The Skull Hidden in the Sand

A Not-So-Happy Arrival

It was a beautiful and sunny late summers day, but the clouds hanging over certain members of the guild made it seem dark and depressing. When the train hissed to a stop at the station, there was a momentary commotion as the guild disembarked.

When everyone had gathered on the platform, Master announced, "Alright brats. The Lodge is about a ten minute walk this way. Normally they have magic cars escort guests up, but I told them we didn't need them. Now let's get walking!" With general mumbles of ascent, the guild started off. Levy continued her conversation with Jet and Droy and Lucy, seeing Natsu walking and talking with Lisanna again, joined in. While Erza and Jellal were walking together, Wendy was between them and none of the three spoke. Juvia was plodding quietly next to Mira, who was chatting with the Thunder Tribe, and Gray snuck along at the back of the group, trying not to be noticed.

When the group arrived at the top of the hill, there were general cries of pleasure at the Lodge's appearance. Two large logs were placed diagonally together over the entrance, creating an "A" shape. The large sign read Mountain Peak Lodge in brilliant gold paint.

"Woooow, Master! It's even more beautiful in person!" Mira called.

Elfman courteously held the door open for everyone. "A real man holds doors!"

The lobby was even better. To the immediate right was the front desk and in the center of the room was a staircase leading to a lower level. In-between the two was a collection of comfortable looking armchairs centered around an exhibit of animals who could be found in the forest. On the other side of the stairs was a wall made almost entirely of windows, with chairs placed there as well and small bookcases were strategically placed there.

"Ah, you must be from Fairy Tail!" A young man and woman in gray uniforms approached the group. "If Master Makarov would sign in at the front desk, we'll help you with your luggage." The young man said, brushing his shaggy white hair out of his face.

"You ladies will be in rooms 274 and 275 and you gentleman will be across the hall, in rooms 286 and 287." The young woman announced to remaining half the group while the young man helped the other half get settled.

Excited, the mages explored the rooms. Both sets of rooms were connected and were mirrored in their layouts. A pair of double beds faced a lacrima tv on the opposite wall, there was a small bathroom near the door, and a balcony on the outside, large enough for a few chairs and a small table. The girls easily divided the rooms. Mira, Evergreen, Lisanna, and Wendy took one room, while Lucy, Levy, Juvia, and Erza took the other. The boys were still squabbling when their guides told the group they needed to return to the lobby.

Upon doing so, the guild was greeted by a perky woman dressed in jeans, combat boots, and a flowy lilac shirt. "Hi there! My name's Min and I'm the manager and owner of the Mountain Peak Lodge!" She said happily, her black bob swaying slightly when she hopped. "We're honored that you're staying with us! However, we know how....rambunctious you guys can be, sooo..." She gave a sweet smile. "If you destroy my Lodge, I'll hurt you, 'kay?" She requiped her right arm, revealing armor and a spiked hammer almost as big as she was, twirling it as casually as a majorette would twirl a baton. "I may not be your Titania, but I assure you I can cause quite a lot of pain." She giggled and the guild shivered.

"It's like if Erza had Mira's personality!" Natsu whimpered quietly. Neither woman could quite decide if they were offended by that.

"Manager, please be careful." An employee called calmly. "You'll hit the light fixtures again."

Min smiled and requiped back to normal. "That being said, we do have an open area off one of the trails that you can fight in. We can show you on your tour, if you'd like."

"That would be nice, thank you." Makarov agreed.

"Oh, right. Before I forget..." Min reached into her pocket and pulled out small purple lacrima's, each attached to a plastic card with a room number on it. "These are your room keys. Each lacrima activates the lock on each specific room. You can also use it to contact staff if you need anything." She tapped a similar lacrima clipped to her shirt. "Try not to lose them. We have runes we can use to track them down, but I would like to not have to use that."

Mira and Erza each took a lacrima for their respective room and Laxus grabbed both, preventing fights.

"Now then, when you're done unpacking, simply call down to the front desk and your guide will meet you here."

"Ha! I'll race ya back to the room, Ice Princess!"

"I'll obviously beat you, Flame Brain!"

"I'll beat you both." Min said sweetly, placing the hammer end on the floor and leaning on it like it was a walking stick.

"U-uh...let's walk back to the room, my stripping friend."

"Of course, my...uh...idiot buddy."

"Do I really act like that?" Mira asked quietly to her sister.

"When you're threatening people, yes."

I redid my building drawing...the original was so AWFUL!!