“Uwahhh! What a nice place! It’s so beautiful! You can even see the mountains! Natsu, we’re off the train, so stop puking!” Lucy, blonde that she was, was a whirlwind of activity. She was running here and there, stopping at stalls, and generally being rather out-there.
“Never again,” mumbled Natsu, crawling on the ground. He looked miserable, and Happy the cat was mooning over him, like always. The pink-haired man had vowed to never ride trains many times, and he’d never stopped, so Lucy never believed.
“Who should we ask first? Someone should know," Lucy asked, skipping slightly.
The town wasn't deserted, but Silvehart had to have a reason for being Mageless, so they had to ask carefully.
“How about that person?” Natsu exclaimed, pointing a people with a broom, sweeping a cafe porch. He looked so proud of himself, Lucy could only shake her head.
The person Natsu was pointing at was wearing black pants, a blue shirt, and a white apron. Their hair was pulled back in a fighting style. That was strange, considering the person was sweeping. A cafe. With a broom. Not exactly dangerous.
Still, Lucy ran over to the person, grinning. Erza rolled her eyes at the sudden hyperness of the girl. “Um, excuse me! Can we ask you something?” Lucy asked, gently touching the person’s arm.
The person turned, revealing herself as a dull-eyed teenaged girl of about 19 years of age. Her hair was a charcoal-blue color, more charcoal than blue. It took a moment for Lucy to realize the girl had a cat, or kitten, on their shoulder. It was the same color of charcoal-blue that the woman was, only a little bit more blue than charcoal. The thing was only about the size of a large rat, so Lucy concluded it must be a kitten.
“Yes?” asked the woman, voice calm and lacking much emotion.
“Have you seen any mages around here? Lately, I mean?” Lucy asked, smiling politely. Inwardly the blonde was ranting over the fact that this wasn’t a man, seeing as the woman would’ve been cute as a man!
The girl pointed to the group, her expression sardonic. Her blue-gray eyes held mocking laughter, and Lucy decided she didn’t really like this girl.
“Not us!” snapped Gazille, pushing forward until he towered over the girl. To many people, this would have been terrifying. The girl, however, just smirked. Then she nodded.
So, she had seen the mages.
For a moment, everyone waited for her to say something, but she had started to sweep again.
“So?” demanded Gazille, clenching his fists. He’d never been good with conversation, and this brat was getting on his nerves. He noted absently that the kitten on her shoulder was getting restless.
The girl, at Gazille’s demand, gave him a look. The look made him feel mildly stupid.
“Do you know where they are?”
Another nod, then more sweeping.
“Damn it, where then?!” snapped Gazille, before he was pushed back by Gray. Obviously, his ways weren’t working.
“Here,” said the girl, who then started to hum as she swept.
Her words sent the group into a turning mass, looking for the mages. However, the group was alone except for the girl.
“You?” Gazille asked, astonished.
“Mao,” said the girl, and the group looked even more confused. Why was she meowing?
Suddenly, Lucy gasped. She had watched the kitten jump from the girl’s shoulder with mild curiosity and a little fear, because it was quite a ways up. So, she had gotten to see the tiny kitten grow larger, until it was revealed, not to be a kitten, but a black panther.
Beside the panther, the girl laughed quietly, stroking the panther’s first. “Change Mao. Please?”
The panther gave a rumbling reply, then hurried off. Lucy wondered for a moment if it was just running away. Then, not a moment later, an almost exact copy of the girl came back, though this was a man, and he had the same hair color as the panther's fur. So his hair was a little more blue, to be blunt.
Lucy felt her heart melt, though her feelings went unnoticed. After all, everyone else in the group had stiffened, and a moment later Lucy realized why. These were the mages, she supposed. So the guy had transforming techniques, and if the swords on his hip said anything, he was also a swordsman. What confused her, though, was that he was carrying a bow and some arrows too. Why would he need so many weapons?
That question was answered when he handed the bow and arrows to the woman, who then dropped her broom and backed up to stand with the other mage.
“I am Nuo. This is my twin, Mao. Mao does not speak. Do not try to make him speak. He does not like reminders of why he does not speak. You ask of us. Why?” The girl’s words were noticeably choppy, and she didn’t use any contractions. It made Lucy think that this was not her native tongue.
“Where’re you from?” she asked, slightly curious about Nuo's accent.
“Not here,” replied Nuo, her tone implying this was not a subject to be approached lightly. She confirmed this with a, “No talking about me. Why are you here?”
For a moment, all was silent as the group tried to figure out how to ask her into the guild without seeming too... odd.
"We want to know if you'd join Fairy Tail," Natsu said, forever forgetting not to be blunt.
Lucy looked into Nuo's eyes to see if she saw any reflection, but all she saw was a deepness that was horrible. There was no emotion in those eyes. None.
"Fairy Tail? Is this a guild? I have had many offers, so why should I consider yours?" Nuo's eyes were suddenly glittering dangerously as she held the bow. It made Lucy think twice before she answered.
"You should join us because we're a fun guild, with a bit of family in it. If you no longer have a family, living with us is just like the family you're missing. The guild is our home, and it could be yours too." Lucy held her breath, hoping she had reached the right subject.
"Home?" the words came softly from Nuo's lips, and Lucy glimpsed her first sight of Nuo's weakness. "Home for Mao and me?"
"Yeah," Erza said, "A home for any who are good-souled and wish to join." Once more, Erza and the others avoided looking at Gazille. Lucy thought the girl had picked up on the obvious discomfort, because Nuo looked quickly back and forth between the old Phantom guild member to the original Fairy Tail members, a small smirk forming. However, when she turned to her brother to speak, the smirk slid away.
"Mao?" Nuo's words were soft, obviously meant just for her brother. When the man nodded, she looked at the Fairy Tail group. "We will join. When do we leave?"
"Now, if you want. Just get your things. We can send someone with you, if you want." Gray looked uncomfortable. He hadn't expected them to join so easily. They didn't even know what type of mages they were, or even if they were very strong. Still, it would keep Mirajane happy, at least for awhile.
Nuo smiled, and it completely transformed her. She went from a bleak child, to a smiling angel. She looked at the group, then bowed low. "Thank you for your consideration. You may all come. Our home is large, and you will all fit. Mao will make some tea for you while I pack for us."
With that, she turned and headed in a completely opposite direction. Suddenly, she frowned and turned around. She held up a finger for the others to wait, then darted into the café. A moment later she came back out, grinning. "Sorry for that. I had to say goodbye to Master, and tell him we are leaving. He said thank you for taking care of us."
Lucy smiled, wondering what this 'master' was like. It seemed as if Nuo cared for him, and he for her.
"Mao, I go quickly. Lead them there safely, okay?" Nuo turned, and when Mao nodded, she smiled at him. Lucy felt her heart ache at the amount of love that was in that one expression. Not for the first time she wished she wasn't an only child.
Suddenly, Lucy was gaping. Where there had once been Nuo, now there was a massive golden eagle. It was draped in the clothes Nuo had just been wearing, with made Lucy blush a little. She now knew why Mao had had to leave to change back. Obviously you lost your clothes in the change.
So now they knew. Both siblings were transforming magics. Still, theres was different than others. Others had to absorb monsters, but these were just ordinary animals, but with differing sizes. These sizes could change at will.
"Alrighty then..." muttered Erza, staring after the Eagle as it lifted into the air, then flew above the houses. The group watched Nuo until she disappeared from sight, then turned back to Mao. For a moment, some of them were slightly scared. He was smiling, but there was a coldness there. It was clear, even without words, he would kill if they hurt his sister in any way.
“Never again,” mumbled Natsu, crawling on the ground. He looked miserable, and Happy the cat was mooning over him, like always. The pink-haired man had vowed to never ride trains many times, and he’d never stopped, so Lucy never believed.
“Who should we ask first? Someone should know," Lucy asked, skipping slightly.
The town wasn't deserted, but Silvehart had to have a reason for being Mageless, so they had to ask carefully.
“How about that person?” Natsu exclaimed, pointing a people with a broom, sweeping a cafe porch. He looked so proud of himself, Lucy could only shake her head.
The person Natsu was pointing at was wearing black pants, a blue shirt, and a white apron. Their hair was pulled back in a fighting style. That was strange, considering the person was sweeping. A cafe. With a broom. Not exactly dangerous.
Still, Lucy ran over to the person, grinning. Erza rolled her eyes at the sudden hyperness of the girl. “Um, excuse me! Can we ask you something?” Lucy asked, gently touching the person’s arm.
The person turned, revealing herself as a dull-eyed teenaged girl of about 19 years of age. Her hair was a charcoal-blue color, more charcoal than blue. It took a moment for Lucy to realize the girl had a cat, or kitten, on their shoulder. It was the same color of charcoal-blue that the woman was, only a little bit more blue than charcoal. The thing was only about the size of a large rat, so Lucy concluded it must be a kitten.
“Yes?” asked the woman, voice calm and lacking much emotion.
“Have you seen any mages around here? Lately, I mean?” Lucy asked, smiling politely. Inwardly the blonde was ranting over the fact that this wasn’t a man, seeing as the woman would’ve been cute as a man!
The girl pointed to the group, her expression sardonic. Her blue-gray eyes held mocking laughter, and Lucy decided she didn’t really like this girl.
“Not us!” snapped Gazille, pushing forward until he towered over the girl. To many people, this would have been terrifying. The girl, however, just smirked. Then she nodded.
So, she had seen the mages.
For a moment, everyone waited for her to say something, but she had started to sweep again.
“So?” demanded Gazille, clenching his fists. He’d never been good with conversation, and this brat was getting on his nerves. He noted absently that the kitten on her shoulder was getting restless.
The girl, at Gazille’s demand, gave him a look. The look made him feel mildly stupid.
“Do you know where they are?”
Another nod, then more sweeping.
“Damn it, where then?!” snapped Gazille, before he was pushed back by Gray. Obviously, his ways weren’t working.
“Here,” said the girl, who then started to hum as she swept.
Her words sent the group into a turning mass, looking for the mages. However, the group was alone except for the girl.
“You?” Gazille asked, astonished.
“Mao,” said the girl, and the group looked even more confused. Why was she meowing?
Suddenly, Lucy gasped. She had watched the kitten jump from the girl’s shoulder with mild curiosity and a little fear, because it was quite a ways up. So, she had gotten to see the tiny kitten grow larger, until it was revealed, not to be a kitten, but a black panther.
Beside the panther, the girl laughed quietly, stroking the panther’s first. “Change Mao. Please?”
The panther gave a rumbling reply, then hurried off. Lucy wondered for a moment if it was just running away. Then, not a moment later, an almost exact copy of the girl came back, though this was a man, and he had the same hair color as the panther's fur. So his hair was a little more blue, to be blunt.
Lucy felt her heart melt, though her feelings went unnoticed. After all, everyone else in the group had stiffened, and a moment later Lucy realized why. These were the mages, she supposed. So the guy had transforming techniques, and if the swords on his hip said anything, he was also a swordsman. What confused her, though, was that he was carrying a bow and some arrows too. Why would he need so many weapons?
That question was answered when he handed the bow and arrows to the woman, who then dropped her broom and backed up to stand with the other mage.
“I am Nuo. This is my twin, Mao. Mao does not speak. Do not try to make him speak. He does not like reminders of why he does not speak. You ask of us. Why?” The girl’s words were noticeably choppy, and she didn’t use any contractions. It made Lucy think that this was not her native tongue.
“Where’re you from?” she asked, slightly curious about Nuo's accent.
“Not here,” replied Nuo, her tone implying this was not a subject to be approached lightly. She confirmed this with a, “No talking about me. Why are you here?”
For a moment, all was silent as the group tried to figure out how to ask her into the guild without seeming too... odd.
"We want to know if you'd join Fairy Tail," Natsu said, forever forgetting not to be blunt.
Lucy looked into Nuo's eyes to see if she saw any reflection, but all she saw was a deepness that was horrible. There was no emotion in those eyes. None.
"Fairy Tail? Is this a guild? I have had many offers, so why should I consider yours?" Nuo's eyes were suddenly glittering dangerously as she held the bow. It made Lucy think twice before she answered.
"You should join us because we're a fun guild, with a bit of family in it. If you no longer have a family, living with us is just like the family you're missing. The guild is our home, and it could be yours too." Lucy held her breath, hoping she had reached the right subject.
"Home?" the words came softly from Nuo's lips, and Lucy glimpsed her first sight of Nuo's weakness. "Home for Mao and me?"
"Yeah," Erza said, "A home for any who are good-souled and wish to join." Once more, Erza and the others avoided looking at Gazille. Lucy thought the girl had picked up on the obvious discomfort, because Nuo looked quickly back and forth between the old Phantom guild member to the original Fairy Tail members, a small smirk forming. However, when she turned to her brother to speak, the smirk slid away.
"Mao?" Nuo's words were soft, obviously meant just for her brother. When the man nodded, she looked at the Fairy Tail group. "We will join. When do we leave?"
"Now, if you want. Just get your things. We can send someone with you, if you want." Gray looked uncomfortable. He hadn't expected them to join so easily. They didn't even know what type of mages they were, or even if they were very strong. Still, it would keep Mirajane happy, at least for awhile.
Nuo smiled, and it completely transformed her. She went from a bleak child, to a smiling angel. She looked at the group, then bowed low. "Thank you for your consideration. You may all come. Our home is large, and you will all fit. Mao will make some tea for you while I pack for us."
With that, she turned and headed in a completely opposite direction. Suddenly, she frowned and turned around. She held up a finger for the others to wait, then darted into the café. A moment later she came back out, grinning. "Sorry for that. I had to say goodbye to Master, and tell him we are leaving. He said thank you for taking care of us."
Lucy smiled, wondering what this 'master' was like. It seemed as if Nuo cared for him, and he for her.
"Mao, I go quickly. Lead them there safely, okay?" Nuo turned, and when Mao nodded, she smiled at him. Lucy felt her heart ache at the amount of love that was in that one expression. Not for the first time she wished she wasn't an only child.
Suddenly, Lucy was gaping. Where there had once been Nuo, now there was a massive golden eagle. It was draped in the clothes Nuo had just been wearing, with made Lucy blush a little. She now knew why Mao had had to leave to change back. Obviously you lost your clothes in the change.
So now they knew. Both siblings were transforming magics. Still, theres was different than others. Others had to absorb monsters, but these were just ordinary animals, but with differing sizes. These sizes could change at will.
"Alrighty then..." muttered Erza, staring after the Eagle as it lifted into the air, then flew above the houses. The group watched Nuo until she disappeared from sight, then turned back to Mao. For a moment, some of them were slightly scared. He was smiling, but there was a coldness there. It was clear, even without words, he would kill if they hurt his sister in any way.
