~~~3~~~
"I'm okay, you know? You don't have to watch me twenty-three/seven. Seriously, it's kind of freaking me out," the girl in the hospital bed said to the ravenette sitting besides her.
"Well sorry for feeling protective of the only one left of my family," the man huffed in response.
The girl softened and apologized, "Sorry for taking you away from them… From her. If I didn't then we'd be… I couldn't betray her…"
The man sighed, "I know. That damned woman was always too selfless for her own good. You did the right thing, Ariana. I don't want you to beat yourself up for something she told you to do. You saved our lives and got to help, what more could I ask for? I'm sure she's very proud of you for being so strong."
Ariana sniffed, "I miss her, Uncle."
"Me too," was the answer as the two shed tears for their separated family. They shared horrible pain together. When they calmed from their tears, the man announced, "You know who I saw in the Fairy Tail guildhall today? Wendy. She can fix you up in no time. How's about I get her over here tomorrow?"
"Wendy? You didn't tell them who you were, did you?" Ariana asked.
"No, but I saw him. Thankfully, nothing happened. They still have no idea who I am besides from Master Makarov," came the answer.
"What about…"
"No. I don't know if I could take it."
"Ask the old man about what he thinks about telling them. We can face them together."
"We'll see."
The following day, Gray paced by the bar awaiting the mystery man's return. Something about the guy was just too familiar, yet he was too strange to be someone anyone knew. It was like a new mystogan just waiting to be found out. The edolas Gray was the same age, not in his thirties. He wore at least five more layers than that thin green shirt, loose black pants, and black scarf around his neck, too. So it couldn't be him.
"Gray, could you stop walking back and forth? You're giving me a headache. Besides, if he doesn't come today there is always tomorrow. The first day he looked a little beat up so he could be recovering from something. He'll show, now take a seat before you drive me crazy," Lucy encouraged, Mira nodding at the suggestion from behind the bar.
"This… this… imposter... has got a lot of explaining to do!" Gray growled, sat down, and impatiently tapped his foot.
Lucy replied, "I'm sure he will, but he'll explain on his own accord. You can't just force people to tell you something about them that they aren't comfortable with sharing."
Gray answered, "Hell yeah I can!"
A voice called from above, "You're going to force me, are you?"
The young ravenette jumped out of his chair to look up at the older ravenette on the balcony. Gray replied, "Yeah, so get to answering."
"How's about, 'No'? I told you before: at a later date. Now, which one of you is Wendy Marvel?" the man inquired.
"I am," responded the petite bluenette girl.
"Can you come with me?" the ravenette asked.
The girl hesitated as her white cat complained against going with the stranger. When the master of the guild spoke, "Wendy, my dear, will you help this man?"
The girl debated, "I don't know. Wh-why do you need me?"
The ravenette answered, "My friend, she was hurt. I was hoping that your healing magic could help her get back on her feet. If you do not want to, I understand."
"She's hurt? Uh, I guess I can," Wendy replied.
"Nonsense, child. We have no idea who this man is!" Carla rebutted.
"Master trusts him, so I will too," the bluenette declared more confident than before.
"Thank you, Wendy," the ravenette said, jumping down from the second floor to greet the small girl that was previously below him.
The pair and exceed exited the guildhall together, leaving the rest of the guild to wonder about who the ravenette mentioned. Lucy guessed the person to be the man's wife, then quickly dismissed the idea as Erza pointed out that he had said friend and not wife. Gray complained how the ravenette just ignored him and how he would more than likely tell Wendy instead. Makarov followed up with silencing the guild from talking about the mystery man.
