Darkness Rising
Monday, 12th July 2004
You can sue me all you want and the fact remains the same: Slayers does not belong to me.
"WHY THE HELL DIDN'T YOU STOP HER?!!!!!"
Zelgadiss flinched from Lina's wrath. As Filia and Sylphiel had gone out to chase after Amelia, that left him with the unfortunate predicament of having to explain the events that had happened minutes earlier. "I tried to go after her," he counter-argued. "But she just took off like that!"
"Lina!" Filia burst into the recording room, Sylphiel following behind her. "I'm so glad you're here. Amelia --"
"Where is she?"
The manager shook her head. "Couldn't find her. But someone said they saw her in the lobby, so she's probably out of the building by now."
Lina's expression became dark. "Then we're heading off to her place."
"Lina..."
"Just shut up, Filia."
The car ride to Amelia's apartment was made in uncomfortable silence. The only sound was the faint drizzle of rain. Gourry had a confused expression on his face, but seeing the livid look on Lina's face, he decided it was probably something he should ask later. When they reached their destination, Lina almost broke down the door. "Amelia, open the door NOW!" Lina yelled, barely restrained by Filia and Gourry. Still, there was no response.
"Maybe she's not in." Gourry suggested.
On the other side of the door, she crouched in the dark. She clamped her hands over her ears in an effort to ignore the yellings and pleas of her friends. Her azure eyes shut tightly as she tried to block out the memory from sinking into her mind, to stop the whatever it was that was hurting inside her. But Martina's words, no matter how malicious her intentions, rung true.
They really accepted you, right on the spot?
Mazoku Records certainly caught a big fish this time!
I just wanted to congratulate you on your recent success...you never cease to surprise me, Filia-san.
"Please...no..." she whispered hoarsely to the shadows. Her fingers clutched at the blankets, flinging them over her head; anything, anything at all to stop the world - even for just a moment. Everything began to spin, and the memories continued to flood into her mind against her will.
She moaned, feeling a familiar sensation of illness wash over her. Something rose at the back of her throat, and she flung aside the blanket, gasping for air. Slowly, she crawled to her bedroom, trying to shake the haziness from her eyes.
Shaking, her hands fumbled at the vanity, accidently sweeping her things clumsily to the floor. Ignoring the loud clatter, beads of sweat trickled down her face as she desperately tried to find what she needed. Where is it, she her mind screamed as she frantically felt her way through the mess in the darkness.
"But if she's in wouldn't she open the door?" Gourry asked thoughtfully.
"No, she's got to be in there. AMELIA OPEN THE DOOR RIGHT NOW OR I'LL BREAK IT IF I HAVE TO AND YOU WON'T EVEN HAVE A DOOR!!!!"
"Please Amelia. Don't listen to Martina." Filia pleaded.
A bitter smile crossed the young girl's features as she grasped the little plastic bottle tightly in her sweaty palms. Of course. It was so obvious, wasn't it? The eagerness to sign her that day, the conversations that were immediately hushed once she entered the room, the bits of rumors she managed to catch behind the doors from time to time...
Everything had been too perfect to be true.
"They never wanted me in the first place," she finished in a whisper.
"Hello, Lina-san."
Lina didn't miss a beat as she lunged into his office the following morning, expression with grim fury, and planted her hands on his table. "You have some explaining to do, Xelloss," she replied, her voice deadly calm. She hardly noticed the gathering crowd of spectators peering in curiously at the doorway. Not that she cared much for that anyway.
To her surprise and irritation, Xelloss was not flustered or stuttering as she had half-expected him to be.
Instead, he smiled.
"It is rather early for me to be at work," he agreed amiably. "Usually I come in at ten--"
::SLAM::
"Drop the act. You know I'm talking about Amelia and your sick plans, whatever they are. Now spill it, or I'll tear this place apart." She ignored the stinging pain of her palms from slamming on the table. The stirring anger within her grew as he raised his closed eyes at her in lazy amusement.
"What's wrong?"
"I heard the rumors," she told him, "This place signed her because she was the President's daughter - correct or not?"
He shrugged. "Perhaps," he answered, his face unreadable and uncaring. Lina's eyebrows drew together in confusion as he leant towards her and continued whimsically. "And perhaps not."
"DAMNIT GIVE ME A SERIOUS ANSWER!" she yelled in exasperation. More were gathered at the door by now. The young man didn't seem to mind the least.
"We're a business, Lina-san," he replied calmly as his eyes opened halfway. "And our decisions are based on many considerations."
"Was talent even one of them?" she challenged.
"Talent is important, but....other factors may take precedent depending on the circumstances."
She paused, processing his words. Much as she was reluctant to admit, one part of her knew that Xelloss' words held some degree of truth. Yet the other part of her was angry for Amelia. They should've known that something like this would reach her ears sooner or later - or were they so desperate that they didn't care about the consequences at all?
"Final question. Would you have signed her even if she wasn't the President's daughter?" Her gaze was firmly fixed upon him, as if daring him to reveal any flicker of the truth.
And for a moment, he remained silent. But then, he slowly rose from his chair and leant forward towards her, his fingers brushing a stray lock behind her ear. He stopped when his face was mere millimeters from hers, and she drew a breath in anticipation as he uttered a single word into her ear, barely audible.
"No."
The day grew colder as Amelia strode down the sidewalk, arms wrapped tightly around herself and her midnight hair flapping in the rain speckled wind. She pulled her cap a little lower to shield her tear-filled eyes from curious passerbys and looked away.
This morning, she had woken up with the resolution to seek out the truth. Perhaps part of her desperately wanted to be assured that the rumors were just rumors, and that Mazoku Records had signed her because they liked her music.
And so who better to ask than Xelloss Metallium?
She had been surprised to see a large crowd of people gather at her executive producer's office, and even more so to hear Lina's infuriated voice coming from the room. The others, upon noticing her presence, made way for her.
Would you have signed her even if she wasn't the President's daughter?
The very question she wanted to ask him herself. Her throat felt contricted as she waited for his answer. It was either yes or no - so why was it taking so long?
And then, he had rose from his chair and whispered something into Lina's ear. It made Amelia sick to see that playful smile on his face as he mouthed the words "No", very well knowing she was there to see. It was as though his smile - no, smirk- was directed at her.
It was more than enough for an answer.
She continued to walk aimlessly. Thoughts of future possibilities filled her mind. She could cut herself from the record contract and apply for university, and she would ask her daddy to send her away from Seyruun. She entertained the idea of still being a singer, but scorned herself for even considering that option.
And what - be laughed at by the whole world?
Yes, she would leave Seyruun, and leave everything behind.
Even if it means letting my dreams go, I'd rather not have them at all if they want me just because of my connections with daddy, she thought to herself. For a moment, she cheered up at the notion of being able to take a different life path. Perhaps she could even join Gracia in the fashion design business. "Yup! I'll forget about this and start all over!" she announced aloud, holding a fist up in renewed determination.
A loud screech of tires snapped her out of her thoughts and she spun around, realizing with alarm that she was in the middle of the road. Her eyes widened at the car - in a futile attempt to stop - headed towards her. It was going to be too late. A million thoughts rushed into her mind and before she could register what was happening, she did only what any normal person would do in the circumstances.
She fainted.
Author's notes: I just came back from vacation in Japan! It was loads of fun, and I bought so much stuff! I managed to get hold of the black and white comic of Slayers Premium, which I think is far more funny than the movie itself. Plus, Amelia's in it more often, instead of being blasted out into nowhere. Also bought the new Slayers series, Knight of the Aqua Lord. It's darker than the previous Slayers stuff.
Akako: Thanks for putting this story on your favourites. I'm happy you like the idea of mixing angst with humor.
Ishy-chan: No problem about not reviewing chapter 11 separately - it's the reading that counts! Unfortunately my computer is doing the wacky on me, so you won't see me online much. ::wail:: I liked the "Sic him, Amelia" bit too, since it seemed to fit in the circumstances.
samantha: The ending was sad...I know...
Dareth: Thanks for reviewing and for giving this fic a chance! And yes, Martina was supposed to be very bitchy. Heh.
Jazzy2: Amelia won't be depressed for much longer! Stay tuned for the next chapter.
Lina Gabriev: I guess in the end she won't quit - or else it'd be kind of anti-climatic for this fic. ::rubs head sheepishly::
And remember to review!