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"Okay Mr. Greywords, since you won the gold coin toss you get the first question. Many people here are interested in finding out about your family life. Could you tell us a little about them," the host asked.
Zelgadis sat on a purple velvet couch facing the audience in the center of the stage. He knew that some of the questions could get a little personal but hadn't expected them to come so quickly. "My parents, I guess you could consider them pretty normal. My father was a professor at a University in Garven City and my mother was an artist. She did a lot of shows with Lenez and Borvo when I was little." The audience let out murmurs and gasps of recognition ate the famous artist's names.
"I use think it was fun to have lots of books and art supplies everywhere when I was younger. My father would always encourage me to read and my mother always wanted me to develop my artistic sensitivity," he smiled. "When I got older it didn't seem as exciting, probably because of youthful rebellion or something, but now. . ," he sighed wishing he were back to those times when he was happiest. "I don't have any brothers or sisters," he ended quietly.
"And you Mr. Gabriev, what about your family," the host asked.
Gourry sat on the other end of the couch anxiously waiting his turn. "My family's pretty big. I've got two brothers and a little sister, plus a lot of aunts and uncles who have kids too. The last time I was home I had twenty cousins, but that was a few years ago so I could have more now. Then there's grandpa Raudy, he's the one who gave me my sword and my grandmother, she's an elf. I love them a lot," he said affectionately. We always get together and have big family dinners and visit each other. We're really close." As he finished many in the audience smiled in appreciation of how fondly the swordsman talked about his family.
In an enclosed balcony in the center of the theatre Lina and Amelia sat and watched the boys on stage.
"I didn't think they'd start with the family questions this soon."
"Me either, I just thought they'd ask about the stuff the people in the crowd REALLY want to know."
"Like what." the princess asked.
"If they're single, what kind of stuff they look for in a girl. Judging from the way formal wear went these girls are ready to tear each other apart just to get close to them," the sorceress explained.
"I guess you're right," Amelia mumbles and continued watching the host fire away another question.
After Gourry and Zelgadis were shown on stage, Lina and Amelia were shown to their seats in the VIP balcony to watch the pageant. The balcony was high in center balcony area giving them an excellent view of the stage and the audience.
When the curtains rose revealing the boys in their new attire, the women went wild. The set was "an artsy abstract thing" as Lina kept referring to it with lots of vivid colors and shapes. The boys began walking the stage, just as they had been shown in rehearsal so the judges could see every angle and the women continued to go crazy. So much so that they had to call more security to stand in front of the stage so the women wouldn't rush onto it.
"But then again," Amelia thought aloud, "These questions are supposed to be what the people want to know about the contestants, maybe they don't want to ask the most obvious questions first."
"They're keeping everyone in suspense, that way people are glued to every aspect of the pageant to find out the stuff they really want to know, which builds up the pageant's popularity. That's a pretty good plan." Lina reasoned.
"At least the audience has calmed down," the princess said staring out onto the quietly seated mass of women who were hanging on Gourry and Zelgadis's every word.
"I never thought I'd see so many people following Gourry's every word so religiously," Lina said.
"Shh, the host is about to ask the last question. I wonder what it is," Amelia whispered, straining her ears to hear every word along with every woman in the theatre.
"All right guy," the host smiled, "You've done great so far, here's your last question for the evening. What qualities do you find most attractive in a woman?" Zelgadis and Gourry looked at each other in surprised then stared at the audience to see them sitting anxiously awaiting their answer.
"I knew it," Lina cried, "Look at them, they're afraid to even breathe because they might not hear the answer."
"You're right," Amelia said, "It's almost creepy they way they're sitting so still."
"Would you like to answer first Mr. Gabriev," the host continued.
"Um, sure, I guess. Well, I'd like someone who liked me of course, someone who's nice and fun to be around and likes to eat good food," he smiled.
"And you Mr. Greywords?"
Zelgadis took a deep breath and thought for a moment. "Someone whose warm and compassionate, who could look at you and understand everything you feel inside without having to say it, and I don't mean like a psychic or anything. But someone who knows you and understands you enough to know the right thing to say or do that just makes you feel better inside. Who you feel that same kind of connection with, where you could be together and not say anything but know underneath it all so much more was there. A connection between you and someone else that goes far beyond words and gestures."
Amelia and Lina sat in their seats in awe, as did the rest of the theatre.
"Th-that was really . . . awesome," Lina whispered. "How does he come up with stuff like that?"
"I don't know, but that's the sweetest thing I've ever heard anyone say," the princess said quietly.
"I wonder what they thought," Lina said, looking down at the crowd.
The women sat and sighed dreamily, then all at once began a thunder of applause. Some of them stood up and cheered while others looked at the chimera starry-eyed with tears brimming overcome with emotion.
"I guess they really liked what they heard," Amelia said, "And why wouldn't they, it was the most romantic thing I've ever heard a guy say," she thought.
"I guess you ladies liked what the boys had to say," The host jested as the applause began to settle. "Well ladies that's all for tonight, tomorrow more questions and the swimwear competition." Which resulted in more cheers from the audience as the curtains came down and the host waved to the disappearing crowd. Once the curtains were down the closing performances began.
"We'd better get downstairs and get them out of there before that mob of man-hungry women tries to stake a claim," Lina said.
"Right, LEVITATION," the princess shouted and soon the pair were floating toward the back stage area in record speed.
"At least our magic still works in this place too," Lina smiled as landed in front of the pageant producer. "Hey, Mr. Deville, where are the guys?"
"That's Divine, Mr. Divine, dear, and the boys are in their dressing rooms. As soon as we get security back here you guys can leave through your alternate exits."
"Alternate exits," Amelia asked.
"Yes sweetie," the producer smiled, " we never had contestants this popular before so I decided to take some extra precautions," he said proudly.
"That's good," the princess smiled. "We'll see you guys back at the tavern later Lina," said turning to the sorceress.
"Yep, later." Then Lina headed for Gourry's dressing room.
Zelgadis paced nervously around his dressing room. "I can't believe I said that," he thought repeatedly until he heard a knock and the door open.
"Zelgadis we won't be leaving out of the main exit so we . . .," Amelia stopped and looked at him closely as she closed the door, "Zelgadis, what is it?"
The chimera stopped pacing and looked at her. "I can't believe I said that on stage," he said removing his jacket and throwing it on the couch.
"You mean your answer about what you look for in a girl," Amelia said sitting down.
"I must have sounded like a idiot," he said flopping down next to her. "I don't know what I was thinking, I should have said something like Gourry did about wanting someone nice and fun."
"No, what you said was so much better then that, even Lina thought so."
"Really," looked at her surprised.
"You said what you felt, what you wanted to find in someone special, don't apologize for that. No one thought sounded foolish," she said holding his hand to reassure him. "Now get your jacket and come on, we have to find our alternate exit so we can avoid the mobs of women waiting outside."
"Mobs of women?"
"Didn't you see the Zelgadis Storm-troopers or the Gabriev Girls? You guys are quite popular," she giggled pulling him out of the dressing room.
"What the hell do the Zelgadis storm-troopers do anyway," he mumbled as the princess dragged him along.
When they finally got back to the tavern they found themselves along with Lina and Gourry sitting down trying to catch their breath.
"I didn't think they could run so fast," Lina panted.
"Weren't those exits supposed to be secret," Gourry whizzed.
"Yeah, but apparently someone impersonated one of the stage crew and got word out to the crowd," Amelia breathed raggedly.
"Well I for one don't feel like going through this every evening. We need to find an easier and more discrete way to get back and forth," the chimera reasoned.
"How come your not out of breath," Lina asked.
"Maybe I'm just in better shape," he smiled.
"I think we should all go upstairs and turn in. We can discuss all this with the pageant producer tomorrow," Amelia said.
"Oh that Mr. Divine guy," Gourry asked standing up.
"Yeah, he's a really interesting guy," Lina added.
"I think his clothes are neat," the swordsman said heading up the stairs.
"I guess, although I don't remember the last time I saw a guy wearing pink ruffles," the sorceress mused while following him.
"Let's head upstairs we have a long day tomorrow," Zelgadis said. The chimera and the princess headed up the stairs quickly. They could already hear Gourry's snoring as well as Lina's.
"They must have been really tired to fall asleep so quickly," Amelia whispered.
"I suppose."
They walked to their doors and as Amelia was about to enter her room she stopped. "Zelgadis?" The chimera looked up from his half-opened door in the princess's direction. "What you said tonight, it was really beautiful," she smiled then entered her room quietly closing the door behind her.
Zelgadis sat against the large oak and stared off into the violet orange skies of sunset. He sighed contently as the cool breeze whispered sweet nothings through the air.
"So how was your first day as a pageant contestant?"
Zelgadis glanced over to Amelia who regarded him smiling. "Better then I originally thought it would be."
"You seemed to enjoy yourself," she observed.
"I just felt so comfortable around everyone I guess I just forgot myself."
"Particularly with Evette at half time."
"Did that bother you? I mean it was just a dance but still," he ended quietly.
"Why don't you put that on the list of things you want to ask me. We haven't sat down and had a real talk since we found out about the dream, what are you afraid of," she asked.
"I'm not afraid of anything," he said defensively.
"Liar," she laughed. "Obviously you want to talk you me otherwise I wouldn't be here now. If you're not ready I understand, but this is something you can't avoid much longer."
"I know," he said solemnly, watching her fade away.
"Zelgadis, Zelgadis," he heard someone calling his name. His eyes opened slowly, feeling a hand on his shoulder.
"Zelgadis time to wake up," called a soft voice. When his eyes were fully open he found Amelia standing beside him.
"What time is it?"
"8:30, sorry to wake you, but Mr. Divine sent a message over for us to meet him for breakfast."
"When," he asked sitting up.
"At 9 O'clock."
"I slept in," he realized getting out of bed, "Why didn't you wake me sooner," he asked going through his closet to find something to wear.
"Yesterday was pretty eventful, I thought you could use the extra sleep, you looked tired when we got back last night."
"You didn't have to do that," he said even though he was grateful for the extra time in bed. He noticed the princess looking at his oddly. "What is it?"
"You have little puppies all over your pajamas," she said walking over to him.
"Well, they're very comfortable," he stammered.
"That's so cute," she said looking at the fabric closely noting that the puppies were playing different games. "This one's playing with a ball, this one's wagging its tail and Oh this one's rolling over," she cooed grabbing his shirt pulling it closer. She smiled as she counted how many different activities the puppies were doing when she looked up at the bewildered chimera. "You smell really good first thing in the morning," she said taking in his fresh, clean scent from his shirt that she quietly released. "Like sandalwood or cedar," she smiled.
"Um, thank you," he murmured surprised.
"I'll meet you downstairs when you finish dressing," she said heading for the door.
"All right," he said as she left.
"You smell really nice first thing in the morning," he said to himself, repeating her words and smiled to himself at the compliment as he went back to picking out his clothes.
"All right kiddies, How's breakfast?"
"Great Mr. Divine, you're a super cook," Gourry smiled grabbing another stack of blueberry pancakes.
"Yeah," Lina agreed coming up for air, "this is the best breakfast ever."
Daisy and Bubbles sat happily eating pancakes smiled and nodded their agreement as well.
"You guys are so good for my ego," the producer blushed, "Do you like it," he asked Amelia and Zelgadis.
"It's a wonderful meal Mr. Divine, thank you so much for taking the time to make it," the princess answered sweetly.
"It's very well prepared, my compliments," Zelgadis added eating another forkful of blueberry pancakes.
"Good. The reason I arranged this little get together was mainly about what happened last night. I figured you all would have some concerns, I know that I do."
"Our main concern is that horde of women who're going to be after us. None of us want a repeat of last night," Lina said with nods of agreement from the others.
"The alternate exits were a good idea but I think the fewer people who know about them the better," Amelia said.
"What about changing them around, have a different exit every night." Everyone turned and looked at Gourry as finished chewing his food. "Did I say something wrong," he asked nervously.
"No Gourry, that was a good idea," Amelia smiled.
"Well at least we have a place to start," the producer smiled, "I swear we knew you boys were popular but this exceeded every expectation we had."
Bubbles and Daisy giggled as they watched the producer sigh melodramatically in exasperation. "They are such cute little darlings," he smiled at the giggling pair.
"You've produced the pageant before, what exactly makes this year so different from all the others," Zelgadis asked.
"The tabloids for one."
"Tabloids," they asked in unison confused.
"Yes, they're daily papers with all the latest gossip, scandals and such on Briseral celebrities. A person can pick one up usually in mornings and evenings editions and get the latest scoop. You've been all over them for the past few days. In fact the only thing the tabloids have been writing about is you."
"Giving us and the pageant more publicity then we'd care for," the chimera concluded.
"The pageant execs love the idea that it's so popular this year, we just weren't prepared for how popular. The suggestions you made I thought of plus a host of others and started a reorganization effort. Pass these out for me won't you sweeties," the producer ask the dragons, handing them folders that they fluttered around the table giving to the others. "Here are the details of what I've got planned. Read them over and tell me about any changes you'd like to make before show-time tonight."
"All right," Lina smiled taking her folder from Daisy.
"I'd love to stay and chat, but they need me on stage," the producer said standing up. "Oh, I almost forgot, the talent competition is tomorrow if you need anything special let me know by four or sooner, ta-ta," he waved and headed out the door.
"We'd better start reading this now," Amelia said opening her folder.
"Especially since there's nothing left of breakfast," Gourry smiled opening his folder.
They all sat and read through their folders silently for several long minutes, examining every detail carefully.
"I like the alternate entrance idea, getting here might be even more of a problem then leaving," Amelia said.
"The combination of magical and non-magical exits works for me," Lina added, "especially this combo of a levitation and teleportation spell that Mr. Divine cooked up."
"The security measures seem to be quite thorough, particularly the 'plain-clothe' guard idea," Zelgadis said.
"That means those girls won't know how many guards there are right," Gourry asked.
"Yep," Lina answered. "This is really getting scary," she thought.
"But what about our public appearance? If we had problems yesterday we could have the same one's when we go outside."
"I don't think so," Amelia said.
"Why not?" the chimera asked.
"Well, if what Mr. Divine said is true then you two have been all over the tabloids for some time. When we were out yesterday no one mobbed us or chased us, in fact everyone was very polite and friendly."
"Especially that Evette," Lina chuckled making Zelgadis blush.
"The point is people know and respect our limits, at least it seems that way. I think they just got over excited at pageant time," the princess reasoned.
"Maybe, but what if that happens when we go out today," the swordsman asked.
"We could rework our public appearance schedules for fewer appearances or something. That's something we'll have to figure out separately I suppose."
"Other then that I think Divine's plans work perfectly," Zelgadis said.
"And if something goes wrong , we're sorcerers we can improvise," Lina shrugged.
"But I'm not a sorcerer, what will I do," Gourry asked.
"Hide until the coast is clear," the red said rolling her eyes."
"First you whip the butter and sugar together until its really creamy. After you mix that up good you add you the flour, baking powder and salt mixture that you have already mixed up in a separate bowl," Gourry said pointing to the large bowl next to him. "Now add just a little at a time, mixing it in really good before you add more. After a certain point you won't be able to mix it with a spoon anymore and that's when the fun begins and you get to use your hands," he smiled.
Lina watched in amazement as Gourry did a cooking demonstration in front of the Briseral Cooking Academy students. "I didn't even know he could cook," she thought as he continued to mix and give instructions topped with humorous little anecdotes that made the students laugh. "And he really has their attention," she observed seeing the students cling to every word and watch his every movement.
"You control the dough, it doesn't control you, that's what my Uncle Gil always says. This is his cookie recipe by the way," he said proudly, pulling the mound of dough out of the bowl and onto the counter and began kneading it. "The trick with roll out cookie dough is if your dough is too wet add flour and if its too dry add water. Most people are scared of roll out cookies, but they can be really fun," he said using a rolling pin to roll out the dough into a thin even sheet on the counter.
Lina watched as he cut out the cookies an place them on cookie sheets, then the sheets into the oven. He had flour smudged on his cheeks and covering his forearms as he chatted away with the students excitedly. "Well at least he's having fun," she thought.
"Now while those are in the oven I'll show you how to make my Aunt Millie's yummy cookie topping. Just mix some applesauce, pineapple bits and a little cinnamon together," he said pouring the ingredients into a new bowl. "Hey Daisy, do you want to help," he asked the little lavender dragon who sat next to Lina. He waved for her to come up and after much coaxing she fluttered over to him and began to stir.
"She's so cute," many of the students sighed as they watched Daisy blush shyly and stir.
In a few minutes the cookies were done and Gourry invited the student to come down and try one with some topping. Lina took a bite and was pleased at how sweet the confection tasted. "I wish all our appearances were this good," she thought getting more cookies.
After they had their cookies and talked with the students Lina, Gourry and Daisy left the academy walking off their cookie stuffed stomachs.
"Gourry when did you learn how to make those cookies," Lina asked.
"My Uncle Gil would make them every holiday, in fact it wasn't considered a holiday without his cookies. He would let me help mix and measure things."
"Like how you let Daisy stir?"
"Yeah, like that. One year Uncle Gil got really sick, so I tried to make the cookies myself so no one would miss out. They came out really good and Uncle Gil was so proud of me that he let me make them on holidays from then on."
"They were really good, right Daisy," Lina smiled and Daisy squealed with delight.
"Thanks guys, I'm glad you liked them. So Lina what are we doing now?"
"I want to find one of those tabloids Mr. Divine was telling us about. I'd like to see exactly what the women around here are reading about you and Zel."