I promised one chapter that was due to last week and heeeere we go! Things are starting to move for our characters... Soon our favourite poison dragon slayer and the newly wind dragon slayer will meet!
Enjoy this chapter babies ;)
XOXO
A little while later, right outside the Fairy Tail guild...
A line of five figures was quickly proceeding very close to the wall of the Fairy Tail guild building. Glancing around suspiciously, tending their ears to catch any sound of steps approaching other than theirs, they slowly advanced, one after the other.
"They don't have to see us." whispered the leading figure. It was hard to tell whom he was, maybe because of the white scarf wrapped around his head and face, even if some pink locks were sticking out of it. "Happy. Go onto recognition."
"Aye sir!" a blue, small figure next to him flew a few meters ahead, inspecting carefully the windows on the side of the building.
"Why are we whispering?" hissed the second figure, behind the one with the scarf on his head. On the contrary to his companion, this second figure had kept his face uncovered. His face, and the rest of his body, too.
"Because there are two dragon slayers there!" whispered the first figure - who we know to be Natsu, of course!
He sniffed the air. "I think there is Lucy, Wendy and Charle inside." he whispered " I can smell something new, maybe it's her!"
"Are you sure flame-Cana! Do not push!"
"It's not my fault." hissed Cana, putting again a good meter in between her and the naked Ice mage. "It's Bickslow fault!"
"Nope, boss." cackled the Seith mage from behind his helmet. "It's that pretty ass of yours that makes me advance-not yours, Cana! Put away those cards!"
Cana grimaced, and muttered a 'pervert' under her breath. "Damn you, Gray, cover yourself! It's not like we want to see all of it!"
"But Juvia wants!"
Bickslow turned and winked to the Water mage behind him. "You have good taste, beautiful!"
Juvia blushed instantly. "Bickslow-san, this is embarrassing!" whined, seeing Bickslow looking at Gray and licking his lips.
"Nah, why should it be?" Bickslow lean again over Canal shoulder, "Hey Gray-" "They are there!"
Gray was unexpectedly saved by Happy. The blue Exceed had peeked inside one of windows, and found it to be the one of the infirmary. "It is the fourth window!" he said, "There Dalila is sitting on the bed, and there are Lucy, Charle and Wendy as well!"
"See, there is Wendy! Cover up!" hissed Cana to Gray.
"I don't have my clothes!" "Juvia has Gray-sama clothes!" "Why do you have my clothes!" shrieked Gray, snatching his t-shirt away from Juvia's hand and putting it on swiftly.
"Sssh!" Natsu turned and glared at them. "They will hear us!"
Gray dressed, the mages advanced, tip-toeing, until they were a few steps away from the window of the infirmary.
They heard Lucy talking about some mission she had taken with team Natsu a while ago, and Charle and Wendy sometimes making some observation or adding details. An unknown, melodic voice could also be heard, the one of a young woman. "Get a little closer! I can't hear anything!" muttered Cana, pressing in the back Gray, who slapped Natsu on the shoulder. "Move on, you idiot! We can't hear!"
Natsu glared at Gray, but bite his tongue. Damn, he had sneaked out of the guild without Master noticing him, but a little later the others had followed him. Now, it was only a matter of minutes before Master put two and two together and brought them back to the guild hall.
Not without having a look at Dalila! thought Natsu grinning. He moved another few steps, getting so close to the window he could have easily looked inside. Behind him, Gray was so close he could feel his chill breath on his neck. "So?" he whispered in his ear. "Can you see her?"
Gray was just as curious as Natsu, and there was no way he was going to let the fire dragon slayer see Dalila before him. They were rivals, weren't them?
"What if they hear us?" asked Juvia worried.
"I don't think that it will matter much!" chuckled Cana, slithering on the ground and getting under the windowsill. Bickslow was quickly to follow her, and went to the other side of the window. "The important thing," he chuckled, "is that Porlyusica doesn't hear us!"
"Or worse," whispered Gray, ready to peek from behind Natsu shoulder, "Erza doesn't have to find out..."
They had been so concentrated on not making a noise, that had forgot to pay attention to the ones that were around them. Therefore, they hadn't heard the sound of marching, iron boots, coming in their direction. For this reason, none of them was expecting to hear a voice, stating with a clear, angry, and utterly familiar tone. "Find what, Gray?"
In the meantime, in the infirmary...
Dalila had been chatting with Wendy until Porlyusica had brought them something to eat. "Remember your work is still awaiting for you!" she had told Wendy. "Plants are not going to sort out themselves, you know!"
Wendy had blushed, but the healer let her and Charle stay a little longer. That child can't be seen Lucy only! she had thought, referring to Dalila. If she is going to be out of here in a couple of days, better get acquainted with the other guild members as soon as possible.
On that very moment, Dalila was talking with Wendy about dragon slayer magic, asking as many questions as she could - every time Wendy patiently answered her, new questions arose - while Lucy was recalling from time to time things that she had seen Natsu doing. Like, covering his body with fire.
"I can't really cover my body with air, but I am a healer!" stated Wendy proudly.
"And the best one!" chimed Charle.
"Natsu has not an extra power, nor do the others, right?" asked Dalila to Lucy.
"If you consider emptying my fridge regardless of how much food I have actually inside, or sneak into my bed almost every night, yes, Natsu has definitively a second power." sighed Lucy. "An evil one, if you ask me."
"You know, I am very curious of meeting your team!" Dalila giggled and clapped her hands. "You seem to share such a strong bound. You know Wendy, Lucy has been talking a lot about the mission you took together! This Natsu especially, I-" Dalila was abruptly interrupted by a loud cry, and a crash, coming from the nearby window. The girls jolted in surprise, but before they could discern the cause of the noise, the cause itself came straight to them. Or, to be more precise, it came flying through the open window, thrown by an unknown, powerful force.
"Aaaahh!" Dalila and Wendy screamed from the top of their lungs, shielding themselves with their arms.
"Aaaahh!" Natsu screamed, blowing by them and avoiding Charle by an inch.
"Natsu!" yelled Lucy, seeing the fire dragon slayer coming right towards her. She scrambled to move out of the way, but she was not fast enough.
"Lucyyyy!" Natsu hit her, knocking her down from her chair. Dalila saw them tumbling on the floor, rolling in a mess of arms and legs and a white scarf, and finally hitting the wall. Hard. "Ouch!"
"Natsu, is this the way to enter a girl's room?" cried Charle from the top of her lungs.
Dalila raised her eyebrows. So... this is Natsu?
She looked amused and amazed at the pink-haired guy, who was crashing Lucy under his weight.
"Natsu, what are you doing here?" asked Lucy angrily from under the dragon slayer. "And let go of me!"
Natsu grinned, and adjusted his scarf around his neck. "Sorry, Lucy, it had been Gray's fault!" his voice raised, and he glared at the window, as if he could see Gray thought it. And in fact, Natsu was not wrong.
Everyone in the room followed his gaze, and soon they were graced with a very naked, black-haired young man, being thrown inside just as Natsu had been.
"Make waaaay!" cried Gray, making a parabola and landing right in between Dalila and Wendy.
The elder dragon slayer screamed, both because she was not pleased to have naked men hanging around her, and because people didn't land on her bed. Wendy just sighed in defeat, as if to her, people entering naked by the window was not far from the usual routine. Considering it is Fairy Tail we are talking about, this is pretty much accurate.
"Gray-san, your clothes." groaned Charle.
Gray yelped. "Oh, I am sorry." he muttered, even if he didn't looked worried at all. "I had them until Erza threw me in! I must have lost the clothes why flying."
Dalila quickly proceeded in covering her eyes, and Wendy's. "Hello!" she shrieked, just not to be impolite, but then she didn't know what to tell, because there was not much she could say to a man that had been thrown on her bed without clothing on. Oh well, some things come to my mind, but this is not the case!
Dalila had no time to ponder what else she could say, that another apparition distracted her. Another man - fully dressed, much to Dalila's relief, even if she thought the helmet was a little bit of an exaggeration - jumped inside the room with a pirouette, soon followed by five fluctuating, fuzzing, and giggling balls.
"Here we are, babies!" cackled this last man, moving a few steps into the infirmary and nearing Dalila's bed. "I got your panties, honey!" he bowed, handing a pair of boxers over Gray, who muttered a thank you and slipped into them.
Then the man with the helmet turned to Dalila "Aaah, finally I see you awake!" Bickslow bowed again, the balls - small wooden totems, Dalila saw - moving in circle around him. "The name's Bickslow." he let out a laugh, and took a good look at her. "Oh, if you aren't a doll! Isn't that so, babies?"
"Doll! Doll! Doll!" chanted the totems with high pitched voices.
"Can't you shut them up for a minute?" grunted Gray, now, if not dressed, at least presentable enough to introduce himself. "Hello," he said, stretching out a hand with a smile, "My name is Gray Fullbuster! Welcome at Fairy Tail!"
"Welcome! Welcome!" echoed the totems. From her spot, Charle glared at them. Couldn't they just stop vibrating and deafening anyone in the room?
Dalila, shook Gray's hand. Gosh! It's like holding a brick of ice!
"Nice-Nice to meet you!" she stuttered, going with her eyes from Bickslow to Gray, and back to Bickslow.
Lucy's irritate sconding as she held Natsu by the ear, and the fire dragon slayer's loud protests, the cries of the wooden totems, and in general the sudden outburst of unknown, noisy people in what had been a perfectly silent and quiet place until a few moments ago, where making Dalila's head spin.
First of all, and most relevant detail, the sounds around her were much stronger and ear-piercing than ever. Dragon slayer senses be damned... thought Dalila, fighting not to put the hands on her ears.
Moreover, Dalila was not used to all these people taking to her at once. Now she started to understand why Master Makarov, as Lucy told her the day before, had wanted her to recover for a few days before meeting the other members of the guild. Now I see why!
However, Dalila couldn't hold back a smile, seeing Gray grabbing a wooden doll and throwing it at the fire dragon slayer, who was still arguing, sprawled over Lucy, onto the floor. "Hei, flame brain! You wanted to meet Dalila, right?"
"Shut up!" Natsu jumped up, dragging Lucy with, his fist half covered with fire. "Natsu! Behave!" Lucy hissed, eyeing the blazing flames dancing a few inches from her body.
"Don't you worry," said Wendy in a perfectly calm voice, leaning over Dalila to be heard above Bickslow cackling. "It is always like this between Natsu and Gray!"
Natsu had a natural, blinding smile, going from ear to ear, that was showing his sharped canines. In a jump, he was in front of her stretching out his hand for her to shake. "Hi! I am Natsu Dragneel, the fire dragon slayer!"
"Dalila von Altzner." Dalila took his hand with a small smile. "Nice to meet you, Natsu!"
His hand is true to his magic, she thought. It was warm, and Dalila wouldn't have been surprised to see steam coming out from it. He seemed to be lost in thoughts for a moment, as his onyx eyes that scanned the wind dragon slayer curiously.
A laugh escaped Dalila's chest. "Can I have my hand back, Natsu?"
Lucy giggled. "Do not burn her, Natsu!"
Unnoticed, Bickslow looked down at Dalila, as Natsu asked her how did she feel, if she had already tried her magic, and the rest of his team tried to dissuade him - "How could she?" Charle was scolding. The soul he had seen back in the Blue Mountains, the gleaming globe of white light, resting peacefully in her chest, was much less bright now. Grief, and sorrow. As expected. But, sometimes, Bickslow could see golden and blu threads, pulsing softly now and then. Hadn't his face be covered by the helmet, his freinds would have seen him smile widely. She is already healing.
Those small, brief appearance of couloured rays were a sign of a healthy, lively soul. The eyes of the Seith mage were born to catch those shades, invisible to any other mage. And he saw Dalila's soul already gleaming with new light an colours, and the more she spoke with Lucy, Natsu, and the others, the more insistent those shades were appearing around her.
Soon you will be good, doll.
He was about to speak - not of this, of course, it was not like him to give details about other people's souls - when two voices were heard from out of the window.
"Move Juvia, or we will be caught again!" "Cana-san, wait... Oh no!"
Everyone turned, just in time to see a woman with a furry, blue coat and long, azure hair being hushed in the room. The landed with her face on the floor, and let out a small protest, probably directed to the young woman jumping inside the room right after her.
"Juvia! Cana!" exclaimed Lucy. "What are you two doing in here?". This is not good! What if Master finds us?
There were already more people than Master or Porlyusica would allow in the room! Why haven't I thought to put someone on guard? I should have known that they were going to sneak in here!
The one who had fallen in first bowed as soon as she got up "Juvia is glad to meet you!" she said with a sweet voice. Dalila bowed her head to her with a smile. "Mi name is Dalila. The pleasure is mine!"
"My name is Cana!" called the other one, stepping inside and placing herself in front of Dalila. "You look terrible, dear!" she said after staring at her for a couple of seconds, bursting into laughter. "Want something to drink to make you feel better?"
"No thanks. Nice to meet you" Dalila scratched the back of her head. "I am not much of a drinker, really." she giggled.
"Oh, we can put a remedy to that soon, no worries!" Cana leaned over her patted the wind slayer's head. "Aunt Cana will teach you!"
"Ei, Cana, where is Erza?" asked Gray, glancing around suspiciously. "She knocked us down before, and she ended up throwing us in here, but I didn't see where she went!"
Erza had found out their little expedition and it had been her intention to stop them, using one of her infallible methods, known as 'if I you d knock down, you can't get up and do something stupid'. Unfortunately for her, she had accidentally threw first Natsu and then Gray inside the infirmary, instead of the opposite direction. But surely she was not going to let them inside for long.
"Fuck, I was forgetting! I must be drunk! Erza's coming!"
"What?" Lucy cried. "Erza is coming here?" why she was scared, if she was the only one actually authorised to see Dalila? Well, because every time their team mates got into trouble, she was always involved, no matter what.
Cana was now looking worried - no, not worried, scared as hell, thought Dalila. "After kicking you, she dragged me and Juvia into the guild hall, but we made it here before her! But now we need to leave, before-"
The door slammed open. Everyone in the room, but Dalila, jumped on their feet.
A woman had appeared on the doorstep. Her armour, her eyes cold and determined, and the sword she was holding in one hand, made the mages in the room shiver in fear. Dalila included this time.
On the other hand, the mage - who was undoubtedly Erza - was holding a small fur ball, that turned out to be an Exceed, which the mage was holding firmly on the scruff of the neck.
"Natsu!" whined the little thing. "Erza caught me! I could not escape and tell you to run! I am sorry!"
"But apparently someone else has done it for you, Happy!" Erza said severely, eyeing Juvia and Cana in a way that made Juvia cover her eyes. "Juvia is sorry!"
Erza's voice was low and strong, but Dalila could guess some musicality in it, and as if it was hiding some sweeter, more gentle shades behind that apparent harshness.
The wind dragon slayer tilted her head, a soft smile spreading onto her lips. She was not very afraid of the mage who was now walking slowly towards the group - despite Cana shifting towards the window, Gray ducking under the bed, Natsu jumping behind the headboard, and Lucy blabbering excuses that had no sense at all.
The only one who wasn't a bit worried was Bickslow. Dalila met his gaze under the helmet, and she believed he winked at her.
"Now," was growling Erza, without minding a bit the wind dragon slayer sitting onto her bed, "Master had given precise disposition about this, and-" "Yeeah, Erza, we all know that!" "We know that! We know that!"
Bickslow went to put an arm around Erza's shoulders. "But we mean well! And besides, aren't you the one who threw these two," he pointed at Natsu and Gray, their heads peeping out from their hiding places, "inside here, right?"
Erza huffed. "That was a mistake of mine. I shall-" "Welcome Dalila at Fairy Tail, right?" Bickslow completed for her.
Hadn't them been inside the infirmary, Erza would have kicked him hard for interrupting her twice in a row. But it was Porlyusica's realm they were in, and she had to control herself. For now.
However, Erza knew Bickslow was right. She was going to shove all of them back in the guild hall after having greeted the new girl, who was staring mouth open at her, lying onto a bed from under which Gray was starting to coming out.
"We are sorry we came disturbing you." said Erza as first thing. She bowed her head a little, and Dalila did so likewise.
Her armour glistening in the light of the afternoon, standing tall and proud, Erza Scarlet was truly surrounded by an aura of respect and power. Brown, warm eyes met silver ones, and bravery and truthfulness met wit and kindness. Even a room that has been in the blackest darkness for a long time is light up in a blink of an eye, as soon as a ray of sun is allow to enter. Reciprocal understanding made a bond, but it was like it already existed, and the wind dragon slayer smiled a genuine, hearty smile.
"No worries." Dalila said in a soft voice. "We were right saying I would be glad to meet team Natsu!"
Erza smiled back. Dalila looked frail, so pale and thin under the bedsheets, but her gaze was determined and penetrating. The Requip mage liked her instantly.
Surely, it would have been an ideal moment to sit down and converse a bit - Gray was trying to take his shirt away from Juvia's clasp, but at least he had his trousers still on, and moreover Lucy had noticed how the elder woman had seemed to like one another immediately - if it hadn't been for a certain fire dragon slayer...
"Natsu!" Lucy glared at him. "Stop sniffing her!"
Dalila jolted in surprise, and discovered the fire dragon slayer right on her shoulder, sniffing cautiously her hair. "You smell good, Dalila!"
"Th-thanks!" squealed Dalila, once again not sure how to properly respond to a man that was complimenting her smell.
Luckily, Erza took hold of the situation, slamming her sword flat on Natsu's head. "Ouch! But it's true!" "Natsu!" cried the small Exceed, finally getting rid of Erza's grip and flying towards the dragon slayer. Charle rolled her eyes, and glared at Wendy that was giggling lightly.
Releasing the Requip mage, Bickslow stick of his tongue, displaying his black guild mark. "Good job, Erza! I am sure the best place to hit those guys is here, where Porlyusica is close! she is a healer not for anything!" "A healer! A healer!"
The healer in question had been listening to that invasion, and had decided to finish her afternoon tea before taking care of it. Or, better say, she had decided Dalila was feeling good enough to have to deal with someone else but Lucy, Wendy and Charle.
But her calmness lasted little more than ten minutes. Threatens of greater proportions than a bunch of noisy humans in her ray of action made her act quickly and without hesitation. To be more precise, in the moment Bickslow had proposed Dalila to join a fight in between him and Cana, and the cards of said mage had already broken two pots, the healer was already in the middle of the infirmary, with a broomstick in her hand and a deep scowl on her features.
"What do you think this is, young man? A training field?" she yelled at Bickslow, waving the broom around.
Erza bowed deeply. "Porlyusica, we are deeply sorry for-" "Babies, say 'hello' to good old Porly!"
'Good old Porly' promptly hit Puppu with the broom. "I have already told you that I am not old nor good!"
Oh! thought Dalila, looking at the old healer chasing the mage with the helmet among the beds of the infirmary, while he was jumping and backflipping, surrounded by his totems, and laughing as if there was nothing more fun. He is an acrobat!
Finally, Bickslow made a handspring and ended up on her bed, almost crushing her ankles, hadn't she moved her legs to her chest. "Sorry we have to leave so soon, doll!" he chanted. "See you around!"
For a moment, a strong smell of wood, and a curious, mysterious scent of paper and mud hit Dalila's nose. I must ask Wendy about this! she reminded herself mentally, as she smiled and waved to Bickslow, who was already at Cana's side, snatching her by the waist. "Let's go, beautiful!" he cackled, "I have a drinking contest to win! Come on!"
Cana smirked. "Win? I don't think so!" Cana smirked. "Oi Dali, be back soon! I will see you!" Cana winked, and let Bickslow and his babies drag her out of the infirmary. Pappa opened the door and slammed it close behind them.
For a moment, and for a moment only, the only sound in the room was Porlyusica panting. Then, eliminated two enemies, she directed her energy towards the ones that were still roaming freely in the room.
In particular, she aimed at the one who first had entered - or better, flown. And that was currently poking her patient, asking "Are you really that pale? No one else is that pale in the guild!"
"Natsu Dragneel!" she hissed. "Leave immediately this room, or I..." red in the face, she could not formulate an appropriate threat apt at the gravity of the situation.
"I want to see the new dragon slayer!" whined Natsu, from behind Dalila's bed. "Hey, do you want to fight?"
Dalila turned and looked behind her shoulder. "Ehm maybe another-" "Absolutely not!" cried Porlyusica, aiming at the slayer with the handle of the broom.
Natsu dodged it, and went on talking to Dalila. "Where do you come from?" he asked.
"Natsu, this is not the moment!" Lucy sighed in exasperation.
"I come from Linveland, in the Blue Mountains!" Dalila quickly responded. The name of her home town had a bitter taste in her mouth, but she didn't have time to think about it, because Gray cut in in the conversation. "I have been there once with my teacher. It's cool, the city is really pretty!"
Dalila smiled politely - it was easier to have a conversation with him now, since Juvia had given back to him his t-shirt. "I liked it very much." she said, "I guess now everything has changed, but..."
Dalila's voice trailed off, and she made a vague gesture with her hand. From behind Gray, Juvia made her appearance. "Juvia has seen hew own hometown after a few years, and it was totally different! Cities changes more quickly than what we think!"
Luckily someone knows good manners here! thought Lucy, as she tried to move Natsu away from Dalila, as he kept sniffing and sniffing the air around her.
Dalila looked at the blue-haired mage - Water, right? - and was about to ask which city Juvia came from, when, despite all Lucy's insistence, Natsu placed himself right in front of her, and stated, with great seriousness: "You smell like many things. Flowers, and snow, and something that seems wind to me, but I can't really make out what you are smelling like!"
By her side, as he had placed himself right in front of her, Dalila knew perfectly of what Natsu smelled like. A strong smell of ash had come up to her nose, burning like she was over a blazing fire.
"Oh-eeh...etciù!" feeling she was about to sneeze, Dalila put both her hands in front of her face.
But she was not expecting what came afterwards. Neither she, nor the other mages in the room.
The sneeze came out from her with the strength of a hurricane. Dalila head snapped back and collided with the headboard. The blow invested Wendy and Charle, which fell back on the floor, sending Happy over them.
Natsu, who had the misfortune of being right in front of the wind dragon slayer at that very moment, was fully invested by the powerful sneeze, and was sent flying once more into the air.
However, it was not him who had the short stick. Already knowing she would have been too slow to avoid it, Lucy saw a pink mass with a white scarf coming in her direction. Why it is always me! she had time to think, before ending up for the second time that day knocked down from her chair.
"Oh my god, I am sorry!" cried Dalila, half scared, half sincerely concerned for all the mages she had sent with their bottom onto the floor. She looked up at Erza seeking for help, but the red-haired was hiding his mouth under her hand. "Don't you worry..." Erza snorted.
"Oh my..." Wendy stumbled up. "What was that?" Charle massaged her head. "A thunder!" cried Happy with an excitement that Dalila could not explain to herself.
"Natsu!" Lucy cried. That cry was equal to a declaration of war.
From his spot, Gray opened his eyes wide, held his breath a second and then started laughing holding his belly.
"Gray-sama, I don't think there is much to laugh..." Juvia glanced worriedly at the mess around her, but soon, as Lucy started chasing Natsu all around the infirmary, trying to Lucy-kick him, the water mage started giggling.
Porlyusica groaned exasperated, and put the broom back into place. Always their way... she grunted, going to the table int he corner and starting picking up the shells of the pots Cana's cards had broken. Always, by no means, their way...
That evening, Gajeel and Pantherlily house in Magnolia...
Before arriving at Magnolia that evening, Gajeel and Pantherlily had called Levy, asking her if she wanted to come over for some tea, and to chat a bit about the things that happened in Era those last few days.
Now, Levy had arrived at their place an hour ago. She had found the dragon slayer passed on the couch and the Exceed already busy in the kitchen, preparing an excellent tea with sweets.
Levy was as angry as them at Lahar. "Lu-chan had told me something about that, but I had no idea Lahar would have been that irresonable!"
"'Irresonable' is an euphemism, Levy." sighed Pantherlily. "You know I am not fond of such a language, however 'ass' would be a better word in this case."
Levy nodded. "If we had only a little more time, I could have looked onto some books... Also Freed, he knows a lot about law and rules, but I hadn't see him at the guild these days."
"Mirajane is on the train. She sent me a message, she has arrived in Era." Lily took a spoon of sugar and poured it into his cup of tea, stirring it slowly. "I am quite sure she will be able to convince the Captain to release Cobra. Sugar, Levy?"
"No thank you, Lily... Are you sure you don't want me to cook something?" asked the Script mage for the tenth time.
"Don't you worry, Levy!" stated Pantherlily. "I don't we will have dinner tonight. You know how is Gajeel, when he gets on trains! A tea will be more than enough! As soon as he wakes up..."
Levy chuckled, and glanced at the iron dragon slayer, snoring on the couch. "Has it been a long trip?" she asked quietly.
"Yes, it has. The train is eight, nine hours long. It makes many stops in between here and Era." Lily sipped his tea. "We were lucky that we were the only one in the wagon. Gajeel threw up twice."
Levy looked again at the iron dragon slayer. The metal piercing on his nose and chin were gleaming in the darkness of the living room, and from the open door of the kitchen she could see his chest slowly moving as he breathed. His hair were still damped from the shower, and were wetting the whole couch.
Levy's gaze softened a little, but she was quickly called back to earth by a small cough.
"Ehm, there are any news at the guild?" asked Lily, hiding his smile inside his cup of tea.
"Uh?" Levy blushed heavily and fumbled with her cup of tea. "Yes, sure! Ehm-Ah yes, now I remember! There is a new dragon slayer at the guild!" she chimed. "Or at least, we hope she will stay!"
"What?" Lily's voice raised an octave. "A dragon slayer?"
"She is the wind dragon slayer!" pointed out Levy, nodding. "The Thunder Legion has found her in quite strange circumstances..."
As Levy was telling Lily about all that Kinana had told her about Dalila, Gajeel slowly emerged from his sleep. He caught immediately the scent of ink and paper and fresh grass, and hummed. Right, they had invited over Levy for a cup of tea. The failure of their mission in Era had put them both in a bad mood, and for sure Levy was going to cheer them up a little.
Gajeel shook his head, clearing his mind. At least the nausea of the train ride had gone by now. What are Levy and Lily talking about?
"...and so, she had been sleeping for a century?"
"Seems so."
Wait, was Levy sad? What happened to make her sad?
"She just got kind of frozen in time, like she had been sleeping." said again the Script mage.
"Like the sleeping beauty?"
What the fuck is going on? thought the iron dragon slayer.
"I talked with Lu-chan this morning. She has asked me to bring some clothes, because her got destroyed and Dalila has... nothing."
Gajeel was totally awake by now. Bunny girl? And who the fuck is Dalila? He groaned and yawned, and slowly stretched out his arms.
"Ah, Gajeel!" smiled Pantherlily. "How do you feel?"
Gajeel grunted. "Sore." He slowly sat up, throwing a couple of pillows at the side and taking a band for his hair. "Hi Shrimp. What's up?"
Levy smiled brightly. "Hello, Gajeel. I am good. Do you feel better?"
"Mh. A little." Gajeel entered the kitchen, and let himself fall onto a chair. "So, what were ya talking about?"
"Gajeel, there is a new dragon slayer at the guild!" announced solemnly Lily. "Isn't that awesome? Now we have six!"
"Fucking what?" cried Gajeel, opening his eyes. He was not fully, completely awake. "What the fuck are you talking about? Another one?"
Levy laughed. Right, she thought, There was only Natsu, and then Gajeel and Laxus, and then Wendy... Last September Cobra, and now Dalila... In any other guild the arrival of a dragon slayer would have been a big event, but at Fairy Tail, it was just... 'another one?'
"Her name is Dalila." was explaining Pantherlily, "And she is the wind dragon slayer!"
Gajeel turned to Levy. "Is it true?"
Levy beamed. "Yes, it is! We are not sure that she will stay at Fairy Tail, as I was saying to Lily."
"Come on, Levy!" cut in Lily. "Where else is she supposed to go? We have already five dragon slayers!"
Levy snorted. "Exactly, maybe it will be easier for her to learn magic..."
Gajeel raised an eyebrow. "Learn magic?"
Half an hour later, in front of another cup of tea, Levy had finished telling Gajeel and Lily all that she knew.
"Holy fucking shit!" snorted the iron dragon slayer.
"Gajeel! Language!" cried in unison Lily and Levy.
"Pfft. That's a good load of... well, a lot to deal with." Gajeel bite some more metal. "And did you see her, Lev? How is she?"
Levy sighed. "No, I haven't. I assume she needs a while to... Master wanted to give her a few days before letting the others meeting her. However..."
"However?" asked in unison Lily and Gajeel.
"Ehm-Natsu, Gray, Cana and Bickslow tried to break into the infirmary." confessed Levy.
In the afternoon, the news of the mages breaking the infirmary had been on everyone's mouth. Most likely, because Cana, after had beaten Bickslow in a drinking contest, had been talking about shouting from the top of her lungs, and Master had caught Natsu, Gray, Juvia and Erza exiting the infirmary. And a telling-off had been following - in front of everyone, of course.
"What the fuck! Salamander has seen the new dragon slayer already?" Roared Gajeel, slamming his fist on the table.
Pantherlily rolled his eyes. "Then what, Gajeel?"
"Well, I want to see her as well!"
"You can't pass Master orders!"
"And why not?" growled Gajeel, "If Salamander does something, why can't I do it as well?"
I shouldn't have told them... Levy sighed and covered her face with her hands. What have I done?
That evening, in a luxurious hotel in Era...
The hotel Master had booked for her was a little bit too luxurious for Mirajane. Not that she was complaining. The receptionist had given her the key of her door and had escorted her to her room, a beautiful suite with a huge king size bed and fluffy pillows.
"The relax area will open at nine in the morning, miss." said the receptionist. "Call me if you need anything. Goodnight, miss" she added, before closing the door behind her.
Mh, the relaxing area! I am so tempted to have a look tomorrow... but Mirajane knew she hadn't time for it this time.
What a pity! I must come here for a vacation, with Lisanna and Elfman too... she thought, I should call them before it is too late.
Mirajane took a communication lacryma out of her bag. Now, Lis has explained me a thousand times how to make this work... Let me see if I remember correctly...
After fumbling with the lacryma for a couple of minutes, a greenish screen materialised in the air in front of her, with the huge form of Elfman right in the middle.
"Hey big sis!" Elfman waved to her. "Nice to see you! Were you able to activate the lacryma all by yourself?"
Mira giggled. "Yes, surprisingly I was able to turn this thing on and call you!"
"Like a real man!" bellowed Elfman on the other side of the line. "How was the trip, Mira? Everything ok?"
"I am good, Elf. I arrived in Era an hour ago, the trip was just a little long. This hotel is really nice, we should come here one week end! Now, tell me about you? Did you get there safely?"
Elfman and Lisanna had chosen a job the previous morning, with the help of Nab, and had left Magnolia yesterday afternoon. They were going to be back in a few days, if the job was finished.
Elfman smiled to his sister. Always so caring... "I am glad you made it safe to Era, Mira! We are good, we arrived yesterday night and met the client this morning!"
From behind him, a small white-head appeared. "Let me say hi!" Mira heard Lisanna giggle.
"Hi Lis!" waved the Takeover mage. "How are you? Elf told me you met the client in the morning!"
"Yes, we did! I think he was really nice." "A real man indeed!" stated proudly Elfman.
Lisanna rolled her eyes, but smiled. Her brother 'real man'-troupe was something she could never get tired of. It made her laughs every single time.
"We have to weed some trails in a reserve for some tourists. There is the chance some Vulcans or strange creature is around, but there should be no problem." "Yeah, the area is pretty popular for excursions, big sis." Elfman added, "There is little chance that we find any animal, but just in case, they hired mages."
"With Elfman Take Over magic, animals do not scare us!" "You are also becoming stronger, Lis, like a real man!" "Hahaha, Elf! I am not a man!" Lisanna giggled.
Mira's heart warmed at the sight of her younger siblings looking so close and happy. She wanted them to be like this, always.
"Next time you should come with us!" said Elfman and Lisanna together.
"Next time, I promise!" Mirajane said solemnly. They chatted a little more, but soon Mira caught Lisanna yawning.
"Time to bed! Tomorrow you have a busy day ahead!" giggle the barmaid. "And I also am a little tired, it is better for me to go to bed as well."
"Ehi Mira." Elfman looked at her, suddenly a little preoccupied. "Are you sure you are ok for tomorrow? I know you can take care of yourself, but Lahar is not an easy person to talk to..."
"Yes, big sis! We should have come with you, why did you insist we took another job instead?" Lisanna exaggerated.
"Me?" Mirajane looked surprised. "Oh, guys, there is nothing to worry about. Lahar is a professional and a gentleman. I am perfectly sure everything will go smoothly!" she beamed. "I will explain everything to Captain Lahar, and I am sure he will understand."
"Well, Master has done a good choice leaving the matter in your hands, Mira!" Elfman gave his sister a big smile. He was so proud of her, she was so responsible and mature...
"Let's hope for the best! I will call you tomorrow night! Goodnight Elf, goodnight Lis!" "'Night Mira!" "Goodnight big sis!"
Mira closed the communication, and the big screen and her brother and sister disappeared.
Yes, she chuckled to herself, everything will go smoothly. After I have crushed Lahar under my feet, I am sure everything will be absolutely smooth. Her smile grew, as she took the bag on the stool and opened it. Let's see what I do have in here for your dear Captain.
Oh, there was a good reason why Mira wanted her siblings to be on a job. There was no need for their innocence to be ruined that way. Mira's smile grew lecherous and wicked, as she prepared a small pursue for the following day. My dear Captain, I am sure we will understand each other very well tomorrow... I can't wait!