How Much Longer

Different

As the months passed, Carla slowly grasped the new concept of transformation magic. Her first attempt at it was rather disappointing to the Exceed since only the tips of her ears tingled as her magic tried to figure out what exactly she wanted. Marvell wasn't exactly helpful since her two types of magic, Enchant and Dragon Slaying, were learned at the same time. And judging by their uncertain expression, in the alternate timeline, Carla hadn't learned transformation magic from them either.

It was odd thinking her entire life was labeled as the "alternate" timeline by Marvell. Carla liked to think of Marvell's life as the alternate one, considering nothing other than Chelia was left from it. The slightly more pinched look on Marvell's face told the Exceed that thoughts like those made them uncomfortable.

The first breakthrough Carla had in her progress was rather horrifying if she said so herself. She gained new human-sized legs while the rest of her body didn't budge. Marvell gaped as Carla fell over and made no move to help her up. Panic seized her when the legs wouldn't disappear on their own. The spike in magic dispelled the transformation and Carla felt like fainting.

Marvell giggled and flopped back down on their bed. "That definitely didn't happen last time," she managed to say. "Last time you started next year after Master Jura brought it up. No, not yet. I can't tell you how he tells you yet," they added before Carla could voice her question.

It was times like these that Carla enjoyed. Especially when Marvell acted a little more like the Wendy she knew. Sometimes they had too many good days in a row and Carla would forget and then be starkly reminded of it again. Each time it hurt a little less and instead became echoes of disappointment. The mind-reading took a little to get used to though. But it made a lot more sense and explained lots of Marvell's strange behavior from the months prior.

Perhaps the most shocking of all was Team Natsu once again not thinking anything of Marvell. It baffled Carla, especially since all of Crocus saw Marvell do a Secret Art that clearly wasn't all wind and take down a fully-grown dragon. She and Natsu were the only ones to actually hurt the dragons in any form.

The Fire Dragon Slayer was the only one that commented, asking Marvell to show him the move she used. He whined and pouted when they refused. The uncharacteristic 'no' made the rest of Team Natsu wonder what was wrong, but they dropped it when she said she was fine and was tired. Carla wanted to throw her paws up into the air when Marvell gave that excuse.

It was becoming far too easy for Marvell to grow her Poison Dragon claws and scales. It would happen if she wasn't paying attention, making it more dangerous to be near them when they went off on a rant. Not only would Carla be blown this way and that from the errant wind, but she also had to avoid gesturing claws that were capable of carving effortlessly into door jambs.

Their joint apartment now had claw marks on the walls, furniture, and doorknobs. All it took was a small press of Marvell's claws and paint was scraped off, wood carved away, and fabric to tear. The tiny scratches that used to litter the bottom of chairs, since Carla liked to climb onto them, almost didn't matter anymore in the face of the slashes that made their apartment look like part of a horror movie.

The nightmares were the worst. Sheets and blankets were shredded in panic, and their hanging fan went up in a flash of fire. Carla didn't even know Marvell could do that. The most unnerving thing was the voicelessness of Marvell whenever it happened. The silent screaming as she clawed at her throat and thrashed scared Carla more than her own nightmares. It was a wonder how Marvell hadn't blasted their room apart by now.

Marvell was getting better. At least Carla thought she was. They didn't zone out as often and when she did, the time spent staring at the wall was shorter. Their smiles looked more natural and she talked more freely with Carla, joking and making sarcastic comments. It was a nice change.