Chapter 63:

Davian had told Laxus to meet him at the Enforcement Headquarters in Yarrow and from there they'd take a train to Camellia. It would be a long few hours stuck in a private train car together since Davian had insisted on first class. As recompense, he ended up paying for their tickets and Laxus didn't mind omitting that he could afford the higher fare if it meant he got a free ride. Despite hearing it from Juvia and Mirajane and then later Gajeel, he was going alone as he was told. Even after his reassurances, he'd had to practically beg Mira not to follow. It was agitating and demeaning. Why did they all have so little faith in him?

To make matters worse he hadn't slept well. He'd woken up to the fading memory of a nightmare, unable to wrestle down exactly what it had been about although it was strikingly familiar. He remembered distinctly his father's voice… and eyes… something about eyes…

He'd shaken the sleep from his mind and pushed himself out of bed. He didn't have time to psychoanalyze himself. There was no denying that he was steadily being reduced to a charged bundle of nerves. He chalked the nightmares and the way his stomach rolled more viciously than normal on the train to happenstance. It was all because he was dreading going back to Sinlin Hills, back to the place where all of this had come to a head. It had taken him turning the volume on his headphones to their max setting to keep the memory of yellow eyes and black claws pushed to the back of his mind. Bianca was dead. There was nothing about that he could dispute. Even still, he felt as if he were walking right back into her hands.

Maybe not Bianca's hands, he thought bitterly, but most certainly Davian's.

He was going to be in those rolling hills again, miles from anyone who would be able to help him should something go wrong. Go wrong. Go wrong how, exactly? Davian was a snake but as luck would have it he at least seemed an honest one. He was as straightforward with his deception and shady dealings as one could be. Never once had he said something to Laxus that had been an outright lie or given him any reason to believe he'd lure him to the middle of nowhere just to off him. And on top of that, there were witnesses. It wasn't like people had no idea where Laxus was going or who with. Mira and Juvia were on high alert in case he took too long on his journey and he'd even told Freed, Bix and Ever where he was going before he'd left. Davian wasn't just your average villain. He was careful and immaculately clean in his trade. If he was planning to get rid of Laxus, this wouldn't have been the way he'd done it.

Or so that was what he continued to tell himself.

All too soon the train car was shuddering to a stop and he was grabbing his pack and walking off with a slew of other people into bustling Yarrow. This was a bigger town than Magnolia and Laxus actually found he had to ask for directions to get to the compound. The fort came into view after only a few turns, though, and soon he was able to see the fluttering of white capes as brigades marched to and fro in practiced routine. Every man stood ramrod straight with heads held high and spears perpendicular to the ground. Laxus figured with the Major stopping in for a visit they were probably putting on their best.

The place was laid out like a massive star, with five bastions headed by battery towers at each point. Laxus was sure that during wartimes this place was once a formidable stronghold and no doubt the reason why Yarrow had thrived in its shadow centuries ago, but now the gatehouse stood open and welcome. What were once rough-cut stone barracks were upgraded, modernized, and looked as pristine as the men who frequented them. The keep was donned not only with Fiore's flag but also an archaic one the country had left to history long ago, and Laxus could clearly see areas marked out for tourists alongside places where soldiers marched. It was an odd mismatch of antiquity and contemporary, a place that recognized it was no longer needed like it once was and had adapted to light and laughter instead of being abandoned to rot like some war machine to the ages.

It was entering the keep, amidst limestone floors and modern office desks, that he'd been able to ask where the Major was and in turn was led back out to a small waiting area designated for high profile guests. Laxus felt a little strange standing in a place that he was sure only men of rank would usually be but he made himself comfortable and watched as men in white made their rounds. On the far side of the fort, a tour was being held and a spot was being cleared for what Laxus could only imagine was some sort of reenactment for the holidaymakers. He dropped his pack to the ground and watched as a vibrant spot of color danced out into the grass with massive dogs at her heels. The first thing Laxus's eye was drawn to her hair. Dark brown strands were braided up the sides of her head and styled into a frohawk of tight curls dyed vividly scarlet. She was wearing the white pants that were standard issue but instead of the jacket she had a loose yellow blouse that hung off her shoulders as she bent down to congratulate the massive hounds that had just run circles for her. At a motion of her hand, the dogs raced around, jumped, and lunged for an assistant that wore padded armor to save him from their bite. At a sharp sound of her voice they'd immediately stop and stay by her sides. Her small audience clapped and cheered.

Laxus wasn't sure how long he'd been standing there before he was startlingly aware of a presence. He turned his head slowly to catch sight of the Major standing with arms crossed and eyes grounded on the animal trainer. Something about him seemed forlorn and wistful. His eyes were shifting between blue and green.

"Pretty badass, huh?" Laxus prompted, gaging his expression carefully.

"She is a force of nature."

The way he said those words had Laxus glancing back at her, then to Davian again. He smirked, "Sounds destructive."

"I was thinking more beautiful and terrifying," he hummed, abruptly dropping his pensive air and reaching for a bag sitting at his feet. He pulled from it a lanyard with a pass hanging down from it, "I doubt we'll be asked any questions but just in case I thought maybe now would be a good time to pilot a new project I'm trying to get pushed through."

He handed it out to him and Laxus raised an eyebrow at it, "Custody Enforcement Volunteer Unit?"

"Typically, in the line of duty guild members are seen as nuisances that Custody Enforcement is left to clean up after," Davian said, picking up his usual superior tone and straightening his glasses.

"And you get in our way," Laxus growled.

"When working towards similar goals, there's no reason to hinder one another. If Custody Enforcement and guilds could find ways to work together, I think situations could be handled more efficiently and with far less collateral damage."

"Sounds like red tape to me."

"It is just a pilot,"

Laxus glanced up at him and noticed the slight quirk to his lips. Of course, the snake had to have an ulterior motive, "And you chose now to start this because…?"

"It is mutually beneficial, I assure you," he brushed his white cape out of the way so his hands could be exposed; a gesture to signify his transparency, "The previous Major over the Ember Island jurisdiction was old and set in his ways. Equally, archaic in attitude are most other figureheads in authority… especially Colonel Ansel. Your notoriety offered me his ear. I made use of it wholeheartedly."

"And how is this mutually beneficial?" Laxus put on the lanyard, feeling a little ridiculous but resigning to the fact that this would be a staple for the next two days.

"Aside from making it so that maybe one day you won't have to face the Magic Council for your infamous amounts of property damage?" he purred but Laxus wasn't amused. Davian scoffed, "It is as you requested, Mr. Dreyar. This trip is extremely well documented. And this endeavor is no longer merely a thing of you finding evidence to set your lover free, but also one where I must prove this enterprise more than just a waste of my valuable time. In short, Mr. Dreyar, we're working together towards a similar goal."

Laxus's eyes widened in astonishment as Davian continued, "I've given you the best possible scenario to find what you need. You're welcome."

Laxus studied him, "Why?"

"Call it insurance," he replied cunningly, "our train leaves soon. Shall we?"

"Aye, sir…"

They crossed the field and Laxus had to bare through troops stopping in place to salute the Major as they passed. It was unnerving to Laxus but Davian paid it no mind, passing each group as a lord checking to be sure there were no chink's in his guards' amour. Laxus did notice, though, that the animal handler also stopped but she didn't hold the same stoic attention as the cadets. Her eyes centered on Davian and she frowned, a touch of fire in her eyes even though her brows furrowed in what seemed to be concern. The two dogs at her sides growled and she quieted them with a touch.

"So… how'd you two meet?" Laxus broke the quiet as they left the compound, not willing to sit in tense silence for their whole trip.

"Hm? Who?"

Laxus mocked Davian's longing tone from earlier, "The force of nature."

"Irena?" Davian eyed him with more than slight suspicion, "I don't see how that's any of your business."

Laxus shrugged and his reply was sarcastic, "Just curious what it takes to woo a cold-blooded lizard."

"First of all, I am notcold-blooded. Second of all, your insults are extremely uninspired. It's quite disappointing."

"You're dodging the question," Laxus pressed, trying to force himself to sound more playful than he felt.

Davian rolled his eyes, "Through work."

"Love at first sight, then?"

"It was more akin to rage," Davian let out a defeated sigh, "She was an entertainer and I stopped a conflict between her and a client."

"An entertainer?" Laxus said it first and then realized the meaning after, "She was a stripper?"

"They hate it when you call them that, you know," Davian schooled him but Laxus was still floored, "Unfortunately, my getting involved robbed her of her job, her boyfriend, her home, and all of her personal belongings."

"Wow… nice job,"

"I felt quite indebted to her at that point. I offered her a room at my place and she changed her life around. She'd always been amazing with animals so talked her into a job as a beast trainer, used some of my connections to get her in…" Laxus was sure Davian didn't realize he was beginning to smile, the more he spoke the less cold his tone was. He seemed normal, human even, and Laxus found himself forgetting exactly who and what he was talking to, "The man she was with had been quite cruel to her; dictated how she wear her hair, what clothes she could buy, even as far as the meals she ate. The first thing she did with her freedom was grow out her hair."

"Sounds like she needed it," Laxus hummed as they stepped into their train, "What happened?"

Davian's good humor immediately soured. He placed his bag gently in his seat and took his place next to it heavily. After a few moments, Laxus realized he had no intentions of answering his question.

"Ya just planning on ignoring me?" Laxus prompted, seeing just how far he could get and immediately meeting a hard wall.

"Was that not obvious?"

Laxus sat across from him, taking a deep breath of what felt to be stale air settling between them just as the privacy divider slid firmly shut, locking them away from the rest of first class. He had been hoping to keep Davian talking and at least spare them the long trip in silence. He settled in and crossed his arms, content to turn up his music and drown out the presence of the man across from him when a flourish of papers caught his attention. Davian was holding documents out to him, his eyes cast down on a folder he'd pulled out of his bag. Laxus took them.

"What's this?"

"Proof I keep my word," he replied simply.

His eyes fell on names that he recognized but couldn't place. It looked like documentation from an open case. It wasn't until he read the word Oleander that it all started to make sense. The remains of the missing children, it seemed, had been recovered and returned to their parents. Based on different newspaper clippings that Davian had included, it seemed the small town was planning a memorial for them.

"You did," Laxus tore his eyes up to Davian who was flipping through his folder, seemingly reading. He glanced up over his glasses.

"I've surprised you."

"Yes…" he said it slowly and Davian straightened, turning his eyes back to the page he was on. He flipped the folder he was holding around and placed it in Laxus's lap. He was startled at first but as his eyes rested on the pages, pictures, and articles, he quickly realized this was the file for the Ulrich case, "…what's this?"

"A refresher," Davian replied tersely.

"I've already…" he flipped through the pages, "…this is more than the file I had?"

Davian flashed him a wicked smile before continuing, "Since eyewitness testimony has been effectively thrown out, we can only go off of information gleaned from the crime scene."

"All you have are autopsies of the guys Gajeel killed," Laxus growled as he flipped through the documents, "Bianca's body is missing. You don't have any of what she was working on… no surveillance… nothing to prove that Gajeel didn't just walk in there and kill everybody for no good reason. Even medical records…"

"Actually, you have Mr. Redfox to thank for that," Davian interrupted him and Laxus snapped his eyes up in surprise, "The man wouldn't allow the hospital take blood let alone try and find whatever drug he'd claimed she'd kept him on. Anything that could have been learned from his body walked out the door when the nurse pressed him to stay… not a very wise choice."

Laxus gritted his teeth, "It was deemed self-defense at the time."

"Yes… although a man of his background should have known better," Davian replied coldly, "After all, he used to be in the very same business of swaying minds with misinformation. It's not hard to believe someone would be out to avenge Ms. Ulrich… but as they say, hindsight is twenty-twenty."

Laxus narrowed his eyes at him, "Is there a reason we're rehashing all of this? We both know the facts."

"On the contrary, Mr. Dreyar, we don't," Davian looked him in the eye as he spoke, "I never had all of the facts. I know what I walked into and I know what was asked of me. The full reality of the situation, however, is lost to me."

"What?" Laxus was dumbfounded, "You're not… you're not serious."

Davian watched him for a moment, as if not sure how to respond, before he finally pulled off his glasses and held them gently between his gloved fingers. As if removing a colored lens, his eyes immediately flushed with yellow color.

"When I was asked to intervene, an investigation was already underway. The crime scene had been torn apart and quite a few pieces were already missing. Many of Bianca's notes were thrown away as drabbles as they existed in a language no one was familiar with nor could they translate. What was left over were things that made no sense to me. I hardly had a full page let alone some grand synopsis of what was going on. I know of the murders, however with no record of who all worked for her it's impossible to tell if that was allwho was there or if possibly others escaped. No one has stepped forward, as obviously they should be averse to that idea since whatever was being done would have gotten them jailed or eventually killed, and I had been made aware of no leads by my family or by anyone in Enforcement. As far as the person before me was concerned, this was an open and shut case. The man was captured, he was driven by something to believe he was in life-threatening danger, and there were casualties. All I did was guide what little evidence there was to reflect more in Ms. Ulrich's favor."

"You… you know nothing of the potions she was working on?"

"Nothing," Davian reiterated.

Laxus's lip curled up in a snarl. Surely, this had to be a lie, "You were her brother. How could you nothave known what she was doing?"

Davian took a breath and let it out smoothly, "Mr. Dreyar, I can assure you I knew nothing of what Bianca Ulrich was doing when she was killed… nor her actions before that."

Laxus picked his words purposely, trying to force something out of Davian that wasn't cold and emotionless, "You speak like… like you weren't even related. She's your sister. Don't you feel anything about what she was doing or what happened to her? Hell, I hated her but even I'll admit watching her bleed to deathwas fucking terrible."

"My relationship with my sister, with most of my family, is what you would call estranged. I'd met her on a few occasions, yes. She was… off-putting and vile, not that I don't recognize my own tendencies to enjoybeing cruel and manipulative. I at least recognize that it is a flaw. And, I quite disliked her affinity to destroying innocent things…" Davian's eyes were cast to the side as he spoke, as if he were remembering something. Laxus watched him as he finally brought shifting eyes up to meet his. He was strikingly sincere and it put Laxus off more than a little bit., "I've told you before, and I don't fault your disbelief but I mean what I say. I don't enjoy burying innocent men… innocent anything, for that matter. If I had known, Mr. Dreyar, I would have intervened."

Laxus snarled at him, not quite allowing his anger to dissipate, "Talking like that almost makes me believe you actually want to help people."

"I did choose this profession for a reason, Mr. Dreyar."

"And yet you're still willing to cover it all up," Laxus studied his face and he laced his words with poison and blatant cynicism, "Besides, I thought Father wanted this."

Davian blinked a few times, hiding masterfully whatever emotion that had threatened to reveal itself in that moment, "Whatever gave you that idea?"

"Makes perfect sense to me," Laxus crossed his leg over his knee and steeled himself as the train huffed to life. He could hear the screeching of metal wheels beginning to turn, "You're in a place of power where you can orchestrate almost anything within the justice system. You can ruin evidence, make innocent men look guilty, move them wherever he wants them... I would think he would do everything in his power to help his childget into that position."

Davian sighed heavily and Laxus was interested by the fact that it wasn't a patronizing noise, "Then it will be quite the surprise to know Father was extremely against the path I chose."

Laxus felt all of the wind leave his sails, "Really?"

Davian leaned back into his seat, almost appearing relaxed aside from his heavy tone, "I became Major with the same hard work and sweat as any other man would. In fact, I would say I worked harder since I have no magic. I graduated the top of my class and with no influence aside from my own."

Laxus tilted his head to the side to watch him. The startling thing was that he seemed honest. He was being open and frank, far out of the usual for what Laxus was accustomed to from the Major. Laxus, though, just couldn't bring himself to fully trust him. This man had done everything in his power to prove Gajeel guilty, after all. He refused to let up, his disbelief and ire clear in his voice and on his face.

"You expect me to believe that, Major?" Laxus growled.

Davian's aloof expression faltered under just the slightest quirk of a keen grin, "I present to you facts, Mr. Dreyar. How you choose to interpret them is completely up to you."

Laxus clicked his teeth, feeling more and more as if he were being tricked, "Alright then, Major Bishop, if your father didn't want you to be a Rune Knight then what did he want you to be?"

One of Davian's eyebrows arched fiercely, betraying the agitation simmering just beneath his cool façade. He watched Laxus blatantly before leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. He laced together his fingers and then brought them apart, rapping the tips of his fingers against each other as if he were entertaining some wicked idea. Laxus narrowed his eyes.

"This is something I wouldn't typically disclose," Davian began, breaking his sentence apart with a slow intake of breath and letting the words sigh back out of his mouth, "but something tells me you'll not believe what I say anyway."

"You just building up suspense or are you trying to think of something?" Laxus snarled and Davian rolled his eyes.

"So cynical…" golden eyes flickered to the side and some of Laxus's fire left him at the strange seriousness that lingered around Davian, "I was called, I suppose you could say, to act as prophet, pastor, and priest to Father's children."

He looked up at Laxus without raising his head and Laxus felt the tightness in his neck from where he was clenching his jaw, "Sounds like a high honor."

"Oh it is… one that I spent sixteen years of my life devoted to."

Laxus crossed his arms, "And what sort of things do cannibalistic lizardfolk believe in, eh?"

"Oh… things long forgotten by mankind, I'm sure," Davian's reply was curt although his growing smirk spoke of how entertained he was by the conversation.

"And lemme guess… your non-magical, glowing tattoos are all part of it, hm?" Laxus glowered down at the man before him, betraying just how on guard he was with the conversation. Davian's eyes widened slightly and a noise escaped him that sounded nearly like a laugh.

"Not tattoos, Mr. Dreyar, although I can see where the color would have you confused. Scarification is an art not often practiced in this part of the world," he rolled up his sleeve to reveal the golden symbols. Laxus's lip curled as he realized the patterns were sets of bumps and risen lines, as if a sharp tool had been taken to his skin and pieces of his flesh had been dug out, "And I can assure you, there is nothing magical about me in the least."

Laxus remembered distinctly the pain from his tattoo. It was by no means the worst thing he'd ever gone through but he could appreciate the kind of commitment it would have taken to sit as someone purposefully sliced lines into your skin. Damn, he hated the thought of knives being put to flesh. It made his skin crawl to think about.

"It looks like a Magic Seal… carved into your skin,"

"Similar, I'll admit. It is a Ritual Circle. On the surface, they seem the same but differ greatly once you get to the fundamentals," Davian's fingers drifted over the raised gold bumps and lines. His face was serene and he studied them as if he rarely saw them in the light, "Magic, as I'm sure you know, is the usage of your own will to shape the world around you. Innately, I have no such ability. I have to channel that energy from my god in a ritual. My body acts as a vessel and my god grants power through me… for a price."

Laxus blinked and the tension between his shoulders faded slightly, "When you cut your hand…"

Davian's smirk returned and not without any of its previous mischief, "He believes me now, does he?"

"You don't seem the religious type," Laxus sneered, looking him pointedly up and down.

"Is that what you think?" he was cheeky and it was starting to grate on Laxus's nerves, "Is it so hard to believe that I could be some beast in the business of selling forgiveness, the left hand of a long-forgotten god, who in one hand offers salvation and in the other takes away?"

"Ah, no, that you got down," Laxus purred, baring his teeth slightly as he spoke, "but you're missing the other half… the fatherly voice, kind and understanding smile… you know, the stuff that makes you seem like a genuinely good person."

Davian's impish grin deepened and he sat back against his seat. As if in dismay, he placed a hand to his heart, "I'm hurt that you think so little of me but I suppose my cool façade wouldbe off-putting to someone so volatile as you."

Laxus cocked an eyebrow at the bait, refusing to acknowledge the insult, "Well, if it's true and you really are some righteous religious figure… why don't you give me a blessing, then?"

Davian's eyes widened, "Blessing…? For you? I could hardly-"

"Unless… you're not a pastor, prophet, or priest?" Laxus hummed and Davian crossed his arms, momentarily derailed.

"Well, you would need to provide sort of oblation," Davian tutted and at Laxus's blank expression he motioned up and down him with his hand, "An offering or sacrifice. Typically, one provides fine wines, meats, blood… something of value."

"Let me just pull something out of my ass, then."

"You'rethe one who requested heavenly guidance. If you have nothing to offer, then I suppose you don't receive a blessing."

"Yeah? And if I have something, will you make up more shit to dodge it?" Laxus snapped at him and Davian just huffed and watched him expectantly.

Laxus paused. An offering? He didn't have much in the way of value. He wasn't superstitious. He didn't hang onto good luck charms or carry trinkets around with him. The only thing he could think of that held anysignificance was possibly the ring Gajeel had given him but there was no way he was offering that. After a few moments of deliberation, he pulled out a gold coin from his pocket. It wasn't anything special. When he was a kid, Gramps had given it to him as an interesting memento from a time before Fiore used Jewels for their currency. He carried it with him occasionally, somewhat out of habit, because he felt sort of bare without its weight in his pocket. Davian clicked his teeth and with his free hand he reached into his bag. Laxus heard the tapping of pills in a bottle even before Davian drew it out and sat it in the seat next to him. Laxus shot him a look and Davian ignored it. In his irritation, he flipped the coin and caught it again, using the chime of the metal against his nail to calm his nerves.

Quietly and with the briefest of hesitations, Davian stripped off his gloves and sat them lightly on top of his bag. His nails were black and sort of bashfully he brought his right hand to hover just between his eyes, his face cut in half by the gesture as he rested lightly the side of his finger against his nose and forehead. With is left, he made a loop with his thumb and middle finger and rested it against his lap. Laxus watched intently as yellow eyes fluttered closed and Davian's lips twitched. Whatever it was that he said, it was fleeting and barely a breath. Almost immediately, a faint golden glow began to emanate from his scars. When his eyes opened again, they seemed to shimmer with auriferous light.

The air in the cabin changed. Laxus was immediately familiar with the presence but it wasn't like when he'd encountered it before. It was restrained and gave Laxus the same feeling as if he were sitting before a wild lion on a very short leash. The air was heavy with the hot breath of a beast and Laxus could almost swear the train car was groaning beneath some invisible weight. Of course, it had to be impossible. Such a thing couldn't inhabit the tiny space the two men were confined to. That didn't stop Laxus from feeling suddenly small beneath Davian's gaze, though. He was a little unnerved and Davian's voice had changed again. All at once it was detached and ancient. It conjured images of ageless ruins, of stone crumbling to sand, and Laxus's resolve was starting to waver.

"Laxus Dreyar," Davian's grin was gone, replaced by severe eyes and a voice just as terrible as Laxus had remembered it being. Just as when they fought Rut, it filled the space around him first before truly coming from his mouth, "what have you to offer?"

Laxus held up the coin and Davian took it, his fingers not touching Laxus's hand as he did so. He rubbed it between his two fingers and thumb as if testing the metal. Flipped it front and back, and lips twitched before he spoke again.

"What is it you request?" he said at last, still flipping it between his fingers.

Laxus suddenly found it hard to speak. He hadn't actually thought this far ahead. Something useful, probably. If Davian really could call on some higher power to help him, what would he even need help with?

"I guess… I want to find answers."

Laxus half expected Davian to ask him to specify what answers he was looking for, but he didn't. With orbs blazing yellow and predatory, he took Laxus's hand and flipped it so his palm faced the ceiling. He rested the coin there. It seemed to await what was to come as much as he.

"Give me your fire."

Laxus's palm began to burn. He clenched his jaw and on reflex his free hand shot forward to grip his wrist. Astonishment fought through the pain as he watched as the coin began to shimmer, holding a heat and light of its own. Golden eyes flew up to meet Davian's, but his gaze was trained on the coin. A tickle of a whisper started by his neck, and then there was another sigh against his ear, his arm, a gentle brush against his knee that made gooseflesh pepper his skin, and soon Laxus felt he was not only trapped in the small car with some monstrous creature but also a myriad of spirits.

"Davian…" he cautioned, remembering what had happened the last time he'd heard these voices. Davian didn't mind him, though, and pressed his thumb against the white-hot coin. Laxus nearly jumped as sudden, quiet snaps and pops began. Davian winced just slightly as his black nails grew swiftly and viciously into claws. He took a slow inhale and the brutal transformation stopped.

"I evoke the power of Oros, The Sacred One,

Bestow upon your servant life with good fortune,

And accept this, his humble gift.

Provide him divine guidance,

Grace him with your favor.

Into the shadow with teeth bared."

At the utterance of those last words, everything stopped. As with the cutoff of a scream, the silence that followed was palpable and dense. Slow movements released Laxus's hand but the radiance of the coin didn't dull despite the heat fading. He turned it around in his hands, studying it and noticing how it seemed heavier.

"I thought you were taking this?"

"Consider it a gift," Davian's voice was haggard.

"And what? It's lucky now?"

Davian laughed pitifully, a weak noise that died slightly in his throat, "Quite."

Laxus grunted and when he finally drew his eyes up to Davian he did a double take. Something like ink was slipping from his nose and his eyes still shimmered. Black talons were hastily rummaging through his bag, pulling out a nail file and angrily wearing down sharp points.

"Shit, are you ok?"

"Hm? Oh this?" he was only slightly sarcastic and in a gesture very unlike the prim man he wiped the black away with the back of his hand, "It is always best to give too much instead of too little. It would appear I had too little an offering."

Laxus watched him as he worked, grinding down black and every once in a while letting out steady breaths. Laxus flipped the coin into the air and watched it as it spun.

"Well, Major, I guess you surprised me again."

Davian stopped and even though Laxus didn't look at him, was settling into his seat and pulling his headphones up to cover his ears, he could feel his hesitant glance.

"Davian."

"Hm?"

"Davian… my name is Davian," he said it decisively, refusing to look at him, "I'd prefer you call me as such."

Laxus studied him quietly, smothered the grin that threatened to pull up the corners of his lips, "Friends call me Laxus."

Laxus turned his eyes to the window and crossed his arms. Davian cleared his throat and through the first few beats of music he could still hear the smallest hint of diffidence.

"I'd hardly say we're friends."

Laxus felt something strange, warm and snug begin to make his stomach stir with lightning. He flipped the coin again. Despite how little stock he put in superstition, he couldn't stop the sneaking of something in his heart like hope. Maybe luck would finally start turning his way.

Author's Notes:

Give me your fire, give me your fear

Give me your faith when love gives you tears

Give me your heart, give me your fate

Give me your hand when love gives you hate

Give me your prayers up on your feet

And I'll give you a song that helps fill the seats

So give me your sins, give me your lies

But whisper your love

And I'll whisper mine...

-Whisper by Burn the Ballroom

This chapter and I are not friends. I probably rewrote this 4 times and still didn't get the things I wanted to in here. Feh, oh well. It just brings a challenge for next chapter!

I'm going to try my hardest to get back on the Sunday/Monday schedule but since this was so late getting done we'll have to see.

I hope you all had a marvelous week! Until next update!