A/N: Here's Chapter 10 Everyone...I Hope you like it, it will also be the first chapter that will begin Wendy and Alex's relationship, so I hope i did it justice. As always, I don't know Fairy Tail, it belongs to its respective owners, however I own all Oc's. Enjoy and please Review

Chapter 10
Cupid's Day

After Angel and Yukino's reunion, Fairy Tail welcomed the mage from Blue Pegasus, a new addition to their guild, named Jake. He was a water mage who was interested in working with Juvia and had asked Master Bob for the chance. Mermaid Heel sent Millianna over, seeing as the cat crazed girl wanted to meet with her surrogate sister. She was also surprised to see Angel, as both had been in the Tower of Heaven incident. She quickly grabbed the exceeds in a bone crushing hug, and had yet to let go of them. It was an interesting day though, so he was happy. However, as interesting as it was, he was bored.

"Man, this sucks." he said.

"Something wrong Alex?" Lucy asked.

"I can't go on missions until Wendy clears me to work. I feel fine." He said.

"You blasted the shit out of four people and your father while in Dragon Force. And took several hits, how can you feel fine?" Gray asked. Alex shrugged.

"Fine, I just feel anxious." He said.

"Well, you could have asked Angel to clear you, before she left with her sister." Lucy said. Alex glared at the blonde who chuckled nervously.

"Maybe some booze will change that."

"For the last time Cana, I am not drinking." Alex said sternly. She blew a raspberry at him and continued emptying her bottle. Minerva shook her head and looked around at all of the general chaos.

"This is how the Number one guild in Fiore behaves on a daily basis?" She asked.

"Yup." Alex said, he glanced at her new Fairy Tail mark, which she had gotten on her neck for some reason. She looked into his eyes and he nervously looked away.

"What? I'm not going to kill you." She said.

"Sorry. Its just..a lot of people look at me weird because of my eyes."

"Well, they are distracting." She said. They heard a table break, making Alex sigh.

"Another one for the trust fund." he muttered with a dry laugh. He looked at his sister who was playing with her tail.

"Why don't you stop them?" he asked. She looked at him weird.

"How?"

"The Song Mom taught you." He said. She smiled sadly.

"Can't, lost my Magic Leaf. Doesn't have the same charm if its done on anything else. Why don't you play your Song of Peace?" She asked.

"I would, but my Conch Ocarina broke when I was Eleven." he said. She sighed.

"You had one mission." She said.

"I was running away from Wyverns. What the fuck is more important, my life? Or an Ocarina?"

"Couldn't you just taken them out? Your a Dragon Slayer." she asked.

"Again Luka, I was eleven. I wasn't nearly as strong then as I am now." he said, finishing his juice.

"Still, you could have done something." She huffed, crossing her arms, under her bust. He shook his head, brushing a few strands of hair from his eyes. Another table was broken, and that's when Alex had enough. He got out of his seat, and headed over to the stage.

"What's he doing?" Lucy asked. Luka shrugged.

"Oi, I can't..breathe."

"Let go of my cat you freak." Gajeel shouted.

"Nya, these are my kitties now. Break out of those binds an I might give him back." Millianna cried, from her spot clutching the exceeds. Gajeel had been bound to a post with magic draining binds.

"Hey, Star Killer, get me out of this." Gajeel called out. Alex stopped and looked at the Iron Dragon Slayer, then to the cat crazed girl.

"Sorry bro. You're on your own. No way in hell I'm getting involved."

"What the fuck man?" he shouted.

"Dude, she's got claws. Sharp fucking claws. Not getting involved." he said, brushing past him.

"Alex, if your heading on stage, could you deliver the weekly announcements for me?" Mira asked. He sighed and nodded, taking the clipboard from her hands. He made his way up the steps of the stage, heading straight to the mic stand.

"Uh..hello, may I have your attention please?" he asked. Of course, no one heard him with all of the fighting going on.

"Excuse me?" he called out again. Instead of silence, all he got was a table hurled his way. His eyes went wide. He took a deep breath, a magic seal forming before his face.

"Celestial Dragon's ROAR." he chanted. The table exploded into tiny shards of wood. He grabbed the mic angrily, almost breaking the Amplifier lacrima.

"HEY, STOP FIGHTING YOU FUCKS. CAN'T YOU SEE WE HAVE GUESTS HERE?" He shouted. That did it. Everyone shut up and looked at him in fear.

"Wow." Lucy muttered from her seat.

"Alright, time for the weekly announcements. Today is the first day of Honorary Member Week, for the next Seven days, members of Sabertooth, Blue Pegasus, Mermaid Heel and Lamia Scale will be within our ranks. It is encouraged you get to know them and teach them the Fairy Tail way. If you don't, I'll kick your ass." he said.

"Fat chance."

"Wanna try me Natsu?" Alex said, forming a Heavenly Body Magic Seal in his hand. A large Golden Dragon of magic started coiling around Alex's very being, startling a few others.

"Ha, all the more fun for me." Natsu said. Erza pounded his head with her gauntlet, making him howl in pain.

"Quiet Natsu." She said.

"A-Aye." he muttered.

"Alright, second order of business. All members are encouraged to take missions and provide our guests with a fun experience. Fighting is also encouraged but not strictly mandated, of course lots of you will abuse that power, so I hope Minerva has enough space in those alternate dimensions for all of you."

"Number three, the person who put the snapping turtle in the girls bathroom better come clean soon, seven girls have suffered bite wounds on their asses. One of you has a sick sense humor. I would have used hot sauce, but that's just me."

"Fairy Tail will be hosting its first Fairy Idol, as part of the Magnolia Festival this week. Applicants who are interested, please ask Mirajane for details. And the final order of business. Tomorrow, is Cupid's Day, because apparently, Valentine's Day in February wasn't enough, they decided to mess with August and add this stupid day. Fairy Tail will be hosting the Cupid's Day Ball here in the guild hall. Starts at 7 and ends at Midnight. Have fun with that."

He looked at the notes again to see if he missed anything. He chuckled a bit.

"Seriously? A Snapping Turtle?" He asked.

"Not funny Alex." Levy cried, rubbing her ass. That only made him laugh harder. "Solid Script, Light." She chanted, shooting said word at him. He blocked it with his arm and started sucking the magic into his mouth. Once he was done, he pat his stomach.

"Thanks for the snack Levy-chan. Also, I recommend ice for the swelling. Trust me, I've been bit by a snapping turtle before." he said. He stepped off the stage, handing the clipboard to Mira. It seemed all of the announcements got everyone to calm down for a bit. Minerva smirked.

"Don't think that since I'm good now, I'll lock people in the nether world for fun." She said. He shrugged.

"Just an idea." he said.

"So, if battling is encouraged, then I want to fight you Alex." Lucy suddenly said. He rose a brow, looking at his fellow Stellar Mage.

"You're Serious? Going up against a Dragon Slayer?" Jake, the Blue Pegasus Water mage asked. The Blonde nodded.

"I want to see who's the better Celestial Spirit Mage in Fairy Tail." She said. He smirked.

"Alright then, you wanna fight, fine by me." He said. Both headed towards the back, of the guild. Gray followed suit, putting his shirt on.

"If its a fight, then I'm not missing it." he said.

"Hey, if Gray is watching, then so am I." Natsu cried. Soon, everyone started filing to the back of the guild. The guest mages, not knowing what to do, simply followed the crowd. The back of the guild was relatively large, and used as a training area. Way past the pool of course.

"Okay, terms of the fight?" Alex asked.

"First to run out of magic looses." She said. Alex nodded and withdrew a key from his ring.

"Alright, but be warned, just because I'm a Dragon Slayer doesn't mean my spirits go half assed. We all train when we have the chance. So we're strong." He said.

"Lets see if that's true then."

"Alright, on the count of three. One..two..three. Start." Makarov cried.

"Open, Gate of the Lone Wolf, Lupus." Alex chanted. The Gate opened, and the wolf Spirit came out in his human form, though now his hair was styled into wolf ears, and had a gray tail flicking about.

"Gate of the Giant Crab, I open thee, Cancer." Lucy chanted. A magic seal appeared from her key, and the Crab Spirit came out, snapping his scissors.

"I'm ready to help, ebi." he said.

"Lupus, defeat him." Alex cried, he held the Silver key tightly in between his fingers, making sure to keep the Gate open.

"Go get him Cancer." Lucy cried. Alex saw her unroll her whip, which meant she was also going to fight. He unclipped his Photon Sword and turned it on.

"Alright Lucy, lets tango." he said, running at the blonde spirit mage, while Lupus ran at Cancer. Lucy launched her whip at Alex, only for him to dodge it. He slammed the blade of his Sword into her stomach, making her cry in pain.

"Lucy Kick." She cried, delivering a swift kick to his chest. He cried in pain from loosing the air in his lungs. Lucy pulled her fist back and punched him in the face.

"Damn, Lucy's pretty rough." Gray said.

"Haha, I've been teaching her how to fight. She's way better than before." Natsu said, punching the air like a boxer.
Lupus was trying his best to keep up with Cancer, but it seemed he was the faster spirit. He punched the wolf spirit in the face, sending him flying. He disappeared back into the spirit world.

"I'm sorry. Master." he said before leaving. Alex, took a few steps back and grabbed two keys.

"Open, Gate of the Eagle, Aquila. Open, Gate of the Chisel, Caelum." he chanted. Both gates opened simultaneously, allowing the spirits to pass through. Aquila cheered.

"Yes, a battle. Animal Soul, Eagle, take over." she cried, shifting her form and becoming a large eagle, and taking into the air above them. Caelum gave a few short beeps before turning into its Sword form. Alex pocketed the keys and grabbed Caelum, using his Meteor Spell to close the distance between him and Cancer.

He slashed the Crab Spirit with his Photon Sword before finishing him off with Caelum. He disappeared in a shower of sparkles.

"I'm sorry, ebi." he said. Lucy grit her teeth.

"No Fair Alex."

"What? I can hold two gates open too." he said with a smile.

"You wanna play that game, fine by me. Gate of the Golden Bull, I open thee Taurus, Gate of the Scorpion, I open thee, Scorpio." She cried. Both gates opened, allowing the cow spirit and the scorpion spirit to step into the fray.

"Oh Yeah, we are beating you." Scorpio cried.

"Oh Lucy, you have a beautiful body today. I can't wait to give you a smooootch." Taurus cried, grabbing his axe.

"Just get him you perv." Lucy cried. Scorpio bent down, allowing his mechanical tail to ready a spell.

"Sand Buster." he shouted. Taurus jumped in the middle of the field, spinning his Axe around and sending the concentrated Sand beam at Alex.

"Aquila, blow that thing away. Caelum Blaster Form." He cried.

Aquila gave a shrill cry of approval and bat her large wings, sending the wave of sand back where it came. Caelum shifted into Cannon form, and charged its Particle beam, before firing the large pink blast. An explosion rung in the area. Alex smirked.

"Nice Job Guys." he said. Caelum beeped in approval before exploding and disappearing through his Gate.

"Caelum." He cried. He saw Taurus waving his Axe around.

"Its my duty to protect my Lucy..moo." He said. Scorpio was charging another attack.

"How are they still here? No matter, Close Gate of the Eagle." Alex said, swiping Aquila's key. Her gate closed, allowing her to go back to the spirit world. Lucy smirked.

"You only got three keys left, and limited magic. Opening so many gates like that is taking its toll on you."

"Don't get cocky, I'm here to break boundaries you know. Open, Gate of the Hunter, Orion, Open Gate of the Shining Star, Meissa." he chanted. He cringed a bit, as both gates opened, allowing Orion and Meissa enter the battle. Meissa looked at him concerned.

"Master, are you sure you want to keep two Diamond Gates open?" She asked.

"Don't worry, I'm fine." He said.

"Powerhouses huh? Well, I got one of my own." Lucy said, holding up a third key. Everyone looked at her in shock.

"A Third Gate?"

"Can she really do it?"

"I've been training with Capricorn every morning for the last three months, increasing my magic power. I can hold three gates open now. I'm not usually cocky, but I want to show everyone how far I've come. Gate of the Lion, I open thee, Loke." She chanted. A magic seal appeared from the key, and the Lion spirit appeared between Taurus and Scorpio, who were standing by, looking cool. The Lion Spirit smiled.

"Ah, you must be Alex. Aries has told me a lot about you." He said.

"She's told me a lot about you too." Alex said. He was trying to make the strain on his magic less obvious.

"Looks like holding those two gates open is taking its toll on you already. We'll be quick." Loke said, charging an attack. Alex smirked.

"Not on my watch. Open, Gate of the Ram, Aries." he cried, channeling his magic through her key and opening her gate. The Ram Spirit walked out, putting on her new glasses. Loke looked taken a back.

"Alex you idiot, you can't open three Gates." Lucy cried. Alex took a deep breath, making sure he absorbed enough Sunlight as he could.

"Don't underestimate us Lucy-san. We're just as strong as you." Aries said.

"Alright then, lets duke it out. Go everyone." Alex cried. Orion and Meissa shot forward first, meeting with Taurus and Scorpio head on. Loke and Aries stared each other down, as the other four spirits we're locked in battle.

"I like your new look." he said.

"Thank you." Aries said with a smile.

"You uh..wanna go out sometime?" Loke asked. Aries sighed and shook her head.

"I'm not a shy spirit anymore Loke. I've gained Confidence now, and no I refuse. Wool Bomb." She shouted, sending a large ball of wool at the lion spirit who dodged.

"Regulus Impact." He cried. Aries dodged the balls of light as best she could, she could sense her gate wavering, which meant Alex was rapidly running low on magic.

"Horn Blast." She cried, launching several horns at Loke, who again dodged them.

"I'm sorry Aries. Regulus Gatling Impact." He said, snapping his fingers, several balls of light rained down from the sky. Alex smirked and rose his hand up, using his magic to pull them towards him. He started sucking them into his mouth, filling himself with Energy. Aries's gate became stable again, and she ran forward.

"Wool Funnel." She cried, trapping Loke in a funnel of pink wool. She as about to deliver the fishing blow to him, when her gate closed and she disappeared. Meissa and Orion disappeared as well. Alex dropped to his knees, the strain proved to much. Lucy smiled and closed her gates.

"Nice job guys. I'll say Alex, you lasted a good while with three open gates. But the strain was to much, it was foolish of you to attempt it." She said.

"Nah. I can keep the gates open. Its just a used up all my magic summoning all five of them. I need to work on that." Alex said, taking a deep breath. He stood up and smiled.

"But I'm impressed with you Lucy. I heard about you being able to Open two gates at once, and about your battle in the Games, to see that you can hold three gates open without strain is impressive. No wonder you have so many Zodiac keys." He said. She smiled.

"Hey, you have a Zodiac key too. You best make me proud Alex, I know I made the right call giving you Aries, but I want to see how powerful you two can become in the future."

"Its a promise." he said, shaking her hand, everyone cheered for the two friends, while others cried at having lost a few bets. Aries reappeared, though this time using her own magic power. She shoved a ball in Alex's mouth, making him choke a bit.

"Idiot, I told you. You weren't ready to open Three Gates." She said. He coughed and swallowed the ball, feeling his magic stores go back to normal.

"Aries, how many times have I told you not to shove balls in my mouth?" he asked. She blushed a bit, but retained her stern look.

"Now listen here Alex. What you did was very foolish. You could have hurt yourself. Don't try it again until your magic power is increased." She said.

"Yes Mom." He said. She sighed and shook her head.

"Hey Alex, I was wondering, when you we're doing that expedition to get Polaris's key?" Lucy asked. He shrugged.

"Don't know. The whole Phoenix Claw thing messed me up. I haven't even gotten the coordinates for its location yet." He said. She nodded sadly.

"Well, just let me know. I want to learn more about these mystical keys." She said. He chuckled.

"Sure. Say Lucy, I have a question. Well, I think Aries can help me too." he said, looking at the Ram who rose a brow in curiosity. Everyone had gone back inside the guild, most to change into swimsuits for the pool.

"Alright, what is it? I may be able to help." She said.

"Well, since your girls, I was wondering. What would you like to get for Cupid's Day?" he asked.

"Cupid's Day?" Aries asked, a bit confused.

"Its a day in August, almost like Valentine's Day. Wait...wasn't it you that just said, like half an hour ago, that this day was a waste of time? Why do you need advice?" She asked.

"Um..well..I may like someone."

"May?" Aries asked.

"Well, you know that girl Chelia?"

"What about Chelia?" both girls asked. Alex looked taken a back, but figured Aries met her in the games.

"I think she's cute and wanna ask her to the dance." He said. Lucy smiled.

"That's adorable." Lucy said. Aries smiled.

"Alex, if you want to ask her out, its not that hard. But as a gift, I don't know. Anything would do. What does she like?"

"I don't know. We just met." He said. Lucy huffed.

"That won't do. You have to get to know her. Or in this case, ask her bestie. Wendy has to know something."

"You're right. Wendy and Chelia are best friends. She may know something. Thanks Luce, you're awesome." He said, running into the guild.

"How bad will he mess this up?"

"Ten." Aries said.

"Ten? What does that even mean?" Lucy asked. The ram shrugged.

"Say, know any good clothing stores?" She asked. Lucy chuckled and nodded, pulling her Celestial friend through the guild and towards the nearest store.

Alex however had stopped by Millianna's table. The girl was still torturing the poor exceeds who had at least been let go. She kept starting into his eyes, which was making him more nervous, considering he was trying not to look at her massive boobies.

"Um, Millie, do you think I can borrow Carla?" He asked.

"You have pretty eyes. Almost like a cat." She said. He sighed.

"Millianna?"

"Don't bother, she's not going to listen." Gajeel said. He was still bound to the post. Alex smirked and grabbed his Photon Sword. He turned it on and cut his bindings.

"Run." he said. Gajeel grabbed Lily and ran off. Millianna was too busy staring at his eyes to pay attention.

"Alex, what is it that you need from me? Its better if I just answer your questions. She's not letting go of us for a while."

"Aye." Happy replied.

"I just wanted to know where Wendy went. I need to speak with her?"

"About?" Carla asked, overprotective as usual.

"Uh..to see if she can clear me so I can go on missions." he said.

"Hmm, alright. She and Chelia usually hang out at the park when she visits. Their either there, or at the ice cream shop. Visit the latter first." She said.

"Thanks Charuru." he said.

"Who told you that?" She yelled. He pointed to Happy and ran off, scared out of his mind. Alex blinked a few times and walked off, leaving behind a pouting Millianna.

Alex made his way through the town, having that Ice cream shop in mind. He wouldn't mind for a cone himself. It was a hot late summer day. Even though it was closer to September now. He finally made it to the Ice Cream shop, which wasn't so far from the guildhall. Looking through the store front, he noticed both girls he was looking for, eating sundaes by the counter. He cleared his throat and walked into the store.

"Well if it isn't Alex, what's up?" the clerk, named Steven asked. Alex had handled a request for him the week before and had promised him Free Ice Cream for a full year for successfully completing it.

"Nothing much Steve, let me get a Cherry Ice cream in cone please."

"Coming right up." He said.

"Hey Alex, didn't expect to see you here." Wendy said. He smiled.

"I actually came here to find you. I need to talk to you real quick. In private." he said, glancing back at Chelia, who smiled and waved.

"Sure, come on." She said, guiding him to the bathrooms.

"Okay, what do you want to talk about?" She asked, once they we're alone. He looked back to check for himself.

"Alright, its about the Cupid's Day dance. The guild is hosting it, along with a few other things for the Magnolia Festival." he said.

"Really?" She asked.

"I wanted to ask you something." he said. Her eyes went wide, and her cheeks we're tinged slightly red.

"M-me?" she asked.

"Yeah, I was wondering you know..if Chelia was seeing someone."

"Chelia? Oh..she's..not." She said sadly. He noticed her change in attitude but tried his best not to mention it.

"Do you think she'd say yes if I ask her?"

"Well, she's in love with this other guy. Gray-san's friend and surrogate brother Lyon. She's been trying to show him her love for a while. I don't know if she'll answer truthfully, especially with this Dance." She replied.

"Damn." he said.

"I'm not discouraging you from trying. She might say yes." She said.

"Alright, and if she does, what does she like?"

"I don't know. She's a girly girl at heart, so anything sappy and cliché works." She said.

"Awesome, thanks Wendy, your an awesome friend." he said, hugging her tightly.

"Whoa, what's going on here?" Chelia asked, suddenly appearing next to them, a devilish glint in her eyes.

"Ah, Chelia..nothing's going on." Wendy cried, pushing Alex away. The Dragon Slayer chuckled.

"She just cleared me to go on Missions again, and I was showing her my gratitude, nothing more." he said. He blushed a bit, as Chelia flashed him a smile.

"That's good. Wendy told me your kick loads of ass. I want to go on a mission with you during this week." She said. Alex chuckled and nodded. He lead both girls back into the main part of the parlor. Steven handed Alex his cone and he took a bite out of it, without even Flinching.

"God, how the hell can you do that?" Steven asked.

"I'm a Dragon Slayer. My teeth are stronger than normal human teeth." he said, with a huge grin.

"I still bothers me though." Wendy said. He shrugged.

"Oh yeah, Steve my man, think you can make these lovely ladies orders on the house? You can discount three days from my free year."

"Only for you man, you know, out of all the Fairy Tail members that came here for that Request, you we're the only one that managed to complete it." He said.

"What was the request?" Chelia asked.

"Finish Fifteen Tubs of Ice cream in an hour without throwing up. The reward was a free year of Ice Cream. It wasn't a request, so much as a challenge. That's why Alex's name is Gold Plated above the Door." Steven said, pointing to the door. Alex smiled.

"All is right with the world." he said, taking another bite from his cone.

"How exactly can you eat Fifteen Tubs of Ice Cream in an hour?" Chelia asked.

"Not eat anything for a day. Trust me, as a Dragon Slayer, eating is important. I could have eaten a Taco Stand whole if I found one. I pretty much just sucked it into my mouth as if was Celestial Energy." He said.

"Dude was amazing. That's why he deserved the get his name Gold Plated." Steve said.

"Cool." Wendy said with a smile. The three continued chatting, mostly about missions they had recently gone on. After a while of speaking, Wendy got up and stretched.

"I need to use the ladies room, I'll be back soon." She said. She stopped and glanced at Alex, motioning for him to take his chance, since Chelia was facing him, she didn't really see this action.

"Um..well." Alex said, growing silent.

"Something wrong Alex?" Chelia asked.

"I..wanted to ask you something. There's a dance at Fairy Tail tomorrow for Cupid's Day, and I was wondering..if you'd like to go with me?" he said. She smiled.

"While its a sweet gesture, and I'd normally say yes, I can't." She said.

"Oh..is it because of Lyon? Wendy told me about him."

"No..I realized he's never going to like me the way I like him. But that's okay. I'm glad it took me less time to realize that then my cousin. But the reason why is because Wendy likes you."

"Wendy? Likes me?" he asked.

"Yes? Isn't it obvious? That girl is head over heels for you. Didn't you notice how she spoke, mostly about the things you've done? Especially about your Dragon Force. She admires you silly." Chelia said, spooning more ice cream into her mouth. He looked down sadly.

"It would explain why she was disappointed earlier. I guess I'll ask her when she comes back. Its the least I can do." He said.

"Oh you. Its funny, I know you like her too. I can see it in your eyes. Beyond the Gold I mean."

"I do like her too. I guess I got a crush on you. Your to damn adorable."

"Duh, I'm the Adorable Badass." She said with a smile. He chuckled.

"To true."

"So, you're a Celestial Mage too?" She asked. He nodded and pulled up his Key ring.

"I have Six Keys, two of which are from a Rare Set. I'm mounting an expedition soon, to get the third of the set. You should tag along. Oh yeah, before I forget, you need to get our mark on you from the Master. And, there's a sing off going on this week, if you feel like entering talk to Mira." He said.

"Eh, I'm not much of a singer. And I'll make sure to get the mark when I get back, what color should I get?"

"Sky Blue?" he asked. She shrugged.

"Too cliché. I already have my green Lamia Scale on my leg. Ooh, I'll get it in gold. For my new bestest guy friend." She said. He chuckled.

"Alrighty Then." he said.

Wendy finally returned from the bathroom, drying off her hands. The poor girl must have been in there to buy time for her friends. She sat down, wearing a fake smile.

"So, anything interesting happen while I was gone?" She asked.

"Not really." Chelia said.

"Nope, Actually, Wendy I wanted to ask you to the dance. It seems Chelia has other plans and might not make it." He said.

"Really?" She asked, thundershocked at his statement.

"Yes. So what do you say? Care to be my date to the Cupid's Day Dance?" he asked. She nodded, and practically jumped over the table, planting a big kiss on his lips. She pulled away, cheeks turning red.

"I'm so sorry." She said.

"No no, its fine Wendy. I can tell your really happy. I got some other things to do, so I'll see you girls later. And Chelia, don't forget the mark." Alex said, standing up from the table and getting rid of his trash.

"I wont." She said. Alex dropped several jewel in the tip jar and left the store. He swore he heard a loud squeal from the other side of the glass, and smiled slightly as he walked along.