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April 9th, X778

Murmuring voices woke Lucy, though she didn't let it show. She pretended to remain asleep on the sofa she'd passed out on. She'd dozed off there waiting for Mirajane to come back; Gray had been waiting, too. Lucy was sure he'd had work to do, but had been touched that he'd decided to wait up late with her for Mirajane to return. "So I can apologize before she rips my head off," Gray had told Lucy.

Listening in silence with her face buried against the sofa, Lucy was confident that it was Gray and Mirajane. Mostly because she knew their voices well, but also because she knew for a fact that they would have been the only two discussing things like gods and Favored. She kept her breathing deep and even as Mirajane spoke suddenly, a little louder than she had been previously.

"I don't think it's her," she was saying, voice gentle yet confident. "I don't think either of them have anything to do with the worsening circumstances, Gray. Maybe if they'd met before we fell, but not now. Not yet, anyways. If it interferes when we figure out what's happening, but not at the moment."

Lucy didn't need to ask to know who they were talking about, and she couldn't say she was happy about it.

"I didn't think so either. Like I said, it was just one of a wide variety of theories Erza's been working on." Gray heaved a heavy sigh. He sounded tired when he added, "If it was as simple as that, I think Mavis would have stepped in by now. I think it's a lot more serious than a god making friends with a human."

Mirajane hummed softly in agreement. "The last time it happened, it wasn't this bad. More than necessary died and a few souls became more at risk to become lost, but not like this. Not every single one. This…this is an entirely different beast. We didn't fall last time."

There was quiet for a few moments before Gray spoke again. "It's going to be a problem later, Mira. When Valhalla's normal again and you all have to go back…Natsu's already having some problems with what he needs to do. This is going to give him an excuse to run wild."

"Not necessarily." Mirajane laughed softly, and Lucy was admittedly startled by the feeling of fingers coursing over her hair. She'd not known Mirajane was so close now. "It's not that he doesn't want to do what he ought to. Natsu prides himself on doing a good job, you know that. It's just that he's always been curious about this world as it is now." Her voice softened. "He's not the only one. Levy's always been fascinated, too. You're still young, Gray. You recall what it was like to be human, and past that…you walk among them as we've not done in a long, long time. For the likes of some of us, it's been millenia. Living as long as we do, it's easy to forget what the word 'humanity' even means. I would spend more time among the likes of my Favored if I was allowed to.

"In Natsu's case," continued Mirajane, "I think Lucy – and Wendy, too – likely remind him of a lot of things he's forgotten. I think they're quite good for him actually, and I think that when we return to Valhalla, he will work even harder. Simply because he wants to ensure the world is better for them."

It took everything in Lucy not to react to that statement. Every god thus far thought the opposite of the situation. It made Lucy even more fond of Mirajane. Something else caught her attention, too. "For the likes of some of us, it's been millenia." If that was true…then Natsu was old. Very old.

The pair fell silent after that. Lucy dozed off again before long, and when she woke up again, it was morning. Bleary-eyed, Lucy rocked upright and wondered if she'd imagined the conversation she'd heard the night before.

Clambering from the couch, Lucy sought Mirajane immediately. She was humming cheerfully in the kitchen, cooking. Pushing her tangled blonde hair from face, Lucy asked Mirajane with squinted eyes, "How can you cook so well when you're a goddess of witchcraft?"

Mirajane glanced up, blue eyes gleaming with amusement. "Good morning, Lucy," she said with a soft laugh under her breath.

"Morning," Lucy said with a wince, annoyed with her own rudeness. She meandered over to the stove, where a water kettle resided. Mirajane made room for her, and Lucy was quick to grab it. She set about preparing hot water for tea.

"To answer your question," said Mirajane, "I wasn't always the goddess of witchcraft. When I was still human like you, I was an orphan with two little siblings to care for. I had to learn. We didn't have the same foods and seasonings as you do now, but it doesn't take too much guesswork to figure it out."

Lucy wondered about Mirajane's siblings as she went about making her tea in comfortable silence. Were they gods, too? Or had she lost them when she, alone, became a goddess? Lucy knew better than to ask. She took a cautious sip of her tea when it was ready and said, "Gray came back last night. He recognized a place we ought to check out."

"I heard." Mirajane gestured for Lucy to grab plates, which she did. "He told me when I returned last night. Wendy was thrilled to see him this morning; I'm surprised she didn't wake you, to be honest. Gray agreed to walk her through two. Wendy didn't want to. She wanted to come with us, but I wouldn't let her. Not with what we might see at this house we're going to inspect."

Lucy was grateful for Mirajane's foresight. She didn't want Wendy to see something akin to a crime scene – not that Lucy really wanted to see it either. Maybe she wouldn't have to if Mirajane looked and instead described it to her.

"We'll leave after you finish eating," said Mirajane, dishing out the eggs she'd made. She passed Lucy a plate with a warm smile, and Lucy took it. She was grateful yet again for the strange number of chickens Hyacinth had managed to keep.

The house seemed rather normal, all things considering. At least, it seemed normal from the outside. It had worn wooden siding, and the roof was damaged in some places. The windows were boarded up, which told them it was mostly abandoned. It was on a surprisingly major street for a potential murder scene. People passed every few minutes, and the house itself was only a few minutes' walk from the docks.

"I don't know why a god picking a lock is the weirdest thing I think I've ever seen," commented Lucy as she watched Mirajane do just that. She checked over her shoulder, making sure no one was watching and intending to interfere with what they were doing.

Mirajane pushed the door open with a hint of a smile. "Quickly now, Lucy, before someone sees."

The foyer of the house was barren. Lucy glanced this way and that, kicking the door shut behind her. The entire house appeared empty as they made their way further into the house. Lucy felt on edge, but she was grateful for the weight of the keys in her pocket. She recalled the dagger one had become. If all else failed and something went sideways…at least Lucy had a weapon.

She didn't miss how the keys seemed to warm, as if sensing her thoughts.

"I smell blood. This way." Mirajane brushed past her, gaze darkening, and led the way past an empty dining room and into the just as empty kitchen. She stopped at the back of the kitchen, studying it. She locked her attention onto a pantry door. "There," she said softly.

Lucy's stomach churned. She didn't like the feeling she got here, in this house. She curled her fingers around the keys she carried, selecting one at random. She hoped they could all be something as useful as a dagger.

"Lucy, look." Mirajane withdrew upon opening the pantry door, uncertainty written over her face.

With great care, Lucy peeked over her shoulder. A shiver raced down her spine. Hidden in the pantry was a small set of stairs that descended into a space that was nearly pitch black. It was a basement of sorts, though Lucy thought it leaned more towards the "of sorts."

Natsu might have damaged her ability to think logically when others were in danger, but he hadn't erased her sense of self-preservation entirely. "Mira," Lucy said sharply, recoiling, "there's no way in hell I am going to go down there."

A smile danced over Mirajane's lips. "I wouldn't force you. But I need to look. I'll be but a moment, Lucy."

She slid down the stairs before Lucy could even try to stop her. "Mira!" she hissed desperately, but Mirajane was already gone.

The next few minutes felt like eons as Lucy waited for Mirajane to return. Her knuckles were white as she gripped that key, heart pounding so hard in her chest she thought she'd be sick. Eventually, Mirajane came back, looking troubled. Lucy almost didn't want to know. "Did…did you find anything?"

Mirajane nodded grimly. "My Favored were killed here." Tears shone in her eyes as she walked past Lucy, heading straight for the door without looking back. They began to pour down her face. Fury and grief mingled in the air as Lucy quickly closed the pantry door and followed Mirajane outside. They stopped only to relock the door before starting back for Lucy's townhouse.

It was only after they were nearly halfway back to the townhouse that Mirajane described what she saw. "There was no blood. But I could feel their pain. They suffered there – immensely." When Mirajane looked at Lucy, Lucy could have sworn she once again saw glimpses of scales on her cheeks. Mirajane sported a lethal glare in her eyes. "I will find their killer and ensure their punishment is eternal."

Lucy really, really didn't want to know what that punishment might be.

Mirajane calmed as they walked. By the time they got to the townhouse late in the afternoon and found Gray waiting for them, she was mostly relaxed again. Gray, however, met them with fury burning in his gaze. The entire dead yard had frosted over, and the breath began burning in Lucy's chest the closer they got to him. She wrapped her arms around herself to fend off the chill.

Before they could even ask what was wrong, Gray snarled, "I watched them throw a Vhalis to the sharks."

Lucy winced; Mirajane said nothing. They'd done the same only a day prior, when Gray hadn't been there to help.

"I can't blame them for doing that," continued Gray, "because they're human, and they don't have a choice, but they laughed. They laughed as they did it. They'll be lucky to keep Juvia's protection when I tell her about that."

While Lucy didn't like the Vhalis, the idea of laughing at the destruction of someone who'd once been human…once been like her, or any of the others residing in Hyacinth…she found it deeply upsetting. "That's terrible," Lucy whispered, her body wracked with shivers.

Gray seethed for a few heartbeats longer. Finally, he let go of some of it. The air warmed a fraction and the frost receded as he released a long, heavy sigh, rubbing his hands down his face. "What did you find?" Gray asked tiredly.

Mirajane's simmering wrath re-emerged for a moment, as vicious as Gray's. Lucy said softly, "The soul you took, the one you at the place you recognized, was probably one of Mira's Favored, Gray. It's the place the murderer's been taking his victims."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know." Gray grimaced, guilt twisting his features. "I would have waited to guide the soul alone if I'd known."

Mirajane exhaled softly. "No. No, I'm glad you took them. Better I didn't see her then she became lost."

"I'm starting to hate this place the longer I'm here," muttered Lucy, pressing her lips into a hard line. The gods muttered their agreement. They stood there in silence for a few short minutes, each sorting out their own, individual thoughts. Putting her hands into her pockets, Lucy spun on her heel to face the pair of gods. "Well," she said, "I'm going to go pick up Wendy."

"I'm going to the docks again," Mirajane said firmly. "I want to see if I can find something we might've missed, Lucy." They both knew it was unlikely; they'd gone to the docks several times, and no one wanted to talk. "Gray, why don't you come with me? Maybe you'll sense something amiss."

Gray didn't disagree, though Lucy distinctly recalled him saying he couldn't do much to help them unless one of his Favored were harmed. Still, Lucy got the feeling he'd do his best to within the parameters set before him. He clearly felt guilty about being unable to let Mirajane see the soul he'd ferried.

"Then I'll see you both later," said Lucy, backing away a few steps. "Make sure you two are back by sunset, would you? Wendy will want to see you before she goes to bed."

Both of them nodded. "See you later, Lucy," said Mirajane, while Gray merely gave her a small wave.

Reassured, Lucy turned and made her way down the street. She was proud to know the way to Yukino's home. She played with the end of Natsu's scarf as she walked, admittedly a little happy to be getting away from their troubling discoveries. She didn't like that she'd put herself in the midst of this mess, but no one else was going to do it.

The streets were rather empty as she made her way through them. Tomorrow would be Market Day, she recalled Yukino mentioning. Many of the residents came into items via scouting or sorting through the sea's gifts, and they often traded for more of what they needed on the monthly Market Days. Those who worked the docks and boats often handed out free fish to those who needed it, too. Lucy supposed everyone was out preparing for Market Day, more than likely.

Maybe they'd stop there tomorrow, thought Lucy, patting her pockets. She didn't have much to trade, but–

Lucy stopped. She snapped her head to the side, looking over her shoulder. Her fingers curled around a key that burned against her skin. Her eyes scanned the area as the hair on the back of her neck prickled in warning. She searched her surroundings, coming up empty-handed, but she was sure of it.

Someone was watching her.

Without much thought and hoping it would work as Natsu had shown her, Lucy withdrew a single key from the ring and whispered as she picked up a swift walk, "Please work."

Much to her relief, it did work. The key morphed in her fingertips, growing. Its form snaked over the ground as it became a whip. Its handle was wrapped in leather, the bottom a heavy piece of metal carved with the symbol for the zodiac sign of Virgo. She dared to touch a section of the whip with a finger and hissed; the entire length of it was razor sharp. She was more likely to hurt herself than she was to hurt anyone else, but at least she had a weapon. That was all that mattered to her.

Lucy slid her arm into her sleeve and used it as a protective barrier to coil the whip with care as she continued walking, wanting nothing more than to make it to Yukino's. She'd ask Sting to walk them home if he was there. She thought about running more than once, but forced herself to keep a swift but normal walk. The feeling followed Lucy right up to Yukino's front door, which scared her more than anything else. She didn't want to get Yukino into trouble – not when she and her friends had been so kind to them since they'd come to Hyacinth.

The wait for someone to answer the door felt like a lifetime. When it cracked open at last, Lucy felt ill and pushed herself in before Wendy could say a word.

"Lucy?" asked Wendy, voice pitched high with worry. "Are you…are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Lucy doubled over and braced her hands on her knees. She didn't bat an eye when the whip seemed to melt through her fingertips, becoming a key again. It clattered noisily to the floorboards. She simply closed her eyes and let her breath come in quick, rapid bursts for a few moments. Eventually, she settled herself and crouched to fetch the key. "Sorry."

"You don't look fine," said Wendy. She studied Lucy, as if she could read the fear and stress lingering there. "You look like a Vhalis chased you here."

Lucy smiled tightly with closed lips. It certainly felt like a Vhalis had chased her the entire way to Yukino's home.

"Everything alright?" Yukino called as she emerged from her kitchen, frowning. She wiped her hands on the dish towel she carried with her.

"Lucy said she's fine, but she looks like a ghost," Wendy reported.

Lucy fought the urge to roll her eyes. Wendy had certainly picked up some sass since she'd become comfortable in Hyacinth. Lucy hated that she'd taken a lot of that comfort away from her. Instead of clarifying as Yukino's brow pinched, she asked, "Is Sting here?"

"Sting!" Yukino shouted up the stairs instead of answering. They heard a thump from above that had Lucy snorting softly to herself. "Wendy, why don't you go get your coat from where you left it? It's not any warmer than it was yesterday."

"I know what you're doing, and I don't like it." Wendy threw a pointed glare over her shoulder, even as she went to retrieve her coat she'd been told.

When Wendy had gone, Lucy let her breath out in a big rush. "I think someone was following me," she said uncertainly. She'd never felt that way before, not even with the Vhalis. She'd not felt their eyes follow her in such a way, nor had they ever seemed to give off such a feeling of malice. They were merely hungry for the pain that would feed them.

Yukino bit her lip. She didn't doubt Lucy's feelings, which she appreciated, seeing as most people here were ignoring the danger beneath their very noses, simply for the sake of comfort. "You want Sting to walk you home," guessed Yukino, and Lucy nodded. "Sting won't mind. Will you?" she checked as Sting came grumpily thumping down the stairs, grumbling.

"No," said Sting with a blink. "I don't know what I'm not minding though."

It made Lucy's lips twitch in a hint of a smile. "Will you walk Wendy and I back?" she asked. "I didn't have a good walk here."

Sting didn't hesitate. "Of course," he said without questioning anything about why she wanted him to walk with them. "Let me grab my coat."

Lucy fiddled with the keys as she waited for Wendy and Sting, reattaching the one she'd used to the key ring. Yukino left her to wait on her own in the foyer. She paused, studying the gleaming golden keys and felt the desire to say something. Natsu had said they were gods, after all. "Thank you," she said to the one she'd used, Virgo.

Lucy felt comforted when it warmed in response.

A house of darkness and Virgo! I had to fit Lucy's whip in somewhere, after all.

Thanks to reviewers (Meow Orbit, hopelesskar, marn-marn, AnimusLunari777, CMenard, and Nami4Life!) as well as those who favorited and followed!