Between marriages and krakens, it's been... quite a lively month. And after the narrowly averted disaster preceding it, a welcome break. To think that we nearly lost the fruits of our hard labour in one fell swoop. How long before Davy Jones returns?

I still consider it a fairly auspicious start to the year. Compared to the year before...

A year back home, though. That could have been...

[A wistful sigh.]

I hope that everyone remains in one piece. Our journals grow quieter, but somehow life in this realm seems to stay as hectic as ever.

[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 for the Katabami ]

[If you ask Ragna, each passing day is becoming more and more unbearable here in this world. Rain of pears? Annoying, but ultimately harmless (unless you were hit with one made of gold on the head─ which he was, by the way). Creepy chocolate that made people cuddle? Even worse. And don't even get him started on the stupidly loud horns. As such, he welcomes the fact the fourth day doesn't seem to bring anything exceedingly weird. Eventually he stumbles upon one of the mechanical birds that seem to have appeared out of thin air, but compared to everything else, he doesn't think it's too bad; in fact, he finds its song soothing and almost... pleasant, which, coming from Ragna, is quite an accomplishment.

Until the song ends, that is.

The crew of the Katabami might hear a loud noise of something cracking and shattering from below the deck. Upon closer inspection, one will find that the room the sound came from is in... less than stellar state: the floor is covered in claw scratches and the wall has marks from what appears to have been fangs, though they definitely belonged to something way bigger and more dangerous than the cheerful zoo they've got on board. In the middle of this mess stands Ragna, breathing heavily, his right hand engulfed in a dark shadow. In front of him there's a small pile of mechanical parts─ the remnants of the bird.]

[ voice ]

[After he's had some time to cool off, Ragna will be grabbing the "goddamn book" as he likes to call it to say a few things. Or whine, to be precise.]

... If that's the "present" the Cat bitch was talking 'bout, then I don't want any of her shit.

[He doesn't want to specify which of the gifts he's losing his marbles over (or even that he is), but the timing's more than a little suspicious. He makes a short pause, followed by an irritated groan.]

What the hell's the deal with all this random crap, anyway? The food was at least kinda useful, but this...

[The Grim Reaper trails off, figuring anyone can see where he's going with it.]

[Rather than speak and let her weariness be heard in her voice, today Xun Yu chooses to write.]

Some say that a recurring dream is an omen... though these are quite exceptional circumstances. It's been a hectic month, hasn't it? With so many shadows cast over the mind the price of our failure to break free from this realm feels more pressing.

[There is a brief pause in writing.]

At times enduring is our only effective strategy, until something changes. Hold out.

I never realized how hard it would be to try and maintain a list of everyone's birthdays..

[Haruka frowned as she looked down at the sheet before her. People were always leaving and arriving. There was no way this list was still accurate. It was serving more as a reminder of their loss than a means to celebrate the lives of those still here.]

It looks like this month.. there are no birthdays though. Is that accurate? I wonder if there's a better way to do this.... Does anyone have any suggestions? For one, I think I want to include last names. [The list only used first names before and sometimes people did have the same names. Shoot. That still wouldn't have cleared anything up when both Motochika's had been here] Or.. maybe include the ship name? ... but people change ships..

[A sigh escaped her lips]

Aside from that, how has everyone been doing?

[Xun Yu's measured, slightly strict but polite voice greets listeners.]

All that I am willing to say about recent sea-wide afflictions is that I have most certainly gained new perspective. Thank you, Ragna -- as well as anyone that he might have antagonised -- for showing restraint. I appreciate your consideration now that my body is my own again.

[In truth, she's a little surprised that he kept his temper in check.]

Ah, this isn't related, so please do not draw the wrong conclusion... but I wish to know: do we have any doctors or healers amongst us? I have some questions. None urgent, I should clarify.

[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.

[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 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?

When my sister and I paired our power together, we could take on any foe. Sometimes we needed help, such as from the Elements of Harmony, but if not for Luna and the bonds we shared, we could not have used them either.

I was separated from my sister for a thousand years, and after only a brief time together again, I have found myself here and apart from her once again. I miss her dearly.

But that doesn't mean I am powerless and infinitely tolerant without her by my side. Some people seem to think otherwise.

Luffy. Can I hope that we will be more cautious in our choice of sailing partners, in the future?

[Celestia is writing all this from a spot on the deck, and her script remains impeccable despite her contained, controlled anger. (Writing with telekinesis helps with that.) She has not been in a good mood since the fire on Eternal Bliss.]

WARNING:

I will no longer condone the continued harassment of local innocents nor the willful and callous destruction of their property.

The next one of you who throws a temper tantrum that causes harm to homes, stores, livelihoods, or scenery that do not belong to our enemies THE NAVY will find yourself tied up and punished in the same manner of your wanton destruction.

Davy Jones can bring you back from being murdered, but let's see what he can do with someone who is burned almost to death, shall we?

If you do not have respect for the sanctity of the lives of those around you, then I shall have no respect for you.

This is a promise.

Signed,
Elissa Cousland

[Elissa doesn't use her usual blue, ballpoint pen for this entry. While she may be overly enamoured of the wonders of plastic pen technology, a noble just doesn't make a formal proclamation with such an implement. Since she's long since rid of her old quill and ink, she has borrowed Haytham's to write out this decisive statement of warning. In it, she uses a formal, calligraphic font that is almost Celtic. It is signed with a bold, angry flourish.]

voice;

[The crackling, roaring sound of a raging fire greets the journal this day. In the background, the frazzled screams of shopkeepers, residents, and other people can be heard.]

Yes . . . now they understand. Why must it be only I who suffers?

Give me my happily ever after!

[Shouts of "you madwoman!" and "you're going to pay for this!" ring out in the crowd, but no one dares attack Kodachi because she's already put to sleep several of those who tried.]

When will I get married?!



action; open to the crews of the Katabami and the Million Merrily

[Kodachi's standing in the middle of a town square. Behind her, the precious gardens, temples, and shops of Eternal Bliss are burning in a blazing inferno.]

[She's still in her wedding gown, a black rose bouquet clutched in her hands.]



[ooc; after the fire's put out, about half of Eternal Bliss (or "marriage island") will have been burnt to a crisp. No one will be hurt, but the island certainly won't as pretty as it once was. If you want someone to blame, blame Ranma.]

[It’s taken her a while to decide just what to say.]

I have some sad news from the Koumyou.

[The handwriting is slow and controlled as if Haruka is measuring her words before she puts pen to paper.]

Some of our crew has gone missing and I’m not sure what has become of them or if they will be returning. [Since Hajime had disappeared before and managed to reappear later it was always entirely possible that this was a temporary problem] If anyone has heard from Hajime Ichinose, Akechi Mitsuhide, or Chousokabe Motochika please let me know at your earliest convenience.

In the event... that they aren’t going to be found here or return I’d like to take a moment to reflect on what remarkable people they are.. and I wish them well wherever they may be now. Hajime-chan tried to keep all of our spirits up with her bubbly personality. She was a truly great friend, not just to the members of her crew but to everyone she met. I hope to see the tradition of the birthday list continuing in her absence. [Honestly Haruka felt a little obligated to keep it up in her crewmates stead. She admired Hajime for how much time she had devoted to others and hoped to emulate it now that she was more accustomed to being in this world]

So I’d like to pause for a moment to wish Itachi-san a Happy Birthday. [Another pause, noticing that the other June birthday was that of another girl who had recently left. She felt some tears welling up, but brushed them aside with the back of her hand.. reminding herself that if they left they’d probably gone home.. and everything was fine. Nevermind that some of her crewmates had expressed a desire not to go home before. Saying this outloud.. would have been impossible, so she kept to her script.]

Motchika-san.. Mitsuhide-san... will both be truly missed.

[It was getting to be too much so she tried to end it swiftly]

That’s all I have to say. I guess- for now.

( Private to Hachiken )

( Private to Gakupo )

[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?]

[What appear to be bite marks appear on one corner of the page, followed by a spreading water stain, indicating that something is chewing on the edge of an open journal. (And drooling.) Moments later, there's a sound of things clattering to the floor as someone rushes across the room, presumably to salvage the book.]

Yo-chan, no!! Bad boy! Bad!

[It sounds like there's a bit of a scuffle and the gnawing and drooling ceases, but there's a loud thump and a yelp of pain, then the sound of thick claws scrabbling across wood.]

No, get back here! Don't--

[And then a crash and a parrot squawking.]

Damn it all!

If you have ever privately thought that a crewmate could do with being more genial, hope that the change is limited, or at least gradual. Undisguised contempt has never felt so comforting.

Has everyone lived down that day?

[the flip of a page brings sound first, a grunt and a slight ting of bells]

...there, 'course. Now where's the damn writing thing...?

[it cuts off and the rest comes in jagged handwriting, as the journal translates his Chinese script]

word of advice. don't get captured. sure, you'd say it's better than dying, but I'd beg to differ. it ain't fun. it's not an easy way out. puts your crew at risk, more than if you die. and I don't know about half of you, but I ain't lettin' some Navy ass gloat about stretching my neck on the gallows. Hell no. Never give 'em the satisfaction.

I ain't gonna ask for a recap of the last week, I can figure it out for myself. But I saw mention of a couple names of Oda's guys who I might wanna talk to. didn't know they'd be here...

~Gan Xingba

[for anyone on the Booyakasha, he's sitting out on the forecastle, writing and contemplating the open ocean. He's got a lot to think about. He's grateful for the rescue, though.]

I've been wondering how big is to big for a ship's pet? They didn't allow animals on the Yamato and they were getting very rare in general. I haven't seen any of the adults but the other creatures on this island are big. And Xun Yu said something about it knocking over trees.

[It's a woman's voice that greets listeners, polite in tone though a little firm.]

Three months have passed already? It doesn't quite feel as long, despite how eventful that time has been. Who would believe even half of what's happened? Though I have lived it, I am still struck on occasion by its absurdity.

[Xun Yu sighs.]

Its cruelty too. Last month, in that golden throne room... [She briefly hesitates.] There were three young women. If one or all of you hear this, may we talk?

[Back to present matters.]

Has everyone provisioned with Scurvey Dog's warnings in mind? Keep an eye on your supply sources and consider recording any sightings of the Navy in the coming days. Perhaps we can glimpse something of what we're going to be dealing with before they're upon us.