Lucy studied herself in the mirror within the room she'd been granted for the time being, hands on her hips. Her cheeks were still flushed with embarrassment over the fact that Mirajane, her sister, and another member of the guild, a seer named Cana, had all pooled funds and purchased her some clothes that were officially hers, and Lucy couldn't help but admit that she rather liked them.
A pair of black pants and a sleeveless white shirt with a blue vest-like piece that buttoned in the center of her chest and all went together well. Lucy was particularly fond of the leather boots she'd been given. They looked expensive, and she vowed to return the favor of each of the three women at some point before she went home, because she sure as hell planned on doing just that. She'd been given a heavy belt that supported a pouch to hang at her hip, to carry whatever she wanted though it had been laden down with medical supplies that could be used in a pinch.
The only thing she wasn't entirely sure about was the knife that the friendly Lisanna was holding, safely sheathed into a leather piece that would strap onto her thigh for easy access. It was a pretty weapon, Lucy supposed. She'd seen the wicked black blade, forged of something that was supposedly capable of killing even a demon, although she prayed to the stars above that she never came across a demon that needed killing.
Lucy took a deep breath and then spun around to face Lisanna, smiling. "Thanks, I love all of it." She patted a leg for emphasis, and Lisanna winked.
"Mira's fantastic at putting clothes together," she said happily. "Cana got her say," she added with a grimace, gesturing to the decent amount of cleavage. "But Mira figured it was okay since it wouldn't interfere with movement." Lucy put a hand over the revealed flesh, flustered, but decided to not say anything about it. Lisanna beamed at the boots. "Those were my idea. I have the same pair; they're great for missions and work, because they're super sturdy yet light."
Lucy lifted a foot and wiggled it, making a sound of agreement. She ran a hand through her mess of golden hair and then suddenly grinned as she came up with an idea. She ripped the lacy hem from the bottom of the shirt, earning a squawk of irritation from Lisanna, and put it between her teeth, using her hands to comb her hair up until it was in the proper position. She tied it up with quick efficiency and then smirked. "Ready to go."
"No, you're not," Lisanna chided, holding up the knife. "You need this."
"I don't want it!" Lucy knew she sounded like a pouting child, but she wanted nothing to do with the sharp point of a blade. "Isn't it illegal to stab people?"
Lisanna's eyebrows rose. "Of course it is. Unless your human, they're mythic, and they attacked you first."
Lucy struggled to come up with a good reason to not take the blade, but she supposed there was a good point everyone was making. If someone came after her and someone else wasn't there to make sure that nothing happened…or if someone was there and couldn't move fast enough… She sighed. "Give it to me," she huffed, holding her hand out. Lisanna handed it over and Lucy, with instruction from the other woman, strapped the blade to her thigh, wishing she didn't have to.
"Done!" Lucy declared and Lisanna laughed. "Will that jacket I have work? It's kind of cold out."
"Yes," Lisanna said. Her voice was firm, confident. "Natsu's cuffs should be enough." She tapped her own Fairy Tail armband with a smile. "And if for some reason he chooses now to start wearing a coat, then that hair of his will give away who he is. He's incredibly well-recognized throughout Fiore, mostly for being Igneel's son."
Lucy nodded to herself in thought before folding her arms, immediately feeling the odd way that band seemed to feel her bicep. She rolled her eyes when impatience suddenly flooded her a moment before there was a muffled shout through the door. "C'mon," Natsu said with a keening whine in his voice, "I want to go!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Lucy hissed, and Lisanna giggled, opening the door for her and ushering her out. Natsu, nearly pressed to the door, hastily retreated a few steps, a hand on Happy's back to help him balance on his shoulder. He took a moment to critically skim the clothes Lucy was wearing, as if judging if they'd be good for work, and then nodded before excitedly spinning on his heel.
"Let's go!" he said cheerfully, and Lucy rolled her eyes again, grabbing her jacket before following.
Lisanna followed them downstairs to rejoin the rest of the guild, and Mirajane whisked around the side of the bar to come and meet them at the bottom of the steps. "You look lovely, Lucy!"
"Thanks," Lucy said shyly, flushing. "Thank you again for the clothes, Mirajane."
"Mira," she corrected with a wink before turning a stern look to Natsu, who was bouncing on his sandaled heels. "You take good care of her while you're out," she warned. "I got word from Rogue this morning that something weird happened with the Eclipse Gate two nights ago," she glanced quickly to Lucy, "and then I heard from those in Hargeon that a hellhound's been running around preying on the road from here to there."
Natsu's lips curved into a massive grin. "I hope it finds us – ow, Mira!" he snapped when she slapped the back of his head sharply, taking note of Lucy's shocked expression. "We'll be fine, stuff like that doesn't come anywhere near me usually," he grumbled, shooting a small glare at Mirajane.
Lucy rolled her eyes and slung her jacket on, not hesitating to zip it up. She eyed him suspiciously after that, not entirely believing what he'd said. Mirajane nodded, however, seeming to trust that and she planted her hands on Lucy's shoulders, smiling warmly. "You'll be fine," she promised. "It's just a delivery mission. Do you have your paper?"
"No," Lucy admitted, "Natsu has it."
"Give it," Lisanna ordered the pink-haired dragon, and he grumbled as he handed it over, pushing it into Lucy's hands gently. She folded it neatly and tucked it into the pouch at her hip, and then pushed her hands into her pockets.
"Can we go now?" Natsu looked ready to grab Lucy by the arm and drag her out, annoyed. His impatience buzzed in her chest, and she glared at him, rubbing her chest a little and earning a smug look in return.
"Yes," Mirajane said with a shake of her head, "you can go now. Be safe! And take –"
"I know who we're taking," interrupted Natsu, grabbing Lucy's wrist gently and pulling her towards the doors. "See ya!" he added over his shoulder, and Mirajane waved, looking concerned.
"Wait," Lucy said as she was dragged outside. She could see her breath in the air as they walked along the side of the guildhall. "What do you mean you 'know who we're taking?'"
"You can't expect us to walk all the way to Hargeon, can you?" Natsu said, rolling his eyes. He released her arm and practically bounced his way around the corner of the stone building to a smaller court yard. Lucy recognized the strange smell of animals immediately and nearly stopped when he ducked into a stable-like space without hesitation.
She'd ridden horses before. Her guardian had made her, thinking it would be useful for some reason or another. Lucy hadn't been particularly good at it, either. In fact, she remembered a few particularly nasty falls in which she'd ended up at a hospital. She swallowed thickly, nervous, and followed Natsu inside when he shouted her name impatiently.
She did stop, however, when she saw what resided within that stable. Horses, of course, some with their heads hanging over the stalls they lived in, but other animals, too. Towards the back, where Natsu was heading, there were deer-like creatures with massive antlers that towered above their large heads, blinking blankly at them. And down another hall-like space was a darker area, and Lucy shivered, realizing there was a predator's eyes reflecting back at her.
"C'mon!" Natsu called and Lucy hurried after him, not eager to learn what the animal in the dark space was. He watched her as she joined him, lips twitching at her worry. "Salutem," he announced, gesturing to what might have been the largest of the animals there. "He's a stag, and you're gonna take him."
Lucy stared blankly at the animal. Its shoulder was well-over her head, even nearly topping Natsu's. "Are you serious?" she said faintly.
"Do you want to walk?" Natsu challenged and she shook her head, biting her lip and thinking of her car. She'd have much rather had a car instead…at least cars didn't suddenly decide they didn't want to do what you wanted them to do…
Still. She didn't have much of a choice. There were no cars here. So, Lucy sighed and extended a hand. Salutem politely lowered his large head to snuffle at her fingers, his damp nose brushing gently over her skin. He blinked at her with those large brown eyes and then snorted.
"He's the easiest one of everything in here," Natsu said, getting to work on grabbing things they'd need. Lucy hung back, watching as he lifted heavy looking leather saddles down from a rack and gathered odd looking bridles with heavy bits attached to them. He grabbed something that looked like a basket – for Happy, she guessed, for the cat perked up at the sight of it. "He's the only one who won't get mean if you do something wrong."
"So, you're giving me an easy one," Lucy mused, "because you don't think I've ever ridden a large animal before?"
Natsu paused, looking back at her, interested. "Have you?"
"Horses," she said, gesturing to the animals behind them. "But not in years."
"Then you get Salutem."
Natsu was efficient and quick in his work, dragging a smaller but irritable stag from its stall and tacking it up. He did the same for Salutem, and then handed the reins mindlessly to Lucy so he could eagerly pack everything up. "You get Happy," he declared, a mischievous look in his eyes as he planted the basket piece on Salutem's hindquarters, knowing that Lucy didn't care overly much for the cat.
"Thanks," Lucy said sarcastically, but said nothing else about the matter, instead eyeing Salutem's nastily sharp antlers and hoping she didn't poke out her eye. Natsu led his mount from the stables and Lucy hesitated before doing the same for hers, following him at a short distance. He waited until she was outside to close the door and then smirked when he caught sight of Lucy looking at Salutem's high back in irritation.
"Stop laughing," she hissed without looking at him.
"I'm not," he said innocently, and she threw him a half-hearted glare.
"Like hell you're not," she said. "I can feel every goddamn emotion you have, and you think it's funny that I can't climb up on my own." She put her hands on her hips and scowled. "Could you stop laughing and help me since you're so eager to get a move on?"
"Sure, sure," agreed the snickering dragon, still smirking as he approached her, leaving his stag where he was standing. Lucy, knowing what was coming, quickly scooped up Happy and put him in the basket before gripping what she could of the saddle. Natsu braced his hands on her waist and with surprising ease, nearly tossed her up so, grabbing her ankle so she didn't go flying over the other side as she swung her leg over. Salutem didn't move an inch.
Natsu lost the amusement as she situated herself and let out a puff of air. "You good?" he questioned as he went to work with the stirrups and ensuring the saddle wouldn't slide off.
"Fine," she confirmed, looking down at him. She watched as he swiftly rounded Salutem's hindquarters, checking the other side. She furrowed her brow. "How often do you do this? Use the animals, I mean."
"Not a lot," he admitted, nodding. He continues speaking as he hoisted himself with ease onto his own mount, which skittered irritably beneath him, huffing. "I like walking. But Mira said that you humans aren't too good at it for long distances."
Lucy hesitated, and then said with a frown, "But aren't you a dragon? I thought dragons were supposed to be…big. Scaly. With wings." Curiosity filled her when she felt a stab of what she thought was worry, possibly wariness. But rather than saying anything about those things he apparently thought she wouldn't notice, he shrugged.
"They are," he said, flashing her a grin. They set off, and Lucy grimaced at the odd way the stag moved beneath her, as if constantly ready to leap forward, his hindquarters bunched beneath him as he lowered his massive head. People moved aside for them, not at all surprised by the sight of such large deer-like creatures striding down the cobbled streets of Magnolia.
Natsu continued, cocking his head in thought. "My dad likes to keep that form. So do the older dragons. We blend in better with the other mythics and humans like this though." His onyx gaze briefly rested on hers before looking forward. "The others that left the nest…they haven't used that form since we left."
"How many are there that left?" Lucy asked, thinking back at what she'd read. Her heart lurched nervously when she thought of one of them, who would destroy the city of Old Crocus in three years' time. She wondered if she'd be around to learn why. She couldn't say that she hoped as much. She wanted to be long gone by the time that destructive occurrence happened.
"Five," he told her confidently. "Me, Gajeel, Wendy, Sting, and Rogue." He listed the names off with ease. Irritation snatched at his tone when he said Gajeel's name, although he didn't explain further. Lucy took note of that; she'd not mention this Gajeel person again. "We're cousins," Natsu suddenly added, this time sounding rather proud of it.
Rather than responding or even reacting in a positive manner, Lucy felt a stab of sympathy for he and the other four dragons. It earned her a sharp, curious look on her companion's part as he guided her expertly through the streets to their first stop.
Lucy bit her lip, unable to help the concern that suddenly slammed through her. It was her own, and she knew that Natsu could feel it, because he was staring at her openly, clearly waiting for an explanation that she wasn't going to give.
Three years. In three years or so, something would upset one of the five dragons enough that they'd demolish Old Crocus – something that seemed far more likely and easy with magic and mythics brought into play. And though she didn't know Natsu very well just yet, she had no desire to see him or anyone else of the Fairy Tail guild hurt. They were good people from what she'd seen so far.
Lucy tightened her grip on Salutem's reins and the stag didn't react except for a flick of an ear. She'd once wondered how one person could raze a city to the ground. She had yet to see the entirety of a dragon's power, and she couldn't say she wanted to, but…the sheer amount of energy and the way Natsu played with fire…
If all of the dragons played with fire like that, then there was no way that anyone would be able to stop a dragon.
Lucy took a deep breath, feeling guilty as she tried to tell herself it would be fine, that she had no intentions of being around when that event came to pass. She would be safe in the future. Even if all of these people were alive and breathing…even if they were no longer just history, but people she'd spoken to and interacted with.
They were still history, she corrected herself.
And she had no intention of rewriting the future.
The person who'd posted the job was a kind old woman, who smiled warmly and welcomed them into her small shop. Lucy looked around with interest at the variety of objects. "This is an antique shop," she breathed, excitement creeping in. Her fingers itched to touch everything in sight, but she forced them to remain at her sides. Everything here was old to her. This world she found herself in was old.
But that had absolutely nothing on some of the items here. There was a vase that looked like it came from the times after the Demonic Wars, a piece of jewelry that was even older…and being watched very greedily by a sharp-eyed Natsu.
The woman, resting a lovingly wrapped package on the wooden counter, chuckled at the looks on their faces. "Yes, my dear, it is," she said kindly to Lucy. "I'm a fan of old things, and find that taking care of and selling them to others is a fun way to occupy my time. Is there anything you'd be interested in purchasing? I'll keep it until you return and if you do a good job with the deliver, I'll give a discount."
Lucy blinked at her in surprise, and then jumped when Natsu immediately jabbed a finger at the golden necklace. It was a delicate item, with a beautifully crafted chain of gold. A sapphire had been planted in a gold setting, and Lucy had no doubt that it was all real. "I'll pay full price for that when we get back," he told the old woman firmly.
Her lips curved into a warm smile. "Of course, Mr. Dragneel," she said happily. "Thank you for your generosity as always." Lucy eyed him in confusion and she chuckled again. "Mr. Dragneel is one of my best customers," she informed Lucy. "I was very pleased to receive word that he'd be taking my job posting. He has a fondness for anything gold." Her eyes lingered on Lucy's hair with amusement. "I see that has spread from inanimate objects now a days?"
Lucy flushed and Natsu wrinkled his nose, somewhat confused by what she meant. "No," Lucy said hastily. "Coincidence there." She glanced at the dragon out of the corner of her eye, who watched critically as their client gently removed the necklace from its place, not seeming affected by the comment whatsoever. "I guess the stories were true," she mused to Natsu when the woman disappeared into the back momentarily. "In my time, there's all these storybooks about princesses and dragons and knights. The dragons always have a hoard of gold."
Natsu scowled at her. "We don't all hoard the same thing, first of all, and second, who the hell is writing stories that give away our secrets?"
"Err, they don't give away your secrets." Lucy gave him an apologetic grimace. "Um, actually, the dragons are usually killed in those stories." Natsu bristled, and she hastily changed the subject. "But do you all hoard valuables then?"
Natsu, still annoyed, gave a gruff, "Sort of. I don't think diamonds are very valuable, but Sting sure as hell does."
Lucy chose not to think about how much value a dragon's hoard likely added up to as she turned her attention on the old woman when she came back out. "Anything you want put away, my dear?" she asked Lucy again.
Lucy bit her lip as she eyed the objects within the room. "Not really," she admitted, nervous about the idea of owning anything that might end up broken. "I'd love to purchase something, but…I don't have a place to stay at the moment, so… I'm new, and this is my first job."
"Oh! Then you must not have- I have the perfect thing for you, my dear." She beamed at Lucy and then shuffled around with something behind the counter. A moment later, she withdrew something and gingerly placed it on the counter. Lucy and Natsu both leaned forward to peer at it with interest.
Natsu suddenly stiffened, nostrils flaring. "You shouldn't have this," he said, voice darkening into a low, angry growl. "How'd you get this?"
The woman offered an apologetic smile as she watched him gently pick up the polished gold cuff with ancient symbols carved into it. "I thought you might be angry on your father's part, Mr. Dragneel. I apologize. I found it in a black-market a few weeks ago and meant to give it to you after I'd perfected the cleaning of it. I think he wouldn't mind your friend having it though. She resembles his Marked One quite closely, you know."
"Does she?" Natsu eyed Lucy and she lifted a brow at him.
"This belonged to Igneel's Marked One?" Lucy said, caught by surprise as realization struck her. "She was human?" For the arm band labeled one as such, although Lucy didn't understand the ancient looking marks carved into the band. She'd been under the impression that everyone who was famous in the history books was a mythic at this point.
Natsu pressed his mouth into a hard line, struggling to figure out what to do. "Yeah," he said sharply, "and she was a queen. It's on there." He jabbed a finger at the carvings. "She really shouldn't be wearing that."
"I can buff those out," the woman offered reluctantly.
"We'll take it," Lucy said to her, shaking her head when Natsu opened his mouth to bark out a furious protest. Feeling what felt like true anger gathering in her chest, Lucy rubbed it and said calmly to her companion, "I don't need to wear it, but…surely we should take it? You can put it wherever you keep your other things. For Igneel."
Natsu debated before grumbling, "You can have it." He made a face. "Don't buff out the marks. Just disguise 'em with a shield." Catching sight of Lucy's startled look, he said, "It's safer on you then in my hoard." Natsu gave a huff. "At least I can keep an eye on it all the time until I get it to Igneel someday."
The woman nodded, gently picking the cuff back up and smiling at him. "Of course. I'll have it ready for pick up with your other purchase when you return, Mr. Dragneel, Miss. Now off with you! My partner is expecting that delivery by tonight!"
Lucy picked the package up and tucked it securely in her arm. "Thank you," she said honestly to the old woman, who smiled warmly in response.
"Any time," my dear she called as Natsu and Lucy left. A furrow appeared in her brow when the light washing in through a window caught Lucy's hair just before she'd disappeared outside, turning it a brilliant glowing gold. "Any time…"
Off they go on their job! We got some stuff happening soon. Not big, but stuff.
Thanks for your patience! I had a ton of fun on my trip and am sad to be back, but eager to show up some more ODAS. ;)
Blood and Angst Lover, regarding Yukino and the keys...she only has her two!
Lovetoreadff, regarding times...everything is in X794 now. :)
Thanks to reviewers (19vanelkc, Anna-Mae1242, Blood and Angst Lover, Inky-Paws, Alera33, Forbidden-Hanyou, Kerasi, stranger1999, PinkFireandGoldenStars, itsxoi, Lovetoreadff, and xHallowedFangirlx!) as well as those who favorited and followed!
