"S-s-s-so c-c-cold!" Lucy whimpered as she rubbed her hands together. No one said anything about needing gloves! she silently whined to herself.
She looked around the tiny village. Smoke softly billowed from a few cottages the dotted the town that was comfortably nestled between large, snow-capped mountains. They were definitely in the middle of nowhere, she concluded, sighing to herself as she scooted closer to Erza in hopes of being shielded from the wind's icy whiplash. They were waiting outside of Airie's only inn, while Adie attempted to negotiate a price for tonight's lodgings. Lucy looked around at her team—everyone looked weary. The hike from Hokabe to Airie was no easy task, and Lucy could feel her muscles burning from exertion. She had no idea she could sweat in this weather! She was glad that it was only half a day's hike, as she didn't know if she could have handled more than that. She made a mental note to work on her physical endurance upon their return to Fairy Tail.
"It's not so bad, Lucy," Gray smirked as he leaned against the outside of the inn. He held out an open palm, watching as the giant snowflakes melted on his skin.
"That's easy for you to say!" she snapped, "You practically grew up on a glacier!"
He shrugged, the smile still on his face. "Jealous?"
"Of you? Maybe a little," she shrugged. What was the use of lying? Would she like to be immune to these arctic temperatures? Absolutely.
"Want my jacket?" he asked, slightly taken aback by her uncharacteristic confession. He sometimes forgot how much of an impact Ur's training had on his reactions to the cold.
Lucy thought about the question. Of course she would welcome the extra layer of clothing between her skin and the frigid air. But, with his jacket also came his semi-nudity—and she would rather not deal with that awkwardness.
"N-no!" she cringed as the words left her mouth. "Just another reason for you to strip!" she muttered under her breath as she glanced into the tiny, four-paned window of the inn. She could see Adie, looking frustrated, as the elderly innkeeper shook his head in apology. She wondered what could possibly be going wrong.
Adie normally asked for a single room to herself, while the others split up into two doubles. It was usually Lucy and Erza, while the men (Happy included) stayed together. At first, Lucy wondered if Adie was hiding something else, but she quickly cast the thought aside. It was most likely the woman's social awkwardness that prompted her to maintain her solitude. Lucy knew it would take time to melt the frigidness of Adie's demeanor.
It can't be easy to be so introverted all the time, Lucy silently reminded herself. Besides, she hasn't been that bad.
And the truth was: she really hadn't. Yes, Adassandra was quiet and often awkward around the team, but who wouldn't be? It wasn't like they were a normal bunch of people! Lucy smiled as she thought about their journey from Wisteria. Even in that short amount of time, she could already see the tiny cracks in Adie's facade as the woman slowly warmed up to the Fairy Tail quintet.
The boat that had taken them most of the way to Hokabe hadn't been nearly as bad as Lucy had anticipated. Their quarters were clean and the food was edible—though the kitchen staff did have to ask Natsu to save food for the rest of the passengers. The dragon slayer had been thrilled by the joys of the trip, even stating that he was beginning to like the idea of transportation....
*****
"Why? Didn't he enjoy it before?" Adie asked, confused by how Natsu leaned over the bow of the ship, a huge grin on his face as the chilly ocean air whipped at his skin.
"He...uh, he used to get sick when he traveled. Before." Lucy tried to explain.
"Before?" she echoed, slightly intrigued. Lucy thought she could detect a hint of amusement.
"When I first met him," Lucy's gaze lingered on Natsu and he smiled from ear-to-ear, pointing out things as Happy perched himself next to his friend, "he couldn't even ride a train without getting sick." She blinked, returning her attention to Adie as she twirled a piece of hair around her finger,"When we fought Oracion Seis--"
"What?" Adie interrupted, her eyes wide. "You fought them? The entire guild?"
Lucy avoided her awed look. "Well, we had the help of some other guilds," she could feel her face turning red. "But, in the end, their evil plans were prevented."
"Seems I had really underestimated your guild," Adie grunted, glancing at Lucy from the corner of her eye. "That only leaves two of the Alliance," she whispered to herself, the words floating away before Lucy could hear them.
"Heh, I didn't to that much," she sighed. "I merely got lucky, like usual..."
"Don't sell yourself short," the older woman warned her. "That attitude will affect your spirits, you know!"
"I'm sorry, I can't help it!" she yelped, her eyes downcast.
"Just remember it," Adie grunted as she ran her fingers over the wooden rail.
"Anyway," Lucy smiled, hoping to change the subject, "Wendy—a new member of our guild. Well, she was part of Cait Shelter, but they turned out to not be real. So, then she came to Fairy Tail, and Makarov allowed her to join. She's a dragon slayer, as well, and she can use Sky Magic. She used it to heal Natsu of his motion sickness so he could battle."
Adie was nodding repeatedly, obviously not understanding most of what Lucy was telling her. The Stellar Spirit mage sighed, "So you see, he is now able to take transportation without getting sick." She rested her chin in her hands as she watched Natsu enjoy his freedom.
"Did the cat, er, Happy, carry him—even when he did get sick?" the blacksmith asked, interrupting Lucy's wandering thoughts.
"Huh? Yeah, he claims that Happy wasn't a ride, though. So that's why he doesn't get sick from that," she answered, rolling her eyes.
"Did he ever ride a dragon? He is a dragon slayer," Adie continued.
"I dunno, maybe," Lucy replied, unsure of what Adie was getting at. She continued to watch Natsu and Happy laugh. Why didn't he act that way around her?
"Why d'you ask?" the spirit mage absentmindedly drawled.
"I'm just wonderin' how much of this is in his head. Is Sky Magic permanent?" she followed Lucy's gaze.
"Not sure," Lucy murmured.
Before she could say anything else, Adie had disappeared from her side. Lucy looked around, spotting the pale-haired women strolling up to Natsu. Lucy watched as the blonde said something to him before turning to walk back toward her. She returned to Lucy's side, staring out over the dark blue ocean
"3...2..1.." Adie began to softly count down.
"What are y--" Lucy began before Adie stopped her by raising a hand. As if on cue, Lucy heard the sound of cursing and vomiting. She turned to find Natsu leaning over the side of the ship, retching furiously as his face turned a sickly shade of green.
"You didn't!" Lucy whispered, staring at Natsu in wide-eyed horror.
Adie shrugged, "I was just testin' a theory. Turns out," she glanced toward the sound of someone losing their lunch, "I was right. It's all in his freakin' head."
"What's got that idiot puking?" Gray asked, as he and Erza met up with the two women.
"Just trying to see how much of his motion sickness was in his head," Adie explained, jerking a thumb over her shoulder. "Told him that Wendy chick's magic only worked for days, at the most."
"Was that necessary?" Erza asked, raising an eyebrow. "It's much more pleasant when he's not sick."
"Eh, I think I have something back in the room to help him deal with it," Adie replied. She turned to look at Natsu, who was now lying on the deck. "I didn't realize it was that bad. Sorry, guys!"
"He's just a wimp," Gray scoffed, shaking his head. He had been wondering when Wendy's magic would wear off. "I had asked Wendy how long her magic lasted. She told me hours. So this is long overdue."
"I....am...gonna..kill...both..of..you," Natsu moaned, as Happy sympathetically patted him on the back. Lucy groaned in exasperation. The rest of this trip was going to be more problematic than they had anticipated.
In total, their voyage had taken a bit more than a few days--mostly due to good weather. Whatever Adie had given Natsu seemed to have helped him somewhat. He had been able to function for the rest of their trip. Upon their arrival at Hokabe, he had literally kissed the ground. As for Hokabe, it was a tiny village that Lucy barely remembered. It was practically dusk when they waltzed into the dark and crowded inn where they would lodge for the night. Downstairs, the inn served as a pub while rooms were rented out on the second and third stories.
They had enjoyed after-dinner drinks while discussing the next day's travel. Adie had been leaning back on her chair, her feet propped up on the table as she studied the map she had just purchased.
"It's only about an eight hour hike to Airie," she had explained, chewing on her toothpick.
"Eight hours!" Lucy whined. She hated the cold, and eight hours in that did not sound enticing. Adie had glared at her from over the map, wordlessly challenging the mage to complain once more.
"S-sorry! It won't happen again!" Lucy piped up, realizing most of her complaining was due to fatigue.
"Can I take a look at the map?" Erza asked, holding out her hand.
"Sure," Adie nodded, handing the paper to Erza. She slumped down in her chair, allowing her head to hang back. "I can't wait to go to bed," she sighed, closing her eyes.
"That makes two of us," Lucy muttered, laying her face down on the table.
"Why are you two so tired?" Natsu asked between mouthfuls. He, apparently, hadn't had enough to eat. Before Lucy could answer, a young man pushed past her, nearly knocking her out of her chair.
"Jewel!" he practically screeched. "Jewel, is that you? Oh my goodness! I didn't think I'd see you again!" he clapped, jumping up and down next to the table.
"What the hell is making all that noise?" Adie hissed, her eyes still closed. "Kill it. Please!"
"Jewel!" the man tsked, one hand planting firmly to his hip.
"I think, he's talking to you, Ad--" Natsu attempted to explain, only stopping when Lucy kicked him from under the table. He rubbed his aching shin, confused by her brutality.
"Jewel," Lucy called out sweetly, "it appears you have a friend here."
Adie's eyes flew open, as the realization of Lucy's words hit her. By this point, the young man had bent over her, so that their faces were mere inches apart. Adie screamed, her arms flailing frantically as she almost toppled backward in her chair. Gray reached out and caught her foot, pulling her upright. She slammed into the table, the air being knocked out of her from the impact. She shot a glance of thanks toward Gray.
"Jewel! It's so good to see you!" the man cooed as he pulled Adie into a tight hug. The rest of the table tried to stifle their laughter as Adie hesitantly patted the man on the back. Her face turning bright red.
"Oh! Hey, uh.." she began, her eyes pleading with them to help her.
"Tomas!" the man replied, rolling his eyes. "Come on! You remember me!" he cried as he touched his chest with his hand.
"Oh, yeah...Tomas!" she waved, her demeanor suddenly changing. "Sorry it's been a long day. I hope you'll excuse my lapse in memory!" she laughed, pushing her hair over her shoulders.
"More like 'lapse in better judgement!'" he threw his head back and laughed.
"You know me!" she winked as she fell into her long-forgotten character. Lucy was impressed at how well she could switch on the acting when she needed to, she would have to take pointers from the woman....
"You were always so forgetful. All is forgiven, darling! Are these your friends?" he asked, his glasses falling down the bridge of his nose as he looked around the table. Lucy had to admit, he was dressed exceptionally well, especially for this hole of a town.
Adie began the introductions, as Tomas reached out a flimsy hand for each of them to shake. "I'm so pleased to meet all of you! A friend of Jewel's is a friend of mine! Please, let me buy you all a drink!" he clapped before spinning on foot and striding toward the bar.
"Where'd you meet that piece of work?" Natsu asked, pushing his plate away from him and nodding in Tomas' direction.
"Yeah, Jewel!" Lucy wittily chimed in. The whole table burst out laughing as Adie's face turned a deeper shade of crimson.
She shook her head in shame, "I'll admit it, not one of my better names."
"I'd say," Erza snorted. "But he is definitely different."
"Yeah," Adie scratched her head, watching the young man as he ordered their drinks. "But, if I remember correctly, he was a good source of the goings-on in the magical world. Helped me out, tons!"
"Him?" Natsu scoffed. "I wouldn't have guessed it. Fashion world, maybe."
"Hmm, maybe you could get a few pointers," Lucy laughed.
"Why would I need pointers?" Natsu's quick reply had caught Lucy by surprise. The entire table became silent as they watched the two exchange words. They were all aware of the decreased interaction between Lucy and Natsu, though none of them wanted to address the reason why.
"Oooh, what's with the faces?" Tomas asked as he set the drinks onto the table. "I love gossip! Do tell."
*****
Lucy shook her head at the memory of the flamboyant newcomer. Tomas had made their short visit to Hokabe fun, she would admit. She especially loved the part when he rubbed Natsu's head and told him that his favorite color was pink. She had never seen the dragon slayer so uncomfortable. Plus, there was the added bonus of the gossip about the drama in the Council....
"What are you suddenly so happy about?" Natsu asked, shooting Lucy an odd glance.
"W-what? N-n-nothing!" she stuttered, taken off guard by his sudden decision to address her. They had barely spoken in almost a week—ever since their exchange at Daylon's. Lucy flushed at the memory...
"Good news and bad news, guys," Adie grumbled as she exited the inn.
"Good news first, please," Lucy hurriedly requested.
"Well, there are rooms available."
"Bad news?" Erza asked the inevitable.
"By rooms, I meant room." Adie held up the single, brass key. Lucy's mouth fell open in shock, as she briefly made eye contact with Natsu. They couldn't possibly all stay in the same room, could they?
"It's a suite," Adie smiled grimly. "Two doubles and a couch. Looks like we're all bunking up tonight."
***
***
"Now what?" Natsu asked as they sluggishly left the warm building. They returned the key to the kindly innkeeper, thanking him for his hospitality and deliciously intriguing breakfast. The six mages were donning their warmest clothing—as Adie had instructed them to.
"Someone we need to see before we head to the mountain," Adie replied as she pulled her hood over her hair, obstructing her face from their view. Lucy cringed as snowflakes began to lazily fall to the ground around them. More snow!
"And where is that?" Gray asked, shoving his hands into his coat pockets. He, for one, wasn't chilled by the frosty weather.
"We need to find the library," Adie answered.
"It's over there," Erza pointed toward the building. Everyone turned to look at the red-headed mage. "What? I was awake before all of you, so I walked around," she answered, simply.
"That sounds like fun," Natsu retorted.
"It was nice," Erza shrugged, pulling her coat tighter around her body.
"Well, that may have saved us five minutes or so," Adie's smile was strained.
Lucy laughed, realizing that the blacksmith was being humorous, "Yeah, the town does consist of three buildings!"
"Aye!" Happy quipped, as he began walking in the direction of the old building.
The door to the library had obviously not been oiled in decades, as it shrilly screamed in announcement at their arrival. The group followed Adie around the first floor, taking in the expansive shelves and dust-covered books. They descended a flight of worn stairs that looked like they hadn't seen repair in centuries.
"This place is creepy!" Lucy shivered, hugging herself as she moved closer to Natsu. He sent her a sideways glance, not saying anything as she hovered close by.
"That's putting it lightly," Gray muttered.
"We're almost there," Adie replied softly as she led them through a series of thick-volumed books and dusty shelves.
A dim light cast shadows along the floor and walls, as they approached the large desk at the end of the hallway. Lucy squinted; she could see someone sitting at the desk, hunched over what looked to be a paper of some sorts.
"Who's there?" came the deep, raspy voice.
"Mages from Fairy Tail and a blacksmith from Wisteria," Adie calmly replied. Lucy could hear her teeth chatter as they approached the man.
He was old, his dark, gray hair parted haphazardly on his round head. His ears were much too large, and he wore dark glasses, despite the dim light surrounding him. Lucy could see that he was writing on the paper set out in front of him—a letter perhaps? She stood on tiptoe, trying to get a better look. She ignored the questioning glance from Natsu.
"Ah, you are not being entirely truthful," the man replied, his lips straining to smile.
"I do not understand," Adie replied cautiously.
"Mages from Fairy Tail, yes, but the last person....that's the one," his voice was monotonous as he spoke, "that's not entirely of merit."
"I am a blacksmith. I apprenticed under a man named Barsky—a famed gunsmith, among other things."
"Yes, I can see that truth," the man replied. "But who are you?"
"I-I do not understand," Adie repeated, this time more hesitantly. Lucy thought she could see Adie's hands trembling.
"Perhaps I assumed too much," the man cleared his throat. "It's nothing. How can I help you?"
Behind Adie's back, Lucy could see everyone's confused glances. No one was quite sure what to make of the cryptic odd man with the glasses.
"We are in need of passage," Adie licked her lips.
"I see," the man replied. "I may not be able to help, but go on."
"To see your mistress," she continued.
"My mistress is no longer taking audiences. She hasn't for decades," the man responded as he picked up his pen. "I am very sorry for your troubles."
"He's lying," Lucy whispered. She didn't know why she thought he was lying, but something told her that he wasn't being honest with the group.
"A tit for tat," the man muttered, as he began writing.
Adie leaned over the wooden table, placing her hand in front of the man's pen. "I'm sorry, maybe I didn't make myself clear. We will be seeing your mistress. Today. And we would like your cooperation in that endeavor. But if you choose to not help, then we will find other means to see her. I seem to have heard about a passage around here. Somewhere," she murmured.
"Want me to make him talk?" Natsu asked, a hint of excitement in his voice. Lucy squeezed his arm in warning. He glanced down at her hand on his arm. She could see him squint at her hand, most likely due to the ring she wore. She quickly withdrew her grip.
The man raised an shaggy eyebrow, peering past Adie's hip, obviously amused by the company that the blacksmith was keeping. "What business do you have with my mistress?" he asked, his attention back on the blacksmith.
"Was that a yes or no?" Natsu whispered. He was answered with an angry glare from Lucy and a shake of Erza's head.
"I need to speak with her. About matters concerning the current disappearance of my sister—er, among other things," Adie spoke softly.
"Well, why didn't you say so!" the man smiled, more warmly this time. "My mistress said you would be coming. With company, too." He again peered past her, at the handful of mages surrounding him.
"What is with this guy?" Natsu whispered to Gray, who shook his head in silent confusion. Erza watched with quiet interest. Lucy could see Adie's jaw clench as she shifted on her feet.
"Adassandra," the man spoke more loudly this time, his voice more commanding. "There is a price to pay for passage."
Again, Lucy saw the muscle in Adie's jaw twitch, as if she were anticipating this part. But, how had she known?
"I am aware," she whispered. "But I had hoped that perhaps we could skip that formality."
"I'm sorry. It is a sigh of your good intention in regards to my mistress," the man shook his head. "She is a very important lady."
"But if she knows that we're coming, she should know what will happen!" Lucy interjected. "No one will hurt her!"
"My dear," the man sighed, "there are no guarantees in what my mistress sees." He looked at Adie, as he stretched an open palm toward her.
"Now, a small token of your intention," he demanded, licking his lips in anticipation,"your key."
*****
***
Sorry for taking so long to update--I was enjoying stuffing my face and doing nothing!
The holidays devour my soul, I think. Or maybe it's the annoying children that I have to see every holiday.
My cat will probably kill me in my sleep for putting him through that!
*
Anyway, hope you enjoy the newest addition! I did re-read this a few times, so I apologize for any remaining mistakes!
Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing, it makes my day!
I wish you all a Happy New Year (in the small chance I don't get another chapter out beforehand)!!
Enjoy!