Lucy Heartfilia (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lucy_heartfilia) wrote2015-03-13 12:17 am
lucy_heartfilia) wrote2015-03-13 12:17 am
Short Story 1: What if Mirajane tried to set Erza up on a date?
It was last call at the Fairy Tail guild hall, and most of the members had gone home at his point, with only a few stragglers and regulars still here. Strangely enough, Erza was sitting in the corner nursing a beer. It wasn't too unusual for her to have the occasional drink, though usually the more sophisticated kinds like wine or martinis, but what was particularly peculiar about this evening is that Erza was still here so late, and that she seemed a little more sloshed than she'd normally allow herself to become. Mirajane was standing behind the bar cleaning Macao and Wakaba's mugs as they shuffled out the door with Cana waving goodbye from behind them.
It was just Erza now, but she didn't look as though she intended to move from her spot, and Mirajane suspected she knew the reason why. She'd been so sure she and the guy she'd picked for her would hit it off, but given that she was still here, she had to assume she was wrong. Dropping all pretense of formality, Mirajane grabbed a pitcher of beer and a mug and sat across from Erza at her secluded little booth she'd picked at the back. Erza barely even seemed to be acknowledging Mirajane's presence for a little bit, and she had to wonder if she was holding a grudge, or she was simply lost in her own thoughts. So she broke the silence by pouring them both fresh mugs of beer, years of serving drinks letting her pour it just right.
"Do you want to tal-" Mira was halfway through speaking when Erza gave her a look through her bangs that spelled death, and it caused a bit of a shiver to run down Mirajane's spine. It wasn't too unusual to see Erza angry, though she hadn't seen her direct this level of anger and displeasure in her direction in years. Not since they were young and wrestling each other all over the guild hall, days Mira tended to look back on almost fondly, most of those rebellious angry teen instincts having been curbed with age and wisdom.
"Mirajane." The words came from Erza rather coldly and almost methodically, as if she were a golem programmed to kill. "Where did you meet this disgusting creature that you called a man?" To say Erza was displeased would be a fatal understatement. Mirajane was once Erza's equal in battle, and as a mage, but that was before... she knew she'd have to be very careful with how she handled the powder keg of anger bottled inside of Erza. She really should have known better, there were subtle signs, but she figured anything to breach the titanium walls Erza had erected around her heart might not be a bad idea. While this may not have been the ideal matchup, at least she wouldn't have any misconceptions on what they were doing.
"I take it that you didn't like Ichiya then?" Saying his name sent a shudder through Erza so fierce that Mirajane blinked in surprise, not even aware Erza could react like that. "D-Don't speak that thing's name! I sent him crawling back to where he came from time, and time again, and he kept crawling back for more! He was more tenacious than a cockroach in a tux! He wore enough purfume to make a person gag, his every word was like it was dripping in grease and... GYYYAAAGGGGGHHH!!!" Mira backed up as Erza looked ready to pounce her and pummel her to the ground, but she simply sighed and let her head sink into the table. "You ask me why I never date, and then you set me up with something like that!? I think Loke is still in the infirmary from the punch to the face I gave him for even remotely reminding me of that thing."
Mira wrapped an arm around Erza's shoulder trying to be a comfort to her. "Come on Erza, I'm sure it couldn't have been quite that bad. He was listed as one of Blue Pegasus' most eligible bachelors for years, and he was telling me all about how he always admired you from afar." Her words weren't meant so much to be comforting, as to give Erza more excuse to vent, but she wondered if perhaps she went overboard, because she thought she could see steam coming out of Erza's ears as she almost heated up like a kettle. "He smelled me! That disturbing little imp actually smelled me, and he just wouldn't stay down after I beat him to a bloody pulp either! He followed me around all day until he was finally carried off in a stretcher while swearing his 'undying affection for his sweet honey' and if I ever see him again I think I'll either run screaming, or slice his head off!"
That earned quite the wince from Mirajane. She'd heard he could be eccentric, but it seemed things had gone even more poorly than Mirajane could have possibly imagined. She downed her own beer and patted Erza on the back, though she probably heard it more than felt it thanks to that breastplate she always wore. "Well that's sort of how the dating scene goes Erza, there's always going to be one or two bad apples in the bunch, and sometimes you're going to take a bite of one and have a mouth full of filth. That doesn't mean you should give up on apples altogether though! So things didn't work out with I-... it this time." She just narrowly avoided saying his name again and causing Erza to throttle her.
Mirajane sighed and gave Erza an affectionate nudge. "Come on, at least the rest of the guild doesn't look quite so bad when compared to a guy like that does it?" That actually caused the edges of Erza's lips to curl up ever so slightly from ther scowl to a bit of a strained smile because she didn't want to. Mirajane just had a sort of infectious good will and cheer that even Erza's hard iron shell had a hard time keeping at bay. "I'm still not going to ever let you 'hook me up' with anybody ever again."
Well the pout that made its way onto Mirajane's face was probably expected on Erza's end, but probably not what Mirajane had in mind for Erza's next date. "Please Erza? I know this really cute lovable person I know you'd like if you gave them a cha-"
"No. Absolutely not. I can only handle one abomination per life time, and just the one in ten billion chance of there being two of something like him is a risk I'm not willing to take." Erza's hand covered in a steel gauntlet firmly gripped Mirajane's hand so that she knew there was no room for argument on this front. She had to be stern and not cave in on this, because for all Erza knew, Ichiya actually was the best of the bunch Mirajane had in mind for her. What surprised Erza was the look of determination in Mirajane's own eyes when she looked up at her.
"One more date Erza, and I will never fix you up with anyone ever again if you don't want me to. This time it will be different, I swear to you upon my sister's grave I won't fail you this time." It was not an oath Mirajane gave lightly, because it was that very grave that had changed her life in one of the most defining and permanent ways she could think of. She'd lost her confidence as a mage, she'd lost the will to fight when she felt she couldn't even protect her own family she'd taken up her magic for in the first place. She didn't have much left in her life, but she had this guild, she had her brother, and she wanted to at least try to make everyone be able to live out their lives to their happiest and fullest... for her sake...
A heavy sigh escaped Erza as she stood up from the table. "One more Mirajane, I will give you one last chance, but I will personally punish you if I find out this was some sort of 'practical' joke." Mira's face paled slightly, because she knew what would be in store for her most likely, but she shook her head with a weak laugh holding out her mug towards Erza. "Don't worry Erza, I will personally see to it that you have a good time tomorrow!"
Perhaps if Erza had thought about that a bit more, she'd have known what Mirajane had meant by that. Perhaps if Mirajane hadn't had a bit of alcohol she wouldn't have thought this was such a brilliant plan. Perhaps if Ichiya had been a bit less over the top he might not be in a full body cast at the Blue Pegasus infirmary. The stars had aligned just wrong fortunately enough for them, and so Mirajane was already jotting out plans for the date she was going to have with Erza.
It was just Erza now, but she didn't look as though she intended to move from her spot, and Mirajane suspected she knew the reason why. She'd been so sure she and the guy she'd picked for her would hit it off, but given that she was still here, she had to assume she was wrong. Dropping all pretense of formality, Mirajane grabbed a pitcher of beer and a mug and sat across from Erza at her secluded little booth she'd picked at the back. Erza barely even seemed to be acknowledging Mirajane's presence for a little bit, and she had to wonder if she was holding a grudge, or she was simply lost in her own thoughts. So she broke the silence by pouring them both fresh mugs of beer, years of serving drinks letting her pour it just right.
"Do you want to tal-" Mira was halfway through speaking when Erza gave her a look through her bangs that spelled death, and it caused a bit of a shiver to run down Mirajane's spine. It wasn't too unusual to see Erza angry, though she hadn't seen her direct this level of anger and displeasure in her direction in years. Not since they were young and wrestling each other all over the guild hall, days Mira tended to look back on almost fondly, most of those rebellious angry teen instincts having been curbed with age and wisdom.
"Mirajane." The words came from Erza rather coldly and almost methodically, as if she were a golem programmed to kill. "Where did you meet this disgusting creature that you called a man?" To say Erza was displeased would be a fatal understatement. Mirajane was once Erza's equal in battle, and as a mage, but that was before... she knew she'd have to be very careful with how she handled the powder keg of anger bottled inside of Erza. She really should have known better, there were subtle signs, but she figured anything to breach the titanium walls Erza had erected around her heart might not be a bad idea. While this may not have been the ideal matchup, at least she wouldn't have any misconceptions on what they were doing.
"I take it that you didn't like Ichiya then?" Saying his name sent a shudder through Erza so fierce that Mirajane blinked in surprise, not even aware Erza could react like that. "D-Don't speak that thing's name! I sent him crawling back to where he came from time, and time again, and he kept crawling back for more! He was more tenacious than a cockroach in a tux! He wore enough purfume to make a person gag, his every word was like it was dripping in grease and... GYYYAAAGGGGGHHH!!!" Mira backed up as Erza looked ready to pounce her and pummel her to the ground, but she simply sighed and let her head sink into the table. "You ask me why I never date, and then you set me up with something like that!? I think Loke is still in the infirmary from the punch to the face I gave him for even remotely reminding me of that thing."
Mira wrapped an arm around Erza's shoulder trying to be a comfort to her. "Come on Erza, I'm sure it couldn't have been quite that bad. He was listed as one of Blue Pegasus' most eligible bachelors for years, and he was telling me all about how he always admired you from afar." Her words weren't meant so much to be comforting, as to give Erza more excuse to vent, but she wondered if perhaps she went overboard, because she thought she could see steam coming out of Erza's ears as she almost heated up like a kettle. "He smelled me! That disturbing little imp actually smelled me, and he just wouldn't stay down after I beat him to a bloody pulp either! He followed me around all day until he was finally carried off in a stretcher while swearing his 'undying affection for his sweet honey' and if I ever see him again I think I'll either run screaming, or slice his head off!"
That earned quite the wince from Mirajane. She'd heard he could be eccentric, but it seemed things had gone even more poorly than Mirajane could have possibly imagined. She downed her own beer and patted Erza on the back, though she probably heard it more than felt it thanks to that breastplate she always wore. "Well that's sort of how the dating scene goes Erza, there's always going to be one or two bad apples in the bunch, and sometimes you're going to take a bite of one and have a mouth full of filth. That doesn't mean you should give up on apples altogether though! So things didn't work out with I-... it this time." She just narrowly avoided saying his name again and causing Erza to throttle her.
Mirajane sighed and gave Erza an affectionate nudge. "Come on, at least the rest of the guild doesn't look quite so bad when compared to a guy like that does it?" That actually caused the edges of Erza's lips to curl up ever so slightly from ther scowl to a bit of a strained smile because she didn't want to. Mirajane just had a sort of infectious good will and cheer that even Erza's hard iron shell had a hard time keeping at bay. "I'm still not going to ever let you 'hook me up' with anybody ever again."
Well the pout that made its way onto Mirajane's face was probably expected on Erza's end, but probably not what Mirajane had in mind for Erza's next date. "Please Erza? I know this really cute lovable person I know you'd like if you gave them a cha-"
"No. Absolutely not. I can only handle one abomination per life time, and just the one in ten billion chance of there being two of something like him is a risk I'm not willing to take." Erza's hand covered in a steel gauntlet firmly gripped Mirajane's hand so that she knew there was no room for argument on this front. She had to be stern and not cave in on this, because for all Erza knew, Ichiya actually was the best of the bunch Mirajane had in mind for her. What surprised Erza was the look of determination in Mirajane's own eyes when she looked up at her.
"One more date Erza, and I will never fix you up with anyone ever again if you don't want me to. This time it will be different, I swear to you upon my sister's grave I won't fail you this time." It was not an oath Mirajane gave lightly, because it was that very grave that had changed her life in one of the most defining and permanent ways she could think of. She'd lost her confidence as a mage, she'd lost the will to fight when she felt she couldn't even protect her own family she'd taken up her magic for in the first place. She didn't have much left in her life, but she had this guild, she had her brother, and she wanted to at least try to make everyone be able to live out their lives to their happiest and fullest... for her sake...
A heavy sigh escaped Erza as she stood up from the table. "One more Mirajane, I will give you one last chance, but I will personally punish you if I find out this was some sort of 'practical' joke." Mira's face paled slightly, because she knew what would be in store for her most likely, but she shook her head with a weak laugh holding out her mug towards Erza. "Don't worry Erza, I will personally see to it that you have a good time tomorrow!"
Perhaps if Erza had thought about that a bit more, she'd have known what Mirajane had meant by that. Perhaps if Mirajane hadn't had a bit of alcohol she wouldn't have thought this was such a brilliant plan. Perhaps if Ichiya had been a bit less over the top he might not be in a full body cast at the Blue Pegasus infirmary. The stars had aligned just wrong fortunately enough for them, and so Mirajane was already jotting out plans for the date she was going to have with Erza.
Part 2
"What gods did I anger to deserve this?" Even as Erza asked the question, Jellal's laughter echoed in the back of her mind. Erza steeled her heart against the pain of the memory, knowing no good would come of dwelling on things she could not change. She would meet with this person and tell them she couldn't possibly go on this date. It simply wouldn't be appropriate for her, and the likelihood of a repeat of last time was too great... or worse yet, she might actually like them.
To Erza's surprise, Mirajane was waiting outside the cafe in her signature red dress. Was she perhaps plannong to chaperone in case of another incident? Was her plan to personally introduce Erza to her date? Erza might have kept pondering if Mirajane hadn't practicality bounded right up to her, taking hold of her hands, and giving her a beaming grin. "You came! I was so worried you'd back out, but you really came after all! I knew I could count on you when it really matters."
Erza's smile was rather pained, since backing out was exactly what she planned to do. Mirajane must be a secret master of manipulation, because Erza was feeling the pangs of guilt pulling at her heartstrings. She couldn't even stop herself from just blabbering out, "Of course I came! It's my duty as a Fairy Tail mage to finish any request I agreed to complete." Crud, why did she have to go and say that? It's not like accepting this blind date was on the request board or anything. Erza let out a sigh, facepalming into her gauntleted hand. "Let's get this over with, where's my date?"
no subject
A dreadful moment of silence passed between the two of them as Mirajane continued to smile while pointing at herself. Erza could swear the only thing to break the silence was the wind blowing a tumbleweed down the street. Turning away from Mirajane's painfully cheerful face, Erza started to walk away, pretending this had never happened, and this was all just a weird dream after the Ichiya incident. No such luck was to be had, as Mirajane's heels could be heard clacking along the cobblestone road to catch up to her.
"Wait! Please wait! I know what you're thinking, but it's not a joke, I swear!" Erza turned around to see the silvery haired mage pouting at her like a wounded puppy. Did this woman ever stop the emotional blackmail?!
"Mirajane Strauss, I have never once suggested to you I have any interest in women romantically nor have I-" Before Erza could finish her harsh lecture Mirajane cut her off short. "But Erza, you said you weren't interested in anyone romantically! So why should the gender matter!? This date isn't about marriage, sex, or romance, a first date is meant to be something fun to get to know the other person better!"
Erza opened and closed her mouth a few times, dumbfounded by the strange sort of logic Mirajane seemed to be applying. It's true that even if Mirajane had set her up with a man, Erza wasn't even likely to ever kiss him, but this? This was so utterly bizarre to her! "I... but you... We're both women? I..." This was an argument she just wasn't prepared to fight.
"Look Erza, I feel bad for everything that happened to you last time. I thought this might be the perfect way for you to relax and have fun on a date without having to worry about expectations of where this might lead. We'll eat, talk, maybe do some shopping, or even go dancing! What do you say? Will you please give it a chance? It's my treat." The corners of Erza's lips couldn't help curling upwards into a faint smile at Mirajane's words. She really had been perfectly played in Mirajane's grand scheme to get her to relax a little. Hearing Mirajane's explanation made it feel like all the missing pieces fell into place.
"Very well, but if you try to kiss me I will punch you." Erza was smirking with her hands on her hips, while Mirajane seemed to be giggling at Erza's bravado.
"Don't worry Erza, I don't kiss on the first date." Before Erza could fully process that Mirajane might want another date, she was being tugged to the door of the cafe. Apparently Mirajane had already made arrangements for the two of them because she merely waved at the host, before dragging Erza to a candle lit backroom. Erza's face blanched slightly at the intimate table for two in a secluded backroom, wondering if perhaps Mirajane was planning to try to seduce her after all.
"Your table Madame Scarlet~" Mirajane's tone was so playful, mocking, and over the top, Erza couldn't help but chuckle a bit at her own nervousness from earlier.
"Do you treat all your dates this well, or are you just awed by my grace and beauty?" It was rare for Erza to crack a joke, but it was hard not to play along with Mirajane. As Erza took the offered seat, another giggle came from Mirajane that reminded Erza of the jingle of a bell.
"I suppose it would have to be the latter. The few dates I have been on, I was the one my date was trying to impress, so this is my first time 'trying' the reverse. What about you Erza? Have you ever even been on a date besides yesterday?" Mirajane was seated across from Erza, with a single lit candle being the only thing to obstruct her view of the finger pointing her way.
"I..." No! Of course she hadn't been on dates like the star model of weekly sorcerer! "I'm too busy."
Mirajane just seemed to sigh, a sigh filled with so much pity Erza just wanted to punch her. "I should have guessed, you are an S-class mage after all."
Erza's expression went from one of frustration and barely withheld rage, to a soft and apologetic one. It wasn't Erza she pitied, it was herself. Of course Mirajane was out dating and modeling, she was no longer her rival that matched her in strength to take on nearly any quest. The last thing she wanted was to remind Mirajane of her loss, so she opened her menu to look for anything to change the topic. "So what's good here? Tea? Soup? Some sort of sandwiches maybe?"
A sad sort of smile on Mirajane's face slowly turned into a cheecky one brimming with confidence. It was a kind of smile Erza rarely got to see on Mirajane's face anymore, and she really rather missed it. "The strawberry cake. Once you have it you will never be able to go back to any other dessert."