Time Changes Everything

Meeting the Family

   The mission wasn't hard, as expected, just exciting as they finished it in no time at all. The man as Lucy expected was overreacting and the only thing that got out of hand was the drinking and dancing, something Lucy was utterly baffled by. She was actually looking forward to staying afterwards to explore Bosco for what it really was, and with a native along for the ride, she was able to learn and adapt rather quickly. The new area also came with a lot of new scents and sights to take in, which she enjoyed immensely. Bickslow liked to watch her as she found something new about his home country that she enjoyed and made it his mission while they were together to make her as happy as possible while they were there. 

   Being back at home, his first thought was to go visit his family, but he wasn't too sure if that was a great idea with Lucy tagging along. His father had been pushing him towards settling down and Bickslow didn't want his old man getting the wrong idea. Lucy wasn't his and he didn't really want her to be, he was far too young to settle down with anyone, at least in his opinion anyway. Lucy had managed to finagle the information out of him that he had multiple siblings, both of which were mages. She was ecstatic at the information. She begged and pleaded Bickslow to go and visit to and he quotes, "bond with the bros". He shook his head disapprovingly at that one. 

   It only took a few hours of constant begging on Lucy's part for him to cave, her puppy eyes were phenomenal. Bickslow was sweating from head to toe as they made their way up to the rather large manor in front of them. Lucy's jaw had long since dropped as they pulled up to the gated entrance and was beeped in by some butler at the door as soon as Bickslow introduced himself. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Bickslow explained on the way to the front door -which took quite awhile mind you- that his family was...important as he said. He didn't elaborate on it and judging from the awkward look on his face, Lucy didn't pry. 

   The large front doors opened inward as they made their way up the steps into the foyer. A large chandelier hung over their heads and glistened in the sunlight that poured in from the large windows. The floor was made of marble, a crisp white that shimmered as the light hit it. The walls were a deep green in color, giving the place an almost earthy feel despite how clean it was. The scent of something exotic hit her nose and she saw a large man turn a corner and step into the entryway. His booming laugh had Lucy smiling as he swooped Bickslow up into his arms, welcoming him back home. 

   "How ya been boy? I see you brought someone with you, a girlfriend perhaps?" The man waggled his thick eyebrows at his son, who flushed a deep red before rubbing at his neck. 

   "Not exactly Pa, this is Lucy, she's from my guild and took a request from here. Invited me along to give her a tour of the country." Bickslow mumbled, his face growing hotter as Lucy giggled behind him. 

   "Good day sir, Lucy Heartfilia. Thank you for hospitality." Lucy curtsied, earning a large grin from the man before he too, swept the blonde in for a hug. 

   "Any friend of my son is a friend of mine, welcome to Bosco Lucy! My name is Auldo, but you can call me Pa." The man set the blonde down on the ground pulling Bickslow up next to him before he led the two further into the house and into a large lounge.

   Two other men were perched on chairs that sat around a large wooden coffee table. A fire was roaring in the brick fireplace that made the room warm. Lucy scented the air, her nose picking up on something familiar. 

   "One of you is a dragon slayer." She blurted out, catching the attention of the two males sitting in the room. 

   Both of their eyes shot over to her, making her flush under their piercing stares. One of them raised their brow in interest, his deep red eyes flashing in mischief as he seemingly melted in midair. The disappearance of the male had Lucy's instincts flaring up, her eyes easily scanning her surroundings before she spotted movement within the shadows that were dancing along the walls.

   'So he's a shadow mage...interesting.' Lucy hummed to herself, watching as the shadow slowly inched towards her.

   Before the man could react, Lucy flung her hand out to grasp at what she hoped was his shirt and pulled him out of his element. When the man came tumbling to the floor, his eyes wide as he stared up at her, Lucy smiled down at him and held a hand out to him. 

   "My name's Lucy, I'm a dragon slayer and celestial mage." She introduced herself, watching as his eyes only widened before he took her hand, a small grin spreading across his face before he pulled her in towards his chest to hug her.

   "Welcome to our home Kitten, name's Vander sweetheart, but you can call me anytime." The man's thick accent sent chills down Lucy's spine and she could only nod as he spun her around in his arms and led her to the couch he was reclining on earlier. 

   The other man in the room she didn't know was still eyeing her, something the blonde didn't miss.

   "Since Vander is a shadow mage, that would make you the dragon slayer wouldn't it? What's your element?" Lucy asked inquisitively.

   "Lunar slayer magic." He responded curtly, his gaze quickly averting from hers as he looked to the fire.

   "That's similar to mine, no wonder I picked up on it so fast. What's your name?" Lucy tilted her head, hoping to catch his gaze once more. 

   "Cristoff. You can call me Criss." He muttered, his pale skin flushed red slightly. 

   "Alright Criss it is then." Lucy hummed in content as she shifted further into the couch. "This is so comfortable, what's it made of?" 

   "Bear fur Cheerleader." Bickslow chuckled, watching as Lucy paled ever so slightly before standing, brushing off her skirt as she made to stand next to the seith mage. 

   "I think I'll stand here next to you, poor bear." She muttered as an afterthought, her hand going to rest in the bend of Bickslow's elbow. 

   The man only shook his head, smiling down at the embarrassed look that etched it's way onto her face. 

   They spend the rest of the day chatting comfortably with Bickslow's family. Lucy learned that his father was in fact an ambassador for his country, something that didn't shock the blonde once so ever. The man was so welcoming and hardy she couldn't picture the man doing anything else. She managed to form a deep friendship with both of Bickslow's brother's as well as his dad and when they were standing back at the entrance of their abode, she made a promise to visit again soon. 

   They waved to the three in the doorway as they made their way back to their inn, ready to crash for the day. Tomorrow they would set out and check out all the magic stores in the city, looking for keys for the blonde before they headed back to Magnolia to reunite with their family.