[Since it's a journal, all one can hear is an audible shudder from the viking.]

...Okay, maybe I shouldn't have checked on the shards.

That felt really weird...and somewhat compelling.

[There's a long pause.]

Should I be worried?

[A SONIC BOOM ripples through the air.

No one knows which direction it comes from nor will they be able to keep an eye out for the cause for very long. But if they're lucky, they will catch a glimpse of black among the cloud-scattered skies above the seas.

It's a different story across the journals, however. A muffled voice is heard, familiar in its tone as the dragon rider speaks to his Night Fury friend.]

...Huh. That's weird. Maybe we took a wrong turn somewhere, bud.

[A familiar grunt and gurbly sound responds.]

I know, I know. Lemme see if I can find some kind of landmark...

[There are drawings. Lots of drawings. It looks like someone has filled in the pages over time. Simple doodles along the margins are overlay with actual work-in-progress designs for...a large tailfin? At least, it looks that way. Or some kind of funky party hat, who knows.

The sound of sniffing and a grunt interrupts the drawing process.]

Whoa, watch the nose!

[More snuffling. Hiccup laughs.]

Aren't you curious? I know – I promised we would go flying. I guess I lost track of time.

I was gonna surprise you, but since you're already here... [On his end, Hiccup leans back to let Toothless take a look.] See, bud? I think I'm really close to getting this down. And just think – you'll be able to fly. On your own!

[Toothless SNORTs. And then the drawings suddenly get smeared by a massive dragon paw.]

–Toothless, whatareyoudoing– no!! Bad dragon! Aw, come on...

Hello, darlings.

[The voice is soft, almost gentle. It's a woman's voice, one who sounds fairly young but still bears a weight and authority.]

I heard distressing reports that Mother was very ill, and it seems they were true. That's most concerning. To be quite honest, I half thought her immortal.

I suppose that mystery remains locked away. No matter.

[Then, she sighs and clears her throat.]

I apologise. I've forgotten my manners. Introductions, of course. My name is, quite honestly, irrelevant. The people who know me best here call me Cat, and I invite you to do the same.

I understand many of you have suffered a great deal. As it is, I'm attempting to arrange a little present for all of you Travelers, something to make your stay here a little easier.

It's no small task, and I don't want to name it for fear I won't be able to deliver, but I promise I will try.

In other matters, I suppose I owe it to Mother to warn you that I'm afraid you haven't heard the last of dear Hawtrey. I fear he's disturbing those best left to rest, but I can't be sure yet why. I intend to look into the matter more thoroughly, but I am almost certain no good can come of it.

[Another sigh and something that might be a chuckle but very soft. A tired sound, perhaps.]

That's quite enough about me, I think. What I'm interested in is all of you. You must have realised by now how much magic there is in this place. One can almost breathe it in, the air is so thick with it. Is that common, in the places all of you came from? Or is this quite foreign?

Other worlds do fascinate me so.

[The writing's a little ruff, he hasn't had to make do with the table in the galley for ages]

Due to circumstances beyond my control I'm in the market for a new writing desk. I'm checking to make sure there isn't an island of strange furniture makers I don't know about.

[Yes Harlock did leave the Mistress's shard out on his desk, and it caught fire when he out dealing with the storm. Better the desk than his Heavy Red Bourbon

The journal picks him mumbling.]

It was to big for the room anyway. Not sure how he got half of that stuff in there in the first place.

Usually at this time of year, I'm starting to get ready for Halloween. It may not be as big in my lands as it is in America, but he and I have a little tradition to scare each other.

Looks like I'll be missing it this year.

Still haven't gotten that brat back for dragging Russia into it last year, the cheat.

[For those on the Gilded Rose, Arthur's in the galley being kinda homesick with a cup of tea. And doodling (on scrap, not in his journal) various plans for a haunted house tailored to scare America.]

[A soft sigh is heard through the pages, one that belongs to a viking that pops up on occasion. Except he hasn't been perusing the journal of late. But tonight, he feels like talking a bit.]

...You know how there's always some realizations that like to slide in and make you aware that something's different? Like, you know, you're just...minding your own business, not bothering anyone, and then suddenly 'Oh, hey – let's just think about this right now. Because why not, right? You're not doing anything important.'

Because...it's been a thing. Lately. I mean, shipmates come and go. We all know how that is, and that alone gets hectic. But sometimes they come back.

[The sardonic tone in Hiccup's voice weakens, disappearing completely after the pause.]


And sometimes...you're just left waiting for them to come back.


[Aboard the ship, Toothless ambles over to where the teenager sits, sniffing at him before resting his head over Hiccup's thin shoulder.

Low dragon rumblings make Hiccup laugh a little as he places his hands over that black snout. His hair gets blown back with each Night Fury snort.]

You miss them, too, huh? Yeah. Me too.

Mm...hello? Anyone?

[so much pained grunting]

Ugh. Damn, there's benders and then there's benders. I'm not doin' that again.

Oi, Booya...ugh. Hazmats. Crew. Guys. Where are all o' ya? Head count, roll call, whatever. This island swallowed me up for a few days and I need to know everybody's okay.

Any sign of our guys yet? We ain't leavin' Deesuko Ballia without good news.

[he has officially woken up in an alley somewhere, well sated but suffering the world's worst hangover ever. Ever.]

[Things just cut into the continuous sound of a dragon growling and gurbling. It's the dragon equivalent of a major run-on sentence.

A brief break leads to several glottal stops, ending in a sad whine.




On the deck of the Booyakasha II, the Night Fury looks frustrated. His human is on the floor beside him, practically flopped on his face.]

[There is a rustle of papers, before an unfamiliar voice speaks up.]

Tell me about this journal. What is it really?

[There's a pause and a small grunt before Roxas' voice comes through.]

I don't know anything about it.

How about that...interesting tattoo of yours? Hm? [There's another beat of silence.] Aren't you hungry kid? [Another few beats.] Got nothing to say? What a shame. Bring him for execution as a worthless pirate.

[There is a click, the sound of a manacle being opened so they can move him, but it's a mistake. It's followed with a scream and then chaos. Another click can be heard and the sounds of a scuffle. The book hits the ground and there's a few other cries. The silence comes full force and there's a smear of blood on the journal as it's picked up and half shoved into a pocket. ]

[The respite is short because they're banging the door in. The sounds of angry shouting, gunfire and the clang of metal clashing fill the air unwittingly. Footsteps on the ground and a smug voice takes over.]

You're surrounded. Give up and die a much less painful death.

[Roxas scoffs. Surrounded? Please. Anyone near this base would see all at once an explosion of light, accompanied with the screams of people who dare stand in his way. Before the litany of escape is over, an onlooker would see another explosion of light and finally, smoke rising as he gets out of the building. He pulls the journal out of his pocket again, fingers smearing more blood on the pages.]

Lea. [Roxas is breathing hard from exertion.] I'm not sure where I am.

As much as this competition has pit us against each other, I would ask that we not all lose sight of the fact that we're still being used by others for another purpose. We are still all better off as allies than as enemies.

[This has been your daily soapbox moment.]


[action on the sea princess]

[Itachi hasn't forgotten what day it is. His brother had honored his birthday, so it's only right that he do the same. A cake is out of the question, as he knows Sasuke doesn't like sweet things. That doesn't mean he can't cook him something else, however. With all the supplies (and still edible vegetables) they have on the ship right now, it shouldn't be a problem.

Shouldn't.

None of the training he'd gone through in becoming the best ninja he could had involved cooking. Putting together a simple meal for the road is one thing. Making something nice for a family member is something else entirely. He believes he should be able to do it - he's gotten a hold of a decent cookbook - so he's going to give it a shot. It can't be too difficult.

Anyone who nears the kitchen this evening might be privy to the smell of burnt vegetables or the disgruntled noises of one young ninja.]

...okay, so this is probably one of the strangest things I've ever had to say but I think I'd better, all things considered.

No, you're not hearing a ghost- Oh, I think I'm getting ahead of myself already.

Right.

So. I'm not dead. ...this is Gaius, by the way. Wow, how did I ever get used to talking into a book.

[Awkward pause.]

...yeah. That's...about it. Um. Sorry if I worried anyone. To be honest, I wasn't even aware I was gone. Jingles says I've been gone about a month, but I think it's been a little- okay, a lot longer than that for me, so bear with me if I forget names and things, but I'm sure it'll all come back to me.

-although I do hear I have a candy stash somewhere aboard...

( Cut for narration )

I regret to inform everyone that the Royal Host Club is currently closed. There are currently no plans to reopen.

[His voice never falters. It remains calm and professional.]

For those who do not know me, my name is Kyouya Otori. I and [he pauses, considers, and chooses his words] a friend, Haruhi Fujioka, need to join a crew.

We also bring a golden retriever.

Neither of us are combatants, and we would prefer to avoid conflict with the Navy as much as possible.

Haruhi is a capable cook, and I am a competent one. I am also extremely qualified to manage expenses and budgets. I also have decent medical knowledge.

Thank you.

[It's....a big blob of seemingly random squiggles. Some of the lines go right off the page, and probably onto the deck itself. It's hard drawing in small scale, okay?

On the ship of the Hazardous Materials Crew, the dragon sits and looks rather proud of himself, even if he's probably badly mushed the tip of the writing utensil currently clamped between his teeth.]

Oooh no.

[While the voice is faint, it's still very distinct in tone. Hiccup gets to see all of this firsthand.]

Bud, what's this?

[Toothless snorts lightly, looking no less gleeful at his artwork. IS IT NOT BEAUTIFUL HICCUP. PRAISE HIM.]

((OOC: Majority of journal responses will come from Hiccup with intermittent dragon garbles.))

[ Her voice was weak. She had just woken up after a split second of searing pain to her side coupled with...the screaming of children? What?

Her pokemon were already outside trying to do damage control. They had left her cabin door wide open so she could witness first hand what exactly as going on. But since the pain was keeping her from getting out of bed. She decided to address the guys via her journal.

Though it would help knowing what was happening with the rest of the world as well.]

Guys...? I hear children screaming on board. Did...urgh...did something happen? Is everyone alright out there? Come on guys, no messing around. You all know I can't get up. Guys? Hello?

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.

[ACTION:]

Whoa! That was a big one!!

[On deck, Hiccup is almost crushed by Toothless, who makes all the noise. The angle of the ship levels out eventually after the bigger swells have passed, which lets the Viking regain his footing.]

Man, that could've been worse, huh? I mean, not like I've never felt a wave like that before...

[He trails off once he notices something is off. The dragon gives a tense sort of growl, shifting uneasily where he is. In Hiccup's arms. A couple of feet off the ground.

Once he realizes what's wrong with the picture, Hiccup's jaw drops.]

[AUDIO:]

–HOW AM I DOING THIS.

[Distressed and confused dragon noises here.]

When you pay attention your journal this day, the clear voice of young Maribelle rings out.

"Ahem! Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to formally introduce to you my son Brady. Say hello to everyone, Brady dear."

"... Tch. Hey. ... Y'know, I already said my piece when I first got here."

There's the sound of a parasol being bonked over Brady's head for his atrocious manners. "Yes dear, but we are formally introducing you to everyone!"

"Ow!" He groans, rubbing his head. After a sigh, he clears his throat. "... My name is Brady. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Very good. Now as I was saying, this is my son Brady, and today we are going to play for you a violin duet that I have trained him extensively for. Are you ready Brady?"

There's a bit of a pause. "Shouldn't we do something more important, like helpin' the captain, or checking on maps, or..." An even longer pause. You can almost hear the glare. "... Yes, Ma."

After some extra grumbling, the strings slowly start to play out. Despite the argument, the two are clearly talented, The performance is full of heart, passion, and dedication. As the last notes ring out...

"Nicely done, darling."

"... Thanks, Ma."

"And with that, I bid you adieu good people, until next time."

"... There's gunna be a next time?!"

((OOC: Both maribelle and brady will reply to comments!))

[April First. Happy April Fools Day! This is Mikey, setting ‘someone’ up]

HEY EVERYONE! [comes the loud voice of one very bad ass turtle. The journals are loud with his voice, but on the boat it’s even louder.] GUESS WHAT!!

[dramatic pause for effect, a grin on his turtle lips, because he knows he’s going to have to make a run for it once... someone gets it]

APRIL IS HERE!!! APRIL is here! I'm so ex-cited!

[You can almost picture his arms being held high above his head as he yells this, grinning. To those on the boat, he uses one of his dear smoke bombs and is gone. Hiding. To those who reply? He’ll reply in kind.... until he’s thrown over board that is.]