Viewing things differently

"Speech"

After arriving back to the guild 3 days later we were swarmed by our guildmates and Master. The news had apparently broken a day before our return.

The Northern Lions mercenary guild was found guilty of treason, the Madam HAD known something important, go figure.

No wonder they were trying to silence her.

Carla was exceptionally pleased with the result of the mission we might have only gotten 180,000 Jewels for our trouble, but we'd met a royal guard and we were in the paper. So I guess we had gotten our names out there.

Wendy, however, was horrified at the picture they'd somehow gotten, a picture of the fight IN the train carriage of me with a knife in my shoulder facing down the Black cat, and Wendy punching out the final two mercenaries, looking quite vicious while surrounded by the other unconscious mercenaries that had ambushed her, with Carla on overwatch wings out. The Madam, apparently named Bell, was looking terrified huddled in her seat.

No, seriously. Who sees a fight like that and goes, let's take a picture? The train was already moving! Whatever, questions for later.

It was a new day and I was sitting with Wendy and Carla in the guild hall today with a strawberry cake between us. "Really?" Wendy questioned, drooling slightly.

"Yup picked it up back in Clover, with a freshness rune and everything," I pushed the food toward the two girls. "Consider it a good work reward," I wanted to treat the two of them. They'd both gone above and beyond in that last mission. I'd also picked up some other items, like my new alarm clock. Also some new toothpaste and a brush, the guild had some, but I have no idea if it's a solid illusion or not, so yeah.

My gift garnered me a hug, courtesy of a happy Wendy, and a polite, "Thank you," from Carla. As they began to eat.

Still, my thoughts were occupied with the recent news, apparently the Black cat wasn't taken in with the rest of the merc's which was concerning. And the Madam's missing girl, Mary apparently, was found dead as well. Fortunately, her children have been taken in as wards of the palace, say what you want but the King was popular with his people for a reason.

I re-read the headline, Treason foiled by legal guild. Under that in smaller letters, it read, The Northern Lions mercenary guild was found guilty of treason and dispatched by three bright young mages from the Cait shelter guild. Then under that was the story proper, thankfully more accurate than the headline. The story itself mentioned that the Lion's where attempting to assassinate the royal family, they had multiple strike teams and assassins in preperation for that, one quick strike over active warfare. The fact that those squads weren't mentioned again in favor of the fight at the train station spoke volumes.

Me, Carla, and Wendy had actually been fighting one of those squads, a weaker one mind you, the Madam was a civilian after all and wasn't known to have assistance. So yeah they sent a weaker team, the Black Cat might be a well known assassin. But thats the problem a well known assassin isn't what one would call a good assassin. The black cat was just good enough to get the job done.

That was made evident from my poisoning, I fingered the now sheathed knife I'd taken from the black cat. From what books the guild had on herbs, which was quite a bit considering we ARE in a forested area. Henbane wasn't a nice way to go, it overloaded your nerves system causing immence pain, loss of motor function, seizure, irregullar heart beat, mania, coma and finally death. But in high doses it acts fast, all at once, I wouldn't have made it to Clover.

If not for Wendy... I forced the thought from my head, I didnt want the girls to know how close to the edge I'd apparently been. Hell I hadn't known.

The mercenaries had apparently wanted to get rid of all the mages in Fiore, they specialized in anti mage jobs, it doesn't say why, but they did. Taking that into consideration though it was obvious that they would of failed regardless they weren't present in canon after all. Still we'd saved Madam Belle and maybe some others from possable assassination. Which is a job well done.

I'm actually surprised our small fight made headlines, then again it did involve treason and I think we were been used to deflect attention from the crown. Meh, I give it a week till something new comes up, those in charge obviously don't want this to stay in peoples minds.

As an aside, Cait Shelter was already allied with Fairy Tail, I know this because Master Roubaul took considerable glee in informing Fairy Tails Master Makarov about the damages I'd gotten away with. It does make me wonder why Wendy didn't meet Natsu again earlier in the story. Shyness maybe?

Regardless the break was nice. Because soon we'd be right back to it.

An illusion with tan skin and blond hair sat next to me, "So Grom I heard you fought off the black cat, that's pretty righteous." Oh, him.

Carla P.O.V

This week had certainly been an interesting one. Actually, this entire month had been.

A young man wanders into the guild bloody and broken, gives a greeting, and collapses on the spot. Even Wendy had trouble stabilizing his magical container.

Then he shadows us and promises to protect us on our next mission. Which he did, admittedly. By blowing himself up.

At the time, the thought that we had gotten someone killed had horrified me, truly it still did.

Then he throws himself into training having to be tutored in the practical application of magic but was surprisingly knowledgeable in regular physical training.

Our next mission I was only ok with taking because we had a third member and it still ended up exceeding our abilities. He threw himself at the biggest threat, again. And this time ended up being blown up, stabbed, and poisoned.

Granted he came back both times but his self-preservation instinct or lack thereof is concerning.

Thankfully Wendy's own training had been fruitful, those mercenaries hadn't stood a chance. She walked away with some small scratches I was both proud of her and scared for her.

I took another bite of the, admittedly good, cake Salem had gotten. It was appreciated.

Still, the young bombardier had tried to keep us safe, he couldn't be in two places at once but he did his best. He'd made it clear he would put his life on the line for her, for both of us. He'd lived up to his word.

And it was admittedly fun talking to someone who was as interested in the world at large as myself.

It was... Nice. While certainly not intentional most humans, after getting over the fact I was a taking feline, either greeted me, made small talk, or simply ignored me in favor of Wendy a fellow human, whom I often had to coax into acting, it was frustrating.

I love Wendy, she didn't act like that, she was like a sister to me. I grew up with her, heard her from within my egg even. But she had problems with her confidence and I had to be both our voices at times. I had to be assertive for us both.

In the guild, I was family they helped look after me, and loved me the same. But sometimes I couldn't help but think they saw me as different, like a pet. They coddled Wendy, but not me, I know we're different people but it still hurts, it's why I made an effort to be as human as possible.

I might not be human, I knew that, but they raised me and I often thought of myself as one. Salem thankfully was like Wendy in that regard I didn't need to start the conversation, he asked me questions and debated with me, even seeking me out on occasion instead of others. He didn't even question the fact I was a talking cat when we first met. It was refreshing.

And it looked like the blond bomber was currently at Nerik's tender mercy.

"Come now Nerik leave poor Salem alone we're trying to rest," I informed him.

"Aww, come on kitty cat," He said to me. I frowned, he knew I loathed that nickname. He continued regardless, "This is the gnarliest thing to happen around here in ages I just want to know how he wiped out that poser assassin."

"Nerik right?" Salem asked. Before I could correct my guild mates' horrid use of that nickname.

"You got it brah," Narik held up that ridiculous sign of his. His hand was held up with his thumb and pinky extended.

Salem was like-minded as one of his eyes twitched at the hand sign, "Right, well firstly I didn't beat them I held them off. If Carla hadn't got the train moving we wouldn't have gotten away, I was down to a quarter of my reserves when we got away."

The tan blond actually faced me this time, "Right on, dudette." Could he not simply use our names?

"Secondly," Salem regained our attention, he had his pointer finger and pinky finger extended from a closed fist, "Rock on."

What?

"Dude your harshing my mellow, not cool," Apparently Narik didn't like that? He got up to leave.

"Ok, I got to know, are you a surfer or a stoner, coz I can't figure it out," Salem questioned, I admittedly didn't know what he was talking about.

But Narik smiled as he walked off, "Why not both brah."

"Can I hit him, please?" Salem asked me, much to my amusement.

Unfortunately, he's still a guildmate so I replied with a stern, "No."

Oh, dear, it appears that Wendy had eaten the rest of the cake by herself. And was currently unconscious.

"Is she OK?" Salem questioned.

I could only sigh in annoyance.

Roubaul P.O.V

I hadn't had a laugh like that for a long time. Makarov had looked so put out on our Lacrima call, that young Salem had damaged a train station and train line, and all but destroyed two train carriages. Then he'd gotten off the hook.

I couldn't be too mad though he'd only gone so far to protect those around him and no bystanders had been hurt.

Hum, perhaps I should start socializing more with the other guild masters I owed Makarov for putting me through the correct channels to register the guild legally.

I could send copies, illusions of myself to the meetings. It would certainly help the three children when... When the time comes, at least they'll have each other.

I looked out over the guild hall, it wasn't real but it was comforting in a way, what could have been if I hadn't made Nirvana.

How much longer must I wait, was a question matched by, how long I have left now, whenever I saw Wendy. She had brought so much joy to this undeserving old man's silent watch, I was thankful but guilt-ridden. At least she had two good friends by her side now.

I hadn't wanted to drag any others into this web of lies, yet here I am. At least the boy didn't seem to care about socializing outside of their little group. And little Carla well I might have tried a little too hard to keep her with Wendy, just another notch on my badge of shame.

They would be fine... I had to believe that.

Wendy P.O.V

"Honestly Wendy you should know better, an entire cake, you're going to make you're self sick," Ohhh, Carla was mad at me. But I couldn't help it, it smelled so good.

"Easy Carla I'll make sure to get more next time, it was there to enjoy and you haven't even finished your own slice yet," Salem would be able to calm down Carla, he was good at that.

"That's not the point it's still rude and that much sugar is bad for you," Carla argued, Carla was my best friend but I wish she'd be less strict.

"Yeah, you got a point but I don't think it's too big of a deal for Wendy, or rather a Dragon Slayer," Salem shuck his head in amusement.

"Umm," I tried to ask what he meant, really. But the two of them were really, umm what was the word? Ah, forceful when they talked.

"Explain," Luckily Carla had asked.

"I mean I don't think sugar will do much, Dragon Slayer magic tends to change the body, right? You've seen her fangs," The blond boy looked at me, and I felt the heat raise in my face. I didn't like people pointing them out. I covered my face.

"Yes?" Carla's voice came unsurely.

Salem continued, "Well that's not normal for humans. But magic can and does change the body to better use it. It's why my explosions don't blow me up or deafen me as much as when I started. You taught me that."

"So you think that Wendy is becoming more dragon-like?" Carla asked with worry. I ran my tongue over my fangs I wouldn't turn into a dragon, right?

Clothing rustled and I peeked back through my fingers, as Salem continued, "It's possible she'll gain aspects, look at how she reacted on the train when there was a threat, she's hardwired to fight not run, regardless of her timid nature."

I couldn't help the embarrassing noise that came from my throat, remembering how scared I had been in that fight. Salem was already fighting and Carla had gone to get the train moving. They'd wanted to hurt me and that poor woman so I used my magic like we'd practiced then everything blurred together until Salem got hurt. The entire thing had been scary.

But I couldn't help but be happy we'd won, we'd helped a lot of people. And we could help more I just had to be brave. And then I'd find Grandeeney again, I had to. I even had another person believe me, I could do it.

Salem P.O.V

Carla hummed at my explanation. I of course knew Wendy wouldn't turn into a dragon because Grandeeney had made sure she wouldn't, but it doesn't mean she wouldn't gain aspects of a dragon. Like, say motion sickness. Wendy got that kind of late in canon, so it might be an age thing or a magic thing, or an elemental type thing, I'm really not sure. And I know that she can be aggressive but I don't think it's hardwired, its only when her dragon instincts flare up.

"Oh!" Wendy shot up, and ran to the request board?

I shared a look with Carla at that, but the girl quickly returned. Putting a mission post down on our table.

"Wendy?" Carla asked concerned over her behavior.

I looked at the poster she'd put down, I'd seen this mission before, "This is the quest to Pitt for clearing a cave-in and healing wounded." Guess no one had took it yet.

"Yeah," Wendy had a fire in her eyes reminiscent of her future self. "Can we take it?"

"I mean I don't mind but remember that, that kids' party is coming up soon," I reminded. Still, we could probably fit it in within the next few days. I looked to Carla for her input.

"Wendy we just got back yesterday, I'm thrilled you want to take another mission but can it wait a day or two? We still have 15 days until we need to be at that party and it's about a day or so to Pitt," Carla had finally finished her cake slice.

Wendy deflated somewhat at that. "She has a point you know, but that doesn't mean we can't prepare for it, we'll need some more rope for example and we need to plan a route, mountain terrain is different from grassland and forest, got any maps?" I asked.

Wendy nodded excitedly at that perking right back up, "Yeah! I'll go get one." Glad to see she's back in high spirits if not more so than before.

Carla sighed as Wendy left.

"Tired?" I asked.

"Who wouldn't be? Our team was ambushed after we were given bad information. We could have died," Carla slumped.

"Yeah," I rubbed my still sore shoulder, "But we survived. Still to be safe let's run through this next quest with the Master, Yeah?"

The cat girl gave a tired smile, "An excellent idea."

"I aim to please," I only half-joked, I didn't want to let my new friends down. But honestly, it was just luck of the draw sometimes.

The little cat yawned covering her mouth.

"Maybe take a nap if you're that tired?" I suggested.

"Hum, perhaps I shall, but first I want to know what we will be doing tomorrow," Carla insisted.

"Tell you what, I'll make us a cuppa tea the caffeine should keep you going for a bit, no sugar right?" I offered, I'd gotten some when I got the cake in Clover, along with some sugar. It was basically a war crime back home if you didn't have a cuppa tea ready to go

"Thank you," The feline smiled, she'd taken to tea fast after having some on the way back. I had expected that considering her fondness of Darjeeling tea in the future which she had yet to find in this timeline considering they had yet to really leave the local area.

Wendy returned while Carla and myself were drinking our brews.

"Here," The petite girl places the map on the table it was a local map in the sense that it covered the country of Fiore and not the world of Earthland.

"I kind of meant a more localized map of the area," I informed the girl who went from pleased to upset. Really got to do something about that self-esteem, "But this should work I can see a mountain trail here." I pointed out and the girl relaxed again.

"What's this?" I questioned pointing out several areas circled in red.

Wendy's shyness asserted itself as she fidgeted in place, "A-ah I was looking for where Sun Village might be."

Carla raised her brow and I blinked. I honestly hadn't expected the girl to take initiative like that, then again she was looking for her mother.

Guilt ate at me, her mother was sealed in her, I wish I could tell her, but still, if I place enough clues hopefully she'll figure it out.

"Great initiative," Was all I could say in the face of my guilt. Which only got worse as the girl beamed.

"Hmm, perhaps the next time we enter a town we can look for more information, when things aren't so... Hectic," Carla got a hug for that while I quickly grabbed her tea to prevent a spill.

As Carla was released I handed her tea back to her, receiving a, "Thank you."

"I'm surprised Carla, I thought you were against the idea?" I brought up her prior resistance to such an idea.

"I was, but now we have a living explosive with us. And I now know you don't wish harm upon us. I didn't before," She stated bluntly.

"Carla!" Wendy chastised obviously feeling differently.

I chuckled appreciating the blunt truth. I only wish I could return it. "Fair enough," I said instead. Carla nodded in return though Wendy pouted.

"So, this path cuts through the mountain near where we're heading. It might take more than a day depending on the terrain and weather," I put us back on task.

Carla hummed along in agreement. Though Wendy's brow knitted together in confusion.

"It depends on the map scale Wendy, in this case, it's around 30 miles to Pitt we COULD do that if we walked throughout the day. But the terrain is rocky and hilly, which will add miles onto the walk." I showed her the path.

Then continued, "The way to the settlement was around 60 miles around double the amount but that was mostly grassland making it flat ground, Understand?" I stopped as the girl's eyes lost focus.

"I, umm," Wendy was definitely confused.

I simply sighed and patted her on the back, "The important part is it will take longer than it looks, OK?"

That she understood nodding in acceptance. Carla looked thoroughly amused by the whole thing.

"We'll get some more rope, medical supplies and travel food from the guild's supply tomorrow and set off the day after. We should make it in a day if we set off early enough but it could take two maybe even three days if the weather gets bad, we DON'T want to try navigating the mountainside at night," I explained looking at the two girls, no issues with the plan so far.

"Now we don't know how long the job will take. But with Wendy on healing duty and me on clearing the cave-in it should only be a couple of days. We have about a week maybe longer till we'll need to head back for our next job, including travel time. That everything?" I concluded.

"I believe so, yes. I would only add that if necessary there is a path from Pitt to the settlements that we can take if needed," Carla informed us all. I nodded in acceptance.

"Then we'll head out in two days' time then," Was my final words on the subject.

"Excellent, now if you will excuse me I am going for a nap," Carla jumped down from her seat and headed toward her's and Wendy's room.

"Salem," Wendy regained my attention once Carla had left. "Thank you," She said earnestly.

"Err, for what? The map reading?" I asked because I'm positive that Carla could read a map as well.

The girl shook her head, "For joining the guild. For believing me, for being our friend." The girl smiled serenely, content.

I.. Wasn't expecting that, "Oh... Sure you're good people why wouldn't I want to be your friend or join the guild and help you out."

The girl shook her head again, "No one else outside of the guild believed me when I told them about Grandeeney, and no one's joined the guild since I brought Carla back. This is the first time Cait Shelter has ever been talked about for something. I just wanted to thank you, if you hadn't joined it wouldn't have happened."

"Well, thank you for accepting me and being my friend as well," I ruffled the girl's hair, electing a squeak from her.

She swatted at my hand and then hugged me, not out of fear of loss like when we'd survived the dire wolves but satisfaction, I think.

With that done the small girl, blushing at her own audacity, smiled happily and, skipped off? Huh, wasn't expecting to have a heart-to-heart today, but it made her happy so I'm ok with it.

Right next on the agenda, confirm the mission information with Master Roubaul. Then I'm going to go about trying to find a loophole in this damn inability to talk about the future... THAT one might take a while.

A/N: A chance to relax, and see things from other peoples point of view, hope it turned out ok.

Wendy obviously found the fight scary but is beond proud of herself for helping people. Where as Carla is conserned Wendy is growing too quickly. As an aside I put in some thoughts reguarding Carla growing up in a human enviroment and how that might effect a young Exceed, especially because of the strange nature of this guild, it helps explain why shes different from other Exceed in Earthland, she doesn't simply except that she is a cat like others, which is accurate, because she has a more analitical mind. Unfortunatly that comes with insecurities.