The Shadows of Tragedy

Chapter 20

Erza gave Juvia the night off on Friday. She had originally planned to spend her evening reading a romance novel but Lucy had other plans.

"You need a night out." The blonde told her. "Why don't you come with me to the tavern?"

"I don't know." Juvia said. "I've never really fit in at bars and places like that."

"It's not a bar. It's a fairly nice place. Most of the people who go there are very friendly and you can meet Mirajane."

"Who's she?"

"A waitress who works there and one of my best friends. She's really sweet and welcoming."

"I...I suppose it wouldn't hurt to go there. I haven't really been out since I came here. Why not?"

"Great."

So the two young women went to the tavern and just as Lucy had said it a very nicely built place. The people there were very friendly. They sat at a table and was greeted by a very pretty and attractive waitress with long white hair.

"Hi Lucy." She greeted with smile.

"Hello Mirajane. I'd like you to meet Juvia. She's the new governess Erza hired." Lucy introduced.

"Nice to see a new face in here." Mirajane said. "Can I get you two anything?"

"I'll take a martini." Lucy said.

"Just tea please." Juvia said.

"Coming right up." Mirajane went in the back to get their drinks.

"You were right is it a nice place." Juvia told Lucy. "Does Erza or anyone else from the house come here?"

"Erza doesn't get out much but Cana's a frequent visitor. You know this place is owned by Laxus's and Erza's grandfather Makarov. He's a sweet old guy. I've always liked him."

"Is he close with the family?"

"Yes but he's recently been having some health problems. Poor man has been in and out of the hospital for God knows how long."

"That's terrible."

"Yeah. Mirajane's been running the place while he's recovering."

"I hope he gets better."

"He will. He may be old but he's still young at heart."  Lucy said. "So on a different subject how are you liking it here in Magnolia?"

"I haven't been to a lot of the places here but I love working for your sister."

"Stepsister." Lucy corrected. "Is Romeo giving you any trouble?"

"Oh no. Not at all. I mean sometimes he does act unreasonable but that's how all children are. He's a very sweet boy and everyone in the house is so kind to me. There's nothing really bothering me... Except..."

"What?"

"It's nothing."

"Come on you can tell me."

"It's just that... Recently I've been having these strange dreams."

"Well when you live in a creepy old house nightmares aren't uncommon."

"They're not nightmares Lucy. They're just...I don't know how to explain it. But in the dreams I'm still living in the house but I'm with different people, my clothes are different, I even go by a different name. I'm still me but I'm just different and there are these two people in my dreams who I feel like play a big part in my life."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know who they are and I can't make out their faces but I can feel their emotions toward me. I feel like the first person loves me so much and only wants to protect me but I feel like the second person hates me and wants to hurt me. It's all so confusing."