The mirror was huge, reflecting fully her body. Her long hair were let down, a crown of daisies on her head. The dress was sleeveless, covered in flowers that fell into the long skirt made of tulle.

"Lady Tion, are you ready?"

"Yes. I'm coming."

She got out of the room, walking until she reached the enormous door that would led her to the altar. The door opened and she stepped into the rain of flowers and music. Her soon to be husband stood there, smiling like the maniac he was. She moved forward, steps muffled by the great, red carpet that lead her way. Everyone seemed to have a malicious aura around them, even the priest. It was terrifying, but still Tion moved, slowly but surely, until she stood near Lord Edwin.

"Brothers and sisters." The priest started. "We are here to unite these two human beings in the holy way of marriage and became man and wife."

Tion's eyebrow twitched dangerously.

"Like our holy book says..."

"Can we skip?" Tion asked, a little irritated, earning an annoyed glance from the priest.

"Well, then. Lord Edwin, do you promise to maintain Tion and protect her?"

"Yes, I do"

"Lady Tion, do you promise to love and care and revere Lord Edwin till the day you'll die? And to do as said, be diligent and give him sons?"

"No."

The priest sputtered. "No?"

"No." She said, before turning and punching Lord Edwin in the face, before taking a little knife from her bouquet and cutting horizontally her dress just above her knees. Holding the lower part and pulled harshly, breaking the frail tulle and revealing her pale legs before running away.

"Follow her!" Someone shouted. But Tion was already running towards the docks, laughing like a maniac. Followed by a mob of angry nobles, she reached Ace's boat, turning towards the people.

"Ok, ok, wait, I have to-" She hopped a little as she took her shoes out, before throwing them to the nobles, hitting two of them on the head. Turning again she curled up before jumping on the rather high boat as it started to move towards the ocean.

"Yes! I did it! I knew a month of exercise would have paid!" She said throwing her fist in the air. "Listen up you nobles! I'm heading out and I'm not going to return! I am my own person, not a doll you can play with! Bye all, losers!" She said, foot slamming on the railing in the most unlady like fashion.

"You hoolingan! We can see your panties from here! I raised you better than-" A bouquet slammed rather violently on Lord Reginald's face, shutting him up.

"Stuff it old man!" She screamed, showing him her middle finger, laughing. Ace got out from the cabin, smiling like a loon.

"Congratulation! Welcome to the world of piracy!" He said, handing her a pint of rum. She took it hesitantly.

"What is it?"

"Your party!" He said, holding his pint high in the evening sky. "Congratulation for your new role as a Spade Pirate!" He said, before taking a gulp.

"Thank you." She smiled, sipping her drink before sputtering. "Oh goddess, it's horrible."

"Don't worry, it'll get better as you drink" He laughed, tipping her off. "Well then." He said, putting the pint down, his expression softening. "Would you honour me with your first dance as runaway nobility?"

"Spades! Of course I will" She smiled, taking the hand he offered, walzing into the violet light of sunset, without music beside their laugher.

It was much later, when the sun was swallowed by the ocean and the stars and the full moon shone brightly that they stopped, throwing themselves into the deck. Ace was sprawled like a star, Tion laid specular to him, her head cushioned by his arm.

"That was fun." Ace said, slurring a little, clearly a little drunk

"It was" Tion confirmed, a little out of it. She placed both her hands on her stomach. "I think I'm drunk" She said, making Ace laugh.

"I know I'm drunk"

"Ugh, someone should be sober to control the ship..."

"Yeah, but it's no fun to party alone."

"True."

Silence fell on them, not unpleasant at all.

"Look how beautiful the stars are."

"And how quiet the sea is..." Tion turned towards him at that, smiling shyly

"Should I tell you a secret?" She said, laughing a little.

"Mh?"

"I am a little afraid of the ocean. And of the dark. This is the first time I'm not scared. Maybe it's because I know the sea will give me freedom."

"Are you not afraid of the dark now?"
"Not at all. The moon is shining so brightly...and you're with me. If I could not protect myself you will, I know." At that Ace turned towards her too.

"You became strong enough that you don't need my protection, but we are like family now, so I will protect you."

"Family, eh? How nice..." She smiled sweetly and sadly. "Shall I call you brother from now on?"

"You could, but I'm not sure Luffy would be pleased." Ace laughed, making Tion laugh too.

"Ace?" She asked, once she calmed down. Silence answered her. Turning she saw him sleep peacefully. Smiling she got up and took him to his hammock. "Good night captain." She said, kissing his cheek.

The sun was high in the sky when Ace finally got out from the cabin.

"Good morning Captain!" Ace turned and had a double take.

"Tion?! What the hell did you do to your hair?!" She laughed, making a pirouette to make him see her new attire. She wore black boots and a pair of large black pants, a yellow shirt that was so large that reached her elbow, a cyan neckerchief around her neck and a matching bandanna on her head. A little fanny pack hung on her right hip. Her hair were cut really short on the back but on the front were a little longer and were dyed black.

"How do I look?"

"Well...you look good but..."

"It's for our protection, you know. Like that no one can recognise me as Lady Tion, I'm just Tion from the Spades" Ace nodded

"It's a good idea."

"What do we do now, captain?"

"I don't really know..." And then, his stomach growled, making Tion laugh.

"Ok, ok, breakfast first"

Two week passed, full of laugher and jokes, until...

"Is that a blood stain?" Ace asked with a raised bow. Tion stopped washing the material, looking at him from above her shoulder with an expression of uncertainty.

"Ehm...yes?" She asked more than answered.

"Why are your trousers stained with blood?" He asked, cocking his head to the side.

"Weeeeeeeell, you know, sometimes happens..."

"What?...oh God, are you ill? Is it dangerous? Are you dying?!"

"Ace, Ace! Calm down! It's only my period!" She shouted, throwing her soaped hands in the air.

"...Oh." There was a moment of silence. "And what is a 'period'?"

Tion facepalmed. "Oh, good goddess of the Sea..."

"I'm sorry! It's just that I lived with just my brother in a jungle from 10 years old until now!" Tion nodded.

"Ok. Can I talk to Spades?" Ace nodded and his entire body language changed. A bright smile bloomed on his lips as he became more relaxed.

"Hello Tion. How can I help you today?"

"Do you know what a period is?" Spade sputtered.

"I- well- why are you asking?!"

"Because Ace doesn't know!" Tion glared, hands on her hips.

"Well, I- I read about it..."

"Then why on Earth you didn't explain that to Ace?!"
"Because he's my brother! It's weird!" He pouted, blushing.

"Wait, what did you tell him during the time I couldn't train last month?"

"...just that you weren't feeling well." Tion facepalmed.

"Why hadn't Queen then?"

"Because even if she is a woman, we share a male body...she never had a period herself, I don't even now if she knows what-" He cringed. "Ok, she just shouted to me. She knows." She nodded.

"Well then, should I explain it to him? Or will she do it?"

"I don't know. Who will traumatize him less?"

"Queen, probably."

"I agree. But I'll let you know that probably he won't talk to you for a while after that..."

"Awww, come on! We are the only one on this ship for now! I will get crazy if he doesn't want to talk to me!"

"I'll try to talk to him, ok?"

"Thanks Spade, you're a friend."

As expected, Ace was awkward with Tion when he first saw her again after their conversation, until Tion beat some sense in his head with a frying pan.