Izuku liked to think he had a normal routine for his current way of life. One he had fallen into after finding his resolve to make the best with his second chance. He'd wake up, help Mira and Makarov set up the guild, take the mail to the post office, and bring back whatever mail they had. He couldn't help but notice a lot of the mail had the seal of something called the Magic Council.
Izuku had the pleasure of learning who they were after taking stacks of paper to Makarov and watching the old man nearly burst into tears. Apparently, they were a higher authority in the world of guilds. A step below the government.
He couldn't help but compare them to HPSC, a step below the government, but still holding a lot of power.
Usually, by now, Izuku would have either slipped back into his room or gone off to the library to learn more about this new world. Magic was fascinating, there was a lot to learn about it. So many different branches and classes of it. He would have put everything in a notebook if he could have, which he was already planning to get. Then write down everything he could about the different magic he was learning about.
His hands itched at the idea of analyzing all the different kinds of magic.
Instead, he was staring at Makarov in disbelief and holding a freshly sealed envelope in his hands.
"You want me to…what?" He asked.
"I want you to head over to Oshibana, and deliver this letter to a business we associate with. It's mostly just an adjustment on the upcoming shipment of liquor."
"But, wouldn't it just be better to take it to the post office and have them do it?" He asked.
"It'll take at least a week for them to get the letter, and the shipment comes in next week. I'm sure you see the predicament."
"Ah, yeah, I see…" He muttered. "But, are you sure it should be me who does it?"
"You've been working for a little while now," Makarov started.
Like 2 weeks maybe…
"I think you can handle this, after all, you are in charge of the mail are you not? That's the job I gave you."
"Well yeah, when you put it like that…"
Izuku stared at the envelope before grabbing his bag and putting it inside. It was where he kept most of the mail since all he had in there was that notebook and the vial. Makarov had offered him another bag to hold all the letters, but Izuku chose to keep his backpack. He couldn't imagine going anywhere without it. It was pretty worn, but still in one piece.
"Think of it as your first big job," Mirajane spoke up. The tray in her hands was full of food and drinks. "You didn't think you were going to stay in Magnolia forever did you?"
"I-I kinda did." He admitted. "Regarding the job at least."
"Well, now is a good a time as any to look around a bit isn't it," she asked. "Think about it, it doesn't hurt to get to see other towns, now, does it?"
"Well, I guess." Izuku scratched at his face. He supposed it was a good start to know what was where, a map hardly did any justice in telling him where everything was at. Not to mention that he could start to see a few other guilds. Places to work.
"There's no reason for you to be stuck here, besides, if you do well, I may ask you to deliver other letters for me."
Izuku hummed to himself. "Yeah, okay. Hold on, how am I supposed to get anywhere if I don't have any money?"
Makarov grinned as if he had been waiting for this question. He reached a hand into his jacket and held it out to Izuku.
"Your payment, young man. From now on you'll be paid every other week like Mirajane."
He really was planning it like this, wasn't he?
Izuku took the envelope and carefully opened it, he couldn't help but freeze up when he saw the money inside.
"Aw, baby's first paycheck." Cana teased from her side of the bar. She only laughed as Izuku turned a bright red.
"This is actually a lot more than what I was expecting…are you sure this is right?" Izuku asked.
"Yes, I'm certain. What, would you rather be paid less?" The old man raised an eyebrow.
"N-No! No, this is okay." He shoved the money into his backpack. He really wasn't expecting much, he had figured he'd get paid less since he didn't have any powers. Then again, Makarov didn't seem to care about that. He had just grown to expect it, considering in his own world Quirkless people were paid significantly less than others.
"So, now that you've got travel expenses and you know where to go I suggest it's time to head out."
"You want me to go right now?"
"Of course I do. When else would you go, you've finished your mail run for today didn't you?"
"Well yeah…"
"Then there's no better time than now. Go on now, you don't want to miss the train." He waved his hand in a shooing motion.
Izuku stood still for a moment before slowly nodding. "Okay…I guess."
"You'll be fine," Makarov said.
"See you later Izuku, enjoy your trip!" Mirajane waved as he began to walk out of the guildhall. It wasn't until he was out the door that she turned back to the guild master.
Makarov was silent for a moment, then looked at Mira. Prompting her to speak.
"Are you sure you want him to take this job Master? He's only been working for a little while, and you're sending him out on his own. I don't mind taking it down once the guild is closed for the day."
He shook his head. "It's fine Mira, besides wasn't it you saying that this is his first big job? It's about time we start nudging him out of his comfort zone."
Mirajane hummed and glanced at the doors again. It's true that he could do with stepping out of his comfort zone, even if she was afraid of pushing him. He only seemed to talk to her and to Makarov, other than that he usually kept to himself. He was closed off, he seemed to have a difficult time connecting with others.
Admittedly she had the same issue back then, but her siblings were there to help. They encouraged her to socialize more and made it a little easier to connect with others. Izuku didn't have that though, he was more or less on his own. She did spot Natsu trying to talk to him sometimes, who usually got awkward answers in return.
"Still though, I feel like someone should go to keep an eye on him. Just in case."
"Think he'll find trouble?"
"I'm not sure, but it's better to be safe than sorry right?" She answered, then looked up as the doors to the guild opened. "And I think I know the perfect person for the job!"
-.-
"One ticket for Oshibana please." Izuku handed the money through the window and got a ticket in return. He heard the clerk wish him a good day and happy travels. He looked down at the ticket and headed towards the platform the train would be arriving on.
He couldn't help the anxiety bubbling in his stomach. He was leaving Magnolia, even if it was just for a bit he was leaving. Out to somewhere else he had no idea how to navigate, he was being thrown straight into the fire.
He continued to fiddle with the ticket as he thought it over. He supposed it could be a good thing, he had to get to know the towns nearby. Especially if he was planning on leaving and joining another guild. Izuku groaned to himself as he remembered that issue too, he had no idea what guild he could even join.
He found out there were a lot of different guilds across Fiore, quite a few of them were magic guilds. There were other types of course. Mercenary, courier, mage, construction, treasure hunting, even celebrity guilds were a thing.
Right off the bat, he ruled out most of those options, he didn't think he could pull off being a mercenary or a treasure hunter, let alone a celebrity. Let alone a mage.
"So that leaves construction or courier…well I guess I'm technically doing the latter right now aren't I?" He began to mutter to himself. "Still, how do you even get into a guild? Do I have to apply?"
He frowned to himself. He knew that magic was still a thing, would some guilds be more impartial to hiring someone who can use magic rather than someone who can't?
He groaned and ran a hand through his hair. He still wasn't sure of the customs of this world, he could only go off what he knew. And one thing he knows for certain is that people are not born equal. Whoever has more power, is going to be on top. In this case, that meant people who could use magic.
"Now boarding, train to Oshibana." A voice rang over a loudspeaker.
Izuku looked around to see people heading toward the train. He gathered his things and followed after them. There weren't too many people, which made it easy to settle into a quiet spot.
He supposed one good thing could come from this trip, he was getting to explore, and maybe there was a guild in Oshibana he could look into.
Izuku sighed as the whistle blew and felt the train begin to move.
He supposed another good thing about taking this trip would be not having to worry about stuff being thrown at him. The guildhall was loud, and he more or less got used to it. Though every time a fight started, he found himself either hiding in his room or leaving to take a walk. He tried hiding behind the bar counter once, only to find out that was Lucy's hiding spot.
Izuku sighed and leaned against the window. He remembered Lucy had tried to strike up a conversation about how crazy everyone was. But assuring him that it'd probably be over soon. If Erza showed up, they'd all stop, unless something happened and she decided to join in as well.
He hadn't been too sure what to say to that. He supposed it was good that Erza could stop a fight so easily.
He frowned to himself.
Admittedly, Izuku had been avoiding Erza. Mostly out of embarrassment, but still. Natsu, Lucy, and Gray too.
Natsu was much harder to avoid in general. He always seemed to pop out of nowhere with Happy, and always tried to start up conversations. He offered to bring Izuku on a job a few times, saying he should get out more, thankfully Izuku had his mail job to fall back on as an excuse. He was always around, always trying to be friendly. Izuku couldn't help but feel bad for trying to push him away.
Natsu seemed nice.
He kept almost everyone in the guild at arm's length; he couldn't help it. It was easier. He felt like an outsider, a ghost in the guild that never lingered too long.
That was his own fault, but he knew it was easier.
He was waiting for the inevitable discovery that he was Quirkless, or rather magicless. He was guessing that would be the appropriate term here.
Someone who can't use magic working and living in a magic guild. That sounded like the start of a bad joke. Either way, the more distance he had between himself and the others, the less it would hurt when he left or when he got kicked out.
"You don't know them yet, but I'm sure many of the members will come to care about you just as they would anyone else."
Erza's words came back to ring around his head again.
Maybe she's right, maybe if they do know they won't do anything. But I can't know that for sure.
Last he checked, even Mirajane used magic, and she was a regular employee like him. Then again, he was pretty sure she was an official member.
He groaned to himself and grabbed his bag, and buried his face into it. It was too early to be thinking this hard on anything, and he didn't care if it was the afternoon. It was still too early.
As he had his internal argument once again, he didn't see the blue car peering at him from the next car over.
-.-
"I hate trains…" Natsu gagged.
"It's just to one of the next towns, it'll be fine."
"Urgh…" Natsu reached towards the window. "J-Just let me…jump out. I'll meet you- hurgh…"
"How do you expect to meet us there? It's a train, Natsu!"
"I'll run."
Lucy sighed and leaned back in her seat. She opened the window a bit to let in some fresh air. Hoping that at least would comfort her friend.
"You know, I really didn't think I'd be leaving town today." Lucy hummed. "I thought about taking a job nearby."
"Yeah, w-which one?" Natsu crawled towards the window.
"I dunno. I only know that I was hoping for one so I could pay rent. It's due next week."
"That sucks…"
"It only sucks because you destroyed everything the last time we took a job!"
"You're really loud." Happy spoke up.
"This sucks…why are we even- ugh- doing this?" Natsu stuck his head out the window. Now, if only he could muster up the strength to throw himself out.
"You know, you didn't have to come with me." Lucy crossed her arms. "Mirajane asked me to keep an eye on Izuku, not you."
Natsu only groaned in response.
Lucy hadn't even spent a minute inside the guild when Mirajane called her over and asked for a favor. Apparently, the Master sent Izuku off to deliver a letter, a sort of trial run to see how he'd do. She just wanted someone to keep an eye on him to make sure he wouldn't run into any trouble on the way.
"Don't let him see you, I think it's best if he thinks he's doing this on his own."
This was twice now she sent Lucy to keep an eye on someone. First with Natsu and Gray when they took on Eisenwald, and now with Izuku. Just to make sure he gets there safe.
She could argue that this is twice now that Mira owes her.
After that, she went to her apartment to get some extra cash for traveling, only to find the pyro and cat there. Once they found out what she was doing, they insisted they tag along.
"You know this is kinda boring. Why can't we just go sit next to him?" Happy asked. "I'm sure talking to him would be a lot more fun."
"Mira said to not let him see us. He has to think he's doing this on his own. This is his first job by himself, and we don't want to ruin it. Natsu, stop trying to throw yourself out the window!" She pulled him back inside.
"Please let me go."
"Absolutely not!"
While Lucy dragged Natsu back into his seat, someone from upfront began to speak.
"Attention, ladies and gentlemen, we will be making a short stop in Onibus for refueling. Afterward, we will make our way to Oshibana. We apologize for the delay."
The man bowed before walking out of the car and into the next one.
"You hear that Natsu? We'll be stopping in a bit." Happy smiled. "Then your motion sickness can leave…for a bit. It'll just come right back."
Lucy sighed. "Way to make him feel better. Although I wonder how the town is doing, you know, after the whole Eisenwald incident."
"Probably a lot better."
Natsu groaned and gave a weak thumbs up.
"Hey, maybe while they're refueling, we can grab something to eat real quick."
"Please don't talk about food…"
"That's a first." Lucy raised an eyebrow.
"As soon as the train stops, he'll probably be hungry." Happy hummed.
"Probably."
"No, I won't." He groaned.
"You say that now Natsu."
Lucy sat back in her seat while Happy fanned Natsu with a random piece of paper. She took the liberty to look out the window and wait for the town to come up. It wouldn't be too long.
She was surprised that Mirajane asked her to look after Izuku in the first place, but she understood. This was the first assignment that required him to leave Magnolia. She didn't blame her for being worried. If anything, it felt a little normal to worry about him.
Izuku usually kept to himself. He wasn't very talkative. He seemed to avoid everyone, and he liked to keep a distance from them all. He just did his job and then disappeared.
That didn't seem to deter Natsu, though. Any chance he got, he would approach Izuku and invite him on missions. Or just start talking about something random. One time he even tried knocking on the door to his room to see what he was doing, only to be dragged away by Erza and told to leave Izuku alone.
Lucy heard about Erza giving Izuku a tour around the town and how he came back in tears. She wasn't sure what happened, and when asked, Erza only responded that he would be alright. And vehemently denied being the reason he had been crying.
Erza was content to give him space, saying he needed it. That he would come around soon enough.
Even so, it was still concerning. Not to mention his overall appearance. He was pale and had dark eyebags beneath his eyes. Izuku carried himself with so much tension and bone-deep exhaustion that it almost seemed embedded in him. He was so thin and short, that he almost seemed fragile. Like if someone pressed him in the wrong way, he'd shatter into pieces.
She frowned to herself. Maybe that was why he kept a distance. Because he felt that way, and he was just doing his best to hold himself together. And for him, maybe that meant keeping everyone away.
She couldn't help but think back to the night they found him. Injured and sick. She could only imagine what he was running from, what had hurt him so badly. Whatever it was, she hoped it was gone for good.
"Say, do you think if we meet up with him at the next town, he'll wanna hang out with us?" Happy cut through her thoughts with a question.
Lucy looked up and shook her head. "What part of we're not supposed to be seen do you not understand, cat?"
"What if we pretend we were already there? That we took a job or something?" The cat suggested.
Lucy sighed. "I'm not sure that would work. He's not stupid, and he might suspect that we followed him."
"Will he though?"
"Yes, he will!"
As they talked about meeting up with Izuku, the train began to slow down and pull into the station. Natsu groaned and rolled off the seat and onto the floor.
"Is it stopping?" He asked.
"Yeah, it feels like it!" Happy cheered. "You'll be back on your feet in no time!"
"Then we'll have to get back on the train."
Natsu gagged.
The train came to a complete stop, and Lucy sighed, then went down to help pick him up.
"Come on, let's take a quick walk."
"Ugh."
-.-
"Just my luck that the train has to refuel. At least it didn't break down." Izuku sighed as he slung his bag over his shoulder.
There wasn't much use in just sitting on the train and waiting for them to finish. Not to mention it would feel a little awkward, others were getting off, and he didn't want to be the only one in the car.
"Maybe I should grab something to eat. I do have money. But I should probably save it." He sighed. Maybe he could get something small.
He hummed to himself as he walked around. There wasn't much to look at around the station, mostly a couple of shops and small booths. It seemed like most of the other passengers had the same idea to stay in the area.
"Maybe I can check if there are any guilds here. It shouldn't take too long. Okay, food first and then- woah!" Izuku fell over as someone crashed into him.
"I am so sorry!" The girl that crashed into him was the first to get up. "I didn't see you and I was rushing to the train, and oh my gosh, are you okay?"
Izuku groaned and slowly sat up. "Y-Yeah, I'm okay. Sorry about that. I should have been looking where I was going."
He looked up to see a girl with brown hair and a perpetual blush looking down at him. She was flustered and trying to gather the things that fell out of her bag. He immediately got to work trying to help her, picking up random items and scattered papers.
"I'm sorry, I'm all over the place." She sighed as she shoved everything back into her bag. "I've been rushing around all morning, and I got pretty flustered. I guess I didn't see you."
The girl took a shaky sigh and shook her head. "Anyway, I'm really sorry for crashing into you like that." She leaned over and offered a hand to him. "Come on. The floor doesn't look too comfy."
Izuku felt his face grow warm before taking her hand and pulling himself up.
"T-Thanks."
She smiled. "Well, I guess that's one way to meet someone. My name is Ochako Urava. It's nice to meet you."
"Uh, m-my name is Izuku. M-Midoriya!"
"Nice to meet you. Again, I am really sorry about that, and…are you feeling okay? Your face is all red."
"I-I'm okay!" Izuku looked away. "Anyway, uh, are you going to Oshibana too?"
Ochako sighed. "Actually, I'm not; I'm heading to one of the towns near Oshibana. Mostly just doing a side job. It's just easier to head to the bigger town and go from there."
Izuku nodded; he could understand that.
"What about you? Why are you going to Oshibana?" She asked.
"Me? Uh, well, I'm just delivering some mail." He rubbed his neck. "Not really doing much. As soon as I get the order in, I'm heading back home."
Ochako began to walk in a different direction and he followed after her. She seemed to know more about the area.
"Yeah, where are you from?" She asked.
"I'm coming from Magnolia." He answered. "It's kind of an end of the line kind of deal."
Ochako gasped and whirled around. "You're from Magnolia?" She asked.
"Uh, yeah I guess you could say that. I'm more staying there at the moment. I'm mostly just working right now and…"
While he rambled on she took notice of a pin on his shirt. Her eyes widened as she recognized the symbol of Fairy Tail.
"No way, are you a member of Fairy Tail?" She cut him off.
"Huh?"
"That pin on your shirt, that's Fairy Tail's symbol!" She pointed it out. "Oh wow, I never thought I'd meet a member of Fairy Tail."
"O-Oh I…well…" Izuku took a step back.
"What's it like over there? Are all the members as crazy as they say on Sorcerer Weekly?" She asked eagerly. "Is everyone nice over there?"
"I'm not a member!" Izuku blurted out.
Ochako paused her excited rambling to look at him. "Huh?"
"I uh, I'm not a member." He shook his head. "I'm more of an affiliate at the moment. I'm just the mail boy."
"Oh."
She watched him for a moment, unsure what else to say.
He looked around awkwardly. "S-Sorry, if you thought I was. I didn't mean to make you think that."
"Oh, well that's okay. It was more a surprise than anything. Sorry for assuming."
They watched each other for a moment, then looked away. There was an awkward tension in the air. Neither was sure how to continue.
"So uh…do you want to get something to eat?" Ochako asked. "I think the train is still gonna be a while."
Izuku paused before nodding. "Yeah, that sounds good."
-.-
"So you're looking to join a guild?" Izuku asked.
"Yeah. I've mostly been sticking to some random jobs. There are sort of community boards in every other town for small jobs that can't be sent to other guilds. Either they're too far or they don't fit into the right category."
Ochako sat across from him, a wrapped-up sandwich in her hands.
The line in the cafe had been long, the two barely had enough time to grab their sandwiches before running back to the train.
"So there's no guild here in Onibus?" He asked.
"No, the closest one is in Magnolia, and that's Fairy Tail."
Izuku sighed. "Not even a regular courier guild?"
"Nope, those kinds of guilds are further inland. A little closer to the big cities. Why?" She asked.
"No reason, just, I'm a little new here so…yeah. Still trying to get my bearings I guess." He looked down. He hadn't touched his food yet.
"Oh? So does that mean you're not from Magnolia?"
"N-No, I come from pretty far away."
She nodded to herself. "That's okay, I do too. I'm kinda from the other side of the kingdom, I've never been this far. It's pretty cool, seeing everything out here. Each town has its own neat something you know? Like Onibus apparently has a theatre, I never saw a show there but I heard they're supposed to be good."
"Yeah?" He asked. "I didn't even know there was a theatre here."
"Well, you did just get here." She waved a hand. "Anyway, I'm just trying to get by on those smaller community boards and stuff. I'm still trying to decide what guild to join. I know Fairy Tail is nearby, but I dunno if they'll take me. They are the strongest guild after all."
"They're considered the strongest?"
Ochako eagerly nodded. "Yup! Number 1 in a lot of rankings. But because of that, I dunno if I can join. I've thought about Lamia Scale, maybe Mermaid Heel, but yeah. That's kinda my dilemma right now."
Izuku hummed to himself. She was like him, sort of, unsure where to go. But at least she knew her options. It seemed like he was screwed no matter what, if he wanted to leave he'd have to head to the larger cities. That meant more money, and most likely a higher cost of living.
"Those are all wizard guilds right?" Izuku shook himself from his thoughts. "If that's the case, what kind of magic do you use?"
Ochako beamed at the question. "Oh, I use gravity magic!"
"Gravity magic?"
"Mhm, here, let me show you." She held out her sandwich for him to see. Without missing a beat, a magic circle appeared over it, and it began to glow with a pink aura. It began to float upwards towards the ceiling, and then with a movement of her hand, it floated downwards and back into her hands.
"It's easier to control small items like that, but the heavier the object, the less control I have." She unwrapped the sandwich and began to dig in. "But yeah, that's my magic."
Izuku had been watching with amazement, and it took him a moment to bring himself back into focus. "That's amazing! Does it work on living things too?"
"Mhm! I usually use it on myself whenever I need to get somewhere up high. Really makes it easier to get stuff off a high shelf, ya know?"
"I can imagine."
"What about you? You work at Fairy Tail. Does that mean you use magic too?"
Izuku froze. There it was, the question he was dreading. He had been hoping she wouldn't ask, actually he hadn't thought some random person would ask him that. He thought someone in the guild would be the first to act.
"Uh…I…" He paused, his mind trying to come up with some kind of answer. The longer he thought about it the redder his face turned.
"Magic. Right. Yeah, that. Uh…" He continued to stumble over his words. In his growing nervousness, he began to tug at his gloves. His hands were starting to itch, and it was driving him crazy not to scratch at them.
She tilted her head. "Do you not use magic?"
Izuku paused in his panicking for a moment. He eyed the window for a second, wondering if jumping out was a viable option. Sure, the train was moving fast, but he might be okay if he managed to land somewhere soft.
"Uh…I'm…" He put his head down, and that was answer enough for Ochako.
"I didn't mean for that to come off as rude, I'm sorry!" She began to wave her hands. "It's just that, I thought that since you're at the guild, you would use magic."
Izuku nodded meekly. "T-That's not a…it's a reasonable assumption."
His face was a deep shade of red, and Ochako couldn't help but feel bad. She hadn't meant to make him feel so embarrassed. Someone who doesn't use magic in the wizard guild. Some may think it's a preposterous thought. But it's not too uncommon, she's heard of some regular employees working at guilds. Usually in regular stations like bartenders or janitors.
Even guilds needed employees, and it couldn't be just made up of members.
An awkward silence settled over the two, and neither looked sure as to how to continue. They both kept their eyes on the window, neither of them daring to look at the other.
Izuku kept his eyes on the scenery outside. Ochako didn't seem too put off by the fact he was someone who couldn't use magic. There was none of the disgust or disdain he was expecting. Was she just someone who was nice about it? Were people who couldn't use magic more common here?
He sighed. Magic was everywhere, easily accessible to everyone. At least, that was what he had read. He wondered how many people in the world used magic if it was a contrast like it was back in his own world. An 80-20 difference.
He was of the lesser percentage, a dying breed. A relic that nobody wanted or needed.
"So, you said you come from far away. Mind if I ask where?" She broke the awkward silence.
"I'm from Mustafu." He answered, like every time someone asked where he was from. Thankfully nobody asked him to elaborate.
Then again, most people weren't stuck with him on a train that had a long way to go.
"Oh, where's that? I've never heard of that place before."
Izuku froze up until his brain started working again and came up with some kind of answer.
"It's a really small island, pretty much the middle of nowhere." He answered. "We don't get a lot of visitors."
"A small town, that must have been nice."
"It didn't feel small."
She hummed. "I bet everything feels bigger on the mainland, though."
He nodded. Once again, quiet dominated their space, awkward silence that he felt obligated to break.
"What about you? You said you're from the other side of the kingdom?"
"I'm from Girassol. It's mostly in the mountains, but it's still really nice. It can get pretty cold up there, especially in the winter."
"Are there any guilds over there?" He asked.
"Yeah, but none of the wizard guilds were really that big and didn't get very many jobs. I had always heard about the guilds on this side of the country. I figured here would be best if I wanted to look for a good place to find work."
He nodded to himself, and she smiled as she glanced out the window again.
"Actually, I like it here a lot better than back home. It feels like there's more to do, you know? And look at me, only a month into my journey here and trying to get into a guild…and I've finally made a new friend."
Izuku shot a glance at her.
"A friend?"
"Well…yeah." She smiled. "I know I just met you, but I'd like to think we're friends by now. Somewhat anyway. I haven't really been able to talk to many people like this. Being on the move and all. I think you're the first person I've talked to in a while that hasn't been a client."
"Ah."
He…wasn't quite sure what to say to that. That seemed to be moving fast, she barely knew him and she considered him a friend? She hardly knew a thing about him! Not to mention, after this train ride, they probably won't see each other again.
"Say, maybe when we get to Oshibana, I can go with you to deliver what you have to. I know my way around a bit, and I still have to find a place to stay for the night."
"I thought you had to go to another town nearby."
"I do, but I'd rather make my way there in the day. I think by the time I'm halfway there, it'll be the middle of the night. And it's not a good idea to walk the trails at night."
"Yeah, that makes sense."
"Besides, you said you're new here. I can help you find your way around Oshibana." She added.
"You've been there before?" He looked up.
"Once or twice, like I said, I take jobs on community boards. But I know my way around well enough!"
He hummed to himself. "Well, I guess it's a lot better than wandering around and getting more lost."
"That's what I'm saying!"
"Well, okay then." He agreed.
"Great! So, where do you have to go anyway?"
"Uh…" He grabbed his backpack and pulled out the envelope. "Some kind of brewery I think."
"There's a brewery in Oshibana?"
"Apparently."
"Huh, well I guess we can find it together."
"Yeah."
-.-
"Oh look, he's talking to someone!"
"Get away from the window cat, he's going to see you!"
"Why didn't you let me walk there…"
"Do not throw yourself out the window."
"Please…"
"Absolutely not!"
-.-
It was late afternoon by the time the train pulled into the station, the whistle blew loudly as the machine slowly ground to a halt. There was a light jostle everyone felt that made them aware of the stop.
Izuku and Ochako got up and stretched out their stiff bodies before gathering their things and joining the crowd of people trying to exit the train. As they made their way off they thought they heard something like yelling from one of the other cars.
As soon as they were off the train and out of the station, the two teenagers stood in the street and looked around. The station was at the center of the town, and there didn't seem to be any other big landmarks to make a note of. It looked like this was a small stop.
"So," she turned towards Izuku, "what's the address on the letter?"
"Uh…" He pulled the envelope out of his bag. "It looks like it's on Minsor Road. I…have no idea where that is."
"Neither do I, but it can't be too far. I mean, it is a small town."
"Yeah, that's true."
"Right? Now, come on. Let's look around a bit, if it's your first time here then you should get to know this place a bit."
Ochako beamed as Izuku nodded.
"Okay, let's look around then!" She cheered and began to lead him away.
While they walked away, Lucy and Happy watched from afar.
"Well, he got here okay. That's a relief. It looks like Mirajane was worried for nothing, he's doing just fine," she smiled to herself. And he managed to meet someone and make a new friend. That was nice, it seemed somewhat easier for him. Maybe it was because she wasn't a member of the guild. Even so, he still held an air of awkwardness around himself.
"Well, it still made her feel better. I'm sure she'll be happy to know he's okay on his own." Happy flew above her to get a better look at him and that girl.
"Yeah, all we have to do is just make sure he gets there, then gets back on the train home. Then we're set!"
"Aye!"
Lucy grinned and began to walk away to the next hiding spot down the street. They couldn't be seen.
"Come on Natsu." She gestured for the Dragonslayer to follow. Said Dragonslayer was suspiciously quiet.
Happy paused and began to look around frantically.
"Uh, Lucy?" He tapped her shoulder.
She turned around to look at Happy, then scanned the street for any sign of their pyromaniac. He was nowhere to be seen, and with that, she paled.
"Oh no." Happy muttered.
"We left Natsu on the train!" She shouted. She immediately took off with Happy trailing after her, trying to get to the train station. If they caught it, they could get him before it took off to Clover Town.
"Lucy, how could you do that?" Happy frantically cried. He flew ahead of her in hopes of catching his best friend. "How could you forget Natsu?"
"You forgot him too!"
They raced back to the station, only to see the train had begun to move. They spotted Natsu hanging out the window. Once the train began to move again he flinched and began shaking. He looked up in time to see Lucy and Happy on the platform, staring at him in shock.
"Help me!" He cried. His screams faded out as the train gained speed and took off without them.
Happy merely stared at the train as it went further into the distance.
"Well, there he goes."