[written]

[thethundersaid]

[written, public]

Who is left of that Welcome Committee, with Codi gone?

I'm on Empieza to fulfill my agreement, but if there's no point in maintaining it, there's no point in my playing my part.

--

[written, private to Sabers]

There are no longer enough of us to maintain this ship efficiently. We need to recruit from the new arrivals.

Focus on those with combat capacity. Do not bring on people who won't be able to take care of themselves.

--

[written, private to Itachi]

Brother, meet me on the ship before dinner. [As if added in afterthought:] If you have the time.

Comments

[written -> action]

[forthevillage]

[The second line gives Itachi pause. He understands it, as he'd always pushed Sasuke aside for what he considered to be the boy's own protection, but here...

He always has time for Sasuke here.]

Understood.

[And he'll be there. He hasn't forgotten what day it is, not when it had been broadcast to everyone earlier, but he hadn't been looking for his brother to do anything for it.]

[action]

[thethundersaid]

[He's had a weird day of it, trying to work out where to get a present (in the end, Margie) and where to get a cake (again, Margie). What present to get was a debate in itself, and in the end he's embarrassed to have taken inspiration from the house break-in holiday, but there it is.

It's not normal for Sasuke to be late, but it is closer to dinner than before-dinner when he makes his way back up the gangplank, squinting against the setting sun for Itachi's familiar silhouette.]

[action]

[forthevillage]

[If they've not yet eaten, then it's still before dinner. Itachi is patient.

He is sitting on the rails, easily spotted once someone boarded the ship, and he glances in his brother's direction as Sasuke returns. A simple nod in greeting is all he believes is necessary.]

[action]

[thethundersaid]

[Seeing Itachi -- doesn't help the awkwardness in the set of Sasuke's shoulders at all. Forget giving someone a present; he hasn't even celebrated a birthday without being forced to since ... a long time ago.]

Brother. [He approaches, the boxed-up cake balanced carefully in one hand.] ... happy birthday.

[action]

[forthevillage]

[The younger ninja looks to the box, then to his brother, then back to the box again. He slides easily off the rail.]

... Thank you.

[This is all he can really say today, isn't it?]

I don't know if it counts, as the date I was taken from and the date I arrived here don't match up... But I'm not sure that matters either.

[action]

[thethundersaid]

[He sets the cake very carefully onto the railing and contemplates for yet another time on how to present the other gift. For now he settles on awkwardly nodding to accept the thanks and fidgeting very slightly with his hands now that they're free, nothing obvious to anyone but another shinobi.]

When time is weird like it is here, there's probably no use keeping strictly to a calendar.

[action]

[forthevillage]

No. Not in relation to our world. Though it's good to keep track of the time here, of course.

[Itachi is finding the gift of cake incredibly precious. Not that he'd express this to his brother out loud.]

[action]

[thethundersaid]

Of course. [It's awkward. He pauses, then fishes out the candles that Margie tucked in with the cake and hands them to Itachi, ears a little red.]

I wasn't sure if you'd want to put candles on it, but ...

[written]

[yatteyanyo]

Understood, sir.

[written]

[thethundersaid]

Prioritize hand-to-hand combat experience as well. We have enough long-range abilities on board.

voice;

[cherrybombpie]

You welcomed me quite attentively, if I recall correctly.

voice;

[thethundersaid]

And you are?

voice; omg I thought he was itachi sob SORRY SASUKE

[cherrybombpie]

Oh!

Have you forgotten me already?

voice; IT'S OKAY IT HAPPENS

[thethundersaid]

I don't know you to have forgotten you. When did you arrive?

[He's reasonably sure he doesn't know this voice, anyway.]

voice; I'M JUST...GONNA ROLL WITH IT I GUESS CRY

[cherrybombpie]

I arrived about two months ago.

How heartless of you! I simply cannot imagine that you could be so cruel!

voice; THEY'RE RELATED it's not an impossible mistake!!!

[thethundersaid]

[He's thinking back to two months ago and ... nope, he definitely doesn't remember this voice.]

I have no memory of your voice. What is your name?

voice; you're very kind ;o;

[cherrybombpie]

It is me, Kodachi, the Black Rose!

Itachi-san, how could you?

[Suddenly sobbing. YOU MADE HER CRY.]

voice; ;u; plus it's funny

[thethundersaid]

[The -- okay, that makes sense now, except ... is that sobbing? Is she seriously crying because she thinks his brother didn't remember her? Sasuke gives the journal a dubious look.]

You have the wrong person. I'm Itachi's brother.

Written

[orderispeace]

I was a member and I believe Captain Harlock was as well, but I wonder with so few of us left if the Welcome Committee might not be better off dissolved?

Written

[thethundersaid]

If there is no one left to handle organizing it, then there is no point continuing it. My only agreement was to restrain anyone arriving violently.

Written

[orderispeace]

It would be a pity if another island ended up being set on fire.

[Pointedly stated.]

But, I fear I will have to much else to see to so unless you or Captain Harlock wished to take up Codi's position?

Written

[thethundersaid]

It would be a pain for us to have to re-take Empieza again. [Point taken. But still:]

I have no interest in being the one to coddle newcomers with information. Who else was involved?

Written

[orderispeace]

As I said I believe Captain Harlock was involved but if there were any others who are not now gone then I do not know them.

For all the information Codi tried to get out there it did not appear to do very much good. The same questions were asked regardless.

Written

[thethundersaid]

It certainly seemed that there was no end to stupid questions.

The only benefit that remains from the committee is to subdue violent new arrivals, then, instead of trying to help any confused ones.

Written

[orderispeace]

Given how alike our situations are, all of us spirited away from our respective homelands, it's hardly surprising they would ask the same questions. I do not begrudge them that. It just seems a waste of time and energy for the Welcome Committee to try and answer them all when the group as a whole does a decent enough job with it.

I agree our focus should be on seeing that the more violent or those prone to overreaction should be managed.