It took some time for the effects to lessen. The Celestial mage kept her eyes closed for the remainder of the movie, still chatting with her friend next to her. The feeling was otherworldly, borderline overwhelming at times.
Remi felt euphoric and relaxed. All of her previous anxieties and insecurities washed away. Opening her eyes, Remi grinned brightly, watching the characters interact with each other on the screen. Suddenly, everything seems funnier than before.
The girls watched two more movies, the time seeming to fly by in their daze. It was towards the end of the third movie that Remi decided to finally get down to business. There was only one way to get the information quickly, and it was to speak to Melody. Hopefully her new friend would be willing to open up to her.
"So, are Dico and Rhythm roommates?" The Celestial mage decided to ask.
Melody sighed, looking down at the blanket she wrapped around her legs. "Something like that…"
Remi's brow arched at the answer she was given. "What do you mean?"
"I don't think he's slept there a day since they began the lease together." The frail woman shrugged. "He just keeps his side business in the rest of the house, and lets Rhythm stay there to make sure no one takes his stuff.
The frail woman paused, lost in thought. "The only time he's there is when he's working in that room, and all of his buddies decide to come over with him. I'm not sure where he actually sleeps."
The Celestial mage nodded. "Does Rhythm like the arrangement?"
Melody shook her head, taking a deep breath. "No, he hates it. That's why he spends so much of his time at my place. He practically lives here also."
Remi nodded in understanding. "That makes sense. It must be tough on him being in that situation."
"Rhythm isn't the biggest fan of Dico. But,he gave him a great deal on rent. One so good that he couldn't turn it down." Melody rolled her eyes, tears threatening to fall onto her cheeks. "I just hate this whole situation we've gotten ourselves into."
"What situation?" The Celestial mage questioned.
Melody jumped slightly, covering her mouth as if she shouldn't have said anything. "Uh, just the whole thing with the apartment.."
Remi could tell that her friend wasn't actually telling her what was wrong. "Yeah, having that kind of arrangement can be stressful. How often do they have visitors?"
"A couple times a day." Melody sighs. "Dico is giving me a constant supply of my medication. With his help, I've been able to keep a six month stock at home…"
"But?" The Celestial mage looked at her friend with a kind smile.
"That shit he's concocting with the remnants is deplorable." The frail woman had a look of disgust on her face. "I know it's making people sick. If I say something, I know he'll make a big deal about it and stop helping me out." Melody felt tears beginning to sting her eyes. "I've tried before and he's warned that he would 'cut me off in a heartbeat. He's doing me a favor. Don't bite the hand that feeds you' and all of that shit."
"Mel.. I'm going to ask you something, and I really want you to be honest with me." Remi gazed at her friend.
"Of course."
"Do you know where Dico got the equipment he's using?"
There was a long pause. Melody was looking at nothing in particular, just gazing into empty space as she zoned out. The Celestial Mage raised a brow, watching her friend carefully. The frail woman exhaled the breath she was holding in before she finally spoke.
"The truth is I don't. However, I do have a suspicion that he stole it from the equipment room at Royal Tree."
"Why do you suspect that?" Remi asked curiously.
"Well.." The frail woman sighed. "Rhythm got kicked out of his parents house after they found out where he was working. He was living with me before we got together. We'd been good friends for a long time so it seemed like a good idea. In the time we spent together, we decided to be more than friends. However, since we were so fresh in our relationship, we thought it'd be best to live separately.
"Around the time we got together, Royal Tree began its first downsizing project." Melody continued. "They stopped producing the concentrate and put the machinery into the equipment room, laid off several employees, and became really strict about spending. There were times I would have to wait months for ingredients and cleaning supplies."
"That must've been tough.." Remi commented.
"It didn't last forever." The frail woman smiled. "Eventually, we got into a different place that worked for the company. They hired Dico as a contract worker. He was supposed to get the flower to a better quality than the last guy. Although he was doing exponentially better than the last grower, everyone was becoming suspicious. Ever since he began working there, stuff around the facility started to go missing. It started with stuff from the fridge in the break room, to one girl's cell phone. That's why I wouldn't be surprised if the equipment came from Royal Tree. A part of me always knew where it came from."
"Why do you say that?"
"Before I knew about the arrangement Rhythm made with Dico about the apartment, my boyfriend would just show up at my place with a mason jar full of my medication. It's easily a month's supply, which costs A LOT of money. At first, I freaked out on him. It wasn't until Rhythm told me that Dico was making this only for me, that I changed my tune on it a little bit. He offered to help me when no one else was giving the program a chance. I couldn't betray him by telling."
The Celestial mage was at a loss for words. It was strange to see this kind of devotion to such a toxic individual. However, though manipulation and fear, anything was possible.
"Wow! I can't believe it's so late." Melody giggled, looking towards the clock.
Remi also chuckled, seeing it was well past midnight. "Time flies when you're having fun with friends."
"Oh yeah!" The frail woman nodded. "But, this girl is ready for bed."
"Agreed." Remi stood and stretched for the first time, nearly losing her balance. The young woman regained it quickly. However, it still felt as if the walls were spinning around her.
"Be careful! We can't have you falling on my watch." Melody chuckled as she gestured to the other side of the living room. "I have a guest bedroom over there. You're more than welcome to use it. The couch is also super comfortable to sleep on, or so I've been told."
"I'll take the guest room." The Celestial Mage smiled at her accommodating friend. Before turning in for the night, Remi decided to pick up all of the bowls of food the girls had consumed. The young woman couldn't ever remember feeling so hungry. It was like she gained another stomach!
"You don't have to do that, Remi. I was going to pick it up in the morning." Melody tried to convince her friend to stop, but it didn't seem to be working.
"Now you don't have to worry about it." Grinning at her friend, Remi finished cleaning up their clutter. "I really don't mind. I helped make the mess after all."
"It's really appreciated." Melody gave her friend a sad smile. "I'm used to picking up after all of those boys at Rhythm's place. It's nice to be around someone else that picks up after themselves."
"Anything I can do to help." Remi nodded to her friend. Once the mess was cleaned up, the Celestial Mage decided to finally turn in for the night. The young woman grabbed her bag and took it into the guest bedroom. One of the first thing's Remi noticed was how large this room was compared to the rest of her friend's is a large bed in the middle of the room, big enough to fit an entire family on. It was almost like Melody was used to accommodating a lot of guests.
Placing her bag on the floor next to the bed, Remi changed into her pajamas. After she changed into her nightgown, the young woman felt slightly more at ease. Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, the Celestial Mage felt as though she was sinking into a cloud. Her eyes widened at how comfortable it felt. Immediately, Remi laid back, her eyes closing instinctively.
This has to be the softest bed I've ever had the pleasure to lay on. It's like I'm floating in the air. Getting comfortable under the fuzzy blanket, Remi quickly fell asleep to peaceful dreams. Ones that she didn't dare to wake from.
The Celestial Mage woke up in a very familiar space. As her eyes opened to greet the morning, she noticed that she was back in her apartment. Everything was in the right place, as it should be. However, the young woman didn't quite feel at home in this place anymore. With her home being away from this for the past few months, it felt cold inside her apartment.
Instead of dwelling on it, Lucy was overjoyed to be back! The young woman ran to her closet, looking at all of the clothes she missed wearing. Putting on her favorite outfit, a jean skirt and tank top, the Celestial Mage contemplated on what she was going to do with her day.
As she walked down the steps of her apartment, the city of Magnolia looked brighter than normal. The sky was extra blue, and the water in the canal was shimmering brightly. Lucy walked along the edge, glancing into the water as she began her stroll into town. The Celestial mage took her time walking through the streets. It felt like years since the young blonde had been here. Even though she'd been gone for a lifetime, nothing seemed to have changed about her favorite town.
It didn't take her long to get to Fairy Tail. As the building came into view, Lucy's heart began to race in excitement. Her pace quickened until she finally reached the double doors. With her hand on the doorknob, it took the Celestial Mage a few seconds. Her mind was having second thoughts, becoming anxious.
I need to see my friends! Lucy thought, nearly ripping the doors open. On the other side, everyone in the guild hall was turned to see who was entering.
"LU! YOU'RE FINALLY HOME!" Levy screamed, running from the back of the guild hall, all the way to the main entrance. She gripped her best friend tightly.
"HEY EVERYONE!" Someone else yelled from inside the main lobby.
"LUCY'S HOME!"
The entire Fairy Tail building erupted in cheers and screams. Several of the members got out of their seats, joining the bluenette in embracing their long lost guildmate.
The young blonde laughed, overjoyed with happiness as she saw all of her friends in front of her.
"Let her breathe!" Erza's voice rang through the crowd, causing everyone to quickly disperse. All the wizards went back to their normal seats, resuming their previous conversations. Lucy chuckled as she looked at the scarlet maiden with a bright grin.
"Erza, it's been too long." The Celestial Mage walked towards her friend, embracing her as well.
"You'll have to tell me about your adventures! I always love a good undercover story!" Titania smiled brightly at her.
The Celestial wizard nodded happily. The two separated and the young blonde started to walk towards a table. However, she stopped dead in her tracks once his voice rang in her ears.
"LUCYYYYY" Natsu and Happy both run in the front doors of the guild hall. Tears filled both of their eyes as they tripped over their feet, causing them to fall on top of the poor girl. The Dragon Slayer's arms immediately wrapped tightly around the young blonde.
"We missed you so much!" The blue Exceed cried as he clung to her shoulder.
Carla came up behind Happy, prying him off of Lucy. "Tomcat! Get off of her, you're suffocating her!"
The Celestial Mage laughed, unable to stop smiling. She missed her guild family more than she realized. The warmth from the Dragon Slayer's body was a familiar sensation that she missed the most. As Lucy glanced up at Natsu, she noticed that he was grinning from ear to ear.
"You're back, and in one piece!" The pink haired wizard leaned in, his lips touching hers.
The Celestial Mage shot up in bed, panting heavily as she looked around the room. Her lips were still tingling from the kiss in her 'dream'.
If that doesn't make me homesick… I don't know what will. Lucy sighed deeply, laying back down and closing her eyes, her body still heavy.