Right!

Yes!

Got it! Good!

[The Doctor's voice finally gets closer to the journal, clearly he was doing something on the other side of his workshop.]

Hallo everyone! I think I've got it running now. Yes. That should do it! I'll just flip the switch. Thought I'd record it for posterity...

[The ship lurches a bit, and picks up a little bit of speed. Not much, but a bit. Enough to maybe get them out of a doldrum.]

Haha! Now we're talking! [There's a satisfied clap.]

Yes, that will do it. That will go nicely. Alright...well, the first project is completely. It's just a simple motor, but we won't be stuck in dead water anytime soon. And it makes toast too. Goes ding when it's done.

[Rise takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. She hasn't really done something like this in almost a year - not after she first dropped the "Risette" character in disgust - but she'd resolved to be comfortable with every part of herself, and that included the flirty idol persona. Besides, she needed to get Captain Motochika on the road so she could go find Senpai.]

[She opens her book and takes a deep breath again.]

Good afternoon, everybody! This is Rise again, speaking on behalf of Captain Motochika Chōsokabe - the pirate, not the samurai - and his crew! For just a few more hours we're recruiting sailors for a venture out of Isla Empieza to go and find those crystal shards.

"So's everybody," you say, and I guess that's true, but Captain Motochika (pirate) is a rarity among us, a genuinely experienced captain of the waves, with the skills of a sailor, warrior, and explorer that we need in a ship's captain in this strange place. How can you do better for a captain than an honest-to-goodness anchor-swinging pirate, hm~? I bet you can't.

Of course, on the opposite end of the crew, there's little old me, just a humble sixteen-year-old girl trying to make her way in the world. I don't have a lot of skills or experience outside of singing, acting, magical treasure-finding and monster-avoiding skills, and the knowledge of gourmet dishes that convinced the good Captain Motochika (pirate) to bring me on as the ship's cook, but I can guarantee I'll try my best! I'd especially like to join up with any experienced sailors who can show me the ropes - I'd be really appreciative, in fact~

So if you're a good sailor or fighter who wants to work with one of the most experienced captains among us, or would like to give a hand to a girl who's a little lost in return for good cooking and maybe a song and some help finding your heart's desire, please come meet us at the docks this evening. You can't miss us!

[She closes the book and sighs. At least she didn't have to wear a bikini for that.]

[It had been several days since two of his crewmates had gone missing. Now it seemed certain that wherever they had gone they were not coming back]

Just letting you all know... there is another way to leave this place that doesn't involve gallivanting around after some gem.

[Not that he knew how it worked but..]

The Larrikin Deuce has lost two crew members, and there's not a single shard among us. I have no doubt that they're no longer among the islands.

[This would at least give people the idea that there may be alternatives]

Unfortunately, I don't know how they managed it. So.. there you have it.

Yo-ho, yo-ho and all that piratey bullshit. Getting that aside, how does one volunteer themselves for a crew? I'm already good to go. Not a sailor, but anybody willing to take me will get a hard-working, quick-learning gal looking for a way to get the hell out of here.

Is that enough of a resumé?

Seriously, though. This island is not a place I want to stay. I'm definitely willing to work and I could use some friendly acquaintances or good conversation while I work on getting my bearings. All takers should respond here directly and/or include crude doodles at your own childish discretion.

[ ooc: Please take a look at Misha's permissions, too! ]

[Back to this damn thing, then.]

Well. Seems like a disturbing trend to me. You lot said you were here for a month, that's what I've been hearing. Now, a new [heh] shipment of us shows up... and people start disappearing from before.

Not real encouraging, gotta say.

Anyway. Looks like I'm back on the market, ladies and gentlemen. Harry Flynn, treasure hunter. Lookin' to sign up with anyone who could use a man of my skills.

Got all the navigation gear you could want, and I know how to use it. My only requirement is a good salary, much of which I intend to bring in and give a decent cut of to my captain and crew, thank you very much.