After I explained my situation to everyone, Juvia and I decided to go back to Magnolia early to join Fairy Tail. She had taken the news of my origins pretty well, and she had even been asking me about her relationship with Gray. To which I simply replied, "Wait and see." When we got back I had set out to find a place to stay that was closer to the guild and actually join the guild.
"You three want to join Fairy Tail?" Makarov Dreyar asked us, a serious expression on his face.
"Very much so." Juvia replied from my left.
"Yes." I answered sincerely.
"Uh-huh." Gajeel confirmed from Juvia's side. I rolled my eyes at his rude behavior, could he just give over for a moment?
I sighed. I was still, very angry at the dragon slayer. When I walked into the newly built guild to meet Juvia and join up I wasn't pleased to see that Gajeel was with her. I knew that she'd invited him to join, but I was hoping that I wouldn't have to see him yet. But it was a weak hope that Juvia would make him join on his very own, and I had to deal with it. It didn't mean that I couldn't childishly ignore the man though, and that is was I was doing.
The guild master stared us down for a moment before sighing. "I suppose I'll give you a chance. You have my permission to join Fairy Tail."
I grinned brightly, unable to hide my happiness. I was actually going to be a member Fairy Tail! The actual Fairy Tail! This was something I'd been daydreaming about since I was eleven!
"However," His face took on a threatening expression, "If you harm or betray your nakama, then you're out. I won't allow any harm to come to my children."
I nodded, a silent agreement to follow his orders.
"Great. Why don't you go to the bar to get your guild marks."
So, following his words, we walked down the guild steps.
"Juvia is very excited to be apart of Gray-sama's guild." Juvia gushed, a blush on her cheeks. I laughed.
"Yeah, I'm really pumped about it too."
"What about Gajeel-kun?" Juvia asked, turning to look at the man in question.
He grunted gruffly, "I guess it will be good to get jobs again."
I rolled my eyes at his actions again. When we reached the bottom of the stair we were met with stares from the other mages in the room. I didn't like being judged but I knew it would happen to I'd have to deal with it. Juvia looked a little hurt beside me, so I tried to push her attention elsewhere.
"C'mon Juvia, we need to get out marks." I said, tugging on her sleeve. My words only worsened the stares, however. I guess they didn't know we were going to be joining then…
"Hey! You're joining Fairy Tail? No way master would let you!" Warren shouted at us, me in particular since I was the one who talked.
"Yes. Juvia is looking forward to-" Her polite words were cut off by another voice.
"As if! You're our enemy!" someone stated.
I frowned, instinctively stepping in front of Juvia. Despite her being stronger than me, I still felt like I had to protect the rain woman.
"We're here to forget about Phantom Lord. If Master Makarov has no issue with it then we're going to join." I bowed my head before carrying on. "I'm deeply sorry about what happened between us, but I hope that we can become friends."
There were no more complaints said to our faces after that, so I proceeded to pull Juvia to the bar.
"Mirajane-san?" I asked, trying to get the woman's attention.
"Hello, Mona. I'm guessing you three want your guild mark?" She asked, a bright smile on her face. This was a large contrast compared to the cold glares we recieved when stepping through the doors.
I nodded and pointed to the place where my phantom mark used to be. I wanted to have a happy thought when I looked at that area. "Can I have it here, please?"
She nodded and pressed lightly on the area, unlike when Ingrid's harsh approach, when she took the stamp away there was a jade coloured Fairy Tail mark on my skin.
I was officially a Fairy Tail mage!
#
"Where the hell were you?!"
"I'm sorry Arnost. There was something I needed to do." I replied, surprising myself with how firm my voice sounded.
"Oh something you needed to do… something she needed to do… yeah that's fine!" He rambled in anger, pacing back and forth in front of me. "That something just so happened to be linked with Dark magic!"
I nodded.
"Oh lord give me strength. I couldn't have taken in child who liked to collect stamps. But no! I had to get the one who has a goddamn death wish and goes missing!" He said mostly to himself.
"I-"
"I said you couldn't go!"
"Arnost pl-"
"And you disobeyed me!"
"Arnost will you listen to me!?" I said, louder this time. He immediately Shutup and I felt guilty straight away.
"I know you just want me to be safe, and I appreciate everything you've done for me since I came here. You've been like a father to me these past few years. But I need you to let me do my own thing. I know it's going to be dangerous and I'm not gonna lie and tell you that I'll be safe, because I won't be. But this is what I've dreamed of for so long. It's not like with Phantom, and you told me yourself that I need to do what makes me happy."
He stared at me in shock, I'd never said anything so sincere to the man.
"So you're moving out to join Fairy Tail." He stated.
I nodded. " I've found an apartment to live in, kinda cheap too." I gave a weak smile "I'll come visit you, and do some jobs at the shop when I need the money. I won't be as much as a burden anymore."
He shook his head. "Is everyone this stupid in your world?"
I was shocked at the question. My eyes were wide and my mouth was open much like a fish.
"Don't treat like an idiot. I've known for a while now that you're not from here." He stepped forward and pulled me into a hug. "You were never a burden to me."
I was sad to be leaving Arnost. Despite his usual gruff behaviour I knew he cared about me, and I was very thankful for everything he had done for me these past three years. I honestly didn't deserve most of the things he did for me but he still did.
And before I knew it I had tears pouring down my face. I really was going to miss this place, but I knew that I would finally living my life like I always wanted.