"Are they... really?" he asked increduously.
Syphiel elicited a quiet laugh. It almost sounded bitter.
Almost.
"It isn't such a hard thing to believe, is it Zelgadiss-san?"
The chimera looked back hard at her. "No..." he began stiffly, "....But I always thought that you felt something... for -- "
"Gourry?" she filled in softly. She stared down at the table they at. The inns in Zephilia were commonly quiet, and this was no exception though she suddenly wished that they were. Some noise to block off her thoughts would be nice... She swallowed the lump in her throat.
Zelgadiss felt nervous - he never understood over-emotional females. What would he do if she started crying? hell. He knew what he'd LIKE to do. But...
Syphiel's words broke into his thoughts. "Are you still searching for your cure, Zelgadiss-san?"
Zelgadiss sighed inwardly in relief. "Well... I suppose you could say that."
"In Zephilia?" She smiled. "I'd never thought I'd run into you here."
"Neither did I. I thought though... if I returned, I'd find someone I know. Or someone who could give me a lead."
Syphiel smiled and cocked an eyebrow. "Disappointed, then?"
"N-no! Why should I be?"
Syphiel leaned closer and whispered, "Lina is from Zephilia, isn't she?"
Zel blushed without knowing it. "Yes, but that doesn't mean that I came for her. I came here only by... instinct."
"Really..."
"Well Syphiel," Zel said, still slightly pink, "it's been nice to see you again, but I really must be going."
Placing on the table enough coins to pay for them both, the chimera stood up and replaced his mask. "I hope we might meet again in the future."
Syphiel watched him as he turned to leave. She couldn't just let him leave like that. Yes, she had liked, even Loved Gourry, but...
"Zel! I mean... Zelgadiss-san!! Wait!!"
He was already out the door. She ran out after him, and stopped short as she saw him turn back round to face her.
"What?" he asked her.
Syphiel shook her head. "Zelgadiss-san..." she muttered under breath. "What are you doing...?"
"... pardon?"
She slowly, silently raised one hand to stoke his face. Zel felt his facial muscles tense and stiffen, but he didn't make any move to cease her touches. Then before he could stop her, she ripped off his mask and tore it in half. The beige cloths fluttered to the ground.
"Syphiel!! What the HELL are you -- "
Silenced by one of those damned kisses...