One More Taste of Freedom
06 encounter with anamaria
Disclaimer: See the previous chapter.
Author's Note: Again, sorry for the shortness of this chapter. With school and all sometimes writer's block takes over and it's the best I can do. The next chapters are longer. Oh yes, and to anyone who is particular fond of Anamaria, I'm sorry about making her slightly mean. It's just that I don't think she would be Elizabeth's best friend in the entire world, because Elizabeth is from a different class. A class that usually looks down on those beneath it. It's a defense mechanism on Ana's behalf, I suppose.
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Elizabeth had awoken the next morning to find that the ship had already left Port Royal. She was a bit angry with Jack, having at least liked to have watched while the island faded away into the distance. But she thought it best not to say anything. It'd already been proved that she had a fair amount of favoritism. This being because she had slept in the Captain's quarters last night, Jack had said it was only until they found her a place of her own on board, but she knew he would not have of done that for anyone else. But even in light of all that, she wanted to act like everyone else on the Pearl and offer Jack the respect that came with his position.
Rising from the bed she went over to her things and began to look for clothes to put on. All she found was the same thing she'd worn the day before. Wrinkling her nose in disapproval she went out to find someone. The first person she happened across was Anamaria. `Oh splendid, ` she thought, `the woman who held a pistol to my head. ` Walking up behind the pirate woman, who seemed to be working on something involving rope, she hesitated for a moment before speaking,
"Uh - Anamaria, I wonder if I might have a word with you?"
The dark skinned woman looked up, squinting against the sun.
"What is it Ms. Swann?" her tone didn't sound at all happy about having to answer.
"Elizabeth-you can call me Elizabeth."
"Right then, Liz-" she waited for a moment," what is it you wanted?"
"Well I'm sure it's a terrible mistake but you see, I've got no clothes."
Anamaria examined the other woman, who was in fact wearing clothes. Elizabeth noticed this and continued talking.
"No new clothes. These are the ones that I've already worn - yesterday, in fact."
The piratess made an expression of mock horror and threw up her hands as if day old clothes were an abomination.
"Listen, have you not noticed that half the crew of this ship still wears the exact same thing as the last time ya saw us?"
Glancing around the deck Elizabeth decided that she was right. No one seemed to have changed - literally. Not even Jack. Shaking her head she could already tell that this was going to be difficult. She wanted to fit in but because of her upbringing certain things would come as a shock. She only hoped that in all the shock she didn't end up being seen as a snob. The girl just wasn't accustomed to things like not changing clothes and bathing. Oh, god, bathing.
"And what of bathing?"
Anamaria had to stifle a laugh before her expression turned serious and she answered.
"Well, look over the edge of the ship and tell me what you see."
Elizabeth did so, not seeing where this was going.
"Nothing but ocean."
The other woman smiled and nodded. Elizabeth did see where this was going.
"Oh."
"Aye."
"I'll just be going back to my qu-Jack's quarters now."
"You do that."
Head down, she began to walk back in the direction of the place she'd spent the night. She was quite sure that the impression she'd left on Anamaria had been that of a Governor's daughter, prim and proper, and she hated herself for it.
Glancing up she discovered Jack at the helm. She'd never seen him in the position before, and couldn't help but smile a little. He saw her and winked. Giving him a small wave she started on her way again but then noticed that the Captain was motioning for her to come join him.
Moving up the stairs to the helm, with greater ease than she would have in a dress, she stood next to Jack. He was aware of her presence, but kept his eyes on the horizon.
"And how are things aboard, Elizabeth? Not quite all that you imagined?"
"No, no, they're fine. But then, it is only my first day. I'll get used to it."
"That's the spirit, miss."
"Though I don't think I've won Anamaria's affections very efficiently."
"Luv, no one wins Ana's affections. Trust me."
He seemed to be reliving another painful memory. He seemed to have a lot of those involving women, and she'd always wondered about those two. Of any woman she'd met, Anamaria seemed perfect for Jack. Probably because she'd never met another female pirate. Stepping away from his position he motioned for her to stand where he had.
"Would you like to see what she can do?"