#xfulmen

@xfulmen

It was unworthy of a living quarter’s distinction, a sunken façade ravaged by time and those without means. Here Gin had been kept and discarded; his youth made fragile and susceptible to illness by prolonged depravation. In spite of being tethered and degraded by lethargic stagnation, he gazed with great longing out through the broken windows and parted walls, to the expanse of sky or stars beyond his reach.

The passing of travellers or the rhythmic pounding of a steed’s gallop were not unknown to him, but presently he heard the familiar gait pause not far. This bestirred his mind and the little strength which remained at his disposal. Sliding his head across the floor, upon emaciated arms he slowly crawled to the entrance. The lone traveller had bound his horse and departed in search of kindling; no doubt believing the area to be devoid of life. Here Gin saw a rare opportunity, and his will demanded he take it. His fingers clawing at the dry earth, he came near the steed and drew himself up upon unsteady legs. With a great effort, he would make his way into the saddle, the old mare paying him little mind as he bowed low over the withers.

Pressing the beast onward, Gin urged the mare’s old legs to move as though in their prime. The cool touch of wind at his face and the scent of earth drawn up by the horse’s hooves, allowed him to disregard the irregularity of his palpitating heart.

It was not long before exhaustion claimed them. As their pace diminished, Gin slid from the saddle to the ground, collapsing with intermittent breaths. He raised himself to regard another not far from him. ❝…A fine afternoon,❞ he exhaled a dry laugh as his eyes fell. Before again looking to the stranger, he spoke with a quiet acrimony: ❝…One I should not like to render an end.❞

♫ ❚❙❘ She was no stranger to the library these days. It was a surprise that there were still books in this place that could aid her seemingly never ending research. Even the magic section wasn't as large in the Magnolia public library than the ones other guild's private ones were rumored to carry, for now it was satisfactory. Perhaps in the future she would gain the confidence to ask their ally mages for access, but for now she was still working up the confidence to ask for a favor.

It wasn't as if Olexa was staring at him. More so watching out of the corner of her eyes. There was a small part of her curious what the S-class mage was doing here, but not enough for her to strike up a conversation. As if she was ever the talkative type anyways. Usually she would wait for however was in the aisle to grab their book and leave. However it seemed like he was going to be a while, add the fact her desired book was located fairly high up, left her no choice but to approach.

Asking for help wasn't that hard, most likely because the vague familiarness of being guildmates eased her into it. Once the book was in her hands she was quick to turn on her heels and get out of his way. Only after a couple steps did she stop to hesitantly turn back around.

@xfulmen asked: [ BATTLE ] ( for Mira )

[ BATTLE ] :  both muses are forced to work together when caught up in a brawl

AFTER A STRENUOUS TRAINING, THE two of them had decided to take a break. The regimen he had put her through is extensive; harsher than what she‘s used to, but she doesn‘t complain. She knows that‘s what it takes to improve her stamina and endurance.

        They had decided to eat dinner at a diner nearby, celebrating their first day—at least, that‘s how she sees it, but he probably thinks otherwise. Rather than eat their meals at the guild‘s pub, a good change of scenery would do them well. The diner is known for its serene ambiance. The complete contrast of the guild‘ pub.

        They‘ve given their orders and waited for their meals to be served. Mirajane sits across from Laxus in silence, appreciating the peaceful atmosphere. ❝This is really nice. It‘s peaceful, unlike our guild—❞ Her statement is interrupted when she hears screaming and shouting. Loud voices of men quarreling.

        She glances at the counter curiously. One of the staff tries to interrupt, politely telling the group to exit the premise, but to no avail. The attempt fails when the staff ends up being punched, landing on the floor face first. Argument continues, and based on their conversation, she concludes that the opposing groups are rogue guilds.

        A rumble ensues and the brawl commences. Someone is flung to their table, and she sighs. Getting used to her guildmates, this isn‘t new to her. So much for peaceful. It‘s almost like her words had served as a jinx, these delinquents appearing shortly after her declaration. One of them acknowledges her and Laxus, and as if they had a death wish, they had called out the Lightning Dragon slayer out for looking at them the wrong way. And then she receives an inappropriate comment that she often hears, finding it unpleasant despite being used to it, her hackles rising.

        ❝Would you like to test everything we‘ve trained for today?❞ She gives the blond a knowing look. The Takeover mage would‘ve preferred the approach of a pacifist, discouraging violence, but she‘s exhausted and hungry, and she needs to take out her frustration on something.

@xfulmen asked: Despite the frequent and foolish interactions that these two had shared, the sense of camaraderie was strong between them. Hence, a large hand was placed atop pink colored strands, as he would ruffle them momentarily afterwards. Solemnity was apparent with a hint of concernment. ❛ Why the long face, brat? ❜ ( for Natsu )

IT‘S BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE Natsu had lost Igneel, and almost a year since the Alvarez war had taken place. He had done his best to move on and rise from the unfortunate events.

        He had remained optimistic, retaining his cheerful and energetic persona. An imagery that Salamander was known for. Nothing had changed externally, but something had shifted internally. Loss and devastation inevitably do that to a person. Most of them had been through it. Others had done well to veil it—including him.

        He had completed his mission earlier than he expected. A break was well-deserved, recuperating from a strenuous job. The team had succeeded in their quest. A victory they ought to celebrate, but it‘s hard for him to bask in their win.

        He is left alone with his thoughts, reminded of the time he had lost Igneel, and then Zeref a year later. The latter may have brought him and his loved ones nothing but anguish, but in a distant past, he had been his brother once upon a time.

        He settles in an isolated corner, avoiding his comrades and the usual hubbub, as he mulls over the adversities he had faced. He doesn‘t want to worry Lucy, Erza or even Gray—the people who knows him well and sees through him.

        The feeling a of large, calloused hand resting atop his head catches him by surprise. Laxus‘ familiar voice cutting through his reverie.

@xfulmen

"Well, that's no fun~" Spoken in a teasing tone, as she slowly took a seat on a stool next to him. Although, it was probably for the best. Cana wouldn't really want to fight him, after all, she respected his abilities and was pretty sure he'd win pretty easily in a fight between them.

"You doing alright?" She felt like perhaps he was lonely, but that was largely due to her own preference for company over anything she was seeing from him. If he did want to be alone, she was clearly intruding - but she was oblivious to any of that, at least for the time-being. Any toll from Laxus' stronger senses was something that she was relatively oblivious about.

"You seem worn down or something..." Something that she couldn't quite place, but it was part of what had led her to join him iat the bar. Of course, being ready for another drink had also factored into her reasoning.

"I can be a pretty good listener if ya need someone to talk to." A large part of her felt like he wouldn't accept her offer, but it still felt right to toss it out there. After all, they were guildmates, which made him like family to her.

@xfulmen sent: ❛ --- Why the long face? What happened? ❜

THE GUILD IS BOISTEROUS AS usual, buzzing with excitement as the holiday approaches. There are conversations about their plans to participate in the festivities, along with the hubbub of screaming as a brawl threatens to break out. Typically, Erza would scold them and try to end the disturbance, regardless of how futile it is.

        But today, she doesn‘t. She isolates herself from the clamor. She doesn‘t have the energy to participate in the chaos.

        The solemn look on her face exhibits her despondence. A lone melancholic person in the middle of the rowdiness sticking out like a sore thumb. Erza sits on the barstool, her strawberry cake still in perfection condition, untouched, concerning Mirajane, who has picked up on her low spirits.

        She sighs, deep in her thoughts.

        Today is a devastating day. It‘s the anniversary of her savior‘s death. The man who had sacrificed his life and led her to her freedom. Grandpa Rob. He had died to save her life. He is her hero. An unsung hero who hadn‘t been given a proper burial and grave. She had visited the shores—the very shore she had landed in after being freed from slavery. With no tomb to mourn in, the sea is the closest place to commemorate his memory. She‘d done this every year to honor him, and during this time, she immerses in her somberness.

        Her closest friends had always been aware of this occurrence every year. Natsu and Gray had seen her in this state, but they had never asked what ailed her, respectfully giving her space and letting her be. She hadn‘t really told anyone what this particular day means to her. She had no intention of hiding it from them, but she hadn‘t gotten an opportunity to open up about it.

        Her arms are propped on the counter, resting her palm on her face, whilst her other hand toys with the cake using the fork. She drowns deep in her thoughts, snapping out of her cogitation upon hearing the inquiry of a familiar deep voice. She glances up to see Laxus, who had that curious and worried look on his face.

        ❝Nothing happened.❞ A terse but genuine answer. Nothing really happened. She‘s just wrapped up in her grief and her emotions.

@xfulmen sent: ❛ One more shitty song from you and I will break that guitar of yours, you tone - deaf imbecile. ❜ ( for gajeel )

USUALLY SHORT-TEMPERED, BUT GAJEEL considers himself a performer ( much to everyone‘s objection ), turning into a different person with the guitar in his arms.

He is on a roll. Once he starts, he won‘t be able to stop easily. The boos from the crowd, the death threats, goes in one ear and out the other. Laxus‘ threat to break his guitar does not dissuade him from performing. He should be reminded that he is iron, and if he breaks the instrument, he can always just create another one.

The Lightning Dragon Slayer‘s threats have never failed to put the fear of God in him, but he is quite bolder than usual today.

❝Yer‘ just sayin‘ that ‘cuz ‘yer lonely. But do not fret, I shall sing ye‘ another song.❞ He strums the guitar strings, emitting that usual grating noise that‘s pleasant ( only by his standards ).