I just realized we're nine chapters in to this arc with this chapter and the first day only just ended. We're gonna be here a while.
Enjoy!
"Not to mention, let's have a toast for Ultear!" Nashi cheered and raised her mug as Laxus said this, which making Ultear blush and sink in her seat.
"It's not that big a deal" She murmured, tracing a finger around her mug quietly. Damien laughed and slapped her on the back.
"Sure it is!" He replied. "You did a great job!" She smiled weakly, and her eyes widened. Nashi watched as the girl ducked just in time to avoid a flying tackle from her mother, who had tried to hug her.
"Juvia is so proud of you!" The bluenette shouted happily, once again clamping onto Ultear,who just smiled and rolled her eyes. "Juvia knew you could do it!"
"Seriously, can we stop?" Ultear asked, pushing her mother away. "By the end of this my fight from earlier will be forgotten."
"Maybe." Elise said, putting her drink down. "But for now it was damn impressive, so let us celebrate, huh?"
"I too would like to celebrate." Simon said, making everyone chuckle. "Because thanks to you Ul, I don't have to go on a date with Mami." Ultear rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, I'm sure you had the utmost of faith in me." She said sarcastically. "Why do I recall you trying to storm the field in anger?" Simon faltered at this, making everyone laugh again. Nashi sipped her drink and turned to the redhead.
"You'd better be grateful." She told him with a smile. "You owe Ul a bunch, too." Simon nodded.
"Yeah I know. I'll buy her dinner or something."
"So you get out of a date with Mami just to go on one with Ultear?" Drake asked with a smirk. "Smooth moves, Scarlet." This made both involved parties rather embarrassed, but the topic was soon forgotten as they talked about the rest of the days events.
"Kyoko sure is something, huh?" Nashi asked, recalling the memory magic. "Just using anyone's spells she's memorized."
"Yeah." Drake agreed. "I wonder just how much she's memorized."
"Dragon and God Slayer magic, at least." Ultear replied. "That's a pretty volatile combination."
"Especially given she can combine them as much as she wants." Damien said with a nod.
"But hey, at least she fared better than Reyna." Simon pointed out.
"She had to fight Terra." Nashi reminded him. "I'm sure she's good, but let's be serious here." The others nodded in agreement. Before they could continue their conversation, a pair of hands wrapped around Damien's head.
"Talking about me, Dreyar?" Terra asked. Damien smirked.
"Yeah. Just how disappointed I was with your fight today." Terra made a face and released him, most of Lamia Scale's team showing up behind her.
"Just wait if I get my hands on you." Terra shot back. "Then you'll see what I can do. We never did get to finish our fight when we met."
"As I recall," Damien replied with a smug grin. "I won that fight." Terra growled.
"Bullshit, you did! You tricked me."
"And?" As Terra fumed about her 'loss', the others pulled up chairs to sit and talk.
"You guys sure were something today." Winter said, turning to Drake. "Especially you." He shrugged.
"It wasn't anything special." He replied. "All I did was listen."
"You didn't get knocked out once!" Grace shouted, startling Drake. "I'd say that's impressive!"
"Yeah, well, not impressive for me, then." He told her. Nashi rolled her eyes.
"You trained a whole lot these past few months, huh?" She asked him. "I've never seen you move like that." He shrugged.
"Yeah." He agreed. "My Dad grinded me to ashes everyday. Worked out in the end I guess." Nashi giggled.
"Yeah, you sure did...!" Nashi froze, her nose twitching. She jerked up and looked around, sniffing the air. "Elise?" She asked, making the other girl perk up. "You smell that?" Elise contorted her face in confusion but inhaled anyway, and her eyes widen.
"Son of a bitch." She stated, making everyone else confused. "Where are they?" Nashi didn't reply until she darted her eyes over to the window, where, as expected, a blonde and dark haired idiot were watching. She met his gaze, and he made an innocent face before slowly lowering his head below the window. She darted for the door and swung it open, glaring at the pair hiding below the windowsill.
"Uh..." The blonde one said, grinning. "Hey." Nashi watched him for a moment before she grinned happily.
"Katsuchi! Tetsu!" Just as the two stood up Nashi tackled them with a hug, which almost caused them to fall over. "I knew you guys were here somewhere, I saw Azzie."
"Yeah well of course we'd come and watch the Games." Katsuchi replied as they followed her inside. "Sounded exciting. Just happened to be a coincidence you guys were competing." As they reached the table with the others, Katsuchi looked over. "Hey guys, it's been a while." Simon smiled and leaned back in his seat.
"It sure has. How've you guys been?" Tetsu shrugged as he walked over to Elise and sat in her lap, causing her to yelp in surprise.
"Pretty good." he said ignoring the angry Dragon Slayer he was sitting on. "Definitely not, you know, trying to kill people anymore." Damien laughed.
"That's good." he said. "Where's Azzie?"
"The hotel." Katsuchi said. "Said she was tired." Nashi then saw him look over at Winter, who blushed at his gaze as he smirked. "Remember what I told you when we met Winter?"
"Shut up..." Katsuchi laughed and wrapped an arm around Nashi.
"And you doubted we were friends with them." He taunted, making Winter look out the window in anger. Terra laughed.
"You had that coming." She informed the God Slayer, who mumbled halfheartedly about knowing that.
"Get the hell off of me!" Elise shouted, Tetsu ignoring her. "Tetsu!"
"Yes, dearest friend?" Tetsu asked sweetly.
"Get the hell off of me!"
"Nah." Elise raised her arm and turned it into a blade, and swung it at Tetsu's neck. Nashi watched as it bounced off harmlessly, the portion of his neck that had been struck having turned black. "I've forgotten how feisty you are." He said, looking over his shoulder at her, making her growl.
"Get. Off!" She roared, making Tetsu laugh as he got off of her and stood looking down at her.
"Jeez your temper is just as bad as well." he said with a smirk, making her narrow her gaze at him.
"You want to go a few rounds?" Elise asked, standing to confront him. Tetsu smiled.
"Not particularly." He answered. "I came here to talk to old friends, not have a meaningless fight with you."
"Calm down, you two." Nashi said, pushing Katsuchi off of her. "There's no need to start something here."
"Thank you Nashi." Tetsu said to her. "Come now Elise, you're a competitor. What if you have to compete tomorrow?"
"So what if I do?" Elise asked. "I'd still win even if I kicked your ass."
"That a fact?"
"Yeah! Tell you what, I will compete tomorrow! In the event!"
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah!" Nashi face palmed as Elise sat down defiantly, making Tetsu chuckle.
"Anyway," Tetsu said, turning to Terra and Lamia Scale. "How've you guys been?"
"Alright." Terra said. "it is good to see you two again. Right Winter?"
"..."
"Winter?"
"...Yeah whatever." Winter answered without interest, playing with a ball of air in her hands. As the two God Slayer sat down, the conversation about the events of the day continued.
"So is anyone else curious where Blue Pegasus is?" Nashi asked. "We're friends with them as well, you'd figure they'd come to talk."
"Probably consoling Mami." Damien joked. "And, you know, making sure nothing serious is wrong with her."
"Probably both." Terra jumped in. "She looked pretty upset." This made Ultear shift uncomfortably, noted by basically everyone. "Don't feel bad Ul, she took a chance making that bet."
"Still..." Ultear murmured. Silence fell over the group, everyone thinking quietly. Finally, Tetsu sighed.
"I wonder what the event is going to be tomorrow." He said, everyone visibly grateful for the change in conversation.
"Whatever it is, I'm going to win it." Elise told him flatly, making him snicker. Nashi sighed and looked out the window as the street as the conversation continued.
"We'll see soon enough." She muttered.
Hello and welcome to the 2nd day of the Grand Magic Games!" The crowd roared in approval as Ross started his commentary. "The festivities started out at a fever pitch yesterday, and it's only going to get better from here on out! So, without further ado, let's get this day started!"
Nashi smiled as Ross finished his commentary and the crowd continued to cheer. The hype surrounding every morning did not fail to get her excited.
"So we all agree I'm competing?" Elise demanded. "Because if I don't Tetsu is going to get on me about it."
"What if it doesn't match your skill set?" Ultear asked curiously, only to get waved off.
"So what if it doesn't?" She demanded. "I'm still going to do it." This made Simon sigh.
"Of all the stupid reasons to compete today..." He said to himself.
And today ladies and gentlemen, we have a very interesting event! While it is much akin to one of old called the chariot, it had been modified! Dubbed the Cross-Crocus footrace, competitors will be teleported to the very edge of the city! Once arriving their, they will be challenged to race back to the Domus Flau! But that's not all ladies and gentlemen, oh no, not even close! The whole way back to the arena is rigged with traps, obstacles, monsters, and of course, the other competitors! There are no ramifications for this event other than to reach the arena first! It is essentially a free for all for the goal of reaching the Domus Flau!"
"Interesting." Simon said. "The whole city is booby-trapped with traps, obstacles, and monsters." Elise cackled as she stepped forward.
"Sounds like a shitload of fun!" She stated. Nashi laughed.
"Don't get carried away, alright?" She advised. "The goal if to come back here, you get no bonus points for monster kills or hitting other competitors." Elise nodded.
"I know, I just really want to do this!"
And it seems we have our first competitor! Keita Cheney from Sabertooth is competing!" Everyone looked over at Elise as a feral grin spread across her mouth.
"There's no talking you down now, huh?" Ultear asked, her only response being Elise jumping down into the arena. "Of course."
"Keita is technically her rival." Damien pointed out. "There's no way she'd let him compete with trying to show him up." Nashi knew that. Despite their reservations with each other, the two were going to look like rivals to everyone.
And what's this?! it appears Elise Redfox from Fairy Tail is taking up this challenge as well! The Iron Dragon and the Shadow Dragon in one event! What did I say everyone, the Games and just getting started!" The crowd roared again, which was too be expected. "And the rest of our competitors are also joining in! It seems we have Nikki from Blue Pegasus, Megan from Mermaid Heel, Akihiro from Quatro Cerberus, and Jackson from Lamia Scale!" As the final competitor, Jackson from Lamia Scale came out onto the field, Nashi made a face. She swore she knew the boy from somewhere, but she was certain it wasn't anywhere from Lamia Scale.
"Do we know that guy?" Ultear asked. "I feel like we do."
"Agreed." Simon said. "But where from?"
As Elise made her way to the center of the arena, she met Keita's gaze. He didn't seem fazed by her presence, which was both understandable and a little irritating.
"You competing I suppose?" he asked as they reached the center.
"Of course I am, what other reason would I jump into the arena for?" She demanded. Keita shrugged, looking out at the other competitors.
"You look like the only challenge anyway, so I suppose it's alright..."
"Good luck, Keita-chan!" A loud voice shouted, making Keita freeze up. Elise followed the voice to the Mermaid Heel stand, where Nami was shouting and waving happily. "I should be cheering for Meg, but good luck anyway!"
"Shut up Nami!"Keita seethed, turning to shout at the girl himself. Elise made a face at the exchange, but did not pursue it, nor the slight blush on Keita's cheeks as he muttered about how stupid Nami was.
"And now, with all our competitors present, teleport them to the start!"
Nashi watched as the six disappeared in a blue flash, and the lacrima vision booted up, showing them all right outside Crocus, gearing up to full on sprint. Ross cleared his throat.
"And with that, let the Cross-Crocus Footrace begin! GO!"
I love leaving you guys hanging, if you didn't know. I hope you guys enjoyed, leave a review! Let's try and get five!