Part II: Getting Worse! Too Many Pushy Relatives!

 

            Lina yawned as she entered the Gabriev dining room, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She stretched and wondered how it was possible, despite all her worries, for her to sleep so well? It must have been the bed. For the first time, in what seemed like ages, Lina had slept like the dead. She yawned again and plopped down on the nearest chair. The smells from the table suddenly invaded her senses. Her eyes widened and her mouth watered at the sight of the extravagant display of breakfast foods. She didn’t waste a moment. She began piling in the food immediately.

            She was interrupted mid-third plate by a low chuckle.

            “No wonder Gourry likes her so much. She has an appetite like his!”

            Lina slowly looked up, mentally berating herself for not paying attention to who was at the table. Sitting at the head of the table was Rowdy II, Gourry’s father, his blond hair and goatee looking immaculately combed even for the morning meal. His green eyes were sparkling and dread filled Lina, especially when she got a look at who else was there. Beside him was Gourry’s elder brother Barry also looking eerily perfect, with his long white hair and electric blue eyes. Next to him was his wife Selina and on her lap, their son Kenny, who was, for all the world, an adorable three year old butterball with white curls and huge blue-green eyes.

            On the other side of Rowdy II was Danny (son of Shaury Gabriev (Rowdy II’s younger sister) and Manny Uriev), looking a bit scruffier than the other two males with his wavy blue hair disheveled and his green eyes behind glasses. Beside him was Gaia with their four-year-old daughter Cory, her pink hair in braided pigtails and her green eyes wide with wondering.

            Lina gulped down what was still her mouth and felt her face flush. She was never embarrassed by her eating habits before… Why is it that now she felt so self-conscious? She gave them a small smile and waved. Little Kenny waved back happily. “Um… Good morning,” she said, for lack of anything better to say.

            “Good morning!” was a collective, energetic greeting from the adults.

            A more shy, “good morning” came from Cory and she returned to her food. On the other hand, a quite happy, “Mownin’!” came from little Kenny.

            The in-residence patriarch smiled at Lina, giving her a distinct chill. Oh, no… He’s planning something… “Don’t stop your meal on account of us, dear girl. We’re still finishing our breakfast as well.”

            Lina blinked at him, expecting something more, but he returned to his meal. She looked to the other Gabrievs but Barry and Danny seemed to resume a conversation they were having before she came in, while both Selina and Gaia were helping their children (in different ways) finish their food. Lina began too much again, slightly relieved she was no longer the center of attention. She looked around, noticing that they really were the only ones at the long table. The table was practically brimming with food, but it really was only these seven members of Gourry’s family and herself. Where was Gourry anyway? She opened her mouth to ask the question, but quickly changed her mind. They would probably get the wrong impression… Heck! They’ve been getting the wrong impression since she first showed up! Still… She thought it best not to bring up Gourry. She looked down the stretch of empty table. She swallowed her food and hesitantly turned back to the Gabrievs. “Um… This may seem kind of silly, but why are we the only ones here?” Lina’s eyes drifted to the grandfather clock at the opposite end of the room. “It’s 20 past 11.”

            Barry chuckled and waved it off. “Don’t worry, Miss Lina. We just get up later than everyone else. We’re the heavy sleepers in the household. Everyone else has already eaten.”

            Selina smiled and nodded. “Because some of us are used to later hours, the servants leave the breakfast table out till noon. Then in about a half-hour, they clean up and swap for lunch.”

            Lina lifted an eyebrow at their responses. “Why do you guys have later hours? Do you have jobs? Or is it Kenny? He looks like he goes to sleep on his own already…” Lina trailed off when she saw Selina suddenly blush. Barry gave a light cough.

            “Um… Selina and I are working on giving Kenny a little brother or sister.” Their son clapped happily and grinned up at them. Lina turned beat red.

            “Oh…”

            Rowdy II burst out laughing. “Don’t worry, Miss Lina. In this family there’s always either someone getting married, or someone having babies! There’s never a dull moment in this household. You’ll get used to it!”

            Lina didn’t like the sound of that. She took another bite of her meal and tried to get the conversation back in a different direction. She preferred to keep them talking to her. If they were quiet, she had no idea what they were planning.

            “So…are all meals like this?” Lina asked biting into a large piece of bacon.

            Danny fixed his glasses and lifted his shoulder in a half shrug. Lina had the impression that he had been waiting for her to speak. He hadn’t resumed his conversation with Barry. He smiled as he answered her. “We pretty much have our own private buffet for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is the only meal where we actually all have to sit down together at a certain hour. But it’s rare that we’re all together at one time, besides dinner.”

            Gaia chuckled. “Yes.” She rolled her eyes and gave Lina a wink. “These people are always doing something. Getting them all together is only when there’s a party or something. I thought they were very strange when I first met them. Huey was getting married to Carrie, and when Father and I came to the wedding, we really hadn’t met any of the Gabrievs.” She turned to Danny and smiled. “I met Danny that day, but it took us a while to get to know each other.”

            Danny nodded. “In those days, I was still traveling around different schools and libraries. Learning as much as I could.” He grinned and his spectacles flashed. “In this family the men are pretty much divided into three groups of personalities. Scholar, warrior and politician—which has to have a bit of both, of course.” He motioned over the Rowdy II and Barry. “Both Uncle Rowdy and Barry over here fit into the latter category.”

            Selina sighed. “Yes, we’re always going on trips, here and there, for various conferences and the like. There’s only one who surpasses Barry in going to political meetings.”

            Barry had a long-suffering expression on his face. “Uncle Kerry. I think the real reason he stayed behind in Madrin was because of the elections going on there and because he’s training Gary in his footsteps. He already got Harry involved, though he’s a bit less active in the political scene.” He shook his head. “I don’t think I’ll ever live up the Loubrevs in political intervention.” He gave Lina a wink. “He’s the only one who usually misses any weddings we have. He missed my big brother Rowdy III’s this time. I think he’s the only one who hasn’t met big brother’s wife, right, Dad?”

            Rowdy II shook his head. “Yes, he hasn’t met her yet. But as for what you were saying about political intervention, it isn’t so, my boy. I was quite active during my years. In fact, you all know, that’s how I met Kerry. Loubrev was just starting out then. He was only a year older than Runa.”

            Danny laughed. “Oh, yes, I remember this story! You liked him so much that you invited him over for dinner and Aunt Runa and Uncle Kerry ended up falling in love because of it.”

            Rowdy II sniffed. “I was very taken aback when I saw him hitting on my little sister.” He grinned. “But he still had to go through the Treatment!”

            Lina blinked. She had been following the conversation without saying a peep. She was in too much shock. She was afraid to ask, but everyone was already laughing, even Cory (little Kenny looked a bit confused), and her curiosity got the better of her. “What’s ‘the Treatment’?”

            Gaia rolled her eyes. “Something barbaric. Poor Huey had to go through it when he was going to marry Carrie too.” She hugged Cory to her. “In essence, if you’re a man marrying into the Gabriev, Loubrev or Uriev family, you have to survive every male of the family’s attempt to beat you to a pulp. Huey’s lithe body and determination are the only things that saved him.” She turned to Danny. “The only one that got out without a scratch was your brother-in-law Mil, right dear?”

            Danny shook his head. “Ah… I don’t want to remember that. It was very humiliating for us. We’ve never been beaten so badly before. He didn’t even break a sweat. Mil is a monster…well, not really. But still! None of us could touch him. He thought our attempts were futile.” He gave Lina a crooked grin. “Mil is… scary. And to think, he married my big sister, Cody, and now has the adorable little Milly. Very scary.”

            Lina looked at Danny, her eyes wide. She hadn’t been expecting that for an explanation. She swallowed what she had in her mouth. Even though she was afraid of the answer, she couldn’t stop herself from asking.

            “Does…the same go for women…?” It wasn’t that she was worried about it. Because, she wasn’t. After all, she could blow up the Gabrievs and their relatives without so much of an effort. But she wanted to know.

            Selina missed her son’s mouth with the spoon full of pudding when burst into giggles. “Oh no, Miss Lina! If we had to do that, this family would never have children. Don’t worry. They won’t put you through that.”

            Lina blinked. “Put me through that…?” Suddenly the implication hit her. She felt her face heat up. Oh, crap. They thought she was asking because of… Gourry. She shook her head, half in denial, but both women were chuckling.

            “You won’t have to face off with the males of this family, Miss Lina. All they do with would-be-wives is question them. The future mother-in-law and sisters-in-law have an interview with you and decide whether they like you or not. I was terrified that Shaury wasn’t going to let me marry Danny. After all, he was her eldest boy and the apple of her eye. Luckily, she had already gotten to know me a bit through Huey marrying Carrie. But still Shaury, Mary and Cody were very intimidating.”

            Danny shrugged. “I got lucky. I found you. They sent poor Larry to go out and find a wife. And when he brings her back, I’m sure Mom, Mary and Cody are going to drill her to make sure she’s worthy.” He sighed. “I pity the poor girl, whoever she is.”

            Barry shook his head. “I don’t know why your parents are being so hard on Larry. Mary is still single after all.”

            Danny rolled his eyes. “Mary is the smooth talker of the family. She can get out of anything. Larry’s the bum. He doesn’t DO anything. That’s why they’re making him do something. Even if it’s something like finding a wife!”

            Lina remembered the tall black haired, blue-eyed woman she met the evening before. She had a serene smile on her face, but even she could see the woman was well versed in magic. Lina looked at Danny.

            “Your older sister is a sorceress, right?” Lina asked.

            Danny smiled and lifted up a shoulder helplessly. “Yeah. It’s obvious, isn’t it? While the men in this family vary in those three categories, the women in the family almost always deal with either magic of some kind, money or studies. She’s more scholarly than me. I think she got it from Grandpa Rowdy I.”

            Lina remembered the old wizard she met back then. All gray hair, and green eyes. She wondered if he still looked like that now…

            Selina smiled. “I wonder when they’re getting back. I miss them. They’re such wonderful old people and Kenny loves playing with them.” She shifted the child on her lap and fed him another bit of pudding.

            Gaia shook her head. “They’re on vacation. You know that they’re usually gone for months at a time. The only thing that’ll bring them back in a hurry is a big event!” Cory giggled at her mother’s side.

            “Yeah! A big party!” she said.

            Rowdy II nodded. “Like a wedding.”

            Cory let out a happy squeal. Clearly, the thought of any kind of event was enough to get the shy girl talking. “Mama, are we really going to have a wedding? Is Miss Lina going to marry Uncle Gourry for real?”

            Silence descended and Lina swallowed what she had in her mouth. The conversation had actually been somewhat tolerable, despite all their references to her and Gourry’s situation, but after that last bomb from Gourry’s father, not to mention Cory’s excited statement, she didn’t think she had it in her to take another bite. She put down her fork and knife and took a long drink. What was she supposed to say to that?

            After another moment more, Gaia responded to her daughter’s query. She patted Cory’s head. “So your Grandpa Rowdy 2 hopes.”

            Kenny just got wind of what was being discussed. He clapped his hands. “Pawty! Pawty!”

            Lina got up from her chair, her face flaming. How could she have thought for one second that she could relax her guard? Even while eating they would sneak up on her like that! What was she talking about?! The entire conversation held at the table had been subtly about her and getting her into this wacky family by marrying Gourry! That is all these people cared about! Even Gaia, Huey and Selina had been reformed into their kind of thinking! “Um…” Her red eyes avoided the others at the table with her. She had to come up with an excuse to leave quickly. She said the first thing her mind came up with. “I think I’ll go find Gourry and see what he’s doing.” The words popped out of her mouth before she could stop them. That was her standard excuse for getting out of a problem. Unfortunately, in this case, it was only going to make her dig a deeper hole for herself. They were so going to get the wrong idea from that. The beaming smiles on the Gabrievs confirmed it.

            Lina hurried past the group, turning her head away from them, but they didn’t seem to care. They all waved at her. Rowdy II grinned. “Have a nice day, Lina dear.”

            Once out the door Lina practically Ray Winged down the hallway. Lina dear? Oh, no… She was already become a part of this madcap family. If she and Gourry even stayed here a week or so, they would probably be married for real! She hurried down the halls, desperate to find any area where she would be safe from the loonies that made up Gourry’s large family.

            Within moments, Lina was hopelessly lost in the giant mansion. She slowed down, trying to orient herself better, but still couldn’t figure out where she was. She stopped as she came across a large set of double doors. She didn’t know what room it was, but she figured, if she knew she would be able to find out where she was and where she could hide from there. She wished she had paid attention the night before when the Gabrievs were giving her the tour.

            Lina opened the doors slowly, hoping not to cause any noise, in case one of the family members were in there. Her eyes widened as she got a good look at the room. Oh! It was the library! Even last night, Lina had been amazed at how huge the room was and how every part of the tall walls were covered in books. She had made a note to come back there later. How lucky…!

            “Miss Lina?”

            Lina stiffened at the sound of her name. She turned around, wondering what Gabriev she ran into. She blinked at the smile on Mary Uriev’s face.

            “Trying to get away from the rest of my family? Or looking for Gourry?” Mary said. “Or perhaps both?”

            Lina gave the woman a sheepish smile. Was she really that obvious? She sighed and her shoulders slumped. There was just no escaping these people was there? She felt a soft hand on her shoulder and Lina looked up. Brilliant blue eyes smiled down at her. Gourry’s blue eyes.

            “It’s all right. I’m the eldest single woman in the household. I know exactly how you feel…I’m just lucky enough not to have the object of my desires with me at the moment,” Mary said with a chuckle.

            Lina’s brow scrunched together as Mary moved away and sat down on one of the large couches. What was that supposed to mean? Lina thought. Mary picked up the book she had left face down on the cherry wood coffee table in front of the couch and marked her page. She then turned back to Lina. “I want to apologize for them. We really are quite family oriented. Seems to be a result to a…” Mary paused, looked up for a moment and then returned her gaze to Lina. “Twist in fate.”

            Lina approached Mary, half wanting to know what the woman meant and half afraid to find out. “What do you mean?” Lina asked.

            She gave Lina a brilliant smile. “Well, I guess we’re so focused on family because we almost didn’t have one.”

            Lina stiffened. She couldn’t be talking about…

            “Miss Lina, I want to tell you a bit about our family history. Perhaps, it’ll help you to understand us…and Gourry more.” Mary leaned back, her vibrant eyes on the book in her lap. She caressed the soft cover. “Back two generations, when Grandpa Rowdy I was still a child… Well, we almost didn’t exist. Our Grandmother, Meleruna, almost died… Actually, according to Grandpa’s old stories, she did die. Uncle Rowdy II was never born, neither was my mother and aunt, and therefore, neither were we. Her village of Elves was wiped out by a Mazoku and Grandpa, still a child at the time, alone in the world except for the Sword of Light and Grandma Meleruna, couldn’t save them. He grew up and became a sorcerer so he could find a way to go back in time and fix the past.” Mary smiled to herself. “It really is a lovely story. Grandpa says he found a special young sorceress whose power was truly great. He asked her help in order to stop Joyrock and save the Elves. Amazingly, the fourteen-year-old girl did it, and managed to change the past. Grandpa only remembers because he cast a spell on himself so he would. Unfortunately, there were side affects. He couldn’t remember the girl’s name. He knew who she was, but could never say her name aloud. He can’t even describe her, but he knows her. Then again, it could just be that he’s getting forgetful in his old age.” Mary lifted one of her shoulders in a light shrug. “She has always been a hero to this family. It’s because of her we even exist.” Mary gave Lina a small smile. “Maybe now you can understand a bit why we’re so focused on family, Miss Lina.”

            Lina had flopped down on the loveseat across from Mary, her head swimming. Not only was it because of her that Gourry was even alive, but helping Rowdy had caused his family to become these pushy people… She shook herself mentally. Actually, it wasn’t helping him that caused this. It was the fact that he told them about what happened four years ago that caused this. Lina couldn’t meet Mary’s eyes. The woman was a sorceress herself. She wondered if she could see the truth.

            “Miss Lina… How long have you been traveling with Cousin Gourry?”

            Lina was brought out her thoughts abruptly. She looked at Mary’s gentle smile and felt her face burn. She turned her face away and focused her attention at the steaming cup of tea on the coffee table. “About three years. Why?”

            “That’s a pretty long time. …What do you feel about my cousin? Anything at all? Friendship? Kinship? …Love?” Mary queried softly.

            Lina shook her head, her face still red. All right. She had had enough. She looked up and met Mary’s gaze. “I don’t see how it’s any of you guys’ business. That’s between me and Gourry. Not all of you.”

            Mary blinked and then burst into soft peals of laughter. Lina’s shoulders dropped a bit as she stared at Mary narrowly.

            “Well said, Miss Lina!” Lina blinked in surprise. Mary chuckled. “Very well said. You’re right! It isn’t any of our business what your relationship is with Gourry. But we’re family and we want to look out for him, make sure he’s happy. Now, we want to look out for you, because you are with him.” Mary stood up, walked over to Lina and sat down beside her. She put her long fingered hands over Lina’s. “At least I am sure about one thing, Miss Lina Inverse.”

            Lina could feel her cheeks blazing. She looked up at Mary. “Yeah?”

            Mary patted Lina’s red-gold tresses with her other hand. “Gourry cares very much about you.” She smiled at Lina. “He will always be with you and no matter what happens, I am sure, he will always love you.”

            Lina’s head felt like it was about to explode from the sudden heat the rushed into it. “W-WHAT?!” Mary chuckled. Lina pulled her hands away from Mary and glared at her. “What’s that supposed to mean?! H-How would you know or anyone else in this crazy place know?!”

            Mary shook her head. “We can see it in the way Gourry looks at you. It’s quite obvious. That’s probably why everyone is so insistent about both of you being together.”

            “That doesn’t answer the question! How would you people know?! You haven’t seen Gourry in years!!” Lina shouted at Mary, her embarrassment making her yell. She was also trying to get back some of her civility before Mary found out what a rude girl she really was. For some ungodly reason, Lina didn’t want any of the Gabrievs to think badly of her…

            “We may not have seen Cousin Gourry in years, but we can still tell he loves you. We just have to see the look in his eyes when he looks at you. And I’ve seen the look in yours too, Miss Lina. You two just haven’t gotten around to admitting it yet.”

            Not out loud!! Lina shook off the loud thought in her head. Her face was still flaming at what Mary had just said. “I…I…”

            Mary patted Lina’s hand and then released her. She reached for her book. “Go look for him, Lina. I’m sure he’s missing you.”

            Lina didn’t even think about it. She flew out of the room, desperate to outrun what Mary Uriev had just said. Gourry in love with her? Was she crazy? Gourry is a ditz! He wouldn’t know what love was if it crashed into his head! Lina didn’t stop her mad rush down the halls. Mary was very scary. She seemed to read too much! Lina wondered frantically if Mary knew who she really was. Lina shook her head and slowed down. Now, get a hold of yourself, Lina Inverse! There is no WAY Mary Uriev knows who you really are to this family… But telling her that story… A chill went down Lina’s spine. No way! Get a grip, Lina Inverse! You’re letting your imagination run away with you! And what was all that about Gourry’s feelings…? Lina shook her head. She REFUSED to think about it.

            Lina stopped and shook her head again. Yeah, right. Like she could think of anything else. Ever since she walked into this household that was all that was on her mind, despite her efforts to the contrary.

            “Miss Lina!”

            Lina stiffened as she heard her name echoed three times. She turned slightly and barely saved herself from being toppled by three 10-year-old bodies. The triplets. Lori, Tommy and Riley immediately started to jabber at her at the same time, making whatever it was they were saying practically unintelligible. She looked up and then scowled at the grins on Fanny Loubrev-Nels Laada and Gabriel Nels Laada. She still hadn’t really gotten over the shock of finding out Sylphiel had an older half-brother…and that he had married one of the Gabrievs. He looked just like her too. His blue-black hair was long (really long—hip length) and straight and held back in a low ponytail. And his eyes were a vibrant green. Lina looked down at the kids still talking to her all at once. She had wondered why Lori looked so eerily familiar.

            “Hello, Miss Lina,” Gabe said with a smile. He was a quiet man too, just like Sylphiel. He was a scholar and had spent most of his time abroad. Danny Uriev was his best friend. “I’m really sorry about them, but they do like you a lot.”

            Lina lifted an eyebrow at him and then shook her head. “Where are you and your brood headed?” she asked.

            Fanny grinned. “We’re going to watch the sparring.”

            The three kids let out a collective “YAY!!” released Lina and ran ahead, pushing each other and laughing. Lina shook her head as she watched them go, but before she could escape, Fanny had her arm around Lina’s shoulders and was making her walk between her and her husband. And they were following her children. Lina sighed. There really was no way to escape them was there?

            “Were you looking for Gourry, Miss Lina?” Gabe asked, still keeping an eye on his kids ahead of them.

            Lina opened her mouth to deny it when Fanny intervened. “Of course you were! He wasn’t with you for breakfast was he? He got up extra early today so he could reminisce. It’s been a few years since he was home.” Lina looked up at the blue haired, gray-eyed woman. Fanny patted Lina’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, we’ll take you right to him. He’s in the courtyard now with everyone else.”

            Lina blinked. “But didn’t you say that you guys were going to go see some sparring?” she asked.

            Gabe nodded. “That’s what we’re talking about, Miss Lina. It is really great exercise after a good hearty meal. Besides, Gourry hasn’t been home in years. Everyone wants to see how much he’s improved out there.” Gabe grinned. “Even I do. When my little sister wrote and said she had seen him recently, Fanny and the rest of the family were hoping for some kind of word from him. It was really disappointing when Gourry didn’t write a thing until he wrote the note about the Sword of Light.” He shook his head and looked down at Lina. “Gourry really worried the heck out of Avery and Rowdy II.”

            Lina turned away. Gourry was the one sparring? She wondered how he would fare against the rest of his family. He was a great swordsman. Was it hereditary or talent? She thought of Gourry and was reminded of what Mary had said earlier. She shook her head and decided it was time to stop thinking about Gourry. She turned back to Gabe. “How is Sylphiel? Why didn’t she or Gourry ever mention you?” Lina asked.

            Gabe smiled. “Sylphiel is doing fine now. She’s working as a cleric in Sairaag last I heard. She’s been helping those who survived a lot recently. Well, I’m not surprised Gourry didn’t mention me, from what I can remember of one of Sylphiel’s letters, he barely remembered her. He only remembered the good food she cooked.” He sighed. “So like Gourry…” Gabe shrugged nonchalantly. “As for Sylphiel, was there ever really a chance that you and her could sit down and just talk in general? We have the same father but different mothers. My mom died when I was a child, and I was at least 10 when Father married Sylphiel’s mother. By the time I was fifteen I was already on my own, so…” He smiled and his green eyes sparkled happily. “Sylphiel and I just started getting closer actually these last couple of years. It’s great getting to know my sister.”

            Lina tilted her head to the side as she looked up at him. She wondered… “Did Sylphiel ever mention me in her letters?”

            Gabe nodded. “Yeah, quite often actually.”

            Lina blinked. “An you never mentioned it to anyone else in the crazy family?!” she asked incredulously. Fanny giggled.

            He shrugged. “It wasn’t anyone’s business but me and my sister’s. The only person I told was Fanny.”

            Lina whirled on the tall woman. “You didn’t tell them about me?!”

            Fanny shook her head. “Sylphiel talked about you, saying you and Gourry were traveling together. But we really couldn’t judge Gourry’s relationship with you just from that. So I wasn’t going to get everyone in an uproar about it. If Gourry wanted to tell us about his situation with you, he would write.” A sweat drop formed on Fanny’s brow. “Maybe…”

            “Daddy, Momma we’re here! We’re here!” Lori, Tommy and Riley shouted.

            Lina looked up and saw they were by a wide set of stairs and a balcony that was open and looking out into the sunny day. The curtains shifted slightly in the breeze.

            Gabe walked forward grinning. “I’m coming, I’m coming. Let’s see how your Uncle Gourry is doing, right?”

            “YEAH!!”

            Lina watched until Gabe and the children were out of sight. She turned to Fanny who was still had her arm around Lina. She guided Lina to the balcony in silence. Once they were outside, Fanny released Lina. Lina felt the cool breeze on her face and smiled. This felt nice…

            “You are lovely when you smile, Miss Lina.”

            Lina opened her eyes and saw Fanny leaning against the railing of the balcony. Her short, wavy blue hair moved into her face with the wind, and Fanny brushed the hair out of her face. Her piercing gray eyes seemed to look right through Lina. The redheaded sorceress shifted positions, uncomfortable under that stare.

            “What?” Lina said irritably. “Why do you say that?”

            Fanny smiled. “Because it’s true. You have this wary expression all the time. I just wanted to let you know you’re quite lovely when you’re relaxed and you smile genuinely. I wonder if Gourry gets to see that smile often…”

            Lina turned pink-cheeked and then moved toward the balcony, away from Fanny, and looked out over the courtyard. The breeze cooled her face. She heard shouting and the clashing of swords. Her red eyes drifted down to where the sounds came from. Lina barely stifled a gasp.

            The Gabriev family was gathered around the fight between Gourry and his father, his brother Barry and his cousin Danny. Huey was off to the side with Carrie, Kelly and Billy watching. Kelly and Billy were clapping happily. Beside him was Gaia, who was holding Danny’s glasses, with Kenny. She was rooting for Danny. Passing around drinks was Selina with little Cory tagging along beside her. Avery was sitting drinking tea. Gallery and Flowery were cheering for Gourry with every clash of the sword. Gabe and the triplets and just shown up and while Gabe immediately looked for an extra sword, the triplets raided Selina with the drinks. Lori grabbed Cory by the hand and pulled her away for them to play. Tommy and Riley grabbed their drinks and began to mimic the older men with their straws.

            But Lina didn’t really see anything that was happening with the rest of the Gabriev family. Her eyes were only on Gourry…and she couldn’t seem to help it. Gourry wasn’t wearing a shirt let alone any armor. His chest and arms were slicked with sweat as he fought off his father, brother, cousin and cousin-in-law (for Gabe had joined the fray) all at once. His hair flew about him, swaying in tune with the fluid movements of his body. His muscles flexed beneath his skin with every thrust, parry and evade he performed. Lina felt her face grow warm and wondered if she was watching a spar or some from of weird dance. And for some unfathomable reason her mouth went dry.

            “My husband cuts a dashing figure, doesn’t he?”

            Lina only heard mumbling that sounded vaguely familiar. All of her attention was focused on Gourry. He did a feint thrust and then came around with his sword in another direction. Lina swallowed. Gourry was…really good… Why hadn’t she ever noticed?

            “Don’t forget to breathe, Miss Lina. I’m sure Gourry would be none too happy if you expired here because he took your breath away.” A chuckle. “I don’t think he would understand either.”

            That caught Lina’s attention. She took a deep breath. She had forgotten to breathe… She tore her eyes away from Gourry and faced Fanny with a red face and a rapidly beating heart. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

            Fanny chuckled again. “It’s very obvious in your expression, Miss Lina. You’re in love with Gourry just as he is with you. I do hope you both get married soon. Aunt Avery wants me to help her look for a decent husband for Gallery, but Gallery already said she wasn’t going to even be cooperative until Gourry is settled. Would you and Gourry just get around to admitting it already? It would save us all a great deal of trouble and time.”

            Lina felt like her head was about to explode. “Trouble and time?! What are you talking about! I didn’t ask for you people to be hounding me about this! This is Gourry and my business! Not any of you people’s!”

            Fanny shook her head. “Wrong, Miss Lina. The moment you walked through the front doors with Gourry, it became our business. We want to see Gourry happy—”

            “He IS happy!!”

            “Do you really think so?”

            Lina froze. What…? What did she just say…? Lina felt her eyes drift to Gourry and she couldn’t do a thing to stop them. He had stopped sparring and was laughing as Barry and Danny poured water over his head. He seems happy now… Is he happy because he’s with his family again? …But what about…me?

            “Miss Lina, I’m sorry if we seem pushy—”

            Lina whirled back on the woman who had confused her. “You are.”

            “But we all want what’s best for Gourry.” Fanny smiled brilliantly at Lina. “And you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to him.”

            Lina blinked. This woman was talking in circles! Lina suddenly felt the compulsion to send Fanny flying, but she crushed it. She didn’t want the entire Gabriev clan to see her doing that.

            “Gourry loves you, Miss Lina. If you don’t do something about it, we will.”

            Lina’s eyes narrowed. “Was that a…threat?”

            Fanny grinned and shrugged. She looked over her shoulder, down at the people below and waved. Lina blinked and turned to see whom Fanny was waving at below. Her face flamed red as Gourry waved up at her enthusiastically. He was drenched and looking… Lina gave him a light wave and then ran back into the mansion, trying to escape the image of Gourry in her head and the feelings that had suddenly welled up inside her.

            What was happening?