It's Monday! And this week, Juvia visits Magnolia. Again... Circumstances are a bit different this time, though. And Gray's guard is up, so he'll be a bit less tolerant of any weirdness that might ensue.
Enjoy!
- K. Chandler
P
Pushing aside the bough of a young maple tree, Juvia slipped through the forest, trying to stay out of sight. She watched as the three royals moseyed towards the stables. They looked like something out of one of Juvia's fairy tale books – a trio of adventurous friends and their trusty sidekicks.
Surely, following wasn't impolite. After all, each attendant was doing just that. Juvia would even say they were observing a polite distance. And Juvia was following at an even greater distance, making her even more polite.
Lucy led the way gaily, her fingers curled around the handle of a rustic-looking basket decorated with strips of brightly colored cloth. Once upon a time, Juvia was Lucy's companion of choice. A princess of sun and a princess of rain, just like a storybook. But now she didn't even warrant an invitation.
"Here, I'll get that," Gray said, reaching for the basket.
"Are you sure?" Lucy asked. "It's not heavy."
"I don't mind," Gray said, taking the basket from her. "Besides, if I carry, then Natsu gets to clean up when we're done."
"You sneaky jerk," Natsu said.
"Sneaky?" Gray said, casting a glance over his shoulder. "Who's sneaky?"
"You are, shifty eyes."
"That's a new one," Gray said. "Did you come up with that yourself?"
Gray looked around again, this time, looking in Juvia's direction. Her pulse racing, Juvia ducked. She didn't want him to find her! Or did she? She needed an entrance to join the group anyways, right?
What an ironic metaphor for life… Juvia wanted to be seen, but she didn't want to be seen.
"What's the matter?" Lucy asked.
"Nothing. Just taking in the sights," Gray said. He waved his attendant over and presented her with instructions in a whisper.
"You mean you've finally lost your marbles," Natsu said. "Gray thinks we're being followed," he said to Lucy.
Gray stood still, his expression sobering. "You think so too?"
"No," Natsu said. "But your body language says it all. That and my Draghi hearing caught what you were whispering to Erza."
"Gray, we're perfectly safe here," Lucy said. "It's no Isvan Palace, but Magnolia Castle is well defended. Daddy made sure of it."
"Oh, I'm sure he did," Gray said pleasantly, though he frowned anyways.
"Gray…" Lucy sighed. "You worry too much."
Cr-crack!
Juvia winced at the sharp sound that echoed at her careless footstep.
"Don't tell me you didn't hear that, Ash-for-Brains," Gray said. "Who's there?" he called.
It was now or never.
"Just me!" Taking a deep breath, Juvia popped out of the bushes. "Sorry, I'm a little late," Juvia said, brushing away brambles and broken branches from the folds of her clothing. She hoped she didn't look as awkward as she felt.
"Juvia?" Gray asked, surprise reflected in his blue eyes like a moon in a lake.
Natsu frowned. "Since when did you start inviting Juvia to these things?"
"You're being rude!" Lucy hit Natsu in the shoulder. "Juvia, you're more than welcome to join us."
"Really?" Juvia asked.
Lucy nodded. "Always. We were just heading to the stables. Sagittarius has prepared horses for us."
All six of them, the four royals and two servants, headed outside where two mounted steeds were waiting.
Juvia took her place next to Gray, trotting beside him. "Hello again, Gray. What a lovely day!"
"Juvia! You didn't tell me you were coming to Lucy's." Gray's voice dipped in what could only be playful accusation.
"Um, surprise?" Juvia said, smiling slightly. Her voice trembled, and even she could tell it sounded like a question.
"It certainly is," Gray said.
There was a pull to Gray's mouth, the corners lifting slightly. A smile. He was happy to see her! Juvia fought the blush that rose in her cheeks.
"So, how was your journey?" Juvia asked. "Did you run into much rain on your way out of Fantasma?"
"Probably the same amount as there was going in," Gray shrugged. "Tapered off when we crossed the border to Magnolia."
Despite being glad to see her, Gray didn't seem too interested in conversation. But that was probably just because he was one of those strong, silent types like her storybook princes.
One of the stable hands saluted as they approached.
"Your horses, ma'am," he said, leading two saddled mounts to them.
"Thank you, Sagittarius. That'll be all," Lucy said.
"Only two?" Gray asked, a single brow arching high.
"We can share," Lucy said. "Well, what are you waiting for, you guys? Let's get this show on the road!"
Natsu climbed into the saddle before reaching down to help Lucy mount behind him.
"Gray, be a dear and help Juvia, please," Lucy said after Natsu had helped her mount behind him
Gray nodded, extending his hand. A buzz of excitement shot up Juvia's arm at the contact. Gray boosted Juvia up into the saddle, but didn't join her. He handed her the reins.
"But what about you?" Juvia asked. "Aren't you getting on?"
"No, it's fine," Gray said. "I can walk. I need the exercise anyways. Besides, someone has to keep Erza and Wendy company. You don't expect them to carry the picnic basket by themselves, do you?"
"W-well, I'll come with you, then," Juvia said.
"I couldn't ask you to do that," Gray said pleasantly.
Juvia frowned.
"He's always so sweet and considerate, our Gray," Lucy whispered. "He's nice to everyone, including all of the servants. He knows them all by name, which is kind of amazing. Of course, both of our boys have far smaller staffs that we have in Magnolia."
Juvia didn't miss the way Lucy had exerted her ownership of Gray with the pronoun 'our.' Where did she get off calling him that? Gray wasn't Lucy's! But Juvia didn't argue. Instead, she just nodded following behind Lucy and Natsu as they rode into the woods.
"Here's a good spot," Lucy said, motioning for them to stop. She pointed at a patch of grass that looked like any other. "We can set up here."
Juvia almost scoffed. Only someone like Lucy would come all the way out into the woods for something like this.
Obediently, Gray laid out the picnic blanket in the grass, unfolding it and starting to unpack the basket.
"Let me help!" Juvia said, dismounting hastily.
Surely, he'd notice her now!
"I've got it," Gray said.
"Let her help, Gray," Lucy said. "We can all pitch in, right?"
"Knock yourself out," Gray said, abandoning both the basket and all formality as he went to help Prince Natsu with the horses instead.
With the horses secure and the picnic unpacked, everyone gathered around the spread. As usual, Lucy had directed the conversation toward Gray's personal life. Normally, Gray would humor her, but today, that was proving to be difficult.
"I know that Lyon's been pushing me to get something scheduled now," he had been saying.
"Yes, of course!" Juvia interrupted. "That makes so much sense."
"I think it would be better to wait until fall, and then reevaluate," Gray said. "I'd rather wait to make sure we actually have to do this. We might not need to. We might be fine. And if that's the case, I'd rather not invest the effort."
"I don't know, man," Natsu said. "That's months away. Maybe you should—"
"Fall is perfect," Juvia insisted.
"What do you think, Lucy?" Gray said.
"Well, I'm actually with—"
"Gray, I really think you should do it," Juvia said.
Gray gritted his teeth. Was she going to do this all afternoon?!
Juvia had angled herself so that Natsu and Lucy were out of her view, cutting everyone off any time somebody opened their mouths. It made Gray wonder if she was deliberately trying to dominate the conversation by acting as if she and Gray were the only ones there.
"You know, Gray. I'm glad we have a chance to get to know one another better," Juvia said.
Gray sighed. "I think I need some air. 'Scuse me."
"We should go together," Juvia said, springing to her feet as well.
"I'd rather be alone right now," Gray said shortly heading towards the woods with long strides, trying to shake her off.
Juvia ran after him. "Wait for me, Gray!" she shouted.
Gray stopped in his tracks, turning to face her with a scowl.
"Look, I said I wanted to be alone, and I meant it," Gray said.
"You meant alone with me," Juvia said.
"I meant alone, alone," Gray said.
"You don't mean that," Juvia insisted.
Gray breathed an incredulous laugh. "Yeah, I do," he said. "Look, why don't you get back to the others?"
"But—"
"Juvia. Seriously, stop."
This girl was driving him crazy!
"I just wanted…" Juvia trailed off mournfully, hanging her head.
Gray couldn't help but feel a little bad for her. "Look. I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean to snap at you. Just… please don't follow me when I don't want to be followed. It's weird."
"You think I'm weird?"
"No, I didn't say that," Gray said.
"So, you mean—"
"Juvia, why don't you go back to the others now? We can talk later, okay?
"Later." Juvia nodded. "I understand."
Juvia took her time as she shuffled her way back to Natsu and Lucy. Eyes trained on the ground, she absently took in the Magnolian plant life.
Juvia kicked at a fluff-pom, sending the downy seeds scattering as she passed. Did Gray really ask her to leave? It was almost like he didn't want to talk to her.
She skirted a patch of Itching Thistle, barely avoiding the tell-tale pink blossoms in time to avoid a nasty rash.
"Ooh! Where have you been?" Lucy asked, setting down the crown of Star Lillies and Milk Blossoms she was working on. She seemed to be alone, as the Draghi prince was nowhere to be seen.
"Nowhere," Juvia said. She didn't want Lucy finding out about her fruitless conversation with Gray. Juvia would be mortified, and Lucy would think that she had won.
"All alone with Gray," Lucy sang out.
Did she know? Of, course she knew! Juvia had gone after Gray and came back empty handed. Lucy was obviously rubbing salt into the wound. Well, Juvia wouldn't stand for that. She didn't have to take Lucy's insolence.
"I think I should be going," Juvia said coolly. "It's a long trip back to Fantasma."
"Aw, but you just got here," Lucy protested.
"Can't be helped, I'm afraid," Juvia said.
"Oh, all right," Lucy said. "Well, I'm glad we got to hang out again. Do you want me to have someone escort you back to the castle?"
"Gray said he wanted to be alone."
"I can lend you Natsu," Lucy said. "I'm sure he won't mind. Will you, Natsu?"
Natsu's voice grumbled from above. Juvia jolted in surprise when she realized that the Prince of Draghi had climbed up a nearby tree.
"That won't be necessary," Juvia said, turning to leave. Then she turned back around, suddenly remembering the cluster of bright pink flowers that she had spotted on her way here. "You know what might look nice? Maybe a bit of color," said Juvia, glancing at the weave of flowers in Lucy's hands.
"That would be very pretty," Lucy agreed. "Unfortunately, our gardener Taurus isn't a fan of me picking flowers from the gardens. He says I'd pick them entirely clean, with all the flower crowns that I make," she said with a conspiratorial whisper.
"There's always wildflowers," Juvia said. "I think I saw some pink ones while I was taking my walk."
"Are you sure they aren't just weeds?" Lucy asked.
"Does it matter? Flowers. Weeds. They've got some pretty pink blossoms. And they're just over that way," Juvia said, pointing. "They're small, and the flowers are shaped like little pin cushions. You can't miss them."
"That would be perfect," Lucy said. "Thanks, Juvia."
"…my pleasure," Juvia said.
"Hey, Natsu!" Lucy shouted. "I'm going to pick wildflowers. I'll be back."
"I'll come with you."
"That's okay," Lucy said. "I'll be fine."
"Seriously, wait up," Natsu said, shifting to try and come down from the tree.
"You're legit going to break your neck," Lucy said. "I'll be fine. What could possibly happen?"
Juvia couldn't help but smile. Stupid Lucy. She was horribly gullible. What did Gray see in a girl like her?
For an instant, Juvia wondered if she was doing the right thing. It seemed wrong to trick someone who was so naïve. Then again, it wasn't like Juvia was forcing it on her.
So, what if Lucy couldn't tell the difference between a flower and a weed? If she happened to pick a bunch of itching thistle, that wasn't Juvia's fault.
And besides, someone who was mature enough to be dating was mature enough to take care of themselves.
Everything was more fun upside down, though the blood rushing to Natsu's head left him feeling just a touch dizzy.
"Please, please be careful," Wendy begged.
"Don't worry," Natsu said.
"If you break your spine, I can't fix that," Wendy said. "Not even with magic."
At her age, Wendy was a surprising choice to be a prince's chaperone. She was the granddaughter of a legendary Draghi healer and was proving to be a competent medic herself. Natsu's father had made Wendy had become a permanent addition to Natsu's entourage, probably hoping she'd keep his adventurous son from killing himself or intervene before he succeeded.
"I'm not going to break my spine…" Natsu said. "Just because my dad thinks I'm accident prone doesn't mean that I really am. Quit worrying."
An upside-down Gray came into view.
"What's up, down there?" Natsu shouted.
Gray's look of shock was thoroughly worth it.
"What are you doing?" Gray asked.
Natsu waved his arms. "I'm king of the world!" he shouted.
"Really, man?" Gray asked. "You aren't king of your own kingdom yet. Actually, you look like some sort of a monkey!" Gray complained.
Natsu grinned, waving his arms and howling like a chimpanzee.
"You wonder why your dad hired you a babysitter…" Gray sighed, shaking his head. "No offense," he added, looking at Wendy.
Wendy shook her head politely.
"Where did the girls get off to?" Gray asked.
"Juvia left," Natsu reported. "Lucy went off into the forest."
"…And nobody thought to go with her?" Gray asked.
"Lucy offered, but Juvia said she'd be fine."
"I meant Lucy."
"Will you relax?" Natsu said. "We've been playing in these woods since we were kids. Lucy said something about seeing some pink flowers. What's the worst that could happen?"
"Oh, I guess that's fine," Gray said. "I saw some pink flowers near by. They're not that pretty though. Kind of small and spiky."
Wendy's eyes widened. "Small and spiky? That's Poison Thistle."
"What?" Natsu jerked upright, windmilling his arms and fighting for balance.
"Poison?!" Gray barked, charging forward. "Are you sure?"
"Positive," Wendy said.
Natsu slipped from his perch, crashing on top of Gray. "Oof!"
"Get off, Flamebrain!"
"Outta my way, Ice block!" Natsu shouted.
"But… Wait," Wendy said. "It's not what you think—"
But Natsu didn't have time for that. He untangled himself, shoving Gray aside. Scrambling to his feet, Natsu darted into the woods.
"Lucy!"
Lucy was in the distance, her hands full of the spiky pink blooms.
"Natsu! What's the matter?" Lucy asked.
"Put those down!" Natsu shouted. "Those are poisonous!"
"What?!" Lucy dropped the plants, taking a step backwards. "How could something so beautiful possibly be deadly?"
Natsu waved at her to back away some more. He needed to destroy these. That was the only safe thing to do.
Taking a deep breath, Natsu prepared to incinerate the deadly plants.
"Whoa! Hold up! Don't burn those plants!" Gray jogged over, followed by Wendy and Erza.
"What's going on?" Natsu asked, swallowing back his fire magic.
"What were you thinking, you idiot?" Gray snapped.
"That I wanted to get rid of them so unsuspecting passersby don't accidentally poison themselves?" Natsu said.
"If you stopped long enough to listen, you'd know that these aren't deadly to touch," Gray said. "They're only lethal if ingested. Or breathed in."
"Poison Thistle, sometimes called itching thistle, produces an oil that irritates the skin," Wendy said. "It can give you a nasty rash. Burning it would be a bad idea because the oils end up in the smoke. Breathing that in could damage your lungs."
Natsu winced. That could have been bad.
Lucy was starting to scratch at her hands. Natsu grabbed her wrists, turning her hands up to reveal reddened palms covered with puffy pink blisters.
"Do those hurt?" he asked.
"They sting a little. They're mostly just itchy."
"Don't scratch at them," Wendy advised. "We can try to wash them off a little bit, but we'll have to get you back to the castle to treat them properly. Try not to touch anything until then. And whatever you do, keep your hands away from your face so you don't spread the rash."
Lucy huffed a petulant sigh, unhappy with the prognosis. "I can't believe something so pretty could be so terrible."
"You guys go on and head back to take care of Lucy," Gray said. "Erza and I will stick around and get rid of these things. No harm in freezing them, right, Wendy?"
Wendy shook her head. "A frost should kill them right off. But these are pretty common, though. And they're native to this area. There's bound to be more around here."
"Maybe, but we should get rid of them just to be safe…" Gray said. "Who knows when the next poor sap will decide to go on a nature walk."
"Hey!" Lucy protested, half-joking. "I only came out here because Juvia said—"
"Juvia?" Gray asked, his eyes narrowing.
"She wouldn't do something like this on purpose," Lucy said. "She probably didn't know what these were. They look like wildflowers."
"You're probably right," Gray said.
With such a minimal effect, 'poisonous' might sound like too strong a word for the fictional Poison Thistle, but its real-life (non-flowering) inspiration has the word 'poison' in its name. It's not the most exciting, but more interesting poisons are to come. :)
Do you think Juvia's crossed a line with this one? (She'll keep on pushing the envelope and become more and more outrageous. I'm curious to see when you think she's gone too far.)
Next time, in Toxic, Gray's paranoia proves to be more than that: When the sky grew dark and the clouds threatened rain, Gray and Natsu went inside. The uncanny feeling of being watched returned.
Stop back next Monday for the next installment, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.
