They's gotten a pair of rooms an on inn, conveniently connected by a small common room. In a rare fit of feminity, Lina bathed and dressed up in a new pair of red trousers, and a fancy white top. Preening complete, she went into the common room to discover that Amelia had gone shopping, Gourry had gone to sleep, and Zelgadis was ensconced in a chair, nose deep in a book.
"AHEM!" Lina coughed indignantly. She wanted some attention, and she wanted it now.
Slowly, Zelgadis looked up. He took in her changed appearance with a blank expression. One eyebrow flicked up momentarily, but as he returned his gaze to the book, he merely said, "Going to the festival, I take it."
Piqued, Lina walked up and snatched the book away. "Is that IT?" she demanded. "Don't I look nice? Aren't you going to compliment me?"
Still expressionless, Zelgadis's clear gaze met her eyes. Silence stretched between them as Lina became more irritated. Finally, when she was about to burst, Zelgadis said, "You look fine," and grabbed his book back.
Completely ticked off now, Lina decided that she'd get him back a different way. She tossed her hair and turned, walking off, not letting him know he got to her. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Damn him for being so, so, COLD, she thought as she left the inn. The music and laughter of the partying townspeople drew her through the streets.
But, why is it suddenly so important to me that I get Zel's attention, she wondered. I've been doing it for weeks now, provoking him, demanding he look at me, putting myself into his line of sight. Could I....could I really care what he thinks of me? Lina always knew that she respected the chimera. His cool facade made him more appealing and mysterious than he knew, but what had really charmed Lina had been his outrage over the price of that statue the first time they met. Giggling to herself, she remembered how his composture had broken. She did love cracking that mask of his. One of these days she'd get to the man underneath.
She reached the main square just as a new group of musicians took the stage amid cheers. A man and a woman stepped up to sing.
As soon as Lina left, Zelgadis sighed and dropped his book. How am I going to keep this up, he thought. For weeks now, it's been torture. Zel felt completely unnerved. For some unknown reason, his thoughts had been filled with nothing but Lina for months now. They'd even pushed aside most of his thoughts of a cure. He was becoming obsessed with Lina Inverse.
Becoming? Admit it, he told himself, you've been thinking about her from the moment you met her. Even in those times when he wasn't travelling with Lina, he thought about her. And now he kept strict control of himself, lest his unreasonable interest in her betray him.
Seized with a sudden impulse, Zelgadis leapt up and hurried out of the inn. I'll follow her, he decided. I'll watch her and try to figure out why I can't think straight. He left the inn and headed for the main square of the town, keeping himself hooded and out of the main surge of people. He reached the square and spotted Lina, standing amongst the crowd in front of a performance stage where a group of musicians had just begun playing.
Looking at Lina, Zelgadis helplessly thought, Gods she's beautiful, just as the female singer onstage began her song.
Woman:
I wish to see your lips
Parting like the waves
Of silence and mystery.
I've got a curious love -- for you!
Ever since we met I'm so impressed with you.
Ever since we met
I've been so impressed!
Lina gasped at the first verse. Here was this woman singing Lina's exact thoughts about Zel! Amazing. The catchy tune soon had Lina bouncing. Around her, cheerful townspeople danced with abandon, encouraging Lina to let go and party. Suddenly elated, Lina complied.
Zelgadis's jaw dropped as he watched Lina begin to dance. Whoever said Lina's figure was inadequate had obviously never seen her dance. He felt his insides tighten every time Lina's hands came in contact with someone else's. And there were many -- the people were dancing and laughing with utter freedom and with anyone around. Zel caught himself grinding his teeth as Lina grinned at some guy. Suddenly, he knew his problem. He'd fallen for the lovely and dangerous wildfire known as Lina Inverse.
I'm havin' a vision (I can't wait)
I'm havin' a vision (I can't wait)
I can't wait forever (I can't wait, I can't wait)
I'm havin a vision of a kiss from your sweet lips! (But I can wait 'till the twelfth of never)
Don't shatter the vision
Don't shatter the vision
The burning vision of a kiss from your sweet lips!
Lina laughed harder through the chorus of the remarkable song, but it was bittersweet. This was exactly how she felt. As the second verse began, she paid even more attention to the words. As the male singer took center stage, Lina wondered if she might learn something.
Man:
Been lonely for so long,
My life jumped the tracks.
Broken clock on the wall says I should head back.
But the vision holds me,
The vision holds me,
Lost in a vision of a kiss from your sweet lips.
The words of the male singer filtered into Zelgadis's brain. Subconsciously, he realized that the man sang Zelgadis's own thoughts. He realized that was how he felt about Lina. She made him rethink his whole life, his whole focus. The past pain seemed to lessen in her presence.
Lina wondered if the male singer had been reading Zelgadis's mail or something. Zel sure seemed lonely....but was his motivation for staying? Perhaps Lina herself?
Every time you speak,
A pearl falls in my cup.
You turn away, the pearl melts before I drink it up.
No -- don't shatter the vision,
Don't shatter the vision,
Lost in a vision of a kiss from your sweet lips.
Everything is clear now, Zelgadis thought, watching Lina and listening intently to the song. He found himself tolerating more and more nonsense with this group, and why? Because of Lina. He watched as her long flame-colored hair waved around her head as she danced. Zel knew he'd become addicted to the presense of Lina Inverse, and he was stuck. He'd never go off on his own again.
I'm havin' a vision (I can't wait)
I'm havin' a vision (I can't wait)
I can't wait forever (I can't wait, I can't wait)
I'm havin a vision of a kiss from your sweet lips! (But I can wait 'till the twelfth of never)
Don't shatter the vision
Don't shatter the vision
The burning vision of a kiss from your sweet lips!
Lina spotted a blur of beige while spinning. Could it be? Another glance confirmed it -- Zelgadis stood on the edge of the crowd, watching her. Surprised by this turn of events, she thought to flee, but then decided, what the hell, I'll give him a show. Flinging her arms out as if to embrace the noise, she danced even wilder. The familliar devil-may-care felling she got in battle rose up in her. This became a battle to her, a battle to win Zelgadis's heart.
Strong wind is blowin' me down
To the center of town.
Come on, seize the wildness of the moment,
Feel the movement of the moon,
Swans fly with wings wide open to the sky.
Like a wild wave of birds goin' by,
I know our souls will fly!
That's me, she thought, checking on Zelgadis out of the corner of her eye. I'm the firestorm, and he's the wide ocean. Imaging what they could accomplish if they were truly together, her smile widened into a grin, one that practically shouted her hopes and plans. She spun, stretching her arms high over her head and arching her back. Lina's hair became a curtain of fire, the wings of a phoenix, and several men nearby grinned appreciatively. Despite her diminutive stature, Lina radiated life and joy and delight. I've been wanting his attention because I've been wanting HIM, she told herself.
On the sidelines, Zelgadis saw several male dancers honing in on Lina, and without realizing it, his teeth ground even more in jealousy.
Things are out of focus,
My face is wet with sweat.
Though I've only seen you once,
Just see how shaky I get.
Would you even notice?
Would you even care?
If you knew that every day I'm sitting there?
Zelgadis discovered that he was indeed shaking. This singer knew his thoughts, his feelings, somehow. But how could he let Lina know without getting Fireballed? She certainly didn't seem to mind the men dancing with her. What would he do if Zelgadis joined her, or worse, went in there and dragged her away from those smiling men? Probably Dragon Slave him for seeing her like this. Yet every move she made burned into his mind, his soul. Gods, he wanted to be with her so badly it hurt.
I'm havin' a vision (I can't wait)
I'm havin' a vision (I can't wait forever)
I can't wait forever (I can't wait, I can't wait)
I'm havin' a vision of a kiss from your sweet lips (But I can wait 'til the twelfth of never)
Don't shatter the vision
Don't shatter the vision
The burning vision of a kiss from your sweet lips
As Lina sang along with the chorus again, she took a chance. Turning, she looked directly at Zelgadis, and sang as if to him.
Gods, Zelgadis thought, frozen, she sees me.
His expression was one of longing, and fear, and jealousy. No mask, Lina thought. I can see him and what he really feels. And he DOES want me! Overjoyed, she began to make her way through the crowd to him.
I (I can't wait)
I can't wait (I can't wait)
Wait forever (I can't wait)
Don't ya know I (I can't wait)
I can wait (I can't wait)
'Til the twelfth of never (I can't wait)
She's coming over, Zelgadis thought wildly. I'm so dead. But her face shone with happiness. Could I be this lucky?
Lina's eyes locked on to Zelgadis's. He thinks I'm going to beat him up. She didn't let him look away or flee. Finally, once she was right in front of him, she paused. She let the power of the music fill her and took courage from it.
"Lina.." he said, and his voice was anything but it's usual calm coolness. "I..."
Lina just shook her head. He didn't need to speak, she could read it on his face for once. Reaching up, balancing on her toes, she wrapped her arms around him, and put her lips to his. His arms clamped around her, and he pulled her close in a kiss more passionate than anything she could have imagined as nearby people whistled and cheered.
Vision of a kiss
A vision
A vision
A vision
Vision of a kiss
I'm havin' a vision (I can't wait)
I'm havin' a vision (I can't wait forever, I can't wait, I can't wait)
I'm havin' a vision of a kiss from your sweet lips (But I)
Don't shatter the vision (Can wait)
Don't shatter the vision ('Til the twelfth of never)
A burning vision of a kiss from your sweet lips
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