Here we are, again, folks. ^_^ I feel much more relaxed about Modern Day and have actually managed to write a few pages in the last month, so I think the break is helping out tremendously.
The following chapter has yet more man/woman problems; I think I've become quite adept at writing arguments between the sexes, lol. And just as a note to all of you who think this means that Val and Iyzeka are a couple: don't jump to conclusions. ^_^ Keep in mind that this story may hold true to some of the Slayer's anime conventions, but not all of them. I'm going for realism in individual characters and, as many of you know who have gone to high school, one person can kiss a lot of people in even one year before settling down with someone they want to date on a permanent basis. Besides, a bunch of people thought Val and Zelas were going to get together and that didn't happen. ^_^
Also, I hope I don't offend any fans of the media icons I'm mentioning in this chapter. If you're offended, though, go ahead and flame me. ^_^ Just know that it's not my opinion personally. Well, one out of three isn't my opinion anyway . . .(sweatdrop)
Hong Kong, China
June 8th, 2002
"We have two hours until the opera," Filia began after glancing at her watch. She leaned back in the carriage seat to gaze at the billowing gray clouds that were leisurely floating further down the coast. "What should we do?"
Shifting slightly, the demon to her right lay his violet head against her shoulder and closed his eyes peacefully. "Well, you never took long in getting ready for anything, so we won't need all that time just for you to primp like with most women."
"Of course not," the dragoness preened, smiling shyly and wrapping her arm around his back. "Wasting so much time on such trivial things is ridiculous."
"Anyhow," sighed Xellos as he snuggled into her embrace, "I think we should get even with Val, eat something, and then go to the opera."
"Get even?" She rolled her eyes and blushed. "Oh no, not that 'talk' idea again! Zander!"
Opening his eyes slightly, he shook his dark head and groaned. "Come on, you know he deserves it. Just suck up your embarrassment and do it. You can't pull pranks on people unless you're willing to make a fool out of yourself."
Her brow rose incredulously, "You would know."
"Hey!" Grumbling, Xellos collapsed further against her and whined, "Don't change the subject . . ."
"You really want to do this, don't you?" the blonde chuckled, breathing deeply of the fresh post-rain air.
Letting the clip-clop of the horses hooves lull him, the pale demon admitted, "Of course I do. Valiant needs a lesson in manners, and also in when to NOT get even. What we did wasn't nearly enough to earn that."
Nodding slightly as her saffron hair danced in the breeze, Filia frowned and said, "but . . . what did YOU do? I know what I did that made him angry . . . he said it himself: he felt I was spying on him."
He winced and bit his lower lip, stalling for time. "Um . . . nothing that important, really." Dammit, I should have been paying more attention to what I was saying . . .
"Really?" In his mind, her voice suddenly popped up, —Come on, Xellos, tell me.—
—You'll just get mad at me if I do,— he admitted. —Please, Filia. What I did . . .— Her sadness stung him, and he dropped his head, long violet tresses brushing his cheeks.
—Please tell me.— The dragoness looked up into the slate-blue sky, and he wondered what she was expecting.
—I don't want to ruin the day,— he tried to argue, but she was already falling into a dull sorrow. —Fine, but don't hold it against me.— Taking a deep breath, Xellos' almond eyes tightened. —It was as you assumed . . . I was attempting to find some companionship for the night.— He winced and waited.
Blinking, the flaxen-haired woman opened her mouth, then closed it. —Oh.—
—I know you're upset- — he tried to say, but she shook her head.
—No. I . . . I don't have any right to be upset.—
—But . . . you are.— Xellos straightened as the carriage began to slowly pull to a stop before the hotel.
She smiled weakly at him, sapphire glance pained. —I shouldn't be.—
Dammit! Xellos tried to smile back as the horses nickered and halted on the side of the road. She's depressed again.
The driver stepped down and opened the door for them, bowing politely. Filia quietly stepped down and took some of the shopping bags with her, waiting as her 'husband' paid the coachman. Though Xellos' back was turned to her, he could sense her calm despair, and it ate away at him voraciously.
Nodding disinterestedly at the driver as he returned to his carriage, the General Priest took the rest of the bags and turned his gaze upon his companion, then timidly approached her. Surrounded by streets hushed in the aftermath of rain, they stood next to each other, eyes turned away. She's always so jealous, Xellos told himself, struggling with the sudden tang of desire that welled up within him.
"Let's go inside then," Filia said airily after a moment, and began up the stairs.
Hastily following after her, the demon's mouth tightened. Why does this always have to be so confusing?
—I really don't think . . .— Val's eyes widened as Iyzeka shoved her tongue between his lips, —HEY! What if Mom and Xellos come back?!—
The poor dragon was overwhelmed on the bed, caught by the girl on top of him and caught because he couldn't fight it. Dammit, I can't actually push her away, no real guy would stop his 'girlfriend' from kissing him!
—Don't worry, Valgaav,— the petite girl giggled against his mouth and burrowed a hand under his shirt, —everything will be fine . . .—
—Whatever . . .— The aqua-haired boy jerked as she moved her other hand further down, "Mmmph!" —Don't TOUCH THAT!—
Filia seemed to be falling into herself as they entered the elevator, and the black-clad demon struggled against the inner desperation and lust swirling inside his mind. Clenching his fingers tighter around the shopping bags, he raised his eyes to the dragoness as she slumped against a corner of the empty car, hair a tangled web of gold across her features.
Arms to her sides, the fair woman gazed into nothingness, azure eyes hollow. As Xellos watched, her hands slowly unclasped, dropping the bags.
"Veria, why are you upset?" he began, mind rushing for an answer as he pressed the button for the fifteenth floor.
Snapping out of it, she dropped her head, the movement of the car jarring her. "I'm not."
"Yes," he let his own shopping bags drop with a thwap, "you are."
"Am NOT." Her cerulean glare bit into him; just what he wanted.
Desire flared up and Xellos found himself grabbing her shoulders and kissing her; somehow he couldn't fight it, and his mind was so muddled by both physical and mental hunger that all he knew was her supple curves against him.
As his feet spread her legs, Filia struggled against him weakly, opening her lips to his invasion. —Xellos! Stop it, what . . . what are . . .—
—You need to feel better, and this is the only thing I can think of,— he excused his mouth's rough attack, and strangely the arguments posed by his mind were overridden as he ignored the abuse of their friendship. —Oh, Filia, you know I would have rather been with you than anyone else . . .—
The dragoness melted under his supple hands as they roved her waist and back, his form pressed firmly to her own. —I'm not that attractive,— she argued, kissing him back forcefully.
—Dammit,— the demon shoved her back against the wall, one hand moving to her chest as he found himself compelled to unbutton her dark suit-jacket, —you know that you are. You know that I've wanted you for so long- —
—Then why didn't you ever do anything!— she challenged, nails digging into his back as she ferociously attacked his mouth, her rage and his fingers along her chest intensifying her longing.
—I'd never do what you didn't want me to, and I know what you truly want . . .— The thought seemed to drain him, and Xellos softened his embrace of her, hand falling from the buttons to wrap around her back. —You want stability; a faithful husband and a happy life. Someone who's not the greatest enemy of your race. We shouldn't . . . be doing this . . .—
Suddenly, the elevator pinged and the doors slid open behind them.
"Oh my," came an aged, squeaking voice. Flustered, the two swiftly pulled away from each other to face the newcomer, their cheeks blushing.
The old woman in the doorway chuckled at them and leaned on her cane. "Oh, no, dearies, don't stop because of me! I remember my youth, that I do . . ." She winked a wizened blue eye at them as Filia hurried to re-button her jacket. "Why, when I was your age I used to have a new beau every week . . ." Frowning, the crone added conspiratorially to the dragoness, "But, are you sure he's not using you, dear? You look to be fairly well off, make sure he loves you for you and not your money, dear."
"Hey!" Xellos snapped, folding his arms tightly across his dress-shirt, "I'm the one who's wealthy in this relationship, not her!"
Clapping her hands, the old woman cackled, "Oh, good! Take him for all he's worth, honey!"
Filia and Xellos stared after her as she began to turn away, but at the last moment the white-haired matron added, "Oh, and one more thing . . .next time, press the 'stop' button so you don't get interrupted! Ah, halcyon youth . . . I remember the elevators in the university . . . ah . . ."
Left alone in the silence of her departure, the two immortals looked at each other, gaping.
Shaking her head, Filia blinked and ran a hand through her tangled hair. "What . . . was THAT?"
"I have no idea. Anyway," the Mazoku pulled himself together, "time to embarrass Val, so let's go."
Filia frowned as she cast her gaze across the empty living room. "I guess they're still at the museum or something."
"That's okay," her companion settled into the couch and grabbed the suite phone, "we can always do it tomorrow."
"What are you doing?" Crossing her arms, the dragoness rose her pale brows at him and leaned against a wall. "Who are you calling?"
Sheepishly, Xellos rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand, the other holding the receiver to his ear. "Room service. Hey, don't roll your eyes, I'm hungry!"
With a sigh, the blonde shook her head, then stopped and blinked as she heard a bump sound from the wall she rested against. "Hey, maybe they are here," she supposed, making her way back towards Iyzeka's room. "Hmm . . ."
"Yes, thank you," she heard the Mazoku's voice in the background as she raised her hand to knock on the door, "I'd like room service please. Food, actually. What do you serve for dinner?"
Suddenly, Filia heard her son cry from the room, "No, STOP!"
"VAL!" Bursting into the room, the gasping dragoness' mouth fell open at what she saw on the bed.
For a split-second, her heart stopped. Valgaav was staring past the girl on top of him, his chest bare and belt undone. The demoness rolled off of him, looking guilty but not nearly as mortified as her victim.
"M-Mom?"
Taking a great gasp as her shock was broken, Filia opened her mouth. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!"
Xellos dropped the phone and scrambled over the couch, adrenaline-fear flooding his system—
And he found himself standing in a bedroom with two very embarrassed teenagers and Filia screaming. Jerking back, violet eyes wide, the demon glared at the hysterical woman and grabbed her shoulders. "Hey! CUT IT OUT!"
"-aaaahhh!- . . . oh." Her crystal gaze caught his, and she gaped, then turned her flaxen head to look over at her son and his 'girlfriend'. "Oh, my poor baby!" her hands rose to her mouth, "Being taken advantage of, oh, how horrible!"
"Aw, jeeze," Xellos groaned, covering his eyes with a palm as the woman pulled away to sob on the gray carpet floor. "Well, Val, you managed to make your mother cry." This is rich!
The young dragon's mouth worked, then he blurted, "But—"
"Nope," he shook his head, hands on his hips. "Valiant Coppell, I'm afraid that we were planning on speaking to you about something earlier today . . . and you have unfortunate timing."
Beneath his frustration and annoyance, a deep amusement began to burn. This is going to be a LOT of fun . . . now if I can just get Filia to stop crying . . .
"-my . . . poor child . . ." Wrapping her arms around her legs, the dragoness merely buried her head further against her knees.
Dammit, Lady N, why is everything so freaking difficult . . .
"Iyzeka, Valiant," Filia began, glancing around the table, "when two people care about each other very much, they—"
"Have sex," Xellos continued, earning a glare, "something that neither of you should ever do. " He stopped eating to stare back at the dragoness. "What?! That's what you were gonna say."
A much calmer group of people sat around the dinner table, and it would have been a normal scene if it weren't for the demon swiftly eating his gigantic room-service dinner and scowling at anyone who got near it.
With a sigh, his fair-haired 'wife' crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. "There comes a point in every young person's life when they must learn about reproduction, the wonderful way that God gave us to carry on our genes and have children—"
"Just like we had Valiant, at a Doors concert. WHAT?"
Flushing, Filia elbowed the dining man, smiled as he choked, then continued. "This is a wonderful blessing," her eyes focused on Iyzeka and she raised her brows slightly, "and not something to take lightly."
"Exactly!" Xellos announced, setting down his glass of water firmly on the table. "Which is why I brought CHARTS!"
Valgaav dropped his head to the oak surface and began banging it. "Not the charts again."
Rising to quickly clear the table of the empty plates, the sable-clad man sat back down and pulled out a wide piece of poster-board, then set it onto the table. "Alright, now to begin! Veria, I know you're well intentioned, but I know how to talk to teenagers a bit better, I think. You have to take a more modern approach!"
The flaxen-haired woman gave him a dubious glare, but shrugged with a sigh. "Fine . . ."
Out of no-where, Xellos held up a piece of yellow fruit. "This . . . is a banana." With his other hand he shook the poster board. "This . . . is Christina Aguilera. Your first lesson is this: you should never let your banana get anywhere NEAR Miss Aguilera. She will destroy your soul."
Ignoring the horrified stares of his audience, the demon set down the banana and the poster, bringing up another one instead. "And now, to explain how sex works."
Taking a deep breath, he pointed to the map of western Europe and the carefully drawn routes. "A woman's body is like England . . . everyone wants to invade it, but they're too afraid of getting kicked in the crotch. Are you following me so far?"
Val continued to hit his head on the table, and Iyzeka just stared with fearful confusion at her superior. However, Filia was remaining surprisingly quiet, merely an angry blush on her face.
With another sigh, Xellos asked, "Iyzeka, didn't your mother tell you about sex?"
She shook her maroon head, "No." —Well, she DID, but I'm starting to wonder if it was the same as what Lady Filia was told . . .—
Wincing, the slender man admitted, "Neither did mine . . . but I figured it out eventually!" With a shake of his head, he sent to the young demoness, —don't take anything I say seriously, this is just for fun. Okay? I'll explain the true moral issues pertaining to sex later. Oh, and weren't you supposed to be a 'chaste young woman', Iyzeka?—
Receiving a sense of consent and contrition, the General Priest took out a slender wooden pointer and poked at the map he held up. "Alright, then. Now, some women are like France, who surrender easily even though they outnumber their adversary three-to-one and have superior firepower. But all men are like Germany, unless they're wimps; they blitzkrieg, or 'lightening-rush' their opponents."
Waving the pointer, Xellos commanded forcefully, "What you have to remember is . . . you must protect your BANANA at all costs."
He ignored Filia as she suddenly covered her mouth, giggles escaping her fingers as she forced herself to be calm. The teenagers seemed to be paying attention, though, so Xellos smiled and went on.
"Now, when your amphibious assault hits the beaches, you have to remember to call in air support," his pointer struck the coast of England, "otherwise your infantry will be pounded by their long range artillery. Especially if they have penetration bombs."
Filia's chair flew back as she suddenly stood, the blonde snickering loudly. "I . . . have to get some air," she said, turning towards the living room, "excuse me!" As she opened the door into the hallway, she burst out laughing, the sound fading as the door closed behind her.
"Alright," the demon shrugged, "well, your mother couldn't handle it, so we'll continue without her," Xellos chuckled evilly. "Now then . . ."
Iyzeka raised her hand before he could come up with something else. "Um . . . what happens if they have air support to intercept your fighters?"
Nodding, he said, "I'm glad you asked that. In that event, you have to start planting your cabbage field!"
She opened her mouth, a lock of bright red hair falling across her chin. "What?"
"Exactly!" Xellos swiftly tossed aside the map and pulled out another board. "On this diagram you can see the charts and percentages for the United States cabbage production in one year and how to plant a cabbage field. This," he pointed to another pie chart, "shows how often you need to buy storks to keep your cabbages fertilized."
"Storks?" The demoness held her head with one hand and gazed at him in confusion.
"Yes, storks. You see, when the aerial assaults begin, only your storks will be able to prevent the cabbages from uprising and going to the super market. Then they might buy condoms and that would be very unfortunate!"
Xellos beamed happily as Iyzeka took her head in both hands and squeezed her eyes shut. "Now," he continued, "when lemmings invade the Kenda Stock Exchange . . . and believe me, they will . . . you have to take along a couple cabbages for self defense from Christina Aguilera, who, along with Brittany Spears and Barney, will bring about the next dark age of the world."
"Well . . ." Iyzeka tried, "how will that happen?"
"Quite simply," the purple-haired man nodded sagely, "in two words. Pixy Sticks."
Scrunching up her eyes, the girl moaned, "Oooh, my head hurts . . ."
"So did MINE the first time I learned about sex!" Xellos agreed. "Well, anyway, now on to the sociological problems associated with pre-marital sex and why you two should NOT do it."
"Okay . . ."
Valgaav's head-thumping slowed and he just rested on the table, eyes glazed.
"Hmm . . . Val is definitely absorbing this," Xellos tapped the chart with his pointer once more. "Very well then, on to society! Now, society is made up of four things . . meat, dairy, farm implements and rotten cabbages. The first you deal with right away is the racism of poultry. Birds just do NOT accept cheese dating yogurt, which is very unfair in my opinion . . ."
"Ow . . ." Iyzeka dropped her head as well.
" . . . but we all know that waterfowl just don't understand equality. And the COWS! They just can't comprehend gay and lesbian rights, and when the shoe stores run out of sex wax, all the skateboarders end up running for the senate, and that's very hard to do without sex wax . . . trust me, I know . . ."
Filia leaned against the papered-wall bashfully and glanced down the corridor, avoiding the curious gazes of passerby. Crazy Xellos . . . "Zander", I mean. I don't think I've ever laughed so much!
Smiling, she folded her arms and basked in the simple bliss he brought to her, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. The blonde's eyes closed as she thought back over the day they had spent together.
Unfortunately, her mind snagged on the elevator ride. Ohhh, we really shouldn't have kissed, the dragoness told herself, a frown crossing her lips as she began nervously brushing her fingers through her long golden hair. How could I have been so stupid.
Memories of their foolishness sent hot shivers down her back. Dumb, dumb, dumb . . . falling in love with Xellos would be the most idiotic thing I could do . . . our friendship would be ruined and our relationship doomed from the start.
Sighing sadly, Filia stared up at the beveled ceiling of the hallway, unable to fight her thoughts from wandering into a dream.
But wouldn't it be nice, she mused, imagining them together . . . No.
With a shake of her head, the dragoness rubbed her eyes with her fingers and exhaled slowly. No.
No.
Valgaav closed his eyes and let his body melt into the couch. "My head hurts," he moaned.
The girl on the other plush sofa cried stridently, "Tastes like BURNING!"
One golden eye opened to glare at her.
"What?" Iyzeka rolled onto her stomach and stuck out her tongue, eyes crossing. "Buuuuurninguh . . ."
"Just don't think about it anymore."
"Okay . . ."
Shaking his head, the ancient dragon lifted a heavy hand to his face and rubbed away the sensation of the hardwood table pressed against his bones. "We need," his deep voice intoned, "a plan of revenge."
The redhead perked up, blinking as she popped upright on the couch and smiled. "Revenge?"
He ran fingers through his short turquoise hair and frowned at the ceiling. "After THAT embarrassment? You'd better believe it." Glancing back, his eyes narrowed when he found the other sofa empty. "Um . . . Iyzeka?"
With a whoosh, the glass doors of the balcony swung open behind him, and Valgaav rolled over to sigh as the demoness stood dramatically before the night.
"REVENGE!" she shouted gleefully, arms wide and high. "REVEEEEENGE!!"
"What," Val spat, "in HELL are you doing?!"
"REEVEEEEEEEENGE!!!"
"Wasn't that a bit harsh?" Filia asked quietly.
She and her 'husband' stood outside of the hotel in the growing darkness, the city lights flickering on as the sun began to set.
Not answering her, Xellos took the dragoness' hand and carefully helped her step into the back seat of the luxurious cab, then closed the door after she pulled her slim legs over the frame.
Adjusting the slender straps of her deep copper evening gown, Filia leaned back in the seat, glancing around the fine interior. Her hands caressed the smooth leather upholstery as her gaze was caught by the mist-shrouded streetlamp, the soft golden light captivating her.
The other door slammed and she jerked away, turning to face her companion in embarrassment.
"You're certainly jittery this evening," the Mazoku grinned as he settled into the seat, ebony tuxedo whispering with every movement. "What's wrong? You were about to say something about me being too harsh?"
Filia flushed as her eyes slipped along his form, then dropped her gaze when the chauffeur turned over the engine.
"I'm fine," she smiled and absently pulling the seatbelt across her lap as the car began to move. Despite her efforts, her gaze continued to be drawn to his features; the angular pale face, the liquid shifts of amethyst hair . . . It reminded her.
His violet eyes studied her as she shot furtive glances in his direction, and finally he spoke. "Are we going to play twenty questions, then?"
With a sigh, the blonde shook her head, fingers rising to run along the cascade of curls on the top of her head, so carefully created and formed by the hairdresser; so forced and unreal. But though she tried to believe it, the night refused to feel false. As the woman stared into the dark nothingness of the backseat of the car, she wondered at her own fixation with it.
The demon raised his hand and reached over to carefully touch her arm, and suddenly his voice was in her mind. —Filia, don't tell me I damaged your psyche with that little stunt with Valgaav.—
—No,— she answered, eyes rising to meet his own. —I just feel very odd about this evening.— Somehow, speaking was easier within her own head.
—A premonition?—
She tried to suppress her amused smile. —Hardly. No . . not this time.—
—You feel sad, yet happy, almost bittersweet. What's wrong?—
The streetlights and neon signs reflected across their features as the car slowly moved through the tiny streets. —I . . .— Covering his hand with her own, Filia peered out the window at the thick, sparkling night. —Every other time we attended some marvelous event, dressed to the nines and held in awe and revere by passerby - whether I demanded to go or you asked me to - . . . I hated you, and you hated me. But for some reason, we just . . . were together.—
His reflection seemed to quiet, and she turned her head back to look up at him. —Xellos?—
With a quirk of a smile, he dipped his head, long violet hair swishing. —And now . . . we don't hate each other. This is what's eating you, then.—
—I'm not really sure how to act,— Filia admitted. —Everything has changed so much.—
—Not unless you want to think of it like that. We're friends,— his purple gaze bore into her, —but I don't want you to think you have to treat me differently.—
—I'm used to trying to keep you out of trouble,— Filia smiled up at him slightly.
Xellos grinned back. —You can still keep me out of trouble if you want.— Leaning in, he put one hand on her shoulder and whispered into her ear. "Don't think about the past. Think about the present. Everything that we did . . ." He paused as if realizing it himself, and Filia flinched as his warm breath draped across her skin. "Everything we were," Xellos gently continued, "all that we did, accumulated into where we are now. Just because we thought we were adversaries in the past . . . doesn't mean that our old enmity has to prevent us from an amiable future."
Her eyes flickered to his, breath catching at his proximity and the ricocheting lust between them. "Zander . . ."
She could feel his lips along her neck as the car leisurely pulled to a stop, cutting any further advances off.
The General Priest resting against her dropped his head to her shoulder; through the link she could feel his waves of self-hatred warring with disappointed frustration.
"Stop it," Filia whispered as the loathing grew stronger, his face cold as he pulled away. She grabbed the Mazoku's hand before he could fold his arms. —Stop feeling this way.—
—I can't,— he glanced out the window as the chauffeur stepped out of the car. —It's getting worse . . . or have you forgotten the elevator? My only hope is, the more I hate myself for what I do the more difficult it will be to stray.—
The aging driver opened the door, and Xellos pulled away from her to step from the vehicle. With a sigh, Filia watched him walk around the car, his false cheer obvious to her eyes.
She released her seatbelt as he lifted the handle and pulled the door back. Her amber dress shimmered in the lights from the opera entrance as she took his extended hand and stepped out of the car. —The elevator was just another accident.—
—It shouldn't have happened, and I didn't even apologize for it when I should have. I was too HUNGRY,— his mind-voice practically spat the word.
The slender blonde took to his right side and slipped an arm around him, though he tried to block her. Letting Xellos lead her up the worn red carpet that lined the walkway to the opera doors, she ordered, —Just stop it. I'm very flattered that you feel so strongly for me,— admitted the dragoness, dropping her head to flush luridly. "I can't even believe we're discussing this," she softly whispered, closing her eyes as he chuckled.
Xellos' right hand found her waist as they reached the door; a smiling, well-dressed Asian man stood at the entrance. —Thanks, but it's still my fault.—
—You're driving me crazy,— Filia told him in amused frustration, shaking her head.
Dropping the subject for now, the violet-haired man beamed at the doorman and said, "Good evening."
The man nodded his dark head and replied, "Good evening. May I check your tickets, please?"
Smile widening, Xellos brushed back his dress jacket to casually shove his free hand into his pocket. "Well, actually, I called earlier today. I'm Zander Mettler, and this is my wife, Veria Mettler."
