Whole Story Disclaimerness: The general guideline is that Disney owns Norrington and anyone else mentioned once but actually have a name, generally a bird-like name that reminds you of something you'd see in a Disney epic film. Well, except for Jensen. And Edward Sr. But they're mentioned about three times, and don't remind you of something you'd see in a Disney epic film. Enjoy!
A ceremony is often one of celebration, like a wedding of some sort. Friends and family of the bride and groom collect themselves together for a formal ceremony, and then afterwards celebrate with drinks and chatting. Even a funeral is a celebration. It is a celebration of a man's life, even though there is much mourning; it is all in his honour.
There is one ceremony that I can think of at the moment that should never be celebrated. It is a man's demotion. There is no celebrating of any kind, not even to commemorate the man's doings. Obviously, the man's doings were absolutely wrong and despicable even to the most common of townspeople. It is the ceremony I am receiving now.
"Norrington? Norrington! Your uniform, please," coughed the admiral in a gruff voice.
I paused for a moment, fingering the gold-painted buttons that lingered next to my heart. I hoped my expression was like stone, straight and proper like any officer's should be. But, the sea was rustling inside, waiting to carry out a storm.
"Good Lord, man! Come off it!"
The admiral took most of my coat off. His face was not a straight one, but a scowl. It shouldn't have been a scowl. I knew this man and he knew me. He had patted my back and shook my hand every time I met him on the street. But now, he scowled.
"Your hat," he called.
I mirrored his face and ripped off my good commodore hat, dyed and fluffed like the tailor's life depended on it. It probably did, come to think of it. I had a few moments to myself while he gingerly put the coat down on his desk and straightened the hat on top of it. I could have examined his office more closely. I hadn't been there in a very long time, and I wasn't eager to come again. Before, it was a just simple office with a large window on one side of the wall, a fireplace on the other, and a desk in the middle. It was not much more now except for some portraits of decoration.
Alright, so I did look around. That took up most of my moment. The rash decision that crossed my mind some time earlier was coming to haunt me again. The few seconds I had more were blank.
"I'll just be-" he stopped, his scowl gone, and bottom lip trembling.
I stared for a moment until my mind swallowed down. No, it was not worth it. It wasn't even half worth it, as satisfying as it was. I just couldn't. It was insane, not rash at all. I swung the pistol down my fingers.
"This pistol was issued to me when I was promoted to Captain." My fingers brushed over the ivory grip a last time. "I would not see it fit for it to be in my possession."
"Norrington," the man almost chuckled, "I'm not sure that you understand. You have just been demoted to Captain. We're not sacking you! Please, keep the pistol. You're sure to need it." He pushed it away, gazing at me with jolly playful eyes.
I swallowed. "No, Admiral. I'm afraid that you don't understand..." My bottom lip set between my teeth for a moment. "I-I'm... Ad-..." I pushed my throat down painfully. "I... um..."
"What?"
"I-I'd like to resign."
The admiral froze, as did I. Vulgar words bounced in my head, all describing myself at this moment. I'd rather not include them in this writing. But really, how could I be so incredibly stupid? Then again- how could I not? My whole world crashing against me. I really had nothing to lose. Although, I should've kept the pistol. At least people feel sorry for a man who commits suicide, rather one who lives off the back of a pub.
"A-are you sure about this?"
I got him scared now too. I was more in control of the situation, and I could have easily taken back what I said. I also knew a man who once told me he'd like to fly amongst the pretty little birds. But then again, that's not how life goes.
"Yes, I am." Dolt. Now I really regretted it.
"Very well then, here are your papers..." He took up his glasses and finally stood up to search his desk. It was messy, as I remember it now, but it didn't take long for him to find two pieces of parchment, already written out in full. "I suspected you would. A man like you doesn't take rejection well."
"Excuse me! I take rejection very well! I take it extremely well! Do you see me breaking with emotion? I'd like to see you get a bit- Where's that goddamn quill!" I snatched the admiral's eagle feather before he could reach for it. I've always taken pride in signing my name with my naval title at the time. Now I took pride without it.
"Hm. It's a shame, isn't it?" He smiled smugly while he took the papers. I could half see the mad grin in his eyes. "Thatcher, remove this man from my office. He is no longer a part of the Royal Army, and therefore should not be looked upon with the eyes of respect."
The guard next to the door took my arm, but I swung it back. Oh, that bastard.
"OH, YOU BASTARD! You're not a least bit sorry! Out of all people, you! You who... Who ushered me into the Navy with every intention of ruining my life! My God, you're positively repulsive!" I kept fighting back the guards, eyes on the man. He was almost laughing now, popping a candy into his mouth.
"Yes, well I'm afraid there's only room for one successful man in Port Royal. Obviously, it is not you." I swore I heard a cackle before Thatcher threw me out the door.
I tried yelling out some more things before another guard picked me up by the arm, dragging me to his friend across the hall. They laughed, having fun kicking me around. Barely five minutes before, I could have sent all of them to prison for life. I was now a nobody and common life had a great way of greeting me. I finally hit my back cold on the mud. No one noticed. I wondered if anyone cared. I wouldn't have, back when I was a Commodore. Funny how these things work.
