Usual disclaimers - if you recognise anything, it belongs to Disney - else it is mine. Shanties are traditional and from multiple sites.
Thanks as ever to Pendragginink and my reviewers.
Three chapters being uploaded today as this chapter is shorter than my usual ones for it didn't break at a convenient place! But three chapters mean three reviews... savvy!
Chapter 35 – A Nod And A Wink
Mab sat quietly near the bar, sipping a rum that Jack had bought for her whilst the troupe rested. She frowned, noticing her brother talking animatedly with Brett and she moved closer, trying not to look as if she was eavesdropping.
"I do not want Isabella walking back to the ship with just one escort," Sebastian insisted. "You've finished your set and I will need the others here…"
"Can't Rufus or Matthew go?" he countered, glancing across to where the two acrobats stood talking with some of the crew from the Black Pearl.
"Rufus and Matthew are watching out for Mab, and I doubt she needs another to watch over her when the crew of the Black Pearl will see she comes to no harm," he assured the singer. "Anyway," he said, trying to persuade the blonde man, "I'd be happier with your sword at Isabella's side… plus you need to take care of your voice…"
"But…" Brett protested angrily.
"I am telling you to protect Isabella," Sebastian repeated. "Am I somehow not making myself clear?"
"Perfectly clear," he snapped, knowing full well he was being pushed out – and suspecting why.
"Gavin," Sebastian called. "Take Isabella back now. Brett will go with you…"
"Aye," Gavin replied, walking across to his wife and speaking quietly in her ear. She smiled and nodded towards Sebastian. "If you're coming then, Brett?" he chivied as he led her to the door.
"I'm coming," Brett said sourly, knowing there was nothing he could do about it.
Sebastian waited until the three had left before grinning to Mab. "I've done what I can for you," he said quietly. "Sing another song and we'll cover for you until the end of the set…"
"Grazie," she smiled.
"The Jolly Roving Tar?" Lucius suggested, winking at her.
"Sì," she nodded, taking a quick sip of her drink and placing it beside her brother's before stepping back into the small clear space they had been performing in. "Now," she called, addressing the pirates. "Is there anybody here called John?" A large number of hands went up in anticipation of what they thought the next song would be. "I know it may be hard for you, but shall we try that again more truthfully?" she chided. A few hands went down amidst laughter and catcalls. She was disappointed to see none of the crew from the Black Pearl appeared to be called John. Shrugging, she walked across to a young lad nearby who held his hand high in the air, an eager grin splitting his face. "Are you truly called John?" she pressed.
"I am, Miss," he assured her earnestly.
"All right, then I need the birthday boy too…" She looked around for Jack, beckoning him over as Benedick pulled up a stool for her. "Sit," she teased, perching on his knee once he had done so.
"Ships may come and ships may go
As long as the sea does roll.
Each sailor lad just like his dad,
He loves the flowing bowl.
A trip on shore he does adore
With a girl that's nice and round.
When the money's all gone
It's the same old song,
'Get up Jack! John, sit down!'"
She rose, pushing Jack from the stool amidst the cheers from the crowded tavern, the eager young pirate taking his place almost immediately as Mab led the pirates with the chorus, sitting on his knee and draping herself seductively across him.
"Come along, come along, You jolly brave boys,
There's plenty of grog in the jar.
We'll plough the briny ocean
With the jolly roving tar."
As soon as she had finished, she rose, offering her hands to Jack, who good-naturedly pushed the other pirate from the stool, pulling Mab eagerly back onto his lap and putting his arms possessively around her.
"When Jack gets in, it's then he'll steer
For some old boarding house.
They'll welcome him with rum and gin,
They'll feed him on pork scouse.
He'll lend and spend and not offend
Till he's lyin' drunk on the ground
When the money's all gone
It's the same old song,
'Get up Jack! John, sit down!'"
Again she pushed him from the stool, sitting almost immediately on the grinning lad's knee as she sang.
"Come along, come along, You jolly brave boys,
There's plenty of grog in the jar.
We'll plough the briny ocean
With the jolly roving tar."
Jack glared at the other pirate as he risked an arm about Mab and shoved him, with a little more force than before, from the stool. "Mine!" he hissed. Mab raised an eyebrow at Jack, but continued to sing.
"He then will sail aboard a ship
Bound for some foreign shore
When he gets there, the ladies fair
The sailors do adore.
He'll go ashore and on a tear
He'll buy some girl a gown.
When the money's all gone
It's the same old song,
'Get up Jack! John, sit down!'"
The young pirate looked at Jack hesitantly before sitting back on the stool. He had not realised that the woman singing was with the captain, not having been in the tavern when she had kissed Jack earlier, and he looked almost nervous as she once more sat on his lap, singing the chorus before once more being evicted by the older man.
"When Jack gets old and weatherbeat,
Too old to roam about,
In some rum shop, they'll let him stop
Till eight bells calls him out.
He'll raise his eyes up to the skies,
Sayin' 'Boys, we're homeward bound.'
When the money's all gone
It's the same old song,
'Get up Jack! John, sit down!'"
But this time, Jack refused to budge, holding Mab to him and kissing her deeply, much to the amusement of those still sober enough to watch. "Are we clear t' leave?" he asked hopefully.
"Sì," she smiled. "Sebastian has ensured that no tales will be told…"
"Good man," Jack beamed, taking her hand and hurrying her across the floor. Hoots and catcalls followed their departure and she winked at her brother, slipping out into the darkness as Jack led the way into the night.
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