![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eastofthemoonLast minute assignments done: Check
Suitcase packed: Checked
Baked cookies: Checked
Horo costume packed: Checked
Digtal camera: Checked
Get excited: CHECKED!!
I'm all set for tomorrow! I can't wait for this weekend.
Before I left, I thought I would post another chapter of the Slayers "Return to Childhood" fic I keep forgetting about.
Edit: Just so you guys are warned, these chapters I'm posting are just the rought drafts, so they haven't been properly edited or proof read yet. I'll probably post these chapters here again once I do so.
Title: Return to Childhood
Series: Slayers
Rating: G
Lina tore off the meat of her drumstick. “I an’t lieve he erve of hat uy!”
Zelgadis sighed. “Lina, will you quit talking with your mouth full.”
The sorceress swallowed and gulped her drink to wash it down. “I said I can’t believe that nerve of that guy! That was highway robbery! I would have to raid a thousand bandit camps at least to reach that price”
“You’re absolutely right Miss Lina!” Amelia nodded, throwing a tiny fist in the air. “It’s unjust! How can we heroes of justice continue to bring peace to the world if we’re stuck-!”
“Shut up pip squeak!” a man yelled from across the room slamming his fist on the table. He took a swig of his giant mug and wiped his mouth. “Didn’t your father teach you that children should be seen and not heard?”
Amelia twitched. The blazes of justice burned within her. She climbed on top of her chair. “Sir! My father taught me the true meaning of love and justice! If he was here, he would give you a full lecture on children’s rights-“
Gourry clamp his hand over the princess’s mouth. Amelia waved her arms madly in protest.
“Er, sorry about that Mister!” Gourry yelled.
The man snorted. “You better or I’ll call the city guards on you.”
Gourry gave a brisk nod and released Amelia. “Can’t you guys tone it down?”
“But we’re just acting like ourselves?” Lina replied.
Pokota folded his arms. “Yeah, except before you were adults. Now you’re kids.”
Zelgadis sighed. “It’s true, people are more likely to order children around rather than bothering telling an adult how to behave.”
“But that’s not fair!” Amelia cried, but then lowered her voice. “Adults can act just as immature and sometimes even more than children.”
Zelgadis shrugged. “It’s a fact of life, which gives us even more reason to figure out how to solve this.”
Lina stabbed her baked potato. “Our only hope is to find another shop in this town that sells the spring water we need. Although, it will be tricky if what that shop keeper said was true.”
“If that’s the case why don’t we go to another town to find the spring water?” Gourry asked slicing his steak.
“The kind of spring water we need isn’t that easy to come by. Frankly, I was amazed we could even find one shop in such small town that has it.” Lina felt like ripping her hair out. “And it’s not like we have the leisure time to play around with this. We do have Duclis and that Duchess on our tails and I don’t even want to think about how Xellos would use this to his advantage.”
Zelgadis nodded, drumming his fingers impatiently. He ordered that coffee ten minutes ago. What was taking that waitress so long? “It would be very dangerous if they attack us while we’re stuck like this.”
“Exactly,” Lina nodded. “If we can’t get that spring water in any other shop, we’ll have to take Talus’s.”
“But Miss Lina I thought you refuse to pay his price?” Amelia asked puzzle.
“I do.”
“Then how-“
“Here you are sweetie!” The waitress placed a small white tea cup in front of Zelgadis. “Sorry it took so long, we were out of tea cups so I had to wash a couple.”
Zelgadis relaxed a little. “At least I can have some coff-“ He stared into his cup. “Wait, Miss you made a mistake.”
The woman turned around. “What do you mean sweetheart?”
The chimera felt odd being referred to as ‘sweetheart’. “I ordered coffee. This is a cup of milk.”
The woman smiled gently at him, hugging the tray to her chest. “Well of course, coffee isn’t good for children.”
“…What?”
“Too much caffeine will stunk your growth, but milk will help you build strong bones. It’s healthier.”
“Um…” Gourry raised his hand. “Then why did you put it into a teacup?”
The woman winked. “To make him feel more grownup of course! Aren’t kids adorable?”
Zelgadis was shaking in his chair. “Listen you-“
“It’s fine!” Amelia chimed in quickly, praying it would avert the tension. “Mister Zelgadis loves milk!”
The woman laughed as she walked off. “Come back any time. I love serving kids.”
The gang watched uncomfortably as they watch Zelgadis glare at the woman’s back. “We better fix this soon,” Gourry whispered to Lina. “I hate to think what will happen if Zel can’t get his daily cup of tea or coffee.”
The sorceress nodded. “Me neither.”
808080808080808080808
Once the group had finished their lunch, the plan was clear. They would divide into two groups; Lina and Gourry in one and Zelgadis, Amelia and Pokota in the second. Each group would take half of the town to search and if lady luck was on their side, at the end of the day they would meet up at the inn with someone holding bottle of the spring water.
Regrettably, by the time supper time came rolling in Lina had her doubts. She and Gourry had corner every shop downtown and did not find one trace. Every shop keeper claimed they never heard of such spring water and had no intention of ordering it in as part of their stock at any point in the near future.
Lina’s was growing a knot in her stomach. If she and Gourry were having a tough time, she was skeptic that Zel, Amelia and Pokota’s luck was any better.
“What are we going to do now Lina?” Gourry asked as they left the last shop.
Lina crossed her arms over her chest. “Go meet the others and then,” she stroked her finger and thumb over her chin “We’ll have to go with my second plan. Although Amelia’s not going to like it.”
Gourry raised an eyebrow. “And that plan would be?”
“Wait until its dark, break into Talus’s shop and snag that potion.”
The swordsman narrowed his eyes. “You mean steal it?”
Lina shrugged. “Snag, steal, same scenario.”
Gourry kneeled down to Lina’s level. Lina felt awkward as he stared seriously into her felt. She suddenly felt a dread that she hadn’t felt since she was 10. It was right after she had accidentally set fire to the living room rug and her father gave her a long lecture on why she needed to be careful on how she practice her spells. Gourry had the exact same look her father had.
“No.”
Lina blinked. “Huh?”
“No, Lina,” Gourry repeated. “I don’t like this plan.”
Lina raised an eyebrow. “Why? Did Amelia’s justice speeches finally get into that empty head of yours?”
Gourry sighed. “This has nothing do if this is right or wrong andI don’t like that shop keeper.” He raised a finger. “However, I do think this will cause far more trouble than we need. What if you get caught? I can’t see the guards going easy on a bunch of shop lifting kids.”
“So, I’ll just blast a few spells and we’ll make a run for it.”
“Sure, if you were in your regular body, but right now you’re a kid. I’ll bet you a full course meal that this will be a lot harder.”
Lina twitched. “And why is that? I can still cast spells.”
“Sure, but you have a child’s body now. You don’t have enough stamina as you normally do. Casting spells right and left will wear you out a lot faster, never mind the fact that you can’t run as fast since your legs are shorter.” He stood up. “It’s not a good plan Lina.”
Lina glared. “You worry too much. Once we talk to the others about this, I’m sure they’ll agree with me.”
808080808080808080808080
“We are not doing this unjust plan!”
Correction everyone minus Amelia Lina thought as Amelia jumped on top of the bed.
The small princess threw her fist. “As a champion of justice I can not allow this to take place! We must find a more way to get that spring water.”
“And where do we plan on getting it?” Zelgadis asked. “We’ve asked all the other shops in this town and no other shop has it.”
Pokota raised a paw. “Um..actually I heard a rumour-“
“We can go to another town or village,” Amelia argued.
“The nearest town is a five day walk from here,” Zelgadis replied. “And I want to return to my adult size as soon as possible. I agree with Lina’s plan.”
“Uh guys,” Pokota tried again.
“It’s a risky plan though,” Gourry said nodding towards Amelia. “We’re better off with Amelia’s idea.”
Pokota sighed. How hard was it to just shut up and listen? “About that I heard-“
Lina punched the table. “Fine! Let’s just take a vote then! All in favor of stealing the water raise your hand!” Lina and Zelgadis promptly voted. “All in favor of going to another town?”
Gourry and Amelia raised their hands. Then their entire focus turned to the smallest member of the group. “You’re the tie breaker Pokota, which will it, be?”
Pokota blinked. Finally! “I don’t think we should steal the water because-“
“There you have it Miss Lina!” Amelia cried, pointing a finger at her. “Mister Pokota agrees with our more just method.”
Lina growled, but suddenly stopped and straightened her posture. “Okay, since we’re out voted, we’ll go with your plan.” She turned to Zelgadis. “Right Zel.”
The chimera was silent, but then out of the corner of his eye noticed Lina’s fingers being crossed behind her back. Calmly he said “All right, we won’t steal the water.”
“See! I knew you two would see the true path of justice!” Amelia cried. “We’ll go to sleep and head out in the morning!”
Gourry said nothing as he stared at Lina. Pokota grumbled under his breath “Fine, I’ll tell them at breakfast. Maybe they’ll listen to me then!”
80808080808080808
Amelia slept in bliss. She was having a wonderful dream. The great knight Amelia had defeated the evil ogre with her hammer of justice. The villagers were grateful and cheered as she rode though the street. Then her next mission came, to rescue Prince Zelgadis from the evil wizard! Valiantly, she rode her trusty white horse through the dark woods. She solved the riddles and climbed the tower. At last, she was at the door where Prince Zelgadis was kept. Slowly she turned the knob. The door opened and-
A hand seized her wrist. Amelia screamed. “Let me go you vile villain!”
“Amelia, wake up!”
The princess bolted upward, knocking Pokota over in the process. Gradually, Amelia remembered where she was, then she pouted. “Mister Pokota, why did you wake me up?” She yawned. “I was having such a nice dream and you might have woken up Miss Lina.”
Pokota climbed to his feet. “No I won’t, seeing she’s not here.”
Amelia paused and glanced over to Lina’s bed which was currently empty. The bed sheets have been tossed aside and lay in a large messy pile. “But where-” she gasped “Don’t tell me she went bandit hunting!” Normally, Amelia wouldn’t think twice on the issue, but raiding a bandit camp could be dangerous if Lina went in her current state.
Pokota shook his head. “No, I don’t think that’s it. Zelgadis is gone too. I already woke and told Gourry. He’s gone to look for them.”
Amelia frowned. Zelgadis was gone too? So, he was most likely with Lina. “Where on earth could they have gone?”
Pokota folded his arms. “I’ll give you one guess.”
Amelia blinked, groaned and then slapped her forehead. “Oh no. They went to steal the spring water didn’t they?”
Pokota nodded. “I think so. Gourry went ahead to see if he could catch them, although,” the small creature sighed “I’m not sure he remembers where the shop is.”
Needing no more convincing, Amelia tossed off her blanket. “Give me five minutes to get dress and then we’ll go after them.”
Pokota sweated. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? Going out in the middle of the night isn’t a safe time for kids to be out.”
Amelia nodded. “That gives us even more reason to go after Miss Lina and Mister Zelgadis. Who knows what kind of trouble they could get in to. As a champion of Justice I can’t sit idly by and wait for them to come back. Besides,” she smiled at Pokota “I won’t be alone since you’ll be with me.”
Pokota blushed. “Fine, let’s go then.”
80808080808080808080
Elsewhere, Lina and Zelgadis crept along the streets using the shadows as cover. Both of them knew if a watchman were to spot them, they would be pulled over and be asked a dozen questions as to why a couple of kids were wandering the streets so late at night.
Lina sighed. “Being a child is inconvenient to be a genius sorceress” she muttered under her breath.
“Deal with it,” Zelgadis replied as they duck around the next corner. “You can complain later. Let’s just concentrate on getting that spring water.”
Lina wanted to argue the fact of how Zelgadis sulked when he was refused his cup of coffee earlier, but she decided it was better to drop the subject.
Finally, they came upon the street and the shop was in their sight. They gave a quick nod to each other and after taking a brisk look around to be sure there was nobody watching they raced to the front door.
Lina turned around to keep watch as Zelgadis swiftly cast an unlock spell. With a low creak, the door open. Lina cast a lighting spell and was about to enter, except Zelgadis seized her arm.
“Let me lead, there could be alarms set and I’ll be able to detect them first.”
Lina reluctantly nodded and followed the little chimera. They tip toed into the shop, while making sure not to touch anything. Neither wanted to risk accidentally knocking over and breaking an object that could wake up Talus.
The pair successfully made their way past the curtain. They walked down the hall. Loud snoring came from within the first room they passed. It must be Talus,” Lina thought. She cringed as she heard another snore. It’s amazing he hasn’t woken up the whole town with that snore.”
CREAK!
Lina frozed as she lifted her foot on the squeaky floorboard she hit.
Zelgadis sharply turned and brought a finger to his lip. “SHHH!”
The sorceress glared trying to get her eyes to convey the message “It’s not like I want to wake up the moron!”
They resumed their dangerous trek. Lina wanted to shout victory as the door to the back room was within arms reach. Zelgadis held up his hand and opened the door. He then gestured for Lina to lower her ball of light down to the floor.
In the small light, Lina saw a sliver of white glistened.
“It’s a wire for an alarm,” Zelgadis whispered. “Step over it and don’t touch it.”
Both were careful to avoid touching the small piece of wire. Once they were in the clear, Zelgadis went over to the safe. He reasoned that since Talus knew someone was interested in the Miposs spring water, it would be logical of him to lock it up. Zelgadis kneeled down in front of the safe, brought out his stethoscope and began to turned the dial back and forth.
“Why don’t you use an unlock spell?” Lina whispered.
“Because I don’t want to risk it setting up any kind of trap or alarm that could be set up inside the safe.”
Lina raised an eyebrow. “Zel, you seem to know an awful lot about breaking in and stealing. Mind telling me where you learned this?”
Zelgadis never removed his gaze off the safe. “Later, it’s a long story.” He then heard the final ‘click’. Grinning in triumph, Zelgadis set aside his stethoscope and proceeded to open the safe.
“There it is,” he muttered.
Lina peered over her shoulder and was rather surprised at what she saw. She had expected to find one or two bottles of the spring water in the safe. Instead, she saw a dozen at least. The safe was filled to the brim with a variety of potions of all colours. She raised an eyebrow. Potions weren’t cheap to buy. Her parents’ store had four or five potions at the most. For Talus to have this many potions and bottles of spring water, it would cost a small fortune. With the state of his shop, Lina was convinced the shop keeper didn’t get his stock through legal means.
However, Lina could care less what Talus’s moral code was. She spotted the bottle Talus had showed earlier and snatched it. “All right,” she whispered to Zelgadis. “Now all we have to do is get out of here and think of a good excuse to tell Amelia, Pokota and Gourry.”
“Don’t bother.”
The two thieves froze and whipped around. Amelia stood at the door frame tapping her foot. Pokota glared from the top of his head.
Zelgadis eyes widen. The princess was dangerously closed to the wire they had stepped over. “Amelia-“
“I am very disappointed in you two,” she folded her arms. “How can you call yourselves allies of justice when you do stuff like this?”
She raised her foot.
Lina’s heart stopped “Amelia don’t!”
Amelia brought her foot down. The wire snapped.
RRIINNGG!!
The bell echoed loudly throughout the store. Amelia jumped ten feet in the air.
Pokota plugged his fingers into his ears. “What is that?!”
Zelgadis twitched. “That would be the alarm Amelia just set off.”
Sheepishly, Amelia stared at her foot. “Oh…oops.”
Suitcase packed: Checked
Baked cookies: Checked
Horo costume packed: Checked
Digtal camera: Checked
Get excited: CHECKED!!
I'm all set for tomorrow! I can't wait for this weekend.
Before I left, I thought I would post another chapter of the Slayers "Return to Childhood" fic I keep forgetting about.
Edit: Just so you guys are warned, these chapters I'm posting are just the rought drafts, so they haven't been properly edited or proof read yet. I'll probably post these chapters here again once I do so.
Title: Return to Childhood
Series: Slayers
Rating: G
Lina tore off the meat of her drumstick. “I an’t lieve he erve of hat uy!”
Zelgadis sighed. “Lina, will you quit talking with your mouth full.”
The sorceress swallowed and gulped her drink to wash it down. “I said I can’t believe that nerve of that guy! That was highway robbery! I would have to raid a thousand bandit camps at least to reach that price”
“You’re absolutely right Miss Lina!” Amelia nodded, throwing a tiny fist in the air. “It’s unjust! How can we heroes of justice continue to bring peace to the world if we’re stuck-!”
“Shut up pip squeak!” a man yelled from across the room slamming his fist on the table. He took a swig of his giant mug and wiped his mouth. “Didn’t your father teach you that children should be seen and not heard?”
Amelia twitched. The blazes of justice burned within her. She climbed on top of her chair. “Sir! My father taught me the true meaning of love and justice! If he was here, he would give you a full lecture on children’s rights-“
Gourry clamp his hand over the princess’s mouth. Amelia waved her arms madly in protest.
“Er, sorry about that Mister!” Gourry yelled.
The man snorted. “You better or I’ll call the city guards on you.”
Gourry gave a brisk nod and released Amelia. “Can’t you guys tone it down?”
“But we’re just acting like ourselves?” Lina replied.
Pokota folded his arms. “Yeah, except before you were adults. Now you’re kids.”
Zelgadis sighed. “It’s true, people are more likely to order children around rather than bothering telling an adult how to behave.”
“But that’s not fair!” Amelia cried, but then lowered her voice. “Adults can act just as immature and sometimes even more than children.”
Zelgadis shrugged. “It’s a fact of life, which gives us even more reason to figure out how to solve this.”
Lina stabbed her baked potato. “Our only hope is to find another shop in this town that sells the spring water we need. Although, it will be tricky if what that shop keeper said was true.”
“If that’s the case why don’t we go to another town to find the spring water?” Gourry asked slicing his steak.
“The kind of spring water we need isn’t that easy to come by. Frankly, I was amazed we could even find one shop in such small town that has it.” Lina felt like ripping her hair out. “And it’s not like we have the leisure time to play around with this. We do have Duclis and that Duchess on our tails and I don’t even want to think about how Xellos would use this to his advantage.”
Zelgadis nodded, drumming his fingers impatiently. He ordered that coffee ten minutes ago. What was taking that waitress so long? “It would be very dangerous if they attack us while we’re stuck like this.”
“Exactly,” Lina nodded. “If we can’t get that spring water in any other shop, we’ll have to take Talus’s.”
“But Miss Lina I thought you refuse to pay his price?” Amelia asked puzzle.
“I do.”
“Then how-“
“Here you are sweetie!” The waitress placed a small white tea cup in front of Zelgadis. “Sorry it took so long, we were out of tea cups so I had to wash a couple.”
Zelgadis relaxed a little. “At least I can have some coff-“ He stared into his cup. “Wait, Miss you made a mistake.”
The woman turned around. “What do you mean sweetheart?”
The chimera felt odd being referred to as ‘sweetheart’. “I ordered coffee. This is a cup of milk.”
The woman smiled gently at him, hugging the tray to her chest. “Well of course, coffee isn’t good for children.”
“…What?”
“Too much caffeine will stunk your growth, but milk will help you build strong bones. It’s healthier.”
“Um…” Gourry raised his hand. “Then why did you put it into a teacup?”
The woman winked. “To make him feel more grownup of course! Aren’t kids adorable?”
Zelgadis was shaking in his chair. “Listen you-“
“It’s fine!” Amelia chimed in quickly, praying it would avert the tension. “Mister Zelgadis loves milk!”
The woman laughed as she walked off. “Come back any time. I love serving kids.”
The gang watched uncomfortably as they watch Zelgadis glare at the woman’s back. “We better fix this soon,” Gourry whispered to Lina. “I hate to think what will happen if Zel can’t get his daily cup of tea or coffee.”
The sorceress nodded. “Me neither.”
808080808080808080808
Once the group had finished their lunch, the plan was clear. They would divide into two groups; Lina and Gourry in one and Zelgadis, Amelia and Pokota in the second. Each group would take half of the town to search and if lady luck was on their side, at the end of the day they would meet up at the inn with someone holding bottle of the spring water.
Regrettably, by the time supper time came rolling in Lina had her doubts. She and Gourry had corner every shop downtown and did not find one trace. Every shop keeper claimed they never heard of such spring water and had no intention of ordering it in as part of their stock at any point in the near future.
Lina’s was growing a knot in her stomach. If she and Gourry were having a tough time, she was skeptic that Zel, Amelia and Pokota’s luck was any better.
“What are we going to do now Lina?” Gourry asked as they left the last shop.
Lina crossed her arms over her chest. “Go meet the others and then,” she stroked her finger and thumb over her chin “We’ll have to go with my second plan. Although Amelia’s not going to like it.”
Gourry raised an eyebrow. “And that plan would be?”
“Wait until its dark, break into Talus’s shop and snag that potion.”
The swordsman narrowed his eyes. “You mean steal it?”
Lina shrugged. “Snag, steal, same scenario.”
Gourry kneeled down to Lina’s level. Lina felt awkward as he stared seriously into her felt. She suddenly felt a dread that she hadn’t felt since she was 10. It was right after she had accidentally set fire to the living room rug and her father gave her a long lecture on why she needed to be careful on how she practice her spells. Gourry had the exact same look her father had.
“No.”
Lina blinked. “Huh?”
“No, Lina,” Gourry repeated. “I don’t like this plan.”
Lina raised an eyebrow. “Why? Did Amelia’s justice speeches finally get into that empty head of yours?”
Gourry sighed. “This has nothing do if this is right or wrong andI don’t like that shop keeper.” He raised a finger. “However, I do think this will cause far more trouble than we need. What if you get caught? I can’t see the guards going easy on a bunch of shop lifting kids.”
“So, I’ll just blast a few spells and we’ll make a run for it.”
“Sure, if you were in your regular body, but right now you’re a kid. I’ll bet you a full course meal that this will be a lot harder.”
Lina twitched. “And why is that? I can still cast spells.”
“Sure, but you have a child’s body now. You don’t have enough stamina as you normally do. Casting spells right and left will wear you out a lot faster, never mind the fact that you can’t run as fast since your legs are shorter.” He stood up. “It’s not a good plan Lina.”
Lina glared. “You worry too much. Once we talk to the others about this, I’m sure they’ll agree with me.”
808080808080808080808080
“We are not doing this unjust plan!”
Correction everyone minus Amelia Lina thought as Amelia jumped on top of the bed.
The small princess threw her fist. “As a champion of justice I can not allow this to take place! We must find a more way to get that spring water.”
“And where do we plan on getting it?” Zelgadis asked. “We’ve asked all the other shops in this town and no other shop has it.”
Pokota raised a paw. “Um..actually I heard a rumour-“
“We can go to another town or village,” Amelia argued.
“The nearest town is a five day walk from here,” Zelgadis replied. “And I want to return to my adult size as soon as possible. I agree with Lina’s plan.”
“Uh guys,” Pokota tried again.
“It’s a risky plan though,” Gourry said nodding towards Amelia. “We’re better off with Amelia’s idea.”
Pokota sighed. How hard was it to just shut up and listen? “About that I heard-“
Lina punched the table. “Fine! Let’s just take a vote then! All in favor of stealing the water raise your hand!” Lina and Zelgadis promptly voted. “All in favor of going to another town?”
Gourry and Amelia raised their hands. Then their entire focus turned to the smallest member of the group. “You’re the tie breaker Pokota, which will it, be?”
Pokota blinked. Finally! “I don’t think we should steal the water because-“
“There you have it Miss Lina!” Amelia cried, pointing a finger at her. “Mister Pokota agrees with our more just method.”
Lina growled, but suddenly stopped and straightened her posture. “Okay, since we’re out voted, we’ll go with your plan.” She turned to Zelgadis. “Right Zel.”
The chimera was silent, but then out of the corner of his eye noticed Lina’s fingers being crossed behind her back. Calmly he said “All right, we won’t steal the water.”
“See! I knew you two would see the true path of justice!” Amelia cried. “We’ll go to sleep and head out in the morning!”
Gourry said nothing as he stared at Lina. Pokota grumbled under his breath “Fine, I’ll tell them at breakfast. Maybe they’ll listen to me then!”
80808080808080808
Amelia slept in bliss. She was having a wonderful dream. The great knight Amelia had defeated the evil ogre with her hammer of justice. The villagers were grateful and cheered as she rode though the street. Then her next mission came, to rescue Prince Zelgadis from the evil wizard! Valiantly, she rode her trusty white horse through the dark woods. She solved the riddles and climbed the tower. At last, she was at the door where Prince Zelgadis was kept. Slowly she turned the knob. The door opened and-
A hand seized her wrist. Amelia screamed. “Let me go you vile villain!”
“Amelia, wake up!”
The princess bolted upward, knocking Pokota over in the process. Gradually, Amelia remembered where she was, then she pouted. “Mister Pokota, why did you wake me up?” She yawned. “I was having such a nice dream and you might have woken up Miss Lina.”
Pokota climbed to his feet. “No I won’t, seeing she’s not here.”
Amelia paused and glanced over to Lina’s bed which was currently empty. The bed sheets have been tossed aside and lay in a large messy pile. “But where-” she gasped “Don’t tell me she went bandit hunting!” Normally, Amelia wouldn’t think twice on the issue, but raiding a bandit camp could be dangerous if Lina went in her current state.
Pokota shook his head. “No, I don’t think that’s it. Zelgadis is gone too. I already woke and told Gourry. He’s gone to look for them.”
Amelia frowned. Zelgadis was gone too? So, he was most likely with Lina. “Where on earth could they have gone?”
Pokota folded his arms. “I’ll give you one guess.”
Amelia blinked, groaned and then slapped her forehead. “Oh no. They went to steal the spring water didn’t they?”
Pokota nodded. “I think so. Gourry went ahead to see if he could catch them, although,” the small creature sighed “I’m not sure he remembers where the shop is.”
Needing no more convincing, Amelia tossed off her blanket. “Give me five minutes to get dress and then we’ll go after them.”
Pokota sweated. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? Going out in the middle of the night isn’t a safe time for kids to be out.”
Amelia nodded. “That gives us even more reason to go after Miss Lina and Mister Zelgadis. Who knows what kind of trouble they could get in to. As a champion of Justice I can’t sit idly by and wait for them to come back. Besides,” she smiled at Pokota “I won’t be alone since you’ll be with me.”
Pokota blushed. “Fine, let’s go then.”
80808080808080808080
Elsewhere, Lina and Zelgadis crept along the streets using the shadows as cover. Both of them knew if a watchman were to spot them, they would be pulled over and be asked a dozen questions as to why a couple of kids were wandering the streets so late at night.
Lina sighed. “Being a child is inconvenient to be a genius sorceress” she muttered under her breath.
“Deal with it,” Zelgadis replied as they duck around the next corner. “You can complain later. Let’s just concentrate on getting that spring water.”
Lina wanted to argue the fact of how Zelgadis sulked when he was refused his cup of coffee earlier, but she decided it was better to drop the subject.
Finally, they came upon the street and the shop was in their sight. They gave a quick nod to each other and after taking a brisk look around to be sure there was nobody watching they raced to the front door.
Lina turned around to keep watch as Zelgadis swiftly cast an unlock spell. With a low creak, the door open. Lina cast a lighting spell and was about to enter, except Zelgadis seized her arm.
“Let me lead, there could be alarms set and I’ll be able to detect them first.”
Lina reluctantly nodded and followed the little chimera. They tip toed into the shop, while making sure not to touch anything. Neither wanted to risk accidentally knocking over and breaking an object that could wake up Talus.
The pair successfully made their way past the curtain. They walked down the hall. Loud snoring came from within the first room they passed. It must be Talus,” Lina thought. She cringed as she heard another snore. It’s amazing he hasn’t woken up the whole town with that snore.”
CREAK!
Lina frozed as she lifted her foot on the squeaky floorboard she hit.
Zelgadis sharply turned and brought a finger to his lip. “SHHH!”
The sorceress glared trying to get her eyes to convey the message “It’s not like I want to wake up the moron!”
They resumed their dangerous trek. Lina wanted to shout victory as the door to the back room was within arms reach. Zelgadis held up his hand and opened the door. He then gestured for Lina to lower her ball of light down to the floor.
In the small light, Lina saw a sliver of white glistened.
“It’s a wire for an alarm,” Zelgadis whispered. “Step over it and don’t touch it.”
Both were careful to avoid touching the small piece of wire. Once they were in the clear, Zelgadis went over to the safe. He reasoned that since Talus knew someone was interested in the Miposs spring water, it would be logical of him to lock it up. Zelgadis kneeled down in front of the safe, brought out his stethoscope and began to turned the dial back and forth.
“Why don’t you use an unlock spell?” Lina whispered.
“Because I don’t want to risk it setting up any kind of trap or alarm that could be set up inside the safe.”
Lina raised an eyebrow. “Zel, you seem to know an awful lot about breaking in and stealing. Mind telling me where you learned this?”
Zelgadis never removed his gaze off the safe. “Later, it’s a long story.” He then heard the final ‘click’. Grinning in triumph, Zelgadis set aside his stethoscope and proceeded to open the safe.
“There it is,” he muttered.
Lina peered over her shoulder and was rather surprised at what she saw. She had expected to find one or two bottles of the spring water in the safe. Instead, she saw a dozen at least. The safe was filled to the brim with a variety of potions of all colours. She raised an eyebrow. Potions weren’t cheap to buy. Her parents’ store had four or five potions at the most. For Talus to have this many potions and bottles of spring water, it would cost a small fortune. With the state of his shop, Lina was convinced the shop keeper didn’t get his stock through legal means.
However, Lina could care less what Talus’s moral code was. She spotted the bottle Talus had showed earlier and snatched it. “All right,” she whispered to Zelgadis. “Now all we have to do is get out of here and think of a good excuse to tell Amelia, Pokota and Gourry.”
“Don’t bother.”
The two thieves froze and whipped around. Amelia stood at the door frame tapping her foot. Pokota glared from the top of his head.
Zelgadis eyes widen. The princess was dangerously closed to the wire they had stepped over. “Amelia-“
“I am very disappointed in you two,” she folded her arms. “How can you call yourselves allies of justice when you do stuff like this?”
She raised her foot.
Lina’s heart stopped “Amelia don’t!”
Amelia brought her foot down. The wire snapped.
RRIINNGG!!
The bell echoed loudly throughout the store. Amelia jumped ten feet in the air.
Pokota plugged his fingers into his ears. “What is that?!”
Zelgadis twitched. “That would be the alarm Amelia just set off.”
Sheepishly, Amelia stared at her foot. “Oh…oops.”
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-05-20 10:06 pm (UTC)(You might want to proofread this though, you have a lot of missing or wrong words which made reading it a bit difficult.)
Have fun at Anime North, and be sure to have everything packed for those of us not going. *wink* *wink* ^_-
no subject
Date: 2009-05-20 11:28 pm (UTC)And don't worry, we'll keep an eye out for any items that are Diane or Megs worthy. ^_~
no subject
Date: 2009-05-20 10:56 pm (UTC)Uh-oh, the group's in trouble now! Makes me wonder if poor Gourry is going to have quite the mess to clean up...Also, now I'm really curious about what Pokota was trying to say!
no subject
Date: 2009-05-20 11:30 pm (UTC)As for Pokota, let's just say once Lina hears what he has to say she's going to want to fireball something. XD