[center][h2]Phoenix and a Magus[/h2][/center]

[sub][@Caits][@Crimson Raven][/sub]

A few days after the the Grand Magic Games, the doors to the Phoenix Wing guild hall opened to reveal a pair of strange figures. The taller one was dark of hair with orange-yellow eyes, wearing a white coat with numerous pocket and an asymmetrical pattern on the sleeves. He kept his right hand casually tucked into a pocket on his grey pants. The shorter was, if possible, even stranger. They were young and of indeterminable gender with red-tipped blue hair. It was hard to tell if it was dyed like that or natural. Oddly, their eyes would occasionally change color, from red to blue and back again. They wore a large, brown, hooded cloak that was much too big and obscured the rest of them.

The taller one peered inside

[color=silver]”See? This is the place. I told you so.”[/color] He joked to his companion.

The shorter one’s red eyes flashed. [color=red]”Of course it is! There is a great big fricken’ sign outside!”[/color] She shouted at him. Her tone was full of hot and fiery passion. But then their eyes changed to blue and a very different voice came from the same mouth. [color=0076a3]”Sis, he’s being sarcastic.”[/color] A cool voice said with a roll of their blue eyes.

[color=red]”Oh so you’ll take [i]his[/i] side.”[/color] Claire shouted at Colt.

[color=silver]”Do not start you two.”[/color] Ferrin broke in, exasperated. [color=silver]”Or rather, do not pick up where you left off.”[/color] 

Ahead of his companion, Ferrin stepped inside. As he crossed the threshold, he was struck by a strange feeling that was somewhere between deja vu and vertigo that brought him up short. 

It was strange. It reminded him so much of home. Oh the faces were different, the building was different, the voices he didn't recognize, the aether here was unfamiliar but yet…

The feel was definitely the same. This guild carried the same spirit.

Ferrin closed his eyes and composed himself. Breaking into tears would not be a good first impression. He was here on business. That was all.

[color=red]”Hey, you gonna move your ass or stand there all day?”[/color] That irritating voice broke through Ferrin’s revere. He turned his head and eyed her with his best my-patience-is running-thin look.

She shrugged, the easy motion carried all the disdain she could possibly give.

Ferrin gave up and decided to look for someone in charge. As he did, he mentally reviewed what information he had found about Phoenix Wing. The guild master’s name was Jamie Beltras, but he had no idea what he or she looked like. The name sounded feminine to him, so if he had to guess he was looking for a woman. The guild itself was widely considered one of the largest and most powerful, and its ranks were swelling daily. They had apparently had a major clash with the magic council, according to that Lizard-man, and they had played no small role in some very strange events. For some reason, specific details were hard to come by. Besides that, something that concerned Ferrin personally was the man who called himself “Time Lord” or Patrick who was affiliated with the guild. Ferrin resolved to corner him next time he saw the man and get some answers out of him.

Other members he knew of from listening to people and asking questions. Some of them had built quite a reputation. There was a guy who was considered the second in command of the guild, but Ferrin couldn't remember his name. J...something. It was similar to Jamie. He met the dragon-girl Mith...something during the chaos that was the Grand Magic Games. He was slightly hoping he could catch up with her, if only to make sure she was all right. He also vaguely remembered a few other notable members he heard of during the Games. There was a Phoenix Slayer, some guy who was scared to death of women, a mage with magic Blades, an energy mage, an Ice Dragon Slayer, several generic swordsmen, and more that escaped him at the moment. 

Ferrin surveyed the room, unsure of himself, so he just stood there, head up, smile on, looking important. Like he had a reason to be there. By now, he was starting to draw some attention from the members, faces turned to the tall stranger in white, some welcoming, some suspicious, some indifferent, some interested.

He met their gazes with a sardonic, knowing smile. Sooner or later someone would come up to him and ask who he was and what he was doing here.

Jarvis was busy making sure most of the members weren’t getting too rowdy, always a difficult task, but one he happily undertook. It was also a task making sure that Sam didn’t get into trouble, the girl always seemed to find it, even when they were sitting down to a meal. In many ways, she was the same girl that they had lost, but in many more, she was completely different. He had come to be thankful that they had her back. So she seemed a little strange at times. They all did. She still had that smile, and cheeky attitude that made him smile. 

He glanced around the guild, but all seemed as it normally was, and he turned his attention as the guild hall doors opened, frowning slightly. Approaching Ferrin, Jarvis knew he didn’t have to do much to appear intimidating. His very appearance was intimidating, but he kept his voice light as he asked [color=tan]”Did you need something?”[/color]

Ferrin remained irritatingly un-intimidated. [color=silver]”Yes, I did.”[/color] He said, with his most cheerful grin. [color=silver]”I needed a pebble of no particular color, a pair of backward gloves, and three left socks however for now, I will settle for a meeting with your guild master.”[/color]

[color=tan]”The road outside is cobblestone, go find a pebble, you can put your gloves on the wrong hand, and there’s always socks laying about everywhere, have fun trying to find them. As for a meeting with our master, which one? There’s two of them”[/color] Jarvis said, all in a rather serious tone, [color=tan]”My wife is currently busy, so you can deal with me, if you’d like”[/color]

[color=silver][i]Two huh. His wife, so that means I’m dealing with...[/i][/color]

Ferrin snorted quietly in laugher, shaking his head. He quashed the reply that came to mind and let the joke drop for now. Ordinarily he would stretch it out until it was long past funny, but he was here for a reason.

Under his foolish, grinning mask, he considered  possibilities and how best to approach this and whether or not he would tell this man. He had originally planned on only telling Jamie, but if they were both guild master…

[color=silver][i]But why bother?[/i][/color] He thought. [color=silver][i]I have no particular reason to keep it a secret.[/i][/color]

But a part of him resisted.

[color=silver]”Take me to her anyway, and let her decide. Any explanation can wait till then, as I’ll only explain it once. However, what I have to say might interest her, and you, a great deal.”[/color] Ferrin told him, cryptically. [color=silver]”But first!”[/color] He exclaimed abruptly. [color=silver]”The more immediate nature of this little visit.”[/color] He turned and waved over the Twin who had been hesitating in the doorway. They shuffled over warily. 

Ferrin hid a smile, remembering how he was his first time. [color=silver]”These two, and yes, I said two, ask them about it, it's not my story to tell, and I are looking your little guild here.”[/color] One of the Twin, Colt probably, mumbled an affirmative.

Jarvis sighed, and shook his head, [color=tan] “I would rather not disturb her, so if you wouldn’t mind, I am just as capable as my wife.” [/color]He said, weary, watching as the man retrieved his companion, revealing them to be twins. [color=tan]“I think I can grasp what you mean, when you say they are twins. I’m well aware how someone can be more than one person. Like I said earlier, I am more than happy to bring you into the guild. I just need to know where you’d like the marks and what colours”[/color]

Ferrin frowned. [color=silver][i]He won't budge. Damn.[/i][/color] He thought. [color=silver][i]But, I can understand not wanting to anger the wife. Happy wife, happy life.[/i][/color] The thought made him sad but he shook it off. [color=silver][i]I’ll see her again. I know it.[/i][/color]

To cover the slight pause, Ferrin burst out laughing. [color=silver]”That is it? That is all? You will give membership to anyone who just waltzes through the door, no test, no letters of recommendation or anything? Stars and stones, that is rather trusting of you. I could be a psychopath, or not even a wizard and you will just accept me on my word?”[/color] A fresh round of laughter bubbled up. 

Jarvis chuckled, and shook his head [color=tan]“You aren't a psychopath. I've seen psychopaths before, known one or two. You aren't one, and in any case, I know my members. If you did anything that was wrong, you'd find yourself surrounded by, oh, twenty or thirty of them ready to kick your asses,”[/color] Jarvis said, rather proudly, [color=tan]“as for maybe not being a wizard, does that really matter? There's been enough segregation between mages and non mages, why can we not mix?”[/color] He shrugged, [color=tan]“So, where did you want the mark and what colour?”[/color]

Ferrin considered this. [color=silver]”Fair enough.”[/color] He agreed, his respect for Jarvis increasing. [color=silver]”But no, I’m not a psychopath, I’m a high-functioning sociopath.”[/color] He quipped with a grin. 

Colt, previously quiet, snorted at this.

Ferrin eyed them. [color=silver]”I take special cases too. Some more special than others.”[/color] He said, loftily, before turning his attention back to Jarvis. [color=silver]”Now then where to put it…”[/color]

After a moment’s hesitation that was more for show than anything else, he pulled his mechanical right hand out of the pocket it had been resting in, and carefully tugged off the glove in his left hand. There was an ugly hook-shaped scar that ran along the back of his hand disappearing up his sleeve, and a gold band wrapped around his ring finger.

He peered at the scar in mild surprise. [color=silver]”I don't remember that one.”[/color] He muttered. [color=silver]”No, that will not do.”[/color] He held the glove between his teeth as he twisted one arm out of his parka, revealing his shoulder, bicep and forearm. [color=silver]”I will run out of skin space at this rate.”[/color]

Another wisecrack. 

The Twin peered at him curiously.

[color=silver]”Here, in silver.”[/color] Ferrin indicated, holding his forearm perpendicular to the ground, pointing at a clear spot about halfway between his elbow and wrist, tapping with one long, metal finger.

[color=silver][i]I hope I am wrong about this.[/i][/color] Ferrin thought. [color=silver][i]It would complicate matters to an inconvenient degree.[/i][/color]

Jarvis waited patiently, watching Ferrin and nodding as he indicted where he wanted it, grabbing the marker and pressing it to his skin, in the place he was told, [color=tan]”There”[/color] He said, stepping back. 

The silver Wing, imprinted on his arm, seemed to glow for a moment, before fading. Ferrin watched it, cautiously. 

Nothing happened.

He relaxed. Maybe he had just been overthinking things.

Suddenly, he was hit by a wave a nausea and felt a brief burning sensation on his neck. He winced and put his hand to it. Right before their eyes, the mark on his arm shimmered like a mirage and vanished, leaving nothing behind.

There was a moment of silence between the four. 

[color=silver]”Dammit,”[/color] Ferrin sighed to no one in particular. [color=silver]”Now I actually [i]have[/i] to explain.”[/color]

[color=tan]”Yes. Yes you do”[/color] Jarvis said, crossing his arms and staring at Ferrin.

Ferrin was silent for a moment as he slipped his arm back into his coat and tugged on his glove.[color=silver]”Not here.”[/color] Ferrin said, eventually, casting a glance at the loud crowd of guild members. [color=silver]”Lead me somewhere private. We can speak then.”[/color]

Jarvis sighed softly, and turned to walk towards Jamie’s office, briefly knocking on the door but knowing even that wouldn't disturb Jamie if she was fully absorbed in something, opening the door and walking over to her, laying a hand on her shoulder, [color=tan]”A potential member who doesn't seem to take to the guild mark”[/color]

Ferrin made a face at the man’s retreating back. [color=silver]”Not the most talkative fellow, are ya?”[/color] He muttered as he moved forward to follow him.

The Twin glaced at Ferrin, hesitantly, unsure of they should follow him. Ferrin gave them a full shrug and inflicted his head after Jarvis. Nodding, they followed after Ferrin, who followed Jarvis, to an office, he assumed belonged to Guild Master Jamie herself.

Ferrin knew precious little about the guild master. In fact, his little conversation with Jarvis nearly doubled what he knew. Thanks to him, he found out that Jamie was a female, and Jarvis’ wife. Before, all he knew that she was a stern master, and she had a love for bathing suits. Nobody on the street could tell him much more, which was profoundly irritating. The rest was just unfounded rumours that she was a dragon, or a demon, or a wise sage of unimaginable power; peasants loved that sort of thing. 

They slipped inside the room and Ferrin very pointedly shut the door, he would have added a spell to muffle noise but he wasn't sure how his hosts would react. The twin quiety stood in the back of the room, while Ferrin boldly squared himself up before the guild masters. He was silent for a long moment as he examined them both, and considered how best to say what he had to say. 

Jamie was a fairly attractive woman, she had long, blond, curly hair, over piercing green eyes, with sun-kissed dark skin giving a contrast to her light hair. Ferrin also noted the guildmark on her hand in red. He couldn't be sure, as she was sitting down, but he estimated her to be nearly as tall as he was.

He let the silence grow. 

Needing no promoting, he spoke. Carefully and slowly, with somber tones completely unlike his jocular manner before.

[color=silver]”Introductions first then. I know who you two are; guildmasters Jarvis and Jamie of Phoenix Wing. The one, or two, in the back are Colt and his sister Claire. Their story is a complicated one, but not the one to tell now. For now, it's my story.”[/color]

He gave them a sly grin, and spread his hands, one flesh, the other metal.

[color=silver]”Who then, am I? Where did I come from? Where will I go? I’m a wizard, first and foremost. A seeker of knowledge and practitioner of magic. I wish to join your guild here for reasons that are my own, but if you must know, I seek a man who calls himself Time Lord. I believe you know him.”[/color] Ferrin paused. [color=silver]”But that is not the purpose for this meeting is it? No, you are probably wondering why the Guild Mark didn't take when you applied it.

The truth is, I already have one.”[/color]

Ferrin slowly pulled his spell-lined parka off fully, revealing his sleeveless vest he wore beneath it. As he did, he turned around, watching them out of the corner of his orange eyes. 

There, on his right shoulder, between his metal arm and his clothes was a legendary silver mark.

The mark of Fairy Tail.

[color=silver]”I am Magus Ferrinas Astra, of Fairy Tail.”[/color]

In the back of Ferrin’s mind, that Voice spoke. [b]Now you claim birthright?[/b] [color=silver][i]Tace larua![/i][/color] Ferrin harshly admonished it.

[color=orange]”Interesting. Tell me, how did you manage to get a guild mark of a guild that has been dead for 100 years?”[/color] Jamie asked, leaning forward slightly, [color=orange]”We have searched high and low for any sign the guild survived what happened”[/color] she said, watching Ferrin closerly, [color=orange]”We of course know of some members in various guilds, including our own, whose blood line can be traced back to Fairy Tail Members, but none who claim to be members. So tell me, are you 100 plus years old, or is there another story here?”[/color] she asked, leaning back in her chair. 

She paused a moment. 

[color=orange]”As for the man you call Time Lord, well, yes, we do have a passing acquaintance, given the relationship one of my members has with him. In fact, I do believe he is nearby. Are you looking to travel through time, Mr. Astra?”[/color]

Ferrin smirked, flipping his coat back on with easy grace. He shot Jarvis a brief, smug, I-told-you-so look, before returning his gaze to Jamie. [color=silver]”That would be quite telling [i]Mrs. Beltras[/i].”[/color] He said, drawing out the s sounds in Missus. No trace of his earlier serious manner could be found. [color=silver]”By and by, just ‘Ferrin’ is fine. ‘Mister’ is far to formal for my tastes, and ‘Magus’...[/color] He made a face. [color=silver]”...it's less a name then a title. But I digress. I will not tell why I seek this man, but I will divulge how I came to this ‘now’, as it is quite the interesting tale...”[/color] He reached into a pocket and drew out a very [url=http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131121000856/finalfantasy/images/2/28/FF12_Sun_Cryst_Model.png]curious object[/url], out of a pocket that seemed a little small to hold an object that size without a bulge. It was quite large, about the size of a grown man’s fist and it resembled a lacrima, but it was more like a raw gem then the polished and cut product that are seen day to day. It gave off a faintly glowing mist and to those with magic sense, it radiated faint magic. An undiscerning eye would dismiss it as nothing more than a trifle. Ferrin set it on Jamie’s desk for her to examine.

[color=silver]”This bauble is the cause of my current time. From what I can tell, I am from far further back than a mere century. No, try two centuries. Back then, the name Fairy Tail was just one of many. No fame no honor no legend, just one more new guild rising. I joined a little after it had begun to gather fame. I knew guild master Mavis Vermillion personally, and I took part in the Second Trade War. About six years afterward is where this lacrima comes in. It was a routine job. A little suspicious, now that I think back on it, but it was very good money at a time when I was desperately in need of some. It involved investigating some ruins, and retrieving an object that legend said was inside. The petitioner what the dodgy sort, I am sure you have met the kind. Beyond that, it seemed was nothing amiss. The ruins did turn out to be a tomb, and while grave robbing is not exactly my idea of a good time, I had taken the job and was determined to see it through. To be brief, it was quite the ordeal. Traps, mazes, undead, insects and lots of darkness, all guarding treasures of every description. But in a secret inner room, behind a rather clever hidden door, and guarded by more powerful undead was a door, bearing a striking inscription:

[i]’You who have braved the depths of darkness to read these words

Be you a thief, I invite you look elsewhere. Greed will not be sated here.

Be you an adventurer, I beg you to not go forth. Curiosity will not be sated here.

Be you a scholar, enter not. Knowledge will not be sated here.

Yet you who still are drawn to the Door of Time, heed my words. Bold soul, should you value anything in this life, turn back. For what lies beyond is is naught but pain and grief. 

What is lain here is not meant to be held by mankind. As I am laid to rest, I pray it too rests here undisturbed, until the end of time.

Faram[/i][/color]

Ferrin paused for a moment. [color=silver]”What a dire warning. What do you suppose I did after I read it?”[/color] He laughed. [color=silver]”I broke the magic seal on the door and entered. Inside I found an extremely powerful guardian that I can not begin to describe to you. It was big. It was ugly. And it was strong. But with some luck and no little skill, I felled the thing. And all it was guarding was a pedestal. And on the pedestal was that.”[/color] Ferrin gestured to the lacrima. [color=silver]”By its description, I knew this was what I had been sent for.”[/color] He sighed. [color=silver]”Perhaps if I had been a little more careful… after all I had been through, I was exhausted and had grown overconfident. I walked right up and laid my hand upon the thing.

Next thing I knew, I woke up on a grassy knoll somewhere, lacrima in hand and no idea who I was.

I got better.

I assume there was one final trap upon the lacrima that froze any would be thief in time. I suspect it was meant to be permanent. But I broke free.”[/color] [color=silver][i]Sort of.[/i][/color] Ferrin thought. [color=silver][i]”Let them wonder what I am capable of.[/i][/color]

[color=silver]”That is how I came to be here, in this time. Quite fascinating, really, this time. Surprisingly little has changed. My current concerns are rather simple; I need income and a place to stay as I plan my next move. In short, I need a wizard’s guild, as magic is…”[/color] He trailed off, looking distant. He snapped back. [color=silver]”...my best currently available marketable skill.”[/color]  He finished.

As Jamie listened to Ferrin’s tale, Jarvis leaned over and scooped the lacrima into his hand, examining it, using his own magic to do so, but whether time had taken what information he could gather from it, or it was simply beyond his strength, Jarvis couldn’t tell. All that was clear was that it wasn’t something he could replicate- whether it was simply because he didn’t possess the right magic, or something else, he knew that this was perhaps one of a kind. 

Frowning, he rolled it in his hands a moment, before returning it to the desk, as silence fell. 

Jamie took a moment or two to think over what Ferrin had said before she said [color=orange]”So you seek a way back to your time? I’m sorry to say, but I do not think that is possible. The sheer force of magic and skill that would be required would be something that, I doubt, is possible anymore”[/color] she picked up the lacrima, but really couldn’t get anything from it, and put it down after a few seconds. 

[color=orange]”As for joining the guild, well, sad to say you might have to go the more… painful option of having a guild mark”[/color] she said, [color=orange]”The more mundane way”[/color]

Ferrin’s expression turned stony. [color=silver]”Let us say I will be keeping my options open.”[/color] Then he smiled briefly. [color=silver]”After all, I am familiar with doing the impossible.

The guild mark. Are you talking about branding?”[/color] He asked carefully.

Jamie chuckled, and shook her head, [color=orange]”No, we are not barbarians. Non-mages have their own forms of marking themselves, called Tattooing”[/color]

Ferrin relaxed a bit. [color=silver]”Ah, I have heard of Tattooing, but the specifics are outside my area of expertise.”[/color] He nodded once. [color=silver]”I can take pain. Let's go.”[/color]

Jamie smiled, satisfied. Taking out a piece of paper with the guild mark on it, and handing it to Ferrin, before rising. [color=orange]”Very well, this way then”[/color] she said, leading Ferrin out the guild, and smiling back at Jarvis, knowing he could handle the guild, and starting off to a tattoo parlor. 

As they left, the Twin, who had been unusually quiet all this time, nervously approached Jarvis and got a guild mark of their own, half red, half blue.

An hour later, Jamie and Ferrin returned to the guild, Ferrin with the guild mark finally tattooed on his arm in silver ink, of course. It wasn't even all that painful, although the artist assured Ferrin that it was because of the placement of the tattoo. 

Ferrin, right away strode to the job board, ripped the highest paying job off, and brought it to Jamie to be approved.

[color=orange]”You don’t waste time, do you?”[/color] Jamie said amused.

Ferrin shrugged.

[color=orange]”Very well then. Here, a communication Lacrima, and a teleportation lacrima, should you get in trouble”[/color] she said, handing both the small lacrimas to Ferrin, [color=orange]”Good luck[/color]

[color=silver]”Save the luck for those who will need it.”[/color] Ferrin said with a devil-may-care grin. 

It struck Ferrin, as he was headed out, how fast everything had moved. Less than a month earlier, it had been two hundred years ago. [color=silver]”And how often can you say that with a straight face?”[/color] He said aloud to no one in particular. Some of the people passing by on the street gave him funny looks. 

[color=silver][i]I will find a way.[/i][/color] He resolved. [color=silver][i]This world is vast and mysterious. Somehow, some way. I will see you again, dear Asheila.[/i][/color]