came, but he shoulda said something later to you at least, I think. You need to get him to stop thinking and start showing his feelings."
"Really?" Amelia perked up. "How can I do that?"
"Well, it's kinda tricky, but it will get his attention. It worked for me."
"I can do it, I know!" Amelia declared. If Sylphiel, acting as the older more experienced girl, had an idea, Amelia would listen. She had been engaged once!
"Okay, but first, what's the other thing, you know, that's a problem?"
"That's Daddy. He's getting more and more smothering!"
"Oh!" Sylphiel laughed lightly. "That's so like my father! He's gotten all over-protective all the sudden. Where are you going? How late? What's the number there? He just hovers and gods...! It's like I'm back in kindergarten or something!"
"I know! Me, too! Daddy gave me some freedom and now he wants it back. He wants me to do all this stuff for him, but I have my own life and interests." Amelia was thrilled to have someone else to commiserate with. "I love him and all, but… You know I'm a really good person and try to please him, but he treats me like he's afraid I'm going to turn into my sister all of a sudden and run off or get into trouble or... I don't know...like he just doesn't trust me."
"Yeah, like, who knows? I mean, who can understand their problems sometimes. They just worry too much and take it out on us," Sylphiel summarized.
"Yeah, but this is getting depressing. Let's get back to Zelgadiss. Tell me what I should do about him, instead."
"Well, it's going to take a lot of guts," Sylphiel began.
"Not a problem for me," Amelia guaranteed her.
"...Because Lina shouldn't have to stay home alone just because her sister's still at the settlement. I'll just stay the night there," Amelia enlightened her daddy again.
Phil sighed. He had been banging heads with his darling, headstrong daughter more and more frequently of late. Although he had been through all that before with his first offspring, dear Gracia Nahga De Seyruun, he had just hoped it would be easier with Amelia. It HAD been easier, up until the time that she had discovered boys or at least one in particular. He had had reservations from the start about sending his barely-fifteen-year-old little girl out on 'gigs', especially those over-night ones, with four—count them!—four older young men a year ago, but she had seemed so mature about it and he didn't want her to think he didn't trust her.
He felt no less troubled about it now, however. To be fair, he knew Filia was a good girl with close familial supervision, but Lina had been an unbridled child who had roamed town with his dear Gracia, and, from what he could gather, had not changed much. Sylphiel had shown poor judgment with her numerous short-lived attachments and that rash and broken engagement, although a near-miss with that dangerous Xelloss boy could only be considered a good thing.
No, they were fine children for the most part, but he was becoming concerned. Amelia needed to spend more time with kids her own age and buckle down and apply herself to her school work. She had curtailed many of her school activities and interests to preserve band time, at what cost to her own personal development, he wondered?
And what had it brought her in return? Perilous danger to herself and himself, the death of her cousin, death and danger all around them! And to top it off, she was infatuated with Rezo's son. Poor boy couldn't help looking repellent, but it was his stubborn streak and bullheadedness that bothered Philonel the most. Bad influence on his darling daughter. That young man had no business living on his own. He should be living in that house with his father. That would straighten him out. Rules, structure. And stick that Val character out with the clan permanently. Clean him up!
Xelloss. He was an endangerment to them all. That young man should be locked up for his own good. He would have his lawyer look into that. He must have some family, somewhere. Or another White Shrine where he could be assigned. He'd have Nels Lahda check into that.
But first, he had to deal with his current problem. "Why not invite Lina over here? She always appreciates Mrs. Andrew's cooking."
Amelia shrugged. "She always comes here. It's just one night."
"But you have school tomorrow, and you know I frown on activities on school nights."
"Dad-dee! I am not staying up all night. Lina has school, too. Plus we can walk to school together. And that's good exercise!"
"Okay, but only this once. I want you home this week. I haven't seen you much lately, and I miss my little girl. I've come so close to losing you twice in a week!" Phil drew her into a tight hug, which she returned briefly, then slipped away and dashed for the door.
"See you after school tomorrow!" he reminded her, but she was dashing for the van, shouting instructions to the driver and didn't hear.
"Just drop me at Mr. Zelgadiss' house. I need to pick up some homework."
It was nearly ten o'clock at night. The young driver turned to her. "Shall I wait then to take you on to Miss Inverse's?"
"No, don't bother. I'm not sure how long it will take. It's okay, any one of the guys can just drive me over to Lina's."
Sounded reasonable. The driver took off to park the van in the mayor's garage for the night and go home.
Val opened the door wondering who might be visiting this late. Zel and Xelloss should be home any minute, unless the lab ran over, but they wouldn't be knocking. "Yo." His eyes dropped to Amelia's upturned face. "Hey, 'melia?" He opened the door wide and beckoned her inside. "S'up?"
"Hi, Mr. Val. Is Zelgadiss here?"
"Not yet. Lab tonight. Somethin' 'bout doin' it early so there's time for a practice. Guess there won't be one Friday. Want somethin'?"
"Friday, Kiki comes back. No, thank you, Mr. Val. I'll just wait in here." She sat on a chair in the kitchen.
"Ah...right. I'll be in my room, if ya need anythin'. TV's in there, if ya want." He pointed to the front room as he examined her face for any signs of distress. She looked nervous, but not upset.
She smiled. "I'm fine, really. I just need... he has something I need."
Val nodded and loped off. Odd kid.
When Amelia heard the door to Val's room close, she stood and moved quickly to Zel's door. Without a sound, she turned the knob, and entered.
It was completely dark, so she waited for her eyes to become adjusted. She didn't want to risk a light. In a few moments, she could make out the outline of the window, blinds drawn and a large mound on what must have been Zel's bed. A mound with luminous eyes.
"Beast?" She timidly patted the old wolf-dog in greeting. She didn't want to set him off howling now.
"That was one hell of an awful experiment tonight," Zel groaned as they come up the walk to the front door.
"I hate laboratories, you know. I think I'm getting a real... thing for them. That's 'thing' like in hatred. As in I hate them. Hospitals, labs..." Xelloss iterated.
"Damn... I smell like acetone!" Zel said followed by a groan of disgust.
"I be redolent of oil baths," Xelloss wailed, a hand poised over his eyes dramatically.
"Shower!" they shouted in agreement.
They had another agreement as well– Zelgadiss would go to classes and take notes and Xelloss would show up for tests and labs with him. Xelloss really couldn't face both Eris and Candy every morning five days a week, and Zel didn't want him to drop out. So, they made a deal that they could both live with and benefit from, although Zel would miss the company at the university.
"Put your clothes in the washer and I'll run it tonight," Xelloss suggested.
"Yeah, or our rooms will reek." Zel tossed his keys onto the counter and ripped off his jacket. "I hope our coats will be all right."
"I'll hang them in the laundry room and crack the window. Hopefully airing them out will suffice."
They both stripped to their underwear. Xelloss added detergent and started the washer.
"Yeah, well... 'night then. Oh, ah, see you at lunch tomorrow?" Zel asked with a shiver.
"Yes, indeedy!" Xelloss giggled, and then popped into his room.
Zel passed into his own room, depositing his shorts by the door, then dove into the shower. A quick rub down with a towel and brush of his teeth and he was ready to crash. "Hey, Beast! Move over!"
Zelgadiss had always slept fully dressed in sweats, even in summer. It wasn't that the scars hurt exactly, but the different skin textures had differing sensitivities, making skin-to-sheets contact a ticklish experience. The softer plush sweat fabric had protected him to some degree. Then came that absolutely wondrous mud-soak-stone-massage treatment at the spa earlier in the week, which seemed to have a lingering de-sensitizing affect, he found. From then on, when he slipped into his bed, shorts only, the new feeling was sensuously gratifying. He wasn't complaining. Now back in his own private home, he chose to sleep nude, as he had as a child, for as long as the effects lasted.
"Beast, I said move," Zel repeated in his low voice, this time adding a push.
An icy chill flashed from head to foot. That was warm flesh, not fur that his hand had contacted! "Gahhhhh!"
He simultaneously sat up, pulled down the covers, and recognizing the face at close quarters even in the near darkness, gasped, "Amelia!" In his next breath he added, "What are you doing HERE!"
Zel's heart was racing, and it wasn't just with the adrenalin pumping through his system. His eyes were mesmerized by the sight of Amelia's pale skin exposed to his view. With an effort, he managed to elevate them to her face.
"W-well?" He was breathing hard. "Amelia, what are you... doing here... like that?"
She tugged the sheet up to her neck. "I wanted to prove to you that I'm not some fragile vase. That I'm ready for this."
Oh joy... oh... gods. "V-Vase? Your father knows you're here?"
"No! Of course not! He thinks I'm at Lina's, but this isn't about him...it's about...us." There, she'd said the fateful words just as Sylphiel had dictated. Now, he should rush into her arms, gaze longingly into hers eyes a moment, and then smother her with kisses and tell her that she's the most beautiful girl alive and hold her till dawn. Sigh. Sylphiel said it worked for her and she should know!
Gulp! Zel's logical functions were shutting down. He was in bed nude with Amelia. His bed. No clothes. Amelia. Oh…wow. The impossibility of the circumstances made him doubt its reality. This was a dream. That's it! I'm dreaming this!
"Ah..." At this point any lingering memories of fair Rubia were mopped up and carted off by his in-brain chemical-cleanup crew.
"Don't you want to kiss me?" Amelia's voice lacked confidence, even to her. She was rapidly becoming less certain of this rash course of action the longer Zel just sat there gaping.
Want? Zel hadn't even addressed his wants. He was still in denial of the situation! Well, he might as well let this dream run its course; however, his dreams had never been so explicit visually yet so ambiguous logically.
"Ah, sure." If I kiss her, then she'll fade away and I'll either wake up or start a new dream.
He pressed his lips to hers. They felt warm and real enough. Yeah, well... she's still here. So now what, brilliant guy that you are?
He was so nervous it felt likebutterflies were threatening to set up housekeeping in his intestinal tract. No they had already done that...what was next? They laid eggs which would in turn hatch into little caterpillars, crawling inside his guts... Ugh! He shook the bugs out of his brain and returned his attention to the task at hand, or girl in this case.
This time he knew where to put his hands, but it was smooth skin instead of cloth that met his fingertips. Wow. Never in a thousand years did he ever think anything could feel so nice.
But so wrong.
"Z-Zel--gadiss?" Amelia asked timidly. She was full of doubts that this particular course of action, while wonderful for someone like Sylphiel and her ex fiancé, was not a custom fit for her and someone of Zel's temperament. Or physique, which was another thing she had not taken into account. Ugh, his skin feels kinda creepy and his hair is scratching my face and his knees are sharp. Where is the music? What happened to that romantic moment this was supposed to turn into?
He knew this shouldn't be happening, but... He ignored her prod 'to talk' and instead, deepened his kiss. That's when he noticed Amelia's body was rigid. Now that wasn't right, either. In those stupid movies Val had downloaded off the internet-- and he and Val and Xelloss all watched and scoffed at-- the girls were squealing with excitement and squirming around. What was he doing wrong? Well, those were contrived porno flicks with paid 'actresses' and this was one very uncertain, terrified, girl, who was his good friend. He opened his eyes and in the dim light could see her eyes closed tightly. He drew back a ways. She was trembling with fear.
With an effort, Herculean from his standpoint, he sat up and scooted off the bed. "This is wrong, Amelia. "You shouldn't be here." He pulled on his shorts and was in his closet digging in the dark for fresh clothes.
"B-but I want to be here with you." Her voice was less certain, however. Or I should like to be if you cared at all about being with me. She felt a sob blocking her throat.
Zel yanked on a long-sleeved t-shirt, and then stopped, shoulders sinking. He turned and returned to his bed. He sat beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "No you don't. I know you might think so, but not like this. Be honest. You are scared to death. You want to prove something, but this," he waved his free arm over the bed, "isn't the right way." His tone was gentle, but he had rejected her, and that hurt, right or not.
"What are you doing?" She sounded as if she were about to cry, but was holding it back. This was not working out the way Sylphiel said it would. He didn't want her, regardless. That was no charade with Rubia then. He was capable of falling in love, just not with her! Amelia didn't want this either now and she was embarrassed by her forwardness. She was afraid he now thought that she was cheap or vulgar.
He chanced a look at her face, and then wished he hadn't. It would so much easier to just go back and kiss her. What harm would that do? What should he do? What was he doing? The right thing. She was just a kid who didn't know better, and he did.
"Doing? I'm doing what I should have the moment I found you here. I'm getting dressed and taking you home. I'm going out to the front room. Get dressed and meet me out there." He didn't wait for an answer. He couldn't meet her eyes or he knew he might change his mind. He wasn't that strong and noble.
They drove in silence. It was an all-out effort for Amelia not to burst into tears. Zel looked stern as he pulled up to the back entrance to the mayor's mansion and set the brake.
"Z-zelgadiss, I want to explain--"
He made to open the door. "Not now. Not tonight, please. I'm tired, you're tired. We'll talk later (if we have to.)"
He walked her briskly to the door. At the sound of their footfalls on the step up, the porch light turned on, flooding the entry with light.
"Gah!" Zel gasped.
"Awful isn't it? Ever since Alfred's death, security has been stepped up. I forgot about the automatic lights."
"I wasn't expecting them, that's all." Zel watched her search through her purse searching for her keys. "Find them?" he asked impatiently. He wanted to make his escape free and clear before her father could intercept them.
"Yes. Don't worry. This is entirely all my problem. You haven't done anything to--" Amelia started when the door suddenly gave way, Mayor Phil in attendance.
"Amelia? Is that you?" His eyes slipped sideways and riveted upon Zelgadiss. "Zelgadiss, too?"
Zel returned a curt nod, and then said to Amelia, "Tomorrow, then," and turned to leave.
"Hold on just a minute," Phil called him back. "What are you doing here?"
"I brought Amelia home. There was a… change in plans."
"I see. Fight with Lina, dear?"
This was the time for a little lie. Just shrug and nod and plead guilty and go in. Over and out. But not Amelia. For whatever imp had taken over her psyche, it had just decided to go for broke. "No, Daddy. I didn't go to Miss Lina's. I went to s-stay at Zelgadiss'."
Now, had Zel had any clue that she was about to incorporate him into her rebellious scheme, he would have left her in the lurch long ago, about the time the lights flashed on. That had been a sign from above. And this was how he was going to pay for ignoring a sign. A sign that his infamous karma was back and 'kicking it up a notch!'
Phil's glare swept from his darling daughter to her devious boyfriend. "I see--"
"Amelia!" Zel's last gasp prior to his fast approaching near-death experience, just the latest in a series. He should have been used to them now. Why had she said that?
"Zelgadiss had nothing to do with it! I went there to wait for him, but when he came home...he...he...he just brought me back." She stepped forward waiting for her father to move and let her pass.
To say that Phil was disturbed by this news would be an understatement. He was furious. His daughter had broken his rules, which he considered to be far too lenient already, and that young man was involved. It was a bad moment for them all. "You are grounded, young lady, until notified otherwise. That includes all band activities! And you, young man, are not welcome here."
Needless to say, Amelia was not pleased. Zel did not stick around for the next act, but he could clearly make out the threats to his roommates and himself as he dashed to his car.
He had hoped to sneak back into his house, his room, his bed unnoticed and without the need to explain anything. But that wasn't what came to pass.
The lights were on in the front room. When he opened the door, Zelgadiss was met by both roommates, each hitched up on the arms at either end of the couch, poised, looking his way.
"You're up," Zel deduced unerringly.
"Yes, we are," Xelloss answered honestly for there was no way to deny it. "The sound of your car pealing away at midnight caused all kinds of alarms to go off. Sickness? Anger? Peril? I came out to see if you had left a note."
"Same here, but I'd let Amelia in and wondered if somethin' was up with her," Val added, and then waited for Zel's illuminating account of his behavior.
"Oh...gods..." Zelgadiss groaned, collapsing over the back of the couch, bent double, head down in the pillow seat, and then he just slipped head-first to the floor.
Xelloss gave his feet a push, and over he went. "That was enlightening. Rough night?"
Zel's muffled voice could barely be heard. "Yes."
"You drunk?" Val surmised.
"No."
"You and Amelia in a bit of a... bind?" Zel could hear the smile in Xelloss' voice.
"Ugh."
"I got the whole night ta listen," Val said, making himself more comfortable.
After a few minutes, they rearranged Zel onto the couch and prodded him into talking. Val explained how he had let Amelia in, but left her waiting in the kitchen.
"Well, that's not where I found her."
Tick, tick, tick.
Val twisted the stud in his eyebrow. Xelloss stared approvingly at the manicure he'd received at the spa. It was the only treatment he could endure, as it turned out.
Sighing repeatedly, Zel enabled himself after a time to conjure up the whole uncanny sequence of events. "I got out of the shower and climbed into bed and thought it was Beast in my bed, but it wasn't!"
"Amelia?" Xelloss asked in disbelief.
"Yes, A-meee-lia." Zel shook his head. "I was shocked, but then my higher thought processes went kaplooie snap! "
Val roared. "Ho! He is a man after all!"
"And?" Xelloss cued him on.
"And, after a bit, I could tell she was upset and so I took her home. And then, instead of telling her father-- oh yeah--The Mayor of all Seyruun managed to rear his ugly mug." Zel buried his face in his hands. "Instead of just telling him that she and Lina had had a fight or had a change of plans, or whatever, Amelia told him that she'd been with me, not at Lina's AT ALL, and now she's grounded, no band at all for who knows how long, and I am banned from the premises from this time forward."
"Zelgadiss," Xelloss commiserated.
"Awww, shit! When Lina finds out, it won't be good," Val moaned as well.
"Lina... gods...no..." Zel's suffering knew no bounds.
"So, what upset Amelia?" Xelloss wondered. He was a nosy guy.
Oddly enough, Zel actually answered him. It was as if he had to get it off his chest and forgot that he didn't like to 'share'. "I just started kissing her then she froze up and I could tell that she must have decided it was all a mistake, so I told her it was, and made her get dressed and go home."
Xelloss shook his head. "She probably imagined it all differently, a romantic girl like her. Took a lot of courage to make a move like that, I think. She probably needed a little reassurance that you appreciated her doing it. Amelia must have wanted you to just hold her. You know how she's a huggy type, right? I've found most girls like cuddling, mostly. The rest is for the guy; that is, until they get older. Zelgadiss, think of her limited experience. Hugging pillows! Nice and soft and cushy while you're hard, bony, and heavy. You just overwhelmed her, that's all." He said it all so matter-of-factly you'd have thought he was teaching a shrine class.
But Zelgadiss was listening, and so was Val.
"That's what Candy liked. We'd just sit together and talk, or do homework. It's very intimate, just one-on-one, the contact, but nothing threatening. Light touches, jokes, listening-- girls seem to like that, even Lina... to a point. I bet if Amelia felt like she was taking the lead, she'd be less insecure and not get frightened. And don't monopolize the conversation. They want to ask you about yourself, but not have you tell them your life history in one shot. That's hard for me because I like to talk, and when I get going I talk too much, right?"
"Yeah, but go on," Val said encouragingly. "Tell me 'bout Filia. You've been with her dancin' an' all." Zel was happy to have the focus off him for awhile.
"In private, she likes to be surprised. Open doors, pull out chairs, compliment her. Most girls like to have their attractive features admired to some extent, but be sure you mean it! Filia's led a sheltered life and likes to think she's cultured like a pearl, so don't overdo it, but don't be crude. You like art and so does she, so that's a good place to start. And watch your hands. From my experience, limited as it is, girls would rather not be manhandled."
Xelloss looked down at his own hands and said in a far-off voice, "Cherish them..."
Zel closed his eyes. "Well, I stopped thinking the moment I saw her."
"Yeah, well, duh! Ya stopped though." Val rubbed his chin wondering if he should shave or not. "I don't know if I coulda done that. 'Course bein' Amelia an' all, mebbe..."
"Yeah, but she hates me now. I was awfully harsh, now that I think about it. I didn't let her explain either, but I was in shock. Why tonight? Why like that? What got into her to do something like that?"
Val shook his head, "That wasn't like her. Maybe she's been gettin' pointers from her sister."
Zel have him a hard look, then sighed, "You might be right. It was weird. Well, it won't happen again. Her father will never let her date me again. Just as well, I guess."
Xelloss nodded. "Oh, there will be another time. Trust me, she's not about to let one little setback destroy her chances with you, little brother. She's probably worried about what you think of her now more than anything else. Next time, just hold her and talk. Tell her she's beautiful, which isn't a lie, is it? Didn't think so! Then, be still and listen and relax and enjoy. Girls are wonderful, I think. I-I'm going to miss that kind of closeness the most."
Val placed a big hand on Xelloss' back, "Hey, dude--"
"I feel kinda numb actually. One moment I had a girl and then no one. It's a pattern. Maybe I ought to take up girl hunting like a sport: attract, catch, and throw back. Avoid the attachment part."
Val stared hard. "That don't sound like it would keep ya happy."
"And thisdoes? I might as well start picking up fans and just making a run at it. Involvement is too complicated." Xelloss closed his eyes.
Val couldn't disagree with that declaration-- his feelings exactly. "You awake?" Val nudged Zel.
"Barely."
"Go ta bed. Things'll work out. Phil'll let up. We got some gigs lined up and that musical. He won't get in the way of all that...we got a contract."
"He was...mad, Val. He was ranting about sending you to the settlement and me to live with Rezo, and Xelloss?"
"What?"
"Never mind. I'm going to bed."
Xelloss stopped Zel with a grip to his arm. "What did Phil threaten to do to me?"
"Send you away to some other shrine. Listen, Val was right. The guy over-reacts. Nothing happened. I don't know what's got into Amelia, but I'm guessing that she's tired of being in his shadow and under his tight rule. And, ah, thanks for listening to me and... ah... for your insights. Come on, Xelloss." He tugged his arm free, and then hesitated. "Xelloss--"
"Okay."
The three friends traded good-nights, and then parted, each to his own room and each to his own thoughts, which were plentiful.
Backwash.
The next day band practice had been canceled. Lina and Luna were over at Amelia's pleading with her father for some reprieve from his ruling. They had the musical to prepare for, gigs on Sunday and the following weekend, and Kiki was due back in Seyruun in a few days, Friday!
Sylphiel had recovered fully and had gone back to school that day, but her throat was raw. In fact, so was Lina's and all the others, which made singing difficult.
It was just as well. No one was in the mood.
"So what's for dinner?"
"Food."
Xelloss made a face at his fun-ny brother. "No kidding."
Val lunged for his chair and then watched as Zel mounded lasagna onto his plate. "Does this look familiar to you?"
Xelloss poked at his serving with a fork. "In what way do you mean? I recognize it as an eatable substance."
Val glared. "Ha, ha."
"Those who forget the meals of the past are destined to repeat them in the form of leftovers." Zel declared wittily as he took his seat at the table. "Wine anyone?"
Val 's face creased into a grin, "All right, dude!"
"Forwarding gift to Xelloss from Kiki," Zel informed them.
"Oh really? So then why didn't I get to open it?" Xelloss wondered.
"I was here and signed for it when it was delivered. I figured, exploding bomb, why take a chance? Then I noticed the return label and thought I'd better take a look, besides, I had just forged your name-- that was practically stealing your identity already. Nice isn't it?" He sipped about half the glass.
Xelloss continued staring at Zel, then shrugged. Oh well. "Can I see the bottle?"
"Certainly," Zel pushed the bottle closer. "Attractive label."
Val intercepted it first. "First Anniversary," Val read aloud. "What do ya think that's about?"
"Probably has to do with a particular vintage," Zel said knowledgeably.
"It's a new one," Xelloss remarked. "I hadn't seen this on the list I ordered from, ah, for Filia's folks."
"Nice." Val raised his glass as a toast.
"Nice of them to send it!" Zel clicked his glass to Val's.
"Nice of you to pour it." Xelloss offered his glass in a toast.
"Nice of you to share it with us." Zel clicked back.
Val chuckled, "I can't believe I'm par-ti-ci-pa-tin' in this!"
"Does that mean I can have the rest of yours?" Zel asked, reaching for Val's glass.
"No!" Val whisked it out of the shorter guy's reach.
"To… the afternoon off!" Xelloss giggled.
"To… more of that wine; here let me pour," Val mumbled.
"To… us! Not on your life, Agares-dude! I'm doing the pouring," Zel lurched over the table and sloshed the glasses.
"To… OZ!" Xelloss giggled some more.
They relaxed and prepared to enjoy a nice quiet evening at home for a change and forget their troubles.
Backlash.
While in another part of Seyruun--
"Luna, I am not an unreasonable man. I am willing to listen to everyone, but Amelia is my responsibility, sole responsibility, and that has to come first."
"Agreed. But Phil, you have practically cut her off from the outside world. No cell phone, no e-mail, school-related activities only... Her only contact with her friends is lunch. You don't think that's a bit harsh?"
"She broke our trust. As she improves her behavior, she will regain her privileges." Phil interlaced his fingers and settled his hands heavily on the table. "She is not the only one on the hotplate."
Luna nodded. "I have to tell you, although I don't know what really happened, Zelgadiss is no predator--"
"Hell, no!" Lina put in. "He's been climbing in and outta my window for years. His only interest is good conversation."
Phil's eyebrows shot up at the mention of the 'window' incident.
"Eh, maybe that's not so good an example. But, listen, he's the least aggressive guy I know. He's always telling us that Amelia's too young to be a romantic interest for him, not that he's got any others." Lina trailed off, unsure where to go with her argument. She didn't really know what Zel had done, if anything, to deserve the exile verdict or what Amelia could possibly have done to be cloistered at home so absolutely. All she knew was that Amelia had gone to Zel's and not her place, and that he'd brought her home very late that night.
Luna stepped in with the save. "I've known the boy most of his life, Phil, and he's principled and terribly inhibited. If he brought her home, I'd say that took a lotta guts. He didn't have to. He could have had her stay over and not risked a confrontation with you. He could have taken advantage of her not just last night, but on multiple occasions, I'm sure."
"But he didn't! He hasn't! He'd never!" Lina asserted. "The safest Amelia is, is with the band. We look out for one another and there's no stuff goin' on of any kind!"
"Safe? SAFE!" Phil thundered and pounded on the table. "She has be shot at twice, nearly killed in a bomb attack, burned, asphyxiated, had her life threatened in her own home, all in a matter of weeks! Not to mention the danger to her throughout the past year."
"Yeah, well," Lina waved her hand, "there's danger and there's danger. Nahga can tell ya some pretty scary stories herself! Life's full of danger--"
"Not mine!" Phil said, his sonorous voice carrying throughout the house like a fog horn. "And don't think I haven't been on the phone about that!"
Luna rubbed her temples. She had been on the phone herself, first to Rezo, that poor gentleman. He was a very proud man whose world had been rocked off tilter. The chemistry department was in an uproar, officials were calling for an investigation of all the ongoing research projects. She knew for a fact that he was concerned for the reputation of his venerated university if the depth of syndicate infiltration was discovered. Ah, yes, Luna had been busy pulling her own strings all night. "What was that?"
Phil repeated. "I said that I know those boys are over eighteen now and can legally retain that home together, but I've been putting pressure on Rezo to do something. He was about to move his own son back into his house. Something about helping him out with some private work, then this happens! I want Milgasia to put pressure on Val to move as well. I understand the man's secured a house on the settlement for him. It's important that Val gets more structure, and the clan can have him!"
Luna felt the hairs on head stand on end. The clan was under her jurisdiction. "Stay out of clan business, Mayor. Val has his own resources and his own ideas as to how to conduct his life. If he wishes to make the clan his home, that's fine, but no amount of pressure from you or Milgasia or anyone will make that happen."
"He and that Xelloss character are a dangerous combination," Phil maintained. "So, I've spoken to Nels Lahda, who agrees with me. He is arranging a transfer for Xelloss to another shrine, where he will have constant supervision and the help he needs."
"Help!" Lina burst out of her seat. "What he needs is the syndicate off his case. You got a phone call that can do that! Other than that, he's doing just fine, and so's Val and Zelgadiss. Hey, last year, Val hardly made it to classes and was selling drugs and stealing stereos. Now he owns a home, runs a country club, is graduating with grades good enough to get himself into a good art school, and is in one heck of a fine band! Xelloss was just out of a mental institution and was a minion enthralled under his wicked mother without a friend or hope in the world. Now, he's got family that cares (some he'd rather not have, but whatever) and is making life choices that are his, and is in the best damn band in the country. And it wouldn't hurt to say that Zelgadiss has progressed from an introverted, son-of-a-bitch to become a caring, talented, fun-loving participant in the best kick-ass band this world has ever known. And now you want to destroy all the progress that I have made? All my hard work gone to waste? Oh, I don't think so!"
She was practically foaming at the mouth by the end of her rant.
Luna held her breath. She had simply let her little sis get her feelings off her chest.
Phil sighed and shook his head. "When you put it that way, the boys have come a long way. I just want them to live to see the next year."
"So do I," Lina smiled. "I've got this musical to finish and the band--have I mentioned our band? Well, our band travels with two security men now– and these two passed all the id checks."
Luna added, "I have it from an excellent source that Zolf and Rodimus are well-trained for their newly invested positions. Problem is, they can't be everywhere all the time and they can't be where they are needed if they're not informed about it. That, I blame the kids for."
"Gee, sis, I don't think Zel normally needs an escort to go visit his dad."
"But someone suspected something, or you all wouldn't have all been 'called upon' to accompany him," Phil pointed out. "And that person would be Xelloss. He seems to be the vortex for most of the problems. If he were elsewhere, the rest of you would be safer."
"Not true! Zelgadiss would be targeted, then Val, then... We were all on that 'most wanted' list! There is no safe zone as long as the syndicate thinks it can operate here." Lina glanced across the table. "Ah, you think I might be able to get a drink or something?"
They took a brief break while Mrs. Andrews brought in some refreshments. Phil was agitated, pacing the room until the woman left the room. As she closed the door behind her, he wasted no time in pulling out his cell phone and placing another call. "McGywn? Phil. What have you learned since last night? Well, yes, I am pressuring you. I want some results! I have people calling me, and you know what they are asking me? They want to know if Seyruun is still a safe place to live. Seyruun! The Jewel of this continent.
"So I pose this question to you, my soon to be chief of police, is Seyruun safe? Well, then...lets get the ball rolling again. A bigger, better ball! I want a plan to squirrel out these damn syndicate monsters once and for all. Yes, I called you my future Chief of Police. The last man just handed in his resignation this morning. Said he was no longer able to do the job I had appointed him to. Why you? Well, that's simple...you can. Why? Because you and you alone seem able to communicate with these kids of ours. Yes, Xelloss in particular and his cooperation, you know, is absolutely required. Just say yes and the job's yours. No, don't think about it. If you do that you'll talk yourself out of it. Very good, congratulations. My secretary will send the paperwork. No scratch that. Meet me downtown at the White Shrine, 9 o'clock AM. We'll have breakfast with Nels Lahda and lay out some ideas...you can sign the papers then. Fine. Good night, now."
"Well, that's one less problem I have to think about tonight," Phil said with a sigh as he put away his cell phone. "Now, I understand your concern for the band, and I know Amelia is contractually required to participate, but not this week. She and I have some catching up to do, some fence mending. We are having a house warming party, nothing big, just a small gathering to welcome Kiki and her family to Seyruun. The invitations have gone out. You should get yours tomorrow most likely. I'll allow Amelia to attend that. As for the other activities, depending upon how the rest of this week goes, I'll evaluate at that point."
Lina was not satisfied. "We gotta gig this Sunday and another next Friday and Saturday at the beach resort."
"You'll have to do the Sunday one without Amelia. I'll consider the job next week later, particularly since it is an overnight."
Fallout.
"Well, that's the best we can do for tonight," Luna said as she nursed her old car to start. "He seemed more reasonable than when I spoke to him over the phone. Sorry, Lina. I wish I could do more to get the band on track for you."
Lina looked askance at her big sister, who was more like a mother than her mother had ever been. "Yeah, I'll be okay. We can cover for her Sunday. I'll call Joey and make sure he can come so Xelloss can break free to do our duet thing and sing an extra number."
"Xelloss sings?"
"Yes he does. Good tenor. He's Mr. Entertainment these days. Sings, dances, acts, tells jokes. At least he was. He had a rough break up with that stupid Candy girl and just found out about all that other stuff, you know... that not only some uncle of his or Zel's, I forget which their family's so screwed up, but an aunt-- Zelas' sister was behind this latest killing attempt."
Luna nodded, but kept her eyes on the road. She'd heard it all before. "Think that will affect his voice or sense of humor?"
Lina smiled. "Humor's his survival technique for the violence, but he sent us all this weird e-mail to tell us he wasn't taking his medication any more. Now, I can't really tell the difference, but then I see him mostly off them anyways. Gives him more energy for performances, he claims. It's just... he hardly cares about much lately. Like, it was his birthday and he hardly ate dessert! He goes through the motions, but--"
"His heart's not in it? But his reflexes are still sharp, right?"
"Yeah, I thought I had that Starfish dude with that stinkin' cup of shit, but he moved fast for an old guy. Gourry got in my way or I would have kicked it into his face, but then, instead, Xelloss was knocking it away with that big stick of his. He came outta nowhere." Lina sighed and looked out the window.
"Xelloss just keeps saving you over and over, doesn't he?" Luna mused.
"Eh? It was Gourry who nearly got his brains blown out, and it was him that saved me that first time, if you recall. Anyway, I was fine, never at risk."
"You're sure about that? You don't think in the next heartbeat that gun wouldn't have been pointed at you?"
Lina wasn't sure. It was possible. "No, not with those syndicate artifacts Amelia and I were wearing. That kept us safe. Old Halciform didn't care about the shrine's reaction to murder, though, that's for sure. He was aimin' for Gourry and Sylphiel. He was trying to bond Zel with a contract. Xelloss, we don't know what nasty plans he had against him, had he had time to carry out, staff or no staff."
"I wanna make a little detour. I haven't seen this house of sin, heh, heh." Luna chuckled at Lina's wide-eyed look. "Think the boys will let us in?"
"We can go over anytime," Lina said.
"I mean through the front door," Luna sneaked a quick smile in.
"Ahh..." Lina began to object. "I probably shouldn'ta mentioned that about Zel, huh?"
"I don't know if you'd noticed this about little Zel, but he's not so little any more." Luna waited for Lina to say something. When she didn't, Luna continued. "He's still touchy and retiring, but he's no weakling, handsome in his own odd way."
"First Xelloss and now Zel? What's with you and my friends? Julian getting dull?"
"Ha! No, I just enjoy seeing you squirm and get all defensive. It's not a side you show to just anyone, squirt."
Lina gaped, mouth framing words that couldn't come out. "Sssssquirt? You haven't called me that since, heh, heh, yeah."
"Yeah, that!"
"Hey, I'm sorry 'bout that. I was just a little--"
"Squirt."
"Kid! I had had my eye on that camera of Dad's--"
"Mom's," Luna cut in, paled, then corrected herself, "Ah, yeah, Dad's. His spy camera. You stole that?"
"Yeeeeahh. Like I said, Dad's little silver camera." She had noticed her older sister's odd reaction. She guessed that Luna had been closer to her parents and that talking about them was harder for her. Better move on to the funny part, she thought. "I got bored takin' pictures of the grass growing so I started hunting for subjects. Heh, heh, that's when I heard ya singin' in the bath."
"I don't remember ever singing, in or out of the bath."
"Maybe that was screaming when I started clickin' away," Lina grinned. "Man, were you ever pissed..."
"I was just, self-conscious. My, er... figure had just come in and I didn't want anyone to see me. I wasn't much younger than you are now." Luna slowed, looking for a parking place on the block. "Doesn't anyone park in their garage anymore? Anyway, I was mad at you then, but that was nothing compared to how mad I got when I found out that you'd made prints and were selling them to kids at school!"
"Dontcha know it! You went ballistic!"
"You bet," Luna turned off the ignition. "That was an awful thing to do."
"Yeah, I know." Lina became contrite. "But, it did get you your first boyfriend."
"Boyfriends!" Luna emphasized. "I got asked out by at least four different guys that day. I was ecstatic, until I caught wind of those photos you'd spread around. I could have killed you."
"Yeah, we didn't talk for years. I was terrified of you, still am a little," Lina admitted.
"Not true."
"Yeah, it is." Lina nodded.
"We're talking now."
"We've been talking a lot more lately. It's kinda nice, ya know?" Lina smiled shyly.
"It is. We should do it more often. Why don't we?"
"Well, at first it was about me being so afraid of you," Lina began. "Then later it was more about Mom and Dad. Every time I'd mentioned them, you'd clam up. After awhile, I just stopped asking about them, Mom mostly, then eventually I just stopped talking to you altogether. You were busy with college and me with getting Zel to wanna live again."
"That was a hard ordeal for you, too much for someone so young."
"I had no choice! Zel was my bud, my closest friend. And it was so awful to see him laying there all bandaged head to toe. I had wished we could change places 'cause I knew I could handle it all better than him, that I was the stronger one. We were so much alike, still are in ways. That's why I said the things I did to Phil. Besides, I need to straighten things out with Zel again. He said a few things in that lab he needs to re-think. Acting or not, if he's gonna be a jerk, he'd better square it with me later. He's one the best people I know and I wanna help him."
"You don't think he can do it himself? That he's not strong enough yet?"
"Actually, and don't you dare tell him this or... Well, just don't, 'kay? Ah, well he's physically got me beat now. He's tough when he wants to be. He doesn't need me to beat up the bullies any more. Yeah, that's not his problem. He's still weak in his...self image, though, and backs off from battles he should win just because he doesn't believe in himself."
Luna smiled, "So, he still needs his little Lina?"
"Damned straight he does!"
"Then, let's go in and see what we can do? Okay?"
"Sure, Luna. Ah, this is strange, but it's really nice to have you on my side, with Dad and Mom gone and all."
"I'll always be on your side, and Mom's not dead, she's just...unable to see us. But, sis, she loves us, I know she does. She just... can't..." Luna paused.
"Eh, that's okay. Doesn't mean that much ta me. We got each other! Come on, lets go in and kick some Greywords ass before we start gettin' sappy. I hate sap...that and angst!"
"Okay," Luna shook her head with a smile. "Lead on."
Val opened the door. "Well, look who's here. Hey, dudes! I got two fine ladies here!"
Lina pushed in, "Knock it off and just let us in. It's cold out here!"
"Good evening Valentine," Luna said with a gleam in her eye.
"'Evening, Knight. So to what honor do I owe this vis-it?"
"I found him!" Lina hollered from the kitchen over Xelloss' head. Zel covered his ears with his hands and winced.
Luna sniffed, "You been drinking?"
"Naw, just a glass of wine with our din-nah. That girl Ki-Ki sent it to Xelloss." Val answered without due consideration.
Luna's expression darkened, but she didn't start a lecture.
"Phil's having a party this Friday, I think, for her and her family." Lina shouted again so everyone could hear the news. As Val and Luna joined them, she went on. "So, he's easin' up some, but no Amelia for the gig Sunday for sure, maybe for the beach thing. Which reminds me, I gotta call Joey."
"On it!" Xelloss piped up with his cell phone in hand. "Luna! What a special treat! Just a second and I'll give you the grand tour. Ah, yes. Hello Shari. How are you? That's too bad. I hate colds, too. Is Joey there? Can I speak to him? Thanks. Hope you feel better soon." He rolled his eyes and danced in a circle to kill time. He jerked back to attention when the phone was picked up again. "Joey? We sure do. Sunday and next week Friday and Saturday– beach trip. Sure, go ask your mom and tell her Sunday's really important because we'll be short Amelia's solos." Xelloss smiled and tapped out a partial tune on the counter. "What's that? You can? Great. I'll let you know about a practice later. 'Kay, stay healthy. Don't kiss any diseased girls!" Xelloss laughed and hung up. "Done. What else?"
"You're pretty jolly," Lina's eyes narrowed.
"We shared a bottle of wine." Zelgadiss said. "We thought we deserved it for all our good deeds like knocking off more syndicate leaders and their mockery of life offspring... and delivering young maidens from evil monsters. Oh yeah, that deserves a kick in the guts."
Lina's eyes narrowed further. "I'd go as far as saying that you are drunk, all three of you."
"One bottle, three ways," Zel pointed to the bottle.
"Tour time!" Xelloss sprang to life. He took Luna by the arm and lightly wrapped it around his own. "In here we have the kitchen. This is my fish. No name. It's going into our pond in spring. This way goes to the outside. We have deck, hot tub with rock water fall and pond. No fish. Lots of trees--"
"It's probably nicer in the springtime," Luna commented.
"It's nicer in the daylight!" He giggled and turned, leading them back into the house. "This way to the front room, where we have the entertainment center, chairs, couches. Would you like to watch something?"
"Maybe another time."
"Okay! Sooooo, from his central location--"
"Is that the window that was broken?" Luna asked with interest.
"Yes! Right on the first try."
"Which room is which?" Luna nudged him back on course.
"That's Val-ly's...that one's Zel-gaaa-disssss'. That's mine and that's the guest room."
"No den?"
"No den, but I think Val's place is more of a cave and Zelgadiss' is a dive, while mine is more of a private abode for luring fascinating, mature women to paradise." Xelloss batted his eyes in mock-seductiveness.
"Paradise, huh? I could use me a bit of that. Lead on then, lady killer."
Even in his slightly inebriated state, Xelloss was not sure what to say next. "Ah..."
Luna tightened her grip on his arm and lead him away, "This one right?" and closed the door behind them.
"He's gonna be okay in there with her?" Val asked Lina.
"Yeah, her bark's worse than her bite," Lina turned to Zel. "So how are you, really?"
"Great. Really... great." Zel picked up his glass, swirled the last of the wine around, and then swilled it back. "Super, actually. Why do you ask?"
"I thought you might be needing a friend. Wanna talk about it?"
He looked up at her. "No."
"Why not?"
"Nothing to tell."
"Well, I'd like to know what happened. My band is a mess right now. I deserve the story at the very least."
"Why don't you have the princess fill you in."
"The Princess? Oh, Amelia. Well, she's incommunicado currently, as you should know. She was mute on the subject at lunch, something that you would have noticed if you or your big goofus brother had managed to make it today."
"We were indisposed. He doesn't have the stomach to sit in his classes any more and when I stopped by the house to pick him up we decided to forgo the whole 'eat' thing and went to visit Subaru. He had been very worried after the attack on the Shrine. His fish were fine by the way. He says 'hello'." Zel took a deep breath and stared at Lina.
"The story. What happened between you and Amelia?" Lina insisted.
"Ah, Lina, Lina, Li-na... A dude don't kiss an' tell," Val said in passing.
Lina struck out with a fist. "I wasn't askin' yer opinion. Shut yer yap!"
Zel shook his head, "Lina, if I knew what was up, I'd be a smarter man, a better man, a-ah, someone different."
Lina waited him out. Her eyes must have bored a hole to his heart, because he finally opened up. "All right, so I got home from lab, not our usual night, but we wanted to get it out of the way in case there was an extra practice. We reeked of lab chemicals--"
"I can imagine," Lina acknowledged after first hand experience with stinking solutions. Her clothes had to be trashed after the experience in Rezo's lab.
"So I showered and went to bed..."
"Au naturel!" Val shot out. Hey, Xelloss woulda said it had he been there!
"Too much detail," Lina waved Zel on, while fixing Val with and irritated glare.
"Problem was when I told Beast to shove off, it wasn't a dog in my bed, it was Amelia."
"Huh?"
"A-me-li-a."
"Yeah, I heard. I meant, what was she doing there?" Lina prompted him for more.
"My thoughts exactly! I said, 'My, my, someone is sleeping in myyyyy bed, and it's a little girl!' Right after I picked my chin up off the bedspread that is."
"And what did she say?"
"She wondered if I would...ah...like to...kiss her," Zel finished with a dark blush to match the spot of wine on his shirt sleeve.
Lina flushed in kind. "Oh."
"Oh... is right."
"So, you took her home."
"Yes, after we got dressed."
"You weren't dressed? Either of you?" Lina gasped and looked away, trying not to picture it. She focused on the fish swimming in its bowl. She realized that aside from eating them, she didn't like fish.
"That's right." Zel waited until Lina returned her eyes, and held them. "It was harder than I thought...to let her go. She's--" It was his turn to watch the fish circle its toy castle again and again. "She's beautiful. Flawless."
Lina was very uncomfortable now. So maybe her Zel wasn't so pure-hearted after all. Good thing she already talked to Phil with a clear conscious.
Zel went on. "So, I told her that what we were doing, or more precisely not doing, was wrong and that she couldn't stay any longer. Then... I drove her home and walked her to the door and was absolutely flabbergasted when she just told her father that she'd lied about where she'd been, and then told him that she'd been with me! She had no good reason to have done that except to get him mad at me, which is what happened, and at her and the band and...gods...I wanted to crawl into a hole, or punch him out! But I just ran to my car and took off. I had heard enough. I never can face him again. I never want to go back to that house again. Never!"
After a short pause, Lina said, "I don't blame you."
"What's that?" he asked.
"I don't blame you for not wanting to face him, right now. Luna and I just came from a meeting with him. He was a very messed up guy. He's worried about Amelia and all the trouble she's gotten into lately, well, since she's joined the band. He thinks she'll become another Nahga and it will be all his fault if he doesn't do something right away. I think I made a pretty good case for you not being a social deviant and that the band is primo."
"Deviant, yeah, that's me."
"Nah, I told him that you're a sweetie pie and I think he's softening up."
"Oh, thanks."
"No need to thank me," Lina said. "Like butter in my hands! Ah, but you can find me something to snack on to show your gratitude."
"How about a slice of sweetie pie?" Val laughed hoarsely from in front of the open refrigerator door.
"Go find out what's keepin' my sis!" Lina growled at him.
Val just starting laughing and snorting.
To whom Lina snapped, "Disgusting cretin--"
"Speaking of the devil..." Zel's gaze traced in the direction of the sounds now emanating from the other side of the house.
Luna and Xelloss reappeared in the kitchen. "Those reports look promising. You are going to see the doctor soon, aren't you? No reason to put off a possible cure is there, Zelgadiss?"
Zel looked away. "Except, that nothing will work, it will cost a mint, hurt a hell of a lot, and waste my time. But, if it makes you feel any better, Xelloss and I both have appointments set up. All right with you?"
"Just as long as you make sure the good doctor removes that giant chip off your shoulder while he's at it," Luna retorted. "You are so full of yourself, Zelgadiss Greywords. You're in good health. You have living family, friends. You are talented, creative, intelligent, and still, the only thing you can focus on is your shortcomings. Your poor face. Your sorry life. If you had any gumption at all, you would get yourself up and over to the mayor's and sit and talk to that man. Let him get to know you, explain yourself, tell him about what you know about the syndicate and what's happening to his precious Seyruun. Talk! Be a man. Don't count on Lina to pull you along and get you through life's little ups and downs. But...ah...not tonight. If he knew you'd be drinking, he'd have the cops arrest you and he'd have a case for breaking up this little party house." Luna turned to Xelloss, leaving Zelgadiss crushed.
"Thanks for showing me those web sites. Sometime, when you have a moment, I'd like some help out at the settlement fixing up the databases. I've had some problem merging the old archived stuff with the more current. I've looked over all of the material you guys collected last spring, but trying to put it into a more useful form has stumped me."
"No problem. My time is yours." Xelloss smiled.
"Yeah, when it's not mine!" Lina broke in possessively. "Say, we gotta shove off here."
"Nice of you to drop by," Xelloss reached for her hand, then on second thought, dropped his arm to his side. For a second he forgot himself. Lina was just a little like Laila at times. "Have a good evening, you two. I'll see you in the morning, Lina. Just call when you're ready to go over the script changes. And I have an appointment with the choreographer so you can see plans for the big production numbers."
Val groaned. "Shit, no big--"
Lina punched his arm. "Shuddup! Okay, see ya about 10:00."
"I have a new song to run by you," Xelloss said quietly as he walked the two visitors to the door, but when he turned to catch her response, he was no longer by his side. "Where...?"
Lina had dashed up to Zelgadiss and wrapped her arms around his neck, enabling her to whisper something into his ear. Zel's wide open look of alarm said it all, as far as Xelloss was concerned; she had kissed him. He was certain. Lina had kissed Zelgadiss, or so it had appeared from his angle. Xelloss couldn't bear to watch a moment longer and stomped off to his room to be alone.
This act wasn't lost on Val or Luna.
"What was that all about?" Luna asked Lina out in the car.
"What? My message to Zel? I told him that he was stronger than me, that he had over-powered me...ah...before in Atlas City in a situation we don't need to go into. That he didn't have to prove shit to nobody and that he was cute as a bunny regardless. He needed to be bucked up there at the end. You came down too hard on my lead guitarist."
Luna nodded. "Uh, huh. You didn't happen to notice Xelloss' reaction, did you?"
"Reaction to what? I shared a word with my bud! What was wrong with that?"
"Xelloss was talking to you, then you ran off and next what he sees, and I know 'cause it kinda looked that was to me, was you, the light in his eyes, giving your...bud, his best friend, a parting kiss. He was hurt. I could see it in his eyes, then he took off before anyone could see him, or before he could see any more."
"Kiss? Me? Kiss Zel? Oh for gods'sakes that's ridiculous! I can't help it if he flips out over stupid stuff like that. Let him and his roommates work it out. Geesh...I can't..." Her face wrinkled up in disgust as she continued to mutter.
Val shook Zel out of his trance. "You okay, dude?"
"Yeah."
"Uh, huh. So, what'd she say that's sent you out onto another di-men-sion?"
"I'm stronger. She told me I was stronger than her. She admitted it."
Val looked at him incredulously, "That's ob-vi-ous enough. You couldn't figure that out yerself?"
Zel said nothing.
"Better go talk to Xelloss, then. He thinks she vowed e-ter-nal love for you."
Zel smiled and moved off to do just that, muttering, "Idiot."
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 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 36.