~Radiant Garden: Marketplace~
A familiar feeling overtakes Erza and Laxus as they examine their new surroundings. It feels like Magnolia, but not quite. However, they aren't here to sight see. "Where is Merlin?" Erza began asking around the locals as Laxus kept her from headbutting anyone who didn't know anything. "Why is it whenever you interrogate the townsfolk, your people skills devolve into caveman speak?" Laxus tried to make sense of the fact that he is somehow the more socially acceptable one. "Master told us to ask around while he looked elsewhere. We don't have to time for pleasantries." That was the best defense she could come up with. Laxus gave up on trying to find the method to her madness. "You know it's bringing some extra attention to us? Some little girl who fancies herself a ninja has been following us. I think that flower girl in the pink dress you headbutted earlier was her friend."
"Not just HER friend." They both turn their attention to the man who spoke up from around the corner. He had a scar on his face and lion shaped pendant around his neck. "I take you two aren't from around here? Just so you know; Aerith DID know where Merlin was and she probably would have told you if you gave more than 3 seconds to answer before knocking her out. Yuffie! Go back and tell Merlin he's got people looking for him...and carry Aerith back with you. You two...come with me. I have some questions for YOU." Erza blushed in embarrassment and Laxus facepalmed as he mutters to himself. "Where's Gramps?"
~Radiant Garden: Merlin's House~
Yuffie struggles to carry an loopy Aerith with her tiny body as she kicks open the door. "Cid! Get me an ice pa-..." She stops not only because Cid wasn't here but because there were other guests. A small old man and Tifa. "Oh. Yuffie. This is Makarov. I found him out by the Castle Postern. He's here to see Merlin." Yuffie takes note of the odd smile he was giving Tifa, but quickly made the connection. "You sure he's not here for YOU, Tifa?" Now both women give Makarov a judgemental glare as he blushes and smiles sheepishly. "Hehe. Uh...hey! That young lady there is injured. Let me take a look." Makarov tries to change the subject to avert their judgment. Yuffie brings Aerith over for treatment from the pervy old man...with reservations. "Merlin will be back soon. But if you try anything funny with anyone...Tifa's gonna clock you into next week. Got it!" Hanging his head in shame; he agreed to their terms.
~Fiore: Forest of Nel~
Sora and his group arrive at Lucy's last known location. According to Happy, she was fighting a black beast with heart symbol on it's right shoulder when some guy in a black hood snuck up and knocked her out. Gajeel investigates the scuffs and marks on the ground and trees. "Well, there was definitely a struggle going on here. From the looks of it...her attacker fought the monster too after he knocked her out." Wendy looks to Juvia for answers. Juvia doesn't seem too concerned. "It was likely Ansem. He's been trying to control that Heartless for a while now."
The investigation is interrupted by a winged figure approaching from the sky. Using his altitude to catch them ahead of time; Happy recognizes it to be Mirajane. She lands in their midst as Sora takes a moment to adjust himself to the sight of her Satan Soul form. Wendy is the first to greet her. "Mira? What are you doing here? Are you here to help us look for Lucy?" Mira looks shocked to hear this news. "Lucy? What happened to Lucy?!" Gajeel tried to calm her down before she got in too much of a panic. "That's what we're trying to find out. Juvia seems to be onto something right before you showed up." Mira looks over to verify Juvia's condition. "So, I take it this means you're back to normal?" Juvia puts her hand on Sora's shoulder. "Eh...Juvia will never be the same Juvia again. But...thanks to Sora; Juvia remembered that she can't hurt her own friends." Sora rubbed the back of his head sheepishly as Mira remembered why she was here.
"That's good. Sora? I was wondering if we could talk for a bit...in private." Happy gasped, but before he could say anything; Gajeel grabbed his lips and sealed them closed with a tiny iron vice. Juvia suddenly got very defensive. "Why?...is something wrong? Is he in trouble?" Mira quickly tried to relieve Juvia's anxiety. "No. Nothing's wrong. I just need to talk to him about...a secret mission." Mira was not used to lying to her friends like that, but it was the Master's orders. Sora decided to accept the request and let everyone else focus on the investigation. "Alright. We can talk." The faintest hint of jealousy could be seen on Juvia's face and Wendy couldn't help but think that maybe Juvia is more back to her old self than she cares to admit. Mira begins to lead Sora off somewhere more secluded but he stops to offer his own request. "...But can you...do something about your outfit. It's a little..." Mira finishes his statement. As she changes back to her normal form. "...Distracting? You're the SECOND person to say that today."
*Before you ask; yes. The chapter title is a FT Abridged reference.*