Sorry about not posting Friday... I don't have any motivation to write on a Friday. It's really because of how tired I am from the week (and just have gotten home from the gym) and I don't want do anything productive. I immediately skype friends from school and just play games to ease my mind. That's why there was no chapter on Friday. You shouldn't expect Friday chapters, it's probably just not going to happen.
Of course, you might have been able to figure out that all of this is dependent on me having school on Friday. If I don't, you can definitely expect a chapter. For example, next Friday there will most likely be a chapter because I live in the U.S. and all awesome people here celebrate Thanksgiving. Since my last day of school is Tuesday, there will be a chapter Friday. (Even if it isn't for this story, though it probably will be).
Don't worry Esme, I'm not sad, Aye sir!
Sometimes I forget that not everyone has read up to the latest manga chapter. Sorry if I spoil, I'll try to refrain, although it might happen without my knowledge.
J'aime tout le monde qui lisent cette histoire, les gens qui passent en revue et ceux qui ne font pas! Vous me faites très content, et je serai nulle part si vous n'aimiez pas cette histoire. Merci, mes amis!
Thanks BeastlyTick59, Esme Alexis, Ice and Thunder, Disney lovers 101, and the guest for reviewing!
According to Jude, Fairy Tail started this new tradition called the Fairy Ball. Apparently, enough people in the guild reached an appropriate age to begin to have love interests that the master thought it would be a good idea to throw a ball once a year. Knowing Makarov, I expect the ball is going to be pretty crazy.
Lucy and I have been dating for an entire year now. We're still going really strong, and I know that she's the one that I'm going to marry. Of course, I've wondered about engagement, but I've yet to propose to her. I'm going to propose, it's just that I have absolutely no idea how to propose. Usually people do things that are fancy or bring back good memories, but I have neither to share with her. Most of our memories go back to the journey that we spent together. Unfortunately, it's not that easy to go back to all of these places, nor did they really share any romantic significance. It wasn't until we returned to the castle that I finally displayed romantic affection towards her.
This is a ball, a ball that we were cordially invited to, so I would definitely like to look my best, not for my sake, but for Lucy's. She's going to be the queen, right? She deserves to look amazing, so I don't want to screw anything up for her. That would be a terrible thing to do to her.
Dance is so weird and complicated. I never really got the premise of it. Yet, I'm in the castle being forced to be taught to dance. I'm not sure if I have it worse because I hate dancing or if Lucy does because I keep stepping on her feet. I swear, I'm not trying to! It's just not that easy to move around without coming closer to her.I can see her frustration because I can't dance well, and I try to do my best for her sake. I really am giving it my all. I'm sure she knows it though, and that's why she's not screaming at me right now. I know that she isn't enjoying having her feet stepped on every couple of minutes.
Thankfully, I'm able to learn how to dance within a few days, which means that I'm not going to fail Lucy. I really don't want to let her down, because this is her first ball, and I know that she's always wanted to dance. As long as she doesn't dance with anyone else, I'm fine with it.
I'm told by Jude that we'd be leaving a week in advance, just like usual. Since he has the supplies, he's going to take the most direct route, just like last time. Lucy and I would have taken this route, but it's not the safest, since there are a lot of thieves, murderers, and other cruel people who live on this road. Since Jude is the king, he has a lot of different things that would keep him safe, especially the surrounding carts that would be filled with soldiers to protect us.
Jude didn't actually have anymore of those motion sickness vials, but to our luck, I still hadn't used the second one that Jude gave me. Remembering that I had it made my day, and I was surprised too. I'm sure that I would have definitely used it in at least one or two different occasions. I'm not that resistant to motion sickness.
The trip goes by rather smoothly. We left on a Monday, and we travel for the next five days, arriving Friday night or the Sunday ball. The trip seems awfully familiar, and since last time, I can't help but keep a closer eye on Lucy. I make sure she's around me all the time, always sitting next to her. It's not that I don't trust her, it's that I don't trust the world to keep her safe. I know that she wouldn't go down on her own. After all, her celestial spirits will help her in any pinch that she may have.
I find that Magnolia is much the same as it was the last time we visited six years ago. The buildings still look similar, and in fact, we have the same hotel room as last time. It's familiar, which can be frightening, is also a little welcoming. I wouldn't expect Magnolia to be very different from the town we saw six years ago.
One thing that has definitely changed is the Fairy Tail building. It's so much larger now! Not only that, but it's more fancy, and hopefully resistant to explosions. (Although, I don't know that one for sure.) Either way, it's a sight to behold, and I can't believe that it's a guild hall. It looks like a giant fort or governmental center. I'm sure it's designed well too, with all of the fights and stuff.
We meet up with the Fairy Tail guild on the Saturday before the ball. Lucy is anxious to see her friends again. Even if I won't admit it, Gray and Gajeel are some pretty cool people. The girls are nice, but they can be a little frightening. Lucy seems to really enjoy spending time with them.
They already know about "us", since some of them would visit the palace when on missions to Crocus. It's a nice a gesture in my opinion. Erza came over once, eating a huge cake given to us by the Straight family as an apology.
Levy visited with Gajeel shortly thereafter, marveling at the size of the castle's library. Gajeel and I play some really awesome hide-and-kick-the-shit-out-of-each-other, which is a simple game, where basically you run in a given direction for thirty seconds before trying to find the other person (without using dragon senses) and beat the shit out of them. Let's just say, the girls were less than happy when we ruined their "precious silence" while fighting.
Juvia Lockser visited with Gray once, who I still to this day believe has a thing for her. Juvia came up with the idea of a double date, so the four of us went out for some double-date. Gray objected of course, since he "didn't believe" them to be dating, but still went along with it. They're definitely dating.
Lucy and I are greeted by a large number of Fairy Tail members when we walk in the guild. Jude came earlier, saying something about plans for the ball, letting us sleep in longer. So when we arrived, it was just the three of us.
Three isn't exactly accurate, since the moment Happy saw a female cat, he bolted. Maybe he has found a new love interest that Lucy can tease him about, since Happy always teases us.
Of course, the guys don't want to act soft, so they don't walk up to me or anything. The girls, however, run as fast as they can towards Lucy. They are most definitely excited to see Lucy, judging by how incredibly fast they ran.
"Hey Lucy, how have things been?" Levy asks quickly.
"Juvia hopes that Lucy and Natsu are still together." Juvia says.
"Lucy, inform us, please." Erza requests.
"Uhh, sure. Things have been fine. Natsu and I are still going strong. Do you have anything new?" Lucy answers.
"Well, still figuring things out for the dance tomorrow, you know?" Levy says.
"Well that's easy, you'd go with Gajeel right?" Lucy replies.
"Yeah, but the blockhead is too stupid to ask." Levy whispers back.
"Juvia experiences the same problem. Juvia is afraid that Gray doesn't want her to be at the dance with him." Juvia adds in.
"Oh come on, who would he go with besides you?" Lucy asks.
"Juvia doesn't know, but she does not like the possibility of Gray going with someone else." Juvia answers.
"How about you Erza?" Lucy asks.
"She's waiting for Jellal to answer." Levy says.
"That would be about correct. I'm not entirely sure of his whereabouts, but he said that he'd be at this ball. I really hope he isn't letting me down." Erza adds.
"Nonsense, he'll definitely be there. He hasn't broken a promise of yours yet, ever since he escaped the prison." Levy says.
"I figure they don't want a guy hearing this, Lucy, so I'll go talk to the guys right now." I tell Lucy, who nods in approval before I walk off. Ugh, girl talk, never any fun to listen too. At least, if you're a guy. Maybe it's fun if you're a girl.
Yet it sounds like all of these guys are too much of cowards to ask their future girlfriends out to a dance. Don't they see that there are people literally just waiting for them to open their eyes and realize that they're made for each other?
Approaching the guys, I look towards them with a friendly smirk, but not a smile. If they're going to play the cold asshole, I might as well be the cold badass.
"Sup Flamebreath." Gray greets.
"Long time no see, popsicle stick." I reply.
"Does that even make sense?" Gajeel asks.
"It doesn't need to." I reply.
"How have you guys been? My life has been pretty awesome." I gloat.
"Yeah, well not all of us are allowed to sit around all day and get fat." Gray says.
"And that's exactly why I train a whole bunch. I do help the crime fighting force in Crocus, you know." I reply.
"Sure, that's why I've heard of your membership." Gray taunts.
"Well you dumbass, people would be all over them if they found out I helped out. The only reason why I do is because I need some action every now and again. Besides, I don't ever really take jobs for them. Just once every other week or so." I explain.
"Okay, so we know what Salamander has been doing. Care to enlighten us Gray? I've seen you in less fights and more conversations with Juvia. Sounds to me like someone is getting soft." Gajeel jeers.
"Don't turn this on me. Just because I spend time with a friend doesn't mean I'm losing my manliness." Gray replies.
"Yeah, if it was actually a friend, and not your girlfriend." Gajeel taunts.
"Shut up dude! You know she's not." Gray says, enraged.
"Oh that's right, you're too much a coward to confess. My bad." Gajeel says.
"Yeah, well I don't see you doing anything different. You still haven't said anything to Levy, you know that?" Gray replies.
"Yeah, well in your case it's definitely obvious that Juvia likes you. If I were you, I would have already confessed or some shit. I would not be some kind of lovesick coward like you are right now." Gajeel explains.
"I'm not some kind of lovesick coward! I'll prove it to ya!" Gray shouts.
"Alright then, go and confess your undying love to Juvia." Gajeel says simply.
"Sure thing, and if I do, you confess to Levy." Gray replies.
"Sure, knowing your cowardliness, I might have to confess to Levy on my own time. If you lose though, you have to kiss Makarov. No exceptions." Gajeel openly admits.
"Shut the fuck up dude!" Gray says.
"Anyways, I'm waiting. Go get 'em tiger." Gajeel instructs.
"Have you ever heard of reading the moment, dumbass? You can't just go over to four girls, confess in front of them and keep your dignity." Gray explains.
"This isn't about dignity. It's about you finally coming to terms with yourself, you moron." Gajeel replies.
"Yeah, well if I could do both, I would, but I can't. As long as she's mine before the dance, I win, okay?" Gray proposes.
"Nope. You have to have it before tomorrow morning. I need to know when I can ask Levy to the dance and on what terms. I don't want to be halfway through the dance and hear that you asked Juvia to dance." Gajeel explains.
"Fine, by tomorrow morning?" Gray suggests.
"That works." Gajeel replies.
"Hey Natsu!" Lucy shouts, waving to signal my eyes. Hearing her voice, I immediately look over to her, where she's smiling ecstatically with her friends. She walks over to me in a graceful stride. "We're going to go shopping and get dresses for tomorrow."
"Okay, I respond, before whispering, "Make sure you get a sexy red one. You look amazing in everything, but I think you look the best in a nice fiery red."
"T-thanks Natsu." She replies. "I will definitely look for one." I might have made her worry a little much. From what I know, girls sometimes will over think their appearances, and I don't want Lucy to freak out because she can't find "the perfect dress".
Pulling her into a quick hug, I whisper, "Love you Lucy. You're going to be the most beautiful girl there, so don't worry too much about which dress you choose."
I can feel her smile against me for a few seconds before she lets go. "I'll be back in a few hours with a nice red dress. Don't get in too much trouble, okay? Take it easy with the fighting, I don't want any injuries before the dance."
"Yeah I know, I'll keep your word. Don't stay out too late." I tell her.
Lucy nods and walks towards her friends. While others might find it stupid and mushy, simple moments like that can be the sweetest things ever. I always feel really good after being with Lucy. She just is so amazing.
"Oi Natsu, you really are a softy. Does Romeo do everything that Juliet asks?" Gray says in a mocking manner.
"Shut the fuck up. At least I have the guts to confess to the girl I love." I reply, which is followed by a snickering Gajeel and silent Gray. That hit the point home pretty hard.
"Don't worry there Gray, you have several hours to think. The girls all left for a dress. I wouldn't be surprised if Juvia brought back a blue dress." Gajeel says.
"Yeah, well no shit, Sherlock. Of course she would, she's a rain woman. Last time I checked, the rain is blue." Gray replies.
"That's not the point, you shithead! For one, she's probably getting blue because she loves you and your magic – ice – is blue. Secondly, you should get a tuxedo that matches her color." Gajeel explains.
"Hey Natsu?" Gray asks.
"Yeah Gray?" I reply.
"Don't you get cocky because I'm asking for help, but how did you get together with Lucy?" He asks.
"Some rich snob came to visit the castle one day, and I was sick of him being so friendly with Lucy. I confessed to her in her room, and well, we've been together since." I explain.
"All you did was tell her?" He asks.
"Yeah, pretty much." I answer.
"Gihi, he must be really shittin' his pants if he's asking Salamander for help." Gajeel points out.
"I just wanted to know what it's like to confess since I'm about to do it in a few hours." Gray explains.
"Sure, well we all know he scored lucky with Lucy. Salamander is a lost cause without her." Gajeel explains.
"I'm only agreeing with you because I love Lucy, and well, that's pretty much true." I reply.
"Why don't we all have a drink then?" Gajeel suggests. "It'll make it easier to confess, Gray, plus you won't have to think so damn much."
That right there, was definitely a bad idea. Remind me never to take any of Gajeel's advice, ever again. It's always a bad idea...