If one were to ask Lina how she felt about someone naming their child after her, she wouldn't have any real answer. In her life, her name had gone from a curse when she was younger, which was what happened when countries, villages and even people were considered nothing more than collateral damage when fighting against Dragons, Mazoku and some high-level sorcerers; to one that represented hope and determination.
That last bit threw Lina for quite the loop after Zelgadis told her about it the first time. Even if it was to emphasize how she had fallen against Hellmaster Phibrizzo, but had defeated him, only to rise from the grave not too long afterwords to fight against the abomination that was Dark Star and Vorfeed's fusion, defeat them, save the world and then rise to the stars and leave the world again.
While Lina had no end of confidence, hearing stories like that really did embarrass her. All she wanted to know was what kind of idiot came up with stories like that anyway?
(---)
"ACHOO!"
"You okay, daddy?" Amelia asked as she walked into the throne room where her father, King Phil, was looking over some official paperwork.
"I'm fine, Amelia!" The large man stood up and laughed loudly. "It'll take more than a sneeze to knock me out! What brings you here? I thought you were going to be traveling the country-side, meeting new people and making new contacts?"
The busty young woman blushed and nodded. "Well, I was, but you'll never guess who showed up!"
King Phil looked curious, before smiling broadly as a familiar young man walked into the hall. "Mr. Zelgadis! It's been so long, my friend!"
The Chimera, though he looked human due to the shifting spell that he learned from Arf so long ago, grimaced as King Phil somehow managed to launch himself from the throne to right in front of him, slapping him on the back hard enough to send him crashing to the floor. "Ugh..." If there was one thing he didn't miss from this world, it was Phil's... Over-exuberance when he was excited.
Phil chuckled as Zelgadis struggled to get back onto his feet. "So, how are things in that other world, Mr. Zelgadis?"
"Well, I can't say I agree with everything that they do." Zelgadis stood up fully and shook his head to stop the ringing of his ears. "But, over-all, they aren't a bad lot." A small grin came to his face as he looked at Phil and Amelia. "About what you'd expect from a large governmental body, most of the people who work there are pretty sincere about things, but I suspect, though I have no proof, that the leaders of the organization are probably corrupted in various places."
King Phil and Amelia both nodded, it was quite common in most governments. "What makes you say that, Mr. Zelgadis?" Even if it was common, Amelia wasn't sure what Zelgadis meant.
Zelgadis ran a hand through his hair, moving it out of the way of his eyes. One thing he found annoying, his hair had grown rather long since he could turn human again. "I've heard too many complaints about too much red tape and how different branches of the military could help out, but don't. That either signifies incompetent leaders or corrupt ones, or both."
"It could be, but unless you know for sure..." King Phil shook his head and Zelgadis nodded.
"Oh, I know, I don't plan on commenting about it to anyone until I know more. Besides, it could just be a few clerks that are doing the wrong thing for whatever reasons." Shrugging, Zelgadis glowered at his hair as it covered his eyes again. Why the heck was his hair growing so much these days? "Anyway, there are other things as well..."
(---)
"So, what made you name him after me anyway?" Lina asked as she and Gourry were sitting in his kitchen, sipping on some tea while the children played in the yard.
The fact that there were several thumps, crashes and even a small explosion outside didn't worry either of them, especially when they heard Fried chirping with Arf and Suzuka running around and yelling at the kids. Lina wasn't too worried about something happening to the children. Suzuka and Arf were more than enough to deal with all but the strongest of Mazoku, Elves or Dragons that might try something.
There was always something random, like a sorcerer knowing the Dragon Slave or some sort of anti-magic tank, or some sort of Demon Beast that could show up and wreck havoc, but if that happened, Lina was certain that she and Gourry could deal with it.
Gourry shrugged at her. "I was going to call him Lina..." He was interrupted by a paper fan swatting him right between the eyes.
"I'm glad you didn't." Lina muttered as she put the fan away.
Gourry rubbed his forehead. "Sylphiel did the same thing." He muttered, remembering her words about how he should 'be serious' about naming their child. "Sylphiel named him Leon, but the nurse wrote it down as Leo, so, it stuck."
Lina sweat-dropped heavily as she looked at Gourry. "...Since when has your memory been that good?" Gourry leaned back in his chair and thought about it for a few seconds.
"Huh, I don't know. I guess when it comes to stuff that's important, I can remember it."
"Do you even remember who Gaav is?" Lina dead-panned and got a confused look from Gourry.
"Who's that?" The answer was so sincere from the blonde swordsman that Lina found herself face-faulting to the ground painfully. "Are you okay, Lina?"
"Stupid jellyfish brains..." Lina grumbled. "He only tried to kill you a few times." Gourry scratched his head in confusion and Lina just sighed heavily. "I guess someone trying to kill you doesn't register as important, huh?"
"Not at all." Gourry smiled broadly and Lina just ended up shaking her head in amusement.
"You know, Gourry... Even if you are nothing but a stupid jellyfish brain..." The redhead smiled lightly at him. "I'm glad that you're happy."
Gourry just smiled happily. "Thanks, Lina. How's things back home anyway?"
"Pretty good, actually." Lina took a sip of her tea again. "Nanoha, Fate and Yuuno don't always listen, but they're still good kids, I wouldn't change them for anything." She chanced a look outside and shook her head as she saw Fried fly after a bird, trying to fry it. "The younger kids are a handful at times though."
There was a thump and some screaming from outside. Getting up, Lina walked outside and raised an eyebrow as she saw Erio grabbing his nose with blood covering his hands. "What happened?"
Caro, who was next to Erio, looked away, her face was completely red. "I didn't, I mean, I'm sorry."
"OWWW! OWWW!" Erio was rolling on the ground and kicking his feet up and down.
Lina walked over to her grandson and gently moved his hands away from his nose before casting a recovery spell. "Just relax, okay?" Erio whimpered, tears falling out of his eyes as Lina's healing magic worked on his face. "Caro, what happened?"
The girl was looking down and for some reason, Lina imagined the girl having dog's ears and a dog's tail, all drooping and making her look absolutely piteous. "...Arf?" She looked at Arf, who seemed to be trying to hold back some laughter. "What happened?"
"Erio was teasing Caro again and Caro got mad and..." Arf fought back some snickers that were bubbling to the surface. "Then Caro slammed her head against Erio's face and..."
"I get it." Lina rolled her eyes as she focused on healing Erio. "Well, Erio, didn't I tell you to watch out?" The boy sniffled and nodded, at least his nose wasn't hurting so much anymore. "What do you say to Caro?"
"Sowwie fha bhein a mhenie."
Caro dug her right toe into the ground, before looking up, her lips were quivering, a weird sound was coming out of her mouth, before she fell down onto her butt and started giggling heavily. "You sound funny!" She pointed at him, laughing.
Erio would have pouted, but even he had to admit, he did sound funny.
As she finished working her magic on his face, Lina chuckled and took Erio into the house to wash his face. Maybe this would get him to treat Caro better. And if not, she could teach Caro how to do better headbutts that wouldn't break people's noses every time she connected with them.