● BLACK ▪ BLUE● ¤Gruvia¤

°14°

LOCKSER MANOR, 12 YEARS PREVIOUS
Peaceful, calm, quiet. That's what the manor was on that night. Everyone was asleep, the rooms were impeccably clean as always. Marina was asleep in her room on the first floor, in the very back of the manor, and Juvia, only twelve, was asleep in hers on the second floor.

The window creaked open, letting in dabbles of rain. A figure, clad in black and gray clothing, stealthily entered the mansion, looking left, looking right, then shutting the window behind them. They passed the expensive furniture, past the vases and paintings, and instead made for the stairway. Their hand dragged over the ornate wood railing as they ascended the stairs, completely quiet.

Like they could see through the doors and walls, they paused in front of each room, frowning as each room did not contain what they wanted. Finally, they came to a room and stared at the door, lips twitching as they pushed it open.

In the bed slept a young Juvia, sleeping quietly and contentedly, huddled up in her comforter and dressed in a warm white nightdress. The person walked up to the bed and pulled out a rope. As they reached for her, Juvia's eyes opened, much too alert for someone who'd just woken up.

The little rain woman yelled as they grabbed her.
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What is the meaning of this?" Carolina the nurse ranted, dashing out of her first-floor room.

Moxie the Maid came out of the room opposite. "It sounded like the Young Mistress. Oh, what's going on?"

Down the hallway came the lady of the house, a determined and furious looking Marina Lockser. Her normally well-kept short blue hair was matted from sleep, and she wore a wrinkled red nightgown. Her lips were pursed, her pure blue eyes smoldering. "Why is my granddaughter screaming? What happened?"

"We don't know, Lady Ma-"

The scream came again, this time a bit more pained and frightened. It formed words, yelling out for "Gran, Gran." Marina ran down the hall, filled with even more energy, and Moxie and Carolina followed in suit.

"What is going on?" Marina shouted, turning around to look up onto the second floor.

Behind the railing, the person, a man with jet-black hair was holding Juvia, arms tied behind her back. He had a small knife held to her neck and was digging it in. Any more force, and he'd slice Juvia's neck open. Juvia looked like she might cry, and her mouth snapped shut, as she saw no more reason to scream now that her grandmother was there.

"What is going on?" Marina demanded again. She hostilely took a step forward, a snarl rising in her throat.

"Gran-" Juvia choked out. Never had she seen her grandmother so furious.

"Marina Lockser." The man bowed slightly, not moving the weapon from the twelve-year-olds neck. "How do you do?"

"Well, you're holding a knife to my granddaughter's neck, so I'm not feeling too happy. Can I ask who you are, good sir?"

He straightened up, smiling. "Thomas is my name. I'm a humble assassin from a dark guild a few towns over. Someone sent me to ransom you for her life." He jerked the knife against Juvia's neck, creating a tiny little line of bloody beads on her pale skin.

Lightning crackled outside, no doubt Juvia's work. She was shaking and tugging at her restraints.

"Someone?" Marina scowled and waved her hands. "I won't even bother asking. Who knows? The person could be someone from my mage days, or they could be an upset competitor. I don't particularly care about that. What I do care about, however, is that you calm down and step away from my precious dew drop."