piratejournal | [voice] - action for those on Phantasia

ATTENTION EVERYONE!

[Yes, that is Codi putting her face in the journal and yelling at it. It's not...terribly necessary, as the tranquil beachfront of Phantasia is far from noisy enough to cause interference, but Codi won't pass up the chance to make a lot of noise. At least she keeps a more consistent indoor voice for the rest of the message.]

This is a message from Captain Dakota Perkins, head of the Welcome Committee! Perhaps you've seen our posters on Empieza, or been approached by one of our many representatives upon your arrival, and you've been wondering, "what exactly is the Welcome Committee? How can they help me and my crew survive in this strange new world?"

[...heaven help us all, it's a sales pitch.]

Wonder no further! The Welcome Committee, established this past January, is a collective effort from members of many crews to gather new arrivals, inform them of the situation, and start them on the journey to get sailing and gather shards as quickly and as safely as possible. Our goal is a broad one that can be accomplished many ways--and we are always expanding our horizons--but the willingness to help and work together is universal!

If you're interested in being a part of this noble mission, we are currently accepting new recruits! Please contact the head of the Committee--yours truly--or one of our answering members, include a brief description of why you want to help and how you're capable of helping, and then you, too, can proudly declare your intent to assist the new arrivals to the oceans of Empieza!

Thanks for your time!

[She signs it in black ink, flourished and a bit smudged from the wind--but she's not done yet.]

[Closed to current Welcome Committee members]

[The dramatic air of the message above cuts off abruptly, replaced by a more excited, conspiratorial tone.]

Current members! How many of you went to the masquerade Saturday? Got any dirt for us?

[Closed to elissacousland]

[Further down the page, in a stage whisper: ]

Elissa? Can I ask a favor of you? It's kind of a big one.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Haven't heard of anyone being captured, no. I hope you stayed long enough to dance with Elissa? She was looking forward to that!

[No, this isn't the time to talk about this, particularly given the fact that she's apparently missing, but Codi doesn't care and doesn't know, respectively. There's money riding on this!]

[You... are fishing for information and he is allowing it, even if it is in a snippy way, only due to his concern over Elissa temporarily overriding sense.]

Yes, yes, you lost your bet. If Elissa can ever be found I'm certain she will look forward to collecting her earnings from you with the greatest glee, until then I would appreciate it if you would turn your inquisitive nature towards discovering what may have become of her. She has not been in contact with Harlock or I since the fighting erupted during the Ball.

[Now that gets her attention.]

What? She's missing? [Unable to really articulate further confusion or panic, Codi settles for pouting instead.] But she--I need her for something!

[He thought it might. ]

What ever you needed will have to wait. For the moment it seems unlikely she will be able to help you.

[A beat.]

What did you wish her for?

[Codi hums in irritation and worry. Where could she have gone? Elissa seemed like too slippery a customer to get captured by the Navy...]

[That aside, Haytham seems like as good a substitute as any for the request she had in mind.]

I need someone to relay messages from Dog to me. She's thrown a bit of a fit and won't let me or my crew see any of the new ones.

[As he hopes. Elissa must have holed up some where safe, but the lack of any news about her... ]

[About the Dog though, Codi could not have asked a better ally. He had no great love of her or her tactics.]

She is the master of the tantrum. Now that the Mistress can see those postings of hers I would be willing to relay what is contained within them to you.

[Hindsight says that this is a brief victory, but for the moment, Codi is relieved.]

Great. Haytham, you're a lifesaver. If I find anything out about Elissa, you'll be the first to know, alright?

[Could be, but he is not the type to back down from the Dog's threats so if their association fell apart it would likely be due to something she did... or perhaps a change in his circumstances. For now the information exchange works in his favor.]

I would be grateful if you did.