Thank you very much for the reviews everyone. I think I'm doing good with the timing lately. I would have had this chapter up earlier, but a really bad storm hit and my Internet connection has been screwed up for a few days. Anyways, On to the reviews!
Sweet A.K: Thanks, You must have read this a long time ago to still remember that monstrous mess that was the original first chapter. :)
dancingwithinbrokendreams: Lol, was this soon enough?
dance-round-the-memory-tree: Well, if you get any, post them soon or it will be too late! :D
Part 1
The last few days had gone by slowly. The major repairs had been completed and the men were tired. Ben was downright exhausted. His everything hurt and he found himself constantly hungry. This added with the fact that he still had no idea how he was going to get himself and his sister home put him in a fowl mood.
Desiree wasn't much happier. It was a lose lose situation for her no matter what she did. If she didnt' want to work, she felt guilty for not doing anything while her brother was breaking his back. If she did want to work out of boredom, there was nothing she could, or was trusted to do. Dez had never been good at sewing, but she would have learned for the sake of the crew if she had been able to see the clothes. Reading was totally out of the question, and Killik made it painfully clear he had no time for "blind lasses in his kitchen."
On the other hand, Jack's mood had lightened considerably. Warly and Nagel had brought to him, a model of the Acheron. Dezy had spent the night listening carefully to everything that was said about the phantom ship. This had become her nightly ritual for learning what she could about sailing. It was a wonder to her that the Captain had not sent her away from the conversations, lest she turn out to be little more than a french spy. She had a sneaking suspicion that he doubted a woman capable of such cleverness.
But most jovial was the doctor himself, who lavished the anticipation of being close to land. For today the ship was to drop anchor off the coast of Brazil where they would collect the mail, buy fresh food, and trade goods.
Desiree was utterly bitter toward the idea that they were only this far in the events of the movie. But then, the idea of such activity excited her after days of quiet sailing.
It was in the late afternoon that the ship came to a stop. Desiree could hear great amounts of bustling around from overhead. The Captain's cabin was empty save for her. She had been left behind as had become habit for the other gentlemen who came in and out of the room on a regular basis. Desiree fidgeted with her long brown hair, growing more and more restless by the moment.
"Screw it" She said to herself, rising to her feet. She was going to go up there by herself whether she had been invited or not. Guide or no guide. She had a basic idea of how to get on deck anyways.
Not surprisingly, there was no one in the ship's halls. Everyone was either on deck or near the edges of the ship where there were windows. Dez inched her way toward the stairs, gripping the wall with every step. The shouts and calls of the men became louder the closer she was to the opening. Desiree climbed the first few stairs cautiously, but with growing confidence. She was nearly to the top now, maybe one more step and... Desiree gasped with utter astonishment. She began to loose her balance, her arms flailed, trying to regain her balance. She knew she was going to fall when someone grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her off her feet.
"Easy there miss!" Peter said, bringing her to the top of the deck.
Desiree slowly opened her eyes after being set down by her rescuer who still held her by one arm. Several men standing nearby offered their assistance. Dez put a hand up, determined to handle herself.
"Thank you Mr. Calamy." She said, still a bit out of breath.
"No need, just please be careful Miss. Are you not supposed to have a guide when on deck?"
Desiree turned her face in embarrasment, "I... was trying to make it on my own."
Calamy looked thoughtful, "Well I admire your audacity, but I insist you allow me to accompany you while I can. The Captain's orders after-all demand such."
Dez had hoped to be able to walk about herself, but after what nearly happened, she felt obligated to agree. Taking his arm, they walked about.
"Are you well Ms. Gonham?" Peter asked.
"Yes, I mean, there is nothing wrong with me. But I am coming to the realization more and more each day that there is little I am useful for."
"Well if nothing else, you give the men something to talk about."
Desiree felt a pit in her stomach, "I am talked about?"
"Yes, not negatively I assure you. The crew is quite taken with you and your brother's ability to adapt so quickly to a life such as this."
"You have no idea," Dez whispered under her breath.
"Has your vision improved?" Calamy asked after a few moments of silence.
"Funny you should ask..." She began, lowering her voice as if it were a secret, "When I about fell over back there, well... It was because when I looked up, I could see light!"
"That's wonderful miss!" Peter said, "You should tell the doctor immediately. Shall I fetch him for you?"
"No, I will once all of the excitment dies down"
"Very good"
"Mr. Calamy... Could you, describe the atmosphere for me?"
Peter looked at her a bit quizzically. Noticing the silence Desiree began, "I mean, what's going on around us. I hate not knowing little things like that"
"Well, there are loads of provisions being hauled on near the edge of the ship. The crew is busy trading with the natives. The Captain and many of the officers are talking with the one who carries news from home. They will ask if the Acheron has been spotted no doubt."
"I see. What are the natives like?" Dez asked, her imagination whirling.
"There are many dark skinned men in thin little canoes. They carry fruit and animals with them. There are also some women wearing dresses in the boats"
"Are they beautiful?" Desiree inquired curiously.
"...Not as beautiful as English women such as yourself."
Desiree knew she was blushing, so she turned her face toward the ground.
"Thank you Mr. Calamy. I'll take my sister from here." Said Ben who approached from behind.
Peter turned toward Ben, "Of course", he looked back at Dez, "Than you for you company Ms. Gonham"
"Oh, thank you" She replied as he walked away.
Benjamin brought Dez to a more secluded area of the ship and said quietly, "Did you come up here by yourself?"
"So what if I did?" She retorted, a bit annoyed with his tone.
"You're only supposed to go some where with Hollom. So what the heck are you doing walking around with Calamy?"
"Well excuse me if I wanted to do big girl things like walking on my own for once!"
"Dezy, it's not safe for you to be doing that. The Captain issued that order for a reason you know" Ben said irritably.
"I think that so long as I know my way around the ship, there is no reason I can't walk on my own."
"Would you stop being so stupid and think about whats going on here?" He almost yelled, grabbing her by the arm.
Desiree opened her mouth to snap back, but her brother cut her off, "No, listen to me Dez... the men on this ship, they are basically good guys. but they haven't been home to their wives in a long time. Iv'e almost killed a few of the men already for talking about you in ways that would make your skin crawl." The young woman felt sick at the thought of these men talking about her like that.
"Seriously, if you don't wise up and start making sure your accompanied by Hollom, who happens to be preferred, or at least an officer at all times, someone is going to have a little too much to drink and hurt you. And if they do that Dez, you might as well hang me then, cause I'll kill whoever touches you. Do you understand?"
"Let go of my arm Ben" Dez whispered, her face turned toward the floor. He did so with a sigh.
"I'm sorry okay? I didn't really think about it that way."
"Just be more careful from now on alright? I can't be watching you all the time."
"Can I ask something?"
"What?" Said Ben, calming down a bit.
"Why is Hollom preferred over the other officers?" She asked.
"Well for one thing, he seems to be a better guy than some of the men, and I haven't heard him say anything lewd about you. But most of all, I just don't see him doing anything to you. He's too... timid, or something"
"But you can see someone like Peter doing something?" Desiree asked sarcastically.
"A guy is a guy is a guy Dez, and the younger the worse. Not to mention that kid gets on my nerves sometimes."
"How so?"
"I don't know... it's just... he thinks he's the boss of all the other midshipmen."
"Well you know that he is the closest to becoming lieutenant and everything. It's probably just his job and..."
"I know I know" Benjamin said, trying to quell his sister's hostility, "I don't mind him really, It's just something I've noticed okay?"
"Whatever" She said, a little pouty.
"May I have a word?" Mr. Pullings asked, approaching the two.
"Sure" said Ben.
"The Captain wishes to invite the two of you to dinner tonight, if you will"
"Lets see, slop, or fine dining? Hmm..." Benjamin said smiling.
Pullings chuckled, "Very well, I suppose I'll see the two of you at dinner then."
"Get your feet over here Ben!" A voice called, "We are about to get moving!"
"Sir, would you mind taking my sister back to the Captain's cabin?"
"Of course" he replied smiling, "Ms. Gonham?" he asked, nudging his arm against hers.
She took it obediantly, "See you later Ben"
Ben waved his arm, not thinking of the fact that she couldn't see before joining a group of men hauling some ropes.
Tom engaged Desiree in small talk until they reached the steep stairs in which he saved time by lifting her off her feet and carrying her down.
"I'm sorry Miss, I thought it might be a bit easier for you" He explained politely, as he set her down.
"Oh I don't mind. I can barely walk up them anyways."
She spent the remainder of the daylight picking through her long hair, and doing everything else she could to make herself presentable. She laughed as she thought to herself, "After-all, there are bound to be some fine young gentlemen there."
I'll Have part two up soon. It's already planned out, just gotta write it. The quicker you get your reviews in, the quicker I'll post. ;)
