Sorry for the wait. I hope you all enjoy. And many thanks for all the follows favourites and reviews.
The next day when Lucy awoke she felt a strange kind of loss. It took a moment to realize that she missed waking up next to the pink-haired moron. He was always warm, comfortable and was the perfect blend of a younger- and older brother all in one hot-headed package. "Wel it seems I've forgiven him," she murmured to herself. Shaking off the negative feelings, she threw the blankets off of her and jumped out of bed ready to tackle the day. Summoning Plue for the company he'd give her, she went into the kitchen and started making breakfast. "French toast or pancakes today?" she asked her little spirit.
"Pun-punnn," he answered.
"Alright!" she cheered, "that was what I was craving too." Setting Plue upon the countertop, she rapidly began to search for all the ingredients.
"Plue, do you remember where I placed the bread?" As if the Nikora had read her thoughts, he came wobbling over with the requested item. "Thank you, now can you poor in the milk when I crack the eggs?" For a while, the two worked together seamlessly. It wasn't the first time Lucy cooked breakfast with her dog-spirit. Plue dipped the bread in the batter when Lucy fried it consequently. When they were finished, she handed the powdered sugar over. "It's all yours," she grinned remembering that it was Plue's favourite thing to do. The snowman lookalike enthusiastically emptied the sugar over the french toast giving at an almost winterlike look. After having set the table, the two dug into their respective breakfasts.
Joyously whistling Lucy entered the guildhall. The one-on-one time she'd had with her dog-spirit had certainly lifted her spirits. Looking around she saw that there was no sign of her team or new friend yet. There was hardly a sign of anyone to be precise. It seemed that her guildmates had had another long night. The day after such nights were always late to start. Only the ones that didn't participate in general were accounted for. She walked to the bar thinking that Mira may have an idea when they'd return.
"Goodmorning Mira."
"Morning Lucy, can I get you anything?" she answered.
"No, I just ate at home. Though would you know when Natsu and the others are back?"
"So you have forgiven them?" Mira smiled knowingly.
"Since this morning, yes. I mean, I knew before I'd forgive them, but sometimes they are just too much. I don't know how often it has happened a book has gone up in flames. Or that the chairs are hard as a rock thanks to Gray." She smiled fondly, without their fights the two wouldn't be the same. The last time they went over the line. She'd told them precisely where her most treasured possessions lay. And where do you think they began fighting? Right next to it. She may not know much about friendships thanks to her childhood, but she couldn't conceive that this was something she was in the wrong for. If she hadn't told them where the irreplaceable, important things were, then naturally she would be at fault. Though she had told them. Natsu multiple times even.
"Can't imagine chairs covered in ice are comfortable, no," Mira chuckled. "And you're in luck, I spoke to Lisanne this morning. The restaurant has taken off so it cant be much longer before they're back home. It sure is quiet around here without them." They had to postpone their conversation for a while since there was an order. Lucy felt the pang of loneliness again. She had never realized how much she depended on her team. They drove her crazy sometimes, but they were also the laughter in her life. Something she had missed since the death of her mother. It was her fault, she knew it in her heart. She was just so angry at the time that she feared she would explode on them. And than... She couldn't lose them, especially Natsu, he felt like family. Her mind drifted further and further into dark thoughts, now that nothing was keeping it at bay.
"Lucy... Luuucyyyy..." The celestial mage didn't answer, staring with a blank face in the distance. "Hey Cosplayer," Pappa shouted. This seemed to pull her from her thoughts. Her eyes met the little totem brightening instantly.
"Pappa," she smiled, "when did you come in?" It was kind of odd how uplifting Pappa's presence was when you took into consideration she only just yesterday began talking to the little totem.
"Almost an hour ago, " he replied deadpan. "Where in the world was your mind? I was calling you over and over. Don't tell me..." He seemed to ponder for a moment. "You just couldn't wait to see me again."
"Of course I couldn't," Lucy replied trying to sound as if she were joking. Truth be told, she felt awful all kinds of emotions were running through her and the little totem helped to ease them up. She didn't know why or how, but somehow he helped in a way even her team didn't. They would be horrified to know how many times she was breaking from the inside when she had a smile on her face. Pappa frowned internally, he wasn't sure but Lucy seemed a bit too honest at the moment.
"Is something wrong?" he asked concerned. When he was still sitting with Bickslow, Evergreen and Freed he'd mused about going to his new friend but had thought she'd get fed up with him if he'd bother her too much. After a while, he couldn't stay away anymore. She was looking so desponded that his heart broke a little. There was something seriously wrong and he'd find out what.
"Well, I just miss my team. That's all." She looked gloomily to the floor for a moment before visible shaking it off and continuing. "Enough about that. I have wonderful news. For the next two months, I don't have to worry about the rent. Only food and... " She was cut short when Mira began to speak.
"Sorry, it took so long Lucy. Someone had to order the most difficult and elaborate order I've received in years," Mira said pointedly whilst half glaring at Pappa as if it had been his fault. Which was true in a way. The perpetrator had been Bickslow who had ordered börek with spinach. A delicious snack but it took almost an hour to make. And then, when it was done in no time it would be gone in no time at all. Especially with the speed Bickslow could eat. If she hadn't known it was his favourite, she would have refused to make it under the guise of 'We don't have any phyllo dough, sorry.'
"No problem at all. This sweet little thing kept me company," Lucy said indicating Pappa.
"And we were in de middle of a private conversation till you showed up," Pappa butted in hating the fact he was only a soul at the moment. His face, totem, was etched in one way. He couldn't subtly indicate others about anything using facial expressions.
"Pappa," Lucy admonished shocked by his rudeness, "there was no reason to sound like that. It isn't remotely secret what I wanted to say."
Mira only smiled serenely. She loved how the totem had sounded. It may have been rude but the little thing only wanted Lucy to feel safe. Though she may not say it or indicate in any other manner, Mira heard a lot more than her guildmates suspected she did. It was one of the ways how she knew who belonged together. Her gaze fell momentarily on the table on the second floor, the one with their very own seithmage behind it. Bickslow was one of the members she was secretly worried about. He had depended a lot on Laxus, another she was concerned about, and he was now gone. She hoped that the sudden close friendship his totem and Lucy meant the young blonde would get out of the bubble she had created for herself. It was true that Lucy could talk and had talked with almost everyone in the guild, but she always seemed to hold herself back. It even happened with her team and Levi, though she had it decidedly less when it came to them.
"It's no problem at all if you stay, Mira," Lucy continued, "in fact, I may need your input as well." She told Pappa and Mira how she prepaid her rent for the next to months, set aside some money for food and other necessities. Now came the crux of the matter. The money she had left would be great as a reserve for when Natsu and Gray would get in another one of their fights, but when she walked to the guildhall her eye had fallen upon a new silver key in the magic shop. Thanks to the price tag next to it, she knew she could afford it. However, she wouldn't have much money left after it. It would mean digging into her 'do-not-touch-except-when-absolutely-necessary savings' if or better said when Natsu and Gray'd destroy her apartment once again.
"You can't base your expenditure on the actions of another. Good friends or not. If they have any shred of decency they'd repair the damages or they'd reimburse you. Why should you pay for their mistakes? Seeing as it is a dilemma for you to even consider purchasing something for yourself, for your magic, it seems as if they'd never considered your wellbeing. How often have you had to lose part of your pay thanks to them?" Pappa's voice had gotten louder the more he spoke. He was pissed off, she may not have said it in so many words but it angered the little totem that his lovely saviour set herself aside only because two of her friends couldn't contain their anger at each other. It also made him realize that Lucy for all her happy bubbliness hid a level of insecurity in herself. He vowed to himself that he'd help her with it.
"It's alright, Pappa, "Lucy soothed, "they always get me out of a jam and protect me. Since I always need saving it's the least I can do." Her chest hurt when she thought about how strong all of her teammates were, while she was more like a cheerleader for them than anything else. It didn't matter how hard she tried, she always ended up abducted or attacked in such a way most of her clothing disappeared.
"I disagree, Lucy," Mira emphatically said, "I've known Natsu and Gray since we were children and I don't think they will ever stop fighting. Even if it's true you said, you shouldn't have to pay them back in such a way." Lucy stared wide-eyed to her two companions. Never had she ever heard she could do things for herself.
"But isn't it the norm to give a little and take a little? They give me a place to belong and I..."
"Stop it!" Pappa almost shouted. "What I am hearing is this, you want to get stronger so you'll be able to hold your own when your team gets in a jam." The totem slightly tilted his body to the side as if imploring her to be honest about it.
"O-of course I want that," she stammered. "And I will get there," she continued resolute, "I just have to give it time."
"What would you say if I told you I could help you with that?"
"Can you?" Lucy asked shocked. Never would she have imagined that the totem could help her with such a thing. It was obvious he was talking about her magical prowess, the little totem couldn't help her with her physical strength. She knew it was a big no-no to do most of the exercises when you didn't know what you were doing. Many of them could have negative consequences if you did them incorrectly.
"Of course I can," the totem boasted. He was silent for a while before saying he'd loved talking to both girls but that he had to go. "Just buy the key, it's obvious you want it. And if it's any consolation you could tell yourself its for the betterment of the team. Which is true, more keys, more diversity." Then he flew up to the second floor immediately in conversation with his daddy who had just taken the last bite of his appetizer.
"I never knew Pappa could be so passionate about someone who wasn't Bickslow," Mira giggled. It truly was a cute sight how the two were around each other. And if she wasn't mistaken her new 'probably could work couple' would soon be in closer quarters with each other. She hoped she had the chance to see it, though time will tell.
"Well, he is a very special little totem. That's one thing that I know for certain."
That same day, late in the afternoon when Lucy was in deep conversation with Levy and Pappa about her book she suddenly flew to the ground with a scream. "Lucyyy," Natsu and Happy yelled in her ear. "We missed you so much. Why didn't you come with us?"
"Get of off me, you dimwit!" Lucy yelled just as loud, though happy, back. She felt like she was getting crushed by a large boulder. "I'm happy to see you two too. Where are the others? How was the job? I had not expected you back yet. "
"We took the express train," Erza said whilst grabbing Natsu and Happy by the collar. Leaving Lucy to catch her breath after getting the wind knocked out of her. "What have I told you two about keeping others in one piece?"
"Save it, Erza," Gray smirked, "those two idiots can't control themselves."
"What did you say Ice-prick?" Natsu hissed somehow getting out of Erza's grip and knocking his head against the ice-mage.
"That you can't control yourself flame-brain. What did you want to do about it?" Gray replied pushing back hard.
"Doesn't it get old always being around this?" Pappa asked Lucy who had stood up after a while and had taken back her seat. They watched as Erza pulled them off each other.
"My apologies for these two," she cordially said to the little group, "I'll take them off your hands now so you can continue your conversation." It hadn't escaped Erza's notice that Lucy had been in the middle of a discussion when they'd returned to the guild. She would have plenty of time to talk to her favourite blond after she had concluded it. In the meanwhile, she had to educate her other two teammates again. And not to forget a certain blue-haired cat whom if he was smart would follow her.
"Nah, Erza has them well in hand. It's only when she's not around that those two really make a mess. It surprises me that they haven't commented on you joining me and Levy with our book discussions. And getting back to it, what were you saying about the interaction between Jemi and Talla?"
Their conversation continued again as if the interruption had not happened at all. After Lucy had gotten enough feedback to plunge back into her novel they put an end to the discussion.
"Shall we continue reading your newest book tomorrow Levy? That's if Pappa can join us?" she asked pleadingly. She was referring to the book Levy had gotten from a job the other day. Her and Pappa both loved it. It contained so much hidden history. Of course, they couldn't be sure it happened precisely like it, but it opened more doors. Giving them a chance to make up their minds as it gave a broader perspective.
"I can't tomorrow," Levy answered apologetically, "I'll be going on another job with shadow gear. Not everyone is as lucky as you Luce. Some of us have to take multiple jobs to pay the rent." Lucy knew Levy was just teasing her, normally it was Lucy who had to take up multiple jobs due to the fact her team caused so much destruction.
"I'll be going back to daddy now," Pappa said looking up to the second floor, "he'll want to go home soon I think. Don't forget that we'll be working on your magic tomorrow."
"I won't," Lucy reassured him giving a little kiss upon his head, "see you, tomorrow Pappa."
"I'll be going to," Levy said putting her things away, "we'll have an early day tomorrow so I probably should head off on home."
"Good luck with your job," Lucy said to her friend, "how long will it take?"
"It shouldn't take more than a few days. Bye Luce, see you soon."
"Bye-bye." Looking around the guild she didn't see her team anywhere. She glanced at the clock. No, they hadn't taken long to finish their conversation. Where had they gotten so fast? Shrugging Lucy headed to the exit. She was sure that she would see them soon enough. Just knowing they were back, filled her with happiness. The lonely feeling she always dragged around certainly eased up with their presence. Yet when she thought about it, in a very short time Pappa had caused the same. Giving her goodbye's to the guild as a whole she headed on home. Determined to make a slight detour, the shop was still open and hopefully, the key hadn't been bought already.
R&R, please. I'll always be glad about constructive criticism or even only thought about what you'll like to see. Though the last is of course not guaranteed.
Until next time and stay safe and healthy in these tough times.