Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima. Nor do I own the Pradesh boys/family; that right belongs to Desna (who permitted me after asking them) to use them for my story.
Author's Notes: I have finally decided how many chapters this story will have. And I will not state the number here, but this will be on the shorter side for me. So, if you know the regular number of chapters I usually write, you have a rough guess. Now on to messing with fictional characters for my own self-gratification.
Lips pursed as she looked at the four men and two women before her. Their gazes pinned to her, making Lucy feel anxious though that was not their purpose or intent. Still, she was reeling even more than she had originally. The information that they just gave her was astounding. In this world she had landed in, there was very little Magic. And it was rare for those to have it inborn. Upon which said rare people were immediately snatched up and taken to be trained by Monarchies of various countries. Whether a Duchy or the Country's Royal Family.
Which had her wanting to flinch away and hide. Her hand snaked from her lap to caress her pouch. That was a conversation that was going to take place here soon and how her clothing had changed after she had passed out upon arriving in this world. Inside of her, she could feel that her containers were at max. And if she did use any of her Magic, then they'd refill. While she couldn't sense the magical particles in the air as she could in Earthland. There was something else, more raw and primal here.
"So, this world is called Ussirea, and this Country is called Ciaqearon(Bosco in Lucy's world), in which the Pradesh family runs as the ruling Monarchy?" Lucy started slowly as she watched Ambassador Arman - no, King Arman Pradesh nod his head yes.
Leaning back in her seat, Lucy continued to stroke the pouch. Her mind shifted from thought to thought. Picking apart everything and filing it in an order that makes sense to her. Her muse was going off on a tangent for story ideas (So not helping).
"Making you one of twelve Countries with respective Kingdoms that make up this world and one major Duchy. Each governs their own people within the boundaries of their Country. And those few rare people born with Magic are valued and pulled into the Royal family's service or ruling Monarch if they are not already born to it. Making them stronger." She finally said.
Again they all nodded at her words. A few looked impressed at how quickly she was processing things and trying to adapt. Still, if there was one thing Lucy had always prided herself on was this ability. It was how she was mentally and emotionally able to survive with her teammates and a few of her other more rowdy guildmates. The thought of them had her lips twitching into a sad smile.
"If you'd like, I am ready to answer any questions Your Majesty and Your Highnesses would like to ask. At least to the best of my ability," Lucy stated calmly.
Again she was met with contemplative silence as they all looked at her. To help keep herself calm, because her nerves were starting to fray once more, Lucy slipped her hand into the pouch and began to physically stroke her keys. Feeling her spirits send little tingles up through her fingertips. Their way of comforting her, knowing it would not be prudent for her to summon any of them, nor for them to randomly pop into existence without first getting her permission. Something she had made both Loke and Virgo promise not to do.
"Miss Heartfilia, since you have stated you are willing to answer, then I am more than willing to ask. As I am sure, my children are as well," King Arman said. "What do you call the world you are from?"
At this, Lucy smiled widely, nodding.
"My world is called Earthland. And before any of you ask it, yes, I have been to another world once. And no, I will not go into detail about it," she said, using the tone of voice her mother had when she hadn't wanted Lucy to continue to push whatever issue she was asking about.
Her brown eyes watched the five people sitting across from her. Logging their reactions to her answer and how she made further questioning on that topic off-limits. Her time and memories of Edolas were hers and hers alone. Meeting her alternate self there. The adventures, pain, and happiness that came with them.
"Understood, Miss Heartfilia. We shall respect your wishes on that line of questioning. It has clearly left an impression on you," King Arman said softly.
Giving a wan smile, she flicked her eyes to the others gathered. Having already been informed that three of King Arman's other children were on their way back, having been out attending Royal business in another Country. And that Cristoff had come back over the four days she'd been out cold from the morphine, working at a local temple he helped at. A temple that worshipped the Celestial Heavens acting as a Priest on special occasions like Festivals or for Blessing rights.
"Thank you. But please, I would like to ask that you all just call me Lucy. I am not too keen to be referred to as Miss," she asked.
Several smiles met her words, as well as nods of acceptance of her request. She had left her time as a noble, even if it was as a minor noble, in the past when she had run away from home to join Fairy Tail.
"Then, Lucy, you mentioned you were with teammates and guild members. Would you care to explain that a bit better?" Xally asked as she shifted so that her blue eyes were boring into her own.
"Ah, yes, about that. I was on an airship leaving Fiore to go to Bosco with my teammates and some of my Guild Mates. One of which had invited us to stay with him at his family's home in Bosco to celebrate his Country, allowing his type of - Magic being allowed back in its borders again," she explained.
Going silent as she thought back on them. Recalling the attempted take over, what had happened, and then waking up here once more. Causing a mix of longing and sadness to fill her chest. Settling in her breast where her heart rested. She already was missing the crazy. And knew that they were probably worried about her.
"Lucy, I am sorry if I upset you," Xally said quickly, her voice trembling with her emotions.
"It is fine, Xally. I am just feeling a bit of homesickness," Lucy said, lifting her other hand from her lap and waving it dismissively.
"I am curious Lucy as to why I found you wearing a rather elegant black strapless dress. Only to end up in a rather tight, short, and form-fitting outfit after passing out. How did that occur?" Kaleb asked, his lavender eyes sparkling as he tapped something on the small tablet he carried.
Pausing as she thought about the question. It is related to her Magic. And it was born innately to her. Thus making her a person that any of the Kingdoms would possibly want. Causing her to be on edge because it meant that there was a possibility that they'd be no different. But she felt she could answer it since she knew they'd eventually bring up her keys and the handle of her whip.
"That is due to my... Magic. It is one aspect of what I can do," she said, as the hand in her pouch pulled the keys out and placed them on the table before her. Before doing the same with her whip.
"You can use magic?" Kaleb said, his eyes widening before he looked towards his father, Arman.
The way all five of them hyper-focused on her was almost unbearable. There was a light in the depths of each of their eyes that made them look almost hopeful. Running her fingers, both her keys and Fleuve d'étoiles. Slowly she shook her head, yes to confirm what Kaleb just asked her. Hoping that she wouldn't have to try and escape.
"Lucy, do all people in your world have Magic? Is it inborn? How do you train? Are there various types?" Farron asked, firing off his questions rapidly while his pale blue eyes sparkled at her.
Shifting a bit uncomfortable in her chair, she looked down at the tabletop. Sucking her bottom lip between her teeth and worrying about it. A habit she had had since she was a small child. Her mind sifted through all her knowledge and what would be safe (at the moment) to tell them. She was sure if they really wanted to get the information out of her, they'd have her chained up and drugged and torture her. However, her instincts told her that it wouldn't happen that these people wouldn't be that cruel.
"No, only about fifteen percent? I am not sure of the exact amount as Earthland is large. And some Countries do not like Magic and take extreme measures to keep out mages like my guild members and me. And yes, Farron, my Magic is inborn. In fact, I got it from my mother. It is passed down in our family line, females only. Training for each mage is different. I do a lot of meditation and physical workouts to hone my body and strengthen it. And there is a variety of different magics," She explained, pausing to take a breath and sip from the cup of water that was on the table.
"That is fascinating. Even if it is a small amount of the population, that is still a considerable amount," Farron said, awe clear in his voice as he leaned back, eyes glazed over.
"It is. That is where the term Guild Mates or members comes from. In my Country, Fiore, as well as a few others, Guilds for Mages are established. But, not every mage is 'good' or wants to 'help' others. There are those who band together to create Dark Guilds with abhorrent goals," she said, her voice dropping a few octaves as she recalled her run-ins with Dark Guilds. And the last being Tartaros as well as Alvarez's Spriggan twelve.
"Nothing is perfect. That is an ideology that is full shit. And only daydreamers believe that perfection exists."
Lifting her eyes, she saw that the five Pradesh's were staring at her in shock. Making her flush as it dawned on her that she was being very impolite in front of Royalty with her use of language and opinions. Dipping her head, Lucy quickly mumbled an apology feeling rather ashamed.
"I think I like her dad. There is a fire buried deep within her. And she has a gentle, warm, loving, and kind aura about her," Cristoff said, finally speaking up. "And because I was in communion when you called, I was talking to one of the All-Knowings. I believe Miss Lucy is whom we have been waiting for."
Head snapping up, Lucy blinked owlishly at Cristoff before her eyes narrowed to thin slits as she stared at him. His long black hair and midnight blue eyes were dancing, yet at the same time were calm and solemn. The seriousness in his tone of voice felt almost ominous to her as she let her eyes slide to everyone else before coming back to him. Just to see his mouth curl up into a small smile.
"Uh... waiting for it?" she asked, feeling rather stupid the moment her words escaped her lips.
"Ah, yes. About that, we have a prophecy that was given to us right after the last war about three hundred years ago ripped most of the Magic from our world," Arman spoke up, drawing her gaze to him. "It said a person who was fair and in the colors of the skies would appear and bring back what is lost to all the races of Ussirea. And give the Ussirea peace to prosper."
"Father, there is no proof it is her. Just because she came from another world and her coloring is fair, on top of her clothes changing to mostly white and barely there, does not make her the prophesized person. Besides, she never answered the question about how and why her clothes did change," Kaleb stated, denouncing her as being this person of destiny.
Flushing a bit darkly at being called out on how her Magic worked, Lucy sighed and let her hands run over her keys. Drawing all their eyes to the objects she'd placed before her on the table. Smiling, Lucy felt the hum of her spirits. The silent conversation she was having with them through her link.
"What you found me in was part of my magic, Prince Kaleb," She said, watching as he frowned at her for using his title. "It is called Star Dress Equip. These Keys act as a medium for me to use my Magic. I am a Celestial Mage and summon Celestial Spirits from the Celestial Realm. And this handle is actually a whip that uses my Magic to come into existence."
As she finished speaking, Lucy let her finger curl around both Virgo's and Lokes Keys. In a matter of seconds, they appeared in their normal manner of a loud poof of smoke followed by a chime. She smiled as she felt them place their hands on her shoulders.
"Princess, you called?" Loke said, his voice smug, happy, and oozing sexuality in spades.
"Princes, punishment?" Virgo said in her normal monotone voice, though Lucy knew she had a smirk on her lips.
Sitting there, Lucy just waited for the five people before her to pick up their jaws and shut their mouths. Keeping her face a blank mask as she thoroughly enjoyed their shock. Glad that she had picked up something of use from her guildmates over the years. Which was fair to her since the bomb of potentially being part of a prophecy fell from Cristoff's lips.
"I hope this helps you believe. Because of my Magic, my word is my contract. I break it, and I lose these two and all my other spirits," she said in a cold and serious tone of voice.
TBC!