Chapter 3:

Once reaching the kitchen she went straight for the lacrima radio, turning on some music, not liking how quiet it was when there was a house full of people. Her next stop was to grab her communication lacrima and call the guild.

"Lucy! You're up!"

"Hey Mira! Is Wendy there? I heard she went dragon force on Bix's brother and wanted to make sure she was ok."

"Yeah she's here let me go grab her."

Just a moment later Wendy's face appeared on the lacrima.

"Hey sweetheart you okay?"

"I'm fine Lucy-nee. I just couldn't let an unknown slayer approach you while you were unconscious."

"I know sweetheart. You gonna be okay to see them later today?"

"Yeah. Why though?"

"I'm calling a tatsu meeting. I want to get a feel for them first but knowing they're Bix's siblings is enough already for me to consider them joining our tatsu. What do you think? Should we add two more to our family?"

Wendy smiled.

"Of course Lucy-nee! There's always room for more in our family. I'll tell the boys. Mates too or just slayers?"

"Full tatsu. If our family is growing everyone should know. Have the others arrived yet for our outing tonight?"

"Chelia is here but the Sabers haven't gotten here yet."

"Okay let me know when they get here and that's when we'll have our meeting."

"Okay Lucy-nee. I'll see you later."

"Bye Wendy. Don't forget to come by early tonight so I can help you and Chelia get ready."

"Okay Lucy-nee."

Lucy left her lacrima on the counter before deciding to make a snack. Opening the fridge she saw the strawberries she had bought the day before and quickly decided to make a smoothie. Then deciding that even though this wasn't technically her house she still needed to be a good hostess and walked to the living room to see if anyone else wanted something.

"Hey any of y'all want something to eat or drink? I'm making a strawberry smoothie for myself but I don't mind making extra or somethin else if y'all want somethin."

Everyone looked up at her and frowned slightly before declining. Lucy just shrugged and walked back to the kitchen.

"Suit yourself."

After making her smoothie and drinking it in the kitchen, Lucy turned off her music and made her way back to the living room, sitting in Bixlow's lap.

"So I know y'all heard what Bix and I were discussing but before we get into anything I wanted to just tell y'all that I don't want anything in return for removing the compulsion. It should have never been there in the first place. Also despite Bixy's disagreement I am glad y'all are cautious. I don't expect people to trust someone they don't know."

Looking around the room Lucy didn't like the atmosphere. It was too sombre for a family reunion. Clapping her hands she turned slightly to look at Bixlow.

"Alright why don't you introduce me to your family."

Bix chuckled at her antics and attempt to lighten the mood but did as she asked.

"So apparently you already know my father, Farron, and Zen. The guy that looks like an elven princess is Kaleb. Guildmaster of White Sea, mindbender, and wielder of immaculate light. The giant teddy bear is Cristoff. Lunar Dragon Slayer and Kaleb's second in command. My sisters Emzadi and Xally. Emzadi is the Solar Dragon Slayer. Xally is a water mage and pediatrician. Lastly the man that looks like trouble is my brother Vander, shadowquip mage and bloodhunter for the steel council."

"Well it's very nice to meet you all. I'm sure you've already figured this out but I'm Lucy, celestial mage, Starbringer, and celestial dragon slayer as well as my tatsu's queen. Oh I guess I am now Princess of the Celestial Realm too."

"So Princess Lucy…"

Lucy quickly cut Farron off.

"Please. Just Lucy is fine."

"Alright. Lucy I was wondering just what that conversation we overheard was about. What happened to you that Bix got hurt at just the idea of you holding what you did over any or all of us? You have a broken soul? I don't understand."

As Farron was talking Lucy's eyes slid closed and grabbed Bix's hand, holding it so tightly her nails were digging into his palm and were close to drawing blood. Once he was done Lucy took a deep breath and opened her eyes. She opened her mouth but the words wouldn't come. Couldn't come. Just as they didn't know her, she didn't know them. What happened to Aquarius was personal and still extremely painful for her to talk about. There are still only three people she actually told the story to. Bix, Erik, and Yukino. Only the guild and her tatsu know but she wasn't the one to tell them all. When it was time they found out she had Yukino tell them.

Lucy continued to try to tell them, but her lips just quivered and her eyes held a far away look in them. All she could see was Aquarius, all she could hear was her key breaking, all she could feel was the broken piece of a key that hung around her neck, sitting next to her heart.

The Pradesh family watched as the girl went into a sort of daze. Bix was quick to turn her around so they couldn't see her and when she came back to them she would be looking at him.

"Cosplayer. It's okay. You don't have to tell them. If they can't live without an answer then they can go fuck themselves. C'mon Cosplayer, come back to me. Don't break down now."

Almost a full minute later Lucy's eyes focused on Bixlow and she gave him a watery smile.

"Deep breath Cosplayer."

Lucy nodded her head and took a deep breath then turned back around to face the others.

"I'm sorry I can't tell you what happened. What Bix said is true though, I do have a broken soul. The others say there is hope that it will fully heal when I find my mate, I however don't think it will ever truly be complete again. My mate will help, I'm sure. Maybe stabilize it and fill in some of the gaping holes, but I won't ever be whole again."

Taking another deep, steadying breath Lucy molded her face into a mask of perfection just like she was raised to do.

"So Cristoff, Emzadi. Would you two consider joining our tatsu?"

Both mages' faces lit up and Lucy let a genuine smile replace her mask.

"You were serious about that?"

"Of course I was Emzadi. I would never joke about something like that."

"We'd be honored to join Stella. What is this plural 'our' we keep hearing though?"

Lucy grinned and her eyes lit with mischief.

"You'll just have to wait until I introduce you all to my tatsu. Everyone should be here soon."