Time for chapter 12 already! I hope you'll all enjoy this! I love reading all you guy's theories on what direction this story is taking ^^
Thanks for proofreading CJ!
''So let me recap this,'' Gray said, rubbing his temples to suppress an upcoming headache, ''everyone at the community home can use some sort of magic, we're under attack by a mysterious entity and you're looking for your dad?''
Cana nodded. ''Correct. Oh, and there has been someone outside our apartment a few times.''
He lifted a brow. ''And how exactly do I play a role in this?''
''You used to be a detective, right?'' she said, ''this way, you can use your skills again.''
His facial expression changed. ''There is a good reason I quit.''
She shuddered involuntarily, the temperature in his apartment seemed to drop with the minute. She wondered if he always left the air conditioning on.
''So, does that mean I have to look further?''
He stood up to pick up both of their glasses and walked over to the counter to pour both of them a new iced coffee.
''Let's go on a walk,'' he said as he handed her the cool drink.
He grabbed his coat and walked through the door, Cana followed, a little confused. Even though his short sentences were the opposite of the chatty people she always seemed to surround herself with, she had taken a liking to him. There was something mysterious about him and she kept having the feeling he could be a great source of knowledge.
''What's your magic?'' he asked her, stirring his coffee.
Cana had no idea where they were heading and just kept walking next to him, trying to keep up with his pace. It had started to drizzle and Cana regretted leaving her coat hanging at his place. They were a block further now, it was no use turning back.
''To be honest, I have no idea,'' she said, ''I inherited special tarot cards from my mother, but they seem pretty ordinary.''
''No offense, but this all sounds pretty hard to believe,'' he said, ''me, a wizard?''
''I can prove it,'' she said, ''take off your shirt.''
He almost dropped his drink. ''You mean I have to strip down in the middle of town?!''
''Exactly,'' she grinned.
He handed her the cup. ''Okay, hold my drink.''
Flabbergasted, she took the cup, not expecting he was actually gonna do it.
''I didn't mean it literally, please, you can also just lower your t-shirt's neck!'' She tried to stop him, but in one quick movement, he took off his coat and shirt, revealing his toned torso. She had to refrain herself from staring.
''Now what?'' he said, not showing the slightest sign of shame or cold.
Cana put the cups next to her on a bench. ''That birthmark you have,'' she pointed to his chest and lifted the hem of her shirt to reveal her stomach, ''I have it too.''
''Hey, hold up, don't start stripping too!'' he muttered, looking left and right to see if anyone was staring at them. His fear was confirmed by the sight of people hiding their kids behind them.
''Hey you!'' they heard someone yell, ''exhibitionism is a crime!''
''Oh shit, it's the cops,'' Cana hissed, grabbing the coffee cups and Gray's shirt and started running, ''let's go!''
''Hey wait!'' Gray yelled as he ran after her, ''you still have my shirt!''
The two of them kept running. Gray passed her by and led their escape route. Cana noticed they were getting and closer to the community home. Soon they would arrive at the little town square.
Gray slowed down as they neared the center of the square, where the large fountain flaunted its water spouts. Cana recognised the spot, as she had met the mysterious girl here a month ago. She remembered Gray had scared her away and wanted to bring it up again, now that she had the opportunity.
But she didn't need to.
As they ran around the fountain, a familiar head with blue hair came in sight. A bright smile adorned her face when she noticed the two.
''Darling! You're back!'' she let out, jumping up in excitement. She ran past Cana, straight to Gray.
''Darling?'' Cana imitated her as she gave Gray a sly smirk, ''what are we missing out on?''
He sighed deeply. ''It's not what it looks like,'' he mouthed to her.
She rolled her eyes. ''Yeah, sure.''
The girl turned around and made eye contact with Cana. ''I remember you,'' she softly said.
''I sure remember you as well, screaming at me like that,'' Cana said mockingly.
''I'm sorry,'' she said, twirling her thumbs, ''I just wanted nobody to see me.''
''But you came to the community home as I told you to.''
''I did... but-, the energy that came from it,'' she muttered, ''it overwhelmed me, I'm sorry.''
''What's your name?''
''Juvia,'' she said softly, as if she was casting a curse.
''I see,'' she held out her hand, ''my name is Cana.''
Lucy eagerly leafed through the books as if her life depended on it. Natsu eyed her occasionally, wondering if he was almost illiterate compared to her. No matter how much he tried to put his mind to it, the words in the books he looked into didn't reach his consciousness.
There was something about her determination that made her look fierce. She kept putting strands of hair behind her ear, but they kept falling back with every abrupt head movement.
''Why are you in such a hurry?''
She looked up, her gaze looking disassociated from her environment from staring into pages for so long.
''You haven't forgotten about that monster, right? We need to know how to use our powers to defeat that thing!''
He raised a brow. ''You mean, you need to know. Because I have my powers under control.'' He let a little flame spawn from the tip of his index finger.
She didn't know what to say. He guessed right, right away. It annoyed her that he knew her so well.
''Fine, you win,'' she said irritated, ''you're the talented wizard here and I don't seem to have powers, congratulations.''
''That's not what I-'' Natsu was interrupted by the doorbell ringing twice.
They exchanged looks, both knowing they weren't expecting anyone, at all.
Carefully, Natsu crept down the stairs. Lucy held her breath. Memories of someone lurking around their apartment wouldn't stop flashing through her mind. She listened to the sound of Natsu opening the door, surprised mumbling, and a second, male voice.
''Lucy, you have a visitor!'' Natsu yelled.
She pushed herself away from the table and stood up. Now curious who it possibly could be, she walked around the corner to ascend the stairs.
Her eyes met a vaguely familiar face in the door opening.
''Professor Seyir?'' she said, ''what brings you here?''
''I need to talk with you about your friend Cana,'' he looked up to her with dreadful eyes, ''there is something you need to know.''