[It's getting to be late in the evening when Sanji opens his journal, and for a moment there's only silence. When he speaks, his voice is low, almost like he's talking to himself more than anything.]

Seems like the shitty end is in sight... Feels like it, anyway. Like it won't be much longer.

[He falls quiet again for a beat or two, and then there's a soft exhale before his tone shifts a bit and he becomes more direct.]

We're heading to Isla Empieza. As soon as Meep has a path for us to take, we're going in.

Guess we'll see the rest of you idiots there?


[Action option: He's in the galley, chair tipped back as he sits at the table and stares up at the ceiling with nothing but an overflowing ashtray in front of him and a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth.]

Getting real fuckin' tired of these goddamn shitty dead assholes popping up every damn night. What the shit, how many of 'em can there fuckin' be??! Can barely remember the last time I got any decent sleep. Ain't even had much time for good cooking lately, which is a pain in the ass.

[He says, though probably at this very moment you can hear pots and pans clanging in the background as he continues his sleep-deprived rant whilst trying to get dinner made before they're attacked again. Or maybe it's breakfast. Or lunch? Who the hell knows.]

Some of these zombie things are definitely shitheads we've seen before, too. Seriously, just tonight I planted my damn foot in the fuckin' face of one of the jerks who tried to ambush our ship not long ago. Wasn't about to forget his ugly face, just didn't expect to see it again so soon. And so dead. The hell's that about? Thought all those guys were having some kinda shitty summit of their own, and now they're crawling up outta the ocean noticeably lacking a damn heartbeat, what the fuck?

And they're still trying to hold that damn race this year? Tch, whatever. Dumbasses running it must be fuckin' crazy. Maybe there'll be a crew full of shitty dead people participating this time. It's still starting at Port Chance, yeah?

[for once, he's writing instead of talking, perhaps to keep people around deck from just listening to him yap at the book. They can read it for themselves, after all.]

Been a while since Dog's warning about the storm. Haven't heard from her since. I kinda wanted to know her news on that pirate summit that was supposed to have happened.

Been a longer time since anyone heard from the cat. Or Meep.

I don't remember the last time we heard newcomer voices on the journal.

This is really weird and creepy. It's like we're floating adrift with no log pose to lead us anywhere. maybe we will get lucky and Jones will just send us all home.

but then, if I'm remembering right next month is the great ghost race. He tends to show up there.

Who wants to go punch a ghost in the face?

[crewmates are free to notice him hanging out, writing, with the annuler chain near his foot. He's not getting anywhere with his "training," but he's not going to say so out loud.]

Friends, lovers, assholes and anyone else who is at the summit or would care to port in. Are you ready for a game of cards played with adults and for adults. Don't ask the details, that would be telling.

But if you're interested, let me know. I hope to set up a game about one or two a.m. when the youngers have had their little shut eye. Baby faces, I'm sorry. This is not a game for the likes of you.

Otherwise, bring yourself, a little something something for the pot, and tell me what booze you prefer. As to where? I'll let you know.

...um.

I can't find Captain Harlock anywhere on board. H-has anyone seen or heard from him lately?

Otherwise, I guess I'm the only one left here...

Gotta say, anybody who goes by 'the Bloody' is just overcompensating.

[someone was almost the target of forcible recruiting on Isla Empieza. And by almost we clearly mean, beat the ever-loving crap out of the poor pirates who were sent after him.]

But it's interesting. Between that guy making a ruckus on Empieza, and the ones that banded together to ambush us last month, the local pirates have been stirred up. Wonder what's behind that.

So more than one crew got hit, I hear. Not just us and the Spades at Serenes, but Hazmats too? They got lucky that so many of us were in one spot, but it's more than just lucky if they managed to find all the outsider crews. Any of the rest of you come up against something metal that drains your strength? Guess they call it annuler or something.

I'm training to withstand it. If it's possible, I'll find a way.

[and that's going about exactly the way anyone would expect it to go. i.e. terribly.]

Maybe I'll have some progress to show at the summit over the weekend.

[no, he really won't.]

 Let it be known...

*Oh dear. Judging by the drawl of Faye's voice, she's a rather unhappy woman indeed*

..that if a person doesn't use a sword, or even magic, in a fight, that doesn't mean they aren't strong. A person can cause serious damage with a gun. Or a fist. Or a hard roundhouse kick to the face.

*There's a pause as Faye takes a rather frustrated drag of her cigarette, frowning as she breathes out smoke*

Equally, chaos can be caused without violence too. It's amazing what can be done with a pair of pretty eyes and a smooth tongue.

*Double entendre that last one, if you please...*

So. Don't forget the pain that a nice girl with a pair of guns can cause. It might land you in serious trouble.

*Oops. Sounds like Faye overheard two of her crew discussing the strength and power of the members of the Roses. And yet neither of them even thought to mention the woman on board who's a great shot. Hmmph*

Who all's going to that shitty gambling place? The hell's it called... [Brief pause. He has to check, oops.] Gamboller's Berth?

I figure since my captain extended the invitation, we might as well provide a decent meal for everyone making the trip. Tell me what you want and I'll make it. Ain't much I can't do.

Ladies, drinks are on me~! ...Other idiots can bring their own booze, though.

[he had been sleeping in the crow's nest like he sometimes did when he thought Zoro and Sanji wanted to do stuff on their own and had woken up when the early morning sunlight had fallen on his cheek. He'd blinked at the bubble hovering right in front of him.

Popping it got him a mouthful of foam... but when that had cleared away...he was different.

But not unfamiliar.

Luffy looks at his brown hands back to front, peers at his watery reflection in the window and realizes something amazing has happened. He scrambles frantically for his journal and then opens it on his lap, trying to think up what to say.

When he starts, the voice is probably completely unfamiliar to most people, but that doesn't matter]



Yo! I'm Us--uh The Great Usopp! I'm the man whose going to be the bravest warrior in the sea! And today is my birthday! I'm really awesome and a great liar and have done lots of stuff when I was five years old! Like fighting giant lobsters.

You don't gotta give me any presents but you should definitely know who I am because everyone misses me when I'm not here...

But even if I'm not here I can still have a great birthday, right?

SANJI! CAKE!

[ooc: replies from followthenose]

[For a second there is an in-drawn breath, then two voices speak only slightly overlapping...]

I'm holding a Summit on Gamboller's Berth/the gambling place on the eighteenth!

[there is a slight pause as if both are digging in their ears and then:]

The hell? What makes you think you can hold a summit on that island? I've already staked my claim!

No way! It's mine! Get your own!

The island is yours? Then where is your flag?

We haven't gotten there yet. [but now he's determined to stick it up somewhere]

This idiot lays claim to an island he's never seen! Jihaha... go ahead and play your little game. I'll be busy raising an army.

Whatever. You're annoying. I'll get my own army! So stay out of my way!

Don't interfere. [Grumble.]

You don't interfere.


[ooc: expect responses to come from either Luffy or Shiki.

Also for clarification, they're speaking from two different journals.]

[This message will go out towards everyone who reached out to him during his last message. However, all are able to listen in and respond.

The feed begins with an odd click, like a button being pressed. After a short moment, a recording begins to play of a somber young woman.]

Forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye--

I've decided to become the navigator in Shiki's crew.
Shiki is a legendary pirate, who you could never match. He may be the strongest man alive.
If you came after me, you would only end up losing your lives.

And if you don't believe me-- [The recording is stopped, soon replaced by Shiki's voice.]

Landlubber's Luck. Forty-eight hours.

((Shiki will probably not be responding to you. He has some preparations to make. However, feel free to get mad or act confused or call him a dick.))

 [Lorelai is sitting by the wheel of her small sailboat she named the Bright Shield in the middle of the sea. All around her nothing but water and not knowing how this world worked, directionaly impaired now that night was falling and their were no familiar stars to guide her. She takes out the Journal she arrived with and sits back and opens it up to the first blank page and starts talking to herself]

Why did I go out without hiring a guide?  I have no idea what any of these stars are.

[she punches the deck beneath her in frustration]

God I hope Killey never finds out about this.

[her frustration turns to an unpleasant laughter at that last thought]

What was I thinking?

[Robin's voice is a bit slow, her words perhaps a little slurred, like someone coming out of anesthetics.]

Real, this time? Touches like pages. They go swish too. And sounds. Voices. Need them.

Water!

[There's a bit of indistinct shuffling around, then some small splashes as Robin drinks from her hands. She takes a moment to breathe, already beginning to feel her head clear. Her speech at least clears up significantly.]

The last I can remember clearly was... a rogue wave. Came out of nowhere, straight at the ship and then... here. Scorpion... something. Scorpion's Reef? Mm, that sounds right. Their sting doesn't kill so that's good, but it's how loose in a- wait. That word doesn't make sense. Word for seeing things that aren't there. Hear and smell and touch them too. Movement and colors. All there.

Not dreams.

Need to get off the island but there's no more boat. And I can't swim.

[She giggles.]

Ridiculous. Pirates that can't swim. But it's true. No swimming for me. Maybe I used to, but I don't remember. Someone said the sea is jealous. I have something it wants. I say, if it wants to keep it then it shouldn't spit out fruit for me to eat. It's quite rude to give a gift then demand it back. Bugs swim better than me. Scorpions. I think they're leaving me alone now. Perhaps I'm boring to them. But the sea will always want me in its depths.

Who am I talking to? Is someone there?

[the first part is pretty hard to say so he gets it over quickly]

Hey, everyone, if you wanna get pets be careful cuz if everyone leaves at once they're gonna be on the ship alone.

[it's important that people understand. It's going to be hard to say goodbye anyway, but it would be even harder for the poor pets left behind on a ship with no way to get home]

Also, this is private from Keimi, but do mermaids wear underwear and if they do where do they hide them?

[The entry starts abruptly, with a loud clatter like the journal was suddenly dropped and just oh-so-conveniently opened to a blank page. But the clattering is immediately covered by someone yelling, though the voice sounds a bit distant.]

—ammit, Luffy! Give those BACK!!

[Pounding footsteps rumble through the journal as people stampede around the deck, and there's more snarling, and then oddly a bunch of laughter, too.

It is not Sanji's laughter.]

Those are mine, you shitty rubber! Get your damn paws off 'em, it's MY prize and—

The hell are you doing?! Oi! OI!!!

[Sanji's voice slips up a notch. Noooo, don't hang them up there, what are you doing???]

DAMMIT, LUFFY, I'M GONNA KILL YOU! TAKE THOSE DOWN RIGHT NOW!!

[There's some more scuffling sounds, Sanji's voice growing fainter as he moves to scale the mast...or more likely just Sky Walk his way up to where his idiot captain is hanging around their Jolly Roger.

And then the post cuts off just as abruptly as it started.]

[Those aboard the Merrily may have noticed the general absence of a certain green-haired fishlady. While normally floating about the ship, making food, or drawing maps, or doing chores, lately she has contained herself to her workshop. She has been studying the odd grey cloth that had appeared during the holidays. This cloth was soft to the touch, but could withstand an impressive amount of force. She had no idea where it came from, or if any more exists. She had to recreate it, somehow.

With the help of some notes taken from the books in Ivory, as well as an absurd amount of magnifying glasses, Keimi has possibly unlocked the pattern needed to weave this cloth. So she works, quietly, and endlessly, at her loom, in hopes of pulling off this intricate design even once. When finally--]

I did it!

[She quickly bursts from her room and onto the deck, carrying a bolt of emerald cloth. She lays it out in the sun and examines the weaving. It has to be perfect, and as far as she could tell...]

I need to test this. Can someone give me a hand?

[Later, her testing complete, she takes to her journal.]

Everyone! I've decided I'm going to open up my own shop! I'm going to make the best clothes you've ever seen!

Recipes.

[He pauses, as though for emphasis. In actuality, it's so that he can have a lick of the sucker he'd taken out of his mouth a moment ago.]

-specifically for sweets. Anyone have any favorites, a specialty, maybe? I'm always up for trying new things out, or even familiar ones because things by the same name don't necessarily taste the same, right?

Well, it's been half a day and nobody seems to be acting weird around them, so I think the blankets are just blankets. For once.

They're nice blankets.

This is what, nine or ten days in a row, now? How long does anybody expect this to last?

[Straw Hats - and any Spade visitors - might find him in a next made of comforters in the crow's nest. If he's going to be on watch, he's going to be on watch in style.]

[The fountain he wakes up beside is just familiar enough that Sanji's WTF JUST HAPPENED?! explosion is cut off before it even begins. Instead, he stares at the cracked and weathered stone mermaid for a long moment before slowly turning to take in the town around him.

...Ahh, shit. This place again? The hell was it -- Ezempia, Empeniza...Isla Empieza! That's it.

Fuck.

Why is he back here again? Hell, when did he leave? It all feels like a dream. Some far off, distant memory. Another life, even.

He grimaces, gingerly rubbing his forehead for a moment as over a year's worth of experiences start trying to cram their existence back into Sanji's head. It's too much to sort through right now, especially when he's still got Nami-san and Chopper and Brook and the others on his mind. He forces the worry down, knowing he hasn't abandoned them. The ship they were just about to go up against won't do anything to them while he's not there. When he gets sent back again, it'll be to the exact time he disappeared in the first place and he won't even remember this other world exists.

...

What a fucking weird thought.

Sanji carefully shrugs back into his coat, shirt still open over his bandaged chest, and starts patting himself down. He assumes he'll have it again -- and yep, there it is in his pocket. His journal. Here's hoping the rest of his crew is even still here. How long has he been gone? It'd be really shitty if Davy fucking Jones booted the others just in time to drag him back to this place.

He flips the journal open to the first blank page he finds and, with a sigh, begins speaking in a casual voice.]

Yo, Luffy. ...I'm back. We still got the same ship?

[These last few days, Keimi has done her best to keep composure. It isn't real, she keeps telling herself, yet she still feels the cold tug of iron around her neck, and her world remains silent, as if behind glass. When she isn't focusing on what's real, she swears she can feel herself submerged in the stale water of a fish bowl, back on the auction block. Her handwriting is shaky.]

What do

you do when your

past won't go away?