Chapter 3
The trip to the caravan was noisy, but ultimately uneventful. I sat to myself away from everyone and they mostly ignored my presence, which I really didn't mind. The girl, Lucy, would glance over at me occasionally before she d be distracted by Gray and Natsu s bickering. My ears picked up everyone s movements in the small carriage we were riding in. I heard a few of the whispers of the others about me and who I really was before I heard Erza sigh in mild annoyance, Pardon me, Carolyn? Would you mind letting us know something about you? I know you re an S-class mage and you have been at the guild for quite some time, but could you tell us anything about you in particular? I sighed softly and went to make my hand signs before I realized only Laxus would understand my movements. I peered out from under my hood, but remained hidden, I use darkness and fire types of magic. Everyone stared in slight shock at my words as Natsu burst in to a wide grin, You like fire too?! That s great! Gray glared at the dragon slayer, Maybe we can replace you with her and finally have some peace and quiet on missions and not have everything destroyed. Natsu went to reply before a sudden wave of motion sickness hit him and he almost threw up on the ice mage next to him. Lucy smiled at me, Welcome to our team Carolyn. I gave a short nod and curled into my cloak more as I felt a pair of eyes staring intently at me through the fabric.
The others carried on conversations with each other as I stared at my lap, feeling those piercing eyes every so often. My mind was rattled as I tried to keep myself composed and tried to not panic, I wasn't used to being alone with people I hardly spoke to like this. I knew these people, I d grown up with them, but it didn't mean I spoke to them. I mainly followed Laxus around or sat alone and away from everyone else. I was pulled from my thoughts as the carriage stopped and the door was opened for us by the driver. I quietly stood and exited the carriage, standing off to the side as everyone else collected their items and exited the carriage. Lucy came over and smiled at me, You don t talk much do you? I shook my head and stood in silence as she looked me over, How old are you? I swallowed the lump in my throat, Eighteen. She smiled again, You re around our age then. Maybe we can talk more? I sat silently as Lucy awkwardly wandered back to the others, leaving me to my thoughts of how this was going to work out.
I lingered at the back of the group as we met with our clients and just listened as everyone discussed what was supposed to be happening along the route we were taking. I kept wanting to look around to finally figure out who s eyes bore in to me with such intensity it made my hair stand on edge, but I thought better than to draw any attention to myself. I heard everyone separating to their assigned posts as I headed towards the back of the caravan with my partner for this mission, Raziel. I stood in silence as he followed me back and took a stance near me. The intense feeling lingered on my skin that I d been feeling for the past few hours and I tried to shake it off as my nerves getting the best of me. I sighed softly and pulled out a small device that Laxus had given me when we were still kids. It was a video communication device but, unlike the lacryma crystals, it was a lot harder to damage and was easier to transport. I noticed Raziel glancing over at my actions as I brought the small metal device near my lips so I could dial my brother for reassurance.
I smiled to myself as I saw Laxus appear on the screen of the device with a worried look on his face, You okay Cary? You don t call me too often any more. I nodded and proceeded to signal my words to him, since I had someone near me I was having trouble finding my actual voice. Laxus nodded as I told him what was going on and what Gramps had done to me with this mission. I heard him laugh slightly, You ll be fine Cary, I have faith in you. When you get back let me know and I ll take you out for ice cream okay? I m not happy you re with that bunch of rowdy morons but I know Erza will keep some sense in the group and I know you can handle your own. I ll see you when you re back Cary, be safe and be smart. I nodded and made a few signs to say goodbye to Laxus as the screen went blank and I hid the device back in to my pocket. I noticed Raziel staring at me with a puzzled look on his face, but he said nothing of what took place between me and Laxus.
I sighed softly as I followed the caravan in silence with Raziel beside me. I kept glancing around at the scenery as we kept on guard for the bandits that were supposed to have been inhabiting this trade route. I kept my cloak tight around me as a breeze kicked up the leaves around the caravan. Raziel glanced over at me and offered a small smile, Anything you have an interest in? I glanced over at the man next to me and simply shook my head in response. He gave a soft sigh and hung his head in small defeat, I guess you really don t talk to anyone. I wanted to get to know you, especially since we re currently team mates and I've seen you around the guild hall for so many years now but have never seen you with anyone. I shrugged and continued following the cart in front of me as Raziel moved closer to my side with a soft smile gracing his features, Might I at least see your face? I looked over at the man and shook my head, I really didn't want to be social with people. Raziel sighed in defeat and shoved his hands in his pockets, Okay, sorry I bothered you with asking. I sighed softly to myself as we continued our journey in awkward silence.