Fairy Tail: The Dark Swordsman

42 - Night in Crocus

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[X783, Magnolia]

— Dannis Martell —

"Remind me again why we're here?" I question Mira as we enter through the gates of Crocus.

"I told you! I have a job modeling for the weekly sorcerer magazine and you're here as my escort! You wouldn't leave a defenseless maiden like me all alone, would you?" She fluttered her eyelashes at me, adopting an overly innocent tone.

I rolled my eyes at her comment. "Right...the She-Devil of Fairy Tail, a defenseless maiden. Hell would freeze over before anyone would consider you as such."

Mira giggled as the both of us walked through the cobbled paths of the capital city of Fiore. There was a lively buzz in the air, traders calling out from stalls lining the square. There were some apprentice Rune Knights out and about, running errands for the council, and a mix of nobles and travelers all wrapped up in the city's life.

A lot has changed since the beast event a year ago. For one thing, Mira and I had gotten much closer. While she was my best friend, there were certain lines that were never crossed due to mutual respect for one another.

Neither of us was sure of what exactly to call our relationship, but I was at least certain it was more than simple friendship. The kiss she gave back then had sent me on a spiral for quite a while.

Now though, we were content with sharing smiles that were a bit more meaningful, moments where we shared just small bits of intimacy. Just being around her brought a warmth I could never put into words. It was... complicated.

Mira herself had gone through a complete shift in personality. After our talk, she went straight to her apartment and talked Elfman out of his funk. Perhaps it was due to almost losing her family, or maybe even the fact that her words were what got the job done this time instead of her fists.

But Mira had mellowed out and adopted this kind, gentle, and caring personality towards most of the guild. While she still has moments where her punk-ish temperament would show, she much prefers this more relaxed state.

The guild had all understood and supported her. It was even Erza who made sure that no one bothered the Strauss siblings much during their time of recovery.

She got a job as a model for Sorcerer Magazine not long after, and now here we are in Crocus for first job. While she makes quite a decent amount as an active S-Class mage, she told me she needed a little bit extra to get the house she and her siblings plan to get. She had taken a page from my book and planned to buy the whole she-bang, including the plot of land the house sits on.

The city of Crocus was grand, with tall buildings painted a plethora of colors. The streets were filled with people getting by in their personal lives. As we reached the market square, peddlers of all kinds were trying to sell their wares.

We wandered through the market, lingering at various stalls. Mira bought small trinkets for Lisanna and Elfman, trying to see which gifts would make them smile the widest. Meanwhile, I spotted a traveling vendor selling old books. After a quick scan, I found one on Fiorean history, thick and covered in dust. It was the perfect kind of book I liked to get lost in when the guild was too loud.