Halloween was drawing near. The leaves on the trees had begun changing to vibrant shades of red and yellow, swirling in the autumn breeze as I waited in the park for the girls. As I looked around past the kids playing on the swings and in the sandbox, I even noticed a couple of jack-O-lanterns on the doorsteps of those who lived nearby. Sharp fangs carved into the pumpkin skin, and cliché triangular eyes. It was a crisp morning, frost clung to each blade of grass like a blanket of silver and my breath came out in short white puffs. Admittedly I did pretend to be a train as I walked down here. Shut up.
I don't know what it is, but there's always been a certain smell to autumn. Don't call me crazy because it's true. I don't know exactly what it is, but that smell was strong in the air this morning. That combined with the steam coming of the pumpkin spice latte in my hands created the perfect fall setting. Perfect for costume shopping with Erza and Virgo.
Aries would have come along with us, but she had already bought a lamb costume to go along with Leo's lion costume (could it get any more origional?). Anyhow. That's how I ended up here in the first place.
"Lucy. Lucy. Lucy. Lucy. Lucy. Lucy. Lucy. Lucy. Lucy. Luuuuuuccccccyyyyyyy." My hallucination. In case you hadn't realized, she... it's... gotten bolder. Currently she was poking my arm over and over again trying to get me to acknowledge her presence. "Lucy. Lucy. Lucy. C'mon. I'm not going to tell you who I am until you start listening. Lucy. Lucy. Lucy. Lu. Lu. Lu. Lu. Lu. Lu. Lucy. Lucy. Lucy."
"Lucy!"
"WHAT?!" I finally snapped, wheeling on my friends who both took a step back in surprise.
"There's no need for aggression." Erza said sternly, waving one gloved hand at me. The redhead had a coat the colour of Jellal's hair wrapped tightly around her. The cuffs and neckline both had faux fur, as did fluffy purple earmuffs on her ears. It was rather early in the year for it, but with the overcast of clouds today, the weather forecast was calling for a possible flurry of snow. It was odd, but Winter seemed to be approaching more rapidly than usual.
"Huh. Looks like Erza's all dressed up for the winter. Oops. My bad." The female figure beside me laughed softly, her eyes changing from light blue to a bloody red with dagger like pupils when she blinked. "But hey, that's just a side effect of being me."
"Don't pretend you're causing this." I muttered under my breath, to which she only snorted and swayed, face paling even more than her usual snow-white complexion as she fainted into oblivion.
"Did you say something princess?" Virgo asked, blinking her wide blue eyes. "You really shouldn't mumble, It isn't lady-like." Virgo was still in her usual maid dress, don't ask me how she could stand the cold because I have no Idea, but I suppose it was Virgo. Not much that she does tends to make any logical sense.
"No. It's nothing. I just forgot something at home is all." I lied smoothly before changing the subject. "Chilly weather today isn't it? I mean jeez. Especially for October!" I snuggled into the warmth of my coat to prove my point, taking a sip of my coffee. It was warm, hot really, and scalded my throat on the way down. Just how I liked it. I never even knew that pumpkin would be such a good flavour until Leo brought us all a drink from the café where he worked. Some place called Starbucks that for some reason seemed to attract a lot of teenage girls...
"It is rather cold. I just hope that this weather will pass on son enough to give us a little bit more sunlight before winter." Erza sighed. I couldn't help but agree. I'm not really a big fan of the cold. "In any case, we should get going before the good costumes have been picked over and only the skimpy ones are left behind."
"I would think that you'd want a skimpy costume seeing as your boyfriend will be attending the party." The maiden commented, looking up at my redheaded friend who had gone scarlet in the face, her cheeks burning.
"Wh-what?! Why would you think that?! I- I don't... I mean..." She stammered. I raised an eyebrow as we began walking down the pathway, leaves crunching under my ugg boots. She looked a bit like a tomato, especially since her hair matched her current skin tone perfectly.
"I think you should go for it Erza." I smirked. "I mean who knows? Tonight could be the night you get lucky? Does Jellal like a girl who puts out?" I teased lightly, bumping her with my shoulder. Virgo blinked her wide eyes slowly once again.
"Jellal? The criminal?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. Erza and I both paled as she simply nodded "I see... I once knew his brother Siegrain. And Mystogan. It was a shame when Sieg moved away and Mystogan began his travels."
"Wait. You're not going to call the police or anything?" I asked, mildly confused. The pinkette shook her head slowly, small earrings of stars jingling as she did.
"Oh goodness no. If Erza trusts him that's good enough for me. She has better judgment than most. I'll put my faith in her." She smiled, looking up at the clouds contently. "Besides. Is it really my place to judge who deserves to spend life in a metal container or not?"
"Well... no. I suppose it isn't. Thank you Virgo." Erza said, bowing slightly. Virgo simply waved it off with a small smile.
"Don't mention it."
….
We reached the mall a few minutes later, walking through the crowds to a small costume shop that I had been hearing some pretty good things about. As soon as I stepped inside, I found out why. The walls were lined with hundreds of different ideas and designs. There were cosplays from over a dozen animes, mummies, dragons, pirates, and there were also many punny costumes. I saw a belt with clocks on it labeled "A waist of time". There were boxes of breakfast cereal with knives and blood labeled "Cereal Killer!" and several others. I was in awe to say the least. I had no idea what to pick!"
"Well then. Looks like we'll have no shortage of choices." Virgo commented. "Perhaps I will go as a belly dancer. Not to brag, but I AM exemplary at an interpretive dance routine that was handed down through generations." I stared at her, trying to figure out whether or not she was serious when Erza's voice pulled me away from my train of thought.
"I like this one. I could be a vampiress." Erza was looking at a vampire costume on a rack that had a purple corset with black lace, fishnet stockings, a cloak, makeup, and fangs. It was, by all accounts, very slutty. I was afraid to say so of course since Erza seemed so intrigued, but just my luck. She came back.
"Oh please Erz." The faux Lauren sighed, leaning on Erza's shoulder. You were a vampire last year! And the year before that. And the year before that. Get more original, holy Hades girl. Honestly, at least I change it up!"
"Why don't you pick something else Erza?" I suggested, narrowing my eyes at the devil on her shoulder who only grinned at me, seeming very happy. Her form seemed to solidify a little bit more after I had taken her suggestion.
"See? Now we're getting somewhere! I can't help you until you let me in lu-chan. There are rules." She sighed, wavering and vanishing once more. "Rules." Her voice echoed. I shook my head to clear it. Ugh. I was going insane. There was no other possible excuse.
"Perhaps you're right. I was a vampire last year." The redhead agreed, setting the costume back on the shelf and continuing to browse. Eventually we all branched out a little bit, wandering around the shop to find costumes to try on. I passed over some of the costumes like a fairy or a princess. Too girly for Halloween night. Admittedly I loved horror novels. Back in the dreamland of Magnolia, in a box under my bed, were a dozen Stephen King books. Each had a worn out spine from being read and re-read over and over again. Of course, everyone that came over to my apartment would only see the fairy tales and romance books on my shelves, but I really wanted to write a horror/romance genre mash someday. One worthy of King's work.
I overlooked many of the female costumes given their somewhat revealing nature, eventually settling on two that had caught my eye. Rushing back through the store, I bumped into Erza and Virgo, both with costumes of their own. Erza, to my surprise, had selected a Scout Regiment uniform from the Attack on Titan anime series that I had begun to watch and read over the last couple of days. The TV series was quick to finish, but the plot of the manga only thickened as time went on. She even had the 3DMG gear equipped with swords. It looked so real that I almost wanted to ask if it worked.
Virgo had chosen a costume as a living marionette doll. There was makeup and instructions as to making her arms and legs look like they had hinges, false eyelashes, too bright contact lenses, string for her wrists and ankles to make it seem as though her strings had been cut, a black and white dress with a poofy black tutu, a dark wig, and fake blood splashed all over the clothes. It even came with a plastic knife. Given that Virgo's wide blue eyes were already a bit doll-like, the costume suited her perfectly.
I asked them both what they thought of the two costumes that I had chosen. Each was at least a little bit freaky but eventually I came to decision. I knew that the party was going to be interesting to say the least. My plan to talk to Natsu was being viewed as suicidal, but it was a risk that I was willing to take. The store was still buzzing with activity as we checked out, setting out our items on the checkout counter. The clerk was very friendly, making light conversation with us. As it turned out, this particular guy was also going to the same party with his girlfriend. There was something about him that was familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on it... Hm... Maybe it was nothing. I was certain that I'd seen him before. I think I'd remember someone that was missing one eye with purple hair like that. Eh, maybe I'd get talking to him at the party or something. His nametag read 'Erik' but that didn't sound familiar to me at all.
…
On the way home, a light flurry had begun to fall, the ground dusted with a thin layer of the silver flakes. I rubbed my arms subconsciously since it had become even colder than when we went inside. I pulled out my phone and began to text Sting. He had gotten his G2 license last week, and thus I could now get rides from him instead of always pestering Laxus.
-hey, can u pick us up at the mall?-
-Can't U walk? I'm busy.-
-pleeeeeeeease? It's cold :(-
-Ugh. Fine, I'll be there in a few okay? girls coming 2?-
-yeah-
-K-
Clicking the button on top of my phone, it closed and locked with a click. "He's coming." I informed my two companions, getting closer to the two of them for warmth. "So... what are Leo's parties like anyway?" I asked curiously, looking more to Virgo than Erza since he was Virgo's brother after all.
"Large. What I believe most people refer to as a "Kegger". There is often a lot of booze, a lot of dancing, and spare rooms available to public use." The maiden said thoughtfully, tapping her chin.
"It's actually a lot of fun Lucy, no need to worry." Erza smiled, giving my hair a slight ruffle. "Just don't challenge Cana to a game of shots, don't flirt with Loke, and avoid Natsu. You'll be fine."
"Yeah, that doesn't make me feel better!" I said, but on the inside I was reminded of some of Fairytail's many different parties. Who knows? Maybe I'd even wake up hungover with another tattoo. What was the first one, you ask? Ask the fire dragon slayer Natsu Dragneel. We got the same one. now THAT was a wild night! I can't even remember what we were celebrating! Maybe a birthday or something?..." As a familiar car with a blonde in the front seat pulled up to the curb, I was wrenched from my thoughts with a smirk of amusement still tugging at my lips. "Come on guys. You're spending the night at my house." I laughed softly, opening the door and climbing into the shotgun seat.
It's 11:47 pm (23:47). I am exhausted. I'm mildly pissed given that my grandma made a weight comment without thinking at Thanksgiving dinner in front of my family that made me feel sick to my stomach, too sick to continue eating. I hadn't eaten all day. I'm still kind of hangry. If the chapter didn't make sense in some spots or had a couple of grammatical errors, you have my sincerest apologies, but I'm kind of out of it. Seriously I can barely keep my eyes open. Hopefully I'll update Goblet of Fairy Fire and Clash of the Genderbends tomorrow. If you're wondering why I always apologize in the author's note, it's because I'm Canadian. That's also why I had thanksgiving today rather than in November. I'm thankful for the support from all of you guys and want you to know that I love hearing the things that you guys have to say. Please leave your reviews in the comments and I'll see you next chapter.