*Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.*
There was something about the little house that made Levy wanted to dress up and dance with little cookie people. It was darling, made of caramel colored bricks, trimmed in white with pink shutters and door. She stood on the front porch, a "mind your paws" door mat under her feet. She fought the urge to giggle. It was so cute! She knocked twice on the door, and looked around. A great oak tree grew in the front yard, surrounded by a ring of flowers. She breathed in deeply. Oh, to be able to sit down and read in a place like this! It was almost heaven!
The door swung open. A young man stood in the threshold.
"Hello there! How may I help you?" he asked.
"My name is Levy McGarden. I'm here about the translation job."
"Oh yes!" his eyes lit up, "Come in, come in. Please, make yourself comfortable. I'll go get the books. Tea?"
"No, thank you. I'm anxious to see what you have."
"Of course. My name is Rolan Morro. I'm glad you could make it. It seemed as though no one was ever going to take the job, and those translator companies are just so expensive! I'll be back in a jiff."
Levy decided then that cheerfulness must be a genetic trait. He was every bit as delightful as his grandmother. Rolan disappeared into the back of the house for a moment and returned with a large, dust covered wooden trunk.
"This is them," he said, patting the lid affectionately, "They belonged to my grandfather. His father wrote them himself. I'd like to be able to read them."
Levy lifted one of the large books out of the chest, brushing her fingers over the green leather cover.
"It's beautiful," she breathed.
She opened it to the first page. Her eyes scanned the words.
"Yes. This should be no trouble at all. Lengthy, but easy. Might I take them back to Magnolia?"
"I would prefer that they stay in Oshibana. But I'm willing to pay for your hotel until you finish."
She nodded, "Very well. I look forward to this project."
"Great!" he smiled brightly. She couldn't help it. She had to smile back. Rolan was a handsome young man, with a clean face, neat brown hair, and a lean athletic build. And his smile was infectious.
"Keep me updated on your progress?" he asked.
"Yes, of course. You have a good day."
"And you too, Ms. McGarden."
They shook hands and Levy carried out the trunk. It was massively heavy. She decided that she would have to flag down a cart in order to get it back to her hotel. There was no way she was carrying it there. As if her thoughts were heard, a young woman with a fruit cart called out to her.
"I'll help you with your luggage for ten jewel!" she said.
"You've got a deal!"
The two loaded the trunk onto the cart and headed to the hotel. Levy paid the girl, and even bought a few fruits from her selection. Luckily, her room was on the first floor. She cringed at the thought of carrying the massive thing up stairs. She pushed it down to the end of the hall, panting from exhaustion. Her arms shook as she unlocked and opened the door.
"That's a lot of weight for a little shrimp like you," a deep voice rumbled from within.
"Gajeel!"
Levy sat on the edge of her bed, arms folded, her tiny foot tapping against the floor.
"Nice to see you too, shrimp," Gajeel grinned, bearing pointed teeth.
"You have an explanation to give," she said, scowling.
"Yeah?"
"Yes," she pulled the notice from her bag, "What is this?"
"A piece of paper."
"Oh, don't be a wise guy, Gajeel," she hissed, "This is a wanted poster. With your face on it. What did you do?"
Gajeel ignored her question, sniffing the air, "You smell different," he leaned in, "You smell like a man."
"I just met a client and…ooh! No, you are not changing the subject. Why are the police looking for you? How did you get into my room?"
"Lock pick."
"And the poster?"
"Ah hell, shrimp. That's nothin'."
"Nothing?! Someone is offering one million jewel for you. One million. What did you do?"
"I didn't do nothin'."
"That's a double negative, implying that you did indeed do something."
"You should take a shower. That man smells weird."
"Gajeel, focus. Tell me what you did. I'm willing to listen. I want your side of the story."
"I already told you."
She scowled. Dragon slayers! Why were they so stubborn?! She would've sworn he looked embarrassed, if it weren't for the crease in his brow.
"Gajeel is telling the truth, Levy," Patherlily said, digging through the bag of fruit on the counter, "No kiwi?"
"What do you mean, 'the truth?' Obviously something happened."
"I didn't break any laws. I pissed off a guy with a lotta money," Gajeel grumbled.
"What? Tell me everything, please. I just want to understand why my friend's face is on a wanted poster."
"I was workin' a job, all right? This guy's wife wanted her daughter out of the house, she was scared for her safety. Apparently he's a real jerk who likes to bring his rich friends over to see her. So I helped the girl escape to her aunt. Somehow, the guy found out it was me who helped her, and now he's lookin' for me. I told you didn't do anything wrong."
Levy slumped in her seat, "You're lucky I only found one poster."
"Me and Lily been takin' 'em down for a week. Anyway, I figure I should lay low, wait for the whole thing to blow over. Mind if I stay here?"
"Fine. But keep quiet. I have work to do and I don't want anyone knowing that I'm harboring a wanted man."
"You'll never know I'm here."
*Here's my second chapter. I have a third written up too. I figure I should get as many chapters done as possible, then establish a, likely, weekly pattern. Sometimes more often if the inspiration strikes me. Let me know if you have any comments and thanks for reading.*