Feeling full with both of food and magical energy once again. She walked around the encampment saying goodbye to the different people. They were wonderful people and she had enjoyed working with them. She walked over to Mr. Tim. He gave her a hearty hug and promised her a job back at the theater anytime she needed more work. She grinned and thanked him before heading off. Walking along the wide and manicured path, she approached the road.

She paused on it and looked down the road away from town. She wondered how Lex was doing and told herself to just chill. She would hear all about it when they got back. She turned and started walking towards town. She had a ways to go. She paused and looked around to make sure there was no one about, then pulled out her sword. Her ancient sword passed down through the generations. She wondered if it really would give her water abilities equal that of a water dragon slayer. Thinking of the famous dragon slayers in Fairy Tail's past, she wondered what it would have been like to work with Natsu. Probably a lot of fun.

She decided with this spare time by herself to try some mental exercises. She focused on the sword and felt it come slightly to life. Keeping that focus, she followed the water in the air, plants, animals, small creeks, etc that was around her. She focused on them until their presence was clear and then started expanding outward. Into the clouds. Into the woods. Into the quick running streams. She focused hard and was able to make out of screaming eagle. Drinking from what appeared to be her, but was actually the stream, was a deer. She felt her brain starting to get tired. It was a good exercise though and allowed her in these rare and quiet moments to build up stamina.

She wasn't really sure when it happened but as she continued to walk she started to notice that the dizziness was starting to fade. As her eyes started to see straight she slowly picked up the pass until she was running as fast as she could manage and still hold on to Nix.

It felt like she had been running for nearly an hour now, her feet her throbbing from the strain and she needed to stop to catch her breath. Slowing to a walk something in her gut told her not to stop. She wasn't sure why but she thought something bad might happen if she gave into her tired body and stopped to sit down. Pulling a bottle of water from her bag she took a drink and forced herself to continue. She would have to find somewhere to rest once she found her way out of this.

Putting the bottle back she looked down at Nix who was cradled in her arm. "Wake up." She whispered tickling her nose. Letting out a small sneeze Nix wakes up and rubs her nose. "I think I found the way out but I need you to hang on." After a good stretch Nix climbs up onto Lex's shoulder. After another minute or walking Lex takes off running again.

It wasn't long before the sun seemed like it was cutting through the trees more then it should be and then both had to shield their eyes just so then could see. Lex slowed to a walk again as the bright sun light became almost blinding and it was hard to make out objects in front of her.

Ann thought for a second that some of the water she had tapped into was Lex drinking. But it was faint so she wasn't certain. Tired out, she put her sword away. Town was in sight now and it wouldn't do to have people staring. She reached the outer limits and gratefully walked into the shadows of the buildings. It was morning, but a warm one for intense mental exercises like what she had just pulled. She took her time getting to the apartment complex Lucy lived in. It was a gorgeous place. She stood looking at it and saw the part of the building had rooms overlooking the boardwalk and river that ran by. She grinned. If there was any openings, then she wanted one. She decided to go for a two bedroom apartment. If Lex wanted to room with her, she could. Otherwise she would have a guest room. Smiling, she headed for the apartment office. No time like the present. She patted the money she carried from last night. Yep, today was going to be a very good day.

Just when it seemed like the light that surrounded them couldn't possible get any brighter it all faded and a cool breeze blew over them. Confused she looked around, she was standing ankle deep in a small stream that was bordered by trees on one side and tall, almost knee high, grass on the other side. Looking over the tall grass she started to recognize some of the rocks and trees that stood out in the grassy field and she realized that she was standing on the other side of the field that she was walking by before she entered the woods.

"It was some kind of spell..." She mumbled and looked at Nix who seemed dazed and confused. "If I wasn't interested before I'm definitely interested now. Why would someone go to all that trouble of creating a looped spell to trap people and stopping them from going down that road?" She asked still looking at Nix. After a minute she sighed and started to head for the tall grass. She stopped just before stepping on to dry land and looked around. "Do you think if I go back into the grass that I'll be reentering the spell?"

Hesitating for a minute she finally decides it might be safer to stay right where she was even if her shoes were now soaked. From where she was there was really no way for her to see the boarders of the spell she had walked into or the person who cast the spell was close by.

After pulling her boots off she tried to squeeze some of the water out of them and then started to walk down the center of the stream. Nix chittered and kind of bounced around on Lex's shoulders, she was clearly happy to be out of the spell as well.

Ann looked around her new apartment. It was gorgeous. The living room was spacious. Her kitchenette had room for a small table. The bathroom had a tub. She had her choice of two rooms to use as her bedroom. Since they both overlooked the boardwalk and were identical, she randomly picked one and dropped her bag in there. New problem. She had no furniture. Just what she had brought alone. Sighing, she turned slowly and let her gaze go over her place. It was hers, but suddenly she felt lonely. The job she had chosen paid well enough to cover a month's apartment. She had put what was left into savings.

Turning, she marched out and headed back to Fairy Tail. Reaching the guild, she slowed her pace and tried to look inconspicuous. Sure others always went back out as soon as they got back in, but she hadn't stopped to make very many friends among them yet. She eased over to the job board and looked it over. Too easy. Too hard. Required resources to travel there. Required a team. She was feeling frustrated. Lex had found a simple one. Why couldn't she? Finally she came across one that asked her to clear out of cave known as Dragon's Haunt. Obviously there couldn't be any real dragons there since Natsu would have checked that out right away. Still. This place seemed to hold something that was bothering the local populace. She wondered why the local soldiers hadn't dealt with it if it was a problem. Shrugging it off, she snatched the job posting and headed over to Mirajane.

Finally making her way beyond the grassy field and into the forest Lex made her way up out of the stream. Once on dry land again she found a nice shaded spot under a tree to rest. Nix jumped down and started to rummage through Lex's bag looking for something to eat or drink or both.

Lex laughed and ruffled her fur. Nix looked up at her and wrinkled her nose and then quickly went back to looking for something in the mag. Drying off her feet Lex pulled her boots back on and then pulled the map out. Gauging the distance from where she was right now to how far she still had to go she estimated that she still had at least a three days walk ahead of her. Though the fact that she wasn't traveling on the main road it might be longer. Moving so she could see the road she started on she wondered if she should stop and see who had put the spell there and why or if it would be better to finish the job she agreed to do first.

Thinking it over very carefully as they sat to rest and have something to eat. She made up her mind as she stood up again. "I'll spell the spell and try to ward off others from walking into it like we did. We'll have to figure out what's going on here after we finish the job in the next village." She said walking out from behind the trees and headed towards the spot she figured she walked into the spell.

Nix watches from the foot of a tree as Lex's entire body begins to steam. Though there wasn't anyone else around if there was and they were watching they would see Lex's eyes seem to change color as she draws her power forward. To her it always starts by a feeling deep in her gut and travels out to her finger tips. It almost looked like thin ribbons of fire danced off her skin and circled around her as she worked her magic. When she was done there was a large chunk of the road that looked like it was on fire.

Looking back at Nix she smiled. "Do you think that will stop people from going near the road?" Nix tilted her head at Lex's question and had a worried look on her face. "It'll have to do." Lex said running back across the grassy field. She quickly scooped up her bag and Nix jumped up on her as Lex ran along the boarder of the forest back to the road.

After getting back to the road Lex slowed down just enough to turn on to the road and continued to run. "We have a lot of ground to make up. There's no reason to make these people wait any long then they already have." Lex said to no one. She ran about a mile before slowing to a walk. Looking back down the road, more to make sure she didn't reenter the spell she, seeing the flames of the fire she set eased her mind.

Mirajane was very understanding when she saw Ann sneak over. Discreetly handing her the poster, Ann gave a sheepish grin. "Guess I am going back out." Mirajane looked at it and frowned. She wondered if maybe Ann wasn't being a bit too adventurous. She wasn't a very strong mage yet and already was tired from her last job. Ann quickly added, "I just want to earn a little more to go furniture shopping."

Mirajane knodded, "Sounds like a good idea, but do me a favor and ask Natsu if he would help you out a little bit. Just to keep you company." Ann thought about that. She hadn't had much of a chance to hang out with him since yesterday. He was the one that she met first. She knodded in agreement. While Mirajane took care of sending a letter to the employer, Ann went in search of Natsu. he wasn't in the guild so she tried the next best place. Lucy's apartment. She heard how he loved to crash there whether Lucy was home or not.

The day seemed to be running away faster then Lex was able to deal with. She was walking now and covered in sweat she made a mental note to stop and clean herself up before finally meeting with her employer.

Several more hours had past now and she was deep into the woods. Checking the map didn't held in telling her how much further she still had to go, there weren't any identifiable land marks on the map. She could only hope that she was closer now then when she started this morning. Nix was do her best to walk upright like a person beside her, being cooped up on her Lex's shoulder was starting to get to her.

She knocked on Lucy's door. After a moment, footsteps were heard padding over. The door unlatched and opened. Lucy blinked at Ann in surprise. Ann happily greeted her, "Hey Lucy, have you seen Natsu? I need to find someone to help with this next job and Mirajane suggested him." Lucy grimaced and asked, "You moved in next door didn't you? Well someone is snoring up a storm over there. Bet it is him." Ann's mouth dropped open in shock. But! What?! It was HER apartment and he didn't even ask permission! Lucy looked at her expression and giggled. Opening the door wider, she motioned Ann in.

Ann stood by the window looking out as she explained their weird and vague mission. Lucy knodded and thoughtfully asked, "Perhaps you wouldn't mind me coming along? I need just a bit more to cover rent. The rest is yours as I don't need even half of the payment. Is that alright?" Ann looked over at her and grinned. "That would be great Lucy. I want to get started before lunch. I'll run next door and pack. Can you be ready in a few?" Lucy gave her a thumbs up.

Ann rushed out and to her apartment. Walking in, she looked around and saw no sign that anyone was here. Walking into her bedroom though was all the proof she needed. Natsu was passed out right there in plain sight. She sighed and grabbed her backpack. Stuffing in stuff as she went through each room, she soon had it full. Hefting it on her back, she looked at herself in the mirror. Looking ready for adventure in her opinion. She grinned at herself and walked to the dining room table. Writing our a note to Natsu that he owed her, she left in on the table and headed out the door.

ooc: in an attempt to push things along a little faster I'm going to progress my side to the next day. but you're welcomed to continue with what you had planed.

ic: Spending most of yesterday running just to try to make up for lost time Lex was able to make up the wasted time and shortened how much further she would still need to travel.

The sun was just starting to lighten the sky. Lex sat up under a tree, Nix lay deep in sleep next to her, she was busy mapping out how much further she still had to travel. She felt bad for falling into that spell yesterday wanted to get to her destination before to much more time slipped by. The trip from Fiore to Bosco was meant to take at least a week but she was sure that the necklace she agreed to get back must be important or it wouldn't of been a listed job.

Putting the map away she pulled a little food from her bag and put some of it next to Nix. Relaxing as she leaned back against the tree she ate and waited for Nix to wake up. It didn't take long for Nix to wake up, smelling the food in her sleep she woke up and after a yawn and a good stretch jumped up to eat.

Within an hour the two are back on the road. With what looked like the end of the woods Lex took off running again Nix clung to her shirt and tried to hang on, the sudden change in speed nearly knocking her to the ground.

ooc: lol, no worries. now we are on the same day again.

ic: Ann and Lucy walked to the port and looked around. The place was crowded with workers and sailors. Finding the ferry, they booked passage and climbed on board. Ann found them a table with a great view on one of the upper decks. This would cut traveling time by quite a bit. She grinned in satisfaction. Lucy came over with lunch menus. They looked them over for a few minutes and debated what they wanted. Once the ferry pulled away from the docks, the waiters started serving people. One came over and took their order. They wanted to save money so ate a light lunch. It was a gorgeous view with the sparkling blue water going past. Ann smiled and leaned back. Soon she was napping. Lucy shook her head at Ann good naturedly.

ooc: oh my gosh I'm so sorry it's been so long. I really don't know where the time's gone. I've been so busy trying to keep up with school. I so hope you want to continue if not I totally understand.

ic: By the time she got close to the end of the woods the day stretched into early evening. Hearing angry voices arguing about something far enough in the woods that she couldn't see what was going on she stopped and tried to decide if she should go see what it was or continue on to the people she intended on helping.

"What do you think?" She whispered to Nix, not wanting to draw attention to them. Nix looked at then town in front of them and then hopped over to Lex's other shoulder closer to the voice. Lex nodded. "That's what I thought." She whispered and headed into the woods.

((No worries, I have that problem at times too. By all means, let's keep role playing ^_^))

ic: Lucy and Ann both took turns relaxing as the ferry made its way taking them closer and closer to Dragon's Haunt. Ann looked out at the sparkling water and wondered why life everywhere couldn't be happier. Then they would be out of work though so maybe not. Soon they reached the end of the line and got off the ferry. They were surprised to be met at the docks by their employer. "Ladies, I am so glad Fairy Tail is willing to help me. I was hoping you would get started this afternoon. That cave is driving the locals mad. They are all acting so scared over nothing." Lucy asked, "What exactly is going on?" He groaned, "People have started to go missing. Objects and things are missing. Crops are destroyed. And the evidence is usually a littered trail to the cave. Please do something!"

ooc: :( so sorry I didn't notice you replied

ic: Lex came up on the arguing she notice it was a man and a woman. As she tried to get closer the woman ordered the man to stop complaining and stick to the plan and then stumping off. The man sighed and followed after her. Confused on exactly what she just witnessed she knew she had to hurry up and get to her employer. She would have to worry about whatever this was later.

Making her way through the forest and into the town she quickly made her way to the main street and pulled the address from her bag before running down the street to her employers house. Reaching a small quaint looking house a few minutes later she knocked and waited for someone to answer.

Maybe a minute later a couple looking like they might be someones grandparents answered the door. "I'm Lex from..." The couple step aside and smile at her letting her come inside. "Yes, you're from Fairy Tail. Thank you so much for coming. Please come in." The man said. Smiling at them both Lex entered.

"I'd like to go ahead and get started. I just wanted to let you know that I was here." She told them looking around their simply decorated house. "Yes of course. But after all the trouble you've gone through to get here the least we can do is give you something to eat." The woman said leading the way to the kitchen. "Yes, please stay. My dear wife Martha is an excellent cook." The woman laughs lightheartedly. "Joe has always been such a charmer." She said busying herself preparing food.

Ann raised an eyebrow and kept quiet. That didn't sound like nothing at all. Lucy stammered, "Okay then. We better get started." They said their goodbye and headed out towards the cave. Walking through town and into the surrounding woods, it was peaceful and quite enjoyable. There didn't seem to be a reason to have a care in the world. They passed some small farms that sat back from the road in their own clearings. Soon though, they felt apprehension. The world became silent as birds disappeared from sight. Then they saw the opening of a cave in the side of a hill. There were some broken bones and pieces of wood out front, but nothing else.

After Martha finished preparing the meal the three sat down around the table to enjoy it. "As long as I'm here... Do you have any idea what's going on with the road outside your town?" Lex asked looking down at Nix who had a plate of her own on the floor beside Lex.

The couple looked at each other with grim expressions which only made Lex want to know even more. "Please. What's going on here?" Joe signed and took Marthas' hand as if he were trying to calm her down. "We don't really know who they are just that a magic guild made their way into town and they're trying to control who comes and goes." Sitting up straighter in her chair Lex starts to wonder just whats going on in this town. "They haven't said what they wanted? No one's tried to stop them?"

They look at each other again. "No. Most people are to scared to stand up to them or confront any of them..." Martha mumbled clearly shaken by the topic. Lex nods. "It's ok. A member of Fairy Tail is here now. I'm going to do everything I can to get your necklace back and see what I can do about this other magic guild."

Lucy and Ann felt a strong emotion of fear fill them slowly, causing them almost to turn and run back when a big large grandfather fell down and enclosed Lucy in it. Ann fell back and stared at the both of them with horror even though she knew it was one of Lucy's celestial spirit friends. The old fellow said, "The fear is not really your own feelings. It is manipulating. I can't feel it in here... she says" Lucy closed her eyes and tried to slow her heartbeat. Fear was fear, even if it wasn't her own. She had to create her own feelings. Gain control of herself. Before anyone could say another word, she pulled out one of her throwing daggers and stabbed herself in the thigh. Screaming, she felt the pain drive away the numbing fear that had filled her brain.