Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.
"I can't believe he let me in" I exclaim while admiring my ocean blue Fairy Tail mark on my inner right forearm.
"Who wouldn't want you in their guild? You are strong, kind and brave. As an added bonus you don't have to be afraid of of those dark guild members we will protect you." Lucy comforts me, making me glow with happiness.
"Do you know anyone that is renting out apartments?" I inquire mentally calculating how much money I had and how much I could afford.
"Actually my landlord just moved out of the bottom floor of my apartment building and into a house she just bought. I think she is looking to rent it out. I would you like to go see her?"
"Yes!" exclaim excitedly then suddenly sober. "You wouldn't mind sharing a house like that?" I ask hesitation clear in my voice.
"No not at all I'm sure you're a great neighbor. Let's go see her now." Her kind smile makes me glow inside.
"Okie dokie!"
Three hours later...
Lucy and I place the last of my stuff in my comfortable apartment that Jamie and I had brought from the spirit world.
"Thanks for helping me move in." I say as I flop on my queen sized bed.
"This is so comfy! I'm never getting up." I snuggle into my blankets and bury myself under the pillows. The scent of the spirit world is deeply embedded into the sheets making me feel relaxed and safe.
Chuckling Lucy shakes her head and says "Somebody's comfortable."
"I haven't slept in anything but a tree in a long while. This is much much better." My voice is muffled by the pillows covering my face. Sitting up I turn towards Lucy "Why don't you invite some of your friends over. I'll make dinner. Jamie and I love to cook." I give the puppy dog eyes in hopes that she will say yes. "I would love to make some more friends.
"Sure, I don't see why not. I think Erza just got home an hour ago. Natsu and Happy will eat anything and Gray would hate to be left out. Is that to many people?"
"No not at all. I can make some steak! Why don't you go invite them and come back in two hours around six and everything should be done."
"Are you sure? That's not a lot of time." Her voice laced with concern.
"Jamie is out buying stuff now. He knows I wanted to cook you dinner so he is picking up a ton of stuff as well as the basics he should be back soon. I think he is having some friends over too." I explain while hoping out of bed and beginning to pull out some pots and pans.
"From the spirit world?"
"Yes, since I'm celestial royalty I can bring out spirits even if I don't have a contract with them. I just can't call them to battle unless it's dire. I think he said he was going to invite Loke and Sully. But, Sully is one of my keys and if you don't mind bringing Loke with you. I think he'd be more comfortable with that." I say while putting some water on to boil as Jamie unlocks the door and places about twenty bags of groceries on the floor.
"Sully is a dog spirit, a Jack Russell to be exact." Jamie explains as he puts the groceries away. Lucy blinks and laughs at us.
"You two are very close, aren't you?" I smile fondly and Jamie.
"Jamie is very important to me as I said he is family." I grin at his blush and stick my tounge out at him.
"Oi!" he huffs in a caring tone. I roll my eyes and turn around to rummage in drawer.
"Can you bring me those potatoes Jamie." I say while pulling out a knife and peeler. "Lucy, I want to do this. You have done a lot for me. It would mean the world to me to be able to repay you and your friends for taking me in." I state as a I rinse and peel the whole bag of potatoes.
"Are you sure you don't need to rest?"
"I'm good! Popping back to the spirit world really refreshed me." Even if I was anxious the whole time.
"Okay then, I'll see you at six." She turns to leave a smile on her face.
Six O'clock
'Ding-Dong' goes my doorbell.
"Sully can you get that?" I ask my silver haired companion. His golden eyes flicker to me and he nods his head. He rises to his full height of six feet and moves towards the door.
"Well hello beautiful." I hear him say. I hear a dragon like snarl that normal people wouldn't be able to hear because of its low pitch.
"Thank God for being part cat." I think as I yell out to Sully. "Sully come back here and stop be such a flirt, it's unbecoming." As Lucy and her friends file into my apartment.
Huffing at my scolding he turns around and sulks back to the kitchen. "Sorry about that he just wants to attention like any other dog." I reach up to the pointed ears on top of his head and give them a quick pat.
He practically melts into a puddle at my feet. Little whimpers of delight escape him as I hit a good spot. I see Lucy barely containing laughter and Natsu still looking slightly annoyed with Happy resting atop his head. Loke stands behind his master hands in his pockets an amused smirk on his face. Next to him are two people I know only by reputation, Gray and Erza who eyes are wide with shock. "Now go be a good pup." I encourage.
"Kay" he says turning around and transforming into a literal fifteen pound Jack Russell Terrier with grey and brown markings over a predominantly white coat. When he reaches our guests, who have made it into the living room, promptly presents his belly for a rub from Erza.
Unable to resist the cuteness the Erza and Lucy fawn over him. Smiling maternally at the site I turn back to the corn that is boiling. "Why must I be such a mom to everyone?" Seeing that it's ready I start to remove the corn from the pot.
"You guys can go wash your hands in the sink then sit down at the table if you want." I say while pointing a corn towards the kitchen sink. "Sully please go get Jamie. Those steaks should be done. He's around the back."
After I finish pulling the last corn on the cob out from the water, I turn to introduce myself to Gray and Erza. "You must be Gray and Erza. I'm Caroline, it's very nice to meet you!" I say while shaking their hands.
"I as well Caroline, it's nice to meet a new member of the guild." Erza states with a grin evident on her face.
"What she said. Thank you for inviting us to dinner." Gray states politely while for some odd reason stripping down to his underwear. When I see him go for the edge of said underwear I stare at the ceiling.
Unfortunately Jamie walks in and sees me looking up at the ceiling. His gaze then flicks to the boy who has made himself comfortable on my couch completely naked. Loke is sprawled next to him as this is normal just fidgeting with his rings.
"Caroline we need to protect you innocent virgin eyes may I kill the stipper?" He yells at the top of his voice to maximize the embarrassing effect.
Turning bright red I hear Gray yell "Shit! Sorry about that. It's a bad habit." As he scrambles to put his clothes back on. "Has anyone seen my shirt?" A chuckle escapes my throat and I'm immediately unable to stop a full force giggle attack that leaves me breathless.
"So, you strip in front of people you just met often?" Finally able to quench my laughter.
Natsu answers for him obliviously looking for a way to further embarrass his friend. "Oh, he strips all the time he just can't control himself. He is always striping and scarring innocent girls. It's actually really tragic." He explains an evil glint in his eyes.
The boys proceed to argue while Lucy and Erza help me set the table while the wash their hands and help bring food to the table. After everything is set I look to the squabbling boys " I'm going to eat all your food if you don't go wash your hands. Don't doubt my love for steak and the ability to watch you starve."
"Seriously guys, go wash your hand or she'll get pissed. The last time someone became between her and her steak there was an earthquake." Sully prompts the boys to hurry up. Seeing that he wasn't kidding Natsu and Gray wash their hands in record time, quickly followed by them sliding into their chairs.
Having no more reason to wait I dig into the medium rare steak. I eat three tips before reaching for some corn and mashed potatoes. The table is very quiet due to everyone stuffing their faces with the savory food.
Pushing back my plate when I'm finished I let out a soft contented purr that the normal humans can't hear in an effort to remain normal looking. The dragon slayer isn't even fazed obviously not caring what I do long as I give him more food. However, it seems to slightly shock Loke. But, when Jamie joins me in purring he recognizes that we are showing our enjoyment of the meal like normal cats would. Happy's purr soon joins the chorus of purrs. Slightly uncomfortable Loke lets out a small contented purr.
It's obvious to the other cat like creatures in the room he has been too long away from company of other cat like creatures. Smiling in encouragement at the still slightly uneasy lion my eyes scan our human companions.
My eyes next rest on Gray who some how in the process of eating dinners lost his shirt. He still continues to shoot glares at Natsu every few minutes. Who is stuffing as much food in as possible into his mouth. How is he not choking?! Lucy looks slightly horrified at the sight of Natsu eating so, I move to distract her from the slightly disgusting sight of Natsu eating.
"So, how is the food Lucy?" I question.
"Oh it's wonderful! Especially the steak. It has just the right flavoring. You will have to give me the recipe." She states.
"Jamie is my grill master. He is the best cook out there. He only lit the house on fire once!" I joke.
"Hey! That was an accident!"Jamie exclaims as he tries to brighten the mood. "But you saved me from your dad so it's okay."
"He almost skinned you alive! I cried for an hour when he went after you. He promised never to hurt my kitten ever again after that. I had him wrapped around my little finger." I chuckle my eyes full of amusement.
Lucy joins in the banter "Remind me to buy a fire extinguisher for when he burns down the building."
"But Luce that's why you have me!" Natsu exclaims. "You wouldn't replace me with a red canister?"
"Of course not! It would be pink to match my room." Lucy snickers enjoying teasing the young dragon slayer. They quickly engage in a battle of words with Natsu on the losing side.
Erza, Gray and Jamie quickly join in explaining the pros and con of a fire extinguisher versus Natsu. Sully quickly returns to his dog form and flops at Erza's feet looking for attention. Shaking my head at their antics I quickly start to clear the table and am joined by help from Loke.
We enter the kitchen and talk idly of non important things. Such as how I like the guild and how I met Happy. Everything is fine until I cut my hand while washing the dishes as Loke dry. A steak knife has slashed across my palm and the golden blood of a celestial spirit blood gushes out.
"Shit that hurts!" I yell out. "Could you pass me that dish towel." I say as I run my hand under the water to clean it out. I turn around and take the towel from his loose grip. My hand has already started to leak more golden blood so I gingerly wrap the towel around my hand. Glancing up at the pale Loke I smirk.
"Afraid of a little blood? It will heal in a few minutes."
"Your blood is gold." He states as if it's the most shocking thing in the world.
"Yeah, and so is yours and any other celestial spirit." I say patiently explain. "Immortal beings have gold blood."
"It's just... Weird to see someone who isn't exactly a celestial spirit act and be so similar to one." He tries to explain.
Slightly insulted I drop the dish cloth from my completely healed hand. "You and I aren't so different you know." Turning I head back out into the living room. Loke sighs quietly and turns to finish drying the dishes. I hate being told I'm not a celestial spirit because I am. Well half of one but it still counts, I am a celestial spirit and a human not one or the other or in between.
I scoop Sully up into my arms and hug him to my chest. Sensing my distress he licks my cheek for an effective way to cheer me up. I quickly join in on the groups conversation and complete forget about the lion lurking in the corner.
"So Caroline, when are we going to have our fight? I'm game whenever you are?" Natsu questions.
I had completely forgotten about the fight I promised Natsu. At the time is thought I'd never have to fulfill that promise. But a promise is a promise.
"Whenever is good for you. But not in a area where there are lots of fragile buildings." I shudder at the thought of the guild hall crumbling to bits in front of me.
"How about tomorrow in the woods outside of Magnolia? There is nothing but trees out there and I know of a clearing out there." Natsu leans forward eagerly in anticipation for a fight. I look to Jamie and to ask his opinion. But, he responds for me.
"Caroline can kick your butt any time. But she doesn't wake up till nine and god forbid you wake her up before nine or you will not even stand a chance." He shivers for dramatic effect. "She is not a morning person!"
"Jamie! Why don't you tell them all my secrets while you're at it. Geez!" My face blares bright red in embarrassment. "Could we meet at the guild at eleven? Then you can show me the clearing?"
"That's good with me! Are you guys coming to watch?" Natsu questions the group.
I'm surprised to hear Loke speak up and say " Definitely Natsu, I want to see your ass get kicked."
Erza pipes up and joins in the Natsu teasing. "That would be most enjoyable. Don't you agree?" She questions the others who have yet to voice their opinion.
"Aye!" They all exclaim with barely held in anticipation.