[voice]

[abundantlove]

This has been... really overdue, but it's time I finally spoke up.

Regarding the statements I made while under the control of the witch... I am incredibly sorry and regret all of them. I'm sure many of you know that, were I in my right mind, I would never have made such claims. However, as the Captain of the Shepherd, I'm still completely responsible for them.

So, to everyone I threatened, to the other crews I made an enemy of when... not myself, I humbly ask your forgiveness. What was said in the past is in the past... the mission I believe in for my crew is one where we can all sail the seas as friends in safety and harmony.

As for the crew of the Shepherd...

... I owe you the biggest apology of all. I failed you. I attacked you. And even if it wasn't me, I, again, bear the responsibility of what I did. I want to do everything I can to make you all trust me again...

[from here on, Mana's voice begins to crack]

... but at the same time, I don't think I can serve you all to the best of my abilities. I... I and the people closest to me have a lot to work through, a lot to work out, and I... I just need to step away from my duties for a little while and concentrate on them...

I am deeply, deeply sorry. In this time, I'd like to put Jade Curtiss in temporary command once again, until the time I am able to return to my duties...

[she lets out a final, weary sigh. This was something she'd wrote out, and rewrote several times, and this time, she'd done it without asking Rikka for help. The fact a fourteen year old put this together and spoke this way may be somewhat shocking to people...]

That's all. Th-thank you all for your time...

Comments

voice

[allendsmeat]

[he's getting tired of hearing this from everyone. It wasn't them. Everyone who knows them knows it wasn't them. They should be blaming the witch person instead but she's gone so who cares?]

It's not failing it's just something that happens. If you don't like it, get stronger.

voice

[abundantlove]

Mn.

That means something different for me than it does for you, Luffy-san.

voice

[allendsmeat]

[shrug] A captain's gotta be a captain. If you go back even a step then your crew gets lost, too. You guys wanna go against pirates, right? You gotta be stronger than letting something like that make you want to leave.

[redcinemareel]

[There is an exasperated sigh when she's done.]

I'm quite tired of all these feelings of guilt and useless apologies! If anyone should apologize, it should be that sea bitch as she begs for her life!

voice;

[abundantlove]

... I'm sorry you think they're useless. But... these feelings... they're not going to go away...

[she almost comments on the last part, but holds her tongue, on account of who might be paying attention]

... at the very least, I feel I should make the crew's purpose clear...

voice;

[redcinemareel]

Save you backhanded apologies for someone else! I don't honestly care if you're sorry, but don't be sorry on my behalf! And of course they're not going to go away! You keep harboring them like some sort of hoarder!

If you honestly believe you were responsible for what you've done, then perhaps you don't deserve to lead a crew. A crew doesn't need a weak captain like that! We were already blinded by her. There's no use in taking on blame outside our ability.

[Grell was also a victim, but like Hell she's going to throw a pity party for what she was made to do.]

[Voice]

[curries]

[Concern finally wins out over everything else.]

Hey, uh, Mana? Are you okay?

[Voice]

[abundantlove]

... I really wish I could say I was, Asbel-kun, but the fact I said this all just now...

voice;

[gokai_red]

Screw that, we're gonna bombard the hell out of you next time I see your lousy ship!

[Long, long pause.]

...

Nah. Just kidding.

Psh, it's nothing to worry about, like I keep telling folks. These rotten types of bastards are a dime a dozen.

voice;

[abundantlove]

... Marvelous-san, I know you meant well, but that joke...

...

... Nevermind. You meant well... I shouldn't be upset. I'm sorry.

written, private:

[hostclubshadowking]

I hope you're doing as well as possible and being taken care of by your crew, Miss Mana.

- Otori

[He'd left the Shepherd some time ago, yes, but he kept an eye on the goings on, and Mana had been the first hint for him that something was wrong. The idea of hurting his friends had weighed on him the entire time, he'd been just waiting to feel it himself...

He can only imagine what it would feel like to have gone through it.]

written, private:

[abundantlove]

Thank you, but... it's me who has to take care of them. But... I appreciate the kind words, Kyouya-san...

[voice]

[yatteyanyo]

All of this apologizing is getting so tiresome.

[voice]

[abundantlove]

I'm sorry you see it that way, but... it's something I had to do. Both to assure everyone of our true intentions and for my own sake.

voice;

[whiteas]

[ Having just decided to join the Shepherds recently, this is definitely a disconcerting post. But Weiss is trying very hard to look on the bright side! This girl is taking responsibility. That's something leadery. ]

I'm Weiss. I just joined your ship with Jaune. I don't need to know exactly/i> what's going on, but if there is something you think I need to know, I'd appreciate the disclaimer upfront.

[ She knows that there was a whole mess and people went insane but not being in charge just because of something like that, responsibility taking or not, she's got to ask. ]

voice;

[abundantlove]

Hello Weiss-san... I'd like to welcome you to the crew!

Well, I suppose you should know exactly what happened...

[voice]

[hearts_beat]

As someone who's gone through that song and dance way before all of this, I know how it feels.

Just don't scream at the ocean for your apology. That's embarrassing.

[voice]

[abundantlove]

... why-why would you say that?

[voice]

[diamondlight]

I'm proud of you, Mana. I'm sure that was hard to get out, but... it's done, now.

[Her tone is light - she really is pleased. But, it becomes a touch more serious after a moment.]

I think you and I do have a few things to work out. If you want to deal with them later, that's your choice. Whatever happens, I trust you, more than I can say. But I think that, the sooner we can clear the air between us, the sooner we can get back to something like normal days again.

[voice] - 1/2

[abundantlove]

... Proud of me? But...

[voice] - 2/2 - private

[abundantlove]

Rikka, I let you and Alice down! I couldn't... I couldn't say anything when you said how you felt... when your powers failed you...

I couldn't save us... we're only alive because... because of Jade-san and the others...

There was so much I was supposed to have done but wasn't able to...

[Voice]

[jadethenecromancer]

[While Jade hasn't seen any reason to butt in on their conversations, he'd have to be blind not to notice the girls are still quite miserable. Understandable, certainly, but not the best situation to work with.]

I have no objections to taking charge for the moment. Do what you must.

[Voice]

[abundantlove]

Thank you Jade-san... I'll let you know when I've made some progress.

[written]

[thethundersaid]

You weren't in control of your mind. The witch was able to overpower even [scribbled out blob here] those with great strength of will.

There's no point dwelling on what happened.

[written]

[abundantlove]

Thank you, Sasuke-kun, but... I need to convince my heart of that before I can convince my head.