DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail. All rights belong to Hiro Mashima.
"Ne, Lucy, where are we going?"
The blue exceed flew closer to her, genuine curiosity etched into his features. The blonde sighed, she had already explained briefly about her situation back at her apartment and had requested her friends to follow her to meet with the shopkeeper who had sold her the scarf.
"I already told you, we're going to meet the kind lady who sold me this scarf."
She raised the scarf clutched between her fingers for him to see. The blue exceed's face contorted weirdly as he seemed to be deep in thought but the blonde ignored it partially to focus on where she is heading.
The other three behind the two followed closely, not fully knowing why the blonde needed them for this but willingly obliged to accompany her. They are still confused about her little predicament but understood enough to know what's going on.
The ice mage and the fire dragon slayer have been giving each other intense glares ever since they left but with the requip mage walking with them, they feared what would happen if they butted foreheads and started insulting each other.
"But then, she isn't so kind if this scarf is giving you trouble, right?"
"She only sold it to me because of her friend's request. If anyone is to blame, it's that friend of hers."
The ice mage, deciding to stop getting a rise out of the fire dragon slayer, walked into step with the blonde after seeing her conversing with the blue exceed.
"I get your situation and all but... why do you need all of us?"
He asked curiously while shoving his hands into the pockets of his pants.
"I just don't trust you guys to be left alone at my apartment and also because why not? It feels good spending time with you guys. I might also need backup just in case."
She gave him a sweet smile at the end of her reply, which made his heart skip a beat but he would never admit that aloud. He was thankful that he was good at keeping his expression calm.
He, however, sweatdroped at the part where she said that she didn't trust them with her apartment, a hand moving up to scratch the side of his side.
"Come on, we're not that bad..."
"Yeah, Lucy! We take good care of your apartment!"
The blonde rolled her eyes at the ice mage and the blue exceed, placing a finger on her chin as she talked.
"Let's see... my stuff seems to always get scattered when you guys are around, scratch marks are all over the walls and not to mention some of my furniture catching fire or being frozen. And that's just some that I can think of right now."
She crossed her arms over her chest and puffed her cheeks, recalling how much she would have to spend to get some of her stuff recovered each time they crashed at or broke into her place.
The blonde then caught the sight of a familiar shop not too far ahead, holding the scarf tighter between her fingers.
"Hey, it isn't my fault that your furniture was in the way! I was aiming at the ice princess over here."
The fire dragon slayer decided to pipe in after overhearing what she said, not missing the chance to put the blame off of him as usual.
"Oi, watch what you're saying, ash for brains!"
The blonde mentally facepalmed, there they go again. Not wanting it to go any further, she glanced behind her to see if the scarlet haired mage was behind them but was surprised to see that she isn't.
"Hey, where's Erza?"
She questioned out loud, feeling slightly worried although she knew the requip mage is more than capable of handling herself.
"Oh, said she wanted to see the bakery over there."
The fire dragon slayer pointed at one of the shops behind them and indeed they could see her talking to the man behind the counter inside before he resumed his chorus of insults exchange with the ice mage.
"Typical."
She chuckled to herself, deciding that she would just go on with what she wanted to do, the bakery was not too far away from the scarf shop anyways.
The shopkeeper immediately recognised the blonde and smiled kindly at her when she stood in front of the shop, the blonde returning the gesture happily.
"Whats brings you here again, miss Lucy? Care for some more scarves?"
She also greeted the blonde's comrades before diverting her attention back to the blonde. The blonde shook her head at her question, a hand raising up to bring the light pink scarf she had purchased during her last visit into view.
"I'm actually here to ask about this scarf. I believe that it has been enchanted."
The blonde went straight to the point, not wanting to waste any more time in finding the truth about it. The shopkeeper wasn't even surprised at her claims but instead nodded her head, which Lucy found both weird and suspicious.
"Ah, I see."
The lady pulled out a piece of folded paper from who knows where and held it out to the blonde, gesturing her to take it. With slight hesitation, she grabbed it and was about to unfold it when the lady spoke up again.
"Don't read it now. It's best that you read it when you are alone. It is also not from me but it came with the scarf. That's all I can say."
The blonde was about to question what it is but the lady had excused herself to tend to another customer. She scrunched her eyebrows in confusion and turned to face her friends, who were also as equally confused. The fire dragon slayer crossed his arms over his chest and raised a brow.
"Talk about rude."
"Aye."
She shook her head at the blue exceed and his owner, proceeding to walk towards the direction they initially came from to go home. This was her only clue so she might as well do as she was asked.
"Well, at least you got a clue now."
The ice mage spoke up, coincidentally voicing her thoughts.
"That's true. Now, let's go get Erza."
After parting ways with her teammates, she sat herself down on her dining table chair, a fruit tart the requip mage had gotten her sitting firmly on a plate on the table.
She is holding the note she had gotten with her right hand, preparing herself to unfold it and read its contents.
"Well, here goes nothing."
The words on the note were cursive, but it was neatly and beautifully done that it was easy to read. With a deep breath, she started reading it in her head.
To the chosen one,
I'm guessing you must be utterly confused about the power of the scarf and the true reason behind its effect. Fear not, I am here to answer your unanswered questions.
First of all, the scarf has been enchanted so that the wearer would have a spell casted on them, a spell that would make a soul fall in love with you with just a simple touch.
Although, those who already have existing feelings for you in that way will not be affected. Yes, it may sound weird but I am indirectly helping souls that are looking for their true love.
Once the job is done, the scarf will disappear to find a new owner. And yes, the scarf chooses its owner by attracting them which I'm assuming is how you've come to purchase this scarf. I guess I'll just say sorry in advance for your loss in funds.
Well, I think that covers it all. Best of luck and I hope you have a happy and fulfilling life with your newfound lover.
From,
An anonymous matchmaker
P.S. - Please do not reveal the details you have learned from this note and please dispose of this note after you are done reading.
Her face expression varied, depending on which part of the note she was reading. She scrunched the paper after she was done, not really knowing how to react.
To find her true love? How is it even possible to enchant something to do that kind of stuff? More importantly, she didn't know what to make of the fact that she had already found those who are not affected by the 'spell'.
Her cheeks turned a deep scarlet colour that could rival the requip mage's hair, burying her face into her cupped hands.
"Natsu and Gray? That can't be true...they're just my friends, right?"
She found herself questioning herself out loud, wondering if any of the two have ever dropped hints to her about their apparent feelings for her.
She blushed a shade darker, finding it hard to believe that she was actually believing the contents of the note.
Her brown eyes then caught a glimpse of the night sky outside, thinking that maybe she should get some rest and analyse the whole thing again in the morning.
"Yeah. That sounds like a great idea."
Author's Note : Hello everyone and welcome back to my story! I hope that you enjoyed this chapter and feel free to leave any form of feedback, it would help me out greatly.
Of course, thank you so much to those who have, you guys are awesome!
I still haven't decided which pairing I am going to do but I am definitely going to write more about the boys' apparent 'feelings' for our lovable blonde in future chapters so I hope you stay tuned!
Anyways, again, thank you so much and have a great day! - Marissa