Electrified Shorts

The Expansion Curse

Magnolia, Dreyer Cabin (X784)

Afternoons never felt so good. Once you sip some warm coffee in a nice mug, your sanity will thank you. I sat around the dining table with my sisters. My hands were too busy writing documents towards the Magic Council. As acting guild master of Fairy Tail, it's my sworn duty to keep Magnolia safe and cheerful. Fairy Tail's nothing but a big family with a heart. Sure, we caused damage, but that's what we do. Donica occupied the oven, baking her signature feel-good oatmeal cookies. To be honest, her cookies had that soothing after taste I love. She wouldn't tell me what's inside that gooey center, but I guessed it had honey. Theresa skimmed her written schedule, deepening that scowl I was used to. The same applied to Allisa, as she tapped her finger against the glossy table surface.

"Ugh, this is boring! I told the boy we would train at 1 pm and it's 1:25 pm. Where the hell is he?" I sighed, as Allisa's foul mouth can somewhat degrade a loving moment between us. "Laxus, from Freed's description, will be returning in a few minutes. There's no need to grow stress wards, Allisa." Stress wards were what I call a term where a person experienced long-term tension. One eye roll later and Allisa stormed out of the kitchen. "Such an impatient toddler." Theresa drank the rest of her coffee before following Allisa to the patio. Donica opened the oven's door, analyzed the cookie's golden brown crust, and closed it. The kitchen released a heat wave from Donica's baking, but I didn't mind it. My sisters had their own hobbies, as well as I.

~***~

Fifteen Minutes Later

The front door opened, meaning Laxus—that rascal—finished his quest. I climbed downstairs, my smile spreading so quickly. "How goes the quest, Laxus?" He passed me and went up to his bedroom. So much for starting a conversation. I went after him, stood near his door frame, and folded my arms. "Did it go well? Like you wanted?" I can already hear a sigh from him, as he dropped his duffle bag on the bed.

"For your information, Tanya, the quest wasn't worth it. What Mirajane gave me was a request from an old hag. She operates a potion shop in Clover Town and all she asked me is to watch out for thieves. There weren't any, so she left me be. What a stupid woman!" Makarov said time and time again about Laxus' behavior. He went from a kind child to an antsy young man with a superiority problem. I wasn't giving up on our step-grandson/step-grandmother conversation.

I swerved my hips to the right, still folding my arms, and arched an eyebrow. "Alright, boy. What did you say to her?" Just gazing at Laxus' posture, he must have done something horrible to that elderly woman's shop. Theresa mentioned that shop a few weeks ago. She bought some unique potions that proved very effective. I even visited there. The owner sounded nice. She had the prettiest hair and the brightest pair of blue eyes. "Nothing too harsh. Called her a dumb hag and blew up part of her shop before leaving. Hahaha, she deserved what her quest did. Almost an hour wasted, because of her."

My jaw dropped, tongue growing dry. He committed some atrocious acts, more threatening than Natsu's accidental damages. The description left me speechless, yet rage filled my chest like an erupting volcano. When temper came to play, I wasn't the best player. Every time I had to put some sense into Laxus, our arguments turned into fists. The cabin got destroyed several times. I restrained my temper in to address a serious issue to Laxus.

"You made a grave mistake, boy. Doris is a sweet lady who runs an operational potion shop. Probably the best in Fiore. Blowing up her prized business was a death wish. Witches have merciless attitudes and long-lasting grudges. One dangerous move against them and they'll put the worst curse upon you. Laxus? Do you feel off?" The boy raised his eyebrow, groaned at the question I asked. Then he chuckled with that spoiled enthusiasm.