Familiar Places. Familiar Faces.

[scarletrequip]

Who: Erza and members of Fairy Tail
Where: Fayren - Fairy Tail Guild Hall
When: Morning of March 25th
What: Erza's Return
Warnings: Likely mild violence?

The memories were hazy but she definitely remembered having been in the city before. Even as she stepped through the gate, the names came rushing back. The place she had come from was Genessia City and this was Fayren. She couldn't quite recall how long ago it had been but once upon a time Erza Scarlet had lived in this city.

She walked the streets, a certain familiarity guiding her steps toward a, at that moment, unknown destination. Erza recalled the town being a bustling center of activity but now it felt somewhat diminished like a shadow had crept over it. She may have dismissed it as her imagination if she hadn't passed numerous patrols on her way out of the town. No, something was definitely wrong here.

By the time she'd reached the outskirts of town most of her memories had returned. She knew exactly where she was headed...

Fairy Tail.

She had no way of knowing how long it had been, but Erza hoped that the Guild Hall was still standing. Her hopes were rewarded when she came upon the familiar building though she was surprised to see so many people wandering nearby. She didn't recognize any of them. Were they guests or intruders? They didn't seem to be up to anything shady. The Fairy Tail guild mark was still present upon the structure, so in Erza's mind, the building was still property of the guild. If she discovered that these people hadn't been invited Erza wouldn't tolerate trespassers.

"What's going on here? You aren't members of the Guild but I expect you all have a very good reason for being here, yes?" She bellowed.

Comments

[celestial_wizard]

Lucy had been resting in one of the rooms upstairs, taking advantage of the momentary respite after they'd helped capture the person responsible for hurting Levy. And blowing up that woman's house also. It'd been a few days but she knew better than to expect to hear anything from anyone by now.

And then Natsu said something she didn't expect to hear. Erza. He smelled Erza. And moments after that, the familiar voice bellowing - and in no doubt putting fear in the hearts of many many mages and non mages alike downstairs. "Erza..!" She jumped to her feet, quickly grabbing a ribbon and tying her hair up as she dashed out of the room to a great deal of confusion.

"Wait wait, they're guests!" Sort of.

[explodewiththerage]

It was a scent he hadn't caught on the wind in months. But there's no way he'd forget who it belonged to so of course he'd told Lucy who was coming. So while she rushed quickly out the door, he followed right after, coming up behind his partner and waving one arm over towards Erza.

"I knew my nose wasn't wrong! Felt you all the way from the gate!"

[scarletrequip]

A small commotion had already kicked up and Erza was holding an unfortunate young man by the shirt by the time Lucy and Natsu had made their way outside. To her credit, no one had been injured for not being forthcoming with information. But these people weren't helping their case by just staring at her like she was some kind of a maniac. If they had legitimate business at the Guild surely there would be no problem with just saying so?

Her interrogations were interrupted by the appearance of two of her precious friends and Erza's mood brightened significantly upon seeing them.

"Lucy! Natsu! So you're both still here." She hollered, returning a wave.

It was a relief to see the two of them, but she also had an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. How long had she been away? How long had they been in this place? While she pondered these things Erza didn't even notice that the man she was holding hostage was still struggling to get free of her grip.

[celestial_wizard]

"Erza..!" Uh, to address the 'still here' or to address the way the woman was holding the panicked man. ... Naturally, getting her to let go of the victim first is Lucy's priority! "Let him go, please! He, and the others here, are being sheltered by Fairy Tail; I promised them that they'd be safe here."

As a quick aside, she made a apologetic hand gesture to the man Erza held hostage (so to speak), "I'm really sorry about this!"

[explodewiththerage]

"Well we were gone for a while and then when we came back we didn't have memories of this place. But yea we're here" Natsu nodded with a big toothy grin before looking over to the poor guy that got manhandled. "Hey you okay buddy? Don't worry she's not gonna hurt you now that she knows."

[skilledwithwords]

Levy showed up a little bit after Erza's loud entrance. Considering she was in an explosion six days before she looked pretty good. Her hair was pulled back and there was a book in her arms. She was still translating for Lucy and it was going slower than she thought it might.

When she spotted the familiar gleam of red hair she smiled, putting her current work on pause. She walked over stepping up next to her guildmate.

"Everything okay Erza?" It was nice to see her and Levy couldn't help but smile at the proud warrior.

[scarletrequip]

Erza stood, arms folded, at the entrance to the building while observing their... guests. The atmosphere was predictably restless, with everyone attempting to busy themselves in whatever way they could. It seemed that some of the adults had taken to doing chores around the guild as a form of gratitude while the children played in the area out front under the ever-watchful eyes of their parents. On occasion, Erza would catch a glimpse of Loke and Virgo patrolling the perimeter.

Her vigil was interrupted by a voice from beside her and Erza turned to see a familiar face.

"Levy." She smiled at the smaller girl before nodding, "I'm getting settled; travelling between worlds is a jarring experience."

Her expression became a little more rigid.

"More importantly, how are you feeling? Lucy mentioned that you'd been injured recently."

[skilledwithwords]

Levy wished that Lucy hadn't mentioned that but she supposed it couldn't be help. Her smile remained in place though it lost a small bit of it's shine.

"I'm fine. My friends a doctor and she gave me a clean bill of health." A lot of people offered to heal her that night, using different forms of magic. While magic didn't bother her, the whole situation made her uncomfortable. There were more things to worry about than a few bruises and scratches.

"I'm more worried about you."

Friends come first.

[scarletrequip]

Erza was seemingly satisfied with that answer; if Levy was well enough to be up and about then she was obviously recovering at a good pace. She didn't press her friend for any further information regarding the incident, it was enough to know that she was healthy. If there was something pertinent that she knew, Erza was confident that she would share it without being prompted. It was Levy's last remark that actually drew more of Erza's attention and her eyes became filled with a mix of surprise and amusement.

"About me?" She replied, "Now why would that be?"

[skilledwithwords]

Levy shrugged feeling more put on the spot than intended. "Just that you were suddenly back and a lot has been happening."

Of course Erza, of all the Fairy Tail members would be able to handle anything. She just seems to have that sort of air about her.

[fairysoul]

Mavis entered the Guild Hall bare foot as per her habit, her long light blond hair swaying behind her. She stopped as she recognized the familiar tall red head. She'd thought she'd felt another member of Fairy Tail was back. She'd been right.

She grinned at Erza good-naturedly.

"Erza! You're back!"

[scarletrequip]

"First," she smiled in reply.

Now that was a surprise; Mavis had used the door. Or perhaps she always had and Erza was simply more aware now that she understood a fraction of the First's true nature? Either way she greeted the guild's founder warmly.

"I see you're still here. Doing well I hope?"

With the exception of Gajeel, it seemed like everyone who had been here when she had resided in Genessia was still present. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that a great span of time had passed since her last visit. Had it been months? Years? Those were questions she couldn't answer herself.

[fairysoul]

"Mmm, not too bad." A pause. "Even if Fayren is not as peaceful as you might remember it right now."

Mavis had the last part with a more serious face. She'd never been one to beat around the bush. She might as well let Erza know right away.

"A group called the 'Hands of Decay' is attacking mages in Fayren."

[scarletrequip]

"Yes, I've been informed..." She stated grimly.

It was a situation that seemed to have spiralled out of control. She'd already heard a great deal from both Lucy and Natsu, but more information was definitely welcome. Furthermore, Erza wanted to get Mavis' perspective on a few things so this was a good opportunity.

"Have you been involved in the investigations as well, First?"

[fairysoul]

"As much as I can, yes. One of the main issues is that they're becoming more and more arrogant, aggressive and dangerous over time."

Not a member but a guest, also an hour after sunset...

[frostheartedrose]

There really wasn't much in the way of warning this time Bridget returned to the guild. She didn't even give a warning whistle now and clamped down on the shift of air and the presence of power. At least she HAD left a broken bit of tile in a certain spot a distance away but in clear view of the building that she regularly 'appeared' on after slowing her traveling speed. Then she waited for someone to notice her before making the trek inside.

This time she probably looked more than a bit peculiar. Barely over five feet tall even in heeled boots, black cloak and clothing hiding most of her features, and a ten-foot tuna floating a foot off the ground behind her. After making sure the fish was delivered into competent hands, Bridget drifted around the outskirts of the guild building to check her wards before finally going inside. There was a new mental presence...

[scarletrequip]

Erza had watched the cloaked figure come and go from the guild whilst eating her dinner. No one else seemed to be surprised by the girl's presence so Erza assumed she must have been one of the refugees or a regular visitor to the guild. By the time Bridget entered the building for the final time Erza had moved on to desert; a simple slice of cake.

Tragically it was vanilla flavored not the strawberry kind that was her absolute favorite, but Erza enjoyed it nonetheless. It was soft and sweet, with all the makings of a good cake but perhaps tomorrow she'd venture into town to find something more delectable. As Bridget came back inside Erza looked up from her treat to wave the girl to her table.

"Care for a slice?" She smiled.

[frostheartedrose]

Oh, the tragic tale of vanilla cake... But it was cake, and who would ever turn down the offer of cake? Well, except madmen and supermodels. The cloak and scarf were discarded with a sound of relief and Bridget smiled without hesitation.

"Who am I to turn down such an offer?" Black ankle boots, black skirt, black tunic, black ribbon in her hair... Bridget really should expand her color pallet but old habits were harder to kill than she was. "Is it safe to assume you're another member of the actual guild? I'm Bridget. Lucy may have mentioned me, or not, it doesn't matter too much."

[scarletrequip]

In contrast to her choice of attire, Bridget seemed friendly enough. In response to the question, Erza lifted the sleeve of her left arm so that her guild mark was visible. Confident that it was a satisfactory answer she set to cutting Bridget a generous portion of the cake. It was vanilla, so she didn't regret sharing such a large portion. She slipped the cake-loaded saucer across the table before speaking.

"Yes, she did. You have my sincere thanks for helping my friends and all of these people in such a troubled time."

[frostheartedrose]

Well, that was one way to do it... All of them had the same mark but in different colors. "You just seemed more at ease than the others but I felt it better to ask. Is that a guild thing in your world? It doesn't have the look of a normal tattoo."

The large portion didn't even phase her as she sat herself. Across the room a cupboard swung open and a teapot moved over to the sink to fill with water while several canisters of tea shifted around as if someone was looking through them. "You are quite welcome. It's something I have... a bit of practice at. It's a little irritating to hold myself in check so much but it wouldn't be a good idea to create any martyrs right now. Would you like some tea as well?"

[sheathedcataclysm]

Kagura stopped at the sight of the Fairy Tail Guildhall. She felt memories flood through her mind of Mermaid Heel. The situation was not easily digestible. However, she needed to adapt to the current surroundings, even if things were still hazy. Realizing this, Kagura gestured for Erza to go on ahead without her. She decided to contemplate her next move in solitude.

After an hour or so had passed, Kagura stepped into the guild hall, having made her decision she confidently approached Erza, "Sister, if it is not too much trouble, I'd like to request temporary residence here at Fairy Tail."

[scarletrequip]

There wasn't much Erza could do today, even after being filled in by Natsu and Lucy about current events plaguing Fayren. She decided to busy herself by going over records regarding the activity of the Hands of Decay. As she leafed through the stack of papers she worried about her companion. Erza had been to this world before, but Kagura hadn't. If the experience was jarring for her then it must surely have been worse for Kagura.

Erza sighed as she wondered if she had done the right thing by leaving Kagura alone. Would she return? Strike out on her own? Erza couldn't say. She glanced at the half-eaten lunch on the table. She'd lost her appetite some time ago and the food was now cold. It seemed she couldn't focus on anything like this.

"I should go find her." She decided.

She was about to get up when she noticed Kagura was already standing before her.

"Kagura!" She exclaimed, sounding more surprised than she should have.

What was that? Did she want to stay? And she called her sister? That made the redhead smile; how embarrassing had it been for Kagura to say that? It was impossible to tell as the other girl wore an imperceptible expression. The dark cloud that had dominated Erza's thoughts was swept away by Kagura's simple request.

"You never have to ask such a thing. You'll always be welcome in my home, wherever that may be."

[sheathedcataclysm]

Kagura's expression turned more abashed as Erza welcomed her as her family. At least, that's how the purple haired mage interpreted it. The few simple words from Erza made Kagura feel like she would always belong somewhere. Even in another world.

"Ah... Th-thank you..." She muttered in embarrassment.

Kagura attempted to save face by trying to mask her true feelings. However, she was failing more than she realized.

"I promise I won't be a burden to you."

[scarletrequip]

"As expected of my little sister. So cute."

Little did Kagura know that her behaviour was further fueling Erza's big sister fantasies. A few seconds passed before she nodded thoughtfully and fixed Kagura with a dangerous stare.

"You won't be a burden, I'm quite certain my bed has enough room for the both of us."

What? Did Kagura think she'd be getting her own room?

[sheathedcataclysm]

It was so shameful to admit that she enjoyed Erza's sisterly praise. Which was exactly why she would never openly admit it to anyone.

"WH-WHAT!? THE SAME BE-"

Kagura manages to catch herself mid-scream. Truly only Erza was capable of provoking such a reaction from the usually calm, composed warrior.