[his voice sounds a little squished]

It's Zoro's birthday!! Everyone should give him stuff! Like booze and meat! But if you don't know what kinda booze a lot of meat is okay.

Also this island is pretty fun. Everyone should come! Ahh, and if anyone does I'm kind of stuck and these walls are pretty heavy. Nghh. [scraping sounds as he tries to inch a little closer toward the light and for anyone who stops by, have a captain squished between two walls that seem to want to close on him. At the end of the hall is a leg of meat which got out of his grip and he is slowly finger walking his hand to it. ]

Stupid walls.

[opens the journal to both let Ace know what he's going to do and everyone else]

Yo. I'm going to go help Ace! You don't gotta come if you don't want, but anyone who wants to have fun should come party at Dekoku Balls when it's all over!

If you do come to help, you better be ready to fight as hard as you can.

[Bepo hasn't looked at the journals at all right now. He doesn't know something has happened. When he woke up he panicked. He PANICKED, okay? At first he moved about, feeling COLD, and not even HAPPY about feeling cold.]

[And then he just PANICKED. On the Katabami one might hear Kodachi SCREAM. More girlish then every before. There might be some ruckus as a tiny young woman runs around from waking up and freaks out a bit. But once Bepo get's a hold of himself (if you can call it that) He finds her journal and .... freaks out more.]

Help me! Help me! Help me! Help me! Help me! Help me! Help me!!!! [all said at a REALLY fast pace]

I don't know where I am! I don't know what's going on! But I LOST all my FUR and I'm apparently a woman! I never knew! Oh no, oh no, oh, someone, help me!

[He--er, SHE sounds panicked, flustered, and hyper, as if this was the END OF THE WORLD kind of thing. She's now currently running fragile (everything as fragile) human fingers down his arms, frowning deeply, whispering more to himself then the book]

My fur! My wonderful fur! Where have you gone? Oh my gosh, this is human skin! WHY am I HUMAN!?

[Gasping sounds now. Like he's panicked and gasping for air. And for anyone on the Katabami, they could walk in on him ...er, HER holding her hair in both hands and pacing around frantic...]

[Nami didn't come to breakfast this morning.

And then Sanji promptly tore the ship apart looking for her, even though the sinking sensation in his stomach at the sight of her empty chair meant he already had an idea what had happened.

She's the third one this week to disappear. To go back home, supposedly.

Davy fucking Jones. Sanji's going to kick his ass.

For now, though, he's busy moping around deck, probably sprawled somewhere in a listless puddle of misery at the loss of his lovely Nami-san and Robin-chan.

And Luffy.

Eventually he decides to be productive and...pulls his journal out to snark at it.

PRODUCTIVE.]

So. Zoro's stepped up to be captain and now we're down a navigator. Deadly combination, means we're doomed to spend the new few weeks sailing in shitty circles, and then we'll probably find a way to sail off the edge of the damn ocean after that.

[Pauses for a beat, and then attempts to inject some positivity into his tone.]

Keimi-chwaaaan, you're our only hope! Save us! Please don't ever leave.

[For everyone, those on the journals, you can't see him, but he sounds mopey. He sounds like he's laying down somewhere and is bored or sad or tired...]

[A huff of air, puffed out from tired black lips. His deep voice drawled slowly:]

I've been here six months now. Six months. No one from my crew has showed up yet.

[He huffed again. Someone is a little homesick. Sure he might know NOW that his Captain leaves them for some time to do great things, but he would still have the rest of his idiot crew, right? And he does love this crew dearly... but... he misses the smell and feel of the seas back home.]

I put on weight here. [No he didn't.] I got slower here. [Has not.] Does anyone want to spar? None of you monsters with the swords and rubber either. I mean real fist to feet sparing. After that last battle I think I need to improve on... everything. A bear can't get rusty. It's unheard of.

[To Straw Hats that are around: You can find him laying belly down on the deck in a patched up orange jump suit, arms in front of him and his journal on the ground. He looks... bored.]

[He'll be here for a while, so either come sit or lay with him, or encourage him to spar. Bepo needs to take his mind off home!]

Antoine... Antoine? No, please - [Haruhi's journal is currently in the jaws of a happy dog. Clearly this is a game. The telling pants of the silly dog can be heard by all. Occasionally there is even a playful growl.]

I don't want to buy another one. What would you use it for anyway? You're a dog.

[Yes, using logic on a dog always works. Antoine is now hopping out of reach and hunkering down, eyes shining brightly.]

I have a treat?

[Well that's a better plan. Except, like his previous owner, the idea of Haruhi giving him a gift thrills him to no end. The dog is soon airborne as he launches himself at her. There is only a short, sharp gasp and then a splash.

Someone got knocked off the dock.

The sound of happy barking ends the feed.]

Who the fucking hell comes up with the amounts for bounties around here anyway? Because they're total bullshit.

[Huff huff.

Then mutters:]

Guess at least I don't have a shitty messed up poster.

[SO MUCH GRUMBLING, THOUGH.]

I think...

The mist made me drunk.

[Which is just downright weird, isn't it?]

I don't think it was enough to give me a hang-over, but I remember thinking jumping overboard was a good idea.

[Her voice is monotone. What else do you expect from Haruhi?]

Are sharks prevalent? Has anyone been eaten by a shark? I'm sorry if that brings up bad memories for you.

Since yesterday was Mother's Day, I've been wondering how many of you are mothers? All family is important. At least, I think so. But mothers...

[Considering she has lost her mother, Haruhi feels a lot of things about the day.]

It's special, isn't it? Not that being a father is easy. [She knows that from watching her Dad struggle all of these years.] But it's not Father's Day.

So...

Tell me about your mothers. And if you are a mother, I hope you're close to your children. Nothing can replace that bond.

[Uh oh, getting too serious again.]

Anyway, I know it's a little late, but let's celebrate.

Hey, there, you bastards!

It's my little brother's birthday, today.

'Straw hat Luffy' is turning eighteen!


[Written]

Happy Birthday, Luffy.

What do you want for your present?

( nightmares come to those who worry )

. . . and jolts awake, staring at the dark. He breathes hard for a bit, biting the inside of his cheek until he can taste blood, knowing he's awake this time. He can hear the others breathing around him and wants to go look at them but... Instead he pulls his hat on, grabs a blanket and goes out to sit on his special seat, taking the journal with him.

After a while he says very quietly]

How do you get rid of bad dreams?

[Hikaru's voice is oddly cheerful today, and to those who are good at picking up on these sorts of things, his voice may seem a bit strained. He's not had the greatest month, and he's certainly a bit... out of sorts, but he's trying to behave as normally as possible. And normal, dear kidnapees-turned-pirates, means a nuisance.]

Hey, hey, so these eggs, right? I need you all to do me a favour - if you find a chick in one, I need you to give it to me. I'll give you something good in exchange, but it's really important that I get as many chicks as possible. So help me out, alright?

Ah--also, if a crew with some guy named 'Luffy' tries to sail with you, don't let them anywhere near you. Trust me, all they'll do is make your life hell.

( [Action] )

What do you think is better: a world where there's a place for everyone to perform the role they're good at or a world where everything is totally up in the air and anyone might be called on to do anything?

[It's a deeper philosophical question than she's actually aware of, she's mostly just put out about a few things that Celestia told her about wanting to be a follower instead of a leader.]

Marco here.

Sorry for my state in the last post, and thank you very much to those sweet enough to humor me, you're too kind.

Bepo, and Vyse, I have duplicates of my maps for you, assuming you both still want them.

For everyone else, I've made about twenty copies of various maps and directions to the Corsair Naval Masquerade Ball. Likewise, in the interest of furthering piracy rebelling against lawful order, I will teach the basics of ranks to anyone with enough brains to actually hold the knowledge. Remember, if you want to go, wear formal costume, and pretend to be part of the navy. Anyone in the Spades wishing to help infiltrate must be able to perform a correct salute and demonstrate ability to discern when it's appropriate. Those who cannot may help infiltrate as waiters.

Thank you.
- Marco

Edited Addendum: Dance lessons for Spades unfamiliar with waltz, samba, and tango will be held every night this week. Namur's breakdance competition comes with a reward, but this style of dance is not acceptable for naval officers, sorry Nam-chan.

( Locked to Robin )

( Locked to Grell )

( Locked to Sebastian )

[in small print, though a bit messy, with some sploches here and there...]

This Candy Island or what ever it's called is nice. And it's good to know where it's located on the map I'm working on, but I'm not sure ho often I would want to come here. I got to thinking about it. Why don't people come here more to collect candy for shops? What if it's enchanted to look good? But it's really not. . .

I think I'm done with candy for a while. And sugar. I didn't even eat that much.

But I have a question. As a Navigator back home I was wondering if anyone would be interested in telling me where they have been and what the islands were like.

Anyone have details of their adventures?

[Voice open to all. Action to those BEFORE landing.]

[Bepo’s voice is flat and annoyed. He just spent some time stuck in a hold on the deck, little ninja legs kicking under the flooring. He got out, but he’s mad. His suit got a rip in it too.]

To who ever broke the deck.

It happens. No one is going to blame you. These things happen. I’m not mad.

But covering it up with a rug is NOT HOW YOU FIX IT! [he let out a huff there. Calm. calm. This isn’t his ship---] ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? YOU COVERED A HOLE UP IN THE DECK WITH A BLANKET?! WHAT ARE YOU? TEN?!

[yelling now. Indeed.---HUFF. Air. Breath....--grumble]

Someone owes me a new jumpsuit. [now he sounds all gloomy and pouty.]

[The embarrassed ship ‘medic’ is in his room, trying to fix the rip in his jump suit. Oh, be careful on deck. He left it open so others would see it.]

[The sound of a chilling wind filters through the journals followed by a female voice, hesitant and scared. Terrified even.]

Is... Is everything over yet? Did you, the people who can listen this... Were you victorious?

[A long pause filled with nothing but the wind and the sound of someone's breath.]

Is everyone safe?

[The last message that had appeared in the journals had been on Thursday, after that... Nothing. Until a few moments ago, at least, which is why she dares, why she pushes herself to ask.]

[the sound of a low, long deep whine could be heard. It's been a little while since the woman's voice came out of his journal and he promptly ignored it after a while. But now he was somewhere near water (you can hear it splashing around) as he talks.]

This doesn't smell like home. I thought I got left behind, but this doesn't smell right. The sea doesn't feel the same. Where is everyone? Captain? My idiot crew? Jean Bart even! Nothing is right. [it's a cast call, sure, but he was asleep at the time he was with them all last and now he's not... there. It's weird.]

[he tapped the journal on the dock he was sitting on, talking to it.] Where is everyone! [his paws went high above his head as he yelled that last part, falling backwards on the deck. SO all you hear is a thunk.]

--------------
[Action: For anyone around, they might have seen a bear in a orange jump suit just yell out into the world and flop back on the deck. Don't mind him, he's just feeling left behind and lost. Maybe he should have read this stupid note in this stupid journal.]