Chapter 2: Getting to know each other
"So, what is the job about?"
"You know what a Wyvern is?"
"Yes, those dragon-like beasts. Why do you ask?"
"Hmm, I thought you wouldn't know. So, there's one at Mt. Hakobe that seems to be causing trouble. Merchants are disappearing, and mages who were supposed to get rid of him never came back. So, Master decided it was an S mission, as too many people have already gone missing."
"How many people?" Aria tilted her head, and Laxus started wondering how such an innocent girl could produce such a magical pressure. Maybe it had just been his imagination.
"Over fifty, last time I checked. I meant to take the mission today anyways, but I'm glad I waited. Now you'll get to see the great Laxus in action!" He said, his trademark cocky smirk in his face.
"Then what are we waiting for?" She said, excited.
Laxus P.O.V.
We were walking down the street. I had already packed, and the girl seemed to have no package, so we could get out early. What girl has no package anyways? Has she got no belongings? I actually knew nothing about the girl. Damn, I didn't even know her name before asking her to come with me on a mission! How could I protect her if things with the Wyvern got ugly?
"Oi, what kind of magic do you have?"
"What, want to know about me?" She replied, with a witty smile.
"No, I want to know what to do with you when I'm beating the crap out of that Wyvern"
"You don't need to worry about me, I can handle myself."
"With which kind of magic?"
"You won't drop the question, would you? I am a user of air magic"
"Cool, can you dissipate yourself?"
"Aam… I don't… "dissipate"… I turn into air…" That's useful.
"Then you'll be ok"
"Didn't I say that earlier?" She puffed.
We arrived to the train station.
Ok, so I've got the name, and the magical type. Not a stranger anymore, right?
"Why did you join Fairy Tail?"
"Apart from the beautiful insignia?" She smiled "Would you believe it if I told you?"
"Sure, why not believe someone I just met?" Words slip through my mouth before I got to think about them, and I immediately regretted it. "I mean…"
"I know, but you seem like a good person. I trust you" Eh? Trust… me?
"You surely know nothing about me then"
"But I know your name is Laxus, and you are a lighting mage, and you are worried about keeping this I'm-too-good-for-anyone's-sake attitude, but you then care about everyone in the guild. Otherwise, you wouldn't have asked about my powers to know how to keep me safe from the white beast."
"How did you know?"
"Well, you looked like you really cared back at the…"
"No, not that. How did you know I was a lighting mage, and why do you say the Wyvern is white?"
"Oh" She kept silent for a while. Just who the hell are you, Aria? "Well, you see, being an air mage and all, I pay a lot of attention at air pressures, and anywhere near you feels like a storm in the middle of a valley. Then I just had to look at your appearance to know you were related to lightning. I mean, the scar, and the t-shirt with the lightning pattern? No need to be a genius. So, as I was telling you, I would certainly be grateful if you didn't laugh, because the reason I joined Fairy Tail is not something everyone would understand…"
She purposely avoided the other question. Just who the hell are you, again?
"The Wyvern" I reminded, with a low growl. I was starting to grow suspicious of the innocent, unsecure girl next to me. Why did I act so reckless as to ask someone I don't know to come with me? And on an S rated quest of all? I would have to watch my back to get back unharmed this time.
"Intuition? I'm going to buy the tickets, just wait a minute." And as she came, she left.
Aria's P.O.V.
As we approached the train something surrounding Laxus' air changed. I looked at him questioning, but he didn't seem to notice. He was too concerned about the huge machine.
"Is everything ok?" If my eyes wouldn't reach him, my voice would… right?
"Yeah, yeah, just… wondering how long would it take"
"It's close, maybe an hour?"
He nodded, ending the conversation. Just what is your problem? I'm worrying about you, you know?
He looked at me astonished. I did not just say that out loud, did I?
"I assure there is nothing wrong, I just don't enjoy traveling by… those" Yes, I had said it out loud. Air, make me disappear. I feel so ashamed… "You wouldn't happen to know any healing spells, would you? I know a girl, who also knows her things about air magic, and is a valuable healer"
"Are you hurt?" I narrowed my eyes, looking for any injuries, but he shook his hands as to saying "don't worry, you got it all wrong"
"I just wanted to know the extent of your abilities so I can form the best strategy. I was wondering if you could heal, that's all. No worries."
"Who said nothing about worries?"
"Yourself" He raised a brow as if he waited for me to reply, but I just turned my head so he couldn't see my cheeks reddening. I heard that captivating, deep chuckle again, but I didn't dare to look at him just yet.
We had just been in the train five minutes, but my head hadn't stopped thinking about the blond giant seating next to me. His atmosphere was just so weird, a mix of worry and discomfort from which I could not determinate the cause. At least, not until the train started moving. Motion sickness. I tried my best not to laugh at the thought of that almighty thunder God being defeated by such a daily thing, and started thinking how to approach him. I knew I had a way to ease his nausea, but didn't want him to feel weak. Nop, I was in a train on my first day as a member with, as it seems, one of the strongest mages of the strongest guild in the whole Fiore, and all because I… How did he put it? Hurt his pride. I had learnt my lesson.
"Laxus" I whispered, though there was no one near enough to hear us anyway.
He cracked open an eye. So you do have a hearing… even with those headphones on, I thought, looking at the vibrations in the air near his ears.
"I-I've realized I didn't answer your question… I do have these notions of healing air magic… Not that I specialized on it or something, I just learnt some because it looked helpful… with battles and all, you know. I know you said you weren't hurt, but, if you like, you could try them, you know, so you could know the extent of my abilities…" I gave him a moment, hoping he would understand. And, just as I was expecting, a hint of understanding crossed his eyes.
"Yeah, well, that could give me an idea to know which strategies would suit you better" He smiled warmly, nodding in appreciation.
I got up my seat and sat astride his legs, his eyes growing wide with surprise, and darker with something I didn't want to think much of. Then, I rose my hands to his head and concentrated a pinch of my magic that flowed to his head, healing him immediately from his motion sickness.
After a few moments, he called my attention "I- ehem- have already tested your healing abilities and I think they are quite effective to take into consideration"
"I'm afraid it doesn't work like that. If I stop now, you'll go back to feeling sick. I don't cast a spell on you, I heal you now, and can't avoid you feeling worse anytime in the future." I had already grown tired of that little game of ours, and surely calling things by their names, once both of us knew what the other wanted to hide, was way easier than beating around the bush.
"So, you are going to be in this position for the rest of the journey?"
"Why does your voice sound amused by that statement?"
"You would understand me, milady, but having such a beautiful woman in such an improper position may lead to some… misunderstandings"
"You surely are not making fun of the way I talk" I said, raising a brow in expectation of his answer.
My eyes must have betrayed me showing my amusement, because he gave me a proud smile before answering "And what would you do if that were exactly what I were doing?"
"Ooh, if that were what you were rudely trying to do with the hand that feeds you, then I would surely exercise my magic to make you feel funnier" I answered, emphasizing my polite words as well as my intentions.
"Well, you surely would not need your magic if you intend to make me feel funnier. On the other hand, I believe your body would certainly cover that purpose thoroughly" He slide his hands around my hips and started pulling me closer, slowly, as if he was giving me a chance to escape- which he surely wasn't, judging the firm grip in his hands.
Next stop, Mt. Hakobe. Please, if your destination is Mt. Hakobe, collect your luggage and get ready to disembark.
"Already?" He asked, in disbelief.
I giggled at his expression. I guess motion sickness must have made it harder for him to travel than he revealed.
I got rid of his grip and shifted backwards. As soon as my magic stopped flowing from my hands, a low growl escaped his throat, and the atmosphere surrounding him went back to a discomfort state. I fought hard not to let the smile that wanted to get to my lips show, and headed to the exit door.
A/N: Okay, guys, this is the second chapter! I hope you liked it! I tried to have more of Aria's P.O.V., as she didn't seem to be happy with such little attention from the first chapter, and tried to make it a little longer. Still, writing in english surely is a challenge!
I'd also like to thank Lilitraum for her support and her kind words, which encouraged me to write this chapter as soon as possible! It's good to know someone appreciates your writing :D
So, please, again, leave reviews! They mean so much to me, and I can get to know what you think! :D