Okay, so it's been like 2-3 years since I wrote anything, but here is a continuation! Sorry for the wait, I had to settle into my new lifestyle and lost track of time. Hope yall like it! :)
Standing on the mezzanine, overlooking the daily shenanigans that occur in Fairy Tail, I couldn't help but smile at the sight below. I rested my body on the railing and set my eyes on Natsu burning a lob of meat he brought in from who knows where, which prompted lectures from Master Makarov about how not to burn the tables along with his now charcoal-looking breakfast. I wouldn't put it past the dragon slayer in taking a bite out of his passed-overcooked meal, hoping some part of it hasn't been burnt to a crisp.
Cana's cheerful laughter gave rise to my attention. I watched her as she incorporates playing cards with her compulsive drinking, creating a light liquor game with the older members of the guild. For all we know, this young mage prefers her cereal with Bailey's Irish Cream.
I started stretching out, shifting my body to release the aches from staying in one position for too long. As my eyes trailed from Cana to Evergreen, I witnessed the brunette blushing and ragingly shaking off whatever contradicting thoughts were racing through her mind while her gaze trailed over in Elfman's direction. My days here are like precious glistening gems that will last a lifetime. Fairy tail's on-going shenanigans are definitely a sight to behold.
Using my hands, I covered my mouth in an attempt to suppress my laughter. I will never get tired of my home and this family of mine. As the urge to laugh subsides, I breathed in the air of booze, musk, food, and burnt wood that surrounded my lively home. Combing back my red locks from my face, I felt a single tear drop travel down my left cheek.
Do I deserve to bask in this light when my past lurks in the dark? I watch you repent for whatever evil plagued your life. You're off in the world as a vigilante, yet I'm here metaphorically playing house and having tea parties. I've already bolted my heart in a titanium box and sunk it at the bottom of "the black pit of no return" in an attempt to blur and extinguish any thoughts of you. But every so often, the guilt of letting you go nudges at me, like a thousand needles pricking and prying my chest open. It is a sickening feeling.
I wiped away the lacrimation to destroy any evidence of weakness, straightened myself and began walking towards the staircase.
As I took each step down to the main floor, I noticed Mirajane posting up new flyers on the Request Board. The various new missions attracted a horde of mages charging towards the board. Natsu, who smelled of burnt barbecue on a summers day, jumped forward, speeding past everyone and swiped four of the many flyers. He strutted back to his table in a triumphant manner, and grabbed Lucy's hand in the process.
While looking at the flyers, they contemplated about which mission was worth taking which sprouted an argument – at least that's how I perceive it, I was a bit too far to be able to eavesdrop. The Celestial Spirit Mage's gaze scanned around the room. As she took notice of me, she smiles and waves her hands, motioning for me to walk over to them.
"Which request would you be interested in Erza?" Lucy asked while handing me the four sheets of paper she snatched from Natsu's hand. "We can't decide on one."
I looked through each assignment. The first page was from a potion merchant that requested the fin of the Infertus Sea Serpent. I've never heard of such creature but as I read through the description, this task was definitely interesting.
The creature can be found near submarine volcanoes. When they emerge from the sea, they usually emit a strong stench of sulfur. The reward will be a one year youth potion and 84,500 Jewels. Caution: Magma discharges through an Infertus' pores when threatened, causing explosions when their magma interacts with large masses of water. Their secretions can reach to 1600 Celsius.
As I finished reading the description, I notice the sparks in Natsu's eyes from my peripheral. Being up close and personal to a sea serpent must be a deciding factor for most of his adventures when I'm not around. Maybe through his eyes, a serpent's the cousin of a dragon, minus the wings and limbs of course. I ignored his eagerness and started skimming through the second page. It was requested by one of the local town folks. The flyer was more of a reminder that the annual watermelon eating contest was starting soon. There wasn't much on the page. Most of the space was taken up by a picture of a watermelon. The prize for the winner was an Earth spell book. In my opinion, it didn't really have much to offer. It's not as exciting as a swimsuit contest. Then again dressing up for any occasion perks my interest and for the purpose of family bonding, I'd drag everyone in Fairy Tail to participate with me.
The third page was a request for the Illuga Gluttonous Flower. Unlike the previous page, the writer put his full effort into describing the plant and included the history for both the flower and the forest it bloomed in, the Illuga Forest. Not a space The bold text read:
WARNING: The Illuga Forest it's known for its hallucination effects on human beings.
Before I had a chance to read the forth flyer, Natsu snatched one of them from my hands and held it up for all to see. "This is the one!", he shouted while waving the sheet of paper for all to see.
Lucy's threshold for this dragon slayers antics, spike, "Don't interru—"
"I don't care! It's this one or none at all."
I let released a sigh while I watched the two bicker like newly weds and attempted to reason with them. "Calm down. We can do all of them."
"Fine…but the fire breather first!" Natsu's eyed the Celestial Mage thoughtfully.
"Ugh — so typical of you."