In The Times Of Fairy Tails

Taylor relaxed when he said that he hadn't seen anyone matching her description at the guild. Who was Abigale? She took a deep breath and pressed the right sleeve of her shirt against the corner of her eyes to soak up the remaining that threatened to overflow from previous flooding. "A bitch," Taylor replied bluntly. She then added, softly so that it would be next to impossible for anyone except Zwei to hear (and even Zwei might not catch it), "She made me my life a living hell and made me try to kill myself." Taylor's hands clenched into fists. ​

 

So from the information that he was now given, it was pretty damn clear to see that Taylor had a very clear dislike for Abigale and just what she did to her was also revealed. Basically Zwei couldn't question why she was acting like this for she had a very good reason. Still it was unclear just what could he do to help her. Just from the small part that he was barely able to hear, he didn't want to make her relieve any painful memories. His options on what he could do were pretty limited right now. Still he gently placed a hand on her should as he spoke. "Well from what I can tell, she isn't here. It's probably a lot easier said than done, but try not to let any painful memories of her resurface."

 

Caliborn was almost shocked. After all these years, he'd never seen Mikasa like this. He felt a pang of regret for bringing this up, it was clearly something that upset her. Normally he would have put his arm around someone, but he wasn't sure whether that was the right thing to do here at the moment. Perhaps, perhaps not.
"It's alright Mikasa," He said softly and quietly. "You can talk to me if you want, I'm here for you." He was still debating as to whether it was right to put an arm around her. He didn't really know how to handle Mikasa that well unfortunately.



Vance turned away, he didn't need the judgement of some undead warmongerer. His advice was perhaps prudent however. But some things just weren't possible. Vance was Vance and nothing was going to change that.

 

She looked down below to the ground of the courtyard. She didn't need anyone to help her. She didn't need anyone's pity. She just didn't know what to do anymore. She sighed. "Why do you even bother yourself with me?" She asked him harshly, her voice turning back into stone cold instead of shaken.


Johanna giggled. "I'm just covering for Mikasa until she feels better. You know I'm usually running around with food orders, Trevor." She gave him a small smile.

 

"We're friends Mikasa, partners, team mates. All the way back to the trials, before that a while." Caliborn answered. She hadn't quite closed up, but things had changed. She was taking a different angle now. Why would she ask that though? We've all known each other for years.

 

She turned to face him, and looked him straight in the eye. She wasn't even sure what was bothering her, if anything was. She wanted to say there was nothing at all, but she knew that wasn't in any way true. She couldn't speak for a few seconds, but finally, disjointedly she spoke. "I was never supposed to be S-Class, the only reason why I am was because of you." She paused."I don't understand you Caliborn. You're so nice of a person, and I." She looked back over inside at Boreal, clenching her fists. "The Witch of the Tower."

 

Ah. That would explain a lot. It seemed that there was something bothering her. She was very, very insecure inside and it looked like it was about this. In a cruel way, it made sense to him. She was always a difficult one and she did have attitude problems. Dale was in trouble for the very sake kind of behaviour that Mikasa expressed. But she was S-Class, and Dale was unworthy. This was going to be a very delicate situation. It was going to be very, very difficult to handle.
"You're not perfect. You've got your reputation of being the tough one, the uncompromising one. But just because that's what you're known for, as you're showing me right now, that's not everything. You're not just the 'Witch of the Tower'. The Witch of the Tower wouldn't tell me about this, would she?" He'd try this angle first. Try to get her to see that there was more to her than just the tough act. Even if he had helped her get S-Class, Evanora must have seen something in her that afforded her enough to get in. She was talented, but there had to be more to it than that surely? He had faith that she had a good heart somewhere in there, even if she didn't often show it.

 

Taylor grunted in acknowledgement. It wasn't like she was trying to remember the painful years though. They'd been locked away in her own little safe in the back of her mind before she'd seen Therity. After a few minutes, she'd calmed down some and unclenched her hands. "Thanks, Zwei," she mumbled. She appreciated him trying to cheer her up - he was a good guy, and a good friend. She was glad he wasn't a chick, so things could hopefully stay this way without getting awkward. ​

 

She could barely face Caliborn now. She hated the weakness she felt. "Nothing but the she-devil, the monster..." Her voice trailed off."You're wrong. All that's inside of me is hate. It's all hate. I can't be like the others, not like Ca-" She cut herself off. Was that what this was all about? Surely not. "Don't lie to yourself."

 

"Not like Cal? Is that what this is about? Mikasa, I've barely even spoken to the girl and I've just got to give this mask of her's back. That's it. I don't even know what this mask is. Or anything about her." Caliborn exclaimed. What the... Where is she getting all this from? What's going on in that head of her's? There's nothing that could possibly be construed from any interaction. He sighed. "I don't understand where you're getting the idea from. I don't see why you're getting worked up over this. I have to ask- Why does it matter? Is there something you want to say to me?"

 

She wasn't wording this right at all. "This has nothing to do with what's between you and Cal, I could care less." She snapped at him."She tried to kill everyone but no one speaks of her like they speak of me, because of what? That she's nice and sweet and whatever else. I just meant that I'll never be like her, or Johanna. No one will speak of me in high esteem. No matter what I do I'll always be this way. What's the point." She didn't understand why she was suddenly feeling this way, or feeling at all. She felt like such an idiot. The stress must have been getting to her, maybe she just needed to relax. She just didn't understand herself, why was she breaking down?

 

"Things may change, with time and effort. You've never acted any differently in public, so what else are people supposed to think? It's our actions, not the inner thoughts that define us to those outside. If you truly want to be thought of as kind like Johanna, then perhaps you should see what they act like and try to be like them. Not the same of course, but like them. Things can change, with time and effort though. It won't come in a day, nor a week. It could take months, but if you try you can change." Caiborn explained. I wonder how long she's been feeling like this? "For what it's worth, I believe in you." It was true. They had been good friends for many years. He firmly believed that she could change, do things. She was driven when she wanted to be, and if she truly wanted to things could be different for her. It just depended on her actions.

 

"I've been through so much, I don't know I can change it now. I don't know how... Or even... Why." She continued."You've always believed in me, but I have no inkling as to why you do. I just wish I could put that same trust in you as well, but I just can't let myself." She shook her head, hair covering her eyes, which were reddening.

 

"Because you and I have worked together, we passed the trials together and we've been on missions and succeeded together. That's why. You've not let me down before." Caliborn answered. It pained him a little to see his friend in such obvious pain. He didn't think that there was much he could do for her really. Nothing that she would appreciate. He certainly couldn't take her hand or hug her, that would go down poorly. All he had for her were words; Encouragement and truth perhaps, but nothing that could really make a tangible difference.




With all that was going on out there, he was getting a very, very interesting show going on. The bad tempered one was obviously very, very insecure. Perhaps he could use that to his advantage. IF she wanted to know how to play nice, perhaps he could manipulate her into letting him out or putting a good word in for him with Evanora. Or even better, ask her to leave for a moment. Given a bit more time he could just reform his Ice Wings and leave. It wouldn't be that much trouble. All he needed to do was either open a window or just bust through one of them and put in a new pane of glass. She'd left a fair few lying around so, what difference would a few more shards of broken glass and a missing pane make. She didn't seem to be the overly orderly kind to him.

 

"You're so kind, Caliborn... I'd better go back. T-thank you. I'll talk to you later." She gave him a small smile, though she didn't feel too might better. But even still, she felt more like herself, like she could be herself. But what was her true self? There were always smoke and mirrors, but maybe she could find out somehow. She climbed back through the window, putting a new pane of glass over it. "You're starting to come to."

 

"I've always been quite awake, thank you." Boreal replied. He could keep he waiting a little while, it wouldn't be a problem for him. He needed to get his energy back and then he could try and bust out of here. Actually, he may as well start trying to talk to her now. "So, what was all that about? I noticed you were talking to somebody else."



He watched Mikasa go and smiled at her as she left. He looked at the city from the top of the tower from a moment. What a view. He thought to himself. If he hadn't flown higher, he'd say it was like being at the top of the world. Thinking about it, most of these wizards would never know what it was like to go beyond the clouds as he had done. They'd never see the beauty of the world from on high, to fly alongside the birds and know what he supposed was true freedom. His brief musing aside, he leaped off the roof. The sudden exhilaration filled him with energy and the wind rushed through his hair and blasted his ears as gravity did its work. Before he hit anything, he shifted into Mist Body and flew in through the window. Falling made things much, much quicker. He formed back into human shape in the center of the hall and looked around. No Cal yet. She was bound to return to the Guild Hall eventually. For now, he would wait.

 

Guild hall:

Jack's pov: He turned around and saw Caliborn. He went over to talk to him. "How is your friend doing? Did they get help?" (Refering to last mission they were both on) He then thought of something else. "Do you mind if I ask you something personal?"

 

"Nothing that would concern you." She spat. "Even if it did, you're still a lowly prisoner, remember that, Boreal." She could feel her sudden sadness turn into anger, like most things did with Mikasa. It wasn't just that though, being here... here in this room brought her back, and she remembered her job. Her job to torture, her job to make the others in this room suffer. "You must have felt so free on that island, what does it feel like to be locked up now? Ha. I'm starting to see the resemblance between you and Dale now... you're both complete idiots. No different from anyone else, but even more so. Summoning Deliora... what kind of potions are you drinking? Whatever it is, I wouldn't mind some."

 

"The glorious highs of revenge and justice Mikasa. You ought to try it some time." He joked, putting on the coolest air possible. He'd not show himself to be weak. He co-operated before because it suited him, and he wanted her to realise that he would behave exactly as suited him. "In all seriousness, that demon was responsible for the death of my father and many, many more besides. You could say that my father's death made it personal. Is it not the role of a son to avenge his father? Even an unwanted one? Is it not the role of the strong to protect the weak? That demon could have been released for far, far more nefarious purposes. Do you know who brought Deliora to this world, Mikasa? Zeref. Arguably one of the most powerful dark wizards ever to have lived, and will live. He has cultists all over the land, people trying to revive him, people trying to collect his artifacts, all sorts. And you think, for a moment, that one of those groups when they find out about Deliora, they won't go looking? I would have destroyed the demon, but now because of your guild and your interference those cultists might actually release and try to bind Deliora to their will. Worse, it may even release itself and escape. Nothing to restrain it, nothing to kill it, the people on the island will die and then the nearest cities will follow. All because you people wouldn't help me. Working together we might actually have been able to. Locked away in that ice, it must be weakened, its life force drained. Now your Guild Master is going to take the matter to your vaunted Magic Council. Yes, the Magic Council. The council of inaction! Where were they when Deliora appeared the first time? Where will they be when it comes again?" Boreal spoke passionately, vehemently. With belief. Oh, and just one more thing.
"And don't even think of comparing me to my brother." Boreal spat. "if you think he and I are alike, then you are most mistaken. He and I may share appearances, but I am not him. Dale never had any ambition or driving purpose. He's had it all. Now he just wastes away listlessly here. I'm beyond that, I've researched, I've strived to be something better and I succeeded. I decided that I would do something with my life. I would kill Deliora. Nobody would know. A quiet victory. Something that would go unsung throughout the ages but I would know. I would be able to be proud and that's what counts. And then I could have moved on, done something like be part of a Guild like this I suppose. Tried to become master of that even. Where else can one go from slaying a powerful demon, other than aim to the top? Perhaps I could even take myself to the Magic Council and drive them to take action rather than sitting there uselessly. So you see, I am not like Dale. I'm what he could have been, if he actually cared to try. I'm the son that our father wanted, not him!" When he finished, he realised he had been ranting. He breathed heavily, trying to get his breath back from the speech he had just given Mikasa. Maybe she would see now, see some sense unlike the rest of these people![DOUBLEPOST=1433268939][/DOUBLEPOST]

"Yes, Siuan, Zarine and Elayne are fine. I'm not sure which Guild handled it, but Zarine sent me a message telling me that she was glad we helped and that we found other help for them." Caliborn answered, thankful for the ease of the question. It would be hard to find anything more stressful to answer, but he was immediately cautious when Jack wanted to ask him something personal. "Yes, I suppose. What do you want to ask?" What the devil does Jack want to do with me, and my private life?