Title: An Uneggspected Discovery Author: E. Cypher E-Mail: LunarEB2@aol.com Rating: PG Hey there all! I love holiday specials, so I couldn't resist the opportunity to release a short story for the easter occasion! I'm still kinda new at this writing thing, so tell me what's wrong or right, advice is always welcome. Now, almost all of my stories will more then likely have Lina Inverse in them, but from there the special guests may vary, if there are any at all. For instance, Lina has no knowledge of Gourry existing in this one. If you don't like crossovers, well, sorry, but Slayers is my favorite anime, with Sailor Moon here close behind :). I'm going to try and keep this story in one person's perspective. Hope ya like reading it! Happy Easter everyone!! ::sigh:: Standard disclaimers...I don't own Sailor Moon... Slayers...etc. An Uneggspected Discover Well, spring break has arrived. As I walks down the street, I look around the area, smiling at all the Easter decorations hanging from shop windows and light poles. Chuckling to myself, my thoughts drift. Serena must be bouncing off the walls by now, I can just imagine how much trouble her friends are having dealing with her. Hmm, I wonder what she'll be doing for the holiday, probably hanging around with the other girls. I'll bet she loves the Easter egg hunt, heck, I bet she could even make it fun. Smiling, I shake my head. Wonder how much she does with her family, I wonder... My face falls as I sigh. Now we're back to the depressing part of the holidays. Easter's a minor thing anyway, don't see why I should get worked up over it. I force a smile. And anyway, it may just give me a reason to see the little Meatball Head... I lean my head against the back of the elevator and let out a deep breath. Gods does she get to me... Minutes earlier... "Wonder what I have lying around to eat at my place," I talk softly to myself, just for something to do. Suddenly, my eyes fall upon a head of long, uniquely styled, blonde hair skipping down the street. Well look who's here... "Hey there Meatball Head!" She looks up at me and anger strikes her small face. She stops and stiffens her arms at her sides. "Do you have to ruin EVERY nice day Darian??" I chuckle and put on my most innocent face. "Ruin?? Me?? Why whatever did I do?" She glares at me, so I continue. "I was just trying to greet my Meatball Head on this, as you said, nice day." All of the sudden her face calms and takes on a wonderous appearance. That was a quick change, wonder why. "What did you call me?" she softly asks. Now it's my turn to stare at her, puzzled. Then I think back and I have to force my eyes to stay still. MY Meatball Head??? Great move Darian... "I said Meatball Head, what else would I call you?" She looks almost...disappointed? Yet her face no longer has the same look, now she looks suspicious. I've got to get out of here...fast. "Well, nice chatting with ya Serena, but I've got to get moving." I head past her at a faster pace. "Try not to fall over your feet on your way home." I grin over my shoulder as she fumes behind me. "Be sure to call for help when you get that head of yours stuck in your doorway!" With that, she spins and stomps off the other direction. I laugh and shake my head. I've got to stop harrasing that girl, I'll never get anywhere with her that way, but she just seems to bring it out of me... Present... Unlocking the door, I step into my apartment and throw the keys on the dresser before heading over to the couch. This is ridiculous, all these years of controlling my emotions and I can't even help how I act in front of a girl? Sighing I plop down on the couch. No, I have to find some way to change things, this isn't like me. Glancing down, I see today's paper lying on the table, so I pick it up and skim through the front page. Before I go far however, an article catches my attention. This looks interesting... Grand Easter Celebration!! The Easter Egg hunt that even adults can enjoy! The huge Performance Center will be open to the public, and filled with eggs! This Saturday and Sunday only! All day! Come and enjoy! Once in a lifetime! I can't help but smile upon seeing this. This would be perfect! Still, I wonder if she'd actually go if I asked her... Looking down the page I find the rest of the advertisement. Whoa... That's expensive, this would be more then just some spur of the moment outing. A little further down I find that it continues. Giving away 4 tickets in contests... Bring a friend... Have Center to yourselves for testing all Friday?? Hmm...this has promise. I'd have to win one of those contests though, and it doesn't even say what, where, or when those will be, and that price... Sighing in defeat, I throw the newspaper back onto the table. The idea was too good to be true anyway... Riiinngg!! There goes the doorbell. "It's open!" After yelling, I look up from the meat/rice mix, my dinner, to see the new arrival and wave a greeting as I see Andrew walk in. "Hey pal, what's up?" "Hey, just stopping by to return your book," he holds up a large science book. "I found it on my table the other day." "Thanks Andrew," I wave the spoon in my hand toward the table. "Just drop it on the main table. So you want to stay for a bite to eat?" He shakes his head. "Nah, I've got to get back," his eyes are on the table. Picking up the newspaper, he looks up at me. "So I see you've heard about this place too huh?" Nodding, I set the stove on simmer and turn to face him. "Yeah, way outta my price range though." I pause. "Those contests seem promising, except there's no information about them." "Well I saw one of the contests up at the arcade. Seems they're holding a challenge to see who can beat their set high score on the Sailor V game." He chuckles. "I wouldn't be surprised if Serena or one of her friends ended up winning that one." Turning, he waves and heads out the door. "Well, see ya later Darian!" Halfheartedly, I wave back. "Yeah, sure..." My eyes are still wide from his statement. There NO way Serena would ever pass up a chance to win that contest just by playing her favorite game. That leaves three other contests, I wonder where they are. Shrugging, I turn back to the stove and, finding it done, scoop some out before heading over and sitting down on the couch. I set down the plate and pick up the controls for the TV. There's hardly ever anything good on, guess I'll just watch the news. Finding the main news station, I drop the controls and eat in peace, until a report catches my attention. ?...reporting live from the Performance Center with the conductor of this weekends activities, Mr. Toshihiro. So Mr. Toshihiro, I know all our viewers are excited about the Easter event occurring here, and especially about the contests, so maybe you could tell them a bit about it.' ?With Pleasure. As of yet, we haven't done much advertising about the contests, in an effort to keep the crowds down, but already a few have been discovered. We're holding four contests and each winner can choose one friend to bring with them to the testing on Friday. These eight lucky souls will have all day, if need be, to find the eggs hidden throughout the entire center. We're hoping that the winners will spread word of their enjoyment so as to let others know more about our open house. This lasts for Saturday and Sunday only though, and who knows if it will be done again.' ?Well, thank you for your time Mr. Toshihiro. There you have it folks, a chance for all to enjoy the childhood challenge of egg hunting once again. Now back to...' So, they're not advertising their contests huh... They must be around town somewhere though. Smiling I finish eating. If I'm right, they'll be in more common hangouts, like the arcade. Looks like it's time to wander the town... The sliding doors open wide, allowing me a full view of the busy arcade. As expected, a group's gathered around the Sailor V game, taking turns trying to achieve the high score. Andrew sees me and waves me over. "Hey Darian, decide to come watch?" Besides him, I don't really recognize anyone else, of course I can't see anyone inside the pack. "Wasn't busy, so who's playing?" I come up next to him and try to get a view of the gamer, but can only get flitting glances. "Serena's playing right now," that jolts me awake, "but it doesn't seem to be going real well." I sigh. Ah well, much as she likes them, there are better. "That's too bad, bet she's dying to go to that easter thing." He glances my way with a hint of a smile, but turns back so quickly it's hard to say if I really saw that. A collective "aww" comes from the group. Guess she lost. I catch a view of her meatballs as she stands up and seems to be pleading with someone else to play. Off to the side, a viewer seems to of lost interest and walks off, I immediately take the spot and get a full view of Serena and her friend Amy. "Oh come on Amy! You're really good at this game, just give it a try! Please!!" This brings laughter out of me and seems to catch her attention, something I didn't quite expect. Her face seems to brighten for a second upon seeing me and a sharp, rather mean, comment starts to form on my lips, but I quickly choke it down. Come on Darian, keep your sense. "Hey M..Serena," my throat goes kinda dry, it's so hard to concentrate while seeing those blue eyes, "how goes the contest?" She sighs. "Not too well for me," she smiles again and turns back to Amy, "but I'm sure that Amy here can do it!" Amy laughs and give Serena a friendly look. "Well alright Serena, if it means so much to you," Serena jumps with a ?Hurray' and causes another fit of giggles from Amy, who then tries to force a stern face, which isn't easy around Serena. "But then I have to go home and study ok?" Serena nods her head vigorously. "Sure sure, you can rot your brains in those books later, right now do something useful with it!" Amy sighs and shakes her head, but a smile rests on her face while she sits down. I'm doing my best to keep from laughing out loud, so I merely settle for smiling at Serena. She is so adorable sometimes! I can't believe it took me to see that, and even longer to control myself in front of it. A path opens in front of me and I walk up to stand right beside Serena and watch the game. She's shouting encouragement to Amy, hurray's and lookout's and the like. "You get into these games don't you?" I peer down at her as she pauses in her chants to notice, with surprise, that I'd moved next to her, then turns back excitedly. "Yeah! I loove Sailor V! And I'm dying to play in that egg hunt, I bet it'll be soo much fun!" "It's awfully expensive though Meatball Head," oops, slipped out, she doesn't seem to take notice though and just keeps talking. "Well duh Darian, that's why I want to win a contest!" She looks over at me playfully. "But I bet you're too old and mature for that kind of thing huh?" I laugh. "Actually it might be fun," shrugging, I glance down to see her reaction, "all depends on who you're with I guess." "Oh I have fun regardless, but it's always more fun with people I know." Her attention is plastered to the game screen as Amy, once again, blows away the competition. I don't know how she does it, a brainiac that doesn't play games excels so much at this one. Finally, she maxes the high score, and then some. The challengers still waiting to play wander off in defeat, not even willing to try and beat that score. "Yay!! I knew you could do it Amy!" She wraps Amy up in a bear hug, which she returns, while trying to get a breath. Laughing I put a hand on Serena's shoulder. "You'd better let her breath there Serena." She loosens her hold and Amy looks up at her beaming. I leave the two to their chatting and head over to the counter. Picking a stool with a good view, of who else but her, I sit down. She's still bouncing around, congratulating Amy and talking to the contest rep. Well, she seems to be set up for Friday, now if only I can find the other contests... "So what're you up to on Friday Darian?" a voice from behind me snaps me back to attention. "Huh?" spinning around I see Andrew grinning at me. "What was that?" He chuckles and smiles wider. "You okay pal?" "Uh, yeah, just got a lot on my mind," I stutter out. "Now, what did you ask?" "I asked what you were doing this Friday," he glances past me out of the corner of his eye. Following his gaze I see Serena, Amy, and the guy from the contest. I look back to him. "Or where you were planning to go." Oh boy. "Oh come on, you can't think that I..." "Like her?" he cuts me off and finishes the thought. "With how you're always teasing her? It's so obvious because it's so unlike you. The only people that probably don't know are you and her." His big grin is starting to annoy me. Sighing, I look back at her. "Okay fine, so I obviously can't keep anything from you." Turning back to smile at him, I continue. "But so what? Yes, I like her, have for a long time I think, but you forget that she can't stand me." "And just why do you think that is? If you treated me the way you treat her, we may not have become friends." He nods over toward her. "But she's different. Her feelings can change in a split second and I don't know anyone, ANYONE, that she truly hates." He smiles down at me, warmly this time instead of the smug one that I wanted to wipe off his face a moment ago. "I'm willing to bet that if you treat her like you treat your friends, if you're actually nice to her, you may be surprised at her reaction." Wow, never knew he was such a talker. "...okay. Actually, I've actually been trying to do that, in hopes that she at least wouldn't hate me anymore." We can still hear Serena's thrilled voice behind me. That's some background noise I don't mind at all. "That's also why I was trying to find out about these contests, because I knew she wouldn't pass up the chance either, but I don't know where any others are." He leans back, chuckling. "That's what you've got me for pal. I just..happened to come across some information about them that you might be interested in. Such as a location..." Okay, now he's trying to aggravate me. "Spit it out Andrew." I put on as menacing a look as I can manage towards my best friend and the only response I get is a wider grin. "Okay okay, from what I've heard, one is at a science fair, one a martial arts tournament, and the last is, believe it or not, being held at the dart area of the sports store." Upon finishing he glances down at me. "Think you could manage any of those?" Manage? I could probably manage any of them, winning is something else. The dart throw may have promise though. "You could say that, so when are they being held?" "Well, I believe the fair is being held today, and the other two are scheduled for tomorrow." He raises an eyebrow at me. "So which are you planning to win?" "Oh, I was thinking maybe.." a high voice cuts me off and bounces into the stool beside me before I'm able to finish. "She won! Isn't that great Andrew!?" He nods. "You bet Serena! Hope ya have fun Friday." He glances over at me, expecting me to say something no doubt. "Oh I'm sure we will! Wonder who else will be there with us.." That minor question barely keeps her attention for a moment. "So, can I assume that you'll be celebrating with a sundae?" I catch her attention with the comment and her face lights with delight, but then drops. "No, I don't have any money left on me," she sighs, frowning. Ouch, hating seeing her down, especially when I cause it. Can't leave that go now can we? "Don't worry about it, I was just about to order something to drink anyway, so my treat." Confusion slams itself onto her features, but then fades to a smile brighter then the sun. "Wow..thanks Darian!" Never thought she'd look at me like that. I shrug. "No problem, your friend Amy still around?" Shaking her head, she turns and looks at the menu. "Nah, she had to go home and study. I made her promise she wouldn't be busy on Friday though!" I chuckle at that as Andrew takes her order. "Okay, I'll have a triple scoop hot fudge sundae...with extra hot fudge please!" "Yes Ma'am," he turns to make the order, leaving us alone. "So umm..." she stutters, "..why are you being so nice today Darian? I mean, not that I mind or anything, but you haven't even called me Meatball Head once." "Well, I just.." gulping, I scramble for an answer, "didn't feel like ruining your day this time." DARIAN!! Make her feel worse why don't you... I can practically she her flinch at the remark, but she's talking again before I can apologize. "I..I didn't really mean that earlier." She turns to me, actually smiling. "You just make me so mad!" Chuckling at this, I look back up to her eyes. "Trust me, Meatball Head, I know how you feel. You do the exact same to me." She brightens up and looks back to see if Andrews done, I assume. "Good! Then if we both know how it feels, we should be able to stop it," she glances back over at me with a look of both sternness and hope, "right?" Before I can answer, our "waiter" returns. "Here ya go Serena." She squeals in delight as he sets the large cup of ice cream in front of her and proceeds to seemingly forget our conversation as she scoops the dessert down at an alarming rate. After a matter of mere minutes, she drops the spoon into the sundae cup and hops out of the chair. "Well, I've got to go guys, see you later hopefully!" Waving, she skips out the door and down the street. Gazing after her long after she's out of sight, I shake my head. "How can she be so lively all the time..." With a smile still on my face, I pick up the coffee that Andrew set in front of me...umm, sometime earlier. Wait...Andrew! I completely forgot he was here! Snapping my head up, I see him grinning down at me. Well, that little scene definitely dispelled any doubts on the matter. "So, when's the wedding?" His comment is met with my glaring smile. "Funny pal. Look, I've got to go, see ya later okay?" He nods so I stand up and head out of the arcade. "Just promise me one thing Darian." Turning, I see a very serious look on his face, which shocks me into my own subdued state. "I will get to be the best man right?" Leaving a piece of flying candy in my wake, I head home. This weekend could be fun... Well, I hadn't originally intended to make this story with multiple chapters, but then I'd also intended to get it out last weekend. Plans change, ne? Here it is though, hope ya enjoyed it! Watch for the(hopefully) final chapter next week, see you then!