Chapter 2
Kenda, NY
June 2nd 2002
Filia woke early and quickly checked the astral plane. Good, no Xellos or anyone else.
With a chuckle, she took a short shower and dressed swiftly in blue jean shorts and a white tank top. "This time," she muttered with a giggle, "I'll show that Mazoku!"
She put up her hair into a ponytail, shoved on her shoes and zipped away.
(-(-o-)-)
With a sigh, Xellos relaxed under the hot water that beat down upon him. I won't get to unwind for quite a while. He had always found the sensation of the scalding liquid to be soothing, and the idea of bathing appealed to his meticulous nature.
Despite himself, the demon found his thoughts drawn to the tedium of being – for all intents and purposes – immortal. In a modern society, with social security numbers and photo I.D., mere living was something one had to be meticulous about.
Before he'd even come to Filia about the philosopher stone problem, he'd set up the records for his "next life". By altering the government files and information on a male baby most recently killed with his parents on a train, Xellos now had a new "host". According to the records of the United States government, the child was now alive and well.
Then Xellos had transferred ninety-nine percent of his money to a variety of very safe accounts across the world, jointly opened in his present name and the name of the dead infant. When he returned, he'd have all the funds he'd need.
Xellos beamed and finished washing himself, then lathered his hair. I wonder how Filia was planning on solving that problem before I rescued her last century. She'd never have the resources I do. He chuckled as he remembered her infuriated expression when she found out that he was behind her successful switch from Filia Ul Copt – her first registered name when she had entered the country as an immigrant - to Phalina Corrat.
Filia's anger is almost addictive, he considered. I don't think even Lina Inverse's rage felt so wonderful.
Releasing a sad sigh, Xellos rinsed his dark purple hair and watched the steam billow. "Oh, Lina. I do miss you," he admitted to himself. "But you had a full, happy life. I shouldn't be wishing for a different past."
(-(-o-)-)
Inside Xellos' bathroom, Filia stood between the astral plane and reality. "Xellos," she whispered, and smiled painfully. "You miss them too?"
"It was so long ago," Xellos' tenor voice spoke softly from behind the shower curtain. "But it seems like they were just here."
"I'd love to see them again," Filia told the unaware Mazoku. "They were the only friends I had left."
The man's voice grew faint and gentle. "Filia's the only friend I have left."
(-(-o-)-)
Xellos shut off the water and pulled back the shower curtain.
"Xellos! Good morning!"
"Whah!" A very naked Xellos slipped in the tub and cracked his head on the porcelain. "F-F-FILIA! OW!"
The golden dragon beamed at him, her slight blush nothing in comparison to the full body flush he was undergoing. "Why, Xellos, did you get hurt? I'm sorry if I surprised you! Here, let me heal you."
Xellos scrambled to his feet and would have fallen again had she not caught him. "Filia!" he cried, violet eyes wide, "what's gotten into you?!"
She smiled and touched his head with one glowing hand while the other held him up. "Nothing, nothing at all. There, doesn't that feel better?"
"B-but, I'm NAKED, Filia!" he announced, then grabbed the shower curtain and closed it on her, shoving her hands out.
"Oh?" She chuckled a sound like wind chimes. "But, I'm a doctor, Xellos, it's nothing I haven't seen before!"
"You're not MY DOCTOR!" he growled, then stuck his hand out to grab a towel. He began drying himself off behind the curtain.
Her cheerful soprano voice answered, "Oh, Xellos. But maybe I should be! You're looking a lot less fit than you used to. I think you definitely need to exercise more! I'd suggest a healthy regimen!"
Angrily scrubbing at his wet hair with the swath of fabric, Xellos yelled, "I am NOT out of shape! I happen to have even better muscle mass than I did when we first met, I'll have you know!"
Filia pulled back the curtain to peer in. "And you're so pale! Do you get enough sun?"
"OUT!" he cried, clutching the towel to his groin. "Get out!"
The blonde backed off with a giggle. "You're right, Xellos, this IS a little fun! At least, when it's revenge!"
What's wrong with her?! Xellos gasped as he leaned against the shower wall. She's crazy! I'm NOT out of shape, or too pale! How dare she come in here when I'm NUDE!
"Maybe I should wait for you outside?" a sweet voice asked.
"FILIA!" With a roar, Xellos opened the curtain enough to stick his head out and glare at the happy blonde. "GET OUT NOW OR ELSE!"
She looked coy and pouted her lips, one finger on her mouth. "Or else what?"
He snarled and grabbed at her shirt suddenly, pulling her close. "Or else I'll make certain to drop in on you when YOU'RE naked, my dear!"
The dragoness' bright sapphire eyes gazed into his own, and she blushed. "How do I know you haven't already?"
Mouth gaping, Xellos found his usual comeback replaced with silence. "I . . ." he blinked, disconcerted by her unusual entrance. "I'd never do that without announcing my presence first! I'm a prankster, not a pervert!" he seethed.
"Sure you aren't!" she said seriously, his fingers still gripping her blouse front. "Always teasing me about my figure!"
"So?!" he sputtered, releasing her. "Anyway, get out!"
Her chuckling was joined by footsteps, and both faded quickly. With the sound of the closing door, Xellos let out the breath he was holding and slumped against the tile. "And Val thought I'D be the peeping tom!"
(-(-o-)-)
Filia danced around Xellos' large bedroom and laughed heartily. "That was so funny!" she cried, blush still staining her cheeks. "He definitely deserved that!"
She calmed herself and stood to think. "Though, it was a little embarrassing." She turned even redder in the face. "I never thought I'd see Xellos naked." He's not that bad looking.
Before she could contemplate that further, his annoyed voice called from the bath. "Filia, could you please wait OUTSIDE my bedroom? I'd like to get dressed!"
Hmm, should I continue this gag? she asked herself. What would Xellos do in my place? I guess that would depend on how angry he'd want to get someone. How angry do I want Xellos?
The memory of his whispered words made her smile slightly. "Filia's the only friend I have left." If he said that, he couldn't get too mad at her. Even if he did, she doubted he'd hurt her. But he might decide to get revenge the same way! Oh well.
"Okay, Xellos, I'll stop teasing you!" she called out, then exited the expansive chamber to wait in the hall.
(-(-o-)-)
Xellos sighed and hesitantly stepped out of the bath. "Whew," he breathed, then shook his head and went to the door. He peered out and checked the astral plane as well, but Filia was neither on the plane nor in the bedroom.
"Thank the Lady!" He quickly pulled on his underwear and a pair of expensive black slacks, not bothering to waste time in locking the door.
"Thank her for what?" Filia appeared behind him. "It's not like I missed anything!"
Xellos turned to her cute grinning face and scowled. "Back again?"
"You're not naked anymore!" her aqua eyes twinkled. "So, all ready for our journey?"
The Mazoku looked down at his bare chest and his expression got worse. "I suppose." Quickly, he pulled a white undershirt over his head and stalked back to the bathroom. "I have to shave."
"Can I watch?"
"NO!" I am NOT out of shape! Xellos slammed the door on her and stood still, trying to calm himself and the tingling running down his spine. Okay, relax. This isn't anything strange. I do this kind of thing to people all the time. Of course, I'm a very high level Mazoku, so this has never happened to ME.
He clenched his teeth and glared at his reflection in the mirror. Why am I letting her get to me so easily? he asked himself as he began to comb his wet hair. Is it because I see her as my friend?
A part of him answered snidely, It could always be because it's been quite a while since a non-human female flirted with you, idiot, let alone wanted to copulate.
Xellos shoved the voice away; it was a stupid idea. Back to the likely one. Monsters aren't technically supposed to be friends with dragons or humans, but it's not illegal, fortunately, since it happens often enough with the latter. A dragon friend is just a little more strange. Alright, a lot more strange.
Xellos tried to ignore how excited her actions had made him, I mustn't let Filia affect me so much, and instead tried to think of something good that would come from the situation.
Bingo. He grinned suddenly at his other self. "This makes at least one indiscretion fair game, Val."
(-(-o-)-)
Filia looked around the bed chambers nervously. Is he really, really mad? I wonder if maybe I shouldn't have done this.
The room was mostly black, with gilding of gold and crimson. It was darker than Filia would like, but very tasteful it its own way. Hmm.
With a flick of her wrist, Filia reached behind her and pulled a teapot and two tea cups from her pocket dimension. "Old habits die hard," she murmured, and quickly poured herself a cup.
Sitting at a table settee, she called out, "So, Xellos, how long DOES it take you to shave?"
(-(-o-)-)
Xellos glanced at the door. I wonder if she knew that my having to shave is mostly an excuse? Releasing a sliver of his power across his face, the stubble vanished, leaving his skin smooth. Then he repeated the process with his hair, drying and straightening it instantly with his dark energy.
While he despised the necessity - for as a demon, he had no need of such normal human activities - as long as he continued the farce of mortality, he couldn't give his high-profile cover even the slightest inconsistency.
Hair dried and brushed, he exited the room and smiled to see Filia sipping tea.
"You let your hair down, Xellos," she smiled at him.
"You kept yours up." He sat down next to her at the little table and took the tea she offered. "Thank you. That was quite a stunt you pulled. No one's ever had the guts to do anything like that to me besides Lord Zelas."
Her azure eyes twinkled at him. "Well, you deserved it, Mazoku. You jump in on me more times than even you could keep track of."
"Never when you're in the nude, darling," he winked.
She blushed at the insinuation and growled, "Don't you have a pretty monster girl to call that?!"
Now we're back to the normal run of things. Sort of. "Not really," he shrugged. "When you are a devoted servant who spends too much time with dragons, you're kind of seen as a wussy momma's boy."
She spit out her tea and coughed repeatedly. "WHAT? How could anyone see you like that?! You're the most powerful creature I know of!"
Xellos kept his expression from showing his pleasure; what she said was obvious, but it was always nice to hear. "That seldom matters to other Mazoku nearly as powerful."
Filia looked curious; always a bad sign. "But that can't be the only reason. Just because you tease me and talk to Val shouldn't be enough. There must be something else." She peered at him expectantly.
"Wha-, uh," he smiled nervously, I never thought this would come up! "There's really nothing of immense importance," he obfuscated, covering his nervousness with tea.
Filia laughed suddenly. "You know, you're not so infuriating when you've had a little ego bruising!"
"Jouseiryuu!" he set down the cup rather hard. "Aren't dragons supposed to be polite and stay away from monsters like myself?"
The blonde blinked at his display, 'Dragon girl'? and chuckled. "I must have really upset you. You're slipping into Japanese!"
Xellos' face turned red and he stood to lean on the table. "I can speak another language if I want to, Dragon!"
He spat it like an insult, and she pulled back, hurt. The pang of pain she experienced sent a burn of pleasurable sensation through him, but it also made his chest constrict. She's actually hurt. I really didn't want that.
Filia pulled it together, though, and smiled tightly. "I never knew you were Japanese before you were reborn into Monsterhood."
"How can you be certain I was reborn from human?" he countered.
"Because you've got a corporeal body and magic other than Astral spells hurts you," she answered dryly. Her azure eyes narrowed. "And you've never changed form, and could possibly pass for Asian."
All true, as far as she is aware, but not necessarily exclusive to a reincarnated human, Xellos mused as he sat down again. "I knew you were smart, Filia, but you never kept your temper enough to make such witty repartee."
A nervousness palled her smile and she sipped her tea quickly. But even after so long around a Mazoku, she couldn't hide her true feelings from his senses.
"Oh!" Xellos grinned suddenly. "I see! This is new to you, isn't it?"
"No, of course not!" she snapped. "I just never wanted to offend anyone."
"You say offensive things to me all the time," he commented lightly.
She growled and snapped, "You deserve them! Anyway, who knows that you have any feelings TO offend!"
He smiled. "You're probably right." I should just let her stab me. It would hurt less. With a sigh, he finished his tea and stood.
(-(-o-)-)
Though he hadn't shown it, Filia had a bad feeling that perhaps she'd been a little too hard on him. "So, are you all packed, Xellos?" she asked with false cheer.
"Basically. I got you a new life, by the way," he called as he put on a pair of dress socks. "I left it up to you to transfer your funds." He shed the undershirt for a long-sleeved, blood-red dress shirt, then started looking for a tie. "I'll give you the information on the plane."
Filia stood and walked towards him. "Oh. Thanks!" she smiled sadly. He's being serious for no reason. That's not good.
Watching as he dressed, she mused over the morning. I wonder if he's still upset about what I did? Oh well, she thought firmly. He deserved it.
(-(-o-)-)
"Did I ever tell you what your mother was planning on calling you when she found you?"
"No, I don't think so."
The deep hum of the airplane vibrated almost unnoticeably, and bright sunlight haloed the young dragon from the window nearby.
Xellos grinned and leaned back in the airplane seat, looking at him past an oblivious Filia. "She was going to call you 'Valteria'."
Valgaav blinked in his window seat, then blushed. "Mom, is that true?" he asked the blonde between them.
Filia looked up from her book. "Eh? Is what true?"
With a chuckle, Xellos explained, "That you were going to call him Valteria, my dear dragoness."
"Oh," she turned a shade of vermilion and giggled nervously between the two men. "I WAS thinking about it, but . . ."
Valgaav sighed melodramatically and cried, "Thank the Gods you changed your mind!"
Filia stared down at her book. "Yes, thank . . . the, um, Gods."
Her son gave her a side-long glance. "That didn't sound so enthusiastic."
Xellos' cheerful face closed upon her as he leaned his elbow on the armrest. "Why don't you be honest with him, Filia."
Val watched her face turn a deeper shade and laughed. "Oh, Mom, don't tell me that the hateful Xellos talked you out of it!"
Filia growled and turned to face the young man at her left, cheeks beet-red. "Don't laugh at your mother that way! I was very young and naive at the time!"
"So," Valgaav asked calmly, "Xellos isn't horrible anymore?"
A clear voice interrupted mother and son. "Of course I am, Valgaav."
The two Ryuzoku turned to face the dark-haired man, stunned.
Xellos took a deep breath and released it with a bitter smile, pallid features expressionless. "Ah, well, but what can one do about that?"
An auburn stewardess forestalled any further uncomfortable conversation by appearing perkily. "Good morning! Can I get anyone something to drink?"
(-(-o-)-)
Amiye smiled at the violet-haired man and felt a flutter run through her. I've always liked the dark, well dressed types, she said to herself as she squeezed the side of the drink cart. And his longish hair is so sexy. "Good morning! Can I get anyone something to drink?"
The dour expression on the man's face disappeared, though the blonde beside him still looked upset.
He looked up at Amiye and smiled suavely, very dashing in his black suit-coat and crimson dress-shirt. "Yes, my dear, I think that would be wonderful."
Amiye blushed at his strong violet gaze and dropped her eyes. "I have many selections," she began, and ran through the choices while studying the slim pale hand that lay upon his knee. I wonder if that's a Gevani suit he's wearing? she mused. This IS first class, after all.
His plum-colored eyes were already staring into her own when she looked at him. "What year did you say your Bournellie red is?"
Beside him, the pretty blonde woman clenched her fists and Amiye was certain her jaw was tightening.
Amiye checked and breathed nervously, "Um, we have many years. The oldest is nineteen fifty-four."
The handsome man shrugged with a sexy half-smile. "Almost fifty years. I guess that's good enough vintage."
Good enough! A glass is over a hundred dollars!
The young man by the window smiled nervously at the blonde, who now had an aura of rage billowing from her. Amiye jumped slightly when her ice sapphire eyes glared daggers into her own.
Amiye looked down when a warm hand suddenly covered her own on the cart, and her eyes widened.
"Are you all right, my dear?" the man asked with concern, luminous eyes kind.
"Um, yes, I'm fine, sir. A glass, then?" she giggled shyly. This is getting dangerous!
The pale-haired woman fumed, but the man next to her ignored it. "Actually, I'd like the whole bottle. If you could bring it on ice?"
His hand was still on her own, and she pulled it away. "Um," she leaned over and whispered in his ear, "sir, I think your wife is getting a little upset." He wants the whole bottle? There IS only a bottle of that vintage on this plane!
The blonde must have heard; her hands grasped the arm rests violently.
He grinned suddenly. "Oh, she'll be fine."
Amiye paled and stood up straight. "So, um, would you like to pay for this now or at the end of your flight?"
"Do you take plastic?" the smile he gave her could only be described as sultry.
"Sure!" her voice cracked, and she watched the blonde nervously while brushing the red hair behind her ears. "I can take it now, if you like, sir."
"Please," he leaned his chin on his hand and gazed up at her, "call me Zellan."
"Oh. Mister Zellan," she blushed, then took his credit card. Zellan Meliathin? Uh oh, he gave me his first name!
"Just Zellan," he spoke firmly.
"I really don't think that's appropriate," she whispered as she swiped the card.
He eyed her left hand casually, then returned his gaze to her eyes. "You don't appear to be . . . involved at the moment, beautiful."
The noise of the register processing barely covered the sound of grinding teeth and juvenile snickering. Amiye tried to ignore the following sounds of muffled pain as the boy was pinched by the blonde woman rather hard.
"Um," Amiye blushed, "Thank you, sir. Your wine will be out soon. Please, sign this receipt. M-may I," she gulped and tried to settle her gaze on the blonde woman, "g-g-get you something, Ma'am?"
(-(-o-)-)
Filia tried not to crush the arm rests, but when she released them and looked at the stewardess, she left imprints in the metal. "Do you have . . . food on this flight?"
The redhead seemed to almost sigh in relief. "Yes, Ma'am, we do. It will be coming shortly."
With a growl, Filia half-stood, blue eyes piercing into the girl's, and spat, "Are the steak knives . . . sharp?"
The flight attendant went shock white and stepped back to lean against a bulk-head. "Uhh . . ."
"Mom!"
She heard her son standing to touch her shoulders hesitantly, and she turned to glare at him. "Yes?"
"C-calm down!" he whispered nervously. "You're scaring me, Ma."
Suddenly, the rage melted from Filia and she took his hands. "Oh, son, I'm sorry!" He hasn't called me that in fifty years! I must have really scared him!
(-(-o-)-)
Valgaav hugged his mother and held back a sigh of relief. What did Xellos think he was doing? This may have been funny, but she's losing it! Good thing I can still affect her with that "Ma" stuff.
His arms tightened around her. "Mom, how about you get something, too? Tea, maybe?"
She nodded and sat down slowly, drained.
"Tea for both of us," he told the attendant, then looked over at Xellos. The monster was pointedly ignoring the stewardess and the blonde next to him, while Filia did the same, staring at the cover of her book without seeing it.
With a sigh, Val walked passed them and led the attendant off to the side. "How much will that be?" he asked.
"Um," she calculated, "five dollars and sixty cents." Her brown eyes still looked nervous.
Val smiled at her and handed her six dollars, then patted her shoulder. "It's okay. She won't hurt you."
She sighed and leaned into his hand. "She's your mother?" she whispered back.
"Yes," the aqua-haired teenager laughed and dropped his arm. "But don't worry, they aren't married, though I'm still waiting."
"Then . . ."
"He's a family friend." He winked cheerfully and said, "Keep the change."
Valgaav turned back to the stewing couple and said, "Hey, Mom, 'Zellan', I'm gonna visit the restroom, okay? Hello?"
With a shrug, he left them to their own turmoil and walked away.
