𝙏𝙃𝙐𝙉𝘿𝙀𝙍 // 𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙭 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

𝙖 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚

At the guildhall, Yukino and Minerva were making casual chat about who-knows-what, whilst Lector, Frosch and Kuschel slept among them. Novalee also stood alongside her two 'aunties', listening to their conversation.

You'd washed up what remained of breakfast with Rogue and quickly attained some sort of scarf, one each, to hide the blemishes that were the result of the previous night. You'd hoped that the guild, mainly Sting, would be convinced that August was close enough to autumn to be wearing such garments.

Novalee spotted the two of you enter quickly, keen red eyes brightening. She nodded quickly to Minerva and then jogged over, smiling widely.

"Hi [Y/N], hey pops!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around you tightly. You grinned and ruffled her hair and then paused, paling slightly as you registered what she'd spoken and turned your head to Rogue, jaw dropped.

"Pops?" you repeated, stunned.
"She just started calling me it one day," he shrugged, "I didn't bother to say anything, it's not like it's bad."

Novalee giggled and pulled away from you, standing just ahead of you with her hands behind her back. She swayed on the spot with a healthy, pink flush spread across her cheeks.

"Oh, look at you!" you grinned widely, "oh, you've grown so much since I last saw you!"

She looked off to the side bashfully, pressing her cheek against her shoulder.
"It's only been a year, I haven't changed all that much," she said.
"And the guild mark! That's brilliant!" you continued, "I take it you've gotten stronger?"

"So much stronger," she nodded, "maybe even strong enough to beat you."

You laughed at that - she reminded you of your younger self, who was always challenging Natsu and the others at Fairy Tail. Every time, Erza would try to refuse for herself and others, but Natsu wouldn't. Though, he would go easy and have you on the ground in second, only having to use one hand.

"Maybe one day," you said, "definitely not now though."
"I'd like to test your theory," she stepped forwards to look you directly in the eye, "I've almost mastered the art of entering my shadow. There's no way you could beat me then."

You, again, laughed - you could tell she'd spent ample time with Sting.
"Oh, you'd be surprised," you smirked toothily, "I know a thing or two about catching shadows."
"Like what?" she tilted her head curiously.

You opened your mouth to tell her all about your experience with the dark guild, Dragon Tongue, when a cry cut you off.

"[Y/N]? It's you!" Sting's voice came from across the guildhall and suddenly he barrelled into you. You didn't fall but you stumbled back at the impact.

"Hey Sting!" you greeted cheerfully.
"Welcome back!" he relinquished his bearhug hold on you and stepped back with a grin - you realised he was wearing the hangover sunglasses. The sunglasses of shame, if you will.

"Thanks, it's great to be here," you nodded, "is your head alright?"
"Pretty great, actually. The bright lights are a nuisance though," he sighed, "but never mind that, you're back! Which I knew, but still! I woke up early this morning specifically to write invitations to some of the allied guilds for a celebration!"

"Seriously? Woo!" you whooped, "party!"
"No, your party," he said.
"Even better!" you grinned.

"Yeah," he nodded, "I've got invites for Fairy Tail, Lamia Scale, Blue Pegasus, Mermaid Heel and those Crime Sorcière guys. Is that cool?"

"Oh, perfect. I almost forgot about Crime Sorcière, speaking of which - Angel? Hello? What's she doing here?" you said.
"Well, she's a part of Sabertooth, she kind of has to be here," Sting blinked.