Lina woke up not too long after with a raging headache. Cursing up a storm when she first found out about her forehead, and cursing even more when she found her headband broken, the sorceress could be considered in one of her fouler moods. All but her were silent as they traveled back through the labrynth they had entered to get to a "legendary treasure".
"Legendary treasure my @#^&$%!!! All I got was a headache and some jewelry stuck to my head!" A frustration yell from the red-head before moving on. Ooooh...if she ever met up with that blind old-woman that had first told them about this...She had a nice fireball with her name on it.
Soon Lina's cursing went to grumbling and then to silence. Features turned thoughtful and stayed thoughtful until they reached an inn that had a tavern on the main floor. After getting two rooms - one for Zel and Gourry and the other for Amelia and Lina - all of them met down in the tavern for some food and drinks and to discuss future plans.
Zel arrived first with Lina not to far after. The other two seemed to be taking their time. "Hey Zel." The sorceress's voice seemed rather dull and tired; sometime after their arrival she had fixed her headband to cover most of the circlet.
"Hey. You sound a little worn out. Is that painful?" Zel had already ordered a coffee and was sipping it idly. At his question, he lifted a finger and pointed at her forehead.
Lina looked confused at first before realizing what he was talking about. "Oh, this? No...sometimes I forget it's even there." Somber tone was still ever present as she sat down.
A ditsy waitress bobbed up out of nowhere, winking at Zel and then turning towards Lina. "Can I get ya somethin'?" Odd accent mixed with her appearance made Lina pause before saying anything. The waitress's hair somewhat resembled Martina's...except that it was a turquoise colour. Personalities were about the same though, Lina thought with a smirk.
"I'll have everything on the menu." At Lina's statement, the waitress paused uncertain before writing it down.
"Anything else?" Disbelief brewed in the waitress's eyes as Lina shook her head.
"No. That'll be all. OH! Bring me something strong to drink too. And a -lot- of it." Lina added, leaning back and making herself comfortable as the waitress walked off, shaking her head in shock.
Zel smiled wryly. One thing was for sure, Lina hadn't changed when it came to food.
"Either way...the others are taking a long time to get here." Lina sighed and flicked at her bangs, trying to act non-chalant.
Zel wasn't exactly fooled, even if Lina wasn't aware she wasn't telling the truth. "You aren't acting like you usually do." Statement is left trailing, letting his company fill in any blanks, as if it were a question.
Lina stayed silent for a long time before sighing a little. "I guess I just feel a little more tired then usual, okay?" But that wasn't just it.
"Is there more to it?"
"No." Lie.
"All right." Zel was sure she was lying...but why? He didn't really have time to ask himself any more questions, because just then Gourry and Amelia arrived and took their places around the table.
"So, where to next?" Lina asked, brightening a little. It almost looked convincing...but something wasn't the same. To Amelia anyways. Lina pulled out a map from somewhere within her cape and spread it out on the table. They would have to do this quick before her food came.
"I'm planning on heading north. I talked with the owner of a nearby magic shop. He was pretty aquainted with magic himself and he said that a possible cure for me might be that way." Zel muttered, taking another drink of his coffee.
"All right...we'll travel that way then." Lina answered, grabbing her map and tucking it away again.
"I was planning on going solo."
"Too bad...we're coming along." Lina countered as her food starting arriving. "And there's no way you can convince me otherwise."
"Are you sure that's a good idea Miss Lina? I mean...what with.." Amelia stammered off, not finishing her sentence. Her gaze was directed at Lina's forehead.
"What? Why wouldn't it be a good idea?" It was then that Lina noticed everyone staring at her..or...more specifically, her forehead. Lina slammed down her fork; she had had enough. "Will everybody just forget about the stupid thing on my head? I'm -fine- and tomorrow we'll all head north and have a nice day like any other. All right?!" At the end of her sentence, Lina abruptly stood and stalked off to her room....leaving her food untouched.
Everyone stared at her until she was out of sight before munching on the food she had ordered. "She seemth normalth to meth." Gourry commented through a mouthful of chicken. Amelia and Zel weren't so sure.
It actually scared her. But she wasn't going to let it on to the others. Not, at least, until she figured it out for herself. Staring for a few moments longer, the red-haired sorceress finally let go of her bangs and let them fall back into place. Taking off her armor and cape, she swiftly crept into her bed and fell asleep. Tomorrow was the start of their new journey... And she had to be prepared for anything.