Chapter Text
“So,” Erza started, “You’re a celestial spirit mage, Lucy?”
They were inside a nearby cafe, escaping the scene once the town’s officers arrived.
(Thank the spirits Lucy wasn’t caught, her father would be furious)
“Yeah, sorry for not mentioning it before,” Lucy responded, avoiding Natsu’s intense stare.
“Hey, since you’re a wizard, why haven’t you joined a guild? To each their own, of course, but you seemed pretty excited when you learned that we were in Fairy Tail, so you kind of seem like you’d join one.” Gray said, half naked as he had lost his clothes in the fight.
Lucy looked away, “I mean, when I was younger I really wanted to but..uh...let’s just say things came up. Besides, there are things I have to do here.” Or rather be forced to do.
No one asked her what, so Lucy didn’t clarify anymore.
Suddenly Natsu stood up, slamming his hands on the table, making everyone jump. He grinned, eyes bright-
“You should join Fairy Tail!” Natsu exclaimed as he looked at Lucy.
Erza smacked Natsu on the head, knocking him back in his seat. “She just said that she had things to do here, Natsu.
Natsu laid his head on the table, pouting. “But can’t she join after she does them?”
Lucy winced. “It’s kinda a lifelong commitment,” she started, “Once I do them there’s no way I’ll be able to join a guild.” Lucy missed the way Natsu looked at her when she said that. The slayer sat up, obviously confused.
“Why are you doing it then?”
Lucy’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected to be asked that.
Why? Well that was complicated. Lucy was getting married because, well, because her father wanted her to. For the Heartfilia business. That’s why.
And sure, Lucy could run away again at any time really. But he’d find her. He would.
Fairy Tail would protect you.
Lucy shifted in her seat. Loke’s words echoing throughout her mind.
Suddenly, Natsu’s face was pelted with a balled up napkin. Erza, the clear perpetrator despite her otherwise serious demeanor, stared at him firmly.
“She doesn’t need to talk about anything she doesn’t want to,” Erza said, loud and clear. “Lucy’s showing us around Rosales, we must be respectful to her privacy.”
Natsu grumbled but otherwise accepted Ezra’s scolding. Lucy sighed internally; she really didn’t want to think about all that right now.
The sun’s rays shifted positions on Lucy’s face, alerting her to the window. The sun was already setting? She could’ve sworn it was still afternoon just a few minutes ago.
“We should probably head back to the inn soon,” Lucy said, redirecting the conversation, “After all it’s getting dark.”
Erza nodded, standing up from her seat. “That’s a good idea Lucy, we have a lot of time to explore the rest of this town after all, so we should rest when we can.”
“Great, more time doing nothing,” Gray complained, “Didn’t we come here because of how boring it was getting?”
“Yeah!” Natsu exclaimed, “We only had a few fights, that’s nothing!” Nothing?? Really???
Erza tilted her head, “I suppose you’re right, we did come here to have more fun..” The atmosphere then changed as she got a dangerous look on her face, smirking ominously. “How about we play a game?”
The rest of the group gulped collectively.
“Um, actually I’m fine.” Gray stammered out.
Lucy nodded vigorously, “Yeah and I’m not really a part of this so-”
“Nonsense! I have the perfect idea!” The red-headed mage got a cheeky smile on her face as her mind started to plot.
Oh boy.
…
Natsu sat nervously with the others in the girls’ hotel room as Erza loomed over them, her game plan already cemented in her head.
“So uh, what’s the game you have in mind Erza?” Lucy asked with a strained smile on her face, “Seeing that you told us nothing on the walk back to the hotel other than ‘just trust me’ which really didn’t help.”
“Please tell me it isn’t that one game with the sticks again..” Gray said, concerned.
The sword woman smiled devilishly, “Not this time Gray. We will be playing…two truths and a lie!”
..Oh. That was actually pretty okay-
“With a twist!” Nevermind. Erza requipped herself into her pajamas, joining the rest of them on the floor. “Whoever doesn’t guess the lie has to do whatever the speaker asks them to. But if no one falls for the speaker’s lie, then they have to do whatever we tell them to do.”
Natsu grinned, “A chance to get Gray to do my bidding huh? I’m in!”
“Yeah right flame-head, if anything you’ll be the one following my instructions.”
Lucy raised her hand nervously, “Um, haven’t you guys known each other since you were kids? I feel like I have a disadvantage here..” Wendy and Carla nodded beside her, having joined the guild only a few months ago.
“Don’t you worry, I’m sure you’ll be able to understand! Plus, since we don’t know you that well I’m sure it will be hard to guess your lies as well!” Erza affirmed Lucy, patting her (roughly) on the shoulder.
Suddenly an idea popped into Natsu’s head, which didn’t happen often. Was Erza making up this game to get to know Lucy better? That's…actually a smart idea!
Hm…it was good that this was his internal monologue so that Erza didn’t hear that last comment..
“Alright then, let’s begin!”
What ensued after was some standard Fairy Tail level chaos, especially considering the fact that Natsu was there. (something he took as a compliment)
Lucy and Wendy struggled the most (Carla refused to join) with the game, but when it came to their turn everyone else struggled as well.
“Okay, one: I once fell off a cliff. Two: I once thought another regular white cat was Carla and took it back home instead of her. Three: I once ate so much air that I made someone in the room with me pass out.”
“Wendy what.”
Overall, it seemed to be a success. Especially what they learned about Lucy:
- Has been to Magnolia before
- Learned how to use a whip and fight with her spirits all by herself (technically with the help of her spirits)
- Once almost got into a carriage accident but was saved by a unknown wizard
- Has read a LOT of books
- Apparently also has a LOT of knowledge about Fairy Tail??
Lucy chuckled awkwardly at that last part, her face showing a hint of pink. “I’m…kinda a fan?” she said with a tinge of embarrassment after she went on a rant about how she always wanted to see the Magnolia Harvest Festival due to Fairy Tail’s involvement for a hot couple of minutes.
Natsu smiled at that as Erza started to talk about the last festival’s performance to Lucy (and Wendy who hadn’t seen it) and how much she enjoyed participating in it.
He still thought Lucy should join Fairy Tail, she’d fit right in! But as Gramps says: “You can’t force someone to do something, even if you think it’s right. They have to come to a decision on their own.”
So he won’t ask yet. From the way Lucy talks about Fairy Tail, Natsu’s sure that she’ll join one day.