- Posting Speed
- 1-3 posts per day
- One post per day
- 1-3 posts per week
- One post per week
- Slow As Molasses
- Writing Levels
- Adept
- Advanced
- Adaptable
- Preferred Character Gender
- Primarily Prefer Male
His shoes were on now. Just twist and a push, he would be outside away from the sanctity of his apartment. It was now or never, he mentally reminded himself. Atherton walked outside.
"Ah, good morning Atherton. Where are you off to this morning?" Out in the hallway, a kindly woman greeted him. With a basket in hand, Atherton could only assume she was heading over to the market to buy today's groceries. "Erm...I'm going over to Fairytail's guildhall. I'll be taking on my first job today." The woman, his neighbor Rowena, gently stroked her swollen belly listening to his response. She broke into a broad smile soon after. "Oh that's right! Well, congratulations! I knew you could do it. Wait, hold that thought, before you go, I have something to give you." Before Atherton could politely reject, the woman disappeared into her apartment just across from his.
Eventually, she returned with a small box neatly wrapped in patterned cellophane and topped off with a bow. "It's a gift from me and Edward. Go on, open it!" With a grateful—and admittedly, an embarrassed—word of thanks, Atherton carefully pulled off the wrapping paper and opened the box. Inside was a small lacrima charm attached to a little bell and leather loop. Holding it up against the light, it shimmered the entire color spectrum. He smiled in awe. "It's supposed to bring you good luck if you keep it with you. You never know, right?" The sentiment truly touched his heart.
"Thank you, Rowena. It's beautiful."
---
With every step he took, the little bell of the charm jingled. The guild wasn't too far from his apartment building, but it did take a good 15 minutes to get there. Atherton didn't particularly mind since it gave him time to enjoy the fair weather. The early morning jitters almost went away completely...until he found himself standing outside the gates. It all came back to him at full force. He told himself he'll eventually get used to it. Think of it like a second home! Yes that's right. That's what Mirajane told him yesterday. She said she'd help him get started working at the guild. The thought relaxed him somewhat. It was now or never. Atherton walked past the gates and pushed open the large wooden doors.
The guildhall was mostly empty. Perhaps it was still a little too early. Nevertheless, he walked between the wooden benches towards the bar farther in the back. Mirajane was drying some cups when the sound of his footsteps caught her attention. "Oh, good morning Atherton. Are you ready to go on your first job?" Atherton gave a small nod, "Yeah." The young woman came around to lead him towards the request board. Every job ranging from hunting magical beasts to escort requests were kept here for display. Tilting his head up slightly to read the ones farther to the top, he felt a little lost. "How about we find something easy...oh! Maybe this one? The client wants some help with delivering a magical artifact."
A magical artifact? From what Mirajane was telling him, the client needed some extra protection while the caravan containing the relic moved in between towns. A detailed map of where the caravan would be traveling was included on the request. "I think it's a good idea to have you bring someone else along. Now...who would be available to tag along?"