Lina looked back over the arm of the couch as Sylphiel came downstairs, "He dying up there or what?" she asked.
Blinking, Sylphiel came back to herself and looked over at her friend, then shook her head, "No. I was speaking with Flagoon. Rezo is throwing a fit and wont talk to Flagoon or me." She sighed and looked away, then continued down the stairs to the kitchen where she put the cups into the sink and stared out the window there. At least the storms were beginning to abate. Maybe tomorrow would be sunny? But being outside today was a waste.
A touch against her arm made Sylphiel jump, and she turned to look at Lina who was staring out the window with a slight scowl on her face, "Want me to Persuade him to come out?" she suggested, then grinned at Sylphiel.
Shaking her head, the shrine maiden replied, "No, I... just- I only wanted to talk to him to make things clear between us." She lowered her bright green eyes to stare at her hands which she twisted in front of her, "I just... I can't come to a decision on what to do about him unless I know his reasons." Lifting her hands, she pressed them against her eyes, "I don't know what to do- I condemn him for being here, and I condemn him for not accepting Flagoon's gift, Mrs. Lina, I don't know what to do."
Patting Sylphiel's shoulder, Lina smiled when the shrine maiden finally lowered her hands to look at the shorter woman, "Gourry and I'll be here for you," she offered, "We'll keep an extra eye on him, in case he tries anything. But honestly- let me ask you this, you mistook him for Flagoon-"
"He is Flagoon," Sylphiel interrupted, "I feel it- I know it in my heart, and Flagoon's power is open to me again. If that wasn't proof enough, then I don't know what is..."
Lifting a hand, Lina forged on, "Okay- alright, so he's Flagoon, but let me ask you this instead, would Flagoon choose someone that would hurt you? Or is it more likely that Flagoon chose Rezo as a way to make him redeem himself? As I recall, you were crying when he died- you said you felt sorry for him in a way."
Sylphiel winced and looked away, not wanting to admit her further secret thoughts on the subject of Rezo.
Still, Lina continued, "So maybe this is Rezo's punishment? You've got a hold on him, you know- one that you can use to keep him in line. He won't be able to hurt you, and I've a feeling that he'll do anything you ask him to."
Eyes snapping back towards Lina in shock, Sylphiel shook her head, "Why? Why would he do anything I...?"
Shrugging, Lina mused, "Flagoon makes him? Or perhaps it's personal? But I've had hunches like these before, and they're usually right. So try it sometime?"
Lowering her gaze once more, the shrine maiden sighed, "I might if he'd talk to me. I'm not so sure if I really want him to talk to me or not, actually."
Lina smiled and shrugged, "Think of it this way, then: you're going to be shackled to him no matter how you look at it..." Sylphiel frowned but Lina continued, "Is this the kind of person you want to be?" Sylphiel winced, feeling as if Lina had stabbed her in the gut with the truth.
With that, the redhead turned and left the kitchen- left Sylphiel standing at the window with rain lashing against it viciously.
Sighing, Sylphiel turned her eyes towards the pain of glass, hoping that maybe she could see through it.
Kopii sighed softly, feeling grimy and miserable, and well aware that he was going to have to take himself and Flagoon down to the bath or they'd never get one since Flagoon wasn't inclined to attempting the stairs anytime soon, or possibly ever.
Stupid parasitic tree, he thought viciously at it and threw the covers aside. Looking down at himself, he scowled as he realized that he'd gotten the sheets filthy too. Dizzy and furious, Kopii began pulling the sheets off and wrapped them into a bundle, then headed down the hall to the stairs, walking silently and hoping to Cephied that the others would be elsewhere so he could get by without having to confront them again.
Truly, Flagoon drawled sarcastically, you are a coward.
Infuriated beyond measure at that remark, Kopii stalked down the stairs with the sheets. Gourry and Lina were in the living room in front of the fire, Lina facing away from the stairs, but she tipped her head back to look at him as he passed, grinning like a Cheshire cat. Pointedly, Kopii ignored her and headed through the kitchen, dropping the dirty sheets on the floor next to the bath door and proceeded into the bath. Sylphiel had glanced over at him from where she stood in front of the window above the sink, staring out at the rain.
Shutting the door firmly behind him, Kopii stripped his sleeping gown off and proceeded to get the bath ready, then climbed in to wash.
A soft knock on the door heralded Sylphiel calling in, "Rezo. I want to talk to you." She didn't sound very happy about the subject and the use of His name made Kopii wince. He'd thought he was over that, but the use of that name- directed at him- was about as painful as a stab in the gut.
"Rezo?"
"Fine!" he snapped at her, splashing his fist into the water of the bath in a futile attempt to release some of his rage. She didn't call through the door again, and he subsided into sullenly washing himself. Once rinsed though, he realized that he'd forgotten to bring something clean to wear and sighed.
Bespelling the night-robe he'd been wearing briefly, he pulled some loose pants and a shirt from Rezo's old wardrobe out to wear. Not like Rezo would be needing them, and even if they were old, he didn't want to wear robes and didn't have anywhere to go except back to his room to mope. Reaching into the pocket of his pants, he paused, fingers encountering something within its depths. Pulling it out, he opened his fingers to find a thin silver necklace, decorated with a stone-less silver setting. Not recognizing it at first, Kopii closed his eyes and ran his fingers over it, tasting the power radiating off the piece of jewelry.
Oh yes. Now he remembered... It was something Rezo had hunted down, hoping that it would bless him with sight, but though the light had shone for him, he had not been granted the miracle he wanted. Opening his eyes, Kopii stared at the necklace, knowing that it wouldn't work for him now- as he too had already seen it's light. Oddly enough, that had been when Eris had held him prisoner with the Blood Gem, and shortly after the necklace had flashed for him, he'd met Sylphiel.
"Could she be my miracle?" he asked softly, "She certainly kept my sanity for a short while longer before Eris..." he sighed. It seemed like forever- a lifetime ago when Eruk had asked 'Lord Rezo' to teach his aspiring Shrine Maiden daughter some white magic. Kopii had agreed because he had no way of declining politely and then, it had turned into a little rebellion against Eris. How Eris had cursed- oh how she'd breathed fire over it and vowed to never leave him alone for a second after that, especially not with Sylphiel. But Sylphiel had been wonderful to teach- so intelligent, understanding, with good bedside manners and steady hands when it came to the herbal and surgical part of healing. Those few weeks had been the happiest time of his short life, but then Lina had appeared and shot everything to hell.
Closing his eyes briefly, his fingers clenched on the necklace, then he took a breath. "I should continue the tradition," he muttered and stepped out of the bathroom. Lina and Gourry were now in the kitchen, having some snacks and Lina 'helpfully' pointed towards the living room.
"She's out there," the redhead stated around a mouthful of food.
Reluctantly, Kopii followed the finger and stepped out into the living room. Sylphiel stood from where she'd been sitting on the couch and turned to face him, taking a breath, "Rezo," she started, sounding uncertain and he refrained from wincing- somehow.
Quickly, he interrupted and forged ahead before she could say anything hurtful to him, "If you wish it, I'll not speak to you. I'm just Flagoon's host, nothing more than a convenience. I'll only act to keep Flagoon alive and healthy. Nothing more," He started to turn away, fingers still rubbing the small pendant of the necklace he held.
Reaching out, Sylphiel hurried around the couch to catch his sleeve, "Wait, I ... just wanted to ...to know wh- why?" she faltered and fell silent as he stared at her.
Abruptly, he lifted his hand, "Here," Kopii held out his fist, a thin silver chain dangling from it. "Take this. Wear it... It will shine for those who're lost in darkness," was all the explanation he gave her.
Sylphiel frowned and reluctantly took the jewelry, turning it over in her hand to find the silver setting for a gem was empty. She frowned even more deeply. Kopii shook his head and took it back, clipping it around her neck, then lifted her hair out from beneath the chain, "You have to wear it," he told her, "Otherwise it won't work. ...and once it does, you have to pass it on." Then he stepped back and turned away, headed upstairs to sit in his room like a good little host to a parasitic tree and not cause trouble.
Sighing, Sylphiel stepped into the kitchen and found Lina and Gourry sitting there quietly. They'd apparently seen the exchange but not heard what was said. "What'd he give you?" Lina asked immediately.
Taking the necklace off, Sylphiel held it out towards Lina, "Just this."
Eyes widening, Lina snatched the jewelry, fingering it, "Did he say anything?"
"Just that I had to wear it and that it'll shine for those who are lost in darkness."
Lina looked up, "He didn't tell you what it was?" she asked.
Shaking her head, Sylphiel watched as Lina got up, grinning as she approached Sylphiel and clipped the necklace back on her. "Maybe it doesn't work for those who know," she suggested, then turned, heading back to her seat. "So when's lunch?"