Consideration (Slayers, Xellos/Zelgadis)

Zelgadis looked up from the old text, a treatise on magic as it had been practiced in an old and remote desert kingdom long since swallowed by sand, open in front of him to glare at the Mazoku who had suddenly appeared in the remote library. He didn’t bother to ask how Xellos had found him or how he had worked his way past the very stern monks that guarded the library. He probably didn’t want to know. Instead he answered the Mazoku’s question, experience having taught him that the easiest way to get rid of their unwanted traveling companion was just to play along until the demon got bored.

“What would happen when?” There were a thousand different ways Xellos could be going with the conversation, but Zelgadis was sure the Mazoku would chose the most uncomfortable one. He had a feeling he knew exactly where Xellos was going to push the conversation, and he knew he wouldn’t like it. It wasn’t a hard thing to guess, considering their location.

Xellos nodded towards the thick tome. “After that.”

That was exactly where he knew Xellos would try to lead the conversation, and he was prepared. “Yes, I have.”

“And?” Xellos’ smile quirked upwards at an impossible angle.

Zelgadis returned the smile with one of his own. He wasn’t going to play along with the Mazoku’s taunting. “And what?”

One of Xellos’ eyes opened, a tiny sliver of purple peeking out. “Why do you want to change?”

“Do I need to go into it? I would think that it’s obvious.” It was clear, at least to him, but he didn’t feel particularly inclined to bare his reasoning to the Mazoku. The freak probably got pleasure out of the emotions thinking about it brought up for Zelgadis.

“Not to me.”