four: heart of ice
"You know, mate," Jack says conversationally, rank boots resting on a barrel from which James will have to take pains not to drink, "I'm much disappointed in you. Ending up in Tortuga drunk as a middie in a tavern—quite unlike the James Norrington I know."
"Don't presume to know me, Sparrow." James feels no pressing need to be civil, but he knows by now how slim his chances are of escaping conversation with this particular pirate; better to humor him now than risk retaliation in the dead of night. "I had no choice in the matter."
Jack's hands flutter carelessly in the dank air of the cabin. "A shame on the Royal Navy, then—and I believe you owe me a 'Captain' in there somewhere, being as how the Pearl is my ship and you're a member of my crew and it is only by my infinitely good graces that you have not been thrown overboard to become dinner for whatever manner of wicked creature may await you down below."
"In that case," James replies, injecting as much sarcasm as possible into his voice, "my deepest gratitude, Captain."
His gaze drifts around to anything but the pirate across the table and comes to rest on a curious display of apples on the far wall, wobbling slightly with the constant rocking. Jack follows the movement of his eyes and, grinning, reaches backwards for one and polishes it on his sleeve.
"A bite, James? I reckon you'll be needing to keep up your strength if you're to be trying to seduce the stalwart Miss Swann." He leans forward, sending a malodorous wave in James' direction. "I should warn you, mate, she's terribly gifted at resisting charms, even those of someone as handsome as meself."
"I'm sure," James says, but takes the apple nonetheless. The flesh is crisp between his teeth.
