Façade | Jerza

28 | Love, How Inconvenient

"I need one of you to transform into a child, hurry!" Erza demanded, growling at Macao and Wakaba.

Another high-pitched voice put Erza particularly on edge, especially when it came as a threat.

"You shouldn't have lied to Jellal. I might not be so merciful and inform him of your little plan later today." Evergreen laughed, waving her fan elegantly.

"Tell him, and I promise you won't be at the S-Class Trials tomorrow." Erza vowed lowly.

Bickslow got defensive suddenly, and Freed knew better than to blackmail her. Evergreen stepped back instinctively, before grimacing at whoever made eye contact with her.

Macao transformed into Romeo, gleaming at his son's replicated arm.

"Is this alright?"

Erza facepalmed, "No, Macao. It has to be a random child that Jellal has never seen."

Why exactly was Erza forcing people in the guild to act like a family?

It started with Jellal informing her he wanted to meet Eugene's temporary caretakers before they left for Tenrou Island, since the two would depart earlier than the other mages.

It was only a two day trip, and he was this anxious. Sometimes Erza could never imagine Jellal being this overprotective.

"I can't transform into a kid I've never seen!" he put his hands up in surrender when Erza growled at the lack of cooperation.

"Then go out there and look for children."

"Nah, that's just creepy. They're going to think Macao has a thing for little kids." Wakaba protested, inhaling his pipe.

"Just survey Magnolia until you find some cute children to impersonate."

How hard was it to coordinate a cosplay for five mere minutes?

Erza signalled for Evergreen to come over, who was stiffly obeying now that Erza threatened her.

Macao left with a sigh while Evergreen stood in front of Erza, with an almost petrifying glare, as Elfman liked to call it.

"You're going to be wearing these clothes." Erza held out a frilly brown dress with a white apron at the front.

"So basically, you want me to dress up as a housewife." Evergreen grumbled unpleasantly.

"At least someone gets the memo, but it's only temporary."

Evergreen snatched the dress from Erza and with a huff, marched into the guildhall's bathroom. Macao returned as a little girl with blonde hair, causing Wakaba to jump out of his seat.

Erza nodded approvingly. "Good enough, and Evergreen's blonde wig will compliment the child Macao is impersonating."

Bickslow hummed in deep thought, "Hey Erza, doesn't the mother have two of these children?"

"We'll just say the older son is gone someplace." Erza said, brushing it off as an insignificant detail. "Oh, and don't forget to flatter Jellal. Maybe he'll be less observant and caught off-guard with a few compliments."

"Compliments? Got it," Freed said curtly, suffocating in his outfit.

Freed donned a suit and tie, with his hair bunched beneath a black wig. Of all things, playing the role of husband with Evergreen was the last thing he wanted to do.

He certainly felt bad for Elfman, who was stuck with her as his partner for the trials.

"I'm ready," Evergreen sang, fixing the wig onto her head.