Jane yawned and snuggled in deeper into the bed, ignoring the chiming of the old clock. She was in that enjoyable just woken up state, where your body is awake, but your mind is asleep. Suddenly, she remembered yesterday, and jolted up. She realized grimly that she would have to go to her crewmember's families and tell them their loved one was dead. She got up, put on her slippers and robe, and splashed her face with water from the basin on the night table. She headed downstairs after dressing,brushing her teeth, and taking a quick bath. She smiled as she walked into the kitchen to see that Davy had made her breakfast before he left for work. She buttered a scone, still warm, and poured herself some rich coffee. Coffee identifying was a talent of hers, one that Davy found charming. From the deep rich taste with a subtle sweetness, this coffee must have been grown in the south of Zafaria, her favorite. Finishing breakfast, she washed the dishes and jotted down a note for Davy before heading out.
Dear Davy,
I'm going to run a few errands and pick up some food. The larder is getting bare, and the icebox is empty, save a couple jugs of milk. Thank ye for breakfast, the coffee was lovely. After that, I'll be stoppin' by the tavern to pick up that special flavor of Yum the Frogfather likes. I need to be in his good graces, so he can arrange for me to get a ship. My old one was taken by the clockworks, blast them. I hate the thought that me darling frigate will patrolling the skies captained by the armada. Anyways, After talkin' to the Frogfather, I should be done, by which time you'll likely be home.
Love ye,
Jane
Suddenly feeling ill, Jane dashed to the toilet, throwing up her breakfast. Shame, She thought to herself, It was such a good breakfast.
After rinsing her mouth and looking over the food, she added a line to her note.
P.S. I was ill this morning.I checked, and the food hasn't gone bad. Think it's Batacuda Flu?
She set the note down,and walked outside,careful to lock the door. You never could leave things unlocked in a place like only reason they lived here was that most ruffians were too scared to come down, and that people left you alone if you lived there. She got in line for the bucket going up, thinking of how odd she had been feeling lately,either snapping at everyone or bawling her eyes out. Apart from that, there was how much she had been sleeping, and how she thrown up-
Oh, Titans above.
Sh realized it probably wasn't the Batacuda Flu. Her turn came, and climbed into the bucket,as well as a frog and a rat,likely returning from sell stolen bucket was large, big enough to hold a horse and rider, and strong enough to carry around twenty one hundred pounds, thanks to an ingenuitive pulley system and a touch of went through her day in a daze,unable to focus on anything but that her symptoms were definitely not the Batacuda Flu. After finishing gathering the groceries, Jane walked into the Golden Fin tavern, hanging her tricorn hat on the peg near the wall. It was a beautiful day in Jonah Town, with a sunny skies and gentle breeze from the north. She sat down at a table, and looked over the menu. Fish, Fish, and Fish. Jane reckoned that sixty percent of the Jonah Town dweller's diet was fish. The rest was likely bread, crackers,biscuits, eggs, fruit, meat, clams,oysters, and kelp stew. A plump duck in a stained apron and blue frock waddled over, holding a notepad.
"Can I have yer order, m'lassie?" She quacked politely.
"Fried cod, please and a glass of yum and soda. Also, i'll be needin a bottle of Jade Palace Yum, sent down to the Frogfather's place in Gullet."
The waitress gasped at the name,before hurriedly copying the order down and scurrying away. Jane sighed, and drummed my fingers against the worn table. She couldn't put it off any longer,she'd have to tell Davy her suspicions. Her food arrived, and she ate quickly, leaving a few golden coins on the table for payment. As she left, she walked up to the barkeep and asked him to inform her crew members families of their deaths. Sh simply didn't have the energy right now. He agreed, and she left the tavern, hopping into the bucket, and riding down to Gullet. Jane felt oddly tired, though it was only noon. I'll just put the things away, mop up the kitchen, and take a quick lie down, she promised herself. However once she got home, and put the groceries away, taking a lie down preceded mopping the kitchen, and she found herself literally falling into bed.
Jane woke to the sound of voices downstairs. She checked the clock and instantly panicked, it was 8 o'clock! She was late for her appointment with the Frogfather! Oh Blimey! She exclaimed to herself. Even though the Frogfather was nicer to her than most, he did not tolerate lateness and she definitely didn't want to offend a person like that. She just then noticed the voices and laughter coming from downstairs. , specifically the deep tones of the Frogfather. Hurriedly wrapping a shawl around her arms, to hide her wrinkled dress and running a comb through her hair, she then put on her boots, and hastened down the creaky stairs. Davy was waiting at the end of the staircase, and offered her his arm gallantly.
"Davy darling,Why the party?" She asked curiously, "I mean, we have enough food for one, but I doubt you threw an impromptu party just because we have the supplies for it."
" You look lovely, my dear." He said,ignoring her question and giving her a secretive smile."
Jane blushed self consciously, and allowed him to lead her into the parlor, where many of their friends were conversing,laughing and drinking Tataki yum, an expensive and delicious type of yum, though everyone Jane ever met agreed the best was Jade Palace yum,the rarest and most expensive of all yum.
" Ahoy! Blow me down if it arn't Captain Jane! Jane me lovvie, ever so sad t' hear about those scallywags betrayin' ye and Jack. If they weren't in Davie Jone's locker, I swear to the dragon's I'd have introduced the cat o' nine to their disgusting backs!"
Blind Mew called out. Though Blind Mew was unable to see, he had the best senses a cat could have. He could tell who was who simply by how they moved.
Jane smiled politely." Yer sentiments are much appreciated, Mew."
After greeting everyone and conversing with them, she made her way to the corner where the Frogfather sat.
"I'm sorry to miss our appointment,Uncle." She said to him regretfully. To most he seemed to have no family,Jane was the Frogfather's adopted niece and held a special place in his green heart.
"Ah,my child do not has all been arranged. Your ship has been purchased,and you even have right to the private dock,as my favorite niece. Consider it a present."
"I'm your only niece, Uncle!" She laughed,but she was still confused."Uncle, there's no way the ship could have been bought by me.I was going to ask you to buy it,then pay you for it month by month."
"It will be clear soon, now go fetch me some morsels like a good child, anything but this confounded fish.
She had just walked over to the kitchen, just as Davy tapped his spoon against his Yum Glass.
"Alright me hearties, yer all wonderin why I've called you to my humble abode, correct? Well, here it tis.I, after a month of searchin, have found Fanged Pete's treasure! As a thank you for bein' such good folk for over the years,I'd like to present ye all with a small share of tha' loot.I'd especially like to thank me good friend The FrogFather, for donating the Tataki Yum you're all drinkin, and payin the tavern to make such a lovely celebration cake."
He then brought a chest, and opened guests gasped at the bright gold and sparkling jewels that filled every corner if the chest before wildly applauding his treasure hunting skills..Davy then took out a half cup scoop, plunked it into a bag and handed it to the nearest ran up and kissed his cheek,and he smiled joyfully.
"I'm ever so proud of you," She whispered to him.
"You just wait till tomorrow, darling, I saved the best in the chest for you." He told her happily.
Soon,everyone was clamoring around for their share,the gentlemen at of the ladies sat on the couch, gossiping cheerfully after getting their share. Jane was in the kitchen, cutting up a slice of chocolate cake for the Frogfather, when her best friend Charlotte walked in.
"Ello,Jane. Miss me?" She smiled joyfully.
Jane set the tray down and hugged her tightly.
"Charlotte!" I haven't seen you in nearly three moons, how be you? And Tanner, how be him? And yer baby boys,Jeffrey and Jeremy? What have ye been up to?"
Charlotte laughed before slipping out of her hug."We've been good,better than good actually. Come to the parlor and I'll tell ye more." Charlotte was a beautiful young lady,with red hair and brown husband, Tanner, was blonde,with dark eyes and a kindly fit each other perfectly,like pieces of a had never seen them argue knew Charlotte from her early days as a pirate,when they both worked as were still good friends years later,though Charlotte gave up pirating stay at home after she got married to her had his babies around two months ago,and Jane hadn't seen them since.
After handing the Frogfather his plate, Jane sat down next to Charlotte and listened closely to her tale.
"Well, after the boys were born, we wanted to raise them somewhere better than Scrimshaw,with the noise and the crime and those dirty rats running around, and our relations dearly wanted to meet the boys. So we visited my parents in Mooshu for a few weeks,than his in Wizard City, before we eventually sold our house and bought out the jewelry shop on Skull Jane,I can't describe how perfect it is! We're living in a wonderful big flat over the shop,with plenty of space for the boys to play in, when they're old enough, and the island is gorgeous! The weather is beautiful,the air is clean and they're aren't as many ruffians as you'd think. The business is going excellently,and we've already had to hire more employees! Jane,its lovely there but I do miss ye, Ye and Davy must come visit me sometime, and Tannar will be glad of Davy's company."
Jane realized this was as good a time as any to talk about what happened lately, so she swallowed her nervousness and spoke to Charlotte.
"Um..Charlotte, lass, could maybe I talk to you in private? "
"Surely,of course" replied Charlotte,confused but trusting.
Jane led her upstairs and locked the bedroom door before sitting down on the bed.
"Well..I've been feeling..not quite right lately,and I know I'm not sick...so..."
She stammered,not sure how to say it. Luckily Charlotte understood.
"Ye think old Davy might have got ye knocked up."
"Yes, exactly." Whispered leapt forward and hugged her out of nowhere.
"Oh Jane, darling, I'm ever so happy for ye! Fancy, our children can play together! Just like we planned an dreamed when we were but pipsqueaks of girls!"
"But,"Jane added, "I'm not completely sure. It could just be a bug."
Charlotte's smile did not dim.
"Oh silly Jane,there's a simple test.I wish I could be here while you take it, but I can here the party winding down, and me and Tanner need to take go home, the boys will be missing us, and the sitter needs to be paid. " She said regretfully. "Here's what ye need to to, go downstairs and eat the leaves of the blue yum yum fruit,I saw one in your larder, in twelve hours, prick yerself with a needle. If your blood is dries brown, yer not, If it dries purple, yer a mama."
She then gave Jane a quick hug and said goodbye before hurrying out. Jane followed her to say goodbye to the they all finally left,Jane volunteered to clean the kitchen while Davy started on the parlor, a much easier Davy wasn't looking, Jane tore of a piece of a yum yum leaf, and swallowed flavor wasn't bad,just a little finishing up the kitchen,she went to help Davy. Though she chatted with him like normal, her mind was focused on the yum yum leaf. She and Davy finally crawled into bed and fell asleep quickly.
In the morning, while Davy fried bacon downstairs,after checking the clock to make sure the time was right, she took a needle and pricked the edge of her ring finger and let a few drops of blood spill onto a smooth white napkin. She waited a few seconds,keeping her eyes firmly closed,before eventually looking down at the dried blood.
It was purple.
