"Make it stop!" The scream cut through the air, piercing and filled with desperation and in stunned Lucy because it had come from her.
They had found a key, Zen had angled them over to one of Boscan floating islands and suddenly, as they had walked the rippling surface of the Grass Sea to reach it, she'd understood why clansmen who lived on the Sea walked and were shaped like they were with such different muscle groupings and such.
She had struggled to walk and while it hadn't seemed a great distance, the Island was over a mile out on the sea. Bickslow of course was more than happy to lift her up onto his totems and the two had cuddled and teased their way along. Hestor also finally giving a resigned sigh and reaching for Kaleb who had chuckled from where he'd been circling overhead, dropping down and scooping his mate up into his arms and they had flown then, only losing a little time to Celestial mage stubbornness.
The key had been nestled among gorgeous flowers and gleamed, a rich blue with hints of green and gold, it looked like a feather, a peacock feather, and Lucy, thrilled, had snatched it right up even as Hestor was shoving himself away from Kaleb reaching out and yelling at her not to touch it.
She'd been smug, this had to be Pavo the peacock, what else could it be looking like a peacock feather? A beautiful key for a beautiful spirit and Lucy had always wanted it. She'd read somewhere the key held "Beautiful illusion magic and a key to the Lotus lagoon" illusion magic was so versatile, Macbeth did incredible things with his reflector magic, and every variation of illusion magic she'd come across had always been so amazing, adding Pavo to her family would be a pure delight, she could almost see a beautiful spirit, Loke probably flirting her up too, she'd kick his ass if he did, she was going to really love having this key…
Instead of tropical glory, flowers and beauty though, Lucy only felt...pain, lancing through her until she wanted to cut her hand off to free herself from it.
Hestor was there then, rummaging into requip space he yanked out magic cancelling cuffs and slapped on on the wrist above the hand holding the key with one hand while flipping out a gray velvet square of fabric. When Lucy could uncurl her fingers, the key fell onto the fabric and Hestor wrapped it and shoved it into the pouch on his belt before looking over at Kaleb, who strode forward, eyes already glowing gold.
Bickslow moved in front of her, brushing her hair back, smiling gently and kissing her forehead, there was nothing he could do, the key had magic, he'd felt it, but he had no clue what it was beyond that and hadn't seen that coming, he'd just seen Lucys whole being flash to the horrible color of dark blood red with pain though and it ate him a little Hestor had been the one to save her, he was reading the book his father had given him...a journal written by a man over 2000 years ago who was "The One" of a powerful Celestial Mage.
It had insight he was appreciating, into Lucys moods, how much her keys affected her day by day. Everyone had always thought she was so flighty, distracted, and how she could swing from in control make Erza look weak mode, to insecure and self loathing in seconds, well..it was her magic, her connections to the spirits contracted to her were deep.
The more keys she contracted, the more complex Lucy became, it was inevitable, and, as her one, her soulmate, Bickslow needed to understand it and, how to live and work with it. He was getting a whole new respect for Kaleb now, since Lucy held all light keys, most of which were pretty positive in nature, Aries and Aquarius being exceptions rather than rules, she stayed on the sunny side.
Hestor held the 10 of the Hall and two Bifrost keys now and some of his others weren't light magic though he did have many that were, that meant Hestor...was prone to depression, dark moods and...was a driving force behind the mans already naturally aloof and sharp personality.
In truth, Bickslow was grateful Lucy was prone to preferring the light keys, she struggled with too much already from her past, adding the issues some of the dark magic keys brought? He...didn't want that for her, and was grateful she had given Corvus to Hestor.
Adro, the key Hestor had given her in "trade" was a sunny happy teenaged Dragon, son of Draco and Nurem, he used light magic, shimmering gold fire, and could manifest himself as an adorable cat sized dragon or all the way up to his true form, a young male golden dragon about 40 feet long not counting his tail that Lucy could ride. She could only call him on weekends though, because he had studies his mother and father insisted he attend on the weekdays.
Lucy loved him, and his addition to her family had been a happy thing.
His brother managed to live happily with Hestor in spite of what had to be some dark times with the keys the man was contracted to, but then, Kaleb had always been so solid and steady, confident and a bright light in their family...he had found Bickslow in that damned cell...and Bickslow would never forget that.
His attention now was fully on Lucy though, as she sobbed and shook under Kalebs glowing hands, the Archangel magic healing away what the key had done.
"Wh...why?" Lucy asked when she could finally speak. Hestor had stepped back and was now putting the wrapped key into a small case. Steel blue eyes briefly met hers.
"Because you're an idiot." Hestor snapped. Bickslow glared at him.
"Fuck off Hestor, why did the key attack her, asshole?" He snarled, pulling Lucy into his arms to hold her until she could stop shaking.
"Bix, calm down." Kaleb warned.
Bickslow narrowed his eyes on his brother. "Figures you'd take his side, it's a shitty thing to say, he knows what she meant."
"The answer is still the same, you want to know why the key attacked you Lucy? Because you were an idiot and grabbed it without thinking, without any caution at all, this is Pavo the Peacock, an illusion and poison magic key, the twin peacock spirits that use illusionary magic to blanket a person in beauty, vanity, ego and self absorption, did you feel like you were getting some sort of victory as you reached for it? It's how it pulls you fully in, the trial Pavo uses? You must survive the twins, prove you can, to wield the key. It is a powerful key, deadly, that pain you felt would weaken you until you'd accept any reality that didn't contain it, then...Lotus poisons, look there…" Hestor pointed, beneath the gorgeous flowers, kicked under the lush green leaves and flowers...were...bones. Human bones…
"Those are probably other Celestial mages and any clansfolk unlucky enough to happen upon the key and not know better than to do what you just did." The celestial mage said, stepping over to Kaleb, leaning against him and sighing faintly when the big blonde slid an arm around him and kissed his temple.
Hestor had bristled at Bickslows anger, how many times had he gone over this with Lucy? Don't touch until the key is identified fully, yet she'd run ahead and snatched the key off its bed of flowers like a five year old grabbing gifts on New Years. She had impulse control issues, he got it, she was contracted to more than one impulsive spirit but she had Capricorn for the stars sake, Crux, Scutum…
He frowned, feeling a soft prodding from Kaleb and rolled his eyes.
You have so many more thoughtful and calm spirits than she does… Kaleb gently reminded him. He snapped his eyes to warm Lavender and pressed his lips together.
"This will...actually be a good key for you, we just need to be smart in how you approach initial summoning." Hestor said. He would not apologize though, no matter how Kaleb massaged his hip with those strong fingers…
Lucy blinked at him in stunned silence and he put thought into it, leaning more against Kaleb and tapping his fingers on the firm forearm crossing his midsection.
"Vulpecula would be another we should try to find for you, I think the Academe has one of her keys...she's a very wise spirit, thoughtful and cunning and you...badly...need some less impulsive keys on your ring." Hestor said and Bickslow felt his ire drop at the man…
Hestor had never been one to pull punches, and...he had just that morning, reminded Lucy as they were heading out, that he wanted her to follow the methods he'd been teaching her for approaching a found key….she'd fucked up and hurt herself. If what he'd read was right...Hestor was right too, she needed to get some keys on her ring that would temper the thoughtless impulsiveness she had.
He'd seen her...fly right into trouble without a seeming thought, determined to prove her worth, to show people so they would acknowledge her strength and skill that she HAD strength and skill. Trouble was, most of the time? The only person who thought she didn't, who perceived she was disrespected...was her.
At least since she'd left team Natsu. He knew habits died hard...but, if Lucy didn't get more careful about Keys, she could simply...die. She was so thoughtful and such a great planner and strategist in so many other areas. He understood the compulsion to contract keys was powerful in her, it was in all Celestial summoners, but she had to get a handle on it.
"You really think I can contract that key?" Lucy finally asked, voice a little breathy and shaky.
"I do, and while Pavo uses dark magic, I think because of other aspects of the magic the twins use, they would fit into your set better than most dark keys would. Having a couple of dark magic keys in your ring, would also dampen the beacon your magic is, make it less easy for mages seeking to use someone like you, to find you." Hestor pointed out.
He'd had the opposite problem, needing more light keys on his ring to counter how dark his set made his magic, so he wasn't always immediately perceived as a dark mage. That still happened, but, his aura was light enough most people had enough doubt they gave him a chance before outright rejecting him.
Dark mages hadn't often sought him to use him for a sacrifice or power up, they sought him to join their damned ranks, sometimes sidling up to him and congratulating him on sneaking into a guild like White Sea with all its resources...He handled those mages swiftly and mercilessly. The last one in particular still had him seething, it hadn't even been that long ago, just before Lucy had dropped into his damned lap.
He'd been waiting for Kaleb, sitting outside at a nice cafe sipping some Sevenese coffee and reading while Kaleb was interviewing a young mage Kalebs Uncle Tesso had asked him to talk to. The woman had sat down far too close, though at the table beside his own, she pulled her chair back and leaned back, smiling at him.
He'd not met her look, keeping his eyes on his book. "If you wish service here it's best you sit near your table." He'd said.
"I seek you, Mr. Kedanza, you have one of the most deliciously...dark and light and just wonderfully concealed auras I've ever felt." She purred and he'd stiffened when a hand had slid up his thigh.
He'd been pretty open growing up, raised Boscan, but his Stellan blood put a distaste for people invading his space into him and while he had, in his life, shared pleasures with women, he'd always prefered male attention. He set his book down and leveled a cold look at her.
"Remove your hand from my person." He hissed and a soft flash of magic had Ermine sinking teeth into the womans hand. She gasped and jerked her hand back, glaring at the small white weasel that now stood, front paws on the armrest of Hestors chair, back on his thigh hissing at her.
"Nice...weasel." She observed, rubbing her hand.
"I was enjoying my book and coffee, you're intruding, I do not want whatever you're offering." Hestor said coldly.
"Mmm, yeah, I saw the big blonde drop you off..prefer guys huh? Don't blame you with that blonde, he's beautiful and that white leather really doesn't hide all he'd got to offer." She said.
Hestor rolled his eyes "If you're trying to bait me or relate to me, save your breath, as I said, I want nothing you might offer, now, leave me alone, I won't ask again." He snapped, reaching for his book.
She made the mistake of reaching and slamming the book down as he started to pick it up and Ermine was in her face. The resulting tousle and the woman crashing around screaming had some police running into the outside area. Hestor scooted his chair over and plucked his coffee and book up to prevent them from getting caught up in the womans wild flailing. Before the police reached her Ermine vanished in a small puff of glittering gold and Hestor sat looking wide eyed and shocked at the woman like everyone else.
"He attacked me!" She creamed pointing at Hestor who's well practiced look of utter innocence and his position and lack of a weapon or any blood on him considering the woman had mutiple injuries to her face and hands had even the other patrons frowning.
"He never moved lady, you just...freaked out...like you were wrestling with you scarf or something." One of the waiters said.
There was screaming, yelling, the woman tried to put up a fight, but the police in Pelerno weren't weaklings and were always well gifted mages themselves so, soon enough, she'd been hauled off and Hestor had just been getting settled again when Kaleb had returned, eyeing him...knowing something had happened.
"I took care of a roach." Hestor had said simply refusing to say more and Kaleb had, because he knew the man...dropped it. Choosing instead to get himself some Honey donuts and a Sevenese coffee and just enjoy sitting outside on a nice day with his mate.
It was one of many reasons Hestor loved Kaleb, his calm. Kaleb was like an oasis to him, close to the mindbender he was relaxed, comfortable, knew whatever came, Kaleb would be there at his side and never, not in all the time they had known each other, had Kaleb ever said he was creepy, had never treated him like he was odd.
Once Kaleb was there, no matter how bad things were, they always got better, he could retreat to Kaleb, was safe with him...loved and appreciated and understood. If something came up and Hestor struggled to relate it, either because of his magic or his own issues, Kaleb found a way to get through it, and he always helped, never quit until he did. Even if Hestor himself was fighting him, Kaleb never gave up on him.
He struggled with it, with his very relationship with his One, feeling he didn't deserve him, he was so short, at 5'10" he was tall by Stellan standards, but Kaleb at 6'4" towered over him. He was easy to annoy, had a sharp tongue and lashed out at times without even wanting to say some of the things he did.
The darkness surrounding him, that Kaleb had ever been drawn to him still amazed him at times. His mother had given him...that look...when he'd made the mistake of saying something once.
"What do you mean?" She'd demanded. Hestor had shrugged, he'd been horrid to Kaleb that day, they'd argued and he'd stormed off, leaving kaleb standing by Hestors father unsure what to do.
"I worry he'll...leave me, that one day, he'll just…" He'd sighed and Ming had actually smacked him.
"He's your One, he'll do no such thing. You're handsome, smart, strong and that man loves you and always will, stop being a ninny." Ming had snapped and Hestor had then remembered why he rarely confided too much in his mother.
He had to look at Lucy and remind himself, she'd had no training, nobody to help her understand her magic except for spirits...letting spirits teach you celestial magic was about as healthy as letting a compulsive eater teach you how to come up with a healthy diet. Spirits would steer her every kind of wrong way to get her to be the holder they wanted, there was no law that they had to be honest or even moral.
He had to undo her assumptions and incredibly bad habits, and teach her the healthy way to be a successful Celestial Summoner….but he really did not want to...it meant time, a lot of it, and she was so...in his space and loud and nosy and...he pushed more into Kaleb, humming softly and turning his face into Kalebs neck, letting the scent of spiced apples come, drinking in the serenity that was his mindbender mate to calm the sudden rise of anxiety the idea of a lot more time with Lucy brought. A slightly ground shaking thud heralded Zens arrival. The Archangel bored of circling had come down to find out what the hold up was, usually these runs were grab and go, Hestor always had this process her preferred to do at a comfortable inn where he could sit and read and think over the keys found.
Kalebs hand gently pushed into his hair, strong fingers pushing soothingly into his scalp and Hestor whined softly, he wanted nothing as much as some privacy someplace quiet with Kaleb where he could curl up bury his fingers in silky platinum hair and have his back rubbed and his hair played with.
Daevale city isn't far from here, I thought we would go there, sleep and catch an Airship back to Pelerno. Kaleb soothed in his head and Hestor smiled.
I want a private cabin, I need..time…. He responded. Kaleb slid his other arm around his mate, hugging him into his chest as Zen walked over.
"So...cuddle time or something? Come on! Daevale is maybe a 20 minute flight from here, I want hot food a soft bed and I don't give a shit if it's in the city or on an airship home but I'm not sleeping outside again so you four can have couples time." The big mage growled, crossing his arms over his chest impatiently.
Kaleb smiled "Testy when you don't get your beauty sleep huh? I was figuring we get to Daevale, book a flight back to Pelerno and head back. Dad says he can't hold off King Nuryev any more and Vander is due for pick up next weekend." He said.
Zen narrowed his eyes on his brother but nodded. "Sounds good, Bix, pick her up, let's go." He prodded the still kneeling Bickslow with the toe of his boot, baring his teeth when Bix stuck his tongue out at him but in a few minutes, they were all airborne, Hestor not objecting this time to being carried.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Daevale rested along three countries borders and sprawled into all three. The bustling city was haphazardly constructed since building codes and requirements in each country differed as much as the general designs of the buildings did.
Iceburg leaned toward heavy strawfilled blocks to construct things, Bosco leaned toward white stone and stucco and Stella always used stone mixed with it's precious metals. Runes laced along the streets, identifying the national borders of the countries and the market area toward the center was a 24 hour always somewhat chaotic but too good to pass up area.
Thane had booked them a room in the Boscan inn across the street from one of the Stellan inns only two blocks from the market area, knowing how Hestor enjoyed taking the opportunity to pick up things while in the city.
As they walked down the streets Bickslow suddenly stopped, eyes wide as he took in the scene ahead of them. Glittering runes down the center of the wide street separated Bosco and Stella, on the Stellan side a group of mages, ranging in age, one with silver laced through deep dark brown hair on down to a girl who looked to be maybe 10, all wore ornate Stellan garb, rich near black purple with silver and gold embroidery at collars cuffs and hemlines.
The symbol of Set was on the backs of their robes, indicating they worked at that temple, or at least for it in some capacity. What caught Bickslow? All 5 were Seith mages. Two even had dolls floating around them.
Hestor frowned when Kaleb put a hand on his shoulder and stopped him, he wanted to get to the Inn, he hadn't had a bath or shower in three days, he was hungry, tired and still a little annoyed over what had happened with Lucy.
"What…" He looked, followed Bickslows gaze to where a few Boscans were exchanging taunts with a group of Seith mages that, by their robes, were training at the Temple of Set.
"Really, not our business." He hissed and Kaleb shrugged.
"I just...I haven't seen another Seith mage that wasn't a dark fucker in like...ever." Bickslow said quietly, his eyes glowing he could see all golden healthy souls before him in that group, no darkness and he smiled faintly, the man with the silver in his hair was mated, his soul beautifully laced with a calm woman who was holding the hand of the ten year old and rolling her eyes as the two young men in their group were the ones egging on the issue.
"Come on over here and say that...my aunt was killed by one of your kind." The Boscan was shouting and Kalebs eyes narrowed then, the big blonde moving past Hestor and striding towards the three Boscans with a dark look on his face.
"I thought it wasn't our business." Bickslow said. Hestors eyes narrowed
"Guild marks." He said before hurrying after Kaleb and Bickslow saw it then, White Seas mark on the yelling man.
"Knock it off." Kaleb growled as he came up, one of the trio looked at him giving him a scathing glance and starting to continue egging on his friend then he did a double take, eyes flying wide.
I said STOP! The mental boom had all three men grabbing their heads and hitting their knees.
He wasn't in his guild clothes, clad in dirty jeans muddy brown boots and a t-shirt but there was still quick recognition on all three faces when the mages turned to see their Guildmaster marching up to them scowling.
Kaleb looked toward the seiths. "I apologize for their behavior, I promise you, this is not how mages of White Sea normally behave and they will be dealt with." He said in a smooth voice bowing his head toward the 5 mages across the street.
"Ours were not much better, they know not to react like this." The woman said, cuffing one of the young men who was still looking hatefully at the others.
"Apology accepted, Master Kaleb." The man with the silvered hair said, making it clear he knew who he was speaking to before turning his people and ushering them away, the womans hand shooting out when her most rebellious didn't move fast enough and wrenching his ear dragging him along whining and begging her to let go.
Kaleb rounded on the three mages still on their knees. "Taggart is on his way here, I put a full view of what I saw into his head so you won't be facing anything more or less than you deserve. Jesin, your mother and father...you had better do as Taggart commands you for punishment without complaint because if I hear a peep otherwise I'm sending Sersha out here with your father to talk to you." Kaleb snarled, the loudest of the three now wide eyed with horror and shaking his head.
Sersha was a friend, and her sisters death had been horrible during the battles with the Seith mages, but innocent mages that had nothing to do with that...Kaleb wouldn't tolerate prejudice in his guild, not at all and he told Taggart, the Lieutenant who ran the small branch of White Sea here in Daevale firmly that if these three young men couldn't go and benefit from counselling, he wanted them back in White Sea city within the month and he'd damn well see to it himself with their parents help.
They met Taggart at the Inn since the Guild branch here had no formal guild living quarters, here they assisted with leases on apartments for mages who chose to base themselves here, it was a good spot, and many enjoyed it, working in three different countries on a regular basis brought interesting jobs to those who based out of Daevale.
While Kaleb went to talk with Taggart and the three mages about how to handle their punishments, Lucy Bickslow, Zen and Hestor sat down to finally enjoy a hot meal. They had two days before an airship to Pelerno was due to leave so they had time to rest and Lucy was smiling as Hestor explained some of the Stellan dishes on the menu.
"The chef is Stellan sir." The waiter assured him as Hestor eyed him sharply and nodded before placing he and Kalebs orders.
Lucy giggled a little at the other Celestial Mages behavior, she had come to like Hestor a lot, once she understood his harshness came from his own troubles, not from an actually mean spirit, the man was actually, from what she'd seen, very caring.
Zen gave the stellar mage a doubtful look as Hestor encouraged him to try a Stellan dish.
"I don't like it...you buying me a steak." The Archangel said firmly and Hestor smiled.
"Fine, deal, but you'll love it." Hestor said confidently "I make it for Kaleb from time to time and he adores it."
"You didn't order it for him…" Zen pointed out. Hestor waved a hand.
"I want him to try something new."
Zen heaved a sigh and nodded to the waiter who wrote the order down. Lucy grinned, ordering her own new experience and narrowing her eyes on Bickslow who stilled.
The Seith had fully intended to order himself a nice steak, baked potato and some green beans, simple, delicious, and after a while of eating "mission food" he really had been looking forward to it, but...Lucy was looking at him expectantly.
"You don't want me to order regular stuff...do you?" He asked and she shook her head, still grinning.
He caught his older brothers pitying look and sighed, ordering what Hestor had ordered and praying the mans tastes weren't too...sophisticated or whatever for him to be able to enjoy it. Lucy was thrilled, the smoked Sea Buffalo sounded amazing but she'd gone for Stellan Fish pie and had been trying to plan how to steal a taste from Hestor, with Bixy ordering it she wasn't likely to have her hand slapped.
Kaleb made it back just as their food was being delivered and looked at the plate set in front of him with a raised brow.
"And this is?" He asked. Hestor patted his thigh smiling "Dulmari, lamb served with a spicy cream sauce and white potatoes, you'll love it." He assured his mate and Kaleb drew a breath. Before Hestor his diet had been pretty simple when he wasn't at home. He sort of lived off hamburgers, sandwiches and protein shakes after his work outs in the mornings.
Now? He frequently had no idea what was on his plate until Hestor explained it and...so far...that hadn't been a bad thing. Hestor had good taste, knew what Kaleb liked, shared most of his preferences when it came to food, so...he picked up his fork without further question.
Zen narrowed his eyes at his own meal, glaring a Kaleb as the mindbender put a forkful into him mouth and hummed in appreciation.
"You're too well trained." Zen huffed, but still tried his own and Hestors smile was smug when the Archangels brows shot up and he said no more.
Bickslow chuckled, not at all unhappy with his food, nor bothered Lucy was helping herself to some of it, he was happy it was hot, fresh and for the first time in a long while, tonight he was going to curl up in a private room in a comfortable bed, and make love to his mate far from Erza Scarlet and the rest of the world….