What do you have to say for yourself

I sat on the bench for a few more moments, letting the weight of the necklace settle around my neck. The sapphires glinted in the sunlight, mesmerizing me with their sparkle. After a final admiring glance, I stood up, determined to handle the matter of my destroyed apartment. It wasn't far to the landlord's house, so I set off at a brisk pace.

The landlord's house was a quaint, two-story building with ivy creeping up the stone facade. The windows were adorned with flower boxes bursting with colorful blooms, and the front door was a deep, inviting shade of red. It exuded a rustic charm that made it stand out in the neighborhood.

I knocked on the door, and it was promptly opened by the landlord. He was a tall man with graying hair neatly parted to the side, and a pair of stern, blue eyes framed by wire-rimmed glasses. He wore a brown tweed vest over a crisp white shirt, giving him a somewhat old-fashioned, yet distinguished appearance.

"Good morning, Mr. Thompson," I greeted him with a polite smile.

"Morning, Jade," he replied, his tone curt and his expression grim. "Come in."

He stepped aside to let me enter. The interior of the house was as charming as the exterior, filled with antique furniture and an assortment of knick-knacks that spoke of years of careful curation. The air smelled faintly of lavender and old books. Despite the inviting decor, Mr. Thompson's mood was anything but welcoming.

"Have a seat," he instructed, pointing to a well-worn leather armchair. I complied, sitting down as he took the chair opposite me, his expression dark.

"Jade," he began, his voice stern, "I rented you that apartment in good faith, and now it's in ruins. What do you have to say for yourself?"

I swallowed hard, feeling a pang of guilt. "I'm very sorry, Mr. Thompson. It wasn't my fault. I never expected anything like this to happen."

He sighed deeply, his anger giving way to a more resigned frustration. "I suppose with you being a member of Fairy Tail now, such things are bound to happen." He paused, pinching the bridge of his nose before continuing. "You've always been a reliable tenant, always paid your rent on time. Because of that, I'm willing to offer a small reduction for the repairs."

I nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Mr. Thompson. I appreciate your understanding."

We discussed the details of the repair costs. It would be a hefty sum—100,000 jewel. I assured him that the responsible parties would cover the expenses, not wanting him to worry further.

"Alright then," he said, leaning back in his chair. "How are you finding life at Fairy Tail? Settling in well?"

His question caught me slightly off guard, but I smiled warmly. "Yes, actually. They're very kind and welcoming. One of the members is even letting me stay with them until my apartment is fixed."

Mr. Thompson's stern expression softened slightly. "That's good to hear. Fairy Tail may have a reputation, but they do take care of their own."

We chatted a bit more about the apartment and the repairs. Then Mr. Thompson glanced at the clock on the wall, his eyes widening slightly.

"Goodness, time has flown by. I have a meeting in ten minutes," he said, standing up. "I'm afraid we'll have to cut this short."

I stood up as well, extending my hand. "Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Thompson. I'll keep you updated on the repairs."

He shook my hand firmly. "See that you do, Jade. Take care."

With a nod, I made my way to the door and stepped back out into the street. The sun was higher in the sky now. As I walked away from Mr. Thompson's house, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and anticipation. The morning had been productive, and despite the underlying stress of the situation, there was a sense of progress.

The necklace still hung around my neck, a comforting weight. I touched the pendant lightly, the cool metal soothing against my skin. The mysterious gift had been an unexpected bright spot in an otherwise challenging time.

With my conversation with Mr. Thompson concluded and a sense of relief settling in, I decided to treat myself to a meal at a nearby restaurant. Magnolia was bustling with its usual activity, and the vibrant atmosphere was contagious. I strolled through the market district, enjoying the sights and sounds of vendors hawking their wares, children laughing, and the general hum of life in the city.

I soon found myself in front of a charming little eatery named "The Dragon's Feast." The restaurant's exterior was adorned with colorful banners and whimsical dragon-themed decorations. The scent of delicious food wafted through the air, making my stomach rumble in anticipation.

As I stepped inside, I was greeted by the warm, inviting ambiance of the restaurant. The interior was cozy, with wooden tables and chairs arranged neatly around the room. The walls were decorated with paintings of various dragons, each one more majestic than the last. Soft lighting and the gentle hum of conversation created a relaxed atmosphere.

A cheerful waitress with short, auburn hair and a friendly smile approached me. "Welcome to The Dragon's Feast! Table for one?"

"Yes, please," I replied, returning her smile.

She led me to a corner table by the window, where I could watch the bustling streets of Magnolia while I dined. After handing me a menu, she promised to return shortly to take my order. I perused the menu, my mouth watering at the descriptions of the dishes. There were all sorts of enticing options, from roasted Wyvern steak to grilled Salamander skewers. I finally settled on a hearty Dragon's Delight stew and a side of fresh-baked bread.

When the waitress returned, I placed my order and asked for a glass of sparkling berry juice to accompany my meal. She jotted down my choices and hurried off to the kitchen.

While waiting, I looked around, enjoying the lively chatter of the other patrons and the soft background music playing from a lacrima jukebox in the corner. The restaurant was a popular spot, and I could see why. It had a unique charm that made you feel right at home.

Before long, my food arrived. The stew was a rich, aromatic blend of tender meat and vegetables, simmered to perfection in a savory broth. The bread was warm and crusty, perfect for soaking up the delicious stew. I took my first bite, and a contented sigh escaped my lips. The flavors were incredible, each spoonful a delightful mix of textures and tastes.

As I ate, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Despite the recent upheavals, moments like this reminded me of the simple joys in life.

However, my tranquility was short-lived. Just as I was about to savor another spoonful of the delicious Dragon's Delight stew, the door of the restaurant burst open, and in came Lucy, Erza, Natsu, Gray, and Happy. They seemed to be searching for someone, and it didn't take long for Natsu's sharp eyes to land on me.

"There she is!" Natsu announced to the others, pointing directly at me.

Before I could react, they all began striding towards my table with purpose. My heart rate quickened as I wondered what on earth they wanted. I was suddenly acutely aware that I had taken a table meant for one, and there was only one chair. They reached me in no time, towering over my small table and effectively blocking the light.

"Uh, hi guys," I said nervously, looking up at their serious faces.

Without warning, they all bowed deeply. "We're sorry for destroying your apartment!" they chorused, their voices ringing out loudly in the small restaurant.

I felt my face flush with embarrassment as I noticed every single patron and staff member had turned to stare at us. I shot out of my seat, waving my hands frantically. "Stop, stop! Please, everyone's looking!"

Lucy, Erza, Natsu, Gray, and Happy straightened up, but their expressions remained earnest. "We really are sorry," Lucy said, biting her lip.

"Yeah, it wasn't right," Erza added, her voice sincere.

"It was an accident," Gray chimed in, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"But we'll make it right!" Natsu declared, pumping his fist in determination.

I took a deep breath, trying to manage the situation with some semblance of grace. "Look, I appreciate your apologies, I really do. But maybe we can discuss this somewhere less... public?"

Happy fluttered over to the empty chair, landing on the backrest. "Aye, maybe we should talk outside," he suggested, his big eyes blinking innocently.

"Good idea, Happy," I said, grateful for the sensible suggestion. I gathered my things quickly, feeling the weight of a hundred stares on my back.

We shuffled out of the restaurant, and once outside, I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. "Alright, let's talk here," I said, trying to regain my composure.