Quote:"Xel, come on. I realize- Lina Inverse's relationship counseling services, Chapter 6 of Limbo
you're obligated to make these pitches for your 'Beastmistress,' or
whatever, but when have I ever willingly helped a mazoku?" Around a
mouthful of heavily seasoned fish fillet."Ahhh, excellent observation. Oh well! I thought you'd be obstinate, but orders are...orders."
"...You look kinda gloomy all of a sudden." Gulp of wine. “Can’t be just because I said no to your offer.”
"What of it? Isn't a mazoku permitted feelings?" Snappish. Clinking the teacup down. "I hate tea."
"WOAH,
there! I think that's the first time I've ever heard you actually
sounding something aside…like….cheerfully numb. Yeah like…EVER. What's
eatin' ya, big boy?…Heh, what, or who?"
Silence. "Well...that is
a secret. Heh. I really do hate tea...and ceramics...and the color
pink. I loathe pink. Pink is the color of death."
“Huh?”
“DEATH.”
"Uh. Okay. Jeez. You think you’re such mysterious and amazing shit, but you're just SO predictable.”
“Pardon?”
“Look,
I already heard." Smirkily. "About you and Filia. Chin up. You two have
so many tiffs, I really doubt this one is any different, or any harder
to fix. It’s almost like some kind of weird lovers’ ritual to you two."
"Why
did you ask, then, if you have my future so neatly mapped out?"
Sulkily. "And you have no idea...the things she said...what she
implied, after all I had done…why ask?" Pulling a disgusted face.
“There is too much sugar in this tea. I hate tea.”
"HA. Why? Because. I like messing with your oh-so-wise and aged mind."
"You're
as great a son of a bitch as I am, under that smile, aren't you, Lina?"
A trace of amusement now. "Admirable. I salute you. Like so." Raising
his teacup again. "...I REALLY hate tea..."
"I won't deny we're
often on the same wavelength, you and I. And NO is NO, so stop
flattering me. And quit REPEATING yourself, I got it, you hate tea.
Boo, tea!"
"Aw. Typically, flattery gets me everywhere." A pause. "Did I mention that I hate tea? Heheh. Heh."
"Yeah so ANYWAY. You'll recall my..." Shudder. "...sister, Luna, is a Knight of Ceiphied."
"...Uh huh?" Curiously.
"Just like Filia was a priestess of Ceiphied once, and still draws her white magic from the Flare Dragon."
"...Uh...huh." Flatly now.
"Well
Luna's been on a bloody rampage for months, demanding that I ask you
what the hell gives with the way you treated the 'little dragon
priestess' so nastily. So SPILL, mazoku-boy. It's a matter of life and
death for me. Spill, and then go kiss and make up. This falling out
bullshit is pretty damned awkward for the rest of us."
Casual averting of eyes. “…Your sister totally stole my hairstyle. Do you know how freaky it is to see myself with boobs?” Sip.
“DON’T CHANGE THE SUBJECT.”
Down
slams the teacup. Heads turn. "Lina, why don't you follow your own
advice and cozy up to the altruistic blond in YOUR life?" Sharply.
Very, very sharply.
"W…Why are your eyes open?" Shocked.
"I'm
really pissed at you. That. Is. Why." Overly ennunciated. Smiling, but
there is a strange tic, a twitch, in the corner of his lip.
“You NEVER get pissed!"
"Don’t I? Or am I good at hiding it?”
“…Er…”
“Maybe
I get happy. Maybe I get sad too. And CRUSHED, when someone brings up a
fresh wound, just to placate her NOSY HAIR-COPYING SISTER. Maybe you
JUST CAN’T TELL.” Twitch.
“Er I uh…shit…”
“I'm having
fantasies of dicing you into little cubes right now, salting you, and
covering you in mustard and pickle relish, and EATING you, for bringing
up this vexing topic. Got it?" Extremely cheerful, polite, amicable
tones. Twitch though. Twitch, twitch. TWITCH. "WELL?"
"...DA-YAMN."
Oddly impressed. "You really DO love her, don't you? MAN is she ever
under your skin! C'mon, what are you waiting for? Go cuddle your
muffin-poo. Ha. This kind of makes you a freak of nature, you realize
that? A mazoku in LOVE." Taking a hearty chomp out of the fish. And
another gulp of wine.
"Don't use that disgusting word on me. It’s a filthy word. It makes me SICK."
“Love.”
“Like the color pink. And TEA.”
"LOVE. I wonder how that's possible..."
"...LINA..."
"Love love LOOHOOOVE!"
"Agh." Nauseated. Twitch. “Stop.”
"LOVELY
LOVISH LOVE! FLUFFY PINK DRESSES, GOLDEN TAILS, BLOND HAIR, BIG FAT
MACES! CERAMICS AND TEA! TEA TEA TEA! LOVE LOVE LURRRVE! HEY EVERYONE,
THIS GUY'S TOTALLY IN LOVE! WITH A DRAGON! THEY HAVE SURMOUNTED THEIR
DAUNTING SOCIO-CULTURAL DIFFERENCES AND EMBRACED EACH OTHER! HAR!"
A chorus of awws from fellow diners scattered at the various restaurant tables.
“Our socio-WHAT?” TWITCH. “I said stop, damn it…”
“Give the loverboy a big round of applause, folks! In honor of his romance with the lady-dragon, drinks are on the house!”
Thunderous applause.
"I
hate you." TWITCH. Redfaced. Violently blushing. For the first time in
his 1012 years. "You have no idea how cruel you're being, Lina. It's
almost enviable, to a mazoku like me."
"HA!" Brassy. "Whatever, boo hoo. Go get her, tiger. You know you miss her."
"Have a dreadful day, Lina." Snap-whoosh.
---
"Oh, silver blade, forged in the depths of the beyond. Heed my summons and purge those who stand in my way. Lay
waste."