Chapter 7

Giza, Ejypt
June 3rd, 2002

"Hi," Valgaav tried to smile suavely, "you know, you're very beautiful."

The redhead rolled her eyes, "Thanks, but no thanks."

All around him the sounds of jarring techno music shook the palm trees, and colored lights lit up the large area filled with people in bathing suits. A huge pool was met on both sides by two hot tubs and two saunas in what would normally be the hotel's recreation area, but had been transformed into a gigantic party.

Sighing, Valgaav crossed his arms and leaned onto the bar as the pretty girl walked away with her friends, laughing. "This sucks."

"I'm sorry."

Val turned with dull eyes to the man suddenly sitting next to him. "Oh, hi, Xellos. Xellos?!"

"Yep, that's me!" The long-haired monster had shed centuries and now appeared slightly younger than Valgaav, with smoother skin and a slimmer body. "How do I look?" Xellos beamed.

With a smirk, Valgaav looked over the Mazoku, who had changed his outfit. "Swimming trunks and a deathmetal shirt, you'll be the life of the party."

Xellos rolled his now human-looking eyes, "I'm not trying to be the life of the party," then grinned, eyes closed, "but I have to fit in, right?"

"I suppose," Val glumly studied the crowd. "Maybe I shouldn't even try, I mean, it's not like I'll be able to marry a human. It would tear me apart watching someone I love grow old and die while I stayed young."

Xellos laughed and leaned back, "Valgaav, Valgaav!! No one SAID you were going to get married, you're just going to talk to them. Calm down!"

Val dropped his head to the bar. "Yeah, I know. But being around you and Mom all the time really makes a guy jealous."

"Why, whatever could you mean, Val?" Xellos chuckled, nervous hand on his neck.

"C'mon, you know what I mean! You and Mom are always flirting with each other, it's almost sickening. Not that either of you would admit it."

Xellos continued to smile but crossed his arms. "Now, now, I just like teasing Filia. She's a friend, and that's how I show affection!"

"Then why don't you tease me that way?" Val eyed him knowingly.

"'Cause you're a guy, of course. What a silly question!" The demon waved it away.

Valgaav gave him a hard stare. "So what DO you call teasing a girl in a different way than you would tease a guy?"

"That," Xellos smirked, "is a secret!"

Rolling his eyes, Val announced, "Well, I call it flirting, and I call YOU a wimp."

"Wimp!" Xellos leaned his elbows on his knees, expression still light-hearted. "that's harsh."

"I just call it like I see it."

Beaming, the violet-haired Mazoku quipped, "Well, that's beside the point, now isn't it? We're not here to talk about MY love life, we're here to talk about YOURS!" He stood up and pulled out his wallet with a grin, "Let's see about getting you a date!"

"Hey!" Val straightened and gave him a hard glare. "I don't want a harlot—"

"Of course not!" the violet-haired demon tisked with a humorous frown, "what poor taste! I'm just going to show you how spending money can get the attention of the fairer sex." With a smug grin, he stepped up to the bartender and called out behind him, "Drinks for everyone, the rest of the night, ON ME!"

The cheers were deafening.

(-(-o-)-)

Filia stepped from the shower and headed for the chest of drawers, toweling off her hair. "I wonder what Valgaav really IS doing. I hope he's not becoming the type of guy that uses women." She narrowed her eyes as she put on a pair of underwear and a long, frilly cotton nightgown. "Hanging out with Xellos probably scarred him for life!"

She jumped into bed and turned off the lamp, then stared into the darkness. "I wonder if Xellos is going to sleep too."

(-(-o-)-)

"My name's Xellos," the Mazoku smiled, purple hair soaked ebony, "and this is my friend Valgaav."

"Uh . . ." Val tried to smile, "hi."

They sat in a hot tub, surrounded by a petite brunette, a curly-haired red-head, an aquette with Asian eyes and a short-haired blonde with very large . . . assets. All wore bikinis made from a minimal amount of fabric.

The buxom girl smiled up at Val and winked, tossing her platinum head. "Don't be shy, this is a party!"

The other girls chorused agreement, then began battering the two men with words. "So, what do you do for a living?"—-"You have the most beautiful dark hair!"—-"Nice tan, Valgaav, don't you love it in Ejypt?"

"Ladies, ladies!" Xellos chuckled, "We only have one mouth each!" This is getting interesting. Good thing I shielded my power so Filia can't find me.

Valgaav gave the red-head a tentative smile and answered her question. "Um, thanks, yeah, Ejypt is really great."

Xellos smiled. "I'd have to agree! But someone asked about our professions, did they not?" He winked at the Asian girl. "Why, I'm a state representative of New York!"

Rousing laughter erupted from the girls, and Xellos joined easily, elbowing Val to follow his lead. "No, really," Xellos said, "we're actually here on a college trip, right Val?" Technically it's not lying, if you know what 'college' actually means in Latin . . .

Val nodded and smiled at the girls politely.

Xellos continued, "Val here loves archeology and science and stuff."

The red-head seemed the most interested, "Really? I'm getting a bachelor's degree in biology."

Gasping with mock-surprise, Xellos exclaimed, "So's Valgaav, here! What a coincidence!" Along with a degree in everything else you can get a degree in . . .

The brunette gave Xellos a sultry smile, then said to the carrot top, "Halley, let's switch!"

Nodding, "Okay!" the other girl agreed, and sat closer to Valgaav. "Tell me how your courses were, did you find molecular biology to be difficult?" she asked.

The Mazoku eyed the human girl. "Hm," Sensing her growing hunger, Xellos gave the tiny dark-haired woman a smirk and overtly studied her body, feeling that she wouldn't mind. "Hello," he said, letting his now-human eyes narrow lazily.

"Hi," she said, sidling up to him, "My name's Andaria."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Andaria," Xellos grinned. Ah, lust. Desire. Hm . . . violence? Kinky lady. "So, my dear," he purred as her brown eyes drank deep of his own, "what can I do for you?"

(-(-o-)-)

Filia tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. I hope Valgaav's alright. What if he got hit by a car? Oh, wait, the car would be totaled. But, he might fall off a cliff! But he can fly . . .

She sat up in bed. "A nuclear missile could hit! Oh, my poor baby!" Rushing out of bed, she ran to Xellos' room and banged on the door, "Xellos, Xellos, we have to stop the nuclear missile! XELLOS!"

(-(-o-)-)

Xellos sneezed into his hand.

"Cold?" the brunette asked seductively.

"Maybe . . ." he smiled.

Andaria leaned against him and put her arms around him. "I'll warm you up."

(-(-o-)-)

"He's not here . . ." Filia frowned, looking around Xellos' room. "Where could he be? Oh, well, I have to find Val!"

She threw on some clothes and dashed from the suite.

(-(-o-)-)

Val gave Xellos a dark look as the brunette snuggled up to the other "boy", then returned to talking with the redhead and the blonde. "Well, I guess I'd like to be a scientist or a doctor—"

Wincing, Xellos gave his close companion a tight smile and suggested, "Maybe we should go dance, eh, Andaria?"

She winked and stood with him, "Sure."

"We're going to dance, Val," Xellos informed him, "have a good time while we're gone!"

Val rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

(-(-o-)-)

Filia could hear the music before she even reached the indoor balcony. When she got there, she looked down upon the most colorful party she'd seen in a while.

Scanning the party, the Golden Dragon spotted her son and sighed with relief, then smiled lovingly. "Not only is he okay, he's talking with girls! He IS growing up so fast," she sighed again, "I hope they're nice to him."

"Hmm," the blonde leaned against the railing and stared off into space. "Now what should I do? I don't feel like sleeping anymore, and Val's having so much fun, I don't want to bother him." She sighed a third time, longingly, as she looked down at the happy young adults. "I wish I could go to a party, but Valgaav would be so angry if he found out!"

Instantly, an idea tickled her mind and she clapped her hands excitedly. "Of course! I'll just go in disguise!"

(-(-o-)-)

Filia looked at herself in the mirror and giggled with a blush. Her old pink bikini wasn't in style at all, so she had gone to the hotel store for a new one.

Unfortunately, the newest and most fashionable swimsuits were g-string, strapless bikinis. She didn't mind the sparkly gray material, but it was so . . . lacking in fabric! The g-string wasn't very comfortable, either.

Her reflection was very sexy, if she did say so herself. It was almost like being naked. I can't believe I'm going to go out in public like this!

The dragoness then began to apply the makeup she'd bought. "The last time I put on makeup was ten or twenty years ago," she thought aloud, "I hope I still do it right."

(-(-o-)-)

The Asian girl poked her friend. "Hey, what's all that noise about?" she asked.

"Huh?" Val turned to where she was pointing to see the crowd all gazing towards the entrance. Blocking whatever they were looking at was a throng of young men, all with excited looks on their faces. "That's weird," Valgaav commented.

"Maybe someone new showed up," the redhead mused, then shrugged. "Oh well. So how long are you staying in Giza?"

(-(-o-)-)

"What's your name?"—"What's your sign?"—"Are you doing anything later?"

Filia smiled hesitantly as she was surrounded by human men. "But, um . . ."

"Forget that," a young man shoved them aside, "what's your room number?"

Blushing scarlet, the blonde brushed back her newly curled hair from her face and pushed on. "Thank you, but I really—"

"You wanna dance?"—"How 'bout I buy you a drink?"—"Nice legs,"— "Hey, I saw her first!"—"No way, jerk!"—"I was in front!"—"Get outta my way!"

Thwak—Thud—CRASH.

Filia dashed out of the sudden brawl and huddled up behind a palm tree as the men began killing each other. Eyes wide, she murmured, "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea . . ." I'm glad I powered down so Valgaav wouldn't find me, this is so embarrassing!

Security arrived promptly and a third of the party was removed, leaving quite a bit of empty space. Still, she couldn't see Valgaav through the people, so she began traveling the congregation, walking stiffly in the tiny silver bikini.

A young man with dark brown hair stepped up to her and said, "What jerks. They shouldn't crowd such a pretty girl." He actually looked at her eyes instead of her chest, so she smiled back.

"Um," the dragoness scratched the back of her neck, "thanks." Whoops! She continued in a shrill voice. "I didn't think I looked that great, truthfully."

His aqua eyes gazed at her kindly. "Nonsense, you're beautiful. But you look kinda nervous. Would you like something to drink? It might make you feel better."

She nodded slightly. "Sure."

(-(-o-)-)

Valgaav and the girls followed the progress of the curly, long-haired newcomer with amusement.

"God," the redhead scoffed, "look at her! Just flaunting herself like that!"

The Asian girl rolled her eyes. "We're dressed just as bad, and she seems really shy. I bet we'd like her."

"Maybe," she sniffed, tossing her long red hair.

The short-haired blonde with them shrugged. "We should go talk to her, it looks like she doesn't have any friends."

Valgaav smiled slightly, "Okay. You girls were so nice to a wallflower like me, I'm sure she's feeling just as bad."

(-(-o-)-)

"So," Xellos leaned into the brunette's personal space, "where are you staying?" The fast music echoed his heartbeat and he didn't feel like slowing it down. I haven't been with anyone in a while; who knows what might happen tomorrow? I should take advantage of any opportunity while I'm still alive.

Expression playful, Andaria ran her fingers down the front of his shirt as they danced. "I have a room in this hotel. I'm here for my mother's wedding."

He ran his finger along the edge of her jaw and smiled. "You'd make a beautiful bridesmaid."

She raised her brows. "Would you like to come up and see my dress?"

Just what I was waiting for. With a grin, he pulled her close to him. "I'd love to."

(-(-o-)-)

Val's new friends were already greeting the blonde when he started realizing some familiarity. Halfway there, he paused and narrowed his golden eyes. Where do I know that girl?

Her face had makeup on, and it was difficult to see the skin beneath it, but the curve and line of her legs and arms, her perfect bone structure . . . it was like a mirage.

Then she looked up at him, cerulean eyes blinking with their own recognition, and he knew.

Mom?!

Fortunately, he had enough control not to say it, and she glanced away, but he had to keep himself from marching up and berating her for her state of undress.

What's she doing here? She looks so different, I almost didn't recognize her . . . Where'd she get that bikini? That MAKEUP?

Valgaav shuddered slightly and quickly found a seat, breath ragged. "I can't believe it," he muttered to himself. "Is she here to check up on me in secret? Nah, she wouldn't have made an entrance like THAT if she didn't want me to notice." His eyes narrowed angrily. "But how dare she hang out at the same party I'm at! She's my mom, for the Gods' sake!"

He sat up straight and folded his arms. "Well, this is unacceptable! How dare she not let me do something on my own, I'm not a child anymore . . . I won't let her get away with this!"

With a frown, Val held his chin in a hand and thought hard. "How can I get even with her?"

A very funny thought popped into his head, and he grinned evilly. "Perfect."

(-(-o-)-)

Filia sipped her drink with embarrassment and tried to hide her face from her son. I didn't think he and his friends would come up to talk to me!

"Are you okay, Fabrice?" the young blue-eyed man asked.

She smiled at the gathering of men and women around her. "Oh, yes, I'm sorry," she piped, "I'm still trying to get used to big gatherings."

They all smiled, even the women, then began pulling her out of her shell. This is fun, Filia thought as she replied and talked with her new friends. I hope Val didn't recognize me, though!

(-(-o-)-)

Val caught them just as they were about to leave, arm in arm. "Hey, Xellos," Valgaav called, swallowing his anger and forcing himself to be calm. "Do you think I could talk to you for a second?"

The Mazoku-turned-teenager had shed his t-shirt, though who knew where he'd put it. Looking back with surprise, Xellos replied, "Well, I suppose so." He turned to the tiny brunette at his side and asked, "would that be alright, Andaria? I'll be right back."

"Sure!" she winked, "I'll be waiting right here."

Pulling the demon an adequate space from the dark-haired girl, Valgaav began, "Listen, I know you were having fun, but could you do me a favor? There's this girl I really like, but her friend won't leave us alone . . ."

(-(-o-)-)

Xellos pushed through the crowd in the direction Val had sent him, expression morose. I'm just glad Andaria understood.

The people parted to him, most smiling and waving, others murmuring about how he was the one who paid for the rest of the drinks for the whole night. Xellos gave them all winks and grins, but inside he was still annoyed. I want Valgaav to enjoy himself, but he's being pretty picky. Hopefully I won't have to dance more than once with this girl before Val can get alone with her friend.

"Hey," he overheard one guy say to another, "did you see that blonde that came in a few minutes ago? Jeeze, she actually started a fight!"

"Really?" the friend asked as Xellos passed, "Was she that hot?"

"Definitely, I'd kill to bag her."

So crass, Xellos smirked as he ran a hand through his wet hair and scanned the crowd. Now how did he describe her again? Long, curly blonde hair, silver strapless bikini . . .

That long-legged girl with the skimpiest bikini he'd seen tonight had to be her. "Eh," he shrugged, "might as well get this over with."

(-(-o-)-)

Filia was busily chatting with the girls about fashion when the nice Chinese girl elbowed her lightly. "Hey," she whispered with a giggle, "looks like someone wants to talk to you!"

Blinking her large azure eyes, Filia turned and brushed a blonde curl from her face.

Standing before her was a politely smiling young man wearing nothing but a pair of black swimming trunks. "Hi," he said with a melodic, almost alto voice, "I was wondering if you'd like to dance."

She studied his sharp features and wet black hair hooding his eyes, and for some reason, thought of darkness. What's wrong with me, I don't sense any evil of a monster.

With a shrug and a smile on her painted lips, Filia spoke in a cutesy hi-pitched voice, "Okay, I guess."

(-(-o-)-)

This isn't so bad, Xellos thought as he led the blonde to the dance floor, though I wish I hadn't made myself that short, she's barely an inch below me.

As she turned to glance behind her at her friends, he gazed at her shapely posterior and the swell of her breasts. Something about the way she moved and the curve of her body was familiar . . . Maybe I saw her in the lobby, or at the airport? He didn't remember taking notice of anyone.

Her dark lined eyes returned to his own, and he beamed, eyes closing. "You look a little nervous. Don't be shy!"

She glanced around, curvaceous hips moving slightly to the rhythm of the dance mix. "I don't really know how to dance to this type of music," she admitted, high voice cracking.

Her nervousness felt like fresh air, but it carried a well-known taste. What is it about her? She's certainly attractive enough, more so even than that brunette. I have always liked blondes . . .

Xellos gave the blonde a slightly predatory smile, then masked it with a laugh. "Don't worry, it's easy!"

(-(-o-)-)

"Thanks," Valgaav grinned at the D.J., "this should work great."

"What're ya doin'?" the dark-skinned guy asked.

Val winked and smacked his shoulder gently, "Setting up a friend for a big surprise, man."