Laki's Charm (Lucky charm)
feat. Laki Orietta
[Setting: Prior to the FT canon timeline, during the 7-year timeskip, and Ch. 254-255]
Disclaimer: The inspiration for this character came from a pun, haha. Laki's a hard one to write, but she was one that Mashima always went to for some comic relief!
Young Laki Orietta looked out the window of her orphanage. The dark, grey clouds along with the sound of the rain falling down the rooftops and gutters around her made her feel sadder than she usually is. She couldn't help ask Alan, who was also looking out the window next to her, so that it eases the weird clench in her chest, "Hey, doesn't it look like the sky is crying?"
"Can't you just say it's raining?" Alan looked at her, confused.
"Well…" she looked away from him, unsure of how to respond to his question.
"You know she talks weird, Alan!" another kid ran past the two children, shouting loudly as he ran past them.
Alan shrugged and ran off, wanting to join in on whatever the other children were playing.
Laki grimaced at being called 'weird', watching the other children from where she was at the window. She knew she wasn't going to change for anybody. There will be someone out there who appreciates it! She thought, as she watched the rain fall.
Laki banged on the locked door again. From the small window of the cabin, she saw the girl who had locked her swinging the keys in front of her, taunting.
She gave the girl the best glare she could, "You do know that the heavens still hold the final judgement, right?"
"What?"
Laki resisted the urge to roll her eyes. If you don't know what I mean, then continue not knowing. She placed her hands on the floor of the cabin, initiating the one magic she has already mastered, "Wood-make! The Dam of Shy Love!"
As Laki stepped out from her wood-make magic, she heard the girl screech, "Kyyyaaaahhh! What the heck, Laki?!"
The little room Laki was once locked in was in ruins. Tree roots and spikes of branches took its place. She scoffed, "Hmph. The cabin was made of wood, idiot."
Laki turned and walked away, ignoring the sobs coming from the girl and the other students that have gathered to see the commotion.
Laki looked at her shopping list and back into her bag, "I think that's all of the stuff Ms. Oakley wanted…"
The items were stacked so high that as she heaved and turned to walk back out the store with her haul that she'd bumped into someone, toppling all the items in the process.
"Ouch!" The old man rubbed his head, Laki guessed it must've been the potatoes or tomatoes that caused it.
Laki quickly bent down, "Oh goodness! I'm so sorry!" she grabbed all the fallen fruits and supplies while also checking to see that he was all right.
"No, no. It was my fault for not watching where I was going…" the old man looked at her closely again, his face lit up as if he remembered, "Ahh, you're Miss Laki Orietta aren't you?"
She picked up the last of the items that have been on the floor back into her bag and blinked, "I am. But how…"
"Ms. Oakley has told me all about you, Miss Orietta."
"Who are you?" she quirked her eyebrow, this old man is more than he lets on…
"Makarov. Master of the magic guild of Fairy Tail," he held out his hand for her to shake.
Laki looked to his hand and to the old man in front of her, "I… You're not.. I'm not going to lose my innocence or any-"
Master Makarov, as she told him to address her as such, laughed. It surprised her. "This is the first time someone has found what I said…"
"Hilarious? Fascinating?"
Laki tilted her head, still unsure, "Well, they won't really say it that way, but –"
"You're a funny one, Orietta…" Master Makarov was still smiling, looking at her kindly.
"Um.." it made Laki uncomfortable. She's been called a lot of things, but 'funny' definitely hadn't been on that list often. Not to mention she still didn't know what Master Makarov saw in her.
"There will be a place in Fairy Tail for you, and you will be on the less extreme end of weird out of all the kids in that guild, trust me." Master Makarov explain
She glanced at Master Makarov again and was reminded of all the times she had been shunned or teased. Whether for her magic or her way with words, but there are people weird than her? She found that hard to believe...
"When you say less extreme end of weird… You mean… I'd actually be quite normal out of those who are already a Fairy Tail member?"
Master Makarov laugh was loud and full, "I am glad you caught my meaning. Yes, that is exactly what I mean."
She thought back to all the times she had been shunned and teased. So… I'd actually not be the most crazy person there? "…Really?" she stared at Master Makarov, still not quite believing this is actually happening.
Master Makarov nodded. Laki held her hands together, excitement and nervousness coursing through her all at once. Although Ms. Oakley's place was nice and quiet, missions and thus money was hard to come by if she isn't a mage in a guild…
Mustering up her courage, she said, "I…Then.. Please let me serve Fairy Tail to the best of my abilities under your guidance!" she bowed to show her gratitude.
Master Makarov laughed again, "You're one funny lady, Laki Orietta…"
Hearing him say that she is funny again made her embarrassed, "Th-Thank you…"
"I look forward to seeing you soon then," Master Makarov dusted his shirt before nodding to her again.
"Yes! Definitely!" she smiled and waved back at Master Makarov until he disappeared into the crowd.
A/N: Ahh, Makarov sounds really weird here… Writing Laki was fun. She reminds me of myself sometimes, the way she talks, haha. Two years ago, I wrote a meta about Laki that acts as a companion piece if you're interested in reading it on my Tumblr! ^^ As always, how was the drabble? Too short? Just right? Loved? Hated it? I would love to hear your thoughts! ^^