Fairy Tail Chapter 7
Finally…the mission begins…Thankyou for all the follows! Drop me a review if you'd like, and I'll love you forever, lol. Also…anyone interested in my writing a separate Christmas Drabble featuring the fairy tail folk? I'm also curious as to whether anyone wants me to feature any other fairy tail characters or even pairings in Levy and Gajeel's upcoming missions as the story progresses. Let me know! Enjoy : )
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"I can't believe you let her think we did…we were…well you know!"
Gajeel snickered as Levy trailed off. After showering and eating breakfast, the two were strolling through town, on their way to the mayor's again, strolling might not be a strong enough word, Gajeel mused. Levy, still in a tizzy over the morning's events, practically power walked down the street. She was currently emitting an aura that could rival any of Erza's most intimidating moods. Several villagers shot her alarmed glances and scurried out of her path, making the slayer grin even wider. Who knew the bookworm had it in her?
He almost felt intimidated himself. Almost being the operative word. Unfortunately, the Shrimp's bright red cheeks, baby pink sundress with a white bow on each strap, and tiny stature ruined the overall effect. The Shrimp just wasn't built to terrorize. He eyed the short little sundress, briefly contemplating buying her a nice studded leather jacket to boost the scary factor, but quickly dismissed the idea. Nah, she looked good the way she was, in all her non-threatening glory. Her dress reflected her personality, which he would not change even under threat of death; innocent with a big helping of sweet and bubbly, topped off with just the right amount of sass and fire. Speaking of fire…
"Gi Hi, you should have seen your face!"
Levy whirled on him, forcing the big slayer to skid to a halt or risk barreling her right over. "You wipe that smug grin off your face Gajeel Redfox! This isn't funny! That women thinks we…we…"
"…had sex?" Gajeel supplied helpfully.
"Kyaaaaah!" Levy launched herself at the slayer, wrapping one arm around his neck in a chokehold, and slapping the other over his grinning mouth. "Shush! Someone will hear!" She looked around shadily and then glared.
Gajeel straightened. The Shrimp was lifted clear off the ground as she maintained her hold around his neck and kept her hand plastered across his lips. Wrapping an arm around her waist, Gajeel used his free hand to pry her fingers away from his mouth. "You keep climbing all over me like you are, and they're going to think we're going to agai…have sex, I mean."
"Gajeel!" Levy squealed and snatched her arms back just like he knew she would. His arm around her waist was the only thing that kept her from crashing to the ground. Gajeel set her back on her feet and planted his hands on his hips as he watched a flustered Levy fight between anger and embarrassment.
Eventually she managed to rally. Wagging her finger in his nose, Levy puffed her cheeks. "First of all Mister, we didn't do…we didn't have…IT, in the first place, so there is none of this AGAIN business! Second of all, stop that infuriating grin already! You look like you're contemplating the systematic destruction of a city, or what it would be like to eat a kitten! And third…stop teasing me or..you'll be sorry!"
Gajeel managed to tone his kitten eating grin down to a mere Shrimp devouring smirk, and ruffled Levy's hair, shrugging. "Ain't my fault you get so damn flustered so easy, and it's funny. Hell Half-pint, I'd a thought with all them books you read, you'd be the last person to get all upset over somethin' as natural and common as Se…" Levy glared daggers and Gajeel rolled his eyes, "…as canoodlin'. "
Her stern expression dropped from her face like a stone, she stared blankly at him for a moment before a snort burst forth. She quickly tried to school her features back into a scowl, but failed miserably and finally gave up.
"What?"
"You said canoodling."
Gajeel frowned, "So what?"
She giggled, eyes sparkling and covered her mouth. "It just doesn't sound right coming out of your mouth."
Gajeel rolled his eyes, and shifted uncomfortably, "Yer the one that won't let me say Se…" She poked him in the ribs and Gajeel grunted, and switched topics, "…besides, I like teasin' ya, and what exactly do you think ya really think you could do to make ME sorry?" He flashed his fangs at that last bit, proud of himself for turning the conversation back in his favor so quickly. Or so he thought.
The Shrimp merely grinned and quirked a finger at him. He leaned down with a raised eyebrow, skeptical she would manage to back up her threat in any effective fashion. She grabbed a hank of his hair trailing from his temple and gently pulled him forward until her lips were a mere centimeter from his ear before whispering, "You have a frill on your collar."
"Gyaaaaaah!" Gajeel whipped away from her and made two spastic spins while batting at his neck before he froze mid panic, realizing Levy was bluffing. Too late though. Already, a dozen villagers had stopped their daily activities to gape at the odd scene. Assembling his askew limbs back into order with as much dignity as he could muster, Gajeel glared at the little menace rocking back and forth on her heels and humming smugly.
"Hardy har har, ya little blue haired she demon. I thought we agreed to never speak of that?"
Levy simply shrugged, "Now we're even. So stop pouting, and let's go find the mayor!"
She grabbed his hand and tugged, their earlier contention completely forgiven and forgotten, and led him down the road. He looked down at the tiny hand willingly wrapped in his own huge mitt, surprised; but then shrugged and uttered a half hearted grumble before letting her pull him down the street. Ah well, it had been fun while it lasted. Time to get to work.
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"Dear Mavis!"
Two wrong turns and an iron snack break later, Gajeel and Levy finally located the Mayor's house. It was a grandiose, sprawling thing full of every type of architecture known to man. Great Romanesque columns framed the doorway, while gothic gargoyles and cherubs warred for supremacy in various nooks and crannies on the Victorian roof. Hieroglyphs and ancient stone masonry formed the walls, clashing garishly with gingerbread trim painted a robin's egg blue round all the windows.
Gajeel snorted, next to a gaping Levy, wrinkling his pierced nose in distaste. "Shit, and I thought Josephine had no taste. Must be somethin' in the water. Haven't any of these people heard of the whole, 'less is more' thing?"
Levy shrugged and squared her shoulders. Bad taste or no, they had a job to do. She stepped onto the wide brick walkway, surrounded by perfectly manicured lawns dotted with the occasional baby bonsai oak tree, and pressed forward. Halfway down the walkway, Levy frowned, noticing a destroyed garden partially hidden by a few tall oaks on the side of the manor. A marble mermaid fountain peaked from between the trees, split in half as if by a giant fist. A water nymph's detached head lay amidst the rubble. A chill raced up Levy's spine as she stared at the forlorn, empty stone gaze.
A prod between her shoulder blades from Gajeel made Levy realize she'd stopped dead to stare at the fountain. Swallowing, she tore her eyes away from the broken mermaid head and continued up the path. Gajeel's shadow cast over her, so she knew he followed. Reaching the door Levy frowned as she realized she couldn't reach the circular iron knocker held in place by the jaws of a drooling gargoyle. She strained a hand upward, just barely able to brush the underside of the iron ring.
"Gi Hi, problems Shortround?" Gajeel reached over Levy's shoulder, brushed her fingers away, and slammed the knocker against the aged wood a little harder than was necessary with a smug grin. Levy frowned up at the slayer but remained silent, knowing he was only trying to get a rise out of her, which seemed to have become his new favorite pastime.
Instead, she smiled up sweetly at him, and fluttered her eyelashes, "No problem here, Indiana."
He quarked his head and furrowed his brow, "Who the hell is Indi…"
The slayer was interrupted as the door groaned open to reveal a tall, skinny, wrinkled old man in an ancient purple tux. The white haired butler looked like he dated back to the age of the dragons...possibly before. The man bowed low and Levy winced when she heard bones creek as he straightened again. "Welcome to the home of Mayor Winthropopolis, we have been expecting you Levy Mcgarden and Gajeel Redfox. Do come in."
Quickly reigning in their surprise at being called by name, Levy and Gajeel walked over the threshold. Levy barely contained a gasp as she took in the interior. If they thought the outside of the mansion was a disaster, the interior was an all out apocalyptic, end of times, catastrophe. Huge gilded lions flanked a double staircase. Bright Pink, flowered carpets ran down the steps like a demented waterfall of pepto bismal, while cherubic paintings covered the towering ceilings, surrounded by golden arches. Speaking of gold… Gold, silver, and platinum glinted off of tables, in the thread of abstract tapestries, and even on the doors. The horrible carpet on the staircase extended into the foyer where they stood, creating a veritable sea of pink. The worst feature however, was a huge, glistening chandelier hanging from the naked baby ceiling and absolutely dripping in every kind of semiprecious gem known to man.
Levy shuddered, and glanced at Gajeel, who looked like he had been hit over the head with a brick. Following his gaze, Levy smothered a snicker as she realized he was staring at white, frilly collars wrapped around each of the lion's necks.
"If you'll follow me, please." The two mages forced their smarting eyes to the butler already creaking his way up the staircase. He led them down a long hallway, passing several gilded doors before coming to a stop before a simple, modest styled, oak door at the end of the hall. The old man knocked and a bellowing bark almost immediately resounded from the other side.
"Come on in!"
The butler whisked the door open with a flourish and ushered the two mages in. Levy steeled herself for the assault of more bad decorating, but her eyes widened as she was instead presented with simple, neutral walls, sturdy oak furnishings, cherry-wood floors, and simple, no nonsense curtains. A few large bookcases lined the walls, drawing Levy's eye. It was as if they were in a different house. A giant shaggy haired blonde man who looked like he could have been Laxus's doppelganger if the lightening mage was twenty years older, lounged with his feet propped up on a big desk centered in the middle of the room. He wore an unassuming plaid shirt, simple denim pants, and scuffed old leather work boots.
Grinning from ear to ear, the big, muscled man swung his feet down and rose, striding around the desk with a meaty paw held out in welcome. Gajeel was well over six feet tall, but this big man had a few inches on even the iron dragon.
"Welcome to Oakenspire, friends…Old Makarov said you were coming! I'm Barent Winthropopolis, but friends call me Bear. Nice to meet ya. " The blonde giant pumped Levy's arm enthusiastically, practically pulling the appendage from it's socket, before doing the same to a bristling Gajeel. Stepping back, he sat on the desk and crossed his arms, "How's old Mac and Lax doin' anyway?"
Levy winged her eyebrows at the lack of formality with which the Mayor referenced Master and Laxus. Wait a second… no wonder he looked like the lightening mage, they must be relat…
"Yer blood kin, ain't ya?" Gajeel beat Levy to the punch. She looked up at the slayer in question and he simply shrugged, "They got a similar scent…I'd say second…maybe 3rd cousins?"
The big blonde man's grin grew wider, " Ha! Something like that. I was never much good at tracing the family lines and all that twice removed business. That's a damn fine nose you got there Redfox, I'm impressed."
Gajeel simply shifted on his feet, "It comes in handy now and again. Now what exactly are we here for?"
Levy winced, making a note to talk to the slayer about the importance of formality and politeness later. Fortunately Barin Winthropopolis seemed unfazed by the slayer's abrupt question. In fact, if the grin on his face was any indication, he was downright pleased.
"Ah, not a man for pleasantries, eh Redfox? Good, neither am I, so let's get down to business." The jovial blonde sobered, leaning back against his desk. "I don't suppose you know what Oakenspire is…or rather was known for, do ya?"
, "Oak, busybodies, and bad decorating?" The slayer deadpanned.
Levy stomped down hard on the slayers foot, glaring up at him. "Gajeel!"
The mayor simply shrugged the comment off, "You got part right. We are known for the oak forest around here, but more so than that, Oakenspire made a name for itself as one of the premier spots for extravagant destination weddings. There is a multitude of hot springs scattered throughout the forest and the trees make a nice backdrop for ceremonies. Of course, our biggest draw is the fact that local lore states that any couple to carve their initials into one of the ancient old oaks is guaranteed an eternity of wedded bliss."
Levy frowned, "You said were known…sir? What happened?"
Bear frowned, and pinched the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut. "It seems that the whole wedded bliss business is more than just lore. My daughter discovered a book a year and a half ago detailing the location of a sacred oak in the middle of the forest, steeped in magical properties. It is that oak, in particular, that truly does bestow wedded bliss upon any couple able to carve their initials into the bark. My daughter, recently engaged at the time, could hardly contain her excitement and quickly convinced her fiancé to help her find the tree. The two set off, using the book as a guide. They eventually found the Founder's Oak, as it's called, and carved their initials. However, shortly after arriving back home, my sweet Mara learned that her fiancé had been unfaithful, and called off the wedding." Bear growled, "That good for nothing, dirty, rotten scoundrel broke my little girl's heart. If I ever find the weasel…" Seeming to realize he had gotten off topic, the big man sighed and continued, "To make a long story short…"
"Too late fer that." Gajeel snorted, wincing when Levy poked him in the ribs.
The Mayor continued, "…Mara's fiancé fled town, knowing I wouldn't sit idly by after what he did to my little girl. That very night, my wife and I were woken by a horrendous bellow and crashes coming from the gardens. We ran out, only to discover a huge monster tearing apart the fountains. Unlike Mac and Laxus, I was not blessed with any magic to speak of, and my wife and I could only watch in horror as the monster demolished the garden my daughter was to be married in…had she not called off the wedding. Eventually, I shouted at the beast and it turned to me. I cannot express the shock I felt as I saw my daughters blue eyes staring out from that monsters face. Looking closer, I realized it still wore what was left of her dress…the monster… was my…" The mayor hung his head, clenching his jaw in pain, unable to continue.
Levy padded over to the giant, and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You think Mara was cursed, don't you…and that the founders oak had something to do with transforming her?"
Barent nodded, gifting Levy with a small smile. "Makarov said you were a smart one." Straightening, he walked over to the window. The two mages trailed after, looking into the destroyed garden below. "In the months that followed that night, Mar…the monster would return to wreak havoc and destruction anytime a wedding was held. It did not take long, before people stopped coming all together. Our town lives off the income and jobs generated by the weddings we hold here, without any couples and their families to serve, Oakenspire is dying a slow, painful death. "I have searched out every book in the city that could possibly detail the Founders oak, only to come up with naught."
"What about the original book that your daughter used to find the Oak in the first place?" Levy inquired hopefully.
"Unfortunately, it went missing the same night she disappeared."
Levy frowned, but before she could make further inquiries, the door burst open and a voluptuous brown haired woman in a frilly pink dress whisked into the room. Levy tilted her head, the woman looked oddly familiar.
"Aw, my love! I just heard the mages arrived, why didn't you send for me at once?" The woman flounced forward, batting her eyelashes and curtsying deeply before Levy and Gajeel.
The mayor grinned, and helped the woman up from her curtsy, "Ah. Ms. Mcgarden, Redfox, I would like you to meet my beautiful wife, Mariella!" He draped an arm around the boisterous woman's shoulders in pride, hugging her close.
Levy smiled, opening her mouth to say hello, however Muriella beat her to the punch.
"Why, it's just so lovely to finally have you here! I am just sorry I wasn't here to greet you myself. I was out to tea with my sister Josephine and she told me you just left. Why, I am ashamed to say I left the poor dear before the crumpets even arrived, and hurried straight back to meet the two of you!"
So that's why she looked familiar. Levy watched Gajeel eye the Mayor's wife warily, before uttering under his breath, " I guess that explains more than it doesn't."
Levy smothered a smile as she realized who was responsible for the garish decorating throughout the house. Before she could continue that train of thought, Muriella pulled from under her behemoth of a husband's arm, and whisked up to the two of them. Grabbing Levy's hands, big fat tears formed in the woman's blue eyes as her lip quivered. "You will restore my daughter to us, won't you? And solve the mystery of the Founder's Oak?"
The woman, clearly having no use for personal space, continued to clutch at Levy, waiting for an answer. Swallowing, the script mage patted one of her gloved hands. "I promise you ma'am that we will try our best to bring your daughter back to you."
Gajeel, seeming to sense Levy's unease at being so crowded by the older woman, stepped forward, pulling Levy away and clearing his throat. "Well, the sooner we find this tree, the sooner we figure out what can be done about yer daughter lady, so we'll just be goin'"
The woman seemed startled by Gajeel's abrupt demeanor and opened her mouth, but the mayor stepped forward, placing a hand on his wife's shoulder, "Redfox is right dear, let's let the two of them do their job. I've told them all I know, there's nothing else to be said at the moment." Turning back to the two mages, he nodded his head to the door. " Dear, why don't ask Jeever's to set an extra lunch plate for your sister, since your visit was cut short this morning?"
The woman's face brightened, and she beamed at her husband. "Oh darling, you're just so thoughtful! What a wonderful idea!" She pecked her husband on the cheek and whisked out the door with a wave and nod of goodbye to Levy and Gajeel. Gone as quick as she'd arrived.
Gesturing to the door, the mayor ushered Levy and Gajeel out of his office. "I'll walk the two of you out. Levy caught sight of Muriella's pink skirts, whisking around a corner just as they began their descent down the stairs. Clearing his throat, the mayor clasped Gajeel on the shoulder, stopping the two mages. "One more thing. I didn't want Muriella to hear this, but I realize that there may be a chance my Mara is gone forever and only the monster remains." His voice grew choked, but he forced himself to continue, "I love my daughter and I want her back, safe and happy in my wife and my arms…but if it can't be done…if…" He trailed off, and tried again, eyes hardening. "The town's safety and very future is at stake, and as mayor I can't allow myself to be selfish… If Mara can't be saved…"
Gajeel, in a very uncharacteristic show of compassion, clasped the mayor on the shoulder, "Ya don't have ta say it. If it comes to that, I'll make it as quick and painless as I can."
The Mayor slumped, locking eyes with Gajeel in gratitude. "You have my thanks."
Gajeel nodded, and turned, placing a hand on the small of Levy's back to usher her forward. "We'll let ourselves out."
Levy's own eyes pricked with tears as Gajeel and she made their way down the stairs. Just before they exited, she looked back at the slumped form of the Mayor, still standing on the stairs and staring at the two of them with eyes matching that of the broken water nymph head she'd seen on the way in. Forlorn and lost.
Once they were outside, Levy glanced at Gajeel. His face had resumed it's normal scowl, his eyes hard and cold…a far cry from the teasing, grinning slayer of that morning. It seemed he was no more pleased with the idea of a potentially having to mercy-kill of the mayor's daughter, than Levy herself was.
"It might not come to…that Gajeel. We have to try our best to save her!"
The slayer glanced at Levy's watering eyes and reached out a hand, messing up her hair, "Yeah, Shorty…it might not."
Trying to cheer the both of them up, Levy let out a small giggle as Gajeel continued to look down at her. "So, do you think it runs in the family?"
Gajeel quarked his head to the side, confused, but then smiled, realizing what she was talking about. Glancing back at the garish monstrosity of a house, Gajeel Gi Hi'd, "Definitely. I don't know what's worse…Muriella's taste fer gold crap, or Josephine's penchant for all them damned frills."
Levy grinned. "It's definitely a toss up." Feeling a bit better, she squared her shoulders, growing determined. "So should we start looking for the founders oak?"
Gajeel nodded, but then shuddered, "Yeah…but first we got ta pay a visit to the old busybody bat."
Levy furrowed her brow in confusion, "Who?"
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