This story is broken up for sake of reading ease, but really best read as a whole. :)
- Rebecca
Crash Boom
A Story of Tavern Tales
Mugs tipped back, jackets had been pushed aside, hats put out of sight. Another round was ordered.
"I ne'er thought I'd be sittin' 'ere wif a bunch o' Navy boys." A toothy, golden grin.
"You've been in our company before, aboard the Dauntless on the way back to Port Royal." A laugh.
"By me own choice, I mean. Bein' locked in yer brig save ta give directions don' count."
"Indeed. 'Privateer'." A scoff.
Another grin, "Ye ne'er thought I'd take it, eh?"
"Is this what all you pirates get to do when you're in port?" Theodore Groves interrupted suddenly, words slurring slightly. "I could be a pirate. I could really enjoy that." He drained his mug.
"'Ey, mate, ye be forgettin', ol' Jack's not considered a "pirate," anymore." Jack Sparrow laughed.
James Norrington scoffed again, "Right, and Beckett is the Queen of Spain."
"'S true, Jack," Andrew Gillette nodded thoughtfully, his own words beginning to hint at slurring, "you can change the title, but you can't change the nature."
"Is this what ye Navy boys do on yer leaves? Sit 'round and be borin'? I can't do that. Someone's got ta have some stories or som'thin' ta tell…" Jack shook his head.
"What kind of stories?"
Suddenly, three pairs of slightly widened eyes were starting intently at him.
"Tavern stories, mates. Ye can' tell me none o' ye 'ave e'er gone 'round wif a pint an' good mates, tellin' stories 'bout each other… tryin' ta top one 'nother…"
"Oh!" Andrew laughed suddenly, causing James to jump slightly, "I know what you're talking about…" He nodded. "Murtogg and Mullroy were doing that, a while back, with some others…"
The silence fell again.
"We should tell stories, then." Theodore said, slowly.
"That were the idea, yes." Jack sighed. Navy boys…
"About each other." James added.
"Yes, mate."
"I've got one!" Andrew announced, sounding slightly too excited. "Jack's probably the only one who doesn't know about this one…" He turned to the man sitting next to him.
James suddenly felt a sense of dread.