Disclaimer: I claim no ownership over 'Fairy Tail' nor am I profiting from this.
Thank you so much for favorting, following, reading, and reviewing! I almost cried while writing this chapter and would love some reviews, especially since this chapter is heavy.
Mira isn't a stranger to living in the spotlight, given that reporters shove microphones and cameras in her face for Sorcerer Weekly. Their attention is generally positive, though: ask a couple questions, sign the magazine, and take a photo together.
Right now, she would give anything for someone to shut the spotlight off and ignore her.
It seems that everyone knows, she, Mirajane Strauss has a brother sitting in jail for kidnapping that Heartfilia girl. She attempts rushing home because this must be some mistake and he really didn't kidnap her. It only earns her sunburnt skin and a twisted ankle.
"Porlyusica," she calls and pounds on the door. "I know the policy regarding visitors. I need help, though."
Mira will learn to heal and keep everyone away for the next three months. She can up the deal into three years should that be what Porlyusica chooses. Just slather her skin with a salve, tape some ice to her ankles, and send her home to correct this. There's a frustrated grumble and then she's yanking the door open.
"Hurry inside, girl," she says. "I've heard the rumors along with everyone else in Fiore."
Porlyusica moves her around with no friendliness or warmth, her touch clinical and cool. She does not attempt rushing through her work, though, something which Mira cannot decide whether she's grateful for or not.
Desperate, she searches for something to focus on while she moves back and forth between cabinets, grabbing bottles, and mumbling under her breath.
"I probably shouldn't ask," she murmurs. "What're people saying? Do you know?"
"A rumor can only cause confusion, trouble, and turmoil," she grumbles. "I already don't have a use for humans, and rumors simply strengthen that resolve. You needn't be concerned with rumors, be concerned with the truth."
Rumors are far more fun than knowing the truth, though, right? Everyone adds changes, twists, and dramatizes their own version for the mill with the reminder: it didn't come from me. Fun ceases with the tame or not-so-tame truth. Mira scoffs and hunches forward. Her hair is dirty and tangled enough that she can hide behind it for a cry. But her brother would scold her for not being a man and facing her troubles.
"No one cares about the truth," she whispers. "My brother is sitting in jail. I know Elfman and he's withholding every emotion possible because he's a real man and no one will see him break. It will be ruined, though…once someone comes along and tries taking Lucy from his arms or unpeels her from his leg."
"Whether people care doesn't matter." Porlyusica sighs. "I cannot carry this weight anymore, and you deserve to know the truth."
Mira raises her chin and peers through her hair. Burrs and leaves weave her tangles together, and she is now hyperaware just how terrible it smells. Porlyusica dumps something into a bowl and sprinkles some bitter smelling herbs atop it.
"It must sit before application," she announces. "I am not attempting to just unburden myself by sharing this. I would've preferred it remain secret, but it seems appropriate that people know."
"I'd like to hear everything." Mira swallows dryly. "I need to hear everything."
"I do not lack sympathy," she says. "Lisanna's passing was difficult on everyone, especially on him and I realized that. Upon discovering he moved into the wild with intentions to develop a better grip on his magic, I prepared for any injuries he caused himself or others. It seemed that he was truly developing a hold over his magic and wouldn't need any assistance."
"His injuries were barely healed," she whispers shakily. " I got into a giant fight with him about not going."
"Layla Heartfilia intended on visiting her old guild, Love, and Lucky with her daughter. Her, husband, Jude Heartfilia was still building his business and couldn't leave. Layla was a highly skilled celestial wizard and accompanied with multiple guards. However, the weather took a turn and their carriage was attacked by some members from Phantom Lord Guild. I believe their intentions were killing the guards and taking Layla and Lucy for ransom."
A celestial wizard. Little stick figures with ruined faces. Mira shivers and presses her knuckles against her knees.
"Every guard was slaughtered by the time he arrived there," she sighs. "Layla Heartfilia attempted fighting, but her focus was primarily on keeping her daughter stashed away from the fighting. I would've examined her, but he couldn't carry two bodies and she would've preferred her daughter to be taken."
"How did he find them?"
"No one can disguise deaths stink." Porlyusica shakes her head. "I asked and pressed but he wouldn't reveal what happened to the members from Phantom Lord. I believe in his takeover form he must've lost control and murdered them. I opened the door and discovered him soaked in blood, crying, and begging for help while a little girl wailed in his arms. It was an obviously traumatic situation for everyone involved, and what he asked and what I did? It is forbidden."
Porlyusica suddenly appears much older. Her shoulders slump and she breathes a long slow sigh. Her eyes are glazed and far away when she speaks.
"I wiped the incident from their memories," she whispers. "I didn't touch her memories with her father and mother or her other memories. I never touched those, but it is a powerful magic. A little girl has no hopes of defending her memories against such a magic. Her previous life became fuzzy and some things were lost completely."
"What happened next?"
"I don't know." Her lips twitch into an almost smile. "I woke and they were gone. It was not even a week following their treatment was the news published: Layla Heartfilia found dead and her daughter is missing. Jude Heartfilia is offering a reward and Phantom Lord would murder anyone withholding information. I might hate humans, but I still have an obligation to my patients in keeping their privacy."
"You just broke that rule," Mira says dryly. "You shattered it actually."
"Be concerned with the truth, Mirajane Strauss."
"No one will believe it; everyone will just see it as some new rumor," she warns. "Everyone will just take it and make their own version."
"People might view it as a rumor." Porlyusica nods. "I am willing to write my statement, though. I am going to send you home with something, which must be given to Elfman and Lucy as soon as possible. It will restore their memories, but it will be a long and highly unpleasant process for everyone involved."
"Porlyusica…" Mira watches her move around with a renewed energy. "I hope you realize what outing this deed means."
"It has implications for us both, girl. No matter how grateful Jude Heartfilia might be his daughter was saved, he wants her back."
"I know."