Chapter Eighteen
Yuki and Mizuki decided to hit the dance floor when they reached the hall, joining a myriad of swirling skirts and glittering accessories. The music had picked up a bit after they left for the food, and now the dances were more energetic and erratic. The two of them guessed that it was because it was getting later in the evening and the partygoers needed an adrenaline boost.
After mixing in with the other dancers, the two women blended in with the crowd and enjoyed themselves. Mizuki was happy with the knowledge that her friend wasn't dead, and Yuki found another close friend that she could count on again.
The music drowned out any lingering depression, causing the night to be full of cheerful festivities.
Ace, after thoroughly cleaning off his face, returned to the dance hall to find Mizuki and talk some more. To his disappointment, he couldn't see her amongst the mass of moving bodies.
When the song that was playing, a fast-paced rock song, picked up speed, some person grabbed him and pulled him into the crowd. Sucked into the positive energy that was circling around, he went with it and forgot his earlier exhaustion.
A while later, the song ended and everyone took a quick breather as the musicians went to get drinks of water before playing again. One of the dancers standing on the side was carefully cutting off most of her skirt, giving herself more mobility for better dancing. She cut it about knee level, slanting down in back.
Once the musicians readied themselves, people went back onto the dance floor and switched partners again. He found himself face to face with the girl Mizuki had been talking to earlier, the one with the elaborate mask and shortened dress. She looked surprised when she saw his face, and he wondered if she recognized him as "Fire Fist" Ace.
The music began again, a spanish song about a mariachi band, and the two of them positioned themselves carefully, daintily holding each other in a fashion close to the tango or some other similar dance. It fit the music well, though it was a bit faster than normal, and they were off, spinning and gliding through the crowd of dancers.
When the music reached its peak and switched over to the chorus, Ace dipped the woman, who matched him step for step. They were on the same wavelength, as if they had practiced together for years. Little did he know, they might as well have.
It continued that way for the remainder of the song. The two amazing dancers were gaining spectators and onlookers who had cleared an area in the center of the floor for them. They were completely oblivious to the people watching them, absorbed in their own little world created by the music.
When the song ended, Ace lowered her into another dip, the woman placing one of her feet over her partner's ankle to keep her balance. It was an amazing performance, unintentional though it was. Ace and the woman finally noticed the people around them, now cheering and clapping.
Quickly pulling the masked woman back up, Ace took a little, embarrassed bow and left, subconsciously pulling the woman with him. He was very surprised that he could dance like that, let alone with a stranger.
He noticed that Mizuki was following them, and wondered where Sabo had gotten off to. Ace was happy, though. He had been able to enjoy himself after all, and he really did have fun with the dancing, and his partner had been really good.
She had said nothing the entire time he was with her. The mysterious masked girl who was following him through the crowd knew Mizuki and had recognized him. She had been mute even when asked questions or apologised to.
Mizuki had caught up with the two of them. "Hey, Ace! Wait up!"
The dance partners slowed and turned to face her. She could tell that Yuki was scared. Scared of revealing herself or scared of something else, she didn't know, but she knew that her friend was scared.
Ace looked curious, excited, like a little kid who had just played his favorite game and won. He was still holding onto Yuki's hand, causing her to submissively follow him and go along with whatever he did.
Mizuki grabbed her other hand, glaring at Ace. "Oi, can't you see she's scared? The crowd must have been too much for her," she snapped, pulling Yuki closer. Ace hastily let go of her hand, looking shocked.
"Ah, I'm sorry," he muttered apologetically. "I didn't notice."
Yuki nodded, still being silent. She feared that if she spoke, he would recognize her voice as Mizuki had. That was something that she couldn't have happen. He had already met up with Sabo, and that was enough excitement for one night.
"Would you tell me your name? It was an amazing dance, I'd like to remember you in case we run into each other somewhere else," Ace asked kindly, grinning happily. "Course, I probably won't recognize you since you're wearing that mask."
Yuki leaned over to Mizuki to whisper, "I'm being called Arika right now."
Mizuki nodded, understanding. "Her name is Arika, and she had a good time, too. I saw you two, you looked amazing together. I'm glad you both managed to enjoy yourselves tonight." She grinned, lighting up one finger.
Ace did the same, holding it up to Mizuki's. Yuki was at a loss for what to do in order to join them, so Mizuki grabbed a candle off a nearby table and handed it to her. She was so happy she nearly cried.
The evening wasn't perfect, by any means, but she had found out that Ace loved her the same way she had loved him. She had gotten to dance with him, Mizuki wasn't nearly as pissed as she had thought the fiery girl would be, and Ace had been able to meet Sabo again after all this time.
When Yuki pulled the candle back and set it on the table again, she nodded thanks to Ace and grinned, wiping her face. The flame that lit the candle on the table was peach colored, lighting the wall behind it. It was a symbol of the "new" friendship between them.
Sabo, who had found Robin talking to some scholars in a corner of the food bar, was summoning people to the main plaza between the buildings. One of his tasks as a high authority in the Revolutionary Army was to address the guests at a party before his commander did, getting their attention and focus.
He had people slowly herding the crowds into the square. Once nearly all of the guests were accumulated, be began his introduction speech.
"Welcome, allies of the Revolutionary Army! Have you been enjoying the party?"
A cheer rose in a reply to his question, and he waited patiently for it to die down before speaking again. There were so many countries and organizations represented that evening in the plaza, and the amount of culture-oriented outfits was impressive.
"We all know why we're here. To have fun and develop a stronger bond with each other in order to stand firm against the World Government." He paused. "I have spoken to a great number of people tonight. Each person had a different story to share with me, and I was very surprised to find that many of you have backgrounds similar to my own."
Sabo grinned, bowing his head slightly. "I was raised in a kingdom in East Blue. The people there were treated like trash if they weren't nobles or royalty. The trash dump outside the city was burned to ashes, even though it was home to many impoverished people. They didn't even tell the people living there that the fire was going to be set; they intended to burn the people along with the trash because that's what those people were to them. Trash. I joined this army in order to prevent things like this in the future."
The crowd was silent, unmoving, unspeaking. Each and every person was thinking of something similar to that story. As Sabo had stated, each of them had their own story or reason to join with the Revolutionary Army.
Sabo wiped a tear away from his eye. "My name is Sabo, and I am your ally! Please welcome our leader, Dragon!" he exclaimed happily, stepping aside.
The revolutionary was very tall, and on the platform, he towered over the crowd. His presence was commanding by itself. A strong gust picked up because of his Devil's Fruit power, the power to control the weather, and added to the effect.
Dragon grinned in that way he had, and began. "I organized these festivities in order to get to know you all better and thank you for giving this movement your support and effort. I know some of you are concerned about your countries. That concern is reasonable, but know this! As you have lent us your support, we will do the same. In order to succeed in attaining our goals, we need to help each other.
"The World Government is corrupt. It has been for an incredibly long time. My estimate is that it has been in power since the Void Century, when the twenty kings got together to form the system we have now. Only one of those twenty original kings does not seem corrupt, or is no longer. I must give special mention to King Nefertari of Alabasta, who has joined us here tonight, accompanied by his daughter, Princess Vivi. Thank you, we hope to have a long-standing relationship with your country."
Clapping erupted as the king stepped forwards. He was a kind man who was also well-respected by his fellow kings from other countries. He ruled with a kind hand, always caring about his people and the people of other countries.
Once the clapping died down, Dragon continued his speech. "So I say this here and now, for every one of you to remember and carry. My goal is to protect the innocent people and destroy that corruption that would harm others. I need your help in order to achieve my goal. Thank you all for coming here tonight, and I wish you to enjoy the remainder of the evening."
The thunder of clapping reached every building, making the windows vibrate and the air quiver. The plaza was full of excited, strongly motivated people. Dragon had done his job well, he knew how to move the people. Whether those people were simple farmers or royalty, it didn't matter.
I may end up adding extra chapters about the characters we've left out so far. They won't be directly
following the story, but they may be involved. ^.^
Watch for them!