As always - Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima and everything Pradesh belongs to Desna.

A/N - And so the training begins for both Lucas and Lucy. And yes, Arman is totally plotting... Hope you like this. Please read and review!

"Lucas, this is Cobra. Cobra this is my little brother Lucas. You already know Bickslow and Emi."

Cobra eyed the boy hugging onto Lucy's side, as he returned the same suspicious look. "So the leach has its own leach now? Also, aren't you an only child?"

Lucy punched him in the arm and scowled at the slayer earning a few audible gasps from nearby mages. "Be nice. Yes I was an only child, but Lucas is my brother. I just have to figure out how to make it legal. Anyhow, he's going to be training here and I would love it if you two could get along. Maybe even help with his training?"

Cobra scoffed, "I don't do babysitting Tink. Unless you want me to poison him to make him quiet for you." Lucas glared at the one eyed mage on the other side of his Lucy. Cobra snickered, the kid's soul was a riot of emotions and he seemed easily set off.

"Why do you have to be such a jerk to everyone?" Lucy sighed. She turned to Lucas, "Don't get worked up over him. He acts like this, but inside he is just a softie." Cobra growled as both Bickslow and Emzadi started laughing.

"I. Am. Not. A. Softie." Lucy ignored his growling and glaring and proceeded to tell Lucas that Bickslow was going to take him to Vander and Kaleb to start his training today.

"Aren't you coming too?" Lucas asked her nervously looking around. There were so many strange people here and he didn't want to be without her.

"Nope, I have to ummm arrange my own training of sorts." Try as she might she couldn't prevent a small blush from showing as she recalled her awkward conversation asking about a Sudepah with Arman that morning. She punched Cobra in the arm again when he started snickering. "Don't you dare, or I will tell everyone your real name." She hissed at the slayer.

Cobra leaned back in the seat, "That just means I have to get rid of everyone you tell. Sounds like fun honestly. They have too many goodie goodie rules here. Reminds me of your pansy ass guild."

Lucas was definitely confused, the Poison Slayer seemed to know more than was being said aloud. "How do you know where Lucy is going?"

Cobra just shrugged and sipped his drink. "He can hear souls," Bickslow answered.

"I thought you were a Poison Dragon Slayer not a sound mage." Lucas prompted. Cobra only shrugged in response again causing Lucy to sigh once more.

"He's both and a giant teddy bear with the biggest crunchiest outer shell of all time."

Getting annoyed and done with this conversation, Cobra leaned over to whisper in Lucy's ear. "Keep up the teddy bear comments and I will tell them where you are off to. Might be fun to explain to the kid what a Sudepah is. Why are you even going anyhow? Decided to be more fun like Cana finally?"

"It is none of your business," Lucy hissed back. As planned however, his prodding got her memories of Gray's request rolling again. She realized she fell into his trap when his one eye opened slightly wider. "Bickslow will you take Lucas for his training now?" The Seith nodded and talked Lucas into going by offering to let him ride his totems on the way. "Emi, I'm going to need your help finding where I need to go."

"It's a mistake." Cobra stated once the boy was gone. Lucy gave him a very poignant look and he could hear her demand for him to stop talking. "Not where you are going, but why. One of these days you are going to give too much of yourself away and you will have nothing left for yourself."

"I will see you later Cobra," Lucy stated curtly. The last thing she wanted was his advice at that moment. She had made up her mind. "Emi, lets go." Once outside the guild hall Lucy breathed a sigh of relief.

"Mind explaining what all that was about?" Emi prompted. Lucy handed her the paper Arman had given her that morning. "Oh, I know exactly where this is." Emzadi grinned at her. "Come on, I'll take you."

To say she was nervous was an understatement as she stared at the entrance to a beautifully landscaped and architected building with Grecian style pillars and motifs. Emzadi pulled her hand, "No need to be scared. Everyone in Bosco does this at a young age. It really is quite freeing." Seeing the blonde was nearly hyperventilating, the slayer decided this wasn't simply nerves. "What is really going on Lucy?" She dragged her over to a bench and waited, rubbing her back soothingly.

Eventually Lucy caved and told her everything. "Okay, that is a lot to take on. Now I understand the reaction. Have you told them your decision yet?" Lucy shook her head. "Good. Don't, not yet anyhow. Start the training, these are the best Sudepah in Palerno. See how you feel in a few weeks. Don't rush yourself. Understand this part is for you, not for them. If you don't want it for yourself then maybe it isn't time."

"I do though. It's stupid, I don't know why I've held onto my virginity for so long. I guess I'm just scared I will get attached to the person and they will leave and I will feel used." Lucy replied.

"I know all about heartache, trust me. But one thing doesn't need to relate to the other. Sex is fun, it feels good. That's all. Love is a different thing entirely." Emzadi explained. "You just have to think about it differently."

Lucy covered her face with her hands in embarrassment, "I asked your brother to, well you know. He suggested this instead."

"Which one? It was good advice." The Solar slayer was very surprised that it was Vander that had turned her down and sent her in the right direction. Maybe her little brother was finally growing up. "I think you are ready now if you still feel this is right for you."

Lucy took a deep breath, stood up straight and took Emi's hand. "Yes, I'm ready." Emi pulled her into a big hug and escorted her into the building.

They were greeted by a lovely older woman with gray streaks through her dark hair and warm green eyes. "It isn't often we get a Pradesh in here anymore Emzadi. Who is this gorgeous woman you have brought to us?" Lucy blushed and introduced herself and explained her background. "I have just the teacher for you. We cater to foreign dignitaries frequently, so we fully understand the restrictions you have grown up with. How long will you be in Palerno?"

"Well, I have to return to Fiore in a month for a ceremony, but will be returning after. I don't know how long I will be here in full." The woman who introduced herself as Silah, smiled and called for another to bring someone named Cassie. Lucy was surprised it was going to be a female instructor.

With a knowing look, Silah explained, "We want you to be comfortable, so we usually pair you with the same gender unless you have a preference of course." Lucy shook her head and blushed again. "Cassie is one of our best. I think you will like her quite a bit."

"Umm, how much will this cost?" Lucy asked unsure how this worked.

Silah looked to Emzadi who laughed, "If Dad sent you here, then he's picking up the tab. Don't worry about it." She quickly waved off any attempt Lucy had at arguing. "By the way Silah, he will probably be at the Golden Sunset Bathhouse tonight if I know him." The older woman, still smiling said she would love to meet him there. "I will let him know. Lucy, I will pick you up when you are done for today okay?" With that she hugged the nervous blonde and left.

Lucy was standing there wringing her hands waiting for the mysterious Cassie to show up, when a young brunette with brown eyes ran into the room. "Cassie, may I introduce you to Ms. Lucy Heartfilia. She is from Fiore and has about a month to spend with us. Lucy, this is Cassie your instructor."

It was impossible to feel intimidated by the bubbly girl she was being introduced to. Cassie grabbed both her hands and smiled broadly. "It is great to meet you Lucy! You are from Fiore? I have never been there, but I hear the weather is wonderful in the fall and the trees change colors. I want to go see that some time."

Chatting like new friends, Cassie led Lucy to her private studio. After getting to know each other and Lucy was relaxed, Cassie explained how this was going to begin. The first step was anatomy lessons and Lucy was pleased to know they weren't jumping right into anything. Although there was some blushing, Lucy was nothing if not a great student. Towards the end of the first session, most of her anxiety had disappeared and Cassie assured her, if she kept up that progress a month was plenty of time.

Emzadi was waiting for her when she finished and the two travelled back to the estate chatting about shopping. Lucas was waiting for her with tales of his training when she arrived. "So how was your training Lucy?" he asked innocently.

Lucy sputtered out a reply that it went fine while blushing yet again. Emzadi laughed, "You know if he was Boscan he'd already be in that training."

"Yes, well he isn't Boscan. At least I don't think so."

"No idea where you are from huh kid?" Emi asked Lucas, who shook his head. "Maybe Dad can help with that. He's pretty good at hunting down mysterious origins. I think the only one he has never figured out is Kaleb."

Lucas, who after today was practically idol worshipping the guild master was in shock. "Master Kaleb doesn't know where he's from either?"

"Nope, he was rescued from a slave ship as a young child by Dad and Farron. They knew where he was headed but could never sort out where he was from." Emi's eyes sparkled with mischief, "Did you know he used to have dark hair and eyes? Come on, I'll show you pictures when he was a kid."

The two took off while Arman walked up to Lucy. "I take it today went well?"

"Yes sir," Lucy amended her reply at the pointed look she received. "I mean yes, Arman. Thank you so much, but I feel I should reimburse you for the…"

Arman interrupted immediately, "As an Ambassador I have long standing arrangements with them, it is of no concern. So you are unaware of Lucas' family beginnings?"

Sighing Lucy replied, "Yeah. He was taken at a young age and used by thieves to cause distractions so they could pilfer what they wanted. He doesn't remember anything before them. I don't know how I will manage to adopt him without having more information."

"My dear, I am quite certain I can assist with this. I am not familiar with Fioran policies but as you can see I'm very skilled at working out adoptions in this country. I will start to look into it." Arman replied with a smile. She really was a kind, genuine and warm person and he was hoping she would join his family at some point. He had his eyes on four of his boys in regard to her and couldn't wait to see how it turned out.

Lucy grappled him in a giant hug, "Oh thank you so much! I feel like I have no idea where to even begin. He's like a brother to me and I want to give him a real home and family."

"You have my promise that I will do everything in my power to help make that a reality." Arman replied. If she married into his family and became Boscan it would be a simple task really to adopt the boy.