The Skull Hidden in the Sand

Aftermath

A/N: Before and After

"Hi Wendy. What's up?"

"O-oh, Romeo-kun! Charla and I were going to go get some breakfast. D-did you want to come?"

"Sure." The two walked towards the dining room and were quickly joined by all three exceeds. "How do you think the movie thing went last night?" Romeo asked finally.

"According to Master, they caused 32 complaints about noise and rowdiness from their screaming alone." Lily replied dryly.

"Wow..." Romeo and Wendy sweatdropped.

"If it was that bad, then I can't believe Mira was going to let you two watch it!" Charla hmphed.

"I guess you were right Charla." Wendy sighed.

"Of course I was!"

"Charla knows best~!" Happy declared cheerfully, barely understandable through the small fish he was munching on.

"Too bad, though. It sounds like it would've been fun to hang out with them." Romeo sighed regretfully.

"All I want are pictures." Happy smirked, wiping his cheeks carefully. "You think Mira might have some?"

"I wouldn't put it past her to have hidden a camera somewhere in the room." Lily sighed.

"Is that....them over there?" Wendy asked, standing on her tiptoes and shading her eyes as she peered through a window.

"Yeah, I think it is." The group exited the corridor and wandered over the outdoor patio. "Hey guys, what's...up?" The group of older Fairies looked exhausted; they all had dark circles under their eyes and halfway empty cups of coffee. Indeed, Levy was asleep with her head on a book, Lucy was slumped over the back of a chair, and Gray was facedown on the table. Natsu had his head in his arms and looked like he'd be out any second. Gajeel looked the most awake, which wasn't saying much. Aras was standing nearby, looking perfectly awake, until you noticed the vague smile and dazed look in the greeter's eyes. Strangely, Juvia was completely awake and looked perfectly fine, except for the small fact that she was still a watery lump inside an empty plastic trash can. Erza and Jellal were nowhere to be seen.

"Hey squirts." Gajeel said tiredly, putting down his mug.

"Are you guys okay?" Wendy asked worriedly.

"Yeah, jus' tired."

"What happened to your chin?" Lily asked Aras.

"Oi, Blondie, he's talking to ya."

"Hmm? What was that?"

"Your chin. What happened?" Lily repeated.

"There was an accident. Gajeel punched me and knocked me off the bed."

"That doesn't sound very accidental..." Romeo was skeptical.

"Gajeel-san!" Wendy scolded.

"What? It was totally an accident!"

"Where are the other two?" Charla asked.

"Oh, they're still asleep." A great snore nearly drowned out his words. Natsu had finally succumbed and was fast asleep on the table.

"Oh, well I...um..." Wendy's voice trailed off when she noticed Freed and Bickslow walking up behind Gajeel. She opened her mouth to say hello, but Freed put a finger on his lips to keep her quiet.

"What's wrong squirt?"

"U-um..." Bickslow pulled an airhorn out of his jacket and blew it. Loudly. Gajeel spewed coffee across the table, Lucy nearly knocked over Juvia, Levy gave herself whiplash, Natsu fell over sideways, and Gray toppled over backwards. Aras swung the serving tray viciously and narrowly missed imprinting Freed's face in the metal circle. Instead, four of five of Bickslow's puppets were catapulted over the Lodge and out of sight.