Chapter 2: Party Preparations

"Tag, you're it!" Chopper's voice rang out across the deck. He quickly changed into Jump Point and sprang away before Luffy could turn around and tag him

He didn't need to because Luffy was focused on the crouching form of Usopp on the far side of the ship. Planting his feet, he gave the scared young man a mischievous grin as he stretched his palm out behind him. "Gomu gomu no..."

"Wa...wa...wait Luffy!" stammered Usopp as he raised his hands in defense. "There's no need for..."

"...Tag!" shouted Luffy as his palm shot forward with a twang. The long nosed boy gave a scream but it was cut short as Luffy's 'attack' slammed into his face, sending the poor man flying backwards several feet.

The resulting crash and argument interrupted the conversation currently taking place in the dining room. Nami pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance. "See? Who would honestly be interested in going on a date with him?"

"That girl in town today seemed interested enough. Maybe Luffy should just ask her," Zoro said with a slight snicker.

"He's not going with some random girl!" snapped the red head. She let out a deep sigh of resignation. "I suppose I'll go with him...for a small fee."

"I could make him a date for cheaper than Sister Nami would charge. Hmmm not a bad idea actually..."

"No robot could even replicate the exquisite beauty that is Nami-san."

"But it's the only date you'd ever be able to get love cook."

"What was that you shitty swordsman?"

"Enough!" shouted Nami angrily. "Now is not the time for you two idiots to argue." However, Nami's words were not successful as Zoro drew his swords preparing to attack the angry cook. Before the navigator could break up the fight using more physical means, a soft voice rose above the chaos bringing everyone to a halt.

"I would love to go the the Ball with Luffy-san."

A short time later, Sanji found himself standing in the corner of a small shop, a swirl of smoke surrounding his head like a halo as he chained one cigarette to another. "How the hell did I get stuck with this shitty job?" he muttered to himself. After Robin declared her intent, no amount of discussion (or pleading on his part) had managed to sway her. Sanji had meant to wash his hands from the entire affair but when Nami told him how wonderful he dressed and could he please use his skills to help their poor, clueless captain, he agreed before thinking it through.

"Ohhhhh Sanji! How about this one?" The cook's eye widened in surprise as Luffy came out from behind the curtain. The suit he chose was bright red from head to toe; gaudy gold buttons adorned the jacket in more places than required, and the lapels were a shiny black.

"You look absolutely dashing sir," sad the shopkeeper coming forward with a measuring tape in hand. "Now just let me tailor that for you and..." The man's sentence was cut short as he felt Sanji's hand on his shoulder.

"I don't think so," said the exasperated blonde. He then listed off the jacket, pants, and shirt required and the man set off with a bow to find them.

"But why can't I wear this one?" pouted a disappointed Luffy.

"Because, you buffoon, this event tomorrow is a classy affair and as our captain you should at least appear civilized, at least until you open your mouth. Besides," he said quieter, almost to himself, "if you're going on a date with Robin-chan you best dress to match her beauty..." The shopkeeper appeared from the back and, with a gesture from Sanji, moved to begin tailoring the new suit on Luffy.

For a while, Luffy uncharacteristic stood silent and still while the man did his work. Eventually, he broke the silence, his voice quiet. "Sanji...what's a date?"

Sanji debated for a moment, deciding what to tell his clueless friend so his childlike mind would understand. "Well Luffy, a date is when two people who like each other go out and do something together."

"Ah, I see. So you and I are out on a date now."

"No we're not on a date now!" Sanji shouted as veins pulsed in his forehead. "People who have romantic feelings for one another go on dates!"

"I'm all done sirs," the tailor said as he began to remove the suit from Luffy. "I'll have everything done by the end of the day. I shall deliver it to your ship." Sanji paid with the money Nami had luckily given him, and escorted Luffy out of the shop.

"Hey Sanji, if Robin wants to go on a date with me does that mean she has feelings for me?"

"A mature, refined woman like my Robin-chan could never have romantic feelings for a shitty rubberman like you. She was the only person interested in going to the Ball besides you. Your only other option was a robot."

"Eh?! A robot?! That would have been so cool!"

"Why?" Nami asked, stopping her search. Her and Robin had left the ship first thing in the morning and set off to the town to find a dress for the party tonight. While the day had been full of conversation, the woman could tell something was bothering the normally vocal navigator. So the question came as no surprise to the archeologist.

When an answer was not immediately given, the red head continued to push for information. "I mean, sure, the guy has risked his lives for all of us several times and would do so again without any hesitation. But still, its Luffy." She looked at Robin, trying to get the woman to understand but she only laughed softly.

"There is nothing wrong with Captain-san. We all spend time with him on the ship, an evening on an island is nothing different."

"But it's a date, it's completely different."

"If I was going with Zoro would you feel the same way? Perhaps you are just jealous Nami."

Nami's faced turned bright red bringing another laugh from Robin. "I don't have any feelings for that idiot. If anything I'm jealous of you getting to spend an evening out with fine food, wine, and dancing. I crashed quite a few parties before I started sailing with everyone and they were a blast. But I don't miss them enough to put up with Luffy for an entire evening. And besides..." Nami started, but cut short when she saw the sad look on Robin's face. She went over and gave the older woman a hug. "Robin, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult you and Luffy. He's a great guy, well all know that. He's just not...well, he's not my type."

Robin gave the young woman a sad smile. "It's not that. I just, as a young kid I was always picked on and once I fled my home...well, there just isn't time to go to balls and parties when you're constantly on the run from the government. So when the opportunity presented itself, I just couldn't help myself. I hope that doesn't disappoint Luffy-san."

Surprised by the usually reserved woman's admission, Nami gave her friend a warm smile. "Robin sometimes I forget how rough a life you've had. Don't worry about Luffy, he'll find entertainment regardless. You should just focus on having a good time. We definitely need to find a dress that's a real head turner," She returned to searching through the rack, with much more determination.

Robin smiled to herself and went back to searching as well. She felt a little bad for lying to her friend, but the black haired beauty had always kept her true emotions hidden. Nami was right about the dress, but the truth was there was only one head she secretly hoped to turn.