"Thank you so much!" the short man gushed as he took the papers from her hands.
"Not a problem," Levy smiled as he handed her their reward, "Just let me know if you need any more done,"
"Oh, of course, of course," his eyes traced hungrily across the pages she'd given him, immediately consumed.
Levy left the room, shutting the door silently behind her. Jet, Droy, and Gajeel had all been waiting out in the hall of the giant mansion. She had no idea what such a place was doing in the relatively humble town, but goodness it was extravagant. Everything seemed to be carved from marble with handmade woodworking. Old portraits lined the walls as if to advertise the rich family lineage. She wasn't quite sure what the family business was, but whatever it was, it was a good one.
"You guys ready to go?" she smiled, immediately gaining Jet and Droy's approval. Gajeel didn't say a word as he stared down at his boots, his eyes distant in thought.
She'd started to realize Gajeel was a very meticulous man who didn't do anything unless there was a reason behind it. When they'd been at that stone monument, whatever strange phenomena that had once happened there, it had done something to him. He'd been frantic when she had gone to investigate the area, something that had honestly startled her. What had really worried her, though, was the strange look that had filled his eyes just before his magic had reacted. It was as if he were watching something terrible happen…
She quickly brushed the thought off as a chill started to travel down her spine. He'd been silent their entire trek back to the town, strikingly lost in thought. Slowly, though, he'd started to resume his usual gait and even reacted to a few of Jet's insults. As soon as they left for Magnolia, she was sure it would all be behind them.
Gajeel's eyes suddenly snapped up towards the bend in the hall and he straightened from his casual lean against the wall. He squared himself into a strong stance just as a man turned the corner, headed for them.
"Hullo," he smiled, long silver locks falling over his shoulders as striking blue eyes met Levy's, "You must be the answers to my father's hire,"
"Yes," Levy smiled, holding out her hand towards him, "We're from Fairy Tail. We actually just gave your father the translation. I hope it's helpful to your research,"
"I'm sure it will be," he smiled, bringing her hand up delicately to plant a kiss on her skin. The gesture made her cheeks heat furiously and her smile turned into a nervous one, "May I ask your name, pretty miss?"
"L-Levy. Levy McGarden," she smiled and then hastily gestured to the rest of her party as Jet and Droy stepped forwards defensively, "And this is Jet, Droy, and Gajeel,"
"Pleased to meet you all," the silver-haired man replied, shaking first Jet and then Droy's hands. He then turned to Gajeel who watched him coolly, "And you must be the gentleman that ran out the Dark Guild who was making their home in the caves. Pleased to make your acquaintance as well."
Levy felt a chill as the two regarded each other. Both suddenly took on a predatory aura as they looked at each other, the silver-headed man's hand extended in a friendly gesture that suddenly didn't seem as friendly as before. Gajeel's red eyes trained on his figure, not skipping over a single detail. It was like a tiger and a dragon staring each other down and Levy suddenly felt very unsure about the whole situation.
"It's called a handshake," the man's blue eyes bored into Gajeel, his smile turning slightly sour.
"I know what it is," Gajeel's voice was cold and he was stifling a growl from slipping past his throat. Everything about the pampered bastard was off, from his look to his scent, or rather the blatant lack thereof. Gajeel had met people with strange scents before, but this man literally smelled like nothing. He didn't even resemble the smell of the air in the area. It was a striking void amidst what should have been complete normalcy, which meant he was using something specific to hide it, like a spell or charm. And someone who had to hide their scent meant someone who had to hide something else, and Gajeel didn't take well to manipulative little pricks.
"So your name is Gajeel? As in Gajeel Redfox, I presume?" his voice was gentle but there was a malice hidden in between his teeth.
"Depends on who's askin',"
"Charming," he soothed down a stray lock as he studied Gajeel out of the corner of his eye, "I've never met a Dragon Slayer before. I was wondering if you'd be willing to answer a few questions for me?"
"Sorry, bub, I ain't takin' interviews today. Maybe some other time,"
The man frowned then, his eyes narrowing at his brashness.
"I'm sorry, but we really need to be getting back home," Levy suddenly interrupted, drawing his attention.
"Well of course," his smile broke out once again, and unsettling gesture to her, "Don't let me keep you. Thank you all so much again,"
As they started their departure, Levy couldn't help but notice the glare Gajeel shot at him and how he pointedly kept himself in between them and the silver-haired gentleman. The word territorial came to Levy's mind before they rounded the corner out of sight.
"What was all that about?" Droy blurted as they made their way out of the building towards the train station.
Gajeel just grunted and crossed his arms, "I don't trust 'em,"
"You don't trust anyone," Jet glared, earning himself a satisfying eye roll from the Iron Dragon Slayer.
"You three have the instincts of a dead cat," he muttered.
"Well we're headed home now," Levy smiled, skipping ahead of them all, "So nothing more to worry about, right?"
"Right, Levy!" Jet and Droy chimed.
Gajeel glanced back over his shoulder one last time, noticing a familiar silhouette in one of the glittering mansion windows. He let himself bare his fangs one last time before following after the disgustingly merry band towards the train station. He definitely wasn't looking forward to the ride home, no doubt filled with dry heaves and insults from a certain Speed Mage.