[It is likely very early in the morning since Hachiken rises pretty early. There is no sense in delaying the inevitable.]

It seems like our Captain has disappeared. We're really too small as a crew to keep sailing on our own. I don't think we have the skills between us.

I think I need to find a new crew.

All I can really do is cook. I mean, that's my job on the Sinewave. I can look after farm animals but that's not the most useful of skills at sea.

I can learn whatever skills you need me to, I just have spent much of my time in the galley here.

 I've been here awhile. Do you think people at home miss you?

I mean, I wonder if my friends miss me.

My dad said that

I know I didn't know them very long but I was glad to have them. They were so nice and welcoming. I miss school and having things to study. I miss my friends...even my stupid brother. I guess I'm feeling a little homesick. I mean, it's been awhile since animals have tried to chew on me. Who knew I'd miss that?

This place is really dangerous for someone like me. We had a fight with the Navy and I was completely useless. I was scared then. I've been scared here a lot. What am I supposed to do in a situation like that?

Ah, I'm sorry for disturbing everyone by writing out my thoughts.

[Hachiken begins by nervously clearing his throat. It's really hard to talk about things and he doesn't feel all that well in the aftermath. But he remembers every little thing.]

I just want to say that I'm, I'm really sorry.

I'm really really glad no one took my invitations to come here because I would have killed you.

[He trembles, the pages ruffle in the journal from his grip.]

I haven't ever-I wasn't in my right mind. I was incredibly weak and worthless and I'm really sorry.

[There's a pause and he swallows. There's a hitch in his breathing, a little bit of panic in his voice.]

I won't ask for forgiveness for what I did, because it's completely unforgivable. Just know that I'm sorry, to everyone.

[Thump. Thump. Thump. The sound of someone's head hitting the wall of their room as they rock back and forth. Hachiken is murmuring, softly.]

I want it.

[Thump.]

I'm tired. I just want to sleep.

[Thump. Thump. A strangled little wail escapes this time.]

Not that!

[Thump. Thump. Thump. All the noise stops. His voice sounds rough, tired, and there's an off quality about it. Almost as though the kindness isn't quite kindness, and he's finally speaking up as though it was his intent all along.]

It sounds like things are getting pretty dangerous out there. If you could give us an idea of where to avoid to avoid that danger, we'd really appreciate it!

[It's the new year now, and that seems really strange to Hachiken with his new adventure on the seas in a different land. His tone is preoccupied. At first he's muttering to himself. Then he speaks and he sounds tired.]

The holidays are something else huh? If anyone has recipes, I'm open to new ideas. I've been here a little while and I think I've tried everything I can think of. I'm going to get what I need to make sausage at the first opportunity if anyone wants to order some.

I guess my wish for the new year would be to go home. I miss my friends and everything.

I want to wish everyone...[He trails off a little]

...a happy...

[And there's a thud as Hachiken hits the deck.]

[Written with modern ballpoint pen in a casual, simple, Celtic-style calligraphic script.]

Request for Ingredients

Please collect samples of these plants during your island explorations and I will gladly trade coin or other goods for them.

[Small, crude sketches of each herb are painstakingly placed by each entry.]

Heatherum and Foxite - both of these herbs are common in my homeland of Ferelden and are used to make herbal agents.

Deathroot - despite the name, this plant is innocuous when handled. I require the leaves rather than the flowers.

Also useful to me would be any venom extracted from a poisonous creature. It is easiest to find and obtain from giant spiders, though I have not yet seen such spiders in this world. If you happen to face and defeat a spider, please take the time to collect its venom or to inform me of where such spiders can be located.

[She writes nothing else except her usual signature and a quick sketch of a griffon segreant - the symbol of the Grey Wardens.]

-EC