Chapter Text
The girl smiled. Small dimples formed in her cheeks and her light brown eyes sparkled with glee as the light reflected off them. She couldn't possibly be older than 15, yet here she was handing in a form that would allow her to compete for a 23-year-old man.
Initially, I had held no interest in the Selection. What had made me participate was my brother's persistence for me to get a life and to see him and his friends working to their heart's content as a Fairy Tail division guard. I hadn't seen him in months and the first words to leave his mouth were of this occasion.
Elfman had never shown particular regard for the events at the Palace. He'd always complain about the higher castes and their obnoxious and prejudiced ways, despite his new caste jump as a 3.
My brother had told me that, 'His royal highness, Prince Laxus Dreyar', had finally agreed to uphold the tradition of a Selection. I'd never thought that I would see the day in which the Crown Prince of Fiore would be taking his role seriously.
"Oi! It's your turn!"
I blinked and turned to face the woman behind me. I could feel her magic power radiating off her body, she wasn't particularly powerful however it was enough to impress others waiting in line.
Most inline were regular humans who did not contain a morsel of magic power, the likelihood of them being picked was slim.
"Sorry." I flashed a smile at her which seemed to take her slightly aback and sat on the stool in front of the camera.
Unlike most of the women, I had not taken the time to enhance or accentuate my features to stand out. My hair tumbled down my back with my fringe tied into a ponytail as per usual. I still wore my maroon work dress from the bar and dirt was buried under my nails.
"Name, Miss?" The photographer asked. He rubbed his face with exhaustion.
"Mirajane Strauss," I replied.
"Age?" He tapped into, what looked to be a portable screen.
"21."
"Caste?"
"I'm a-" I cleared my throat despite not having anything stuck in it. "I'm a 6."
This seemed to catch the photographer's attention. He raised a brow and looked me up and down, lingering in certain areas.
I shifted in my seat. It wasn't new to be ogled at, after all, I worked in a place with drunk people daily. However, his gaze was both analytical and seductive.
"Have I seen you somewhere before?" He asked suddenly and swept his dark blonde hair aside to get a better look at me.
I paled, the blood drained from my face and my palms became sweaty. "I don't believe so Sir." I began to tuck non-existent strands of hair behind my ears. "Perhaps you've stopped by the bar I work at, Love and Lucky."
"No, I don't think so." The screen he had been typing into disappeared and he moved towards the camera. "Never mind that, let's take your photo. First off I'd like you to smile."
I smiled as instructed and fought the urge to blink. It had been a few years since I'd last been in front of a professional camera.
"Lovely." He knelt on the floor and prepared for another shot. "Now say Laxus Dreyar."
My face dropped producing a remarkable frown. The shutters clicked and the lights flashed at my downcast expression.
The photographer also frowned at the sight of the photos he'd just taken. "Finally convey a glimpse of what the world will be getting if you enter the Selection."
I arched my back and buried my hands in my hair, providing a sultry look to match.
He smiled at his shots. "You have a knack for modelling."
"Thanks."
He held his hand out. "Can I have your form?"
I handed him my crumpled up to form. It had been rapidly filled in during my lunch break that day. The Love and Lucky's manager had allowed us the afternoon off to get our photographs taken in return for working a free shift. There were only a few girls eligible for the Selection in the bar, myself, Sorano, Kinana and Karen but each had been less sceptical of their decision to sign up.
He took the sheet and dropped it into the screen. The details that I had previously written down appeared in Times New Roman font.
The man looked up. "You can go now."
I hopped off the stool. "Perhaps I'll see you at the bar someday."
He hummed a reply.
"Goodbye, Sir." I cheeped.
I made my way towards the exit.
"What's it called again?" He called out, causing me to stop in my tracks.
I laughed with delight. "Love and Lucky."