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"This place is amazing," Amelia cried as she walked through the city now dressed in a blue tunic and matching tights. Everyone had decided to look around the "new and improved Briseral" as Lina had dubbed it. The city was alive with people hustling about and all kinds of entertainment like street performers, musicians and people dressed in costumes playing with children.
"This place reminds me of a carnival," Gourry said waving to passersby who waved hello in return. "At least everybody's awake, right Lina?" he asked, stopping.
"I think I liked it better when they were all asleep," the redhead moaned. "There's something wrong with being too happy, you know." She was answered by a child-like giggle from the baby dragon who had made a home on Gourry's shoulder. "Can't you get rid of him?" she sighed in annoyance.
"I don't want to," the blonde pouted childishly. "Bubbles was just being friendly, isn't that right Bubbles," he cooed to his newfound friend.
"BUBBLES, you named him Bubbles," Lina huffed. "What kind of name is Bubbles?"
"A very cute one, "Amelia interjected, smiling up at the blue-gray colored dragon who flew from Gourry's shoulder into her arms. "He's such a little cutie," she smiled even brighter as the dragon hugged her with its tiny arms and nestled its head in her chest, humming with affection.
"Ah, he likes you," Gourry smiled watching Bubbles snuggle his head deeper into Amelia's bosom.
Zelgadis watched the little dragon as it made a new home in Amelia's breast. Bubbles hummed happily as the princess stroked his head, smiled and murmured to him sweetly. "If I didn't know any better I'd say he was doing that on purpose," the chimera thought as Bubbles wrapped his tail around Amelia's waist.
"If I didn't know any better I'd think he was doing that on purpose," Lina commented, mirroring Zelgadis's thought.
"I was just thinking the same thing," he concurred.
Amelia looked at the two of them in confusion. "What? Bubbles was just being friendly and affectionate, what's wrong with that?"
"Yeah, he's just being friendly," Gourry said, jumping to Bubbles defense.
"The question is how friendly are you going to let him be?" the sorceress mumbled.
"What was that," Amelia asked shooting an angry glare at the redhead.
"That we should be getting a move on," she amended. "We can't stand here all day playing with Bubbles," she said staring directly at the little dragon. At her words Bubbles wings drooped slightly in disappointment.
"Don't worry," Amelia whispered. "Gourry and I will play with you later, okay." Upon hearing this he immediately brightened and stared at Gourry who smiled reassuringly.
"Now that that's settled can we get moving," Zelgadis asked calming, drawing everyone's attention away from Bubbles.
"Hey, you like Bubbles right," Gourry asked the chimera as they continued walking.
"He seems to be very taken with Amelia," Zelgadis responded.
"You think so," the princess asked holding onto her little charge.
"Yes, he seems to enjoy your attentions," he said not wanting to mention the dragons apparent fixation with a certain area of her anatomy.
"That's a nice way of putting it," Lina commented.
"I don't know about you guys but I'm getting a little hungry," Gourry said his stomach growling, reinforcing his words.
"Me too," Amelia chimed in. "Maybe we shouldn't have skipped breakfast."
"Well, there seems to be a lot of food vendors around, we should find something we like," Zelgadis reasoned.
"Then let's go eat," Lina smiled spotting an outdoor cafe that had aromas wafting through the air that made her mouth water.
"I was just wondering, is this real food or dream food," Gourry asked.
"Huh?" Lina looked at him in confusion.
"Is it real food or is it going to disappear if we try to eat it?" he elaborated.
"Well we won't know until we try to eat," Lina said with determination. The she picked up Gourry and carried him over to the cafe.
"I hope its real food," Amelia sighed to Bubbles. "I don't want to starve." Thoughts of possible starvation began to worry her and Bubbles expression changed to one of concern. Amelia noticed the change and began to worry even more. "What's the matter Bubbles?"
"I think he's worried about you," Zelgadis responded and the dragon nodded in conformation.
"Oh you don't have to worry about me Bubbles," she smiled and kissed his head making him blush.
"Okay guys the food's real," Lina yelled from behind a mountain of fried oysters.
"Have you noticed that she seems to have her mind on food a lot lately?" The chimera asked as they walked to the cafe.
"Yes, I know how much she loves food but this . . ."
"Is ridiculous," Zelgadis finished for her.
They settled in and ate rather quickly. Lina practically shoveled down her oysters, which Zelgadis couldn't blame her. They were quite delicious. Gourry and Amelia shared some of their meal with Bubbles who appeared to have an appetite that mirrored Lina's. Afterward the group continued walking around taking in the city's excitement.
"I was wondering how all this stuff got her," Gourry asked.
"The dream Muzuko must have shifted dream space to bring everything here," Zelgadis answered.
"But that's rarely done," Amelia thought aloud, "because of the high difficulty risk, unless . . ."
"Nephilo has a lot more power to control the dreamscape then we originally thought."
"Guys what are you talking about," Lina looked at them.
"I'm glad I'm not the only one who's confused," Gourry scratched his head.
Zelgadis and Amelia proceeded to explain about the information they had gathered from Gourry's notes. After they finished Gourry looked at them in amazement. "You got all that from those notes I took at the library."
"Yes, you did a really good job," Amelia smiled.
"Hey how come you guys didn't get me when you decided to go over all that stuff," Lina asked.
"Because you were busy sleeping off all that magic spiced chicken you ate at dinner," Zelgadis said sarcastically.
"And I asked you about the notes and you told me Zelgadis had them, remember? You could have come with me to his room to look them over if you wanted," the princess added.
"I didn't know you were going to go over them that night," Lina whined. "You two probably just wanted to be alone," she smiled slyly.
"And what's that supposed to mean," Zelgadis asked, even though he knew what she was implying.
"That maybe you two studied more than notes last night," she teased further.
Realizing her meaning Amelia began to blush in embarrassment and humiliation. "Why does she always have to make fun of the way I feel," she thought, desperately fighting the urge to find the nearest rock and crawl under it.
"In fact, judging by the cozy little scene we walked in on this morning I'd say you two were studying anatomy, each others," she taunted with a haughty little laugh.
"And if we were, studying more then notes, as you but it what difference does it make to you," he responded coolly taking Lina by surprise.
"Huh?" she looked directly at him.
"If I didn't know better," the chimera said keep the chilly edge in his tone, "I'd think you were jealous." Lina and Amelia both facefaulted.
"What's he doing," Amelia wondered, surprised by his sudden change in demeanor.
"Wh-what?" Lina growled, her face turning red with anger.
"Can't you say anything more than one syllable words, " he taunted.
"Me, jealous of Amelia over YOU."
"If the shoe fits, as they say," he smiled coyly.
"DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH," Lina yelled "You aren't even my type and . . . well I just don't like you that way," she blubbered.
"Then stop acting like an immature brat or the jealous other woman and leave me and Amelia alone," he returned coldly.
"Hey guys cut it out," Gourry said standing between them, fearing that soon fireballs would be exchanged. "We're all friends here, remember." Amelia just watched the argument in shock. Lina gave an angry huff and walked of down the street.
"At least she didn't dragon slave you or something," he sighed in relief. He looked over at Amelia who was turning pale. "Are you alright?"
Amelia looked up at the swordsman's worried expression then into Bubbles equally concerned one. "I'm fine," she responded quietly.
"She was just joking around Amelia, don't take it personally," he said not realizing how deeply Lina's little joke had effected her.
"Look I'll go find her and you stay here with Zel," Gourry offered. "We'll meet you back at the tavern later, okay?"
"We'll be there sometime this afternoon," Zelgadis confirmed. The swordsman nodded then ran down the street hot on Lina's trail.
Gourry may have been oblivious to how upset Amelia was but Zelgadis wasn't. He could see the combination of embarrassment and humiliation on her face. Bubbles noticed it also and hugged her a little tighter in an effort to console her. "I can't believe she actually went that far," he thought in disbelief at her actions.
"Come on let's get going," he said and turned toward a side street in another direction. They walked in silence. Amelia seemed wrapped up in her own thoughts and he decided to give her time to collect herself.
Amelia had never felt so close to tears in all her life. "How could she," the princess thought angrily. "She's used me at the butt of her little jokes for the last time," she vowed silently. But Zelgadis was another question. "He jumped in to stop her," she thought happily. She looked up at the chimera walking beside her and regarded him silently. "Why did you do that?" she asked finally after a few moments.
"Do what?"
"What you said to Lina, why did you say those things?"
"Because there's a distinct difference between joking around and being mean," he answered, "Sometimes I wish Lina would grow up. We have to figure out how to get out of here and she's being childish," he sighed in exasperation. "And besides it did get her to shut up," he reasoned, smiling.
Amelia laughed a little which made Bubbles happy and he giggled. "See, even the dragon agrees with me." Bubbles released his hold on the princess and flew to Zelgadis's side.
"I think he likes you," Amelia smiled, watching Bubbles flutter alongside the chimera.
"Not as much as he likes you and Gourry."
"I was thinking about what Gourry said earlier about this place being like a carnival," She said happy to think of something other than Lina and her earlier cruelty. "Maybe some kind of celebration is going on."
"Well let's find out." As they walked through the city and talked to various people they discovered that there was a festival going on. It was a week of activities and entertainment to celebrate the completion of the summer planting and harvests.
"Each day new events for the towns people will be held throughout the city and later this evening a surprise event will be announced," Amelia read from a flyer they found about the festival. "It sounds like fun," she said looking at Zelgadis who now had Bubbles perched on his shoulder. "See I told you he likes you," she giggled.
"But does he have to sit on my shoulder with his tail wrapped around my neck," he asked. "You have wings, why don't you fly?" The dragon just shrugged his little shoulders and Amelia just laughed.
"Maybe we should head back to the tavern to meet up with the others," she said.
Zelgadis looked away from Bubbles to her in concern. "Are you sure you want to go back now?"
"Yes, what happened with Lina isn't bothering me anymore," she answered. "And besides maybe Gourry found something interesting."
"Gourry?" the chimera looked at her blankly.
"He came through for us on the notes," she reasoned. "Maybe he found something else that that he thought looked important."
"She does have a point," Zelgadis thought, but his main concern was whether or not Lina would have her act together and focused on the situation they were in when they got back.
Lina stood outside the tavern with her hands folded tightly across her chest, tapping her foot impatiently. "Didn't you say they were supposed to meet us sometime soon?"
The swordsman looked up at the sorceress from his seat on the ground cleaning his sword. "Calm down Lina they'll be here any minute." He then returned to his cleaning.
Lina was still angry about what happened earlier that afternoon. "It was just a little joke," she thought. She was still amazed at Zelgadis's reaction. Normally when she teased him or Amelia about the princess's little crush he would do one of three things ignored it, blushed, or do something to change the subject, and on occasion a combination of the latter two. His attitude was what really surprised her, not only did he jump in he's been down right smug and "well bitchy," she thought. And that comment about her being jealous of Amelia," What a laugh".
"What was that," the swordsman looked up. She didn't realize she'd said the words aloud.
"Nothing," she assured him. He nodded and continued polishing his sword while Lina kept thinking and they both waited.
"So this is a big party for everyone after the summer planting," Gourry asked.
"Right, its a week long festival," Amelia concurred.
Zelgadis, Amelia and Bubbles arrived later that afternoon and told the others what they had discovered. Lina still had an attitude and as a result was quietly seething throughout the discussion. Which to Zelgadis was a relief. It turned out that Gourry did come up with something new. The building on the far edge of the city was called the Palisades where many community events were held.
"So what do you think the surprise event will be," the blonde asked as he rubbed Bubbles tummy who had fallen asleep after so much excitement. "I'm not sure, but whatever it's a good guess it'll probably be held at the Palisades tower since community events are supposed to be held there," Zelgadis reasoned.
"That's fine and dandy, but that still doesn't help us figure out how to get home," the redhead complained, surprising everyone by finally speaking.
"Maybe it does," Amelia said getting their attention. "Once the festival is over the whole town could be sent back to reality and us along with it."
"And what makes you think this Nephilo or whatever is in charge around here is going to just send us along on out merry little way," she glared at the princess.
This time Amelia didn't falter under Lina's snappy remarks. "Well I don't see you contributing anything worthwhile to this conversation," she said in a cool matter of fact tone that made Lina's blood boil over by the second. "Why is she acting like this," Amelia thought. She considered herself a nice person but was running out of patience quickly with Lina. "And besides," she continued, "we haven't seen any signs of evil the old man told us about."
"Maybe they're just you know, waiting us out or something," Gourry offered.
"You mean giving us a false sense of security then unleashing whatever hell on earth they have planned on us," Zelgadis elaborated arching an eyebrow.
"Uh yeah like you said, what if they're doing that?"
"What we need to do," Lina i nterrupted. "Is find the head guy and pump him for information. Like what he's doing to Zel and Amelia?"
"What do mean, what's he doing to them?" Gourry asked looking at the two.
"Oh don't you remember, of course you don't I forgot who I was talking to," she mumbled.
"It's me Gourry, Lina?"
"ANYWAY," she yelled "The old guy we met on the road, pointing an accusing finger at those to saying "keep away, they stink of Nephilo's power, they've already fallen into his clutches," she said mimicking the old man's voice and gestures. "Remember?"
"Oh yeah."
Amelia and Zelgadis looked at each other also recalling the incident. "But wait, how do we know if Lina and I haven't been affected by Nephilo too?"
The group sat in silence for a minute. "I think we've been relying too heavily on what the old man told us, don't you," Zelgadis asked.
"You think he was lying," Gourry asked.
"Possibly, all the information we've been able to confirm really didn't come from him but from your notes. Whose to say this Nephilo character exists, after all Gourry didn't find anything on him at the library."
"But if Nephilo doesn't exist then who brought us here," the princess asked.
"That's what we still have to find out," the chimera responded.
"Where should we look oh great and wondrous leader." Lina glared at him every word laced with sarcasm.
Zelgadis looked at the sorceress with a dark expression. "What's the matter with you? You've been acting like a complete bitch all afternoon."
"Funny, I was thinking the same thing of you earlier," she smiled coyly. "I make a harmless little joke and you try to make like a knight in shining armor protecting his princess fair."
"So she's still pissed about that is she," he thought. "Look I don't have the time or the inclination to indulge YET another display of your childish behavior." Then turned his attention to the others. "Usually at festivals like this the person in charge attends the various events. I was thinking we should go to some events and see if we spot anyone who looks like they're an authority figure."
"Or at least find out what they look like," Amelia chimed in.
"That's a good idea," Gourry exclaimed, excitedly pounding his fist on the table rousing Bubbles from his nap. Lina got up and turned to leave.
"Lina, where are you going?"
Lina turned and gave the group a cold stare. "If you want to run around town playing games fine, but I'm going to stay here, get some food and some rest." Then she headed upstairs. Gourry stood up to follow her but was stopped by Zelgadis. "Let her go, she's no good to us until she calms down."
"I guess you're right," he said sitting back down. "So which events should we go to first."
"I was thinking that maybe we should split up and go to different ones," the princess suggested.
"Okay and we'll meet back here like we did earlier. But who's going to watch Bubbles." The swordsman looked at the little dragon who regarded them sleepily.
"I think he should stay here, he looks really tired, "the princess observed.
"I'll go put him to bed you guys can go on without me." Gourry picked up Bubbles and carried him upstairs.
Zelgadis watched them leave and turned his attention to Amelia. She'd held up better to Lina this time then she had earlier. "I hope she's in a better mood when we get back," he thought aloud.
"I hope so too," Amelia said. "Otherwise if she starts in on me again I'm going to fireball her something fierce," she swore mentally. "Whatever her problem is I don't thinks its me personally. I think she's using me as a scapegoat," she sighed.
"Something which she has no right to do to you or anyone else," Zelgadis said. "Maybe after she's eaten enough food to feed a small country then slept like the dead she'll be her old self again." Amelia couldn't help but laugh as they headed out into the festival filled streets.
So far Amelia had attended four street performances, a gallery exhibit of local artists and an interesting workshop on glass blowing, where she was able to make a small vase that had a lovely marble gray design. "Daddy will like it," she hoped. But so far she hadn't seen anyone who looked like they were hosting the festival or some kind of official presence. Which didn't really discourage her considering how large the festival was and the amount of people attending. She was really having a good time and wished the others were with here so they could all have fun together, especially Zelgadis.
The past day and a half seemed like a dream to her. They'd talked, really had a solid conversation and he didn't seem uncomfortable in her presence whatsoever. She had surprised herself and possibly him too by they're conversation the night before. She hadn't intended to be so bold but she couldn't help herself, "and he seemed to open up a little too, maybe he won't think so negatively of himself when it comes to women from now on." She honestly didn't know if there was a chance he could ever return her feelings, "but I still want his friendship if nothing else," she thought entering an exhibit on woodcarving.
After Gourry put Bubbles to bed he headed out to see what was fun. So far he'd visited a workshop on sword care, saw a sword craftsman exhibit and visited another workshop on candy making where he loaded up on free samples. He also heard about dragon racing being held the next day, which he thought Bubbles might like. "Bubbles can definitely win the baby dragon races," Gourry thought getting a bag of treats for his little friend to eat upon his return. He was having so much fun he almost forgot what he was supposed to be looking for. He asked a few people about the, "big boss guy" as Gourry had begun referring to him, but came up with no results. The swordsman was still a little curious about the surprise event Amelia had mentioned. "I hope its something really fun." The he spotted a sign reading " 21Ways to Better Care for the Dragon in Your Family," and was off.
Zelgadis found the seminar on "Conventionally Creative Magic uses" fascinating. Many of the techniques mentioned focused around some of the basics of Shamanism, especially in regards to farming. "Which makes sense considering how Shamanism is focused around the elements of nature." He had also noticed that many of the attendants of the seminar were female. In fact after thinking about it he was the only male there, which struck him as odd considering how useful some of the things mentioned could be.
Another thing that caught his attention was the way the women were reacting to him. Some whispered and giggled amongst themselves and others smiled a friendly hello and attempted to engage him in light conversation.
"The only person who cares about you being a chimera is you." He remembered Amelia's words from last night's conversation as the seminar ended. If what happened at the seminar was an example maybe Amelia was right about him being too fixated on being turned into a chimera. He still wanted to become human again, naturally. "But maybe being a chimera doesn't have to be an exercise in depression and angst."
Until he'd entered the seminar Zelgadis hadn't had the chance to think about his conversation the night before with the princess or the question that had been posed to him in his dreams. He normally didn't indulge in conversation about himself but it also focused on his attractiveness to woman, which usually would have been embarrassing and uncomfortable and to his surprise had felt none of those things they're entire conversation. Amelia usually went along with whatever Lina had planned at the moment an never said anything otherwise unless necessary. But lately she had developed a candidness to her nature and hadn't been treating Lina like she was the greatest thing since the Holy Clair Bible. "Which is a good thing," he thought knowing how highly the princess thought of Lina and the sorceress's conduct earlier didn't warrant the princess's high praise.
Before the magic seminar Zelgadis had attended a workshop on how to negotiate with a muzoku, focusing on negotiations ranging anywhere from food, land to your own life. Which to Zelgadis seemed pointless considering from his experience muzoku would just kill you instead of talking to you, If they could. The only muzoku he knew who talked was Xellos. "If you could call that talking," he mumbled, recalling the numerous times the trickster talked them into danger and answered the groups questions with "That's a secret". Now Zelgadis walked around looking for something else of interest to attend. He had a feeling that the surprise event being announced tonight might be just what they were looking for. It had been a few hours since the three of them had left the tavern. He also wondered if Lina was over her little problem. "Maybe I should go back and try talking to her before the others return."
After the others had left Lina had six plates of roasted chicken in herb sauce sent to her room, ate every last one with dashes of magic spice and took a long nap. When she woke up Lina felt like a new person. She went looking for the others, only to find Bubbles sleeping in Gourry's room. When she entered Gourry's room the redhead had managed to awaken the swordsman's little guest. Bubbles looked wide-eyed at Lina as she sat on the bed studying his blue-gray scales. "If your wondering where Gourry and the others are they're still out," she stated. The dragon sat up and fluttered over to her end of the bed. "I guess the little guy is kinda cute," she thought staring at Bubbles big blue eyes. "Well, since it's just the two of us how about we go downstairs and get some fruit." The little dragon nodded and smiled.
When they got downstairs Lina ordered a selection of sliced fruit which they had turned into a game of catch with one throwing a slice and the other catching it with their mouth. Lina tossed Bubbles a slice of orange that missed the little dragon by a mile and landed right in Zelgadis's face as he walked in, making Lina and Bubbles laugh.
"So you've decided to add food fights to the agenda," the chimera asked as he wiped the slice of orange off his face and walked over to the table.
"Sorry Zel, I was tossing that to Bubbles, right?" The dragon nodded enthusiastically. "Told ya."
"Look Lina we have to talk about this afternoon."
"I know, I'm sorry. I guess not having breakfast in the morning makes me a lot more grouchier and mean the I thought," she said apologetically.
"I'm glad you realize you were in the wrong," he said a little surprised by how smoothly things were going.
"I guess it's a good thing I stayed behind and got some rest," she reasoned, "Otherwise I would have slowed things down." Which was true Zelgadis thought but didn't say, only relieved that she'd apologized to him and hopefully would do the same when Amelia returned.
"So did you guys find anything," she asked tossing an apple slice for Bubbles who in turn tossed her a mango slice that she managed to balance on her nose then flip into her mouth.
Zelgadis watched the exchange between the sorceress and the dragon amused. "We decided to split up to cover more events. I didn't have any luck, but maybe the others did." Lina merely grunted her acknowledgement as she and Bubbles balanced mango slices on their noses. The chimera just shook his head. "It looks like you two are getting on splendidly."
Lina finished chewing her mango slice and smiled. "Yeah, the little guy likes to eat as much as I do," to which Bubbles squeaked a little agreement. Lina was about to order another plate of food for a second round of fruit tossing when Gourry walked in with a big smile carrying an giant sized muzuko plushie.
"Guys look what I won," he cheered, sitting down an placing the plushie next to him. Bubbles fluttered over to it and stared at it curiously.
"Where did you get that thing," Lina asked eyeing the doll with equal curiosity.
"At a sword toss stand not to far from here, it was the grand prize."
"Did you find anything," Zelgadis asked.
" 'fraid not, but maybe that event they're supposed to announcing tonight will help us," the blonde thought aloud.
"Zel was thinking the same thing," Lina said amazed. "He's really been on his game since this whole thing started," she thought watching Gourry play with Bubbles.
"So where's Amelia?"
"She's not back yet," Zelgadis answered.
"Okay, I guess I'll wait til she comes back then."
"Wait for what," came a familiar voice. Amelia walked in holding a small bag and sat down. "I take it by the looks on your faces you guys came up empty too," the princess inquired. The two men merely nodded.
"I didn't come away completely empty handed," Gourry smiled. "Look what I won," he pointed to his giant plushie. "Oh and I got some candy for Bubbles," he remembered pulling out a bag of chocolate caramel treats to which the dragon giggled gleefully. He took his bag and fluttered back over to Lina where he offered to share.
"Thanks Bubbles," the redhead smiled and munched away on candy.
"It looks like they're getting along really well," Amelia smiled.
"If you and Gourry were a few minutes earlier you would have had the privilege of watching them play fruit toss," Zelgadis said as the sorceress and the dragon continue their afternoon fun. "So Gourry, what were you waiting to say when Amelia got here?"
"Well, I was thinking, I know you said we can't really be sure if that Nephilo guy really exists, but we may be able to figure out if we were visited by a dream muzuko if we think about our dreams in the last two days," the blonde reasoned.
"Well," Lina started. "My dreams have been the usual about food and being the best sorceress in the world," she smiled omitting the strangeness of her previous nights dream. "Nothing abnormal there."
"And I had a dream about when I was in the library going through all those magic books yesterday and before that when I was a kid back home and how my Aunt Annabelle would play with me. What about you two," he asked looking at Amelia and Zelgadis.
Zelgadis didn't want to admit his dream to the others especially Amelia so he decided to play it cool. "The usual nightmares about Rezo turning me into a chimera, though last night I dreamed I was sitting in a large field, which was a nice change," he shrugged.
Amelia stared at him for a second then realized it was her turn. "Well, my dreams have been pretty normal too, bring justice to the world . ."
"The big wedding with Zel," Lina interrupted, resulting in a glare from Zelgadis.
"Sorry, sorry," she said waving her hands up in mock defense. "It was an opening I couldn't resist."
"It's alright," the princess replied coolly. "I was going to say I also dreamed about a nice full moon night. I liked staring up at the sky when I was little," she explained. Zelgadis gave her an odd look that equaled the one she had given him moments before.
"So basically everybody's dreams have been pretty normal," Lina concluded. "Maybe you were wrong about us being brought here on purpose Amelia."
"It looks that way."
"You mean this whole thing could be one big accident," Gourry asked.
"We shouldn't be so quick to rule out anything, we still don't know the full gravity of the situation," Zelgadis said.
"Let's just wait for the announcement tonight. If what we're thinking is right and the person in charge will be there then we can find them and get some answers. Right now the best thing we can do is wait," Lina reasoned and everyone nodded in agreement.
"I was also thinking we've been doing a lot of splitting up since this thing started. I don't think we should anymore considering that whatever is behind all of this is after us . . ."
"We'd be easy pickings by ourselves," the chimera said thoughtfully.
"I'm going upstairs to clean up," the redhead commented. "You're coming too," she looked at Bubbles. "Playing catch with your food is pretty fun but very messy."
Lina and Bubbles headed upstairs with Gourry behind them deciding to put his plushie in his room and relax for a bit, leaving Zelgadis and Amelia alone. Amelia was about to say something to Zelgadis when Lina rushed back downstairs.
"Amelia, sorry about this afternoon, no breakfast in the morning turns me into a muzuko. See you guys in a little bit," she smiled running back upstairs.
"She apologized," Amelia said amazed.
"She also apologized to me when I came back," Zelgadis added.
"I'm going to freshen up a bit, I'll see you in a few minutes," she smiled and retreated upstairs. Zelgadis watched as she left and started thinking his brow furrowing deeper with each thought. "She's hiding something but what?"
Lina and Gourry decided to take Bubbles to register for the dragon races. Amelia decided to get a light snack and headed back downstairs to have a seat at a small corner table. She had just received her order of fruit and cheese when Zelgadis sat down across from her.
"You know you're not a very good liar," he said casually.
"Neither are you," she said calmly and continued eating. Zelgadis looked at her in surprise. "You told me yesterday your dreams weren't bad just interesting and then you told Gourry and Lina that you'd been dreaming about what Rezo did to you. So either you were lying to me or to them, which is it?"
Zelgadis had completely forgotten about the little chat they had before leaving for Briseral. The expression on his face could only be described as a deer caught in a sorcerer's light spell. "I was lying to them, but then again so were you, why?"
"Because my dream was very intimate," she said cautiously, "And I didn't want Lina teasing me. When I think about it I'm not embarrassed, but the prospect of telling it aloud is embarrassing. So why did you lie?"
"For pretty much the same reasons and I still haven't sorted out how I feel about what I dreamed." Amelia nodded thoughtfully at his words and decided something.
"I know its important that we all know what's going on with each other, but," she inhaled deeply gathering her nerve. "If I tell you my dream will you promise not to get upset or tell Lina?"
Zelgadis looked at her in confusion. "Yes, I promise."
"I can't believe I'm doing this," she hissed to herself and began blushing. She looked at him directly, taking another deep breath. "The other night I had a dream about you, actually I've had a lot of dreams about because well I like you, it's that simple," she rambled. "But this one was kind of different," she lowered her head. "Which strangely enough I'm comfortable with considering, But I dreamed that you and I were . . ." She stopped unable to say anymore. A heavy silence floating between them.
Zelgadis had a feeling exactly where this conversation was going " and if I'm right we're in big trouble," he thought.
"Having sex," he finished the sentence for her. The princess's face flushed a shade of red that rivaled the ruby eyes of Shabrinigdo. She nodded dazed.
"Look don't be mad or embarrassed or anything, it was my dream I swear I don't dream like that very often, actually ever," she sighed.
"How did your dream begin?"
"Um, well I sneaked into your room and there was a full moon outside, a really big one too," she said wiggling in discomfort, amazed at how easily she spilled out the details. "I walked over to your bed and um . . ."
" . . .Tied my hands above my head to the headboard and blindfolded me," he ended.
"How did you know?"
"Because I had the same dream," he said quietly then looked away.
His words echoed in her head like the sound of a pebble dropping in a canyon. "We had the same dream, how could that be?" Then something else occurred to her that was even more disturbing. "We had the same dream that means there's a chance that . . ."
"Our dream muzuko fellow exists and that dream might not have been just a dream."
They regarded each other in bewildered silence for what felt like an eternity. Then it was broken by Lina bursting into the tavern with Gourry and Bubbles in tow. "Guess what the secret event is," she smiled and began reading a pamphlet she'd been holding.
"Announcing the Mr. Briseral beauty Pageant. Each night an evening of competition between the semi-finalist for the honor of being crowned the pageant winner."
"So what's so special about that," Gourry asked.
"It's just a beauty pageant," Amelia added glad to have her attention diverted from her newfound discovery. Lina smiled knowingly and continued reading.
"The semi-finals for the Mr. Briseral pageant are Gourry Gabriev and Zelgadis Greywords." Zelgadis and Gourry stared at each other in shock.
"Looks like one of you guys is going to be a beauty queen." Lina chuckled.