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.
Upon reaching the docks, Lucy let her eyes dart back and forth trying to find someone who could possibly help her. When she saw a familiar figurehead jutting out over the very last dock. Disbelief coloring her thoughts as she made her way towards that particular ship.
"Miss... HEY, MISS! You the girl from Fairy Tail?"
Jumping as she bit back a screech. Lucy whipped around to look at the man who had called out to her. Recognizing him as the captain of the ship she was just heading too. Blinking as she looked at him, noting he was holding a small thick, cream-colored envelope in his weather-beaten hand.
"Yes, Captain, I am a Fairy Tail Mage. And a girl."
The toothy grin she got in response to her reply, he held the envelope out towards her. "If ya be Lucy, then this is for ya, girl. Was told to give it to a pretty blonde from the guild, if she came around before sunset. The boy was damned nervous mess. Can see why now."
Taking the proffered envelope, Lucy couldn't help the confused look on her face. As it heated up, only making the Captain give a rich, deep bass chuckle. "Men like that Miss. They aren't used to doing the chasing and enticing. No, he has the looks to draw women to his side with no effort."
As the Captain finished speaking, he tipped his hat to her before wandering towards his ship. Already barking orders to those sailors under his command on the docks.
Amazement flooded her thoughts. Lucy narrowed her list down even further. But still had a hard time accepting who was left on the list. Which consisted of Freed, Laxus, Bixslow, Gray, Gajeel, and Natsu.
Letting her fingers run over the heavy paper, Lucy realized that it was expensive vellum. The type her late father used to use for important missives and invitations. Licking her lips as she suddenly felt nervous. Lucy sat on a nearby crate.
Hands shaking marginally from a mix of nerves and excitement, she began to open the envelope. Being very careful not to damage it. Only to smell a deep musk with pine mixed in. Already her brain was jumping ahead as more pieces to the thrilling puzzling clicked into place. Three more crossed off her mental list of people.
This smell was exclusive to the men of the Raijin Tribe. Having been around them, the scent of pine somehow clung to all three of them. Something she and a few others had attributed to them always being out on a mission. Mostly outdoors, in the woods.
If it was one of those three particular men, then there was no doubt they could afford the charms and this vellum paper. Again, she found herself swallowing, as she pulled the note from inside. Really looking at the handwriting for the first time. Whoever wrote it had good penmanship. Having only seen a brief glance at Freed's, Lucy knew there was no way could make an accurate comparison. Grumbling mentally as she read the note very slowly and carefully.
'Well, you're finally to the second to last clue. And it is almost nerve-wracking writing this, knowing that you are either elated we will be meeting soon. Or pissed I have been making you run all over Magnolia on Valentine's day, in pursuit of a mystery.
There is no charm this time. Just a gift certificate to the spa, Heaven's Delight contained in this envelope. For a free one-hour facial or body treatment. Customized to your taste upon arrival. Your therapist name is Jason Priest. He is amazing, as I see him each time I am in town.
Lucy, I hope to meet you at the Valentine's Party tonight. Enjoy being pampered at the spa, because you truly deserve it. For all you have done and been through, including your team's... particular brand of randomness.'
Tears were rimming the bottom edge of her eyes. Every word was written with extreme care. Showing the honest emotions of their author. Pulling at her heartstrings. Add on the fact that this note clearly stated that there was only one more left, with a very thoughtful gift certificate included in this one, definitely made up for not having a charm.
Heavenly Delight Spa was so popular it was almost always booked out. It was also a place she had been wanting to go to for a while now. But either didn't have the time or the funds, due to her team's destructive nature.
Sighing softly, Lucy stood up. Taking great care to fold the note back up and slipping it back into the envelope. Willing her feet to take her back to her apartment, for a nice outfit for the party at the guild tonight, after her receiving her relaxing spa treatment. Glad that whichever guy from the Raijin Tribe had included that little surprise.
Standing outside the one story, quaint looking building. Lucy just seemed to be in a trance. As she held her little decorative bag, with the outfit for later and the envelope.
Taking a deep breath, Lucy reached out, grasping the handle to the door. With a quick twist of the knob, she pushed it open. Revealing soft sand colored walls, deep cherry wood trim that matched the floors and a desk that had a small woman with pale green hair sitting at it. Gentle, relaxing flute music played. All of it giving off a relaxing vibe as Lucy entered the establishment, closing the door quietly behind her.
A small smile on her lips as she closed the space to the receptionist desk. Who was patiently watching her? "If you are looking for a massage or facial, we are completely booked, Sorry."
Blinking in surprise at the genuine apology, Lucy clutched at her bag with one hand as the other extracted the envelope, and thus the gift certificate.
"I have a gift certificate for one spa treatment with a therapist named Jason Priest."
Handing over the envelope, noting that the waiting area had gone oddly quiet. Feeling nervous all over again, she hazarded a peek. Seeing several sets of eyes glaring at her. Their gazes ranging from shocked to jealous, to outright hatefully. Leaving Lucy to wonder about just how popular this man was.
"Ah! You must be Lucy Heartfilia. We were expecting you a bit later. Please fill out this health chart, while I inform him of your arrival."
Nodding her head slowly as she took the clipboard. Lucy stayed by the desk as she filled it out. It was basic, straightforward. It was done in a matter of minutes, all while she tried her best to tune out the gazes from the other patrons, who were making her skin crawl. The urge to curl up into a ball was strong. "Are you done, Miss Heartfilia?"
Giving a small start at the question, Lucy practically thrust the clipboard back the receptionist. Who just smiled and took it in stride, clearly unphased.
"Okay, this way please."
With that, the receptionist motioned for Lucy to follow her to a door that opened to a small hallway. A different set of soothing musical sounds reaching her ears. To which she immediately recognized as whale songs. As they proceeded down the hallway, she noted all the closed doors, until they turned a corner where a man just a bit taller than she was standing, waiting. Guessing this was Jason, Lucy smiles warmly at him. The brief look her gave her showed his apparent shock.
"This way please, Miss."
His deep voice making her halt before she followed him into the dimly lit room. The smell of sandalwood and vanilla filling her senses. Looking around she saw a massage table, little side table with a towel caddy on it, a few larger towels folded and waiting next to the caddy. Along with bottles of what she was going to guess was essential oils.
The sound of the door clicking shut had Lucy turning to look at the man. Who was smiling at her, shaking his head? "When he asked me to reserve an hour, I was shocked. But when he explained why, I didn't think you'd be this beautiful. More so compared to the women who throw themselves at that poor bastard."
Unsure how to actually take what he said and respond, Lucy mumbled polite thanks. This man was straightforward and blunt. Meaning he could deal with any of the three men left on her list.
"Well, what would you like today, Miss Lucy?"
Pausing to think for a second, Lucy smiled. "A good relaxing massage with a full body sugar scrub, please. No scent."
When he nodded at her request, he excused himself after telling her to disrobe and climb onto the table, between the sheets, Facedown. Not wasting a second, Lucy shed her clothes and did as she was told. Feeling excitement once more building in her.
TBC