"Zelgadiss?" Rezo called from across the lab and the boy looked up from the simulator he was trying to repair.
"What is it?"
"I realise this is probably going to be a big mistake, but I need something from the computer labs and you're the only one available for me to send."
"The computer labs?" He asked, all thoughts of the simulator forgotten. "You mean, where the Realm's mainframe is?"
"That's why I know I'm going to regret it." Rezo said by way of agreement. "They've been developing a program for the new AI unit, apparently a prototype version is ready for testing. You need to bring me the hard copy. Zellas will be waiting for you, and once you've got it she'll call me and then I will be waiting for you. Don't take too long."
"Of course not." He replied with a grin and his grandfather shook his head. Laughing at the older man's expression Zelgadiss left the room and headed across campus to the Computer Science buildings. They were now the best department in the entire University, opening the Realm to public access ten years ago had brought in more money than anyone had expected at the time. It was now one of the most profitable ventures in the world, and the University ran the whole thing. Not bad for a formerly second rate institution on the verge of bankruptcy.
He reached the lab and was surprised to find that it had it's own receptionist. She looked like she might be a student at the university, with curly light blue hair and on overly flirtatious smile.
"Hello there." She said brightly, batting her eyes at him. "I'm Martina, can I help you?"
Zelgadiss smiled back, deliberately ignoring the implications of the question. "Professor Akahoushi sent me; I need to pick up a program from Professor Metallium."
She pouted, but called someone to the Professor to the front desk anyway. He was a little disappointed; he'd wanted to see some of the equipment in the lab, but he should have known they'd have it under lock and key. At least he'd get to meet the system's creator, maybe he'd get to ask her a few questions about the Realm's development. He was chatting lightly with Martina when one of the lab doors open and he was surprised to see the purple-haired boy from his English class come out.
"Martina, I need you to contact the level Forty-seven design team. The schematics they sent over are blatantly wrong, I think they got them confused with the decoys again. That's the third time they've done that, tell them to hire someone with even the remotest chance of being able to organise their paperwork please."
"Of course Xellos." The girl replied, taking the paper and giving him the same goo-goo eyed look she'd gifted Zelgadiss with only moments before. He shrugged, at least she had good taste, even if it was fickle.
The boy looked up before he left, and apparently noticed Zelgadiss for the first time because he blushed again. Trying unsuccessfully to keep a smirk from his face Zelgadiss nodded, "Hi there. You're in my English class aren't you?"
"Ah, yes." He replied somewhat awkwardly, then offered his hand. "My name is Xellos."
"I'm Zelgadiss." He replied, shaking the shy boy's hand, which was then pulled away very quickly. "You work in the lab?"
"Part time." He replied. "It's sort of extra credit."
"I know what you mean. I work in one of the Mech labs, even though I'm not supposed to do that until I'm officially a grad student. You related to one of the Profs in this one?"
He looked a little guilty. "Yes."
"Me too, connections are great aren't they?"
That seemed to surprise him but he didn't get a chance to answer before the door to the lab opened an a tall woman with dark skin and light hair walked out, followed by two lab techs carrying boxes. "You must be Zelgadiss." The lady said cheerfully. "Rezo said you'd be coming and that I was strictly forbidden to discuss the project with you because he'd never get you back otherwise, so don't even bother asking."
Damn that man. Zelgadiss sighed and then looked at the boxes warily. "That isn't the program I'm supposed to take, is it?"
She smiled. "Yes it is. You didn't expect something small did you?"
"Well, I was hoping with modern advancements and all..."
"Sorry, not for something this complex."
"Did Rezo know it was going to take this much stuff?"
"Of course."
He groaned. "I swear that man is a closet sadist."
Xellos laughed at the comment and Zellas looked at him, her eyes seeming to light up with an idea. "Don't worry Zelgadiss, Xellos here can help you take it back to Rezo's lab."
That did not appear to be what Xellos had wanted but he just sighed and took one of the boxes. "Where are we taking these?"
"To the Mech Eng building. Don't worry, it's not that far." Zelgadiss replied as he took the other box. As far as he was concerned, this had worked out quite well. He thanked Zellas and then left with the purple haired boy. "So what year are you?" He asked conversationally and Xellos shrugged.
"Sort of a first year."
"Oh yeah? Then you are lucky. I know some grad students who would kill to get into that lab. Personally, I've liked the chance to talk to Professor Metallium for a little while. Too bad my grandfather pre-empted it."
"Really?" The boy turned a now sharp looking gaze towards him, leaving Zelgadiss a little surprised at the suddenly loss of embarrassment. It was a complete change, and he could almost see Xellos calculating something in his head. "Maybe you can help me with a problem then."
"What do you mean?" He asked, a little unsettled with the way the purple-haired boy was looking at him now. He liked the shy looks he'd gotten much, much better.
"My mother is of the opinion that I spend too much time in the Realm."
"I understand that, my grandfather does too."
"Yes, well, being that my mother is Professor Metallium, if she wanted she could solve that problem quite effectively."
"Ouch. So how can I help?"
"Join us for dinner on Friday."
"What?"
He shrugged. "I need to invite someone over, and I really don't have that many friends. You can come over, say we have a similar interest in the Realm and spend the evening asking her whatever you want. Personally, I'd be interested to hear some of your questions as well. That solves my problem, and you get what you want as well."
Zelgadiss just stared at him, trying to resolve the serious, business-like boy now talking to him with the one who had blushed and run out of the English classroom a few days ago. The effect was interesting to say the least, and he suddenly had a new incentive to accept the offer. "Fine, sounds like a plan. I'll get your number and address when we get to the lab."
"Excellent." Xellos said with complete satisfaction. Zelgadiss smiled as they reached the Mechanical Engineering building and went in. He was going to be able to discover more about the Realm, which was something he'd wanted for a long time. Now he also had another, more recent, motivation; he wanted to find out more about Zellas Metallium's strange son.