Night came and went quickly and breakfast was uneventful.
As stated in the rules, all participants were to gather at the area described in their packets.
An open area was situated at the edge of a private forest near the town. The participants were gathered into groups.
Omegas on the right, and Alphas on the left.
Levy was near the front since she was one of the first to arrive. Gajeel came loomed in the back of the crowd to be as far away from the other participants as possible.
Once everyone was gathered, the organizers came onto a makeshift stage to address the crowd.
"Welcome everyone to the annual Mate Hunt! As we provide every year, this is a chance for potential mates to meet. The Hunt itself will commence in three days time in the forest behind us after all participants have become acclimated to their surroundings. While there are those of you participating of your own volition, there are some that are here due to the law stating that any person that has yet to be mated by age 25, must participate in the Mate Hunt. This may seem cruel to those individuals but believe us when we say it's for your health and safety that we make it mandatory to participate. Let me be clear on this one thing though! We are not forcing you to take a mate, if you participate in this event without finding a perspective partner before the Hunt, then you are free to opt out. If we as the organizers feel that you honestly attempted to find a mate we can make the decision to exempt you from further Hunts if that is your desire."
"Tch. I have no need for a stupid mate. I'm gonna half ass this enough to get that exempt and be done with this shit for good." Gajeel thought angrily.
"Now! Time for the rules! These rules must be followed or else risk being disqualified from the Hunt and risk possible suspension and even expulsion from future Hunts."
"Now for the rules:
1. All events are mandatory. This is to ensure everyone has a chance to meet possible mates before entering the Hunt.
2. Respect individual boundaries of the other participants. Scenting is allowed if it is consensual, but marking of any kind is not allowed.
3. There is a 10pm curfew every night and you must check in with the clerks when you return.
4. You are free to roam around the town and surrounding areas when there is no event being held, however, the forest is off-limits to participants until a designated time in order to ensure the area stays as sterile as possible.
5. If you feel that a participant is a risk to yourself or others, immediately inform a staff member so that proper action can be taken.
6. Fighting is not permitted. Only in cases of self defense will exceptions be made, otherwise the aggressor is subject to disqualification from the event and will be escorted off the grounds.
7. Finally, if you find yourself in consensual agreement with another participant on becoming mates before the Hunt begins, you must inform a staff member so we can proceed to remove you and your partner from the Hunt."
"That concludes this briefing! You are free to do whatever you desire until the evening's social event being held later on. Good luck to all of you in finding your future mate."
The crowd dispersed slowly as some stayed to mingle, while others left to explore the area.
Gajeel was quick to get out of there, while Levy wandered off to explore the town.
Levy couldn't help but immediately seek out the local bookstore. She spent the rest of the morning perusing the shelves and ended up buying a few dozen books. Lucky for her the store offered to deliver her purchases to her temporary residence. Keeping a book with her she went to find somewhere to read.
Looking around the bustling town she saw many participants mingling. Cringing at the thought of another Jake encounter she wandered to the other side of town where a beautiful park offered solitude.
Spotting a tree perfectly shading a bench, she walked over excitedly and plopped herself down and immediately immersed herself in her new book.
After about a half hour of her reading she was interrupted by someone speaking to her.
"Excuse me Miss. By any chance is that a book about Dragons?"
Levy jolted at the sudden question and looked around her to find the speaker but found no one there.
A few hours before Levy arrived at the park.
"I can't believe you out here to check on me you damn meddling cat." Gajeel huffed as he glared at his partner.
Pantherlily sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose in agitation.
"I know you too well to leave you alone for too long. I'm surprised you haven't got into any fights or destroyed property yet."
"Gihi, well there was that trashcan. And someone beat me to the punch on wailing on some creep bothering some Omega. I haven't gotten a chance to have some fun." Gajeel said with a smirk as he crossed his arms.
"What Omega? Gah! Never mind! Don't change the subject and stop acting like a child Gajeel. You need to spend your time out there socializing" Lily scolded.
"Feh! I came didn't I! I don't remember making any promises about socializing."
"Gah!" Gajeel shouted as a black paw smacked him on the back of his head.
"Whatcha do that for Lily!?"
"Will it kill you to act friendly for once in your life?! You are only going to make it harder to find a mate! Which may I remind you is the whole point of coming here!"
"Tch. My ONLY purpose of coming is to get the damn law off my back about this Hunt shit! Once I get that exempt, I'm outta here! I don't need a mate!"
Gajeel leapt up into a nearby tree, ending their feud for now.
Breathing out a heavy sigh, Lily followed Gajeel and perched himself on a branch near his stubborn partner. Gajeel settled in for a nap and Lily hoped that would help calm him down.
After a few hours the two of them awoke to the sound of someone approaching.
At seeing the blue haired woman from yesterday coming straight for the bench underneath them, Gajeel tensed the tiniest bit, but enough to alert Lily to his sudden change in behavior.
Lily glanced at Gajeel and saw that he was watching the approaching woman carefully.
Lilly watched the woman sit down at the bench and watched as she began to read.
Lily quietly flew to his partner and landed on his shoulder so he could speak to him without the being heard by the stranger.
"Care to tell me what is so interesting about that woman? Do you know her?"
"…"
"Gajeel?"
"Tch. I've never met the Shrimp before. At least not directly…" Gajeel grumbled as he avoided eye contact with his nosey partner.
"What do you mean by that?" Lily said confused.
"I mentioned an Omega being harassed yesterday?"
"Yes and someone intervened before you?"
Gajeel turned his attention back to the woman and smirked.
"Gihi, that's the one who taught the fucker a lesson."
"?!" Lily looked shocked as he looked back at the seemingly harmless creature reading a book as she tucked a strand of her blue hair back behind her headband.
"I think I'm going to need you to start at the beginning."
"Who would have thought that such a small human could be so capable."
"Hmph. Like you're one to talk Lil', or did ya forget that you are a pint sized little kitty?"
"Hah! Don't forget that this LITTLE KITTY has kicked your ass many a time."
"Gihi~ I wouldn't have it any other way from my partner." Gajeel snickered as he repositioned himself to continue his nap.
Gajeel's words echoed in his mind as he continued to watch the young woman. He noticed the title of her book was "Dragon Lore and Legends" and it gave him an idea.
He couldn't help but smirk devilishly as he thought of a way to force Gajeel to be social.
Gajeel opened an eye as he felt Lily jump off of him but balked as he realized that he was flying down to the woman.
"Excuse me Miss. By any chance is that a book about Dragons?" Lily said politely as he started to float down.
The woman looked in all directions but didn't notice him.
"I'm up here Miss."
The woman jolted at realizing the voice came from above and turned her attention skyward.