Claudia emerged from the lower deck around midday. She used her fingers to comb her hair and then wiped the sleep from her eyes as she started wandering around the deck of the ship, not really knowing what to do with herself. She saw Sparrow at the wheel, not paying any attention to anything except the wheel, the sea, and his compass. She then noticed Anna-Maria sitting on the floor, bottle of rum in hand. She was sleeping; hat pulled down over her eyes, snoring. Oh the wonders of being a female pirate.
After a moment, Claudia walked silently to the front of the boat and looked out to the sea. It was beautiful today. She then went and stood behind Sparrow, without being noticed. She took a deep breath and then grabbed his shoulders, laying her head on his back. She closed her eyes and began to hum a tune. He was surprised at this, but kept on directing the boat. His thoughts finally got the better of him, so after about five or ten minutes of ignoring her, he put the compass away and turned around, wrapping Claudia in his arms, hugging her tightly. He had feelings for her, but he didn't know what to call them. He just stood there, holding her tightly, not wanting to let go. If I let go, she might leave and never come back.
"Er, Captain?" Gibbs's voice cut in from behind Claudia. Both she and Sparrow jumped, startled at Gibbs's silent approach.
"What?" Sparrow seemed a little upset, yet shooken. Gibbs grabbed Sparrow's arm and pulled him towards the railing of the ship.
"Look." He said as he pointed towards a fleet of about four ships ahead, coming towards them. They couldn't see what was on the flags, but they turned the sails to gain more speed anyway. Claudia sauntered over to the railing and looked out, secretly wondering if it was her Uncle coming to get her. She leaned over, staring into the water at her reflection. He's going to want to take me back, but what if I don't want to go? She would need to make a choice when the time comes...but she wasn't certain whether or not it was he. Hopefully it isn't...I'm just starting to get used to these people... She knew what she wanted to say but she didn't dare say it just yet, for she didn't really know the full life of a pirate. She hadn't fought any battles, hadn't gotten hurt, lost, or got drunk off of rum. Yet she pondered and awaited what the next day would bring, hoping that her Uncle hadn't set out for her. Although she did wonder if Elizabeth and Will had gotten home, she missed them. She loved Elizabeth so much, as if she was her sister. Will had been charming when she first met him, but she found him amusing when he talked about his life, being the son of Bootstrap Bill. She stood upright a moment, and then looked back into the water at her reflection as she said quietly, "I want to be a pirate."
A few moments later, the 'fleet' of ships actually turned out to be one...and it wasn't even British. As it passed Sparrow's ship, you were able to see that it was actually a Cruiser ship, carrying immigrants from France to some other country. Claudia stood by the railing at the side of the ship looking up. The Cruiser's name was written in black bold letters across the side, and read "The Interlude". Claudia smiled and sighed a sigh of relief as she walked back over to Sparrow. Gibbs had aroused Anna-Maria from her deep sleep, still halfway drunk from downing her first bottle of rum. She was now trying to finish the second. Claudia walked over to Gibbs and whispered in his ear.
"Um, if I become a pirate, do I have to be drunk all the time? Er, do I have to be drunk at all?" Gibbs chuckled at the indirect statement, very frank question.
"You don't have to but that is said to be one of the characteristics of us pirates." He then looked from Anna-Maria to Sparrow and then back to Claudia again. "And I'm not sure about you, miss, but the three of us fit that description perfectly." He half laughed and then went down to the back lower deck to perform some ship maintenance. Claudia smiled a little and then sat down where she was, leaning up against a crate and closed her eyes, singing to herself. She sat there for a long time, trying to make a decision. Would she live a life of criminal ways, endangering her life and running from the law, doing her best to avoid getting hung? She couldn't help but be attracted to it, breaking rules and fighting her own fights, becoming one of the most feared in these parts. Although she loved the thought of it, she knew that being feared wasn't the only thing she was attracted to. This thought made her smile. But does he fancy me back? She had to wonder...did those few moments pass and mean nothing to him? Or maybe...
Her thought process was interrupted by Gibbs, once again, yelling down at them from the Eagle's nest.
"Land ahead!" He called, more than once. Claudia stood up and ran to the end of the ship. She peered out to the land that was up ahead of them.
"Where are we?" She asked as she looked up at Sparrow. He looked at her and then back at the land as he breathed, "Totulga."