Task № 1: clothes

"That won't do." Tilting his head Exceed thoroughly scrutinized his Slayer and let exhausted sigh. "Definitely not."

Gajeel said nothing, only glared back. It was fifth attempt, and being not used to such form of activity, he was stiff and tired more that he thought was even possible in such case. But despite these disagreeable sensations Iron Dragon Slayer was trying to be as patient as he can afford. Pantherlily appreciated his efforts, but it still won't do. And the worst was that he had absolutely zero understanding how to set it right.

Shagotte, finally settling in Fiore, was hosting a ball, where Fairy Tail's Exceeds and their Partners were invited, which put Lily in his present predicament – to find decent suit for Gajeel, to make him look presentable.

Task far more difficult that Exceed initially thought.

Iron Dragon Slayer had fine figure, very fine indeed: proportional, beautifully shaped, tall, broad in shoulders and chest, slim lower. It means formal suits must look good on him, right? Wrong! And how it turned out to be so wrong Lily couldn't understand, but Gajeel in this tuxedo looked completely out of the place. And previous 4 suits looked not better!

"Seriously, Gajeel, we need help. I'll call Mira." Lily suppressed another sigh. The dark aura, which Slayer emanated, did nothing to improve his look.

"Fine!" Came response thought greeted teeth.

Slayer knew this invitation and following event was important for his Exceed friend, who regarded it as a chance to restore bonds with his race, and Iron Mage was determined to do his best... but now he could dream only of one thing – to get rid of this damn suit, retrieve his usual cool clothes and rush elsewhere, preferably to some place where queens, balls and damn fancy suits banished from existence!

Mira came, examined situation and proposed to make amends with tailor's help. It can be easily done – Evergreen was known as skilled in this field and Thunder Legion luckily returned to town couple of days ago and now was occupied mostly relaxing in Guild hall.

"No!" Gajeel roared when Evergreen's name was mentioned. "I don't let this crazy bitch near me. Someone else."

"Hmm…" Mira looked at material, which swelled, crinkled, stretch at one places and were completely loose in others (and somehow all in wrong ones) and muttered "it must be someone really skillful… Oh, I know, Virgo, we'll ask Lucy to let a hand!"

"Bunny Girl? Doubt she'll want help me."

"She will if you nicely ask."

"Uggr… Lily, you sure it won't be better if I'll dump this stupid ball?"

Exceed frowned disapprovingly.

"I am sure, Gajeel, we discussed this hundreds of times before. Besides Queen specifically mention you in her invitation, as your contribution in Exceed's survival was significant. She wants to meet you, and I certainly won't let you disappoint my Queen!"

"Ugg..."

It certainly wasn't Gajeel's day, but his Cat was worth these tortures, so Iron Mage agreed contacting Lucy, which resulted in invasion of his house by Celestial Wizard, Natsu and his carefree blue cat. He groaned inwardly. Disastrous turn of already horrible events. And his senses mischievously whispered to him that more is coming.

'Fucking Ball, fucking Queen, fucking Exceeds, oh well, all excluding Lily.'

"So, Gajeel, I assume you have the same problem as Natsu? Clothes for Ball?" Lucy asked while damn Salamander was occupied sniffing his living room. 'What the fuck he was trying to sniff here?'

"Yes, Lucy, we'll appreciate…" Lily started politely, but was interrupted by:

"Don't compare me WITH HIM!" Both Slayers roared simultaneously and jumped ready to start another fight.

"Stop!" Pantherlily had transformed in his battle form and put himself between them. "We had important task to do. And, Gajeel, I highly doubt that you want your apartment to be destroyed?!"

Gajeel snorted, Natsu started to grin.

"Please, Lucy, can we have your spirit's help? We tried 5 suits, neither was good. I exhausted."

"5? Ha-ha. You're really clumsy, Metal Face, I just tried 2" Natsu really looked smugly.

"Shut up, Fire Dick!"

"What did you just say?"

"I said SHUT THE…

"Enough!" Lily smacked Gajeel on the head, then rubbed his temples. "After this I definitely will need a long relaxing vacation."

Lucy decided that it would be wise to have Slayers occupied, so she quickly got her key and summoned Virgo, who was so eager to please her mistress that she immediately got down to business after having heard only half of explanations. Result was unexpected. For everyone.

In the middle of his living room, surrounded by stunned audience (well, except Virgo, she looked pretty pleased with herself), stood Iron Dragon clad in black narrow leather pants which sited impossibly low on his hips and strange reticulate top with fluffy black feathers attached around arms, which was very short, leaving Gajeel's belly bare. Near him stood Natsu looking much the same with exceptions of color (it was red of course) and feathers – his were at the collar part, framing his neck like flames.

Lucy and Mira instantly turned completely red, both Slayers' bodies were really hot and exposed like that were giving rather strong impression.

Lily lost ability to speak.

"O god!"

"What the HELL!"

"Haha, Natsu, you look so flaaaaamy."

"These pants are too tight on my ass!"

"Well, khe-khe, at least these sit well."

"Virgo!"

"Punishment, Princess?"

"WHAT THE HELL!"

Sitting room was in chaos. Amidst the havoc came delicate knock at the door, and Gajeel rushed to open hopping it is someone he can punch and at least partially get rid of his irritation.

What was there about foreboding that things can worsen more?

It was correct, because at Gajeel's threshold stood Levy.

Absolutely stunned by Gajeel's present appearance red-faced Levy whose eyes with unidentified expression had drifted from Iron Dragon Slayer to Lucy, Mira and Natsu behind him than returned back.

"Sorry," she mumbled almost inaudible, "I probably interrupt something. I didn't say anyone." She hurriedly turned and started to run away.

"Huh?... What?... WHAT?... LILY!"

At this stage Gajeel was already unable to formulate correct request, but Lily understood.

"I'll settle it!" He flew after girl. "And you, meantime, get a normal suit, for all the gods' sake!"

3 hours later

Gajeel was lying on his couch with a wet compress on forehead.

House was quite, Salamander and company departed at last. His new official and perfectly fitting suit carefully deposited into wardrobe. Lily returned and now was occupied in kitchen, previously reported to Slayer that he explained everything to Levy and she appeared to believe that Gajeel hadn't a habit for organizing secret perverts meetings at his home.

Not counting throbbing headache all was good. Gajeel started to think he can survive this Ball.

Pantherlily emerged from kitchen, 2 beers at hands. He sat himself on couch near Dragon Slayer, took a sip and cleared his throat.

"Well, now when we secure your presentable look, there is another important thing that should be done."

Gajeel had tensed, headache intensified.

"We have to work at your communication skills. There are certain rules. Civilized conversations require…

Iron Dragon Slayer choked on his beer, had a fit of coughing and fell from couch.

"For fuck sake, NO!"