FINALS ARE OVERRRRR! YES! I WILL BE UPDATING EVEN MORE FREQUENTLY NOW! (Even if I am doing a pretty great job right now. Har har).
My writing skills seem to be improving a bit, and this chapter was a LOT longer than expected. But it's not as bad as my Prince of Tennis FanFic, which has like 5000 words per chapter ;w;
The quote down below... I was gonna write: 'Just asked my fiance to dance with me as if it were our first dance. Then he farted and I had to leave the room. Ain't love grand?' By Danielle Fishel... but I realize that wasn't quite the message I wanted to get through, lol. Don't think I'll ever use it, so I posted it here xD
This chapter is dedicated to Ezaria because she's the only one who reviewed and also gave me a great tip (I will try to make Ace the least OOC as possible! Thank you!)
Disclaimer: I dislike writing disclaimers. *sigh*
"Talking"
Thinking
(letters in bold with brackets is a quick A/N)
~Hanada
We dance for laughter,
We dance for tears,
We dance for madness,
We dance for fears,
We dance for hopes,
We dance for screams,
We are the dancers, we create the dreams.
-Angela Monet
ONE PIECE: ROMANCE DAWN 1
FALCON IN THE SKY
I-I-I-VIII
.:Whitebeard's Ball:.
Hikari Island. That was what it was called. It meant light, and it was underneath Whitebeard's protection.
His birthday party would be hosted there.
Florence had explained to her what it meant by Whitebeard protecting islands, and revealed that Root Island was technically protected by him as well. Falco grew hot and blushed when she remembered lashing out at Whitebeard for 'blowing her cover' by coming to Root Island when technically he fathered it.
"Falco," Ace called. "We're going to do some shopping. Grab some cash and we'll head on out."
Hikari Island was big enough that 1600 members could roam freely without bumping into each other. There was a carnival here and there, streets packed with people, and thousands of stores displaying clothes and gifts alike.
"I don't think Thatch informed you on any of this..." The second division commander said. "But men are supposed to grab a tux, and of course, you'll need a dress. And you need to buy a gift."
"Huh," she said. "What would Whitebeard want?"
"I dunno, but nothing small for all I care."
After minutes of aimlessly walking around, Falco couldn't stand it anymore.
"Mou! I don't know! I don't even know Whitebeard very well!"
Ace sighed tapped a foot impatiently. He loved his captain, but choosing the right gift was hard.
"I know!" Falco suddenly said. "What about a bandana?"
He looked at her skeptically. "He already has one."
Falco punched him in the head. "I know that, but we should just get him one with our names embroidered around it or something! Then he'll always remember us as his children!"
Surprisingly, Ace saw it as a good idea. Too many people would get sake for him, or a new weapon, whatever, but the captain always wore some kind of bandana.
The after an hour or so, the two came out of a fabric store with a huge black piece of cloth. On the inside, it said: Happy birthday, oyaji! From your favorite daughter and son, Ace and Falco.
"How do we know if we're his favorites?"
"Beats me," she said. "Dunno about you, but I'm pretty sure he loves me."
"Don't we all," Ace said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
Next, the two went into a suit shop for Ace since picking his clothes out was a lot easier. The moment the lady at the counter saw Ace, she immediately swooned, clinging to his arm and sending Falco a dirty glare.
"Why hellooooo~" She went, batting her fake eyelashes and swaying her long, blonde hair. "What a handsome young man! Are you looking for something? Shall I help you? What's your size?"
Ace grinned proudly at her compliment. "I'm looking for a new tux."
No duh... Falco thought, rolling her eyes. The blonde cashier piled her arms up with different coloured tuxes. Before she could help Ace try them on though, Falco intervened and cocked her head at the lady.
"I'll help him."
"It's really okay," she said, sending Falco a cold glare. The vice commander smirked and got and started polishing her swords.
"Hey Ace, when do you think I'll be promoted to a commander?"
"Huh?" He went, confused as to why Falco suddenly switched topics. She kicked his shins as hard as she could and he nearly looked like he was going to double over.
"I-dunno-probably-soon-because-you're-a-vice-comma nder-right-now-but-Thatch-would-have-to-retire-fir st-why-do-you-ask?" He went, slurring all his words, clutching his shin painfully. Falco looked at the cashier triumphantly, and it seemed to have worked because she was slowly backing away. The last thing you wanted to do was to mess with Whitebeard's commanders, especially when all 1600 of them surrounded the island.
"Now Ace, let's try some of these on, ne?"
"Huh?" He went, his pain forgotten. "Let's just buy any and leave, I hate wearing shirts. I feel like I'm going to get suffocated."
Falco rolled her eyes and shoved him into a dressing room. "Change." She said, closing the curtains.
In a couple of minutes, the commander came out wearing black dress shoes, black pants, and a white collared shirt, without buttoning the front. Falco sighed and reached in to do it for him. Ace felt his cheeks heating up.
Don't blush... he told himself, gathering all his willpower not to.
"Bow or tie?" She suddenly said.
"Huh? Oh... tie, I guess."
She tied the bow around his collar as he pretended to choke. He hated collars and ties. It made him feel like a chained-up dog.
"You actually look decent," She said, looking at him. "Vest or cummerbund?"
"Cummerbund." She tossed him a wine-coloured one.
"Long or short jacket?"
"Short." She tossed him the shorter, black jacket.
After he put it on, it felt that the room's temperature had gone up 100 degrees more, and he desperately wanted to get out of it. Seeing his pitiful expression, Falco burst out laughing.
"Okay, okay... you can change out of it now."
"YES!" He cried, and in less than a minute, he had changed to his regular attire. When the pair went to the counter to pay for it, the lady gave Falco an ugly look before saying: tsk.
"You know hun..." She said, ogling at Ace (or rather, his body...), "If you go on a date with me to the carnival in West Block tomorrow, I'll give you a 50% discount."
"Really?" He said, eyes wide. "Sure!"
Falco grabbed Ace's ear and yanked it. He gave out a furious cry, but the girl ignored it and looked at the clerk. She narrowed her eyes and read her nametag pinned to her tight little shirt.
"Look... Riza... we're a little busy right now. Preparing for a little party you see, for our father. Whitebeard's an impatient man."
Her eyes widened at the name of the Yonko.
"How angry would he be when he finds out a girl has taken one of his commanders?"
Riza gulped and told Ace of the price of his suit. She'd even gave an extra discount, before waving them off with a friendly smile. Falco walked out of the store triumphantly, as if she had won her first major battle.
Ace smirked. "You were jealous, weren't you?"
Falco turned 50 shades of red before looking up at the sky. "Don't flatter yourself, Ace!"
"You were though, right?" He said, jabbing her waist.
"NO!"
He chuckled. "Okay, okay. Let's go look for your stuff now. I'm assuming it'll take a lot more time, and I'm pretty hungry."
The two spent the rest of their day peacefully, browsing through multiple stores, hanging out with other commanders and crewmates alike, before their final stop. So far, no dress had suited Falco's taste and Ace (being the man he was), was starting to get impatient.
"Mou, Falco! Let's go already!" He said, looking at the dark sky. "It's getting pretty late."
"Okay," The girl said simply. Ace gave her a weird look.
"Aren't you going to choose a dress?"
A bag thick bag was in her hand. "I already did."
"WHEN?!"
"When you went to the bathroom after eating too much takoyaki... you were in there for a pretty long time, you know..."
"It wasn't more than fifteen minutes! And it was only because I ran into Marco, so I was talking to him!"
"It's fine, isn't it? After all, I already have the dress."
He groaned. No use talking sense into her. A sigh. "Fine, let's go back to the ship now. We need to wake up early tomorrow so we can start preparing for the main party. I'll take the gift and Oyaji can open it by himself in the morning. Then we'll have the ball in the evening."
The girl winked. "Can't wait!"
I-I-I-VIII
Book 1, Romance Dawn: 'Falcon In The Sky'
Saga 1: 'One Piece/Grand Line (Saga)'
Arc 1: 'Enter, Falco!'
Chapter 8: Whitebeard's Ball
"Now, now!" Florence chimed, picking up the extra pins from the table. "If you keep on fidgeting, the needles will poke you!"
"They already have," She muttered, but stood still, nevertheless. She was in the nurses's quarters, where everyone was putting on extra make-up and running around screaming at each other for this and that. The smell of perfume sickened Falco and for once, she felt that she was getting seasick.
"Have a twirl, hun!" She said. Falco rolled her eyes and obeyed. The nurse smiled, as if she was content with her work. "How Ace would be happy when he sees you! You look gorgeous!"
"Thanks a lot, Florence!"
"No problem!" She smiled. "I'm going with the nurses later, so you go upstairs first since the commanders are already there."
There was a knock on the door. "Falco?" Thatch called. "Come on up already, we're waiting!"
"Hai!" She cried, before opening the door. Thatch, Marco, and Ace who were all outside turned the slightest bit of pink when they saw the vice-commander. Her long, brown hair was curled softly, with a wreath of white flowers placed gently on top of her head. She wore a sleeveless white dress that tightly fitted her body with golden ribbons hanging on the hems, and a thin, braided belt.
Florence smirked when she saw the commanders. "Greek goddess. That was her theme."
Marco blinked a couple of times. "It... suits her."
"Thanks!"
Thatch held out his hand. "Shall we go upstairs?"
The vice commander nodded, placing his hand on top of his. When the four went to the deck, the party had already started. The ships had been connected together once more, and even those who didn't belong in the Whitebeard Pirates were present. Villagers from Hikari Island had seemed to all gather here. The musicians of the ship played a slow and soft melody, and for a second, Falco was surprised to see the drunken men yesterday dressed elegantly, chuckling softly amongst themselves.
"I wonder how many rolls of fabric they used for Whitebeard's suit..." Falco murmured. Ace laughed. He held out a hand to Falco and smiled.
"Dance with me?"
She smacked him on the head. "Idiot. Try asking like a real man."
He got down on one knee and held out a hand, before playfully saying: "Oh fair maiden of the night, would you dance with thee today?"
"I'd be honoured." She giggled, taking his hand. He led her down the stairs onto the main deck, where everyone with a partner was dancing slowly to the music. Their right hands clasped each others, Falco holding her dress with her free hand and Ace gently holding her waist.
They danced like the waves, calming yet enchanting... soon they were perfectly on beat. The two had never formally danced before, but their bodies seemed to move on their own. Their eyes locked as the two smiled gently at each other. Ace saw her golden eyes. They looked as tired as ever, but had a tint of happiness inside them. Flickering like candlelight, they looked at the second commander gently.
Thank you... He suddenly heard. But no one had spoken.
(You Raise Me Up-Sohyang)
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
"Ne, Ace," Falco said softly so others couldn't hear.
"Hm?"
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
"What does it feel like to be in love?
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
"What..."
"Just a question!"
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
"I'm not sure..." he admitted. "But it must be something wonderful."
"But it leaves you vulnerable..."
He shrugged. "Maybe it's worth it though."
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
"But no matter how vulnerable you are..." The second commander said. "If you're protecting something you love the hardest, doesn't that ultimately make you stronger?"
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
Falco smiled softly at him. "I like that saying."
"Me too."
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
"Then..." Falco went. "Do you get stronger if you protect me?"
There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.
Ace thought hard for a second. Would he? He certainly wouldn't leave Falco to just die. Would he fight with all he had to rescue her if she was in danger?
"Yes." He concluded.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
"Then... does that mean you love me?"
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
"I do, Falco," He said without hesitation. The man grinned. "You wouldn't hesitate to protect me either, right?"
You raise me up... To more than I can be.
"Of course!" The Vice Commander went. "After all, in a game of chess, the queen would protect the king."
They were like children. They did not understand the concept of love and lust like ordinary people did today. It was pure and blinding, so honest and truthful... The thought of becoming stronger for someone else because they loved each other, as a family member and a companion was an achievement and their pride, as well as their reason to live.
That was their definition of love. But this definition was proved to be vulnerable, especially days later, when tragedy fell upon the commanders, and the crew noted to be the most powerful in the world.
Had the two foreseen the massive black cloud over then, they would've escaped it.
But cruel faith had locked the two together, only to rip them apart.
We all know what this means... you might not be seeing A/N's for a while now because I find that sometimes writing notes at the end of an impacting chapter destroys the... impact of it, so just PM or review if you have any questions!
I have another chapter between this and Thatch's murder (*sobs*). This is Chapter 8 so Chapter 10 will be the LAST chapter of the first arc. (;w; I can't believe we're already here, it's a miracle. Thank you so much for your ongoing support!).
~Hanada :*
Special Thanks To:
Ezaria
(Where did all of you guys go? *hunts you all down*)
GET READY FOR SOME EPIC DRAMA!
