So many lovely messages! So little time! Maybe as a new year resolution, I should get to finishing this story...
Angry9guy, how in the hell did you review chapters 6, 7, 10 and then 186?! That's some serious speed... Glad to know you liked Wendy's appearances.
ImUnknown321, sorry it's taking me ages to write and update. The 100 YQ is still not inspiring (although Meredy's back! yay!), but receiving reviews gives me the kick I need! Thank you!
Isanien, Fairy Tail party incoming. And Laxus... ;) Briefly, but if you'd like another babysitting appearance from him, let me know. Thank you for your review and patience! Also, holy moly, did you read the WHOLE thing again? Dude... Respect! I should take a page from your book!
User 312308102004, I get that, the story's always been my escape too - that's kinda how I got into it, escapism. I'm just happy I got better at it :D Thank you for your reviews! Means so much to me!
NotPerky, audiobooks are convenient, aren't they? Maybe one day the automatic reader on FanFiction will not sound creepy and dumb and you can listen here too :D Thanks for dropping a review!
I'm already afraid updating will trigger a bot reaction but I had to sit down and write with so many kind comments!
Merry Christmas everyone, happy holidays and soon a Happy New Year!
Chapter 187
"Is it time to yell yet?" Natsu plucked at the cord on which they had strung up the banner. 'It's a—' it said, and with a brush someone had struck the word 'girl' and replaced it with a crooked 'Wizard Saint', although the 'nt' was squished into the corner so much, one had to guess. Gray had of course scorned at the crumpled letters, promptly making Mira cry for her lack of artistic talent.
"Natsu…" Lucy groaned. "For the last time, this is a little more important than eating cake." She gave him a look.
He passed it on, and Lucy scowled at the way Erza was stuffing her face quite happily with a second slice of strawberry cheesecake. She paused briefly, cheeks puffed with buttercream, then went on as if she hadn't been meant at all.
Natsu slammed his fist onto the table. "But this is boring! They're handing out privileges if we beat up bad guys – that's the best thing that could've happened if you ask me." He waved his letter from Queen Hisui.
"I'm with Natsu." Gray was leaning against their table, arms crossed. There wasn't much space with how many people had crammed around the chosen few and their invocations. "We're gonna be defending Fiore from harm anyway, why not reap some sweet rewards from the government? We're doing them a favour – it's only fair they pay us."
Wendy curled her lips, conflicted. She sat with her hands between her knees, humbled by the Ishgar Grand Council's recognition of her skills. Her shoulders eased a little when Erza nodded vigorously.
"Diapers don't pay themselves," she remarked.
Gray rolled his eyes. He put a hand on Wendy's shoulder in support, squeezing it reassuringly before he turned to Lucy again. "Freed read it, Levy read it, Sting and Rogue read it – the contract is fine. It's an 'only in case something really bad happens'."
"As I said, bo-ring," Natsu drawled. "Why can't they be calling us to punch crooks more often? We already beat Zeref and Acnologia – what's there gonna be that could be worse?"
"You have a point…" Lucy mumbled. She twirled her pen in her hand. Yukino, next to her, nudged her gently. And when Levy danced in from where she had switched baby duty with Gajeel, waving her signed invocation, Lucy signed her own.
"Alright." Erza arranged her fork on her crumb-free, shiny plate. "That settles it. Fairy Tail accepts their titles as Sentinels of Ishgar."
"And Sabertooth!" Sting cheered, squished between Yukino and Rogue. "I can't wait until Milady get's back and sees her letter. Isn't there supposed to be huge party for us?"
Natsu's eyes caught fire. He inhaled deeply, ready to start yelling as he called it, and celebrate as they had meant to. His fists punched the air, but his words got stuck when he was cut off immediately.
"An inauguration," Kagura calmly intervened. To Erza's right, she had her legs crossed and her hands folded on the table. "It's an official event at the Council in Era and you will not embarrass us all by gobbling down the entire buffet should there be one. Or steal her Majesty's crown – again."
"It happened once," Erza protested, noticing too late that Kagura had meant Natsu. She cleared her throat, tapping her fork to slide it this way and that on the plate.
Yukino giggled. "It really is a great honour. Not only do the rulers of the continent put their faith in us, but we will all be fighting together – Fairy Tail, Sabertooth, Mermaid Heel, even Bacchus from Quatro Cerberus."
"Let's just hope that'll never happen." Lucy eyed her signature warily. She took a deep breath, brows furrowed thoughtfully. "But you're right." She shook her head. "We will all fight as one, that's for sure." She smiled, the others cheering along.
No thirty seconds had passed when Cana was already uncorking the first barrels of saké, wine and beer. Apart from her and Team Natsu, the chosen ones were Freed, Juvia, Gajeel, Laxus, Gildarts, Makarov, Mira and Elfman, the Magic Council (to their great relief), Lyon, Kagura, Sting, Rogue, Yukino and Minerva. And Jellal.
Erza looked about, her gaze coming to a halt at the door to Master's office.
"Hey," Gray interrupted the free flow of booze, "what about the other Wizard Saints by the way?"
Erza turned back to her table. "The others?"
"Yeah. Weren't there supposed to be ten?"
"There were," Lucy agreed. "But only four remain – the Magic Council."
"And Jellal." Erza's chest puffed out proudly. "Jellal's the strongest Wizard Saint – he beat all four of them," she said as if she'd merely been a spectator. She didn't mind, not one bit, rather content to be handing parts of her handiwork to his reputation for an additional boost.
"That makes five," Gray counted.
Levy slid into the bench, now that the Twin Dragons were off competing bench throwing or drinking with Fairy Tail. She had gotten used to tucking all her hair behind her headband, saying that the babies pulled on strands if they found them. Gajeel, like her, would keep his hair away from his face. A trend Lucy had noticed Erza doing too, a braid dangling down her back.
Whipping out a light pen, Levy wrote the five names into the air: Jellal (at the top, much to Erza's delight). Then Draculous, Warrod, Wolfheim, Jura. "Then there's Master who still holds the title but won't be participating in any potential war."
"He better not." Erza narrowed her eyes, shooting a strict, protective glare towards his office. What was Jellal discussing this whole time?
Makarov Dreyar, Levy scribbled into the air above their table. "God Serena is a former Wizard Saint and so is Jose Porla of Phantom Lord." The names glowed before she struck them through. "That makes nine."
"Jellal having been one of them before as Siegrain," Lucy quietly noted. "And now again."
"So who's number ten?" Gray waved at the writing. It tumbled through the air. He had to flick light off his hand like sticky juice. "Someone we don't know? Wouldn't it be smart to recruit them too?"
"There were ten," Lucy agreed.
The door to Makarov's office opened. Jellal was bowing one last time in the door. He started for Erza's table, her beckoning him with a beaming smile, but was stopped and coerced by Master to bring him some saké. The 'good one', whatever that meant. Jellal cluelessly ordered from Mira. By the time he was back to Makarov's office, the latter had inched out in his wheelchair. A mistake. Spotted, Natsu and the others had kidnapped him into the festivities, running around with his chair as the battering ram, chasing other members who had to drunkenly jump out of the way. Makarov yelled for Natsu to stop, then to go faster.
Jellal watched, lost with his shot of sake. Finally, he returned it to the bar.
"You can leave it in his office," Erza told him once he weaved his way over through boisterous celebration.
"I think his body would thank him for every drop of alcohol it doesn't ingest."
"True." Levy nodded solemnly. "We need to take better care of him when he doesn't," she proclaimed. Erza's hand sprung up, and the two high-fived in mutual resolve. Lucy snorted in her throat. She concurred, of course, but seeing motherly instincts rule someone like the unreasonable Titania never failed to make her laugh. As if Erza could deny anyone alcohol, loving it herself. Pregnancy and nursing were a huge challenge for her, one that her body would also thank her for.
Erza patted her lap but Jellal declined. He handed her the envelope with his letter. "I spoke with Master."
"So I see." Erza purred, amused. She let the letter disappear in her storage dimension for safekeeping, sending her own after it. "Did he try to get Rosebud for himself again?"
"I told him I won't be taking the title— wait, Rosebud was supposed to be with Master?"
"You what?"
"Where is she?"
"Jellal—" Erza had to blink at the empty spot next to her, Jellal had already gone.
He stormed out of Makarov's office a second later, over to a very tipsy Master, and back to their table. "Are you sure she was with him?" His eyes flitted around the dense, swaying crowd. It was loud and stuffy; surely, she would have cried by now. He strained to listen, his brows scrunching up like a wrung-out dishrag.
"Jellal," Erza pulled on his hand, "tell me you didn't decline. Why would you—"
"We need to find Rosie!" He was panting.
Erza sighed through her nose. Rising to her feet, she took both of his hands, trying to meet his gaze in vain. Shaking him, she momentarily gained his attention. "I'll look around the guild if you tell me—"
"Then I'll take Magnolia!"
Erza had to shield her head from the sudden blast of wind. Jellal had used Meteor, the gates bursting open with an ear-shattering bang! Fairy Tail jumped, their visitors staring after the blinding light as it vanished from sight like a fired cannon ball. A heartbeat later, they were back to singing and dancing.
Lucy got up to join Erza. "As in… all of Magnolia?" She pulled a face. "I thought Mira was taking care of her."
"So did I…" Erza glowered at the bar.
Mirajane was watching the commotion, merrily drying a few glasses before they would be promptly filled again. Feeling their gazes, she sent her sweetest, most innocent smile. She poured some booze for the girls as they approached – one for Lucy, one for Wendy. Both shook their heads.
"Mira."
"I cannot serve you anything, Erza, and you already had cake."
"Where's Rosemary, Mira?"
"Rosemary?" Mira put a finger to her chin like a child trying to recite the alphabet. "Why, it was getting so busy, everyone ordering at once when you arrived, I gave her to Freed."
Lucy frowned. Erza was past wondering, stealing looks around for green hair.
"I can't smell him in here," Wendy piped up.
"Who did Freed give her to then?" Erza asked.
"Master," Mira said easily, not feeling threatened by the darkening aura surrounding her guildmate. "He gave her to Laxus, I think."
"Laxus?" Lucy almost laughed.
"And then?" Erza stomped her elbow on the bar.
Mira wouldn't be upset, her tone as sweet as her smile. "Then what?"
"Then who was next?"
"No one."
"Come on, Mira, this is Laxus we're talking about."
"So?" She picked up another glass from the dish rack to dry. "Have a little faith."
Erza grumbled, "I have plenty of faith in his fighting, but you have to admit that he's not one for children."
"He's not?"
"Who did he give her to, Mira?"
"He went upstairs."
Erza huffed. Pushing off the bar, she stalked up to the balcony. Lucy and Wendy followed, and the three split up – Wendy scanned the cramped tables with her Dragon Slayer nose, Lucy started with the archive and pantries while Erza peered into the bathrooms and finally the infirmary.
She could hear them before she had spied through the ajar door.
The room was quiet despite the ruckus from downstairs. No one was currently being treated, the beds empty and the separating curtains open. He'd taken a stool to the side of a bed. The stool cranked all the way down, Laxus still easily towered the mattress with his torso. He was down on his forearms, back turned to Erza's growing curiosity.
Rosemary's back rested in his giant palm. She couldn't sit on her own yet. His other hand lay before her, fingers up. A tiny zap of Lightning Dragon Slayer Magic twitched from his index finger to his thumb. Rosemary gasped. She flicked at his index finger. The lightning obeyed, flickering from his thumb to the indicated finger. Squealing, Rosemary tapped his ring finger, and the lightning jumped, one by one.
When she reached out to give the next command, Laxus hadn't finished. Erza winced in the doorway when Rosemary did. Her hair rose for a second, her pupils shrinking. Laxus tensed, visibly panicking.
Until Rosemary flicked his thumb. Loathe to shock her again, he didn't comply. Chubby hands enclosed the entirety of his fingers, and with a huff, leaning forward as much as her unpractised balance allowed, Rosemary crumpled Laxus' fingertips into his palm.
Nothing. Laxus frowned. His nails pressed into his skin, Rosemary giving her newest idea another try.
Of course, a Dragon Slayer wouldn't be hurt by his own magic. Erza held her breath. He'd have to pretend, if he understood. Pretend to be shocked like he had shocked her.
Rosemary had understood. Erza too. She knew her baby and that… affinity for justice, as she called it. Jellal called a spade a spade, blaming Erza for the hint of early sadism. A sense of righteousness, Erza would correct him.
Rosemary gathered Laxus' fingers together. She squished them in her clumsy movements, and pushed them down to meet their owner. He twitched. Rosemary's eyes popped at the little bzz-sound he'd made, at the way her plan had worked and his lightning paid him back for zapping her. She pressed down again.
Laxus, embarrassed at his own antics, spared himself the sound effect. He pretended another flinch though that had Rosemary combust with laughter so much, she toppled onto her back. And choked. Laxus hastily sat her up, his hands firm at her sides, afraid she'd fall. She coughed, chortling and spitting with dirtily delighted giggles, slobber blistering on her chin, running down her shirt.
Laxus leaned away.
Erza smiled to herself. Seeing he was more than ready to end his duty there, she gently knocked on the jamb of the door. He cringed more than he had when pretending to be zapped. Rosemary switched from sputtering spit and laughter to excited squeaks, hopping on her bum as Erza entered her field of view.
"Bababababa!" Rosemary grabbed Laxus' hand at her side. He quickly held her up for Erza to take, retracting his hand. It was dry, but he felt the need to wipe it on his trousers anyway.
"I see someone's had a good time," she told her daughter. Rosemary yipped her approval. Being counterproductive as usual, she blew raspberries into Erza's handkerchief when Erza tried to wipe off the saliva on Rosemary's chin. Erza surrendered the handkerchief for avid suckling. "Thank you for entertaining her."
Laxus grumbled and shrugged.
Erza blocked his path when he tried to leave. With an overly annoyed purse of his lips, Laxus crossed his arms. He refused to sit, even when she sank onto the side of the bed. It would have to do.
"You know…" Erza couldn't bring herself to look him in the eyes. She had a feeling he wasn't either, both glad to be watching Rosemary who fumbled with the buttons on Erza's blouse. Erza allowed herself a preparatory inhale. "I'm sorry." Another pause. Why was it so hard when all she did was preach for her guildmates to get along? Stroking hair away from Rosemary's forehead, she caught herself playing for time.
"It was just a minute." Laxus shrugged again. A replacement action too.
Erza smiled to herself. "What a bunch of children we are." She shook her head. "Even after all this time, we fight like teenagers. I'm sorry I've been so impatient with you lately. I guess I can't help feeling anxious whenever Jellal spends time away from me. Gets turned into an animal…"
Laxus' brows creased with a hint of anger. He didn't speak up though.
"Siblings fight." She met his eyes then. "We all try to find our niche. Having my own family to protect hasn't settled enough that I leave the guild to you. I'm sorry if I've made it sound like I don't trust you."
"You'll never stop protecting the guild." Laxus arms relaxed slightly. "They'd be in trouble without you."
"And I'd be in trouble without them. Including you."
"Urgh," he turned away, and she didn't stop him this time, "motherhood is making you soft." Lifting one hand, he signalled is goodbye without ever facing her.
When he had left, Erza let out a small sigh. She kept smiling.
"Laxus?" She could hear Lucy outside.
Wendy joined them, Erza getting up to meet the two halfway, presenting the safely recovered baby.
"He really kept her?" Lucy looked as impressed as she was sceptical.
"Quite well, actually. Maybe I'll book him for a night to sit her." Erza glanced past them, but Laxus was long swallowed by the partying masses.
Lucy snickered. "Sure he'll be delighted." She rolled her eyes. "Jellal came back; searched town. He said we went to Fairy Hills too – Meredy is missing."
"Missing?"
"I haven't seen her since yesterday," Wendy mumbled. "And Juvia is here. No jobs were taken. We told her we'd be celebrating today because of the Wizard Saint title."
"Maybe she heard she didn't get a letter from the Ishgar Grand Council and is pouty?" Lucy surmised.
Erza bit her lip in thought. "She's not at Fairy Hills…?" Patting her skirt, she found her pockets empty. She held out her hand instead. With a short glow, her lacrima appeared from her storage dimension. Rosemary's eyes sparkled. She slapped Erza's hand when the device appeared after a quit glance. "Fetch Jellal for me, please. I might have a hunch where she is."
The girls nodded. They took off in different directions, Erza marching in a bee line to their house. She couldn't help a worried frown. Had it really been a year…?