Don't make me cry:–( Give feedback! (can you tell I'm desperate?)
Ukchana
Chapter 11
Wolfpack Island
June 4th, 2002
Later that night, Xellos stood looking down on the two dragons as they slept, moonlight casting a blue glow upon the large bedroom. All was as he had left it, gold and black and scarlet furnishings in a Spartan atmosphere.
He'd given Filia the canopy bed, and moved a couch in from the living area for Valgaav. Both slept deeply, odd considering that they were surrounded by dark magic.
"Beautiful," Zelas spoke softly behind him, and he nodded. "I was very surprised to feel your presence upon the island." Her eyes narrowed and she hit him in the shoulder. "What of Helle were you thinking?"
"Telgaln attacked and we weren't ready," Xellos winced, turning to face her and rubbing his arm. "I apologize again. But at least you were able to finally meet Filia." He lowered his gaze to the floor contritely.
"Yes, I was." She grinned evilly. "She's gorgeous, just as you call her. And her son is bright, maybe too bright."
"He's very intelligent," Xellos agreed. "If I may say so, Mistress, your eyes look very striking." If he didn't mention it soon, she'd be upset.
"Thanks, they're a new color I'm trying out," she blinked her golden eyes and grinned at him. "So, my most loyal servant, where are you going to sleep tonight?"
Xellos felt himself flushing and frowned. "Mistress! This really isn't appropriate."
Zelas leaned up against him and wrapped her arm around his. "Oh, Xellos. You may be able to hide your feelings from yourself, and even from her, but not from me. I think Val has you pinned, as well."
"I care about her." He really didn't want to say anything else.
"Good, I'd hate to be jeopardizing my reputation for someone you didn't care about."
They stood in silence, Xellos soaking up the feel and scent of the Hellmaster.
"Mistress?" he said finally.
"Yes, dear."
Xellos leaned his head against hers. "I'm feeling things again. New feelings."
"Good. What do you feel right now?" her husky voice whispered.
He let out a deep breath. "Content."
"Why shouldn't you. You have all three of us together." Zelas turned and took his hands, facing him with a smile. "Goodnight, darling. I'm truly thankful that you're here with me; I didn't expect to see you again for quite some time."
She hugged him, and Xellos relaxed in her arms. "Mistress."
After a few moments, Zelas grinned and pulled away. With a tap to his nose, "Bink!" she disappeared.
With a sigh and a smile, Xellos knelt onto the plush carpet before the bed and closed his eyes. Goodnight, Filia, Valgaav, he thought, and began to meditate.
(-(-o-)-)
Wolfpack Island
June 5th, 2002
"Xellos! Xellos, wake up!"
Xellos felt himself shaken awake, and grabbed the arm clutching him as he opened his eyes. "What? Filia?"
Filia stood above him, wet hair up in a white towel and another towel wrapped around her torso, clutched by her free hand. "I don't have any clothes!" she whispered, a flush spreading over her face.
He perked up and blinked wide-eyed at her limbs. "Really?" She smacked him and he grinned. "Well, Filia," he continued, slowly rising to stand over her barefooted form, "what do you expect me to do about it?" This is just priceless!
Glaring up at him with fiery blue eyes, she snapped softly, "Shh, Valgaav's still asleep! As to my expectations, get me some CLOTHES!"
Valgaav stirred on the couch, so Xellos took her "grabbing" arm and pulled her into the living room. "I don't really have any women's clothing," he continued the gag, delighted at her rage.
"Can't Zelas loan me something?" she demanded.
He looked at her with honest amethyst eyes. "But Filia, that towel really suits you!"
Eyes narrowing, she spat, "Why you!" and came after him.
He dodged and jumped out of her reach, laughing as her bare feet spattered across the wooden floor and the towel on her head beginning to unwrap in an adorable manner. "Oh, Filia, you'll wake up Valgaav! But I'm sure I can find something if I ask the Hellmaster!"
Swinging at him again, she growled as she missed. "You'd better!"
"Oh, wait," he stopped, holding up a hand to stall her. "I think I do have something you could wear!"
She stopped and blinked, "Huh?" the loose towel falling from her head to the floor.
Brushing aside his cloak, Xellos pulled out his brown traveling pouch and began rummaging through it. "Aha!"
Triumphantly, he held aloft her silver bikini.
"Xellos!" Blushing furiously and forgetting to hold the towel covering her, Filia snatched away the bathing suit, "You pervert!" then gasped and clutched at the towel as it began to fall.
Xellos couldn't help it, and began to float as he fell back, laughing loudly and holding his stomach.
0
Filia glared at him, mortified, then flicked forward her towel and grabbed a brown pouch slung across her hip, and held it up.
It began to glow. "Xellos," she hissed.
"Ha-ha . . . uh . . ." he blinked at her, then dropped to the ground feet-first. "Um," he coughed, eyes wide, "I'll bring you some clothes," and disappeared.
With a grin, Filia walked back into the bedroom, letting the satchel fall to her hip. "That worked really well."
On the uprooted couch, Val stirred and yawned. "What's going on?"
"Xellos is bringing me some clean clothes," she told him primly, sitting down on the bed and running a hand absently down the black sheer curtains.
The young dragon sat up and blinked at her, yawning again. "Wha? Wait, did you shower before you remembered that we had no clean clothes here?"
The blonde twiddled her fingers and blushed. "Maybe."
Valgaav burst out laughing, "God, I wish I'd been there when you told him! Smart move, Mom!"
"Quiet!" she snapped at him. "I was really tired and I forgot!"
"Okay, I'm sorry," he grinned, rising with hands held up in a peaceful gesture.
Filia frowned as she looked around the room, eyes narrowing. "Wait a second . . . we're in Xellos' rooms, aren't we? Why else would he have been there when I woke, and why else would you be sleeping on the couch!" She turned to glare at Valgaav.
"Whoa, whoa!" Her son backed up, gold eyes wide. "Mom, let me explain! You have the stone, and you, um . . . can only be trusted with it. So Xellos and Zelas decided that it would be best to have Xellos protect us, which means both of us have to be with either Xellos or Zelas at all times."
"What about a shield?" she snapped, tightening the ivory towel around herself. "I know he can do THAT!"
A voice came from the doorway, "Not strong enough to trust for very long," and Xellos stepped through, a pile of clothes in one hand and a gigantic golden wicker basket in the other. "And I'd appreciate it if we could discuss that later, Filia. We're running late."
"What the hell is that?" Val asked, looking at the basket.
"These," Xellos handed to Filia, "are the clothes that we found for you in Zelas' closet. This," he gave the basket to Val, "is what Zelas decided to give to your mother."
The green-haired youth opened the basket-flap and gagged. "Yuck! This smells like a perfume store!"
Filia was busy laying out the separate clothing items onto the bed, a frown slowly beginning on her face. "What's in it, Val?" she asked distractedly.
"Um, looks like," he peered in with incredulous eyes. "Lotions, exfoliates, crèmes, conditioners, shampoo, perfume, hair spray . . . lots'a weird stuff."
Filia gave him a weary glare, then set upon the robed Mazoku. "Xellos! This is unacceptable!"
He blinked at the white shirt and black skirt she shook in her hands. "Filia, what could possibly be wrong? It looks just like what you normally wear . . . except a little smaller." He beamed innocently.
"Exactly!" Aqua eyes burrowing into him, she snapped, "This top has a neck strap and no back at all!"
"It has a back," Xellos countered, his plum-colored eyes amused, "just not much of one."
Growling, she stomped up to him, backing him up against the bedroom wall. "I can't wear this!"
"Why not?" Val spoke up, then sneezed. "Uhh, yuck."
Filia crossed back over to her son and glared at him. "Because," she hissed, "if I wore this, everyone will be able to see my bra strap!"
Valgaav bit his lip and smiled at his red-faced mother, barely holding back laughter. "That's it? C'mon, Mom! So what, don't wear a bra!"
Before she could retort, Xellos added, "It could be worse, at least this is opaque. The only other things we could find on short notice were transparent or had a negligible amount of fabric."
"Like this doesn't?!" she announced. "And if I didn't wear a bra, where will I put the stone?"
Val shrugged. "Leave it in the pouch and hang it around your neck."
She sighed, defeated. "I guess. But look at the skirt, it's far too short!"
"Mom," Val sighed as well, "it's okay. What's the big deal? Why are you getting so upset?"
The golden dragoness glared at the both of them. "I just don't like being so exposed! Isn't there anything else?" she pleaded to Xellos.
The purple-haired monster sighed, and rested a gloved hand on a nearby dresser. "Zelas has vaults and vaults of clothing, but it would take hours to find something you might like. I brought you the best I could find on short notice, how about we look later, okay?" He almost seemed to be pleading back, and Filia gazed at him strangely. I wonder if this really is stressing him out, she thought.
"Anyway," Xellos continued, "breakfast will be soon."
Val shrugged. "Well, I'm taking a shower." He turned and began walking towards the master bathroom, calling out behind him, "I'm gonna wear some of your things, okay Xellos?"
"Go right ahead!" the Mazoku beamed, then opened his eyes and looked expectantly at Filia. "Well?"
"Well what?" she growled, glaring back.
With a put-upon sigh, he said, "Aren't you going to get dressed?"
"OUT!" she pushed him, and he laughed. "Get, you're not allowed to see me naked!"
"Why not, you saw me!" he exclaimed as he was shoved out the door.
Filia slammed it shut, crying, "Too bad!!"
0
When the first dragon finally came out of the bedroom, Xellos was sitting on a settee, reading a book. "Oh, hello. You look nice."
Filia grumbled as she sat down carefully on the settee beside him. "No I don't, I look like a whore." Her arms were across her chest protectively, the brown pouch swinging just between the sizable amount of exposed cleavage.
"Filia," Xellos spoke carefully, looking her in the eyes, "you do not look anything like a whore. You look very attractive and sexy, but that doesn't mean you look promiscuous." I really hope she doesn't freak out again with the stone. At least while it's in the satchel, she can't access it accidentally.
A voice interrupted them. "Well, if Mom doesn't want to look sexy, that's okay. I think I can do that enough for the both of us."
Valgaav stepped out of the bedroom, a grin on his face. "Don't I look cool? Your clothes are great, Xellos!"
"Of course," Xellos smiled proudly as Val spun in place.
The young man was wearing a sharp-cut suit of black and red iridescent material with a high collar and ivory ruffles at the wrists. His hair was still short and spiky, but Xellos thought that it gave a nice contrast to the mixed-era clothing. "Very nice, Valgaav. I like the combination. Don't you, Filia?"
Filia smiled at her son, though her eyes were still troubled. "You look very handsome, Valgaav. I'm sorry I'm upset about . . ." she waved her hands at herself. "This whole thing." She sighed sadly.
With a loving smile, Val took her hand and pulled her to her feet. "Thanks Mom, and try to relax! You do look very nice." She hugged him, and he whispered in her ear, "And you don't look like a whore. You shouldn't be concerned about what others might think, anyway. After so much time has passed, why are you?"
"I don't know," she answered, but smiled as she pulled away. "But I love you. Let's go to breakfast, okay?"
(-(-o-)-)
"Good morning!" Zelas called out, sipping a glass of wine.
The Hellmaster sat languidly upon the yards-long dining table in the gigantic room Xellos had brought them to, black sheer fabric draped around her body. Towards the back of the cathedral-like chamber, two huge floor-to-ceiling stained-glass windows towered fifty feet into the air, bright morning sun streaming through with blinding brightness.
Val shielded his eyes and looked out at the Mazoku Lady. "'Morning. Are we going to eat breakfast here?"
She slipped down to the floor and sauntered towards them, ebony wisps of fabric billowing around her. "Not really. I just wanted you to see it." She chuckled as they blinked at her. "It would be very impersonal for the four of us to have breakfast in such a large, imposing room. We'd never be very comfortable, either." With a warm smile, Zelas raised a hand and turned it swiftly . . .
. . . and they were standing on a sizable cobblestone balcony, spotted with stone patio tables and plush chairs. Large alabaster umbrellas shaded every table and a wrought-iron railing lined the edge. Verdant foliage bloomed and overflowed to either side of them, creeping up the stone walls.
A silent Xellos looked on and Zelas took a drag of a cigarette that appeared in her hand as Filia wandered along the edge, eyes absorbing the view. "It's lovely . . ." The panorama before them spread out across the sky, the cliffs of the gorge below them and a magnificent view of nearby mountains rising into the morning sky.
Narrowing his eyes, Val looked out as well, and realized something. "It's not possible."
Blinking, Filia frowned and turned to her son. "What? What are you talking about?"
"The castle wasn't that tall from the outside," he said. "Look. We're thousands of feet above the base of the castle, at least a half a mile. But the castle was only a few hundred feet tall!"
Filia's blue eyes widened slightly. "You're right."
The two dragons turned to glance at Zelas, who laughed suddenly and began to applaud. "Bravo!" she cried, "you are very astute! Xellos, ditch that cape, you're making ME sweat," she snapped, then chuckled at her guests. "The castle is a paradox, created using magic. It warps space and time." Her gold eyes sparkled at them. "Isn't it marvelous?"
0
Val raised his head and adjusted his frilled blouse. Filia turned to glance at her son as he began to speak.
"Yes, it is." With a sly smile, Valgaav clasped his hands behind his back. Gazing into Zelas' eyes, he tilted his head and said confidently, "Almost as if it were Avalon."
Everyone looked to him, and it was silent.
A sudden squeal erupted from Zelas, who jumped into the air, then pattered forward to hug the young man tightly. "I love him, I LOVE him!! You must stay!"
Filia tilted to the left and glanced past them to stare at Xellos, who was slowly removing his cloak. He looked up and winked at her with a smile, then shrugged and began removing his gloves. A . . . Avalon . . . how . . .
Zelas began spinning the dazed Valgaav, picking him up off the ground. "Wonderful boy! You are so refreshing!"
Confused, Filia walked around them to stand before the violet-haired Beastmaster. "Xellos, why does Zelas act so . . ."
"Enthused?" he offered, grinning at her. A slight wind ruffled through his hair, and he brushed the strands from his eyes.
Filia felt herself blushing at the intensity of his gaze. "Yes," she continued, still slightly bewildered. "She is so bubbly sometimes, then at other times she's serious. Her speech even changes."
Xellos grabbed his satchel strap and passed his arm over his head in one smooth motion, then handed the bag to Filia with a grin. "She does that a lot, but only acts like this when really excited."
"What am I supposed to do with this?" Filia demanded, shaking the brown bag in his face.
"Thanks," he said, taking it from her as if she hadn't just received it. He chuckled and slung it across the chair that supported his cloak.
A few feet away, Zelas finally slowed and gave Val a last squeeze, then set him down. "My, you look handsome," she said, glancing over his scarlet and black ensemble. "Aren't these Xellos' clothes?"
"Yes Ma'am," Val nodded shyly.
Zelas grinned. "They're very becoming on you. Time for breakfast!"
She ushered them all to the nearest table and shooed them into the seats. "Come on, sit, sit. You should all be hungry, even you, Xellos," she announced as they sat. "You didn't sleep, and yesterday was very trying. You need something to replenish energy resources."
"Yes, Hellmaster," he bent his head to her as he placed his hands in his lap, smiling with eyes closed.
Breakfast arrived through human-looking servants that radiated black magic enough for Filia to sense the truth. Bare plates, silverware and empty glasses were set before them; behind them, a long buffet table appeared with dozens of covered trays.
"This way is easiest," Zelas said out of nowhere, then stood and grabbed Val's arm. "C'mon, Valgaav! Let's get some food, I bet you're starving-" The two went off, Valgaav laughing at Zelas' antics.
Xellos stood gracefully and extended his hand to Filia, who took it, a troubled expression on her face. "Filia? What's wrong?"
Rising from the chair, the Golden Dragon clasped her hands in front of her and looked away. "I donno', I just suddenly feel afraid . . ."
"Of what," he looked at her with confused cat-eyes, "eating?" She knew her fear spiked when he said it, and he nodded discerningly. "Oh, I see. Filia, Filia, that's ridiculous."
The Mazoku priest touched her cheek with a bare palm and smiled down at her. "The food won't harm you," he spoke softly. "Just like I won't. I can tell if it's harmful, and it's not, except if you get indigestion from spicy fare or are allergic to anything," he joked, eyes closing. "I happen to know that dragons have iron stomachs, so you needn't be concerned."
Filia's eyes grew large as Xellos' opened and gazed deeply at her. The wind picked up while he smiled, and her long hair began to billow on the air. "Thanks," she swallowed, "sorry I'm so paranoid."
He dropped his hand slowly, smile fading. "Perfectly understandable." He still looked at her, and seemed to have trouble breaking away.
"We should eat."
"Right." Xellos ducked his head and turned abruptly, stalking over to the buffet table.
Filia took a deep breath. "Right."
0
Xellos swiftly forced control over his human body, stopping the physiological reaction in one harsh move that also deadened his emotions. I shouldn't let myself be so easily overcome by lust, he chided himself as he moved down the buffet table.
Distractedly, he selected some food and continued thinking. I hope Mistress Zelas didn't see that, though I'm sure there's no way she could have been unaware of it.
A voice snorted in his mind. –-Of course I saw it. Or , rather, sensed it.--
Xellos didn't have to look to know Zelas was smirking at him. Remaining calm, he replied, --Of course.--
Zelas' voice became coldly amused, one of her many moods. –-Interesting. How you pretend to feel nothing for the creature. See, you even become angry when I refer to her as what she is.--
--Then we are creatures as well,-- Xellos returned coolly, turning to face the table with a barely adequately filled plate. –-She's less an animal than the humans.--
Zelas sat at the table with Valgaav, discussing something that sounded like quantum physics, but her eyes darted to Xellos' as he neared them. –-Alright, I suppose I can give you that. So, now that I've met your pet, what are you to do with her? And her son?--
Xellos sat down at the table and used his senses to concentrate on the dragoness behind him, while his eyes were on those he was joining at the table. He smiled adequately and normally, and noted that Filia seemed very embarrassed as she picked out her breakfast. -–I will do with them as I see fit,-- Xellos started carefully, –-because I was granted permission to have them. That included full control. I won't allow them to be hurt, Mistress. I am loyal to them. If any will hurt them, it will be me, by my own choice. Just as I always believed you would never let any other entity force you to hurt me for their own wishes.--
Zelas' mind-voice became sarcastic. –-And what if Shabranigdo were to return and order me to destroy you? Do you think I would falter in my task?--
Xellos began to eat as the Ancient Dragon and his master chuckled about something the boy had discovered. –-I don't believe you would let it ever come to that. You've told me, Mistress, that Mazoku aren't pure evil, but are chaos instead. But Shabranigdo doesn't realize this. Therefore, if he were brought back, by anyone's power, I don't think you would appreciate that.--
--Audacious, to defy me so outright,-- her sly thoughts taunted him.
--Insult was never meant, Mistress. However, it seemed necessary to be frank, and if I misinterpreted your expectations in that matter, I ask forgiveness.--
Filia sat down between Xellos and Valgaav, plate scant as well and face slightly flushed.
Zelas beamed at the golden dragoness as Filia thanked her nervously for her kind gifts. --Perhaps I should punish you,-- returned her icy voice.
Valgaav was telling Zelas and Filia a joke, the morning sun glinting crimson off his jacket.
--Forgive me again, Mistress, but did you not say that you wanted me to expand my emotions? Who among our kind could possibly share in that endeavor? It was necessary for me to go among outsiders.--
Zelas' chuckling echoed in his mind and ears as she laughed at all of them for separate reasons. –-Bravo, my child. You have once again seen through my charade. You pass every test I place before you, but I don't think you're passing those that Filia has in mind.--
"Xellos?" Filia touched his sleeve, and he looked up from his empty plate. "Were you listening?"
"Of course," he smiled, "but I've heard that joke many times before." The boy rolled his eyes at him, and Xellos grinned. "Anyway, I was thinking about our situation. All of this is wonderful and enjoyable, but we can't forget why we're here."
Disappointment clouded Filia's eyes for a moment, then she sat up straight and took a slow breath. "You're right. I'm worried, I haven't fought anything in so long, and I didn't teach Valgaav many attack spells. Maybe we should train before we go up against Telgaln again."
"A valid point," Xellos nodded, "though really, Filia, don't you think we should find the last fragment BEFORE fighting him again?"
Zelas smiled as Filia glared at him, and sipped her wine. "Of course, Valgaav could be of great use, and I am not speaking of the book he has."
Xellos found it amusing that neither dragon even bothered to ask her how she knew about the book. The monster said nothing, though, because his master's words were reminding him of something . . .
Val looked at them all with confusion. "What? How could I do anything?"
Exactly. "Why," Xellos closed his eyes to smile at him, "your clairvoyance, of course!"
Blinking, Valgaav's eyes unfocused.
"What?" Filia cried. "He has clairvoyance?" Her azure eyes stared at Xellos defiantly.
The green-haired young man tossed his head as if to shake off something and glanced around. "I did seem to know weird things. Is that what it is?"
"ValGAAV!" his mother screeched, "how did you get that?! Why didn't you say anything?!"
Zelas leaned back and downed her wine with a grin. "Anyway, that's your trump card. As I'm certain that Valgaav will have remembered every piece of historical data that his mind latched onto, he could very well have the knowledge of where the last fragment resides, locked inside of his mind."
"And how can this place be AVALON?!" Filia continued to rant.
Val covered his face with his hands. "I think she's finally lost it for good."
"This is WOLFPACK ISLAND, not AVALON!"
Shaking her head, Zelas patted the young dragon on the shoulder. "Now, now. Perhaps we should go elsewhere and let Xellos handle this little problem. Come, we should study your memories and attempt to find the stone."
By now, Filia was standing up and shaking her fists. "What are we going to do?!" she screamed. "I can't believe I have to protect something so dangerous!"
Xellos slowly got to his feet, sighing. "The Hellmaster is right. Go on, Val, I'll try to calm down your mother."
"Okay." Reluctantly, Valgaav disappeared with Xellos' mistress.
"AHHHH!!" Filia yelled, saffron tail popping out of her short black skirt with the sound of ripped cloth. Her eyes began to glow red and fangs flashed as she boomed, "I CAN'T TAKE THIS! WHY," she stomped with each word, "CAN'T – I – JUST – BE – NORMAL?!"
"Um," Xellos attempted, "Filia, I think you tore your underwear."
"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" she turned her crimson red eyes upon him. "IF YOU'D JUST KEPT YOUR CURIOSITY UNDER WRAPS I COULD BE ON A VACATION RIGHT NOW!" she screamed, then gasped as a bucket of water splashed over her head.
Standing next to her, Xellos dropped the pail and watched her sputter. "There, now. If that's what you really want, I suppose we could try. But you must keep control of yourself."
The soaked woman looked up at him and her sapphire eyes began to water. "I'm . . . just . . ." she began to sob and sunk to her knees. "So tired! I c-can't take all of this!" She buried her face into her hands, her wet hair flinging water droplets to the ground. "Why is this happening to me?" she cried, "Why can't it be easier? Nothing good has happened, not once!"
Letting out a heavy sigh, Xellos knelt beside her as she began to keen loudly. "I can see how you would feel that way. But now we have some time to relax, right? So please, Filia," Xellos' voice cracked, and his brow tightened. "This has been hard on me, as well." Dammit, the last thing I need is to get emotional, too. But, by L-sama, do I want to kill something nasty and volatile! His hands clenched reflexively, and he glared at them.
Filia went back to sobbing at his admittance, but it seemed quieter.
Hesitantly, Xellos put an arm around her, and the crying dragoness collapsed into him, practically in his lap. "Shh," he rubbed her shoulder and kept her from falling to the ground in her exhaustion.
Running his hand gently over her soaked blonde hair, Xellos pursed his lips at the odd feeling of water soaking into his long-shirt. "Let's get you dried off, okay? And then you can do anything you like, as long as I get to be nearby. Would that be too horrible?" he smiled down at her.
Filia pulled back enough to look up at him with large sapphire eyes, their noses gently touching. "No. I know you have to be there to protect me."
"Is that the only reason it's alright?" he teased lightly.
She blushed slightly and dropped her head, then tucked it under his chin. "No. But now I don't have any underwear!" She began to cry again, softly.
"Hush, we'll get you another pair. Just take back your cute tail and we can get another from Zelas."
"She's helping Valgaav," she whined pitifully, tears streaming down her face.
Rolling his eyes, Xellos rippled the tiniest of power across them both and dried their clothes. "Alright, then I'll take you to one of her gigantic vaults of clothing and you can get what you like."
"Too much work," she said petulantly, sobbing ending. "I thought we were having a vacation."
Xellos began to stand, Filia's arms still wrapped around his neck. He lifted her to a upright position and replied, "Yes. But you always dragged Valgaav and myself into clothing stores and you seemed to be enjoying yourself."
Filia, hair still wet, looked away shyly. "It just feels like a lot of effort, right now," she admitted.
"That's okay, you'll just not have any underwear on today!" he said cheerfully.
"Waah!" the sobbing returned, more powerful than before. "You're always so mean, just when I think you're being nice to me-"
Great! What is wrong with her, I don't think I've seen her this upset for at least a hundred years!
Flustered, Xellos shook his head quickly, "No, no! I was just kidding, I'm sorry! Please, don't cry! Hey, how about your bikini, you could wear the bottoms to them, right? Right?"
She paused in crying. "But, but . . . but they're g-string!" and the shower began again.
"Better than nothing! Filia, please!" Xellos begged, "snap out of it and be happy! Just a little?" I can't believe we're discussing FILIA'S underwear . . . I can't believe I want her to be HAPPY . . . okay, I guess even Amelia-like bouncing off walls would be better than a soggy, crying Filia, he amended. And I guess I can want her to be happy . . . this new way of thinking is difficult to get used to. I'm just glad I have the excuse that I don't want to get her too angry because she wields the fragment. I won't be totally embarrassed.
"I'm trying to be happy . . ." Filia clung to him and he grimaced.
"I know. So, please, just tell me what you'd like to do today."
"I . . . I want to be pampered," she whined. "I don't want to do any work at all, anything!"
"So . . . . that means . . ." Xellos searched his memories for anything on Wolfpack Island that would pass for "pampering". "Well, Hellmaster Zelas has her personal health spa. I suppose that would count as pampering."
Filia looked up at him adoringly. "I could get a facial? And a manicure?"
"Sure!" Xellos smiled, relieved. This is much better. I'm never supposed to be ignorant of anything, even something as simple as Filia's wishes.
Right, a part of himself added meanly, as if you are always exquisitely aware of what Filia desires. He brushed the snide remarks aside with slight embarrassment and returned to the dragoness. "Anything you want, I'm certain. So, shall we go?"
