Popularity. I am the epitome of it… If this were a few years ago. XD

Oh well, the Vaguerisms of showbiz! - Richard Richard.

:::-((x))-:::

(3 days later)

"Hey, Gray!"

The Ice Mage in question grumbled, turning around and facing the Brunette calling his name. It had only been a few days since Gray's stripping incident and since then he hadn't been left alone. It seemed that at least five times a day he was getting pestered by one of the adults in the guild asking him about the habit. Everyday, like clockwork…

The only people who hadn't asked him were Gramps and Cana… Vali definitely wasn't going near him for a while at least, something he could get used to and maybe the only decent thing to come out of this entire ordeal.

Though now, it seemed that Cana wanted her turn at annoying him…

"What?" He grouched, turning to look at her with his only eye. Seeing her straight faced glare focusing onto him entirely. "I'm busy."

"Busy?" She scoffed back at him, surprising him slightly. "I'm sure you are, staring at that table."

In the few days Gray had known/ observed her, Cana wasn't a very laid-back individual, in fact, she stood out completely from the rest of the guild, besides being the youngest one there before him and Vali. She barely ever laughed or joined in with the rowdy banter of her guild-mates (not that he was any better) and was almost completely serious whenever he or anyone else spoke to her. In fact, the only person who managed to make her smirk or chuckle more than once was Vali, though he became very popular very quickly in his own right.

"Whatever..."

His cold reply didn't faze her, he noted…

"You're gonna have to do better than that if you want to get rid of me, you know?" She glared, hands on her hips.

Having enough, he looked up and stared back at her, his eye swimming with irritation. "You know that I could freeze you solid, right?" He asked, grinning when she took a small step back, no doubt remembering the feeling his Devil Slayer magic gave off. "Now leave me alone, I ain't in the damn mood to talk."

He really wasn't, he chose the far back of the guild, but the complete opposite side of the table Cana had been sitting in beforehand. He already knew how much of Vali he'd have to put up with during the night and everyone here just annoyed him, though he had nothing better to do and he knew that he couldn't just train all day, no-one was capable of such a constant feat. His body already ached from the heavy strain he had exerted yesterday…

He really wasn't in the mood for socialising…

But, then again, Cana seemed absolutely adamant about hanging around as she stepped closer once more, ignoring the veiled threat and taking seat opposite him. She suddenly pulled out her usual deck of cards and started flipping through them masterfully, her hands gliding from one card to another with an obvious purpose. It didn't take Gray much thinking to realise what she was actually planning…

Leave me alone, damn it!

"Pick a card." She ordered, thrusting the cards out and towards him. Her frown hardened a little at his odd look. "Just do it."

"What is this?" He asked, not really interested.

"I'm going to read your fortune for you, now pick a card."

Looking around, Gray sighed. He wasn't going to escape this any time soon, Vali wasn't even in today, said he was having a walk around to find something fun to do. He had been gone for at least two hours at this point and Gray had the feeling that he would not be back for some time either… Knowing Vali for the short amount of time he did, Gray believed him to be the type of guy who'd find enjoyment in even the most mundane things.

"Screw it." He grumbled, looking at the cards for a moment before sighing. "What do I do?"

Cana looked like she was going to walk away for a second, if the glare she gave him wasn't anything to go by, however, she unfortunately managed to keep her composure. "Didn't you hear me before? Pick. A. Card!"

'Don't give me that attitude...'

Cana shuffled the cards once more before holding her hands out, deck spread apart. It looked like she had been doing this kind of thing for quite some time, each card was neatly spaced out between one another and almost symmetrical looking.

Gray didn't think any further on the situation, tentatively moving his hand over one of the centre-left cards and plucking it out of the main deck. He was about to turn it over, but Cana quickly warned him to not do so. After all, he didn't want bad luck, metaphorical or literal…

"Now choose another." She instructed, shuffling the cards again before holding them out. Gray repeated the act, this time choosing the far-left card on the very end of the deck.

"Okay." Cana smiled at him before looking back down to the two cards she had taken back from Gray.

"What now?"

"Quiet!" She scolded, not even giving him another glance as she turned the cards over and inspected them. But as soon as she viewed them her eyes widened to saucers before looking back at Gray with a mixture of shock and fear… Or was it awe?

"Well?" He asked, shifting in his seat a little at her consistent gaze. "What is it? I have things to do!"

He really didn't, but what she didn't know, didn't hurt her…

"W-well… It says here that you are either destined for two things..." She stammered, unable to contain herself. It was the first time Gray had seen her like this and he really didn't know what to feel about it. She was always so stoic and dull, no-nonsense in fact, it made her a real chore to be around. Even for him.

"Those things are?"

She looked hesitant, like she didn't know whether or not to give him his fortune…

"You could end being being great… Or the cause of your destruction..."

Now it was his turn to gawk…

Destruction?

"Fuck..."

:::-((x))-:::

The first thing Vali had done when he left the apartment was divert from the path to explore Magnolia, getting quickly bored with the old people at the guild along with Gray's torrent of verbal abuse. After-all, there is only so much one can take of the same banter and infighting before needing a brief change of scenery and he had a whole towns-worth to get just that.

He had been excited to find out about it in fact he had forgotten to bring any jewel along in case he found something he particularly liked…

'How I manage to live…?'

Grumbling to himself, he continued to weave in and out of the people that obscured his path. The markets hadn't been too exciting and he wanted to save the forest for last. Just in case the rest of the exploration turned out to be wasteful and boring.

"Yes, Vali, there is a slight problem with this plan. That being the fact that you are now down to nothing BUT the forest." Sighing, he slunk away from the crowd and turned to face the huge opening that lead into what he guessed would be the heart of the forest.

"At least I can still practice my acrobatics here..." He gave the opening a once over and smirked slightly. He could see various points to climb and jump across from at varying distances. The almost arch the forest entrance seemed to make looked to be a playground for people like him, though he would likely have trouble finding his way out if he didn't pay attention.

'No way to know unless I find out..'

The thought was quick and fleeting, but it brought upon his face a smile that spoke of much mischief and trouble waiting to be made.

"Well, I suppose I should go to the guild." He hesitantly turned back, feeling like he had lost a million jewel. "Gray probably needs me really badly."

He took off, sprinting down the roads and alleyways whilst avoiding everyone as best as he could. Grinning the most evil grin that had ever adorned his face.

"Don't worry Gray, I am coming back!"

:::-((x))-:::

Out of nowhere Gray sneezed…

"Cute, but concentrate!" Cana barked.

Gray huffed indignantly.

"I am not cute, asshole!"

:::-((x))-:::

(One Hour Later)

"It's about time you got back..."

Vali pretended not to hear his half-friend, setting his attention on the drink just in front of the Ice-Mage instead. The glass of ice cold water was teetering on the edge of the table with engineered positioning, Gray's hand just far enough for a little risk and close enough for a safe-guard, if Gray was aware of was unknown, though the situation was not the main reason for the assessment.

"You know that the glass is overflowing, right?" He asked, ignoring the jibe and staring at Gray.

"What are you talking abou- AAH!"

Gray's irritable question was immediately drowned out by the sudden icy moisture that splashed his skin moments later. His body reacted, involuntarily launching him into the air, ending with his legs smashing against the underside of the table with a painful force. His eye widened from both surprise and pain as he gritted his teeth, the sensation of white hot needles puncturing his poor knees.

How he didn't have problems was beyond him… If he wasn't counting Vali as one.

He was only made aware of his problems laughter when he managed to regain a connection between his sight and his brain, his eyes felt like they were being clouded by a blaze of fire as he looked at the rolling form of Vali. He had the urge to grab him by the neck and toss him around the guildhall to make him pay, to make him stop torturing him with his puerile sensor of humour.

Though – deep down – he knew that it was, at best, unlikely that it would even make him consider the possibility. In the end, he decided to just ignore the existence of one the only people he even talked to. Though it was difficult to when the ball of dirt that was situated in his previously see-through water became more visible...

Though the cup was certainly overflowing now…

"Vali, you stupid bastard!" He screamed. The red haze of anger over-spilling as he leapt up from the table and for the still grounded Earth Mage. "Come here!"

Vali seemed to sense the imminent danger posed, his face sobering up and paling before he quickly twisted his body, propelling himself to his feet before barely avoiding the meteor of pain that was Gray. His laughter re-igniting now that he was briefly safe from the bodily harm that awaited him.

'He doesn't do himself any favours...' Cana watched the antics of the duo with narrowed eyes as Gray caught the squirming Vali and threw him into the table occupied by Vejeeter and Warren, the surprising force of the throw knocking them off of their chairs and onto the floor with a combined squeal.

As was the carnage of Fairy Tail, bolstered by the two new… energetic members…

Though if she had it her way, they'd have stopped this crap on day one. She shook her head in annoyance. 'Didn't they learn after Gram- The Masters demonstration.'

They'd probably learn after a while…

Until then, she'd try and put up with the idiots.

:::-((x))-:::

(1 week later)

Vali threw his arms up in exasperation, his forehead creasing downward as he stared at the doorknob of Gray's bedroom before he regained control of himself and rapped on the wooden panel.

"Gray!" He barked. "Will you please stop covering the mirror with our towels? We need those for more important things than covering our ugliness up… Well, your ugliness at least." He turned away from the door after receiving no answer.

'Why does he feel the need to do this?' He grumbled, sliding through the half open door to the living room before heading up to the oven and collecting five eggs from the tray and some oil, his stomach rumbling slightly.

Though he couldn't break away from the weirdness Gray was demonstrating...

They had been in this apartment for at least a week or two at this point and from the very start of that stay Gray had been acting weird, always avoiding the bathroom as much as he possibly could before giving into his bodies needs and venturing into it, but the towels would always be wrapped around the mirror in its entirety. Whenever Vali tried to pry the answer out of the Devil Slayer he would be stonewalled or re-directed to a different topic, the ending to each excursion would always result in a short fight between them both before Gray or himself would retreat to their rooms.

It wasn't a huge thing, it was only mildly annoying. But Vali hadn't seen any sign of this being the typical behaviour of Gray. In fact, since dealing with Kafuchi's guild the boy was more subdued if anything.

But what did a bathroom mirror have to do with it?

Vali just leaned next to the oven, waiting for the eggs to finally cook through, his mind on the events of the previous few weeks. Though his speculation was halted when Grays door loudly swung open, hitting the wall in the process.

"Yo." He chirped mockingly. Seeing the absolute state of his friend. "You know, you could really do with some freshening up. Bathrooms free for that, unless you're chicken."

The twitch in the younger boys eye told him all that he needed to know: 'Shut it, or you'll burn.'

Though he couldn't stifle the snicker that rose up in his throat…

Gray really did make it too easy for him…

"By the way." He called out, stopping Gray in his tracks. "I checked out the woods, really open, should check it out yourself, really good for training and other such routines-" he paused, realising his speech change before laughing. "My bad, Just give it a look, its really nice for the training and practising any routine you might or might not have."

Gray looked at Vali as he turned back to finish cooking the eggs. Distrust flaring up for a second before realising the benefit of having a proper training ground. It would surely beat his room anyhow. Though was it worth it, trusting the Earth Mage's word on this?

He wondered, was he telling the truth or was he just being an asshole again. It wouldn't be the first time in all likelihood, Vali seemed to enjoy making him angry. But the idea of having open space for training was a tempting concept.

He sighed in frustration… Maybe he would check it out after checking out the jobs board. He wanted to know what to expect when he was able to take them.

But right now, he needed a shower…

:::-((x))-:::

I know that this is all really boring and practically filler…

Trust me, it isn't the most enjoyable writing the mundane stuff. But it is to give you all an idea of how interactions are going to be done. This is literally the start of their massive journey so I want a good, strong foundation filled with the good, bad and ugly as well as the sexy to give the rest of the development and growth its strength.

Anyway, sorry for the ever-sporadic uploading, but I hate life right now. Fuck jobbing right now, I won't rant. But finding jobs is harder than ever and less rewarding than it has ever been before.

I hope to see you next chapter! XD

-Viperhat