Hot and Cold

The Magic Ball

~*****~

"This place looks kinda... weird." I mention as we approach the Balsamico home.

"But it definitely looks like the kinda place that would have a magical ball!" Lucy beamed.

"I didn't realize it was so far away," Gray mentioned.

"A small price to pay for the chance to dance," Erza retorted.

"You do remember that we came all this way to catch an escaped convict, right?" Lucy asked.

The doors opened to reveal a pretty girl. "You're a little early," The girl comments politely.

"WHOA! WHAT A FOX!" I hear Warren in my head.

"Was it really necessary to scream that inside of our heads?" I ask irritably.

"We're here to see the count," Gray mentions.

"Yes, of course you are. My name is Aceto and my father is Count Balsamico." Aceto introduced herself.

"She's too pretty to have such an ugly name," Warren says in our heads again.

"EVERYBODY CAN HEAR YOU, YA IDIOT!" We all bellow.

Natsu stepped forward. "My name is Natsu, and we're with Fairy Tail."

"We've come here concerning the job request that your father posted in our guild hall," I explain.

Aceto beamed. "In that case, I'll take you right to him! Please, follow me!"

Count Balsamico was nothing like I pictured. I was thinking of a gangly old man, but this guy looked like he was sucking on a sour lemon. And he was smaller than Makarov. "Welcome and thank you for taking my request," Count Balsamico hummed through his tightly pursed lips. "I am indeed Count Balsamico!"

"This guy is hilarious! He's got a sour name!" Natsu laughed.

"And a sour face to match!" Happy cheered.

"DON'T SCREW THIS UP FOR ME, OKAY?!" Lucy bellowed while leaning over me. I held my hands up, blinking rapidly in response.

"Let me get straight to the matter. I want you to know there is more to the story than what was written on the flyer." Count Balsamico stated.

"Please, go on." Erza urged.

"I am exceedingly concerned for the well being of my precious daughter, who means more than the world to me." Count Balsamico explained.

"Then why'd you give her such a silly name?" Natsu asked happily.

"IT'S A LOVELY NAME!" Count Balsamico barked.

I raise my fist and slam it down onto Natsu's head, shoving his head down and grinding my knuckles into his skull. "I'm so sorry for his lack of manners," I hum politely. "Please, continue, sir."

"The ball being held this evening is very special, for it is the night that her future husband shall be chosen." Count Balsamico explained.

"Yeah, that is a pretty major deal!" Lucy chirped.

"Once every seven years, our family brings out an extremely precious ring. A ring that has been passed down through the Balsamico family line for countless generations!" Count Balsamico exclaims.

"And you're afraid that Velveno is gonna come here and try to steal it from you?" Lucy asks.

"I'm absolutely certain of it, since he tried and failed seven years ago," Count Balsamico hummed. "But he did ruin the ceremony to choose my daughter's husband."