I realize in the first couple of chapters of this story that I made, well what seem to me at least, a few or more grammar or spelling issues that weren't caught on during the previous attempt of editing. I plan on eventually rewriting both chapters when I'm completed with this story. I was dealing with a introducing block, I suppose. Well at least those who do read these are now well aware that I do intent on editing, but for now, I'm going to roll with it. ADHD struggle is real. Squirrel.
-Stevie
Disclaimer: I am not the great Hajime Kanzaka, so I have no ownership to the slayers or any of his character mention. I only own Proserpina and my ideas of her origins and character, and the others that will appear later in this story. The rest was inspired after Mr. Kanzaka, hence why it's called a fan fiction.
Chapter Three: The cover is blown! Looks like you're going to have to make a break for it girl!
Proserpina handed me an ear piece and instructed me to put it in my ear the moment that I reached the stair case. I left the room and enter a group of a fairly decent amount of people, including Zelgadis, who walked ahead of everyone beside whom I want to image that was the captain and his first mate. They all walked at a steady pace, which I lingered behind so I could put the piece in place. I gently shoved it in my ear, and tapped on it.
"Hey." I mumbled. "Can you hear me?"
"Yeah crystal." Said Proserpina disguise voiced. "Over."
Over? What was that suppose to mean, so I asked. She goes on about how her brother, their friend, some guy named Jason, and how they would use a type of 'radio talk' so that no one would know what's being said. Proserpina gave a speedy rundown about the certain words and what they meant: Crystal was I heard you, and Over was basic an okay. She mentioned about giving me her old nickname, which was Dollie.
"The one I'm called now is Snowy."
"So where did Dollie come from?" I started to make my way up the stairs. I was curious, it sounded endearing then insulting.
"That was the nickname my dad gave me." Hearing that sorta made me feel kinda special. Thanks Proserpina. I must mean something to you already.
So with that, I pressed on though the doors to catch up with the crowd as we advanced to the helm. The sight of the brass crafted wheel about half the size of me stood erect, I tapped on the thing again.
"It looks like we are at the helm." I manage to muster the lowest tone out of everyone's earshot, especially Zelgadis. He may not look like it, but that man got some excellent hearing. I waited for a response, like it was mention.
"Crystal." I floated around the crowd, searching for an opening to step in. "Can I leave the room now?"
"I think it's safe for now." Hopefully none of the staff was paying attention to where the real Zelgadiss was heading to this morning.
"Over." And with that said, there was a beep. "If you heard that Dollie, That means I need to talk."
"Okay." Zelgadis made his way over to the wheel along with the captain. "Lift the Anchor!" Without hesitation, the crew heeds the captain's command, and the anchor rose with a great squeal. It must've been in the water for a while now. It felt like the ship was complaining, like I do when there are times I don't want to get up. There was a slight budge as the captain moved the ship's level, and it whistles its horn as it start a set course. I saw a great size crowd waved at the docks as the ship moved though the channel; with no time we were in the ocean. It felt great; the wind tousled my fiery locks, the sunlight that beamed down was so warm, and the excitement rise as the ship press forward to that Pillar. I stood for a minute, looking for my chimera friend, until I spotted him listening to the captain as the guy chatted animatedly away. It look like Zel was done hearing the guy, this was my cue to move.
"Well hey there." I chimed as I stepped up beside him. He seemed to be cocking his eyebrow, if you consider them eyebrows.
"Lina what are you doing here?" His voice carries the slightest of suspicion.
"Eh. I figured I could join in on the fun!" I casually waved, hopefully dismissing if he suspected anything, which I doubt he did anyways.
"I suppose this would be fun to most people," He dryly expressed, and made it sound like this was something that happens on the normal, and if that's so, I'm pretty jealous.
"I love stuff like this!" I thrush my hands upward; breathing in the fresh salty air. Zelgadis just stood there, rolling his eyes. "You and what you define as your zest for life." He scuffed.
He made a turn and started to walk away, I then grabbed his sleeve. "Hey wait," Quick think of something fast. "Where are you heading off to?" Like that one is going to work.
Zelgadis turned his head. "I'm leaving to the dining hall, I would like some tea." Uh oh! Proserpina and Gourry are currently in there. I quickly tapped the ear piece, and tried to think of something clever to say since I was around Zelgadis.
"What kind of teas do they have?" That's the best I could do, I wish I was able to say more.
"They have a decent earl grey." Zelgadis offhandedly answered as he resumes his pace. "They have mint too, but that's just my preference. "
No response. Crap. I tapped the thing again. "I didn't know they have teas in the dining hall."
"Oh shit, Crystal." That's what I wanted to hear. "I didn't get you the first time. We are out. Over."
I heard a faint beep and press the thing. "We are heading to the other side of the boat." I just wish she would go back in the room, but as long as she didn't come across Zelgadis here, she is safe to play where ever she wants, well just about that is. There was something my dad use to say, and it went something like "it's risky for the bird to fly in the storm." I used to never understand it as a kid, but now, that I've experience many things that would make the average folk die, I now know what that means. Along with that begin said, this was the situation that was the risk, and Proserpina was the bird.
"Welcome back, sir." A steward bowed as he greeted Zelgadis, which he probably took it no mind that someone who worked in the staff was addressing him the second time, or at least that what I appeared like to me. I quickly scan the room as Zel walked to a table with tea cups. I didn't seem them, meaning they had plenty of time to snoop out.
"Where's Gourry?" Zelgadis had a cup with a tea bag, moving it as the dark swirled in from the tea itself.
"He's somewhere around." That wasn't a lie. He was, but he was with Proserpina, who is disguise as you.
I decide to go ahead and grab me some tea, choosing the mint instead of the dark earl grey that Zelgadis had. As I walked to join Zelgadis, I thought I heard a beep, It didn't sound the same as before, So I dismissed it. I sat down across from Zelgadis, who was already sipping his tea. I began to sip mines, and then I heard a second beep. I pretend to have an itch, tapping it as Zelgadis eyed me.
"Hey Dollie," There was a mirth that was hard to hide for her. "You would never guess where I am."
I couldn't really ask where, and not in front of Zelgadis, so I tapped it again.
"Crystal. I take that as you can't talk. By the way," There was a laugh. "I'm in this dude's room."
I nearly almost spat out my tea, but instead of swallow it hard. Zelgadis eyed me with a concern expressing. I wanted to laugh, but the combination from my throat burning and Zel's look; compel me to keep my composer. I let out some deep breaths.
"I took too big of a sip," I laughed it off. "I guess I was thirsty."
"You should be more patience next time before you drink tea." I narrow my eyes at him, but yet there was a slight justification because Proserpina is probably still lounging in his room with Gourry. I grinned at the fact that she had the gall to do so, such a brave woman.
"So what is your thoughts of the Pillar of light?" Despite the fact that I've already read that in his notes from yesterday's encounter, I just wanted to ask. It was an attempt to break the silence, which Zelgadis seems to be a big fan off. He took another elegant sip from his cup, and placed it on the table.
"I deemed that it could be possible demonic activity, since it occurred in the demon sea."
I took a sip out of my tea, well more like a slurp. I'm not as classy as Zelgadis is.
"I think it's other worldly activity." Yeah that's right. I do know something you don't know.
"Elaborate." Well okay, here's tasty bit just for you.
"What if something fell from the sky?" I personally wished I asked Proserpina more about the falling part so I'll have to compromise off of what she told me. "Like if it was pushed from a portal and the light we see is energy reacting." That sounds plausible. Now that I mentioned that, I wonder if her armor reacted when she fell, maybe she sensed danger, from falling of course, and the armor was responsible for that. I'll have to remember to ask her after all of this. Just to conclude that theory.
"It seems unlikely for that to happen." Even though it did happen and we witness it. There were five of us that saw it all go down, and he wants to say that. I know damn sure it's not demon activity, probably the storm, but the light, no. "It is a possibility to consider though."
"Whatever it was," My tea was now cool enough to drink now. "It was strong enough to light everything up and cause an earthquake." I don't think calling it lighting and thunder would be a proper comparison to how it actually felt like. It happened all around, not just in the sky. It shook the ground, maybe all of the Land as well. If I felt it in Zeiphiel, and Zelgadis experience it in the kingdom next door, then I can only image how more intense it was to area's closer to the event. That could be the main reason for Proserpina's warrant.
"So," I set my empty cup to the side. "Any thought on the newest warrant?"
"Oh that." He stammered a bit. "She looks like a demon, but I've never seen her. " I image that if you knew what she really was, dude you would probably shit yourself. Also she looks nothing like the picture. He should at least have a idea that those are often drawn to make anyone look evil.
"She's worth fifty million gold." His voice rang with astonishment. "What could someone do to be worth that much?"
I dunno. Maybe because she fell out the sky and scare everyone to death? Or is it having skin that gleams like diamonds or eyes that are the color of gold? The list could go on, it's just she doesn't seem to be the super aggressive type like majority of demons are. She proved that by how she handles those three guys out when we first met her in the woods. All she did was toss one just a rag doll, and no one was seriously hurt, maybe their pride at most.
"What would you do if you ran into her?" I wanted to poke around to how he would react if he saw her in some way, gods forbid.
"That isn't easy to answer," That was a smart thing to say. "I know how these things portray people, and with the right amount of gold anyone can produce one."
I'm under the impression he wouldn't attack her at least, well if she wasn't in disguise that is. That's for her protection, and if Zelgadis had a warrant for her, then there has to be plenty of others who are the hunt for her head. I jumped at the sudden beep that chirped in my ear, playing off a stretch, I place my finger in my ear.
"Dollie." There was a bit of a fuzzy sound. "We are on the deck. Over. "
I tapped it to confirm. There was another beep, follow by a sudden one. I think she had something else to say, so I tapped it again.
"Ugh. My ear just popped."
"Dollie. Let us know if he is heading this way. There are plenty of places to hide."
I sighed, this was too easy, and I'm quite fond of this strange device that Proserpina allow me to use, this wouldn't of been nifty in many of my quest. Oh well, it's available for now. Better enjoy it while it last, right?
Zelgadis shuffled as he stood up, which I popped up after him. He walked briskly towards the exit of the door, and I took his silence as a cue to not go with him, well to bad for him. I can't afford for Proserpina to get caught. I touched the piece again. "I think he's heading to the deck." He stopped in his tracks. "Did you say something Lina?" I place my hand over my ear. "Yeah I said it time to head to the decks." My attempt at playing off by slightly changing what I originally said. I have to keep in mind that he has insane hearing.
Zelgadis quietly nodded and went back to casual pace as we both venture off to the docks. The noon's sun hung high in the sky, a flock of seagulls flew over, some even try to land on the crow's nest, which the guy up there would waive his arms comically to scare them away. It worked on most, all but one who stooped up above him. He yells in protest as the bird poops on him. Ha!
"What a beautiful day!" I exclaim after I place my hand on my ear. I heard Zelgadis let out a long sigh. I then heard a loud beep, and with the following. "Damn right Dollie." Not only did I hear that though the ear gadget, I heard that faintly in the distant. I laughed nervously as I played it off as someone over heard me and was agreeing. I heard the sound of footsteps, which cause my heart to pound hard, and out of the corner Gourry appeared.
"Oh! Zelgadis! Lina! I thought I heard your voice" He trotted his way over to us, his strut was so relaxed, it's like he was involve in nothing wrong. Quite the player, Go Gourry!
"So there is Gourry." Zelgadis tilted his head to the side. "Is this where you been this whole time?"
"Uh, no." Gourry wagged his head. "This ship is big, so I got kinda lost." I would have kissed him if Zelgadis wasn't standing there. Then again, what the hell was I just thinking?
"I can see that happening." Zelgadis stated in an overwrought tone. "You would get lost in your own head if it wasn't for Lina."
"What does that suppose to mean?" Actually I'm more concern about Proserpina's whereabouts. I wonder if she noticed that we were nearby, and sent Gourry as a distraction to go hide. I will take this as my hint to go ahead and look for her, or to find a spot where I can try to communicate with her. It seems like Gourry already took an opportunity to distract Zelgadis with his own snarky attitude. I snuck away as Gourry uproar a loud laugh and grabbed Zelgadis by his shoulder, the poor guy just stood then, nervously laughing along with Gourry. I found a spot out of ear shot, and push my hand to my ear again.
"Snowy." I think that was the name she told me to call her on the radio thing. I heard a beep respond.
"Dollie. I manage to slip away. I did get a look at what I did; I guess if that is what I did."
I hit it the ear piece again. "What do you mean, "What you did"?"
There was a beep. "That light might've been from the armor reacting to when my stupid brother hit me with a blast beam." So your own twin brother threw a spell on you. Is that what you meant by when you said that he pushed you? There was another beep.
"Dollie. I'm going to try to leave the deck. I heard both SandboxHead and Pop Rocks heading my way. Over." I had to chuckle at those nick names. Where does she come up with this?
I chose to move ahead of the guys to see if I can delay them, but instead I ran into what look like Zelgadis who was alone, moving fast and looking over his shoulder.
'Proserpina!' I try to run after her, but she slipped through that door like a serpent. Behind me I heard two familiar male voices; both Zelgadis and Gourry were a few feet behind me. I went ahead of them though the doors, and saw Proserpina make a dash in the direction of the room. I wish I could say that she made it, but as soon as her hand touched the door knob, both of them came though the grand doors. This is not good, at all. I could feel the tension build, and I need to create a distraction.
"Hey guys." I turned to faced them from where I stood. "Is anyone in the mood for tea?" From the corner of my eye, I saw Proserpina dashed out of eye sight, and a voice followed that sounded like it was coming from the Dining hall.
"Did anyone say tea?" There was that Granny voice I've grown to love so much. Proserpina does have a sense of humor to deflect a situation. Gourry and I both giggled while Zelgadis scowl in that direction. His ears twitched as he listened out.
"Am I seeing things?" He peered over my shoulder in the direction where Proserpina was standing. "Or was there someone just standing there before you got in the way, Lina?"
"No." I lied. "I didn't see anyone there." I mean, now there isn't because she stepped away. I'm sorry I had to do that, but it's kinda necessary, and if it was the other way around, you would understand. I saw a door swing as if someone went though it and Gouury attempted to stand in front of Zelgadis. His intentions were well meant, but he pushed passed us and headed to the hallway. His sharp eyes manage to catch the door at it final swing, and he too, went in it. He moved in a somewhat pursuing case, his feet thread softly as he listened out for any kind of noise. Gourry and I followed him into another hallway align with more doors. These looked more extravagant then the room we have. No fair, I know royalty too, how come I get shorted?! Zelgadis stopped in midstride, causing Gourry to bump into him.
"Watch it, Gouury!" He hissed. "And would it be possible for you to walk a bit quieter? I can't hear over your boots stomping."
Does that mean Zelgaids lost her? After a moment or two of just standing then in silence, Zelgadis twitch his ear and turned to the door to his left.
"I hope you're hiding in my room…" I really hope she isn't in there, because I felt the murderous intent from his tone. It gave me chills and I felt goose bumps form on my arm. My hart raced again when the door was open; Revealing a rather up kept room, with a few of Zelgadis thing on a desk. There was a larger porthole that gave a good view of the sky and sea. Zelgadis continue to walk around in his room, ears perked as he listened in around him. I then heard a beep, and pretending to have an inch behind my ear I manage to beep back without snagging his attention. I heard Proserpina in a very quiet voice say the following: "I'm in the storage. Try to get him to stay a bit longer so I can make a run for it."
I felt guilt tug at me all because I couldn't tell her to just stay there until he is out of the area, and yet even though I barely heard a sound, Zelgadis spun around madly and charged after the door. I made my feable attempt to grab his arm as he passed me, which his sleeve I pinched slip though. Go figure since he is twice as fast (or even faster) then a human warrior. Gourry went charging at full speed after him, and I followed behind in effort to catch up with the both of them. Great, It seems that Zelgadis had already ran in Proserpina, and was just about on her heels.
"Hey Gourry!" I yelled as I trotted behind him, and I saw him peer over his shoulder. "What Lina?"
"In a foot race," I began. "Who would think would win? Zelgadis, or Proserpina?" I was observing Proserpina's speed as she high end though another set of door.
"Lina this isn't a great time for bets." Ah, Gourry. You're no fun at times, you know that. I scoffed at his lack of interest. "I was only asking for an opinion."
Proserpina zigzag though the series of pots and kitchen staff with Zelgadis behind her knocking some of the staff over as he try to keep pace with her. She then slipped though a set off doors that look like it lead into a smaller narrow hall way that hand a door on both side. Then she squeeze by the butler station and ran out of the door to the right. Three of us, with Zelgadis in the front, proceed in the direct she had. The space looks like a wine cellar; there where racks of dark green bottles that stacked against the walls, and around the corner where large barrels scattered about. "Hmm." I could see a glint in his eye as he drifted his way around the barrels as quietly as he could. Do you remember the part where I mentioned about how risky it was for the bird to fly in the storm? It's now at the point where Zel is the storm, and Proserpina is the bird for sure. There was a rapid shuffling noise from behind a group of barrels, drawing first his sword, Zelgadis made a dash towards it.
"Come out you coward!" He bellowed as he kicked the barrels over, each toppling over the other, until they begin to roll with the ship. I did not see Proserpina, and Zelgadis kicked a barrel out of frustrations.
"Lina," He spoke in a sharp, commanding tone. "Gourry and you start searching this room. I know someone is here, I can hear them breathe." Gourry and I exchange worried looks. From the corner of my eye, I saw a figure in off white try to make her way to the door ahead. I try my best to pretend that I didn't see her, but Zelgadiss did. "STOP RIGHT THERE!" And Proserpina did the opposite and took off again.
"Let's go you two!' Zelgadiss grabbed both Gourry and I and tug us with him. We raced though the butler's room and out of the door from the other way. It brought us back to the hallway where our room was at. Proserpina dashed back into the door that leads to the hallway where both Zel's room and the storage were.
"We need to catch that person." What do you mean by 'we'? Sorry Zelgadiss, but I'm may have to leave this one on you to do; I'm just to make sure you don't kill her before she is able to even show us what she is capable of doing. I just stared at him, along with Gourry who towered above the both of us. Maybe we can just let him catch her and convince him to spare her.
"I don't like the fact that whoever that is, looks like me?" I understand that Zel, in fact Proserpina had a strong inclination that you weren't going to be entirely thrilled if you saw another you. Zelgadis made a bee line to the storage area, and kicked open the door. The room was dark and damp, white sheets covering everything. It had that eerie feeling atmosphere as we heard thunder in the distance, flashes of lighting flicker into the room from the portholes. The storm was making itself know as we got near to the Pillar. The ship moaned in areas as she wrestles the currents that picked up, and swayed against the winds. As my sight adapted to the low lighting, I watched as Zelgadis moved towards a small table with a lantern on it.
"Too bad there is no spell casting policy on this ship." I heard him muttered as he adjust the wick and lit it. A soft, yet bright light glowed from it, bring some life into this stale smelling room. "I would have already blown up this place before walking into it."
That may be a good thing, and not just for myself, but in Proserpina's case, and probably what other few people were aboard on here as well. I get that Zel is not happy with seeing another 'him', but he tends to take thing to the next level in his own sense of justification. He would of destroyed this ship the moment her saw her in the Hallway, but since this is Prince Phil's ship, I doubt Zelgadis would even try to break that agreement. He lifted the lamp and relocated it to a different smaller table where it nearly filled the room with an orange light. Everything looked all unused and dusty, layers and layers at least. If you had allergies, this was not the place for you. I assuming that housekeeping don't even bother with this room, unless they needed something. "Ahh Cho!" Someone sneezed. It was pretty high pitched; there was no way that was going to be covered up.
"Bless you." Gourry sang from behind me. "Oh I meant bless me."
Zelgadiss narrowed his eyes forward to where the sneeze sounded like it came from, and he drawn his sword from his hip and headed with hast towards that direction. There sat what looked like large paintings, I'm guessing there paintings. Anyways there all covered with even more dingy, yellowed sheets. Zelgadiss then proceeds to the first one, and snatches off the sheet. It was a mirror at least twice the size of Gourry, and Zel walked away looking rather annoy as he goes the one next to it. He yanks off the sheet and it lands in a stiff manner on the ground. Another mirror stood before Zelgadiss, and just as even more pissed he glares at it and turns back to us. The reflection didn't follow; it turned out to be Proserpina who tried to sneak past to make her escape. She was almost passed him, until he spun around, and was now face to face with her.
"YOU!" In a flash he grabbed her arm, dragging her to the side where the lantern was. I can see a visible struggle as the two arm wrestled, Zelgadis edges closer to Proserpina.
"Who are you?" He spat. "Start talking or things will get violent around here real fast." Hey, that's my line...
Proserpina flexed her figures around his wrist and flings his arm down to break loose the grip. In a motion faster than I could see, she somehow manage to twist him around and use both of his arms to restrain him. He put up a fight; I can confirm that she has super human strength. Even Zel look like he was having some trouble there. She held it off for a while, until she lifted her legs and booted in his back, sending him forward as she left go. He tumbles onto the floor, cursing as he hops back on his feet. Zelgadiss gathers his sword and charges after Proserpina. Wielding it back, he slashes at Proserpina's face. I closed my eyes, and opened them back to a loud smacking noise. Proserpina manages to catch his blade with her hands, inches away from her face. She grasps the blade quickly and pulls it towards her. Zelgadis catches the hilt and the two began what looked a tug-of-war for the sword. This went on until Zel kneed her in the ribs, which make her let the blade go. She stumble back a bit to regain her breath, damn she took that like a champ! I remember having that happened to me, and it was from Zel himself, and it knocks the wind out of me. She just huffs and straightens up!
"Look out! Gourry cried as Zelgadis made another swipe towards Proserpina, she didn't react in time, and the blade caught her from her shoulder to her waist. The sound of ripping fabric and scarping rang though the air. I didn't see any blood, but Proserpina removed the cloak she had one to recover herself, and fasten it around her waist.
"What the…" I heard Zelgadis mumble as he began to circle her. "I'm going to ask you again, and I highly suggest you speak if you value your life."
"Lina," Gourry kneeled down beside me. "We got to do something."
"I think Proserpina got this." I do have a feeling once she is exposed in some way, he may cease to fight. There is no telling, but he would also ask a lot of questions, and probably to me since this was my bright idea to begin with. I have to admit as well that I've wanting to see her fight.
"I don't think Proserpina really wants to fight Zel." I stared at Gourry."What makes you think that?"
He pauses; "She isn't putting a lot of effort into it. I just know. It's the way she is moving that tells me that she doesn't want this. I guess call it warrior intuition. She was the same with the guys out in the woods as well."
True, though we don't know what she did that made though three run and cry like little girls, but it was like she half heartedly threw that one guy. I watched her, Goury may have been on something; all she has been doing is evading and trying to knock Zelgadis of his balance to get away. Maybe there needs to be a stop to this before it gets worse. After all, He did just essentially did break the rule of no spell casting
"Zel, Listen..." I said softly as I took a step forward. Zelgadis ignored me and choose to interrogate instead.
"I asked who you are." There was a deadly gleamed in his eye, a spark of electricity formed in his hands. "Speak or you will regret it." Proserpina stood there quietly as she watched him charged a spell.
"Hey Zelgadis..." I was too late. He had already rushed forward; Proserpina dodges the first attack, and rolls out the way as the blade gets swung afterwards. He corners her and advances closer with a second spell charging. Proserpina jumps up and uses the wall to push off. Just like an acrobat, she flips over him about a foot over his head, and lands behind him. As he was turning around to strike, she swoops low, and swings her leg out, knocking Zelgadis on his ass. He crashes into a long table, breaking it into two as he lands. I would have clapped, but it did seem like a bad idea. Even though that was a damn good show. Enraged, Zelgadis gets up with a roar and charges full speed after Proserpina, Bolts of electricity sparking in his hands. Proserpina tried to move but didn't clear out in time, she got hit as his grasped her shoulder, hitting her with surge of energy. Now most people would of scream as they were fried to death, but Proserpina merely groans as she sank to her knees, coughing as the last bits of electricity faded from her. She coughs hard, and the small metallic pill that she used to changed her voice rolls on the floor towards Gourry's boot. Gourry grabs it and wipes it clean, and stashed it in his pocket.
"I'm impressed." Zelgadis really seemed like he was. "You manage to withstand that." He charged up another ball, walking slowly towards Proserpina and us. "Lina! Gourry! Make sure he doesn't escape."
"Guys." She looked at us. Her breath was still somewhat ragged from the hit. "Do something. This needs to stop before it gets worst!" Both Gourry and I both glimpse at Zelgadis, who seem slight taken aback by something.
"Wait," He was a bit lost on words. "You're voice…"
"What about her voice?" I kneel beside Proserpina to see if she was okay, fumbling though the fabrics. Her cloak idea was a good save; since the slice expose some of her breast. I glance around to make sure none of the guys saw it, which Gourry was too busy staring at Zelgadis, while he mainly stared at Proserpina. Zelgadis place his sword back in its sheath. "You're a woman aren't you?"
"If I was," Proserpina looked up at him. "Would that still make me the enemy?"
'Actually no," Zelgadis kneel down on a knee, using his sword to prompt himself. "Though I really would like an explanation of all of this," he narrowed his eyes at me. "Especially one that is from Lina. I have a feeling she is behind all of this."
"Zel..." I tried to sound as innocent as I could, but it didn't work on Zelgadiss, he knew me too long now to fall for it.
"Lina," He widens his eyes. "I'm waiting."
I sigh, here it goes. "Yeah it was my idea-"He scoffed at me. "Look I need to get on this boat, and you already know why."
"Yes," His mouth contorted into a frown. "But I didn't think you committed an act of fraud, Lina. Why did you resort to this?"
"I didn't have enough for a ticket." That was true; I did have barely enough for one to even get on.
"If you were sent like I was, then you would have a decree Lina." He pulled out his, which was signed and seal with Prince Phil's scribble on it. "Then you would not need a ticket." I rolled my eyes as I rummage though my robes and pulled out my sister's message. I thrust it at Zelgadiss, who took it and open it. He glances at me with an upraised eyebrow. "Lina," He spat. "This isn't even legit. "
"Well, if you see her tell her yourself then!" I gritted my teeth as I snatched the letter out of Zel's hand. We sneered at each other until Gourry broke the tension.
"I'm sorry Zel," He began as he placed his hands together. "But not only did we need to be on this boat, we had to borrow your face so that Priscilla can be here without everyone going crazy and trying to kill her-"
"Gourry!" Proserpina interrupted him in his statement. "That's not my name."
"Oh." Gourry tapped his finger on his chin, like he was in deep thought. "I knew you're started with a P. So I went with what I thought was the closest thing."
"You seriously have forgotten my name?" She smiled as she shook her head. Gourry has never been the best at names, but he does remember a face at least.
"But why me?" Zelgadis lean in closer and poked at the makeup on Proserpina's face. "It looks real, but it soft to the touch. It's not real is it?"
"It's not." He was still touching her face. Hey there, easy on that. I think that is enough. "Ah Sorry." He murmured as he withdrawn his hand. "The detail is really well crafted. At least that rules out on thing."
"And what's that?" I peered at Zelgadis as he stood up.
"That she was a clone." Well you can rest assure buddy, she definitely isn't one. That is one least thing that this world needs is another Zelgadis. Nothing on him or anything, but I think one is good enough.
"So that must me one thing." He pulled out a rolled up parchment, it was her warrant. "By chance do you happen to know this person?"
Proserpina laughed, "This is a joke, is it?" Zelgadis shakes his head. "This is the only other possibility I could think of that anyone who play along with Lina's idea, is someone trying to get around without being recognize. "
"In my defense," She stated calmly. "I originally had a different idea of costumes. This was all Lina's. She knows you, and I did go along with it. It was within reasons."
Zelgadiss glance at the paper then at Proserpina. "So this is you?"
"Kinda." I picked up on her nervousness. "Except that the horns are way smaller."
"And she doesn't look evil." Gourry added. Zelgadis shrugged and rerolled the parchment up.
"I'll be the judge of that when I see. " He really sounded a bit optimistic about that. He opened his mouth to say more, but above us sounded just a group rushing over the upper deck. Their stomps as they ran sounded like a heard of them, a stampede as they ran across the storage room, and presumably to here.
"I think that is our cue to leave." I opened the door and was the first to leave. Proserpina, Gourry, and Zelgadis trailed behind me as we venture though the hall way. Zelgadis sped up to me and pointed to his door; "It'd probably be wise if we just all go here." He opens it, inside was a way bigger space, at least twice the size of our room. A bed to compensate for the amount of space! Seriously, all four of us could sleep so comfortably on that! Its color scheme was something that a princess picked out personally; with soft pinks, bright greens and lavender drapes brighten the room along side with the hand crafted, gold painted furniture. I had a nagging feeling that this would be were Amelia stayed if she was on this voyage. As soon as we all were in the room, Zelgadis did a quick peek out in a hall, and with not a soul in sight, he slammed the door and locked the mechanism.
"At least I'm somewhat off the hook." I heard Proserpina whispered, until she saw how Zelgadis was looking at her. "Well not entirely."
Its funny how he went from being pretty hostile to pleasant, then again, she's disguise as him, so that did not help. At least he has regained his wits, and by the way his stance is, tells me he does have quite the handful of things to ask, but the changing of his facial expressions made it seem like he didn't know where to start.
"Please," He made a gesture towards a chair. "Make yourself comfortable."
"Mind if I change?" I pulled at the clock which was still somewhat fastening around her. "I'm not taking the costume off, at least for now. I just want to change my shirt."
"Come on!" I heed to her, grasping her by her hand and taking to her to a changing screen. "Get that box of yours out. "With that, we were behind the screen. Proserpina already had the thing in her hand, fiddling with it until it changed into what looked like a drawer size container. She removed its lid, and instead was nothing but what looked like…black shirts. I take that back, I saw a bright blue one and I think what look like a purple color. She pulls out what looks like a small turtle neck. She flings it over the screen and begins to remove the cloak, and with my help we took off the remaining of the bindings. She swaps out the damage shirt that showed her boob with the fresh one. I could hear Zelgadis try to talk to Gourry, thinking that we are out of earshot.
"So Gourry," Zel pats his shoulder, getting the dummy's attention. "Can you fill me in on what's really going on?"
"With what?" Gourry wasn't following to what Zelgadiss was asking him. I could make out a groan from Zelgadis. "About all of this,' He ranted. "And the girl who dressed up as me as well."
"Oh," Gourry exclaims and Zel hushed him. "We just ran into her a couple of days ago, and it seems like everyone is hunting her. She threw some guy like a ball. It was impressing; I wish I was that strong." Gourry in a low audio tone, like it was some secret, went one explaining to Zelgadis just about everything from this point. "Lina wanted to get on the boat to go look at that Light, but she was broke." I can feel the anger rushed in as the tip of my ears grew hot. "So she thought of this idea, and that is why we are all here now, like a team."
Proserpina tucked her shirt in, and refastens the belt. She was mostly situation, well minus the chest binding and the upper shirt. I went to offer help to reapply the bandages, which she kindly refused.
"Seriously?" I heard Zelgadis whisper, there was a slight hint of disbelief, usually he doesn't believe in something unless he sees or hears it himself
"Lina. I don't think that's needed." She places it in the drawer. "Besides these things need to breathe!" I know she was not just talking about her bust, but then again I'm not the one who was wearing that to begin with. After she got her cube situated, we went back out to where the other two were. Zelgadis took a seat on the end of the bed, while Gourry stood prompt again a wall. Both were eyeing at us, but mostly at Proserpina, while made her shuffle her feet.
"Hey," Gourry snapped his fingers. "It's a girl Zelgadis." While Proserpina nervously laughed at that, Zel and I glared daggers at his dumb little joke.
"Out of all the people to disguise as," Zelgadis attention shifted from Gourry to Proserpina's. "You decide that going as me was the best idea, huh Lina?"
"I've already explained." I shrugged. "Well at least that part. There is still Proserpina's side."
'So that is your name then…." Zelgadis made a mental note as he folded his arms.
"Wait," Gourry repositioned himself, standing up from the wall. "I thought her name was Penelope."
"No," The person who name Gourry keeps messing up on said as she shakes her head. "Lina had it right. It's Proserpina."
Zel rises to his feet and walks to Proserpina; He circles around her, getting a better look at her. "I've don't think I've ever heard of that name, and my life style is quite ubiquitously." He stands in front of her. "It bothers me how close the likeness is." She was at least a few inches shorter than him; ugh I'd kill to be her height. "I hope you really don't have any hostile feelings toward me now that things are done and passed." I don't think she did to begin with in my opinion, but her appearance did not help Zel's reaction.
"I would probably have done the same if I saw another me. So there are no hard feelings." Zelgadis reached his hand out to shake, and hers met his. At least we are all grown adults here now, this is a huge progress and hopefully this will fully smooth out with his help.
"So," The handshake slowed and stopped. "What can you tell me about you?"
"There is a lot," she grabbed a chair and pulled it to her, Plopping down. "What do you want to here first?"
"Well," He grabbed scroll and a quill. "We can start with where are you from?"
"I was born on an island called Kirkea, I grew up in a town called Mermaid's grove."
Zelgadis made a face. "Mermaid's grove? Kirkea?" Here's the thing, I don't that is anywhere from here at all, and a disclaimer if there is one. He looked at me and I shrug. "Yeah," Proserpina crosses her legs. "I don't think that even on the map. At least not here."
"Now with that being said, how did you get here?"
"Like I said before, I was pushed though a portal." Proserpina twitches slightly in her seat. "By my brother."
"Wait..." Gourry bored a serious tone with his protest. "You're brother pushed you? Why?"
"Because I gotten cold feet at the last minute." Go figured. I'm guessing that her brother probably gotten angry with her and did something to blast her though to this world. Sounds similar to the girl in Home town… "Perseus can be a bit like mom at times…"
"By what you meant by portals," Zelgadiss was scribbling down what appeared to be notes of some sort. "Are they a form of a gateway?'
"In a sense, a portal is opened and then used for Dimensional Travel."
The whole room fell with a very noticeably tense. Zelgadis leaned closer out of his seat, I went over to the bed in the spot that Zelgadiss was a plopped right down. Oh gods, this bed was made out of clouds! Gourry went along with the same idea and sat down next to me. We might as well get comfortable, because the moment I heard the word "dimensional travel", I knew that this was probably going to be a long conversation, and by the way his expression was, He'd probably had more the a thousand questions to ask. I bet one of them is probably about a cure, which isn't apparently.
"So you came though a portal…" Gourry slowly said aloud as his brain was still making the connection, even though everyone else probably would already understood. "Oh! That means you're from a different world!" Sadly to say, this is him actually making the connection that Proserpina is from a different world. Proserpina rolled her eyes at him.
"Duh." I heard her mutter loudly. She said it herself, and she did admit something about the pillar earlier as well in fact she had made a theory that it was a aftermath of her armor reacting? There was something about her that also screamed "Hey, I'm a new here!" when Gourry and I first encounter her. I didn't think of her as a threat, but instead someone who was a little lost in where she needed to be. Gourry shot up from his spot and ran over to where Proserpina was. He seemed so excited to realize this, and he patted Proserpina roughly on her head.
"I knew you were really special from the moment we met you." He sounded like a father congratulating his child. Zelgadis sighed and place his face in his hand. Though, it seemed like his patting was a bit vigorous, because it there was a slight tearing noise. Gourry withdraw his hand, and the rest of Proserpina's horn, that we had such a difficult time to begin with, ripped though. It was pretty noticeable. Proserpina bore a disgruntle look on her face as she narrowed her eyes at him. You know, if it wasn't for the horn, or the fact she is female, she could with that type of expression, really pass of as Zel, but it just made her even stand out even more. I wonder now if the wig can be repaired at this point, or either that she would probably have to wear a hood.
"Oh so that's what they look like." Zelgadis seemed a bit transfixed on the abnormality, that he didn't notice I caught him, when he looked at me; I smirked at him and winked. He rolls his eyes and turns back to his notes. If he only knew what type of a surprise he was in for he would have caught on to why I did that just now. I laughed at myself, and if Zel decides to tag along, like he normally does in hopes to find what he calls "a cure", things may get more interesting. He may actually find out what I know about, and find a way to be reversed. Suddenly, there was a sharp knock at his door, which made all four of us jumped, with a bit of shock and surprised. Proserpina eyed all of us nervously when a second one, louder than the first one, rapped on the wood surface again.
Author's Note: You know you love these, especially when they are at the end of the story, where you aren't stuck reading the writer ranting about whatever comes to mind. So, it looks like I'm on a roll with plumping these chapters out, well to be honest I had a few done and was trying to make sense of them. So I spend some time editing them before posting. I know there may be a few, but my eyes aren't the greatest when I come to looking at a computer screen for a long time. It feels weird when you eye starts to spasm out of now where, and it feels like there is a little alien creature trying to free itself from there. Ugh there I go again with the rambling.
Here is chapter three, and it look like Zel has entered the chat! Speaking of the devil, His personality is probably going to be the fun to work with, being that over each season, he progresses more as he gets attach to his team mates. He is pretty dynamic in his own way, starting off where he was serving his great grandfather, to say eff this by making a complete 180 degree turn and helping Lina escape. He starts off aloof and distance, but displays compassion, anger, even love (I'm play with that!) and remorse in bits. He even got his feeling hurt when someone called him a monster. Zelgadis does have his negative traits and maybe a couple of toxic ones. (Especially in the beginning. I mean, he cunt punts poor Lina and then throws her as a weapon at Rezo, which fails and she crashes into a tree. He then makes a rude comment when she was complaining about her nose in the novel, how'd it go, "What's wrong? Syphilis?" Really dude. SAVAGE! Though his character is a bit different in the novels, of course, but his display of his humanity is still there in his actions, in the novels he seeks a way to turn back normal as a sense of atonement for the things he done with Rezo. That's pretty deep.) Anyways, writing his character is going to interesting because I feel like the dude is complex and he hides it! Well most of it.
One more thing before I conclude this lengthy bit of me getting carried away, I'm currently working on chapter six, so four and five will be posted shortly after they are edited. I'm pretty ahead of this story, well being that it's been marinating in my brain for a few months before I broke and began to write ideas , so This is something I planned on completing.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR TIME IN READING THIS STORY! Bless be!
Song: My life for hire By A Day to Remember.