Chapter 6
Lucy closed her eyes, listening as the door clicked, shutting out the rest of the guild. She had seen Draco's trembling, but could not really tell why. She resolved to have a conversation alone with him before the night was over and find out more about him and what his wishes were. The sound of a throat clearing made her crack her eyes and look over to where master Maky sat on his desk. "Now then, about this list…" she groaned and buried her face in Loke's neck, ignoring his chuckle.
"Can I assume our two volunteers are strong enough to be added to it?" He asked, actually picking up pen and paper, much to her horror.
"They do appear strong enough, but I would get a healer here to help them afterword. We need to make sure that we find the strongest possible." Draco agreed, his eyes glowing again as he checked her over. "We need to hurry and pick the first before she gets much weaker."
"So we need to keep it S class or near to S class wizards then." Makarov rubbed his chin thoughtfully, everybody ignoring Lucy's flushed face. "Wendy should be returning soon, she is a good healer and she will want to help in any way she can," he said, his mind on the problem of finding strong enough mages.
"There are so many things wrong with this." Lucy muttered, rolling her head back, having a dizzy spell like the last time Cana talked her into vodka shots.
Loke steadied her, looking into her chocolate eyes. "We need to hurry and pick someone. A nap will make her a little more coherent, but we need to start replenishing her magical energy soon. It cannot be Draco or I, it is our magic that will help her steady the other magics within her." He let her slip down farther, practically draped across the two celestial beings in a near drunken haze.
"Right, so as of now, the list consists of Loke and Draco as our two celestials, Natsu and Gray as two elementals." Master Makarov looked very serious as he added the names. "I think we'll start with our dragon slayers then. Gajeel seems to be a friend of hers…"
"Nope," Lucy said, her words slurring sleepily, "He belongs to Levy, she swears she's going to tie him up and drag him away someday." Snickers and laughter could be heard from outside, matching the guild masters.
"I see," he said, marking that name off the list. "Laxus is defiantly strong enough, that ok, Lucy?" Maky knew he was taking advantage of her weakened state, but it would be easier for her this way.
"Hmm?" she tried to wake up enough to pay attention, "sure, the thunder tribe is great!" Lucy smiled, "but can't Freed, he is stalking Mirajane and she thinks they will have adorable babies when she finally lets him catch her! They will too." Lucy nodded her head before turning her whole body until she faced her celestial beings, drifting.
Natsu and Gray were the first up, of course, sitting close to the door so that they could hear everything. The thunder tribe was next, knowing as some of the guilds strongest mages, they were bound to be on the list. Gajeel was there as well, for the same reason, though he really hoped his name did not come up at all. Not that he did not like the bunny girl, but his attention lay elsewhere. Mira, Lisanna, and Cana followed Evergreen up, mostly because they were nosy and this was exciting in its own way.
They all tensed when they first heard her, how much weaker she sounded from only moments before. They agreed with the Leo that something would have to be done soon. Getting past their rivalry, they decided that Natsu would be the one to 'help' her first because he was the closest to her, her protector and partner from the very beginning. It was a surprisingly easy discussion, nothing bothering them since they decided that they would do anything to save their friend who they loved.
Gajeel tensed when he heard the guild master say his name. "Nope." He heard her say, easing his mind, "he belongs to Levy. She swears she is going to tie him up and drag him away someday." Natsu and Gray laughed, trying to keep it low.
Laxus and the steel dragon slayer shared a grin. "You want to borrow some rope?" he asked him as the black haired mage looked over the balcony, his pray in sight.
"Maybe later." He smirked, "I think I need to do a little chasing of my own before we get to the kinky part," he waved, heading back down stairs, thrilled he had chosen to listen in. His tiny word mage was in for it now, he could not wait.
The remaining group crowding the little balcony quieted again, trying to hear what was going on in the other room. "Laxus is defiantly strong enough, is that ok, Lucy?"
"Hmm?"
"Wow, she sounds like me," Cana giggled.
"Sure, the thunder tribe is great…but can't Freed…he's stalking Mirajane and…" laughter abounded again as the group looked at the two in question.
Freed was beat red, but Mira took it in stride. Hearts grew big in her eyes as she whispered to herself, "Lucy agrees with me."
Freed grabbed her hand and headed toward the steps. "Please excuse us," was all he said as he drug Mira behind him.
"Does Lucy know everyone's secrets?" Evergreen asked, really hoping she did not here her private love life revealed. Lucy knew, of course. The blonde was just so easy to talk to and understanding, it was hard to keep from talking to her when you were feeling down.
"Yep." Cana said, sitting down by the railing. She was tipsy enough to be careful about leaning against it. "The bad part about that is if you get her out of her mind sleepy or drunk you can ask her anything at all and she will answer it. It's so much fun."
"Lucy," they heard Maky speak again, "I know this is a difficult one, but what about Gildarts, he is one of our most powerful mages."
A strange noise slipped from her lips, almost like she was being strangled for a moment. "Hell no," she grumbled, "I am not sleeping with Cana's dad, that's just too wrong!"
"That's my girl!" Cana laughed, thought truthfully, she did not care one way or the other. Lucy would take forever to talk to her again after, of course that could be fun too. She was a fun girl to tease. The next words they heard sobered even Cana up and drew the laughter completely away.
Lucy lay with her head in her arm, her body still stretched across her friends. She felt so weird. It was becoming harder to stay awake and concentrate on their words. She was aware that she was saying things that she normally would not, half grateful for her semi-conscious state that at least helped her have the conversation without tripping all over herself. Loke's face caught her attention. It was drawn and weary, she had not seen him look so down since she had stopped him from fading away. She lifted her hand, the limb heavy and awkward, placing it against his warm cheek. Lucy had intended to reassure him, to take that desperate, guilty look from his eyes.
Loke was lost in thought, determined to find the means to help her. He should have stayed close, should have protected her better. The cool touch of her hand pulled his attention down to where she looked up at him. "Loke," her voice was soft and whispery, "I don't want to die." Her hand fell away as she finally passed out, to drained from her earlier hysterical crying to stay awake any longer.
"Lucy!" He clutched her to him, tears leaking from his eyes, "I won't let you die, I will hold on to your soul the way you did mine, if needed. Don't be afraid, because I won't let you." His voice was desperate and harsh.
Draco laid a hand on his shoulder for comfort. "She is just sleeping for now." He told the concerned guild master. His heart was breaking for his brother zodiac and for himself.
The door opened softly, Gray and Natsu walked into the room. Fire burned in Natsu's dark eyes, his dragon heritage showing with green showing around his normally round pupils, now slited like a dragons. Silently, he walked over to them and lifted Lucy into his arms. Loke locked eyes with him, understanding flowing between them. Nodding to the celestial spirits he carried her to the doorway. "She has friends in other guilds." he said before leaving with her, taking her from the guild hall. Iron determination settled over him and those left within, she would not be taken from them.