Cana

Thursday evening

Thursdays were, without a doubt, Cana's favourite day to work. It was Friday eve, the start of her weekend, and Mira always closed up shop early. Well, for customers at least. For the staff, the family that worked at Fairy Tail, and a few of the most loved regulars, Thursday was the night they let their hair down, so as to speak (because health codes were something to take very seriously), and maybe let a little magic fly. She didn't even mind that occasionally, someone from the council snuck in to keep an eye on things.

She loved the chance to flex her skills, to show off a little, maybe help someone in the process, and get far drunker than any one woman should be in her workplace, after hours or not. Plus, the last few weeks had seen their numbers grow; with Levy now a permanent fixture of the place, she was a regular at every event they held. With Levy came the addition of a lanky red head, who Cana was extraordinarily glad to learn was the sprites brother - adopted, but still family - because the one and only Gajeel Redfox had finally accepted his long standing invitation to these occasions, and she had every suspicion that the reason why was four foot, eleven inches of pale skin and vibrant blue curls.

"Drunk."

The man in question slid easily into her booth with a slight nod, crimson eyes watching the table between them where cards danced effortlessly between her fingers and an orb shimmered at her elbow.

"Thought you didn't believe in this stuff?" There was an edge of venom, acerbicidty in her voice belying the residual hurt from a teasing he'd given her weeks ago.

"Yeah, still sorry 'bout that. Ain't mean to upset ya, just ain't something I ever had much faith in."

"Clearly you never had a decent reader then. You know how it goes?" Cana winked, holding out the freshly shuffled cards.

"More or less." Gajeel shrugged, his fingers nimble as they pulled cards, eyes fixed on a certain woman on the other side of the dining room.

Laying the cards in their pattern, Cana let her magic swell and grow, rings glistening as they focused her power.

She watched as Gajeel took her reading to heart, trudging into the night air with rounded shoulders that gave away his deep introspection. She watched as Levy laughed brightly, cheeks flushed from the drinks she was always going to struggle with - she was tiny, and Cana's sometimes boyfriend mixed them strong. She watched Mira dissolve into the fit of giggles that signalled the end of the night, Laxus all but throwing them out so he could do Mavis knows what to her on his desk, and she watched Bacchus' arms ripple as he pulled the door closed behind them, already licking her lips with the anticipation of a long night together.

Yes, Thursdays were full of mystery and magic, and they would forever be Cana's favourite part of the week.