Seyruun High Jinx –NEXT!
Chapter 40
Double Date and a Wedding
It is folly to live poor and die rich.—Scottish proverb
Dinner and a Dance – A farce in four parts
Part 1, Zelgadiss, a puzzle in himself
"Some people are more complex than others."
"Oh? Like you, I suppose," Zel ventured.
"Of course, but I was thinking of you right now, as per our previous conversation." Xelloss smiled at the strange guy he called 'little brother' seated in the back seat of the security-driven limousine. "It was if someone chopped up two or three other guys..."
"Chopped up? Oh well...make that ten while you're bloody-well bloody chopping up people," Zel muttered in a faux English accent.
Xelloss chose to ignore him. "Okay, just two others plus the original you. The original one...all happy, smart, and witty. Then a hard-nosed, aloof guy to shield your feelings from the outside world. And then this other guy..."
"You are still talking about me?"
"Then the other guy with the alien looks, rock-star attitude, and slippery talents. You take those three guys and then magically combine them all together and get one new Zelgadiss. What do they call those creatures of legend? Chimeras!"
"So now you say I'm a chimera. That's very...reassuring, Xelloss."
"Yeah? I think it explains you better than just the part-elf thing. Although, that one guy was once definitely elf."
The two exchanged stupid expressions.
"Well, you're entirely sneaky-demon in disguise."
Xelloss grinned. "Good disguise, though. Now, what's that look for?"
"You were just kidding about the Amelia thing, am I correct in assuming that? I remind you, that you two have been good friends for the past year."
"You mean my 'hitting on' your girl, oh excuse me...not your girl. You don't have or want a girl. So, I guess she's fair game. She's a smart one. I'll just be me and let her choose." He moved closer to Zel and whispered, "And if she shows up naked in my bed, I won't be in such a hurry to drive her home!"
Now he was joking, mostly, and Zel knew it, or hoped that was the case, but it still turned into a childish punching match in the back seat for the next few minutes.
"Ah, guys?" Rodimus interrupted their 'good times'. "Mayor's place. Doesn't one of you have a girl to pick up here?"
Part 2, Xelloss lets the games begin.
The girls were thrilled to be driven about in a limousine. "Daddy insisted that we have a security man with us and since it would be a bit too tight in Zelgadiss' car with five of us..."
"Impossible," Zel corrected.
"Then...Xelloss? Was it you who arranged for this car?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, do you like it?"
"Mais, oui!" Kiki giggled in a light musical way. "And the flowers, they are so very nice, too. Thank you Zelgadiss."
He returned her smile. Xelloss handled the transportation and dancing arrangements; Zel the flowers and dinner. It was simpler that way and ensured that neither one had an unfair advantage from the start, but they hadn't thought of it that way, yet, leastways Zel hadn't. They hadn't thought that they were in a competition, yet. Neither boy was terribly good at sharing things like rooms, computer resources, or Lina's attention, so it hadn't occurred to either of them that they might not be able to share this date without their natural competitive natures surfacing. They had done things together before successfully. This was just another thing. No girl could come between them, right?
Both the young men and women were amusing and polite at the table. They knew how to act appropriately at a fine restaurant. Zelgadiss had chosen a Mediterranean-themed place (not French, which was in Xelloss' area of expertise!), called the Adriatic, whose menu was written in the language of Seyruun, further providing an even playing field. And so, with the teams lined up, oblivious as most of them were that they were players at all, the game was about to begin.
While waiting for their orders to be delivered, the two couples sipped at their ice water, chatted familiarly, waiting for the play-maker to get the ball rolling.
"You look so nice, Zelgadiss. You both do. But I don't think I've ever seen you in a suit before." Kiki smiled first at Zel then Xelloss.
"Ah, thanks..." Zel muttered, becoming tongue-tied.
"You look ravishing...both of you," Xelloss said smoothly, his eyes lingering on Amelia's plunging neckline a moment longer than she was comfortable.
Zelgadiss kicked his foot under the table and glared over his glass.
Bingo!
"It's not my usual Slayers gear, is it?" Amelia said trying to change topics and hide her blush. She placed her glass to a spot between her and Xelloss, hoping it might distract him. "Which reminds me, Filia called just before you pick me up to say that the prototypes for our plushies arrived at her house. She says they are so cute!"
Appreciative for the diversion, Zel carried the ball for awhile. "That was quick. I was hoping Lina wasn't serious about those. Mine was ridiculous." Zel sat back in his chair and looked across the table at Amelia. Before he could finish his thoughts, his attention drifted. It took all his resolve to keep eye contact and not allow his eyes to travel lower to admire her anatomy. He closed his eyes in torment. Why me? Why now?
All this was not lost on Xelloss; he did not miss a single anguished nuance in his friend's expression. Zelgadiss was in a state of delightful torment. Best to follow up on that right away.
"Is that a new necklace you're wearing?" Xelloss leaned toward her to see it better.
"Yes. It was a gift from Daddy for my birthday."
"Nice. Whose picture's in the locket?" Xelloss asked again. Time to make a move...
"A miniature of my mother holding me as a baby. It's almost too small to see her face, but I know it's her!" Amelia replied.
"Very nice workmanship. Would you like a look, Zelgadiss?" Xelloss held the delicate chain between his fingertips ever so close to her skin, keeping Amelia immobilized. Then he winked.
"Xelloss, sit back. Your food's arrived." Zel added a less-than-gentle push, his chin down to hide a faint blush.
Xelloss would have returned a smart quip, but Kiki spoke up first. "Oh, mussels! They look so pretty and match your hair, Xelloss."
Breaking off a hunk of bread, Xelloss prepared to sop up some of the fragrant broth. "They do? Ha! Hope my appetizer doesn't spoil your appetite."
"Non, my beautiful fried sweet potatoes look good, want to try a taste?"
An undeclared timeout occurred while their appetizers were served. They all traded samples and declared each dish 'perfect'. These were efficiently followed without pause by the next course. When the main courses arrived, Amelia and Zelgadiss dove into their squab with black cherries with gusto. "Such tiny birds!"
Xelloss went vegetarian with an eggplant ragout, while Kiki tasted her lamb brochettes. "This is all so delicious, but so rich," she declared.
Kiki and Xelloss traded plates mid-way through and seemed better satisfied.
"It seems so quiet without Mr. Val and Miss Filia," Kiki began.
"And peaceful without Miss Lina and Mr. Gourry fighting over food," Amelia finished. "I used to do that too, until I watched them and learned how upsetting it can be for everyone else at the table."
"Usually it cleared the room," Zel noted wryly. Amid chuckles, he went on, "So, Kiki, will you be working in your aunt and uncle's pastry shop?"
She looked serious, mouth drawn. "I want to. I like to be independent, have my own money, and go where I like, but with my parents here, it's ...they don't want me to do 'menial work', they call it. So, for now, I do nothing. Go to school." She glanced up and over to Xelloss. "When we...marry...I'll be able to do what I please. You agree?"
Xelloss paled slightly, then answered, "Whatever you want." He sneaked a sideways look at Zel.
Zelgadiss answered him with a self-satisfied smirk.
An uncomfortable silence followed, broken only by slurps, crunches, and gulps. They passed on salads, agreeing with Xelloss that they'd rather wait for the dessert cart to roll by. The choices were staggering. So many, so good... Xelloss chose three, Amelia two, the others one each.
"You don't think you might be over doing it a bit?" Zel asked him.
"I might be, but since you're paying..." he smiled and filled a spoon with creamy mousse. The return of his smile signaled that the game clock was back on. "Taste this," he offered Amelia.
"Ummmm, oh...that's..."
"Decadent," Xelloss purred. "Even se-duc-tive..."
Amelia giggled.
"What did you choose?" Kiki asked Zelgadiss.
Zel stabbed at his tiramisu irritably. "I don't know."
"Try this one." Xelloss cut a slice of tender cake, slathered it in the raspberry puree and topped it with a dollop of molten chocolate. Holding it only halfway to Amelia's mouth forced her to lean in closer. He cupped her chin with his free hand and propelled his fork to her lips. "Open wide..." Amelia closed her eyes and allowed the flavors to melt on her tongue and smiled, a rapturous expression extending from ear to ear. "Oh...my..." Her eyes flashed open when she felt a finger rub gently across her lower lip.
"Mine..." he murmured and sucked his finger clean of the chocolate drip.
Zelgadiss felt the heat rising up through his chest. Had they been in a less public place, he would have punched Xelloss in the face. Instead, he was relegated to something more covert.
"Ah, sorry!" he said. He picked up his overturned water glass, now covered in raspberry sauce on one side. The cake, floating in water and sporting a slice of lemon, was ruined. "At least it didn't spoil the other two desserts."
Xelloss frowned and realigned himself in his chair. Their eyes met. "That was uncalled for," Xelloss' glare signaled silently.
"I think it was demanded. Lay off Amelia," Zel's look meant.
Xelloss smiled and signaled one last silent message: "Gotcha!"
Zel picked up the bill and pulled out his wallet. "Time to move on."
"Can you wait for us?" Amelia cried out. She grasped Kiki by the arm. "Powder room!"
"Fine," Zel answered to their retreating backs, then trapped Xelloss at the exit. "YOU! Keep your hands to yourself. She doesn't get what you're up to. It's also rude to Kiki to be flirting blatantly with her best friend like that."
Xelloss smiled with maddening satisfaction. He leaned in and said in a low voice, "I am so bad..." then straightened and added with a devilish wink, "Then you'd best find it in yourself to distract the young lady."
"What do you mean? Which one?"
"It's your choice. Pick one. Ah, here they come back... Ladies! Shall we depart his establishment and dance the night fantastic!"
As Xelloss made a grab for Amelia, Zel insinuated himself between the two of them and took her arm instead, leaving Xelloss with Kiki. "This way..." he said as he led the way out the restaurant door. He wasn't the gamer Xelloss was, but he was quick enough to even the score, right?
Part 3, Amelia, showing some assets.
By the time they were dropped off at the dance club, they only had a few minutes to find a table and order drinks before the music venue changed in preparation for the monthly ballroom dancing. Time for round two.
"Miss Amelia, would you like to dance?" Xelloss smiled and gestured out to the expansive floor which was rapidly filling with mostly older couples.
Zelgadiss had his drink to his mouth, missing the opportunity to interpose his own invitation.
"Okay, Mr. Xelloss." Without a backward glance, Amelia took his out-reached hand and floated away.
Zelgadiss thought he would wait out the first number. He had eaten more rich food than usual and his stomach was acting up. He explained this to Kiki, who understood. So they sat and watched the other dancers.
"They certainly dance well together. Do you do this often? I had lessons, but I'll be an awful partner," Kiki appeared dismayed.
Zelgadiss assured her that he was not nearly as good as Xelloss. "He's studied and practiced for years. Don't worry. He makes all his partners look good. I, on the other hand, can only promise not to trip you. I think the next number's about to begin. Would you like to give it a try?" He thought that she was a bit blue and put it down to Xelloss pointedly choosing to dance with Amelia, snubbing her, his own fiancée.
Kiki smiled and followed his lead.
"Just keep talking," he said to her, "I, ah, love your accent." How and why he said that, he had no idea, but he topped it of with a delightful blush that made Kiki laugh musically and say something in French. Even his ear tips were pink!
Meanwhile, Xelloss had not been idle.
"You are taller than Lina," Xelloss chuckled to Amelia. "She fits under my chin." He pulled her closer to demonstrate. With his mouth at her ear he said in a low voice. "And much softer."
"If you're trying to make me blush, Mr. Xelloss, you have succeeded."
He was. She did. Good for starters!
A few moments later, he teased her pencil-thin strap causing it to slip down, baring her shoulder. As she moved to pull it back up, he tightened his hold on her hand. "Neh, eh, eh!" he checked her struggles with a smile.
"Xelloss! What's got into you tonight?" Amelia asked. There was still humor in her voice. She wasn't really angry, just a bit uneasy. She giggled nervously.
"Me? Nothing...you, maybe...I consider you to be one of my closest friends. Did you know that? Yes, that's good. So, can I tell you a secret?" This he whispered into her ear, "You look very beautiful tonight, Miss Amelia." His eyes cracked open as he caught hers in a started upwards glance. "Older and very alluring. I had never noticed that about you before."
"Eep!" Why was he acting so...aggressive? Never had he been this way around her before. Teasing, yes, but not as if he was her boyfriend. The strap was tickling her arm and she stole a glance at it, and was startled to see how immodest she was. Immediately she looked back up at Xelloss to catch his expression, and was nonplused to find his eyes sweeping across her exposed shoulders and low neckline. Gods, how embarrassing! Then it occurred to her that Zelgadiss must have told him about their little 'encounter'. Oh! Could it be that Xelloss now thought she was 'easy'? What must he think? Or Zelgadiss! Had he seen them? Oh...no... Her face must have shown exactly what she was thinking because Xelloss loosened his hold, pushed the strap back into place, and chuckled softly as he waltzed them away from where Zelgadiss and Kiki were occupying the dance floor.
Zelgadiss found Kiki to be a little taller and less curvaceous than Amelia, but an adequate enough dancer to follow his light-footed, uninventive lead. He took a deep breath to release some tension and sensed a familiar scent. "Lavender?" he said aloud.
"Hmm? Yes, it is my perfume, you like?"
He was about to say that it smelled like Xelloss' hair shampoo, but thankfully caught himself in time. "Ah, yes. Does your family distill that oil as well as make wine?" A safe topic!
"In a way. We have many acres in Provence planted in grapes and lavender, even some olive orchards--roses, too. We make the wine, but another family has the extraction business. Parfumeurs, near Grasse. They make soaps and..."
"Shampoo? Yes, I recognized the scent from that."
"Oh? You would like the shampoo? Of course, it won't make your hair more colorful. It's greenish." She smiled and laughed light-heartedly with him.
Zel was enjoying himself, finally. Her easy disposition helped him to relax. Comfortable now with the technical parts of the dancing and conversation, he was able to take in the sights, including his friends not far off. Amelia! His eyes narrowed involuntarily. She certainly seemed to be enjoying herself. Was she over-heated, or blushing? Pretty cozy, his two friends...
Xelloss... that bastard. Zel knew that Xelloss deeply resented the forced attachment to Kiki, and Zel decided that Xelloss earlier 'scenes' had been a form of acting out because of that. Xelloss was hurting Kiki's feelings, maybe not intentionally...maybe. But it was wrong of him to do so, nevertheless. Kiki wasn't responsible! She was trapped, too! She deserved better treatment. First, he'd practically ignored her at dinner, flirting outwardly with Amelia, and then he had slighted her by asking Amelia to dance first. And now... Could he possibly squeeze Amelia any tighter? Hey, what's with the dress? That's a great deal more décolletage than a sixteen-year-old should be showing!
And what bothered Zelgadiss the most, was that Amelia didn't seem to be bothered at all! He turned Kiki's back to the other pair. When he examined Kiki's pretty face, he thought she looked disappointed. Didn't Amelia think about her friend looking on? How could she not realize how inconsiderate she and Xelloss were being? Oh, no...Kiki looked like she might start crying any second.
Amelia' eyes were locked on Xelloss', and then they turned away and were lost in the crowd.
Kiki hadn't been certain before, but now she was– Xelloss was infatuated with Amelia! He hadn't been able to take his eyes off of her at lunch a few days ago. And that song he'd sung at the resort gig! 'Just hold me one more time so I can close my eyes remembering how you feel...before we say goodbye... Seems I always think of you, most of all...on a rainy day.' He was singing it to her, to Amelia, telling her good bye. It must be true! Oh, how awful that must be for them! Kiki felt so bad for both her friends. She wasn't too happy about her own situation, but for them, it was a tragedy. She fought back the tears threatening to break at any time.
"Lets go outside for some fresh air," Zelgadiss suggested. Well, he would try and make her evening as best as was possible under the circumstances.
Part 4, Kiki with the end game, c'est fini.
Xelloss steered Amelia back toward their shared table as the music tapered off, but he didn't see Zelgadiss or Amelia. "There they are," Amelia pointed to one of the French doors to the atrium courtyard, often open even in winter for fresh air and smokers.
"Oh?" A tiny line formed between his eyebrows. Where was Zelgadiss going now? What in the gods-given-world was he up to? Why wasn't Zelgadiss saving his beloved Amelia from his evil clutches? Certainly he'd done enough to rile the guy and he knew Zel cared for his little princess– he had to! He'd gone to so much trouble here tonight.
Amelia, a bit ticked off by Xelloss' manner toward her was about to tell him off, when she noticed a rare look of desperation, irritation, and disbelief pass over his face. Oh, poor dear! His best friend's taking off with his fiancée. Of course, he deserves it, she thought. "I wouldn't mind some fresh air too." When it came to Zelgadiss, she knew expectations of romance were unlikely, but she wanted to put a little more distance between herself and this oddly disturbing version of Xelloss.
So, they circled the hall and exited the building.
Kiki was sniffing and dabbing at her eyes while Zelgadiss stood near feeling ineffective and wondering what to do. When Amelia appeared, Kiki opened her arms and cried, "Oh, Amelia!" certain that Amelia had danced her last time with her true love.
Amelia fell into her friend's arms with a matched, "Oh, Kiki!" equally sure the poor thing was heartbroken over Xelloss' bad treatment and that in some way she had contributed to her grief.
Zelgadiss now believed that Amelia had taken on more than she could handle, encouraged Xelloss, and that he had gone too far. Xelloss was the adult and should have known better– Zel had told him so many times. "So help me, Xelloss, if you messed with Amelia..." he growled in a low voice.
"Well, I was hoping you'd notice..." Xelloss began in a near-whisper of his own.
But Zel wasn't finished with him. "What's with you anyway? Kiki's upset with you...and for good reason. What makes you think that you can just ignore her the way you have and expect her to just take it? I really don't know what goes on in that demonic little brain of yours." He jabbed Xelloss in the shoulder to accent his words.
"Hey!" Xelloss frowned. Things weren't going as smoothly as planned. Zelgadiss should be all over Amelia, but instead he was interceding on Kiki's behalf... for some imaginary slight of mine?
"It's just so sad...I didn't know. Amelia, why didn't you tell me? I'd understand." Kiki poked Xelloss in the belly. "Why didn't YOU tell me?"
Xelloss gasped. "Me? Tell you what?"
But Amelia had him beat and interrupted with her own tirade. "Well, you should have asked Kiki to dance first, you know. I'm sure Zelgadiss was trying to console her, but it's your fault." She dug her fingernails into his arm while gripping it intensely.
"Owww," Xelloss whined.
"It's your fault she's hurt," Zel repeated.
"If you don't tell me important things like that, how will I know? It's your fault!" Kiki cried out.
"What did I dooooooo?" he moaned.
Kiki held his hand gently. "You should have told me how in love you and Amelia were. I would have understood. It's too terrible seeing you both struggling to be so brave."
"What?" Amelia gasped. "Oh no!"
Zelgadiss was staggered. "Huh?"
"Please, Zelgadiss, we must find a way to break my engagement! It's more important than ever! Both of our good friends' futures are at stake! True love must be preserved!" Kiki cried urgently, clasping his hands in hers and staring, wide-eyed up at him in all earnestness.
"My dear, that's very kind of you, but Amelia and I are really just good friends..." Xelloss began.
"And barely that, at this moment!" Amelia appended. "If you didn't really like me, then why were you acting that way? Certainly not to make Kiki jealous, were you Mr. Xelloss?"
"Ah...well, no. That wasn't my intention..."
"You were just toying with our affections? That wasn't nice at all!" Amelia slapped his arm away. "Don't touch me!"
"Is that true?" Zel asked him. "Have you been playing some game with these girls, our friends?"
Well, duh, Zelgadiss, and don't you pretend you weren't a player as well. Xelloss didn't say that, of course. Xelloss couldn't believe that his plan to get Zel to admit his feelings to Amelia had failed miserably, so far. "Ah...well..."
With a snort of disgust, Zel said, "I see. Amelia? Kiki? Shall we go? It's too late for a movie, but I know a bookstore with a coffee shop near the university, if you're interested?"
Kiki took one arm and Amelia wrapped his other around over her shoulders. "Sounds fun, Mr. Zelgadiss. As long as we don't forget the time."
As he stood there, watching his friends leave together, Xelloss sighed and leaned against a wall. So, his dear little brother got both girls in the end. Well done. It hadn't turned out exactly as he had expected, but close enough. He checked his watch. Not too late to call John for a ride home. "Hello? John? Yeah, can you get away from your watchdog job at the college residence long enough to give me a ride? Oh, home will do. I'm at the uptown dance club. Sure, thanks."
Xelloss pocketed his cell phone and walked out to the entrance to await his ride home.
Zelgadiss gave the limo driver directions then settled into his seat beside both girls. He could appreciate Xelloss' attempts to control the evening's outcome to his benefit, even if he didn't approve of his underhanded methods. Xelloss was good, but this time, he was better.
Game over. But it wasn't a match.
A Late Winter Wedding
One good deed deserves another and another...
"Hey, thanks, man, for picking me on short notice."
"No problem, Xelloss. I told you to think of this car as part yours after you gave it to me." John started the engine and set off from the dance club. "So, your ride take off without you?"
"Something like that. I lost; he won and took both girls with him."
"Ouch! Date-tas-trophe in the extreme!" John laughed.
"Tell me about it," Xelloss smiled. "So, life treating you okay?"
"By 'life' if you mean 'love life' then, not great."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to pry."
John sighed. "Nuriko's fine, but...I don't get that Miaka-thing that bunch of guys have got going on. That, plus he's busy with the band lots, and I'm stuck at the residence on the job. It's hard getting close."
"I understand that. Sorry..." Xelloss looked at John analyzing his mental state.
"I'm fine about it, really. Lonely, but I'm not broken up about it." John knew not to mention Candy/Laila at all.
"Okay, then I just met this guy you might like. You share a few things in common. I met him at the shrine. Nice, legal, and very pretty."
"Legal you say?" John asked tentatively not taking his eyes off the road.
"He just turned eighteen a week ago, although he looks younger, got kicked out of his house/ran away, and is now staying temporarily at the shrine."
"Interesting. Too bad I haven't the time or the money to follow up on him."
"Well, that's where I come in. You see, I've got some work in a building I'm turning into a recording studio. Cleanup, hauling...I have a construction company to do the heavy work and rebuilding, but there's plenty of other stuff to do. Oh, and it comes with a loft some druggies recently parted from in the same building, which needs some attention. Big place...with four bedroom-type places, I think."
John stopped the car in front of Val's place. "Xelloss, are you offering me what I think you are? A job and place to move...and a roommate? I haven't even met this guy!"
"I can solve that!" Xelloss giggled. "But, yes...all that. I got him a temporary priest's room at the shrine, but he needs an alternative pretty quick. And, whatever that is, he shouldn't live alone. He's new in town. You could introduce him around. The place isn't far off campus...um...it has a garage..." he listed.
John smiled, "Okay, let me meet the guy first and...then we'll see, okay? It sounds too good to be true. Awesome."
Xelloss shrugged.
"Xelloss, who are you? I know I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, but where did a kid without parents come up with cash for a recording studio, if you don't mind my asking?"
"Inheritance?" Xelloss said with a smile. "Just a ..."
John stopped him with a finger to his lips. "You are not just a fortunate guy. You are something special and I hope...no, I know you'll find the right girl to complete your life someday."
Xelloss nodded. "Thanks. I hope I do. But what I was going to say, was that for your own sake who I am and how this all comes about... Well, it's a secret, but its all aboveboard and on the level. Oh, and thanks for the ride. I'll call you tomorrow with a time and place to meet Miwan."
"Miwan, huh?"
"Chinese. 5'6'', black hair to here. Good sense of humor, polite, smart, likes to cook, artsy..."
"Okay, okay! I like him already. Call me later!" John laughed, waved, and drove off.
Xelloss opened the front door to hear the kitchen phone ringing. "Hello!" He gasped after running to catch it on the last ring before the message system clicked in. "Yes, it is. Who's this? Milgasia? What a surprise. Listen, Val's not here, isn't he with you? You don't want him? Who, me? Whatever for?" He listened a few minutes, becoming amused. "Ho! The honor is all mine. So, I join Val and your bride-to-be's brother as an usher and Julian is the best man? Are you sure your clan-folk won't try to run me out with pitchforks or something?"
"That's being dealt with, besides, I am their leader and it is my wedding, a private matter." Milgasia was not budging on his decision to include Xelloss in his ceremony.
"Being 'dealt with' you say?"
"You do not want to know the details."
"You won't tell me, you mean. Okay... So, who's presiding? And tell me about the girls...bridesmaids, starting with the maid of honor."
Milgasia cleared his throat. "Ahem, well... Luna is the Knight of the Cephied Clan, so she conducts the ceremony. Milli's best friend will be the matron of honor- she's married. Ah, there's just the three ladies: Filia and two of Milli's nieces."
"Milli? Millificent?"
"Um, short for Millstone. Her brother's name is Slate."
"Desert people, right?"
"That's right." Milgasia was a man of few words, but after having lived with Zelgadiss, similarly taciturn, Xelloss had learned how to draw out the type into a conversation.
Xelloss smiled into the phone. "No 'Ferns' or 'Violets'?"
"No. Rocks, minerals, rock formations mostly. Old names are popular, as well. Her friend's name is Aggy, short for Agatha or Agate, I have forgotten. Her nieces are Penny and Polly."
"Paeonifolius and Polyphemus?"
"Penelope and Pollyanna."
"Ah..." Xelloss chuckled. "I was going too far back."
Milgasia chuckled, "Yes. You will keep things refreshing on the settlement, I'm sure."
"I shall try!" Xelloss laughed. "No, I will be on my best behavior. I don't want to mix it up on the settlement. There's some tough old ladies out there!"
"Don't you know it! But at least one of them is your ally and promoter. And, no, I'm not going to tell you who. So, you have the date on your calendar?"
Xelloss looked on the wall. "Val's got it up already. Whoa, we gotta gig that night."
"Val and I have already discussed it and you will have plenty of time. You will come up with Luna, Val, and Filia after school Thursday. That night we'll have a practice run-though and dinner. Friday, actually, I have several appointments and business to attend to. The wedding is at eleven the next day. You can stay for the reception afterwards as long as you want, then take off."
"And my clothes..."
"Formal clan attire for the others; you should wear your priest attire, sans staff."
"I shall dust off my cloak and shine my shoes then!"
"Gloves as well."
"Oh, okay," Xelloss answered. "So, where are you two going on your honeymoon?"
Milgasia was quiet for awhile. "I suppose that is up to me to plan..."
"Oh, let me, let ME!" Xelloss chortled merrily. "What does Milli like? Is she an outdoor-sy person? Big city? Theater? Strip clubs? Spas? Exotic locales?"
"Strip clubs? Where do you come up with your material? Ah... She likes rain and the out-of-doors. She's wanted to see the beach, anything but the desert. Mostly, she likes privacy. No crowds."
"I know just the place, and it's a part of your clan's property as well!" Xelloss announced happily.
"Oh?"
"Wolfpack Island. It had a lovely resort. What if I got a crew to fix up a honeymoon suite, fire up the kitchen, dining hall, and bring in some entertainment...music...dancing each evening of your stay. There's miles of trails, although it's probably too cold for swimming."
"It does sound suitable. How do we arrange all this in so short a time?" Milgasia wondered.
"That's a secret!" Xelloss sputtered, and then laughed. "I'll make a few calls. It's really no trouble at all. I will need the master key set, however."
"Really? You didn't secret a skeleton key to the place somewhere?"
"No, I gave them all to you, as promised."
"All right. I'll drop them off at your house tomorrow. I have other business in town."
"Okay, but call first and use my cell phone number. I may not be in the house. There's band practice, I'm introducing two potential roommates, lots of things happening here and abouts." Xelloss checked his watch. It was after twelve midnight. He wondered if Zelgadiss got his girls in on time. Ah...the limo was parking out front. "Yeah, night then. Bye."
He hung up the phone and trotted to the front door to meet his little brother.
"Hello, hello, hello!" Xelloss greeted him.
"Oh, hi, Xelloss."
"I have interesting news! Milgasia just called and I'm to be in his wedding. I'm an usher!"
"Congratulations. Looking forward to it, are you?"
"Yes, I am, little brother. Practice for my own. So, your turn. How was your dub-date? Were you able to come to any conclusion? Did you pick one?"
Zelgadiss walked into the kitchen for a glass of water. "Well, as long as you are engaged, my choices are limited to one. I will not date Kiki as long as there is a possibility that you two might become married. Although, I have an idea which might prevent it from happening."
"You do? What, pray tell?"
"Lina and I spoke on this topic and decided that what everyone wanted were your heirs...children. However, if you were unable to produce...heirs, then that just might make you an unsuitable mate, am I right?" Zel met Xelloss' eyes.
Sadly, Xelloss shook his head. "Yeah, but I was already 'tested' at the doctor's office...complete physical and all. I am not sterile, and they know it. Sorry...it was a good idea, though."
"Damn!" Zel turned away, slamming his fist onto the counter. "I was hoping we could fake some lab work..."
"No hard feelings, then...about tonight?" Xelloss asked him.
"No, life's too short. But Amelia was pissed. You are going to have to especially kind to her in the near future."
"I'll bake her a cake."
"That's not what I meant, although it would be a good trick to learn. She's very conscious of her sister's, um... appeal and doesn't wish a similar reputation."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult her in any way. She is lovely, really, Zelgadiss. You are lucky she cares for you the way she does."
"I know..."
Xelloss stepped to his brother's side and took a more serious tone. "My psychologist would call you 'love avoidant'. Yeah, you are attracted to inaccessible women and avoid the realities of an actual relationship with one that likes you."
Zel sank into a chair, head in hand.
"Talk to Dr. Lester. Maybe he can help you get to the reasons behind it."
Clan Wedding Preparations.
"I can't believe we are sharing an important occasion like our Clan leader getting married with...him!" Filia was complaining next to Val, who was driving his Suburban to the settlement.
"Who? Xelloss? The dude saved his butt on that mountainside. If he hadn't risked his own neck and gotten Mil to the hospital in time, he might still be trapped under a pile of rocks and he wouldn'ta met Miss Milli," Val reiterated for the second time that day.
"I know, but..."
"And no, he don't think a simple 'thanks man' was enough. Mil's cool, in a laid-back way. He believes in me and the good in most people, Xelloss included."
Filia, defeated, started a new discussion. "It's pretty cute, you have to admit. Mil and Milli. Miles and Millstone Milgasia. Gods what a mouthful."
"Just think of the children!" Xelloss piped up from the seat in back beside Luna. "There's Milhaus, Milfred, Miles the second, Milhantzer, Millicent, Millina, Mill..."
"Shuddup!" came a chorus of voices.
"Besides, you annoying cretin," Filia remarked when he did. "They're too old to have children. It would be...icky."
That sent both Val and Xelloss into hoots and hollers of laughter. Xelloss reminded her that her parents produced her younger brother not yet a year ago and they were possibly older than the soon-to-be-married couple. Filia pounded him on the head with a handy umbrella and screamed for him to leave her family out of it all.
Luna brought peace down upon them all, nabbing the umbrella and stowing it out of reach, and involving Xelloss in conversation. He was jittery. "Settle down, sit still and quit fidgeting.
"He's off his meds so he's always this way now," Val volunteered.
"Meds?" Luna glared at Xelloss. "What meds?"
"To control his Aye-Dee-Dee." Val again.
"Mind your own business!" Xelloss shouted. "They weren't doing much anyway."
"Possibly making life for those around you better?"
Xelloss looked askance at Luna. "So what? I'm a mess. Everyone figures that out sooner or later anyway. Why bother stringing someone along on the hopes that I'll turn out to be something I'm not?"
In what turned out to be a motherly gesture, Luna wrapped him in her arms and pulled him in for a hug. "So, it's about girls, huh? I heard you lost your girlfriend. I'm sorry about that."
"It wasn't so special. We weren't 'meant for each other' or anything like that," his voice grew thick as sobs promised to break it up. "It's just that...I'll never find anyone...who...who'll love m-me..."
Luna held him in wonder as he cried in her arms. So much sadness hidden behind those smiles.
"I'll never be married to-to the one I love..."
"Now, there..." she patted his back. "You'll be married someday...probably lots of times."
He snorted.
"He's engaged to some girl under a syndicate contract. In what...two weeks?" Val asked.
"What! That soon!" both Luna and Filia cried out.
Turning to Xelloss, Luna crooned, "Poor baby...What can we do? There must be something?"
He shook his head.
"You can kill him," Filia suggested. "He gave a gun to Zel-bob and asked him the other night to shoot him. Luckily, Val was there or he might have."
Luna didn't believe Zel would do it, nor did Xelloss or he wouldn't have asked him to do such a thing. "Oh, Xelloss...how do you get yourself into these messes, hmm? Well, I'll bet Zelgadiss has something up his sleeve. If not, I'll see to it that he does. Okay? Can you sit up now? You're getting my dress all spotty."
"S-sorry," he said hefting himself up and wiping his eyes.
Luna appraised him. "My, you are beautiful even when you cry. Why the gods wasted so much beauty on a man, I don't know."
"Luna..." It made him smile anyway.
Val and Filia groaned.
"Now, to get your mind off girls for awhile, help me with that data you stole from Gaav's base of operations. There's some material you might wish to be appraised of contained in a couple of the discs."
"Okay."
"Tomorrow. It will keep you out of trouble on the settlement."
"And out of sight," Filia added. "Ugh, and here I thought we'd have to baby-sit him all day."
"I'll take care of him," Luna said. "We'll have a good time together. Won't we?"
What could Xelloss say to that? The knight of the clan was offering to harbor and protect the enemy. "Sure, thanks, Luna," he said, and then wished like hell that she was her younger sister.
Dinner with the Devil.
The Ul Copts hosted the rehearsal dinner. It was a quiet affair. Milli's parents had both passed on years ago. Her brother, Slate, was an older, stiffer, (if possible), version of Milgasia. Similar in appearance, age and background, it was no wonder that the two men got along well. Slate thought it was commendable how Milgasia was bringing along the young inheritor of the Ancient Clan's territory, although he could hardly tolerate the boy's presence. The punk. But suddenly Val was acceptable, in light of his other company. The monster. Metallium, a name which elicited extraordinary feelings of deep-seated hatred in any clan-member's heart. That family had spread their evil and corrupted many a clan's goals. And here, sitting at the same table as he, was the scion of that woman, the one who had chased this very clan off their island!
Slate refused to sit at first, but his kind-hearted sister begged him. He relented. "As long as I don't suffer his face."
No one else paid the quiet, pale-faced, young man any heed. Luna sat to one side, Mrs. Ul Copt on the other, and Val and Filia sat facing Xelloss. Sitting nearby but out of earshot were Penny and Polly, twins, fair-haired and out of high school, studying psychology or sociology or both, he couldn't quite hear. They twittered back and forth, stealing glances his way when their imposing father wasn't looking.
Filia explained, "I said that they are going for their MRS degrees. Xelloss, come on, you're not that dumb, MRS?" She tried to shake the stupid blank look off his head with a few well-chosen words, "Missus? Husband-hunting."
"Oh." It was a new term to him.
"I think they are your age. You turned nineteen on the first of January, Xelloss?" Filia's mother asked.
"Yes," he started to say, when a familiar little voice began squawking from the other end of the house.
"Oh," the mother sighed and set down her fork.
"Stay," Xelloss insisted. "I'm finished. I can have dessert later. Everyone can speak more freely with me not at the table anyway. Besides, Quinny and I haven't played together in a long time."
"Okay, thanks, Xelloss. Now, he might not recognize you. He's at a stage where he's afraid of strangers so call me if you need help." Mrs. Ul Copt smiled up at Xelloss as he stood, thankful for the break from motherhood for a moment.
"Okay," he said and left the room.
Moments later, silence.
"You trust your son with that..." Slate couldn't find the word which both described his feelings toward Xelloss and was appropriate under the circumstances.
"That nice young man? Oh, yes, he's very gentle and playful. He, Val, and Filia are all in a band together. It's gaining considerable notoriety. You have a job on Saturday night, don't you?" she addressed her daughter.
"The band? Yeah, in Sairaag again. We have the security fixed this time so we'll be all right. Mrs. Gabriev is driving up with Joey, just in case. She's bringing Kiki too, isn't she Val?" Filia asked.
Val nodded, mouth full.
"Kiki? The French girl?" Mrs. Ul Copt asked.
"His fiancée," Val inserted. "Xelloss is gettin' married in two weeks. Just set the date."
The faint squeals of joy from the baby filtered into the dining room.
Milgasia and the Ul Copts were aghast. "What? When?"
"They were engaged once a long time ago, remember me telling you about that?" Filia said. "He rebuilt his burned down house and gave it to them for nothing. They figured he'd done that for her and the engagement's back on. Why in two weeks? Beats me. Probably she wants to get it over with before he changes his mind. He's already got cold feet,"
"But she's just a child," her father said. "Only what...fifteen?"
"Sixteen. Yeah, well, her parents are nuts. Don't blame him! He could wait for like forever. 'Course, his mother was really young when he was born..." Filia stopped. For a minute there she had forgotten just who she was talking about and how vile a woman Zelas was to the clan. "Anyway, it's Kiki's mother who's pushing everything, not him."
"We should discuss this another time," Milgasia said conclusively. Moving the group of adults on to the living room he continued, "Slate, you were telling me about a new business venture. I believe the Ul Copts would be very interested in what you have to say."
Leaving the younger folks to fend for themselves..."So," Polly said. "Introduce us to the hot guy in the other room."
"Who? You mean Xelloss?" Filia nearly choked. "Ah, sure. You got that he's about to get married, right?"
"Yeah, but he's the drummer your band, which we know all about, and Daddy hates him because he's 'evil incarnate', which is a big plus. I mean, what could be cooler; that is, with the exception of your boyfriend?" Penny laughed at Val's grin and Filia's snort.
"Sure, meet the fruitcake. Come on."
He was rolling around on the floor with the baby.
"Yo!"
"Hey, Val... Hello, ladies." He sat up. "Filly, you didn't tell me he was walking yet."
"That's 'cause Quinny's not."
"Yeah, he is. Watch! Okay, little guy. Come get me!" Xelloss crawled to the far side of the room and remained kneeling and smiling at the baby.
Quinny used a chair to get to his feet, but then the next few steps were all on his own, ending with a giggling tumble into Xelloss chest.
"Mama! Maaaaamaaaaa! Come here! Quinny's walking!" Filia screeched down the hall.
"Congrats, dude!" Val high-fived Xelloss. "Ya got ta see his first steps."
Xelloss grinned and attempted to free his hair from the baby's grip. "I didn't know, honest!"
After Quinny's achievement was reproduced for his doting parents, the kids took off to Val's house. "I've been movin' in the last few weeks. I gotta guest room for my first guest."
"Gee, I'm honored." Xelloss smiled and addressed the twins. "I have a room in his house in town. We're inseparable!"
"Oh, pul-leese," Filia moaned and slapped his arm. "He's just kidding. I brought some cards. Everybody up for a game?"
They played cards, talked, listened to music, talked more until Filia's timer-watch went off. "Gotta go girls. Milli-one and Milli-two have got stuff for us to do starting with, ugh, breakfast at 8:00. The boys got the day off!"
Amid cries of 'that's not fair', Xelloss told them that he was working for Luna the next day, and Val started to outline his day, beginning with 'cleaning the stables'.
They parted with goodbyes, girls with Filia to stay at her house, Xelloss to stay with Val in his. "Thanks for fixing me up a bed and everything," Xelloss said with amusement as he looked over his room with a king-sized mattress on the floor, some sheets, blanket, and pillow on top. A lamp was plugged into the wall an arm's length away.
"You can sleep outside, if ya don't like the ac-com-a-da-shuns," Val said. "Want anythin'? Glass? Beer?"
"They let you have alcohol here?"
"I buy it in town. Nobody cards me an' no one here comes an' checks my refrigerator either. Here..." Val passed him a bottle. "Just one won't do nothin' but knock a light-weight like you out."
"Cheers!"
He was right. Xelloss hardly closed his eyes before he was out like a light. He thought he was dreaming when he woke up in the dark, in an unfamiliar place. "Who's there?" he gasped.
"Us..." snickered a girlish voice.
"Who?" Xelloss was still confused by his surroundings.
"Polly and Penny."
"Oh." He crept to the window, partly opened 'So that's why it's so cold in here!' and looked out. "Aren't you cold?"
"Open the door," they insisted.
Xelloss smiled. "Okay." This was unexpected. Company? He knew to be careful, these were soon to be family members of Milgasia's, on the other hand, he didn't want to disappoint twins. Twins!
He ushered both girls into his cold dark room. "So, um, you wanted to see me?"
Not exactly...
"Xelloss! For the gods'sakes get up and get dressed!"
Sunlight was streaming into the bare room, thin winter morning sun, as Luna flung back the used-shower-towel-for-curtain. "Girls! Filia's mother is looking all over for you. Get going! And I recommend that you tell everyone that you were out for an early morning walk, not here."
"Yes, ma'am!" they agreed as they hurriedly scrambled into their clothes and scurried out the door. Orders from their knight must be obeyed.
"And you..."
"What would you have me do?"
"Well at least you have the decency to look sheepish. Get dressed and come out. I'll wait outside." Luna turned and caught his eye. "Twins? Really, Xelloss, that's...a bit much."
"I agree, but you don't know your limits until you try," he smiled wistfully then waited for her to leave before flinging back the covers and searching for his clothes. "Never, never again..."
The wedding.
The wedding was a small, private affair, as was the style popular with the cult. Only close family and a scattering of friends attended. The later reception was a bigger celebration, and in the case of the marriage of the clan leader, very large. Val looked smart in his dark blue robes, Slate brooding in his. Xelloss stood out in his black priest's cloak, but looked proud. Filia was gorgeous in her blue gown with silver trim, as were the twins in their midnight-blue and gold gowns. The matron of honor matched the twins and looked elegant. Milgasia, Millstone, and Luna were dressed entirely in simple, white robes, Milli with a fine tulle veil covering her from head to toe.
The ushers lead the few invited family and friends to their seats, then stood to the side. The matron of honor entered with the groom to wait at the dais. She was followed by the bridesmaids and then the bride on the arm of the best man.
Luna entered from a side door and took up a copy of the Claire Bible and began. The wedding was moving, Luna calling on the power of Cephied to guide and protect the two through life's ups and downs, and blessing their union. She read a few particularly poignant passages, invited the pair to join hands and recite their vows. When they were finished, Luna declared them husband and wife.
Milgasia fought his way past the veil and kissed his bride in front of an audience, the first and last time he would do such a thing.
And that was it. On to the party!
Word had gotten out, purposely, that the pariah priest was quite the ladies man. Polly had told Filia who told Val...
"Dude, I hear you had vi-si-tors last night?" Val draped an arm over Xelloss cloaked shoulders and leered wolfishly.
All the blood left his face. "Ah..." Xelloss clamped his mouth shut.
"Way ta go," Val said with an accompanying punch. "You da man."
"Me the dead man if Slate finds out."
"Oh, yeah," Val chuckled at that thought.
A group of clan girls skittered up with food and drink offerings to the two most fascinating young men on the settlement. "I see why you spend so much time here," Xelloss said slyly.
"Secret's out. Most the guys here are so lame. Danger at one o'clock. Oh, and the old lady posse's on the way over, too"
Xelloss steeled himself for whatever that might be. So far, aside from his friends, the twins, and the Ul Copts, he had been ignored.
"Your duties have been discharged," Slate's hard-edged voice rumbled. "It is time for you to go."
"He's invited to the par-tay. 'Sides, I'm the driver and I'm not ready to go just yet."
Slate surveyed the lanky, green-haired youth with a sour face. "I was not speaking to you, but the sooner you are all gone the better. Syndicate slime is unwelcome on any settlement property."
Val's mood darkened. "We ain't got nothin' ta do with no syndicate, dude, so back off with the at-ti-tude."
"You are both sons of the devil. It runs in the blood." He frowned at Val. "You, the son of a crime lord thought unworthy, spurned by his own organization and..."
"Actually," Xelloss jumped in with support for his bud and quipped merrily, "Blue-blooded, Ancient clan stuff runs one hundred percent through his system, unless transfusions count, and if they do then I haven't a drop of my family left in me!"
"You wouldn't understand the evil that organization has visited on our people," Slate wasn't listening.
"Oh?" Xelloss' face darkened. He passed his drink and cake to one of the girls standing by, fumbled momentarily with the tie at his waist, then yanked up the bottom of his golden tunic, revealing his scared chest. "I think I understand all too well. I live with the reminders every day of my life!" He dropped the shirt-edge and stood defiantly. "I am not the enemy. He is not your enemy. We are, in fact, guests of the Milgasias. Your friends."
Slate stood statue-like assimilating the latest information, when Milgasia himself showed up. "Xelloss, Val, Milli and I are about to depart and we wanted to thank you for participating today. And you, Xelloss, for the Wolfpack honeymoon. Milli's very excited."
"Wolfpack? You mean the island he stole from your people?" Slate asked, his voice controlled, but the hatred still seething in his eyes.
The 'girl' holding Xelloss' drink and snack, was Mrs. Saunders, Julian's elderly mother, the woman whose garden all the Slayers boys had worked in over the summer, the one who had helped Val discover his past through her photo collection. She was also the leader of the pack. Before Milgasia had fully comprehended the meaning in Slate's question, Mrs. Saunders spoke up. "Mr. Rockforce, I don't know where you get your misinformation, but it is grossly out of date. These nice young men have brought this settlement great wealth sharing that of the Ancients with us and this nice priest of the White Shrine gifted us with the island and the means to maintain it."
"No, no..." Xelloss hadn't wanted that said. Then he recalled, it had been Gourry who had let it slip when they were working the lady's garden patch. She hadn't let on that she'd heard. Sly old lady. Well, couldn't be helped now. "Ah...well...so much for that secret..."
She ignored him and continued, "And now he's gone and fixed it all up for your sister's honeymoon...at his personal expense. What, may I ask, has your family done for your clan? No, don't tell me, it was rhetorical. Think back on your actions. You owe these two an apology."
"Don't bother," Val spat. "I feel like goin' to Sairaag now. Come on, Xelloss, lets go. You can pack the car, I'll get Filia. Mil, sorry ta spoil the party. Tell the missus, ah...ta...have fun..." then Val whispered something to Milgasia than caused the man to blush.
Xelloss waved and headed back to Val's house by the exit. Then it stuck him, how did that man know so much about Gaav? That he had been thrown out of the syndicate was not general knowledge, especially to the clans living out in the vicinity of the Ancient Clan. Only a select few knew, including those present at the meetings held here at the close of summer. Milgasia might have shared the information with Milli, and she with her brother, but it didn't seem likely somehow. It was something to think about, that plus the disturbing information he had found in the databases he had scanned and organized for Luna. Not good.
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 40.