“Sing a Love Song for Me”

“There must be a vacant inn somewhere in this town!” Lina moaned as she dragged Gourry through the snow-filled streets of Sasaka. They had been planning to bypass the little town when it had begun snowing fiercely. Strangely, despite the fact that Sasaka was a small town, all the inns they had tried so far were full. Lina and Gourry had yet to find one with two empty rooms.

“What about that one?” Gourry pointed to a rather small inn sitting in shadow of the town’s outer wall. It was noticeably smaller than the rest of the inns they had tried, but it was brightly lit and painted in midnight blue.

“There’s probably even less room in there,” Lina grumbled. “But we may as well check. Come on.” She and her companion ran towards the inn. As the two got closer, they could hear the sound of voices from inside, and the air was filled with the pleasant smell of chicken. That was all it took to get Lina and Gourry to enter.

They opened the door and found themselves staring into a small, cozy tavern obviously there for the pleasure of the guests. There was a flight of stairs on either side of the room, presumably leading up to the guest rooms. A cheery little man sat behind the bar, wiping it off and handing drinks to passers by. People sat in groups at the tables, their eyes on a raised platform against the far wall. A man stood there, singing.

“Um....excuse me?” Lina walked up to the man behind the bar. “We need rooms for the night...?”

“Oh, of course!” The bartender smiled. “As a matter of fact, we have two free rooms left.” He named a fairly reasonable price, which Lina paid eagerly, knowing that for once she was in no position to haggle. The bartender handed her two keys. “Here you go. Rooms 212 and 213, second floor. And here. Have a drink on the house.” He gave them each an odd fruity-looking drink. “Have a seat if you’re hungry. One of the waitresses will be with you eventually....if they can stop drooling over the entertainment.” He gestured vaguely towards the stage. The man singing was covered from head to toe in a deep blue cloak, with a mask over his face. Lina was reminded strongly of Zelgadis.

“Who is he?” she asked.

“Calls himself Graywords,” the bartender said off-handedly. “He shows up here every once in a while, offering to sing for money. We get lots of female customers when he shows up, too. He’s staying here for a few days, since there’s going to be a singing competition in the town square over the next four days . That’s why all the inns are full. I think Graywords is hoping to win the prize money.”

“Graywords, eh?” Lina eyed the singer shrewdly. That had to be Zelgadis. She hadn’t known that he could sing. He was playing the guitar, too, something she had only seen him do once before. Lina had to admit that she was curious to hear how he sounded. She sat back and listened.

Zelgadis finished his song and bowed with a flourish, his midnight-colored cape swirling out behind him. The audience clapped wildly, and several of the women, especially the four young waitresses, had heart eyes.

“Encore!” Lina yelled out. On stage, Zelgadis froze.

L-sama.... he thought desperately. Not her. Anyone but her.

“Yes, sing an encore, Graywords-sama!” encouraged one of the waitresses, a girl with dark brown hair that was done up in a pigtail. Zelgadis knew all the waitresses quite well; they never left him alone. Those four were as bad as Amelia. The pigtailed girl was named Yuko. Next to Yuko was Ayami, a petite blond with short hair, and next to her was Hitomi, a curly-haired redhead. The shortest and youngest of the three was called Maaya; she had black hair that stuck out in tufts like cat ears above her head. They wore matching blue French maid outfits with very low necklines. All four were watching him with what could only be described as hero worship. Zelgadis blushed under his mask.

“W-well, I suppose I could...” Zelgadis stuttered nervously. He saw the way Lina was looking at him and had to resist the urge to run up to his room and hide. “What should I sing?”

“Sing Mystic Eyes!” Maaya said eagerly. The other three waitresses chirped their agreement with this proposal.

Zelgadis nodded his affirmative. All four waitresses gave a rousing cheer, and a few of the regular patrons added their support. Trying to banish his embarrassment at singing in front of Lina, Zelgadis took the microphone.

The last chord was played and the crowd quickly showed their appreciation for him. Zelgadis flushed again, and the bartender, Hemnor, strode through the crowd, putting an arm around the chimera’s shoulders.

“Another great show, Graywords,” Hemnor congratulated him.

“I have to pay for my room,” Zelgadis replied with a shrug. “This is the easiest way.”

“It’s a good thing you keep the crowds happy,” Hemnor chuckled. “Or I’d be in big trouble, seeing as my waitresses tend to forget that they actually have jobs when you’re around. I think they’re starting their own fan club.”

Zelgadis glanced nervously at the waitresses, who noticed him looking and heaved a collective dreamy sigh. The chimera sweatdropped.

“You’re the only other person with the key to my room, right?” he asked weakly.

“Don’t you worry,” laughed Hemnor. “I won’t let them come sneaking in.”

“At least there’s that,” Zelgadis murmured. He faked a yawn. “I’m a bit tired. I think I’ll head up to my room.”

“All right,” Hemnor said, moving away. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Mm-hmm.” Zel nodded and swiftly made his way through the crowd. He was already halfway up the stairs when he caught sight of Lina and Gourry following him.

“Blast it!” The chimera sped up.

“Hey, Lina, why are we following that singer guy?” Gourry asked the sorceress as she dragged him up the stairs.

“Because he’s Zelgadis, Jellyfish brain!”

“Really? How do you know?”

Lina just shook her head in disgust. Zel’s room was on the third floor. She got up the stairs just in time to see him slip into his room. Lina strode up to the door and knocked. There was no answer.

“Come on, Zel, I know you’re in there,” Lina stated. “Open the door.”

“Go away,” growled a voice from inside.

“Open the door or I fireball it open,” Lina warned. Immediately, the door opened. Zelgadis dragged Lina and Gourry inside, then slammed the door shut. Once the door was closed, the chimera removed his hood and mask.

“That’s not your usual cloak,” Lina mentioned.

“Hemnor, the innkeeper, gave it to me,” Zelgadis said with a shrug.

“He’s got a thing for the color blue, doesn’t he?”

“Midnight Blue is the name of the inn,” Zelgadis replied. “Since I’m his entertainment he wanted me to match the theme.”

“So....how long have you been singing here?” Lina asked. “I didn’t know you sang.”

“I--” Zelgadis was cut off by a knock at the door. He sighed and rolled his eyes as he pulled his hood and mask back on and went to the door.

As he had expected, the four waitresses were waiting for him.

“We were wondering if you needed anything, Graywords-sama,” Hitomi said, batting her eyelashes.

“Coffee, perhaps?” Ayami questioned, crossing her arms and pressing them against her stomach, raising her chest and showing quite a bit of her breasts.

Inside the room, Lina saw the four and fumed. The waitresses’ outfits were extremely low-cut, showing off their ample chests which were far too ample for Lina’s tastes. She was amazed that Zelgadis managed to keep his composure in the face of all that cleavage.

Actually, Zelgadis was blushing up a storm under his mask. He was thankful that no one could see his face. Lina would have teased him unmercifully, and the waitresses probably would have taken it as a sign that he liked them. That was one of several reasons why he only took off his disguise once he was in his room.

The waitresses were all staring at him expectantly. Zelgadis smiled to himself. Well, he knew how to get rid of them.

“Girls,” he said in a low voice that sent shivers up the waitresses’ spines. “Could you perhaps....get me some coffee? And maybe some fresh bread? You know the way I like it.”

“Right away, Graywords-sama!” Maaya chirped, turning and dashing down the hall. The rest of the waitresses followed, each trying to be the first to the kitchen. Zelgadis chuckled and closed the door.

“Gee, Zel, you’re quite the ladies’ man,” Lina snickered. Her voice went up an octave as she mimicked the waitresses. “’Oh, Graywords-sama, what can I do for you? Shine your shoes? Iron your clothes? Share your bed?’”

“Shut up,” Zelgadis growled, blushing again. He removed the hood and mask once more. “They come up after every show. I’ve discovered that if I send them for coffee and bread it takes them a while to get back. Between the fighting over who makes what and whether or not the food is ‘worthy’ of me, I’m amazed that they even manage to bring me anything at all. But it keeps them out of my hair.”

“And they’ve got better figures than Lina,” Gourry added, obviously rather appreciative of the girls’ outfits. He was immediately rewarded by a pounding from Lina.

Once she was done injuring Gourry, Lina turned back to Zelgadis.

“You never answered my question. How long have you been singing?”

“For a while now,” Zelgadis replied. “There are times when I’m a bit desperate for money. I don’t eat much, but I like coffee and there are times when I’d rather not sleep on the ground. One night it was raining hard, and I didn’t have any money. I thought I might come in here to get shelter for a bit, and noticed that the entertainment was rather....lacking. Since the rain didn’t appear to be letting up, I asked Hemnor if I could pay for a night’s lodging by singing. He said I could, if I was any good. I got up on stage, sang, and he was impressed enough to give me free lodging and food. I stayed a few days to make money, then left to search for my cure some more. I discovered that I could make money at other inns by singing, though I admit, Midnight Blue is probably my favorite. Whenever I’m passing by I usually stop in and stay a while.”

“You’re pretty good,” Lina conceded. “I was impressed.”

Zelgadis gave her a thin smile.

“It helps get me money,” he said with a shrug. “And having money helps me in my search. I can get very reliable information from some people for the right sum.”

“That’s right, the bartender mentioned something about a contest,” Lina said. “He said you were hoping to win the prize money.”

“Yes.” Zelgadis closed his eyes. “I heard a rumor of another possible cure, but the details are vague at best. There’s a man I know, however, who manages to keep up with this sort of thing. For a price, he’ll help me. And even if it turns out to be worthless, at least I won’t have to sleep outside drinking old coffee.”

“They must be offering a lot of money,” Lina said thoughtfully. Zelgadis didn’t notice the gleam in her eyes as he nodded absently. Lina smiled brightly and grabbed Gourry’s hand. “Well, you must be tired. I know we are. Come on, Gourry!” She dragged the swordsman out of the room, leaving a puzzled Zel staring after her.

The next day Zelgadis woke early. Pulling on his midnight blue cloak and covering his face, he descended the stairs for breakfast. From the sound of things, Lina and Gourry were already awake.

“Hey! I was going to eat that!”

“Too bad! Hey! That’s MINE!”

Zelgadis carefully peered into the dining room. Sure enough, there were Lina and Gourry, battling it out over breakfast. The chimera wondered idly why they were up so early. Then a half-asleep Yuko bounded up to him.

“Graywords-sama! Can I get you your morning coffee?” she asked happily.

“That would be nice, thank you,” Zelgadis told her. Yuko smiled triumphantly and dashed off to the kitchen before the other waitresses could show up and get the coffee first. Zelgadis sighed and settled down at Lina’s table.

“You’re up early,” Zelgadis commented.

“Of course we are!” laughed Lina, stuffing some pancakes into her mouth. “That singing competition’s today, isn’t it? I have to be up early if I want to win all that prize money!”

Zelgadis stiffened. Under the table, his hands clenched. Somehow, he managed to keep his voice calm.

“You entered the contest, as well?”

“Yup! Last night.” Lina nodded happily, oblivious of Zel’s sudden tenseness. “Can’t let all that money go to waste!”

“Here’s your coffee, Graywords-sama,” Yuko broke in, handing the cup to Zelgadis and tittering when his fingers touched hers for a moment. The waitress scrambled back towards the kitchen to brag to her friends.

Zelgadis, meanwhile, stared into his cup for a few moments, then stood.

“Where are you going? The contest starts soon,” Lina said.

“I forgot something in my room,” Zelgadis stated, leaving. Lina stared after him a moment, then shrugged.

“What’s his problem?”

Zelgadis stomped upstairs and slammed the door. He then set down his coffee cup and slammed his fists into the pillow, splitting it open.

“Damn her....” he growled through clenched teeth. “There are times I swear I could...” He stopped, not willing to finish the thought. Instead, he took several slow breaths to calm himself down and descended the stairs. He had to be at the town square soon for the contest anyway.

Lina and Gourry were waiting for him by the door.

“Hey, Zel.” Lina sounded strangely subdued. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” Zelgadis said in a cool, emotionless voice. He swept dramatically past her. “Come on. The contest is going to begin soon.”

The three traveled to the square, where a stage and musicians were already set up for the contest. Gourry went to sit in the audience while Lina and Zel went backstage to get their performance times.

“Ha! I’m right before you,” Lina boasted.

“Good for you,” Zelgadis said morosely. As that was his usual tone of voice, Lina didn’t notice anything wrong.

Meanwhile, the announcer walked out on stage and began to explain the rules.

“This a four-day competition,” he said. “Today the singers will sing any song they wish. All tomorrow’s songs will be fast, and all of the songs on the third day must be slow. The fourth day singing is optional, but highly recommended. Now, welcome our first singer...”

Lina yawned, barely paying attention as the competition cycled before her. She didn’t notice that Zelgadis was deliberately looking away from her.

Finally, it was Lina’s turn. She leaped up and dashed on stage.

“Finally!” The red-haired sorceress grabbed the microphone and waved. “Hi everyone! This song is dedicated to the inn where I’m staying!” She nodded to the musicians, who began to play. Lina waited a moment, then started to sing.

Once the song was over, Lina gave a grandiose bow and took a moment to bask in the cheers of the crowd. From behind the curtain, Zelgadis watched her bitterly.

She’s good, he thought darkly. She could win. And she doesn’t even need the money! She knows I do, though. Just like she knew that I needed to see the Clair Bible. And, just like before, she didn’t care....damn her.

The announcer called out Zelgadis and he managed to unclench his fists and walk calmly onto the stage. Lina gave him a thumbs up as she passed him, but he ignored her. She looked at him curiously before retreating behind the curtain.

The crowd burst into cheers as Zel walked onstage, many of them knew him as the occasional singer at the Midnight Blue inn. He could see Hemnor sitting near the back of the audience, and the waitress quartet hovered like a pack of sparrows near the foot of the stage. Zelgadis gave them a grudging smile partially obscured by his mask and started to sing.

Unlike Lina, when Zelgadis finished his song he simply gave a stiff bow and swept offstage, ignoring the cheers and the multitude of dreamy sighs from the four waitresses.

Once he was backstage, he was met by Lina.

“All right, Zel,” she congratulated him. “For someone who doesn’t like crowds, you’re doing a good job singing in front of them. Of course, it’ll take more than confidence to beat me!” She laughed brightly, and Zelgadis felt something inside him snap.

“Leave me alone!” he growled roughly, sweeping past her. Lina blinked after him, confused.

“Zel? Hey, Zel! Zelgadis!”

Zelgadis ignored her. He just walked away.

Lina stared after him, confused.

“Zelgadis?”

Go to Part Two