A/N: Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've had technical difficulties. Anyway, I'm delaying the Mystogan adventure because I thought of this one that involves someone just as badass… Gihee.

The next morning I was pondering the S-class request board. Fey was downstairs cheering on Gray in a fight with Natsu, and Happy was cheering on Natsu. I smelt a familiar smell behind me, and tried to ignore it in the hopes it would go away. It didn't. "Pick one already or move over. Your ass is takin' up the entire board." Sparky complained.

I whipped around and snapped at him, "Shut up, asshat. You take even longer at the board, and you're super fuckin' huge."

"Language there, glitterbutt." He spanked me, and I punched in that stupid sneer of his.

While he rubbed the side of his face I snarled, "You gotta learn how to treat a lady, Sparky."

He scoffed, "You may be a woman, but you're no lady."

I got in his face and threatened, "You wanna say that again?"

He put his hand down and glared right back, "Did you not understand? I'll reword it: you're a tramp." I tried to punch him again, but he caught my fist. His face inched even closer to mine so that his words would have more impact, "Stop trying; you won't win."

I cocked my head and raised a brow, "How do you know? The last time we fought was years ago and even then you didn't win."

"I was going easy." I could hear his spiked heartbeat.

"Tch. Yeah, right… and you're getting awfully close there, lightning boy."

"You smell good."

A third voice intruded, "Is there a problem here?" It was Erza.

I wrenched my fist from Laxus's grip and pulled away to face the knight, "None at all, my dear. What brings you up here? Are you looking for work?"

She eyed the man behind me before striding up and answering, "Yes, actually. I was just going to see what's available." She faced the board and eyed it for a second, before tearing off a request with one of the lower rewards. "I'll see you two in a day or two, yes?"

"If he's not dead yet." I grumbled.

Her eyes flashed as she asked, "What was that, Dio?"

I spoke up, "I said that it depends on the job I choose. Most likely, though, I will be here when you return."

She nodded at me, then at Sparky, and then left us. I snatched a job that caught my eye within the next three seconds, and left without saying goodbye.

Once down in the main hall, I called to Fey, "Fey, we have work in Wolling!"

She waved me off, "Happy and I picked up a job earlier for Xoft! It's nothing big, just delivery, but it may take more than a day."

I was saddened, but approved, "Alright, I'm proud of you. I'll be home as soon as I can."

"Bye, Dio!"

I waved and began walking away, when Loke blocked my path. "How long will my heart be tormented, waiting for your return?"

I tried not to roll my eyes at his sappy line and answered, "I don't know. A couple days max." Then my face sterned, "You and Gray play nice." As if on cue, the brawling cloud of fire and ice swept Loke up in its path. ('cause, y'know, it was totally by chance.) I stamped my foot and balled my fists yelling, "I SAID PLAY NICE!" Sighing, I left the guild hall to go to my house and pack my bag.

I begrudgingly decided to take the train, dreading the motion sickness waiting for me. I sank into my own private booth in first-class, simply because I could afford it, and took out my sound pod. (Who says only Laxus can have one? That's right, nobody.) Once the steady beat of a rock band drummer was in my ears, I gazed out the window to my right. The bustle of people not acknowledging anything outside their own little worlds served as sufficient entertainment, until the train began to move. I instantly grimaced at what felt like waves crashing around in my stomach.

The train stopped and went at various towns and cities, until finally the view of the city of Wolling was rushing past the window. Wolling was a busy trade town filled with people from all walks of life, but mostly upper-class folk. The train screeched to a halt, and I got off of it as soon as possible, rather than still be stuck on it as it departed, as Natsu had a habit of doing.

I ordered a carriage and driver and told the man at the booth my destination, only to have him ask if I was a mage who had accepted the job request sent out by Duke Martz. When I replied that I was and pulled up my sleeve to show him my guild mark, then showed him the flyer, I was informed that there was a chaise and four waiting for me. I wasn't too surprised; important clients often wished that everyone who visited them arrive in style. I was showed to an exquisite white chaise and four with gold accent paint, intricate designs carved into the wood, and – was that an ivory door handle? The footman opened the door for me and assisted me up the step before the door was shut behind with a soft click.

I lightly scoffed to myself at the splendor of the interior. I was seated on an overstuffed, pink velvet seat with gold threading, and there were cream silk curtains hung above the windows of the vehicle. There was a detailed pattern on the light pink walls in gold paint. The thing also smelled of a delicate lilac perfume. The scent must have been barely a whisper to normal people, because I wasn't choking on it. The owner must have a hawk's eye for detail and fine craftsmanship, and he must also put quite the high value on comfort.

As I peeked out of the silk curtain to my left, I could see my entourage passing through the imposing, wrought iron gates of an estate. From there the horse trotted along a pleasant cobblestone path that winded up a hill. We finally reached our destination at a grand mansion where I was let out.

I was just trotting up the great marble steps when another carriage rolled up, and out of curiosity I stopped to see who would emerge. The carriage was similar to the one I had ridden in, but that wasn't what interested me. The man who stepped out seemed like the mischievous type. He had tan skin and a wild mane of rough black hair down his back. There were piercings all over his face, ears, and arms. My mind wandered to all the other places the attractive man might keep steel studs, until something caught my eye. On his right shoulder he proudly sported the guild mark for Phantom Lord, one of Fairy Tail's biggest competitors. He must've accepted the request as well.

Not wanting my job stolen from me, I raced up the steps and knocked on the door that was about thirty feet taller than it needed to be. A young, pink haired woman answered the door in a French maid uniform. I smiled warmly at the girl and rolled up my sleeve, "Hello, I'm from Fairy Tail. I accepted the duke's request."

She nodded, "Alright, allow me to wait for the young man before I let you in."

My eyebrow twitched, and I turned around to the man on the stairs. He was taking his sweet time. "Hurry up, phantom!" I called. He scowled and his pace didn't change. If anything, he went slower.

The phantom finally reached the top of the steps and smirked at the maid, "Hey, pretty lady. I'm from Phantom Lord, and I accepted your master's job."

She smiled softly and nodded, "I know. Both of you, please come in and follow me." We followed her into the mansion, the door closing on its own behind us. I could feel the plush pink hall rug through my shoes as we were led through the silent corridor lined with paintings and sculptures.

As we walked past the grand marble staircase of the foyer I commented mostly to myself, "Duke sure has a thing for pink."

Next to me was a scoff, followed by, "Tell me about it."

The rest of the walk was in silence, until the maid opened a set of big, white French doors to our left. Once inside, she bowed slightly to us and offered, "Please, take a seat one of the couches while you wait. Tea will be brought to you shortly." She then turned and left the room, closing the door behind herself.

I turned and surveyed the room. We had been brought to a vast parlor with glowing mahogany floors, and in a large marble fireplace a green and blue fire burned almost without sound. I began to stroll over to one of the overstuffed pink couches as I inquired, "How many guilds was this request posted to? Or do you not know," I turned to face him, "Iron Gajeel?"

He shrugged and uncrossed his arms as he lazily sauntered over to join me. I leaned on the arm of the couch and crossed my arms. He stopped in front of me and crossed his arms, "How the hell should I know how many guilds this job was posted to? And what's a fairy doing here? You'll ruin this nice house." he added with a sneer.

I ignored that last part, "I thought a man like you would only take jobs that involve beating the crap out of things. You know. Jobs that don't require all that much brain power seem like they would be more suited to your skill set."

"You're a feisty one, aren't you?" his irritation was thinly veiled in his body language.

The door opened and our heads turned to see a purple haired maid with a tray of tea things. She set it down on the coffee table, and I thanked her as she bowed and began to walk away. Gajeel stopped her and asked for her to bring any scrap metal there was lying around the house, never taking his gaze off me. The maid was shocked at his request, but again bowed and promised she would do what she could.

I could feel Gajeel eyeing me as he spoke, but all I did was nonchalantly pour myself a cup of tea. From my peripheral, I saw him frown at my lack of reaction. I added a lump of sugar and stirred it as he questioned, "Didn't you find anything odd about my request? Anything… out of the ordinary?"

Without looking at him, I took a sip and was unimpressed, "You are a dragon slayer, correct? I've been told that dragons 'eat' whatever they are 'of'. You are the iron dragon slayer. You eat iron."

He frowned further and grumbled, "Still, anyone else is surprised when they see it in person." I scoffed. What would he do if I'd requested a platter of precious gems? What would he have done if I'd asked the maid to bare her throat to me? Of course, I could eat emotions, but I could still reap just enough power by drinking blood, as my title implied. I imagined the iron dragon slayer would be more than shocked if I'd requested either of those things.

Iron Gajeel appeared as though he was about to ask me something else when the doors on the opposite side of the room opened to reveal a man with slicked back green hair in a white suit, Duke Martz. He was middle-aged, but still in good condition. You could probably see your reflection in his shiny black shoes. His emerald green eyes had a piercing quickness to them that betrayed none of his years. I stood upon his arrival and felt those eyes linger on me just a fraction longer than they did on Gajeel. Yuck, slime ball. That was the kind of look Sparky gave girls who caught his eye, and everyone knew what kind of man he was.

"So," Gajeel asked, "Who gets the job?"

Duke Martz just chuckled as he seated himself next to me, and I sat while giving a helpless look at Gajeel. The Duke answered his question as Gajeel sat across from us, "Whoever wins, of course."

Gajeel and I raised our eyebrows at each other, before we threw each other evil grins and he laughed, "Gihee."