Note: This story is definitely going to end up being longer than I expected…if anyone's reading it, I'd advise getting alerts when I update because I'm guessing it will be rather scattered from now on. Also note – read it sloooowly as there are some hidden things in there that will/have already come back into play and will answer questions in the future. No skimming! Aaand…figured I'd put in the copyright disclaimer – I obviously don't own any of the characters, etc. Rhiannah was created by myself and shall remain purely a figment of our imaginations.
Now, to the story…
---------
Jack's blatant interruption broke apart Will and Rhiannah, who stood in a brief moment of shock before proceeding to a state of panic. "Oh, lord! What have I done…?" Will ran a hand through his tousled hair, smoothing it as he paced the hall. "What have we done…" He paused, looking at her, before he raced up the stairs, his stomach churning in an upsetting effect.
Tears streamed freely again from Rhiannah's eyes as she too turned and raced away, back to the uncomfortable loneliness of her own cabin.
Jack stood tall next to the wheel, rubbing his thumb against the base as he listened to the man scramble up the stairs. Before Will could even address him he looked to the side, lifting his chin slightly and lowering his voice to a calmer, cool tone. "Assist in lowering the anchors for the night."
Will nodded, silently shuffling into bustle of the rest of the crew to aid as the captain continued to offer monotonous commands in the background.
---------
Daylight flooded through Rhiannah's open doorway. She shielded her eyes against it, making out a familiar figure in the frame, darkened by the glaring light behind him.
"G'day, love," Jack said, sweeping through the doorway before stumbling over a half empty bottle that had rolled out from beneath her bed. He was slightly taken back. "Rough eve, aye? 's no wonder you're still in bed…" his glanced around her room, settling upon her dazed face. His eyes searched hers for a moment, lingering before his words broke their gaze. "We're pulling into Isla Margarita soon, so do be adequately presentable."
Rhiannah moaned and rolled over, covering her head with the sheets. Jack rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Come on now lassie, I don't got all day…somebody needs to pull us into the harbor." He searched her closet, hand skimming over the dresses before he pulled one out, raising an eyebrow as he analyzed it. "This will do…this will do very well." He tossed the dress on the foot of her bed, swiftly pulling the sheets from her grasp and pulled on her ankles in attempt to slide her off the bed. Rhiannah flailed around as her nightgown started to ride up, finally sitting up in frustration.
"Fine then."
Jack flashed a toothy grin. "That's better," he called back as he waltzed out.
Rhiannah studied the gown with a growing admiration, lightly fingering the delicate embroidery that was finely woven around the edges. It was a beautiful dress, one of such quality comparable to, or even overpowering, the types her father had purchased upon news of her engagement with Norrington.
Norrington. The thought of his name caused an angry frustration to bubble inside Rhiannah as she shrugged the dress on, struggling with the laces. A knock at the door interrupted her. "It's Elizabeth," a voice called from outside.
A sharp pain overtook Rhiannah's heart as she recalled the previous night. "Oh, come in."
Elizabeth entered, beginning to speak but abruptly stopped. She walked up to Rhiannah, picking up the skirt of the dress and pulled it aside, admiring the quality much to the same effect that her friend just had. "Oh my," she gushed quietly, "this dress is absolutely stunning." She paused momentarily, pulling back and looking at her in the eyes.
Rhiannah looked aside, breaking the gaze purposely. "Could you help me with these laces…" she murmured coldly, irritated that she was forced to ask assistance from someone she had just been emotionally beaten by and cheated in the same night.
Elizabeth sensed the cool vulnerability in her voice and lowered her head as she toyed with the laces, trying to fix the mess her friend had made of them. "Rhiannah, I truly am sorry for my outburst at dinner," she paused, examining the dress. "You know, you really should wear a corset with this." She nearly winced at her own suggestion, but took to lacing it for her nonetheless. "…as I was saying…my behavior was simply inexcusable, and—"
"Why are you so upset with him, Liz?"
Elizabeth frowned, pulling a lace perhaps a bit tighter than she should have. She corrected herself when Rhiannah squirmed uncomfortably, loosening the dress and regaining her composure. "It's difficult to say," she said simply, beginning to lace the dress more vigorously. Rhiannah noted the obvious tension being built up within the woman. "I'm not entirely certain that I can…there." She pulled the final string taut and adjusted it, turning the girl around. "Stunning. Absolutely gorgeous."
Rhiannah smiled lightly, gazing down at the dress. Although Elizabeth hadn't been entirely open, her paranoid feeling of guilt had been temporarily washed away by the entrancement the gown had on her.
"Alright then, I'll be dressing in our cabin if you need anything more…" Elizabeth exited, leaving Rhiannah to stare out the door wistfully.