[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.

[The sketch begins with a simple fleur de lis. Nothing important.

It's just something he could do while keeping the ketch on course. He can be found on deck most of the day.]

It seems like there's always someone leaving. People come, and they go just as quickly.

[He continues sketching as he speaks.]

One has to wonder what it says about the mechanics and purpose of our being here.

We've been told that death will take us home, but some have died here only to return to this place.

The ruby will supposedly take us home, but that depends on the wish made once it's put together.

Then some people just disappear. Presumably, from the ones who've vanished and come back, they go home.

So is there any purpose to seeking the ruby? Or are we all just chasing our tails, biding time because we can't accept that we have no purpose here but, perhaps, to be someone else's entertainment?

These strange phenomena might well be someone's idea of fun, watching what we do when faced with such things.

[By the time he's done talking (as well as speaking to a few other people), his sketched fleur de lis is quite distinct.

( cut for image )

]


(Original image from here.)

[The Talent Show had given Haruka a delightful distraction from her current dilemma and after it she had taken a little time off to get things in order. It was clear that she couldn't stay docked in port forever and she certainly couldn't operate such a large ship on her own.]

Excuse me? I know this might not be the best time given the circumstances.. [But when was it a good time here? There was always something happening]... but are there any ships out there that are willing to take on another crewmember?

[She wasn't really good at this whole promoting herself thing, but maybe it would help her find a crew she would fit better on if she added something more]

I am an aspiring composer with no combat skills, but I have been studying all about seafaring and I feel like I have become more well versed in the subject. I- I don't really like the idea of causing injury to others, I would rather bring happiness to them through verse and melody. [She was leaving out the part about possessing a shard, which she intended to always keep on her person for the time being. It was the only memento she had left from the Koumyou (aside from the ship itself!)] If you think- I might be a good fit for your ship, then please let me know.

Also- I apologize for the delay Valentine-san but everyone please wish Ms. Faye Valentine a happy birthday! It was on the 14th and Valentine-san.. you should be receiving a little surprise in a few days time!

Since it's so close to September already... remember to wish Kuzan a happy birthday when the time comes too!

[OOC: Faye will be receiving http://i57.tinypic.com/mm55j6.jpg! It's not quite as fancy as Faye was hoping for, I'm sure! But Haruka thought it was cute when she found it in a local shop.]

[OOC: The Birthday list is under the cut. As always please add your muses or other people's muses if you'd like :3]

( Birthday List! )

[A little girl's voice comes through the journal. Except, it's a little more hardened and bitter than usual! Anyone who's spoken to B.B. before may not find the voice instantly recognizable, a definite change from the usual high pitched tone the young lady has.]

Are we done crying about everyone leaving yet?

I've been here what, half a year now? I get it at this point. Who stays and who goes is completely up to some asinine bullshit whim. But guess what? Everyone whining won't bring them back. That's just how it is.

Grow a pair and move the hell on already. Leaving is what humans do. If you don't know that by now, there's no hope for any of you.

[Don't mind her. She might be sampling some fruits from way up high.]

[This just hasn't been their week, has it? Link the Elder addresses the network with a heaviness in his throat once again.

But that distinction in his title doesn't actually mean anything anymore, does it?]

I regret to report that as of...

[He has to double check the date.]

today, August sixth, it is confirmed that Link the Younger is no longer with us. As for his fate, I cannot be certain. He just... isn't here.

[Something Link is sure most of the other 'visitors' to this world are well familiar with, by now.]

I wish him the best.

[action]
[Link can be found in the Younger's room, sitting quietly on his hammock with his legs on the floor. He holds the sheathed Master Sword with his hands rested on its pommel, tip supporting it upright against the floor. His head is bowed, almost in prayer.

But Link never prays.

On the floor is a pouch made from a Dondongo's stomach containing five bombs. The Ocarina of Time rests on the desk. This is what's been left behind.]

[there is absolutely no warning before a high-pitched, distressed, loud voice emerges from the journal.]

WHO. DID. THIS.

[well, she figured out the voice function... there is an aggressive sigh, then a groan that is dragged out as long as her lungs and throat permit.]

This is NOT Fiji! This is not Monaco, or Bermuda, or Dubai, or even TOKYO! I know well enough that WHATEVER THIS IS ISN'T HOME OR A VACATION SPOT AND WHOEVER BROUGHT ME HERE WITHOUT MY PERMISSION WILL BE SENT ON A HOUSHAKUJI SHIP TO ANTARCTICA AND LEFT TO DEFEND THEMSELVES FROM THE SUN ENTERING THROUGH THE ENORMOUS HOLE IN THE OZONE LAYER AND RABID PENGUINS!!!!!!

[there's another groan, and you can practically hear her pulling out her hair. yelling isn't going to help her-- screaming into a book isn't the same as tearing into a real person.]

Though, whoever helps me get home will be handsomely rewarded with as much money as they can carry to wherever they want. And I'll be grateful too! Don't think that I'm some unappreciative wretch. The sooner I get back to my room in Japan, the sooner everyone will be happy. I don't like that I've been KIDNAPPED! It's all fine and well in fiction but HOW DARE YOU DO THAT TO ME?!?! I'm ready to leave, no doubt about it! I saw a guy stab another guy. The first guy peed on him, so I mean it was a little deserved but I SHOULDN'T SEE ANYONE GET STABBED OR PEED ON OR SPIT LIKE FIFTEEN FEET!!! DOES NO ONE HERE KNOW MANNERS?!?!?!

[there's a soft sob, followed by squelch (possibly underfoot), then a shriek and rapid-fire swearing in japanese.]

Oh. My god. I do not know what I stepped in, but it was something AWFUL!!!! MY SHOE IS RUINED... This is terrible! Is this the commoner life? I can't handle this. Who has a private jet I can borrow? It's Renge Houshakuji. My family will pay yours back double, I promise!

( 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.

Guests or prospective guests of the Royal Host and Hostess Club,

The Royal Host and Hostess Club will be on Isla Empieza from the fifth of May until the fifteenth.

However, the ship and club will not be open to the general public. The company of the hosts or hostesses may be acquired by contacting individual hosts or hostesses in advance and arranging it with them.

We do offer companionship via the journals for a discounted rate. That, too, is done on an individual basis.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this delay and hope to fully resume operations in June.

Thank you,
Kyouya Otori
Vice-President of the Royal Host and Hostess Club
First mate of Antoinette

[It needed to be done. They're all still licking their wounds from the battle with the Navy, even after the success of Candy Mountain. He, for instance, is still exhausted, still trying to sleep off the stress and strain of his time away from the crew.

...And they seem to be equally strained by his time apart from them.

Still, they're all still standing. It will just take a little time for everything to get back to the way things are supposed to be. For the dust to settle and for issues that have been neatly swept under a rug to go back to being that way. It just takes a little time.

Which is why, several hours later, he writes in the journal again, this time less formally.]

There seems to be a lot of talk about the balls Scurvey Dog mentioned in her last message to us. [Even he'd considered it. Taking his fellow hosts, being in their own world. But there's a warning that needs to be given.] Please be careful, especially at the Navy-hosted one. We do not need to give them another reason to regroup and hunt us down.

- Otori

How’ve ye brats been? Enjoyin’ yerselves? As well ye should be. Spring is th’ best time ‘o th’ year an’ parties an’ balls are happenin’ just about everywhere ye can think ta go. The Masque Ball on Corsair Kingdom is a fav’rite ‘o mine and I am tempted ta go this year. Tho’ last year showin’ up as Davy Jones turned up quite a few noses—and then they found out who I was underneath. Heh. I be seein ye new people burstin’ wi’ questions and though I know ye’ll be bound ta ask, an’ I won’ stop ye, I may just ignore ye if I don’t feel the question is worth my time. A’course I might do that in any case because I hain’t called th’ Dog fer no reason.

But first:

News:

Not much ta be had. Navy is still lickin’ its wounds and doesn’t tend ta go out in spring as much fer reasons no one can figure out. Meep thinks he knows. Workin’ on a theory but I’ll be damned if I can understand two words outta that boy’s mouth. If it turns out important I’ll pass it along.

The Green Plague has been contained and Dermaevern has had its quarantine cleared. Here’s hopin’ we’ve squirreled out the last ‘o it.

Tardle be appearin' in the West fer a whole month (that is, 30 days startin' now) so if ye want ta visit, nows a good time ta do it.

Each ship’ll be gettin’ a little quartz stone on a chain from me. This be called a Typhoon Grip. What it does and why I’ll tell ye when tis closer ta th’ time. But if ye’ve got an explorer’s heart, ye’ll want to attach it ta th’ Nav. Might also help ye in certain other ventures besides.

Weather

Fer the next two weeks, mind.

North: Clear, cool an windy. Ye can maybe expect a few light flurries near the end of the first week but after that th’ weather should warm up a bit.

West: Rain. Buckets o’ it. Near about a solid sheet ‘o it for th’ entire time. May be a brief respite around midweek second week, but otherwise try not ta drown.

East: Fair sailin weather. A little on th’ humid side ‘specially near the beginnin’ ‘o the week, but mostly fair and sunny. Scattered showers. Be also expectin’ a rain ‘o frogs on Tuesday next but don’t touch ‘em as they may be poison.

South: Bright’n’sunny but with Bowler Winds. In other words, winds that’ll come swoopin’ out ‘o nowhere and send ye skiddin’ across th’ seas, tearin’ yer sails and maybe even capsizin’. They’re preceded by a drop in air pressure so if ye notice it, put up yer sails right quick, lest ye are insane and want ta see what happens if ye tack into it.



That’s about all I got fer ye fer now. Now ye get one question. That’s one single question. I’ll answer what I like. Try not ta be the usual sack ‘o idiots ye usually are.

The sea be bubblin’ and onrey so a’course ye know what this means. Just how many ‘o ye bastards he intends bringin’ o’er I don’t know, but th’ more ‘o ye that come, th’ more th’ navy gets upset. I’d stay out ‘o th’ west if I were ye an’ no use tweakin’ their noses. A’course ye’ll have ta be fightin’ ‘em anyway as more’n one ‘o ‘em has a shard. Hain’t gonna tell ye who they are though. No use gettin’ th’ Navy on me own sail.


News:

Hain’t not much to report other than the Navy gatherin’ forces westward, mayhap preparing for a big assault, mayhap doin’ some maneuvers. Quite a few naval bases out that way so as I said I’d stay away. Don’ go to Corsair Kingdom, either, as Three Days Jack has near about ransacked th’ place and be holdin’ court there, buildin’ his base of power. Rumors are there might be a squabble startin’ between th’ Navy and himself, which is a pity fer them but a bonus fer ye. At least until th’ Navy decimates them. Three Days Jack was always two sizes too small fer the pants he’s been tryin’ ta fill, though his crew is well known fer bein vicious fighters that leave no quarter and like to torture.


Weather

North: Cold, icy, hain’t too much differen’ from what it has been but if ye look in the night skies ye’ll be able to see th’ dancin’ lights. To that regard, fer ye star gazers, that smudge of new star near the Captain’s Bracers is th’ start ‘o the pass of Blue’s Comet. It’ll make its closest swing by yet near th’ beginnin’ ‘o March.

East: Clear days and smooth, if cold, sailin’. Expect a heapin’ ‘o snow on Monday or Tuesday but after that ye’ll be fine.

West: Wet. What moisture the East didn’ get is dumpin’ all over the West. Ye won’t have a single day w’out rain and ye’ll be drippin by Saturday, no doubt. Don’t expect it’ll let up any time soon.

South: Hot’n’dry wi’ a strong squall or two scurlin’ down from th’ west. Watch fer the signs and be careful where ye sail or ye’ll be in fer a nasty surprise. Also tis about time for baby kraken ta begin their adult migration along the Great Eastern Current so mind where ye go and if ye see a giant red eye starin’ at ye from th’ depths, sail fer yer life.


Time fer yer questions. I hain’t in the mood fer backtalkin’ either so there’s that warnin’. I don’t know why I bother wi’ ye people half the time, I really don’t.