"Ugh!" Levy cried out as she hit the floor once again," I just can't do it!"
Wendy gave a small sigh and reached out to help the mage up.
"Look, you just need to make sure you're turning in the right direction otherwise you're gonna keep falling."
The girls were taking a dance class to prepare for the mating ceremony, where they would perform the Maiden's Dance in front of all the guests. Well, Wendy was actually teaching Levy, who seemed to have two left feet. Romeo and Gajeel sat nearby, with their ceremonial drums in order to play the music.
"Oi shrimp!" Gajeel yelled," Ya better get moving!"
"Fine," Levy snapped back, her cheeks going red.
Wendy reached out a hand to stop her.
"Actually," she said," Maybe you should watch me first so you can get a sense of it,"
"Okay," Levy mumbled, sitting down next to Gajeel.
Wendy went to the middle of the room and got into position, her hands above her head with one leg poised at an angle. She nodded to the boys, who started playing the drums.
Da Da Da Da DUM
Da Da Da Da DUM
Da Da Da Da DUM DUM
And so the beat continued like this as Wendy gracefully twisted and turned around the room. Her body seemed like the wind itself, so graceful for the normally clumsy girl. As Levy watched the performance, she groaned and put her head in her hands.
"What's wrong shrimp?" Gajeel asked, as he continued to play the drum. Honestly, the beat was so easy, he hardly had to focus on it.
"There's no way I can do this," Levy sighed," I mean, look at Wendy!"
"Yeah," Gajeel admitted.
Levy frowned.
"Hey," Gajeel panicked, not wanting to hurt her feelings," I have an idea!"
He stopped the drums and ran off.
"Hey!" Romeo called out as Wendy and he stopped practicing.
"I'll be right back!" Gajeel hollered as he ran down the street to the local market.
"I guess a break would do us some good anyway," Wendy said to herself as she went and grabbed some bottles of water. She tossed one to Levy and Romeo.
"You looked really good Wendy," Romeo said, his cheeks slightly tinting. Wendy smiled and sat down next to him.
"Really?" she asked, looking to Levy as well.
"Totally," Levy agreed," Where did you learn to dance like that?"
"Grandine taught me," Wendy said, her voice taking on a slightly sad tone. Romeo and Levy exchanged looks.
"So," Romeo said, trying to change the subject," Have you two picked out your outfits yet?"
The girls both groaned in unison.
"What?" Romeo panicked,"Did I say something?!"
"No," Wendy said," It's just that we have to make our own outfits."
"Cool!" Romeo said, his eyes shining," That sounds fun!"
"Not really," Levy sighed," The costumes are really difficult to make and we have to make Lucy's too."
"Oh," Romeo mumbled," Wait who told you that?!"
"Natsu did," Wendy said.
FLASHBACK
Wendy and Levy had been sitting in the guild hall, drinking smoothies while reading the newest Sorcerer Weekly Magazine. This was because Levy and the other older girls at Fairy Tail all treated Wendy like a little sister since she was still quite young. Here's how Wendy saw them.
Levy was Wendy's Sister You Go To When You Need To Know Something Or Advice. Like when Wendy started her period, Levy was the one who explained what was happening and answered all the embarrassed girls questions.
Cana was Wendy's Sister Who Was A Rebel And Was Very Inappropriate But Also Considerate. When Wendy needed a bra, Cana had teased her constantly but had also gone to help her pick her first bra.
MiraJane was Wendy's Sister Who Was Super Popular And A Very Good Wing Woman and Secret Keeper. Romeo and Wendy's first date (a mission) had been orchestrated by Mira who had kept it private from everyone else.
Juvia was Wendy's Sister Who Helped Her Deal With Emotional Stuff And Love Problems. Like when Wendy and Romeo got into a fight about Romeo being to protective on a mission, Juvia had been the one to sit with Wendy for the whole night while providing tissues, ice cream and a good adventure movie (Wendy didn't like chick flicks).
Erza was Wendy's Sister Who Was Way Too Protective But Also Treated Her Like An Equal. So despite Erza's glares at men who glanced for too long at Wendy, she considered Wendy to be a partner on missions and never a burden.
Lucy was Wendy's All Rounder Big Sister. She did all the above and more for Wendy, making the little girl feel so loved and special.
Anyway, they had been bonding when Natsu burst in.
"Wendy, Levy!" He cried out, running up to them," Can we talk!?"
The girls nodded and followed Natsu to one of the empty storage rooms.
"What's going on Natsu?" Wendy asked, wondering why her big brother figure was so happy and jumpy.
"And what's with the book?" Levy asked, eyeing the massive book at Natsu's side.
"Right so you know how you guys are the attendents?" Natsu asked. The girls exchanged looks and nodded slowly.
"And you know how Lucy needs Ritual Clothes?" Natsu continued. Suddenly Wendy knew what he was talking about and tried to run for the door. Natsu was quick and grabbed her wrist, pulling her back.
"NO!" Wendy whined, " I CAN'T!"
"What's going on?!" Levy demanded as she stared at the two dragon slayers in front of her.
"Basically," Natsu explained," The Ritual requires that both you and Lucy's clothes are to be made by… well… you!"
"What?!" Levy yelled, her mouth hanging open," Natsu, you know I can't sew!"
"Wendy can," Natsu countered, holding the girl up in the air.
"Put me down!" Wendy pouted as she was then released.
"Look," Natsu said, as he bent down to face the still small for her age Wendy," I know you hate this but please? It's for Lucy!"
Wendy softened at this and gave a small sigh.
"Fine," she mumbled as Natsu cheered.
"Great!" he smiled," Here are some ideas!"
Natsu then ran off, leaving Wendy and Levy stunned and with the book.
BACK TO PRESENT
"I see," Romeo said," So what style are you going for?"
"We're not sure," the girls confessed. Romeo looked like he wanted to say something but he kept quiet.
"What is it?" Wendy asked him.
"Well," Romeo blushed,"When you were dancing there, I kinda imagined you like one of those belly dancers."
"What!?" Wendy and Levy yelled. Romeo yelped and tried to protect himself.
"Wait," he exclaimed," Not like those trashy ones ya see at costume parties. Let me just…" Romeo grabbed a light pen he kept on him and began to draw in the air. When the girls saw the outfit it was gorgeous. It was regal and sophisticated, not like the gaudy ones they had imagined.
"Romeo," Wendy gasped," It's so pretty! You can draw really well!"
"Thanks," Romeo blushed, happy with the compliment.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Levy grinned at Wendy who nodded back.
"I think we have found our costume idea!"
Suddenly the door burst open and there stood Gajeel, out of breath and with a small brown bag in his hand.
"Where have you been?" Levy said," You've been gone for nearly an hour!"
"Relax," Gajeel said, handing Levy the bag," I think you'll like the solution I came up with."
Levy opened the bag and inside was a tambourine. She pulled it out and raised an eyebrow as she stared at Gajeel.
"See?!" Gajeel chuckled," Now, Shrimp, ya can play that instead of dancing!"
Levy opened her mouth to protest but stopped herself. Gajeel was right. There was no way Levy could dance next to Wendy at the ceremony, but the tambourine would let her participate. She gave a grin and ran up to Gajeel giving him hug. He went red and awkwardly hugged his girlfriend, still uncomfortable with expressing his feelings. After that, the group continued to practice, getting ready for the ritual.