Dark brown eyes fluttered open to the feeling of Syncopated Vibrations reverberating through out the dorm. A groan arose from ace towards the annoyance. It's not like he wasn't excited for the day, it was a pretty important day, but fuck if he wasn't burnt out from the previous day. Ace sighed, and rolled around in search for his phone. He managed to find it amongst the blankets and peeked at the time, eyes wincing at the brightness of his screen. 12:30. He had more than enough time to get ready for Luffys Graduation Dinner at 6. A lopsided smile slowly formed across his face. How in gods name did his brother get accepted to Jolly Roger University of East Blue? He'll never know. But he's glad that he did, although his younger brother could be clumsy and super unaware of things going on around him, he wasn't stupid. (although his actions lead everyone to think otherwise).

Aces thoughts were interrupted by a loud growl that tinged with pain. "I guess it's time to eat huh." He sat up and lifted himself off the bed and opened the wooden closet doors. "Oh uh... Hm..." he forgot that half his clothes subsequently diminished after the incident with franky.

Let's just say that Frankys Prototype SUPER! washer number five wasn't exactly a success. And by "Not a success" he meant that it completely exploded half his load; as well as damaged part of the Campus walls, which were now adorned with gaping holes.

Ace shook his head and came back to the present. He Decided to go with a black tank top, a loose fit floral cardigan, black pants, black docs, and his black wide brimmed hat. After tying the laces on his boots, he was headed towards the Baratie Food Hall.

He opened the double doors and to his surprise, was greeted by Zeff. In the 2 years of attending JRUEB, he's only seen him 2 times, usually during the opening Ceremony. He had met zeff many years prior; and because he was the father of one of Luffys friends, he chatted with him here and there.

"Good morning!" He said.

"Hey! What's up Zeff." Ace waved. He looked around and crossed his arms.

"Whats the occasion?" Seeing that the Baratie hall seemed empty he smiled. He could probably fill up a whole table with plates full of food. "Wow.. Did you empty the hall just for me? and you're here? I can't believe I'm going to taste the Head Chefs 5 star cooking."

Zeff chortled out a hearty laugh

"Of course not you idiot! Like I'd cook a meal specifically for you. Everyone's out back in the kitchen; although, you're right about there being an ocassion but that's besides the point."

Aces brows bent in confusion

"Huh alright. So you're here becaaaause?.."

It was normal that the chefs were out back, it usually meant they were consulting with health inspectors or management for changes with the menus. But why was he here? He was an extremely busy man, he sure as hell wasn't here to greet people coming in to the hall. Zeff took a seat and turned to Ace.

"I was waiting for you actually"

"Me? Really?" He wondered how he knew he would be ther-

"The first thing you and that knuckle head brothers of yours do when you wake up is eat, so I didn't even bother hunting you down."

Well, he wasn't wrong.

Zeff paused, hands clasped together in front of his face.

He sat there pensively. "Why don't you serve yourself something up first?"

Ace filled the table with food and ate as much of it that could fit in his mouth, and then still stuffing his face. Zeff looked on in disgust. How a human being can even be able to eat that much was beyond him.

"Sho- whatsh thish about?"

Ace asked.

Zeff laid back in his chair, and checked his watch. 2:00. "This won't take very long unless you make it that way, I know you kids have a shindig to go to later"

Ace pointed the chicken leg he was eating accusingly at Zeff."I'm an Adult thank you, the rest of them are kids."

"Yes well, I just have one question for you."

"Shoot"

Zeff stared at Ace for a second before placing both arms on the table crossed together.

"How is whitebeard doing."

Ace Choked on the leg and spit some of the bone he had accidentally swallowed onto his plate and coughed. "Haha.. Hey is this what this is about? C'mon now whats your real question" He said nervously.

"This is the question. Now answer"

Internally ace was anxious as all hell, but he couldn't let the Head Chef see his facade falter.

"He's fine. I mean he's alive y'know, There's nothing wrong honestly. He offered the Chef a warm smile.

As with everyone who had come into contact with Ace, he couldn't tell if he was lying or not. His smile was that of a gods and definitely had the power to sway suspicion like one. He couldn't read him. He decided to leave it.

...for now.

"...All right..." He got up to leave before turning back to ace. "if anything happens you better tell me you punk."

Aces smile grew even wider, "yes! Yes of course!" He waved until Zeff was no longer in sight and in the Back of the restaurant. The previous smile now replaced with a neutral expression.

"Fffff..." Ace let out a huge sigh. He hopes Zeff doesn't ask him about that again anytime soon.

He spent an hour more eating, and headed back to his dorm to study.

He didn't have any homework but he might as well as a way to kill time before Luffys Dinner.

Ace sat on his bed, opened his Psychics textbook and-