Hiro Mashima owns Fairy Tail
Star Light, Star Bright
A/N: If anyone has any idea how old Asuka is I would appreciate you telling me. I'm guessing she's about four or five during the GMG based off of the little Alzack told Erza when she came back from Tenroujima. So that would make her about six? for this story. Does that sound about right?
Also for the sake of having no idea where Sabertooth is supposed to be headquartered, I'm going with Crocus.
I don't normally mention reviewers but LadyCordelia17 gave such an awesome, well thought-out, and comprehensive review on Chapter 11 that I wanted to give her a shout-out.
Lemon Warning!
A Great Tale to Tell
"Are you sure you want to do this now, Princess?" Loke questioned Lucy gently.
"It would take us over an hour to walk back to the inn." She sighed as her two friends watched her in concern. Her power had been rather drained performing the Heavenly Balance spell. They were worried even a simple summons and use of her power would be too much. "You said it yourselves: Pegasus can get us there in no time. I would rather drain my magic a little more than have to worry about Laxus and Gajeel tearing up the city for the next hour looking for me if they get worried."
"We've been gone for hours," Draco cocked his head thoughtfully. "What do you think they've been up to?"
Across Town –
"Hey you Lightening bastard! Give me back the remote to the lacrima screen!"
"Oi! Metal-head! Stop hogging the Sports section!"
The Palace –
Lucy gulped, visions of disaster playing in her mind. "Nothing good I'm sure. Dragon Slayers really aren't meant for inactivity. Sure they'll hang out and enjoy a movie or a beer with friends but hours of sitting and waiting for someone they care about…?"
The Spirits chuckled as she rushed to summon Pegasus her eyes wide at the thought she didn't want to finish.
"Think the inn is still standing?" Loke whispered to his dragon counterpart.
Draco chuckled as Lucy grabbed his arm and nearly threw him onto the back of Pegasus.
"Only if she's really, really lucky." He called out as Loke disappeared back to the Celestial Realm.
Moments later Lucy was nearly magically exhausted but mentally relieved as Pegasus landed beside the still-standing structure of the inn. That's right. This is Gajeel and Laxus not Natsu and Gray. At least the older two males usually manage to keep wanton destruction to a minimum unless ordered otherwise.
"Oh thank the stars." Lucy sighed as they slid from Pegasus's back. With a smile she thanked her Spirit and dismissed him back home. "The inn survived."
Laughing together Lucy and Draco made their way up to the room. Before she could get the key in the lock, the door swung open to the thunderous face of Laxus.
"Bye now!" Draco laughed as he poofed out.
Traitor! She shouted after him mentally as Laxus towed her inside their room by her hand. The sound of her Spirits – yes all of them – laughing at her predicament filled her mind.
"I think we need to discuss what 'a quick meeting' actually means." Laxus was all but growling.
The two dragon slayers weren't worried when she left. Or for the hour after that. Or the hour after that. It was only when their pretty little mate had been gone three hours and then four that they started to worry. Which led to pacing, shouting, and fighting over the lacrima remote. None of which was conducive to the hot-headed men getting along in a confined space.
Gajeel snorted in agreement from his position seated on the couch with his arms crossed as Laxus dumped their mate into the middle spot before dropping down beside her. They each grabbed hold of one of her hands and turned to face her in unison. Their expressions clearly demanding an explanation for her long absence.
"In my defense," she sighed knowing there was no getting out of this. "We never specified how long the meeting was going to be."
The men scoffed. They knew as well as she did that they were led to believe it would just be a quick in-and-out sort of thing. None of this disappearing for almost half the day bullshit.
"Lucy," Gajeel pulled her onto his lap as Laxus stood and started to pace, the bigger man trying to control his pent-up aggression that went hand-in-hand with concern for her well-fare. "Whether we've completed the mating rituals or not, you know that we think of you as our mate. That means that your safety and protection is number one on our list. Especially as the mating isn't complete yet."
She snuggled into his chest, nuzzling him lightly in an attempt at being apologetic.
"I know." She said softly, chewing on her lower lip as Laxus continued to pace, lightening sparking around him. "I didn't mean to, honest."
"We know that." Laxus exhaled gruffly, facing her with his head lowered and his hands on his hips. "That just made it worse. We know that you wouldn't worry us like this intentionally. Which meant…"
"…that you assumed the worst." She groaned, flopping back against Gajeel as he wrapped his arms around her and nipped lightly at her bared neck. "I should've sent one of my Spirits to update you."
"Yes." Laxus moved to kneel on the floor, resting his head on her lap as he circled her hips with his massive arms. "You should have."
"I'm really sorry." She whispered, eyes lowered as she ran her hands through his spikey hair, Gajeel still pressing kisses to her neck.
Before long, being surrounded by the warm bodies of her mates and Gajeel's kisses started to affect her, causing her to shift slightly as a blush heated her cheeks. Laxus and Gajeel shared a predatory grin as the scent of their mate's arousal drifted to them, Laxus turning his head to look up into her lightly glowing face. Biting her lip, Lucy held in a groan as in unison Gajeel bit her on the curve of her neck while Laxus nipped softly on her covered thigh.
"Are you sorry, really?" Gajeel whispered roughly in her ear as she ground down lightly on his hard member.
"You were a naughty mate." Laxus smirked lustfully as her eyes popped open. "What do you think Gajeel, should she make it up to us?"
"Up to her." The Iron Slayer shrugged his broad shoulders as he squeezed her waist, thrusting up against her lush ass. "Bunny Girl might wanna run from the big bad dragons though…" He shifted her so she was seated on the couch and he joined Laxus between her now-spread thighs.
Laxus nipped her again, just inside her knee. "Unless she wants to get eaten."
All Lucy could do was collapse back against the couch, their words sending searing images through her mind and filling her with arousal. Knowing their effect on their little mate, Laxus leaned forward and stole her lips in a searing kiss as he reached up and ripped her skirt off her hips. Now clad in only a pair of tiny lace panties, Lucy whimpered as Gajeel pressed his lips to the dainty lace panel before using his sharp canines to bite the concealing underwear from her body, tossing the scrap of lace and silk over one shoulder.
Rejoining his fellow slayer, Laxus groaned at the newly-revealed view, stroking one large finger down her bared mons as she tunneled her fingers into their hair. She sat there, stunned, spread open, and ridiculously aroused as her mates ran their large, rough hands up and down her quivering thighs, gentling her and accustoming her to their touch before they went any further. Spotting her once again biting at her lip, Gajeel leaned up and captured it between his teeth.
Giving it a soft nip, he ran his tongue over the plush, soft skin. When she sighed into his mouth he gave her a grin and kissed her deeply, claiming her with his touch. Running his thumb along her cheekbone he pecked her once before forcing her to meet his gaze.
"If this is too much, we'll stop." He offered softly. "We know you're innocent still, we just want to taste you and give you a little pleasure. Show you what good mates we can be, if you let us."
Blushing madly at his words, she gave him a hesitant nod.
She was rewarded immediately by a pair of dazzling grins from her big bad dragon slayers.
Dropping back the slayers took in the sight of her, all flushed and dazed by their words, all lush and pink and soaking wet for them and they've barely touched her. What would she look like after they've made her come, over and over again? How beautiful would she be to them then? They weren't sure but they were dying to find out.
Sharing one last look, Gajeel and Laxus took a deep breath, drinking in the scent of her innocent arousal before each grabbed onto her behind her knees and scooted her forward on the couch seat. Turning they each kissed their way up her wide-spread thighs, the flexible beauty nearly doing the splits to accommodate their joint bulk between her legs. Their styles were as distinctive as their looks, Gajeel for all his piercings and gruff demeanor being soft, almost heartbreakingly gentle with her. His lips nearly fluttering over her soft, silky skin before dragging his tongue over her dripping slit.
On the other hand, Laxus was rougher, nipping and biting his way up her thigh before soothing the hint bit of hurt with his dexterous tongue. Like the dominant male she's always thought him, Laxus left his mark on her skin from her knee to the crease of her thigh, a sweet hurt she would feel after she was sated and replete. Seeing Gajeel had beat him to the prize – this time – Laxus gave her a wolfish grin before stripping off her top and taking her large, glorious breasts in his hands.
Working in unison as the team they are quickly becoming, Gajeel tasting and driving her crazy between her legs and Laxus nipping and tweaking her breasts, they quickly brought her to a swift peak. As the sweet sounds of her keening cry hit their ears they switched, Laxus giving her a deep tongue-twining kiss before kissing – and marking – his way down her sweet breast and smooth belly as Gajeel moved up. The later plunging his tongue – still tasting of her own juices – deep inside her keening mouth, enjoying the sight of her pleasure dazed eyes.
Laxus hummed softly under his breath in pleasure as he began softly tonguing her velvety, drenched flesh. He could hardly wait for the day that he could drive his throbbing arousal deep inside her, making her his once and for all. With that in mind he wrapped his lips around her hidden jewel, sucking her deep and making her cry out their names.
For her part Lucy could hardly believe what was happening to her. A day ago she was skipping down a road with Draco and Loke for company and now she has a pair of the hottest men she's ever met intent on driving her mad with pleasure. Thank the stars for dragon slayer mating instincts, was all she could think as their combined efforts sent her tumbling over the edge into pleasure once again after several long moments of delicious torture at their hands and mouths.
The man at her feet kissed his way back up her as Gajeel gentled her still quaking body with soft, soothing strokes of his hands and gentle little kisses. Laxus joined him in calming down their mate after given her a long, deep kiss, sharing her taste with her as he licked his lips.
Head lolling on her shoulders, she gave a soft sigh before giving them a little pout as she felt their rock-hard arousals digging into her sides as they surrounded her with the sight, smell, and feel of aroused male.
"What about the two of you?" She blushed at her own question. "I don't want to leave you like this."
Gajeel choked back a groan at her words, he'd been trying his damned to ignore his currently pissed-off hard-on and her saying shit like that wasn't helping matters.
"We don't want you to leave us like this either, beautiful." Laxus chuckled ruefully. "Unfortunately we don't have much choice." He finished with a grimace as he readjusted his painful erection.
"We still have to go pick up your books," Gajeel reminded her, his voice a passion-laced growl. "And check-out, and go back to Magnolia." Lily was already probably worried sick along with Laxus's Thunder Legion. Neither of them was supposed to be gone this long.
"And I need to contract with my new Spirits when we get back." She said with a sigh, thinking wistfully of the clearing in the forest just outside of their guildhall that would work well, even if some of her Spirits end up being as big as Draco's dragon form or Ophiuchus's giant snakey-self.
"New Spirits?" Laxus asked as he lifted himself and then her to her feet.
"Hmm." She nodded happily, explaining about the Lost keys as they – she – hurried and packed, the slayers already ready to go. She finished with: "Six of them wanted to form contracts with me!"
"Of course they did, Bunny." Gajeel said, ruffling her hair as they left the room her small pack in his hand. "You're the best Celestial Mage there is. Everybody knows that."
Laxus just nodded his head in agreement, a proud smile for his little mate on his face.
After checking out and grabbing a quick meal from a cart vendor, the trio set out at a leisurely pace as they enjoyed their kabobs and in Lucy's case another strawberry shake to help replenish her energy, the men having caught on to her somewhat weakened state.
"Where to, beautiful?" Laxus asked as he tossed the garbage in a nearby waste bin before tucking her hand back in his.
They had her firmly tucked between the two of them as was quickly becoming their habit. This time Laxus was on the outside towards the road while Gajeel had his arm wrapped around her waist, protecting her from people passing them along the inside. It was an arrangement that kept her protected by still allowed each of them a free hand in case of trouble.
Nearly skipping in happiness – amazing what a couple good orgasms can do for your energy levels – Lucy gave them directions, leading them to a little-known but very high-end magic shop close to Sabertooth's guildhall.
Lucy felt a chill trail down her spine at being so close to Minerva. Granted, Erza kicked the crap out of her during the final day of the GMG and with Lucy's new Spirits and increased powers it was doubtful the wicked woman would find torturing her so effortless now. But that doesn't help with the visceral, instinctual reaction she still has to the mage.
Her mates traded a glance over the top of her head, well aware of what caused the sudden pall in their companion's mood. Drawing even closer to her, they gave her a joint hug, each pressing a sweet kiss to her hair.
"We'll protect you, love." Gajeel whispered against her hair.
"Against anyone or anything, beautiful." Laxus nuzzled her ear before steering her into the shop she indicated.
The happy tinkling of the bell cleared away the last remnants of her bad memories as the light-filled shop and the happy memories it contains for her lifted her spirits.
"Miss Lucy!" The owner, a stout little man named Kai of indeterminate age, greeted her joyfully. "I'm so glad you came!"
"Well," she teased him lightly, leaning on the anti-theft bespelled countertop. "When my mother's old friend sends me a letter telling me he found that book, of course I would come."
Laxus and Gajeel chuckled at the banter, their curiosity about what book the two were discussing derailed by Laxus catching sight of a display in one corner filled with what look like keys. Nudging Gajeel with his elbow, the older mage gestured to it, the two slayers heading off to investigate the wares as Lucy and Kai continued their conversation.
Lucy smiled and laughed, clapping her hands in delight as Kai lifted down a bespelled, silk-wrapped bundle from his in-floor safe. As a purveyor of rare and fine magical items and artifacts, he was extremely careful in his anti-theft measures. While Crocus was considered the safest city in Fiore due to the large military presence, crime still managed to keep a foothold in the capitol city.
Being a wise man, Kai took steps to protect himself, his customers, and his merchandise.
Unwrapping it with heavy solemnity, Kai revealed the gem-studded leather cover of the ancient illuminated manuscript. Picked out in light blue and white script was the title: Key ad Caelum. Key to the Heavens. The only one of its kind, it contains two rare spells of Celestial magic as well as names, titles, and descriptions of the eighty-eight keys and their Spirits.
Intrigued by the scents coming off of the book, her mates peeked over her shoulders, trying to get a good look at the volume on the counter.
"How much?" Lucy lifted her eyes at last from the text she couldn't keep her hands from stroking.
Kai smiled brightly. "For Miss Layla's daughter? A gift."
Lucy leaped across the countertop and enfolded the smaller man in her arms, nearly smothering him in her excitement. Her mates looked on indulgently as the man patted her awkwardly on her shoulder before helping her back onto her feet on their side of the counter. Smoothing her mussed hair, Lucy smiled brightly up at her mates, joy beaming from her eyes.
Chuckling lightly, Laxus pointed over towards the case he found.
"There's some keys over there. Want to see if there's any you don't have?"
She thought long and hard about that as Kai wrapped up her new text before sighing and shaking her head.
"I already have so many and we're trying to increase the spread of Celestial magic…I don't think it would be fair." She pouted a moment before perking up. "Kai do you still have the Rolls?"
"Rolls?" Gajeel arched a brow at his little mate.
"The Rolls of the Stellar Mages," Lucy explained. "It's powered by the King himself to keep track of all of the Celestial magic users in Earthland so we will know if Celestial magic starts to decline ever again. Normally mages are added when they summon their first Spirit but…"
"But?" Laxus prompted her.
"I'm getting an apprentice!" She cheered, excited about teaching one of the guild's younglings.
"Who?" Gajeel asked cautiously. They'd barely gotten Lucy to accept having them in her life and that still hasn't been one hundred percent figured out. He's understandably wary of adding another person into her life on a regular basis with her already super-invasive teammates.
"Asuka! She's so adorable!" Lucy bounced in place. "I can't wait to start teaching her!"
"Oi, calm down beautiful." Laxus rested his hand on the small of her back with a wince as her voice reached a near-shriek.
"Of course we can add her to the Rolls, Lucy-sama." Kai smiled at the young woman's joy. Opening the record book as the two slayers returned to the case with the keys, he found Lucy's page and used his magic to add Asuka Connell as beneath Lucy's name as an apprentice. "What keys should I note as hers?"
"The Fox and the Wild-Cat." Lucy told him, thinking about what Draco had revealed to her earlier.
"Hey Bunny," Gajeel handed her a key with a symbol that he'd recognized from the guild's copy of the Encyclopedia of the Stars when he was researching Lucy's Spirits. "What Key is this?"
Taking the silver key from him, she studied the horseshoe engraved in the top of the key with a smile. Leave it to the ultra-observant dragon slayers to find the perfect Spirit for Asuka.
"Equuleus," she answered as Laxus returned with a magic belt in one hand. "The Pony."
"Gihi." Gajeel chuckled, pleased with himself. "I'll take it, a gift for my mate's new apprentice."
"And I'll take this." Laxus set the belt down on the counter to Lucy's confusion.
Seeing her puzzlement, Kai explained what Laxus had found.
"It's an anti-theft belt, Lucy-sama." He pointed at the attached key pouch and weapons hook. "No one but your apprentice will be able to remove anything from the belt. This one is a child's belt, spelled to grow with the owner and to change color using a simple spell."
"You two," Lucy started slowly looking back and forth between the two blushing males. "Are so sweet!"
"Ow," both slayers complained as her yell hurt their ears.
"Fuck, Bunny that hurt."
"Getting presents for Asuka," she cooed, jumping up into first Laxus's and then Gajeel's arms and planting a kiss on their lips. "So sweet."
"She's a cute kid." Gajeel grunted, done with this conversation. He's a badass for fuck's sake, she doesn't have to keep going on about it.
"Tch." Laxus frowned, staring off into the distance. He likes kids, but most of them are put off by his scar and size. Asuka's been a sweetie to him from the day she met him. Besides, it's not like either him or Gajeel are hurting for money. They can afford to do something nice for the kid if it makes Lucy happy.
Gajeel and Laxus paid Kai and collected up the package before heading out once Lucy bid goodbye to her mother's friend.
Leading the way to the train station, Laxus parted the crowds with his size and presence while Lucy gave an internal grimace. She's not looking forward to spending the next hour with a pair of motion sick dragon slayers on her lap. Nope, not at all.
*x*x*x*
"Um, guys?" Lucy asked tentatively as the still slightly-sick dragon slayers grabbed her pack and their packages before leaving the train at Magnolia station.
"Yeah, Bunny?" Gajeel turned his head to look down into her worried face, Laxus watching them out of the corner of his eye.
Sunset was almost upon them and Lucy still had to contract with her new Spirits but she wanted one thing cleared up first.
"What are we going to do now that we're back?" She nibbled on her bottom lip, thoughts of her empty – and now lonely – bed flashing in her mind.
The slayers traded a glance, having discussed what they think might work while she was busy at her meeting with her council.
"We were thinking that my house is big enough for the three of us, plus Pantherlily." Laxus told her. "It's a longer walk to the guild than your little apartment or Gajeel's cabin but it's the biggest of the three options. If it doesn't work out we can always buy or build something else."
"That's if you want to stay with us." Gajeel hastened to say as Lucy came to an abrupt stop. "We're not going to force you to…you know…be with us."
"In any way." Laxus tossed in.
"But," Gajeel continued. "Laxus says his place is pretty big. And that way if you aren't comfortable sharing a bed with one or both of us you can have your own room. Whatever you want, Lucy."
Lucy blinked back tears. Every time she turns around the two brawny dragon slayers are showing her a different part of themselves, proving time and time again that they really do care about her and want her to be comfortable and happy. Even if it meant her staying alone and away from them at her apartment, they would make that work because they were committed to having her, Lucy, as their mate.
Giving them a watery smile, she sniffed, wiping her eyes as they visibly panicked at the sight of her emotional response.
Before they could become completely unraveled she coughed once to clear her throat and then spoke.
"Staying with Laxus sounds nice." She gave them a little smile. "As for sleeping arrangements…" She thought for a moment and then shrugged, deciding not to worry about all that topic entails for the moment. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
Granted, they've already shared a bed. And been somewhat intimate. But both of those progressions were either the result of necessity or the heat of the moment. Lucy never actively planned to sleep between a pair of dragon slayers last night any more than she planned on getting head from them that afternoon.
It all just…happened.
Naturally.
And that seemed like the best way to proceed for her. Naturally and just doing what feels right for their situation.
*x*x*x*
After stopping by Lucy's and Gajeel's apartments long enough to drop off their dirty clothes, change, and pack things for the next couple days that Virgo took and stored in the Celestial Realm for them, Lucy and her men made their way to the clearing near the guildhall that she described to them that she wanted to use to summon and contract with her Spirits. It didn't really surprise her that both Slayers were familiar with the clearing and had used it for magical training of their own away from the hustle and bustle of the guild.
"Witnessing a contract is a big deal." She explained to them as they sat leaning up against one of the massive trees in the forest, waiting patiently as she explained contracting to them. They already knew this would take a while since their little mate had six new Spirits to meet, make friends with, and agree to a contract. "It tells the Spirit that you're a trusted friend and ally. Sometimes it can have other effects too."
"Like what?" Laxus perked up, it was the first he'd heard of witnessing a contract meaning more than just binding a Spirit to a Mage.
"Well," she shuffled her feet. "Natsu was there when I contracted with Plue," of course he thought it was a failure at the time… "And ever since he's able to understand what Plue's saying."
"That's your little snowman guy right?" Gajeel asked, the name ringing a bell from all the times he hung out with Bunny Girl and Shrimp.
"He's a dog." She pouted down at him and stomping her foot.
"Right…" Gajeel drawled.
Sticking out her tongue at the Iron Slayer and mumbling about stupid guys, Lucy summoned the keys from her storage pocket in the Celestial Realm and set them on the ground in front of the Slayers. Studying them a moment, she decided on what order she wanted to contract them in, knowing that Orion would want to be there to meet up with his friends (well she hopes they're friends) Perseus and Hercules so they should go last. Picking up a key, she gave her men a smile before turning away and standing strong, key held up in front of her.
"I am connected to the Realm of the Celestial Spirits! Now, here my call and come through the Gate! Gate of the Hunting Dogs – Canes Venacti!"
Lucy always made sure to use the whole summoning incantation the first time, you never know when a Spirit might be a stickler for ritual or etiquette…like Aquarius.
A chorus of baying sounds roared through the clearing as Laxus and Gajeel leapt to their feet. As the bright light that heralded the new Spirits' arrival cleared, it turned into a pack of five lean Greyhounds leaping in circles around Lucy.
With a giggle she greeted the exuberant hounds, accepting their licks and nudges with genuine affection. Looking at their collars she spotted their names, just like with Sirius.
"Hello Ajax, Apollo, Athena, Thor, and Hedassa." She greeted each of the three boys and two girls in turn. "My name is Lucy, I heard you want to form a contract with me."
A chorus of happy yips sounded from the hounds, making Lucy and her mates laugh. Using a one bark-yes and two barks-no system they formed the contract with the hounds available everyday but Sunday and found out that they using tracking magic. After she dismissed them back to the Spirit world with a promise to have treats next time, she turned to look at her mates.
"Well?" She smiled nervously. "What did you think?"
"Pretty awesome power you've got there, Bunny." Gajeel said, thinking of all the uses a guild could have for an actual pack of hunting dogs. It would certainly make hunting down criminals and dark guilds much easier.
"Do many of your Spirits limit how much you call them?" Laxus asked. "How do you keep it all straight?"
"Only Aquarius really limits me." She shrugs. "And keeping all the different powers and availabilities sorted out is one of the biggest challenges for young Celestial Mages. I have a notebook but it's not like I can pull it out in the middle of battle. A mage's memory is really their biggest asset if they're a Celestial Spirit mage."
Lucy sent the key back to the Celestial Realm and selected the next one only to be stopped by Gajeel's hand on her arm.
"What was that?" He asked quietly. Last time he checked Bunny had to keep her keys on her at all times. Now there she went…ex-quipping them for lack of a better term.
"Lots of things have changed for me since the GMG." She said with lowered eyes as Laxus moved to hold her in his arms at her sad tone. "Being able to summon my keys at will is just one of those things."
"Will you tell us about it?" The Iron Slayer cupped her chin in his hand and tilted her head up to meet his understanding gaze. "I know it was really rough on you."
"I will." She promised with a sigh, waving them back to their spot leaning against the tree. "Now shoo. I need to finish this before it gets much later. I'm hungry and it's passed dinner time."
Holding out the key she summoned the next Spirit, Lupus the Wolf.
Only instead of an actual wolf, when the light cleared and his howl stopped ringing in her ears, she saw a tall, bulky man nearly the size of Laxus with a long bushy tail, wolves' ears, fangs, and sharp claws.
"Princess Lucy." Lupus growled. "You've found me at last."
"Hello Lupus," she smiled not put off at all by his intimidating presence. "You want to form a contract?"
"Of course, Princess." He gave her a fangy smile as the dragon slayers growled at him from their resting place. "Many Spirits wish to contract with the Living Star. I am available whenever you need me and am a strong melee fighter. My Wolf's Howl can paralyze your enemies with fear."
"Thank you, Lupus. It was nice to meet you." She dismissed him with a gentle nod.
"Anytime, Princess." He gave a howl as he returned to his world. "Anytime."
Laxus leaned over and whispered to Gajeel. "I don't like the look of that one."
Gajeel grunted in agreement, eyes narrowed. While many of Bunny Girl's Spirits were powerful or useful in some way, that one came across as just fucking dangerous. Maybe some of the Lost Keys were Lost for a reason.
Next Lucy took up the key for what she hoped would be a less unsettling Spirit.
"…Gate of the Northern Cross! Cygnus the Swan."
Instead of the loud fanfare of the previous two keys, Cygnus appeared with a simple fluttering of wings.
"Greetings, Princess Lucy." A sweet, mellow woman's voice came from a lovely pure white swan that fluttered over to perch on a tree stump.
"Greetings," Lucy smiled at the pretty creature. "You're the counterpart to Grampa Crux, aren't you?"
"Yes," Cygnus nodded her beak. "Only instead of gathering knowledge, I gather stories. Fiction and fantasy and tales of all kinds. I can dazzle and beguile an enemy although I prefer not to be used in combat." She cautioned. "And I can only be called on the weekends, when my mate can look after our younglings."
"Thank you Cygnus." Lucy stroked one hand down the swan's downy neck. "I look forward to hearing a story."
"Thank you, Princess." Cygnus tilted her head. "Your story is one that I am eagerly awaiting it's outcome. It will be a great tale to tell in years to come, I think."
With a flutter of wings, Cygnus was gone.
"What was that about, beautiful?" Laxus asked the dazed form of Lucy as she plopped down on the stump.
"I'm not sure." She said slowly. "I'm a writer so she could've meant the story I'm working on…but I don't think that's it."
"You think she was talking about your personal story?" Gajeel tilted his head thoughtfully then gave a shrug.
"Maybe." Lucy stared out into the night. "Maybe."