I kept quiet throughout most of the journey while the girl named Lucy sat across from me, scribbling something into a notepad she took out of her bag. I'm not one for words, since I've never received any proper education. I do know the basics, of course.
Socializing with people's just not my style.
The closer we got to Magnolia, the more nervous I got. Whenever I think of a guild, I think of people. And whenever there's people, there's bound to be families and friends, which means..People.. everywhere..
I resisted slapping myself on the face, but my cheeks flushed with red despite that.
"What's wrong?" Lucy laughed lightly, "You act like you've never been alone with a girl before."
Once again, I kept silent and played with the straps of my glove. loosening and tightening it over and over.
"Sorry.. I didn't mean to-"
"Its fine. Just know that not everyone can live a happy life."
I didn't notice it at first, but she retreated and sank back into her seat with a look of sadness on her face while I just stared out the window, pretending not to see it.
"You're right about that.." She spoke, her voice barely louder than a whisper.
"I'm right about most things.. I think."
Unfortunately.
"Ever since I was born, I lived in a mansion. Most people wouldn't even complain about things like that, and I wouldn't too.. at least.. until my Mom died. Then it started going downhill.. Dad doesn't even give a damn about anything but his business.."
She looked like she was on the verge of tears, but I bit my bottom lip and continued staring out the window, muttering in a low voice, "Why are you telling me this?"
She sniffed several times before pulling out a tiny pink napkin from her pocket, "It just slipped out.. Sorry.."
"Don't tell me unnecessary things.. I'm not the type of person that hesitates to go against anyone at any given time."
"Scary.." She rolled her eyes, not believing a word I said, "So anyways, what's your story? How did you end up knowing about Erza? Well.. scratch that, she's widely known."
Its amazing how she changes the subject in an instant.
"The past is the past.. I'd prefer not to relive it."
Lies.
"Mm.. okay then. Where are you from though?"
"I'm.. from.. a place called Era.."
Technically not a lie.
"Wow! That's where the Magic Council's located, right? You're from there? Awesome!"
The council again, huh?
I didn't want her to start asking stuff about my personal life, so I changed the subject immediately.
"So.. why'd you join a guild like Fairy Tail?"
"Huh? Umm..." She placed her index finger on her chin, as if thinking for a suitable answer, "Everyone has their own answers for this question, but for me.. I don't have a particular reason.. originally, I just wanted to join Fairy Tail because of the reputation they have. But once I joined, it became an entirely different story. I found friends.. people whom I can trust and depend on. Its a really wonderful place."
Honestly, hearing Lucy talk about Fairy Tail like that made me feel a sense of depression. I wasn't born with these powers I have, okay, maybe I was, but I never talked to anyone about it. Maybe if I had joined a guild.. things would've been different. Maybe if I had joined a guild, she wouldn't have disappeared and left me alone..
Her again, huh?
I stared at my gloved hand for several minutes. The bandages under the gloves are a primary level of protection, while the gloves help secure it.
The more I think about things, the more complicated my thoughts get. But seeing the girl in front of me right now, speak so passionately about her own guild, it makes me wonder if that's the reason why Jellal wanted me to join Fairy Tail instead of the hundreds of other guilds around Earthland.
"This may be an absurd question, but do you want to join Fairy Tail?"
Lucy scooted closer to me, with her pet snowman baby still in her arms, while she looked at me with sparkly eyes. When I stared into those eyes, I felt an urge to nod and say "YES I WANNA JOIN!"
But?
"I'll think about it. Joining a guild.. that's a little rough for me, considering I'm not good with people."
"Don't worry about it! That's how I felt when Natsu invited me to join, but I'm sure you'll get along fine with everyone just fine!"
Get along with them.. you have got to be kidding me.
"Its not that I don't want to.. I just can't. You're the first person besides him that I've had a real conversation with in 10 years."
YOU IDIOT!
Suddenly, a sharp pain coursed through my body from my mind. It felt like someone was stabbing me a million times on the same spot, dealing more and more pain with each shot. I collapsed onto the ground, cradling my head with one arm and my chest with the other.
"Are you okay? Oh God.. Umm.. we're almost there, hang on!"
With the pain I'm experiencing, I could barely hear her words, but there was a ringing in my head, a very loud, very clear ringing.
I told you not to say anything! If they found out, do you think they would accept you? THINK about things once in awhile, Fate.
Even though I knew he wouldn't listen, I kept mumbling "I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to.. I'm sorry.." under my breath, while Lucy called for assitance from the employees of the train.
Everything we've worked for. You can't just toss it away right now. Do not mention anything to anyone, EVER.
"Yes.. yes.. I promise.. I'm.. I'm sorry.."
And that was the last thing I remembered before passing out.
Although my mind was blurry and my vision was fuzzy, I remembered standing in a room of darkness, least.. there was only darkness until he appeared.
"That was a close call, Fate. Believe me, I didn't want to do it."
"Tell me that in a hundred years, and I still wouldn't believe you."
"Suit yourself though, its still my body after all."
For anyone else, that moment would've definitely been weird. Since I was standing alone in the dark, talking to a pair of blinking red eyes.
"You're wrong, Rave. This body is mine, and mine alone. And if anyone says differently.. I'll.. I'll.."
"You'll what? Its not like you can do anything to protect yourself anyway, that's why you made me! I'm your protector, your guardian, your only hope!"
"I can protect myself just fine, Rave. I want to trust you.. believe me.. but I can't risk having that incident repeat itself.."
Rave's eyes moved from one corner of the room to another. It looked as if he was pacing around the room.
"You know.. the only reason I was created was the protect you. At least, that's what you wanted at the time. I don't know whether you could trust anyone else but yourself, but its still up to you. Those Fairy Tail people, that girl you just met. If you could give me a good reason to trust them, I would."
I looked down on the ground and sighed, but just when I wanted to think of a witty response, my vision went fuzzy once more.
"Don't push yourself. You know where to find me." were the last words I heard before I.. apparently whited out.
While I was still drifting between my thoughts and reality, I could've sworn I heard a lot of voices.
"Is he okay? "Is he gonna be alright?" "Why are there bandanges on his arms?" "Who is he?" "Should we get him something to drink?" "He looks hot. Can I take him?"
That last sentence was enough to send me jumping off the bed, land on the floor with a loud thud! and scream, "NOOO!"
When those people surrounded me and looked at me with weird eyes, I crawled with the speed of light into one of the corners, making as much distance as possible.
"Oh, forgot to mention!" A familiar voice from one of the benches outside the room sounded, "He's afraid of people!"
"Don't go making your own theories about things, LUCY, cause I'll freaking kick your ass if I have to!"
Ah shoot.. I've blown it. I threatened one of their members in front of everyone. There's no way they'll let me jo-
"THAT'S THE FAIRY TAIL SPIRIT RIGHT THERE!"
"Picking a fight on your first day? Awesome!"
"If nobody else wants him, can I have him?"
The last statement made me shiver once again. My eyes scanned the room for anything suspicious, but so far, it just looked like any other normal infirmary. A few injured people were sleeping on their respective beds as well, but they were wide awake and looking at yours truly, which didn't make me feel that good.
How weird can this guild get?
Good question.