"Did you already forget I can't walk properly with my leg sprained like this?!"

Irina asked Natsu in a very frustrated manner.

He slows down his walking so that she could limp her way toward him, he lowers his hands back down toward his sides only to lift them back up and fold them over his chest giving her a cheery smile. Was mean spirited but he figured if they spent all that time there talking about unimportant things like his relation with Lucy even though, in his mind, he already explained that she was a friend.

He gave no response, and just kept leading the way through what felt like a meandering yet intricate path of streets, across bridges that went over large quantities of water or held in both high and low spots, only to lead her to a certain shop.

It was a little quaint establishment tucked between two other one other building and a cobblestone brick wall of sorts. A metal hanging sign with a octopus holding a sort of vegetable that look familiar to what could have also been grown on her Earth, the sign read: *PROPER GROCER*.

"Awright, we're here." Proclaims Natsu who mostly kept quiet during the walk.

Irina didn't think he would be so quiet during the walk as he's usually so chatty, but once they finally came to their stop she paused to look over the building, not only did it look old fashion to her but the sign was a little strange to Irina also.

"Is this the market that sells medical supplies? Looks more like a little grocery store by the looks of the funny sign..."

She found it strange that an octopus would be used as it's mascot or something... Irina guessed maybe it would sell seafood too?

That question brought a devilish grin over Natsu's face.

"It does, doesn't it? Why don't we have a bit of a looksie!"

He says just right before marching inside at a brisk stride, pushing open the door.

The expression he made was funny and for some reason it brought a smile on her face how amusing he can be even with a devilish looking grin, Irina looks ahead to the door as she starts to brace herself what the shop may offer.

"I may as well see what this place has to offer..."

Irina says as she enters now while following along, wondering what the place will have compared to home?

When Natsu had opened the door there was a jingle that came from a bell just above said door. Inside was filled to the brim with objects, novelty ornaments, trinkets, mementos, and all sorts of magical oddities of varying qualities though most of them seemed to range in the lower spectrum of things to the practiced eye.

Such as potions, treasure chests that could contain a host of things therein, crystal balls, and magic tomes, as well as pots and cauldrons. The interior was matched the exterior, it looked just as good as it did on the outside on the inside but not too good to the

point that a new and inexperienced patron might shy away.

The moment Irina stepped in and laid eyes on the shop inside, her eyes were wide with curiosity and amazement. Irina stepped in more to take in the sights of the magical stuff around her that looked to be what you see in fairy tales.

"Wow..." She whispers out as she couldn't stop eyeing the objects around her, but Irina wasn't sure how a place like this could sell any medical supplies when it looks more like a place where you find supplies for spells or curses?

Especially not with the person there who stood behind the counter that had posters of all fashions from upcoming actresses to a poster with golden brass keys that ended in unique handle shapes as well as a menu selection with a cash register in front of him, he was an elderly man with that Hargeon tanned complexion and who wore casual clothing by way of a hoodie, some slip-on shoes, and trousers but what stood out the most was the wizards hat he-for some reason-a pointed green cone of a hat with a star emblem over it small enough to leave his graying once-dark hair to radiate out from his scalp.

"Why, hello there dear customers!" The old man says jovially more akin to a old friend than a complete stranger. "What might I be able to interest to you both today?" He asks with a snap of his finger looking at the couple.

Hearing the shop owner speak out, Irina had her attention turned to the funny looking man now, judging from the hat he probably was a wizard himself. Irina was kinda nervous and a bit shy but it didn't stop her from giving him a friendly smile and a wave of her hand to greet him back.

"Oh! Um... hello sir! Do you by any chance sell any medical supplies around here?"

She asks politely as Irina had no idea where a wizard would keep them in a magical looking shop like this.

"Do I happen to sell- Pardon me? I- Oh... *Oh*." His eyes fall down to her injured foot and his lips churn in apparent concern and sympathy. He didn't know what happened and he didn't seem to pry any further. "I am afraid that this store is rather, ah, *limited* in its stock. Not many folk here are wizards, you see."

The man stood before a purple curtain that led into a backroom presumably, littered over his desk was a small range of items geared toward magic usage in some regards but if one were to take a glance about he even had magazine; one of which read *Sorcerer Magazine*. Strung up by an elaborate string of some kind was a lamp with a golden sheen with a sprawl of design over the rim and a few feet away from that item was a bulbous object that looked like a container that housed many other miniature containers all spherical shaped.

"I do believe I have something that'll take care of minor injuries and the like such as cuts, scrapes, bruises, and-"

Natsu cuts him off with a knowing grin standing there all smug-like with his arms folded.

"-Sprains?"

The old man shares in Natsu's smile and laughs haughtily.

"Why, yes, of course! You can imagine all sorts of mishaps can occur when you live so close to the sea and as close to the coast as the fine people of Hargeon do. The more immediate injuries are handled by the town doctors. But for something like this? It'll be no issue at all."

Irina didn't expect to get treated with magic, which definitely sounds pretty cool actually... But just hearing all this stuff about magic and seeing such unique looking stuff is very exciting.

Irina was grateful for this man's help so far as she smiled more from what he was offering.

"I can't imagine what all those mishaps are like out there, but I really appreciate this help a lot, I'm not too familiar with magic myself actually as it's all just so new to me"

She smiled a bit sheepishly as Irina put an arm behind her neck and scratched it kinda awkwardly.

"But it's nice to know there's really kind people like you and Natsu here that are willing to help those in need"

Magic in this world was, like technology in her own, as convenient as it was potentially dangerous. She already had seen that with both the bandits *and* Natsu who was a walking fire hazard to everyone and everything around himself.

The old man leans over his shoulders propping them up over the surface of the counter both hands now being used to support his rather comically large head as his neck was a spindly thing. Seeing her pleased seemed to warm the shop owner within him.

"Hm-hm-hm! The pleasure is all mine, but might I make a suggestion?" The man asks her directly as Natsu began to peruse the shop for any items he might need for their travels. He figured he might as well restock.

"Huh? Oh of course, what do you usually recommend?" Irina asks as she wondered what he might say?

She figured Natsu took her here not only to help her but prepare for the road as well, Irina guessed this is usually a place he normally comes to prepare things to cast spells or... whatever he likes to do with them. It did get her more curious about him though.

The shop owners face beams as he begins to rummage down underneath his counter. "Just one moment, miss!" He says now completely vanishing with the sound of things being tossed and thrown and moved aside.

He finally popped up once again, pushing forward a small casket-like item that looked like it could keep glasses inside but when he opened it for her to see inside was a well-kept key.

"Do you, by chance, happen to be a Celestial Mage?" He questions.

Irina was pretty surprised by the question as she had no idea what that really was, when he brought over the case full of keys, Irina was not only curious of what they are but thought how pretty they looked.

Looking at the keys though they reminded her of something similar to those but it was completely different than what they are... What Irina had was just a fancy looking gem key she got that came with the book she used to open it.

"Um... I'm sorry sir, but I'm not a wizard, I can't do anything magic related, I don't even know what these keys are. But... I think I do have something that looks kinda similar to these actually... why do you ask anyways?"

She asks as Irina wondered what made him think she's a wizard that would have magical looking keys?

The elder mans almost bulbous eyes seem to take on this amused glow as she asked her questioned. With a cheeky wriggle of his pig-like nose, the wizened shop owner curled his full lips into a amiable smile.

"Hohoho! I'd like to think I have an eye for these sorts of things when it comes to my customers, new or otherwise!" So he claimed before his shoulders slumped, his smile melting away from his comically wizened face.

"Although," He started with a sigh. "I suppose this key won't have much use to you without magic. I guess today just isn't my day."

Natsu had been taking initiative in curing what seemed to be an always returning serious case of *ennui*. Smoke began to billow out from his nostrils before he snorted out literal spurts of flames throwing his hands up into the air.

"AWRIGHT! Let's get down'ta business, do you have anything that'll fix sprains or not?"

Interjected the fire breather as he returned to the shop keeper and his-from what it seemed like-travelling companion. It didn't appear as though he found anything of use in terms of supplies. The shop, while, yes, was well-stocked with magic items it didn't have much of anything else-or so Natsu thought anyway.

The old man eyes between the male & female duo.

"Yes... Um, wait here I'll return shortly."

With that, he scuttled away into the adjacent room leaving them alone for the meanwhile.

Irina still didn't quite get why the man thought of showing her those keys... but he seemed like he was just trying to make sale with her, Irina didn't really have any money on her even if she was interested... But the moment Natsu suddenly went all wild on the man had her step back in surprise by the sudden burst.

But then began to glare at him when he seemed to scare the poor guy, as grateful as Irina is for him trying to help her, she didn't want to be rude to others just to get help.

"Natsu! What's with the sudden attitude? That was completely out of line! You didn't have to scare the poor guy just to get what we want."

She huffed at him as Irina placed her hands on her hips.

He dismissed her with a wave of his hand, "We have jewels to spend to get that leg fixed up not on talkin'."

His reasoning being that, although, while her injury wasn't life threatening it mustn't be all that comfortable exchanging words while on a sprained ankle. He prioritized her well-being over a conversation that could happen *after* that has been taken cared of.

But did he say any of that? No.

"That geezer'll get over it," huffed-he in response.

From the rear room shuffling could be here with the periodical "No, not that one..." and "I could've sworn I placed it *here*..."

Irina had her arms crossed now as she still eyed the dragon boy with her glare.

"You still could have been more polite, attitudes like that will just end up making you look like those thugs who might burn the place down if you don't get what you want, I mean do you do this every time you walk into a store?"

She asks him with a curious brow raised as Irina guessed from his wild like personality, he does do that often.

"I mean, yeah, why wouldn't I act like myself?" He replies without hesitation.

Her words entered through one ear and went out the other mostly, as most did when it came to about his fiery temperament. There were a select few who Natsu genuinely paid mind to when it came to how to better himself, Gildarts being a prime example. But her? Yeah, no.

He unsurprisingly was always a hundred percent himself a hundred percent of the times. Which was a double-edged sword, clearly.

"What? Why're you starin' at me like that? Y'need to lighten up some more, I mean, come on! We found a place that'll help out. Be happy!" Said the Dragneel in order to lighten her mood, he figured he deserved at least that much.

The way he suddenly gave her that smile, Irina actually couldn't help but smile herself and even added a giggle. Irina doesn't know why but she couldn't stay mad at him when he gives her a look like that.

"I'm happy enough already meeting somebody like you, if we don't get what I needed, I'm glad that I'm at least still alive, even if I was saved by someone who is kinda a hothead."

Irina couldn't help but tease him with that last line as he really just amuses her. Irina should still be freaking out being in a crazy magical world like this but meeting him made her feel everything was going to be okay.

"You're just lucky you're cute." She teases more as Irina flicks one of his fiery pink locks that sticks up from his head.

Well, he'd most certainly take that over the alternative; her yelling his ear off because he didn't add 'please and thank you' at the end of his sentence.

Still, though, when she flicked one of his salander-colored fringes the Dragneel couldn't help but blow hot air back in protest to the affection. Being called cute made him feel much more like a child than how old he actually was, it reminded him of how Mirajane and Erza, as well as Lisanna.

They never gave him the respect he demanded but he also couldn't normally beat 2/3 of those women so he begrudgingly accepted their words, still hearing it from another put him off.

"Who're you callin' cute?"

Which seemed to be his only take away from that.

That new reaction he gave her just added another giggle to her as Irina just shrugs at him after that.

"What? It's a compliment, can't a girl tell a guy he's cute just from giving me a charming smile and a positive attitude rather than your fiery attitude?"

She didn't get why he doesn't take the comment cute well but Irina guessed he thought she meant it in a babyish way.

"I mean a comment like that doesn't always come off as being adorable, but can be more like I'm saying you're attractive, that's something you should be happy and proud of, right?"

Irina figured he would be flattered by a compliment like that, but she guessed now he doesn't care much about being attractive like those snobby jocks at her school but more of a guy that doesn't care about romance and more focuses on a chance to beat someone up.

He saw no point in attractiveness, it didn't do much in a fight-not to him at least. Sometimes it might pull at the heart strings but that doesn't usually hamper things Natsu's experience. He was a legalized wizard who fends off those who seek to wield their magic in villainous ways that'll make his friends suffer and smile less.

But, yes, he did find people attractive. He just found himself more 'cool' than 'cute', more 'stylish' than 'cute' more... Really anything else than 'cute'.

When he thought cute, he envisioned Happy the Exceed... Not *himself*. Regardless, he couldn't think of many reasons why being attractive could help in a brawl, he even on occasion tried to bait people with other more traditionally attractive people (Lucy).

Natsu gave off the impression that her words complimenting his physical attributes would fall on deaf ears or even worse might start conflict as he was short tempered.

"You kiddin'? I'm much more-"

Natsu was quickly interrupted with a, "-AHA!" which had come from the far end of the rear room. It was the shop keep, who soon thereafter came rushing out with an armful of multi-coloured vials.

"I've found them! Er- I beg your forgiveness for the wait! Y'see, people don't typically turn to my wares when in need of these things." Said the elderly man.

"Yeah, thanks old man! You really came in handy toward the end there."

Natsu agreed spiritedly, unaware that he might've been the reason as to why the shop owner seemed to be as high strung as he was or of the glare held in his direction.

The shop owner kept sending glances at Natsu's exposed shoulder, more specifically at the tattoo of his. That red something-or-other, or so it'd looked like to someone not of this world. The shop owner knew-even out here in the sticks-what that mark meant and who it represented.

"...I have a wide selection, each one made by a trusted potion master that I am in the business with, but I think the one that'll suit you best is... *this*."

He placed down a red vial, ornate in design, with a bulbous bottom like a Science beaker but suped up top with gold and crimson. The vial itself was transparent with what looked like a contained a greenish liquid therein.

"It isn't much but it is what I have at hand. Please accept it with care."

Irina took a close look at the vile when he held it up, eyeing it with curiosity as she wondered if it was some sort of magical medicine potion, if it is then Irina hoped it wouldn't give her strange side effects like growing a tail or something like that...

But she wouldn't complain if it turned out to be safe so Irina gave the man a smile as she accepted it with her gratitude towards him.

"Thank you sir, I very much appreciate the item and the help you gave us."

The shop keeper returned the smile with another, heaving a sigh of relief. "It was my pleasure. Ah, that'll be 60,000 jewels." He said with cupped hands held at chest level looking at them both obediently.

Natsu, unabashedly, paid the price with his own wallet. Forking over the cash without much issue, though afterwards he would lean over the counter with a sneer plastered over his face. Sometimes when he smiled, he looked actually nice but other times... He looks like someone up to no good, this was one of those cases.

"Sssay, old man! How d'ya even use onnuva these things? Is it good for drinkin'? Ooo! Ooo! Do you hafta pour it into the tub or somethin'!?"

The moment he mentioned the price her jaw dropped down in shock, Irina didn't expect a medicine could be worth that much. Unless it's worth a fortune due to curing any problem a person may have.

Right when she was about to protest Natsu spending too much on her, Irina suddenly froze when he asked the man such an odd question.

"Wait, are you telling me you don't know how to use these kinds of things, Natsu? And isn't this kinda pricey to spend on for me...? I mean if something like this was going to be worth that much I could of just bandaged up my leg instead..."

She would never be the kind of person to let someone spoil her or spend so much on over something minor like this, even if Irina did have a broken leg. Irina was also surprised he didn't even react to such a high price.

"Usually I just sleep these sorts of things off. We ain't got that sorta time right now. This wont be a insta-fix either. It'll just speed things up a bit." Natsu replied giving her a quick glance before locking on her with a look over.

"Wait, huh? The price is about normal with other potions, I'd say. Why?"

The shop keeper glanced between the two with an expression that seemed conflicted as well, as if though he had just tried to barter off an item that was priced exorbitantly. But he knew his craft, it wasn't.

"Ah... It is supposed to be slathered over the sprain, from there it'll work its-ahem-magic," Said the man behind the counter. Natsu's eyed the vial now wanting to give it a go himself but he wasn't hurt, so there'd be no point.

The only person who has healed him from time to time has been Wendy, that being that Healing Magic was, in fact, a lost form of magic. This vial wasn't *healing* per say, but a much lesser form of it. So it intrigued him a tad bit!

"Yes I figured it makes sense it cost so much due to being magical... but Natsu, I can't make you spend that much over me, 60,000 sounds quite a lot... I can't make you spend something this much on me just because of a sprain."

Irina would hate herself if he went broke because of her and was now hesitant to take the vile, though Irina did feel bad for refusing since the man went out of his way to get it.

"I mean if I had known then I wouldn't have asked you to do this, what kind of person would I be if you went broke spending that much on my injury? I just expected to buy some normal bandages or something. Not a expensive magical potion"

She was pretty used to normal stuff from her world so Irina never guessed he would help her with buying anything magical to cure her pain.

*Normal bandages in a magic shop?*

Natsu thought ruefully, before whafting his hand back and forth. "This seriously ain't much, besides, Lucy's rent is like..." Natsu began to count on his finger; one, two, three for... "...80-something thousand. This ain't much, really! I can make this back once we reach the guild!"

He said without a doubt within his tone. Natsu was unequipped to explain the difference in currency, similar to how some countries operate. A couple cents in the US could be a couple hundred in another, for example.

"So, what, you gonna slap that stuff on your leg or am I gonna hafta do it myself?" And from his voice, he meant it, too. He didn't often buy things that didn't happen to be food, so he didn't want it to be wasted either.

Irina was beginning to wonder if he's bad with math or if 60,000 what he called jewels is worth differently like in other countries such as Japan... She was going to protest some more but noticing how serious he seemed, Irina could tell he isn't going to listen to reason...

It probably would be rude to refuse it anyways after what the shop keeper went out of his way to search for this item, Irina eventually sighed in defeat. But knows she has to make this up to him somehow, even if he doesn't see it as a big deal.

"Alright, fine... but if your really going to spend this much on me then I'm going to have to do something in return for you before I make it back home."

Irina declared with her hands on her hips, she was now determined to pay him back. Irina had to say thank you to him somehow anyways for helping her get this far.

He lifted up his shoulders giving her determination a shrug, it wasn't much of a big deal to him. He spent 1,200 jewels on his own special menu back at the guild and while 60,000 was way more than that Natsu lived a frugal lifestyle.

"I mean, if that's what you wanna do..."

The shop keeper just stood there rhythmically tapping his fingertips against fingertip wondering if he had just started something.

*The price couldn't be that much of an issue, could it?*

"A-Ah... Considering the item has yet to be used you could return it? Though, I'll have to tell you, it would be unsafe to use the potion in excess. Only a few droplets should do you good. That way you stay healthy and you use your jewels worth." Said the man as he glanced between the two.

Irina was surprised by the news she heard by how strong the potion is capable of as she dropped her arms to her sides again and looked over at him.

"So you're saying it's that strong to heal something like this just from a drop? That would explain the price... though are you really really sure you want to waste your money, Natsu?"

She asks him again as she had her attention turned back to him.

"I mean with that much I figured you could get anything more, like your missions for example if you want to be more prepared for yourself"

Natsu took the potion for himself now blatantly ignoring what was being said to him. He already said his peace on that topic, if he repeated himself he might just blow a fuse.

He uncorked the top and swished the green liquid inside and when he dipped it over his awaiting open palm what came out wasn't a liquid but more of an ointment-esque substance. It came out in a pretty sizable glob.

"Tut-tut-tut! That's too much! Anymore and you might speed up her recovery *too* much." Warned the shop keeper to Natsu's annoyance who shot him a pointed glare.

"Yeah, yeah..." He pulled back a tad bit so that the glob became just about the size of his thumb or so and the shop keeper nodded his head by way of giving his approval.

"...You don't hafta worry about that stuff. I usually travel with more stuff than this but this was 'spposed to be a short trip 'till I got sidetracked. It ain't a big deal."

He bent down to her leg.

"Now hold still, will ya?"

Irina didn't quite get why he still didn't see this as such a big deal, he was definitely generous she could tell by how insistent he was... though she can see he's reckless too from being to eager to get something done...

When he actually listened and followed the man's instructions as he bent down, Irina eyed Natsu with a bit of a blush on her cheeks by how charming he seemed. Well not Prince Charming per say... but more caring and trying to be gentle, Irina ended up smiling at this behavior as she finally cooperated.

First taking off her sneaker and sock as Irina now stuck her leg out for him like Cinderella waiting for her prince to place her glass slipper on.

"Just please be careful, alright?" She asks him as this kinda also made her a bit nervous he might spill it all over her.

Natsu stared at her as she removed her shoe only now realizing how otherworldly it was, but he mused that no matter the world a sock was a sock. He was most definitely not princely nor was he charming-in the traditional sense.

Natsu grabbed her foot as gently as he could manage not wanting to inflict any pain on her and dressed his thumb with the substance before spreading it around the sprain in a circular fashion.

He huffed when she asked him to be careful, as if he wanted to do this in the first place. Someone kept complaining about the price tag when they could've done it on themselves instead. Such is life.

"Just lemme know if it starts hurting and I'll stop, alright? Is this good enough?"

Natsu replied firstly to his companion before turning his attention and asking his second question off to the shopkeeper who nodded his head.

"I'd imagine that would be enough, although you won't see the effect for a little while. It isn't as immediate as other potions, I'm afraid."

Irina kinda blushed more when he was spreading it on her leg, but surprisingly she felt it was already taking effect as it felt so... different and weird, but Irina wasn't gonna complain anymore. Irina was too flustered to say any more anyways.

She took her leg back now as she smiled at Natsu thankfully.

"You were more than careful, thank you Natsu, for doing this."

Irina then turned her smile over to the man to express her gratitude as well.

"Thank you sir for the potion again, even if it's slow I can still managed until it takes full effect."

What could be felt was... Energy leaving her, like how an ocean lapped up the beach with each tide of the potions effect brought a sort of exhaustion to it. Her body was working overtime now with expediency, her accelerated healing factor now being forced magically to continually hasten itself.

So, in return, relief from her ankle had come with the price of over exerting oneself. And this was only from a thumbs worth.

"Uh-huh. So, you ready to leave this place? We've still gotta train to catch."

"Huh? Oh right! Now that this is out of the way we can finally get out of here"

Though Irina realized they were out for a pretty long time and can see the sun was already setting, she wondered if the train will stay open at night.

"Oh, I just realized how late it's suddenly getting... time really sure goes by that's for sure, think we will make it to the train in time?"

Natsu eyed the window then back at his compatriot. "Yeah, we won't hafta worry about that. It runs all day, basically. Our biggest worry is whether or not we'll make it on time-"

He just realized that point, having forgotten it in his relatively chill day today-excluding the anti-climatic run-in with bandits-as he spent it just relaxing (and arguing) with Irina.

"-GHNG! I think we'll hafta bust our butts if we wanna check in and make it, hey, do you think you can run?" Natsu asked as he already started to run hurriedly in place, his head starting around frantically as if looking for the best exit route-as though the door wasn't just *right there*.

"What? Hey! Wait up!" Irina was kinda aggravated he's running off without her as her leg was still healing, Irina wondered how his girlfriend even put up with him like this.