Chapter Twenty-Three
Evergreen had begun scolding Bixlow for eavesdropping on women's conversations the second I walked away from him. During that time Laxus brought up going to the guild again, Freid thought that it was a good idea as well that I try to be around more people to get over the unconcious fear I had of hurting anyone. It took a fair amount of convincing, but they managed to do it. After Evergreen had finally finished tearing into Bixlow, we left the house and went to the guild. On the walk there, Bixlow made a comment about his ribs hurting and he'll need Wendy to check them out. The comment made me feel a little guilty. Laxus, Freid, and Evergreen, however, looked somewhat impressed.
The closer we got to town I began to feel uneasy. Just before we actually entered Magnolia I started to have a small panic attack. I could already see the people crawling everywhere. It was crowded and busy. Freid offered a solution, Runes so that people couldn't get within a foot on any side of me unless I allow it. He wrote it on my belt, so as long as I wore it people couldn't get too close, however it was only temporary. Apparently, his runes will weaken over time, especially those written on object that will be in constant motion. These runes will probably wear off by the end of the day. Once that was settled, we continued to the guild and before I knew it, the doors were opening.
The rowdiness of the guild calmed once they saw me back sooner than expected.
I walked in as if everyone wasn't staring at me, as if I currently wasn't the center of attention.
"Hey, Mira. My usual?" I asked once I got to the bar. That one sentence seemed to shake everyone from their stupor. The guild began to chatter.
"Lucy, my child, welcome back!" I heard Master say from... Wherever he was. I glanced around, trying to find the source of the voice. "I'm down here." I glanced down and found the short man at my feet. He hopped up onto the counter before speaking again, "If you're here, I take it that means the training is going well?"
"No, actually, we're here because Laxus figures I'm too freaked out by what happened a few weeks ago to be able to do the next part of training."
"Hmm, I see."
"He thinks that if I prove to myself that I can control the lightning in public, I'll be able to continue my training."
"It makes sense, Lucy." Mira says as she sets my milkshake in front of me. "People won't be able to use their magic if they think it will cause trouble for others." She had a wistful look on her face. That's right. Elfman couldn't use his magic properly for almost two years after he lost control once. Mira couldn't use hers at all, other than half transformations, until the Fantasia incident, if I remember correctly.
"Thanks, Mira. By the way," I say looking around, "Where are Natsu and the others? I would have expected to be pounced by them already."
"They left on a mission yesterday. Lisanna and Wendy went with them. They should be back-" She's interrupted by the door bursting open. "Now, I guess."
"We're back!" I hear Natsu yell as I swivel my seat towards the entrance, "Hey, Mira, I want some fi- Luce! You're here!" At that the whole group, aside from Wendy and Lisanna, run towards me.
"Hey, guys. I suggest you stop running." They ignore me and continue, until they hit the barrier.
At this the guild is silent and everyone looks confused, aside from Laxus and the Raijinshuu.
"Lucy, what's going on, why aren't you letting us get close?" Happy's voice sounds like it's about to break. I bend down to the little cat, and carefully grab him. He immediately launches into chest, crying, hugging me as much as his small arms can.
"Girly, the point of that barrier was so that no one could get too close and risk you hurting them." I look up with a sad look on my face.
"I know, I just couldn't not hug him. He just sounded so broken. I think I can control it enough that I can handle touching, just not running and crashing into me." I heard Laxus sigh and grumble about women and their emotions.
"Lucy, we missed you so much! We thought you didn't want to be with us anymore! After we went to find you at Laxus' house and you wouldn't come out and didn't let us in, we were sure you were going to leave us! Natsu cried for hours!" Happy wailed into my chest, I couldn't help but feel guilty for what I caused my family to think.
"I did not, Happy!" Natsu yelled in protest. I looked to the friends I held dear, to their upset expressions. I stand and looked to all of them.
"I'm sorry I haven't been around much the last few weeks. I've just been uneasy about being around other people." I took a deep breath then stepped forward to hug Erza, then Gray, to which I saw Juvia steam at, and then finally Natsu. When I pulled back I just happened to look over his shoulder and saw Lisanna looking upset.
"Listen, guys," I start, walking between Natsu and Erza, "I don't want to start going on missions again until I can control this better, so," I stop walking in front of Lisanna, linking my arm with hers and turning to look back at my team, "I want you to take Lisanna in my place for the time being."
Lisanna looked shocked and stepped out of my hold, "No, Lucy, I couldn't. I mean, I'd love to be part of Team Natsu, but not if it meant replacing you."
"You aren't a replacement. If you so choose to stay when I will be going out on jobs again, I'd gladly welcome you." I took a step closer to Lisanna, leaning in towards her ear, dropping my voice to a mere whisper. "Of course, this will give you the opportunity to get closer to Natsu, as well." When I stepped back, Lisanna had turned so red I was surprised that her snowy white hair hadn't changed colour as well. I had to release a small giggle at the sight.
"Of course, though," Lisanna stopped her blushing to look at me like I was about to shatter her dreams, "this is ultimately up to them." I said waving a hand towards Natsu, Gray, and Erza.
Both Lisanna and myself stared at the three of them. Her stare was begging them to say yes, mine was more along the lines of 'don't make me a fucking liar or I will hate you.' Now let's see who gets the message. And oh, sweet Mavis, I am now swearing with my eyes.
Natsu was the first to speak, "Of course, you can join. When we go on missions you're always so strong." I couldn't help but feel a prickle of pain as he said those words, and to think of all the times him, Erza, or Gray had to rescue me.
"If Lucy's okay with it, then sure, whatever." Gray spoke nonchalantly. In the background I heard Juvia say something along the lines of 'why does Gray agree with Love Rival so easily?' and 'if Juvia knew it was that easy to join their team, Juvia should have tried long ago.'
"I have never worked with you, but if you have these three's okay, then I shall allow it." Erza's words left an unspoken 'but if I don't like it, you will suffer greatly.' Lisanna gave a nervous laugh.
At that moment the guild doors burst open and all turned to see Levy rush through. I could practically see the question marks forming above everyone's heads as they tried to figure out how little Levy could open the doors with such force. Then Gajeel came in afterwards and there was a collective, quiet 'oh'.
"Master, we need to call Lucy to the guild now. I found something that she will want to know."
I'm really sorry that it's taking me so long to update! I just have so many ideas that I'm trying to decide which ones I want to work with and how I'm going to work some of the ideas I've already written into this and it's just difficult. I want to bring Lucy's keys back but I'm not sure how because I wanted them to be repaired slowly but then I remembered that one day in the Spirit World is three months on Earthland. Then the whole Aquarius and Tartaros thing happened.
But, enough ranting. Muses, tell me everything and anything and I will try my best to be back soon.