Twin Inverses

Ch2

Food

He spoke in a different language, one I hadn't heard I a long time. It was Alconin, a well known tongue on Alcon but rare here at Scona. Now I definitely knew he wasn't from around here.

Wait a sec. What name did he call me by? Lina? My name isn't Lina, its Lyra. Lina… the name is strangely familiar. Where did I hear it last?

"I'm afraid you're mistaken. My name isn't Lina…" I said in Alconin. The language I use was clumsy, as I hadn't used it in what, 10 years? And I was still trying to figure out where I heard the name Lina before.

"But you have to be. Don't you remember me Lina? It's me, Zelgadiess Greywords!" he blurted, confusion evident in his eyes and voice.

I blinked and rocked back on my heels. "Never heard of ya. My title is Noblewoman Lyra." His hair was a shiny silver mass of wire, and was distracting in the light of the entry hall.

"B-b-but you look just like her! Identical! From the fire orange hair to the blood-red eyes! How can you not be Lina Inverse?" Zelgadiess stammered getting more confused by the second.

Inverse? Inverse! That too, sounds strangely familiar, but I just can't put my finger on it.

"You've must have mistaken me for someone else. My name is Lyra. It is however, nice to meet you Zelgadiess Greywords." It's starting to come back to me. I thought. I was now speaking Alconin smoothly, as if I spoke it all the time.

Zelgadiess gulped nervously. "Are you my new master?" he asked.

"Well I was going to free you… but your skin looks like it would break the needles. So I suppose…" I broke off. Did I really own him? Did I want to?

"You're going to starve me like the others aren't you? I haven't eaten in two weeks."

Now that I thought about it, he did look a little on the skinny side.

"I have no intention of starving you Zelgadiess. But by the looks of it, if I give you too much food you might get food poisoning." I pulled out a dagger and cut the ropes that bound his hands. He pushed himself up on his elbows and gave me a confused look.

"What kind of master are you? You're not shouting at me in some strange language and you say you're going to feed me."

"One who thinks slavery is wrong and would free you under different circumstances. Now follow me, I made some clam chowder earlier and I don't mind sharing."

Zelgadiess eagerly hopped to his feet and followed me through the maze-like mansion. Soon we reached the kitchen.

I pointed to the table. "Have a seat."

Zelgadiess obeyed. Well, I would to if I hadn't eaten for two weeks and was about to be fed.

I went over to the stove where a huge pot of chowder was bubbling. I walked past it to a group of cabinets from, after a few minuets of searching, I retrieved two bowls, a spoon, and a ladle.

"Remember, I can't give you too much or you'll get sick." I said as I approached the pot again. This time I dipped the ladle into the smooth white liquid and filled the two bowls.

I walked back to Zelgadiess and placed the bowls and the spoon in front of him. "Don't eat too much too fast. I shall be back in a few minuets."

Zelgadiess eagerly picked up the spoon and dug into the first bowl.

I smiled and chuckled to myself. I left the kitchen and hurried to my rooms. From there I entered the rooms adjacent to them. I pulled out my mirror and the silver rod and started tapping the rod on the surface of the mirror.

Zelgadiess's POV

I dug into the second bowl of soup. It was thick and creamy, with clams and potatoes and other things in it, which I didn't choose to identify. It felt good to eat again, even if it was a small amount. Lyra was right. If I ate too much after not eating for two weeks, I could get violently sick; and as hungry as I was, I didn't want that.

I licked the spoon. I had finished the second bowl of chowder, and then eyed the bubbling pot. No, I'm not going to do it. I thought sternly to myself. Besides, who knew what Lyra would do if she caught me raiding the pot? Earlier she went from rude to nice in a second. What of she could go from nice to cruel just as fast?

I leaned back and closed my eyes. Then I heard footsteps. I opened my eyes a crack.

Lyra entered. She rummaged around in the cupboards for a moment and pulled out a bowl and spoon. She then helped herself to the big bubbling pot, dipping the ladle into the thick, creamy chowder.

Not bothering to sit down, Lyra leaned against the counter and began to eat. Every once in a while, she would go back to the pot and pour some more chowder into her bowl.

Around the 20th bowl, she found that there was no more chowder left.

Well, she has Lina's appetite even though she doesn't speed eat. Hell, if I had an appetite like Lina's and had the competition from Gourry, I'd speed eat too.

"Hey," Lyra said, turning to me. "Follow me."

I got up and followed her out of the kitchen. She led me through a maze of hallways to a hallway lined with doors. She walked to one that was painted white on the left side of the hall, third down the corridor. Opening it, she walked in gesturing for me to follow.

When I walked in I blinked. The room was a soft white, with a large brass bed with white sheets in the corner and an adjoining door that led to the bathroom. There was an ebony dresser, and a matching bedside table.

"Whatcha think?" she asked a grin on her face. "This is your room."

My POV

I smiled as I said it. From my knowledge most slaves slept on the floor of a bare unfurnished room. I closed my eyes, remembering…

Suddenly I found myself being swept into a kiss. I opened my eyes to find Zelgadiess's face really close, his arms wrapped around me.

I tensed. I hadn't been this close to a guy since … err…

Zel doesn't mean any harm, relax. I told myself. I slowly let my self relax, and I kissed him back.

I wasn't used to this, but after I relaxed a little, it was kind of enjoyable.

When our lips finally parted, I found myself staring into a very purple face. He let go of me and I found myself standing a few feet away.

"Um… sorry, I got exited." He said, turning a light shade of magenta.

"I understand." I said.

"Um… If I may ask, how do you know Alconin? Why are you being so nice?" Zelgadiess asked.

"I haven't been a Noblewoman here my whole life ya know." I said.

"Really? What happened?" Zelgadiess questioned.

"I suppose I could tell you." I said quietly and turned to walk out the door.