Happy Friday!

darling spider: This is one of my favorite chapters. I super-love Lyon and his team. Thanks for the R&R!

- K. Chandler

Lyon's lacrima sounded. He smiled as he recognized the caller.

"Sorry, I should probably take this. Go ahead and start without me." Lyon excused himself and stepped out into the hallway, lacrima in hand. "Hey, Juvia."

"Lyon! Did I catch you at a bad time?" Juvia's voice crackled through the lacrima.

Lyon's eyes darted toward the table where the rest of his team was eating lunch. "No, of course not. I'm always glad to hear from you," he said.

"So, you've heard about the Victory Gala, yes?" asked Juvia. Her excitement was palpable, even through the lacrima. Lyon could imagine the sparkle in her eyes as she clenched eager fists.

"Of course. It's all Sherry can talk about. It's starting to drive Yuka a little crazy, though," he confided.

Over at his table, Sherry sighed, a star-struck smile pulling at her lips. The girl always had her head in a cloud, but Lyon swore it had gotten worse since they had started talking about this year's Victory Gala.

"You must have your hands full," giggled Juvia.

"Full doesn't even begin to describe it. But it's all in a day's work, really," he bragged. "What about you? You sound excited about it," he observed.

"How can Juvia not be? Juvia can't remember the last time she's been to a formal dance. It's so exciting!"

"I can imagine," he said.

"You'll be there, right? Guest of honor and all that?" she asked. "Juvia was told that you were actually part of the mission."

"That's right," he said carefully, acutely aware of the quickening of his pulse. He knew it was foolish to get his hopes up, but part of him couldn't help it.

"Juvia was wondering if she could ask Lyon for a favor."

"And what would that be?" he asked. He had a sinking feeling in his stomach that he already knew what she would say.

"It would make Juvia very happy if, well… Juvia hates to be a bother," she said. "But whenever Lyon helps, things tend to work out. So if she could trouble you, just one more time…"

Lyon took a deep breath. He let it out slowly, forcing his disappointment to settle. "Is this about Gray?"

Got it in one.

"Juvia hates to be a bother," she said again, sounding almost embarrassed.

"Juvia, it's no trouble at all. I told you. I'm happy to do whatever I can." The reply was rehearsed. Automatic. And at this point, it was as much for her sake as it was for his own. "How can I help?"

"Do you think Juvia should ask Gray to take her to the dance?" she blurted out, breathless.

A wry smile pulled at Lyon's lips. Did he think she should? Absolutely not. Gray was an idiot and Juvia was better off staying as far away from him as possible.

As to whether or not it would work?

"I'm not sure that'll get you the outcome you're looking for," he said honestly. "You might be better off meeting him there and approaching him at the Gala."

"That's a good idea," agreed Juvia. "Juvia will be sure to do that."

"And remember—"

"Don't smother him?" finished Juvia. She sounded like she was smiling.

"I was going to say call me anytime, but you're right too."

"You've taught Juvia well," Juvia giggled. "Thanks again, Lyon. Talking to you always makes me feel more sure of myself. It gives me hope that eventually I'll get through to him."

His team was deep in conversation when Lyon finally rejoined them.

Or at least Yuka was. Sherry was nodding distractedly, leafing through a copy of Sorcerer Weekly.

"Are you even listening?" Yuka demanded.

"Clearly not, seeing as she's gone and put onions on her sandwich," noted Lyon, taking his place at the table. Sherry hated onions and normally asked for them to be left off of her food.

Sherry looked startled. "Oh, gross. I didn't even notice. That's not love," she said with a frown. She picked the offending condiment out of her lunch, wrinkling her nose at it. "Thanks for that."

"Good thing Lyon notices everything," said Toby, picking up his dish and looking under it.

Lyon might have been flattered if the compliment had come from anyone other than Toby. Toby was absent-minded by nature, so the whole team always helping him find things he had misplaced.

"It's a blessing and a curse," Lyon sighed dramatically. "The spoon you're looking for is in your hand, by the way."

Toby put his dish down, looked sheepish. "Right. I knew that. I was just testing you."

"What on earth has everyone so worked up?" asked Yuka. "Neither of you have been paying any attention this afternoon," he said, shooting serious looks at Sherry and Toby.

"Just trying to figure out what I should do with my hair," sighed Sherry, brushing at the loose strands with her fingers. Her eyes were still glued to her magazine.

"The same thing you do with it every year," said Yuka in exasperation.

"Let her go," said Lyon. "There's no getting through to her when she's in this state."

"So, who else is excited for the Gala?" asked Sherry, eyes lighting up in excitement. "Are any of you guys going?"

"You and I don't have a choice," said Lyon, gesturing at Sherry and himself. "But I'm guessing you would have wanted to go regardless."

"Naturally," said Sherry. "That's love."

"You two going together?" asked Yuka, suddenly interested.

"Goodness, no!" giggled Sherry. "Ren will be there. Anyone else bringing a date?"

"Oh, me!" blurted Toby, raising a paw.

Yuka's bushy eyebrows jerked skyward. He shot Lyon a dark look.

"Oh, that's love!" chirped Sherry. "Who is it?"

"Well… I can't say," said Toby. His eyes darted towards Sherry. Or maybe he was looking at the cover of her magazine?

Sherry pouted. "You can tell us, Toby. We're all friends here."

"But I haven't asked her yet," he said, wringing his hands. His eyes darted back and forth.

"You can't leave me in suspense this way. So not love," said Sherry. "Tell you what. We should play twenty questions so I can guess who it is." Sherry clasped her hands together. "Will you tell me if I guess right?"

Toby shrugged. "I don't see how that would hurt. Okay."

"Is she a mage?" asked Sherry.

"Sure is," said Toby, a dopey smile spreading across his face. Lyon wondered if he looked like that when Juvia called.

"Is she a guild wizard?"

"Yeah."

"We are talking about a girl, right?" asked Sherry hastily.

"I think she's more of a woman than a girl," said Toby.

"Is she from Mermaid Heel?" asked Sherry.

"Nope." Toby shook his head. "Guess again."

"Is she in Fairy Ta—"

"Is her name Jenny Realight?" interrupted Yuka.

Toby's eyes widened. "How did you know?"

"Please, it was completely obvious," said Yuka, frowning. "A word, Lyon?"

"If I must," he said with a sigh. He followed Yuka away from the table. Lyon didn't particularly want to involve himself in this little drama, but it seemed he had no choice.

"You can't let him go through with this," said Yuka, as soon as the rest of the team was out of earshot.

"What are you talking about?" asked Lyon.

"Jenny Realight," spat Yuka. "I think it'll end in disaster."

"What's your problem?" asked Lyon, glaring. "You have been on Toby's case since he told us about his little crush."

"It's Jenny Realight," insisted Yuka, as if the name alone meant something.

"And?"

"The Jenny Realight," repeated Yuka, pointing at Sherry.

For a moment, Lyon was confused. Then he realized that Yuka was pointing at Sherry's magazine. "Lyon, she's a Sorcerer Weekly model. She's gorgeous."

"That explains why Toby likes her so much," said Lyon.

"He doesn't have a chance," insisted Yuka.

"How do you know that?" asked Lyon. "Not that it's any of our business, that is."

"Someone like you wouldn't understand," Yuka complained sullenly.

"And just what is that supposed to mean?" demanded Lyon.

Yuka huffed. "All of this is easy for you to say. You're the kind of guy who can get any girl he wants."

Lyon bristled. Yuka's words couldn't have been further from the truth. And the lacrima call he had just gotten off of proved it. But Lyon wasn't in the mood to talk about his non-existent love-life.

This wasn't about him. It was about Toby.

"What's the real problem?" he asked instead.

"Guys like us—like me and Toby—we don't have a chance with a girl like that." Yuka sighed, scowling at the floor. "I… I don't want to see Toby getting hurt. Not over someone like her."

Lyon let out a breath. "Yuka, I understand your concerns. And I think they're admirable. I really do. And if Toby had said something about, it would be entirely different. But as it stands, Toby hasn't asked for our help. It's really not any our business."

"Big words coming from the guy who went to rough up Sherry's boyfriend when they first got together."

"Who told you about that?" asked Lyon sharply.

Yuka smirked. "Chelia."

Lyon scoffed. He should have known. "Of course. That girl!" Then he sighed. "Although, you know that's not the same thing at all, right?"

"Really?" jeered Yuka. "Sounds like you were just looking out for your best friend and teammate, same as I am."

"I didn't stop Sherry from making her own choices," Lyon pointed out. "I may have tried to influence the situation a little, but that's fair game."

Yuka sighed. "I don't see how we can do that," he said. "It's not like I can make her give him a chance."

"Exactly," said Lyon. "Now do you understand? There's nothing I can do at this point. We just have to let this run its course and hope for the best."

Yuka didn't look happy, but he had to concede the point. He followed Lyon back to the table with a reluctant sigh.

"Oh, good. You're back," said Sherry excitedly. "Toby has something to ask you, Lyon."

"Oh? What is it?" Surely he couldn't be…

"So, um. I was wondering," stammered Toby. "You're really good with girls and stuff. Do you think you could help me… maybe get a date with Jenny? I sorta want to take her to the dance, y'know?"

First Juvia and now Toby. When did he become Mr. Relationship?

"You'll help, Lyon. Won't you?" asked Sherry.

Yuka and Lyon exchanged glances. Toby had asked. And Lyon had admitted that it was fair game to influence the situation a little. What was stopping him?

"Fine. I might as well," sighed Lyon.

"Oh, good!" chirped Sherry. "That's totally love!"

"Just one question," interrupted Lyon. "Do you trust me?"

"Um, yeah? I guess?" said Toby.

"Good," said Lyon, already formulating a plan in his mind. It would be risky, but hopefully well worth it.

"I don't like that look on your face. What are you planning?" asked Sherry, her eyes narrowing.

"We'll have to wait and see, won't we?" said Lyon.

Toby X Jenny? For those who remember, I said this ship was coming back, didn't I? It's legit.

So here's the deal. Every ship needs a name, and because I'm 98% certain this is something that we made up (because it's just plain ridiculous) we get to name it. And if I forget to ask, feel free to suggest anyways. ;) What do you guys want to call it? Tobenny? Tobjen? Tealight? Something else? Leave your suggestion in the comments and I'll pick out an official ship name for us to use.

Then there's Mazeverse-Juvia. You'll see that she's starting to become a bit more self-aware than her canon counterpart. This opens up the potential to have some fun with this iteration of her character and do some compare and contrast as I try to take her in a different direction.

Next time, in [Mazeverse] Much Ado About Nothing, we pop in to see how the Pegasus boys are doing: "The Victory Gala is less than a week away, men. And we have so much to celebrate! Man."

Stop back next Friday for the next installment, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.