Episode Eleven

The Ball!

Choices Are Made

At Midnight in the Garden

Lina Inverse, Chaos Knight, took a deep breath and steadied her nerves. Well, there was nothing for it. She had to go out there in this… dress… and prove that she was fine. Otherwise, she knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that someone would come into her borrowed chambers and accuse her of trying to hide from the world.

Well, she was.

She hadn’t yet had time for the fact that she was now the Second Hand of Chaos to settle in. Let alone the fact that her mysterious relative Kira Inverse had previously held said position and rank in the Grand Scheme of things.

So there it was. And here she was, still standing with her hand on the doorknob her ankles trying not to wobble in the unfamiliar shoes.

Bother.

It would be so much easier to cast a fireball on the whole mess of it and take off into the night. Just like she’d done so many years ago… before she had the misfortune of attracting Naga’s attention. She’d been relatively happy then, hadn’t she? On her own… blasting bandits and taking their treasures? Sure, she still blasted bandits, but she wasn’t alone anymore, and she wasn’t necessarily the determiner of her own Fate, now, was she? Chaos had intervened, and now she found herself faced with a much bigger role in life. Somehow that still didn’t settle well with her. Yeah, sure, once she had wanted fame and all the glory that went with it… but she was getting tired of people knowing her name before she walked into town. And now they’d know her as Chaos Knight instead of Dragon Spooker. She couldn’t decide which was worse.

You are still Lina Inverse. Will you not simply accept this as a part of yourself? You did, after all, choose this path by casting the Giga Slave for the second time.

Lina turned to see the Lord of Nightmares standing there, wearing her own face. “I only chose it because it was what I had to do to keep Shabranigdo from being reborn through me.”

Is that truly the case, Lina? Are you simply trying to push your way out of the situation or run away from it?

Lina’s cheeks burned, her voice snappish as she retorted with: “I’m not running away from anything!”

You must know that Chaos is a part of you. It is inherent to your very ability to entwine spells, to envision a singular different aspect of the magic that you learned as elemental magics. Even as you create a new spell, you draw upon the Chaos that is within you.

Lina opened her mouth to protest, but found that she could not. Everything the Lord of Nightmares said was true. She knew that Chaos was part of her magic… knew it was a very integral part of herself… and probably why trouble always seemed to find her so easily.

She sighed and shook her head. “You’re right. You’re right and I can’t say anything to dispute you. But what happens now? You’ll have to forgive me, but no-one’s ever offered me the power of Chaos before.”

The Lord of Nightmares laughed softly. There is no true change, Lina Inverse. There is nothing that shows outwardly to reveal that you are the Knight of Chaos. You could flaunt it, as Xellos does…

Lina shook her head violently. “No way. Popping in and out like that is distracting, unnerving and just the least bit annoying. And he’s never around when you need him!”

The Lord of Nightmares shook her head. I’ll mention that. Go, enjoy the ball, Lina Inverse. Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself. It always has, and always shall.

There was a shimmer, and Lina found herself staring at thin air. Well… time to go to the ball.

She opened the door.

Amelia couldn’t decide what was keeping Miss Lina from the ball… unless it was the selection of gowns that the Golden Dragons had set aside for her. All of hers had been particularly lovely, and it had taken Amelia a very long time to finally settle on the rose-colored one. But she knew all too well that this type of dress was quite possibly the very last thing Lina would ever put on herself willingly. She turned to say something to Zelgadis, and froze.

Lina Inverse stood at the top of the stairs. At least, Amelia thought it was Lina.

The redheaded sorceress looked a little awkward standing there, a gloved hand resting on the staircase railing. Her hair was pulled up, the black ribbon out of the way for once, revealing the tiny mage-marks at her forehead. Several soft red strands fell down into curls around her throat and shoulders. She was wearing a simple golden gown, a sleeveless bodice with a long and loosely flowing skirt that made Amelia think of the liquid gold of the Lord of Nightmare’s powers for a moment.

With a start, Amelia realized how small Lina truly was. It wasn’t at all that she was underdeveloped. Lina was just… tiny. Without all of her regalia and the overly large epaulets, it was startlingly clear that Lina Inverse was a woman of diminutive stature.

Her dress is probably two sizes smaller than mine! Amelia whined to herself. Oh… I am so fat!!

Zelgadis and Gourry had been standing to the side, debating the probability of Lina actually showing up in anything other than her standard clothing – if she showed up at all. At this point, Gourry had lost on both counts, and was now taking second watch for a week.

Silence rippled through the room, and one by one, all the Dragons turned to look at the small figure in gold at the top of the stairs.

I can’t do this, I can’t do this, I can’t do this, I… can’t believe that!

By the foot of the stairs was a very human and extremely good-looking Xellos with Lalli on his arm. Lina had never seen the Trickster Priest look so… happy. As almost all eyes watched, Lina descended the stairs carefully. The heels were just a bit high, and they did nothing to help her height. She didn’t know why the Dragon maiden had insisted she wear them. When she reached the bottom, she turned to Xellos and smiled faintly. “I don’t think I’ve ever known you to be… so… cheerful… Xellos. It’s nice.”

Xellos blushed faintly, trying to assume a sheepish expression, but failing miserably as Lalli swatted him lightly. “He’s just a big pushover, Lina.”

“Oh, I know,” Lina said dryly as she turned to find her friends. “Trust me, I know.”

Amelia walked over to Zelgadis and Gourry just in time to overhear a side comment made by Zelgadis.

“For someone that tiny to contain that much energy and ability…” There was an edge of envy in the chimera’s voice.

“Mister Zelgadis, you shouldn’t envy Miss Lina. She may have a lot of energy and ability, but I’m worried about the price she’ll eventually pay for that. She’s made a very dangerous alliance,” Amelia said, watching Lina approach.

Lina managed not to fall as she walked up to her friends and looked at them. Noting the various expressions, she put her hands on her hips, narrowed her eyes and said “What?”

Gourry answered for them all, blithely headed into territory that could very easily get him killed, blasted to bits by a fireball, or smacked with a slipper.

“It’s that we’ve never seen you so lovely, Lina.”

Zelgadis quietly stepped sideways, forcing Amelia to move as well. “Excuse me, Amelia.” He had no desire to be involved in what was probably a forthcoming fireball. And, he might as well protect Amelia… he was doing that a lot lately…

Lina allowed about four seconds of consideration to the thought of blasting Gourry sky-high for his comment. But she was wearing a particularly nice dress, and Gourry was dressed entirely too well to be fricasseed. So—

“Lina! You look so lovely!”

Everyone turned to look, then immediately stared at Filia.

She looked like a cake. More specifically, she looked like an over-decorated three-tiered wedding cake. Layer upon layer of lace started at the hem and worked its way up to her waist, then cascaded down the back of the gown.

“Filia… your dress….” Lina began, trying to think of something nice to say in return.

She was spared by Filia’s enthusiasm. “Isn’t it just lovely? Anyway, are you enjoying the ball? Aurin’s been introducing me to everyone, and no-one hates me for being a Gold Dragon. In fact, they’ve all invited me to stay!”

Lina shook her head slowly. She had once thought that Amelia was flighty… and then she’d met Filia.

“And anyway, you have to promise to stay… there will be some announcements that you absolutely must be here for, okay, Lina?” Filia continued.

“Yes, Filia. I’ll stick around,” Lina replied through her teeth. She wasn’t sure how many hours of this she could stand. If only they’d given me some flat shoes and not these miserable heels!!!

Filia smiled, then turned to see Aurin calling for her across the room. “Oh dear.. please excuse me.. there’s someone else that he wants me to meet… “ Without really waiting for a reply, she flounced off towards the prince.

The party was well underway, the first of several dances being led by Aurin and Filia. Lina had even been reluctantly dragged into leading a dance with Gourry… and she’d managed to dance quite well. But off to the side of the ball, someone wasn’t dancing. Xellos was considering his options. He was human only for the night, he supposed, and that could have its advantages. For one whirlwind evening, he could just simply enjoy himself in a fashion that he hadn’t been able to for a very long time. He didn’t think that Lina and her group would cause trouble for him… but what would happen if someone else decided to cause trouble. After all… every Dragon here knew who he was… and what he normally was…

“Xellos…”

The now-human turned to see the Crown Prince of Kuroryu standing there with his arms folded. Oh good. Aurin was going to make trouble. Just what he didn’t need…

“Hello… Aurin.” He gave a half-laugh. “Nice party…”

“You were there. The day before the Golden Dragons came.”

Oh dear. This wasn’t going to be fun, was it? “Well… yes… I’m afraid I was…” Xellos answered, sticking to honesty.

“Yes. I know you visited often. Lalli has always been attracted to things that were… shall we say... of a darker nature,” Aurin replied calmly.

“Where is she? She told me that she was just going to get a drink…” Xellos looked across towards the refreshments table and saw only Lina Inverse and her group. Would they even help him if he was suddenly in trouble?

“She’ll be back in a few moments. I asked her to take care of something so you and I could have a moment to talk. I know you are human tonight, Xellos. And I also know that you have worked with and against Lina Inverse in the past. That alone is why I am not banishing you from my sight immediately.”

Xellos thought absently that now would be a good time to get nervous… but somehow, all he felt was a quiet calm.

“But know this: If there is any trouble this evening, and I discover that it was you who caused it…” Aurin continued.

Xellos swallowed. This was the part he’d been expecting, and he’d rather not think of that the Ancient Dragons were capable of. Especially while he was human.

“Aurin! There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you! It’s almost time to make the announcements!” Filia came rushing up, a flurry of lace and ribbons that set Xellos off into a fit of snickering.

“Why… Filia… you look so… flouncy!” Xellos struggled to stop laughing.

“Why you filthy Mazoku!” Filia hollered, pulling out her trusty mace.

Xellos took a step backwards, knowing that he deserved it, but it was bound to hurt anyway.

“Now, Filia… you know he doesn’t mean anything by it. Go on and let me take care of him,” Lalli interrupted, laying a gentle but extremely firm hand on Filia’s mace.

Filia turned to blink at Lalli for a moment, then put the mace down and sighed. “Just this once… because we are at a party, after all.”

Xellos watched Filia turn away and hide the mace again, then he was sidetracked by Lalli taking him by the hand and leading him out to a small garden balcony that overlooked the courtyard of the Palace.

“Xellos… I don’t think I can stand to lose you again…” She let go of his hand and turned away to walk across the garden and lean on the railing and look at the roses beside her.

Xellos’ eyes softened and he shook his head. “No, Lalli… it would never work. Aurin would forbid it.”

He was still by the archway, and within the ballroom, he could hear voices calling for attention as there were announcements to be made. He only half listened to them, paying more attention to Lalli. She was truly upset about this, and he wondered if coming to Kuroryu had been such a good idea after all.

“I know he’d forbid it. But what can I do? I’d only get in your way if I went with you… you’re a powerful Mazoku… and I’d be nothing but an inconvenient Dragon…” She put both hands on the balcony’s railing and sighed.

One of the announcements caught Xellos’ full attention for a moment, and he didn’t answer her right away. Instead, he echoed the announcement dully. “Aurin and Filia are getting… married?”

Lalli half-turned looking up and over, several emotions crossing her face. “He wouldn’t dare! He’d welcome a once-enemy for himself and deny me the very thing that I want?”

Xellos held out his hand. “Now, Lalli… I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation. I just can’t think of it right now.”

Lalli shook her head, eyes hardening. “No. He’s made his choice, and I’ll make mine.”

Inside the ball, Lina was clapping politely for Aurin and Filia. Honestly she hadn’t been surprised, but something caused her to turn and look out towards a half-curtained archway. That’s strange… I could have sworn I felt a Spell of Magic Binding…

She started to work her way across the room, the others lifting eyebrows and following as well.

“Lina?” Zelgadis asked. “What is it?”

“I don’t know, Zel… but something isn’t right. We’d better be prepared…”

Xellos shook his head as he looked into the room for a moment, unaware of the magic spell, and then turned back to Lalli. “Lalli!” His eyes snapped open, and he stepped forward, towards her.

She hovered for a moment in the air, hanging just above the balcony railing before the Spell of Magic Binding cut off her magic, and she fell.

He couldn’t move fast enough. He was human, after all, and his Mazoku powers were locked far away from him. It seemed like an eternity, watching her fall. He wasn’t even truly aware of the redhead in gold who shot past him with a hastily-cast levitation spell.

All he knew was that it was too late.