Magic in the air - Home
"Speech"
Note: For anyone unaware the chapter before this 'Hestia' was changed a bit on 8/20/23
It was raining today as it had been yesterday, we had been lucky to miss the storm on our return trip.
Though Wendy had been hurrying us along the night before, so maybe not that lucky, she must have felt such a large storm coming.
A crack of thunder echoed in the distance, and then lightning briefly illuminated my room in the guild, almost as if to state the fact.
It was still early, around five in the morning, and you'd think I'd be able to sleep through this considering how loud my magic is, but apparently not.
Perhaps though, I just had too much on my mind.
I could get up, but honestly, I was enjoying some me time right now. Just laying back and thinking.
Wendy and Carla were great, and training was fun, I loved my new life, but that only made knowing what was coming harder. Canon was four years away, including this one. And while that seemed like it was a long time away, it really wasn't.
There was just so much to do right now that I had to remind myself that I needed to relax as well.
My talk with Hestia was on a replay in my mind as well, and while informative, I wish she could have found another way to get my attention. Because of course, I couldn't have simply passed out in my damn room, oh no, it just had to be while we were out and about.
It was irritating and had affected my friends. Wendy hadn't taken her nose out of that psychiatric book since we'd returned to the guild. Likewise, Carla had been fretting over me in her own way as well, offering to make tea or grab/make some food for me, all of yesterday.
Thankfully they had remained alert while we had been on the metaphorical road, none of us wanted to get caught in another ambush or be caught by surprise.
I was happy they cared, truly, but all I'd really wanted was some time to sort myself out.
Listening to the storm was soothing in a way because no matter the world, the day and night would come, the weather would shift, and people would be people.
Another distant crack and more light filled the room as the storm grew closer
In the mountains around this area, the storm had become trapped, sort of. Right now, the storm had moved away a bit, but it would come right back again like it had the past dozen or so times.
I haven't been able to focus on my training either because of the storm, or more accurately because of Wendy and Carla not wanting to, and I quote, 'Get blown away.' Which, despite my arguing that it was, in fact, perfect training weather for them, is fair. I mean, considering their training included flying, and there were hurricane-force winds, yeah.
And while I could have gone to train by myself, the last thing I wanted was to cause them more worry. With what had happened in the settlement a couple of days ago, and Wendy's own reluctance to even go searching in the desert for my sake, I would rather not add to that in any way.
Granted, the extra memories I had gained after I'd passed out had been disorienting enough to screw with my head, even before I had actually fully gained them.
More specifically, the memory of my death back on earth had conflicted with this world's memories of a bandit attack, likely because they happened perpendicular to each other.
It had been a terrifying moment, though one I am delighted to say is over. The thought of losing a piece of myself was horrifying. Worse still, it isn't like I could just write my previous memories down, thanks to Hestia's block.
Thankfully, that hadn't been necessary, and it was for the best, I suppose. In no small part because I had been trying to tell Wendy and Carla prior to even knowing what damage I would have coursed.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't want to keep secrets from them. But considering the alternative was possible Armageddon, well then, my hands were currently tied.
If push comes to shove, I suppose I could pretend to be a Sear or something, though I'm like 90 percent sure Sears get their visions from the gods, I'd have to ask Hestia to be sure. And all of that isn't even considering the fact I have no way of communicating what I know with them.
I groaned to myself, I was in it for the long haul. Like I told Hestia, I'll figure it out.
I hope I'll find a way to air this all out to them eventually, you know, without the possibility of destroying the world. But if the risk remained too high, I would simply have to grin and bear it, let my actions do the talking instead.
BOOM
Annnd the storm was back, damn that was a loud one.
I had a minute of quiet before the storm echoed again, and again. Yeah, it was definitely back overhead now.
The next anticipated crack of thunder was cut short by, knocking on my door.
I contemplated feigning sleep for a moment before I banished the thought. For all I knew, this could be an emergency due to the storm.
I responded to the knocking with a quiet but firm, "Coming." Then, with a yawn and some effort, I trudged towards the closed door.
You know though, I have to say this old building dealt with the wind and rain well, no leaks or broken windows or the like, though that might be the Guild Masters's physical illusions at play as well.
I honestly can't tell.
Opening the door revealed Wendy and Carla, both still in their sleepwear, a basic white nightgown for Wendy and a pink one for Carla. Like I said, basic, but I'm not one to judge, I was only wearing a pair of black joggers.
"Mornin' girls, what's up?" My somewhat tired question was answered not by my friends but with another crack of thunder.
Both girls flinched at the sound and covered their ears. Oh right, enhanced hearing, no wonder the two of them looked so tired.
"A-ah, Salem, I hope we didn't wake you?" Carla recovered first.
"Nah, the storm kept me up too. You two doing alright?" I questioned.
They'd been fine during the day, likely because of the hustle and bustle of the guild drowning out the storm somewhat, however, now that night had fallen.
"Yes, though this storm is preventing us from getting a good night's rest, it's rather loud," Carla once more responded and crossed her arms in irritation. Which gave me the impression that, had the storm been sapient, she would have found some way to browbeat it into silence.
I hummed in acknowledgment, "Yeah, it's a loud one. What do you usually do when it gets like this?"
The cat girl sighed, "What can we do? We will simply have to wait it out."
"Yeah," I raised one of my eyebrows, it didn't answer why they were here, though.
Another crack and flash, and both girls flinched again.
That looks painful, "Why don't you come in, and we'll try wrapping some clothes around your ears."
At my gesture, the two of them entered the room, as I turned on the light. It does make me wonder how they dealt with my explosions so well now, though.
"It doesn't help, it's too uncomfortable to sleep, and dear Wendy can feel the lack of pressure in the air," Carla stated, as a rather miserable Wendy followed after her.
Yeah, I can see how that might be a problem. I'm sure it's something they'll get used to as they get older, but children as a rule tend to have better hearing. Add on to that their enhanced hearing and well, enough said.
Hmm, perhaps constant exposure to certain noises helps them adapt to it?
"All we can really do is try to distract ourselves," Carla sighed, as the both of them sat on the end of my bed. As a side note, I really need to get a chair or something in here.
Secondly, now the light was on I could see just how tired the two looked, fur and hair were ruffled up and their eyes heavy.
Carla actively groaned as she slumped backward, while Wendy refused to remove her hands from her ears and had tucked her head between her legs, which were in turn brought up against her chest.
Well, I wasn't sleeping tonight anyway, might as well have some company, I collected my book on barrier magic and sat alongside them.
"Maybe there's a barrier for it?" I held the Shaped Shield aloft.
"Unless you have your exploding barriers under control, I would rather you not, Salem," Carla responded softly, placing her arm over her eyes.
Fair, because I certainly didn't. Still, anime logic, so who knows?
"Well," I was cut off by another crack of thunder.
The wall shook slightly as both girls winced again.
"Well-," This time I was allowed to continue, "How about a story?"
"Story?" Wendy questioned speaking up for the first time.
"Yeah, to take your mind off of the storm," To tell the truth though, I had no idea if I could talk about any fairy tales from back on earth.
"Yeah like... Um okay, no," Well Cinderella was a no-go. Maybe something sci-fi?
"Or maybe... no, not that either," Crap no Star Wars either, perhaps I could re-dress it?
Wendy was already looking confused, and Carla was raising a brow in my direction because I kept falling short of a title.
"How about the knight and the child?"... Huh, well, a re-dressed story of the Mandalorian it is.
"I don't believe we know that one, Wendy?" Carla asked Wendy's opinion on the matter, only to receive a shake of the head.
Ok then, I can do this, "Well, it all starts when a knight of... mana, is sent in search of a fugitive..."
Well, that worked better than expected, at least the two were asleep.
Crack went the storm
Oh, shut the hell up, went I.
Sigh.
I was used to sleepless nights, they sucked, but you learn to put up with them at times.
As such, I was currently in the guild hall eating my breakfast and studying my book on shield magic.
"Sup dude," Came a voice beside me.
"Nerik," I growled rather unenthusiastically.
Hey, I said I could deal with it, I never said I dealt with it well.
"Whoa, chill lil'dude, just wondering where the little dragon and kitty-cat are," The dark-skinned blonde put both hands in the air, giving the universal sign of surrender.
"Yeah, sorry, they just got to sleep," I informed the man no, illusion
"Ah, I getcha," He sat down next to me at the table with his own food, if it really was food, anyway.
"Those two don't do storms well, huh," He continued.
Guess I'm dealing with this now, "Yeah, I only got them to sleep a couple of hours ago."
"You did? Wendy usually goes to the Master when she can't sleep," He cocked his head in confusion.
Admittedly, that made me feel a bit better, the fact they came to me showed a lot of trust.
"Yeah, well, it's not like I was asleep beforehand, so-," I was cut short by the storm once more.
"Nah, I get you, storm's been tubular to watch though," He continued making conversation.
"Yeah," I sighed out tiredly.
"Say, Nerik, You know who I'd go to, to send a letter?" I asked.
"Hey, you're lookin' at 'em Lil'dude, Nerik's distribution service, at your service," He stood and posed giving a hang loose sign as he did so.
...
"Riiiiight," I drawled in confirmation, as Nerik slumped at my lackluster response.
"Well look, I need to set up a doctor's appointment for our team, preferably before we go traipsing around the desert for who knows how long," I informed the apparent messenger.
Carla to find out her age, yes, but also because I have no idea when either of them, or myself for that matter, have had a check-up in this world.
"No problemo lil'dude, just let me know when, and me and my speed magic will take care of it," He puffed up and jabbed a thumb at himself.
Speed magic, well I suppose that makes sense. Nerik had been with the 'rescue' team Wendy and Carla had organized after I blew up those Direwolves. And Speed magic would be ideal for search and rescue.
"Just like that, no fee or anything?" I mean, I know he's an illusion, so he didn't need to charge, least of all when he was probably doing this all for Wendy and Carla, and now me... You know what, I think I've answered my own question.
"Nah, man, Kitty-cat asked the same thing, but I work for the guild, so I'm on a salary," Nerik chuckled nervously.
I can only imagine the questioning he- it, must have gotten from Carla when he couldn't answer her questions.
"Fair enough," I rolled my eyes in amusement at the thought.
At least the cover story was decent.
I shook my head, waving away the thought, "I'll get a letter written up then, might need your services a couple of times to get this set up though, that alright?"
"Course, just let me know brah," He, damn it, IT smiled happily.
"Thanks, rock on man," My response had the illusion grab its chest dramatically before giving me a quick, relaxed two-fingered salute and leaving me to my breakfast.
This was harder than I thought, I know their illusions, yet I'm having a lot of difficulty at times remembering that. I mean that's sort of the point, they are meant to be people after all.
Damned human pack bonding instinct.
Still, it's not all bad, after all, that's how you make friends, speaking of it's about time I woke the girls up from their nap, or they won't sleep tonight.
Boom
... If they can sleep tonight.
I couldn't help but yawn as I returned to my room with breakfast for my two friends.
All things said and done, I like to think I've adapted well to this world, crazy as it'll get and strange as it was, this place was becoming home.
And in order to protect my home, I needed to complete my first task, namely stopping one Guildarts Clive from getting maimed.
And seeing as I was in no way shape or form about to throw down with Acnologia while I was this weak. That meant following Hestia's instructions and trying to stop the one-man deconstruction team, also known as Guildarts, from going on his upcoming quest.
The best option, as far as I can tell, would be for him to find out that Cana was his daughter, which again, was something Hestia wanted to happen. Because as loath as I am to force the issue with the little family, it was Cana's own insecurities that were stopping her from telling her father.
Guildarts couldn't care less about how strong she was, he'd love her period.
The problem, was figuring out how to go about this, I couldn't exactly just walk up to Fairy Tail and announce their relationship, even if I was able to talk about it. That would be a good way to start the apocalypse.
I suppose the first thing to do would be to find information on Cana's mother, Cornelia, and I'm assuming, Alberona, as a last name.
Though knowing my luck that's probably a common name, regardless I'll need access to the kingdom's population registry to find out.
And seeing as town libraries only include direct census from that specific town and occasionally the surrounding area, that would likely require a trip to the capital in and of itself, well, nothing worth doing is ever easy, I suppose.
Still, first things first, the hospital, then the desert, and if found Sun Village. From there the capital, then a trip to wherever Cana and her mother lived for a connection, then to Fairy Tail to drop the information bomb.
I'll probably need several excuses for such trips, but it'll hopefully work.
And through all of that, I would also need to continue gaining experience and strength with Carla and Wendy.
Well, no plan survives contact with the enemy, best to employ good old K.I.S.S., in other words, keep it simple stupid.
Finally arriving, I hesitated for a moment, blinking my tired eyes before I entered the room.
I couldn't help but smile at the adorable sight of the two curled up together, "Mornin' girls,"
The two stirred slightly, so I moved closer, "Come on, up and at 'em ladies."
Poof
I received a pillow to the face for my efforts, via Wendy. What is it they say about sleeping dragons again?
I put down the plate I'd been carrying, "Okay, okay, guess you aren't hungry then?"
Wendy groaned at that and shifted somewhat.
Heh, Shy and Polite young girl she might be, but she was still a Dragon Slayer. And while she wouldn't make an overt fuss about it like the others, food would always be a good motivator.
Another crack of thunder echoed out, and while the two shifted a little, they remained asleep. And proceed to cuddle each other more.
Crap, that's adorable, I really don't want to wake them, and to be fair, if the storm's still around tonight, then they won't sleep again anyway... Oh, what the hell.
Sitting back on the bed with my back against the headboard, I closed my eyes for a moment. Listening to the storm as it once more began to return, I felt my mind wander and relax for the first time in a while.
Carla and Wendy both shifted again, likely responding to my body heat, my legs had been turned into a replacement pillow.
I could only chuckle lightly, yeah this was nice, just relaxing for a moment with my new friends.
Just for a moment.
I felt my breathing even out, as I joined them in slumber.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait, things got so much worse at work, to the extent that I left. On the brightside that means more time to write for now.
