Rhiannah sifted though the closet in her cabin, attempting to find a coordinating shawl to wear…a difficult task to do, considering the intricacies of the dress she wore. She chose a sheer cream color and placed it over her shoulders, staring at her reflection in the mirror.
The woman she saw staring back at her was incommensurable to what she had a year ago. Twelve months ago, she was a dazzlingly spirited young woman…slightly audacious, to the point of carelessness at times. Twelve months ago, she was regarded as one of the finest in the community; a gem of proper upbringing, a model young lady in the eyes of all society. Twelve months ago, she would have never anticipated the pain she would be suffering those twelve months later.
And now, she stood in front of the mirror internally degrading herself and every action. As far as she was concerned, she had sank to the bottom of all her glory. She had so mindlessly brought herself into a mess that she only seemed to increase by each effort. She allowed herself into a loveless engagement with great ambition. She had broken all self dignity that single night when she crumbled, begging for her friend's help – an estranged friend she had publicly ridiculed for the same actions she now found herself partaking in. Upon receiving that help, she had drank herself into an oblivion, allowed herself to be taintedly touched by a pirate, and had tempted a man of commitment. And now, she had potentially aided in some unknown criminal machination.
Yet despite her inner conflict, her beauty continued to radiate from her reflection. The reflection, in all physical matters, had only improved within the past year. She had matured to the finest extent and the relatively short time spent on ship had tanned her skin to an even deeper shade than usual, giving her a newly fresh and revitalized appearance. Her hair revealed a healthy gloss that shined and her dark brown eyes rarely told of her anguish; instead, sparkled brilliantly at any hint of light or reflection that was caught. Visually, she was a masterpiece, the selling stroke of every artist's brush; while internally, she was the wasteland of everything she had dreaded to become.
A knock interrupted her thought process and she pulled the shawl over her. "Come in."
Elizabeth cracked the door and peered through, checking if she was decent. She continued in, Will trailing uncertainly behind her. "Oh good, I was afraid you wouldn't find anything to match that dress," she said, adjusting the back of the garment. "We're going into town to dine, Jack found us a place…I'd like if you'd accompany…" Elizabeth trailed off, still observing the dress. "It's such a beautiful dress; really, I wish I owned it for myself…where did you come across it?"
Rhiannah turned abruptly, gathering her things. "Oh, it's just something I found in the closet," she said dryly. "I'll gladly come."
"Good then," Elizabeth smiled, Will nodding silently behind her. "Although I think I may be visiting your closet much more often!"
Rhiannah smiled at the woman's comment, still avoiding his eyes as they desperately sought to look through hers, deeper. "I'll just need a moment to get ready..." she trailed off, finally looking at the man in remorse. "Elizabeth, perhaps you could stay and assist me with this corset."
Will gave her a puzzled look. "Well, it looks fine to me…"
She looked away, shrugging off the remark. "I don't feel the same." He stared at her.
"I'll stay," Elizabeth offered, ushering her lover out as he attempted to assure her. "Whatever makes her more comfortable, William," she hissed in his ear, closing the door as he attempted to protest. "Though honestly, dear, I think he has a point."
"Just a little more snug is all, it probably loosened a bit with all of the walking I've done today," she fibbed.
"If you insist." Elizabeth took the liberty of handling the strings, re-lacing them more tautly than before. "Where did you go with Jack, Rhiannah?"
The woman faltered slightly in answering, the laces tightening to draw the corset rigidly around her. "It was nothing, really…he found someone who was a friend of my father's…a wretched old man, really. I suspect he thought he was being gentlemanly, though," she added positively, giving a reassurance to her friend.
Elizabeth tied the end gently. "I'm glad to see he's making an effort, at the least," she said modestly. "He's been so rank lately, with the rum…more so than usual, I think."
Rhiannah smiled. "All's well," she assured, gathering her things again and preparing to leave. "We'd best find Will now."
------
On the Interceptor
The Interceptor's anchors were thrown overboard ship as it approached the harbor in Tortuga, gliding the ship to an abrupt halt just around the corner of a cliff. "We're to remain out of sight until morning," the Commodore's stern voice announced to the crew. "We'll need full daylight to continue the search."
------
Rhiannah made her way down the streets alongside the couple, casually glancing around at the sites the town offered. It was bustling in the evening, clearly a sailor's town but accompanied with a welcoming feeling as well. Rowdy shouts poured through the doors of taverns and drunken men wandered about, but woven through the crowds were the likes of respectable people such as themselves; people clearly taking advantage of the town's more luxurious offerings over those of alcohol and lewd women.
"There it is!" Elizabeth spotted the building ahead, tugging Will's arm to move in a faster pace as Rhiannah's dress caught the eye of an inebriated sailor, but it was too late.
"Never seen a dress like yers, beauty…looks like me gold, aye!" He grinned madly, revealing a row of missing and chipped teeth and pulled out a handful of coins from his pocket, thrusting them in her direction. "Yeh look like me plunder!" He called back to her wildly, voice droning out over the crowd as he fell over drunkenly.
"That is why you should never drink rum," Elizabeth cursed under her breath continuing forward briskly, occasionally breaking gait into a jog.
"This dress is really not made for running, Elizabeth," Rhiannah gasped behind them, slowing to regain composure. Her arm crossed her stomach protectively as her chest heaved against the tight bind of gown, allowing only shallow gulps of air in at once.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Elizabeth halted to aid her friend.
"Good lord, Elizabeth…loosen the damned thing for her!" Will supported the woman to stand as her vision began to darken and knees weakened.
"Well, not in the middle of the street, Will, who knows what would happen!" She gestured madly around at an uprising brawl behind them. "I don't think—"
"I'm fine…I'm fine," Rhiannah spoke up over her, immediately removing herself from the balance Will offered. "I shouldn't have…I'm fine."
Elizabeth eyed the woman cautiously. "If you think so…we could fix it once inside," she added as they approached their destiny, aptly named The Baron. "You won't be able to eat well in that thing, anyhow."
"I'm fine, really…a little parched, 'tis all." Rhiannah politely smiled back at a gentleman who tipped his hat at her. "I think I'll wait outside for a moment, just for some air…go ahead on in."
Elizabeth looked worriedly at her. "I don't think we should leave you out here alone…Will, stay with her for a moment while I get a table. I'm half starved, or I'd stay as well." She wound through the line politely, making her way into the entrance.
Rhiannah turned from the man's presence, looking back down the street silently.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm quite fine."
"Elizabeth can help you—"
"You don't have to wait for me, Will, perhaps you should go inside with Liz." She continued staring out, avoiding his glance.
"Rhi, I think we should talk—"
"Rhiannah," she corrected sharply. "There's nothing to talk about, because nothing has happened." She turned abruptly, making her way into The Baron.
Will stood silently for a moment, allowing the words to sink in. Although they were the exact he intended to recite to her, receiving them himself stung much deeper than anticipated.
------
The POTC characters aren't mine. Hopefully I'll get a chapter or two more up before the weekend's done. Read & review!