The Shadows of Tragedy

Chapter 11

An hour later Erza gathered up Laxus, Cana, and Lucy together in the living room to introduce them to Gray. She said that he was a distant cousin from Stella who would be moving in with them. At first they doubted that he really was a relative but once they saw how much he resembled their ancestor in the oil painting all doubt was erased.

"I just can't get over it." Lucy said. "You look exactly like the man in the portrait. You even have his name."

"Tragic lack of imagination on my parents part but they held a lot of deep respect for my family history." Gray said. "Am I right to assume that you're another cousin of mine?"

"Not really no. My name is Lucy. Lucy Heartfilia and I'm not Erza's sister. I'm her stepsister."

"Really? You could have fooled me. After all you both have such pretty brown eyes."

Lucy blushed and smiled, feeling very charmed by the young man's words.

"Gray this is my cousin and yours Laxus Dreyar." Erza said.

"It's very nice to make your acquaintance cousin Laxus." Gray said holding out his hand to shake with the blonde man. Laxus took the hand and shook it but he looked at Gray suspiciously.

"Mr. Fullbuster I don't mean to be rude but I'm confused." Laxus said.

"By my visit?"

"By you. You see I know our lineage and unless I'm missing something you must've fallen off the family tree."

"Families grow apart but the blood ties remain the same." He turned to his gaze to Cana. "And who's this good looking lady?"

"This is Dr. Cana Alberona. Our live in therapist." Erza said.

"A woman doctor? What an age this is."

"Excuse me?" Cana said.

"Women don't really get into the medical field where he's from." Erza said.

"And where did you say you you're from again?" Laxus asked.

"Stella."

"Which part?"

"Altair. Wonderful city. You really should visit it sometime."

"What brings you to Magnolia?" Lucy asked.

"I recently arrived here on some business and after learning that my family had so much history here I decided that it would be best if I lived here. I have already made plans to move into the old house that my ancestor had lived in with his family."

"Good luck. It's boarded up and the keys are gone." Laxus said.

"That's not much of problem considering I have the keys and the deed to the house."

"You do? But how?"

"Both were passed down to me from my family. My older relatives always said that if I was to ever live in Magnolia they would prefer that I live in our ancestral home and I couldn't agree more."

"So you're going to live in that spook house?" Lucy asked.

"I am and of course you all are welcome to move in with me. If you'd like that is."

"I think it would be best if we did." Erza said. "It's a bigger house, plenty of room space, Natsu wouldn't have to sleep outside in that shack anymore."

"If you were to open up that house again the mortgage would cost us all an arm and a leg."

"Cost is no issue." Gray chuckled. "I will cover every expense regarding the house and any other financial problem."