Alright, let's get this story going. Last chapter we heard about there being a contest. Let's see how our two protagonists handle it. Thank you to everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorited. I didn't expect to get so much attention on this story.
(Lucy's P.O.V.)
I walked into work the next day, excited to see who our partner for the festival would be. I saw that Mira had gathered everyone in the front, and that I was the last one there. The door shut behind me, cutting off the chilly weather of winter.
"Lucy, you're here. Good." Erza said. She was a tall, intimidating woman with scarlet red hair who always wore a pair of boots that looked like it came from a set of medieval armor. She got them from a distant relative, and from what I'd seen, she'd never taken them off. She was head of security, but also helped carry in packages when they were too heavy for the rest of us. "Mira's just about to announce our partner." We hurried up to the front to hear.
"Alright everyone, settle down please." Mira said. "Our partner for the upcoming festival has been announced. Let me just pull it up." She took out her phone and tapped the screen a few times before saying, "Our partner is… Oh. Oh my."
"What is it Mira?" Levy asked.
"Our partner is… Dragon Tail Bakery." Mira said.
"What?""Seriously?""No way, let me see that!""Why them?" were all said before Erza interrupted them.
"Enough!" she shouted. "If the city says we are to work with Dragon Tail Bakery, then that's who we work with. We will approach this civilly, and do our best."
"But Erza, everyone knows that they're our rivals." Cana said. "How can they expect us to work together?"
"That will be something we have to figure out on our own." Erza said.
"Erza, it's alright." Mira said. "I'll go over myself to talk to them. They're right across the street after all. It won't take too long. Anyway, today is clean-up day, so make sure you're working when I come back." Mira grabbed her coat and headed out the door, hair blowing in the slight breeze.
"Well, that was interesting." I said. "We're going to be working with our rivals." I walked over to the counter to help Levy with cleaning up there.
(Natsu's P.O.V.)
I was rolling dough out for bread when I heard the door of the shop open. "Hey, welcome to Dragon Tail Bakery." I said without looking up. "What can I getcha?"
"Oh, I came to talk to Laxus." A female voice said. I looked up to see a woman with long white hair and blue eyes. Mirajane Strauss. "But I wouldn't mind something to eat while I wait."
"Yo Laxus, Mira wants to talk to you!" I shouted to the back. She was probably here about our partnership in the parade. Laxus had told us early morning via text.
"Tell her I'll be out in a bit." He said.
"He'll be out here whenever he feels like getting off his ass." I told Mirajane with a smile. "Anyway, anything specific you wanted?"
Mira laughed a little. "I'll take a chocolate croissant."
"Here you are." I handed her the dessert. "That's $5.68." The two of us sat there in silence for a moment, mostly due to me not knowing what to say to her. Mira's visits weren't exactly rare, but I was generally in the back when they happened, because I was busy doing important work (Unlike that Ice Freak). I returned to rolling bread dough.
"What do you put in your bread to make it so airy?" Mira asked.
"That's a secret." I told her. "We're rivals. I can't just go sharing business secrets. That'd get me fired." I put a finger to my mouth to show my secrecy. I then rolled it into a ball before setting a damp cloth over it. It had to rise a second time for this particular kind.
"You're just going to leave it on the counter?" Mira asked.
"Why not?" I asked. "It's perfectly sanitary. Besides, plenty of at-home bakers do it. Why not in a larger kitchen?"
"Alright, I'm out." Laxus said. "What do you want?"
"I came here to discuss our partnership for the upcoming parade. Makarov made an announcement at midnight. I assume you're aware?" Mira said. I decided to just watch them. I'd heard conversations between the two could get interesting. I would be as sneaky as a ninja. Nin nin!
"Yeah, I know." Laxus said. His expression was blank, as always. Boring! "I assume you have ideas?"
"You know me so well." Mira said smiling.
"We were roommates for all of college. It would be weird if I didn't." Laxus said. They used to be roommates? That was interesting information. Laxus got up and poured a cup of coffee from the pre-made pot. Freed always made one because he was generally the only one awake enough to operate it in the morning. Besides me, but I just didn't feel like making it.
"And yet you won't even smile." Mira said. "Hmph."
"Don't even bother with the pouty face, it doesn't work." Laxus siad. "I'm immune to it. But what did you have in mind?" He put sugar and creamer in and handed it to Mira, who graciously accepted it.
"I was thinking we could partner off our members. Have each team handle a task." Mira explained. "That way we get everything done sooner and there's a higher guarantee that things get done."
"Seems like you haven't met certain individuals in my store." Laxus grumbled, looking right at me.
"What's that supposed to mean!" I asked.
"My point exactly." Laxus continued. "Just make sure to pair them up with someone responsible."
"Hey, I'm totally responsible!" I said. "I come in here every morning and roll dough for you!" Mira giggled while Laxus ignored me.
"So what are you thinking of having each team doing?" Laxus asked. "I'd recommend Gajeel for any metal work that needs done. He's our best at it."
"Just email me each employee and their strengths." Mira said. "I'll take care of setting them in a team."
"Just don't try to pull one of your stunts." Laxus said. "I still remember the group project you managed."
"Oh don't be that way, it makes things fun!" Mira said.
"I don't need my workers getting down with yours." Laxus said. I was confused. We weren't supposed to get along? "They should cooperate, not copulate." I still didn't understand. Do we work together or not?
"I promise, I won't pull my tricks." Mira said.
"Good." Laxus said. Then he smiled at her. "Because those I would prefer you save for another time." Mira giggled a second time.
"I should be going back to my store." Mira said, getting up and exiting the shop.
"Man, what a handful." Laxus said.
"You're still smiling." I said.
"Say anything and you're fired." Laxus said, his face flattening.
"Yeah, whatever." I muttered.
Alright, chapter 2 for this series is done. Once again, thanks for all the reviews, follows, and favorites. See you later in chapter 3!