Slayers Fan Fiction ❯ Dramata Kurage! ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: Slayers and their characters are not owned by me. They belong to Hajime Kanzaka, Rui Araizumi and any other companies which own them. I'm just borrowing them for a little bit and I promise to give them back all in perfect working order.

4.0
I blinked a little when Lina slapped me on the shoulder. You know her small size really does hide the fact that she can hurt you if she really wants to, even when she doesn't want to. Anyway the slap did sting, but I shrugged it off and took in her words to cheer up and not worry about those things and just concentrate on getting the sword. I'm sure she was just as excited by the sword as I was, wishing to get her hands on it, but I knew her heart was in the right place.

However I didn't have much time to react, as straight after she had a hold of me and was dragging me onwards. I had to stumble a little and walk fast to stop myself from falling flat on my face. I think if I did fall she probably would have dragged me along anyway! But I managed to keep up. Of course after awhile she grew tired of dragging me round and had to take a rest. I didn't mind so much and headed for the clearing, creating a small little camp.

I put my things down and then reached into the bag, finding the travelling rations. I took out two and was going to give Lina one of them when I realised she was already lying down and looking to have a doze. I just smiled a little and placed the ration back in my bag. I sat down on a small log like a bench and began tucking into the travelling ration. They didn't taste great, but I wouldn't really complain about it either, and it gives you energy you need so they're not all bad.

I looked over to Lina as I munched away quietly. She must have been asleep now as I could see her chest rising and falling slowly, sure signs she was out like a light. I couldn't help but smile a little, then blinked almost as quickly as I started smiling. Then I started to blush, and just felt glad that no one was around to see it. What can I say? I know I tease her about her size and that, and I know she's sometimes taunted for looking like a boy. I do think she's kinda cute...in a weird perverse way though! I admit however that she does have her moments...Stop looking at me like that...

I finished my ration but I figured we could afford a bit longer, I didn't think I needed to wake Lina up just yet. Just then I heard a strange sound and instinct told me to move my head. An arrow flew by and stuck into the tree behind me. I looked back suddenly towards the origin of the arrow. There I could see an archer stepping out from the bushes, his cover now blown. I stood up sharply and withdrew my sword. Then I noticed four large trolls come out also from the bushes with a couple of swordsmen to boot.

I walked slowly to Lina and kept my eyes on the uninvited guests, who obviously hadn't come to enjoy a little talk. I knelt down next to the sleeping sorceress, placing my hand gently on Lina's shoulder and rocking it slightly. I didn't want to take my eyes of the enemies, so I had to listen out for when it sounded like she was waking up. Then hearing those sounds I spoke sternly "We've got company Lina, don't think they want to shake our hands..." I then stood up and took a guard position whilst Lina got herself ready and we decided how to take this on. I just knew that the trolls were going to make it more of a struggle.

Kurage

4.1
I snorted awake and mumbled something incoherent when I felt Gourry shake me. I was ready to slap him for waking me up from a sweet dream that involved nice gold and many burning bandits, and well, no one likes to have a dream like that interrupted.

I wiped the drool from my chin and got to my feet, grumbling loudly. Trolls. I hate trolls. They smell, they're mean, and they're rude, because in my book, you're automatically rude if you can heal yourself.

Gourry was already tensed and ready, his sword out. Good ol' Gourry, always a hair-trigger away from action. He didn't seem to get that trolls were boring when it came to fighting.

I eyed the surroundings. Minute clearing, surrounded by small trees and shrubbery. So. Option One (Retreat) was always open. I eyed both Gourry and myself, and noted that we didn't have anything of value showing on out persons, except for my talismen, and I sincerely doubted that the trolls had ANY idea what they were for. So, Option Two (Blast Them All Away Without Resistance) was also open.

I then glance at the trolls, sizing them up. They were big, bigger than nomadic trolls that hung out around glades and robbed innocents when they were bored. They were also carrying nice, brand new and shiny weapons. Definitely not your average troll.

Mercenaries, I concluded. Someone either hired them to rob at random, or hired them to rob US.

I thought frantically. Did I pay all of the bills? Yes. Did I piss anyone off I hadn't meant to? No. I mean, I pissed of the restaurant staff, but that always happens, because of how much I eat, and no one has ever been that mad to send a bunch of huge mercenary trolls on my ass.

Brainwave. The bandits. Of course. I hissed, covering up a curse that would have most assuredly set the trolls off. There must have been a few who had survived the raid at the camp, and I'm sure they would have been furious to see me not only walk away but use their inn as if nothing had happened. Not to mention I defiled their springs.

Whoops.

And stolen a priceless book.

Crap.

I sighed deeply, stepping forward and holding my hands up in a pantomime of peace. The trolls watched me closely, tensing as I moved, their eyes not leaving mine.

“I'm going to assume you're here because of what I did to the camp,” I began. “And I just would like you to know, that nope, I'm not sorry. Your employers should learn that you shouldn't steal from innocents. I was merely stealing to balance the flow of karma. Get my drift?”

I paused. A flicker of doubt and confusion passed over their faces. I shot a look to Gourry, who was concentrating too intently to notice. Always a step ahead of the enemy, Gourry is.

Now, I never expected a reply from the trolls, and this was not a time to be surprised, but it almost made me wish that trolls were chattier. I mean, clearly they were confused. Wouldn't it behoove of them to ask to make sure that we were the ones they were looking for? Hell, I didn't even have the book out; how did they know it was me they wanted?

I sighed, shaking my head. “Well,” I replied, holding my hands a few inches apart. With concentration I could muster up in seconds, a spark of light ignited and came to life. It burst into a glowing orb of flame.

I grinned, held up the Fireball, and shouted, “Too bad for you!” I threw the Fireball forward, and it crashed right into the first troll, the flames consuming and incinerating it, which basically meant that, no, it couldn't heal itself, being a pile of ash and all.

The remaining trolls looked bemused for a moment. A mere moment. Then, a dam of rage broke, and they came forward.

And it was at that moment I noticed the swordsmen.

Now, that pissed me off. I mean, what the hell? They heard me talk and they didn't even say a word, and they stayed out of my sight so that I could just talk to air. What kind of mean, twisted and rude bastards were they?

I decided that they weren't going to be unscathed either. Swordmen? Cool. I grabbed the hilt of my dagger and yanked it out, darting forward, and crossing the path of the closest one.

“Hi,” I called. I jumped right up to him, parrying his sword that he swung at me. I winked, twisted my body around, and managed to throw him off balance. He was confused for a moment, and I took the opportunity to chuck another Fireball at the nearest troll. Unfortunately, I aimed too low, and it merely singed it.

The swordsman was pissed off now. He came forward, his sword out. It was a big, wide sword, the type that men use to compensate for things that are left under-endowed. I grinned, not moving, letting him come right towards me, all while holding my dagger out in a “bring it on” manner.

And thus the fun began.

Dramata

4.2
The second the fireball hit, I charged left and flanked around the trolls and immediately headed for the archer. I knew he was gonna stay out of the way and cause havoc from afar, so I knew I needed to take him out first to make the battle a little easier. He didn't have the time to reload his bow and quickly I was upon him, two simple effective slashes with my sword had the man on the ground dead.

I turned back sharply towards the battle scene, one troll was down, and one just had been singed. The troll knew it wasn't fatal but it certainly distracted him so I took that as my chance. I sped in, thrust the sword through it's back, impaling it through the gut. In split seconds I had the sword removed, and swiftly turned on one foot, delivering a mighty whack at it's neck, decapitating him. Don't think the troll was gonna recover from that one too soon.

I knew now there were still two trolls left and two swordsmen, one of which Lina was already upon. I guess that left me with the two trolls. I soon realised though I was in the middle, and they took it upon themselves to try and ram into me from both sides, and so they were already charging in. I didn't have much time, but it was all I needed. I leapt backwards, launching into a half somersault, landing with my hands and then springing with my hands to complete the somersault and land on my feet.

The momentum of the two trolls was too much to stop and they collided head first into each other, colliding with an almighty crash that it actually made me cringe, imagining the pain that would have caused. However I didn't have much time for sympathy because they would recover soon enough and be twice as angry as they were before. I charged back into the fray, and lunged out with my sword, thrusting it through the thick skulled enemy. Deftly I pulled the sword back out with a resounding slop of it's remaining brain.

I turned to the other troll to realise it was already up and swinging an powerful punch right for my head. I didn't want to stick around and find out how it felt, so arched my back, and watched as the fist swung by with impressive power. Fortunately for me, all the power it put into the punch with no hit meant it was off balance, and I took the chance. I stood back up straight and with the effort I continued forward and drove my sword through it's chest, burying the blade through the rib cage, and right into it's heart. The trolls arms slumped to it's side and collapsed to the ground. I pulled the sword out and used a small amount of cloth to wipe the blood and and gore from the blade. Then quickly turned to see how Lina was handling herself.

Kurage

4.3
Damn. I had missed that SOB archer. How do these assholes evade me so well?

While Gourry made gross messes of the rest of the trolls, I focused on the one pest that was really starting to annoy me. I remember saying that last time he was rushing forward recklessly towards me without a worry in the world as to what I may do to him, which was insulting, if you ask me. I mean, I may be small, but one would think he would have at least wet himself from my show of incinerating the troll.

Well, I had other methods to make a man scared.

As he came forward, I played dirty. I darted to the side and stuck out my foot. He promptly tripped on it, and he staggered on his own momentum for a moment, but didn't fall. I swallowed the urge to point and laugh. He swung back towards me, his face seriously shriveled up with anger.

I think I was pissing him off.

Okay, fine, time to get down to it. I sheathed my dagger and held out my hands. However, he saw this coming, what with my act concerning the pile of troll over there. Before I could utter a single word he was after me, coming close enough to make me feel queasy. He swung forward his sword and I jumped quickly out of the way, losing a few strands of hair from the edge of the blade.

He came after me again, this time finally showing that, yes, he had skill, and no, he didn't learn his swordplay out of a pamphlet. With the force of his swing I could see that he was a real good swordsman and that I had thrown him off guard with my playing. Now, that he was pissed enough, he was going to show me the brunt of his power.

I quickly grabbed my dagger back, barely able to parry his thrust at me. The force of the hit reverberated through the blade of my dagger and I swear my hand felt like it was numb for a few seconds. I shot him a closer glance and realized that, hey, this guy was definitely NOT your average bandit. Or even a bandit at all.

I struggled to pull up my dagger from his own blade, but he would have none of it. In fact, once he saw me trying, he increased the weight onto his own sword, which in turned left me like a pinned moth. Either I moved back and risked getting sliced at, or I kept holding on and hope he would wear out before me.

Yeah. He looked like he wasn't going to be doing that anytime soon.

What else was I supposed to do? I couldn't fire a spell with my hands tied like this; if I even let go and tried to use just one hand he would overpowering me. It makes me wish I had kept my long sword instead of this dagger.

Okay. The wait was dulling my patience. Better risk it.

I pushed against him and tried shoving him, but only managed a few centimeters. It was enough, however, because with that space between us it was enough to pull myself back and unlock my dagger from his sword. I managed to get about a foot away before he came after me with another swing.

However, this time, I was prepared. I held out one hand, the dagger out in front of me in case it failed, and shouted out the command. The burst of heat and flame erupted from my palm and crashed into the swordsman, blasting him back quite a few feet but not killing him. I hadn't intended to kill him anyways. I needed him alive for questioning.

Plus, I couldn't muster enough power to kill him while in such a distracted state.

Eh heh.

Either way, the swordsmen was winded enough to be conscious but not really in a moving state. I glanced over to Gourry and noticed that he was just finishing up with the trolls, and now was glancing at me. I grinned and shrugged, pointing to my new mess.

I caught a flash of movement and I turned, quickly, to see that I had forgotten the last swordsman. Which meant I could have killed the other swordsman after all.

Whoops.

Dramata

4.4
Lina seemed to have handled herself pretty well, until I noticed that she hadn't noticed the second swordsman. Seemingly she had dealt with the first but the second was charging down on her. I realised she didn't have the time to react, but I was close enough to do something. I ran full speed just behind the swordsman so he had no idea I was coming. He rose his sword in an effort to strike down upon Lina, but before the downwards stroke could occur, I had leapt towards him.

I tackled him forcefully, making him lose his grip on the sword whilst mine had been sheathed. We both tumbled to the ground rolling over. Then as we came to a stop I was on top and brought my fist back, smashing down hard across his jaw and knocking the guy out. I then stood up and dusted myself off and looked over to Lina. "How's that one?" I asked whilst I reached down and pulled the unconscious man up by the scruff of his neck. I then flung him over to the other guy and walked over beside Lina.

"So why aren't these dead yet? You're not planning on interrogating them are you?" I shook my head, as I didn't even need an answer, I knew she was going to interrogate them. "You seem to like that just a little too much. I swear you're hiding something from your childhood! Stealing all the food from the little boys." I suddenly had an image in my head of a chibi Lina running rampage around the place, beating up defenseless kids, leaving a trail of crying behind her. It was almost as disturbing as the dream I had last night.

I knelt down infront of the two swordsman and figured the best thing would be to tie them up so they couldn't try anything funny. I tied their hands behind their backs and then tied them to the tree so they wouldn't be making any movement quickly. Then I stood up and went back to Lina and stayed just beside and behind her. "Go on then, work your magic. Oh and remember, if they're going to tell us anything, they'll have to still be alive, unless you can talk to the dead!" I smirked a little, having my little fun of taking digs towards Lina.

Kurage

4.5
I shot Gourry a “shut the hell up” glare as I made my way to the pile of bandit. They looked pissed off, but at that moment, I was past caring or trying to make nice. I grinned wickedly and stalked over to them, and I think they got that I wasn't there for a friendly chat.

“Hi,” I called over to them as I made it over. It was a comfort, knowing they were tied up, as I knew that they were good at what they did. They both glowered at me, both conscious and well aware that I wasn't coming over for a nice chat.

I stood in front of them and grinned, hands on my hips. “So how are you gentlemen this afternoon? Peachy?”

They lowered at me, and one tried to reach out and grab at me. I jumped back, then jumped forward and socked him on the nose. Now, it wasn't a hard hit, certainly not my hardest, but it was enough to bring a curse from him.

“Now that we have that clear,” I continued, starting my usual interrogation pace in front of them, “I'm going to ask some questions, and you are going to answer them.”

The younger guy, the one I had fought with, the one I had hit, snorted in disgust. “What makes you think we would answer you? You're a flat-chested masculine child.”

I bristled, gritting my teeth against the insult, but I kept my cool. “You're an idiot,” I declared. “I bet I'm older than you are. What are you, 15? 16?”

He seethed at me. “16,” he answered.

“Ah, see? I'm older. Learn to respect your elders, you arrogant brat,” I smirked at him as he went red. That'll teach you to insult my chest, you annoying little spawn, I thought triumphantly.

I figured the kid was useless, so I went over to the older swordsman. He looked at me with anger, but not arrogance, like that brat had. He knew when he was beat. And we had beaten him.

“So,” I began, crossing my arms over my chest. “You seem more agreeable than junior over there.” A curse of rage erupted from that side of the tree, but I ignored it. “What do you know?”

“I know you're the Bandit Killer, Lina Inverse,” he answered, hostility obvious.

I rolled my eyes. “So do I. Tell me what I want to know.”

He laughed gruffly. “Why should I?”

I pointed to his ropes. “You're in no condition to argue.”

He considered.

I went on. “Who sent you?”

He shrugged. “Don't know. We got a summons and a few sketches, as well as a huge sum of money.”

I pondered. “You weren't told who sent this all to you?”

He looked a little guarded. “Not sure.”

I grinned at him, knowing full well how scary I looked but the way both he and the kid paled. “You're lying,” I purred. “And I hate liars.”

I held up my hand slowly, and already the embers of a new Fireball were glowing.

“ALRIGHT!” they both shouted hurriedly, and I let it extinguish itself, a little disheartened. I was hoping to harm them just a little, if only for the shot at my breasts.

They waited. I stood calmly, displaying that I was no longer a threat to their health. The older guy started up again.

“We got the summons. We're partners, he and I, brothers who work together as trained soldiers. But we got the summons to do a mercenary job. We've never done one before, but the money couldn't be beat! A soldier's wage isn't much to live off of.”

“Save the sob story and get to the point,” I snapped, my patience growing thin.

“In the summons were sketches of what you two looked like,” the kid picked up, “and we were told that no matter what, we were to kill you. We hired the trolls because they were cheap, but we weren't warned that you guys were good at your crafts.”

“We got screwed, money or no money, and we don't even know why we were sent,” the older man concluded.

“Ah,” I admonished. “But you left out the big factor here; who sent you?”

Both brothers shot the same look to each other, and I knew that look; do we tell or risk being cooked? What balls these two had! I was starting to get mad again.

However, the decision went in my favor. “It was some man, someone who kept himself cloaked up head to foot,” the kid answered. The older guy shook his head. “Could have been a girl,” he added for his younger brother. “We couldn't tell. All we know is that whoever it was, they don't like you.”

I shot a look to Gourry. It sounded like our trouble was starting all over again. I turned back to the brothers. “Are they, by chance, looking for something?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“Yeah,” the kid answered. “We were told that once we killed you, we were to take everything you had and bring it back to them.”

That was it, then. Whoever it was knew we had the book, knew it was valuable, and wanted it back. Was it a bandit? Or was it the original owner? Either way, I didn't want to be around to actually meet them.

I sighed and looked back to Gourry. “Okay. I'm done with them. Let's get going. We have to get a huge distance away now, lest the sexless figure of doom finds us.”

I turned away from the brothers, who protested, and started walking away, not liking the slight twinge of worry that formulated at my spine.

Dramata

4.6
I blinked a little when she gave me that look and I figured I had overstepped my mark a little. I kept quiet during the entire interrogation, but always at hand incase one of them tried anything funny or got free. I knew though that the way I tied them up was gonna keep them secure for the next few hours, after that they'd probably manage to free themselves.

I watched Lina as she got to work with her interrogation. She was cute the way she placed her hands on her hips. I guess to others it could be scary given her reputation, but I guess I find it cute. I continued watching as she slowly got them talking, with a little push here and an attempted fireball there. That's when Lina really got scary! Luckily for the two men they took that as the sign that they should talk, something I slightly zoned out on.

I then looked over at Lina when she gave me a knowing look. I had caught a little of the conversation and it sounded like someone was after us, and the first thing I thought of was what had Lina done now to get us into trouble. I sighed a little inwardly, and started to wonder if this book was included in it all. I looked back to Lina when it seemed she was finished and then walked along beside her, not worrying about leaving the two men tied up.

I glanced over at Lina as we walked and I could tell she was thinking things through, and I didn't want to interrupt her in the middle of it. I had suffered the consequences many times before for interrupting her many times before, so I didn't want to have to go through that again. I just kept silent and continued walking beside her, but I kept giving concerned glances towards her, I just felt worried about her and concerned.

My patience soon gave in though and I broke the silence. "Lina?" I spoke meekly, almost shyly. I was unsure of what her reaction was going to be. Maybe she would just ignore me. Maybe she would fireball me. Maybe she would just look at me and wonder what I wanted. I didn't want to wait for the reaction, so I looked down at the ground as we walked. "Lina...what do you think the person is after? It's the book right?"

I was beginning to wonder about this book, the dream it gave me last night and now the possibility that it was also the source of whoever was after us. I started to think that we were at the beginning of another adventure. You begin to realise after all the times you go off on adventures, you figure out the signs which mean you're about to start another one. This definitely felt like another adventure, and Lina and myself were going to have to go along for the ride as usual.

Kurage

4.7
I shrugged when Gourry asked me. I was in no mood to talk. The whole situation irked me, and I don't like being irked.

During the duration of our travel, we walked, breaked, ate, and slept. There wasn't much to it. We consulted the map more than once, and eventually, after about a day and a half (which was making good time, if you ask me), we made it just to the outskirts of the mountains.

It was night time at that point, and I was too tired and lazy and hungry to make the rest of the trek to the valley, so I sat down and declared that I was not moving until Gourry agreed that we take a break.

Gourry set up the fire, and I started getting rid of my cape and armour with flourish and happiness. Sometimes I really can be a happy camper. Once we were both settled, Gourry gave me some snacks, which I ate happily as well. We sat together, eating in silence, and I could feel Gourry's nervousness.

“So,” I began, glancing over at him. I licked the last of my snack off of my fingers. “Tomorrow is the big day, isn't it? The say we storm in and impress the scales off of a bunch of dragons and show them whose boss. Right?”

I glanced over and noticed that all he did was poke the fire with a stick. I nudged him roughly, sending the stick flying. “Gourry, come on! Be excited! We get to see if we can get this new, neat sword!” I frowned at him, nudging him again, but lighter. “What is with you?”

Dramata

4.8
I sighed a little as I poked the fire with a little stick, watching the burning embers, some of which broke and disappeared off into the night sky. Lina seemed to be happy enough eating her snacks, she seemed to be in a really good mood. That was a change compared to when she wouldn't even answer me the day before. I'd forgotten about that since then though, and was more concerned about this cave which we were headed to tomorrow. What if I wasn't good enough?

I wondered since I gave the Sword of Light away, was I really good enough to wield it. I mean it wasn't even given to me, I stole it. My family were too busy bickering over who should get it, I just thought maybe it would all stop if I took it. Then they would have nothing to argue over right? I'd practiced with it when I was younger when I got better at swordfighting. However I know I didn't get my full training in it, so I don't know what I missed.

This book seemed to have chosen me since I had the Sword of Light, but did I even deserve to be chosen by the book if I didn't deserve the Sword of Light in the first place. I don't know, I don't really no much of anything. I was just worried if I messed up, that I'd fail everyone. I was worried cause I was scared of failing Lina.

Suddenly I felt a nudge and it caused me to drop the stick, and I watched it fall in the fire. I hadn't been paying attention so I don't know what she asked me. I just stared into the fire as she told me I should be excited about tomorrow. I almost felt like saying something sarcastic, but it didn't feel right so I just kept quiet.

Then I felt her nudge me again but lighter. Man she was sure being persistent. She really hates being out of the loop on something. So she's just got to nudge and poke and prod over and over till she gets in on it, and I know that she won't give up till she finds out what is wrong. I decided to give in and tell her, otherwise I wouldn't be able to get a decent's night rest. And something told me that I needed to make sure I got that rest before I had to endure those trials.

I stayed looking into the fire and took a deep breath. "I don't know if I even deserve this sword Lina. I didn't even rightfully own the Sword of Light. I stole it. So if I didn't even deserve that, then how can I deserve this other sword." I paused, and I could feel her eyes on me, trying to read me like a book, and work me out. I knew she was interested about me stealing the sword so I just filled her in.

"I stole the sword because my family were all fighting over it. There was backstabbing, bribes and fighting going on, all just to get some stupid little sword which lights up when you ask it to. I could see it tearing my family apart and it just wasn't right. Everything seemed great in my family, until my grandfather died and hadn't chosen who should take it next. Suddenly everyone was saying why it should be theirs. I figured if there was no sword, then they wouldn't have to fight about it anymore, right? So I took it, and I ran away."

I kept quiet then, and let her take in the information. However I suddenly felt like I wanted to be alone. I figured getting some sleep would be the best thing to do. I stood up from the fire and turned my back to her. "I need to get some rest now, if these trials are as hard as they say, then I'll need to be ready." And I started walking to the tent...

Kurage

4.9
I stalked him. It was the only sane thing to do. I hate it when people just walk away from me and don't bother to say why, or when they've just launched a bombshell at me and decide that hey, it's too much for me to handle so they'll walk away and leave me imagining many ways to remove their heads from their bodies because of how stupid they think I am.

Whoops. I went on a violent tangent.

So I stalked Gourry, making sure that he knew I was refusing him rest. Hell or high-water, he was not going to sleep until I said my piece. Which I always do.

I think it took him a few seconds to realize I was following him, because he got pretty far before he turned around. I blinked up at him, noticing that his expression was angry, but the anger wasn't directed at me. If I knew Gourry, and I'm pretty sure I do, that anger was for himself.

We stood in silence for a moment, just staring at eachother.

I cleared my throat, cricked my neck, and then proceeded to bring my fist forward and smash it on his head, not hard, but enough to bring a slightly childish protest from him.

“Gourry,” I began sweetly, my hands on my hits. I smirked. NOW the glare was for me. “I know you think that stealing the Sword of Light makes you a huge villain or something. I know you have been beating yourself up for ages thinking that your theft is the greatest sin known to the entire human race, but it's NOT.”

He just frowned at me, so I went on. “What you did, you did because back then you felt it was the right thing to do. You said it yourself; if the reason for the fighting was gone, the fighting would be gone. You did it not because you were greedy or selfish. You did it because you wanted everyone to stop fighting. How does that make you a bad person?”

I raised my voice to override any protest he might have had. “It DOESN'T,” I declared. “It just proves to me that since you were little you were always noble and thinking of other people, you idiot. So you're getting emotional over nothing. Really. If anything, this trial will prove that.”

I took a breath and tossed my hair over my shoulder. “Now, you may have a rest. I just wanted to put in my two cents because that's what I do.” I grinned at him. “I'll take the first watch, so you can get your beauty sleep. Okay?” I nodded to him, then turned on my heel and walked back towards the fire.

I was feeling pretty damn good about myself, to be honest with you. It was a good speech, and it was all true. And to my surprise, learning about this “sordid” aspect of Gourry's past changed nothing. It just gave me a bit more background on my partner.

I smiled a little.

Dramata