It was a beautiful Saturday morning, and a rare calm day for Lucy. No calls from work, her ex finally kicked out of her apartment and it was about time she spent the day with her best friend. "Let's go Sherlock!" she called as she pulling her long golden hair into a pony tail.
From around the corner a young black Labrador came running. He shoved his nose into Lucys shoe as she tried to pull it on, causing her to laugh. "I have to get my shoes on before we can go!" Sherlock obediently sat and waited patiently, his tail thumping excitedly on the floor. Once her shoes were on she picked up his leash and snapped it to his collar.
The pair headed out of the first floor apartment room and out into the sunny day. It was a special day for them, as well as the other dog owners in Magnolia. It was the opening of the new dog park downtown. As a veterinarian, Lucy was one of the first to hear about it, and had been excitedly waiting for almost a year for it to open. The owners, a young newlywed couple, had talked to her about different things that were dangerous for dogs so they could make sure it was a safe place for them. She was more than happy to help.
The park wasn't far from her apartment, and it was hard to miss the large expanse of open green grass and the clumps of trees scattered through the park. The entire area was fenced so people could let their dogs off leash and there would be no worries of any dog running into the streets, as long as the gate remained closed.
At said gate, a welcome table was up with a sign and dozens of bags of dog treats and toys. A young white haired woman smiled at her from behind the table. "Dr.Heartfilia! So glad you made it!"
Lucy smiled, " I wouldn't miss it Lisanna. And you can call me Lucy."
Lisanna giggled, "Sorry, it's a habit. Bix is going around with Bane inside, making sure everyone behaves themselves. Missy is keeping me company today." She reached down, scratching the ears of the gold Pomeranian at her feet.
"You couldn't have better company. Hello Missy," Lucy greeted as she poked her head out from under the table. She gave Missy a scratch behind the ears before taking the offered goodie bag from Lisanna.
Lucy and Sherlock made their way inside, the spring gate gently swinging closed behind them. Though it was early, Lucy wasn't the first one there. She could make out two blue haired women speaking together while they watched their dogs play. One was a white poodle, and the other a large Alaskan malamute, she couldn't tell whose was whose. There was also a Scarlet haired woman who seemed to be waiting for someone, and she had two dogs at her side. One, a calm looking Doberman, and the other a scarred looking gray pit-bull who stuck close to the womans legs.
Lucy unhooked Sherlocks leash and dug through the goodie bag as he shook. She grinned at him, "Look what I've got," she held up a tennis ball from inside the bag and he seemed to smile up at her. His tail began wagging so fast his whole butt moved side to side. Lucy took a step and threw the ball as hard as she could, and Sherlock took off like a shot after it. She laughed and jogged away from the gate. They spent the next thirty minutes making their way around the park, before Sherlock made his way into the small pond near the back of the park.
Lucy sat at the edge of the lake, taking a look around the park. It had quickly filled, people there to enjoy the warm day. She was startled out of her thoughts by a cold nose in her ear, and she was face to face with a golden Labrador.
"Watson! Don't be rude! Sorry about him," a deep voice said, pulling the happy dog away.
Lucy looked up to a tall, tan skinned man who smiled apologetically at her. He had shoulder length pink hair that was pulled back into a small pony tail, and deep onyx eyes. His dog sat on his feet as he watched her, his tail wagging quickly.
Lucy giggled lightly, "Don't worry about it, it's a dog park! That's what I get for sitting on the ground." She grinned, "And did you say his name is Watson?"
The man chuckled and pat the dogs head, who woofed happily. "That's right."
"Well then," she whistled, and Sherlock came sprinting out of the pond, flopping his wet self onto her lap." May I introduce Sherlock."
There was a beat of silence as they looked at each other, before they burst into laughter. The dogs barked happily along as Lucy stood and held out her hand. "I'm Lucy."
The man grinned and shook her hand. "I'm Natsu."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I think I'm a bit early Simon." Erza said down to her Doberman, who was laying on his back with his feet in the air. He mearly snorted, stretching before rolling onto his stomach. She had only seen two other people arrive since she had been there, a blonde woman and a pink haired man.
Being so early wasn't a total loss though, she decided. Baby, the pit-bull curled around her feet, had adjusted and finally quit shaking, though she refused to move from her spot. The poor girl had been rescued from a fighting ring, and had been used as a bait dog. She still bore scars, but she was finally eating and most of her wounds were healed. Today, she was going to be meeting her new owner, and start her mental rehabilitation. There was only one problem.
Baby was afraid of men.
"Sorry I'm late Miss.Scarlet," a voice called, causing Baby to shake slightly again.
Erza turned to see Officer Jellal Fernandez, the officer who found the fight ring, and had decided to adopt Baby. He knew about Babys fear, and wanted to work with Erza, who was a dog trainer, to try and help Baby. So they decided to meet at the park, out in the open so Baby wouldn't feel crowded or trapped.
"Good morning officer, you can call me Erza. It's alright, we got here early so she could get acclimated."
He smiled slightly, "Jellal, please. How's Baby doing today?" He stayed at a safe distance, not wanting to scare her.
"She's doing better, still a bit scared." She carefully reached down to pet Baby behind the ears. "If you sit, you wont be as intimidating."
Jellal slowly sat, not questioning her and making himself seem smaller. Baby looked up at him and whined slightly, burying her nose into Erzas boot.
"Hey there sweetheart," Jellal quietly said. "I remember you. You look so much better." There he sat, quietly talking to Baby for the next ten minutes. Erza stayed where she was, not wanting to startle Baby who had once again stopped shaking.
When Baby lifted her head again to look at Jellal, Erza smiled, "Looks like she remembers you too. There might be hope for you yet."
