Disclaimer: I don't own Jack…you get it…pah never mind. I still own nothing but original characters. Thank you to my reviewer's, they are greatly appreciated and keep me motivated to write.
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After taking the bag that Elizabeth packed for her, she wrapped Jack's chosen dozen of swords, changed the record so they didn't exist, and put them in a separate pack, which she held also. Giving Elizabeth a hug and promise to come back one day, she walked over to Jack.
Jack slung his arm over Sandra's shoulder and guided her from the smithy without a backwards glance, "Now, you'll be rooming with a piratess by name of AnaMaria. She may not like you t'first, but will warm up if you prove useful on board, which I think you will. Gibbs is another who may give some trouble. He most definitely won't be likin' you t'first, and even if
ye do prove useful on board, he might not warm up to ye," Sandra was trying to follow his botched manner of speaking while ignoring the stench of the arm thrown across he shoulders and the wild gesturing of the hand very close to her face.
When they got outside he took back alleyways headed towards the docks. Sandra felt like she was carrying a drunken man from Jack's gentle swaying. He continued to fill her in on which of the crew to avoid, which turned out to be most of it. He stopped in at a bar, leaving her outside. She was nervous at being left alone in this part of the port, but he soon returned, swaying a bit more as he guided her to the docks.
"There are some establishments in every port that cater to those of our…caliber. The crew is most likely out and about at them right now, but we come into port in smaller lifeboats, to avoid unwanted attention," he continued to talk about everything and nothing all at the same time.
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Once aboard the ship he seemed to regain more equilibrium. Odd. Captain showed her to the room that AnaMaria had, being the only female pirate and first mate.
Jack left her alone in her new quarters. She looked around at the small room. There was a small chest of drawer, but that was full. She did not know where she was to put her things, but she avoided the matter for now by her bag onto the bed. She lay down the pack with the swords; Jack had not thought to take them from her. Opening her bag she sorted through it. On top were her personal things, a brush she had since Elizabeth discovered her, a paint set Elizabeth was always on her to use, and a mirror with a rose painted on the back. A pearl ring on a chain fell out among her other items. She forgot about it in her excitement to leave. Sandra picked up the chain, giving the pearl a rub for comfort then put it on and tucked it beneath her shirt. She had the ring when she was found, she didn't know what it meant, but it had always been a comfort to her.
She continued rooting through her items laying the out on the bed. When she got to the bottom of the bag she pulled out the last garment. Holding it up it was a very beautiful dress, she didn't know where it came from, she never owned anything like it. "Elizabeth," she muttered with a grin on her face. Sandra did prefer men's wear, but on occasion it was nice to wear a dress.
"And who might you be?" asked a voice from the door.
"Sandra O'Reilly."
"Right," the woman turned on heel, out the door, "Captain!"
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A while later Sandra left the cabin she was to share with the woman, AnaMaria, was it? She left the cabin and approached the front of the ship with the swords, where Captain Jack was steering and ignoring the woman yelling at him.
She walked up beside the woman and announced her presence, "Um, captain? Am I to be roomed with someone who appears to be so disturbed by my presence?"
Finally breaking out of the stupor the Captain threw a rope around a peg on the wheel and addressed the woman, "Well you have three options. One ye could room with this kind woman," the woman in question growled. "Or, ye could room with our crew. If you choose to do so I don't guarantee you come out as you went in. Or you could come and room with me, though I can't make any guarantees with that one either. I can't say I'd mind the company," he said with a grin.
"So sorry Captain. I think I'll try convincing this woman to let me stay in her room. Oh and you forgot your swords," she said handing them over, "May I offer one as a gift of peace?"
"You want to give AnaMaria one of me beautiful swords! I think not," he said indignant at someone trying to take away his new toys.
"Might I remind you whose those were in the first place?" she said sternly.
Jack met Sandra's eyes and then looked to the deck, "Fine," he said grumpily and stalked off to the Captains quarters to sulk.
Sandra grinned and turned to AnaMaria, "Might I offer you a sword as a peace offering, in exchange for letting me stay in your room. I don't really like the other prospects."
"Let me see the goods and then I'll decide. I could steal any sword I wanted," she said stubbornly.
Sandra beckoned for Ana to follow her into her room. Once there she unwrapped all the swords and lay them all out on the bed.
AnaMaria's resolve to stay stubborn wavered as she saw the beautiful swords before her. One caught her eye. It had beautiful gold inlay work done all throughout the hilt, but what caught her eye were amethyst all around the hand guard. She picked it up and unsheathed it. After admiring the sword she was out back to reality as Sandra took a seat on the bed.
"Alright, you can stay, but I get to keep this." She hugged her chosen sword to her chest.
"Thank you so much. Now if you would point me to Captain's quarters so I may deliver the rest."
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"Captain?" Sandra inquired as she knocked and pushed open the door into Jack's chambers.
She was greeted by no response, but she could see the Captain crouched over something, working at the end of his bed. She walked up behind him looking over his shoulder. It was a dazzling coal-sketched picture of a ship she had never see before.
"It's a very pretty boat, ship," she commented from behind him.
The result was instantaneous. Jack was a flurry of arms and legs as he got to his feet and drew the sword at his waist to her throat. Seeing who it was he threw down his sword, "Bloody 'ell woman! What business do ye think ye have, ta be in my chambers!"
Sandra faced him, getting over her shock, "I came to give you the remaining eleven swords," she said, gesturing with the bundle in her arms.
"Ah, so your back from givin' away me toys," reentering his grumpy mood.
"Yes I have. She took the one with the amethyst. Ana's now quite attached, if you truly want it back, I'll not be the one taking it from her."
"I liked that one," he said, flopping onto his bed and facing the wall of the room.
Sandra picked up the abandoned sketchbook and began flipping through the pictures. Many were of water, sunsets, and a ship, over and over. There was a unfinished picture just before the recent one, that had been scribbled out, "I could make it up to you."
"How so?" he said, muffled by the wall.
"I have an art set that I never use. You could use a better medium."
"A medium instead of a large?" Jack asked as he sat up and snatched back his sketchbook.
"Medium, the materials you use. All your art is coal rubbing, I can give you colors, brushes, and better paper."
His eyes widened but he regained facial control and said, "I suppose that would do."
Sandra smiled and said, "A fair trade then, I'll be right back."
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