Day 3 has arrived!
Once again, I want to express my gratitude for the lovely reviews. It means a lot to hear what you all have to say. I was unsure of the reception my writing would receive, and everyone's amazing comments have only bolstered the enjoyment I feel in being able to share it, so thank you!
I know that today's prompt is supposed to be 'summit' but the muses are at work ad have not let me stop working on that prompt just yet, so I am skipping ahead a day and posting the one for 'Concede'. Should the muses be in favor, I will be posting 'Summit' sometime tomorrow. Now on to the story…
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima, and the lovely Pradesh Family is owned by Desna.
I'd like to shout out an additional thank you to 'Kakashi's Rabid Stalker', my wonderful editor, and undergrad roomie, for putting up with my chaotic schedule, wild ideas, and the late night emails. Hugs!
…
Prompt: Concede
Lucy leaned back in the lounge chair on the balcony adjoined to her room, eyes closed as took a moment to simply enjoy the warm caress of the sun on her face, and the light breeze coming off the nearby sea. The Grass Sea was an experience in itself. The water was rich in nutrients and fostered abundant plant life and animals both on the surface and amidst its depths. Upon her arrival in Bosco she had found the smell of the Grass Sea to be incomparable in how it both relaxed and rejuvenated her travel-worn body and spirit.
Opening her eyes, the celestial mage turned her attention back to the pen and paper on her lap.
Dear Mama,
Things have been very busy since Fairy Tail won the Grand Magic Games. When we got back home we were able to move back in to the original guild hall, although Master is still keeping the building on the hill as a 'second-base'. Personally, I think he grew a bit attached, though I know he is very happy to have access to the pool back.
The guild has been swamped in special mission requests. It's been difficult for the usual teams to go on missions as regularly due to having multiple members often pulled away on other specially requested jobs at different times.
Team Natsu was no different in this fate. After their showing at the games, her teammates had received numerous requests for their aid, and hadn't been at the guild for more than a couple days in a row for the past six months. While she'd been having her fair share of personally requested missions herself, Lucy didn't envy her teammates, and instead capitalized on this break from the usual bank-breaking missions to save up a nice amount in her savings and train.
I've been training with my spirits every day. Capricorn and Loke helped me make a training schedule, and Virgo has been making sure I'm eating right. Sadly, for the time being that means no more strawberry smoothies. So unfair!
The months of hard work with Capricorn and Loke had paid off. She had expanded her magical containers and improved her access and control of her second origin. She had spent time with each of her combat spirits individually, strategizing with them and sparring together. Similarly, she had spent time with her non-combatant spirits, often summoning them out for a day to visit or meditate. She worked at keeping multiple gates open for several hours on end to expand her containers. Lucy was now able to hold three zodiac gates open for five hours straight, and could have any of her silver keys out for more than 24 hours.
Bickslow took me under his wing and helped me work on my agility and physical strength. While I appreciate the results, my body hated me for a good two weeks in the beginning. It was brutal! I'm pretty sure I had more bruises from our training sessions than I ever received on missions with Team Natsu.
I have to admit, he's become something like a big brother to me now. We've gotten really close! I know you would have liked him. He would've made you laugh.
It was surprisingly Loke who brought up the idea of working on her agility and doing some strength training. While surprised at the new direction Lucy could easily see the advantages of such training. The saving in clothes costs alone if she was able to dodge wayward attacks and debris was worth it considering the frequent decimation of her closet on missions with her destructive team. The last mission they'd gone on had cost her eight pairs of underwear, five shirts, two skirts, and one of her favorite pairs of boots. She tried not to think about the new bra she'd had to throw away after finding Happy using it to carry around his leftover fish. She'd nearly strangled the blue fur ball for that one, and would have had Natsu not misinterpreted her wrapping her hands around the wretched cat's neck as a hug and dogpiled himself on top of them. Needless to say, Lucy would jump at any opportunity to save her wallet, and her closet, some grief.
That being said, the celestial mage couldn't have been more surprised at who Loke had recommended she ask for instruction and to aid her in her training. She had still been wrapping her mind around it even as she walked up to the second floor of the guild to find her new 'trainer'.
The Seith mage had been equally surprised at first but easily agreed to help her out. Bickslow told Lucy to meet him in the guild's gym early the next morning to start and the rest, as they say, was history.
The proceeding weeks saw a close friendship bloom between the guild's resident celestial maiden and Seith mage. While their magic was similar in nature, they realized they had other things in common as well. They had a matching sense of humor, were strongly loyal to their friends, and both of them were the designated cooks on their teams lest they want to endure food poisoning or starvation.
Little did I know that he was adopted by no other than Boscan Ambassador Arman Pradesh. Honestly, I nearly Lucy-kicked him for holding out on that little bit of info for so long. And then he had the gall to laugh at me after hearing about how his father has been my idol since childhood! I think my reaction was perfectly reasonable. The man is a highly intelligent political leader and an open activist for peace. Not only that, but he took in several children and raised them to keep a promise he made his departed wife. His actions, personal and political showed not only his loyalty and love for his wife, but his kindness, compassion, and large heart towards those he cares about and his country. From what I've seen, Ambassador Pradesh has raised one amazing man in Bickslow, and I look forward to meeting the rest of his siblings. From Bickslow's stories, they seem like a handful. I think they'd fit right in at the craziness of Fairy Tail.
That being said, Bickslow invited me to come with him and the Raijinshuu to Bosco and visit his family over the holidays. I'm taking him up on his offer, mama. With the rest of the team away on missions or having other plans outside of Magnolia, I want to explore the world a bit. After all, I don't know when I'll get another chance to see Bosco. I remember you talking a little about the Academy Celestine that that is located there. I hope I can visit.
Lucy had received a big shock upon learning her 'trainer's' last name.
"Pradesh!? As in, related to Arman Pradesh?!"
"Uh, yeah? He adopted me and five of my other siblings. You know him?"
Yeah, that day Bickslow had nearly had a coronary from laughing so hard after finding out the long-standing hero-worship Lucy had for his father stemming from when she was still a child at the Konzern. First it was wishing her own father were as warm and caring as the Boscan Ambassador who had opened his home and adopted several children following his wife's death, then it became admiration and respect for the man's policies, negotiation skills, and diplomacy. From a young age Lucy had hoped she would someday be able to do as much good in the world as Ambassador Arman Pradesh.
A couple of months later and the two had gone on a few jobs together and with some members from each of their teams. The Seith mage was a serious task master, but still managed to keep things light with a joke and easy banter during the more grueling sessions.
As the holidays started coming around, Bickslow had shared his holiday plans during one of their morning work outs.
"You're going to Bosco?"
"Yeah, the whole family is getting together. Dad said we could bring some friends too. I'll need the back-up. Vander is always ready with a prank at the family meet and greets the lovable shit that he is."
Lucy chuckled, having heard many detailed recounting of his siblings deeds and misconducts. Her favorite so far involved his youngest brother Vander, his youngest sister Xally, pink hair dye, and a tiger-striped bikini. That tale alone had left her sides aching for days from the belly laughs it'd inspired.
Bickslow grinned, sticking out his tongue good naturedly, "Anyways, I was thinking that since your team will be away, you could come with me and the Raijinshuu to Bosco to see my family and spend the holidays with us. Whatcha say Cosplayer?"
Lucy smiled, it was sweet of him to offer, "Sure. I've always wanted to go to Bosco before. When do we leave?"
Bickslow whooped before pulling her into a hug and spinning her around. "Two days. We have tickets for an airship that leaves at 7am from that new skyport in Crocus."
We travelled one on of the Boscan airships, it was amazing! It was only Laxus, Bickslow, Freed, Cobra, and I making the trip. Evergreen was apparently invited to go somewhere with the Strauss siblings. She and Elfman are 'openly' dating now. Granted everyone knows they've been dating for the past year.
Cobra's been adjusting well since he was dropped off at the guild by Mest and Captain Lahar from the Council. He and Kinana have rekindled their friendship, and he often sits at the bar talking with her. It was pretty sweet when he went all protective on her when her new boyfriend showed up to take her on a date. Luckily, the guy got Cobra's (begrudging) approval, and they've been together for almost six months now. I'm so happy for them.
Cobra and Bickslow have become good… friends? I'm not quite sure how to term their relationship. It's more than tolerance, less than hugging and 'gushy, nauseating sentiment' (as the boys would say), and started simply because Cobra can't 'hear' Bickslow due to his magic. He says it helps keep him sane sometimes, having a 'quiet space' to focus on amidst all the craziness.
"Oi, Tink! Look alive, we're boarding."
"Ehh!?" The celestial mage bolted upright from where she had been napping on the bench at the skyport. Eyes still blurry from sleep, she yawned and hazily looked around.
A caramel-skinned hand lightly rasped her chin and turned it to her right where she spotted a large air ship had docked. "Neverland is that way, Tink. Let's go before the minions come to herd us."
"…Okay," her brain still muddled from sleep she went through the motions of gathering her things and had taken several steps toward the boarding line where she could see Laxus and Freed waiting for them before freezing in place as something clicked into place.
Spinning around she pointed dramatically at the Poison dragon slayer, who was standing with an amused smirk on his face.
"Cobra! What are you doing here?"
"Bicks invited me. Figured it'd be pretty boring staying at the guild while Kinana, Bicks, Metalface, Sparky, and you were gone. There wouldn't be anybody I could have stimulating conversations with, so I decided I'd grace you with my amazing presence."
Lucy snorted before giving the snarky slayer a smile.
"Go on, bask in the glow of my awesomeness." He poked her when she chuckled, "Come on, you know you'd miss this."
"We'd miss something alright," came the voice of the Seith mage laughing behind them.
"Miss something!". "Will not!". "Not you!". No!". "Pointy Ears!"
Lucy smiled at the little totems, or as Cobra called them 'the minions', that suddenly appeared around them. The last exclamation had come from the smallest totem 'Pipi' who nuzzled Cobra's shoulder.
The poison dragon slayer eyed the other totems with narrowed eyes before scooping 'Pipi' out of the air and patting the top. "Well, I know who's not being dissolved in sulfuric acid." With that he stalked off toward the ship, his coat flaring out dramatically behind him.
The Seith mage and celestial mage watched him go, the latter chuckling while the former eyed the departing slayer with slight trepidation.
"…He won't right?"
At her shrug he frowned and started jogging after the poison slayer, "Oi, Cobra! Dude, you wouldn't do that right? They were only joking right babies?"
"Never!. "Not at all". "Totally serious". "No Joke".
"You're not helping yourselves babies!"
We arrived in Bosco the next day, and I got to meet all of Bickslow's family. Ambassador Pradesh is having us all stay in his home, and the Chef makes the most delicious strawberry cream float.
Heavy knocking on her door brought Lucy back to the present. Setting down her letter she answered the door to find an excited Bickslow waiting for her.
"It's game time Cosplayer, let's go, let's go."
Ah yes, 'game time'. Bickslow had prepped his guild mates on the flight over. It was a tradition in his family to play board games and engage in different competitions with one another. To the winners go the bragging rights, and a custom-made dessert by their esteemed chef.
Entering into the large family room, Lucy found all the Pradesh siblings and her guild mates taking their places around a pile of games. Arman and the chef, Elan, had taken seats on the nearby couches to spectate.
Xally smiled her when she took the seat next to hers.
"Careful Cosplayer, Vander is the king of slight-of-hand, Emzadi is a card shark, and Farron and Kaleb are aces at strategy games. And don't let Xally and Cristoff fool you with their sweet natures, they are absolutely brutal."
Lucy laughed, "Thanks for the warning, but I know your slight-of-hand is just as top-notch. Sounds like thing are going to get interesting, what are we playing first?"
When Emzadi held up Monopoly, Lucy shyly admitted she didn't know how to play.
After a quick crash course of the rules, Lucy realized it was basically a game version of what her childhood lessons had all been about: Business, Luck, Monetary Management, and Risk. With that in mind she began to feel a bit more confident in at least making a good showing, heck, maybe even winning.
Kaleb, catching the trailing end of her thoughts, gave her a playful smirk, "Careful Lucy, you're playing with the big boys now."
Eyes narrowing, Lucy felt her own competitive spirit rising up. "We'll let the results speak for themselves then shall we?" she taunted back, earning a chuckle from the good looking guild master.
After debates over which tokens they would use [Vander (Boot), Emzadi (Canon), Xally (Thimble), Kaleb (Car), Bickslow (Dog), Farron (Top Hat), Lucy (Battleship), Cristoff (Wheelbarrow), Freed (Cat), Cobra (Iron), and Laxus (Horse)], and passing out money to each player, they were finally ready to begin. It was decided that Arman would be the 'Banker'.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~15 Minutes Later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After an entire turn passed with everyone having to pay Lucy for landing on one of her properties while she only received a card stating for her to "Pass 'Go' and collect $200", the other Fairy Tail mages felt a pit of dread form in their guts as they suddenly remembered Lucy's aristocratic background and one of her nicknames.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~40 Minutes from Start of Game~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hah! Free parking money is mine!" The celestial mage grinned, gleefully adding the cash to her already accumulated bulk under the horrified stares of Cristoff, Laxus, Freed and Emzadi.
Bickslow and Vander were in 'Jail'… for the third time.
Xally and Cobra had run out of money and were now amusedly watching events unfold.
Kaleb and Farron narrowed their eyes as they calculated future moves and purchases.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1 Hour from Start of Game~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arman and Freed watched the celestial mage purchases a third hotel with great appreciation. Freed had paid out the rest of his money and properties to Lucy following a string of bad luck where he kept landing on her properties.
Emzadi, Cristoff, and Bickslow were now out and had joined the rest in cheering on the underdog Fairy.
Vander was back in Jail… for the eight time; much to his frustration, and his family's amusement.
Laxus was surviving by the skin of his teeth, and the luck of landing several helpful Chance and Community Chest cards.
Farron, and Kaleb were frowning as they took stock of their dwindling accounts and limited properties. The guild master of White Sea was also shooting the blonde mage intermittent looks of admiration as he listened in on the celestial mage's thoughts and strategy. The layer upon layers of strategy hidden behind the seemingly innocent and sweet smile was truly a wonder. Farron was also in Jail for the first time. Emzadi and Cristoff were having a good laugh over that fact as they took in their oldest brother's disgruntled expression.
Cobra, sitting on a couch to Lucy's left, was staring at the blonde celestial mage in a sort of terrified awe as he listened to the organized chaos that was driving her methodical domination of the game.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2 Hours from Start of Game~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Laxus and Vander were now out.
"Tink?"
"Hmm?" Her attention primarily on the board as she calculated her next five moves for three different scenarios pending on Kaleb's decision to buy another house for his property or not.
"If you ever want to take over the world and establish yourself as the grand overlord and dictator, I just want to say that you can count me in and will have my total support and undying loyalty."
"Hm?... Oh, that's nice Cobra. I'll keep that in mind." The celestial mage responded, shooting the slayer a distracted smile before turning her now glinting eyes back to her paling opponents.
"Farron, that will be $2000."
…
I look forward to hearing what you think :) It keeps the muses alive and going.
TTFN!
JB