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As Amelia walked in the Palisades to Zelgadis's dressing room she was greet with stares and whispers.
"Did you read the latest in the Babbler," one stagehand whispered to the woman next to her.
"Did I, can you believe it, " the woman exclaimed, " No wonder she always has a smile on her face.
"I would smile too if I was doing what they're doing." They both giggled and resumed their work. Amelia continued on looking straight ahead fighting the feelings of embarrassment coursing through her. As she entered Zelgadis's dressing room she gave a sigh of relief that the door blocked the stares that had followed her.
"Amelia, what is it?" Zelgadis asked.
"I've got something I think you should see," the princess said sitting down next to Zelgadis.
"What is it?"
She wordlessly handed Zelgadis the latest edition of the Babbler with the article about them clearly marked. Zelgadis read the article silently. With each paragraph of suspected evidence and sexual innuendo his eyes grew wider and his face a deeper shade of red. Some parts of the article embarrassed him greatly while others made him angry to the point Amelia could have sworn she saw steam coming out of the chimera's ears.
"Where? How the -" he started but could not find the words to finished. Amelia quickly got up and went through the room opening drawers and the closets. "What are you doing?"
"In a minute," she said hushing him until she finished. "Okay then, to answer your question I don't know, Lina and I only saw the article this afternoon," she said sitting back down.
"What was all that just now," he asked still confused.
"Look at the cover of the paper." He did and was surprised by the picture. "Someone must have been hiding in the dressing room that night. How else could they get that picture?"
"Do they know," he asked, looking at her, "Do they know about the dream?"
"I don't think so, did it say anything about it in the article?"
"You mean you didn't read the whole thing," the chimera asked.
"I couldn't sit through it after reading their speculation on our . . . supposed intimate doings in the first few sentences."
"That's a nice way of saying our sex life," he smiled. "At least this explains all those looks I was getting when I came in. I didn't see anything that makes it look like they know about the dream now that I think about it. Although they do have some interesting theories and gossip about us in here," he laughed.
"You're not mad?"
"Yes, but you have to remember it's for publicity. This is how these people make their money and if we respond to it we'd only be helping them make more of it."
"So you don't want to do anything about it," Amelia asked in disbelief.
"It'll just make people think there is something going on and we're trying to cover it up. The best thing we can do is ignore it," he reasoned, tossing the paper onto an end table. "I guess it's a good thing you didn't read the whole thing."
"Why is that?"
"You'd be a lot more upset then you already are."
"I just don't like people spreading rumors and lies about others. That sort of thing can really hurt a persons feelings."
"Are you saying you'd feel better if all that stuff they printed were true?"
Amelia thought about the question for a moment. "Well . . .yes."
"WHAT!"
"I'd be embarrassed that someone knew things so personal about me, but at least it wouldn't be lies," she reasoned blushing.
"I guess I can see your point," Zelgadis said, also blushing.
"I can't wait to see what you have planned for the talent competition," Amelia said brightly, changing the subject to ease the awkward moment. "I'd better let you get ready," she smiled standing up and heading for the door.
"Amelia wait a second," the chimera called, "We need to have a talk after the pageant tonight," he said seriously. "Okay," Amelia nodded slowly and left walking blindly until she found a quiet corner to sit down in away from prying eyes and speculating gossipers. "But what if a part of me wants some of those things in that article to be true," she thought. The true source of her anger being the fact that part of her liked the idea of people thinking they were a couple that was intent on each other that they stole every possible moment to do wickedly delicious things. "Wickedly delicious things," she laughed quietly. "That's an interesting way of putting it," she thought, her private joke lifting her spirits enough to go off and find Lina.
Meanwhile in his dressing room Gourry hummed a happy, little tune as he prepared for the night ahead. He sang a few odd words to his song as he busied himself with his clothes. "I can't wait for the show to start," he thought excitedly as laid out his other items.
* * *
"Ladies, welcome to the Mr. Briseral Pageant Talent Competition. Tonight we're going to do something a little different, by popular demand from all you pageant enthusiasts we are going to forego the Q&A Segment of the show and head straight for the Talent portion," the announcer roared. The audience applauded and cheered their approval, so loudly the arena was filled with noise for several minutes.
"Now ladies all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the show, but first we're going to kick things off with the Magi Dancers," the announcer ended as the opening music began and the curtains opened to reveal costumed dancers and special effects.
"Okay Gourry your on next how do you feel," Lina asked as they waited backstage.
"Great, I can't wait to get on stage," the swordsman smiled happily.
"Good," Lina smiled, "I'm going to go to my seat and watch, have fun."
"I will," Gourry waved as the sorceress headed off.
Lina got to the lounge quickly and took her seat next to Amelia who was busy nodding her head in time to the music, "Is Gourry all set," the princess asked.
"Yep, he's really excited," Lina said.
"So what's he going to do?"
"I don't know he said it was something fun he did when he was younger, what about Zel?"
"He wouldn't tell me either," Amelia shrugged, "He said it was surprise."
"I wonder what those two are up to," Lina said as the opening performance ended and the announcer returned to the stage.
"All right ladies once again welcome to the Mr. Briseral Pageant Talent competition, our first performance of the evening comes from Mr. Gourry Gabriev." The audience applauded as the announcer disappeared off stage as the curtain raised as the lights in the theater dimmed.
In the center of the stage Gourry sat on his knees, shirtless in black silk pants with his eyes closed and two swords of equal length on either side of him.
"What's he doing," Lina whispered.
"I think I know," Amelia whispered back, "Just watch."
Gourry picked up the swords and began to twirl them in big circles as he stood up. Then moved them in the criss-cross motion in front of him rapidly. He then began turn his body around across the stage in one direction and the swords in the opposite. He stopped alternating the swords from in front of him to twirling motions in front and behind him quickly creating a beautiful display of glimmering steel and graceful movement.
The women in the audience held their breaths as Gourry worked the blades in complex motions, muscles moving tautly under a sheen of sweat. They gasped as he tossed the blades in the air, turned twice and caught them in opposite hands. He then began spinning the swords clockwise hilt to hilt over his head while turning his body in a counter clockwise direction until he was in the center of the stage. He stopped, did a single criss-cross motion, extending his arms fully and lowered the swords to his sides. He resumed the kneeling position he had begun with, laid the swords down on the stage floor in one fluid motion and finally opened his eyes.
The audience released the breath they had been holding and applauded loudly as the curtains lowered.
Lina stared at the empty stage awe-struck. "That was really good."
"Yeah and he did all those moves with his eyes closed."
"I thought those swords were going to cut him he was moving so fast and they seemed so close," Lina said breathlessly.
"I think everyone thought that especially when he threw the sword in his right hand up," Amelia started.
"Then did that cool turn thing and caught it behind his back while the other one he was twirling behind him he caught with his right," Lina finished.
"WOW," they said together.
"I wonder what Zelgadis has in mind," Amelia said.
"I don't know but it can't be as cool as what Gourry did," the sorceress gushed as the announcer walked on stage.
"Now that was amazing folks, lets give him another hand," with that the audience more then willingly did.
"And now Ladies Mr. Zelgadis Greywords."
The curtain lifted and Zelgadis sat at the front of the stage on a stool in a v-neck, long sleeve shirt that was clinging slightly to his chest and dark pants holding a guitar. He began to play a few chords of a melody then was joined by other instruments as the lights behind him began to brighten, revealing the band.
"How did he find a band," Lina asked.
"Especially without me knowing," Amelia wondered as Zelgadis began to sing.
Crazy how it feels tonight
Crazy how you make it all right love
You crush me with the things you do
I do for you anything too
Sitting, smoking feeling high
In this moment it feels so right
His voice sounded low and dreamy as he sang. Amelia watched as his fingers moved along the guitar bringing each cord to life, filling the theater with sweet music. The musicians behind him kept with his rhythm as he continued.
Lovely lady
I am at your feet
God I want you so badly
I wonder this
Could tomorrow be
So wondrous as you there sleeping
He looked out at the audience with a warm, intimate expression of enjoyment at his playing that mad many of the women feel he was singing just to them. His voice rose slightly as he extended his secret invitation in each lyric.
Let's go driving till the morning comes
Watch the sunrise
To fill our souls up
Drink some wine till we get drunk
It's crazy I'm thinking
Just knowing that the world is round
Here I'm dancing on the ground
Am I right side up or upside down
Is this real or am I dreaming
"That look," Amelia thought, "I always wanted him to look at me that way." A warm softness in his eyes that was the window to an inner joy that only she could bring him. It was the look he had now, that he was giving to strangers an not to her, giving her just a momentary pang of jealously.
Lovely lady
Let me drink you please
I won't spill a drop, I promise you
Lying under this spell you cast on me
Each moment
The more I love you
Crush me
Come on
Just knowing that the world is round
Here I'm dancing on the ground
Am I right side up or upside down
Is this real or am I dreaming
He seemed so passionate and full of emotion as he sang of love at its effect on him. She wished she had that effect on him. She wished he was singing just for her, but that was not the case.
Lovely lady I will treat you sweetly Adore you
I mean
You crush me
It's times like these
When my faith I feel
And I know
How I love you
Come one
Lady
His head rose up a little higher as his eyes focused on the center balcony where the princess sat drawn in by his voice. His eyes seemed to be locked with hers for a moment as he played on.
It's crazy I'm thinking
Just as long as you're around
Here I'm dancing on the ground
Am I right side up or upside down
To each other we'll be facing
By love we'll beat back the pain
We've found
Is he really looking at me," Amelia thought as the tempo changed and the music grew stronger, filling her senses, making her sigh just a little at the pleasantness that filled her ears.
You know
I mean to tell you all the things I've been thinking deep inside
My friend
With each moment the more I love you
Crush me
Come on
Lady
He smiled at the women in the front row as he turned his attention away from the balcony. They sighed their appreciation as his voice grew stronger and the music loud and sensuous feeling.
So much you have given love
That I would give you back
Again and again
Meaning I'll hold you
And please
Let me always
The song ended with the low melody of the chimera's guitar and the soft playing of the other musicians as the curtain lowered and the lights dimmed. When the curtains edge finally touched the stage floor the music quietly stopped and the audience began to show their appreciation loudly.
"That was really great. I knew Zel could play but not like THAT," Lina gushed.
"It was really something," Amelia nodded.
"Come on, let's get backstage and congratulate them," Lina said getting out of her seat and hurrying out with the princess close behind her.
A few minutes later they were backstage in the middle of massive confusion as people talked excitedly about the wonderful performances.
"Where's Gourry," Lina asked.
"Over there," Amelia pointed, "GOURRY!"
The swordsman, now wearing a shirt looked up at the mention of his name and saw the princess waving and waved back as he made his way to the two.
"Hey guys."
"Gourry you did great," Lina cheered.
"Thanks."
"You had everybody holding their breath," Amelia smiled.
"Is that good?"
"VERY," the girls nodded.
"Where's Zelgadis," Amelia asked.
"Over there," Gourry said pointing to a spot in the far corner. "I think he's going to thank the musicians."
"Thanks, I'll see you guys later," Amelia said and headed off. She made her way through the excited masses she watched as Evette ran over to Zelgadis and greeted him with a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"That was fabulous, you play so well," the brunette smiled still holding onto him.
"Thank you," he blushed as Mr. Divine approached, handkerchief in hand teary eyed. "That was so romantic," the producer sniffled, "I was so deeply moved, weren't you?"
"In more ways then one," Evette smiled coyly.
Amelia looked at the exchange between the three and sighed. He was shining, brighter then she had ever seen him before. Everyone flocked to him, telling him how they loved his performance and congratulating him. Evette smiled and batted her eyes at him, leaning in close, playing the role of the would-be love interest Amelia had read about in so many books to perfection.
"He looks so happy," she though feeling like an intruder on his moment in the sun. "If I leave quietly no one will even notice I was here," she sighed inwardly and headed out, careful not to bump into any of the well wishers as tears began to form. When Zelgadis looked up from the sea of people all he could see was her retreating form weaving through the crowd toward the exit.
* * *
"Amelia," he knocked lightly on her door.
"Come in. It's open," called a quiet voice from the other side.
Zelgadis entered the room and found it dark with the only source of light coming from the window. The princess sat on the windowsill wearing a long shirt that came to her knees and the sleeves rolled up into huge cuffs. She stared vacantly out onto the town streets as a cool breeze blew in.
"I guess whoever brought us here really worked hard to make it seem like reality. If I didn't know better I'd think it was going to rain," she whispered.
"Why did you leave so soon?" he asked not sure what to make of her mood.
"No reason, why?"
"Some of the stage hands are having a party, If you throw something you can still make it," he ventured.
"No thanks, why don't you go and do another racy rumba with Evette," she said coldly looking at him for the first time.
Zelgadis walked over and stared at her intently. "What's the matter with you?"
"Nothing," she said challenging his stare. "It just seemed to me that you'd enjoy spending time with her," she said getting up.
"What," he asked turning to her, "exactly is this about anyway?"
"THIS is about you letting some two-bit pageant groupie floozy hang all over you," she answered angrily.
The chimera looked at her in surprise. "You're jealous."
"Hardly," she laughed coldly. "Just because you let her hang all over you and tell you how great your body is and compliment you to know end, don't make me laugh."
"Oh you mean the same way you've been getting close with Gourry," he returned.
"Gourry, what does he have to do with this?"
"Nothing, It just seems that you two have become quite the pair lately with all the compliments you give him."
"If I didn't know better I'd say you were the one, who was jealous," she said folding her arms tightly across her chest.
"Jealous of you and him not likely, but if you like him so much why don't you make one of those big love and affection speeches you're so good at," he replied nonchalantly with a smirk.
Amelia walked over to him with a look in her eyes that made him stumble backward until he found himself sitting on her bed.
"Gourry and I are just friends and at least he knows what it is to feel human!"
"And being a chimera I wouldn't know that," he said with a coldness in his voice that she had never heard before.
"That's not what I meant and you know it," she shot back in a raised voice moving closer to him. "Being human isn't just about the skin your in its about the way you feel inside . . ."
She was so close he could smell the last traces of her perfume and the faint scent of her lilac shampoo. The two blended together with her own scent to form a unique fragrance that was sweetly intoxicating.
" . . . It's about enjoying a beautiful day, going out and embracing the world, both it's good and bad sides. . ."
Her skin seemed flushed and glowing; her jaw set in determination.
" . . .In your quest for a cure you've forgotten that it's the simple things that make us all human. . . "
Her eyes were wide and livid in anger and excitement. As he stared at her he couldn't remember seeing them so vibrant before. They reminded him of cat's eyes. Daring his defiance yet demanding his submission.
" . . . Laughing, smiling, embracing life and not shutting yourself away from it are all part of what makes us human. Gourry understands that so does Lina. What I haven't been able to figure out is why can't you?"
He could only stare at her as she searched his face for some kind of reaction. "Well say something," she demanded in frustration.
He leaned in closer to her with a strange look in his eyes. "I think I'm beginning to understand the merit behind the expression 'you're beautiful when your angry', then claimed the remaining space between them and kissed the princess.
Author's Note: The song Zelgadis is singing is called Crush by the Dave Matthews Band. This was my first attempt in the realm of songfics, I hope you enjoyed it.