[ Rude responses don't bother Ace. He'd laughed a little when she'd made her first remark, because yeah, true enough, it could be crowded, but when she asks if he'd want his crew there, his expression turns cool and pensive, and he pokes his food around on his plate as he considers it. ]

Nah... the old man wouldn't like it here. I wouldn't mind seeing Marco again, or my brother.

[ He feels his face get hot, his expression crumpling a bit. Admitting it out loud makes it real, and he's been doing a good job not dwelling on any of this. He's definitely not going to get teary-eyed in front of a stranger. ]

But, their crews need them more than I do. I can make it on my own. Done it plenty before. [ He pauses, thinking. ] Besides, I haven't met anyone too bad here. Just have to make some new friends, I guess.