•••

"Pun Pun?"

The little white celestial spirit looked up to her still figure, its head tilting adorably in evident confusion. However, Plue's sparking, big, black eyes carried a glimmer of sadness and worry, as if knowing about whatever was wrong with her.

Plue huddled closer to her feet, his head resting atop her toes. His tilted gaze, still however searched for her face, hidden behind her golden bangs and folded knees. If she had been crying, he wouldn't know, for she wasn't shaking and sobbing anymore.

Unlike last night.

Or the night before.

Or like many other nights like that.

"Pun Pun.."

His second attempt at trying to catch her attention didn't go fruitless. Lucy shifted a little, leaning away from the window. Her resting figure on the window sill was no longer so, and she brought one of hands forward to pet him lovingly.

Plue rubbed his own head against her hand in affection, earning a soft chuckle from her, despite the tear soaked sleeves telling a completely different story.

Lucy finally moved her head, revealing just a part of her face. Her red, puffy eyes behind unruly golden bangs searched for Plue's black ones, and she smiled just a little.

"I did it again, huh Plue?"

"Pun..Pun.."

"I'm such an idiot."

She let out a short, humourless laugh, but it stopped as soon as she caught sight of her celestial friend. Plue, the usual, happy-go-lucky spirit, looked close to tears, sniffling to try and keep it all in.

The celestial mage, shocked, panicked and hurriedly picked him up, settling with him on her lap.

"Oh no! Plue-don't be sad, please!"

"Pun... Pun..."

She closed her eyes, smiling a little. A few stray tears escaped nonetheless, leaving behind a trail of tear streaks across her cheeks.

"I know, I know.. How can I say that when I myself am such a mess.."

She wiped the tears away, this time a wide, genuine bright smile playing upon her flushed face.

"I promise not to cry anymore if you promise not to be sad too."

"Pun Pun!"

"Okay then!" she giggled, ruffling his head. "We have a deal!"

•••

Lucy climbed down the stairs, the short heels of her black, thigh high boots clicking against the wooden boards with every step.

"Morning Mari!"

The said person, a petite, brunette woman, probably in her early 40's looked up, smiling brightly,

"Morning Lucy! Sleep well?"

"Yep! Very well!" Lucy chirped, her words holding a different meaning for both of them. Mari gave a small smile, but somehow, this one didn't reach her eyes. It was like she knew the hidden meaning behind Lucy's words, and knew more than she let on.

Lucy squirmed uncomfortably, anxiously debating on what Mari could possibly know.

"Anyway..I washed it for you." Mari announced, holding out a clean white apron for her. "Hurry and put this on, please! We've got quite the rush today!"

"Yes ma'am." Lucy giggled, taking the apron and putting it over her black vest like top and skirt. Her keys, which would've usually jingled against her waist with her whip were now neatly tucked away, behind her upgraded fleuve d'etoile instead, hidden away from sight.

Tying her long, blonde hair in a low bun, Lucy grabbed a tray and a notepad, ready to start with work.

'Quite a rush' would be the understatement of the century. Usually too, it was a busy café, but today it was bustling with people, magic and non magic alike.

Lucy took a deep breath, calming her nerves. Everyday, she did this job, yet everyday, she had to prepare herself for going in front of people. After all, living in isolation for 2 years straight was bound to mess with her social skills at some level.

She could only wish everything would go back to the way it was.

She could only wistfully wish.

She shook her head, trying to chase all the memories of her past away. She needed to work right now and she needed to do it good.

Putting on the widest fake smile she could muster, she walked out, ready to start with the day.

•••

"I'll be right back with your order, sir!"

Lucy walked in the kitchen, her smile dropping instantly. Passing the order notes to Vera, she then collected the order for table 7, clicking her tongue in annoyance.

"What's the matter?" Vera asked, still focused on chopping her vegetables.

"It's the order for table 7."

"So?"

"I'm going to have to deal with that guy again. He won't take a no for an answer! Seriously, a no is a no! And he sucks at flirting, by the way."

Vera let out a short chuckle, listening to her rant on and on. For some reason, she liked it when Lucy did this, letting her emotions out. She was a usually reserved person, who didn't share much. For Vera, she was a mystery when she came, and still is.

She still remembered how Lucy just appeared out of nowhere one rainy day, soaked and burning up from fever. Her mother, Mari, nursed her back to health, and offered her a place to stay and work. Despite her initial hesitation, Lucy warmed up eventually, accepting the generous offer. She was cold and distant for the initial 3-4 months, refusing to interact much with them. However, things have had taken a turn for the better when she finally warmed up to then, little by little. She was still distant, refusing to divulge much about her, but she wasn't cold now.

Maybe she didn't think much about it, but she was family now. And family looks out for one another.

"When are you planning on going for that quest?"

"Which quest?" Lucy asked blankly, scrunching up her brows and looking at Vera.

"The one with the-OW!"

Vera held her bleeding finger, having have had accidentally cut it while chopping the vegetables. Lucy immediately sprung into action, tending to her cut.

"How are you so...so...good at these type of things?"

Lucy tensed up a bit, an action that didn't go unnoticed by Vera. She sighed sadly, mentally cursing herself for making Lucy uncomfortable.

"I'm such a klutz.. I can't even chop up vegetables properly." She laughed humourlessly, trying to change the subject.

"Yeah, no kidding." Lucy mocked, smiling slightly herself. "It's done."

"I wish I could do magic though...it would be such a help and it would be so much fun! I'll be strong and then I'd be able to protect myself and the people I love! Like Ma, and you.."

Lucy suddenly let go of her hand, moving away to head out. She spared one final glance back to a shocked Vera, her chocolate brown eyes hidden behind the shadows of her beautiful blonde bangs.

"But at what cost?" she asked, before looking away and finally heading out, leaving behind a million questions in her wake.

•••

Oh look who it is? Me! XD

So yeah, this is the first chapter. It's my first time trying something like this so please leave honest comments and tell me if I should continue or not!

And if you like it, then please vote, comment and share this story!

Till then I'll try to figure it's plot out lmao

Until then!
Belle🌸
🔥♥️🔑