Juvia Lockser, current S-class Sabertooth mage, ex-free-lance mage, ex-Fairy Tail mage and ex-Phantom Lord mage. Not many could consider themselves loyal to more than one guild but here she was, sitting in a dingy bar in Crocus swirling the amber liquid in her cup to the rhythm of the bar fight behind her. Her Sabertooth comrades are certainly a particular mixture of those she remembers from Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord. A pout makes its way onto her face as another person is flung into a wall, a series of pained grunts escaping them. Juvia sighs, tension leaving her shoulders as she drowns the rest of her drink in one shot. The Grand Magic Games is something of a tedious event for her.
"Are you not enjoying yourself Juvia?" Rufus Lore, the Memory-Make magic mage of Sabertooth settles down beside her. Juvia stifles a laugh at the sequence of M related words used to describe him. He's one of her closest friends coincidentally. Although he's aloof on the best of days, he's a calming presence to her own newly uncomfortable rage. It's a balanced relationship.
"I always enjoy coming to rowdy bars Rufus, you know that." Juvia allows a secretive smile to grace her features as she takes in her flashy friend, "Get's a girl feeling all sorts of ways". There's still a remarkable resemblance between Rufus and one Freed Justine. In her early Sabertooth days, every time she so much as glanced at the him she couldn't help but compare them. A stupid comparison on her part but a comparison no less. One that she has thankfully grown out of, getting to know him helped to stop that.
He stares her down with little compassion and she feels her Phantom Persona creeping up on her – minus the gloomy weather of course. He always knows when she's lying. It's infuriating.
"If you must know, and of course you must." Juvia rubs her temples in a soothing motion,"I find the Grand Magic Games a tedious event, a waste of time which I do not wish to participate in." She explains. Her voice only just raised loud enough to be heard over the continuing bar fight, so there's no misunderstandings she thinks, smirking as he hums his own understanding and agreement from beside her. Although he knows as well as she does this year is different.
Partially because Juvia is actually competing in the Grand Magic Games.
"And yet you're actually participating this year. Why would that be do you think?" Rufus' question annoys her but Juvia knows he has a point. She blows a pale blue strand of hair out of her face. She really needs to take better care of her hair she thinks glaring at the mans own always perfect and oddly soft blonde hair.
In all honesty, its different because Juvia has only competed in the Grand Magic Games a total of once. She allowed herself to compete as a part of team Sabertooth in the 2nd Grand Magic Games – being an S-Class mage meant that she had a duty to protect Sabertooth's title as the strongest guild in Fiore.
Mostly, because Fairy Tail is here. The whole of Fairy Tail. The Fairy Tail that was presumed dead for seven goddamn years.
Her drink has miraculously managed to refill itself in the short time Juvia spaced out and with a growl she slams it back. The burn from her drink causes Juvia's face to twist into something less than pretty as a she relives another memory.
Nine Years Ago;
"You wish to wHAT?" Master Makarovs voice vibrated through his office. If one could call it that. Juvia hung her head in shame and fear. Fear that he would berate her further for her choice but also that he wouldn't grant her what she so desired. Lifting her eyes to meet his she tried to explain her reasoning.
"Master, Juvia believes she joined Fairy Tail for the wrong reasons, her love for her beloved Gray-sama clouded her vision of her own desires. Juvia has come to realize that she was so blinded by her love for Gray-sama and gratitude for the sun that he gave her that she did not think clearly when joining Fairy Tail. You misunderstand Juvia's wish to leave as unhappiness in the guild." Tears gather in her eyes although outside remains as bright and warm as she feels. "Juvia loves Fairy Tail!"
"Then why, my dear, do you wish to leave?" Makarov shakes his head in confusion at the water mage. Leaning forward, hands on knees, he tries to make sense of her rambled words.
"Juvia simply wishes to take her time to discover herself. Juvia knows her love and devotion is one-sided. The joy she feels from Fairy Tail, the acceptance and friendship Juvia is granted by her guildmates is constantly waring with the pain of rejection from her love. Juvia needs time away from Gray-sa…from Gray. Juvia needs to know if her desire to join Fairy Tail was even her own!" Her voice had progressively grown louder the longer she ranted and by the end of it Juvia is breathing heavily. Chest heaving and eyes stinging.
"Please Master. Give this to Juvia."
Outside the guild-master's office is silence. The walls of the guild were not the thickest and Juvia's voice could clearly be heard in the silence of the hall. Gray Fullbuster hung his head, staring solemnly down at the table as Juvia's words rung throughout the hall. He could feel everyone's eyes on him. Fairy Tail was completely frozen in disbelief. Cana's drink was untouched, Natsu wasn't even making a sound – just glaring intensely at the Ice-Make mage.
If they weren't looking at Gray, they were looking at the other Ex-Phantom Mage. Gajeel Redfox sat, back straight and posture tense – glaring daggers at the wooden door separating Fairy Tail from Juvia and Master Makarov.
"He…he's not going to let her leave right…or at least…not leave forever?" Lucy questioned. The blonde's hands were clenched tightly in her lap as she hung her head. Juvia and Lucy may not be close – if the girls growled 'Love Rival' signified anything but the thought of Juvia, who tried so hard to join Fairy Tail leaving. It was just inconceivable. Erza shook her head gravely as the wooden door slammed open.
All eyes were on the blue haired mage immediately.
Gajeel stood.
Juvia Lockser walked out, head held high, like always. She could feel the eyes raking down her body, taking in her appearance. Looking for the light blue guild mark that was no longer there.
"You stupid rain woman, what the hell are you thinking." Gajeel glowered at the smaller woman, the question more of a statement. One which Juvia guessed she was not to answer. She did anyway.
"Juvia is thinking she has not seen Oak Town without a cloud of rain. Juvia is thinking that she wishes to see the sun rise in Sun Village and the sun set in Hargeon Town." She smiled, albeit wobbly at the Iron Dragon Slayer, "Gajeel-kun, Juvia wishes to see everything she hasn't. Juvia wants to visit Aria-san and Monsieur Sol and Toto-sama."
Gajeel stared at her, red eyes unblinking. Juvia stared back, a hint of a smile on her face – unflinching and unafraid. He nodded his head slowly, just once but it was enough of an acceptance for Juvia. It was all they needed. They're own understanding.
A hand reached out and grasped her own. Warmth seeped through the saddened mage and in return she gripped Lucy's hand tighter.
"You'll come back though? After."
"Of course."
"Lost in your thoughts again Juvi-sama?" Yukino grabs the older mage by the shoulders and spins her around with a soft smile, "Aren't you excited at all?"
Juvia feels a rush of warmth at the sight of the younger girl. Yukino is by all accounts not someone weak or in need of protection but Juvia can't help but feel sisterly towards the celestial mage, like a cool older sister, that is. Juvia reaches up and grabs Yukino's hands, bringing them down to simply rest in a warm, familiar grip between them. Yukino's smile is, as always, completely contagious and Juvia feels the remains of her bad attitude blissfully fade away. She feels a sense of familiarity at the warmth she's feeling, almost like how she used to feel as a Fairy Tail mage but more.
"You know that I don't harbour the same fuzzy feelings towards these Games as you and the rest of Sabertooth Yukino." She tells the girl but the words don't hold the same anger or sharpness they did a few moments ago. Juvia has changed a lot since her days as a Fairy Tail wizard, even more so from her Phantom Lord days but the loyalty to her friends and guild mates has not wavered in the slightest. Rufus and Yukino are her friends, her family.
Joining Sabertooth was not on her to do list, Juvia had always held the belief that she would one day return to Fairy Tail – stronger and surer than ever. However, after the news of Tenrou Island she knew better. A part of Juvia will always hold illogical regret and guilt for leaving, regret that she didn't go back soon enough or at all but she didn't and hasn't and Juvia refuses to spend her days in a tizzy over the past. She misses her friends but she's not unhappy. Sabertooth, slowly and surely, became her family. She wouldn't leave them for anything.
"Are you afraid rain woman?" Orga laughs, barely dodging Juvia's intense water blast. He snarls in annoyance at her, although playfully, and Juvia glares up at him (although softer a glare than anyone else would get).
"Juvia has warned Orga not to call her that!" Although Juvia's speech pattern has gotten better over time, just as her magic flared up with intense emotion, her speech is now influenced by her emotions. The third person speak usually happens in anger, when Juvia can barely think straight – words flying from her mouth faster than she registers them. The Lighting God Mage stares down at her and she huffs, standing up and smoothing out her skirt.
Juvia's appearance also changed since she joined Sabertooth, something she takes pride in. She's a Sabertooth Mage - one of the most powerful. She wants to look as good as she feels. Gone is the fur lined thick dresses, overcoats and tightly curled hair. In their place is now a tight-fitting dark blue dress, with long slits up to her thighs on each side. The neckline is high, almost like a turtle neck, but there are no constricting sleeves. Juvia now wears black fishnet tights and combat boots. Her hair is long, coming up to the back of her knees and free flowing. She no longer confines her hairs natural wave, allowing it to do what it wishes. It's a darker version of something she had almost considered wearing to please Gray. The thought makes her shudder – and not in the good way.
"It's getting late" she murmurs, eyeing her companions, "Rufus and Orga should escort Yukino to Sabertooth before going to the Inn, Juvia will go and find Sting and Rogue before Master loses his patience." Ever since the Grand Magic Games had been announced, along with the news that the new and improved 'orignal' Fairy Tail would be competing, their Guild Master has been stressed. Honestly, she can't blame him - she feels the same.
Both look ready to argue with her but shut up when she sends another look their way.
"…just take Yukino back and go to the Inn." she speaks through clenched teeth, tightening her jaw when Orga opens his mouth, no doubt to say something stupid. Juvia cuts him off with a barely concealed growl.
"Now. Before Juvia loses her patience."
Yukino smothers her laughter before nudging Rufus and Orga, "I'll make sure these two get back as soon as possible Juvi-sama. You take care and I'll be rooting for you tomorrow!" The celestial mage wraps her arms around Juvia in a quick hug before forcing Rufus and Orga out of the bar.
Bless Yukino, seriously.
Feeling more organized Juvia quickly pays the bartender, and god - does no one pay their tabs anymore?, before stepping out into the cold Crocus air. Although the city is beautiful and the weather warm during the day, it becomes significantly colder at night. With a shiver, Juvia takes a step before stopping completely and rolling her eyes hard enough to see stars.
Where even are those two idiots?