The place was booming with noise as Talise, Gray, Natsu, and Happy came by the guild. It looked like every member of Fairy Tail was doing their part to help with the reconstruction. As soon as the four stepped inside, it didn't take a minute before someone spotted Talise and started a chain reaction. Within ten seconds Talise and the boys were surrounded by a horde of people; all who were happy to see Talise was alright. The cook was overwhelmed with so much love that her eyes started watering.
Gray, who was annoyed by the large crowd, dragged Talise away; screaming at the group she needed space and that they get back to work. The crowd booed the ice mage but they got the message and slowly went back to their stations. After someone gave the cook one last well-wish, the boys were then able to give her a tour of the site. It wasn't much since the place was still under construction but they ended the tour where the makeshift bar was at.
"TALI!" a voice cried out loud.
Talise hissed in pain as Mirajane grabbed her and put her in a tight hug. "I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE ALRIGHT!" she cried.
"Mira! Don't! Tails' still recovering!" cried Gray and tried unhooking the older woman away.
Mirajane loosen her hold but she took Talise away from the boys and chatted about how nervous she was when she wasn't waking up. Talise felt guilty. She didn't mean to make her or anyone else worried. At the bar Talise was surprised that it was bigger than the old one. They even set up tables and chairs in front of the bar, just like in the old guild.
She took another look around and a thought popped up. "Um… Mira… what am I gunna be doing?"
Mirajane beamed at her. "We weren't able to set up a kitchen for you, so I thought you could help me out again… just like old times." she cheered, "Until the guild is complete of course."
Talise thought it about it. It's been a long time since she had to wait on others full time, though it made sense. "Speaking of… wasn't the guild smaller than what's being built?" asked Talise as she glanced at the mages working on putting up a rather large wall. "Why is it bigger?"
"We decided we should expand the guild now that we have the opportunity." Mira said with a bigger smile. "There are even plans of putting in a bigger kitchen for you Tali."
The words bigger kitchen got Talise interested. It would be nice to have more room to work with. Not that she complained about the old kitchen's size. She was fine with it since she was the only one in the kitchen. But back when it was full of other chefs there was barely any room to cook anything. With a bigger kitchen she maybe would be able to hire some extra helping hands.
"The place was fine the way it was before." grumbled Natsu.
"Now that I think about it–what will the guild look like when it's done?" asked Gray.
Talise shook her head. He was working on the guild without knowing the end results. But it didn't matter as Mirajane brought out the blueprints for the new guild. The three took a peek at the large white piece of paper and cringed. On it was a rather intricate and very confusing drawing of a building with several floors, a long staircase, and happy stick people in each room. Around the building were doodles of flowers, clouds, stars, fish, bunnies, and a chibi Mirajane looking very happy; all of it was drawn in crayon.
The three looked at each other. It wasn't quite what they were expecting.
"It looks… err–cute?" said Talise hesitantly.
"I… don't get." said Natsu truthfully.
Gray raised a brow and took a closer look. "This is ridiculous. Who was the idiot who drew this?"
Mira's beautiful smiling face bursting into tears and started crying on Talise. The cook gave Gray a look. He didn't need it though. He was very sorry that he offended the older woman. Talise sighed and tried soothing the waitress. Natsu and Happy shook their head, disappointed that Gray was cruel enough to make Mirajane cry.
The next few days Talise took it easy being a waitress for the bar. For some reason Mira was more overjoyed with the fact that she was working alongside her again. Talise thought it was silly, since her job as a chef didn't move her far away. She worked right behind the bar, but Mira disagreed with the fact that she didn't get to spend a lot of time with her. She let the matter be. As long as Mira was happy, she didn't mind the waitress being so giddy and clingy with her.
And even though the kitchen wasn't available she still made it a priority to have her friends and guild-mates fed. So before she went to work she would bring snacks, sandwiches, onigiris, and other simple finger food she could make. It made her happy that all of the food she brought would be gone before the day was over, but there was only one problem with it. She could only bring a limited amount of food to the guild.
At one point all the food she brought was gone before noon hit, thanks to a very hungry Natsu and Happy. Mira then thought it would be a better idea if they had some food stored behind the counter for Talise to make sandwiches and the like. That way they could still feed the hungry mouths working very hard. It wouldn't be a lot but just enough to get the mages through the day.
But as the days passed, Talise felt something odd around her.
It was like an evil presence. She didn't know what it was as she would feel it for a few seconds then it would be gone in an instant. And it was always when she was around Gray. It was particularly strong when she had any physical contact with him. It puzzled her. She tried smelling what it could be but she couldn't get a good whiff as the presence was quick at leaving and the surround smells of sweat, beer, concrete, wood, and paint made it hard for her to pick up whatever it was.
The only person she told was Mirajane, who laughed and thought she was being silly. But she wasn't. She for sure felt something. Mira suggested she maybe had a bad spirit around her. Talise got scared. She didn't like the idea of an evil ghost haunting her; she was better off being silly.
But she would still feel an evil glare every so often. Like someone was trying to kill her with their gaze.
One late morning Talise was busy setting up a small request board right next to the bar. She noticed a lot of people were standing around her and it was making her a bit nervous. She knew they were excited but so many eyes were making her a tad self-conscious. When she finished she gave a thumbs up to Mirajane and went behind the counter with her.
"Attention everyone!" cried Mira. "The request board is now re-opened!" she cheered. "Even though it's a temporary board, please take up as many requests as you can!"
In an instant everyone who was staring at Talise crowded in front of the board.
"Geez, what's with them." asked Lucy, who was sitting at the bar. "Usually they slack off and refuse to do any requests."
Talise laughed. "It may seem like that but when you take the request board away, even for a bit, everyone becomes anxious and will want jobs to do." She shook her head. "It's like that one saying: you don't know what you have until it's gone."
Lucy sort of understood. "By the way… have any of you seen Loki?"
Mira had a sly grin. "Ahh, so you finally fallen for him."
She blushed heavily. "That's not it!" Lucy said quickly. Mira's grin grew wider that Talise rolled her eyes and nudged the waitress to stop her from teasing the poor girl. Lucy pouted and showed them her Celestial Keys. "I heard he was the one who found my keys, so I want to thank him properly."
Mira still had her grin on but nodded and told her they would pass on the message if they saw him.
"But… were your spirits angry for dropping their keys?" asked Talise. She'd heard rumors of Celestial Spirits being merciless towards their owners for dropping or even misplacing their keys.
Lucy froze and averted her eyes away from the two. "I–It's nothing for them to–to get mad about…" The two raised a brow as her face cringed with fear and pain. They looked at each other and knew she had dealt some sort of punishment from her spirits. Whatever the punishment was, it had to be painful as Lucy curled up in her seat as she thought about it.
"Lucy looks constipated." said Happy, who came over with Natsu and Gray.
"Eh–she looks more like a seasick bug." commented Natsu.
The blonde glared back at the two. She wished something bad happened to either one of them right now. Lucy got her wish when a large barrel was thrown at Natsu, knocking him down.
"SAY THAT AGAIN!" cried Erza.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and watched Erza glare at Laxus, who was seated on one of the tables.
Laxus had a pompous face and said, "Weak shit deserve no place in this guild." He turned his attention to Jet and Droy and frowned. "You two are pathetic–getting humiliated by Phantom in such a way." Laxus then set his eyes on the bar. "Then there's the main cause of it all, the little Miss. Celestial Spirit."
"That matter is closed Laxus!" defended Mira. "No one cares whose fault it was. You have no right to say such things when you weren't even around to help!"
"So what!" he cried. "That had nothing to do with me! Although–if I was around, you dumbasses wouldn't be in such a pathetic state."
That did it for Natsu. The boy got up from the floor and rushed towards Laxus. He tried punching him in the face but he was slow. Laxus was able to dodge his attack by turning into lighting and reappearing behind Natsu. He smirk as he saw Natsu wobble around, trying to regain his balance.
Natsu turned around and yelled, "Fight me you heartless bastard!"
Laxus laughed full heartedly. "What kind of fight do you want when you can't even touch me?" He crossed his arms and took a quick glance at everyone staring at them. "The first thing I do, when I inherit this guild, is getting rid of all the weak pieces of shit as well as anyone who dares to rebel against me!" Everyone, besides Talise, glared at the older man. But he didn't care as he said, "I'll create the ultimate guild! One so strong, no one would dare to look down upon."
He then started walking away, laughing. Natsu shook with rage and ran to him again but he was too slow. Laxus turned into lighting again and disappeared; his laugher echoed behind him.
Talise sighed and began wiping the bar's counter to get her mind off the nasty mummers the other members were saying about Laxus. Her teal orbs stared down at the oak wood. He was getting worse every time she saw Laxus. What was going on with him? What happened to make him become so cruel?
"THAT BASTARD!" yelled Natsu.
"Drop it. You'll be a mess if you fought against him." warned Erza. "Onto other things–what's your answer? Do you want to do a job together?"
The cook froze. She stared at Natsu and Erza and blinked. Did she hear her right?
"With Happy, Gray and Lucy as well." she added. "We worked so well together last time; I thought we should form a team."
Talise looked at Mirajane who had the same face as she did: utter shock. She was so surprised she didn't mind Gray was in his boxers again. Everyone around stopped what they were doing and listen in to what their answers was. Gray and Natsu looked at each other with a scowl; however, with one glare from Erza they stopped and nervously agreed to her request. Lucy was a bit hesitant but she, nonetheless, agreed to the idea.
Mira smiled and clapped her hands. "It looks like Fairy Tail's strongest team is now official!"
The cook kept blinking. She couldn't believe it. Gray and Natsu were official teammates. Teammates! She'd never thought that would happen in a million years! Talise stared at Gray, who was talking adamantly with Erza and Lucy. She felt happy but at the same time she didn't. Gray turned around and gave her a smile. She blushed, averted her gaze and gave him a nod. Her uncertainty quickly left her mind.
Mirajane watched Gray leave with his new team and Talise cleaned the counter with a glow about her. She crossed her arms with a small grin. Their cook was truly in love with the ice mage.
The next day Talise thought she should give Gray and the rest of his new team a special treat for their new founding. Mirajane was quite surprised to see her come in with her arm full of boxes. She asked what was inside but Talise didn't say. It was a secret.
It was late in the morning when she was able to see Gray and the rest of Team Natsu. However, out of everyone Lucy was the one who looked super depressed. When Talise asked what was wrong, she told her Erza, Gray, and Natsu basically destroyed the town they were doing their first job in. The payment they were supposed to receive went to fixing the damages they made; meaning they didn't get paid. Talise smiled weakly. It didn't surprise her. The three were already trouble alone; putting all three of them just tripled that.
Talise bent over behind the counter and brought out her surprise. "Maybe this will cheer you up, Lucy."
She perked up when she received a pink box with white trimmings and a bow.
Natsu pouted at the gift Talise gave Lucy. "Why does Lucy get a present!?" he whined. "I want one too!"
Gray scowled and hit Natsu upside his head. "Don't be rude! Dumbass!"
The dragon slayer growled with anger.
Talise sensed a fight coming so she put her hands out to stop them. "D–Don't worry! I got one for each of you!" she said and bent over to get all of the boxes.
Each mage were given a colored box with fancy trimmings. Natsu's and Erza's were slightly bigger but Erza was the only one given two boxes. Talise smiled nervously and told them to opened them at the same time. On the count of three they took off the ribbons and lifted the top of their box. Gray, Natsu, Happy, and Erza were beyond elated to see their gift. Each of them had received a cake with various sweet breads and cookies in the shape of the guild's mark and their own weaponry.
"YES! You made us floating cookies!" cried Natsu. He and Happy took no time eating a cookie in the shape of a flame and fish.
Lucy was surprised to see the idiot and his cat floating above the barstool all of a sudden. Their faces were in pure bliss. She looked back at Talise, then to her box, and back. "Wha–What's all this for?" she asked.
Talise rubbed her arm bashfully and said, "To celebrate your new team. I hope you'll enjoy it. I didn't know what kind of sweets you prefer so I gave you some of what the others like."
The Celestial mage looked incredibly happy and thanked her. She then took a cookie in the shape of Plue's key and ate it. And just like Natsu she floated up; feeling all warm and soft. She was in heaven.
Gray, who was chewing on small piece of donut, smiled at his cake. It was round with ice blue fondant and white frosting in the shape of icicles hanging off the edge. The words Congratulations Fairy Tail's Strongest Team! Good luck and stay safe~ were written in blue icing. But was made him smile was the small white chocolate rose with blue tips at the bottom of his cake. He looked at Talise, who was telling Lucy what sweets were in her box, then at the rose, and back.
He was about to call her name out when all of a sudden Erza leaned over the counter, grabbed the back of Talise's head, and pushed her into her metallic bosom.
"Thank you so much Talise." Erza said gratefully. "You truly are a great friend." she said and pushed the cook deeper into her armor.
Gray, Lucy, Natsu, and Happy cringed as Talise shook in great pain.
After Gray got Erza to released Talise from her hold (and the cook checked to see if she didn't have any broken bones), Team Natsu took their boxes and went to the request board for a new job; all but Gray. He still stayed seated munching on his sweet bread. Talise blushed when she noticed he was shirtless, again. She turned her head and made herself look busy by wiping the counter.
"Tails." still pink faced, she automatically gave him her attention. "Thanks."
Her heart fluttered as she saw him give her a smile. This smile was different than his usual ones. It was more loving. Talise shyly nodded and focused her eyes on the counter. She tried her best not to faint from the large amount of blood rushing to her face. Gray smiled at her once more before he left with the others.
Talise took a peek at Gray when she knew he was far from her and watched as he laughed at Happy taking Natsu's red box out of reach. She smiled but then shivered as a cold feeling went right through her. It was that evil presence again. As always Talise looked around but there was no one that looked like they wanted to hurt her a million times over. She made a face. She hoped it wasn't a ghost.
The cook shook her head. No. She didn't want to think about that. It was too creepy. She'd rather it be a person than a ghost.
At least with a person she can physically punch them.
With a ghost she can't.
