BlackLynx17: Hi Mendy fans! Thanks for reading!
"So that's it? We get no answer? No acceptance? No nothing?" Natsu asks.
"That's just how the Council works, they're evaluating you all right now as a team and reporting back to each other. That usually takes a couple of days, and then they have to decide if you're worthy of acting at their fundraisers. If so then they have to make up a fundraiser all of a sudden so that's going to take more days. You probably will have the same amount of customers this Saturday, most likely you'll have your answer then or on Sunday." I tell them.
"And were they impressed? Did they like us? Can't you give us anything?!" Gray asks next.
I simply shrug, "Saturday or Sunday. Since they're not kicking you out or running you out of town with pitchforks I guess they either like you or are ignoring you. I say just wait a week, if they give no answer then feel free to leave."
I don't want that though and pray that isn't going to be the case. If these guys leave, when these guys leave because they aren't going to stay here forever... I really don't know what I'm going to start doing for... fun. A silence comes over the circus before Wendy walks over to me, smiling lightly.
"So Doranbolt, what are you going to be doing for our Saturday performance?" She asks me.
I blink, "what now?"
"Yeah, you're practically one of us now for standing up and doing so much. What do you have in store for us?" Gray asks.
Suddenly all attention is turns over to me and I don't know what is happening at all right now. Why are they suddenly ganging up on me with mysterious twinkles in their eyes?
"You all can't be serious?!" I yell out.
"Why not? I'm ringleader and I can do whatever I want and I officially make you a member of our family, even if we'll separate and be miles apart. You'll always be apart of Fairy Tail now Doranbolt, thanks for all your help." Erza says holding up her hand, making an L shape.
All hands start following after her one by one showing me L's. I'm... in. I'm one of them now. I'm welcomed. Family. I take a deep breath and exhale. Why... I feel happy. Really happy. I never wanted this though, I didn't. I didn't want to be apart of Fairy Tail, being friends with everyone was enough. I never thought, never believed that I would be accepted so much. A grin slowly spread across my face, very slowly as it all really sinks in.
"Thanks guys."
There are cheers and applause and yet another excuse to get drunk and party straight after. This time, really feeling apart of everything with everyone, I get hammered and party just as hard. Fairy Tail! I was apart of Fairy Tail! Apart of a circus! What is my mother going to say? Or Father? Or even worse, Lahar?! I laugh at the thought of telling all of them, like I'd really do that.
"So Doranbolt, I really was being serious about you being in this week's performance." Wendy tells me tipsy.
I start laughing.
"That wasn't a joke."
I start laughing even harder.
"Dammit Doranbolt!" She yells jumping on me.
I can't stop laughing; everything just seems funny to me. I can't remember the last time I've been this drunk, probably when I first got drunk ever. Everyone is real nice about it though and starts being an idiot with me. I don't know how for long we partied for, I'm assuming all night, but at one moment in time I woke up in a strange room.
"Stop hogging... blankets."
My head is killing me and my ears are ringing. I'm not even sure if I heard that just now, so to make sure I roll over and take all the blankets. It isn't really a big surprise when I see Wendy right next to me, a scowl on her sleeping face. Her hand reaches out for the blanket, but I keep scooting over and over and-
"SHIT!" I yell falling off the bed.
I was not expecting that; now my head hurts even more. Soft giggles fill the room and Wendy's fuzzy head appeared from over the bed, looking down at me.
"Did you just fall over?" She ask.
"No." I mutter leaned up.
She places her hand on my forehead and I start feeling all tingly. The headache I was feeling disappears, along with the ringing and pain in my back from landing on a book.
"Your magic is really cool." I say getting a clear head.
"It has its moments, now your magic is cool." Wendy smiles sleepily at me.
"I never really thought of it as that. You know, the Council was my future, my destiny, I was born to work there and help people. When I was younger, actually just before you guys came here, I always believed God had other plans though and cursed me with these magic powers. I always wondered why he gave me this magic, wondered what I ever did to him that would make him hate me so much, and now... being with Fairy Tail has made me realize that... it's not a curse, but a gift. A gift that I should be thankful for."
Wendy giggles and headbutts our foreheads together a little, "you know if you keep saying meaningful things like that I might actually find myself falling for you." She teases.
I pout, "very funny."
"Who's laughing?" She asks in a whisper.
Wendy stares right into my eyes with a small smile, reaching her hand out and running it through my hair. I'm stuck there watching her, wondering why my heart is racing as much as it is. I can't honestly be falling for this girl.
"The reason why no one likes mages is because no one understands us except for people who are like us. Times are changing though, soon mages and regular people will be able to live in harmony. It actually already has believe or not, it makes me extremely happy to hear you loving your gift though Doranbolt. I always thought it was a shame how you hid it so much." She says tilting her head lightly at me.
"I have an understanding for it now, but nothings changed. I still have to put on the cape and hide it back home." I tell her.
"This is a big step though in my eyes, congrats." She says rubbing my hair now.
I chuckle and roll my eyes, "thanks."
"Anyways, I'm going back to sleep. Feel free to stay or leave, either way you need to give me back my blanket." She says rolling back over to her bed.
I stand up and scratch the back of my head, staring at the blinds in her trailer. It's still dark out, how late I couldn't tell without a clock. My parents are probably worried, returning home would be best. I pick up the blanket and cover Wendy with it.
"Tuck me in!" She pouts.
"Tuck you in?" I ask.
"You heard me." She smirks.
"Aren't you a little too old to be tucked in?"
"I'm waiting." Wendy says closing her eyes.
I don't know what it is about this girl, she's so amusing though. I walk over and tuck the blankets underneath her, flicking her forehead when I finish.
"Anything else? Would you like a bedtime story as well?"
"I would, but I'm sure all you know are dull ones so I'll settle with a good night kiss."
Kiss... I take a deep breath and lean over, pressing my lips lightly against her forehead. I pull back a little and look at her, seeing Wendy with one eye open.
"You're such a loser Doranbolt."
"What?! How am I-"
Her hand grabs my collar and she tugs me down, slamming our lips together. Wow. Mage women know how to take action; never have I heard of a girl being the more aggressive one in a relationship here.
"Night Doranbolt." Wendy says releasing me, turning around in her bed.
"Right." I say walking backwards, nearly tripping on a book, "damn. Night, uh."
Why am I so off right now? I try to reach the handle several times, finally opening the door after much struggle. Wendy's right, I am a loser. A big, fat, loser... I can't help smiling. The night air is cold, but also refreshing though as I walk out and stretch my arms out wide.
I want to think that things are finally looking up for me, but things always look up for me. My life just got a little bit better though, I myself getting a little bit happier for-
"Gryder."
I look up and spot a cape and mask man sitting in front of an old fire with the flames just about to die out. Mystogun reaches for the stick next to him and throws it into the flames, watching it catch fire.
"Dude, do you ever go without the mask? Can you even breath in that?" I ask.
"You should leave Fairy Tail and never come back."
I blink, "excuse me?"
"Disregard everything our leader has said, everything everyone else has told you. The truth of the matter here is that you don't belong Gryder. In a zoo filled with zebras, you're simply a black horse. You can never fit in with us." Mystogun says.
"I don't understand what I ever did to you to make you hate me so much! If you have a problem with me then just say it in my face! Tell me!"
Mystogun chuckles lightly and I start getting highly offended, getting ready to start a fist fight and everything.
"I don't hate you." He mumbles.
"What was that?!"
Is it a trick? A joke? The punch line being an actually punch to my face?
"You've already ruined your life by helping us, the Council's not going to be forgiving if this doesn't work out. You're risking everything you've worked for, everything you've been dreaming of for a group of people who are going to be leaving by the end of the month. You're sticking your neck out when we're just going to leave and abandon you here to clean up our mess. Now how is that fair?"
… oh, I think I'm finally getting this Mystogun character.
"You care for me."
Mystogun doesn't stay anything, just picks up some more sticks and throws it into the fire. I walk over to him and sit on the other side of the fire on top of a water pale, leaning on my knees as I stare over at him.
"You seem to know a lot about Era." I say.
He doesn't say anything.
"If you actually lived here though, you'd know how boring it is. Everyday a set routine, nothing extraordinary ever happens here, and not one of us likes change or difference. Living the same life everyday, doing the same things over and over... Wendy talked about stability, about having a family, and a home, but having all of this... isn't really exciting."
"The grass is always greener on the other side."
"So you're saying that being in a circus isn't all that fun and exciting?"
Mystogun shrugs, "there aren't many downs. I may not know about other circuses, but this one... Fairy Tail, we're more than just coworkers, we're friends, family. Nothing ever goes wrong because we love each other, which is why it looks all glamorous to you. If any other circus came to your town though instead of us-"
"Things probably would have been different, yeah, but it was you guys. You guys spoke to me, helped me, made me realize that being... that being different isn't a curse to hate, but a gift to be grateful for. My eyes were opened because of you all." I say staring at my fist.
My magic is something special, something I might only have in the entire world or something that I share with hundreds of others I've never met before. Either way I'm special, along with all other mages. I'm something unique.
"You've really grown up into a man Doranbolt."
I flinch and look up, raising an eyebrow, "thanks... I guess."
Mystogun chuckles again, "I always knew you had a gift, just like me. I was always hoping you wouldn't become aware of it like me though, that you wouldn't become curious, that you'd stick to your perfect life because that was the easy road. I never wanted to see you here, I was hard on you before because I wanted you to return back to it... seems like you've screwed yourself with that chance though. Even if the Council accepts us, you'll still be known as the member who loved circuses so what's the point of lying anymore?"
His words are confusing me on so many different levels, which is even more confusing because I'm a genius! All answers point to one thing though, to one possibility.
"Do you know me?" I ask, leaning closer to him.
"I must have changed a lot as well if you don't recognize me, maybe I shouldn't reveal myself. It'll only bring up bad memories." Mystogun says.
"You can't just talk to me about knowing me and then just not tell me anything! That's unfair man!" I argue.
"Who said I was ever fair?" A playful voice chuckle.
Those words... who said I was ever fair? I remember hearing them, all my life, nearly everyday throughout my life. It couldn't be. Only one person would always say that to me; it was his catch phrase, his motto. He couldn't go through a single day without playing fair and I haven't gone through a single day without remembering him.
"Jellal?" I whisper, though I knew it couldn't be true.
No, Jellal was a trader to the Council, a trader to Era! He ran away from his problems, became an enemy of the Council, and was kicked out. He was long gone, he wouldn't ever come back here. Not after what he's done, not after-
Mystogun raises his hands up and slowly starts taking off his mask, bit by bit blue hair starts sticking out and soon... my eyes widen as my throat turns dry.
"Never thought I'd see the day where Doranbolt Gryder, Council boy, would come to a circus." Jellal, my Jellal, my senior Jellal, smiles at me.
"Oh my God." I say.
And I don't know if it is from the surprise, or from all the alcohol I drank before and my hangover, but I throw up right then and there on the ground. His laughter fills the night and I hear footsteps walking away. So that is it? He's leaving me after confessing his big secret?! Ugh, if I felt better I would beat the shit out of him right now.
I feel a towel getting shoved towards me and look up, seeing him holding it out and a cup of water. I take the towel and wipe my mouth off, drinking the water he offers me.
"Is it that surprising?" He asks.
"Yes!" I spit out water.
It lands all over him and Jellal glares at me, kicking my feet. I suddenly start laughing, tears coming to my eyes from the relief of seeing my best friend again.
"I sure missed you Jellal." I say.
"It would be a lie if I said I never thought about you every now and then." Jellal mumbles.
"Such an asshole, that's all you can say to me? After so many years?! You left Jellal, you didn't tell me anything and just left the Council, left Era, left me! Tell me your betrayal isn't true, I know it isn't! I know the reason you left was because they forced you to leave, you didn't have a choice! You must have known though, you must have known Jellal that I-... I would have gone with you, if you just asked." I frown, clenching my hands into fists as I said the words I've been wishing to say to him since the moment he's left.
I didn't believe it; I never believed it. I waited for Jellal to come to me and explain it himself, I waited for him to come ask me to join his journey. Being exiled and banished was too much for a man, too lonely traveling to strange lands without anyone beside you. He knows how much he meant to me, Jellal was my brother. He was my best friend, he taught me everything I know, always watched out for me. I idolized him. One of the main reasons I wanted to join to the council so bad was because my dream was only ever to work side by side with him.
"I would have gone, how could you have left me behind?" I ask.
Jellal stands up and walks over, placing his hand on top of my head and stroking my hair.
"I didn't want my kind of life for you Doranbolt, I didn't want to see your bright future sink."
"Jellal you're such an asshole," I sniff.
"I know, and you are right. I was traveling for a meeting for the council when I was forced to use my magic. You know how much they discriminate against mages and the thought of one of their most useful and powerful members being a mage killed them. They couldn't reveal what I was so they branded me a traitor, in which I was in their eyes."
"So you ran away and joined the circus, huh?" I ask.
Jellal smirks a little, "more like was forced to join. I passed Fairy Tail a few times on my journey before I was finally forced to settle down."
"More like whipped, I see the way you make goo-goo eyes towards the Ring Leader. Huh? Huh?" I ask wiggling my eyebrows.
"Shut up you little brat, what about you and Wendy? Huh? What's going on there?" He asks.
I blush brightly, "nothing!"
"Is that why I just saw you walk out of her cart?"
"Shut up!" I blush brighter.
"She's a free spirit that one, I've never seen her show anyone as much interest as she's shown you in these past few days. I think she might be interested."
"Really?" I ask then shake my head, "shut up!"
Jellal laughs freely while I glare and pout, my face heating up like crazy.
"I've missed this... it's been a long time. Hasn't it old friend?" He asks.
I crack a smile and punch his shoulder, "what are you talking about old friends? We're still friends, reunited friends. Tell the truth Jellal, you missed me so much you kept picking on me huh? Huh? Old friend," I snort.
Jellal rolls his eyes and pushes my aside, "sure. It's getting late now, it's about time you return home if you aren't going to crash here for the night."
My eyes widen, "what? But you just told me the truth, Jellal I still have questions. Like how they banished you, what did they tell you? Your parents? What your journey was like-"
"I'm tired Doranbolt, and you speak like I'm not going to be here tomorrow. Come and find me and we can have that talk." He says.
"Promise?" I ask stubbornly.
"Of course Doranbolt, when have I ever broken a promise to a brat like you?"
"Hey, I'm not as weak as before. I can kick your ass now." I tell him.
"I don't doubt that, then again I've been training as well," Jellal smirks before rubbing my head again, "go home kid. I'll be here for you tomorrow."
I nod and brush his hand off, chuckling when he pushes my head again as I start walking off. Out of everything that happened today I don't know what made me the happiest.
Reuniting with my long lost friend or being kissed by Wendy.
…
…
I sigh out of my nose and quickly teleport home.