DISCLAIMER: I still do not own the Slayers... (n.n)
And now for the girls to snap out of it, or perhaps just snap! (n.-)
- Nicci
Special Thanks To:
Humi
Heh! Nah, you got it. (n.n) Well done!
Shadow Ice Maiden
Heh, something funny, of course! (n.n)
Tanwen Whitefire
Tee-hee and that will be explained by what they couldn't possibly know! (n.n)
Lon Wolfgood
Right? At heart that's sorta the "moral" of the tale... erm... Slayers Style of course! (n.-)
Kayla-chan1990
Thank you! Heh, silly Xelloss... (n.-)
fantasia-49
Yea for XelFi cuteness! Hee! (n.n)
silver kikyou
Heh, indeed, quite crazy! Thanks! (n.-)
VFIN
Heh! Glad I could keep ya on your toes.. (n.-)
Chapter Seven
For Shame Mr. Valmouth…
"You can't go in there!" The petite brunette cried, hopping up from her chair to stop them.
"Gourry!" Zelgadiss ordered, not bothering to stop.
"Right!" The swordsman declared and Xelloss grinned in amusement as he flicked the assistant a triple-chocolate truffle.
"Chocolate!" She squealed, catching it and immediately retreating back to her desk to consume it.
"So its spread to the entire female populace." Zelgadiss muttered, throwing open the door and pointing at the balding man behind the desk with the nameplate Valmouth atop it. "You sick bastard!"
"Er… I'm gonna have to call you back…" The man muttered to the hazy face in his crystal ball.
"You!" The chimera bellowed marching forward, causing Mr. Valmouth to give a small eep of fear. "You poisoned the water with some sorta… love-drug or lust-spell! Didn't you! Didn't you!"
Valmouth stared at him with wide eyes and then leapt over the desk and fell to his knees clutching the chimera's leg in horror. "Yes! Gods help me its true! But I had no idea! I have three daughters! Three! Did you know that! Them and my wife, who's now only quite naturally expecting another! All day long they demand that I buy them flowers, jewels, and chocolate! They've all gotten so fat! And I…"
He stopped sobbing, head held low as he let out his final admission in barely a whisper. "Now, I'm just plain broke."
"That's cause you thought too small and didn't open up a store that carries all three!" Xelloss replied, arching a finger smartly. "Why that's just good business!"
Zelgadiss shot him a glare before lifting Valmouth up by the collar. "What did you use?"
"It's a rare type of orchid!" He sputtered. "Harmless to men but women! Ha! Well you can see the results! We ground it up and add it to the hot springs, allowing the women to inhale it in the gas. I got the idea while traveling aboard! You see, because of its effects on women it's often used for fertility rituals on a particular coast just off the Demon Sea! That's where I found the terrible thing! Gods forgive me! I'm so sorry! I did not know!"
"I've vacationed there a time or two in the past!" Xelloss stated fondly. "Not only do women outnumber men three to one but you can enjoy all the benefits of being fawned over without any sort of love or coziness! All of them beyond overwhelmed by lust and greed! Wonderful place really!"
"Well, if it really is just a… toxin" Zelgadiss mused aloud, ignoring Xelloss useless and disturbing input. "Then a simple healing spell ought to do the trick. Go get the girls, Xelloss."
He arched a brow pointedly. "Starting with Filia, that way you won't have any time to do anything fruity to her."
"Honestly Zelgadiss!" He chided fading away. "I do believe if I did anything to Miss Filia it would be the exact opposite of fruity!"
Zelgadiss rolled his eyes, crossing his arms and setting his jaw till Xelloss reappeared with Filia in his arms.
"Wait!" Filia cried as he set her down. "But you said…"
Zelgadiss shot him a warning glare and Xelloss beamed back at him innocently, quickly placing a shushing finger to the dragoness' lips. "Maybe later! If you're still interested!"
"Now for Amelia then!" He stated smartly, disappearing and this time reappearing almost instantly.
"Mr. Zelgadiss!" She cooed, latching onto to him as Xelloss grinned and phased out to grab Lina.
"Amelia." He replied by way of greeting flushing crimson.
"And here's Lina!" He beamed, proudly dropping the sorceress on the floor. "She wouldn't leave without her chocolates."
"Bonbons." She corrected gruffly, through a mouthful of said bonbons.
"Alright." Zelgadiss stated softly, taking a deep breath. "I'll start with, Amelia."
"Start what with me, Mr. Zelgadiss?" She asked innocently.
"There…" He swallowed dryly, trying to keep his features soft as he smiled. "Well, that is… There was something in the water, and I just need to cast a healing spell on you to make sure you're safe from it."
"Oh, Mr. Zelgadiss!" She sighed, clasping her hands together happily. "You're always so protective of me!"
"I…" Zelgadiss shrugged helplessly, tossing her a sheepish smile. "Well I guess I am, actually. You ready?"
Amelia nodded, stepping in closer for no reason other than to show how ready she was for anything he had to offer. He swallowed once more and then steeled himself, lifting his hands. "RECOVERY!"
Amelia blinked a couple of times as the healing glow dissipated.
Then, her jaw dropped…
"Oh no! Mr. Zelgadiss, I--!"
"Don't worry about it." He cut in quickly, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Just heal Filia, I'll… eh… I'll take care of Lina."
"She's not gonna be happy…" Amelia whispered in a small scared tone.
"I know." Zelgadiss sighed running a hand through his wiry hair, and scowling at still kneeling Mr. Valmouth. "And she has a good reason not to be."
Amelia also cast the kneeling man a cool frown and then pertly turned to Filia as Zelgadiss braved Lina.
"Ready?" He asked her and Amelia nodded, each holding their hands high as Filia blinked curiously from her place on Xelloss' arm and Lina shoveled down bonbons.
"RECOVERY!"
"Oh!" Filia cried, dropping Xelloss' arm and stepping back, pointing at him in fury with one hand as the other went for her mace. "Why, you! You disgusting! Vile!"
"Should I take that as you don't want me to do what I offered to do to you!" Xelloss tittered, hovering back a ways so that her first enraged swing took out the door to the office.
"Yes!" She bellowed, lunging after him once more with mace. "To even think that I… that I…"
And then she lost it, growling in fury and glowing gold as she transformed into her draconic form in order to better catch the giggling mazoku and bite his head off.
Amelia and Zelgadiss watched as Filia took flight, ripped off the roof, and then proceeded to light the town aflame with laser-breath as Xelloss laughed and dodged with ease.
"Poor Miss Filia." Amelia whispered.
"Poor you too." Zelgadiss offered with a sad smile only to blink as the princess slowly shook her head, a small sad smile of her own in place.
"No, Mr. Zelgadiss." She replied softly, and held back a gasp as her hand slipped gently into his. "I just wish I could be that brave with you all the time. I truly do love you."
The princess smiled softly then, and leaned her head against his stone shoulder watching the roaring flames, and while he couldn't stop the small blush tinting his cheeks, the chimera found himself smiling as well.
"Lina?" Gourry asked, braving himself to gently turn her to him by her quivering shoulders. Her face was covered by her crimson bangs, but he could easily see the rest of her had now turned the same shade to match. Except for her tightly clenched fists, they were white, bight white. "Are you okay?"
She was mumbling something under her breath and he couldn't quite tell what so he braved leaning in a little closer.
Oh, that's what it was.
"--by the power you and I possess! DRAGON SLAVE!-DRAGON SLAVE!-DRAGON SLAVEEEE!!!"
Join us tomorrow for the wittily romantic conclusion! (n.-)