The walk back to Magnolia was a pleasant one. The sun hid away between a curtain of clouds that slowly drifted across the skies towards the horizon. Yukiko loved the idea of the horizon, and always found it curious when people referenced going beyond it. Was that really possible? No, of coarse not. The horizon would just move with you. It'd be like chasing your own tail. The thought was rather amusing, but also made Yukiko somewhat sad. She started to regret settling down in Fairy Tail, for she believed herself to be just like that horizon that so many sought after. She needed to keep moving, always being two steps ahead of whatever it was that pursued her. On the other hand, there was a strange curiosity that plagued her regarding the creature that hunted her. Yukiko wanted to know who they were, and why they were after her. Ever since she had awoken in the forest a week ago, the only thing she had ever known was that she was being chased. She shuddered in fear, wondering when the time will come that she would need to fly away again to save herself. She was pulled out of her thoughts quickly by a bombardment of questions from Haust. She laughed a little, he was definitely scrambling to start a conversation of some kind. Yukiko appreciated it.
"I'm only 12, Mister Haust. My flying isn't magic either, it's just something I can do. I'm learning windy magic though!" She fluttered her wings, pushing herself off the ground a few feet so that she could be at eye level with Haust. She gently moved to position herself to face him. "I don't know nearly as much as you do. You were incredible back there." The little girl couldn't help but admire him for what he had accomplished back at the ocean, and when he told her that they could continue to work together it made her happy.

When Haust brought up food, Yukiko could feel her stomach start to grumble. She made a quick landing, folding her wings behind her before continuing to walk. It wasn't safe flying on an empty stomach.
"I'm feeling really hungry as well," She was craving custard and fish, although probably not at the same time. Actually now that she thought about it, yes, she definitely wanted both. She looked around, and in the distance she saw a small cafe. Pollux had given her a little money for the trip which she hadn't spent, so what better time to spend it? "Mister Haust, look! Can we go? Please?" She clapped her hands together, pleading to the dragon slayer.

[CENTER]-------------------------[/CENTER]

Different people leave different impressions, and at the Fairy Tail Guild this is no exception. The presence of power that surrounds Reaper and Mary, the showmanship flare that surrounds Vero, and even someone like Sanguin presented somewhat of a ferocious presence that all the guild members could not help but recognize. Indeed everyone had their own presence, and Victoria was no exception. While she would never be feared as an all powerful mage, or for any wild streak, it was of no question that the people of Fairy Tail respected Victoria. Their respect and admiration was something that she held most dear to her, possibly more than her beloved violin; which she carried in her gorgeous white case that had been generously given to her by a fan one night after a performance. Everywhere she went it seemed people loved to do little favors for her. Not that she didn't appreciate it, but it was certainly something she was not used to growing up in her home country. While her refugee story had been used by her manager as a means to promote her, it was no doubt that she was still particularly sensitive to the whole thing. Unfortunately the Magic Council of Fiore seems to have very little interest in foreign affairs, and so Victoria has continued to live her life here; blind to what has been happening in the place where she grew up. Not that it mattered. All of her family and friends were murdered before her eyes. Even now she still feared the Rune Knights, just because their appearance reminded her of the soldiers from back then. Although she had no reason to fear them, since they had been nothing but kind to her since she arrived. One of them even approached her after a performance bearing a wedding ring, professing his love for her. It would have been a nice gesture if she had actually known who he was. He was rather heartbroken that she declined, but it couldn't be helped. Walking through the streets of Magnolia, it wasn't long before people started to halt their daily lives just to talk to her, some even brandishing gifts.
"Victoria, you simply must try these. Freshly baked just for you"
"Can I have your autograph?"
"My daughter loves your music, we have tickets to your next show!"
"Can you play something for us?" Victoria smiled, starting to feel herself blushing a little from all the attention. It was something she would never get used to. She placed her hands over her heart and took a deep breath before talking to the crowd.
"My deepest apologies. I appreciate you all taking time out of your day to greet me, but I am unfortunately rather late as it is and I should not keep Master Pollux waiting." At her words, the crowd released sighs and groans of disappointment. Dispersing away from her as quickly as they came. It was rather saddening. They claimed to love her, but as soon as it became clear that she didn't have time for them they were suddenly disinterested. No matter. She knew there was one place where they would be happy to see her, famous or not.

[CENTER]-------------------------[/CENTER]

Zy jumped as soon as Vero placed his hand on his shoulder. That tricky bastard needed to stop sneaking up on people. He quickly turned around, trying to mask his surprise with a grin.
"Oh, hey Vero. Uh, I wanted to um, apologise I guess for earlier." This was really awkward, and to make it worse Vero seemed intent on gloating on his screw up. He would have yelled at him and ran away again, but Mary was right behind him and Zy didn't think that she would let him get away with that. Zy stared at the insect on Vero's finger, admiring the detail. He smiled, punching Vero in the arm.
"What do you mean not good with the ladies? Can't you see who I'm talking to. This is Mary Boyce," He put extra emphasis on her name, "You can't really get much better." As he spoke, the guild halls doors gently swung open to reveal a young lady with long, blonde hair tied up into two ponytails walk in. Her elegant, pink dress fluttered behind her and matched her beautiful violin case perfectly. When Victoria entered the guild, she was met by a loud greeting from several of the members; a few even running up to her and hugging her. Victoria had been gone for almost three months on a trip to the Capital of Fiore for a private performance for the King. It was by far her most important performance and one that the Guild hoped she would succeed in, as having the King regard Fairy Tail in good favor was a rather opportune situation. Zy wanted to go up and greet her, but the only thing he could manage was blushing like a tomato and turning towards Mary.
"Mary quick, how's my hair look? Are my teeth clean?" He clenched his teeth in front of Mary, insisting that she inspect them despite how strangely uncomfortable this must have been. Zy's little crush on Victoria was known throughout the Guild, but no one really cared. Everyone just passed it off as him going after a celebrity, but to him it was much more than that. He was only a kid when Victoria joined the guild. A frightened refugee who could barely speak english. They'd grown up as close friends, but when she started becoming more well known for her music, they stopped talking as much.

Victoria smiled at the warm greeting from her fellow guild mates, but quickly pushed through them. She insisted that she needed to speak with the master at once. Pollux was waiting on a bar stool, talking to Alicia about the guilds finances. She coughed gently, bringing their attention to her.
"Oh, Victoria. You're finally back. A month late. That must have been one hell of an encore." The guild master joked, but awkward expression on Victoria's face caused his eyes to widen in shock. "You're kidding me. He kept you there for an extra month?" Victoria giggled, brushing her hair out of her face.
"His majesty was most pleased with my performance that he insisted I stay there at perform for the Queen's birthday celebration." Victoria took out a cheque and handed it to the master. Alicia looked like she was about to cry when she saw it. "He paid quite handsomely. I have no need for so much money, so I figured I would help the guild out a little."
"Your contribution is much appreciated. So I assume you're just here to say hello, and then you'll be off again for another month long performance?"
"Actually, I'm taking a little break for now. I'd like to complete some requests. I am a wizard of Fairy Tail first and foremost, afterall." Pollux nodded in approval, and with that Victoria walked away only to find Zy purposely looking away from her. She hoped he wasn't mad. Quickly approaching the group, she gave Mary a large hug accompanied by a fit of giggles.
"Mary it's been so long, how have you been?" She looked up at Vero and Zy and winked at the two. "Have you been keeping these two dashing gentleman in line?"