"Are you sure you're okay, Mona? You look pale." Jet was asking for the millionth time.
I glared the best I could, but it was a weak attempt.
We were sitting on a train, heading to the town of Clover, the town the first job was in. It would take a few hours to get there. I didn't have motion sickness as severely as Natsu, but I was still affected. I was pale and tense, sitting as stiff as stone in our compartment, slightly shaking while my stomach felt like it was in knots.
"I told you… I'm fine." I murmured in a quiet but defiant voice.
"Leave her be, Jet, Mona can handle a little train ride. She's held out this long, hasn't she?" Droy came to my defense.
Levy was reading a book, and replied softly, "We'll be there soon, Mona-Chan, just hold in there."
I let out a groan and sunk deeper into my seat, wishing we could have walked all the way. Unfortunately the only way to get to Clover was by train.
A half hour later Jet and Droy dragged me off the train, because I was too shaky and weak to stand on my own. Levy followed, looking like she felt bad for me.
We sat at the train station for a while so I could take some deep breaths and revive my willpower.
"She looks ready to puke." Droy said out loud.
"Don't be rude, Droy! You know how Mona and Natsu are affected by traveling." Levy scolded him.
Finally I stood, a grin showing as the color came back to my face. I decided to ignore Jet and Droy's dumb comments.
"I'm good! Let's go see our client, before the whole day wastes away!" I cheered, as team shadow gear stood too.
"How can she do that? One second she's as weak as a fish without water, the next she's full of energy." I heard Jet ask in disbelief as I lead the way, walking a bit in front of them.
Levy laughed lightly, "That's why she's a water dragon slayer, she changes emotions easily. Natsu is the same way though."
"Crazy dragons…" Droy joked.
As we walked I allowed them to catch up so I walked beside Levy.
"So, who is it we need to talk to again?" Levy asked me, since I was the one who had the papers. I had brought along a small dark purple bag that was slung over my shoulder, which held overnight items and the two quest papers.
I pulled out the paper for this sword quest. "Hmm. Well it says to come to Irvin's Swordship, a weapon's shop in town. It should be easy enough to find. I guess the owner, Irvin, is the one who paid for this job."
"Irvin's Swordship? What kind of lousy name is that?" Droy asked.
"That's being mean, Droy." Levy scolded him softly.
Jet and Droy both echoed, "We're sorry Levy!"
I laughed, "Let's just get going or we'll never get this quest done by tonight."
And so we continued out of the train station and into the small town of Clover.
We finally stopped in front of a big shop shaped like a boat with decorative swords that had excellent craftsmanship all around. A big gold sign said, 'Irvin's Swordship' in fancy lettering.
We all stared at the building for a moment.
"I have a feeling whoever wants us to find this sword is a nutjob." I said, slightly cross.
"Don't be so depressing, Mona-Chan! It's an easy job! It'll be over before you know it." Levy tried to cheer me up.
Droy and Jet gushed over her attempt, "See Mona?! Levy is always so positive!" They echoed, enthused.
I rolled my eyes, "Let's just go in and find out more about what the job entails." I said, pushing open the door as we walked in.
The inside was warmly styled with gold and red accents, dark wood walls and red carpet like blood, it felt like a real ship. Pictures of sword fighting pirates and kings sitting on piles of gold lined the walls in a regal way.
"Woah…" We all murmured together.
At the sound of the little bell from opening the door, a little man bustled into the room.
He was about four or three foot something, with green hair that reminded me somewhat of Laxus's friend Freed. Freed, Bixlow, and Evergreen were part of a team called the Thunder God Tribe, because they toted on Laxus like they lived only for him. I hadn't really seen them around.
Anyway, the little guy had short cropped green hair, and beady little red eyes, and wore a red pirates outfit that also reminded me of Freed. He even had the little sword. This guy might be small but he walked like a pompous king, staring us down as if he found us unfit to be mages. I already despised him and he hasn't said anything yet.
He stared at us as if evaluating us and he paced back and forth.
We were silent, watching him.
Finally I blurted out, "Are you the guy who paid for this job? We're Fairy Tail Wizards." I held up the flyer.
He whipped out his sword and pointed it at me, as if that was supposed to scare me. "Proper young ladies only speak when spoken to! And what is that atrocity you're wearing?! Disgraceful! I find it hard to believe you're a wizard, more like a barbarian!"
Levy and her two teammates opened their mouths to protest but I held up a hand to stop them. My eyes were downcast, anger bubbling in me as if I had scalding hot water in my stomach. I was furious, I was ready to strangle this guy.
But I knew I had to keep calm if I wanted to be paid for this job. We all made our way here, all the way to Clover, just for this, so I won't let his words strike at me.
Slowly I curtsied, bowing my head, and finally looked at him with a cute smile, forced but cute. I made sure I was giving my irresistible face, my eyes glittering up at him as I made fake tears beginning to show.
"I apologize, my lord, for my rudeness. It was foolish of me. Please forgive me. We've made our way here just to serve you and collect our payment." I said, giving my softest voice.
Levy, Jet, and Droy stared at me incredibly. Inside I was smirking, my cheering meter dancing. No one could resist an apology from me, not when I used this face.
The man seemed slightly disgruntled at my sudden change in attitude. He cleared his throat awkwardly, a blush beginning to show, "Stand, my young lady. I forgive you wholeheartedly. Now, I assume you've come to learn the details of what I wish?"
I stood straight again.
Levy spoke up, "Yes sir."
Jet and Droy saluted and followed Levy's example, "Yes Sir!"
The man looked at them with a slightly pompous look, "Follow me."
He lead us to a back room and allowed us to sit on a long red couch while he sat in a matching throne-like chair.
"Now. As you know my name is Irvin. I require your services due to finding a mystical sword, it is called Excalibur." He began to explain. "Excalibur is a powerful golden sword said to be the best weapon ever made, full of magical power. It's been around since the early ages. So it's my job as a certified Swordsman to collect the sword and make it mine! I've gotten rumor that it is stored deep in a cave about a mile out of town to the east. If you can get me the sword, I will pay you the 90,000 jewel, as promised."
"Are there any threats guarding the sword? Any enchantments, maybe enemy wizards?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"Well… I have no idea. Haven't checked the rumor out at all. I have a good source but they said nothing about any magic." Irvin explained, "So you'll have to see for yourself."
Levy and I exchanged a glance. This wasn't exactly a hard quest, so I suppose we'll have to go through with it. We came all this way, and I even put on a cute show for the little creeper swordsman.
"We'll do it!" Jet exclaimed, seeing the look that Levy and I had exchanged.
Droy grinned confidently, "You can count on us."
Before I knew it the swordsman was shooing us out, "Good, Good, now get going." He said as he pushed us out of the back room, out of the shop, and closed the door behind us with the sound of the little bells.
"Well… that was interesting." Levy said out loud, as we began to walk awkwardly away from the shop.
"It's still a job though. Let's get going, and try to find this cave. I want us to be done by tonight so we can get back to the guild tomorrow, after the other job." I grumbled, having a bad feeling about this job.
I mean it was an odd little man, asking us to find a magical sword, in a cave we know nothing about, and he had disrespected my outfit! Maybe I need a new outfit... a dress? no. Armor like Erza? hmm no. Maybe I'll ask Cana to go shopping with me when I get back.
But for now, we have a job to do, whether we like it or not.
"But first, let's get some lunch, I'm starving!" Droy complained.
"I agree, we need some food before we go into this weird cave." Jet nodded.
I could feel my stomach was empty, I hadn't eaten since… hmm. When was the last time? Oh right, I had a smoothie this morning… And I think I ate an apple before coming to the guild. But that's it.
Levy looked at me for an answer and I sighed.
"Alright, let's find somewhere to eat."
This might take longer than I thought…