Chapter 10: Sunset
For several nights, Ayse retired as early as possible without arousing suspicion that she was up to something. It was there in her room that she and James dedicated themselves to studying the breakthrough they had made together, and eventually, Ayse could manipulate the surface of James's mirror with little effort. By this time, Ayse could reach both arms inside and touch James's drafty, wispy form.
"I think tonight we should try moving you," Ayse suggested. "I have finally obtained reading material on ghosts and spirits, and I have been perusing these books in what free time I have. I've concluded that if you have a vessel to inhabit, you should be safe."
"I was hoping so," James told her. "Now the question is how I get from this looking glass to the one in my watch?"
"Well, I've had several thoughts on that, actually, and I think the safest way to try is by using me," Ayse explained.
"If I heard you correctly, and I'm quite sure I did, are you proposing that I inhibit your body?" James confirmed with raised eyebrows.
Ayse smiled. "That's exactly what I am proposing. My theory is that if you can somehow use me as your guide, then I can place you safely in the compact of the pocket watch for transport. If we're going to leave, I can't exactly go with a dressing mirror strapped to my back."
"Yes, I know that, but how do you know it will work?"
"I don't," Ayse said simply, "but I have a very strong feeling that it will."
"And just how do you intend to going about this?" he questioned further.
Ayse picked up the pocket watch that once belonged to James and held it open in her palm. "I am going to hold the watch in this hand and place my other hand on your prison, and we will begin by doing what we have been doing. The rest, however, will be up to you."
"Have you forgotten the other problem we discussed?"
"Oh, what would happen if I can't see you?" Ayse asked. "I have not forgotten, and it is something I have taken into great consideration. Honestly, I hope it works and I will be able to see you as plainly as I do now, but in the event it doesn't, my hand will still be on the glass so you may return. It is a huge risk, I know, but it is one we must take. I only hope we don't fail."
James sighed. "We will have to get used to this risk-taking once we begin our journey. Many dangers may lie ahead."
"Indeed." Ayse placed her small hand on the glass. "Shall we begin?"
"Yes, let's.
Ayse manipulated the surface of the mirror, and she could feel James's coldness at her fingertips. "Alright, James, try to move through me and focus your destination on the watch in my hand."
James nodded and began to concentrate on Ayse and the watch. He could see the watch in his mind's eye and the path down her arm that he would take. When he did, James could feel himself somehow pull toward her and the particles of his spirit break apart and move down Ayse's warm arm, across her shoulders and neck, then along her other arm.
The hair on the back of Ayse's neck stood as James became gray and billowy like smoke within the mirror's surface as he overtook her body. The sensation of his spirit moving over her body made her shiver as her friend began to rematerialize in the small mirror inside the pocket watch. The fact that she could even see him was a good sign, and her face brightened. She excitedly watched his face reform, and Ayse was filled with hope.
"James! I can see you! Can you hear and see me?"
He glanced around, then looked at her and grinned; it had worked. "Yes! I can! Your theories proved correct, Ayse!"
She happily returned the smile. "I had a feeling it would, James. I don't know how or from where, but I had the feeling." She sighed, relieved. "We have really been making some major discoveries, and I do believe that we can put our plans into motion very soon."
"I truly hope so." He paused. "Have you found anything out about your impending engagement?"
Ayse let out a groan. "I sent word of my acceptance yesterday morning, though I certainly hope to be gone by the time the wedding day arrives."
James nodded. "I see. I know you don't want to, Ayse, but your cooperation will make things easier for the two of us."
His female companion scowled stubbornly. "I'm only doing this for you. I wish it were anyone but Alston Bradley I am promising myself to."
"Beware of what you wish for, Ayse," James lightly joked.
Ayse shot James a spiteful look. "I swear if you weren't in this timepiece, I'd strangle you for that."
"I would not put that past you, Ayse."
Ayse held up the gown that Mr. Bradley had sent to her and frowned. Beautiful as it was, she lamented that it had to be sent by someone she had no intention of wedding. It was a lovely shade of cobalt and made from the finest dyed taffeta with cream colored brocade and stomacher made of the finest lace.
"What an exquisite gown, Ayse," James remarked. "Is a special occasion coming up?"
"Yes," she growled. "A ball. At the governor's mansion."
James looked perplexed. "The governor's mansion? Has His Majesty sent someone to fill the late Governor Swann's position?"
"So I hear," she sighed hanging the dress up so the wrinkles would fall out of it. "Apparently, the people of Port Royal are unaware of Lord Cutler Beckett's treachery of which you spoke."
"I promise you, I had nothing to do with that…" James began.
"Oh, I know that, James. You have made some mistakes, but you would never murder."
"And what are people saying about Lord Beckett's disappearance?"
"As far as I can tell they've counted him as lost at sea. I did see the wreckage of the Endeavour with my own eyes, after all."
"I see…" he trailed thoughtfully. "So. It's apparent Port Royal has a new governor. I suppose this is an inauguration ball?"
"That would be correct, and my new…fiancé…intends to escort me," Ayse said contemptuously.
"Well surely you can't turn down an invitation to the most influential party that Port Royal society has to offer," James pointed. He furrowed his brow. "It's a shame you're going with someone you want nothing to do with."
"Isn't it?" Ayse agreed. She picked up the pocket watch and held it in her palm. She and James had decided to leave him in the glass of the watch permanently so she would be able to carry him when she needed to. "I wish it were you I was going with, if you don't mind me saying so. I am very fond of your company, and I have no doubt that we would have a splendid time."
James ventured a mildly embarrassed smile. "I would have to agree."
He watched her as she placed him on her bedside table and stood to tie on an apron. They had only just discovered how to remove him from Ayse's dressing mirror and put him into the smaller, more compact glass of his watch. She could not see his full body now, and James had decided that in his form, it was a fortunate thing that he had no limitations to his size to cause him any discomfort. But the sincerity held within her cerulean eyes the other night had invoked certain feelings within him that he was not able to explain or even comprehend. Her genuineness toward him, whether intentional or not, was something James had thought much about, yet he realized that he should not allow himself to step beyond his current boundaries with her, lest he should complicate things even more.
She suddenly broke apart his thoughts as she turned and smiled at him. "Well, it's off to the daily chores, and now that I can carry you along, I shan't be lonely. Perhaps later we can get some fresh air. I imagine it has been ages since you've even seen the sun."
"It has, indeed, Ayse," James agreed. "Some new scenery would be refreshing."
Ayse spent a much of her free time on the beach with him after completing her daily chores. There, she found a long, thin piece of leather that had washed ashore. It was the perfect length for her to use as a cord by which she could suspend the watch. Ayse had a feeling that having James around her neck would be very convenient when it was time to leave Port Royal.
Ayse walked to a more remote part of the beach and climbed onto some boulders scattered along the shore that had probably fallen centuries ago, before anyone had ever inhabited Port Royal. She opened the pocket watch and put James in her lap as she watched the sun begin to sink below the horizon.
"Have you had a chance to retrieve my sword?" James asked.
"I did that yesterday, and I must say that it looks good as new. I paid Mr. Brown a few extra shillings for his trouble," Ayse responded.
"Hang on to that rapier, Ayse," James told her. "It may be useful to you some day."
"I had already intended on doing so. I have it hidden beneath the mattress of my bed where no one will find it." She sighed. "I will return it to you when the time comes."
"That time certainly seems so far away, doesn't it?" James asked. He sighed. "I can only hope that it will come and I can get out of this prison."
"Don't start going all pessimistic now, James. You will get out of there while I have anything to say about it." She turned him toward the sunset. "I think sometimes a person's life is like the sun."
"How so?"
"Some periods in our lives don't mark the end but rather the beginning. A setting sun, for example, marks the end of the day but gives hope for the beginning of a new one. This period in your life, James, will be no different."
James remained silent for a long while as he watched blazing pink, gold, orange, and lavender melt together as the reflection of the fiery orange sun danced upon the waves of the Caribbean. The bright beacon of the evening star appeared overhead in the darkening sky, and James could not help marveling at Ayse's astounding perception. She was wise far beyond her years, and he realized that beneath her humbled front was immeasurable strength and willfulness, the same trait he had admired in Elizabeth. The two were similar in that right, but different in every aspect of their personalities.
"Your wisdom never ceases to amaze me, Ayse," he admitted softly. "You must have had some very good experiences to make you so insightful."
Ayse smiled softly. "No, I had a good teacher."
"Your father?"
"Yes. We are very close."
"I imagine you have to be since you have no mother."
"I think I would still be close to my father even if my mother were alive," Ayse told James honestly. She fingered the side of his watch. "I do miss him very much."
"I'm certain you will see him soon," he reassured her. "Don't lose hope."
"I won't. As long as I get letters from him, I won't lose hope."
A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far, and to those who have added this story to favorites. If you have not reviewed, I encourage you to do so! But I do thank you for reading. :) No historical notes for this chapter.
Oceangoddess: And you thought it was bad enough that Edmund was marrying her off without permission! Don't worry...everything's about to hit the fan soon enough. :D And oh yeah...James is indeed starting to develop feelings toward her which will deepen as the story progresses.
DancingWithOceanWaves: Yes, I have been building up to that for so long! I could hardly wait to post that chapter when I wrote it. And that's okay - I have been somewhat lazy in writing this story (okay, more like too busy to work on it DX), but I will be looking forward to all your review responses!
Salt06: Why thank you! ^_^ I hope you keep reading, even though this chapter was less than awesome. .
damsel-in-stress: LOL! I wish I could have seen you squee shamelessly for that long time! I'm so glad you liked it, and I really enjoyed writing such a pivitol moment between the two of them. :3
Luthien Saralonde: Hey, where have you been? XD Hope you do well on your finals, and now that I am graduated from college, I hope to have far more time working on this story rather than sporadically updating like I have been. ^^ I also have a Bleach fanfic I'm working on with this one, and so far, these two stories are neck in neck with reviews. I'm sorry this chapter wasn't as exciting, but I think the next few chapters will make up for that. This was just a filler. ~_^ P.S. - I will be providing the applesauce from now on. XD