I smiled as Gray led me down the street; he seemed to be in better spirits since the night before, which I was glad for, nothing, is worse than hanging out with a depressed person. I just don't know how to comfort people I guess.
The rain we only a light drizzle now and we were starting to see more and more people walking about, since it was still early there was a slight chill in the air and walking next to Gray combined with the drizzling rain made it that much colder.
I found that I didn't mind so much, even though I could see my breath while I walked beside Gray. I glanced around us and noticed I couldn't see anyone else's, including Gray's.
Before we had left the apartment Gray had thankfully put on a full outfit; he was wearing a pair of light blue baggy jeans that had some tearing in the knee area and a large navy blue hoodie with the hood pulled up over his head making some of his raven colored hair stick out around the sides.
"So," I asked drawing his attention to me, "What exactly can ice make magic do? I mean besides the obvious."
Gray raised an eye brow at me, "What do you think?" he said with a playful smile,
I tapped my chin in mock thought, "Well, I first noticed it when I first met you, the temperature is always colder when you're around, and I noticed you playing with the ice in your drink at the bar…"
Gray stopped and looked down at me with a confused face, causing my words to slowly trail off, "What?"
"You figured out I have ice make magic from that?" he asked in surprise,
I smirked, letting out an embarrassing snort at the same time, "Well no. You also froze the bubble Juvia trapped me in, and then formed ice on the floor of the apartment hallway where you tripped up your neighbor's, and you formed a snowball out of thin air and threw it at Marco…"
Gray looked up in thought before continuing on our way, "Hu." he said quietly,
"Also, Loki told me that that is the reason you strip." I smiled at him laughing as I noticed a light pink form on his cheeks.
"Ya, my teacher, Ur, taught me ice make magic along with another guy name Lyon. He has the same problem." Gray looked at me and cocked a crooked smile, "She had us train in minimal clothing so we could be one with our element but in teaching us that we picked up the… habit." He chuckled at his own words and I laughed with him as we turned down another street.
"Do you ever get cold?" I asked, he chuckled as he turned to look at me again.
"Yes, I actually can feel cold, but it takes subzero temperatures to actually have that happen." Gray stopped walking and I looked confused until I looked around us, we were in the most beautiful part of the city I had seen so far.
It seemed to be some kind of outdoor shopping center. It was a huge wide open area with shops circling a beautifully green park. There were huge green trees spotting the court yard and a large pond with flowers surrounding it. There were picnic tables and vine covered gazebos scattered around the water's edge and I could see small two man boats near the shore; but since it was raining nobody seemed interested in being out on the water. Suddenly my nose perked up and I breathed in deeply smelling all kinds of delicious food wafting toward us from the food court; sweet cinnamon and cookie dough, pizza and tangy teriyaki, and most importantly… coffee.
I must have looked as excited as I felt because Gray chuckled beside me and let out an exaggerated sigh. "Oh no," he said as he put both his hands into his pants pockets, "Your ganna be just as bad as Erza."
I looked up at him with a wide smile as I bounced excitedly from one foot to the other, I could practically feel my eyes sparkling.
Gray put his weight on one leg and gave me a crooked smile, "So what first?"
"Coffee!" I all but shouted, throwing my hands up in the air as I took off toward the food court with Gray hurrying after me.
"You just had coffee." He said once he caught up with me,
I glanced at him and held up my hand as if I was holding a mug and pointed at it with my other hand. Gray seemed confused and gave me a questioning shrug. I sighed as I let my hands fall, before putting them back up into the same position.
"See this?" I said pointing to my empty hand, Gray nodded. "It's an empty hand."
He chuckled at me, "Really?" he asked in a teasing voice,
"Yes and what's wrong with it, Gray? I ask you." I said in a dramatic voice. He kept laughing at me as we made it to the coffee line.
"It's empty." I finished loudly, "I need me my coffee."
We moved forward slowly in the line, "So, how do you take your coffee, then?" he asked as he looked over the massive menu.
"Seriously, Gray," I said flatly as he looked at me confused. "I take my coffee very, very seriously."
He smirked at me, "I can see that."
Once we finally got to the barista, I placed my order as I reached for my pocket to get my money, but Gray's cold finger tips on my forearm stopped me. I looked up at him surprised,
"I got it." He said as he handed the lady the money,
"Gray, you didn't have to do that. I have money, you know?" I said trying to hide my face from his view as I felt heat rise to my cheeks.
He shrugged as we moved to the pick-up line, "You bought breakfast." He said with another crooked smile.
"Alright then. Now, we are even." I smiled back.
After I got my coffee we went looking through the stores, I found most of the essentials I needed like; a hair brush, shampoo and conditioner, etc. After that I glanced down at my clothes and sighed.
Gray noticed, "What's the matter?"
"The only thing left is clothes," he raised an eye brow confused at my statement. "I hate shopping for clothes."
Gray burst out laughing which made me jump, "I'm sorry, I just haven't heard a girl say that before."
"Well, now you have." I huffed as I walked faster to distance myself from him, though his long legs made it easy for him to keep up with me.
"Don't be mad," he chuckled, "Why do you hate shopping for clothes? You seemed way too excited when we first got here to hate shopping."
I sighed as I slowed to a stop and hung my head; Gray stopped to and waited patiently for me to answer. I finally clenched my fists around my bags handle and groaned before quickly spinning around to lean in close to him with an intense face. He was surprised at first and recoiled slightly.
"Ok, look." I whispered as I looked around us quickly, he understood instantly that I was trying to tell him something secret. So he leaned in closer to hear me better, I looked around again before turning my head to the ground in shame. "I haven't ever really been shopping, ok."
Gray pulled back a little to look at me but I was too embarrassed to meet his gaze. "After my parents died I lived with a dragon, alright." I felt the words quickly start pouring from my mouth,
"She got me whatever I needed, I was young so I ever asked where any of it came from, it was just… there. Then when she disappeared I had to figure everything out alone." I breathed in a deep breath before continuing in a softer voice, still focusing on the ground under my feet.
"I didn't have any money or means of getting money, so I did what I had to. Sometimes that meant taking clothes from someone's laundry line or from the store when no one was looking, but once I figured out that people would hire me to do jobs because of my magic ability I got money and would leave some of it at the houses I had taken the clothes from. But still I didn't know how to 'shop.' So I always just go in when my clothes get to worn to keep wearing and grab the closest thing to the door, pay and leave." I said in almost a whisper, still looking at my feet. I was frustrated at my own ignorance and innocents, I felt completely ashamed and embarrassed.
I was 18, for Pete sake; I should know how to shop for myself. I shouldn't have had to figure it out alone, I should have had… I shook my head quickly pushing the depressing thoughts aside. Going down that thought path would only make me cry and I never let people see me cry if I could help it.
I had always kept to myself after I lost Natasha; I traveled all over looking for her and Natsu, never staying in one place for long. I had no one and I had never felt so embarrassed until now, standing in front of Gray telling him how pathetic I am.
Gray was quite a long time as we stood there with people walking around us giving us weird looks. Until he finally let out a sigh and gently took my shoulder in his hand, steering me toward a store called, 'Jess's Wardrobe.'
I blinked in surprise as we approached it. It was a bright colorful clothing store; the manikins out front were wearing all kinds of fashions, from armor to bathing suits, hipster, punk and even ball gowns. As we got closer I could hear that there was loud music pouring out from the door. I felt panic start to bubble up inside me, I have never worn anything so bold in my life, and my outfits usually consisted of plain t-shirts, jeans and high boots.
Gray was practically shoving me forward as I felt my feet start to drag, when we finally were inside I stood frozen as I looked at the clothes around me; Gray stood next to me and chuckled at my expression before me pulled me farther into the sea of leather, neon, chain mail, and glitter.
"Jess?" Gray called out over the loud music,
"Yes?" A voice hollered from the back, Gray made his way to it, gently pulling me along with him.
As we reached the back of the store, a young woman about our age appeared sitting on a counter top, flipping through a note pad and holding a pen between her teeth. She was very beautiful with large forest green eyes, milky white flawless skin, and shapely ruby red lips. She had a long sleeved leopard print dress on that flared at her small waist and stopped high on her shins, she worn purple tights and black ankle high, high heels. She had her long black hair tied up in a pin up type style with a large black bow on one side.
She smiled widely at Gray as we approached and turned the music down using a remote before gracefully hopping off the counter and batting her long eye lashes up at him.
"Why if it isn't Gray Fullbuster?" she said in a sultry voice, "What brings you to my humble shop? Finally ready to take me on that date?"
Gray seemed unaffected by Jess's bold flirting and turned to me; he still had his hand on my forearm and pulled me forward with it.
"This is Valkyrie. She needs some clothes." Gray said flatly as he released my arm and put his hands back in his pockets.
I smiled nervously at the beautiful girl half expecting another jealous battle like I had had with Juvia, but instead Jess clapped her hands together in pure excitement.
"Oh, a new canvas!" she squealed as she quickly started to bounce around me rattling of colors and sizes. I blinked in surprise as I looked at Gray and he let out a low chuckle.
"Jess is a Fairy tail wizard too." He explained, "Though her magic is not good for anything other than decorating."
"But my passion is fashion, Fullbuster." Jess pointed a long pained finger nail at Gray with a stern face before she turned back to me with a wide smile. "Now, what is your magic and what are your interests?"
"Interests?" I repeated in confusion,
"Yes, dear." She giggled slightly, "What do you enjoy doing?"
"Well," I hesitated as I glanced at Gray for help, he just nodded at me, silently encouraging me to answer Jess's questions.
"I am a fairy dragon slayer…" I started but Jess interrupted me with a snap of her fingers.
The note pad she had been flipping through instantly flew to her side and hovered near her head. I watched as 'Fairy dragon slayer' appeared on the blank page and my mouth fell into a small 'O' shape.
"Keep going, dear. I'm just taking notes." Jess explained with a wave of her hand.
"Oh, um well, I guess… I like reading…a lot. Uh, I love drawing and the rain. Uh, coffee, donuts, slippers…" I continued as I watched the note pad fill up with a list of the things I was saying.
Jess listened quietly nodding her head and looking as if she was in deep thought. "And may I see a little of your magic?"
I raised my hand and formed a small glowing gold and pink rain cloud in the palm of my hand with my magic fairy dust. Jess gasped as she watched me, "It's beautiful." She said quietly before I dissolved it and placed my hand behind my head laughing in embarrassment.
"Oh gee, thanks." I smiled,
"So do you have an idea of what you want?" she asked me quickly eyeing my current wardrobe with a frown, but as I opened my mouth to speak I was instantly cut off.
"I say we got retro, very hipster. You have the perfect body for it. Long tone legs and a flat tan stomach…" She said as she lifted my shirt up slightly to see my tummy. I squealed loudly and pulled it back down looking at her horrified. She continued talking to herself, as if nothing had happened.
"You're very blessed in the chest department, mmhmm very well endowed… yet not wearing the proper support for your size." She continued and suddenly waved her hand in the air and a yellow tape measurer appeared, she quickly wrapped it around my chest, waist, hips, and thighs; as the note pad started to fill in with all my sizes.
I blushed crimson as I saw Gray cover his mouth with a hand to try to keep in his laughter.
"Yes, I think suspenders will be a must. Oh, and leggings…" Jess continued working without noticing my embarrassment or Gray's amusement. Then suddenly she let out a high pitched squeal making me flinch.
"Oh my gosh! You are going to be so gorgeously adorable." She then quickly ran into the back behind a beaded curtain.
I stood frozen in place with my mouth slightly hanging open, 'what is that girl on?' I thought to myself.
Gray's chuckling beside me snapped me back to reality, "Sorry. Jess tends to get… carried away when it comes to her work."
"That was insane," I said quietly while still eyeing the door way she had disappeared through. "What is her kind of magic anyway?"
"Jess has control over materials, like fabric or metal. She uses it to pretty much make any kind of clothing you can imagine. She makes all the guilds armor and clothes, the girls love it." Gray explained,
"What is she doing back there?" I asked knowing I knew the answer but hoping I was wrong.
Gray smiled at me, "She is making your clothes."
My face paled as I groaned, "Gray!" I whisper shouted, "I can't afford a whole new wardrobe. If I could I would be getting my own place instead of crashing at yours."
Before Gray could answer me Jess reappeared with an arm full of clothing. "Ready." She said in a loud sing song voice.
"Ready for what?" I asked hesitantly,
Jess rolled her large green eyes, "Ready to try them on, silly. Besides, I'm not letting you walk out of my shop wearing… that." She pointed at the clothes I was currently wearing and I felt my face flash red in embarrassment, 'It seems like I am getting embarrassed a lot lately.' I thought briefly
I blinked up at Gray as Jess dragged me to the dressing rooms, he seemed to be enjoying my embarrassment as he followed and took a seat in one of the waiting chairs.
Jess came into the small room with me, "Ok Hun, go ahead. I'll show you what goes with what." I hesitated as she stared at me.
"Um look, I'm sorry but I can't afford all this, I don't…" Jess quickly waved me off,
"You're a new member of Fairy tail, right?" I nodded slightly, "Then this is on the house, kind of like welcome to the family." She smiled widely at me as she lifted the sleeve of her dress to reveal a red Fairy tail mark on her forearm.
I gave her a small smile, "Alright, then thank you."
"Yes, yes, now let's try these on. I can't wait to see how they look." She squealed again making me laugh.
Once I had on the first outfit I smiled slightly, I had never worn anything like it but I was actually finding that I loved it. I was feeling like my true self was showing though for the first time in my life.
"Oh, I love it." Jess smiled widely, "Ok, let's show Gray." I blinked at her and tried to stutter out a protest, but she had already opened the door and Gray was still sitting in his chair patiently waiting, as he tapping his hands on the arms of his chair to the music that was still playing quietly.
He turned lazily to look over at us and as soon as he saw me he smile wide. I felt a little relieved, I mean I liked the outfit but it was louder than I was used to. It was encouraging to see someone else also liked it, so I wouldn't be walking around town looking like some kind of clown.
Starting at my feet, Jess had put me in an awesome pair of neon pink high top sneakers with bright blue leggings that had purple and pink glitter on them, making them look like they were covered in swirling galaxies, with a pair of black booty shorts over them. I had a gray fitted t-shit on that said, 'coffee, books, and rain' in big black lettering. Jess had also insisted on having me wear a pair of black suspenders and then a long light weight button up charcoal sweater that hung open and down to my knees. Lastly, a purple and pink tie dye scarf that looped around my neck twice and laid on my chest, and a light gray floppy beanie.
I stepped forward smiling widely, "What do you think?" I laughed as I twirled around.
Gray stood up and laughed, "I think it's defiantly you."
I smiled "I know. Did you read the shirt, perfect right?"
"Hold on, not yet." Jess called as she ran through a few aisles of her store grabbing a few things,
"Do you wear glasses?" she called from somewhere to our left.
"Yes!" I hollered back, before she returned to us.
"Do you have them with you?" She asked and I nodded as I pulled them out and handed then to her, she opened them up and had them hover in front of her as she pulled out another pair and had them hover next to mine.
She held up her hands in fists in front of them and then suddenly sprang her fingers open sending a small jet of red light from her hands to the glasses. After a moment she smiled and grabbed them both and held them out to me.
"Here. I duplicated the prescription into the new ones, now you have two pair." She smiled at me as I took them in awe, "Wow thanks." I said as I looked down at the new pair.
My old glasses where small copper wire ones that I was way too embarrassed to ever wear in front of anyone unless I needed them. But the new ones; they were adorable; they had large lenses and thick black framing.
"I don't know how I can ever thank you, Jess." I smiled at her,
"Oh don't thank me yet, here." She handed me two more scarfs and two purses before stepping back and smiling widely, "There now you can thank me."
I looked down at the scarfs, one was a thick brown woven one and the other was a blue one with glittery white snowflakes on it. The purses were just as amazing, one was a dark chocolate color that was covered in fringe and the other one was an actual book made into a large purse with a long shoulder strap.
I felt my eyes start to tear up as I held all the clothes and accessories in my arms. Jess's smile faded quickly as she saw my tears and I internally scolded myself at showing my weakness.
"What's the matter? You don't like them?" she asked in a hurt voice and I quickly snapped my head up. "Oh no, it's not that…" I said quickly, as I set the clothes down and started wiping at my eyes,
"It's just I have never had anyone be so nice to me and then once I got to the guild… and then meeting everyone…" I looked from Gray to Jess, "I am just very thankful, that's all." I ended in a whisper.
Jess instantly jumped at me giving me a tight hug, "I'm so glad you love it, you look amazing."
She turned to eye Gray slightly before turning back to me, "You be good to our little Gray and we can call it even."
"Wha… oh no." I stuttered again and Gray blushed bright red before clearing his throat. "No, Valkyrie is just staying with me till she gets on her feet... Masters Orders."
Jess smacked Gray on his arm, "You think I'm blind, Fullbuster?"
Gray rubbed his arm blinking in confusion, "What are you talking about?"
"You bring a beautiful new girl into my store wearing 'your' clothes and expect me to believe that pack of lies?" Jess's tone was stern but her eyes gleamed in mischief, "Honestly, if what you're saying is true, I'll have to start questioning your intentions." She winked at Gray, who's mouth dropped open in surprise.
"It –It's true. I'm just staying at his house till I get on my feet." I jumped in trying to help the dumbfounded Gray,
Jess eyed us both for a minuet as she tapping her chin lightly. "Hmm that's a real shame. You do make an adorable couple."
After that she placed the rest of the clothes she had made me into a few large bags and handed them to Gray. "You two have fun, now." She winked as she waved us out the door.
Once outside, Gray and I walked quietly for a few moments, before he let out a tried sigh. "So, do you need anything else?"
I thought for a moment. "I don't think so but maybe I should get a futon or something. So, I could sleep in the living room."
Gray looked around briefly and then redirected our path toward another store.
After we got what I needed there we decided to get some lunch at a nearby café, we went inside and Gray dumped all my bags into a booth seat and slide into the seat opposite them, I laughed as I put the bags I had with the other bags and slid into the booth next to Gray.
He chuckled and pointed to the mountain of shopping bags across from us. "I didn't think it could be done, but I honestly think you managed to out shop Lucy and Erza."
I laughed too; I had to admit the amount of bags was ridiculous. "Hey," I defended, "Most of that is because of Jess and you know it."
We both laughed as a waiter appeared to take our order, Gray instantly tensed up beside me and I felt panic rise as I saw his face twist with fear. I quickly followed his gaze to our waiter. She was about our age and extremely beautiful with long red hair; she had long tone legs and a very shapely body. But as I looked at her face I flinched to, it seemed very out of character to her other feminine features. She was wearing a waiter outfit that was yellow with white ruffles and she was staring at Gray with a death glare as she slammed the menus down hard on the table.
"Erza!" Gray yelped loudly holding his hands up in defense, "Hold on, let me explain."
Suddenly there was a flash of white magic and a large war hammer appeared in Erza's hand, "Explain? Explain how I leave for one week and come back to find half the guild smashed in, Natsu refusing to speak to anyone, Juvia in a deep depression, and you…" her eyes flared a bright red in rage, "Your out here with some floosy!" She roared as she swung her weapon toward Gray quickly.
Just before the large war hammer hit our table I formed a glowing shield with my magic, placing both my hands out in front of me; she hit my shield with such force it cracked under her strength and I fell back against Gray's chest surprised at her power.
Gray quickly pushed me aside as he sprang to his feet, hopping onto the table and dodging another swing from Erza's hammer with a flip over her head. He landed behind her and formed large ice swords in each hand.
"Erza! Stop!" he yelled at her as another white flash left Erza standing there with matching swords, just like Gray. I watched as the people in the café quickly jumped up and started rushing out the doors.
As I turned back to Gray I watched briefly as he started to fight with the redhead, I jumped to me feet and watched in confusion, 'I thought they were very close, friends.'
I quickly decided I had to do something instead of just standing there like an idiot; I knew Gray more than Erza so, at the moment, my loyalty lied with him.
I stepped forward spreading my arms out wide as I let out a loud battle cry bringing them together in a defanging clap sending a wave of my fairy dust at Erza as she jumped through the air. She saw it coming and managed to slice the wave in half as she landed and turned to face me. I saw pure rage in her beautiful face and I took in a deep breath as I slammed my foot down hard onto the ground and then screamed, "Fairy Dragon Roar." I noticed her face morph into shock just before my magic hit her.
"Valkyrie! Stop!" I heard Gray yell at me and I instantly closed my mouth stopping the tornado of magic that was shooting from my mouth. I turned to him quickly and he gave me a small nod before we both turned to look at where Erza had been, in her place was a large black shield with large spikes coming out of all sides. Suddenly it lowered revealing an unscratched Erza; she seemed to have lost her rage and instead looked at me with what seemed to be understanding.
"Valkyrie." She said in a monotone voice, "Natsu's sister." I set my face into a determined glare as I gave her a slight nod.
She stared at me for a long time before she turned to Gray, "We should talk." Was all she said as she turned and disappeared into the back of the café. Gray sighed loudly and gently placed a hand on my shoulder before he followed after her.
I glanced around the café and shuttered at the damage. A few people started to poke their heads out of the debris and I waved in a nervous motion as I smiled widely, "Um, its ok now." I said with a light giggle.
Later, I sat on the curb in front of the cafe with a large magic umbrella formed over me and my many bags. I waited for a very long time before Gray and Erza finally came out of the café and approached me. I quickly stood up dusting off my rear as they got close.
"Valkyrie, this is Erza Scarlet." Gary said in a stranded voice, leading me to believe he was annoyed about something. "Erza, this is Valkyrie Dragneel."
Erza extended her armor clad hand in a very professional manner and I hesitated slight before taking it. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Forgive my earlier behavior." She said in that same monotone voice.
I shrugged, "To be honest you're not the first one I have had to fight since I got here."
"So I have heard." She responded we held eye contact for a moment before Gray cleared his throat loudly and Erza glanced at him, "Well then, I must be going. I need to speak with the café owner about the damages." She then quickly turned and disappeared back into the café.
There was a long moment of silence between me and Gray as the rain continued to fall around us, "She is very close to Natsu." I said quietly, Gray looked at me as I continued, "And Juvia. That's why she acted that way, isn't it? Because I have hurt people close to her."
Gray sighed again as he ran a hand threw his wet hair and looked at me, "She will come around." I blinked as I looked at him with a sad face, I had been looking forward to meeting Erza, another one of Natsu's close friends, but I guess that was naïve of me.
It stung slightly, her harness toward me, but I knew I deserved it and in a way it was comforting to know Natsu had such loyal friends surrounding him all these years.
As I looked at Gray, I noticed he was watching me carefully with a look of concern on his handsome face. I gave him a small smile of reassurance as I also realized he was standing unprotected in the rain, I slowly waved my hand forming a smaller umbrella over him and he looked up at it as he returned my smile.
"Come on, let's head home." He said as he reached down and picked up most of the bags, I gave him another small smile as I picked up the ones that he left behind and followed after him.
It was late in the afternoon as we made our way to the apartment in silence. I let my mind wonder to the events of the day. I had bought everything I would need to take up a temporary residence at Gray's, I had successfully made a new friend in Jess and I had also met another one of Natsu's close friends. I looked up at the darkening sky remembering Erza's words.
'Was Natsu really refusing to speak to anyone, because of me?... And poor Juvia…' the rain was proof that she was still hurting as well. I sighed as I hung my head. All I had done so far since I had arrived was cause damage and hurt people. I was lost in my own thoughts as I continued to walk beside Gray in silence.
'Maybe I shouldn't have come after all.'
Well that's chapter 7. Hope you all are enjoying reading it as much as I am enjoying writing it. PLEASE REVIEW. it give me motivation to update sooner, pulse it's nice to get feedback ^_^ thanx again