Words From the Wise

Itami was well beyond words with the way everyone seemed to cower before the Ace of Fairy Tail, but was rather glad that everything seemed to ease itself back thanks to well-placed words and suggestions, at the expense of Natsu that is. With the excitement or, more accurately depicted, tension ebbing away into the resurgence of feel-good energy the guild hall emanated, did everyone else allow their curiosities to roam free amongst the guild members. As the groups split off towards their endeavors, Itami stood before the aging master who could tell by Itami's posture that the soldier wanted to speak to him. Makarov moved his gaze towards his younger subordinate that was busy admiring the guild with a quizzical eyebrow and Itami nodded, letting him know that it was fine if he was around. With a satisfied hum, the aging master gave a brief glance towards his guild and rambunctious members before coming to his own personal decision. Itami was rather curious what exactly he was looking out for before turning his attention back at the Japanese man.

"You seem quite troubled young man, how may I be of help." Makarov began as the lieutenant was glad that the guild master was the one to initiate the conversation.

"To be honest, Sir, there's this situation brewing on my end, and I've been told by others who've seen it that I need to take care of it sooner rather than later." Itami didn't want to reveal his problem out in the open, so he hoped that his vague message would get through to Makarov.

"I see, does this problem have to do with the war your country is in or is it far closer?" The Japanese soldier was grateful that the guild master had caught on, but it also put to light that he was aware of something way before he asked for help.

"It's closer to home and I've got no real idea of how to approach it." Itami admitted as Makarov had a thoughtful expression on his face before nodding to himself.

"Very well, come with me to my office. A quieter environment would do well for such a conversation." Makarov said as he began wheeling himself towards a staircase leading to the second floor.

Itami tapped Kurata on the shoulder to get his attention to follow him, wondering to himself how the old man would get up those stairs in a wheelchair. He followed the old man to the base of the stairs as he pointed for the two to head up while he wheeled off to the side of the stairs. They both heard a low hum of something activating before a platform began to rise carrying Makarov. The two soldiers should have known that there was bound to be wheelchair access for the old man somewhere in a guild this big, which left them to hurry up the stairs after him.

As they ascended, they got a better look of what the guild was like from above. Itami's opinion hadn't shifted that although the styles of outfits he was expecting from the mages weren't there, they all were unique in their own way. He didn't worry much about Lelei and Tuka as Kurokawa was with them, and it seemed that Happy decided to be of some comfort as well. At the top of the stairs, the second floor was quite spacious with a few mages lingering about. The lieutenant was curious of what Rory was talking about with Laxus and the trio he had seen before off to his side. His curiosity didn't linger for long as the aging master began to wheel past him, Itami following him to an ornate door with a placard that most likely read "Guild Office" or "Master's Office" in their language.

Itami made to open the door, but it quickly swung open as an elderly pink-haired woman came out in a tirade at Makarov. The two Japanese soldiers were surprised at the sudden bout of anger, and we're somewhat amused by the way Makarov was taking it, almost like an old married couple. She exchanged words for a while longer before clicking her tongue and stepping to the side to let them into Makarov's office.

"I take it that since the both of you are trailing behind this old fool without an interpreter, it means that the Lingual Pills are working as intended, right?" The old woman was sharp with her words and her natural scowling face reminded Itami of those teachers who were always on top of him if they caught him reading manga in class.

"Lingual Pills?" Itami reiterated, already picking up on what she was referring to and was surprised that they had a catchy name to them.

"That answers my question just fine, but you brats are too slow with answering. These are the type of people we've allied with?" She was relentless with her words, and it was surprising to the lieutenant that the aging master can deal with her.

"Allow me to introduce the resident healer of Fairy Tail and mentor to Wendy, Porlyusica," Makarov said and as the elder rolled her eyes at the introduction.

"No need to get comfortable with me, I rather not interact with Humans if I can help it." Itami couldn't help but believe the old woman was some type of hermit, and yet in a way was well respected in Fair Tail.

"She means well and it's thanks to her ingenuity that those of us who hadn't learned Old Fiorean for the…war effort is capable of speaking the language with just a pill." That was an interesting thing to hear in Itami's opinion as such ingenuity would no doubt be quite groundbreaking on Earth.

"I rather not take credit for something that will have pesky humans hounding me to learn my craft in making variations, a headache not worth my time," Porlyusica said as she rubbed her temples, the Japanese soldiers figuring that she was already thinking about the potential annoyance.

"If she hasn't made it obvious yet, Porlyusica prefers her peace rather than be bothered by people."

"Which I had been enjoying just fine before you summoned me to help in this foolish war these people have been plunged into." Itami heard her mutter a few more words before walking off to sit on an available couch nearby.

"I must admit that this would be very intriguing to those back home," Itami said as that kind of pill would be unbelievably helpful to those back at Alnus now more than ever with the growth of the town and new residents.

"But you have something that takes precedence to you personally, correct?" Makarov spoke with an all-knowing gaze as he wheeled himself behind his desk.

"Yes, and I'm not qualified or knowledgeable of how to handle my predicament." The Japanese soldier said as he switched gears back into his problem, knowing that the aging master was understanding and that it would do Itami some good to be as direct as he could.

"Then I shall do my best to help you find an answer and if it'll help you, you need not be so formal with me." Itami was grateful for the chance to speak normally, but there was a part of him that couldn't bring himself to speak casually towards the old master.

"Well then, I'm not blind to my surroundings so I'll get straight to it. This problem I have has to do with the elven girl, Tuka, and this unhealthy association she's made linking myself and her father as the same person." The Japanese man watched as Makarov scratched his beard thoughtfully and Porlyusica raised an interested brow, even if her lack of facial expressions betrayed the idea of interest.

"Mental issues aren't my forte as I mainly deal in the physical ailments that could plague the body, but from what information I do possess, the simplest theory is that this elf has created this association to cope with severe trauma in her past." The elderly healer offered and Itami suppressed the urge to roll his eyes as he could have figured that all on his own, but he had to remember that Porlyusica didn't have all the facts.

"A squad mate came to the same theory as we had rescued Tuka from a well as the sole survivor of a dragon attack." Itami added the necessary information and the elderly woman's gaze hardened for a moment as Makarov nodded his head.

"Does she acknowledge that there is nothing left of the place she once called home?" Makarov asked and it occurred to Itami that Tuka knew her village was nothing but ash, yet she couldn't accept that her father was a casualty of the attack.

"Partly, I guess. She knows that there's nothing left to go back to, but she never seemed keen on accepting that there's really nothing left for her." Itami can understand that it's hard to come to terms with such things, but he had expected some headway after a few months.

"Then there lies your problem, the girl has come to accept that her home and neighbors are gone, but her father may have played an integral part of her life and she feels that she can't continue on without him." Porlyusica followed up and Itami could believe that since Tuka would've been in her father's care far longer than he's been alive.

"Thus, Tuka has managed to prolong the fact that her world has shattered by making an almost successful interpretation of her father still being alive through you." Makarov concluded although he held minute signs of confliction in his expression.

"What do you mean by "almost successful," if she's convinced that I'm actually her father?" Itami could rightfully assume that something was wrong with Tuka's interpretation by Makarov's choice of wording but couldn't understand what that could be.

"He means that such a coping mechanism works, so long as the afflicted isn't forced to face reality. The best, that is to say worst, I can assume to happen in such a scenario is that the afflicted runs the risk of a mental breakdown and who knows what damage it could cause." Porlyusica said as she believed that specific triggers could cause a cascading effect on her mental health that could put Tuka at serious risk.

"I can't sit around and let the fantasy go on either, it'll fall apart either because of my normal human lifespan or the JSDF's business in the Special Region is finally concluded." Itami couldn't think about letting this go on as the variables weren't on Tuka's side and the risk would always remain.

"Not necessarily, there is an alternative I've just thought of which I must admit is quite dangerous to perform as we'd have to venture into the fantasy breaking scenario." Itami couldn't believe Makarov's words of that to be an alternative if the plan was to make Tuka see the reality of her life anyway. "Warranted that we do this carefully and essentially have a form of safety net if Tuka's psyche begins to crumble."

"I don't have much in the way of options, so what to do you propose we do Master Makarov?" Itami had to resign to this fate as he hadn't a clue of what he really needed to do for the sake of the elven girl he had taken under his wing.

"The plan would be to have someone who's experienced something quite like Tuka's plight and have them ease her into the fact that she must face the truth. All the while, you shall be there on the side lines to step in if you think Tuka can't take it and keep the fantasy going." Makarov explained his plan, but the Japanese man wasn't convinced it would help.

"If I'm there to rescue Tuka's fantasy if things go wrong, then how does it help to break the fantasy since all I'll be doing is reinforcing it?" It seemed flawed to him to be around the process if what they wanted was to free Tuka from this false reality that she's created for herself.

"We could get lucky, and this process could be a one and done deal with some sort of repercussions I'm sure, but if it fails then having a stable elf is better than a mentally broken one." Porlyusica's unforgiving tone and matter of fact way of speaking almost caused Itami to flinch, although he couldn't say the same for Kurata.

"So that means that we'll be relying on Gray to help Tuka, then?" It was the first time Kurata said something during this whole conversation and he seemed to have stunned the aging master with his question.

"I'm surprised that you figured that out young man, he's not one to share his troubled past with just anyone. Such a reveal takes time for others to achieve and yet, you've made an impression if he told you about it." Itami couldn't believe how sheepish Kurata became after Makarov told him that, the lieutenant doing his best not to face palm at his private's fake humble musings.

"He didn't tell us directly; he had phrased it as a sort of bedtime story for children that we rescued in our first joint operation. Certain situations and events slowly began to reveal the truth within the story to us over time." Itami and his squad knew the changes of fantasy to fit the story, but the Japanese man knew that Gray didn't end it with a happy ending for a reason.

"I have some questions regarding this story of Gray's but that can wait for another time, we need to focus on the problem at hand. He will be the guide we'll be using, and you can bet that it won't be an easy journey for Tuka and especially you, Itami." Makarov warned and Itami grew anxious at the idea that his involvement will see some sort of trouble.

"Why me?"

"Though it hasn't crossed your mind, you've grown attached to this elven girl as well and there's no doubt in either of us that you'll try to interfere too early because of your own worries for her safety." Porlyusica said and although Itami wanted to refute her words, his own better judgment told him that she wasn't wrong and decided not to meet her gaze.

"No need to be ashamed of that, I too have grown attached to my brats and many of them came into my custody by merely walking through those great double doors of the guild." Makarov offered with a warm smile and Itami couldn't help but smile back at the old man for his words.

"So, is Gray really the only person we can go to for help on this problem?" Kurata skeptically asked as he felt it was a bit much for them to keep relying on him, more so for his commanding officer after all they've been through together.

"A number of my brats each have troubled beginnings that you'd never expect from them, but out of all of them, Gray is the only one who shares a very close experience to Tuka." Makarov answered as he gave a quick glance to his bookcase, more specifically upon a book on the lost spells of ice magic.

"Just the thought that a monster made someone else an orphan feels surreal to me." Itami admitted and even though it's not an uncommon occurrence on Earth, those monsters were human compared to actual beasts from both other worlds.

"Then keep your head to ground and focus on what's important, too many young fools with their heads in the clouds have led to dire circumstances already. Finish the first problem before you and look inward if you're still having problems with the world around you." Porlyusica said with an aggravated tone, the Japanese men fully aware that her patience with the conversation was growing thin.

"Now or never, right?" Itami said as he excused himself from both elders, Kurata following his lead as they exited the office with the lieutenant wrapped within his thoughts.

"So how do you plan on asking Gray for his help with Tuka?" Kurata asked as they walked down the hall leading back into the main section of the guild, the private looking at the various pictures hanging on the walls.

"Maybe I can go up to him and say, "Hey Gray, mind if you can share your childhood trauma to help Tuka with hers?"" Itami joked but was met with the deadpanned expression of his young subordinate who looked none too amused.

"With all due respect, Sir, that alone invites Gray to punch you in the face." Kurata said as Itami awkwardly defended himself by repeating the phrase that it was just a joke. "Still in bad taste."

"I'm just putting something out there since it's still too much in general to ask someone to openly speak about a trauma as heavy as losing everything as a kid." Itami admitted since he didn't want to make him relive that moment just so it would be easier for him to go his separate way from Tuka when the time came.

"Then honesty is key here, be upfront with what you want from him just like you did with Master Makarov. Everyone here at Fairy Tail has shown us that they are quite the understanding bunch. I mean, look at how the princess and her group are being treated even after Gildarts' confrontation." Itami had to admit that Kurata was on to something, and the evidence was quite clear for him to see.

"Good point, perhaps overthinking this is really damaging my attempt than helping. I just wished I had the durability to be punched through a wall in case he still gets upset." Itami said as they came back out onto the balcony at the top of the stairs.

Itami looked around in search of the ice mage and luckily managed to spot him off to the side of the guild, talking to a young woman his age by the looks of it from where he was. The Japanese man figured he could wait a bit longer to ask Gray since he didn't really feel like making such a request in front of his friend. Itami was about to tell Kurata that they'd wait for a bit when Gray was free, only to find out that he stood there alone as the private had been drawn away by a glasses wearing woman weaving her hands and mending a few broken wooden chairs back into perfect condition. The lieutenant had to admit that there was vague familiarity to the way the woman weaved her hands that seemed akin to the way Gray would cast his spells, but before he went to find out for himself did his arm lock together with a dainty on.

"Honestly Itami, these people are all quite interesting characters. Their magic is so much of a curiosity that the mages back home would soil themselves at the complexity of their powers." Rory said as she came back from what she felt was a very illuminating conversation.

"Oh yeah, so how'd you figure that?"

"Laxus and his Thunder God Tribe told me a little more about themselves and each of their magical abilities, more notably their unique ones." Rory said as she pointed at the table with said dragon slayer and three other people with interesting archetypes by the looks of them.

"Do they all do lighting magic that goes along with their lightning leader?" Itami joked as Rory pulled him closer to the railing to overlook the guild.

"No, they all possess different magic from one another. The man with the long hair, Fried, can cast a specific dark magic from his eyes that sounds quite thrilling to see in action. The other man in the helm, Bickslow, has an eye magic that can manipulate his opponent's soul as if they were his puppet. Finally, the woman, Evergreen, is this world's equivalent to a Gorgon while retaining all the beauty of their previous lives although the main difference aside from appearance is that if she turns you to stone, you'll turn to dust unless she sets you free."

"Those three alone sound like they can topple a kingdom's government just by looking at them and to think that the group we've been working with are the only ones allowed to cross the gate!" Rory was quite blown away at the fact that such power was just sitting here in Earthland instead of being used for the FEF's war effort.

"I guess that just speaks more about the skill and power of everyone we've met beforehand, wouldn't you think so?" Itami had enough to deal with in convincing his high command about the safety of having the FEF forces within the base, if they found about the others of Fairy Tail than he wasn't so sure how willing they'd allow them further access to the base.

"I know that, both Gray and Natsu alone are quite the interesting characters themselves and I haven't even spoken about their power. Though that "Ace of Fairy Tail" does warrant caution if you ask me, his magical power is enough to cause even the most formidable mage of my world to have an emotional breakdown." Rory had seen the strongest magic wielders in her long lifetime, and none could ever hold a candle to Gildarts, she even doubted if the elves could mimic a fraction of his power.

"No kidding…" Itami replied uneasily since the pressure alone was him asserting dominance, the soldier already fearing what that power would be like when he was serious.

"So what were you discussing with the guild master?" Rory had been curious since Itami had disappeared with the aging man into the back of the guild for some time.

"A problem that's sprung up and if he could share his words of wisdom with me on how to handle it." Itami wanted to be vague since he wasn't sure who around them could be listening, but the Reaper merely hopped onto the railing and took a seat.

"It's about time you started to do something about Tuka, the child could be in a world of pain once reality strikes her." Rory could care less about mincing her words and found it fun to use subtlety when she knew there was entertainment to be had.

"I just hope his advice does work or else I may be the one to hurt her." Itami couldn't help the sense of worry build in the pit of his stomach and looked over the railing once again towards the ice mage.

"Seems to me that the person doing the hurting will be Gray. I expected you to have some backbone in this matter Itami, I'm a little disappointed in you." Rory easily figured out the soldier's line of sight, curious what the ice mage could do to help the elf.

"It's not that I wouldn't do it for her sake, it's just that there is someone who she can connect to on a personal level about her trouble. I'm not the best when it comes to understanding the bigger picture." Itami admitted as it has cost him the past and he felt that this is a major problem best left with someone capable.

"You have your reasons, so don't bother justifying yourself to me. Take action when you need to and don't cower behind an idea to avoid failure." Rory wasn't keen on people's reasoning, there would be an excuse for everything, so she came to only care about a person's willingness as action meant more to her than words. "Looks like Gray's all done talking to Gildarts, better get down there before someone else gets his attention."

Rory gave him a push with her halberd towards the stairs and a reassuring smile as he made his way down, watching the soldier go from unsure steps to a confident stride to the ice mage. The Reaper truly wondered if asking someone still troubled by their past to help someone else in the same situation was a wise idea, but perhaps these mages would surprise her once again. Truly, this place felt like it was brimming with hope and that was a sensation she hadn't felt for many years in the Empire and wondered if it was the same for the Imperials that came with them. A quick glance towards their table and Rory could see how involved in their conversation with Lucy and her blue haired friend were, though Pina was actually keeping an eye on Itami's movements.

There was something to be said about Pina when it came to how hard she tried to satisfy everyone as of late, but Rory could tell that the imperial princess was far more concerned with the relationship the FEF and JSDF were building. The Reaper understood her worry, her father wasn't making things easy for her and once that oaf of an elder brother Zorzal gets involved then the Princess would practically have a forest fire of problems to put out. A shame that the stupidity of others and the stubbornness of many is what'll cause Pina to lose her hope in saving the Empire, but Rory won't rule out that the hope from Fairy Tail and some guidance from their Queen may very well save their skins. At least the ones willing to change, something that most of those in power within the Empire will unlikely do.

"Hey Gray, mind if I sit with you?" Itami asked once he made it to the ice mage's table, giving a few moments for Gildarts to walk away.

"Go right ahead." Without a moment's hesitation, the Japanese man quickly sat himself down and did his best to casually look around him. "Need something?"

"How'd you know?"

"You're acting much more fidgety than you regularly do, plus you waited until Gildarts was out of sight to walk up to the booth." Gray said as Itami gave a dry chuckle, surprised he was found out well in advanced by the young man. "So, what's on your mind."

"Do you remember that story you told the kids, The Foolish Prince? Does it relate to actual events in your life?" Itami watched as Gray narrowed his eyes at him, taking a sip from his mug before heaving a bothered sigh.

"That story's been nothing but trouble for me lately, but you're right. I don't usually admit to this so easily, but I made it up based around me." Itami could see how bothered Gray was by his admittance, so the lieutenant thought it best to get to the point than dwell on it further.

"You see, I've got a problem brewing that could get out of hand if I don't take care of it soon. Now that you said it's practically your life, you're just the person who could help." Itami watched as Gray gave him a wary look before he raised his hand for Itami to continue.

"The truth is that I'm really worried about Tuka's trauma clouding her sense of reality and I'm just concerned with the fact that we'll lose who she is now once that bubble pops." Itami watched as Gray gave it some thought, giving a glance towards the elf enjoying Happy's explanations before turning back to face Itami.

"I'm not going to act like I don't know why you came to me for this, but what about me tells you I can help her?" The lieutenant was surprised by the question because it's usually posed to him when the other person doesn't feel like they meet whatever expectation Itami has of them.

"Obviously it's despite the fact that whatever monster took your parents and mentor from you, you're still standing tall and haven't given up. You walked away from the ashes of your old life and here you are surrounding by people who express more hope than anywhere else I've been to." Itami answered but was met with a rueful chuckle from the ice mage as he clasped his hands together.

"It's nice to hear how people perceive me given my background, but just like you, they aren't completely right. There have been points in my life that I wanted to give up, that any time I grew close to someone made me that much closer to losing them. Above all that, it's the pain of acceptance that hurts the longest since there is nothing you can do about what you lost." Gray never tore his eyes away from his hands as Itami could see how hard he was clenching them, now beginning to see that it really was too much for him to ask the ice mage to help.

"I'm sorr-" Itami began but was cut off when Gray started talking again.

"But when you have someone willing to be there for you, willing to be understanding of your pain is when it doesn't hurt so much. I spent too much time letting myself hurt that I wasn't letting myself live, if you really care about Tuka's wellbeing then I'll help make sure she doesn't have to live my life for too long."

Itami could only give the ice mage an appreciative smile as words wouldn't be enough to match Gray's self-reflection, perhaps he was really the only one worried about this. Maybe he shouldn't worry about Makarov's judgement, Gray just confirmed that the old man's faith in his so-called brats is well placed for a reason.

"I will say that I'm really impressed, Gray. You're wise for your age, you know that?"

"Believe me Itami, a lot of us here have our share of wisdom for a lifetime over. Just that Fairy Tail isn't known for wise words, but for our strength and faith in our friends. Now let's go help an elf, shall we?"

"Right behind you."