Chapter 1: Our Adventure Begins!
I guess you could say that my life is pretty... well... to put it politely... ordinary.
I've lived in Port Darcey for as long as I can remember - which isn't a very good way to estimate, since I hardly ever remember anything. Oh well. I work in a small, friendly tavern called the White Lion, washing dishes, serving meals, or any other way I can earn my keep. See, the way I hear people talk, I'm the lone survivor of a shipwreck. I couldn't tell you, because I was a baby when it happened, and let's face it, folks- do you remember that far back? Didn't think so. Continuing my story, I was taken in by a man with slanted eyes who says he comes from far East who owns the tavern. His name is Jin, and I owe him the world. He's raised me my whole life long, all eighteen years of it. I consider him my father, and my most trusted friend. He says that I don't need to help out around the tavern, but I figure it's the least a lazy bum like me can do.
So here I am in the White Lion, as usual, serving plates of hot food to hungry sailors who are just passing through. I can't see them very well through the rose red hair that's currently hanging in front of my face, but I do know that they are incredibly loud, and their smell could knock out a hog that's been wallowing in slop for a week straight. And I realize, as I am setting the food down in front of them, that a wandering hand has made its way 'round to my backside. Sailors... what fun. You'd think with all the women that hang all over them, they would get their fill. But no. Here I am again; being pinched and grabbed by hands that probably haven't been washed in twenty years, in places that I did not invite these men to touch. I let them get away with it, though, for one reason. Sailors tell magnificent stories. I could sit and listen to their tales of rough seas and far off, beautiful places for days on end. But you know what I love to hear stories of the most? Pirates. Just the thought of those brave swashbucklers and cutthroats, ravaging the seas and doing as they please... Oh, it definitely gets my blood pumping!
So I flash them my false, friendly smile and push my hair back behind one ear, showing them my freckled face and hazel-green eyes. I don't know why I bother, though. It's not like they're looking at my face. I follow their line of sight straight to my ample bosom, exactly where I expected them to be looking. Why is it, that of all the girls who live here in port, it's me they stare at? It's not like I asked for these big ol' lumps to grow out of my chest, and I certainly don't keep them there for people to gawk at! It's not my fault that they started growing at age nine and haven't stopped. Needless to say, I get a lot of unwanted attention. And guess what? I don't like it.
"Hey there, Sweetie", says the sailor closest on my right, pulling me down to sit on his lap. He wraps his thick, hairy arm around my waist and puts his face inches from mine, and I can smell the liquor on his breath. Thank God my side swept bangs had fallen into my face, or I'd probably be staring this smelly baka right in the eyes. "How'd you like to keep this lonely sailor some company on this fine evenin'?"
I let out a coy little giggle, thinking in the back of my mind how much I'd like to sock this guy right in his ugly puss. "Who, me?" I asked shyly, playing their silly little game. "But you don't even know my name, you bad boy." I bopped him on his greasy nose with my finger, and quickly wiped it off on my violet barmaid's skirt for fear of catching some horrible grease disease from this guy.
The other sailors let out quiet chuckles in response, but THIS one laughs like a drunken hyena right in my face. UGH. I want to throw up all over him and then stomp him into mush, but I keep my cool. 'Think of Jack, Ayaka... just think of Jack.'
"Whadda names matter for, sweet cheeks?! I'm just lookin' for a night of fun! I've spent a long time out at sea, an' I'd love a supple young woman to entertain me." I could feel that hand around my waist start moving for my thighs.
Not so fast, bub! I playfully swatted at his hand and smiled, trying to keep my teeth from grinding so much that I spontaneously combust.
"Naughty, naughty!" I teased, trying to scooch a little farther away from his stanky breath. "Alright then, I'll make you a deal: if you or one of your mates can tell me a story I've never heard before - and it has to be a good one - then I'll stay the night with you. What say you, big fella?" I batted my lashes, in hopes of a good story, and in hopes that he'd believe mine. Please. Like I'd ever give an oaf like him the time of day. I may not be the prettiest flower in the bouquet, but I can do better than that. Blech.
"A story?" He let out that repulsive cackle in my face again and swatted my butt. Now I have another reason to be thankful for the hair in my face, because I'm certain that my eye's developed a twitch. "Let's see... Have ya ever heard the one 'bout th'-"
"WAIT!" I interrupted, putting my hand up to his face. "I didn't tell you what kind of story I want to hear yet. I want to hear about... pirates. Oh, but not just any pirates. I want to hear about... hmmm..." An excited gleam sprang into my eyes, and the mischievous grin spread across my lips. "Captain... Jack... Sparrow." You see, ever since I heard of this pirate when I was just a little girl, I've been infatuated with him. With all the stories I've heard about this infamous sea dog, I've developed quite the idea of what he must be like in my mind. Brave, ruthless, ten feet tall with the strength of a thousand men! And, of course, able to overcome any peril. He's become something of a hero for me. My idol, if you will. Too bad Jin tells me he's just a legend. Hmph.
The sailors all got quiet and still (except for the fat one in the middle, who was now choking on his food.).
Uh-oh... did I say something wrong? I must have, because now they're all giving me dirty looks.
"You're sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, lass. Tales of Jack Sparrow aren't meant for the maidenly ears of a girl like yourself," said the sailor on my left. He looked like he'd seen his share of fights, with all his scars & scabs. He pushed his empty plate at me and stared right into my eyes, seeing through my tuft of hair. "I've heard a lot of things about Sparrow, and not one of them meant for a lady. I'd leave whatever notions you have of that scoundrel behind, and keep your mind right here, where it belongs." He stood up, his blue eyes still piercing into mine. "C'mon, gents." He grunted, limping toward the stairs. "I think it's time we got some rest." Old stink face frowned and kissed my cheek, pushing me off his lap and following the rest of his shipmates. All that hard work? For nothing? I don't think so! I ran after him and grabbed his arm, my eyes pleading with him.
"Oh, please, please sailor!" I begged. "Just one story; just one! It's all I ask of you, and I'll do anything you want!" I know it sounds desperate, but you have to understand my situation. I've lived in this same small port for eighteen years. It gets boring after a while! My stories are the air I breathe, the water I drink, my very life force! I would probably die without them!
"You want a story, do ya missy?" asked a crackling voice from a table in a dark corner of the tavern. I turned to see an old, bearded man wearing a long grey cloak and a large hat take out a pistol and shoot Stinky in the back. I gasped and stepped away as the sailor fell to the floor in front of me, a puddle of blood forming underneath. The old man stood up and smiled his crooked, yellow smile at me.
"How's this for an enchanting tale? A young maiden, who can unlock the secret of a hidden treasure, is kidnapped by the fearsome Captain Barbossa, never to be seen again?" As he spoke his words, several more men emerged from the shadows, all armed with their own guns and swords, cutlasses and weapons I'd never before seen in my life. As the men crept forward, the old man chuckled and looked me straight in the eyes, giving me reason to run for my life as fear swallowed my soul.
"Sounds like a happy ending to me."