"Ivan Dreyar goes to trial, soon," Org frowned, paging through some of the discovery. "The projected start date is December the 9th. What I find more concerning about all of this, however, is the paperwork his lawyers presented the Council with last week."

Siegrain raised an eyebrow. "What paperwork could his lawyers possibly present the Council with?"

"Much as I hate to agree," Leji eyed Siegrain warily from across the table. "I can't fathom a situation in which Dreyar's lawyers would have something to present us."

"Especially," Michello added. "Since the Dreyar case was directed into the Fiore general court system."

"It's far worse than you think," Crawford said coldly. "Dreyar submitted paperwork to form a legal guild."

"Are they perhaps doing so because the King has yet to appoint someone to replace, firstly," Yuri paused, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice. "Milkovich, and, of course," He inclined his head slightly towards Yajima. "Our esteemed colleague upon his retirement come January the 3rd?"

"Possibly," Hogg grimly said. "Ivan Dreyar is a lot of things, but he's far from stupid. He probably could have even gone to medical school, or, perhaps more poignantly now, law school and done exceptionally well. That is not to say he isn't well versed in and adept in magic, but it does underscore his intelligence."

"Regardless, I still find it rather surprising he would take the time to file paperwork to establish a legal guild," Yajima shook his head. "How many people filed with him as those who would be the initial members of this guild?"

"Quite a few, but there were a few notable ones who caught my attention," Yuri adjusted his glasses as he pulled his copy of the documents closer to his face to read. "Firstly, there's Obra Cox. They're originally from Minstrel, and are in Fiore on a EB-3 Work Visa due to their work in construction. Not much seems to be known about them, and they're on an FBI watchlist for that reason."

"That sounds like a rather weak reason to be on an FBI watchlist," Org raised an eyebrow. "Are we sure that is the only reason?"

Yuri nodded. "That is what we've been given to understand," He paused for a moment before continuing. "There's also William Nullpudding. He's a Fiore citizen by birth, and has spent some time in prison for assault and battery. That said, he appears to have kept his nose clean since."

"He was in prison for assault and battery?" Belno sharply cut in. "For how long? Was it felonious?"

"It was felonious," Yuri confirmed with a frown. "However, as no one was permanently damaged nor killed, he was given a ten year sentence and served it in full. His conviction was back in X763, when he was twenty. He's had a close eye on him since, and, again, has had no other legal trouble."

Siegrain grimaced. "Still, being convicted of felony assault and battery is serious. He could still be dangerous."

"That's why I find it strange Ivan Dreyar would let him sign on," Yuri paused in consideration. "Then again, it could be him attempting to show he doesn't discriminate based on conviction history if he believes someone has changed. Regardless, it appears everyone else he has signed on have no criminal record. Take Flare Corona Estelle. She's a Fiore citizen by birth, and has no criminal history. Her employment history indicates she has worked a variety of jobs, including as an on and off, independent mage."

Yajima shook his head. "Is there anyone else of note?"

"Yes, the last one of note to me, there's Mark Kurohebi," Yuri concluded. "He's a naturalised Fiore citizen, originally from Desierto. He has no criminal record, but has become well known over the years for under the table work as an independent mage. He also speaks multiple languages and has some government work as a translator."

"So, that's who wants to form a guild with Ivan Dreyar," Org said dryly. "I find it suspect anyone would be willing to work with him."

Siegrain sighed. "If Dreyar is let off, will we still be able to reject his request to form a legal guild?"

"Unfortunately, no," Crawford said. "There is nothing in his request that gives us true reason to reject it. We can't arbitrarily reject it on the grounds of finding Dreyar to be unlikeable."

"He's worse than unlikeable," Belno muttered. "Are we sure there's nothing we can do in the case he is let off in court?"

"Yes," Leji confirmed, looking rather disgusted at the thought. "Fairy Tail may be a mess, but they certainly made the right choice in kicking him out. How long ago was that?"

"About ten years ago in the summer of X776. I agree, I don't like them," Belno said bitterly. "But Makarov was certainly more than reasonable in cutting him loose."

Siegrain eyed her strangely. "With all due respect, Elder Belno, you sound as though this is personal."

"It's simply an opinion, Siegrain," She said coldly. "You would do well not to attempt to read people as much as you do."

"I would offer you the chance to join us in playing a drinking game, but I have a feeling that probably wouldn't make you feel better."

Freed managed half a smile when Cana joined him, Evergreen, Stella, Bickslow, Esseca, Elfman, and Mira at one of the tables near the bar in the guild hall. Nervously realising the dart board was just behind him, Freed all but jumped over as far to the side away from it as he could. Cana rolled her eyes and began pouring shots. Now beside him, Esseca elbowed him with a wink before pushing her glasses back up as they began to slide off her face. Across the table, Stella eyed him closely when Bickslow got up and started to walk to be behind him. Almost instinctually after years of knowing each other, Freed ducked out of the way when Bickslow's babies ran for his hair. He slid under the table before rolling out on the other side. As soon as he was on his feet, he pulled his sword out, pointing it at Bickslow. Pouting for a moment, Bickslow soon started laughing, and his babies with him, before Evergreen yanked him down, not to make him sit still but rather so she could keep throwing darts. Still laughing, Bickslow watched Freed slowly lower and sheathe his sword before joining them again before turning to watch Evergreen and Elfman attempt to one up each other in darts.

"I have a bet going, you know," Cana said, pushing a shot towards Stella. "That your sister wins to Elfman, so she better or I'm down two hundred jewel to Bickslow."

Esseca snickered. "Evergreen doesn't lose when she actually gives a damn, Cana. Bickslow is just fucking with you."

"I'll second that," Freed said, raising an eyebrow when Evergreen hit yet another bullseye. "Her aim is concerningly accurate sometimes."

Evergreen glanced over her shoulder to send him a dark look. "Don't make me petrify you," She said with a half heartedly dark tone. "I'll do it, too."

"Ah, so you're still threatening people?" Bisca hopped up onto the table, startling all of them. "I saw Cana pouring shots. I thought it was a party."

"Not quite," Bickslow snickered. "How's married life?"

Bisca rolled her eyes. "Bickslow, Alzack and I have been married for a year, get over it. We're just normal people, living our normal lives," She turned to Cana. "What kind of shots are we doing tonight? Anything fancy, or just junk?"

"As if I would ever pour junk for shots!" Cana exclaimed in mock indignance. "You wound me, so! I always bring nothing but the finest alcohol to be drank!"

"Hopefully legally this time," Esseca teased. "Instead of billing the Council."

Cana rolled her eyes. "If it's on a work trip, it's a write off. That's how it works."

Freed eyed her strangely. "Cana, far be it from me to make assumptions about your abilities, but I don't think you understand how taxes work, or how the Magic Council doesn't collect taxes, or the fact that the federal government would likely be just as unamused as the Council if you tried to make them pay for your alcohol."

"Damn it, thanks for reminding me," Bisca swore under her breath. "Al and I need to work on getting those paid…amongst other things."

"Well, either way, I never bring anything less than the best when it comes to alcohol," Cana said, stretching her arms out. "I happen to have a refined taste for it."

"You really do," Mira said, taking a shot. "I mean," She said, setting the empty glass down. "I'm not even sure what that is, but it's good."

"It better be," Elfman muttered, watching his girlfriend get a third bullseye. "I'm starting to think this was a bad idea."

"You mean betting against me?" Evergreen said, playfully tapping her fingers against his chest. "I thought everyone knew better than to do that, at least by now."

"Did Cana teach you?" Elfman asked as he threw another dart, missing by barely a centimetre. "I'm starting to think you might have gotten some training before challenging me to this."

Evergreen laughed, and took a few shots in synchronicity with Cana. The two women then high fived each other from across the table before looking back to the game.

"So," Bisca said, her feet playing with her gun from where she was sat up on the table. "Have any of you thought of putting these skills to use? Because I would have liked to see some of this motivation over the summer during the Grand Magic Games."

Esseca shuddered. "Didn't we come in fifth?"

"Fifth of about twenty guilds in the entire country," Bisca replied, rolling her eyes. "It's embarrassing. You know who won this year?"

"Do we want to?" Freed said, raising an eyebrow. "Or are you attempting to guilt us into competing next year? Because –"

"It's a mix, but you know that's my way," Bisca shook her head and then turned to Evergreen. "We lost to Mermaid Heel. And then, in order until you hit us, it was Sabretooth, Lamia Scale, and Blue Pegasus. Alzack and I are not going to take a team into combat next year without," She briefly banged her gun against the table to get their attention. "Knowing we will rank in at least the top three!"

Elfman groaned. "Oh, damn it Bisca! That was my last –"

"And Evergreen wins!" Cana stood up, cheering and hopping up onto the table. "Alright, Bickslow," She waved her hand in front of his face. "Hand it over!"

Bickslow pulled up his mask to jokingly scowl at her while he pulled out the cash. "You're ridiculous," He said. "And you haven't even been drinking that much yet."

Cana took her winnings and hopped off the table to hug him from behind. "You're a sweetie, always masking your feelings," She joked, patting his cheeks as though she were his mother. "Now," She let him go and pushed more shots towards the group. "Are we drinking or not?"

Stella gestured to the rather full glass of wine in her hand. "I don't do shots," She said primly but with a smile. "But we all know your tolerance is maddening."

"She used to do shots," Evergreen whispered to Freed, who chuckled. "I mean that. She used to go to some of the fanciest clubs in Crocus and do body shots with pretty boys."

"Speakin' of pretty boys," Bisca said, leaning back to be face to face with Evergreen, albeit with the woman looking upside down to her. "Can you get that pretty boy to join us? All y'all made us fight you and each other two years ago, and I ain't letting it go. Then again, Al is worse. He did want to kill Laxus because of you."

Evergreen hesitated with an uncomfortable half smile. "Firstly, I sincerely doubt Freed wants to compete in the Grand Magic Games, and, secondly, if Al wants to kill any member of the Dreyar family, he's going to have to get in line."

Esseca groaned. "Oh, for fuck's sake Ever, that's an insane overstatement. No one wants to kill any of us – certainly not now – unless your name is Ivan."

Mira reached over and gently patted her hands under the table. "I heard he's back in the country from the master," She whispered. "I hope you, Laxus, and Caity are going to be okay with all that. Master Makarov seemed to be…"

"Pretty much," Esseca sighed. "We're just trying not to think about it, you know?"

Mira nodded. "So, Bisca," She said, quickly changing the subject and lightening the mood. "Would you by chance consider allowing me to be on your team?"

Bisca grinned. "Sounds like a hell of a good time," She turned to Cana. "Have you ever considered joining us in our nefarious activities to ensure Fairy Tail is always in the top three?"

"Nefarious activities?" Cana giggled. "Well, if you put it that way, perhaps I should. I could even smuggle alcohol for you, free of charge."

"You have to admit, the thought of Cana joining whomever the guild sends to compete for us in the Grand Magic Games next year is a funny one," Stella said, winking as she nudged the woman in question. "I think you'd blow everyone away, Cana. And we all know you're willing to play nitty and gritty to win."

Cana laughed. "I might just do it!" She declared. "Especially since we came in fifth this year. Granted, it's been about four years since we last won, but we're usually in the top three! I'm rather good at spicing things up. I would be more than willing to do it!"

"It would certainly work out for us if any of the competitions turned out to be bar game adjacent," Mira teased. "I've seen you throw darts just about perfectly even while drunk and holding a full glass of wine without spilling anything!"

"I'm not going to waste good wine!" Cana replied in joking indignance. "It would be a travesty!"

"It really would," Esseca said, brushing her hair over their shoulder. "Your taste in alcohol is without a doubt incredible. You've never strayed me wrong, for sure."

"Well, I wouldn't do that," Cana hugged her. "Especially since you're very helpful, what with trimming my hair and doing my makeup for special occasions."

"Ah, so that's how you looked so polished when we went to the opera," Freed remarked wryly. "I had thought you simply absorbed Mira's knowledge on cosmology by osmosis overnight."

Cana playfully flipped him off with both hands. "You know me," She said, laughing. "I'm nothing if not spontaneous, aware, and always ready for anything."

Very few things truly upset Makarov Dreyar. Those that did he could list on his hands, but only two of them stuck out to him.

The massacre in a small town in Caellum, about fifty miles from that country's largest tourist destination of Ka-Elm, by a Fiore cult leader, where just about all of the nearly nine hundred victims had been from Fiore was one of them. Having seen and helped address the situation still haunted him fifty years later.

The other was the death of his wife, who had told him all she wanted was to see their sons grow up happy and be like him. Ivan had been only ten and Maxwell fifteen when she had died. It was her last words about their younger son still haunted him. Ivan will be alright. He has you, and I hope he'll be happy, and find someone to have a family with one day. He blinked back tears at the thought. More than most days, her words weighed on him. Ivan did have a family. And he had done just about the opposite of what she had hoped for, even if it had looked as though it would work out when it began. Makarov sighed, pulling out one of the old photograph albums he kept in his home office. How long ago was it I was able to bring myself to look at these? He swallowed hard, flipping through some of the first few pages. The dates left him feeling cold, even in the warmth of his house. March the 29th, X760. In their wedding photographs, both she and Ivan had looked so happy. April the 16th, X761. The day Laxus was born. Then, too, Ivan had looked so happy, and caring, even though his son had been born a month premature and sick. All of Laxus' baby and toddler photographs, especially the ones with Ivan caring for and playing with him now made his grandfather feel his heart sink.

"What is wrong with you?" Ivan had snapped. "I did what I knew could help my son! Laxus is doing much better now than he has ever before! He's not physically falling behind and being teased at school by the other kids during recess because he's academically gifted but unable to keep up otherwise! He's starting to grow normally for a child his age! He's almost ten, dad! He deserves to have a normal childhood!"

"I have a hard time believing you did this just for his sake, though it certainly wouldn't make it okay with me," Makarov had sat down, shaking. "You've spent years lamenting his struggles! And, that aside, you took advantage of your children – used them as pawns – against your wife when the two of you divorced!"

Ivan had narrowed his eyes. "Bella and I had come to irreconcilable differences, and our marriage ended when our youngest was a baby. I did what I needed to in order to ensure my kids were alright!"

"They would have been perfectly fine with her," Makarov had shaken his head. "But you wanted to hurt her. You wouldn't have threatened her if you hadn't. What was it you said to her again, at least, one among what I'm sure were many? If I recall, it was 'I have never seen you once put them ahead of your ambitions, and, if you try to take them, I will find a way to ensure you can never see them again.'"

"I would never hurt them, if that's what you're insinuating," Ivan had barely been able to restrain himself from shouting. "I'm the one who stayed home with them while she was working, trying to claw her way up onto the Magic Council! Even after our marriage ended, I sacrificed just about everything to ensure they were cared for while taking only high paying jobs I knew I could manage without leaving them!"

"I know you would never hurt them, Ivan –" Makarov had angrily begun.

"I am the one who takes care of Laxus even on the worst nights he's had after getting sick because of other kids at school! I am the one who has taken him to the ER, to the doctor God knows how many times over the years!" Ivan cut in, seething. "I am the one Esseca has always followed around, wanting to learn magic as soon as possible, waking me up every morning wanting to play! I take her to playdates! I take all of my kids to school, and make sure they get ready in the morning! I am the one who takes Caity out to get plushies when she has nightmares and needs something to cuddle at night and just about build a fort of them for her to sleep in! I have been there for those kids while all Bella did was give birth to them and then spend most of her time working instead of –"

Makarov flinched upon hearing his communications lacrima start buzzing. Looking between it and the photographs, he quickly flipped to another few pages almost absentmindedly while he picked up and swiped open his communications lacrima. There were only a few new messages. He sighed when he started to look through them. Yajima. Letting him know the Council were expecting several pieces of paperwork from the guild by the end of the year. Gildarts. Letting him know he would be returning to the guild after having found himself unable, again, to complete his one hundred year quest. Makarov sighed. The last attempt the man had made two years prior had ended in quite the spectacle when he had returned. It will always amuse me that one of the last things Mystogan told me before he left was Gildarts is one of the best examples of someone who wanders without being lost. Then again, Gildarts did finally reconcile his relationship with his daughter last year. He had kept things in order while we had that awful run in during the S-Class trials. I wonder…are any of the people involved in that still out there? Mira. Letting him know things had gotten a little bit rowdy at the guild hall but things would be fine by tomorrow. Makarov couldn't help but smile. At least something was normal.

His eyes caught on one of the photographs on the pages he had flipped through to. The date under the photograph was more recent than the others, and he knew why he had put it there with the photograph beside it.

May the 19th, X778. The day Laxus had become Fairy Tail's youngest S-Class mage at the time only a few months after his seventeenth birthday.

October the 31st, X785. The day he had let Laxus rejoin the guild about a year after he had forced him to leave because of his 'battle of Fairy Tail.' As it always did, the memory of that day, and of being the one who put his grandson's guild mark back on him, made him begin to cry.

"I never should have said you were like him," Makarov tiredly buried his face in his hands. "And you've only proved you're nothing like him since. I hope you didn't take it to heart, and don't now."

What hurt the most was the sinking feeling saying what he had in anger to his grandson had stuck with him, even after he had been allowed to rejoin the guild.

Whispers…

Wendy Marvell rolled over in her sleep, this time nearly knocking Carla off of her bed. The pristine flying cat merely flew up onto the young girl's nightstand. She curled up, though looked down at the young girl as she was still fitful in her sleep. All these years I've known you, only for us to be so briefly separated. You said the woman who cared for you before you got lost and found Ultear felt like family, and that the woman who had found and brought you to her was quite gentle and kind. I wish I had been able to meet and thank them for looking after you. Carla began flicking her tail in thought. I suppose all I can do is hope we never are separated again. I know Grandeeny hadn't meant for it to happen. Perhaps, then, it was fate. I can only hope you weren't experiencing your struggles with sleep alone whilst we were apart. The cat looked down at the young girl, relieved to see her relaxing into a calmer sleep. Every so often, it seemed, the dreams tormenting the young girl would cause her to wake up and wonder if she were remembering bits and pieces of her birth parents despite being otherwise unable to remember much before being taken in by Grandeeny as a small child, no older than four.

Carla smiled, purring happily at the memory of how Wendy had found her. It must have been, she figured, around the time Grandeeny had taken Wendy in. Always a curious child, the then toddler had wandered into the woods not far from where Grandeeny was watching her. It was a bit of a blur, yet Carla still remembered how, even while injured and lost, she had seen a little girl coming towards her. The little girl had happily picked her up and began to cuddle her, petting her gently and trying to find what was wrong with her. She had carried her back home. And that was how I learnt her name is Wendy, because she started talking to me to try and soothe me as she took me with her. Even then with her small, child babbling she was such a caring soul. I could not have been more lucky to cross paths with such an extraordinary girl. The cat closed her eyes, her mind wandering as if returning to that day. Grandeeny had helped heal her, and encouraged Wendy to slowly learn how to do the same as she taught her magic. I wonder what she's dreaming of, now, she seems more calm? Her thoughts did not dwell.

Yet, come the morning, she knew Wendy would tell her if she could remember any of it.

In her state of dreams, the young girl could have sworn she were hearing whispers, whispers of her parents. Their voices were distant and obscure, just like their faces. But some of it was clear, clear enough. Her mother had vibrant red hair. Her father had dark, bluish black hair, just a little bit lighter than her own. And something about the way they spoke in the dream felt as though they were calling her home, waiting for their little girl.

"Wendy," Her mother murmured, reaching out to brush her hair over her shoulder. "Don't cry. It was a dream, a nightmare and nothing more. Nothing here is going to hurt you."

Something felt as though it were stinging in her as she watched herself cry. Wendy felt her hands begin to shake as she reached out though helpless to comfort her younger self. In the haze of the dream, she watched her mother tightly embrace her.

"Daddy and I have nightmares, too," Her mother continued to speak soothingly, holding her young daughter close. "But we're okay. I promise, Wendy, that you will be okay too."

The door creaked open. Turning around to see whomever were there though her younger self did not, Wendy found her heart racing. She glanced back at her younger self and her mother. Her mother was the only one who had looked over to see who was there. The man with blue hair, her father, stepped in, and Wendy stared at him in awe. Even in the haze, she could tell he had the same tattoo as Jellal. Her thoughts began to race. Was it possible her father were Siegrain, the man whom Ultear seemed to be so fixated on? Or maybe even –

"Jellal," Her mother spoke softly. "I think our little girl needs you."

Wendy felt her heart begin to pound in her chest. When she had met him, all she had known for certain was how Jellal had been kind and gentle to her. Of course he was. He had given her life, along with her mother. She couldn't believe it. But was it real, or just tricks of the mind? She felt dizzy at the thought. If it were true, her parents weren't gone, yet they would be much younger, now, than they were in her memories. A terrible thought passed through the young girl's mind. If it were true, she would have had to been taken away from them in a different time. No. It couldn't be true, then. If she weren't meant to be here, would she have ever been born? And no one else could have saved Jellal's life, could they? Wendy felt her head starting to hurt, and their voices becoming more and more distant. Everything seemed wrong, but –

Wendy's eyes snapped open, and, barely aware of it, she screamed. She bit down on her blanket when she felt it, muffling herself. She started to cry. Footsteps. They were coming from down the hall and then paused in her doorway. So suddenly, it seemed, Ultear was by her side. She pulled the blanket down from her just a little bit so she could embrace her and gently tread her fingers through her hair. Her breathing still unsteady, Wendy turned to cling to Ultear, sobbing into her and shaking. Carla flew down from where she had been napping to curl up on Wendy's shoulder, purring. Though she was often silent and mostly cat like, it was times like these when Wendy wanted Carla to talk the most, too soothe her and make her feel better. She felt herself shaking worse, and Ultear shifted slightly to hold onto her and still allow the cat to rest on the young girl's shoulder. Though the young girl appeared to not notice, Ultear sighed. This is the third nightmare in as many days. What happened to her before I crossed paths with her? Feeling the young girl beginning to calm down, Ultear kept stroking her hair and rubbing her back. It was the only thing she knew worked.

Meredy always asked me to do this when she would be scared and upset after I took her in. I'm so glad to have her safe, and Wendy, now, safe too.

"You're going to be just fine, Wendy," Ultear spoke unusually gently. "Do you need to talk about what happened?"

The young girl sniffed, still struggling to stop crying.

"I thought I was seeing my parents in a dream," She whimpered. "But it's not possible because Jellal was my dad. He can't be. He's too young."

"You've grown close with and protective of him, just like all of us," Ultear reassured her. "And, no matter what, we're your family now."

Wendy weakly nodded. "I know. We take care of each other."

"Yes," Ultear said, affectionately kissing her forehead. Just like mother did. Once. "As a family ought to, because family do not abandon each other…no matter what. Even when there are times where we have to be apart, we are never abandoning each other."

"Hey, Erza?" Lucy hesitantly stepped into the small, second floor of the RV where the red headed mage was laying down in bed, staring at the night sky through the skylight in the roof. "I don't know why it didn't occur to me before, but I think – if we find Ultear – we'll find Jellal."

Erza sat up so quickly she nearly hit her head on the lowest part of the RV's ceiling. Lucy took a small step back down the ladder while she waited for her friend to steady herself out. Shivering a little, she pulled one of the blankets tighter around herself while sitting back far enough to let Lucy climb up and onto the bed. She sighed. It had been only a week, and yet it felt so much longer. At least sleeping next to her until we're done is a win for both of us. None of Natsu's constant rolling around, or Happy's snoring, or Gray being…well, Gray. How the man feels the need to have just barely a sheet covering him while sleeping in nothing but his boxers is beyond me. Then again, it feels like I'm always cold when I sleep, no matter how many blankets I throw over myself. Maybe it's just habit…something learnt after all those years in… She startled when Lucy suddenly reached over to hug her. She wasn't sure, for a second, if she had said anything until she realised, by the concerned way Lucy was looking at her, she had let out a short yelp when she had hugged her. Awkwardly, Erza reached over to pat Lucy on the head, almost as if she were a cat.

"Ultear has come up several times when I was talking to Siegrain," Lucy said half apologetically when Erza bristled at his name. "But his belief – and, I bet, most of the Council's – is that where Ultear is, Jellal is either nearby or with her."

"Since she's probably the one involved in the first place, I would believe it," Erza paused. "First, though…you know we have…"

"Have to meet up with some of the groups from the other guilds to deal with the Oración Seis?" Lucy nodded. "Yeah. Are you doing okay with that? Since you and…"

Erza hesitated. "I don't know what to think, or feel. Did I tell you what happened the other night?"

"You mean your argument with Siegrain?" Lucy bit her lip. "You didn't say, but I assumed it was bad."

"It was, albeit not in the way you might be thinking," Erza said, pushing down the upset she felt. "Do you remember what happened two years ago, in that October?"

Lucy winced. "You mean that stupid game Laxus, Evergreen, Freed, Bickslow, Riley, and Esseca made us play against them? Yeah, I remember it. It was only a few months after I joined, after Natsu saved me from that creep and we dealt with that awful mansion. Oh, and after we all dealt with everything on the creepy island."

Erza managed to laugh a little. "I'm sorry we put you through so much in only your first few months in the guild. Shall I apologise now for all of the drama surrounding all that happened when Lisanna returned? And, of course, the S-Class trials and dealing with…well, all of the violence from the outside on Tenrou? I wouldn't want to make you feel as though we're not trying our damndest to keep you around."

"I know you want me around, don't worry," Lucy said, playfully elbowing her. "If you didn't, I would have figured it out by now. Especially after getting it out of Levy what kind of books you –"

"Lucy!" Erza turned pink. "I – The Viscount Who Loved Me is a perfectly reasonable book to enjoy, it's not just steamy, and –"

"But it is pretty steamy," Lucy teased with a cheeky grin. "Don't worry, Erza. I read the series, too."

The two of them laughed, for a moment, before the clouds came back down.

"As you remember, Mystogan…" Erza closed her eyes, trying to ground herself and her spinning thoughts. "Of all the things that happened that day, of all the things that came out of Laxus and the Thunder Legion's damn game, the one that I've never been able to get out of my head is that Mystogan and Jellal have the same face."

Lucy blinked. "Do you think they're related?"

"I don't know," Erza admitted. "If I had to bet, especially since we haven't seen him since dealing with Edolas, he's Jellal's mirror. Not that it would mean anything to the Council, but I believe Mystogan is proof that Jellal is not evil. That Jellal was not in control of himself, or even his own mind. But, of course, Siegrain disagreed."

"So that's why you two were fighting?" Lucy eyed her closely. "About whether or not Jellal had been acting of his own volition?"

"Essentially," Erza said tiredly. "Although Siegrain seemed to believe I had an ulterior motive for mentioning Mystogan, and how I've always…how I've never been able to…"

"It's okay," Lucy shifted to let Erza rest her head on her shoulder. "And if you need to cry, then cry," She said gently. "This is a lot for anyone."

"I just don't want to lose Jellal, not again," Erza said softly, blinking back tears. "I lost him once when we were younger, when he became…when he became possessed. I lost him again when we were in the Tower. And I'll lose him a third time if something happens to him now. I'm terrified, Lucy. I don't trust the Council to do something right by Jellal. I don't trust the federal government to do something right by Jellal. Justice is going to fail him if seemingly everyone else has their way."

"Do you…" Lucy hesitated with the thought. "Do you think Siegrain is on our side? Or –"

"Siegrain is angry with his brother. In his place, I suppose I might feel the same," Erza swallowed hard. "In all honesty? I don't think Siegrain is on our side at all. I don't think he's telling the Council everything. But I sincerely doubt he's truly on our side. And I say that because, when I mentioned how Jellal has always…I suppose consumed my thoughts, in a sense, because of how I've felt around Mystogan, Siegrain told me how much trouble I would be in if I found Jellal and tried to pass him off as Mystogan. He all but threatened me."

Lucy stared at her in horror. "Siegrain would go so far as to accuse the guild of harbouring a fugitive?"

"If we were to do that, it would be," Erza shook her head. "And that is why I would never do it. This isn't reflective of the rest of the guild. This is reflective of me. I am not going to drag innocent people into it."

"I take it, then, we don't tell any of the other guilds we have this on our minds?" Lucy let out a sigh of relief when Erza nodded. "Thank God. Natsu, Gray, and Happy would only make it more confusing if they had to try and help us explain it."

"Like I said, this is ours to chase," Erza said, rubbing her eyes. "And I want to do right by Jellal. I couldn't be luckier or happier to have you, Natsu, Gray, and Happy by my side. Because it seems no one else wants to see justice…just things dealt with."

"You know, of all things you know how to do, I wouldn't have guessed hair was one of them."

Laxus laughed when, in the mirror as she looked up, scissors still in hand, Hisui teasingly rolled her eyes. It had been an unusually light day, and therefore one where the two of them were able to have more time to themselves. November. I still can't believe I only met her in the end of March, or that we've been seeing each other since June. It's… His meandering thoughts quickly came back around when the scissors caught the light. Hisui playfully snipped the scissors in the air just above his head, before pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. She spun them lightly between her fingers, smiling at him in the mirror. I never thought it was possible to feel this at ease with someone. Even the other men I've liked and dated before didn't put me at as much ease. She began humming to herself as she continued to appraise his hair, her fingers lingering with every touch. For a few seconds, she simply treaded her fingers through his hair, teasing out the light tangles. After a brief hesitation, Hisui gently pressed her hands on his shoulders, taken aback by the tension he always held. A little startled himself, Laxus turned to look at her and then sighed when he saw her concern. He shifted to reassuringly squeeze her hands, before finally leaning back and relaxing. Hisui refocused on his hair, an easy smile dawning on her when she saw his own in the mirror.

"Everything alright?" Hisui said, slowly beginning to trim the split ends. "Did I startle you?"

"Maybe a little," Laxus admitted. "It's been a long few weeks. I think I'm just tired, and more easily startled because of it. Don't worry," He added, lightly touching one of her hands again. "At least things are slowing down, for now."

"I can't say I'm not happy about that," Hisui replied. "I've missed our time together the last few weeks."

"I have too," Laxus said with a sigh. "And…I'm still happy you were here. For the Harvest Festival last month, that is."

"It was lovely," Hisui said as she continued to trim the split ends around his ears. "I was surprised you weren't in the parade, though. Your sisters, Evergreen, Freed, and even Bickslow were in it, so I had thought you would be too."

"I…I didn't feel quite right about it," Laxus hesitated. "Not after what happened two years ago. It's still too recent. It didn't feel…it didn't feel right."

"Well, you aren't that person now," Hisui appraised his hair for a second. "But I understand. It's not something you want to think about."

"I know I'm not the person I was back then, but…" Laxus fell silent. "But I can't shake away the memory."

Hisui nodded. "I hope you know I've never viewed you that way," She said softly. "And I never will. Alright? You're a good person, Laxus."

"I try," He glanced to her in the mirror. "Hisui? Did I ever tell you what happened after? With my grandfather, that is."

She paused. "I don't think so. What happened?"

Laxus fell silent again, trying to push away the words that came rushing back to him.

"Are you trying to become your father?" Makarov had yelled. "Because it certainly seems that way!"

"As you know, my relationship with my dad is…complicated," Laxus winced at the thought. "When gramps kicked me out of the guild for just over a year because of what happened with the X784 Harvest Festival, he accused me of becoming like my dad. I was never completely alone until I returned to the guild – Riley and Esseca and I were still close, and I still saw, albeit far less, Evergreen, Bickslow, and Freed – but I haven't…I haven't been able to shake what he said."

Hisui lightly brushed a hand through his hair. "Are you…scared of what he said?"

"I'm not sure," Laxus briefly caught a glimpse of himself and the scar through his right eye. "Don't tell my sisters, or gramps, though I have a feeling he already knows," He frowned at the memory. "I saw my dad a few times after gramps kicked me out. I was never more relieved to be – in at least one way – separate from him when gramps gave me my guild mark again."

"Was that because he – Ivan, that is – said something to you in particular?" Hisui paused. "If it's too much right now, you don't have to tell me. I –"

Laxus turned around to face her and took both of her hands in his.

"It's alright," He said, squeezing her hands. After a few seconds, he sighed. "And you're right. He did say something. My dad – admittedly, like all of us – has a bit of a hair pin temper and isn't known for biting his tongue. But, when he told me I should be glad my mother isn't around to know what happened, to know about my pitting the entire guild against myself and the Thunder Legion, I was taken aback. He's so rarely mentioned her at any point I can remember, and made it seem as though she would be irate about it."

Hisui raised an eyebrow. "He really never has been particularly open about that subject, has he?"

"He's done his best to avoid it, although I can't blame him for it," Laxus shook his head. "He wasn't the best parent, but he was there for us, took care of us, and made sure we had everything we needed and she never was there at all. And, as we got older, he…well, I think the best showing of who my dad really is was when he saw me struggling and decided to put a lacrima in the chest of a nine year old. It…that is one of the things that has only made me wonder more about what really happened between my parents."

"I can only imagine," Hisui paused, letting go of one of his hands to set down the scissors she had been still holding onto. "What he did was traumatising, not helped by him leaving too just a few years later."

"My dad was…well, as I said, he wasn't a great parent. Though it still stuns me he and I talked about my mother at all during that time," Laxus admitted. "Not that he said much else beyond a few remarks here and there about how bitterly their marriage ended because of her leaving, although it was the first time he had ever mentioned it in years. Maybe that's because he and I hadn't talked since he had left the guild, but it still caught me off guard."

Hisui considered that. "Do you think he brought it up on purpose?"

"Because he knew gramps had kicked me out of the guild?" Laxus tiredly shrugged. "Possibly. But, of all the things we talked about, most of them had very little to do with the guild. He and gramps aren't on speaking terms, and haven't been for years, and the same is true between him and my sisters. If anything…I think it just came up. Because I was feeling lost, unheard, and about a hundred other things."

She nodded. "So, it all came back around to your family?"

"It did. But it's not just that. I'll never forget how much it changed my life when he got the idea to use a damn lacrima to help some of the issues I'd been dealing with – from what I've heard – since I was a baby. And –" Laxus flinched when he noticed his fingers were lightly sparking. "I'm not sure where I would be without it," He finally said, letting go of her suddenly when he realised he had accidentally brushed a bit of the lightning against her hands. "But it was not something I ever asked for."

"Laxus," Hisui eyed him worriedly for a second before cupping his cheek with one hand. "Don't think too hard about this."

In a less than a second, she gently pressed her lips against his, arms still wrapped around him. Almost to her surprise, Laxus began to kiss her too. Their lips lingering against each other's and neither quite ready to break their embrace, Hisui slowly sat down beside him before pulling away.

"I was waiting for you to finally do that," Laxus smiled when she rested her head on his shoulder. "I wasn't quite sure when you would, but I knew it would happen eventually."

Hisui reached over to hold his hands in hers. "I don't know why I didn't sooner," She said, matching his smile. "I suppose it's instinct. Though I'll never object to those gentle forehead kisses you like to give me."

"Good to know," He teased. "Because I'm more than happy to indulge you."

She laughed. "Is that so?"

Laxus winked. "It is. I promise."

"I'm happy to hear it," Hisui said, her voice softening when she met his eyes again. "And, Laxus? You weren't hurting me with the lightning. I was just surprised. I know you wouldn't hurt me, and…" She sighed. "I can't speak to who you were then. But I know who you are now, and I don't want you to worry you're like him because of what your grandfather said a few years ago. You are not like your father, not at all."