Warm fragrances float in the open window, a slight morning chill sneaking in with it causing Alcina to shiver. Reaching her hand out she pats the bed but felt nothing but covers. Sitting up she looked around, Loke was no longer in her apartment. Spotting a note on her table she quickly picks it up before snuggling under the blankets again. Inside the note read 'Dear Alcina. I left to get coffee and breakfast while you were still sleeping. I left this note in case you woke before I made it back. Hope you like cinnamon rolls! Be back soon. From Loke.'
Alcina couldn't help but smile, Loke really was a nice guy, and bringing coffee too! Lost in her thoughts she hardly heard her mail getting delivered through the slot in her door. Sighing she decided she probably needed to get dress anyways while Loke was out. Walking over to her dresser she went ahead and shut the window to keep out anymore of the morning chill so it wouldn't stress her plants out. She grabbed her leather vest that tied up the front that she had first worn when she meet everyone. Smiling to herself she recalled all the problems she gave them in the beginning before they became friends.
After lacing it together it left her stomach exposed, her defined muscles easily shown off as she pulled out a set of new black pants that Lucy had gotten for her, up each leg were three circles, one next to her knee, then her thigh and the last cut out exposing her hips and her guild mark on her calf. Alcina recalled something about Loke would like this. Shrugging it off she pulled a black belt on as well to hold her travel pouch. 'Maybe Loke likes black?' Alcina pondered.
Picking up her mail she sat down at the table and started going through to help pass the time. "Bill, bill, bill, junk, ju-..." Alcina sputtered.
In her hands was a handmade envelope. Scrawled a crossed it was her name in ink. Alcina recognized the hand writing immediately. Ripping the letter open Alcina scanned the letter quickly before dropping everything and dashed out the door without looking back or even shutting the door behind her.
Alcina made her way to the guild as quickly as she could, bursting through the doors she tried to find Makarov. She spotted Mirajane and quickly made her way there. "Whys Master Makarov? I have to speak with him." Alcina questioned.
"Oh his up on the second floor." Mirajane replied. "Is everything okay Alcina? You look pale?"
"Huh? Yeah yeah, I'm fine. Thanks Mirajane." Alcina called as she ran for the stairs to find Makarov.
Loke was heading back to Alcina's with the coffee and food, but froze when he walked up the stairs to find the door wide open and paper scattered on the floor. Hurrying in he set everything down and looked around the apartment quickly. Picking up the papers he found a hand written letter that had been throw to the ground. Folding it open he began reading it.
'Dear Sister.
Please come home Alcina. We need you here with us and most urgently. Hytat is threatening to start a war between his island and ours since we have no head women for him to join with. Grandma is also not doing well and we need your help. Please Alcina, come home.
Love Zelia.'
Loke left everything where is was before rushing out, shutting the door this time before he quickly made his way to the guild. Running along the water way he spotted Lucy, Natsu, and Happy along the opposite side running towards Alcina's apartment. "Lucy!" Loke shouted.
Lucy spotted him and pointed Natsu and Happy back towards a bridge. They all made their way quickly to the bridge before meeting in the middle. "Where's Alcina?!" Loke began.
"She's not with you? Loke, she quit the guild and said she was giving up find Erasmus then took off before anyone could stop her. We were hoping to find her at home." Lucy explained.
"She's not there, she hasn't given up. Not after everything we talked about last night. Her sister sent her a letter pleading for her to come back because there is some sort of trouble going on and I bet she's going to try to stop it. We need to find a boat to take us to Deia Island and now!" Loke admitted to the group.
Making their way to the docks the find a ferry service to Deia Island but they must wait for the ferry to return from the first outing. They waited even if it would be hours they didn't want to miss it. Sitting along the docks they all voiced their concerns for Alcina. "I just hope nothing happens before we get there." Lucy implied while looking into the sparkling waters of the ocean.
"Yeah! Who ever this Hytat guy is has got me fired up! If he wants to fight then we can give him one hell of a fight!" Natsu shouted while wisp of fire puffed from his mouth.
"Loke will fight for their lewd relationship! Must be lewd after staying all night together!" Happy indicated with a smirk.
"Will you shut up! It is not a lewd relationship, we've only ever kissed before." Loke retorted.
"So lewd!" Happy snorted.
The time finally passed when they began to see the ferry coming into the dock. Loke was agitated, he wanted to be with Alcina now to protect her. He made a promise to Ortex and Loke is a man of his word, he would make sure nothing bad happened to Alcina.
The trip was long, the sun had already began to set when they approached the biggest Island of them all. As they clamored off of the dock they noticed that there was hardly any lights to lead the way. Making their way in land they hoped they were heading the right direction. Loke stopped in his tracks bring everyone to halt behind him. "There is someone out there." He murmured trying to concentrate in the dark.
Suddenly shouting filled the air as well as wooden spears. Masked islanders slipped out of the shadows and fire filled the air as Natsu swung at one that came too close. Their words were all quick and loud, Loke could hardly pick up anything their were saying as they continued waving other weapons around. Just as Loke was going to attack one that come to close to him a shrill whistle filled the air bring everyone to a halt.
Out of the darkness came another masked islander, this ones mask was more ornate and they wore a white linen dress belted with a grass weaved belt and red gauze shawl. A small hand reached up and pushed the mask backwards. 'What are you all doing here?!" Alcina groaned.
Her face had a scowl on it but she was smiling none the less. Speaking in the quick language she motioned to the other islanders and they lowered their weapon while pushing their own mask back as well. "What did you say to them?" Lucy asked now that the islanders didn't seem mad but were excitedly chattering among them selves.
"I told them you were my guest and to treat you as such." Alcina explained.
A light appeared over the crest of the hill followed by drums filling the air. The islanders all hush as Alcina rushes in front of the group "You have the kneel. I know its weird but please do it." She pleads as she drops to her own knees.
The group follows suit as a figure comes into view. It was a short old women with a tall walking staff, her hair was platinum white and done in elegant braids with cutting bright blue eyes staring at them, she also wore a linen dress that was decorated in gold embroidery. Tall muscular men were escorting her as she descended to the beach where everyone was located. Coming to a stop in front of Alcina she said nothing as she stood there.
Loke could see from the corner of his eye that Alcina was sweating profusely as she kept her eyes focused on the sand under her. With a loud crack the women smacked Alcina up side the head with her staff. "How rude that you didn't let me know that we were having guest!" The old women stressed before laughing.
"Why are you all still knelling? There is a celebration going on. Lets get going! Hurry and prepare more food and drinks for our guest." The women chortled as she walked back the way she came, the group of men following after.
The islanders cheered and quickly left the group where they were while Alcina stood rubbing her head. "Who was that?" Lucy asked as she stood up.
"That's grandma... Eula is the chief for now." Alcina mumbled.
"You don't look a lot a like." Natsu commented.
"I'm the one that doesn't look like family. My brother and sisters both look like the head family with platinum hair and blue eyes." Alcina explained.
"What is going on anyways? Why is there a celebration?" Lucy asked as they began walking along the now lit pathway.
Topping the hill the sight of the village came into view. Music filled the air and the entire village was lit up, islanders were dancing, eating, drinking and some even looked like there was a make shift wrestling ring where some where fighting. A girls voice called out to Alcina and out of almost no where appeared a even shorter girl then the old women, her hair was also platinum hair that was so long it almost brushed the ground and she had dazzling blue eyes as well.
Eyeing the group the girl reached for Alcina's hand and stood behind her. Laughing Alcina motioned to the girl "This is my little sister Zelia."
Blushing Zelia glanced away before muttering "If your friends would like to join, their bringing out the extra food."
"Hell yeah! If food is involved then you can count me in!" Natsu cheered as he and Happy took off in a sprint towards the tables loaded with food.
Zelia disappeared into the woods again as the rest of the group walked into the village. Food and drink spilling everywhere as the islanders celebrated. Cheering and singing now that the threat of new comers had passed. Joining Natsu at the head table where Eula was sitting they joined in the food and drinks as well. "Whats the celebration for if I may ask?" Lucy probed.
"Well there is to be a wedding of course!" Eula cheered, the islanders joining in the ruckus.
"Oh wow! Who's getting married?" Natsu remarked through mouth fulls of food.
"Ahhh, that would be the next in line to the chief. I'm far too old to get married again." Eula stated before resuming drinking.
Loke could guess where Alcina got her drinking habit from now by the strong smell that permeated the whole village now. As the night waned on they all celebrated with the islanders. Dancing, drinking and fighting of course. Loke was laughing as Natsu tried out drinking one of the men when he felt a soft hand slip into his. Turning he saw it was Alcina with a slight grin of her face as she pulled him away.
They made their way through the woods before the beach came into view. Not saying a word Alcina sat down on the edge of the sand, just a hair away from the rolling ocean foam. Loke sat next to her. They didn't speak to each other till Alcina slipped her hand into Lokes again. She kept her gaze focused on the ocean when she starting speaking. "I'm the one to be married Loke." She confessed.
Shocked Loke stared at her. "What do you mean?!" He demanded.
"A chief from another island is going to start a war with us because he no longer has a women to join with. He was supposed to marry my sister Morgana." Alcina drawled.
"No! You can't get married! I won't allow it!" Loke stormed pulling his hand out of hers and bolting upwards.
"Loke please sit back down, I know you don't agre-" "I'm sure I'm not the only one that doesn't agree! What does Ortex think about you giving up?!" Loke sneered.
"Ortex doesn't get to make this decision Loke! I'm doing it to save what family I have left!" Alcina retorted as she stood from the sand.
"I'm not just going to stand by while you marry another man!" He rumbled turning away to leave.
Alcina quickly grabbed his hand again "Wait!.. Please wait Loke." She called as her voice broke.
Loke looked back at her, tears were pooling under her eyes as her face became flushed. "Please stay Loke... I want... I just want to spend more time with you."
Loke pulled Alcina into him while wrapping his arms around her. His mind was running wild as he breathed in her warm scent. "I'll never leave you Alcina." He murmured into her hair.