4.17.2021
Mahalia Dreyer knew what it felt like to be a disappointment. She saw it constantly in her brother's eyes whenever he looked at her, only to turn away instantly. She saw it in the way her father shoved that lacrima in her neck, and just dropped her in front of her grandfather's place without looking back. It seemed nothing she did was good enough for either her brother or father, and it pained her to this very day that she wasn't enough to be a Dreyer.
If it wasn't for her grandfather Mahalia didn't know where she would have ended up. Sometimes she wondered if it would have been better if she just hadn't been born. Her father hadn't wanted her, and it seemed her brother didn't either. So what was the point of living? If her family didn't want her to exist, what was the point of existing?
Honestly if it wasn't for her Fairy Tail family, she would have done something a long time ago. Everyone here was more of a family than her actual family, not including her grandfather who loved her unconditionally. He was more of a father figure than her grandfather, and that's what Mahalia saw him as, though she'd never say that out loud.
Sitting at the bar, she took a sip of the beer in her mug as she watched her guild in rapid amusement. The guild was rambunctious as always, more so now with Erza gone. She could be a bit much when it came to their guilds brawls, though she honestly didn't know why. This was normal and she should be used to it by now.
"How are you feeling, Lia?" An angelic voice asked, ripping Mahalia out of her thoughts and turning to see a beautiful platinum-blond barmaid. This was one MiraJane Strauss, or as the guild called her Mira.
Shrugging, Mahalia sat her beer-mug down on the counter - turning to face Mira fully. Mira was like a sister to her, and she adored her. The Strauss family had fully taken her in as one of their own, and that meant more to the Dreyer girl then the Strauss' probably knew. "Okay, I guess. I need a job to pay rent though…" She sighed at the prospect of finding a job. While the jobs their guild got ranged from intellectual types to fighting types, it was still the matter of choosing which one she thought needed help more.
Mira giggled at her expense, making Mahalia give her a small glare - though it wasn't at all malicious. "See if Elfman will go with you. He needs to get out of the house, and needs to practice his magic more." She suggested, making the other girl nod her head. Ever since the death of Lisanna, things with the siblings have changed. Understandably so, considering Lisanna was their younger sibling. Elfman still had nightmares of that day, which broke Mahalia's heart.
"I'll see if Gray wants to come with us. So a lesser monster hunting mission," was what she instantly decided upon the group she picked out. Technically since she was S-Class she could grab a mission, but she knew Elfman would not be able to handle it. Gray might be able to at his fighting skill-level, but Mahalia didn't want the job to fully fall against her and Gray. Not that Elfman wouldn't try to help, because he would. Mahalia just wasn't sure how well he'd take going on another S-Class mission after what happened on the last one.
Instantly spotting the boys she needed within the brawl, she couldn't help but shake her head. Even without Natsu here, this guild was always getting into brawls. It was what made them Fairy Tail.
"Elfman! Gray!" She called out to the boys, making them instantly snap their heads over to her. Gray punk-kicked the guy he was fighting as Elfman punched another; both making their way over to her. She couldn't help but chuckle in amusement at the two. Gray would deny it instantly, but he was just like the others - but with him growing up in this guild it was inevitable. She also grew up with the boys. When Laxus started ignoring her completely they were the ones who stepped up when she was in her depressive state. Gray helped a lot, calming her nerves after her father did that to her.
"What's up, little Petal?" Gray teased, making Mahalia narrow her eyes. Her nickname around the guild was Petals, since her main usage of magic was plant based - but she could also use Earth magic.
"I was going to ask if you wanted to go on a job, but I'll just take Elfman with me instead!" She threw back with a smirk, knowing how much Gray hated to be left out of stuff. Elfman just smirked at the dark haired boy as he opened and closed his mouth like a fish, watching as Mahalia sauntered over to the job board. Five, four, three, two…
"No wait! Lia, I'm sorry, take me with you!" Gray called, making the Dreyer girl smirk victoriously. While the group stood in front of the board, Mahalia didn't notice a certain blond watching her - a look of sorrow on his face.