Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima.

It had been just over two weeks since they'd left Fiore to take this mission. Lucy listened to the hustle and bustle of those on the docks as they readied the ship for passenger departure. She knew her eyes were wide as she looked around with child-like interest, taking note of the things her father had educated her. A small part of her sent out a prayer of gratitude to the man for it now.

On the trip over, Freed and herself had answered as many questions as possible for Bickslow and Evergreen. Explaining that this Country's Government is run by a Parliament that was Democracy based. How magic worked was different than in Fiore. The way they had reacted at learning that Minstrel's population was only fifty percent mage. Those who showed the aptitude for magic were immediately recruited into the MilitaryMilitary or kept their mouths shut and stayed hidden. There was no choice; it was how they controlled mages, plain, and simple.

When the call came from the Dock Master, Lucy smiled at her temporary team. She had gotten to know them all much better over the last two weeks, as well. Evergreen was a sweet person with a big, squishy heart, just not good at showing it. Then again, her being with Elfman helped a lot. Freed had a connection to her via their shared past in the Gentry of Fiore. Lucy knew who Lord Aldelbert Edgemond Justine was and his contacts, both political and to the crown. Bickslow was the one that had taken her a bit by surprise. He was a gentleman and incredibly smart under the facade he showed people. And she had taken the time to thank him for helping her that one night.

"Fairy Tail?"

Hearing a voice call out over the crowds, Lucy paused with the Raijinshu and looked. There was a stately man who wore a pressed black suit with a silver emblem upon his left breast — glancing up at Freed, whom she saw nodding in acknowledgment. Glad that they had discussed who would be the team leader. That Minstrel was different from how their Gentry viewed females compared to Fiore.

"Good, please follow me, my Lord awaits," the man spoke in a no-nonsense tone of voice.

The carriage ride was over an hour, and as Lucy stepped out behind everyone else, she took the time to stretch her body and loosen up sore back muscles. They were now in the countryside where it was nothing but plains of grass that seemed to roll for miles and miles. It was stunning to see something different. Of course, as they had traveled and looked out the windows, they had all noticed that even the poor of Minstrel wore semi-fancy clothes, though faded. When Evergreen had asked their guide about it, they got a brief reply about how even the poor have the right to dress their best.

"Ah! I am so glad you arrived!"

The pleasant-sounding voice had Lucy straightening and blinking as a tall, willowy woman came dashing towards them. Her dark hair was pulled and pinned up in a tight bun with a few curls to frame her face. What struck Lucy was that the woman had heterochromatic eyes, making her stand out more than her lavish clothing did.

"I am Viscountess Thalmasia Von Artania," The woman said as a way of introduction.

The moment of silence before Freed stepped forward and introduced them all, Lucy watched the woman with interest. The Viscountess seemed to be taken with Freed, at least from the look she was giving him, which were blatantly obvious to even the most unobservant people. Some things never changed no matter where one went, though it was hilarious how Freed didn't even react, pretending not to notice those open looks of solicitation.

"Well, come inside, it will grow late here soon," The Viscountess said. "I will inform you of things after dinner."

With that, they were led into the impressive mansion and given their rooms for the night and told to clean up for dinner and dress appropriately. Leaving Lucy mentally sighing in thanks for Virgo.

Bickslow was glad for the manners he had been taught as a child. Though wearing something as stuffy as a dress suit had his skin crawling and itching. Some things were just not cool, and suits were one of them. So as he placed his fork down on his now empty dessert plate, he turned his head towards the head of the table. Listening to their hostess speaks her peace.

"I will be frank; we are being plagued by low-rank monsters out on the plains," The Viscountess stated. "Usually, they are not aggressive or as big as they are now. Something in the past month has changed, and that is why I have hired you. To go out and destroy them, their nest and find what has caused this fiasco. My husband is not here, and he told me that the mages employed by the government are not meant for menial tasks."

If he was asked, Bickslow was done with this country and their ideas. Forcing people to be in the Military so that they could control them was just wrong. But to each their own as the saying goes.

"Viscountess, what about the- mages that are not recruited to the MilitaryMilitary? The rogues as you call them?" Evergreen asked.

He stiffened slightly and found his empty plate very, very fascinating.

"I would not associate with them. That is punishable by having everything stripped from me, divorced from my husband, and public shaming and humiliation," The Viscountess replied, her tone offended and snappish.

Well aware of this fact, Bickslow felt his connection to his babies and soothed them. His first and second came from Minstrel. A place of beauty, refinement (even for the poor). Culture and social standing were always a first. Never to defy them or it was death, he was well aware of it.

"Oh, we didn't know. Sorry for the offense given," Lucy said in a soft, demure tone. "But it was a question that came up on our trip here from Fiore Lady Thalmasia."

Arching an eyebrow, Bickslow peeked to the side to look at Lucy. She was a surprising plethora of knowledge and different faces when she had to be. The feel of his lips twitching up at the corners as the Viscountess accepted Lucy's apology and sniffed daintily.

"So, is there any more information you can give us?" Freed asked, pulling the attention back to why they were there.

"Ah, yes, these monsters are active mostly late at night and into the early dawn. And have torn my back property up," The Viscountess said, her voice going soft and breathy. "I mean, you can work at night, right?"

"Yes, yes, we can do so," Freed stated dismissively.

Internally Bickslow started to chuckle. He adored how Freed was able to write off people. And it was evident that it annoyed the woman.

"Boy, it is good to see you amused."

"Yes, yes, amused, amused."

At the comment followed by a chorus of voices from his babies, Bickslow felt that peace that came from them settle over his soul.

"I am, very," he replied to them.

"Good, now when you do this mission, try to partner with Lucy."

Bickslow about choking on the water, he had just started to sip. Papa had a way with timing things just so. But the idea had merit, and he would ask Freed if it was feasible. Right now, though, Bickslow just listened to the conversation about the events before the monsters becoming aggressive and growing large.

TBC!