Part 3: Help! The Price is Too High


Upon entering the land of Zefilia, our intrepid band of...people (heroes would sound nice, but only Amelia would really care) were accosted by the wonderful sights and smells of the annual Grape Festival. As this was the princess's first trip to this kingdom, the justice paladin insisted on attending the three day event. But first, the natural needs had to be met.

"Gohan, lu, lu, lu!"

"Gohan, la, la, la!"

Lina and Gourry's chant was heard throughout the crowded street as they went in search of a place to eat. The others trailed behind somewhat less enthusiastically.

It seemed that Gourry was more hungry than Lina at the moment, for he was losing Lina fast, going simply by nose towards the closest restaurant as fast as his legs would carry him. If Lina hadn't been so rushed to catch up with her blond companion, she would have noticed where he was heading. Oh well. By the time Zel, Xel, Amelia and Sylphiel had caught up with them, the two had already secured a table, ordered, and were on their first table of assorted foodstuffs.

A meek waitress came up to the table when she noticed the newcomers. She nearing fainted at having a third rather large order from the princess, but was infinitely pleased with the small orders from the shaman, priest, and priestess. As the waitress left to fill their orders, Sylph looked around the restaurant.

"Oh my, that woman looks quite a bit like you, Xelloss-san."

"Hmm?"

Lina froze in her food fest at Sylphiel's comment. A person in a restaurant, in Zefilia, that looks like Xelloss?!

"Luna!"

This comment came from Lina as a whisper and from Xelloss as quite a loud shout. The Greater Beast's priest waved over said purple-haired waitress as Lina tried to hide underneath the stacks of empty plates.

"Imouto-chan, I see you; you can come out now."

"Hai, nee-chan," Lina replied quietly. She quickly complied to the order, sitting up straight and proper in her chair, head bowed. Sufficed to say, Amelia, Zel, Sylphiel, and Gourry were all stunned at the sudden change in behaviour. Xelloss just stood next to Luna and smiled at her.

"Hi, Luna-sama!" he beamed.

"Hi Xel-chan!" she returned.

Sylphiel's assessment of the elder Inverse had been quite accurate. Not only were the facial features similar, they had the same build as well. Luna reminded the others of Xelloss in drag, something which had been scary enough in its own right. Except, of course, Xel never wore a waitress's uniform to their knowledge. The only physical difference they could see between the two other than gender was Luna's hair. It was the same colour and style as the Trickster Priest's, but her bangs were slightly longer, just covering her eyes.

"Well, imouto-chan, introduce your friends."

"Hai!" She stood up so she could point to her companions over the stacks of plates. Pointing next to her, she started, "This is Zelgadis Graywords, this is Gourry Gabriev..." She pointed to the blond across from Zel, who waved at Luna with a chicken leg in his hand. Lina felt a sweatdrop coming on. "...obviously you know Xelloss, and this is Princess Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun." Since she had finished, Lina sat back down in her previous position, waiting for whatever came next to happen.

She didn't have to wait long as Zel put down his cup of coffee and addressed the two purple-haired people. "Exactly how do you two know one another?"

"Sore wa himitsu desu!" Xelloss cheerfully replied.

"Now Xel-chan, it was a fair enough question..." Luna glared, but you couldn't really see it beneath her bangs.

"Oh, all right. Luna-sama is a friend of the family."

Jaws dropped onto the table.

"What the hell?!?!?"

"Luna-san!" Amelia leaped onto the table, miraculously dodging all the dishes. Taking one of her poses, she cried out, "This is unjust! You are a Knight of Ceipheed! How can you befriend the Mazoku?" She actually succeeded in making both Luna and Xelloss sweatdrop.

"Ne, what's so wrong with befriending a mazoku?" Xelloss pouted.

Amelia just ignored him and continued her rant about justice and love and how evil the Mazoku are as the others sweatdropped. Luna just stood there.

When the princess had finished her speech and had seated herself once again, the waitress/ Ceipheed Knight turned back to her sister and said, "Come home after dinner. All of you."

"Hai!" came the response from everyone. Satisfied, Luna returned to work.

Lina sighed a breath of relief. Well, at least Nee-chan no longer stood in front of her. But she had to come home?!? Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods...


Part 4   |   Fanfiction