Wheels of Fire

Peaceful Sceneries

Peacegardens Winery was one of the oldest vineyards in Fiore. Located in rolling foothills, it made a perfect location for wine enthusiasts, with high south-facing slopes in a sun-drenched region. The family's passion for grapes, and their long tradition of winemaking stretching back many generations, was apparent in the estate grounds. It was not just about grapes and good dirt here. It was about tradition, elegance, quality, refinement, and the romance of the vine.

Villa Fiore, the main building, was hardly a farmhouse. Although only two stories tall, it spread out with wide wings, decorated with tall, gleaming white columns and marble arches. Wide windows allowed the sunlight to enter the posh interior where customers could sip their various wines. The small mansion had been built during a glorious age in their country, and the detailed frescoes reflected that sophisticated period in history.

As the name Villa Fiore suggested, it was a house where flowers reigned, and as the name Peacegardens hinted, the owners prided themselves on their landscaping almost as much as their ability to grow grapes. The splaying park surrounding the main building was almost more famous than the wines that made their fortune. Rows of spire-like cypress trees stood like sentinels along the road leading up the hill to the top of the villa. A drooping willow, blooming redbuds, and a flowering white magnolia tree provided colorful shade for visitors. Tulips in various hues, daffodils, roses, pansies, and hundreds of other flowers made stripes of color, which from the cobbled pathways were simply cute, yet a person dining on the top terrace of the villa saw the artistic designs crafted out of flowers, accentuated with a crystal clear water fountain and a statue in the center of—oddly enough—Aquarius and her jar pouring water out into the stone pool. A stream ran through the park-like garden, with petite footbridges lined with metal scrollwork handrails. The stream ended in a small waterfall and lotus pool, where herons majestically stood with their feet in the cool water.

When Edo-Natsu drove up the driveway to the mansion, he let out a low whistle. He knew this was a famous winery with nice gardens that Cana had said would be perfect for a picnic, but he never imagined something quite so refined. He was truly out of his league here. Still, he had taken into account that Lucy Heartfilia was raised as an heiress to a fortune. He wanted to do at least one thing today to show her that a simple race car driver like him could be worthy of a refined lady like her. Now, he wondered if this would only show just how little he knew about the finer things in life.

He pulled up to the front entrance of the villa, and a smartly dressed valet hurried forward. Edo-Natsu panicked a little when he realized this man wanted to park the car. Luckily, Lucy came to the rescue.

"Ah, careful with it. It's a prototype. No SE-Plug. Natsu, why don't you show him how it works?"

He swiftly explained that the key started and stopped the engine rather than some strap-on plug. The valet looked fascinated by the car's design, and his level of training was proven when he managed to smoothly drive the car off to be parked discreetly out of sight. Edo-Natsu started going up the steps to the villa when he jolted to a stop.

"Crap! I forgot the picnic basket," he cried out, mentally cursing himself for already messing up.

"Actually, if it's not too much of a bother, I'd sort of like to sit on the terrace," she said. "I've heard so much about this place, I want to at least try a sandwich and some wine."

Edo-Natsu wondered if she really did want that, or if she was only saying that to ease his anxiety. Silently berating himself, he followed her up the steps. A servant opened the doors to the villa for them, allowing them to enter a cool room of dark wood and plush carpeting. A tuxedo-wearing employee quickly offered them his services, and Lucy requested lunch with a view. They were taken up a broad staircase to the second floor and led out to the opened terrace. Wrought-iron tables were set up, with over-sized umbrellas to shade diners.