Author's Note:

Hi~!

Putting out my take on Gildarts x Lucy simply because I like this pair too! Honestly, Gildarts needs more screen time.

A quick shoutout to the brilliant writer who coined the name "Lucy Eris Heartfilia"! Unfortunately, I couldn't track down the original creator since I came across the name through a reposted fic in Tumblr with no author's name *sob sob*. If by any chance you stumble upon this story, thank you for your creativity and I hope you don't mind me borrowing the name for this story.

Will be rating this as a "T" due to cursing and sexual innuendos. If I've mistakenly rated this story wrong, please let me know.

Hope you guys enjoy this one!

- nana

Timeline: Post-Alvarez 100 YQ has not happened yet

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its characters.

Chapter 1 - Shadows on the Horizon

"Master, ano…" Lucy Heartfilia, officially branded as one of the strongest and only Celestial Wizard to have ever harnessed the Zodiac Stardresses, was in a bit of a pinch. She was glad that Fairy Tail's current guild master, Makarov Dreyar, has recognized her strength and trusted her enough with this task but… wasn't there someone in the guild that's far more suited than her?

"Hmm?" Makarov responded in his usual gruff voice.

"I am more than happy to help out but," Lucy paused for a moment, trying to think her words carefully. She didn't want to sound like she was trying to get out of this reconnaissance job. "Don't you usually ask Mest or Gajeel for this?"

Makarov nodded from his chair. "I have Mest on a different reconnaissance job. As for Gajeel, I'm giving him time to lay low for a bit with Levy being pregnant."

Lucy smiled at that. It was one war after another. Even with the guild's one year disbandment, time flew so fast and the next thing she knew, they were at another war against Zeref. This time, with the Black Wizard finally gone, that looming sense of dread has finally lifted and everyone can move at peace.

"And don't sell yourself short, Lucy," Makarov continued with a small smile on his face. "You're one of the smartest people I know. I'm sure you can pull this off."

Lucy blushed and smiled shyly at the compliment. "Thank you, Master."

"I'll handle your team. You can leave tomorrow morning."

She nodded and left his office quietly. As soon as she closed the door, she leaned onto the nearest wall and sighed heavily. She was excited but also, she hated the thought of having to possibly wear corsets again just for this job.

"You okay there, Lucy?"

She glanced to her side to see Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe all looking at her with curious glances. "Uhh, yes," she responded, sounding a bit conscious of herself all of a sudden. "Just tired, that's all. Thanks for asking though."

She saw Laxus tilt his head. "What did that old man say this time?"

'He's always looking out for others…' "Ah, it's nothing," she responded, smiling softly. "Just checking in, as always. I should head out now though. I'll see you guys around!" She waved and left the guild with a small smile on her face.

Laxus and his team watched the blonde leave the guild.

"She's… not a very good liar, isn't she." Freed commented. He glanced at their leader who had a subtle frown on his face. "Aren't you going to ask Master about it?"

Laxus stayed silent. He does get a little bit worried when it comes to Fairy Tail's Celestial Spirit mage.

Just a little.

Lucy let out a deep, contented sigh as she sunk into the hot tub, letting the warmth soothe her travel-worn muscles. The trip to Lunaris took two full days and her body was more than ready to shake off the stiffness. She thanked the stars as she was able to find a decent inn in this unfamiliar town to rest before she dove into her recon job the next day.

Her mind replayed the details her master had given her before she left -

"Lucy, are you familiar with the Dupont family?"

Makarov noticed that Lucy's facial expression turned grim for a second before nodding. "I assume you're aware of their 'business'?

Lucy nodded again. "They auction off 'slaves' as their items and are usually only attended by a carefully selected group of upper elites."

Makarov grunted in response. "There's been suspicious activity within the town of Lunaris where young mages are disappearing left and right. Because of this, the mayor has imposed a strict curfew where no one's allowed on the streets as soon as the sun sets."

"And the mayor thinks that it's the Dupont's doing?"

Makarov gave Lucy a white folder. "According to the mayor, Sera, the youngest of the Dupont family, opened up a fabric shop six months ago. The disappearance of young mages started a month after. They initially thought that their mages were just getting killed in action or moved out of town but one of the mother's came to the mayor's office, desperately asking for their local guards to investigate the Dupont's shop."

He heard the rustle of papers. "Celes and Firion, close friends of Cindy, disappeared a day after they visited Sera's shop. A week and a half later, Cindy disappeared as well a day after visiting the shop."

Lucy skimmed through the file. "It says here that the fabric that they sell is imbued with defensive magic…"

Makarov stayed silent, waiting on questions from the Celestial Wizard.

"Do you need me to see whether the fabrics being sold are laced with something else?"

Makarov smiled and nodded, watching Lucy's mind work through the details. With the major dark guilds and Zeref finally wiped out, the remaining smaller dark guilds are now in hiding and finding ways to continue their operations.

And it seemed like aiding the rich and powerful in running their shady businesses had become one of their means.

"We also need some paper trail to prove that they're auctioning off these young mages and bribing the local guards in Lunaris," Makarov sighed. "With you being a 'Heartfilia', you should be able to get into these elite gatherings and collect evidence."

She was not looking forward to this.

"If at some point you find out that they are innocent - which I highly doubt - or if you're in serious danger, pull out immediately," Makarov shot the Celestial Wizard a serious look. "Do you understand, Lucy?"

"Hai, Master."

Noticing her fingers starting to prune, Lucy stood up from the tub and dried herself off. "Guess it's time to go and find some food, huh, Plue?"

"Pu-pu-puun~!"

The town was dimly lit by the street lamps, casting a soft glow over the cobblestone roads. She took in the quiet surroundings, her senses on alert even as she searched for a place to grab a meal.

After a few minutes, she found a small, cozy restaurant tucked between two bookshops. The atmosphere inside was warm and lively, and Lucy settled into a corner booth, ordering a hearty meal to satisfy her hunger. As she waited for her food, her eyes drifted around the room, scanning for anything or anyone suspicious. Her gaze wandered over the bar, and that's when she noticed a familiar figure. A worn, brown cloak, slung over a large-bodied frame, was seated with his back to her.

Of all places and of all times… it had to be Gildarts Clive.

'Now that I think about it, I haven't really seen him since we started rebuilding again.'

She was thinking on how to approach Gildarts when something clicked in her brain. She got up from her booth, a grin spreading across her face. She crept up behind him quietly, hoping to surprise him.

"I really wouldn't do that if I were you… unless you have a death wish." Gildart's voice boomed.

Lucy laughed, playfully stomping her foot in feigned frustration. "Dammit Gildarts," she said with a mock glare, sliding onto the barstool next to him. "How did you know?"

"Kid, I'd know that magical energy anywhere," he said, giving Lucy a roguish smile as he leaned back, looking her over. "What are you doing here and where's the rest of your team?"

"I'm on a solo job actually," she glanced away as the waiter placed a plate in front of her. She nodded in thanks before turning back to Gildarts, her gaze falling to his half-empty drink. "But I didn't expect to see you here," she added, her eyebrows raised. "Business or pleasure?"

Gildarts grinned, swirling the drink in his hand. "A little bit of both, I guess," he responded with a twinkle in his eye. "But really, I came here to lay low for a while. Didn't think I'd run into anyone from Fairy Tail here."

Lucy chuckled and took a sip of her own drink. "Well, good thing you ran into the best one," she teased.

Gildarts laughed and looked at Lucy more thoughtfully. "You're looking good, Lucy."

"I'm telling Cana -"

"That's not what I meant!" Gildarts pouted and downed the rest of his drink. "I meant, you've changed. You've gotten a bit more confident."

Lucy couldn't help but blush slightly at the compliment. "Tha-thank you," she stuttered, sipping her drink again to hide her face.

Lucy was surprised by how much she was enjoying dinner with the Crash mage. She couldn't remember a time where they both sat down to just talk about anything at all. They had exchanged hi-hello's whenever she sat with Cana but never had the chance to strike a conversation with him. Usually, he was off on a year-long quest or glued to Cana's side when he's in the guild.

And right now, she was glad that she ran into him.

Gildarts was nothing short of a legend, and yet somehow still so approachable, like the daring and older adventurer in every storybook she had ever loved. Whenever he spoke of his stories, it always seemed like he was half-amused with the world and everything in it. Talking to him felt oddly reassuring; he had a way of making things feel simple and natural, as if the world wasn't filled with dangers. But then again, he had already seen and experienced the world and its edges more than her.

"You're making me nervous, Lucy. What's with that look?"

Lucy snapped out of her thoughts and blinked. She glanced at Gildarts who had a perplexed look on his face. "Wait. What look?"

Gildarts tilted his head. "Like I hold all the answers to the mysteries of Earthland."

The blonde raised an elegant eyebrow, a playful smile tugged on her lips. "You don't?"

Gildarts rolled his eyes and grinned. "Oooookay," he drawled. "You are not hinting that I'm old, Lucy Heartfilia."

Lucy was cry-laughing in her seat, one of her hands gripping Gildarts' left bicep so she wouldn't fall over. For a moment, he was glad that he still had his upper left arm. "I'm sorry!" she apologized in between laughs.

Gildarts simply chuckled and watched the blonde beside him. He had known Lucy through Natsu. Back then, she was just a young kid with big dreams and a heart full of love and loyalty. But now, he could see how time and experience had changed that. She had grown into a confident and resilient woman.

She removed her hand from his shoulder and wiped her eyes, a bright smile still on her face. "Honestly Gildarts, you make it too easy."

"Glad to see you happy at my pride's expense," he winked at the Celestial mage.

Just as she was about to respond, in the corner of her eye, she spotted a woman dressed in a red fitted dress, reaching out to Gildarts' other shoulder. "Well, if it isn't Gildarts," the woman purred, her index finger tracing the outline of the older man's shoulder. "I didn't expect to run into you here."

Gildarts shifted a bit in his seat, his usual easy-going demeanor faltering just slightly. "Hey there," he responded with a polite smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Didn't expect to run into you here either."

Lucy's eyebrows rose and glanced over at Gildarts, noting the slight shift in his expression - a mixture of surprise and guilt, like he'd been caught off-guard.

The woman grinned knowingly. "It's been a while," she said, her voice low and sultry, and Lucy definitely didn't miss the way the woman leaned in, making her familiarity more than clear to the blonde. Lucy's cheeks flushed as realization dawned on her.

She cleared her throat as she slipped off her stool. She was feeling like an intruder all of a sudden. "Well, I'll let you two catch up," she said, her voice light. "I do have a job to do and I shouldn't be staying up late anyway."

He caught her arm rather quickly. "Are you sure, Lucy?" His eyes looked… desperate? Alarmed? Lucy thought back for a moment.

The woman was not a mage; she was a hundred percent sure of that.

Stalker? Well… Gildarts is a handsome and powerful man but he doesn't tend to stay in one place for too long. Unless you're Juvia… then, no.

And to be completely honest… she wasn't sure how to help Gildarts out of a situation like this either. He's a grown and mature man. He can handle this.

Lucy waved a hand, a small but a forced smile on her face. "Don't worry about it. I'll see you back at the guild soon enough. Save a few stories for me, alright?"

With a wink, she turned and headed out.

He watched Lucy walk out, leaving him stuck in a conversation he didn't want to be in. He let out a long sigh, and for the first time in a long time, he found himself wishing that Lucy had stayed, if only for a little while longer.

Lucy looked at herself in the mirror, feeling a little out of sorts with her new hair length and color. Capricorn told her that it would be best to create a new identity for her while she gathers information from the townspeople. Knowing that a few local guards are being bribed, it wouldn't do good for the Dupont's to know that a Heartfilia was scouring for information.

With her long and sleek black hair that fell all the way down to her hips, and full straight-across bangs that sat just above her violet eyes, framing her face and giving her a soft yet slightly mysterious look… she wasn't Lucy Heartfilia, the Fairy Tail mage and Celestial Wizard.

She was Eris - an orphan with no known surname, just a girl trying to make a life for herself in the town of Lunaris, quietly learning her way around.

She sighed and put on her white cloak. 'This is going to be a long con job, for sure…' Making sure her door was locked, she set out to town.

Lucy took a deep breath as she walked through the cobbled streets of Lunaris, pulling the hood of her white cloak a bit lower to shadow her face. Her new persona, Eris, felt like a thin veil she hoped would be convincing enough. As a writer, it was very quick for her to create a cover story for Eris. The hard part would be having to put it into action. Lucy was no actress, but she sure as hell knows how to pretend to be a sweet, young lady.

She is a Heartfilia after all.

Lunaris was lively, with market stalls lined up on either side of the road selling fresh produce, small trinkets, and unique fabrics. She needed to get close to the Dupont family somehow, and find a way for Lucy Heartfilia to get into these 'private events'.

Slipping into character, Lucy approached a middle-aged woman selling colorful scarves and jewelry at a modest stall. "Excuse me, ma'am," she said, her voice soft and a bit hesitant. "I'm new in town and looking for work. Do you know of any places that might be hiring? Maybe somewhere I could earn a decent living?" She shifted, letting her fingers brush the edge of a silk scarf as if she were a bit shy.

The woman's eyes softened as she looked at Lucy. "Well, it's a good thing you asked me, dear. Lunaris may be small, but we have some places that pay decently, especially for someone young and energetic like you. I would offer you a spot, but as you can see," she gestured to her modestly-sized stall. "I don't earn much and I have a family."

Lucy instantly felt bad. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to -"

The woman simply laughed and waved Lucy off. "It's okay, dear. I wasn't offended or anything. Now," she gestured to the end of the street. "Try talking to the people at Arthur's Clothiers. They are always looking for an extra hand, what with all the fancy fabrics they get imported from places like Crocus. And they pay fairly well, from what I hear."

Lucy smiled gratefully. "Thank you so much. I'll head over there."

As she turned to leave, the woman leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "If you're looking to make good money quickly, there's one other place that comes to mind. Dupont's Fabrics. They don't just hire anyone, mind you. Lady Sera is very particular. But rumor has it that those who get in earn… well, a lot more than they probably should." The woman raised an eyebrow, giving Lucy a knowing look.

Lucy feigned surprise, forcing a curious gleam into her eyes. "Oh my… really? I'll have to look into that. Thank you again."

With a polite nod, she walked away from the stall, her mind buzzing with information. Arthur's Clothiers might be her way in for appearances, a respectable job to keep up her cover. If there was anything she knew about the Dupont family, it was that they hated competition.

Determined, she made her way to Arthur's Clothiers.

The shop was modest but elegant, with intricate displays of fabrics that spilled in waves of colors from tables and shelves. Rich silks and finely woven wool hung from racks along the walls, the light catching on their shimmering textures.

It was the kind of place a discerning, upper-class shopper might frequent.

She took a breath before entering. The bell above the door tinkled as she stepped inside. A well-dressed man with gray hair stood behind the counter, his gaze appraising her as she walked towards him.

"Good morning, sir," she greeted with a polite nod, making her voice sound softer and more reserved. "I was wondering if you might be looking for help in your shop. I'm new in town and I'm hoping to find some steady work."

The man eyed her thoughtfully. "Well, young miss, you're going to have to put that hood down so I can see you clearly."

Wordlessly, Lucy pulled her hood and she saw the man's eyes widen. "My word… if I was running a gentleman's club, I wouldn't hesitate to hire you."

She blushed and looked away. "Tha-thank you, sir," she responded softly.

"Where did you say you were from?" The man asked.

Lucy had expected this and already had a backstory ready. "I'm from the east, sir. An orphan, raised in a small village. I've traveled quite a bit, working odd jobs here and there. I don't have much experience with fine fabrics, but I'm a quick learner and good with people."

The man let out a low hum, then finally nodded. "Alright. We could use a hand for the afternoon shift - organizing stock and cleaning up. If you're serious about learning, come back tomorrow afternoon. I'll give you a trial period."

Lucy's face lit up with gratitude… and maybe a little bit of satisfaction. First day on the job and she had made progress. "Thank you! I promise I'll work hard."

After leaving the shop, she made her way through the winding streets, noting the different shops, observing the people, and exchanging hi-hello's with the people she locked eyes with. It would probably be good to make a little bit of presence in the town as well.

She continued to roam around the town, making idle chatter here and there and making some discreet inquiries. She got two useful pieces of information: one, the town's curfew is at 8 PM so people should start heading home before then. Two, the Dupont shop only hired people by invitation - this one kind of made sense to her. When it came to the elites of the society, everything seemed to operate on an invitation-only basis.

Lucy lightly grazed her finger on Horologium's key.

'It's already 5 PM, Lucy-sama.'

Her eyes widened a bit. She had walked the entire afternoon and didn't even notice the time. At that moment, her stomach grumbled.

Yep, she'd been out and about for quite some time.

She scanned the quiet street until her eyes landed on a tucked-away restaurant at the very end. She stepped inside, hoping to find a secluded corner to enjoy a quiet meal. But as she looked around, her gaze caught on a familiar sight - Gildarts.

Again.

Just as she took a step back, ready to slip out unnoticed, the voice of an elderly woman made her stop. "Oh my, you must be that young woman my son has mentioned. You really are a looker."

Lucy forced a polite smile. Her mind was racing as she tried to recall who the woman's son might be. She had talked to so many townsfolk that their faces and names were all blurring together. "Thank you," she responded with a soft and humble smile. "I've been going around town looking for work, so I may have met him, but I'm afraid I didn't catch his name…"

The old woman beamed, patting Lucy's hand warmly before steering her towards the very table where Gildarts was sitting. "Sit down, dear. I'll fix you a nice hot meal - on the house!"

"Oh! Really, you don't have to," Lucy stammered, feeling a little guilty. "I can pay, I promise!"

But the old woman had already disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Lucy alone with Gildarts.

An awkward silence settled over them as she carefully took the seat beside him, avoiding his amused gaze.

"So," Gildarts started, his voice low. "Is this your job?"

Lucy's cheeks warmed as she took a quick glance towards the kitchen door. "Yes," she whispered softly, fidgeting with the hem of her cloak. She knew right away that Gildarts could see right through her. "Master sent me here."

"Alone?" he asked, concern flickering in his moss-colored eyes.

Lucy nodded. "I'm staying at the Moonlit Haven, room 542," she whispered again, her eyes nervously darting back to the kitchen door. "Knock to the tune of happy birthday, okay?"

Just then, the elderly woman reappeared with two steaming bowls of soup that smelled like heaven. "Here you go, dears. Eat up! Have you two had the chance to get acquainted?"

Gildarts grinned. "Why, of course! Hard to ignore such a beautiful lady," he said, throwing Lucy a teasing wink that made her blush.

'Gildarts Clive, always a charmer…' Lucy thought for a moment.

Lucy cleared her throat, forcing herself to stay in character. "My name's Eris. It's nice to meet you…" she trailed off, offering him her hand.

"Gildarts. Gildarts Clive," he said, taking her hand in his, his grip warm and steady. "A mage from Fairy Tail."

"It's nice to meet you, Gildarts-san," she replied, trying to suppress the smile tugging at her lips.

He chuckled, his eyes twinkling as he kept hold of her hand a moment longer than necessary. "Just Gildarts. No need for formalities, Eris."

Lucy's heart fluttered. And this time, her smile was genuine.

The elderly woman watched them with a knowing smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

'Ah… young love.'

Later that evening, Gildarts found himself outside Lucy's room, still replaying over their encounter earlier. Honestly, he was taken aback by Lucy's complete change of appearance. Her long black hair contrasted with her fair, creamy skin, and those violet eyes that gave her an almost ethereal quality.

While her new look suited her in an unexpected way, it felt… off.

He sighed. This changed woman was giving him some weird feelings and he didn't know what to think of it. He shrugged those thoughts away and focused on figuring out what Lucy's mission was and see how he can help. The fact that their master was the one who sent her here solidified it for him that something serious was happening in this town. The idea that something could happen to her while he was nearby made his stomach twist.

He took a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching. Following her instructions, he knocked quietly in the rhythm of the 'Happy Birthday' song. He heard faint footsteps approach, and a moment later, the door creaked open, revealing Lucy peeking out.

"Hey," she whispered, opening the door a bit more to let him in. She closed the door quickly, locking it behind him.

His gaze went straight to the queen-sized bed with various paper notes. "Are those yours or from master?"

"From master," she responded, taking the folder from her bed and handing it over to Gildarts. "I just added some extra notes to the sides."

"I'll let you look over those while I brush my teeth, will that be okay?"

Gildarts simply nodded, his eyes looking over the information. "Take your time, kiddo."

As soon as he heard the bathroom door close, he took a seat on the edge of the bed. He took in all the important details: Dupont family, young mages disappearing, local guards allegedly being bribed, secret auction…

The more Gildarts read through the folder, the deeper his scowl grew. Why on Earthland would Makarov send Lucy Heartfilia, of all people, for a mission like this?

Lucy Heartfilia was a beautiful, young mage, and is widely known as the strongest Celestial Wizard. If the Dupont's found out that she's here in Lunaris, it could mean trouble for her.

He felt the bed shift on his side, and found Lucy staring up at him with her light brown eyes. "You're not happy," she stated, sensing the tension from the Crash mage.

"I don't understand why master specifically asked for you," he ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling in him. "And you… why did you agree to this?"

"Master had an inkling that I knew about the Dupont family and the shady business that they run… and he's right." Lucy was tapping her foot lightly on the floor, not exactly sure how to act around the older man.

"Shady business?" Gildarts scanned through the files again. "You mean the local guards here being given jewels or this secret auction?"

Lucy crossed her arms. "The Dupont family has been notoriously recognized for holding private auctions with 'slaves' as their items. They've been doing it for years. A mother whose child disappeared, asked the mayor to investigate the Dupont's because her daughter and her friends disappeared right after they visited the shop."

It took a few moments for Gildarts to piece everything together and he let out a huge sigh. "So now they're possibly kidnapping young mages and auctioning them off?"

Lucy said nothing.

"What is that old man thinking…" he mumbled under his breath. "And again, why did you agree to this?"

Lucy blinked and tilted her head. "Because master asked?"

Gildarts rolled his eyes. Of course she'd accept. According to Cana, the woman had a bleeding heart.

"And besides," she continued, putting one leg on top of the other. "If it gets dangerous, I pull out."

"And you're sure of that?" Gildarts crossed his arms, turning a serious pair of eyes on Lucy.

She nodded. "I'm sure."

"That's a promise then."

Lucy visibly flinched. Dammit.

"I know how your magic works, Lucy," Gildarts closed the folder and handed it back to her. "I make it a point to study the magic of my guildmates."

The blonde's eyebrows raised at that. "Wait… really?"

Gildarts shrugged. "I travel a lot. You never know the kind of enemies you encounter."

Just as Lucy was about to respond, a crackling noise was heard outside of her room.

Attention, all travelers: the time is now 7:50 PM. Please complete any final errands within the next ten minutes as the city-wide curfew will begin promptly at 8:00 PM. For your safety, please remain inside your rooms after this time. Once again, curfew begins at 8:00 PM. Thank you, and take care.

"Shit…" Gildarts mumbled. He really should get his damned pocket watch fixed. He hadn't been able to tell the time for two whole months now.

Lucy looked at the troubled face of Gildarts. "Will you be able to make it back in time?"

Gildarts strutted to the nearest window and observed the streets below. It was practically empty. He sighed. "I don't know. It took me a while to get here."

Lucy's eyes darted between Gildarts and her queen-sized bed. "It's okay, you can stay here for tonight. I've got a huge bed anyway."

Gildarts blinked. "You sure you're okay with that?"

She nodded and smiled. "Don't worry, I don't move a lot. You'll get to keep your side of the bed."

The Crash mage snorted and took off his cloak, hanging it on one of the chairs in the room. "Cana says the same thing but I always end up on the floor by the morning." He disappeared into the bathroom for a quick shower.

Lucy chuckled and stretched her arms with a yawn. 'Like father, like daughter, I guess…' She climbed into the bed and tucked the covers up to her chin. She was more than ready to get her much needed rest. She'd been walking around all day, and she was planning on doing the same tomorrow.

Her eyes fluttered close, and soon her breathing evened out as she slipped into a peaceful sleep.

When Gildarts stepped out of the shower, a towel over his damp hair, he paused in the doorway. There was Lucy, fast asleep and curled on one side of the bed. Her face looked softer and peaceful while asleep, and Gildarts found himself watching her a little longer than intended. The dark hair she wore fanned out across the pillow, giving her an elegant quality in the dim light.

Pulling his gaze away, he moved quietly to the other side of the bed, careful to keep a respectable distance. With a sigh, he settled onto his own side, closing his eyes and willing himself to relax.

A faint smile crept onto his face as he drifted off, feeling oddly at ease.

The morning sunlight spilled softly through the curtains, warming Lucy's face and stirring her awake. She stretched, blinking against the brightness as her eyes adjusted. As she sat up, she glanced over to the other side of the bed, remembering that Gildarts had an impromptu sleepover… only to find it empty.

She scanned the rest of the room and found a neatly folded piece of paper on the bedside table. She picked it up and unfolding it to see Gildarts' messy handwriting:

Morning Princess,

I figured it'd be best to head out early. I'm sure you don't want anyone to see us together, considering your job. I'll be working in the background, keeping a low profile so if you run into any trouble, I'll be here. Stay smart and stay safe. I'm close if you need me.

Hearthstone Lodge - Room 367

Lucy's lips curved into a small smile, a warmth blooming in her chest. She folded the note carefully and placed it back on the table, gathering herself for the day ahead.

She went through her normal morning routine, making sure to put in her violet contacts and checking her disguise in the mirror. She was planning on doing the same thing as yesterday: walk around town in the morning and get herself familiarized with the layout of the town, then head off to her afternoon shift at Arthur's Clothiers.

As she left the inn, she let the sun warm her face and prayed for the stars to keep watch over her today. She started wandering around, taking mental notes of little shops and stalls. She paused at a vendor selling fresh fruit, pretending to examine a cluster of apples while listening in on the conversations around her.

"Ano, excuse me, Eris-san?"

The voice startled her. Lucy turned to find a young man standing a few feet away, his brown hair tousled. He looked vaguely familiar, though she couldn't quite place him.

"Yes?" she responded, her voice soft and curious.

The man smiled, stepping closer. "I'm Haru. My mother, Sakura, runs the restaurant at the end of this street. She mentioned you stopped by yesterday."

Lucy's lips parted in recognition. "Oh! Your mother was so kind," she said with a warm smile. "Please, thank her for the meal. It was so delicious."

"I don't know if you remember me, but we actually saw each other yesterday." Haru said, a shy smile on his face. "You accidentally bumped into a couple of magic books at the bookshop."

Then it dawned on her. He was the one behind the counter and helped her clean up her mess!

"Oh my, I am so sorry about yesterday!" She bowed deep, trying to show Haru how sincere she was. Really, she just got overly excited when she found the book that she had been looking for. It seemed like she backed up a little too much from the bookshelf, she ended up hitting the bookshelf behind her.

The way she fidgeted her fingers made Haru chuckle softly. "It's fine, really. No harm done - except, maybe to the librarian's patience."

Lucy groaned. "She looked like she was ready to turn me into a bookmark."

"Where are you headed today?" Haru asked.

An idea popped into her head. "Honestly, anywhere," she smiled sheepishly. "I just got into town and figured that I'd take a stroll to get a feel for the place before heading off to my new job. Do you know of any good spots here?"

Haru's face lit up at her question. "Oh, you're in luck! Today's my day off from the bookshop so I can show you around," he motioned for her to follow. "If you're up for a little walk, there's a river near here that has a quiet spot. Perfect for clearing your head or just enjoying the view."

Her curiosity was piqued as she fell in step beside him. "That sounds lovely. I could use a bit of fresh air."

"It's one of my favorite places to unwind," he said as he brushed a hand through his hair. "You'll need it as it can get a bit suffocating with the curfew and all the strange disappearances lately."

Her stomach knotted at the mention of the disappearances. "I did hear about that," she said softly, trying not to raise an alarm in Haru's mind. "The old lady from that jewelry stall told me to stay inside past 6 PM because of the disappearances. I never got to ask her about it though. Will you tell me?"

"We'll talk about it when we get there," he smiled softly. They started walking through the town with Haru pointing out little shops that she hadn't really noticed before. Lunaris was nothing like Magnolia. It was smaller than she had anticipated and its streets were built in an almost maze-like fashion. Small gardens lined the pathways filled with silvery-blue flowers she had never seen before. Lunaris was beautiful.

Haru occasionally pointed out interesting landmarks - a bakery known for its moon-shaped pastries, an apothecary with a stunning display of luminescent herbs, and a small abandoned clock tower that he swore was haunted.

As Lucy and Haru approached the riverbank, she understood why it was his favorite. It cut through the eastern side of the town like a ribbon and its surface glinting in the sunlight. The water was crystal clear, shallow enough in some areas to see the smooth riverbed below.

When they finally arrived, Haru gestured towards a large, flat boulder at the water's edge. "Here's my spot," he gestured with a grin, patting the rock. "I like it best here at night since the moon makes the water glow."

She sat beside him on the boulder and gazed at the flowing water. It really was beautiful.

"I should at least tell you what's going on with the town considering you're new here." Haru said, his gaze seemingly far from where they are. "It's not like I'm trying to drive you out or anything, but it's been happening for months and you should look out for yourself."

Lucy sat quietly and listened to Haru's take on the situation. A lot of the things he mentioned, she already knew. But, she remained open to hearing it from someone else's perspective. You never know what sort of observations they have and could add another piece into the puzzle. "Sera Dupont, she visits every month," he said, picking up a stone and throwing it in the river. "We all call her the black cat."

That statement intrigued her. "Why?"

"You ever heard of that superstition that when a black cat crosses your path, it's a sign of bad luck?"

She nodded.

"Well," his voice turned low and heavy. "Whenever she shows up, someone disappears."

Lucy's eyes widened. "Like… on the same day that she's in town?"

Haru's expression darkened at this point. "Almost always. If not on the same day, a day or two after. But, it's never long before someone's gone."

"And no one's tried to report these incidents?"

"Are you kidding?" Haru let out a dry chuckle. "Ever since they set up shop in this little town, it's like they practically own it already. Nobody wants to risk getting on their bad side. People would know when she's about to visit."

Lucy tilted her head. "How?"

Haru looked back at the town entrance. "You notice how there's almost no guards right now?" When he saw 'Eris' nod, he continued. "Once you start seeing the local guards roam about, that's a sign. People around here know what that means so they'll stop going out of their houses or selling. So it's best to stock up before then."

"Thank you for letting me know, Haru," Lucy forced a smile at her new friend. "I did wonder why there was a curfew, but I thought that the mayor was just keeping everyone safe. I didn't know it was this bad."

"Well, enough with the depressing talk!" Haru stood up and offered Lucy his hand with a cheerful grin. "Let me take you to Arthur's. We don't wanna be late on our first day, right?"

Lucy laughed softly as she took his hand. "Yep! Thank you again, Haru."

She had a lot to think about tonight. If Sera's visits marked the disappearances, then timing would be everything to uncover the truth.

Author's Note:

Let me know your thoughts on this one!