I let out a sigh as I shut the apartment door behind me, my backpack heavy on my shoulders. I'd said my goodbyes to August at the guild hall. As always, he was sad to see my go, but also happy that it was with Natsu. Not to mention chomping at the bit to get in with the master again.
Natsu and I had stiffly agreed to meet at the train station in an hour, and then we had parted ways, giving me a moment of alone time before what would be several days of Natsu.
I closed the door carefully and started the walk to the train station, already knowing that I would be late. As usual, things were off to a great start. I knew at least, that Natsu would be all but incapacitated on the train, giving me a little bit of time to think before he had the chance to talk to me. Then again...he hadn't made much of an attempt at a conversation back at the guild hall. Perhaps this was all just the final nail in the coffin that I had built outside the bathroom the day before. Perhaps it was already too late, and I had finally convinced him to give up on trying to befriend me. Even though it had been something I'd thought I was hoping for, the thought of it now made me feel cold and hollow inside.
Either way, I had agreed to go on this job. There was no backing out now. I traced my way through Magnolia and to the train station, forcing myself to remain calm. If anything, this job more closely resembled the one's that I'd had back before coming to Fairy Tail. Just me and one other person, rather than a big clunky group. We would be in and out. Back to Fairy Tail in time to hear August's new great plan on how to further mess things up with Takashi and the rest of Justice Valkyrie.
I took a deep breath as I hopped up the stairs and into the train station, trying to take comfort in the way that my backpack bumped against me every time I took a step. That at least was solid, real.
Natsu would be waiting for me on the platform. It wasn't a site I was looking forward to. But I knew that as the train was scheduled to leave in only a few minutes, there wouldn't be enough time for any meaningful conversation before motion sickness overtook him. That would give me a little bit of time to work out what to do. Not that time was the thing that I needed right now…
I entered the main terminal and was greeted with the familiar feeling of a train station. It felt like this at least, though I had never been here before coming for Fairy Tail, had also been a part of my old life. Every town, a train station, another job, in and out, never staying long enough to see anything other than the inside of train cars and the empty streets at night. I wondered if I could capture that feeling again, if August and I would ever get the chance to do jobs without Fairy babysitters, or if the feeling of our old jobs, like so many other things, was lost to me, sentenced to fade from memory.
"Violet!"
I froze at the sound of the voice, waiting as my magic reached out to read it's owner. Before I could think of a response Natsu appeared at my side, pulling out of the crowd from the same direction that I had just come.
"Got caught up at the ticket booth." he said, "Sorry to keep you waiting."
I must have just missed him. Perhaps I should have paid better attention, tried to meet him earlier. Thought...he didn't seem to be upset about it. In fact, he didn't seem to be upset about anything. It was as though our confrontation the day before had never happened. As thought he had put it behind him already or…
I concentrated harder. No. The wall of excitement and contentment that he felt was strong, and not entirely fabricated. But it was hiding something. Something heavier, but in too deep for me to get a good understanding of.
If Natsu noticed my silence he didn't react to it.
"We should go," he said, "Try to get window seats." he shivered, and I felt the same sensation in myself. It wouldn't be as intense, but if I was near him while he was miserable...well this wasn't going to be a good ride for either of us.
"Lead the way," I said, feeling with him the wave of nausea as he looked at the train for the first time.
A little reluctantly, he started walking forward. I tagged along, trying to look natural. He easily found an empty area near the front of the car. There weren't that many people traveling at this time of day. Natsu tucked his backpack under his seat, then settled down, immediately beginning to deflate into the fabric even though the train had yet to move.
I took the spot across from him, dubious that the seats were going to be needed for a ride in the middle of a week day. I tucked my legs under me and prepared for an unpleasant ride. A few minutes later, the train lurched forward, and Natsu turned a greenish color. "Just tell me when we make it to Omnibus." he groaned.
"You can count on me," I sighed, placing my cheek against the rough material of the seat and glancing at out the window as the train left the station. I told myself that this would be over quickly. And even better, when I got back, August would have had time to better work out a plan with the master, meaning that I would have no part in plotting Takashi's downfall. I would rather face Natsu a million more times than have to explain myself to the master. Especially now that I knew from Laxus the types of questions that he wanted to ask. A silver went down my spine at the memory of our conversation and then...at what he'd told me right before returning to the guild hall. "What you told me today…" he'd said. "You should tell Natsu."
I glanced at Natsu now, but my magic did nothing but pull a dizzy feeling into my head. This job would be a good opportunity for that….if it was what I wanted.
I took a deep breath and leaned back against the seat, pulling away from the window as Magnolia disappeared from view. The weight of future conversions with Natsu mixed with second hand motion sickness, giving me the urge to lay on the floor and dry heave. I shifted in my seat, trying to find a more comfortable position, and caught sight of silver hair in the seat diagonal from me. I felt my heart leap even as my stomach dropped into my shoes.
"Takashi?"
