I know others have voiced frustration over a lack of progress towards finding a way home. I'm taking a calculated risk in saying this, but it is my intent to stay here in this place if I can figure out the mechanism by which people are brought here and find out how it can be controlled. If anyone has any research they've done on this topic, let me know.

[It's been over a week since she, Asami, and Bolin arrived back on the ocean. The Krew, minus one. Korra's starting to get the message. That doesn't mean she isn't going to give this a shot in the dark, though-]

...Has anybody seen Mako? Tall, firebender, probably brooding...

[That last descriptor is added with a bit of a sad chuckle.]

I haven't heard from him since... we came back.

[Korra can be found in her cabin, resting in her hammock as she's become wont to doing these past ten or so days.]

[There's nothing but silence at first before the sound of splashing water can soon be heard.  The journal gets soaking wet, which also means the current page being broadcasted does as well.  But the journal is quickly and hastily picked up and in a poor attempt, the pages are dried rather quickly and it shows.  There's finally a sigh and a familiar voice is heard, it sounds more worried than usual]

Hello?  Sorry to be a bother, but...I'm on a deserted island somewhere out in the ocean and I have no idea where I am.  I'm going to need some help.

[The message is intended more for the Spades, but Asami doesn't even bother using the private function]

Hey. It's... Korra. Thisissoweird...

[Except that is most definitely not Korra's voice. This person who sounds like Asami clears her throat uncertainly. Is this some kind of stupid joke? She smacks her now-taller head as she navigates out of the cabin and growls loudly at the offending bedpost.

Nope. Definitely Korra.]

Someone's going to have to teach me how to swim. And use the stove. And... basically everything else. I can't bend at all.

[Aaand that's the sound of Korra tripping over her own feet. Walking and talking is a dangerous task, when you're suddenly a few inches taller and a whole lot lankier.]

And I can't keep my hair out of my FACE!

[That last bit is more yelling at the universe than anything else.]

[action]
[The Spades will find "Korra" all over the ship, trying to re-acclimate herself with varying levels of success. Swinging between the Sun and Moon. Cooking. Doing her bending exercises without the action bending part...]

[So for anyone who's on The Sun and happens to be doing anything near Korra's room, will see her door suddenly blow off the hinges and skid and crash off the ship into the sea. A familiar frantic looking woman charges to the new door opening and sticks her head out.  Only it's not who everybody thinks it is...well it is but, you know, bobyswap and everything.  Time for some damage control]

Oh spirits... Sorry!!!  Nobody was hurt, right?!

[Hopefully no one was in the way of the door at the time!  And just by luck, the journal manages to record the audio of all of that, so have fun with that]

[There is some paper rustling, probably from the journal that is resting on her knees. After several moments of silence, she finally speaks up- the voice calm but oddly cold, as if she is forcing herself to speak that way.]

Hypothetically speaking- what do you do when you miss someone?

(  ✲ Better dead than dull ✲  )

What do you guys do when you start to miss home? Or... worry about the people and the responsibilities you left behind, even though everything is supposed to be all right?

[Everyone's in the same situation, so Korra doesn't feel so weird admitting that she's missing home. She's lucky, she realizes, that she has friends that she made both at home and here to keep her company. But still...

It's not home.]

[Wan decided to test the book with something written. It was better than looking like a fool and talking aloud to himself in a place full of cold-shouldered strangers who were obviously looking for more of a reason to fight him. He didn't know what he'd done to upset the town he woke up in, but it was clearly enough for them to be threatening to his person. And he really didn't want to get into a fight with anyone and risking harming bystanders.

Raava's silence was also a concern, but she had grown less talkative the longer they were joined. They didn't need to talk that often anymore. So he didn't put much thought behind that. Not yet, anyway.]


To the book that speaks back: Hello.

I have recently woken up in this place and I don't know or recognize anything about it. I've traveled all over my world and nothing like this village exists. I would like to learn more about it, but the people aren't very friendly and most refuse to speak to me.

So I ask you, hopefully helpful book, for your aid.

I'm not really concerned about my safety, I can handle myself. But I have a friend... an animal friend. She's a catdeer and she answers to the name 'Mula'. If there are a lot of catdeer in this place, she'll be the one with a bedroll and small travel pack tied over her back. Please don't hurt her, she'll do you no harm. If she runs, that's okay. Just tell me where you saw her and I'll get her.

Thank you.

[Abruptly, there's a lot of loud laughing going on this morning, very very early. Anyone on Serenes might feel a tremor on the island before it swiftly dies down.

Anyone near the ships is most likely getting doused with a bit of a tidal wave.]

There it goes! Oi, Spades!

Who hasn't eaten kraken, yet!?

[ It would be a lie to imply that Bolin sounds completely calm and in control when he initially gets the journal network up and running. He's had time to adjust to the circumstances of arrival, of course, and to do a cursory looking-through of... whatever weird thing it is that these journals have going on, exactly. He couldn't say he understands everything about this place entirely, but there's a poem fountain thing happening, people have mentioned a broken magical gem, he's got a little money to get by on, and everyone who hasn't snubbed him outright has encouraged him to "take to the sea" at his earliest opportunity. So that's... been a thing?

Suffice it to say, Bolin could have all the information in the world and he would still be failing to sound totally chill. What greets the network in that stead is a token attempt at throat-clearing, followed by a tone of voice that is about as forcibly interested and cheerful as he can scrape together. Nobody said it was easy, Bo. ]

Okay, wow, this is some island you guys have got here. Really. I mean, it is just-- so great. And what a welcoming atmosphere, am I right? Or... well, at least a few people were pretty welcoming with the "get a boat, find the magic thing, put it together and go home" talk. Loving that fountain, too! It's, uh. Well, it is a fountain. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? Even when it is broken. [ Here, have a quick fake laugh. Something about attempting a joke, however non-entertaining it is, serves to center him a little between one sentence and the next. It's just talking to people, after all. If there's anything he's good at, it's talking. ]

Sooo... hey. I'm Bolin. Pro-bender, mover star, kind of a presidential hero. I got here yesterday. And, you know, before the welcoming atmosphere came into play, I was a little confused because of how I woke up next to a fountain with a bag of money and had no idea what was happening. Pretty unusual.

But all-around, so far, it's still great to meet everyone who is apparently in or able to hear what I say to this magical book. Hi, how are ya? [ No, really. ] I'm pretty sure I'm just down to looking for a crew now. I mean, I don't know if I'm supposed to ask to sail around with someone who already has a ship or I have to get a ship and find some people who know how to sail to sail around with me? If you could use an earthbender either way, then I'm your go-to guy! I can move some big rocks, raise some walls, do a little fighting. Or hey, I can do heavy lifting or digging or... scrubbing? Whatever it is that a guy on a pirate ship who has no idea how to sail should. Be doing. I've got experience with everything but the actual ship operation.

All I know right now is I can't exactly make a living in this town because nobody will let me work for them. Which is ridiculous, by the way, because I'm super valuable as a worker. Did I mention the presidential hero thing? [ Let it sit for three seconds for emphasis, and... ] Yeah. Saved him from evil waterbenders. True story. And I also know that I don't wanna hang around on this island forever anyway, even if it is- haha, really... really charming. [ He kind of hates it. ] Kinda got a home to get back to. Whenever that's gonna be possible. A home with a lot less rain. I mean, mud, right? It's so hard to work with!

So what's the situation out there, I guess? I've got some new life plans to put in action. Sailors to find, seas to travel, all that... good stuff. Oh, and I'll totally work for food! Or a bed. Both would be- y'know, awesome. We can negotiate, that's cool. I'm just ready to go. [ Where people will talk to him, and where he guesses mystical shards will eventually be found so he can be not here. Then basically right on cue, something near the journal chitters, which prompts a hasty last moment addition. ] Aaaas long as you're animal-friendly!

[ The lesson today is to never allow Bolin access to a communication tool that lets him talk without being interrupted while he is nervous. I'm so sorry. ]

Hello fellow pirates! [Chipper as ever, which would technically be never since arriving here.] I feel like something great is going to happen today. Not sure what, but it will. But you can make it happen if you just put a smile on your face. Give it a shot, it'll work. I promise!

[Mako's sitting on the stern of the Sun like happily talking to his journal.]

Oh yeah. If anyone has any candy, I could really use some. I don't think anything beats that while looking out at the ocean.

Maybe we should throw a party today. What do you think?

[He's actually smiling. A lot. The world might end...]

Hello, all! Meep here.

Gosh it's been a long time! How is everyone doing? Before you ask, the Mistress is fine, just exhausted. Green Plague will do that to you. It will also give you boils in really unfortunate places but fortunately you won't have to endure them for long since it means death is just around the corner. It's pretty distressing all told but the plague is contained for now! Of course if there's one outbreak there may be another in the short future because of waves you know, and there's always that one little bugger that tends to get away from you. It's really unfortunate. I do wish people were more conscientious.

I have no news for you other than that. All is quiet other the usual Navy grumblings but I hear they'll be pulling back for now to lick their wounds! I hear you left some pretty big ones. While I'm relieved you're all right, it does make a man sad. We've lost so many to plague, to battles. Souls which Davy Jones doesn't seem fit to reincarnate. It's a rather sad business and you're lucky not many people know of your plethora of advantages or, I expect, they would become rather resentful!

At any rate I am open for questions, though I can't answer too many or the Mistress will complain about me spoiling you. Also there is this fascinating essay on mystical fungi. You know there is thought to be this one mushroom on Hallio Mesa which is thought to give you hallucinations lasting for days! The most common hallucination is one of flight, which is dangerous enough on the ground but when you live on a cloud island, well, it's frankly dangerous, don't you think? But it's very good for helping with anxiety disorders provided you don't actually die. I wanted to try one but Mistress forbade me, alas. It is probably all for the best in the end, don't you think?

Uh. Snow usually isn't suppose to be green, is it? I mean, I really don't think so, but...is this suppose to mean something? [A pause] If I didn't know better I'd swear Ace had something to do with this.

[Despite all the confusion from Asami, instead of staying in her room, she decides to walk around the ship. Anyone on The Sun will more than likely get a fist full of green snow thrown at them if they're walking around.

Why? Just because.

Someone has a little too much free time on their hands at the moment]

Hey, guys, it's Korra. I probably should have mentioned this sooner... Sorry about that.

Since I'm a waterbender, I can use it to help ease injuries. It doesn't make them go away entirely, but it can speed up the process and really ease the pain. So if anyone needs anything like that, especially in light of what's going on with the Navy, just let me know.

[Korra's hanging out on the Sun's deck railing with her journal. She's got an injury of her own, made obvious by the wrappings on her shoulder. It doesn't impede her movements much, but that's mostly because she's more used to being injured than not these days.

Naga is lumbering around the deck, still pup-sized and occasionally sniffling at the wooden flooring.]

I just wanted to speed it up a little!

[Korra's voice is panicked as her journal is whipped open. She isn't even directing the words specifically at the open book, now.]

Asami, just- Try to get more water! Or something! We can't afford burn through all of the fresh barrels, either!

[There's definitely something going on in the background. The clanging of pots and pans, the wild shuffling of (two?) makeshift pirates, and... is that a fire crackling? Finally, Korra's voice is loud and clear over the journal.]

Guys, we need some help down in the kitchen! We... I... kind of set it on fire. Like. Really on fire. [Then she's gone again for a moment-] And if anyone not on the ship can hear this... Advice?? Please?! [There's only so much water to be bent at her disposal.]

Hey guys, how do you feel about animals on the ship?

...I mean pets. That aren't birds.

[He'd ask this in person, but there are a lot of people in his crew and he doesn't feel like asking them individually. Also someone'll claim the crow's nest if he gets out of it.]

[Never has he felt more dumb in his life than looking at his journal and trying to believe that talking to it is going to let him talk to other people. Running a hand through his hair, he lets out an awful sigh. It's not true, he has felt dumber. Half of the things his brother's managed to drag him into in the past have been just as bad if not more so.

Whatever.

His tone's forced as he speaks to pages.]

I don't know if this is working, or if I'm looking like an idiot in the town square. [He's banking on idiot and is grateful Bolin's not here to witness it.]

My name's Mako, I'm from Republic City. If that even means anything to anyone here. The Piedra Roja is why everyone's on ships, right? Does anyone even know how big the thing is?

[Does anyone know how stupid he feels for talking to a book? Because he does, and it's climbing to the point where he just wants to slam it shut.]

Either way, yeah. Good luck to anyone finding it. Just wish us all home, okay?

Hey. [Nah, that was a weird thing to start out with. especially now] Sorry, I know this a bad time to ask, but I wanted to know how many people out there were still in their right mind?

[Asami would have shut the journal after that, but she stops herself and adds a quick:]

Thanks.

[Private to Korra]

Where are you? Don't tell me you're acting like the rest?

[Without any warning or provocation a voice sounded over the journals. The most notable aspect of this broadcast was the rich Scottish accent that accompanied it.]

I want some answers, and I want them now.

[The irritation was evident in the way the words were emphasized. Despite the brief message from someone going by the name Scurvey Dog, Scrooge McDuck was not satisfied. The magical journal wasn't the most unfathomable part of this scenario. His inventor, Gyro Gearloose, could have concocted something like this... and if it actually was magic, well he'd run into enough of that within his life too.]

I demand to speak to the man in charge..............

[There was a slight pause in words, but he had one more thing to say before he was finished.]

Jones has some nerve kidnaping Scrooge McDuck. He obviously doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. Time is money, and I don’t have any time to waste. Now where is this blaggard?

[Completely sleep-deprived and combating a very, very consistent voice in his head, Ace spoke darkly into his journal--not yelling, but still not hiding even a smidgen of menace from his tone.]

You're all supposed to be givin' it your all to get these ships clean and safe.

One of the back-sails on the Moon was loose. You realize we're at port, right? If that sail drops, the anchor ain't gonna stop it from plowin' into the pier.

So--who forgot to do their job the right way?