All night Natsu and Gray searched for Jellal but the man had completely vanished. By the time morning had come, they were both exhausted and went home to rest. After sleeping for a few hours they woke up to find Ur very cross with them for staying out all night.
"Where were you two?" She asked.
"We were working on project for Professor Clive's class." Natsu lied. "It was very difficult and long and we lost track of time."
"We're sorry for staying out for so long Aunt Ur." Gray apologized.
"I'm not really mad about you two staying out, I'm more mad that you didn't tell me that you were going to be so late. If you need to stay out all night for something important like a project for your class that's fine with me but please have the decency to call and let me know that you'll be late."
"We will. It won't happen again."
"It better not but I'm still mad at you Gray."
"Why?"
"Last night you were supposed to meet Juvia for a study session and you didn't show up."
"Oh no I forgot all about that. Is she upset?"
"No. Last night she called and said that she understood you were a busy man who probably had a lot of work to do."
"That's a relief."
"Yes she's much more forgiving than I would have been if I was in her shoes."
"I'm really sorry Aunt Ur. I'll make it up to her."
"Funny you should mention that because I know exactly how you can."
"Uh-oh."
"It just so happens that Juvia will be modeling off a new dress at a save the animals charity benefit tonight. The poor girl is a nervous wreck about the whole thing and she could use a friend to support her. I think it would be just lovely if you would be her date."
"Alright I'll be there- Wait it's tonight?"
"Yes."
"I can't go tonight Aunt Ur."
"Why not?"
"Because...Because...Because I don't have a tux."
"That's alright dear I've already rented you one."
"Oh...Good. Aunt Ur can't I make it up to her someother way? Big parties like that make me nervous. I won't know anyone there except Juvia."
"If you're that nervous then bring Natsu with you. I got a good deal on those tuxes I rented, they allowed me to rent an extra for free."
"Oh gee that's sweet Miss Milkovich but I don't think I can go." Natsu said. "I mean I have a ton of work to do."
"Very well. I guess you'll have to miss out on seeing the other models."
"Other models?"
"Yes. Juvia's not the only one they picked to show off a new dress."
"On second thought I might be able to make an appearance."
"The party starts at seven and Gray you better not stand her up."
"I won't." He said.
At five o'clock Ur helped them get into their tuxes and at six o'clock she sent them off to the party in a taxi.
"I don't know if this was such a good idea." Gray said to Natsu during the ride in the taxi. "We still have to find that crazy ex boyfriend of Erza's."
"Yeah but maybe we could use a break." Natsu said. "It might be nice to just go out and meet new people and-"
"And ogle at all those models?"
"Well...I wouldn't say that's the only reason I'm going."
"Yeah right."
The party was filled with many sharply dressed people who drinking and dining on good cuisine. Shortly after being shown to their table, Gray spotted Juvia backstage and decided to sneak back there to wish her luck and of course apologize for forgetting about their study date.
"Hi Juvia." He said.
"Gray. What are you doing here?" She asked with a smile.
"I wanted to make up for forgetting our study session. I'm really sorry about that."
"It's okay I know you have a busy schedule."
"Also Natsu and I wanted to wish you luck for tonight."
"You two are probably the sweetest boys I've ever met and I could use some luck. I'm so nervous. You know I really didn't want to do this but my theatre instructer said I would get extra credit for it."
"I'm sure you'll do great."
"Miss Lockser the show starts in one hour!" The stage manager warned.
"Okay." She said. "I have to get into my dress now so you have to but I'll be looking for you in the audience."
"Expect a smile and wave from both me and Natsu."
He left and went back to his table where he found Natsu gorging on shrimp puffs and steak tar-tar much to his dust.
"What?" Natsu said when he noticed Gray staring at him. "They got good food here."
Gray just face palmed. An hour later the fashion show began and many beautiful young women modeling animal themed dresses walked out on stage, earning the oo's and aww's of the audience. The first few models wore faux fur dresses the resembled the pattens of leopard spots and zebra stripes. Later they had models showing off dresses with more reptilian style.
"Next up is the Avian Collection." The announcer lady said.
"Avian?" Natsu asked Gray.
"It means relating to birds. These dresses are probably going to be bird themed." Gray answered.
"First up is Miss Juvia Lockser." At the annoucer's words, Juvia came walking on stage wearing a white dress overlapped with purple and on her back was a pair of white wings made from faux feathers. "A theatre student from our local campus, here she models a dress inspired by the elegant and beautiful swan."
"Wow." Gray said tugging at his bow tie. "She's a natural."
"I'll say." Natsu agreed. "Hey you think that she would introduce us to her model friends?"
Gray pulled out his camera and started to take pictures of her. When she finished her walk she did a little turn and when she saw Gray and Natsu smiling and waving at her she blew each of them a kiss then returned back stage so that the next model could go on.
"Our next model is Miss Lucy Heartfilia." The annoucer lady said.
"Oh man Lucy's here?!" Natsu said nervously.
"I wonder what she's wearing." Gray said.
Lucy walked on stage wearing a blue dress overlapped with green and her back she wore wings made from faux peacock feathers.
"Daughter of our very own Captain Jude Heartfilia. Lucy models a dress inspired by the regal and stunning peacock." The announcer said.
Now it was Natsu's turn to tug at his bow tie.
"That outfit sure does bring out the animal in me." He said.
"This I gotta get pics of." Gray said taking pictures of Lucy with his camera.
When the show ended everyone went into the other room for dancing and socializing. That was where the boys met up with Juiva.
"How did I do?" She asked them.
"You were great." Gray told her.
"Really? Because I think I kind of look silly in this dress."
"No. Not at all. You looked good. In fact so good that I took pictures."
"You know you should model more often." Natsu said.
"Thank you, you're both so nice." She said blushing. "Gray would you liek to dance?"
"Oh I...I would but I'm not much of a dancer."
"Neither am I but this isn't for show, this is for fun."
She then pulled him on to the dance floor with all the other guests. Natsu chuckled to himself when he saw how nervous Gray looked, relieved that no one had asked him to dance. He was about to head back to the buffet table when he felt a finger tap on his shoulder. Turning around he saw that the finger belonged to Lucy.
"Lucy?!" He squeaked.
"I thought I recognized that salmon hair." She giggled. "Glad you could make it Natsu though I never thought that I would ever see you at one of these functions."
"Oh well I'm just here to support a friend who was modeling tonight. Heh, heh." He tugged on his bow tie again.
"You look incredible in that tux."
"Me? No. I probably look stupid in this monkey suit."
"I beg to differ, would you mind accompanying me to the dance floor?"
"You mean you want to dance with me?"
"Sure. It'll be fun."
"Oh...Okay."