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If there was something Nasha had always been curious about- at least since she became a bit conscious, were the links she saw between people. It really should be worrying, but being the daughter of the de facto dragon king and the strongest celestial mage of her era, it made sense for her to see people’s souls in high quality.
Despite her youth, she was a pretty smart kid who could identify some key feelings. Her ever so present parents taught her a lot of things, including how much love in all its shape of form was a fuel to someone’s strength.
As much as she could tell for a 4 year old, she could see how the relationships in front of her materialised. To her, they appeared as flames where their hearts should be, and depending on who someone was hanging out with, the colour of their soul would change, though she only remembered that pink was for people who were in love. Very simple way to get around, right?
Well- there was an odd out that completely disturbed her, and obviously it involved her father because this man was always going to break some kind of logic. And her mom too, but she thinks that her papa was the one at fault.
Papa really is a rule breaker.
The little girl giggled at the sentence she’d hear her mama tell her when papa was in trouble over starting a brawl at the guild, or extended property damage that cost a lot of jewels to the guild. . “No matter what, don’t be like daddy and don’t break the rules, because otherwise you will be in a lot of trouble !”
The sentence was practically printed in her little brain, but that was besides the point !
The thing was- Nasha had no idea why, but the bond between her beloved parents appeared differently. She couldn’t see their souls, but instead, she consistently saw a red string wrapped around their fingers. It didn’t matter when or where they were, the thread was there. What was even more surprising, was that when they were apart, it hung, but if she followed it, she’d find the other parent. And sometimes, when she saw them kiss, when they thought she was asleep or wasn’t looking, the cord shone in a bright gold.
That intrigued her ever so curious and overflowing mind- a courtesy of her mother. Though she never asked if they knew anything about that. Despite her proximity with her parents, she’d yet to tell them. In fact, she had yet to tell anyone. It was her little secret, one that she’s kept ever since she was… um, when she couldn’t tell, but as far as she could recall, from her very short life, her first memory involved seeing souls, so she assumed she’d always been able to see them.
It was the day her parents got married. All of it was a blur to her- she was only 2 back then after all- but she still had one specific moment in mind. When her parents were officially declared husband and wife, she remembered watching around her, as the flower girl. She saw the usual phenomenon, but when she turned towards her parents- she saw the thread, and she saw it turning gold.
Ever since, she wondered why her parents were a singularity in all of this. She would’ve asked around.
Nevertheless, she couldn’t because she knew she was the only one able to see them- conversations at the guild being thrown around have already proven that she was an exception. Such topics were tackled at least once every 24 hours because the drunkards were lamenting about their failed marriages or stuff like that. Though, this time her ears pricked when Macao uttered words that would help her figure this situation out.
“If only I was tied by the red string of fate to my ex wife. We would still be together.”
The father contemplated this possibility.
“Do you really think an old man like you could have a soulmate Macao?
Wakaba mocked and Cana howled in a mocking laughter at the punchline.
“Cut it off, it’s not like you’re happy in your marriage either. Maybe she wasn’t the one.”
The smoker quit laughing and their conversation devolved into an argument Nasha Dragneel had no business in listening to anymore. Only the first part was interesting to her.
Soulmates… the one… red string of fate…
That was something she could work with. She might have to ask her parents about this when they come back from their mission. From now on, she would go and tease Greige, since her mama wasn’t here to hold her back- though her papa’s encouraging words were much appreciated.
****************
Of course, her parents, alongside Greige’s, crashed when they were in the middle of a fight (that all of the other adults cheered for, mind you !!) and they got separated by a very angry auntie Erza. Then, got scolded by their mamas, while their papas were um…Trying to be serious even if you could see it in their eyes that they were proud.
It didn’t matter though, she won and he’s just a loser for not admitting it !
Lucy didn’t hear that from a good ear, and dragged her husband, her exceed friend who was cackling at the scene, and their daughter home, with a face that only announced trouble
Well she got sent into time out for at least an hour. Or what it seemed to be an hour to her (it was only really.. Like 10 minutes ?) and to wash the dishes under Happy’s surveillance instead of playing with her toys. She could bear the load though ! She was papa’s big girl after all, so there was nothing mama demanded her to do that she couldn’t accomplish !
So she executed herself, and her bedtime made itself appear faster when she really put herself into it. Happy left right after she finished her task, to go on date with Carla which made her a bit sad, but also eager. She had a question she really wanted to ask after all.
Her papa laid on the bed, then her mama sat between her legs, while carrying her, and the bedtime story she was going to read.
Though, when Lucy was going to open the book, Nasha spoke up.
“Say mama and papa. What’s the red string of fate?”
The little girl perched turned around to look at her parents’ dumbfounded expressions. Her mama looked confused and her papa raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
“Where did you hear that sweetie?”
“At the guild, uncle Macao said he wished he and his ex wife were tied by it”
They both made an “aaa” sound- yeah, obviously. How come a 5 years old would know about this, if she wasn’t taught that at the guild?
“Well, ya know. The red string of fate. It’s an ol’ legend that says that two people who are soulmates are tied by a red thread around their fingers.”
Natsu explained, humour in his tone.
“Oh, and soulmates are people who have a deep connection with each other. It’s unique to them only. They’re the only ones with whom they share such a bond.”
Lucy added, feeling the lingering curiosity in her baby’s eyes.
Nasha placed her hand on chin, in awe and in pure reflection. Because they knew her so well, they could see the metaphorical gears turning in her head, until she made the face- the one she drew when she realised something that her mind classified as important.
“What’s up, kid? Mind sharin’ a piece of yer mind?”
He patted her head to ruffle and mess her short waves around. She giggled, and her mother rolled her eyes good-naturedly.
“Well. How do you know? How do people know they’re soulmates?”
That would be a hard question for anyone else to reply, but Lucy’s answer was instinctive and spontaneous.
“I’d say that sometimes there’s no proof, you just know.”
She paused to clear her thoughts.
“You know, when I met papa a few years ago, I somewhat knew that he was going to be special. And look at us now? Hell was the journey, but it brought me heaven”
She emphasised the last one by pressing a soft peck on Nasha’s forehead and a kiss on her husband’s cheek -and he smirked for some reason. She felt it and pinched his arm playfully, as they started their usual bickering in front of their little girl, who grinned uncontrollably. Her smile somewhat widened even more when she noticed a faint glow. Upon inspection, the thread around their fingers turned into this rich colour once again.
Well, now she knew why they were the exception.