piratejournal | [voice]

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...

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.

[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!

[Concern finally wins out over everything else.]

Hey, uh, Mana? Are you okay?

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.

Mn.

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

... 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...

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

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

...

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

[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.

Hey, one good turn deserves another.

Still. You're in one piece. Be thankful for that.

I'm not leaving. I'm stepping aside to find my head again... a leader has to be able to recognize when they're not fit to lead...

Yes... I want to thank you for what you and everyone else's crew did for everyone who'd been taken by her...

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.]

Eh. Just couldn't let something like that be hanging around.

A lot easier to take out an army when you've got one.

[yeah. Maybe that was true, too. He never knew which was why his crew had to kick him sometimes but he could count on them to do that. Maybe she couldn't]

Good luck. But be careful.

[it's going to be tough whatever way she goes about it but he hopes it's okay]

...

Y-you make a good point.

[and that's... all she can manage to say. Normally, Mana would respond to this with her head held high, and love in her heart, but now... now she can only timidly eek out a reply]

I suppose you're right... but that's the power of friendship, isn't it?

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.]

Thank you, Luffy-san...

...

May... may I ask your advice...?

Yeah sure. [sits cross legged on the rock on which he's perched]

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

[Oh hell no, that's gonna be damaging to the rep if he doesn't do something.

So, he snorts.]

Don't get too far ahead of yourself, kid.

Edited 2014-02-02 04:27 (UTC)

[It takes him a few moments to reply, but... he knows what he has to say.]

I've found that those most accustomed to taking care of others? Need those they take care of to care for them, too. Even if they'd prefer not to be taken care of.

... You and I... we don't know each other well, but... something inside me makes me feel like we believe in some of the same things...

...

What do you do when... you feel like... you've always believed in... isn't enough?

Eh? Wouldn't you say your crew are your friends?

Page 1 of 6

[voice]

voice

no subject

[Voice]

voice;

voice

voice;

[Voice]

voice;

voice

voice;

voice

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice

voice;

voice;

written, private:

voice

voice

written, private:

voice;

written, private:

voice / private

voice;