Lucy sighed softly as she walked beside her fellow book lover, curious about the past few hours. It had been a bit of a surprise when Levy mentioned an interguild job as those were rarely on the board and most often went through their guild master. Glancing to the blunette beside her she decided that she needed to find out. Clearing her throat and catching her friend's attention she spoke.
"Who are we meeting with and what kind of job is this exactly Levy-chan?" The script mage looked at her, seeming hesitant to answer. "Most interguild jobs are handed out by Master Makarov."
Levy nodded her head. "I know, but this was just one of those – the other guild just wanted some assistance with the job. Master approved of me going since it's in my field but I – I didn't really want to go alone." She confessed.
Lucy eyed the girl, suspicious about why she avoided answering the question about the job. "Okay, but can I at least know what the job is and who were going with?"
"The job doesn't involve fighting; we're just heading to Shirotsume town to meet with the client, he'll tell us all the details. We're just finding some lost ancient scrolls." Levy shrugged slightly.
Lucy frowned a little. "Levy, the job sounds like it's something right up your alley. Why would you need me to go with you?"
Levy winced, seeming more uncomfortable. "B-because it's with the –we're doing the job with Blue Pegasus." She revealed.
Lucy's eyes widened briefly before she turned to face Levy, grabbing the girl. "Please tell me the job isn't with who I think it is." She watched her friend's head nod causing the blonde to whimper. "Levy-chan!" She cried. "Why?"
"I don't know how to handle them and you're better at it –I mean I've seen you with them. You just –"She cut herself off and Lucy sighed, releasing her friend to continue with their walk.
"It's okay Levy, I know they can be much. I'm here for you." Levy smiled at her and the stellar mage returned it.
When the two arrived at the café Levy had told her they were to meet the members of Blue Pegasus, the two decided to take a small break, Levy slipping off to the bathroom while Lucy got them a table, ordering them something to drink. When the script mage found her she smiled, excusing herself to go and fix up herself as well, smiling when she came out to see Levy was surrounded by the Trimens.
Suppressing a giggle she quickly arrived at the table, taking her seat and moving the attention the trio of males were giving Levy to herself, sending the blunette a quick smile.
"Lucy, I didn't expect you to be here." Hibiki greeted, the surprise on his face quickly disappearing and turning into a smile Lucy would rather he not give her. "But I won't deny it's good to see you."
Lucy's smile became tense as she greeted him. "Afternoon Hibiki"
"We've missed seeing your beautiful face; it's been such a long time." Ren spoke
The celestial mage rolled her eyes, ignoring the other two. "Sorry about the surprise but Levy invited me and forgot to tell you. I hope you don't mind." She smiled and nodded when her tea was delivered, taking a drink from it.
"We'd never mind you, joining us, Lucy." Eve spoke.
"No, it's fine." Hibiki waved it off. "It's a pleasant surprise. How have you been?"
"I've been well, busy dealing with my ever destructive team mates." She half complained.
"You know you really should come join us." Ren grabbed her hand.
"We're not destructive and we always get our job done perfectly." Eve added in.
"How have you been, Hibiki?" Lucy asked, removing her hand from Ren's grasp.
He smiled. "I've been great, I miss getting together with you for tea." Lucy rolled her eyes. "How has that spell been going for you? You haven't updated me in a while."
"It's gotten easier to cast on my own, but I still need a bit of extra magic to cast it without exhausting myself."
Hibiki nodded his head. "I'm glad to hear you've made so much progress. I knew you were the perfect person for that spell and I had a feeling you'd master it in no time."
The blonde blushed, smiling. "Thank you." She took a drink of her tea. "Now shall we go meet with the client and get this job started?"
"Of course" Hibiki stood, turning to Levy, holding his hand out for her. "Levy" Lucy smiled as the blunette, took his hand and stood from her seat.
"Lucy, if I may." The blonde giggled as she allowed Ren to escort her out of the café, the group making their way to their client.
It had been a brief meeting; the man had wanted them to find several lost ancient scrolls that had once belonged in a library but had been stolen and never found. Lucy had her doubts about being able to find them but the man seemed insistent upon the location he provided and seeing as the reward – evenly split between the five of them – would give her enough money to cover her rent she wasn't going to complain.
So without further ado the group began their job, deciding to take an SE-Plug to make things easier. Lucy sat beside Eve while Ren sat across from him and Levy her while Hibiki drove the vehicle. The ride was filled with small chatter as they caught up with each other. Glancing out of the corner of her eye Lucy noticed the blunette shift in her seat; turning toward her she sent her a concerned smile, receiving an assuring one in response.
It was a relief Levy had been able to hold up thus far but then she had been right in bringing her along as a distraction because so far that's exactly what she'd been. Letting out a soft sigh she turned her attention back to the conversation, she honestly couldn't stand the way they flirted so shamelessly with her – especially since Ren had a girlfriend, but there wasn't anything to be done. It's who they were.
By the time they arrived at their destination Lucy was ready to throttle somebody, preferably Ren or Eve and she was leaning towards Eve only because Sherry would prefer Ren in his current state. Sighing heavily, she sent a tired smile to Levy who giggled in response as they got out of the vehicle. Once situated the small group began walking, they had a five kilometer walk before they'd arrive at the caves the scrolls were supposed to be in and Lucy was hoping that the client had been right.
As they walked Lucy did her best to smile and put up with the two males who insisted upon trying to flirt with her and take her arm to 'escort' her. It was seriously tempting to lay out a Lucy kick on the duo but she resisted. Looking ahead at the blunette she was suddenly envious because at least Hibiki was only having a casual conversation with the girl. Half tempted to trade places with her she then noticed something she hadn't expected to see on her friend's face. Easing her way forward discreetly she caught bits of their conversation.
"I don't think I've told you yet but I really appreciate you coming along for the job." Hibiki told Levy.
"I was actually surprised you were okay with it. I figured Freed was more ideal." Hibiki shrugged slightly.
"While he's intelligent I'd rather not have the entire thunder legion tagging along, besides I know how intelligent you are and quite honestly I'd rather be in the company of a beautiful woman."
"W-well thank you." Levy stuttered and the stellar mage continued to observe her for a few moments, processing everything. If the solid script mage's reaction was anything to go on then – A grin slowly made its way onto her face as she slowed her pace and began to devise a plan.
When the group arrived at the caves, Hibiki suggested they split into groups and Lucy took it upon herself to name the groups. "Ren, Eve." She called out to the two males. "Would the two of you mind going with me to search the caves?" She nibbled on her lip nervously, looking at them. "I'd really feel safe if I had you by my side." Smothering the devious smile that begged to make an appearance the second the two males bolted to her side, each taking her hand, she sent a quick glance to her blue haired friend before allowing herself to be dragged away and into the caves.
~~x~~
A soft sigh escaped the stellar mage as she scanned the area, half regretting her plan but it needed to happen. She wasn't expecting things to suddenly progress quickly but maybe it would be enough for a spark to occur. A small burning flame that could – with luck – turn into something - bigger. Clearing her head she focused on trying to find those scrolls, hoping that they really were in these stupid caves.
Another heavy sigh escaped her and she moved forward, deeper into the caves hearing the sounds of Ren and Eve following her.
"Is everything okay, Lucy?" Eve asked, concern lacing his voice as he took her arm in his.
"Huh?" She blinked at the blonde. "Oh, everything is fine Eve." She smiled at him, ignoring the look on his face. "I-am just a little frustrated we can't find the scrolls." She fibbed, taking another glance around the caves. "I don't really like going into places like this and I hoped we'd have found them sooner." She noticed the young man's expression change in an instant and Ren was by her side grabbing her other hand.
"Don't worry Lucy." Eve patted her hand. "We'll keep you safe."
"We'll protect you, there's nothing to be afraid of and we'll find the scrolls soon enough so you don't have to stay in here much longer." Lucy smiled, squeezing their hands gently.
"Thank you boys, I feel much better." She winced internally, loathing her actions as the two males smiled at her and began leading her further to continue their search. She really wished she could trade places with Levy right now.
~~x~~
"Perhaps we should head back?" Eve suggested after another half hour went by with no results. "We've been searching for a while and haven't yielded any results."
"Great idea" Lucy chirped.
Turning the blonde began making her way out hoping that Levy and Hibiki found the scrolls. She was severely regretting majority of her choices for the day and couldn't wait to get home and spend some time in her bathtub unwinding. Sighing softly she allowed two of the three Trimens to lead her out and back into the nearby forest.
When she saw Levy and Hibiki with the scrolls she nearly cried out in joy and struggled still to remain composed upon seeing her blushing bookworm best friend. Maybe today wasn't entirely bad; she could suffer through those two again if it meant she could see more of these moments from the blunette.
Lucy waved at her friend, giving the girl a warm smile as they regrouped and began walking to the SE-Plug. Once inside the blonde let out a content sigh, happy to be done with the job. Once again Hibiki drove the car but instead of sitting across from the blunette Lucy took the seat beside her and the car was filled with idle chatter, Levy informing her that they were lucky they had even found the scrolls with how obscure they were and that she and Hibiki also had a little difficulty getting the scrolls out of where they were.
When they finally returned to the client's home they received their reward and soon the duo parted with the Trimens heading on their way. Lucy couldn't help but let out a relieved sigh as they began walking through town headed back to Magnolia.
"I'm so happy that this job is finally over!" The blonde half exclaimed, smiling at her best friend's giggle.
"I'm sorry Lu-chan. I know it must have been hard to deal with those two." Lucy side-glanced her friend before half shrugging.
"Only a lot, but it's okay. You can make it up to me by letting me drag you to the magic shops. I want to see if they have any keys in." Levy nodded her head and the duo made their way towards the shops.
Inside the blonde skimmed the area searching for any keys, checking the display counter for any before calling out to the shop owner. "How can I help you?"
She smiled sweetly. "I was just wondering if you had any celestial keys." She inquired, causing the man to hum in thought.
"You know what; I do believe I have one." The stellar mage grinned excitedly. "It's a silver key and it seems pretty useless." She watched him walk back into his storage room before returning with a box in hand. The shop owner removed the lid and she frowned slightly trying to recognize the symbol when it came to her.
"Oh, this is part of a set." She informed him. "You have to have all the keys in order for it to really work and they only work in water."
"Well, I'll let you have it for 15,000. I doubt you'll come across the others." Nodding the blonde pulled out her money and gave it to him after he rang her up.
"If you wouldn't mind" The blonde slid a card to the man. "Here's my information, I'm a celestial mage and if you come across any keys –"
"You'll be the first I call."
The stellar mage beamed at the man. "Thanks." She gave the man a wave and left the shop, feeling giddy. She grabbed the script mage's hand and dragged her to the next shop hopeful that she'd be able to buy at least one more.
When they reached the shop the duo entered and the blonde made her way over to the counter, greeting the shop keeper warmly. "Hi, I'm looking for celestial keys and I was wondering if you had any."
The woman nodded. "I have two of them." She informed her, reaching below she moved a few things before placing the box on the counter. "They're entirely useless to me and I don't get many celestial mages through here. I'll sell them to you for 25,000 and not a penny less."
Furrowing her brows she looked at the woman questioningly. "For both keys?" the woman gave her a short nod. The blonde hesitated for a moment. She really should be asking to see the keys to give the woman a better price but 25,000 jewels for two keys was a deal she could hardly come across again even if the keys weren't spectacular. She looked to the owner. "Ring me up." The woman moved over to the register and Lucy handed the woman her money before taking the keys and giving the woman her information and the same line she did to all the magic shop keepers she came across.
Sighing, the blonde left the shop with her friend, the two finally making their way back home. Opening the boxes the blonde stilled, looking at her newly purchased keys in disbelief.
"Lu-chan?" The blunette bookworm called out to her friend in concern. "Is everything alright?"
Lucy stared at the keys a moment longer before reaching for her keys, pulling out the third key, placing it beside the other two. "Levy-chan." She looked from her keys to her best friend. "I – You will not believe this."
The solid script mage frowned. "What is it?"
"The key I bought at the first shop and the other two keys I just bought – I – they're a set. I've got the whole set!" She squealed out. "Oh, my, gosh! Levy! I have the whole set!"
"What really?" The blunette made her way over to take a closer look, Lucy showing her the keys. "Wow, talk about lucky."
The blonde grinned at her friend. "Lucky Lucy Heartfilia." She joked and her friend rolled her eyes playfully.
"You said they're only summoned in water?" Levy inquired as they began their walk again.
"Yeah, specifically the ocean. Each key is actually part of a ship." She lifted showed Levy each key. "The deck, the keel and the sails" She returned her keys to their pouch. "When together they summon the ship Argo."
"The Argo?" The stellar mage nodded happily. "I've heard about that ship before it's supposed to be amazing and one of the first of its kind to make a high seas voyage."
"Yep, and I've got all three keys to summon it!" The blonde let out a squeal of happiness as she jumped up and down. "Today has been a great day!"
Levy let out a laugh. "Even though you had to put up with Ren and Eve?"
Lucy laughed, shaking her head, giving the girl beside her a smile. "Yep, besides I had a pretty good reason for that."
"You did?" Upon hearing the curiosity in her friend's voice Lucy nearly stalled as she realized her mistake. Biting her lip she decided to be honest.
"Yes, I did. In fact I did it for you." She confessed. "Because I know who you're crushing on."
What?!" The stellar mage cringed slightly at the look on Levy's face. "Lucy I- I- please don't tell anyone – Oh go- just –"
"Levy-chan." She called out, placing a hand on the blunette's shoulder. "It's okay. I'm not going to say anything to anyone or him." She assured her. "It'll stay a secret. I kind of understand why you're so unsure about it and I just want to wish you luck and I really hope for you." Levy gave her a grateful smile and the two began their walk home once again.
"Lu-chan." Looking at her best friend, the celestial mage felt her brows furrow at the look on her face. "About you and Hibiki?"
Lucy smiled at her. "We're strictly platonic. We only met up because of what happened a while ago. We've become friends and our conversations have always been about magic – well a few times we've talked about jobs but it's never been anything more and it never will be anything more.
The bookworm nodded. "I'm sorry I –"
"I understand but you should have some confidence in yourself. I think it'll all work it." Levy sent her a grateful smile and the two focused on getting back home to Magnolia.
Once home the two girls parted, heading home to clean up and meet at the guild to talk and have some fun. Lucy had just unlocked her door when it occurred to her that she had just blown half of her rent money on buying new keys. Letting out a small groan the blonde tossed her bag down before heading to the bathroom for a quick shower. "I suppose this is the point of my savings." She grumbled as she scrubbed herself clean, groaning again. "If I keep this up I won't have any money in my savings ever and if I don't then –"Her eyes widened in horror. "I've got to ban my team from my apartment." She declared softly before sighing at her stupidity. Like she could actually ban her teammates from her place.
Finishing her shower the blonde quickly dried and dressed, putting her keys and Fleuve in their proper places before locking up. The blonde made her way to the guild with the intent to hang out with her friends, drink a little in celebration of a successful job – and because she really needed on after dealing with the Trimens – but mostly to have fun.
So, I wasn't going to publish this until tomorrow but I decided to heck with it and just publish it today. Hoped you enjoyed it.