Minerva looked at him for a moment. "We met at the Grand Magic Games over six months ago."

"So you two fought each other, or…?"

Minerva glanced at Lucy as if considering something. "That did happen, yes. During the melee battle."

"Y-Yeah…" Lucy responded, a flash of memories from the time echoing in Cobra's brain. It made him feel just as sick as before, and he quickly banished the thoughts. He had his hypothesis to test.

"I've heard about that. It sounded quite intense. I'm a bit surprised you two can talk so openly now." He threw up his hands. "Not that I can judge, you see, I've also fought Fairy Tail before, but now everything's great between us."

Lucy stared at him like he'd grown a second head. Her eyes went nervously between him and Minerva. Even though it was an open secret that the Oracion Seis were freed and a part of an independent–technically not legal–guild, it still wasn't something to draw attention to. Especially not to a guild that would have every right (and every power) available to drag them back to prison.

Somehow though, he didn't think that was going to happen today.

Minerva took an age to answer. "Are we supposed to not be able to talk if we've fought? As you said, you've done it and you're with her right now."

"So, you'd say your relationship is amicable?"

Once again, a pause longer than expected occurred. Not because it seemed Minerva was embarrassed, or guilt-ridden, or any of the other emotions she had been plagued with before. No, the problem here was much, much simpler.

"We…aren't friends. And we're not enemies. We just know each other from some other place. That's all."

"…Right. Sorry for the intrusive questions."

She held up a hand. "No need to apologize, I'm not offended." Then she turned to Lucy, who stiffened. "It was good talking to you, Lucy. And you…" she looked at Cobra, "you are?"

"Cobra."

"Good to meet you, Cobra. Now I need to get back to my own guild. Take care now." And with nary another glance, she strode past the two and was gone.


A/N: A slightly off topic thing, but it appears that the new spam is offering "commissions" of your work on FF/A03. If anyone reading would be so kind as to report these things. I've already gotten over five since I've started updating again, and it's very disheartening to see them instead of an actual review. I hope to report the ones on this story every day until they're removed. Thank you to everyone who is genuinely reading and enjoying this fic. It means a lot.