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.]

They aren't exactly looking out, are they? Fools don't even have lanterns up! Like they're tryin' to sail blind on purpose--this time a' night of all times!

Then, we're gonna pounce on 'em. Hear they like burnin' their enemies in kilns. Lookin' the ship, after all! Don't it look kind of like an oven? [Over the journal, two men could be heard talking, the dull hum of a grinding wheel heard as they sharpened swords and bayonets.]

Well, yeah. It's a Steam-Punk design. Never heard of that genre? [Dave spoke up, seemingly out of nowhere. Why he was a part of the conversation was a mystery--for the moment.]

What're you talkin' about? I 'unno what that is. You read too much, lad, and it ain't gonna get you rank. Catchin' pirates gets you rank, understand?

Wait. Who're you, boy? Where'd you come from?

From the ship you're chasing. It's the--wait, shit. I don't even know the name of our ship. Anyway, you chumps were talkin' about rank, right? Just chill out and--

[There's a quick sound of rushing wind and suddenly, the unmistakeable noise that comes from wood being split, bending and water rushing up around it. Anyone in the middle of a crashing ship would recognize it in an instant.]

Bow down to your new king, bitch.

--He cut it in half!?

[The audio doesn't cut off right away--rather, immediately after the screams of panicking Navy sailors are heard, this song begins blasting.

Anyone on the Bloody Roses or Spades ship would likely spot the burst of flames that came up from a scouting Navy ship in the distance. It was far behind both ships, indicating pursuit.]

[After getting over the initial freaking out at suddenly being dumped in some strange place without warning, wondering what happened, and eventually figuring out where she is and how the journal works and what it's for... Sakura writes in her journal.

This handwriting is a bit sloppy -- only because the writer is obviously in a hurry to get their thoughts out on paper.]

I'm looking for someone that fits this description:

Blond
Male
17 years old
Wears a lot of orange
Should have an open incision on his left side, around his serratus.

[A quick diagram of a body with an arrow pointing at his left side just under the arm.]

If anyone has seen someone like that, please contact me. It's a medical emergency and he needs urgent care.

-Haruno Sakura

Since the captain of the Queen's Gambit had vanished and another presumed missing until further notice, I've had to take over. I've never really been in a role of leader before, so to the only crew member that's left, I just hope you can cut me at least a tiny bit of slack. Advice will also be welcome.

Anyway because of this, I thought I should at least ask, but does any crew want to partner up until this whole thing is over? I mean it's just two people on here and that gets a little boring, you know?

Hey, uh.

[There it was, the pleasant and calm sound of the ocean as waves touched on the shore of Aeolipile.

Dave cleared his throat and spoke up. This was, of course, ten minutes after his suit was ruined beyond repair. Anyone watching the shoreline might have seen a big glowing green sphere rise up from the sea, Dave coming back to life in the middle of it. When it was all done, there was the red outline of a spinning gear hanging over the beach where Dave stood.]

Anybody else havin' a shitty day so far?

[Grell, standing at the helm of the boat where the wheel is, stares out at the sea. It takes a few moments before she mentally decides a direction and takes hold of it.]

Hoist the anchor! We're pulling off!

Wait. Why? [Dave chimed in, following the railing from the lower deck to the helm's platform.] Yo. Big Red, what's the story?

[Slowly, Grell looks over her shoulder at him, not pleased that he's questioning her orders.]

Because I said so! Now do as I say!

[Dave frowned--deciding to play the part of the world's slowest detective around. He couldn't tell the difference between an incited Grell and a possessed Grell, so there was scarcely a frame of reference for him.] Hate to sound childish, but I had some plans for this island, dude.

We could make off like bandits and leavin' too soon would kinda screw with that. Isn't that our, y'know, primary agenda?

Then you must despise yourself. [Grell walks over to him, very much irritated by his logic. She makes a grab for his collar with a not-too-pleasant grip.] Listen you interloper, we're leaving. NOW. If you love this island that much, you stay! Otherwise, you do as you're told, or else!

Uh. [Totally blind-sided by that, Dave's jaw hung in the air for a few moments. Usually, Grell was less likely to toss him off the ship. He was getting the impression that this was suddenly a more probable venue. So, he looked at her for a moment and tried to choose better words.]

Maybe we should bring this up with everybody else? I don't exactly want to make you sound like a cheddar-chump, but it sounds like we oughta--

[There is a sudden sound of something hitting the deck hard (spoiler: it's Dave) followed by a large buzzing sound of a chainsaw. Which is quickly followed by the squelching sound of a thick liquid mixing in.]

Grrk-- [In response, Dave could only choke out a few words. He didn't try to push back against Grell, rather he seemed oddly surprised it even happened.] Not on my good suit, dude...

[With an eye roll, Grell gives one last swift kick to his body before walking off, not waiting for the anchor to be hoisted. They just got this ship, damnit. Already there's blood on it.]

Know what I miss? Teenager problems. Even in the middle of being party to trying to save the entire fucking universe, it was easier when we couldn't stop talking about dating and relationships. I'll admit I fucking miss shipping grids. Why the fuck should I? That shit is fucking stupid.

I miss it because it's not this and I think I liked that garbage better. Relationship issues, while fucking unbearable in almost all cases, are suddenly bearable in comparison to god-awful pirate issues. [Outside of Dave talking, another young man's voice chimed in.]

Are you going to order a drink or what? And-- Look, you have to toss the dice for us to get going again.

Good listening skills. First, I need you to kiss my knuckles for good luck.

I'm not going to kiss your knuckles, kid.

How the fuck am I supposed to bless this beautiful hand? I know it's striking and bony as hell as much as a mystical eagle god's talon, but it won't cut you. Promise.

Fine. [There's the sound of a brief little smooch.] Now, are you gonna roll and get a drink?

Nah, just rolling. I'm fucking sixteen. Or seventeen. Who knows with all my rampant abuse of this shitty pirate timeline? Least I've got more dunking height.

[The sound of dice being tossed. Dave stops talking--until he apparently rolls sevens.]

Another set of sevens. You're welcome. Now, I gave you chumps yet another good reason to give me your money. [The sound of him dragging chips across a felt table surface.] Oh shit, is that all your money? Did I beat the game?

Kid, look--

I mean, I guess you boys can head home to your wives and kids and tell 'em you don't have diaper money anymore. For me, this shit's disposable income. I'm gonna go out and buy some shit I don't need and leave it lying around my grody-ass pirate ship like it's a themed episode of Hoarders. Shit, I liked that show. Hope it doesn't get cancelled, aside from the planet exploding. I mean, if we fix that ridiculous mess.

You seriously love talking to yourself, don't you?

Yeah, I kind of go on for awhile. So, is there some sort of obscene antique shop around here somewhere? I'm gonna cash these chips out and buy something hella wasteful and impractical.

What, like a quieter suit?

Oh shit, burn.

[ Sometime in the middle of the night, there will be a strange sort of chattering from the journals. It's definitely not human in any way, but doesn't sound like any kind of native rodent found in this world. It lasts for a few seconds too long in-between sniffing and what could be deciphered as claws scratching at a furry face before another voice can be heard in the background. ]

Grace? [ Yaaaaaawn. For those who have spoken with Amy before, it's easy to tell it's her even while she's half-asleep. ] What are you doing? That's not a toilet or food.

[ Another yawn, this time stifled by something covering her mouth. ] Hello? Is anyone awake?

[ Weiss has been keeping to herself for a few days, really only having spoken with Ruby and Jaune so far.. but this situation has come to a climax. She can't take it anymore. She has to do something! Even if it means acknowledging the other people who may or may not actually be pirates. ]

I'm going to ask you all a question and one of you had better have an answer! Is there anywhere in this place to sleep that isn't full of smelly drunkards? Maybe a place with an ice machine that looks a little more like it's got zero chance of bugs.

[ Weiss's tone is dead serious. She has absolutely no tolerance for this quality of rooming. Bunk beds, dorm rooms? Fine. They're clean, warm, and more than comfortable at the top school for huntresses and hunters. They definitely aren't situated over a noisy bar. The other option was to actually get a ship and she wasn't going to deal with a tiny little dinghy-- that would probably be worse than the room. ]

I know my standards can be a little high sometimes... but there is absolutely no way I'm staying in a place that's not even fit for animals for one more night. [ The last three words are punctuated to emphasize her point. ]

In speaking with my ever growing crew, it has come to my attention that perhaps what we all need to get us through this little cold spell is a distraction. Now, I'm sure you've all found a great many ways to pass the time, but I was thinking that this could be an excellent time to share some stories. I know I have quite a few myself, and I'm sure you lot have your own to share as well, so let's take this as an opportunity!

Here are a few of my own:

[Here he transcribes his story of the battle of Kannagawa and his ghost story.]

Of course, there are far more where that came from, and I'll be more than glad to share a few more.

Does anyone know how to pluck a dead turkeys feathers? Or better yet know how to deal with a freshly killed turkey, with giblets and organs and everything because I've never really done it before so I have not a single clue as to how to go about it.

If you can get back to me, that will be fantastic.

Who here on the Murderess made this unauthorized supply run?! There's quite a bit more food here than on my last look about! You may think you can sneak about normally, but my watch is nearly ceaseless and this did not slip past me! -Except it totally did.-

We've got the Navy practically breathing down our neck. You don't get to just go about and raid food supplies of islands or other ships willynilly! Who will answer for this, hmm?

... Plus I doubt any of this will keep. And that ugly bird will get annoying. You living fools have little choice but to feast. I hope the lot of you are happy. Hmph.

-Proof positive that Tojiko will find a way to complain about anything.-