Music

There was the sound of a flute, drifting in the air. Jewel sat in the crow's nest, twiddling away on her instrument. Occasionally she would play a song that actually sounded like a real song, but then would change to another tune instead. Moments like these only existed to send a message out to the crew.

The small Sparrow was bored out of her wits.

Jack had no real heading at the moment, just letting the wind guide the sails and steer them wherever they should go. It was a week since they saw land. Jewel climbed down the nest and was about to walk to go below to her cabin, but she stopped.

Was it her mind playing tricks, or did she hear a chord? She stood still, trying to listen for whatever may let out a song.

Then she heard it. Something was being strummed. There was an instrument in her father's cabin. Jewel opened the door quickly, and Jack held something behind his back,standing up straight, a serious expression on his face.

"Dad... What are you doing?" Jewel asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing luv." he said seriously. Jewel gave him a deadpan look, trying to discern what he was holding.

"Well, what's that behind your back?" she asked, moving to the side to try to spot it. Jack turned to block her view.

"It's nothing luv." he said

"It looks like something, daddy." Jewel said, moving in the other direction, only to be blocked once again.

"Jewel Oceanis Sparrow." he said in a warning tone, but Jewel ignored him. She faked him out and grabbed whatever Jack held and jumped up on his cot. She held it up victoriously and dodged her father's grab for it. Thinking quick, she jumped up on the table and looked at her prize.

"What?" Jewel said, examining it. It was a guitar, well cared for, too. She passed her hand over the strings, letting the notes echo in the room.

"Give it back." Jack said

"How long have you been keeping this a secret?" Jewel asked, jumping off the table. Jack took it from her and looked it over for dents and scratches.

"My father taught me before I left home." Jack admitted

"Might I bother you for a duet?" Jewel asked, smiling sweetly and holding up her flute. Jack held his instrument close. He sighed.

"Only this once, savvy?" he said in defeat. He sat down on his cot and strummed the guitar to tune it. Jewel sat next to him, fiddling with her flute. The two smiled at each other before playing their respective instrument. Although it was a strange duo of flute and guitar, the song they played was perfect for both instruments together. All on board the Pearl heard the song as it sang through the bowels of the ship.

Many closed their eyes listening to the tune. Many imagined the sea waves, flowing gently on a crystal beach. The sun setting, the scent of flowers in the air. The music was so enchanting. When the end came, the crew all moaned. However, Jack and Jewel were not aware of their song being heard all around the ship.

"That was good luv." he said

"Thanks. Can you teach me how to play your guitar someday?" Jewel asked

"Maybe another time." Jack said, messing up her hair. He stood wrapped the guitar in a thick black fabric, then gently placed his instrument out of sight under his bed. It was concealed perfectly.

"Why don't you want anybody to know about your talent dad?" Jewel asked

"Fighting is a talent. Lying perfectly is a talent. Drinking 20 bottles of rum in one sitting is a talent. Anybody can play an instrument. I doubt the crew would be impressed." Jack said. He opened the door to let Jewel out. The two received applause from all on board for their stirring performance.

"Rawk, high C!" Cotton's parrot squawked. Jewel and Jack were not used to such praise.

"That was brilliant you two!" Gibbs said, "Will there be another show?" The Sparrow's looked at one another, unsure of how to respond.

"... Maybe?" Jewel said

"We'll consider it." Jack said. With those words the crew dispersed.

"Will we?" Jewel whispered

"I think once was enough to motivate them all into working harder for it." Jack whispered back