Slayers Fan Fiction ❯ Gypsy Moon ❯ Chapter 6: Sweets to the sweet ( Chapter 6 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

"A little more than kin, but less than kind."
Hamlet, Act 1, Sc. 2 6: Sweets to the Sweeta single person or creature slept well that night. Except for Xellos, he cuddled up in his sheets and fell asleep with a smile. Tybolt had finally announced that Niennafal was dead, and with the news, made everyone stay in the bathhouse that night. Even though rooms and beds were prepared for the people, though not many slept in them. Because all the rooms were taken, Melendil took Lina and her companions back to the Inn after Zelgadiss, Gourry, and Tybolt made sure it was safe.the rest of the night, the group stayed downstairs sitting at a table. Melendil tried her best to stay up and keep watch, but the ale put her to sleep. The same went for Lina; she had trouble staying up but refused to go to sleep. Her friends finally told her to go to sleep after she started to ramble on about pointless things.would have woken up on his normal schedule, but he hadn't even realized he fell asleep. His blue ear twitched and picked up a small sweet sound that woke him.
"Morning lark, bring my songsee the sleepers under the sunthou seest when thou wake..."yawned and pushed herself up from the table. She looked around the room, still hunched over and propped up. "Who's singing this early?"turned around and smiled at the sorceress. "Early? It is almost the afternoon." The gypsy continued humming a tune.
"At his heels a grass-green turfat his head a stone."groaned and laid her head back on the table. "Mmmph...My head's pounding, my mouth tastes horrible, and I wish that songs never existed."
"Welcome, *hic*, to the world," Melendil pushed herself up from behind the bar, "of hang-overs."was the next to awake. He lifted his head from the table and groaned. 'Why am I here?' He asked himself. "Shut up, Zel!"chimera turned his head and looked at a wasted sorceress with her hands covering her ears. "Lina, I didn't say anything!"
"SHUT UP! You're giving me a headache!"
"But I didn't say a word!"
"But you groaned!"
"That is hardly tal-"
"It's called a hang-over." Sasheem tapped Zelgadiss on his shoulder. He looked up and saw the gypsy with several flowers and herbs in her hand. "Good morning, Zelgadiss. Can I get you something to eat?"
"Could I have a cup of coffee?"
"Of course. Melendil, get some coffee grinds!"pulled at her hair and spoke through clenched teeth. "Everyone shut up!"
"Well maybe next time, you will think twice about trying out drink someone!" Zelgadiss yelled.felt like something had just been stabbed through her head. Her eyes were wide open and her fists gripped. "FIREBALL!"Sasheem came back with a mug, she saw Zelgadiss on the floor, Lina face down on the table moaning, and Amelia stretching her arms. The princess yawned and looked around. "Hm? Why am I here?"put the mug down at the bar and walked over to Amelia. "Can I get you something to eat?"
"Oh, Sasheem-san! I woke up and-" Amelia soon remembered what happened last night. She fell silent and forgot that she was answering a question.looked down at Amelia. 'And I was trying to forget...' She thought to herself. loud yawn came from the table and Sasheem turned her attention to a waking blond. "Wow, I have never felt so-" WHACK! Gourry's face hit the table again.
"Quiet, jellyfish brain!" Lina brought her fist back down and huffed.
"Is it that 'time of the month' already?" WHACK!pushed himself up from the floor and stumbled over. "No, it's just a hang-over." The chimera took his seat at the table and noticed that everyone was awake now.
"Good morning, Zelgadiss-san." Zelgadiss turned and saw Amelia smiling at him.
"Morning." Zelgadiss looked up and saw Melendil bring over a cup of coffee, than place in down in front of him. "Thank you."
"Yep...yeeeep....yeeeeee-ep." The elf felt her way around the room to a seat at the bar where she laid her head down.
'Must be a big hang-over.' He said to himself.noticed Sasheem sitting at a table with a small pile of flowers and herbs. Sometimes she would pick one up and pluck off a petal or another time sort a few flowers out into a pile, look at them, than mess the pile up and start over with new flowers.had observed the table of friends. They looked quiet and depressed; hardly the way they were when she first met them.gave out a long sigh. Gourry looked to the princess. "Amelia, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." The princess replied.was about to say something but stopped when he saw Sasheem standing by the table. The group turned their attention to the gypsy; even Lina lifted her head to look.her hands she held a few of the flowers and herbs she had been toying with. Lina blinked and lifted her head more. "Sasheem?"gypsy handed Lina one of the plants. "Here's Rhubarb. That is for 'advice'." The group looked at the gypsy not sure what to think. Lina slowly put her hand out and took the plant. Sasheem continued. "And-here they are!" She took a flower out. "I give you Violets. Here you go, and you too." Zelgadiss and Gourry each got some Violets.group began to exchange looks. Gourry leaned in by Lina. "Lina, What's going on?"
"I don't know."gypsy continued. "Ah, here we go." Sasheem pulled out another flower and held it out to Amelia. "Here's Chrysanthemum, that is for- 'cheerfulness in old age'. I pray you, live long and well." She spoke in a good-natured matter.slowly took the flower. "Um... Thank yo-"
"Look, a Red Carnation." Sasheem interrupted. Everyone looked at her observing the flower in her hand. Her expression dull and lifeless. "So many different Carnations... A red one, this one means 'Alas! For my poor heart!'." The gypsy looked to the bar where she saw Melendil staring at her in wonder, from the counter. The gypsy quickly walked over and placed the Red Carnation behind the elf's ear. Before Melendil could talk, Sasheem walked back over to the table. "And-and- here is some Holly." Quickly, she placed little bits of Holly in the group's hair. "People have told me that this herb means 'am I forgotten'. Oh, never forget one another, never, never, never."
"Oh Gods, what has happened?" Melendil slowly began to walk over to Sasheem.began to stand up. "Sasheem, what are you doing?"
"Me? What am I doing?" The gypsy repeated. She looked at her hand and pulled out two new herbs. "Oh, look." She sighed. Her voice had calmed down. Everyone looked at the gypsy waiting for her to say something.walked down the stairs and saw his 'friends' sitting at the table looking at the gypsy. He smiled and walked over. "Good morning." He took a seat at the table. No one paid attention to the mazoku. Xellos looked at Sasheem studying the herbs in her hands.
"Ha... It's Deadly Nightshade. It is for 'falsehood'." She slowly turned her attention to Xellos. The mazoku returned with a confused look. "Yes, 'falsehood' indeed." She slowly slipped the herb behind the mazoku's ear. felt the plant behind his ear. "What is this for?"stood up from the table. "Sasheem-san, what is wrong with you?"turned around and handed an herb out to everyone at the table. She slipped the plant behind Amelia's ear. "Rosemary, that's for 'remembrance'." She then put some behind her ear. "And some for me." Slowly she walked up to Amelia and cupped the face of the gentle princess. "I pray you, love. Remember."felt her stomach turn. "Remember... what?"gypsy looked back down at her hands. "No more. I... would give you some Zinnia... But I don't appear to have any." She slowly sat down in a chair that was a few inches away from the table. The gypsy remained quiet for a moment. "Oh, here is one." She said, feeling around in her pocket, than pulled out a wilted flower. "This," Sasheem choked. "It means, 'Thoughts... of an absent friend'."kitchen door flew open and broke the silence. Tybolt burst out carrying a tray with several plates on it while he sang a song.
"A pick-axe, a spade, and ground bellowthis is what to meet:thought it was a-"stopped as he saw the people sitting at the table not saying anything. "What's going on?"
"Well, we got some presents from your sister!" Lina spat. The sorceress stood up from the table. "What the hell is wrong with you, gypsy?"reached out and grabbed Sasheem's hand. "Sasheem, come with me." The elf began to yank the gypsy upstairs. "We'll come back." She yelled from upstairs.wasn't sure what to think. "Why..." The group faced Tybolt. "Why is their Rosemary behind your ear?"yanked the herbs and flowers form her hair. "What is wrong with that gypsy?"
"Well what happened?" Tybolt asked.
"It appears that you sister has lost it." Xellos stated, circling his finger by his head.
"I'm worried about Sasheem-san!" Amelia added. "She came around to us, and handed out these flowers and herbs. And they all had these different meanings!"sighed as he picked the Holly off his head. "It could be a state of sorrow, she did just lose a friend."put the tray of food down on the table. He sat back in the empty chair Sasheem had sat in and waited for the group to finish the food.shoved Sasheem in the first room she came by and slammed the door shut with rage running threw her arm. Sasheem however, didn't seem to mind the rash actions. Melendil took a deep breath before she turned around to look at her mad friend. When she did turn around, she saw Sasheem standing with her arms folded, smiling at the elf. Melendil tried to keep calm. "Have you gone mad?!"sneered. "Mad with craft!"
"What do you mean?" She paced up to the gypsy and grabbed her shoulders. "What was that down there?!"
"That was Rosemary, Violets, Holly, Chr-"
"Stop it! Stop it, Sasheem! Stop it! You are scaring me!" The elf stomped on the ground and took repeated deep breaths. For the next minute the room held an uneasy silence. Melendil rested her head on the gypsy's shoulder. "Niennafal was slain and you are handing out goddamn flowers... I could never understand you." Sasheem opened her mouth to speak but was cut of. "AND I HATE IT!"gypsy couldn't help but get the slightest smile on her face. "I'm sorry."lifted back from her friends shoulder but kept her face down. She made her way to sit on the bed. She chuckled. "Wow, one of them keeps their bed rather neat."
"Then it must not be Lina's room, huh?"elf smiled, but didn't lift her head. Melendil drew out another long sigh and put her face in her hands. "Sasheem, what the hell were you doing?"gypsy sat down in a chair by a dresser. "I felt like going mad for a while."
"Mad? You're smarter than that, and you know it. Like you said before 'mad with craft', now tell me."
"Fine. You want to push it out of me? Soak it up like a sponge?"
"So now, I'm a sponge."
"Sarcasm, good elf. All sarcasm."finally lifted her head and propped herself up with her arms leaning back on the bed. "I know, but can you not tell that I am trying to be serious this once?"
"Just listen, I'm going to speak."
"Than say so!"
"I will."
"Fine!"
"Fine." Sasheem cleared her throat. "We all know what happened those many years ago, between Saillune and the Gypsies."nodded. "Yeah, you talking about that whole war and revenge thing with the-"
"Yes, that thing. Naturally, we knew if Amelia were to come here Zelas would send someone."
"And we got Xellos."
"Bin-go."
"I still don't see what this has to do with the madness and the flowers."
"Shut up. Now, because we are only one side of the story, Amelia must have information to the other half. We get that from her, than we can help her. Not to mention end it all with Lestophel and buzz, buzz, buzz, you know what I mean."
"And solve the conflicts between the elves and-"
"You got it."
"Alright."
"My, you are catching on fast for someone with a terrible hang-over."
"It was worth it. Believe me. Now, tell me what is with all this flower crap."shifted her position in the chair. "I did it because I'm not taking any chances with that mazoku. A device to not let my guard down." Melendil didn't say anything until she spoke again. "And... Maybe I was a little... mad, mentally that is. It was refreshing," she laughed heartily. "Believe it or not it was."'s look changed to something Sasheem had never seen. It was pity and friendship mixed into one. "I won't blame you. This means, it is only me, your brother, your dad, and your grandma left." Melendil pushed her whole body up onto the bed. "And I'm not in your blood, so..."'s voice became cold. "My dad doesn't count, so lets just leave it with you three. And Niennafal wasn't family either." Sasheem looked at Melendil. "But you have always been like family, Melendil. So you are just as much."stared at her friend for a while. "Shut up! Just shut up! You're putting on that goddamn 'Mad Gypsy' act aren't you?"
"No, I'm not."stood up from the bed. "Look, just figure out how to explain that crap you did to the others. I'm thirsty, so let me go get drunk."got out of the chair and walked over to the elf. "But you already have a hang-over."
"Soon to be times two!" She winked.two friends stood still in the room. They didn't move. The two exchanged glances and looked around. Melendil rocked back and forth on her heels. "We do want ot find out who's room this is, right?"gypsy nodded in agreement. "'Course we do."quickly looked at each other. Melendil began. "You want the first, second, or third?"
"Second. Two is my favorite number."
"And I like the number one. We'll both take three then?"
"Sounds good."two girls quickly ran over to the dresser. Melendil yanked out the entire first drawer and placed it on the ground, letting Sasheem only having to open the second drawer. Melendil looked through all the clothes. "I got the shirts drawer, what about you?"
"I got the underwear and socks." The gypsy replied.
"Damn you!" Melendil lifted up a white button-down shirt with a collar. "This is a man, and it looks like he is very sophisticated. There's nothing interesting in here. Just lots of loose, solid, shirts. Oh, well here's a nice looking pullover. It's got a hood and weaves down in the front."
"I don't think he is to ordinary, Melendil." Sasheem said in a wary voice. "Look at this."elf scooted over on the floor and looked in the drawer. She lifted out a pair of boxers and stretched the elastic lining. "Nice boxers. Light blue and white squares. But, still plain." She put the boxers back in the drawer. "Here's a good one!" Melendil began to yank at the boxers again. "Midnight blue and yellow crescent moons!"'s eye twitched at a certain pair of boxers. "Why does this pair have 'Clair Bible' written all over it?" The gypsy pulled at the boxers in different directions and watched the words 'Clair Bible' stretch in different lengths.
"Probably for the same this pair has little Clair Bibles all over it." Melendil beamed. "Their kinda' cute!"shook her head. "Whatever, that's not the point. Look at this." The gypsy searched around the drawer.gasped and her eyes grew wide with shock. She felt a chill run up her spine as she stared in disbelief. "That can't be-"
"Look it is!" Sasheem snapped.gulped and relaxed again. "But... those are briefs!" She grabbed the white briefs and looked in disbelief. "Nobody wears boxers and briefs!"
"Their are people who do! I know quite a few who do!" Sasheem corrected.
"No!" Melendil shot back. "Boxers and briefs? It's supposed to be one or the other!"
"Perhaps he is very insecure."
"No guy, with the right mind wears both!" Melendil continued her rambling while Sasheem thought to herself. "It's not morally right!"
"Maybe his heart is confused. Like a lost soul with no purpose..."
"Men were put on this planet with bodies made for one or the other! Boxers or briefs! You can't go and wear both!"
"And he didn't feel right about his body. It's shape, the curves, he couldn't see what was right. Because, what a piece of work is man. The human body..."slammed her fist on the floor. "Look! The size is one or the other! If it's too big, than go with the one that fits!... That could be taken in a few different ways, but that doesn't matter!"
"What a soul! So confused! I know how he feels! Decisions are not easy! He must have such low self confidence in his appearance!"
"Or maybe it turns him on for some reason." The elf contemplated. "Boxers are nice and loose, while briefs can be tight. Perhaps this means he has no girlfriend and needs the briefs for-"put her hand over Melendil's mouth. "We should clean this up."
"But-but what about the last drawer?" The elf whined.looked over to the last drawer, then back at the elf, the last drawer, the elf, last drawer, elf, last drawer, elf. "No! What if the person comes back?"
"Fine. But I want to-" Melendil jolted and looked at the door. She narrowed her eyes and sneered. "Someone is eaves-dropping."
"Get these drawers put away." The gypsy ran over to the door and stood to the side. She put out her hand out, palm facing up. Small dancing flames slowly began to appear in her palm.put the drawer away as fast as she could and came next Sasheem. Melendil reached for the door and turned the knob slowly. In less than a second, the elf swung open the door and turned to her right. "N'tess gothamin!"
"Erk!" Lina felt her body freeze before she could move. Her ear was pressed up against the wall with her hands. The redhead shifted her eyes to look at a stunned elf and a gypsy looking at her. "Ehe...Hiya!"
"Lina." The elf growled. "You stupid, filthy-"came over and grabbed a small lock of Lina's hair. "You little worthless, filthy, shallow, girl! You were eaves-dropping!"
"I-I- it's not what it looks like! Wait, what did you call me?!"
"Keep your voice down." The gypsy hissed. She let go of Lina's hair and motioned for Melendil to release the sorceress from the spell. Melendil snapped her finger and Lina instantly collapsed against the wall.sorceress rubbed her head and got up. "I have every right to be eaves-dropping!"gypsy put one hand on her hip and gave off a cynical grin. "And let me guess, that 'right' would be that I am acting weird and both me and Melendil are leaving much information out and you and your friends have to know more."blinked and stared in astonishment. "Uh, yeah. That would be it."
"That's not a right, that's a selfish need." Melendil butted in.
"Look, I don't care." Lina folded her arms and glared. "What is going on here? Niennafal gets murdered, Sasheem starts going mad, there is a war going on. Get down stairs and explain yourselves, we have to get started!"and Melendil didn't say anything. The gypsy's face grew cold and she nodded. "Yes, we will. Give us a minute." The two friends walked back into the room and closed the door.turned around and walked downstairs. When she reached the bottom of the steps, Zelgadiss, Gourry, and Amelia faced her. "Lina-san, where were you?" Amelia watched her friend take a seat at the table again.held a miserable look on her face and propped her head in her hands. "I had to go to the bathroom."stood up from the table and pushed out his chair. "Excuse me, I'm going to go to my room." He walked up the stairs in a heavy matter, putting weight on the railing and almost pulling himself up. When he reached his door he took a hold of the knob and sighed. got up from the chair. "Well, we have to go explain ourselves now."
"I know, I know." Melendil got up from the bed and walked over to the door with Sasheem. the gypsy could reach for the knob, the door swung open to reveal a distressed chimera. The gypsy and elf jolted. Sasheem gulped. "Zelgadiss?!"chimera's head shot up and his eyes widened. "Sasheem?!"
"Zelgadiss?!"
"Melendil?!" For a moment all was quiet. Lina, Gourry, and Amelia had been sitting downstairs sipping tea. Soon the entire Inn shook with a voice in such rage Tybolt thought that dead would awaken. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"pouted. "The question is, what are YOU doing here?"
"This is my room!" The chimera snapped.
"No it's not!"
"Um, Melendil. Yes it is, until he pays his rent and leaves." The gypsy corrected.
"Oh, right."
"What are you doing here?!" Zelgadiss repeated.
"Oh, yeah. That problem. Sorry about that." Melendil pointed Sasheem. "Yeah, she went mad and I dragged her into the first room I saw for a talk."stood with his hand still on the door. "Uh..."elf and gypsy proceeded on walking out. Melendil sighed and patted the chimera's shoulder. "Look... My final words to you. Make up your mind!" Melendil stomped down the stairs and left Zelgadiss with Sasheem
"What?" Zelgadiss decided that he was officially confused.gave out a long sigh and looked at Zelgadiss. "Don't worry. I have hard times making decisions too." The gypsy spoke. Zelgadiss blinked and watched as Sasheem walked down the stairs. The chimera turned around and looked in his room before he walked in. What were they doing in here? He looked around to make sure everything was in place. The bed was made, his sword was up against the wall, and his dresser seemed to be fine. Zelgadiss opened up his clothes drawer and looked inside. "All my shirts are here." Zelgadiss pulled open the second drawer. "And this is OK." Finally he pulled open the second drawer; it was all in place. chimera finally came walking down after five minutes and took a seat at the table once again. He looked up and saw Sasheem and Melendil sitting across from him. The gypsy sipped her tea and was completely aware that everyone was paying careful attention to her. Lina tapped her finger impatiently, Amelia sat still, Gourry had fallen asleep once more, and Xellos sat back in his seat grinning. The redhead began to lose all her patience and blurted out. "OK, we're all her! Now start speaking, gypsy!"
"Lina-san, calm down!" Amelia looked at her friend and back to Sasheem.gypsy put her teacup down and smiled. "Alright, I'll talk. I have been keeping 'certain' information from you."Gourry, and Amelia looked at the gypsy. "Information?" Zelgadiss questioned. "You are keeping information from us? And we don't even know where to start! Besides! Think about last night! What the hell was that? Your friend just died and you are willing to risk-"
"Zelgadiss-san, calm down!" Amelia put her hand on the chimera's shoulder, but Zelgadiss pushed her hand off.showed no sign of reaction. Instead she sat still and didn't move from the table. Lina looked over to the chimera. "Zel, sit down! She's trying to talk and you are going into a rage!"
"But we have no idea what is going on and someone is already dead!"gypsy groaned in frustration. She turned to the elf and gave her a bored look. "Melendil, can you 'take Xellos outside'?"shifted his eyes and looked at the elf and gypsy. The mazoku opened one of his eyes and gave off a sly grin. "Oh, but I'd much rather talk with you, Sasheem."gypsy shifted. "I don't feel like it, Xellos. Lets meet as little as possible."felt his eye twitch. "See? What is this? What does Xellos even have to do with this? We know nothing, Lina!"growled. "Zel, she promised to explain everything to us!"
"Zelgadiss, please sit down. I'm about to explain everything." Sasheem sighed and rested her head in her hand.Xellos left out the door with Melendil, he whispered to Sasheem. "Already hate me? And I could have sworn we had a bond last night when you took those cards from me." He cooed in her ear.
"Xellos, don't get comfy."smiled with the gypsy's last words and followed Melendil out the door. The Inn's door shut and all was quiet once again. The group looked at the frustrated gypsy across the table. "Alright, Sasheem. We're listening." Lina sgypsy nodded and brought her head up. "Alright, where to start." She looked up at the ceiling and brought her head back down. "OK... Let me first explain what I did earlier."
"Are you feeling OK, Sasheem-san." Amelia looked at the gypsy with concern.
"Yes, I'm fine thank you." Sasheem took a quick sip of her tea. "That, well incident, this morning was all an act."
"An act?" Lina hissed. The gypsy nodded.winced. "You... played us like that, in such an unjust manner?"
"No better than Xellos." The chimera mumbled under his breath.
"I'm confused." Gourry moaned.
"Please, just hear me out." Sasheem asked. Though she still didn't show any emotion to the matter. "It was more like a defense mechanism. I am sorry I did it, but at the same time I am not. I did it because I'm trying to hide what I know." She paused for a moment to think about what happened. "I was afraid. I admit it. I was hiding behind a false character to hide what I knew, and," Sasheem looked around the room. "To keep away from certain people. Xellos, could soak up my information like a sponge and squeeze out everything he knew his damn mistress."
"So, Xellos is in this." Lina mused.
"Yes, well not particularly him. But Zelas, his mistress, and basically the Mazoku." The gypsy looked over to Zelgadiss. She gave out a long sigh. "Zelgadiss, please I wasn't really playing you." The chimera made eye contact with the gypsy, though he couldn't see her eyes. "Hear me out and maybe you can understand."
"You keep saying that, so go on." His words were cold but they appeared to have no affect on her.gypsy turned to Amelia. "All right. Amelia, this involves you. You and that past of yours."
"What?" Amelia felt like the room had just suddenly turned cold.
"I need you to tell me if I am right." Sasheem leaned on the back of her hands propping her elbows on the table. "Are you OK with this?" Amelia took a moment before she nodded in agreement. The gypsy began. "Then I will begin. A few years ago, if I am right, you mother was murdered," Amelia hung her head a little and felt her eyes turn warm. "Because an assassin came to her room instead of your older sisters, when it was your older sister who was supposed to be the one murdered." Amelia wiped one of her yes. It was a tear. How she didn't want to cry, not right now. Sasheem stayed quiet for a moment. "Am I right?"
"Yes." The princess choked.looked at the princess let out groan. "We don't have to get in to Ameila's past!"
"Zelgadiss-san, it's alright." Amelia finished wiping her eyes. The chimera looked at Amelia and felt his chest sink. He really hated all of this.
"Alright." Sasheem closed her eyes tight for a moment and then continued. "Do you know why, or even who, the assassin was?"lifted her head. "No, why?"gypsy hung her head a little still resting on the back of her hands. "Because I know who it is." Amelia felt her heart jump but Sasheem continued talking. "And I know why, and I know the people he has killed. Because the man that killed your mother is working for Lestophel and the person who killed Niennafal is the same person that killed your mother, which means that it is the same man that is working for Lestophel, and this person also killed my mother so the person working for Lestophel is that same person who killed my mother, meaning that this assassin who killed your mother, my mother, and Niennafal, is working for Lestophel, and-" Sasheem stopped and banged her head on the table. She was repeating things over and over and didn't know where to go.group stared at the confused gypsy as she banged her head on the table. In a sense they were sad; but on the other half they were not sure what to think. Amelia put her hand out. "Sasheem."gypsy snapped her head up. "I am OK. I am-OK!"
"No you're not!" Lina barked. "If you ask me, you really are going mad! Whether earlier was an act or not, this is insane! And you were keeping all of this from us?" Sasheem looked up to the enraged sorceress. "You knew all of this, and weren't going to tell us? Are you against us or not? Are you-"
"Fine! You want to know why? You want to know now?" The gypsy pounded her fist on the table. "Alright, Lina! Because none of you can wait, I'll tell you why I was keeping this! Lestophel is my father!" The gypsy pushed her chair back, got up, and gave a smile. "Yep! That's right! The Gypsy King is my father! My father..." The gypsy looked at the mug of ale Melendil left on the table. She picked it up and took a quick drink. A chuckle left her throat. "That means... That my father was the one who sent someone out to kill your sister, Amelia." The princess' eyes widened. Sasheem swished the ale around in the mug. "And that means, that the person who killed your mother killed my mother too. So, then my father sent out to kill my mother." The room remained quiet. The gypsy still tried keeping a smile on her face. She shrugged with her arms out and the ale mug in her right hand. "And then, last night, he killed my friend." She giggled. After that, in one swift move, she brought back the ale mug and threw it against the wall. The alcohol and glass flew everywhere and a blotch on the wall dripped with the ale. "SMILING-DAMNED-VILLAN!" She screamed at the wall. She stood panting at the wall with a broken glass mug at here feet and Ale spilled all out in front of her.she placed a hand on the wall and took a few deep breaths. In a minute, she turned around and took her seat again. Amelia made an attempt to come closer and comfort her but the gypsy stopped her. "Just listen." She put her hand back down and looked up. "That is why it was hard for me to tell you." She paused. "Even after all that, he is still my father. Sometimes he comes to see me... But I hardly ever see him." The gypsy swallowed and held back some tears trying to escape past her eyes. "But I still have so much trouble. He... He's my father! But his men killed my mother and now my friend!" She found herself debating for both sides. She sighed and rested her head in her hand. "I want him dead. I want his blood to curdle and suffocate him... But I want him to live! He is part of my life! Flesh and blood! I come from both him and my mother! My mother! The woman who bore me! And she is dead because of him!"instantly got up, and being close to the yelling gypsy, wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. "Don't cry... It's OK."madness in the gypsy's head seemed to calm down. She pushed off of Gourry and sat down at the table once more. "I'm going to finish this." Gourry took his seat again. The gypsy shifted a look at the swordsman. "Gourry, I'm sorry. Thank you."
"Yep." Gourry took his seat next to Lina and felt slightly proud.felt her stomach turning and her mind was anxious for Sasheem to continue. Part of her wanted to everything now, but the other part was too nervous and questioned the princess if she really wanted to hear this. Lina was still getting over the sound of the breaking mug. When it cracked she felt like more daggers had been stabbed through her poor head.gypsy sighed. "I'm sorry." Before anyone could protest Sasheem continued her speech. "The man's name is Mikau Coda. He's a professional assassin and swordsman who work's for Lestophel. Now, for the reason he killed your mother, is because it was a while before that a war occurred." She looked at Amelia. "Amelia, I'm going to need you to help me here. Do you remember the feud that occurred many years ago between the elves and Saillune?"
"Feud?" Lina looked at her friend stirring in her chair nervously.sighed. "Yes, I do. But it wasn't just between the elves and Saillune. The gypsies were also involved along with the mazoku and, somewhat, the Dark Lords." Amelia took a breath. "But, that was twenty years ago! I thought this was all over?"
"Wait a minute!" Lina stood up from her chair and yelled to the whole table. "How did I not now of this?!"
"I never recall hearing about this, either. It sounds like it would have been a very public event." Zelgadiss stated.
"It was kept from being a public event because it... wasn't pretty, as I heard." Amelia rubbed her hands together in a repeated and nervous fashion.exchanged looks between Amelia and Sasheem. "You two are full of secrets! Why do you keep them from me?!"
"Because it is my duty as a princess! I was to never reveal this to the people!" Amelia said jabbing her finger in the air.
"What? You think this is honestly easy for me to go and say, Lina? To be ranting out on my own father like this? My father, Lina!" The gypsy slammed her fist on the table. "I want him dead! I would love to see him dead! But at the same time I want him alive! To live! And I have to go say all these plans of his so all of you can go and kill him! How easy did you think this was going to for me, Lina?" Sasheem pushed her bangs back, but before anyone could see her eyes the hair fell back in place and covered them again. "How is it, that he can go and send out to kill so many, even my own mother, and I can not go and kill him? One man. And he can go and kill so many easily."had fallen into deep thought. In a sense he somehow knew how Sasheem felt. His whole incident with Rezo was slightly similar, but not as deep. 'Maybe I do know how she feels a little. I suppose I was fortunate to go and kill Rezo faster.' Zelgadiss thought. The chimera took a quick look at his skin and then damned Rezo for a second before he continued listening again.
"It's like this." The gypsy took a sip form her teacup. "Saillune and the elves have always been in peace, right Amelia?" The princess nodded. Sasheem began t make motions with her hands. "So the elves and Saillune are in peace, while the gypsies and the mazoku are at peace."
"Gypsies and mazoku?!" Lina screeched.nodded. "Let me tell you why. See, Saillune is a rather well known city, and all of you know that. It is highly respected. So it was years ago that the elves and Saillune apparently had a small debate and then signed some peace treaty or something."
"Yes, we have peace with the elves. The debate was long ago, but we are very friendly with the Elvin race. They use good magic such as our white magic so it is also very convenient." Amelia stated. "My grandfather was the one who signed the treaty, so I heard. We still meet with the leader of the Elvin Council to discuss things every year."twitched her eye. "I never knew this! I've never even seen an elf until now!" She turned back to Sasheem. "So what's this then between the gypsies and mazoku?!"
"My turn to explain." Sasheem sighed. "I'm sure that all of you probably came here fearing the gypsies, huh? Thinking we were thieves and all. Tricking people and manipulating them?"
"But, you are not like that, Sasheem-san!" Amelia stated.
"Have we been mislead?" Zelgadiss asked.
"Boy, were we wrong!" Gourry had been listening the whole time and saying nothing.gypsy huffed. "Well, you still came here thinking that, huh?" The group didn't say anything. "Well, here is what happened. It was a long time ago, before the gypsies left to Cymbalien. The gypsies were not accepted in Saillune. It was because of our reputation of being thieves and all. After a false incident, that being some commoners dressing as gypsies and beating a few people to death in a back-alley then blaming it on the gypsies in the town. It became almost a tradition. There were many people dressing as false gypsies and doing this. I suspect it was a gang or thieves or something. After that, gypsies were sent away and never allowed return. Saillune spread the information to the other towns and cities and soon gypsies were welcome nowhere. That is where the hate grew from. Soon, if a real gypsy was found and caught, they were sent to either a dungeon or death. These actions sent some of the gypsies to go into a rage and they would manipulate or steal from people."was stunned. "I... Had no idea." She thought for a moment. "Sasheem-san, I will set things right! I swear! In the name of justice-"
"Now hold on." the gypsy motioned for the enthusiastic princess to sit down. "Lets get through this first." Amelia sat down in her chair all pumped up and ready to fight for the right of justice and gypsies. Sasheem couldn't help but giggle from Amelia's sudden acts to everything.
"Why are you... laughing?" Zelgadiss asked.
"L-sama, she has gone mad." Lina twitched.
"No, ha ha, no that's not it." the gypsy regained control. "Amelia's just so cute and funny, being all for justice and everything." The two gave Sasheem a strange look. "Alright, I'm going finish the story. Wow, how many times have I said that? Yeesh, anyway. So it's the elves and Saillune at peace. Because Saillune is so big, soon all the cities and town respected the Elvin race and all were against the gypsies. The elves however, were not fully against the gypsies because they are highly peaceful people. However when they found out about the 'gypsies' little incident in Saillune they became very weary of the gypsies. So the elves and the gypsies are not the best of friends." Sasheem took a small breather and then continued speaking. "Us gypsies are very peaceful people. We are kind with he earth and respect it. The elves like that about us, but they do not fully trust us."
"But wait. Melendil is an elf." Gourry pointed out.
"That is another story." Sasheem added. She took another sip of tea. "Damn, I'm out of tea. Oh well, anyway. So the gypsies were kicked out and had to go away. But, they had the city of Cymbalien to go to. I'm no even going to get into the past of how Cymbalien came around, I'll leave it at that it is there. The mazoku had apparently heard about all of this mayhem going on and decided to meet with the gypsies. What do you know, they became friends. They were both rejected by the regular human society and those peaceful elves so the gypsies and mazoku became at peace. Both races are smart and intelligent and know a whole lot, so we have been getting along alright."table sat stunned. Lina screamed. "You have got be kidding me!"
"Nope. Wow, I wish I had more tea."
"This is insane!" Lina continued.was surprised herself. "I knew about this whole thing. But I had no idea that it was all framing. It was always passed on that the gypsies had been sided with the mazoku the whole time." Amelia looked up to Sasheem. "I'm so-"
"It's not your fault, Amelia." Sasheem smiled. "I really want some more tea. Anyway, so that's how that came about. Then we have to get to the incident of why Mikau went and tried to kill your sister but killed your mother instead. Now I have to say that it is really unclear to me of why this happened. I'm just going to tell you what I can. I'm pretty sure it's something along the lines of the mazoku and the elves fighting. Now for whatever that reason is I am not sure. But then the gypsies got involved for the mazoku and then Saillune for the elves and boom! A war! So after the war was over, I don't know, something weird happened and it is very unclear to me, I'm sure the elves know, but I think it was your grandfather Amelia, something about revenge. Nevertheless, he went and killed the first Gypsy King, my grandfather."
"I'm so confused." Gourry moaned.
"Gods, I didn't know Saillune had such a past!" Lina squealed. "This is juicy!"
"It's nothing to laugh about, Lina." Zelgadiss mumbled.
"Calm down, Zel. I'm not laughing!"
"I never thought this would all be coming back." Amelia placed her hand on her lap and began to remember everything. Saillune had always seemed like the place were all good thing would happen. No one had expected such a thing to be buried in it's past. The princess let out a long sigh. "Oh boy..."
"It'll be alright, Amelia." Sasheem reassured. "Anyway, I know that my grandfather must have really done something wrong if your grandfather went off after him. It must have been just I suppose. Like I said before, the mazoku and the elves probably know why. Any who, so my father went out to seek revenge, and as a warning for Saillune to stay out of the gypsies business, was going to have Mikau murder your older sister, the current heir to the thrown. But, Mikau was given wrong directions and accidentally got your mother." Amelia felt that turning in her stomach again. "And now, he's out to get you."
"What?!" The group yelled. Sasheem nodded.
"Why me?! Well, now that I think about it there are several reasons." Amelia thought aloud. "Heir to thrown, from Saillune, but anyway. What do you expect us to do? And why is Lestophel doing this now?!"gypsy stared at her teacup. "Well, I'm not one hundred percent sure. But whatever happened, I think Lestophel is seeking revenge and to do that he is placing the war on Saillune and I believe Zelas is helping."
"Zelas? The Beast Master?!" Lina screamed.
"Yes. Unfortunately Lestophel is friends with the Dark Lords. Well the ones you haven't killed." The gypsy looked around the room. "I should really get some more tea."began to feel the pressure coming on. "Oh no. Saillune is going into war with gypsies and mazoku! What am I going to do?!"
"Is this going to be worse than fighting Dark Star?" Lina questioned.
"Gypsies? War? Where?!" Gourry woke up from a nice nap when he heard 'war' and 'gypsies', and realized that this was apparently a bad situation.relaxed back in her chair. "Well, I'm not to sure what the future is going to hold. And I can't promise everything will be OK."turned to face the gypsy. "Well, I already asked you yesterday why you would tell us all of this. So, you are not our enemy?"gypsy shook her head. "No. I am not."stood up form the table and walked next to Sasheem. "Then tomorrow we head out to the Alyfur Desert and kick this guys ass!"
"It's not that easy, Lina." Zelgadiss shot back. "We hardly even know where to start! We don't even know what happened that would make Lestophel want to go and kill Amelia's sister! Besides, now Mikau is out hunt down Amelia!"
"Big deal! I kill bandits and thieves all the time! I'll Dragon Slave him!"
"Won't work." Sasheem added. "Wanna' know why me and Melendil were laughing at the Dragon Slave earlier, Lina?"sorceress thought for a moment. "Yeah I do! What the hell was that?"
"The Dragon Slave, to gypsies or elves, is like almost child's play. Mikau is a highly skilled swordsman who can block a Dragon Slave with his blade."turned white in the face. "You're kidding me..." The gypsy shook her head. "Then we can have Gourry get him! He's the best swordsman ever!"
"I'm scared." Gourry whined. "I can't block a Dragon Slave with my sword!" The swordsman looked around. "Wait a minute. I don't have a sword! I gave the Light Sword up! I'm gonna' die!"
"No you're not, jellyfish brain! We'll get you a new sword and you can go kill Mikau!" Lina snapped.
"Lina-san, I think you're underestimating this man. He sounds powerful." Amelia spoke.anyone could say anything the door opened and in walked Melendil and a beat Xellos. The mazoku groaned. "This is why mazoku and elves don't get along." Xellos held his face and stumbled over to table.
"No on asked you to talk, you trash bag! I took you out for ice cream, so now tell these good people what you told me!" The elf spat out.put up his finger. "That is a secret!"
"You see! This is why elves do not get along with mazoku!" The elf huffed.
"Well mazoku never got along with prissy elves anyway."froze. "What. Did. You. Say?"
"Xellos, where is my father?" Sasheem asked. The gypsy had made her way over to the bar and filled up her teacup.grinned. "With my mistress, Zelas."
"Where are they?"
"In a bedroom."slipped on the floor and caught herself on the edge of the bar. Zelgadiss choked on his drink, Amelia blushed, and Gourry and Lina fell off their chairs. Melendil stared at the smiling mazoku. "Well I can tell you he didn't tell me that."gypsy gave Xellos a long and hard look. "Gods, are you telling me the truth?"nodded. "It was a shock to me at first, too." He chuckled. "But anything that makes my mistress happy is fine with me. See Sasheem, now we can become better friends!"
"This is sick and twisted." Zelgadiss mumbled.glared at Xellos for a minute. "You have got to be lying." Xellos didn't say anything. "I won't believe it."next minute was an unbearable silence. No one was quite sure what to say, so Melendil decided to break the silent room. "Well, look a that! Lestophel and Zelas hit the sack together!" Xellos and Melendil had to do their best the next second to dodge a flying shot glass that was hurled across the room.screeched as she saw the glass shatter. "My good shot glass! Wait a minute... Is that a broken ale mug?!"
"Hold on." Gourry said. "I don't get it. What are Lestophel and Zelas doing?"groaned. "Think about it, Gourry. A man and a woman in a bedroom. What could they possibly be doing?!"
"Wait, where are they again?"sorceress put her head in her hand. "OK, last time! Gourry, when two people love each other..."
"...Yeah?"
"They do...certain...things. In a bed!"
"Well it doesn't always have to be in a bed." Xellos added.
"Shut up, Xellos!" Lina yelled. She was starting to blush and get very embarrassed. Lina turned back to Gourry. The stupid swordsman was starting make her hangover even worse. "Gourry, two people go and do certain things, when they get a certain feeling."
"Like a stomach growling? Then they would go eat."
"You stupid, stupid, jellyfish brain!" Lina whacked Gourry over the head. "One more time! When two people love each other, they go and-"
"Rock their worlds!" Melendil chimed.looked at the elf. "Ohhh, now I get it." Gourry blushed a little. "So that means that Lestophel and Zelas are having se-"
"Enough of this, already!" Zelgadiss yelled. His face was red and his eyes were wide. looked over at the elf slouched in a chair. "And Melendil, I got a question for you!"
"Shhhh-oot!" The elf slurred, and pretended her hand was a gun.
"Shouldn't you and Sasheem be, well, against one another? I mean, you're an elf! What are you even doing here?"
"Ah, I see! OK, I can explain myself." Melendil leaned in at the table and looked at the group of friends. "I did live in the Elvin village of Lorthrindel, but they kicked me out of there three years ago."
"And why was that?" Lina smirked.elf sighed and looked down at the table as if she was almost ashamed. "I was born under a 'bad moon', so it says. A rare blue moon, or something like that. Anyway, they say that it had an effect on me and that's why I don't act like a real elf should. I'm more outspoken all the time, very active, I'm always drinking, I yell and scream all the time when a normal elf would only go into a rage like that if it was to fight or defend someone they love of their race."
"Huh. Well that explains a lot." The redhead spoke.
"Lina-san, be nice!" Amelia scolded.
"It's OK, Amelia. I don't mind." The elf chuckled. Sasheem watched from the side of the bar. She felt her heart sink a little in her chest. She knew Melendil felt embarrassed about her story. The elf continued to speak. "So anyway, because I was much more aggressive the council wanted to train me as one of the Elvin worriers for the village. I was doing good, but the problem was that," Melendil began to fiddle around with her fingers. "I would use the skills that they taught me for almost everything. I would get into fights and pick fights in the forest with other creatures if I even thought they were insulting my village." The elf sighed and cracked a little smile remembering the old times. "So I would cause many problems for my village because of this. They would always have to put up with perhaps the Dwarves Council complaining about a 'small elf girl' picking a fight with them, or something like that. Well, that was the first issue." Melendil leaned back in her chair and traced circles around on the table. "So then my fifteenth birthday came around. It's true that I was drinking wine at the young age, and I loved the stuff. Because I was an elf I could hold my alcohol much better than any normal human, so I liked to drink. That night the dwarves had come over on certain matters, and introduced ale to our village. The dwarves are real heavy drinkers, so they brought quite a bit with them. Any who, naturally I had already had my wine from my party, and saw those wonderful kegs of ale lying out there. So I got some, well using 'some' makes it sound like I had a little, I got real drunk, let's leave it at that. So after I drank, I wobbled outside and was practicing my magic; why I do not know. Apparently I cast a fire spell and ended up burning down the village's best vineyard. So that was the last straw and they kicked me out."stared in wonder. "You did all that?! And you are still drinking?"nodded after she took a swig from her mug. "Yeah, I am. I came here and for some reason the gypsies were real nice to me. I opened up this Inn and have been here for three years."shifted a looked to the elf. "Can you ever go back to your village?"put her mug down raised an eyebrow. "I don't think so. I haven't seen them for three years. Maybe I could go back, but I sure as hell was not welcomed there three years ago. I don't think they want to see me."got up form the table. "Well, thanks for telling us, Melendil. Of course, sorry to break this moment but we got work to do."looked up to the chimera. "We have a whole lot to deal with now." She sighed. "Oh, Gourry-san needs to get a new sword, I guess."leaned back in the chair and spoke in her slurred words. "There's a sword shop down the street."wondered to herself out loud. "L-sama, I wonder if there is ever a day where she is not drunk off her feet?"sat down at the bar across from Sasheem. "You really shouldn't go hurling shot glasses, it's not very nice." He cooed.
"If you are lying to me, about this of all things, I swear, Xellos. Just because mazoku and gypsies are close, and just because my father may be getting it on with you mistress, does not mean we have to get acquainted."
"Oh, that's no fun." Xellos pouted.
"I am willing to get along with you, infect we have been doing just fine so far, but I know mazoku have a habit of tricking people. Xellos, I am going to have my brother dig a grave for you if you ke-" The gypsy stopped. "The graveyard. That may work. Lina, get Gourry to hurry up."
"What's going on?" Lina asked.
"I think if we go into the old Gypsy King's tomb, well my grandfather, we can get some information. All his old books and journals are buried with him. Tybolt can break it open for us, he's on duty till twelve at night."
"We are going... grave digging?" Amelia twitched. "In a grave yard? With all those... dead bodies?"turned around and faced Amelia. "Amelia, they're all dead. What could they do to us?"
"All.... dead!" Melendil chimed, as she swung around her ale mug.
"You really want us to break into a dead king's grave?" Zelgadiss asked.
"Two to be exact!" Xellos added.gypsy grabbed the mazoku's arm. "Do not get into my situation's."
"But you know that is what you were going to do anyway." He smiled.
"I bet my stress and pain is like a candy shop for you today. That's why you're hanging around me, isn't it?"
"That is a secret."window was pushed open ever so softly as the careful figure peeked in the room. 'I must have the right room.' He thought. "So," He said to himself. "They're off to the Graveyard first." He slowly closed the window and bounded back up on to the roof. When he looked down on the ground he saw the sorceress and the blond swordsman walking down the street. Slowly he began to pull out his sword till he noticed a certain figure on the street. "A chimera?" Quickly he sheathed his sword and kneeled on the roof. "What is a chimera..." He trailed off in thought.