Looking around at the tight circle of bodies around me, I catch the silent looks from six different pairs of eyes catch my own as well before moving on. Dark onyx eyes glare at me suspiciously, almost making it look as if they were trying to intimidate me, but I throw my own glare back making them swiftly look at someone else. The cycle continues with eyes looking around the circle and then back at their hands hopefully.
Some expressions are full of mirth while others are composed into emotionless masks. One by one, each person takes their time following this pattern before adding chips onto the table in front of us making the small pile grow slowly. A few individuals waver when their turn comes, but eventually put in a small amount of bet to keep the cycle going. They do not want to be the first ones to give up.
We are all at war and defeat is not an option.
Chapter 25 - Rising Fear
POV: Lucy
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail
"READ EM AND WEEP!" Rosalind cries out ecstatically before slamming her five cards down in front of her happily causing the rest of us to jump from her sudden outburst.
Six pairs of eyes immediately target onto the small girl who outstretches her cards in front of her proudly so that everyone can see them. The pleased expression on her face is almost too bright to witness as she puffs out her chest, ready for the praise to come her way.
Happy is the first one to start laughing at his sister's antics doing little to hide his laughter from the confused girl, "You didn't win anything," Happy says while looking at her cards, "Just one pair of sevens."
"That's still a win," Rosy argues back, her face pink with rage.
"Two pairs beat one," Happy taunts while showing his distraught sister his 'winning' hand, "I win!"
"Not so fast little man," Gray intervenes by stopping the young boy from collecting his prize, "Two wins is great and all, but I believe a full house wins in this case," he boasts making the small boy's smile quickly vanish.
"No fair!" Happy cries out while slamming his hand on top of the table in anguish.
Chuckling, the brunette quickly reaches out to gather up his prize before he too is stopped by the authoritative voice of Erza Scarlet, "Not so fast!" she calls out almost as if she had caught someone red-handedly trying to steal, "I believe the victory goes to me," she claims while turning her cards for all of us to see, "Royal flush."
Standing from his seat and knocking it over, Gray looks down at a well composed Erza with eyes of bewilderment, "AGAIN?!" he exclaims so loud that if I were any closer to him my eardrum would no doubt burst, "This is the fourth time that happens! You're chea-"
"I hope you're not insinuating that my wins have all been because I have been cheating," Erza warns the male as her dark eyes burn with the challenge of defiance from the male who quickly shrinks away from her dark gaze.
"No-No ma'am," Gray relents in a defeated voice as he retakes his seat after lifting his chair off of the floor.
Erza happily picks up her winning prize of playing chips leaving the losing players to pout at the sight of her tower of wins. The chips rise high around Erza causing her to look even more victorious at the sight of our dwindling chips that she would no doubt be winning sometime soon.
Well there goes this month's pay.
Chuckling merrily at the sight around her, Mirajane gathers up all the playing cards before shuffling them professionally in her hands. Everyone waits patiently as the silver-haired beauty takes her time shuffling the deck while the others, those actually interested in the game at least, glare at the unfazed red-head enjoying her tea.
Juvia, Mirajane, and myself are mostly just spectators somehow dragged into a game we had no chance of winning. We've come to terms that there was just no beating Titania at a game she had claimed of never being the loser of. Gray had even said that it was a rarity for Erza to ever lose in any card game, yet he still insisted on inviting the general to play a few games.
Turning to look at the children to my left, I catch both of their eyes looking innocently at me as I scrutinize their 'angelic' expressions.
"Don't," I warn, having heard the tell-tale sign of their plotting through their almost inaudible whispering between each other.
Pouting in defeat, Rosy and Happy accept their new set of cards begrudgingly while throwing little glowers at the snickering general.
Erza's smile is soft and welcoming on her usually composed face. She smiles endearingly at the children and approving at me when she turns to look my way. She nods twice before looking down at her new hand of cards and shuffling them around to arrange them to her liking. When she finishes organizing them to the way she wants, she looks back up at me and gives me a knowing smile, almost as if she were teasing me for a secret only she knew.
Looking down at my hand, I can't understand why my cheeks are burning up in the way they do when I get caught looking at Natsu without intending to. Thinking about that now only makes my face heat up even more.
Arranging my cards to keep my thoughts distracted on the game, I place in my first bet before exchanging three cards. Staring at my hand, I try to keep a composed face as I gather my cards together and place them face down on the table.
I watch as the others stare at their cards intently while some exchange a few of their cards while the others keep their own. Gray, Happy, and Rosalind try to peek at each other's cards and earning a few glares from each other. Surprisingly Juvia allows Gray to see her hand when he peeks over to look at it earning a large boyish grin from the male.
So, I'm guessing Juvia doesn't have a good hand then?
Mirajane's cheerful expression brightens the room as she switches out a few more cards for the others before placing the deck down and lifting her own cards. She looks over them quickly before surveying the others who are all wearing different expressions of concentration.
We don't place too many bets on the table before Mirajane sighs and reveals her cards to us all.
"I fold," she laments as we see her random scatter of cards with no pairs.
"Same here," Juvia also says while revealing a similar hand to Mirajane's.
Those of us who are left begin a staring contest to see who would fold next or try to declare a victory. Well, the staring contest mainly involves the other four who glare at one another, the clock in the background the only noise within the room. I watch patiently wondering who would be the first to attempt a victory against the red-haired beauty.
"FULL HOUSE!" Happy yells while slamming his cards down on the table to reveal his cards.
"Cute, but I believe my full house beats yours," Gray mocks as he flips his cards for all to see.
"Adorable little novices. Against me, no one can win!" Erza boasts as she reveals an even greater full house than Gray's, "Fold now Lucille and I shall refrain from any further mockery."
"So, I'm no adversary, is that what you're trying to say?" I ask the older female who looks at me with suspicion, "I'm sorry Titania, but today I shall dethrone you. Royal… flush,"
The room is silent as I reveal the hand that Erza had consistently been receiving up until this point earning a satisfying appalled look from the general.
"I… lost…" Erza gapes as I start to gather the significant pile of chips from the table.
"Sorry," I apologize wholeheartedly as I start to wonder if Erza was a vengeful type of person when losing. I pray to Mavis that she isn't.
"No, forgive me Lucille, for up until now I have not taken you seriously," Erza grieves, looking as if she were trying to keep her composure, "You are a great adversary Miss Ashley."
"Lucille defeated Erza!" Rosalind cheers while rising from her chair and throwing her arms up into the air.
"You're our hero Lucille," Gray commends as he throws me a thumbs up while earning applause from the others, including Erza.
Giggling, I then take the deck of cards from Mirajane and start to shuffle them. The others chatter casually, their mood much lighter after my win and Erza's defeat, as they make jokes and compete amongst each other wondering who it will be to win next. I keep on shuffling the cards as the door to the room opens across the room from where we're sitting.
Because I am facing in the direction of the door, I watch as four figures walk into the room silently from the corner of my eye. Through my peripheral vision I notice the tell-tale pink of Natsu's hair as he enters the room without a word. Behind him I notice Jellal's ocean-blue hair emerge through the door just as silently while two other figures enter the room after both males.
"What are you all playing," Natsu asks as he stands behind both Juvia's and Gray's chairs looking a little bored.
"Poker," I inform him as I continue to shuffle the deck wanting to make sure that there would be no way any of us could cheat into winning the next game, "Care to join us?" I ask and earning a thankful smile from Natsu that seems to brighten the children's faces. It also earns me another knowing look from Erza that I quickly ignore by avoiding her eye.
"If only I had the time," he sighs sadly before looking at Erza with a pained expression. Mostly because she's giving him the same look she was throwing my way only a few seconds ago, "Erza, more people have returned," he tells the red-head who nods knowingly.
In the past few days since the arrival of the Fernandez couple, others have also been arriving to the castle from their long vacations. The once silent, nearly empty, castle was quickly filling up with joyful strangers whom seemed to quickly make themselves at home.
Every other day a new face made themselves present at the dinner table chatting up a storm of stories from their travels and the people they were able to meet. Individuals so strange, so interesting, would fill the once empty seats and pass by in the halls with smiles so wide and bright they were almost blinding. Whispers through the halls even showed their interest in the King's sudden change of mood since the returning staff was not used to seeing Natsu go so long without throwing a tantrum or walking around the castle without his once usual scowl.
"He looks so happy," a few of them would whisper to the maids who quickly appeared to be getting busier with the sudden addition of these newcomers.
"You didn't hear this from me, but it all probably has to do with the new governess," they would then whisper back when they thought I wasn't listening, but how could I not listen when that was all anyone would talk about.
But it didn't bother me.
They could think what they wanted to.
Their thoughts, after all, were none of my business.
Even then, everyone was always so kind and welcoming when they would introduce themselves to me. Two elderly gentlemen name Wakaba and Macao would even openly flirt with me whenever they caught me in the hall. They also liked to flirt with Mirajane the most during meal time causing the beauty to threaten to tell Wakaba's wife and Macao's son about their flirting. This would always cause them to shut up immediately, but it wouldn't stop them from doing it again the next day.
Separating the cards in my hand to shuffle them one last time, I look up to see who our newcomers are when my hand suddenly slips mid-shuffle causing me to scatter the cards all over the table. I stare over the shoulder of Natsu as the two strangers come forward as I recognize one of them too painfully well.
The room around me disappears. The light chatter of my companions evaporates into the air like the thick grey smoke that now surrounds me. Only the crackling of fire fills the air with it's dangerous noise. It mixes with the thick smoke that burns my lungs, my eyes, with rolling waves of heat blistering my skin.
Red irises, red as fresh blood, stare at me through the haze leaving my heart seizing in fear and my mind whirling with dangerous thoughts of terror. It's hard to breathe with those unblinking eyes watching me like the eyes of a vulture leaving my mouth dry. I feel like a trapped animal, cornered in the heat, choking in the smoke, dying with fear at the feet of this monster.
"Lucille," snapping back to the present I look over at Mirajane who gives me a look of worry as she reaches to grab my hand, "Is everything alright?" she asks looking a little hurt when my hand flinches away from her.
My hands burn underneath my gloves and I would like nothing more than to rip off the stuffy cloth and submerge them into ice cold water.
"F-Fine, I'm fine," I assure her while hastily gathering up the cards as I also try to gather up my wits, "Just got a bit distracted s'all."
Both Erza and Gray stand from their seats suddenly making me jump. I look up at them to see them looking at Natsu with bored, and slightly annoyed, expressions.
"Alright, let's get this over with quickly then," Gray groans while gathering his chips and pushing them towards Juvia who smiles lovingly at her fiancé, "Give 'em hell," Gray murmurs to her before turning to leave.
Erza, on the other hand, gathers her chips and shoves them into Jellal's arms before throwing us all a warning look, "We will continue this later," she states before following the others out of the room.
Natsu bids his farewell, much to his children's chagrin, and is the first to leave the room with everyone following close behind. I follow the retreating form of the red-eyed male until his form disappears through the open door followed by the Fernandez couple with Gray at the end.
He turns to close the door, but not before he throws me a sympathetic look. It appears as if he were saying sorry, but I wouldn't know why he would be apologizing to me for. Or maybe I did but I was far too out of it to realize it at the moment. The shock was indeed too much and all I wanted was to run to my room and hide in there forever, but I could not do that without leaving the others in suspicion.
Shaking my head, I start to pass the cards around trying to distract myself as much as possible. I try to ignore the cackling laughter, try to drown out the sound of crackling fire. I breathe out more than I breathe in to keep the smell of smoke and ash from filling my lungs, and I stare down at my shaking hands to prevent from seeing the awful color orange that burns my eyes.
Why? Why was that man here? I think angrily as I finish splitting the cards between those of us who have remained.
Out of all the places we could have met, why did it have to be here?
Of all the people in this blasted world why did I have to be under the same roof with that God-awful man?
Why now when I was starting to feel safe?!
Black Steel Gajeel. The name rolls around my head like an evil thought. It leaves a horrible rancid taste in my mouth that all I want to do is throw it up.
It was the source of my nightmares, my miseries, and the name of a man who literally set my life up in flames.
Forcing myself to pay attention to the game, I don't notice the comprehending look that Juvia throws my way.
The intensity continues!
First of all I want to apologize again for taking my time to update again. It's been hectic at home with last minute party plans for my little brother, as well as midterms.
I had actually previously tried to update this chapter earlier, but my internet was glitching out and when I had finally replied to all of your reviews my computer had decided to log me out erasing all of my responses. I was a bit mad about that which led me to barely update now. Also, I got hurt a few days ago, nothing major, and that didn't really help my already sour mood. However, I'm all better now and we should have our regularly scheduled program.
On darker news...
We're finally in October! My favorite month of the year. Mostly because it's my birthday month and also because it's the month of everything dark and creepy.
Shout Outs
Great amazing thanks to my Fantastic Favorites...
- Beatchrice
- Promiselight
- FroshBosh
- saiiyu
- Newly reader
- Zeteran 1987
- Animelover4life123
- HuskyChoirsOfHumanity
To my Fabulous Followers...
- Beatchrice
- hapiflower
- BigN1374
- Promiselight
- FroshBosh
- TheDorkyCelestialFlame
- animeholic94
- AztecBrat
- saiiyu
- pandagirl420
- luckmaster1
- Newly reader
- Animelover4life123
- Zeteran 1987
- HuskyChoirsOfHumanity
And to my Fantabulous Reviewers...
- DecemberRome = *Dances excitedly as well* I'm really happy you enjoyed the chapter, and hopefully this one didn't disappoint.
- Littlest1 = Gray and Lucy will develop their friendship in the upcoming chapters, and since he is a knight I couldn't help but have him tell that he would protect her like a knight should. And yes, Natsu and Lucy are a bit oblivious about their growing affection for one another, and I couldn't help but have both Mira and Erza tease both Lucy and Natsu. I like the comedic relief they both bring, and in the future they'll be making Lucy and Natsu feeling a bit more...
- Guest = Well I'm glad you have finally stumbled across my little story. I always get excited when I have new readers that review. Thank you for taking the time to enjoy my work, and hopefully you keep on enjoying my story until the very end.
- Kauia = I'm happy you liked it. Slow burn fics are also my favorite to read and write. I just love the development between a couple before they finally get together, though sometimes I do just want to shove them together rather than just wait chapters until they finally have development. But we must have patience. Patience is key to a memorable moment after all. Also, I hadn't thought about the similarity of guilt between story Lucy and Anime/Manga Gray. In this story Gray's family is still alive, though they will not be mentioned in this story much, but that does not mean he won't help out Lucy as best as he can. He does trust her after all, and as for your last thoughts, you are pretty close to the truth.
- sarara1.8 = Glad you enjoyed it!
- hi09 = I was a Junior in high school - about four years ago - daydreaming in class when the idea just hit me. I don't remember what I had been thinking about at the moment, but suddenly the scene (which you can find in the very last chapter of my story Another) played out in my head and I really wanted to write a story revolved around that scene. If you need help with endings towards your stories don't be afraid to PM me. I'll help you out with anything you need, and thank you in return for also being the highlight of my day!
- geekyglamour413 = Lol I love your pun, and yes it does count as screen time. Also, our babies are going through the denial stages of love, and it's not that Lucy is desperate not to be in love, she's jsut never known how its felt before. She's going through a confused part of her life.
- MagicalFoxInTheWilderness = Stop, you're going to make me cry, and no I don't have magical writing powers, though that would be really cool if I did. I just have a very wild imagination as well as years of practice in writing. They don't lie when they say practice makes perfect. Also, Shepai, is that you? You should know better than to be breaking the fourth wall (Webtoon reader reference). I'm also happy that you went back to check on my small hidden messages with my flowers. Thank you for taking the time to check it out.
- Akumakisses = No, don't cry. If you cry them I'm going to cry and it will all just be a huge mess. I'm also honored to hear that my story has touched you and thank you again for reading my story.
- iFrostyDoughnut = Thank you so much! I'm really happy that you are enjoying my story as much as I enjoy writing it for you all. Also, I hope you passed your exams (presuming that you've already taken them, and if not yet then GOOD LUCK!).
- Saranau34 = I'm glad that you enjoyed my little trick there, and I do recognize your name from when I first started updating the previous version of this story. I'm glad that you came back and have enjoyed my changes I've made, and I also hope that you continue to like what I throw at you and the rest of my readers. Thank you so much for sticking with me this long.
- XxTentenxX179 = You are very much welcome. I was going to leave it at the first ending and make you wait those extra four days, but then I thought it was too cruel and added it into the chapter. I may be an evil demon, but I've still got a heart.
- Zeteran 1987 = Thank you! I'm so glad that you like my story, and I'm honored to have inspired you into writing your own work. It means a lot to have heard that. Thank you again!
Well that's all the shout outs for today.
If you are enjoying my story so far please follow, favorite, and review - remember, reviews are a writers candy - and if you have any questions or ideas you'd like to see put into this story you can also PM me and I'll gladly add it in.
Until next time my lovelies.