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…
A week passed since their initial talk. At that moment, Noëll and Natsu were on a highway, making way to a neighbouring city. Natsu was at passenger’s staring at the window. And thanks to his boredom, he was slowly getting ready to slide right out of it.
“How long is it gonna taaaaake?” he complained rather pathetically. His brother however didn’t stop happily humming his favorite tune that played on the radio. For some reason, his brother really liked the country station, when taking longer roads. Natsu powered through it barely, but only out of necessity.
“Well, until you finally get into one of those schools!” He sung his answer. “…I think.”
“What?” Natsu felt that his brother was thinking of something else.
“Mom and Dad don’t know that you are taking an extra year for night classes, right? So what we’ll do, meanwhile, is get you a place to stay there for the summer. We’ll just say I found for you some great prospective position to do over there, until you’ll get into university. I’ve talked to my college buddy, and we both found some good extra fast courses, too. Meanwhile, I’ll start on your acceptance papers...”
Natsu felt something tinge in him. It was this weird sort of comfort, that came from talking to someone very reliable. A warmth he could only hope to feel everyday.
“Wow, you’d do all of that for me?” he asked, one of his eyes watering.
“Of course! Mom and Dad won’t know, you won’t feel bad, plus you get to be in the same school I went to! Rad, isn’t it?” Noëll gave him a smile.
Natsu smiled back, clearly happy a bit about this turn of events. No more worries to consider, such as becoming a cashier at retail store, a garbageman, or something even worse. For example, a clown apprentice. Yeah, he could do funny bits and have pie thrown at his face, but he was bad at acting, and would be allergic to some pies. Also, he wouldn’t like things being thrown at his face.
Still, he began thinking, how much he owes to his brother for this. How long it would take to pay him back. And also, how he follows the same footsteps of Noëll’s. Again.
“Whatcha thinking?” Noëll asked, getting Natsu to focus again on reality.
“Um, oh! You said you have a friend hiring me. I just thought, uh, is he some sort of university buddy?”
“Oh really? I thought you were again imagining yourself becoming a clown, or something.”
What made you think that!? He wanted to say. Instead, he replied with, “Nope, just about your friend.”
“Oh he is just a good ole friend of mine.”
“You have way too many of those,” Natsu snarked. “Be specific.”
“You’ll like him,” his brother reassured.
Natsu raised an eyebrow at it.
Finally, after spending long time, they turned away from the Serenity Road, and the city he grew up in began to disappear. Natsu watched it from the window. The urban city skyline disappearing, one that always comforted him, where his father worked, and so would his brother, too. One day, he could’ve also gone there, and maybe make a living in something similar. Everything was so easy, when it all followed the plan. And now, he had to go, for three months, maybe.
He never had to go away from home for that long. Two times for a summer camp was the most that he had done. Otherwise, he would stick around, never needing to go anywhere. Then again, he didn’t even need to, since no one ever bothered to call him over. Or at least, there never was someone.
Rows and rows of roofs from the bottom began to disappear next, one of which was of his home. It was the most usual of red colors in there, so much so, that he could always spot it whenever they go to higher places. And he could easily spot it too. That was his biggest talent, recognizing something from small details alone. Of course, he was told exactly ten times that he was wrong. And all of them came from Dad, who worked on that roof himself. That doesn’t meant Natsu was actually wrong, though. He was going to miss those talks.
Soon enough, he could glimpse at the town he will be living in soon. The first thing he noticed were the heights of the buildings. They were absolutely nonexistent. At least, in comparison to his old home city’s skyscrapers. All he could see where the large, barren fields of trees and grass adorned with open roads. It took them some time until they could finally also see the rows of houses, which were further away from the highway they drove. The area was sub-urban, from what he remembered, and contained one very large shopping centre. When he saw it, it quite literally glared at him back. It was that huge. The whole place already felt different, making Natsu that more anxious. Like, you should learn a whole new vocabulary anxious.
They passed an unassuming sign, that read “Selak Town.” He wondered what that name meant. They soon exited the highway. It took a while, going through the single road walled with trees, until they could see buildings again. But, they were near their destination, so at least there was that. The huge mall became bigger, and as time went by, reached the size that almost blocked parts of the sky. Natsu just couldn’t take his eyes off it.
The car entered the building’s parking lot area, Natsu had a feeling that this place was exactly where his brother was taking him. So maybe, he was going to work in a mall? Not that bad, all things considered. He could work for a while there, maybe in-between looking for another, low-skill job he could take. Then again, he could also take some extra classes he needed to get to a university. Not that it really will help him. This guy, who has no clue what type of diploma he wants to get, except for probably try the same one dad and Noëll got. Maybe he should focus on just spending time doing stuff, at least.
“Alright, we are here!” Noëll said. They stopped right next to the sidewalk, which lead to the mall’s entrance.
“…Right here?” Natsu looked at the distance, which definitely was about twenty-minute walk.
“Yep, now outta the car, sport.”
Natsu obliged, thought still surprised. As he closed the door, he noticed his brother put his hands together into a prayer. He drove further down the road and slowly turned to the parking lot. It was then that Natsu realized how huge it was, with lots of cars packed into every possible space.
“Good luck,” Natsu whispered, giving one last long look to his brother. “May we see each other again.”
And so, Natsu treaded towards the giant mall. Which, to mention it again, was HUGE. None of the malls before he saw reached that size, and he lived near the city. This felt like it could house several living quarters inside itself. Who knows, that might even be true here.
Natsu made his way to the center pavement, leading directly to the main doors. There was still a lot of way to go through, though. In the end, he decided keep himself busy while walking, by looking around and recognizing each car brand in the parking lot. From convertibles to minivans, from a sports car to a SUV, from Highlander to Camry, from two years ago to ten years ago, from Caravan to an actual caravan….
…
He checked again. An actual caravan. With a horse attached. Feeding on a bucket.
Natsu’s floppy ears shot up from interests as he approached it for a closer look. Who would ever park a horse in a parking lot, one would ask. Maybe they just couldn’t find a nearby stable in these parts? When the horse looked back, he shook a bit and backed away. Better leave these things alone.
“Cease! Cease! Cease!”
Natsu jumped up from a man riding up to him on a bicycle. The latter was panting, very loudly, until he finally stopped right at Natsu’s feet. His breathing was almost otherworldly, as if he has some unknown demon jumping in his throat. That, or it was trying to get out.
“You okay?” Natsu asked politely.
“Do not…dare to mingle…with me you…peasant!” The cyclist suddenly declared.
“…Excuse me?”
“I do not talk with poor people who have to walk on two legs! Let alone, use a…ugh…car! Go ahead and shit on earth itself, why don’t you, you lowly scum! Out with you!!!”
The man then mounted his seat again, but not before spitting right to Natsu’s feet. He rode away, all the while mumbling about making “one more round.”
“…Ooookay, Your Highness,” he said, before whispering, “Prick.”
“EXCUSE ME?!” The man complained. “I’ll have you know, my hearing is pitch perfect! All thanks to my ingenious genes that let me bike all day long! Come here, you!!!”
Natsu made a run for it to the mall without looking. He didn’t even pay attention to what was happening behind him and ran for two minutes straight, until he finally felt like slowing down. Panting like crazy, considering this was first since forever that he did cardio, he looked back. The cyclist barely left his spot. In fact, he seemed to be throwing up while on all fours. With no desire to continue watching the sordid sight, he continued towards the mall. Though, while also commenting with “Enjoy your day, Your Highness,” under his breaths.
“I HEARD THAT!!!” The cyclist shouted from a distance. He proceeded to vomit again.
Natsu made the rest of the way to the mall, which in the end took him around five more minutes. The building’s sized never ceased to be incredible, and even managed to be more so the closer he got. It was almost as if he was near a castle. Well, one without a bridge, moat or towers where the watchmen usually stay to toot their horns when they see intruder to call the guards.
Speaking off, Chester noticed someone acting like a guard. It was a stocky kid standing by the door, with arms crossed and stony look. The kid looked just like you’d think any bulldog would, with buzz-cut, a skull shirt…all he needed was just a nerd whose underwear he needed to pull. He was probably really intimidating looking for anyone below age of ten.
Natsu waved awkwardly to the kid, “Hey there.”
The kid kept his lips smooshed shut. Figuring it was more or less a sign to just let the kid do whatever he wanted, Natsu made his way straight to the door.
Then the kid to block his way.
“Password,” the boy ordered.
Natsu took a solid second to process this.
“Excuse me?”
“Password.”
Natsu blinked, and almost chuckled.
“Sure... Please?”
The kid gave him a side-eye, which bothered Natsu. The he shook his head. “Nuh-uh, wrong one.”
Natsu stared at the kid some more. In quickest maneuver that his small body would allow him, he dashed towards the door. However, he was stopped by the sheer bulk of an elementary school child.
Suddenly tumbling back on his tail, which he think he twisted cause it really hurt, he yelled, “C’mon, just let me through!”
“No can do, pal!”
Natsu groaned and got up, fixing his tail. To be barred from entering by a kid was embarrassingly frustrating, let this be clear. But, being the older, wiser, and morally more responsible meant that Natsu had to take a higher road approach to this. And so, of course, he began choosing his words carefully, and after five seconds, came out with,
“Whachu want?”
The kid looked up and slowly stroke his chin. “Hmm, I guess you’re new here, which is why you don’t know. Alright, to get in, you need a payment.”
Natsu’s face was frozen stiff. It wasn’t frustration, but slow realization that some kid is literally bribing him to get into this huge, castle-sized mall. At this point, might as well just wear his pants as a hat.
“Are you serious?” he asked, genuinely.
“You are not getting in, mister.”
“Yeah, and what if I go and find another door?”
The kid squeezed his already beady eyes. “You don’t want this…Mister.”
Natsu turned his head at an angle. This kid…this arrogant, overfed little booger decided to threaten him. It was absurd, and yet strangely intimidating. But what was he gonna do to him, give him a wedgie or something? Just like in grade seven, I guess, Natsu thought.
“Skully?” Natsu turned to look behind him. A man, thin with long muzzle and holding some briefcase, was visibly shaking all over.
“Well, well, well, Mr. Throdger!” The boy chuckled, “How fine it is to see you in this lovely day.”
Natsu’s gaze jumped from one to the other. The whole thing appeared surreal.
“But,” the man gulped, nearly choking on dry spit, “but I thought the payment day is next week?”
“The schedule been moved. I have to go to granny’s place, so we’re making today the charity day. Now cough it up.” The boy put out his hand, ready to receive.
“S-s-sure thing…” The man then actually reached into his pocket for a wallet and pulled some money out. Immediately he took out some more and handed it to Skully, “Here, some for the new kid too!”
Skully began rapidly counting the bills in his pudgy hands. A satisfactory smile grew up on his face.
“Heh, you remembered to double this time. Excellent! See you next time, Rob.” The kid waved before waddling off from the door. Natsu watched him run towards the ice-cream truck which just stopped near the store.
The man, Rob Throdger, sighed in relief. “You can thank me for saving you hide later,” he grumbled, before walking away in a slouch.
Natsu couldn’t stop shifting between the older man and the child. To think he would get caught up in some junior extortion racket would be the last thing on his mind. Hell, the whole day has been filled with some constant new thing. Was this how he was going to spend most of his time here? Hopefully not.
And so, he looked up at the mall’s tagline, hanging above the doors, loudly proclaiming: “Everything you want and don’t want under one roof!”
“Guess we’ll find out,” Natsu smirked, and went in.
…
-----------------------------------------
…
A week passed since their initial talk. At that moment, Noëll and Natsu were on a highway, making way to a neighbouring city. Natsu was at passenger’s staring at the window. And thanks to his boredom, he was slowly getting ready to slide right out of it.
“How long is it gonna taaaaake?” he complained rather pathetically. His brother however didn’t stop happily humming his favorite tune that played on the radio. For some reason, his brother really liked the country station, when taking longer roads. Natsu powered through it barely, but only out of necessity.
“Well, until you finally get into one of those schools!” He sung his answer. “…I think.”
“What?” Natsu felt that his brother was thinking of something else.
“Mom and Dad don’t know that you are taking an extra year for night classes, right? So what we’ll do, meanwhile, is get you a place to stay there for the summer. We’ll just say I found for you some great prospective position to do over there, until you’ll get into university. I’ve talked to my college buddy, and we both found some good extra fast courses, too. Meanwhile, I’ll start on your acceptance papers...”
Natsu felt something tinge in him. It was this weird sort of comfort, that came from talking to someone very reliable. A warmth he could only hope to feel everyday.
“Wow, you’d do all of that for me?” he asked, one of his eyes watering.
“Of course! Mom and Dad won’t know, you won’t feel bad, plus you get to be in the same school I went to! Rad, isn’t it?” Noëll gave him a smile.
Natsu smiled back, clearly happy a bit about this turn of events. No more worries to consider, such as becoming a cashier at retail store, a garbageman, or something even worse. For example, a clown apprentice. Yeah, he could do funny bits and have pie thrown at his face, but he was bad at acting, and would be allergic to some pies. Also, he wouldn’t like things being thrown at his face.
Still, he began thinking, how much he owes to his brother for this. How long it would take to pay him back. And also, how he follows the same footsteps of Noëll’s. Again.
“Whatcha thinking?” Noëll asked, getting Natsu to focus again on reality.
“Um, oh! You said you have a friend hiring me. I just thought, uh, is he some sort of university buddy?”
“Oh really? I thought you were again imagining yourself becoming a clown, or something.”
What made you think that!? He wanted to say. Instead, he replied with, “Nope, just about your friend.”
“Oh he is just a good ole friend of mine.”
“You have way too many of those,” Natsu snarked. “Be specific.”
“You’ll like him,” his brother reassured.
Natsu raised an eyebrow at it.
Finally, after spending long time, they turned away from the Serenity Road, and the city he grew up in began to disappear. Natsu watched it from the window. The urban city skyline disappearing, one that always comforted him, where his father worked, and so would his brother, too. One day, he could’ve also gone there, and maybe make a living in something similar. Everything was so easy, when it all followed the plan. And now, he had to go, for three months, maybe.
He never had to go away from home for that long. Two times for a summer camp was the most that he had done. Otherwise, he would stick around, never needing to go anywhere. Then again, he didn’t even need to, since no one ever bothered to call him over. Or at least, there never was someone.
Rows and rows of roofs from the bottom began to disappear next, one of which was of his home. It was the most usual of red colors in there, so much so, that he could always spot it whenever they go to higher places. And he could easily spot it too. That was his biggest talent, recognizing something from small details alone. Of course, he was told exactly ten times that he was wrong. And all of them came from Dad, who worked on that roof himself. That doesn’t meant Natsu was actually wrong, though. He was going to miss those talks.
Soon enough, he could glimpse at the town he will be living in soon. The first thing he noticed were the heights of the buildings. They were absolutely nonexistent. At least, in comparison to his old home city’s skyscrapers. All he could see where the large, barren fields of trees and grass adorned with open roads. It took them some time until they could finally also see the rows of houses, which were further away from the highway they drove. The area was sub-urban, from what he remembered, and contained one very large shopping centre. When he saw it, it quite literally glared at him back. It was that huge. The whole place already felt different, making Natsu that more anxious. Like, you should learn a whole new vocabulary anxious.
They passed an unassuming sign, that read “Selak Town.” He wondered what that name meant. They soon exited the highway. It took a while, going through the single road walled with trees, until they could see buildings again. But, they were near their destination, so at least there was that. The huge mall became bigger, and as time went by, reached the size that almost blocked parts of the sky. Natsu just couldn’t take his eyes off it.
The car entered the building’s parking lot area, Natsu had a feeling that this place was exactly where his brother was taking him. So maybe, he was going to work in a mall? Not that bad, all things considered. He could work for a while there, maybe in-between looking for another, low-skill job he could take. Then again, he could also take some extra classes he needed to get to a university. Not that it really will help him. This guy, who has no clue what type of diploma he wants to get, except for probably try the same one dad and Noëll got. Maybe he should focus on just spending time doing stuff, at least.
“Alright, we are here!” Noëll said. They stopped right next to the sidewalk, which lead to the mall’s entrance.
“…Right here?” Natsu looked at the distance, which definitely was about twenty-minute walk.
“Yep, now outta the car, sport.”
Natsu obliged, thought still surprised. As he closed the door, he noticed his brother put his hands together into a prayer. He drove further down the road and slowly turned to the parking lot. It was then that Natsu realized how huge it was, with lots of cars packed into every possible space.
“Good luck,” Natsu whispered, giving one last long look to his brother. “May we see each other again.”
And so, Natsu treaded towards the giant mall. Which, to mention it again, was HUGE. None of the malls before he saw reached that size, and he lived near the city. This felt like it could house several living quarters inside itself. Who knows, that might even be true here.
Natsu made his way to the center pavement, leading directly to the main doors. There was still a lot of way to go through, though. In the end, he decided keep himself busy while walking, by looking around and recognizing each car brand in the parking lot. From convertibles to minivans, from a sports car to a SUV, from Highlander to Camry, from two years ago to ten years ago, from Caravan to an actual caravan….
…
He checked again. An actual caravan. With a horse attached. Feeding on a bucket.
Natsu’s floppy ears shot up from interests as he approached it for a closer look. Who would ever park a horse in a parking lot, one would ask. Maybe they just couldn’t find a nearby stable in these parts? When the horse looked back, he shook a bit and backed away. Better leave these things alone.
“Cease! Cease! Cease!”
Natsu jumped up from a man riding up to him on a bicycle. The latter was panting, very loudly, until he finally stopped right at Natsu’s feet. His breathing was almost otherworldly, as if he has some unknown demon jumping in his throat. That, or it was trying to get out.
“You okay?” Natsu asked politely.
“Do not…dare to mingle…with me you…peasant!” The cyclist suddenly declared.
“…Excuse me?”
“I do not talk with poor people who have to walk on two legs! Let alone, use a…ugh…car! Go ahead and shit on earth itself, why don’t you, you lowly scum! Out with you!!!”
The man then mounted his seat again, but not before spitting right to Natsu’s feet. He rode away, all the while mumbling about making “one more round.”
“…Ooookay, Your Highness,” he said, before whispering, “Prick.”
“EXCUSE ME?!” The man complained. “I’ll have you know, my hearing is pitch perfect! All thanks to my ingenious genes that let me bike all day long! Come here, you!!!”
Natsu made a run for it to the mall without looking. He didn’t even pay attention to what was happening behind him and ran for two minutes straight, until he finally felt like slowing down. Panting like crazy, considering this was first since forever that he did cardio, he looked back. The cyclist barely left his spot. In fact, he seemed to be throwing up while on all fours. With no desire to continue watching the sordid sight, he continued towards the mall. Though, while also commenting with “Enjoy your day, Your Highness,” under his breaths.
“I HEARD THAT!!!” The cyclist shouted from a distance. He proceeded to vomit again.
Natsu made the rest of the way to the mall, which in the end took him around five more minutes. The building’s sized never ceased to be incredible, and even managed to be more so the closer he got. It was almost as if he was near a castle. Well, one without a bridge, moat or towers where the watchmen usually stay to toot their horns when they see intruder to call the guards.
Speaking off, Chester noticed someone acting like a guard. It was a stocky kid standing by the door, with arms crossed and stony look. The kid looked just like you’d think any bulldog would, with buzz-cut, a skull shirt…all he needed was just a nerd whose underwear he needed to pull. He was probably really intimidating looking for anyone below age of ten.
Natsu waved awkwardly to the kid, “Hey there.”
The kid kept his lips smooshed shut. Figuring it was more or less a sign to just let the kid do whatever he wanted, Natsu made his way straight to the door.
Then the kid to block his way.
“Password,” the boy ordered.
Natsu took a solid second to process this.
“Excuse me?”
“Password.”
Natsu blinked, and almost chuckled.
“Sure... Please?”
The kid gave him a side-eye, which bothered Natsu. The he shook his head. “Nuh-uh, wrong one.”
Natsu stared at the kid some more. In quickest maneuver that his small body would allow him, he dashed towards the door. However, he was stopped by the sheer bulk of an elementary school child.
Suddenly tumbling back on his tail, which he think he twisted cause it really hurt, he yelled, “C’mon, just let me through!”
“No can do, pal!”
Natsu groaned and got up, fixing his tail. To be barred from entering by a kid was embarrassingly frustrating, let this be clear. But, being the older, wiser, and morally more responsible meant that Natsu had to take a higher road approach to this. And so, of course, he began choosing his words carefully, and after five seconds, came out with,
“Whachu want?”
The kid looked up and slowly stroke his chin. “Hmm, I guess you’re new here, which is why you don’t know. Alright, to get in, you need a payment.”
Natsu’s face was frozen stiff. It wasn’t frustration, but slow realization that some kid is literally bribing him to get into this huge, castle-sized mall. At this point, might as well just wear his pants as a hat.
“Are you serious?” he asked, genuinely.
“You are not getting in, mister.”
“Yeah, and what if I go and find another door?”
The kid squeezed his already beady eyes. “You don’t want this…Mister.”
Natsu turned his head at an angle. This kid…this arrogant, overfed little booger decided to threaten him. It was absurd, and yet strangely intimidating. But what was he gonna do to him, give him a wedgie or something? Just like in grade seven, I guess, Natsu thought.
“Skully?” Natsu turned to look behind him. A man, thin with long muzzle and holding some briefcase, was visibly shaking all over.
“Well, well, well, Mr. Throdger!” The boy chuckled, “How fine it is to see you in this lovely day.”
Natsu’s gaze jumped from one to the other. The whole thing appeared surreal.
“But,” the man gulped, nearly choking on dry spit, “but I thought the payment day is next week?”
“The schedule been moved. I have to go to granny’s place, so we’re making today the charity day. Now cough it up.” The boy put out his hand, ready to receive.
“S-s-sure thing…” The man then actually reached into his pocket for a wallet and pulled some money out. Immediately he took out some more and handed it to Skully, “Here, some for the new kid too!”
Skully began rapidly counting the bills in his pudgy hands. A satisfactory smile grew up on his face.
“Heh, you remembered to double this time. Excellent! See you next time, Rob.” The kid waved before waddling off from the door. Natsu watched him run towards the ice-cream truck which just stopped near the store.
The man, Rob Throdger, sighed in relief. “You can thank me for saving you hide later,” he grumbled, before walking away in a slouch.
Natsu couldn’t stop shifting between the older man and the child. To think he would get caught up in some junior extortion racket would be the last thing on his mind. Hell, the whole day has been filled with some constant new thing. Was this how he was going to spend most of his time here? Hopefully not.
And so, he looked up at the mall’s tagline, hanging above the doors, loudly proclaiming: “Everything you want and don’t want under one roof!”
“Guess we’ll find out,” Natsu smirked, and went in.
…
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…
A week passed since their initial talk. At that moment, Noëll and Natsu were on a highway, making way to a neighbouring city. Natsu was at passenger’s staring at the window. And thanks to his boredom, he was slowly getting ready to slide right out of it.
“How long is it gonna taaaaake?” he complained rather pathetically. His brother however didn’t stop happily humming his favorite tune that played on the radio. For some reason, his brother really liked the country station, when taking longer roads. Natsu powered through it barely, but only out of necessity.
“Well, until you finally get into one of those schools!” He sung his answer. “…I think.”
“What?” Natsu felt that his brother was thinking of something else.
“Mom and Dad don’t know that you are taking an extra year for night classes, right? So what we’ll do, meanwhile, is get you a place to stay there for the summer. We’ll just say I found for you some great prospective position to do over there, until you’ll get into university. I’ve talked to my college buddy, and we both found some good extra fast courses, too. Meanwhile, I’ll start on your acceptance papers...”
Natsu felt something tinge in him. It was this weird sort of comfort, that came from talking to someone very reliable. A warmth he could only hope to feel everyday.
“Wow, you’d do all of that for me?” he asked, one of his eyes watering.
“Of course! Mom and Dad won’t know, you won’t feel bad, plus you get to be in the same school I went to! Rad, isn’t it?” Noëll gave him a smile.
Natsu smiled back, clearly happy a bit about this turn of events. No more worries to consider, such as becoming a cashier at retail store, a garbageman, or something even worse. For example, a clown apprentice. Yeah, he could do funny bits and have pie thrown at his face, but he was bad at acting, and would be allergic to some pies. Also, he wouldn’t like things being thrown at his face.
Still, he began thinking, how much he owes to his brother for this. How long it would take to pay him back. And also, how he follows the same footsteps of Noëll’s. Again.
“Whatcha thinking?” Noëll asked, getting Natsu to focus again on reality.
“Um, oh! You said you have a friend hiring me. I just thought, uh, is he some sort of university buddy?”
“Oh really? I thought you were again imagining yourself becoming a clown, or something.”
What made you think that!? He wanted to say. Instead, he replied with, “Nope, just about your friend.”
“Oh he is just a good ole friend of mine.”
“You have way too many of those,” Natsu snarked. “Be specific.”
“You’ll like him,” his brother reassured.
Natsu raised an eyebrow at it.
Finally, after spending long time, they turned away from the Serenity Road, and the city he grew up in began to disappear. Natsu watched it from the window. The urban city skyline disappearing, one that always comforted him, where his father worked, and so would his brother, too. One day, he could’ve also gone there, and maybe make a living in something similar. Everything was so easy, when it all followed the plan. And now, he had to go, for three months, maybe.
He never had to go away from home for that long. Two times for a summer camp was the most that he had done. Otherwise, he would stick around, never needing to go anywhere. Then again, he didn’t even need to, since no one ever bothered to call him over. Or at least, there never was someone.
Rows and rows of roofs from the bottom began to disappear next, one of which was of his home. It was the most usual of red colors in there, so much so, that he could always spot it whenever they go to higher places. And he could easily spot it too. That was his biggest talent, recognizing something from small details alone. Of course, he was told exactly ten times that he was wrong. And all of them came from Dad, who worked on that roof himself. That doesn’t meant Natsu was actually wrong, though. He was going to miss those talks.
Soon enough, he could glimpse at the town he will be living in soon. The first thing he noticed were the heights of the buildings. They were absolutely nonexistent. At least, in comparison to his old home city’s skyscrapers. All he could see where the large, barren fields of trees and grass adorned with open roads. It took them some time until they could finally also see the rows of houses, which were further away from the highway they drove. The area was sub-urban, from what he remembered, and contained one very large shopping centre. When he saw it, it quite literally glared at him back. It was that huge. The whole place already felt different, making Natsu that more anxious. Like, you should learn a whole new vocabulary anxious.
They passed an unassuming sign, that read “Selak Town.” He wondered what that name meant. They soon exited the highway. It took a while, going through the single road walled with trees, until they could see buildings again. But, they were near their destination, so at least there was that. The huge mall became bigger, and as time went by, reached the size that almost blocked parts of the sky. Natsu just couldn’t take his eyes off it.
The car entered the building’s parking lot area, Natsu had a feeling that this place was exactly where his brother was taking him. So maybe, he was going to work in a mall? Not that bad, all things considered. He could work for a while there, maybe in-between looking for another, low-skill job he could take. Then again, he could also take some extra classes he needed to get to a university. Not that it really will help him. This guy, who has no clue what type of diploma he wants to get, except for probably try the same one dad and Noëll got. Maybe he should focus on just spending time doing stuff, at least.
“Alright, we are here!” Noëll said. They stopped right next to the sidewalk, which lead to the mall’s entrance.
“…Right here?” Natsu looked at the distance, which definitely was about twenty-minute walk.
“Yep, now outta the car, sport.”
Natsu obliged, thought still surprised. As he closed the door, he noticed his brother put his hands together into a prayer. He drove further down the road and slowly turned to the parking lot. It was then that Natsu realized how huge it was, with lots of cars packed into every possible space.
“Good luck,” Natsu whispered, giving one last long look to his brother. “May we see each other again.”
And so, Natsu treaded towards the giant mall. Which, to mention it again, was HUGE. None of the malls before he saw reached that size, and he lived near the city. This felt like it could house several living quarters inside itself. Who knows, that might even be true here.
Natsu made his way to the center pavement, leading directly to the main doors. There was still a lot of way to go through, though. In the end, he decided keep himself busy while walking, by looking around and recognizing each car brand in the parking lot. From convertibles to minivans, from a sports car to a SUV, from Highlander to Camry, from two years ago to ten years ago, from Caravan to an actual caravan….
…
He checked again. An actual caravan. With a horse attached. Feeding on a bucket.
Natsu’s floppy ears shot up from interests as he approached it for a closer look. Who would ever park a horse in a parking lot, one would ask. Maybe they just couldn’t find a nearby stable in these parts? When the horse looked back, he shook a bit and backed away. Better leave these things alone.
“Cease! Cease! Cease!”
Natsu jumped up from a man riding up to him on a bicycle. The latter was panting, very loudly, until he finally stopped right at Natsu’s feet. His breathing was almost otherworldly, as if he has some unknown demon jumping in his throat. That, or it was trying to get out.
“You okay?” Natsu asked politely.
“Do not…dare to mingle…with me you…peasant!” The cyclist suddenly declared.
“…Excuse me?”
“I do not talk with poor people who have to walk on two legs! Let alone, use a…ugh…car! Go ahead and shit on earth itself, why don’t you, you lowly scum! Out with you!!!”
The man then mounted his seat again, but not before spitting right to Natsu’s feet. He rode away, all the while mumbling about making “one more round.”
“…Ooookay, Your Highness,” he said, before whispering, “Prick.”
“EXCUSE ME?!” The man complained. “I’ll have you know, my hearing is pitch perfect! All thanks to my ingenious genes that let me bike all day long! Come here, you!!!”
Natsu made a run for it to the mall without looking. He didn’t even pay attention to what was happening behind him and ran for two minutes straight, until he finally felt like slowing down. Panting like crazy, considering this was first since forever that he did cardio, he looked back. The cyclist barely left his spot. In fact, he seemed to be throwing up while on all fours. With no desire to continue watching the sordid sight, he continued towards the mall. Though, while also commenting with “Enjoy your day, Your Highness,” under his breaths.
“I HEARD THAT!!!” The cyclist shouted from a distance. He proceeded to vomit again.
Natsu made the rest of the way to the mall, which in the end took him around five more minutes. The building’s sized never ceased to be incredible, and even managed to be more so the closer he got. It was almost as if he was near a castle. Well, one without a bridge, moat or towers where the watchmen usually stay to toot their horns when they see intruder to call the guards.
Speaking off, Chester noticed someone acting like a guard. It was a stocky kid standing by the door, with arms crossed and stony look. The kid looked just like you’d think any bulldog would, with buzz-cut, a skull shirt…all he needed was just a nerd whose underwear he needed to pull. He was probably really intimidating looking for anyone below age of ten.
Natsu waved awkwardly to the kid, “Hey there.”
The kid kept his lips smooshed shut. Figuring it was more or less a sign to just let the kid do whatever he wanted, Natsu made his way straight to the door.
Then the kid to block his way.
“Password,” the boy ordered.
Natsu took a solid second to process this.
“Excuse me?”
“Password.”
Natsu blinked, and almost chuckled.
“Sure... Please?”
The kid gave him a side-eye, which bothered Natsu. The he shook his head. “Nuh-uh, wrong one.”
Natsu stared at the kid some more. In quickest maneuver that his small body would allow him, he dashed towards the door. However, he was stopped by the sheer bulk of an elementary school child.
Suddenly tumbling back on his tail, which he think he twisted cause it really hurt, he yelled, “C’mon, just let me through!”
“No can do, pal!”
Natsu groaned and got up, fixing his tail. To be barred from entering by a kid was embarrassingly frustrating, let this be clear. But, being the older, wiser, and morally more responsible meant that Natsu had to take a higher road approach to this. And so, of course, he began choosing his words carefully, and after five seconds, came out with,
“Whachu want?”
The kid looked up and slowly stroke his chin. “Hmm, I guess you’re new here, which is why you don’t know. Alright, to get in, you need a payment.”
Natsu’s face was frozen stiff. It wasn’t frustration, but slow realization that some kid is literally bribing him to get into this huge, castle-sized mall. At this point, might as well just wear his pants as a hat.
“Are you serious?” he asked, genuinely.
“You are not getting in, mister.”
“Yeah, and what if I go and find another door?”
The kid squeezed his already beady eyes. “You don’t want this…Mister.”
Natsu turned his head at an angle. This kid…this arrogant, overfed little booger decided to threaten him. It was absurd, and yet strangely intimidating. But what was he gonna do to him, give him a wedgie or something? Just like in grade seven, I guess, Natsu thought.
“Skully?” Natsu turned to look behind him. A man, thin with long muzzle and holding some briefcase, was visibly shaking all over.
“Well, well, well, Mr. Throdger!” The boy chuckled, “How fine it is to see you in this lovely day.”
Natsu’s gaze jumped from one to the other. The whole thing appeared surreal.
“But,” the man gulped, nearly choking on dry spit, “but I thought the payment day is next week?”
“The schedule been moved. I have to go to granny’s place, so we’re making today the charity day. Now cough it up.” The boy put out his hand, ready to receive.
“S-s-sure thing…” The man then actually reached into his pocket for a wallet and pulled some money out. Immediately he took out some more and handed it to Skully, “Here, some for the new kid too!”
Skully began rapidly counting the bills in his pudgy hands. A satisfactory smile grew up on his face.
“Heh, you remembered to double this time. Excellent! See you next time, Rob.” The kid waved before waddling off from the door. Natsu watched him run towards the ice-cream truck which just stopped near the store.
The man, Rob Throdger, sighed in relief. “You can thank me for saving you hide later,” he grumbled, before walking away in a slouch.
Natsu couldn’t stop shifting between the older man and the child. To think he would get caught up in some junior extortion racket would be the last thing on his mind. Hell, the whole day has been filled with some constant new thing. Was this how he was going to spend most of his time here? Hopefully not.
And so, he looked up at the mall’s tagline, hanging above the doors, loudly proclaiming: “Everything you want and don’t want under one roof!”
“Guess we’ll find out,” Natsu smirked, and went in.
…
It's good
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…
A week passed since their initial talk. At that moment, Noëll and Natsu were on a highway, making way to a neighbouring city. Natsu was at passenger’s staring at the window. And thanks to his boredom, he was slowly getting ready to slide right out of it.
“How long is it gonna taaaaake?” he complained rather pathetically. His brother however didn’t stop happily humming his favorite tune that played on the radio. For some reason, his brother really liked the country station, when taking longer roads. Natsu powered through it barely, but only out of necessity.
“Well, until you finally get into one of those schools!” He sung his answer. “…I think.”
“What?” Natsu felt that his brother was thinking of something else.
“Mom and Dad don’t know that you are taking an extra year for night classes, right? So what we’ll do, meanwhile, is get you a place to stay there for the summer. We’ll just say I found for you some great prospective position to do over there, until you’ll get into university. I’ve talked to my college buddy, and we both found some good extra fast courses, too. Meanwhile, I’ll start on your acceptance papers...”
Natsu felt something tinge in him. It was this weird sort of comfort, that came from talking to someone very reliable. A warmth he could only hope to feel everyday.
“Wow, you’d do all of that for me?” he asked, one of his eyes watering.
“Of course! Mom and Dad won’t know, you won’t feel bad, plus you get to be in the same school I went to! Rad, isn’t it?” Noëll gave him a smile.
Natsu smiled back, clearly happy a bit about this turn of events. No more worries to consider, such as becoming a cashier at retail store, a garbageman, or something even worse. For example, a clown apprentice. Yeah, he could do funny bits and have pie thrown at his face, but he was bad at acting, and would be allergic to some pies. Also, he wouldn’t like things being thrown at his face.
Still, he began thinking, how much he owes to his brother for this. How long it would take to pay him back. And also, how he follows the same footsteps of Noëll’s. Again.
“Whatcha thinking?” Noëll asked, getting Natsu to focus again on reality.
“Um, oh! You said you have a friend hiring me. I just thought, uh, is he some sort of university buddy?”
“Oh really? I thought you were again imagining yourself becoming a clown, or something.”
What made you think that!? He wanted to say. Instead, he replied with, “Nope, just about your friend.”
“Oh he is just a good ole friend of mine.”
“You have way too many of those,” Natsu snarked. “Be specific.”
“You’ll like him,” his brother reassured.
Natsu raised an eyebrow at it.
Finally, after spending long time, they turned away from the Serenity Road, and the city he grew up in began to disappear. Natsu watched it from the window. The urban city skyline disappearing, one that always comforted him, where his father worked, and so would his brother, too. One day, he could’ve also gone there, and maybe make a living in something similar. Everything was so easy, when it all followed the plan. And now, he had to go, for three months, maybe.
He never had to go away from home for that long. Two times for a summer camp was the most that he had done. Otherwise, he would stick around, never needing to go anywhere. Then again, he didn’t even need to, since no one ever bothered to call him over. Or at least, there never was someone.
Rows and rows of roofs from the bottom began to disappear next, one of which was of his home. It was the most usual of red colors in there, so much so, that he could always spot it whenever they go to higher places. And he could easily spot it too. That was his biggest talent, recognizing something from small details alone. Of course, he was told exactly ten times that he was wrong. And all of them came from Dad, who worked on that roof himself. That doesn’t meant Natsu was actually wrong, though. He was going to miss those talks.
Soon enough, he could glimpse at the town he will be living in soon. The first thing he noticed were the heights of the buildings. They were absolutely nonexistent. At least, in comparison to his old home city’s skyscrapers. All he could see where the large, barren fields of trees and grass adorned with open roads. It took them some time until they could finally also see the rows of houses, which were further away from the highway they drove. The area was sub-urban, from what he remembered, and contained one very large shopping centre. When he saw it, it quite literally glared at him back. It was that huge. The whole place already felt different, making Natsu that more anxious. Like, you should learn a whole new vocabulary anxious.
They passed an unassuming sign, that read “Selak Town.” He wondered what that name meant. They soon exited the highway. It took a while, going through the single road walled with trees, until they could see buildings again. But, they were near their destination, so at least there was that. The huge mall became bigger, and as time went by, reached the size that almost blocked parts of the sky. Natsu just couldn’t take his eyes off it.
The car entered the building’s parking lot area, Natsu had a feeling that this place was exactly where his brother was taking him. So maybe, he was going to work in a mall? Not that bad, all things considered. He could work for a while there, maybe in-between looking for another, low-skill job he could take. Then again, he could also take some extra classes he needed to get to a university. Not that it really will help him. This guy, who has no clue what type of diploma he wants to get, except for probably try the same one dad and Noëll got. Maybe he should focus on just spending time doing stuff, at least.
“Alright, we are here!” Noëll said. They stopped right next to the sidewalk, which lead to the mall’s entrance.
“…Right here?” Natsu looked at the distance, which definitely was about twenty-minute walk.
“Yep, now outta the car, sport.”
Natsu obliged, thought still surprised. As he closed the door, he noticed his brother put his hands together into a prayer. He drove further down the road and slowly turned to the parking lot. It was then that Natsu realized how huge it was, with lots of cars packed into every possible space.
“Good luck,” Natsu whispered, giving one last long look to his brother. “May we see each other again.”
And so, Natsu treaded towards the giant mall. Which, to mention it again, was HUGE. None of the malls before he saw reached that size, and he lived near the city. This felt like it could house several living quarters inside itself. Who knows, that might even be true here.
Natsu made his way to the center pavement, leading directly to the main doors. There was still a lot of way to go through, though. In the end, he decided keep himself busy while walking, by looking around and recognizing each car brand in the parking lot. From convertibles to minivans, from a sports car to a SUV, from Highlander to Camry, from two years ago to ten years ago, from Caravan to an actual caravan….
…
He checked again. An actual caravan. With a horse attached. Feeding on a bucket.
Natsu’s floppy ears shot up from interests as he approached it for a closer look. Who would ever park a horse in a parking lot, one would ask. Maybe they just couldn’t find a nearby stable in these parts? When the horse looked back, he shook a bit and backed away. Better leave these things alone.
“Cease! Cease! Cease!”
Natsu jumped up from a man riding up to him on a bicycle. The latter was panting, very loudly, until he finally stopped right at Natsu’s feet. His breathing was almost otherworldly, as if he has some unknown demon jumping in his throat. That, or it was trying to get out.
“You okay?” Natsu asked politely.
“Do not…dare to mingle…with me you…peasant!” The cyclist suddenly declared.
“…Excuse me?”
“I do not talk with poor people who have to walk on two legs! Let alone, use a…ugh…car! Go ahead and shit on earth itself, why don’t you, you lowly scum! Out with you!!!”
The man then mounted his seat again, but not before spitting right to Natsu’s feet. He rode away, all the while mumbling about making “one more round.”
“…Ooookay, Your Highness,” he said, before whispering, “Prick.”
“EXCUSE ME?!” The man complained. “I’ll have you know, my hearing is pitch perfect! All thanks to my ingenious genes that let me bike all day long! Come here, you!!!”
Natsu made a run for it to the mall without looking. He didn’t even pay attention to what was happening behind him and ran for two minutes straight, until he finally felt like slowing down. Panting like crazy, considering this was first since forever that he did cardio, he looked back. The cyclist barely left his spot. In fact, he seemed to be throwing up while on all fours. With no desire to continue watching the sordid sight, he continued towards the mall. Though, while also commenting with “Enjoy your day, Your Highness,” under his breaths.
“I HEARD THAT!!!” The cyclist shouted from a distance. He proceeded to vomit again.
Natsu made the rest of the way to the mall, which in the end took him around five more minutes. The building’s sized never ceased to be incredible, and even managed to be more so the closer he got. It was almost as if he was near a castle. Well, one without a bridge, moat or towers where the watchmen usually stay to toot their horns when they see intruder to call the guards.
Speaking off, Chester noticed someone acting like a guard. It was a stocky kid standing by the door, with arms crossed and stony look. The kid looked just like you’d think any bulldog would, with buzz-cut, a skull shirt…all he needed was just a nerd whose underwear he needed to pull. He was probably really intimidating looking for anyone below age of ten.
Natsu waved awkwardly to the kid, “Hey there.”
The kid kept his lips smooshed shut. Figuring it was more or less a sign to just let the kid do whatever he wanted, Natsu made his way straight to the door.
Then the kid to block his way.
“Password,” the boy ordered.
Natsu took a solid second to process this.
“Excuse me?”
“Password.”
Natsu blinked, and almost chuckled.
“Sure... Please?”
The kid gave him a side-eye, which bothered Natsu. The he shook his head. “Nuh-uh, wrong one.”
Natsu stared at the kid some more. In quickest maneuver that his small body would allow him, he dashed towards the door. However, he was stopped by the sheer bulk of an elementary school child.
Suddenly tumbling back on his tail, which he think he twisted cause it really hurt, he yelled, “C’mon, just let me through!”
“No can do, pal!”
Natsu groaned and got up, fixing his tail. To be barred from entering by a kid was embarrassingly frustrating, let this be clear. But, being the older, wiser, and morally more responsible meant that Natsu had to take a higher road approach to this. And so, of course, he began choosing his words carefully, and after five seconds, came out with,
“Whachu want?”
The kid looked up and slowly stroke his chin. “Hmm, I guess you’re new here, which is why you don’t know. Alright, to get in, you need a payment.”
Natsu’s face was frozen stiff. It wasn’t frustration, but slow realization that some kid is literally bribing him to get into this huge, castle-sized mall. At this point, might as well just wear his pants as a hat.
“Are you serious?” he asked, genuinely.
“You are not getting in, mister.”
“Yeah, and what if I go and find another door?”
The kid squeezed his already beady eyes. “You don’t want this…Mister.”
Natsu turned his head at an angle. This kid…this arrogant, overfed little booger decided to threaten him. It was absurd, and yet strangely intimidating. But what was he gonna do to him, give him a wedgie or something? Just like in grade seven, I guess, Natsu thought.
“Skully?” Natsu turned to look behind him. A man, thin with long muzzle and holding some briefcase, was visibly shaking all over.
“Well, well, well, Mr. Throdger!” The boy chuckled, “How fine it is to see you in this lovely day.”
Natsu’s gaze jumped from one to the other. The whole thing appeared surreal.
“But,” the man gulped, nearly choking on dry spit, “but I thought the payment day is next week?”
“The schedule been moved. I have to go to granny’s place, so we’re making today the charity day. Now cough it up.” The boy put out his hand, ready to receive.
“S-s-sure thing…” The man then actually reached into his pocket for a wallet and pulled some money out. Immediately he took out some more and handed it to Skully, “Here, some for the new kid too!”
Skully began rapidly counting the bills in his pudgy hands. A satisfactory smile grew up on his face.
“Heh, you remembered to double this time. Excellent! See you next time, Rob.” The kid waved before waddling off from the door. Natsu watched him run towards the ice-cream truck which just stopped near the store.
The man, Rob Throdger, sighed in relief. “You can thank me for saving you hide later,” he grumbled, before walking away in a slouch.
Natsu couldn’t stop shifting between the older man and the child. To think he would get caught up in some junior extortion racket would be the last thing on his mind. Hell, the whole day has been filled with some constant new thing. Was this how he was going to spend most of his time here? Hopefully not.
And so, he looked up at the mall’s tagline, hanging above the doors, loudly proclaiming: “Everything you want and don’t want under one roof!”
“Guess we’ll find out,” Natsu smirked, and went in.
…
Category Story / All
Species Unspecified / Any
Gender Any
Size 50 x 50px
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