"Hopefully Xellos can keep this party under control, particularly after Halloween." Zelgadis remarked as he found himself once again rolling up the driveway of 2190 Astral Break Boulevard.
"Well, it really wasn't his fault," Lina countered, "And besides, we only had problems because Valgarv and Martina showed up."
"Right," Zelgadis nodded, turning up the radio, "I like this song."
She swings from somewhere you can't see
She sits in the top of the greenest tree
She sends out an aroma of undefined love
Drifts on down in a mist from above
She's just a girl, she's just a girl, the girl you want
She's just a girl, she's just a girl, the girl you want…*
"They're not a bad group," Lina said as she sat back, "But I think they're a little off…know what I mean?"
"Yeah, off is a good word to describe them." Zelgadis looked on in quiet amazement: Xellos had come home early, his parents off on another overseas adventure. Only three days he had been back, and already he had pulled together the resources and made the calls for a New Year's Eve costume party.
As they pulled up to the front they spotted Jiras, hugging himself as he stood by the front door, dressed in heavy winter apparel. He noticed them and walked to the car, knocking on the window.
Zelgadis rolled down the window while Lina turned down the music.
"Hello," Zelgadis said cheerfully.
"Hello," Jiras shivered, "You know where to park; same as last time. The rest of the band is here and we're in the middle of setup."
Zelgadis nodded and rolled up the window, then drove his car to the designated parking area.
"Boy, I'm glad the old Lebaron can still run in the snow." Zelgadis turned off the car, and reached into the back seat and snatched the hanger Lina's costume was on, handed it off to her, and then grabbed his own.
"It's an amazingly warm vehicle for how old it is," Lina said as she climbed out of the vehicle, "And as long as it works, why worry about how old it is?" Zelgadis only nodded and followed her quickly to the front door. The wind was blowing hard, forcing the temperature down to thirty below, and the promise of warmth was enough to make anyone hustle a little more than usual.
Opening the door and coming inside, Zelgadis breathed a sigh of relief as the warm air entered his lungs, replacing the cold sting from moments earlier, "A perfect night for a party, huh Xellos?"
"Well, the wind is certainly foreboding, and it is cold, but that's all outside," Xellos said as he emerged from the tearoom, "You two are later than expected." He was dressed in a lavishly embroidered dark blue silk Chinese shirt and what looked to be a comfortable pair of black silk pants.
"Icy roads," Lina explained as she stomped off the snow on her shoes, "Plus Rezo held us longer than we had planned, what with his warnings and concerns."
"Well, whatever your reasons, I have jobs for each of you," Xellos said as he handed two sheets of paper to Lina, "Lina, I want you to call the people on this list and tell them that the party will be starting about an hour later than expected due to weather." Xellos took a step toward the stairs, staggering slightly.
"And for me?" Zelgadis asked as he noticed Xellos' strange behavior.
Xellos turned and smiled, "You get to prep the winter clothes area for guests to drop off their coats and such, which will be in the storage space under the stairs." Zelgadis' nose caught a scent in the air, strangely familiar. He looked to Xellos, who was still grinning pleasantly. He shrugged it off though, and walked toward the storage door.
"Hey Xellos, I've given this list a quick look over. All of these names make sense, all except for one; why are you inviting Miwan?"
"Well," He heard Xellos start, "Oh, I thought it would be a nice gesture, seeing as he doesn't get invited to many fun events."
"How do you know that?" Lina asked.
Zelgadis turned and looked back to Xellos, who had an eyebrow raised and a pensive look on his face.
"Oh my, I forgot to check the punch," Xellos excused himself as he shuffled past Zelgadis and toward the kitchen door, "Get busy on that list Lina."
After he had passed through the door, Zelgadis looked to Lina, who only shrugged. He shrugged in response, and turned to his assigned task, opening the storage space door.
As the door swung open, a face flew out of the darkness and came dangerously close to Zelgadis, stopping inches away from his face. Zelgadis let out a cry of surprise and tumbled back, flailing inelegantly as he crashed to the floor.
"Zel, you okay?" Lina asked as she came around the foot of the stairs with the phone in hand. She had taken off her black sweatshirt, showing off her red and gold Shitenoe t-shirt, and had shaken the snow off her bondage pants.
Zelgadis looked to the face, only to see it was a mask mounted on a broom handle. Feeling rather stupid, he got up and shoved the face back into the darkness.
"Fine," he replied, trying to hide his embarrassment, "Just a little startled."
Lina laughed, "Well, at least you know your heart's working."
He huffed and chuckled, "You're right." He reached along the wall of the storage space, felt the light switch, and clicked it on.
Zelgadis closed the storage space door and wiped a small bead of sweat from his forehead. After seeing all the relics Xellos' parents had stored in the space alone, Zelgadis came to the conclusion that they could only be crazier than their son. How could anyone afford to have that much junk?
Xellos emerged from the kitchen, his cheeks slightly red, and he turned to Zelgadis, "So, how did it go?"
"Not too bad," Zelgadis said, underplaying the difficulty he'd had getting everything to fit in the far back, "Your parents really love antiques, don't they?"
Xellos nodded, "It's almost an obsession."
Lina came around the foot of the stairs again, "Well, I got 2 'no answers', 3 'not comings', and the rest understand the situation."
"Excellent," Xellos said, then noticed the other band members gathering behind Lina, "Well, how go your stations?"
"Finished," Zangulus said.
"Completed," Vrumugun uttered.
"I've been done for at least a half-hour," Jiras chimed.
Zelgadis thought about it, "That means we have at least three and-a-half hours to blow before we even need to get into costume. What do we want to do?"
"Good question Zel," Xellos grinned, then looked about at everyone else, "Any suggestions?"
"Watch a movie?" Vrumugun asked.
"No way, too routine," Jiras countered, "We need to do something we don't do usually."
"Play a game?" Zelgadis suggested.
"Like what?" Zangulus inquired.
The room went silent for several minutes, then Lina spoke up, "A card game, perhaps? They're usually easy to play and easy to clean up after."
"An excellent idea Lina," Xellos chimed in, "And I know just what to play too."
"What would that be?" Lina asked.
"Poker."
"Um, Xellos, one problem," Zelgadis noted, "None of us have much money to bet with." He looked to the band's members, who only nodded in solemn agreement.
"Simple solution then," Xellos said, his grin getting bigger, "We play strip poker."
Zelgadis looked around to the other band members, each carrying a look of at least passing interest on their face.
"No way," Zelgadis said, "I don't want to play."
"What?" Xellos asked in disbelief, "Come on Zel. What harm can there be in a little game of strip poker?"
"Yeah Zel," Jiras added, "I mean, we're all friends here."
"It's not that," Zelgadis retorted.
"Then what is it," Lina asked, cocking her gaze slyly, "Are you afraid to play? Are you worried that I'll kick your butt again?"
Zelgadis hardened his expression, "No, I'm not scared of that."
"Then play and prove it." Lina challenged, her smirk pure confidence.
Zelgadis cursed himself in his mind. He let himself get drawn into that, and he couldn't back down from a challenge, particularly from Lina. Not only would she get angry, he thought it might disappoint her.
"Alright, you have yourself a challenge."
"Here are the rules," Xellos explained as the group gathered in a seated circle on the floor of his room, "Like real poker, the person with the highest hand wins."
"Of course," Jiras commented.
"But, the major difference is this; rather than money, each player bets a certain article of clothing at the start of each hand. The winner gets to keep that article of clothing on, but the losers each lose theirs. Also, if someone is down to their underwear, they may opt to quit the game."
"Question," Zangulus, asked, "Are socks two separate items, or one item together?"
"Shoes and socks count as one item per pair," Xellos said, "Any more questions?"
"Yeah, can I deal the first hand?" Lina asked.
Xellos nodded and handed her the deck, then took his seat next to Jiras.
"Shoes," Jiras put in his bet.
"Same," Zangulus chimed in.
"Sweater," Xellos said suggestively.
Zelgadis assessed his resources: long-sleeved black t-shirt, long underwear shirt underneath that, carpenter pants and underwear, socks, and shoes, "T-shirt."
"Hooded sweatshirt," Vrumugun added in.
"Damn, I wish I hadn't taken off my own sweatshirt," Lina whined, "Okay, shoes."
Lina shuffled, gave each player their five cards, and then studied her own.
Zelgadis looked nervously at each player. Everyone seemed to be deep in concentration, Jiras and Xellos with worried expressions, Zangulus looking confident, and Vrumugun with what had to be the world's best poker face.
They dealt in their cards and got fresh cards.
"Hey Zel, I just got a brilliant idea." Lina smirked, "Why don't we bet additional clothes as well?"
"Sounds fine with me," Xellos said, "But, two things: you can only challenge one person with a bet, and since we want this to last, only the dealer can place that bet."
"Okay then, sounds good," Lina looked around, "Anyone else have a suggestion?"
"How about this; whoever wins the bet gets to put one article of clothing back on?" Vrumugun suggested.
"I'm up for that," Zelgadis agreed. Everyone else nodded and murmured nervous agreements, and then returned to their cards.
"I'll start then," Lina said, grinning devilishly, "Zangulus, I bet my shirt against yours."
"Zangulus only grinned back, "Fine, but I bet my socks on your shoes."
"Done."
Xellos spoke up, "Now that the bets have been made, we play our cards. Let's see what everyone has."
"Pair of twos," Jiras said in disappointment.
"I'm next," Xellos said, "And I didn't do much better; three sixes."
"Then me," Zelgadis let out a sigh of contentment, "Straight."
"Ace high," Vrumugun muttered, throwing his hand down in disgust.
"Damn, this will be easy," Zangulus said, " Higher straight than you Zel. Looks like we'll be seeing that cute body of yours sooner than expected, huh Lina?"
Lina was quiet, her face contorted in a somewhat sad expression, "I can't believe how much this sucks."
"Sucks to lose so much, huh?" Zangulus asked.
"No," Lina said, her smile returning, "Sucks to be you; Straight Flush."
Zangulus' jaw dropped, and he huffed as he removed his shirt, shoes, and socks. Zelgadis removed his own t-shirt wordlessly and readied himself as Lina passed the deck to Jiras on her right.
Jiras' hand moved quickly, and Zelgadis found his shoes and socks gone, Lina lost her own shoes, Zangulus lost his pants, and Vrumugun lost his shirt. Jiras won by bluffing a pair of three until it was brought down to Zelgadis, who only had a king high.
Xellos took the deck after Jiras, shuffling quickly and mocking a glare at everyone. Zangulus dropped out, his only clothes remaining a pair of boxer shorts. Xellos hit up Vrumugun for the full kit and caboodle, and stole the hand with a full house.
Then it came to Zelgadis. He looked about the group; Xellos was untouched, Jiras had lost his shoes, and Lina was barefoot. He decided he would target Jiras, who was looking rather pleased. He shuffled and dealt the cards, and then looked to his own. He smiled to himself, and looked to Jiras. After he refreshed their cards, he gave a confident sneer to Jiras.
"Jiras, your socks, or you're out."
"You're on. I'll bet everything else I have against you."
Zelgadis almost choked. Maybe he had made a bad move. However, he couldn't drop out, not when he could taste that victory, so close to him now, "Done."
"Show your hands," Xellos said.
"Three kings," Jiras said confidently, "Beat that."
Zelgadis smiled and laid his cards out, "Dead man's hand."
"I don't believe it," Jiras said, "Shit, that means I'm out!"
"Only three of us left," Lina said as she pulled off her shirt.
"This is exciting," Xellos said, "Are you enjoying yourself, Zel?"
"Yeah, it's cool," Zelgadis replied, his eyes fixed on Lina. Once again he could see the smooth white skin of her sides and belly, and the gentle round curves of her breasts could be seen against the soft white of her bra. He felt a twinge run through his system, and he felt his face growing hotter.
Despite the fact she was blushing as well, Lina took the deck and shuffled it, "Ready to lose, boys?"
"Ready and willing," Xellos said, pausing momentarily before adding, "To steal victory from both of you."
Zelgadis snapped out of his trance, the challenge clear to him again, "You'll both lose so quickly you would swear you started naked."
"Oh, trying to get me naked Zel?" Xellos taunted.
"No way, not you."
He blushed and looked to Lina, who was also blushing despite her visual flare of anger.
"Zelgadis," Lina nearly shouted, "I will win this, and then we'll see who's naked in the end!" Quickly she dealt out cards, glaring at Zelgadis, "Pants."
"Shirt," Xellos placed his bet, "Zelgadis?"
"Shirt."
Zelgadis looked at his hand. If he traded in one and got another heart, he'd be able to pull off a flush. He might as well shoot for it.
After Lina had given them new cards, she turned to Xellos, "I'm raising my bet to my underwear and bra. You still in, Xellos?"
"As in as you, Lina," Xellos replied cheerfully.
"Fine then, double or nothing."
Zelgadis eyed Lina. Was she bluffing, or would she prove to have a superior hand?
"Alright, I'm still in then," Xellos laid down his cards, "Four aces."
Lina stared at his hand for several moments, looking disappointed, "I see…well," she started to undo her bra, letting the straps hang off her shoulders. Zelgadis swallowed hard, his own heart pounding. He felt he should look away and be polite, but part of him willed to keep watching.
Holding up the bra with her free forearm, Lina turned over her cards, "All I have is a lousy royal flush, which happens to beat your four aces. Sorry Xellos, but you have to lose it all."
"It seems that way. Lina, you are a real cardsharp." Xellos said as he removed his clothes, "Boy, it seems a bit chillier in here."
A collective laugh went up, and Lina handed Zelgadis the deck and redressed.
"Ready for me to show you what's for?"
"Yeah right Zel, I'll wipe the floor with you, then I'll make you strip."
Zelgadis removed his shirt, feeling embarrassed to show his scars, but too proud to back out of this game. He dealt the cards, and managed to win Lina's shirt and shoes.
Lina's deal also gave Zelgadis a victory, narrowly stealing a win with a pair of threes and a pair of jacks.
"Looks like your luck has run out, Lina." Zelgadis said confidently, "All you have left are your panties and your bra." He gave her a good look over, his heart pounding even heavier than before.
"Don't get too smug; I can still win this."
Zelgadis nodded as he dealt out the cards, gave Lina fresh ones, and drew fresh cards for his hand. Another flush; that would be good, and he was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to steal this victory from him.
"I bet my pants already, so I'll bet my shirt again for your underwear."
"I don't think so Zel; if you want this underwear to come off, you'd best bet the entire package. Otherwise I am not doing it."
"Then you forfeit," Xellos said, "If you're not willing to go with the bet…"
"It's okay, Xellos," Zelgadis said, "I'll go along with it. All or nothing?"
"All or nothing," Lina agreed.
"Okay then. I have a flush."
Lina grinned, and Zelgadis suddenly felt the imaginary "stupid" stamper hit him in the forehead. She turned over her cards, and Zelgadis' jaw dropped, "Full house Zel. Off with it all."
Zelgadis looked down, took a deep breath, and started to disrobe. Off came the pants, his t-shirt, long underwear top, shoes and socks. He stopped when he reached his boxers though.
"What's this? Zel, you need to finish what you started," Lina mocked.
"Please Lina, not the boxers."
"You have to," Zangulus stepped in, "We all agreed."
"I know what I agreed to," Zelgadis growled, "But I don't want to. Isn't there something else I can do?"
"You mean, as a substitute for this?" Lina asked. Zelgadis nodded, and Lina thought about it carefully, finally looking up, "Okay, I have a proposition for you."
"Yes?"
"You're aware of the spring powder-puff field hockey game this spring?"
"Of course, we have it every year. What's your idea?"
"Well," Lina said, sauntering slowly up to him, "I want you to join the cheerleader squad for the powder-puff game."
Zelgadis frowned, "You want me to cheerlead for the powder-puff game?" He shook his head, "No way, that's just crazy."
"I'll be doing it already Zel," Xellos piped up, "So it can't be that bad."
Zelgadis looked at the floor. He wondered what would be worse: being fully exposed to Lina and the band, or wearing a cheerleader's outfit for the powder-puff game.
"Zel, what's your decision?" Lina asked.
"Okay, I'll do the powder-puff game," he growled back, "I figure it's the lesser of two evils."
"I'm definitely coming to that game," Jiras cheered, "Just thinking of seeing Zel and Xellos as cheerleaders makes my stomach hurt with withheld laughter."
"I'm looking forward to it too," Xellos said as he looked to his alarm clock, "Damn, it's that late already? Everyone, you need to get into your costumes, the guests will be here soon."
Arranging the last bit of his costume, Zelgadis picked up the last remaining piece. He tied the mask in place and looked into the mirror. Seeing the mask, so smooth and perfect over his face made him feel better. "Seems appropriate that I pick this character for tonight, hiding behind this mask."
"Hey Zel, are you ready?" Lina's voice called. He turned, and was taken aback by Lina's costume. With her hair hidden under a grand white wig, French dress, and fan in gloved hands, she looked the perfect modern Marie Antoinette.
"The Phantom? I didn't know you choose to be him," Lina sounded delighted, and Zelgadis smiled, "Well, I must say you look the part well."
"Thanks," Zelgadis replied, "You make a pretty attractive Marie too." Lina blushed, and he chuckled as he crossed to her, "I am serious though; you do look good tonight."
The doorbell rang, and the two of them both looked toward the door.
"Someone answer that please," Xellos called from his room, and Lina moved to the door, swinging it wide open for the three people that quickly came inside.
"Whew! Is it cold out or what?" asked Gourry as he removed his coat and hat, revealing a suit of half-plate armor and a sword on his belt, blond hair hidden under a wig of short black hair.
Behind him followed Sylphiel, costume ears attached to her own to make them elven, a green mini-dress, long cloak, and her own hair covered by a long, flowing blond wig. She also carried a sword at her side, and wore a golden circlet on her forehead.
"Nice outfits," Lina said as she looked to the third person, who shed her coat as soon as the door was closed.
"Dreadfully cold out there," Filia complained as she handed her coat to Zelgadis as he approached the group, "But it is worth it to come to this party." Filia was also dressed in armor, steel breastplate and chain, with a sword hanging at her side, a white ribbon with the fleur-de-lis on it.
"Hey, same culture, different times," Lina said to Filia, "Nice work on the costume."
"Welcome to the party," Xellos called from the top of the stairs, and the music started up, "Feel free to get some punch and snack food in the kitchen. If there's anything you want or need, just ask." Dressed in a black hakuma and white gi with a daisho stuffed into his sash, Xellos fit the true image of a samurai warrior.
"I thought this was a famous characters party," Zelgadis poked, "Who are you supposed to be?"
"Musashi, the famous samurai, of course."
"Hello everyone," Jiras said as he entered from the kitchen, dressed in a fine tuxedo and looking rather suave as he produced a glass of punch, took a sip, and grinned, "Shaken, not stirred."
"And don't forget us," Zangulus chimed in as he and Vrumugun strolled in, Zangulus dressed in a white dress suit and fedora, and Vrumugun in a black dress suit and fedora.
"Excellent," Xellos grinned, "Now, everyone relax and enjoy themselves, we've got plenty of time until the New Year comes."
With an enthusiastic cheer from Lina, the group proceeded to hang up their winter clothes and settle in for the party. Amelia arrived shortly after, dressed as the Statue of Liberty, and Miwan showed up with the last wave of incoming partiers, dressed in a toga, wearing a laurel made of grapes and carrying a staff with grapes spiraling along the top.
"Now there is a true god of parties," Xellos said as he greeted Miwan and swept him into the crowd.
Setting down his third glass of punch, Zelgadis was beginning to feel a little light, "Hey Lina, do you think the punch might be spiked?"
"Could be," Lina giggled as she finished her glass, "But even so, a little can't hurt you that much."
"True."
"Hey, Zel," Lina asked as a slow song came on, "Want to dance?"
"Slow dance?" Zelgadis asked, listening carefully to the tune, "I don't know."
"Aw, come on, you already have wicked hips, let's see how they do on slow."
Zelgadis let out a sigh and smiled, "Okay, I'll try."
Getting up and heading into the foyer, Zelgadis placed his hand on Lina's waist and took her other hand, and started a sway to the music:
You're standing here alone
And so am I
But I want you here
By my side
You smiled at me
Is everything this staring game
That song of love
I look you in the eyes
I try to read your thoughts
I ask you to go with me
To a far off place
I look you in the eyes
I try to read your thoughts
I ask you to go with me
To a far off place
You and me dancing the night away
You can feel my heart beating so hard
We look eye to eye
But I'm swept away
On a moonlit walk on the beach
Watching the sunrise for the first time
I'm in a trance for that one slowdance…*2
"You know Zel, I was thinking about the band." Lina started, looking him in the eyes, the fire and energy in them much softer than before.
"You have?" Zelgadis asked, a little worried this might be bad news. What if she decided to tell him he wasn't needed?
"Yeah, I have," Lina nodded, "In fact, with all the stuff I've been hearing and writing lately, I know that we'll need to change the band dynamics a little."
"What did you have in mind?"
She looked him in the eyes, "Zel, I'm asking you if you would be willing to join Lord of Nightmares. We could certainly use one more guitarist, and I think it would be beneficial to all of us."
"All of us?"
"Well, you know, the band, Xellos, me," Lina blushed red and "I guess I really blew that one, huh? I've never been good with this kind of conversation."
Zelgadis stopped dancing and wrapped an arm around the small of her back and gently lifted her chin to look him in the eye, "You did just fine." He kissed her, gently encouraging her to kiss him back, which she did not hesitate to reciprocate.
As they pulled away, he felt Lina's breath come weakly across his lips, her eyes heavy and somewhat drunken, "I assume that means you're joining?"
Zelgadis nodded, "Yeah, I'm joining."
Lina dove forward and kissed him again, this time pressing her body into his, "I think I need to get out of this area, maybe get some fresh air upstairs." She passed him a suggestive look, and she gently started to lead him by the hand across the foyer and up the stairs. Once Zelgadis caught on though, he kept himself in step with her as they began their ascent.
Once up the stairs, Lina led Zelgadis around a corner and opened the nearest door, giving him a suggestive look, "In here?"
"Seems as good a place as any," Zelgadis replied as he walked into the room, his head still feeling light and swimming. Someone must have spiked the punch, and he had a good idea as to which samurai was responsible.
He took a look at the room around him, and suddenly felt like he was in another place in time. The room was dressed in the aspect of a room from the palace of King Louis the 14th, "Strangely fitting, don't you think Lina?"
He felt her hand on his shoulder, and he looked at her. She drew her hand along his shoulder as she made her way to the bed and motioned for him to follow.
His face growing hot and his heart pounding, Zelgadis began his approach. Right now, nothing seemed in focus except for Lina, who smile and desire-lit eyes brought him closer and closer.
Once next to her, she reached to the back of his head and untied the mask and gently lifted it from his face, "You don't need to hide there."
"Why not?" Zelgadis inquired, thinking about his scars.
"Because I've already seen your scars, and I know you're stronger than they are." Her voice was so soft it startled Zelgadis, and for a moment he wondered if he'd wandered into the wrong room with a different girl.
"Lina, I…"
She pressed her lips against his, and the rush began as Zelgadis took in a sharp breath and his arms wrapped around her waist. She laid her weight full into him, and the two of them tumbled onto the bed, with Lina astride Zelgadis.
The kissing continued, Lina's hand working with the buttons on Zelgadis' shirt and Zelgadis running his hands up the back of Lina's legs.
"Oh, Zel," Lina said breathlessly, "I've never done this before."
"Neither have I, but I don't think we're doing too badly." He sat up and reached with his hands, touched her face and the smooth skin of her neck, and laid a set of kisses where the neck met the shoulder.
Lina's breathing became heavier, and Zelgadis brought his hands around to the back of her dress, searching for the zipper to open it up.
Lina pushed against Zelgadis, grinding her body against his and sending new waves of pleasure through Zelgadis' system, finishing by biting his ear gently. Zelgadis let out a soft groan, and Lina smiled.
"Found a soft spot, did I?"
"I guess so." Zelgadis continued to kiss up her neck, and Lina's breathing continued to grow heavier.
"Zelgadis, I want you."
"I want you too." Zelgadis said and he found and lowered her zipper, then brought his hand back under her skirt and took a grab of her butt, tight and round in his grip. She brought her legs together reflexively, and she blushed.
"Zelgadis," she said, her stare longing and her arms gently encircling his neck.
"Lina," he smiled, and leaned forward to kiss her, his hands traveling over the top of her thighs. She leaned forward also, her body shuddering as she kissed him. Zelgadis could feel the heat rising and a bead of sweat beginning to form on his forehead, but it didn't matter to him. He was connecting with Lina in a way he had never done before with anyone, and that was all that mattered as the two of them became tangled together.
Suddenly, he heard laughing and the room to the door open. He tried to look over Lina's shoulder, but her kissing and body wrapped around him made it impossible to see past her.
"My, my, this is interesting," he heard Xellos say.
Lina stopped kissing Zelgadis and rolled off of him to turn around. Zelgadis could now see Xellos, his gi shirt open and the left side hanging off his elbow, Miwan standing behind him. Xellos seemed to lean in one direction, correct himself, and then start to lean in another direction.
"Xellos!" Lina yelled as she fumbled with the zipper on the back of her dress, "What are you doing up here?"
"What, this is my house Miss Inverse, and I go where I want to in my house when I feel like going there," Xellos said, teetering back and forth and he tried to remain standing straight, "In my house."
"You've had a bit to drink, haven't you?" asked Zelgadis.
"Drunk! I'm drunk Zel!" Xellos said, "You know, if you two want to use this room to do, you know, each other, I don't mind."
"It's not what you think, Xellos!" Lina yelled as she got off the bed and smoothed out her dress with her hands, her face red and wig slightly toppled to the left.
"Xellos, how do you make more punch?" Amelia asked as she came into the room, took a look at Zelgadis and Lina's disheveled appearances, "Never mind, I'm sure I can figure it out."
"No, we'll help you," Xellos said, "Come on Miwan, the punch awaits!"
Lina and Zelgadis watched the three of them vanish, and they looked at each other, heavy blush on both their cheeks.
"Lina, I…"
"Zel, it's…"
"Maybe we moved…"
"A little too fast?" Lina asked.
Zelgadis nodded, and Lina let out a sigh, "I think so too."
"Let's go downstairs," Zelgadis suggested.
"Good idea," Lina agreed and walked quietly out with him, then took his hand.
He looked at it for a moment, then to her inquisitively.
"Well, after that, it will become a known fact the two of us are seeing one another, so why bother covering it up?"
Zelgadis thought about it for a moment, the rush still leaving his body quickly, "You know, you're right," and then changing the subject, "You know, I think we're a little too tipsy right now to drive. Maybe I should phone Rezo and tell him we'll be home late."
"Also a good idea, Zel," Lina said, then blushed, "If it's any consolation, you were making me feel really good."
Zelgadis smiled, "You did a good job too."
They reached the stairs, and a small group of people gave them big grins and applause. Zelgadis looked to Lina, who looked back to him, and the two of them quickly descended the stairs onto the foyer as they searched for the phone. They found it tucked against the stairs, and Zelgadis picked it up, pushed the TALK button, and dialed home. He knew it was late, and Rezo might be asleep, but it'd be better if he told him now and not have the two of them get chewed out by him.
What surprised him was that no one answered, and that he got the answering machine, which he hung up on.
"What's wrong?" Lina asked.
"He's not there."
"Maybe he's just sleeping?"
"No way, he'd answer the phone if he was home, even if he were fast asleep."
"Do you think he's okay?" Lina's face filled with concern.
Zelgadis nodded, "Yeah, he should be fine. Maybe he went out tonight and is seeing some friends." But even as he said it, he knew he was half-lying; the only real friends his uncle had were fellow faculty members, and on New Years there was always the faculty New Years party. But he never went to them, and almost every other faculty member showed up for the party.
"Let's go sober up a little, then head back to my place, okay?" Zelgadis asked. Lina nodded, and the two of them found a couch to sit down on.
"Well, this is one hell of a night!" Lina said, "I'm enjoying it so far."
"Me too," Zelgadis admitted, then looked down, "Lina, if I did anything that bothered you when we were upstairs…"
Lina put a finger to his lips, "Shut up now if you don't want me to hit you. If I hadn't liked it I would have made it very clear to you, understand?"
He nodded, and then let his head hang back as he closed his eyes, his mind drifting away with the music in the background.
Zelgadis pulled the Lebaron into the driveway and clicked the garage door opener.
"I can't believe it's 4:00 in the morning," Lina said as she grabbed her costume, "Boy Rezo's going to wonder what happened to us."
"Not really," Zelgadis said as he pulled into the garage, "He's not home."
"You're right," Lina sounded impressed, "Well, this has got to be a first for you, getting home before Rezo."
"Yeah it is," Zelgadis yawned, "Boy, I am exhausted."
"Me too," Lina said, and then yawned as well. The car came to a stop, and Lina undid her seatbelt, "But one thing is for sure; I had a ton of fun."
"Me too," Zel said as he turned the car off, undid his seatbelt, and grabbed his costume as well. He clicked on the opener again to close the garage door, and the two of them got out of the car. They wasted no time in getting into the house and headed straight for Zelgadis' bedroom.
Once inside, Lina tossed her costume on top of her bags, kicked off her boots, threw off her winter clothes, and began digging through her bags for a sleeping shirt, "So Zel, how did you feel about what happened tonight?"
Zelgadis stopped for a moment, kicked off his own shoes, and pulled off his shirt, "Well, at first it felt really right, that is was supposed to be going the way it was. But after Xellos crashed in on us, it suddenly felt awkward to try and continue. You know what I'm saying?"
"Yeah," Lina said as she pulled a shirt from her bags and sniffed it, "Ugh, dirty. Zel, do you have a shirt I could use?"
"To sleep in?" Zelgadis asked as he pulled his sweatshirt off, "Yeah, just give me a minute."
Lina snatched the sweatshirt from him, "This will do." She pulled it on, the sleeves too long for her arms and the waistline stopping just short of her panties, "Good, it's still warm." She hugged herself, then crossed over to Zelgadis and hugged him as well.
"What's that for?" Zelgadis asked.
She shrugged, "Because I felt like it. Oh yeah, and another thing…"
"What's that?"
"You're never getting this shirt back. I'm keeping it." She giggled and let go of him, taking her bra off and throwing it on the floor before climbing into his bed.
Zelgadis was ready to protest, then thought better of it, slipped out of his jeans, and climbed into bed next to her.
"You know Lina, I kind of regret the fact that it took this long for the two of us to get together."
"Why?" she asked as she cuddled with him, wrapping her arms around his waist and hugging to his back.
"I feel like there's so much more we could have accomplished if we'd been willing to talk to one another earlier. Maybe Lord Of Nightmares would already be out there."
"Those are both big maybes Zel. Trust in timing, it's never truly wrong."
"I guess you're right," Zelgadis admitted.
"I am right," Lina said, "There's no guesswork involved."
"No fears, no regrets, right?" Zelgadis asked.
"Right," Lina said, "Now, let's get some shut-eye, or else we'll sleep in so long Rezo will think we really were up to something last night."
"But we were," Zelgadis said, and then grimaced as Lina pinched his stomach.
"You be quiet."
* Song is The Girl You Want (By Devo)
*2 Song is One Slowdance (By Simple Plan)
