Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer here, I wish I owned Slayers and everything with it, but I don't. If I was making money off this, I'd be rich...but I'm not. I'm just a poor college student with too much free time. (Many, many thanks to those that comment - you drive me to continue and finish this story, thank you!)

Blind Leap of Creativity - Chapter 7

Her keys slid into the lock with careful precision, the knob turning slowly enough that the usual opening click was almost silent. Feeling more like a thief than a painter, for once Lina was actually praying that no one, especially a troublesome muse, would be home. Opening the front door a slight bit, she poked her head inside, scanning the living room for any sign of Zelgadis. When she could only pick out empty furniture in the un-lit rooms, she gave in to a moment of satisfaction. Maybe her luck was finally turning.

She closed the door behind her, absently flicking the lights on. Warm yellow light bathed the kitchen, casting eerie shadows on the living room furniture. She wasted no time in turning on one of her larger lamps, chasing off the remaining darkness. Taking off her coat, she was just about to toss it on the couch when she caught sight of Zel.

Jacket about to leave her hand, Lina scrambled a moment to keep a grip on the collar, pulling the offending garment against her as if her life depended on it. Scowling darkly at her racing pulse, she glared at the muse. Zelgadis was stretched out on the couch, fast asleep and turned away from her. The couch was a fit short for him, and Lina could easily vouch for how lousy a pillow the arm rest made.

He looked deceptively innocent asleep, a slight smile on his face. Briefly she thought back to a comment Filia had made after one sleep over, a comparison the blond had made about Lina's own sleeping habits.

"An angel when I sleep and a demon when awake, huh? I still owe you for that comment, Filia."

The comment wasn't more than a whisper, but Zel tossed a bit in his sleep, enough that Lina easily got the hint. Now was her chance to get those painting and get out of there, she didn't need a stray thought, vocalized or not, to ruin that.

It didn't take long to gather the paintings, each slipped into a protective travel case. She'd already gotten the first outside, snugly secured in the trunk of her car. Only one painting to go, the dragon and the mage, then she would be safe for the moment. Grabbing the case handle, she was halfway to the door when she gave in to a sudden impulse and glanced at Zel.

He was facing her, eyes open and narrowed in annoyance.

Cursing softly, she gave up the sneaky act with a sigh. "You planned that, didn't you?"

He smirked, propping himself up on one arm. "Of course."

"Figures. Can't take the drama out of the muse…"

Sitting up entirely, he shifted into a cross-legged position. "Care to tell me where you're taking those?" He pointed at her case. "It can't be school, something that normal wouldn't warrant this…thief routine."

"I'm not sure why it's any of your business one way or the other."

He met her annoying tone easily. "I helped you paint those and you know it. They're just as important to me as they are to you." Eyes widening, he bolted to his feet. "You aren't selling them, are you!?"

"NO!" She snapped, her shock and anger turning the single word into a loud yell. "I only sell commissions, you of all people should know that!" Raising a fist, she hissed her next words angrily. "And if you imply something like that again…"

Letting out a exclamation of relief, he flopped back onto the couch. "Then why all the secrecy?"

Relaxing a bit, she decided that it was time to show her cards. "To be honest, I didn't want you tagging along. Despite your little field trip before, I'd rather not have people know about you just yet, okay?"

Her eyes narrowed a bit, daring him to challenge her. When he held his hands up in a clear sign of surrender, she flashed a short victory pose. Chalk one up for the human side!

"Can I ask a favor?"

Suspicious, she waited for him to continue.

"At least tell me what they think of them, hmm?"

Not bothering to ask how she knew, Lina simply nodded, turning away sharply. She was out the door before she could see Zel's thankful smile.

- - -

"Lina! You're right on time, come on in." Opening the door with a smile, Sylphiel reached out to take one of the cases from her. "Here, let me help you with that."

Still balancing the second painting, Lina had enough time to clear the doorway before a blur of dark hair wearing a bright smile tackled her in a hug. With a oof of surprise, Lina tried to return the hug.

"Lina, I haven't seen you in forever!"

When Amelia didn't move away, Lina tried to escape the iron hug. "Umm, Amelia…as much as I enjoy a good hug now and then, can I at least take my coat off?"

Instantly the younger girl seemed to teleport a few feet away, Lina's coat in one hand, her case in the other. Familiar with Amelia's energy, Lina didn't bother asking. Instead she grabbed her case, following Sylphiel into the other room.

Before long the three of them were seated around the front room, each in a chair of their own, a small coffee table between them. At the expectant looks of Sylphiel and Amelia, Lina couldn't help feeling a bit nervous. Despite the confident face she showed over school projects, personal work was something far more intimate. These were important, enough so that part of her was already dreading the possibility of a negative reaction.

"Umm…" Clearing her throat, Lina summoned up a bit more courage. It wasn't like her to be so worried. "This is the first one. Not my usual style, but…" She trailed off, drawing the faerie painting from it's case. Wordlessly she set it on the table so the others could see.

Before either could comment, she withdrew the second painting and set it on the table beside the first. "This is the second. I finished this one the other day." Looking down, she found a sudden interest in a stray hair stuck to her knee.

At Sylphiel's sharp intake of breath, Lina paled a bit. Forcing herself to look at the woman's face, she was dumbfounded when instead of some negative sign she found a wide and beaming smile. Amelia was worse, the girl couldn't have projected a stronger feeling of awe and worship if she had tried.

"That poor mother…forced to confront the murdering injustice of that wicked mage!" Wiping away a few tears, she clenched a fist. "Her grief will become the force behind her honorable strike of vengeance!"

Before the girl could continue, Sylphiel gently placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Law classes this semester?"

Blushing, Amelia nodded. "Sorry, sometimes I get carried away."

Sylphiel favored the girl with a kind smile. "Never be sorry, Amelia. You have true passion for the feelings of others. You only have the best and brightest intentions…that is a noble goal. Just remember not to push to hard."

Looking up, she met Lina's gaze. "You did a wonderful job of capturing emotions in both of these. The emotions are so different, yet both move me in a way…" She trailed off.

"In a way my other paintings didn't?" Lina supplied, not hurt in the least.

Slyphiel acknowledged her save with a nod of thanks. "These are truly beautiful Lina, I suddenly understand your question this afternoon. This is different from your usual work, something must have truly inspired you." Slipping into a grin, Sylphiel's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Or dare I hope, someone?"

Turning as red as her hair, Lina stammered out a quick denial. Sylphiel's grin only increased a notch, her friend too wise to be turned away. Just when Lina was certain that another tease was heading her way, the other girl frowned slightly in concentration.

"You know Lina, these paintings remind me of someone I used to know years ago. Did you have any painter friends you know outside of school?"

Lina lied through her teeth, firmly denying the idea. There was no way in hell Sylphiel, or anyone else with a right mind, would believe the truth. There were moments when she still doubted, despite the living proof currently resting on a coffee table!

Standing suddenly, Syphiel let the matter drop. "Why don't we take a quick break? I have some cake I'm sure you'd enjoy -"

Instantly Lina was on her feet, all ready halfway across the room. Amelia was only a step behind her, still mumbling a stray comment or two over the poor dragon. In a charitable mood, Lina wrapped an arm around her shoulders reassuringly. It was only after promising to do a nice painting next that Amelia finally let the issue drop.

They were almost to the kitchen when a new voice spoke up, calling out from the kitchen.

"Sylphiel, are you home? I suddenly had some free time tonight, so I thought we might pick up where our earlier conversation left off. I know it's a bit late; if my visit is a problem, just let me know. I can always come back later."

Rounding the corner, Zelgadis came face to face with Sylphiel and her companions. Dumbfounded, he stared at her a moment, taking in her growing look of surprise, embarrassment, and was that…yes, and panic. A moment later he finally registered who she was standing with. On one side stood a smiling Amelia, and next to her, in the process of pulling away from the younger girl, was one very pissed-off Lina.

As his eyes widened in horror over his mistake, Zel's last thought - before Lina's fist connected with his jaw - was an overwhelming curiosity on just how pain-resistant muses really were. After that, he was too busy fighting off a wave of dizzying darkness to do much thinking.