As they crested the last in a series of hills a small village came in sight. They hopped off the hay wagon and crouched in the underbrush until it was well past, then they walked along the side of the road.
Lina looked pleadingly at Zel.
"No, I don't think we should." Zel shook his head.
"But Zel..."
"Lina, you're barely used to this form, I don't think..."
"But Zel, I need a bath, and I want a decent meal and a real bed for once!" She snuggled against his arm, "Please Zel?"
He knew perfectly well he was being connived, but he didn't really mind. Reluctantly he gave in.
"Alright, we'll stay at an inn tonight." he agreed.
"Yay! Goodie! We're staying at an inn!" Lina crowed, making Zel laugh again.
They walked down the hill and into town as the sun was setting. It was a small village, but it looked fairly prosperous. People were still bustling about the streets, and the markets were just closing for the day. As soon as they saw the Chimerae, however, a wide berth was cleared around them, and mumbling began. The people, of course, thought they were talking softly enough that their words wouldn't be heard by the strangers, but Lina and Zel were perfectly aware of what was being said.
The most common comment was "What ARE those?" followed closely by (to their children) "Keep away from them, they might be dangerous!" Lina was furious. Zelgadis could feel the wave of anger, and he could feel the deep hurt underneath.
"Lina, just ignore them," he muttered under his breath as he put an arm around her shoulders, both to restrain her and to comfort her, "they're just ignorant fools. Come on, let's find that inn."
Lina's eyes were still blazing, but she acquiesced and walked along with him to the inn they could see down the street a way. When they got there, Zel stared down the innkeeper.
"We want a room," he said, "and access to the baths."
The innkeeper just nodded. "Rooms are one silver a night, and the public bathhouse is across from the stables. We have a private bathhouse for guests, at an additional cost of three coppers per half-hour."
"Fine. We'll take a back room if you have one, and the private bath for one hour." Zel said firmly. He had long ago learned that the best way to prevent people from refusing to deal with him was to simply act as though he expected to be served, and wouldn't take 'no" for an answer. People were too nervous about what he might do to them if they refused to even consider it.
The innkeeper led them to a room near the back of the inn, then told them how to get to the bathing room and took their money before scurrying off.
The room was small, but the bed was comfortable, and that was all Lina cared about. She flopped onto it with a sigh of relief.
"Ah! A bed again! I don't think I'm gonna move an inch!" she exclaimed.
"What about the bath and food?" Zel asked laughingly.
"Aww, they can wait...C'mon over here and try this bed out...it's really comfy!" she tempted him, patting the space beside her.
He shook his head ironically and sat down on the edge of it. "Yes, you're right, it's quite comfortable." he agreed.
Lina snorted. "You can't tell like that." she said derisively. Reaching around his chest from behind, she pulled him down onto the bed beside her.
"Lina! Careful! You'll break this oh-so-comfortable bed, and then what will we do?"
"Oh, I'll be careful, I promise." Lina said as she rolled over to be in a better position to kiss Zel.
The bed did creak a bit, but it was sturdily built, and didn't show any signs of falling apart any time soon, even with the weight of too heavier-than-human people on it.
The emotions Zel could feel from Lina were actually making him blush as she began to kiss him more fervently. He nibbled lightly on her lower lip, then kissed his way down to her neck. So intent was he on kissing her he didn't register the small, insistent hands about his waist until Lina had undone his swordbelt and was slipping her hands up under his tunic. He nuzzled at her neck encouragingly and breathed in her intoxicating scent. Lina moaned with pleasure as Zel covered the pebbles sprinkled along the lines of her collarbones with quick, fleeting kisses, and she swiftly rolled him over and started kissing his stomach to return the favour. Slowly she kissed her way up his chest, pushing the tunic out of the way as she went, then suddenly her emotions changed. She laid her head down on his bare chest and began to sob.
Zel wrapped his arms comfortingly around her and tried to sooth her. "What is it, Love? Why are you crying?" he asked
"Why do they have to be so hurtful? Why can't they just accept that some people are different?"
Zelgadis cursed silently. He'd known this would happen, he had KNOWN it! He sighed. "Lina, most of these people have no special talent to speak of and aren't very rich. Most probably they have never and will never travel more than one day's journey away from this village in their whole lives.
Anything different is a threat to their insular way of life." Lina let out a shaky sigh. "I suppose I should be used to being feared by now, but somehow it's different when you're being called a thing."
"I know," Zelgadis said consolingly, "I know."
Just then a knock came at the door. "Excuse me," a timid female voice called through the door, "the private bath is ready for you now."
"Thank you." Zel called back. He sat up, cradling Lina's body to his, and then hugged her. "C'mon," he said gently, "Let's go check out that bath you were so intent on."
Lina scrubbed away her tears with a shaky smile. "That sounds good." she agreed.
The two got up and straightened out their clothes, then walked arm in arm down the hall to the private bath.
"I'll let you go first." Zel offered chivalrously.
"I'd rather not be alone." Lina admitted, "Unless that makes you uncomfortable."
"Only I the best possible way." Zel smiled.
Lina giggled at that, and Zel could tell her mood was improving once more. She snuggled up a little closer to him as they walked along, and laid her head on his shoulder. He put his arm around her waist, and Lina realized, as she analyzed the feelings she could sense from him, that he actually felt contented.