The next morning Krista found herself at the guild hall hoping to find Freed and avoid the current brawl. However it would seem that luck was not on her side because, despite her efforts, she had still gotten dragged in. Weaving between the flying body parts managed to get her to the other side of the brawl before she was hit in the back with an arm and sent flying into someone.
"Must you always land on me Kris?" Her landing pad asked.
"Why not? Its a good place to land," Krista replied.
"For you maybe. Since you're here I'd like for you to meet my team," Freed spoke as he moved her off of him to stand up properly.
"Skirt guy, Blond ape, and the green girl. I've met them though,"
"Not properly Krista. This is Evergreen," He spoke pointing to the green girl. "Bixlow," nodding in skirt guys direction. "And Laxus-sama."
"I'd say its nice to meet you all but with the brute being on the team, I'm not so sure it is," The youngest female said.
"Krista!" Freed exclaimed.
"What?" she responded.
"That was incredibly rude! You never used to have a mouth on you, apologize," Freed demanded.
"It's been years Freed, people change. And if you're that desperate to know where I got my mouth ask Mystogan," The younger Justine replied.
"Why would Mystogan know anything about a newbie like you," Evergreen commented with a scoff.
"Why wouldn't he? We've actually known each other for years," Krista shot back.
"Doubtful." Evergreen spoke again, this time with a slight sneer on her face.
Sensing the tension Freed decided to change the subject, by asking where she had been these last few years.
"I've been here and there, mainly working with Blue Pegasus as an on again off again solo mage," She spoke before walking away, having decided that she was properly introduced to her brothers team and wondering why she even speaks that much to them. Due to her thoughts distracting her she walked right into someone as she was trying to leave.
"Geez, it's so noisy in here," the person she bumped into mumbled.
"Sorry for walking into you like that," Krista apologized with a slight bow.
"Its no problem. Your not hurt are you?" A male voice spoke.
'He's certainly cocky' Krista thought before replying negatively that she wasn't hurt.
"That's good. How about I buy you dinner to make up for it?" He asked her.
"Uh no thank you... Um, I'm sorry I don't think I caught your name," Krista said hesitantly.
"My name is Loke gorgeous, what's yours?" Loke said flirtatiously.
"Krista," she spoke.
"A lovely name for a lovely girl, about that dinner invitation, how about we go back to my place and I make something for you?" Loke said flirting again.
"No thanks, I already have plans," Krista spoke as she thought about why he seemed so familiar.
"You sure I can't convince you to change your mind?"
'Why is his voice so familiar?' She wondered as she tried to convince the playboy that she was busy. 'It's like I've met him before, but that cant be possible I'm never in this area on jobs'
"Well if you are truly sure that I can't change your mind then I shall leave you be," Loke said as he walk away.
'Could he be... No way, but it is a slim possibility'
"Loke!" she yelled making him pause.
"Yes?" He asked turning his head to look back at her.
"I've just remembered that the one I made plans with is out of town today, would you still be willing to go somewhere with me?" Krista asked.
"Of course, I could never refuse a request from such a lovely lady as yourself," Loke spoke smiling.
"Great. Would you like to leave now, maybe show me around the town?" She asked.
"I'll show you all the best spots," He spoke as he walked back, offering her his arm. With a slight smile the two left the guild and proceeded to tour the town. Within the next couple of hours they had seen Kardia Cathedral, the bath houses, and several magics shops, before stopping for lunch at a small cafe.
"So, what do you think of Magnolia?" Loke asked as they sat down.
"I think its a better town then the one near Blue Pegasus," Krista said glancing and the male across from her. She wasn't disappointed when she caught his eyes slightly widen.
"You've worked with Blue Pegasus before?" He asked her, eyes returning to normal.
"Yeah. It was okay, wasn't really into the whole escort service style they have going on," She replied.
"They do act like that sometimes don't they," He stated looking away
"I take it you've worked with them before?" Krista asked
"Ran into them on a few jobs," Loke spoke evasively.
"You don't have to lie to me you know," She told him plainly.
"I'm not lying to you, I could never lie to such a lovely lady," He spoke, flirting at the end to distract her. Unfortunately for him it didn't work.
"You might not be out right lying but you are by omission,"
Glancing at the bluenette, he gave a slight chuckle and admitted to her being right. Feeling victorious, Krista smirked before speaking.
"You can give up the act Leo I know its you,"
Loke's eyes widened again in surprise.
"How'd you figure it out?" He asked her.
"I wasn't sure at first. I had slightly recognized your voice but your reaction to my mention of Blue Pegasus verified it to me," She explained calmly.
"Well now you know, what are you going to do about it?" Leo asked.
"Nothing, I have no reason to tell them when you don't want them to know," Krista stated.
"Thank you Krista," Leo said.
"No need to thank me,"
"Is there anything I could do for you for keeping quiet?"
"Not really, unless you wouldn't mind go on a few jobs with me until I get settled in," she spoke.
"Sure, just let me know when."
With those final words the two parted ways, Loke back to the guild, and Krista in search of Freed. Eventually learning that his team had taken off for a job from Mira when she checked the guild for him, and that he left directions to his apartment for her in hopes that she'd stay there. Deciding to respect that wish Krista left the guild hall and headed to Freed's apartment, before falling asleep on the couch after realizing the time.
So that's the second chapter of The Rune Writer. Hope you enjoyed reading it.
