Winter Bliss [Xmas Event]

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Markus took a deep breath and pulled his long black coat further up his body. Usually one to keep to sleeveless clothes, vests, and jackets this was a bit of a different outfit for Markus. His traditional black scarf was still around his neck, and so were his black boots, and tight jeans. Now however he wore a grey knitted sweater and a long black coat to keep off some of the biting cold, not that it ever bothered him much. His hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, and he had a single braid tightly wound into the side in an attempt to look… different.

It was strange for Markus, trying to look better for someone. As a man who had never really cared what others though, now that he was ‘dating’ he felt that he needs to put in at least some effort. A decision that had led to the single braid and new cologne he was wearing, a tip given to him by one of his new guildmates.

It did not take Markus long to find Nessa, having been busy on a job he had arrived later than planned but happened to see her bobbing white hair as she preoccupied herself with some sort of contest. Markus would walk close, staying within the crowd to watch her work, it was amusing and even now he could see bits of frustration is her demeaner. It was quite cute to watch her work, though that was something he would never say out loud.

After a brief moment of watching the chaos mage decided to take some action and snuck up behind her, he knew he would make no sound in the snow and his abilities would mask his movements. He just hoped she would not be paying attention to any aura for without total darkness it was impossible to completely mask his. Either way, he stepped forward.

“How about I help with that?” he would ask suddenly while putting his arms around her, one of which would go to her side while the other would touch her stomach poking slightly in a teasing way. “How are you doing? It is good to see you again.” He would say quickly kissing her slightly on the cheek.

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Markus would sign contently as Nessa spoke up. His eyebrow would raise inquisitively., a treat huh? Markus’ mind went wild for a second remembering briefly the image of Nessa wrapped in nothing but a bow. To be fair, although he knew that was for a photoshoot, and the innocent Startlight Maiden would never even think to do something like that Markus could not help but smile a she gave him a kiss. “Oh really? I had saw signs about a hot chocolate tasting.” Markus would respond. “Once I am done her we should go do that.”

The chaos mage would then take a step back and listen to Nessa talk as he looked upon the work… with a quick movement he would cut off about half of the body, allow it to fall limply to the rest of the snow at his feet. From there Markus would get started, his mind working at an art piece he did not even plan for. There was only two times Markus’ mind was completely at ease, and completely still. One of those was in battle, in the thrill of combat when there was nothing but him, his power, and his opponent.

The other was when working on art. For some reason, Markus had always been able to zone out the world as he worked. Perhaps that was why he got so good at painting. It gave him time to truly be himself…

“Huh?...” Markus would respond, his mind taking a moment to get caught up on what it was Nessa was saying. “Oh that’s great. I am glad the guild is doing well…” Markus would say trailing off. He was adamant his decision to leave was the right decision, but knew there was still some strain even in his own mind about that choice.

“Oh really? So what you are saying is that when I visit you, we will be alone?” Markus would ask in a teasing way. “We would be all alone? For as long as we wanted…” he would add as his hands continued to mold the snow. Truthfully it was a strange medium for him. He had never before made a snowman.

Slowly however, it was starting to come together, standing about as tall as the two mages, it at least looked circular again. “So… what should we make it? Anything fancy?” He would ask as he worked, allowing her to put in any input. The snowman however was all but done, if being a bit plain for his tastes.

Once Nessa was happy with any further design choices Markus would lead the two of them towards where he had saw the hot chocolate tasting. From what he could tell there were a number of various people offering all kinds of chocolate and flavors. Markus would keep his arm wrapped around Nessa, they did not get to spend nearly enough time together for him to let her go easily.

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Markus would lean down taking a small sniff of the chocolaty beverage Infront of him. From the spell he could tell it had bits of mint, while the one next to it was certainly cinnamon. After a brief moments hesitation, and uncertainly, Markus would grab a sample of the cinnamon and catch back up with Nessa. The tips of his lips would be curved slightly as he joined her, the edges of a smile creeping upon his normally stoic features. The chaos mage was truly happy, to be free with Nessa for this brief time. Before he was to return to his duties.

“It is very good, quite tasty.” Markus would respond to Nessa as she seemed to almost glow in her happiness. Somehow he had gotten what he expected, she had become his light. As they would walk Markus would enjoy the festival, from the elaborate games, to the intuitive contests, and some of the more inventive displays. It was exciting, if Markus was being honest, to be able to enjoy such a thing so freely. Markus was never one to get into a festive mood, instead preferring to do jobs and train it was surprising how much Markus had changed with Fairy Tail, and as his power grew.

Markus however was suddenly pulled from his musing as someone grasped his hand. Suddenly being pulled forward Markus would drop the cup into a bin they passed as Nessa spoke up. ‘War’? 'Were they under attack?'... Markus’ eyes would glow with a flash of magic as adrenalin surged into his veins fueled by chaotic magic he would look around to where Nessa had taken him. Trying to find the source of the assault…

Suddenly, Markus would feel a flash of cold as something smacked into his face. Eyes narrowing the chaotic mage would find himself looking at a smiling teen who suddenly looked freaked out as Markus’ eyes flash… before clearing as the situation finally caught up to Markus. Nessa had somehow gotten Markus into the middle of a snowball fight?... This time, when the ball of icy powder soared towards the chaos mage he would move slightly, dodging it with ease, his eyes narrowing on Nessa as he tried to fight the urge to join in.

With a movement of his hand Markus would catch the next ball of snow as cock his head before throwing it towards the other team, war harder than he had meant to he would watch as one of the snow mounds would collapse under the power… With an embarrassed flush of his cheeks Markus would take a moment to hide behind the closest mount as he caught his breath. Obviously, there were non-mages and kids on this field. How could Nessa possibly think bring him here was a good idea? He could barely control his powers on a good day… The chaos mages’ eyes would fall to the Starlight Maiden however, watching as her face was alight with joy, he knew he would have to control himself, and make sure she kept having fun. If he was to sit this out, surely she would be disappointed…

Taking a breath Markus would step out of cover, forcing his body to move slower, he would reach down and pack a snowball before launching it towards one of the snowmen on the field. Once more, the ball compacted into the texture of ice would destroy the magically animated object.

“wooooow! Your so strong!” Markus would suddenly hear to his side, looking over to see a kid that could be no more than 12 looking at him with astonished eyes… “Do it again!” She would yell handing him another snowball. Markus would look down for just a moment, realized… this could actually work. If she was making the snowballs, then even if he used too much power they would not be as hard or compact.

“Sure kid.” Markus would say glancing for his teammates before grabbing another of the balls. “Just keep me supplied with ammo.” He would respond before going into a volley of stepping out of cover, launching multiple snowballs, then stepping back into ‘reload’. All while watching Nessa, a smile finally playing upon his lips.

Suddenly however the chaos mage would feel a sudden surge of pain in his leg followed by a spike of icy cold. Looking down he would see a strange creature coming from the ground! The icy blue scorpion would come from the snow beneath him, and he would watch as suddenly a swarm of two dozen of the creatures would appear. ‘Was this part of the match?’ Markus would wonder before throwing off the creature that had stung him. Eyes wide he would watch as one of the creatures moved towards the little girl that was completely unaware.

With a flash of movement Markus would surge forward at full speed, and pick her up onto his shoulder shooting a flash of dark magic at the creature as he picked up the little girl. All around him he could suddenly hear chaos, some screams and cries. Looking around he could see more of the scorpion like creatures, as well as other beings, creatures made of ice.

“Nessa! We have trouble!” Markus would shout out, the little girl still in his hands, though he was certain the other mage would already be ontop of things. Throwing out his hand a thin mist of black smoke would poor from his fingertips falling to form a small miasma which would coat the ground. As it surged forward all the scorpion’s within range would be destroyed by the corrosive material. “Get off the field!” Markus would yell towards some of the humans, as he forced his miasma to move around them, giving them a safe path away from the sudden, actual battle that had emerged.

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