Dinner was a complete success, Natsu and Juvia had gained the admiration and affection of almost everyone at the banquet with their own natural charm. Only Jude and Dan never forgot that they were passengers of third class, the others found themselves completely disregarding that factor and letting the two entertain them with Natsu's witty jokes and one-liners, and Juvia's fascinating stories from Ireland.
"She was the fairest and most beautiful maiden in all the land." Juiva narrated. "Her hair was like gold, her eyes were like forget-me nots, her skin was like snow, and her lips were like roses. But that's all the king could see, her beauty and nothing more. He wanted her more as a trophy to display, rather than a wife. However the king's young knight could see the maiden's gentle heart and her free spirit. He could also see how sad and lonely her forced marriage to the king was, so as the days planning for the wedding went on, the knight did everything in his power to make her happy. He told her stories and sang her love songs. He was so kind, so clever, and so very handsome. They fell in love."
"I don't like this story." Dan complained.
"Well I do, so hush." Erza whispered.
"The maiden's stepmother realized this and she was determined to marry her stepdaughter to the king so she could rule the land by proxy. So she used witchcraft to turn the knight into a hound, that way he would not only be kept apart from the maiden but he would not be able to even speak to her. Then to make matters worse, the jealous king had her confined to a solitary tower until the day of the wedding. The hound could only sadly stare up at the tower and listen to his sweetheart weep and sing of her plight. Luckily though her song was carried throughout all the land, going as far as to reach Tir Na Nog, the land of the fairfolk. And when their queen, the beautiful Titania heard the song, she was so moved that she decided that she simply had to help the maiden."
"I thought fairies were naughty and mischievous creatures?" Lucy asked.
"At times they could be, but they were also prone to be very kind and sympathetic to humans. Particularly children, mothers, and lovers. So Titania sought out the knight turned hound, restored him to his true form, and when he told her of his tragedy she was not only more moved but fascinated as well. So she gave him two magical gifts, a cloak that would turn him invisible when he wore it and a sleeping potion. 'Sneak into the castle using this cloak and at the pre-wedding banquet, slip this potion into the wine that will be used.' She had said. 'While everyone sleeps, you can spirit your lady love away to my kingdom. I'll welcome you both as my brother and sister, under the condition that you both continue to entertain me with your fascinating stories and enchanting songs.' "
As Juvia told her story with so much emotion and depth, Gray could not resist becoming more and more enchanted by her.
"The knight agreed to Titania's terms and at night fall, he put on the cloak and slipped into the royal banquet hall where he poured the sleeping potion into the wine that would be served. All the guests fell into a deep sleep and the knight took his sleeping bride back with him to Tir Na Nog and when she awoke the two were married. They spent many days singing songs and telling stories to the fairy queen to show their gratitude and they taught their children and grandchildren to do the same. So while there are stories of how naughty the fairy queen and her kind can be, their kind hearts are never forgotten because of stories like that."
The other dinner guests lightly applauded Juvia for her wonderful narration.
"Mr. Fullbuster, your companion for this evening is a treasure." Laxus complimented. "I haven't met a woman so entertaining since my wife."
"You do have a remarkable voice." Mirajane added. "Perfect for story telling."
"And singing." Gray sighed in dreamy state.
"Oh you sing?" Lucy asked.
"A little." Juvia said humbly. "It's nothing special, really. I just sing a little folk song now and then to amuse myself."
"Do you ever sing opera?"
"Oh heavens no. My brother wouldn't allow it, he can't stand opera music."
"I don't blame him." Natsu said. "It's basically glorified screaming."
Everyone laughed at his comment. Everyone except of course, Jude and Dan.
"So where exactly did you come from Mr. Dragneel?" Jude asked him.
"Italy sir. A place where opera is tragically among the most popular types of music."
"Not a fan of the arts, I presume?"
"Oh no sir, I'm a huge fan. In fact I'm somewhat of an artist myself."
"Really? What do you paint?"
"I don't paint. I just draw."
"Draw? How amusing." He chuckled.
"Actually Father his pictures are very good." Lucy defended. "I've seen them and it's a crime that they're not famous yet."
"Well I wouldn't go that far ma'am." Natsu said.
"Don't be so modest, you put so much expression and life into your sketches. They're unlike anything I've ever seen."
Natsu smiled at her.
"Well I hope the Americans feel the same way. That's why I'm going over there, to see if they can understand my vision."
"And if they don't?" Jude asked suspiciously.
"I'll find a way to keep going. It's a big world, and I want to see it all before I go. My brother always talked about going to see the ocean but he died in the town he was born in, and never did see it." He sighed, recalling what a great dreamer and talent Zeref had been. "What Il earned from him is that you can't wait around, because you never know what hand you're going to get dealt next. See, he raised me after we lost our parents and then I lost him so suddenly. Something like that teaches you to take life as it comes at you. To make each day count."
Something about his words really spoke to Lucy's heart, causing her to momentarily view him as the wisest, bravest, and most intelligent man here. Far more wise, brave, and intelligent than her fiance. Or her. So she thought, that is.
"Well said Natsu." Erza said raising her glass. "I propose toast."
"To making it count." Lucy said raising her own glass.
"To making it count." Everyone else echoed as they all raised their glasses in cheers.
"Mr. Dragneel, don't take this the wrong way." Dan said, annoyed by how this "gutter rat" still continued to impress his peers. "But how did likes of you obtain means to travel?"
"I work my way from place to place. Tramp steamers and such. I won my ticket on Titanic here in a lucky hand at poker." He glanced over at Lucy. "A very lucky hand."
"All life is a game of luck, I've heard." Gray said.
"A real man makes his own luck." Dan scoffed. "He works to gain his fortune, he doesn't just sit around and wait for it to be handed to him."
"But isn't that what you did to gain your fortune Dan?" Erza snarked.
Lucy, sensing that the situation was about to become tense, quickly changed the subject.
"Your ship is a wonder Mr. Fernandes. Truly." She said to Jellal.
"Thank you Lucy." He said.
"If you don't mind me asking, what inspired you to create such a marvel?"
"Well as cliche as it may sound, I built this ship for love. My love for Erza." His wife blushed at the reference. "Since the moment we met as children, I knew in my heart I could never love another and all I ever wanted was to show her how much I loved her. So when we became engaged, I set about creating the perfect wedding gift."
His romantic declaration was then followed by a kiss on Erza's gloved hand.
"You do too much for me my darling." She said. "I never wanted your gifts or luxuries. Only you and your love."
Lucy and Juvia swooned, Erza was certainly one lucky gal.
"I think that's enough talk of romance for one evening." Jude said standing up. "Now that dinner is over gentlemen, would any of you care to join me for a brandy?"
All the men stood up to follow him except for Natsu and Gray.
"Joining us Mr. Dragneel? Or will you be staying out here with the women?" Laxus asked.
"No thanks." Natsu said standing up. "I should head back below where I belong."
"Oh Natsu, must you go?" Lucy asked.
"I'm afraid so Miss Heartfilia, but thank you for the invite."
"What about you Mr. Fullbuster?" Laxus said.
"Sorry but I must escort Miss Lockser back to her cabin." Gray said.
"In that case, Mr. Dragneel would you be so kind to escort my wife back to our cabin?" Jellal asked.
"Of course."
"Jellal I don't need an escort, I know exactly where our cabin is." Erza said.
"I know but he is still wearing my suit you know?" Jellal chuckled.
"Oh right."
"Oh that reminds me." Juvia said standing up. "Mrs. Dreyar, I must return your dress."
"Keep it." Mirajane laughed off.
"No I couldn't."
"You could and you will, it'll cost me nothing. I have dozen more just like it."
Juvia looked upon her with such a great amount of gratitude.
"Thank you. Thank you very much."
After that, Gray and her left the dining hall, heading back down to the third class level.
"Thank you again for the invitation." She told him. "Dinner was delicious and everyone was so kind."
"Well almost everyone." Gray said referring to Dan. "But I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."
"You know there is another get together going on tonight."
"I know that. It's an all men's party in the smoking room." He joked.
"No I mean in third class. My brother and the other passengers will be celebrating their journey to the states and I was wondering if maybe..." She anxiously looked down at the deck floor. "Maybe...Maybe you'd like to join us?"
"A third class party huh?"
"An Irish third class party to be exact. Of course I know something like that might be beneath you or too wild for you or-"
"Juvia, fun is not beneath me." He grinned. "Count me in."
Juvia smiled big and bright, then excitedly pulled him along downstairs. As for Natsu, he led Erza back up to her suite but not before slipping a tiny, folded note into Lucy's hand. In the suite, Natsu returned Jellal's suit and changed back into his regular clothes.
"Thanks for the help Erza, I owe you one." He told her.
"Think nothing of it." She said. "Just one lower class member helping another."
Upon hearing Erza's voice, Wendy instantly jumped from her bed and rushed out to meet her.
"Wendy what on earth are you doing still up?" Erza asked her.
"I wanted to wait up for you and Jellal."
"You should be asleep by now, it's past nine."
"But I'm not tired yet."
"You'll get tired if you just lay down and relax."
"That's not how it works." Wendy stated as a matter of fact. "To really get tired, you have to do something very active. Something that will really wear you out."
"Really wear you out huh?" Natsu said as an idea popped into his head. "I think I know just the thing that'll do that. With your mother's permission, that is."
"Oh I'm not her mother." Erza said. "But she is my responsibility until we dock."
"Close enough. Anyway, Miss Scarlet to show my appreciation for making sure that I did not make fool of myself at tonight's dinner, what do you say that I return the favor by assisting you in making sure you and your charge here, sleep like that dead tonight?"
"I'd say, what exactly do you have in mind?"
As soon as her father, finace, and her fiance's bodyguard had gone to the smoking room for brandy and cigars, Lucy unfolded the note Natsu had given her and read the contents written inside.
Make it count. Meet me at the clock.
"Now what is he up to?" She wondered, and for moment she was conflicted. "Should I go meet him? Father wouldn't like it if I did so and neither would Dan. Then again, they'll probably never know. They'll be out all night getting drunk and filling a room with smoke. It'll most likely be dawn by the time they turn in. And it's not like I'm doing anything wrong."
She made certain that the men she traveled with were truly gone and not returning anytime soon, then she discreetly crossed the A-Deck foyer, sighting Natsu at the landing above. He stood just under the clock, with his back to her and once again wearing his shirt and trousers. He quickly sensed her presence, and turned around to greet her with a smile.
"Want to go to a real party?"