All the patrons of the inn looked up as a battered traveler stumbled through the door to escape the raging storm outside. He wore an ensemble of ivory colored cloth that was styled into a kind of practical suit. His long sleeved tunic kept his skin from exposure, but could not hide the raw strength in his coiled muscles. In his arms he carried a small form which was curled up close to him. The bundle was wrapped in a white cloak, which partially slipped back to reveal a slender hand clutching tightly to his shirt.
"Welcome to the Mountain View Inn." The innkeeper greeted them as the man set his precious cargo down. "Can I help you?"
"I need a doctor." He replied in a cool and quiet tone, removing the soaked wrap from the thin girl he carried. "For her."
"Of course, sir. How will you be paying?" There was a short silence as the wander placed a few coins on the counter. On inspection, they were made of pure gold and the inscription dated back over a hundred years.
"Is that enough?" The quiet man responded.
"Yes sir!" The innkeep nodded vigorously and gestured to the stairwell. "Room three is unoccupied. You and your... up.... friend can rest there until the doctor arrives."
As long as the soft foot falls of his leather boots could be heard on the floor, the other patrons remained silent.
Zelgadis carefully laid Cerina out on the bed, still marveling at her likeness to the girl he had fallen in love with a century ago. He reached out to brush her bangs away from her face, but drew back sharply as he recalled that she wasn't his Lina. He pulled his own hood and cloak closer to him, further hiding his chimera traits. He settled down in a chair and was almost asleep when there was a knock on the door.
"Yes?" He looked up, eyes narrowing. "Who's there?"
"I'm Doctor Rideel, the physician you sent for. " A voice called from the other side of the wooden slat.
"Very well, come in." Zelgadis relaxed and the door opened wuietly. A middle aged man wearing a white coat with black slacks and shoes entered the room. In his hand he clenched the worn handle of a black bag.
"All right then, where's the patient?" Dr. Rideel adjusted his glasses, almost seeming shocked as Zelgadis' slender fingered hand pointed to Cerina briefly.
Blue skin? No, not possible. Rideel shook his head. "Let's see now... No fever, that's good. Hmmm. Exhaustion, and possible pneumonia if you don't get her out of those wet clothes."
"Out of the clothes?" Zel felt his face flush and was very glad that his face-mask hid the colouring.
"Yes, yes, what's the matter boy, never seen your wife's body before?"
"W-w-wife?!" The chimera knew he was probably beet red head from head to toe, but dared not to check. "She's not my wife, or concubine, or girlfriend, or anything! I'm just supposed to escort her to Sairoon!" He waved his hand in protest.
"Hmmm. Well, I recommend that you two stay here a couple of days to allow her to get her strength back." Rideel shrugged, packing up the utensils he had used to examine her. "I'll be back day after tomorrow to see if she's doing better." He graciously accepted the ancient coin Zelgadis offered him as payment, then was gone.
"Mmmm?" Cerina opened her eyes as rough hands slid across her bare skin, slowly peeling off the wet and uncomfortable clothing. It took a good moment for her hazy mind to identify that this wasn't a good thing.
"Wha - ?!" She shot up right, , clutching the blankets to her body.
Zelgadis drew back sharply, dropping the garb and blushing a brilliant shade of crimson.
"I-I-I'm sorry," he stuttered, "but the doctor said you might get pnuemonia if you stayed in your wet clothes."
"What?"
"Doctor. Wet clothes. You. Pnuemonia. I... uh..." The chimera tried to explain.
"OOO! Pink hearts. What lovely taste in undergarments." Xellos observed as he popped into the room behind Cerina. The girl's ruby eyes widened in mortification, and she hit him in a very unpleasant place to be hit with a Fireball.
"Pervert!" And a Flare Arrow. "Hentai!" And an Elmekia Lance. "Eechi!" And a Dil Brand. "Sicko!" And a Valv Howl. "How dare you?!" And a Balus Rod. "I oughtta..." And a Diem Wind.
"Cerina, don't you think you've hit him enough?" Zelgadis asked, grabbing her wrists.
"No!" She yelled in reply, adding another Fireball.
Zelgadis merely sighed to acknoweldge his massive headache as he continnued to try to restrain Cerina.
"Hey! Watch where your hands are going!"