Disclaimer: I claim no ownership over 'Fairy Tail' nor am I profiting from this.
I am bak! I have been through an emotional and mental wringer, but things are getting much better. Thank you so much for being patient and enjoying this series.
Mira doesn't appear grouchy or even that surprised when Lucy digs her fingers into her eyelids.
"I won't go back to sleep," she promises, batting her hands away. "I just need a minute."
She's just snuggled back into the mattress when her stomach unleashes a loud grumble. Her smile is defeated as she tosses the blankets back, rising with a small groan.
"I'm up for real now," she says. "I'll change and get breakfast ready. Does that sound like a deal?"
Lucy accepts her offer with a quick nod and semi-apologetic pat on her eyelids before dashing from the room. Her stomach continues growling and whining but she moves slowly through her morning routine.
Her brother isn't causing their apartment to vibrate with his snores or stomping around, ignorant to how heavy his footsteps are. Lucy isn't crying or screaming. Her face is losing its puffiness and she's willing to interact again.
"I should've known he would run." She steps into her closet, searching until she spots her sister's clothing, folded into tight squares. "He's not doing this to avoid consequences or hurt anyone. He might feel like a coward for running, but he's not that either. People might think he's just some simpleton only interested in fighting, but he's not."
Lisanna's clothes don't respond. Dust isn't disturbed. Wrinkles don't form. A spider doesn't leap towards her, some sign that her sister is listening.
"I know he's much smarter than people believe. I know how much he cares for every living creature including the ones others wish would disappear. I know he wants to fix this without hurting anyone, but he knows that's not possible…"
Her ears hunch towards her shoulders. It's no worse than other times he's run off. He's going to come back but rushing him will just further the distance between them. For now, she can turn her focus onto making breakfast and keeping this calm environment.
Mira manages peace despite her cold coffee and convincing Lucy her syrupy hands must be wiped down unless she wants ants to steal her. Wiping her hands takes extra patience as she twists around, determined to find some sticky puddles on the table.
"How does one person get so sticky?" Mira groans. "Growing up, I struggled with getting my brother and sister to wash their hands. I did finally manage it with some help. During the summer, ants enjoy living in our house, especially living in sticky and unwashed things. I warned them: wash up and quit being sticky or the ants will take you away."
It's a comforting memory for her, evokes genuine panic from Lucy, something which both amuses her and makes her feel just the tiniest bit guilty.
"Don't worry," she hurriedly tacks on. "Ants don't take children. I was just teasing them, hoping it would make them listen."
Her fear slowly dissolves back into post-pancake sleepiness, furthered with every gentle wipe that removes another sticky layer. Finally, she backs away, satisfied with her handiwork.
"I'll leave you alone now," she promises. "Now, how does some coloring sound?"
Lucy manages five drawings before her inevitable sugar crash, drooling on the couch arm and clutching crayons in a fist. Mira forgoes cleaning around her, tiptoeing back to the kitchen for some cold coffee when the quick tentative knock comes. It's not enough to stir the little girl from her slumber but is more than enough to make her hurry for the door.
Glancing through the peephole brings fresh emotions. Hesitation and nerves leap around in her stomach, rolling over the blossoming hope. Freed couldn't appear broken down did he try. Levys smiling, but it's not quite as bright as it should be. Her brother hovers behind them, clothes and skin caked in filth, looking utterly defeated by the world. Welcoming them inside doesnt make much difference in his expression either.
"I've already eaten breakfast," he promises before she can attack with maternal concern. "I already know the updates, but let's go over them again."
Mira watches him guide freed toward the kitchen, offering drinks that he probably won't touch.
"I don't know where he went last night, but anyone can guess," Levy says quietly. "Master Makarov discovered him outside the guildhall this morning and convinced him to have some breakfast before anyone else showed up. Once he learned that we had updates, he rushed to catch up with us."
"Is it a positive update?"
Levy's mouth becomes a thin line. Whatever update she has remains a secret despite her best death glare. Everyone refuses to disclose any information until drinks are spread, sure to go untouched.
For a long beat, nobody seems to even breathe. Her stomach curls, anxiety rises up in her chest. Freed leans forward and her nerves swell despite his expression remaining neutral.
"We've exhausted ourselves searching for a legal loophole," he warns. "I offer my sincerest apologies, Mira, but he still faces legal troubles. Master Makarov received a letter from a man claiming to be Jude Heartfilia, her father. Mister Heartfilia says he's willing to reimburse everyone for their time and will discuss things further once he arrives."
"Do you have the letter?"
Levy's expression becomes pitying. Everyone can see, hear, feel her desperation now.
"I don't recommend worrying over a Letter right now," Freed warns cooly. "I recommend emotionally separating from the girl while you can."