A/N: This is way overdue; I'll spare you the excuses and just offer my apologies for taking so long. No more delay, enjoy the story.
Chapter 3: The Pirate's Ball
After returning to the ship, Robin and Nami retreated to the woman's quarters to get ready. Nami was surprised by how the mature woman was acting. While Robin still maintained her usual composure, Nami would catch her breaking her stoic exterior from the corner of her eye. A flush to her checks as she looked over her dress again. A soft smile as she made sure her hair was perfect in the mirror. Nami turned and smiled at the woman's obvious excitement. She almost wished she could go along to experience the ball with her.
Meanwhile Luffy, much to everyone's surprise, also retired to get ready for the ball after his shopping trip. However, it was quickly evident that he only did so at Sanji's insistence. The blonde often left the kitchen and went below to 'check-in' on his captain. His muffled shouts could be heard throughout the ship as he berated Luffy for goofing off and not taking this seriously. Every time he returned to the deck muttering under his breath and lighting a fresh cigarette.
As the sun set, the crew gathered in the galley to eat dinner. With the absence of Luffy the meal was rather subdued; for the first time anyone could remember there were actually leftovers. However, leave it to the Captain to interrupt a meal he wasn't even attending. "Sanji!" his angry shout echoed across the deck. Cursing out loud, the blonde stormed out of the kitchen. The rest of the crew, intrigued to see the results of all the afternoons struggles, filed out onto the deck.
The sight of Luffy and Sanji arguing wasn't that surprising of a thing, but dark haired boy's outfit sure was. He had been fitted with a three piece, dark gray suit with lighter pinstripes. A pocket square matched the maroon dress shirt and a light gray tie finished off the ensemble. The crew was brought out of their shocked state as Sanji ended the argument by kicking Luffy across the deck.
"Shitty Captain doesn't deserve an evening out with Robin-chan." Sanji muttered while Luffy stood up, opening his mouth as if to argue back but stopped hearing a door open from behind him. His jaw, and everyone else's, hit the floor as Robin stepped out. She wore a simple, dark blue dress that sparkled slightly with her movements. Tied behind her neck, the straps down ran low to reveal a teasing glimpse of the raven haired woman's bust. Most surprising was her hair; usually worn down it was instead intricately tied up, full of curls and waves. While the whole outfit was simple, it was perhaps Robin's inner glow that was making her an image of beauty.
"Ohhh Robin, you look real nice!" The Straw Hats, already speechless by Robin's entrance, were blown away by the comment of the usually clueless Luffy.
"Why thank you Luffy-san, you look quite handsome yourself. But I think you are missing something..." Puzzled, Luffy looked on as Robin just smiled at him and closed her eyes. Hands began to sprout from the deck of the Thousand Sunny forming a path below deck. Within a matter of seconds, the hands passed along Luffy's straw hat, the last hand tossing it so it landed on his head. "There, much better. Shall we go?"
"But we can't go yet Robin..." said Luffy uncertainly, his eyes shifting to look at Sanji.
"And why not?" said Nami, no longer frozen with shock. "The two of you will be late as is and I can't imagine Robin is going to be walking very fast in those heels."
"No need to worry Nami-swan, I arrange for..." but Sanji was cut off as Luffy rushed excitedly to the side of the ship. The crew joined him, taking in the sight of a carriage coming to stop. The driver got out and opened the door, awaiting his fares.
"Woohoo, let's go Robin!" Unable to wait any longer, Luffy took off bounding down the ramp. As he entered their ride, the driver bowed low to him. Smiling, Robin made her way to the carriage as well. The driver graciously offered his hand to help the beautiful woman climb aboard. His fares settled in, the driver climbed back into his own seat and set the carriage off down the road.
As soon as the two were out of earshot, and angry Nami turned and punched Sanji hard on the head. "Why the hell did you rent them a carriage. I didn't approve of this. The money is coming out of your share idiot."
"But my love, it wasn't my idea. It was the shitty captain's idea."
Her fist poised to hit the cook again, Nami's anger faded away into puzzlement. She turned to regard the image of her two friends disappearing down the road. Where did Luffy get an idea like that?
As the carriage made its way to the mansion, both Straw Hats sat in silence. Robin, hands clasped in her lap, kept her gaze forward. However, out of the corner of her eye she watched her captain with interest. Instead of looking and exclaiming at his surroundings excitedly, he sat in complete silence, an almost bored look on his face. Robin was slightly concerned by his attitude. Hadn't he been the one who eagerly accepted this invitation to the ball? Did he no longer want to go? Robin did her best to remain stoic as the thought that perhaps the rubberman was so gloom because he was disappointed to be going with her. Glancing at him again, the archeologist noticed his leg tapping against the floor as if it was full of pent up energy. The motion, which was so Luffy-like, made Robin chuckle in relief.
"Eh Robin, what's so funny?" Luffy asked her, a puzzled look on his face.
She turned, regarding him with a smile. "It is nothing Luffy, I'm just surprised by how calm you seem to be."
"Sanji told me if I didn't behave and act like a gentleman I wouldn't get dinner for a month." Hearing the terror in his voice over what seemed to be such a simple thing compared to everything the man had faced made Robin chuckle again.
"Don't worry Captain-san, I won't tell Sanji."
"Shishshi, thanks Robin," he laughed flashing his trademark grin. Immediately his demeanor changed; he began to look out of the carriage earnestly, taking in his surrounds and pointing out the simplest things. "Oh Robin, look at these houses. They're huge!" he exclaimed, eyes jutting from his head in excitement.
"They are quite extravagant. We must be in the rich part of town." As if to confirm her observation, an open top carriage similar to theirs came down the street beside them. The woman, dressed elegantly, looked over Robin critically, the disdain obvious on her face. The look hurt the usually indifferent woman.
As Robin turned to look away, Luffy leaned around her and waved excitedly at the couple riding next to them. The noblewoman wore a look of disgust at the gesture. The looked quickly changed to fear as her eyes drifted to his hat and she pulled on her companions arm, whispering urgently in his ear. The man, a grim expression on his face, said something quietly to the driver. The man shouted at the driver and the carriage began to speed up, leaving behind the two crew mates.
"Oh I think they want to race!" Luffy shouted while bouncing up and down on the seat. "Driver go faster" he exclaimed loudly.
"Sir, I don't think that's what they intended..." he said hesitantly, looking back towards the obviously more level headed woman. However, all she did was smile at him, a rare mischievous twinkly in her gray eyes. The driver considered his options for a moment and whether it was due to Luffy's increasing insistence or the fear of angering the powerful pirate he gave in. With a tutting noise his horse began to speed up, quickly gaining on the carriage in front of them.
Luffy gave a whoop of exhilaration, gripping onto the frame of the carriage with one hand while holding onto his precious hat with the other. Hearing the commotion behind them, the couple turned to see the image of a carriage bearing down on them with the fearsome Straw Hat Luffy shouting like a madman in the back. His hard exterior broken, the man shouted fearfully at the driver to go faster. The 'race' was on.
Robin couldn't help but to be caught up in the moment. Standing up next to Luffy, she let out her own shout of excitement. The two parties began to careen through the streets of the town without regard to their surroundings. The carriage hit a loose cobble in the street; it tipped sharply to the side and Robin lost her balance. She desperately tightened her grip on the rail, but to no avail. With the carriage still bucking wildly the archeologist couldn't maintain her hold and felt herself being tossed from the ride.
Time slowed as Robin saw the road rushing to meet her. Suddenly, she felt a strong hand grab her waist. Looking back she saw Luffy, arm stretched out, grinning madly. Pulling the woman close against his body, the young man laughed. "Don't worry Robin, I'll never let anything happen to you."
She grabbed tightly onto her captain, finding him to be much sturdier than the carriage. The couple in front of them finally gave up trying to outrun them and turned sharply into a side street. "We win!" exclaimed a victorious Luffy. The driver immediately slowed down the carriage to its normal speed. Robin realized she was still holding onto Luffy tightly. She quickly let go, a blush coming to her face. "That was fun wasn't it?" chuckled Luffy.
Allowing herself a few moments to regain composure, Robin sat down on the seat and smiled. "Yes Luffy-san, it was."
Laughing, Luffy sat back down as well. "I can't wait until we get to this ball. It's gonna be so much fun."
As their carriage passed through the main gate, both Robin and Luffy were speechless; despite the darkness, they could tell the grounds of the estate were very large. Twinkly lights punctured the night, illuminated paths that weaved through the well-manicured gardens. The drive led straight to the mansion; it was a massive three story structure made of light stone, with several turrets, a dark sloping roof and large windows. As the carriage made its way around the paved circle in front of the main doors, the Straw Hats could hear the sounds on music and conversation floating out from within the house.
Pulling up to the door, the driver quickly hopped out of his seat and opened the door for his passengers. Helping the fair Robin from the carriage, the driver was barely able to get out of the way as Luffy bounded out of the open door. Eager to be free from these obvious troublemakers, the poor man hopped back into his seat and quickly sped off.
Seeing guest arrive, the doorman opened the wooden doors and bowed the pair inside. Luffy took off at once, but stopped quickly in his tracks. The woman behind him was puzzled, until the young man turned and offered his arm to her. Smiling, she lightly placed her arm in his and together they crossed the threshold.
Down a short hallway they traveled until entering a brightly lit room. The two stood in the doorway, taking in the impressive sight before them. The room was lavishly decorated; Robin noted many rare and valuable painting lining its walls. At the far end of the hall an orchestra played soft music while couples danced on the floor in front of them. The room itself was packed with many people dressed in the latest fashions mingling with one another while serving men in tuxedoes darting in between the guest serving food and drinks
The two Straw Hats were broken from the spell as a small man beside them cleared his throat and his voice echoed over the noise in the room. "Introducing Captain Monkey D. Luffy, escorting Ms. Nico Robin."
The crowd turned to look at the pair, whispering to one another. Luffy smiled widely and laughed at the sudden attention of the crowd and moved to enter the room with Robin in tow. However, his feet barely hit the floor before another voice echoed in the room, bringing the chatter and music to a stop.
"Straw Hat Luffy!" A large man pushed himself through the crowd, his naval dress indicating his rank of Vice Admiral. "By order of the World Government I place you under arrest."
A/N: Well there you have, a nice long chapter after a very long hiatus. Don't know what the readership will be for this one, but I plan on finishing it in the next two months or so. Hope you enjoyed it - SF