[The writing that appears is neat, but not particularly elegant; just simple and direct.]

This isn't the first time I've found myself in another world with little idea as to what my first step should be. It's strange... It's not something you expect to have happen twice in your life. And yet here I am.

I'm not happy about it and I hate being taken from what's important to me, but... I suspect the same is true for everyone else that's been taken here, huh? I shouldn't just focus on myself.

If I did that, I would just be being selfish.

[Makoto pauses as she writes. She couldn't lose herself, especially not now. She needed to stay strong, for both her friends and the princess.]

Ah... I don't really have a point, I just wanted to get my thoughts down while I could. Sorry if I bored anyone.

Anyway, if finding a crew is really the best way to return home, then that's what I'll do. I'm not sure what kind of skills are needed on a ship, but... I can sing and I can fight. And I'm a fast learner. If anyone is willing to consider taking me on, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[Rather than a name underneath the writing, there is instead something that kind of looks like an autograph. Hearts included and everything. It's certainly a lot more cutesy than the rest of the writing, yet doesn't look shaky. Makoto is very used to signing like this, after all.

It's... certainly one way to end an entry, that's for sure.]

With someone mentioning wanting a hair cut, I started to think and I decided that I'm going to offer to cut people's hair should they want it.

I know that hair can grow here and become pretty much hard to handle in these conditions, so even getting a trim can make it much easier to manage. I should know, I cut mine for this exact reason. [Well, she styled it after an incident, but she was going to cut it in the first place anyway.]

So if you are interested in getting a haircut, let me know and I'll be happy to do it.

Kairi.

Hey, since it seems like there's kind of a lot weirdos around here I guess it's okay to ask -- has anyone seen any, uh...big turtles walking around looking totally clueless and lost? One of them would have his nose stuck in this dumb book trying to figure out how it works, another would...probably be asking for the nearest pizza joint.

But I'm guessing that's not really a thing here. Is it?

Or -- how about a giant rat wearing a robe? Just wondering.

Anyway.

Sooo...what the heck is this place? Besides not New York City. I know, I know, Empieza whatever. I can read. But are we seriously in some kind of lame old-timey pirate world?

[The silence is broken by the sound of three gunshots fired in quick succession, far quicker than should be possible with beginning of the 17th century technology, at least with only one gun. After a moment, a woman speaks.]

Hear us now! We are the Saika Faction! The red bell rings. The pact we have made shall be known to all! Let it toll! Let the bell call out across the land!

[Some time between her arrival and this entry, Saika must have somehow managed to get her hands on an appropriate bell, because it rings for a few moments before she addresses the journal again.]

I am the Magoichi Saika, leader of the glorious Saika Faction. For those of you that have not heard of us, we are the finest mercenaries of our land and time, one that we share with the likes of Ieyasu Tokugawa and Mitsunari Ishida. We are here to announce our alliance with Motochika Chōsokabe and the crew of the Katabami until such a time as our contract has been broken or expires. Should there be any other members of the Saika out there, resolve the matter of your own contracts and come here when you are able. That is all.

-The sound of wind and water whipping past is heard. The small little sailboat she, Link, and Futo on had managed to catch quite the favorable wind, zooming across the see at a great pace. She was still on the watchout for any potential Naval vessels that could interfere, but so far they were in the clear and making excellent pace. She had a moment's peace... to think.

And sigh.-

I read, briefly, on how this time has come to be associated with romantic love in the modern world... A time meant to be spent with a person dearest to you. A lover, a spouse, a soulmate...

-Her prince.-

It's almost cruel... it serves as a reminder that they are so far away from me... If I could just be in their arms once again... all of this fighting for the shards will feel worth it.

-Another sigh. She shouldn't be this depressed when she needs to be alert. Maybe listening to the problems of others would help.-

Misery loves company, of course... Is there anyone from home you wish you could be with right now?

[Okay, so this whole. Getting kidnapped thing is not entirely new to Estelle. What is new it getting kidnapped to a whole new world. She of course knows of travel and loves the ocean and stars, but somehow all of this...she never thought there might be worlds like this out there besides those in the books she read. She's curious, examining the fountain and its words thoughtfully before flipping through the journal, and unfortunately with how she gets when reading, this may mean she might end up bumping into somebody as she wanders only half paying attention to her surroundings as she investigates the book.]

It seems like there are a lot of people who were brought here too. To find these shards....? I guess there are others who just recently arrived too. I'm Estelle! I'm not sure if my friends might be among them, but if they are, I'd like to join a crew with them together! If anyone has seen or heard from Yuri, Flynn, Judith, Rita, Raven or Karol, please let me know. I'm sure if they are here they are also worrying about me and things back home too.

I'm not sure how much a ship might be, but if that really is the best way, the way to possibly get home and find these shards, then we don't have much other choice, do we? This is almost kind of exciting as much as it is....a little scary. There are so many new people to meet, so much new land to explore! And I never knew there were books like this!

Oh! And um, if my friends aren't here, I could join a different crew. I can heal, so that might help, especially out on the ocean traveling!

[The recording stops when she accidentally bumps into someone and drops her book. Oops.]

[The writing is very animated as it’s being composed]

Hi everyone!

[Despite finding herself in the completely wrong location, the girl was keen on making a good first impression. Besides- if having a talking cat drop in on her, who then proceeded to tell her that she had this great mysterious destiny to fulfill wasn’t enough to faze her, then this certainly wasn’t!]

This is Minako Aino! I am in my first year of middle school, I enjoy video games, naps, volleyball, and idols! Despite being a stunning beauty, I’m still available and on the lookout for the perfect guy.

[It was odd not having her fellow classmates pipe in to argue with her statement regarding her femininity. Yes, she was attractive in her own way but she could also fit right in as one of the guys.]

So.. can anyone tell me what this is all about? Not that I mind missing math class but I don’t like being kept in the dark either. Is there anyone else here from Shiba Koen? Hikaru-chan, can you hear me?

[That should be enough for a start. Then she could try to get in touch with “boss” or locate Artemis]

It's the first time I've ever heard of something like this.

Are all the books in this world the same?

[Weirdness aside, Nami has had a bit of time to digest what's happened to her. She does not like being stripped away from her quest, not at all. Saving her entire race is pretty important, you know. But considering what she's learned of the Piedra Roja so far, what comes next seems easy enough.]

Anyways, my name is Nami and humans know me better as a mermaid. I've never actually been part of a crew, or had much reason to use a boat, but I know how to work with a team and I'm pretty comfortable in the ocean. I can harm and I can heal, like the seas themselves.

[It's kind of where she lived for most of her life, after all.]

I'm not really looking for anybody in specific, but if anyone out there has heard of a "moonstone"...

[Nami stops talking for a moment.]

It's really important that I find one.

[Unlikely that she'll get anything out of that, but she may as well try.]

[Written ]

Writing in this diary really allows everyone to read it? I don't know... That is kind of perverted isn't it? What if some one wanted to write down something really personal? It would be rude to read it.

[There is a pause in the writing while she ponders over that. ]

I guess it can't be helped. It is not like you can make the magic stop working...

If this does work I should introduce myself. I'm Maron Kusakabe. I am a sixteen year old High School student and rhythmic gymnast. That might not be much help on a ship... but I do know how to cook! If some one needs a ships chef I could handle that position.

[And I'm also the magical thief Kaitou Jeanne, but you don't need to know that! Hee hee ♥~! ]

I should learn to sail too... if we are really going to be stuck here. You would think people would be more forgiving and allow us to take up rooms on the islands instead of sailing around all of the time. Has anyone tried that? Would they really get mad?

Sincerely,
Maron

[ With the letter, er journal entry written Maron closed the magical book and took a seat on the edge of the fountain, waiting for a reply.]

[ Immediately alarmed by the scale of the things around him, when this Charmander awoke he avoided the eyes of any people as best as he could, and heart still beating fast he peeked out slightly of the alley in which he ran. After calming down somewhat he sits, and there's some hesitation as Calvin contemplates writing in the journal he somehow had. He raises a quill, lowers it... lets it hover there above the page, and then raises it up again.

Where should he even start? There were all the obvious things, like how the place is like, what info is known and whatnot. It was strange, and it could be dangerous... but the Charmander supposed some solace could be found in that he wasn't the only one in this situation. He absently waves the feather at the side of his cheek, and looks up to the cloudy sky, still puzzled. The glow of a fire flickering so low to the ground might be a curious sight for those who happen to pass by that street. But before he gets distracted; finally, he begins to write some words. ]

You know, even with all the weird things that have happened in my life, this is a whole new level of unbelievable. I hope you don't take offense if I ask this but... are there any... [ At his second's pause, the ink blot thickens. ] other non-humans here?

Why, exactly, should I waste my time running around in search of an imaginary, wish-granting gem?

[The disgruntled voice you're hearing belongs to Mitsunari Ishida. As haranguing townsfolk has ultimately gotten him nowhere, he's finally taken a look at the apparently magic journal he woke up with. The accompanying note from "Scurvey Dog" has cleared up a couple of things, but the answers aren't quite what he wanted to hear.]

I detest pirates, I detest this absurd place, and all I "wish" for is to know one thing: where I will find the man known as Ieyasu Tokugawa.

For the sake of Lord Hideyoshi, inform me of his whereabouts at once!

[Clearly someone isn't in the mood for smalltalk. There's no "thank you for your time" after this message or anything. That's that.]

[After getting over the initial freaking out at suddenly being dumped in some strange place without warning, wondering what happened, and eventually figuring out where she is and how the journal works and what it's for... Sakura writes in her journal.

This handwriting is a bit sloppy -- only because the writer is obviously in a hurry to get their thoughts out on paper.]

I'm looking for someone that fits this description:

Blond
Male
17 years old
Wears a lot of orange
Should have an open incision on his left side, around his serratus.

[A quick diagram of a body with an arrow pointing at his left side just under the arm.]

If anyone has seen someone like that, please contact me. It's a medical emergency and he needs urgent care.

-Haruno Sakura

I would call this a dream if I ever even considered the thought of being a pirate, but let's be honest, Ninja's are cooler.

Now don't go slitting my throat, I'm just joking. But all of this does feel like I found myself on the set to some weird TV show. Except it’s far too expansive and as far as I can see there's no camera's around. So this leaves me with the conclusion that this may be some mental disorder caused by lack of sleep and the crazy shit that has become my life...or I've been transported from Japan back to the past and landed on what I'll assume to be a Caribbean island, and one where all the locals can speak Japanese.

...Personally I'm leaning towards delusion myself.

But in the case this is in fact reality, I suppose I better get on with it and find some work.

So who of you is in need of medical attention?

First 20 to step up can pay in Cigarettes.

Cause I could really use one about now, and ten more after that.

[Honestly, he knows it's a bit of a long shot, especially given that:

1) The one he's about to inquire about can't really survive in the water given the robotic/mech state he's in.

and

2) Tadakatsu would sink a ship the second he got on board. He even told Motochika the same thing some years ago.

However, given that it's that time of new arrivals and all, Ieyasu's going to try. Plus, as much as he's enjoying the sailing around, he does kind of miss having that glorified jet pack around.]

To those currently docked at Isla Empieza, both current crews and new arrivals:

Should you come across a large, metal clad warrior, I ask that you fill me in on his current location as soon as possible. [There's a pause as he takes to thinking a bit.] I would advise against attempting to speak to him, though should one wish to do so, I ask that you mention the name "Ieyasu Tokugawa" before engaging in any further conversation. My name alone should be enough for Tadakatsu to give you his full attention.

[Of course, attempting to understand Tadakatsu is a whole other story. And that happens to be one that Ieyasu's not going to get into right now.]

Any who are able to supply me with this information, or any information at all that may lead to finding Tadakatsu, will have my complete gratitude in doing so.

[The writing is large and looping and it looks like proper penmanship has been abandoned in favor of looking girly and cute.]

Since Selphie was reading love poetry, I started thinking about love again. How depressing, right? I'm beginning to think that being a pirate means not having manners or treating ladies with respect. Sure, there are some exceptions, but the things I've had to go through, honestly...

Do you think the perfect guy is really out there? My lord Ujiyasu would always say that my standards are too high, but what's wrong with high standards? If you set your standards too low, that's what you're going to be stuck with. That's what I think, at least.