Party Day Hell

~The Fool's true weakness is isolation,

A fool only to themselves,

When every reflection is of their unmet needs,

And empty wants,

When nothing makes sense,

And every step is taken with the dull hope that,

Somehow,

By chance,

Stumbling blindly will lead them out of the aftermath.

That is what they call

Desperate and insane~

Friday

7am:

"You what?" Zoro realized then that he had lost total control of his voice at that moment. The torrent of fear and the storm of shame collided in his vocal cords, and his sisters surprise held steady for a few moments. But her wide eyes soon narrowed from surprise to suspicion, and her stance evened.

"I invited Law. I'm allowed a plus one" she waved a hand, using it as cover to advance her position. Only Zoro recognized it. He brought his hands down from where they were whiteknuckling on the doorframe of her room. "He seemed interested at my check up… Why?" His mouthed opened, and closed, and her eyes narrowed further, "what did you do?" She accused.

"Nothing-"

"You're better than lies." She lanced out. He swallowed. He knew he was caught. He didnt know how mad she was going to be, but that he was about to find out. So he didnt worry about that. No, focused on what the party was going to be like now. Sanji knew they slept together. Worse, Law knew all about Zoro and Sanji's relationship, had slept with Zoro, and now he seemed interested in coming? What the hell was he thinking!

"We slept together." He admitted reluctantly.

"Oh Zoro you-" Kuina caught her self, shook her head and glanced down, her eyes dancing as they did whenever she was thinking hard. "What the hell is he thinking!" She said a few seconds later.

"I know." He agreed.

"I'm still mad at you. Oh i'm not mad at your rebound, you could have done a lot worse, but dammit its awkward now. There goes my chance with a doctor."

"What? he's gay!" He argued.

"He's pan. Ugh, whatever. But you owe me big now." She punched his shoulder. He flinched, a reflex he'd gotten from a dozen years straight of losing fights to her, and her alone. But the fist landed… softly. Their eyes met, and the tone of the room got silently heavier as she pulled it back. She huffed a single laugh and looked at her hand, then back at him with a flawless smile so fake and clapped his shoulder.

"I always told you it would happen. You getting stronger than me. I didn't think it'd take mother nature handing out a handicap though." He wanted to comfort her, tell her it wasn't Fair, and that he didn't count this. But she did. It was a fact to her, that she was weaker. So instead he pulled out a grin, and rested a hand lightly on her shoulder.

"I'll enjoy my lead, while it lasts."

It did the trick. She smiled with her eyes now, and her hand came to a fist, her head came up.

"You better! I lost muscle, but not memory. So you won't have it for long!" She stepped back, sitting on her bed, putting a fist to her chin. "But I'm not gonna uninvite him. So we need a battle plan. The worst case scenario I can see would be the two of them alone. The 'ballroom' doesn't have any doors leading directly outside. What's the shortest route out of the building?"

"That's not true. There's a roof access stairway, and a fire escape in the ballroom actually. I'm sure we don't have to worry about the latter. And Kalifa has a smokers policy already outlined, all non-employees won't have access to the roof, so it'll be an employee smoke-top." Zoro added, "one problem solved. They won't be smoking out of our sight together."

"Well I am his date. I'm suspicious of his motives, but at least I can cling to him. Keep your phone handy, tonight. You're gonna need it."

Zoro was many things at that moment, nauseaously nervous, cold with fear, pressed flat by the overhanging feeling of doom. But he was comforted by their synergy. He didn't think he could ever properly communicate exactly how he felt right now, knowing she was here. Knowing he wasn't About to be the last member of a family team. He never did figure out what he would do without her. And he felt her love anew, as she now planned to help him in yet another muck up of his doing.

"I love you sis." He said and she looked at him. Smiled.

"I love you too, you damn idiot" she said in the affectionate annoyance only sisters could master.

9am:

Nami stared at the outfit she had assembled. They had received the costume trailer at 8, and officially she was confirming the order on behalf of the company. However her motive was purely about gettting first dibs on the outfits. Her phone buzzed, and buzzed and buzzed as her impulse alarm went on unsilenced. It was a prince's outfit. Quite accurately assembled for the ottoman based court that the characters in Vivi's novel were based on. It was a reasonably expensive Sehzade kaftan, cheaply embellished to appear rich. And with the setting addition of bracelets and anklets. Symbolic chains of duty used brilliantly in the novel that the costume emulated. It was a perfect outfit. Chopper had delivered Vivi's letter less than an hour ago. Vivi was coming… she'd asked for a plus two. Obviously Nami had okay'd it without question. The CEO consistently had a plus two.

Now the outfit. It was dramatic, free advertisement. Promoting their upcoming work, while providing a comfortable anchor for Vivi, who had never before experienced this… nightmare party. But now she was rethinking it. She hadn't done this for any of her male authors. In fact she had only showed this kind of preference with one other author before. "Fuck…" she said flatly, she swiped off her alarm, she sat, and pulled in her legs. There wasn't much point trying to argue away her crush now. A plus two. Vivi was poly. Nami was… not. End of story. "Fuck…" she said again, her voice a swans melocholy.

"Oh fuck!" She chuckled out, staring and tracing the lines of her fanart tattoo. She didnt want to think about this anymore. She could push off the childish mourning of this crush until after the party. Until then she could autopilot this. The outfit was there, it was perfect… might as well go with it for the strategic excuses. And there was a free bar, she could get something stiff after the meet and greet. Vivi, she was sure, would adapt and relax with two partners to back her up. And-

"Nami!"

"Luf?" She called back, feeling her brow knit.

"Hey!" He rocked into the costume truck, eyes wide with excitement. His energy was suffocating. Then he came to focus with the all to rare bout of seriousness. He eyed her features, taking his time to understand it. Unlike most of the other employees Nami recognized the genius Luffy was. He plotted moves so far ahead you'd have to know him for years before you'd realized how seamlessly he influenced things. So when he finished processing and asked,

"Why are you crying?"

She knew he already knew. He liked to cheer people up. She trusted that so wholeheartedly that she smiled because she knew he was going to cheer her up somehow. That's just the kind of boss he was.

"I'm just getting caught up." It was nonspecific but accurate. It would do. He nodded dutifully. He stayed silent for a moment. Then looked to the costume and with another white lie;

"Oh that costume reminds me. Before you take Vivi into the ballroom, swing by my office, I wanna ask her something."

Her eyebrow shot up. "You do?"

He smiled and nodded again.

"Why?"

Luffy frowned, brow's down, lips slightly out and then slowly, oh so slowly, his hand scratched his head.

"Wait, you don't know yet?"

Nami flashed back to a conversation at romance one. Something they all agreed she shouldn't know.

"Even you? Look, I don't get what everyone wants me to hide from, but I have the sneaking suspicion it doesn't matter anymore. So just tell me.

"But you just said it doesn't matter…" he started to leave, then stopped as if he had just remembered something. "By the way, the renewal raise offers are getting handed out tonight. So make sure you stay till then!" He beamed, and dipped, bounding out like he was heading out on his next adventure.

She gave a little huffing laugh. The raises… that did cheer her up. And he was right about knowing Vivi further. It didn't matter anymore. Maybe now it would be easier to treat Vivi as just a client. She stood, and felt the faint ghosting memory of Vivi's arms around her while they were ice-skating. Her chest ached with a desire to be full of love. She felt starved, faint. She was in her thirties. She should be over such novice reactions. She should rejoin online dating. Stop promising herself to 'get out there and meet someone' only to never even say a word to any crush she formed on the ladies at the gym, or the cute cashiers at the store. She didn't do anything. So if she was serious about meeting somebody she should just do it. Tonight. At the party. It was a free bar after all. And there was always a dozen or so new faces who showed up. Rebounds. She thought they were misnamed. A reality check, a moment you have to come crashing down from a magnificent high.

Such a high.

A chance-wrought lunch with a beauty in the cafe

Waiting in the rain together

Writing obnoxiously out of date letters back and forth, with beautiful flowing scripts,

Snowballs, tattoos,

Dancing on the ice!

It was so very, utterly, amazingly annoyingly, heartbreakingly, impossibly perfect!

It was… of course, too good to be true.

Proof, there in the letter. A plus two.

But her heart had bought the lie, hook, line and sinker. Now she was like a fish in the air, suffocating in reality.

If only any of it had been real.

"Fuck." Fresh tears brimmed and her chest ached. Why the hell was she looking for such a childish, novice love story. She was thirty. That was much too old for fairytales. She needed a reality check.

And then she remembered, the first time she heard Vivi laugh… It sounded like faires.

"Fuck."

She grabbed the mask she had picked out to match. Stared at it. Gathering the strength to put it back on.

11am:

"Well… that's Just perfect." Robin sighed, trying to suppress the urge to cry, and instead she cracked a smirk. On the glass door of Franky's auto house was a sign, reading; 'dear valued customers, we are closed for the following week to celebrate the holidays, we are sorry for any inconvenience.' She supposed he did have that joy. She looked back at the tow truck, still holding her phoenix of a car.

To summarize her morning, she had gone heavy on the red wine the night before. an accident not at all related to the research she spent hours on about movie companies and the such. She woke up late, and hungover. She rushed out of the house, forgot her phone, tore her jeans, and then to top it off she had popped not one, but two tires on what was supposed to be a shortcut.

She managed to borrow a phone from a passer-by that had helped her, and got a tow truck.

In a self admittedly guilty manner she was eager to use the excuse to see Franky. Perhaps to cheer her up during the holidays… but alas. Here she was.

The urge to cry gathered again. She was feeling overwhelmed, the party tonight was enough stress for a week. But it was just the tip. She had serious long term and long running concerns about the job stability of her employees, and beneath that she had Nami clawing for her position, Kalifa breathing down her neck, a CEO she couldnt plan around half the time, and then, and then! Theres the movie company she commited too with said CEO and a Queer movie star icon she had known for less than a day!

She breathed, or tried to. She wasn't quite panicking, but she definitely felt the urge to.

She had just wanted a little… treat. A pick-me-up when she was hungover and stressed. But not today. She would be incredibly late, with no warning and on the most important day for chief leaders of which she was one of three, as they were crucial to its success.

"I think they're closed ma'am" the blonde haired man said. She gave a glance at him, literally bit her tongue, and counted to three.

"So it appears." She sighed, "Would you be so kind as to drop it in one of the parking spaces?" She asked slightly out of breath. She had to get to work. She didn't want to go somewhere else. Hopefully he would call her a cab.

"Were not really supposed to do that. But hey, I know a place that could get it done right, not more than fifteen minutes away."

"I appreciate the offer, but I don't think it'll be a problem. I know the owner."

"Well ma'am not to be rude, but everyone knows Franky, he is the only person who works this joint." That did it. She rounded on him, barely keeping her voice in check.

"The paint job was free, kind of know him.''

The man's cheeks took on a red hue and she managed a deep breath. It wasn't a lie. She certainly didn't pay for it. She also didn't ask for it per-say. But then he smarted.

"Then why didn't you just call him?" She eyed his name tag, Paulie, and looked to his eyes again.

"Because Paulie" she gave just a beat of silence, "I forgot my phone." She took another deep breath, she knew she sounded aggressive, but she was trying not to cry, and he would just have to be okay with that. The red redoubled its strength on his cheeks. And he mumbled something, and got out his phone.

Whatever, let him make his call. Deny service, impound it whatever, the day was hardly gonna get better anyways. She heard his phone chirp, then his eyes on her back, heard his fingers, silence, another chirp.

"Alright, I'll set it down. Give me a moment." And he climbed back into the truck. She nodded, genuinely surprised, watching the process, absorbing its details in an attempt to distract herself. Realistically she knew that if she was gonna have an anxiety attack she might as well just hop in and get it out of the way before work. But they could be so ugly, and off putting to those not used to it. And there was always the chance she would become useless the rest of the day. Better to hold off until after the party. So she watched how the man preferred to look out his window and behind, than in his mirrors. That combined with the tell-tale sweet stench of cigars pegged him as a smoke while you work kind of guy. The truck was well taken care of, but also well used. Its gear was clean, obviously well taken care of, and the slow dropping of the wench showed it-

Carlights hit her eyes, and she brought up a hand to shield herself. A car rolled into the lot. A Lincoln at that, she was unsure what year, but it shined. It shined like it was washed every weekend, by loving and well trained hands. Its hood ornament pitching the ray of sun perfectly as the car came to a stop in front of her. And in the driver seat-

"Franky?" She shouted her eyes wide, and apparently so loudly Paulie flinched. Franky did not. He simply rose from the passenger seat with a cocky smile. The door closed and he whistled in appreciation. walking towards her while staring at the tires.

"You sure did a number on her, poor thing." He said loud enough his voice carried. Then his arms came to rest on her shoulders, squeezing gently. And in a quieter, softer voice "you look like you've been splashed by some more lightning water, you okay?"

"Oh…" She deflated in his arms, and without thinking rested her head on his chest. "It's been a rough day." He rubbed her shoulders, and then one hand rubbed her back, bringing her closer to him. She felt his warm hands, and now smelled his cologne, a bright and oakish scent. He looked her up and down, nodding all the while

"How about I make it a little better and buy you lunch, and you tell me about it?"

She felt a knot forming in her stomach, a thousand butterflies strangled in a net. Suddenly she felt very close to him. She lifted her head with a jerk, and pulled away. She instantly missed his hand on her back.

Instinctively she got a smile on, but did not laugh. Didn't cry. But felt very much in the headlights of his eyes. To his credit, he didn't look put off. His smile was still there just as broad and cocky.

"That sounds lovely. But I'm already late, and todays the party." He nodded, and gestured to the car.

"Let me at least give you a ride. And you can still tell me about your day."

That was… better, less commitment. She nodded silently as another wave of anxiety washed over her. When would she have time for him? He was here for her. Somehow. Whenever she needed. She couldn't juggle a new company, editorial of a publishing company, and being a board member for the same company all at the same time, and be there whenever he needed. And what even was this? Bringing cars to a mechanic she has a crush on, only to push him back at every advance. And then sink into his arms at the slightest inconvenience.

His hand found her back again as they started towards the car. He opened her door and she slid in. The seats were large, and cushioned, cool leather. And it was warm here. Warm against the winter. Here he was yet again.

She couldn't juggle her own life right now. She certainly couldn't quit, and she couldn't back out of the company… her heart hurt, her breathing came faster, shallower. She couldn't lead him on. She had to put off the attack, and explain the situation, and stop this-

"So…" he laid an arm across her seat, and looked behind him, backing out. "Where did it start?"

His face was caught in the golden glow of the morning sun and like the golden thread of a Greek god, it would not be cut. Not even by the sharpest shears of her reasoning. This golden washed tie between them. A simple ride to work after a flat tire. This was the treat she needed to survive life.

If that meant going insane, then she didnt want to be sane, she didn't want security, or wealth or fame. She had had it all before. She wanted this. This man who had shown up as if drawn by instinct, with a smile and chariot, whisking her away in her hour of need, with an ear ready, and a warm embrace. She wanted it so bad. And so she couldn't draw the blade of reason here.

Her hand reached out and gripped his like a vice, tears pricked her eyes and her lips wobbled. He looked surprised, and then worried, and then he smiled with compassion.

"Go ahead. Let it all out."

Her heart panged, and she let go of her desperate stranglehold on her life. It was loud.

12:45:

Robin didn't register the bulky frame of her work building in front of her. She had cried, laughed and… screamed. Now she did nothing. She didn't understand much right now. For instance, why her head was in his lap. Why he pet her hair, and whispered assurances, like "I'm here for you" "take your time."

"I'm sorry." It was the first thing she'd said in….twenty minutes.

"Its okay." His voice was soft. She sat up, once again instantly missing his hands, their calm, secure warmth. Their first back rub, and head pat.

"No it's not, it's, you weren't prepared for that, I mean you must be freaked, i'm sorry I did that, and.. and thank you for being this calm about it. But I understand if-'' she choked on her words, her heart panged. "If, uh-" she trailed off. It was inevitable, but she didn't want to admit it.

"Do you want a ride home later?" He interjected, his voice sincere, his smile coy. "I know your life is busy right now and you're not sure how you're going to juggle it. I understand if I can't be a priority right now. But I practice what I preach. And I'm saying I'm here for you. Here, wherever you need me."

1pm:

Robin steeled herself. Just behind the doors she could hear it, the rush. All in an effort to make the party flawless.

She felt… ready. She went in.

"Robin!" Sanji and Nami shouted together, in contrasting tones.

"You're alive!"

"You're late! Where have you been."

"What happened to you?"

"Wait, your pants are ripped." Namis voice was cold, quiet, enough that just barely romance one could hear it. Even Zoro was listening intently now.

It made sense, Robin supposed. It wasn't That many days ago that Perona had been targeted, and thankfully saved. Bigots knew their building well.

"No, not that. Though I suspect my karmic credit looks alot better now." The tension in the air released like a balloon meeting a needle. They looked relieved. Then Nami focused.

"I'm glad you're okay. But now that you're here, we have problems, mainly-"

4:45:

There was a knock at the door. Luffy smiled.

"Come in!" He called, taking his feet on his desk and stood, setting his hat aside. The door opened and Nami escorted three individuals in.

"Vivi, this is the CEO Mr. Monkey."

"An honor." Vivi smiled and approached first, extending her hand. Luffy shook it with glee, then nodded to each man, and glanced to Nami.

"Nami, i see you haven't had a chance to get your costume yet, it will be a few minutes, I'll bring them to you when we are done."

Nami was a few feet behind her writer at the moment, and she flinched visibly. Then took the cue, and exited, closing the door as she went.

"Please, take a seat, I just wanted to take a few moments to discuss what we have done to address the concerns your security brought to my attention. Thankfully we already had traditions in place to protect identities. We have lockers for personal items and a mandatory cell phone turn in policy with our guests. But that will apply to you as well. Of course, any cellar device that does not have photo capability, such as your security comms, are of course allowed. And our staff are vigilant for any rule breaker. And I believe Ms. Bellemere's suggestion of a masquerade made us all relax a bit. There are still hired photographers, but they've been instructed not to do crowd shots. We have also gone to some extent to leave Ms. Bellemere ignorant of the preparations. I might note, I found it an odd request."

"Nami has been a breath of fresh air, to be honest. The lack of customs and the stilted formality has been something of a spiritual revival."

"A road to friendship?" He asked gently, and she smiled.

"I see a very interesting road ahead."

"Good. It sounds adventurous." He smiled, then leaned back slightly. "May I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"Do you plan to use a pen name?" It was subtle, but not enough to be lost on her. He saw her catch what he meant. And when she smiled this time, he saw a fondness.

"No, not when we publish."

"But tonight?"

"I do like suspense." She laughed. "Tonight I'm Ms. Lavender. She showed her mask, two boughs of lavender flanking the temples of a white mask, formed lightly to her face, with purple lace netting and carved out eyelets. Luffy smiled wide, but sobered.

"You know, a musician I met last night told me a saying I liked. He said 'Some roads do not have bridges. But that doesn't mean they are not crossed by rivers.'-"

"-And those are the roads worth building a bridge for. Somewhere no one else has gone." Vivi finished. "Funny, a Bard we entertained years ago said the same thing."

6:10pm:

Nami had had to leave Vivi with Zoro and Kuina while she sorted out a problem for one of her other authors, and now she was guiltily taking a moment to grab a drink at the bar. She had an eye on Vivi, making sure she wasn't lost. But surprisingly she had turned out to be quite the socialite. Nami's plethora of male authors liked to roam around, untethered after the initial rounds, as did most authors. It was a 'party' after all, this one more so that others. But Vivi was still new, and while she seemed confident, Nami knew that didn't exactly mean comfortable.

But Vivi… her outfit was amazing. Nami didnt know how she managed to assemble it in such a short time, a princesses Kaftan, with the same bracelets and anklets Nami had, but real metal, maybe even real gold. But Vivi had added another addition. A white silk ribbon into her braided hair.

In the novel's setting that was used to mark a woman as… a virgin. It was a purposeful choice, Vivi was detailed like that, all of her outfits had been picture perfect. Intentional. Its just, not many of the guests would understand it. Plenty could guess, Nami was sure. Still it poked at her mind.

"Your new author is interesting." Boa said, sitting down beside her, ordering a dirty martini while the bartender delivered Nami's tequila sunrise.

"She'll be a star soon enough, I'm sure." Nami replied, giving a dry cut-out response, and mentally planning an escape route.

"Oh I'm sure. She is quite beautiful as well, she'll sell with a bit of self promotion. Tell me, have you fallen into old habits?" Boa leaned onto the bar, her slinky red dress revealing even more cleavage as she rested her chin on the backs of her hands. Nami chose instead to focus on Boa's face, rather her mask, a fragile red jeweled mask, with a sharp point extending not more than a inch past her nose. It covered little more than her eyes, leaving her sharp cheekbones naked.

From the woman's dainty heels to her mask it seemed as if it would take no more than a heavy wind to rip it all off, a thought Nami quickly suppressed with a hefty draw on her drink.

"Not at all." Nami answered in her best neutral tone. But by the graceful wind chimes that was Boa's laugh, she knew it hadn't done much in the way of convincing her.

"Then pray tell, why are you blushing, and flitting your eyes at her every other second?" Boa needled, and Nami gape mouthed, caught out she had no reply, to which Boa pressed on. "You are absolutely infatuated, my love, such a shame too…" Boa turned her head to look at Vivi, and her two guests. Nami pointedly did not look when Boa's hands shifted, leaving her cleavage unguarded. Memories stirred in Nami's mind of supple warm skin, a long tongue, dexterous hands and a voice, like silk. She took another drink. "Her lovers seem quite reserved as well. She must be the dominant. I seem to recall you liking that too." That stung.

"What are you doing?" Nami cut coldly, facing Boa with her whole body now. There was silence as the bartender dropped the martini off, and Boa held a graceful smile, then tipped her drink back in that way Nami found exhilarating.

"My my…" she said in a sultry tone, her empty glass set aside, one hand crept up Nami's leg, and she leaned in, leaving less than a foot of space. "I come as a balm. Something to ease that aching I see in you." She got even closer, her fingers testing the waters of Nami's inner thigh, as her lips brushed her ear. "Don't you remember how much fun we had?"

Nami shuddered, her eyes unfocusing, and something stirred down south. She did remember.

"Tell me…" Boa asked her tone low, barely a whisper, her free hand guiding Nami to look at her, "how long has it been?"

Nami knew her face was heated, she felt it, and turned away. She had had no one in the two years since their last encounter.

"I-" she started, pulling back, she was trapped and worse, she wasn't even sure she wanted to be free. It had been just that morning that she told herself to get a reality check. Here it was, an opportunity falling right into her lap. And didn't they say, better the devil you know than the devil you don't.

Even while thinking that her eyes drifted to Vivi, only she wasn't there. Kuina, Zoro, Law, but not Vivi, Pell, or Chaka.

"You what?" Boa's breath tickled Nami's neck, her lusting eyes drawing Nami back in like a sailor to a siren. Vivi wasn't an option, Boa was just making that clear.

"I want-"

"Whisky sour please, a double." Vivi's voice was a thunderclap of clarity. Boa and Nami separated like caught school children as the upcoming writer's voice sounded out from the stool directly next to Nami.

She felt the heat rising high on her cheeks, and she straightened in her seat to face the bar, trying and failing to discreetly wipe the warm marks of Boa's lips from her neck and ear.

"Miss lavendar! I'm sorry I took a break to grab a drink, I trust Kuina wasn't bad company?" Nami heard the awkwardness in her voice, a glance confirmed Boa heard it too, raising a quizzical brow, her eyes filled with… was that jealousy?

"She was wonderful!" Vivi beamed at Nami, and then her drink arrived. Nami watched as the glass went up, and she tilted her head back, downing it one go. And she swore she saw it, just for a second, Vivi's eyes slide to Boa, shifting from a smile to… something.

"So, Miss Lavender, Nami says you'll be the next big thing, I'd love to read some of your work, do you have a blog?"

There was an uncomfortable energy here, and Nami couldn't pin it down. Vivi's glass clinked down empty, and Vivi slid on a mask of a smile.

"I don't actually. I should start one though."

"Oh?" Boa half scoffed, half laughed, "What about an email list?"

"Nope." Vivi replied

"Any fanbase at all?" Boa dug subtlety.

"I'm afraid not."

"Well," Boa signalled for another round, for all three. "That's rather lazy. Let me give you some advice, start an online presence. It's unreasonable to expect Nami and Sunny to do all your publicity for you. You can have all the skill in the world, and still fail from such an arrogant standpoint." Boa let the words sit a second, then; "no offense of course. Just from one writer to another."

"Boa!" Nami said after a moment spent stifling her surprise at such a balant dig. "That was-"

"Thank you!" Vivi beamed again, this time at Boa. "I will, thank you for the advice. I didn't realize how unreasonable I was being. I'm Incredibly new to this. I'm still finding out the taboos and necessities, so I appreciate your constructive input." She smiled so well her eyes creased. "I'm looking forward to getting to know you and everyone else." She finished as the drinks were set down. Vivi reached for hers first.

Nami knew the drink, bourbon, sugar, lemon juice and egg white. It was a horrid affair frequented by, in her experience, masochists. She had respect for those who would take the challenge of whisky and make it, well, harder. And now butterflies erupted in her stomach as she watched Vivi drink it in one slow gulp. She really liked women who could drink their liquor.

It was unreasonably attractive. Nami registered the absence of Vivi's plus two at the same moment. It was then that she found her plan. An offer to help find her partners as an easy escape from Boa and… this energy. However she was getting tipsy, half through her second sunrise, and not having eaten since breakfast. Causing her well organized thoughts to come out in a blurt;

"Where are your boyfriends?" She announced loudly, leaning enough to wedge herself in between Vivi and Boa's staring match. For a strange moment Vivi seemed confused, with a hit of red dusting on her cheeks. But she rallied fast, splitting her face with a grin, and looped an arm around Nami's.

"Oh I sent them off to find the bathrooms, but now I've lost them. I was hoping a valiant Prince would be willing to help me find them again?"

"Of course." The words were automatic, Vivi's inflection was better than an actors, her head was tilted to the side, slightly down, looking up, giving her eyes, already a puppy dogs brown, even more seducing power. And the arm, slender but warm was wrapped on hers, her thin fingers gently rubbing Namis bare forearm. She offered no resistance as she was gently led off the stool. But then another hand came. This one Boa's, right on Nami's hip, and her thin red mask came forward, whispering into her ear.

"Call me, when you're ready." Nami flushed and watched as Boa let her go, coming around and offering a hand to Vivi.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, miss Lavender."

"You as well, miss?" Vivi shook her hand easily.

"Ms Hancock." Boa answered. Vivi smiled again.

"A pleasure, ms. Handclock."

Nami caught the mistake, obviously Boa did as well, by the way her face became agitated, but Vivi whisked them away. Before anything came of it. Nami wanted to ask if it had been intentional, but she was too drunk, and distracted.

The ballroom was tightly back, so they stayed close anyways, but now with their arms linked they were hip to hip, side to side and Nami could smell her hair, could see the perfect curve of her jaw, and her long neck with flawless suntanned skin, and the generous curves of-

"What? Did I spill something?" Vivi asked with a toothy smile, looking over her dress carefully, looking back. "What caught your eye?"

"Just…" shit shit shit, Nami panicked, caught staring, she quickly tried to think, but her mouth was already working, her drunken brain remembering its childhood impulses. Be honest. "You."

Fuck...

7:40 Pm:

Sanji stood on the stairs, overlooking the ballroom, taking it in. Cameras flashed in corners, friends and lovers getting their portraits. Bar and food tenders churned out a steady stream, and the bodies moved, a display that at this level of remove, appeared to be like betta fish, unique colorful people, trailing garments like fins, in a dance of moment, swirling around beautifully.

The queers knew how to show out.

Then he caught a familiar costume. Kuina's Hakama. And next to her Zoro. Sanji didn't know who they talked to. But he did recognize one of the figures. Dr. Law. The death letters on his knuckles had been a dead give away earlier, and Sanji had memorized the costume. A Victorian dinner suit, black on white, with a bow tie. For a mask he had a black skull, bottoming out on his cheek bones, with ram horns flanking. His hands tightened on the railing.

He didn't know if she knew, and didn't dare ask if she knew her brother had slept with her doctor. And he didn't want to know if Zoro had found the guts to tell her. But he was worried for Kuina. And he was mad at Law, and Zoro. Not that he had much right. Sanji had broken things off. Zoro was untethered. Allowed to do whatever.

But the thought hurt. That Zoro would find something else, better suited. Someone who could tame that rage, and communicate right. He envied anyone who showed promise of forming the partnership with Zoro that he had longed for. That he had tried for.

It was simply heartbreaking. And looking over the party, he felt very…alone. His glass heart started breaking again and again, getting closer now to being sand.

"Going up?"

Sanji turned, hearing the metal steps whining under weight, and looked at Gin, gesturing a cigarette at the roof door another ten steps up.

"Yeah." Sanji replied back steadily, and Gin gave a kind smile.

"Come on then." The man grabbed Sanji's hand "You can vent, or we can talk some more."

Sanji was perplexed, and Gin noticed it, sticking the cig in his mouth, and wiping away a loose tear on Sanji's cheek.

7:42PM:

Zoro looked away from the stairs, the first pair of eyes he found was his sisters. The night had been a slog for both of them. Law was a flirt, and not very reserved even among flirts. And her crush was like a splinter in her heart. That much he knew just by how she laughed. She was his sister after all. And his guilt tree bloomed, like a bonsai on his heart, its roots suffocating. They needed a break, but the cluster of fans of 'The Strongest Swordsman' some of which were other heavyweight authors within the company, was thick with inspiration, and well wishing of her new clean bill of health. She darted her eyes to the bar, then winked at him, tightening her grip on Law's arm.

Law looked at her and leaned in close. Zoro could see the twitch of Law's lips as she spoke quietly, resisting an urge to smile, then looked back at the fans he had been almost silent with.

"I'm sorry everyone. We've exceeded her active period. I'll be taking her to rest for a bit. Very nice meeting you all." Law bowed, and took Kuina gently around the waist, escorting to the closest open seat, conveniently located at the bar. Zoro, naturally tagged along and ordered beer. Kuina asked for Sake, and Law himself asked for a moscow mule. He also sat reverse, looking over the crowd, with searching eyes. Kuina noticed it, and looked into her sake, disappointed.

The thing was, Kuina had always been reserved with her emotions. The same reason he hadn't known about her affection for her doctor was the same reason she was disappointed now. For all her romantic prowess in novels, she had a very timid hand in her own endeavours.

He didnt think that would be any balm to her, when Law was paying no mind to her currently. But Zoro knew his sister, she was fiery, passionate, dedicated, and supportive, with a sense of humor and an undying fighting spirit. In his not so biased opinion she was worth catching Law's eye. She just needed a couple of undistracted minutes to make a move. And, as she finished her first glass, her skin picking up the first hues of a flush red, Zoro knew the booze would help her out too.

"Hey Law." Zoro asked, spinning around, beer in hand. "As much as I love my sister, I do have other authors that need tending. Can I leave her with you for a bit?"

"Why do I feel like I was invited out for free labor?" Law responded with a smile.

"It's not free. You are compensated with booze." to that the doctor gave a shrug and nodded. Zoro rose.

"Thanks. Make sure you get her some fresh air, she's a lightweight." Law nodded, and shooed him off, turning back around in his seat.

Zoro simply turned his attention to the staircase, letting his feet take the lead. He was sure this was the last thing he should be doing. He and his sister had agreed the worst case scenario would be Sanji and Law alone. But Sanji and Zoro alone was often far worse.

That's why they weren't together after all. So the last thing he should be doing is going to the rooftop, and finding out first hand if Gin was his new flame. If Gin would be the man Zoro couldn't be. It was none of his business. He had better things to do.

Authors needing excuses to meet someone.

Yet-tapped needing to be introduced to new editors.

But-

"How about another drink instead?" Marco said, offering an unopened bottle." Zoro took it by instinct, and stopped, letting his hand drop from the railing.

"Instead?" he questioned. Marco didn't meet his eyes, instead looking longingly at the staircase.

"Obviously I don't get it, the specifics anyways. But I can get the jist of what you're going through. I know it's not my business." he raised his hand and beer surrenderously. "But people talk, you hear things. Obviously I get the urge to confess some things. Especially when the one with your heart is smoking with a cute new coworker. But what's that saying? If you really love them, you have to let them go?"

Zoro felt a knife in his chest at that, and tried to resist a snarl. But the newbie had a point. Not that he was about to become a sobbing mess agreeing with him over it. But now what did he do? He'd just been very accurately caught. This air felt rigid. He felt the need to do something other than make a snide remark and walk off. So instead he channeled his inner Ace.

Marco was fresh out of prison. Crushing on his ex cellmate who he now worked with. He probably didnt have alot of people to talk to. And they already had some embarrassing common ground.

"Would you like to talk about it?"

Marco nodded with a smile, gesturing to the ballroom doors.

"I'd like that."

7:59 PM:

Law put his costume coat over Kuina's shoulders as they stepped outside. She tried not to melt from the gesture. Tried to remind her foggy brain that he hadn't been looking at her all night.

She watched him step a bit down wind, and pull out a clove. She leaned against the wall for support, watching him work the lighter and draw the ember to life.

"You see people like me everyday." She started, watching his eyes find hers. "How can you do it?" he looked at his cigarette then back, taking another draw while meeting her eyes.

"I have amazing Insurance." he answered. She took off her mask, setting on a convenient box, and shook her head.

"That's a terrible answer." she coughed lightly for effect, which caused him to smile. The most bastard response, but for some reason it made her laugh. "You really don't give a shit."

"Nope." he said, still a smiling dark skull, blending with the night sky. His smoke drifting seamlessly into the gray clouds. It was humorous how intentional it seemed. He was Death. And she had lived. This was the sign she should move on, out of his domain, and his thoughts. That all made sense to her. But then,

"Why did you come tonight?"

He gestured to the wall, and beyond it, where the party raged, and music could be heard thumping lowly even here. "Booze." Kuina was still smiling, even as she felt her heart aching somewhere beyond the sake.

"Alright." she nodded, "I get it. I crossed a line." She admitted. She had. It was an unspoken line. Well maybe a gentle admonishment here and there over the past year. He didn't like getting tangled up with patients. "And I'm sorry for that. But you could have not come. So why did you?"

"I… you are a lightweight."

"Don't change the subject." she shot back, crossing her arms. "Did you come for Zoro?" she found something interesting in the cracked concrete, a stubborn weed somehow still here after the storm they had. She thought about the jokes Law would tell her during the hard times, when Zoro couldn't be there. How he had infinite patience and kindness, and sat with her, longer than he should have.

Maybe it was a front. But she knew the strength a front like that took, and knew he must be the strong roots it had grown from. So was there such a taboo over it? Was that line something that really mattered, or had she horribly misjudged her invitation. She simply couldn't believe this hard edge exterior. Not authentically. This was another, much younger mask. With rotted roots, that she was tired of pretending wasn't there.

"Not exactly."

"Don't I deserve a straight answer?" she couldn't keep the hurt out of her voice.

"You are at a queer party." he pointed out, then looked away. She waited silently.

"Kuina, i'm not the only one seeing the red flags popping up between us." He managed to look back, and she knew he was right. He wasn't the only one. And here was another of those lovely little warnings. But then he pulled on his cigarette again.

"So what, you're ignoring plenty of other red flags." he actually laughed at that, a puff of smoke rolling across his mask.

"Are you just drunk, or do you really want to do this?" He ashed his cigarette on the wall, stepping to just within reach.

"That depends." Her arms uncrossed as he got closer, and she took off his mask. "Are you really such a monster? Or do you just have a thorn in your paw?"

His eyes widened, and she took the opportunity, stepping closer, reaching to her tiptoes, and stole a kiss.

It was deep, and not one sided, so she gave it her all, over a year building this crush and she stole the kiss, drunkenly at a party, so she made sure to take her fill.

Fittingly he tasted like vodka, and clove cigarettes. She met his eyes when they parted, and felt vulnerable. They were hard. His brow was knit, and he kept his face neutral. She had seen rejection enough times to recognize it. She stepped back, hitting the wall, facing first the night sky, taking a deep breath, then the ground.

"I get it." She said. "I'm drunk, bold, making mistakes, so you don't have to say anything. Just-" His arm planted itself on the wall next to her, and his other gingerly touched his lips.

"I'm a whore, a bastard, a womanizer, and I've slept with your brother. Why the hell are you kissing me like that?"

She looked at his mask, still in her hand, and offered it back to him.

"Because your monster is just a mask."

8:30PM:

Vivi hadn't let go of her arm once in the last two and a half hours. They were long past the meeting and socializing with other authors. And their convenient excuse to evade Boa had been dealt with long ago. Now Nami watched Chaka and Pell slow dancing with so many other couples. Neither of them seemed to mind Nami's proximity or familiarity with Vivi.

But this was playing havoc on her mind. She had snuck in another two drinks since her awkward honesty. So it might have been the booze. But Vivi was still glowing. She looked like bliss personified. And she gently swayed. It felt to Nami like the gentle rocking of a ship in calm waters.

"You want to dance."

"Yes." Vivi answered and Nami realized she had spoken aloud. She flushed some more, and wondered if it had sounded like a question. She didn't know what to do. Did she offer to dance with her? Her heart, annoyingly loud at the moment, shouted yes. But what was left of her reason sputtered out excuses, like;

"Well you have two boyfriends." Vivi laughed lightly. Her hand squeezing gently.

"It must look like that." she replied. "Where we come from, their love is illegal. And they hide it. But here-" her hand slid lower, onto Nami's hand, and seamlessly her fingers intertwined with Nami's own, causing her breath to hitch. "They are free to be themselves."

Nami felt something clarify, but she wasn't able to bring it into focus. Lost beneath the drunken haze, the urge to kiss her returned, and Nami faced her. Only then recalling the faint sound of her impulse alarm. Of course it wasn't here. But she supposed this was how habits were built.

She saw what might have been excitement build, and then wash away on Vivi's face as she stopped herself.

"Everyone keeps telling me there's something about you I shouldn't know." Nami didn't know the reason for saying this. It wasn't a question, just a pointless statement. But it was something that…

"It makes me nervous."

Vivi looked away, she almost looked ashamed. Or guilty, and her smile faded further.

"We all have… unattractive little truths attached to us. Things we would rather not be, but nevertheless we are. Shackled." Their bracelets clang together, plastic on gold.

Nami thought instantly of her tiny studio, with water swelled windows, leaving icy puddles in her carpet and the cold draft. The thought of showing that apartment to Vivi was laughable. It was much easier to pretend she didn't have a home.

"I want to tell you Nami. I do… but you are my first friend in a very long while. And I don't want to lose that. So I'm sorry. But tonight can we pretend to be someone else, and dance the night away?"

Vivi wasn't looking at her. She was looking enviously into the crowd. Her smile was gone, and her eyes, even obscured by the netting, were wet. She was so strong, Nami thought then. Crying without shedding a tear.

The world felt wrong seeing that. And so Nami did what she felt was most right. Their fingers came apart only a second before Vivi found herself enveloped in Nami's arms.

She knew what hiding was like. What being alone was like. Even with everyone around. How cold it was in that place. And even if she knew it might not do a damn thing, she had to try and kick start that fire again. To bring any warmth she could, as fast as possible. Because-

"You can't scare me off, Vivi." because this isn't just a crush.

"I want you here." Nami squeezed

No this isn't a crush… i think its-

9:45PM:

"Thank you for meeting me on such short notice. Luffy, Brook. But it concerns my level of involvement in our little movie company." Robin's voice was level, she sat still, a matching smile, her legs crossed. A snifter full of more of that fine Makino 20 year.

"You're not pulling out are you?" Luffy asked serious, but for a betraying glimmer in his eye.

"Not my investment, no, not on my life. But rather, I will be fulfilling my obligations through a very talented proxy, desperately indeed of more suting employment."

"Oh?" Brook asked, leaning back with an easy smile.

"Anybody I know?" Luffy asked.

"Yes. In fact, I just came from a meeting with her. She is waiting in just the other room, ready to meet with you both."

"Ms. Nico, Robin. I can tell you are firm in your conviction. I'm curious, what has changed your mind overnight?" he seemed to already know half the answer. And Luffy for his part was blatantly curious.

Robin thought back to Franky's face in that golden morning sunlight.

"I needed to reallocate more time to a higher priority of mine."

"You're own art?" Brook asked excited.

She smiled broadly. She glanced at her watch.. Just a few more minutes and he would be here.

"Love."

Brook hummed warmly, and smiled approvingly.

Luffy laughed, giggled almost, in pure joy.

"To love then!" Brook raised his glass. "And your eternal joy!"

9:52:

Robin opened the door, Kalifa jerked to attention. Robin caught a second of her face before then. Astonishment. Understandable. Wasn't every day your bitch of a coworker offered you a chance to own 15% of a movie company and be its effective CFO in the same sentence.

"They are ready to see you now."

"Already?"

"Yes, they were quite understanding. Here." Robin offered out a snifter. "Don't worry, it's a fresh glass. And you look like you need a bit."

Kalifa took it gently, and gave it a taste. "Makino." Robin shot an eyebrow up. Kalifa saw it and shrugged, sipping again.

"Wife works in a high end bar."

"You'll have to take me on one of our monthlies then." Robin smiled.

"Of course. And… Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet." Robin patted her shoulder, and then walked back into the hallway, holding the door for her. "Brook may yet turn out to be another Luffy."

10:00PM

She exited the building, expecting a long search for his parked car. But found him instantly. He sat on the hood of that damn pheonix of a car. Parked in her spot, second from the left, right by the entrance.

"Miss me?" he said coyly, his face a splitting smirk.

"Yes." she answered with a matching smirk. He opened his arms, and she dove into them.

"Here I am." he rubbed her back. "Interesting first date though."

"What?" she pulled back, only enough to look up into his eyes. "You don't like to dress up and get drunk?"

"Well when you say it like that, its party time!" he called into the night sky, a group of smoking spillovers at the corner shouted back their calls.

11:00PM

"-The monster or the man." Zoro finished, he bit his lip, trying not to cry in front of the newbie. Marco nodded soberly, a betraying bottle between his hands as he sat next to Zoro in the cold of a december night.

"Do you feel like a monster?"

"Sometimes." Zoro nodded. "When things get tough usually I just buckle down. But with Sanji i… I get scared, I yell, sometimes I hit things."

"Yeah. I get that." Marco nodded, meeting Zoro's eyes, he took a swig of beer. "I was a lot like you before I found myself locked up. And the old man sorted me out. I don't know much about your family. But I did the same shit, because my dad did it. It's how I learned to cope with the world. But here I am Zoro. I went a lot deeper than you. And I came out. I am different now and i don't give a fuck if someone cares to disagree. I know my facts. I know people can change."

"But…" Zoro took a shuddering breath "How?"

"Write down your reasons, that honesty will wound you." Marco started, passing Zoro another beer. "But it will also bring into focus your goals. From there it is self education, and adaptation. And most importantly. Catch yourself. Even if it seems too late. Stop and reassess the situation."

"That's all?" Zoro shuddered a laugh.

"It is a very simple thing, change. But it's the simplest things that prove the hardest to master." Marco set his beer down. Taking a business card out of his wallet, and a pen from his pocket. "Take this." he passed his card, with his cell number scribbled on. "If i don't miss my mark, i imagine this isn't easy for you to talk about. But I will not judge you, if you need an ear in the future. We all have monsters. You should have someone to talk to about them."