As always - Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima and everything Pradesh belongs to Desna.
A/N - I really hope you like this update. I probably won't get to update another chapter for a week or two but I felt horrible about taking so long last time and wanted to give you something to really look forward to. As always your reviews are my motivation and inspiration, so please keep them coming.
Bickslow plopped into the seat next to Cobra's watching Lucas' training. Today's targets weren't mages he was familiar with. Not taking his eye off the arena Cobra asked where Lucy was today. She was normally there by this time.
"Hmmm? Oh, she said she had a homework assignment and asked me to come pick the kid up today."
Cobra looked at the Seith beside him. "Homework? What the hell does that mean?" Bickslow just shrugged, turning his attention to the events below. According to both Vander and Kaleb, Lucas was doing excessively well at keeping his emotions and powers in check under normal circumstances. The training now was mainly focused on using his powers effectively and efficiently. Keeping the target in mind and not having others nearby affected.
Lucy meanwhile was arriving at the Boscan Embassy and was giving herself a pep talk to go through with her plans. She had thought about it thoroughly. No matter how much she adored Xally and Emzadi, she just wasn't capable of crossing that border yet. Not to mention the fact it wouldn't prepare her for what she was going to do with Natsu and Gray. She couldn't ask Arman, he was already doing enough for her and the age difference and the fact he had known her mother was too much for her brain to handle. She had already crossed Bickslow and Vander off the list. Zen was definitely off the list which left Kaleb and Farron. Although Lucas couldn't talk more highly of someone than Kaleb, she found him intimidating still which left one choice. And so she found herself looking at the entrance to the Embassy, nervously wringing her hands trying to sort out how to start this request.
Unfortunately, she spent far too much standing and staring at the doorway and found herself looking right at the man in question as he left the building. He looked surprised but pleased to see her. He was in casual clothing, tight black jeans that left not much to the imagination and a navy blue button up that seemed to make his blue eyes shine.
"Lucy! It is a surprise to see you here, not that I am complaining. Did you have business with the consulate?" Farron walked to her and took her hand and kissed it.
Unable to contain the small blush, Lucy shook her head. "I was actually here to see you. Do you have time to talk? If not I can come back another-"
"I have plenty of time for you," he interrupted with a soft smile. "But I am also famished, would you like to grab an early dinner?" Lucy nodded and he took her hand and led her to his awaiting car and gave the driver directions.
"That sounds like a fancy place, am I dressed alright?" Lucy questioned as she slid into the car seat. Farron looked over her peach colored sundress with strappy sandals and told her she looked absolutely perfect. She would be a distraction to the other patrons no matter what she wore or where he took her, but he was in the mood for something spicy.
"I hope you like Minstrellan?" She nodded and he took her hand again as he slid into the back of the car alongside her. "I've had a craving for some spice, and while Mr. Elan makes the most amazing food there are times when getting the authentic cuisine is just incomparable."
"Virgo taught me to make a Sinnish Curry that is so hot that the only people I can get to eat it are Natsu and Cobra. But I have a secret love for it, even though it brings tears to my eyes."
"I would ask that you make it for me sometime if not too much trouble." Lucy affirmed she would love to. Farron had a way to make her feel so comfortable and relaxed, she had almost forgotten why she had gone to see him to begin with. They arrived at a quaint restaurant just as dusk approached, the sky turning a vibrant combination of yellows and oranges and pinks. She took his arm as he led her inside, but stopped to admire the sunset. "It is beautiful, but not nearly as beautiful as you are bathed in its lights."
A woman passing by commented to the blushing blonde on his arm, "Oh he's a keeper with words like that!" Farron just smiled at the woman and pulled Lucy into the restaurant.
"Ambassador Pradesh! It is good to have you back. I see you have a guest this time. The usual table?" Farron nodded to the maitre d as he led Lucy to a table seated within the kitchen itself. Lucy was busy admiring the exotic decor and artwork, that she didn't notice until they were being seated.
"Oh ho, my favorite customer is here." A darkly tanned man with a thick moustache and a chef's apron and hat came over as they sat. "Since you have company, is there any specific request or the usual?"
"Lucy, is there a dish in particular you would prefer?" She shook her head and had to confess she had limited experience with Minstrellan cuisine.
"Oh my dear, I will create something wondrous for you then. Just you wait." The chef walked away and started barking orders to his subordinates.
Lucy looked back to Farron who she sensed hadn't removed his eyes from her during the entire conversation. "What is the usual?"
"I let him choose whatever he likes to cook. He has an amazing talent and skill at blending spices to make everything so full of flavor and color. He is a true artist, so far be it from me to tell him what to make." Farron answered honestly.
"He seemed surprised I was with you, do you normally come alone?"
A waiter brought glasses of a white wine and poured them while Farron answered. "Yes, other than family you are the first person I've brought here. This place is a gem and I don't want it spoiled by unsavory dignitaries that wouldn't know the true worth of authentic Minstrellan food if it kicked them in the face."
Surprised she was the first he brought with him, she was somewhat stunned into silence until he took her hand. "You said there was something you wanted to discuss?" He prompted her.
"Yes," she started timidly. Her anxiety started kicking in when a platter of skewers of meats and vegetables with various dipping sauces were placed on the table. The scents wafting from the platter were amazing and she halted her speech and thoughts to just breathe them in closing her eyes. "Mmmm that smells incredible!"
The way she said "Mmmm" had Farron thinking of other delectable things rather than the food before them. He let go of her hand so she could eat as he discretely adjusted his seating. Grabbing a particular skewer from the plate and dipping it into a brownish orange sauce, he held it to her, "Here try this. It is my favorite combination."
She took a bite from the offered skewer and was amazed how much flavor chicken could actually have. The sauce was spiced with so many foreign flavors, but also citrusy. "Oh my stars, that is delicious!" She proclaimed, her eyes wide with delight.
Farron grinned, "I had a feeling you would appreciate it as much as I do." He pointed to another and suggested a few sauce combinations to try while he watched her face as she sampled them. He could get used to seeing that look and he hoped he would have more opportunities to do so.
As she sampled the most amazing flavors, she noticed that Farron was barely touching any food himself. "I thought you said you were famished."
"Trust me," he replied. "I am getting more out of this dinner than I could have thought possible." Seeing her blush again, he took a skewer of his own and began to eat. "Back the original question, what was it wanted to speak about?"
Lucy put her skewer down and nibbled on her bottom lip, doubt once again filling her and dreading the possibility he would turn her down. She was equally nervous he would say yes. Farron grabbed her hand gently in his and rubbed circles on the back with his thumb as he patiently awaited her reply.
Unable to look him in the eyes, she turned her head slightly to watch the cooks busy at work cooking for them and other patrons. She took a deep breath before starting. "I'm sure you know from your family that I've been seeing a Sudepah." Farron nodded, but said nothing and just kept up the reassuring circles on her hand. Closing her eyes, she took another deep breath and managed to say "Well, Cassie says I'm ready for a partner." She waited for the respectful decline, but when she heard nothing and his movements on her hand didn't stop she finally opened one eye to glance his direction.
Farron let go of her hand and instead lifted her chin and made sure she was looking directly at him before responding. "I would be honored, if you were to ask me. Anyone would."
Releasing the breath she was holding she realized she hadn't technically asked him yet. "Umm well you see, that was kind of me asking…" she rambled. He took both of her hands in his.
"Well then I am very honored indeed. Please let me know when so I can arrange my schedule accordingly." He looked directly into her eyes and she couldn't find any deceit or ridicule, just pure honesty.
"Thank you so much," she sputtered out in a rush. "Is tomorrow afternoon too soon? I can talk to Cassie about moving things."
Farron smiled at her and told her tomorrow would be perfect and then he deftly maneuvered the conversation to safer and more familiar ground for her. He found her shyness actually cute and endearing in a multitude of ways. He had travelled around the world, dealt with people from all cultures yet he had never met anyone that piqued his interest quite as much. Usually, the barbaric traditions of countries like Fiore selling their daughters off like a prized pig offended his nature. Somehow though, with Lucy it seemed to make her even more special that she had avoided such a fate and sought to gift him with something that she could only give once. It went against all of his principles to value such a thing, but with her he couldn't help himself. She was indeed quite special.