[Privately to Barbossa first:] Sorry to be disturbing you, Captain, but Jack has gone... missing and I fear it may be for the worst.

[Then out across the journal to anyone who might be listening:

His voice sounds out through the journal in a mixture of angry and baffled as he speaks with slow certainty.]

It seems more ill luck has struck The Charming Murderess as our captain is nowhere to be found aboard. Nor has he used the Nave to go off ship. The chances of him being taken, or of him falling overboard are dreadfully slim.

[Gibbs pauses a moment before continuing to speak. He will not hazard a guess as to what might have befallen Jack, and it is almost embarrassing to have to ask, but given the strangeness of this place he feels the need to inquire to other ships and crews, to see if this sudden disappearance is common.]

I know not what has befallen him or if this infernal place has found a new way to torment us. Insight to the cause of this would not go amiss. If you have any sound idea as to why the captain would unwillingly abandon his ship, I'd be most obliged to know.

[It's been a month, at least, since Lara arrived in this world. A month at least since she'd escaped Yamatai and unwillingly left her friends and Sam behind. But they were safe, finally safe and Lara could only care about that.

But her thoughts had been eating at her since arriving. So many people were dead because of her, Roth and Grim were dead because of her...even Whitman - who Lara would never feel a shred of regret over losing - was dead because of her.

Grim had given up his life to save hers and the others, to give her a chance to get to them. He went out swinging at least...

We'll raise a glass to the old bastard once we're out of here.

God, Roth...

Lara speaks, for the first time, over the network, her English accent scratchy and slow with grief.]

Before I came here, I was in a...very bad place. There was a lot of danger and it wasn't safe, for anyone there. I'd been shipwrecked with a crew of people and we were...we were dying. One by one we were being killed by these people.... [she swallows her anger and gets to the point.]

I lost two men who were very close to my heart and I didn't have a proper chance to say goodbye. They both did so much for me, taught me so much.... they need a proper send off, one I haven't gave since I came here.

Conrad Roth and Grim Grimaldi were two of the bravest, most amazing people I've ever met and I miss them both every day.

[The sound of a glass being filled can be heard over the audio, along with faint sniffling that is sucked up quickly in long breaths. When she speaks again, Lara's voice is stronger.]

You both deserved so much better.

[The glass is swallowed and clinks back onto the desk. Lara is quiet a while longer before adding.]

If you lost anyone...or haven't had time to say goodbye yet because you got snatched up and taken here...nows the time to do it. Before anything else happens to us.

[She stops speaking there, for good.]

( Action ) 

[Anyone aboard the Sun could find Lara sitting cross-legged on the poop-deck, facing the ocean trying to calm herself down by meditating. A half full glass of some dark, amber liquor sits by her knees and it's clear she's been doing more than raising just a glass at this point. Lara takes in deep breaths and exhales shakily and keeps trying to tell herself that Roth would tell her not to waste her tears because it wouldn't bring her back.

She could be someone he'd be proud of, damnit.]

Spade Pirates

This is Ace.

I found this cool little shop that sells a lot of different things. I think it might be magic, because I bought Vivre cards from it that work without you needing to weave them properly. There's one of every crew member for everyone, so it was pretty expensive. I was forced to sell the really fancy green hat I got off that jerk I punched.

They've been tested them too, so I know they work like the real thing. Each card has a name on them, so you know who they'll be pulled to.

I'll pass them out on the ship. Just be sure not to lose them.

Be ready, by the way. We're gonna set sail once the ship is stocked up.

[action:

Harry Flynn takes a few minutes (or the approximation of it -- like three hours) to really comprehend what's going on. He opens the book, hoping for a map or something... and sees the "greeting."

Weird? Yeah. But not any weirder than finding Shambala. Or the wish-granting stone there being tree sap. So, really, he handles it pretty well. Eventually. And even gets himself a drink in a tavern that night. He spends a lot of time before that at the fountain, especially.]

[written:

It's pretty simple, what he writes. First, he copies down the inscription on the fountain.]

Behold this ruby, Centuries old. Its power is great, True depths untold. What once was whole, Now in parts 'tis shattered. Having it all, Aye, that's what matters. Rebuild the gem And whatever ye wish will be. Whether wealth, good fortune, Mayhap the chance to flee. Strangers listen: Take heed, take care. Or be lost forever To Davy Jones' lair.

[Then, unaware that this isn't simply a journal others have handled before, he writes his own notes around the spaced out inscription copy.]

Red, fragments. Wish stone? Davy Jones. Sea floor, resting place of drowned sailors. Literal or figurative?

[audio:

So... Talk to the book, it's broadcast. Like a radio. Well, that's useful, at least.]

Get a crew, huh? [The British voice comes easily enough over the thing, belying the nerves he feels at all of this. What's important is to drink the ale (which tastes like piss, but it's alcohol, so he's not complaining to the barkeep's face) and pretend like this is totally normal.] Well, according to that bloody stereotype of a swashbuckler talking earlier, it sounds like we want to go southwest. Anyone heading that way and want someone whose business is treasure hunting? 'Cause I'm takin' offers.

My sincerest apologies to the members of my crew who have not seen me as of late. I came down with a terrible case of the flu, which was not at all helped by the constant movement of a ship rocking on the seas. I am pleased to inform all of you that I have recovered for the most part, and shall strive to never fall prey to such a malady again. Now that we have that sorted, I should like to go onto a few other matters of importance. I would like all of you to welcome our new crew mates if you have not already, and I would like to inform all of you that after much consideration I have decided upon our crew's official name.

While we could simply call it my crew, or the crew of Lady Maribelle forever, it simply would not do to inspire the hope and love needed for our cause. We need something more than simply my name, we need to be a symbol and a beacon of hope to all those who live in fear. That is why I have adopted the symbol of the Exalt and the name of the noble guardians of Ylisse, protectors of the innocent lambs that the wolves of the night would prey upon. We are the Shepherds, and this symbol will be the symbol that we shall rally behind to protect the innocent from the injustices of this world.

[Drawn with meticulous care is the following symbol]



I would like to see this symbol on our ship's sails and flag as soon as is readily possible, and I would like to be informed of any updates that I may not be aware of do to my absence. That is all.

[ooc: As the post may imply, I'm just coming off of Hiatus, so I decided to make Maribelle incredibly under the weather in my absence. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to poke me on Plurk, or PM me.]

[The Doctor's script is slow and deliberate, like he's waiting on something unpleasant to finish that he just can't rush. He's got a question that's more idle curiosity than anything pressing, but one he'd like answered. After all, he's got to wait on the glue to dry on his little project, and may as well see if anyone might have any bright ideas.

Because being at sea is fairly boring. And there is a distinct lack of music, so may as well fill it with idle chatter.]

So, life on a ship. Dreadfully boring when there's nothing going on yes? Yes.

Well, I've gotten a bit bored and I could use some suggestions on ways to entertain myself between projects. And I thought that...well...perhaps some of you fine people might have some ideas, preferably nonviolent or lethal ones, on how that could happen.

Suggestions appreciated.


Regards,
The Doctor