Barbossa's POV:
CRACK! A loud blast, like the sound of cannon fire '-or a gunshot' rattled in my ears as my eyes burst open to the blinding light of day and the pounding of clumsy footsteps ambling across the deck. Still a bit shaken from that hellish nightmare I'd had last night, I was even more confused to see my crew scurrying about, readying the ship for departure- without my orders! "What the blazes-?" I quickly pushed myself from off the ground 'n made my way to the poop deck, only to find Sparrow obediently standing at the helm, in the midst of discussion with those two little brats. Climbing up the stairs, the filthy coward's face lit up when he saw me approach, and attempted to include me in the conversation as a means to change the subject.
"Ah, Barbossa! Good morning Mate," he said artificially. "You have a nice nap? Saw you sleeping at the door, you looked so peaceful; didn't want to wake you," the idiot continued.
"What, is going on here?" I asked, turning back to the unfurled sails and the slowly rising anchor.
"Why, preparing for departure, of course. The ladies wanted to be off as soon as possible," he explained, pointing toward the twin sirens barking orders at the spineless rats who deigned to call themselves pirates. There was another sudden blast of gunfire as the taller one shot at the sky while her sister leaned over the deck's railing and continued to give orders.
"All hands, ply to windward! Get crackin' ye bloody cockroaches!" she hollered, her rasping voice blastin' n' booming o'er the deck like the wind itself. Even I was astonished at how such a big voice- rivaling that of any seasoned captain- could come from a child, 'a girl...'. Scurrying 'cross the deck, those spineless weasels, obeyed her commands, and heeded 'er threats as if a single act or thought of rebellion would end in a bullet through the head.
"Unfurl those sails, come about! Weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen!" her twin roared, as the crew submissively, but still showing signs of resent, obeyed and quickly set sail.
"Avast ye! Who do you think you-"
"Is there a problem Captain Barbossa?" the lass inquired as she turned around and flicked several of her scarlet locks from her face, the rusted coins and charms sewn into her hair jingled and clinked as the swung back behind her shoulder. Her sister followed suit and concealed her pistol as she turned around, exchanging it for one of my fresh apples which she spitefully polished on her sleeve. "I take it you slept well?" the little devil asked with a smirk, her twin giggled softly before biting in to the crisp green fruit.
"Aye," I replied, looking from one lass to the other as they passed the apple back and forth, sharing every sweet, crunch. "I don't believe I authorized this departure!" They stared at me blankly, amused. "The Captain gives the orders aboard this ship! I'll decide when we're set to sail!"
"The way you were sleeping, who knows when that've taken place," mumbled the larger lass, her mouth still harboring bits of fruit.
"Ox," her sister snickered lightly. "Try to show some respect. After all, Captain Barbossa, did agree to provide his services and aid us in our venture," she continued as she held out her hand, beckoning for the apple. "We should respect his authority," she said before taking the final bite from the apple. It's succulent juices foamed around her mouth and ran down her scarred lip before she wiped them clean with her hand. The sweet nectar soaked her fingers and began to trickle over her hand like blood. 'Blood...' I found myself lost in thought as I watched the final drops of juice run down to the underside of her filthy palm and pool on the stained bandage wrapped 'round her hand. The same bandage I'd watched her unwrap and reveal the gaping knife wound inflicted...
"Captain?... Barbossa!" Immediately the bloodied image was wiped from my memory and my attention was redirected back to those identical brats.
"Maybe he didn't sleep as well as we thought?" the big one commented while tossing the apple rind overboard.
"As I was saying," her sister continued, "we only intended to get underway; merely a preliminary preparation before turning the reins to you and officially setting sail," she said cordially. "Relax Mate, we're not trying to commandeer your precious ship," she sighed sarcastically before sliding past me and approaching Sparrow.
"Preparation?" I said aloud, following behind. "What, could a child- a woman- possibly know, about preparing a ship?" Calmly, the lass looked up and exchanged glances before continuing her conversation with Jack and Gibbs. "Preparation for a voyage requires more than strong words and unfurled sails! We have to resupply, tend to the ship's repairs. We have-"
"-Done," she fluidly replied, closing the small compass in her hands and returning it to Jack.
"What?"
"Everything has been tended to. Your slashed sails: sewn. The orlop: replenished, food and ammo: completely restocked," she said with a coy smile. "Anythin' else?" she asked without permitting time to respond. "Did it while you were sleeping. Raided the neighboring ships," she said proudly.
"Where'd ye think we got those apples?" her sister added. Impressed, but skeptical I looked to Sparrow and Gibbs for confirmation, there was no way, these children were capable of so much in so little time!
"Impressive little things, these two," Jack said with a nod. "Didn't even require my good services. We were recently released to help chart the course," he explained as he flashed his compass.
"And that's all we'll be needing you for," the girls added sharply. Approaching the helm, I smiled and looked from Sparrow to the girls.
"Agreed. So, Peyton, was it?" I inquired to the statuesque brunette, as she made her way back to the edge of the deck and watched the crew prepare for departure.
"That would be me, Captain," replied the other lass from behind me, reexamining the compass in Jack's hands and discussing the journey with him.
"Apologies lass," I replied. 'Save for their hair, these two look so much alike... Twins...' "So, Peyton, d'ya mind refreshing me memory as to where it is we're going? After all, if this venture is going to go swimmingly, we must all be well informed and acquainted."
"Aye, couldn't agree more Mate!" Sparrow cheered, enthused. "Have you ever heard of the sacred oracle of Isla de Edén?"
"Can't say that I have-"
"-Well then," Sparrow sickeningly continued, "the Oracle: a mythical entity endowed with the ability to grant he who may come into contact with it, the one thing they desire most. It can heal the sick and injured, grant untold riches, resurrect the dead," he continued to ramble on, growing closer and closer with every claim. "It can even restore the most prized of lost possessions..." he whispered obnoxiously, standing inches from my face and staring down at my leg, before shifting his attention to the glass bottle in 'is hand, encasing one of Blackbeard's captured vessels.
"I see," was all I could say as I brushed past him and took the helm. "Well, any man of sound mind could tell what it is you plan to obtain." I said to Jack as he continued to mindlessly muse over his bottles. "But what of you two?" Slowly the lasses turned and faced me, displaying as much interest in my words as a feral cat.
"Aye, certainly a pair of young, wide-eyed lasses like yourselves must have great intentions for seeking the Oracle's power?" Jack inquired. "Riches, priceless jewelry, horses," he paused and placed 'is hand on the big one's shoulder, "a 'Prince Charming' perhaps?"
"All good guesses Captain," she replied, a disgusted sneer on her lips as she, disgustedly, removed his hand, her sister laughing under her breath in amusement. "But all incorrect. Unlike you, our desire is fueled by a much more, sentimental, intent..." her voice slowly faded, as the lass looked through Jack; her sister stared back at her, then down at her wrist. Followin' her gaze, I watched the child massage and stroke a filthy piece of fabric tied 'round her hand like a glove. Tattered and riddled with stains and holes, she feverishly rubbed what appeared to be a silk handkerchief over and between her fingers, her eyes frozen, as if she were lost in a trance, a memory- the conflicted emotions of mourning and comfort- radiating in those apple-green eyes, only the feeling of her twin's hand in her own could wake her from her daze.
"I see," Jack replied, casually.
"No, you don't," her twin replied coldly. "You too may have been robbed of something dear," she said, looking at the Pearl in its glass prison, then down at me leg. "But we were robbed of something that- without your Oracle- would truly be impossible to restore..." she said as she placed her wounded hand over her sister's shoulder and began to lead her down the deck and back into my quarters. "We've gotten you started Captain; we expect to depart by midday," she commanded before leavin' the deck.
Oxana's POV:
Taking a seat on the flat, board-like cot, I listened as Peyton shut the door and approached, taking a seat beside me. I knew she was there, but I couldn't see'er, nothin' was in focus for me; nothin' save for the blue 'n gold kerchief tied 'round me hand, or at least, what was left of it... 'twelve years of tears, stains and every other type of damage, and it was still with me... And I intend to keep it that way!' Squeezin' 'n rubbin' it with my fingers, I could feel each individ'ul stich, the frayed edges surrounding the holes in the fabric, everything where I'd left it- where I remembered it'd be. Any other person- this crew, its captain, Sparrow- might've thrown it away, cast it aside, but wrapped 'round me hand it would stay. Filthy as it was, I had no intention of giving it up... for it was all I- 'all we'- had left of her...
"Ox? You alright?" I heard a soft whisper and felt a rough palm clasp me own, shielding the kerchief as well.
"Wha- I," I shook my head and blinked me eyes back into focus, seeing the perplexed, but understanding look in my sister's eyes.
"You alright?"
"Peyton-" I stammered as I looked down to her hand covering the handkerchief. "Yes, I'm fine."
"Don't lie to me!" she said firmly, squeezing me hand as if to wring the life from it. "You lost it back there; don't go crazy on me. Sparrow and Barbossa are more than enough," she cracked a smile as she tousled my hair 'n nudged me shoulder.
"I'm fine, really," I replied, playfully pushing her away, clumsily she fell off the cot and crashed to the floor. "I'm just..." I squeezed the kerchief again, "What if you're right? What if Sparrow is lying and this is all just some hornswaggling scheme of his? After all, he said this ship was unoccupied, and that was a lie," I said, looking out to the bustlin' crew, and overhead, listnin' to Barbossa's staggering steps.
"True," Peyton said calmly. "But we've got his 'precious fleet'," she continued, reaching under the cot and pulling out one of the bottles. "Besides, the way that fool goes on about it, he's just about convinced me of its existence!" To hear her admit that, nearly every bit of doubt I had was now in question. Peyton was the most skeptical person I'd known, she could sense a liar better'n anyone else, and no matter how they continued to refuse their deceit, she'd get the truth out 'em, one way or another. To hear her say such a thing was as impossible as it was shocking. "And should he be lying," she said as she returned the ship and rose to her feet, her hand reaching for her belt, "I think we've made the consequences more than clear..." I watched her pull up her pistol with a grin. If these dogs were lyin', I knew she wasn't. 'Now we just needed to wait for those idiots to make way.' "We'll git there," she said softly, her pistol fully removed from its holster and resting on her lap. Gently she ran her fingers along its worn handle. "And we'll get them back. I promise."
*A/N: I know, it's been FOREVA since I've updated this story; and to those of you who continue to follow and read it, my sincerest apologies. Hopefully this made up for it, and I'll try my best to keep you from waiting as long for the next chapter. Hope you enjoyed, and as always, please leave a review! :)