Chapter Thirty-One: Star Fall

Once more back in the mountains, Gajeel and I end up in the town of Borage Solstices that as we walked in was hosting a large carnival: the Star Festival a celebration of the constellations. Surprising to Gajeel I was the one that didn't want to hang around town this time, something that immediately made him suspicious. It is when I saw an image of myself and Aquarius from the Grand Magic Games naval battle that I really freaked out; it brought up old wounds for me and my still present guilt over sacrificing Aquarius during Tartarus.

Gajeel knew the basics of the story from Laxus but now after he calmed me down he told me it was my turn to talk. I started by reliving that moment once again. I described it all to Gajeel: the panic, the sorrow, the anger. With tears in my eyes he pulled me close and started talking.

"Bunny everyone has difficulty with their choices and regrets. Tartarus fucked us up more I think than the war did. Zeref didn't care about us we were just in his way. Those demons though they came after each of us and enjoyed how we hurt. Even before the old man tossed us all out the door, that battle left scars that hurt our hearts. You know me Bunny I aren't one for words but getting the old bastard back and then having to watch him just vanish before I could tell him… everything: it hurt Bunny. More than with Shrimp at least with her I got to tell her how I felt and know she loved me back."

Taking a breath I could see that this was upsetting him just as much as me. While Aquarius was gone I at least had the hope of seeing her again, Gajeel would never have that option.

"Bunny your girl spirit it's the one that always drowned you right?"

Nodding my head as I got a hold of myself I could see he was going somewhere with this.

"Me dad Metalicana, growing up he knock me down and moan at me to get back up. Always griping and pushing me to be better faster, I think I developed me iron head just so the bastard would stop knocking me out every time he swung his tail at me. You get where I'm going Bunny. The old bastard loved me, he maybe couldn't say it, maybe didn't know how, but I felt it every time the old grouch told me to get up. You get it? Your spirit always knew you'd get back up and she'd be right proud of all the work you're doing trying to get her back. If anyone deserves to go to a star festival it is Lucy bloody Heartfilia the most powerful celestial mage ever born. Now dry those tears Bunny before I start to rust."

Going from crying to laughing could only be thanks to Gajeel. Pulling him closer I hung onto him as I tried to say something, anything that would articulate how much what he said meant to me. At last I managed to squeak out the only two words that mattered.

"Thank you."

Hiccupping the last of my tears away, I smiled at his put-upon grime. Wiping my face I pulled out of his arms and took a calming breath. Who knew Gajeel would be the one giving the pep talk that was usually my role. Taking his hand I led him further into town looking for an inn as it seemed we were staying for a festival.

Something easier said than done as every inn we tried was sold out. Finally a little cottage near the edge of town had one room going and even offered it us for free when they realised who I was. In payment of kind I called out Plue and Mushy for a few minutes and let the owners young son play with them. A quick change of clothes and we were ready. But first a little distraction was in order. While walking through town looking for an inn I was recognised and besieged by questions and after the tenth time it happen even I had had enough. A quick call out to Cancer and he changed my appearance. With added make-up, something that I never usually wore and a new red hair style I was good to go.

Before we could start exploring the fair I had an idea; it is a star festival right, so why not have a few actual stars attend. Smirking I led Gajeel to a nearby clearing at the edge of the town prober and braced myself. I'd been working for months to be able to pull this little stunt off and I was going to take a lot out of me. Pulling free my silver key collection I took a deep breath in and concentrated. Pushing just enough power into each key to crack open their gates I did a rapid call out.

"Horologium, Pyxis, Apus, Ara, Scutum, Carina, Cetus, Puppis, Lynx, Lyra, Canis Minor, Ursa Minor, Reticulum, Vela, and Crux come on out."

Fifteen silver keys seemed to be beyond my limit as the power drain was past painful and into excruciating; explaining quickly what was going on to my spirits and the voluntary status of attending the festival several spirits thanked me for the offer but had prior commitments and returned to the spirit world. With Cetus, Lynx, Lyra, Plue, and Mushy staying behind my power reserves stabilised and I could finally take an even breath (never again, am I doing that, never again).

Taking the time to get my magic under control I knew the next task wouldn't cost me a thing. Brushing my hand over the zodiac keys I telepathically asked any of them who wanted to come out and enjoy the fair on their own power that they were more than welcome. When the expected and unexpected spirits arrived I set some ground rules (after Loke got done flirting and Gajeel got done growling of course) I paired them all up.

"O.k. Borage is having a festival to celebrate the stars and you are the stars so welcome and enjoy. Now to be safe I want each of you to stay with a partner, I know some of you are capable of taking care of yourself but some of you haven't been in the human world much and could do with a little help. Leo you stick with Aries, you'll be able to protect her from anything. Capricorn you take Virgo that way no one will bother her and she will have someone to follow orders from. Gemini please transform into Hibiki and escort Lynx, that way she'll have someone to flirt with and might stay out of trouble. Lyra, Sagittarius will accompany you as he will treat you like a lady and I believe there is dancing in the main square that the two of you will enjoy."

Smiling and finally adjusting to the magic output I waved them off and looked the three spirits I hadn't assigned a partner. Even though I knew intellectually that Cetus was an immortal I felt better keeping an eye on him personally and so arranged the last pairing.

"Cetus you are paired with Gajeel it will be your job to make sure he has some fun while I run off and play with Mushy and Plue and keep all the cotton candy for myself."

Putting my words into action, I grabbed up Mushy and Plue and raced towards the food stalls laughing at the look of outrage on the two boys faces. With a growl Gajeel picked up Cetus and tore after me cursing as he went.

"Bunny you get back here."

Letting Gajeel catch up, I couldn't help giggling at the look Cetus was giving me. It was as if I had betrayed him, he looked so put-upon he was practically pouting. Ruffling his hair that now that I had the time to notice matched the colour Cancer had given me; I smiled to show I didn't mean it. Stooping down I passed him Mushy to hold and then moved so he was walking in-between Gajeel and me.

The five of us had been walking for a few minutes looking at the different stalls when I noticed that Cetus was getting stared at by the other attendees. It took me a few second to realise what the problem was: his extra eyes. Noticing that Cetus was becoming uncomfortable with the attention I thought on what to do. Not wanting him to miss out on the opportunity to see the human world considering how long he had been absent I looked around and saw a clothing stall. Moving closer I saw the perfect thing hanging from a hook near the front: a bandana that matched Gajeel's. Quickly purchasing it and using to hide his extra eyes I was pleasantly surprised when the two boys playful started to tease each other as they continue to walk around.

As a group we visited stalls and food carts, we played several sideshow games and even enjoyed the occasional fairground ride; more for me and Cetus with Gajeel holding Mushy and Plue trying not to puke at us as we hollered and thundered passed. When Cetus and I got off our third ride I was annoyed to find Gajeel being hit on by a green-haired woman. The witch had her hand on his arm and was invading his personal space. Before I could even think about what I was doing I stormed over with Cetus at my heels.

"Honey there you, thanks for keeping an eye on Mushy and Plue. Come on I'm hungry and you promised me and Cetus we could have a hotdog."

Kissing his cheek I wrapped my arm around his and started to lead him off towards the carnival booths all the while glaring at the other woman. I didn't know what Gajeel thought of my behaviour as even I didn't know what came over me. Seeing him simply shrug it off lessened the pressure and allowed me to back in the spirit of the night.

As we explored the different games, we each found our own way to have fun for example, Gajeel found the time to win me a pretty little Zodiac necklace from one of the shoot games; after he realised it is slightly rigged when Cetus lost several times, Gajeel decided to uses his iron daggers to score an overwhelming hit to even up the odds. Laughing and enjoying ourselves I was glad I let Gajeel talk me into staying.

We were relaxing and enjoying a break eating some ice-cream near a park as Cetus got it into his head to chased Plue and Mushy around a tree. Sitting on a bench with Gajeel I was about to start talking when I realised Gajeel was listening to something else. Seeing a look of peace come over his face I concentrated and managed to overhear an older couple a few feet away.

"Such a nice family and so sweet that they let their son play with his toys outside. You can tell they really love him look how happy he is."

Before I could stop it a feeling of gut-wrenching sorrow overtook me and I was sure appeared on my face as I gazed at Cetus or at least what he represent to the couple. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Gajeel look shocked as I tried to hold in the tears at what that couple had meant by that comment. I knew he wouldn't understand why the innocent comment would cause sorrow: shock, anger, even embarrassment he would probably comprehend but not such sadness. I ignored the look Gajeel was giving me and forced the thoughts of what I had lost away. I called out quickly to Cetus and had us continued to explore the fair while Gajeel followed along no doubt wondering what it was that made me look so grief-stricken. I could only hope he never found out.