Juvia felt sorry that she left without saying good bye to Gray but she felt that if she stayed longer then Invel would hurt her and Carla.
"What kind of Archdecon is that man?" She asked Carla. "I suppose if he raised Gray then there must be some good in him still we better avoid him the best we can for now."
Carla nodded in agreement. Later she walked into the town square and started to dance for money while Carla performed some tricks. People walked by, some of them just ignored her, others gave her looks of disgust, but some were generous enough to toss a few coins her way. The day grew late and she prepared to take her leave when a soldier stopped her.
"Alright gypsy where'd you get the money?" He asked.
"For your information I earned it." She said gathering up the coins.
"Ha! Gypsies don't earn money! They steal it!"
"I've never stolen anything in my life. Now if you'll excuse me."
She placed the money in her pouch and tried to leave but he gripped her arm.
"Let go of me."
"Hand over the money and I will."
"No. It's not yours."
Carla hissed at the soldier and scratched ankle.
"Ow! Get away from me you little heathen!" He angrily kicked the white cat away.
"Carla!" Juvia gasped.
"Assaulting a solider is a very major offence."
"I didn't assault you!"
"Your demon cat did! Theft and assault, maybe I should bring you in for- Ow!"
Suddenly he was kicked by a donkey and sent flying into a wall.
"Oh those donkeys, so unpredictable huh?" A voice chuckled. It was Natsu. "You never know when they're going to give you a nasty kick. "Do you need to see a doctor sir?"
The solider stood up more angry than ever.
"I'll see a doctor after I arrest this filthy gypsy."
"What did she do?"
"She stole money."
"Do you have any evidence that she did it?"
"No but she's a gypsy with money and since when do gypsies earn money?"
"As a matter of fact I saw those people willingly give their money to her so I'm afraid you are mistaken."
"You saw it?"
"The whole thing. I also saw you grab her in a very rough manner and I just happen to be a lawyer and if I remember correctly if you purposely arrested this woman with no evidence to support your accusation and assaulted her for no good reason you could go to prison. Just so you know."
He gave Natsu a glare, gave another to Juvia, and finally left.
"Are you okay?" He asked Juvia.
"I'm fine. Thanks for the help though I do wonder why that donkey kicked him."
"Hmmm...Who knows?" Natsu grinned and held up a pin that had been in his pocket. Juvia gave a small giggle upon learning what he had done.
"So do you have a name sir?"
"It's Natsu."
"Hello I'm Juvia, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Same to you. Oh and this is my cat Happy."
"I have a cat too. Oh dear! Carla!" She immediately went to pick up the little white cat. "Are you alright Carla? That awful man didn't hurt you too bad did he?"
She purred against Juvia to let her know that she was fine.
"This is Carla. Say hello Carla."
She put her down to greet Juvia's new friends. She brushed up against Natsu's leg affectionately then went to sniff Happy. Now you'd never think that it was possible for a cat to experience love at first sight but that's what happened to Happy. He fell for Carla the minute he saw her. He started to purr against her, she rolled her eyes and recoiled.
"I think your cat has taken a liking to mine." Juvia said.
"Yeah but I don't think she reciprocates his feelings."
They laughed at his remark.
"Hey I know you, you're that gypsy girl who stood up for that poor man who was being tortured in the square the other day." Natsu said.
"Yes I am. Are you one of the spectators who were angry at me for ruining the show?"
"Hell no. That was horrible what he went through and the fact that those people found amusement in watching him suffer like that is disgusting. I admire that you had the guts to do something."
"I never knew that so many people could be so cruel."
"I learned about that kind of cruelty years ago."
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault."
"And I bet it's not your fault either."
"So judging by your attire is it safe to assume that you are a gypsy?"
"Yes I am one."
"You're not planning to pick pocket me are you?"
"I don't steal. I earn my money and I think you saw that I did that."
"I know I'm just joking. I know that not all gypsies steal."
"That's good but I can understand why so many people think that gypsies are thieves. Jellal and his gang are always robbing people. If I wasn't so grateful to him for taking me in I don't think I could put up with him. So you're a lawyer?"
"Well I will be once I finish taking my classes."
"Good luck with that Natsu. I'd love to stay and talk longer but I have to get back to business. Thanks again for the save."
"Hey here's something for your dancing."
He handed her a few coins from his pocket.
"Thank you." She put them into her pouch.
"You're welcome. See you around Juvia."
"You too. Come along Carla."
She and Carla left after that.
"Nice girl huh Happy. Happy?"
But the blue cat was completely fixated on the pretty white cat following the gypsy girl and his gaze did not leave her until she was gone along with her mistress. Natsu chuckled at the lovesick grin plastered on his furry face.
"Come on boy. We better head back before Erza gets worried."