Chapter Three
I burst through my front door and closed it behind me with a bang. I didn't mean to slam it, I was just so excited to get home and hear what Yukino found.
"Alright, alright," I gasped as I hung my bag by the door and made my way to my living room. "I'm here now, tell me everythi—."
I stopped at the odd sight that greeted me in my home. Minerva was seated at my desk, a book clutched in her hand, pointedly ignoring what was happening on the sofa behind her. Yukino sat perched in my armchair, red in the face and Rogue sat as far to the right side of the sofa as he could, clearly uncomfortable and actively trying to ignore the incredibly awkward situation going on on the other side of the sofa. Sting was leaning back on the couch, legs spread, hands behind his head and smirk firmly in place as he admired the sight before him.
Virgo, in her maid outfit, which somehow looked even shorter than normal, tied up and hanging from my ceiling. Her ropes were placed strategically around her breasts, hips and legs putting her in the most uncomfortable position I could possibly imagine.
"So if you tie the rope in a knot like this, then—" Virgo cut off when she saw me enter. Sting just looked at me and smirked.
"Virgo," I said, trying to stay calm and hoping my face wasn't as red as it felt. "What the hell are you doing?"
The ropes disappeared with a soft poof and Virgo dropped to the floor. She bowed at me as she explained. "I was telling Master Sting how I liked to be punished but you will never do it, I thought it might be helpful if I explained to the Master how easily I could escape from my punishment ropes, then perhaps he could convince you to indulge me." My face traveled over to Sting, he just raised his eyebrows and mouthed Master at me. If possible I blushed even harder.
"Virgo, that's not helpful."
"I apologize, Princess. Perhaps you shall punish me for my error?"
"Virgo, go home."
"As you wish Princess."
Yukino and Rogue seemed to visibly relax once the spirit vanished, Minerva didn't move except to turn a page and Sting just looked disappointed. I groaned, my spirits are so weird.
"Well," I huffed. "Now that that's over, can you tell me what you found?" I made my way to the sofa and settled myself between Rogue and Sting. Minerva set the book down on my desk and leaned towards us, she was giving us her full attention but her eyes were glued to the floor. Not at all the picture of confidence and cruelty she was the last time we were this close to each other. I suppressed a shudder as my memories of my torture in the naval battle at the Grand Magic Games threatened to seep in. I shook my head a little. I didn't have time for this. I turned to Yukino again, silently urging her to tell me the story.
"Well, to put it simply; one of my spirits told me, sort of, where we could find the key." Yukino spoke quietly but firmly.
"But, I thought you said Libra and the others were forbidden from telling you anything about Aquarius?" I was confused, none of my spirits could or would tell me where her key might be, and trust me I asked. The most I had gotten out of any of them was from Grandpa Crux, who told me that there actually was a new Aquarius key, but stubbornly refused to elaborate. From what Loke told me after I grilled him, Crux wasn't even supposed to tell me that much and old stache face, king of all Celestials was furious he'd let that slip.
I immediately called Yukino to beg her to ask her spirits if they knew the keys' whereabouts, but the stupid old man got to them too and forbade them to share the information with either of us. That didn't make sense to me, wouldn't he want another mage to find the key even if it wasn't me? But from what Yukino told me, he knew the three spirits belonged to her and he knew that she and I were close. If Yukino had intended to keep the key for herself, her spirits would have been free to blab. But he knew she would give it to me or tell me where to find it and, according to Libra, he "couldn't let it be that easy" for me. I was furious and…a little scared. If other Celestials knew where to find it they might tell their own masters and then the key could've fallen into the hands of who knew what kind of mage. Thankfully, Aquarius was still contract free, for the moment.
"That's true, Lucy. None of my existing spirits were allowed to tell me," a soft smile touched her lips. I could tell she was satisfied the information was good and she was proud of herself for finding a work around against old stache face. "But, last week I was given a silver key as part of a reward for completing a job. Before I made the contract I asked the spirit if they knew anything about the key. Since they weren't currently contracted to me they were free to divulge the information."
"But why would they tell you before you even had a contract?" At that question Yukino squirmed a little, Rogue let out an irritated sigh and I didn't even have to look to know Sting probably had an irritating smirk on his handsome face.
"Well, this spirit is a little…." She trailed off, unsure of how to go on.
"Hot for Yukino," Sting supplied unhelpfully and I could literally hear the smirk this time.
"Oh, well don't worry Yukino, we've all been there." I reassured her thinking of my own perverted spirits. I felt Sting shift beside me but I didn't care to spare him a glance. I just wanted to hear what this spirit told her.
"What spirit was it?" I prodded.
"The dolphin," she said.
"Delphinus? Messenger of the gods?"
She nodded. I was relieved. The messenger of the literal gods was likely a reliable source. "Well, what exactly did he say?"
She shook her head. "It was quite confusing to be honest."
"Confusing how?"
"Well," she fiddled uncomfortably with her hands as she spoke.
"He would only give me the information in riddle form and I didn't quite understand everything…." I sort of deflated at that. If she didn't understand everything, why couldn't she just call me to give me the information? Why worry so much about it being intercepted? Yukino was a very intelligent woman, if she couldn't understand the message it was unlikely many other people would.
She must have noticed my disappointment because she rushed to reassure me."Don't worry, Lucy. I'm positive I understood the general location and I'm certain it was in reference to Aquarius' key."
"Tell me," I said seriously.
"She's somewhere on the northern continent. I can summon Delphinus now and have him repeat the riddle. I only heard it once and I wasn't prepared for it to be so intricate."
My excitement shot through the roof. I could hear the riddle myself and see if I could understand it, we could hear it as many times as it too-
"However, he will only repeat the riddle one more time," she looked down guiltily. "That's all I could negotiate with the contract." She looked disappointed with her negotiating skills but I was overjoyed and more than a little touched. She waited to get to me in person before hearing it again so I could hear it too and she made sure it was part of her contract. I was a little overwhelmed with her thoughtfulness.
"God! Yukino, that's perfect! Thank you so much!" I exclaimed as I dragged her into another hug.
"Of course, it's the least I could do for you, Lucy." She hugged me back and gave me a gentle squeeze. "Are you ready to hear what Delphinus has to say?" She was already clutching a small silver key, similar to the ones hanging from my hip.
"Wait, just a moment," I said.
"Minerva," I turned to the regal and frightening woman still sitting at my desk. At the sound of her name her eyes snapped from the floor to mine. We held contact for a brief moment before I smiled warmly at her. "Would you mind handing me a notebook and pen?" She nodded, looking a little relieved, and began scrounging around my desk for a notebook. Clutching both to her chest she quickly made her way over to me. She looked nervous and unsure of herself. Part of me thought that was a good thing, she hurt me badly, and not just me, but Kagura as well. She kidnapped that little red exceed for gods' sake. She deserved to be humbled a little.
But another, louder part of me knew that wasn't entirely fair. Yes, she hurt a lot of people. And yes, she still frightened me a little. But from what Erza told me in that week after Tartaros attacked, she was brutally abused as a child. Raised in a guild where nothing mattered but power and asserting your own superiority. I knew Sabertooth and their members were trying to turn over a new leaf. I had given Sting and Rogue a second chance, why not Minerva
I reached out and grabbed the writing instruments, pausing for a moment before I took them from her. I looked her right in the eye and gave her what I hoped was a friendly smile.
"Thank you, Minerva, and thank you for being here too."
Her eyes widened a little and her lips parted in a small gasp. I saw her cheeks turn just the slightest shade of pink. After a moment, she seemed to collect herself. She smiled at me briefly and tipped her head in my direction. It felt good, giving her a chance. Holding grudges could be so exhausting, there was nothing more draining than rage and hate, not even training with Loke.
I slid off the couch and sat cross legged in front of the table, I found a clean sheet of paper in my notebook, propped one elbow on the table top and poised my pen to write. Luckily, I had spent the last several months training under Jason, and part of that training was to learn to write shorthand. This enabled me to take quick notes of every word said during an interview, without having to write every letter. Allowing me to get the most information and quote my sources accurately. I looked over to Yukino and nodded, indicating I was ready. She nodded back and took firm hold of her key, holding it out in front of her and concentrating. I was surprised that I could feel the magic energy emanating from her as she prepared to open the gate. I knew Yukino was powerful, but she was just calling a messenger spirit, not prepping for a fight. My magic training must have made me more sensitive to the increase of magic use, even just a slight increase.
"Open, Gate of the Messenger! Delphinus!" She shouted, summoning the spirit forth in a brief spark of blue light followed by a slight misting of water. I was surprised at first that she could summon a water spirit without water, until I got a good look at the tiny Spirit, smaller than an exceed, closer in size to a squirrel, leaping out of a small, unsupported bubble of water. Of course he didn't need water from Earthland to appear, he had his own. Plus his size made it unlikely he used even a tenth of the energy it took to summon Aquarius. I studied the little spirit while he and Yukino exchanged greetings. He looked…odd…to put it nicely. A weird mesh of a dolphin and man, the face and tail of a dolphin, but arms, legs and abs along with a full head of flowing aqua marine hair, which offset nicely with his light blue skin tone. But, who was I to judge? My most professional spirit was a guy in a horse costume.
"Delphinus, would you mind answering a few questions before you recite the poem the final time?" Yukino asked the water spirit as he positively leered at her from his transparent bubble. The spirit did an excited little backflip, jetting straight out of the bubble and back in with a slight splash. "Of course, Yuki-baby, just remember the terms of the contract, my sweet." He positively gushed. I caught Minerva's eye as she raised one eyebrow in clear displeasure, we both quickly looked away, stifling our laughs. From my left I could hear Sting mutter "Yuki-baby?" under his breath with clear disgust. I giggled again. Yukino gestured over to me and I quickly schooled my features, fully aware of how seriously spirits like Delphinus took their jobs. I wouldn't want to offend him.
I cleared my throat a little as he turned his attention to me, making full on heart eyes as his gaze positively violated me. Seriously, what is with these pervy spirits?
"Right," I started, back to business. "Delphinus, could you first please outline the details of your contract, as it relates to the riddle?" I wanted to be certain I didn't accidentally violate any terms. I was pretty sure I'd be able to take notes, but I thought my recording lacrima or having Gemini appear and take his form might be out of the question.
"Oohooohoo!" He squealed, tossing in another backflip. "Anything for a friend of Yuki-baby, especially one as sexyyy as you!"
I felt myself flush a little from embarrassment, it didn't help when I heard Sting mutter something under his breath. I couldn't be sure what he said, but knowing the twin Dragon slayer even as little as I did I was sure it was something rude, probably making fun of me. I snapped my head to the side, giving him a sharp warning glare before turning my attention back to the little spirit.
"First," he began, holding out his weird little not quite human hand and showing one finger. "My words can be heard only by mortal ears." Well, that ruled out Gemini, I merely nodded.
"Second," he lifted another finger, "My words can not be held by anything other than human ability." I wasn't quite sure what that meant, but I figured it likely ruled out the recording lacrima. I gestured for him to continue.
"Third, you may not ask me any questions as to the contents of the riddle." He dropped his hand dramatically and thrust his chest out as he glared at me. "Once the words leave my lips my bargain with the irresistible Yuki-baby is complete, the message will be fully delivered and my involvement in the matter of Aquarius' key at an end."
I thought about it for a moment. It made sense, if I was allowed to ask questions about the actual contents of the riddle then the one time, well technically two, recitation deal was completely pointless. I didn't want to get Yukino in trouble with her spirits or her spirits in trouble with their king. I felt this was pushing my luck already.
I nodded firmly at Delphinus. "Understood, valued messenger," it never hurt to lay on the flattery, Celestial spirits had notoriously huge egos. "May you allow me to ask questions prior to hearing the riddle, not on content but on context?"
The little spirit thought about it for a moment, stroking his chin and scratching his head. After a long pause he set his jaw, clearly making up his mind.
"You may, Lexy, but I may also refuse to answer and there will be no further probing."
"Fair enough, but my name is Lucy not Lexy."
"Aye, but Lexy is what I shall call you, for it combines your name with your best quality." He was positively beaming at me. I had a rough idea where this was going but I knew he'd be more forthcoming if I indulged him. "And please, good spirit, what quality is that?"
"You're seexxxyyyy," he swooned.
My cheeks flushed as Sting laughed hysterically, Minerva pursed her lips, Yukino was blushing in embarrassment and even Rogue choked on his own laughter. I sighed, I brought it on myself really.
"Right, my first question is when you say 'mortal', do you mean human only? Or are our Exceed friends permitted to listen?" I gestured to the two little Exceeds sitting in the laps of their respective dragon slayers. Cute little Frosch was still wearing his little pink frog suit, it made me wonder if Rogue ever tried on that matching one Erza told me about. And the red one, I'd have to remember his name soon, it might be weird to ask at this point. "Nay, Lexy," Sting choked on his laughter again and I just rolled my eyes.
"I mean 'mortal' in the traditional sense, as in not of divine nature. Although I must say," he leered, again. "You and Yuki-baby certainly have bodies sent straight from heaven."
Oh boy, this was going to be a loonnngg talk.
"Thanks," I said flatly, waiting for Sting to stop chortling. Gods, what's with this guy? I know I'm not perfect but is someone thinking I'm hot really that funny?
"So, Delphinus," I tried bringing the conversation back to the point. "I'm assuming 'not held by mortal hands' means I can't record you?" He nodded. "May I take notes?" I gestured to my pad of paper. Again, he nodded
"How did you come across this information?" I began jotting down notes the instant he spoke.
"Oh, me and that hot little siren go wayyyy back," he stated with pride. "Us water spirits have to stick together! She can't tell a mortal where to find her key, or any spirit contracted to you or Yuki-baby. But His Majesty never forbade her from telling any of her other Celestial friends. She contacted me, in my capacity as messenger. And stated if I were to come into contact with either you or my beloved I was to tell you where and how you can retrieve her key."
"Hey wait a sec," the blond dragon slayer finally stifled his obnoxious laughter at my expense long enough to interrupt a pretty important conversation. "If she asked you to tell Yukino and Lexy where to find her key, how come you're givin' us some incomprehensible brain teaser?"
I brushed off my indignation at having Sting refer to me as Lexy, honestly, I wasn't sure if he meant in a good way, like he agreed with the little dolphin, or if he was mocking me. But he sure asked a good question. We all turned to the water spirit.
"Well, you see, she tasked me with delivering the message, and had I happened upon either of you in battle or elsewhere in Earthland I'd have been able to speak more plainly. But when my Yuki-baby earned the right to my contract after completing her task, His Majesty attempted to forbid me from saying anything at all."
"Why that stupid stache face!" I blurted. "I thought he liked me." Sting just snickered again.
"He does, my darling Lexy." I rolled my eyes again. I swear if I kept this up they'd be rolling right out of my skull. "His Majesty has the greatest respect for his 'great friend', for the kindness she has shown him and for opening up his heart to allow the Lion King to return to our world." There was an earnestness in his voice that I found completely charming. Along with his weird little speech pattern, a mix of absolutely inappropriate perviness, flattery and formality that I found oddly endearing.
"Alas, a rule had been set that no information could be bestowed on your delicate ears directly. However, as I had made a bargain with that sweet sweet siren, one that I am not at liberty to break, a compromise was struck that I may give her message in the form of a riddle so long as I was not contracted, for a contract with a mage would supercede my promise to Aqua, and I too would be forbidden from speaking on the matter. He reasoned that if you were as deserving of Aqaurius' key as he thought you were, you'd be more than able to decipher the meaning and find a loophole in the rules."
I guess that made sense. The one cardinal rule with Celestial magic was you do not break your promises, whether you're a spirit or a mage. If Delphinus had already promised to deliver the message for Aquarius, the King risked breaking his own fundamental law by forbidding Delphinus from keeping his word. And I was even more impressed with Yukino's negotiation that found a loophole, like the king had hoped.
"Thank you, for helping her…and me." I tipped my head to pervy little spirit causing him to do another excited backflip. Once he settled again I resumed asking my questions. One thing studying journalism with Jason has taught me is that background is important. Sure it'd be faster to just hear the riddle and decipher it, but I was almost positive that something important could be gleaned from my questions.
"Has the information you've given Yukino been given to anyone else?"
Delphinus thought about it a moment, stroking his weird little beak chin...thing. Slowly he shook his head. "I do not believe so, Darling Lexy, not the exact information, but others are actively seeking the key, aware of the general location, not many and none a match for you in terms of power, save one." I finished jotting down my notes and sat up a little straighter.
"Are you able to tell me who?"
"I am not."
"Are you able to tell me where they are now?"
He shook his head again, looking uncomfortable…I think, "That is dangerously close to the content of the riddle."
"I understand," I quickly said, not wanting to put him off my questioning entirely. I knew when to back off. I pondered my next question carefully.
"You say you can't tell me who or where they are," I began, the dolphin squirmed uncomfortably. "But can you tell me how they came about this information?"
He perked up at that, looking excited that I asked something he was able to share.
"Indeed, 'tis part of an ancient legend, nearly forgotten by all but those who seek the siren's song, longing for the sweet silence of Oblivion." My companions and I exchanged worried looks, I didn't like the sound of that...oblivion.
"I can't tell you what the legend is called," he continued. "Or even all the details, but I can tell you that our beloved Aqua's key is a vital ingredient to a powerful potion. Once drunk it gives the drinker the power of oblivion."
Sting scoffed, rudely, gathering all eyes in the room. He was just sitting there, as comfortable and cocky as hell, shaking his head at the spirit's words. Once he finally noticed that all the attention was on him shrugged. I was happy to see he looked a little uncomfortable. "What?" he snapped. "I mean, come on guys!" He looked around like that stupid comment explained his interruption. Ugh, were all dragon slayers this rude and obtuse? I glanced over at Rogue and was happy to see he too looked a little disappointed in his partner. Ok, maybe not all of them.
Sting was still looking around at us expectantly. Finally he let out a great sigh and kicked his legs up on my table. I narrowed my eyes at his rudeness. Honestly, I should be used to a dragon slayer invading my home and scuffing up my things. But it had been a while since Natsu left me behind. I'd been on my own for so long, and so far my spirits had been the only visitors to my new place.
Minerva narrowed her eyes at Sting, "Tch," she tisked, looking pointedly at his feet propped up on my brand new coffee table. He merely rolled his eyes again and put his hands behind his head and closing his eyes in satisfaction. Satisfied with what I had no idea.
"I mean honestly guys," he peeked out from beneath his lids at us when we all stayed silent. "There are easier ways to kill yourself than traipsing all over Earthland looking for one stupid tiny key." I let out a gasp at that word, stupid. Aquarius' key was not stupid! I opened my mouth to say just that, furious at yet another insensitive, inconsiderate, cocky-ass dragon slayer. I thought being guild master had matured him, clearly I was mistaken. I opened my mouth to say just that but before I could so much as form a word, Delphinus broke the silence.
"You misunderstand, young Master," Sting smirked again at that word, master, completely oblivious to the fact that Delphinus just called him an idiot. Well, ok, maybe that isn't what he said, but it's how I chose to take it. "Not the power to give oblivion to oneself, but the power to bring it to all others."
A/N: Delphinus is the constellation of the Dolphin. According to Greek mythology he was a messenger of Poseidon and he was responsible for convincing the sea nymph Amphitrite to marry Poseidon. I just thought it was a cute story (for Greek legends, at least there was eventual consent) and it kinda fit perfectly. What do you guys think? I'm done to chapter 10 so I'll post it all regardless. Should I keep going? Gonna anyways :) ...Reviews are always appreciated!