Chapter 2

In the end Lucy was only able to get one small suitcase organized before running out of the door to the train station. She'd found a poster of Nisenoi's festival on the bulletin board in the apartment reception along with an annoyed landlady. Thankfully, it was a different tenant than her and the blonde was able to get out of the building with no one noticing. It felt strange walking out with the rent just paid. It was like she didn't mean to pay it.

She ran to the train station, taking shortcuts to avoid any members of Fairy Tail and get to the station early. Nisenoi's schedule wasn't well known to anyone in Fiore and there was only one timetable with it. No one ever came from there and there was one train that went to and from Nisenoi once per day. The sign of Magnolia's train station sign appeared in her sights as did the red hair from the woman she'd seen yesterday.

"Oh hello there, Lucy!" The woman waved. "How are you?"

"I'm alright." The blonde looked around. "Where are the two kids that were with you?"

"That pair..." The woman giggled to herself. "They decided to try and find someplace for snacks to take on the train. Knowing those two Conner probably dragged Riri all over the place. She's not going to be in a good mood when she gets back."

Conner and Riri huh? Lucy tried to remember what the two looked like. Riri had short choppy blonde hair with hair clips holding her bangs on the right side of her head. Conner had neat dirty blonde hair with bangs that seemed to cover his left eye and some of his right. They didn't look related to each other or the woman they were traveling with.

"We aren't related." The woman cut off Lucy's thoughts.

"I'm sorry?"

"Oh! It's just...I've seen that look before whenever I travel with Riri and Conner. People think that in their mother. I'm more a surrogate sibling for them. But those two are blood siblings."

"They don't even look related."

"That's what I thought when I first saw them. But when you see their personalities, you can the similarities a little better."

"I suppose..."

"There they are!" Lucy followed the finger that pointed behind her and watched two small children walk up to them with four bags each.

"Don't you two think this is a bit much?"

"Come on, Chisato." Conner whined. "We can finish this in an hour and it takes three to get to Nisenoi."

"And if that Lucy lady is joining us, we should pack extra for her." Riri added. "If she even decides to show up."

"That 'Lucy lady' is right next to you two." Chisato gestured to Riri's right where Lucy stood. "Look around before you speak."

"Oh." The small blonde looked over at Lucy and held up a bar. "You hungry?"

"Thank you!" Conner reached over and took the candy bar out of Riri's hands.

"Conner!" The small blonde snapped, and took the half open candy bar out of the brunette's hand. "It was for Lucy!"

"I don't mind." Lucy smiled and waved her hand. "He can have it."

"Thank you, Miss Lucy." Conner took the bar back and bit into it victoriously and smirked at Riri. She rolled her eyes and looked at Chitose, who was trying to hide her laughter.

"I'm sorry, Riri." Chitose said. Riri pouted. The redheaded woman put a hand on her chest and took a deep breath to steady herself. Then she looked at Lucy.

"So...what happens at the Nisenoi festival?" Lucy asked slowly.

"It's nothing special. Mages perform for people with their abilities and it's different mages everyday."

"How long does it last?"

"Five days. But tomorrow is the last day." Chitose pet Riri's head. "And these two are desperate to get there. So they can see their favorite mages perform." Riri and Conner pouted.

"I can't help it if Setsuna has the best performances."

"No way! Abyss and Rose do!"

"No they don't!"

"Yes they do!"

"Alright calm down you two." Chitose interrupted and put one hand on each child.

The train pulled up and ended the conversation. Chitose and the two children sat opposite of Lucy and didn't move on the train almost blending in with other people on the train. It was an awkward silence and Lucy began to regret not bringing a book or something else to entertain herself. More often than not she would find herself staring at her guildmark. There was no letter that could tell the others where she went if they decided to look for her. She was alone.

Lucy looked out the window and watched towns go by in blurs that slowly changed into green and gray to match the forests and mountains. It was unfamiliar scenery that would pass by and at some point the sun began to fall behind the mountains. Lucy lost track of time watching the scenery and almost didn't notice when the train finally stopped and opened its doors. Sometimes she'd hear footsteps and the train doors open as people moved between the cars. It was only the announcement that told her that the destination was Nisenoi that saved her from getting stuck on the train for another ride.

She took a few steps off the train into an open field of grass with enclosing the area starting a few feet away from the railroad tracks. There was a small path that led up to an elevated waiting area with stairs leading up to white benches and flowers on either side. The other side of the platform had one step and a stone path that led up to a sign reading "Nisenoi" and -beyond it- a gate that was open and led into a busy town where sounds of cheering and music came from.

That must be where the festival is. Lucy laughed at her obvious thought. When she paused to look around at the scenery again, she noticed no one else was there with her. She turned to look for any sign of Chisato, Conner, or Riri.

They said they were coming here. Lucy felt her uneasiness growing. We were going together...did they lie to me?

She went to look at the train but it had already pulled away from the station and was heading north to the mountains, already something resembling a dot. Lucy was alone at Nisenoi.

I'm an idiot. Lucy thought bitterly. They were nice to me for one day and I trusted them. Now I'm alone again. She looked ahead and could see magic being used and heard cheers growing louder.

I might as well see what's going on if I'm stuck here.

A/N: I hope this is a good chapter. It feels strange building up to a guild that already showed up in the original. I had to slip in a reference to some characters that would still be in the story. I didn't receive a response from every person I asked, though some did respond. They'll show up in time. Maybe chapter three or four. I'll do my best to describe performances when I show the festival. If you want to submit a character feel free to submit one.

And with that over! I hope you enjoy the story so far and I'd love to hear what you think. Leave a review if you can!