"Tonight is the first night of our Festival of Clans," purred the Lady of the East, drawing closer. She laid a hand on a sumptuous pink kimono, inspecting it with a keen eye. If some more embroidery was added, perhaps… "You are here as our guest. Natsu guards you closely… but we will guard you closer."
"We?" Lucy squeaked.
"Both Natsu and I, of course. It is only the right way to treat a flightmate."
"Flightmate?"
The Lady turned to Takan. "Does this canary have the odd habit of repeating my words?"
Takan let out a squeak of her own.