A Performer's Poison (Portgas D. Ace x Reader)

Chapter 1

The sun is beginning to set and you chug a few glasses of water to clear your throat for tonight, as patrons start spilling into the bar. You take a few breaths and step onto the rounded, wooden platform against the wall. Some of the bar-goers already begin to cheer and you give your signature smile. 

This bar has sat here in the town of Robelle for many years now, holding many different performers. You would go as far as to say there were no bars with such little complications. 

-"Good evening ladies..." You pause and add a slight purr into your next words, "and gentlemen." I hope you're all ready to enjoy yourselves tonight!" The bar roars with enthusiasm. 

The music starts and you dance with light steps on stage making eye contact with the bar-goers, smiling all the while your (f/c) knee-length slip dress is gaining all the attention it deserves. Stepping off the stage, you walk by patrons and dance with others; making sure even the wall flowers have some fun too. That's just the energy this pub gives, a welcoming place for everyone to enjoy themselves regardless of what's going on outside. 

You walk up to your friend Kazu, the bartender, and begin serenating her in a playful manner, managing to get some whoops and hollers from the crowd just before the song comes to a close. You spin on your heel towards the band smiling mischievously and they return the gaze.

-"Hit it!" You scream. 

(A/N: The first 40 seconds is what I'm sort of describing for those who don't know swing)

Your friends began to play an upbeat Big Band song, making the bar go wild. Everyone begins pushing tables and chairs along the walls to make room for a crowd as you dance with some of the customers. You're bombarded with an entourage of dancing and laughing. You lift your skirt slightly and kick your legs with a big smile planted firmly on your gleaming face. 

One of the men grabs you by the hips and begins twirling you around, synchronizing with your feet and tossing you around his waist and through his legs. You spin on your own and he gets on one knee to watch you, clapping along with the beat, letting you show off before grabbing you again. You were moving so fast before you went to another partner that you only got a glimpse of the man who, quite literally, took your breath away. All you could see was an orange hat and black hair. Mental note taken. 

You continue dancing with other guests all the while Kazu giggled to herself. You noticed and made a B-line for her; grabbing her and forcing her into the dance as well. The clapping and cheering was booming, you were having the time of your life until an uneasy feeling washed over you, but you kept a smile nonetheless. 

Suddenly a cloaked man steps into the dance with you and puts a firm grip on your wrist and you winced slightly and your face displayed a slight panic. Kazu noticed and tried to calmly step in and retrieve you without alarming anyone, but he wouldn't let go. You quietly whispered to the man to let go, but he said nothing. The song finished and the room roared again, so to not cause distress you took a bow while the man still discreetly held your wrist. Your friends in the band continued to play soft jazz while everyone went back to drinking and the man walked you to the back with Kazu following behind a few feet away.  

It wasn't uncommon for men to get handsy here, but it was normally easy to get them to stop. You've been performing here for years and this was the first time you began to get scared.

-"I've been watching you for days, you will be a perfect gift to the World Nobles." The man said while pulling down his hood, displaying a disgusting grin that made you sick. Pure fear ensued. 

-"Ka-", is all you could scream before being knocked out and dragged out the back door.

Kazu ran into the room as the man got onto a sled after throwing you on. She ran back into the bar, got on the staged, and screamed for everyone's attention. 

-"A HOODED MAN IS TAKING HER!"

With that the music stopped abruptly and the locals shot out of their stools, running out the door. The once happy and calm bar was now in chaos as the town didn't want to lose an important member of their community. While the town was now rampaging into a manhunt, a certain pirate stood up from his barstool and left the pub; a deep scowl running underneath the shadow casted from his hat. 

(...)

Upon waking up, you found yourself in a room of some kind. The door swung open with force and a different man emerged, grabbing the chains attached to your wrists and yanking you out of the room. You could hear a man talking a few rooms over, but it was too muffled to hear anything. It was all happening too fast for your mind to keep up.

Next thing you knew, you were being pushed onto a stage, but the lights were too bright to see the audience.

-"Give it up...for the DANCING MUSIC BOX! Only 600,000 Beri! She'll entertain you for hours, so what do ya' say?"

Although you couldn't see the faces of the audience, you saw many cards shoot up into the air, but your thoughts were cut off from the blaring speakers. 

-"SOLD!"

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I have absolutely no idea if I should even bother continuing this or not, please let me know.

Thank you for reading.