Mary watched as Klisa came up to the board and started looking at the same request the master had given to Mary. She still held the paper in her hands, but it didn’t surprise her that Alicia had already beaten Pollux to the chase and put up the request on the board as well. Mary looked at both Klisa and James; the guilds only Dragon Slayers. She wondered how the two of them would work on a team. They both had some interesting support spells, so it was no question they’d make a strong duo. Mary just didn’t know how well the two got along. Mary stepped closer to Klisa, leaning her head in as the young lady scanned the request.
“Master Pollux would greatly appreciate you taking that request. I heard that this Charlotte woman used to be close friends with him.” Mary raised her eyebrows to Klisa, suggesting that perhaps the relationship between Charlotte and the Master was a lot more intimate than he’d suggested.
“Oh, I wouldn’t say it was like that.” The old mans sudden voice made Mary jump with shock. Turning around, she saw Pollux sitting at a table with his notes already set out. That man moved fast. “I didn’t want to be kept up in my office all day. I hope you don’t mind me working out here.”
“Not at all Master.” Mary walked over to him, peering over his shoulders to look at his notes. It was an assortment of damage reports caused by the other guild members, as well as letters from friends and from the council. There were even a few wanted posters of dark wizards as well as detailed sketches of magic circles. Pollux stood up from his seat and slowly hobbled his way over to the two dragon slayers.
“I apologise for not being present this morning with the rest of the guild. I was still recovering from illness it seems. I hope you weren’t offended.” The master gave the two of them a warm smile, before turning away and coughing into his handkerchief for several moments.

Mary was concerned with the health of their master, but she knew that he wouldn’t enjoy being sent back to the infirmary. For now he was healthy enough to sit with the rest of them.
“The requests are being filled up one by one. That’s a good thing to see. It seems everyone wants enough money saved up to go all out at the Festival.” Pollux smiled when he saw Klisa’s name on the request to go to Hargeon. He turned to her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“Charlotte will really appreciate having the help from you. She comes off as a little rough, but don’t worry I’m sure you’ll get along.” Pollux walked back over to the table and began to scan his notes once more.
“If you’re not departing for a while, feel free to stay and chat. I have big news coming up once everyone returns to the guild and I’m a little nervous. Talking to my children would help ease that uneasiness.”

In the corner of his eye he noticed Aura walking up to the infirmary, obviously going to check on him. He assumed that she hadn’t seen him down there and called out to her.
“I’m over here Aura, please come and join us.” He gave her a smile before going back to his notes. Mary walked up the stairs to greet Aura. Before Master Pollux, people weren’t allowed up onto the second floor, but he decided that enforcing that rule only separated the guild from their strongest members and declared that any and everyone could go up there. Mary stood in front of Aura and nodded her head in respect.
“Greetings Aura, how are you today?” Mary talked with Aura as the two made their way down to where the Master was sitting. Pollux gave a warm smile to Aura and invited her to sit beside him as he went over his notes.
“Come, there are movements in the dark guilds that must be discussed. A lot of cult activity has started to arise and I believe the Dark Wizards are going back to the old ways of rituals and human sacrifice.” he pointed to various locations on a map, his old finger shaking on top of a town not too far from here. “Several children have gone missing from this town. I would have sent someone there right away, but we’re under strict orders from the Magic Council to not get involved. One of my colleagues on the Council is coming to inform me of the current situation and while he’s here I will try and convince him to let Fairy Tail help.” He looked over at Aura, awaiting her opinion on the matter. Mary moved back over to James, smiling.
“So, why don’t we head off on that job now? The Soul Mountains are really close to here so we can get there by foot.”

-----

Riding along in the carriage with Alex made Riley sick at first. Even the one driving the damn thing had a thing for him. It shouldn’t have surprised him. Alex had earned the respect of Magnolia, and being jealous of him was a petty display. Riley had just felt so tense these last few days, ever since the last time Alex beat him. He wasn’t strong enough to take on an S Class Wizard, so he thought he’d challenge him to a sword fight with no magic. Even still, Alex bested him. Granted it wasn’t such a one sided fight, but eventually Riley just couldn’t keep up. He was amazing at magic and with weapons? Learning magic with Yukiko was by far the hardest training he’d ever gone through. He didn’t have a knack for Magic like everyone else seemed to, and it took him such a long time just to grasp the basics. He was better now thankfully, but he still couldn’t help but feel as though his magic power was weaker than most wizards. His skill with a blade alone is what got him to such a high level in the guild, which was nice. However he wanted to be a powerful Sword Mage like Yukiko. Alex broke the awkward silence, talking about how popular he was with everyone or something like that; Riley didn’t really pay attention. However upon hearing his masters name, he instantly shot a look at him; daring him to keep talking. 
“Don’t say her name!” He shouted at Alex, his grip around the hilt of his blade tightening. He wouldn’t be able to draw it inside this carriage, but Alex knew perfectly well that he didn’t need to draw his blade to attack him. His teeth were gritted and his eyes were ferocious, but seeing the calm look on Alex’s face instantly made him feel bad about snapping. He put Yukiko down onto the floor of the carriage and rested his hands in his lap. “I’m sorry. You don’t deserve all this constant shit from me.” He crossed his legs up on the seat, turning to Alex with a smile.

“Yukiko is the greatest wizard in the whole world! She’s at least ten times more powerful than you are.” The way he talked was like a little kid during show and tell, full of energy and smiles. He lightly punched Alex in the arm, laughing. “I don’t mean to offend you when I say that, but you know, she was the only person in the entire world who ever made my jaw drop. You’re tough and a great Wizard, even I can recognise that. But you know, Yukiko was just on a whole other level.” He pulled his knees up to his chest and began to rock back and forth a little, giggling like a little kid.
“She was blind y’know? People seem to forget that. She was blind from birth but that didn’t stop her! She found another way to see; through the whispers in the winds, the shifts in the land and the gentle touch of the worlds magic. That’s what she told me. I never really understood it but it seemed to work. She may have been blind but she could sense absolutely everything around her and was more alert and perceptive than I was. She mastered the art of the sword and invented her own form of magic to accompany it. If she actually gave a damn about the Council, I’m sure they would have made her a Wizard Saint. The highest on the list!” he seemed like he was exaggerating, but that didn’t matter. Yukiko was the most important person in his life, and he had nothing but respect and love for her.
“That’s why I’m gonna beat you. Not just you. I’m gonna beat anyone who challenges my strength, and I’m gonna become just as strong as she was. That’s why I train so much, and why I fight so hard. I’m her legacy, and I’ll make her proud.” Just thinking about it got him excited, and he yelled out at Alex with a cheerful tone.
“When we get back to Fairy Tail, I’m taking you down!” So much for staying angry at him. His stupid grin spread to the corners of his face and he was happy that he was able to talk with Alex about his master.