Two Turtle Doves

While the turtles gurgled and bubbled contently in their tank next to her, Levy took a moment to bite into the chocolate treat that she really needed to stop eating. The thin, salty crackers covered in chocolate and caramel were a temptation that she was all too willing to indulge in.

"What did our mysterious benefactor call these again?" she asked Mira.

Mira smiled and slid a plate in her direction. Much to Levy's delighted dismay, it was filled with more of the delicious candy.

"Chocolate turtles. They thought it would be an appropriate reward for pet-sitting these two trouble makers over here."

Levy rested her chin on her arm and studied the two trouble-makers in question. The turtles had arrived early that morning, with a note attached asking if the guild could watch them for the day. Levy had no idea why two completely docile creatures needed to be babysat, but the tank had been wrapped with a fluffy, white bow to match the holiday spirit and their owner had left plenty of chocolate as payment. One of the turtles rolled off their perch and landed with a plop into the water, making its friend shrink its head protectively inside of its shell. Levy smirked at their antics, reaching for another candy.

"See here, doesn't this look just like you?" she waved the treat in front of the cage, delighted when one of the turtles followed her movements with it's unblinking eyes. "But don't worry, I only eat chocolate turtles, not real life ones."

She ate her treat slowly, her stomach already protesting at all the sugar. But she couldn't stop herself; whoever made them was a fantastic baker!

Footsteps bounded down the stairs and Levy straightened in her seat when she saw Gajeel round the corner.

"Gajeel, look! Turtles!" She waved her chocolate in the air while pointing to her two new friends with the other.

"Cute, don't know if I've ever seen real-life ones before. Oh, hey Mira."

Levy could have sworn Mira choked back a laugh. "Hi, Gajeel. Heading off?"

"Yep, got somethin' I need to do in town." He snagged a chocolate turtle off of Levy's plate and hummed.

Levy beamed up at him. "Do you want someone to go with you?"

"Thanks for the offer, Shrimp, but I got it handled." He plopped the rest of the candy into his mouth and ruffled her hair. She pouted and batted his hand away.

"Later, Shorty," he laughed, walking backward to the door to wave at her.

She watched him grab his coat from his hook and stuff his feet into his heavy black boots. He slung his bag onto his back and with a final wave was out the door as quickly as he had come.

Levy sighed heavily, licking the chocolate off her fingers. She gently played with the ribbon the request note had been attached to and wished that her family wasn't so busy. It would have been nice to have more company other than two turtles with a fluffy, dove white bow.

Gajeel blew into his gloved hands and hurried down the road. He wanted to get to town as quickly as he could. With the way Levy had been watching him, he wouldn't be surprised if she left the guild and followed him on her own.

His long legs quickly ate up the distance between the guild and Hergeon and soon he was standing at the edge of town. Gajeel took a deep breath, trying to calm his wayward pulse. It wouldn't help anything if he panicked now; he had no guildmates to help him overcome his sudden fear, no Levy to smile and talk him through the haze. He needed to remain calm, even if it was his first time entering town on his own.

Taking a deep breath, he adjusted his bag's strap on his shoulder and walked into town. He made an effort to look straight ahead, not at the toes of his boots like his body automatically wanted.

Find old man Johnson's place and get outta here.

He easily found the trader's shop and ducked around the corner to enter from the back. With a small knock on the wooden door, he cracked it open, sighing in relief when he saw the shopkeeper whistling in the storage room. The man looked up, lips pursed mid-whistle, and waved him over.

"Ah, glad you came. Got something to show you."

Gajeel stepped into the room and carefully closed the door behind him. "Were ya..were you able to find what I asked for?"

"Just about. Still waiting on a few items, but I should have them by the end of the week. And I already spoke to Darren for you. He said you're welcome to use his forge anytime. Just let him know what day you'd like to come."

Gajeel thought through his plans and what the guild should be doing for the next few days. "Would the beginnin' of next week be fine?"

Mr. Johnson closed the lid on the crate and wiped his hands on his pant legs. "Sounds good to me, I'll let him know. You need to make sure to show me when you're done, though. Can't wait to see the finished project."

The corner of Gajeel's mouth lifted. He scratched his head and gave a small nod of his head. Mr. Johnson gave him a pat on the back and showed him to the door. Gajeel stepped away from the warmth of the building and into the crisp, winter air. With a final wave to the shopkeeper, he went back to the main road and started his way to the address Makarov told him about.

It was time to see a man about some chickens.