Chapter 3:
Fairy Hills' Toilet Thrills
The red dress-uniform fitted me pretty well. Once I'd wrung the worst of the water out of my gloves, it wasn't too uncomfortable putting them back on, but it's not like I had much choice.
Hanging my clothes over a radiator in the corner, I made my way downstairs and over to the bar.
Someone asked me for a drink as I crossed the pub floor, clearly too drunk to realise I wasn't Mira Jane.
I passed the order on when I reached the bar. Mira said I looked so good in my uniform, she'd let me get the drink if I was old enough.
As I was keeping my soul mark secret, I couldn't exactly say I was old enough, but I did ask if I could work here waitressing or something.
Apart having to watch the soul mate I barely knew kissing someone else, it felt like it'd be the perfect place to work. Mira thankfully, thought like wise, and rushed off to fetch some paper work for me to sign.
We went through it together when she came back, and seeing my wage on the second page in, I stopped her to work out how much I'd need to work for my rent.
As I had school, even if I worked evenings and weekends, I'd still be a few Jewel short, and that wasn't counting food expenses or bills.
Mira told me not to worry though. People in the magical community often approached guilds with small jobs for aspiring magicians, and I could make up the extra Jewel that way.
Relieved, and also a little excited at the prospect of going on magical jobs, I signed off on everything I needed to, then Mira asked Lisanna to show me round the kitchen.
Lisanna took her time showing me around the appliances, pantry, and celler (which had an entire section for someone called Cana). We chatted a lot, Lisanna clearly wanting to get to know me better.
Unfortunately, by the time Lisanna finished showing me round, I couldn't say there was anything I disliked about her.
I mean that's good, but...I dunno, disappointing?
Levy spotted us as we walked out of the kitchen. She stood up from where she was sat with two college boys, Lisanna told me were called Jet and Droy.
Both of them were looking excited, and had the unmistakable air of just having been roped into a Levy's latest research project.
God rest their souls.
Levy skipped over to us beaming, and I decided not to ask what she was so excited about. I didn't want to show too much enthusiasm for being a guinea pig for her next project.
Having told Lisanna about the short tour I'd gotten from Gray, and Levy's even smaller experience of walking down the steps to the library, Lisanna offered to give us an actual tour of the guild.
Though it didn't look it from the outside, Fairy Tail was massive, with its own hospital on the top floor, and a combat zone on the first.
The pub was on the ground floor, and was supposed to be kept magic free so the place looked normal, but Lisanna said Fairy Tail wasn't exactly known for following the rules.
The floor beneath the pub was a lounging area where alcohol was banned, essentially leaving it for the kids of Fairy Tail to use as a kind of playroom. There were couches spread out everywhere, coffee tables between them, and a television that was hooked up to some kind of gaming console.
The floor below that, above the pool level, was the dormitaries. This was where the kids of Fairy Tail lived. Makarov had adopted most of them after the 'dragons' disappeared.
"Dragons?" Levy asked, goggling at Lisanna as she grinned,
"Yeah, but I they're not quite what you think. They can transform into massive lizards, but most of the time, they're just wizards who eat the source of their magic. Their kids are called Dragon Slayers, mostly because Makarov said that having kids killed their terrifying vibe. Dragon slayers aren't nearly as powerful as their parents, but I dunno if that's because they haven't had as much time to train. They didn't have a lot of time to learn much before their parents disappeared."
"So all the dragons vanished?" I asked. "Just like that?"
Lisanna shook her head,
"Seven years ago there was this big war which the dragons fought in. We won, but all the dragons dissapeared without a trace. The whole thing was covered up by the council pretty fast, but a lot of wizards died in the fight. My parents died defending the guild."
"...I'm sorry." I said, knowing from personal experience that she was probably tired of hearing that.
Lisanna grimaced awkwardly, just like I usually did when people talked about my Mum, and Levy took on an overly upbeat tone of voice to change the course of the conversation.
"So is it fun living here?" She asked. "Surrounded by magic?"
Lisanna seemed to paint a smile back on her face,
"Oh yeah! Master Makarov takes good care of all of us. Most of the kids that made it out the war live downstairs. I'm not sure whether that's to protect us in case a dark guild attacks, or it's to make sneaking out harder. Like any of us would dare with Erza around."
I frowned, thinking on the red head that I'd met earlier, and asking,
"What's special about Erza?" Lisanna laughed,
"Oh she's lovely, but she can be pretty terrifying when she's angry. I dunno if even Laxus would cross her when she's really mad, and he's the toughest dragon slayer in Fairy Tail."
I was going to ask which one Laxus was when Levy nudged me, tapping her watch,
"We'd better get going if we're going to pick up groceries." I nodded in agreement and Levy turned back to Lisanna. "Is there any chance I could borrow a book from the library?"
"Sure," Lisanna said, "just get Mira to check it out for you at the bar."
Levy carried an armful of thick books back to my apartment before we went grocery shopping.
When we left the apartment, I could feel her repressing the urge to ask me something. She seemed on tenterhooks for the entire shopping trip, but it was only on our way back to the apartment that she spoke up.
"So...you get on with Lisanna better then I expected."
"Yeah." I said, trying to sound neutral about the whole thing. "I had a talk with her. She's changed her mark to match Natsu's because she loves him so much. I figured, if he was happy, it's my job as his soul mate to keep it that way. I said she should tell him the truth about her soul mark when the time felt right."
"But..." I looked at Levy to see her giving me a simpering look, "Lu you...your Dad would have to stop interferring with your life if Natsu—"
"—I am not getting married any time soon." I stated firmly. "Anyway, the staff told me my Mum was best friends with her soul mate - before and after she was married. It'll work out, I just have to find a way to make gloves look good with every outfit."
Levy grimaced knowingly and I looked away from her, keeping a smile plastered on my face.
I hadn't lied to Levy or Lisanna.
Unlike Natsu's girlfriend however, Levy knew as well as I did, that my Mum would've married her best friend, if only he hadn't been married when they met.
Luckily, what with all the unpacking and tidying I had to do that evening, I didn't have time to spare a thought for my soul mark.
Levy helped me put my groceries away but had to be back before curfew at the Academy.
She left well before dark, books piled high in her arms and still wearing a sympathetic look as I waved her off.
I went to bed earlier then usual, feeling a little lonely in the spacious apartment.
With my bed right by the window I pulled the curtain back, looking up at the stars and fiddling with Aquarius' key.
The habit used to make me feel closer to Mum, touching something I knew she'd treasured.
Now however, knowing about how Aquarius' felt about me (the brat) the comfort I used to get from it felt tarnished.
I let it go of the golden key, trying to make out the constellations above.
There were 88 of them up there, each with keys to go along with them. I wondered how many my Mum had, had used without me knowing.
I had lots of memories of magical things happening around the house, but I'd always thought they were part of my imagination being a kid. The many therapists my Father had gotten in to deal with my grief, told me that those memories were some kind of coping mechanism.
I sat up suddenly, my mind racing with a new idea.
What if everyone at home had magic?
What if my Father had just told them to stop doing it when Mum died?
I knew Spetto knew Aquarius' key was special to Mum, but what if she knew what it actually was?
I got out of bed and padded across the room to my desk.
Pulling out paper and pen, I grabbed and envelope and wrote out my home address below Spetto's name.
It seemed a simple idea, asking Spetto about Mum's magic. But as I set pen to paper, I realised I had to figure out a way to ask her about magic, without giving away the fact that magic was real.
I dressed the next morning, feeling very odd as I put on my new school uniform.
The uniform for Fairy Hills High School was a lot simpler than the one at Magnolia Academy. I used to have to wear ankle length puffy dresses from October till March, and a very lacy dress in the summer, but Fairy Hills had the same uniform all year around.
The shirt, tie, skirt, and blazer were very plain, and (unlike the Academy uniform) nothing was tailored uniquely to each student.
As I looked in the mirror I couldn't help but smile, thinking about what my Father might say if he saw me in such unladylike clothing.
I posted my letter to Spetto on the way to the school, following the map on my phone for directions through the town centre.
I walked into the outskirts of Magnolia, through a side of town I'd never visited, but I knew I was in the right place as the school gates came into view.
Tiny Mr Makarov, dressed in a suit instead of his orange and blue jester costume, was standing beside the school gates, nodding professionally as students walked through them.
I joined the throng of students strolling through the gates, smiling at Mr Makarov as I passed him, and vaguely aware that I was attracting a few stares.
At first, I let it polish my ego like usual, but then I realised it wasn't the kind of stares I usually got.
They were staring at me because I looked wierd, being the only one in the entire crowd who was wearing the school uniform correctly.
No one had their ties done up to the collar, most had jackets on instead of their blazers, and instead of shiny black shoes they wore brightly coloured boots or running shoes.
I loosened my tie a little at first, but pushed it tight again after a second. I felt uncomfortable not dressing properly in a uniform. Guess Dad would be proud his obsessive attention to formality had been drilled in properly.
I didn't see any of the Fairy Tail crew in my classes, and didn't spot any of them until lunchtime.
Feeling very unsure of what I was doing, I joined the queue for lunch, relief flooding through me as I recognised the scarlet hair in front of me. At least there was someone familiar in sight.
I didn't want to bother her with questions, but once we got to picking up trays I held up the line by not knowing I had to ask the lunch lady for what I wanted.
"Are you alright Lucy?" Erza asked.
I grinned at her, slightly embarrassed, and pointed at Erza's tray, saying,
"Could I please have what she has?"
The lunch lady gave a grunt and started ladling stuff onto my tray. I turned back to Erza,
"Sorry, I'm not really used to this. My old school did things a little differently."
I knew Levy would be eating the meals prepared by personal chefs right now, sat at a table while her food was brought over by wait staff.
Erza smiled at me, and glanced at the school bag on my shoulder. It was embossed with the coat of arms, motto, and name 'Magnolia Academy',
"From what I heard from Jet and Droy, about Levy's school experience, I'm impressed how well you've blended in here. Quite commendable."
The lunch lady thrust my tray back at me and I took it, following Erza up the queue with a sudden sinking feeling.
"Um, I don't want to be any trouble but I forgot..." I trailed off, staring at the till where people were paying for their lunch.
Erza patted me on the arm reassuringly,
"I'll get it. You can pay me back tomorrow."
"Thank you," I said, feeling more embarrassed by the minute.
I couldn't believe I hadn't thought about what I'd need to bring to a normal High School.
Erza payed for our food then led me through the lunch hall. I recognised the shock of pink hair on the table we were heading for.
The table had six seats. On one side there was a guy with a face full of piercings, picking at his food silently next to Natsu.
Natsu was wearing his white scarf, which seemed to substitute his tie, and looked a little out of place on top of his school blazer.
Across the table from Natsu sat Juvia, leaning against Gray happily, unaffected as Erza sat down next to him.
The only seat left was the one next to Natsu, and feeling a little apprehensive I walked around the table and sat down.
Juvia actually smiled at me as I took my seat. She looked much calmer, and used a gentler voice than the last time we'd met,
"Juvia is sorry for not introducing herself yesterday. Juvia had to mark her territory. So many girls go after Gray-sama, Juvia wanted to save you the pain of rejection."
"Oh, thanks," I said, not meaning it when I finished, "understandable."
Juvia suddenly sat up straight,
"So you're saying you find Gray-sama as handsome as Juvia does?"
"No!" I said hurridly, glancing at Gray, who's expression was as mono-tone as ever. "I mean I'm sure he's lovely but I'm not into—"
"Juvia knew it," she said, horrified, "you are a love rival!"
I held up my hands,
"No, no, I promise I'm not."
Natsu bumped his shoulder into mine, clearly trying to be reassuring but sending goosebumps down my arm.
"Don't worry Luigi, she does this with everyone at first," he smiled at me, "it'll stop once she gets used to you being around."
I frowned at him, slightly angry that my soul mate didn't remember my name.
"My name's Lucy." I said and felt a little sour as Natsu raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Grey made a tsking sound,
"Don't worry Lucy, Natsu is really dumb, but you'll get used to it the longer you stick around."
Natsu got to his feet, as did Gray, but both froze as a fencing sword was thrust into the space between them.
Erza bluntly tapped both their chests with the blade,
"Sit down. We're having a civilised lunch at school. You can blow off steam at the guild."
They both sat, but from the looks of it began kicking each other under the table.
The guy with piercings, on the other side of Natsu finally spoke. His voice was gravelly, and only adding to the 'don't mess with me' vibe he had going on,
"Stopping them from using magic, with magic, is a little hypocritical. Don't cha think?"
Erza shrugged nonchalantly,
"I have fencing after lunch Gajeel, there's no reason this particular sword shouldn't be in the lunch hall."
"You use magic swords?" I asked.
Erza placed the fencing sword on her lap with a smile,
"I use a re-quipping ability which lets me summon any weapon, or change into any armour I have in my magical store. I keep most of my clothes and belongings on hand to summon, so I don't need to carry much around. It comes in useful when you have lots of equipment for things like fencing. Were you thinking of taking up any clubs Lucy?"
"She's not joining the swim team!" Juvia protested. "Or the boxing club with Gray-sama!"
Natsu snorted,
"I doubt she'd wanna fight with a stripper." Gray glared at him,
"Better then training to run away from a fight like you in track."
"We'll see who's running away when I'm running circles around you ice princess. Why don't we take this outside and I'll show you!"
"What, so you can run away from a lost battle flame-brain?"
Natsu almost got up again but Gajeel caught his arm this time, pulling him back to his seat.
Natsu stabbed at the food on his tray grumpily but I looked past him over at Erza.
"I'd kind of like to see the library," I said hopefully.
"Then it's settled," she said stoically, "I shall take you there on the way to my fencing club."
The library was very disappointing compared with the ancient stacks at the Academy, and most of the people inside was just sitting and chatting.
It didn't have the same vibe as gossiping with Levy while she decoded scripture for mythology club.
Seeing as I was there, I got my homework done so I didn't have to do it after my shift at the guild. Not wanting to stay there however, I left as soon as I finished it.
It was cold outside, even though I was wearing gloves, but my hands felt a little clammy after wearing them all day.
I spotted a bathroom block on the edge of the track field and walked over to it, trying to ignore the familiar head of pink hair racing around the track.
Inside, there were only three or four cubicles, and it was empty except for a girl with red hair longer than Erza's.
She was washing her hands at the sinks and I smiled breifly as I passed her, taking off my gloves and stuffing them in my pocket as I turned on a tap.
"Nice bag blondie," the girl said, her voice gravelly like Gajeel's.
I opened my mouth to say thanks, but instead let out a 'oof' of air as her fist sunk in my stomach.
I felt my bag being wrenched from my shoulder and tried to tug it back, managing to do it but falling back into a cubical door.
The door was unlocked, and swung open, and I only just managed to catch myself before I felt back into the toilet.
The girl lunged at me before I could get out of the cubical, pulling the bag away in one hand and grabbing my hair with the other, forcing me to the ground. I pulled back, my knees hitting the bathroom floor, my free hand scrambling at the hand fisted in my hair.
The girl suddenly let go of the bag, and I swung it more securely over my shoulder, almost managing to get up as the girl fisted both hands in my hair.
Before I knew what was happening my head had been plunged into thankfully clean toilet water.
The cold water made me gasp, and I inhaled a lot of water, coughing as I placed both hands on the toilet seat, trying to push myself up.
I started to feel dizzy, I barely noticed my bag being wrenched away, but the muffled sound of a doorbell flooded my ears as something in the water pushed my face up and out of the toilet.
The girl's grip on my hair vanished, and I fell back on the floor, coughing and spluttering, toilet water soaking my shirt and hair.
A familiar blue mermaid was hovering over the toilet, and reached for Aquarius' key in surprise.
Instead of being beneath my shirt, my necklace of two keys was lying on top of the sodden white material. It must've fallen into the toilet water.
The red headed girl had backed up against the sinks, and Aquarius floated forwards, bearing down on her, raising her large vase.
Instead of the clear torrent of water that had soaked me in the Fairy Tail's bathroom, a blast of green, murky water slammed into the girl, covering her uniform in violently green algae.
She screamed, dropping my bag and running from the bathroom, Aquarius glaring after her.
As the door slammed, the blue mermaid turned around, and I pushed myself back into the cubical wall.
She'd told me specifically never to summon me in a toilet, and though I hadn't conciously opened her gate, I didn't think she'd consider that a good enough excuse to get out of an algae shower.
But Aquarius had an oddly neutral expression on her face, not quite a caring one, more like exasperation.
"Drowning counts as an emergency brat," she said, tossing her vase and throwing a fresh wave of stone cold water over me.
I was now freezing cold, and felt goosebumps ripple over my skin, but was extremely thankful I was no longer covered in toilet water. Much wetter and colder, but cleaner, I stayed where I was on the floor, not quite sure why she wasn't yelling at me.
"Y-tou said not t-toilet water," I stammered, the cold and nerves making my voice tremble a little, "I d-didn't think I summoned you? How—"
Aquarius raised a hand and I fell silent, mostly due to intimidation but I could've been stunned into silence with what was happening.
The water was rising off my skin, lifting itself into the air and leaving everything from my hair to my socks warm and dry. It collected into droplets, looking like rain suspended in time.
Slowly they collected into tiny running streams, all flowing back to Aquarius' vase.
"I'd be a pretty bad guardian if I couldn't open my own gate for a few minutes," she said snotily, narrowing her eyes at me, "next time would you freaking call me when your life is in danger. I don't want your death on my conscience."
Before I could say anything, she was surrounded by smoke, and then she was gone.
The tap I'd turned on to wash my hands was the only sound in the bathroom, but I stayed on the floor, staring at the place where Aquarius had been.
There wasn't a drop of water out of place in the whole room. Nothing to show that she, or the algae covered girl, had been there.
My bag, somehow having missed the shower of green water, was lying innocently on the floor, as polished and clean as it had been this morning.
I got up slowly, walking over to the sink, and turning off the tap.
I put my gloves back on, and picked up my bag, catching sight of myself in the mirror and seeing the golden key hanging on top of my shirt.
I tucked it beneath my collar again, and walked out the bathroom.
Guardian...that's what she'd called herself.
"Luigi!"
I jumped at the sound of Natsu's voice so close, turning around to see him running over. He was still wearing that scarf, even though he was in his track kit.
He stopped in front of me with a small frown,
"You okay?" I felt a surge of annoyance crash over my surprise.
"My name is Lucy." He slapped his forehead,
"Right, Lucy...What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong."
"Looks like something's wrong." I raised my eyebrows,
"And how would you know?"
Natsu shrugged,
"A feeling, I dunno?"
I felt my stomach flip over at that. Was that a soul mate thing? I didn't want to even think about it.
"Nothing's wrong." I said quickly, turning away. "I gotta get to class."
I strode away from him, feeling very uncomfortable and ever so slightly guilty.
Another chapter, you know what's coming next. Le fact;
On an algae related note; the inside of flamingo's eggs are pink (as are they're yolks). This is due to algae according to a BBC fact podcast of 2017.
Hope to see you next chapter :)
M
