TrickChild2: Something Old, Something New

Trickster Children

Chapter 2: Something Old, Something New

By: Elf From Space


Disclaimer: I don’t own the any of these characters. Suggestions, corrections, and criticisms are welcome! Please send comments to:
elffromspace@yahoo.com
Thanks to Jhiend for proofreading, and to the everyone whose helped me brainstorm, or has


"So, tomorrow we're off to find those Crimson-Siangham[1] bandits Xelloss told us about," Lina announced to her companions. They had finally finished eating and the innkeeper was anxious for them to leave so he could clean up and go to bed.

"Again? You ARE aware that mazoku is just using us to do some chores for him. Every quest he's sent us on has ended with the impressive destruction of someone he wanted to get rid of." Zelgadis said dryly.

"I know," Lina replied. They had heard a rumor about some bandits who had a most unusual sword in their possession. Xelloss had hinted that it might be the sword of light, but Lina doubted that. She had long ago learned to be suspicious of anything Xelloss hinted at. Especially when he refused to confirm if he knew one way or the other. "But it's worth a shot if we can find a new sword for Gourry. You're the one who is so anxious to get back to our missions, aren't you? No matter what Xelloss' motives are bandits are still bandits. I am sure they will have treasure we can redistribute to a more worthy cause."

"Oh, and what cause would that be?" Zel asked.

"Me of course!!" Lina replied.

"Well I, for one, will be keeping my eyes open. I just don't trust him! With Filia here he seems to be more distracted, but I still can't believe he doesn't have something up his sleeve."

"Where did Xelloss and Filia go anyway?" Amelia asked, glancing around.

Lina blanched, "No! Please don't ask! I'm pretty sure we don't want to know."

Gourry just scratched his head. He was still trying to figure out what a singing ham[1] was and what that had to do with bandits...


Elsewhere Xelloss gave Filia another kiss as a very naughty look crept onto his face. "Filia-chan, do you want to try something new?"

Filia blushed at this remark. She knew what that look meant and she had already learned all sorts new things in the months since their wedding. Admittedly, most of them had been very enjoyable. Almost too enjoyable. She was sure most proper dragons would utterly disgusted, but just the thought of being married to a mazoku would have been enough for that. She didn't think the specifics of her behavior could make things any better or worse. "What now, Namagomi?" She didn't want to sound too eager no matter how much she looked forward to seeing what he came up with next.

Xelloss didn't reply. They both knew the games they played with each other. He was sure that she was interested, but he hoped this time she might get a little more than she bargained for. He smiled, pleased with himself, and kissed her again. He made sure she was good and distracted, and then he let go of his hold on his power. A black whirlwind rose up around him swirling all over Filia as well and flickering between them. Filia jumped, shocked by the dark power suddenly flowing through her and tried to pull away, but found his hold on her too tight.

"Stop that, Namagomi!" she ordered, her voice faltering just a little, but obviously not amused by this prank.

"Make me." He kissed her again.

"Alright." she retorted. Filia closed her eyes chanting under her breath. Soon she began to glow as she called on her own power in an effort to push Xelloss' energy away. But instead of fighting his power, her golden light merged with his darkness surrounding the pair with a swirling storm of gold and black energy flashing and growing as the two powers united.


"No, I really don't want to know what they're doing..." Lina winced remembering a time not too long ago when they had accidentally found out. She was pretty sure that Xelloss had heard them coming but had continued anyway just to see everyone's reaction. Poor Filia was mortified when she finally noticed the shocked expressions on the faces of her friends. Since then Lina had grown used to the spectacle of Filia chasing Xelloss off, mace in hand, and both returning some time later, clothing slightly out of place. And she'd learned NOT to look for them in between. Lina shook her head violently to clear the memory and yawned, "Well, I'm going to bed. Goodnight everyone!" Gourry got up and automatically followed Lina even though he knew he'd be sleeping in the next room with Zelgadis.

Amelia also got up sleepily, "Me too." She knew better than to try and enter the room after Lina was asleep and risk waking her thus incurring her wrath. She really was tired anyway and only stayed up that late because everyone else did.

Zelgadis looked up to see everyone else leaving the table, but he sat for a moment longer taking one last sip of his coffee.

Amelia glanced back and called to him "Zelgadis-san! Aren't you coning to bed?" with me... his mind silently filled in and he found himself choking on his coffee. He really needed to stop drinking that stuff right before bed! It was affecting his mind. He got up and followed trying very hard to act like Amelia wasn't there. Thank goodness she couldn't read minds, because if she ever knew half the things he was thinking she'd justice speech him to within an inch of his life!

Amelia sighed. Every time she saw that look from him which made her think he was finally beginning to show his feelings he would suddenly close all up again. She'd give anything to know what he was thinking.

Suddenly Lina stopped in her tracks in the hallway halting those behind her. "Do you feel that?"

"Magic." Zelgadis replied, "Very powerful."

They glanced down the hallway and noticed something odd from the 3rd door on the right.

"What is it?" Amelia asked, staring at the strange flashing leaking out from the door frame. It seemed to be black and yet light at the same time; midnight with golden highlights. "Wait a minute... That's Xelloss and Filia's room!"

Lina and Zelgadis did rather impressive face faults onto the floor.

"Just WHAT are they doing now??? No... wait... I really REALY don't want to know," Lina sweatdropped.

"I think I'm going to be sick..." Zelgadis looked rather green as he picked himself up and hurried past to his room, glancing neither at the door, nor at Amelia.

"Geez! Don't those two ever stop???" Lina exclaimed.


Filia woke up feeling slightly odd and strangely restless. She glanced around the inn room and noticed that Xelloss had already left. She had overslept a bit, but judging from the light at the window, she guessed that everyone would still be eating. Breakfast… For some reason that sounded really good. I wonder what they're eating? Eggs, toast, milk, sausage…I'd better hurry if I want to get any!

She quickly put her clothes on and hurried down the stairs to the dining area. As usual she saw her companions ravenously attacking a mountain of food. Xelloss sat a little back from the table calmly drinking his tea, and when he saw Filia he smiled.

“So Filia-chan. A bit exhausted after last night are you?” Xelloss winked at her suggestively.

“A little,” Filia replied, making her way to the table. She wasn't in the mood to argue with him at the moment and he was right after all. She sat down at the table and reached for the milk that was just out of her reach, “Amelia, will you pass the milk? I'm parched!” Filia tried to remain proper, but soon gave it up and dove into the war zone that could loosely be termed a breakfast table.

Xelloss watched his wife, a little concerned. It wasn't like her to pass up on their regular morning fight. And she was definitely eating more… “enthusiastically” than normal. He wondered briefly if Lina and Gourry's eating habits were contagious, then decided they were, to the extend that the others had to adopt them if they wanted to eat anything at all. But that didn't entirely account for Filia's behavior. He thought back to the previous night and hoped that his new fun didn't have some negative side effect. He'd really been hoping to do that again.


Several weeks later a shrill shriek cut it's way through the peaceful morning. Lina jumped knocking Amelia out of the bed, and she heard a loud thump as something heavy and hard (Zel?) hit the floor in the next room. The shriek was followed by another and Lina hurried out of the door to see what was going on. Soon she found herself outside of Xelloss and Filia's room where she was joined by Gourry and Zel along with a few other sleepy guests.

“Oh brother! It's 6 in the morning??? It's bad enough when those two keep us up half night with their antics. Do they have to start in the morning now too? That's it! I'm going to teach them why it is a bad idea to deprive Lina Inverse, Sorceress Extraordinaire, of her sleep!!!" Lina rolled up her sleeve and reached for the doorknob in a suddenly deserted hallway.

"Uh, Lina.. Are you sure you want to walk in on them when they're..." Amelia started.

"Hold on." Zelgadis froze. They're not doing what you think."

"Huh?" Lina paused to look at him. "How would you know?"

Zelgadis suddenly turned very red "Well, uh..."

Lina glared at him impatiently.

"Ahem...there would be other noises too if they were... I don't hear..." Zelgadis stammered, while Lina looked disturbed and Amelia turned red as well.

"Hey guys" Gourry interrupted. "What was all that yelling for? Is someone in trouble?"

"He's right!" Zel gasped grabbing the door. "While we're out here talking something bad may have happened." he flung the door open and the group was greeted by an exuberant Filia who squealed in pure delight when she saw them.

"Look!!!" she cried turning to greet them.

They looked and to their great surprise they saw no major destruction in the room. At least no more than normal. They also breathed a collective sigh of relief observing that the proper dragon-maiden had somehow slipped into a nightgown to preserve whatever modesty could be left to Xelloss' wife. Unfortunately Xelloss seemed to have been far too stunned to take similar measures. The only thing saving Lina and Amelia from a sight they really didn't need was the sheet that had tangled around Xelloss as he fell off the bed and onto the floor in a dazed heap.

"Look!!! Isn't it wonderful!!" Filia was bouncing up and down excitedly clutching a two strange round objects to her chest. Zelgadis looked closer at the odd objects. They were dark in color. Purple? But they had a strange golden glow emanating from them. They seemed a little familiar and he tried to think what else he had seen Filia holding that glowed like that when it hit him.

"Eggs! They're eggs!" Lina exclaimed.

Zel looked back and forth between Xelloss and Filia while a giant sweat drop formed on the side of his head. "Great... That's just what this world needs. I knew things weren't quite chaotic enough yet."


Notes:
[1] The siangham is an inside joke. It's a strange weapon in the new Dungeons and Dragons book. A group I play with found a highly magical one and not only can no one use it, but we can't even find anyone to sell it to.

On To Chapter 3
Index