Author's note: Due to laziness and being buried in paperwork, this chapter came a little late. This week's the final week of my exams, and I still have that 10,000 word dissertation and one more exam this Thursday. Not that anyone's interested, but I just felt like saying it! There!
Again, many thanks to Ishy-chan for beta-reading this, and for keeping me mentally alert by chatting with me on msn during 4 in the morning. (Heh!)
Ishy-chan: I seem to have a problem with fleshing things out. I can't so descriptions the way other writers do, so everyone will need to bear with me! Oh, and thanks for pointing out I spelt 'Sylphiel' wrong.
Lina Gabriev: Amelia's reaction to the truth will come in 2 chapters later. I think she will be utterly devastated, but life goes on! As for the Jukebox thing, I agree with you that Yvonne should've introduced herself at the beginning, so I've already made the changes. Thanks for telling me! Zel...poor Zel. Doesn't it make you twitch when he looks better in a dress than us?
By the way, you should continue that Slayers Beginning story you wrote. It's hilarious (especially the bit where L-sama tells Lina and Gourry to make 'lots and lots of babies!'), and I will read it s-l-o-w-l-y and review after the exams.
Phizzy-chan: You're sick of AU stories that make Zel and Xelly related? Don't kill the author! (hides) Well well...I've already taken care of that for the next chapter since you gave me a new idea. (evil grin)
Strife3: New reviewer! Thanks for reading, and I'm still waiting for that new chapter of yours!
Soobin: Eh...I didn't like the 8th chapter because it was too short and the rape scene made me uncomfortable as I wrote it. But I'm glad you liked it! And nope, I didn't mention the half-brother thing in previous chapters. I don't think they're in a 'hate' relationship, but they're not close. As for Zel, he was signed because of another reason, which I will reveal in the near future, hopefully after the exams.
(This chapter's title has an underlying meaning to it. Have fun guessing what lies in the future for the Slayers gang.)
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Chapter 10: Seeds of jealousy
The next few weeks were hectic and busy for everyone at Mazoku Records. The dat of the ceremony was fast approaching, and with only a mere few days left, there was so much to be done. The 33rd floor of Mazoku Records was literally a war zone.
"Zolf, when's that dress going to be ready?" Lina shouted across the department floor. She was standing on the table at the center of the department with a rolled up newspaper in one hand and a whistle in another. Everyone was running around, rushing deadlines and organizing the huge packages that had arrived that morning.
"I was told that it'll be ready for fitting tomorrow."
"Okay. Hey Rodimus!" she called to the balding man. "Have you sent out notifications to the press yet?"
"I'm on to it," he said gruffly, bumping into someone. "Just give me some time."
"There's NO time. Now get your ass on to it or else!"
He shuddered, thinking that for almost a second the redhead had little fangs coming out of her mouth. Here she was, standing on top of the table, giving out orders and making everyone run - literally - on their toes. This girl actually seemed to enjoy the chaos around her. "Bitch" he muttered under his breath as he set down the heavy box that he was carrying.
"Did I hear something?" her voice sounded dangerously sweet.
"I'm on to it! I'm on to it!"
Lina crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently. These people were so inefficient and slow! Why didn't they just take her orders and do them? It was so simple yet they couldn't seem to understand! It was like talking to a bunch of cows. At this moment, Gourry walked in, looking very lost. When he saw the redhead, he brightened up and waved. "OI LINA!!!!!!!!" he yelled. Lina turned around and waved back. "Hey Gourry! Thanks for coming!"
He made his way to her, barely managing to avoid crashing into anyone. "It was really difficult getting to this place," he complained. "It's like a maze."
"I gave you pretty clear directions. Anyway, you can get to work now."
Gourry scratched his head and looked around him. "What's happening? It looks really messy here."
Lina whacked him with her rolled newspaper. "Baka! I told you a zillion times on the phone already! You're here to help me move these boxes and stack them into the other room!"
In amidst the chaotic mess and sea of people, Xelloss leaned against a corner, doing nothing in particular. He instinctively knew the tall blonde man didn't belong here - he had never seen him before. But from what he could see, Lina appeared to know him. Probably one of her friends, he mused as he watched her repeatedly hitting the poor guy. Oh dear, she was putting him into one of her infamous headlocks now.
But for a split second, something within him twisted when he thought he saw warmth in her features as she smiled at that guy. His face became grim as his amethyst eyes opened, reflecting pure contempt.
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"Finally finished!" Lina sang proudly, admiring her handiwork. "I'm so proud of myself!"
"Lina," Gourry complained. "You didn't even do anything! You just stood there and ordered everyone else around!"
"You can say that again," a very tired Rodimus muttered beneath his breath.
Zelgadiss and Amelia walked into the department, surprised at how clean and organized everything was. "Wow, Lina-san! You got everything done so quickly!" there was a tone of awe in Amelia's voice.
"I'm a genius!" Lina posed and flashed a victory sign.
"You just stood there and did nothing!" Gourry and Rodimus protested together.
"I was in a leadership role. You guys are nothing without leadership. Haha!"
Zelgadiss chuckled. "That's typical of Lina."
Gourry glanced at Zelgadiss and frowned. "Hey, haven't I seen you before?"
"I don't think we've met."
After contemplating for a moment, Gourry suddenly hit his fist into his palm. "Ah yes!" he said triumphantly, "You're that guy on the posters and magazines!"
Everyone facefaulted, and Lina resumed physically abusing poor Gourry. "Ack! Linaaaaa!!!!!!!!"
"THAT'S for saying stupid stuff you jellyfish!!!"
"Gourry-sama!" a female voice cried. Everyone stopped and turned to see a lithe woman standing at the doorway. She had a worried expression on her face, and at the sight of Gourry being flattened on the floor with Lina on top, her hand flew to her mouth in shock. It did not look good.
"Sylphiel!" Gourry said happily, getting back on to his feet. "What are you doing here?"
The dark haired woman lowered her eyes shyly. "I--" she started, but was interrupted by Filia, who was storming into the department.
"Those incompetent pigs!" the blonde woman fumed angrily. "I told them I needed the things today! Wait until I get my hands on them!" At the sight of Sylphiel, she stopped and immediately smoothened her angry expression to a calm and demure one. "Oh, hello Syphiel."
"Good afternoon, Filia-san."
Filia nodded before clapping her hands to get everyone's attention. "Okay everyone, I'd like to introduce Sylphiel Nels Rahda. She's going to be Amelia's helper from now on."
Sylphiel bowed politely. "I hope to be of everyone's assistance."
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"My helper? Why would I need one?" a puzzled Amelia asked when everyone gathered down to the coffee shop for a break. The coffee shop had become the usual place to hang out and meet for the Slayers gang. They came so frequently that the sofa corner was literally reserved for them. No one else dared venture there. Probably because they didn't want any conflict with anyone from Mazoku Records, especially when the son of Zelas Metallium was part of the group. Lina, Gourry and Amelia remained oblivious to this, assuming the corner was always vacant because it was like that.
"All artists have personal helpers," Filia explained as she sat down with her latte. "If you need anything, forgot something....in situations like that, Sylphiel will help you. She'll be by your side more than any of us will because I'll have to tend to other artists under my wing as well."
"Oh! Like Zelgadiss-san."
"Yes, like Zelgadiss."
Amelia stole a glance at the brown-haired man who was chatting with Gourry. Never in her life did she ever think she would someday be like this, having a casual cup of coffee in the presence of Zelgadiss. Ever since Zelgadiss debuted four years ago, she had been an avid fan, collecting his CDs, posters and anything else she could get. She knew that now she couldn't act like any other rabid fan girl ¡V common sense told her that it would likely scare him off and ruin any potential friendship in the making. It would be difficult to suppress the reaction "OH MY GOD IT'S ZELGADISS GREYWORDS" every time she saw him, but she was determined to exercise self-control. Yes, just like what daddy taught me, she thought. She stole another glance at him, but this time noticed Lina in a corner with Xelloss. They were in deep conversation with each other, but she couldn't hear what they were saying. Oh, had they made up? She remembered Lina telling her that Xelloss had given her a peck on the cheek a few weeks ago at the office. She smiled to herself, thinking that Xelloss certainly wasn't shy at expressing affection for her best friend. It was so strange though - he had kissed her within a mere few hours since they'd met! Wasn't that a little too fast?
"You studied law and business at the University of Seyruun in three years?" there was an impressed tone in Lina's voice. Xelloss had approached her in his usual friendly manner, inquiring politely about her life at Atlas University. It sparked off an interesting conversation, which ended up in them sitting over in another corner and exchanging stories of university life. He wasn't too concerned with Lina's academic qualifications; he already knew that and more from his private detectives. He had succeeded in tearing her unknowingly away from Gourry, however, and that was what mattered.
"You're correct. And after that, I started helping out with the family business."
"How did you manage to do both degrees in such a short time and come out as top of the class? That's impossible!"
Xelloss wagged his finger at her. "Now now, Lina-san," he chided, "Nothing's impossible if you put your mind to it."
Lina thought for a moment and narrowed her eyes. "Did you use money?" she challenged. When she saw his hurt expression, she quickly added, "Well, it's not that unusual for rich families to do that."
"I assure you that money was not involved," he replied, attempting to keep his cheery smile up, "Good time management and a little effort can go a long way."
"I'm sorry," she mumbled, looking away. "I shouldn't have suggested something like that."
"No need to apologize, Lina-san. I've been asked that numerous times before," he paused. "Say, who's that guy over there?"
Lina glanced at where he was pointing. "That guy? Oh, he's Gourry. I met him while I was working part-time at a studio. He's a model."
"Quite a good looking man. Your boyfriend?" he was trying to refrain from sounding too eager to know.
She shook her head. "Nope. We're just good friends. Plus, he knows the best places to eat!"
Xelloss was about to reply when his phone rang. He excused himself and went outside, out of earshot. Lina got up from where she was sitting and joined Amelia and Filia. "Hi Lina-san," Amelia greeted as she made room for her friend. "Where's Xelloss-san?"
"Oh, he's talking on his phone outside. So, what are you guys talking about?"
"The ceremony. I'm so nervous about it!" she laughed. "I've never been at the center of attention before. What if I land on my face or something?"
"I'm sure you won't," Lina assured her, brushing her crimson bangs from her eyes, "You just stand where you're supposed to stand. Plus, your dress is deliberately short in the front, so you won't trip over."
"I hope I won't be a klutz! It'd be very embarrassing if that happened."
"I'd tend to worry about the sort of questions the media plan to ask if I were you." Lina pointed out.
Amelia tilted her head to one side. "Why?" she asked curiously. Filia waved her hand in dismissal.
"Don't worry," she assured her. "We'll get them to sign an agreement before we let them on the premises that day."
The two girls exchanged glances of confusion. The manager sighed and patiently explained what she meant. "It's a legally binding document that we make the media sign before we let them attend the ceremony or other functions like that. It restricts the sort of questions that they're allowed to ask, the number of people they're allowed to send, and so on. So we won't get any nasty unexpected questions."
"Like Amelia's family background?"
"Yes," Filia said evasively, wondering whether Lina realized the implications, "because that's irrelevant to the ceremony, and draws the focus away from Amelia. So all we need to do is draw up the usual questions they're likely to ask and then come up with some standard answers. I hope you have a good memory, Amelia."
Amelia nodded enthusiastically, her hands clasping together. "I won't let you down!" she promised with determination in her voice, balling up her fists.
"Umm...Amelia?"
"Yes, Lina-san?"
"You just split coffee over me."
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Xelloss fast-paced his way back to Mazoku Records as soon as he received his mother's call. Much as he preferred to remain at the coffee shop with the rest, he knew duty was more important. So important, in fact, that he didn't even bother to say goodbye to everyone. Not that they'd notice he was gone anyway. Sliding nimbly between the doors of the closing elevator, he pressed the buttons and wiped the sweat from his brow. It was a warm day, and running around didn't make wearing a suit any more 'comfortable' than it already was. He gazed out of the glass windows as the lifts traveled upwards smoothly. It was a maginificent view of the city. If it were nightfall, the city would be scattered with neon lights dancing in the darkness. Seyruun was the epitome of everything modern, chic and stylish. What a perfect place to ground one's business, Xelloss mused to himself.
It finally came to a stop at the 35th floor. The violet haired man shrugged and walked out, hands in his pockets. Bypassing the secretary's desk with a nod, he made his way down the long corridor that he was so familiar with ever since he was a young boy. As he pushed open the large wooden doors, a gust of cold air swept into his face.
"Try to knock next time," Zelas called out sharply, her eyes not leaving the document she was reading. Xelloss gave a little bow in apology. The golden haired woman motioned him closer. "My muscles are aching," she complained as she tossed her hair over one shoulder. He quickly went over and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Your neck or shoulders?"
"Shoulders."
He obliged, and the room hung in silence for a few minutes as he worked his magic, kneading and gently massaging Zelas' tense muscles. When she batted him off, he knew he was done. "That was much better," she yawned lazily, leaning back into her chair. "You're better than the professionals."
"I'm glad to hear of it. Is there anything else you need?"
Zelas lit a cigarette and sighed. "Dolphin's causing trouble again," she said, with a tinge of annoyance in her voice. "Take care of it. I don't want to take any chances."
"You want to rid of her...permanently?" His mouth went dry, but his expression remained stoic.
"No need. I'll know she'll listen to you."
"I'll take care of it then."
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Author's note: Feel free to suggest any new ideas or tell me what you don't like - I'm a pretty flexible person.
Review review review! You know you want to.... (grin)