When You're Strange…

Xelloss walked down the echoing main passage to his Master's hall, where she generally received him for official summons. He was puzzled at his recent assignment, although it proved to be of some small amusement. His Master had bid him watch over Lina Inverse again. Repeat assignments were often unsatisfying, in his mind; there was the intimation that he hadn't done it right the first time. Besides, Lina certainly didn't seem to need his ward-ship, as her recent bandit torching activities suggested. He paused to study a tapestry depicting a lone dragon being torn at by wolves; its wings were shredded, pain etched deeply on its face as it bellowed up at the sky. This particular tapestry was especially dear to him since it had been commissioned to commemorate his victory near the end of the war, over a thousand years ago. He always liked to study it; the memories of the destruction and death he'd caused at his master's bidding always infused him with pride.

The assignment at hand was something else entirely. There was no huge power struggle involved, no dramatic gestures, just one lone sorceress. Granted, her pure, raw power and devil may care attitude often made him wonder if she wouldn't make a wonderful minion—despite whatever she may once have said to the contrary. He certainly hadn't thought much of it at the time. What with all that, add the fact she knew him for what he was--and yet still accepted his company at times, was certainly an interesting change from the human norm. Certainly I don't mind following Lina for the free meals she's always so kind to provide, he mused as he gazed up, eyes following the tapestry's swirling colors of blood almost lazily. Although it's true she provides them for me unwittingly. His eyes slid down to study a wolf. I do wonder however if she isn't as unwitting perhaps? There had been times in the past when she alone seemed unsurprised by his sudden appearances. It didn't happen all the time, just enough to wonder about it. He'd sometimes wondered if he hadn't been losing his touch. Now that's all I need; some sort of Mazoku mid-life crisis. He grimaced and turned away from the tapestry.

As he walked through the iron-bound doors to the audience hall, his Master greeted him warmly. "Why Xelloss, how kind of you to answer my summons so promptly," Xelas Metallium purred. Despite what seemed like a warm welcome, Xelloss knew he'd be a fool to believe it. She was reminding him he'd kept her waiting a bit. Saying she didn't like that much would be an understatement. Xelas lounged on her favorite divan, long legs crossed at the knee and idly swirling a glass of brandy in one hand and holding a cigarette daintily in the other.

Xelloss bowed low before her. "It is always an honor and a pleasure to serve my lord," he swept his cape behind him with a minor flourish and bowed lower. "I apologize if I kept you waiting… I confess to an abiding interest in the lovely tapestry in the hall."

The Greater Beast leaned forward, her tawny eyes sparkling with humor, and was there also a little bit of bloodlust? Xelloss waited stoically for whatever might come; be it a mauling or a pat on the head. "If you love it so, minion of mine, then you may let it grace your chambers instead of my hall."

"You are too good to me, Master!" He smiled up at her ingenuously; inwardly relieved he didn't pique her anger.

"It is nothing—I have a whim to redecorate." She leaned back once more on her divan, flicked an ash on the floor before him. "Well, now the pleasantries are aside, I feel I should address something which has been troubling me."

Now a look of consternation was warranted, and it settled over Xelloss's features like a shroud. "That being, my lord?"

"I have felt the question in your heart regarding my orders, and was hoping you'd explain your doubts to me."

"Why Master, I simply wondered why I was following Lina, as her savagery against bandits has increased now, without the swordsman's presence." He shrugged and smiled brightly. "I simply thought she seems able to take care of herself."

"That is as it appears on the surface. I think she is more vulnerable, and her actions prove it." Xelas drained her brandy and waved the empty goblet at Xelloss.

"Ah… I see, my lord." Xelloss took the goblet from her and walked to the cart a few feet away. "She believes a show of violent strength will protect her as well as would a comrade watching her back." He turned, smiling. "More brandy, my Lord Xelas?"

Xelas eyed her General-Priest as he waggled the goblet at her. He is awfully quick on the uptake for a minion—not like those idiots, Raltarc or Rashat… Or any of the others, for that manner. She felt a strange upwelling of pride in her… cub? No casual observer would guess this silly little man was anything other than what he seemed. She had created him of her own power, to be perfect. Naturally, such a powerful and cagey minion could prove to be a danger, to his creator, but Xelloss would never… Oops, he's beginning to look a little nervous… No need for that, certainly. "No, I think not. Alcoholic overindulgence makes me hungry, you know that Xelloss. And I did have a few drinks whilst waiting for you my darling." Again, her smile was predatory, and her retainer did look nervous as he placed the goblet on the cart, but he recovered admirably.

Xelloss smacked a fist into his palm in sudden remembrance. "That reminds me! I restocked the prey on the island for you, Master!"

"Oh?"

"Yes! I found a small herd of your favorite antelope; also I snuck off with a few rather brutish humans and one beastman after Lina's last bandit raid! I thought if they were resourceful enough to survive Lina's attack, then surely they might provide you some small entertainment, Master."

"That was lovely of you Xelloss," Xelas rose up from her blood red divan and approached the cart. "I think I will have more brandy after all." As she poured herself a drink, she glanced at Xelloss. "Now, I hope I have satisfied your curiosity, and thereby put my own mind at ease." She took up her goblet and drank. "You are to proceed as before; keep an eye on her, see what she's up to. Step in only if she gets in over her head—she will, you know, she seems to have a talent for it. Above all, try not to be obvious about it. A good guardian is one that remains hidden. Also, when the opportunity presents itself—report back to me. Let's just say… I feel there is a need to stay on the good side of our honored Golden Lord by protecting what is hers." She watched his eyes widen at the thought of that notion.

As he backed to the door, Xelloss flashed a grin laced with mischief. "As you command, Lord Beast Master. Besides, you ask me to use the same tactic I adore—be deceptively innocuous, and strike hard when I have to." He hefted his staff and winked at her, adding "In other words, walk softly and carry a big stick!"

Xelloss's eyes were open, so he saw the goblet come flying at him along with his Master's growled command.

"OUT! THOU INSOLENT PUP!"

Not needing to be asked twice, Xelloss had already disappeared, leaving the goblet to smash harmlessly on the door beyond. His faint laughter echoed from elsewhere.

Amusement warred with annoyance over Xelas's features as she surveyed the mess. She gave up and chuckled. Now she knew Xelloss was truly gone, she could display amusement at his antics. She rolled her eyes in mock disgust. He's been reading my tomes on parallel worlds again.