[The many posts littering the journals from yesterday--and her own unfortunate crew--are evidence enough for Codi that she knows what's happening here, and doesn't have to ask herself. This variant of the usual curses is mostly innocent (in more ways than one), save the worrying pattern that Codi has noticed amongst everyone affected--that she has to ask about.]

[This is easier said than done. Her five-year-old hands make coordinating a pen and ink quite troublesome; she succeeds in creating a few scribbles, massive blobs of black and a particularly egregious stain that looks as if she just spilled the ink bottle completely (which she did). After throwing the remains at the wall, she gives up and speaks instead.]

[There is a reason why she didn't want to do this.]

Ah-- [That is very obviously a Codi-sounding voice, but a very young one, shrill but halting. Codi cuts herself off to clear her throat a few times in the vain attempt to sound different.]

--Hello! [...Now she just sounds like a child trying to impersonate an announcer. Codi makes a noise of annoyance and keeps trying, but eventually settles on the original.] ...Hello? Yes. Hi! Uh--I can't sugarcoat it much. This is really weird.

[There's an awkward pause as she glances at the door to her cabin, so far undisturbed.]

...Am I the only one who's been--you know--whatever this is--and hasn't completely lost their mind yet?

[Once it seems that the general flow of new entries has slowed, Codi once again takes to her journal with a bright red marker, scribbles in bold letters across almost half a page: ]

WELCOME NEW ARRIVALS

[That should be enough to catch people's attention! Codi forgoes the marker from there and simply speaks, voice cheerful and energetic.]

This is an official broadcast from the Welcome Committee! If you're new and hearing this, then good! You've figured out how to use your journal--that's one of the most important things about being here.

If you haven't already seen or read them, there are posters from the Committee around Empieza--the island you arrived on, and are probably still on right now. They have a lot of useful information on them, so you should take a look! If you still have questions after that, just write or speak into your journal to respond to this entry, and we'll answer them as soon as possible!

[Then, signed at the bottom: ]

--Captain Dakota Perkins and the Welcome Committee

[At first on the page is Hachiken's neat scrawl.]

Codi, I'm really sorry. I seem to have gotten lost again. I was wandering around the woods and somehow I couldn't find the shore. I know I'm holding you up but I didn't mean to. The good news is that someone found me and at least I'm at the shore.

[There's a pause and then his voice can be heard.]

Hey wait, what ship is this? I also realized I don't know you're name, I'm sorry.

[Another voice breaks through the noise.]

The Gilded Rose. You may call me Captain Grell.

[The sound of sipping tea can be heard. Finally more words are written in the entry.]

I'm on the shore at The Gilded Rose with Captain Grell. Do you know where that is? It might be faster for you to meet me here.

[Locked from Codi]

[Fuu sighs slightly. What kind of crew did she actually join? They aren't helping anyone and it seems that things will just go from bad to worse and honestly, while she wanted to try and stop it all she wondered if the captain just wouldn't try it again at a later date. She wanted to help people not to fight in pointless battles that have no right being fought at all. It wasn't long before she locked this voice post and started to speak.]

I have a general wondering. Has anyone ever questioned a captain's actions before? If so how did you go about talking to them about it? [She was concerned and that much was obvious.]

I thought I would at least ask before I am certain about what I'll say.

[Locked to Akira, Crocker, Dustin and Hachiken]

I hope you are all okay even in light of very recent events. I have a question I want to bring to you and I want your honest opinion. It's about our captain. I... honestly want to know what you think about how they have been running things and also if you want me to bring anything up with them?

[Locked to Codi.]

Captain, we need to talk. It's important and will help me make a choice as to what I'll do next.

Goodness! I've rarely seen the Mistress in such a state! Granted it's in large part due to the massive hangover but she's been mumbling under her breath for days now and sending kicks this poor Meep's way. Whatever you've done I wish you wouldn't. She becomes rather unbearable after a while. At any rate, she wanted me to tell you two things.

[though written through the journal is the faint rustle of paper]

If you haven't received your Typhoon Grips by now, you're out of luck and you'll have to buy them you-- Oh dear, ah-- you-- I can't even think of an appropriate word here. Well, best leave it to your imaginations. Cloud Islands have been released and will be floating in various directions. Instructions on how to use the Grip have come packaged with the instrument. She also wishes to note it's only one per crew, even if you should have multiple ships, and if you should lose it, replacements can come from Backwater at considerable cost.

The second item-- Oh, dear. It seems a little inflammatory. You know there is an old saying, pertaining when wars were fought on land-- there were no kinds of long distance communication and so in order to relay orders from one army to the other, messengers would be dispatched. Whether they carried good news or bad news, the best strategy was often considered not shooting the messenger whatever the news since he is but a humble porter and has no part in these...sorts of situations.

She says that she is lifting the ban on the Spades for the most part just to rub it in the face of those belonging to that-- to that-- Well suffice to say it's a pretty heavy derogatory term addressed to the captain of the Sinewave. Furthermore anyone caught helping that-- insert word here-- will be banned as well. She knows what you do, she says, she's not stupid.

Dear me, dear me. Er well this is a bit unprecedented and I am rather busy with my studies and suchlike, but I will be around for at least a short while to answer any questions you might have... well a few at any rate. I can't have her finding me doing this or...well...suffice to say it won't be particularly...pleasant.

The Navy.

What do they intend for us? Imprisonment? Death? Are they simply trying to preserve order by harassing us, or do they want us gone for the sake of their own power?

And how can we oppose something that wouldn't be causing trouble if we weren't here to begin with? The easiest answer is that since we didn't have a choice, it's just fine, but I'm not sure I like an easy answer. Not when I haven't fought in weeks, and part of me is going crazy with the urge...

Can it go on like this forever, or will a reckoning day come at last?

[Aboard the ship, Dust shuts the journal with a sigh, tucking it away into his cloak. He's taken to sitting on the raised stern, watching their wake trail behind them and seeing where they'd been, but not where they're going. Restlessness is taking its toll.]

ATTENTION EVERYONE!

[Yes, that is Codi putting her face in the journal and yelling at it. It's not...terribly necessary, as the tranquil beachfront of Phantasia is far from noisy enough to cause interference, but Codi won't pass up the chance to make a lot of noise. At least she keeps a more consistent indoor voice for the rest of the message.]

This is a message from Captain Dakota Perkins, head of the Welcome Committee! Perhaps you've seen our posters on Empieza, or been approached by one of our many representatives upon your arrival, and you've been wondering, "what exactly is the Welcome Committee? How can they help me and my crew survive in this strange new world?"

[...heaven help us all, it's a sales pitch.]

Wonder no further! The Welcome Committee, established this past January, is a collective effort from members of many crews to gather new arrivals, inform them of the situation, and start them on the journey to get sailing and gather shards as quickly and as safely as possible. Our goal is a broad one that can be accomplished many ways--and we are always expanding our horizons--but the willingness to help and work together is universal!

If you're interested in being a part of this noble mission, we are currently accepting new recruits! Please contact the head of the Committee--yours truly--or one of our answering members, include a brief description of why you want to help and how you're capable of helping, and then you, too, can proudly declare your intent to assist the new arrivals to the oceans of Empieza!

Thanks for your time!

[She signs it in black ink, flourished and a bit smudged from the wind--but she's not done yet.]

( Closed to current Welcome Committee members )

( Closed to Elissa Cousland )

Ye know I can’t say I didn’t expect that sort ‘o thing ta happen but I hope yer prepared fer th’ consequences ‘o it. Keep goin’ down this route and it’s like as not ta be all out war and then ye’ll all be in trouble. Th’ least ye lot need is a more aggressive Navy but it’s yer choice. Still and all it ‘twas their own hands that did it so I can’t say yer entirely ta blame.

If yer wanderin’ I’m referrin’ ta th’ fiasco of th’ Navy Ball. If ye want ta know the details ask them what were there and don’t bother me wi’ it.

Though I do hae to wonder where th’ hell did all those eggs come from th’ other week? Hain’t ne’er seen any ‘o th’ like in me life. Times’re getting strange.

News

Ye’ve all received yer Typhoon Grips by now, and I bet yer wonderin’ what they be for. Well I’ll tell ye. From May ‘til ‘bout th’ end ‘o August, th’ cloud islands will be floatin’ free. Th’ Typhoon Grip is what gets ye up there. If ye ta be seein’ a cloud island, activate th’ nav and it’ll port yer ship up to one ‘o th’ dockin’ bays. But not all ‘o them are friendly or easy ta get out of, so best keep that in mind.

There also be rumors of Crooked Morten. He used ta be the most feared pirate in the southern seas afore his fleet was crushed by th’ Navy. But he’s been buildin’ up again fer some time now though what his aim may be, it’s hard ta say. Could be he’s gearin’ up fer th’ Great Ghost Race which starts in July so it’d be ‘bout the right time ta be thinkin’ ‘o it. Wouldn’t surprise anyone since he’s been a great competitor, but fer my dubloons, I’ve got me eye on a different set ‘o sails.

Weather

North: Chilly an’ damp, though mostly wi’ drizzle and such like. Calm, though, so that’s a bonus unless yer tryin’ ta get anywhere in a hurry. Watch out fer Bore Sharks which’ll be startin’ their annual migration. They’re harmless ta humans but not so much ta boats as they swim near ‘nough ta th’ surface to scrape wood off th’ keel wi’ their noses.

West: Sunny ‘n pleasant, with a spring breeze. Calm but expect ragin’ thunderstorms near the end ‘o the second week and high seas. Could be expectin’ a few water spouts, too. Don’t get caught up in ‘em. Wi’ ye lot, it probably won’t be a permanent problem but ye’ll definitely be out a ship.

East: Sufferin’ a heat wave wi’ temperatures reachin’ 98 f (36 c). Also some ‘o the islands round there be sufferin’ from drought so get water where ye can but if ye take too much, people’re likely to get angry.

South: Lashed wi’ rain from one end ta th’ other, sad ta say. Ye might expect a break sometime in th’ weekend but otherwise I’d get ta bailin’. Also expected heavy thunderstorms, hail and water spouts.


That’s done fer me. Now let’s see how ye lot are gonna screw yerselves o’er this week.

[a short while later this is added]

Sinewave and Spades have a complete ban 'til August. Anyone else want ta test th' Dog? Or do ye have an actual question and not just blatherin' about yer life?

[People on their journals, or out on the Sun will find their ears assaulted by a shocked sounding gasp of surprise and the clatter of someone...or something falling to the deck. This is accompanied by the sound of a belch, and for nearby crewmates a sudden gout of flame shooting out over the water, a burst of blue light, a chicken's squawk, and a woman's shouting.]

No, dammit! Stop that! Get back here!!!

[There are more scrabbling sounds, claws on wood, and jets of flame before whatever it is is seemingly caught. There's a gentle cooing sound that follows, and a reptilian trill. And then whoever it is realizes the journal's open.]

Oh Eternities...

[A pause, and then Chandra's voice comes through.]

Right. So. I guess I screwed that up. Uh. So...that baby chicken I found in an egg isn't a baby chicken anymore. I think it might be a drake. Or a dragon, I dunno.

[There's another reptilian screech, and more shooshing sounds before Chandra returns, voice sounding a little sheepish.]

But I don't think he's changing back. So, uh...does anyone know what lizard...things eat?

A reminder to all pirates, this world's navy is not identical to our world's or other's, and shouldn't be assumed to be as such.

That said, it seems like it would be useful to pool all resources on what people do know about this world's navy.

Maybe you can all start with what you did to piss them off other than exist, because apparently the lot of you fuckers got some pretty high wanted posters and bounties.

[Written in blue ballpoint pen in a neat, calligraphic hand that is at odds with such a modern instrument.]

Do you dance? Are you familiar with the dancing from this world?

While I am no stranger to dancing in Ferelden, I fear that I know very little about what steps are popular in this new world despite being here for over six months. I should like to correct this ignorance and make use of my long neglected skills.

If you would be willing to provide dancing lessons, please reply to this entry.

-EC

[Codi hasn't had a lot of time to sleep the past couple of nights, thanks to the most recent, most lovely curse set upon her ship, but she's not angry about it. It's given her something to do--more importantly, given her some time to think. And she has been thinking, quite a lot...]

[When her voice comes over the journals early that morning, Codi sounds as chipper as ever. Perhaps a little too much for the time of day.]

So! This Navy Ball is happening soon. Sounds fun, doesn't it?

[There's a pause, and a sip. Codi has her morning tea with her, conversing as casually as if she's speaking to someone across the table from her. That is where the journal is, after all.]

I'm thinking that we'll all need to dress our best for this--for anyone going, I mean. Who plans on going, anyways? [Another sip.] We should get a good count, so we can do some...costume shopping. Right? Unless someone can make a whole ton of Navy uniforms by next week?

[Siiiiip.]

We'll also need to alter the menu a little bit for if our...special guest shows up. But I could use some help with that.

Is anyone near Candy Mountain Island right now, or can be there in the next week? I have a very important request for you!

[She signs the bottom of the post in black ink, with slanted, flourished lettering: ]

Captain Dakota Perkins
Magnificent Bastards

( Private to Namur )

[The message comes at night, as he's wandering on the deck. He's not up for guard duty tonight, but he still can't sleep, even if now that island is at a good distance away from them, the effects it had on him haven't vanished. He's still too close to his boiling point, or maybe he's already boiling and it's just a matter of time before he explodes in a ball of fire, anger and hate. Sleeping isn't an option in this state and he knows it better than anyone else. While asleep he may not be able to control his Cosmo, or he may enter into a nightmare that finally tips him over the edge. He may fall into sleep deep enough that he won't be able to know where he is when he wakes up, if someone comes to wake him up he may attack them driven by instinct and the thirst for destruction and release. He may attack Ace if his game of musical beds leads him to his bed, and while he doubts it would cause lasting damage, he would prefer to not do that.

So he doesn't even try to sleep, instead he wanders around the ship and enjoys the silence of the night. Not everyone is asleep yet, but it's calm enough that it could seem so. Eventually, he hits the journals after finding something floating in the water and that he picks up.]

Anyone else thinks that sleep is overrated tonight?

[There's a short pause.]

Right, I almost forgot, we're in Easter period. If anyone wonders why there are eggs in places there shouldn't be or weren't before, it seems this place wants to celebrate that with us.

I found a golden egg floating besides the ship just now, or an egg painted with a gold like color at least. If memory serves well those things should be made of chocolate or actual hard boiled egg-

[There's a cracking sound as the egg's shell starts to break, causing Ikki to stop talking. A few seconds later the chirps of a little chick are heard.]

Or a fucking fluffy chick apparently. What the hell?

[That's definitively not what he expected.]

So.

We having fun yet?

[Hey, guess who found some painted eggs (and more importantly, the dubloons inside them)? Yeah, that's right, this girl.]

Hey everyone! This is Anise Tatlin, from the Friend Ship! ♥ This is pretty important, so pay attention! If you've found any painted eggs floating around, I'd really appreciate it if you can give them to me! Whatever you do, don't open them, okay?

[Aaaand end transmission!]

( aaand action! )