So Zelgadis rode in a carriage to the town meeting hall with Zephyre. She was unusually quiet, again, like he had noticed before. He still couldn't place what he thought was wrong with her. At times, he thought she was melancholy, but when he looked again, she looked pensive, even angry. But he wouldn't prod... That wasn't like him to do anyway. Besides, the one time he tried, he was cut off by that lankey, weasel boy...
Finally, the carriage came to a stop, and Zephyre got out, and he followed. When he got out, however, he almost fell over. “I thought this was supposed to be a meeting hall?!” Even though it stated the building was a meeting hall, it looked more like a small colosseum.
Zephyre smirked at his surprise. “It is; it's just, it's a really big hall.”
Regaining his composure, Zelgadis crossed his arms across his chest, almost fuming at Zephyre's answer. “I'd like to see what they'd call a ballroom...”
Rolling her eyes at Zel's antics, she caught none other than some of the most familiar faces come up to her and Zelgadis. “Amelia? Prince Philionel?”
Amelia and Prince Phil were in their formal attire; Amelia in her pink dress adorned with her crown, and Prine Phil was clad in his white outfit, trimmed in blue, his head laiden with his usual crown.
Zelgadis was glad to see the two, but he silently did a prayer for “not having any justice speeches” today, and something about turkey bones.
“Mister Zelgadis!” Amelia gushed, as she clasped his hands in hers. He blushed from such close contact...it didn't even matter that it was HER, he would have done it with anyone who came so close to him. It made him embarassed. “It's been too long!” She turned beside him, and finally recognized Zephyre through her starry-eyes that she had given Zelgadis nearly the whole way to their presence. “Miss Zephyre!” She clasped Zephyre's hands as well, a greeting of intimacy between friends.
Amelia still treaded warily about Zephyre; she knew she was still heavily upset from the loss of Atalya, and Amelia wanted to talk about it with her so badly, but Zephyre insisted she keep quiet of the situation shaking her still. When Aldous died, Zephyre turned to Amelia; she was closer than any of her other friends; Lina and Gourry were out adventuring, not like Zephyre WANTED to talk to her anyway... And she knew Zephyre would feel weird talking about something emotional with Zelgadis. Amelia was just, the best choice. And Prince Phil stood in as more of a father figure to Zephyre. Well, an odd father figure...
Prince Phil gathered Zephyre in a big hug, after doing the same to Zelgadis and exclaiming how well he looked after so many years. “I trust you're doing better these days?” he asked Zephyre in a very fatherly-type of tone. Although he tried to whisper it, Zelgadis' demonic ears picked up on it. He raised any eyebrow; they knew something...
“Of course I am,” she answered back in the same whispered tone.
“HEY! AMELIA!” another familiar voice called from afar. “PRINCE PHIL!”
Blonde hair swayed erratically as a very bulky, and tall man with a more-than-slightly recognizable sword, made his way towards the group.
Everyone except Prince Phil grew apprehensible looks. “Mister Gourry...? That means...”
“Don't say it!” Zelgadis shushed her. “If we make a run for it now, maybe Lina won't know that we're here!” Zelgadis comically shoved everyone the opposite way Gourry was coming.
As the group was being pushed at a physically impossible speed, yet still managing to stay standing straight up, Zephyre spoke, her logic kicking in. “Wait,” she paused as the most preplexing look crossed her face. “Why would Lina let Gourry run off alone? She knows the trouble he can get into, doesn't she?”
“That's right! Miss Lina wouldn't leave Mister Gourry's side!” Prince Phil agreed. “After all, he is her protector.”
Zelgadis stopped. Not at the irony in Prince Phil's statement, but at the fact it held hidden meaning in it; maybe she wasn't here!
“You're right,” Amelia said in a sweet tone of sympathy. “But then, where's Miss Lina?”
Suddenly, somehow -- perhaps not possible anywhere on this Earth, but, somehow -- Gourry caught up with them, even though Zelgadis had been shoving them at an inhuman speed...
“Hey, it looked like you guys were running away. Why were you doing that?” He questioned them innocently.
“Oh, we weren't running away from you, Mr. Gourry,” Amelia assured him sweetly, albiet sweatdropping at the same time. “We saw this nasty-looking cockroach, and it started to chase us...”
“Oh,” he began ignorantly. “Okay.”
“So, Gourry,” Zelgadis addressed him begrudgingly. “Was there some reason you came to see us...?”
“Well...,” he began...but then went pensive. “Hold on! I KNOW I know why I came over here! Just give me a sec, here...”
One action; it was all shared: sweatdrop.
“So there was a reason, Mister Gourry?” Prince Phil prodded.
“Oh, yeah. There was,” Gourry poked his head out of reverie. “Lina said something about stealing tickets --”
A group groan was shared...
“...but then she saw Amelia and Prince Phil and told me to go ask you guys if we could be your guests to get into the meeting!” Gourry wore a proud smile. His chest almost puffed out in his good feeling.
Amelia sighed. Zelgadis groaned even louder. “Typical Lina...”
“Yes, always the leech I told Atalya she was...,” Zephyre grinded out in silent contempt to herself.
Zelgadis' head swiveled around. He had forgotten Zephyre was even there. She had been so quiet; like she was trying to fade away from them...
“But then I saw that Zelgadis and Zephyre was here with you guys, and I wanted to say hello,” Gourry explained. “So, I almost forgot what Lina told me to ask you.”
“Well of COURSE you and Miss Lina can be our guests!” Prince Phil bellowed happily. “We haven't seen you in such a long time! We could catch up before the meeting!” He turned to his young daughter, who didn't look as thrilled as he did. “Won't it be great, Amelia? Catching up with old friends!”
Amelia feigned a smile to humor her simple-mided father. Why couldn't he see that Miss Lina WAS a lot of trouble even though she was a good friend? 'Guess I shouldn't be so judgemental... After all, daddy taught me to look for the good in people...' “I'll see you around guys!” Amelia offered to Zelgadis and Zephyre as she was helplessly pulled away with her father and Gourry.
“See ya!” Gourry said quickly, to be sure he was polite, topped with his characteristic hand wave. “Maybe we'll stop by later...?”
“Great...,” Zephyre gave Gourry a fake smile, just to please Gourry. “Just what I need... C'mon, Zel. Before the meeting starts without me...”
Zelgadis grunted as Zephyre pulled him along, shoving his wandering mind out of reverie.
<<<<<<<<<<
Descendants of the old Sorcerer's Guild counsolers had awaited and planned many years for this day; the day when they would open the Sorcerer's Guild back up again.
As everyone settled into their seats to await the Speaker of the Hall to enter, final adjustments to the megaphone on the podium were taking some last tests; to notify the speaker of how loud he would have to speak.
When that was done, the Speaker of the Hall entered, equipped with a cane. He looked like he should have died back during the Kouma War, but somehow, his body was still carrying on.
“Figures,” Lina quipped sardonically. “They would get some ol' bag to be Speaker of the Hall. I bet he can't even breathe, let alone speak to a little over 10,000 people...”
“Maybe he has one of those things that make him sound like a robot when he talks,” Gourry offered excitedly.
“And MAYBE I'll shove a Fireball up your ASS if you don't KEEP QUIET!”
Just then, the Speaker cleared his throat. And being too close to the megaphone made it resonate throughout the whole hall. But it did the job; all the side-chatter stopped. Wonder if he did it on purpose or not...
“Greetings!” His voice was raspy, like he had breathing problems. “This is the first meeting of the Sorcerer's Guild since the destruction of the Demon Beast Zanaffar.” His voice was way too breathy, as he had to take a breath after almost every word he said!
Zephyre groaned. “This'll take forever at this rate.”
“Well, look at the bright side,” Zelgadis offered sarcastically. “At least we're close enough that we can see his ancient snot dripping on the podium.”
The Speaker had paused to catch his breath. “And I am glad to welcome you all.
Now, we are presenting a Bill of Reconstruction for the Sorcerer's Guild's branches to all the cities that patroned one, without any cost to them.”
He paused for applause.
“We are also recognizing that Miss Zephyre Ravenel is our newest Missionary Ambassador, and will be one of the Vice Counsolers for her branch, here in Kinnat.”
More applause.
Zephyre just sat there, as if nothing happened. Zelgadis looked over at her in proud surprise, as did Amelia and Prince Phil. However, Lina was a different story...
The Speaker just nodded his approval over the crowd, and took a while to clear his throat before beginning again. “And finally, we are proposing that our Missionary Ambassadors go to Ragdo Kingdom, Kruasar Kingdom, and Crimson Town to interest them in picking up the Sorecerer's Guild once again.”
“That's peculiar,” Lina mused to herself.
“What is?” Gourry asked her, more out of habit than actual curiousity.
“Well, I heard that Ragdo Kingdom, Kruasar Kingdom, and Crimson Town lost their Guild branches due to strange fire incidents. The main Guild was so furious about losing them that they said they wouldn't let them host branches anymore,” she paused in contemplation for herself. “I wonder why they're interested now...?”
“Well, they proabably want to have them back,” said a man in the neighboring seat beside Lina. He looked well-off, but what was with that Aquamarine head-band? And the hair?! “After such a long time with no Guild action, they most likely let by-gones be by-gones.”
“True,” Lina agreed suspiciously. The man next to her just shrugged his shoulders and turned back to the meeting at hand, as did Lina.
“All in favor...,” the Speaker began.
“Aye!” It seemed all the descendants agreed. But, seeing as how the Speaker was old, he had to confirm his fossil-like hearing.
“All oppose...?”
Nothing. Just throats clearing, and creaky seat movement.
“Then I order this meeting ajourned.” And he left, slowly of course.
Everyone filed out, not really talking about the meeting. They were talking about what they were having for tonight's dinner, and how their kids were doing with their magic education.
It seemed that only Zephyre was the only one miffed at how the meeting went.
“I can't believe this!” Zephyre spat increduously. “That was the most awful display of democratic decision I've ever seen! I mean, no debate over the Bill, or even of how they got the money and labor to rebuild the Guilds?!”
Zelgadis sighed. “You know, I'm glad most of the land I travel on are some form of monarchy,” be began cynically. “Because I bet that whole notion of democratic government would end up just how that meeting did...”
<<<<<<<<<<
Zephyre and Zelgadis ran into Amelia and Prince Phil again after the meeting. Zephyre invited them back to the library for some cakes and tea before they retired for the night at their special inn (they ARE royalty, you know).
“You know, Zephyre,” Prince Phil beamed. “I believe that Mister Gourry and Miss Lina will be stopping by later to say hello.”
Zephyre was quiet as she led the group back. Had she not heard what Prince Phil said? How could she not have? He was right next to her! “You know, Aldous taught me this great recipie for cinnamon cakes...”
<<<<<<<<<<
“So what's up with Zephyre,” Zelgadis queried seriously.
They were all sitting in a waiting room or sorts. Zephyre obviously adorned it with some homey things; such as a table and chairs, some burgundy curtains by the window, and the like.
Zel was determined to get it out of them. They obviously showed signs of knowing what was up with her this afternoon. “You guys obviously know something.”
Amelia and Prince Phil looked at each other wearily. Then Amelia spoke, turning her head back to Zelgadis. “Well, you know how upset she was about Atalya, but she eventually got over it...” she trailed off.
Zelgadis looke dher straight in the eye, pushing her to continue. “Well...?”
“Well, when Mister Aldous died, she seemed to get worse.” Prince Phil nodded in acceptance of his daughter's words. “At first she was so sad; she wouldn't eat a thing! It was like how it was when Atalya was...was...,” Amelia got a little choked up. She had been close to Atalya too. They had fought for justice together...
She continued, a little broken and teary-eyed. “So Daddy and I came down to help her out, and she eventually got through it.
But then she would have these fits of anger, and she would throw things against walls, and everything. We didn't know what to do...,” Amelia stopped, trying to choke back her tears; it was upsetting for her to remember, because she knew what it was like to lose someone close to you, and she felt so bad for Zephyre sometimes...
Prince Phil took that signal to continue, being the initiator that he was. “See, we had to get her a staff hired. She wouldn't be able to do anything alone in her condition. And with Aldous gone, she was the one he wanted to be in charge of the library and sorts. Most of her staff came from ours; we had been trying to help her, since we were the only ones she could turn to for support. You, Lina, and Gourry were out, you see.”
Zelgadis felt a pang of guilt shoot through his chest.
“About a month ago, she seemed fine enough to be on her own, but her staff refused to leave, saying they felt at home with Zephyre,” Prince Phil concluded. “They had gone through so much to help her, I couldn't say no to their noble cause!” He finished in adrenaline-filled joy.
Amelia was better now, and snuck in some words of her own. “And it's great to see her again! Looking better, well, she does look a bit stressed, but I'm sure it's because of the meeting today.”
“Yes, I'm sure...,” Zelgadis said to himself.
Suddenly, Zephyre came out with tea, (coffee for Zel), and cinnamon cakes on a wooden tray for everyone there. As she was playing hostess, Zelgadis' favorite lankey, weasel-boy came up to them.
“Miss Zephyre!” he said with much over-dramaticism. “That red-headed miscreant is causing a ruckus outside! I can't even hear myself THINK in my office! I need to prepare for tomorrow's schedule!”
“Calm down, Cyrus,” Zephyre woed him for humor, giving her tone an exasperated edge. “Drake's outside. Lina can't get past him anyway...” She continued to busy herself with the set-up of the table.
Cyrus sighed in irratation and stomped back to his office up front. Her guests were plastered with looks of bewilderment.
“Miss Zephyre,” Amelia prodded cautiously. “Why don't you want Miss Lina here?”
“Look,” she started a little harshly than she meant to. Zephyre realized this and continued in a softer tone, but never ridding it of cynicism. “I have to run over one and a half kingdom's starting tomorrow morning, and I'd like to have a nice, quiet evening with my SANE friends!”
That's when they knew something was up.
<<<<<<<<<<
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M NOT ALLOWED IN?!?!” Lina screamed in disbelief at the tall, burly man.
“Miss Zephyre said that she doesn't want to be disturbed by a red-head named 'Lina Inverse',” Drake told her. “But said Mister Gourry is allowed to enter if he wishes.”
Lina felt betrayed; Zephyre NEVER gave her the cold-shoulder like this, even if they were at each others' throats. At least, that's what happened before...
“But how come?” Gourry prodded; it was making Lina even more upset. Not his curiousity, but hearing that same answer over, and OVER again.
Lina bit her tongue as she heard Drake say his orders again. WHY was Zephyre being like this? She hadn't done anything to make her mad...yet. She hadn't even spoken to her since she had been in town! Wait, she had sent Gourry to see Amelia and Prince Phil... Zephyre and Zelgadis had probably been with them! And he proabably told them about her wanting to steal some tickets before the meeting! WELL! She'd show her! She was taking this WAY out of wack! A Dragon Slave out of a Flare Arrow was what it was!
“C'mon, Gourry!” Lina snatched him by his hair and dragged him toward an inn. “We'll stay at the inn for the night.”
“But Lina, aren't you mad?” Gourry questioned, confused.
“Of course I am!” she spat evily. “She's mad because you told her I was gonna steal those tickets...”
“I did? I don't remember...”
Lina groaned, catching her head in her hand. “Nevermind, Gourry...” 'But I'll show her! You never cross Lina Inverse for no good reason!'
<<<<<<<<<<
Ashi: Okay! So, that was little more angsty than what Slayers usually starts out with... But that's okay! Regular Slayers antics continues in the next chapter!
