Hey everyone! I've been watching the Pirates of the Caribbean movies recently, and I thought I would do a little one-shot tribute to Jack. Here you go.
Jack sat at his desk in the captain's quarters of the Pearl, staring out the glass windows to watch the sea behind the ship. The Caribbean waters were impossibly blue, beautiful, and warm. Rising from his chair, he grunted slightly as his old body protested the action. Managing to exert some menial control, he shuffled slowly out onto the deck, watching the young men, and a few women, go through the motions that kept his precious ship moving. The railing of the Pearl felt warm and smooth under his hand, the wood weathered from years under the sun and rain.
He nodded as the various crews murmured their greetings, and he slowly strode up the steps to the helm, where the young William Turner the Third stood at the wheel next to Jack's own son, Edward Sparrow. "Captain," Will acknowledged, inclining his head. Jack smiled as he watched the man, nearly identical to his father, artfully steer the ship through the swells and waves of the sea. Jack stumbled a bit on the last step, and caught himself on the rail as young Edward gave him a concerned look, moving around the wheel to gently grasp the old captain's arm and help him straighten up.
"To the wheel, son," Jack said, getting a rough grip on Edward's coat, identical to his own. Edward nodded, one arm on his father's left shoulder, and the other on the small of his back, ready to catch him should he stumble again. Jack slowly shuffled forward, reaching out as he came to the wheel. Will grasped the man's shaking hand, and gently guided it to the smoothed spokes. The old captain latched on with a grip of iron, and he slowly pulled himself behind it, straightening as he reached the familiar post. The breeze gusted lightly against his face, and he closed his eyes, turning his weathered face to the sun. The lines and wrinkles seemed to disappear, leaving behind the youthful captain who had so vexed the world.
"It's a pirate's life for me, mates… it's a pirate's life for me."
Review, and tell me how I did.
-Zeratide, out.