Wendy was folding her hands over and over in her lap when Lily made his way over to her, landing on the table in front of her lightly. Wendy smiled up at him, she had worked out as soon as the nominations were read out that she was probably going to be partnered with the Exceed. She couldn't see Freed wanting to partner up with someone who's magic didn't line up with his very well, and Cana looked too drunk to even begin to plan anything out.
"Well, Miss Marvell, it appears that we will be partnered together."
Wendy nodded, Carla smiling oddly at the polite way the two of them were conducting themselves.
"My offensive power isn't very high, but I believe if I use my support magic on you we should be able to beat everyone else in the room."
Lily grinned. Wendy was the perfect blend of modest and confident in her abilities, which was so rare to find nowadays. Especially in Dragon Slayers.
"I'm sure your offensive power is greater than you think, Wendy. It's just a matter of training, just like in any fight. But your support magic is invaluable as well. Shall we begin today? Or would you like to wait until tomorrow?"
Carla stood next to her Dragon Slayer, nodding in agreement with everything Lily had said, watching the girl for her response. Wendy's cheeks flushed at the compliments, her head ducking a little as way of thanking her new partner.
"I'm honestly okay with either, Lily. Which would you prefer?"
The Exceed crossed his arms over his chest, his right hand coming up to tap his chin as he considered. They would presumably need a bit of adjusting in order to learn to fight together. Sure, the girl had an Exceed she partnered with, but they'd been together for years. Carla probably didn't even have to think about how to support Wendy anymore. Lily, for himself, was used to fighting with other powerful people, but they had always been fully trained fighters.
"Why don't we just test out a few things today, and tomorrow we'll begin training in earnest?"
Wendy brightened up a little, smiling confidently as she jumped to her feet.
"That sounds like a good plan! There's a field outside the city, they hold carnivals there sometimes, we should head there! That way we don't have to worry if I shout or anything."
The girl rubbed the back of her head a little as Lily chuckled. Definitely a benefit to partnering with Wendy. She wasn't unaware of the destructive nature of her magic, and planned for it. The other Dragon Slayers knew what their magic could do too, they just didn't care. How many times had Lily been left to clean up the mess they made? He turned and gestured towards the door of the guildhall, laughing again when the tiny girl sprinted towards it, only wobbling once as she went. Once the girl was a good distance away, he turned back to Carla, still keeping his voice low because, well, Dragon Slayer.
"Do you think you and Happy might be available to help with our training? I do not feel comfortable sparring against her, if I'm honest, and you know Happy is going to be sulking because he's not partnering with Natsu this year."
They both turned to where the blue Exceed was sat on a table by himself, looking a little lost. Carla sighed, considering Lily for a moment. He simply stared back at her, knowing that she didn't much care for Happy sometimes but would do anything to help Wendy. Finally, the white Exceed sighed again, nodding as wings sprouted from her back.
"I'll ask the tomcat to join us. I know what field the child is meaning. You go ahead and follow her, we'll meet you there."
Lily cracked a smile, his own wings popping out of his back as he leapt into the air to follow Wendy. He stooped quickly, grabbing the back of her shirt as they cleared the building and soaring into the air.
"Which way?"
Wendy smiled, genuinely loving the way the wind flew through her hair and brushed across her skin. Lifting her right hand she pointed Lily in the right way, and her grin spread even wider as they sped towards their destination.
"It's a little scary that someone so small and adorable has that much power, don't you think?"
Wakaba leaned back on the bench he and Macao were sitting on, taking a pull from his cigar. His best friend snorted, pulling his right foot up to rest his ankle on his other knee.
"That's because when she's older and you flirt with her, she'll be even more powerful and she'll kill you."
Across the field, Wendy blushed, her sensitive hearing picking the men's conversation. She knew they were just like that, talking tough to each other all the time. She also knew she wasn't in any danger of either of them actually giving her any of the sort of troubles that she'd have to kill them for. But it still, it was embarrassing to hear them discussing her so bluntly.
"Pay attention, child! I know I'm not as much of a threat as someone like Natsu or Gajeel, but I WILL hit you!"
The Dragon Slayer blushed darker, bowing her head in apology. Carla stood across from her, having used her transformation magic to take human form to train with her. To her dismay, Pantherlily hadn't wanted to train with her. It was understandable, really, she wasn't anything like the person he was used to training with. But it was still a little disheartening. It had only been two days though. Maybe tomorrow she'd be stronger. Wendy smiled, clenching her hands into fists. She glanced over her shoulder to check on Lily's personal training. He was shadow boxing in his battle mode, throwing punches and kicks, changing his pattern every few minutes. He'd been sparring against Happy in his regular form, but the blue Exceed had given up after only a few minutes and declared himself the "Master of Energy Providing" and left to find some food for everyone. So now Lily was training in an effort to lengthen the time he could stay in his battle form.
"Pantherlily-san, will you hold still a moment?"
The Exceed threw a few more punches before pulling his fists back to himself and dropping them to his sides. He turned to face her, smiling slightly.
"Yes, Wendy? Is everything okay?"
The girl smiled brightly, nodding her head as she walked towards him a little.
"I would like to try some enchantments on you, if you don't mind? They'll take some getting used to, so you should get as much practice as possible."
Pantherlily's face split into a larger smile, his body relaxing as he nodded, waiting for her to cast her enchantments. They had discussed them on the first day, but she hadn't shown him what exactly they did yet.
Wendy's face set in determination and she raised her right arm before swinging it across her body, then twisting and throwing her hands into the air. Magic circles appeared underneath both of the Exceeds as well as Wendy, then she dropped her right hand in front of her, her open palm facing her partners as another circle appeared.
"Vernier! Arms!"
Lily looked down, raising his hands as he felt magic course through them. He clenched his fists, flexing his arms and marvelling at the new strength he felt there. Raising his hands into a ready position, settling his breathing before throwing a right cross… and stumbling forward. The Exceed grunted, adjusting his balance and stance, readying himself again. He threw another punch and lurched over, flailing a little as he tried to slow his fall but moved faster than anticipated. Wendy for her part jumped forward, placing a hand against his arm to help. Carla covered her mouth with a delicate laugh, turning away a little.
"I'm sorry! I should have warned you that Vernier increases your speed as well!"
Lily carefully placed his hand over hers, laughing loudly.
"I could have asked as well, Wendy. There's no harm done. Thank you for your concern!"
The Exceed patted her hand a few times and stepped away, once again lifting his hands and beginning to shadow box again. The small girl smiled as well, turning to walk back with Carla to their own area so they could spar some more.
Across the park, two old men shook their heads, laughing to themselves.
"Very good, Wendy! Exactly like that!"
Pantherlily clapped his paws together, flying over to the girl as she helped her friend up off the ground. They had been training for four days already, and Wendy was winning her spars with Carla within a few moves. Carla had advanced as well, of course, but their focus had always been on the little Dragon Slayer. Wendy smiled, brushing her hair off her face as her Exceed released the hold she'd had on her transformation. The young girl waved her hand in the air, a gentle breeze blowing around to cool them all off.
"Carla, Carla! I brought you a yummy fish! You must be hungry after such a great fight!"
Happy flew over with a fish in his hands, the white Exceed looking away from him with a grumble. She was hungry, but fish? Ew. Why couldn't he just bring her some tea? Happy's ears drooped a little as he pulled his bag around off his back, sticking the fish back in there.
"I know… you don't like fish. I just thought I'd offer."
Within a minute he perked up again, still rummaging in his little knapsack. With a triumphant cry, Happy whirled to face her again, holding out a thermos and a small cloth that was tied into a carrying sack with a bow on top.
"I knew I had it somewhere! There's a few biscuits to go with your tea!"
Wendy giggled at the expression of shock on her best friend's face, and the little bit of pink that was creeping onto her cheeks as Carla muttered her thanks and accepted Happy's offerings. The blue Exceed puffed his chest out, swelling with the pride of having made Carla happy, and the two made their way to the bench along the side of the field. Wendy and Pantherlily watched the whole exchange without saying a word, the black Exceed shaking his head. After the other two had left, the Dragon Slayer turned back to her partner.
"Thank you, Lily-san! Do you think I might train against you now?"
The black Exceed tapped his chin, considering her request. It was important that she not overdo things in training, he wouldn't want her hurt with no real way to recover. He wasn't quite sure if her magic worked on her own body the way it did on others. However, it was also essential that she have a good idea how to physically fight against someone larger than herself. The vast majority of their opponents would be, well all but Levy, to be exact. And there were a few who would be able to take magic out of the fight. Pantherlily nodded slowly, letting magic flow through himself to shift into his battle form. The tiny Dragon Slayer grinned, waving her hands in front of her as she cast her enchantments again. The magic circles only appeared under her this time, and again the Exceed nodded his approval.
"Right, don't go easy on me, Lily-san! I know our opponents won't either!"
Pantherlily matched her smile, balling up his fists and pulling his hands to a ready position. Fighting her was going to be vastly different from fighting with Gajeel, but he knew that he shouldn't underestimate the girl. She had quite a bit of power in those tiny little arms. Especially with that particular enchantment cast. He stood there waiting for her to make the first move, assessing her height so he was ready when she suddenly lunged forward. They weren't very far apart, but the girl still had to take a few steps forward to be in range. Pantherlily drew his arms a little closer together, watchful of her speed as he went to block what looked like an incoming jab from the way she was holding herself.
However, Wendy was moving faster than he was used to, and at the last second she ducked, kicking out her right foot and spinning on her left. The boosted strength paired with the element of surprise worked together and Pantherlily found himself toppling backwards as Wendy's leg slammed into his own. He shifted his momentum, pushing off with his other foot to propel himself backwards a little, springing off his hands to flip through the air. She was on him again in an instant, throwing three quick punches at his stomach that Lily barely had time to block. He blinked in shock at the determination on her face as the girl continued her assault, even as he struggled to finally regain his balance. That's how it is then.
The Exceed grinned, letting himself get knocked back by one of the Dragon Slayer's punches, his wings sprouting behind him to help with his balance. Wendy still did not hesitate, running after him and leaping into the air. She spun as she went, a high kick aimed at Pantherlily's head. His hands flew up, catching hold of her leg. She squeaked in surprise, some of her focus lost as the Exceed's hands closed around her, spinning himself to throw her across their training area. Wendy drew in a breath to use her air magic to stop the momentum, but remembered at the last second that she was supposed to be fighting without it for this match. Just before hitting the ground, she forced her body to relax so the impact wouldn't be as great, all of the air she'd just taken in escaping with a loud "Oof!" Lily was next to her in an instant, offering the girl a hand.
"You got a little too cocky there because you caught me off guard at the beginning, which was great, by the way! Just remember that most of our opponents are going to be used to fighting with their hands. You're not likely to catch them off guard. You're also not likely to have to fight them, hopefully I'll be able to keep them busy. But just in case, let's try again."