"Aw! Please sugar muffin!" I heard from in front of me on the ship, the Dauntless. I just grimaced and walked by the man who was harassing a young woman and smacked the man upside the head. He turned to look for who would dare to hit him but I just kept walking up the deck steps to the helm where my new young sister was waiting. Her mother had died of the sweating sickness. Truly horrible but I was to upset about my binding to care when I heard.
You see I'm Lady Destiny as in the Destiny. I make decisions about your life that you don't even think about. Decisions like if you eat the next spoon full to if you marry the love of your life. But recently I rescued a female from death and she turned on me and binded me to live in this form until her son lived a long happy life and when he turned an age past the norm I could be released. That woman is Lisable Sparrow. I don't really hate the woman seeing as how I could have stopped it. Plus the woman had no idea what I had planned. You don't mess with Destiny.
"Yo, ho, yo, ho, a pirate's life for me. Yo, ho, yo, ho, it's a pirate's life for me…" I heard Elizabeth singing, which broke me out of my trance. I walked up besides her trying not to trip in the bulging hoop dress. I smiled happily as I sang along with the song winking at her. She giggled and tried to remember the words to it.
"Drink up me hearties, yo-ho…" I felt my voice echo on the cold night sky as the strange fog pulsed with my streaming energy. I laid my arm on the girl's shoulders. "That's very good, Elizabeth, I'm surprised you're getting it so easily!"
I was turned around by my close and very superstitious friend, Joshamee Gibbs. He looked morbid and slightly crazy from being sober for more then a day.
"Josh?" I asked and he shakily removed his hand from my shoulder before taking a sip of his rum. His skin was as dark as leather, and it was weathered by the sea.
"Quiet, Cass, little missy! Cursed pirates sail these waters. You want to call `em down on us? Cass, you know better then I of pirates!" Elizabeth looked at me curiously but I grinned at her marvelous curiosity.
"Mr. Gibbs." Captain Norrington's voice called we all looked from the way I came and sure enough there he was making his way to us. He was a dashing young man, Royal navy to the core, and with the glare fixed on Gibbs I couldn't find it in me to be guilty. I looked to the man of obvious high class beside him and recognized him as the sweet old man who was Elizabeth's father.
"Governor Swann." I addressed him with a curtsy. He smiled at me sweetly.
"Please, Cassandra, you are my daughter now, I insist you must call me Weatherby or when you're ready father." I winced on the inside of the reminder of it. I had been a pirate for as long as I was in this pirate realm until three months ago when Norrington found me in London at a pub and he carried me to Governor Swann's with my cover. My cover meant that I had to act the part of a nobleman's daughter who's family and home had been burned to the ground and I was sent to sea to work on my own.
"Yes, Father. It's just very hard to forget that day." I said looking down at the floor as was proper. I had the appearance of a woman who was just in her twenties and Elizabeth was fourteen now. When the party really started I would be twenty-six. Good for my self-esteem no?
"That will do." Norrington said speaking to Gibbs. Gibbs looked uncomfortable in the sudden gaze of his leading officer.
"They were singing about pirates. Bad luck to sing about pirates, with us mired in this unnatural fog—mark my words." Gibbs said while looking around at the curious fog that was being created by none other then the Black Pearl, but shush the mortals don't know that!
"Consider them marked. On your way." Norrington ordered Gibbs back to whatever post he had been assigned, which I think was rather funny. The man couldn't stay away from the drink, he'll most likely turn pirate soon.
"Aye, Captain." (I thought it would take longer then the ages I set so I went ahead and named him Captain.) Captain Norrington watched as he walked a little ways away and when Norrington turned back away Gibbs snuck a sip of what was most likely rum and spoke again. "Bad luck to have a woman on board, too. Even a mini'ture one." I glared at him for a moment and then started paying attention to The Governor and the Captain. I noticed the Captain taking a keen interest in me and almost gagged on the spot. Here to these people I was already supposed to be married, but I still don't care about any male…yet.
"I think it would be rather exciting to meet a pirate." Elizabeth sounded off as loud as she could while still being appropriate. I giggled and put a hand to cover my mouth as well. She only thought they were interesting because of my stories and our books I've been reading her. The girl had quite an appétit for knowledge.
"Think again, Miss Swann." Norrington stepping up beside me once again he tried to court me. "Vile and dissolute creatures, the lot of them. I inted to see to it that any man who sails under a pirate flag, or wears a pirate brand, gets what he deserves: a short drop and a sudden stop." He chuckled and looked at me but I sneered at him and turned to Elizabeth, nervously making sure my brand was covered with long white gloves.
I could see Elizabeth didn't know what a 'short drop and a sudden stop' was and I glanced at where her horrified gaze was stuck only to see Gibbs mimicking a hanging with his scraggly scarf. I snorted and drew Elizabeth against me.
"Captain Norrington… I appreciate your fervor, but I am concerned about the effect this subject will have on my daughter's." My father said to him stepping in to save our decency. Captain Norrington looked apologetically at both the Governor and I. I just looked down at Elizabeth as she spoke.
"Actually, I find it all fascinating." She said to us. I blinked before raising my hand to my mouth again to cover the giggles.
"And that's what concerns him." I said placing my hand on her shoulder again.
"Elizabeth, we will be landing in Port Royal soon, and beginning our new lives. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we comport ourselves as befits our class and station?" I thought about laughing out loud like the pirate I am but refrained from it but when he looked over at the Captain I stuck my tongue out at him. This caused Elizabeth to laugh and father to look our way again. I just smiled respectfully and squeezed Elizabeth's shoulder.
"Yes, father." Elizabeth answered. I let her turn out of my grip and look around as I watched the two men walk off down to the ship. I turned to her as she looked back out at the water.
"I think it would be exciting to meet a pirate as well, Elizabeth." I told her, plus I'd love to see they're reaction to Cass the Pirate Lord of the Arctic dressed in a lady's dress and holding on to a little one. Oh I can see the reaction's now!
"LOOK! A BOY! THERE'S A BOY IN THE WATER!" Elizabeth suddenly called out pointing. I looked to see the young boy floating on a piece of ripped out ship and I had the need to help him but the men where already working on it. Elizabeth and I both ran over to him when he was finally hauled over the railing and onto the Dauntless.
"Oh boy…" I said looking out at the wreckage that was a burning merchant ship.
"Mary mother of God…" Gibbs whispered. I put my hand on Elizabeth's head as I backed away. I pulled her to the young boy and we both made sure he was breathing.
"Elizabeth, I want you to accompany the boy. He's in your charge now. You'll watch over him?" Father asked of my younger sibling. Elizabeth nodded and father hurried away nervously. My sister leant down next to him where we could look at him properly. My sister looked mesmerized while I was making sure the boy wasn't hurt.
Elizabeth smoothed a piece of wet hair away and suddenly the boy's hand grabs her wrist, awakening from his slumber. Elizabeth is very startled but I continued to check him. He looks to me but I smile softly patting him on the head. "You're going to be alright now. You're safe." I told him.
He looks to Elizabeth and they stare at each other unspeaking and then Elizabeth spoke. "I'm Elizabeth Swann. This is my sister, Cassandra." She introduced us still a little shocked.
"Will Turner." He says before he passed out again. I blinked seeing something shiny under his shirt. I slowly pulled it out examining it. One side was blank and golden but when I turned it over it had the design of a skull. I gulped before meeting the eyes of Elizabeth. She looked down at Will and gasped out. "You're a pirate." I quickly hide the medallion as I glanced Norrington heading our way throwing out orders as he went.
"Did he speak?" he asked me.
"His name is Will Turner. That's all Elizabeth and I found out." I told him lying through my teeth. Thankfully Elizabeth must have agreed that we weren't going to tell them about his medallion.
"Very good." Norrington praised me like a dog. I snorted as he left hurriedly. There was a swift unnatural wind and both Elisabeth and I headed to the bow of the ship. We blinked as we saw the back end of a ship sailing away from us. It had mysterious black sails and was mostly cutting through the fog away from us.
I glanced at the top of the ship to see the pirate flag and I clutched Elizabeth to me protectively. Oh what trouble that Jolly Roger will make.
I moaned as I felt the bed shift beside me. I turned over to face the back of Lizzy and blinked up at her as she turned to me. I blearily looked at her and she smiled amused with my out of sort's manner. I pulled myself up and turned my head to her.
"What's wrong darling?" I asked her kindly. She then eagerly gestured to my chest.
"I had that dream again, the one about Will." She said and I knew what she wanted. I took out the medallion from where it was hidden in my bosom. She grasped it looking at it closely and examined it.
"That's strange, so did I. Do you think that means something?" I asked her curiously. While Elizabeth had aged into a fine young woman I was an un-married twenty-six year old and if I had anything to say I would stay that way. My once short black hair now hung to below my butt and my green eyes sparkled with wisdom. My hands no longer had calluses and I was used to dresses. My heart shaped face was as beautiful as it had been when I was eighteen, but thankfully not as childish as it was.
During my inspection Elizabeth had placed the medallion in the palm of her hand so she could move it around in the light. "I don't know…" She said curiously. Suddenly we were both broken out of our daze by a knock on the door. I squealed and tried to jump out of the bed only to trip on the covers. Elizabeth took enough time from her own mad dash to point and laugh. I made a rude gesture at her and she giggled more, used to my improper behavior.
"Elizabeth? Cassandra? Is everything all right? Are you two decent?" Our father asked. I shucked on my dress robe and tied it together just as Elizabeth got hers on. I hurriedly tried to hide the medallion more as Elizabeth answered for us both.
"Yes, yes." Before she even finished Father opened the door and came in holding out two boxes and an army of maids following. I groaned as one of them opened the curtain to show a beautiful blue sky and a wonderful view of Port Royal and Fort Charles. Elizabeth only blinked a few times but I tried to dive back in bed only to be stopped by the maids who where making it up.
"Still abed this hour? It's a beautiful day! Cassandra I know how much you enjoy these days, yes?" Father said to us as he walked farther in the room holding a box in his hands. "I have a gift for you Cassandra." I blinked heavily at him trying to remember if any important occasion was happening today. Elizabeth grinned at me as she came out from behind the dressing rack wearing a perfect cream dress with poufs, one of the colors of un-marriage.
Father opened the box in front of me to show a dress a shade lighter then the ocean and I squealed like a child as I took it from its box and held it against me. I looked into the mirror and twirled with it pressed to me. "It's beautiful, father. I shall wear it today to the occasion you gave it to me for." I said mischievously. I walked behind the dressing screen and the maid, Estrella, followed me. First I shuck out the robe and Estrella helped me into my petticoats. When I managed to get them on I could hear what the others were talking about.
"May I inquire as to the occasion in wish you two are speaking?" Ah…sneaky Elizabeth doesn't know what father is talking about either. Well join the club my friend.
"Is an occasion necessary for a father to dote upon his daughter with gifts? I gave you that dress just the other day, Elizabeth; perhaps I wanted to get this for Cassandra." He defended weakly. True he did give Elizabeth that dress but I had thought nothing of it. Father always gives us things to make up for not spending a lot of time with us. It doesn't matter to me; I am always getting in to trouble.
I lift my arms as Estrella starts connecting the lines into the corset.
"Although…I did think you could wear it to the ceremony today." I winced as the corset became tighter, not really from the corset but more from the fact father was trying to marry me off again, and this time to Norrington.
"Ceremony?" Elizabeth asked still not getting it. I peeked around the room to see them both standing at the door. Elizabeth now had her hair put up and a hat secured on top.
"Captain Norrington's promotion ceremony." I decided to speak up so they would quite acting like I was invisible. "I knew it!" I said to them as Estrella began tightening the corset I leant back in because more maids were here to help, which frightened me to no believe.
"Or, rather, Commodore Norrington…a fine gentle man, don't you think?" I didn't answer that absurd thought, though I did hear Elizabeth try to smother a laugh. "He fancies you, Cassandra." He told me hopefully. I gasped sharply as the corset was tightened to the most unbearable degree. I groaned as she kept tightening. I felt my eyes bulge and I grasped my bosom as it was pushed up tightly. She finally tied it and I thanked God it wasn't any tighter. I was already unable to breathe as it was.
"Cassandra?" Father asked because I refused to answer. "How-uh...How's it coming?" Father asked again. Elizabeth stepped around the corner to see me unable to breathe as they pulled on the actually dress. I huffed in as much air as possible and flipped her off she grinned cheekily and backed out again as the maids tried to get the dress on me.
"It's difficult…to say." I tried to answer him.
"I'm told these two dresses are the very latest fashion in London." I heard him say.
"Well women in London must have learnt not to breath." I said gulping in as much air as was possible in this crushing corset. I don't like this at all.
"Governor? A caller is here for you." I heard what I think was a butler told my father. I let the maids brush my hair out and groaned again at the pain in the corset.
I heard him leave and I stepped out in to the room and nearly buckled over from lack of oxygen but the maid's pulled me over so they could do my hair. I heard Elizabeth giggle as the maids tried to pile my hair up ontop of my head. "You look wonderful." I told Elizabeth. The maids finished putting my hair up into a strict bun and I smiled at them as they dabbed a little rogue on my cheeks and mouth. I put on the kohl myself.
"And you as well, Cassandra. Let's go ahead down. Father will be waiting for us." Elizabeth said. I smiled and hooked my arm around hers as I was handed a fan. We walked through the hallways to the long staircase. As we started down I saw Will and father waiting. I giggled and nearly slung myself down the stairs I couldn't breathe while standing straight I sure as hell couldn't do it while walking down stairs.
"Oh Cassandra, you look dashing!" Father tells me. I smile and take the offered arm knowing that Will only had eyes for his Elizabeth.
"Thank you, father. It's good to see you Mr. Turner." I said even though he was still staring at Elizabeth. He did turn to me when he realized I was addressing him.
"Oh and you as well Ms. Swann." He said to me.
"Will! It's so good to see you." Elizabeth said as she made it down the stairs. I giggled and walked out the door and to the carriage not bothering to stay for they're love fest, and now on to the boring ceremony for the boring man!
I yawned behind my fan as Elizabeth and father talked. The ceremony had just stopped and everyone was now mingling with each other. I saw Norrington heading our way and groaned as I tried to breathe in to quickly.
"May I have a moment?" He asked me. I nodded and followed him to the edge so we where alone. I looked out to the docks and wheezed softly for breath.
"You look lovely, Cassandra." Norrington told me. I smiled briefly at him so that he would just continue.
"I apologize if I seem forward, but I must speak my mind." He said turning from me to speak and I tried to dig the corset out of my stomach and breathe deeply. It wasn't working. "This promotion confirms that I have accomplished the goals I set for myself in my career. But it also casts into sharp relief that which I have not yet achieved the thing all men most require: a marriage to a fine woman." He turned back to me but I smiled at him already knowing I was about to break another man's heart. "You have become a fine woman, Cassandra." He says.
"I can't breathe." I say as it was true. I could see my vision was darkening. I heard one last thing before I lost my balance and toppled over the side of the parapet.
"I'm a bit nervous, myself—" I moaned as I splashed into the water. I tried swimming back up to the top but I couldn't get to the top because of my dress. I felt the water pulse away from the coin and nearly strangled on the leather strap. Suddenly I saw a male figure splash in the water above me and I tried to swim to him. He made it to me just in time and I could feel myself losing breath. He got me to the surface and I had just enough time to gasp out. "The dress!" before we were both dragged under. He moved and then the dress was cut from me and I was in just a petticoat. He pulled me to the surface and then on to the docks and two soldiers helped us both up. I couldn't see my rescuer because I was lent over trying to breath in the even more suffocating corset.
The man pushed me over and with a knife cut the ties off. I gasped out a breath and choked out a little of the sea water. I was laying on the ground and the man lent over me to make sure that I was okay and I felt my breath sharpen again as I took in his beautiful features. He had brown dreadlocks and a scarf holding them out of his beautiful face. I loved how he had trinkets in his hair just like I used to have. I smiled thankfully up at him. That was cut short though when he picked up the medallion and looked at my face quickly.
"Where did you get this, love?" He said and his voice captivated me. I was still gasping and I reached up to give in to temptation but suddenly there was a sword pointed at his throat. I rolled away and up, still stumbling and turned to see Norrington pointing his sword at the man, who I now realized was Captain Jack Sparrow.
"On your feet." Norrington said to the Captain. I breathed in as Father and Elizabeth covered me with father's jacket. I kept looking at the strange character in front of us. I did look though when Father asked me a question.
"Cassandra! Are you all right?" He asked and I smiled nervously at him.
"Yes, yes. I'm fine." I turned back to the irritated Commodore. Really I was un-hurt I just didn't want this man to be hung just for rescuing me. "Commodore Norrington, do you intend to kill the man who came to my rescue when your navy people didn't even move?" I asked him. He looked back at me and then turned to glare at the two scared navy men. While he looked away I clutched father's jacket closer to me and winked at the Captain. He raised both eyebrows at me in surprise but I looked away to my sister who was trying to salvage my hair.
"Very well, I believe thanks are in order." Norrington says to the Captain and I can tell automatically that he was going to get caught. I tried to warm myself up without others noticing my non-shivering form. Using my powers near mortals can be so trying.
I watched in horror as Jack grabbed Norrington's out stretched hand and Norrington gripped it tighter. He pulled it towards him and lifted the shirt sleeve. I grimaced as the Captain's pirate brand was shown and I thanked God no one noticed mine when I was being saved.
"Had a brush with the East India Trading Company, did you…Pirate?" Norrington added snootily glancing back at me for my reaction but I glared at him. He must have taken it the wrong way because he motioned to Gillette as all the surrounding soldiers pointed they're pistols at the Captain. I glared at all of them now even as one stood in front of me to 'protect' me.
"Keep your guns on him, men. Gillette, fetch some irons." Norrington said pompously. I looked around the soldier in front of me and watched as Norrington revealed the tattoo of a sparrow flying over the horizon.
"Well, well…Jack Sparrow, isn't it?" Norrington said looking back up to his face. I heard Elizabeth gasp and turn to me.
"Cassandra, isn't that the Pirate you always-" I shushed her before she could spill the beans on me. Luckily everyone was paying attention to the handsome pirate.
"Captain Jack Sparrow, if you will." He answered. I giggled and he looked to me giving me a once over before smiling roguishly at me. Norrington turned back from where he had been looking out at the bay.
" I don't see your ship, Captain." He sarcastically broke up our moment.
"I'm in the market as it were." The Captain answered looking to me again and I blushed which brought a surprised gasp from Elizabeth but I ignored her and smiled at the man.
"He said he'd come to commandeer one." One of the navy men said handing over a pistol belt with one pistol, a sword, and the compass. I felt a thrill as one of my creations was near me. I remember making that for Calypso. I wonder how he came by it.
"I told you he was telling the truth." The other navy officer said to him. "These are his, sir." He held the Captain's things up for Norrington to inspect and he does so with glee.
"Extra powder, but no additional shot." I saw the Captain shrug as Norrington went on patronizing him. "A compass that doesn't point North…and I half expected it to be made of wood." Norrington sheathed the Captain's sword. "You've a pistol with only one shot, a compass that doesn't point north…and no ship. You are without a doubt the worst pirate I have ever heard of."
The Captain grinned and waved his arms around as he spoke. Now that I noticed it he was standing rather….different. "Ah, but you have heard of me." He answered. Gillette returns from grabbing some irons and approaches Jack. I huff and decide that I don't wish to sit on the sidelines like the proper woman of Port Royal. I moved to stop Norrington as he moved.
"Commodore, I really must protest. This man saved my life. Pirate or not." I said to Norrington but his face didn't soften and I began to think Norrington was taking his frustration out on Jack.
"One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness." Norrington said and before I could speak Jack spoke.
"But it seems enough to condemn him."
"Indeed." Norrington sneered back and I was going to speak again but was interrupted, and I was getting frustrated by it.
"Finally." The Captain said and before I could say anything I felt the cold manacle slip over my head and around to my neck. I felt a very male body pressed up to mine and I blushed again even as everyone began to panic. He had his head poked around to beside mine and I twisted my head to look at him. He grinned at me again showing me his gold fillings. The soldiers had their guns out again but it was too late, he had me as his shield. He started backing away, which in turn pulled me in closer to him and I stumbled.
"Commodore Norrington, my effects please." He addressed the Commodore. Norrington hesitated, trying to think which was more important, the pirate or the Governor's daughter. Well so much for being his love. I thought sarcastically.
"Commodore!" Jack hurried, pointing his finger out. I twitched slightly and had to hold back my smirk. I was happy to have some excitement, after all six years without any pirate activity? Who wouldn't want this? I watched as the navy man handed Norrington Jack's effects. He held them out to Jack but Jack didn't move to take them.
"Cassandra? It is Cassandra isn't it?" Jack asked me in front of all of them. I winced as the manacles dug in to my neck.
"As long as you have these irons around my throat you're calling me Ms. Swann." I told him dryly. He chuckled and pushed my wet black hair back away from my ear.
"Miss Swann, if you'll be so kind?" I grimaced and grabbed the things from Norrington. I felt Jack pressing against my back and nearly epped out loud. He took the pistol from me and he pointed it at my head. He turned me around and now he pushed his stomach against mine. I silently thanked God that he wasn't pushing his pelvis against me because he would have gotten shot right then. "Now, if you'll be very kind?" He whispered. I flashed him a grimace and started putting on his hat for him. He smirked at me again.
I pulled the belt on and threw it around his shoulder and he smirked over my shoulder at everyone else and I heard Elisabeth getting angry at him. I buckled it over his shoulder.
I took the next belt and had to put it around his surprisingly thin waist and I smiled as my face was pushed in to his shoulder. I twitched and pulled back and pushed the belt through the loop. I pulled it tight and he grunted, making me shutter. "Easy on the goods, love." He said gruffly. I hooked it through and was done.
"Perverted man." I muttered as I fixed it.
"I saved your life; now you've saved mine. We're square." I smiled brightly at him and he grinned back at me before he turned me around again. I was now staring at the group of people as they watched him man handle me in horror. I winced as the irons crushed my windpipe slightly. He backed up until we hit the cargo gentry.
"Gentlemen, m'lady….you will always remember this as the day you almost caught Captain…Jack…Sparrow!" He said and then suddenly he lowered his hands down to my waist and hit something with his foot and I screamed as we were swung into the sky and he was screaming to. They didn't shot at us because most likely I was with him. I screamed as I swung my legs around him. He looped his manacles around a rope and I hide my face in his shoulder. Which reminds me, he does not smell that much like a pirate, smells like rum and the sea….and of course the power of my bond was all over him. What the hell did I get myself caught up in?