A/N 1: Not the greatest start to views with chapter one, but at least I had some...and followers and favorites too! Now, on with the story!
A/N 2: I am so freaking excited! Look to the picture! It's new! I commissioned it from tumblr user lindako (deviant art account same = lindako) and she finished it within a couple of days. I am so pleased! Custom artwork is a check!
(Again, based on Carried Underwood's song, Renegade Runaway, so if you want to hear it, you can listen to the track with the lyric video. (Search for it on YouTube).
Chapter Two: So Picturesque
Back in Magnolia City, four of the officers were rounding up and mounting their horses for the usual patrol when Sheriff Dreyar approached them.
"Men."
"Yes, sir?" chimed Jellal, Gajeel, Grey and Natsu.
"How can we help you sir?" Jellal questioned.
The older sheriff looked at the four men and took in a deep breath before letting it out in a sigh.
"I need to request the four of you to take it easy today."
"What? Why?" Natsu asked confused.
"Yeah, why?" Grey added.
Sheriff Dreyar took in a deep breath and let it out before he answered his young officers.
"There is a masquerade ball tonight and I need you four to be at your ready and best just in case the Runaways make their move tonight."
"Oh. Where is the party?" Gajeel inquired.
"At the Justine Manor."
"Is there a specific reason why we're being asked to be security for the ball tonight?"
"Yes, Jellal. We have reason to believe the Runaways, once informed of the gathering, may show up."
The four nodded before heading off and doing their normal patrol. They agreed to meet at the Justine Manor an hour before the party was to start to get their bearings.
"So, Fernandes, tell us about this fiancee you said you have." Gajeel teased.
Jellal turned and faced his subordinate and glared at him.
"I have one. That is all you need to know." he curtly replied before kicking his horse to make him go faster.
Gajeel just laughed as he did the same. Natsu and Grey just hung back and let the two get ahead. They opted to mosey along through town.
~On the Outskirts of Magnolia City~
The four women dismounted their horses high up on a mountain looking over the valley that Magnolia City was located in and stood in awe.
"I didn't realize Magnolia was so big." Levy stated with a hint of disappointment.
"It's okay. We aren't going to stay long. Just a quick two or three day stay in town for one hit and then we'll leave." Erza reassured her. "We'll rest for a few minutes before continuing on."
The girls nodded as they sat down on a boulder near where they stopped. Erza decided that the three should at least put their hair up in the acceptable style while they waited, so Lucy did Erza's while Levy did Juvia's.
"So, why we're taking a break, care to share your runaway stories?" Lucy questioned. "I mean, I did share mine back in Onibus."
The three looked at her with wide eyes, but it was Juvia who spoke first.
"Well, mine's easy. I hated how I was treated at the saloon that I worked at in Oak Town, the Phantom Lord. The owner was such a jerk and they always said the only way you would be able to leave was if you died, but I found a way to get out without my life ended."
"Didn't that saloon burn to the ground?" Levy asked as she and Juvia switched places.
"Yes." Juvia said with a grin. "Another employee helped get me out. What happened there was all because of him, although I don't really trust most men, he will always hold a special place in my heart for what he did, kind of like an older brother." she took a deep breath. "I met Erza and Levy about six months ago and we decided to make this little group of female bandits."
Lucy smiled. Juvia's story was simple enough. She turned to Levy as Erza switched and started to do her hair.
"What? My story?" Levy asked confused. Lucy nodded. "Oh, uh, well, mine's simple enough. I've been on my own since I was about ten. I wasn't necessarily a runaway, but I did leave the town I knew as home behind and met Erza a couple of days later. We've been looking out for each other ever since. When we met Juvia, we thought it was awesome."
Lucy then turned to Erza. Just by the scarlet haired woman's facial expression, Lucy knew it wasn't time for Erza to share her story just yet. To change the topic, Lucy stood up and stretched.
"Shall we head into town?"
The three women nodded as the two blue haired women stood up. They remounted their horses, but before they headed into town Lucy stopped them.
"Uh, ladies?"
"Yes Lucy?" Juvia responded.
"I think for the sake of our privacy, we should ride in side saddle and possibly come in separately so we don't raise suspicion."
"That's a great idea! Erza?" Levy replied.
Erza looked at the three and nodded. She then decided where they would meet and that Lucy should be the first to go in.
So, Lucy started her way down the path with the horse she was on and made her way to the Fairy Tail Saloon and Inn on the far side of town. Levy headed down as well, but went around the outside of the town to the east side, as Juvia made her way to the west side. Erza stayed at the top of the mountain for twenty minutes before making her way down.
The three that were heading in had to deal with the cat-calling of the locals all on their own. Lucy rolled her eyes at the pathetic attempts, while Levy started to get red in the face with anger as she rode along. Juvia kept quiet and secretly thought the worst for each man.
Lucy arrived at the Fairy Tail Saloon and Inn first and dismounted her horse. She then tied it to one of the racks in front of the saloon and took a look to her left and right to see if she saw Levy and Juvia approaching. She took a deep breath as she opened the brown swinging saloon doors and walked in.
Lucy bit her lip before starting to walk over to the bar, maneuvering through the vast amount of people.
"Ah, welcome to the Fairy Tail Saloon!" a woman with long white hair greeted as Lucy headed up to the counter. "What can I get you?"
"For right now, maybe a water?"
"Sure thing!" the woman replied as she quickly turned around and then came back handing her a water. "My name's Mirajane, but everyone calls me Mira. Are you new in town? I don't think I've ever seen you before?" she quickly spat out as Lucy took a sip.
"Wow! This is refreshing!" Lucy commented at the sharp taste of the water.
"Yes, we have an awesome spring we get it from."
"And to answer your questions, yes, I am new here. My name's Lucy." she introduced.
"Well, welcome Lucy. And if you need a place to stay, we have plenty of vacancies here at the inn."
"Thank you. I definitely will have to take you up on the offer." she replied with a smile as she looked around at the hoard of people inside, and then to the door. "Is there an open table by chance?"
Mira pursed her lips as she looked around.
"Um, I think the one in the way back by the back bulletin board is the only one open. Are you expecting more people?"
Lucy blanched. She shouldn't have asked.
"Uh, yeah actually. Some friends are meeting me here."
"Okay, if anyone shows up and comes up to me, I'll let them know if you don't. My sister, Lisanna, and another associate, Cana, are covering the floor, so don't be surprised if they swing by the table."
"Thank you." Lucy stated before leaving the bar and making her way through the crowd to the table.
Once she found the table she put her glass down in the corner sear so that she could face the doorway, but she noticed the bulletin board had a few notices on it, she decided to look at what was on display. Of course, there was typical wanted posters for the Tartaros gang and for the Renegade Runaways, but there was also the notice for a ball that evening, and a light bulb went off in Lucy's head. She opted to sit down and wait for the arrival of her friends, which didn't take too long.
Levy and Juvia ended up arriving at the same time and came into the saloon. Lucy could hear the new cat calls being made to two new arrivals and she correctly assumed that it was her friends that were the victims. Carefully, Lucy stood up on the chair and tried to find her friends, glancing over at the bar where Mira was shaking her head at the sight of Lucy on the chair. Lucy then saw Mira leave the bar and head over towards the entrance where she then saw her talking with her friends. Moments later, Juvia and Levy were making their way through the crowd and towards Lucy.
"I hate men!" Levy angrily stated as she sat down in one of the open chairs and put her head on the table.
Juvia nodded as she also sat down and another white haired waitress came over.
"Hello! My name is Lisanna! Can I get you anything to drink ladies?"
Lucy smiled. This was definitely Mira's sister. They looked too much alike, especially with the matching white hair.
"Yes, water please." Juvia requested and then looked at Levy. "For each of us."
"Sure thing! Coming right up!"
As soon as Lisanna left, Levy picked her head up to look over at a grinning Lucy.
"What's that look for?"
"What look?" Lucy nonchalantly inquired with a smile. Levy raised an eyebrow. "Okay, so I think I know how we can get some information on the townspeople here."
"How?" Juvia curiously asked.
Lucy grinned as she casually and inconspicuously pointed to the board behind Levy.
"There's some big masquerade ball where only the upper class can get in." Lucy started to explain. "I can thanks to my lovely last name, and I can try to get Levy in too since no one knows what she looks like."
Levy and Juvia smiled at each other at the thought.
"We'll definitely have to talk with Erza about that, but I don't see it as being a problem." Levy commented as she stood up to look at the wanted posters. She was quiet for a few moments before speaking. "Did you see the wanted posted for Tartaros?"
"Yes. Those are just some of them. The guy who killed my mom isn't pictured there." Lucy said sadly. "But I love the wanted poster of the Renegade Runaways." she added teasing as Levy sat down.. "Your picture is lovely." she whispered as she saw Lisanna coming over with the drinks.
"Funny." Levy replied as she looked up at Lisanna with a smile. "Thank you for the water."
"You're welcome." Lisanna said as she placed Juvia's glass down. "I saw you looking at the wanted posters. Those darn criminals will be caught soon I hope."
"Which ones?" Juvia asked not knowing which group she was referring to as a couple of lawmen walked slowly by.
"Both the Tartaros gang and the Runaways. Those girls are a disgrace to the idea of a woman. Sinful in my opinion."
Lucy and Juvia's faces fell flat.
"Ya got that right Lisanna!" one of the officers yelled, butting into the conversation causing her to roll her eyes.
Lisanna watched as the men walked away before leaning in.
"Actually, I commend them for what they are doing." she added in a whisper. "Mira and Cana do too."
Lucy smiled.
"Do you guys serve food here too?" Levy inquired.
"Of course! Let me get menus for you ladies."
"If you can, bring four. We're still waiting on someone." Juvia requested.
Lisanna agreed and rushed off to grab them menus and took care of some other customers. The girls were left to chit chat while they waited for Erza to arrive.
Erza was riding her horse slowly through the town once she arrived. She headed right to the Fairy Tail Saloon and tied up her horse before heading inside the building. Once in, the men cat-called and she rolled her eyes as she made her way to the bar. She ordered a drink from Mira without even wanting to make small talk and looked around. She saw Lucy standing up and once her beverage was ready she made her way over to the table.
"Ladies." she greeted.
"Hello!" the three chimed.
"We had the waitress bring menus so we can eat something." Levy stated.
"And Lucy has a great idea on how we can get some information on the people of this town." Juvia added causing Erza's attention to be obtained.
"And what would that be?"
"Well," Lucy started, "there's apparently a masquerade ball at some mansion here in town and you have to be part of the upper class as well. I was thinking of going in with Levy since no one knows what she looks like." she finished with a hopeful look upon her face.
Erza was scarily quiet for a few moments before she responded.
"Are you sure you can handle it?"
"All we're doing is getting info and schmoozing with the snobs, E. It's no big deal." Levy replied.
Erza looked at Levy and then to Lucy and back to Levy again.
"Okay. I'm game. Juvia and I will keep a lookout outside somehow for any sign of trouble."
The girls agreed, and once they were able to look at the menu, they ordered something to eat. Once finished, Lucy approached Mira about a room for the four of them, and Mira happily showed them upstairs to the inn portion of the building and introduced them to her brother, Elfman. He showed them to their room and then left them in peace.
"Nice, uh, family." Levy commented once they were all inside. "Did you see that guy? He's huge!"
"Compared to you, everyone is huge." Erza replied without skipping a beat causing the girls to laugh and Levy to turn red.
Levy took a deep breath in and then exhaled.
"Anyway!" she huffed. "What's the plan until tonight?"
"Freshen up." Lucy commented. "We have to look our best as much as we can to be presentable."
Juvia smiled and then her face fell flat.
"How are you planning on getting in exactly, Lucy?"
Lucy smiled as she pulled out her necklace from the purse that was attached to the inside of her dress.
"With this. It's a family crest necklace. It should, I hope, get us in."
After bathing and relaxing, Levy and Lucy got ready with Erza's and Juvia's assistance. Before they knew it, it was time to head to the Justine Manor for the masquerade ball.
"I am surprised you had two masks hidden away." Levy commented.
Lucy giggled.
"Actually, I was always taught to be prepared for anything. And, I may have passed a shop on my way into town that had them on display in the window. I loved them both and bought them on a whim." Lucy shamelessly admitted.
Levy and Lucy made their way to the Justine Manor with Juvia and Erza trailing behind by fifteen minutes.
"So, does your family have any dealings with anyone in Magnolia?"
"Not that I am aware of." Lucy answered. "I just hope no one notices who I am." Levy stopped walking and Lucy quickly noticed. "What is it?"
"Oh my. I just realized. Don't they usually announce the newly arrived guests?"
"Normally, yes, but not at masquerades, which is great. It defeats the purpose, but we will be checked to make sure we are allowed in."
Levy gulped.
"I have never been so nervous in my life."
Lucy giggled as they approached the manor and got in line. Once it was time for the two to go in, the guard almost didn't let them in, but finally relented after Lucy took off her mask. He apologized for not believing that she was who she said she was and let them pass with no problem.
"That was…semi easy." Levy commented in a whisper as they made their way to the grand hall. "Shall we split up?"
"Not just yet. We need to get our bearings and find a meeting spot of sorts inside."
Levy nodded and then looked up at the ceiling of the room they were in.
"Holy!"
"Sshh." Lucy scolded. "Don't act like a simpleton. Remember what I taught you."
"Sorry. This place is huge though!" Levy replied and then saw where Lucy was looking. She saw a man with green hair, finely dressed and looking important. "I am guessing that is Freed Justine, head of the house here. From what I know, his parents passed away leaving him everything. This party is more like an announcement that the Justine family is still around and is still relevant, even if he does not have any heirs himself yet."
Lucy nodded.
"The last name was familiar, but I have never met him, as far as I know." She commented. "Know anything about the woman and two men next to him?"
"That would be Miss Evergreen, Mr. Bixlow, and our town's Assistant Deputy, and personal friend to Mr. Justine, Laxus Dreyar." a rough voice said from behind startling the girls.
They turned around to see Elfman Strauss standing behind them, and they only knew is was him by his insanely white hair.
"Mr. Strauss, I did not expect you to be here." Lucy commented.
"Ah, so I fail with the mask?"
"No, your hair gave you away." Levy replied trying to cheer him up.
He smiled.
"Mira, Lisanna and I are here to help with the food. Mira makes the best food, as you have tasted earlier, and Mr. Justine requested she cook for his guests this evening."
With a little more small talk, Lucy and Levy got quite a bit of information out of the middle Strauss sibling about some of the people in town. When asked why they were so interested in the people, Lucy stated it was research for her father since he had no dealings in town.
Once they were left to their own devices, the two split up to gather some more information. Lucy was approached by Mr. Justine himself for a dance, and she kindly obliged. Levy, on the other hand, made her short stature work for her as she maneuvered herself around the crowd of people to eavesdrop in on the many conversations that were going on in the room. She parked herself beside four lawmen that were standing guard in one area of the room.
"Natsu, are you okay?" the one right next to Levy asked the pink haired officer.
"Yeah."
"You sure?" the blue haired one asked.
"Yeah."
The boys followed Natsu's gaze as he watched the host dance with a beautiful blonde woman.
"Uh oh! Dragneel has been compromised." the taller black haired officer teased.
"What?" Natsu asked confused. "I can't think a woman is pretty?"
"No, you can, but when you do you get stupid."
"Take that back Fullbuster!"
The taller of the four started to laugh as the blue haired one let out a huge gasp causing the others to calm down and stare at him.
"You okay Fernandes?"
"Uh, yeah, I thought I just saw someone I knew." he answered. "We should split up to patrol the room."
Once the four left the area, Levy looked in the direction that the officer Fernandes was looking and saw Erza's red hair on the other side of the window. She grumbled as she made her way over to it to see if she could spot Erza outside.
~Outside~
Juvia and Erza were watching the girls through a window on the side of the house as they stood in between the hedges and building itself.
"Juvia wishes she was in there dancing to her heart's content."
"You haven't done that in a while." Erza commented as she kept her focus on Lucy and Levy.
"Done what?"
"Talk in the third person." the red haired woman answered as she watched where Levy was. It was then that she noticed him, and just as he started to look directly at her through the window, Erza ducked. "Shit!"
Juvia ducked too worried.
"What? What is it?"
"I recognized one of the officers. Not good. I hope he didn't see me, but we should find a different spot."
"Okay. Maybe one closer to where I can see the dreamy ebony haired officer." Juvia replied causing Erza to give her an odd expression.
A/N 3: So I had this chapter and the first done before I added it to this site. I have a notebook with each chapter's titles and the general idea of what is to happen in each chapter. I go so excited figuring that out that I wrote the final chapter a couple of days ago. That was a first for me. Now it's just writing chapter five through nine (three and four are done because my muse wouldn't let me stop).
Thanks to the following users for following: Kawaii-Turtles, KrispiKreme, TheWolfThatRunsFree, vanessamolina, and Lasana.
Thanks to the following users for adding this story to your favorites: Kawaii-Turtles, CrazyBakaLover, and Lasana.
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