10 January 2014 @ 08:16 pm
[Anise had been through some pretty weird stuff lately, but waking up in a completely unfamiliar place all alone might just take the cake. The island isn't anything like the places she's been to either, and she's been to quite a few. Her first instinct is to try buddy up with the locals, but when all the answers she get are annoyingly vague, she finally turns her attention to the weird journal she has with her. A quick trip to the fountain later, she's marginally less confused, but all her earlier questions are replaced with new ones.]

[She does take a moment to keep flicking through the journal though as she tries to work out how to use it. Huh, seems like there are plenty of new arrivals like her. She better introduce herself and find a crew too! Especially if it meant she'll be able to find that ruby by doing so.]


Hey everyone! My name's Anise Tatlin, and I just got here! [Now, should she play for sympathy or boast about her own skills? Maybe both.] It's pretty scary being here all by myself, so it'd be great if someone can let me join their crew! I'm a really quick learner and I'm great at finding treasure!

[And...one last thing that's been bothering her. She assumes a thoughtful pose.] There's a bunch of weird-looking entries on the journal. Does this kind of thing happen a lot around here?


Action;
[A new place! Anise spends most of her time exploring, first trying to find a way to get home, then slowly growing enchanted with her new surroundings. She rummages through the Backwater Brig and the market, and tries to talk her way into a tavern or two. Maybe this will finally be her chance to try some alcohol...!]
 
 
09 January 2014 @ 01:06 am
All Spades, Straw Hats, and those invited, we need a full crew meeting immediately, off the ships.

To all other crews, my name is Marco. Do not touch a certain fireball named Ace. If you can avoid him, please do, but consider him extremely temperamental and volatile. That is not a challenge, it's a warning. He's not in his usual state of mind, and if confronted, he will try to kill you. And if you lay a hand on my baby brother, I'll kill you. So just leave him alone, and if you need help dealing with him, contact me here.

Are any other crew's members acting out of sorts?
 
 
07 January 2014 @ 01:16 pm
[When Alice's voice comes, it is very... quiet. Distant. She doesn't actually sound like she's speaking to anyone in particular, at least at first.]

They're not safe here...

This world is going to make them suffer more and more...

...I need to protect them...

But how do I do that, when I can't stop those things that would hurt them...

[It sounds like just idle musing at this point, as if she's trying to contemplate a real answer to this.]

One way or another, I cannot allow that... No matter what anyone says, I know it will come again...

They won't suffer again. I... there are ways I can make sure of that, I am certain... I know I can stop it, some way...
 
 
01 January 2014 @ 08:50 am
[Link has long been back on his schedule of stirring in the early hours before dawn.

And just when the sun is beginning to creep across the sky, the wind comes. Bustled and nearly knocked off his feet, he stares in awe as the petals it carried float gently onto the deck. There does not seem to be anything special about them...

He tears out his journal, nearly dropping it when he hears laughter lilting from the pages. He waits a moment before speaking.]


This is the Murderess. How farspread was that wind just now? Did it carry black petals as well?
 
 
31 December 2013 @ 12:42 am
[This is a very noisy post, as there seem to be a lot of people in the background. Some of them are yelling, all of them are definitely working. There's a whooshing noise as the sail is adjusted and the swish of ropes being pulled. And then more yelling.

And a groan coming from much closer, most likely the person holding the journal.]


If anyone has actual experience sailing, I'd appreciate some advice. Especially if you know how to turn a ship against the wind.

[Because the wind has mostly been going in one direction, and that leaves them little choice as to where to go. Whoops. Who knows where they'll end up.

But before she can say anything more, there's a louder, more distressed yell in the background. And a louder whoosh. Shepard neatly ducks as the boom comes flying across deck, a few inches above her head. Then it goes quiet. A seagull squawks in the distance. If you listen carefully, there's a bit of muffled swearing from somewhere up above.

And then:]


Thane, can you get Joker down from the rigging?

[the space-faring, technologically superior races of the galaxy, people. Something so primitive as a ship should be easy to handle, right?]
 
 
I just wanted to say to everyone that I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, or a happy holiday to whatever you may wish to celebrate in this season. I understand that many of you from varying worlds may not understand what this is all about, including many upon our own ship. In the simplest terms, it can simply be seen as a time for celebrating with your friends and loved ones.

So for my new friends upon the Shepherd, I express that I don't know you all terribly well yet, so deciding upon what to get you is a little difficult. I hope this will change, and you'll at least accept these small tokens to put towards that.

For Mana-chan and Rikka-chan, you both have given me so much for so long. You two are a better gift than anything else I could ask for. I wish there was more I could offer, with our limited funds and resources here, but I do hope you will like what I found.

[On the morning of December 25th, the crew of the Shepherd would find wrapped gifts at their door steps. For the majority of the crew, it is a good mixture of various samples of coffee and tea - she can't entirely be sure which any would prefer, if either, but figures if she goes for both she'll be more likely to hit upon something. It is, after all, the thought that counts, regardless of whether or not they know what a "Christmas" is.

Mana, meanwhile, would find a stack of cook books and a variety of different sorts of spices.

Rikka gets a clock. Its outside is hand carved into the shape of a frog. It is, of course, the sort of clock you would find from around this general time period. Either way - frog clock.]
 
 
20 December 2013 @ 01:32 am
Lovely weather, isn't it? I just love a good winter storm, especially when it leads to an exciting shipwreck.

At an island filled with musical catfish, no less.

[You think Jade is joking? Think again. You can clearly hear singing in the background. Energetic singing about the life of a poor downtrodden cattleberry fish who has survived much hardship and resolved to start a new life. It's quite catchy.]

[How do catfish sing? We just don't know.]


I suppose it doesn't matter much. Most of our crew has disappeared and there aren't enough of us to man the ship even if we could fix it. Which brings me to a more important point -- I have a request to make.

Would anyone out there have some spare room on their ship? There are only three of us, along with some supplies and a few months of sailing experience. We won't take much space, I assure you.

[A child's voice can be heard.] Look! The fish are tap dancing on the water!

...Charming. [A sigh.] A swift answer would be appreciated. Please. At this rate I fear I may go insane.
 
 
18 December 2013 @ 11:51 pm
How many ships have had people vanish?

Did anyone notice anything unusual before they disappeared?
 
 
18 December 2013 @ 09:58 pm
[With the onset of what seems to be an unusual cold snap, Hubert's betting on people being stuck inside with their journals for company and nothing much else to do besides trying to get warm. So he picks up his own journal to issue a plea for help:]

Does anyone know how to get someone's tongue unstuck from a frozen pole?

[The question is punctuated by incoherently dismayed mumblings in the background. Someone coughAsbelcough got bored enough to get himself into a bit of trouble and now Hubert has to figure out how to get him out of it. And so it goes.]
 
 
04 December 2013 @ 02:14 pm
Calling all able and willing ships.

Since it has been apparent that multiple ships will be raiding Isla Empieza, I find it imperative that we have a proper strategy. Even with all of us, we are outnumbered and, very likely, outgunned.

The strategy I have proposed is using magics and other talents to create a foggy mass, possibly stormlike in appearance, that will disguise our approach and fool the Navy into not firing a single shot until we are already behind them and at the advantage.

Though I am open to other ideas. Anything beyond a full frontal assault has some merit, but if you're going to suggest some suicidal blazing guns routine, I'm going to politely ask you to shove it and let the real strategists talk.

So. Suggestions?
 
 
02 December 2013 @ 03:48 pm
[It's been a day or so since the battle and the Doctor has had time to calm down and get his head together. Everyone is relatively alright, sure, and the Navy fortress has been reduced to a smoldering heap by Ace, Ikki, and his own inventions. But he's got a few thoughts about all of this, and as usual he's not terribly good at the whole staying quiet thing.]

Right, so, I've got a bit of a question. Aside from the whole...stereotypical law thing...does anyone know exactly why the Navy of this world is out to get us? Most of us aren't really out to overthrow governments, steal things, and plunder ships.

'Course, that doesn't seem to matter much, does it? No, not really. And it sort of makes one wonder what sort of nonsense assumptions they're working under. At least, it does me.

Anyway. Guess that's a moot point for me. [His voice gets a bit colder.] Magnets, it seems, are a wonderful tool for causing all kinds of mayhem with their forts. So, I guess if any of you listening to this are Navy types, I'd appreciate it if you'd not give me cause to come up with something new. Next time I won't be so forgiving.

[And it softens again as his warning is delivered.]

Oh, right. And also if anyone knows where I can find a few well polished bits of quartz, well...I need them for a bit of a project.

[And with that random barrage of information, the Doctor closes the book, apparently already distracted by something else.]
 
 
19 November 2013 @ 10:45 pm
[No dry humor from Jade this time. Things are looking rather grim right now.]

To those still on Isla Empieza; has anyone seen Ashley Williams? She left our ship yesterday and has not reported back since. We can't seem to contact her through the journals either. I understand she was supposed to meet some old comrades from her home world.

[...]

I'm sure you have all heard of the Dog's warning by now. The Navy is coming for us, and I'm afraid our reputation is only getting worse. I suggest anyone remaining on the island consider setting sail soon.

If you know anything about Williams, please contact the Alcyone as soon as possible. As things stand now, we may not have much time left to search for her.
 
 
16 November 2013 @ 03:16 pm
Week 0, Day 1

Using this given book as a personal log.

Name: Garrus Vakarian
Rank: Turian Hierarchy Reaper Task Force Leader (as of this entry)

I’ve woken up in plenty of strange places after a night of shore leave, but this is new. Still trying to wrap my head around what’s going on. I’m putting my money on a simulation of some kind. Probably Reaper or Cerberus tech or a weird form of indoctrination. From what I remember, subjects tend to hear some sort of whispering. That’s not creepy at all.

At the risk of sounding like that freaking Prothean, the town’s culture, technology and architecture is primitive and human-centric. I doubt they have any kind of water purification or dextro food, so the environment is obviously not turian-friendly.

Gonna have a look around. Simulation or not, I’m hoping they’re friendly.

And that I can find someone or something familiar.
 
 
14 November 2013 @ 08:19 pm
THIS WORLD SUCKS!!!

[For someone that's been forced to write in a diary for the past seven years, Luke's handwriting sure does look like cheagle scratch. It doesn't help that he's fed up and annoyed, which only serves to make his already crappy handwriting that much worse.]

I used to love the ocean, but I can't stand it any more! All we ever do is sail over here, get attacked by giant moths, sail over here, lose some crew members in a fog, sail over here, pick up some brats. It's so damn boring, and now we're going back to that stupid island we started out from again!? Even though everyone said we should get off of there as soon as possible?!

I hate this! I want something different to do!

[...just be glad this is written, and you don't actually have to hear his bratty ranting.]
 
 
01 November 2013 @ 09:36 pm
[Kairi was so happy to hear that Sora was alive of all things, but now the incident has gotten Kairi thinking and thinking hard.]

Within the past week or so, a close and dear friend of mind died. It's still hurts to even mention it, but not even a day ago and he is back like nothing had happened.

While I'm happy about this, it has made me wonder something. I mean we all know that usually death is something to be considered permanent, right? That's what I was meant to believe. But here... It seems to me that there is something different when it comes to death.

Does it mean people here don't actually die? I can't really say honestly, but never the less it makes one wonder more and more about where exactly we are. I must say it's made me all the more curious to find out as much as I can. Call it an adventure. Though I might have to keep an eye on my friend for a while first. Make sure he doesn't get up to anything again.
 
 
28 October 2013 @ 11:02 am
I believe it to be important that we get a handle on two things.

1. How many of us are vampires now?

2. Has anyone turned into something other than a vampire?

Thank you.
 
 
"If you're cursed and the sun rises, don't"... don't what? Can't really hold it against him under the circumstances, but I'd be a lot happier if he'd finished his sentence.

Things just keep getting better, don't they?

But anyway, I've got a couple questions.

One. Three members of our crew have disappeared on Isla Empieza since we got into port a couple weeks ago. If anyone has answers, I want to know. If you've seen Garrus Vakarian (trust me, you can't miss him, he's a six-foot-something spiky alien), Flynn Rider or a man called Tulio, I really want to know.
Has something like this happened to anyone else here, or can we just not catch a break?

Two. I don't think there's enough of us left to sail the Normandy and really? That was a bad idea in the first place. I'm looking to sign on with a new crew, if anyone has the space.
I'll be honest, the whole sailing thing is still new to me. I'm used to starships. But I'm willing to work, and you want me on your side in a fight.

Hope you're all okay out there.
- Ash
 
 
14 October 2013 @ 07:52 pm

[You all remember Hector, of course. The ass who's torn apart most of the folks who've asked stupid questions? And has been highly offended at the assumptions about the way he speaks? Well, he's just come upon a thought that struck him out of the blue, and really, in his opinion you just might want to pay attention.

But hoo boy, does he sound full of schadenfreude. Because he is.]


Just as an aside, as that execution do bring some things to mind. At least for meself, as I'm a bit more versed in the laws and rules of the sea...

You do realize, o'course, with your sailing and bartering without proper papers - letters o' marque or otherwise granting you permission to do such from a nation - you are all, in fact, committing acts of piracy, aye?

No papers, no authority to conduct yourself as a legitimate crew. No authority, of course, to organize yourself in a militaristic force. You aren't privateers. You aren't merchants, and you aren't treasure hunters.

You're pirates. Piss poor excuses for pirates, I'll grant ye that, but not a single soul brought to this place has authority to do anything. You're conducting in black market trade, operating a craft that is not, in fact, registered in any home port, and not a single one among ye has a place ye make berth.

This, of course, does include our little ship full o'sparkle and light in the name of justice et cetera, et cetera.

Pirates, the lot of you. Every last one of you be staring at Jack Ketch, waiting to be the next to dance the jig. No matter your noble intentions.

 
 
09 October 2013 @ 10:15 pm
My, we seem to have quite a number of new faces around. This must all be a lot to swallow, but perhaps you might have room for one more little mystery?

[Jade sounds cheerful, and utterly unconcerned by the noise in the background. It sounds like thuds, clicking of insects and... are those screams?]

We found a library on the island called Manila. Sadly the, ah, owners are a touch reluctant to part with their books, but thanks to my dear crew-mates' negotiation skills, I did manage to get my hands on one copy.

[The shouts in the background grow more distinctive ("GET THEM OFF GET THEM OFF GET THEM OFF" "How are they getting bigger?!" "JADE, GET BACK HERE")]

This appears to be a genealogy of an old kingdom -- and judging by the volume of the book, it was a long-lived one at that. Most of the contents won't help us much without anything to cross-reference with, unfortunately, but there is one interesting bit at the very end.

[Jade clears his throat ("Get down!" "Yeeeooouch, c-cold!" "I'm sorry, I had to-- ACK!" "It's on my face") and reads out loud:]

"Ludovicus Marchineus Lockpost IV- Founder of the Tenstair Excavation Company, discovered the Heart of the Sea."

Now, this could mean anything at this point, but it does make you wonder, doesn't it? Why does the record end with this particular entry, and what is "the Heart of the Sea"...? Perhaps you are even thinking of the same thing I am.

[("Colbat, use Confuse Ray!" "Get your ugly bat away from me!" "Stop complaining and run!" "Sheba, now!") There is a sound of paper rustling in the wind, then running footsteps and shrieks coming closer.]

Ah, looks like my crew is ready to depart. Until next time~!
 
 
04 October 2013 @ 09:07 am
[Keeping record of any new island they came across was a pretty smart idea. However, the place left him quite miserable really, but you won't hear any complaints here, nooope completely out of his element so the least he could do to keep himself occupied was jot down some notes by the fireside.]

My crew and I were blown to a southern island labeled on the map as Manilla. I only say that since so far we haven't found any other signs of life to say otherwise. What we have found so far is sand, more sand, some rocks of varying sizes and more sand. Some of the larger stone platforms seem to have been dug out underneath and provide mild shade during the daytime, but there are some reptilian creatures that make their home under there.

[There's a brief pause as he looks out to their destination, the large building still some distance away and shadowed against the evening sky, then back to the book.]

This is likely to change. There is some large structure toward the center of the island, hopefully the walls to some city. If we find out anything more, it will be when we arrive there.

--Archie