[there was a sound like the journal being flung open suddenly]

hello?! Faye? Dave and Grell? What happened....

[he was freaked out for a second, trying to recall what happened and why he was laying alone on a beach and feeling like he was or had been in danger. Then it all came back]

Oh yeah. Um guys, it's Thash...

This whole fucking world is the biggest bunch of bullshit I've ever seen. And I've seen a lot of shit. What's the fucking point? Huh? Like someone somewhere is like: Faye, the universe is giving you one shot at happiness and that's all you're fucking getting. Is this really as much as I deserve? Shit. It probably is. So whatever happens to this place... it's over. Any promise of love and happiness is over. Shot to hell.

*And thanks to the copious amounts of alcohol she's been knocking back, her anger turns to sadness. Anyone who knows Faye will know that she must be pretty wasted because she doesn't offer up her vulnerable side to anyone*

They killed him... the filthy bastard monsters... they killed him. Because he saved me first. He made me safe...and now he's gone. Always, always trying to keep me safe. And he's gone...

*The next noise she made was a strangled mix between a sob and a scream*

He's supposed to come back! That's the rule! The dead come back. So where is he? Where is he?!

Why haven't you come back to me...?

So in case you haven't noticed it's basically Resident Evil up in here.

[As the journal starts recording you can hear not only Dave's voice, but several low-pitched grunts and groans in the background along with the sound of shambling footsteps. These sounds grow steadily louder as Dave continues.]

This is like Dawn of the Dead meets The Walking Dead, only with less regular dead guys and more dead pirates and naval officers. It's nothing like Warm Bodies though, because making out with a corpse is gross and I don't think these guys are ever gonna come back. No one's gonna take shelter in a house, a mall, or an airport either. On the bright side if you ever wanted to kill someone twice, you might have a chance. It's like a two for one special. Who knows how long it will last?

[There's a pause in Dave's dialogue and a loud growl. Then the sound of a sharp metal object slicing through rotten flesh and thudding against bone. The growl dissolves into a wet gurgling sound and then falls silent. The other lifeless moans in the background continue.]

Don't worry if you miss your chance. You can always try again 28 Days Later.

People keep going missing out of thin air and I think that's kinda bullshit. I know it's nothing new, but that doesn't make it any less annoying. It's like, hey here's this guy that you've known for a long as time and then poof! He's gone. And what the fuck is with Davy Jones bringing people here and then sending them away like he's getting bored of them?

[Dave pauses mid-rant. This is bothering him more than the casual tone of his voice lets on.]

Not like it hasn't happened to me before. I guess we all get ousted eventually. That's no excuse for it though. You never know if or when someone's gonna come back.

[The usual red cursive pops up onto the journals after who knows, or who cares, how long.]

This may be a private question, so feel free to not answer if you're uncomfortable.

Has anyone experienced the sting of heartache, and yet found someone to give your battered heart to after a long drought? If you haven't, then do you think you ever will?

Friends, lovers, assholes and anyone else who is at the summit or would care to port in. Are you ready for a game of cards played with adults and for adults. Don't ask the details, that would be telling.

But if you're interested, let me know. I hope to set up a game about one or two a.m. when the youngers have had their little shut eye. Baby faces, I'm sorry. This is not a game for the likes of you.

Otherwise, bring yourself, a little something something for the pot, and tell me what booze you prefer. As to where? I'll let you know.

 Let it be known...

*Oh dear. Judging by the drawl of Faye's voice, she's a rather unhappy woman indeed*

..that if a person doesn't use a sword, or even magic, in a fight, that doesn't mean they aren't strong. A person can cause serious damage with a gun. Or a fist. Or a hard roundhouse kick to the face.

*There's a pause as Faye takes a rather frustrated drag of her cigarette, frowning as she breathes out smoke*

Equally, chaos can be caused without violence too. It's amazing what can be done with a pair of pretty eyes and a smooth tongue.

*Double entendre that last one, if you please...*

So. Don't forget the pain that a nice girl with a pair of guns can cause. It might land you in serious trouble.

*Oops. Sounds like Faye overheard two of her crew discussing the strength and power of the members of the Roses. And yet neither of them even thought to mention the woman on board who's a great shot. Hmmph*

[Gazing down at the book in his hand, he frowns. He's not anxious to work for someone else again, after being freed from Xehanort's influence, but he knows he has to get stronger.]

My name is Vanitas. I wield a Keyblade and I am the student of the greatest Keyblade Master there ever was; Master Xehanort. I'm looking to join the crew with the strongest fighters.

[Ends there, because, obviously, nothing else needs to be said. Everyone knows the more badass you are, the less you say.]

[Sting Eucliffe, Nineteen year old Mage, is doodling in his journal. Things like 'Natsu vs Sting; the rematch!' and 'What Would Natsu Do?' are written along with some drawings of dragons and cats. Under one of the dragons the word 'dad' is written. After a moment he holds it and speaks into it, feeling stupid]

Okay, so I can talk through this thing through people, right?

I need to get off this damn island so I can find that magical ruby. I'm not a sailor at all. I get motion sickness from slow moving chariots because of my magic. But I'm a damn good mage and fighter on land or on an animal's back. Help me out and I'll help you out.

Our crew's gotten so tiny. I wonder if there has to be a set number for a crew to be called a crew...

Hopefully everyone's okay and back home. I miss them, but I know lots of others here have people they miss, either from home or from meeting here.

[He sighs quietly.]

Um. I hope everyone's been all right, otherwise.

...maybe I'll do some baking to get my mind off of things.


Oh! Miss Cat, did you get your book back?

[After looking around to ascertain that he is, in fact, on Isla Empieza again, Dave finds a wall to lean against while talking into his journal. He doesn't have his red pen, so you're all going to have to put up with the sound of his voice.]

Damn, I'm feeling nostalgic all of a sudden. I guess sometimes you never know how much you miss something until it's gone. It doesn't look much different than it did before. I wonder what happened while I was away. Did people form new crews and get into fights? Did the weather act up and did weird shit happen? Did Davy Jones fuck with people like he always does? I bet he fucking did.

Hey Grell, are you out there? I hope you are. I hope Dirk and mini-me came back too, but I doubt that happened. Just my luck, shit never works out the way I want it to.

Thash, you still around? Been awhile since we talked, bro.

To everyone else; sup. Gimme a holla.

It seems like this world likes to go back and forth between celebrations and some form of drama.

[She gives a tired sounding sigh]

It is starting to make me wary when a celebration comes around, especially since something strange usually happens during them as well. Needless to say I am not looking forward to this Valentine's festival that is coming up.

[Never mind that she wasn't too thrilled about the holiday when she heard what it was about, but that's beside the point.]

Anyway, I have not been here for a year yet and I have seen several celebrations that were unfamiliar to me. For those who have been here for a year or so, are there anymore festivals after this one?

[So that she can brace herself for them.

[For the Spades, Rose can be found on deck if anyone wants to talk to her face to face.]

[Finnian had been happy that Ciel had grown up and become some sort of funky looking chicken. What he hadn't been expecting when he had woken up the next day was to find an egg at the bottom of his bed. It was enough to cause him to nearly fall out of bed in shock, Ciel his friend since Easter moving to lightly peck him on the face. It wasn't long before he grabbed the journal and soon every word could be heard.]

I didn't think when I woke up this morning that there would be an egg at the bottom of my bed. But... I thought Ciel was a boy chicken, not a girl... [Slowly it dawns on him.] Eh?! It means I've named the young master after a female chicken... That isn't good at all, I'm sorry. [He sounded generally upset as the chicken could be heard as Finnian had gone about dealing with the situation. It's quiet for around a few minutes before the young man, not a little bit calmed down speaks directly to the journal.]

Question! Is it normal for chickens to lay hard boiled eggs?

[For the first few moments there's just background noise; waves and seagull calls and other regular beach sounds]

[Then, there's a pissed off scream followed by a rather destructive-sounding crash. The yell and crash would probably be very loud if they were near the journal, but the sound is subdued as if the journal is a decent distance away from whatever is happening. Following the crash is a stream of emotionally charged swearing. Anyone listening might have a hard time believing this is Thash since he normally doesn't swear, but he sounds very, VERY angry about something. The voice is accompanied by several more crashes, sounding almost like trees being felled]

[Finally after a few more paticularly harsh curses and an anguished scream, everything gets quiet. Then there's the sound of footfalls in sand growing louder as if approaching the journal, and the slap of the journal being slammed shut]


((To the Bloody Roses: You won't be seeing Thash around for a while. He won't hang around on the ship or anywhere in public on the island for very long. He won't come find Kat or Karai to train and he won't try to hang around and chat with Dave or Gene or anyone else. When we leave Deesuko Balia he'll come along, but will only board the ship to sleep or put fish in the galley))

[There's a bit of commotion on Gene's first journal entry, mostly a bunch of crashing, yelling, and thumping. The whole kerfuffle ends with a loud yell and the sound of a heavy impact, before a man's voice is heard telling someone to "stay out of his goddamned bar".]

Gah. What an asshole that guy turned out to be, huh? Whatever happened to customer service? I swear, it's a lost art. I had as much right to be there as anyone.

[There's a bit of clothing rustling as Gene dusts himself off, then picks up the journal.]

Looks like that place is out of the question. So, how about some of you fine people tell the new guy just where all the good booze is at? Apparently the guy at this place decided my money isn't good enough for him...Also, I think I hit on his wife by accident. That was probably the clincher.

Anyway, this is a place where pirates congregate, right? Some of you have to know where a man can wet his whistle for a reasonable price. I mean, it's probably going to be a bit of time before my crew comes to pick me up, possibly months. I figure I should at least be able to entertain myself in the meantime. Get it?

Oh, and how many of you guys are taking crew? From what I hear, I really need to get out to sea. Never really sailed before, but I AM the pilot of the most advanced space vessel in the galaxy. Can't be that different, right? I mean, besides...you know. All the water.

[A little girl's voice comes through the journal. Except, it's a little more hardened and bitter than usual! Anyone who's spoken to B.B. before may not find the voice instantly recognizable, a definite change from the usual high pitched tone the young lady has.]

Are we done crying about everyone leaving yet?

I've been here what, half a year now? I get it at this point. Who stays and who goes is completely up to some asinine bullshit whim. But guess what? Everyone whining won't bring them back. That's just how it is.

Grow a pair and move the hell on already. Leaving is what humans do. If you don't know that by now, there's no hope for any of you.

[Don't mind her. She might be sampling some fruits from way up high.]

[There is a groaning sound before the sound of a long lost voice coming through the journals.]

What carriage was that?! That driver should be arrested!

[Then after a pause, Grell speaks again.]

...where is the sea?! And my ship?!

Why am I above the clouds...

To whom it may concern, currently en route to an island known as Marble Tear:

I have it on good authority that the island is inhabited by a singular entity of living stone. This creature moves inhumanly quickly, and has developed a taste for living flesh. I have the capability of neutralizing it indefinitely, and will do so for the duration of four hours after the arrival of my crew to the island. Those seeking the token must find it within that time frame, and any subsequent altercations or treasure hoarding must be concluded by the deadline as well. I will not guarantee anyone's safety from the indigenous predator after the four hours are up, so if you and your crewmates are not off the island by that time, I suggest you don't blink.

Regards,

Nico Robin.

 Hey, Captain Strider, how have you been? Seems like I haven't seen you around much lately...but I saw ya a few days ago at the race start. Sorry I didn't get the chance to talk to you then, I was running around fighting and stuff. Anyway you got  a few minutes to talk?

[wow he felt kinda awkward doing this. He didn't usually just ask people to talk, but he'd been a bit concerned after not seeing Dave much recently. At least he now knew he was still...alive and on the ship and such.]