Lucy


I had to get away for just a moment, just to breathe. My heart was pounding in my chest and my hands were shaking something awful. My feet led me through the bustling city of Magnolia to nowhere as I did everything I could to just remember to breathe. The confined exposure was too much for me to handle, constant contact, the loud voices, everything was sending my flight response into overdrive.

I knew Cana didn't mean anything by it, it seemed to just be part of who she is. I hadn't truly gotten a chance to get to know the two boys that had sat across from me for 4 hours. I didn't truly get a good feel for what they're like as people. Their faces just seemed permanently stuck in a constant frown. I couldn't stop myself from worrying that they would lash out at me. I couldn't make myself small enough, couldn't take in enough air, couldn't do enough to stop the thoughts.

After a few moments of wandering everything started to slow and the thoughts and worry seemed to ebb away. I was left instead tired and aching. My ribs, now mostly healed, sent shooting pain through my side as a reminder of what could happen. If my own father was capable of such violent recourse over small things then what could strangers do? What if I offended them with my hasty retreat?

I forced the thought away, remembering Levy's worried look as I bolted from the carriage.

"Not everyone is like father," I breathed aloud. "I can give them a chance."

"Pretty lady!" A child no taller than my hip bounced toward me with bright eyes and a gap tooth smile.

"Are you speaking to me?" I asked, confused and concerned. I took a frantic look around to actually take in my surroundings and was surprised to see I had made it to an open field where children were laughing and playing all around.

"Yeah!" The child jumped, messy black hair swaying in the warm breeze. "You wanna play with us?"

"I really must get back to my friends," I noted, looking around nervously. The hotel is by the cathedral but… "oh goodness."

"Are you okay?" One of the other children stepped forward, little brows furrowed and face full of worry.

"I believe I'm lost," I admitted, biting my lip as new worry took hold.

"Where are you going?" The first child spoke, swatting away another friend that had joined to check on the stranger invading their games.

"My friends said we're staying near the cathedral but I've no idea where it is."

"We can show you!" A new child spoke with big round eyes and dark green hair.

"We know the way!" Another with pink hair and blue eyes jumped forward.

"Oh I couldn't possibly ask you to do that." I shuffled away. "Won't your parents be concerned you've left?"

"Nah, we play all over the city!" The first child spoke. "My name's Gracie and I'll be your guide." The child took my hand and began pulling me away from the field and back toward the city.

"Gracie are you sure this is alright?"

"Yupp! Magnolia is small so everyone knows everyone."

"That's nice."

"Ooh look the candy cart!" One child laughed happily and began leading the herd, along with me, towards the poor candy seller.

"Well look who we have here," the Candy woman stated as we appeared. "Gracie and her friends and whose this?" The woman's eyes found me, a soft smile gracing her face.

"My name's Lucy," I stayed, pulling at the fabric of my skirt.

"She's lost!"

"Oh well we can't have that now can we?" The candy woman began dishing out suckers and lollipops and little chocolate candies to all the children. "Where are you headed my dear?"

"My friends are staying in a hotel near the cathedral." I answered. I could feel my face growing warm under all the new attention.

"Well you'll want to follow this path straight to the center of town. The cathedral's got the biggest spires this side of Crocus. Once you find it you'll want to turn right and it'll be right there." The woman handed me a sucker as well.

"How much do I owe?" I asked, pulling my coin purse from my bag, the jungle of my Mom's keys was muffled by the fabric but they still chimed like bells.

"It's on me." She smiled before sending me on my way and shooing the children back home as the sun would be setting soon. I followed the woman's directions but quickly became distracted by the charming little city of Magnolia.


When the sun began setting around seven thirty I was so distracted by how much fun I had been having that I had strayed from the main path, finding myself lost on a back alley street. I scanned the buildings around me, finding one with an open storefront.

'Magical oddities and rarities sold here' the sign read in faded blue letters. I frowned but entered anyway, hoping someone inside could help me find my way back to the main road. I was already late as it is and it's not proper to keep a friend waiting for long.

There was a fine layer of dust around many of the things on the shelves and the air was musty, making me want to cough. I was worried, even though the sign on the door said open it could very well have been closed. Maybe for some illegal back door type deal. I inched my way towards the front counter until my eyes caught on three very sparkly things just below the dusty glass. I used the sleeve of my dress to clear away the fine layer of grime, giving me the ability to see three very beautiful keys, each individually carved. One silver and two gold, dancing in the firelight of the lamp.

"Oh I'm sorry," A sweet voice called behind the counter. "I didn't hear anyone enter." I jumped up, studying the woman in front of me. She was eyeing me suspiciously, as if she wasn't sure how she should act. Her eyes were sharp for a moment, before they softened and looked somewhat sad.

"I'm sorry to intrude. It seems I've gotten lost again and…"

"Say no more!" the girl smiled, all of the sadness erased from her features as she brightened like the sun. Without further prompting she brought up a piece of paper and a pencil from by the register and quickly drew on it.

"Would you mind telling me what these are," I asked, my eyes drifting back to the keys, not wanting to seem too interested. Though I certainly was. What could possibly be the chances of stumbling upon such rare things in such a small town?

"Those are celestial spirit keys. Wizards use them to call forth spirits to aid them in battle." The girl paused, her large blue eyes tinged with something dark for just a moment. Then a look of curiosity touched her features. "Would you be interested in them?" I nodded, pulling my wallet out of my bag. My heart was pounding in my chest with excitement on just how lucky I was to find more of the same keys my mother had gifted me. "Celestial spirit magic is quite rare."

"I thought magic didn't exist," my voice was a little shaky as my eyes were completely entranced by the keys the woman pulled out of the counter.

"Some say it never existed at all, others say it was locked away by the celestial king after a rather wicked human abused it." The words were spoken as if she truly believed someone had done the world such an injustice. Her eyes were studying me again, looking for something. "Only a celestial wizard has any hopes of getting an audience with the king and fixing this mess." The girl sighed wistfully, as if she once had magic herself.

"How would one do that?" I asked, pulling the appropriate bills from my purse as the girl carefully boxed each key. We traded goods at the same time.

"First they have to believe they can," Her blue eyes engulfed my entire gaze and I lost myself to her sadness. She had lost something precious. Something almost as wonderful as magic itself. "Here's a quick map to get back to your friends. Let me know if I can do anything else for you," She smiled, closing her eyes and breaking me from my momentary trance. I took the crudely drawn map and thanked her, never once wondering why she knew where I was staying.


When I finally arrived at the hotel the pink haired man, Natsu I believe his name is, was waiting with arms crossed.

"What took so long?" He growled out.

"I got turned around," I mumbled.

"You had Levy worried sick." He frowned at me, arms still crossed.

"I should go apologize immediately," I went to step inside but paused before my fingers clasped the door. "Which.. um.."

"You've got a backbone somewhere in there. If not I suggest you grow one if you don't want Cana laying all over you." He grunted without looking. "Second floor third door on the left." I nodded and followed his directions, counting carefully before I knocked on the door.

The hotel was small but beautiful , with colorful paintings dotting the halls and each door hand painted with different kinds of trees or flowers.

"Natsu did you find her?" Levy called before pulling open the door. "Oh Lucy I was so worried!"

"Hey she's back!" Cana's flushed face lit up as she was stretched across the bed. "Sorry if I pissed you off." Her smile fell quickly as I stepped into the room.

"I'm so sorry for the worry. And you didn't make me mad I am simply… unfamiliar with such casual displays of affection among friends."

"You sure?"

"Yes." I gave her a sincere smile.

"Lucy just needs time to get use to us. Best to keep your grubby hands to yourself." Levy chastised Cana, cheeks puffing out and blue brows downturned.

"But my grabby hands want Lucy!" Cana sighed in exasperation before sending me a wink.

"That's not what I- oh I give up." Levy rolled her eyes before dropping down onto the bed. It was then that I realized that it was a single bed room, rather small.

"How are we all to sleep?"

"You sound too formal. Lighten it up," Cana rolled closer to the edge and Levy gave her a slight nudge with her bare toes which caused the brunette to fall loudly to the ground.

"Leave her alone." Levy griped. "We should be able to all fit," Levy motioned towards the bed.

"I've never shared a bed with someone. Not since my mother.." my tongue tied itself in my mouth and my stomach began to ball up.

"Then we'll make it special!" Levy bounced up.

"How about 'nother reading?" Cana asked from her sprawled position on the floor.

"No no that won't do." Levy shook her head as she began pacing, stepping over Cana with ease.

"Well what kind of activities do you normally do?"

"Well back way before, OUCH." Levy stepped heavily on Cana's stomach, something dark and dangerous in her eyes. The brunette frowned while rubbing her stomach, a loud sigh escaping her before she turned back to me. "I mean, back when our friends lived closer Lisanna and Mirajane would do makeovers and we'd play card games or spin the bottle, or… well really anything. Sometimes there's even be wrestling matches."

"That all sounds so different from what I grew up with." I spoke without thinking and was rewarded with questioning stares.

"Well what kinds of things did you do during a sleepover?"

"Just sleep I guess. They were very dull things. I haven't had one in so long… I don't… I'm not truly sure if they were really sleep overs."

"Don't sound too fun." Cana crossed her arms and studied me upside down from her position on the floor. "Maybe we should get you drunk. Let you let loose a bit. You seem to wound up."

"I've never really enjoyed the effects of alcohol." I shook my head at the suggestion.

"What about makeovers! It'll be fun. I even brought some of my makeup with me," Levy jumped across the bed, feet kicking in the air as she pulled something from her large bag.

"Sounds fine to me, just no lipstick, I hate the way it tastes." Cana grunted as she began pushing herself off the ground. Levy returned bright eyed, dumping her bag of cosmetics on the bed. "Hey Lucy, you look a little stuffy in that uniform, whaddya say you borrow some of my clothes when we go out tonight?" Cana asked as she patted the space beside the bed. "It's gonna get hotter and I'm not sure if Natsu or Gray will be in any condition to carry you home if ya faint." I studied my clothes as Levy began chirping about colors to match Cana's skin tone and clothes.

"I'm not sure. I… Yes." I swallowed hard. I've lived my life in stuffy dresses and stiff corsets. Levy and Cana seem to be so free in their clothes. While I'm not sure I would actually look good in any of Cana's clothes it would be nice to pretend for a night that I'm not Lucy Heartfillia. In fact. I can be Lucy Ashley.

"That's the spirit. And I promise to keep my grabby hands to myself as much as I can."

"I'll help keep her off you," Levy offered as she began to look through her pressed powders, comparing each to Cana's shimmery silver top.

"I appreciate it, but I think I can handle her myself." A smile spread across Cana's face, it was wicked and sharp. I forced myself not to think about it as she dove into her bag for her spare clothes. "I can help with the makeup, I'm quite good at it." I keep a smile on my face as my churned thinking about the reason why I had become good at applying it.

"Oh, thanks Lu." Levy smiled at me before pushing a few pressed powders and her brushes towards me. Cana muttered to her bag as I began carefully applying fine layers of the shimmering dust to Levy's pale eyelids. She chose a smokey grey and a shimmering pearl color, so I applied the pearl close to her eyelashes and the grey carefully on the edges, smudging the colors together in the middle. Once I was finished I very carefully lined her lids with charcoal, highlighting her eye shape.

"Daammnnn. Lu can you do me too?" Cana asked once I was finished applying a little bit of blush to the apples of Levy's cheeks. "She looks like one of those fancy girls at those rich people parties."

"Sure." I said simply. Cana grinned wide, choosing colors out of the stack. I carefully applied the pearlescent pink and silver to Cana's eyes, carefully smudging the charcoal to match her tough attitude. When I was finished she admired my work in the mirror while Levy applied a light gloss to tint her lips.

"Your turn." Cana handed me a stack of clothes and pointed to the adjoined restroom. I began feeling nervous once I shut the door and looked at the scraps Cana had picked out for me. A shimmery gold top, much like the one Cana was wearing, and a pair of tight white shorts that could barely be considered underwear where her choices. They were little more than lingerie, the types of things father would never allow me to wear.

'But father's not here.' I thought while chewing on my bottom lip, contemplating the clothing in my hand, comparing it to the uniform I still donned. "It'll be like wearing a swimsuit, but shorter." I told my reflection. The Lucy that looked back at me didn't appear to be any more convinced than I felt, but she did look healthier that the last time I had dared to stare in a mirror too long. Cheeks fuller, eyes not quite so dull.

I took a deep breath before removing the layers of my uniform, carefully folding them until I was down to the essentials. I pulled the shirt on first, amazed at how light the fabric felt and the way the color seemed to shine and dance as it moved. It hugged my waist, but was loose enough around the top that I wasn't spilling out of it. In a lot of ways it was more decent than the dresses father forced me into. Next I shimmied into the shorts. They were a little loose around the waist and a bit restricted on my thighs but they were comfortable overall, if a bit revealing.

A lot revealing.

I took another deep breath before leaving the bathroom, folded uniform in hand. Cana hollered, a new drink in hand as Levy carefully studied her makeup, looking for something to match.

"I feel very naked." I admitted. Cana laughed.

"You get use to it. It's very freeing."

"I'll have to take your word for it." I tugged on the hem of the shorts to pull them down a bit. When I stepped forward they just rode back up.

"I'll go check on the boys, make sure they're not killing each other." Cana left with a wave and a decisive shut of the door.

"You don't have to wear it if you're not comfortable," Levy's voice was soft.

"No. I like it, it's different from what I'm used to. Like Cana said it will just take some getting use to."

"I take it you're from a well to do family, with parents that dictate what you can and can't wear and how you're to act."

"Something like that." I agreed. It was alright to give that much away isn't it?

"Cana and I can take you shopping tomorrow, help you pick out to regular people clothes."

"I'd like that." I smiled.

Levy smiled back before motioning to the makeup she gingerly picked up. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be."