It didn't take long for Erza and Juvia to catch up with their group and together they headed toward the A deck. During the walk, Natsu could tell that despite her smile, Juvia was as nervous and frightened halfway to death. How could he tell? Because he felt the same way and how could he not? They were as Erza had said "Going into the snake pit." and the serpents were probably just dying to take a bite out of either one of them. Still Natsu tried to lighten the situation.
He turned to look at Juvia and gave her a playful little whistle.
"And here I thought France had the best looking ladies in Europe, but it seems that Ireland is where all the real beauties come from."
Juvia blushed and giggled a little.
"Sir you are a shameless flatterer."
"Perhaps, but I am no liar. If I say a woman is good lookin, then by God, she's good lookin. You're going to have every first class man at that dinner drooling over you."
"You really think so?"
"I know so. In all my years of being an artist, I have to tell you that I always thought the lower class women were way prettier than the ones in first class."
He then linked his arm with hers and whispered something into her ears.
"Don't worry kid, since your big brother can't be here, I'll watch your back."
"Thank you." She whispered back gratefully.
"Don't mention it. After all, we lower class peasants have to look out for each other, don't we?"
"That's true."
"And if you'd like, I can really flirt with ya in front of Gray and make him jealous."
"Oh?" She squeaked. "Why would I want that?"
"Come on, I know you're sweet on the guy. Can't imagine why, though seems like a total wimp to me. But who I am to judge who a lady falls for?"
"Keep your voice down." Juvia said blushing. "And please don't be absurd. I don't have those feelings for him. I mean, I would be a fool to. He's rich and educated and sophisticated and I'm poor-"
"Poor but beautiful, sweet, and I'm guessing still a virgin?"
"I beg your pardon!" Her blush increased ten-fold.
"Sorry. I didn't mean it like that, I'm just saying that form I've seen in my travels, a rich man can get away with marrying a lower class woman has long as she's got beauty and virginity. Other men's words, not mine. I swear. Point is, you've got a real chance with him. Nobody expects the wife to be the provider."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means a rich man can marry a poor woman, but a poor man can't marry a rich woman because the husband is expected to be the one who takes care of everything. The house, the money, all means of support. No father will ever allow his daughter to marry a man who doesn't have a penny to his name."
"Oh I see, like how Jude would never let you marry Lucy for instance."
Now it was Natsu's turn to blush.
"I've watched the way you look at her, and you may think I'm prettier than most first class women, but I'm positive that you believe I can't hold a candle to her. No woman can from your viewpoint."
"I'm an artist, I can't help not noticing a beautiful woman."
Juvia just smiled.
"I won't tell. Promise."
At long last they reached the grand stairway and as soon as they stepped in, Natsu and Juvia's breaths were taken away by the splendor that was spread out before them. Overhead there was an enormous glass dome, with a crystal chandelier at its center and sweeping down six stories was the epitome of the opulent naval architecture of the time. All the women were in floor length dresses, with elaborate hairstyles and abundant jewelry while the gentlemen wore the finest evening suits imaginable. Neither one ever thought they'd ever witness anything like this.
Once the two recovered from the shock and awe, they spotted Gray standing at the end of the stairway, waiting for them. They slowly descended to meet him.
"Hey Gray!" Natsu called out.
Gray turned around and looked at the young lady on Natsu's arm. She had never looked lovelier, almost like a princess. Gone was her simple frock and disheveled hair, she wore silks and laces that trailed across the polished floors. The lights gleaming on her neck and arms, and flashing on her face. She was smiling brightly yet she seemed unaware of her own beauty. Gray suddenly forgot how to speak, every thing within his body seemed to stop. His words, his thoughts, his breath, even his heartbeat.
"Hello Gray." Juvia smiled up at him. "You look very handsome."
"I...I...Uh...I..." Gray kicked himself for just turning into such a blithering idiot. "I...I...You...Um..."
"Do you need a drink of water Gray?" Erza teased.
"No!" He quickly recomposed himself. "No I'm fine. You look beautiful Juvia."
He took hold of her gloved hand and kissed the back of her fingers, an admiring gaze lingered between them.
"Thank you." Juvia replied shyly.
"That gown really looks nice on you and your hair looks wonderful that way. But I do think there's something missing."
"Really? What?"
"I think you need a necklace."
"I don't have one."
"I know. That's why I brought you one."
From his pocket, he produced the Heart of the Ocean in all its glory.
"Wow! What a rock." Natsu said. "What is it? A sapphire?"
"No it's a diamond. A very rare diamond." Gray said. "It was my mother's."
"Oh Gray it's beautiful." Juvia marveled at it. "But I couldn't possibly-"
"Hey it's not like I'm going to wear it, and besides I think blue is a better color on you than me."
Gray then proceeded to carefully clasp the chain around her neck and for a moment she was overwhelmed. The blue diamond had to be the most beautiful item she had ever seen, worthy to be worn by royalty she was sure, and yet she would be the one wearing it tonight. In all honesty, this whole night in general was over whelming. She was going to attend a first class dinner, she was wearing gorgeous gown, a magnificent jewelry, and would be in the company of a handsome man who came from a background she thought to be superior to her own. It was like a fairy tale come true.
"So do you know if Lucy will be joining us soon?" Natsu asked Gray.
"She should be here soon." Gray said.
On cue the radiant young heiress made her appearance. She was an absolute vision wearing a red silk and sequined, black mesh dress. A layered garment that contained silver beading and sequins, shimmering under the light on of the chandelier and bedazzling all who looked upon her. For jewelry she wore a matching necklace and diamond drop earrings for her hair, it was combed into a prim updo that was held by jeweled pins. Natsu was instantly hypnotized by her beauty.
Lucy was also entranced. Entranced by how dashing and refined Natsu looked. She thought that he looked nice before but now he was setting her heart a flutter and almost causing her knees to buckle. He was simply divine. Willing herself not to blush and keeping her stance firm, she slowly approached him. Natsu imitated the gentlemen's stance with his hand behind his back and with his other, he kissed her gloved hand just as Gray had done. It made Lucy beam.
"I always wanted to do that." He smiled at her.
She smiled, finding herself unable to take her eyes off of him. But all too soon, they were joined by Dan.
"Sorry we're late everyone." Dan said. "I'm afraid my darling fiancee's beauty rituals, are to blame."
"You told me to change." Lucy said to Dan.
"Well I couldn't have you embarrass me by wearing that ridiculous green dress you had on earlier."
"That dress belonged to my mother."
"That would explain the outdated look of the garment. Don't worry sweetpea, once we're married I'll purchase a whole new and updated wardrobe for you and have all those rags burned."
Natsu shot Dan a quick glare.
"Dan, you remember Mr. Dragneel." Lucy said referring to Natsu.
When Dan saw him he was caught completely off guard, not at all expected the "gutter rat" to show up looking so well-groomed and well-dressed.
"Mr. Dragneel? I didn't recognize you." He said studying the new appearance of the lower class man. "Amazing. You could almost pass for a gentleman."
"Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you Mr. Straight." Gray replied, earning a few quiet chuckles from the group.
"Oh Mr. Fullbuster you have such an amusing sense of humor." Dan chuckled, though his contempt couldn't have been more obvious. "Well, shall we adjourn to dinner?"
He took Lucy by roughly by the arm and pulling her along to the reception room. The two were then followed by Gray who was gently leading Juvia with nothing but curtesy.
"Care to escort two ladies to dinner?" Erza asked Natsu, referring to herself and Mirajane.
He smiled.
"I would be most honored." He answered offering both his arms.
"Now don't do anything fresh." Mirajane giggled. "Both our husbands are the jealous type."
With Erza on his right arm and Mirajane on his left arm, they strolled into the dining saloon which was like a ballroom at the palace, alive and lit by a constellation of chandeliers, full of elegantly dressed people and beautiful music from a small orchestra.
"Ain't nothin' to it, is there, Natsu?" Erza said.
"Yeah, you just dress like a pallbearer and keep your nose up." Natsu said.
"We'll just remember, the only thing they respect is money, so just act like you've got a lot of it and you're in the club."
He was so nervous in that moment, but he never faltered. All the first class guests assumed that he was one of them, a young captain of industry perhaps. New money, obviously, but still a member of the club. As for Juvia, her appearance caused a brief silence to fall over the crowd. She caught them by surprise, for they believed her to be the unmarried daughter of a wealthy man, like Lucy was and they wondered why they had not seen her among them earlier. Especially when she was so very lovely.
"They're all looking at you." She whispered to Gray, noticing their stares.
"Believe me." Gray whispered back. "They're all looking at you."
"Why? Did I do something wrong? They can tell I'm third class, can't they?"
"No. I don't think so. I think they believe you're one of us and they're trying to figure out how they haven't noticed anyone so beautiful until now."
Juvia almost forgot how to breathe, Gray had her completely flustered.
Finally the group arrived at the center of the grand dining hall where a fine table set with cloth, fine china, crystal, and silver, stood and at the table there sat Lucy's father, the husbands of Erza and Mirajane, and several other first class passengers.
"Erza you look absolutely exquisite." Jellal said pulling a chair out for his wife and she kissed him as she sat down. Then he turned to greet the others. "Mirajane always a pleasure to see you. Miss Heartfilia, Mr. Straight, lovely to see you both again. And who may I ask are these two strapping young fellows and this charming young lady?"
"Gray Fullbuster, pleased to meet you Mr. Fernandes." Gray held out his hand which Jellal shook. "So you're the man behind the creation of Titanic, I must say that your reputation as an genius in architecture, proceeds you."
"Thank you my good man."
"My name is Juvia Lockser sir." Juvia greeted with a proper curtsy.
"Charmed." He said responding with a kiss on the hand.
"My brother and I are most grateful to you and your prized vessel. If not for you, we couldn't have the opportunity to finally travel to America."
"You give me too much credit my dear girl. I merely drew up the plans, the hard-working men who slaved away building this vessel are the ones you should be praising."
"Miss Lockser." Jude said, taking a moment to think. "I'm afraid I am not familiar with that name. What business is your family in?"
"Um...Well." She said. "My father is deceased but he worked as a lighthouse keeper and my brother used to work as one back in Ireland. But he hopes to become a musician in America."
"Oh I see." Jude said drolly. "You're from the third class level."
"Impressive, isn't it old man?" Dan chuckled. "Impressive that such a bedraggled little waif could pass for an elegant young lady."
Jude and some other guests laughed as well, causing Juvia to feel very embarrassed. But Gray didn't and neither did Natsu, Lucy, Jellal, Erza, Mirajane, or Laxus.
"Well Dan she's just naturally elegant and charming." Erza said. "She doesn't need money and a good name to appear appealing, like some people."
Now that earned a laugh from everybody. Everybody except Dan of course.
"Natsu Dragneel, at your service." Natsu introduced himself to Jellal, shaking hands with him.
"Ah so you're the fine young man my gracious wife took under her wing." Jellal said. "May I say you look fantastic in my suit. Dare I say, you pull it off better than I do."
"Thank you."
"Well now that introductions are out of the way, let's not just stand around here with our tummies rumbling." Erza said. "Everyone sit down and dig in."
"You don't have to tell me twice." Natsu said hungrily.
"So what did the first class passengers think of Natsu and Juvia, Grandma?" Rebecca asked the now much older Lucy.
"Well some were like my father and didn't think that third class passengers had any business being in their group. But others, like myself and Gray, found the two of them to be wonderful company. Despite having a poor background and no great education, Natsu and Juvia were very well-mannered, polite, charming, and gracious. More so than Dan would ever be, that's for sure."
"I still don't get what your father saw in that douche." Shiki said.
"He saw the only appeal Dan had which was just as Erza had accused, wasm oney and a good name. That's all my father cared about. He probably would still only care about that even if he knew about the many times Dan had behaved very aggressively toward me in his lechery."
Rebecca suddenly had a very scary thought.
"Grandma, I don't want to upset you but you say that he was very aggressive and you...You were discovered pregnant with my mother shortly after Titanic sank..." She paused, hoping this wouldn't cause her poor grandmother to have a moment of PTSD. "Grandma did he...Did he force himself on to you and is that how Mom-"
"No Rebecca." Lucy quickly dismissed. "That man is not your grandfather. He may have been all over me with his hands, but the only part of me his dick touched was my foot."
Shiki and Weisz snicked under their breath.
"Oh you have to tell us about that." Weisz insisted.
Lucy chuckled a little and then continued with her story.
"Dinner that night was nice but the real fun happened after dinner." Lucy continued. "Let me tell you, you all haven't lived until you've attended an Irish Third-Class Party."