Hot and Cold

Pool Balls and Rebellious Spirits

~*****~

When I returned to the guild, it's to a new scene-- Gray playing pool. And I was a pro at pool. I approached the new looking tables and hummed curiously. "And that is how you play a game of pool," Gray beamed.

"Wow, that's pretty neat," I chirp. "Bet you two thousand jewel I can beat ya."

Gray raised his brows and held an evil glint in his eye. "Make it forty thousand, and you've got yourself a deal."

Oh boy, perhaps he sincerely thought I was gonna lose. "Sure thing!" I beam. "D'you wanna go first, or should I?"

Gray handed me a spare cue and gestured to the table. "D'you need instructions on how to play?"

I stifle a laugh. "Sure, teach me!" Gray goes over the basics and when I finally get to play, I sink every single ball with a single stroke, all the while grinning impishly while holding my hand out. "Pay up, loser!"

"All right! I wanna crack at it!" Natsu cheered as he stacked up the balls and held the cue like a bat.

"No, wait, that's not how you're supposed to do it!" Lucy exclaims as I pocket the jewel from Gray, who sulks in the corner.

Natsu and Happy ignore me as he holds up the cue ball. "Alright, kid, there's just one rule! You gotta put the balls in the holes, understand?!" Happy explained.

"I already knew that, so shut up and pitch, just don't throw me any curve balls!" Natsu exclaims.

"They could be joking. Yeah, maybe that's it." Lucy stammered.

"I don't know about you, but I'm gonna take cover as soon as Happy let's go of that ball." I retort.

"They're having a good time, at least!" Ballad chirped.

"Par five, first down! This is your moment, Rookie!" Happy cheered as he lobbed the ball at Natsu.

"FORE!" Natsu shouted as he swung and sent all the balls flying.

Everyone shouted as they dodged for life. "Eight down, two outs, bases loaded!" Happy shouted as he sent another flying. Ballad sat patiently under the ice shield I made for her as I dodged the balls as they came. "Looks like a hole in none strike out! Hit like you mean it next time!"

"That's great advice! When at first you don't succeed, hit stuff harder!" Natsu cheered.

"Put that down before you kill someone," Lucy whined.

"Who's making such a racket? I could hear you from upstairs," I hear Erza complain.

"I GOT IT THIS TIME!" Natsu shouts as he holds the cue like a golf club, and it's reared up super high for a hard hit. He swings and the cue ball hits the ceiling before flying towards Erza. She catches it easily without even thinking. "Sorry about that, nice catch though..." Natsu murmured.

"A cue ball, eh?" Erza hums thoughtfully.

"We were just breaking in these pool tables. D'you wanna join us for a round?" I ask.

"With the balls on the floor?" Erza asks.

I peer around and rub at the back of my head. "Duh."

"Have you ever played?" Ballad asks.

Erza smiles after a moment. "Yes. Many years ago, I played it well." Natsu glanced at me, confusion warping his brows. I shrugged in response.

"I caught ya, bandit!" I give a feigning yelp of terror as I dramatically fall to the ground with little Asca on my back.