The Answer, At Long Last

Finally, after another long, depressing day of hard travel, the group arrived at the city of Sumapi. Lina had not been able to shut up about it all day. Apparently, it was home to the only Tuskman's Grill and Inn in the world.

"It has the softest beds and the best food you've ever tasted," she gushed. "Can you imagine? Lightly toasted mountain dragon covered in a secret recipe sauce. Served--"

"...Right to your room. Lina, we know, you've only told us a hundred times." Gourry finished for her. It was true: that was her favorite of everything to repeat. Amelia sighed. If it wasn't for Zelgadis, she didn't know how long she could have withstood the constant...'personality' of Lina.

That Question and its familiar followers crowded her mind. Was Zelgadis along also only because of her? She knew that he found Lina especially annoying. It had to do something with when they first met. He was looking for a cure, however, so that could account for him tagging along. They had already seen his readiness to leave, as he had exhibited when he used to start off long before sunrise. That hadn't happened recently. It seemed he was there to stay. Not like Mr. Xellos, who constantly conjured himself hither and thither at a moment's notice. Or like the absent Miss Martina, but she didn't really count, because she was certifiably insane.

The smaller sorceress of the two present actually managed to crowd these thoughts to the back of her brain. The city they were traversing looked achingly similar to Seyruun. She almost felt as homesick as she had the last night. Lina, being oddly perceptive, glanced other at her.

"What's wrong, Amelia? You don't look too well."

Amelia shook her head. "You keep worrying about me today. I just felt a little homesick." She sighed." This city does look a lot like Seyruun."

Lina didn't look convinced, even though all of it had been the truth that time. "Is that what kept you up last night?"

Amelia was surprised by that question. "Uh, yeah, it was." A little. "I'm fine now. I'll probably get more sleep tonight if that inn is all you've said it to be."

Lina only smiled in that way she had.


Gourry was busy stuffing his face. Zelgadis was sitting, calmly drinking something in a mug. Amelia sat across from him, trying valiantly to not stare at him too obviously. Lina had been gone for about half an hour.

They had reached the famous Grill and Inn late in the afternoon. Lina had insisted on eating first, but once everyone was settled, she was off again, professing that she had to go and pick up the keys for the rooms. Keys were an oddity in most inns: normally, you paid the bartender and took any vacant space. But Tuskman's was very different. The dining section was completely detached from the rest of the inn. There were strange metal chairs with cushions instead of the standard wood. All the tables had tablecloths. The menu turned out to be even better than what Lina had said. They did, indeed have what they called 'room service.' And, from seeing those excesses, the rooms promised to be all that Lina had prophesied.

But still, half an hour was a long time to get room keys.

It was also a horrendously long time for Gourry to eat nonstop.

Amelia sighed, and let That Question return to her.

Ok, so what if he did? Would you get married? The serious Zelgadis would make a hilarious husband to the petite princess. Their kids would be freakish. However, they would be incredibly strong shamans, heirs to the throne of Seyruun, and descendents of the great Rezo. Interesting mixture.

And if he didn't, which was most likely the case? Amelia could hardly even think about that. It was painful. Which was why she had to tell him, and finally get a straight answer.

She looked up at Zelgadis, evaluating the amount of courage it would take. Instead, she saw Lina approaching over the chimera's shoulder.

Zelgadis happened to glance up at Amelia, and saw the direction of her gaze. She dropped it immediately. Apparently, it takes more courage than you've got, Amelia thought to herself.

Lina, as usual, diffused the situation with her presence. She plopped down in a chair as they turned their attention to her.

"You have no idea how much haggling I had to do." She spread her hands innocently. "But luxury doesn't come cheap."

Zelgadis shifted in his chair. "So how much did it cost?" he asked, sounding irritated.

Lina flashed that odd smile she'd been doing so often that day.

Groaning, Zelgadis interrupted, "And don't even think about saying, 'sore wa himitsu desu.'"

"That's a good idea, Zel. I'll use it next time," Lina enjoyed aggravating him.

"How much did four rooms cost?" Zelgadis growled.

Still grinning, Lina answered, "About double what I paid."

Amelia wasn't sure what she did to get the rooms at half price, but it probably wasn't all too legal. "Miss Lina..." she started.

The other girl waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "Don't worry, I paid for what I got. See?" She held up four keys. "They wouldn't have given me these if I hadn't."

"I suppose so," Amelia sighed.

"I'm glad you agree. Here are yours." She handed Zelgadis' his, and tossed another across the table to Amelia. The blue-haired man glanced at the number on it, and stuck it his pocket.

Suddenly, Lina stood, and grabbed Gourry. "Well," she said, "I'm off to bed. C'mon, Gourry." Gourry, who had been eating the entire time, looked at her in alarm.

"But I'm not finished!!" he exclaimed as Lina hauled him to his feet.

"I haven't eaten, either. We'll get room service." They started off toward the door, Gourry looking much happier.

Zelgadis and Amelia watched them go. He shook his head as he turned back to Amelia.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say she got one room for the both of them."

Amelia laughed. "She'd do anything to save money." Lina would be the type to buy two rooms for four people. If she actually had, and she and Mr. Gourry were occupying one, then the other—

Abruptly, Zelgadis started coughing. Amelia looked up at him worriedly, forgetting to finish her thought.

He glanced at her with almost the same look of apprehension. Odd.

"Are you all right?"

Regaining his lungs, he smiled wanly. "Yes. I just...I swallowed wrong."

Amelia was confused about his tone of voice. He sounded... guilty. She didn't have time to think about it, because Zelgadis stood up.

For a moment, he stood awkwardly, and then he spoke. "Uh, it's been a long day. I think I'll just go to bed, even though it's early. It is early, isn't it? Almost too early. Lina went to bed. And Gourry. Well, I'm going now." He paused.

Amelia's confusion deepened as she listened to him ramble. He'd never done that before. "Okay, Mr. Zelgadis. I thought I'd go out and walk in their garden until it gets dark." Zelgadis nodded stiffly and practically ran out of the dining hall.

Amelia stared after him, wondering at what thing possible could be going on inside of the mysterious man. She stood herself. Passing by the place where Zelgadis had sat, she looked into the empty mug.

Coffee.


The garden had been enormous. Amelia had lost herself in the flora. She had hardly noticed when dusk had descended. When she finally did, a small orchestra in a nearby gazebo started playing. Then she found herself lost in the music. No worries had penetrated her then. There were no unwanted thoughts or troubling notions. Just peace.

It was quite late when she entered the lodging wing of the inn. She really liked this place! It was worth every gold piece paid. Which, she thought with a smile, was actually less than what they should have paid. With a deep sense of contentment, Amelia pulled out her key and opened the door to her specified room.

Zelgadis was standing by the window, looking out. At least, that's what she thought she saw. It a split second, he had whirled, drawn his sword, and attacked.

Amelia cried out and shielded her head with her arms. When nothing happened, she timidly looked up. Zelgadis stood just feet away from her, in a battle position, with a horrified expression on her face.

Lowering her arms completely, she took a step forward. "Mr. Zelgadis?"

That seemed to break him out of his spell. Hastily, he sheathed his sword and took a step back.

"Amelia," he breathed. "I thought... you just came in... k'so, I almost killed you..."

"It's alright, Mr. Zelgadis. You didn't do anything wrong. Your impulses are too finely honed. You... couldn't control it." Amelia was surprised at the calm, advisory words she was speaking. He would have killed her if he hadn't stopped himself.

Zelgadis had turned back to the window, and was tapping his fingers compulsively against the windowsill. Amelia stepped back.

"Uh," she started faintly, "I guess I have the wrong key. Sorry for bothering you, Mr. Zelgadis."

She began to leave, but Zelgadis' voice stopped her.

"Wait," he said. She turned back to him. He strode up to her; seemingly back to his normal self. "Let me see it."

Curious, she complied. Zelgadis pulled out his own key. He studied them. "As I thought," he commented. Then he handed them both to Amelia.

She looked up at him, surprised. "They have the same number!" she said softly.

Zelgadis nodded. "You wouldn't have been able to get in without it being to this room."

"Did Miss Lina give me the wrong key? Could it be Mr. Gourry's? Oh, I should go ask her." Once again, she turned to leave, when Zelgadis called her back.

"Lina's asleep already. And Gourry's in her room. I could hear them fighting over the food. Besides, there's only one bed," he said, gesturing at it. "Gourry and I weren't meant to share this room." He sank tiredly into a deep plush chair by the window. "No, there was some definite planning in this."

Amelia stood confused by the door. What was he talking about? Should she still leave?

Zelgadis saw her indecision, and sighed. "You might as well come in. Lina was behind this. It would have happened sooner or later."

She took a few uncertain steps into the room. Then she had to go back to shut the door. Finally, she took a seat on the bed. It really was as soft as Lina had said. After a long moment, she took a deep breath.

"What did you mean by Lina being behind this, and it happening sooner or later?" He really wasn't making any sense.

The chimera looked over at her, in a way that made her practically met into a puddle. "Do you want the long version or the short one?" he asked.

"Uh, the long one."

He sighed, relieved. "I was hoping you'd say that."

Shifting in his chair, he began to speak.

"It started this morning. When she came down after waking you up, she was staring at me as if she'd never seen me before. Then I noticed that she was giving you the same looks. I figured that she would do something like this, I just didn't realize that it would be today."

Amelia cut in, "Do what? I don't get what you mean."

He smiled at her, which struck her speechless. "I'll get to the point. She wanted to get us alone, so I'd have to admit it." He looked at his feet, as if embarrassed. "Amelia, I know how you feel about me. And, well, I- I feel the same way."

END OF CHAPTER 2