Been here 'bout seven months now, an' I know that ain' a lot compared t' some of y'all.

But... guess I didn' expect t' be so homesick. Not like I really belonged there anyway, but... I miss the guys. Kitty 'n' Kurt, Scott. Even Jean.

Guess Logan bein' gone ain' helpin'.

[But she's got Pryde, at least, who keeps close now that Daddy's gone. It's probably good that Pryde likely can't understand what she says to her. Because there's a lot of complaining about Logan, about him leaving, and about everything else. But, well, that's her way of processing loss.]

Dunno. Jus' need t' shake it, but that ain' easy right now.

Guess it's jus' th' day, y'know?

Um, hey y'all.

[Rogue sounds a lot calmer now. After all, she has her sight and vision back to normal, so she's able to make out where she was and how to get where she needs to be.

Which is on the Spade's ship.]

'M back. Not gonna be leavin' the ship. I don' like crowds, and Valentine's sorta stuff ain' my thing. But I don' mind a little company. An' maybe bring me some of the food they've got out there. Don' mind fair food, that's for sure.

But... Those of y'all who tried t' help me out? Thanks. Wasn' in any danger, turns out. Safe an' sound at Empieza. But... 'M back with the Spades now.

[Someone took pity on her. That's all Rogue can really say to describe her situation right now. Someone took hold of her hand and shoulder and led her to a room and put a book in front of her, open.

If it's not the journal... Then she's pretty much screwed.]

Tell me somebody can hear me.

[She sounds terrified.

She can't see, she can't hear. Well, she can do both. Sort of. But not enough to know where she is or to really manage much of anything.

As a result? She's shouting. Almost screaming, just so she can hear herself.]

I don'--

[She may be half sobbing. That might be a thing that's happening.]

I don' know where I am! I don' know what's goin' on!

Is anyone there?!

[For all she knows, she's been thrown into some sort of comfortable-ish jail cell and won't be leaving for a long time.

In actuality, she's in an inn at Empieza, creating a bit of a ruckus upstairs while the poor woman who found her tries to assure her guests it's just a rattled outworlder who won't be around long making all the fuss.]

( Cut for introspection & action for the Spades )

[After a short while, she opens her journal and addresses it.]

I know we got at least one person 'round here who deals with nightmares. There others? Or telepaths. Could use one of those.

[She's not fond of asking for help, really. But this isn't the first time she's had a nightmare about Sands, and she's willing to bet that 'storm' wasn't just a coincidence. So, better to get out in front of it.]

Lemme jus' say--

I know you're here.

Person I'm talkin' to? Knows that's for them. I ain' stupid, an' y' aren' foolin' me. When I figure out where y' are exactly?

[A pause. As if she's considering it. But. No. It needs to be said.]

I will kill you.

'Specially if you hurt any of them. You ain' seen half what I can do if I set my mind t' it.

An' you? Ain' gettin' mercy.

You really wanna impress me? You'll come face me.

[Rogue's crew can find her on the deck of the Moon, keeping a lookout. Except for that pronouncement to the journal, she seems pretty calm surrounded by the chaos of the others.]

[With plenty of things on his mind, Ace sat behind his desk and worked on the crew's charter. Supplies, direction, adjustments to the helm--it was pretty much his method of practicing penmanship. He flipped his journal and left it open besides himself, speaking up midway through.]

I hope I never get used to boredom. [He finished his writing, kicking up his legs and listening to the creak of his ship and the rolling waves.]

I don't mind sounding childish, but I want something exciting and interesting to happen. All these magical folks getting their way bores the hell out of me. I don't wanna learn magic just to beat them up properly.

[Not that he really clarified on what he meant, but Ace had a few islands he wanted to torch as of late.]

But, I might have to. How do you learn somethin' weird like that?

Ain't nothin' better'n calm seas an' a strong wind. Bring the sails 'round full so y' catch it all gets y' goin' real fast, an' that's pretty damn awesome on it's own. Tie up a sturdy length a rope an' a broke up barrel with somethin' rigged up on it t' keep yer feet from slippin' off when y' jump in the water aft an' yer gonna have yerselves a real good time. 'S called wake surfin'! Give it a try, lemme know how it goes, sheheheh!

( Action for Spades )

If you had to choose between being happy or knowing the truth, which would you pick?

[Rogue writes the words because, well. She's never signed her name to her handwriting. It's as anonymous as she can get. In fact, honestly, she's signed a different name to this handwriting a couple of times. Once half jokingly, once more seriously.

She'd prefer not to reveal herself, honestly.]

If you could live either in a dream, where people cared about you and you didn't feel pain and you thought you made your own choices, or in the real world, where you found out them caring about you was a lie and everything hurt and you found out that every decision you'd ever made was actually made for you, which would you want?

I think I'd want my dream. The illusion of happiness and freedom, rather than the reality of misery and being trapped.

[Private to the Spades:

About ten or fifteen minutes later, she addresses her crew, taking a break after completing her evening chores. She's sprawled out on the deck of the Little Dipper, where she can usually be found in quiet moments.]

Hey y'all.

[She speaks, wanting them to know it's her for this.]

Sometime... 'fore too long...

I'd kinda like t' take one of the little boats an' maybe a small group an'...

[She really hates to say it, actually. But she has to.]

An' go back t' Stela.

There was a pyramid there. I jus'... I need t' check it out. Make sure there ain' somethin' from my world hidin' 'round in it or anythin'.

'S jus'...

I'd rather check it out than not. If y'all'll let me.

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.

[All in all? Rogue's not in a hurry.

She knows what day it is, and she's eager to go back, but she doesn't rush. There's nothing to pack since, well, she didn't have time to bring anything.

The only addition to her person is the card she has tucked away in her boot. Really, it's Gambit's own fault. Leaving her alone with his coat after giving her a present of a deck of cards without the Queen of Hearts.

Besides, it's his last resort. He won't miss the card from his deck.

About noon, she addresses the journal.]

[Private to the Spades:]

Hey y'all. Jus' wanted t' let y' know I'm coming h-- back.

["Home." She'd almost said "I'm coming home."

The Institute was barely "home," but that set of ships had become it quickly.

In a way? That's unsettling.]

Didn' wanna surprise anyone.

[Especially trigger-happy jackasses. Crocker.

Not more than a few minutes later, Rogue is back on the Sun, no worse for wear from her little excursion.

A few hours later (after catching up with her chores), she has her journal again.]

[Public:]

Those of y'all who use weapons -- what d'ya use? 'M lookin' to try t' pick up a few new things, an' I'm just curious.

[Speaking of which, after the evening meal, Rogue can be found on Little Dipper with a small sign attached to the mast.

Training - Do Not Touch

And, sure enough, she's stripped down on the upper layer to just her tanktop. She has a bo staff in her hand and... Well. Anyone who saw her training with Haruta when she first arrived?

The movements are far more fluid now, more precise, and much more dangerous. She knows very, very well how to use it now.]

[The handwriting looks like that of a small child, which is kind of embarrassing because he's eleven now and you'd think he was four or five from the way he writes.]

Is ther any way to lurn how to rite better? Vise sas hell teech me but Vise is stoopid an ideeat a fukking moron not a teecher. I need to lurn math to. It is very importent. I dont hav a teecher heer and if I dont study Ill get stoopid like Vise beehind.

[Last night? Well. It was equal parts fun and concerning. But after assuring herself that the sharkman was only asleep and not, in fact, unconscious, Rogue let herself wander the island at night.

Between likely being the cause of him passing out and her own nightmares... She isn't going to be sleeping well, and she knows it.

Rogue's stayed close to the shore, and it's while she's watching the beginnings of sunrise, the larger boats at anchor some ways out while one sailboat is moored at the little dock on this part of the island, that she's suddenly very sorry to be alone.

She gets up, walks only a few feet inland, and plucks a blooming flower to put behind her ear. The smell is divine, as is the strange pollen from it, actually visible. Almost like glitter.

Back on the shore, she sits to watch the sunrise and opens her journal. No reason she can't have a little safe company. Even if it's only over this.

Her voice is warm, friendly. Perhaps a little smoother than it usually is. Like she wants something.]

[Private to Draco:]

Are you awake? It's pretty early. I've been thinking about you, though. How are you and your crew doing?

[Private to Kidd:]

Don' s'pose you're up, are ya? Been awhile since we last got t' talk. You an' yours gotten into any trouble lately?

[Private to Gambit:]

Figure you don' sleep much, Gambit. Up for keepin' a girl a little company? Sure could use it right 'bout now.

[With three lines, surely one of them will bite.

She'll answer consistently for about an hour. If there are replies after that? It'll be about half a day before she finally gets her journal back and can reply -- free of the island's influence.

Once she has her journal back, she addresses it. Gambit's already made people aware of where she is, but she wants to reiterate. Just in case.]

[Private to the Spades:]

Uh, hey guys. Rogue here.

I'm... on the Stargazer right now. With Gambit.

I'm fine, not hurt. Just gonna be stayin' here a bit.

[Both because the Nav has to recharge and because she has no desire to go back to that island.]

See y'all in a few days, okay?

Chemistry is about transformation.

Everything in the world is held together by bonds- bonds which can be broken, but then can be rebuilt into something greater. I suppose the same is true in this world. I hope I have time here to find out. There are lot of things I'd like to explore if it's possible.

...Beginning with this journal. I've heard rumors about what it's supposed to do, I suppose I can conduct an experiment to see if they are true or not. Or these shards I've heard about. It's a lot to take in.

[Blue sky pirates can find Walt on the deck of their ship, staring as he usually does, out over the sea. Probably wondering if there is any place he can get a cup of coffee.]

Oi, ye scallywags! Got a wee inquisition for them's that knows their poisons, aye? It be important, so don't be shyin' away like a clownfish on the reef, arharharhar!

SPADES!

Be settin' sail at dawn t'morrow! Check in here t' make sure we got all hands 'counted for! Ye lot's had it easy this month since I got laid low but I ain't lettin' ye scoot past me notice any longer! Ace, Marco, Thatch, Haruta, Selphie, Natsuno, Logan, Rogue, Ikki, Aya, Chandra, Vyse, Zeff, Denny, Korra, Asami, Mako, Bolin, Nami, Leanne, Naesala, Rose! Wanna hear from all y' yellow livered sea rats 'fore sundown! Others that may a jus' joined up tell me here cuz I ain't been payin' 'tention!

As for the rest a ye dirtbags that helped us out in that last pinch we got in, ye have me gratitude. Don't make me regret givin' it t' ye!

[Natsuno's voice filters through, his words slightly slurred because he's been into the rum. It might only be early evening, but he started awhile ago.]

It's been a year.

[He lapses into silence for a moment. He comes back sounding mournful.]

He died a whole year ago. What am I doing? Everything gone, just, gone. Who's expecting someone to die at eighteen? We still had things to do together. He had a new stupid game even that he was going kick my ass at. He told me before he...he wanted to ask Ritsuko-san out.

[He whines a little.]

He was such an idiot. Why did I have to meet him?

[There's a clunk of something hitting the table, possibly his head, possibly the bottle of rum in hand.]

I miss him.

[Serenes did her good. The absolute peace and quiet in her mind, well, that went away. But the rest perked Rogue up a bit. Enough that she can, at least, address her fellow kidnap victims about something fairly insignificant.]

So, we're from a lot of different worlds, right? That's what I've noticed at least.

That's got me curious.

What're the "milestone" birthdays where y'all are from?

[This has nothing to do with her own upcoming birthday. Nope. Or with using a fairly benign topic to announce her presence to certain people.]

Like. Where I'm from--

You've got sixteen, which means you can drive.
Eighteen's a big deal, even though, y'know, not much y' really get. I mean, buyin' cigarettes an' votin', but that ain' really a big deal.
Then there's twenty-one, legal drinkin' age.

Anybody else got big ones? 'M just curious 'bout the differences in worlds, y'know?

[For the Spades, she's around. Keeping busy, paying close attention to how to work the sails and everything else. The same pep that was in her step on Serenes is gone, but she's also not completely skulking about like she was after Stela and before that.]

So. That was somethin'.

[She sounds tired. Very tired.

For the last few nights, she hasn't slept very well at all. She's not sure if it was the death of man on the mountain, his memories, the entire fight on Stela, or... everything all mixed together. But it's taken its toll, and she's looking forward to the quiet Leanne's island promises.

And the excitement of the next. Because maybe having some fun was just what she needed.]

I'm used t' fightin'. I was trained t' do it. But that... Ain' seen somethin' like that before.

Feel like I could sleep for a week, y'know? An' I've done it before.

Kinda wish the professor was here. Or Scott.

[Or her Logan. Not that she doesn't appreciate having a Logan, but... It's hard to approach him about this. Just because she doesn't know how to do it. Because she can't quite shake the slight feeling that she doesn't really know him. So burdening him with her problems? Doesn't seem right.]

That sound selfish? Wishin' people I knew were here?

[Private to Draco:]

Um. Hey.

I'm... kinda all banged up from the fight. But doin' okay. I'm... gonna be at an island called Serenes. Then goin' to... somewhere else. Deesuko somethin'? Dunno. Ain' far from Serenes, what I've heard.

If y'... still wanna hang out? An' don' mind seein' a few bandages...

Just. Y'know. If y' want.

[She just really wants to feel like a normal teenaged girl again. Even for an afternoon.]

[Action for the Spades:]

[Rogue spends a lot of time trying to sleep. Only to wake up in a hurry not long after. Sometimes? That burst of waking up or her troubled sleep might just happen to coincide with bad winds. Not blowing them off course, just getting a bit rougher, shuddering the sails and such.

When she's not sleeping, she's keeping to her chores and studying other people, learning what she can about sailing and ship maintenance. Quiet and diligent.

Her clothes are completely different, all looted from Stella. Bandages are stuck to the side of her face, protecting the wound that just missed her eye.]

[Never before she would have thought that there would be other people with powers or magic, sure, there were the trolls but... They were that, trolls, not exactly humans. Back in her world she truly believed herself to be alone in that regard, until she arrived here and discovered that what was extraordinary for her was pretty mundane for others.

Still she wonders if there won't be other worlds were magic and powers are rare. Or where those who are blessed with them ever fear those powers.]

I know that many of the people who have been brought here have extraordinary powers, some from birth, others gained through different means. But I was wondering, in how many of our worlds are those powers "rare"? Something that most people don't posses, that people don 't really expect to see in others or even that are feared because they could be dangerous. Though I suppose that in any world extraordinary powers or magic would be considered dangerous depending on who wields them.

It's obvious than in this world magic exists, not just in general but in some of the particular islands we have come across. But despite that it seems that having powers is something rare here if we have to judge by the way the Navy reacted to us when they learned that on top of being strangers brought by Davy Jones some of us have powers or magic.