A/N you're going to see changes, expansions on the story, some changes in characters, the storys heart will remain the same, the plot, what happens, all of it, just more depth. Thank you Nightmare Senshi for help with editing and the lovely ladies of the forum, Tinypaws, Enchantedbeauty, Sssy, Mspuppet, Sassy, all who have been helping with feed back as this second writing of Light of the Sea moves forward. Thank you SO MUCH to everyone writing to me, PMs, reviews, thank you, I'm doing this, redoing this whole story, so it meets guidelines here and can be posted here for you, without all of you? It would just be on A03. It will be bolder on that site without the restrictions they have here, so if you want the bolder more raw version? That's where it will be since they don't allow that here...DESNA
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The branch of White Sea in Pelerno was….breathtaking. The main building stretched more than a dozen stories into the sky, built from beautiful white stone and designed to look a little castle-like it stood out among the glass and white washed skyscrapers all around. Stained glass windows depicted scenes of the Guilds history and the largest, spread across the front facing the main street cutting through the heart of Pelerno, was a stained glass image of a churning White frothy sea beneath a golden sun in a blue sky.
She knew from chatting with Farron during the drive into town that most of the buildings throughout the city had minor enchantments on them so they didn't obstruct each others views but few opted to include "Castle White Sea" In the buildings they wanted to be able to see through, electing to have it in view because of its beautiful design.
Farron had been completely unapologetic when he and Freed had returned to the house, Freed had rushed upstairs to grab his already prepared bag, they had apparently washed themselves off in the sea before coming inside. Freed had blushed under the knowing looks they walked into, but Farron had grinned, grabbed up a plate and sat down to eat without a hint of pink on his cheeks, he just looked relaxed and happy.
"I'm saying one thing, you break my friends heart...I'll kick your ass." Laxus had said calmly, his smile anything but friendly. Farron had met the dangerous blue gaze fearlessly.
"He's fine Laxus, Gods he hardly ever gets to have a good time away from your side, let him enjoy having a good lover for a while?" Farron challenged, but there was no venom in his words, just calm observation.
"He knows that he doesn't have to stay with me...but maybe I'll remind him. Just...be good to him ok? He's been through alot." Laxus growled and Farron smiled at him, "I'll treat him like the rare beauty he is Laxus, just don't hold him back." He winked at Laxus then standing and shoving the last of a piece of toast in his mouth before swallowing down the last of his orange juice. He smiled at Mr. Elan who handed him two bags, one marked "Freeds breakfast" along with a travel mug full of steaming coffee and as soon as Freed came down stairs they were off.
The car pulled to a stop before the massive building, a 12 foot high stone fence ran around the entire block, encompassing White Seas main hall, some outdoor practice rings, a market area and some gardens with gorgeous tropical trees and flowers.
As soon as they were out of the car Laxus turned and rolled his eyes, Freed was pinned to the seat, Farron kissing him senseless. It wasn't just that scene that surprised Lucy, it was the fact that nobody, not one soul, did more than look and maybe smile faintly not breaking stride in the endless crowds of people walking along the sidewalks that flanked the 4 lane street.
Freed finally untangled himself from the blonde Ambassador, who admitted his own actions had assured he'd be late for work before gunning the engine of the black consulate sedan and speeding off.
When they walked into the Guild hall the first thing that reached Lucy was music, drums, guitars and then...the most beautiful male voice she'd ever heard. She knew the song, "Gold on the ceiling" by the Black Keys, but she'd not heard it sung quite so fluidly, not that the main singer of the Black Keys sang it less than incredibly, it was just, this voice had this lilt to it that was...sexy...alluring. The guild hall was huge, and to their right was a large bar with light lacrimas in various colors embedded in the edge.
The place smelled clean, no hovering odor of spilled beers. And there were dozens upon dozens of mages all around, on stage at the head of the hall though was a tall man, black hair just about mid shoulder length and all one length with a nice wave to it and deep red streaks through it was the one singing and Lucy stood and stared in amazement.
No shirt, skin tight black leather pants, black boots that came up to his thighs and boasted glittering gold buckles that held straps sporting dagger scabbards. Tattoos of winged serpents adorned his right bicep, right shoulder and curled down his right side, a third serpent on the front of his hip, easily seen with the low cut of his pants. He held a gorgeous deep almost black cherry wood guitar and played it flawlessly, several women were leaning on the stage watching him as he and the other people on the stage stopped and discussed instrument and cord adjustments and started over, clearly working on the song for something.
"Vander...that's my little brother Cosplayer." Bickslow said, waving toward the stage, the music stopped when the gorgeous man held a hand up.
"Bixy! White Sea, give it up for Bickslow Pradesh, my older brother, returning to us!" He called over the mic and a huge cheer went up through the hall. A man almost as tall as Vander whistled and waved at them, his long chocolate colored hair falling in loose waves to his shoulders and the band took up another song, Vanders guitar singing as well as he did.
Bickslow laughed, clapping along with the crowd before they were ushered on by a grinning Cristoff who guided them to a table. "Wait here, I'll check you guys in so Kaleb knows you're here and can get his ass out here." He said, and they all sat to watch the band, it was early still, yet the guild was alive with activity, the band practicing, a voice coming over speakers announcing when practice rings were available.
Lucy sat smiling, unable to help it. The vibrant feeling of the place was so invigorating, it made her feel good, comfortable, big as it was, it still had this old world home-like feeling in the air.
The guild was alive, bustling with activity, healthy and all the things she wished Fairy Tail had managed to somehow hold on to...Gods, how would it have been had Fairy Tail been this successful? Had this many mages? She knew too White Sea had seven other branches not including the main headquarters in the city named after the guild. She'd have her choice of where to establish herself once she was through induction, ranking and her probation period. She would be able to live in any of 7 cities around Bosco and have an active thriving guild to call home.
Lucy looked around in amazement. She'd had time to read up, knew Boscan society was going to take some getting used to.
As a people they embraced their bodies, their freedom. They went through what was called an "Induction to maturity" when still young, where a youth within 5 years of their own age would after a careful few weeks of lessons with a "Sudehpah" have sex with them to free them from their virginity and open the world of physical pleasures to them. Bosco had resoundingly proven through its own and even research studies done by other countries, including the very very prestigious University of Ishgar, that doing this in almost all cases, prevented children from growing up ashamed or unhappy with the development of their bodies.
Physical appearance was not held in high regard, Boscans valued acceptance and free thinking, diversity and creativity. Because it kept everything, even the military, open to all forms of consensual pleasures nobody had to live without intimacy, relaxation, beautiful people, average, homely, Bickslow had said most Boscans just didn't care, it was the creativity, the enthusiasm and skill in bed Boscans valued in sex. Relationships were treasured, protected by the country, legal rights given to people who committed to each other.
The country took rape seriously, nobody forced themselves on anyone, even trying to could land you in prison and if you raped someone? They had mages that could pluck the memories of the deed and once proven guilty, the offender if they were male, was castrated and had their dick removed, first offense, no lengthy trial, just three memory mages would pull memories and if they agreed to guilt, that was it. Women were surgically altered so they couldn't achieve orgasms anymore and fixed so they could not bear children if convicted. Child molesters were simply killed, if found guilty they were put to death as abhorrent evil. Domestic violence was uncommon.
Divorce was all but unheard of because the society had levels of legal commitment. There were ready surrogates and males willing to sire children for women wanting them, bath houses that also provided pleasure services, attendants at the Bath Houses were well respected and the positions were sought by people.
If a couple wanted to work toward marriage and be exclusive with each other they became "Promised".and all Boscans respected that, In fact, Bickslow had told her she'd know she was about to be propositioned for sex if someone asked her if she were promised. If she answered yes the Boscan would immediately back off. Promised people had legal rights, were almost like spouses.
Then they could become engaged and once engaged, backing out became a more serious process, there were legalities involved. Marriage was considered the ultimate commitment, and it was deeply respected, revered. Special jewelry was made only for people who married and Boscans wore that jewelry with pride.
She could, if she wanted to, walk up to any man here and proposition him and likely, he'd accept and they could go to one of the curtained alcoves, she saw them around the guild hall, once the curtain was closed it activated silencing and privacy protections so whoever entered could enjoy themselves at their leisure without having to leave the guild hall or festivities completely.
Built right into the guilds unisex bath house were steam rooms where people could also go to indulge in each other, there were massage attendants, bath attendants even at the guild that were trained to aid mages recovering from hard jobs with stress and such. Boscans were just all about feeling comfortable with themselves.
All in all though, if she didn't want to "indulge" nobody would push her, Boscans respected peoples feelings about that, she might even get pressured less about it than she did from Mira and Cana.
"There they are…" Laxus nodded and Lucy followed the direction of his gaze and smiled faintly seeing Cristoff, beside him though...beside him...oh Gods…
Cristoff was dark haired with tanned skin, most Boscans were dark haired with the sunkissed complexions. Dark eyes were the norm as well, Kaleb...and there was no doubt that was who was walking beside Cristoff, stood out.
His hair reached in straight silken sheets below his shoulders, the top pulled up and back from his face into a tail held by a gold band. She had never seen white leather look good on anyone before but it looked incredible on Kaleb. Tight white leather pants, Black boots with gold embellishments, a white leather tunic that hugged his torso, beneath it tanned skin, tattoos of white peeking out in the tanned skin from the right edges of his tunic. A long light cloak pinned to his broad shoulders with distinct pins, the symbol of Wizard Saint. White Seas emblem on the left breast of his tunic. Gold small hoops in each ear, diamonds and other gems glinting in the studs that adorned each ear in addition to the small hoops.
A hammered gold choker held a clear beautiful opaline lacrima with the seal of White Sea on either side of it.
A full lower lip and elegant upper, straight bridged nose, he had the most beautiful face she had ever seen in her life, in fact...he was the most beautiful man she had ever laid eyes on, from his shimmering platinum hair to his lavender/gray eyes framed in sooty lashes to his well developed muscular body hugged in all the right places by tight white leather.
Had Cana been there...the card mage would have fainted. Lucy couldn't look away from him, he was just...exquisite.
What she didn't know was the tall Guildmaster was thinking much the same about her. From her shining golden hair to her soft golden brown eyes, well endowed chest, wide beautiful hips...Lucy...according to Cristoff, her name was Lucy, and she had some serious barriers up everywhere inside of her. Kaleb prodded deftly, at her mind and got nowhere, finding only barriers, all of them with foundations built out of mental anguish, pain, sadness, feelings of abandonment, betrayal and loss. Sweet Lights of the Sea the woman was a mess between her ears. One thing he did read just fine though was attraction, her eyes were roving over him raptly, something he'd seen before, he tended to make a strong first impression on people, stood out in a crowd.
She managed to keep positive thoughts, and was, on the surface, clinging to her happiness pretty deftly but it was all surface and fragile and thin and that wouldn't do at all. If this beautiful creature was going to be in his guild, under his leadership, he couldn't let this keep going. He'd need a way in to help her though.
He could work with basic attraction, Cristoff had already told him he'd claimed her as kin, felt drawn to her, had found her miserable and crying that morning and now he shared his younger brothers desire to find the roots of Lucys pain and soothe it all, make it better, see the beautiful young woman shine like he felt she was meant to.
"Laxus, good to see you again, Freed..Bixy!" He held his arms out and his younger brother dove right into them, hugging him hard but not managing to lift him off the ground.
"Kaleb, fuck it's good to see you, to be here in White Sea…" His brothers voice cracked, this was a big thing for Bickslow, he'd been exiled, sent from Bosco never to return, that his father had finally gotten those ridiculous charges dropped and the exile overturned, his record cleared so he could live, work, in his home country again, in the guild that had rescued him when he was a child...some of the greatest legends of Boscan history had been White Sea mages, to be back...tears brightened his eyes and he barely kept them from falling.
He wasn't just returning, his friends were here, well...not Evergreen, she had chosen to stay in Fiore...in love and he didn't hold that against her, none of them did. But Laxus and Freed were here, and Lucy, he'd brought the light of Fairy Tail to White Sea because he and Laxus both felt like Lucys light would have gone out if they hadn't. Well, Kaleb wouldn't let that happen, he rarely took on "project" mages, leaving that to those with less time consuming positions in the guild, but for Lucy, he was going to take a personal interest in her, it was something he'd discussed with Laxus and Bickslow when they had called to tell him they were bringing her, he'd listened to their worries and vowed he'd help and make certain that coming to Bosco and joining his guild was going to help her, White Sea would make certain Lucys light shined bright again.
"Come on, all of you, there are a couple of other new mages I need to induct, we'll get you all official and talk about where you want to be settled." Kaleb said and led them through the hall. Lucy followed silently, walking just behind Kaleb and Bickslow, watching the way Kalebs floor length cloak moved, the seal of White sea bold across the back of it.
Cristoff walked beside her not looking directly at her but noting how she watched Kaleb. It was a typical reaction to his older brother, Kaleb had that effect on most women, hell he had that effect on a lot of men too. Kaleb came from a mysterious past, found by their eldest brother Farron who had heard him crying softly for help, finally finding him shoved into the back of a heavily secured cage on a slave ship that had been bound for Joya. The paperwork with him had promised he would be stunning, tall and an excellent pleasure slave, he'd been meant to go to the top Battle Queen in Joya at the time as a gift. Where he had come from even he didn't know, but he'd always been strong, magic flowed well through him and the immaculate light had deeply embraced him when he'd been inducted at 15 into the knights. His immersion in the light had caused him to change.
He had entered the chamber with dark brown hair and dark deep purple eyes, emerged from it with platinum blonde hair and pale lavender/gray eyes, his clan tattoos even turned white. So he stood out, had before his immersion and afterward, well, by the time he hit 20 Kaleb was 6'4", enjoyed strength training, swimming and rode his Grassrunner every day he could so he was built, had a body that was as impressive as his face.
Cristoff had never been jealous or upset by it, he himself caught plenty of attention, and he knew sometimes Kaleb really didn't want the attention he gathered. He was patient though, and had an inner strength that had stood up to all of White Sea leaning on him when he'd taken over the guild. His brothers had stood up with him through it all, except Bickslow, and that wasn't Bickslows fault, he'd never wanted to be exiled, it hadn't been his fault at all the Seith dominant guild had turned on and betrayed the crown and turned all Seith mages into criminals.
Their father had fought for all he was worth to protect Bickslow, to keep him in Bosco, but ultimately, they had been forced to smuggle him out of the country, Arman unable to be seen involved with the process lest he risk the rest of the family and at the time, Emzadi was struggling with the death of her first love, Xally was being fought over by a long lost cousin who insisted he should have been the one Xally was sent to when her parents had been killed and Farron was already having trouble with Princess Kurino having an unhealthy crush on him. Arman had been trapped and unable to see his son to safety personally. But, Bickslow had met Laxus, and once that friendship had happened, Bickslow was ok.
They followed Kaleb past the end of the bar into an elevator. Lucy watching Kaleb, and noting how many eyes turned with longing on the big blonde and they passed while Cristoff and Laxus both watched Lucy, noting for different reasons how many eyes fell on her and how, Laxus curling a lip at a few of them as they passed, Cristoff giving some warning looks that, because of his position in the guild, got immediate bowed heads.
One though had Cristoff veering off and waving at Kaleb to go on without him. Silver eyes met his with calm interest and a smile lifted full lips. Hestor Kedanza, one of two Celestial Spirit mages White Sea had among their ranks. He was 22, handsome, from an affluent family and charming, immensely so, to the point he had a little following of less powerful mages that all part of "Team Hestor".
The elegant man smirked as Cristoff approached, long fingers brushing his silvery bangs back from his icey eyes. "If you've come to ask me to share pleasure I am saying yes." Hestor said in a teasing tone. Cristoffs answering smirk had the silver eyes widening a bit as the big slayer leaned right over where Hestor was reclined on a chai, putting a hand down on the armrest of said chair and very much invading Hestors space.
"That would all depend on how well you plan to behave. That woman you were just eyeing? She's Kalebs personal project Hestor, so any plans you're forming in that all too sharp mind of yours? Get rid of them, you will not challenge a fellow member of this guild for keys, you will not trade or barter or allow her to give you any of her keys as a gift, is that clear?" Cristoff growled and Hestor smiled, though Cristoff could sense him faltering a bit, clearly he'd been making those plans, and Cristoff knew Hestor was like that, would befriend a mage he wanted something from.
As soon as Kaleb had seen Hestor watching Lucy he'd prodded Cristoff, so here he was, nipping that threat in the bud. Hestor held several pretty dark keys, and while Dean Kaleperden had cleared him, assured them he was not a dark mage just held dark keys so gave off the auras of those spirits he held contracts with. Even so, Kaleb watched Hestor, and Cristoff had never trusted him.
"If it means I get to wrap my legs around you...even just get to suck what I'm sure is a glorious cock? I'll be good. The delicate little flower can keep her zodiacs, they probably wouldn't get along with the sisters anyway." Hestor said in a sultry voice, leaning up and pressing his lips against Cristoffs and the Lunar slayer let him. Hestor wasn't unattractive, quite the opposite really, in fact, were it not for the tinglings of darkness the man radiated because of his keys, Cristoff likely would have accepted one of his offers a while ago, Vander had, in fact Vander had played with Hestors whole group a couple of times laughing about playing with the darkside and admitting, Hestor was damned good in the sheets.
"I would rock your world Dragon." Hestor purred into his ear before sitting back in his chair again and Cristoffs dragon snarled within him, his dark blue eyes narrowing, a not so friendly smile curling his lips.
"I'll wreck yours if you don't make that a promise." He growled and Hestor pressed his lips together, narrowing his eyes. Even with Hestor, a promise made, because of his magic, was something he would abide by.
"Fine, I promise I will not take advantage of the delicate flower, I will not take her keys from her through any method, nor let her give me any. Happy?"
Cristoff smirked again, leaning in and pressing a hard kiss to the celestial mages mouth.
"I'll think about your offer." Cristoff said and pushed off the chair, spinning on his heel, his cloak swirling dramatically as his long legs carried him swiftly to the elevator the others were standing waiting in.
He got a few curious looks and a grateful smile from Kaleb as he stepped into the elevator car.
They went up to the top and emerged into a decent sized well decorated lounge area, Kaleb crossed the hand knotted rug and the slender man at his side who Lucy had only just noticed hurried ahead to open the huge oak doors to a massive office. Two women looked up and bolted to their feet, eyes widening and turned reverent when they locked on Kaleb.
"Celisa, Thanda, thank you for waiting." Kaleb said to them and they both bowed.
He stopped at his desk, picking up what was clearly the guild seal stamp. He smiled, "Celisa, Earth mage, come here. Where would you like your seal?" He asked her and Celisa opened her shirt without hesitation, pointing to the swell of her left breast and smiling invitingly at the tall Guildmaster.
Kaleb seemed entirely unaffected placing the stamp against her skin then as he pulled it away he bent and would have kissed her cheek but she turned into him and caught his mouth, kissing him pretty aggressively.
"The kiss is tradition, annnnd alot of the new members prefer it on the mouth. Boscan ya know?" Bickslow told her. Lucy nodded, wide eyed as the young woman tried to keep Kalebs kiss for as long as she could, pulling him better to her.
He did finally pull back though "Welcome to White Sea." He said calmly.
"Master...I would be honored to...share pleasure with you…" She said not quietly at all. Kaleb tilted his head, his smile calm as he stood back to his full height.
"I am usually very busy Celisa, but if you need attention, I can send a senior guild member with exceptional skills in whatever your preference is, just tell Thane." He told her and she sighed but smiled up at him.
"But it's possible?" She asked hopefully.
He smiled "It's possible, I am your guildmaster, it is my duty to see your needs met." He replied and directed her to Thane who was standing with a packet.
"Thanda, Displacement mage, where would you like your seal?" He asked, the tall brunette was already lifting her skirt, revealing a black thong and pointing at her hip. Kaleb grasped the opposite hip to steady her and pressed the seal into her skin, Thanda didn't wait, wrapped her arms around the tall mans neck and kissed him, moaning into his mouth and pressing herself into him.
Kaleb took the kiss, but pushed her back and stood away from her after a moment.
"Welcome to White Sea Thanda, please see Thane for your housing and assessment assignments." He said firmly, indicating Thane who had already ushered the first girl from the office and was waiting.
Once Thanda was out Kaleb turned to them.
"If you think you're kissing me blondie, you are fucking nuts." Laxus growled.
Kaleb smirked "Couldn't handle me anyway Dreyar, Bixy, get your ass over here, and no, I am NOT putting the seal on your fucking tongue."
Bickslow grinned, shedding his shirt and tapping his left pectoral muscle, Lucy blinked, she'd honestly not seen Bickslow shirtless before, he was usually in so much armor and layers of padded clothing… he was built, and had elegant tattoos running down his right side, wolves among runes and magic symbols. She knew they were clan tattoos, Bickslow was clan born.
Cristoff had taken a seat but when Kaleb pressed the seal into Bickslows pec the big slayer stood and lifted his older brother off his feet in a hug as soon as Kaleb pulled the stamp away.
"Fuck Cris! You monster, put me down!" He groaned and Cristoff grinned "Welcome home big brother." The slayer laughed, kissing his brothers cheek before setting him down for Kaleb to grab. Kaleb kissed his forehead "Welcome BACK little brother." He said. Bickslow grinned, shrugging his shirt back on and stepping aside to talk to Thane, looking over the lacrima tablet Thane held up.
When Kaleb turned back Freed stepped forward shoved his sleeve up and held out the same hand he'd had the Fairy Tail seal on. Kaleb smiled "Freed Justine, Rune Mage, fuck I'm glad to be getting you."
He pressed the stamp to Freeds skin and Freed smirked "I want the damn kiss." He said firmly and Kaleb grinned at him,leaning in and kissing him full on the mouth. Freed grabbed Kalebs hair and kissed the Guildmaster about as roughly as the first woman had, tilting his head into it before pulling back blushing but still smiling.
He released Kaleb and pulled his sleeve back down, adjusting his cuff so it didn't cover his new guild seal. Kaleb chuckled smiling at the Rune mage. He now no longer wondered why Farron was so interested in the man.
Laxus yanked his shirt off and tapped the spot beside one swirl of his tattoo on the front of his shoulder "The Fairy Tail symbol is tattooed in place, ain't going anywhere, ever, but I want White Sea here." He said, smiling and Kaleb nodded, pressing the stamp into Laxus' skin. He kissed the mans forehead when Laxus tipped it toward him and chuckled at the action before shoving the Lightning slayer aside.
"Lucy, Celestial Mage." He called and she nibbled her lower lip, she'd been thinking hard about this and lifted her shirt, pointing to the right side of her toned abdomen just above her hip.
Kaleb smiled at her, a hand sliding to her other side, long fingers gripping her to hold her still as he pressed the seal into her skin. She felt the tingle as the Fairy Tail seal faded and the tingling bite as the new seal set into her skin. It took all she had not to cry. She had to focus on something else, something easier to get lost in, and Kaleb was right there.
Tipping her head back she slid a hand up, not wanting to be grabby, but also determined to direct where she got her kiss, she wouldn't be prudish, she intended to embrace this new life and this was the start of doing that. She was in a new country, new guild, she wanted this.
Her fingers sliding over his cheek she just angled him, didn't pull and Kaleb came willingly, eyes narrowing when he realized what she wanted but his smile deepening before those full lips were on hers.
Sun warmed apples...Kaleb smelled like sun warmed apples, and tasted like them, his lips were warm, and felt so good on hers. He didn't pull away at all when she moved her lips under his, slanted them, seeking more and he gave it, humming softly in approval and Lucys other hand came up on its own, sliding into his silky hair as the whole world sort of fell away and there was just her, just him, and this toe curling wonderful kiss.
She hadn't been kissed much, a couple of times, awkward at best. This wasn't awkward though, Kaleb wasn't some flustered youth, he was a grown man, with experience far far beyond her own, and Gods he felt good, tasted and smelled good, his lips so warm and soft moving on her own.
No wonder those women hadn't wanted to let go, she didn't want to, but then, she wasn't holding him in place, was she? Her hand was in his hair, his thick silky hair, it felt unbelievably soft between her fingers too, smelled of the sea and that spicy apples scent that she would probably forever associate with him now, like she associated the smell of things burning with Natsu and cake frosting with Erza.
She moved forward, just a step, into him, her hand not in his hair coming against warm skin, the firm muscle beneath flexing under her touch. She felt dizzy, like she was floating, and she didn't want it to stop, no...he felt so good, made her blood flow faster, her heart race and heat to build low in her body, a gnawing ache eating at her the longer his mouth was moving on hers.
A wolf whistle and some snickering made her pull back...that and a need for air.
"Damn cosplayer...gonna proposition him too?" Bickslow snickered and Lucy narrowed her eyes on him.
"I might." She said lifting her chin and almost squeaked when Kalebs hand on her side pulled her into his tall firm body abruptly.
I'd say yes… came his silken voice in her head, his eyes dancing with humor when her eyes widened.
He tapped his temple and she remembered You're a mindbender… she thought clearly and he gave one nod and winked at her, bending and brushing a chaste kiss over her lips before stepping back from her.
I am indeed, and now I am your Guildmaster, here to assure you are kept safe, your needs are met and that if you have troubles, they are dealt with. My door is always open, you are Cristoffs kin, Bickslows friend, so you are special to me, don't hesitate to ask anything you need of me. He told her.
He turned while the words flowed into her head and started talking to Laxus.
"So you would like to remain the Raijinshuu as a team, I can make sure it happens, but I need you all evaluated for ranking. I'll be honest, Laxus you'll go up against Cris and Emzadi to test, Cris will assign your rank because I can't assess Dragon Slayer magic well. Bixy you I already know, I've worked with you enough recently enough I'm assigning you to s-class.. Freed, you'll go to Pelerno, the Rune Mage evaluation is done at the knights Citadel for us and Lucy, I'll be accompanying you to Academe Celestine for your evaluation, Dean Kalperna always does the rankings for Celestial magic users." He was saying and Lucy blinked in amazement, her mouth curving into a smile.
"Really?" She could barely believe it, the place in Bosco she wanted to visit more than anything!
Kaleb smiled "Absolutely. The Dean does the evaluation with me present, you'll be the third Celestial Spirit mage in White Sea and I enjoy the visits in Cellis, it's like a little vacation for me." He admitted and Lucy grinned, loving the idea of providing her new Guildaster with something while she got to visit the Academe.
"So...when do we leave?" She asked and he grinned at her.
Love your enthusiasm.. Came into her head even as he spoke "Next week, so you'll only get a couple of days to get acquainted with whichever location you want to settle in, have you all decided on that?" He asked looking at Laxus.
The Lightning Slayer nodded "We have, we're going to settle in White Sea proper." He answered firmly. Freed looked a bit unhappy at that, which wasn't surprising since Farron lived in Pelerno and settling there would have kept him close to that budding romance.
Bickslow elbowed the Rune Mage "Make friends with Cris,or any of the teleportation mages Freed, you'll be back in my big brothers arms before you know it." He said encouragingly.
Freed smiled faintly "There are quite a few aren't there?" He asked. Kaleb smiled at him "Thane here is one, and I of course am usually at White Sea so, so is Thane, he can always take you to Pelerno and collect you during downtime between jobs once you've moved into your housing in White Sea." Nodding toward his aid who gave Freed a cool smile.
"I would be happy to help you Freed." Thane said and Freed was smiling brightly then, Laxus glowering at the others.
Lucy patted the lightning slayers arm. " It's ok Sparky, Freed will always love you." She said with a grin and Laxus narrowed electric blue eyes on her, his glower not reaching them.
"Stow it blondie. If you're done sucking your new Masters face can we get a move on? I was hoping to check out the gym and maybe sign up for a good sparring session, maybe even uh...visit the baths...so we need quarters here until we get our levels assigned right?" He asked impatiently and Kaleb raised a brow at him.
"Yes, Cris, I'll leave Laxus to you, Thane, please see to it Freed gets to the Citadel and Lucy, you're with me and Bix." Kaleb said, heading across the room to a bookcase that, with a wave of his hand slid to the side revealing another elevator.
"So, I would assign you apartments here but you wont be staying, so I think it best you either stay with me or stay at Vanders, he has a Penthouse just at the end of the block across the street from the guild." Kaleb was saying as he hit a button on the elevators panel.
"Much as I adore my baby brother, I happen to know the Guildmaster suite here is fucking amazing so I'll be staying with you big brother." Bickslow said winking and nodding at Lucy who smiled at him.
"Guess I will too...since I haven't actually met Vander yet." She admitted.
"You will soon enough I promise." Kaleb said with a chuckle. Bickslow snickered, giving Lucy a bright smile.
"Vander is...well...Vander Cosplayer. He's fun, smart, powerful, and wicked on my own level." Bickslow said with a wink and Lucy giggled shaking her head.
"I can't imagine anyone wicked on your level Bix." She said and Bickslow grinned, putting an arm around her shoulders and looking at his older brother.
"See? Told ya she was smart." He said proudly.
"The fact she's never slept with you pretty much made that fact clear to me Bixy." Kaleb said evenly and Lucy snorted, a laugh bubbling out of her for the first time in days.
Bickslow rolled his eyes "Nobody's perfect." He said.
The doors opened and Kaleb stepped out into a huge room with white marble floors and pillars, plush fur rugs and walls enchanted to be clear giving them an incredible view of the city of Pelerno.
"The Guildmaster suite, see what I was sayin Cosplayer?" Bickslow chuckled at Lucys awestruck face.
"All of this is yours?" She asked Kaleb in amazement. Kaleb shrugged, unclipping his cloak and tossing it over a chaise lounge.
"Pretty much, i didn't design it, though I did have the walls enchanted to enhance the views, there's a nice terrace over there, it's got five bedrooms so is smaller than the main Halls Master Quarters in White Sea, I like the hot tub there, but this one has a very nice bath. And the green mages I have here keep bioluminescent flowers around so it's always well lit." He said, reaching out to run a finger gently over a large gorgeous opalescent rose.
Lucy drew in a breath moving to it and staring in amazement seeing the light shining from it as bright as a lacrima. It smelled like a rose with just a hint of cinnamon. "So beautiful." She breathed. "Do they keep them around the baths too? Gods I'd love a nice soak."
Kaleb smiled "They do, it's the only lighting for the bath up here in fact, the windows and the flowers. These are my favorite, they're called Cellestine Roses, they grow wild in Cellis around the Academe there and of course all over the Grass Sea, the only known bioluminescent roses." He said fondly. "My green mages here found out I favor them so they make sure there are always alot of them throughout the suite and on the grounds."
"I've always been fondest of Stargazer Lillies but...I've never seen these before, didn't even know they existed." Lucy said softly. Tiny bits of pink, purple and gold glittered along the edges of the petals that were a gorgeous ivory color.
"Stargazers grow all over the Sea, there are some over there." Kaleb said gesturing toward another small table that held a large vase filled with the beautiful flowers. Lucy gasped and went to them, they were HUGE, twice the size of any she'd ever seen.
"I'll make sure you have some in your room. We might be here a couple of days waiting for approval from the Academe for your evaluation. Bix did you want to wait on them to get their evals done or go on ahead to White Sea and get settled into your apartment?" Kaleb asked then and Lucy was reminded she wasn't alone with her Guildmaster.
"I'll stay, I wanna cheer em on and be here for the high fives after they get their ranks ya know?" Bickslow replied. Kaleb nodded "Well, you can wait for Laxus and Freed, but Lucy and I will probably be a while in Cellis, the Dean isn't fast with his evaluations and has always demanded I remain with the mage I bring to him, usually so I can decurse whatever keys or items his researchers have brought in most recently. You can bet you'll get called from time to time, he's going to LOVE hearing I have a Seith mage now." Kaleb chuckled.
Bickslow rolled his eyes, superstitions and worries about ghosts and spirits were a common thing in Bosco, it was why Seith Magic had grown so well in the country for so long. Until the dark guild full of Seiths had ruined everything for Seith mages.
"You'll have that room over there." Kaleb nodded toward a door and Bickslow smiled, shouldering his bag.
"Thanks, I'll change into some trunks and then I'm hitting that bath you have up here." He said.
Kaleb frowned "You don't wear clothes into a hot bath Bix...do you?" He asked frowning slightly.
Bickslow looked at Lucy. She drew a breath "It's ok Bix, we're in Bosco, I don't expect you to act Fioran here, even in private, I'm a big girl, and it's not like I haven't been on a team with Gray long enough to be immune." She chuckled.
Bickslow grinned "Well, Grays a cute little boy but I'm a little more grown." Bickslow cackled and Lucy rolled her eyes looking at Kaleb.
"Which room is mine Master?" She asked.
He smiled nodding toward the door by the lilies "You can take that one, I'll make sure Thane and Cristoff know where to direct Freed and Laxus when they're ready. If you'd all like, we can have lunch on the terrace then relax in the baths for a while before going down for your tour of the facilities." He offered and Bickslow nodded
"Yeah lunch sounds great, I'll just go put my stuff down and meet you out there." He said, turning and heading into his room. Kaleb remained leaning on the table with the roses.
"Go on and get settled, I'll order up our lunch and meet you on the terrace." He said and Lucy smiled suddenly feeling shy in the large room alone with him. She turned and went into the room, gasping as her eyes moved over it all. It was bigger than the room she'd had at the estate, with it's own private bathroom. The bed was made up with soft slate gray bedding and an abundance of pillows and there were soft fur rugs covering the marble floors. She had a huge window across from the bed that looked out over the street they had come in on and she could even see the Grass Sea between the buildings.
She summoned Virgo and the maid bowed before her "Punishment princess?" She asked and Lucy smiled this time.
"Not today Virgo, but I'd like some of my clothes hung, Pull out that Cream colored dress, I think I'll wear it for lunch and the tour and all." Virgo nodded and vanished returning with an armload of clothes and she and Lucy started sorting through them, hanging some, puting the others into a drawer she picked out. She was only here for a couple of days but she might as well enjoy it.
A short time later she walked out onto a grand terrace and wondered with a wry smile if she could faint from how many times she kept gasping in amazement at things. There was a decent sized table already set for lunch and a cart loaded with food waiting. At the rail, leaning on it, was Kaleb and in spite of the incredible view of the guilds gardens and practice rings he was the most breathtaking thing there.
Bickslow had joked about his brothers looks, even Laxus had chuckled about it.
"First time I met Kaleb I was sure he had some sort of fucking enchantments on him, guys the prettiest man I've ever laid eyes on. Fucker works out too, endlessly challenging me on weights, I stay a set or two ahead of him still." Laxus had smirked.
She drew a breath walking over to him since nobody else was there yet and standing beside him looking out over the gardens. Melancholy washed over her at the thought Levy would love to sit under the blossoming trees and read and how much Gray would have enjoyed the spacious practice areas where he could have really opened up with some of his ranged attacks.
Kaleb felt it, he'd caught every thought that crossed her mind, including the more wicked ones about how maybe he'd notice how nicely her cream colored dress hugged her upper body and maybe she could catch him staring at her like he'd caught her staring before.
Now though her thoughts were deeper, tapping into the sorrow inside of her even though she was valiantly trying not to think about it, was trying to just enjoy the beautiful view and the soft breeze carrying the scent of the Grass Sea to them.
She was so grateful Bickslow and Laxus had found her, so hopeful that this place, all of these changes would sweep away her sadness and the feelings of abandonment she was struggling with.
"It will help, being here, moving on with your life. You'll need to let go, but you're trying too hard to force yourself to be happy Lucy." Kaleb said suddenly and she gasped softly, head jerking to look at him in surprise and he smiled gently at her, tapping his temple again.
She rolled her eyes. "That is such an invasion of privacy." She said with a hint of irritation in her voice.
"If you were saying it all out loud you wouldn't think so, when you let your thoughts wash out until they almost do spill from your lips? You may as well be speaking them, I'm not the only one who can hear Lucy, I've got telepaths in this guild, Dreamweavers, Memory mages. It isn't a poor reflection on you that you don't pay attention to your thoughts, most people don't, however, you'll be stronger, better off if we start teaching you how to do that." He said gently and she sighed, he was right.
"I usually am." He said with a smirk and she glared at him.
"Arrogant much?" She laughed and he gave her a look of mock offense.
"It isn't arrogance if it's fact." He said and she huffed but there was no ire in it.
"You look beautiful by the way, it's a lovely dress. You should visit the fashion district, it's only two blocks down to the south of the guild. Boscan silk, specifically the Seaweave? It has faint bioluminescent qualities because the silkworms feed on the Sea plants, it's the softest and strongest of the silks in Earthland and, a dress like that in Seaweave silk? You would look like a Goddess." He said and Lucy blushed but frowned knowing just what thoughts he'd overheard.
He smirked and leaned toward her, the mischief and amusement in those lavender eyes nearly taking her breath away again. "I did in fact overhear those, and I wanted you to know, I did notice how nicely that dress hugs that beautiful body of yours. You're in Bosco Lucy, the people here will notice and more than that? They will acknowledge attraction and appreciation for beauty in all its forms. You, are a beautiful woman, you're going to get acknowledged as such, invited to share pleasure." He told her and she drew a breath, flushing over all the compliments.
"I...I'm not ready to visit any privacy booths." She said.
"And Kaleb had better not be trying to get you into one." A deep voice snapped and both mages at the terrace railing looked back to see Laxus lumbering onto the terrace with Cristoff.
"I wasn't, just letting Lucy know that others will be asking her, especially when she looks as lovely as she does right now." Kaleb said smoothly, pushing off the rail and heading to the table as Freed and Bickslow both came out onto the terrace.
"Lets eat, I'm starving for some good Boscan food and can't wait to get into a Seabath!" Bickslow proclaimed enthusiastically, his babies swirling around singing *Bath time! *soakin!
Kaleb smiled as Pipi decided to land on his shoulder and push through his hair, the mindbender totally at ease with the little totem, reaching up to carefully brush his hair out of the little souls way so it could settle and smiling at it, clearly having some sort of communication with it they couldn't hear.
"She is so happy to see you again big bro." Bickslow said taking a seat beside his brother and Kaleb smiled at him, fingers stroking over the little totem affectionately.
"Pipis my little lady." Kaleb said turning to kiss the totem and Lucy giggled as the totem shook with glee.
"Pipi has a thing for Kaleb." Bickslow grinned at Lucy
"She has good taste." Kaleb responded, helping himself to some wine while everyone started digging into the dishes on the cart.
Lucy sighed, the breeze was gentle and fragrant, the food was delicious, everyone was smiling and chatting, Freed telling them about his testing schedule at the Citadel the following day and how Bickslows Uncle Tesso was going to get him a pass to enjoy the library there afterward. Laxus slapped Cristoff on the back grinning about how he planned to set him and Emi on their asses.
Cristoff didn't look concerned, which Lucy loved seeing, Laxus had always intimidated everyone in Fairy Tail, it was nice seeing him among people who could match and possibly even surpass him in strength and magical power.
Bickslow practically radiated happiness too, the Seith clearly overjoyed to be back home and with his family again. She couldn't help but feel it and share the smiles and laughter. This was going to be her new life, her fresh start, and she was unsure, but she wasn't afraid, the little glimmer of hope inside of her was getting stronger….