Swallowing a mouthful of food, Luffy looked up at the stranger. It was a petite young woman with a chin length bob and side-swept bangs.

"Who're you?" He asked.

The woman narrowed her eyes and slammed her hands against the table. The silverware shuddered from the convulsion. Sliding her body across the surface, she leaned in close to him.

"Apparently," she said through clenched teeth, "I'm the hostess."

"The hostess?" Luffy chomped down on a piece of meat. "Like a waiter?"

She drew back in disgust as particles of meat flew at her. Flicking specks of food off her white button down, she scowled. "What're you doing in my house?"

"Our ship-"

Zoro interrupted him. "-It's none of your business."

The woman slammed her hands against the table again and turned a sharp eye to Zoro. "None of my business?" She scoffed. "You're in my house, eating my food and it's none of my business?"

"Jessabel," a woman purred from the dining room doorway, "what's with all the commotion?"

Everyone stopped what they were doing and directed their attention to the right. Standing in the entryway was a much older woman. She had shoulder length hair that laid in waves, and she was wearing a plain white shirt and navy blue pants.

Jessabel stood at attention and saluted. "Ma'am."

"Stop," the woman gestured for her to quit saluting, "there's no need for formality, just tell me what's going on."

Jessabel dropped her arm. "It's nothing, Bitsy," she dismissed.

The older woman, Bitsy, frowned. "Nothing? I can hear you from the kitchen. It must be something."

"We have uninvited guests," Jessabel said, her biting blue eyes reflecting hostility, "but it's nothing that I can't handle."

"Uninvited guests?" Bitsy turned an eye to Zoro and then to Luffy.

"Yes," Jessable answered, combing a hand through her blonde tresses.

"I see."

Bitsy stared at Luffy with a knowing eye. He was easily recognizable and there was no mistaking who he was. Anyone with a brain would be able to identify him. But even though she knew who he was, she politely asked, "May I have your names?"

Luffy swallowed a spoonful of soup. "That's Zoro," he said, pointing his spoon to the swordsman, "and I'm Luffy!"

Bitsy brushed strands of purple hair from her cheeks and smiled kindly at them. Unlike Jessabel, she had warm eyes that mirrored the color of honey. Walking across the room, she stood on the opposite side of the table in front of Luffy.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," she smirked, "Straw Hat Luffy."

The room stood in silence.

Jessabel stumbled back and a variety of emotions flickered across her face-from fear, to astonishment, to anger. How could she not have realized who this man was? It was foolish on her part and she felt extremely embarrassed. Obviously Bitsy knew who he was the moment she laid eyes on him; Which fumed her even more. How could she be so calm with such a notorious pirate in their home?

Pulling a chair out, Bitsy took a seat. "Don't just gawk at them, Jessabel, It's rude. Let's treat these fine men as welcomed guests." Her cheeks tightened as she smiled, the wrinkles around her eyes becoming more noticeable.

"T-They aren't," Jessabel was so flustered and furious that she could barely speak, "t-they a-aren't guests!"

"Oh?" Bitsy hummed thoughtfully. "I suppose a guest is someone who is invited into one's home." Leaning over the table, she reached her hand out to Luffy and smiled. "Welcome to our home. I invite you to stay for as long as you'd like."

Luffy grinned and stretched his arm across the table. "Thanks! We're sort of stranded, so-"

Zoro almost fell over at Luffy's senselessness. "Don't tell them that!"

"Don't worry," Bitsy winked at Zoro, "I won't say a word."

When she let go of Luffy's hand, she watched his arm snap back into place with curiosity. "It's one thing to hear about your devil fruit powers, but to see them," she shook with excitement, "it's thrilling."

Jessabel inhaled a long breath. The frustration was building up inside of her and she strained to hold back a mess of words.

Offering an empty plate to Zoro, Bitsy nudged her head to the platters of food on the table. "Help yourself."

Zoro didn't take the plate and stood firm in his spot. "No thanks."

Bitsy shrugged and placed the plate down in front of an open seat. "When you're ready then."

Jessabel ran a stressful hand through her hair. Moving behind Bitsy, she held onto the back of her chair and leaned down. Pressing her cheek to the side of her head, she whispered into the woman's ear.

"For goodness sakes," Bitsy slapped at Jessabel almost immediately, "why would we do that?"

Jessabel's eyes widened with anger. "Why?!" She wasn't whispering anymore. "You and I both know that we can get in serious trouble for sharing a meal with an enemy!"

Zoro slowly turned a cautious eye to Luffy. "We should go."

Luffy frowned. "Really? But we just got here!"

Jessabel crossed her arms and stood upright. "I agree, you should go."

The smile in Bitsy's eyes disappeared. Rubbing her index finger against the corner of her eye in annoyance she sucked in a tight breath. "Jessabel, I think you should leave."

"Excuse me?" Jessabel's jaw dropped. "You think that I should leave?"

"Yes," Bitsy said calmly, not bothering to look at her, "I do."

"You-But-" Jessabel's hands clenched at her sides. She couldn't understand what was going on in the woman's head.

"Well," Bitsy waved a dismissing hand over her shoulder, "get going."

Jessabel restrained her tongue. Even though she had a great deal to say, she knew better than to argue with a superior. With a careless salute, she muttered "Yes ma'am." and walked towards the door.

"Oh," Bitsy perked up, giving the young woman a side glance, "and Jessabel-"

Jessabel stopped at the door, but she didn't say anything.

"Don't contact anyone about our guests and that's an order."

Jessabel clamped her jaw tight. Clenching a fist at her side, holding herself back from punching the door, she nodded. "Yes ma'am."

Bitsy's smile returned when Jessabel took her leave and she looked back at Luffy. Propping her elbows onto the table, she pressed her chin to her knuckles and leaned forward.

"I've been wanting to meet you, Straw Hat Luffy."