Chapter Twenty-Seven
"Lucy?" Levy asked and her friend shook her head. "What's next?"
"We need to find Droy, so you two can start talking shop. And Natsu and I need to speak with the General about our next trip down."
"Next trip down?" Erza asked, her brows drawing together. They had called for the lift and the children were waiting around their feet, playing with their newly found toys and practicing the bird calls.
"I'll be going back to earth with Natsu and the other Dragis as they try to find more survivors. Try and advocate so there isn't this fear continuing."
"When was this decided?"
"Natsu and I have been talking about it since the library." She said and sighed as the lift panel slid open. They all stepped in; Levy and Gajeel to one side, Erza in the middle and Lucy and Natsu on the other side. To everyones surprise, Lucy immediately curled into Natsu, wrapping her arms around his middle. He didn't hesitate but wrapped his arms around her and cradled her close.
"Bye Mister Fire Dragon." The kids waved. "Bye Mister Metal Dragon."
"Until we meet again." Gajeel promised and the kids perked up as the panel slid shut. Levy preened up at him, her smile bright and wide.
"You liked them."
"Tck." He crossed his arms over his chest. "They're hatchlings. They're hard to hate."
"Uh huh." Levy elbowed him and he looked up at the ceiling. Erza smiled softly until she looked at Lucy. She was floored that Lucy was leaving her parents to go to the upper decks. But something had obviously happened. She sighed as the lift stopped and the panel opened. Cana and Elfman were sitting between the girls from the dorm and the rest of the humans. The tension was high.
"What happened?"
"Lucy's parents are alive." Erza stated and everyone looked at her, including Gramps whose eyebrows drew together. Lucy strolled forward, Natsu close behind and she looked around.
"All of you are idiots." She put her fists on her hips and everyone gasped at her bluntness. "You are letting not only your own fear; but the fear my father is inducing in you; prevent everyone from learning to work together to make a better future. I hope one day you all learn to realize that the people that call this Guild Station home; are friends not enemies. But I'm not going to waste my time trying to change your minds. Your either going to make that choice on your own or you won't."
She then turned and headed out of the hall. The humans watched, unease washing off of them. "This is a trap right? Your saying this because they promised to protect your parents and you?"
"Please." Lucy rolled her eyes as she turned around. "Ask the people who were in the room with my father what happened when I was in there. They'll tell you the truth. That there is no love between me and my father right now. I thought I'd forgiven him for his sins but I hadn't. And I'm not going to try and protect him. My mother, I wish to help but she's made her choice and I'll let her live with that."
"You…don't love your own father?"
"I will always love my parents." She said and shook her head. "But that doesn't mean I like or respect my father; or that I approve of their decisions."
"Hmph. If she doesn't trust her father, she might not be lying about these aliens being allies." The old man with the cane said and looked at the girls who were standing close to the Dragis who had all joined them after the five had gone below decks.
"You can't be serious?" The older lady looked at the man and he shrugged.
"Natsu?" Lucy looked over at him and he stepped forward with an inquisitive look on his face.
"Where is the cafeteria? I'm starving." He grinned and held his hand out and when he hand was in his, he started running. She laughed as she sprinted after him and away from everyone.
"At least that was her real laugh." Kinana murmured as she watched the two run off.
"That's what your focusing on?" Yukino asked and the girls looked at her.
"He's taking her to food!"
"After them!" Cana shouted and all the girls; including Mirajean and Lisanna took off after the duo while the Dragis chuckled before following as well. Erza waited along with Gramps. He looked at her and she eyed everyone else who was obviously unsure.
"I've never met her parents; but Lucy isn't like anyone I've ever met." Erza stated as she slowly started to walk away. She looked over her shoulder. "And the fact she trusts everyone here, is more than enough for me to trust them. We survived two years with her silently leading us. I'm glad she's finally finding her voice."
"impertinent brats." The man with the cane chuffed and looked around. Gramps cleared his throat. His gray skin shining under the lights of the hall.
"That they are. But they are brave brats. Risking everything for a brighter tomorrow. It's quite admirable to be honest." He clasped his hands behind his back. "If you'll excuse me, I need to go make sure they don't wreck the dining hall."
Lucy was laughing as Natsu ran around the large hall trying to catch up to the Hermetican whose name translated to Jet. He had already performed three laps to Natsu's one but she cheered him on nonetheless. He had walked her and the others through the options of food and she had verified with the AI that they were compatible with their genetic makeup and she piled her plate high.
"He cheats." Natsu whined as he dropped down on the bench beside her. She laughed and held out a spicy lump of protein. It wasn't bad but it was too spicy for her. Natsu however truly enjoyed them so he took it greedily.
"Or he's just faster." Levy said from across the table and sipped on her water as the green eyes of the Fire Dragis narrowed on her. Beside her Droy was looking through her seed catalog in awe. On his face were a special pair of frames that translated the English language into his own. He stopped and tapped one package that had been left in tact.
"Why was this one not planted?"
"Birds of Paradise require a more tropical climate; we couldn't mimic it so it seemed like a waste to try." Lucy explained as Levy was chewing a bit of something. Her friend smiled at her and shoved another forkful of food in her mouth as Droy continued flipping through; the explanation satisfactory.
"Why is it called that? It doesn't have feathers." Natsu asked and Lucy set her drink down and looked at him.
"The shape of the plant reminded people of local birds where the flowers were first found by European explorers so the name stuck."
"Euro….what?"
"People from one specific part of the world. They did a lot of exploring."
"Oh. Why?"
"Spices, riches, fame? Take your pick." She speared something that looked like a purple carrot and nibbled. She made a face and shoved it whole in her mouth.
"Lulu?" Erza asked as she carefully bit into a dessert that Sting had suggested she try.
"It's like a sweet potato. Cinnamon and honey included."
"Oh, I wanna try." Erza reached out with her fork and Lucy held out her plate. Natsu and the others notice that about the girls. They all shared without hesitation. What was on one's plate was free gain for anyone else. For them, they either had food that others did not want or they fought for what they had.
"What is this?" Droy asked pointing at a brightly but strangely shaped plant.
"Shampoo plant. It releases a thick liquid that can wash your hair."
"Interesting. This might help make the humans below feel cleaner. And thus happier."
"It's possible." Levy smiled and Droy blushed; or Lucy thought he did. His green and brown skin darkened in spots.
"Your planet truly has a vast array of fauna."
"And this collection isn't even impressive. There are seed vaults around the world with more than what I have; some of which are even endangered or long lost plants."
"Seriously? These places exist?"
"Uh huh. If we had access to the internet I could show you where they were located."
"What is this internet?"
"A wireless form of communication like our data mine lots." Natsu said as he chewed on what he called Fire Chunks that reminded Lucy of chicken wings; only larger and a little strangely shaped. "It had access to everything humans could want. Entertainment, knowledge, or storage of digital information."
"And you know that how?" Gray asked as he looked at his friend over Cana's head as she carefully stacked what she was calling a sub sandwich.
"He learned it in his Magi-Hover when it pulled up videos of me that were on the internet." Lucy said and Natsu blushed.
"I didn't search for them."
"I know…the AI merely pulled them out and played them." She comforted him. She leaned her head on his shoulder and yawned.
"I spoke with Gramps." Laxus' voice made her rolled her head back on his shoulder to look up at the tall Dragis. "He said we can discuss plans tomorrow."
"Let me guess…he wants me well rested?"
"Yes." Laxus grinned and Lucy rolled her eyes and turned her head back and snuggled closer to Natsu.
"Are you sleepy Luce?"
"Yes." She admitted and yawned and then shook her head.
"Come on. I'll show you to the sleeping quarters." She stood up and he put his hand on her back and they headed out of the hall. Others nodded at them or waved, a few threw out their versions of goodnight salutations. Erza watched them walking away and sighed heavily.
"Worried about them?" Laxus asked and sat down in the deserted seats. The red head shrugged.
"More worried about Lucy. She was excited to see her mother; but she didn't want to see her father. And when she came back…she wasn't happy."
"We'll keep an eye out on him then." Laxus offered and Erza nodded slowly. She set down her plate and fork and sighed. She stood up and looked at Gray.
"Fulibuster, where is the sleeping quarters?"
"I'll show you." Wendy offered jumping up and several others got up and followed her. Gray was sweating and asking Laxus why Erza had called him out like that. But there was no answer he could provide.
"Here." Natsu said and showed Lucy to a wall. She looked up and squinted and then looked at him. "What?"
"That says guest."
"I forgot you've learned so much of our written language." He grinned and nodded. "You are a guest for now. Later I'm sure Gramps will assign you a suite of your own."
"Natsu…"
"What?"
"We both know if I go in there, your going to be sleeping out here in the hall. So we may as well just go to your room."
"But…"
"Natsu…I'm tired. Can we not fight about this?"
"Okay." He conceded and they led her to his suite. As they entered, he tried to look at it from her view. It was exactly like his Magi-Hover, including the large nest of soft blankets he'd brought up from Earth. She immediately made her way to the nest and climbed in and curled up. He watched, his heart speeding up. He slowly walked over and climbed into the nest but kept space between them. He growled and the lights lowered. But he kept some on so that if she wanted to get up she could see.
"There is a washing chamber to the right of the room." He whispered and she mumbled that she understood. "And if you get thirsty just go to the sink and tap the panel over it."
"Mmmkay." She murmured and she rolled over and curled against his side. He went rigid and looked at her. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was evening. She was already asleep; and she was curled up to him tightly. He breathed in her scent and sighed. The anger had receded. As had the stress and worry.
"Sweet dreams Luce." He murmured and nuzzled into her hair. He wrapped himself around her, wanting to continue offering her comfort. Even if he was extremely confused with her actions.
"Wake up."
"No." Lucy tried to curl deeper into the blankets around her as Natsu pulled on her.
"Lucy, come on. The meeting with Gramps is soon." Her head popped up and she looked at him in confusion.
"What?"
"You've slept most of the solar cycle. Come on." He lifted her in a cradle lift and walked her into his washing chamber. She looked around, starting to wake up. It was larger than the Magi-Hover but she recognized the majority of the items in from there. He set her down and pointed out some new things and carefully showed her how to use them. She thanked him and he left.
She showered and washed her hair, leaving the Scalut in a decontamination unit for a quick refresh and then got redressed. As she stepped back into the main part of the suite Natsu was turning around from the sink with a plate of food. She smiled as he handed it to her. Rainbow berries, Hobke golden fruit, and the purple carrots. She ate quickly and he led her out of the suite. They headed towards the great hall and then past it. Her eyes dancing around, making mental notes.
"Are you feeling well?" Natsu asked and Lucy nodded.
"For the first time in a long time I felt completely safe." She said and he stood a little straighter. She smiled and followed him to a large set of doors. He knocked and the doors swung open.
Gramps was seated on top of his desk; Laxus was propped against the floor to ceiling windows, Gray and Gajeel were sprawled on the floor, Erza standing between them, a sheen of sweat on her brow.
"Fighting for dominance already Zaza?" Lucy asked and her friend smiled and shook her head.
"They bet me they could take me down if they worked together."
"Idiots." Natsu chuckled and Erza nodded.
"Did you have to drag the Ember Embryo out of bed?" Laxus asked and Lucy shook her head.
"Unfortunately I was the one still sleeping." She yawned and shrugged. "Finally feeling completely safe allowed me to put my guards down."
"That is good to hear." Gramps smiled and nodded at her. She nodded and looked around.
"Is this everyone?"
"We'e waiting on Mira, Levy and Cana." Erza said and Lucy's brows raised at Mira's name.
"Mira?"
"She insisted on being a part of this." Erza shrugged and Lucy nodded to herself.
"Well, I'm glad to welcome more insight." Lucy said and started to sit down when the door swung open and Cana just walked in while Levy and Mira scolded her for not knocking. Lucy smiled.
"Good afternoon. Let's plan the reclaiming of Earth!" Cana cheered as she shuffled her tarot deck.