Chapter 16 - The Kingdom of Desierto
Written by Demod20
The city was gorgeous.
There was no denying the visual appeal of a nation's crown jewel as old and longstanding as this.
The palace dominated the capital as its centerpoint, elevated off the ground by a naturally formed rock formation that resembled the base of a mountain that didn't reach any higher than a hundred meters high, with all roads paved in immaculate golden bricks leading up to the four gates that stood in cardinal directions, with each entrance showing various shaped specter images that resembled spirits or something human yet not quite normal; also, of course, carved in polished gold.
Leading down from the north looked to be a compact amount of housing, where all citizens were placed in a cobbled-together structures that looked to have been built upwards over time, leaving them to be immense in size comparable to that of the shopping center Fairy Tail saw not long ago but completely enamored by various kinds of golden trim artwork and idols of various sorts on pedestals outside of the windows or in front of the doors.
To the west lied a large swathe of the commerce district, lining a huge array of tents, brick and golden covered structures that made up its appearance of a true open market for passer-biers and citizens alike to look at their wares; this was where the majority of the traffic seemed to be at this time with a sea of people moving to and fro from each other.
At the east entrance to the palace was a line of more exquisite housing that didn't look quite clustered, separate and ordained with purpose from each other. This led to the viridescent river that sprouted from the earth like a geyser that flowed coolly across the surface with its clear surface showing a nearly imperceptible depth before diving back into the earth from whence it came not but a kilometer later down the line. A bridge formed across the river led to a fort of familiar colors, of white and teal markings and flags that was certainly Council authority present.
And lastly, to the direction they were headed, was a large rectangular hub that was built into the wall south of the palace where on the other side lied statues, a temple of some kind right next to a few buildings of trade that led up towards the central point of the capital.
Paradisio was indeed as it name alluded: a paradise!
As Wendy was awestruck with the rest of the guild, their airship was lowered into opening roof of the square-like structure where it housed a number of aerial vehicles similar but different in design from theirs. Landing to the rightmost opening, the gentle rocking of their footing indicated that it touched base. From this point on, it was a hustle out of the massive vehicle by Bashiff, with their escort stoically standing with the chief as they corralled the group like rowdy cats. When everyone finally disembarked, their luggage was handled by the airship's staff, saying that their housing will be handled. The only one that gave trouble was Bobbie who had to be ordered by Robyn to part ways with the large rope-bound case full of Robyn's affects.
Then, a hasty farewell was given by Max as Bashiff and Kaseem escorted the man through the glamorous road straight to the palace, leaving behind a slew of attractive aides to take their place.
"Blessings be upon you," Three women said in unison, each one curvaceous and showing off as much skin as Bobbie was in outfits reminiscent of hers, though decorated in gold and black with violet veils wrapped around their lower faces.
"Welcome to Paradisio!" The center one, a sparkling blonde with green eyes spoke with deep tan skin that spoke of her being a native of this country; though her accent was impeccably similar to how those of the west spoke, which made some of the Fairy Tail mages blink with surprise. Not noticing this - or choosing to ignore - she raised an index finger as she began to debrief them.
"My name is Kelass, and I'm the one who will help guide you through Paradisio. Along with me is Marra," She pointed to her right, a deep tanned girl with long luscious black locks that draped down her shoulders and along her bare back. "And Para, my two assistants," she pointed to her left, a shorter of the three with brown hair and hazelnut eyes that had her brunette tresses tied into a three banded ponytail that stretched down to the top of her well formed rump. Swinging her hands forward to them as her assistants bowed their heads respectfully. "As guests in affiliation with the candidate, we will do our best to accommodate your interests wherever they lie within our fair city. It is recommended we stay with you at all times, as we get lots of tourism during this time of year and this can attract the occasional undesirable, so please keep your things on your person less you might lose it."
"Must...not...stare," Macao thought to himself as he grinned a bit too happily at being greeted by the exotic beauties before his gaze.
Thankfully, a kick to his shin by his son brought his head back down from cloud nine. With a wince, he cleared his throat, raising a hand up to wave towards them since he knew he couldn't hand shake people of this culture, "Nice to meet you three lovely ladies. My name is Macao Conbolt, and I'm the Guild Master of Fairy Tail. As such as I hold responsibility over this assembly, so if you ever feel like you have a problem come talk to me."
"You misunderstand, Master Conbolt," Kelass shook her head, smiling brightly as she wiggled her finger dismissively towards him. "We are responsible for you. So don't feel wholly obligated for such a burden, for while you are here in Paradisio, we will make sure your well-being and happiness is our top priority."
"Will we be able to see Max?" Wendy asked, her voice piping up from the line-up first of the mages.
"Bashiff was charged in taking care of the him," The tanned blonde responded casually, shaking her head as she raised her hands up with a shrug. "That's up for him to decide. You will be able to partake in spectating the trials all candidates undergo, but it is up to the judgement of the caretakers of the potential prince consorts who is allowed to see them."
"Can we go anywhere?" Robyn questioned next, his hands still tucked behind his pointed-hat adorned head.
"The palace is currently accepting no visitors, and only those with authorization may cross Paradise River for that is a zone controlled by the Magic Council," Kelass answered smoothly, her hands placed on her bare hips, the cloth covering her womanly assets jingling with beaded jewelry as she swayed a bit in place. "But don't be afraid to approach the Rune Knights if you can't find a guard in arm's reach. They are here to help with security during this magnanimous event and ensure all goes smoothly when the eventual consort is chosen and accepted by our Queen."
Doranbolt couldn't help but take a sharp inhale through his nose, feeling Charle, Robyn, Wendy and Bobbie's eyes suddenly dart towards him. With eventually more and more people staring his way, he changed the subject sharply as he raised his hand with a boisterous question, "Is it safe for us to shop here?!"
"Why of course," The beautiful blonde woman nodded, gesturing over her right shoulder to the road that curved to the louder part of the capital. "Paradisio is not only a crown jewel for it being the capital, but it also is the center of commerce for our whole nation. This rare time in the age is when all kinds of traders are welcome to set up booths, shops, and tents to pass along their wares and goods that range from all over Ishgar. Even if your money isn't completely compatible, trade is quite flexible here, and we have a fair system in place to find the best equivalent for market value."
"Where will we be staying?" Wakaba inquired next, his eyes slanting towards Macao as he found himself rosy cheeked and staring longingly at Kelass despite Romeo's visual signs of protest.
"There is temporary housing available for you in the eastern district," Kelass explained, pointing to her left to the curve of the road that seemed to be the quieter area of the bustling capital. "It isn't quite ready, as your things will be properly arranged and your rooms given the final touches. We suggest you take a tour with us across the capital in the meantime, so please feel free to let us know where you'd like to go first."
After receiving another sharp kick to the shin, Macao recomposed himself with a wincing cough as he straightened his posture. Looking to Wakaba, he let out a smile and nodded towards the three women, "Well, it seems they want us to appreciate their culture while we're here. Might as well do that, if our boy Max does end up staying here."
"Anything can happen, that's for sure," The smoke mage replied with a smile. Looking to the woman ahead, he nodded to her with a bob of his pompadour head. "Can ya take us to the market? That sounds like a place a lot of us can find souvenirs and such there."
"Of course!" The blonde replied with a clap of her hands. "I'll show the way. Everyone just stay close as I guide ahead!"
"Ya heard the nice lady," Macao barked over his shoulder at the other mages. "Follow her nice bod-erImean-follow her lead!"
"...you're embarrassing me dad..." Romeo groaned under his breath while Kinana just sheepishly giggled beside him.
Ushering them ahead, they passed by structures that all had official meaning that looked to be businesses that held some importance outside of mercantilism. As Kelass took the lead, the raven haired woman took the opportunity to explain the purpose of the buildings and landmarks they were coming across.
"If you look to the left," Marra spoke aloud, her voice smooth like silk and of a deeper timbre that came across as almost seductive innately. Waving her hand as the mages looked on, they'd see a large pillared structure of gold with white marble designed around it, with an angelic statue with draconic wings spread out from the back with a fountain pouring from the mouth that filled a pool glimmering with coins in front of the structure. "This is the temple dedicated to the Queen. Outsiders are welcome to place offerings within her grace's pool of reverence, while citizens enter that sacred place to give thanks and tithes for giving us security and prosperity."
"You worship your queen?" Alzack inquired, the long-haired gun-mage blinking inquisitively at Marra being among the closest in proximity of the group to her. "No disrespect, but that seems a bit much, even for a ruler."
"Foreigners cannot appreciate what our majesty has done for us. I'd watch what you say while here, guest or not, or I'll make you regret saying such things," Marra replied icily, the air around her suddenly becoming threatening despite her comely appearance.
"I'm sorry if I'm speaking my mind, but I'm not a boot-licking citizen here, so I'll say what I want-!"
"I apologize if it seems bizarre to an outsider," Kelass interceded, while Marra just stared at him like he was stupid; the gun-mage glared back even as the blonde tried her best to speak over their stare-down. "Unlike other royals of different lands, our custom have always to revere her for making a paradise out of a wasteland. Before we had our queen, there was naught but roving tribes that often attacked one another as we were assaulted by the environment, foreigners and the wildlife. For that we give great reverence, and if that is to be worship, then that is how we thank her for her compassion and protection."
"No one person should be treated as infallible," The dark-haired man replied, staring back aggressively at the blonde with Bisca herself seeming to hold an arm and look away. "From where I live, far away to the west, people who gain that kind of clout are nothing but arrogant and conceited. All people of authority should be held accountable, less it breeds discontent from the masses or worse, oppression from a tyranny!"
Robyn's eyes glinted, turning from his casual strut to look curiously at the man with a hint of a smile on his face at hearing that. Even Eris and Bobbie looked over with amazement, having never heard the man be outspoken, sharing this mindset with Wendy and the others of the guild.
It only occurred to them that no one really knew where Bisca or Alzack hailed from, only that it was across the sea to the west. What could have transpired there that worshiping a living being brought out such vitriol from one that the other didn't even chastise the outburst?
"Alzack," Macao spoke suddenly with an audible authority, bringing the gunslinger to look his way and flinch at the glare sent in his direction. "That's enough."
Sighing, the man bowed his head and apologized, "I'm sorry for my rude conduct. It's no excuse to behave that way when I know not your customs."
"Apology accepted," Marra coolly replied, her countenance no longer frigid and welcoming once again.
"Great! Now let's move on before the pious notice your heretical speech!"
Alzack grimaced at the passive aggressive tone Kelass had as she ushered them forward, past the temple and across what looked like several different kinds of establishments. Restaurants that had wafting aromas of delicious baked goods and meats no one had smelled before, trade stores filled with a variety of things plucked from the vast sand filled wilderness of Desierto. As they turned the corner towards the street coming into the western district, they spotted a slew of people all congregating around the upcoming bazaar they were approaching.
"That looks a bit densely packed," Warren noted with a grimace on his face.
"Will I even fit through?" Reedus inquired worriedly, crossing his hands over his rotund front body.
"Don't worry," Para syrupy voice cut in, the brunette pony-tailed woman looking over her shoulder and wiggling her finger dismissively. "I got this."
Kalass shook her head while Marra simply smiled, the two seeming to be aware what she was up to.
As they got closer to the head of the crowd, the people heard a sudden shrill whistle that cut like a knife through the butter of their proverbial dialogue. People adorned in robes, cloaks of various kinds of wealth and status, with a mixture of people clearly from not of this nation looking at the sudden source of the sound. They saw Para lower her fingers from her mouth, and then she inhaled deeply and let out a boisterous yell.
"HEY YOU! WE'RE ESCORTING GUESTS OF THE QUEEN! GIVE US SOME ROOM!"
All at once, a comical slide of people allowed a comfortable entry into the marketplace, with some even pushing themselves flat against one another over tents and building faces.
"If the Queen wills it, it'll be done!" They all spoke back in unison, eyes glimmering with hearts and stars as not a hint of resentment or annoyance at being ordered to maneuver so inconveniently for them.
"Thank you very much!" Para cheered out, throwing her hips to the side suggestively while cutely flashing her eyelashes at the compliant crowd.
Wendy felt her face go slack at the audacity of these aides to act in such a way. Were people here that devoted to their ruler that they'd prostrate themselves in any manner? Casting a wary glance at Alzack and Robyn, the two seemed to have a similar expression of disgust, though bit their tongues knowing it'd only stir up trouble for those devoted so absolutely to the aforementioned ruler.
"This feels...odd," Charle noted, walking near Wendy as she observed the populace fawning and praising the queen even though it was just subordinates uttering her name.
"Its like a stark contrast to how people behave in Crocus," Doranbolt noted aloud, observing the people with an inherent glow that of admiration and devotion he never saw in Fiore. "These people truly worship this queen of theirs."
"Peh!" Robyn snorted. "I never even stepped foot in this city. We just took what they had on them at the height of some stupid feast they were having. Gluttonous pigs really living it up-"
Before he could continue, Eris clamped her hands over the young Slayer's mouth, causing him to muffle out with protest. The elf meanwhile just smiled sheepishly at the curiously staring royal assistants, who had overheard his words and were instantly suspicious.
"Ah! You'd have to excuse our dear blue bird," Eris sheepishly explained, Robyn's face sporting angry veins while hands attempted to pry her dainty palms from his cherub mouth. "What he meant to say was that he remembered some birthday celebration where he made off with forty whole cakes; it was quite a lot and it was almost akin to a grand heist. We did give recompense for it, of course..."
Team Wendy exchanged a handful of blinks at the fanciful lie that Eris wove. As they blinked around at each other, the aides looked to each other and then shrugged before moving ahead without really prying further.
Releasing his mouth, the pink-haired maternal figure cuffed Robyn on the back of his head, causing his eyes to bulge out and tear up as he rubbed a sore spot on his teal colored scalp. As she began to rebuke him, they found themselves mingling with a less crammed part of the market, with sellers that definitely seemed to be a mixture of various cultures that had come for the same reason they did.
"Come get your exotic Lacrima and materials, made from Iceberg Hersteller!" A boisterous man with a pale beard and a snow-man like appearance, a distinct chill surrounding his igloo shop that was framed by a few ice-clad statues that was reminiscent of metal armor but was clearly crystalline in appearance. "We have a great price, no one will ever see outside of today! Get it now while the getting's good!"
"Ooooh, those look so pretty!" Wendy pointed out with a dazzled smile.
"How can they keep that place so cold?" Charle asked, shivering as she felt a wafting mist give her a sensation of the arctic over her fur. "Brrrr!"
"Hmmm, interesting," Robyn mulled out, his eyes briefly glancing over at the array of unique ice items, his mind working out their worth through a moment's glance before moving on with his brain cataloging the things he'd like to come back for.
"Here now, weapons from the Far East! You'll never find a collection more fine than mine!" A man of heavily accented tongue spoke, his slanted eyes and short stature framed by exotic flowing robes as he shakily gestures to glass-cased weapons in front of a wooden shop stall that was set up. Behind him within the shade of his small shop was rows upon rows of weapons, each one as odd and unique from the rest. This drew the attention of Bobbie and Doranbolt, each of them taking quick steps over to look at the vast collections that were on display.
"Now that's something I could use," The two said at once. Noticing what the other said, they turned their heads to look at one another with surprise; before Doranbolt abruptly looked away with red on his cheeks while Bobbie simply smiled.
"I-I'll like to look at those," Doranbolt jabbed forward over the older shopkeep's head, keeping his head turned away from the smirking blonde.
"Ah, yes-yes-yes," He bowed his head repeatedly, turning around and scurrying around to grasp what looked like a pair of hooked blades with short knife-long handles attached to each other by an ebony chain. Holding them up in his shaky hands, he grinned and waddled back over to Doranbolt, handing them over for him to check them with curiosity. "T-This is called...K-Kusarigama, hm, yes-yes. They require a great deal of f-f-finesse, hm, yes-yes."
"Not an issue," Doranbolt, feeling that weapons such as these could be useful with skills that he possessed. "How much?"
"700 Dragots," The man replied straightforwardly.
"What's the exchange rate to Fiore Jewels?"
"Dragots are worth more than that trade money of yours," The Easterner shopkeep spoke clearly, not holding the eccentricity of his voice any longer, his squinting eyes opening to look up at the teleporter. "Adjusting your currency inflation, along with the cost of using international money...hmmm...75,000 Jewels."
"Not an unfair trade," Doranbolt surmised, withdrawing some currency from his pocket and handing it out to the man. With the weapon placed in a bag, Doranbolt looked to Bobbie who seemed to be holding what looked like nunchakus, expectantly thrusting them into his hand.
"What?"
"Pay for me," Bobbie spoke bluntly.
"And why should I?" The scarred man frowned at that.
"Cause."
"Cause WHY?!" He yelled aloud angrily.
"My money was in Robyn's case."
"WHY DID YOU LEAVE IT THERE?!" Doranbolt yelled with angry veins sported across his head.
"I didn't expect them to carry it off," Bobbie spoke dryly with a shrug.
Grimacing, Doranbolt began to fish for money as other mages looked around at various other booths and tents set up along the marketplace.
"Hmmm, these paints are of great quality," Reedus intoned as he leaned over an art seller's front desk, stroking his chin as the shopkeep eagerly showed him variety of oils and brushes to go in compliment. "Perhaps...hmmm...what color combinations could I go with?"
Apart from him, Alzack caught a glance at a rare Gun Seller that looked to have hailed from Fiore, likely having made a much more arduous journey to get here. Both Bisca and him approached the gentleman, exchanging pleasantries while the two bonded over their mutual love of the craft of firearms. Some even had Lacrima cartridges that he knew he needed to stock up on, and new ones that he hadn't seen before.
Catercorner to the pair was Jet and Droy, the pair passing by what looked like a line of meat freshly cooked from the oven that was puffing out smoke from the compact shop. It looked gourmet quality, and was piled on a massive platter that stretched the whole front counter, wafting its scent over the shoppers; with strangely a number of them resting with hands on rounded tummies in an awry pile next to it.
Their mouths drooled, the pair looking at each other before rushing over and a beefy hand reached out to halt them.
"You may eat, if you're willing to eat it all," A large man with a small head spoke, his cueball skull having imposing eyes despite how disproportionately enormous he was, with a dark red apron wrapped over his chest that read 'Don't Touch the Chef'. "I serve by the platter. If you eat this all, then you may pay a fraction for not wasting my well cooked meat."
"You're on!" The two spoke, their hands grabbing forks and diving voraciously into the well-cooked meat, tears rolling down their faces as the taste soaked into their tongues.
As the mages of Fairy Tail continued to find new ways to be entertained or find unique things that catered to their own personal fancy, Macao smiled ruefully at his longtime friend. Romeo was hugging a new book on fire magic titled "The Wayard Fire Prince," while Kinana held a dress in her arms while humming an unknown tune as she skipped in step.
"The Guild needed this more than I thought," Macao wistfully sighed aloud.
"It's only natural. Even with our victory and late new year's party, the absence of the others must have been weighing on their minds while they stayed in the Guild Hall," Wakaba replied with a sage nod, looking over at Wendy and Charle bounce from one shop to the other, while Robyn casually strutted past by with Eris constantly nagging him any time his hands got too itchy to nab something when someone wasn't looking. "Getting out is nice. I don't recall the last time our guild even had a vacation."
"We should do this again!" Romeo spoke, his face beaming with joy.
"Mhm! I love coming out of Fiore and seeing new places like this!" Kinana agreed with Macao's son.
"Well, we didn't have to pay for travel this time, so just mind on how much you spend," The Guild Master tried to say responsibly, his hands raising in a chiding manner. "But, who knows? If things go well, we may be able to visit more often than you think."
"I wonder how Max is doing?" Wakaba noted immediately, his pompadour head turning to look at the spectacular palace that stood above the marketplace in the not-too-far distance. "Guy's gotta be feeling out of his depth here. Hope he'll settle down once he knows what he's in for."
"He'll do good," Macao grinned confidently up at the palace, hands on his hips as he spoke assuredly. "Whatever happens, the man's proven to have the spirit of a true Fairy Tail Mage. He won't half-ass anything when the chips are down; not sure if his competition will even know what hits him."
Wendy couldn't help but be amazed by the beauty of Paradisio. From the paved golden roads and buildings, to the rich culture of reverence and historical meaning, to even love of their queen radiating through all citizens of this harsh land brought a certain sense of awe to the young Dragon Slayer. But here in the marketplace, she saw so much variety and diverse choice of things to spend her time she couldn't decide on what to do first.
From a variety of exotic weapons, clothes and armor to gourmet food from both far and ear, even entertainment was being provided from those who've come to this place from the horizon just to show off their skills and talents to the local masses. She saw those who performed interesting magical techniques, others who set up an actual sumo ring that used their bodies to wrestle each other off, and even sword fencing.
But what drew her eyes was a stage, an actual theater that took up a large swathe of space that only a quarter of the way through the market told her just how immense the proportion of the bazaar of Paradisio was. It was designed with familiar red velvet embroidered cloth from the west, with flowers that she remembered seeing from Crocus enamored in between ribbons, giving it a very welcome and colorful appearance. A crowd smooshed themselves forward and were attentive to the yet-to-be-drawn curtains as the aides brought them through the marketplace diligently.
Stopping to see the elevated platform, Wendy huffed with frustration at her lack of height. Jumping up and trying to pry her way in, she fell back onto her buttocks with a whimper.
Charle placed a comforting paw on her shoulder and smiled, gesturing to the space above them. Grinning brightly, she nodded, giving silent consent as Charle activated Aera - her white feathered wings manifesting from her back - and picked up Wendy, raising her up just in time for the curtains to be drawn back.
From the open curtain came a v-cut dressed woman that instantly drew applause from the crowd. Adorned in a purple dress with a floral design along the hem of her exposed left leg, raised up by black heels, a curvaceous woman with soft lilac hair and fair skin stepped forth. With opera gloves enamored across her arms up to fingerless palms, she grasped the top of the skirt and gave a curtsy, allowing many to ogle her generous cleavage as she let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Thank you for coming to - or those who've been here since the beginning, staying - for our encore performance," The woman spoke, smiling as she spotted the floating Wendy with a brief glint in her eyes. She didn't seem at all surprised that she was hovering there, almost as if recognizing her. Grinning, she raised her voice as she produced a tambourine in hand, clapping it with a melodic jingle in the air. "For those just joining us, my name is Alexandria Quorra. We'll have our guides partake in this special act. I hope you all enjoy!~"
And then, the music was unleashed. Curtains behind the front one dropped revealed stringed instrumentalists, strumming their sounds with professional gusto that brought an air of festive swing. Complemented by the woman's clacking along the stage as she moved and swayed across the platform, clanging her tambourine in time with her expert dancing poise, moving with an excellent grace that had everyone crying out for more.
Familiar figures emerged, making Wendy gape in recognition.
A grey haired man adorned in a white-collared blue dress shirt with white dancer slacks and black satin shoes glided onto the stage along a ring of ice of his own making. As he swung around, Lyon made brief eye contact with Wendy, smiling with elation as he waved and clasped his hands together in a pose she's always saw Gray did.
Then, he unleashed a slew of birds that flew out and over the heads of the audience that spun around the aerial Wendy playfully before flying high into the air and exploding; turning into a hail of snowflakes that rained upon them. Lyon grinned, leaping up and over Alexandria in mid-triple-jingle of her tambourine before grasping her by the waist and spinning her around as if he had done so many times. Her skirt flourished wonderfully around, and then she was sent flying high into the air in a spectacular twirl.
There, a sudden emergence of a flower-cloth manufactured bird rose up and had her land along it, allowing her to sail around the spectating crowd and those of the distant booths. From behind they could see Sherry, dressed in a black-red dress of a sleek v-cut design, maneuvering this manufactured doll with her magic with poise and grace. Twisting around, she unraveled her creation into a slew of ribbons and flowers that rained across the crowd, one of which landed squarely on Wendy's head, much to her giggling surprise as Alexandria was caught with a swirling grasp of Lyon.
Drums were sounded in accompaniment, bringing a new tempo as the three began to dance in and around each other, sometimes locking arms with one another or dancing in tight choreography. Wendy, from this elevation could see Jura, dressed in his normal attire, banging drums with his bare hands with a small smile on his face while giving it all his gusto. Toby himself, wearing a skirt of leaves spun a hula-hoop in the background, moving with surprising grace as he swung his hips side to side before adding more hoops on his arms, showing off his dexterity as his own unique act. Yuka Suzuki himself had spiky blue hair wrapped in an exotic head-piece of cream color with black at the top, ornate robes wrapped around him as he danced in tandem with the others, showing his own dexterity to expertly maneuver with the expert dancer and enhance the performance.
Lastly, something came in that caught Wendy off guard.
A red haired girl spun around in perfect pirouettes, dressed in a one-piece flower dress of red and purple design with blossoms outlining the collar and cuffs of the sleeves. A tiara of flowers rested over her crown, her shoulder-length hair swaying as she banged her own tambourine, twisting around on her heels before being uplifted up by both Lyon and Sherry, having her stand shoulder to shoulder with the finishing spin of Alexandria. With Toby and Yuka sliding on their knees to wave their arms presenting to them, the act finally came to a close, and they held their sweating but very broad smiles.
As the crowd clapped and cheered, Wendy found her own smile broaden. Her eyes met Sherria's, and she could instantly see her white teeth brighten up with recognition. The first smile she saw when her whole world collapsed; her first comfort when she was weeping with grief, was now here.
Waving to her and the others of Lamia Scale, Wendy felt something bursting from her chest, that Charle could only shake her head at.
She was, without a doubt in this moment, truly overjoyed.
After the show had ended for the day, the most of the guild was introduced to Lamia Scale and their clientele. The dancer was Alexandria Quorra, a famous performer who was accompanied by a number of other extravagant and talented people touring across Ishgar. None of them were part of the same group before, but they were all friends due to the circles they traveled. When they heard of the upcoming husband selection coming up in Desierto, they got an invitation to be a part of the selection climax itself when the queen has made her choice in person in front of many esteemed guests.
"It's so good to see you!" Sherria spoke gleefully, hugging Wendy as soon as she was free from the adoring fans. Wendy returned it affectionately, embracing the young girl that meant a great deal to her. Releasing her after what felt like an eternal moment, she looked up with sparkling eyes that complemented her bright smile. "I didn't think you'd be here so quickly!"
"You knew I was coming?" Wendy asked with her smile intact, though curious all the same.
"Through love, we'd knew you'd be here-"
"The candidates were all broadcasted in detail across the capital," Yuka answered, cutting off Sherry in the middle of her flowery speech.
Consequently, the taller woman turned around and began punching at the man, his Wave magic forming in front of his face stoically with his hands still in his pockets. The large eyebrow man withdrew a paper, showing Max's face of one of many profiles designating their importance, origin and known bio to their age, eye and hair color, weight, and even blood type.
"How did they get all of this information...?"
"It's not that private of knowledge," Doranbolt smoothly inserted, the man reluctantly holding a number of shopping bags under his arms while Bobbie smiled contentedly next to him. Sighing, he sideglanced over to Charle knowingly as he added. "The Council keeps documentation of all Legal Mages. Clients looking for prospective mages are allowed this information so if they can contractually ask for someone, like the Kingdom of Fiore has, they know who everyone is before they even meet face to face."
"Max Alors, was it?" Lyon inquired, finding himself bereft of a shirt at random, as he scratched his head with a look of contemplation on his face. "Strange, I don't seem to recall him from my few times interacting with the guild. Why wasn't he with the others for our mission to defeat Oracion Seis if he's so capable?"
"The poor man doubts his own abilities, so its likely he didn't volunteer when everyone else did at the time," Charle surmised with a sage nod; followed up with a oblong stare at the shirtless man. "Also, where did your clothes go?!"
"This keeps happening...I don't know why..."
"It's really weird, man," Toby remarked, spinning hula-hoops on both arms while balancing a third on his dog-like nose.
"I don't think you should be commenting on oddity, Toby," Sherry remarked with a leering stare.
"Regardless, Max may be in for a rough time," Lyon noted, looking over to Macao and Wakaba as they conversed with Jura not too far away. "From what I heard, there's some capable people who were chosen as potential Prince Consorts. Some hail from prestigious bloodlines, or have their own noble heritage to reinforce their potential as the best one to be husband to the queen."
"He'll do it, I know he will!" Wendy raised her fists and smiled with confidence. "I believe in him."
Smiling back down at her, Lyon nodded with agreement.
"Just trying to stay realistic. You never know what you might run into-"
His voice stopped, his eyes trailing over to a pointed hat that he never saw before. Tracing down was beautiful silky hair of pure teal that moistly rivuletted in the air, a black cloak wrapped around the front and down to a v-cut skirt with light colored stockings connected to high heel boots of the most slender legs possible. With a line of water bottles wrapped peculiarly around a toned abdomen, a curved torso laced up to reveal beads of sweat crawling down the neck and around collarbones from the bare shoulders that the cloak was relaxed around. Chugging a bottle of water, the delicate effeminate figure wiped a hand over the brow, and looked back with sudden realization he was being ogled.
"What?" Robyn asked, a sly smile working its way across his face. "You like what you see?"
"You're beautiful," Lyon spoke aloud, immediately taking Robyn off guard. Other Fairy Tail mages nodded and muttered, "Yes, that's true," and "That isn't news to us,". To Doranbolt and Wendy's surprise, he walked over to the cherub-faced Slayer and bent down, grasping a hand of his hand placing both of his above and below. With a singing whistle of mist, he uncovered them, revealing a fluttering bird of ice that danced over his palm and then flew above and around the two before resting on Lyon's shoulder.
"Why not we spend time together, if you're looking for company?" He proposed, bringing a blush over Robyn's face and sparkles in his eyes.
Then, he smiled cheekily, and turned around towards the others as he walked off with Lyon, arm-in-arm, waving back to them, "I'll see ya around guys! I got a date now!"
"Does...Lyon know-"
"Likely not," Charle finished for Wendy, patting the girl on the shoulder as she hunched over with a resigned expression.
"If Max was here, he might've spoiled that for him. Still, at least he's happy for now."
"Hey, why not come shopping with me?" Sherria proffered, tugging at Wendy's skirt as she held up a fat frog-wallet full to burst with money. "I got paid a lot for being part of the finishing act! Let's go find some things for us to get and do!"
Smiling back down at her, she took the red haired girl by the hand and nodded with acceptance. Right now wasn't the time to worry about appearances or what was essential. For now, it was time to enjoy herself. Looking chastely back up at the palace, she inwardly sent her encouraging thoughts to Max, and hoped he was managing on his own knowing Fairy Tail was still behind him in spirit.
And with that, she skipped along happily with the younger girl, aiming to have the time of her life in Paradisio!
A/N: Hey, everyone, LastationLover5000 here. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and I apologise for the delay in getting it out. As my audience, it is my duty to inform you that my co-author, Demod20, will no longer be a part of this project. This is the last chapter in the story penned by him — at least until we reach a future chapter he wrote far in advance — and as such, this will be a solo project from here on out. Demod20 has encountered some personal issues that he needs to handle, and as such, won't be able to work on this project with me while he focuses on what he needs to get done. This is a change for the foreseeable future, and it affects both this story and Dragon Ball: The Heart of Adventurers. This was supposed to be a much longer chapter, covering his half, and mine. However, this sudden upheaval has made focusing on writing harder than you might expect, and as such, I cut this chapter short to allow for you all to have a chapter to read. This will also get my audience used to a new reality: shorter chapters. When Demod and I both worked on the chapters, we could afford to make fairly lengthy ones. With just myself, working on three fanfics now, solo, and a novel, the chapters will not be as lengthy. And if I have to be honest, I don't have a huge amount of faith in myself; I still have the bulk of our plans for everything up to the return of Team Tenrō, but Demod was the bigger brain behind all of this. Regardless, I will work hard to deliver you guys a promising fanfic, just, please forgive the coming lapse in quality that you're going to see. I'll see you all as soon as I can update the next chapter, which hopefully won't be too much longer! Thank you all for your continued reading!