I was questioned several times about my name. I said it sounded pretty, but never gave further information.
Celeste, root, Latin. Meaning, 'celestial' or 'heavenly.'
Faerun, a name for a fictional land also called The Forgotten Realms. This location includes Icewind Dale, Mithril Hall, Waterdeep and the Silver Marches. All settings in which the story of Drizzt Do'Urden the drow take place, among many others. Abbreviated nickname: Fae. A name for the race of fairy creatures, traditionally incapable of speaking lies or touching iron. Very frequently portrayed as clever, long lived and masters unto themselves.
'D'. An initial from the Grand Line that designates the bearer as the inheritor of a formidable will to change the world.
The blue glow in my mind had given me the names and their meanings. I had simply strung them together to suit myself. I somehow knew that it was both completely normal and unfamiliar to introduce yourself with your family name being said first.
I had asked about this glow the next day, and was informed by various guild members that it meant I had magic, and what's more, that I had already unlocked it. They speculated that it had happened sometime during my imprisonment or during Natsu's rescue. Now I just had to find what had triggered it and repeat it deliberately.
All things considered, I had a pretty good life for an orphan. The Rune Knight's process for determining how old I was indicated my magical core had been active for about five months and that I was physically seven years old. With the guild's reputation, there had been no real issue with my being supported and sheltered by them and the paperwork had been finished and finalized in a surprising short amount of time.
The ward system for wizard guilds was a way for local guilds to take some of the pressure off of local orphanages and to train young mages in a safe, or at least understanding environment. Young mages tended to have...accidents that couldn't be so easily explained away to most of the population. A child with magic was usually brought to the closest wizard's guild to learn how to control their power at the very least, even if they never chose to expand on it or become combat mages.
This meant I had Makarov overseeing my study of the art with several of the other guild members helping out every now and then.
Natsu had taken a shine to me and insisted on teaching me to fight. In his opinion, any wizard worth their salt should be able to fight without their magic if the need arose, a policy Erza was in strong agreement with. Their training sessions usually ended with me being carried back to the guild hall or the guild dorms, exhausted and bruised, but happy, laughing and looking forward to an evening of magical study punctuated with watching a brawl or two.
"Magic is the result of your own energy interacting and working with the ethernano in the world around you." Makarov said patiently as I fiddled with the hat he insisted I wear during lessons. The long bunny ears were tickling my back... Why does it matter if I'm wearing some sort of animal hat?
"Because no two wizards are the same, their capability and talent for magic with be as unique as they are."
"But both Erza and Bisca use Requip magic." I pointed out, head on my folded arms as I listened to him speak. I kept a weather eye on his mug of alcohol. Apparently regular booze didn't do it for wizards so there was a certain family that specialized in brewing a fruity colored drink that was potent enough for people with ethernano running through them to enjoy. A fresh shipment of the stuff had recently been brought in and the party was already underway. I was keeping my head low to avoid the occasional UFO coming my way. Happy had already sailed over my head twice to save his precious fish.
"Quiet down you morons!" Makarov roared as a stool went by overhead. "Ah, but not to the same extent." The guild master said cheerfully. "Erza's magic is incredibly dense and powerful, and is mostly rooted in metal. This combination results in her being able to requip any article she is wearing instead of only a weapon like most are able to do. However, it took her an incredible amount of effort to learn to extend her power to apply to non-metal objects, which is why her usual outfit includes a breastplate. Bisca, on the other hand, doesn't have nearly as much power, but she doesn't have a particular root. So while she might not be able to do as much Re-quiping as Erza, she doesn't have the same restrictions on what she can store in her sub-space. It also allows her to make use of guns that don't rely on her personal magic for power, or to potentially cut back on luggage expenses!" The tiny old man said with a gale of laughter at his joke, adding another layer of noise to the chaos inside the guild hall.
I hummed, tracing a finger on the table before me as I laid the new information out in my mind.
"So Erza can store a lot of armor and weapons, but can't hold onto much else without practicing. Bisca can hold onto a wider variety of materials, but not as much of it. "
"I knew you were a bright kid." He cheered, downing his mug and lifting it with a shout. "Oi! I need a refill." I rose and grabbed his arm, a little panicked and worried at the spots of color on his face.
"Master, you've already had six! You drink any more and you won't be able to make any sense! You have to finish teaching me!"
I lost that fight. I was rather irritated as I sulked at a table while Makarov danced on what had previously been our impromptu school room.
"Drunk and it isn't even dinner time..." I muttered. "Talk about an adult example..."
-vVv-
I still hadn't had an actual instance of my natural magic showing itself. The way it had been described was that whatever magic I was most suited to would manifest as an instinctive reaction to something. Thus far, my only reactions had been shown in the development of good reflexes since Natsu apparently thought that attacking me randomly would be a good way to get my magic to emerge. I was hiding under the table from him while Gray passed me bread from above.
"Why does he have to be so loud..." I moaned, covering my ears as I heard the Dragon Slayer start another fight. The Ice Wizard made a noncommittal sound as he passed a cup down from above.
"He wouldn't be Natsu if he was quiet." A loud crash made him add as an afterthought. "Though that might be a good thing."
-vVv-
"Fae, come back here! We haven't finished training yet!" Erza called, sounding irked.
"Nooooo!" Screw dignity! I want to live to see my eighth birthday!
She's a demon...A witch in disguise!
-vVv-
I watched the fighting with Levy.
"So who do you think is gonna win this time?" I asked the older girl, our perusal of some magic books halted by the spectacle. Mira and Erza, Natsu and Gray. The rivals had paired off and were currently attempting to murder one other.
"Whoever manages to intervene and survive." Levy replied glibly.
"So...Master wins?"
"Master wins."
-vVv-
Eventually, of course, I met some of the more reclusive Fairy Tail members. While I was reading a book on magical theory one afternoon, I suddenly felt the suggestion to close my eyes and rest. I rebelled. I only had an hour to finish reading this book and I would not be deterred! A notebook lay nearby with my scribbles filling up the current page.
This theory about the ethernano being a semi sentient, omniscient being makes a lot of sense. How else would Archive Magic work? If you could only access what information you put up, then it would hardly be worth much of anything because you'd always need to find it concretely somewhere else. But no. If you troll the pool enough, refine your search criteria and have the capacity to handle the size of the files, you can find just about anything on any kind of information. The Rune Knights monitor it closely for the most part, but Archive Magic users aren't typically strong enough or common enough to make it much of a valid concern.
It was the lack of hubbub that made me finally look up. I stared in amazement at the others in the room who had fallen asleep right where they were standing. Natsu had his face implanted in a bowl of stew that would probably start another fight once he woke up demanding to know who had thrown his food at him. But...what had happened? Why was everyone asleep?
I spotted Master was awake and he didn't seem that perturbed. And there was a stranger as well... He was tallish, had a bunch of staves slung behind him and wore a mask and hood. I could barely see the red lines of a tattoo or birthmark on his face, just where his eyes showed.
"Um...master?" I asked, cursing my soft and childish voice as it broke the almost complete silence. Both of them turned to look at me, surprise evident on the face I could actually see.
"Fae? You're awake?" I rolled my eyes.
"No, I'm sleeping with my eyes open and talking at the same time." The tiny old man's brows went down as he glared at me.
"None of your sass now!"
"Too late for that." I replied pertly, looking up at the masked man and rubbing my head. "Is it you who's trying to make me go to sleep? It's kinda annoying. Would you mind not doing that?" The man was, simply put, baffled.
Makarov sighed.
"I suppose we don't know enough about your magic to have predicted that this might happen. Fae, this is Mystogan, one of our S-class wizards." As soon as I had confirmation that he was a friend, I hopped off my stool and bowed, shooting him a bright smile as information poured into my head.
Banished prince of Edolas. Real name: Jellal. Conceals his real face due to an inordinate and awkward similarity to Ten Wizard Saint Siegrain. Read: He's physically his identical twin in just about every way. No innate magic, but very skilled at using magical tools, seems to have a particular inclination towards staves.
"Nice to meet you, Mystogan! I'm Faerun, but everyone just calls me Fae!" He seemed to have recovered somewhat from his confusion at my being awake and apparently unaffected by his sleep spell.
"A pleasure, Fae." I tilted my head as I drew a little closer.
"Why are you wearing a mask? Is it a foreign fashion trend? Or is it just comfortable? Or was your face burned by acid or something?"
I grilled the poor guy about everything and ended up following him until he left town. I asked him about magic, the places he'd travelled to, what kind of jobs he took and why, what magical aids were in place to keep weather from being a problem to travellers. Anything I could think of really. But I don't think he disliked me for it. In fact, he seemed remarkably patient about the whole affair. I even thought he smiled behind his mask from the way his eyes crinkled.
I like you. I decided, smiling up at him as he explained the distinction between a few different classes of magical tools, and their general advantages. You're weird, but everyone in this guild is. And I like you. I gave into my impulse and hugged him before saying goodbye.
"Come back soon!" I told him, grinning mischievously. "I'll probably have a lot more questions when you do!" I saw his eyes crinkle up in a smile.
"I'll try my best to find the answers for you then."
-vVv-
I was indulging an old hobby (At least, I knew I liked doing it, so I assumed it was an old hobby.) when I discovered exactly what my magic was.
I was writing out a synopsis of everything I could remember of Lord of the Rings, by hand in a notebook since typing machines weren't a thing in a messy guild hall with lists and lists of property damage bills.
I had been horrified to realize that many of the classic stories and concepts that I found cliche and overused...Weren't. They weren't overused. They were barely used!
Alas. I bemoaned as I continued to scribble frantically. I haven't the mental capacity to match the great Professor Tolkien's linguistic skills to really make the story come to life. And a world without Lord of the Rings was a true and utter travesty. Just don't ask me why I felt like this. I just knew that it was.
My lips curved up as images assailed my mind of the story. From the glories of the Last Homely House, to the dark, balrog haunted depths of the Mine of Moria, the Golden Hall of the Rohirrim, the Paths of the Dead, the Black Gate of Mordor, Minas Tirith, and the fiery, tumultuous peak of Mount Doom.
"Fae! Whatever you're doing, don't stop!" I looked up, curiously at Levy's excited cry and my mouth dropped open. The same images I had been visualizing in my head were dancing around me, interspersed with various letters and words.
"Check it out!"
"Fae's using her magic! She did it!"
"That's amazing!"
"Rune Magic, huh?"
"Man, check out all the pictures!"
"Way to go, girl!"
I watched the images dance before my eyes, spellbound as my thoughts raced. Emotions linked to the images, both beautiful and the terrifying. And then sound began to emerge as well.
The giant eagles began to scream as they soared around the guild. Orcs and goblins screeched. The Nazgul gave their hair raising cry. Elves sang in their various tongues.
It all ended very abruptly with me collapsing to the ground, eyes wide and wondering what in the name of sanity and the lack thereof was happening...
-vVv-
"Rune Magic is actually one of the more common branches of magic. But it also happens to be one of the more varied and versatile ones." Makarov said, looking all too pleased with himself as he sat me down. "Now that we have identified what your basic magic is, training and refining it will be much simpler. But!" He barked sharply, narrowing his eyes at me. "Do not use your magic without supervision until we have determined your abilities!" I was too busy wondering and buzzing with excitement at what I could do with this magic...
"Our best option would be to have someone with similar magic to yours teach you how to access it. I understand you make a habit of studying with Levy?" I nodded, my smile widening. Levy would be an awesome teacher!
Makarov's mustache twitched as he smiled back.
"Have you ever met Freed, Fae-chan?" Huh?
A few minutes later, I stared at the green haired youth with almost comical surprise. Specifically, at the little jagged idiot hairs that he had sticking out like antenna...
"If there isn't anyone else suited to teach her, I suppose I could lend a hand..." He said this as if I were a dirty little brat. I couldn't help but feel a little insulted. So...Vindictive obfuscating stupidity is a go.
I reached out across the table and flicked one of the antenna.
It wiggled and I saw Freed's brow twitch as he glared at me. I grinned back, pert, unrepentant and ready to learn all I could about the intricacies of Rune Magic.
-vVv-
I think Freed was predisposed to dislike me due to my being a kid. But once I proved I wasn't an average brat, he started to warm up to me a little.
"Rune Magic is, at it's heart, giving the ethernano commands as to how you desire the world around you to function. Whether or not the rune will do as you wish depends on your clarity and your power. The greater the effect you are trying to put in place, the more power will be needed." I wrinkled my nose as I listened.
"Is there any way of working around needing a lot of power? Not everyone has magic power coming out of their ears like Natsu or Laxus..." My teacher actually gave me an approving smile.
"As it so happens, there is. You can accomplish the same thing with a string of lesser commands properly linked together than with a single powerful command. For example." Freed bent down beside me and wrote with his finger on the back of my hand. "I have put down an enchantment that is meant to hinder you from lifting your hand. Try and lift it."
I did as he bade, struggling for a moment as I felt the enchantment try to bar me, but eventually managing to get my hand up to around shoulder height.
"Difficult but doable, correct?" I nodded, examining the handful of runes on my hand. "Any idea of how to remove the spell?" I considered the runes for a moment.
Resistance. Hand. Up and rise. I reached for the stylus that Freed had recommended as my beginner's tool and after a thought, wrote 'Freedom' on my palm. The magic tingled a little, resonating in my nerve endings as a foreign, but very pleasant sensation. While Freed's runes were a dark, majestic purple, mine appeared in a light amber color.
The conflicting enchantments sparked a little, but then I could lift my hand and move it about much more easily. It wasn't completely free, there were still moments of resistance, but it was a lot better than it had been. My tutor examined my rune, more of a curious squiggly line than the neat, blocky text that he used. But he nodded approvingly.
"A simple command, but with the right intent it did it's job even if the match up wasn't perfect." He carefully wiped the old runes by withdrawing the magic power he had put in his runes. I did the same, it had been the first thing he had taught me how to do. Then he put down new runes, this time splitting up the definition of what he meant to hinder to the individual parts of my hand, fingers and palm. This time when I tried to lift it, I could scarcely force it to rise more than a hair's breadth off the table.
"Can you think of some way to counter this?" Freed asked. I examined the runes thoughtfully.
He had applied the same 'resistance' rune-set in multiple places on my hand, and these were much smaller. And each one was tailored to apply to one part of my hand and no more, two on my knuckles, then the back of my hand, the center of my wrist and my thumb joint.
I wouldn't be able to get away just with one counter this time.
I took up the stylus and after a moment's hesitation, began to write.
Freed had instructed me on this first and foremost.
"There is no right or wrong way to use Rune Magic. Even if an idea sounds absolutely ludicrous, it still has the chance of working if you have the right intent behind what you are inscribing."
I had gone through a list of antonyms for resistance and had chosen to apply a rune that meant 'Liberation' to my hand this time. But I kept on drawing, writing a few other runes in a spiral around my root word. 'Motion', 'fingers' and 'palm'.
I ended up with slightly more movement than before. Instead of feeling like something was forcing me to remain still, this time I felt like I couldn't move faster than a snail. I frowned, displeased. But Freed seemed rather pleased.
"Since my magic is much more practiced than yours, it would take some extremely clever writing or a lot more force behind your words to counter my runes completely. But that was very well done Fae. You might become a Rune Wizard yet."
I had lessons with Freed multiple times a week. I once expressed concern that he wasn't able to work as much since he was teaching me. He just waved me off with a smile that gradually became more and more sincere as time passed.
-vVv-
I had been with the guild for almost a year before I formally met Laxus.
The big young man was buff. No two ways about it. I didn't doubt that he had some rabid fans. Seemed to be the type.
Attempts to seize control of the guild by forcing everyone to fight each other. Tries to blow up the whole city. Makarov's grandson, used to be very close to him, but the relationship became strained after his father, Ivan, was banished from the guild. Lightning Dragon Slayer, 2nd Generation. Lacrima is implanted in his body which allows him to make use of Dragon Slayer magic. My eyes lingered on the bright yellow scar on his face that had the faint aura of magic around it. His father was the one responsible for implanting the lacrima. But was he really so...callous as to put it in the guy's face? In his head? If that's the case, then no wonder he's a little screwed up...
He noticed my looking at him. I halfway expected him to make some snappy, harsh comment. But he just scowled at me, in a way that didn't seem...really that intimidating.
"Who are you supposed to be?" A question. Questions I could handle.
"I'm Fae. Who're you?" Light flashed in his eyes, a literal spark of energy that flicked into life and then was gone.
"Name's Laxus Dreyer, brat. Where's the old man?" He meant Makarov. But did I dare push a few buttons when this was the first meeting...? Better be cooperative until I get a better feel for the guy. I knew, somehow, that he wasn't going to hurt me. But irritating people needlessly wasn't my thing.
"Monthly check-in with the Rune Knights." I replied, holding the book I had been reading in a loose grasp as I looked far, far up at the looming wizard. "Did it hurt?" The question slipped out before I could stop it. Laxus looked down at me before making a dismissive sound and sitting at one of the nearby benches.
"Did what hurt?" I drew my finger down my face, mimicking the shape of his scar in answer. I had to imagine getting a chunk of concentrated, foreign magic implanted in your system wasn't an especially pleasant experience. But was there actual pain involved? Or just unconsciousness?
He snorted.
"Like a-" He caught himself before what I suspected would have been a expletive out. My inner adult raised her brows in surprise. "Yeah, it hurt." Likes kids? No...more like doesn't want to hurt them. Enough to censor his own language. That in and of itself was impressive. Most adults didn't have that kind of control, never mind a teenager.
"In hindsight that was a pretty personal question." Where is my mouth filter? I know I have one somewhere... "Thank you for answering." This made the large blond look at me with more consideration.
"Fae...that isn't short for Faerun is it?"
"Yeah...?" Ok. Who told him about me?
"You're the kid with Rune Magic that Freed's teaching then." There was a contemplative light in his eyes now as he looked at me. My face brightened reflexively.
"You know Freed? Do you know when he's coming back? I finally finished that stupid puzzle he left me-" I hastily bit off the barrage before it could annoy him. I had the feeling it didn't take much to annoy Laxus.
Since this made him crack a smirk, I was somewhat comforted that I wasn't about to get fried or something.
"I know Freed. He's on his way back from his job right now." He eyed me for a moment, then reached out a tugged a slightly wavy lock of my aqua colored hair. It had only grown out an inch or two since I had been cleared by Porlyusica. When I didn't respond to his inspection, he repeated the tug, only this time he did it harder.
"Ow!" I swatted at his hand, frowning at him. Jerk. Why did you do that?
"Is that your actual color? Seems a little unnatural."
"Your scar is literally shaped like a lightning bolt and your hair is defying gravity as we speak. And you think my hair is weird?"
-vVv-
I was bickering with Laxus even after Master returned to the guild hall. It was fantastic! He wasn't going to walk on eggshells around me just because I was a kid! And Erza didn't step in and stop him like she did when Natsu! I was aware that I was a good deal more mature than a child of my apparent youth should be, and it was kinda frustrating to not have anyone argue with you seriously!
This dichotomy between the way I thought and the way people thought I should think was getting old fast, but I say no real way of forcing it to change. In my experience, questionable as it was, forcing your ideas on others rarely ever went over well. There was no real, quick way to get it done other than patience and time.
I'd just have to grin and bear it I suppose.
-vVv-
I was practicing almost constantly with my Runes lately. I was trying to decipher the basic components of my script. I was going pretty much on instinct so while I could read the words, be it in my script or in Freed's, I couldn't distinguish individual letters, vowel clusters or consonants. Intent was all well and good, but being able to deliberately shape what I wanted to happen was what I figured was a key part of using runes. Thus if I wanted to make any real headway in my magic, I had to do that.
Which meant writing. A lot of writing. By hand usually.
I lifted my dominant hand and scowled, noting the tiny callous that was starting to form as a result of my constant work. It was irritating me...
"Why the grumpy face, Fae?" Lisanna's kind voice brought me out of my brown study. I smiled up at the white haired Animal Soul Wizard.
"Just not making as much progress as I would like." She slid onto the bench beside me with a fond ruffle of my hair.
"You've only been practicing for a few months. Any kind of magic takes time, especially Rune Magic."
But I might not have that time. I thought with a frown, glancing back down at the lines of text I had been working on. I needed a fast reference guide that I could flip back and forth between. My brain could only process something so fast and holding my rapidly growing dictionary of established Runes took most of my concentration.
Dragons. Eclipse Gate. Zeref. Lonely. So lonely...
"Keep up that kind of attitude and we'll have to start calling you Natsu!" I frowned at Lisanna.
"As if anyone without a literal fire under their tail could be that hasty." She just laughed, ruffling my hair.
"I'm just saying you should enjoy being a kid a little more! You hardly ever seem to do anything except study magic and practice fighting with Erza and Natsu." It was hard to enjoy being a kid when all I wanted to do was be able to talk to someone without being looked down on and finally reach the shelves without a footstool!
I blew away my frustration with some effort. Lisanna meant well. If there was anything that was consistent about her, it was that she always had people's best interests at heart.
But...I did have a reason for going into this with this much dedication. This perfect certainty I had as to how my magic worked. I knew that I had to know as much about this as possible if I was to have a chance at deciphering my past life, and safeguarding the future of the people I cared about.
"I know Lisanna. But...I can't shake the feeling that the more I know about my magic, the better my chances are of finding out where I came from." The white haired girl seemed taken aback and I hurried on. "It-it's not like I want to leave or anything. I love it here! But..." I shook my head, leaning forward on the table over the pages and pages of painstakingly written runes. "But I at least want to know... If I have a family, and if they care, I want them to know I'm safe..."
"Oh Fae, it's ok." Lisanna slipped an arm around my shoulders in a side-hug. "There's nothing wrong with wanting that. I should have been more thoughtful about your situation. I'm sorry." I snorted, leaning into her hold.
"You can't read minds, there's no way you could have known. It's fine."
-vVv-
Gildarts was a big friendly fellow, larger than life and with a presence in his magic that just blanketed the guild hall with good cheer, laughter and protection. It was strange, I concluded as I watched him swat Natsu away. I looked at him and saw a large intimidating wizard that I knew was very dangerous. He could probably find some way to use his magic and crush me just by looking at me. Yet I felt no fear. There was just acceptance and security in his presence.
He'd never hurt me. Not seriously.
"The old place hasn't changed that much!" he said grinning and looking around. "Only real difference is Erza and Mira aren't tearing the place up. They're doing good on their jobs!" Master visibly relaxed at the news. I figured that since Gildarts was one of the senior wizards of the guild and one of the strongest, that he would check up on the younger wizards who were out working. He probably wouldn't let on that he was doing so, but just quietly look things over in case they needed a hand. I turned back to my book, wanting to finish as much as I could before Natsu came back and dragged me off for some fist fighting practice.
"Hello, who's this?" Just like that, I was no longer sitting on my bench, but had been hoisted into the air by the back of my shirt and was facing the man himself. Gildarts. I had heard enough about him to know that it was him, but-
Holy crap, he does look like Shanks. I blinked, wondering where the thought had come from. But it had opened up an entirely new avenue in my mind's branching stories that I was willing and eager to explore.
"You gotta be the new kid I heard the old man talk about" He said enthusiastically, scooping me up as easily as he had sent Natsu through the roof of the guild hall. He was squeezing the breath out of me as he cuddled me aggressively. "Aw. And you're even a little cutie too!" I squirmed, wrinkling my nose as I caught a whiff of his clothes...
He. Was. Rank!
"It's nice to meet you and all, but you kinda stink mister..." Gildarts just looked at me...then began to laugh.
"You're an honest one, aren't ya kid? What do they call ya pipsqueak?" He still didn't set me down, instead he carried me to the bar where I proceeded to get interrogated in a friendly, roughshod sort of way. I came away from the interview with the feeling that while Makarov was the dad to everyone in the guild, Gildarts was everybody's favorite uncle that wasn't around that often. So when he was there, everybody was glad to see him. He wanted to know everything that had been going on with everyone and if there was a new face, he wanted a personality to go with it.
After Gildarts made rounds of the people in the guild, and called for a round of drinks for everyone there, he disappeared to talk with the Master for a while. There came a strange silence that made me sit up and look around, wondering if Mystogan was dropping by and putting everyone to sleep... Then I caught the barest hint of extremely potent, powerful magical pressure and shivered in response. Is this what a sandcastle feels like when a steamroller is bearing down on it?
"Master must have given Gildarts some news he didn't like." Wakaba remarked, answering my unspoken question. "He only feels like that when he's starting to get mad." The uncomfortable feeling of trying to inhale through a large damp pillow went away after a few more seconds. No one else commented on it.
-vVv-
Upstairs
"Nice enough kid." Gildarts noted, after reporting the more precise details of what he had seen as he travelled beyond civilization.
"Who?" Makarov was clearly absorbed in his thoughts, but then he shook his head. "Oh. You mean Fae." The Crash Wizard laughed.
"Gotta say it's hilarious that the brat just wanders into the guild with a name like that. Almost like she's made to be here!" Makarov tried to smile at Gildarts jovial good cheer, but didn't quite manage. The S-class wizard stilled and looked at the tiny guild master askance.
"What's up Makarov? You haven't looked like that in years." Not since he had needed to banished his own son. But that wasn't a topic anyone brought up lightly.
"I'm glad you like Fae, Gildarts, but I am still concerned about how she came to be with us..."
"She didn't get placed here by the council?"
"Far from it. Natsu found her while he was on a job near the Caelum border. His assigned task was defeating some vulcans that were thought to be in the mountains nearby, since there had been several missing person's reports. He ended up dismantling a dark guild that was later convicted of slave taking..." Gildarts went very still.
"And the end result...?" Makarov's eyes flashed.
"Upon the Rune Knights investigation, the guild Natsu destroyed were found to have more than fifty captives of various ages. Interrogation has revealed that the scoundrels attack and ransack villages in the mountains, which are mostly isolated and unable to call for help. They typically don't take more than a handful of adults and leave the rest dead behind them. Most of their prey were children." Gildarts power flared out, filling the air with the heavy, implacable promise of total annihilation.
"Gildarts." Makarov spoke in reprimand. "The children are nearby. Control yourself." The Crash Wizard exhaled slowly, collecting himself before he tried speaking.
"So you think Fae was a captive, but that she managed to escape and Natsu picked her up."
"It is the only explanation that makes any sense. Natsu says that she was injured when he found her, a short distance away from their camp. And that the dark guild members were searching for an escaped prisoner. Fae had recently unlocked her magic as she made her escape. It made her even more valuable for whatever they intended their captives for. It was this confusion that let Natsu subdue them."
The large man was still, thinking of the little girl who had warmed up to him quickly, and was clearly adored by the other guild members. There wasn't any of that pain in her smile.
"She doesn't know."
"No. Fae cannot recall anything about her life before she awoke under medical attention. She chose her own name, and signed on as our guild's ward." Makarov's clenched fist loosened as there came a burst of raucous laughter from the main floor. Threading through it all was a child's hysterical giggle.
"Fae was not meant to be here. Chance and a strong dose of luck brought her to us. I cannot say what might have happened had Natsu not been nearby to carry her to safety. But she is here now, and she chose to stay with us instead of going into the foster system." Gildarts gave a half rueful smile.
"She said anything about joining up when she's older?"
"I haven't asked her about it." The guild master stated evenly. "For now, she is a child and that is not something children should have to concern themselves over. We will give her the childhood that those scum tried to take from her, raise her as best we can and let her decide her own fate."
-vVv-
Gildarts only stayed for a few days, but every day, I could count on being greeted by the big man with a massive bear hug. And when he did so, Natsu never tried to attack him because I was in the way.
"No fair Gildarts! Stop using Fae as a shield!" As usual, Gildarts sent Natsu through a wall with an absent backfist even as he chatted. I just sighed, brushed dust from the rubble off my papers, and kept writing, ceaselessly practicing the individual letters of my Rune Script.
"Watcha doin'?" Gildarts asked in a singsong tone, leaning over my shoulder and watching.
The regretfully familiar sensation of deja vu struck me.
"Plotting world domination." I answered flatly, looking up at him, trying to convey that I was busy and didn't want to entertain him right now. His eyes sparkled.
"Oh? And how would you go about conquering the world, Fae-chan?"
I looked up again and said, with a perfectly straight face, "With my army of flying monkeys, obviously."
This resulted in a very interesting conversation that multiple people joined.
My original joke of conquering the world with an army of flying monkeys was expanded into running a massive magical circus filled with semi sentient animals as cover for getting in and out of countries. There were many suggestions as to how to win support from locals with this circus, and set up coups to dispose of the current monarchs because... lemon cream pie?
A plan that involved world domination that hinged on the presence of a lemon cream pie?
The talk broke down when Mirajane and Erza got into a disagreement (I am getting good at understatement.) over whether lemon cream pie or strawberry shortcake was better.
You know, this is probably why the Magic Council is so wary of this guild...not the property damage, or the closely packed mass of powerful wizards...it's the collective mind.
