Hello, everyone! I trust you're all safe! It's been a very dangerous time, hasn't it?

I just wanted to let everyone know that those of us on the ship that was called the "Shepherd" are all alright! Unfortunately... our vessel didn't quite come out of the battle with the Navy unscathed...

Fortunately, we made it to Port Chance, and have successfully attained a new ship! We felt it was best that we step out on our own, so it's been given a new name from the old one... in fact... it was our first mate Jade who gave me the wonderful idea for what to call it!

Are you all ready for this?

Our new ship... is called "The Friend Ship"!

It's such a great name! It works on so many levels! We'll be setting sail on it this weekend, so here's hoping calm seas await us!

[locked to the crew of "The Friend Ship"]

Jade-san wasn't the only one with a good idea! I spoke to Asbel-kun and he suggested we all carve our names or initials on a particular part of the ship! I think that's a great idea, personally, so if anyone wants to do it before we set off, just let me know!

Hain't gonna have the weather this time 'round. Hope ye lot are doin' well wi' the navy or not gettin' yerselves too hurt. I'll be takin' a leave of absence ta see if I can help stop this bedamned plague from spreadin'. We haven't had an outbreak like this fer thirty years-- fortunately we know how ta stop it but I'd keep a fair distance from Dermaevern if I were ye. I wouldn' take a risk on Blackfisk either.


Afore I set out, I hae a little time fer a question ta which ye know the rules of. Ta be specific, though since damned near all 'o ye seem ta hae this problem. I hain't here ta be yer nursmaid or explain ta ye th' ups an' downs 'o friendship. In other words, if ye can ask any 'o yer mates the same question and expect to get answer, do it and don't waste me time.

Attention to all pirate crews, and to those formerly known as the shepherds. It seems that I have been dragged back to this ocean by that nefarious poltergeist, and I am currently on Empieza... again.

To those who were once my Shepherds, I wish to offer my sincerest of apologies. I founded the crew in the hopes of bringing order to an unending well of chaos, to bring hope to the hopeless, and to right the wrongs that I saw all around me. Yet it seemed that events conspired against me, and with illness after curse after illness I fear I failed you as a captain. Since my resignation as your Captain, and shortly afterwards my departure from this place for a time, I've no doubt the Shepherds has evolved into something different and new. This is not a terrible thing, and in fact I hope that you have taken my founding notions and perhaps turned them into something good and earnest. Yet I feel I do not have the right to be captain of this new crew, nor do I wish to impose my presence where I would likely feel the need to meddle. In this regard, I would like to bid you the fondest of farewells, and to tell you that I shan't return to the crew, but I will always be your comrade for as long as I live.

To the Pirates who mocked and jeered at my ideals, know that while I may no longer captain a crew of pirate hunters, I still intend to bring justice to this place. I will not be deterred even if I must fight this battle from scratch, and work my way back up from nothing.

Lastly, I wish to Parley with the Captain and any commanding officers of the Straw Hat pirate crew. I do not approve of piracy in any forms, but I have worked together with you in the past in more peaceful endeavors. In that regard I wish to speak with you about a rather... sensitive matter.

Hello, everyone! This is Aida Mana, captain of the Shepherd! I'd like to thank everyone for the words of encouragement they gave me, and let everyone know that I'm resuming my role as captain of our crew!

I know it looks like we have a big challenge ahead of us all, but I'd like everyone to know - not just my crewmembers, but everyone out there on those high seas, that we can get through this! We've survived a lot so far, and we'll keep on doing it, no matter how tough things get!

If there's anything these last few months have proven to me... love, courage... it will all see us through! Even if we can't see it, it's still out there, over the next horizon! Whether it's the Navy, or the sea witch... it doesn't matter! I believe in you!

[locked to the Shepherd crew]

Just reminding everyone our next destination is Port Chance, where we intend to use the treasure we recently acquired in order to upgrade to a bigger ship! The Shepherd has carried us far for so long... we should take these next few weeks to remember what it's done for us! It's been our home, our safe haven... we'll never forget it!

That said, we have to be diligent, given the Navy is out there... I'm counting on you all!

[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.]

This has been... really overdue, but it's time I finally spoke up.

Regarding the statements I made while under the control of the witch... I am incredibly sorry and regret all of them. I'm sure many of you know that, were I in my right mind, I would never have made such claims. However, as the Captain of the Shepherd, I'm still completely responsible for them.

So, to everyone I threatened, to the other crews I made an enemy of when... not myself, I humbly ask your forgiveness. What was said in the past is in the past... the mission I believe in for my crew is one where we can all sail the seas as friends in safety and harmony.

As for the crew of the Shepherd...

... I owe you the biggest apology of all. I failed you. I attacked you. And even if it wasn't me, I, again, bear the responsibility of what I did. I want to do everything I can to make you all trust me again...

[from here on, Mana's voice begins to crack]

... but at the same time, I don't think I can serve you all to the best of my abilities. I... I and the people closest to me have a lot to work through, a lot to work out, and I... I just need to step away from my duties for a little while and concentrate on them...

I am deeply, deeply sorry. In this time, I'd like to put Jade Curtiss in temporary command once again, until the time I am able to return to my duties...

[she lets out a final, weary sigh. This was something she'd wrote out, and rewrote several times, and this time, she'd done it without asking Rikka for help. The fact a fourteen year old put this together and spoke this way may be somewhat shocking to people...]

That's all. Th-thank you all for your time...

Good morning everyone!

To the crew of the Shepherds, I have good news! You all probably already know, but we've reached Green Breeze Island! With this, I have to say, my first voyage as your captain has been a great success! We wouldn't have made it this far without all of you!

But we can't take this as an excuse to sit around, no no! This island is just like any other! We have to vigilant! Make sure we take care of each other...

[with her next statement, Mana's voice becomes harsher, more demanding]

So my orders are... no one goes off the ship without Alice or I to accompany them. Furthermore, any requests to explore have to be approved by me, first. This is not up for debate.

Second, I feel I should address any other crews out there...

Any vessel that comes within sight of the Shepherd will be treated as hostile. I'm absolutely done not taking any of you seriously... I will protect my crew at any cost.

Let's all have fun on Green Breeze Island, everyone!

[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...

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.]

[and on early Christmas morning, a loud greeting hits the network, coming from a middle schooler trying very very very hard to sound like a jolly old man]

HOHOHOHOHO! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It is I, Santa Claus! I'm borrowing my good friend Aida Mana's journal to wish you all a very merry Christmas! That's right! I can even come to this world too!

Don't ask how I got here or how I plan on getting back... the answer is a terrible secret I can't get into! You'd go mad if you knew! Really!

I wasn't able to get any gifts for everyone this year, but it sounds like christmas magic found you anyway! I just want to make sure you all had the fondest holiday wishes and know that I'm rooting for you! Hang in there, everyone!

Hohoho! Well, I'd better be getting back to my workshop hohohoho! Happy Holidays!

...

...

Do you think they bought it, Cheryl?

Mana, the book is still open!

EEP!

((OOC: Just a bit of christmas fun, everyone. XD Mana said her childhood dream was to be Santa Claus in one episode of her canon, so I figured she'd try something like this! Anyway, happy holidays everyone!))

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?

Rikka's running around the Shepherd, and the dock where it remains moored, like a girl possessed. She looks like a completely different young woman than she did a week ago; friends and a long bath have breathed new life into her after the events leading up to Halloween. But, whatever happened, it's got her scared again, and both her own crew and anyone else on the island are likely to notice - she's usually a little more collected than this, vampiric shenanigans aside. Catching herself for a moment and realizing there's a better way, she stops, take a moment to get her breath back, and opens her journal.

"If anyone on the Shepherd is reading this, we need to move now. We're in danger if we stay here any longer. If anyone's joining us, get aboard. Alice, Mana, we need to start making preparations; meet me on the deck. Whoever else is left, you should probably meet me on the deck, too. I am not going to see us killed today, if there's anything I can do about it.

Anyone else that's on Isla Empieza, I think it's a good idea if you do the same thing - if the Navy comes here, we're going to be stuck, and I don't want to think about what's going to happen to us. Please... everyone be careful."

Satisfied as the journal finishes recording her handwriting, she snaps it shut, and starts up the gangplank at a brisk walk. And when she's on the deck:

"MARIBELLE!"

Hey everyone! So I was buying supplies for our ship's galley today, and an idea came to mind!

We're all here on this big ocean together, right? Plus, a bunch of new people showed up, and they're trying to get settled in and find out more of what to expect... Well, my papa always said that nothing brings people together like good food...

... So I thought, maybe all the different crews should arrange a big get together! Not on Impieza, of course, that might make people nervous... but any neutral territory would do! We could all prepare a bunch of different food, show up on the island together, eat, talk to each other... it'd be a great show of solidarity!

What do you all think?

Ugh... I shouldn't still be so tired, but after everything that happened, I'm almost afraid to go outside, and I'm sure that's not really... helping. Um, for anyone that cares, I was a vampire for a while there, but I'm better now, except for a pretty big hit to my pride. I never, ever want to do something like that again. I'm pretty much feeling well enough to leave the ship, at least, so that's something.

Anyway, it looks like we've got new people washing ashore again - sorry, pun not intended - so... I'm Rikka; I'm currently on the Shepherd's crew, docked at Isla Empieza. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them, though I can't promise I'll have all the answers. I'm definitely happy to just talk to people, too. Failing that, I wish all the newcomers luck finding a crew, and... I think that's it.

[You'll probably catch a faint sigh, which the journal decides to be cheeky and transcribe in small print anyway, before she snaps the book shut.]

It has been a few days now since my poor light frame was blow from my ship and off into the wild blue yonder; while I am thankful to have landed on this island and not in the water, all attempts to contact my crew have been fruitless. Perhaps the voice function on this strange book has limits in range as would a Den Den Mushi? All I can do is hope that perhaps someone might see these words and know that I am still alive...or as alive as a skeleton can be, yohohoho!

[Brook set his journal to the side and gave a long-winded sigh; not feeling quite as up to laughing as his text would indicate. Here he was stranded and alone once more...he hated this crushing silence; having thought he would never again have to bear its oppressive weight when he had joined Luffy's crew...yet here he was once again. All he could do now was sit on the beach and wait...maybe he wouldn't have to wait over 50 years to be found this time, or at least that's what he was hoping]

Hello, everyone! I'm Aida Mana, and I wanted to introduce myself to all the people on Lady Maribelle's crew... you may have seen me talking on the journals before, but my friend Rikka finally made our decision, and we're joining you guys!

We're going to do our best to help out, and if you ever need anyone to help you out with something around the ship, just call on me, alright?

That said... my family owns a restaurant. I'm no master chef, but I definitely know my way around a kitchen. I imagine someone else is already working there, but there's no reason why we should have only one cook in the galley, right? I'd love to help out in any way I can, there!

Hope to hear from all of you!

[locked to Celestia Ludenberg]

Um, Celes-chan, I'm sorry that Rikka and I decided to go with someone else's crew... I hope that you and I can still be friends in the end, because I really do like and admire you. I wish yourc crew the best of luck out on the seas, and for you and in accomplishing your dream as well!

That said... I made sure to have some gyouza I prepared sent to you before Rikka and I set out... I hope you like it...

[Mana's gyouza isn't particularly amazing, but it is made competently, and it was done with a lot of effort and emotional investment]

I think it goes without saying, but Scurvey Dog wasn't kidding about the natives having serious problems with us if we hadn't left in time. Perhaps pitchforks were a little bit of an exaggeration for the moment, but I'm getting a lot of glares from everyone. If I'm here much longer, I'm afraid there might be blood - he wasn't kidding that they're on edge about their missing person. I'm going to finish gathering supplies and keep a low profile until I can get off this island. If there's anyone left on Isla Empieza, I advise you do the same - they might not be so kind to anyone that looks like they could take some abuse.

Mana, do we have a plan yet? The clock's ticking, and fast.

( Notes about this place so far )

Voice

...I know there's more to this. We need to have some sort of note keeping here so we know what we're dealing with. If Scurvey wants to punish us because of his stupid rules, then we need to find some way to help each other when he wants to be a brat!

Um, if Celes-chan is out there listening.... err, Celestia Ludenberg that is... I talked to my friend, and she convinced me that maybe the two of us setting out on our own isn't the best course of action. We've decided to look around and see what we can't find out, and I was wondering... could you tell me a bit about your crew?

Like I said, it's not a commitment or anything, but I just wanted to see what you guys had to offer...

Um, the same goes for someone by the name of Lady Maribelle... I spoke to your friend Kyouya-kun, and I wanted to know if I could talk to you about what your crew is all about as well. Again, I'm Aida Mana, and I hope this isn't an imposition...