Fairy Tail – A Barkeeper's Advice
Cana PoV:
On a night like this, there wasn't much to do, only a few people were out drinking, the rest was probably already asleep. No wonder, it was Tuesday and most people had work tomorrow.
As I looked around the bar, my bar to be precise, I could only make out a handful of men, lonely man.
If I had to guess, I would say they were here to pass the time before heading to a nightshift at their job or didn't want to return to an empty apartment.
I'm not that good at reading people, but I've seen enough to know the different types of my bar visitors but I guess I should introduce myself now, shouldn't I?
You already know that I own a bar. She is called "The drunken Fairy". What can I say, I like Fairies and alcohol and my name is Cana Alberona by the way. I'm 21 years old, long dark brown hair which stops just above my lower back, great body, of course and love to party, you know the type.
Also the reason why I opened my own bar and run her together with my, only a few years older, boyfriend Bacchus. Tall, muscular and the perverted type, but really fun. He is a part-time tattoo-artist at a 24-hour tattoo and piercing studio, which is why he only helps out at weekends, but as I said before, there isn't much to do on weekdays anyway. My cousin Lucy also helps out between her university duties.
I do not own the biggest bar but also not the smallest. I like her because she's comfy and also underneath my apartment.
When you enter through a double metallic door, on your left side is a wardrobe where Lucy is mostly stationed. Right next to it are the bathrooms.
When you go straight ahead through the short corridor, right in front of you in the right corner is the bar made out of mahogany wood as well as most of the furniture in my bar. On the wall behind her are shelves with various alcohol bottles and my licences. On the front are also a few stools.
In the middle of the large room is a step which leads up to the sitting area with lots of tables, stools and leather benches on the sides.
In a far corner on the other side of the room is a door that leads to a small place arranged like the main room, but mostly used for private matters.
Most of my guests are respectful and that's the reason why I don't fear having a beautiful black carpet throughout the whole bar. Man, I really love my bar!
I was already cleaning in order to lock up for the night as I heard someone enter the front door.
"We're closed dude!" I called from behind the counter at the bar. "Oi Cana! It's me and I picked up a little shrimp on the way, I think she needs to see you!" Bacchus' loud voice rang through the room.
"Okay, okay come in already." I hoped over the counter and saw him enter with my favourite cousin Lucy. I noticed his coat on her shaking shoulders, which left him, of course, without a shirt.
How typical of him.
As I looked closer I noticed tears running down her face. My eyes widened as I quickly drew her into a tight hug and let her cry on my shoulder. "What happened?!" I asked looking up at him but he only shrugged, not really knowing himself. "I found her just now on my way here, thought it would be a good idea to bring her with me. She always tells you everything."
"It...It's…N-Natsu..." Lucy stuttered before breaking down. I nodded. What could the Idiot have done this time?! I thought angrily. I asked Lucy in a calm voice to follow me upstairs, while I gave Bacchus the task of locking up the bar.
General PoV:
Upstairs Lucy sat on the couch, while Cana made her a cup of tea and herself coffee, she had the feeling this would be a long night.
Lucy had calmed down a bit and was now starring around the room. Sure she had been her before, but she had always admired Cana's apartment. It was on the second floor of the two story house.
The living room she currently sat in, was made out of a large dark purple coloured L-shaped sofa in the middle of the room. There was a medium-sized TV a few meters afar, the wall behind it and on the opposite were painted white, while the other two were the same colour as the couch.
The floor was made out of mahogany just like most of the bar downstairs was.
In every corner of the room were either plants or shelves with books. Most of them were fantasy-novels, because Cana had a secret affection for them. On the wall behind her were cabinets filled with various alcohol bottles or awards for 'the best barkeeper' and so on.
On the left side of the room was a door that lead to a guestroom and the other one next to it was their bedroom door.
On the other side was a balcony with a nice view. The door next to the TV lead to the kitchen where the staircase lead downstairs to the 'Fairy'. God knows what the architect thought when he designed this house.
As Cana set the cup of tea with extra sugar on the small table in front of her, her thoughts drifted back to the former topic. The older cousin took a seat next to her with a worried look on her face.
Bacchus had just joined them and the pair waited for Lucy to tell them her story.
"Please tell us what happened…" Cana said after a few minutes passed in utter silence. "…and who I need to teach a lesson." Bacchus added eager while cracking his knuckles.
Lucy's eyes wandered from the floor to her shaking hands and finally upwards meeting Cana's.
"It's Natsu…he…well uhm, he kind of…*sigh* today is our anniversary as you know and not only did he forget, but…but he also kissed Gray...oh Cana!" fresh tears had gathered in her eyes as she started to cry on her cousin's shoulder yet again.
At first Cana looked quite angry and Bacchus was ready to murder someone, but then it sunk in.
"Wait, Natsu is gay…and kissed Gray…that also means Gray is…" suddenly she burst out laughing. "HA! I KNEW IT! You owe me 50 bugs Bacchus!" Lucy had stopped crying abruptly and was staring at Cana shocked, she looked at her cousin's boyfriend who sweat dropped. "You knew…?" she asked.
He smiled ashamed, while scratching the back of his head. "Well, we kind of thought…you know, the pink hair…and so on…?" Cana had calmed down in the meantime and had now a dark aura around her. "But none the less, he cheated on you. Bacchus!" Said guy sensed the dangerous vibes from Cana and didn't dare disobey. "Yes?" "Ready the car, we have some business to take care of. Lucy you stay here."
Cana stood up and was ready to leave with Bacchus, who had suddenly appeared next to her, but Lucy grabbed her wrist. "Cana wait! I mean, I…I kind of knew too, from the start I guess. I'm not blind. The pink hair, the open-shirt thingy that showed all of his upper body, guy-nights…*sigh*
You know he was my best friend since kindergarten and maybe…we mistook our friendship for love." she finished blushing and looking at the floor once again.
Her killing intend had completely vanished by this time and was replaced with a knowing smile, she knew exactly what her young cousin was talking about. "That means Natsu gets to live a little longer, fine by me, but if he does dare to hurt Gray, I'll kill him!" "Aye sir!" Lucy agreed with a small smile.
They hugged each other, while Bacchus stood next to them dumbfounded. Women, I really don't understand them. One minute they will murder you and the other they forget everything about it.
I think I need a drink!
"So who's up for some drinking games?!" he asked with a grin, knowing that Cana would definitely agree to a contest with me anytime. The girls had separated and while my girlfriend gave me the thumbs-up sign, Lucy muffled a yawn. "Maybe next time, besides I'm not crazy enough to challenge both of you. Thanks."
"Fine by me, but this Saturday party at the 'Fairy', alright? We need to celebrate your new single-status and Natsu's official coming-out!" suggested Cana with a sly grin and Bacchus agreed. "Alright."
Perfect, I always wanted to set her up with Loke and that will be the best opportunity! Cana thought enthusiastically, slight grin still in place.
Lucy yawned again, visibly tired from all the crying she did tonight. "Can I sleep here just for tonight, Cana?" she asked rubbing her sore eyes. "Sure, you know I still have 'your' room prepared for you if you finally decide to move in with us." "Thanks." She said grateful as Cana lead her to her own room first, to find her some clothes to wear for the night. In the meantime Bacchus prepared everything for their drinking contest.
Cana PoV:
After Lucy went to bed, I settled on the couch next to Bacchus both of us a glass of whisky in our hands.
"You know…" he began "…I think you're a great cousin."
"I know." I replied smug while playing with the half emptied glass in my hand.
"I'd love to have you as my cousin, you know. You have humour."
"Correct."
"You can handle almost as many drinks as me..."
"Almost?!"
"…and you can be murderous yet sexy. Why can't you be my cousin?" he asked with a grin.
"Well my cousin doesn't get to do this." I answered while leaning forward for a short kiss.
"Alright, point taken." We set our empty glasses on the couch table in front of us and kissed again.
"I think I've got a better idea than pointless drinking." He whispered seductively in my ear.
"It's not pointless, but you're right." I agreed as we kissed again. "I love you." "Love you too babe." With that we made our way to the bedroom.
To be continued…