In the early afternoon of the next day, Zelgadis came to the center to see Aya. He headed to her office anxious to know exactly how ell Amelia was getting. When he arrived he found Aya at her desk engrossed in papers.
"How is she?" He asked.
"Well I think she could use a massage," Aya said, looking up from her work. "There's some cream in her room where the supplies are kept."
"You want me to do it?" Zelgadis asked.
"You've done it before."
"That was when she was unconscious and to help move the medicine through her system."
"It'll still help with her circulation plus I'm sure she'll appreciate having her sore, stiff muscles soothed for a little while."
"She's sore? Since when?"
"Since always, just that now she's awake to feel it. Just go up to her room and tell her its doctor's orders. She won't mind if that's what your worried about," she ended in a gentler voice.
Zelgadis's cheeks colored slightly as he left the office and headed up to Amelia's room.
"I hope Aya's right," He thought then tapped her door lightly.
"It's open, Amelia said.
Zelgadis opened the door and found Amelia staring out the window at the city streets below. She looked over at him and smiled.
"Hi."
"Hi."
They stayed silent for a few moments when Zelgadis finally spoke.
"Aya asked me to come up," he said, going to where the Trialcon cream was stored.
"Why?"
"So I can give you a massage."
"Massage?" She blushed.
"It'll help work out the soreness and stuff," he explained. If you don't want me to do it then ..."
"No", she said quickly, "You can do it, that's fine," she added with more enthusiasm as the idea grew on her.
He set the cream by the bed and arranged her pillows so that she was propped up slightly. He folded back the covers completely so that they wouldn't get in the way then sat down next to the princess on the bed and rolled up his shirtsleeves.
Amelia watched him prepare and was surprised by how quickly and neatly he had arranged everything so that he had room.
"Have you done this before?" She asked.
He looked at her oddly as she asked the question.
"They didn't tell you?" He asked opening the jar.
"Tell me what?"
"I've been doing this for you twice a day for almost a week," he said. "Stretch out your arm for me."
Amelia did as asked, still surprised by his statement.
"I've been getting two massages a day and didn't know it?" She smiled.
"Yes." Then he placed a small amount of cream in his hands, rubbed them together and held her arm.
The coolness of the cream against her skin was a nice sensation as was the warmth generating from the chimeras hands as he moved up and down her arm, gently kneading the muscles.
"Now relax your arm," he whispered. She did and could feel his soothing touch even more then before.
"Why twice a day, the massages I mean?" She asked, fighting to keep her voice steady.
"Your serum injections were twice a day, Aya thought it would help your circulation to work your muscles so the medicine would move through your system," He explained taking her other arm and a new glob of cream. "I only worked your arms and legs though. We didn't want to move you around too much."
Amelia nodded vaguely as his hands continued to work their strange magic up and down her arms. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation further when it stopped. She opened her eyes and watched as Zelgadis moved into a new position on the bed and took hold of one of her legs.
"What are doing?"
"Your legs," he smiled. He had moved back a little further on the bed and propped her ankle on his shoulder so that her leg was partially extended. With more cream he began to slowly work her calf, moving his thumb in gentle circular motions to thoroughly unknot the muscles.
Amelia slumped back on the pillows and sighed.
"I can't believe I wasn't awake for this, it feels wonderful," she purred. Zelgadis blushed as he slowly worked up her leg.
"You haven't been eating, have you?" She asked suddenly.
"The others have been talking to you have they?" He asked.
"No, actually they've made it a point to be vague. I noticed on my own, but they should have said something to me at least. Is it because they asked you to help take care of me?"
"It's nothing like that, I just haven't thought about it."
"Like you haven't been thinking about sleeping?" She probed.
He shook his head as he worked around her knee and lower thigh.
"You said you noticed, how?"
It was then that his hand on her thigh started to strum on her senses and she let out a little whimper. He stopped for a moment fearing he had hurt her and was about to pull away when her hand stopped him.
"That felt nice," she whispered. "Keep going." He nodded mutely and continued trying to keep the secret pleasure her words had rushed through him under control
"To answer your question its because you look thin and dull."
"Thin and dull?"
"By dull I mean your skin. It's usually kind of sparkly and shimmers just a bit. And you look like you've lost a pound or two," she explained in a steady voice that amazed her considering how pleasant the chimera's hands felt on her legs.
"You noticed all that by looking at me?"
"I look at you a lot," she smiled as he switched legs.
"How do you feel?" He asked as he worked the opposite leg in the same manner as the first.
"Good, this really helps," she smiled adjust her posture on the pillows when she winced. Zelgadis noticed and stopped his attentions on her leg.
"What is it?"
"My back," she sighed.
"I'll rub it down for you when I finish your leg," he said.
"But Aya doesn't want me laying on my stomach."
"Your ribs?" He asked She nodded. "Don't worry we'll work something out." Then he went back to work on her leg.
The minutes seemed to go by too quickly for Amelia as Zelgadis finished up her leg. But she started to wonder exactly how he would give her a back rub if she weren't able to lay down
"Um my night shirt has buttons on the back, if that helps," Amelia ventured. "Aya said it's easier to work with for check ups."
Zelgadis nodded in thought, and then blushed slightly as an idea began to form. He gently moved her legs so they where on either side of his hips which startled the princess.
"Zelgadis?"
"Put your arms around my neck and move onto my lap while I lift you," he said. She moved as he pulled her and seconds later Amelia found herself with her legs around the chimera's waist in his lap blushing furiously.
"You all right?" He asked.
"Ye - yeah," she breathed.
"You can lean against me for support," he murmured and she immediately understood why he chose such an unusual position, so that she wouldn't have to strain herself by sitting up. She let her arms drop to her sides and rested her head in the crook of his shoulder. She could feel his hands on her back, hesitating at the buttons. She smiled.
"How do you expect to give me a back rub through my clothes," she teased, making him turn red. "Your going to have a hard enough time as it is in this position."
She thought a light tease would relax things a bit, but it didn't have the desired effect. He took a deep breath then slowly undid the first button, then the second and so on.
His fingers seemed to flirt with her skin as he worked his way down the buttons. His touch was warm and tingled just so and at the same time made her stifle a light giggle as he reached the small of her back.
"What's so funny?" He asked.
"Your fingers tickle," she said in his ear, letting another little giggle creep through. Which made him laugh in turn.
"At least your comfortable," he sighed.
After he finished unbuttoning the back of her nightshirt, he reached to his side for more Trialcon cream and began to rub it into her shoulders.
Amelia took in a sharp breath as the expanse of his hands connected with her shoulders. Their firm smoothness had skipped across the skin of her arms and legs now seemed to dance in a slow rhythm with her back as the dance floor. She relaxed and purred happily, drifting off in thought as her muscles discomfort was soothed.
He could hear her body give off a low hum as she leaned into him. The position they sat in was awkward for a back massage but by the princess's reaction it seemed he was doing fine. He could feel her breath on his neck, tickling as he worked up and down her back. And could smell the faint scent of her hair and blushed slightly as he remembered the last time he had taken in the scent as he continued.
It was seducing her, Amelia decided. The smooth plane of blue skin on his neck seemed to wink at her as it stretched down to his collarbone, disappearing behind his shirt. For days she had undergone tests and answered questions and though she knew it was her friends efforts to help her she still felt somewhat isolated. Even though the restrictions on her had been lifted no one had touched her for any length of time when they visited her. Now, leaning against Zelgadis as he tended to her sore and stiff muscles she felt normal and comforted. Her lips went dry and she licked them, her gaze continually taking in the expanse of blue barely an inch away. It was like a rich dessert in front of her singing a sweet sirens song, making her lips tingle in anticipation of his skin against them. She could never resist tempting treats on her lips.
Zelgadis felt Amelia move one arm around his waist and the other on the curve of his cheek. Then a second later a kiss on the neck, and another and her arm taking a firmer hold on his waist as they continued.
"Amelia," he said in a low voice against her ear.
"Mmmm," she murmured, switching to the other side of his neck. He let out a small moan her tongue trailed along the skin just below his ear.
"Amelia," he said again, this time pulling back to look at her.
"Yes?" she asked, smiling sweetly.
"Why did you just - ?"
"Your neck was tempting me," she murmured, moving a little closer.
He quickly and carefully buttoned the back of her nightshirt, confusing her.
"Something could accidentally come off," he said. "And you're still very weak."
"And kissing you does work up a lot of energy," she smiled, planting more kisses on his cheek then resuming her tasting of his neck.
He closed his eyes and reveled in the softness of her lips against his skin unconsciously pulling her closer. She pulled back again, lightly brushing her lips across his as his eyes fluttered open once more.
"Have dinner with me tonight," she whispered. " I'd like the company and we need to talk."
He couldn't yet find his voice and only nodded, knowing this would come up sooner or later.
"So you'll come?"
"Yes," he said aloud. "How about a little after sunset?"
"Okay," she said and hugged him close. "It's so good to feel normal again."
"And you weren't before?"
"It's all these tests," she sighed, "And when people visit me no one comes that close to me. Being here with you is the closest I've been to anyone in a while."
"I didn't know. We all just wanted to help. They needed to run tests and do examines an now that your awake they have a better idea of how you feel."
"I know. It's just a little hard sometimes. There are so many people around me yet I feel alone," she said, letting out a weary breath.
"Are you tired?" He asked.
"A little. All that massaging is making me feel really relaxed. You would think being unconscious for about two weeks I'd have gotten plenty of rest t last me for a while," she laughed.
Zelgadis moved her out of his lap and helped her lay comfortably on her pillows and pulled a light sheet over her. He leaned over and tucked her in.
"I'll come back for dinner and that talk later this evening okay?"
"Okay. And get some rest too," she murmured.
"I will," he smiled and gave her a light kiss on the nose.
Amelia watched him leave, silently closing the door. She stared at the sunlight reflected on the ceiling and sighed touching her nose.
Moments later Aya came in and found the princess smiling dreamily into space.
"Amelia?" She ventured.
"Hi Aya. How's Joliet?"
"She's doing great, and you seem to be also."
"Zelgadis was here. He gave me a massage ... Oh!" She sat up suddenly. "I asked him to dinner."
"That's good, but it sounds like something's wrong."
"No, it's just," Amelia stopped and looked down at her plain pajamas and rumpled bed and gave a heavy sigh. "I'm a mess."
"And you want things to be special?" Aya asked. Amelia nodded.
"We have a lot to talk about."
"Don't worry. We'll make things special for you," Aya smiled.
"How?"
"Just leave it to me."
As the sunset in the distance Amelia looked around her room amazed at the change.
"Aya really did wonders," She smiled.
The bed had been remade with fresh emerald green sheets and matching pillowcases. A nice dinner had been made courtesy of the tavern-dining hall, but what really made the princess smile was her new nightgown. It looked more like a loose dress and draped her frame in liquid satin that mirrored the material of her sheets. It was a sparkly peach that when from pale to a deep color at the gowns hem.
She sat at the beds edge where the cart had been set and waited for her guest to arrive.
"We'll eat first," she thought, "Then we'll talk and I'll tell him."
There was a slight creek from the door. Amelia looked up and saw Zelgadis.
"Come in, dinner just got here a few minutes ago," she smiled, despite the nervous rapid beating of her heart.
Zelgadis looked at her sitting on the bed, taking in the rich hues of the sheets that framed her. They had been changed, as had the princess in to a new nightgown. Her hair hung loose, brushing her shoulders with delicate strains that curled slightly tucked behind her ears. The whole scene seemed the picture of softness to him as he walked over.
"So what did you decided on for dinner?" He asked, pulling a chair over to the dinner cart.
"Pasta with a nice cream sauce mixed with vegetables and beef," she said lifting a lid of a platter revealing the succulent scent of food. "We've also got a few other things as side dishes."
"It looks great, how did you manage this?"
"Aya thought it would inspire my appetite to have something rich for dinner. The food here's nice but I miss the great meals we had at the tavern. All the different smells and things."
"You really don't like it here do you?" He murmured, as he fixed her plate then his own.
"It's not that," She said. "I'm not use to feeling so helpless or weak. I can barely move around without getting exhausted and walking is like an alien concept. Not mention my four walls are driving me crazy. I just don't feel ...
"Normal," He added. She nodded. "I'll talk to Aya, see if we can change some of that for you."
"It would be wonderful if you could," she said, taking a bite of her pasta. "I've been dreaming of going outside, and maybe pick flowers or play in the mud," she laughed, eating more.
"Playing in the mud?"
"I use to love to get dirty making mud pies in the gardens at home. I use to do them up like layer cakes and use flowers as cake decorations. In fact yesterday me and Joliet were having a great conversation abut mud pies"
"Really," he laughed. "Hopefully you'll be able to soon I promise," he said, his gaze level on her and Amelia blushed under it's scrutiny.
"Take a bite, it's really good," she smiled. He placed a bit on his fork and took a taste, quickly agreeing with the princess. The food was flavorful and for some reason seemed much more enjoyable then anything he'd eaten in the last two weeks.
"Maybe it's the company," he mused.
The princess continued to eat her food, thoroughly enjoying every bite.
"This is so good," she sighed. "I wonder what else is here?"
Amelia lifted the lids off the last few dishes, revealing more great smelling food for them to enjoy.
"Oh, we've got potatoes," she said, "Try some." She held out a forkful to Zelgadis excitedly. Which he ate slowly, savoring the food's flavor.
"How is it?"
"Good, try some," he said, offering to feed her in return.
The berry moistness of her lips closed over his fork, pulling back slowly removing the tasty morsel from its perch. She chewed slowly, smiled and let out a little murmur as the chimera watched with intrigue.
"This is great," she giggled. "I feel like I haven't eaten this good in forever."
"I know the feeling," Zelgadis said, returning to his plate.
They continued eating and talking idly about the food and Amelia's dreams of the outside world. All too soon the meal ended and the pair sat across from each other in awkward silence.
"I'm stuffed," Amelia said finally.
"Me too," Zelgadis agreed. "I'll move the cart out into the hall so someone can take it away later."
He quickly got up and pushed it out the room. Meanwhile Amelia took a more comfortable position on the bed and waited for his return.
"Just relax," she told herself, taking a deep breath to quill her anxious nerves.
When he returned he saw her sitting in a different position on the bed waiting for him and swallowed nervously.
She watched him sit down in front of her.
"I just wanted to say that-" they started at the same time then stopped suddenly.
"I love you," she said softly.
"What?"
"After all that's happened during our time in Briseral you can't deny how serious I am, that my feelings are real. I've said it to you before but not in a way that you could take seriously, but I'm saying it now. All I want is recognition and opportunity; for you to recognize that there is something happening between us and the opportunity to explore it. If you can't or don't feel the same then ... I'll understand," she ended in a shaky whisper.
"How can you say that after what I've done to you?" He whispered slowly in surprise.
"What you've done to me?" She repeated confused.
"You got hurt because of me. You ... almost died. How can you sit here and say that you love me?"
And she slapped him. Zelgadis held his check, staring at her wide-eyed as she panted heavily from the effort of hitting him. Her features darkened with anger as her eyes boar into him.
"Don't do this; don't make excuses." she cried. " Either you care about me or you don't, either you want to be with me or you don't, but don't run away from me."
"I'm not," He pleaded. "You're here because Evette saw what I was still too blind to see and maybe too scared, I don't know which. The bottom line is put someone I care about and who cares about me so close to dying it was frightening. Anyone else would -"
"I'm not anyone else," she blurted out. "I told you before you underestimated me too much. Is it so hard for you to believe in me?"
"I don't want to hurt you," he said in a low voice.
Finding another burst of strength she was able to grip onto him and push him by the shoulders back on the bed until he was pinned there, looking up at her as surprised as when she had slapped him.
"What if the situation were reversed? That you where here because Evette wanted me? Would you hate me?"
"No."
"Then why would you think I'd hate you? Or for that matter why do you assume you'd be the one putting me in a constant state of danger? It could just as easily be the other way around."
"This wouldn't have happened if I weren't here and you know it."
"I know no such thing. I know that caring for one other is done on equal terms. We care for each other, we protect each other. It's not one-sided. And I also know you're talking to me too," she smiled. "Even though I have cared about you for a long time and we've been there for each other on more then one occasion I feel closer to you here in Briseral then I ever have and I don't want to lose that."
"Neither do I Amelia, but I can't shake the image of how you looked when we first found you, or the days that you lay here and I thought they were going to tell me that you would die and knowing that Evette saw everything before I did and that now it was too late. You looked so broken and crumbled and -," Tears uncontrollably welled up in his eyes as he stared up into her face. The silence with which he cried was as deafening as the pain Amelia saw in his eyes. They flickered, glistening from the unshed tears and with memories of all that had happened during her unconsciousness. His mental ordeal seemed to mirror her physical one and suddenly she felt horrible for thinking he was still avoiding things when in truth his suffering was from confrontation.
"What did you mean by being too blind to see what Evette already saw? You mentioned it twice."
"The idea that I could be happy in this body was never something I considered because it felt like I was giving up on finding a cure. Happiness just seemed like something normal people had because for me it ultimately led to disappointment. But this time with you, here in Briseral all those feelings seemed to disappear. You said a lot of things that before I wouldn't let myself think about. That I knew deep down but was afraid to reach out and take a closer look at. It gave me a lot to think about."
"And what have you been thinking?"
"When I talked to Bubbles about our dream to find out what happened do you know what he said? He said that what happened didn't matter considering. I didn't know what he meant at first, but when I was with Evette I did a lot of thinking and most of my thoughts where about you and that's when I realized what considering meant."
He stopped and looked off blankly as if in a dream.
"What does considering mean?" She asked.
"Considering what I've already begun to feel. It had been there growing, blooming and I had tried to deny it, and despite that she saw it." He reached up his hands and cupped her face, his thumbs rubbing lightly at her cheeks. "The kind of woman I said I was looking for the first night of the pageant you are. You've been more understanding and patient with me then anyone. And I almost ... I'm so sorry," he shuddered shaking his head, letting go of her. "So very sorry."
He turned his head, letting the hot tears in his eyes fall onto the cool satin sheets.
"It's not your fault," she whispered hugging him, kissing away his tears. "None of us knew what Evette really was."
He pulled her into his arms and held her close. She rested her head against his, cheek to cheek and he sighed as her closeness and strength seemed to give the raging seas of torment in his mind calm.
"Can you forgive me?" He murmured, moving to face her.
"There's nothing to forgive," She whispered smiling, "You've done nothing wrong."
He felt his lips crease into a slight smile as he lifted himself up from the bed to kiss her fully. He held her even tighter as they explored each other's lips and the new emotion between them.
"Zelgadis," Amelia breathed as they broke apart for air. "Yes."
"My ribs are still sore, could you ..." she started sheepishly.
Realization hit him quickly and he loosened his hold on her.
"I didn't mean to ... are you okay?"
"Yes, we'll just have to be careful next time," she smiled.
"I guess," he blushed.
"However," she smiled cuddling close to the chimera. "Snuggling works just as good."
He wrapped his arms around her gently and held her as they both lay side by side, facing each other. He stared into the midnight blue of her eyes and vaguely wondered how he was ever foolish enough to underestimate her strength.
"Does this mean that we're dating now?"
"I think so," she answered caressing his cheek lightly.
"To be honest this is pretty new territory for me. I didn't date much before ... and after it didn't seem possible. But I promise to try." She smiled and kissed him on the nose as he had earlier in the afternoon.
"That's all I ever wanted you to do, to try." She then grabbed his hand idly toyed with his fingers.
"I've been wondering why you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Always touch my hand."
"You really want to know?" She asked.
"Yes I do."
"You promise not to laugh?"
"I promise," he smiled, becoming even more curious.
"When I was little my mother had a favorite dress. It was pale yellow made of some kind of silk blend. It was my favorite too because of how smooth and warm it always felt. I use to hide under it in my mother's closet when we'd play hide and seek," the princess laughed at the fond memory. "One of the first times I ever touched you I remember thinking how much your skin felt like my mothers dress."
Zelgadis looked at his hands as if seeing them for the first time.
"I think that's the nicest compliment anyone has ever paid me," he said quietly and kissed her once again. He then pulled back from her and shook his head in a blend of amazement and disbelief.
"Even though I'm a chimera you still ... I'm mean I'm blue and ..."
"And sparkly, like a chest of sapphires. You're ... my sapphire prince, the greatest treasure I know of being," she whispered against his lips. She kissed him a slow, lazy manner, enjoying every tingle of his lips against hers.
He looked at her, touching her face and she sighed.
"Why do you say things like that?" He whispered.
"What things?"
"About me, sapphires and favorite childhood dresses? Why do you compare me to such priceless things?"
"Because you are priceless to me," she smiled. "Besides its no more flattering then what you said about my outfit and the festival in Cersia."
"I guess so," he laughed, a low throaty chuckle that made her smile brighter.
"How come I never saw that you had so much strength?" He asked cradling her as he sat up again. "So much so that you've practically been carrying me through this whole thing from the beginning," he whispered into her hair.
She liked the warmth of his breath on her scalp and hugged him a bit closer, despite the budding protests of her ribs.
"You act as if you have no strength at all?"
"It feels that way, especially compared to you these last weeks."
She kissed the curve of his chin and touched the wire of his hair, curling it a round her fingers.
"You have plenty of strength especially while I've been here. You pushed aside your physical limitations and keep your emotions in check so that you could be clear headed to do what Aya and Odayaka asked. And though I don't like the idea that you haven't been taking care of yourself. I think it took a lot of strength to keep going, considering that you thought you were responsible."
"I still wish you were feeling better, that there was more I could do to help."
"The rest is up to me now and I wish I were better too," she laughed.
"But I think my reasons are a little selfish," he smiled slyly, planting a quick kiss on her neck making his meaning clear.
"And you think that mine aren't. I always knew you liked kissing me," she smiled, leaning against him heavily.
"Are you okay?" Zelgadis asked, looking down at her.
"I feel a little worn out," she explained.
"If you want to get some sleep I'll come back another time?"
"No don't leave," she said quickly, "You can stay here with me." At this Zelgadis blushed.
"Amelia I don't think ...that is, " He stammered, getting redder. "We shouldn't ... . I mean -"
"I just wanted you to stay with me until I fell asleep," She smiled as he sighed with relief. And I promise I won't take advantage of you either," she teased blushing.
"All right," he said, still blushing. He got up from the bed and pulled the covers around her then sat back down and held her in a comfortable position.
"Is this all right?"
"Wonderful," she sighed and closed her eyes. In minutes they were both asleep, and that's how Lina found them when she peeked into Amelia's room.
The sorceress closed the door quietly and turned to Gourry who waited beside her.
"They're asleep. We'll come back some other time," she whispered.
"Okay," Gourry whispered back and they headed down the hall. "Zelgadis was there too?"
Lina nodded. " They had some stuff to talk about."
"They're finally a couple?" Gourry asked as they descended the stairs.
"What do you mean finally. You act like this was coming."
"Well when we have to share rooms sometimes Zel murmurs stuff in his sleep."
"Stuff?"
"Yeah about Amelia, just her name really. He always liked her he was just afraid to admit it until now, I guess."
"It sure looks that way," Lina nodded.
"I think they call it subconscious transference of emotion in sleep," Gourry said, thinking out loud.
"How did you know that?"
"It was in one of the books I went through when we needed information. Dreams are suppose to tap into subconscious thoughts and feelings so there was a lot of information about it."
"You really got a lot out of your reading," Lina smiled.
"I guess. I read all that stuff an I had lots of questions about things, so I read a little more."
"Sounds like you really got into the subject."
"It was really interesting and kind of fun too," he smiled. "I wish I could find out even more though."
"What about gong to a university?" Lina suggested.
"You mean like where Zel said his dad taught at?"
"Sure if you liked what you read and you want to learn more about it ..."
"Yeah I do," he nodded eagerly."
"Then maybe going to school would be a good idea."
"Do you really think I could do something like that? I mean I did all right in school when I was little but I wasn't the smartest."
"If you want to try you should and like you said before you're smart at certain things, like swords. There are lots of people who've trained a lot longer then you and you're better then them."
"But that's because I really liked swords and there's so much stuff I wanted to know," Gourry said.
"Well you could feel the same way about this too," Lina offered as they approached the doors of the center. She stopped and turned to Gourry.
"We could pick up a few books to read and see how you like them. You don't have to g to school if you don't want to. But we could always find a good magic shop with books or a library in whatever town we're in and ..." She was stopped suddenly when Gourry picked her up of the ground and hugged her.
"Thanks Lina."
"What for?" She asked blushing madly as a few nurse and doctors stared at the scene the swordsman had thrown her into.
"For being a good friend."
"Thanks Gourry," Lina said, returning his hug, though not so tightly.
He set her back down as suddenly as he had picked her up and the both headed out of the center.
"Let's get some food since things are going so great now," Lina said as they started down the street.
"Sure thing. Hey Lina look!" Gourry said pointing to a stack of newspapers on the store's front stoop. "It's the latest issue of that Babbler you and Amelia were talking about during the pageant."
"Oh that garbage," Lina snorted. "What's in the headlines now?" She asked grabbing a paper from the stack
She read the front page and turned red with a blend of blushing and anger.
"What's it say Lina?" Gourry asked, looking over her shoulder. "Inverse and Gabriev in Love Cocoon," he read aloud. Under the headline was picture of Gourry and Lina in her bed talking the morning he knocked on her door.
"Gourry," Lina said through clenched teeth.
"Yeah Lina?" He asked nervously.
"We have one stop to make before eating," she smiled deviously.
Minutes later a large explosion could be heard throughout Briseral waking a sleeping princess and her chimera.
"What was that?" Amelia asked.
"I think Lina is teaching some people that it's not nice to make up stories," Zelgadis said, thinking of the evening paper he saw on his way to dinner.
Between the Kaleidoscope Café and the Nick-KnackEmporium was crater that was once the offices of the Briseral Babbler. Needless to say no one complained, in fact a few people secretly rejoiced.
Outside of town the old man sat on his rock and stared back at Briseral, a smile making the wrinkles crease deeper into his cheeks.
"Well it seems things turned out well," he murmured.
"So what will you do know? A second voice asked.
"Rest, I can finally rest. I'm only a shadow of who I once was, before I met Nephillo. She's gone now. I wish I could have done more then warn them though."
"It was enough, the rest took care of itself."
"Did it now," the old man said knowingly. He turned to face the other but was greeted by an empty road and the faint traces of a laugh.
"Maybe, but then again," the voice laughed, vanishing completely.
"Yes but then again," the old man smiled, taking on last look at Briseral then disappearing as well. "I guess they'll have to wait and see."