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[img]https://i.imgur.com/xPZoDGJ.jpg[/img]
[h2][color=silver]Ferrin Astra[/color][/h2]

Tenrou Team - Catching up with an old (imaginary) friend

[@MarshiestMallow]

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“Ferrin? Mavis? You’re concerning the others.”

Ferrin stopped, mouth open for another retort. A slow dawning of sheepish realization crossed his face as he looked around at the various reactions of the other wizards: some concerned, some disinterested, and some amused. 

Mavis broke into giggles. His mouth shut with a click, exasperation and embarrassment dueling for control of his expression. The two made a truce and compromised. Then he sighed. [color=silver][I]There goes any semblance of sanity I had in their eyes. Along with some of my dignity too. I am in this deep, might as well go all in.[/I][/color] He thought.


[color=silver]"Excuse me,"[/color] He drawled, drawing himself up and putting an arm around the small guildmaster's insubstantial shoulders. [color=silver]"I'm going to have a private word with my imaginary friend."[/color]

He shepherded Mavis, who was playing along and still shaking with mirth, several long paces away until they were out of normal earshot. Then, Ferrin cast a sound-dampening spell, that would obsure their conversation from even the keen ears of a dragon slayer.

Mavis watched him work with an amused expression. [b]"Always so careful. "Always so secretive. You haven't changed a bit."[/b]

Ferrin turned back to her and gave a half roll of his shoulder in a lazy shrug. [color=silver]"By my reckoning it's only been five months since I last saw you."[/color]

He sobered as the extent of what he said sank in. [color=silver]"Gods...has it really been so short a time? Just five months ago I took that job. Five months ago, I walked out of the Fairy Tail guildhall. Five months since I last--"[/color] His voice broke. [color=silver]"...Last saw my wife and unborn child."[/color] He closed his eyes, grief welling up anew. 

[color=silver]"Five months...and nearly four hundred years."[/color]

Mavis's expression fell at her friend's pain. [b]"Oh, Magus. I'm so sorry."[/b]

His sorrow threatened to overwhelm him, but Ferrin took in a slow breath and let it out again. He composed himself and opened his eyes. [color=silver]"That is why I'm here. I'm looking for a way back. I'll make it back, so why be sad about it now?"[/color] He forced a smile, trying to believe his own words. [color=silver]"Meeting you here is fortunate, I've never met anyone with your talent for magic, and there is a man here, goes by the rather pretentious name 'Time Lord', he uses Temporal Magic the likes of which I have never seen. Between you, me and him...well we will probably end up mastering Time itself."[/color] He forced some jocularity into his last words. He continued on, feeling a bit like a kid again, confiding to his parents what he wants to be when he grows up. [color=silver]"Anyway, that is for a later conversation. We have more pressing matters at hand. This may not be my Time, but I still care about those here. I'll still leave my mark here, just you wait. Afterward,"[/color] He held up a finger and pointed at Mavis. [color=silver]"You and me are going to have a long talk."[/color]

Mavis smiled gently. [b]"I look forward to it."[/b] She murmured. 

Ferrin narrowed his yellow eyes at her, noting the faint evasive tone. But he let it pass uncontested. He shook his head. 

[b]"It's good to see you, Magus."[/b] She said, suddenly. 

He blinked at the sudden shift, then realized just how long it had been for her. He smiled warmly. [color=silver]"It's good to see you too, Guildmaster."[/color] Magus replied. 

They shared a warm moment. A moment between two close friends, Teacher and Student, Guildmaster and Wizard, and comrades-in-arms, who suddenly found themselves reunited after a long, difficult time. 

And then it was over. [color=silver]"Shall we rejoin the others?"[/color] Ferrin asked. 

[b]"Yes, lets. Poor Sasha looks a bit impatient."[/b]

The walked a few paces before Ferrin abruptly stopped. [color=silver]"Mavis?"[/color]

[b]"Hm?"[/b]

[color=silver]"Do not tell anyone I am a member of Fairy Tail. It...just does not feel right. Please?"[/color]

It was Mavis' turn to be surprised at the sudden change. [b]"'Please'?"[/b] She asked incredulously.

Ferrin scowled at her.

[b]"All right. I won't mention it."[/b]

Ferrin nodded his thanks and resumed walking.

When he rejoined the others, Ferrin looked almost like a new man. His smile was sharper, he stood straighter, as if a great burden had been lifted. His face, which had seemingly aged with stress lines, looked young again. 

He stopped just short and gave a flourishing bow. [color=silver]"Sorry for the wait, Ladies and Gentlemen, your Leading Man has returned."[/color] He proclaimed in a grand voice.

Behind him, Mavis rolled her eyes. He was back to his old self, it seemed.