This chapter may be kind of rubbish because it's based more on an actual episode.
I don't own any of the characters here apart from my own, Hiro Mashima does.
Hope you enjoy :)
Magical Ball
Brief description of what's happened before scene: After Kala has returned to the guild normalcy resumes in the form of a job request.
When I walk outside I see Lucy and my brother dancing with a couple of people watching. ''Hey Romeo'' I say walking up to the young dark haired boy who's sat next to Happy, ''what's going on?''
''I don't know, I don't understand this at all'' he says confused before turning to happy, ''what are they doing again?''
''It's called ballroom dancing''
''why are they practicing dance steps?'' I say.
''It's for the job request Natsu picked, we're going to Count Balsamico's'' he chuckles briefly, ''ball to bring back an escaped convict called Velveno, so you're going to need to practice to''. I flush scarlet and twirl a lock of my hair.
''I'm sure I could just stay on the sidelines and not actually dance'' I say with a nervous laugh, ''I'll just watch everyone else''. I quickly leave taking a seat on a bench which faces Natsu and Lucy trying to calm my nerves.
I look up and see Gray approach Lucy and Natsu, ''hey what are you two doing over here, playing some kind of game or something?'' I mentally face palm, Mavis Gray can be an idiot sometimes.
''It's not a game doofus!'' Lucy snaps.
Gray sheds his clothes by force of habit so he's shirtless before reaching for Lucy's hands, ''let me play around with you''. I feel a sharp bite of anger inside me hearing that but I shrug it off.
Angry she kicks him sending him flying, ''YOU JUST GOT DISQUALIFIED!'' she yells and I shake my head, he kind of had that coming.
''If you have to strip down to dance with Gray then I'm more than willing!'' Juvia says racing over to us and throwing off her fur jacket. I roll my eyes; seems what happened before when I returned from the magic council prison wasn't a onetime thing.
''Jeez bluey bit desperate'' I say mockingly.
''At least I have a partner love rival'' she says grinning triumphantly before racing over to Gray who's on the ground coming around from Lucy's kick. I tut looking away feigning uninterest, but a sharp burst of anger again stabs into me only greater than before. I try and ignore it, after all this isolation is self-imposed; all because of my embarrassment…
Many people start to gather now all practicing dancing. I watch Erza demonstrate to my brother the 'dancing demon' and flash him a smile but internally wince. I've been on the receiving end of those moves before and I do not envy him one bit.
Lucy comes to sit on the bench next to me but is so caught up in awe at the fact there are so many dancers now that she doesn't notice me; a small smile curves my mouth.
Suddenly an astonished look crosses her face, ''wait am I seriously the only one here that doesn't have a partner?!''
''Nope there's me as well''. She turns towards me with wide eyes.
''Kala? How long have you been sat here?''
I sigh, ''since you and Natsu started dancing.''
Sorrow briefly shows on her face''well at least we're partnerless together'' she says with a smile and I laugh smiling back.
Suddenly there's a flash and a goat wearing sunglasses and a suit is standing there, ''you rang my lady?''. It must be one of her celestial spirits.
''No I didn't Capricorn'' Lucy says sweating.
I shake my head, ''go and dance''
Lucy flashes me a worried look,''but what about you?''
I sigh twirling a lock of my hair, ''I'm choosing to be on my own Lucy, you don't have to''. She still looks worried but agrees and walks off with Capricorn. I take a look at all the other dancers with a small but wry smile. Mavis why can't I have the courage to go? It's not like I'm a terrible dancer it's just…
I spot Gray kind of doing a sway with Juvia, not properly dancing but she looks ecstatic like she might faint any second whilst his expression looks tight. He catches my eye and another emotion glints in them but I look away feeling a blush darkening my cheeks.
''Can I have this dance?'' a male's voice suddenly says near me. Startled I look up to see a man wearing a black suit with sunglasses and spiky orange hair.
''Who are you?'' I say hesitantly.
''I'm Loke one of Lucy's spirits and you must be Kala''. My eyes widen and I nod to confirm my name before looking over to Lucy; she catches my gaze and winks.
I shake my head smiling, ''heart of gold hasn't she?''
I look back to Loke seeing him smile, ''yes she has''. My smile quickly fades though as I remember his request.
''It's sweet of her to make the offer but I...I don't dance'' as I say that my cheeks flare. Loke tilts his head regarding me curiously.
''You want to dance though'' I look up alarmed with wide eyes and he laughs ''so there must be something else stopping you'' he sits down next to me on the bench. My face is now burning I'm going to have to say something.
''I…I'' I grit my teeth. ''I'mtooembarressedtodance'' I splutter rushing my words.
''Let me help then'' I turn amazed to see him stand once more. ''I can take the lead until you feel confident to''. Pushing down my anxiety I hold my hand out to him.
''Alright'', he leads me into the centre of the dancing area but because seeing me dance is such a rare phenomenon so everyone stops in awe; I start to tremble and burn red with embarrassment.
''Everyone's staring at us'' I mutter.
He just coolly smiles, ''relax I'll take the lead''.
We start off at a slow rhythm first so I can get a feel of the dance and allow Loke to lead so my confidence can grow. Soon I feel bolder and start taking the lead a little, performing my own moves with effortless grace.
''you dance beautifully Kala, and your moves are so mesmerizing'' I flush scarlet.
''Thank you Loke, I guess it would be better if I wasn't so painfully shy'' I mutter.
After we arrived at Count Balsamico's home we discussed with the Count the plans for the mission before leaving to get changed for the evening.
''All though we've come here strictly for business purposes we have to look the part of elegant party goers'' I hear Erza say from outside my tent.
Sighing I decide to get up and head out, ''I'm not sure elegant is the word I'd use. I feel like this is over the top''. I'm wearing a long satin ruby red v-neck dress with a slit exposing the bottom of my left leg and criss cross straps showing my back; red heels are on my feet and my salmon pink hair is in what I think is a stylish updo with some ringlets cascading down at the back and two bangs framing my face.
''Oh wow! You look amazing Kala'' Lucy says happily startling me, I do?
''Yes the dress complements your natural beauty perfectly'' Erza says with a small smile. A blush darkens my cheeks and a small smile curves my lips. Perhaps dresses every so often won't be as terrible as I originally thought it would be; though they mustn't be too revealing. I still need to cover them. Luckily this dress doesn't showcase the obvious ones, but smaller ones are visible if you look closely. Hopefully nobody will be doing that...
''What happened to the boy's?'' Lucy says when we reach the ballroom. I look around along with Erza but don't see them.
Wendy gasps and I look towards the direction she points in, ''they're over there''. Gray, Elfman and Natsu stand over at a food table all looking bored. Elfman's wearing a full white suit, Natsu a white and black one but with Igneel's scarf and Gray black trousers with a red shirt and a dark blue tie. My cheeks flush, he looks... handsome. Wait what am I saying?... Mavis Kala what's wrong with you?
Gray catches my eye and for moment just stares at me; something flashes in his eyes before he turns to Natsu with a bored sigh. A stab of disappointment rushes through me but I'm not sure why...
We start to walk down through the hall looking to mingle with the other guests when a man asks Erza to dance. She agrees and they go up on one of the levitated dance platforms. Warren tells Natsu and Gray to tail him whilst Lucy and I share a look.
''I really pity that guy'' I mutter and she chuckles winking.
''I think she's got it'' I hear my brother say.
''He might need help though'' Gray mutters.
Just then two men come up to Lucy and I, one with brown swept back hair the other short black hair.
''May I have this dance?'' the brown haired man says to Lucy.
''Yeah sure'' she says startled before going off with him.
''Can I have this dance?'' the black haired man says to me taking hold of my right hand.
''Of course'' I try to say in as controlled a voice as possible, not wanting to show my nerves.
He leads me over to one of the rising dance platforms and we begin to slowly dance. He's more rigid than Loke was but my nerves are possibly showing as well, damn my shyness with dancing.
Halfway through I notice Gray's dancing with an attractive ginger haired woman and I feel anger bubble, no no no why am I feeling angry seeing Gray with ano...Suddenly a thought hits me like a train. Am I jealous?...No we're just friends what am I saying? Shrugging off my concern I focus back on my dance partner.
A few minutes later, to my surprise, I see Gray start to fight with the woman he was originally dancing with. ''The dance was wonderful'' I say pulling away from the man and curtsying.
He smiles reaching for my right hand, ''the pleasure was all mine'' he kisses the back of it making me blush.
Once it was realised Velveno only wanted to propose to Aceto (the count's daughter) who he'd known since they were kids, Erza declared that to celebrate the union everyone was to dance the night away.
Lucy soon sweeps away my brother to dance making me chuckle.
I might retire early though.
As I'm about to leave the man I was dancing with before shows up. ''You danced so enchantingly before I was wondering if I could have the honour of another dance if you're not otherwise engaged?''
I'm about to politely decline when a different man takes my hand. ''She is'' my face flushes as I recognise the voice.
''My apologies'' the man says to Gray bowing before taking his leave.
Gray leads me to one of the dance platforms and as we rise we just sway to the music. ''I thought you weren't a dancer?'' I say with an amused tone and a smirk. A faint blush darkens his cheeks.
''Yeah well you looked lonely before that guy showed up and this makes up for before''. I raise an eyebrow
''before?'' his blush darkens further.
''You were on your own again until Loke asked you to dance'' he says; what sounds like guilt echoes in his tone making me wince, but there's also something else that I can't place.
''Don't feel bad about that, I choose to be alone and would have continued to do so if he hadn't asked me''.
''Why?'' I groan and small fires darken my cheeks.
''Erza and I may have a few similarities but dancing is not one of them, while...while I may be good I get painfully shy having people watch me'' I mumble.
''You're alright now though?'' he says with a playful smirk.
I laugh, ''well yeah but we're not properly dancing, the attention isn't focused on me even when I'm wearing this and I don't know...I feel somehow calmer dancing with you''. I swear I see his mouth tug up into a small smile but it's so quick I'm not entirely sure.
When we get back to the guild the following day it's late again.
A frown curls my lips, ''Erza are there any apartments open for rent at Fairy Hills?''
''I'm not sure, let's go check''.
I walk up to the attendant at the front desk when we get there. She tells me there are actually quite a few rooms all 100,000 jewels rent, so I just need to decide which one. ''We also can decorate the room to suit your tastes if you like. I'll need your favourite colours for the general colour scheme and if you could tell me your magic type as well''.
''Thank you I'd like that. My favourite colours are chocolate brown, red, black and gold and my magic type is fire''. She quickly makes a note of my choices.
''Ok, now which room would you like?''
I examine the rooms on offer thoughtfully. There's one that looks like it would offer a nice view of Magnolia, but... ''whose room is next door to this one?''
''Ah that would be Erza Scarlet's'' she says smiling at Erza standing next to me. I turn to Erza with a wide smile curling my lips before looking back to the attendant.
''I'll have that one please''.
''Of course Miss. Your room should be ready around midday tomorrow''
''Thank you''.
I walk back to the others with Erza explaining what happened.
''You can stay over at my apartment for tonight'' Lucy says with a smile.
I smile back, ''thanks Lucy''.
''Ok make yourself at home'' Lucy says happily to me.
''Don't mind if I do'' my brother says coming into the room followed by Erza and Gray.
''I DIDN'T MEAN YOU!'' she screams at my brother.
I laugh before something catches my eye. Next to the inbuilt fireplace are two easel's; one holds the old painting done a year before Hades kidnapped me and on the other the new painting done when I returned to the guild from the magic council prison.
A smile curves my lips and I move closer to see them better; I look to the old one seeing my gold dragon scale scarf like Natsu's around my younger self. Unconsciously I reach a hand up to my neck frowning; it's probably long gone by now. In a way I'm glad it fell off that day if I'd kept it the chances are it wouldn't have stayed intact. Unbidden tears start to slowly trail down my face.
''What is it Kala?'' Lucy says coming over to me sounding concerned. I quickly wipe the tears off my face; I hope no-one noticed.
''Nothing, this is a lovely apartment Lucy.''
She smiles, ''thanks can I get you a drink?''
''Do you happen to have hot chocolate?'' I say twirling a lock of hair around my finger.
She chuckles, ''yes one mug of hot chocolate coming up''.
''I'll be right back'' my brother abruptly says before getting up and walking out the door. I furrow my brows at the door; what was that about?
Lucy soon returns with my hot chocolate and I thank her; she chuckles as she hands the mug over. I raise an eyebrow confused, ''what is it?''
''It's just, for identical twins you and Natsu are so different''
I laugh smiling, ''hey even twins can have their differences, and of course there is the difference in the last 3 yrs...'' I say with a gradually quieter voice. Lucy abruptly places a hand on my shoulder startling me and also making me realise I'm gripping the mug too tight.
At that moment there's a crash in Lucy's bedroom before Natsu comes into the room; a wide grin now curves his mouth.
''Where did you go?'' I say.
His grin somehow widens, ''I got something I've kept for years at my home''.
I raise an eyebrow. He withdraws from behind his back a long gold scale scarf.
I gasp and quickly put my mug down on the coffee table before standing up. Igneel's scarf, "how?..."
"We found it on the ground 3 yrs ago. It was kept safe at the guild until I got my own home then I asked if I could have it."
Natsu smiles handing it over and I tentatively reach for it. As soon as my fingers graze the soft cloth a smile curves my mouth. I wrap it around my neck burying my face into it for a moment. "Thank you Natsu" I say gratefully.
He flashes me the Dragneel twin grin, "I wasn't going to let it go."
The others decide to come with me to see my apartment.
"Well this is it" I unlock the door and push it open. Instantly I gasp in amazement.
The carpeted floor and skirting boards are chocolate brown whilst the ceiling and walls are coloured soft red. A chocolate brown cone shaped light shade, embellished with an intricate black swirl design, hangs down from the middle of the ceiling and there is a fire brick red wardrobe, decorated with the same design and gold door knobs, in the top left corner of the room. A golden framed king size bed, that has a head board with posts but no foot board, lies to the right side centre of the room against the wall; the gold headboard has been fashioned into the shape of a fireball and the duvet along with the pillows are fire brick red. A bedside table of the same colour, embellished with the same intricate design as the wardrobe and has gold handles for the drawers, is positioned to the left of the bed. A chocolate brown vanity table with a gold plated mirror is to the far side of the room, left to the window overlooking Magnolia which has fire brick red curtains with an intricate black swirl pattern embroidered in. A small gold framed chocolate brown satin ornate chair is positioned in front of it and another identical chair is to the bottom right of the room a short distance away from the bed. Lastly even the door next to me has been designed; the door knob is gold while the door itself has been coloured fire brick red.
I throw my arms out collapsing onto the bed. "This is perfect" I say cheerfully.
"Definitely has the Kala touch" Erza says with a chuckle.
"Not quite" I sit up and gently take off Igneel's scarf then carefully loop it around the bed post next to the bedside table with a smile. "Now it does".
Unlike my brother I can go without wearing it. The knowledge I have it is enough the majority of the time.