Since Erza had left with Team Natsu in order to help bring down the Dark Guild, Oracion Seis, I was constantly fidgeting at the guild with worry. I didn't like not knowing what was going on and I couldn't help shake this feeling that Erza was in danger, that she was hurt. Giving a worried sigh, I pouted as I stared at a wall blankly. "Lighten up girl, you've been staring nonstop at that wall for three days already." Cana slapped me on the back with such force I felt like my spine would have snapped. "Let's get wasted!"
"But I'm so worried about Erza, I can't shake this feeling that something's wrong." I responded as I lifted my right arm and gripped onto it securely. "I keep on getting this weird sort of throbbing sensation here. Maybe I'm just going crazy." Rubbing my face I tried to reason with myself that my big sister was totally badass and strong, there's no way she could be hurt too badly. "And in any case, Cana, you don't have any money left to buy more drinks. Your payment to cover your tab is due any day now."
"Aw crap I forgot." Groaning drunkenly, Cana slung her arm around my neck and proceeded to drag me over to the request board. "In that case we just gotta take a job and make money! You'll help a sister out, right Zee?"
"Cana…air…breathe…" The woman was practically strangling me as she pulled me over to the board then started to inspect all the job requests. "You know I don't mind going on jobs with you Cana, but did you have to strangle me?" Rubbing my neck I recovered for a few moments before looking through all the jobs on offer. "So how much do you need to cover your tab and pay rent for this month?"
"Hm, well rent is a hundred thousand and I'm pretty sure my tab has stacked up to around fifty thousand jewel, so a hundred and fifty minimum should cover me for this month." Cana answered, suddenly having sobered up a little as she scrutinised the board, though she was still red in the face. "What do you think about getting this huge score here? All we gotta do is take out this Class Three Scorpion Beast, then we'll be rolling in the cash!" She grinned at me, pulling the poster off the board and showing it to me as I blinked.
"Cana, Class Three Beasts are pretty tough to handle and Scorpion Beasts are one of the most dangerous. They have an incredibly thick hide, most magic attacks can't penetrate their armour, and they build extensive underground networks for them to hide in. They have a really powerful poison that can kill within minutes and they are freaking huge!" I'd never gone after a Class Three beast without my sister before as for her, these were no problem at all. Erza can take on almost any monster, even Class Five standard beasts. "Are you sure you want this one?"
"Sure, just look at the size of the reward! Besides there's only one and it's causing trouble for a load of people trying to travel. See? See? It's blocking the travel route merchant's use to get to Crocus City from Hargeon. We get rid of this we'll have two hundred thousand jewel each. It's a total steal!" Grinning at me I arched an eyebrow, contemplating for a moment before exhaling.
"Well, just so long as you promise to sober up before we get there." I decided, cracking my knuckles. "This will be good experience and you're pretty strong, Cana, so I'm sure we'll be alright. I can use support magic and enchantments to increase your offensive power. Looks like we'll be teaming up again Cana, it'll be just like old times!" We high fived one another, growing excited at the prospect of joining forces for a job, something we hadn't done in a long while. "Just imagine all the cake I'll be able to buy with two hundred jewel spare."
"And I can finally pay off my tab!" We grinned at one another, feeling rather giddy and confident until three people stood in our path.
"You're not seriously considering taking that job are you?" Evergreen questioned incredulously as she fixed her glasses. "Scorpion Beasts are no joke, you know."
"We're not dumb, we know that." Cana slurred, hiccupping drunkenly as she pointed at Evergreen, Bickslow and Freed, the Thunder Legion. "We can totally handle this, it'll be a breeze!"
"You can barely stand upright, Cana. I do not advise that you take such a taxing job whilst you remain in this state." Freed informed her rather studiously, however I think it was out of kindness. The Thunder Legion had taken great pains to involve themselves more fully with the guild as a means to deepen bonds and apologise for their involvement in the Battle of Fairy Tail. "Please reconsider."
"Think again! Think again!" Bickslow's little wooden puppets chorused Freed's request as he grinned, sticking out his long tongue which bore his Fairy Tail crest.
"Pretty little ladies like yourselves should take better care of themselves and not get into dangerous situations. If you're gonna take on that quest, then we should go with you guys to lend a hand." Now I had not expected this. Evergreen nodded her head with a rather vain little smile as she flicked out her fan to hide her lower face, Freed giving a small noise of agreement.
"Like we need any help! Zee and I can handle this just fine all on our own!" Cana declared loudly, waving her fists wildly and I had to grab onto her waist to hold her back from pummelling Bickslow. "You guys just wanna show off and score brownie points with the master by helping us out! Besides, if we all go then I won't get enough money to cover my rent and tab for this month."
"Cana, maybe it's not such a bad idea if we all team up." I tried to reason with her, giving a little smile as I continued to hug her waist in order to hold her back. "After all, Evergreen, Freed and Bickslow are far more capable than I am so they'll be a great help, then you'll have more people watching your back. Also, I don't mind if you have my cut of the reward. Four hundred thousand divided by five is eighty thousand, so if you have mine then you'll get one hundred and sixty thousand, enough to cover all your debts. The more the merrier, right?" Cana pouted at me, thinking it over before folding her arms.
"Fine they can come, just don't get in my way you got it?" Relieved, I allowed myself a soft exhale before releasing Cana's waist. Once she sobers up a little she'll calm down and maybe even enjoy herself. I for one was exceptionally glad that the Thunder Legion were coming with us. "I'm gonna go tell Mira we're off." Stalking away a little unsteadily, Cana made her way over to the bar in order to find Mira, however she walked straight into a pillar and rebounded off it, complaining loudly as she fell on her rear. Bickslow and Evergreen quickly went after her in order to help, Evergreen already lecturing Cana about being so brazen and unrefined as a lady. I couldn't help but giggle a little as I came to stand next to Freed, observing as Cana lay on the floor with a dopey expression and red faced.
"I look forward to working alongside you, Zera. If you have any concerns or questions, I hope that you will confer them to me." Freed told me politely, giving a bow afterwards so I blinked at him in surprise. Freed had always been rather old fashioned, he'd even cut off his own hair to show remorse for his actions. It was a little strange seeing him with such closely cropped hair, but it did suit him. Unable to hold back a smile, I nodded my head.
"I'll be in your care, Freed. Let's work as a team and rely on one another, okay?" Turning my head back to where Evergreen was now shaking Cana rather viciously and yelling at her whilst Bickslow tried to get her to stop, I giggled again. At the very least we'll be a lively bunch, and it would be nice to get to know the Thunder Legion a little better. Up until now they had been very cold and distant, so I'd like to take this time to make friends with them properly. I just wish Laxus was here too, it would be even better if he were here joining in and getting to know his guild mates. Wherever he is, I hope he's doing well. He'll be back soon enough, the master won't stay mad at him forever.