I'm getting ready to move to the isolated fortress where Raven Tail is situated. It's going to be annoying, but there is a small village 50 km away. I won't have to go to Raven Tail much, only to take jobs. I'll stay in the village with Thalia. She'll stay in Crocus to have the baby and come live with me afterward. It's going to be maddening not being with her, but mail is surprisingly reliable considering I'm so so far north. An assistant showed me the request board, and the jobs looked plentiful and well paying as well, although there will be a lot of travelling, which will be just lovely, but hey, what can you do. I've got a family to support. Only a couple of months until our family size increases. I hope I'll be a good father.
It's the next morning and I've showered and packed a couple of simple outfits that don't wrinkle too easily and some non perishable sandwiches and snacks for both of us. I'm a bit nervous. There's my old nemesis, the train and the creeping fear that I never know if my father is going to be around the corner.
Everytime I experience Merek's memory of going to my father's guild I wonder where I was. Was I there? Or had I been shunted to Fairy Tail again. I'm imagining me there though, probably hiding somewhere with my book or outdoors with my guitar.
Gray is convinced that my father wouldn't strike so soon after the first time, but the thing is he doesn't know him. He must have met or at least been in the guild hall at the same time, but he says he doesn't remember him at all. Oh well. My father was kicked out maybe within in a few months of when Gray got there. I guess they never really crossed paths. Lucky him.
Around noon, Lyon shows up. Wow. It's not even two days later, and he's suffering withdrawal symptoms.
Unfortunately for him, Gray's in the shower when I opened the door. The disappointment is visible on his face.
"Oh, hi Alexa. I happened to be in the area, and I left something here yesterday." Yeah, right, you left something here yesterday. He is so making this up. "Is Gray around? I, uh, wanted to talk to him about something."
"He's in the shower, and I know everything."
"I'm not quite following?"
Oh, this is going to be fun.
"Well let's just say it's really interesting how gorgeous Gray thinks you've suddenly gotten. But then again, what would you expect from somebody with such luscious lips?" Because seriously, luscious lips. The more I say it, the more hilarious it sounds. Did I mention gihee? Well. Gihee, because Lyon looks positively mortified.
Ooops. Gray's out of the shower and heard that last part, and is glaring at me, and he's pretty scary when he glares at you. His droopy eyes get all big and angry looking.
"Oh. Hey, Gray. Did you have enough hot water?" See? I'm actually quite a considerate apartment mate, but he's ignoring me.
"Hey. Lyon. What's up? Alexa knows about us but," he turns to glare at me again, "she's not going to tell anyone, and she not going to tease you anymore, is she." Note to self. Don't tease Lyon ever again. Seriously. This is probably the #1 way to get on Gray's bad side right now. This probably even tops calling him 'Ice Boy.'
"I'm sorry I'll be good, and I really didn't try to listen to your conversations I promise! And I have ear plugs now, and I think you make a cute couple. Oh, Gray. Tell him about Lenora." Because Lyon should know about his imaginary female alter ego.
Lyon's looking really confused, but I'm sure Gray will clear it up easily.
"Lenora's my girlfriend." Okay, that was so not what he was supposed to say. Lyon looks like he's going to cry. His face sort of crumples.
"Girlfriend? Oh. I see..."
"Oh crap, I'm not saying this right."
"No, you're being very clear. I guess we'll cancel the weekend. Of course. I hope you'll be very happy together."
And I'm thinking, how did Gray mess this up so badly? How difficult was it to explain this? I see I have to do everything around here!
"Wait, Lyon! Lenora doesn't exist. I made her up, as a fake girlfriend for Gray in case anyone gets suspicious and start to think you two are a couple. So don't cancel your big weekend please!" Phew. Well I guess I've made up for teasing him.
Lyon keeps on looking back and forth at us, and finally focusses on Gray.
"So, you don't have a girlfriend?"
"No! Crap, I messed that up. I kinda thought I had a boyfriend though. You know. That other ice make wizard who drives me nuts all the time." Woah. I'm feeling really like I'm intruding on a private conversation. It doesn't help that Gray's looking intently at Lyon and his voice keeps getting lower and huskier as he talks.
"You're sure?"
"Yeah. Know him?" They're inches away from each other now, and seem to have forgotten I'm there.
"I think so."
"Good."
"Well," I say really loudly, "I think I'll go out for a walk." I have this feeling I'll be finding other places to be when Lyon's around. He's been here maybe ten minutes and I'm already feeling awkward. I mean they're okay when they're having a regular conversation, but suddenly out of nowhere it's like they need to be suctioning each other's mouths to survive.
Gray suddenly seems to realize how close he was headed to snog city with his favorite guy right in front of me and wakes up a little.
"Lex. We have to leave in two hours. Don't go far."
"Yeah. No problem." Just get me out of here.
Luckily when I came back Lyon had already left and we got to the train pretty quickly.
A few hours later and we're in Clover. The train ride went as smoothly as a train rides going to go for me. I spent it mainly with my eyes closed, trying to keep my stomach from making an escape. Now we were headed to the store with plenty of time to spare.
"Lex, new house rules. No teasing Lyon." Gray looks like he's been waiting to say this for awhile. Yeah, I went a little bit overboard.
"Okay I'll be good. I promise. What did Lyon say about me knowing?"
"He was embarrassed at first. I mean it is embarrassing you hearing our conversation, but whatever. I think he's sort of relieved. You're one person we won't have to hide around."
"Well that's good. Just maybe, I don't know, warn me before he's coming over? I'm glad for you both, it's just a bit awkward with you both lovey dovey all over the place, so maybe I'll sleep over at Wendy's or something next time."
"'Lovey dovey all over the place'? I think we're been very careful around you. At first we didn't know you were there, but afterwards…"
"Take this morning. I think it's really amazing, but I'm just not used to, you know, people kissing in front of me."
"We weren't kissing!" it's amazing how quickly he blushes. I should talk. I'm blushing just thinking of him and Lyon kissing.
"You were so close to kissing today. I'm really happy for you both but-"
"I had no clue he was going to show up this morning. And you really don't have to worry. We'll be careful. We live together, so I need to respect your privacy too, and I'm private usually. He just sort of caught me by surprise." Lyon seems to be really good at that.
"By the way, you saved me. I really messed that up with the whole Lenora thing. I don't know why things just came out the wrong way. It sounded fine in my head. That was such a nightmare. Did you see Lyon's face?"
"Yeah, that was a train wreck. Seriously? 'She's my girlfriend?' Whatever. It's all fixed now. So, I guess you're less concerned about you two being a couple now?"
"Yeah. I guess. When it comes down to it, it's a private thing between Lyon and I. Anyone else can just go take a flying fu- I mean they can mind their own business. There's a lot worse things happening in the world than what we're doing."
"if anything, it's an improvement. You're spreading love instead of all that negativity now."
"How are we spreading love, exactly?"
"Well you're definitely not speeding negativity. Now you're looking forward to seeing him, and he's bringing out all this positivity in you, instead of 'ugh what do you want Lyon? my life sucks, please kill me now.' I'm really proud of my somewhat exaggerated 'I'm an annoyed Gray' voice.
"Oh please. Anywhere we are here. Remember. We're professionals. Even if you're still a kid."
"Oh gee, thanks!"
The Jewelry store isn't too large; around 60 square meters large. The store owner looked at us as if we were her saviors. I hope we won't disappoint her.
Apparently, there are three main cases on each side of the store, and items keep disappearing from the cases, but without any signs of any theft nor any damage to the cases. Sounds like a very sensitive thief.
Closing time isn't for another hour so we head to a nearby restaurant. There's a bookstore next door, and I quickly looked through the window, and they have the new Zaphy Consealer novel that just came out in paperback. It's about this girl who has a car accident and wakes up and it's 5 years later and now she's married and she doesn't even remember who he is. I can't wait to read it. I had brought a book with me of course, but there's nothing like having a new book to read.
Dinner was these ridiculous caramade franks Gray goes nuts over (he was so excited they had them here and then proceeded to go into detail exactly how they were inferior to the ones in Magnolia) and sweet potato fries. Personally I still don't get what's so amazing about hot dogs in a sticky sweet sauce that gets all over your fingers, but I ate it anyway. Why make a big deal?
As I suspected, apparently Erza had practically given Gray the third degree when she had seen him at the guild. Who's this Lenora? Could she meet her? Was it true she wasn't a wizard, how did they meet and what's her hair color and how tall is she etc etc. Basically checking if our stories match. How very rude of her to suspect I was making up Lenora, especially when I did such a bang up job at it too.
"So what did you say when she asked to meet her?"
"I told her she's really quite shy and isn't good with crowds so I couldn't bring her to the guild. She didn't look very satisfied with my answer."
"Well too bad! It's not her business."
Gray smirked. "Want to say that to Erza's face?"
"No, sir!" I say emphatically, purposely referring to how Gray and Natsu are often saying, 'Yes, Ma'am!' when she's around.
We're running out of time so I wolf down the fries and sprint into the bookstore and tell Gray I'll meet him at the jewelry store. Aside from the book I wanted. They also have a newish multi generation saga set in Oak Town with a lot of strong female characters, by a new author from Onibas named Beatrix Posee. It's sold out everywhere in Magnolia and I'm practically salivating finding it. It was in all the newspapers, because there's loads of social commentary and controversial topics brought up in the story, and apparently the Church of Zentopia tried to get it either censored or banned, and failed on both attempts. (For once.) Also one of the minor characters in the book is a wizard, and his guild is clearly based on Fairy Tail.
The jewelry store is small enough that we don't have to split up. There's not even a storage area. There's just a tiny bathroom in the back.
The store owner leaves us to it and we get as comfortable as you can be sitting on the carpeted floor of a jewelry store all night. We'll eventually take shifts, but it's still too early to sleep.
I'm not sure how this comes up but we're talking family.
"I don't remember much, only that it was kind of a hard life, but my parent loved me no matter what I did, and I tended to get into trouble a lot."
"Yeah? What stuff did you do?"
"Just the usual kid stuff. Getting into fights, climbing trees and falling, splashing into mud puddles."
"Sounds nice. My mom loved us the same way, at least that's what Laxus told me. I don't remember her much. I remember she made me a cake for my third birthday, and she had this amazing smile. Although she as also busy because she had married my step father Solli. He wasn't a wizard. He had a bakery shop in Magnolia. I don't remember much about him at all, only that he treated her nicely. That was one of the nice things about her making me the cake. It would have been easier for her to just get it from my step father's barkery.
"My parents had gotten divorced practically after I was born. I'm not sure how I was even born because they were usually living apart. Laxus remembers what it was like when our parents were still together, but it doesn't sound like it was ever good.
"Then shortly after they got married my mom and Solli were assassinated by members of the Death's Head Caucus Guild. I didn't know this then though. My father always said it was an accident with a train derailing." I leave this out, but I figure it was dear old Dad. He's always been a jealous guy, it wouldn't have mattered to him that he and mom were divorced, he probably still thought she was his forever, and who else would have paid somebody to assassinate them? My step father was a harmless guy. He liked my mother, going fishing and a glass of beer at dinner. I mean completely non threatening stuff here.
"You okay? That sounds horrible. I'm sorry." I guess I must look upset. I have to think of happier stuff.
"It's okay. I'm fine. And It's exciting. I'm on a job with you!" I purposely smile away my reminiscences.
"Yeah, pretty exciting job here; sitting on the floor all night doing nothing." I really have to take sarcasm lessons with Gray. He's a pro.
Suddenly I remember meeting him for the first time. He was new and sulking alone at a table. I decided I was going to make him smile. I don't know why. Yes, I know why. It's part of my ammunition. My artillery. Making people like me. Even if they're sullen looking 11 year old boys.
"I remember meeting you for the first time," I tell him.
"Yeah? What was I doing? Fighting Natsu?"
"He hadn't joined the guild yet."
"Wow. That was forever ago. Let me guess. I was half naked and frowning."
"Well…" Yeah, actually that was about the sum of it. "I decided I was going to make you smile, so I was trying to tell you jokes, but the only jokes I knew were corny ones like knock knock jokes."
"I remember I told you my name and you started to come up with sentences with the word gray in it."
"I forgot about that. Was I good?"
"They were bad. 'Why don't you smile, instead of looking so gray?' or 'Why do you look so blue, Gray?' Crap like that."
"But I remember that I got you to smile!"
"That's because I was coming up with evil scenarios in my head, like I've put you in an ice prison suspended from the big Sakura tree in South Gate Park, and its swaying slowly, and with each sway there's this danger that you'll come crashing down."
"Wow. That's so detailed. I guess I was obnoxious."
"No you weren't! I was an angry resentful jerk. And you did make me smile, um, indirectly."
"I sound like an annoying kid."
"Well you were a kid. I was a kid too, although I thought of myself as an adult because I was 11. And you were, what, seven?"
'Six. You're five years older than me."
"Oh you're right. I should know that. I remember around the same time, you were going on about how you love ice and that you weren't cold either, and we were outside and it was windy and - 5 out and you kept saying 'I-I-I'm n-n-not c-c-c-coh-oh-ld and that you were going to do maker magic like me."
"I was. That was my plan."
"Oh that reminds me. Did you bring a bowl?" I take out an empty plastic container and he fills it with large ice coins. "Dessert." Because did I mention Gray makes the tastiest ice ever? I can't explain it. It just tastes… good. I recently met a nice lady from Shirotsume Town who was also an ice make wizard, and she was so excited to share her ice with me, but it tasted like it had been stuck in a freezer for months with all sorts of unsavory smells. His ice is always fresh and delicious.
"Thanks!" I dig in. Yes. I'll take Gray's ice over ice cream with caramel sauce. And I love caramel sauce. (Just not on hot dogs.)
"So why did you change your mind?"
"Change your mind?"
"Why did you decide to become an ice dragon slayer? 'm surprised your father was even able to get a lacrima. I heard those are very rare and expensive." He clearly doesn't know my father. A little thing like money wouldn't get in his way, plus, he's wealthy, at least , he's always acted like he was.
"It wasn't my decision. My father thinks being a dragon slayer is the gold standard for wizards. So on my 12th birthday I had an ice dragon lacrima implanted in me. My father's idea, his choice." Should I tell him about Merek? Maybe another time.
Suddenly, Gray's putting his finger to his lips. There's noise coming towards the bathroom. We split up and I go to the back to investigate. It could be a two thieves. One distracting while the other performs the theft.
Okay, I was so sure there was something going on by the bathroom, but there's nothing here. As I'm turning around I see out of the corner of my eye somebody almost materializing from my shadow, and he's armed. Oh man! "Ice dragon roar!" The attack should do something but it just goes right through him. I'm causing more damage than these thieves have. I hope Gray is having better luck than I am. I have to get this guy when he's in human form, but he seems to know when I"m going to attack or maybe I'm just too new at this. It's like dancing. Skip a beat maybe. I can't go faster. I'll go slower and aim for jerky and unpredictable. And it works! I've got the guy. Only I don't. Next thing I know he's gone as quickly as he came, but I had something there. Something was almost working there. Darn!
Gray's had more luck, and he's got him restrained and he's questioning the guy, but it's obviously I had battled the thief, while this guy was his idiotic sidekick, and yes, he really was the stereotype stupid sidekick, only this isn't a story and Gray and I don't really need the comic relief. Finally a rune knight arrived and took him under custody.
And we're sitting on the floor doing a post mortem.
'Okay. So that sucked."
"Yeah I was so sure I was going to get this guy whatever this guy is. The trouble is, most of the time he was a shadow. Except he cackled."
"So tell me what happened."
"I'm not sure. Why was the sidekick by the jewelry and the main guy in the bathroom?"
"Good question. Divide and conquer?"
'Yeah but if I was planning it I'd have the main guy by the jewelry and the sidekick by the bathroom."
"Yeah, good point. I think they weren't expecting two people. Previously, the store had one security guard on watch."
"Too bad we blew the surprise. Now they know who we are."
"That's okay. We know more about them too."
"Another question is how did they both get in? The shadow guy turned himself into shadow, but how did his assistant get in? Did the thief bring him into his shadow? And how did they split up without us knowing?"
'I have no clue. I went up against a guy before who used shadow magic, but he didn't do anything like that. Tell me more about your opponent."
"Well he can turn into a shadow, and I'm guessing that's how he and sidekick gets into the building and can take the jewelry although I'm not sure how he's able to move the pieces out of the case."
"By the way, we're already one step up, because they didn't take any jewelry tonight."
"You're right!"
"I get paid-"
"To be right?"
"That's it. Okay, so no. I get paid to play with fun ice weapons."
"So I was so sure I had this guy, Gray. He was too fast for me at first. He seemed to sense when I was attacking. He was just too fast for me. So instead of trying to outrace him, I tried for jerkiness. And I really got close! I think that's a key thing here. We have to be unpredictable."
We decide to sleep in shifts, just in case the guy tries again tonight. If we both sleep he'll show up, but if we take shifts he won't.