#''feminism tells you that being naked is freedom'' yeah for some women it is

[angelsaxis]

i have so many thoughts on how non feminists view feminism and how they cannot for the life of them just hold men solely responsible for women's objectification or view women as automatically being sexual even in strictly nonsexual contexts but once i start i wont stop

[rhaellatully]

Strings’n’Drums Chapter 8 (Fanfiction)

FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12814422/8/Strings-n-Drums

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/13991202/chapters/52670395

Summury: AU. In 1969, Lucy runs from home and becomes a journalist for the magazin Strings'n'Drums, this will lead the young shy girl in the world of rock music, to meet the colorfull caracters that populates it. In between running from her father and living new experience Lucy will make friends, gorw into an adult and maybe have some romance. Will include Nalu and mentions of other parings

Chapter 1: https://rhaellatully.tumblr.com/post/170156396003/stringsndrums-fanficition

Chapter 7: https://rhaellatully.tumblr.com/post/182871386968/stringsndrums-chapter-7-fanfiction?is_related_post=1

The ferry ride toward the island was peaceful. The sun was warm, Lucy decided to go on the deck and enjoy the sea air. Making her way to the front of the ship, she could clearly see the island ahead. She was much looking forward the festival; she had no idea what it would be like and was excited to find out. She knew they would be several stages, and sometimes two artists would play at the same time on different one. She would have to make hard choices. According to the program Lee Richards and John Fool would be at the same time, she didn’t know which to choose yet.

Seeing as the island kept getting closer and closer, she thought it would be best to go get her things and make sure she would be ready to get off. That’s when she noticed and silhouette hanging on the fence head toward the water. With a closer look, she realised she knew this silhouette.

“Are you alright?” she asked.

He slowly lifted his head and Lucy almost laughed at his face. Long gone was the smiling face and the incredible energies she had seen on stage, Natsu Dragneel clearly couldn’t handle the sea.

“Hey… Lucy” he said weakly.

She smiled at him “Sea sick?”

“Motion sickness” he managed to let out.

“We’re almost there” Lucy offered.

He took himself off the fence and started to stumble across the deck, trying to get to the door. It was a sad sight and Lucy’s guilt quickly over came her. “Do you need any help?” she shouted toward him.

He made a weird sound in response, which she chose to interpret as a yes. She took his arm and putted it across her shoulder. They difficultly made their way to the door, behind which she helped down some stairs, when they reached the corridor a man came to get Natsu. He was one of his technicians and jugging by his face, he had been looking for the musician for long time. As she watched them leave Lucy couldn’t help but wonder if he usually caused that kind of trouble. He seemed like the sort of person who would. Lucy would have never bear to do the same, the mere though of embarrassing someone else made her uncomfortable.

When she was on the dock she heard someone scream “Finally, earth, sweet earth!” and she turned around to find Natsu Dragneel again looking far better than he did on the boat. The sight gave her a smile she kept all the way to the small hotel were she would staying. She would have liked to call Levy, but she didn’t which number to call. And as Levy was in the same situation they could only hope to meet at the festival tomorrow.

Sadly when Lucy made her way there the next day, she caught no sign of her friend. And she couldn’t spend her day looking for her; she was here for work, not just for her own enjoyment. So she went to the first concert on her list, it was at the biggest scene of the festival. There was already a bit of crowed in front, but Lucy managed to make her way through it effortlessly. Still she felt the heat from the sun as well as from the crowed. She was close to the stage, but not too close. She noticed that the technicians were still setting up the equipment.

Waiting for the musicians to get here she looked around her self, this was a band she liked and she was curious to know what kind of people would be listening with her. She noticed a lot of different, from hippies to teddy boys there was a bit of everything. The only thing they all seemed to have in common was to be dress more appropriately for the heat then Lucy was. How great was her shock when she noticed right next to her Cana Alberona. Lucy stared, incapable of assuring herself that this was indeed the famous singer.

Looking at the other woman from head to toe, there was no doubt, the long curly brown hair, the cheeky smile, the single bra as a top, the tight pants, the barefoot, all the signatures of Cana Alberona. And on top of it, she lifted a bottle of bourbon, that, if Lucy believed the rumour, never left her side.

Any good journalist would have jumped on the occasion. Any good journalist would have already introduced herself. Any good journalist would have tried to get an interview later. Any good journalist would have asked her views on the band they were about to see. But Lucy stood frozen. She knew she had to do something, but it didn’t seem to be in her abilities.

“You’re okay sweetie?” asked the husky voice of Cana Alberona.

“I’m…” she managed to started but she couldn’t go any further. She wanted to kill herself.

The singer gave her a smile, “Hey, it’s fine” she reassured her “I’m just a regular junky.”

Lucy snorted.

Cana Alberona noticed the pass hanging from her neck and asked “Journalist?”

“Yeah” answered Lucy as her cheek grew warm.

“Beginner?”

Lucy nodded.

The older woman smiled, “At least you have good taste” she said turning her head to the stage.

The band had yet to arrive, which meant Lucy still had a chance, in a very small voice she said “You like them too?”

Miss Alberona turned toward her again “Yeah” she said “they’re still a bit messy, obviously they haven’t really found themselves yet, but they have a lot of potential”

Lucy’s eyes widen “I though the same!” she exclaimed.

“Then you have the right sense for your job girl” she looked at her close and added “not so much for the weather thought.”

Lucy looked down at herself, more to hide her face than to see what Miss Alberona was talking about. She knew very well what she was talking about. Who in their right wind would be wearing a bellbottom jean and a jacket in this weather?

Lucy had packed light summer dresses but hadn’t dared to put any on this morning. And now on top of being sweaty she was embarrassed in front of Cana Alberona. While she had cowered at the idea of wearing her not so revealing dress, the singer was walking around with only a bra on.

“You don’t have to have to go around half naked if you don’t want to, you know.”

Lucy looked up to Miss Alberona, she had no idea why she was telling her that.

“Look” she continued “I know a lot of women here, me first, won’t bother covering anything up, but there’s nothing wrong with you not being able to do the same. Feminism is freedom and freedom is doing whatever you feel like. So if you feel like covering up, go ahead, it doesn’t make you a coward or less of a feminist.”

A smile came to Lucy’s face, she wanted to thank her, but the music started. The band was finally here and Lucy had more impotent things to do than talk. She enjoyed their show. They were wild but manage to keep their melody clear.  She had such a great time that she only remembered Cana Alberona’s presence at the end of the show. But when she turned to talk to her again she was gone. For a second there Lucy though she might have dreamt their encounter, but even with her wild imagination she didn’t mistook dreams for reality. So it did happened. It simply didn’t mean as much to the singer as it did to her. Which was fine. Which made sense. Why would meeting a debutant journalist mean anything to a great singer?

With her shoulder dropped and her eyes on the floor she started leaving. A sighed escaped her lips as she forced herself to look up and find somewhere she could buy food. Seeing large group of people agglomerating around some small wooden house she guessed that this was what she was looking for. Along many others she made her way toward it.

In the crowed, she noticed a pale emotionless face, a quick second look allowed her to recognise the woman she had interview several month prior. The mere look in her eyes still scared Lucy. Nevertheless, she was an artist, someone Lucy needed to be on good terms with. All she had to do was say a quick hello, no need for an actual conversation.

Gathering all her strength, Lucy looked straight at her and said loud enough, “Miss Locser!”

This coughed the other woman’s attention; she looked in Lucy’s direction and without any changes to her expression said “Hello.” And then without a second glance walked away.

At least it didn’t take too much time. Lucy went back to making her way to the food stand, when she realised that if Juvia Locser was here, then they were good chances that Levy might be as well. Getting closer, she started scanning the crowed for her small friend. Every one around her was so tall; the chances of spotting Levy seemed rather fine.

She made her way through the masses of people, dodging the arms of overexcited people, and stepping away form a longhaired woman who kept trying to offer her fruits. Among this sea of faces she was unable to tell if Levy was anywhere near. When she finally reached her destination, she felt as if the smell of each person in that crowed was still attached to her. It made her uncomfortable. At that moment all she wanted was to take a shower.

She quickly forgot her uneasiness when a voice shouted “Lucy!”

Lucy almost jumped in the air when she saw Levy. She wore a short dress that stopped at the middle of her hip, she didn’t had tight on, and the sighed of her bare legs seemed to attract a lot of eyes. Her arms were covered by long large sleeves thought, and her cleavage barely parted from her neck. They were cute little flowers printed at the edges of her dress that matched the scarf in her hair. She looked incredibly happy.

“It’s been so long.” Said Lucy as she pulled her into a hug.

Levy hugged her back “I’ve missed you! What have you been up too?”

Lucy pulled back “Same old same old, what about you? Have you… managed with Rust?”

“Actually I did” she said with a smile

“That’s great to hear. Gajeel Redfox wasn’t too hard on you?”

Levy bit her lips, but her smile didn’t change, there was a hint of pink on her cheeks, and looked away for second. “Actually about that-“

“Hey Lucy!”

Lucy turned at the sound of name and she came face to face with Natsu Dragneel. He looked much better than he had on the boat. He had a bright smile on his face and was standing straight. Despite the heat he was still wearing his scarf, thankfully it was wrapt around his head and not his neck. The only other piece of clothes he had were a pair of white pair of pants. She didn’t know what had happened to the clothes he had worn on the boat, but with the current heat, she could hardly blame him for taking them off.

“There you go.” he said as he handed Levy some food. This reminded Lucy that she had been looking for food herself.

“I need to go buy some food too.”

“It’s alright” said Levy “We’ll wait for you, right?”

“Yeah, absolutely”

She wet away from them to join the queue. As she waited, she thought about what Levy might have wanted to tell her. It was about Gajeel Redfox and she had seemed embarrassed by it. Had he hurt her? Lucy really hoped that wasn’t the case. If it had been she would have looked angry or sadden. Being embarrassed by this sort of things didn’t sound like Levy at all. It had seemed like she wasn’t sure how to talk about it with Lucy, yet the last he had been mean to her she hadn’t hesitate to tell Lucy. This couldn’t be it, but then what? She have to make sure to ask her as soon as she was back with her and Natsu.

Natsu. She was about to eat with Natsu Dragneel. This felt so odd. He had told her he wanted to be her friend, but up until now they never talked outside of an interview. She had no idea what she going to say to him. What if in that knew setting he found her boring and decided he had no desire to spent time with her after all? What if it destroyed their professional relationship? She would never be able to get an interview with him again. This would be horrible for her career.

She couldn’t mess this up. She had to be on her best behaviour. But what could the best behaviour be with someone like him? Should she try to be friendly, but she could end up coming off as clingy. Should she try her best to look cool, but she had never been cool in her life, she wasn’t even sure if she knew what that meant. The best option seemed to let them lead the conversation, and make little observation here and there. But if she did things that way how would she get answers out of Levy?

She was stressed by the time she got to the front of the line that stuttered through her entire order. As walk back toward where she had left them, she found herself hoping they had forgot about her and left. At least that way she wouldn’t have to worry. But sadly for her, they were still standing there waiting for her.

“There you are” said Levy as she spotted her “ I had to keep him from eating this all time, do you realise how hard this is!”

“Oh… uh… sorry” Lucy managed to answer.

Levy frown and said “Let’s go found somewhere to eat. Natsu lead the way.”

Natsu went ahead of them without hesitation.

“What’s wrong?” Levy asked her in low voice.

“I can’t mess this up, it’ll be horrible for my career.”

Levy smiled “Look Lucy, they are only very few people Natsu actually dislike, and trust me you have none of required personality trait to enter that category.”

“What if he founds me dull?”

“You’re not dull”

This was levy final encouragement, before all three of them sat down on a patch of grass. The moment they touch the ground Natsu dug into his food like his life depended on it. They were bits and pieces scattering on his face and the floor. Lucy did her best to contain her disgust feeling, but she could tell the muscles on her face were moving. But oddly on their own they started shaking and a small laughter escaped her. She stopped and felt very embarrassed.

“Someone’s hungry” she said

Levy gave her a sympathetic look while shaking her head. Did she mean that he ate that way all the time? That couldn’t be.

Lucy started eating her own food, and Levy did the same. For a moment they were just eating in silence and Lucy was thankful for that. But she knew it wouldn’t last long.

“So you’re gonna see Dust Cloud or U-turn?” asked Natsu to Levy

“I don’t know, they both sound great, but I’m not sure which of them is going to give me the most interesting material.” Levy answer.

“It’s not all about the pictures you know” pointed out Natsu, who seemed tired of hearing about pictures

“It is when they pay the rent” grumbled Levy

“Come on! You’re at a music festival! Relax!”

“I like taking pictures!”

Lucy could tell that the tone was rising between them, and made her worry. She didn’t want them to fight, especially not here.

“I think Dust Cloud is very good, and they seem to have a lot of energy so they should be able to give you what you need.” She interjected

It seemed to calm the mood as Natsu added “Yeah this guys have to be on drugs or something”

“Personally, I really like there lyrics. They have a way turning little things of every day life into fantastic songs. I think that’s incredible.”

“I know” said Levy “I red your article that’s what got interested in them.”

“Thanks” said Lucy as a blush made it’s way through her cheeks. This was by far the best complement anyone could give her. To think her writing had gotten someone interested into a band, it made her all warm inside.

“It’s not as good as the one she wrote about you, though” Levy added, smiling to Natsu.

“Really!” He said with a bright smile.

“Out of all the article that have been written on you, hers is by far the best.”

“That’s great!”

“You didn’t red it” the words escaped Lucy mouth before she could think better of it. Of course he hadn’t red it. She couldn’t expect a famous musician to read all the articles about himself. Especially not the one written by novice journalist.

“I don’t read a lot” he said

Somehow that made her sadder, some part of her had hoped that he might like reading too. It was foolish of course, she couldn’t hope that every one she met would love to read. She didn’t even know him so why would it matter.

“You know what I really liked about your article” added Levy “the one about Cloud Dust I mean, it was the part were you said ‘their music and lyrics merge in a way in which you can no longer tell which of the two is creating the strong emotion that each songs creates’”

“Oh my god that’s exactly it!” exclaimed Natsu

The blush that had left her cheeks came back immediately, “I just said what I felt” she explained

“You totally got it. That’s exactly what I thought! I mean no, I’m not that good at putting things into words, that’s why I tell stories in my song. But you got it that’s so great.”

“Thank you” mumbled Lucy shyly.

“I don’t understand why more people don’t listen to them thought” said Levy

“Yeah that’s weird, I mean, “added Natsu before turning toward Lucy “you get how their music works, how can more people don’t get it?”

“I don’t know, maybe it’s because I’m the one who wrote about them and not many people are interested in what I think” Lucy felt bad the second after that sentence came out. She knew she shouldn't let her self-pity show in front of others. But in her heart, she couldn’t think of any other reason why people weren’t interested into Dust Cloud.

“What makes you think that?” asked Levy

“I’m new, I’m just a nobody who wrights about music, why anyone care about how feel about it”

“I don’t read much, but if that’s how people who read choose their stuff than their pretty stupid, I mean if you do things that way than you always end up listening to the same stuff. Got to get boring at some point.”

Lucy stared at Natsu, that made a lot of sense, she hadn’t though about it that way, but now that she did, she realised that she didn't only read the books of author she already knew, she always tried new ones. It was how she discovered things.

“He’s right” said Levy, and Lucy it was true.

Natsu looked at his wrist watch and exclaimed “Fernandez is going to start soon”

Levy immediately got up “You’re coming?”

“Yeah” said Lucy before following them.

Fernandez was playing on the big scene and the place was packed. Levy had her photograph pass that allowed her a nice place at the front, which was not the case for Natsu and Lucy, who were now staring at the sea of people in front of them. Natsu grabbed her hand.

“Come on” he said as he made his way through the crowed.

He managed to get them just a few feet away from the stage. They were so many people around them that one would have though it impossible to move from there spot. But they had a great view of the stage and the band that was about to start.

Natsu let go for her hand and it suddenly felt very cold. That’s when she realise how warm his hand had been.  Her feet felt cold, the floor had turned muddy from all the excitement of the day. She looked at the crowed around her, they were so many people, and no familiar face. Thankfully she wasn’t here alone. It’s at that moment that she realised she was with Natsu Dragneel, the singer. Somehow it had seemed normal to her to be here with him, as if they were nothing more natural then attending a concert with a famous singer. Lucy didn’t know how she was supposed to feel.

But then the music started, and the emotion it carried took over her. She let every key penetrate her soul and the beat animated her body. In the music she felt at home. It felt right.

Each song came and hit her in the heart. Fernandez on the stage looked like he was in a trance. For a moment, Lucy thought that he wasn’t even able to see the audience, since his eyes, under his hair, had been fixed on one point since the beginning of the concert. She followed then and fell on a patch of red in the crowed.

She looked just in time to see a gorgeous woman with long red hair leave the concert with a sad face. She immediately recognised her. That was Erza Scarlet. The Erza Scarlet. Lucy followed her with her eyes until she disappear toward the back of the crowed.

“What are you looking at?”

Lucy turned back to Natsu and said with a small voice “There was… there was Erza Scarlet”

“I’ll introduce you if you want”

“Really?”

“Of course”