There's a slight spring in your step as you make your way down the stairs, it's your first day going shopping in this town so you'd like to make an impression.

You're wearing somewhat high quality clothing, nothing too snooty since you don't wish to come off as a snob but a comfortable yet classy style. Your hair is done only slightly neater than usual and you're ready to go, a smile spreading across your lips as you spot Sabo at the bottom of the steps, the boy has his arms rested on the banister, propping up his chin and there's a vague pout on his lips. 

"How long will you be?" The blonde questions, almost resembling a sad puppy as he subtly stares you up and down before his orbs return to your face.

"I don't know yet, courtesy of Doflamingo and his goons, I need to get a new sofa and armchair as well as barstools to match the kitchen...not to mention, you need your own bed." Yes, last night the ghost slipped into the covers with you, he didn't touch you inappropriately at all but it was still a boundary that most men wouldn't get away with crossing.

Honestly, you didn't even know ghosts needed sleep.

Your words do nothing to lighten his mood though, a deep sigh leaving his lips as his gaze follows you to the front door.

"I'll make sure your bed is comfortable, don't worry."

"Mhm. You look nice by the way."

"Well thank you, Sabo."

You can't help but snicker at the sight of the boy, you can almost see the dark cloud of depression looming over his head as he stares sadly, watching as you prepare to leave and seemingly hoping that you'll change your mind.

I wish he could come with me.

"Me too..." He lowly mutters from behind as you make your way out of the door, heading straight toward your car. 

You asked Sabo if he'd like to come over dinner last night but he said he's unable to leave the house, he can explore the garden to an extent but anything beyond that makes his legs go stiff to the point where he can't move, he can only go back the way he came. 

It would seem that whatever ties him to this world is within the property so your intention for today is to get your tasks finished as quickly as possible so that you can return home to him. 

You can't contain your smile as you reach the town centre at least, there's not much traffic and everybody seems to be a part of the community; there's a tall man with blonde hair arranging cosmos outside a florist, a redheaded man with a child sat on his shoulders conversing with another man who's looking a little gothic, there's even a guy with short green hair being dragged along the sidewalk by a little brown dog.  

Parking in a free space beside the florist, you climb out of your car and immediately catch the attention of the blonde man, earning a smile and a pleasant "Good morning!" from him. 

You can see his name clearly engraved into his badge now that you're closer.

Rosinante.

"Good morning to you too~!" You chime while matching his smile, taking a glance at the name of his store so that you know where to go if you ever want some flowers for your home but right now, you've other things to worry about. "You wouldn't happen to know where I could find furniture around here, would you?"

Your inquiry causes the man to stop what he's doing briefly, a thoughtful expression spreading across his face as he hums to himself, almost immediately grinning and turning his focus back to you. 

"Well, certainly not here." He chuckles playfully while gesturing to his shop, earning himself a somewhat forced giggle from you, not that you have a problem with the guy - he seems lovely but you're in quite the hurry. Thankfully, he grows a little more serious with his next answer. "There's one just around the corner, that way." He chimes while pointing up the street, you can vaguely spot the very corner he's speaking about. 

Well, that was lucky.

"It's called 'Captain Furniture' so you can't miss it. I'd also avoid the employee named Bartolomeo if I were you, he's not very customer-friendly." And with that, the man turns his attention back to his flowers, managing to cut the head off one of them...you're almost certain that it was an accident but he doesn't seem to address it and just carries on tending to the others.

"Okay, thanks?" You nervously smile, shifting your weight from one foot to the other before finally speaking again. "Uh, which one is Bartolomeo?" 

It'll be my luck that he's the one I end up speaking to. 

"Green hair, septum piercing. You'll know when you see him, trust me."

"Alright, I'll try to avoid a punky-looking guy then. Thanks again, Mr. Rosinante." Offering the man a brisk wave, you carry on to your desired shop, which only takes you mere seconds to find as Rosinante said it would.

It's decorated with elegant polished wood and the sign is designed to be somewhat old-fashioned, almost giving you a saloon vibe as you approach. There's already a nice sofa catching your eye in the display window but it's much too expensive, your father would kill you if you bought that with his money.

Entering the store anyway, you're very quick to learn that you might just be spoiled for choice. There's just about every colour and design imaginable, all on display and many piquing your interest instantly.

Some look posh but the colour doesn't match your living room, others match but don't look very comfortable or in the best of quality but there's others that really test your ability not to impulse buy.

Oh yes, I am in my element!

"You must be the new girl in town!" A loud and energetic voice booms from behind, causing you to just about jump out of your skin as you hastily turn to face the stranger with wide eyes. Of course your eyes only widen to the size of dinner plates when you spot green hair, a septum piercing and most of all, a pointy-teethed smile.

Oh god, you're fucking kidding me! I knew this would happen!

"How, uh, did you know I was new?" Your voice sounding beyond nervous as you struggle an unstable smile, sweat beginning to dampen the back of your neck as you instinctively take a step back, much to your dismay however the punky male takes another forward so you've gained no further space at all.

"It's a small town, everybody communicates. And partakes in cannibalism sometimes."

"Well that makes se--Wait, what?"

Did he say cannibalism?!

The horror must be very evident on your face because the greenette let's out a coarse laughter, carelessly throwing an arm around your shoulders and tugging you under his armpit. "I'm just kiddin'! Now, what furniture did you want?"

"The--uh--!"

I would like to speak to somebody else, please!

"I think you should have this!" The man blurts while gesturing to a sofa on display with his free hand, the design is all off and it wasn't at all what you were looking for but as you open your mouth to speak, he interrupts. "It matches your eyes, your hair and your badass style!"

It really doesn't!

"So, what do ya say? For only $1,500 it's practically a bargain!"

"I--"

"You'll take it? Excellent!"

THAT'S NOT WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY!!

"Barto." A third voice emerges, silencing the greenette immediately as he releases you and takes a couple of steps back, sending somebody stood behind your small frame a nervous smile. "Kid needs help with deliveries in the back."

"Kid? Are you sure? He always get mad when I get in his w--"

"Then don't get in his way."

"Ah, of course! I'll deal with it, Ace!" The male blurts before hotfooting his way past you and presumably to the back room, though your attention is focused more on the other person now, more accurately - his name.

Ace?

Turning on your heel, you come face-to-face with a youthful looking man, his eyes and hair are dark and he has freckles. He certainly resembles the boy in that photo you found, just slightly older.

"You're Ace?" 

"Yeah," The raven has a confident smile on his face as he politely gestures for you to follow him, leading you over to a desk with a computer sat on it, surrounded by three metal chairs. "Sorry about my employee, he just wants to prove himself to us. We'll be sure to have a talk with him later."

I can't believe I'm speaking to Ace!

"So, let's start by explaining what kind of sofa you're looking for."

"Uh...greh-y..."

"Uh-huh? Anything else?"

YOU'RE ACE!!