Ding da ding! Lucky's phone alarm jolted her awake. A cold sweat ran down her back and she realized that at some point she had unzipped her wyvern onesie during the night. Her exposed skin caused her to shiver. Why is it so cold? She wondered, but her thoughts were cut short by the tantalizing scent of maple bacon wafting into the loft from the kitchen. Jamie's cooking already? Lucky rubbed her eyes and checked her phone for the time. Oh. Her alarm had been going off for thirty minutes already. Jumping out of her bed she raced hopping over the railing and darting to the bathroom to get ready.
"Hey, why don't you eat first?" Jamie called out. "I have to head in early today so I figured I'd make you food before I left."
Lucky turned around and headed back to the kitchen to sit down at their table.
"Ya know," Lucky yawned, "It's been awhile since we last ate breakfast together without having to run out."
"You're telling me." Jamie flipped the bacon onto a bagel with egg and a colored sauce on it. "Maybe this Saturday we can just hang for a bit?"
Lucky nodded, then rested her head on her hand, "Do you ever regret becoming an adventurer?"
"Huh? Where did that come from?" Jamie handed Lucky the plate with her food on it, "But no, I can't picture myself doing anything else. I don't even think I could retire. I love what I do, even if it's a little boring sometimes."
"Boring?" Lucky muffled through her bagel, "From what I heard at the cafe, it can be really scary and difficult."
"Oh yeah, I guess most people would find aspects of it challenging." Jamie's voice was distant, "Hey, can I tell you something?"
"Hmm?" Lucky mumbled.
"I think I might have found someone who can understand me." Jamie said.
"Like a girlfriend?" Lucky's tail dropped.
"W-What?! No!" Jamie shook his head and hopped up to sit on the counter, "Someone I can spar with and mutually blow off some steam."
"Oh!" Lucky's tone perked up, "Can't you spar with Betty or Karyl? They seem pretty strong."
"Hmm Betty is extraordinary, but I think she too has some kind of mental block when we tee off. As for Karyl, I'm just a really bad matchup for her, and it can be tough to overcome that." Jamie sighed, "Ya know..." He looked away, "If you figure your stuff out, you might give me a run for my money."
"REALLY?!" Lucky's eyes lit up.
"Nope!" Jamie hopped down from the counter and walked towards the door, "You'd need a million years of training before you could ever hope to keep up with me!" Jamie cackled as he poured mana into the door. "Have a good day! Make sure to practice. I'll see you later."
"Yeah. Bye sheethead." Lucky took a giant bite out of her bagel.
The door slid open, "That's shithead. S-H-I-T-H-E-A-D. Shithead. Okay bye!" Jamie darted out of the door before Lucky could respond.
"That insufferable seaweed haired shithead!" Lucky grinded her teeth.
Then she took her plate with its half eaten sandwich over to the trash and began angling it to slide the food into the trash can. The bagel slipped off of the plate and floated in the air for a second before Lucky reached out and snagged it back into the safety of her hands.
"I'm so sorry my yummiest of bagels! It's not you, it's him!" She took another bite and smiled. "Yuuumm."
After taking care of cleaning up and her daily morning routine Lucky approached the door to leave. By this point a few days ago I was already exhausted while doing Jamie's training. I can go the whole day without really noticing any difference in how I feel. Lucky clenched her fist and opened the door. It's time.
Upon reaching The Shrine of Calamity Lucky saw a new face in the Shrine's attire speaking with Henya. She examined the strange woman. She had striking knifelike ears that had well kept orange fur with white tips. Henya noticed Lucky approaching and waved her down.
"Hello Lucky, do you have a moment?" Henya asked.
"Uhm sure, what's up Henya?"
"I'd like to introduce you to Emilia Wyvernheart. A devout shrine maiden here." Henya's smile comforted Lucky.
"Nice to meet you Emilia. My name is Lucky."
Emilia's red eyes traveled up and down Lucky's body, "You're an interesting one." Emilia cracked a smile.
"Now now, don't tease our friend." Henya placed her hand on Emilia's shoulder.
"I don't know what to say. What do you mean by 'interesting?'" Lucky cocked her head.
"Different, unusual and most definitely hiding something seriously out of this world." Emilia's choice of words caused Lucky's heart to jump.
"Uh-oh, yeah... I guess that makes sense. You're very pretty Emilia." Lucky stumbled her way through the compliment but got there eventually.
"So I've been told, thank you Lucky. Anywho. I must retire. I'm so very tired." Emilia left Henya and Lucky to themselves.
"Sorry about that, she's a bit of an enigma. But she means well." Henya motioned to the shrine.
"Oh, sorry I can't stay. I've got to get to work."
"No worries, maybe sometime you should consider joining us here at The Shrine of Calamity. You'll feel right at home among the other lost children." Henya's knowing smile was off putting.
"I'll think about it?" Lucky waved to Henya as she quickly took off. What was THAT all about?
Lucky made it to Baldie's stables and was greeted swiftly by the man himself. Baldie brought Delilah over to Lucky before she could say anything.
"But I didn't even ask yet." Lucky happily hugged Delilah and the Wyvern clicked its tongue and hummed in kind.
"These days Delilah here only wants to fly the mafia girl, some neko with a bunch of gear and you. At this time of day Delilah is always on the mountain so she's always all yours unless something changes." Baldie explained.
"That makes me so happy Baldie!!! If I had the choice I'd never ride any other Wyvern, it'd only be Delilah." Lucky continued petting her and offered Baldie her phone to pay.
"No need, Jamie took care of your Wyvernfare before you got here. He said something about how you can pay him back by treating him to dinner tonight."
"Haha, very funny. Well I'll be going now! Stay safe and have a great day!" Lucky swung herself onto Delilah and they took off heading for the northern drop point in Aegis. The wind blew through Lucky's hair, her twintails whipped around smacking her from time to time. After a quick skitter her hair took the form of twinbuns with some of her hair let down. The air was colder than it had been on her trip to Aegis the last few days but she managed not to complain a single time. After arriving Lucky tossed Delilah some handmade treats and loved up on her before heading to The Fool's Carol.
Upon arriving Lucky was greeted by Cleo bolting around the establishment. "Welcome in, Lucky!" She shouted. "I know you just got here but could you clock in and handle the counter for a bit?" If the frosty air didn't wake Lucky up, Cleo's bubbly personality sure did.
"Okaydokey! I'll get right on it."
Lucky rushed to the counter and began greeting guests and taking their orders. It seemed like the line quadrupled in length the moment she showed up. She recognized quite a few familiar faces. Uh that's Rogdan the dwarf adventurer who always has good stories. That's Holly, leader of Team Decima... But wait, only the Neko with the super fluffy tail is with her... Tata was it? No, Tager? No, Tager is the human with the farming obsession. Lucky skillfully handled everyone's orders while also preparing various displays for the day's promotion.
"Jamie didn't come with you today, hon?" Karyl asked Lucky hesitantly.
"Nope!" Beep, Lucky rang out another guest. "He had something to take care of super early I guess."
"Oh it's probably about finalizing a contract." Kayrl said dryly.
Lucky shrugged, "I donno, he didn't say."
Karyl sighed, "When you finish up with this rush, switch out with one of the girls and come see in my office."
Lucky's ears twitched, "Okaydokey!"
Did I do something wrong? Lemme think. I was early, I clocked in, took orders, fixed the display, cleaned the counter, and restocked. Hmmmm, maybe not." Lucky brushed it out of her mind after reviewing her actions.
A loud bang sent the doors to The Fool's Carol flying open. Lucky noticed one of the men Jamie had beat up while protecting the Laprin standing in the opening. At his feet was the tiny Laprin girl Tolli that Jamie had given a starbit snack to. Without thinking Lucky jumped over the counter and blitzed the man. Had she been paying attention she would have noticed every single adventurer getting to their feet and Cleo coming in from the back. The man with a scar on his forehead seemed to be mumbling something incomprehensibly and his magical circuits flickered. Lucky placed her hand on Tolli's shoulder and pulled her back sliding her across the floor to the safety of Rogdan's table.
Lucky yelled at the man, "Leave Tolli alone!"
Lucky then turned towards the man and leapt at him delivering a nasty dropkick to his chest, knocking him back outside onto his back. He managed to get himself to his feet before Lucky could stand in the doorway, blocking his path.
"It's all their fault! Those FUCKING FILTHY RABBITS, I'LL TURN THEM TO STEW!!!" His voice seemed raspy and doubled over itself.
Karyl appeared behind Lucky and went to step out in front but Lucky stopped her. "Please Karyl, let me take care of him. I feel like I should since Jamie isn't here and I was there during the first incident."
I really can't say no to her... Can I? Jamie's going to have a field day with me. Karyl took a deep breath but gave Lucky a thumbs up.
"Can you check with Tolli and see if Chuck's okay?" Lucky asked while stepping towards the man.
"Who's Chuck?"
"Her father. I need to know if he's in danger." Lucky explained.
"Sure. I'll uh, let the patrons know you've got this handled." Karyl whispered something to Cleo on her way back inside and Cleo stood by the entrance watching closely.
"I never thought I'd see any of you making trouble again after what Jamie did to you." Lucky's voice quivered.
"HUH?! WHO CARES?! WHERE IS THAT DISGUSTING EXCUSE OF A LONG EAR?!"
Lucky furrowed her brow and clenched her teeth, "I think I need to teach you some manners." Lucky's voice was laced with hostility. Sorry Jamie, but I'm going to have to break a few rules here.
"YOU'RE GOING TO FIGHT ME?! WEREN'T YOU THE NEKO THAT PISSED ITSELF UPON SEEING US JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO?!" He jeered.
"The time for words is over." Lucky flew forward materializing an azure feather pen with a gold tip.
"A QUILL?! WHAT'RE YA GONNA DO WITH THAT HAHAHAHA!" He brandished his chrominium gun at Lucky.
"Hear me, Feather of The Moon. Shine!" Lucky's voice echoed and the pen turned into a bo staff.
The polearm jammed itself into the man's gun hand, knocking it free of his control. With a quick flick of her wrist the staff swirled and landed firmly on the ground. Lucky contracted her gut muscles and spun so that she could get a clean kick in on his face. Blocking narrowly, he tried to snag her ankle.
"Shine!" The bo staff turned into a whip.
Lucky dropped causing him to miss her ankle. She made a snapping motion with her arm causing the whip to connect with his calf, tearing flesh from the bone. Kipping up, she popped onto her feet.
"Shine!" It now turned into an azure set of tonfas with gold accents.
Aptly spinning the weapons, Lucky carefully distanced herself from him. The man began snickering.
"I don't need this... This city... It's so fake, so bullshit. Why should I care about the no attack magic rules? TELL ME WHY I SHOULD CARE?!" The man roared with fury as he charged up a ball of fire in his hands.
Cleo took a step forward but Lucky had already closed the gap. With three quick strikes to the man's left temple, right side of his jaw and liver he crumpled to the ground unconscious.
Lucky stood over the defeated aggressor but she felt nothing. Her breathing was evenly paced, her heart rate was slightly elevated and her emotions were steady. Tsk. Lucky sucked her teeth and turned away from the man walking back towards the cafe. He barely managed to raise his gun and point it at Lucky's back.
"What do you know?" He whimpered, placing a small amount of pressure on the trigger.
Lucky turned her head and gasped upon seeing the barrel of the gun directed at her. Before she could react a large shadow encapsulated the man and a hefty golem made from sand dropped its butt on his back.
"Augh!" The man gasped for air and his eyes rolled into the back of his head.
"Return." Cleo's voice called out.
The sand from the golem withered away and a small silver bead floated back to Cleo's hand. She wiped it gently with a cloth before stashing it into her chest. Vladimir came outside and gave the two girls a nod of approval.
"Such a shame." He shook his head, "Argentine used to have such hope and love in his heart. I'll take him in for questioning." Vladimir hoisted the man onto his shoulder and went back inside.
"So... I'm sure you know this, but never take your eyes off the enemy until you've confirmed they're incapacitated." Cleo approached Lucky, "But you did great! Have you thought about properly registering to be an adventurer?"
Lucky nodded but remained silent.
"What's wrong?" Cleo leaned in.
"Mmm mm." Lucky shook her head, "It's probably nothing, but..."
"But what?"
"I felt a very familiar energy coming from him, I think... It might be worth taking it easy on him." Lucky went pale, "I need to talk to Jamie tonight about this."
Cleo gave Lucky her space and her voice was soothing, "Anything I can do to help?"
"No, but thank you anyway. I think I'm going to go fill out that paperwork." Lucky hurriedly went to the reception counter in the back of the first floor and spoke with Beatrix about finishing her registration. After a few signatures and a quick beep of her phone. Lucky had been registered as a Hatchling adventurer with The Fool's Carol. Karyl approached Lucky.
"You did good today, why don't you take the rest of the day off." Karyl said.
"I don't need you to coddle me. You're not my mother. I appreciate everything you've done for me but would you offer anyone else the day off? This is an adventurer's guild where everyone who works here is a ranked adventurer... Except me." Lucky stated bluntly.
Karyl raised an eyebrow, "How do I coddle you?"
"You gave me special training but then gave me special treatment after I got banged up a little. You entertain all of my selfish and silly requests. You're too good to me and I feel like you treat me like a little kid." Lucky explained.
"If you really feel that way hon, then I've got a job for you." Karyl said happily.
"Huh?"
"There is a party short two people, and in need of at least another body. The quest they're taking on isn't too dangerous and one of them is a Crowdell so I don't need to worry about you coming back in pieces."
"Holly's party?" Lucky asked.
"Correct, Team Decima. They will probably ask for your role card, did you fill it out during registration?"
"Yep! It's all taken care of." Lucky said proudly.
"Great, go meet up with them. They should still be in the cafe waiting on a third."
"Okay! And uhm... I'm sorry." Lucky said sheepishly.
"Me too, now go take care of that quest!"
Bouncing back to the cafe side Lucky looked toward where Team Decima normally sat and took a deep breath. You can do this. Pumping herself up she slid into a seat across from Taiga and next to Holly.
"Hello!" Lucky's cheerful voice grabbed their attention, "Hi, I'm Lucky. Karyl said you two were in need of a third?"
Holly and Taiga exchanged glances, "Hi Lucky, I'm Holly and that's Taiga. I wasn't aware you went on quests." Holly said.
"I do now!" Lucky smiled.
"Well we do need all the help we can get." Taiga admitted, doubt in her voice.
"Do you have your guild card handy?" Holly asked.
"Mmmhmm." Lucky handed it to Holly.
Holly began reading, "It says here you're a hatchling with no accepted or completed quests."
Taiga slumped in her chair, "The rank isn't so much of an issue but having no experience might be."
Holly kept reading, "Role card says you can fill frontline, flex role, rearguard, support or artillery." Holly sighed, "With no adventuring experience I find this incredibly hard to believe."
"Jamie approved this role card a while ago." Lucky protested, "I do have experience in combat, even if my abilities are limited right now."
Taiga looked at Holly, "I know you heal fast and it's been a week but are you good if we need to get her out fast?"
Holly nodded, "Yep! Shouldn't be an issue. So, Lucky the famous clerk of The Fool's Carol wishes to join us?"
"I dunno about being famous, but that's right! I'd be honored if you'd have me!" Lucky's warm smile caught Holly off guard."
"It's not like Holly can say no to a cute girl." Taiga giggled.
"Ha ha, very funny. We'll take a chance on you. Get your stuff around and let's get going towards the Wyverns." Holly directed.
Lucky scurried to a bathroom and once inside her body skittered. For the first time since being on Earth the right side of her twintails turned black with red highlights, and the left side turned white with blue highlights. Her right eye turned a brilliant sapphire and the left into a fascinating ruby color. She gained five centimeters in height and her ahoge grew a bit. Her body was adorned in a black and gold battle dress with intricate breastplate protecting her. A golden pauldron was affixed to her right shoulder and her tail split into a black tail and an ashe one. Both tails had fancy bells fixed to them with pink ribbon. However, everytime she moved they remained silent. Her legs were protected by armour up to her thighs leaving a gap between them and her dress. A pair of boost boots snugly held onto her feet and ankles. Finally she transformed her feather into a rapier and sheath to place at her waist.
With a satisfied look in the mirror Lucky confidently pranced back out to the cafe common area. Heads turned to Lucky as she stepped out. Cleo ran over and began inspecting her from multiple angles.
"OH! MY! GOD!!! YOU'RE SO CUTEEEE!!! SQUUUEEE!!!" Cleo lost her mind over Lucky as she grabbed her shoulders, shaking her.
"And you're yelling in my face." Like a dissatisfied cat, Lucky leaned back as far as she possibly could.
"Oh, sorry!" Cleo stepped back quickly. "Do me a favour would ya?"
"What's that?" Lucky asked.
"Give 'em hell out there!" Cleo pumped her fist.
Lucky nodded and rejoined the members of Team Decima that were present, "So, uh... What exactly are we doing again?"
"Let's walk and talk." Holly started for the door.
Taiga and Lucky followed closely behind listening to Holly.
"Compared to our last two gigs, this is relatively simple in comparison. We just need to fly over to Gilgamesh's Coliseum and inspect it."
Taiga's eyes lit up, "The abandoned one? What are we looking for? Treasure? Relics?"
Holly shook her head, "Nope, just a routine sweep of the place and the surrounding area for monsters."
"I see, and if there are monsters? What's the protocol?" Lucky wondered.
"Well depending on the quantity and type we either exterminate or report back." Holly explained, "I mean if we bump into any Alpha's, Ennobled or threats beyond the scope of a Crowdell we bail."
"Remember Terra our support and Nepped our assassin aren't with us. So we'll have to pick and choose our fights much more carefully." Taiga added.
"That's a solid point, Taiga. I didn't expect you to say something like that." Holly praised her, "That being said, I can function as artillery but I prefer my role on the frontline."
"Right," Taiga nodded, "And while I fancy myself a frontliner, it seems I've been filling the flex spot on our team more and more."
The Wyvern services came into view as the group turned the corner. Is this their way of telling me I need to fill artillery, rearguard or support for this mission? Lucky wondered. I want to know but I don't want to seem stupid for asking. If it's something that should be super obvious then I should already know it... Uuugghhh! What should I do?! Lucky's face contorted as she started to spiral.
"What's wrong? Afraid of heights?" Holly asked.
"Wha?! No! I love riding Delilah." Lucky took a deep breath, "I didn't want to ask but I'd rather look stupid now then cause problems later. Did you tell me about your roles so I'd know which to fill?"
Holly smiled, "No silly, while it's good that you're thinking like that we really just need you to help us cover ground during the inspection. If we wind up doing any fighting you can leave the heavy lifting to us!" Holly declared proudly.
"Oh... Okay." Lucky's ears tilted downward.
"You sure about that?" Taiga whispered to Holly.
"Nope!" Holly giggled, "I just wanted to take the pressure off a bit."
Taiga shook her head and approached the Wyvern stalls, "Wait, did you say Delilah?!" Taiga yelped.
"Yup! She's my buddy!" Lucky's mood bounced back.
"Are you the one who's been registering her for entire days in the morning?" Taiga growled.
"Y-yeah... Why?"
Taiga pouted, "Hmph, You're a nuisance. I'm riding her to the Coliseum."
"Ack!" Lucky held out her arm in disbelief.
Holly smacked Taiga from behind, "Now now, rock paper scissors for it."
"Finnneee." Taiga moaned.
The two Nekos turned to each other with determination in their eyes and their tails swiping too and fro. "Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!" The pair yelled in unison.
"Draw, again!" Holly said.
They managed to draw back to back for the next twenty matches. With each draw the contestants grew more desperate and animated with every play.
"Alright, that's enough." Holly said exasperated, "Taiga you ride her on the way there, and Lucky you get the ride home. But Taiga."
"Yes?!" Taiga had already hopped up onto Delilah.
"Reimburse her for the time you ride."
"O-oh yeah." Taiga fiddled with her phone for a moment and Lucky's vibrated signaling the receipt of the funds.
Lucky meandered the stalls and eventually found another Wyvern she had used in the past.
"Oh, hello there Bobo!" Lucky patted the off yellow Wyvern.
A pronounced scar ran from its collar bone across its chest and beyond its belly. Lucky mounted the beast and it clicked happily. Before the group could even get off of the ground, Lucky had begun talking the Wyvern's ear off. Taiga was happily nuzzling Delilah's neck from behind but Delilah just kept her eyes focused on Lucky and Bobo. Realizing this, Taiga's heart shattered into a million little pieces and she died.*
*Eon's note. Taiga's heart did not literally shatter nor did she actually die. She felt immense jealousy unlike ever before and that broke something inside of her.
**************************************************************
(Uploaded version is the initial draft of the work LxD. The final edited version will be available for purchase in the future and you can check the progress of the book by visiting Lucky's streams twitch.tv/TheLuckyTempest)