Dawn of Adventure {Book One of The Paths We've Traveled}

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Rejoining the World

Wendy inhaled deeply, enjoying the newfound ability to do so. Although, the white and blue dress squeezing her ribs certainly limited that ability. She stood before the mirror, taking in her healthy appearance. Dark blue strands framed her glowing skin, the mass of hair pulled back in a complicated braid Erza had weaved and pinned together only a few minutes prior. Her brown eyes sparkled in the sunlight streaming through the windows, thick lashes brushing her cheeks every time she blinked. She turned side to side, taking in the new dress clothing her still bony frame.

The white underskirt provided several layers of warmth, cinched tightly at her waist and showing just how skinny she was due to the sickness she had only just recovered from. Panels of light blue fabric parted in a V at her waist, a triangle of the petticoats peeking through. The neckline came all the way up her neck and the sleeves didn't end until her wrists, white lace tickling the hems and piles of fabric keeping her warm from the elements. The bodice, white ribbon corseting the back panels, was tight against her torso, revealing curves she herself had just begun to notice. Her breasts were nowhere near the size of Lucy or Erza's, but at least she knew she wouldn't always be as flat as a board.

After so long of lying in bed, sickly and weak, it was like a breath of fresh air to stand straight and tall, looking beautiful and happy. Well, as happy as one could be before she walked toward her doom, a doom spent surrounded by preening nobles that drove her friends insane.

A knock on the doorframe pulled her out of her daze. A quick glance over her shoulder revealed Lucy standing in the doorway, the blonde smiling gently at the Sky Maiden. Lucy had recovered well in the past week, the constant heat of the upper levels and Natsu finally sucking the last of the ice in her soul out. She blushed every time anyone mentioned that she and Natsu slept in the same bed, or whenever Gray teased her when they slipped into Natsu's room at the end of the night. At this point, everyone but Lucy knew about Natsu's crush on her, and with the closeness of the pair, Wendy was sure that it was only a matter of time until the secret slipped out. But no matter what happened, Natsu was determined to be the one to tell her; at least, that's what he told her when Wendy cornered him last night about it.

"You ready for this?" Wendy giggled half-heartedly, smoothing down her dress and slipping her feet into black slippers. She shrugged, wishing she had a certain Exceed in her arms instead of empty space.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be I guess. I'm kinda scared though. I've had to act around Evia and Mak, and there was that first time we met Ajax and Verlane, but I really haven't done anything since then. I'm scared I'll mess up and say the wrong thing or do something wrong. And I know you'll be there and so will everyone else but-"

"Wendy," Lucy interrupted, taking the girl's hands in her own. "Natsu will be right next to you the whole time, so if you don't feel like talking or are scared of messing up, just let him take the lead, okay? He's got surprisingly good at this court life over these past few months.

A muffled shout of "What's that supposed to mean?" came from Natsu's room, making both young women roll their eyes and laugh.

"What I'm trying to say," Lucy continued, "is that we're here for you. Don't feel like you have to be strong the whole time. Everyone at court is expecting you to be recovering anyway, so if you need to step back or leave early, they shouldn't see anything weird about it." The Celestial Spirit mage squeezed Wendy's hands, pulling her into a light hug.

"Thanks Lucy." She rested her head against Lucy's shoulder, enjoying that familiar smell of citrus that clung to the blonde even after months of forgoing her favorite perfume. She took a deep breath, hoping the scent would help ignite the magic itching to be released. The herb Lucy had found filled her bones with ethernano, but somehow magic still eluded her. It didn't quite make sense to her, but Erza's version of an explanation made the most sense.