She hummed the pianist's melody as she wrote up the emails, continued to do so as she packed a small travel bag (just in case), while she walked to the train station and quietly under her breath as she waited to board.

And now, as she stood in front of her father's impressive estate, Lucy found herself humming away. Like a song stuck in her head on repeat, insistently looping back around through every note she had heard in the CPA. Normally, she'd have simply plugged in some music of her own to drown it out, but the tune was catchy and pleasant and at least it kept her thoughts from wandering on the train ride. Having spent the better portion of her early years traveling across Fiore and the neighboring countries, Lucy was no stranger to traveling. She rarely got sick and knew exactly how to position her body in the small seats so she could sleep without fear of discomfort. It wasn't the ride itself that she had been dreading, of course; more than anything, it was simply the uninterrupted hours of monotony that would only too easily allow her thoughts to wander.

Wander back to years and performances that she simply didn't want to think about.

So instead she hummed. Hummed and hummed and forced her thoughts to remain right in the present, even as she walked up the familiar path to her past.

No gardeners were littering the lawn this time, and Lucy couldn't help but feel like she was walking into a ghost house. Where was Ms. Spetto? Grandpa Bero, Mr. Ribbon, Aed? Had her father let them loose already, off into the world to fend for themselves? Her stomach dropped at the thought, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to quicken her pace or turn around and wait for her ride home without even getting what she came here for. After a second of indecision, she continued up the pathway, clenching the strap of her purse tight enough to turn her knuckles white.

At the door, she paused again. This wasn't her home, not by any means. Would her father be irritated if she rang the bell? Would he be irritated if she didn't? Lucy stared at the ornate door for a few seconds longer before rolling her eyes and mashing a finger against the silver doorbell button. The bell echoed around her, chiming for roughly ten seconds before fading into the background and leaving her once more in silence. A minute passed and still nothing. Lucy leaned her weight onto one hip, foot tapping impatiently, and she nearly pushed it open herself to get this over with as quickly as possible. Before she had the chance, however, it creaked open, and she was met with the cold eyes of her father.

"Hello, Lucy," he said, moving aside so that she could enter. Lucy nodded her greeting as she entered, adjusting the bag of her purse nervously.

The inside of the mansion was nothing as she recalled. Just as ornate and expensive looking, of course, but devoid of the artwork and statues that once lined the main entrance. The walls looked barren and even the floors seemed dull in comparison. A shell of what it had once been. Her eyes glanced up at her father, breath catching in her throat. The house wasn't the only shell, it appeared. "Thank you for coming on such short notice," Jude said, clearing his throat. "I understand it was not a trip you wanted to make."

"Not especially, no," Lucy agreed, crossing her arms against her chest. "And I'd like to return home as quickly as I can."

The meaning was not lost on Jude, who simply watched her with cool gray eyes for a moment longer. She had hated that look as a child; the cold, unattached stare of a man who had only ever seen her as a tool for his business, not a daughter drowning in her own fame. Once, it would have made her crumple, fold into herself seeking warmth and a distant memory of something more, but Lucy was not the frightened teenager she was the last time they spoke. So she stared right back, brown eyes harder than any steel. "Very well," he said after a moment, turning away. In the second before his eyes vanished from view, Jude looked…tired. Older, somehow, as if it had been decades since their screaming match and not just a few years.

He moved away without warning, hands clasped behind his back in the same irritating position he always had, leaving Lucy to follow a few steps behind him. She felt like a child again, trailing behind the long legs of her father and struggling to keep up. More than once, she reminded herself that she was not a child any longer, that there was little Jude could do to harm her anymore.

"I ensured that it was serviced once a month," Jude said suddenly, not turning around as he led her through the empty hallways. "Tuned, cleaned, kept in order." There was more to his admission than her father seemed willing to divulge, but it didn't need to be said. He wanted her to come back for it, to burst through the doors and announce that her hiatus was over. Lucy clenched her hands into tight fists at her side. There had never been a hiatus, no matter what he told the presses that day. There was only a soft goodbye as she closed her bedroom door behind her and the uncertainty of her decision.

Five years later, and all Lucy regretted was not making the decision a little sooner.

"Probably for the best I left it behind, then," Lucy said after a minute. "I don't think I'd have thought to have it serviced." If it had come with her, it'd probably have been shoved in the back of her closet where she could pretend it didn't exist, like some childhood demon haunting the dark corner of the room. Jude only nodded, and they walked the rest of the way in silence.

Her old bedroom was nothing like she had left it. All the posters and decorations had been stripped from the walls, leaving only the faded pink wallpaper and the occasional square where something had been taped up. The old bed and furniture were both gone, a few miscellaneous boxes strewn around with labels taped to the tops. It was nothing like Lucy remembered, but the emptiness of it all only felt more fitting. The final sign, as it were. In the middle of the room was her violin case, propped up against a hard cover suitcase she didn't recognize. "What's in the suitcase?"

Jude cleared his throat, remaining in the doorway as Lucy slowly stepped forward. "Every piece of sheet music we could find," he replied after a moment of tense silence. "Every concert, recital, contest, just about anything you performed and what had been scheduled before your," he paused again, and Lucy didn't need to turn to see that he was chewing the word as if that'd make it easier to say, "departure."

When she neared the violin case, she couldn't seem to help kneeling down in front of it, hands trembling slightly as they reached forward. It felt exactly as she remembered; the soft leather cool against her fingertips and smooth as they glided towards the latches. They were shining and clean, but the wear of frequent opening and closing was clear. Lucy's hands hovered over the latches for a second, heart pounding painfully in her ears. It was just a violin, her more reasonable side reminded her. But it had never just been a violin, not even in the beginning. So instead she pulled away from it, wrapping her fingers along the familiar handle and rising to her feet with it in hand. "Thank you for keeping everything organized," she said, faking a cough to clear the roughness of her voice. "Is there anything else?"

Lucy didn't turn around, not sure what she would see in her father's eyes when she eventually did. Disappointment? Irritation? A desperate plea for her to step back into the world of music? She didn't know which would be worse, so rather than risk it, she stayed right where she was. "No, I don't believe so," Jude said softly. Never before had her father sounded so old, and it was that more than anything that drew her eyes back to the door. He was standing right where he always did, a little off center in case she'd go pushing past him and he needed to step to the side to stop her or give her the room, hands clasped behind his back and posture as perfect as ever. He had been her role model, once. The paragon of wisdom and intelligence that she had spent a childhood chasing after.

Now he just seemed like a man defeated in life. Had it been difficult, Lucy wondered, when she stood with fists clenched and screamed she'd never play Mama's violin again?

Without another word, he nodded and stepped down the hall. Exhaling shakily, she wiggled the handle of the suitcase free from its position and pulled it behind her as she followed him out. She half expected him to begin briefing her on the travel itinerary as they walked, but Jude remained completely silent save for the slight 'click' of his shoes against the marble floors.

"I will text you the new address for Layla's grave." The statement came as a surprise, and Lucy started slightly at the sudden noise. His voice echoed across the bare walls, carrying with it a sad note of finality. "It's up near Acalypha Town, not far from Magnolia."

"Why Acalypha Town and not wherever you're moving?" Lucy asked, frowning. She knew her parents had met there, but it seemed an awfully strange place to move her grave.

Jude glanced over his shoulder. "That is where I'll be moving," he told her. Lucy's eyes widened and she nearly stopped walking from the shock – he was moving closer? Questions flooded her thoughts – why not remain in Crocus?, why so close to Magnolia?, why not anywhere else in the world? – but her voice had disappeared somewhere in the empty hallways and dusty floors. "I don't expect my living situation to change anything regarding our relationship, Lucy," he added, turning back so that she could no longer see his face.

Lucy ran her tongue across the back of her teeth, chewing on the word just as her father had done. Irritating little habits she had tried to beat out by leaving. "Good," she finally said. There was no malice in her tone, no intent to harm. It was just a fact. She had no interest in rekindling any sort of relationship with her father, and moving closer would do nothing to change that.

It was good that he understood that. But the word left a bitter taste in her mouth that Lucy didn't care for.

When they returned to the foyer, she allowed herself the chance to look around. Father and daughter paused awkwardly at the door, neither certain of what to say or what to do. "Please let me know when you have arrived safely home," Jude finally said. Lucy nodded, and he opened the door, stepping aside to give her the room. "And, Lucy?"

"Yes?"

Though she would have loved nothing more than to turn and simply leave, the gentleness in his voice called her back. When she forced herself to meet his eyes, Lucy was surprised to see a hint of tenderness lingering in his eyes; a shadow of the man she remembered mostly through photographs. "I truly am so happy to see that you have come so well into your own," he said. "Your mother would be proud of you."

Lucy stared for a moment before turning back. They didn't speak of her mother very often, as an unspoken rule. Most everything she knew of the woman came from what the workers around the mansion told her when he wasn't looking, or from elderly judges that had had the pleasure of seeing her perform once or twice. "I hope so," she said, taking a deep breath. When she looked back up, there was the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Take care of yourself, father."

He nodded, and she moved past him, carefully maneuvering the suitcase to avoid damaging the wheels on the steps. It felt strange to be leaving with the violin this time, but at least it was daylight this time around, and the door that shut behind her had not been quietly clicked shut to avoid alerting anyone.


From: Levy

(08:21) Lucy what was that?

(08:23) How come you never told us you used to play the violin?

(08:29) Luuuuucy

(08:34) Okay now I'm getting worried! Please just text me back!

(08:48) Cana just Googled your name thinking you must have a good reason to run away at the mention of playing the violin and I'm not stopping her!

(08:49) Okay that's not fair, I did try, I just didn't succeed

(08:57) OH MY GOD YOU WERE A FAMOUS MUSICIAN? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US?

(08:57) LUCY HEARTFILIA I HAVE QUESTIONS

(08:58) fjhgsfkghafkbvfavbfeqhkebgrhkq

(08:58) LUCY THIS IS NOT COOL YOU HAVE TO TELL ME SO MANY THINGS RIGHT NOW

(09:00) THERE ARE SO MANY ARTICLES ABOUT YOU AND I AM ABSOLUTELY GOING TO READ THEM ALL

(11:26) Okay so I can reasonably say I read MOST of the articles about you that I could find on Google and wow! I even watched a video of one of your last performances, you were so amazing! How come you stopped playing?

(11:44) You're ignoring us on purpose, but you can't hide forever. I will get my answers!

(11:44) also I'm sorry in advance for whatever Cana does, you weren't here to stop her

From: Cana

(08:23) um?

(08:47) there is clearly a story here and since you arent here to stop me I am just going to use google to find it

(08:50) "Lucy Heartfilia: A Five Year Mystery" oooh I bet this will be good

(08:56) um?

(08:59) how have you gone this long without even mentioning you used to be famous?

(09:02) alright so I left levy in charge of research

(09:02) time to ask every single person you know if they knew you were a famous musician

(13:07) I can safely say no one knew you were famous before today, not even mirajane and I was reasonably sure she knew everything!

(13:07) expect a lot of questions when you get back, heartfilia.

Lucy groaned, smacking herself in the forehead with her phone. A few others waiting for the train gave her weird looks, but she ignored them, scrolling through the dozens of texts she had received since her disappearance. More than a few links to articles she hadn't bothered to read and a number of curious "why did your friend just demand to know if I was aware you played the violin…?". It was a nightmare. Lucy clicked through them all however, apologizing to the less curious ones about her friends boldness and ignoring the more inquisitive ones.

The only ones she knew she couldn't avoid forever, however, were Levy and Cana. With a pit of dread forming nicely in her stomach, Lucy opened Levy's text threads once more and started to type an explanation.

To: Levy

(15:23) Thanks for completely blowing up my phone! I had it on airplane mode so it wouldn't go off while I talked to my father and it nearly vibrated out of my hands when I turned it off!

(15:23) YES, I was a famous musician

(15:23) NO, I am not still currently playing

(15:24) It's kind of a weird topic and I don't have a good reason for why I quit, I just did. I don't regret it either.

(15:24) So can we PLEASE stop with the texts!

(15:25) LUCY YOU'RE ALIVE

(15:25) I was so worried oh my gosh

(15:25) You guys overreacted!

(15:26) I feel like that was a perfectly reasonable response to learning that your best friend used to be a world famous violinist!

(15:26) It didn't seem important to bring up! I haven't played since I was 17!

(15:27) oooh I have so many questions for you.

(15:27) Give me one more day of peace and pretending you guys don't know about this?

(15:27) And in return you'll answer all our questions tomorrow?

(15:27) Yes.

(15:28) Done!

(15:28) In a completely unrelated note, I have a favor to ask. Which I know seems weird given this morning, but it'd mean so much to me if you did it!

(15:30) That guy I've been sort of talking to, Gajeel? He asked me to go to a bar with him tonight! Place called Fairy Tail, not far from campus. And I soooo want to go, but I reaaaally don't want to go by myself because unfamiliar bar and new guy, you know how it is

(15:30) Unfortunately

(15:31) Sooooo

(15:31) You want me to go with you to make sure he's not actually a murderer in disguise?

(15:32) Oh Lucy, would you? It would mean so much to me and I swear I'll pay you back!

Lucy scowled at her phone. The thought of going to a bar immediately after spending roughly twelve full hours on a train didn't sound terribly appealing. But Levy was her friend, and she'd never forgive herself if something did happen to her as a result of her grumpiness.

(15:34) Yes, I will go along. But I'm just there for moral support! I'll sit at the bar or something so I'm not awkwardly sitting in on your date or anything.

(15:34) YAY! Oh, you're the absolute best!

(15:34) About when should you be home?

(15:34) I can come pick you up at the train station and we can head right there!

(15:35) Please do not drag me right to a bar when I get home

(15:35) I'll just meet you at the bar when I'm ready, and we can go from there, alright? If you aren't feeling it or getting weird vibes, we can just go right home.

(15:35) Otherwise I will sit at the bar and drown my sorrows like Cana always swears on.


The ride back to Magnolia had been about as uneventful as the ride to Crocus. Lucy hid the violin case beneath the seat so that she wouldn't have to stare at it for six hours, earplugs resting uncomfortably in her ears to ensure her thoughts didn't wander. The melody she had been humming earlier was gone now, and as she finally stepped back onto solid ground, she almost missed it. Maybe she'd return to the CPA some time and see if she could track down the pianist, get a better answer out of him about what he had been playing.

With her suitcase retrieved and violin heavy in her hand, Lucy quietly moved through the dark streets of Magnolia. It was getting late, but college town was alight with the usual Friday night shenanigans. She had never really participated in them the way her friends had, preferring to watch and listen to whatever antics went on below her window. Tonight, of course, she would have no choice but to brave the mess of undergraduate students bar hopping and whatever else it was they found amusing.

Her phone had mostly remained quiet, save for a few frantic texts from Levy concerning her date. Those had been sent through a group thread they shared with Cana and another friend, however, so she left it up to the ones who were physically nearby to help.

Lucy didn't take as much time as she thought she would getting ready. A quick shower, some styling, and a wardrobe change later, and she was good to go. The violin and music collection remained in her living room for now until she could clear enough space in the back of her closet for them. It felt strange seeing them there, so fully out of place amid the comfortable home she'd made for herself. Plue, her dog, sniffed them curiously but otherwise left them alone, curling up on the sofa and falling asleep before she'd even left the apartment.

Levy's directions were precise and quick, so she had no trouble finding the bar they were staying at. Inside, however, was completely packed, and she couldn't seem to find any familiar face. The music was live, a beautiful woman with long white hair sitting on a tall stool and strumming along on an electric guitar, but loud enough to make calling for someone next to impossible. "Lucy!" she finally heard, a small hand tugging on her elbow. "I'm so glad you're here!"

"Date not going well?" she asked immediately, looking around.

"No, no, it's going great! I'm just happy you made it home safely," Levy said with a laugh, pointing towards a table far enough away from the bar so they could speak without having the shout. A hulking man with a mane of black hair cascading down his shoulders was sitting there, chewing on what looked to be a toothpick and watching them. "That's Gajeel! I saw you come in and wanted to say hi, but I should head back. Whatever you order, go ahead and put it under my name, I'll make sure to close the tab before I leave!"

And with that, Levy was gone again. Lucy sighed, slowly pushing her way through the crowd of dancers and other people standing around to the bar. "Hello! What can I get for you?" the bartender asked. She hardly looked older than Lucy, short white hair framing the most brilliantly blue eyes. "Oh you're, um, Lucy? Right? I think we had a class together last semester."

"Lisanna, right?" Lucy asked, head tilting slightly as she tried to recall. Lisanna smiled and nodded. "How've you been?"

"Great! Took the semester off to help my sister with the bar," she explained, gesturing towards the guitar player. "I don't think I've ever seen you come through here before."

Lucy laughed a little, sliding into a stool. "Bars aren't really my thing," she admitted. "My friend is here on a date and I'm here for moral support and to make sure he doesn't kill her." Lisanna shared a laugh with her, wiping her hands once on her apron. "Your sister is an amazing guitar player."

"I'll pass along the compliment. She normally runs the bar and the kitchens, but we try to have live music every night and our original performer bailed on us, and the back-up won't be here for a little bit longer," she explained, reaching down to grab a tall glass. "Mira is good, but even she admits she's nothing compared to Natsu! He's the best musician I've ever seen!" Lucy couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm, nodding along like she knew who this Natsu was. While Lisanna filled the glass with ice and water, a sort of starry look came over her. "He makes it sound like so much more than just music, you know?"

Unsure how exactly to answer that, Lucy took the question as rhetoric more than an actual inquiry, nodding once more and offering a quiet thank you for the water. Lisanna flashed her another cheerful smile and moved along to help someone further down the bar, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She did understand what that was like, to hear something and know with certainty that it was so much more than music. Sometimes, it was everything. The entire world, at your fingertips.

There wasn't a whole lot that Lucy missed about her performing days. But she did miss the music.

The guitar faded out, followed by a loud series of cheers and applause, and even Lucy clapped her hands together weakly. "Thank you, thank you," Mira said into the microphone, taking a small sip of water before moving off of the stool. "Thank you, you guys have been lovely, as always. Unfortunately, I've got to return to my regular duties, but we've got one more performer for you tonight!" Everyone cheered again, and she wondered if an announcement had been earlier about the back-up. Did everyone here know of this Natsu and his more-than-music music? "The one, the only, Natsu Dragneel!"

Lucy felt her eyes widen, jaw dropping slightly as the cheers around them swelled louder and louder. Walking on up stage, of all people in the world, was the pink haired pianist from earlier.


Author's Note:hello again! sorry for taking a bit longer than anticipated to get this chapter up, but I hope it was worth the wait! I really wanted to include emoji's for the texts but was not willing to make that easy on me, so I gave up haha. regardless, I hope you all enjoyed it! please feel free to look me up on tumblr under the same name!