[xellos x filia; g] A Road to Truth Title: A Road to Truth (Part 2 of 30 2) Author:emilie_burns Pairing: Xellos/Filia Ul Copt Fandom: The Slayers Theme: #1 - look over here Rating: G Word count: 2873 Disclaimer:The Slayers and all characters herein are owned by Hajime Kanzaka; Rui Araizumi; Kadokawa Shoten; TV TOKYO; SOFTX; Marubeni. This is a work of fanfiction for personal entertainment only. Set post-TRY. Notes:These are being written in chronological order, although not in themed order. Chronological listings are in parenthesis by the title. Props to Serendipity for inspiration for some of the descriptions. Summary:"Such a lovely place," she murmured to herself, and not without feeling a pang of disappointment. A city such as this would be undoubtedly beyond her means to afford a residence. Shaking off her thoughts, she turned her attention to finding an inn. Original LJ Post Date: September 30, 2005 @ 30_Kisses
A Road to Truth
"The road to truth is long, and lined the entire way with annoying bastards." - Alexander Jablokov
"So there it is," Filia said as she leaned on her walking staff, looking down into the deep, sprawling valley at the city across the river. She pushed her hair out of her face, only to have it whipped back by the wind. "Dellmarsh."
A modest, snow-peaked mountain range walled the other side, the snow reflecting silver and copper from the setting sunset behind her. A creek that grew into a small river over its wending course spilled across the slope of the wooded valley and out through a ravine some distance to her right. A few farms dotted the grasslands, connected to the brick and wood-walled city by bridges of various sizes. A wide, well-traveled road crept out of one pass even farther to her right, and under the black gates of the town, and on the other side, she could see where it stretched out to another pass, continuing on its way.
"You don't look very happy, Big Sister," Jillas said, and Filia shot her foxman companion a weary glare.
"I told you to stop calling me that." She looked back to the city. "I'm just tired of traveling. Were it just me, that would be one thing, but I would like to find a home for little Val before he hatches." She shook her head. "And that old man we met at Woodloch Fork said this would be an excellent place to find a home to buy or rent."
"It looks like it to me. A decent river, a well-traveled highway, and healthy land," Jillas observed, pulling out a spyglass to get a better look.
"Yes, such a prime location. It's undoubtedly going to be outside our ability to afford." Filia sighed and looked around. "But at any rate, we've come all this way and sundown is all but an hour off. If nothing else, we can stay at an inn, and perhaps learn of other possibilities." She adjusted her grip on the bundle strapped to her, carefully held in her arms, and used her walking stick for balance as she started down the slope. "But just in case, do remember, Mister Jillas, we mustn't appear too eager nor desperate for a house."
"Yes, Big Sister," Jillas replied, following her down and drawing another weary sigh of annoyance from her.
By the time they reached the city's gates, elaborate constructions of wrought iron, more for appearance than actual protection, the sun had sunk behind the hill they crossed, casting the valley into shadow. The gatekeeper watched Jillas suspiciously, but waved him along through with Filia without incident. She walked down the cobbled main street toward the large market square in the middle, and studied the somewhat unusual and lovely architecture of the buildings on either side.
As it was growing late, the street was not as crowded as she supposed it would be during the height of the day, but it was far from vacant. Most of the population seemed to be roughly her own height, and pale in skin but dark in hair, although she spotted a decent number of people with fair coloration. Her pink dress and white cloak and boots stood out against the local fashion, which by and large was practical and efficient in design. Warm earth tones were dominant with deep blues and greens breaking up the monotony, and the attire plain, without much in the way of ornamentation. Of the few women she spotted, most seemed to prefer to wear their hair pinned up and under a kerchief or cap.
"Such a lovely place," she murmured to herself, and not without feeling a pang of disappointment. A city such as this would be undoubtedly beyond her means to afford a residence. Shaking off her thoughts, she turned her attention to finding an inn.
"If you're hungry, it would seem that most consider the stews at the Priest's Flagon inn to be quite excellent," a familiar voice piped up nearby.
Jillas immediately flattened his ears, and Filia looked around quickly, spotting Xellos leaning against a building at the mouth of a narrow alleyway. "What are you doing here?" she demanded.
Xellos clucked his tongue. "To look at the two of you, one would think I'd just demanded your coinpurses or else I might slit your throats." He briefly cracked one eye open just a sliver as he smiled. "You might say I had business which brought me here."
"What do you want?" she asked, lowering her hand to her skirt, ready to whip out her mace as she clutched the egg tighter.
"Miss Filia, you do need to improve your listening comprehension skills," Xellos scolded. "You will note that I said 'had', as in past tense. As it is, I'm merely just another traveler seeing the sights." He gave them a beaming smile which she supposed was meant to be reassuring.
Ha.
Filia and Jillas exchanged looks, and she studied the Mazoku warily. "Well. The Priest's Flagon inn, you say?" she asked. "Why should I believe you when you claim it's any good?"
"There's no need. Why not ask around and find out for yourself?" His tone was amicable. "But at present, the dining hall is quite crowded. Perhaps you would be willing to join me in a brief stroll before dinner while you wait for the other patrons to move on? You can even seek out others to ask as far as the quality of the establishment."
She looked at her companion again, then back to Xellos. "Thank you," she replied, her tone prim. "I believe I shall at that."
"Splendid!" He clapped his hands together, and stepped forward. "Your servant is willing to follow us, if he is unable to trust that I have no dastardly intentions toward you."
"He is not my servant," Filia corrected.
"She's my big sister!" Jillas said.
Filia twitched.
"Indeed?" Xellos asked, looking between the two. He smiled broadly. "I can certainly see the family resemblance."
Filia could see herself throttling the life out of the annoying priest. She twitched again and bared her fangs, growling.
"Tut, tut," he clucked, and shook his head. "I suppose that it is too much to expect for a dragon to change her scales. Silly, violent dragon-child."
Her eyes crossed briefly as she summoned forth willpower she didn't know she had to keep from proving him right and clawing that smarmy smile right off his damnable face. Her expression remained frozen in a fangy, feral grin.
Xellos' grin broadened. "You're a delightful chef, Miss Filia. Thank you for so generously returning the favor of supper."
She blinked, suddenly bewildered. Damn that Mazoku, she never could quite seem to keep her equilibrium around him.
"Shall we continue?" Xellos asked, politely gesturing ahead as he moved beside Filia.
She cast him another wary glance, then began to walk with him, by no means relaxed. Xellos ignored her skepticism as he made idle small talk regarding their surroundings, offering her his thoughts and observations on the unique designs of various buildings. They turned off the main roadway, and she glanced behind to make certain Jillas was still following. Xellos dominated the conversation with idle chatter about the city and their surroundings, freeing her to reply with only the barest of noncommittal noises for the most part, until the focus began to shift.
"But enough of that," he said. "What of you? Are you traveling to somewhere specific, or does a life on the road suit your needs?"
"Why do you ask?" She watched him skeptically.
"No matter, I am merely making conversation. I would have thought a dragon with a hatchling on the way would have sought out a haven of sorts before now. But then again, it's not as if that's your own egg, is it?"
Filia glared at him. "That's beside the point!" she snarled, lashing her tail under the hem of her skirt. "He was entrusted to me, and I won't fail him! What are you up to? You're not taking him fro--"
Xellos pinched the bridge of his nose and with one open eye, gave her a weary look. "You dragons are such interesting creatures," he said. "Are you naturally paranoid, or is it something you learn in your religion?" He resumed walking, not looking back. "By the way, Miss Filia, your tail's showing again."
She blushed furiously and scowled, trotting quickly to catch up. "I know enough not to trust Mazoku."
"Just like you knew enough to trust your people?" he asked, and she recoiled, feeling more stung than if he had physically slapped her. Xellos smiled. "But that's ancient history, wouldn't you say? Let us speak of other things."
She swallowed hard against the bitter taste in her mouth, and hesitated a moment before falling into step with him once more. What was there to do, really?
"As I was saying, I am quite surprised you have yet to establish a permanent residence."
"We're looking for something," Filia said, "but the trick is finding something within our means."
"I'm certain you might find such a place here. Fine location, plenty of traffic, I'm sure you could forge quite a living for yourself." He stopped and beamed at her. "I am assuming, of course, that you have marketable talents other than massive property destruction."
She snorted in annoyance and turned her nose up, looking away. "I'm quite accomplished with pottery. I have considered opening a shop along those lines."
"Wonderful!" He clapped his hands together, smiling broadly. "This would certainly be the place for it!"
"Such a prime location would not be come by cheaply, Mister Xellos," Filia replied. "Not that something like you would care about such things."
He made a noncommittal noise, and his smile never wavered. "Of course. Have you asked around, Miss Filia?"
"I haven't had a chance yet."
"There is no time like the present." He stopped in front of a roomy, attractive house. "What about a place like this?"
Filia studied it, feeling a twinge of longing. "It's nice," she said, trying to keep her tone indifferent. A man stepped out of the house onto the porch, and she looked away.
"Let's ask, then!" Xellos said, and stepped toward the gate. "Good day, sir!" he called out cheerfully.
Filia did a double-take as he moved into action too quickly for her to stop him, and immediately tried to will the ground to open up underneath her feet and swallow her whole. "Mister Xellos!" she hissed, lunging forward to grab his arm.
He was undeterred. "My lady friend has been seeking a residence to purchase for quite some time, and I was wondering if you knew of any that might be available at a modest price."
The man's eyes widened, and Filia blushed. "I'm terribly sorry we've interrupted your evening, sir," she said. "Please, ignore him, he's an idiot!"
"No, no, wait!" the man said, and she blinked in surprise as he vaulted over the porch railing and ran to the gate. "Don't go!" He stared at her in wide-eyed ... desperation? Or was it something else? Filia couldn't quite place it. "You need a house?"
"Errr... y-yes..." she stammered, taking a half-step back. His behavior was unusual, and just a little bit disturbing.
"Do you like this house?" He pointed behind himself, still staring at her with a panicked intensity.
"It... It's a nice house..." Filia discovered her eyebrow could reach new heights on her forehead as she watched him. Beside her, Xellos was unconcerned, just smiling that aggravating, closed-eyed smile of his as always.
"How much are you willing to pay for a house?" He looked like if she backed away any more, he might just reach out and grab her. Filia blinked, and stammered out the amount, glancing back to Jillas for verification.
"SOLD!" He turned and ran back to the house, yelling over his shoulder, "I'll get the deed and the keys! You get the money."
"What. In the world?" Filia asked, staring after him. She tilted her head to the side as if the new angle might provide an explanation somewhere.
"Why, this is most fortuitous, Miss Filia!" Xellos said. "See what sort of things you might discover if you only ask?"
Filia remained blinking at the house for the remainder of the time it took for Xellos' words to sink in. An unsettling thought occurred to her, and she shot him a suspicious look. "Xellos..." she all but growled, watching him out of the corner of her eye, teeth gritted. "What. Did you. Do?"
"Miss Filia, whatever makes you think I had anything to do with this?" he asked, adopting a pose of clearly feigned innocence.
She continued looking at him, hoping her expression properly conveyed her innermost thoughts of "are you for real? You have got to be kidding me."
Xellos sighed heavily and clucked his tongue. "Very well. If you do so insist, I will tell you what the answer is."
"Yessssss?"
"The answer..."
She narrowed her eyes, feeling the beginnings of a warning growl low in her throat. He wouldn't...
Xellos beamed. "Is a secret!"
...he would.
Filia reminded herself she was still carrying Val's egg in the nick of time before she transformed to try and pummel him into astral mush. She was still attempting to kill Xellos with her brain and returning his far-too-chipper grin with an evil glare of her own when the soon-to-be-former house owner came running back out with papers and a key.
Well, papers, a key, and several more quick trips inside, pulling out a trunk and several bags. Filia temporarily forgot Xellos in her bewilderment. Was he moving out immediately?
"Ji-- Jillas?" she stammered, not taking her eyes off the doorway. "Get the money?"
"If you say so, Big Sister." He sounded just and confused and the absurdity of the situation overrode her natural instinct to get after him for calling her that again.
"Here you are!" the wide-eyed man said, thrusting the deed and keys toward her as if he could not be rid of them fast enough.
If there was something seriously wrong with the house, Filia decided there would be a greasy smear of a Mazoku decorating the front lawn before nightfall. With a bit of misgiving, she indicated for Jillas to give the man the agreed-upon amount.
He pocketed it without even taking the time to count it, grabbed his bags, and somehow managed the required strength it had to took to hurry off down the street, the heavy trunk clattering over cobblestone and brick.
In the dizzying calm after the whirlwind of activity, Filia remained rooted to the spot, clutching her new keys and deed, and stared at the house. "Xellos?"
"Yes, Miss Filia?"
"If I find even the teeniest, tiniest thing wrong with this house..."
"Yes, Miss Filia?"
"I'm going to shred your astral body into bitty, bitty bits." She glared at him out of the corner of her eye.
Xellos beamed indulgently. "Of course you will, Miss Filia. But I do believe you will find yourself quite happy with your new residence. I shouldn't worry about all the talk of strange things going bump in the night in there. Not many things are bold enough to risk the ire of a dragon cleric who could easily exorcise them without any trouble."
"Strange... things..." she repeatedly slowly, looking at him in disbelief. "What sort of strange things?"
"Like I said, you needn't trouble yourself over that." He gave her a pat on the head, and that infuriating smile.
Filia blinked and comprehension began to dawn. "Xellos! What did you do to that poor man?!"
"What makes you think I did anything?" He opened one eye and his lips parted in a thoroughly wicked and mischievous grin. "Enjoy your new home."
As quickly as that, he was gone. Filia stared at empty space for a moment before looking up at the house again, and sighed. "Well, for better or worse, we just used up most of our budget," she told Jillas, giving herself a mental kick. "We might as well see what fine mess I've led us into this time."
She walked toward the house, trying to quell the tipsy-turvy feeling of her stomach, and made a wish in hopes that she had not botched things too badly. An hour later, a cursory walk-through of the house revealed a nice home with several rooms she was already mentally converting into a shop, and nary a trace of supernatural activity.
"I'll bring in some firewood for the night, Big Sister," Jillas said as they concluded their tour in the kitchen.
"Don't call me that," Filia said, looking around the room. "I suppose I will see if there's anything to make a proper cup of tea with here, and something to do for supper." She set the basket down on the table, looking around at the deepening shadows in the room as the sun disappeared past the horizon, true night settling in.
"I haven't had much luck making the best choices, especially with you," she whispered, looking at the egg. "Hopefully, this new beginning isn't just for you." She bent closer, kissing the smooth shell, and began to make the first supper in her new home.
He's headed for a single destination, he doesn't care what's standing in his path. He's a line between two points of separation, he ends just where it says to on the map. And he rolls, he's a highway, where he goes, time will tell. Heaven knows she can't go with him, and he rolls all by himself. - Pam Tillis, The River and the Highway