feral | sting eucliffe

XXI | TTAF

Episode 21: To The Ajisai Festival!

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"DO I HAVE TO DRESS NICELY?" Y/n questioned, watching Chase help her with her yukata. He'd already gotten his on. His white hair which was usually a ruffled mess was slicked back by the use of some gel. He had a black yukata on, white kanji trailing down it along with white fans spread randomly on the cloth's design.

Y/n's was more feminine compared to his. It was white with a light pink band in the middle, multiple lavender flowers scattered across the fabric. It was still very beautiful, just something she wasn't used to. Sting had gotten her two white flowers earlier when they left the butterfly garden, revealing that he'd picked them from the bushes.

Now, they were sitting in her hotel room. Chase noticed them, a small smile on his lips as he cared for his little sister. "Stay still," He warned. Y/n pouted, hating how she had to stay still and be a practical statuette for him to finish his work. Whining like a child, she gripped the soft cloth of the yukata. "Just hurry up, Chase!"

Rolling his orange eyes at her antics, he grabbed the two large white roses before doing her hair in a messy side bun on her left side, pinning the white roses into the design. "There," He smiled proudly, glad that he had been able to get that far without her potentially ruining anything. "It's really pretty, Chase," She commented, smiling peacefully.

 He cracked a grin, placing his hands on his hips as he winked. "Because I made it." She giggled at his behavior before leaving a kiss on his cheek and walking out of the hotel room. Chase turned his head when Nikos called out to him, having trouble with his own outfit. Nikos's was a bit different, having white rims and white snakes with red eyes on the cloth as well.

After helping him pin it in place, the two boys walked out to see Akane who had somehow managed to get hers on herself without any problem. She wore an indigo colored yukata that was dotted with vanilla flowers, her hair undone, but loose and combed. Heading downstairs to the hotel lobby, they were met by some of Sabertooth's members.

Minerva was already there and she wore a blue yukata of her own. It lacked any design other than the white fur trims, but she looked absolutely stunning. "The rest of Fairy Tail said they'd meet us at the festival area," Minerva said, fixing her lipstick before she used her space-time magic to get rid of it. 

Rogue, who had made his appearance as well had a black yukata with white rims, red dragons running across the clothing. "Sting'll be a bit late. Yukino's helping him with his yukata. Rufus and Orga already there, however." He announced as they left the hotel entrance, heading over to the festival area. 

Y/n felt slightly uneasy when Rogue said that, but pushed it aside. She didn't understand the feeling that she felt, but she didn't want to waste the time on it either. Y/n grew distracted when Nikos put an arm around her shoulder, winking at her. "Hey, don't let your senses get too overloaded tonight, got it?" He referred to the festival.

She softly smiled, nodding. "You too," He kept his arm around her shoulders, but she didn't mind. After passing the Sabertooth Guild Hall, Sting and Yukino had burst out and joined the group. Sting had a golden yellow yukata on with white rims and a similar dragon design, but in white. Yukino had a white yukata with silvery wisps designing it, a pink flower in her hair.

Once reunited with them, Nikos had gone up ahead, talking to someone about something. Y/n didn't really pay attention to what he was doing, only remembering the feeling of his grip loosening around her arms. Falling into the flank of their little group, she stalked behind them as a little bird landed on her finger, entertaining her.

Petting the feathery top of the bird's head, she smiled as the bird pecked at her finger playfully. "A bird?" Y/n jolted upright, caught off guard by Sting's amusing question. The bird flew off in a flurry, getting surprised as well. A small pout formed her lips as Sting apologetically laughed, "Sorry. I didn't think that would happen."

"It's fine," She smiled sweetly. "I'm sure I can lure in some kind of other bird." Y/n looked over to him, tilting her head. Sting shrugged before making jazz hands childishly, "With your magic animal talking powers," He joked, making her giggle as she covered her mouth with the large sleeve of her yukata.

He cleared his throat, looking up ahead. "Did you know?" His words made her look over to him, e/c eyes holding a vibrant shine of sheer curiosity as she blinked at him, waiting for him to continue. He smiled, staring at the slightly starry sky. "The Ajisai flower is meant to represent gratitude and apologies."

Y/n blinked, her lips upturning as she beamed. "Fitting for our situation, don't you think? A quad of felons heading for a festival of a flower meant to represent apologies and gratitude. Fate has its ways, doesn't it?" She mused softly, seeing the glowing blue bushel of hydrangeas from afar. Sting turned towards her, grinning. "This is the most I've heard you talk." He pointed out.

Instantly, her cheeks turned red as she fell quiet again. Hiding part of her face behind her yukata's right sleeve, she refused to say another word. He quickly scrambled for a more accurate explanation, stumbling over his own words. "No- I—" He tapped his foot, not walking with the group anymore as he stood. Y/n stopped as well, knowing he was trying to address her.

Awkwardly clearing his throat and reaching a hand behind his neck to scratch it out of pure nerves, "—I meant that it's good. I mean, you're opening up. T-That's good." She flinched slightly. Although he didn't mean any harm and his words were powered by good intentions, it was one of the phrases he had chosen that made her wince.

Sting noticed, the pit of guilt deepening, but he knew he could only push her to talk so far. Grabbing her wrist, he tugged her along as she ran alongside him. She grew confused at first before seeing his other hand reach to the sky and point, a big grin on his lips. "C'mon! The festival's starting!"