"Lina!"
"wha~" Lina gingerly opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. Ugh, it felt like she had taken a looong nap.... when did they get to an inn anyway?
"I'M SO HAPPY THAT YOU'RE OK!!" glomp
"I~~can-'t b-b-brea-ack!"
"Amelia-san!" Sylphiel cried, "She needs to breath!"
"Oh.... ah, sorry Sylphiel-san, Lina-san," Amelia said sheepishly, releasing the wheezing red head. She may not have inherited her father's bandit-like looks, but she sure as hell had his brute strength!
"Amelia," Sylphiel said gently, "Why don't you go ask the cooks for some hot soup?"
"Hai!"
"She was just worried," Gourry said reassuringly, watching the young princess scamper off.
"....I know." With a sigh, Lina leaned back against the pillows. "I know that.... Sylphiel, what happened to your arm!?" she cried, eyeing the not quite healed flesh.
"It's fine," she said with a wave of her goodhand. "Don't worry about it."
Not wanting to press the issue, Lina nodded and closed her eyes. "Where are we?"
"We're in a small village a few miles from the bandit camp," Zelgadiss said quietly. "Lina, wha - "
" - What happened?" Xelloss cut in, stepping up to the bed.
"They're making the soup now," Amelia announced. All eyes turned to her as she made her way back into the room, sitting back down on Lina's bed. Lina exhaled, glad for the interruption. Unfortunately, some people wouldn't let the dead dog rest so to speak. All eyes where still on her and Zelgadiss gave a curt nod for her to continue.
"Well... you see...idon'tremember."
"Eh?" Xelloss leaned in closer.
"isaididon'tremember"
"Really Lina-san! I'm an old man you know!" Xelloss, whined, holding an earphone up to increase his poor, decaying (^^;) hearing ability. Young people these days!
"I SAID I DON'T REMEMBER!!" she yelled directly into the earphone, causing Xelloss' shoulder length hair to stand on end.
He gave her a glance akin to a wounded puppy, "No need to shout." Still wearing the child-who-lost-his-candy look he made a feeble attempt to smooth his hair back into its normal style.
She slapped her head in frustration, "What do you want Xelloss?"
"Can't I be concerned over a friend?
glare
"Well what do you remember Lina?" Zelgadiss, the everlasting voice of reason interjected.
"Hmmm, I remember.... fireballing a bunch of bandits, getting proposed to (yuck) and then...."
"You where going to use a Dynast Brass on an innocent girl."
"Shut-up Amelia! She thought I was a guy!"
"At least she thought you where cute."
"Is that supposed to help Zel!?"
"Well it's true you know," Gourry said thoughtfully. "I mean most people just insult your loo - bonk ITAI!! Amelia!" He cried, waterworks pouring from his eyes, "How could you!?"
"Sorry Gourry-san, but while Lina-san is recuperating it is my duty as a Servant of Justice to take her place in punishing you!"
sweatdrop "Ano, that's a twisted sense of justice." pout
"Don't worry Gourry-sama," Sylphiel said, hugging him tenderly. As he gazed into her emerald eyes, she found herself lost in a warm sea of blue. Soft music came from nowhere and cherry blossoms fell from the ceiling as they leaned towards one another and -
" - EXCUSE ME!" Lina screeched, "I'M ALMOST SURE THAT YOU HAVE YOUR OWN ROOM!"
"Huh?" The mood was immediately broken, the flowers and music disappearing to some random shoujou anime. "Sorry."
About an hour later, they still weren't making much progress. Lina had taken a break to eat the soup, and since Sylphiel had said that she could only eat one bowl, she ate as slowly as possible. Zelgadiss had situated himself at the foot of her bead, Amelia was perched on the dresser beside her, Gourry and Sylphiel took the nearby chairs and Xelloss... well he kinda just floated.
"Ok, one more time, what where you doing prior to passing out?" Zelgadiss asked as calmly as possible.
"Alright, I used my fists a lot, and a few fireballs. I think I used a Dil Brand...never used my sword."
"So you had used no Black magic up till that point."
"That's right, she said, raising an eyebrow.
"Interesting!" Xelloss exclaimed cheerily.
Ignoring him with an almost artistic style, Zelgadiss continued, "This is only a theory, it might have been a coincidence. But, maybe it was the magic."
"You think so?" This was not good, her strongest area was in Black magic, if she couldn't use any...
"Wait, so it was the magic that caused her to pass out?"
"It's possible Gourry."
"Then there can only be one conclusion!"
"And what would that be?" Xelloss asked, truly interested. The blond had the most amazing insight at times.
"Lina must be allergic to Black magic! /_^"
crash!
"What did I say?" He asked, blinking innocently.
"I don't think that's exactly right Gourry-dear," Sylphiel sighed, picking herself off of the floor.
"It's not?"
"No," Lina grumbled. "But we're still getting nowhere. It could have been a one time thing."
"Not likely," Zelgadiss muttered, "Especially with you."
"What's that supposed to mean!?"
"Did you dream anything?" he pressed, intent on finding the root of the problem.
"Eh? blinkblink I... don't know."
"Well, when Lina-chan rests a bit then we can have her try higher level black magic to see if she passes out ^_^"
Sighing, Lina agreed. "He's right you know, I need to know what I can and can't cast."
"...Let's not worry about it now."
"Zel...?"
"Lina, you need... to rest," he said with rare gentleness. "Let's worry about it later."
"But we need to know now and - "
He silenced her by placing two slender fingers on her lips, " - And it can wait. You need sleep."
blush
"Zelgadiss-san is right," Amelia quietly stated, moving to the bed.
"But - "
" - Sleep."
"zzzz"
"...that was sneaky Amelia."
"The real question is where to go from here," Zelgadiss pondered, sipping his coffee. "I'm not sure if Lina is in the shape to travel," he said placing his mug on the table.
"But she'd hate just staying in this little town," Amelia replied, nibbling on a pastry. "She hates not moving."
After Lina had "fallen" asleep the group had wondered into the inn's dining room, debating on which direction to go next. (As they had no leads on Zelgadiss' cure.)
"I'm afraid this isn't about what she wants or hates."
"He's right. And what if she has another of those seizure-like things? Oh, a refill please," Sylphiel said, motioning to the waitress.
"Why don't we just travel to the nearest large city? We can have some time to relax, it'll give Lina-chan exercise and we can clear out our minds when we're there."
Zelgadiss hated taking advise from the so called "Mysterious Priest" but, it looked like he was right. They had no better ideas... damn. Still, caution never hurt, "Why? Do you have a particular interest in the nearest city?"
"Zel-kun! I'm hurt! ;_;"
glare
"Hey minna-san! According to this map Seevetal(1) is the nearest town."
"Seevetal? Are you sure Amelia?"
"That's what it says..."
"We could visit Fillia and Val while we're there!"
"....You mean that you remember them Gourry-san!? O.o!?"
"Sure I do! Fillia is the lady who used to hit me when I looked up her skirt! /_^!"
"Gourry-sama?" Everyone turned to look at the soft-spoken shrine maiden....ah, I mean the soft-spoken shrine maiden with the red battle aura. She favored Gourry with a glare that would send Lina, no Xelloss running. "Now Gourry-dear...And. Why. Did. You. Look. Up. Her. SKIRT!!!" She shrieked, baring previously never before seen fangs and crazy eyes. Being the smart (some more than others) people they where, every one began to back away from demon-Sylphiel.
"Eh?" Gourry blinked innocently, "Why am I in trouble again?"
She of coursed favored him with another look o' death.
"Aaaaieeeee!" He shrieked, shielding his eyes. "I was just trying to see where her tail went!!"
"HOW COULD YOU - tail?" blinkblink "Ah, blush... that's nice Gourry-dear." She serenely and innocently sipped her tea as the others crashed onto the floor.
You know when you don't get enough sleep and you make it up by sleeping more? Do you know how it feels when you wake up and instead of feeling refreshed you feel even more groggy? You know, like you're supersaturated with sleep and you just want more. You do! Every weekend you say? Right now? Congratulations! You have/are experienced/ing the exact same feeling as everyone's favorite lil red headed sorceress!
Lina groaned and shifted under the covers, just a little more sleep... but then it'll be harder to get up... With an indignant scowl she opened her eyes and stretched her tight muscles.
"Are....you ok now?" A soft voice asked beside her.
"Amelia?"
The younger sorceress looked away and squirmed a little in her chair, "We where taking turns watching you." Laughing a little she continued, "I felt the Sleep spell wear off so I shooed the guys out of here, I know how much you hate having guys in your room."
When Amelia was like this, not buzzing with hyperactivity, it always reminded Lina why she was one of her best friends. "Thanks."
"Anytime." smile "When you feel up to it we're going towards Seevetal. That's ok... isn't it?"
Lina blinked, where they really that nervous to make a choice without asking her? "That'll be fine. We can visit Fillia and Val!"
"I'm glad it's ok with you," she said with a grin. "We'll move out as soon as you're able."
"Thanks....uh, don't suppose I could get some food food?"
"Of course!"
It hadn't been quick but after a week of recuperation, it was generally decided that Lina was well enough to travel. And at this particular moment the infamous Dra Matta was not in a particularly pleasant mood. And that was never a good thing. She hated being coddled, something her "friends" had proved very good at. At least she could still cast the higher level Black magic... but then again she still didn't remember what had happened.
She was presently at the lead of the group as usual, trying to cement the mentality that she was fine. How unfortunate that it didn't seem to be working.
"Lina?"
"Yeah Zel?"
He caught up with her easily - longer legs, chimeric speed and all. "Are you sure you should push it?"
"I said I'm fine."
scowl "Would you just be logical for one min - "
"Oh, what good did that ever do?" She asked, airily waving away his concern with a gloved hand.
"Lina was never very good with logic."
"Oh YOU have room to talk Jellyfish brains!"
"He's right you know! ^.^"
"XELLOSS STOP POPPING OUT OF NOWHERE!" She screeched, trying to calm her heart.
"You might want to watch where you're going ^_^;"
"Don't tell me what to do you stupid perverted Mazo - " crash
"Can't say I didn't warn you." shrug
"Owww." She gently cradled her injured head in her hand... and then turned her full rage upon the unfortunate tree. "STUPID FREAKIN BRANCH! HOW THE F@*%$ DID YOU GET THERE!?!?!?" However when the pretty lil colors came, she remembered just why it was never a good idea to immediately stand up after a head injury.
"Are you alright!?" Zelgadiss cried, catching her as she fell.
blush "I'm fine," she growled, pushing him away.
Xelloss grinned his o' so adorable grin, he always enjoyed seeing Lina-chan blush. "Maybe you'll be more careful from now on."
Miffed, she snapped back, "It was just a stupid branch!"
"Of course," he said lightly. However it was nearly
impossible not to grasp the hidden warning in his easy answer - She stared at him, suddenly unsure. What worries you
so Lina-chan? You don't even know do you?
"Whatever," she said, finally breaking the uncomfortable silence. "Let's
go." She made her way down the path,
intentionally ignoring the concerned eyes of her friends.
Zelgadiss sighed, he was tired. Very tired. Normally a day's walk never
bothered him, he had ten times the endurance of his companions... but stress
was an amazing thing. And unfortunately, he had more of it - he was worried,
worried about her. Something wasn't right...but then again it very rarely
was, it was always something or another. And when things died down they
separated -
And he went alone.
She went with him, he left on his own, it was the natural order of
things. But now - everything was turned on its head, it was all different,
Gourry was with Sylphiel.
And Lina had rejected him, not the other way around.
He knew there had been something between them, there had to be. It was
for Gourry she cried for, for Gourry she risked the world -
Would she have done the same for him?
He liked to think so.
Lina always said that moping around was bad for him, maybe- maybe he
could allow himself this one hope, maybe -
" - Zel!"
"Huh?"
"Where did you go off to!? It's not like you to go off into lala land."
"We're wasting time," he said, cooly sliding the mask back into place.
Lina trailed after him, frowning slightly.
The young princess sighed to herself, everyone was quiet. She honestly
hated seeing people even remotely sad. They where close to Seevetal's
borders, maybe once they got there..."According to the map, there should be
a bridge riiight....here."
"This bridge doesn't deserve to be on a map," Lina muttered. It wasn't
old or rickety or anything, it was just...well.. plain. Really, normally if
things where on a map from Sailoon they where impressive or important!
Sure, there was a large drop, uh, a very large drop, but it wasn't
anything a Raywing couldn't take care of.
"My my, Lina-chan," Xelloss sighed as if reading her thoughts, "you
should really be more observant."
"And why is that?" she snapped, annoyed at being reprimanded twice in the
same day.
"You mean that you can't tell? This," He said, dramatically waving his
hand over the ravine, "is a null-magic zone."
"...You have to be kidding me!"
"What's a nully-magic scone?"
"A null-magic zone is where magic is sucked up from a leaking
subdimension Gourry-sama. Kind of like a vacuum,"
"And this is a problem why?"
"WE CAN'T USE SPELLS YOU IDIOT!"
"Calm down Lina-san!" Amelia pleaded.
"Why would anyone build a kingdom in a null zone?" Zelgadiss muttered.
"Well," Xelloss explained, suddenly wearing a scholar's's outfit, "you
see the whole kingdom is isn't a null zone, only the ravine, which circles
the entire border. In times of war the bridges are raised, making an
entrance very difficult. The sides of the rift are extremely unstable and
the bottom is rumored to be nothing but pointy, jagged rocks ^_^*."
"But it still isn't a problem!" Gourry protested.
"And just why, pray tell, is that?" Lina asked exasperated.
"Cause there's no war going on and there's a bridge to cross right
there!"
crash "He's right," Sylphiel said, picking herself off of the ground.
grumblegrumble "whatever. Let's - "
" - You'll never get past Invincible Ivan, the owner of this here bridge!
NYAHAHAHAHA!!"
"Eh?" Lina whirled around. "Who's there?!"
"I don't see anyone." Gourry replied, turning around in a full circle.
"Maybe he meant Invisible Ivan," Amelia supplied helpfully.
"L-lina-s-s-saaaan!" Sylphiel whispered, "Over there!"
Everyone gaped at the shadow of the HUGE man on the canyon walls. He
apparently had bigger-than-life muscles and a not so friendly broad sword.
Everyone stuttered and warbled in fright (after facing dark lords? Must be
a psychological thing) at the prospect of fighting such a gigantic
guy...everyone but Zelgadiss that is.
"He-he's huge!" Amelia wailed.
Zelgadiss rolled his eyes. Not an ounce of common sense among them.
"For Pete's sake. Diem Wing" He pointedly destroyed the titanic boulder
obstructing the actual person from view. And when the rubble finally
cleared...
"...There's no one there. I guess you got them Zelgadiss-san."
"Just look at the sun will you!? How is the sun supposed to make a
shadow on the wall from that position!?" He groaned at the blank stares.
"Look, here is you sword." He picked up a very long, broad leaf. "Here are
your muscles." He pointed to the discarded, but expertly rolled bundles of
cloth. "And there is the remains of the mirror that reflected the
sunlight into making the shadow."
"Wow. Zel, how did you - "
He grinned at her and tapped the side of head, causing her to turn as red
as her hair in rage.
cough "That." cough "Wasn't." hack "Very nice."
Zelgadiss allowed his eyes to narrow dangerously upon the discovery of
just who had pulled the little prank. At least my scan was right he
thought with a smirk. Her clothes where tatterd at the edges, detonating
that she didn't have the magic to make a clean get away. "What do you
want?" he asked icily.
Ignoring him, she shook out her messy green hair and eyed each member of
the group in turn, orange eyes sizing him and his companions up and down.
Finally, she set her peculiar gaze on the one she had come to find. "You
know," she said evenly, hands on hips, "you are a very difficult person to
catch up with, Lina Inverse."
Ohhhh, that's a bad place to end it ne? It's so awkward -_-;.... I'll
work on that. (1) There was no name of the city so I had to make one up.
Seevetal isn't made up actually, it's actually a charming German town where
a good friend of mine lives. waves They have a great eiscafe and
strawberry fields ^_^
Notes