The next couple days flew by for Rhiannah. She was becoming much more accustomed to life at sea and frequented the kitchen, learning to prepare more fine dishes with Elizabeth and serving them in the evening. This came much to the delight of the crew, as the women's cooking certainly outdid their normal provisions.
Although friends with Elizabeth since childhood, she felt herself becoming partial to Will's presence despite knowing him for less time. She accounted this being caused from Elizabeth's newly developed maternal behavior towards her, but kept her reasoning to herself.
The two women were mixing ingredients when Will walked in. "Slaving away in the kitchen again, are you?"
"Hello, Will," Rhiannah looked up and smiled .
"Good afternoon, Rhiannah," he replied, clearly in a sunny mood. "And good afternoon, my love," he addressed Elizabeth, kissing her forehead. "You taste like sugar," he paused, evaluating the widespread mess. "But I suppose that's not unexpected."
Elizabeth smiled. "We're baking," she stated simply, obviously amused with his animated disposition.
"Wonderful…this will likely be our last full day at sea before we reach Margarita Island," he informed them. He was silently relieved to find his lover in a much more agreeable mood then last night, after another Jack-related dispute.
"Margarita Island? Jack isn't going to Tortuga?"
"No…to buy time," he added, answering her internal question. "Alright then, girls…I'll be on deck."
Rhiannah watched him exit. "Is it unfortunate that we aren't going to Tortuga?"
Elizabeth shrugged lightly. "I'm not certain…Jack often goes there, but it's such a wretched place I'm not sure I mind."
"Have you been there?"
"I've heard some of Jack's stories…" Elizabeth trailed off, finishing her dish.
Her friend just nodded, changing the subject. "Will seemed awfully chipper today," she mused quietly.
Elizabeth smiled. "Aye…as much as he enjoys being at sea, I think he enjoys the periodic stops between even more, which I don't mind…as long as I am the woman with him in the evening," she said, eyes twinkling.
Rhiannah burst into laughter at Elizabeth's sudden change of antics, nodding her head in amused agreement as she began to clean up her mess. "Indeed…indeed."
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Dinner was served on the Black Pearl, a meal even more grand than the previous ones. All but Jack and Will had been served before the girls realized this, and Elizabeth chose to go find them while Rhiannah finished up in the kitchen.
Shortly after Elizabeth departed, both of the men arrived. Jack evaluated the seating placement silently, turning to Will. "Aye, mate…why don't you take the head of the table today…for your fine work." He paused, not fully satisfied with the excuse. "Besides, this chair is closer to the potatoes…and the rum," he finished, motioning to an open space located between two others.
Will was slightly perplexed, but didn't argue. Seating himself at the front, he began helping himself to the food immediately.
Rhiannah returned next, balancing a few more platters and setting them aside before seating herself. She too was confused at the sight of Will ahead, but sat down silently in one of the open spots next to Sparrow. To the left of her, the captain smirked.
"Where in God's name have you two been? I've been looking forever…" she cut off short as she realized her usual spot next to Will was taken. She narrowed her eyes, glancing back and forth at the seating arrangement near the end of the table: Rhiannah, Jack, her.
Will followed her gaze and nearly slapped himself on the spot. "Sorry, Elizabeth…tending the sails…it took a little longer than expected," he offered, looking nervously at her and the captain.
Elizabeth sat promptly, ignoring his frantic attempts to keep things light. Serving herself, she leaned close to Jack and hissed in his ear, "I thought you said you were going to stop."
Jack merely flashed a toothy grin at her, helping himself to the bottle of rum before leaning in to whisper to her. "She sat next to me; pet…I can't help the girl's desire."
Elizabeth slammed her fork down. "Will, don't you find it more proper for the captain to sit at the head of the table?"
"I…uh—"
Jack interrupted him. "Don't you love me anymore, Elizabeth?" He was finding great amusement in the growing irritation of the lady to his right. Meanwhile, Rhiannah sat quietly.
Elizabeth threw back her chair and stood up, beginning to protest loudly. Will interrupted her, standing up as well. By now, the entire crew was watching silently. "Liz," he began quietly, "do not say anything regrettable."
She looked at him and then around at the faces of the table staring back at her, and finally to Rhiannah, who was staring intensely down at her plate. "Excuse me." She turned, storming out and to their cabin.
Will watched her dramatic exit, rubbing the side of his face in exasperation. "I guess that means excuse me, too," he sighed, leaving.
Captain Jack Sparrow leaned back in his chair, looking a little unsure of the situation. "Well, love," he said, leaning over towards Rhiannah, "I guess that just leaves you and us."