How Much Longer

Moon and Sun

Sherry held her in place by the shoulders, using her critical eye to inspect for anything wrong. Chelia wanted to whine, swat her hands away, and tell her she was worrying for nothing (even if that wasn't strictly true, but what Sherry didn't know wouldn't hurt her). But at the same time, Sherry was the closest thing to a mom she ever had. So she remained still, clutching her pack tightly.

"Do you have enough Jewel? Did you remember your change of clothes? What about your train ticket?" Sherry faltered, continuing before Chelia could answer, "Stay safe ok?"

She hoped her smile was as convincing as it felt, "Of course!"

At the train station, Sherry continued to fret and Chelia's little bubble of irritation popped, "I'm a God Slayer, remember. I'll be safe." She wasn't fifteen anymore, no matter what Sherry thought. She'd fought in a war, gotten her magic stripped from her, and died only to come back.

A suitably chastised expression formed on Sherry's face, but her reassurance didn't stop her from rocking anxiously on her heels. When the train puffed to a stop and the doors opened, Sherry wrapped her in a crushing hug, reminding her to love and to stay safe. She smiled and hugged back much to the older's surprise.

Chelia got a train car to herself and she immediately pried open the window to poke her head out and wave to Sherry until the trees obscured the train platform. Convincing Sherry to let her join Fairy Tail took months to do. Chelia even took to nagging her older cousin to get permission. Sherry finally caved when Chelia complained that the only friend she had was in Fairy Tail.

Chelia knew she would be back at Lamia Scale within the month since Fairy Tail would inevitably end up disbanding after Tartarus. Sherry would probably never feel at ease with her out of sight ever again, but some things had to be sacrificed. At least on the bright side, she wouldn't need to try and convince Wendy to join her this time.

Wendy waited for her at the train station. To Chelia's amusement, the Dragon Slayer stayed at an awkward distance away from the actual train. They whined and pouted as a greeting and Chelia could only cheekily tease, "I haven't even said anything yet!"

"You're not the one that has horrible motion sickness," Wendy huffed back. "Do you know where you want your new guild mark?"

Chelia hummed thoughtfully as they started to walk through town, "I was thinking maybe my forearm? Or maybe my neck, I'm not too sure yet."

"You can take your forehead off of the options list. Carla would be mortified."

Chelia giggled and took a couple of skips, "Maybe I'll get it there just to see her reaction."

Wendy snorted. They took her by the hand and they ran through the streets. Her longer strides allowed her to keep up relatively fine with her slightly shorter companion. Wendy was growing taller, she noted absentmindedly. Both ran like the world's weight didn't rest on their shoulders.

Chelia ignored the way Wendy's skin sometimes shined with a silvery sheen when the sun bounced off of it just right. It made her heart soar to feel their warm hand in hers, however more calloused it had become. Reaching the guildhall was surprisingly quick and Chelia didn't have enough time to ponder the significant look Wendy sent her way before she pushed open the huge doors.

The chair that flew toward her face was only avoided due to her quick reflexes and Wendy was subjected to a wide-eyed stare that sent them into hysterics. Mages inside the guildhall screamed and yelled obscenities, nearly obscuring the sound of shattering glass and breaking wood. Carla walked up to her, flicked her long white hair aside, and swept an arm out to present the outright anarchy.

"Welcome to Fairy Tail," she said mock-sardonically. The Exceed's hand landed on her shoulder, "I dearly hope you detest peace and quiet in general."

Chelia watched in amazement and with a good amount of trepidation as Wendy fearlessly walked through the chaos to the bar. Carla led her over the threshold, ducking more than once to avoid a stray bottle.