On one of two big hills sandwiching the sleepy little town of Magnolia, twins Grey and Grayson; age five; sat gazing at the stars. In the throes of boredom, Grayson bit and chewed at his nails, tearing them off in thin strips before spitting them out through his teeth. Grey looked over, disgusted. "Stop slobbering all over your fingers! Why do you have to do that?"
"Better than staring at the moon while we wait for dad to get better," replied Grayson. Grey eyed the silver crescent moon hanging in the sky and frowned. Even though the stars reminded him about his mother, all he could think of was how much the moon resembled one of his brother's nails, frayed edged and all. "You're ruining the mood," he muttered. Grayson spit at the ground. "What mood?"
The air was crisp as a juicy green apple from their neighbor Mrs. Redfox's tree, it was a rare kind of autumn cold that clung on and soaked through the core. No matter, the twins were bundled in so many layers of puffy fabric; they might roll down the hill if they lose their footing. Grayson's navy eyes suddenly widened. Among the stars appeared a bright indigo blaze with long streaking tail, arching its way across the heavens sky. "Look!" he shouted elbowing his brother. "A falling star!" They watched in wonder as the object continued its descent, glowing brighter, and brighter... and brighter still. "I've never seen one last this long," remarked Grayson.
Down at Fairy Tail Tavern, patrons were throwing darts and chucking dice, playing board games while tossing back strong drafts. A massive glass goblet, empty but for a few amber drops at the bottom, sat on the counter in front of Gray. He was slumped at his stool, holding a half-eaten green apple in one hand. Levy gave him three of these each day, two for his sons and one for himself. This was more of an act of placation than kindness.
"They're sweet boys Gray," she told him, "but really Gray, they needn't steal my apples. I can spare a few everyday. If they'll stop hauling them away in their underwear. Seriously Gray, I thought Lucy disciplined them to not have that stripping habit of yours!" Gray could only look down, embarrassed.
He crunched into the apple, hating the way its flesh dug at his gums, but figured they were good for his health. And being too lazy to cut them into slices, this was the easiest way to eat them. "Hey Underwear Model, you want another one or what?" The bartender's question interrupted Gray's thoughts. He had a habit of calling Gray "Underwear Model" - or "Naked Prince," or some other random name for him - because Gray was always seen half naked, or fully naked and he wouldn't even realize until someone points it out. . Gray wasn't sure if it was a sign of affection or mean-spirited teasing. He raised his free hand and shook his head. He needed to sober up, " get better," before picking up his boys. He'd dropped them off at the hill to play for the evening while he ran errands in town. They would be ready to come home soon.
The bartender wiped the dirty counter with a dirtier rag. "Fine. So now you sit there while I watch that apple rot in your hand, eh?" He sighed. "Aw go on then, be a naked furniture for all I care." Gray shrugged. He was leaning toward mean-spirited teasing. Gray didn't even realize he was naked, he got up to go search for his clothes and sat back down when he was fully dressed. The bartender gave him a disapproving look.
Gray looked at the picture hanging on the wall behind the bartender. He can name pretty much everyone in the picture starting from A to Z. Gray sighed. He can still remember the day he first came here. It was a noisy, chaotic and loud place. He remembers all the "no meaning" fights he, Natsu and Gajeel used to have, and having Erza knock all three of them out for causing such a loud ruckus.
Gray even remembers the day he first met her, Lucy, it started out as a bad start for him. Him, Natsu and everyone else in the tavern were fighting starting our usual brawls, and for him being only in his boxers, was taken off by the hot head himself. Lucy freaking out "tried" to cover her eyes (but come on, would you really want to cover your eyes if you saw him naked?), didn't know what to do. Gray being the oblivious idiot noticed her and straight out asked to borrow her underwear. Lucy freaked out even more and hit the poor guy. Gray had to chuckle at that. As the days passed, he got to know Lucy more. He might even say he had a crush on her, heck, he fell for her. Ever since she joined the place, the tavern has never been more brighter; more energetic than before. He wanted to confess to her, but couldn't because people were saying she liked Natsu. He didn't want to believe it, but seeing the way she is always around him everyday he just let it go. But if it wasn't for Cana or Mira's help, he wouldn't have known Lucy had the same feelings he had for her.
And the owner of the place, Makarov Dreyar, a funny small old man. He made the place feel more like a home for us. He would consider us as his children, and we wouldn't mind. It was like the Fairy Tail Tavern was a home, a home for those who don't want to be lost again. But ever since he past, things have changed. It was still a rowdy place, but it wasn't feeling like a home at times. Along with Mira, after she retired, there wasn't a performance everyday. And them, them not being here to brighten up the place. "It's not like how it used to be," Gray thought.
The star had finally burned itself out, but it's path through the sky could still be traced as it crossed other celestial lights, briefly exulting their glow - a black husk cruising silent on a sea of night. Wonder turned into fear when the boys realized its trajectory would land dangerously close the to the very spot where they now stood. It all happened so suddenly: one instant it was a tiny speck, the next, a hulking harbinger of death screaming earthward. The boys had little time to do anything but embrace one another. The object bore down on them with relentless fury before slamming into the hillside, sending the earth into violent convulsions as plumes of soil erupted. A spray of hot dirt rained down at their feet. When all was settled and quiet, they dug their fingers out of each other's back and cautiously advanced down. For once, Grey actually appreciated his brother's nail-biting.
Embedded in the smoldering crater lay a prefect rectangular slab of stone. It was a deep black color, dappled with glittering flecks of green. The surface was smooth and shiny as water. Indeed, Grayson removed a mitten and reached out to touch it, his fingers actually felt wet. He quickly withdrew them, for the stone was freezing cold. The most interesting aspect of the object, though, was the man inside.
Through a seamless glass top, they gazed upon his features. He was racially indefinable. In fact, traces of all races seemed to show on his face, without any one trait taking dominance. His skin was darkly tanned (maybe by the stars, thought Grey). Despite the bald head, he did not look very old, no more than perhaps the age of fifty, although his cheeks were cut with wrinkles deep enough to channel tears - assuming, of course, he'd ever had a reason to cry (being dead seemed like a pretty good reason, thought Grayson). Crow's-feet crept at the corners of his eyes. They were closed peacefully, and he lay as still as the stone that entombed him. He was a tall man, at least half a head taller than anyone else in town, and wrapped in a black shroud from shoulder to feet.
Puffs of air poured from the gaping mouths of the twins. "Is...is this what a star is?" asked Grey to no one in particular.