Alice buzzed excitedly and waved excitedly up at Benn as he leaned over the railing. Seraphina sighed softly and leaned back, reading her book. "Why did you ask me to come? They're your pirates, not mine."

Alice rolled her eyes and said, "Because, I want them to see how beautifully developed we both are since they've last been here. Plus, I know Shanks will want his hug from you like usual."

Seraphina shook her head at Alice and folded the page of her book, tucking it back in her bag. "I'd rather be somewhere else. I have other friends I hang out with rather than wait around for a letter that may never show up."

Alice flicked Seraphina's head and quickly ran over to hug Benn as he stepped onto the dock. He easily caught her as she jumped at him and chuckled. "Someone's gotten a bit bigger since we were last here."

She giggled happily and kissed his cheek, standing on her two feet as he set her down. She squealed as she was scooped up again and lightly glared at Shanks. Shanks chuckled and held her in his arm. "You're still adorable, bunny. You're very beautiful, too."

She rolled her eyes and kissed his cheek. "You guys should see Sera. She's got a rack on her."

A book promptly met the back of Alice's head and she whined in pain, cradling her head. Seraphina glared and crossed her arms over her chest. "Oh shut up. At least I've gotten taller than when I was thirteen."

Alice huffed and rested her hands on her hips. "I've gotten taller. I'm taller than Makino by half an inch."

Seraphina scoffed and said, "You're five foot five, stop adding extra height."

Alice puffed out her cheeks and said, "And a half! Stop forgetting my half."

Shanks laughed at them and moved over to hug Seraphina before she duckedunder his arm, grabbing her book in one motion. Shanks pouted and said, "Come on, Sera. You've never given me a good hug."

Seraphina rolled her eyes and asked, "Why would I want to hug you when I know where that hand'll go. I'm sure you'd rather have one that none, unless you want it cut off."

Alice pouted and loosely hugged Shanks' arm. "Oh, don't be so rude. You're just in a mood cause Ace won't return your feelings."

Shanks raised an eyebrow and grinned widely. "Oh, oh, oh, so our little wolf has a crush. How cute~."

Alice giggled softly and felt Benn wrap an arm around her waist. "Oh, I think it'd be more than a crush if he ever returned her feelings. Sadly, he is merely a boy, so he is blind by her affections."

Seraphina glared at Alice and hissed, "Shut up. I wouldn't fall for an idiot like that if he was the last man on earth!"

Shanks laughed and Seraphina stormed off, heading towards Makino's bar. Alice snickered softly and said, "She's just pissy cause Ace is a blind fool."

Benn chuckled and the three started towards the bar, watching the smoke from Seraphina's ears slowly settle. Makino smiled softly as Seraphina plopped at the bar, pulling out her book. "Teasing you already?"

Seraphina grumbled softly and flipped towards her page, nearly ripping the page out. "Of course. Because it's 'fun' to play with people's feelings."

Alice skipped in and slid into her usual spot beside Sera. "We're not playing with your feelings if they're true. Like I said, Ace is just a boy and is too thick skulled anyway to realize how much he'd win with you."

Sera scoffed and muttered under her breath before stiffening when Shanks looped his arm around her shoulders. "Bunny's right, Sera. Ace will realize he likes you soon enough."

She glared at him and hissed, "Get your arm off of me."

Shanks pouted and whined, "You're so cruel Sera."

Alice tugged Shanks to sit on her free side and said, "Sissy, Ace will absolutely fall in love with you. Honestly, there aren't too many kids on this island."

Sera glared at Alice and snapped her book closed again, turning to leave. "He's planning on leaving and becoming a stupid pirate anyway. That's why he's been gathering supplies for a boat. Dadan is encouraging him! In a year max, he'll be gone and I'll be left here. It won't matter if he likes me or not."

Alice slumped and Ace froze in the doorway, a bag on his shoulder. He gulped and mumbled, "Uhh, actually, I was gonna ask you to join me."

Seraphina blinked and turned bright red, quickly running into her and Alice's bedroom. Alice stood up and waved Ace to sit down. "I'll go talk to her. You just wait here. Boys, time to interrogate."

Yasopp and Lucky Roo grinned widely, zeroing in on Ace. Ace sunk back and moved to back away before bumping into Doc's chest. "Nope, Bunny's given her order and when she says jump, we ask how high, kiddo. Now, sit."

Ace sunk down into a seat and glanced around at them as the three leaned closer. He gulped and glanced back at the door leading to the back of the bar. 'Please, please, please, hurry, Alice. Before they kill me.'

Alice climbed up to sit on Seraphina's bed and mumbled, "He was asking you to join him, he wasn't going to leave you, see? Maybe he does like you."

Seraphina glared up at Alice and grumbled, "That doesn't mean he likes me, Alice."

Alice sighed softly and played with Seraphina's hair. "Maybe he doesn't like you, yet. One day, though, I can tell you two will be very happy together. It may not be tomorrow or next week, hell, it could be in three years before he realizes he likes you just as much. You know me and Shanks are only teasing. We know you like Ace."

Seraphina huffed and muttered, "I'm not gonna leave you here by yourself. And, no, Luffy does not count."

Alice scoffed and said, "Oh, please, I've been sneaking onto Shanks' ship since I could walk straight. Come on, let's run away from here. You go with Ace and I'll go with Shanks and Benn. Damn, there won't be a safer place for me than on that ship."

Seraphina rolled her eyes and mumbled, "I'd kill them if you got hurt. Don't give me those eyes. Don't work on me anymore, anyway."

Alice curled her ears over and widened her eyes, folding her hands under her chin and poking her bottom lip out. "Pleeeaaseee. We've been talking about this for years. We've already got our bags packed. Just, make Ace promise not to leave until Shanks and his crew does. That way, we can leave together."

Seraphina grumbled softly and sat up. "Fine, fine. I hate it when you change the topic on me."

Alice grinned and did a small happy dance. "Yay! Now, let's go save Ace. I sicked the crew on him for interrogation."

Seraphina sighed and hopped down, landing on her feet. "God, are you trying to kill him before he even learns he may possibly like me."

Alice grinned and jumped down, wobbling slightly. "Oh, he'll love ya, don't worry."

Seraphina rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, following Alice out to save Ace from his impending doom.