Hot and Cold

Saying Goodbye

~*****~

"I refuse!" I complain as Jenny tries to wrangle me into a tight dress that once again shows how un-endowed I am. "Get that thing away from me! I'll wear pants!"

"You will not! I don't care if you're butt naked, you're not wearing those god-awful rags in front of our patrons!" Jenny exclaims. My legs give out from beneath me as I'm tackled to the ground. I let out a raging scream as she forcefully dresses me with a strength, I didn't even know she had.

Lucy and Erza chuckled as I began refusing the heels she brought. It was a losing battle from the start apparently, because it took little to no time to have me dressed to the nines, hair brushed and pinned up to look elegant and my face lightly made up to show off the delicate features that apparently, I hid under a nasty scowl most days.

"For a time, I felt true beauty was beyond improvement," Ichiya commented. "That was before I saw Aria in such regal attire."

"They're all stunning. Well done, sir!" Hibiki praised.

"Ichiya is the man!" Eve clapped.

"Ichiya is the man!" Ren echoed, and all three began to clap. "The girls are lookin' fine! They're lookin' fierce! Who showed 'em how to work it?" All three chant.

"I did! Man!" Ichiya cheered.

I growled angrily, slouching further. "I think I prefer your usual clothes. At least then, you were smiling," Erza chuckles.

A curtain opens behind me and I flinch, eyes searching desperately for a hiding place. "Wow, you guys sure clean up good!" Lucy comments.

"The clothes man the man, ol' buddy!" Gray laughed.

"Shut up, frosty!" Natsu barks.

"Hush, Gray, go find your pants." Erza snaps.

I turn my gaze over my shoulder and bark out a boisterous laugh. "Aw, dammit!" Gray complains.

"Now that you're dressed, it's time to go see what you can do! Your job is to mingle with our guests. Go stun our clients with your wit and beauty!" Ichiya ordered.

"As long as they don't touch me, all right!" Lucy comments. "Let's me the best escorts we can be!"

"Agreed!" Erza nodded.

"I'm gonna commit murder," I groan as I slump forward.

"Don't be so down! Ya look great!" Natsu chirped, holding his thumb upwards.

"I look like a clown!" I express angrily as I stomp after Erza and Lucy as best I can in these stupid heels.

~*****~

It didn't take long for things to come crashing down and we were sent packing, but damn did I think Kemo-Kemo was so brave for blasting everyone with a fire attack. Everyone was upset about it, but I was finally glad to be rid of the dress constricting my movements.

We went to Lamia Scale and asked the Master of Lamia Scale, Ooba Babasaama, about Kemo-Kemo. "All Gramps said is we couldn't keep him in the guild hall!"

"Just a couple of days ago, the thing was about as big as little Ballad," Lucy mentioned. "It doesn't eat or drink-- unless you're feeding it ice chunks. How's it growing?"

"Makarov's the biggest freak I've ever had the mixed emotions of meeting! If he's never seen it, then I guess it's a new species!" Ooba comments. "Want me to give it a spin?"

I snatch Kemo-Kemo up higher and glare. "Absolutely not!" I exclaim. "He's just a baby!"

"Why would Fairy Tail send a lazy slacker like you instead of Juvia?" Lyon complained as he got in Gray's face.