Fairy Tail: Next Generation - Volume IV

Chapter 25: The Girl Who Wasn't There

"Alright, Felicity, if that really is your name..."

"It is my real name. I didn't give you a fake name, you dingus."

Felicity was facing off with Laxus, the guild master, in a quiet hotel room filled with lots of angry and confused individuals. There was Layla, for one, who was slightly more peeved than everyone else, Laxus, who was automatically suspicious of Felicity the moment he heard she had a connection to Howl Caedo, and finally Ezzie, who sat uncomfortably in the corner with messy hair.

Xavier was there a while ago, but he stepped out suddenly after Laxus asked him something. He was quick to get out of there, Felicity thought it was because he felt embarrassed around Layla. 

"So your brother is a member of Howl Caedo, did you know this before this week?" Laxus asked, "Yes or no."

Felicity gave a sigh, "Yes...I knew that. The truth is..." Felicity glanced over at Layla, then back at Laxus. Looking him dead in the eyes, she told him her story, "Othello, my half brother, ran away from home when we were kids, he was always unhappy with things, and he ran off with another kid we know and ended up with some bad people. When I left home myself, I was hoping to find him, but it was too late, he was already a part of Howl Caedo and wouldn't leave with me. Howl Caedo is...well, it's not a dark guild or anything but they're really secretive, it feels a bit like a cult. I realized I couldn't get him out, or our friend Fidi, so I just gave up. I don't know anything else about the guild." 

"So you don't know Liz?" Laxus asked.

"Right," she glanced over at Layla, who looked discouraged. "All I know about Liz is from Layla, but I don't think she joined the guild until after Othello and Fidi did. I'm sorry, that's really all I know." 

"Why didn't you tell us you had a connection to Howl Caedo?" Layla asked.

"I didn't think it mattered!" Felicity shrugged, "I mean, I never lied about it or anything, I just never mentioned it because, I mean, your investigation was just into the Deadly Sins, right? So I figured it wouldn't be useful information. I mean, I don't even know anything about the guild anyway."  

Laxus gave a long hard stare, trying to peel something out of Felicity. But from the look in her eyes, he couldn't help but believe her. 

"I guess you can't help who your family is," Laxus sighed, "I believe you." He gave Layla a look as he approached the door. "Keep an eye on them until I get back." He left, leaving the door shut and the room silent. The three women struggled through the quiet, none of them sure what to say at a time like this. 

"Wait," Ezzie spoke up, "but what happened to Othello?" 

Felicity squinted her eyes. "What do you mean?" 

"He...has a hard time feeling things. Did Howl Caedo do that to him?" 

Felicity shook her head, "I don't know, he's...always been a bit off and detached I guess. We were never close, I'm not the person to ask." 

"Felicity," Layla sighed, "I know that you had no reason to say anything about Howl Caedo but...but I talked to you about Liz a bunch and you said nothing. That's weird, okay?" 

"I'm sorry," she whined, "I didn't want to complicate things or give you a false idea. I really don't know much about the guild, and I didn't want you to think I had some in and could help you get info on Liz." 

"Okay, fine," she sighed, shaking her head as she approached Felicity. "But tell me now. Are you hiding any other secrets from me, any at all? I just need to know I can trust you so please...just tell me now."

Felicity felt her throat grow tight. She squeezed her eyes shut. She knew she had to tell Layla.

"I had sex with Liddan!"