The man fell to the ground with a thump. Lucy leaned against the stone wall wearing a brown cloak and holding a gleaming silver dagger now stained with blood.
"you haven't changed at all" Rogue appeared before Lucy
'I have a demon. I never know when he'll show his face .Sometimes I wonder if he really exists….or if my fevered mind invented him.'
"I know this isn't fun for you but keep doing it anyways" he told her
'I'm tougher then used to be. But maybe the demon didn't notice that'
"I'm stronger now" Lucy told the demon
They were both silent for a moment before Rogue spoke again "I guess you changed a little" Rogue crossed his arms.
"then you see it. I-"
Rogue interrupted Lucy "you got cheeky" the blonde deadpanned "maybe you grew some self-esteem. You're still weak, but you're bold"
Lucy looked stunned at his words "maybe you're right Rogue." Lucy took down the hood of her cloak "because you'd know" Lucy smiled "thank you Rogue"
'Then even someone like me has the potential to change.'
"why are you thanking me Human are weird"
Lucy walked down the street of Magnolia. She wore a dress. The dress had a indigo straight neckline, with a corset that had black lacy strings. The corset extended to a dark blue short swingy skirt. The dress was white in the back and on either side of the corset. The back fell around her knees cupping her legs. She also wore arm warmers. The top of them were black with white lace and the full length of the arm warmer was the same shade of the light indigo as the dress.
'I've been too busy to shop lately, I should stock up on some things'
Lucy noticed a man walking with blonde hair, wearing a light blue jacket with dark gray detailing. The coat went down to his knees, and had two golden blades by his side attached to a dark collared belt. He also wore dark grey slacks and blue handkerchief around his neck. As Lucy got closer she recognized him more.
'is that Prince Laxus?!'
"pri-" Lucy covered her mouth before she could get more out. She quickly glanced around, before sighing in relief that no one noticed her slip up.
"What are you doing here" Laxus asked Lucy disbelief.
"I have the right to go out!" Lucy exclaimed offended "why are you walking around dressed like that?!"
"keep your voice down" Laxus ordered "this is a disguise. I'm not a fool" he told her.
'disguise'
Lucy deadpanned "you've barely changed your outfit" She informed him "commoners don't dress like that. At least wear glasses!"
Laxus put his hand on his hip "a peasant with glasses. NO thank you" he scoffed "a certain idiot has already claimed that disguise"
"idiot?"
"I don't need his dull outfit" the blonde man told her
Lucy put up her hand in front of her "you're brothers you can learn from one another. You don't have to copy him exactly"
"you didn't defend your master when I called his outfit dull" Laxus pointed out to her
A tick mark appeared on Lucy's head "o-only compared to what your wearing" she stuttered
"right" Laxus turned his body around but faced his face to Lucy and smirked "I'm bold and unique"
"to bold and unique" Laxus began to walk and Lucy followed behind him "you want the opposite for a disguise sir"
Laxus stopped dead in his tracks "you" he growled
"yes?" Lucy asked
"Why are you following me?"
"It's dangerous for you to walk around alone" Lucy told him point blank
"It's is not" Laxus yelled "I always go out alone! Leave me be!"
"sir you don't have a body guard with you. And I would be able to sense them if they were hiding nearby" Lucy took a quick glance around "consider your position. No matter how skilled you are with a sword, this is unacceptable"
"I don't care about you opinion" Laxus looked down "if anyone poses a threat to me its you. You work for the enemy" He muttered
"that's true" Lucy tapped her chin "now that I think about it" Lucy smiled brightly "id only need a quick stab when you guard is down. Tempting."
"you Braze…then your only following me to attack! And here I thought you just wanted to ruin my plans" Laxus exclaimed
Lucy covered her mouth "ruin your plans? Sir..Are you going somewhere I cant accompany you. Sounds scandalous"
Laxus went pale and moved closer to Lucy "no I wasn't going anywhere indecent" Laxus yelled
"calm down sir"
"I will not calm down. You're making me angry" Laxus continued to yell
"calm down now. You're making a scene" everybody around them had there eyes on them.
"I love this store don't you" The pair walked into a store.
Laxus facepalmed "now your dragging me on your errands.
The store has cases upon cases of different styles of knifes, whips, swords.
Laxus glanced at Lucy "although I would expect you to visit a jewellery shop or something"
"jewellery?" Lucy almost laughed "in my line of work" Lucy picked up one of the short daggers on display that had a silver handle with gold detailing. "I only shop for what I need…so my accessories are deadly"
"that's not very-"
"feminine?" Lucy cut him off giggling
"exactly" He agreed "if that idiot is giving you proper time off, you could stand to have more fun. Women should…" Laxus trailed off
"I'm satisfied here." Lucy paid for the dagger attaching it a thigh sheath "You're making this trip more 'fun' sir" Laxus was silent as they exited the store
Lucy noticed two men staring at them.
'is that…?'
She got a better look. One guy with Long green hair wearing a crisp white shirt and a green vest wearing glasses. Another with dark blue hair wearing a hat with a black shirt and light blue vest.
Lucy deadpanned walking away from Laxus "Freed! Romeo!" She exclaimed "why aren't you two working?"
"we are working" Freed was curt with her "what are you doing?" Freed asked "I came to town after my shift only to see you with Prince Laxus"
"i-I can explain"
"I'm sure you can but once we saw him. We has to guard him"
Romeo giggled "I'm in the middle of a shift, but I dropped everything on my underlings so I could stick with Freed"
"go back to your real job" Lucy told him
Freed sipped his tea "id love to switch places with you but Prince Laxus hates being escorted by his guards" he told her "he cant know I'm here… so this as far as I can follow him. I'm afraid I leave him in your hands today." Freed informed her glaring at her "I'm not angry that your taking my place" Lucy swaetdropped "I'm not asking you because I trust you but…my Prince has already let you escort him and I must trust his decisions" Romeo and Freed got up to leave "please attend to him properly"
"Excuse me" Laxus snuck up behind Lucy as she watched the two men leave
"Y-yes" Lucy jumped at the mans voice
"I wanted to ask you do you like flowers?" Laxus asked her seriously
Lucy looked around "well I don't hate flowers"
"I'm going to buy some" Laxus told her
Lucy smiled clueless "For whom? A Lady in the court"
Laxus pinched the bridge of his nose exasperated "For you obviously"
"oh that's-"Lucy began before realizing what they were both saying "WHAT?!"
Laxus sweat dropped "I said ill buy some for you. Your lack of feminine charm is shocking, some flowers will drag you towards civility"
"is this a insult present" Lucy asked
"maybe" he said as they arrived at the flower shop "now choose"
Lucy looked at the flowers before standing up again "sir please. Someone of my status couldn't accept a gift from you" She protested
"then it's a order choose" He demanded
Lucy was shocked but gave up and leaned down to look "fine then" Lucy spotted a beautiful rose
"how unexpected" Laxus told her "you like roses"
"that's not it. It's a gift from a gentlemen..isn't the rose the classic symbol" Lucy smiled
"I don't know what you're implying" He gave her a sharp look.
"feel my pain sir" was all she said
"here" He handed over the now wrapped up rose
Lucy took and smiled cutely with rose in her hands smelling it. A scream interrupted the moment and people came rushing, A man bumped into her.
"over there in the alley" Lucy told the Prince
"right" he nodded and they rushed over to where they saw two men holding a child at knife point and a woman kneeling.
"Please don't hurt my child" The women yelled while crying
"then hand over your money you hag" One of the thugs told her
The other thug laughed "your evil"
"if you don't have the money I could sell your kid" The first guy said
"No" she yelled
"or you could release him" another deep voice said
The first guy turned his head "who're you back off if you know what's good for you"
The second thug slide his hand on the guys shoulder and whispered "look at the guy, he's kind of clean cut right? Maybe he's got money. More then the lady at least"
"you rich pretty boy" the first guy yelled as Lucy rounded the corner
'prince Sting'
Sting stood in a leather trench coat open sporting a black shirt and a simple necklace, wearing glasses.
"I never expected to see him here" Laxus told Lucy as she looked around the corner. "wait" He grabbed her wrist when it looked like she was going to go "don't draw attention"
"but…" Lucy trailed off
'his guards have to be nearby. I know they would join me and invite chaos but..'
"now you can pay up, unless you want me to hurt the kid" The thug threatened "I'm not joking here"
"hell be fine" Laxus reassured Lucy
"put the knife down" Sting demanded
The two thugs looked dumbfounded "huh?"
"its dangerous, youll hurt someone" He informed them
"that the point" the guy swung the knife in a threatening motion "now give us the money or else"
"it pains me to say this about sting" Laxus said
Stings movements were so fast they were almost invisible he drew his sword one moment and the next held the sword to the guys neck.
"but like me he knows what bloodshed a Prince must face" Laxus told her
"are you still anxious to fight" Sting asked calmly "or would you prefer to stay alive?"
The guy dropped to his knees and they ran.
"sir thank you so much for saving us" the women bowed and smiled largely at the guy
"please don't ever do that again Prince Sting" one maid cried
"if you order us to stay back you could get hurt" the other maid yelled
"I didn't want it to become a blood bath" He told them "you two would've killed those hoodlum yes? How unpleasant"
"your highness you were worried about criminals" one of the girls asked
"yes"
"but they pointed a weapon at you" the other girl protested
"and they wouldn't have if they'd known was a Prince so it wasn't treason. I'm on my break now. I'm a civilian" he turned around and winked at Lucy "well then sorry to disturb you two" And he walked away
"he saw us" Lucy said
"at least he survived that" Laxus huffed before turning to Lucy "what happened to your rose" He noticed it was missing
"huh she noticed it on the ground
'when someone ran into me'
"I'm sorry I didn't protect your gift" she apologized to him sincerely
"why are you apologizing it was hectic here
"but…" Lucy started
"it certainly isn't worth depression. You confound me. If you like it so much ill buy you another"
"no" Lucy yelled "it was strange yet symbolic and now its…" Lucy realized what she was saying and stopped "oh. I-I'm sorry I'm being stupid now"
"good" was all the Prince said
"what?"
"you should take care of yourself more, a life without passion is a damn waste" Laxus explained "besides emotion on you is rather cute"
"Prince Laxus" Lucy looked at him "this isn't some way of trying to court me is it?"
"what?" he yelled "how on earth could you take my constructive criticism like that"
Lucy laughed "ok ok so you weren't trying to be romantic
'and you defending yourself really hard'
"make sure you don't misunderstand I don't have that intention at all"
"yes understood sir"
Rogue was sitting on top of a building watching the scene before him "yes I suppose so. Something has definitely changed" He watched Lucy smile a bright smile "that sort of face it's the first ive seen it"