Hot and Cold

Black Market Auction

~*****~

Forcing Natsu to take a motion sickness potion was a chore by itself. I sighed loudly as Natsu sulked near the large open window of Christina Two. "It's refreshing to see the years haven't changed Natsu," Hibiki chuckled.

"We didn't exactly age, Hibiki. We were stuck in some weird spell that suspended the entire island for seven years," I explain lightly. "Surely you've heard that."

Hibiki rubs at his head. "Yeah, but I was hoping it wouldn't be true. Cause that would mean I get gray hair before you, and that's kinda depressing."

"I have white hair, you know. It's not like I'm gonna be graying with age." I retort playfully.

Hibiki smiles and leans against Christina's operating panel. "I know. You should see Marko. All that stress from Tenrou Island disappearing gave him quite the beard."

I hum in approval. "Now that's a sight I'd like to see. Marko's always had such a pretty face, but maybe a beard would make it prettier." I mention.

"Not as pretty as us though, right, big sis?" Eve chirped as he held my hand up, as if he were going to press a kiss to the back of my hand.

"Don't call me big sis," I complain. "Goodness, you need a girlfriend like Ren over there."

Ren immediately flushes and stammers. "I do not have a--"

"Sherry told me all about your cute little romance," I mention impishly.

Ren flushes darker and begins to sulk like Natsu near the windows. "How could I get a girlfriend when I have such a beautiful big sis?" Eve continues to flirt.

I sigh loudly, press my hand against his face and shove him back. "That's enough, men--" Ichiya suddenly declares, descending down upon us, and moving into my personal space. "Haven't we discussed that the lovely parfum Miss Aria has is all--"

"If you say it's yours, I'm going to mule kick you off Christina." I retort immediately.

"I wonder if he'll ever meet Nichiya." Ballad hums lightly.

"That was his name?" I gasp as I trail off towards the front of the ship with her. "I've just been referring to him as Cat Ichiya," I giggle.

Ballad hums. "That seems easier. Although, my first experience with him was just as annoying as this Ichiya. He kept saying my parfum smelt so heavenly, so I had to crack him one good."

I laugh and ruffle her wild tufts of fur. "Good job, little buddy! Don't take any smack from no man!"

Ballad beams. Her smile falters for a moment when she gazes out of the large window. "D'you think this will all go smoothly?" She asks, all of a sudden very somber. "Our track record with the Barum Alliance isn't that great... The Oracion Seis was difficult to beat, the Grimoire Hearts were even harder. Does that mean Tartaros will be the hardest challenge we've faced?"

I shrug. "Hey, it was only a rumor that members of Tartaros would be there. I wouldn't count on them being at some seedy auction for a flimsy little pendant." I explain. "Don't get too worried over it." Ballad hums and remains somber. "Why don't you think of something else? Anything you wanna do when we go back to Fairy Tail?"

Ballad's spirits lift and she begins rambling about going fishing with Natsu and Happy or having a spa day with the girls. She even began rambling about how cute she thought Gajeel was and being even cuter while fawning over Panther Lily.

~*****~

I grimace at the sight of Oak Town. "Hey, were we here before?" Natsu asks curiously as we peer around at the city.