Fairy Tail's 3rd Annual New Year's Auction Ladies Choice
Held December 30th at 7 pm at the Guild Hall
Funds to benefit the Magnolia Orphanage
Ladies, come prepared to bid on your escort for the New Year's Eve Bash
Mira was as giddy as a little girl in a sea of kittens as she read the flier that Master Makarov placed in front of her. "Mira, please post these flyers around the guild hall. I hope this year's beneficiary will be a great incentive for a better turnout than in previous years."
Mira was beaming from ear to ear "I'm excited about the theme this year! It's long overdue for the men of this guild to get a taste of their own medicines." Mira had a devilish glint in her eye. "How did you manage to get them to agree to this?"
The Master suddenly started to fidget and began to sweat the question a little "I have not told them yet. Due to the nature of this theme, I suspect not many will volunteer so I will try my best to get them to participate." Mira wished the Master luck and turned to go. "Please send Freed in if you see him in the hall, I must discuss something with him."
Mira practically skipped out of the office. "Yes Master, oh this is going to be so fun."
"Are you friggin' kiddin' me?" Gray yelled as he read the flyer that Mira posted. Gray's yelling had drawn attention to the flyer and people started to gather around them. Natsu came up behind Gray and slapped the back of his head "Whatcha griping about Frosted Flakes?"
Gray pointed to the poster "This ya Fire Freak!"
"Oi! Who you callin' a freak?" Natsu turned his attention to the poster in front of him "What the hell do they mean ladies choice and bidding on an escort?"
Gray rolled his eyes "Idiot, the women are bidding on dates for the New Year's Eve Bash."
Natsu scrunched up his nose "Why do they need a date, I thought it was just a big party and we all showed up?"
Erza came up behind them putting her hands on the two frenemies shoulders "Is there a problem here boys? What is all the commotion about?"" Neither the fire or ice mage were rushing to respond, they simply pointed to the flier simultaneously. Erza inspected the paper stapled to the beam "Excellent idea. I cannot wait to see how this unfolds." she got a small curve to her lips "It's about time the men were displayed like choice cuts of meat at the butcher shop."
"Gray displays his meat all the time." Bixlow snickered as his babies circled around chanting "Meat Meat Meat"
Gray turned toward Bixlow and got up in his face "Shut it Bixlow before I freeze those damned floating fan girls of yours"
"It's a great opportunity for everyone to display their manliness." Elfman loomed over the crowd with his arms crossed against his bulky and very manly chest.
Everyone around Elfman groaned at his comment and before long bickering started to break out among those gathered around the flier. The bickering quickly devolved into a full out brawl.
A crowd of the guild's men had gathered on the second floor much chatter could be heard among the crowd. "Attention please…" Master Makarov tried for civil, he knew it was a useless attempt, but one that must be tried first. Clearly, no one heard him because the chattering almost seemed to increase. "ATTENTION" this more forceful approach only managed to quiet down a bit but it did nothing to call everyone to attention." SHUT THE HELL UP YOU BRATS" boomed Master Makarov. That did the trick because everyone silenced and brought their full attention to the Master, who was standing on the upstairs bar in front of the crowd.
"I am sure you are all aware by now that this year's auction will be ladies choice. This means I need volunteers to participate." He surveyed the crowd and saw mostly blank faces. "I am auctioning off dates for the New Year's Eve Bash." Master noticed a few faces getting it now but he knew that cooperation was going to be difficult. "I need 6 volunteers to participate." Everyone avoided the gaze of the Master. "This is for the Orphanage everyone." Finally, Elfman spoke up "I'll volunteer." Bixlow a few moments later rose his hand "Why the hell not."
Makarov stared down his grandson in the back corner "Any more volunteers?" Feeling the stare of his grandfather, Laxus looked up "What, me? No way." Makarov continued to stare "You will volunteer and you will not complain about it. DO YOU UNDERSTAND." Laxus only growled in response. "I'll take that as a yes then." Master shifted his attention to the rest of the hall "If we have no more volunteers then I wi-" he was interrupted by a loud yell of pain "WHAT THE HELL" Everyone turned to see the hot-headed fire dragon slayer rubbing his forehead in the back of the room.
"Thank you for volunteering Natsu." The Master smiled deviously.
"Hey, I didn't agree to that!" Natsu yelled back
"You tried to sneak off brat, your punishment is to volunteer!" Master Makarov smiled to himself. "As you now know, there is an enchantment on this room, no one can leave until we have the participants needed."
Gray sneered at Natsu "Sucker!"
Master Makarov turned his attention to Gray "What was that? Why thank you, Gray, for volunteering to participate."
Gray exhaled loudly "Dammit. Fine."
"One last volunteer is needed" Makarov surveyed the room. "Those who are participating are free to leave the room. As for the rest of you, you're all stuck here until someone else volunteers."
"Do you know who is participating?" Levy asked Lucy in hopes to get her excited about the event. "No, I doubt that I would be interested in anyone participating anyway." She let out a small grin "But you seem awfully excited Lev."
Levy blushed "Well, at least I am not in denial about who I hope to see up for auction, unlike a certain oblivious blonde I know."
Lucy playfully pushed Levy in response "There is no way either of them would agree to participate in an event like this, even if it was for a good cause."
"Ain't that the truth." Levy pondered. "But I'm not taking any chances, that's why I am going."
"Lucy laughed, ya, I can't say that I could pass up the opportunity to see how this auction turns out."
Almost an hour had passed and the men were getting restless. No one wanted to volunteer, it was just a matter of who gave up first. Down below they could hear the few free men and the women talking and laughing. Gajeel could hear the conversation Gray and Natsu were having.
"Nobody is gonna bid on that little ice pick prick of yours."
"Bull, I'll get bid on, you're the one that has to worry you freakin' pyro."
"Oh ya we'll just see about that. You may have Juvia but I have Lucy you know!"
"Lucy doesn't bother with this kind of crap Natsu, you should know that by now."
"Not true Frost Face, I heard Levy is going - that means Lucy is going!"
Gajeel stood up suddenly and grunted loudly "I'll do it." Everyone turned to Gajeel with looks of horror and complete shock he looked annoyed, "WHAT? I am sick of this shit and I'm hungry and since none of you idiots are volunteering…" Everyone was relieved the semi-painful ordeal was now over.
"What do you mean I have to look nice?" Natsu crossed his arms and pouted like a small child.
"Listen here, you're gonna find yourself a formal outfit and you're going to bathe for this event. I suggest you enlist the help of one of the more tastefully dressed men in the guild if you need help finding something suitable to wear." Master Makarov gave Natsu a stern stare.
"Ya, ya alright Gramps, bath and fancy clothes." Natsu turned and left the Master's office. Happy flew over to him "Yo Natsu, what's wrong. You look like you just ate a rotten fishy."
"Nah, I gotta find get something fancy to wear for the stupid auction." his face was twisted in a sour fashion at the idea that he would have to find appropriate attire. "I don't want to wear some stupid tux or suit, that's boring… I like the stuff we have to wear when we visit the Celestial World way better than that stuck up crap."
"Maybe Loke could help you out? He likes to dress nicely."
Natsu beamed at his small blue companion "You're a genius Happy!"
"Let's go to Lucy's house and see if we can get his attention." Happy suggested
Natsu scoffed "How the hell do you suppose we do that? Just hover over his key and say Loke three times?"
"Hey Natsu, need some assistance?" Natsu and Happy jumped in surprise as Loke appeared in front of them.
"Wow, does saying your name three times really work?" Natsu looked at Happy completely awestruck.
Loke put his head down and pinched the bridge of his nose "No you dumb ass. I keep tabs on everything that happens here and that's why I decided to help you. I just wanted to know if you had any preference as to what you wanted."
"I want something that looks cool!" then Natsu looked down to the ground mumbled almost inaudibly "And something Lucy might like."
Loke laughed "I'm sorry Natsu what was that?"
Happy also giggled "Natsu looooooves Lucy."
"Shut up you two, just make me look better than the freakin' Ice Prick and Iron Lung."
Loke put his hands up in surrender "OK OK, I'll make sure you look worthy of a bidding war."
"Thanks man, I owe you one." Natsu smiled brightly.
"Yes, yes you do." and with that said Loke adjusted his glasses as he disappeared.