We slowed down as we arrived in a town called Magnolia. This town was so vibrant and animated. This was the complete opposite of the quiet empty forest so I wanted to explore a bit, but much to my dismay I knew I should get to the guild first. After a bit more walking the four of us were in front of a large building. I can't put my finger on it but this place gives me a warm feeling.
Once we approached the door I started to get sweaty palms and a lump in my throat. Anxiousness spread throughout my body, but I was ready to meet my guild.
The man who I now know as Bickslow from the conversation on our run here, swung the door open. Before I saw anything, I heard yelling and hitting, along with a strong waft of alcohol. It soon made sense as I saw a bunch of teenagers fighting and adults egging them on while they drank.
As we walked in, there were a few scattered hey's and hello's to the thunder tribe, as well as a few curious glances at me. All the while, the teenagers just fought and hollered. The Thunder tribe led me to a short old man at the bar.
The old man looked at us and with a soft but commanding voice "Welcome back my children. How did the quest go?"
"It was harder than the original quest described it Guild Master."
"How so Freed"
"There was indeed a dark guild in the area but the quest underestimated their numbers. We were almost overwhelmed by them."
The old man called his fist and hit the table. "DAMN COUNSEL! I'll have my words with them at the next meeting." After a short cool down, the old man shot me a curious look. "Now who is this you've brought with you?"
"My apologies Master, this is the boy who helped us out of our predicament, Moss. We actually brought him here to join the guild."
"Hmmmm, well if he comes recommended by the thunder tribe I don't see a reason to refuse him. What's your name boy?"
"My name is Moss sir." I blurted out nervously
"Well Moss, let me ask you a question. Do you think fairies have tails?" He said as he shot me a knowing smile.
"Uuummmm No….I mean yes...uuuhhh idk I've never seen one. Do they sir." I rambled out sheepishly.
With an aura of wisdom and tone of whimsicality he spoke "I have not the slightest clue if they do or don't, because nobody knows, which means it's an eternal adventure to find out."
My eyes lit up with wonder and I felt an urge to adventure like I never have before. Breaking me out of my awestruck stupor, the old man spoke. "I'm glad to see a determined look in your eyes kiddo. With that said I'd say your fairytale material, so where do you want your guild mark?"
Quickly suppressing a blush, I told him "could I get a white one on my neck, m..master?"
"Nice choice, that'll be a first. Now step on over here." I stepped forward with a mix of nervousness and excitement. The master took what looked like an ordinary stamp and pressed it on the left side of my neck. A small burst of magic power burst from my neck, and there appeared a white Fairytale emblem with a black outline.
The master saw the joy on my face and said welcome to the family. With teary eyes I looked at him and tried to mumble out some words of appreciation "Thanks you guild mas…." Until I was blindsided with a punch to the face that sent me flying.
I got up, more surprised than angry at the surprise attack. The punch only hurt a little bit and the intent behind it wasn't malicious. I look up at a pink haired boy with a wide smile on his face, "newbie beat down" he yelled. As surprised as I was, the infectious smile of the boy across from me traveled to my face as well.
Just like that a guild brawl broke out. I was fighting, getting kicked and punched but never did I feel more like I belonged somewhere.
********************************** 1 week later ************************************
"Alright Loki, here's your laundry"
"Thanks Moss, folded and everything. You're the best Lil buddy."
I beamed a smile on my face at the compliment. Until I felt a murderous aura "MOSS…..!". I turned to see Erza, red hair practically levitating from anger. "How many times have I told you to stop doing Loki's laundry"
I stepped back in fear as I answered "Well I don't see a problem with being helpful, Erza."
"Well I do Moss, because not only are you doing Loki's laundry, your Laxus's training dummy, Alzack and Bisca's moving target practice, Levi's personal librarian, and I've even seen evergreen use you as a footstool. This is borderline abuse Moss." she said while looking at me with a sad face
"Listen Erza I know you mean well but I'm not biting off more than I can chew. I simply like to be helpful."
Letting out an exasperated breath, Erza hit me on the head and said "just be careful" while walking away.
After helping a few other guild members, I walked over to rest at the bar. Mulling over what Erza said earlier left an odd feeling of fear in me. I mean why if I don't do all these things, wouldn't I be seen as useless, is that what she wants. Does she not like me or something, anxiousness gripped my heart at the thought.
My problem took a backseat when cana looked over to me "Moss, I need a drinking buddy, pleeease!"
Looking at an already drunk cana, I figured this would give her a good opinion of me, so I accepted. This is something I soon regretted.
"Yay thanks Moss, but you seriously gotta catch up." After her statement she ordered round after round, practically forcing alcohol down my throat. I was completely hammered by the time cana gave it a rest. "Wow you can handle your alcohol Moss you haven't stopped once so far."
"Sssuuuuuuppppppeeerr" I say while putting my forearms together above my head.
"That's what I'm talking about Moss." She said excitedly. "You're so much fun once you've had a few Moss."
"I'm fun all the timmmme!" I retorted.
"Yeah right, maybe once you're done doing all your chores."
"They're not choresss, I'm just being helpful to my new guild." I say with slight annoyance in my voice.
"You don't need to be everyone's lapdog in order to be helpful to the guild."
Something snapped in me when I heard that. I took a deep breath laced with fury and let out "I AM NO ONES LAP...!" Only to look over to a peacefully sleeping Cana. Embarrassment filled me as I turned away. I mentally scold myself for getting so worked up. Truthfully thought, I don't know what came over me or why that phrase specifically set me off.
My pondering ended once I heard a few incoherent whispers. I looked over and saw Cana mumbling something in her sleep. I lowered my ear to hear what she was saying. "nom shum….gnom shoom…..gnom shroom"
"Gnom Shroom" I said with evident confusion.
"Are you referring to the Gnome Shroom" I whip my head around to see Levy looking at me. "I've heard Cana's been looking for a Gnome Shroom for a long time."
"What would she want with a mushroom?"
Levy smile and raised her pointer finger "Well that's because it's no ordinary mushroom."
Trying to look sober, I straightened my posture and tried to portray a calm expression. "Go on Ms. Books."
After a small chuckle she continued "They say that the Gnome Shroom is used for making a legendary magic wine. Some say it's the best tasting alcohol in all of fiore, but the real reason people covet the wine so much is the effects. They say the wine lets you see hallucinations of the path you're supposed to walk."
A big smile gleaned on my face "so that's what she wants, I'd bet she'd be very happy to get it, wouldn't she?"
Levy raised an eyebrow in confusion "I guess she would, but the reason she hasn't is because you can only find the gnome mushroom in the heart of phoenix mountains. Even if you get there they say there's a guardian who protects the mushrooms."
"How strong is he?"
"No one knows, because all who have gone to get the mushrooms have never made it back" she said in a sultry and mysterious tone.
I gulped "well that seems dangerous, I can see why she hasn't tried to attain it."
"It's really a shame though, I'm sure that it being a legendary alcohol ingredient made her want it. But something tells me, someone as lost as Cana might have wanted to know what path she should walk." A soft look of pity passed on her face as she spoke. As the look passed she crunched her brows in a stern manner "I better not see you try to get that mushroom just because I told you all this. It is immensely dangerous, okay?"
"Okay." I blabber out nervously. After one last intimidating glare she walked off. All I could think about was the mushroom, I mean if I got it for her she might not think that my helpful nature is such a bad thing. A smirk rose on my face as I realized what I must do next.