A New Family? (Open)

They moved down the pathway with a bag slung over their shoulder as the rich earth quietly crunched under their steps. All around nature sung, danced and whispered giving the creature great comfort as it moved down the path in the form of man. Black eyes would gaze around at the open fields and trees for a while as a small smile played upon the man’s pale lips. All was going well in this peaceful moment that he wouldn’t change at all. If only all of the world was this way: happy and peaceful. If the world was like this, there would be no need for wars and sorrows. No need for pain and the darkness it breed. Beings like him would be free to do what they like versus constantly being on the move. He could settle down and be at peace with himself for once. It would be nice. Alas that day was not here yet, but one day it would be.

The creature would continue to move about the path feeling warm earth turn to cold stone beneath his feet as he entered a town. Taking his time, he would mark down locations to visit later in his mind as he nodded politely to all that greeted him. He would continue to walk further in pausing a bit to consult a map when he became a bit lost as to where to go. Once he had his bearing once more, he continued his path until he came upon the destination he sought. Stopping in front of a large building, black eyes would look upon it with an emotionless stare for a few moments before blinking and looking down at the map.

The Guild of Fairy Tail. That was this place’s name and the place he was meant to go after expressing interest in joining them. Hmmm. He’d fold the map and tuck it away before looking around the building. There didn’t seem to be a guard or anyone here to welcome him, so he supposed he just walked in? Well he was certainly about to find out. Shifting his weight, he would make his way towards the entrance of the guild.

He would take a step forward, but pause as he heard sounds coming towards him. His ears would twitch and shift a bit towards the sound. He could make out voices talking. They were having a conversation and he heard what could’ve been a hint towards himself. He tried to listen a bit more his ears tilting back a bit as he kept his eyes directed forward; however, he wouldn’t be able to pick up the sounds of a threat or anything of that nature. Instead, he heard someone calling out for another to not go running off towards strangers and following that? Quick steps.

It sounded like someone was running towards him, but that was all he was able to get out of the analysis before a young lady with white hair was before him. She wore a smile and seemed to be friendly enough; however, even so the young man would not return the smile so easily as he gave her a calm gaze as he held his ground before her. He’d shift the bag on his shoulder before nodding to the question he heard, his features softening a bit as he opened his mouth to speak.

“Yes. We believe we are going in,” he would say in a soft voice that seemed to be a mix of both female and male tones. It was a strange voice to be sure, but clear nonetheless. In any case, the creature would tilt his head at the other. “Are you going in too, Miss….?” He’d trail off as he moved his left hand outward, gesturing for her to fill in the blank with her name if she wanted to as he raised an eyebrow at the curious girl.

Current Form:

He saw her eyes drift upward, but to what she was looking at he could not figure out as one ear twitched a bit to flick away whatever bug was trying to mess with it. However, when he spoke the reaction he got back was more expected. The creature’s voice was always something to cause wonder both to itself and others. It wasn’t sure why it produced such sounds along with others that seemingly wasn’t produced by normal folk. Was it because of what it was? Or was there something else at play it did not understand? Was it because of the other side? The creature had to wonder at times, but for now wouldn’t wonder too much as a cat and a fairy of some sort joined them.

Looking first at the cat, the creature’s eyes would narrow slightly as he examined the cat that seemed to not trust him. He supposed that was too was usual when it came to strangers. Shifting his dark eyes from the cat, they would drift up to look at the fairy. He had heard about fairies before, but this was the first time he had seen one up close. As she smiled, the creature would find the corner of his lip twitching slightly as an amused smile teased at his lips, but didn’t fully make it before he was serious once more.

“Nessa. A pleasure to meet you and your friends, yes?” he would ask as his eyes drifted back to her and the first soft smile came to his lips. “Our name is Lazarus,” he would say as she opened the doors. As she entered he would follow behind her looking around. As for that question. “Well, we were order to come here, but never instructed on what to do once here. Can you guide us along to help us get settled in this place as new member?”

Arcadia lay fast asleep just inside the guild, snoring most loudly for a girl her size and age. She snored away, until the sound of footsteps and voices stirred her awake. She sat up rubbing sleep from her eyes. Recognizing one of the voices, Arcadia got to her feet.

She made sure to grab her empty glass. Once she had been introduced to the divinity of the guild's array of juice, Arcadia had taken every opportunity to have at least one glass. She hurried toward the sound of Nessa's voice. Though she was inside, she ran ahead full speed Her voice even at full volume, "Nessa!"

It was when she saw who Nessa was with and talking to that her bare feet came to a sliding stop. A strange man, a cat and fairy brought more than a couple confused blinks to Arcadia.The young girl drew in closer behind Nessa to partly hide from the man, but leaned forward. She couldn't bring her deep green gaze to meet his, the closest she came was a focusing on his feet. The next she spokeher voice was much softer in tone. "Uhh.. I mean,h-hello. Nice to meet you all."

Lazarus would continue to follow the girl as she introduced the two that had come to join them. When made her move, Lazarus would pause to give her slight bow in turn before his eyes lingered on the cat that didn’t seem to want to be talkative at all. “Exceed? What does that mean?” he would ask, having never heard the term before. His eyes would drift back to the girl to hear any explanation she was willing to give, but it would seem before all that or even figuring out guild things, yet another would join. This time it was a young girl with blonde hair, who promptly hide behind the young woman he was with. As she peeked around the other and was introduced as Arcadia, the creature would find himself quite amused.

“Hello, Arcadia. Nice to meet you,” he would say in that same strange voice of his. He wasn’t sure if the other was a new member like himself or someone settled in. Either way, he would mark the face and take note of the dynamic between the two females. Perhaps he could learn more about each them as he got more acquainted with the guild. That aside, it was back to business. It seemed in order to join the guild, the guild master or an ace would have to assist. Well he supposed that made sense in a way.

“That would be much appreciated,” he would begin and then hearing the mention of food, he gave pause not because he didn’t want the food, but rather to keep himself from acting overly eager for said thing. Playing the pause off as a moment of thought, he would bring his hand to his chin for a few seconds before nodding.

“Yes. We would enjoy some food. What do you have on offer?” he would ask, tilting his head at one who offered before blinking a bit as juice was mentioned. Looking over at the blonde, he would tilt his head. “What sort of juice is it? Is it good?” he would ask in his own way trying to rope her into the conversation and perhaps break the ice around them for now.

It was a beautiful day for research, the sun high in the sky, and the forest outside Magnolia filled to the brim with golden rays of light. At the moment, Aven was experimenting with a new technique he was developing, a Glyph to be incorporated into his circles that would allow him to trade places with them, only once, of course. He was having trouble with the execution, though, scratching his head as the Judgement Circle in front of him continuously appeared, shot a sword of golden light into Aven's chest, and disappeared, only to reappear immediately, and repeat the process. The Glyph was there, he could see it himself, but for some odd reason, it simply wouldn't activate. Was he not strong enough? It was possible. Perhaps distance was an issue."?

With a simple gesture of his cane, Aven directed the Circle to teleport elsewhere. A sudden pull on his mind made him think of Nessa, for some reason, and the Judgement circle blipped out of existence, appearing in the middle of the guild hall, right beside Nessa and Arcadia, as if on queue to her thoughts about him. The Golden Circle stayed for a moment, then flashed, replaced by a very confused Aven. He glanced around, slightly dazzled as his eyes returned to his usual Emerald color from gold. His gaze caught Nessa's, and he smiled. Did she just summon him? No... that would be outrageous. "Beautiful day, isn't it, ladies?"

Arcadia followed closely to one side of Nessa. She had a hard time not staring at Sebastion and Arielle in starry-eyed awe. She almost forget she was around strangers...almost. Her young voice stayed soft enough to wonder if she was talking to anyone or just thinking out loud. She giggled, "Oh wow! I didn't know fairies were real! And such a cute little kitty! I never saw anyone like you guys back in Dragnof. The cute kitty, I just want to hug and squeeze his little face and tie cute little bows in his fur."

Soon she was pulled back to reality, the girl glancing down to the empty glass in her hand and nodding to Nessa, "Yes, please. Never enough juice."  She still couldn't quite meet Lazarus's eyes, but so far  he seemed nice enough and juice was probably about the closest thing she an expert on around here yet. While her voice was still soft, she managed to speak without stumbling on any of her words. "It really is the best in all of Fiore. My favorite is a watermelon and strawberry mix, but I have tried a few others mixes just see what else they have. I haven't found one they don't have yet. They might just have any juice you can imag-ine."

The sudden appearance of a man from a golden circle drove Arcadia to try and hug one of Nessa's arms or just huddle a little closer, moving to whichever side of Nessa was closer to Lazarus and further away from this newest stranger. She tried to get out a hello, but his surprise appearance reduced her just an embarrassing little squeak.

It appeared he was going to make the kitty cat agitated with simply not knowing certain things. It did not help that he was new to these lands and therefore unfamiliar with certain terms and in turn what they meant. As the cat crossed its arms, the creature wondered if it was about to be scolded, but before any words could come from anyone, there was sound from the little one. Even if it was soft, the creature could hear her words clear enough as she spoke of the cuteness of the cat and what she wanted to do with it.

To this Lazarus couldn’t help, but to reach up and rub an ear in thought as he observed the shy girl. If she was going to do that to a cat, then the creature wondered what would happen if its true self was shown. Would he get the same treatment? Or would the girl run? He had to wonder and was almost tempted to test the matter out; however, he thought to behave until he was at least accepted into this place. No need to start burning any bridges due to curiosity. That aside though, it would seem the cat didn’t like what was heard explaining Exceeds were noble and prestigious that demanded respect. Huh was that so? Or was it not so?

It certainly didn’t seem Nessa cared about such things as she handed the cat over to the little one and told her to have at it and the cat wasn’t fighting so that was a bit confusing as to what was what there. He supposed in time, he’d have to figure that one out. Moving pass that though the creature would find its mind drifting to something else as the girl answered his question about juices. As he listened, he would find himself smiling a bit in amusement at the answer he got.

“Mmm. That does sound rather interesting. Perhaps we too can find a drink we like here,” the creature would say wondering if they had anything beyond juice here. As for food, well. He would ask about it and be handed a menu to which he glanced and found he had so many choices he wasn’t sure how he was going to choose! Nessa suggested Nachos, but did he want that or did he want something with more meat? Ooh the choices. “We see. We’ll keep that in mind.” The creature would say to the woman and so it would just in case it couldn’t make up its mind on what it wanted to—eh?

The light caught its attention as it looked over the menu as a new scent entered the area. Blinking a bit at the sudden appearance of another, Lazarus would listen as questions, squeaks, and names were tossed out. As he was introduced, he would give the new comer a nod.

“A lovely day indeed. How be you?” the creature would ask taking note the child had moved a bit closer to him, but stuck to Nessa. She really was a cute one wasn’t she?

At Nessa's gesture, Aven took full stock of the two newcomers: one, a tallish feline person he'd never seen before was standing near, while a very large fairy girl hid behind Nessa's arm. It took him a few seconds to realize that it was not, indeed, a fairy, but the most adorable little girl he'd ever seen, with the visage of a fairy. His gentle smile brightened, and after a small step back, and swept into a deep bow, facing all three of them. "I am quite well, thank you... but how rude of me, not introducing myself! I am Aven Alveron, a staunch member of Fairy Tail; it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Arcadia, Sir Lazarus!" With a delighted twirl of his cane, he spun to full draw, a small, yellow rose held in his hand. He presented it to Arcadia, "A small token of welcome," Before flicking his wrist, and another, white rose appeared in his hand holding the cane, presented to Nessa at the same time, "...And a second, for fairness."

It may have looked as though they appeared from thin air by using magic, but in fact, he'd picked the two of them for himself and Nessa earlier, and had been planning to give the white as a small token of friendship to her later in the day, and wear the yellow in his lapel, to match his suit. They were in his jacket pocket, and a quick sleight of hand had placed them in his sleeve as he spun. Arcadia was so unbearably cute, it would have been almost criminal not to also present her with a flower, and luckily, it fit her blonde hair perfectly. "Miss Arcadia, Sir Lazarus, should you ever require assistance, all you need is to ask; my door is always open to fellow Fairies." His eyes caught the bartender, and with a flick of his wrist, a purple magic circle and a grey magic circle appeared for a moment under him, before the grey circle broke, and he teleported to the bar, leaving an identical circle behind him. After a few moments, he returned to the same spot with a fruit punch, perhaps one of his favorite juices they served at the guild hall. He sipped lightly, enjoying the light blend of varying sweetnesses.

Poor Sebastion, hopefully he wouldn't mind Arcadia's affection too much.  She hugged the poor Exceed right up, nudging her cheek to the crown of the kitty's head.  She gently pet over Sebastoion's head and ears, staying back just behind Nessa.

Her deep green gaze narrowed into suspicion as she peered around Nessa's side.Perhaps lucky for Sebastion Aven's appearance had distracted teh young girl from her intention to retrieve her hairbrush  and a couple spare hair ribbons from her pack. She murmured quietly, "Does he do this a lot? and if he does.. how does he know when you're not someplace like the bathhouse?

Arcadia's extra judgemental stare did slowly melt away though.he seemed to make Nessa smile quite warmly. If Nessa could trust him, he probably wasn't so bad. Plus Aven wove some of his charm over Arcadia with the flower he handed over. She gently tucked Sebastion into one arm to take the pretty yellow flower.

The young girl sniffed in the blossom's natural perfumes before tucking the flower behind her left ear. She slowly emerged out from the cover Nessa provided tos tand freely between Lazarus and Aven. Though her voice was still soft and she could still only meet Nessa's gaze."Thanks, Mister Aven. It's very pretty!" There was an ever so gentle pink to the girl's cheeks.

She set Sebastion gently down the table, giving the sporting Exceed a kiss on  teh head, and gently pinching his cheek. "And you're SOO kyoot!"


Meeting so many nice people at once made the young mage feel happier than she'd been since she first awoke in this strange new world. She giggled and grinned brightly enough to show off her cute little fangs for the first time.   She glanced back toward the ground and shuffled one barefoot at the floor in front of her. "If everybody wants something to drink. I'll go get them."

Sadly Arcadia was so excited to be doing something she dreamed was helpful to all her new friends that she ran off before anyone could tell her which drink or juice they want. She practically sprinted and slid into the bar.. It was only at the bar she realized her error, so back she raced, skidding  to stop just short of the table.

Looking mildly embarrassed, she looked down at her own feet with a small sheepish grin, "It might help if I knew what you all wanted to drink. Uhhh... Mister Lazarus, in honor of your joining our... our family.. you should get to order first."

The creature would watch the interaction between the cat and the girl once more wondering if the words from earlier were true or if perhaps this cat was sweeter than he let on. Either way the observation would end as the bath comment came up, the older of the pair making jokes about it and laughing. As for himself, he would simply raise an eyebrow as an amused smirk played upon his lips, but he wouldn’t be adding to that as dark eyes eventually drifted up to the other male as he introduced himself in a grand way.

To the bow, Lazarus would give a much more reserved one back as he gave the guy a soft smile. “We are pleased to meet you, Mr. Aven and we are glad you are well,” the creature would begin before becoming quiet again as the other handed the ladies flowers.

Huh. Friendly and a charmer to boot. It seemed the two ladies were happy enough with their flowers as they placed them in their hair. A flattering look to both, but the creature would make no comment on this either as he instead looked back at Aven.

“Help is much appreciated, but perhaps you can help us decide which food is best here. My lady already made her suggestion of the Nacho Mix n’ Dip and the little lady suggested some interesting juices. What would you suggest to eat?” he would ask with a tilt of his head. A tilt that would become a distracted gaze as the little one offered to get them drinks…and then ran off without knowing what they wanted.

When she came back, the creature would smirk a bit as he contemplated what to get for a split second. He didn’t exactly want juice right now, so then… “A water for me is fine,” he would say and then fell silent for the others to order as his eyes drifted back to the menu. He wondered if there was a sampler plate or a way he could just sit and try all that they had to offer. Hmmm…that would be an event now wouldn’t it?

Seeing Aven already had his drink, Arcadia noted each of the others's beverage requests and nodded her confirmation of each one. She strolled on back to the bar, repeating the list of beverages to herself under her breath the whole way over so as not to forget.  

If only she hadn't tried to look cool while giving the order, all would have gone smoothly. Arcadia leaned back against the counter, elbows resting on the edge to support her. "Could I have 2 wat- ERRR!"

Her elbows slid just far enough off the bar's edge that they no longer supported Arcadia, and down she went. Thankfully she only suffered from embarrassment, though for her that was bad enough. Arcadia really hoped everyone else was more busy talking with each other back at the table to really notice. Getting back up, Arcadia dusted and smoothed down her dress, and made sure Aven's gifted flower was still secure behind her left ear. She was grateful to find it unharmed.

She turned lightly pink-faced to the bar, avoiding any look of the bartender. Her voice down to inaudible from across the room, when she started the order over, "Thanks, I'm fine. Yes.. uh that was 2 waters, a pineapple juice, another watermelon and strawberry mix for me and an order of fish."

Arcadia quietly waited at bar for the minute or two it took for all the drinks and Sebastion's fish to be gathered in front of her. She politely decline an offer by the bartender to bring everything over for her. The girl stood there a moment trying piece out how exactly she was going to carry it all. About the time she was resigning herself to carrying the drinks over a couple at a time, the bartender produced a tray for Arcadia to use. She bowed graciously to him and slipped the drinks and Sebastion's fish onto the tray.

To avoid any further embarrassing slips, Arcadia made sure to take the tray up with two hands and braced between both her forearms. She poured her concentration into keeping that tray level the whole way back to the table.  

It was with relief she sat the tray down on the table. Trying not interrupt anything, she smiled and  set a water in front of Lazarus, an order fish and a water in front of Sebastion, and a pineapple juice in front of Nessa.

She left her own watermelon and strawberry juice mix on the table, before returning the tray to the bartender. With gracious bow, "Thanks again, Sir."

Back at the table, she had brought a spoon with her and sat quietly stirring her juice, while chilling the glass with mildly frosty breath. She stirred and chilled the watermelon-strawberry mix until it turned to slush.  Lazing back in her chair, Arcadia sipped her slushy concoction.

“Hmm. That sounds like a good idea. We’ll try it,” Lazarus would say as he closed the menu with a nod in smile. A variety of meat sounded like a good deal and was almost enough to make his mouth water, but thankfully no drool came as he excused himself to go make the order. When he approached and made such an order, the bartender would raise an eyebrow probably wondering if the creature could eat it all, but dared not ask as he prepared the food.

In any case, he was instructed to wait at a table until it was done, so he drifted away just as little bit made her own way to the counter. As he was leaving, he heard the sounds of her fall; however, he did not turn or pause in his walk away from the counter. It wasn’t that he didn’t care, but rather he didn’t want to make the situation more awkward for her. He would drift to the table, glancing over at the little one when she was hopefully not looking to make sure she was okay. Seeing she was just fine, he would look over at Nessa who he noticed had a reaction to the incident. Perhaps she was like the girl too or maybe she just pitied her.

Either way, the creature wouldn’t bring up the incident as he settled into a chair at the table they were around. He watched as the cat did the same. Heh. This group was becoming more and more interesting by the second wasn’t it? Around the time he was thinking this, the little one would return with their orders. As the water was sat before him, the creature would give the girl a soft, "Thank you," before grabbing the glass and downing half of it in one go. Feeling refreshed, he would look over at Nessa who had asked a question. “We were looking for a place to call home after much wandering. It took some searching, but this place seemed to fit the bill and from the warm reception, we don’t think we were mistaken,” he would begin before tilting his head and looking at the group gathered. “And you? What drew you all to this place?”

Slouching down in her chair, Arcadia lifted her bare feet to rest them up on the edge of the table. One foot on the table, the other crossed over her ankle. She scraped out a spoonful of watermelon-strawberry slush to bite. Watermelon-strawberry as a frozen treat was definitely her mostest favorite.

Lazarus's question brought her to bow her head in solemn thought, pale blonde bangs shading her eyes from view. Arcadia would slowly glance off toward her knapsack while lost in thought. She took another couple bites of watermelon-strawberry slush.

Arcadia's tone stayed low and quietly serious, ”I don't know why Acnologia betrayed me and mom, Khione Glacier, the way he did. He was my hero..and I wanted to be justlike him.  Help my mom and the other dragons and dragon slayers of Dragnof fight so dragons and humans could keep living in peace. But none of that matters anymore... Feels like only a few weeks ago to me, best I can tell its all in a time long forgotten..so I guess I'm here some place new to call home... and a place to grow strong enough to never lose that again.”

Lazarus would sit quietly and listen to what he heard not interrupting anyone that choose to share their tale. However things would turn a bit more serious as the little one responded to his question. As he listened, he would find his ears folding downward a bit as a small frown came to his face.

“Losing one’s home can be a painful event. We apologize for asking such a thing,” he would say as he looked down at the table becoming quiet for the time being. He was at a lost for words and felt bad about being the cause of potential pain to another. He had not meant for that to happened, but the fact the child spoke out did give the creature a different out look on the young girl and in turn a bit of respect towards her for her bravery. The child was truly something else and stronger than she seemed.

That aside though, the creature would continue to stay quiet until his food was brought over. When the huge pile of meats and fries was brought over, the creature would perk up slightly as it looked at the food trying to figure out where to start, but then remembering there were others around, he would look over at the gathered bunch. “Want some?” he would offer not afraid to share his food with good company.

"I'm not crying... I'm not crying at all." Arcadia teetered on the verge of greater tears for a moment. Tears that were all the easier to hold back once her heard and felt her new friends'... new family's concern. Glancing up from Nessa hand, Arcadia dried her deep green eyes on the back of her free hand, "Thanks... big sis."

The threat of more tears gone, she offered a goofy smile to Lazarus, "No worries, Laz. Now that I think about, the more people I can share my memories of mom and home with, the less forgotten she and all other dragons and people of Dragnof will be. Maybe I can tell you all more about them sometime."

Arcadia quietly listened to Nessa, sadly noting the past tense she used when talking about her mom. She couldn't be sure what, but that usually meant something sad. Big green eyes getting watery again, she wiped them dry and smiled, "She sounds like an awesome mom."

She gladly took Lazarus up on his offer to share his food, Acradia nodded, "Hey yeah, you I would, Laz! Uhh, ad long as there's no olives or mushrooms in there. Those are just gross." Arcadia made scrunched up her face in distaste at the mere thought of tasting either of those. She picked a spot she was sure was mushroom and olive free, and tore in, giggling a little from watching Sebastion. Smiling at Aven, her mouth was just full enough to give her chipmunk cheeks.

For a moment it was touch and go with the subject of why the one’s with him had joined the group. The little one seemed like she was on the edge of crying, but thankfully she didn’t. If she had, the creature would’ve hung himself for the error. He wasn’t hear to make other’s cry or to bring up bad memories, but it seemed he had.

Even Nessa seemed to carry a tale that was somewhat sad. While she didn’t say much about her mother, there was something in the woman’s words that made the creature wonder if there wasn’t some tragic story to be heard there too. He considered both for a moment debating what he should do, but then shaking his head a bit he would find himself smiling a bit as the little one took a positive attitude towards it.

“We look forward to hearing the tales if you ever do want to share,” he began and then shifting in his seat a bit he would continue a bit more seriously. “You both are very brave and we hope that you achieve your goals. And if we can help in any fashion let us know.” Lazarus would finish before becoming distracted by food. As he made his offer, he would see the response of Nessa and not get one from Aven, so he guess that was a no also.

However, Acardia took him up on his offer and when she began to eat, the creature couldn’t help but fall in love with the little even more. “How cute,” the creature would say amused before taking on the side of the food that had more of the mushrooms on it. Though he would pick around the olives. Those were just no.