A Nalu Fanfiction: A Game of Deception Part 1
The Meeting:
I walk into the showroom, confident, my mannerisms calming to those around me. I grin at some ladies, they swoon at the sight, i laugh to myself at their vanity. No woman can resist enough charm or good looks. I casually make my way around the room, its large golden interior screaming the wealth of the attendants. As i scope the room i make three undercover security, failing at discreetly looking for suspicious guests. I count two at all four entrances and one under each window. Adjusting my cuffs i glance at my watch.
The auction starts in 30 minutes, i glance once more towards the main attraction and goal of the night, the beautifully priceless red and pink diamond necklace. It had one large heart shaped diamond in the center and three other large pink and red diamonds receding in size outwards, also heart shaped. Small chains and white diamonds connect the larger rocks, forming a waterfall effect.
A waiter walks by, i grab and cup of champagne smoothly bringing it to my lips. I grin to myself again. Tonight would be my biggest score, Tonight i would steal the Burning Passion Necklace, and be set for life. Bringing the cup to my lips again I watch the crowds around me.
"Oi, what's the status Flame-Brain?!" my earpiece crackles, i steel myself from flinching. Annoyance boiling in me, i hold myself back from screaming a response.
"Three integrated, two at each door, one under each window ice-freak" I respond, barely moving my lips, scanning the room once more in the process. I notice one of my partners across the room, her redhead nodding in agreement.
"I counted the same integrated, our window of opportunity is going to be small. We should move in the next ten minutes as they relax a little." Erza decides, making her way around the room, intimidating men away from her.
"You know Erza, you don't mix with the men very well, try relaxing a little."
"These so called lecherous men will get no such thing from me or lose their heads." she hisses in distaste. I laugh uncomfortably. "While you on the other hand Natsu mix very well, continue until its time, making your way to the case."
"Roger Dodger" I laugh when she hisses in annoyance at my response. I decide to walk towards to the buvette. I pick at a couple cracker snacks, looking for a good woman to exploit until i have my rock. My gaze travels the room looking for the easiest target, and that's when I see her. She enters the room wearing a high neckline pink ball gown, her blonde hair is in a tight bun, small wisps of hair framing her radiant heart shaped face. I can't help but stare at her, for the first time speechless before a woman.
"Nice choice Natsu, she looks like a perfect mark" Erza nods in approval. However her perfectness is shattered as she makes her way down the stairs. She trips on the hem of her gown and with a squeal falls flat on her face. Using the situation to my advantage i rush to help her.
"Miss are you alright?" I ask, reaching out to help her up. She gratefully takes my hands, slowly raising herself up. She grins sheepishly at me, her beautiful white teeth flashing before me. I feel heat rise to my face. Crap, this isn't supposed to happen, I should be the one in control.
"Yes, thank you, you would think i would be used to wearing these things by now." She rolls her eyes in annoyance. I can't help but laugh, it feels like she is very different. She narrows her eyes at me. "And what would be so funny?"
"Sorry" i say, "it's just that i have never meet a woman like you before. My name is Natsu," i wince at my slip up, "what is yours." I hear Erza start to chew me out over the headset for using my real name.
"Lucy, please to meet you." she shakes my hand, all smiles again. She sure switches gears fast. I wonder what kind of woman she is, and what someone like her is doing at this kind of party.
"I take it you attend these functions regularly?" She looks at me wide eyed, I almost laugh again, she looks to cute, here reactions are comical.
"How did you know!?" She practically whispers, fearful awe showing in her eyes. I give her a toothy grin, and this time can help but snicker.
"You mentioned being used to wearing these kinds of dresses" I motion to her rather large ball gown, she looks down, following my motion. I can see the look of disbelief flash across her face before she looks at me again, grinning sheepishly.
"Oh ya. Well my father loves these things and used to take me all the time. He always had me wear these dresses, however as you've already witnessed, i'm a walking disaster. You wouldn't believe how many dresses i ruined over the years. He stopped taking me a few years ago, but i really wanted to see the Burning Passion tonight." She explains as we walk across the large room, back towards the food.
"Makes sense, but why the ball gown you could wear something shorter and with less fabric." I glance around at the other women, few wearing a dress like Lucy's. Again she makes a funny face, this time one full of horror.
"Why didn't I think of that!" she shouts rather loudly for the formal atmosphere. A few people look over at us, their rich snooty glares washing over us. I chuckle, throwing people an apologetic glance. I look back over to her her hands over her mouth, eyes wide. This time I can't help it, I laugh again.
She pouts at me and turns to storm off, but ends up tripping over her dress again. She squeals once again, as she falls forwards. I rush forward, catching her just in time. Both of our faces flush just enough that it's not overly noticeable in the light.
"Th-thank you" she stutters out. I grin at her, suddenly her face flushes deeper, pushing me away "Shut up" she snaps, her mood drastically changing again. This just makes me grin some more, i follow her enjoying this erratic, weird and dynamite woman. She huffs, mumbling to herself something about rude men and embarrassment.
"Calm down" I snicker at her, placing my hand around her shoulder. She looks down at it, a skeptical look on her face. She reaches up, placing her hand on mine, heat rises to my cheeks, however she lifts it off, squeezing it to where i gasp in pain.
"Don't try to put the moves on me, I'm not interested" I nod quickly, she releases my hand, relief soon following. She grins at me again walking away once more. My desire to know this woman grows.
"Wow that must be a first Hot-Head, utter and total rejection" Gray snickers in my ear.
"That just makes her all the more interesting" I whisper, following her deeper into the crowd. I catch up too her again, this time she's standing in front of the case holding the legendary necklace. This time she is showing an awed expression, she easy to read, it's amusing.
"Hey again" I say, standing close to her side. She jumps so hard she knocks into the person next to her, their red wine spilling all over her dress. She gasps at the quickly appearing stain on her skirt. "I'm so sorry". I frantically look for something to wipe it up with. She just stares at her skirt before turning to me.
I flinch, waiting for her to yell at me. Unexpectedly she just smiles at me. "Don't worry this is not the first time I've done this, believe me. I'll just find a bathroom to clean up in. How much time until the auction starts?"
"I look at my watch, another 23 minutes" I make a mental note that we are moving in three minutes. She lifts up her skirt and starts making her way through the crowd "I'll be here when you get back" She looks at me with raised eyebrows.
"Who said i would gift you with my company again tonight?" before i can answer she moves deeper into the crowd, soon out of sight.
"She's something isn't she?" Erza says, i can practically hear the grin in her voice.
"Ya, Natsu just can't catch a break with her can he. Doesn't help she's all over the place"
"Oh hush you two," I hiss, "are we ready Erza?"
"One faint on the other side of the room coming right up" she whispers. Shoving my hands into my pockets i start to wiggle my gloves on, my night vision sunglasses sitting read on my head. I count how many steps it would take to get to the window and back before Gray turns the lights back on. The plan is for Erza to be a distraction while I get closer to the case. Then Gray will cut the lights and alarms, so i can grab the necklace. I will then drop it out of one of the windows where my cat, Happy, will receive the necklace as trained. I will then dispose of the gloves and no one will be the wiser as we walk out of here clean and rich.
I lick my lips, weeks of practice, preparation and work are about to pay off. Before i can get ready to do anything though, the lights go off, screams and shouts filling the room.
"What the heck Gray! A little warning next time, i wasn't ready!"
"That wasn't me! Someone override my hack on the lights and alarms!" panic clear in his voice.
"What!?"
"Natsu quick someone else it after the necklace" Erza shouts. I pull my glasses on, able to see now. My stomach drops as i see a slender figure reach into the case and pull away my score. They gracefully move through the crowded, clearly flexible and agile.
"Hey you get back here that's mine!" I shout in anger, no one takes things from me, not something i worked hard for. They don't pause but move faster, showing they heard me. I growl pushing my way through terrified rich people. I lose sight of them for a second.
I turn in circles, trying to find my thief. There's a slight double tap on my shoulder. My hand shoots up quickly, feeling a piece of paper. At that moment the lights turn on. I quickly remove my glasses and gloves. I open up the piece of paper, furry filling me.
"Better Luck next time3 xoxoxo"
I shove the paper into my pocket, growling at the unknown person of my anger. People soon shout that the necklace is missing, guards rushing the case. Above the chaos i hear a squeal down the hall.
"Lucy!" I shout, my anger pushed aside for the moment as i rush to make sure she is ok. As i turn the corner towards to bathrooms i see her sitting on the floor, rubbing her head, her hair disheveled. "Are you ok!?"
Reaching her side i help lift her up, my hand on her lower back. "Ya I'm fine, I was coming out of the bathrooms when i couldn't see anything and some guy ran into me, knocking me down, talk about rude." she huffs, obviously alright.
"That's good to hear," I grin at her, "Had me worried when i heard you scream again." She glances at me, snatching her arm from my grasp, glaring at me.
"Thank you for checking on me, now if you'll excuse me i'll go back to the auction. She starts off towards the ball room when guards round the corner. They quickly surround us, grabbing at us roughly.
"Hey!" She cries out, "What is going on? Unhand me this is absolutely uncalled for."
"Don't touch a lady like that!" I snarl at the guards, dread filling me, if they decide to do a body check, my gloves and glasses alone could get me in serious trouble. Some of them loosen their grip on Lucy, still keeping her captive though.
"I demand to know what is going on!" She glares at them so hard, some back up, not wanting to deal with the infuriated woman in front of them. "First this guy spills wine on my dress," she gestures to me, "then you have some power outage in which someone pushes me over as i walk out of the bathroom, and now I'm being handled like some criminal, you better have a good reason" she snarls.
"Ma'am, please calm down, there has been a robbery and we are just taking precautions, now if you would be subject to a search-" a guard says, however is quickly cut off
She gasps in surprise, "What was stolen" The guards have released her at this point, glad she's no longer angry.
"The Burning Desire I'm afraid" Lucy about loses it at the answer, these poor men, i pity them before this formidable beast of mood swings.
"No!" She screeched, tears filling her eyes," I was going to bid on that for my mother, you have got to be kidding me!" She continues to rage, getting louder with each sentence, something about promises and time limits, her arms flailing around. This woman could be deadly if you got on her wrong side.
Most of the guards had backed away by now, unsure of how to handle the raging woman before them. One of them speaks quietly into their wrist, i catch something along the line of 'maybe not here', 'keep looking'. I sigh in relief, Lucy's one man, err woman, riot distracted them enough to not notice me.
"Lady Lucy!" someone shouts behind me. I turn to see a man running towards us. He has spiky, pale ginger hair, almost like a lion's mane. His eyes are hidden behind tinted glasses and he wears a simple black and white suit. Lucy stops her yelling when she sees the man.
"Leo! The necklace was stolen!" She rushes to the man, tears in her eyes. He stands in front of her as she cries harder. I stare at him, jealousy welling up inside me. Who is this man, he can't be Lucys boyfriend can he? I glare at him as he comforts her, sad understanding in her gaze.
"I'm sorry Sir but who are you?" The chief guard implores the new addition to the group, suspicion in his gaze.
"I am Miss Lucy's butler, Leo Regulus. I will be taking her home now if that is ok with you?" He states his question more like an order, his stare intimidating. The guard coughs, trying to regain control of the situation.
"I'm sorry sir but we must first follow some protocols and them you both will be free to go. If you would just follow me this way" he trails off, trying to guide us back towards the ballroom. Leo gently guides Lucy after the men, I do as well, no longer being held.
Once back in the ballroom i see most of the guests divided into two groups. The first group of people are being escorted into separate rooms, being checked for any suspicious items. Dread fills me once more. No way I'm Getting out of this one. That is until i notice Erza being lead towards the second group, obviously cleared.
Our eyes meet and she leans in closer to me, he legs buckling underneath her, she stumbles into me. I quickly catch her, placing my gloves into her hands as I help her up.
"Are you alright miss?" I ask, faking the concern in my voice. I almost bust out laughing at Erza's respons.
"Oh yes thank you, it's just been a frightful night and I am quite exhausted" she sends a secret glare at me, as if shes daring me to say anything later on. I grimace at her, the smile hard to keep on my face. I'm so being punished later. The guards continue to escort her out of the area, giving her the all clear to leave.
When i reach the small group of people left to be checked, I try to find Lucy again but i can't. She must be in one of the rooms already. A man walks up to me and asks me to come with him. I follow him into a hallway, he pats me down and asks me to empty my pockets, then I'm free to go.
Once outside, the cold air brushes my face. Sighing I run my hand through my hair again. "What a frustrating night, what a waste….now we have to figure something else out". Out of the corner of my eye i see a flash a pink. Turning i see Lucy, her face twisted like she's trying to hold back tears. A limo pulls up, Leo climbing out of the drivers seat. Coming around he opens the door for Lucy.
As Leo closes the door i see a satisfied grin on Lucy's face, all traces of anger and sadness gone in a flash. My eyes widen in disbelief. I knew that look, that's the very look you get when you successfully pull off a job, clean and free. That vixen took my necklace!.
"Wait, get back here!" I run after the limo, already knowing it's hopeless. I sigh once more in frustration, and, despite it all, attraction. This woman fooled me perfectly. Her clumsy and bipolar nature had me completely sucked in. I laugh to myself.
"She's good" I whisper, forgetting my team mates can still hear me.
"Who is? Did you find out who snatched our score?" Gray asks, in hope of stealing it back.
"Oh ya, Lucy, or whoever she is"
"Wait that clumsy girl who couldn't find her way out of a maze!?"Erza shouts, practically blowing my eardrums.
"Ow, ya, she fooled us pretty good" I laugh, "I have not been that out done in a long time." I make my way around the corner to the SUV parked near by. Climbing in i pull out my earpiece, staring at Erza and Gray. I grin, "now to just track her down and out do her."
" There is no way she did all that on her own." Gray argues
"Some guy did show up, said his name was Leo and that he was her butler."
"Well it's way too late to work on this now, let's regroup in the morning, it's been a disappointing night." Erza says climbing into the driver's seat and pulling away from the curb.
"Ya it has, i was going to buy new equipment when we sold that." Gray says, climbing up next to Erza, soon dozing off.
I sit quietly in the back, Happy in my lap, my thoughts all on Lucy. She's sweet and kind, yet rude and loud. She wasn't afraid to let you know how she truly felt, and none of these things felt like and act to me. Rarely do you meet a con artist who does not create a character for a job. I can't wait to meet her again, this beautiful mystery woman.