genessia | The Case of the Missing Cooki--er, Children

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The Case of the Missing Cooki--er, Children

WHO: Various Interested Parties (i.e. Anyone! Newbies, Oldbies, Applebees -- )
WHAT: The Mystery of the Missing Children!
WHEN: in...abouuuuuut... RIGHT NOW
WHERE: Fayren Woodlands and Fayren Farmlands mostly

Whoever you are, wherever you are, if you're in Genessia City or Fayren today, you may find yourself being accosted by an elderly woman in her late sixties. Her wrinkly sun baked skin is dotted with freckles, a long white braid over one shoulder with stray wisps of hair coming loose. Her posture was stooped and she walked with a slow hobble, muttering to herself and trying to get the attention of anyone who would stop.

"Sir.. Sir have you seen this girl?"

"Madame, have you seen this boy?"

"Oh poor me... poor me..."

"Wherever could they have gotten to..?"

- whenever she drew near enough to someone or if they slowed down to listen, she grabbed for their arm with a surprisingly strong grip, and spoke in a voice that was raspy.

"Such a sad fate...such poor children. Please, won't you hear me out?"

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The woman gave her name as Wuada Tuis and she solemnly informed anyone who listened to her, that several charges under her care had seemingly disappeared overnight. She and her cousin Ai Xudanon have been searching for the children (a total of six missing little ones in all) who may have been kidnapped somewhere between the farmlands and the forests in Fayren. Unfortunately they can't travel there as it is perilous for such elderly souls and won't such fine, strapping young creatures help them out kindly please. A reward of course, is offered.

[ OOC: OKAY. I'm going to be setting up multiple threads so HOLD YER HORSES <3; you can talk with the old lady, go straight on to investigate places, sit back and eat cheese or other. I encourage threadjacking because who doesn't like new CR? Also as a side note even if you didn't respond to the OOC post you can participate. The more the merrier :3 ~~I lied. You can't really sit back and eat cheese.~~ ]

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Maybe he had a positive influence from someone. After all he spent so much time around Lucy it was impossible for things to not start rubbing off from one another.

"We can use some of he sheets and blankets. We'll just buy new ones if you guys end up coming back here after it's all over."

Though to be honest Natsu would not be adverse to either building them a house at the edge of the village or even having them stay in the dorms at the guild. Surely Erza wouldn't mind. After all Fairy Tail had a history of gathering lost children.

Almost definitely. Lucy would deny it, but Natsu rubbed off on her just as much as she did on him. Padding over to the bed, Lucy started pulling the top sheet off, with Justyne helping her. Neveren glanced at Natsu, nodding as seriously as he could manage. Lucy wouldn't be surprised to see the boy show up at the guild every now and again since he'd seemed so interested when Natsu mentioned his power.

"Help me move him, Natsu." Lucy called her friend over as she laid out the blankets together with Justyne. The poor dog didn't look like he wanted to get up again, but he was watching everything with interest.

He smiled at Neveren's enthusiasm finding that it reminded him a lot of himself when he was younger. Maybe he was just projecting a bit but before he could linger on that, Lucy called him over.

"Sure thing, Lucy." Natsu said and walked up to the dog, reaching over slowly with one hand to pet him on the head.

"It's gonna be okay little guy. We're taking you and your friends somewhere safe and warm. You're gonna be running around again in no time at all. So just hang in there for a bit okay?" Natsu said, speaking the animal more softly than ever before. He didn't make a move to pick him up though. Not until he saw the reaction to having his head petted and ears scratched.

Lucy sat back against her heels, watching the dog as she cautiously reached over to tighten the bandage around his wound enough to make sure it wouldn't slip off while moving him.

When Natsu spoke, the dog responded to the tone, ears pricking up slightly. Herb whined quietly, his tail thumped twice on the floor for the scritches and pettings, and Natsu will even get a hand lick. Aw.

Moving him onto the blanket is a bit of an ordeal - though he wasn't as big as a German Shepherd or say, Saint Bernard, the animal did still whine in pain until they were able to get him onto the blanket, where he went quiet again. Lucy paused to check and make sure the dog didn't just die on them, breathing out when she got a lick on her hand for her effort as well. She ruffled the pup's fur briefly, glancing towards Natsu, "Think Erza is back yet?" Neveren was, alas too small to help carry, so he opted to make sure the way was clear.

Natsu's lips curved into a smile feeling the animal's positive response. It wasn't anything like him having a soft spot for dogs in particular. But the bond this guy had with those kids. That was something that he would do anything to protect and preserve. Even if it meant pushing himself to get them to safety and the poor dog some medical attention. He really wished Wendy was around right about now.

When he whined during the movement to the litter, Natsu put his warm hand over the bandages trying to provide some comfort to ease the pain. After that was done he turned to Lucy and frowned for a moment. "Why not try calling her before we set off?"

It was really something, watching Natsu interacting with the children and their dog. Lucy smiled softly, watching him the entire while, But before her thoughts could go in a "weird" direction, she shook her head a little, focusing on a more serious topic.

"Okay." Again, she picked up the video phone and started to reach out for their friend. Her smile turned into a frown for a second as she was unable to reach Erza again. "... She's still not responding."

BOY Lucy hoped she hadn't called while Erza was trying to be all stealthy or something. She slipped the phone back and seized hold of the blanket. "Maybe she damaged her phone."

It was a rare sight to be sure. But one Lucy could treasure and look back on in reference. For Natsu though he was only acting natural as far as he was concerned.

When Erza failed to pick up again he let out a sign and stood up for a moment, eying the kids and the dog. Just carrying that brave companion would slow them down and if they ran into any more beasts it would make the fighting harder. That was when an idea hit Natsu.

"Hey. WHy don't you use the clock spirit to transport them, Lucy?!" Again fancy names were not his forte.

"Eh? Do you mean Horologium?" Truly Natsu's difficulty with fancy names was legendary. Though in all fairnessLucy looked thoughtful, eyeing their new temporary charges. ".. I don't think he'll be able to carry all three of them, but, maybe Neveren and Herb. It should work." She glanced towards the window. The kids -had- mentioned that there was a monster, hadn't they.

It would be better to transport the injured animal that way, and Neveren might not be able to keep up with the pace they set- especially if the creature made an appearance while they were leaving. "Good idea."

Plus Neveren was already so fascinated by magic, he'd be thorougly excited to travel inside a celestial spirit that resembled a grandfather clock.

"That's more than enough. Justyne's is a tough girl after all so she can keep up with us no problem." Or he'll pick her up and carry her if nothing tries to attack them.

"Now look close you two. YOu're gonna see something really cool!" He said to the children before Lucy could summon her spirit.

Justyne and Neveren glance at Natsu curiously, but as told, they both watch Lucy as she grins, drawing out her key and summoning the clock spirit. Neveren of course, was the most enthusiastic about the display, bouncing on his toes and exclaiming just how cool that was, and where'd it come from and is it really a clock and and and -!!

Lucy had to fend his questions off with a giggle, whereas his sister was more awed than gushing about the demonstration. "..That was really cool." She had to admit that to herself. Wizards are awesome kay.

Lucy grinned over at Natsu briefly, then turned to the boy. "Okay Neveren. You and Herb can get inside Horologium - it'll be a little cramped, but you'll both be safe, and it's warm too."

A few minutes later (and some shuffling about) and Horologium had two passengers, and the small party was safe to move out. Justyne started down the stairs first, but it wasn't until they were outside that she scooted over to Natsu's side, glancing up at him for a moment, then at the ground.

"...Um... I'm.. sorry I tried to stab you."

There was something heartwarming about watching the two children gush over Lucy's magic. Something that called to him at an instinctive level. Before he could dwell on that however he had to put Herb inside Horologium carefully.

He gently closed the glass door and straightened up before he felt the presence by his side. Oh she was apologizing.

He reached over and patted the top of Justyne's head with a big smile.

"It's okay. I've had way worse than that before. Besides you were just trying to protect your dear brother. No one can blame you for that."

Justyne kicked her foot at a rock sheepishly, and then glanced behind her back the way they came, one hand scratching at the rash on her arm. ".... are you sure you can beat the monster if it comes for us?"

From behind them, where Lucy is walking along side Horologium, her videophone suddenly starts ringing, and she lets out a sigh of relief.

Natsu stayed next to Justyne since out of all of them she was the most at risk if the monsters chose to come out. When she questioned his ability to kick monster ass he just smiled confidently.

"You bet. I've beaten really strong bad guys before. A monster is no trouble at all!" Natsu said with a nod before he looked up to where Lucy had received a call.

"Was that Erza?"

Lucy nodded, grinning. "She said to bring Justyne, Neveren and Herb to the guild. She's going to finish up where she is, and then she's going to look for the old woman. She said that we should probably assume that that woman isn't who she said she was."

She's about to go on when... the air shifts, bringing with it a sudden storm of leaves, twigs and dust kicked up from the ground. It also brings with it a scent very unlike the mud men from before, but it's heading in their direction. Very, very faintly, one may be able to hear giggling, and in a singsong voice, "Oh Chiiiiildreeeeeennnnn.. o/~"

Luckily many in the party don't have certain enhanced senses, and haven't heard that. Lucy and Justyne were more concerned with keeping the dust and leaves out of their eyes.

"Heh. As if she needed to tell us that. Still I told you she'd be okay." Natsu said with a grin that slipped shortly after.

He felt it instinctively before the first gust buffetted them. And then ever so faintly he heard it. Those two words that for some reason made his blood boil It should have been obvious that something had pissed off the Dragonslayer as he'd stopped in his tracks and the air around him had started heating up considerably.

"It's coming." He growled and immediately his fist were lit ablaze.

"Lucy, watch after Justyne."

Wow, he actually went from 0 to Fury in under a minute. Their pursuer should feel proud. As the air started getting warmer, Lucy immediately looked at Natsu as he cautioned her to look after the kids, "Natsu--?"

Oh. Oh damn. Neveren didn't catch what the Dragon Slayer said, but Justyne did, and she already starts backing away. "We have to run!" Why won't he run? Lucy wasn't running either, for that matter, directing Horologium to move behind her.

The wind kicks up a little more, and then it becomes visible, through the high grass of the fields in the distance shifting as something big moves through it until it emerges - the body of a massive serpent, it's more long than it is big, the width of the tail twice the height of an average man, and the end of the beast still not in sight. Despite it's size it moves surprisingly quickly, circling around the house they just left and lifting itself taller. "Heheehe, come out and play children, won't you -- I won't hurt you... much.."

Coiled around the house, the snake tightened its body for a second, the house groaning under the pressure until it collapsed into a pile of planks and stone. "Hrm... I thought for sure -" And then it notices Natsu and his crew, tongue flicking out to taste the air briefly. "My... you look good enough to eat."

"We can't run. This thing's fast. Just trust me and stay by Lucy." Natsu's tone wasn't as kind or warm as it had been in the house but then he had to make sure the girl did as she was told. His eyes widened though when that thing came out in the open. A snake. A giant snake. However the realization of what it was going to do struck one moment too late as the structure was broken as if it was made out of matches and twigs. That...that thing would have...while the kids and their dog were still in there.

"You bastard!" Natsu growled and the flames around his body flared up brighter along with his rage. It would have killed the children. Defenseless as they were.

"We're not on the menu you asshole!" Still he didn't fly in fists blazing just yet. No he had to wait for Lucy and the others to make it a little farther ahead.

Justyne was tempted to make a break for it anyway - well, no, no she wasn't. Herb and her brother were being protected. Still she was terrified, and when she saw the snake, she immediately ducked behind Lucy.

The snake's tongue flicked again at the air, tittering a giggle that was way too feminine for a monster like that. "Huuhuhu, what are you so upset about? It's just an empty house." Now. The snake's head swayed back and forth as its body started to uncoil again, rolling over the remains of the house and crushing bits of it under its weight.

"Don't tell me you have some sort of sentimentality for something that could be destroyed as easily as that. Aah..haahaa, your anger looks delicious, mm. What a pity you are so unenlightened. Everyone is on the menu, from you, to those children.. and your pretty little friend there." Its mouth hung open in a wider laugh as the beast started moving a little closer, fangs dripping with venom. "Humans taste best when they're young."

Oh great a sadistic snake bitch. Natsu was beginning to like her more and more. And by like he meant want to see burned into a pile of ash. "The only thing you'll get to taste is my flames. But before that. What did you do with the rest of the kids?" He already knew the answer but he still had to ask. If anything to save time from having to look for them as well as giving him even more reasons to unleash an inferno on this cold blooded fiend.

"Kids? Ohh, don't talk to me about children, you'll make me hungry all over again..." The snake answered, hissing a laugh. "Such succulent, soft, deliciousssssssss meat. Ssso sad that such small portions are hardly filling."

"I sssuppose you'll never know, hmm?" The snake lowered its head until it was almost directly in front of the Dragon Slayer, its tongue quickly 'snaking' out to try and get a taste of some yummy Natsu.

Natsu's lowered his head a little until his bangs shadowed his eyes. So Justyne and Neveren were the last. "I see. Then it was also you who attacked the dog wasn't it?" Was that a spark that just appeared behind his back? No certainly not.

The snake reared back again with a scoff, "What if I did? It's just a dog - they don't even taste good. It serves the worthless animal right for dying, biting me like that." The snake laughs again. "Any creature that becomes subservient to a human deserves nothing less than death."

The only ones who had a chance to see Natsu's move were those watching from behind him. His anger seemed to explode and with it, lightning started mixing in with his flames. However Natsu didn't stop there.

He didn't want to hear another word from the wretched creature. So he launched himself at the Snake. Hie then threw his enhanced fist forward aiming straight for the Snake's jaw for an explosive uppercut.

Well! The snakey didn't even get to see Natsu move - and even for Lucy and her group, it was almost too quick for them to follow. Almost. They can't hear the conversation at that range but Lucy could tell that it was something pretty bad.

There is a very satisfying feel from that lightning punch meeting something solid. The creature reels back with the hit, hissing angrily. It retaliates, swinging its body back around to strike Natsu with the side of its body, using its body like a club to slam into him. "That actually hurt boy. But you'll have to do better than that."

He propped both arms to the side when the counter came forcing the tail into a halt after it pushed him only a little to the side. This snake was big but he was no Droma Anim. His fingers clamped around the scale body like talons and he looked up, fire and wrath in his green eyes.

"I'm glad. Because you didn't even get to taste the tip of the pain you've brought you shitty snake!" He blasted fire and lightning through his hands into the snake's body before he moved to start spinning the damn thing.

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