I said I'd try to get the second chapter up in a week. It's been two weeks.
Well i'm not perfect! I did say I wouldn't be able to stick to a proper update schedule!
But here we are, at chapter 2 and I hope it's to your liking! Please enjoy,leave reviews, send questions if you have them (not about updates though, that's rude)
Mage- A magician or learned person; a person with magical powers
Lucy's hair danced lightly in the wind, hanging loose around her shoulders. The day's bright, she's out of Era, nowhere near the council and the bag strapped around her, keeping her shirt from flying up as the breeze playfully tugged its hem, is filled to the brim with goodies as she heads home.
Not that crummy, lifeless apartment issued to her so that no matter what, she'd be close at hand for them to call. No, her real home in Fiore, the guild.
Toot! Toot!
A train sounded behind her, shooting a column of dark smoke in the air when she sets foot outside the station. It almost sounded happy. At least to her anyway.
Magnolia hadn't changed much in the months she's been away, it was still lively despite the military slowly but surely encroaching on surrounding cities and towns. It's one of the few free cities left in Fiore for people with magic to live since emancipation around 40 years aback or so. Well free enough, the scorn still lives on in the minor population of those without magic and though not all laws are as enforced like anywhere else, there are still some that get in the way of people trying to live a normal life.
But either way they find a way to make a living. Lucy breezed past familiar market stalls overflowing with colourful fruits and crafts and the equally colourful heads behind them, hollering at passers-by to stop, stay a while and buy their wares. A particularly girthy woman stepped from her stall, her purple hair in tightly braided ropes, whipped around her face as she sang about her goods. How her creams could smooth even the roughest of skins and keep the smoothest ones supple.
Coloured hair, and sometimes eyes, were the sign of a person with magic. It made them stand out whether they wanted to or not, magic leaves its mark on a body. It wasn't true for all magic users, like herself and Gray but some chose to escape the scorn and ridicule through dyes and contacts.
Lucy politely declined. Most people with magic become higglers, selling from wooden stalls or even going mobile wheeling handcarts through the too small streets. It was a good deal for them, honest work that could get them by with local authorities only ever watching them from a distance.
Though some went other ways like to work in brothels and molly houses. Lucy eyed the notorious Ruthven lane as she went. There were many other lanes like this, squeezed in the cracks of buildings that most would glance over unless, of course, they were looking for it.
Their work stood on the borderline of the law, constantly toeing it. It was illegal yes, but never quite enforced enough to stamp it out. Probably because the majority of its consumers are law enforcement but hey, who's keeping check?
It was the closest thing Magnolia has to a seedy underbelly but it was nothing compared to the illegal fight rings in Crocus or the human trafficking in the port city of Hargeon. Those weren't underbellies, more like the blood running through the streets in more ways than one and being their main sources of income, they can't be so easily stopped.
But there were others who sought to actually to use their magic instead of ignoring that part of themselves. Some dove headfirst into the military despite obstacles and for the rest, well they forged their own paths by aligning themselves with guilds.
Guilds popped up everywhere since emancipation, places where magicked people could use their abilities to do any sort of odd jobs to get by. They ranged from entertaining at children's birthday parties to acting a disposable security during transports. No matter how big or small or demeaning the job there were always those who were willing to try and get it done for their sake or those who depended on them.
Unlike most other guilds tucked away in corners or quiet and simple in how they appear Fairy Tail was anything but that. It stood proud in Magnolia's center, rising high above the other buildings as though they were built around it. Only Kardia Cathedral rivalled it in size yet wasn't nearly as loud.
From the sign with its name carved in pain staking detail held up delicately strong fairies to the orange flag at the very tippy top emblazoned with the guild's emblem for all the world to see, especially when the sun caught it just right.
To Lucy, it just screamed 'here I am bitch! What're you gonna do about it?!' which in a way, perfectly described the people inside.
She shoved open the door just in time to narrowly dodge a flying table, it cracked down the middle and landed lamely on its side, legs twisted at odd angles. Home sweet home.
There were old faces mixed with a few new ones, getting along over drinks banged on tables, their frothy tops spilling over as rowdy conversations made the air crackle to life. She hadn't been here in months and quite frankly she missed being around the constant noise and the occasional violence.
She quickly skirted around a skirmish that soon parted when they saw her. Pretty soon she had drawn the attention of most guildmates, receiving hearty claps to the shoulders, loving hair tousles and waves from those not close enough to her. Of course, she returned most of them, which was probably why her wrist hurt so much by the time she pulled up a stool at the bar where the ever-friendly barmaid slid two drinks her way with a twinkle of mischief in her brown eyes.
"Well, well, well, looks like we have a celebrity in our midst." Cana said, pulling a glass to her lips to take a quick swig of its contents.
"Cana." Lucy smiled, pushing the second glass towards her friend. "You know I'm not supposed to drink on the job." "A little midday drink never hurt anyone Lucy. Don't you remember how much fun we had the last time?"
Of course she remembers last time, well some of it anyways. One drink turned to many, then a drinking contest, then some late-night partying on top of the tables. Then next thing she remembers she's waking up half naked in Cana's arms at her friend's place. Not that Lucy minded but she'd rather not have a repeat of that in the near future.
"Maybe another time then. Anything else I can interest you in, non-alcoholic beverage, a warm meal, nice hot company?" Cana set the empty glass on the counter and reached for the other one, a flirty grin tugging at her lips.
"I might take you up on that last bit. You know if the Master's in? Got some stuff for him to look over." She patted the bag in her lap that looked a little too close to bursting for comfort. She might not have finished her main job yet but there were other things at the council worth taking home in the meantime.
"Holed up in his office as usual and working himself to the bone like you. Your eyes are sinking in ya know." Lucy waved her off, rising to her feet and fixing the bag strap. "Yeah, yeah. We can chat about my deteriorating health later and you can get me caught up on all the stuff I've been missing around here."
"Can't wait for it." Cana flashed her another grin, bigger with a flash of teeth before turning to deal with a customer whose arms were laden with empty flagons ready to be refilled. "Just wait until you hear how Nab's last job went!" She called.
Lucy stuck close to the bar to reach the flight of stairs at its end and began her ascent. Maybe that's the one thing she didn't miss about the guild. She dealt with stairs at work, she dealt with stairs to get up to her apartment, stairs at the guild were really pushing it. Especially when Master Makarov liked the view of the city so much that he put his office on the top floor. Her legs might be benefitting and looking great but her lungs were having none of it.
Though, she could slightly understand why his office was up here, peering out a window at the city sprawling out below her. It looked so calm with the light of the sunset running through the streets. Almost like nothing bad ever happens on those twisting lanes. Something caught her eye directly below in the guild's courtyard.
Huh, looks like the hospital bay expanded when she was gone, and the living quarters too. When Lucy lived there it only about 5 rooms and now it was double, almost triple that in size cutting into the courtyard's space. The times were different now she supposed.
Lucy rapped her knuckle on the door rather absently, too intrigued by the revelation to notice the hushed conversation inside drawing to a close. "Enter." The Master's voice drawled.
She pushed open the door to find the office more cramped than before. Papers about god knows what flowed out of every available crevice and where those couldn't they were piled high in precarious stacks that constantly wobbled to and fro from the breeze blowing from the little fan, set on its lowest setting to avoid catastrophe.
She could barely see the diminutive man at his desk almost devoured by the papers coming at him from all sides. At least the other man was a bit easier to spot in his chair, his blue hair standing out amidst all the crisp white and aged yellow parchments.
"Lucy." Jellal greeted, a soft smile creasing the red tattoo on his cheek. "It's been too long, you're looking-" He glanced over her features and chuckled. "- very tired."
"Thanks for that, you can have a chat Cana about it. How're your brothers doing?"
"Fine, Siegrain is working in Veronica after that last uprising trying to work with authorities to keep dark guilds from moving in. Mystogan, last I heard from him was somewhere over in Stella rescuing magical creatures from whatever inhumane conditions they were living in. He made a great rescue with some exceeds a while back."
"Sounds like they're getting stuff done." Lucy mused. "Yes but it doesn't quite stop people all over from thinking that I'm somehow in all these countries at the same time."
"Well maybe you all shouldn't have gotten the same face tattoo." "A drunken mistake on our parts I can assure."
"And how's your wife?" Lucy teased. "I didn't see her downstairs." She definitely didn't miss the faint dusting of red on his cheeks at the term 'wife'. They'd been together for years even before they joined the guild but only recently married for about a year or so. It was always cute to see how either of them went from intimidatingly serious to soft, blushy messes when they were around each other.
"Erza's home resting." He replied. "She's been pushing herself to stay on her feet with the activist party and to keep the seat she snatched up in parliament for the magic people. I left her asleep but when I get back she'll likely be up and about, trying to get back out there."
"That's Erza for you, the powerhouse." Lucy carefully stepped in to avoid slipping on any loose papers when he stood to leave. That's when the Master finally piped up. "Aren't you going to tell her the good news as well my boy? You've yet to make a proper announcement to everyone but make an exception since she hasn't been here in a while."
"What good news?"
It was then the light blush dropped a shade darker and Jellal's soft smile went a bit goofy around the edges. "Erza's…pregnant." Pregnant rested heavy on his tongue as he scratched the back of his neck. "We've known for about 2 weeks now."
Her eyes lit up and she swiftly wrapped her arms around him in a hug more spine crushing than she intended it to be. "Oh Jellal that's wonderful! Congrats! I know you two'll be great parents that's for sure!" Lucy released him with a smile to mirror his. Erza always wanted to be a mother.
"Thank you, Lucy," He said beaming widely. "I think I should be going now and let you attend to your business with the master. Makarov." He nodded towards him then retreated out the door. Well, he walked into the doorframe then out the door.
To think that there are actually people out there who are intimidated by him, Lucy thought, sinking into the chair he just left. If only they knew. Maybe it's the tattoo that gives off that vibe.
Makarov cleared his throat and shifted a stack of papers obstructing his view to the side. A few sheets fluttered free and landed in a growing pile by the foot of his table. He looked haggard, the shock of white hair had thinned considerable in the months she hadn't seen him. And while the hair on his head was disappearing his usually kempt moustache (which he was very proud of) had evolved into a wild beard that curled around his lips and reached up to tickle his nose. In the words of Jellal, he looked very tired. It was enough to draw her attention from the sunken dark circles and the vein standing up in his forehead.
And that scent. Lucy sniffed, well maybe not.
"Have you been smoking again?" She inhaled again, picking up unmistakable traces of tobacco in the air.
"Um, well my child, that's the mosquito coil burning. It's summer and you know how fierce these magnolia mosquitos can be- I can't afford to catch anything in my old age."
Lucy cut his ramblings with an incredulous look. After practicing it on Gray for so many years it had been perfected, guaranteed to make most fess up their crimes in an instant.
"It was only one," he grumbled, "Jellal didn't seem to mind." "Jellal doesn't know that you shouldn't be smoking. Especially after the last time."
The one day Porlyusica took some time off to relax he had some sort of attack mid-puff. His throat closed up and had him clawing at it, gasping desperately for breath. The scratch marks are still there. They were lucky Porlyusica lived nearby else he'd be dead, and heaven knows how the guild would function with the loss of their favourite old man.
Since then Erza and Mirajane take turns watching his health, making sure he doesn't chance anything.
He rubbed his temples, blowing out a weary sigh that seemed to take the last of his energies with it. He aged 10 years right before her very eyes.
"I know my child." He said guiltily. "But it helps to keep my mind off things, off the stress you children go through because the old fools like me couldn't finish the fight we started."
"Master…."
"You all tell me not to worry but it cannot be helped. You're all out there on the frontlines dealing with whatever's thrown at you and I'm here, dealing with the paperwork to try and keep you all as safe as possible."
Makarov swatted the papers on his desk, the crease in his forehead deepening and his eyes darkened. "Empty lawsuits that can still make it to court, scouring the continents for new clients, complaints, the council breathing down my neck to disband but to do that is to ruin lives. Fairy Tail is the prime example of legal guilds, if we disband others will too." A cough wracked through his body though he waved off her concern, taking deep breaths before continuing.
"And don't get me started on those radicals. Damned dark guilds giving the council all the more reason to try and shut us all down. Equality can't be gotten through violence, but do they know that? Jellal and his guild have been hard at work but for every one that goes down at least 2 more pop up in its place."
Lucy murmured in agreement, eyeing a particular sheet of paper with its title written in elegant cursive. One lawsuit against Reedus for…painting a non-magic model in the park without permission. The court date was next week.
"Well maybe I can bring a spot of good news in all of this." She tried hopefully, holding up her bag for him to see.
"You don't have to worry, none of these papers in here are for you. They're some of the new laws and their requirements regarding magical people and creatures. It's for Erza to use as evidence in parliament."
"That looks like a lot. The poor thing's fit to burst."
"Well there's more than that, you should know me better." Lucy said proudly. "I got another set of runes for Freed to work on."
Makarov's eyebrow raised slightly, his lips twisting in a small smile. "So soon my child? You aren't overworking yourself to try and get this done?"
Lucy giggled. "You shouldn't be one to say that, but I'm fine. A little bit of extra work isn't anything I can't handle. In a few more months I should have the rest for Freed to decode, then we should be in the clear for our next step. Right?"
Lucy set her bag down on the table gently and pushed it closer to Makarov. "Just keep it in there so it doesn't get mixed up with your things."
His smile grew a little wider at her quip. "Will do, marvellous work as always. But I can't help but be a little worried." "Master you're always worried."
"Call it a part of my work. You've been hard at work and I couldn't be any prouder, but are you sure you're alright?"
Lucy frowned. "I'm not sure what you mean."
"Well you're putting yourself at risk. And it's taking a toll on your health. You're so close to your goal, maybe you should slow down a bit. Take some rest, things won't go to hell if you look after yourself."
She shot him another incredulous look and he cringed slightly. "I can't 'slow down' Master. I'm getting my job done, like you assigned me to do."
"Yes, I know but that won't be the case if you're incapacitated."
"Which won't be the case because I'll be done before that happens." She said hotly. "I'm an overworked, underpaid council worker, doubling as a secret stealing spy. If I slow down for even a bit I might risk blowing my cover. And that's something none of us wants."
Lucy crossed her arms defiantly. "What I'm trying to get is the edge we all need. And I'm going to get that edge in the next few months."
He drummed his fingers on the desk in frustration. "Why are you so stubborn…. Can you just promise this old man that when you've finished your assignment, that you'll take the break that you need?"
"I promise. But I'll have you know that I've been getting in some Lucy-time recently."
"'Lucy-time' is not the same as getting yourself proper rest." He tutted. "You should be aware of that."
Ok, the Master might have a point there, but she's not telling him that.
Lucy sank into the chair with a heavy pout on her lips, yeah she had a lot of things doing with loads of risks with every action she takes on a daily basis but she can't take a break now of all times, not when she's so close!
And even after that, who else is going to go back and forth from the sub-level with the restricted information? No one else knows the place as well as she does so of course she'll be the one getting that done too. The type of rest Makarov wants her to take isn't going to come anytime soon. But she'll break that to him when the time comes.
"So, Cana's managing the bar now." She said, shifting the attention from herself. "I thought she only worked the night shift."
"Covering for Mira," Makarov replied, "She and her siblings are somewhere in Crocus working with Lamia Scale on a job."
"Well I hope it's nothing degrading." She murmured. Mira and Lisanna were usually contracted as models and Elfman was either hired muscle or entertainment for people to laugh at his beast takeover. They weren't particularly fond their usual jobs but they got it done.
"On the contrary, they've all been hired to shut down a fight ring. A particularly nasty one that popped up recently that's been kidnapping children right off the streets."
A shudder passed through her. When she left her father's estate she'd stayed in Crocus for a few weeks and she lived in fear for all that time, constantly afraid that she might be snatched up to fight for life and limb for someone's amusement. To think that not even children are safe from its dark underside now.
"It's going to take a while so you won't see them back at the guild anytime soon. In fact most of your guildmates won't be around soon, big jobs like that are being taken up by them constantly." He steepled his fingers. "They're tired of the mediocre jobs and want to prove themselves as more than what they're usually used as."
"That doesn't sound too good." Makarov shrugged. "It's getting them some attention and the other guilds are picking it up as well. It's an odd sort of resistance I'll admit, but it is working for them."
"Well they better be careful out there, there've been more reports of the council cracking down on people even when they haven't been doing anything." It happens but it's been worse in the past couple of weeks from the reports she copied.
"Bah! The council," he grumbled. "They love magic and what it can do for them but not the people who have it running in their veins."
"I know." Lucy sighed, taking a stand. "It's disappointing that that's how things are, for now at least."
I'm heading back downstairs for some flirtatious conversations and gossip, and possibly food. Maybe I can get a head start on that break you've been telling me about."
"I'm sure it'll be more of an extended Lucy-time more than anything else."
She held back a snort. "Maybe so. You should join me, we can make it a 'Makarov and Lucy time' because something tells me that you haven't left up here in a while. And I'm not taking no for an answer."
"Well if one of my children is paying for my dinner how can I say no?" He huffed out a laugh, slipping out of his seat. Only a tuft of his white hair was visible over his table. "Now let me just find my cigars…"
"Master." Lucy warned.
"It was a joke! Just a joke; I'm coming."
Tbh i didn't even plan on having Jellal in this chapter but the mental image of Lucy hugging him was too darn cute and when I realized that I-a fanfic writer- had the power to write a cute moment with my brotp I could not be stopped.
I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, i know i liked writing it. I dunno when chapter 3 will be up but Gray will be in it, and that's something to look forward to!