Ameliorate ✦ One Piece

14

It wasn't long before dinner would begin, and by now guests had been gathered in the foyer. With a small look around, Akira took note of some unfamiliar faces among them that hadn't been there for their group's initial arrival. While Nami was busy talking to the man whose name Akira had yet to learn, she could also see Luffy engaged in a conversation with Usopp as they both eagerly indulged in the small bite-sized food that Sham had been passing around while they waited.

Off in her own little corner, Akira let her eyes turn to the bookcase she'd gravitated towards while they waited, going back to scanning over the titles written out on the spines within it. But her attention was taken away once more as she heard Luffy's voice call out loudly.

"Hey, Zoro! You gotta try this!" He suggested excitedly as he pointed to some of the food in his hands, having eagerly restocked once the staff member with a tray passed by him again. It made Akira laugh and shake her head.

"I've got all I need right here." She heard Zoro mumble back quietly, watching as he took a swig of whatever alcoholic beverage he'd been served in his glass, neatly decorated with a slice of orange.

"Pace yourself." She said in a slightly warning tone. "We're guests. Nobody wants a drunken scene, do we?"

"I can handle it."

With a small shrug, Akira let it be. She didn't know if his words were true or not. After all, she'd never seen him drink or had the experience of knowing what he was like when he was drunk. But for now, she'd done what she could. If at any point it began to be out of hand, then she could try to intervene again. For now, her focus was needed elsewhere as another voice sounded.

"May I present," All eyes now began to turn to the top of the staircase, conversations coming to a pause as everyone's focus shifted. Akira abandoned her secluded corner to join the crowd at the bottom of the stairs. "Miss Kaya." Klahadore took the blonde by her hand as he began to escort her down the stairs. At least, until they were met halfway by the man who'd thus far been speaking with Nami, leaving his own spot beside her for Akira to take.

"Kaya, you look absolutely radiant." He complimented in a happy voice.

"Merry, I'm so glad you could make it." Kaya said with a wide smile as she took the ma's arm and he continued to escort her rest of the way, Klahadore never far behind them as he followed.

"This is a milestone I wouldn't miss for the world." Merry said with ease, smiling down at her. "Your parents would be so proud."

At the bottom of the stairs, Kaya came to a stop in front of Nami and Akira as she smiled over at them. "Nami, I love that dress on you." She said kindly, making the ginger smile back at her.

"Thanks."

"It belonged to my mother. It was one of her favourites." At the proclamation, Akira's face began to pale as she'd realized what they'd done.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I..." Nami stumbled around, clearly highly uncomfortable herself, which was why Akira was quick to jump in.

"My apologies, we didn't know." She said remorsefully, taking some of the blame onto herself. After all, it was her who'd picked the dress for Nami. Perhaps she'd missed a sign or a tag that would have made it clear they shouldn't take that one.

"Not at all." But Kaya was quick to reassure them both. "I'm sure she would agree it suits you splendidly." She said to Nami before her smile turned to Akira next. "And she would love to see them being used again. And so beautifully too. You look wonderful as well, Akira."

"Thank you."

As their conversation came to its end, Merry quickly used his chance to divert Kaya's attention back to him as he called her name. "I wonder if I might have your ear." He spoke silently. "There are matters concerning the transfer of ownership of the shipyard we need to discuss."