Some more back story for you! I hope it's not too boring!
I like to create conversation between my characters, that way we can get from Point A to Point B in a fluid (and hopefully, believable) manner.
Thanks to all for reading and reviewing. You are all amazing :)
I'm still shocked that I've received as many reviews as I have! Merci beaucoup!
Responses to my anonymous reviewers:
Tare_Chan: welcome back! So sorry! You've been so kind, and I would rather delete obnoxious anonymous reviews than not allow you to let me know what you think!
Past_Midnight: Wow. Thank you, I am flattered. I may sometimes fall out of character--but it is not intentional--it can often be difficult to predict how the true manga author would portray a character in various situations. I do try, though!
Shae: Thanks. Non-stop deserves a cookie or two, though. At least! ^--^
Enjoy!
*****
*****
"Heh," the wizened man chuckled, tugging at his thinning beard. "You know me?" he studied her through pale, slate-colored eyes. "So you do."
"Who is he, Lucy? A friend of yours?" Erza asked warily, eyeing the old man suspiciously.
"No no no!" Lucy waved her hands frantically. "I-I just spoke with him. Earlier!" she yelped.
"BARSKY!" came the roar as Adassandra strode out of the back room that Lucy had wandered into earlier. The door remained ajar behind her, the light dimly snaking out into the main area of the store. She leaped over the counter, landing a few feet in front of him, her hands on her hips.
"You were supposed to leave with the rest of the villagers!" she snarled.
So this is Barsky! Lucy thought as she closed her eyes.. Why is nothing surprising me anymore? She rubbed her throbbing temples.
"Oh ho! I have no need to leave this village. It's my home. Besides," he leaned in closer to Lucy, winking mischievously at her, "I had a feeling you two ladies would thwart those creatures."
"This is no time for jokes!" Adie thumped her fist into an open palm. "What if I hadn't? What if they hadn't?" She pointed at the newcomers. "What if--"
Barsky raised his hand, the smile leaving his wizened face. "Enough."
She stopped her tirade, her face falling in defeat. "I worry about you. Why can't you just do as I ask?" her voice was soft.
Lucy's jaw almost hit the floor—was this woman actually being kind? "Who are you and what happened to Adie?" she mumbled under her breath.
"What was that?" Adie shot a sideways glance at Lucy.
"Nothing!" Lucy gulped. "Just talking to myself!"
"What have you got us into this time, Lucy?" Erza shook her head slowly, as she crossed her arms over her chest. The spirit mage opened her mouth to answer, but was interrupted by the continuation of the two blacksmiths' argument.
"You should have left with the others," Adie protested.
"Shoulda, woulda, coulda. I didn't!" he grumbled as he wobbled over to one of the two faded armchairs in the corner. He put his cane aside, reaching out with shaky hands for balance as he lowered himself into the worn chair.
He sighed his content, "Ah, now that feels good!"
"Old Man!" Adie snapped, "This is no time for jokes!"
He peeked at the crowd through an open eye. "I see you brought company," he grinned, which only served to make him look older. "Did you make friends, my dear?"
"Wha--?" Adie's mouth fell open in shock. She looked at the group of people gathered in her father's shop, as if for the first time. Friends? she mouthed softly to herself. "I-It's not what you think..." she trailed off, suddenly flustered at the man's words.
"I'm Lucy!" Lucy stepped forward, her hand outstretched toward the blacksmith. "Nice to meet you. Again," she bowed her head, her eyes flashing their warning. He would explain his deception later. She thought she could hear him swallow more loudly than usual from her silent threat.
"Lucy...yes," he replied, before quickly reaching into his pocket and pulling out a tissue. A loud cough tore through the shop. It was soon replace by a deeper, more productive hacking. Barsky held the tissue to his mouth for a few moments, taking a couple of wheezing breaths. Tears glistened in his eyes from the effort.
"Are you OK?" Adie swiftly knelt next to the arm of the chair. He nodded, avoiding her gaze by squeezing his eyes shut. He waved his hand dismissively.
"I'll make you your tea," she replied as she quickly disappeared through another door.
Lucy could see Erza craning her neck to peer through the first door--the one Adie had left open upon their arrival. She had no doubt that the room housed dozens—if not hundreds—of various weapons, armor, and artifacts. If that were the case, Erza would be more than interested--Erza may have a new best friend. No one in Fairy Tail seemed to have any interest in weapons or armor, something that Erza took an extensive liking to--so much so that she had rooms devoted to her various armors and swords. Lucy smiled as Erza's eyes widened with curiosity, and she took a few steps toward the open door. Maybe Adie and Erza could get along, after all.
Lucy turned back toward the sickly man. She watched him quickly pull the tissue from his mouth, nimbly folding it between his bony knuckles. Despite the proficiency at which he undertook the maneuver, Lucy still caught a glimpse of what he was trying to hide. Blood!
"Whoah, you're pretty sick, Old Man," Nastu whistled, apparently seeing the blood-tinged sputum as well. Lucy shot him a warning glare. Barsky said nothing as he shoved the used material into his pocket.
"It's nothing," he finally answered, patting the now-full pocket of his shirt.
"That didn't look like nothing--" Natsu argued, peering at him suspiciously.
"Natsu!" Lucy hissed. "It's none of our business! That's enough."
She could swear that sometimes the dragon slayer had no idea as to when his comments were inappropriate. She couldn't deny that she was just as curious as he was—and that he was most likely only saying aloud what the rest were thinking. But, she did not want to appear rude in front of the aging man. Especially not if he were truly as sick as she suspected.
Barsky chuckled, raising an eyebrow in amusement, "Who're the rest of you lot?" His lips were still slightly red from the blood that stained the inside of his mouth.
"Natsu," the dragon slayer growled, crossing his arms over his chest in defiance. He watched the vein on Lucy's head bulge at his indifference. He inwardly smiled to himself; he enjoyed seeing her riled up.
"Gray Fullbuster," Gray stepped forward, proffering his hand.
Barsky shook it firmly. "That's a strong handshake there, lad. What kind of mage are you?"
Gray looked at Lucy, confused about how the elderly man knew so much. Lucy shrugged. I don't know, she mouthed silently.
"I-ice, sir!" Gray stood slightly taller than usual.
"Ice, sir," Natsu mocked in a high falsetto.
"What the hell?" Gray snarled. "Just 'cause Erza beat you to that...thing, doesn't mean you get to be an asshole all day!"
"Ah, I see now. You must be a fire mage," Barsky rubbed his beard thoughtfully as he eyed Natsu curiously.
Lucy's head swung around to face the older man. "H-how can you tell that from his idiotic comments?"
"Ice and fire. It's always like that," he laughed throatily. "Besides, he's got to have some sort of compensation for that pink hair. What's manlier than fire?"
"The fuck?" Natsu growled, his eyes bulging from his head. "Wha'd you say, Geezer?"
Gray grinned as he watched the exchange. He liked the old man already. Lucy quickly stepped in to dispel any blows that Natsu was planning to deal. "Stop it. NOW!" she roared.
Natsu stared in disbelief as Lucy stood in front of him, glaring at him with her hands on her hips. Even with her hair in disarray, she still managed to look foreboding. When did she become so...commanding?
"You deserved that comment after your behavior, you idiot!" she growled.
Natsu pouted as he glared at Barsky. The old man returned the gaze with amusement. Lucy turned to face the blacksmith. "Natsu is a dragon slayer, sir."
"Hey! That's private information!" Natsu challenged.
"Is not," she retorted. "Not when you go destroying an Enchanted Forest!"
Natsu, Gray and Happy cringed at the comment. "Oh no," Gray groaned. "You don't mean--"
"Yup. Makarov is going to be pissed," Natsu shook his head, an awkward grin plastered to his face.
"Dragon slayer, eh?" the old man had apparently disregarded the previous conversation, having no interest in the costs of destroying magic properties. Natsu nodded slightly, looking over the blacksmith apprehensively.
"Interesting. Never met a dragon. Or a slayer. Though, I hear the skin of a dragon is impenetrable," he narrowed his pale, gray eyes. "Would make a good armor, I suppose."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Natsu's eyes flew open at the mention of dragon brutality.
"Relax, son, I'm just pulling your leg," he leaned over and dragged a nearby ottoman closer to the chair. He slowly raised his feet to rest on the tattered stool.
"And you," he gazed at the tiny blue cat. "Are a cat."
"Aye!" Happy replied cautiously.
"Not just any cat," Natsu offered, his eyes on his friend, "He's a member of our guild."
"Fairy Tail," the old man muttered. "I recognize those tattoos that you show off so well."
"I swear it's your goal to piss me off!" Natsu grumbled.
"Yes, I'm sure he lives just to make you unhappy," Gray rolled his eyes.
"Shut it!" Natsu shot back. Gray shrugged his indifference. Natsu looked at Lucy, "How d'you know this geezer anyhow, Lucy?"
"I had an entire conversation with him outside of the shop, earlier," she nodded, shooting the man an angry glare.
"Don't give me the side-eye, honey," Barsky tsked.
Lucy's face turned red, as her companions snorted in amusement. "What the--" Lucy began, taking a few steps toward the man, her jaw thrust out in anger.
"Don't honey me!" she glared murderously at the old miser. "I had an entire conversation with you. Ten minutes of my life! And you never once mentioned that you were Barsky!" She jabbed an angry finger in his direction.
"You never asked," he pointed out, shrugging his indifference. Natsu burst into laughter.
"He's got a point, Lucy," Happy chuckled, before covering his mouth with a tiny blue paw. His eye widened as he realized he would face Lucy's wrath for the digression.
"Don't you start, too!" she hissed at the cat.
"Feisty!" Barsky guffawed, before the group broke out into a fit of raucous laughter.
"Y-you have no id-d-ea," Natsu chimed in, clutching his stomach and leaning over.
"This is a good day!" Gray added. Natsu looked at his friend, his eyes wide with awe. He outstretched an open palm toward Gray, who subsequently high-fived it.
"Hey!" Lucy trilled, her face turning a deeper shade of crimson from the sudden teaming up of...well, her team. "Who's side are you on, anyway?"
"Sorry, Luce," Natsu tried to maintain a straight face. "You've gotta admit, though, Gramps is kinda funny!"
"You weren't saying that a few minutes ago," she pouted.
"Well he had a point then, too," Natsu conceded, "It's not easy being man with pink hair!" More laughter.
Since when did Natsu make fun of himself? Lucy shook her head in disdain. "I give up!" she cried, throwing her hands into the air and slumping into the empty chair next to Barsky. The four continued to laugh, and Lucy, unable to avoid the contagious nature of their mirth, eventually joined in.
Adassandra returned with a large tea pot and a handful of stoneware mugs. She looked around the room, confused by the sudden change in the once-tense atmosphere—it was now almost joyful. She filled Barsky's cup, setting the remaining ones on a small end-table.
"You can get your own," she nodded toward the pot, looking over everyone with pale eyes that were full of distrust and confusion.
"Thanks, Dee," Barsky blew into his cup, the steam billowing in front of his face.
"Dee?" Lucy repeated the name he had used.
Adassandra's face turned bright red, but she said nothing. Barsky smiled. "That's the nickname she's had since she was a child," he offered.
"We didn't know that!" Natsu was suddenly all ears. Adie shot him a murderous glance.
"Yup, Daylon liked to call them Dee and Lil..." he trailed off. Adassandra stared at him--as if in warning--refusing to add to the conversation.
"Who's Lil?" Gray asked, obviously catching the name of someone who had been left out of the equation.
"Her sister," Barsky answered. He looked around the small group, before casting a bewildered glance toward Adie. "Don't tell me you haven't told your friends about your sister."
"Stop it," she muttered through clenched teeth. "Please."
"No, we wanna know!" Natsu nodded, as Lucy poured the tea and handed the cups around. Gray and Natsu sat cross-legged in front of the wizened man, as if awaiting a story.
"There's nothing to tell. I have a sister. Big deal," she shrugged.
"I dunno, that seems like a big deal. Where is she?" Natsu looked from Adie to Barsky.
"You guys..." Lucy trailed off. She knew that this would quickly become ugly if it continued.
"You seem to be exchanging weapons and armor back there," Barsky nodded toward the back warehouse, his attention leaping elsewhere. "Are you finally going to do what you should have done years ago?" he asked, watching her carefully over his large mug.
Lucy could see Adie's hands clench into a fist. When she didn't reply, the old man nodded. "I see, so it's finally time for you to face the music, eh?"
"Please," she choked, her face distorted into something akin to pain and confusion.
"Very well," Barsky nodded, quickly changing the subject. "Could you fetch something for me? In my old study...on top of the bookshelf in the far right corner is a box etched with ivory....could you bring that to me?"
Adie nodded, thankful for the distraction. She quickly turned on heel and stormed from the room. Lucy could hear her angry footsteps on the old, wooden steps. Only then did she turn toward Barsky, both her face and tone serious, "Spill it, Mister. Now!"
"Oh?" his pale wisps of eyebrows shot up into his cap.
"Lilith. Tell us something—anything," Lucy pleaded.
"Ahh, I see," Barsky rested his head against the back of the chair. "So you want me to share information against her will," he pointed to the ceiling.
Lucy nodded, looking at Natsu, Gray and Happy. She peered into the back room, but could see no sign of Erza. She would have to fill the ex-quipping mage in later, as Erza was too preoccupied at the moment.
"You have five minutes. Spill the important details. Or," her expression became more cunning, "I'll tell her about the blood." She felt slightly guilty at using that against the blacksmith, but she wanted answers. And she wanted them now.
"Go, Luce," Natsu whistled, as Happy and Gray slowly nodded their admiration. She was much more ruthless and manipulative than the bashful mage that Natsu had brought to Fairy Tail—all those months ago.
"Blackmail?" Barsky whistled, closing his eyes. A partially toothless smile beginning to spread across his face. "I think, Lucy," he peered at her from under heavy lids. "That you and I are going to get along just fine."
***
***
"I was in my late teens or so when I came to apprentice under Daylon. My father and he had grown up together, so it was only natural that--when I showed some proficiency at using a sword--I would be sent to learn how to craft such weapons," he began to reminisce.
"Was Daylon with Freya then?" Lucy asked, leaning forward in her chair. Natsu shot her a confused glance: how did she know so much, already?
Math, she mouthed to her companion, indicating that she was deducing the facts from her estimate of the old man's age. Natsu scratched his head, still confused. He shrugged his indifference as he tried to keep up with the conversation.
"She was," Barsky nodded. "She was almost ready to pop by that time!" he chuckled. "I was still practically a kid then. So naive and impressionable. And, so I didn't understand who, or what, she was. The only thing I did know was that she loved Daylon, and he loved her, something that seemed almost forbidden for the two."
"Wait. What was she?" Natsu asked, obviously confused.
"Not now," Lucy waved her hand dismissively, before once again resting her chin in her hands.
Barsky closed his eyes. "I still remember their births--"
"Whose births?" Gray and Natsu asked in unison.
"Would you just shut up for a few minutes?" Lucy hissed, her face contorted with rage. Natsu cringed. He could almost swear he saw smoke coming from her nostrils....
"Geez, Luce. Chill," he muttered, as Gray and Happy stared at her in wide-eyed shock. Neither would risk interrupting after that reaction.
The old man chuckled as he stroked his beard. "Lilith was born first, quickly followed by Adassandra. Even as newborns, Dee's sacrifice to her sister was still there."
"Who's Dee?" Natsu blurted before he could stop himself.
"I swear on everything that is holy..." Lucy spoke slowly, annunciating every word. "If you so much as open your mouth one more time, I'll wring your neck. With my bare hands."
"Are you sure you two aren't married?" Barsky looked from one to the other. The horrified looks on both of their faces, followed by the sudden embarrassed blush was enough to ensure him that they, in fact, were not married. Though he thought he could sense something. Only time will tell, he thought sadly.
He sighed as he continued, "By just looking at the two infants, you could tell that something had occurred while they were in the womb. Lilith was the larger of the two, her skin almost red and warm to the touch. Adie, or Dee," he glanced at Natsu, a his eyes twinkling with amusement, "was almost as white as snow, her lips and limbs blue, and her skin was chilled. She barely moved a muscle, nor did she make a noise."
"What happened?" Lucy's eyes reflected her interest.
Why does she get to interrupt? Natsu thought darkly to himself.
"Another one of those spirits had been present for the birth. Went by the name of Penny...no, wait.." he mumbled. "Peony! That was it. Like the flower," he waved his hand in the air. "She was a healer or something....from where Freya was from, or so Daylon had told me. Anyhow, she had said that it often happens to certain twins when they are in their mother's womb. The healer-woman said it was the result of one child hogging all of life force, and the other getting very little. Freya, though, she refused to believe that it was anything other than Adassandra giving to her sister, not Lilith taking."
He shook his head sadly, "And that cycle repeated throughout their young lives. Dee was always giving to Lilith, caving to her every whim. She was the younger of the two, so it should have been Lil that was looking out for Dee."
"Adie spoiled her," Lucy whispered, realizing what Barsky was inferring.
"So to speak," Barsky admitted. "And those keys! Both girls had sat through Freya and Daylon's explanation like tiny troopers. Adie had been responsible, hiding her key where no one could get their hands on it. But Lil...she was naive. Always flashing that thing around, never caring who may see it and want to use it. Poor girl, she never even realized when someone was using her."
"Other spirit mages could get their hands on that key..." Lucy's eyes were full of fear at the realization of the potential one would have if Lilith could control the creatures like the ones they had battled that day. Adie hadn't outright shared that, it was more of something Lucy had assumed. She was beginning to grasp the intricate responsibilities of a demi-spirit, though only Adie could confirm her theories.
"Yup!" Barsky muttered. "The biggest incident happened years ago. Lilith was stupidly influenced by some young girl. Dammit, I forgot her name...she was the daughter of another mage. ...eh," he waved, "Doesn't really matter, does it? Anyhow, Lil got banned from her own world, in the end."
"From the Spirit World?" Lucy piped up.
"Yeah, that place. Same place her mom was from," the old man agreed. "Her uncle--the King, or whatshisface, had banished her for her constant 'misconduct' as he had so eloquently put it. He had actually come here to find her," Barksy whistled. "Man I would hate to square up against that guy."
Lucy's face turned pink as she remembered her encounter with the Celestial Spirit King. Her memory were interrupted by the loud creaking overhead, followed by a few softer footsteps leading away from the room above. Barsky silently held his finger to his lips, signaling that their discussion was quickly coming to an end.
"Wait," Lucy interrupted the silence, "I want to know something else. Just what did she do that caused so much trouble?"
"Oh, Lil?" the old man asked, as if he had forgotten the conversation already. "You remember that demon that was released about a decade ago? Oh...what was it called...some ice mage stopped it--"
"Deliora," Gray whispered, his face pale.
"Yup, that's it!" Barsky wagged a finger in the air, proud that he could still remember the name.
Lucy watched Gray's face as he licked his dry lips. "What about it?" his voice wavered every so slightly.
"Well, that was the tip of the iceberg," Barsky told the group.
Adie's footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs as the old man quickly attempted to staunch the discussion. "Lilith released that monster. She was responsible for that little fiasco."
"Little fiasco? Little fiasco?" Gray hissed, suddenly leaping to his feet. "That fiasco killed my family! That demon killed my mentor! And now you're telling me it was all because some stupid girls wanted to play with magic that they couldn't understand or control?" His voice was rising; his hands balling into fists as his chest heaved with anger.
"G-Gray?" Lucy gulped. "P-p-please calm down!"
"If what you say is true, Old Man," Gray's hand shook as he pointed at Barsky, taking a few steps toward the aged blacksmith. "Then I swear that I'll do everything in my power to kill the people responsible for unleashing that monster into this world!"
"Kill who? What monster?" Adie asked, as she stood in the middle of the room. She had observed that last interaction between Barsky and Gray with mild curiosity as she held the tiny chest in her hand. Her eyes wandered over Gray's face: his eyes were wild and full of rage. Something has obviously ticked him off.
She glared at Barsky, as if suspecting he had something to do with Gray's robust reaction. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at the only other blacksmith in the room. "Just what is going on here? What did you tell them?"
Lucy felt her stomach sink. Things had just taken a turn for the worst.