Reviews are Nice; The pairings are NOT decided yet. I get people like Vander/Lucy, I like them too, they're adorable when she's sassy and keeps up with him, but...I really don't know if they will get together or if it will be a friendship...or how far this darkness is going to go.

I don't own Fairy Tail. Mashima Does.

I don't own the Pradesh Clan. Desna does (and thank you for them).

I own the Storyline. That's it.

as it is Yule, I am giving an update (there will be a special update either Christmas Eve or Christmas)

Also note that I do have more writing over on AO3

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Lucy smiled as she stretched, "okay, we'll see you guys in Crocus for the GMG."

Kaleb rolled his eyes, he could almost hear the buzzing excitement. The small group was going to Stella for the Summer Solstice and even Emzadi had gotten back in time. "Behave." He pointedly looked at Vander.

The shadowquip held up his hands and grinned, "i'm gonna be the only one not magic drunk, thank you. I'm going to have to be on my best behavior."

"..that's a frightening thought," Farron shook his head and then made sure all of the bags were settled properly, "You remember the greetings?"

Lucy groaned, "yes, we went over it for the last few months…" her voice trailed into a whine.

Hestor snorted softly, "we'll be fine, and back before you know it."

Farron sighed as he looked at Lucy and gave her a light kiss, "behave, remember everything we went over."

Lucy grinned into the kiss and nodded, "alright, we will." she grabbed the bag of items that they were taking as gifts to their hosts and bounced up the boarding platform.

"Promise!" Farron called after her and snorted softly as she didn't look back, "...was worth a shot."

Kaleb arched an eyebrow, "Very small one, the little cackling thing is back in her head."

The two stood, watching the group of six mages get onto the airship and then waited until it pulled out of the airdock. Kaleb shook his head, "they've got a day there, a day to rest, the solstice, and then eight days to get to Crocus...so...they won't have more than a few days free time."

Farron nodded a bit, "hopefully, they will get the information they need, at least to start things."

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Lucy let out a squeal not shortly after they got past the border, each of the mages save for Vander feeling the power in the air, though Emzadi not as much as the others. Lucy was at the railing as the ship veered towards a major city, looking out with dancing eyes and pointing, "Look...can you see it?!"

Hestor grinned as he leaned against the railing next to her, "it's not that heavy….but...it looks like there's almost a bit of dust in the air…"

Cristoff smirked, "Stardust."

"It's beautiful!" Lucy bounced a bit, "look! The pale dusty golden color of the buildings! Look at those white ones!"

The Lunar dragon slayer grinned as they landed and the group was off faster than anyone else, Vander sighing as he trailed after the giggly and flirty group, "...heavens help us, i'm the responsible one."

There was dust in the air, golden, silver and sparkling all around them and he wondered what Lucy and Cris were looking at before Lucy let out a squeal, "It's moonstone! It's light orange moonstone, Cris!"

He watched as the two seemed far too happy at this small realization and glanced to Emzadi, who looked like she was prowling for a good time. Hestor seemed more reserved, but Vander could see the man watching Lucy and then around them, the magic drunkenness actually seeming to make him more protective at the moment. Vander sighed at the same time as the male Celestial mage as Lucy let out a squeal and drug Cris off behind her saying something about a 'fountain'.

"...is this what they felt like when I went somewhere with them?" Vander shook his head as he gently caught Emi's arm and lead her along with him after the two, "Come on, we can't let them out of sight, and hopefully we can get to our destination soon enough."

Emzadi let out a small pout as they walked, "But...there were some guys that looked good back there…"

"We have to keep up with Cris and Lucy, so they don't get lost," Vander smiled, "we can find someone later, alright?"

Zen sighed as he ran a hand down his face, picking Lucy up by the waist as she leaned too far over the large pearl, almost see through Fountain, "...this is going to be a long trip…"

Vander arched an eyebrow, "you're not that affected?"

"Extremely," He looked at Vander as he held the squirming blonde, "but...the bond makes it so that my need to protect her overrides the urges." he turned and smiled, "Look, Lucy...jewelry." He set her down and watched her drag Cris along, letting out a sigh, "...very long trip."

Lucy was giggling and looking at each of the cut stone pieces, eyes dancing before she was lead a bit into the shop.

Emzadi smacked Vander away and stared at the four men, "Stay out here." Then she followed after Lucy, the door to the shop closing.

"I feel we just made a very big mistake…" Hestor blinked slowly as he stood there.

"It's women and shopping, man...it's always a mistake," Vander crossed his arms on his chest and tapped his foot, "all we can do is wait."

It was nearly half an hour when the two came back out, both having changed clothes. The outfits were the same style cheongsam, but in different colors. Emzadi's was a brilliant red and gold mix, while Lucy's was a pale gold and silver. The two women grinned at the men before they started down the road. The four men could hear chiming sounds and realized that both women had delicate anklets on that were belled as well as bracelets.

Hestor stood there for a moment, "...worth the waiting."

Zen nodded as he trailed after the two, "it most definitely was…"

Vander let out a low growl as he grinned, "shit...legs for miles." he then rolled his eyes as Cris was right there, an arm around both women's' waists as they walked. "Dammit, Cris…"

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Lucy blinked owlishly at the group that greeted them, all of them had dark hair with blonde (or graying blonde in the case of older members) and various colored eyes that were just...starburst through with gold, "oh...wow…"

A woman in a red and gold cheongsam stepped forward, bowing, "We welcome you, Lady Heartfilia and Party to the humble Xing Household…"

Lucy twitched as she bowed back, then smiled as she stood, "it's a pleasure to be here, Lady Xing."

The woman smiled warmly, "please, Lady Hearfilia, Call me Li." she moved to gently hold out a hand to the other woman, but didn't reach to take the woman's hand, obviously alloowing her the choice, "our families once were very close, the Heartfilias allowing the Xing Family to escape Fiore when the dragons started destroying things, I would like to rekindle those bonds."

The blonde woman blinked slowly, "wait...what?"

Li looked to the side and a young boy came over, holding a large book. Li took it and held it out to Lucy, "this is our Family history, I gift it to you, Lady Heartfilia."

Lucy blushed, "just...Lucy, please."

Li gave the woman a small smile and nodded, "of course, Lady Lucy." She watched as the other woman took the book and held it to her chest, "why don't we show you to your rooms?"

"Oh, that'd be nice," Lucy grinned broadly, "we should probably get settled in for the next few days."

Li lead them through the large manor, "we've put you in a guest suite, it has four bedrooms and a connected common room. So there should be more than enough comfortable space for everyone."

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Hestor stood on the balcony off the common room, eyes scanning what he could see in the late evening. There were lanterns lit on the streets of the town below and he pursed his lips in thought. Something just seemed odd to him. Stella was a country of harsh contrasts, like the clothes made of beautiful silk and fur, pants made of leather and silk. It was a country devoted to the heavens as a whole and their gods reflected that.

Mehturt, Ra and Set were the three major Gods within the region. The Stars, The Sun and The Great Chaotic Void. Each had their own celebrations and then there were the minor gods within the pantheon themselves. Very few interested him, save for the one that was dedicated to Ammitt. He was not going to admit that he had been over the moon at the keys when he'd found them and needing only one to complete the set and draw upon the power of the Soul Devourer was hefty.

He leaned against the railing and looked up at the sky, he'd grown up near the coast close to the border of Bosco and Stella, often taking small trips into the other country...to visit the southern temples of Ammit and Bast and he smiled fondly as he recalled his mother always speaking of the two gods while his father indulged her with a warm and fond smile. His hair and eyes had come from his mother, while the rest of his features had come from his father.

He didn't know much about that side of the family, his mother never really talked about it and she always wore hoods and veils when they'd go on those trips. He'd been six when he'd found the first of the Keys of the Sisters of Ammit and over the next five years, he'd found three more. He was still looking for the keys to the Brothers of Ma'at and the last Sister, but he wasn't sure where they could be. His lips drew into a thin line and he slowly let his keys out of requip space, holding the four keys and letting his fingers curl along the blackened surfaces, thinking as he did so.

His eyes traveled down to the courtyard and he saw Xaio looking up at him. The two watched one another and his own eyes narrowed slightly as the Xing male waved with a small smirk on his lips. The man was creepy in Hestor's mind and he couldn't put his finger on it. There was just something about the man that drove him to want to wrap his fingers around that delicate looking neck and slowly squeeze the life out of him.

He'd watched the man the past few days they'd been here and he noticed that both he and his sister were watching Lucy and Zen with an almost predatory look from time to time. As far as he was concerned, they were a threat. He knew the Archangel could take care of himself, and he didn't doubt that Lucy could as well, but she still had that beautiful light from inside that he himself didn't want to go out.

All he knew was that if this family threatened Lucy in any way, he'd enact the old words that his mother once told him. He'd found the person that he wanted to protect and knew that if he got the last key, he would readily use them to open the gates to the Hall of Two Truths, if he could find the four Keys of Ma'at as well? He would be able to weigh the heart of those he took there, letting the Sisters devour the souls or set them free.

"Once, long ago, the temples of Ammit, Ma'at and Anubus were the home to great Seith mages and Celestial Summoners, my little one, those judged, either in death or as punishment had two fates: destruction or becoming the Souls that served and worked with the Seith."

His mother's voice always reminded him that while the keys he had were dark, their purpose, centuries ago, had been to judge criminals. It was a darkness that had become necessary to their being and those that were found worthy to hold their keys.

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The festival was amazingly busy, the two women were bouncing around, laughing and dancing. Cristoff right with them and Zen and Vander trying to do as much "damage control" as they could when it came to two Magic Drunk Dragon Slayers and a Magic Drunk Celestial Mage. Hestor knew he wasn't much better, but he'd been edgy since the previous night. He scanned the crowd, watching them quietly as he trailed behind the group. Emzadi was buzzing, the red fur trimmed Cheongsam twirling around her as she danced with one of the men in the crowd and Sunstone jewelry sparkling brightly in the sun and just making the dragon slayer glow.

There were people giving Praises to Ra and many were calling Emzadi the Daughter of Ra, which, Hestor mused, was rather fitting. The Solar Dragon Slayer embodied the Sun in all of its properties. He had truly expected this to be a bit more somber, overall, given it was Stella, but it seemed like the city that housed the three temples truly used the seasonal change days as a way to bring happiness, joy and relaxation to the people.

Lucy smiled as she sat down next to Hestor, letting out a breath as Cris stayed closer to Emi and Vander, she knew, was prowling and watching for any dangers. "You're rather withdrawn."

Hestor looked over at the silver and gold fur and silk clad woman, bringing a hand up and gently tucking a bit of lucy's hair back, "Paranoia, nothing more."

She nuzzled against his hand gently, "mm, just relax into the magic, Hes, it'll help."

Zen snorted as he sat on her other side and held out a small tray with two drinks, "or perhaps it's best to keep on guard."

Lucy pouted as she took one of the drinks and slowly sipped it, eyes slowly sliding shut as she let out a mewl, "mmm, strawberry…"

Zen smiled softly as he looked at Lucy and nodded, "You like strawberry, so that's what you got."

Hestor snorted softly and took the other, slowly sipping it and wriggling his nose just slightly, "the carbonation's...interesting…"

The man went to speak again when he saw silvery blonde hair in the crowd and pursed his lips, he wanted to go and talk to the person, the hair color hardly typical for Stella but brushed it off. Now was not the time because there was too much going on. Perhaps later, when there wasn't some sort of perceived danger in his mind. He looked back to the other two, rolling his eyes at the concerned look on Lucy's face, "oh, stop."

Lucy giggled at him and poked his side, "nerp, you're looking spooked."

"I am not spooked , barnacle ," Hestor stared down at Lucy, features going impassive other than a scowl on his lips.

Zen smirked a bit as he watched the two talk. As much as the darkness within Hestor bothered him, when the man was talking to Lucy, it seemed to tuck itself away and let the light a typical Celestial Mage was supposed to have shine through. It wasn't as bright as Lucy's, but it was a warmth where there was a typical dark iciness. It was also a bit amusing that he was lying to the woman about his state. Zen wasn't exactly sure what had the man edgy, but it wasn't his place to even bother, it was Lucy's.

"You paled," Lucy blinked owlishly as she looked around, "I'm worried...mostly want to go dance, but worried."

Hestor shook his head and sipped his drink, "you just got done dancing, Emzadi and Cristoff dancing for so long is because they're Dragon Slayers."

"And Van?" Lucy shot back, arching an eyebrow.

"That's just Vander," Hestor smiled faintly, "so enough. Rest to regain your stamina."

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Good byes had been met with bags and boxes full of presents, the group trying to at least leave some of it, but the Xing family was having none of it. Each person had five outfits and plenty of special jewelry and accessories. They were all fairly glad to get out of Stella, the constant buzz finally wearing off and Vander trying to not laugh in humor as he watched Emi and Cris cuddling on the floor, Hestor draped off a chair and his head falling back while snoring softly and Lucy flat out drooling over Zen's shoulder as the Archangel's eye twitched, but he didn't look as bad off.

Vander smirked as he leaned against the back of the couch, "Just think...we get to go back there in the early months of next year, for their Lunar New Year."

"...they're going to be worse, aren't they?" The amethyst eyes looked at Vander and he scowled slightly.

Vander made a face, "I'd almost wager they and you will be, full moon, means Cris will be hyper aware, magic drunk and then add in moon drunk? it's a literal festival of the cycles of the moon and stars…" he snorted, "you should be worse."

Zen shook his head, "I'm hoping this bond that I have with lucy will keep it at bay, it did a fairly decent job because…"

The Shadowquip chuckled, "Because she was constantly running off which could have been trouble."

"Hn," Zen grunted as he sat there and looked around at the group, "Though...if this is how they are going to be after, it will be quiet flights both times."

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Li sat at a window, watching the airship take off, "That man, he's part of the branch family, isn't he?"

Xaio arched an eyebrow, "why do you say that?"

The woman slowly looked over at her brother, "it was a trait, the main house is golden and bright, the branch house in the south was paler, more silvery blonde." She tilted her head, "and the high priestess disappeared about twenty five years ago."

She didn't look towards the door as it opened, "Yes?"

"He visibly responded to the branch house member, Madame," came a soft feminine voice.

Li looked at her brother smugly, "he at least knows them." she paused, "Find out more about this Hestor Kedanza. His family, his connections. Everything."

"As Madame wishes."

Xaio snorted softly, "my, you've taken an interest."

"Did you not feel the darkness that came from him?" Li arched an eyebrow, "There's only a few things that do that while keeping the brightness of the soul...and I'd wager...it's keys. We know he's a Celestial Summoner…."

Xiao gave a small nod, "Indeed. It is too bad that we do not know if he is part of the branch family…" His lips quirked, "we could have...well…" He shrugged.

"Arranged it so that Lady Heartfilia may have gotten much closer, if that would have been the case," Her eyes danced, "and perhaps manipulated it so that she would let him bond to the archangel."

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A/N: Creepy One and Two Showed up...and that was it for the chapter. I'd debated on adding more about them getting to the GMG, but this chapter added a lot of background to Hestor...and another twist...and well, Creepy one and Creepy two. we'll leave it at that.