I have to get out of this town as soon as possible, Gourry thought with a sense of regret as he looked up tiredly at the stars. By the time the authorities had finished questioning him it was rather late, closer to the time that he would typically get out of bed than in it. Sure, he'd rescued a boy, stopped a serial killer and met a truly lovely woman, but still suspicion had fallen upon him somehow and he'd had to spend a lot of time answering questions about the events of that evening.
Since he had done nothing wrong they'd released him with their thanks. And while he should have been walking on air he instead felt weighted down with his responsibilities. He was cursed with the Sword of Light. For a brief moment after meeting Sylphiel he had allowed himself to forget it but reality quickly came rushing back in. There was no future for him here so long as the sword existed. But the dream of what could be was so intoxicating that he couldn't shut it off.
No one was stirring when he returned to the inn and the light spells used in the hallways were dimming. By the time he found his room his feet felt like wooden blocks and taking off his boots seemed nearly impossible. Still he managed to kick them off before he crashed on the bed in his clothes and fell into a deep sleep, not waking until someone started knocking on the door the next day.
He shot awake and held up his hand in front of his eyes as the afternoon sun blinded him through the window, "Yes?" he said, his voice harsh and in need of water as he remembered it was locked, "One moment."
He nearly tripped over the sheets as he sprang out of bed and stumbled to the door. He ran a hand through his tangled hair and opened it a crack and found Sylphiel standing there, looking as effortlessly beautiful as ever, bringing attention to how sloppy he likely appeared. But then, it was probably a good thing if he didn't impress her. Still, he blushed a little as he said, "Hi."
"Sir Gourry. I am sorry for waking you. I suppose they kept you a long time for questioning." She smiled at him enchantingly and Gourry felt as though some spell had washed over him as he struggled to form words.
"Yeah, I, uh, it was rather late when I got to the inn last night."
"I understand. I slept in myself. If you're not too tired I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with my family. To thank you for your help in apprehending the sorcerer last night."
He should say no. He was in danger of fanning hopes, both his and hers. But he couldn't say no with her standing right there. He didn't want to hurt her feelings. Just don't get attached, he reminded himself. "Okay."
"I'll wait downstairs while you tidy up." She said as she ran a hand through her long black hair as though signaling just what a challenge it would be as she turned around and walked down the hall.
Gourry found himself trying to be thankful for the strangest things. Thankful that he hadn't had a chance to drop his laundry off so he didn't have fresh clean clothes to wear even if he had anyone to impress. Because this was just a dinner and it could be nothing more.
He came down the stairs and heard Dottie talking as he approached the dining room. As he came into view Sylphiel blushed slightly as she saw him and Dottie smiled as she gave him an approving nod, and that was when Gourry realized that it would take a lot more than crumpled slightly musky clothing to protect them. "Good afternoon, Gourry." Dottie said as she and Sylphiel stood up, "Sleep well?"
"Yes, thanks." He said.
"Sylphiel was just telling me about how you saved the day."
"Well, I only helped a little." He said.
"I still can't believe we have a modest Gabriev!" Dottie said as she shared a smile with Sylphiel, "Just what we need to turn this city around."
"I'm just passing through." Gourry said quickly.
"Of course you are." Dottie said knowingly as she nudged him towards Sylphiel. "The Lahdas are one of the best families in this town."
Sylphiel frowned, "That's enough Dottie."
Gourry squirmed as he remembered the way that wealthy noble women would be pushed at Gunther. The mix of blood line with the Sword of Light was an intoxicating mix for many. And something about it always repulsed Gourry. He wondered if any of the women that were thrown at Gunther actually liked him. Because he knew for a fact that Gunther had never loved another human being aside from himself.
Oblivious to the fact that both Gourry and Sylphiel were growing uncomfortable Dottie continued, "Both in terms of lineage and morality."
"Thank you, Dottie." Sylphiel said firmly, "Now if you will please excuse us. I have to help Mother with dinner."
"Tell your parents I said 'hi!'" Dottie said.
"I will." Sylphiel said. "See you later!"
"You two have fun!" Dottie said with a wink and a knowing smile as Gourry started to feel that this was a very bad idea.
Still, he followed Sylphiel out into the street as he tried to find some way to make it clear that he was passing through without hurting her feelings or inviting probing questions. Before he could say anything though Sylphiel said, "Please forgive Dottie. You don't know us or Sairaag and this must be a lot to contend with. Dottie cares about me a lot and wants to see me settle down with someone nice, especially since I'm rather cautious with these things. I completely understand that you're just visiting and have no plans to stay, let alone put down roots."
"Thank you." He said, though if he was completely honest with himself he did feel the sting of rejection as he wished that she was more interested.
Sylphiel smiled a little as she folded her arms in front of her, "I must apologize for it seems as though you have gotten caught up in my family troubles. My father was a suspect in one of the disappearances and had been apprehended. I knew he was innocent and started scouting the city for clues when I caught the sorcerer's trail. Because I was with you when we apprehended him they seemed to think that I might have been involved in some scandal to frame the man we caught."
"They'd think that of you?" Gourry asked. He was used to deceptive and malicious people and he knew how to read people well, and Sylphiel didn't ring any alarm bells whatsoever.
Sylphiel smiled tiredly, "My father is the high priest, so he's rather influential. It's hard to explain to people who have never experienced it, but the higher you climb the more people are waiting to bring you down."
"I understand." Gourry said as more unpleasant memories than he cared to think on rose as he tried to find a safer topic to discuss.
"Dottie was saying you're not one of the local Gabrievs."
"No." he said as he struggled with how much to share, "I was passing through, hoping to learn more of my families' history."
"So that's why you were at the Gabriev cabin."
"Yeah, the library was closed, and it looks like I won't get around to it today."
"They will be open tomorrow." Sylphiel said. "Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with."
"I will." He said as they walked past the temple.
"My home is right there." Sylphiel said as she pointed at a charming cabin at the edge of the premises that they started to head towards as Gourry found that his nerves gripped him. But then he was being silly! It wasn't as though he was asking for Sylphiel's hand.
Sylphiel opened the front door and walked in, "I'm home!" she called as she turned towards him and indicated that he follow her.
"Welcome home." A man in priest robes said as he walked down the hallway towards them and clasped Sylphiel in a warm embrace.
"Father, I'd like you to meet the man who help me last night, Sir Gourry Gabriev. Sir Gourry, this is my father, Eruk Lahda."
"Gabriev?" Eruk repeated and then Gourry squirmed as he saw Eruk's eyes flash to the sword on his hip.
"Yeah," Gourry said.
"Please, come in." Sylphiel said.
"Yes, please have a seat." Eruk said as he indicated nearby couch.
"Can I get you anything to drink?" Sylphiel asked as Gourry sat down.
"I'm fine." He said.
"Dinner should be ready soon," Sylphiel said, "Please excuse me while I see if my mother needs any help."
Gourry watched Sylphiel as she walked into the kitchen and then turned to see Eruk looking at him appraisingly, "I want to thank you for helping my daughter last night and for your assistance in apprehending a serial killer."
"I just happened to be in a place where I could help." Gourry said.
"Not many swordsmen would be able to take on a sorcerer." Eruk said.
Gourry did not want to talk about the Sword of Light even as he realized it would be hard to keep it quiet given that Sylphiel knew he had it. "Sylphiel wasn't exactly helpless. You've raised a competent daughter." Gourry said.
Eruk beamed a bit as he smiled and said, "I think I'm starting to like you."
Gourry shifted uncomfortably as Eruk continued, "Now, given how you've helped Sairaag apprehend a serial killer and how you've helped my family personally I'd like to offer you a reward."
"What?" Gourry replied as Sylphiel returned from the kitchen.
"I'm sure that the Mayor will arrange for you to have the keys for the city, as well as one hundred gold coins."
"Thank you for your offer, but I can't take a reward for doing the right thing."
Eruk's eyes widened, "That's never stopped anyone else."
Privately Gourry wondered if it was because most Gunginiel Knights had simply never made it as far as Sairaag or if he was the only one who actually tried to live his life according to their principles. "If I had been hired beforehand it would be one thing. But I was just someone passing through who did the right thing at the right time. It wouldn't be right to take it."
Eruk looked over at Sylphiel, "He seems too good to be true, honey."
And then Gourry looked over at Sylphiel who was looking at him as though he had just passed some test he had not realized he was taking. She smiled as she blushed as she said, "Well if you are too noble to take the money then please accept a warm meal."
He stood up and then his eyes widened as she grabbed his arm and wrapped hers around it, "As well as whatever other hospitality I can offer."
For a moment it seemed as though he'd forgotten how to think. But as his mind cleared as Sylphiel steered him to the dining room he realized that all of the walls he was building were completely inadequate. For so long he'd pushed people away to prevent the Sword of Light from hurting another family. But now as Sylphiel introduced him to her mother and sisters he found that for the first time since he'd left Elmekia he was wondering if his reasoning was wrong and if there was a way that he could keep the Sword of Light and have a happy family.
After all, he would never know if he didn't try.
AN: In the novels Sylphiel's father is only mentioned in passing and never seen though it's obvious that he met Gourry. While in the anime it seems reasonable to conclude that Sylphiel's mother is gone and that she likely has no siblings, in the novels it seems possible that she could have had other family there. For instance, when Sairaag is destroyed in the anime she only calls for her father but in the novels she screams and faints without calling out to anyone in particular. So I decided to mention her mother as being there and present and gave her some sisters to give her more of a community in Sairaag. I don't have any hard, firm headcannons though.
Got a lot of stories brewing and am spreading myself thin among a lot of works right now. No idea which one will be ready next but there is a lot coming.