XXX Findings XXX
North and slight West the Tristan sailed towards Charleston, South Carolina. To the peaceful quiet of the crew, Jack and Angelica were quieter than they ever had been since coming aboard. This was a comfort to all save Gibbs, Philip, and Syrena. The two should have been arguing and fighting, at least bickering over something. Instead, they were quieter, yet watchful of each other.
Jack was his normal charming self at the helm sipping a bottle of rum or wine continuously checking the heading and speed and placement of the sails. He was keeping track of just how much of a speed advantage Tristan had over the Black Pearl. His eyes scanned the helm for the certain Torin who was never far behind him, except for when Jack presented him with a few chew toys made from old rigging and ratlines that need be replaced. The suddenly loveable mutt became the playful mutt.
Torin ran all about the deck with his rope knot ball Jack threw from the helm stairs. The pup dodged in and out of sailors attending their chores and duties as though they were mere spirits, but to the mind of a dog anything placed between him and his play ball did not exist. A few dozen times the dog dodged across the deck for his toy, a few dozen times enough to tell the crew without words to attend duties below deck.
Just as the crew decided the dog was occupying the entire deck of Tristan, the pup collapsed near Jack panting and lapping up a bucket of water. When he raised his head to look at Jack, a combination of drool and water dripped from his mouth in thick gobs, somewhat reminding Jack of the Kraken.
That same captain, who was not on friendly terms with the mighty Kraken, felt his smile and laughter fade from his face muscle by muscle, tone by tone. He clenched his right hand remembering not long ago a time when his arm was numb from the poison and burning pain flowing through his body.
Even after five years since his escape from Davy Jones' Locker and the day he was taken by the Kraken with his currently bottled ship, the days leading to and during his imprisonment were as clear as his dog's drool before him. Though he was never truly one for nightmares, the images of his imprisonment dwelled nightly in his dreams. It seemed every step he took to releasing his hold on the doll the more his nightmares of life were becoming a reality.
Feeling eyes watching and his vulnerability peaked upon the open deck, he scurried for the hidden walls of his cabin, shutting the doors after the tired pup wandered in with him. His sheer curtains were pulled allowing light but not eyes to peek through into the room. Heaving a heavy sigh, he stretched his body, arching backwards hyperextending his fingers and toes. He flopped in his chair at the main table. They were right on track for the journey to Charleston, and regrettably, the Tristan was faster than the Black Pearl.
The Pearl coming back in mind, Jack glanced to his makeshift hammock hanging in his quarters. His beautiful ship was tragically swinging from its hammock as it always was. The storm raged, monkey scurried about, and parrot flying aimlessly around the bottle, neither living beings able to escape the wet and raining storm. He wanted nothing more than to free his ship and simply let her sail to wherever it was she willed. To simply allow his precious Pearl dry in the warm Caribbean sun and sail on gentle night waves was nearly as great as the want for his daughter in his arms.
Having spent much of the past couple years with his daughter on near of a normal basis being without her had become and abnormality in his life. He missed her smile and small arms flailing about as she played with her ships, her giggle at Louie's day to day activities as a dog, her warm body asleep on his chest, and eyes simply looking at him lovingly. His pirating days were near an end, and he was one of few pirates that had something to return to once the days on the account became no more. Though, he still had no idea what he was going to do in life once the days of a man making his way with piracy ended.
"Troubled?"
Wholly jumping from his seat, Jack's eyes widened as his heart suddenly stopped for a moment. His head turned to find one Will Turner sitting on the window seat eating a banana.
"William," he began yet nothing came from his mouth aside from heavy breaths.
"You know, ever since you were taken by the Kraken you have been more spooked by everything than any other man I have ever known, worse than my father," said Will, occasionally pausing to eat his banana.
"Wot are you doing here?" wondered Jack, calmly sitting on the edge of his table.
"I have news for you that may just be to your pleasing ears," said Will. He stood and opened the window to toss out the banana peel. "I know where Barbossa is headed if it be to your interest."
"Of course it is William. Honestly, you're the one who's gotten a bit dumber in the head," noted Jack.
Will shrugged. "It comes with not really being with living people. Those partly dead are less intelligent so to speak aside from my father and I because we read too much, and souls really have nothing to them but their own lives. It comes with the price of being Captain."
"I supposed," agreed Jack quietly, his eyes sadly lowering to the scar on Will's chest.
Lifting his eyes, Will caught Jack's eyes and where they were gazing. He pulled his tunic closer over his chest and stood to wander about the room. After five years he found it awkward when living mortals stared at the scar. "It's not your fault you know."
"I know," said Jack, quickly turning his eyes away from Will then suddenly tilted his head to the side. "Wot's not my fault."
"Five years to the day two months ago," replied Will. "It's not your fault. You did what you thought to be right and it was right what you did. "He smiled to himself. "I never thought that touch of destiny Tia Dalma said I had about me resulted in what it is today. I guess it makes sense though. I never did find my place in the world, and I always felt right when I was sailing on the sea. I also never thought I would have to swear with it how I am today when you said piracy was in my blood."
"Neither did I," said Jack. "And I suppose I should thank you though, for I would not be one to do what you do on a daily basis as Captain of the ghosty ship."
"I knew you wouldn't be able to Jack, I knew it that night you gave me your compass and told me to think like you," said Will. "And it's not as bad as you think and it's not your fault. I'm the one who owes you."
"Then do me one favor Will," said Jack. He walked behind Will, grabbed his arms and turned him around so that they were face to face. "Do not ask me to join if I'm dying on the sea and get me out of the Locker the second I'm dead and promise me you'll have Elizabeth raise Lily."
"I can do that," replied Will nodding, "and dying isn't as bad as everyone thinks it is. Aye, Jack, I was dead for a time. My soul was one of those few that don't need help finding his way. One moment I see Elizabeth and the next I'm looking at my mother and past family and then I'm waking underwater with my father's face before mine. It's not that bad, it's just the mortally wounding that is the worst part."
"Exactly wot I'm trying exactly to avoid. I don't like feeling the feeling of dying," stated Jack.
"I think you've already done that," noted Will. He raised two fingers. "Twice."
"Ah, you were saying you knew where Barbossa was?" Jack said, itching his head suddenly remembering why Will was there.
"Barbossa?" wondered Will, slightly confused then snapped his fingers. "Right. Barbossa is headed to North Carolina, Ocracoke Inlet. Apparently, he wreaked havoc on Charleston. The entire city is up in a blaze and stir. I just heard it from a few unfortunate souls."
Jack raised a curious finger. "Are you sure that was Barbossa. It's not his style, havoc wreaking on towns."
"Queen Anne's Revenge was the name of the ship, the ship of Blackbeard now under the command of Barbossa," said Will, backing away from Jack to sit on the table himself.
"Yeah, but that's not his style. Every pirate has a style. Blackbeard murdered and had a particular liking to voodoo, Jack Rackham was a coward with beautiful women, Kiddy was rich but lost his treasure, Avery was rich and then mutinied poor."
"And Captain Jack Sparrow?" wondered Will.
Jack cleared his throat as he stood up straight. He raised his nose in the air and a finger. With a deep breath he prepared to speak, yet nothing came from his mouth. His mouth clamped shut with the sound of his teeth hitting each other. Both brown eyes turned to the sea as if the water would give him an answer.
Patiently, Will waited while swinging his legs back and forth.
"Captain Jack was Captain Jack mate," replied Jack at last.
"That's not a style," Will said in a sing, song tone.
"Oh shut it. I improvised," said Jack.
"Aye, yeah you did," agreed Will. His head turned to Torin and his foot pointed to the dog. "Since when is he part of your crew?"
Insulted, Jack whined as he walked over to Torin. He lifted the dog into his arms letting him flop about however it was the dog wanted. "Torin here is my first mate and as loyal a first mate as any if not better."
"Never took you for dogs," admitted Will. He approached the dog. His fingers rubbed the pup's muzzle who was panting happily and sniffing him curiously. "He has a good soul and a good long life ahead of him"
"Well that's good to know," said Jack, setting the pup on the floor.
The pup lapped up a bit of water from his water dish then flopped back onto his fluffy pillow. Dissatisfied with the fluff of his pillow, he stood and kicked his paws on the cushions, kneading them to where he wanted and then flopped once more. Satisfied, he curled his body into himself and settled down to finish his afternoon nap.
Will and Jack smiled at the innocent little dog.
Suddenly, Will twisted his neck and curled into himself. He tensed and shifted uncomfortably. "And that's my sign. I have to go Jack. Duty calls."
"Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina is it then?" wondered Jack one last time.
"Aye," replied Will. "Oh and Jack, what you did five years ago finally answered the time old question. Jack Sparrow is a good man."
"Or a good brother," said Jack.
Will smirked the famous Turner smirk and gave a nod of his head before returning to his ship somewhere upon the sea.
Somewhat more satisfied, Jack straightened his tunic and then strode onto deck. Taking his place as captain of the ship for those who may have forgotten, he stood at the helm. "All hands, change of heading! We sail for the Ocracoke Inlet, that's located in North Carolina for those of you who don't know. That's where me sources say Queen Anne's Revenge shall be for my pleasure, oh, and apparently Charleston is on fire. That will be all."
Rushed feet belonging to Angelica, approached Jack. "And how far away are we?"
Answering her question herself, she pushed Jack out of the way to peer over the charts. Jack couldn't help but wonder if it was out of habit or liking to take over everything when she pushed him even further out of the way to take the helm and recourse the ship herself. She barked out orders to the crew who of course took her likely.
"Beg pardon," Jack said, tapping her on her shoulder. "But I am captain of this vessel. When we get your Queen back you can be her King. This is mine not yours."
"Actually Jack, this particular ship belongs to Barbossa. You're just borrowing it. Your ship in a bottle and therefore you are captain of nothing right now," said Angelica.
"A technically then, you are captain of nothing since Queen Anne's Revenge is technically not yours," stated Jack.
"It was my father's and being first mate to my father it therefore by right belongs to me," Angelica told him. "Not to mention I am his daughter."
"You don't even look anything like him. Are you surely sure you are his blood born daughter?" wondered Jack with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm sure," said Angelica nose to nose with him and then began walking away.
"If you're so sure then why are you walking away from me so quickly?" asked Jack. He caught up to her and grabbed her arm to turn her around and then grabbed her other arm securing her in front of him. "How did you finally find him? Is he even your father?"
"He has to by my father Jack. Edward Drummond was the name of the man mí mama fell in with. Edward Drummond became Edward Teach. I know Blackbeard was my father," stated Angelica confidently.
"How did it take you nineteen years to find him?" wondered Jack.
"I already told you Jack. He was in the Navy as Drummond and then changed his name to Teach then Blackbeard. It took time for me to get my sources in order," said Angelica.
"Really," said Jack, slowly walking forward until they came to a similar situation they were once in. He stood over her keeping his palms pressed into the wood on either side of her so that she could not escape. "How is it you tracked him down? How did you get aboard this ship? How did you convince him you were his daughter?"
"Like I told you, he stumbled up on me," reminded Angelica.
"How does Blackbeard just stumble upon one such as yourself?" asked Jack curiously.
Angelica sighed and shrugged a shoulder innocently. "He literally just found me. Fate as it happens."
"You and Blackbeard and the rest of that ship. What is it with fate?" Jack asked, throwing his hands in the air dramatically. "Fate doesn't determine any man's or woman's life. The man or the woman determines the future not fate."
"And your friend Captain Turner?" wondered Angelica softly turning just her eyes to him.
"That was happen chance. Meself made the choice to give him a change at a new life and it seems he is accepting his duty well," replied Jack.
"You didn't look at me when you said that," noted Angelica.
Just as before, she saw opportunity to grab his arms and take it to her account to turn the tables on Jack Sparrow. She whipped Jack around in sort of a Tango like way, swinging his arm over her head, turning him around so that his back hit the wooden ship.
"When you lie you turn away. You always did have that little flaw about you," she noted, raised her eyebrows. "And when you stretch the truth a smidge you look straight into the eyes."
"All right, perhaps Tia Dalma may have said William had some sort of 'touch of destiny' about him. That doesn't mean becoming captain of the ghosty ship was his little touch of destiny," said Jack confidently.
"Again, you lie," said Angelica softly. "You do believe in fate then Jack Sparrow, just as most others do and therefore you believe in something higher than human life controlling mortal life."
"I do not believe in fate. I'm skeptical of predicting any future, just as I told you dear father Mr. Beard," Jack said, tangoing his way around her in the same manner she did to him so that she was now against the wheel. Both hands grasped two wooden spokes, keeping her in one place. "Right presently at the moment my fate is that little miniature doll of mine, nothing more."
She looked up at him. "And yet, if that doll receives a mortal injury, your little immortality means nothing. Your little doll is your fate Jack."
"And that is exactly why I placed it into your hands," said Jack. "Now, once again, how is it that your father just happened to come by you by fate?"
Knowing she couldn't exactly work her way out of this one all thanks to the wheel of the ship, she moistened her lips and turned away from him, quite sick and tired of seeing his face in front of hers at the moment. "He came upon my ship with all intention to take her I assume. I of course was not going down with a fight so therefore I ordered my crew to attack. It just so happened that he apparently happened to see me. All attack orders were belayed. He wished to come aboard and naturally I let him. He walked right to me, circled me, and took my hands into his own. He told me he was my father."
"And you actually believed him just like that?" wondered Jack.
"No, of course not," snapped Angelica.
Jack raised a finger, but did not release his grasp up on the wheel. "And you like when you get snappy."
"Jack, he told me his name was Edward Teach, formerly Edward Drummond. He knew the captain of the ship Rosa Negro Muerte was Angelica Drummond, his daughter. That was convincing enough Jack. I had always wanted a father and he knew my name Jack. He knew my name," Angelica told him, her voice becoming exasperated and desperate the more she spoke. "He said he saw me coming and knew where I would be at what time. He found me Jack, by fate. Fate told him where to find me."
"Have you ever considered that his fate told him where to find you and it would be you to lead him to the Fountain of Youth and therefore his immortal soul? He was going to use your soul for immortality all along Angelica. You would lead him to me and me to you and together we would lead him to his precious Aqua de Vida. He was never going to let you live. He needed me to locate the tricks of the Fountain and he knew I would do anything to protect you from him. I guarantee he didn't know which of those little pistols were loaded that day. He knew I would do it to keep you safe," said Jack, clearly and with a slight bit of passion.
Angelica turned her head away farther. She had wondered that since that day. Did he know which pistols were loaded? She didn't think he did. And that incident at the Fountain, when he took the cup away from her to gain his own immortality, he didn't once consider that it was his daughter. He saw a mere pawn that he needed for immortality's sake.
Jack grabbed her and hid her from the Quartermaster.
Jack warned her of his mutiny to keep her out of it.
Jack warned her that her father would kill her daughter or not.
Jack pulled her back onto the dock at Whitecap Bay.
Jack tried using his tongue to keep her safe that day on the bridge.
Jack got lucky the first time and "accidentally" let the trigger slip with the second one.
Jack ran in front of her, shoved her back, and jumped from the cliff himself.
Jack got the chalices and brought them back to her.
Jack's first condition was ensuring no harm would be brought to her.
Jack never once hurt her in their little tango with Scrum at the Fountain.
Jack warned her the blade was poisoned and even made to reach her.
Jack scurried to the chalices and continued searching through the water even after the fountain was destroyed.
Jack switched the chalices, knowing her father would drink the one with the tear.
Jack left her on an island that did have a bit of food and water.
Jack took her back in and was taking care of her again.
Jack gave her the engagement right.
Jack put his life into his own hands.
Jack never, ever stopped watching over her.
Blackbeard took her in and gave her a small room.
Blackbeard gave her a few changes of clothes.
Blackbeard gave her command of his ship and crew.
Blackbeard occasionally listened to her.
Blackbeard occasionally allowed her to eat dinner with him.
Blackbeard gave her a hammock and blankets for her comfort.
Blackbeard kept her alive.
Her two mental lists were considerably different in length. The few months she had with Jack aboard the Revenge amounted to keeping her alive and away from harm. The ten months she had with her father, he didn't exactly keep her away from harm. He kept her alive and attended to her wellbeing as though he needed her alive for some sort of ritual that was yet to happen. It was only she who was not affected by his zombie nature. And when he used the sword's power she was the only mortal who was never affected. She was given free reign of most of the ship. The chart room was off limits to her as well as his quarters.
There was a time, however, that she did manage to sneak herself into his chartroom. Of course she had to know what secrets were in there that not even his daughter was allowed to know. She found it was a chartroom yes, with normal sea charts yes, but there were other things as well. Bookshelves were piled high with thick bound covers and came in all sorts of thicknesses and heights. Around the room, these bookshelves had no rhyme or reason. Shrunken heads of different sorts of beings, humans included, lined the single window. Incense burned out a foul smell, of course it attempted to.
Whenever she stood by her father he smelled of the supernatural. There was always the smell of hot iron wherever he moved and hot iron was the smell of supernatural magic. His chart room reeked of hot iron and the incense was there to attempt to burn out the smell.
Various instruments of dark magic carefully held their certain places upon a certain shelf or table beside certain other instruments. Across the room behind his great chair was his cabinet locked by keyed door and cell walls just like his bottled ships. Through trial and error of peeking through the keyhole, she at last discovered that housed his oils, potion, herbs, poisons, and whatever else was required to perform his supernatural acts of voodoo.
Only once did she enter that room reeking of hot iron. She felt eyes constantly watching her and her heart did not still since that once she entered. Dark magic was brewed and perfected in that room. Blackbeard was not only the most infamous, notorious pirate up on the sea, but he also dabbled in the dark arts of voodoo and alchemy, hence his "pirate all pirates fear" nature. Dark voices whispered around her ears and felt like they were travelling through her. Hands seemed to grasp her body in various touches and places as though they were trying to pull her under their spell of wonderful darkness. The candles flickered uncomfortably.
But there was one specific reason she found herself avoiding the door to the chartroom altogether. She happened to notice a hand painted paper on the table. That certain paper she saw herself painted onto it with a large feathered hat, formfitting clothes and coat, and sword at her side. Beside her was Edward Teach, his arm around her. Behind them was what appeared to be an army of zombies. She herself noted that she had an ill, dark look in her eyes.
After seeing her father's intentions to use her for immortality, she would be of no use but to become one under his hot iron spell, to serve at his side while he reigned the seas if not the world.
Suddenly feeling herself being shaken, she snapped out of her mind and immediately slapped whoever was shaking the daylight out of her.
"Not sure I deserved that," noted Jack, moving his jaw back and forth and rubbing his face.
Angelica shook her head. "You're right Jack. All right? My father was trying to kill me. I admit it. He was using me to get you to get immortality and then he would make me fall under his spell with him and we would rule the seas together with his army of walking dead. He probably would have had you under his spell as well since he crafted the doll. We would have both been under his spell had you not done what you did."
"So you say wot I did giving up your father's years to you was the right thing to do is it then?" wondered Jack carefully.
"Yes," replied Angelica. "You were right. My father was evil and he nearly did kill me given the chance, just like you said he would."
"Why is it people are surprised when I tell the truth? Honestly," Jack noted to himself exasperatedly.
Shaking her head in a mixture of tears and disgust, Angelica pushed passed Jack, quickly scurrying into the captain's cabin and then to her quarters.
Woofing, Torin followed her into the main cabin. His little tail wagged back and forth as he had a slight trot as he disappeared beyond the doorway. He found his nose sniffing the ground in a zigzag sort of pattern. The loveable mutt wiggled his small, furry body into Angelica's room. With a little yelp, he tumbled on the floor and rolled a few times. Immediately, he jumped to his feet to shake off the roll. Finding what his nose was searching for, he hopped onto Angelica's lap in the window. His growing paws kneaded her thighs for a moment then he settled in her lap against her belly.
Angelica lowered her tear streaked face towards the dog. A hand softly caressed the pups head and back. She noticed she didn't seem to mind, for she felt him sink deeper into her body. Soft, consistent breaths sounded from her lap matching the warmth rising and falling against her.
She couldn't help the small smile widening across her moist lips. Feeling better suddenly, the back of her hand wiped across her eyes and she sniffled a few times hoping to alleviate her runny nose.
A blanket gently draping over her shoulders caused a frightened jump and slight yelp. When she whipped her head around none other than Jack Teague curled a leg under his body before he sat behind her.
With no words spoken between them whatsoever, Jack grasped her upper arms with both his hands. His soft grip pulled her backwards until her back was pressed against his chest. Those hands became arms slowly reaching across her to grasp the opposite arm. His cheek pressed against her forehead.
Jack comforted her like no other.
All resolve and image for her tough, impenetrable outer core cracked. She sought comfort in Jack that even he found surprising. Her upper body twisted into his chest, completely spinning around.
Slightly shocked and wondering if he was seeing right, Jack tilted his head to the side to ensure he was seeing what he was feeling. Indeed, Angelica, daughter of Blackbeard, was grasping his tunic in a tight fisted ball and softly weeping against him. The warm moisture soon wet his tunic against his flesh.
Torin glanced his dog eyes up at Jack who looked down upon him, both curious to the current display, yet neither making a sound. Just as before, the loveable mutt curled up against her, finding he enjoyed her curled into Jack more than when she was sprawled out across the sofa.
Jack himself, slipped an arm under her knees twisting her wholly into his lap. Her chest was buried in his chest, arms tight by her face, not quite allowing Jack to see just how large and consistent the tears fell out of her eyes. Her knees bent at an angle down his thigh towards the floor. Feeling comfortable with her in his lap, Jack leaned against the wall behind him. His hand pulled her hair behind her shoulders in a small twist and the blanket wrapped tighter around her. His arms equally wrapped tightly around her.
Hearing her choke and hiccup a bit, Jack caressed her head and softly hushed her, giving her more comfort to seek from him.
Jack was the only one who could watch her cry.
Jack cared for her like no other.
Jack loved her.
She loved Jack.
A Note from TurtleHeart:
reviews are greatly appreciated as always!
well, now we finally know just how Angelica met up with her father and where to find Blackbeard. Ocracoke Inlet, sound familiar to anyone because it should? Barbossa shall join up with our travelers and we head over to Charleston.
so, Angelica finally realizes Jack was right all along. what do you think of that? how about the fact that i added Blackbeard's voodoo talent from the book On Stranger Tides? what about Jack and Angelica in the ending seeking comfort from each other?
questions? comments? concerns? likes? dislikes? let me know!
Happy Readings!