The Skull Hidden in the Sand

Shadow Talk

A/N: Some AMAZING Gruvia fanart. Not mine, sadly. Wish it was, though.

A cloaked figure moved quietly through the forest. Its footfalls on the damp earth could barely be heard over the pattering of the raindrops. The figure carefully clambered across rocks and walked through the waterfall after a careful glance back. The figure entered into a small recess, not quite a cave.

A second figure waited, sitting casually on a rock. "You're late. So much for punctuality."

"Your actions have caused an increase in nightly human activity. Both in crews cleaning up and crews inspecting the forest for more possible mudslide areas. Some speed must be sacrificed for greater vigilance." The first figure replied, allowing its tone to frost over slightly. The second figure shifted uncomfortably. "I take it the mudslide was your work." The first figure continued.

"Of course." The second figure exclaimed proudly.

"It was unnecessarily flamboyant and very obviously not natural. They are not all as foolish as the boy with pink hair. You gave most likely alerted them to our presence."

"Aw, c'mon Master. It-!"

"What is this?" The first figure interrupted, holding up a small needle.

"A needle. I stuck it in the garden for that blond chick."

"And what's on the needle?"

"Stuff."

The first figure narrowed its eyes. "Do you think this a joke? I suppose you thought it'd be funny to drop a tree on the Fairy Girl."

"I was just testing her. I had no idea her reflexes would be that bad-!"

Though the second figure was actually taller than the first, though they stood apart a few paces, and though the first figure never raised it's voice, the second figure cowered as if the first towered over it, roaring its displeasure. "What is wrong with you? I brought you in to this because I assumed you understood the job. We are not here to kill or injure. We are here to divide them, to mess with them. We were hired to be the stagehands, to set the stage for the Puppet Master, the one who actually pulls the strings. Now, what. Is on. This. Needle?" The first figure emphasized its words with a cold ferocity.

"I-it's a serum th-that puts its victims under the influence of the injector. L-like hyptonism."

"For what purpose?"

"T-to use one of the Fairies. Their trust in each other is so great, they welcome former enemies into their ranks. Th-they're infamous for it."

"Such a thing is unnecessary. I have more than enough pawns on the board. However..." The second figure twitched. "Your idea has merit." The first figure continued. "This is an idea for later. A trap unsprung is still in place, after all." The first pocketed the needle. "It would appear you do have some knowledge of subtlety." The second figure gave a small sigh of relief. "Luckily for you, this rain will erase all traces of your scent in the garden."

"D-did you do this, Master?"

"No..." The first figure looked up, as if it could see through the stone and trees, to the sky. "It is common knowledge that the Water Mage, Juvia Lockster, used to cause constant rain while in her former guild. Most likely, her spat with her object of adoration, Ice Mage Gray Fullbuster, has caused this deluge. If it hadn't happened, a quick spray would have worked. It wouldn't be unusual for a garden to be watered, after all. Regardless," The first returned it's gaze to the second. "We use it to our advantage. Now, I go to inform our client of this progress, though they're probably aware of it already."

"They're at the hotel?"

"Of course. A Puppet Master doesn't like being to far away from its toys' strings, after all."

"Right...so, how should I strike next?"

"You said it yourself. 'Their trust in their comrades is infamous.' Use that to your advantage. They suspect that we are here. Then make it obvious. Almost a declaration of war. We'll be fulfilling our task of 'distracting them' quite nicely." There was an obvious zeal to the first's tone.

"So I can..?"

"Be as flamboyant as you like. But don't get caught."

"Of course Master! I won't fail you!"

"Good. You a force from the outside, the Puppet Master from the inside, and myself moving inbetween. One way or another, we'll mold those Fairies exactly the way we want them." With a dark chuckle, the first figure slipped through the waterfall and disappeared into the rainy night.

Two chapters at once! So proud of myself! This was going to be part of the previous chapter, but again, length issues. -_-U I'll be taking a little longer of a break since I gave you two chapters this time, to catch up on schoolwork and writing. Enjoy~