a little perspective on love
Credits to Mashima Hiro for the characters
Chapter Four
Acnologia pondered as he reenacted several ways to incapacitate the Iron Dragon Slayer and the two mortals who were their dates for the night. After a rather eventful night at Panthers, the Redfox had managed to become smitten with a Mage that wielded Ice Magic, and they took it upon themselves to set him up with one of her friends. He had outright refused at the atrocious idea on a double-date and was indifferent when the Ice Mage's friend introduced herself to him; she was a petite, slim young woman with dark brown hair framing her large grey eyes.
Acnologia's nose twitched at the perfume the mage was wearing, a mixture of cherry blossom and rose.
"Acnologia, so what do you do?" Lisa asked politely, turning her attention on him who sat quietly fuming opposite of her Dragon Slayer date for the night.
Acnologia glared at her and felt her cower slightly under his gaze. He dodged the kick the Iron Dragon Slayer had tried to aim at him underneath the table, shot him a scowl of his own, crossed his arms and flicked another look at the Ice Mage.
"He's a chef," Gajeel finally said, sensing the awkward tension in the air that was becoming suffocating and felt all eyes on him now. "At Yajima's."
A round of 'ooh's' spouted from the Mages mouths, and Acnologia resisted the urge to incinerate the women. It was a new job he had taken up a few days after their clubbing; an elder at the Magic Council had stopped by to discuss the Grand Magic Games this summer. Conveniently, the Iron Dragon Slayer had slyly dropped a comment about how the Black Dragon was jobless; they had two overdue bills which the Iron Dragon Slayer had failed to pay since he was saving up to buy a place. The Redfox successfully convinced the old Mage to give the Black Dragon a job in his five-star restaurant located in the city's market plaza — Blooming's — and the next thing Acnologia knew, he was an official employee after preparing a mouthwatering dish for Yajima.
He threw another searing gaze at the Iron Dragon Slayer, mustering every bit of hatred and potential torture as he could into the look. However, the Redfox seemed too preoccupied in entertaining their dates to care, even if he did sense the dark aura emitted opposite him, he was doing an excellent job of ignoring it. Suddenly, Acnologia detected a heavy gaze next to him, and he cocked his head slightly to the side to see 'his date' glancing up at him, almost in admiration; his pride inflated for a split second and then died down just as quickly as it came.
"The markings on your face are charming," Quaria commented and indicated vaguely on her face.
"Thanks," Acnologia replied curtly.
Silence descended between them while the chatter opposite them continued. The Black Dragon began to tune out the noise around him when he felt the young Mage's gaze on him again and felt a vein on his temple twitch in annoyance.
"What now?" Acnologia all but snapped.
The woman flinched, and the conversation opposite them quietened.
"Acnologia," Gajeel hissed across the table and was scorned from the Black Dragon. He promptly dismissed it and looked at the two Mages apologetically. "Sorry, he hasn't been on a date for a long time and —"
"Do not attempt to justify my actions, Redfox," Acnologia interrupted and felt the Iron Dragon Slayer bristled, while the young mortals froze in shock at his tone. "I don't see the point of this double-date, it's clear that she —" he flicked a glance at the woman next to him "— does not want to be here at all. If you weren't so wrapped up with the idea for this menial social engagement, you would've guessed that she were already happily seeing someone else and had a date for tonight." Everyone on the table gaped in shock, and he turned his attention on the Ice Mage. "You're a terrible friend convincing her to come on a date she has absolute no interest in, and you—" Acnologia snapped a sharp glare at the mortal nearly quivering next to him "— should learn to have a backbone and say no. Do not cave into her preconceived idea of whom you should date, which I'm sure your so-called friend sitting opposite you must've had used as a convincing case about how one should sleep with a Dragon Slayer as it only came by as once in a lifetime activity."
By the time Acnologia had finished, the entire table had become too speechless, and could only gawk in shock. He watched as the Iron Dragon Slayer quickly recovered himself; palming his face and exhaled slowly under his breath while the Mages exchanged a quick glance, unsure how to continue.
"Acno…" Gajeel said into the silence.
"No, he's right," Quaria quickly intercepted, causing all three heads to whip around to stare at her. "But not everything. Lisa is my best friend, and I trust her, she may be flawed, but that doesn't give you the right to insult her like that!"
"That was considered as an insult? Mortals sure do have sensitive skin," Acnologia replied sarcastically and caught a fork that flew his way, thrown by the Iron Dragon Slayer.
"You're such an asshole!" Quaria yelled.
"Now that is going too far."
"Acnologia!" Gajeel and Lisa hissed at him in disgust.
Acnologia watched as the two Mages stormed out of the restaurant, turning several of the diners' heads in the process and felt a bad mood radiating from opposite him.
"Why the fuck would you do that?" Gajeel shouted at him.
"That Ice Mage did not want to be in a meaningful long-term relationship with you, Redfox," Acnologia retorted. "I remember mentioning quite explicitly last time that women at clubs do not do actual romance."
"What if I just wanted to get laid?"
"Get laid?" A voice interrupted the two.
Acnologia looked up to see a Mage glancing between him and the Iron Dragon Slayer with an arched brow. He frowned at the figure in front of him wondering how to eliminate them for nosing into their business when the young woman turned to face him and felt a sense of familiarity; his mind started to shift through the millions of faces to find the match of onyx hair and deep, celestial blue eyes.
"And who're you?" Gajeel hissed in annoyance.
"Nordstrom," Acnologia replied and was earned with both eyebrows raised from the female Mage. He swivelled his gaze around to look at the Redfox who looked perplexed. "Aris Nordstrom, she's my sous-chef at Yajima's."
"Wow, I feel so privileged to be remembered by the great Black Dragon," Aris teased and watched as Acnologia smirked in response, missing the sudden amused look from Gajeel. She turned her attention on him then. "You were saying about getting laid, Mister…?"
"Gajeel Redfox," Gajeel introduced and stuck out a hand for her to shake which she took, giving him a firm handshake. "You can just call me Gajeel."
"Of course, Gajeel. If you're indeed of some good time, I know a couple within the city that provides all kinds of services." Aris flashed the Iron Dragon Slayer a smile and saw mirth dancing in his eyes. "Well, if your friend here —" leaning her head towards Acnologia "— permits you to do so, unless, you need one too, Acnologia?"
Acnologia arched a brow when the Nordstrom turned around to look at him, almost in a challenging manner and he huffed in response.
"You should go back to waiting tables, Nordstrom, instead of eavesdropping on your diner's conversations."
"It is part of my job to make sure my customer's satisfactions are met," Aris replied and sent another mischievous glimmer at Gajeel who had a large grin on his face.
"Is flirting part of it as well?" Acnologia grunted.
"Wouldn't you be jealous now?" Aris quipped as she turned her attention back to him.
The Black Dragon didn't miss how the Iron Dragon Slayer's eyes now widened to saucers at the teasing from the Nordstrom, and also from the fact that he was taking the brunt end of the joke without so much as a sharp-tongued response. He lifted up a hand and made a shooing motion at her for her to move along, which fortunately the young Mage did but not before winking at the Redfox. Acnologia watched as the Iron Dragon Slayer followed her retreating self with his mouth hanging open, and waited for what he had to say about the little interactions.
"Did…did you just…wow," Gajeel stumbled over his words, snapping his head back and forth between Acnologia and the Mage. "Wait, you said she was your sous-chef at Yajima's?"
"Yes," Acnologia replied shortly and shifted the cutlery on his plate to the left. "A very competent one I must add."
"Are you saying she has your approval?"
"Why do you sound shocked?" Acnologia frowned at the Iron Dragon Slayer then crossed his arms in irritation. "I am not blind to talents when I see one."
Starting his job the next day after passing the test, Acnologia entered the kitchen and threw out every single chef in there after spending 5 minutes with them. The first order came through, and one of the line chefs overcooked the salmon, then proceeded to argue with Acnologia that was how they served it for the past three years after introducing it to the menu. His hackles rose and threw the plate across the kitchen, narrowly missing some chefs standing in the way of the projection. Yajima came in after a few minutes and couldn't get a single word in as Acnologia was busy in preparing every single order, additionally the malevolent ambience he was radiating had the older Mage scurrying out of the kitchen after 30 seconds.
Then Aris Nordstrom strolled in since it was her shift at dinner and found the place completely deserted apart from the Black Dragon prepping an order. Acnologia didn't acknowledge her and observed the newcomer out of the corner of his eye as he continued his dish; the Mage checked the board and got to work immediately. For a brief moment, he paused his work and watched in admiration of her movements; they were fluid and worked in sync in whatever was on her mind. At one point, she was preparing an entirely different dish to what the customer ordered.
"It's from Mr. Kykol —" Aris explained in between flipping the chopped steak blocks and then added some pepper and vinegar "— he's got bad teeth."
That was all Acnologia received from her and looked on as she pushed the plate to the pass, rang the bell for it to be picked up and watched the waitress deliver the dish to the diner; his happy face practically lit up like Christmas when he fork one into his mouth. Once the restaurant closed for the day and after their clean-up in the kitchen, Acnologia challenged the young Mage to a cooking competition with a limited amount of ingredients chosen by Yajima himself. He was declared the winner, however, unconvinced by the elder Mage's decision he tasted the egg-stuffed salmon and was floored by the tender and juiciness overflowing erupted from it.
"I grew up learning how to cook, and my family owns a diner for about three generations now," Aris casually explained as she washed up the equipment and tidied up the place. "But your oven honey-drizzled salmon is outstanding too, never thought of doing that."
"One of the things that come with immortality is the indispensable time in our hands," Acnologia replied and tucked his apron loose before folding it neatly. "You have potential, Nordstrom, especially for a mortal like you, every second count doesn't it?"
"One of the things that come with mortality."
Acnologia smiled inwardly at the memory and noticed how the Iron Dragon Slayer continued to be flustered by the whole ordeal.
"I know, I know, but, wow, Acno. I think this is the first time in a ridiculously long time since we're together that I see you warm up to someone else besides us Dragon Slayer's." Gajeel was grinning at his old companion and was given an eye-roll from him. "Is that the reason why you're so reluctantly to go on this double date?"
"I really need to completely incinerate your compulsive television series memorabilia hoarding once we get home," Acnologia muttered darkly. "They're giving you ludicrous and askew ideas."
"Hey, all I'm saying is don't screw up the relationship." Gajeel jerked his head behind him. "You should invite her over this weekend for the get-together party. I mean, we need an extra pair of hands to make some food."
"Redfox."
"Come on, Acno! She's your sous-chef, right? What harm will it do?"
Acnologia narrowed his eyes at the Iron Dragon Slayer and looked little ways behind him, seeing the Nordstrom taking an order and chatting conversationally to the family about the latest items on the menu. He flicked a glance back to the Redfox who was giving him a sideway glance and a small smile.
"Are you trying to force romance upon me?" Acnologia asked suspiciously.
"Force? Dear God, Acnologia. I'm hurt!" Gajeel replied, mocking pain as he clasped a hand over his chest. "It's a simple yes or no question, or do you need a wingman to help you? After all, it has been a long —"
The Iron Dragon Slayer's scream was muffled behind Acnologia's hand as he hurled him out of his chair by his ear, after slapping down some change onto the table, then they awkwardly made their way out of their restaurant and stumbled out onto the street. Acnologia singed the Redfox's ear, leaving a blackened mark that extended to his cheek; holding a hand over the pain, the Iron Dragon Slayer glared at the Black Dragon heatedly in anger.
"I swear your answer to everything you find remotely annoying or whatever is by violence!" Gajeel accused, daring to point the finger at Acnologia and quickly retreated it before his old companion could do anything unspeakable to it.
"When is it not the appropriate answer?" Acnologia challenged.
The Redfox had opened his mouth to answer when a familiar smell wafted down the street and heard the rapid patting of feet back where they came from; Acnologia spotted the Nordstrom waving something in her hand and watched as she slowed down, heaving slightly and extended her enclosed fist towards him.
"Your change," Aris said after regaining her breath.
Acnologia stared at her as she grabbed his wrist and shoved the change into his open palm before clasping them over it.
"Are you available this weekend, Nordstrom?" Acnologia found himself asking.
"No," Aris responded.
"Alright."
The Iron Dragon Slayer gawked at him and then at the young Mage who had returned to the restaurant. Acnologia cocked his head to the side in confusion at the Redfox's bewildered look.
"She just rejected you without knowing the reason!" Gajeel wailed. "You do leave some really shitty impressions, Acno."
"You did say it was a simple yes or no question," Acnologia said.
"It was a figure of speech, Acno," Gajeel deadpanned and shook his head in disbelief. "Man, that was really savage of her."
"I guess you haven't figured her out."
Silence settled between them as they walked back to the mansion under the stars, while Acnologia smirked inwardly and observed the Iron Dragon Slayer out of the corner of his eye. It wasn't until when the Black Dragon had settled on his bed with a book in hand when he heard the drawn out 'ohh' from down the corridor from the Redfox's room as he finally understood his little joke.
Thoughts?