Ginger? Does not help. Though at least it tastes pretty good.

[Alex is talking to the journal. It's late at night, she's sick as hell, and there's a prevailing exhaustion both night and day that's starting to slow her down. She's doing her best to hide it -- eating plenty, sleeping the few hours she can... Everything but what she knows will fix it.

Here? That's kind of awkward to even think about approaching.

So, she's on the deck of Triton's Mistress. The rocking is less awful here, and she's able to dump, lower, and therefore clean her bucket (kept by her side) easiest on deck. She's leaned back against the steps leading up to the quarterdeck and helm, apparently half asleep.

On the other side of her, away from the bucket, is a mug of ginger tea.]

I'm trying to find cures for seasickness. Nothing seems to be working.

Come hell or high water, we're shipping out on Saturday. Probably in the early evening. If you wish to stay behind you may but there's no promises we'll be able to return. Our plans are to pick up the coral as we see it, blast the hell out of the fortress when we can and get in--getting rid of anything or anyone in our way until we find a way to lift this curse.

In order to cover more ground, Sun and Moon will be heading in opposite directions. If you wish to remain behind, let someone know. Otherwise we need repair work done and done quickly. Come to me or Namur for supply lists.

Our captain will be taken care of so don't worry about him.

If you have questions, ask, but don't waste my time.

[Private to the Spade Pirates]

I'm alive, somehow.

-Aya

[It's all they really need to know at the moment.]

[/Private]


Have things gotten back to normal yet?

[Ace's post begins with a number of screaming pleas. They're cut off in an instant and bodies are heard hitting the ground, one rapidly after the other. Beyond that, a set of slow foot-steps permeates past that noise. It all stops--just as the sound of an anchor being towed up from the water follows.]

I'm tired of making you bow. [Another man fell--and then another.]

Those of you who can still stand. Raise your sails and turn the helm 45 degrees clockwise. To Aeolipile.

Please! We don't want to go there! There's madmen, there! The Sea Witch is--Ungh!

[Another man hit the floor at that--presumably the one crying out to Ace.]

You have my apologies. Next time, just remember--I'm never going to ask you questions. I'm only going to be issuing commands.

[At that, Ace's journal ceased sending over his voice.]

-

[TEXT - PRIVATE TO THE SPADES]

Pack everything up and run. If you don't run in time, then don't let me reach the shore.

It's new year's eve. It was July 15 for me the day I ended up here. I wonder if that means it's December back on my planet now and if the Yamato made it back. I might not even have a ship or planet to go back to even if we do find this jewel.

Am I the only one who wouldn't want anyone from home to be here?

Besides the cold, it isn't exactly a vacation here. With this place being so unpredictable, I'd rather have those I know back home in familiar territory.

[He's trying his best to keep his handwriting from getting too shaky.]

Spade Pirates

This is Ace.

I found this cool little shop that sells a lot of different things. I think it might be magic, because I bought Vivre cards from it that work without you needing to weave them properly. There's one of every crew member for everyone, so it was pretty expensive. I was forced to sell the really fancy green hat I got off that jerk I punched.

They've been tested them too, so I know they work like the real thing. Each card has a name on them, so you know who they'll be pulled to.

I'll pass them out on the ship. Just be sure not to lose them.

Be ready, by the way. We're gonna set sail once the ship is stocked up.

[He's been wandering around enough to see other posts and learn a bit about the journal's function.]

So we're given a journal, some money, and we're expected to leave this island as soon as possible via ship? [His voice sounds pretty skeptical.] Aren't there other options?

[In the background there is the sound of seagulls and the sea washing against the docks.]

I don't think I've been on a ship for longer than a day, if that long... [He can already feel he's going to have an awful time at sea. There is a sigh.]

From what I can see, not everyone has a journal like this. Any particular reason why?