A walk through the woods [Marcus]

Nessa's feet had lead her somewhere different today, normally when she went for a stroll, she strolled through town. But she needed to get away today, really out of the way. There was so many familiar faces today, faces she would normally love to see. But today she wanted something different. Because today was the day she would normally go apple-picking with her mum. Once a year, her mum would lead her into the woods, a basket each. They would go to the best spots, and pick for hours. Nattering away, sometimes Antoinette would come, although she wasn't super fond of messy labour so she would often just sit to the side and complain about her love life. Usually however it was just a tradition between her and her mother. That was until five years ago, when things had changed so dramatically.

Although Nessa had come to turns with her mothers death, there was still those days when it came flooding back. Her mums birthday, the day she died and for some reason the anniversary of their apple picking. For some reason, when she got up in the morning, looking at her calendar and saw that day, she just couldn't stay at home. She didn't speak to anyone. Today she had just got dressed, pulling on a white tank top and some denim shorts. She had reached on top of her wardrobe, pulling down a basket. Walking out of her room she made her way straight to the front door, slipping on some flip flops. Pulling the door open and shutting it quietly behind her. Her family knew not to bother her, it was just part of her grief. Her life now. 

She sat on a tree trunk, knees bent and slightly parted. Between them rested a white wicker basket, with a fabric base. Years ago it would have been filled with the brim with apples, but this time, there was only one. One lonely apple, sitting there on it's own. Alone. Just like her. 

"Nessa dear, come help me try and get this one." Her mother called to her, Nessa looked up to an overhead branch. A single juicy apple dangling over, 

"Seriously mum, that's so high!" She replied in disbelief,

"Oh but look how plump it is, I just know it's going to be a yummy addition to my apple pie." Nessa watched as her mum proceeded to hop underneath it, swiping at the apple that was clearly out of reach. It was so frantic, her mother looked ridiculous, flailing about frantically. Nessa rolled back giggling, it was just so comical. As her mum lost her footing and fell on her butt, Nessa lost it. Rolling to the ground, holding her sides as she laughed.

The memories flickered through her mind, as she stared into space, a single tear dripping down her cheek. 


WC: 477

Nessa had very little awareness of her surroundings, she was so lost in thought, she hadn't even tried to feel for any other presence. She was just trapped by her own mind, staring into space but not seeing anything. All she could see was the face of her mother, smiling in her memories. Her moment of loss and reflection was interrupted by a thud. The flickering memories disappearing in an instant, pulling her back to reality. Her head shot up, the suddenly sound causing her magic to surge into her hands ready to cast an attack. Then when she realised it wasn't a Vulcan or magical forest dweller but a person. Her magic faded away, it was a guy. Red hair and dark eyes, a couple years older than her perhaps. He looked familiar somehow. Reaching up, she quickly wiped the tears from her face, sniffling away the signs sad moment. 

As Nessa looked over him once more, the memory of seeing him in her guild hall came to her. That was it, he was a member of Fairy Tail, and therefore definitely not a threat. Although she realised wished he hadn't seen her in that state, she often prided herself on making people happy and bringing positive energy to those around her. To see her in such a vulnerable state, it wasn't a comforting thought. Maybe he hadn't noticed her, she hoped, but deep down she doubted it. She had no way of knowing how long he'd been there, how much he'd seen. She would just have to play it off and hoped he would go along with it. She didn't know what she would say if he asked her about it. Then again maybe he didn't care, maybe she was just in the way and he would ask her to leave. That was always a possibility, so far everyone in the guild had been friendly to her. But there were still a few people she didn't quite know. 

Pulling herself up, she brushed down her clothes, they weren't dirty, it was just a habit of hers. The basket lay on the ground between her feet. Plastering on a smile in an attempt to replace the remnants of sorrow before. She raised her right arm, rubbing the back of her head in a coy manner, clearing her throat. 

"Sorry, I didn't see you there, was a bit lost in thought." She said with a little laugh, pretending she was fine was her only real option at present. "Umm, you're from the guild right? I've seen you around but we've never been properly introduced. I'm Nessa." She said, dropping her hand to her side. 

WC: 445
Total: 922

Nessa felt a wave of relief flow over her when Marcus introduced himself, at least he wasn't coming at her in an uncomfortable way. She wasn't used to being confronted about her emotions, and she didn't feel like getting in any practice today. Forgetting was better, it was easier. She took his offered hand in greeting, her touch soft and light. She wasn't one to assert her dominance over others, especially not in the sensitive state she was in. 

She looked away at his comment about the forest, blinking away the last remnants of water under her lids. Her face felt dry now, that usually helped as a means of controlling your emotions. If you felt like you were crying, you wanted to cry more, once those ducts dried up a bit, it was easier to control yourself. At least that's how she felt.  

"Yes, it is lovely here, a nice place to escape to." She replied, her tone quiet, she needed to move on from this topic. It wasn't exactly dangerous territory conversation wise, but it wasn't enough of a distraction from what she'd bee doing moments ago.

She took a moment to think about his question, did she want to be alone, normally on a day like today she would. But normally she would have got through her sad period, before going home, forcing some toast down and going to bed. For the first time since her mother had died, this pattern had been broken. Maybe it's time to try something different... She thought, unsure of what she was even getting at. It was out of her nature to turn down the offer of company, so why should she do it now. Just because she's having a hard day, her mother wouldn't have wanted that. Her mother was a great condoner of friendships, and Nessa believed she shared that quality. Pushing Marcus away wouldn't benefit her, it would just make her lonely. Drag her back into that sorrowful state, she was better off out of it, even she could admit that. She gave him a gentle smile, 

"A walk would be lovely." She said, making her way into the woods with him. She managed to fall into a steady pace, before deciding she couldn't let him do all the work in their exchange. "So you're new to Fairy tail huh? That would explain why we've only just properly spoken. If that's what you'd call this," She said with another uncertain laugh, then scolded herself mentally, You're better than this, she told herself. It was true, her normal nature was perky and forward. Yet she felt a little restrained, she knew it was due to the fact he'd seen her upset, but she didn't want that to hold her back. "I wouldn't say it's been that long since I joined myself, but from what I've experience it's been a pretty amazing transition. I've had so many opportunities to progress, and I've made lots of new friends. What made you want to join?" She asked, that had been better, not great but at least it was something to offer him. 

WC: 520
Total: 1442

Together they took an easy pace through the woods, Nessa slowly felt herself becoming more composed. Each step through the peaceful forest allowing her to steady her emotions and return to her normal self. Marcus seemed different from all the people she had interacted with so far, he was more reserved, less expressive than the people she was surrounded with everyday. Everyone had tended to match her forward and friendly attitude so far. But Markus seemed to be cooler in nature, there wasn't as much warmth in his words. But Nessa didn't mind, it intrigued her, she wanted to know more without being intrusive. 

The first two reasons he mentioned earned himself a nod, the third word however took her by surprise. Revenge, on who exactly. She knew it wasn't her place to pry. Part of her understood, if she could go against a specific dark guild she would, but they were gone. Wiped out from that fateful day. There was also Grim heresy, the guild that had done those awful things to Aven, her good friend. She wanted more than anything to punish them for torturing him so horrendously. but that was Aven's call, they needed to get stronger. Then when the day came he wanted to take them on, she would be there, ready to fight. 

His question brought a small smile to her lips, "I've always wanted to join a guild, I knew someone who did a lot of good as part of a guild, it was inspiring. I want to do what I can to help others, to make a real difference. I've never quite understood how there can be so much bad out there, so if I can do my bit to eradicate that I will. A guild seemed the best way to do that, and I've been watching Fairy Tail for a while. I was just drawn to it you, kinda like a calling I guess. It's proving to be the best decision I've ever made." Her words were honest, coming straight from the heart. Nessa could also hear the sound of water in the distant, she hadn't moved this deep into the forest for as long as she could remember. "I hope it helps you find what you need too." She added, looking at Marcus with a hopeful expression, she sincerely did. Revenge sometimes wasn't always the way forward, but If revenge was what he needed to find his own peace then she would not judge, she didn't know him. He had reasons and she respected that.

WC:425
Total WC: 1867

Nessa wondered for a moment if she had said something wrong, Marcus was quiet, at least more quiet than he had been so far. she knew she tended to speak without thinking, but as she thought over her words, she wondered if she might have said something to trigger an unpleasant thought. Then his lips parted, saying only two words. Words that brought a sense of warmth to her chest. Marcus's thank you was so quite it was barely a whisper, but she heard it. Just about. She smiled again, looking away, for some reason she felt a little flushed. Like she had done something much more personal than just wish him well on his aspirations.

His question was an interesting one, a question  that had been debated for many centuries. The definition of evil was never really conclusive, because opinion fluctuated. Agreements never truly solidified. There were those that were truly evil, hearts blacker than the darkest night. Then they was smaller evils, decreasing in levels based on sin or offence. Then there were the concept of necessary evils. It was a topic that had even been brought to the Lux family dinner table on occasion, a controversial debate. 

"Doing good in my mind is helping those who need it. Someone once told me that everyone deserves a chance to be saved, even if they might not realise it themselves." How nostalgic, here she was trying not to talk or think about her mother but still mentioning her regardless. She couldn't help herself, her mother was her inspiration for everything. Her life choices had all stemmed from her decision to be like her. A good Samaritan through and through, Cordelia Lux. A neutral healer branded with the mark of a dark guild, infamous for being kind, and yet for some reason had chosen to work with evil people. Because she thought she could save them from themselves. It was brave and naïve, even Nessa could see that and ultimately it had killed her. But still, to have a heart so pure so accepting, that's what Nessa believed in. 

"I guess the evil I'd want to get rid of is the evil that causes people to suffer." She told him earnestly. Looking back up at him in an attempt to see his reaction to her words. It was an optimistic and unlikely goal. But it was hers and it wasn't changing. The sound of the water became louder and louder, until they finally entered and clearing. Before them was a pool of water, seated at the base of a waterfall. Her smile widened, and she ran forward towards the bank to get a better look. Feeling a sense of excitement at their discovery. She stood herself at it's edge, admiring the crystal clear water before. The waves rippling outwards from the force of the waterfall, the water sparkling in the light that peeked through the trees. She had seen a waterfall before, but never did she realise such a beautiful one would be so close to home.

"How pretty!" She said, spinning around to face Marcus, her footing slip on the damp grass of the bank. She fell backwards, unable to catch herself. She plummeted straight into the water with a loud scream.

WC: 545
Total: 2412

Nessa closed her eyes, preparing herself for the soaking she would receive. There was a ripping noise through the air and she felt arms catch her. Stopping her from being fully submerged, she opened her eyes. Realising Markus was no longer in front of her, she looked round at him. Her violet eyes wide and confused. Then she came to the realisation he must have used magic. She couldn't resist smiling once more, the fact he'd choose to help her made her believe he was a good person. She was growing to like Marcus the more she spoke to him, he was kind of stoic in nature and didn't express emotions in an obvious way. But he was intriguing and not only that he had shown her kindness. His remark was very matter of fact, she just shrugged at him. "I don't think you'd want to do me harm, and if there was a monster, you'd probably just protect me right?" Her tone was teasing, because whether he wanted to admit it, he had try to help her.

She could feel his hands on her waist and gave a little giggle, as he palms touched her in a ticklish spot. She couldn't help herself, she was a ticklish person. His hands left her waist and he began to make his way back to the bank, she however stayed where she was. "Thank you by the way, this hair is a nightmare when wet." She said with a giggle, it was like feeling finding the waterfall and falling in had somehow managed to lift her spirits. Plus there was Marcus, he had somehow pulled her out of her upset state. She reached up, picking up her hair, she combed it through her hands. Tying it up with a spare hair-tie she had been carrying on her wrist. She lowered her arms, and began to run her fingers through the water around her. Making little ripples from her hands, listening she took in her next question. She answered this time without hesitation,


"I mean it's an inevitable thing, I would try not to cause any unnecessary suffering and if someone wanted me to hurt someone for unfair reasons, I would decline. But not everyone is honest when they ask for help and you could hurt someone who doesn't deserve it. But if it happened I would just do what I could to rectify it and accept the consequences of my actions. You shouldn't hold yourself accountable for wanting to make others happy, else no one would ever do anything good. At the end of the day you can't save everybody and not everybody wants to be saved, but doing your best is what counts overall. "

It was a question she had heard before, once again a topic at the dinner table of the Lux family home. Her father had wanted to challenge her strong values, and therefore given her time to think over such a question before. She wanted to do good and she wouldn't acknowledge any reasons not to do good. She never wanted to give up on the light, she would help others just like her mum. But in order to stand for that cause, she had to understand it's flaws.

WC: 542
Total WC: 2954

Nessa shrugged once again, "Only if I really needed it, generally I don't want to rely on others. But I suppose you have to come to terms with it when you join a guild, we fairies have got to have each others backs." Nessa had felt like a weak link in fairy tail for a while, now, ever since she'd joined she had learned the true magnitude of magical power amongst her guildmates. She was ashamed to say she had leant on the help of others much more than she'd wanted to. She had been naïve when she joined, thinking she could stride it and get strong on her own. But life didn't work that way, if she had done all those dangerous jobs on her own, she would have been very badly hurt or could have even died. Relying on her guildmates was necessary, but as she grew stronger the less she needed to, it was a sign of the future to come. A time when she could protect her guildmates without holding them back.


The water had been quite cold at first, but her bare legs were adjusting to the temperature. It was pleasant, the perfect day for a dip. The feel of the relaxing ripples, the waterfall crashing behind her. She would definitely come here again, and she would forever hold gratitude to Marcus for being the one who helped her discover it. If he hadn't have found her, she never would've left her place. She would've stay there and cried until her tears ran out, then headed home. Completely unaware that a beautiful place existed only a short walk away.


Markus's words took her by surprise, from what she believed there conversation had been going quite smoothly. Yet, there was something about what he said. He was implying something, but what is was that he was suggesting remained unclear. Could it be that he didn't think himself strong enough or capable of protecting her. Although he didn't give off an air of weakness, he seemed sure of himself. So what did he mean? There was something deeper going on behind those eyes, and Nessa found herself wanting to know more.

But prying ws rude, and she knew that. She couldn't tell if he was sad or doubting himself in some way. But she wanted to do something, something to lift him a little, as he had for her.. So as she looked down at the water, then a playful grin appeared on her lips. She moved closer to Marcus, slowly wading through the pool. "Maybe...just maybe... you're the one that needs protecting!" She said, before thrusting her hands forward and flicking the water in his direction, letting out a joyful laugh.

WC: 456
Total: 3410

Nessa had the fundamental belief that people looked the most beautiful when they smiled, an honest, true, happy smile from pleasant delight. The way their mouths stretched upwards revealing their teeth, the way a persons cheeks swelled and eyes crinkled. Somehow the movement of a few muscles could change someone's face so dramatically. A person's true beauty lay behind an honest smile. Yet When Marcus looked down at her, giving her a smile she couldn't help but notice something...odd. Somehow the smile didn't quite reach his eyes, was there something wrong? Did she annoy him with her behaviour and he was just pretending? She didn't like to assume anything, but with her looking right at it, it was unavoidable to someone who actively worked to make others smile.

Another thing that Nessa noticed about Marcus was the intensity of his gaze, when he looked at you, he really looked at you. His gaze piercing, almost as if gazing directly into your soul and leaving you exposed. So as he kept eye contact with her, lifing his clothes to reveal his shirtless body. Nessa gulped, it was an involuntary action, although she couldn't understand why. She felt her body grow hot, and her face began to turn a shade of pink. Although she was trying hard not to look, she couldn't help herself, her eyes darted down as she took in his physique. After getting a look she quickly glanced away, Why had she done that? She couldn't even explain her own actions.


Then as a memory came to mind she turned her gaze back to him, this day had a few similarities to an eventful day in her past. Her alone with a boy, close to water, him topless. Only this exchange was much more pleasant than that one, Nessa's eyes grew slightly sad at the thought. There had been so many signs, so many warnings, she just hadn't seen them. Rex hadn't been good to her, she understood that now. He only played at being nice, but he wasn't nice. He was a monster. For some unexplainable reason Nessa's imagination produced a figure of Rex, sitting next to Marcus. Topless, like that day. She found herself comparing them, Rex was attractive but that was all he had going for him, Marcus's was just an attractive, and his physique was much more defined. Nessa noticed the scars on his body, suggestion experience, they were intriguing. She imagined each one told a story. Rex was body much more soft, at least from what she had saw of it, she hadn't given him a chance to show her anymore than his torso. She imagined him sneering at her, looking at Marcus then back at her.


'What... do you think he's hotter than me?' That was a sentence she had heard so many times and spent so many hours of their relationship convincing him otherwise. She couldn't even say hello to a shopkeeper without Rex getting jealous and yet she hadn't seen the signs. Not to mention she never really understood physical attraction, she hadn't really been physically attracted to Rex until after he'd confessed to her. Since ending their relationship, she hadn't been able to feel it since. At least not that she was aware of. It was her one and only guard, Nessa couldn't believe in love, because she didn't trust in it anymore. She shook the thought of Rex from her mind, why was she even comparing them? They were nothing alike. She couldn't even work out her own mind sometimes.

Nessa was yanked out of her train of thoughts by Marcus's use of magic. She jumped in surprise as multiple versions of himself appeared in front of her. Then let out a squeal as she was showered with multiple splashes, closing her eyes and mouth. She waited until the onslaught was over before gasping for breath. She was drenched. Everything from her lashes to her clothes, completely soaked. She let out a laugh, lifting her hands, she wiped the excess water from her face and pushed back any strands of hair that were hugging her cheeks. She looked back at Marcus, shaking her head with a smile. She took a step closer, placing her hands on her hips as she spoke.

"Wow, I'll admit you got me good." She told him oblivious to a certain other thing he had done to her. You see, when white thin cotton gets wets, there are two effects when clothes are involved. Firstly, the clothes become tight and hug the body, and secondly they become slightly see-through. That was exactly what happened to Nessa's tank top, completely wet, the top gave the view of her soaked upper half, white lace bra and all.

WC: 790
Total : 4200

If Nessa's middle name wasn't Cordelia, it would have been 'oblivious'. it was a word that suited her so well, and it applied in so many of the scenarios that occured in her life. So diid she even think about what colour top she was wearnig when Markus had splashed her, no. Did she had any realisation that her top had turned see-through, revealing half of her underwear and alot of her body to a boy she had just met. Of course not.

It was only when Markus said the word white with a tone of the question did the cogs begin to turn in her little mind. Unsue of what he meant, she blinked at him in confusion. Only to follow the movement of his eyes. She stared down for a moment, her confused mind not immediately getting it. Then it click, her face went from slightly pink to beetroot red. Her expression changed to one of complete mortification, and her arms flew forward. Wrapping them around her chest in an attempt to cover her. How had she forgotten such a simple thing, she felt waves of embarrassment wash over her.

"S-Sorry."

She said nervously, before she hurriedly made her way over to the bank, clinging to herself. She turned her body so she was facing away as she used her arms to lift herself onto the grassy bank. Covering her chest once more, she turned to look at Markus once more. Face still red, "I'm pretty clumsy , I'm sure you've probably noticed."


She took a gentle breath, closing her eyes for a moment. She reached within, activating her making and coaxing it out. Her skin began to glow with a pure light. Adjusting the light so it was warm, without being harmful, slowly light began to dry her hair and clothes. The only part of her still wet, which was her feet, which she had left in the water for the pure pleasure of it. After a few moments, her top returned to opaque white and she was able to drop her arms. Dignity concealed once more. "Want me to do your clothes?" She offered.

WC: 455
Total: 4655

She allowed the magic to dissipate once she was done, unaware of the effect it was having on Markus. She just assumed that the act of him having to look away was nothing more than a polite attempt to give her some privacy. Allowing her to regain her dignity and conceal her bosom once again. It was a gesture she had mistakenly appreciated as an act of kindness. Slowly her face began to return to a normal colour, and although she still felt warm from the use of her magic. Not to mention she would feel the embarrassment of this moment for the next few weeks. 

She couldn't help herself, she wasn't the type to go topless in front of boys. Although as she though about it and bra wasn't much different than a bikini, and she had no qualms about going to the beach. Maybe it wasn't so bad after all, this thought helped ease her of her embarrassment. She nodded at his denial of her help, accepting his response. She watched as he stood up, talking about her magic. She shrugged, she didn't know if versatile was the word she'd used. She always felt her magic was very limited. 

"Oh I don't know, being able to transport from one place to another or make copies of yourself. I think I'd find that much more useful, sure my magic it's pretty but destructive." She looked down at her hands, thinking to her recent missions, killing monsters she had expected it to feel the way it had. At the time it seemed necessary to get the job done, but when she looked at corpses of living things. She couldn't help but feel it tug painfully at her heart, making her wonder if she was even cut out for this lifestyle. 

"Different huh? How so?" She asking curiously, pushing herself off the ground , shaking the water off of her feet. Her sandals were still wet, but she didn't care so much about that, she could clean them when she got home. For now, she was interested in hearing the answer to her question. She wasn't sure what it was, but there was something about what he'd said. Like he was implying something she couldn't work out, she wanted to know. Her curiosity getting the better of her as she tilted her head, her violet eyes looking into his, waiting for his answer. 

WC: 403
Total: 5058

His words were reassuring, as he explained his thoughts on destructive magic such as hers those. She thought over them, was it fair? The taking of life, a life for a life. Did it really work that way? She just wasn't sure it should. Killing seemed too cruel, even to those that deserved it, even to those that would kill other without hesitation. Then again they had spoken before about protection, there was that aspect of it, protecting others at all cost. Allowing the good to live, even at the cost of your own spirit. Although that made her feel a tiny bit eased, she still had a little bit of self-doubt in the back of her mind. It was funny how without really trying Marcus had away of pulling her out of any dark thoughts she had. She was grateful for the kindness he had shown her, it was nice to know someone like him was in her guild. She genuinely looked forward to seeing him around the guild hall, to getting to know him more. 

He reeled off a list to her, generic descriptive words that represented the two of them, that made sense to her. She let out a chuckle at his use of the word grace, he wasn't wrong. In a short time she had managed to show to him how ungraceful she was, her and her clumsy nature. Marcus was on the other hand much more self composed. 

His finishing sentence was the icing on the cake, she smiled, enjoying his analogy. It made her feel like that had a connection of sorts. "Guess that makes us a perfect pair!" She replied, her tone bright and cheery, before adding her next comment. "Because you can't have darkness without light, right?" She gave him a wink at the end of the comment, as it wasn't really a question but more a saying she enjoyed. 

WC: 319
Total: 5377