~*****~

"We've only got one week until show time!" Lucy exclaims. Erza immediately falls into the role of Prince Fredrick, almost flawlessly, I might add. Even Natsu and Gray seemed pumped up about it.

"I hate to interrupt, but you've got some fans that are here to see you!" The production manager mentioned as I balanced precariously on a barrel.

"We have fans?" We all chime before walking outside.

"Yo!" Makarov chirped once we see the literal crowd waiting for us.

"Whoa! What are all of you doing here?!" Lucy exclaimed.

"We wouldn't miss your debut, now break a leg!" Mira called.

"It's been a while since I've seen a play." Makarov comments.

"I really appreciate the invite, Mocky." Yajima hums.

"Aria, I simply am dying to see you perform again!" Bob chirped affectionately.

"I tagged along to heckle you guys." Goldmine teases.

I peer curiously at the blue haired man approaching us. "Ew, it's Bora," I mention.

"Whatcha been up too, Okra?" Natsu asks.

"That would be Bora. After getting a harsh lesson from your blazing fists, I decided to change my ways and give up the life of a model scout." Bora hummed.

I tilt my head. "Model scout? You were setting up a slave trade." I comment dryly.

"I was not--"

My eyes slice into a glare. "I'm not one to be fooled, Bora. Ever since our encounter, I've had a few friends keeping an eye on you, just in case you decided to start again." Bora swallows thickly and nods.

"Yes, I am aware, such as your friend made it very clear." Bora comments lowly just as someone loops their arm around his shoulders.

I beamed up at him. "I kept our pal out of trouble and away from the ladies, just like you asked, babe!" Marko chimed.

"Babe?" Natsu echoed in confusion.

I wave him off. "This is Marko Castille, an old mercenary buddy I used to slum with. I heard you joined the Blue Pegasus guild. How's Master Bob treating you?"

Bob sidled up, making Natsu cringe and back away slightly. "Oh, I am treating him like the angel he is! Such a handsome young man, I cannot believe you gave this one the boot."

I laugh cheerfully. "This one said I love you too quick, so I bailed. Besides, that means more for you, right?"

"I'll say," Bob hummed happily as he pressed into Marko's side. Marko sighed and moved Bora closer to Bob.

Natsu laughed as I patted at Bob's side. "Ex boyfriends go in the back of the crowd, just remember that." I mention to Marko. "C'mon, Natsu, practice time!"

~*****~

The play, well, let's say, was a disaster. Natsu ended up setting the entire theater on fire, and I tried putting it out with some ice magic, but it went destroyed the building even more. Although, the Production Manager loved it. And so did the crowd. I don't think I'd ever heard that big of an applause from anything I'd been in.

After what felt like a week of constant destruction, we finally got to go home. We took another job at Fort Term to take out some bandits.

"Man, these guys don't put up much of a fight," Natsu commented.

"So, who did you losers steal from? Old ladies and little kids?" Gray asked.

"Don't act like this is over," A bandit comments. I leap onto the table behind them and grasp their shoulders. "You'll be sorry--"

"We'll be what now?" I ask teasingly, curling my arms around his shoulders as I lean forward, ice creeping from my fingertips against his shirt. "Tell me, what fool do you work for? Cause we gotta take out this infestation at the source."

The other man groans loudly as I squeeze, ice spreading down his skin. "Lord Debon is gonna make you pay!"

I snort loudly. "The jerk we already beat up? Hey, Happy! When did that Debon guy hit the ground?" I ask loudly.

Happy plopped onto my head, his paw pressing against his face for a moment. "Maybe thirty minutes ago?"

"Twenty-five minutes!" Ballad retorts as she floats around with a stool in her paws. "I've been counting the minutes until we get to eat!"

"I'm all finished upstairs!" Erza calls out from the stairs.

"Sweet! Nice work, Erza!" Lucy chimes.

I hear a crash and I assume someone just got their butt kicked again. I stretch my arms up and sigh. "Let's get out of here. This is boring now."

"Food!" Ballad chants as she drops the stool on someone's head.

"Well, that was a waste. I was hoping they might be a challenge," Erza comments while we leave the building.

Natsu groaned. "I wanna fight some more!"

I raise my hand a little. "Yeah, me too." I agree.

"Look, guys, I know how you feel. But save it for the next job." Gray sighs.

"Check out this gem I got! Pretty cool, don't ya think?" Happy asks excitedly.

"Stealing from thieves is still stealing!" Lucy exclaims.

"Hey, isn't that Loke over there?" Ballad chirps with a full mouth. I pluck the jerky from her paws.

"Don't talk with your mouth full, swallow first. But yeah, it is." I hand the jerky back as I gaze over.

"What's up guys," Loke hums as we approach him.

"Just beatin' bad guys, bein' awesome," Natsu states as we approach.

"Same old, same old," Loke chuckles.

Loke freaks immediately as Lucy walks up. "I'm glad we ran into you! Thanks so much for finding my--"

"Sorry, but I better hit the road!" Loke cuts her off. "SO LONG!"

I scratch at my head. "I wonder just how bad his celestial wizard ex messed him up." I comment dryly. "You must've really freaked him out."

"Yeah, he avoids you like the plague." Natsu comments.

"It's not my fault he's crazy!" Lucy shouts.

I giggle and pat her head. "Don't worry, maybe one day your love will be requited." I mention.

"I'M NOT IN LOVE!" She shrieks at me.

"LUCY'S IN LOOOOOVE!" Ballad and Happy cheer.

"SHUT YOUR TRAP, CATS!" Lucy bellows.

Gray sighs. "Guess we should head home," He mentions as we gaze over at the smoldering castle.

"I dunno. I was thinking since we finished our job early for once, what do you say we stop by a spa and take it easy?" Lucy suggests.

"Lucy." Erza says in a scolding manner.

"Y-Yes ma'am?!" Lucy chirps nervously.

"I think that's a fine idea." Erza smiles.

I rub my palms together. "A hot spring? Man, I'm already excited!" I cheer happily.

"That's cause you're a walking popsicle." Happy hums.

~*****~

I'd only ever been to Hosenka Village once, and it was heaven. The prices were steep, but I didn't mind footing the bill for everyone. Even Erza seemed to weep tears of joy as I poured out a sack of jewel on the counter. "I don't get it. Why is Loke so afraid of me?" I hear Lucy murmur as I sink into the hot water with a delirious sigh.

"Nice moon tonight." Erza hums as she stands up. "The bath's nice, too."

"Why are you bathing in your armor?" I question as I sit up.

"I'm more relaxed with it on." Erza says politely.

I tilt my head. "Really? Doesn't it feel kinda weird?" Lucy asks.

Erza hums. "Now that you mention it, it does. I may need to reconsider my definition of relaxation."

"Yeah, I don't think taking it easy is your strong point." I laugh. Her armor disappears and I cross my arms over my chest with a huff. "What the hell are you ladies drinking? I don't get why I get cursed with the small boobs."

"I've heard that massages can increase the blood flow and cause them to swell, perhaps I should help you with it." Erza teases.

I laugh and lean back against the siding of the hot spring. "It's gonna take a lot more massages than what anyone could offer. Besides, I like the whole, not having to wear a bra with regular clothes.

"So, tell me, are you seriously interested in Gray?" Lucy asks as she slides up to me, pressing her shoulder against mine.

I giggle. "Not really. I just like seeing him turn red. It's adorable."

Erza smiles. "Yes, he is quite cute when he's embarrassed."

Lucy hummed. "Then why'd you run off when Mira said you were harboring feelings for him?"

I grimace. "It's not Gray that I'm starting to see like that." I mention lightly. Lucy and Erza stare at me for a minute before Lucy sucks in a surprised breath. "Don't say anything, it's not like I'm embarrassed!"

"Then why are you so red?" Erza asks.

I grimace and palm my face. "He just looked really cool during that fight with Gajeel, nothing more. It'll pass."

Lucy giggled. "I dunno, you two are like two peas in a pod! I think it'd be super cute if you two were a thing!"

"I'm getting out!" I mention irritably as I stand up. "Don't stay in too long, your bodies are much more fragile than mine when it comes to heat."

"Yeah, yeah, we're coming, Ice Queen," Lucy grumbles.

Erza laughs. "I'd forgotten you were called that. Perhaps we should come up with a new name for you!"

I laugh in response.

~*****~

Erza and I exchange amused glances as we approach Natsu and Gray's room with our own pillows and blankets. "My arsenal is equipped with only the most powerful pillows," Erza boasts.

"It's not the power that counts," I retort. "It's how you use them!"

"WHATEVER! ERZA! ARIA! YOU GUY'S ARE GOIN' DOWN!" Natsu shouts as he launches his pillows at us.

We leap out of the way as Gray comments for us to grow up, and he gets pelted with both pillows. "You're in for it now!" Gray exclaims, standing up with half his robe peeled off his body. "Oh, would you look at all these pillows?" Gray chirps as he reaches for the pile that appeared besides him.

"Where the hell did those come from?" I murmur aloud, my gaze trailing to the outside. I stopped when I feel a pillow smack me in the face.

"DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN, YA FROSTY LIZARD!" Natsu shouts at me.

"YOU'RE DEAD MEAT!" I shout at him and swing my pillow around.

It turns into an all-out war with pillows. Poor unfortunate Lucy got pelted out of the room, so it left the four of us duke it out. We had to stop after an hour or so of the pillow fight, considering Natsu and Gray were hurt pretty bad.

Once we were back at the guild, the two were at each other's throats. "ARIA! I WON THE PILLOW FIGHT, RIGHT?!"

I turned my glare on them and clicked my tongue. "You two are so annoying. So put a sock in it. Now."

Both Gray and Natsu deflated as soon as I turned back to Lucy. "We're sorry, we'll be quiet now!" They whimpered.

"Why are you in a bad mood?" Happy asked curiously.

"I'm mad at a certain someone!" I hiss angrily.

Lucy hummed delicately. "You don't have to be mad for me." She commented softly. "I appreciate the support, though."

I groan irritably. " I can't believe the nerve of him. I mean, who in the right mind says that and starts teasing you about believing it?" I slam my fist on the countertop. "I'm going to train!"

"I'LL COME WITH YOU!" Lucy shouts as I hear some girls start getting angry about Mira stating Lucy is his girlfriend.

~*****~

My brows raise slowly as Lucy asks a strange question. "Karen? Yeah, I knew her." I shrug. "She was a bratty little princess, that's what." I grumble and cross my arms over my chest.

"A... A brat? Sorcerers Weekly said--" Lucy stopped as I slammed my hand down on the table.

"She was a horrible wizard." I snap. "She didn't treat her celestial spirits with respect. She treated them like slaves. She went on that mission out of desperation, even after Master Bob said it was a bad idea. But she went anyway, and then she died because she couldn't handle being rejected by one of her spirits."

"Rejected... by a spirit?" Lucy trailed off.

I nod sullenly. "I didn't know the details, but I heard he'd had enough, and ran away." I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. "I don't understand how someone could be so cruel to any celestial spirits. They have the ability to drain all magic from any wizard of they were displeased."

Lucy swallows, stares down at her hands for a moment, then gazes up at the sky. "He can't be..." Lucy trails off, her eyes glazed in confusion.

We both flinch in surprise as my front door is kicked open. "I got bad news, Lucy!" Gray shouts. "It's Loke! He quit Fairy Tail and then ran away!"

"Did he say why?" Lucy stammered.

"No, we don't have a clue!" Gray exclaimed. "Everyone's out looking for him now! He's been actin' weird lately, but nobody expected this!"

"Maybe I'm right," Lucy's voice quivered.

"Don't just stand there, then," I say to her. "Let's get going!"

She nods immediately and we run out of my house. "Hey, where are you going?! Lucy! Aria!" Gray shouts after us. "Do you know something we don't?!"

I began searching the town with the others.