Howdy!

S'been a long time, but I return...! With another snackbox chapter. I appear to have forgotten that this story is about Jellal and Erza. Tell you what. We might get a sneak peek of what the hell the Jelly-man's up to in the next two chapters? Howzat?

I JUST RAMBLE SO MUCH. I'M SORRY.

I'm not sorry for putting in the Raijinshuu. I LOVE them.

Storybook Romance

Evergreen's sneeze was less than dainty, but the precision of her companions was perfect.

"Bless you, Evergreen -"

"Our Fairy Queen -"

"Shining like a sweet fey spleen..."

The Raijinshuu were lying on a grassy green knoll under a leafy green tree, searching the sky for clouds that looked like Laxus. Bixlow sat up and peeled his mask away to shoot Freed a particularly incredulous look.

"You idi- A sweet fey spleen? What the hell is wrong with you?"

Evergreen pursed her lips in silent agreement. Fairy obsession or not, there was nothing attractive about that sentence!

With a dramatic roll to his side, arm drooped across his face, Freed heaved a heavy sigh. "I'm useless."

His little group groaned. "This again?"

"There are more important things to think about," snapped Evergreen. "First -" she pointed at the sky, "- that cloud there looks like Laxus' big toe, don't you think? If you squint?"

"Good job, Ever!" Freed shone, revitalised like the hair in a quality shampoo commercial, "It does!"

"Second –" she continued, "I just sneezed."

Bixlow looked at her lazily, to his left. "So?"

"So. That means someone's talking about me! Oh ho ho!" she cackled. Bixlow waited for his cue.

"Of course someone's talking about you," the runemaster quipped, right on time. "You're beautiful -"

"Talented -"

"Powerful -"

"Intelligent -"

"Popular -"

"Uhh... thin?"

"Bixlow wins," Ever announced, content and placated in the way only a princess spoiled by her knights could be. To her left, Freed tch'd, and Bixlow poked his tongue out in victory.

"You're so far off your game it's ridiculous, Freed," his friend frowned. "I thought you were meant to be good with words?"

"I was good. Ever since that S-class adventure though..."

"Oh, you mean ever since the second time Levy McGarden one-upped you on script magic? Is that what you're talking about?"

As much as she loved him dearly, the sound of Freed's melodramatic sigh really did bring a smile to Evergreen's face.

"Now, now, don't be harsh," Bixlow said, chiding her and trying to figure out whether the latest cloud was the cord from Laxus' earphones or his small intestine. "I think he's talking about the time he got owned by Cana's sexy lady card."

"I still can't believe you fell for that," Evergreen sniffed, face pinched and distasteful.

In a heartbeat, Bixlow and Freed came out with a perfectly in sync rendition of, "We're just lucky none of them were as sexy as you."

Evergreen grinned, and they made cheeky faces back in reply.

"Anyway," continued Freed. "I wasn't the only one beaten there."

"I guess that's true."

"It's a shame about your runes, though," Ever frowned. "Who would have thought the little pipsqueak would get so good? She's playing more and more with the big boys now."

"Not to mention she's almost completely outgrown Shadow Gear," Bixlow cackled. They all took their time to bask in the smugness of this claim, the effects of Juvia's failed potion still not forgotten. To think Shadow Gear could challenge the Raijinshuu at all! The very idea was preposterous! Even after the creepy drug had worn off there was still no room to drop their ultra 3-man-team competition - as much as they might like Shadow Gear as individuals.

"As long as she doesn't get cocky," Evergreen huffed. Bixlow shrugged, and Freed shook his head with a smile. Then, all of a sudden...!

"People are coming!"

Bixlow snapped to attention as soon as Pappa's voice sounded. They were approaching at speed, waving through the air like a streamer, excited after finding something on lookout duty.

"Yeah! People! People are coming!"

"What kind of people, Puppu?" he asked, watching his little barrel dolls spiral around in their line formations. They twirled in the air, weaving patterns he'd taught them, routines that he was proud of.

"Girls!" squealed Peppe.

"Which girls?"

"CUTE GIRLS!" shouted Pippi, enthusiastic and shrill. "REALLY CUTE GIRLS!"

Poppo, not to be outdone, broke formation and zoomed around Bixlow's head like a haywire baby mobile. "They're coming this way!"

Storybook Romance

Okay, so, you've watched Community, Game of Thrones, Hanasaku Iroha, Toriko, SKET Dance AND TIGER&BUNNY?

Right.

Um. Then you should...

Hm.

You should read Homestuck. I have been reading Homestuck. My patron troll is Feferi, and she's currently dating the Gemini, Sollux...

I once loved a Gemini.