Riven- LOL I love you too! HAHAHAHA
Celt- LOL yes her one special talent LMFAO Yes yes lemon awaits... Later...
Frost- LOL yur too funny! Just keep reading it makes me all fuzzy
Souring- Ahhh euchre the game I never heard of until I move to MI and then learned on my 10th grade trip to Mackinaw Island. Now I'm like a beast at it LOL I used to run charitable gambling over at the Big House years ago in BC Idk if good ol Art still does it but there were poker turny every night. We didn't get rain up here but it's still only like in the 70s... Oh before I forget BAAAAA to my spelling goofs!
Groves- Well this started off as a rating of T so for those that read it because it wasn't M I figured I'd do something nice. Not everyone enjoys the *ahem* graphic depictions LOL But yeh that's why I only post one story at a time. If I posted all my crazed thoughts nothing would get done. I learned that lesson years ago LOL Also Natsu is Lucy's faith when she has none so it really is so cute how he always supports her.
leo-TY TY! I just have this image of some old dudes chilling with cigars playing cards and her tiny child self wondering in and being an instant hit. So I ran with it LOL
Exxcal-*tee hee* Yeh I can't see a dragon teaching human romance. Respect, caring, kindness that sort yes but the act of romance itself not so much. Be passionate and devoted in all ways at all times I could see him having been taught because that seems like his character type anyway.
G.R.T.- LMAO It's a few chapters away but yeh :)
The three mages were only seven rounds into the game when Gajeel broke the silence at the table. "Gihee, we should make this more interesting."
Erza cocked an eyebrow to that, "And what do you propose?"
He grinned menacingly at the woman, "Losers have to do whatever the winner says for a day. Just like with the Games."
Erza and Lucy visibly cringed at the reminder. Thinking it over Lucy had already figured out all of Gajeel and Erza's tells, all that was left was to play her cards correctly. "Sure I'll take that bet." She said confidently as she folded for the hand they were playing.
"You got guts Bunny Girl." Gajeel stated and then looked to Erza, "So?"
Never one to be left out Erza smiled confidently as well, "I accept your conditions. Just don't whine when I have the two of you shining my armor and sharpening my swords." while laying out her cards for the win.
"Gihee, same to you when you're both dancing for my next crowd pleasing performance." He said picking up the freshly dealt hand.
"Please, more like crowd deafening." Lucy quipped causing laughter to erupt for those in earshot.
Growling Gajeel shot back, "OI! You just don't know good music when you hear it. Let alone talent when you see it."
Lucy shrugged, "Maybe or maybe you should pay better attention to your cards and stop thinking up awful lyrics. Four of a kind, Kings." She smirked smugly laying out her hand and collecting her chips.
Gajeel tossed his cards down in defeat and grumbled while crossing his arms over his chest. "Don't get so cocky." glaring he added, "Salamander's rubbing off on you."
That comment caused many to snicker and Natsu to protest but Lucy was in her own zone and ignored him. When she was playing cards she was always taught to ignore the jeers and focus and that was what she was doing. She'd dish them out with the rest but showed no sign that they were getting under her skin. Too bad she couldn't be like this all the time.
Twenty minutes and many hands later left it down to Lucy and Gajeel. Erza stood and bowed slightly, "Well played game both of you. I look forward to see who I shall be serving in the morning." and took her leave of the table to collect her third place winnings and stand with her other guild mates.
As the next hand was dealt Lucy was startled by a flaming shot set in front of her. Looking up she saw Natsu smiling leaning over her. "I can't drink this idiot it's on fire."
"Just do it! It's for good luck!" widening his smile he continued, "I lit it you can drink it."
Huffing she looked back to her cards and then the drink. She could just blow it out and drink it but she didn't want to hurt his feelings by doing so. He had gotten it for her and made sure he lit it so it shouldn't hurt her, right? Saying a small prayer she wasn't about to set her insides on fire she shot the drink back in one go. Swallowing she smiled as she placed her bet out, "That was actually really good!"
Natsu just smiled behind her, "I know! Mira makes those for me all the time!" while the rest of the guild looked shocked.
As the whispers began as to how the hell Lucy just drank something on fire, it was Erza to voice what everyone was wondering. Nudging Natsu to gain his attention she asked, "Not that I am one to complain, because this is could be useful, but how is it Lucy just consumed something you lit on fire?"
Natsu smiled further as he began his explanation to those listening, "Oh that! It's thanks to one of those freaks from Grimoire Hearts!" he started. When he got to the part of lighting Lucy on fire at the inn recently Erza didn't hold back in punching his head knocking him to the ground. Eventually he righted himself and finished unfazed by the surprised looks and mummers from everyone.
Noticing the game was being ignored Gajeel took this chance to attempt to get Lucy off guard. "So," he drawled sneering in her direction once more, "You and Salamander were sharing a room?"
Lucy shrugged and nonchalantly said, "Yup happens sometimes on the road. We're partners."
Growling and slightly raising a studded brow as he called her bet he continued, "And he lit you on fire, and his fire didn't do shit to you?"
Once again she revealed her hand winning and taking the chips as she said, "Nope. Just feels warm." as she smirked at his attempts.
"Gehee. Ya know fire is his element right? And his fire has no effect on you. Which would mak-"
Taking note of Gajeel's lack of chips she cut him off, "You know, you should be trying to figure out how to win and not what my magic compatibilities are, right?" picking up the next hand that Freed dealt.
Growling at being interrupted he looked at his own hand and laughed, "Gihee, oh I already got this covered. You better just have your suit ready." After getting his replacements he internally smiled when he bet, "Last hand Bunny Girl, all in."
Frowning at his cocky attitude she asked for her own replacements before she replied, "Even if you take this you haven't won idiot."
"Whatever, you in or folding?"
Glaring at him she noticed that everyone was once again paying attention to the game. "Call."
For the first time in a very long time the guild hall hushed to wait and see what would come of this. Gajeel displayed his cards while standing and taking on smug stance. "Four of a kind, all Aces."
Faking sadness Lucy pouted and hung her head hiding her wicked smile. Trying to sound depressed she said, "Damn it Gajeel you're right it is last hand. All I had was a straight flush Seven to Jack." Standing herself and placing her hands on her hips she looked right at him and smiled, "Guess you should dress nice and be prepared for what I have planned for you to do tomorrow huh?"
Gajeel's jaw dropped to disbelief as the guild erupted in cheers.
"Holy shit way to go Lucy!"
"Well played Love Rival."
"WOW Lucy-chan! Natsu was right you're really amazing!"
"Damn Lucy!"
"Excellent job Lucy, as expected from you."
"YEY LU-CHAN!"
"Hell Lucy you got to teach me some tricks at playing and I'll teach you some for drinking!"
"Lucy's the manliest one of all at poker!"
"Shut up idiot! Lucy's a pillar of womanly wonder at poker!"
"YOOSH! TOLD YOU LUCE WOULD WIN!" Natsu cheered as he picked her up setting her on his shoulders and ignoring her light protest as she giggled.
"AYE SIR! WE'RE RICH!" Happy cried flying into her once again this time holding several bags full of jewel. "Lucy's the BESTEST!"
Levi watched as Natsu, Lucy, and Happy made their way out of the game room and to the bar with the crowd following. She smiled fondly at her friends then looked to a still shocked Gajeel. "Don't worry!" she said placing a hand on his shoulder, "Lu-chan isn't as mean as some people can be! And besides you still got second place! You beat Erza at least and Laxus before her!"
Snapping out of his stupor Gajeel smirked and leaned an elbow on Levi's head, "Yeh I beat those two. Besides what's the worse Bunny Girl can do to me?" Seeing Levi's frustrated look at being used like a leaning post he laughed while ruffling her hair and picking her up by the back of her shirt, "Gihee. Come on Shorty I need a drink."
"Damn it Gajeel put me down!" Levi cried to deaf ears. Folding her arms and pouting she grumbled, "Last time I try to cheer you up."
OH MY! I wonder what evil is in store for the losers? And wasn't that an cute lil interaction with Levy and Gajeel? I love those two almost as much as Natsu and Lucy!
So... Here is today's chappy while I plug away at the ending. The very last chapter will be a fun lil surprise for all of you! I'm excited about it! Sadly though I gotta get through the chap I'm working on to get there! I hate it when I have the end in mind and the middle is a blur! But that's ok cause I've got this!
However, it's shark week and I need to watch some stuff on my favorite apex predator the Great White... SO... I bid you all ado for now because Happy is yelling at me to stop typing so loud as he watches the fish!
Keep sending those happy thoughts and cuddles. Also some one find Link and get my damn cocoa back!
~Gemi