Day 7: Mashima


She had known from the start that being an artist, wasn't going to be the walk in the park it looked like from the outside. Getting paid to draw. Imagine that.

Lucy was still having a hard time imagining it even though it was officially her job. She was also having a hard time paying the rent with the money she got from her comics. And buying food. Which was why she waitressed part time at the little café next door to the apartment. The customers were lovely and the owners allowed her to sell her freelance manga-style-graphic-novel at the cash register.

"Hi, I'm Lucy. I'll be serving you today," she rattled off with a grin. Just like she had done for the costumers before this one, a young man with pink hair. "Can I take your ord – Oh! Is that Rave Master?" He looked up when Lucy asked the latter question. He nodded, and Lucy's smile widened. "Hiro Mashima is amazing, isn't he? I'd give anything to meet him."

"Yah." He put down his comic, one of her personal favorite volumes. "Just a black coffee and two slices of cheesecake," he said. Lucy scribbled down his order, her smile dropping a fraction. People were so unfriendly these days. Nobody wanted to chat.

"Anything else?"

"Have you heard about the new series he's going to be releasing?" Lucy looked up in surprise. So he did want to talk. "Natsu," he said suddenly. "I know your name, so it's only fair."

"Nice to meet you," Lucy said. They shook hands.

"So have you?" he reiterated. "Heard of Fairy Tail?" Lucy nodded, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

"I'm so excited!" Mira, the owner of the café, shot her a look that told her to pipe it down. Lucy grinned apologetically. "Sorry," she mouthed.

"Me too," Natsu agreed. "I hear it's going to be about a wizard's guild And dragons." He looked absolutely thrilled at the idea. Lucy was too, and trying to keep it off her face. But it was OK to be excited, she decided, with somebody who was excited as you were.

"Have you read Monster Soul?" Lucy asked. She had to consciously stop herself from sitting down. Instead, Lucy clasped her hands behind her back, bouncing in place. "It's not as popular, but I really liked it."

"Me too!" He practically bounced in his seat, setting the old wood squeaking. He was a adorably excited as she was. "But Fairy Tail is going to be the best."

"You think?"

"Definitely. It's got dragons in it, after all."

Lucy snorted. He was wearing a dragon shirt and had a dragon painted on the base of his skateboard. His opinion on the mythical creature was obvious.

"He's a real inspiration for me," Lucy said. "Hiro Mashima. I have a graphic novel series I sell here."

Natsu's eyes lit up, his grin widening a full molar or two. "Really?" he asked. "Can I see?" He fumbled through his backpack, pulling out his wallet. He cracked it opened, apparently delighted with what he saw there. "Actually, can I buy one? Will you sign it?"

"Of course! Let me get your coffee and a copy and…" Lucy looked sheepishly at Mira, who was watching the whole exchange. She gave Lucy a thumb up. "Do you mind if I sit?" She immediately wished she could take back the sudden and impulsive comment but he only grinned.

"Why else would I order two slices of cheesecake?" Oh. Oh. And she thought she was impulsive. Lucy grinned.

"I'll be right back."

And right back she was, after passing his order and her apron to Cana. It wasn't every day you met somebody willing to talk. Especially in this small town.