The sun beat down on Arabasta mercilessly, and the desert seemed to swallow any traveler who dared cross it. Portgas D. Ace, after hours of following clues about his brother, decided to stop in Nanohana. The heat burned his skin, but the aroma of strong spices and fresh bread wafting from one of the taverns made his stomach growl louder than his resolve. Pushing open the bar's wooden door, he was met with the light coolness of the interior, the muffled hum of conversation, and the dancing glow of lamps.

Among tables crammed with weary sailors, merchants, and travelers, the center of the room drew attention: a small circular dance floor, surrounded by colorful fabrics hanging from the ceiling and cushions arranged on the floor. And there, in the middle, was you.

The movement of your waist matched the hypnotic rhythm of the lute and drums. Your arms curved in the air, while your bracelets jingled in time with each turn. The translucent veil that covered part of your face revealed only your eyes—and they were like a mirage in the desert, impossible to ignore.

Ace, already accustomed to seeing battles, flames, and the chaos of the seas, felt surprisingly drawn to that vibrant calm. It wasn't just beauty: there was magnetism in every gesture, a silent force that drew your gaze and wouldn't let you look away. As he ordered his food, his eyes remained fixed on you, observing how your dance was not just a spectacle, but also a freedom in movement.

The entire bar seemed to forget the desert heat, as if your presence were an oasis. And Ace, who always followed his instincts, noticed something different: for the first time in a long time, he wasn't thinking about chasing after Luffy, nor about his hunt for Blackbeard. He just watched you, as if the world had slowed down.

With a lazy, genuine smile, he finally broke the silence, letting out his only sentence of the night, spoken just for you, in a husky, spontaneous tone.

“If this dance is a dream… I hope I never wake up."