Written and edited on my phone so apologies for any mistakes.
Fucking head colds.
Criticism welcome! Unless it is pointless hate that really isn't getting anywhere.
Erza p.o.v.
Glaring out the window over Evergreen's shoulder as more snow took its liberty in bellowing over our skin it was a beautiful sight, but the cold seemed more frosted than it should have been. Magnolia covered in snow in the months of Summer was glorious, the air seedy and sky hidden. The beach was clear, the sand a pallor filled white, and the water frozen over the top, heavy enough for the children already out to slip and slide over the surface. I was not particularly bother by the flecks as they circled and landed in my hair, my scalp blistering cold as it melted. Wendy clutched to the sill and leant out into the flurry, and over her I saw the ground coated thickly in crisp snow, small prints of animals scattered through the snow: birds, foxes, badgers, squirrels, cats. Stepping back from the window I brushed the snow from my face. "How is it that it is snowing?" It was with sadness that I looked out the window. "Yesterday was so hot."
"Oh you know..." Turning to the voice that came from Geni, who sat half-laying on Juvia's back as they lounged on the bed with their fingers entwined. Juvia had begun snoring, her lids fluttering as though she were really asleep. The cluck to Geni's tongue was something that was replicated often enough in storytelling, though seemed cruel to me. "There was this thunder storm on the passing eve." A loopy grin often donned her face when she spoke thusly, her words in a way archaic, and memories often offered themselves to me of flashing lightning and curling fog when she did. "It is that time of year, I suppose, when snow is not uncommon." Sitting straight, a hand caressing her own neck, Geni cracked the bones that lay there. "Geni certainly thinks that was easy to figure out."
Beside myself I could see the look Cana and Bisca shared, this feeling of oddness tickling us all as we continued to stare at the girl who gazed back with an amused smile and dark eyes. There was a chuckle, and it took some time to figure out that both Lisanna and Lucy were the ones making the noise, though Evergreen was the one to answer our query. "Don't let her bother you much." The roll of the 'Queens' eyes was glorious, a perfect arch around her sockets. "She's just saying." I saw Geni give a wide grin, her gums bared along with her pointed teeth when Evergreen sneered. "She's teasing you, isn't that right Little Geni?"
Cana rubbed her head, a disgruntled laugh making its way out of her throat. "I could have sworn you just called her 'Little Geni'." A small flask was pulled from only God knows where while her face fell to a mask of seriousness, the one usually reserved for Guild meetings. "How could she be teasing us about the weather?" Cana collapsed against the wall; hair splayed out statically onto the wall as she spoke and slurped from her bottle.
Bisca adjusted the yellow hat which had fallen back on her cranium, a slender finger falling to scratch her ear. "Cana's right, it's the weather." A poison-like tone droned from her but all I could feel was the power that seemed to surge in the room. "How in Earthland could she tease about that?" As Bisca spoke she pulled at the hem of her dress, the black thing stretching as it was tugged. "..." The woman's back straightened and if she had wanted to I am sure she would have pulled out a gun to threaten them. "What do you know?" Bisca's eyes looked sceptically from each to the other, her fingers diligently playing with the ruffles of her scarf.
Mirajane put a hand on her hip and let her other flop backwards in a point at the girl in question, who had risen and was stretching against the far wall. "Bad Geni, you shouldn't tease people." It was intolerance that lead the girl to shrug when scolded, and as she shook Juvia to a wakened state fear did encompass me. "Geni teasing you about the weather is like Wendy teasing somebody about wind, Bisca teasing about guns." A bittersweet smile strained over Mirajane's face, her hands joining together. "It's got to do with her Magic." And what a Magic it was, pulsing proudly and hidden under a camouflage of cold snow against my back. After a moment of slice Mirajane turned on her heel and headed towards the kitchenette, words called over her shoulder. "I'm going to make toast and eggs."
Those that had left without notice returned through the window, slamming it shut as Mirajane left. "Sounds good. Scrambled for me." Lisanna rolled back wrists in circles, shivering at some sensation as one shoulder quivered and a longing look was passed through the window. "Pity it's so cold, I'd love to play more in that snow." Although such words were spoken from the girl I had once known, she turned the heating lacrima by the window on, the room warming quickly as a joyous sigh arose.
When I turned to Geni for any sort of explanation, she paused from waking Juvia and her eyes seemed hard and questioning. "Geni uses a Lost Magic which enables her to manipulate the weather." A tight smile greeted us, and I knew the knowledge was false as her fingers curled tighter in Juvia's coat. "Juvia and Geni are cousins." When Juvia did eventually wake, Mirajane had settled the table with the foodstuffs we were to eat, and so the voice pitched as she moved – the other's coat still in hand. "C'mon Juvi!" It was not until later I realised I had disregarded the fact that she was a possessor of a Lost Magic.
Juvia p.o.v.
When Geni had shaken me awake I had ignored her, though answered with a groan when she called that it was time for food. I was well aware of how well I had slept the night before but it was cold outside and the heater had been turned on – all in all I had wanted to pretend that I was a cat. Geni had taken to dragging me across the floor in an attempt at getting me to the breakfast table, and I managed to chug a cup of coffee, milk taking up some space in the mug. "Hey, Juvi?" An odd sort of nickname being given to me, though the frown on her face was quite serious. "Juvia told Geni that she would tell her about the person who seemed to hurt her?" Though it was phrased like a question I knew it was not.
I gulped down some of the food that had been spread out, the eggs sticky and warm against my throat, the toast buttery and rough. "Comrade is correct. Juvia did promise that would be shared." As tears were blinked back, though I felt not sadness, interest was passed through the air from the others. "Juvia told Gray about her love two days ago, routinely as she did every day." There was no swooning from Mirajane as tone and tears were considered, no honorific attached to the man's name.
All seemed overly concerned with my wellbeing, tears unknowingly spilling from my eyes as Bisca took my hand. "What did he say, Juvia?" Lifting our joint hands I smeared my tears against them, Bisca almost grimacing when snot was carried with the liquid. I never did find out why I had begun to cry.
Lucy and Erza seemed grim, their faces set and reserved. Geni seemed as concerned as the others, eyes burning hotly and a sneer seemed close to showing. I think all were angry at the man for the many times he had rejected me before, but the all knew that something was different that time around even if they did not know the specifics. Covering my gasping mouth with hands removed from Bisca, my eyes closed against the tears that stung against them.
No One p.o.v.
Juvia opened her eyes, hand falling from her lips to fold into her lap as her chin dimpled and breaths were gasped for with burning eyes praying to the whitewashed ceiling that offered some comfort. "W-ah-Juvia found him when he was sitting by the riverside - he often goes there to calm down - and like every other time when Juvia went to confess her love w-she explained how w-... She wanted to know this time how he felt about her." Juvia hooked a finger around her ear, pushing back the hair that had fallen forward and almost touched the eggs. "Gray stood and kicked Juvia in the side," The words came slow, desperation and anxiety lacing the words. "He told Juvia that she did not deserve love, that she was an inconsiderate woman."
Those that had been on a Team with Gray had sat back in shock, their minds racing through interactions with the man. Mirajane's eye had begun to twitch similarly to Evergreen's, the two giving off violent auras of blackened air. The others looked down at the table, lips moving in short bursts of silence whilst anger seemed to flow fiery from them all. Geni scuttled into a standing position, a sigh heavy in her throat as her green eyes flickered out to the snow. "Gray really ought not to have done that." The words were mumbled and cryptically harsh, "See, Geni's going to have to kill him now."
Happy gave a laugh, punctuated by the breath he exhaled. "I think I'd like to watch this." The words were spoken with a bitter voice, anger none the less raging. "I'll sit with Juvia as she enjoys the show." Happy stood and walked over the table, bowing to pick up Juvia hand before casting a sour glance back over his shoulder. "I do hope you don't disappoint."
Cana's grin seemed cat-like, pupils almost split in hilarity. "Now, now, friends." The words were slow, the girl leaning back and baring a wide grin as one hand was brought up for inspection. "Let us not exclude Natsu." Her eyes flickered around the room, tongue lashing out to catch stray drops of booze. "I've been a'thinking. Lucy did hit him pretty well, but, ah-" Cana let out a breath that sounded like a wavering chuckle, head bowing before she glance up. "It ain't really a beating if he asked for it." Flashing a few cards across the table (The Tower, Strength, The Hanged Man Reversed, The Hierophant Reversed, and the Page of Cups Reversed) Cana's Magic pounding though not as much as others. "Now that's the spirit!" The grin that burnt her face was wicked, though it softened when she looked to Juvia. "Are there any more winter coats? It's cold outside." Malice laced the words, and those who sat in the room felt it as the cards were collected. "And I ain't going back to my room."
Juvia made a muffled sound of agreement as she stood, walking falteringly towards the wardrobe, "Juvia, yes, Juvia should have enough." Ten spare jackets were rustled up, and the woollen pullover given to Happy was quickly mauled into something in his own size. As they were passed around the group the girls threw themselves from the window into the snow. Rubbing the melting snow from their hair as they stood the females watched with laughter as Juvia landed on top of Erza, not apology was give as as she stood Juvia noticed a small patch of flowers. "Oh look, what a pretty snowdrop."
Erza rubbed her head and laughed, a redness covering her cheeks from the cold and lips already appearing chapped. Erza pulled Juvia from the ground as she stood, a fist banged against her armour to rattle all snow that dared to settle. "Best to get to the Guild quickly." Erza began to match over the top layer of the snow, stopping no longer than a second for fear of sinking on what was left of the path. "We shall be missed." The snow indented where the path was meant to be, and their heads just cleared the arch of Fairy Hills.
Juvia p.o.v.
Small pride sparked inside me, fiery hot and vicious, as I trundled behind the others - a murderous aura capturing us all. Happy had perched himself onto my should, my hair being pulled and compared in shade to the fur that coated him. It was later I realised how preoccupied my thoughts had been of Natsu and Gray, how I had wished for them to suffer and how I had thought of torturing them with the Magic the others possessed at that time. The group was highly varied, and there would be pairs in which we would have to work in favour of the Magic employed. "We should work in groups. Two, I think." Bisca's lips rounded in a pout as she puffed air, lips red and glistening in melted snow.
Agreement was made, and I was pleased at how persuasive my thoughts had been - though that thought had been odd. "Should one work with a Magic similar to their own?" Geni's voice was gruff, spittle thick against her throat as she cuddled into the jacket. "Or pick someone at random." Thoughts were silent, no one spoke a sound.
When looks were passed between my Team, flickering words brushing my mind I spoke. "Cana and Levy. Erza and Bisca. Mirajane and Evergreen. Lisanna and Lucy." Those that had been called filed off together, words being ushered against coat lapels and scowls being shared. "Geni and Wendy." The two looked to each other, small smiles embracing the chill. "Who will collect the men?" I had been rational, at the time. Thoughts slowing and feelings lost as I pondered the fate of two men I thought I could trust. "Where will the beating take place?"
Erza laughed, booming and deep. "I shall retrieve Natsu." Her jaw dropped and tongue swirled in her cheek with thought. "Geni herself may get Gray, and the Guild should be a fine place." A darkness coloured the words that were spoken in a way that I always found interestingly out of place for the time. "A warning." That brown eye glassed over, the other only appearing so much so against the glaring light. "Perhaps standing in a circle," Cheering erupted from the lake, children's voices high and loving and ever so innocent. "Across from our partner." A wicked smile, one I had never seen, so carefree and innocent as though the children from the lake and that night before. "Perhaps we should pass the bastards." Erza turned on the group, Lucy catching her gaze. "I do apologise Lucy, I had thought we would speak to you about a temporary placement of Lisanna until she returned to habit." My Comrade gave no response other than a nod, and I could not attest to any tears in her eyes.
Evergreen snorted the only consent of it all that I ever heard, "Yes, passing the bastard does seem an interesting name for this game." Marching into the Guild hall many immediately cleared a space for whatever it was they felt was coming, as I sat Evergreen stretched in her part of the circle with gleeful mirth spewing from her lips as two walked off to find the men of our affections. "How inglorious they are."
Makarov p.o.v.
Sitting at the bar, a flagon in my hand, I watched the girls file in neatly and orderly with an aura that suggested something horrendous. It was with a bitter humour that I watched my men scamper to the side of the room dragging benches and tables with them, for fear of whatever it was the girls were to do. Curiosity reigned my emotions to the Juvia who had been crying and the tyrannically looking Happy who sat by her side against a bench. Many of the people who had been absent on jobs chose those moments to return, some quickly spinning and running through the town in order to get away.
I gulped down air when I saw Erza appear from the weighs room with Natsu, the man shouting and kicking into the middle of the formation that the girls had gather into. Erza seemed to find her place across from Bisca, her hands held out to be slapped by Mirajane and Levy at her sides. Whatever the reason Mirajane and Lisanna had both used their Soul Magic, the power snaking against the ground. Similar shrieks were heard from the upper level, Gray's clear tones ringing as Geni dragged him by his scalp down the stairs with galloping joy. "What are you doing?" The words were screamed as he twisted and turned on his way down, a struggle imminent. "Let go of me!"
The was a moment of nothingness when Geni had stopped and looked down at him, eyes passive though somehow taking joy in the pain inflicted. "This is entertaining," Gray had everyone's sympathies when Geni pulled him up by his hair, and the girl was not something I had ever wanted for my girl with the curling smile and wondrous brows, "Gray thinks he has a choice!" The force with which she threw him down to join Natsu was punctuated with her cackle, light-hearted and almost relieved.
Evergreen stopped from her limbering stretches, callous grins being shot at those one her Team. She seemed the first to attack, a spluttering cloud of dust and debris blinded the two, their breathing becoming erratic. 'Iron' pinned them to the ground; explosions erupted from cards dumped casually on their backs blew their bodies high into the dome of the Guild; black tendrils of Demon Magic reached out and coiled snappingly around their stomachs; Silver Snipers hit the men's stomachs as they fell; a Giant's Arm pounded into their stomachs as they came closed, backs bending; kicks were added to the back; ropes caught their throats before finally a Roar and a Wave rolled over the two, lightning coursing through whatever was left of their minds.
Those two boys landed in the middle of the floor, limbs twitching though it did not last for long as they sprang up in an attempt at fighting back against those that seemed less than impressed with the whole effect of the ice and fire as it flung around the Guild, Magic powerful and haunting in its intensity and I only remember feeling paralysed at how vulgar the actions of my children were against one another. All those women who had raised defences of a sort over the attack seemed to spark at the edges of where they touched, and ice and fire disappeared with a rocket of one Magic gathered about the group. When other Guild members, bless their hearts, were brave enough to try and stop them, they were greeted with snarls and Magic roaring with intent. "We are not done yet!"