Sensory Overload

Chapter 4

     Lucy and Natsu were settled in across from each other at one of the tables near the entrance. Happy finally fluttered down from the rafters since Lucy seemed to be back to her normal Lucy self so he settled himself on the table between the two. "When did you two get married?" The glare he received from both sides of the table made his blood run cold he had barely escaped the clutches of Scary Lucy and Scary Natsu.
     Lucy went back to examining the strange tattoo on his wrist, twisting and turning and yanking. "Ow! Can I have my hand back now?"
     She looked up sheepishly "Sorry, it's just that they look exactly the same, they're both on the same wrist and they both appeared sometime after you left my place yesterday. It's just weird. When Levy gets here I think we should ask her about it. Maybe she's seen something like this before or knows a book with more information."
     Natsu nodded in agreement "It is weird. You noticed yours this morning and thanks to you, we found mine a bit ago, who knows how long it's been there though."
     "Sorry about that, I just figured you and Happy were getting me back for booting you out yesterday. Not sure why I got so mad about it. You have to admit though, it was a good take down." She looked at him small grin. Her mind turned over to the shock wave of warmth that had went through her body when she stood above him earlier. Her ears began to feel a tingly warm with the thoughts she was mulling over.
     "Well at least now I know you like to match your undies to your skirts." Natsu couldn't help but smirk as he looked over at the blonde's face turning to a soft shade of pink at the risque comment.
     Lucy was going to retort back with something mean and snarky but before she could even think her voice grew quiet and oddly innocent, with genuine curiosity she asked "do you like that sort of thing?" 'OH HELL NO I did NOT just say that!' her hands immediate slapped over her mouth and her face was so red it burned 'that was so grossly inappropriate what the hell is wrong with me today? Where has my filter gone? Hell, I shouldn't even be thinking that let alone say it out loud.'
     Nearly falling off the bench Natsu was totally caught off guard "huh?" he immediately noticed that he was feeling as red as her face looked 'There is no way I heard her right, she was supposed to get mad and call me a pervert or a jerk not ask me if that something I liked - granted it is cute and I totally dig the black lace... Why is my face feel so flushed she is the embarrassed one not me.'

     "Nothing! I umm... I uh - just nothing...." Lucy's brain had shut off and there was no recovering. Thankfully at this moment Levy entered the guild much to her relief. Lucy shot up off the bench "LEVY! Come here we need some help, NOW."
     Levy settled in next to Lucy and was explained the situation of the matching tattoos. After inspecting both wrists the petite bluenette headed straight to the guild library to grab some books. She returned almost as quickly as she left, after all, she knew that library like the back of her hand.
     The stack she dropped on the table was enough to keep both her and Lucy busy for a while. "Guys, I know I haven't seen anything like this before but I am thinking this has to be a magic spell for sure and not some stupid prank pulled on the two of you. I figured we could start with these books on general magic and see if this can lead us in the right direction."

     Natsu eyed the stack with panic "You know what guys, you look like you could use a snack or something let me ju-" there was no point in continuing the girls had their noses already in the books and paid no attention what so ever to the antsy Dragonslayer. He took his opportunity to head up to the bar and grab some food.
     Lucy was focused on her reading when she inhaled and her nose quickly scrunched up "Really Natsu, do you have to eat that right now?" she never bothered taking her eyes of the book because what she smelled was so gross to her she didn't even want to see it.
    "What? They are a great source of energy and vitamins. You really should give them a try, you never know maybe you will like them."
     "I will never like bananas, they are wretched sorry excuses for fruit and smell totally disgusting so hurry up and finish it already."

     Levy looked up from her book seeing Lucy sitting across from her it was only the two of them at the table "Hey Lu, who are you talking to? I am not even eating a banana."
     Lucy looked up and looked all around her, she could have sworn that Natsu was next to her eating the vile fruit just to torture him. "I am talking to Natsu, I thought he was right here."
     Levy peered over Lucy's shoulder and pointed toward the bar at the back of the guild hall "Umm... he's over there Lu." The girls looked at each other when it dawned on Lucy, she leaned in and said quietly "Hey Lev, can you smell what he is eating?" Levy also leaned in and quietly responded "No, and why are we whispering?"
     "Lev he is eating a banana, I hate bananas but why can I smell it? Also, I was just talking to him like he was right next to me, how is that possible? He should be able to hear me, ya, but there is no way I should hear him."
     "I CAN STILL HEAR YOU LUCE" Natsu shouted from his position at the bar.
     "Lu I think these are more than just cute magical tattoo's they are clearly having some effects. Why don't I get a hold of Freed to help me out. You need to go with Natsu and figure out what else is different."
     "You heard her Natsu, let's go" when she turned around he was right behind her ready and waiting. "Where to? Your place? You still got that sausage right?"
     Lucy turned and headed for the door "Ya, about that - I kinda ate it already." Natsu was a little disappointed as they opened the doors "at least I still have the bacon!" "Umm... I ate that too - sorry."