Sorry for being late!
CheesyDelphox, thank you so much for your review! Mistletoe is already in writing ;)
foxydame, thank you so so much for such a super long review! I always try to be nice and do that, too, but I just can't write reviews as long; so much effort you put into it! Thank you! Haha, you're right, that oughta boost his confidence (again, I hadn't even thought of that, you guys are so smart, no wonder a third of my ideas originate from you :*) (okay now that emotion looks weird with the bracket but imagine a happy heart blowing one). Thank you so much for mentioning so many things! And the fangirliiing :D love it. You quote things and it makes me so happyy I can't stop writing this comment ':D Thanks so much!
pilikali, you don't have to apologise for anything, this isn't obligatory, just a nice gesture of appreciation which I really appreciate a lot in return :) thanks so much for leaving me a review! I'm glad to hear what you liked!
Somnolent Sushi Roll, my eyes scan fangirling excitement, a.k.a. keyboard abuse xD Thank you so much! Nah, you don't get theatre refunds if the show is crap - they'd call it 'modern'... anyway, thank you so much for reviewing both chapters! 'Nice to see them talking about work and Erza' cracked me up xD Then again, what else would he talk about? :D quoting and fangirling and so long... what else can one wish for...? Author-San is very happy thanks to you!
Oh, and you'll see about the being late... ;)
Mitzy123, thank you so much for your review! I'm so giddy with joy at how you always express your thoughts and feelings (yesss, I can evoke feelings! Proud Author-San:)), thanks so much for always leaving me such wonderful words!
Mikasa-Chan, thank so much for your review! I was trying something mission-y but I kinda skipped the action... would you like to read that (even if it's crap...)? Have a good day, too!
"You were so late, I was afraid you didn't make it," Jellal scratched the back of his neck. She gave him a look.
"You thought I'd died on the way up a hill?"
"Not like that," he defended himself but her narrowed eyes sharpened. He gave a sigh of defeat. "It could have been a possibility…" he mumbled and she shook her head.
"You worry too much," she let her eyes soften. Nodding her head to the side – showing off that beautiful swaying of the loose strands of scarlet hair – she directed them to the other side of the sweets buffet. People were starting to let up on them, though their glares were still there, confused, piercing and in awe. With a hand on her exposed back, Jellal felt the need to closely remain next to her.
"They won't bite," she commented on his obvious mistrust. The way she pilfered the strawberries that were meant as mere decoration brought him back to her, back to himself. His shoulders sank.
"You didn't have to make such a grand entrance though," his smile returned at her blissful one as she tasted the first fruit, "this isn't a ball,"
"Of course I had to," she smirked at him from the side. "I was hiding behind that giant plant pot for so long, it needed to be worth it," her cheeks puffed adorably while she pointed up the stairs to the side. She was so proud of her achievement, like a five-year-old having opened a child-proof jar. Blinking at the enormous shiny vase, he could perfectly imagine her crouching there. Too perfectly. A chuckle fell from his lips, soon escalating in a full-on laughter.
With all of the now not only resenting but mainly envious looks from men and woman alike – all going out to Erza who was thoroughly enjoying one dessert after another – Jellal almost missed being addressed. Too absorbed into watching his beloved with eyes shining of love, smiling at her laughter and feeling his heart skip beat over beat at their insiders, their jokes and innuendos.
"Jellal," Jura said, not for the first time, finally being heard. Not least because Erza tapped his shoulder, turning her date around.
"Oh," Jellal blinked in sudden realisation to have nearly forgotten about the entire occasion, apologising for the lack of attention.
"May I borrow him for a minute?" Jura smiled at Erza who returned it just as playfully.
"If I may remind you that he is taken," she said with a twitch of her brow and Jura nodded, still smiling friendlily.
He led his subordinate through a few groups of people, relatively soon arriving at their destination. An old man. He had not grey but silver-white hair with an odd darker grey strand or two sprouting in between, rather dense for a person his age, now slickly combed back to form some sort of voluminous bump on his head. His face was wrinkled, the furrows around his eyes speaking of a humorous personality while the bristly thick moustache told of a more serious quality.
"Jellal, this is Ambrose, your co-worker," Jura introduced, a constant smile seeming to be plastered on his lips. The two men bowed politely, the older one clearing his throat.
"Ambrose Califre, a pleasure," the nonetheless scratchy voice announced.
"Jellal Fernandes," Jellal returned, slight discomfort momentarily grasping him when Jura disappeared in the crowd again. When had he become such a coward in social regards, he wondered. Whether it were the years of being a fugitive, shunning any contact, or the fact of having returned to where he had once stood as someone else; as the one he was still desperately trying to get rid of for good, he did not know. "It's good to finally make your acquaintance," he nodded back.
"So formal. I see why they speak of you as such a professional," Ambrose smiled, gradually easing Jellal.
"I do intend to meet the requirements of the position," he replied. The old man laughed, just like one would imagine it, having more of a 'hoho' than a 'haha' that his deep, cawing voice echoed with.
"The ambition of youth." He shook his head in a well-meaning way. "I hope you can hold on to that without overworking yourself," he said, reminding a little of Erza. He had either heard that, too, or he was skilled in reading people.
For a second, Jellal felt the urge to go and tell her, knowing her to be reassured when knowing him to be in the occasional care of someone thinking like she did. Watching out for him.
"And that lovely creature you're here with," Ambrose continued, glancing past his co-worker to where she was still happily busy at the buffet. You're here with, Jellal repeated in his head, not 'you've brought', the formulation striking him with its respectful equality. Or perhaps it was merely a habit of diplomacy, appreciated anyway.
"Ah, right," Jellal turned his head, a smile framing his lips the moment his eyes found her.
"You must be used to all of this attention by now with the sublime Titania on your arm,"
"You know Erza?" Jellal faced the senior, unable to help an impressed blinking. Again, that distinct old person's laughter rang, a twinkle in his eyes.
"I don't live under a rock, mind you," his dry lips pulled up on one side, "I don't believe there are many left in Fiore who do not know her name, and if it is just the knowledge of her being the skilled warrior she is,"
"She's quite the woman," Jellal smiled, slightly absentminded when his gaze fell on his delightedly munching beloved again. He was met with a knowingly warm spark of the greyish-blue eyes in front of him, unable to ask any questions back when the experienced man hustled him along to a circle of officials, all grim, earnest faces. The tone they used was reserved but not impolite, gradually becoming more amicable as Ambrose introduced Jellal.
He spoke of him so highly without ever having met him before or worked together, almost bragging with the skills he must have only heard of so far. Apparently, he really had an excellent sense for people, having read the mood just as easily, opening the first truly pleasant conversation with the important guests and Jellal, their mistrust loosening.
"Erza," Erza looked up at the familiar voice. The door of the restroom fell shut behind her and she blinked in surprise which turned into a bright smile.
"Kagura," she hugged her, making the Mermaid Heel Wizard back off, a light tint on her cheeks. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm just here to accompany someone – and old friend of the Master; it will do the guild's reputation good," she lifted her chin a little, then glanced away as she turned to lead the way back into the great hall. "Millianna talked me into it…" she admitted more quietly.
"It suits you," Erza said, gesturing to the ruffly attire of her friend. It fit in with the other guests, though it was still not her style of clothing. It was plain to see on her face. "How is she? Millianna," she distracted then, aware of the lack of comfort.
"Feelin' spiffy as usual," Kagura said, the slight blush still present but her lips curving into a smile now. Both giggled. "More importantly, what are you doing here?" She asked, the overall noise of the giant room picking back up the nearer they went.
"I'm a plus one, too," Erza's chest swelled with pride, "I'm here with my hubby," her eyes sparkled and her steps turned into a stride. Kagura nearly chocked.
"You're married?!" She all but blurted, making a few heads turn.
"Not yet," Erza avoided the shocked eyes, folding her hands behind her back.
"Engaged?" Kagura was still taken aback, slowly slipping back into a plain expression.
"…not yet…"
"Does he know you exist?" She halted at the edge of the crowd, putting a hand on her hip. Erza bit her lip, a frown on her forehead while her lips pursed defensively.
"Of course! We've been together for months," she countered, a tad too loudly as well.
"And then you call him your hubby?" Kagura raised a brow, giving her a look. Would she not have been so gorgeous in her smashing getup that evening, Erza would have almost shrunk a little. So she tapped her fingertips together, glancing elsewhere.
"I just thought it sounded nice…" she muttered. Kagura gave a sigh of exasperation. Her other hand joined on her hip, head shaking hopelessly.
"You really exceed your reputation, you lunatic," she threw a somewhat cheeky smile and Erza could not help but smile back gladly. "What even made me think you to be the older sister…" she remarked under her breath, panicking slightly when having lured out a brightest of grins. "It was a joke!" She edged away again, making Erza laugh.
They continued on until finally reaching her aim: the buffet. She had yet to try the mousses and crèmes, already having eaten herself through the entirety of cakes and tarts. Kagura seemed rather content with just standing there and watching her eat, perhaps relieved to have escaped whatever sophisticated guest she was accompanying. Their topics switched from guildmates back to the event when the Mermaid Heel Mage shortly ducked behind her once enemy.
"Was that him?"
"No," Kagura wiped a single drop of sweat off her temple, straightening again, "just his annoying colleague. Talked my ear off the entire way here; I just wish we won't take him home as well," she rolled her eyes, starting to find an interest in the supply of food when Erza hardly stopped chewing the entire time through.
"You can always say to be leaving early," the Queen of the Fairies shrugged, digging a spoon into the first chocolate mousse. She took mental notes of the sweets she liked the most. Perhaps Jellal would be able to recreate them – or even sneak the recipes.
"Not if I do this for our good name," Kagura said with regret. "Where's your date then?" She asked, scanning the room, not for the first time. It had dawned on Erza before that she was suspecting that certain someone but she had never asked until now. And even this was the least direct attempt.
"Probably schmoozing some snobs that need the attention," she let her gaze wander, too. It did not help in ignoring the with interest burning stare she received from the side. So she sighed to herself. "You've met him actually," she began, suddenly coming face to face with a tree. Oh, wait. "Warrod," she greeted the co-founder of her guild who was evidently looking to join the conversation. Any conversation.
He let out a breath even stronger than her sigh.
"I've just escaped the most boring discussion about financial limitations," he said, oblivious to the brief shock from Kagura about how nonchalantly he and Erza spoke. The Mermaid Heel Mage had commenced to bow, then frowned to figure out the dynamics, finally deciding on relaxing, if only slightly.
"Not quite the expectation one would hold for a Christmas party," Erza supplied and he nodded animatedly.
"Some people just can't separate work and private life – or maybe they're always this stuffy?" He rubbed his chin, dropping the branchy arm again upon remembering something. "Ah, and you might want to save your sweetheart; he's still trapped in the fangs of tediousness," he informed. Then he spotted Kagura, successfully engaging her in an exuberant chinwag even she seemed to be pleased with – what gave a better impression of her guild than a chat with the Magic Council itself? Plus, she could hide from whoever that colleague was most efficiently. No one interrupted a member of the Council.
Erza left them with a good conscience, crossing the hall to where she had last seen her beloved disappear with some old geezer, finding him rather quickly. The gaping from all sides never ceased, no matter for how many hours she had already attended in her beautiful gown. The heads of the group turned faster than she could open her mouth, all eyes immediately glued to her.
"Evening, gentlemen," she charmingly interfered, making Jellal turn in most delighted surprise. He seemed by far less stressed now, and she felt her smile broaden honestly when being met with his.
"Erza," he beamed, politely introducing her to so many people at once, she had already forgotten most of the names by the time he was done.
"My pleasure," she nodded rather briefly. "If you would excuse us for a moment," she took his arm, leading him away from them.
"What's wrong?" Jellal glanced down in concern, putting his hand over hers.
"Well, you know how I have that allergy against octopus and other seafood," she began, his eyes widening in returning hectic. "And now that we're out of earshot, I can assure you that everything's fine," she grinned up at him. His shoulders slumped alongside a strong exhale. "Warrod said you might be in need of saving,"
"Then I must thank him later," Jellal sighed in relief, amusement in his eyes. "Thank you," he took the hand she held on to him with, brushing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "You look tired," he noticed. She waved it off.
"So do you. But I suppose we should not leave too early," she pondered, ears perking at the changing of the music. Both turned to watch the hall assemble in pairs of two, the at the welcoming speech announced dance coming into motion. "Oh, dancing!" She excitedly clasped her palms together.
"Oh, no, dancing…" Jellal pulled a face, receiving a prod of her elbow.
"Why 'oh, no'? It's fantastic," she said with an ambitious tremble in her voice. Just watching the swaying of dresses and bodies glide over the marble was making her giddy. Dancing had always been a fine hobby but dancing with Jellal was a dream she had never dared to hope would come true. And on such a romantic occasion!
"I have a feeling that every woman in Earthland thinks that," he commented drily, rather distant in comparison to her being drawn in by the elegance of movements.
"And that's a bad thing because…?" She raised a brow, eyes growing in size when he sighed in defeat, taking her hand.
"Alright, alright, come on then," Jellal still had the remains of a grimace crowning his features, gently shoving her to the edge of the dance floor and into position.
"Lacking etiquette at such a spectacle?" She teased at his uncommonly forward manner but the grin vanished into a fluttering of her stomach at the way his hand cupped hers, the other coming to enclose her waist.
"I deemed the question as to whether you'd like to dance unnecessary, seeing as the answer is quite clear," he said, unblinking, stepping forward in time with the music. She smirked, her overall happiness unable to spare him another tease.
"How about we assume that for another question, too? Just hand over the ring and we're good," she jested, driving the same blush that crowned her cheeks into his. Jellal pursed his lips, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards most intriguingly while his eyes narrowed. She only caught a glimpse of his smirk when he leaned in, discreetly whispering into her ear.
"No, I want to ask you that," he murmured, making the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Her insides were looping, mind already dizzy with excitement. She sighed dreamily in response, head dropping onto his chest. "Etiquette," he coolly corrected and she pouted with a tiny growl at how he completely intentionally killed the mood again.
"Screw you," she muttered under her breath, realising the partners to be changing throughout the dance.
"Later, my love," Jellal smirked. She felt her heart thump so heftily at how turned on she was by that husky tone he used to flirt, merely able to stare at his face that now glowed to match the colour of his tie.
.,.,.
Embarrassed but rather satisfied with his remark, Jellal almost laughed out loud at the look on her face. How those enchanting eyes could get even bigger was a mystery to him but he greatly enjoyed the effect his inappropriate comment had.
With a final grin, he twirled her around, regrettably right into the arms of another while having to fall into step with the next partner. One of the reasons he did not enjoy dancing on such an occasion and with this many people around. Not that he could deny Erza a dance; she could probably suggest to go golfing in flippers with the stuck-ups and he would agree.
His thoughts snapped back to the present when focusing on the new face in front of him. His nape broke a sweat and he had to chastise himself as not to let his eyes bulge.
"Jellal," Kagura had to bite her tongue as not to growl too obviously. He swallowed.
"Kagura," was all he managed in return, not having the foggiest idea of how to hold a light chatter with his previous nemesis. At least from her point of view.
"I thought I'd seen you with the Council during the speech," she said with suspiciously narrowed eyes. She was everything but comfortable in their current situation, almost repulsed to be held in the most distant and gentlemanly way the dance allowed him to. "So Erza's here with you,"
"That's right," he brought out, the awkward conversation dying down again. She just glared at him for a while, seemingly wanting to murder him for every spin they had to stick to. But she restrained herself, keeping from uttering any insults, though too upset to be asking about his occupation.
Attempting to lighten the mood, Jellal opened his mouth in a polite question when the sound of the music became dissonant, interrupting. They stopped as soon as noticing others to be doing so as well, taking a step back each. Following the turning heads, it was hard not to flinch upon discovering the source of the chaos.
"You lack the spirit!" Erza was exclaiming, the poor soul that had been her partner merely a blob of blurry wrinkles of clothes and skin. Jellal made a face, blushing in embarrassment when she switched to the next victim, soon forcing an entire cluster of people – men and woman alike – to keep up with her abilities. Whatever those were.
He winced when his wrist was being grabbed, staring at Kagura as she clandestinely pulled him backwards into the relative safety of the denser crowd where they continued to cringe from a distance.
"Ah, Jellal," Jura appeared from the side and Kagura glared at Jellal. He did not understand that resentment, not knowing her to have already been gobsmacked by Erza's connections, now unbelieving as to why he of all people had similarly high-ranked contacts. "A word?" He asked and Jellal wanted to sink into the floor, never to be seen again. Desperately, his brain tried to come up with excuses as he followed the Wizard Saint towards the exit.
"I'm sorry to be saying this," Jura began and Jellal gritted his teeth in preparation for scolding. So much for her never being able to embarrass him, he thought. And she had feared alcohol to make everything even worse than now. However that was still possible. "And I know it's not fair," great, Jellal wanted to groan, knowing his days at the Council to be over. "But we need to be able to reach you – only in the case of an emergency!" Jura somewhat stammered, making Jellal perplexed.
"I'm sorry, what?" He blinked, having been sure to be fired.
"Well, since you'll be leaving on your holiday now, I really didn't want to disturb you, but there might be the slight chance that we would have to ask you on a certain case – just possibly; Ambrose will be there for work, only you've been dealing with the most recent cases currently…" he faded out again, visibly uncomfortable with having to break the news to his subordinate.
"Oh, yeah, of course," Jellal shook his head from the previous puzzlement. He should have guessed. Jura had known Fairy Tail for a long time – this was nothing he had not expected. It was as if he did not even take any notice of the commotion. "Although I don't know if we'll be there the whole time to open the mail," he warned, "but the guild can notify me," he offered.
Reluctantly, Jura refused. Not even his home address was discreet enough, Jellal found out, the suggestion of the lacrima, however, brightened his superior's face. Until he revealed it to be Erza's.
"You know I trust the both of you with secrecy but I don't know whether I can convince the Council,"
"And I don't want you having to put your neck on the line for it," Jellal added thoughtfully. The pigeon did not even cross his mind anymore as a reliable messenger when it came to delivering anywhere but his office or their mansion in Era. He wondered for the first time what would happen with the bird if they went back to Magnolia. "How about I give you the lacrima contact anyway," he proposed, "and when something comes up, you either leave a message for me to call back or call directly, then there won't be any evidence of the cases in written form at all."
"This is exactly why we need you here," Jura sighed in relief, a smile plastering his face, "your way of solving problems saves us a lot of trouble," he nodded appreciatively. "Now that that's out of the way, why don't you deliver those dizzy guests and retire for the holiday," he joked, luring out another blush. "Oh, and this," he handed over an envelope with the Council's wax seal on it. "You've truly eared it."