I'm getting sick of staring at endless expanses of water day in and day out. Lake water, ocean water, it does not end.

And those bubbles.

If the sky should dare to rain, my mood will grow dark as the grimmest of storm clouds.

[If there's one thing this journal is good for, it's complaining into. His patience for water itself seems to have run dry.

Even if Mitsunari's accustomed to being at sea by now (he'd better be, having been here for over a year), he's no sailor at heart. The islands usually provide enough of a change of scenery that he can tolerate days at sea, but the Katabami's last stop, Mirror Island, was pretty much a giant lake. That he fell into. The magic bubbles from the beginning of the month were involved. This has probably contributed to his current feelings.]

...When will it be that it is my lord's silhouette I see upon the horizon?

I grow impatient.

[And homesick, perhaps, if you can be homesick for a world you only wished you lived in.]

[The familiar voice of one Kodachi, the Black Rose, suddenly makes itself known throughout the realm through the journals. Did she mean for this to happen? No, not at all. Would she regret this accidental recording? Probably not, but her ally might.]

[The transmission begins with her humming to herself. There's the sound of the Nav activating, and then - ]

Oh, my Valentine's Day gifts have arrived! Ice cream! Such a nice green color!

[It is, of course, better that she doesn't reveal its flavor ... ]

Mitsunari-san! I have something for you to try! Look at this ice cream~!

[Mitsunari has never had ice cream. He's never had the opportunity to try it, but that's fine by him, because he's never wanted any to begin with. So when he sees the very green dessert Kodachi's gotten ahold of, he isn't particularly impressed. He doesn't have any idea that its interesting hue is maybe just a little out of the ordinary, either.]

...What? [He wonders why she's bothering him with this. If she wants it taste-tested or something, there's other people around who would be much more willing to do so than him, right? Dismissively, he says:] Give it to someone else.

[You can practically hear the pout in Kodachi's voice as she replies:] But I ordered it especially for you. Won't you at least try it?

[...She did what now? Always full of surprises, Kodachi.] I do not recall asking for this. [It can't be seen, but he gestures vaguely at the ice cream.] I don't want any.

[Just silence. One could probably assume by listening to their exchange that she was making sad faces at him, with pouty lips and doe eyes.]

[Mitsunari is stubborn enough to let this go on without feeling even remotely bad about it... but for how long?]

[Several minutes pass, and one can only guess that she's continuing to follow him around, ice cream in hand and imploring expression upon her face.]

[He dutifully ignores her until it starts getting kind of ridiculous (is she a baby duckling or something?) and he decides to just try the stupid green food he didn't even ask for.] Enough. Give it to me.

[So Mitsunari -- poor, unknowing Mitsunari -- tries the ice cream. If only he were aware of what that green dye signified. What Kodachi apparently does not feel the need to tell him is that this is not anything like pistachio or mint flavored ice cream. Oh no. This is wasabi ice cream.] ...What did you -- ?! [Why is this alleged dairy product burning his mouth? With a frustrated huff, he shoves the bowl of ice cream back at Kodachi with only a single question in mind for her.] Why.

[The only answer thus far is Kodachi's trademark laugh.]

OHOHOHOHOHOHO!

[It has taken nearly a week, but Yoshitsugu's hopes that all of this is nothing but an unwelcome dream have dwindled. He's kept mostly to himself, making the hostel his temporary home and leaving only a handful of times, unsure of what to do, but disorientation has given way to anger now (and a sense of personal loss, though he knows not why). Everything he worked for--his dream--had come to fruition, only for it to be taken from him in the blink of an eye. He is through with being idle.

There is proof enough that the journal is more than just that, so in script that is as beautiful in spite of a trembling hand, he writes:]

I've no doubt this has been asked before, but is there any reason to believe this mysterious gem that supposedly grants wishes actually exists? If it is indeed real, I find it quite difficult to believe it comes without a price. To be told that it's possible to accomplish whatever you like simply by making a wish would arouse suspicion in even the greatest of fools, one would think. Surely there's more to it if people are actually looking for it.

[It's not like him to express anything that resembles his actual thoughts, but until he gets his footing here, he'll have to from time to time. Not that he intends to be here long enough to become established to any degree, but he gets the impression that may be out of his hands.]

I'd also like to know if I'm wrong to assume that there's little hope of returning home through any other means. I have some important business I must get back to. I'd rather not dally unnecessarily.

[ooc: yoshitsugu can be found wandering around town for a while trying to put things together if you'd rather do action! an especially observant person might get the impression that there are some intense, possibly conflicted emotions lurking beneath the surface at the moment. otherwise, he'll come off relatively calm and put together.]

Okay, listen up people. This is an emergency.

[... It probably isn't, considering it's Ragna and there's no way in hell he'd ever ask his crew for help in case of a real emergency, much less the larger community as a whole. But whatever works for you, Rags.]

Are there any guys out there... looking for a date for Valentine's Day? If so, lemme know here. I might need someone like that.

[Not for himself, of course, but he figures that much is obvious.]

It's for the greater good. Trust me. Promise your sacri─ [AHEM. Gosh, where could this sudden cough come from? Well, it is winter after all. Maybe he's coming down with something.] ─time will be worth it. Honest.

[He doesn't think it's the right moment to mention he's actually looking for a date for the girl who set an island on fire last summer...]

... So! Any takers?

( action/tl;dr )

Lord Hanbei... Lord Hideyoshi... I have heard their voices once again.

[In Mitsunari's view, these little birds are kind of miraculous.]

Ieyasu... try all you like. You cannot take this from me!

[Part of him had been wary, and he had wondered if he could trust some of what he heard. But he knows Hideyoshi's voice, and could not mistake it or be fooled by an imposter. And he knows his lord's nature well enough that he has no doubt he would address Hanbei in his final moments. In fact, there would be nothing more like him. That was Hideyoshi.

Quieter, and to himself:]

Lord Hideyoshi... was this your wish...?

[Or was it just by someone else's whim that he was able to hear what he did? Perhaps he'll never know.]

The voice is a little wavering and unsteady, but quiet and reverent all the same.

Are you there, Heavenly Father?

It's me, Kevin.

I know I've done the unthinkable, abandoning Elder Cunningham in Uganda and breaking rule seventy-two- and I understand that it's Your righteous judgement that I've not done enough to be forgiven. I thought at first that- well, that's not important. He clears his throat. I should never have questioned You, and this is my punishment-

No, not my punishment. This is the opportunity that You've granted me to redeem myself.

I read the words on the fountain, thanks to the guide You placed in my path. 'What once was whole, now 'tis shattered'- I understand! Now, his voice steadies. It's been my mission all along, to do something so incredible- to gather together these tortured souls that have been shattered from beneath Your sight and make them whole again. Make all of us whole again.

'It's power is great, true depths untold'- it's the power inside of me. I understand now.

So, Lord- if You could see fit to put a patient, forgiving crew in my path as well, I would really appreciate it- I understand You help those who help themselves, but growing up in Utah didn't really prepare me for sailing- not that I'm complaining, mind you, it's just an observation.

Vassal of Hideyoshi dono, [She had forgotten to ask his name....] I have what you requested, though perhaps this timing is not of the best. Is there a preference on how to deliver them? Meeting at a port seems difficult in this environment, coming to this ship may be simplest.

If you wish for more potent results I would recommend coming with the hair of those you wish affected most greatly. Or even perhaps drops of blood if such can be obtained.

[Mitsunari sounds drained as he addresses the journal today; bitter disgust in his tone. Between his rampaging and the wound he sustained while under the influence of the mist, it's understandable. It sounds at first as if he's simply talking to himself. Ruminating.]

Once again... the sin of betrayal is my burden to bear. Yet, why...? When I despise it so... Why must treachery dog my heels?

Is Davy Jones to blame for the cursed horns? ...I care not. Whoever shoulders the responsibility for inciting this nonsense... I swear... I will exact vengeance against them... for their devious orchestration of the circumstances that have lead to the further tarnishing of my honor!

...May these sins be laid waste to. Lord Hideyoshi, absolve me of the blood that stains my hands without purpose.

[He pauses.]

Ragna. It is imperative we speak.

[Another pause. Come to think of it, he's got something he needs to return to him.]

In person. ...Do not delay.

[For those on the Katabami: Mitsunari hasn't been doing much since the horns disappeared. That was a pretty big sword he got stabbed with. He doesn't like to stay resting and useless for long, but even he has a limit to his pain tolerance. However, he is also a stubborn fool lacking in patience, so by now he'll be trying to walk around whether or not it's advisable he do so.]

As I find that this place could use some entertainment, I think that it's time to host a radio drama over the journals! Hmm - would that make it a journal drama? . . .

For those who are not familiar with radios, I'm talking about a device that receives transmissions. Audience members listen to these radios to broadcasts of shows, programs, and others. However, we don't need those, since we have the journals!

Now, a radio drama is basically a play that you can listen to, and I think it would be fun to have one of those over here. As such, I am going to set one up! It's going to be mysterious and exciting! My plan is a cloak-and-dagger drama with romance, intrigue, and scandals everywhere!

If anyone has a proposal on a character they'd like to see in this drama, let me know at once - and if you'd like to audition for this character, then even better. ♥

Motochika-san, Mr. Ragna, Mr. Sinbad - I'm counting on you all! Ohohohohohoho!

Oh, but has anyone seen Anji-san? I feel as though this sort of thing would interest him . . . [She's looking for Ranma too, but she's not saying that out loud.]

[While unaffected by the strange magic swapping everyone's bodies, it would be extremely difficult for Mitsunari not to notice all that's going on, and he doesn't like the particular nature of this curse one bit.]

To be handed the opportunity to pretend to be someone else... given free rein to deceive all that you like...

I detest this.

[Was that the sound of the journal snapping shut? It sure was. Whether anyone's actually used this as a chance to assume another person's identity is irrelevant; it's the principle of the thing.]

[A woman's voice greets the listener, her somewhat strict tone tinged with wistfulness.]

I tell myself that I have campaigned longer than this. Still, sometimes I cannot help but speculate... will we number our time here in years only? What consequences will our aging in this realm have upon our return to our homes? What does it mean for our aspirations? At which point do we commit to our present over our past?

[She sighs. When she speaks next, all wistful traces have vanished.]

It's pointless to wonder, when it serves no practical purpose.

[Why did she bring it up then? Homesickness, perhaps. Conversation.]

The extent of variety between each island is incredible, really. This island has to be one of the most peculiar ones I've visited -- even more so than sentient moths running a grand library. Concepts like up and down are a matter of personal perspective, and one person's floor is another's wall. Building planning and regulations are genuinely fascinating for it. Sparring has never been more exciting or testing either, with every plane a viable part of the arena. Freedom of movement takes on a whole new meaning.

Please, indulge my curiosity: which is the strangest island that you have been to?

Ah, things really are getting tense, aren't they? Fires, declarations, open threats and warnings. To say this world is a little dangerous is kind of an understatement, isn't it? Well, since you're all wound up, this might be the best time to direct your fierce emotions to something...

-Though it obviously can't be heard, there is a sound of sails unfurling. The Katabami's Emblem catches the light, shining quite brightly.-

We're gonna win the ghost race. That's it, it's that simple. Don't even think of arguing or trying to beat us. You just can't. It'll be funny to see anyone try, but you're just going to waste your time. Give up now before you get embarrassed!

Ha ha, well said, Chipp-dono! You see, the fact is, the chances of any other crew managing to win are pretty unlikely, all things considered. We're the fastest, plain and simple. And my friend Chipp there knows a thing or two about speed! But even beyond that, we've cunning and strength on our side as well!

Cunning is more your style, Anji...But don't expect us to give away our secrets! -Yes, Chipp is being smart for once in his life. It's a Christmas mid-June miracle.- If you're dumb enough to challenge us, then you'll see what we've got in store.

... Must you call them secrets? Can't we just say 'strategies'? Secrets is such a foul word...

Aren't they the same thing, though? Point it, they can't know about 'em, that makes 'em secrets. -Sound logic.-

-A groan from Anji- I hate secrets... Well, anyways, the point is while you're all razing islands and making declarations of self-righteousness, we've got the winning boat and crew. Have a good day!

Or a bad one. I don't care.

[Mitsunari's voice may not be a familiar one as he uses the journal so infrequently. Today he's actually bothering with it because he's realized there's a practical, productive use he can get out of the darn thing. What is that, you ask?

He can spread propaganda for a dead guy!]

"Hideyoshi Toyotomi."

If you have never before heard this name--my lord's name--commit it to memory immediately. You are no longer allowed to claim ignorance of his existence.

Lord Hideyoshi was an exemplary person. A paragon! His noble ambition was to unify the Land of the Rising Sun once and for all! Though his life was cruelly extinguished by Ieyasu Tokugawa, I am speaking now to ensure that his memory persists.

When you hear that name, understand that it commands respect! Know it belonged to a man whose magnificence will never, in all of time, be matched by another!

...

And if you are aware of my lord's works and still choose not to acknowledge his greatness, know that your behavior is absolutely unconscionable!

[So! ...Any questions?]

<sub>[ Here you go, journal. Teenager guy here leaving you all a message. He sounds like he has a rough Australian accent, and wants to say things in the most complicated way possible. But here we go: ]

Is this thing on—</sub>
Ah, yes! I dare say I hope I am using this vocal gizmo-gadgetry exceptionally well. Um. Still getting used to here.
I have several proposals for the lot of you, if you could spare me a few moments.
It seems I have been awkwardly stationary here in this main port, becoming friendlies with the folk here who don't particularly seem to be bothered to be in a rush with things. I'm becoming rather low on funds, and as tempting as it seems to part ways with my twin beauts, I don't think that is a feasible exchange.

The pirate life of things seems terrific, but I'm rather.. _{oh how do I say it}— uncertain, unmotivated— it's a troublesome predicament. Do I just simply ask? _{I think I should just simply ask.}

I would like to be a member of some sort of crew! I've come to my conclusion that none of my comradaries are present in this sort of universe which is all in all heartbreaking— as I am a bit deterred as to where to start without them.

Secondly!
We ought to be friends! I'm not used to having many friends, but I would like some!
Below are the criteria in written of my all and all interests! I seem to have misplaced my characteristic green marker, so black will have to do for now. Ta-ta for now!

( holy nerdy talking kid, batman! )

I know most of us have had experience with the curses that affect all on the seas, but I have a question regarding the enchantments unique to certain islands.

Recently, my Lord Motochika, who serves as Captain of the Koumyou, has been affected by one such enchantment. He is currently quite certain that it will be a short curse and is comfortable in his new form for the moment, but I cannot be quite as confident as he is in the matter.

You do not need to pass on specific details if you do not wish to, but have any of my fellow captives in this world also encountered curses and enchantments tied to certain places? If you have, how long have you been affected for? I may be able to share experiences of my own in exchange, if you wish it; I have been here for many months now and have seen, and done, much.


-- Akechi Mitsuhide

[Honestly, he knows it's a bit of a long shot, especially given that:

1) The one he's about to inquire about can't really survive in the water given the robotic/mech state he's in.

and

2) Tadakatsu would sink a ship the second he got on board. He even told Motochika the same thing some years ago.

However, given that it's that time of new arrivals and all, Ieyasu's going to try. Plus, as much as he's enjoying the sailing around, he does kind of miss having that glorified jet pack around.]

To those currently docked at Isla Empieza, both current crews and new arrivals:

Should you come across a large, metal clad warrior, I ask that you fill me in on his current location as soon as possible. [There's a pause as he takes to thinking a bit.] I would advise against attempting to speak to him, though should one wish to do so, I ask that you mention the name "Ieyasu Tokugawa" before engaging in any further conversation. My name alone should be enough for Tadakatsu to give you his full attention.

[Of course, attempting to understand Tadakatsu is a whole other story. And that happens to be one that Ieyasu's not going to get into right now.]

Any who are able to supply me with this information, or any information at all that may lead to finding Tadakatsu, will have my complete gratitude in doing so.

Why, exactly, should I waste my time running around in search of an imaginary, wish-granting gem?

[The disgruntled voice you're hearing belongs to Mitsunari Ishida. As haranguing townsfolk has ultimately gotten him nowhere, he's finally taken a look at the apparently magic journal he woke up with. The accompanying note from "Scurvey Dog" has cleared up a couple of things, but the answers aren't quite what he wanted to hear.]

I detest pirates, I detest this absurd place, and all I "wish" for is to know one thing: where I will find the man known as Ieyasu Tokugawa.

For the sake of Lord Hideyoshi, inform me of his whereabouts at once!

[Clearly someone isn't in the mood for smalltalk. There's no "thank you for your time" after this message or anything. That's that.]