In Progress

Chapter Two

Summer arrived that year with unparalleled ferocity, and the citizens of Solaria, used to milder, more moderate temperatures, positively wilted under the oppressive heat. Every aspect of daily life was affected somehow; hardly anyone seemed interested in purchasing Filia's pottery, despite how well-made and reasonably priced it was, and Filia herself barely had the energy to work on restocking her merchandise, as occupied as she was already with a toddler who was crankier than normal these days because of the heatwave. Most days Filia kept her doors open so that passers-by could escape the heat and perhaps buy an iced tea or lemonade (she learned quickly that selling refreshments to her customers helped to secure their future business) and if she was lucky they might leave with a new vase or tea-set. Today however the door bell had yet to even jingle once, and she found herself leaning dejectedly against the counter-top and staring off into space, idly fanning at herself with a handkerchief. Val sat at her feet on his play rug, dressed only in shorts and sucking fruit juice out of his sippy cup.

Filia felt her eyelids begin to droop. By the Gods, this heat just sucks the energy right out of you...

The door bell rang and someone pushed their way roughly inside. Filia snapped out of her lethargy and jolted upright; the sudden, unbidden memory of soft lips on her skin and flashing inhuman eyes made her yelp. He wouldn't be back already, would he? As if the weather isn't enough torment for me!

But to her astonishment it wasn't the demon priest who barged his way into the stuffiness of her shop. The newcomers were, however, equally familiar as they stood panting in the main showroom, obviously exhausted from spending all day out in the unforgiving heat.

"Lina!" Her own malaise forgotten, she rushed forward to greet them, heartened to have such welcome, albeit unexpected company. "and Gourry too! Oh, it's wonderful to see you both again!"

The petite sorceress wiped at her forehead with the back of one hand, her face flushed and reddened from the heat. "Long time no see, Filia." They hugged briefly, not wanting to prolong any unnecessary bodily contact in such weather. "How's life in Solaria been treating ya?"

"Oh it's just lovely. The people here are wonderful. If I'd tried to set up a business on the outer continent I would have gone bankrupt!" It had been an unfortunate reality that, back in her homeland, she had often been forced to hide her draconic nature from the human natives who, due to their lack of magical affinity, were naturally suspicious and even afraid of creatures such as herself. The fact that her two assistants, Jillas and Gravos, had only two eyes between them was sobering proof of the malicious bigotry they had faced.

Here in the City of Solaria however, no-one thought twice about a ceramics shop run by a Golden Dragon and her two beast men. In fact, ever since they had settled in she had become a local celebrity of sorts (just because everyone accepted a dragon in their midst didn't mean they weren't still somewhat awed by the idea) often being approached by curious yet well-meaning people during her trips to the marketplace. Yet despite the hospitality she and her odd little family had received ever since first setting foot within the city walls, Fila still felt a vague sensation of loneliness, of exemption, as if she were standing at the edge of a crowd trying to work her way into the midst of the throng, yet always being gently rebutted back towards the outer edge. The feeling was ambiguous and frustrating, because she knew that not one person she had meet since coming here had actively tried to make her feel like a third wheel, yet still the sensation lingered.

She stubbornly pushed such thoughts out of her head. "You both looked parched. Come in to the living room and I'll make us all some lemonade."

They spent the rest of the afternoon together, engaging in idle chit-chatter and reminiscing about their past adventures. As it turned out the two had just come from an extended stay in Seyruun, perusing the palace library in the hopes that its' extensive wealth of knowledge would lead them to a replacement for Gourry's now lost Sword of Light.

"And have you found anything promising?" Filia asked, bouncing Val on her lap.

"Actually we're following a lead right now." Lina stated in-between gulps of lemonade. "Something called the Blast Sword. It's supposed to be the sharpest blade ever created. It fact it was said to be so sharp that it was no-one could use it, until it had a spell cast on it to dull the blade." She paused momentarily to lick moisture from her upper-lip. Beside her, Gourry was playing an impromptu game of peek-a-boo with Val, much to the child's amusement. "We were just on our way to Dragon's Peak to see if Milgazia could point us in the right direction, but then this gods awful heatwave hit us. And since we were so close to Solaria we thought it'd be nice to catch up while we wait for the milder weather."

Filia tilted her head curiously. "Milgazia? That name sounds familiar..."

Lina chortled. "No surprise there. He's a Golden just like you, although he and his lot served under Ragradia." She poured herself another glass from the pitcher on the table; Filia made a quick mental note to refill it soon. "We're hoping he has the sword, or at least knows where it is, since he's the one that devised the incantation to make it useable."

"I see." It was heartening to know that there were others of her kind nearby, and part of her yearned to seek them out. But would they accept her? She had abandoned her calling as a priestess after all, and was dedicating her life to raising the last Ancient Dragon, the solid proof of the evil that their race was capable of committing. She knew that the eradication of the Ancients had taken place long after the mazoku barrier had been erected, but still...

Did they hate the Ancients as well? Maybe they still do. One thousand years is not such a long time for a dragon.

If she noticed Filia's sudden dark mood Lina gave no indication. Instead she leaned back against the sofa and downed half her drink in a single gulp, enjoying the other woman's hospitality.

"So anyway, since we're here, why don't we cut loose for a couple of days? You know, have a bit of fun." She stretched languidly, propping her feet on the table. Filia scowled as the sorceress' boots scraped grimy rivulets onto the formerly impeccable finish.

"I don't know Lina." She sighed, shifting Val on her lap as he began to squirm and grow restless. "I need to keep an eye on the shop. Jillas and Gravos aren't due back from their errand to Bezeld for another day at least."

"Pfft!" The redhead waved her hand dismissively. "You haven't had a single customer all afternoon! Come on, Filia, you can afford to close shop for a day at least, can't you?"

Filia hesitated. "Well...I suppose...I mean, if Jillas and Gravos are on schedule..."

"That settles it then!" Lina slammed down her once again empty glass in triumph, interrupting the dragon's ponderings "We'll all go out and spend some of our well earned leisure time! First things first however..." and here she rubbed her hands together, expression ravenous and expectant. "What's for dinner?"

Filia rolled her eyes and huffed exasperatedly, but she was smiling.

Such is the price of friendship, I suppose.

Lina was true to her word, and the next day the four of them were lounging on the shore of Lake Solaris, located on the outskirts of the city itself. The lake was a popular attraction this time of year, and was bustling with tourists and locals alike who had come to relax and cool off in the lake's clean, unspoiled water. Lina had gone off for a swim while Filia relaxed on the cool grass, underneath the shade provided by one of the many pine trees that dotted the perimeter of the lake. She couldn't help smiling as she watched Gourry entertain Val; the toddler had taken to him almost immediately, and Gourry was proving himself to be a fun and patient playmate.

Filia sighed contentedly as she leaned back against the cool, smooth surface of the rock she had been resting against. It was a lovely day, if still a little uncomfortably warm, and she was feeling more relaxed and at ease than she had in weeks. She was thankful that Lina had suggested...no...insisted that they do this.

She closed her eyes, letting her thoughts drift.

So peaceful...

"Hello everyone!"

Her entire body flinched in response to the sound of that voice; it was as if someone had suddenly dumped a bucket of ice water onto her.

Oh Gods. Not today, please!

"Hi Xellos!" Gourry's voice responded cheerily. "What are you doing here?"

"Working on my tan, of course! I couldn't let all this wonderful sun go to waste, now could I?" Filia heard the sound of his approaching footsteps and opened one eye to glower at him, taken aback when she saw that he was dressed only in a pair of black, form-fitting swimming trunks. Unwillingly her eyes lingered on the sleek musculature of his chest and belly, and a sharp tang of disgust, at herself, filled her suddenly dry mouth.

"Hello Miss Filia! Lovely day, isn't it?"

"It was, until you showed up." She snapped back at him, equal parts anxiety and...and something she didn't want to think about coiling in her gut.

He smiled widely, completely ignoring her insult as he raked the entire length of her body from head to toe with his closed eyes. "I like your bikini."

"Go away." She hissed back, quickly wrapping a towel around her waist to thwart any further leering (at her lower half at least.) Remembering that Val was present, and still not trusting the demon's seemingly ambiguous motives towards the child, she stormed past him and promptly seated herself beside her young charge, glaring at Xellos in silent warning. Gourry watched the entire exchange in stupefied silence.

Lina chose that exact moment to return, water cascading steadily from her petite, lithe body. "Hey Gourry! There's an ice cream vendor over th-" She stopped dead in her tracks when she spotted Xellos.

"Oh great. It's you." She deadpanned, clearly not all that thrilled at the idea of the mazoku's company.

"Miss Lina, you do wound me so." Xellos replied, placing one graceful, long fingered hand over his chest in a mock gesture of hurt. "What with the frosty reception both you and Miss Filia have given me. And here I was thinking that you would be glad for my company!"

"I'm glad." Gourry interjected before Lina could give the appropriate derogatory reply. She glared daggers at the swordsman while Xellos beamed.

"Don't encourage him, you idiot!"

"What?" Gourry was genuinely confused; Xellos was a mazoku, but hanging out with him wasn't all that bad. "I'm just being honest."

"An admirable trait, Mr Gourry." The demon replied softly, his voice as smooth as cream.

"Shut up." Lina spat at him viciously as she hauled Gourry to his feet; Filia had to scramble to take Val from him before Lina's rough-housing caused him to drop the child. "We're going to get ice-cream. Xellos, whatever it is you're here for, whatever plan you have in mind, you can stick it. We don't want your bullshit. I and swear to the Gods..." and here she leaned in close to the priest, ruby eyes narrowed fiercely, "if you ruin this day for us I will take the biggest Ragna Blade I can conjure and shove it straight up your ass."

Having made her threat she turned and made off for the northern side of the lake, Gourry trailing closely behind. Xellos merely smiled as he watched them disappear in a cloud of dust.

"Bring back some for us!" He called cheerily, and then, to Filia's dismay, plopped down beside her on the grass. She scooted away from him instinctively, but Val, who was of the belief that every new person he met was a potential playmate, tried to climb over her lap towards him, his bright yellow eyes alight with mischievous curiosity. She tightened her grip on the child, and frowned when he began to whimper in protest, as it was a sure sign that if she did not acquiesce he would erupt into a full-blown tantrum.

"No Val." She stated firmly, her hold on him unflinching. The toddler struggled futilely, his eyes still set intently on the priest. After a few wriggly moments he became red-faced with frustration, and the relative calm that had settled was shattered as he emptied his lungs into a high pitched scream, waving his chubby little arms about to emphasize the unfairness of it all. Over the din she heard Xellos tsk softly.

"You certainly are being very mean to everyone today, aren't you, Miss Filia?" He leaned forward and reached one hand out towards the boy; Filia gasped and quickly wrenched him away from those outstretched fingers, the awful memory of the torture those same hands had inflicted on Valgaav, the child's previous incarnation, bubbling up to the surface.

Xellos froze jerkily, hand paused in mid motion. Very slowly he lowered the appendage and leaned bodily forwards, lifting his eyelids to peer at her. Filia swallowed thickly.

"Still playing this game, are we?" He spoke so softly that even she had to strain to hear him. She noticed with growing dread that his expression had changed from congenial cheer to aggravation, his lips pulled into a thin, tight smile that did not look at all convincing or reassuring. She felt her heart thud loudly in her chest as she pulled Val tighter against herself, ignoring his screams.

"It is beginning to become very tiresome." He pulled away from her and stood smoothly, his movements graceful and fluid, like those of a dancer. "Surely even a foolish dragon such as yourself would have come to the logical conclusion by now that I have no intention, malicious or otherwise, towards your son? No offense, Miss Filia, but he is just another dragon, even if he is the last Ancient. We mazoku have more important things to concern ourselves with than a fledgling."

"If that's true then why are you here?" She bit out, frustrated. "Why do you keep intruding into our lives? What possible reason could you have?"

He contemplated her silently for a moment, and then lifted a finger to his lips, smirking.

Filia growled. "Don't you dare-"

There was a sizzle of magic as suddenly he vanished from the spot he had been standing. Filia stared, confused, and then shrieked in alarm as he reappeared right next to her, his torso pressed flush against her right hand side. Val giggled in delight at the display while she shuddered against that warm, lean flesh, the heat of his breath whispering over her cheek as he leaned further in to press his lips against her ear. The more studious part of her brain registered the fact that his skin was damp with perspiration, and the faint, masculine scent of him caused her toes to curl.

"I would say that it's a secret, Filia," he murmured, reaching around to rest one hand just below her navel, right on that part of her that throbbed and ached at his touch. "But there are no secrets between us, are there?"

"N-no..." She whispered back vehemently, unsure whether she was telling him to back off or was agreeing with him. Her hand covered his own, trembling with uncertainty and confliction, stuck between the urge to push him away or pull him tighter against her. Val growled in annoyance and squirmed away from them, disliking the fact that he being ignored once again, and Filia paid him no heed as Xellos pressed himself even closer, his breath escaping him in a low rasping pant.

"You certainly taste much better when you're not smothered in self-righteous belligerence." And before her brain could register the off-handed insult he covered her mouth with his own, emitting a low, satisfied purr as he did so.

For Filia, the world shattered into a cacophony of sensation, a whirlwind of scent, taste and texture that blurred the edges of reality, making everything she had experienced up to that point seem indistinct and unimportant by comparison. For a few, terrifying, wonderful moments she forgot everything; her desperation, her loneliness, Darkstar, Lina and Gourry and Zelgadis and Amelia, even Val, and allowed herself to submit to this creature and to his unspoken promise that he would open her up and relish every dark secret she could give if only she would let him!

Xellos' head snapped up, breaking the kiss off abruptly. Filia gasped brokenly, her lungs heaving for breath.

"They're coming back."

"What?" She replied, noticing that his usually pale skin was slightly flushed, and that he looked more than a little annoyed.

He smirked and tapped her playfully on the nose. "Let's continue this some other time." And in less than the blink of an eye he was gone.

When Lina and Gourry walked up the hill less than a minute later, arms laden with already dripping ice cream they both noticed that Filia looked a little more hot and bothered than she had been when they had left, and that Xellos was nowhere in sight. Gourry merely shrugged it off as the weather and quickly devoured the treat he had bought for the mazoku, while Lina glared suspiciously at her.

"What's happened now?" She seethed, quickly thrusting a popsicle at Val when the child began to whine.

Filia tried to shrug nonchalantly, but it came off looking more like a nervous twitch than anything else. "He was just being a piece of garbage, getting on my nerves, like always. I kept telling him to go away, and he finally got the hint."

Lina narrowed her eyes and was silent for a long moment. Filia all but withered under her intense scrutiny.

"And what else, Filia?"

"What else what?"

"What else happened?"

Filia straightened and looked her friend straight in the eye. "Nothing, nothing at all."

Lina continued to regard her levelly for a few moments, her gaze piercing, until she finally turned her attention to her ice cream.

"If you say so, Filia."

The rest of the afternoon was spent in silence.