My greatest apologies for the increasing stretches of time between updates; I have end of semester exams this week and I only just felt inspired.
Enjoy!
Much thanks to Nalulover, MegustaZeref, and TheFairyElf for reviews.
Lucy sat stiffly on the bar stool presented to her, trying, but failing miserably, to ignore the curious stares that she and Levy received as they were marched into the Fairy Tail guild house. She glanced at Natsu who had thrown himself on the stool beside her so that she was trapped between him and Levy.
He looked at her after dropping his head onto the smooth, varnished counter with a soft thud. Lucy shuddered, then glanced away to avoid his gloating, dark eyes only to find the bartender smiling at her gently. She smiled back awkwardly, fidgeting under the combined scrutiny of the previously rowdy hall that now sounded in whispers after her and Levy's entrance.
"Hello," said the bartender, her voice soft and delicate, much like her physical appearance. Her eyes were a deep, almost melancholic, blue, which were complimented with smooth, white hair that ended mid-back. Her dress that was partially covered by a pristine apron added to her soft, doll-like appearance.
Still Lucy refused to relax; she couldn't be fooled by appearances.
"Hi," she replied, her wariness dripping from her voice. Levy chose to remain silent.
The bartender's smile did not waver, however her eyes flashed dangerously as they dropped on Natsu for half a second.
"I'm Mirajane, but I'm called Mira most of the times. Would you like anything? As you can see I work the bar here." She let out a little laugh that sounded a tiny bit sinister and out of place. Natsu shivered.
Lucy's frown loosened for a moment. She opened her mouth to answer but was interrupted by the arrival of a small old man. He descended the stairs that led to the second floor of the guild house. He was quite short and sported a rather queer hair style and moustache.
Lucy chose this moment to quietly observe her surroundings, scanning for an opening if there was need for her and Levy to escape.
The dauntingly huge entrance doors led to a large, spacious mess hall that was well furnished with benches and tables. The bar was pressed to the farthest corner from the entrance and stretched a good length across, complete with stools haphazardly tucked underneath the clean counter. The other side of the bar, where Mira was standing, opened into a doorway that took a right bend where she assumed the kitchen was located.
If her guess was correct, there would be a back door from the kitchen.
She marveled at the architecture of the building, realising that the cost of building it must have been extremely high.
They probably stole from innocents to build it, Lucy thought disgustedly.
She was jolted out of her world when she realised that the old man was standing in front of her and Levy. She absentmindedly observed that he was much shorter than she originally thought.
"…want to join so I brought them," Lucy snapped out of her thoughts in time to hear Natsu speaking to the old man who was eyeing her breasts a little too much for her liking.
"Huh?" Lucy asked confusedly. She missed half of the conversation already, but was smart enough to realise that Natsu was dooming her and Levy to gang life.
Natsu shot her a glare. She wasn't supposed to speak. He wasn't actually going to let her join Fairy Tail; she reminded him too much of things he'd rather forget. He was just saving his ass by lying to Erza and would have gotten out of it eventually. But now that Lucy started opening her mouth he knew that she was digging her own grave.
"What's your name?" the old man asked with a small smile, glancing back and forth between Lucy and Levy.
Lucy inhaled, attempting to clear her head, only just realising that the guild hall had resumed its rowdiness and attention towards her and Levy had waned apart from Erza who was standing guard behind the short old man with arms crossed over her chest.
Who is he anyway? Lucy wondered.
"L-Lucy Heartfilia and Levy Mc Garden." Lucy croaked out nervously.
No, this won't do. I can't appear nervous to gang lords. They may just kill me and Levy. I have to sound enthusiastic.
She cleared her throat then plastered on a smile, "I'm Lucy and this is Levy."
The old man scratched his beard, squinted eyes twinkling.
"Do you guys really want to join Fairy Tail?" Makarov asked, voice hinting at seriousness.
Lucy swallowed. What choice did she have now? She couldn't say no, but why was Dragneel glaring at her? She shook his odd reaction away, swallowing again.
"Yes, we're sure."
Levy glanced at her uneasily, the first real response since her shock.
"Then come with me," he said seriously, ice in his voice.
Lucy's pupils dilated in fear.
Oh dear Lord! They're gonna kill us. I'm gonna die. Mama, I don't wanna die. I haven't done anything with my life yet! Noooooo, no I can't do this.
Stop it Lucy! Calm down. They won't actually hurt you. It's alright.
Lucy nodded nervously. The steps she took felt heavier by the second, almost as though she were trying to wade in sludge. Her heart thumped so loudly she was surprised it hadn't burst out yet. Levy trudged beside her, her umber eyes downcast. Guilt stabbed at Lucy violently and she wrenched her eyes away from her friend's withdrawn form.
They walked toward a door that was adjacent to the bar. Funny, Lucy thought since she hadn't realised it was there.
The door creaked open. A musky scent drifted out into her sensitive nostrils. Her hands clenched and she bit her lip.