Part of Lucy had hoped the board of Disney managers would reject the proposition of Team Natsu and Crime Sorciere's temporary employment. They would be making no money off of this feat; all in all, if the idea was approved, these next six months would be a waste of time. 

She could be going on missions, training to become stronger, recruiting more guild members- there was still so much to do, yet here they were, standing at the entrance of the "land of dreams," awaiting the dreaded decision.

"No need to be overdramatic," Erza spoke at last. "It's not like we're being exiled or sentenced to our deaths. Six months is nothing- you'll see."

Lucy brightened. Erza was right; they would be working at Disney World. How cool was that? The food, the rides, the warm weather- they'd be able to immerse themselves in this laid-back lifestyle for half a year!

The sound of footsteps approaching caused the small group to turn.

"Oi, what's with the weird clothes?" Natsu asked, elbowing his way past Gray and squaring up the newly arrived Crime Sorciere members.

"Don't be rude, Natsu," Lucy chided. Despite herself, she couldn't peel her eyes away from the trio's new outfits. She couldn't quite decide on what word to use to describe them.

Stylish? Ultra casual? She hadn't known Ultear could rock a hot pink tank top and shorts.

"To be fair," Gray said, "I don't think we've ever seen you guys in, uh, normal clothing. Without cloaks and stuff."

"Aw, look Jellal," Ultear cooed, "we look so good, they're in shock!"

Jellal, who had opted for a dark, long-sleeved shirt and pants had seemed to do everything in his power to resist this newfound trend. 

"It took hours just to get him to ditch the clock!" Meredy chimed in. Self-consciously, she added, "We look, okay, right?"

"Of course!" Lucy spluttered. "You guys look amazing! It's just, uh..."

"Hmm." Erza looked down at her armor-clad body. "Maybe I should join in on this trend."

Ultear nodded with satisfaction. "We should all check out the Fiore Shopping Center someday."

No other words were exchanged among the seven for a cluster of Disney employees had just arrived.

"Oh. My. GOD!! I can't believe it's true! I didn't believe Qais at first when he said some of the strongest wizards were going to be working here!" one of the employees practically squealed. 

Lucy sighed inwardly; the decision had been made- they would be remaining in Orlando.

"Geez, dude, calm down," Qais replied. "It's not like they chose to work here. They were kind of forced."

"Oh," he said sadly.

"N-no, it's not like that!" Lucy exclaimed. "We're actually pretty excited to start working here! I mean, it's Disney World! It's going to be fun!" 

Meredy nodded her head enthusiastically. "It'll be a nice break from those depressing missions we always go on!" She made a face at Jellal, who stared right back at her. "You'll show us around, right? I can't wait to get started!"

"Alright, I'm Qais, as you know and this is my buddy Noah," Qais introduced, pointing to the over-excited guy. "The Disney managers decided to give you three hotel rooms for free- you can decide who's staying with who later. They chose to do so because they believe it will maximize your work efficiency."

"Pillow fight," Natsu mouthed to Lucy, eyes gleaming.

"NO," Lucy mouthed back.

"YES."

The group began to move forward. "This is the entrance to Disney. Tourists will show ID, and hand in their tickets in order to receive their appropriate Disney World 'pass.'" Qais handed each of the seven a small, silver card. "This is the cast member's "deluxe" pass meaning you can get anywhere you want to go in this park for free."

"Cast member...?" Jellal asked aloud.

"Think of Disney World as a movie set," Qais explained. "In front of visitors, employees are considered 'on set.' When they're off duty, they are 'off set.' With this in mind, employees are referred to as cast members."

"Clever," commented Ultear.

"Don't lose your passes!" Noah cheerfully reminded them. "It's like your lifeline- if you lose it, you basically die!" He mimed a very gory death.

Qais pushed him away and Noah snickered. "I'm about to hand out some maps so you can acquaint yourself with the park. Work starts promptly at eight in the morning tomorrow. You work five days a week, from morning 'til night."

"Weekends off! Yay!" Noah said, pumping his hand into the air. "You should totally check out Space Mountain!"

"That, sadly, was one of the rides destroyed," Qais said as he passed out the maps. "Just curious- which one of you did that?"

Everyone pointed at Natsu.

"Excuse me? That was all Erza!" Natsu protested.

"I only destroyed half of Splash Mountain," she said in a voice that was far too smug.

Qais and Noah exchanged looks. "Riiiight. Well. I guess you're off on your own for today then. My number's at the bottom of the maps if you get lost or something." They waved. "See you around!"

"Wait! Do we all work at the same place, or something?" Gray yelled after them. "And what about uniforms?" The two cast members merged into the crowd, disappearing from sight.

"Here, it's on this sticky note," said Jellal, peeling off a square piece of paper from his folded map.

They all huddled around the blue-haired man:

"Erza and Ultear - Rock 'n' Roller Coaster admissions

Natsu, Gray, and Jellal - Big Top Souvenirs cashiers

Lucy and Meredy - Tower of Terror tour guide."

In short, no one liked their job placement.

~ ~ ~

With the help of the "deluxe passes," the group of wizards found themselves seated at a long table near the window of one of the many fancy restaurants at the Walt Disney Resort. There were plates of steaming food, more food than Erza could have ever imagined, sitting before them. It seemed too much of a reward, she thought, then a punishment for the destruction of property. 

Her comrades were taking the bait; they were loosening up, letting themselves enjoy the wonders of Disney World. Erza remained cautious.

"We cannot celebrate until we know what work at this park is like," Erza said, carefully selecting a fork from beside her plate. She sifted through the bowl of pasta, thinking hard. "It can't be this easy. There must be a catch."

"Maybe Disney is a dark guild," Ultear said with utmost seriousness.

"Aha! I knew it!" Natsu said, slamming his glass of water onto the table. The drink sloshed a little, dampening a part of the tablecloth.

"It was a joke, moron," Gray sighed as the others snickered.

"Fairy Tail has not yet lost their charm," Jellal commented quietly. "Even after so many years."

Erza looked up from her food and met the contemplative eyes of the Crime Sorciere guild master. "Yeah. It's one of the many things I can depend on. Especially," she murmured, "during the darkest of times."

He nodded solemnly. "Perhaps Meredy was right. So much has happened in these past years- maybe this will prove to be a pleasant break."

"Mm," Erza agreed, setting her utensil down and leaning back. The ceiling, she noticed, was ornately designed with smooth edges and intricate curlicues; the polished ivory glimmered as it reflected the candlelit room, casting an endless look to it. Erza had not known something so simple could be so beautiful. 

"Not hungry?"

His voice startled her out of her short reverie and she quickly sat up. "Not really," admitted the scarlet-haired wizard.

"Is it a waste," Jellal replied, "that I ordered a slice of strawberry cheesecake, then?"

Erza couldn't contain her smile.