Update: The title of the story has changed! Hopefully this doesn't throw anything or anybody off, but it's a better title with much more relevance to the story (not that The Giving Tree wasn't relevant). Also, again, sorry about the long wait between updates, I seriously wrote and re-wrote this chapter six or seven times. But I think I've finally come up with material that's worthy of my glorious reader's eyes! (: Anyways, please enjoy this next chapter.
Also, for this chapter's purposes, 100 Jewels is equivalent to 1 US Dollar. 1,000 Jewels is equivalent to 10 US Dollars.
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VOID SOUL: CALICO
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The sun drowned in the sky, its light glinted off the glossy black key suspended from a chain between them. It was ancient in design with intricate curls at the end. The Inanis waited impatiently.
"Well?"
"I won't accept so easily, how do I know this isn't some sort of trap?"
"I'm asking you to save me, to save my people," its voice softened, "Please,"
Auralie shook her head, "Why,"
"We all were human once… I understand your wariness, until you've reached a decision, will you at least hold onto the key in the case you change your mind? I'm sure you'll make the right choice,"
"Your people tried to kill me," she said, still unsure.
"Forgive them, they didn't know what they were doing," the Inanis bowed its head, pondering, "It's quite unusual for such a vibrant soul to cross our paths, but I can assure you it won't happen again,"
"Speaking of souls, why did they want my heart?" she waited, but no answer came, "Fine, then why were there so many and why did their touch burn me?" nothing about this conversation sat well with her. The Inanis sighed, clearly frustrated by so many questions, "Also," she added, "Why'd you break through the window, don't you want to appear non-threatening?" The Inanis rubbed its forehead and let out an exasperated wheezy laugh.
"I knew it would be hard to convince you, but I suppose your questions can't be helped," its cloaks swished across the floor as it paced, "However, I don't have the liberty of idle chit-chat," her eyes wandered to the key it held.
"I will return again to give you the key at a later date," its cloaks swished again as it turned back towards Auralie, "lift up your hands," she looked at the Inanis doubtfully, but saw no harm in the action and did as it asked, "as a show of good faith…" it breathed on her scars, they disappeared before her eyes. She ran her hand over the previously scarred skin, then tentatively touched her neck. Smooth skin slid beneath her narrow fingers.
"How—" Auralie was thrown forwards as the door flew open behind her. She braced for uncomfortable impact, but hit the glass-littered ground instead of the Inanis. She gripped the table edge for support before pulling herself up. Her knees stung as she stood.
"Where is it?" Natsu burst in, fists aflame. Happy tagged along behind him. She looked around the room and saw the Inanis' black cape slither out the window.
"Running away," using her arm she catapulted over the table, her bare feet pounded across the floorboards and out the window.
The glass's sharp teeth left slits in her skin as she followed suit through the window and descended to the ground below. Gravel crunched beneath her feet as she looked for the Inanis. A dark shadow made its way up the street and her feet began to race as fast as her mind, she wanted answers.
"Yo, Auralie! Wait up!" called Natsu.
She ignored him and pressed on. The Inanis was faster than she was, and clearly had more endurance. Her lungs burned; sprinting wasn't really her thing. Her pace quickened on the pavement, she could hear Natsu catching up to her. She pressed onwards, going faster. The sun drooped lower in the sky, the air cold against her flushed cheeks and fresh cuts.
The Inanis only seemed to get further away. With each step the forest came closer into view, she knew if it reached the forest there was no way she'd get her answers.
Happy flew overhead, "Aura! Why are you chasing it?" he swooped lower beside her.
She didn't have the breath to answer. The Inanis disappeared behind the tree line. Seconds later she reached the edge of the forest where she saw it enter, her lungs felt scarred, "Kuso," she swore under her breath, her breathing heavy and uneven. She leaned against a tree, listening. Natsu caught up, panting heavily as well.
"Wh-what the hell are you doing?" he leant against the tree opposite her, "Are you insane?"
She closed her eyes, the adrenaline boiling beneath her skin, "I need answers,"
"Well, did you get them? I swear, if I ran all this way for nothing,"
"I'd be lying if I told you otherwise," she said, Natsu groaned in response. She began to walk forwards, into the forest. His hand gripped her arm firmly before she could take a second step and pulled her back.
"Stop. Seriously, what are you thinking?" he looked at her with hardened eyes.
"I told you, I need answers,"
"To what? What do you need to know so bad that you'll risk your life?"
"Lots of things,"
"Are you forgetting that we were running for our lives last night? What the hell am I supposed to think?"
"You didn't have to run after me,"
"When Happy found me he told me it was life or death, so yea, I did!" he ran his hands through his hair restlessly.
"Well," she found it hard to maintain an angry tone, "that's very sweet of you then, I guess," he looked at her strangely, "What?" she shrugged, "I can't argue with that," Natsu huffed loudly and rolled his eyes, taking a step back, "Are you ok?" her brow furrowed.
"Yea,"
"You're sure?"
"Of course," he turned around, brushing the grass from his clothing and spat in the grass, "I don't know about you, but I'm going home. Come on Happy," as he left he looked over his shoulder, "A storm's coming; I'd appreciate it if I didn't have to nurse you back to health again,"
The grass sighed into the wind as silence hung between them. Maybe he was waiting for a response, but she felt more like hiding in a hole. Her heart beat like a hammer as she bit her tongue. His dark eyes rested on her, all she could do was nod once. The leaves mingled in the grass were damp and stuck to her heavy feet while they headed back to town.
She dared a glance back at the forest once they'd reached the streetlights of Magnolia, but its darkness held nothing for her.
"Why'd you stop?" said Natsu.
"No reason," she turned to face them, "Why don't you guys go on ahead? I forgot something in the library so I'm going to head over to the guild,"
"Guild's closed,"
"But the window's not," she ran her hands through her hair, "Go ahead, I'll catch up with you later,"
"Do you need help?" Happy piped up.
"No, I've got it. Thank you though,"
Natsu looked at her inquisitively, "If you say so, just don't get yourself in any trouble, it's such a hassle," Auralie watched as they headed back. Once she was sure they were out of earshot, she started walking without any particular destination in mind.
XXX
"What did I expect to find here?" she thought out loud, her feet numb from walking on the cold, cobbled streets, "Why haven't I left?" He must hate me, she thought.
Leaves crunched underfoot behind her, she turned sharply but saw no one. Maybe she shouldn't be wandering around unfamiliar streets alone. She rolled her eyes as more twigs snapped. She was sick of running away.
"Come out from where your hiding," no response, "Coward," she turned and headed towards the middle of the street, retracing her steps.
Her legs trembled, wanting to be done for the day, but she pushed on stubbornly. There were more strings tying her to this city than she wanted. The streets seemed smaller and she felt exceedingly less and less comfortable in her own skin. There was too much going on, too much happening too soon. Or maybe it wasn't too soon and she just needed to toughen up.
"What would mom do?" she wondered aloud, rubbing her temples. A tiny meow reached her ears, she turned, looking for the source of the sound. A calico kitten played to her left, battering a wet old newspaper, "What are you doing in the cold all alone, hm?" She walked over carefully, securing the kitten in her arms and picked up the soggy newspaper, sitting down and letting the kitten rest in her lap.
Her fingers began to turn as her eyes flicked over the pages, stopping at the 'Classifieds' section. One job caught her eye in particular.
Lost Kittens, HELP!
I accidentally left the door open and it seems
My precious babies have run away,
I am willing to pay 1,000 Jewels per kitten
That is returned to me safely. I seem to have lost
Quite a few of them, as I am missing all fifty six of
My precious babies. Please help! Contact: Marnie Peebles
Address: XXV Leavens Lane
Magnolia, Earthland, VP102
Her eyes widened as she set the paper aside and picked up the kitten, "It seems someone's been missing you," she smiled, touching noses, "I wonder where the rest of your litter is? It must be tough out on the streets," she pat his head and secured the kitten in her arms once again, standing up with newspaper in hand.
The clean slice of a blade being drawn out of its sheath was her only warning before it rested on her neck.
"Where is he?" the voice made the hairs on the back of her neck raise.
"W-who?" she said in a voice she hardly recognized.
"The man whose clothes you stole. Where is he? What did you do to him?" the voice was deep and commanding.
"I-I didn't steal them, he gave them to me,"
"Do not lie to me," the blade pressed harder against her throat. Her mind raced as she struggled to explain, she hoped the truth would suffice.
"H-honestly, his cat burned my clothes s-so he gave me a spare of his,"
"Hmm," the stranger sheathed their sword. Auralie was too scared to turn around, "Explain," they said, walking around her.
"Th-They found me passed out under a bridge so they let me stay at their house, and when I took a bath the cat burst in and stole my clothes, then he burned them," she rambled.
"Why,"
"Well… they were stinky,"
"Hmm," Auralie saw a woman come into view, her eyes were dark and penetrating, her head crowned with scarlet tresses, "Ah, I remember you! You came into the guild with them! Ohoho, so you're the homeless woman they took pity on?"
"…I suppose," her stomach churned at the unpleasant truth, as if she hadn't been humbled sufficiently enough for one day.
"Well!" said the woman, suddenly cheerful, "I haven't done my extra good duty yet this month, you and your kitten will come and stay with me! I will not have Natsu beat me," she held her fist in the air confidently.
"N-no that's alright,"
"Nonsense! You'll freeze out here, come!" she pulled Auralie off the bench and headed in an unfamiliar direction.
"W-wait, who are you?"
"I am Erza, the strongest member of the Fairy Tail Guild! Rest assured you're safe in my hands. You are?"
"Auralie," part of her wanted to continue to detest, her pride said she wasn't a charity case, but lately the charity of others was all that kept her alive.
XXX
Auralie looked at herself in the mirror, not sure what to say.
"Well?" Erza's hands were on her hips as she tapped her foot impatiently on the carpet. She'd thrown her hair up in a bun and was in her nightgown.
Auralie fidgeted and tried to adjust the stiff armor.
"It's… very protective!" she smiled. Erza nodded to herself. The kitten rubbed up against her metal calves.
"Of course! Armor is my specialty," she nodded again in confidence, "Now we can get rid of this masculine clothing,"
"Yea," she agreed absentmindedly, "oh no… W-wait!" Auralie ran over to grab Natsu's clothing, but Erza withheld them from her.
"What's the problem? Let's burn them," Erza laughed as a dark look came over her face and she walked to the fireplace.
"No don't!" Auralie cried, but it was too late and her voice trailed off, "I promised to return those…"
"It's only fair since he burned your clothes,"
"Well, Happy burned my clothes, but I guess,"
"It's settled then! You will wear this tomorrow! And for tonight!" she walked over to the closet, picking up a rather skimpy nightgown, "We will match!" she held out the yellow garment to her. Auralie had to bite her tongue in order to not argue the choice of nightwear, but Erza had taken her in, a stranger. She would respect her decisions so long as they weren't too outrageous.
"Thank you, Erza," she said, "You're very kind,"
"Ahaha," Erza waved her compliment away with her hand, "Don't worry about it! Besides, I pride myself on my selflessness and helping of others,"
"Well, I greatly appreciate it," smiled Auralie.
"Of course, if you'll come with me I'll show you to the bathroom where you can wash before bed," Auralie followed her and gaped as the door swung open, she'd never known such luxury in her life. Erza interrupted her thoughts, "Once you're done, you will be sleeping on the couch; blankets and a pillow will be provided for your comfort. If you need anything feel free to ask, but I'll most likely be asleep by the time you're done," she placed a towel in Auralie's hands and left her alone.
Auralie walked in, the kitten at her heels, and closed the door behind her, taking in the luxurious room. She barely dared to move a speck of dust from its place. It was immaculate.
She drew the bath and took the remaining glass out of her knees while letting her stresses melt away, including the unpleasant way things were left with Natsu. Floral scents drifted lazily through the air as she washed her hair. Soon she was done and drained the tub, stepping out she squared up with her reflection and took a deep breath.
"Siccari Totaliter," the words felt strangely familiar on her lips. She watched in amazement as her entire body was dried, her brown hair silky smooth. What language is this? She thought. As she pulled on the nightgown she tried to think of a language that fit the alien words.
The kitten meowed, standing on the countertop, "I almost forgot," she said, picking him up and giving him a quick sink bath. When he was all clean she dried him with her magic words and then let him drink his fill from the sinks tap water.
Auralie began to run her hands through her hair, looking in the mirror and brushing them in place. Her eyes wandered to the yellow nightgown she wore and a memory struck her. In her mind's eye, a little girl walked into town hand in hand with her mother, wearing a handmade, yellow dress. The little girl clutched a basket in her other hand, letting it swing as they walked. The summer air brushed past them as the grass tickled their feet. She looked up at her mother and beamed, the sunsets glow cast them both with a gentle appearance. Her mother squeezed her hand and smiled in return. Their eyes met.
Auralie, that clothing is so inappropriate! A familiar voice in her mind scolded, "Well, would you prefer I sleep naked at a strangers house instead?" she countered, you wouldn't dare, said the voice. Her throat tightened as her voice softened, "I know mom, I'll change," a single tear lilted down her cheek as she whispered ever so quietly, "Goodnight, I love you,"
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All right, so I've already got the next chapter in the works, be excited! I'll be doing my best to update more frequently instead of just once a month, I'm working and doing school though so some update periods will be longer than others. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed (: