[PSL] Got a dragon on my back

[conglomeration]

The crunch of leaves and sticks beneath his boots is echoed by Lina's steps just behind, the two forming a cadence that never quite matches up. Unbalanced to match the strange seed of anxiety Zelgadis has about this whole thing.

It's not that he's in any position to turn down the help, but this is -- unusual. After he, Gourry and Amelia help Lina defeat whatever horrible Monster has it in for her this time, Zelgadis goes off alone. To look for his cure, of course. He never asked any of the others to go with him, and they'd never offered. That was how it went.

Now, the speeding set of footfalls behind him are systematically ending years of routine with each twig-snap. (And why does she sound impatient even when she's just walking?)

The difference is obvious, of course. This time he's setting out knowing that there's nothing to find, if Rezo was to be believed. Zelgadis' quest should be over, but -- no. Too many years and miles have been invested to give up that easily, and Zelgadis is far too stubborn to just accept this, no matter what Rezo said. He couldn't possibly know that there wasn't some dusty scroll in a long-forgotten cavern somewhere... even if he was probably the most knowledgeable source on Chimera short of perhaps the Clair Bible and had no reason to lie...

As his thoughts turn darker, he ignores Lina and just presses forward. But he doesn't, for one instant, forget she's there. Nor does he expect the respite of silence to continue for long.


((OOC: I was going for post Evo-R but if you want another canon point I can adjust! I will try to remember to prose but forgive me if I forget here and there ^^;;))

Comments

((if you don't mind my terrible need for a canon-review at that canon point that's ok with me!))

[blowstuffup]

We can just excuse it as AU if I mess up or sth.

Lina was never the type to give up hope on much of anything, even if she'd never say it out loud. Saccharine cheer-leading was always more of Amelia's forte than Lina's, and it was obvious why - even if it did bring the occasional welcomed smile on Zelgadis's face, it was always fleeting. Lina wasn't stupid. Short-sighted, maybe...but it's not like it took a genius to see what was on Zel's mind.

She didn't hide the fact that she was staring into his back. She knew as well as he did that this quest out would most likely bear no fruit. She claimed she was coming along to plunder ("another man's trash is this woman's treasure!" --or something), but honestly...as much as Zelgadis probably wanted to be alone when facing disappointment...he shouldn't be.

Ugh. Though why did everything have to be so quiet? So boring!!!

"Hey." Lina finally spoke up over the crunch of their footsteps. "Hey, Zel." She shortened her gait, increasing her pace a bit to catch up with him. "Hey."

((No problem! I'll try to fill in the blanks if I can.))

[conglomeration]

And there it is, her constant need for something to do, no matter how inane. Conversation is something he's gotten better about, but there's usually a comfortable buffer of two other, especially talkative people for him to fall back on if he's in a sullen mood. Not that he disdains talking to Lina; quite the opposite as their discussions, when she's in the mood for it at least, are intelligent and engaging, just two normal people who share mutual respect.

Just now, however, he's the one not in the mood. Zelgadis flickers his gaze sideward, and it's the unexpected flash of her white hair more than her verbal pestering that convince him to stop and deign to at least find out what she wants. It's the least he can do for someone who risked her life to save his, all of theirs, with the Giga Slave.

Somehow, and gods as his witness he'll never know how, she always manages to defy the longest odds. Prove to his over-logical mind that the impossible can be done.

"What?" He even manages not to sound annoyed, though as ever he's not exactly dripping charisma.

[blowstuffup]

Oh! Well, that response came a little quicker than usual! Her influence must be more pervading than she'd originally thought! Good, good! Her initial response to him is a wide, lewd smile.

Now the choice: whine about being hungry, or being bored? Looking around, it was pretty easy to see which one would be more easily remedied. There weren't any eateries around. As far as the eye could see, it was forest and meadow...not even a stream to catch fish, like the old times. Huh. Pity.

That only leaves one option! "I'm bored!" She leaned her upper torso forward, drawing out the word for emphasis. "Let's play a game!"

Best idea or BEST IDEA?

[conglomeration]

Of all the --

The heel of his hand finds its usual spot on Zelgadis' forehead. He's surprised there's not a groove there from how frequently he finds that particular spot of use. So much for intelligent conversation.

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm -- " That gives him pause. He can't really claim to be too busy, and telling her to grow up will only end in a fireball to the face. But there has to be some reason...

"I don't want to be forever getting there." Yes, that works. Expediency, bless you for being the perfect excuse.

[blowstuffup]

Would there be a fireball to the face, Zel? Would there? Sure, her hair is white, and her power is probably all but zilch...but who needs a fireball when a tight fist to the back of the head usually does the trick?

Luckily (for him), his answer left Lina plenty of wiggle room. If she didn't know better, it was as though he was begging her to play a game! "This'll help the time pass more quickly, duh!"

She skipped a few steps and walked ahead of Zelgadis, balled fists planted firmly on her hips. "Though now I gotta figure out which game to play--" She glances over her shoulder with a good-natured smile. "Whattaya say? Any requests?"

Suggest 'The Quiet Game' at your own peril, Zel.

[conglomeration]

Fireball is his main consideration, absolutely. As much as some secret part of him is almost pleased when Lina forgets his stone skin enough to actually strike him, it would be silly to expect that. Expecting people to treat him normally can't lead anywhere good.

Besides, he refuses to believe she's that drained. Refuses.

Zelgadis resumes walking with a put-upon sigh and makes half-hearted consideration toward her request. Only because it's probably easier to indulge her than to argue with her, and certainly easier than asking her why she's here in the first place if she's so bored. Games, games...

Finally, he shrugs. "Twenty questions." His tone is completely flat. You can lead a stoic Chimera to entertainment, but you can't make him enjoy it.

[blowstuffup]

W o w. Lina did not expect that answer. When did you become so surprising, Zel? She's quite content with that answer, because who doesn't love the opportunity to brag talk about one's self?

"Heheh~" Her laugh is drawn out, and could only be described as tauntingly sinister. "Well, since you picked, obviously you get to ask first!" Out of the goodness of her own heart, right there.

But really, she's gonna make you buy into this, whether you like it or not! After all! When's the last time they embarked on a quest, just the two of them?!

[conglomeration]

Another sigh. Honestly, he's wondering the same things about himself. And probably, it has a lot to do with the fact that the last time they were on a quest, just the two of them, they barely trusted one another and it was all business. Four years, and it's been all business, teaming up because it was necessary. Because it was something they had to do. This -- isn't.

Getting stuff done, he's good at. But this? He doesn't know how to do this. Humoring her as long as it's only minimally annoying seems like it would be easier than having her shout at him for miles. Still. The process of coming up with something to ask is nearly as painful as being shouted at or punished or whatever she'd do if he refused.

(He steadfastly ignores the part of him that wonders about whether she'd leave and go find Gourry if he doesn't pretend to play along.)

"What's... the best library in the world?" When in doubt, fall back on academia?

[blowstuffup]

Lina nearly tripped over herself at the question. Did he really just..?! HOW WAS SHE SUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT?! Sure, she prided herself in being well-traveled but...she was going to have to scramble to come up with something other than 'stupid I dunno!!' or this game would fizzle out pretty quickly.

"Hmm..." She tried to give it some thought. "I guess it depends on whether we're talking about contents or the building itself..." She brought a crooked knuckle to rest of her chin as she mulled it over for a minute. "...for structure alone, I'd say the royal library in Seiyruun is mighty impressive." If she could get away with taking even a square inch of that guilded interior..."Though you know better than I do that its contents aren't much to write home about."

Is this the sorta thing he really wanted to talk about? Hey, if it'd start a conversation with him, there really wasn't a topic that was off-limits.

[conglomeration]

His shoulders droop very slightly at the response. He'd been secretly hoping to hear about some amazing collection of ancient scrolls he'd never heard of, of course containing the perfect step-by-step instructions for how to reverse a chimeric merge.

The mention of Seiyruun doesn't do a ton for his disposition either. Amelia had been on his case to go back with her again before he left.

"Most royal libraries are more about pretension than information." Which is, of course, why he'd refused to go back. Or at least a reason. It factored in. He's not mildly embarrassed, shut up.

[blowstuffup]

Lina is still deep in thought, not taking (much) notice to Zelgadis's characteristic sulking. "...hm...if I had to go for sheer volume of texts, though..."

He didn't know about...that place, right?

"...Zelfielia probably has the biggest collection I've ever seen." Which could explain her prolific knowledge of spells and all things magic. If she bothered to ever detail the process of her tutelage. "It'd probably take something around ten years or so to get through everything there."

[conglomeration]

Said sulking is neatly interrupted by this extremely interesting information!

"Really? I didn't know that." Instantly, he's thinking about how far they are from there, the best and quickest route...

"That's East of here, isn't it?" He stops his Southward walk and glances East. It can't be more than a handful of days away, even with Lina "Master of Delays" Inverse tagging along.

Why didn't she mention this ever before?

[blowstuffup]

Whoa, there, Bessie! Lina's pacing screeched to a sudden halt at Zelgadis's sudden latching onto the topic. What's the big deal?! Rarely did Zelgadis take such staunch interest in much of anything--

--it just had to be there, didn't it? Of all places..."...you don't...seriously wanna go there, do you?"

She understood the need to leave no stone un-turned, but really? Did he actually want to start there? She knew he was desperate but...

[conglomeration]

A blink as he gives Lina as incredulous a look as someone emotionally muted can give. "Why not? If it would take ten years to get through, there has to be a lot of obscure knowledge buried there."

It's not like he had any better leads. Besides, while there were rumors of Zelfielian heroes bringing a quick end to assassins and dangerous types who tried to make mischief there, he'd talked his way into more fragile situations in spite of his appearance.

[blowstuffup]

Quick! Abort! Abort!! Lina had to give a reason, come up with something to sway him...

"B-but it's so old and run-down..! N-nobody really uses it anymore, everything's so out-dated..!" No, she isn't flailing. There's a gnat she's trying swipe away, honest.

"Wouldn't it make sense to...I dunno...try..." Quick, Lina! "Somewhere else?!"

Mental facepalm.

[conglomeration]

Her extremely weird -- and to him, inexplicable -- reaction is making him stare. What could possibly be the problem?

Whatever it is, he'll have to find a way around it. Because now he's determined to go.

"Why? I don't have any better places to start." He's not so much actually asking for a reason as defending his choice, so he crosses his arms as if daring her to come up with something that could possibly deter him.

[blowstuffup]

He was wrong. So, so wrong. Anywhere was better than there!! What if someone recognized her?! Not that anyone could possibly remember her...after all, she wasn't Luna, but...

...but when did anything ever work out her way? When did it really? Besides, if they were headed to the library, she would surely be spotted! It was one of the few places where she was known!

...m...maybe if they just avoid the restaurant...

Lina let out a long, drawn-out, grumbly sigh. "Fine." They had a good several hours before they'd get there, anyway. Surely she'd devise a plan before then.

[conglomeration]

She -- agreed? He's not used to that, but then again why was she arguing in the first place?

Now that his head's all full of hope and possibilities of being completely human again before the week is out, he couldn't care less about the why. He's going straight there, and if Lina doesn't like it, well. It's not like she has to come along. He'd be fine going alone, really. Absolutely fine.

He turns and starts heading East. They'll find a road eventually.

"I would think you'd be happy to be headed to civilization. There's probably tons of inns and places to eat." Him? He'll be in the library.

[blowstuffup]

Ugh. Every dry word out of that man's mouth was tinged with irony that he was all too blissfully ignorant of. She begrudgingly kicked at the ground with the heel of her boot.

"There aren't that many places to eat...that're that good..." And the good one was simply out of the question. Besides! If she went to her family's competitors and they found out..! They'd put her on a spit and roast her!

But here she is, following him for a change. How backwards is this?! Xelloss The gods must be yucking it up real good right about now...

[conglomeration]

Geez, what's her problem? You'd think they were walking toward her grizzly death. No, not even that, because then she'd just be all determined and superior and "HA! Let that thing TRY and defeat Lina Inverse!" This is more like she's...

Wait.

"What happened the last time you were there?" Just a hunch he has, but given his own experiences with Lina it's not impossible to think that she'd blown something up there in a fit of Lina and was currently wanted dead or alive.

Not to say that would necessarily deter him from going there with her, but he'd prefer to know if there's a frothing, pitchfork-wielding mob in their future.

[blowstuffup]

"Oh my gooooods, nothing happened!" Lina scoffed with haughty indignation. "It's just a really crappy place to be in, ok?! The inns have bed-bugs, the water's always served luke-warm, the men are smelly and the girls are noisy!"

...it...wasn't a lie, considering...

It's just..! Lina was coming along to help Zelgadis out, like a favor or something like that. (She honestly hadn't quite figured out what she'd call it, really.) So! Why were they having to go back to that wretched place?! She's trying to be nice, powers that be! Doesn't that earn her something of a break?!

[conglomeration]

He's heard this tale too much to be taken aback by it -- or believe it, if he's honest -- but something tells him this is different. He can't quite put his finger on it, but at least he can take comfort knowing it's not something dangerous. She wouldn't keep that from him.

Probably.

So, he shrugs. "Fine. I'm not planning on spending much time with other people, anyway. I'm looking for a way to turn back to normal, not for a good time." Not that he'd know a good time if it hit him in the face.

[blowstuffup]

Erk. Backfire.

Lina shoved a giant sigh out of her lungs, making quite the scene over her objection. "FINE. But we're only spending a day there, you got it? No spending the night or any of that crap!"

Grumbling, Lina paced ahead of him. "...no way in hell am I subjecting myself to those flea-bitten, dirty, lumpy pillows..."

[conglomeration]

As much as he'd rather not get into a fight with Lina (bad for the health even with her powers not exactly full-scale), her attitude is definitely the last straw in a long series if very frustrating events.

"I'm going to stay as long as it takes to either find a way to turn myself back to normal, or until I'm satisfied the answer isn't there.

"No one asked you to come along." That last, okay, is a little low, but she knows what this means to him, and he never made a great secret of that being his first goal. If it were a matter of Lina's life of course that would be a different matter, but really? Pillows and luke-warm water? Her slight, temporary and entirely voluntary discomfort isn't exactly a great reason for him to give up on his years-old goal.

...Still, he regrets it as soon as he said it.