(3rd Person)
Just outside of Marigold, we had the rest of the group finally arrive with (Y/N) carrying a woozy Erza on his back, Happy walking ahead while Natsu continued to complain about being hungry despite the massive feast he had in Zeke's temporary house earlier. (Y/N) huffed in amusement from Happy now literally dragging Natsu with him as they came to the entrance of Marigold making (Y/N) grow a fond smirk.
(Y/N): Ahh, Marigold, the one place I could relax in whenever I was done kicking Athena's ass in our training sessions!
Happy: Wow, Marigold's a big place!
Natsu: If we're here... that means we can find a place for food!!!
Before anyone could stop him, Natsu had already barged past everyone, running straight into Marigold and accidentally knocking over a few pedestrians as well. Happy blinked twice before sighing, running after Natsu and leaving (Y/N) with Erza.
(Y/N): That Natsu, swear his stomach's just a furnace as well...
Erza: Are... we... here?
(Y/N): Oh, you good to walk now, Beautiful? We're in Marigold, though I don't think Natsu and Happy will be with us for the walk to the casino.
Erza groaned, dismounting herself off (Y/N)'s back and placing a hand on her forehead, shaking it quickly before straightening herself and looking at Marigold with an analysing look.
Erza: I see... this is Marigold, but... it doesn't appear to be made from gold?
(Y/N): Don't take the name seriously Beautiful, if we really took our guild name seriously, everyone would be required to wear fake wings and tails.
Erza: Ooh... that medication isn't safe...
Erza wobbled a few steps forward, but then shook herself again and looking back at (Y/N) with her arms crossed, her serious expression back on her face.
Erza: Where are Natsu and Happy?
(Y/N): Phew... those drugs really are effective. You just missed them, they ran off in search of food or perhaps a hotel... either way, they're out of our hair for the time being.
The redhead's face went red at hearing that since (Y/N) winked at her with a rather suggestive smile after finishing that sentence. She quickly turned back around to Marigold, her arms still crossed while she attempted to calm down.
Erza: V-very well... where are we shall we rendezvous with Athena?
(Y/N): That's a big fancy word for 'meet-up'. You doing ok? You don't usually say big words... unless something's made you flustered.
Erza: N-n-no! Nothing of the sort! Our location! Yes! Could you inform where to next!?
(Y/N): It's the casino no doubt, Athena's a gambler so the first place she'd go to is the casino whether it's on a life-risking mission or if we're being chased, she'll always stop to gamble.
Erza: I see... then we shall make our way to the casino...
(Y/N): Actually, it would be best to split up.
From hearing that, Erza felt something break as she realised that (Y/N) just stopped the two of them from being alone together. She slowly turned a look of confusion and fury on her face, basically demanding (Y/N) to explain himself. (Y/N) chuckled, raising his hands while smiling widely.
(Y/N): Don't get me wrong, Beautiful, I'd love to spend as much time with you as possible, it's just that we gotta remember we're not the only ones on this trip. You head to the casino and make sure Athena doesn't use all her money at once, and I'll make sure both Natsu and Happy are not eating our Jewels away.
Sighing in dismay, Erza nodded, walking ahead into Marigold... right after composing herself again of course. (Y/N) chuckled, looking up at the many buildings inside Marigold, he couldn't help but smile as he recalled the times younger versions of himself, Athena and on occasion his sister would stroll into Marigold, ready to have a great time whenever they felt they deserved it.
(Y/N): Yep... those were some good times.
And with that, (Y/N) decided to cease his reminiscing and head straight into Marigold where he wanted to head to the casino to meet up with Athena, Lucy and Cana, however, it was his responsibility to stop Happy and Natsu from wasting all their money on food first.
(With Athena)
After Athena cursed for losing for the third time in a row, she finally pushed herself away from the slot machine and decided to go find the other two considering it was almost time for (Y/N) and the others to arrive. So, she stretched her limbs which all made audible cracks before she started her search for the two girls.
First, Athena went to the most obvious spot for Cana and sure enough saw her there laughing and raking in some money while the poor souls of men and women could be seen lying on the floor, tables and even at the bar obviously losing to her in a drinking game. Cana ceased her laughter once she spotted Athena, waving her over with a full mug in hand.
Cana: This place is too easy! They're all lightweights!
Athena: Yes well... most of them are new, I would recognise someone who is an expert here... but, even they would have trouble beating you since your daily drink is a whole barrel.
Cana: Hah! Weaklings!
And she goes right back to drinking before Athena could ask for Lucy's whereabouts, she shook her head with an amused smile before heading out the bar area and straight into the possible locations of where Lucy could be. First, she checked the area where you could turn Jewels into chips, there was a long line, but no teenage girl with blonde hair. Next was the cards section, still no girl to be found, Athena frowned now turning her attention to the bathrooms and headed there with a little panic going through her head.
She arrived at the bathrooms, heading straight into the ladies, only to find it completely empty with the walls clean and stall doors shut. She scoffed, turning around and ready to leave... until...
???: Athena, darling~
She stopped dead in her tracks, spinning around while clutching onto the bo staff she had with her, her eyes narrowed and her teeth gritted as she instantly recognised the echoing voice... her vision began to blacken slightly with a tint of purple making her shake her head but with no effect.
???: Athena, be a good girl... put down your silly weapon~
Athena had to physically stop her hand from letting go of her weapon, strained breaths of effort were heard while she saw one of the stall doors slowly open making her go wide-eyed when she spotted a white-stockinged leg stick out, landing on the floor before the kimono appeared behind it and the silver-haired woman suggestively smiling at her.
Athena: Leave me alone, Remy...
Remy: Awww, Athena baby... don't you like me~?
Her response was lifting her bo staff, placing it directly at Remy's face who only pouted playfully while touching the bo staff with her index finger and thumb, squeezing it slightly.
Remy: It's definitely rougher than the last time I felt it... have you been hitting walls of stone? Or just a pretty boy's rock hard abs~?
Athena: It's expected to be rougher, it's seen combat for the past few years.
Remy: Yep, by Prince Fiore, right? Tell me... what kind of training have you been giving him~?
That question threw Athena off guard, she blinked in surprise, shaking her head slightly in disbelief which only caused Remy to giggle with her kimono sleeve hiding her mouth, she took a few steps forward, now slowly circling the redhead still with a suggestive smile on her face.
Remy: All those times being alone with a young, strong, handsome and capable man... not even you would keep yourself in check for long little Athena~.
Athena: D-don't be ridiculous! I'd never do anything like that! Especially not with (Y/N)!
Remy: Oh~? But, can you prove that~? Prove to me that a strong and lonely woman like you wasn't affected by the boy's charms~?
Athena: I'd never... never...
Athena suddenly felt herself slowly relaxing, her arms going slack as her mind became clear...
Athena: 'Crap! I can't believe I fell for it! An amateur move simply because this damned woman toyed with me!'
Remy: What's the matter~?
Athena shivered slightly when she felt her slender and soft fingers trailing across her skin before they moved to her shoulders while Remy stopped in front of her, licking her lips while her eyes were half-lidded.
Remy: Don't you want to relieve those sweet, sweet memories we shared together, baby~?
Before Athena could respond, she saw her vision growing even darker and all she could hear was Remy's seductive laughter with her slowly leaning in and closing her eyes.
(With Erza)
When Erza first entered, she didn't expect the place to be extremely crowded, she groaned in frustration as she saw no telltale signs of any her friends being in the crowd so resorted to just barging past, not even apologising as some people fell straight to the floor because of her monster strength.
She easily found Cana at the bar, on one side, a pile of empty mugs and people collapsed on the floor, tables and stools, on the other side, a rather large pile of money stacked so high it almost hit the roof. She sighed, grabbing the heavy drinker by the shoulder and pulling her away as Cana flailed her arms while tears ran down her face and reaching out to the money.
Cana: My hard work!!!
Erza: We'll collect it after, right now we need to get everyone together, that includes Athena and Lucy who both should've told you where they went, do you have any idea where?
Cana: Well... I remember Athena telling us to have fun, then running off to who knows where, I ran to the bar and Lucy didn't practically say anything.
Erza: What useless information...
Cana: Hey! I don't see anyone else who could possibly help! Not like a blonde-haired girl and a gambling redhead would stick out in a casino anyway!
She crossed her arms, huffing in anger and irritation that all her hard work drinking people under the table has gone to waste, Erza sighed, letting Cana go as they both stood in the middle of the casino with people giving them looks... mostly because of their outfits as Cana only had a bra on for upper wear and Erza looked like a knight with her armour.
Erza: Fine, we'll split up and look for them, but, I'll be checking that bar and if I catch you in there again you can say goodbye to all the money you made, ok?
Cana: Fine! Lucy! Athena! Say something if you're here!
She placed her hand to her ear for about a few seconds before shrugging and starting to walk off.
Cana: Welp, I did all I could!
Erza: You didn't even look in the other areas of the casino!!
Cana: Ugh! Fine!
With teary eyes and a begrudging mumble, Cana set off to find the two while Erza sighed, placing a hand on her face and shaking her head.
Erza: I swear, she is more trouble than she is helpful...
Erza was suddenly tapped on the shoulder, she turned... only to blink in surprise at seeing a woman wearing a kimono and having long silver hair staring at her with purple eyes. Once she saw Erza staring back at her with her brown eyes, the woman grew a smirk, the same kind she'd see on (Y/N), only it was a lot more seductive.
Remy: I couldn't help but overhear, your partner is quite the lazy one.
Erza: Umm, y-y-yes... quite...
Remy: You poor thing~. Tell you what, let's sit down and have a drink, my treat!
Erza: B-but...
Remy: Don't fret darling, I won't keep you from finding your friends, just think of this as a quick break that you deserve!
Erza: I...I... v-very well... I suppose a minute couldn't hurt.
Remy smiled widely, gesturing Erza to follow her as the two sat at what appeared to be a gambling table, although there were no cards or chips on it. Remy smiled widely once Erza finally sat down, then she turned towards a random male who was about to walk by.
Remy: Hello there~, would you mind getting us some drinks~? I promise the reward is worth it~.
Man: Y-y-yes Ma'am! R-right away!!!
And just like that, the man sped off with the biggest smile Erza had ever seen on anyone's face, she was brought out of her staring by Remy's giggle.
Remy: Boys are so easy to get~, especially when you know what they want~.
Erza gulped slightly at seeing the woman's beauty, she couldn't help but look away slightly while starting to sweat, this did not go unnoticed by Remy who smiled once more.
Remy: Oh darling, is anything wrong? You look distracted~.
Erza: N-no! Nothing's wrong!
Remy: Darling, you're not convincing me with those red cheeks, those gorgeous brown eyes and those...
Man: Here you are!!
Both jumped in surprise when the man from before quickly slammed their drinks onto the table, nearly breaking the mugs. Erza suddenly felt her relaxed state from before disappearing while Remy wiped her kimono from the sudden beer landing on it.
Remy: Oh dearie me, what a mess! Please be more careful next time, ok~?
The silver-haired woman winked causing the man to almost have a heart attack on the spot, but he quickly nodded, running off like an idiot once more and causing Remy to sigh in relief, pushing her hair behind her ear with a smile before turning back to Erza.
Remy: Apologies for that, men can be quite eager~.
Erza: I suppose they could.
Remy almost pouted seeing Erza's stoic expression return to her face, and to her great surprise, Erza downed the mug in one gulp, hiccuping slightly but being able to control herself this time.
Erza: Well... I thank you for the drink, but I should be getting back to...
Remy: Oh darling, please don't rush yourself! You never know how much fun it would be just to relax... here...
Erza turned and saw Remy producing a deck of cards out of her sleeve, placing them on the table with a smile.
Remy: How about a card game? Just one game and I promise I'll let you go back to whatever you were doing before!
For a few moments, Erza considered refusing since she had already wasted enough time... but then, when she looked at Remy's pleading but seductive eyes, she couldn't help but feel relaxed again.
Remy: Please sit, darling~.
Before Erza knew it, she was sitting back down with her hands ready to receive the cards, Remy chuckled, looking at Erza who failed to see Remy's eyes momentarily glow.
Remy: How about we play a game of Sevens?
To be continued...
(A/N): Can you see why (Y/N) fears her more than the strongest member of the Elite Four now? She hasn't even pulled a single punch and she's already taken care of Lucy and Athena all by herself! Oh! And in case you don't know: Sevens is an actual card game, though I don't know how many people play it, it would take a while to explain though so I'll let the internet do the explaining for me haha! Anyways, thank you guys and gals so much for the continued support and as always: eat one or more brownies every day!!!!