"So Zelgadiss, Xellos tells me that you're in the same English class." Zellas asked pleasantly and Zelgadiss smiled.
"That's right. We've got Professor Saillune, do you know him?"
She smiled. "Yes I do. Phil has some... interesting perspectives on things. I imagine it's a very unique class."
"That's putting it politely." Xellos muttered, receiving a disapproving look from his mother that he apparently decided to ignore.
"You should meet his daughter." Zellas continued. "She's just like her father."
Zelgadiss choked on his drink. "You're kidding? That's a very frightening thought." Xellos laughed and his mother sighed.
"You two should show more respect to your Professors." They shared a look across the table and then started to laugh.
"He also mentioned that you enjoying playing in the Realm. Judging by your grandfather's comments I assume you spend a lot of time there?"
"Yes, he seems to think too much. I find it interesting."
"Really, how long have you been active?"
"Not very long actually, just over a year. I am a little curious about the level structures however."
"Really?" She got an interesting look in her eyes then. It reminded Zelgadiss a lot of the calculating expression Xellos had worn when he'd invited Zelgadiss to dinner. Apparently the strange shift in personality ran in the family. He began asking Zellas some technical and structural questions about the Realm, some of which she answered and some of which she didn't. After a few minutes he began to notice that Xellos was no longer paying any attention to the conversation. Instead the purple-haired boy was apparently daydreaming with a rather cute, far-away expression on his face. Watching him out of the corner of his eye Zelgadiss decided that Xellos needed to pay attention to him again, even if the other boy wasn't going to participate in the conversation.
Continuing to ask Zellas questions and listen to her answers Zelgadiss reached out with his foot and brushed it up along the outside of Xellos leg. It was difficult not to laugh when the other boy suddenly jumped, but he managed to pull it off somehow. He waited until Xellos had composed himself again and then repeated the action, continuing the contact as he slid his foot around to the inside of the purple-haired boys leg, keeping it low for now. He was suddenly very glad that Zellas had insisted he remove his shoes before coming in; this was a lot of fun.
Xellos apparently found his plate incredibly interesting now, because his gaze was fixed on it as his hand clenched into a tight little fist. Zelgadiss let his foot hit the ground, watched Xellos relax, and then began drawing it up along the inside of the purple-haired boy's other leg. Strangely enough he got all tense again. This time he followed Xellos' leg all the way up to the boy's hip even though he had to lean back in his chair to pull that off. He moved it along Xellos' waist, feeling the tight chest muscles in his abdomen and discovered that the other boy was holding his breath. He was just beginning to slide it lower when Zellas announced that it was time for dessert and left the table. The second she was gone Xellos grabbed his ankle.
"Something wrong?" He asked innocently, enjoying the flush of the other boy's cheeks. Much better than the calculating look he decided.
"What are you doing?"
"What do you think? Although, it's kind of hard to move if you keep holding onto my ankle like that. Or... should I stop?"
Xellos bit his lower lip but didn't have time to answer before Zellas came back in the room with a chocolate cake. As it was served Xellos released his ankle, but before Zelgadiss could resume his activities the purple-haired boy ran his fingers lightly over the bottom of his foot causing him to sit up and pull his foot away with a jerk. Sometimes it was rather inconvenient to be ticklish. Xellos began to smirk and despite himself Zelgadiss began to laugh. Zellas gave them both a searching look and then just shook her head. The rest of the dinner past pleasantly and far too soon he found himself saying goodnight. He regretted the fact that they'd had a chaperone for the entire night, but it had been enjoyable anyway. Not only had he gotten to tease the other boy just a little bit, but he'd also learned some useful tips about working in the Realm. All in all it had been a rather productive evening.