A Tale of the Crew
This is a bit of an experiment- it's told in first person. A snicker member of the crew tells his story.
I grew up in the slums of London. I was kicked at, plagued by fleas and vermin, and I fed on the garbage of society. I don't remember much of that time, Dutchman. There's nothing to remember but many days of the same struggle to survive.
I was always a loner, after my mother left. I've started to wonder what happened to her. I never knew my father. None of my brothers or sisters did either, so I don't worry too much about that.
I took my first voyage at sea accidentally. I had crawled in among some crates to find a warm place to sleep and was carried on board the Lady Sarah all unaware. It was two days before they found me. By then, they had realized they needed someone like me. You see, they had somehow managed to get rats on board, and I was an expert at killing rats and mice.
I was lucky. I did not have a name and they never gave me one, but they liked having me on board.
I was the one that they told their problems, and I kept their secrets. I miss those men, you know. None of them chose to come to the Dutchman when the Lady was destroyed and the Dutchman came. I didn't understand what was going on at the time.
How could I? I wasn't part of the crew, and I was only an ordinary cat. So I hid, at first. I didn't understand these strange men who smelled like the sea when they came on board.
Then Captain Jones appeared. To me, he was perfect. I wanted to… well, milady, I wanted to attack the biggest fish I had ever seen.
I began to stalk this strange man who smelled like a fish. I was hungry, for had been destroyed two days before, and the survivors could not afford to feed a cat.
Unfortunately- or perhaps fortunately, for it brought me here- Captain Jones turned before I could attack and made me a member of the crew.
That was a very odd feeling, as I'm sure you know. Perhaps it was odder for me then for the rest of the crew, as I was not horribly injured. I just felt you reach out to me- and all of a sudden I could think. Well, more then I could before. Cats are quite smart themselves, you know.
I still wasn't completely certain what was happening, but I thank you for helping me those first few days as I grew used to actually understanding everything the men around me said.
I had some trouble getting used to the dives, as you may recall. A cat is not made to be a creature of the sea.
It was odd, but once I grew used to it, I enjoyed it. It probably helps that I was becoming more a part of you. By the time I noticed, the sea part of me was natural. Or not, as the case may be.
I'd taken my place as ship's cat by then, even if there was no need for a mouser. Lady Leviathan and I worked out our agreement. I liked her. She was a good friend and we were two of the only intelligent animals around. I liked that the crew gave me a name, Cap. It is natural for a cat to be in charge, even if I can't be in complete control here. Yes, I know. The Captain is the Captain. Not me. But I need to act like a cat. After all, cats used to be worshiped. You didn't know? Yes, it was long ago, in a land that, or so I understand, was hot and dry. Far from here, certainly. We were believed to be creatures of a god or goddess. I don't know which one.
And my kind have never forgotten.
I kept myself hidden when Captain Turner was on board, before he was Captain. That's when you picked him, wasn't it, Dutchman? I didn't trust ordinary men any longer. And I was right not to trust him, though no one, not even you, could understand my misgivings.
But it worked out eventually, didn't it. No, I'm fine. I'm still not used to having four paws, instead of two paws and two fins.
It wasn't your fault, Dutchman, and don't think any different. No one else blames you, not even our new Captain.
We can't even blame Captain Jones, can we? He was as much a victim as we were, even if he had a chance to do the right thing. I don't blame him for turning away from his duty, though I don't understand the human "love" emotion. I'm still a cat. I just understand it when the queens are in heat.
Those days when the Company controlled you were horrible. No diving, no new crewmen, and Leviathan was dead.
How did you control us like that, once Captain Jones was dead, and before Captain Turner was fully bound to you?
No, I understand, you can't explain it any more then I can explain what it's like to be a cat. It just is.
And then to find myself fully a cat again, rather then partially a sea horse was odd.
And now, I'm still ship's cat, but I don't even have sea slugs to chase anymore. Captain Turner needs my help to calm down any children we bring on board.
It's nice, in a way. Most of the children love to pet me, which is always fun. And to help the children who are truly hysterical is wonderful.
How long until you look like another ship- no more seaweed in your sails or moss on the wood? Not to say you'll look ordinary, Dutchman. You'll still be the ship of the ferryman.
Soon? Good. It's taking time, but I suppose it would. You've been in that state for far longer then anyone on the crew was. But isn't it nice to be shedding all the extra sea life? It's like getting rid of a particularly itchy spot on your back. Though I don't think you understand that.
Yes, I know. I'll be careful. I understand you still have a few spots where I can find some clams and mollusks attached. I've led the crew to most of them, yes. But I'm sure you'd like to get rid of all of them.
Soon. You'll be whole soon. You nearly are now. And our Captain will keep you that way.
He won't turn out like Jones, you know. His lady won't let him. Now there's someone to watch! How does she do it?
No, I don't know why I'm asking you, Dutchman. You don't understand men any more then I do. You and I are unique.
No, you're right. The Black Pearl is a lot like you. But even she can't go between worlds as easily as you can. And she has no intention of doing it again.
I think I have to go. I can hear some children in the water. Thanks for listening, Dutchman. I know that no one else can understand me. But I can understand them, you know. After all, I am just as smart as any member of the crew, even if I am a cat.
So, now you know what Cap's thoughts on being crew are. By the way, this is what I call a "now where did THAT come from?" story. And what, the third or fourth of those in this series?