Chapter 29

Upcoming

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters, only my own OC's, and my Ideas

..._-+-_...

"Hello everyone!" Alumina called out cheerfully from where she stood in the doorway to the Guild hall, a bright smile plastered across her face. Everyone looked up at her arrival, all smiling a waving in return, calling out their own 'hello's' and 'welcome back's'.

Mira walked up quickly, wearing a big, bright, relieved smile that made Alumina smile a little more. She could see how happy and relieved the white-haired Mage was with her safe return, and Mira's smile seemed to warm her up, and make her body ache a little less.

"Welcome back Alumina!" Mira said happily, coming to a stand still in front of the blonde. "Its great to see you back in one piece. That mission lasted a lot longer than I thought it would." Mira told her with a smile and Alumina nodded.

"You and me both, I didn't realize it would take so long." Alumina admitted, it took even longer because of what happened on the train... She added silently.

She wasn't going to get into that with anyone here in the Guild, that was a promise.

"I do hope that it wasn't too hard?" Mira continued with a soft smile, Alumina shook her head.

"No, it was really easy in all honesty, just a lot of walking." She explained and Mira nodded.

"Come on then," the white-haired Mage waved toward her as Mira turned and started to walk toward the bar. "Tell everyone about it, we're all interested."

Alumina followed after her, pausing only slightly. She kept a small smile on, hiding her weariness as best she could. She didn't want the Guild to see how tired she was, she didn't want them to worry.

She took a seat down at the bar in between Levy and Erza, with Lisanna, Cana, Bisca, Wendy, and Carla close by. She smiled at all of them, and they gave her warm welcomes and grins of their own.

"Welcome back Alumina." Erza told her, suddenly pulling her close, and rough enough that Alumina's head banged painfully against the red-head's armor. Alumina stifled the wince, and smiled at Erza as best she could, forcing the tears from forming in her eyes at the sudden throbbing in her head, and the dull pain that erupted all over her body.

"T-thanks.." Alumina murmured, pulling away from the Requip Wizard as soon as she was released.

"We all want to hear what happened!" Levy said enthusiastically, earning murmurs of agreement from the others at the bar. Mira had already circled around the counter to the other side, while everyone else leaned in, all looking expectant.

Alumina glanced between them all, what happened? A lot happened... A lot of things that shouldn't have happened at all. It wasn't the mission that had been considerably hard. It was what happened on the train that had taken so much out of her, physically and mentally.

But she couldn't tell them about all of that, there was no reason for them to know, and no need to worry them further.

So Alumina put on her brightest smile yet, "It actually wasn't very exciting, to say the least." She blonde shrugged slightly, still smiling softly. "It was mostly just a lot of walking, and one encounter with a Chimera."

Resounding gasps and surprised looks erupted among the listeners, and the questions began to pour out.

"How big was it?"

"Was it strong?"

"What kind of Chimera was it?"

"Are you ok?"

Alumina smiled at the enthusiasm they all had as they continued to ask questions. No matter how sore of tired she was, they all seemed to lift her spirits beyond what she could have ever hoped for.

She was truly happy to have joined Fairy Tail, and truly happy to have made friends such as the people who sat around her, and more.

Fairy Tail... I love this Guild...

..._-+-_...

"See you Alumina!" Levy called from where she had paused in the entrance to the Guild Hall. Alumina glanced to the bluenette and waved to her,

"See ya Levy! Get home safely!" Alumina smiled to her and Levy nodded.

"I will, thanks!" With that, Levy had disappeared out the doors into the darkening city.

The Guild had quieted down quite a bit, as to be expected once night starts to settle and everyone heads home. She was one of the few people left, there only being Elfman, Lisanna, Max, and Reedus helping Mira clean things up before the Guild Hall closed up for the night. She remained where she was, still seated at the bar as she had been earlier. The questions had lasted for a good hour and a half, before they had moved on to simple conversation and gossip.

She smiled softly at the thought, the woman in the Guild really did like to gossip. It was amusing, and while she herself didn't gossip very often, it was still enjoyable to listen in.

She let her eyes fall closed for a moment, pressing her chin to her hands as she propped her elbows up in the counter of the bar. She was worn out, she didn't like that she was worn out.

If only I hadn't accidentally used... She silenced the thought. It wasn't something she wished to think about. She deeply wanted to change what had happened, to somehow go back in time and prevent any of what happened on the train from coming to pass.

But she couldn't change what happened. She hated it, but she accepted it...Grudgingly.

"Is something wrong, Child?"

Alumina's eyes opened at the voice, and she glanced sideways to see Master Makarov standing on the counter beside her. She blinked, pulling her chin away from her hands. She hadn't heard him approach her...

Master looked her over with a questioning expression, but she could see the slight worry eye her into his features. She realized she must have been frowning, thinking about what had happened.

She smiled softly, a slightly weary smile, but it was all she could muster at the moment. "No, nothing's wrong." She replied quietly. Master blinked, raising an eyebrow, and she looked away. "I'm just a little tired is all."

"Hmm... I hope your mission wasn't too difficult?" Master asked, and she looked his way again. He had taken a seat on the counter, hands crossed in his lap and eyes closed.

"No, it was more or less just a lot of walking." She replied, "There was only one fight, and Taurus and Loke took care of it without any problem."

Master nodded a little, "How is Loke? I haven't had a chance to catch up with him recently."

Alumina paused slightly, and blinked a few times. She didn't like the question, because she knew Loke was not 'ok'. He had regained most of his strength, and he said he was ok, but she knew he wasn't.

Her stomach clenched at the thought, she really, really hated what happened...

Master's eyes opened once she hadn't replied immediately, and he glanced toward her slowly. He wore a neutral expression, but he knew he had hit the mark with the question, though he wasn't sure why it seemed to make Alumina falter as she had.

"Loke's alright," Alumina replied. "He's been very helpful, and he's one of the most loyal people I've ever met." She smiled, this time it was a soft, pure smile. "I'm glad I was given the opportunity to meet him, and fight alongside him."

These words were all true. Despite what happened on the train, she knew for certain that she was grateful for having met Loke. She was grateful for his friendship, and his help...

Master POV

Master smiled at the words, he didn't know why she had paused, but he could hear the honesty in her voice as she said the words, and found himself silently agreeing with her about Loke.

It had become clear to the Fairy Tail Master since Loke had joined the Guild, that the young man was a very loyal and caring individual. He had demonstrated his willingness to protect those around him on numerous occasions, and he was happy to be able to say that Loke was a good person heart, having learned so from watching the young man grow.

Makarov was also happy that Alumina had made a good friend with one of Lucy's Old Spirits. While he had no doubt that the other Spirits liked Alumina just fine, he had seen the special bond that Alumina and Loke had forged in the short time they had known about each other.

But he was also curious as to why the young blonde had faltered when he had asked the question, and why she seemed so off. No, it was not very noticeable how deep in thought and tired Alumina seemed to be, something he accredited to the fact he was beginning to see Alumina was very good at keeping up a cheerful demeanor.

He was a little worried for her, understandable considering what had happened to her in the short time she had been a member of Fairy Tail. Besides, he was always worried for the well-being of every Member of the Guild. If was his job to worry.

But, he decided not to press the subject any further, and instead steered the conversation to something entirely.

"I assume you're excited for the upcoming Harvest Festival?" He said in a light tone, smiling. Alumina blinked at the sudden change in topic, but seemed to welcome it.

"I am actually, it'll be the first one I've ever been to." She replied with a smile of her own. "I'm sure it's bound to bring surprises."

"I'm sure of that as well." He smiled, but inwardly hoped that it wouldn't being any huge surprises, such as when his Grandson tried to take over the Guild... "I'm glad that you'll be able to celebrate your first one here in the Guild."

"Me too," Alumina told him. "But I was wondering.." Master looked to her.

"Yes?"

"... What exactly does the Guild do for the Festival anyway?" Alumina asked and he sweatdropped slightly, blinking a few times. "Is there some sort of special event within the Guild or something?"

Master stared at her in utter shock. "Surely you've heard of The Fantasia Parade?" He asked and she shook her head. "Or perhaps the Miss Fairy Tail contest?" Again, she shook her head. His jaw hit the counter, "Are you serious?!"

Alumina leaned back from him at the sudden outburst, sweatdropping, but smiling apologetically. "I'm sorry, I'd never even heard of the Festival until Cana mentioned it a few days ago. This is the first time I've ever been to Magnolia, actually..."

Master composed himself quickly and crossed his arms over his chest, smiling again. "Well then my Child, we have a lot to talk about!" He told her, "And this will be quite a surprise for you."

..._-+-_...

If any one of you gets bored of waiting for a new chappy, this story is COMPLETED on FanFiction.net. Look for my name there,

~EnergyMageFrea