Elslynd was a beautiful port side city, settled nicely into a natural valley between two large hills. The train station, situated on the Eastern side of the city, looked out over an open market place. Even from the platform Lucy could see the vendors calling out their wares, some magical some not. She'd have to make a point of stopping to look for keys before they left. Next to the market was a large building Freed had pointed out as the cities Trade Center. This was where their employer would meet them, or rather Freed, to go over the details of the job. The six of them marching into the Trade Center would have been far too noticeable, especially as no one this to the south side of Fiore would be as tall as Bickslow and Laxus. So Freed had left the small group on a set of park benches outside the train station.

So far most of the party seemed content. Ever was going on about searching the market, specifically for a new scarf as her favorite one had been destroyed on a job. Apparently she hated cold weather, especially snow, and her scarves had to be specially insulated with fire magic for her to be comfortable. Bickslow, on the other hand, was eyeing a toy store situated to the left of the market. A salesclerk there was hanging a large sign advertising a new line of handcrafted dolls they were putting on display. Neither seemed the slightest bit bothered now that the sun was halfway across the clear sky.

"Maybe we should have gone with him" Lucy said, sighing as she kicked her feet. "He's taking an awful long time"

"I'm sure he's fine," Starling said cheerfully. She stuffed another dumpling in her mouth, having wandered off not long after Freed had vanished to buy them. "It's not as if someone would attack him in the middle of the trade center. Unless..."

Lucy tuned her out, immediately uninterested in the sudden bought of nonsensical theories that had come to Starling's mind. Instead she turned her attention to Laxus as he leaned against the bench in a lazy manner. She could just barely hear the heavy beat of the music pouring through his headphones, though the words were muffled and undecipherable. Lucy couldn't help but notice how far he'd placed himself from herself and the others, practically shoving himself into the corner.

"I'll have you know that there were no dark guilds in the trade center" Lucy's attention turned to Freed as he approached, a neatly folded paper in his hand. "Our employer believes a large group of strange wizards will attract too much attention and as such has asked us to pair off and stay at several locations in different parts of the city"

"I assume he's arranged for rooms individually." Evergreen said, gathering her things together. No one was more eager for a nap than her after their early start that morning.

"He has. Three to be exact" Freed nodded.

They all fell silent for a moment. Normally such arrangements wouldn't have caused an issue, as in normal circumstance Lucy paired off with Wendy or Erza while Natsu and Gray shared. But with this group they were split at six. Even if they paired by gender there would still be a mismatched pair.

"So who will be going with whom." Evergreen was unaffected. Lucy assumed that so many missions as the only women among three men had steeled her against sharing a room with one of them.

"The best arrangement would be to pair based on level of skill, that way no one is left unprepared should we encounter the culprit. Though I can see how that would be unsuitable." Freed mused, nodding toward Lucy in what he must have assumed was a subtle gesture.

"She'll be fine. We'll pair in terms of balancing our teams. Starling and Freed, Freed and Bixlow. Myself and Lucy." Laxus said with a growl, getting to his feet. "Lucy has never been on bounty investigation jobs."

"Wouldn't it be better to leave her with Starling. Or Ever" Freed said gently, noticing the deep blush on Lucy's face as realization fell over her.

"Starling is inexperienced working with magic that isn't a direct extension of the caster. She'd end up hurting Lucy or wouldn't be able to watch her back because she doesn't know her magic. And Ever is too careless. She needs someone who can watch her back when she leaves herself open." Laxus sparked with irritation, clearly unused to Freed arguing against logical strategy.

"I just believe she would be more comfortable if-" Freed was cut off by Starling clearing her throat.

"I think we'll be fine" Starling said gently pulling one of the keys Freed had produced from his hand. "We'll take this one. I'm sure Laxus will be a perfect gentleman and take the couch"

"Starling, please that's the room with the" It was Freed's turn to blush as he stuttered.

"Double bed. I know" Starling scanned the key's tag. "Magnolia Avenue. South side of the city. Alright, let's go Freed. I want to take a nap before we go hunting for bad guys"

"Keep in touch. We meet back here at the trade center tomorrow night at ten." Laxus said gruffly as Starling seized Freed's arm, tugging him along behind her. He barely had time to toss Laxus the remaining keys before she was halfway down the road.

Lucy stared at the ground in disbelief as Laxus scanned the remaining key tags. He tossed one to Bixlow, pocketing the other and grabbing his bag. "Let's go Blondie. Unlike Starling and Freed we have a long walk. And I want to find this guy as soon as possible."

"Good luck Lucy" Evergreen tittered, shouldering her bag and starting off with Bixlow.

Lucy had a feeling she was going to regret agreeing to this mission in the first place.