Sure gets a little dark diving into the old soul's mind.
Credits to Mashima Hiro for the characters
Chapter Three
"Acnologia, you've got mail," Gajeel said out loud as he walked in the living room, waving an envelope while clutching the rest of the batch in the other.
Acnologia plucked the plain brown envelope wedged between the Redfox's index and middle fingers as he walked past to sit on the opposite couch. Ripping the top half of the envelope neatly in one swipe, Acnologia scanned the content of the letter before burning both papers leaving no ashes behind, then returned to reading the thick novel he had extracted from his extensive collection of books. He felt the heavy stare from his companion and flicked an annoyed glance at him.
"You know, you could at least tell the woman you're not interested instead of burning the letters?" Gajeel started, returning his attention to the flyers avoiding the searing gaze that Acnologia would always give him when it came to his personal business. "Can't leave a woman hanging you know?"
"You think I didn't?" Acnologia snapped at him.
The Iron Dragon Slayer arched an eyebrow.
"Wait, you — When?"
"When I visited the daycare centre of course."
His indifference to sentiments was categorically phenomenal, Acnologia associated the feeling to painful memories and bittersweet times — basically dwelling of the past that the Black Dragon had no interest in as he had a lifetime ahead of him. However, the Fire Dragon Slayer was persistent and no amount of fire-roasting on any part of his body worked or even the threat of levelling the city had gone over his head completely. Reluctantly, Acnologia agreed after two weeks of insistent nagging, but not before the Fire Dragon Slayer mentioned about Miss Daisy's now borderline obsession with him. Foolish, Human.
The younger Humans were overjoyed upon seeing him and one had leaped — which he had instinctively shot his arms out to avoid the impending collision — into his arms, and wrapped their podgy arms around his neck while they snuggled under his chin with a satisfied smile on their face. Their yells and chants of "Mr Blacksteiger!" had Acnologia scorching the front of the building, and lost his paycheck promptly on the spot to fix the damage.
"Mr Blacksteiger that was so cool!" A Human boy with bright yellow hair and green eyes yelled at him. "Do it again!"
"Oh no, Jake," Natsu quickly intercepted, dragging the tiny Human back to his classroom. "Bad idea, bad idea."
The security came on site and Miss Daisy quickly explaining that it was a mistake and that Acnologia used to be a temporary teacher here. They were left alone in the hallway, a few feet away from the office he was in two weeks ago and had a surprise birthday party. Acnologia could smell the nervousness and the trickling of sweat sprouted underneath the palm of her hands, armpits, and back of the neck. He knew what she was going to say and thought about ending it quickly since the aftermath of dragging it longer than necessary was one of the experiences he wished he didn't have to remember; Acnologia shuddered inwardly as the possible outcome unfolded in his mind.
"Miss Daisy," Acnologia began, and she squeaked, looking up at him red-faced and then quickly averted her eyes. "I —"
"I love you Acnologia!" Miss Daisy practically shouted at him.
Acnologia winced at the noise and could hear the tiny echoes in the empty corridor. Tilting his head slightly to one side, he could hear several heartbeats from the office had sped up slightly and another stronger one behind them; they were eavesdropping a private conversation. He closed his eyes briefly and breathed in deeply, snapping his eyes open Acnologia sent a heated glare at Miss Daisy who couldn't tear her attention away, then noticed how she was now trembling. A fleeting, murderous thought flitted through his mind, reminding him how fragile Humans were and all he had to do was snap their neck. Or in this case, he could psychologically scar her in the short or long-term depending on how the woman was going to take it. Acnologia estimated it would likely be the latter, and since Humans were resilience creatures he was certain she would get over it soon.
"Please say something," Miss Daisy said barely above a whisper.
"I don't feel the same way," Acnologia replied.
Her shoulders dropped dejectedly and Acnologia waited, watching her collect herself again and his nose picked up the smell of tears.
"I-I see, that's fine, I understand." Miss Daisy gave a nervous, broken laughter and wiped a stray tear from the corner of her eye. "I guess it was a long shot. I'd knew you already have someone else, I mean, why would you go for me right?"
"I don't have anyone else, and I am just not interested."
Miss Daisy's mouth formed a small 'o' and Acnologia gave the woman a curt nod before exiting the building, passing the Dragneel who was giving him a disbelief stare.
The Iron Dragon Slayer choked on his orange juice.
"That's a way to let down a woman," Gajeel mumbled and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before plucking a tissue to wipe the stain on the coffee table.
"However, not effective this time," Acnologia responded in an icy tone. "It's been a week and she has not given up yet, maybe it's time I take some extreme measures."
The Redfox widened his eyes to saucers in panic.
"NO, Acnologia. Lord, you need to relax." Gajeel ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe it's time you take a page out of the modern television to handle this."
"And I will burn your pathetic Vampire Diaries memorabilia collection."
Closing his mouth in an audible thud, the Iron Dragon Slayer looked at the papers in front of him. A heartbeat later, Acnologia heard the sound of shuffling and sensed the Redfox next to him. He cast a swift glance seeing his companion's compact Lacrima in hand, before returning his attention back to the book.
"Acno, you know—" Gajeel began.
"Tinder, OkCupid, Match, E-Harmony," Acnologia swiftly interrupted, cutting an irritated look at the Redfox who faltered slightly under the gaze. "I do not live under a rock."
"Really?"
Acnologia blinked at him with confusion and then it clicked, frowning in disdain at the Redfox's humour, and he tutted.
"Those are stone fronts, I do not live under it."
"Whatever, besides, don't you think it's time you try?" Gajeel prompted as he slowly backed away to sit on the opposite couch. Acnologia heard his heart sped up as if he knew that he was treading on sensitive ground. "Okay, granted you don't see the whole point of sexting and online dating. But, Slow Burner has secured a couple of exclusive tickets to the biggest nightclub in the city and you're coming with us."
Snapping the book shut, Acnologia reached out for his teacup and downed the drink before getting up, tucking the book underneath his arm and headed to the kitchen.
"Acnologia, it'll be fun," Gajeel continued, following a few paces behind Acnologia just in case. "It's been a long time since you went out."
"I have everything I need in this sanctuary, what could a nightclub possibly give me besides the promise of scoring a chick," Acnologia hissed and washed up the teacup after putting the book down on the kitchen island.
"You're using modern speech, that's a good start."
Acnologia shot him a threatening glare and the Iron Dragon Slayer gulped, coming to a stop on the other side of the kitchen island, still careful to avoid him.
"Seriously, Acno, everyone's going."
"Who is everyone?" Acnologia demanded, turning back around to pick up the book.
"The usual crew —" Acnologia was walking away and heard the scrambling of feet behind him "—and little Champ!" Gajeel smirked in victory when Acnologia paused mid-stride on his way to the main staircase. Slowly, he turned around and cocked his head slightly at him. The Redfox grinned, revealing his sharp canines. "She recently contacted Pink two days ago and never been to the club, so."
The slight waver in Acnologia's heart didn't go unnoticed in his mind, and outwardly even the Iron Dragon Slayer knew he was reconsidering. The youngest Dragon Slayer was the one other special being in the Redfox's life that he cherished, after the death of a Script Mage and an Exceed. Acnologia was positive that without her, the Iron Dragon Slayer would've gone down a destructive route of no return — essentially, she was the reason the Dragon Slayer was still here and kept him in line. After the war and the curse, they had travelled together for some time before they disbanded, each going down their own paths seeking retribution and whatever the hell they were trying to find (completely pointless in Acnologia's opinion). The last time any of them saw the Sky Dragon Slayer was a decade ago when they decided to revisit the old battle ground for the last war between Dragon Slayers and Mages.
"You intentionally withheld that information to use as a leverage."
It was a statement not a question and the Redfox visibly swallowed but held his stance.
"Panthers, Acnologia! We've been here for three years and yet to visit, it's almost an embarrassment to call yourself the citizen of Crocus," Gajeel rushed, trying to make his point but firmly. "It's just one night, what could possibly go wrong?"
"My sanity," Acnologia deadpanned.
"Okay, hold on." Gajeel held out a hand in front of him while the other pinched his forehead. "Of all the years we've been together, how come I never hear about your womanising days?"
"What's this got to do with anything?" Acnologia flared and then paused, allowing a small smirk to grace his face. "And together? I wouldn't go that far, Redfox."
"So that rod isn't so far up your ass then since you have a sense of humour," Gajeel shot and then quickly retreated a few steps when Acnologia resumed his semi-permanent look of disgust. "You can tell me that story another time, but I need you to come. At least be my wingman?"
"The majority of the women in there are not worth your time, and even if I manage to secure the other percentage, they're going to suffer a terrible fate of death because of their mortal lives." Acnologia stopped at the threshold when he heard the sharp in taking of breath from the Iron Dragon Slayer. "Don't waste your time in a club when you're looking for some proper romance, I would suggest you find one in your chosen career for this decade, as I am sure there are plenty of women who like men in the mechanic shop."
"Acnologia!"
Hearing his name bellowed from his companion caused him to pause at the top of the steps, breathing in deeply before turning his head slightly around to see the Redfox at the bottom of the staircase glaring up at him.
"All I'm asking is you to come out with us, it's not going to kill you and it's definitely not going to be a waste of time," Gajeel grounded out, gripping the bannister so tightly his knuckles turned white. Acnologia for a brief moment worried that the wood would splinter under the pressure. "Wendy is going to be there, so get your shit together by Friday night because it's a reunion of the Dragon Slayers and you're going to lead the salutations. And I'll be damned if you're not there and you can betcha sorry ass that I will drag you there myself if I have to."
Acnologia watched in mild amusement as the Iron Dragon Slayer slammed the door shut behind him with a loud huff, not before catching the words "Stubborn, prick." muttered underneath the Redfox's breath. Silence settled in the home and he continued his way upstairs to his study when he stopped. Returning to the living room, he saw the opened papers still on the coffee table, Acnologia eyed the various advertisements for takeouts and stopped at the sight of an official letterhead of Crocus; they were hosting the annual Grand Magic Games and the slots were open for Mages to participate. Underneath his thumbs were two gilded rectangular cards and their names, cordially invited by the Mayor himself to attend the games in the Summer.
A deep rumble reverberated deep in his chest and a feral grin spread across his face. Acnologia was surprised that the Mages still celebrated the Dragon King Festival, a bloody war between Dragons and Dragon Slayers many centuries ago which became more than a bloodbath when some Dragon Slayers were consumed by the power, going on a rampage annihilating friends and foe in their paths. His skin tingled at the memory and his blood surged; every year Mayor Fiore invited them, and every year there was total bloodshed. Gripping the paper, Acnologia's grin wavered, he was getting ahead of himself; it was what it used to be like before the Humans came along and set laws about the so-called brutality of the Games.
All of the Dragon Slayers, members of the Magic Council and the Mayor were called forth to the Human Supreme Court to answer to their crimes. It was tedious, but they all managed. Acnologia was put on the stand as they drilled him, his patience snapped two minutes into it and he unleashed his power — transforming into a Dragon and blasting the court into smithereens leaving behind just the area they were occupying.
"The Grand Magic Games will continue their yearly tradition for me," Acnologia roared and drew his face close to the judge. "Do it for the safety of your fickle, mortal lives."
The Humans, Magic Council and the Mayor signed a contract outlining the rules for the Games, including setting up a special Finals Game where Acnologia personally participated; given the permission to kill without prosecution. Bathing in the blood of his victory was Acnologia's ecstasy and nothing in his long life had come close to the gushing of dopamine at dangerous levels, sans the one time he ever loved someone.
Tucking the letter and invitations back into its envelope, Acnologia placed it in his study while burning the rest of the useless papers that came in with the mail. Swirls of his glorious battle days flitted through his mind and found himself needing a release. He ran some options through his mind, reluctantly dismissing the idea of killing out in the open, which would have resulted in him being sent to the dark dungeons of the Magic Council. Another thought came to mind, he could hunt like the old days. Suddenly, a small voice at the back of Acnologia's mind stopped him and he gritted his teeth in annoyance; he had the other Dragon Slayers to think about, concerns which Acnologia would never have thought about if only he had stayed firm in the first place.
The gates slid shut behind Acnologia and he made his way into the city central. It was late Wednesday afternoon and streets were, thankfully or not, not as crowded except for the few groups of tourist that shuffled by with their cameras and incessant chatters of awe of the place. The air felt polluted and too heavy for Acnologia, he quickened his pace toward the direction of the patch of protected forest on the other side of the city, when a figure came out of a shop nearly colliding into him. Acnologia side-stepped in time to watch the female fall flat on her backside and saw her winced painfully before she grabbed onto the window to help herself back up.
"Damn, chivalry is sure dead huh?" The woman said sarcastically, rubbing her buttocks and frowning up at him.
"The consequence of one's carelessness is their own to bear," Acnologia replied then continued on his way, completely disregarding her look of displeasure of his flippant attitude.
Reviews? Comments? Opinions? Whaddaya say?