Chapter 2

The guild was again quiet after what they just saw. Archer practically teleported to Erza. Actually they were sure that was what she did. How in the world could she be that fast? How can she go from the middle of the guild to the corner in the blink of an eye? The far corner. She had to have teleported.

At the moment she still stood in front of the shocked Erza. She had been staring at her for some time. Her gaze made Erza uncomfortable. Something she noted and backed away.

"I apologize for making you uncomfortable. I have a habit of staring too long. I like to observe, you see. You can tell a lot about people if you just carefully observe" she said. "I am Archer by the way. And you? "

"Erza"

Archer raised an eyebrow as she slipped into the seat opposite the girl. She rested her chin in her palm as she looked at her. She had completely forgotten her little scruffle with Gray.

"Just plain Erza? "

Erza nodded and looked away. She wasn't comfortable around people and around Archer even more so. But unlike most it wasn't because of her distrust or history. It wasn't because of her fear of being judged or accepted. It was different. There was something familiar about the girl in front of her. She couldn't dicern it. And why had she suddenly taken an interest in her? Her eyes were calculating. It made Erza very self conscious about herself. She found herself tugging on her white shirt.

"Yes. Just Erza"

Archer hummed. That wasn't right. Jellal was supposed to name her. Didn't they meet? Was she not captured by the men of the tower of heaven? No she was. She could tell by her right eye. It wasn't filled with emotion. It was dead. Dull. Staring at it made her sad. She wasn't there to protect her. She wanted to be, but the eclipse gate was set to open on July 7 year X777. She could not change that. If she did it would have been very dangerous. The risk of losing her memory was too big to take. She was forbidden from doing such a thing and ended up coming with the dragon slayers.

She wondered what could have changed. Why didn't Jellal name her?

She sighed. Jellal.

She was never a big fan of the man. Why? Because he just refused to get over himself. Everyone forgave him for his sins. Everyone except him. He alone believed that what he had done was completely unforgivable. He alone thought he was not worthy of Erza's love. Even though he loved her. Even though she loved him. If she loved him it clearly meant that she deemed him worthy. Was it enough for his insecure edginess? No. It was not.

Disappointing. Why did he have to hurt her like that. Hurt himself.

"I see" Archer shifted, tugging on her scarf. "Sounds lonely. Have you ever thought of naming yourself? Giving yourself a name? "

"No"

"You should try it" Archer suggested.

"I'm fine as I am"

Archer hummed she finally stood up. She didn't move however. She continued to stare at the coy girl.

"If you say so. But it does not stop me from coming up with my own name for you" she said. One did not have to see behind the mask to know she was smiling. She stared at Erza's hair. If Jellal didn't do it she might as well. Who knows. She could be the one to always be there for the redhead. "I'll call you Scarlet"

With that she turned and left the girl. She waved as she did. "Enjoy your cake, Scarlet "

Erza only watched as the girl casually walked away. Her interaction with her was odd. The feeling of familiarity remained. What was that even about? Scarlet? Why that name? Why did she even see the need to name her? Why was she looking at her like that? Why was she like that? So many questions. It was confusing and frustrating.

She took a bite of her cake and finally took her eyes off her fellow ten year old. She'd push it away for the moment. She could think about it later.

"Master, any suggestions when it comes to living arrangements? " Archer asked as she stood in front of the old man.

Makarov, unlike everyone else, was paying attention to the interaction between the two girls. There was something there. Something between the two. It was the first the old man had seen the redhead talk so much to someone. She tended to avoid everyone as much as she could. She wasn't comfortable around others.

He'll be keeping a close eye on the two.

"You could stay at Fairy Hills. There's plenty of room. You could live there rent free until you start making your own money"

Archer nodded as she stuffed her hands in her pockets again.

"No need. I have enough money to pay a year worth of rent" she said casually. She took amusement in the shock the man soon had on his face. "I'll give you the money when I get settled in. Care to direct me towards the building? "

"Key to your apartment " he said as he tossed it at the girl. She easily caught it and pocketed the item.

Makarov saw an opportunity and looked towards Erza who had just finished her cake and seemed deep in thought. He smiled and looked back towards Archer.

"Erza, would you please come here for a minute"

At the call of her name Erza snapped out of her thoughts and looked towards the old man. Her eyes soon went to Archer who was looking right at her. Their eyes met and she looked away as she started to approach.

"Yes master"

"Would you be so kind as to show Archer here to her new home at Fairy Hills"

"A girl! " the entire guild suddenly exclaimed and Archer winced. Even with the ear warmers as a form of protection her hearing was still sėnsɨtɨvė.

"Yes, I'm a girl" Archer sighed as she pressed her palms against her ears, briefly. "I would like to ask you not to suddenly scream like that. I have very sėnsɨtɨvė hearing"

The guild quieted down soon after.

Erza had glanced at the girl before nodding to the master's request.

"Good. Off you two go"

~~~~~~

There was silence between the two as they made their way through town and towards the guild's apartment complex. The only thing between them was the bustle of the city. Archer was in step with her guide. She noticed that Erza was uncomfortable to be alone with her, but it slowly faded as they continued on. She knew how to respect the other. She didn't want to make her uncomfortable. She had this overwhelming urge to protect the red head. Maybe it was because she was close to her mother. Maybe it was because she may have had a tiny little crush on her. Maybe it was because she was so fragile and hiding behind a strong facade.

Maybe it was all of the above. Maybe something else.

She wanted to get to know her. To become her friend. To build trust. She wanted to be the one that would be there for her. For that to happen she would have to talk to her. Show her that she could trust her. Rely on her.

So she decided to start a conversation in the weird way only she could.

"Do I make you uncomfortable? "

Erza was a bit startled, but it didn't show. She looked at the masked girl next to her. She's pretty straight forward.

"Slightly "

"You're not uncomfortable now though "

"No. Not anymore"

"That's good. I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable. I understand that I sometimes to that. Well a lot actually " Archer scratched the back of her head. "I apologize. Again"

Erza looked at the girl. Was she embarrassed? Sheepish? She was. She could see it in her eyes. So she isn't always seemingly emotionless. She somehow gave off that impression. Although she did keep this calm as the embarrassment slipped through. It was still hard to tell if she actually was embarrassed.

"Um.. It's alright "

Archer nodded. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but for how long have you been in the guild? "

"A year"

"I see" Archer went quiet. There was a lot she wanted ask, but she didn't want to bother the girl. "What type of magic do you use? "

"Re-Equip the knight and Telekinesis " Erza admitted. Normally she wouldn't talk this much. She wouldn't feel comfortable around someone she only just met. But she couldn't help it. Archer just gave off this friendly and trusting air. And the sense of familiarity added to the factor.

"Interesting" Archer hummed. "Impressive actually. You must be good with sword or weapons in general "

"Yes"

"Well, don't tell anyone this, but I can use Re-Equip magic as well" Archer admitted. "And telekinesis. I actually posses a series of different magic" she grinned under her mask. "Don't tell anyone. I like to stay mysterious "

Erza only nodded. "Why tell me? "

"Because I like you" Archer nodded a bit proudly. "So keep this between us, alright Scarlet? "

Again Erza could only nod as blood rushed to her face. She liked her? She was such an open person despite her want to be mysterious. Although she really was a mysterious character.

"What's your last name? "

"Phoenix "

Erza blinked and looked at the girl again. Why did that sound familiar? Was she supposed to know who they were? She felt like she should. But she didn't. It just sounded as if she had heard it before.

"Mention that to no one" Archer quickly added. "Only the master knows "

"If you wanted it to remain a secret why tell me"

"Like I said before. I've taken a liking to you. "

"But you just met me"

"You can learn a lot about someone through observation "

"You've said that"

"Yup. I've learned that you're not comfortable around other people and don't tend to talk much. Probably due to some traumatic past experiences and the likes"

Erza was shocked. She understood all of that just by staring at her for a period of time? Observation was that useful? She didn't know how to feel about it. She felt exposed. Vulnerable. It wasn't a feeling she liked.

Archer could sense her discomfort. She was tense. Archer then realized that she had done it again. She sighed. It was sometimes hard for her to remember the lines and when not to cross it. She would say things that could be insensitive and creepy and not know it until she noticed the state of others.

"I apologize for making you uncomfortable again. I didn't mean to. I just forget that I can sometimes be insensitive and too straightforward "

Erza could say nothing. She was too socially awkward to know how to respond to her apology. She has been apologizing for her behavior a lot. It seems she really is aware of her bluntness and that it can sometimes be taken the wrong way.

Archer spotted a bakery nearby and brightened. She'll have to make it up to the redhead and she knew exactly how to.

"Come" she said as she strayed off their path. She paused when Erza did not follow and tilted her head towards the bakery. She said nothing afterwards and continued on. She could hear the tentative footsteps following after her and smiled.

A bell rung as she opened the door to the establishment and held it open for Erza. After she stepped in she followed after her and looked around the place. They had a lot of tasty treats. Cupcakes. Fruitcakes. Icecakes. Ice creams. Smoothies. Milkshakes.

Archer was in the mood for some milkshakes.

"What will it be, Scarlet? "Archer questioned as she looked over the ȧssortment of cakes. "Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake or a normal strawberry shortcake? There's a lot to choose from. Strawberries 'N Cream Poke Cake. Strawberry Upside Down Cake. Strawberry Shortcake Icebox Cake. Strawberry Crunch Cake Strawberries & Cream Cake" Archer listed down all the strawberry cakes she spotted. She could see the spark in Erza's eyes as she spoke of the available strawberry cakes. How many times has she said strawberry cake?

"You are free to order whatever you want. I'm paying"

"Anything? "

"Anything at all. Consider it a gift as apology for continuously making you uncomfortable " Archer said.

"Now, what would you like, Scarlet? "