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The Summons Chapter Four Getting lost and losing track, So that even if I wanted, I can't find my way back. After driving out the memory Of the way things might have been; After I had forgotten all about it-- The song remembers when. Filia didn't even realize she had awoken until she opened her eyes, drifting out of a dreamless sleep. The sunlight slanted in her window at an odd angle, and she rolled over to see the clock. It was a bit after ten, so it was still morning, a time when she normally was asleep. Something else caught her eye, and she picked up the violet orb curiously. A piece of paper slid off the table, and she rolled onto her stomach, reaching down to fetch it, still holding the orb. You said you wished to remember; this will help you, Xellos had written. But once it starts, it will not stop until it is over, and it will disappear once it has been used. Merely see to it that you are comfortable and seated, then concentrate on the orb, and what you see inside. That will bring forth the images. Filia rolled it between her fingers, giving it a cursory study, then her stomach reminded her she had not eaten in quite some time. She carefully returned the note and sphere to the table, and kicked off the blankets. After breakfast, tea, and an inspection of her injuries, Filia decided it was a good time as any. She turned off her phone's ringer to let the machine take the calls, and turned her stereo back on. Classical music was piped softly through the headphones covering her ears, and she stretched out on the sofa, relaxing. "I hope you work like you're supposed to," Filia told the orb, holding it. She thought it was smooth, but now she saw light glinting off facets deep within. Filia looked closer, looking inside, studying the orb... ...and then she saw nothing else besides a rocky desert. There were no voices, but more images came into view. There she was, and Xellos, oh, she had forgotten that his staff held a jewel. Faces began to clarify, and she saw them, the memories coming back. Lina. Gourry. Amelia. Zelgadis. "Namagomi," she whispered, smiling in long-forgotten amusement as she watched herself, so many centuries ago, scream at Xellos and try to get him to leave them alone. Her awareness of natural time halted as the orb showed her images which pulled her deeper into her own memories. Things faded out and in, changing scenes and places -- how in the name of all that was holy did she forget the train? -- and she gasped when she saw Saichuro again. Anger. Fear. Revulsion. And there was Valgaav. Xellos. Fighting. Everything started flooding back in her own mind, faster and faster, and the orb matched the tempo, threatening her with sensory overload. That's the Dragon I know. She gasped, trying to block out the sight of Valgaav being struck down by Galvayra's arrow, by her powers combined with Xellos', and felt such a deep, lingering sadness even as she saw an egg appear in her hands. There were those early years and the pottery shop -- Filia wondered if such an enterprise would succeed in the present day -- and Gravos and Jillas. Xellos, dropping by, driving her into a fit -- oh, he really hadn't changed a bit -- and Val, so adorable as a hatchling. Finally, everything slowed down, gradually diminishing to a trickle, but she barely noticed. Filia lay still, overwhelmed by the revival of memories from so long ago -- both the good and the bad -- and covered her face, weeping quietly. "Filia?" The familiar, but thoroughly unexpected voice shocked her unprepared nerves, and the sight of someone so close before her eyes could focus on the face pulled a short scream of startlement from her. "Whoa, easy!" He gripped her upper arms, firmly but gently. "Val!" Filia looked around the room, then back at him. "What are you, how did you..? I thought you were in Atlanta!" "I was," he replied, and she almost recoiled as his expression darkened. "Were you going to tell me?" Blink. "Tell you what?" "About last night." "It wasn't really anything worth repor--" Val abruptly released her with a few choice words that made her ears burn, and stalked over to the window, hands on his hips. "Val, what is the matter?" "What do you mean, it's not worth reporting?" he snapped, turning back around to face her. "Even if you weren't badly injured, do you think I wouldn't want to hear about it?" "Well, it would just make you worry more..." "Damnit, Filia! Have you always been this dense? Maybe there's a reason I'm worrying! Such as the fact that those subways aren't safe anymore, and sure as hell not after dark! Maybe we're stronger than the average human, but a gun, Filia. He pulled a fucking gun on you!" "Val, watch your language!" She looked over to the door, mostly shut but slightly ajar, with a duffel bag setting next to it. She hurried over, checking the hall. No one appeared to be there; most if not all of her neighbors were likely at work. Good. She shut and locked it before turning around. "How did you come by all this information?" Wordlessly he stalked over to her and reached down, yanking a manilla envelope out of his bag, tossing it to her. "This arrived by courier this morning." Filia felt herself growing angry as she read the photocopies of confidential records. "You're having someone follow me? Is that it?" she demanded hotly, throwing them on the table. "No, but I sure as hell wish I did!" "I don't need you or anyone else trying to control my life!" "Filia, I am not trying to control your life! If I was, I'd lock you up in a room somewhere where nothing would ever hurt you!" "Why are you so angry at me? I'm fine." He stared at her, jaw set, eyes blazing, for several heartbeats before quickly closing the distance between them, grabbing her upper arms, giving her a light shake. "I am not angry. I'm not. I'm scared." He raised his hands, firmly cupping her head between them, holding it gently but forcing her to look at him, his fingers tangled in her hair. "Filia, listen to me. Do you even hear yourself? He had a gun on you. You could have been killed." Val's eyes took on a wetly shimmering appearance in the silence that followed, and he closed them tightly, turning his head away. "Do you have any idea what that would do?" he asked hoarsely, looking back to her. "You. Are. All. I. Have." "We're all each other has," Filia whispered, "but that's never stopped you from taking risks." "Such as?" "The French Resistance." "You joined too." "Well, yes, but..." "You were in just as deep as I was. Same with Korea, working in aid stations." "What about--" "One tour and I was out. You weren't willing to be there, I wasn't going to keep putting myself on the line. Hell, give it two hundred years, and the current governments'll be gone anyway." "And before all that?" "You taught me to get involved, Filia, to stay involved. To help where we can, and frankly, I'll be damned if I'll stand aside if it looks like genocide's in the game plan. And most all those times, you were right there alongside me. Let whatever happen, happen; we were together." His grip became gentle again, and he pulled her close into an enormous bear hug. "Last night was not an acceptable risk, Filia. You railed into me for going over to 'Nam, saying it wasn't an acceptable risk. Whether or not I agreed with you, I listened to you. It was hurting you, and to me, that's an unacceptable risk." "All right," she murmured, hugging him back. "All right what?" "I'll start finding another way to work." "Starting tonight. You work tonight, right?" She nodded. "Have you been able to sleep at all?" "Yes, for a while, I woke up a bit ago." "Are you sure you're up to it?" He pulled her back, looking at her. "Val, I'm fine, really." "You didn't look fine when I let myself in." "I was just..." She trailed off, closing her eyes. They were back, fresh again. "Just remembering." "Oh, Filia..." "No, not what you think." She looked up at him. "I was remembering the beginning, all those centuries ago. Lina Inverse, Gourry, you." He was quiet for a moment. "The names are ringing bells," he said slowly. "I'll tell you more later. I'd like to see if Xellos comes back first." Val slowly raised an eyebrow. "Xellos? What does he have to do with all this? He was here? What happened?" "One question at a time. Have you eaten yet today?" He shook his head. "Missed breakfast and it's lunch--" He looked to the wall and she followed his gaze to the clock; it was going on two. "Well, it's after lunchtime." "I'll call for some takeout, and recap some of the story. Then I need to lay back down for a while before work." Val nodded. "Something with a big, thick, fully-loaded speciality sandwich will work just fine for me." "I'll make the call. Make some fresh tea while I'm on the phone?" "Why not order up some sodas? It's a bit hot today." "Good idea, any preferences?" "Anything but Pepsi." "You've just been living in Atlanta too long." "It's not their fault they have the superior product." He smiled, and she relaxed. Everything was right again. Xellos did not come by that afternoon, but Filia barely noticed; she was pulled into a recap of the old days, and together, she and Val began to remember more. She almost forgot the time, and barely had a chance for more than a three hour nap before getting ready for work. Val, true to his word, rode with her in the taxi, even though she insisted he didn't have to. He assured her it was fine, that he would have headed out anyway to grab a show and late supper to pass the hours while she was working, and they'd do something the following day when she was off. As the shift change approached and she removed her scrubs, her name came up over the intercom. "Doctor Copton, please call down to the lobby, paging Doctor Copton." "I wonder what that's all about," Filia said as she stuffed her work shoes in her bag. "Anybody's guess," a nurse replied. "At least it's not an emergency." "What, you didn't want the tally to reach a baker's dozen this shift?" another nurse asked the first, her tone dry. Filia lifted the phone in the locker room and dialed the lobby extension. "Doctor Copton speaking," she said. "It would appear you're either a very lucky lady, or you gave someone a good scare with your near-miss last night," the receptionist said, amused. "What's going on?" "Your ride's here." "My what?" "Can we say 'stretch limousine'?" "Stretch..." Filia barely had the presence of mind to check for a chair behind her before sitting down. "Mmhmm. And the chauffeur's standing there with a little sign that reads "Doctor Fiona Copton. I believe that's you." "Oh, my." Filia blinked. "I'll... I'll be right down." She hung up the phone and grabbed her purse and bag, hurrying out. Several wolf whistles from her co-workers, and comments ranging from innocent to borderline lewd followed her into the lobby. It was like a small town, and the news of her being picked up by a limousine with... Good lord! Someone tell me the chauffeur's not holding a dozen roses... Blushing as deeply as the blooms, she walked up to the chauffeur. "Doctor Copton?" he asked. "Yes..." "These are for you." He handed her the roses. "This way, when you're ready." "I... yes, yes, quite, um..." Filia felt stupefied. "Yes, let's go, shall we?" He followed her out the large automatic doors, and she nearly dropped the roses at the sight of the Mercedes. It seemed gigantic, and was a deep, shiny black with a luster so high she could see her reflection. The trim was a deep burnished gold, and she saw as he opened the door, the interior was black leather with gold trim on the fixtures. Filia stammered a thank you, and climbed in awkwardly. There was a tray secured next to a seat, as well as a container of tea. Over to the side on the seat across from the bar was a large white box with a purple ribbon. Purple... "Doctor?" Filia looked up and realized with a start that the window between the passenger area and the front was down. The chauffeur was looking at her through the rearview mirror. "Yes?" "I've been instructed to inform you of several things. In the tray is your breakfast, and there is also tea provided. The box is for you. I've been instructed to drive you around Central Park to give you a leisurely amount of time to eat. There is also a card on the tray, which will explain things further." "Uh...thank you," she stammered, and the window silently slid back up, leaving her in privacy once again. She looked for the card as the limousine pulled out into the traffic, and sat back, reading it. I do hope work tonight wasn't too trying, Xellos wrote. I've taken the liberty to provide breakfast for you; if memory serves, the dish is one you enjoy. She paused to lift the tray, looking inside. Eggs Benedict. Immediately, her mouth started watering, and she picked up the fork, beginning to eat while reading the remainder of the note. I'm also certain at the moment you've begun eating. Damn that Mazoku, she thought, although without rancor. He knows me too well. There should be sufficient time provided for you to enjoy a relaxing meal. Once you are done, you might wish to investigate the box, but I do recommend waiting until you are done eating. Another note awaits you there. Leisurely breakfast be damned. She kept one curious eye on the box while eating quickly, trying to remember to slow down every few bites, attempting to savor it. But she wanted to know what was going on. Finally she finished, and carefully changed seats, getting close enough to lift the box and untie the ribbon. Another folded note was nestled on tissue paper, instructing her to keep looking through the box before reading. She set the note aside and unfolded the tissue paper, and gasped. Delicate high-heeled sandals, sporting intricate leather straps dyed a rich royal blue were nestled over black fabric. She set those down, and pulled out the cloth, which proved to be a black silk wrap. Underneath it, resting on something blue, was a smaller box, and Filia almost dropped it in shock. It contained a delicate and demure, but elaborate necklace of twisted metal, nestled with pearls, as well as diamonds and sapphires. Matching teardrop earrings and a hair comb completed the set. They were real, a quick inspection revealed that much. She carefully closed the smaller box and tucked it beside her before reaching in and pulling out what proved to be the last item: a dress of high-quality silk in royal blue. It was cut simply; thin spaghetti straps with a slightly tapered waist that fell out into a gentle flare. The bodice appeared to be designed to be loose-fitting, draping downward in gentle folds. It was simple, just pure silk with no garnishes or frills. It was elegant. Her breath was catching in her throat while she folded it back into the box and returned the other items before picking up the note and opening it. I do hope the contents are somewhat to your taste, he said. I have it under the best authority that they will fit. If you would do me the honor of wearing those this evening, we have dinner reservations at eight. You do recall how to dance, I hope, but no matter. I shall see you tonight, seven fifteen on the dot. Filia sat quietly, just staring at the note for the longest time. She was going to go, she admitted that to herself early on. But...he was a Mazoku. She fretted, wondering if he was up to something, then rebuked herself as his words came back. If you would just be half as suspicious of the people around you as you are of me... Maybe everything she knew of Mazoku was true. She also was certain she saw the truth the night before last, when he mentioned they were all they had left. Even Mazoku could get lonely, she supposed. Filia looked down at the dress, touching the fabric gently. It didn't really matter, did it? The last time someone romanced her like this was in 1852, when they were living in Philadelphia. Even then, she had to turn away the advances, just as always. She knew she couldn't survive as Val did; forming relationships, temporary ones, and then bringing them to an end before things advanced too far. She always felt that was unfair to the women, but he never had concealed the fact from them that he was not seeking something long-term. But they were brief respites from the loneliness; respites which were not an option for her. Filia knew herself that well, at least. Her heart would get involved, and she didn't know how much strength she had left. But Xellos... It didn't even matter, she realized, if it was true that he couldn't love. She would happily settle for a loveless, but friendly companionship. And admit it, she thought. His style of asking for a date beats the hell out of 'what's a babe like you doing in a place like this' any day. She carefully tucked everything away, placing both notes in the box and retied the ribbon. By the time the limousine stopped in front of her apartment building, she was walking on virtual air.
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to be continued...
Chapter Five