Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters, that right belongs to Hiro Mashima.
Author's Note: This story was originally written for Leos Lady in 2014 when I did my first GaLu week as a thank you and a big written hug of Love for her being an amazing person. And was subsequently updated on Valentine's day each year until it was finished.
Lucy stood there for a while, just staring down at the charm in the little box. Her mind running through the definition of the word it represented, as well as all antonyms and synonyms associated with it. A feeling of being perplexed washed over her, as she let out a small growl. With a small shake of her head, Lucy took a slow deep breath, realizing she was probably over analyzing what it meant.
Turning her gaze to the proprietor, Lucy pursed her lips as she began to pace back and forth. Trying to calm herself as she began to list mentally all the places in magnolia where one could be.
"Let's see there is one in the guild, but that would be too obvious and easy. So that's a negative, there. Then there is one in the church, but that would be a bit presumptuous, so that was also a no go. That leaves the big one used during the festival." She muttered aloud to herself.
As it dawned on her, Lucy came to an abrupt halt of her pacing, her eyes widening as they landed on Mr. Wenchill. Seeing him smile at her before he spoke, "Well I guess I can say this. He did mutter that you would never take second place in his heart."
With a squeal of delight, Lucy rushed over to him, giving him a fierce hug. Before dashing out the store's door. Her feet moving her quickly towards the main square plaza of Magnolia. A giddy, restless feeling spreading throughout her body with each step. It had been a long while since she had felt excited like this.
When Lucy was only a block away from the plaza square, she heard her name called out. Quickly pretending that she had not heard while continuing on. Until her name was called again, making her stop as she realized who it was calling her. A small pout gracing her lips as she turned to see MiraJane. Who was walking up to her with a mix of irritation and curiosity on her face?
"Lucy, hey what's the rush? Did something happen? MiraJane asked as she looked at Lucy intently.
Letting out a bit of a petulant sigh, Lucy replied. "No, no nothing has really happened. Just trying to get somewhere quick is all."
Lucy saw MiraJane narrow her eyes in suspicion, before smiling her normal bright, cheery big sister smile. "Oh, okay. Have you found somebody for the party tonight at the guild?" Her voice soft as she asked the question, her eyes dancing with little hearts, at the thought of being able to play cupid.
Smothering a groan, Lucy just replied as casually as she could, "No, not yet, but I still have most of the day, right."
When all she from her silver-haired friend, Lucy looked at her carefully. "Ok. Well, I have to go finish my errands now. Good luck Lucy and see you tonight!" was all that was said, before MiraJane walked away leaving Lucy in shock.
Her mind was having a hard time fathoming what had just happened. The guilds very own, self-proclaimed matchmaker, had not done a darned thing. Lucy just couldn't seem to make sense of Mira not attempting to hook her up with someone. The more she stood there trying to rationalize it, Lucy finally got that Mira probably knew about Lucy's secret admirer and the treasure hunt.
Giving a small grunt of utter frustration, Lucy looked down at the small black box in her hand. Then with a gasp, she turned and started to jog the last bit to the plaza. Seeing all the beautiful red, pink and white decorations for the valentines day being put up. Making her all of a sudden feel disgruntled at being able to find the next clue and charm.
Letting her eyes rove over the plaza square, Lucy wondered how she was going to do this. So with heavy feeling feet, she began to walk to the far side of the plaza and the massive stage. The very stage she had stood on during the Fantasia festival. As she neared it, she saw an official-looking woman giving detailed instructions to the workers. Deciding it might be a good idea to ask her and see if she was in the right place by chance.
Soon as the woman finished, Lucy coughed getting her attention briefly, before she looked down at her clipboard, flipping through some papers before looked expectantly back at Lucy and speaking. "Miss Heartfilia, I presume?" The tone of her voice was presumptuous with undertones of impatience.
Feeling a bit taken back, all Lucy could do was nod her head in acknowledgment. Earning her a brief once-over from the woman before she spoke, "Good, I don't have all day. Here take these and go. I still have a lot of work left to do." Her voice clipped as she turned on the ball of her feet and began to shout orders to some of the idling workers on the stage.
Clamping her jaw tightly shut, was all she could do, to keep from yelling at the woman, for her attitude. Then in the next moment, she was taking the little box and note in her free hand as the woman turned back to her, thrusting them at her. As her eyes met those of the woman, Lucy saw a bit of envy there before the woman turned once more to yell at the people about their incompetence of workers nowadays.
Just staring at the woman in understanding, Lucy smiled before looking around for a place to sit down. It didn't take long to find a bench, decorated with paper streamers. As she made her way over to sit on the bench, Lucy debated if she should read the note first or opening the box. So upon reaching the bench and sitting down, she decided to keep with the way it had been happening.
After Lucy got situated, she placed the box from the bookstore on her left side, and the one she just received from whom she guessed was a stage manager or event planner on her right. Then holding the vellum piece of paper in her hands. Lucy slowly opened it and began to read it to her herself.
"So you have figure out the second clue, good job. You are a truly amazing person Lucy, which is part of what drew my attention to you. Right now I hope you are feeling exhilarated from figuring out the clues and going to the next location. But I wonder if you have narrowed down your list of possibilities of whom I might actually be. If not, don't worry, cause I have faith you'll have a good idea by the time you reach the last clue. And on that note, Let's give you your next one."
A small smile graced Lucy's lips as she read the next line on the paper, hand box to Lucy, and wait till she opens it, to continue. Shaking her head as she carefully set the not on her lap. Then picking up the small black velvet box from her right, she opened it, only to scrunch her eyebrows together.
As she looked down at the little charm, knowing it was a custom made. And where she had to go next. Letting out a small sigh as she put the box on her lap and running a finger over the small charm. Looking at its shape, that of a small island with a singular palm tree and the number 8 resting against it. Making it very obvious that Yajima ojii-san restaurant 8Island was her next stop.
Not wanting to think about it too much, Lucy picked the note up and began to read it again.
"Okay, that isn't a very subtle hint as to where you're supposed to go next. But let me explain first. We both have worked for Yajima-san at some point. If you're paying attention to the time, this is going as planned. IT should almost be noon, meaning you need to eat. So don't be bashful, I have already arranged it with Yajima-san, that I will pay for whatever you order. He also has your next clue to boot."
As she finished reading the letter, Lucy burst out in a small fit of giggles, drawing some curious stares her way. Making her blush dark and hot as she refolded the note, then closed the box. With meticulous care, Lucy put the not and both boxes into the pouch on her belt before getting up off the bench. Her feet immediately taking her to her next destination, just as her stomach rumbled letting her know she was hungry since she hadn't eaten breakfast, which she usually took at the guild.
TBC