The Story of Nashi Dragneel

We're Here to Help

I couldn't believe I was stuck in a mission with Salamander. We both walked to where we were supposed to meet the parents of the lost girl awkwardly. Neither of us said a word to each other. I was too stubborn to make conversation with him. Happy wasn't here for reasons unknown, but I was sure the old man had something to do with it.

While I was anxious and irritated with Salamander's presence on this mission, I was also excited that I was one step closer to finding Mom. I frowned. If she was still alive...

'Don't think like that, kid.'

I ignored Loke and dwelled on my depressing thoughts.  How could I not? Mom didn't have what they wanted if that's why they kidnapped her, and if it was for revenge, there was no way they'd keep her hostage for a month. 

I sniffled and wiped away the premature tears from my eyes. I didn't want to think about what happened to Mom. I only wanted to focus on revenge.

"Are you okay?" Salamander asked. I was pulled away from my brooding thoughts and I glanced at him. "I know this has something to do with finding your mom, and I know you don't like me that much, but let's try to make this team thing work, okay? It's just for this one mission."

I sighed, "Yeah, I guess that's fine."

Salamander grinned widely.

"Wow, I didn't think you'd agree to that so quickly."

Before we could reach an awkward silence once again, we arrived at the lost girl's mansion. Salamander banged on the door impatiently. I gaped at him in shock.

"What do you think you're doing?! There's a doorbell, you know!" I hissed, pointing to this shiny gold doorbell. 

"We've gotta find your mom as quick as possible, right? No time to lose," he reasoned, and continued to bang on the door. I was at a complete loss for words. I couldn't tell if this was endearing or idiotic. 

In the end, I hit his head as hard as I could and rang the doorbell properly. Meanwhile, he recovered from the blow in the corner. 

Promptly, an old man with a push broom mustache and shiny head opened the door and scrutinized us. 

"We're from Fairy Tail. We're here to take on the job of finding this family's lost daughter," I explained. 

He sighed and began to close the door, "I'm sorry, but the masters have decided to cancel the request. Good day."

"Hey, wait--!" I exclaimed, my hope withering. 

Salamander grabbed the door before the old man could close it. He glared darkly, causing the old man to perspire.

"Sorry, but we can't take your word for it. We're going to have to see the people who initiated the request," he said. The old man frowned and looked down. He then sighed and opened the door further. Salamander finally let go, smiling a bit.

"Follow me."

The old man led us through confusing and circling passages. I wasn't sure where I was anymore, and there was such a strong scent around the mansion that I didn't think I could ever find my way out again. Salamander probably thought the same, as he was holding his nose while we walked through hallway after hallway.

Finally, we reached a grand sitting room with two large windows open, allowing for the perfume smell to air out. Salamander raced to the window and inhaled largely, sighing in relief. The old man looked at him weird.

"Stay here while I fetch the masters," he drawled, then closed the door sharply.

I sat in a cream-colored arm chair and looked around the room. It must have been bigger than my house. I had no idea what a little girl growing up in this environment was doing by herself in the heart of Magnolia. Even weirder was why her parents took back the request. I wondered if they had already found their daughter. That would be good, but would leave me at a dead end.