Firefall || Fairy Tail

42 : n e w . l i v e s

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"Why was I volunteered to work this afternoon?" Verani grumbled as she set her tray on the bar again. Even if she hated working the floor and delivering the drink to the hosts and their guest, she wasn't going to let them know how much she just wanted to run out the doors.

"But you look lovely, my dear." Master Bob gave her a sweet smile from his place behind the bar.

The guildmaster wasn't just saying that to be nice. Verani had taken the time to pull her hair out of her face, but no make-up had been applied. Her usual attire had been traded in for a simple knee-length deep blue cocktail dress with a lace overlay that went into the see-through sleeves. She had even gone with heels instead of a pair of nice flats.

The blonde sighed, slipping her list of drinks to Master Bob, "I still feel ridiculous."

As she waited for his drinks, she took the moment to scan the lounge. It made her stomach turn as she watched all the girls swooning over the guys that were working that afternoon. Normally this would have been Evergreen's job, but the brunette had been sick and Laxus had decided to take his last job on his own. He said he wanted to get some training in and the mission was simple enough.

"Here you go, dear." The drinks were laid out on her tray along with the list she had given him.

"Thank you," Verani gave him a smile as she carefully lifted the tray. As much as she didn't like helping with the hospitality portion of this guild, Master Bob had been so nice to the five of them since they arrived. He even tried to make sure that Verani and Laxus didn't have to work the floor as often as some of the others. He didn't mind keeping them as heavy hitters when it came to the larger job requests that they received.

"Here you go," the blonde put on a sweet expression and smile as one of Jenny's current guests turned to acknowledge her presence. She moved to go to her last table, but only got half a step.

"And where have they been hiding you, sweetcheeks?"

Verani wanted to rip her arms away, but even taking a small step to turn the guy gently. Her eyes scanned over her last table, hoping to catch Ren's attention.

She kept her customer service smile on as she met the guy's, "I'm sorry, sir, but I need to deliver the rest of these drinks."

"I'm sure they won't die in the few minutes we get to know one another."

'I can't attack him yet. Just stay calm.'

The blonde kept her tray between them the best she could, but he was staying close enough that she was having a problem with this plan.

"So are you going to tell me your name or do I have to work for it?" He went to lean closer, but stopped as his eyes shifted up and behind Verani.

The weight of her tray lightened before it floated off towards Ren's table right as a hand landed protectively on her hip.

"Sorry buddy, but this little lady is due for her break."

The guest gave the newly arrived male a subtle glare before giving in and returning to his seat and his drink.

Verani didn't argue as she was directed out of the lounge, recognizing the voice who had spoken up behind her. Even knowing who had come to her rescue, the two remained silent until he stopped in the back hall.

"You know you're allowed to fight back when they get like that."

"I know," she mumbled, "you showed up before I could."