piratejournal | [Entry 1 Handwritten]

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[Entry 1 Handwritten]

[After discovering how her journal might work in this thread, Maribelle wastes no time in trying an entry of her own.]

To all those capable of reading this message, I would like to announce that I fully intend to form a company of individuals who are sick of the lowborn filth and scum known as pirates. For too long have I witnessed the innocent have their livelihoods and lives threatened by these brigands, and now I have been shanghaied to work for one?! No I say! We must take a stand together as one, and defend this world from these hooligans at every turn!

There will never be peace in this world if we simply let pirate ransack, pillage, and steal from whoever they please. So I'm issuing a call to the masses, rally to me all of you who wish to see Justice. Rally to me those who are confused and live in fear of being squashed under the heel of this pirate menace. Rally to me all of ye people who wish to see a brighter tomorrow, for I shall not rest until we all can see it!

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I am, Lady Maribelle. The main offices for my family's companies are in Tokyo, and I attend school at Ouran High School.

[Which might explain the stitched O in the insignia on his coat.

Her own clothes were interesting to him. Not terribly unlike the high class fashions of the noble world, but they seemed older, too. Not unlike the garbs of the samurai he had helped.]

I fear that my knowledge of Japan is rather limited. I was only made aware of its existence upon arriving here, and only because of its similarities to a nation in my world known as Chon'Sin. Regardless, it is gratifying to know that my theory on the matter was indeed correct.

[She pauses for a moment tapping her chin thoughtfully]

Let's get down to business shall we? I believe there was someone you wished to speak to me about in private, but you have yet to explain as to the why.

A few associates, actually. Three of particular note.

I wished to speak to you in private, Lady Maribelle, because I do not have their express consent to discuss their matters in public. I would rather err on the side of caution and non-offense, as I am quite alone here, otherwise. I also do not know if they wish to be volunteered, and I would not wish them to think I have done so and left them no say in the matter.

One is a young man named Kuroba Kaito. He is intelligent and expressed a dislike of piracy when I spoke to him earlier. He might be interested in joining you.

The man I spoke of specifically is Akechi Mitsuhide. I met him earlier this afternoon. His wounds did not seem too bad, but I did not get to see them closely. I have reason to believe he would join your cause, but I cannot promise that. He might, though, be worth seeking out, Lady Maribelle.

[Already playing his role. Providing names and details, proving his worth as someone who could meet others, learn their value, and report back.

The influence of the Shadow King.]

I see... so these associates are as of yet currently unaware that you are disclosing this information to me. Very tactful on your part Otori, I'm impressed.

As for Kaito, I am familiar with him as he was the first person to make an entry into these journals. I'm a little concerned about him though as he seemed slightly leery of law enforcement, do you think it's possible you would be capable of subtly looking into that?

[She was pushing it by trying to use him as a private investigator, but if it were possible for him to pull it off, he would certainly have proven his worth.]

Akechi Mitsuhide I am not familiar with, but I will look into it further. Yet you said there were three of note, who was the third?

I can certainly try, Lady Maribelle. I only know Kaito for as long as I have been here, but I can see what I'm capable of learning.

[He's done it before, in his own way. Learning about everyone around him, making note of everything he sees and hears.]

The third is Miss Celestia Ludenberg. I believe she has the intention of forming her own crew, though, and is something of a gambler. However, that does not mean she would not be opposed to piracy. [A dicey chance, but one he has met and therefore deserves equal consideration.]

I should also like to request consideration for friends of mine who are not present. Should they come, I would like the opportunity to introduce them to you. I can vouch that they are all young men of good character and excellent breeding.

That is all that I ask. I would look further into the matter myself, but I fear that he is being more cautious around me now that he is aware of my background.

[She could swear she remembers hearing about her somewhere... or perhaps she saw someone speaking about her?]

I've... heard of her I believe. She could be a valuable asset, but I believe she may be a slightly risky venture. It will be something I will need to consider further.

[Maribelle begins pouring cups of elderberry tea for the two of them, elegantly pouring the tea like a proper hostess, with hot steam rising from the chipped inn's tea cups.]

If you can vouch for them, I shall certainly take them into consideration as I believe we will need any able bodied person we can find. Optimally we will need to find a few more militantly trained individuals, if we are to stand a chance at subduing any pirates. I alone am only capable of so much in that regard despite my extensive training in military tactics and warfare. There are several companions of mine I would very much like to find if they ever do make their way here, such as Chrom the King of Ylisse, Lissa his Sister, but likely the most valuable asset would be the royal tactician, Robin.

[She passes him his cup of tea before delicately taking a sip from her own.]

Before we can make arrangements for funding the size of ship we'll need, we must know how many people we are recruiting, and if we may even need more than one ship depending upon if we can gather enough people for a small fleet.

If he joined us, I believe Mitsuhide-sama would be very capable of assisting you in that regard. If two of my friends come, also, they are very capable martial artists. One is already the most prominent practitioner in his family, who are all famous for it.

[Not much for ranged combat, but it was all that he could do, really.

He takes the cup with a small bow and sips from it. His voice remains even, calm. A suggestion:]

Would you like me to see to finding crew personally? I would be happy to write up an additional advertisement, as the journals seem to be an effective method of communication. I could also speak to a few particular individuals in person, see if I can convince them.

Excellent. Then we should make certain to look out for them, and see about training any new recruits that wish to learn to defend themselves more capably.

[Already things were falling into place for Maribelle, and it seemed as though she'd found an excellent second in command in Otori Kyouya... provided he could be trusted to remain just that.]

I do not want to put too much on your plate at once, but I do believe you may have much more success than I in the advertising and recruitment department. Bear in mind that we cannot allow simply any brigand who wishes to take advantage of the situation into our midst. Be cautious and practical Otori, and be wary of a young man in a straw hat, I'm almost certain that he will be a force of chaotic trouble. Optimally I would like to start our voyage within a week's time, as I feel we should at least wait that long to get everything together but no longer than that so as not to give a leg up on the pirates.

Of course, Lady Maribelle.

[He doesn't say it lightly. It comes only after a few moments' pause following her instructions. He has a fairly keen eye for chaotic influences, and he would like to think he can tell which are beneficial and which aren't. The Hitachiin brothers, for instance, can be just that, but they're also worth every trouble they give him.

After another sip of tea, he gives a small smile.]

I'm afraid we will have to focus also on either working as merchants or on the treasure hunting that those who might follow the pirates will pursue as well. We do not have to resort to their ways, certainly not, and we could combat them where we find them.

But it is a dangerous enterprise that we [a team, now -- president and vice-president, captain and first mate, however one chose to see it] will be asking of them. The incentives must match the risk.

There will be some who do it out of the goodness of their heart, but I fear without monetary value placed on their efforts, they might become discouraged when it becomes difficult.

[Maribelle nodded, as he'd managed to come to the next part of her plan as well. Seemingly always one step ahead and in the right direction.]

I'm glad that you brought that up, as I am well aware of the issue of finances as well. I have quite the head for marketing, and I do believe that it would be beneficial for us to search for these treasures as well. The pirates getting their hands on treasure simply because it is hidden well is more optimal than them stealing it from others. However that does not mean we should simply let them have all the treasure there is to be discovered.

For financing our crew we will need to look into exploring some of these islands and uncovering treasures from lost civilizations. As for pirates we apprehend, we will always attempt to return their ill gotten treasure to their rightful owners, but if said rightful owner cannot be found we may simply have to take a percentage of the cut. So while in port I believe it would be best to set ourselves up as merchants, and while on seas and exploration we should focus on the treasure hunting aspects. This should hopefully keep moral up, and give everyone the extra incentive they need as well as the basics of day to day living.

Do you find these ideas acceptable?

Those sound extremely acceptable. It's very good to meet someone with a like mind.

[And not at all the opulence he's grown used with the president of the Host Club. The young man he usually complements and supports. Now, it will be this woman. A different sort of leader, but he sees potential. Not only in her but for him. A force to be behind, to watch and to help.

He's very comfortable in the role of the Shadow King, and here, again, is the chance to be just that. To have a monarch out from, in the light, and to have another -- an influence, not someone who overrules them -- just behind, shaping the path.

None of his calculations seem to make it to his eyes or his lips as he smiles.]

I'll get straight to work on drafting something up, then. I believe I can find us a tolerably sized crew who will meet your expectations.

Naturally -- I will accept them on the basis of your approval. My work is entirely preliminary. You have final say in who is officially on the crew.

That sounds quite perfect with me, and I couldn't agree more that it is quite... refreshing to find someone of your level of competence in this place.

[Maribelle on the other hand while quite adept at political mind games couldn't help but let a smile play on her lips as their conversation continued. This young man was incredibly skilled at what he did for someone so young. At some point she positively had to see what kind of associates he had worked with in the past to see how they compared to him.]

Otori darling, with your skills and mine, I do believe will be able to go quite far together. I will see to looking into a few applications of my own, while you try to gather some of the other crew members for my approval and other fundamentals together. We should both get some rest and get started first thing in the morning. I look forward to a long and prosperous venture with you Otori Kyouya.

[Kyouya gives a warm smile. One that hides a caution and calculation. He accepts the praise; from a woman of her standing, it is high praise indeed.]

Please, Lady Maribelle, call me Kyouya.

[A slight twinge of pink touches Maribelle's face at Kyouya allowing her to call him on a first name basis. Not because she had any romantic notions, but simply because it was rare for things to go so well for her.]

I'm quite honored Kyouya, thank you. If you like you may also simply call me Maribelle.

[Although she certainly wouldn't hold it against him if he continued to call her Lady Maribelle.]

If you would like me to, I will, or I can continue to give you due regard for a woman of your status for the time.

[He can adapt to either easily enough. What matters is her preference and adhering to that for as long as necessary.]

You're quite amiable Kyouya and that is just one of your more charming qualities. For the time being my personal preference would be if you called me Lady Maribelle, and at some later date in time we may change it should our setting become more comfortable.

[Like if they get the added chaos of the entire host club, Fairy Tail, Smoker's Marines, the my little ponies, and god only knows what else.]

Then it will be 'Lady Maribelle.'

[He smiles and sets down his finished tea cup.]

Thank you again for agreeing to meet with me like this.

It was my pleasure Kyouya.

[She stands up to see the young gentleman to the door, giving him a gracious curtsy before opening the door.]

Please take care of yourself, and let us meet again to discuss things when we've finished making some more arrangements.

[And Kyouya gives another bow. Not nearly as low this time, he thinks he's earned a bit of station in her eyes.]

I'll be in touch shortly, Lady Mirabelle.

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[Entry 1 Handwritten]

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Handwaving some time issues, because. Yeah. I didn't edit with them in mind!

No problem ^^

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