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~Soprana


"Lady Lucy, you will hold on for one moment and stop trying to ditch me." A petite young woman with short blue hair called, huffing angrily as she jogged, orange dress clashing with the dull tones of the busy streets. A worn and scuffed cloth bag bounced at her hip, weighted with books picked up from their adventure into the public's eyes. Her hazel eyes, however, sternly scolded the blonde woman who had dramatically staggered to a stop.

Lucy groaned, putting effort into stomping her feet to a halt in the center of the cobblestone street. Lolling her head back over her shoulder, she regarded her companion with a dismal expression. She, too, wore a bag at her hip although more detailed and higher quality. The fabric was free of imperfections like scuffs, tears, and creases. Little embroidered stars decorated the flap that covered the precious cargo of books and fresh parchment for her novel along with a few new quills for fine details. Her pastel pink sundress matched with the white and gold bag, accenting her braided golden hair.

Despite the childish display of impatience, many of the nearby civilians regarded her with kind gazes and a wide berth. After all, crossing the daughter of an influential man was a big mistake. Even the pickpockets turned away and chose another path free of such temptation.

Robbing the richest of the rich would certainly cost them more than just jail time or a brutal removal of the offending hand.

"Levy, I am not trying to lose you but you certainly are making it easy to." The woman snipped, fed up with the delays. After this vital shopping trip, the second plan of the day would be put into motion.

Actually losing Levy was part of it.

The friendly librarian was one of Lucy's only friends, keeping guard and watch over the precious words scribed in the books of the Heartfilia Manor. Bonded over the common love of the written word, both girls grew close as friends could be, and had a loving respect for each other.

Lucy smiled at the sight of her beloved friend huffing as she stopped beside her, bending to rest her hands on her knees and clean sweat from her brow. "Lucy, as a friend and burdened bookworm, I beg of you to slow down and tell me what has got you so energetic?!" The blue haired woman asked, her voice gaining an exaggerated tone while her hands gripped the strap of her bag.

The blonde heiress only grinned and shook her head. Levy scowled and hissed with a barely convincing threat in her voice, "It has been five days and you still hold your tongue. What happened? Did you finally lose your mind to the confinement of the manor?"

The silence between them answered her. With a tired sigh and a shift of the bag from one sore shoulder to the next, Levy shrugged and began trekking over to a nearby stand filled with some old looking books. "I will have my answer soon enough."

The blonde woman sighed and watched Levy become distracted by the sight of an old atlas with a fairly decent price. Though the clever librarian would pressure her, Lucy still had her secrets.

Like meeting Natsu, of course, among other family mysteries.

Smiling, Lucy slowly stepped away from the vendor and his wares, merging with the flow of foot traffic towards the north-east part of Magnolia. Keeping in step with many of the fellow travelers, Lucy could not stop a giggle of glee as she disappeared around the bend with Levy non-the-wiser.

It would just be a quick trip to a certain place on Century Street, where the extensive maps of the Heartfilia Library informed her the location of Sitri. From there, she would wing it on her charms and looks to figure out exactly why Natsu told her of this tavern.

There was definitely more than just a free meal. The look in his dark eyes gave him away.

However, Lucy had never been far out of the center circle, and as she crossed the great circular street that enclosed the center of Magnolia, she noted how foreign and unnerving the city became. With worn shacks and busted windows, the town became more like a dark dealings alleyway. Locals became more rugged in appearance; missing teeth and blackened eyes being the top physical feature among the men. Women shied away, children running around with dirty clothes and cheeks.

Lucy felt her heart ache as beggars desperately tried to pull at the hem of her long gown, sunken eyes pleading for her to spare a bite of food or even a kindly jewel. Bones were visible underneath worn and leathery skin, voices aged with use and stories to tell.

The woman just did not have the bravery to stop today, for fear of what, she did not know. She turned away from the suffering, silently cursing her cowardice. Turning away was the greatest sin of all.

What she had expected was nothing when she finally reached the tiny shack that was crushed between a second rate armory and a dirty butcher. Though, taking in the rest of the area, the disarray came as no surprise. Lucy just wished for her handkerchief so her bare skin did not have to touch the grimy door handle of the pub. No fear came to her, nor nervousness. Only excitement for a new experience as the old door to the tavern opened with a loud metallic squeak of the hinges.

Inside was just as decrepit as the outside. Old candles burned for lighting on rusty chandeliers and candelabras, the wax of previous long gone candles decorating the holders like stalactites in a cave. The dust could be seen in the air, patrolling the musty scented room like loyal dogs on a hunt. There was not a soul around alone for a purple haired barmaid how regarded her with a kind but curious smile, tiny hands drying a pint glass.

Walking like the room was filled with mines, Lucy approached the worn bar, grimacing at the long gashes in the seats and wood; knowing instantly that they were the mark of blades. Still, pride kept her head up as she took a seat, crossing her legs and resting her bag on the legs of the stool.

The bar maid set down the glass, the tiny chink of the cup keeping the blonde woman in suspended alertness. Nobody was here besides them. So, why did she feel like she was being watched?

With a kindly smile, the woman stopped before Lucy, only a counter separating them. "Good Day, Welcome to Sitri. What can I get you?" Her voice was kindly and tender, not a speck of hesitation in her tone. Against her will, Lucy found her muscles relaxing under the pressure, the precious guard dropping.

"Uh, Hello. I am here for lunch." She replied with little tact to clarification. Coughing a laugh at her blunder, Lucy added, "I was told the food here was fantastic and I was in the neighborhood." The maid smiled warmly, curiously blinking but nodding non the less. "I see. Well, what would you like?"

Lucy blinked, frowning and looking to the worn and stained wooden bar top. "Um, I was hoping to see a menu. He did not mention what food was fantastic." She sighed, already questioning her sanity. Leaving behind her friend to get lost in the city and visit a tavern that a forbidden acquaintance recommended. How was she lucky with stupid mistakes such as these?

"I will just order his usual then. Uh, Natsu told me that this was to go on his tab, by the way. I will have what he usually eats." Lucy finally answered, apprehension blooming when the maid's eyes became sharper, but no less kind. It was like the kindness was the mask, and the blonde had foolishly drawn attention to the details.

"Hmm, Natsu...Natsu..." The maid muttered, bringing a small hand to rub at her chin thoughtfully. Her dark eyes locked on the ceiling in thought, her tongue peeking from her lips. "The name certainly sounds familiar, but the face is clouded." There was a second of silence before the purple haired woman laughed lightly.

"I am sorry. I am so terrible with faces. Maybe my coworker would know. She has been here longer." The woman turned to walk to the opposite end of the bar where a lone door rested in the shadows. "Oh, and I am Kinana. Please do not hesitate to ask if you need anything! I will be right back!"

The claps of her sandals on the wooden floor echoed through the dark tavern, her long hair swaying as she opened the door and vanished inside quickly, leaving Lucy alone in the tavern. Nerves drove Lucy to highest alert, her brown eyes scanning the empty restaurant suspiciously. Why had she put herself in a dangerous position like this, when she was better off staying in her own perfect world?

Because the fight is out here, her mind replied. Because the weak and needy that she wanted to help were out here, driven from the center of the city like rats.

Curse her sensitive and loving nature.

Manicured nails drummed on the bar, the index finger taking the first beat of each rhythm. Her teeth rested on her bottom lip, legs beginning to shake. The tempo of her fingers increased with every pasting moment, increasing her anxiety.

It seemed like hours before the door opened, and two women appeared from the depths of the tavern. Kinana smiled easily, turning to bring down a few of the liquor bottles that had long since outlasted their date, leaving a vivacious white haired woman to approach with an equally disarming smile. Blue eyes shimmered with generous care and devotion, a pink and white dress only adding to the innocent look. Lucy knew there was more than meets the eye, however.

The stranger paused before her, and there was echoing footsteps that started from the darkened hall in the back of the tavern. Brown eyes flicking to her left, Lucy felt like ice chilled her veins when a large and very muscular man appeared from the depths. His own blue eyes were locked on her the moment he rounded the corner, the jagged scar over his face all the more intimidating. Blond hair stood up on his head with styled spikes, revealing the stern and cold face of a man who had seen battle and bloodshed.

The blonde noble tensed at his cold stare, one so completely opposite of the friendly and kind eyes of her new friend, Natsu. This man was a killer, a true assassin with a hardened heart.

She curled her fingers into fists, feet planting on the floor to flee like a frightened rabbit before a hunting hound. There was little distance she could make and he would catch her by the time she reached the door. Only now did she regret listening to Natsu and coming here. Perhaps this was his way of dealing with loose ends, having his comrades deal with the one who knows too much.

Lucy thought Natsu was different from the fiends that ruled the political branch of Magnolia; that the Assassins were different.

The white haired woman tittered at her stance, the blond man grinning darkly at the sight of the stranger's quivers. "Laxus, you dummy, you are scaring her!"

Lucy blinked at the sweet and happy voice that came from the white haired woman, but dropped her jaw when the blond man frowned and looked...scolded. His approached stopped, broad shoulders slumping while his lips pouted.

"We do not know her, Mira. She has no right to be here if she can not prove her words. Anyone can send spies in and uproot everything we have worked to protect. It is my responsibility to-" Laxus began, his voice raised and demanding. Lucy flinched, images of her father yelling invading her thoughts.

The woman, Mira, sighed and waggled a finger at the man. "Laxus. Be nice." Her tone was light, but her eyes screamed a different story altogether. The man grit his teeth, shooting Lucy a scathing glare that may have killed her if at all possible before plopping down at a far table. Wood scrapped the floor as his booted feet slammed up onto the table top, dark eyes locked on the strange woman with calculating accuracy.

Lucy swallowed, turning her head to look at the savior now sitting across from her. Mira sighed and rested her head in her hands as her elbows anchored her to the counter. It somehow became an investigation...or an interrogation.

"So, Kinana tells me that Natsu is in indebted to you and he owes you lunch. It sounds just like him." The barmaid began lightly, humming with a laugh. "May I ask why he gave such an honor to you? He is usually stingy about his meals, you see."

Lucy blushed at the memory of his hot and heavy body on hers, crushing her into the floor while they both froze in panic. "U-Um, w-well...I do not wish for him to get in trouble..." Lucy muttered shyly, hands moving to grip the hem of her dress in her lap.

The blond man tilted his head while Mira copied the movement. "Why would he get in trouble? He did not do anything wrong, did he?" The concern in her tone hinted to worry and motherly care. Lucy looked up through her bangs and took in the wide eyes of a truly caring woman.

"No, well I do not know. I met him when he climbed up to my bedroom window, but I think he was surprised I was there and almost fell in the river. So I caught his arm and pulled him inside but we...kind of got tangled up." Lucy answered softly, assuring his safety with her gaze. The raging blush on her cheeks did not cease, however. That moment reigned as the most embarrassing moment of her life, aside from when she single handedly ruined a gala when she was fifteen.

Laxus's face became gaunt and angered, nearly making Lucy wish she could curl up into one of the many cracks in the walls. Dark eyes shriveled as his teeth bared and he truly looked scary once again. "That idiot! When I see him, I am gonna-"

Mira cut his rant off again, putting a hand to her mouth with a surprised giggle. "Oh dear, I am sorry for that. He is usually so skilled." She waved a graceful hand to Lucy, gesturing that she had more inquiries. "So, your bedroom? That would have been so humiliating for you if it had been in public."

She had that right. Lucy shuddered at the thought of something like that reaching her father's ears. Even if he was not an assassin, her father would not sleep until Natsu was jailed for 'threatening her purity'. It was bad for business, after all.

"So where was this, the Commons District?" Mira asked, licking her lips to moisten them. From afar, Laxus had gotten rather quiet. Lucy could not pick out his breathing anymore.

"Oh, it was in the Aristocratic District. The Heartfilia Manor." The blonde woman answered, not concerned with the information. Everyone knew the Heartfilia name. Everyone respected the Heartfilia name due to her father's wealth and her mother's generosity. That was the very reason Lucy was not surprised at the startled expressions of the three tavern locals. The heiress got those looks frequently.

"W-What is your name?" Kinana whispered, setting down a half empty bottle of rum as she turned to stare. The room was dead silent. Not a soul spoke as Lucy glanced between women and man. Deep down, she hated using the Heartfilia name despite its useful applications. The pampered, spoiled, and naive daughter of the wealthy tycoon Jude Heartfilia was always looked down on.

"Lucy Heartfilia."

All three of the tavern locals adopted a startled expression. Mira even straightened and stepped back slightly.

Laxus stood with a curse, his hands slamming the aged table with unnecessary force that sent Lucy nearly tumbling out of her seat in fear. "Was he seen by anyone else in that household?!" In blind anger, he strode over to the blonde, leering down as he reached her trembling form. "That idiot is going to get it so hard he will forget his own name!"

Lucy cowered into her seat, the enraged face of Laxus morphing into the one of Jude. She was ten years old again, the rice ball that she spent hours making scattered over the floor like bird seed carelessly tossed to the wind. You are always in the way! Leave me in peace!

"N-No. O-Only me." Lucy whimpered, cowering away from the strange man bearing down on her. "A-And I did not tell anyone. It would be b-bad for both of us."

"Laxus. Stop it. Calm down." Mira murmured, reaching across the counter and clasping a hand on his bare hand. To Lucy's awe, Laxus relaxed at the touch, eyes softening slightly in remorse as he stepped away. For the first time, he actually looked human, with regretful emotions and tired lines under his eyes.

He plopped onto a stool beside her, slumping over the bar like a boneless fish filet. The bar counter was pressed against his left cheek as he rested his head on the surface, watching her with exhaustion. "I can not keep him alive if he keeps doing reckless shit." A sigh escaped him and Lucy got the hint that it was out of acceptance. "Well, he's earned night patrol for the next week for sure."

Dark blue eyes drifted to her brown ones, large body huffing a sigh. "If he had been seen-"

"I know." Lucy replied quickly, looking away to the worn counter. Her teeth bit at her bottom lip, head dropping. "I am forbidden to mingle with others outside my father's approval. If he had found out about Natsu, I fear what would have happened."

All four occupants were quiet for a moment, the only sound being the flickering from the dozens of flames from candles. Kinana leaned against the counter, her gaze locked on her sandals in thought. Mira had leaned back on the counter, her own blue eyes downcast in morbid thoughts.

Laxus, however, stared straight at the blonde, surveying her as a chess player would his next move. Pressure or retreat. There was no in-between here. "Then, why have you come here? Natsu told you of this place, but why come of your own accord with such a risk?" The tone he used was mistrusting, warning even.

The woman looked to her lap once more, carefully mulling over her reason. It sounded so stupid...but it was the only reason she had to offer. "I broke the rules set by my father to come here." Lips curving in a smile, Lucy huffed a small laugh. "I just wanted to see him again, that Natsu."

Mira perked with a interested gleam in her eyes, giving Lucy the impression of a she-demon. "Oh? Is that so?" She cooed, lips curving in a knowing smirk.

The bar maid was getting the wrong idea. Lucy swallowed and nodded, not daring to look the woman in the eye as she replied, "He told me the best food was here and lunch was on him."

Laxus regarded the blonde woman for a moment before he asked his next question, one that had been bothering him since Kinana came and mentioned a strange woman knowing of Natsu and Sitri. "Did he tell you anything?" Judging by the pensive look on the noble's face, Laxus knew this was what Natsu had meant. To send a stranger to the guild's front doorstep was risky, and he would not have done so if he did not think it was dangerous. Laxus trusted Natsu with that much, at least.

"I asked if he was an-" Lucy pursed her lips, suspiciously glancing to Laxus before whispering, "-assassin."

With no reaction from those listening to her, the heiress continued at her normal voice volume. "I told him what I knew of guilds and the Order of Knights, and he told me to come here." Brown eyes fixed on blue as Laxus sat up, courage now beginning to grace her with its warm fire. Took it long enough, however.

"I do not trust you." He said in a low growl, his gaze narrowed upon her.

"I do not blame you." Lucy replied quickly and smoothly. "Even to myself, this all is very far fetched. But, I chose to come on the account that I can help the Brotherhood. My status would make it easy to gather valuable information and end the suffering of this town."

The blond man snorted in amusement, ignoring Mira's murmur, "Natsu would never put the guild at risk. He truly trusts her." His arms crossed over his chest, eyes flicking to the entrance door with an expectant expression.

"So, a noble wants to help an assassin guild. Now, I have seen everything. Tell me, what makes you think you would be accepted with open arms, just like that? You have no idea how many eyes we have."

His speech was interrupted by the cacophonous sound of a door hinge, bringing all eyes onto the newcomer that entered the tavern and slammed the door with the weight of their back leaning on it. Hurried breaths sounded, anxious words woven between the puffs of air.

"Kinana, I need Laxus or someone to help me track down Lady Heartfilia. I lost her in the crowds...again. Her father might have my head."

Lucy tensed at the voice, chocolate orbs widening at the sight of the person before her. The familiar orange dress was vibrant against the darkness of the room.

Laxus grinned like he just won a lifetime supply of weapons and was offered cheap shots at all his enemies groins. "Levy, can you explain why your charge is in this tavern, talking about the Brotherhood, of all things?" The voice he used was mocking, but Lucy only had her attention for the familiar blue haired woman she had ditched earlier.

"Levy?"