At the mention of the redhead's name, almost every single member of the guild started freaking out as Lucy stood there with wide eyes as she watched everyone else's reaction. Natsu and Gray instantly stopped fighting as Vivi frowned in annoyance.
"Whoa, just mention her, and the entire place freaks out." Lucy said.
"Well, she is the strongest female wizard we've got in Fairy Tail." Mirajane said. "She's more than a bit intimidating."
"She's just a pain in the ass." Vivi corrected as she sat down with a huff.
The sound of footsteps soon reached the guild as almost everyone sat on edge.
"That must be her." Laki said.
"Sounds like her footsteps." Wakaba added.
"The air has gone completely still." Macao said.
Due to everyone else's reactions, Lucy started to feel scared at the thought of meeting Erza. Said woman finally walked into the room while carrying what looked like a large horn or claw. She sat it down with a loud thud.
"I have returned." Erza said. "Where is Master Makarov?"
"Welcome back, Erza." Mirajane said. "Master's away at a conference right now."
"I see." Erza said as she looked around the room.
Vivi was sure the older woman was trying to already find faults to complain about. She could never just come home, say hi, and enjoy the comfortable atmosphere.
"What's that humongous thing you've got there?" Krov asked.
"It's the horn of a monster I defeated." Erza said. "The locals were so grateful that they decorated and gave it to me as a souvenir. Do you have a problem with it?"
Everyone answered immediately that it wasn't a problem as Vivi rolled her eyes. Some then started to whisper nervously together.
"Now listen up, while on the road I heard a few things." Erza said. "Word is Fairy Tail is causing nothing but trouble as of late. Master Makarov may not care, but I most certainly do. Cana,"
Cana, who had been drinking a large barrel of alcohol, froze after bringing the drink away from her mouth.
"Start controlling your drinking habit." Erza ordered. "Vijeeter, please take the dancing outside."
Vivi frowned because there was nothing wrong with Cana enjoying her alcohol or Vijeeter expressing himself through dance. It was even part of his magic! It'd be like asking her not to play her guitar. Besides, it wasn't like he was hurting anyone.
"Wakaba, get rid of that filthy habit!" Erza ordered.
Vivi's frown deepened once more. Wakaba exceled using smoke in his magic like Vijeeter used his through dance. If Wakaba 'quit' that 'filthy habit' he'd have to find some kind of other magic to continue as a wizard.
"Nab, I knew I'd find you doddering in front of the request board." Erza said. "Just pick a job!"
Vivi shook her head. It always annoyed her how Erza could boss people around like she does, which is one of the reasons why Vivi can't stand her.
"Macao," Erza began, then sighed. "I don't even know where to begin with you. You cause so much trouble, I've almost given up."
Macao hung his head, and everyone felt sympathetic towards the man. It was bad when Erza rebutted you, but it was worse if she didn't even know what to say.
"She's really tearing into everyone." Lucy whispered. "It's like she's taken over."
"That's Erza for you." Happy said.
"Saying that, she's still saner than everyone else here." Lucy continued. "I don't understand why everyone's so afraid of her."
Vivi snorted because once Lucy gets to know Erza, she won't be saying that much longer.
"Are Natsu, Gray, and Vivi here?" Erza asked.
"Aye." Happy said.
Vivi glanced over her shoulder at Erza while wondering what the redheaded wanted with her.
"Hey there, Erza." Gray said as he shook with Natsu. "We're just hanging out as good friends tend to do."
"Aye!" Natsu said nervously.
"Why is Natsu acting like Happy?!" Lucy asked, freaking out.
She's never seen Natsu act like a scared little kid, and Gray looked as if he might pass out.
"That's great." Erza said. "I'm pleased to see you two getting along so well. However, it's usual for even the best of friends to lock horns every now and then."
"I wouldn't call us the best of friends." Gray said.
"Aye." Natsu added.
"What's gotten into Natsu?" Lucy asked.
She couldn't handle all this weirdness. She felt disturbed by how the two were acting.
"He's scared." Mirajane said. "A few years ago, he challenged Erza to a fight, and got beat up pretty bad."
"That was a stupid thing to do." Lucy said.
"After that she found Gray walking around naked, so she decided to beat him up too." Macao explained.
"And let's not forget, she also beat up Loke for trying to hit on her." Cana added. "He totally deserved it though.
Vivi gagged not understanding why anyone would flirt with Erza. Sure she was pretty, but she had a horrible personality. Hearing her gag, Erza turned towards Vivi.
"Oh, Vivi, there you are." Erza said then frowned. "You really shouldn't sit in such an unladylike manner."
"Bite me." Vivi replied.
Everyone stiffened when Vivi said that, and Natsu and Gray were quick to grab Vivi to pull her up on her feet. She frowned as they squished her in between them.
"She means welcome home!" Gray said, laughing nervously.
"Aye!" Natsu said, nodding.
"No, I meant what I said." Vivi said. "Want me to say it again?"
"NO!" Everyone shouted.
Lucy jumped at the loud shouting, and Vivi rolled her eyes still not looking scared. She knows Erza could kick her ass, but Vivi refused to be afraid of her. Erza narrowed her eyes at Vivi.
"Vivi, Natsu, Gray, I need you to do me a favor." Erza said.
All three people blinked in confusion as they stood up straighter. However, the boys did keep hold on Vivi as if they expected her to go up and smack Erza for even thinking of asking a favor of her, which has happened before. It hadn't ended pretty well.
"While traveling I overheard something that has me worried." Erza said. "Normally, I would consult with the Master before acting, but he isn't here. And this is a matter of at most urgency. The three of you are some of the strongest wizards here. I could really use your help."
Everyone started murmuring in surprise as said three wizards exchanged glances.
"We'll meet at the train station tomorrow morning." Erza declared.
Vivi narrowed her eyes because she wasn't about to let Erza just boss her around.
"Who said we'd even agree?" Vivi asked as she pulled her arms away from the boys to cross over her chest. "Honestly, I don't want to go anywhere with you. Besides, I can't go on a really long job. I need to be somewhere nearby when the Master returns because I have things to discuss with him."
Everyone froze really hoping a fight didn't break out as the two girls stared at each other. Vivi stood her ground through the stare out, and Lucy felt awed at Vivi's strong will. After seeing how everyone else reacted to Erza, Lucy could see it took a lot of guts to stand up to the redheaded woman.
"Besides, I'm sure you three can handle it." Vivi said as she snapped her fingers to send her guitar back where it belonged. "If not, maybe you should give up your title as S-class, Erza."
Mouths dropped open in shock at Vivi's words as the bluenette went to leave. She's had enough of all this. She was going to go to her room in Fairy Hills and take a nap. Erza sighed calmly as she looked after Vivi.
"I know we have our differences, Vivi, but I could really use your help." Erza said. "What I am looking into has something to do with some kind of magic called Lullaby."
Everyone instantly noticed how Vivi stopped walking at the mention of this 'Lullaby' magic. Gray frowned at the mention of this magic again as well as Vivi turned around to stare at Erza.
"Lullaby?" Vivi asked.
Erza's brow quirked when noticing how on edge Vivi seemed to be. If this Lullaby had someone like Vivi scared, Erza knew she had been right to come home as soon as possible to get help.
"That's what I heard." Erza said. "Interested now?"
Vivi frowned as she looked down at the ground with her hands clenched into fists. She didn't want to go anywhere with Erza. However, it seems as if this Lullaby business was legit, which spells so much trouble for everyone. Looks like the only way to make sure no one innocent is hurt is to go along with Erza. It seems as if the redhead was her best lead in finding it. And waiting for the Master wasn't an option anymore it seemed.
"I'll see you in the morning." Vivi finally said then left.
As the door shut behind her, Lucy wondered what this Lullaby thing even was. Whatever it was it had to be dangerous, right?