CHAPTER 5 – THE VISIT
…..
Recap:
"I'll be back, Luce. You can't push me away the next time. If you don't show yourself at the guild tomorrow, I'll come looking for you."
She went back to her bed after her best friend is nowhere in sight. Well, so much of getting her peace today when everyone shows at her doorstep every time she wanted an alone time. This is a really long day, with a shock of her best friend hooking up with his childhood friend, and their not so good parting tonight.
She fell asleep with the last thought on her mind. 'How can I understand when you don't remember it yourself?'
…..
"Ohayō min'na!" Wendy and Happy cheerfully greeted everyone upon entering the guild, Carla just hovering above with her usual sullen expression. Their nakama equally greeted them cheerfully. It was thirty minutes past eight in the morning and the guild is already swarming with people.
Happy flies toward Mirajane and Lisanna standing behind the bar, busily wiping at the wooden beer mugs, wondering where his partner might be at this time. "Hey Mira, is Natsu not in the guild yet?"
"I haven't seen him yet this morning Happy," replied Mirajane while smiling at the blue exceed. Happy notices Lisanna just beside her sister, humming happily and oblivious to her nakama. "Say Mira, is Lisanna okay or something? Did she have a bad fish this morning?" Happy said wondering why the girl is acting strange.
"Hmmmm, come to think of it, she's exceptionally happy since yesterday," Mirajane mumbling to herself. "Did something happen yesterday Happy when you went fishing?" Upon hearing that, Happy's eyes grow wide in excitement and float directly in front of Lisanna's face, touching both his paws in the girl's cheeks to wake her up from her daydreaming. "Hey Lisanna, did you catch a lot of fish yesterday? Is that why you are so happy?" Feeling his little paws on her cheeks, Lisanna seemed to wake up at last out of her entrancement. "Oh, ohayō Happy!"
At the same time, the guild door opened shifting the attention of the three chattering wizards to a haggard looking dragon slayer. Lisanna's mood brightens even more and ran towards Natsu greeting him happily. She pulls him in a vacant table and started chattering at him. Looking at his current state, Happy flies over at their table while Mirajane brought him his fire drink and set it in front of him. "Thank you Mira."
"Are you okay, Natsu? You don't look good at all" Mira asks concernedly. She can see dark circles under his eyes which also appear to be sunken and hollow. Natsu slumps his head on the table and grumbles tiredly. "I just had a bad night and a terrible headache today."
"I will call Wendy for you," without waiting for his partner's reply, Happy flew to another table where Wendy and Carla are seated while chatting happily with Erza and Gray. Happy is worried because his partner rarely gets sick. He can't even remember the last time if there is any at all. Saved from his motion sickness when they are travelling but it doesn't count, right?
Meanwhile, Natsu felt gentle hands massaging his temples; he takes a peak and found his white-haired girlfriend delicate hands soothing the ache on his head. He weakly smiled at her which she reciprocated, and then closed his eyes once more relishing her gentle touch.
Not very far from them, a loud bang was heard, and you can see a white-haired barmaid lying on the ground, hands clasping together and hearts on her eyes. Everyone is gawking at the sights, knowing that their resident matchmaker brain is working overtime again. What has caused this? It might be the two wizards sitting on a nearby table in their public display of affection. Everyone gaped as they can't believe what they are seeing but realized what's happening when a younger dragon slayer hurriedly ran to their table along with the other mages with her.
"Natsu-san, are you okay? Tell me what you are feeling right now."
"Just a headache Wendy, my head's a bit fuzzy and I feel like my body is on fire. A bit hot, actually," Natsu said shyly. He is a bit ashamed saying that he is feeling hot as he is a fire wizard. Wendy looked at him worriedly. Taking a stick-like thermometer, she sticks it at his cheek and half of it burned immediately.
"How come he is feeling hot?" Erza inquired Wendy, then shifting her gaze at Gray, which just shrugged at her. "His senses might be at haywire," Wendy said. "Should I cool him off with my ice?" Gray was on the act of releasing his magic when Wendy stopped him. "Please don't Gray-san, sudden change in temperature might put him in shock."
"Natsu-san, is it okay if we move you to the infirmary?"
"No need Wendy, can you just heal this terrible headache?"
"Hai," Wendy started releasing her magic concentrating on his head. Natsu started to feel light in the head. He can feel that her magic has a cool touch easing the burning sensation inside his body. "Thank you Wendy, I am feeling a bit okay now. Mind if I dozed for a while here?" Without hearing their response he cradled his head once again in his arms.
"Natsu, it is better to take your nap in the infirmary. No resisting," Erza said in an authoritative tone then she turned her attention to Gray. "Carry him to the infirmary."
Gray jumped in shock. "W-why me?!"
"Are you talking back?" Erza said menacingly.
"Geez, no!" he said defeatedly.
"I can carry myself to the infirmary," Natsu gets up and headed towards the room. All other mages present are tailing him on the way. He slumps down on the bed ignoring the other mages.
When he was fast asleep, Wendy pricked his finger with a needle and collected a blood sample from Natsu which did not pass unnoticed with the others giving her a questioning look.
"Ahm, Gomenasai, I did not ask for his permission to do so," Wendy said bowing repeatedly. "I just need a blood sample to be given to Porlyusica-san. Honestly, I am quite worried because he seems repulsive with his own element and this is Natsu-san we are talking about," Wendy continued explaining her action. Understanding dawned on the others and did not question her anymore.
"I will be heading to Porlyusica-san now. My magic will take effect in a few hours. But I will be asking for her other herbal medicines too. Carla let's go," Wendy waved goodbye to the others and head out of the guild together with Carla.
…..
"There is nothing to worry about kid. It is just an after effect of the drug that he has taken. He seemed to have taken a fairly large amount but it will be totally out of his system in a week's time. If he is an ordinary human, which he is not, he might be dead by now for consuming that large quantity. Other side effects might be fatal to someone." Porlyusica stated a matter of factly. 'Such an ignorant human,' she added in her thoughts.
"Do you know what kind of drug it is?" Wendy asked innocently. Carla is just listening beside them.
"It is best to ask him yourself. But knowing him, he might not know what it is as well." 'And why would he take something like that? Such a wild child,' she thought. Wendy stared at the old lady confoundedly. Not fully understanding what she is trying to imply.
"Anyway, give these herbs to him. Instructions are written on the piece of paper. This one is for the headache; just take it when he had one. And the other herbal mix, please ensure that he takes it every 6 hours for a week's time, that will help him stabilize his body temperature."
"Now go along. I don't want you to disturb me any further." The old woman is now pushing the two out of her house.
"Thank you Grandineey," she said bowing at the old woman. "I told you do not call me that," Porlyusica grunted for which she just reciprocated with a smile. A small smile formed in the face of the old woman but it has vanished as quickly as it appeared.
They have left the house for a couple of minutes ago when Wendy noticed that she is just holding on one herbal mix. "Hmm, Carla, do you have the other medicine?" asking her exceed panicking. "It's not with me Wendy."
"Sorry Carla, wait for me here, I will just rushed back to Grandineey." With that the girl started running back at the old woman's house.
"Grandineey! Gran-" she knocked at her door.
"Here, you forgot this one," Porlyusica shoved the medicine upon opening the door.
Wendy panted holding on both her knees. "Gomenasai." Taking the medicine, she stared at it then ask the old woman. "Grandineey, what does that drug do to the body to leave such reaction to Natsu-san?"
The old woman slammed shut the door at her face leaving a very red girl standing outside. Wendy dumbfounded while blushing profusely. Once again, she rushed back to where she left Carla.
…..
Lucy woke up late in the morning and took a bath immediately. As much as she wanted to avoid looking at the mirror, she has no choice but to inspect the extent of her bruises. She feels a different woman now, afraid what kind will she see in front of her. She stands before the mirror and removed the towel that securely wrapped around her.
Angry marks in her neck, shoulders, breasts, abdomen, arms, thighs and legs. She traces the marks on her wrists in her fight for freedom. She was manhandled but not without a fight. She did not realize that she was lacking in physical strength because she has always prided herself as a capable mage. So much for her egotistical view of herself. She stared dejectedly at her own reflection. She grabbed on the towel and wrapped it once more around her body.
Her whole body felt extremely sore, the kind of sore you feel when you suddenly start exercising for the first time. Her muscles are aching all over the places especially her right shoulder where it directly hits the rock when he shoved her to the ground.
She walks to her wardrobe to look for any appropriate clothing that can hide her current state. Her navy blue skirt paired with her purple leggings will do, but what shirt to wear? She goes over on her shirts again but nothing. Distressed, she finally called out Virgo for help. Not a second later, Virgo returned with clothes on hand, just a simple fitting white long-sleeved turtle neck shirt. She thanked her very reliable spirit.
The walk to the guild is uneventful with Plue in her arms. She's a bit self-conscious and imagining that other passersby is scrutinizing her. She is now standing outside the guild with its towering door in front of her. It is already past noon when she reached the guild. She sighed and took a mental note that she needs to act as normal as possible. 'Act normal Lucy,' she kept reminding herself. Honestly, she doesn't want to be in the guild yet surrounded by her happy comrades. She just wanted to sulk at her room, in her bed and lick her own wounds. It will be hard to put on a show when she felt so broken inside. And in order to avoid the prying eyes of her guildmates, she must put on a show. With a heavy heart, she took a very deep breath and reach for the guild doors.
"That is quite a show and quite enjoyable to watch. Though, it is a bit melodramatic for my liking." It is Cobra who speaks up staring directly at her. Just beside him is Jellal.
"Jellal! Cobra! What brought you here? Come on in," she smiled at the two while motioning them to come inside. The two is not a new sight in Fairy Tail as they would pay them a visit whenever the Crime Sorciere is in town. They are still part of that independent guild and acting on the sidelines. Though there is entirely a new set of magic council, it doesn't change the fact that they are a bunch of fugitives.
"Konnichiwa! Jellal and Cobra are here!" she shouted feigning cheerfulness when she entered the hall. Everyone else greeted them cheerfully. She led them to the table where Erza was currently occupying eating her desserts. "Erza, will you entertain our guests? I need to grab quick lunch from Mira," winking at her before she runs to the bar. Mira, Kinana and Lisanna briefly greeted her while they move busily inside the kitchen. Lunch time is one the busiest times in the bar. Not long after she placed her order with Mira that she sensed someone or might be some people are staring at her. She touched the back of her neck as she can feel her hair standing.
She looked around; thankfully everyone is pretty much engaged in whatever they are doing. Raijinshuu is complete at their table; even Laxus is present and staring openly at her. He did not divert his eyes when she met his gaze. She gave him a small smile then wandered her gaze on the next table where Cana, Macao, Wakaba, Elfman, Jet and Droy are having a card game.
It is currently full in Erza's table, where Juvia and Gray joined them moments after she left. By the looks of it they are having some serious conversation. Cobra appears to be somewhat disinterested at the topic. Natsu, Wendy, Carla and Happy are absent at the moment.
Gajeel, Lily and Levy are seated at their usual spot at the corner of the guild. Gajeel is seated at the table, one knee is bent inwards, one eye open, he takes a peek with the Celestial mage. He smirked when she met his gazed. She also offered him a small smile. Lily is just taking his nap just beside the dragon slayer. She then saw Levy waving at her excitedly and motioning her to come at their table.
She jumped from the bar stool to go to Levy but before she can make a move, Cana is shouting, calling for her favorite celestial mage. "Lucy! Lucy! Come here for a second Dearie." She walked hesitantly to their table. The very drunk girl stood up and put her arm around Lucy's shoulder. She can't help but whimper from the pain when she grabbed her shoulder none too gently, instantly biting her lower lip to suppress the sound that she was emitting from the pain.
Cana scanned her from head to toe. "Why are you dress prudishly today? It is summer Lucy. I am sweating just looking at you. Loose this shirt girl." Cana grabbed the end of her shirt and on the act of lifting it up; Lucy in panic crossed her arm protectively against her upper body. Giving up, she returned her attention to her playmates. "Everyone, I am giving you a dare, anyone who beats me in this card game will have a chance to touch these nice racks," Lucy shrieked and was horrified when Cana fondled her breasts. Everyone in the table has hearts in their eyes and has a nose bleed. "That is a man," Elfman shouted excitedly. "Stop it Cana, I don't wanna be part of this game," she said uncomfortably. She tried to remove her hands but to no avail.
Somewhere across the room, Raijinshuu's table started shaking violently. The three other mages looked at their leader which they think is about to explode. Laxus, with his hands clasped in the table, is dangerously looking at the scene created by the drunkard.
Evergreen stands up and heads towards the group of annoying bunch. "Cana stop torturing the poor girl already," she said irritably to Cana, measuring her up, and shifting her gaze to every male mage in the table which lingered longer to Elfman. At her irritation, she turned every one of them into a statue.
"Tch, spoilsport," Cana said returning to her seat while grabbing her barrel of beer and gulped down the content. She wiped her mouth and look at Evergreen again challenging her to a staring contest. Before she can say anything, she too has turned into a stone.
"Thank you Evergreen," Lucy uttered sincerely. "But you can turn them back to normal now," she looks guiltily at her comrades who were turned into stone.
"Don't worry Lucy the effect will wear off after 30 minutes. Don't think I am doing it for you, they just annoy me since this morning." She appears to walk away but suddenly stops on her tracks. "By the way, that's a very nasty bruise you have there, you might want Wendy to have a look at it for you," she said pointing at her sides. "Oh," that's all Lucy can utter touching her side. Evergreen felt her unease so she decided to finally leave her alone, but not before deliberately hitting her shoulder with her fan. "Ou-," Lucy silently whimpered in pain.
"Figures," Ever gives her a knowing glance. "Have it checked girl." She said not looking at her while retreating. She had a fight this morning with the monster of a man, namely Elfman, seated in Cana's table. She has been plotting ever since then, on what would be a more delightful way to murder the man. And adding insult to her injury, the man just goes on his merry way like nothing happened while drinking and playing with everyone in the table. Well, that makes her want to strangle all the other mages too.
Her sight never left the rowdy bunch so she witnessed everything after the blonde mage was summoned at their table. She looked very uncomfortable with the antics that the card mage has been pulling. It was nothing new actually since the blonde mage has always been at the receiving end of sexual harassment from Cana. The card mage is quite the vulgar type and her favorite prey is always the blonde bombshell. No one takes it seriously though as those two are very close friends. And when Cana uttered that the blonde is dressed prudishly, she piqued her attention. It did not go unnoticed when the blonde flinched when Cana instantly grabbed her and the fleeting moment her skin was exposed when Cana grabbed her shirt. That's when she saw the peeking nasty purple mark decorating her skin. As a true fairy, physical appearance is her number one priority, all else are just second.
But what intrigued her most was Laxus. Their leader was just seated across from her, watching and staring dangerously at the ruckus. He seemed like a ticking time bomb about to explode at any second at that moment. So when she felt that he was about to stand up and almost ready to pounce every mage at that table, she beat him to it to avoid any further scene that will surely ensue.
Well, her murder plan has been executed perfectly, with the bonus of saving both the blonde mages from the scene. 'What is it called then? Something like hitting all the birds with just one stone' she thought. But in actuality, the group should thank her since she had saved them from a catastrophe called 'Laxus Dreyar'.
…..
Lucy looked at the retreating figure of Evergreen, unsure if she should follow her. She was rooted on the spot and when she moved her eyes to Raijinshuu's table, she saw a seething Laxus staring at her. She was not sure why though, but she gave him an apologetic look.
Lily flew into her, telling her Levy is calling for her while motioning at their table. He woke up from his nap after all the mages were turned into stone so he was not really aware of what had happened.
Before leaving, she turned into the statues, bowed down and apologized.
"Lu-chan!" Levy squealed and hugged her when she settled just beside her on the bench. "Le-vy-chan," said in an overly cheerful, animated voice and hugged her back. "Tch," she heard Gajeel commenting beside them but ignored him.
Lisanna brought her lunch at their table and apologized for taking longer to prepare it. She just smiled and thanked the take-over mage for the food. Lisanna hurriedly went back to the kitchen.
Levy asked on how her novel was faring and asked for the next chapter that she promised. Actually, she was not able to work on it for the last two days due to the events that took place. She apologized and just told her that she was experiencing writer's block. A bit disappointed, Levy just let it go and wish her good luck. "Gambatte, Lu-chan."
Their conversation shifted from the book she was reading and she got distracted when she saw a familiar boy went out from the infirmary at the second floor with the blue cat in tow. Their gazes met and no one dared to look away. She noticed how he seems to be in a bad shape, not physically beaten but maybe spiritually drained. It is astonishing how one's eyes can briefly change in a pool of contrasting emotions in just a matter of second – happiness, longing, sadness, confusion and exasperation. She felt the tiniest pinch at her heart just by looking at him. This is the man that she trusted with her whole life. The man whom makes her experience that life is an everyday adventure. He introduced her to Fairy Tail and that's where her life started to change for good.
"What do you think Lu-chan?" Levy asked excitedly after her moments of non-stop blabbering. She was pulled to the present by Levy's question. 'We are talking about the book, right? Yeah yeah right,' she thought sweating and uneasy. "T-that's a very good book Levy-chan, please lend it to me when you finish reading it," and she pulled something from her bag. "I am also reading on this book and I don't know if you already read this…" and now it is her turn to blabber animatedly and exaggerating her words and actions a bit. From her peripheral view, she noticed that Natsu along with Happy moved to join Erza's group.
"Tch," Gajeel commented again from his seat but found it a bit amusing, he will just let the blonde chatter for nothing. Meanwhile, Lily looked at her quizzically.
Levy looked at her completely baffled. She has been long gone narrating about the book that currently interest her then she shifted her story about the latest mission the Shadow Gear and Gajeel took. Then she remembered that she saw batches of books have been delivered today in the book café that they are frequenting when she passed by. So she excitedly asked her if she want to check it out with her. When she did not respond she asked her again. She was so excited that she did not notice that her companion's mind is actually somewhere else.
She followed the line of sight her friend was previously on. That's when the she saw that Natsu was descending down the stairs and looks dejected. Then she decided to cut her off. "Lu-chan, is something the matter?"
"W-what do you mean Levy-chan?" she stuttered.
"Hmm, I asked you if you want to go to book café with me."
"S-sorry Levy, I might have misheard you. E-everything is perfect," she is laughing while saying that, sweat is dripping on her face. Acting up and directly lying are two different things for her. She may be a bit of a good actor as per her own assessment but she sucked at telling lies.
Gajeel grimaced at her over the top acting.
She is looking at her earnestly. She was acting a bit strange since earlier when she was talking to Cana. Usually she will be shouting at them aggressively telling them to shut up. She noticed her wary glances around the room. She was about to speak up and interrogate her friend when Gajeel stoop up, held her arm and pulled her towards the door. "What are you doing Gajeel? Let go," she commanded.
"We are going to that café now." Gajeel caught the back of her shirt dragging her away.
"You brute! But I am going with Lu-chan," she said squirming from Gajeel's hold. She got free from his hold and run back to where the blonde is seated.
"Lu-chan, Gajeel is kidnapping me, please help me," she hugged her faking her tears. "Let's go together Lu-chan."
"You go Levy. Bring Gajeel and Lily with you," she apologetically smiled. She had to decline; Levy is too cheerful today that she can't keep up.
"You heard her Shrimp. You need to treat me their day special menu. Gihi." Gajeel looked at Lily while Lily shakes his head. "I guess I will hang around the guild for a while," he said while munching at his kiwis.
"You are so eager because you like their food so much, baka!," Levy hit his head with her book.
"See you around Lu-chan, Lily!" she walks beside Gajeel as they exited the door. "But I really want to hang around with Lu-chan" she said pouting, muttering to herself.
…..
"You barely touched your food. Are you gonna eat that?" Lily pointed at her food.
She is toying her food with her fork when she heard Lily talks. She does not really have an appetite right now but she doesn't want to put such a good food into waste. "Did you already eat Lily? Do you want to have some?" she asked the exceed, maybe she can give it to him. Lily just nodded on her first question and shakes his head on the second. She sighed and uttered, "hmm what a waste."
Lily saw she stops toying at her food and just looks at it with her sad eyes. She sighed while looking at the food and he can see her eyes started to brighten with the unshed tears. 'Tears?!' he panicked. 'Did he make her depressed by declining?' Before he can do anything, the girl shook her head slightly, took a deep breath and plastered a smile on her face again. When Gajeel said yesterday to look out for the celestial mage at the guild, he paid him no mind and just shrugged at it. Now he is starting to get curious. Then he heard Happy shouted at the nearby table. "Oh, Lushi is here?" he shouted excitedly when he noticed that the girl is just seated where Gajeel and Levy had been.
"I miss you Lushi," he flew from their group with tears in his eyes. He was so excited to see her again. She was startled when a soft blue ball crashed her chest and realized it was Happy who was hugging her. Lucy pets his head gently, smiling at him. This cat can be as cute sometimes as he can be annoying most of the time.
Then Happy looked up at her and stared at her with his curious eyes. He ought to remember something but forget what it is that he supposed to remember. He made a gesture of thinking, then clutched his head. 'What is it? Is it fish? No! Something about fish? Fish is yummy. Raw fish is the best' he is going crazy. 'What is it? What is it?'
"Are you okay Happy?" Lucy asked him, concerned with the blue exceed. "Have you eaten? Would you like to have this?" she offered him her food.
The blue exceed's eyes instantly twinkled and his mouth watered. He looked at her hesitantly and said, "But it is grilled Lushi." He said looking at the poor salmon on her plate. "And is sure yummy," she coaxed. "Itadakimasu!" Happy happily chomped down the food. Lucy chuckled at the excitement of the blue exceed.
She turned her attention to Lily. "Why didn't you go with them Lily?" she asked curiously. For which he answered, "I don't do third wheeling. I object to be the witness of their incessant flirting."
"Oh, you're quite adorable and cute," she said smiling and petting the head of the black exceed.
He was never told adorable and cute in his entire life and so he blushed. He can see why this girl is surrounded by many people; she has a way with people's heart. Quite captivating to be honest. Lily nodded his head while thinking about it.
"He is not. I am," Happy said when he finished eating. Jealous of the black exceed. "Don't say weird things Lushy," he said arms crossed, opposed from what the girl said.
"Don't be like that Happy. You both are, okay?" Happy snorted at her. Lily shook his head muttering 'childish' under his breath.
…..
"Lucy," Erza called from another table. "Come join us here." She hesitated for a brief moment but what choice does she have? She nodded at the red-head girl. Erza, Juvia and Gray are seated together while Natsu, Cobra and Jellal are seated on the opposite side.
"Happy, Lily, let's go at their table," she said picking up the empty plate with her. "Aye sir" Happy agreed happily and Lily just nodded. She greeted everyone in the table as cheerfully as she can and sat beside Erza. If she has a choice, she will seat beside Jellal to avoid facing Natsu directly. The two exceeds settled at the table.
Natsu looked at her just for the briefest moment. Everyone is engaged in who knows what conversation they are talking about while she just sat there listening, sometimes giving her opinion if she was asked to and sometimes her mind is wandering somewhere else.
Erza gets up and in the act of leaving the table when Gray asked her what she is planning to do.
"It's been a while let's go on a mission. I will look for a suitable one so we can leave by tomorrow morning," Erza answered. She secretly panicked. She is still not suitable in taking another job, she can barely move her right arm due to her injured shoulder.
"Ahm, Erza, I am planning to take a week's off if it is okay with you?" she finally has the courage to say it.
"But isn't your rent due soon?" Gray asked her, concerned.
Yes her rent is due three days from now but maybe she can talk with her landlady to give her an extension.
"Love rival!" Juvia was seething on her seat. Her Gray-sama is being too affectionate with her love rival. She doesn't like it a bit.
"Why, Lucy? Do you have any plans?" Erza pressed on the matter.
"Ano - ," at her panic, she grabbed both of the exceeds necks and started petting their heads harshly. She heard someone shouted 'ACK' when she grabbed their necks but dismissed it immediately. Everyone's eyes are looking at her expectantly waiting for her to say something. 'What should I tell them? I have my period? I am sick? I am dying? Damn Lucy you are terrible at lying? Think, think fast!' she thought. "Ano - , ano-, I-I amplanningtovisitmyparentsgraves," she blurted. That is a lie but since she thought about it, she plans on doing it now. 'Sorry Mama, sorry Papa."
"Yeah, I am planning to visit their graves and I might be away for a week, maybe visit the old mansion too" she said after gaining confidence at her words.
Her team may have accepted her explanation and finally dismissed the matter.
Cobra chuckled just beside Jellal for which the other man noticed. "What is so amusing Eric?" he inquired in a barely audible voice making sure that others won't hear it. Though, he barely talked, he noticed that Cobra was really entertained since the moment they arrive. He knew that the poison dragon slayer has taken a liking on the sounds of the guild. "She is," he said while looking at the distressed blonde girl opposite them. He followed his line of sight and saw Lucy.
'You better behave yourself Eric,' Jellal threatened him on his mind. He knew that the guy has already taken his liking with Kinana but what is his business with Lucy?
"Relax Jellal I am just in for some entertainment," he smirked at the guy.
'Don't involve Lucy in your entertainment,' he warned him on his thought.
"What do you expect, I am a bad guy after all," he whispered to Jellal. Cobra smirked and taunted the guy any further. Sometimes he just wanted to mess with their leader out for his own entertainment.
Everyone was startled when Natsu jumped at the table angrily and shouted, "Gray, your face annoys me. Let's fight!"
"Oi Natsu -," before Gray can say anything he has been dragged away from the table by the seething Natsu and they have started a brawl.
He released his pent up frustrations and anger with the ice bastard. Cobra has been leering to Lucy too much for his liking. He has a very good hearing and since he is just seated beside Cobra, he can hear everything that transpired between the two male mages. He knew Jellal has been talking on his mind after his initial statement, as he kept getting a response from Cobra. He knew that they are talking about Lucy as both of them kept looking at her and Cobra said she is amusing. He doesn't like his words at all. And it doesn't help that he can feel this burning sensation again all over his body. So in his anger, he saw the fucking exhibitionist and it greatly annoys him even more.
"Ice Princess, this is for being fucking annoyingly ugly for no reason," he shouted, his fists are on fire as it landed on Gray's face. "You are one to talk, Flametard!" Gray's fists encased on ice, landed on Natsu's face. "Go Gray-sama, Juvia is cheering for you!"
Cobra chuckled once again on his seat. 'I can't help it. I can hear it all.'
…..
Erza asked Jellal to follow her at the training grounds at the back of the guild so they can talk privately. But before he left, Jellal gave Cobra a threatening look and warned him to behave. Cobra just smiled at him mischievously.
Lucy, Cobra, and along with the exceeds were left on their table.
"You are aware that I can read souls and hear the thoughts of everyone around here, aren't you?" Cobra questioned her but it is more stating a fact rather than a question.
"Aye, I remembered, I and Natsu had a hard time beating you before," it was Happy who answered the dragon slayer.
Cobra just ignored the cat and added, "Your soul is so bright that it hurts my eyes, dancing around in a myriad of colors."
"Wow! That is so cool Lushi. How about me Cobra?" Happy excitedly asked the man.
"You don't have a soul cat," Cobra picked on Happy.
Happy stared at him flabbergasted. 'I don't have a soul? Don't exceeds have a soul?' Then he cried and run at Lucy's chest. "Lushi, Cobra is picking on me." Cobra laughed heartily. "I am just playing at you cat. Your soul looks like a fish maybe because you love it so much. Just be careful you may turn into one by eating it too much." 'This cat is fun to mess around,' so he thought. And so Happy cried even more.
She felt dreadful and horrified. She actually forgot about that. Her eyes widen in shock as she stared at the dragon slayer. So he can hear what I am thinking? So probably he knows… And the memories flashed back at her. She is so pathetic and a sorry excuse for a human being…
"Stop, Lucy! Yes I can hear you. Sorry, that's a bit shocking revelation, should we just tell it to the poor guy?" his tone now changes into a thoughtful one.
"No!" she shouted abruptly for which she earned a curious glance to those who have heard her. "I am not your business," she said in a hushed tone. 'Did I just reveal myself? Stupid Lucy!'
"Actually by thinking about it, you gave me the glimpse on it. I was just curious earlier why you are acting the way you are acting. I'm sorry Lucy," he sincerely apologized with the girl in front of her.
He was just messing at her at first. However, he was shocked in where her train of thoughts were heading. He needed to stop her thoughts as it becoming depressing. He didn't know… Sometimes, he feels like his magic is a curse. And that time is absolutely now. He knows more secrets than a normal human being can handle.
"I don't need your pity." Lucy stated venomously.
Meanwhile, Lily was just a silent spectator on everything that has been going on. And he concluded that something is definitely going on with Lucy and the man in front of them found out about it. He will definitely ask Gajeel, surely he knows something too.
…..
It is quite exhausting just keeping up this façade. So she retreated at the guild's library when the brawl ensued, taking her escape from everyone. She chose to curl up in a chair just beside the tall window at the far end of the library. She slightly moved the curtain so as to stare at the overlooking river outside. She is cuddling Plue on top of her knees.
Why does she feel so exhausted? Why did she even go to the guild? She doesn't like to be around with people right now. She wants to be alone. She loves her nakama but now they annoy her. She just likes this silence. Thinking nothing. Staring at nothing. Is it what it's like to be depressed? Is there something wrong with her? These are all her thoughts. Her mind is like in a roller coaster ride. Her thoughts are disorganized.
She heard someone entered the library but did not bother to look at it. She will just pretend that she did not hear anything. Except that the person is quietly approaching her.
"You're here." No reply.
"What are you doing here?" No reply.
"What are you thinking?"
"Nothing at all," she replied not looking at her intruder.
The man took the available chair just across from her and stared at the blonde. Examining her, her eyes full of sorrow that just by looking at it makes his heart ache.
"Can we talk?" she finally looks at him and said, "I want to be alone."
…..