Words failed Mina when the town of Magnolia welcomed her. Buildings of stone and sloped tiled roofs packed together, separated by crossing roads on either side of the wide cobblestone path she arrived on, and peppered with emerald trees in between. They were sectioned further by large canals of crystal clear water. A mountainous terrain peaked over the forest on either edge of town.
Back and forth people strolled about, some in search for items to buy, others to trade, couples out on a date, and kids weaving about the adults as they played. Smiles were numerous and bright easily coloring the tones in the conversations drifting all about her. Touches freely given in friendship even to passersby simply waving in greeting.
A gesture that had Mina shrinking into herself and drifting through the crowd like a breeze. Her hold tightened on Erza, eliciting a breathy groan of discomfort from the girl on her back.
"Sorry Erza," Mina said over her shoulder, doing her best to relax.
"Nee-chan look."
Ahead of them was a towering cathedral dominating the space of the square. Spires rising high from the four corners of the rectangular building, the conical tops colored in jade joined by the arching roof over the main building of the same shade. The sisters stood before the huge gate, heads craned back to take in the wood and stone decorated in flowing filigree framing a portrait at the top.
"Wow," the sisters mimicked in breathless wonder.
Reluctantly walking around, but still admiring the cathedral, they followed the road, the crowd slowly thinning as they crossed a bridge over a large aqueduct to the northern section of the town.
That's when they saw it. A colorful building stood tall at the end of the road. It's bright tones of reds, greens and whites almost seeming to ease them into a welcome to step inside. It reached three stories high, each floor built smaller than the one below, and stamped above the double doors vivid and bold with its emblem hovering over a name…
"Fairy Tail," Erza whispered in awe. She squirmed down from her perch and quickly skipped to the doors.
"H-hey! Erza, stop!" Mina shouted, trying and failing to pull her sister back.
The doors opened into a large hall. Several long wood tables and benches arranged to allow a path down the middle to the bar. A staircase off the side of the bar led up to a mezzanine overlooking the room. Men, women, and even children crowded the tables. A number of them sitting at the bar happily tilted back in their chairs gulping down tankards. Conversation was loud and booming to the point one had to shout to those next and across from them just to barely be heard.
Overwhelmed. That's what she felt. Pulse heightened, Mina finally took hold of Erza's arm.
This was a mistake, Mina unsteadily stepped back.
"Nice to meet you!"
Mina whirled to her right. Unconsciously yanking Erza away, her grunt of protest drowned in the white noise of the hall.
The man was old, with white hair growing from the sides of his balding head. He was stylishly dressed in a maroon vest atop a white shirt, black pants and a pair of brown shoes. Eyes closed with the curling white mustache of his smile, and he was incredibly short!
"What can I help you with?" his aged-voice was kind, but it rattled her.
"Nothing," she bit out.
Black eyes opened, analyzing her face and appearance, and narrowing at the tattered excuse for clothes that they wore. She stiffened when they slid over to the red hair peeking out from behind her, and she tried to better block him drawing his gaze back to her.
"Young lady…" wood shattered apart, followed by complete pandemonium.
Strikes and people were thrown around with abandon, no real target of any ire and everyone fought everyone. She felt Erza fist the remains of her shirt, and her body warmed in response. Aching muscles tensed, ready to strike at the first attacker that stepped too close for her liking, and…
"Enough you brats!" Fighters immediately froze in place, eyes wide and locked on the small elder.
Again Mina whirled back to the old man, a sudden fear seeping into her by the power in his voice.
"Follow me please." His tone brooked no argument, and to her surprise she followed.
He lead them down a hall to the right of the bar. There were a couple of doors to each side, but they continued to a set of stairs to take them up until they stepped onto the third floor. To the left were opened velvet curtains, the sunlight pooled on the wood floors like a trail of light. To the right was a larger door that he stopped in front of.
"We can talk in here," he stepped inside an open room.
The left and right walls had a number of shelves stacked with books and rolled parchments. Portraits hung above the door, a young girl with pastel blonde hair and green eyes smiled kindly back at her, and Mina was almost lost in the comfort that she felt.
"Her name is Mavis Vermillion. She was the First Master of Fairy Tail."
She jolted at the voice, finding him standing behind a large desk of dark wood. A small frame took up the tiny space on the right, while the rest was piled high with a number of loose documents that he slid to the left. He gestured to two cushioned chairs and jumped up on his own high-backed seat.
"My name is Makarov Dreyar, would you tell me yours?" he was answered with silence.
His brow furrowed as he seemed to battle against the young woman's gaze with his own. Even sitting she looked only a moment away from striking out rather than running, and he would admit that the members of the guild occasionally get hot-headed which could cause anyone to be cautious. But this? He was scared of the answer he would get should he push for it.
Makarov has seen many people in his long life as a mage and master to a guild. Many people ran when the fighting starts, others ignored it, some even joined in the fray, but this child looked ready to fight for her life. Still does even if she were seated, and that only concerned him further. Red, greasy, tangled hair bunched about her dour face, sweat and grime caked onto sickly skin, the barest hint of wounds etched into flesh, gaunt enough to pick out individual bones, and dressed in clothes that he'd expect a homeless slave to have; she looked in severe need of a hospital more than a mage guild. It's what drove him to greet the girl to begin with, feeling a need to set right whatever caused this much harm. Initially, he wasn't surprised to see her on guard when he approached, but what he felt boiling beneath her skin when the fighting started… he shivered at the intensity of it.
The silence stretched on, and his eyes drifted over to…
"Mina."
Snapping back to the speaker -barely suppressing the chill from the ire in her stare- he wondered if she only answered to keep his attention, "Okay, Mina. How can I help you?"
"You can't."
He was about to press the matter when the child spoke softly with a touch to Mina's clenched hand, "Nee-chan."
A simple word, but it seemed to be enough to draw Mina's attention to the other and she wilted like an aged tree. A sharp contrast that had him taking an unsteady breath at the sudden weakness that was quickly hidden, and she was once again like a steady guardian.
"S-Some," her hoarse voice cracked to a whisper and she looked away almost embarrassed. If things weren't so serious, he would've smiled at the action, but he only grew further worried at the undertones of an abused voice. Licking her lips she tried again, "Some work and a place to stay would help."
"What?" He couldn't stop himself from questioning a ridiculous answer. Surely they needed more than that. The blind would be able to know that! She didn't answer and he didn't expect her to, probably knowing how absurd her answer was. Eyes closed in frustration he breathed deep before continuing, "Why come here?"
"Grandpa Rob told me."
Makarov cautiously turned to the young sister, taking note of the suppressed fight in Mina's posture. A protective sibling, perhaps dangerously so. He'd need to be gentle with his approach here.
"Your grandfather told you to come here? What of your parents?" He immediately regretted his inability to stifle his curiosity. His need to know what happened already getting him in trouble as an energy permeated the air like rain clouds.
"They're gone," he cringed at the hollow tone, hating himself and willing to face his punishment at Mina's hands. "Grandpa Rob said Fairy Tail was his home."
Makarov sat up at this answer, a hand already reaching for the picture on his desk. "Is this him?" He hoped she would say no, but her nod confirmed his fear. "What happened?" It was a thoughtless question, one he knew better than to ask with what she already said before, yet…
"He saved me." A short, barely there answer, but it was enough.
A moment of silence passed, and he wondered if the sisters were allowing him this time to grieve for lost family. This wasn't the time though, he could do so later. Right now, he had two girls in need of help, and he'd be damned if he turned them away when Rob sent them.
"We can get you situated in the Fairy Hills dorm. I'll handle the fee until you're settled. Work should be simple enough when you join. Even starting at the bottom there's a fair amount of work for mages, and…"
"No." Makarov faulted at the blunt denial from Mina. There was warning in her tone, a fire ready to burn it all down. Her sister looked just as stunned as he and looked about to argue when she spoke again, "Mages are dangerous."
"So you come to a mage's guild?" Her sister seemed upset with that, but he would admit that mages can be dangerous, and there were many who believed that but they kept their distance in most cases. Why would someone seek them out as a place of refuge?
Although, he thought, Hilda doesn't like mages either. Mina might be the only one to get along with that nagging woman.
"Rob saved my sister," That's what it came down to. He could smile at the simplicity of it.
"We could always use help at the bar," he offered, and she nodded her assent. "Great, now first order of business," Makarov looked between the two sisters, "We need to get you some clothes to wear. Wait here for a moment."
Makarov stepped away, Cana should have some clothes that will fit Erza. One of the waitresses could help with Mina.
When Makarov returned, the sisters found themselves dressed in new clean clothes. Though 'clean' wouldn't last long when the two were filthy. Still Mina appreciated the soft material of the white blouse and emerald green dress she wore. Seeing Erza, twirling in place in a black dress suggested she felt the same. She'll be sure to wash them properly and return them as soon as she was able.
"Looking better already! We'll work on getting you some more later, but for now this will work."
They fell instep with him as they exited Fairy Tail and moved west. It was easy to see their destination, a H-shaped building with pitched roofs and arched windows built atop a grassy hill with what was probably a wonderful view of the ocean and town. They passed under an arched sign decorated with a stylized symbol of the guild with the words 'Fairy Hills' printed across the surface.
The path brought them to the left wing where a pair of double doors opened into a long lobby. It was mildly decorated, but warm all the same with its inviting beige walls and wooden floors. To their left was a couch against the wall, an adjacent armchair and a small table at the center. To the right, an elongated desk with a vase of flowers, a small lamp, and large book likely meant for visitors or tenants. Opposite the entrance were the stairs and from the ceiling hung a simple chandelier.
It was silent as the girls took it in, but that was soon broken.
"No boys allowed!" the once stationary book propelled forward with enough force to roll Makarov back, its binding leaving an angry red mark down his face.
Vein bulging in his forehead, Makarov leapt to his feet, "You crazy old bat! You could have broke something!"
His assailant couldn't have been taller than him. An old woman well in her years, yet spry enough to not only launch a book with such strength but also devolve into a shouting match with the guild master. It almost looked like kids pulling at each other's hair and clothes at a playground,and Mina couldn't quite stop a smile especially when she felt a muffled giggle in her side.
"Good! Means you'll leave then!"
"I'm here on business!"
"Boys have no business here in Fairy Hills! Especially seasoned ones!"
"Seasoned!?"
Makarov looked ready to explode if his head got any redder. Mina imposed herself between and bowed politely to the woman, "Forgive the interruption, but we are new and did not know where to go. Master Makarov offered his help."
The old woman was displeased but seemed to settle, "New or not he knows the rules." Her purple eyes squinted and her face scrunched, "Have you been rolling around in the trash? You smell awful and you're bringing it inside. Have you not heard of a bath? Can you not take care of yourself? And she is just as bad as you!"
Mina cringed at the tongue-lashing, only able to remain silent. She already knew her faults, but it didn't hurt less.
"Enough Hilda!" Makarov's voice echoed in the lobby. "They will be staying here."
Hilda grunted but moved behind the desk. She rummaged around for a moment before dropping a pair of keys on the countertop, "Third floor. Room 305. Clean up now before you make the mess worse."
Mina gripped the keys, emotions slowly settling down, "Thank you." She held Erza's hand as they left, but just before they went up the stairs Mina turned back, "I will return to clean."
~SS~
Magnolia was truly beautiful. Especially at midday, where the sun seeps into one's bones easing tension and drawing one into a calm so soothing the desire to nap in the shade of the trees cradled in a bed of flora was all-consuming. Worries melt away like ice and stress evaporates to the blue sky. Yes, it was truly beautiful.
But why am I here!
Makarov just doesn't understand how every quest ends with more paperwork coming back to him. He's been at it for days, the edge of his hand blackened with ink and he still can't see the dark surface of his wooden desk. Pages upon countless more piled so high he had to raise his chair just to read them without risking a tragedy by pulling one free. It could almost be a model city on his desk packed so closely together the numerous buildings became one super building, housing an untold number of hectic outcries from the council and citizens for retribution and reimbursement.
This one, he scowls at the text telling of a person-sized hole pathing through the house. And this one, explains that a mage ejected from his neighbor's home and destroyed their garden upon landing. And this one!
On and on the letters went, from petty noise complaints to property damage. Guildmaster or not, even he would like to enjoy a drink at the bar downstairs, take a walk into town, greet a couple old friends, ogle the beautiful sights…
He lapsed into a dopey-eyed smile, a wistful sigh leaving his lips. The dream lasted for only a moment, interruption in the form of another complaint scrawled onto paper -this one complaining about a streaker stealing clothes- smacked him in the face.
Just breathe Makarov. In. Out. There ya go, easing into a calm he pressed pen to paper, smoothly and professionally replying to the complaint. We thank you for the donation, and I assure you they were properly used. We look forward to working with you again.
Okay, so maybe not so professional, but his patience wore thin many days ago. Sliding that into the 'complete' box he mindlessly scrawled an answer to the next.
'All the rum 's gone!'
And the next…
'... Burned my hair!'
And the next…
'... Flooded the city!'
"That's it!" Makarov lowered his chair, and hopped down to the floor. A painful vibration tracking through his old bones just becoming more fuel to his ire. "No more!"
The rabble could damn well wait til he had a stiff drink to go with the frustration. Clamping the doorknob and yanking it open harder than necessary he walked face first into warm resistance.
My, my. Christmas came early, feverish chuckles muffled in the waist of his guest; teasing a scent of strawberry with a hint of sweat from a day's work, his hands tracing up from the knees over well-toned thighs hidden just beneath the light clothing.
"Enjoying yourself, Master." Groping hands froze, malice suffocating the air.
Makarov, for all his strength and status as guildmaster and Wizard Saint, would be a fool to not be afraid of the woman standing before him. Red hair waving in the wake of red mist, whiskers darkened and flared, fangs glinting in a dangerous smile and pinned in place by twin-violets glowing in anger.
"M-Mina! Lovely to see you. Are things well?" Her expression darkened further, and he knew only one option. With all the grace of a master, Makarov threw himself to the floor, his balding head planting firmly with a thud to the wood planks, "Forgive me!"
It didn't matter that anyone could see him begging on his knees. Didn't matter they could see the tears and snot, because all in Fairy Tail understood. She who is fury. Truly, Mina Scarlet is a force to be feared when crossed.
"Honestly," Her exasperation clear to hear, Makarov did not move from his prostration. Not until her hand settled on his shoulder to ease him up, but he dare not open his eyes to see the anger staring back. Another sigh and he could almost picture her shaking head, "We'll leave it be."
Celebration! There was no other word for this moment. He came out unharmed!
"Don't!" Makarov immediately halted the mental dance, "Do it again."
Nodding vigorously with a silent oath to follow, he opened his eyes to the gentle waters of her eyes once more. As beautiful as she is fierce; her red hair tied back, strands falling free to frame her round sun-kissed face, a black shawl resting on the shoulders of a knee-length white dress, a waist-high slit offering the smallest glimpse of skin, fitted maroon pants tucked into black boots, and an ivory belt wrapped around her waist.
Pushing to his feet, Makarov absently swiped at nonexistent dust to reorient himself, wondering why Mina had shown up at his door. At least until he spotted a bundle of papers cradled between arm and body. He could already feel the onset of frustration, and no matter who saw him now he would forever deny having cried at the sight.
"What's with the face?" Mina laughed already knowing his dislike of the never-ending paperwork. "Not much progress I see."
Makarov grunted at the statement. He made plenty of progress thank you very much! It just doesn't look that way. Accepting the new additions to his work, Makarov turned only to watch Mina step by him and seat herself in his chair.
"Go address your kids," Mina answered his unspoken confusion. Already the sounds of writing could be heard just on the other side of the paper buildings. "They're rather rowdy since Natsu came back, and you need to greet the new member."
He felt like crying all over again. Euphoric relief from a nightmare, and it was thanks to this wonderful Scarlet Angel diligently working to ease his pains. He couldn't ask for a better member, truly she is a saint for this old master.
"I'm not doing this for your entertainment." Makarov made himself scarce, the door banging loudly as he left.
She's grown quite well, He mused to himself. A common thought he couldn't help but reminisce over.
Once upon a time, she was a frail child holding the weight of the world; preventing it from crashing down onto her smaller sister, but no one was alone in Fairy Tail, and they were welcomed into the guild like old family. Mina Scarlet came to them lost, yet she became the sunlight for others to follow. A warmth to laze in during spring, and gather during winter.
She who is a guardian, a mother, sister and friend. Makarov chuckled, Mina Scarlet a Fairy Godmother.
Staying out of sight, he took in the chaotic brawl happening within the guild walls. Maybe he could just retreat back to his office until they settled, the headache from this only compounded with the annoyance of the council's complaints. He already knew Mina wouldn't let him hide. Especially when she was the reason the guild was back together the following day. Honestly, they still had a hall to gather because of her, and if he didn't at least mitigate the damage already done…
"Aah! Where's my underwear?"
"Turn the other way!"
Makarov's thoughts were broken by what should be surprising and yet embarrassingly common. He picked out the young man, Grey, who not only stood profoundly in a confused outrage but also sharing his all with an unwilling cute blonde. Her face both appalled and abashed as Grey regarded her.
He held a hand out as if to receive something and asked with earnest, "Young lady, if it isn't too inconvenient, could you lend me your underwear?"
Points for being polite at least, Makarov sighed.
"No one lends out underwear!" Her response punctuated with a solid punch to his face.
"How unsightly! I cannot understand the indelicacy of these men!" Loke, a rather handsome man with delicate feature and short orange hair, lifted the blonde into his arms. Makarov didn't miss her face shift from the sudden invasive embrace. He'd always been forward with women, but it'd help if he could avoid the troubles that brings with some control.
"I will decide with my fists!" Elfman shouted. He'd always been kind and strong-willed, believing strongly in the ways of being a 'true man.' Makarov honestly had no idea what that meant. He stood as one of the tallest of the young members of the guild, and muscled like a bodybuilder with spiky white hair.
"You're in the way!" Natsu floored Elfman with a right cross. The young Fire-Dragon Slayer was always as hot as his magic, passionate and fierce to the near abandonment of all sense.
"Aw, shut up all of ya! A girl can't drink in peace here!" Cana was a buxom brunette with a penchant for booze, and clothed often in bikini tops and capri pants. Despite this, she was one of his more reliable members. Loyal and focused, sometimes to a fault, and even if the majority of the budget for alcohol was claimed by her, he knew that when it counts she will be front and center. "If you can't control yourselves…" Cana pulled a magic card from her pouch, the item already sparking with energy, "Then I will…"
"I'm mad now!" Grey held a fist to his palm as if to pull the frozen aura free.
"Hyaa!" Elfman's arm encased itself in stone.
"Your crass ways must be dealt with…" Loke twisted at the glowing jewel ringing his index finger.
"Come and get me!" Natsu stood loud and proud, twin jets of fire expelling from his fists.
"Now this can get tricky," Mirajane, sister to Elfman, stood away from the escalating brawling. Her long white hair tied back, showing off her fair skin. An absolute beauty as far as Makarov was concerned, even the dried blood on her forehead was…
Oh no! He paled like a ghost in the moonlight, eyes widened in horror, "This ends here!" Dashing out, his magic flooding his body to bulge and grow until he could easily reach the ceiling. His voice booming outward, he brought his foot down on top of Natsu keeping him from continuing the fight. "Cut it out, you dolts!"
"Oh, you were watching, Master?" Mirajane asked, a bright smile on her face.
"Master?!" The blonde girl shouted, shock and fear leaving her gaping at his form. He would've found it funny, if he wasn't scared. He needed to straighten things out quickly before Mina came back down.
In his thundering voice he asked, "You're new?" She seemed to shake through her stuttered affirmative, and Makarov allowed his magic to recede, shrinking once more to his short stature, "Nice to meet ya!" he couldn't quite stop his chuckle seeing her nonplussed face and jumped away to the mezzanine above the bar to address his guild.
"You've gone and done it again! Just look at how much paperwork the Council sent me," He waved the stack of complaints that Mina had passed to him. "This doesn't even include the amount still waiting on my desk! Have you lost your minds! All you kids are good for is getting the higher-ups mad at me!"
His eyes blazed in righteous fury, only to be quelled in seconds when he saw the subdued members. Breathe in. Breathe out. Nice and easy.
"However, the council can eat crap for all I care!" the papers in his hand combusted and he tossed them, Natsu snatched them from the air and sucked the fire down his gullet. "Listen! Any power that surpasses reason, still comes from reason. Magic isn't a miracle. It is a talent that takes a strong mind and the ability to focus. It should take over your being and come pouring out of your soul! If all we do is worry about following rules then our magic will never progress! Don't let those blowhards on the council scare you. Follow the path you believe in. That is what it means to be Fairy Tail!"
As the guild rocked in cheers and applause, Makarov grinned with a mental slap on the back for a job well done. Not only did he settle down the rowdy children, but he also got to put his best foot forward as a strong and wise master to the cute new member.
"That was beautiful, Master." Mirajane complimented, wiping a tear from her eye.
I know, I know. He preened forgetting all about his problems to bask in the praise.
"Master, we have a pro…" Mina's voice came crashing down on his parade, "Mira, what happened!"
"It's just a…"
"Who did this!"
An entity of malice curled about the hall, and he knew only one way to salvage the situation.
"Scatter!"
In seconds the guild emptied of all its members, including the new member who was dragged behind a hysteric Natsu. The only thought crossing her mind was fear of the unknown fury she felt in the air.
Author's Note:
A bit of fluff with a dash of angst. Mina even showing a bit of her protective nature for Mira. Could it be love?! Le Gasp! Admittedly that was a little pandering for myself (and any others who agree with me.) And I named the chapter! Honestly, It's mostly because I got tired of seeing the mismatched numbers :D
I'm late with the update, my bad on that. I actually had to cut the chapter prematurely just to have it posted today. It was turning out longer than I had in mind, and I thought the extra time would let me finish the full idea I had, but seeing as it didn't I cut it and removed a chunk for the next chapter. Doesn't help I was also distracted playing Borderlands with a buddy of mine. We're working on completing the series before 3 comes out, and I'm looking at jumping into Monster Hunter World again because damn it that expansion looks AMAZING!
Now down to business. I decided a little bit of both in terms of doing a series of timeskips and jumping straight to canon. I kinda like how it turned out, because I could tell the enter to Fairy Tail from Mina's perspective mostly (with a soft shift to Makarov which just kind of happened) and then focus on Makarov's when we hit Lucy's joining with Fairy Tail in canon. I liked doing that also since I could avoid a retelling of Natsu and Lucy in Hargeon.
As always I appreciate the input any of you can give, I'm stepping into unknown waters at this point. I mentioned it when I started that all my plans were scrambled, so aside from very brief or barely-there concepts, I'm making it as I go now. Which in hindsight, I really should've considered before I thought about writing on a schedule lol. I guess fair warning that I probably won't be able to hold to two week releases (already failed miserably) but I will certainly do my best at it :P
Alright on with the questions:
1. I did a little bit of practice with detailing in this, I think it turned out okay. I tried not to be too wordy with descriptions, and the clothes were a bit harder for me without being exceptionally drab. Let me know what you thought. I honestly don't know if I can continue with writing in heavy detail like I did here, but I'll still practice.
2. Probably biggest question is what you guys thought of the past-to-present skip. It wasn't what I had in mind at first. Originally I was going to do a small piece with Mina and Erza coming to Fairy Tail, as you saw, with interactions focusing on Makarov and maybe Porlyusica. If this bothers any of you I can always remove the present and add it to a later chapter that is actually set in the present.
2.5? Lol. If it didn't bother, then would you guys be interested in me doing another chapter (chapters? one or two more? maybe?) like this with another character(s), I was thinking Cana (with Mina) and Grey (with Erza, reminiscent of canon but probably not exact since I can't remember it,) wanted one with Mira as well, and with how I ended this chapter it leaves a nice platform for Lucy to ask questions, right? Assuming she isn't scared to find out, of course ;)
I really want to thank everyone who has Favorited\Followed this story. I didn't think I'd hit numbers like that with how inconsistent I am. I'm thinking most of that credit is Mina and Erza are just awesome which I take no offense to. Still thank you all.
Special thanks to all who have reviewed, critics and encouragement have been awesome to see.
Enough rambling from me. Sleep well my friends!
