Bad Day
By: Tokki-Chan

"Oof!"

Lina grunted as she hit the floor. She picked herself up and sat down at the edge of the bed, trying to clear her head. It had been a rough night, and so far, it didn't look to be a very pleasant morning. Everything was lousy. She couldn't get to sleep last night: either it was too hot or too cold. And when she did finally managed to doze off, that damn sun came beating down on her, making it hotter than it already was, forcing its rays past her eyelids, penetrating the pleasant darkness of sleep. And now some dumb birds with their tone-deaf squawks were blaring away.

When she couldn't stand it any longer, Lina threw open a window and chucked a shoe at them. She missed, but at least they went away. "Man," one of them sulked to his companion, "whatta grouch."

"Yeah," his companion returned, "definitely not a morning person. Hey, you don't suppose"

"I heard that!" Lina shrieked after them. She sighed. It's not good to lose your cool so early in the morning. Maybe some breakfast would help.


As it turned out, even food couldn't distract Lina from feeling the way she was. Everyone was just being too damn annoying! Gourry and Amelia were hogging the food like pigs, and had the most abominable table manners (never mind that she was doing the same). And furthermore, she wasn't sure if she could take another idiotic question that jellyfish-for-brains asked her or if she could take another squeak out of that annoying Justice freak who followed her around like some puppy. Honestly, you'd think a princess could forge her own path instead of filching off of my accomplishments.

In her anger, she was faintly aware of a chair scraping back and someone standing up. Zel. And what right did he have to be so silent when he could at least divert some of this annoying attention on himself. Mr. Sulky-cause-I-feel-so-sorry-for-myself-cause-I-think-I'm-ugly-when-I'm-totally-not.

After he finished his cup of coffee, Zelgadis stood up and started to put on his mask and hood when he caught the death glare from Lina Inverse. Uh-oh, she doesn't look too happy. Wonder what's wrong now? Well, whatever it is, I guess I won't have to deal with it because "I'll be seeing you around," he said to the group.

"Oh, Zelgadis-san, you're leaving so soon?" Amelia asked tearfully. He nodded. Lina was less than pleased. "And just where are you planning on going?" she demanded.

Zelgadis was taken aback. He thought that they had became accustomed to his sudden arrivals and departures, so an interrogation, especially such a forceful interrogation, was completely unexpected. "I- I was thinking about heading up towards this little town near Sairaag," he stammered. Which was silly, really. He wasn't obligated to explain anything to her. And yet, the words came stumbling out of his mouth. "There's a temple there that might have my cure."

"Wow. Hey, Zelgadis," Gourry said, "could you say hi to Slyphiel for me if you stop by Sairaag?"

"Uh, sure." How on earth did he remember Slyphiel or Sairaag this time?

For some reason, Lina's left eye started to twitch. Zeland that pretty shrine maiden alone together? I mean, she already dug her claws into one man, how many more could she possibly need? Whoa, Inverse, what the hell's wrong with you? I mean, you're jumping ahead of yourself. Slyphiel's in love with Gourry. (And you're in love with Gourry) (Am not!) (Are too!) (Am not!) (Hmmmmaybe you're right.) Zel's not in love with anybody (With Amelia?) (NO!!!) And besides, even if he does stop by Sairaag, doesn't mean anything'll happen.

But what if something does?

Lina blinked. Like what?

Well ... suppose that temple doesn't have his cure. Maybe he gets so depressed he goes on a drinking binge. And during his drunken state, he remembers his promise to Gourry. So he stumbles over to Slyphiel's place and realizes what a beautiful woman she is. And even if he doesn't love her, he's drunk and he's a man and he's depressed so he needs something to make him feel better. And so, if hedidshe certainly couldn't stop him, because he's a lot stronger oreven worsewhat if he doesn'tdo thatbut instead he goes to Slyphiel's and weeps in her lap and Slyphiel, being Slyphiel, shows her undying compassion and then...

Lina stood up. "I'm coming with you."

Her companions blinked. ".."

"But, Lina-san," Amelia protested. "You promised to come to Sailune and help with the ball!"

Lina exhaled through her teeth impatiently. "Look, Zel's gonna need some help, right? And besides, Gourry's gonna go and help you out. And then when Zel's done with his search, I'll bring him to Sailune so he can attend the ball, okay?"

"Now wait a minute-" Zelgadis started to protest at the same time Amelia cried, "That sounds great!" Her eyes sparkled at the prospect of dancing with Zelgadis. "I'll be waiting, Zelgadis-san." He rolled his eyes.

"C'mon, Zel, let's go," she snapped. Zelgadis obeyed somewhat dazedly. How did it become so that he was following her?

Lina tried really hard to enjoy the walk. She really did. But the sun was so hot, and Zelgadis wasn't exactly being the best conversationalist, and those birds were back again. And eyeing her evilly to boot. What on earth were they up to?

Lina felt something land on her shoulder pad. She reached over, keeping her eyes on the road. Please don't let it please don't let it. She was still praying for it when she brought her hand back in front of her eyes. Her eyes started to register what her brain already knew, but hey, she was in denial. She rubbed it between her fingers. No doubt about it. Her mouth started working like crazy. "AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHH!!"

Zelgadis ran over. "Lina, what's wrong?" He noticed that splotch of white on her black cape. "Eeewww." He handed her a handkerchief. "It's a good thing you were wearing those gloves."

"Why don't I find that comforting?" she said icily, adding force to each wipe she took.

"It could've been your hair." Lina shot him a look that said that's not funny and handed the handkerchief back.

"Thanks," she said, her voice dripping in sarcasm.

Zelgadis backed away from it. "Hey, I don't want that back. You can keep it." Lina chucked it angrily to the side, and they continued on their journey.

There he goes again, Lina fumed. Silent as ever. Why doesn't he ever say anything? And what is he thinking about?

As it turned out, Zelgadis was thinking about her. What's with her today? Why is she on such a short fuse? More than usual. Not that usual cheerfulness. What could cheer her up? Ah ha! "Hey, Lina," he said, pointing ahead, "look at that."

"What?" She followed the direction he was pointing at. A bandit camp.

"They might have something useful there," he said.

"You're right! Let's go!"

Zelgadis watched amusedly as Lina charged off ahead. That's more like it, he thought. Then he jogged after her. He wanted to make sure he got there after she was done destroying the camp.

Lina stared in disbelief. "This is a bandit camp?"

Well ... sort of. It was, in actuality, two little kids playing bandit camp, and when she stormed in on the scene, the "bandits" were hoarding their "treasure" which turned out to be little more than a pile of candy. Needless to say, the appearance of the scarlet whirlwind drove both the kids away in fright, leaving Lina to stare guiltily down at the pile of sweets.

Maybe it was just as well that it wasn't a real bandit camp. She probably couldn't handle real bandits right now anyway.

Zelgadis finally caught up to her. "Nothing?" he asked quizzically. Then he saw the expression on Lina's face and the pile of candy. He knew he was in for it if he didn't stop himself, but he couldn't help himself. His sides started shaking despite his attempts to hold them in, and the guffaws burst from his mouth.

"I'm glad you're taking so much pleasure from this!" Lina fumed. After a few minutes, Zelgadis managed to calm down, but when he looked back at her and the candy, he started up again, even more so than before. The tears spilled from his eyes, and it even got to the point where he was rolling on the ground. Lina stalked away.

"Hey- hey, Lina," Zelgadis gasped out, around laughs, trying to pick himself up and calm down, "wait up."

I think I prefer the complete silence, Lina thought bitterly. But now she had silence with the undertones of laughter. She knew Zel was still grinning about this. (Ah, well, at least you made him laugh).

Zelgadis was a little uneasy about this moody silence of hers. Maybe I shouldn't have laughed so much. It was just so damn cute! But she probably felt guilty for chasing those little kids away. "At least you didn't take it," he said.

Lina started at this sudden verbal admission but instantly glowered. "Are you saying that I'd take candy from a baby?"

"It's nice to know that even you have standards."

"Let's just have silence, okay?" There was no response. At least he listens to me that much, Lina thought. Suddenly, Zelgadis reached out his arm and stopped her.

"There's something in the bushes," he said. "It's been following us for awhile now."

Indeed, the bushes were rustling and those kids that Lina chased away before sprang out. "There she is!" one of them cried.

"You stole our treasure, you mean ol' lady!" the other said.

"Who you callin' 'old'?" Lina demanded. "Besides, I didn't take anything."

"You're a liar, and I told big brother on you!"

"Oh, really? Well, tell your big brother that I'm not afraid of him." As if in response to her remark, a very burly bandit and all his burly posse stepped out, completely surrounding the two travelers.

"That's her, big brother, she's the mean lady who stole our treasure!"

"Well, well," said Big Brother, "it looks like you steal candy from little kids. Well, I'm gonna teach you to mess with my lil' bro! Attack!"

"Man, this is just not my day!" Lina shouted.

"We can gripe later," Zelgadis said. "First, we need to get out of here. Flare arrow!" The spell took out a couple men, leaving a break in the circle and an escape route. Zelgadis grabbed Lina's hand and they sprinted away.

"After them!" the bandit leader cried. The hordes and hordes of bandits pursued.

Lina ran behind Zelgadis, glancing worriedly behind her shoulder. From the looks of things, there didn't seem to be an end to that stream of bandits. What're we gonna do?

Suddenly, Zelgadis came screeching to a halt, and Lina ran right into his back. "Ouch," she said rubbing her nose. "Why don't you tell me when you're stopping?"

"It's a dead end." They had just run to the edge of a cliff overlooking a flowing river. Zelgadis glanced back and saw the sea of bandits coming in for them. Instinctively, he pulled out his sword and drew Lina protectively behind him. Lina didn't like the look of things, and she wasn't sure she would be able to help out much.

"There's no place to run," sneered the bandits, closing in on their prey.

"Fireball!" The huge ball of flame took out a large portion of the enemy, but there seemed to be an unending supply of where they came from. Zelgadis charged and locked blades with their leader. While he was indisposed, the rest charged for the sorceress.

"Lina!" Zelgadis tried to join her, but the bandit leader attacked again.

Lina pulled out her dagger but realized it was hopeless. No good. There's just too many at once. Lina stepped backbig mistake. "Whoawhoa." Lina's foot scraped off the edge of the cliff, and she tottered precariously, desperately flailing her arms to regain her balance.

The bandits came to a halt, watching her flail. One of them got a sly look in his eyes and grinned. "Hey, watch this." So saying he calmly walked up to the poor sorceress, and, with one finger placed lightly on her shoulder, gave her a tiny push.

"AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh..!"

"Lina!" Zelgadis saw her go over. He impatiently hacked away his opponent, and charged through the rest of them to the cliff's edge. "Lina!! Use Levitation!"

"I ... can't ... you ... moron ... !" Sploosh! She was soon swept away by the swift current.

"Can't?" Zelgadis started. Is it? "Ray wing!" He flew into the chasm. "Hold on, Lina! I'm coming!"

By the time he found her, night had fallen. The two tiredly set up camp. Zelgadis went to catch some fish, while the very cold, very wet Lina got a fire going. She spread her soaked cloak and gloves near the flames to dry, and sat close to the blaze, wishing that she could change out of her wet garments. To make things worse, it was a cold night, and a slight breeze picked up. It might have been pleasant had she at least had sleeves. Lina vigorously rubbed her arms, but apparently her cold clammy hands couldn't generate heat. Her teeth wouldn't stop chattering.

She glanced up in surprise when she felt the soft warmth of Zelgadis' cloak drape over her shoulders.

"You know," he said as he set up the kettle and fish over the fire, "it would have been more helpful if you told me that"

"... that it's that time of the month?"

He nodded, grateful that his back was turned towards her so she couldn't see his blush.

"Must've slipped my mind," she muttered, pulling the hood over her head, "what, with all else that happened to me today."

He smiled thoughtfully at her when the kettle whistled. He removed it from the flames and poured two cups of steaming tea, and handed one to her, which she took gratefully. He sat back, sipping and looking at the stars. "Bad day?"

"Like no other," she answered. She glanced over at her companion. The moonlight cast its glow over his silvery hair, and the fire reflected back in his deep blue eyes. Eyes that were watching the night sky. She followed his gaze. The moon was beautiful, a white crescent in a sea of velvety black. Thousands of tiny stars glittered. When she looked back, she realized he was watching her, smiling. Lina blushed and averted her eyes. They landed on the cup of tea. His favorite brew, no doubt. She sipped. So fragrant and light, and oh so warm. She nestled deeper into his cloak, savoring its sensation, its warmth, its scent.

"Bad day," she said. "But getting better."  

“Good,” he said simply.  Settling back with mug in hand, his gaze returned skywards.

            Lina sat in silence for a few minutes, feeling that she should say something but of what exactly she was drawing a complete blank.  So she continued to watch him sip his tea and stargaze until her companion broke the silence, saying, “I’ll take the first watch” without so much as tearing his gaze from the stars.

            Lina sighed, but gratefully lay down.  After all, the day had completely worn her out.  She made herself as comfortable as she could on the soft earth and pulled the heavy cloak around her.  “Are you sure you won’t be cold?” she asked.

            Zelgadis merely shrugged.  “I’ll be fine.  Get some rest.  We’ve got an early morning tomorrow.”

            “Yeah, yeah,” Lina muttered, her lids already drooping with sleep.  Honestly, if he put as much effort into other things as he did in finding his cure…  Within moments, Lina felt herself slip into that wonderful enveloping darkness, but before she let herself go completely, she felt compelled to work her drowsy voice one more time: “By the way, Zel.”

            “Hm?”

            “I hope you find what you’re looking for tomorrow.”  And then the soft snoring signaled that she was gone.

            Like most of us, Lina’s body snapped out of sleep before her mind.  The warmth on her face announced to her the morning sun, and something told her to sit up and look through her blurred eyes at the new day.  Her eyes, still heavy with sleep, scanned the campfire.  The roaring fire of last night had died down to a few smoldering embers, but the coffee pot was still religiously left up over whatever little warmth it had left to offer.  Off to the side her cloak and gloves still lay spread on the ground, now drying in the morning sun.

Speaking of cloaks.  Lina glanced down.  The white warmth she used as a blanket was still there, wrapped pleasantly around her.  But its master was nowhere to be seen.

            “Zel?”

            “Right here,” the familiar sound of Zelgadis’ voice said, coming up behind her.  Zelgadis quickly entered camp, some fresh fish in hand, and knelt by the embers, gently blowing on them to get the flames going again.  “Breakfast should be ready in a bit.”

            Lina stared in unabashed astonishment while Zelgadis obliviously continued with his preparations.  Finally, she asked, “Were you up all night?”

            Without turning around, he shrugged.  “Someone had to keep watch.”

            “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

            Another shrug.  “It was easier this way.”  He glanced over his shoulder just in time to catch Lina’s disbelieving look.  “You were tired.  If you didn’t get any rest, you would’ve slowed us down today.”

            She frowned at his last comment, but still it didn’t stop that prick in the back of her head.  Ah, well.  Whatever it is, it’s unimportant in the face of breakfast.

The alcohol burned down the back of his throat.

            After taking the entire hit in one long pull, Zelgadis slammed the shot glass on the bar.  “Bartender!  Another here!”  The man obliging poured some more of the bottle into Zelgadis’ waiting glass.  As he lifted the cup to his lips, he noted through his extremely blurred vision that his hand appeared to be shaking, though he couldn’t be sure.  How many had he had?  He wasn’t quite sure.  He lost count at…ah, well.  This made yet one more.  He raised his now empty glass.  “Bartender!”

            But a hand forcefully caught his elbow before he could raise it all the way.  “Oh, no you don’t” he heard someone say.  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a white glove push the nozzle of the bottle away and pry the glass from his fingers.  “He’s had enough for tonight.”

            “Leave me alone, Lina,” Zelgadis mumbled.  Or at least that’s what he meant to say.  It sounded more like: “Lemme ‘lone, Leenah.”

            Lina rolled her eyes (an act totally lost on the person it was intended for, considering how far gone he was) and tried to get him to stand.  She finally managed to get him up after much effort, but he only stood on his own two feet wobbling horribly before his limp noodles for legs threatened to give out on him.  Lina caught the heavy body under her shoulder and positioned herself so she could support his weight.  “C’mon, Zel,” she muttered, throwing his arm around her, “we’re gonna make you lie down.”

            “Lie down?  Hee hee.  Thass funny.”  * hiccup *

            “Yeah, yeah, whatever.  And stop looking at me like that!”

            Swaying dangerously even with Lina’s support, Zelgadis tipped the non-existent shot glass to the bartender and cried, “G’night, my dear man.  Thankee.  You’re a good friend.  Everyone oughta have a good friend like you.”  Swinging his head around to his human crutch, he added, “You’re a good friend, too, Lina.”

            Lina grunted as she tried to shift his weight.  He wasn’t helping.  “Gee, thanks,” she said bitingly.  “Start walking, you.”

            “I mean it,” the drunk insisted.  “Yer pob’bly the best fri’en I ever had.  I love you.”

            “Uh-huh.  I’ll bet you say that to everyone when you’re drunk.”  Sure enough, everyone who came within earshot got to hear similar proclamations. 

            With much straining and effort on her part, she managed to help him walk, actually more like drag, him across the room, up the stairs, and down that long hallway to his room.

            “Forbid’n treashure, they said,” Zelgadis was mumbling incoherently to himself.  “Hid’n temple…leg’ndary…power…you tink,” he said, getting all worked up again, “that for once—once—they coul’ get da story right, ya know?”

            Lina steeled her face against the warm alcohol-laden breath gushing in her ear and finally managed to throw open the door.  “Here we are,” she said, dragging the chimera into the room.

            “Leg’ndary, my ass…!”  But any further complaints he wanted to issue were muffled as he fell face first like a stone (bad pun!) onto the mattress.

            “Whew.”  Lina stood back and wiped the sweat from her brow.  That damn chimera.  Causing her more trouble than she deserved.  Well, it was a good thing she came along, she supposed.  After all, didn’t she predict something like this was going to happen? 

            Lina scowled at the still figure and shook her head.  Baka.  Sighing, she bent down to pull the covers over him when he suddenly sat up, staring at her through very dull eyes.  Then, he slowly slumped over.

            Lina jumped up in a panic.  “Oh, no, you don’t!  We have to pay for any extra damage done to these rooms!”  Retrieving the wastebasket off to the side of the room, she rushed back to the bedside and slumping form and gave him a shake.  “Zel!”

            “Zzzz.”  What the hell?  Did he just fall asleep?  Lina sweatdropped, but guessed she should be thankful that at least he could hold his liquor fairly well.  Sighing again, she started to stand up when the drunk-off-his-ass chimera shifted in his sleep and stretched.  Which was fine, only one of those arms managed to snag itself around Lina’s waist, pulling her into the bed with it.  Too startled to even cry out, she fell in beside him, stiffening as the arm tightened around her and drew her closer to the other body.  When nothing else happened, she forced herself to relax and think.  But she found it impossible to wriggle out of his firm grasp, and he had passed out completely or she could’ve waked him.  Oh, well, she thought to herself, watching his face outlined by the moon’s light.  Reaching over, she gently brushed a few stray strands of hair out of his face.  At least he looks peaceful, she thought sleepily, feeling her lids droop. 

            Baka.

Lina awoke and found herself alone once again.  But this time she didn’t need to look very far for her companion.  Behind the closed door leading to the bathroom, she could hear the most unflattering retching sounds probably being made by some unfortunate chimera suffering from a massive hangover. 

            A long while later, the door finally opened to reveal a very miserable Zelgadis dragging himself back to the bed and all but collapsing down, utterly exhausted.  “I am never doing that again,” he said weakly.

            Feeling oddly pleased at seeing him get his just desserts, Lina sniffed snippily at him and drew herself up.  “I should say not,” she snapped while she went to the bathroom to soak a cloth, which she brought back and dabbed at his forehead.  Zelgadis closed his eyes gratefully against the cloth’s coolness, and, taking it from her, gently held it to his head, hoping it would quell the jackhammers pounding against his temples.

            “You gave me hell, you know that?” she continued, determined to make him feel the guilt for last night, and the night before that and the night before….

            “I’m sorry,” he croaked, squeezing his eyes shut in pain.  “Just…keep it down.”

            “Oh?” Lina arched an eyebrow.  She hadn’t even begun to raise her voice, but hey, the state this chimera was in he could probably hear a spider pounding its way across the wall.  “Fine,” she said, still sternly but a little softer, “but you’re going to listen to what I have to say.  I think I’ve been pretty damn indulgent to your little ‘quests,’ but that all stops here.”

            “No one said you had to come along,” Zelgadis said defensively.

            “Oh, that’s rich,” Lina snapped.  “What the hell was I supposed to do, let you go by yourself?  What would have happened if I did?” she demanded, hands on hips, eyes glaring ruby daggers.  Zelgadis winced.  Lina could be really scary.  “You’d be in a gutter today, that’s what.”

            “It was only this once…”

            “Once, my ass!  I suppose you just forgot all those time you ditched your friends without explanation, selfishly risked your life as well as those of others for your damn wild goose chases, totally ignored everyone or deliberately tried to depress everyone or both, deliberately shoved people away…”  Lina started to count them off on her fingers.  “Not to mention that stunt you pulled last night.”  Lina gave him a look that clearly stated that was the last straw.  “And all for nothing!”

            “ ‘Nothing’?”  Zelgadis couldn’t believe what he was hearing.  “How can you call this,” he said, gesturing to his stone body, “nothing?”

            “Well, it’s certainly not worth what you’re putting yourself and everyone who cares about you through!”  She lifted her hand as she saw him start to protest.  “Oh, no you don’t.  Listen, Zel.  I sympathize with what happened.  Sure, it’s inconvenient at times, but being a chimera has a lot more advantages than you give it credit for.  One,” she said, counting them off her fingers again, “you’re a lot faster than you’ve ever been.  Two, sense of hearing.  Three, magical capabilities that you weren’t even capable of doing before as a regular human.  Not to mention stamina and strength that even Gourry has a hard time coming by.  And you do not look like a freak.  For crying out loud, even Amelia thinks you look good.”

            “What does she know?”

            “Not fair, Zel.  She may be a child, but at least you can count on her honesty.”  If a bit naïve, she added to herself.

            “If you think this is going to convince me to stop looking for a cure,” he paused abruptly as he winced.  The room wouldn’t stop spinning, dammit!  “you’re gravely mistaken.”

            “Fine.  Don’t stop.  But I think you could afford to take things more in stride.  Because,” she said lowering her voice dangerously, “one more stunt like that, Zelgadis Graywords, and I will have your hide.”

            “Yes, ma’am.”  He sulked a bit in silence, and then moaned as the jackhammers started going in his head again.  He was a mess, and he knew it.  “I guess you’ve seen me at my worst.”

            Lina frowned.  “I’ve seen you at your worst.  And then I’ve seen you crawling even lower than an earthworm.”

            “Geez, rub it in, why don’t you?”

            “Okay” came the ever-ready answer.

            Zelgadis flinched.  “Uh…how bad was I?”

            “Horrible” came the rather insensitive answer.

            “Did I…say something…do anything…stupid?’

            Lina scoffed.  “What didn’t you do last night that wasn’t stupid?”

            “You’re not going to give me a break, are you?”

            “Nope.”  He winced again.  Lina sighed and took the cloth from him.  “Here, let me.”

            From his position on the bed, Zelgadis watched as Lina dunked the cloth back into the basin of cold water and wring it out.  Then, setting it aside for a moment, she poured a glass of water and handed it to him while she gently applied the cloth to his forehead.  Zelgadis took a few sips.  The feeling was painfully refreshing, the icy water rushing down his dry throat.  He set it down gratefully, and looked up to a rather annoyed, but relieved Lina Inverse.  A thought hit him.  “Have you been here all night?”

            Lina’s eyes instantly widened and a faint pink blush colored her cheeks.  “It-it’s not like I had a choice, baka!”

            “Lina—”

            “Oh, sorry,” she said, instantly lowering her voice.  A few moments passed in silence as he regained himself.  “Feeling better?”  A feeble nod.  “Maybe some fresh air would help.”

            “All right.”

            “Great!  What do you want for breakfast?”  However, at the mention of food, Zelgadis looked green, and made a mad dash for the bathroom.  Lina shrugged.  That wasn’t going to stop her from getting nourishment.  “See you downstairs, Zel!”

Ah, this was a little better.

            Concentrating on the walk, and fresh air was helping to steady his head a bit.  He didn’t know what exactly possessed him to do all that drinking in the first place.  True, his hopes had been high, but that wasn’t anything different.  He had always been somewhat desperate in his search.  But something felt really different.  He had been unusually hopeful perhaps because of the rather pleasant past few days, days that seemed like nothing could go wrong for him.  Ironic, he smirked, considering how Lina had been just on the opposite end of that all this time.  But still, it had been very pleasant. 

He glanced over at his companion, who was walking silently beside him, busily taking in the sights of the city.  Had she really stayed with him all night?  His mind played back that morning’s scene, and eventually wandered back to two nights before when he had done the same for her.  He had watched her face in the flickering firelight, looking so utterly peaceful and exhausted, and once again, as the thought occasionally came to mind, he contemplated with wonder the extraordinary lady that was Lina Inverse.  Because of all her bravado and cheer, it was so easy to remember that she was just another stressed out girl trying to make it to the next day.  He chuckled.  She honestly looked more stressed then than when she was awake.  Then he frowned.  Was she really that good at hiding it?  He, he realized, may seem to be pretty secretive on the surface, but he was pretty blatant at it, he supposed.  It was like he was advertising that he was withdrawn and secretive.  And then another puzzling thought struck him.  Was that why he did it?  To prompt people to consciously seek him out?

            Man is a social being.  He does not thrive alone.  He gives but mostly desires the attentions of others to validate his existence and share his experiences.  Thus stems the emotions of love, security, friendship, or even assurance that we thrive on.  So what of those who are too busy giving to even think about receiving?

            The weight of guilt dropped like an anvil in the pit of his stomach.  What he did last night must have been the last straw.  Gods.  Lina, I’m so sorry.  But I can make it up to you, I swear.  He smiled conspiringly.  And I want to.  For, why deny it?  He’d been smitten for a long, long time.  But no more about him.  He’d had his fill.  It was time for her.

            Lina was still really tired.  Internally exhausted.  She nodded absently at Zelgadis’ mentioning of Amelia’s party and their promised rendezvous.  Ugh.  She couldn’t believe he remember that.  Of all the people who probably didn’t want to go, he was probably on the top of the list.  She really shouldn’t have done that.  But a promise was a promise, and the pair started down the path, leaving the sleepy town behind them.

            They soon came to a fork in the road, and Lina instantly turned down the side that lead to Seyrune.  But she stopped as she noticed she was alone.  Her companion was still behind her, contemplating the signs. 

            “Hey, Zel,” she called back.  “Just follow the signs that say S-E-”

            “You know,” he said softly, cutting her off, “we’re not all that far from Sairaag.”

            “Sairaag?”  Masaka.  He couldn’t- could he?

            “And I promised Gourry that I’d stop by and say ‘hello’ for him,” he continued. 

Something in Lina’s chest clenched.  That’s awfully kind of him, she thought bitterly.  “Oh?”  She forced a smile.  “Great!” she said with a little bit too much enthusiasm.  “I’d like to see Slyphiel again.  C’mon, Zel!” she said, latching onto his arm and dragging him down the path to Sairaag.

Slyphiel looked up from the potted plants she was watering when her two guests arrived. 

“Lina-san!  Zelgadis-san!  What a pleasant surprise!” she cried warmly beaming at them.  She looked around and her smile flickered a bit when she realized they were alone, but quickly returned it back to its place.  “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?  Please,” she said, hastily putting her watering can down, “come in, come in.”

            The two followed her to a brightly lit sitting room made for receiving shrine guests.  Soon, Slyphiel came back with tea and the girls immediately fell into chatting and catching up, while Zelgadis silently sat back and sipped in his oh-so typical fashion.

            “Ah, I see.  Amelia-san is having a ball.  How wonderful!”  Slyphiel said.

            “Yes,” Zelgadis suddenly said.  The girls looked up in surprised, stunned into silence at the chimera’s sudden ability to…speak!  Amazingly, he wasn’t finished.  “We’re headed there right now.”

            After Slyphiel managed to recover, she managed a warm smile.  “Please give her my regards.”

            “Wouldn’t you rather give them to her in person?”

            “Zel?”  Lina couldn’t believe what was happening.  Was he-?

            Apparently, the priestess was just as surprised.  “Well, yes, but the shrine….”

            “A pity.  Gourry mentioned something about hoping you’d be there.”

            “Gourry-sama?  He did?”

            “Yes.” Zelgadis smirked.  “He even remembered you this time.”

            “Zel!”

            “……..”

            But Slyphiel was too busy blushing to even hear anything after that.  Gourry-sama had requested her presence?  To a ball?  * sparkly hearts all around, everyone! *   “Of course, I’ll go!”

            Lina looked up abruptly from her glaring at a certain chimera, who was stoically ignoring her.  “Wha?”

            Slyphiel smiled shyly.  “I wouldn’t want to disappoint Gourry-sama.  Or Amelia-san,” she added hastily.

            “Uh, sure.”  Slyphiel beamed like a schoolgirl and jumping up, bade them to wait while she made preparations for their departure.

            Lina watched until Slyphiel was safely out of range and then spun on her companion.  “What was that?”

            “Hm?”  Complacent sipping of tea.

            “Tha- oh, never mind.”

            Smirk.

By the time they finally arrived in Seyrunne, it was well into evening and the ball was ready to begin.  They barely had time to exchange greetings when they were whisked off to separate rooms to change for the evening.

            Lina emerged out of the bedroom pulling on a glove into the main suite room to study her appearance in the long mirror.  Slyphiel was already there, putting the final touches to her appearance and attempting to clasp the gold necklace around her neck.  Immediately, Lina felt ashamed at her plain appearance.  Out of all the dresses Amelia had offered, she had chosen a simple off the shoulder blue dress that just ended above her knees.  No fancy jewelry, no make-up.  But now she was wishing she had thought to at least dab some color on her cheeks.  She felt so childish in comparison to Slyphiel’s natural grace and beauty, looking even more sophisticated in a gold sweeping ball gown.  She fit the part of a lady to a T.

            Slyphiel looked up from the mirror and beamed warmly.  “Why, Lina-san!  What a beautiful dress!”  Lina just looked at the ground and murmured something likewise.  Slyphiel thanked her for the compliments and said, “Shall we go?”

            “Ah, er…” Yeah, right.  The last thing she wanted was to enter the room at the same time and have people compare them.  Her best chance was to sneak in undetected. “I’m gonna finish up here.  Why don’t you go ahead?” 

            Lina waited until the door clicked shut before she dared to look at herself in the mirror.  Yup.  She knew it.  Her stickly little limbs emerging out of the limp cloth.  And, she grimaced, her chest area not helping the rather shabby appearance.  She groaned but headed for the door anyway.  Amelia would know that she wasn’t there.  Besides, she wanted to get a crack at the refreshment table.  But, she told herself firmly as she walked down the stairs, she’d only eat and run.

            The wafting music of the orchestra indicated to her that the ball was had been well underway.  Indeed, it was all Lina could do to keep from gasping out loud when she entered the room.  The room was gorgeously outfitted in gold paneling, and elegant couples swept along the floor.  She smiled and swayed slightly to the music, enjoying the sights until what she saw made her freeze completely.  Eyes wide and jaw dropped, Lina watched as the lady in a gold dress waltzed by in the arms of her elegant partner….  Lina was absolutely dumbstruck.  She had never known he was such an accomplished dancer.  But then, she thought ruefully, what did she know.  My, he was rather quick on the uptake, wasn’t he?  The irrational part of her mind started acting up again, and she huffed and stalked over to the side where the food was, determined to eat a LOT of chocolate tonight.  

            Still, she thought quietly, casting her eyes back at the waltzing couple.  She had to admit she was impressed how light and graceful he managed that stony body of his.

            As she started to pile a plate with hors d'oeuvres, she noticed a certain familiar top of head.  “Gourry!”  Accordingly, the head looked up and she was face to face with Gourry’s blank and stuffed face.

            Gourry swallowed and cried, “Lina!” happily.  After all, it had been a while since he had seen her last.

            Lina smiled affectionately.  Good ol’ Gourry.  At least he was predictable.  “So, you were going after the food, too, huh?”

            “Yeah!” Gourry cried a little bit too enthusiastically, telling Lina that he had already been sampling the wine.  “They’ve got great little bread crumb thingies here!  You should try some!” he said as he unceremoniously swept an armload onto his plate.

            Lina nodded and wondered why she was internally cringing at this lack of manners.  Normally she’d be joining him in the scarf fest, not even tasting it as it went down just as long as she could hold the most.  But for some reason, she definitely wasn’t in the mood for it.  To take her mind off of it, she said instead, “Hey, Gourry?”

            “Hm?”  He looked up from his plate, traces of food still visible around his mouth. 

            “Wanna dance?”

            “Dance?”  Gourry looked characteristically blank.  Then brightened with understanding when Lina gestured impatiently to the dance floor.  “Oh!  Uh, sure,” he said doubtfully, casting a forlorn look at his still very full plate.

            “Oh, for Heaven’s sake,” Lina said impatiently, wrenching the plate from his hand and firmly setting it on the table, “it’ll still be there when we’re done.”  Then grabbing his arm, she managed to drag him successfully out to the dance floor.

            As soon as the couple left the table, two short brunette girls approached, headed for the punch bowl when one glanced at the table and squealed, “Oh, look!  Those bread crumb thingies!”

            “Oh, goodie!”  Those two incredibly inane girls immediately snatched up Gourry’s plate and began stuffing themselves silly.

            “Hmphe bwo tmf mnnges?”

            “What?”

* Swallows * “I said, ‘how do you suppose they make these thingies?’”

            “Oh.”  Moments of silence.  Then a shrug.  “Beats me.  I just write these things.”

            “Oh yeah.”  More face stuffing.  “So, you think they’re gonna play some Shin Hwa or what?”

Lina realized very quickly that her plan had a couple of flaws to it.  She dragged Gourry single-mindedly to the dance floor, but found themselves just standing awkwardly in front of each other as they waited for the next piece to start.  Suddenly unbearably shy and embarrassed, the few moments stretched in silence for a long time while the orchestra waited for all the other couples to assemble.  Looking everywhere but at Gourry, Lina’s eyes traveled rather desperately around the room, and landed right on the backside of Zelgadis’ lean frame.  Slowly he took his partner in his arms, preparing for the waltz.  Lina’s eyes narrowed.  First Slyphiel, then Amelia, eh?  Well, she refused to lose!

            She impatiently shot Gourry a look full in the face.  He still looked around the room confusedly and refused to make any moves toward her.  “Gourry!”  The said swordsman snapped hastily his attention towards her.  Lina forced herself to calm down a bit.  Through her teeth, she said sweetly, “It’s time for the next waltz.”

            “Oh.”  He looked down and twiddled his thumbs.

            “Well?”

            “Well, what?”

            “Oh, for crying out loud.”  Lina marched up to him and seizing his arms, arranged one around her waist, while taking his other and placing her other hand on his shoulder.  Gourry looked wholly uncomfortable, but at that moment the musicians picked up their instruments, and the waltz began.  No backing out of it now.  A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.  Poor Gourry.

            “No, you idiot!  Not that way!  Can’t you lead properly?”

            “Sorry!  I don’t know how to dance!” 

            “What?  OUCH!  Dammit, Gourry!  Not again!  You and your two left feet!”

            “Sorry!”

            “OUCH!”

            “Sorry!”

            Poor, poor Lina.

Lina wearily sat on the bench outside in the castle gardens.  The music of a new waltz drifted into the night air, signaling that the party was still in full swing.  But no more for Lina.  She was too damn tired.

            Slowly, she pulled off her shoes, wincing in pain as the sides brushed against the now very tender skin.  Hopefully the cool night air would ease some of the burning sensation engulfing her feet.  She was lucky they weren’t flat like pancakes, with all the times they’ve been stepped on.  Oh, gods, but they were definitely swollen.  She’d be lucky to be walking tomorrow.  Grrr.  Gourry no baka.

            She didn’t hear him approach until he was at her side, looking down at her with a tiny unsure smile.  Had he followed her out?  Perhaps.  She had thought that no one saw her leave, least of all him.  But there he was, moonlight shining off his silvery hair. 

            “Leaving the party so soon?” Zelgadis asked.  “The night’s still young.”

            Lina grimaced and massaged foot.  “Not for these guys, it’s not.”

            “I see.”  He took a seat next to her and watched as she tried to rub her feet back to life.  Her taunt face said she was failing.  “Gourry’s not much of a dancer, I see.”

            “Hmph.  You’d think with all his training, he’d be a little bit more graceful.”

            “Swordsmanship is not exactly like dancing, Lina.”

            “Huh.”  Bitterly.  “You seem to pull it off pretty well.”  Whoops.  A blush pervaded her cheeks.  Had she just said that?

            A smirk.  “Is that so?  How could you tell?”  Lina wanted more than anything to wipe that damn smirk off his face.  A true gentleman would have spared her the embarrassment of having just blurted out that she’d been watching him all night.  But not Zel, that heartless, stuck up bastard.  He seemed to be enjoying it very thoroughly, thank you very much.  Still smiling, he stood up and grandly held out his hand to her in a half bow.  “Well, why don’t you find out for yourself?”  

            Lina wearily waved him away.  “No more dancing for me tonight, Zel.  I mean it.”

He looked down at her, concern inching its way into his face.  “That badly, huh?”  He returned his scrutiny to her feet, causing Lina to flush with shame.  “They really are swollen, aren’t they?”

“Yeah.”

“If you don’t do something quick, that swelling will only get worse.”

“Gee, ya think?”

Zelgadis raised his hands defensively.  “No need to get touchy.”

She sighed.  “Sorry.  It’s just that I’m not in the best mood.”  She tried twitching her toes without wincing in pain.  “They feel like they’re on fire,” she whined.

Zelgadis stood silently in a few moments of contemplation.  Then: “I have an idea.”  And before Lina could even ask he slid one arm behind her knees and one on her back, lifting her into his strong arms. 

Lina tried unsuccessfully to fight the profuse heat warming her cheeks.  “Hey!  Hey!  I can walk, you know!”

Zelgadis cast a dubious glance at her swollen feet.

“Oh, shut up.”

But instead of another smart-ass comeback, Zelgadis’ face grew grave.  “Lina, let me do this.”  And even more tentatively, “Please?”  Now how was she going to say no to that?  Too much taken aback to say anything, Lina barely felt herself nod faintly and blushed even further as his face lit up at her acquiesce. 

He silently carried her through the garden.  And despite the incredible bashfulness, Lina had to admit that she was enjoying her ride.  Not just because it would have been hell to walk on her own two feet.  But she felt so…safe in his arms.  Arms that didn’t even waver for a second under her weight.  Sighing contentedly, Lina slowly, shyly put her arms around Zelgadis’ neck for better leverage.  Over his shoulder, she could plainly see the thousands of tiny stars and the full white moon in the night sky.  When she felt brave enough, she hazarded a glance at Zelgadis’ face from the corner of her eye.  His eyes were still trained forward, so Lina took the opportunity to gaze at him unabashedly.  She admired the way the moon played with his hair, at the accentuated delicate curve of his sharp chin, and despite the dotted pebbles, at the light completion of his skin.  She nearly jumped out of her skin when his eyes suddenly met hers and he said, “We’re here.”

At once blushing madly and also suppressing a sigh of disappointment, she turned her eyes to see where “here” was.  He had brought her to a section of the castle gardens that she never really noticed before.  The entire area was enclosed by neatly trimmed hedges that rose well over Gourry’s height.  The area, however, was spatially cleared save for a large glowing fountain that spout out water from its many ornate orifices.  Gently, Zelgadis set her down on the fountain’s edge, and Lina sighed in relief as she felt the cold water enveloping the fire around her feet. 

“Feel better?”

“Yeah.  This is the best.  Thanks a lot, Zel.”  Suddenly, she was irrationally bashful and felt remarkably small.  She hadn’t wanted him to see her so weak.  “Um, Zel?”

“Hm?"

“You don’t have to stay out here, you know.”

Zelgadis was silent for a few moments, and Lina squirmed inwardly under his gaze.  Then: “But I want to.”

“You don’t have to say that,” Lina said quickly.  “Why don’t you go back to the party?  Have fun.  I’m perfectly fine.”

“Do you want me to go?”

She couldn’t believe one simple question could bowl her over so much.  Now it was her turn to be quiet as she tried desperately to sort through what the mess she called her brain was.  Instead, before she could stop it, she said, “Why don’t you dance with Slyphiel?  Or Amelia?  I’m sure they miss you.”

He frowned at the obvious bitter traces in her voice.  “Lina, Slyphiel came here as my guest.  It would be rude not to dance with her at least once.  And seeing as her partner of choice had fervently protested against being her partner, and also seeing as there were no other people I knew” a cough “or was willing to dance with, we ended up being each other’s partner for awhile.  I danced with Amelia because Slyphiel finally found another partner, and also because Amelia is our hostess so I can’t really refuse her, can I?”

“No, I suppose not.”

“But had someone else come to save me from that,” he continued, as though Lina had not spoken, “I would have found the distraction more than welcome.  But I suppose that the person who I really would have liked to dance with decided that someone with two left feet made for a better partner.”  Lina looked up in shock, but found that Zelgadis was looking distractedly at the sky.

Oh, no you don’t, thought Lina.  Did you just say what I thought you said?  “Zel?”

The chimera cleared his throat embarrassedly but forced himself to ignore the blush rising to his face and look directly into her eyes.  “Lina,” he started, slowly, “the fact of the matter is, I wasn’t even planning to look in their direction tonight.  I actually invited Slyphiel along for Gourry.”

“For…Gourry?”

“To get rid of the competition.”

“Wha-?” 

“If Gourry was busy…then I could have you all to myself.”  There was no mistaking him now.

Lina wasn’t sure how she was supposed to react to that.  All she knew was she was feeling overwhelmed with a gleeful fluttering in her chest that refused to stop.  

A sound off to the side awakened her again and caused her to look up sharply.  Zelgadis neatly stepped over the fountain’s raised edge into the pool of water so that he was facing her.

Lina was absolutely dumbfounded.  “Zel,” she said lamely, “your pants—”

In response he merely scoffed as though to shake off such trivial matters and instead again bowed and extended his hand again towards her.  “I believe you owe me a dance, my lady.  Will you do me the honor?”

Back to Fanfics

Back to Main Page