Over the next two weeks or so, Zelgadiss recieved no message from Shabranigdo. Not that Zel was as concerned as he should have been. Everyday, he had went to visit Lina at her restaurant. Why? He had no idea. He helped her in the kitchen, he watched Val while she was busy, and his good looks seemed to attract all the more female customers to the restaurant; relishing a good business for Lina. Although it almost became routine for Zel, he didn't not enjoy it.
Zel sat on the ledge that connected her home and garden together. It was late, and the crescent moon hung high in the deep blue sky, amidst the millions of tiny stars.
"Zel?"
"Yeah?" Zel leaned his head back and found Lina standing behind him. She rested her elbows on his shoulders as he looked back up at her.
"Nothing. Just wondering what you were doing..."
"Oh...really?" he smiled. He turned his gaze back on the moon. "I was just thinking about things."
Lina let her hands drape over him. "Thinking about what?" she asked curiously.
He laughed lightly and leaned back into her. Although they had known each other a short time, they had become very much physical on both sides. "Nothing in particular. Has Val gone yet?"
The redhead frowned, nodding. "Yes... And Filia gave me yet another lecture about you, you know?"
"About the 'don't trust people you've only known a week' subject?"
"Precisely, though I've known you more than just 'a week'."
Zel tugged lightly onto a red tress of her hair, and lowered his tenor voice into a growl. "Yes, my pretty Lina. I'm a actually one of those psychotic maniacs in disguise..." He grinned evilly at her, and continued, "... just waiting for the perfect chance to come rape and kill you...!"
"What?" she cried, laughing as he jumped on her. She fell back on to the floor in fits of giggles as he pounced all fours on top of her. "Get off me!"
He shrugged and nuzzeled into her neck. Lina tried to pry him off, but the laughter only weakened her. "Stop!" she panted.
"Not unti - ..."
The two of them suddenly noticed a shadow falling over them. They looked up simultaneously to see Filia glaring down at them.
"Filia..." Lina began, as Zel hastily got off her.
Filia cut her off. "I came back to get my ...my mace," she said icily. "I was wondering if you had seen it, Lina."
Zel crossed his legs, and looked up at the glaring blonde. "Oh, you mean that heavy metal thing?"
"Yes..." Lina quickly said, seeing that he had just insulted Filia's most precious treasure. "Did you see it, Zel?"
He nodded. "I put it in your room."
"I'll go get it for you, Filia. Just wait one second." Lina managed to force a smile before she hopped back into the house.
The already-high-enough level of tension increased another notch as Zel and Filia stared at each other in silence. As Zel was just about to turn his head away, Filia spoke.
"Stay away from her, Zelgadiss."
He raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"I know you have some motive in doing what you are to her."
"I don't know what the hell you're talking about, Miss."
"It's really no use pretending. But I'm warning you now to not touch her."
"Excuse me, but I never had any intention of doing anything whatsoever to harm her."
Filia shook her head, as if to say she didn't care what he said. "I don't think - "
"I've found it, Filia!" Lina called, rushing back outside and cutting them off.
Filia smiled a little too sweetly as she thanked her. As she turned to walk out, she suddenly looked back at the pair. "Does he intend to spend the night?" she asked coldly.
"No, I don't," Zel responded, despite the fact she had directed the question at Lina. "As a matter of fact, I'll be leaving now, Lina. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
Lina nodded quickly. "Sure," she said, "I'll see you both off."
Although it was strange and silent when the three of them walked together, they managed to get to the door. Good byes were exchanged and they departed.
It's a good thing they're both going in different directions, Lina thought as she shut the door.