Cookies for Gourry
by AeroGirl7986
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Slayers or any of its characters. Slayers is owned by Hajime Kanzaka, Rui Araizumi and some other people. I think that should go without saying, but hey, don't feel like getting sued today!
CHAPTER 2
They were only less than a mile from Zephilia City, that one place Lina would try to avoid going to at all costs. Gourry noticed that Lina was starting to slow down, sign of cold feet. "C'mon, Lina. Don't be scared, Look, once we make it there, we can eat, uh? That doesn't sound so bad, does it?" Gourry asked, but Lina lowered her head. Eating out might be worst idea right now, especially if they stop by a certain restaurant. Before she knew it, Gourry had her arm around her, and when she looked up at him, he smiled, "No matter what happens, I won't let anything happen to you, OK?" and winked. She smiled, "Gourry ... thanks." At that moment, she felt like leaning her head against his arm, but thought it'd be better if she didn't.
Not too long afterwards, they had reached where the border of Zephilia. He didn't have his arm around her no more, but they simply walked side-by-side. "You nervous?" Gourry asked. Lina nodded, "Yep. Let's go." she stated, stepping inside the border, entering Zephilia.
The city was fairly large, no bigger than Sariaag, but not to be considered a small town. The entrance of the city was inhabited by buildings that stood side-by-side as small businesses, mainly as bakeries or shops. A little farther into the city was a large marketplace, which stood very close to the city hall, which was located at the center of the city. The marketplace seemed bustling with business, with many people haggling, mostly bargaining, and some even just relaxing as they talked with their friends while staying by their carts. "Wow, there's a lot of merchants here. Hey Lina, look at this thing! Look at this! Look at that! Lookie, lookie, Lina!" Gourry pointed at almost every random thing that met his gaze, irritating Lina of course, until he saw a man, a tall onw, at that. He had black hair, with a few streaks of silver, and a cigarette tucked behind his ear. He was a little broader than Gourry, and looked to be quite young with a face that was very rugged, but still considered very handsome. Something about this particular man tugged at the back of Gourry's mind, almost like they had met before somewhere. Where, he couldn't accurately pin-point, since he doesn't recall seeing such a fellow in a suit, like this man, a merchant, was now. "Hey, Gourry, something wrong?" Lina asked, looking back at him, after noticing how quickly he became quiet. "I thought I saw someone, someone I met a long while back. But, it mostly have been me." Gourry explained non-chalantly. Lina just sighed, shrugging. "Anyways, let's keep on moving, jellyfish." she said, as she motioned for him to follow her.
Gourry just nodded, smiling, walking one step behind her, watching her. Wow, she admits that she's nervous about coming back home, yet she keeps on going, going to face it head on. Most girls would just turn tail by now, but not her. Once she's set on something, there's no stopping her. That, I will always admire you for, Lina, he thought in his head, as she continued walking ahead of him. In her mind, everything was so nerve-racking, her palms were sweating, she was looking at all the people that passed, making sure it wasn't that one person she didn't want to see, at least not yet. It was then Gourry broke the ice.
"Say Lina, isn't Zephilia supposed to be famous for something? Something about grapes?" he asked innocently. She looked at him, now that she changed her pace to match his. "Yeah, you're actually on the right track. Zephilia is pretty well-known for its wine, since wine comes from grapes. Most of the wines that are known, and even popular, come from Zephilia, you know. Yeah, but most everyone here has their own private vineyard, though, but during one of our national festivals, we'd use grapes from this huge old tree that can grow grapes and that's been around for maybe a hundred years or so; can you believe it? Usually grapes grow from vines, but this tree has the ability to grow grapes, can you believe it? It's really kinda cool, I remember some days, when I'd be hiding from Luna, I'd climb up on that tree and eat some of the grapes. And, the way our country makes wine, is all the maidens in that city gather together and crush the grapes together to make the wine. You know, the last time I was living here, I remember that there should be a festival coming up in a few days; that is, unless they already celebrated it early. Some years, the grapes riped too soon so we had to celebrate the festival early, or that'd just be a waste of grapes." Lina informed, with her hands behind her head. Lina continued on, giving little trivia bits to Gourry, while he listened intently and tried to best to pay attention. But, as always, he started to drift off in his own world, continuing to listen to her voice, just not her words.
Gourry liked to look at Lina while she explained important things to him, even though sometimes the things she'd be talking about would be way over his head. She just be radiant when she's into her topic, her crimson eyes would twinkle with both concentration and with her own interest in the certain topic, her hair would seem to glisten when she spoke, and the sound of her voice was just comforting in some way that he just couldn't describe. Even though she'd usually fireballing him for not listening, or even have him in a headlock, he didn't mind it anymore, and he'd sometimes favor the headlock more since he'd have an excuse to be so close to her, and even defend himself by maybe tickling her to get her to let go. Not to mention her certain sweet smell her hair carried with her, of lavendar and orange tea.
"Gourry? Hello in there?" Lina asked, with an irritated tone in her voice, waving her gloved hand in front of his face. Gourry blinked, "Huh? Ehehehe! I guess I wasn't paying attention again, Lina." he nervously laughed, rubbing the back of his head. She just sighed, and continued on, "Normally, I'd be having you in a headlock right now, but I'm really not in the mood. Anyways, judging by the city hall setting up for something that looks like a huge party, it looks like we're right on time for that festival I was telling you about, if you were even listening to me earlier." she said, as she stopped and pointed to her right, where the city's center was located.
G: So, there'll be wine there, would there?
L: Hey, maybe you were listening a little, for a change! Yep, you're right, for once; all the maidens will get together and gather all the grapes and make wine. Something about the festival celebrating spring: about all the wonders of springs, and everything returning and growing back since the winter's last frost or something dumb like that.
G: You don't sound too enthused about it.
L: I'm not; it's just an excuse to have another festival. We have plenty of festivals, but we just need more excuses to drink wine.
G: Hmm, ... will you be making wine, too?
L: (light blush) Um, well, I guess, under normal circumstances, I would, but I've been gone for so long, I'm not so positive if they'd really let me.
G: Yeah, you DO have to be a maiden to make wine, anyways ...
L: (furious blush) AND WHAT IN NINE HELLS ARE YOU IMPLYING!
G: N-nothing! I swear!
L: I AM A MAIDEN, I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW!
G: I never said you weren't! Really!
Lina soon noticed the townspeople staring at them, judging that they pretty much heard her and Gourry's "private" argument, and the possibility that some of them thought that she looked familiar. At that point, she just giggled nervously, scratching her head, bowing down and apologizing for the interruption; with that, grabbed Gourry's wrist and both bolted out of there, and especially avoiding the side of town which a restaurant by the name of Flute Glass was located, for a very important reason.
After that ordeal, Lina finally stopped, with Gourry and her panting and sitting on the sidewalk. Still catching her breath, Lina noticed where exacty they were in the city. She recognized this part of the city very quickly, and didn't even realized that she led Gourry & herself here. Heh, it must've come naturally to me, since I've always walked this way home from grade school. She looked at the large sign, sitting across the road from where they sat, that read, Emerald Vineyard, referring the particular neighborhood by that name. With that, Lina sat up, and walked into the neighborhood.
It was a very serene-looking neighborhood, the roads long and sheltered by tall trees that practically covered the sky around them from the heat from the sun, with dozens of birds scattered in the forest of trees, all chirping and tweeting. The roads were paved, and all of them seemed to have a name to be referred by.
Lina walked up to the first street sign, reading out loud, "Barbella and Brunello ... This way! C'mon Gourry!" Gourry looked up at the sound of Lina's voice calling his name. "Uh? Hey, Lina, where are we going?" he asked, nevertheless, following closely behind her. "Where do you think, jellyfish? I'm gunna show you my home!" she shouted back, as she ran down Brunello Way. She didn't bother to stop, and Gourry didn't mind. Lina's mind was racing, as she was remembering the way home. Down Concord Road they ran together, took a right turn on Chardonnay Boulevard, and took a shortcut down Cabarnet Street. Finally, they had reached a moderate-sized brick house, addressed 1648 Pinot Gris Avenue, with a wooden birdcage mailbox out in front of the house. Lina stepped up in front of this house, with a sad look in her eyes. She reached out to the mailbox, sighing, "Gourry, I'm finally home." Gourry acknowledged her by nodding his head, and placed his hand on her shoulder as they looked at the house.
Gourry took in the appearance of the house: a red brick house, with parts of the house painted a creme-color, a front yard that had soft green grass which featured a stone pathway, with small golden yellow and light violet flowers gracing the front door; the house had a front porch, with a wide wooden swing that seemed like fun to swing on, and on the red front door, a large handicrafted happy white rabbit that held a large orange carrot that read, Welcome, on it. The house looked like anyone's dream house come true. Gourry was shocked that this was the home of the Inverses. He didn't know how else it might have looked like, but he certainly didn't imagined like this.
Lina walked on the stones, with Gourry following her closely, to the front door. As she reached for the doorbell, he saw her hand was trembling with hesitation. She gulped, and rang the bell. When they heard the bell ring from the outside, Lina shuffled her foot as Gourry cracked his neck, waiting for the door to be answered. Lina's ears perked up when she heard faint steps coming towards the front door. "Coming!" a woman's voice called back, possibly interrupted from her cooking. Lina felt dozen of butterflies fluttering in her stomach right now, since she recognized the woman's voice instantly.
"Hello?" the woman's voice called, as she opened the door. The woman, who very much like an older version of Lina, was a good couple inches taller than her. She had golden-red hair, that was pulled back in a loose ponytail, that her soft curls flows on her back, with large hazel eyes and long eyelashes. She could be considered well-endowed, donning an ensemble, not one a housewife would wear, but a homemaker extraordinaire with a pale blue sleeveless turtleneck and white pedal-pushers with pearl jewelry, complete with a large white apron that covered her front. Her skin has a peaches-and-cream complexion, and her face looked very young, or at least younger than one who has a teenage and an adult daughter. The moment the woman and Lina's eyes met, the woman was apparently stunned. "Li ... Lina?" she asked, with her voice so soft, one could almost not hear her question.
Lina scratched her head. "Hehe! Hi, Mama; miss me?"
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey there, readers! I hope you all are enjoying my story; but, if you're reading this, means you must've reached the end of this chapter, and if you did that means you must've liked it! Yay for you:D (cheers) Hehe, wonder if y'all saw that ending coming! Did you? No? GOOD! Yeah, a bit of a cliffhanger, I know. I did that on purpose; originally, I intended to make the second installment's ending with Lina & Luna meeting again, but the second was getting so long, I decided to just end it temporarily with Lina & her mother (her name will be revealed in a future chapter!) meeting again for the first time in close to five years. Also, expect future chapters to be about this length, in story, or so; the first one was just a fluke, & was only made that short to have the second start off basically at Zephilia City. Ooh, fun little trivia fact for you trivia-lovers: you guys noticed a slight pattern with Emerald Vineyard's street names? If not, I'll give you a hint: ... Zephilia's main attraction. Still don't get it? (all the wine-drinkers who are reading this fic are rolling their eyes right now, I;d bet) WINE GRAPES! Yep, I Googled the kinds of grapes used for wine, & found a pretty informative site, which had all the types of grapes in alphabetical order. Another little tidbit, the address which the Inverses' house is located is heavily modeled after my old address in my hometown. So, what did you guys think of Lina's mom, uh? Of course, I had nothing to go on, on how she would be intended to look, so I had no choice but to think of how she'd look like on my own. It's much harder than it looks, since I tried to make it seem convincing that she could be the mother to Lina, but also to Luna, who looks much different from Lina, and especially when their father doesn't seem to remotely resemble either of them. Gourry's been a bit quiet during most of the story; sorry about that! The third installement will be mainly Lina, Lina's mom either talking or reminiscening, and a touch of Gourry making a comment about Lina to her mom here and there. I realize that this story is SUPPOSED to be mainly about Gourry, but I believe that we need to establish Lina's family a little first, since they'll be pretty involved in this, and the festival is going to play a key role, so watch out for that. I realize now, this story is going to be a doozy, but with some luck & a good two days off, I think I'll be able to do it:D Well, thank you for reading & please, continue on! Ciao