Lina was sixteen the year she received the Enchanted Doll, which was the name her godfather gave to the ten-inch tall stone figure that he brought to her from a far island in the Orient. No one knew how Xellos could spend the whole year hopping across each explored continent and still make it back to the winter house in time for Christmas, and when questioned, he'd always, always, answer "C'est un secret!" and then give them a smug wink. Xellos had not been at the house when they arrived like he usually was; most years he was the first to arrive. Relatives from as far as Norway and Romania would meet at the house, which was why it was so large. They gathered to stave off winter's loneliness, though several family members highly speculated that Xellos came early so he could tease Cousin Filia, who came from Stockholm. It was her side of the family, Lina's fathers' side, which gave her brother Gourry his fair hair and blue eyes, and gave Lina her temper. At least, that's what Xellos said...
The house was decorated normally when they arrived, which was how they knew Xellos was not yet there. Xellos had a tendency to decorate for the wrong holiday though no one even knew why. They were only family to have Easter rabbits in the nativity scene when Xellos decorated.
By dinnertime on the third night after their arrival, Xellos had still not come, and Lina was sulky all that day. On several occasions throughout the day both her mother and her sister told her it was not becoming of a young lady to sulk and skulk about the house, but she paid them no mind. She ate only half her super, then picked at the rest of it and thought of how her 'Uncle Fruitcake' could have made the salad seem more interesting. While Luna and her mother discussed the latest social rumors, Gourry and her father talked about past military issues, the only subject the blond boy was worth his salt in, and Lina felt quite alone at mealtime without Xellos.
The dining room doors flew open suddenly as Cousin Val scampered across the hard wood floor. The aqua haired child was Filia's younger half-brother and had even more rambunctious energy than Lina herself.
"God-papa is here!" The tiny bundle yelled happily.
"Now, now, petit, do you forget? Call me Xellos, not God-papa!" A tall man followed at a slower pace, smiling at the child. He was a trim figure dressed in simple yet fashionable clothes: a white poet shirt under a black vest, black pants, pale gloves, and a heavy black cape that reached down to the top of his boots.
"Uncle Fruitcake!" Lina stood up with a brilliant smile.
"Lina Brighid Inverse, sit down!" her mother ordered sharply. "You may visit with your godfather after the meal, but certainly not during it!" The redheaded girl slumped back in her chair, pouting, then straightened up before the older woman could correct her posture.
Xellos opened his mysterious purple eyes and let the smile slip from his face. Concern and deep thought marred his once carefree expression as she discreetly met his gaze for a moment that felt like a heart-wrenching eternity. In truth it was only a fleeting second. Lina was sure she could see sorrow simmering behind the amethyst facets of his eyes, as well as a kind of tired despair. Then he winked and smiled again and meandered off to attend to his luggage.
The instant that dinner was over, Lina burst out of the dining room and dashed about the house in search of her beloved godfather. She found him in the library, seated in a large armchair with brightly wrapped packages piled on the table next to him. The older man was reading a book, but he put it aside as Lina entered.
"You're late this year, Uncle Fruitcake." She mock scolded him.
"Your words gravely wound my heart, cherie." Xellos stood up and dramatically placed his hands above his heart, feigning agony.
She laughed and then ran over and hugged him tightly.
"You haven't changed a bit," she giggled.
"And you, cherie, have grown into a lovely mademouselle this past year." He smiled fondly and kissed her forehead. "However, you must wait to open your present like everyone else." So saying he took a step to the side so that she could reach behind his back and grab the gifts.
"Drat." She pouted.
"I promise you that you will believe your gift to be well worth the wait." He patted her on the head and steered her away from the presents.
"But Uncle Fruitcake..."
"Come along, ma chere, and I shall tell you of the magnificent things I saw in the Orient this year." He smiled. "I have so many tales to tell..."
For the better part of two hours, the nomadic mechanic entertained the family with stories about his journey. He told them about tremendous mountains, Greek ruins, Romanian Counts, and Turkish baths (tastefully leaving out certain details after Cousin Filia gave him an extremely dirty look). He spoke of Chinese temples adorned in gold and painted wood, and Indian gardens with more types of flowers than Lina had ever imagined. He finished the legend of a redheaded swordsman with an 'X' scar on his face just before the clock struck nine.
"My, my, look at the time..." he sighed. "It's almost bedtime."
"We're not children anymore, Uncle Fruitcake." Lina objected. "This isn't bedtime."
"So... that is the truth." The older man smiled. "Children you may not be, but I still believe you wish to open presents now, oui?"
"Xellos..." Lina's mother began to protest.
"Oh, come now Marie. I believe Lina will positively burst if she has to wait three more days for her gift. I built up too much intrigue, non?" He chuckled.
"Very well..." Marie sighed. "You may each open your present from Xellos, seeing as he's libel to wander off again before Christmas Day anyway. But no more than that."
"Yay!" Lina cried joyfully, but her expression fell as her mother and sister glared at her.
Despite their claims as to no longer being children, Lina, Gourry, and Luna scrambled for the presents Xellos brought them. It was common knowledge that any gift given by the nomad was worth more than its weight in gold. Luna received an Oriental fan with ivory ribs inlaid with carved jade. Gourry was given a finely crafted stiletto dagger with a blade folded one thousand times. And Lina...
At first glance, Lina was none too impressed with the statuette with which she was presented. However, upon closer inspection she became nearly entranced with the remarkably delicate and exotic details that the doll possessed. The figurine had a serious, studious expression, with faceted aquamarine chips in its eyes to give it a splash of color. The figure was male, bearing a flat, muscled chest visible under the Oriental robes he wore. He stood partially at attention, with one arm crossed over his chest to reach for the sword sheathed at his side. Completing the figurine's preternatural appearance were his pointed, elfin ears. Lina ran a curious finger across the unusual ears and thought she saw his thin marble mouth quirk into a smile.
"Hey, neat, a nutcracker." Gourry plucked the stone-carved doll from his sister's grasp. "Where do you put the nuts?"
"Hey!" She yelled. "Give him back!"
"Relax, Lina, I'm not going to break it or anything." He rolled his eyes and put hard nut in between the doll's arm and chest.
"Gourry, no!" It was too late. Gourry squeezed the doll hard, and there were two horrible cracks. Only one of them came from the nut. The blond boy, although relatively stupid, was rather strong, and on top of that the statuette's carving was extremely delicate.
Lina's enraged scream drew anyone outside of the room to the doorway. Gourry lay sprawled on his back, a telltale red mark on his face proclaiming where a nasty bruise would later develop. Lina's fists were clenched tightly at her sides while her shoulders heaved with rage. A tear escaped her eye and fell on the floor by her beloved doll. The white figure's sword arm was deeply chipped, and the wound threatened to remove the appendage.
"You dumb ass!" She shrieked. "I told you not to do that! Now look what you've done!"
"Lina, go to your room at once!" Marie admonished her daughter. "Such language and violence is unacceptable!"
"But he -- " The redhead began to protest, stooping to scoop up the broken doll.
"Now!" Her mother snapped harshly, and Lina was forced to abandon the damaged figurine. She fled the room in tears, and Xellos watched her silently before going over to the toy.
"You should take it easy on her." He noted off handedly. "You would have acted similarly if you were her." Marie had the decency to look put out.
"I most certainly would -- "
"Do you remember when you were fourteen and your brother Francis broke your favorite porcelain doll?" The nomadic mechanic shot a sly glance at her. Marie blushed and mumbled something unintelligible. "What was that? I couldn't hear you."
"I broke his nose and nearly gave him a concussion when I hit him with the tea tray." The elder woman colored. "I see your point."
"I always wondered where ma petit chere got her right hook." Xellos chuckled.
"How did you know about that?" Marie crossed her arms. "I don't recall you being present at that Christmas so very long ago."
"C'est un secret!" He laughed, much to her chagrin.
The redheaded girl sat on her bed, staring blankly out the window. Angry thoughts directed at her mother and her brother raced through her mind. She was distracted briefly by a knock on the door, which she answered with a sulky "Go away".
"Really now, cherie," Xellos opened the door. "That is no way to greet someone." Lina sniffled and then flew to him, embracing him tightly.
"I hate them," she admitted. "I hate them both. She's always telling me to act ladylike, and he's always doing something dumb, and I just want to hit them both with a tea tray." Xellos chuckled.
"That's no way to think about your family." He patted her shoulder. "Your mother means well, you know that as well as I, and your brother... well, nothing can be done about him. Lord knows we've tried."
"But -- "
"Come now, dry your eyes." He wiped away her tears. "You are a young woman now, oui? You are strong of heart. That is why I gave you the doll. I know you will protect him."
"Fine job I did of that." She muttered gloomily.
"As I said, your brother can't be helped. His interest in your doll was unexpected." The mechanic patted her head. "I bound the doll's arm and left him on the mantel. In the morning we can glue him back as good as new."
"I'm really sorry about his arm." She said. "That's why I punched Gourry."
"And what a punch it was." He laughed. "Have you been roughhousing with that Bonaparte boy again?"
Lina blushed prettily, and that was answer enough.
"I see." He grinned. "Don't worry, petit, I won't tell your mother. Now, best get some rest. You'll need it tomorrow morning." He winked and closed the door behind him on his way out.
Chapter 2 | Fanfiction