Yay~ I'm back with another story. I'm so excited for this one. I hope you all read it and enjoy. Thanks for the support from returning readers and hola to the new ones. This has been going on in my mind for a while; the idea came a little after I finished reading the wonderful Miss Mungoe's Hard Liquor and the book Dave at Night by Gail Levine. I would like to also dedicate this first chapter to Encid for all the support you gave me. Oh and so you know Lily is a bit free-spirited since I decided to have him and Gajeel be close in age so he's not as strict. Anyway, please read and enjoy.
Liquor and Jazz
It was an extravagant rent party—hosted by Lucy Heartfilia in her large apartment building. No one knew why she was always holding rent parties, but they sure as hell was willing to pay a buck and some change to get in and eat some great food. It were those relaxed scenes where people were dancing and talking as the jazz music played. Plus, no one could complain about the alcohol being provided there. Of course, it was from Cana Alberona's—a not so secret—speakeasy. The music was good, the food better, the alcohol best, people friendly, and everyone was having a good time. Well almost everyone…
Here the posh people go again, Gajeel Redfox thought. The double bassist wasn't always in a good mood. In fact, it was the rarest of rares to catch him being happy right now. It was hard for him to be after his bandmates would always cut his share every time they performed. So he left. And here he is broke, and being hired by Little Miss Richie to play for her guests.
Actually, Gajeel has known Lucy for a while, but he was upset and he wasn't really putting up with anyone for now. The only two he could be the least bit happy with were his friends, Pantherlily (or Lily) and Juvia Lockser. They were old friends, and Juvia had just brought the best news to him that she quit the band and now all those jerks are going broke without them.
Gajeel smirked at the thought. He liked when it was just him and Juvia together on stage. Those other guys only had useless dreams that screwed with him for a while. Gajeel really shouldn't complain so much though. Magnolia was very promising for young, ambitious jazz musicians. And that came with those willing to pay hundreds, maybe even thousands. It would be awhile for Juvia and Gajeel to make it big (maybe him, she had more of a chance). So now he had to wait.
Lucy had so many rooms, that no one knew why she lived alone. But rumor has it, that two people barged in and decided to rent a room. Gajeel looked up. He heard Lily coming.
He saw his friend arrive in his fresh gray tux and fedora hat. "Gajeel, ya enjoying the party?"
Gajeel glared at him. "Lil' please cut the small chat. I'm not in the mood."
Lily looked at his friend with soft eyes. "Lighten up Gajeel. Enjoy the food, move to the music," a curvy red-head with a bun walked by "meet the ladies." Lily act as if he was gonna follow her but stopped and took two steps back to his friend.
Gajeel chuckled a little. "Watch it Lily. Everyone knows whoever messes with Scarlet will get."
Lily turned with a grin. "Yeah I know, but I hear that there's competition." He shrugged. "Might as well try when you living now."
Gajeel shrugged. "It might be true. As long as it isn't the drug-store cowboy, you might have a chance."
Lily laughed. "I'm sure Ms. Scarlet isn't falling for any of Loke's old tricks." Someone came by and whispered in Lily's ear. "Showtime Gajeel. Get you and your bass up on stage. Juvia will join you there."
Gajeel nodded and stood up. He walked off a little. "Hey Gajeel." Lily turned. He turned.
"Always remember: there are surprises around every corner and when you least expected." Lily winked.
Gajeel sighed and made his way to the top floor, and the back of the house. He went into a room that Lucy gave him as a temporary dressing room. It wasn't much, but then again Gajeel wasn't into flashy things, anyway. He opened his case and got out his instrument and bow. Gajeel exited then locked the door behind him.
He took his seat on stage and looked around for Juvia. She soon came from the crowd and backed away so Lily could introduce the duet. "Good Evening Ladies and Gents. You all lookin' lovely tonight. It's now the time you all been waiting for, playing some lovely lover's cry and jazz—Ms. Juvia and bassist Gajeel." Lily announced. More people came in the room and applauded.
Juvia blushed a little. She was never used to the attention she got. Everyone loved her. She had on a sleeved dark blue dress—darker than her hair—that came to her wrist, white gloves, a pin pulling back her hair. She thought it was a very conservative outfit, but she could hear the whistles from the crowd. Gajeel would kill them if he could. One that stood out was from a tipsy Gray Fullbuster, announcing his undying love for her. She took a deep breath. "Juvia hopes you enjoy our songs." She looked at Gajeel. He nodded knowing what song she would like.
He played a low, smooth tone. Juvia swayed a little to the beat. She grabbed the microphone and began to sing:
You took my hand, and you took my love
I watched you, but I couldn't see,
What you really stole from me.
It was my heart, it was my life.
It was my freedom,
and you didn't even pay the price.
How stupid was I?
How could I be so blind?
Was it me who gave it to you,
I will never really know.
But the past is the past,
and here I am living this lie.
It was my heart, it was my life.
It was my freedom,
and you didn't even pay the price.
You took advantage of me,
and went to someone else for love.
You were then gone,
never to be seen again.
But here I am,
Sitting here alone and out to dry.
I thought I gave you love,
but what is there to say,
when it was you walked away.
You took my heart.
You stole my life.
But I've learned my lesson.
And when the time comes,
what goes around
comes around.
And your price will finally be paid…
The crowd went wild with applause. Gajeel stopped playing to applauded too. He could never understand Juvia. She was normally a shy girl—not very vivacious—but when she got up to sing, it was different. She had confidence in her words, and let the crowd feel her pride and joy through her performance. Juvia giggled and did a little bow. She then turned to Gajeel and spun her index finger really fast.
As if it was an instinct, Gajeel got back to playing. But this time it was an upbeat jazz song that mainly consisted of Gajeel improvising as Juvia scatted. The slow couple dance quickly changed in the solo upbeat that kept everyone live and happy. This went on until Gajeel's fingers were numb, and Juvia was slurring every word. It was all fun, so no one was judging the two. They were finally done, but left everyone begging for an encore.
Lily grabbed and shook Gajeel's hand. "Nice job my friend, I think you got a heavy pay coming for ya."
Gajeel couldn't help but smile. He was never really in a bad mood after performing. Well that's until people ask him for autographs, then he might snap. Instead, many people shook his hand. He went up to Juvia who was getting many compliments.
"Gajeel that was amazing. You just get better and better. Juvia doesn't know if she'd be able to keep up one day." Juvia giggled.
Gajeel rolled his eyes. "I should be saying that to you. While you have your fun, I need to find the Blonde. You know where she is?"
"You flatter Juvia, Gajeel. Juvia thinks Ms. Lucy might be on the top floor. You should take your bass and drop it off. Then you might find her." Juvia answered.
Gajeel nodded. "Alright see ya." He made his way up the stairs, but helped himself to a couple of Alberona's finest in a glass.
He found the blonde exiting a guest room on the top floor.
"Oh Gajeel, thanks so much for performing. You sound so good that, more people came by, paid, just to hear you and Juvia. You will definitely be getting a raise in the pay." Lucy thanked. Gajeel shrugged. He went down the hall to his room. "Wait Gajeel! There's something I need to tell you." Someone called for Lucy. "Oh never mind, you'll find out soon enough. Thanks again." She went down stairs.
I wonder what that was about. He opened the door. Wait a sec, I thought I locked the door. He went inside cautiously. He put his bass in its case, then looked around. He figured he should turn on the lights. A lounge chair turned.
"Much oblige to be finally meeting the upcoming bassist, Gajeel Redfox." A small lady with blue hair and an orange short sleeved dress greeted him.
Shock didn't even describe how he felt. Gajeel knew many people feared him—even though he was a musician—but never thought someone would try to have a death wish by approaching him in such an informal manner. She must be drunk. "And you are?"
She did a little chuckle. Definitely drunk. "Levy McGarden of the Magnolia Corner."
Ugh she was a reporter. He wasn't very fond of them. Mainly because they made a huge story with rumor that him and Juvia were an item and blew up to the world about his money situation. They're asses, and Gajeel wasn't gonna stand for one. But this one grabbed his attention for some reason. "How the hell did you get in here?"
Levy leaned back in the chair and sat up. "Well I would have typically picked the lock, but good thing I'm friends with Ms. Lucy. She kindly let me in."
Gajeel scoffed. So that's what she was trying to tell him. "So you're a crooked reporter with a death wish. That's good to know. Now lady, I'm gonna give you three seconds to get the hell out of here before I'll do something I'd regret."
Levy made a tiny pouting face, stood up, and brushed herself off. "If you insist, but I will be getting an interview from you, so I'd get it over with if I was in your situation."
Gajeel opened the door. "Yea, yea whatever. Hit the road."
Levy made her way to the door, but a loud sound stopped her. It was a window breaking. Out of nowhere the little lady took a gun from her hand bag. "Someone's in the house! Sir this will have to wait. Follow me, I'll need your help." She was quick on her feet. He didn't know why, but Gajeel followed the girl.
She entered a room that was a little opened. A window was broken, but no one was in there. "Crap, they've already went into the party." She looked up at Gajeel. "Well don't just stand there, take out that gun in your chest pocket."
Gajeel was surprised. Only Juvia and Lily knew where he kept a gun. How did she know? "Why do you know where I had it?"
Levy put her gun down and sighed. "When you grow up in a rough neighborhood, you can easily learn where people put these things. Plus, it was kind of obvious." Gajeel muttered some curses. He followed the small woman's instructions. "Good now, I assume that the intruder is already in the party, probably trying to get Ms. Lucy. We need to get him before that happens." They exited the room.
Gajeel thought for a moment. He grabbed the small girl's shoulder. "Wait a sec, why the hell am I helping you with this? And what do you really do for a living? A cop?"
Levy turned. "I'm just a simple reporter, but when my friends are in trouble, I can't just sit around and interview someone who wants my head. And you wouldn't be getting your pay if she was dead. Furthermore, I'm sure you need some excitement after your bad break up." Well that shut him up.
They approached the stairs. "Okay here's the plan. You should be looking for someone who is either stealing merchandise or eagerly searching for Ms. Lucy." She put her gun in her red hand bag. She leaned towards Gajeel's ear. "If I were you, I'd put the gun away. We'll see who'll find him first, big guy." She whispered. Well, that—for some reason—sent a shiver down his spine.
You really gonna let this shrimp push you around? Wait, where did that thought come from? Gajeel sighed but let out a dark chuckle. "You're on shortstack."
The bluenette giggled. "We'll see about that." And the two went down the stairs, and their separate ways.
Gajeel chuckled. Oh please I have this in the bag.
Wait, what am I supposed to be doing again? Eh, you could say he was a little tipsy. "Gajeel, I asked you, what took you so long? You were gone for some time." Lily asked with a huge grin.
Lily was very aware of his friend's…problem with women. Even though he wouldn't dare play matchmaker, Lily figured he might as well try to give Gajeel a little push of his own.
Gajeel glared at his friend. "Lily nothing happened. I was a little caught up."
Lily grunted. He grabbed a champagne glass and handed it to him. "Drink this now." Lily just wanted to know. Maybe his best bud met someone.
Gajeel rolled his eyes as he gulped most of the drink and mumbled a short story. Lily didn't pick up all of it, but just enough. He giggled. It seems like I got some news to bring the girls. Lily excused himself from his friend, and went off. Gajeel looked down at the glass. He took a whig. Hm, oh yeah I gotta go find the Blonde… oh no!
*BANG*BANG*
Levy was first to hear the shots, but no one screamed out Lucy's name so that was good so far. I'm coming for ya Lucy. The bad thing was this caused havoc. The crowd quickly scatted out the building in a huge crowd. Throughout the madness, Levy was able to squeeze by to where she thought the shots were made.
She looked around the now vacant room. Only one thing laid: a body.
Crap! Stupid Lily getting me to drink. Gajeel was trying to get to there as fast as he could, but the crowd was going in all crazy directions. When he did get to where the shots were heard he saw the bluenette standing in another entrance.
"Gah, you fool!" she cursed. She rushed over to the man's body. "Jet, how the hell did you get shot?! I told you not to come to the party!"
The man gave a weak chuckled. "Miss Levy, I had to protect you. These parties are dangerous. I don't know what I would do if you got shot. Plus, it's only my upper arm."
Levy angrily rolled her eyes. "We'll have Wendy look at you when this is settled. Jet, I need your help. Someone's after Lucy. Where did the guy go?"
Jet slowly pointed to left, out a window. "Hurry, he climbed up the fire-escape. Lucy's up there."
Levy turned and saw Gajeel. "Well don't just stand there being a useless! We got business to do."
Gajeel went over to the window Jet pointed at and opened it. Levy went through it and began to climb the ladder. He followed. She was going slow.
"Hey short-stuff, if you plan on saving anyone, I suggest you pick up the pace." Gajeel groaned. Can someone explain how he got here again?
"How about you trying doing this in heels." She retorted. Gajeel looked at her shoes. They were barely half an inch tall. Gajeel sighed. He quickly took one arm and hook it around her by the hips. Gajeel then placed her on his back.
The shrimp definitely was startled. "Hey! What's-"
"Dry up! We gonna get the blonde." He answered. Levy couldn't say anything to that. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Gajeel climbed the ladder to the top floor where a window was already opened.
"Grr, we missed 'im." Gajeel went through the window. Levy dropped on the ground, and landed on her feet.
She took out her gun. "Get your gun. My patience is waning." Gajeel followed. "Good, there's a lampstand knocked over to the right, showing us the direction." The two exited the room to the right."
The bluenette's quick on her feet for a shrimp… and then again I am taking orders from her, so who know what's going on anymore?
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" a high-pitched voice screamed nearby.
"Shit, that's Lucy." The girl turned to Gajeel. "Righto bimbo, I'm sending you in to check it out. I assume that this ass is none other than, a neighborhood thug—Boze. I need you to go in and shoot. I don't care if you shoot Luce cause that would startled him and then you could shoot the guy. Got it?" she quickly explains.
Gajeel nodded. "Wait a sec, how come I'm doing it? I figured I was just some random back up."
Levy relaxed her shoulders. "Come on, don't be a wet blanket." She saw that Gajeel wasn't budging without a proper answer. "Fine, this whole gun business isn't my first time. To be on the level, Boze and I have crossed paths before, so he'll recognize me. You should act drunk then pull the trigger. Now stop all the tea talk and scat."
Gajeel muttered something and made his way down the hall. "Don't take any wooden coins." the girl whispered.
Gajeel crept deeper into the dark hall and goes into a door that's slightly ajar. A man with no hair and a pale green suit was pointing a gun at the shocked Lucy. I guess this is the guy. Oh yea, I need to play the act!
"Gajeel! Get somebody! Hurry! He-" Boze slapped Lucy. She dropped.
Gajeel tried making a weak step towards the man, heck! he threw in some stumbles and bumps into furniture.
Boze laughed. "Oh please. I knew it was smart to come during a party." He looked down at Lucy. "And you sorry ass thinks this drunk will save you."
He started laughing with his arms crossed over his chest and eyes closed.
Gajeel smirked. He quickly took his gun out and lined up the shot. "Gihi, your fault then." Boze only had time to look at Gajeel with shock before the shot was fired and he dropped to the ground.
Lucy stayed on the floor not knowing what happened. Levy peeked from the door frame. "Pss hey, is it clear?" Lucy asked
Gajeel grunted and shrugged his shoulders. "Well we heard Boze here, break in while I was about to interview Redfox. I had to think fast." Levy explained.
It was as if a light bulb was lit in Lucy's head. "Oh yes, that was what I was going to tell you. I had let Levy in your room for an exclusive interview."
"And did it occur to you to ask me before you let someone into a locked room?! How did you get the key in anyway?" Gajeel retorted.
Lucy crossed her arms. "I have more than one key for each room. I just thought she would be good for you."
"She was in the dark." Gajeel added.
Levy giggled. "Oh you'll understand one day. Any who, Miss Luce, what are we gonna do with Boze here?" Boze groaned. Levy turned her head. "Oh dry up! I'd shut it unless you want another hole in you."
Gajeel was a little shocked. Well you could say she's somethin'.
"Anyway as for a reward…"
Well the Blonde sure is generous. Gajeel now had $222 in his pocket. He thought about what he could buy now. Lucy then started giving money to the bluenette. When she was done, the three walked out of the building. They avoided the police and paramedics who entered through the door.
Juvia and Lily were outside the police tape. They ran under it to meet up with Gajeel.
"Gajeel are you okay?! Oh my gosh, Juvia was so worried." Juvia ran and gave Gajeel a hug. She pushed herself off him to look. "You don't look hurt. Juvia doesn't see any wounds. What happened?"
Lily gave a deep chuckle. "Good Lord, you had us in a wreck there, Kurogane." He sighed. "Juvia here almost broke my arm clinging to it. What happened?"
Gajeel shrugged. "Nothing."
"Oh don't sugar-coat it. I would have died if Gajeel didn't get that rag-a-muffin Boze." Lucy explained.
Juvia gasped. "You shot someone!"
Gajeel tried explaining the situation, but it wasn't any use. She went on about the night shyly lecturing the man on safety. As the trio was getting ready to leave, Gajeel gave one last look at the house. In the dark of night, he saw the bluenette disappear into the shadow of a neighboring house and the dead of night.
Terms to know:
Speakeasy: an illegal bar selling booze
Drugstore Cowboy: a guy who hangs around trying to get girls
Rag-a-muffin: a dirty/dishelmed person
Dry up: shut it/ shut up
Bimbo: Tough guy
Wet Blanket: killjoy
To be on the level: to be honest/truthful
Tea Talk (my own): small chat
Scat: go/leave
Don't taken any wooden coins: Don't do anything stupid
*Bows* Thanks for reading the first chapter. I hope you like it; I liked writing Juvia's song. Sorry if there are any typos, I was kind of excited when I was editing this.
Please review and share your thoughts, those really help. Thanks again.
-Ciao