Hahaha! The temporary bafflement that gripped me proved to be
temporary. The inspiration phantom has struck again, to be exact when I was
taking my dog for a walk. Parenthetically, walking in the rain, juggling
two cadbury's cream eggs and singing the Yo Ho song while an excellent
substitute for shouting eureka gets you a lot of strange looks.
Cast of thousands: Hardly surprising; what are you doing with cream eggs when it isn't even easter?
Me: Who knows? By the way, I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean but if I did, they'd never get it back. Mwahahahaha!
Cast of thousands: Someone take her coffee away.
Me: No! Hey, guess what. I've got over 100 reviews. How did this happen? Why did this happen? Why is the rum gone?
Cast of thousands: You never had any.
Me: That seems unfortunate. Anyway to all reviewers; Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you (Repeat ad infinitum, or until bored, whichever comes sooner.)
************************************************************************
Jack continued to wave at the ship, or rather at the Commodore on the ship, grinning inanely all the while. Will looked around desperately -futilely - for somewhere to hide the pirate. And Elizabeth grabbed Jack's arm and pulled him around to face her.
"Have you completely lost your mind?" She demanded.
Jack rubbed his ear. "No need to shout, luv." He said reproachfully, "I'm standing right next to you."
"Why in the world should you be pleased to see Norrington? In case you've forgotten, he is still obliged to have you killed."
Jack nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, but there is nothing we can do to avoid him in any case. This boat, while very pretty I'm sure, can neither outrun nor outfight that one."
" So we're going to do nothing?" Will asked incredulously.
Jack looked at him. "Does that look like the Dauntless to you?" He asked.
Will frowned. "No."
"So what, I wonder, would our dear Commodore be doing on a small ship, in the middle of nowhere."
Will looked blank. Elizabeth frowned.
"Maybe lookin' for someone who might not want to be found by the Dauntless. Like a certain, dashing pirate captain for instance? Just a thought."
"We can't be sure of that." Elizabeth protested.
"There is very little, Miss Swann," Jack said, swaying wildly, "That we can be sure of. But, since Norrington is almost upon us, my thought is that we might as well see what he wants. If the worst comes to the worst, we can always invite him over for a drink."
Elizabeth and Will turned, to see the unnamed ship pulling alongside them. They stood, close together, sharing a feeling of helplessness. Jack leant on the railing and watched as the man in charge - clearly Commodore Norrington now - moved directly opposite them, followed by two soldiers carrying a plank of wood.
"Permission to come aboard?" He shouted.
"The word you're looking for, mate," Jack said casually. "Is parley"
A look of annoyance fleetingly crossed Norrington's face. "Very well then. Parley."
Jack grinned, stood up straight and bowed theatrically, before ceremoniously stepping aside. Norrington and the two soldiers came aboard.
"Good day Miss Swann, Mr. Turner." Norrington nodded to each of them in turn. He then turned to Jack and looked intently, and pointedly, at him.
"And I do not believe I know you, Mr. .. ?"
Jack smiled slightly. "Captain. Smith."
Norrington all but rolled his eyes. "Smith? Really?"
"I'm rather attached to the name. And it's attached to me apparently." He leaned forward and said, confidentially. "Follows me around"
Norrington took a step backwards. "Very well, Captain Smith. There are matters that I wish to discuss with you, Mr. Turner and Miss Swann."
Will stepped forwards. "Would you care to go below then, Commodore?"
Norrington hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He glanced at the two soldiers who had accompanied him; they immediately came to attention. "Stay where you are." Norrington ordered.
The four of them sat around the table in the main cabin. No-one seemed quite sure where to begin; Jack had found an apple and was eating it with an air of nonchalance that was quite probably designed to infuriate.
Commodore Norrington cleared his throat pointedly, but failed to attract Jack's attention. "Mr. Sparrow .. I mean Mr. Smith."
Jack looked round. His feet were on the table and he was leaning so far back in his chair that it seemed likely, if the boat lurched, he would be sent flying backwards across the room. "Yes?" He said, eyebrows raised.
The other man was studying him carefully in a way that Jack secretly found disconcerting, although he made sure not to show it.
"Are you completely healed?" The Commodore asked abruptly.
"Thought you'd never seen me before?" Jack said head tilted on one side. Norrington continued to stare at him in silence. Jack sighed, "I'm fine, alright."
"Good." Said Norrington seemingly meaning it, to Jack's surprise.
"Now," Jack leaned back still further in his chair, "What is it that someone such as you would be wanting to talk to someone such as me about?"
"The Black Pearl."
Jack's eyes softened for an instant, at the mention of his beloved ship. Then he grinned, showing the Commodore all his gold teeth. "Is it that the Royal Navy is short of good ships? She's not for sale, mate."
"Nor is she in your possession." Norrington stated bluntly.
Jack winced. Waving his hands, seemingly meaninglessly, he said "Purely a temporary problem I assure you."
"Indeed. But it is also the Royal Navy's problem. The Black Pearl sacked the town of St Sebastian's nine days ago. There were only six survivors, the ones who managed to stay hidden. The rest were killed or taken as slaves."
Elizabeth gasped and her hand flew to her mouth. Will was pale, his eyes wide. Norrington ignored both of them, his eyes fixed on Jack.
The pirate, on hearing Norrington's words had closed his eyes. He remained motionless for a minute, breathing deeply. When he opened his eyes, they were entirely blank and expressionless. He said very softly.
"That's interesting."
"Interesting!" Norrington exploded. "There were over one hundred people in that town!"
"And no word or action of mine can bring them back. Doesn' mean I don't care about it. Doesn' mean I do either. But it's interesting because neither Anamaria or Gibbs would do such a thing."
"You're sure?" Will asked.
Jack nodded. He appeared deep in thought.
"It seemed as though they were looking for something. One of the survivors heard them questioning a man, asking where 'it' was. The informant didn't know what they meant by 'it'."
"Do you know who they were questioning?"
"A man by the name of Ferrer."
Jack nodded again, recognition apparent on his face. The other three watched as placed his hands together, almost as if in prayer, and leaned back still further.
"Any descriptions of the man in charge?" he asked Norrington abruptly.
"One. A tall man, with bright red hair and beard. Oh, and a scar on the left side of his face."
Jack's eyes went wide. He leapt to his feet so suddenly that the chair he'd been swinging on hit the floor with a crash. "That bastard!" He swore.
"Mr. Sparrow! Kindly remember that there is a lady present." Norrington exclaimed.
Jack ignored him, "That pig-swill eating bastard stole me ship and kidnapped my entire crew."
"Who did?" Will asked urgently.
Jack, picked up the chair and slumped down on it. "Captain Masters. Probably the most bloodthirsty pirate in the Caribbean. Worse than Barbossa was."
Elizabeth was puzzled. "Why would he want the Black Pearl?"
Jack shrugged, eloquently. "She is the best ship in the Caribbean. And Masters doesn't like me."
Norrington muttered "Who does?"
Elizabeth glared at him then turned back to Jack. "Why not?"
Jack looked at her. His eyes seemed darker than usual. A cold shiver ran up her spine although she didn't know why. "He doesn't like my coat." He said at last.
Elizabeth bit her lip at the obvious evasion, but decided not to press the issue.
"So what do we do?" Will asked.
"We go and get my ship back and make sure Masters gets what's coming to him" Jack said, as though it were obvious.
Will raised his eyebrows. "How?"
Jack grinned. "I know where they're going to be next." He looked at Norrington curiously. "You want to come along for the ride? It would be easier with two ships."
Norrington nodded after a moment. "Very well. But I, and six of my soldiers, will travel with you, to make sure you don't try anything."
"Like what?" Jack asked. Norrington ignored him.
"Now, Mr. Sparrow," He began
"Captain Smith." Jack corrected.
Again, he was ignored by the Commodore. "You will tell me everything you know about this matter."
************************************************************************
There we go, new chapter there. I'm trying to move the action on a bit. Please review it.
By the way, I put up another story in the midst of my bafflement 'Now, Until Then'. Would someone please read and review it? I mean, it wasn't brilliant but I'm kinda fond of it and it's got no reviews.
Cast of thousands: You really know how to sell a story, don't you mate?
Me: I'm hoping people are going to take pity on my pathetic act.
Cast of thousands: Your pathetic act is pitiful.
Cast of thousands: Hardly surprising; what are you doing with cream eggs when it isn't even easter?
Me: Who knows? By the way, I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean but if I did, they'd never get it back. Mwahahahaha!
Cast of thousands: Someone take her coffee away.
Me: No! Hey, guess what. I've got over 100 reviews. How did this happen? Why did this happen? Why is the rum gone?
Cast of thousands: You never had any.
Me: That seems unfortunate. Anyway to all reviewers; Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you (Repeat ad infinitum, or until bored, whichever comes sooner.)
************************************************************************
Jack continued to wave at the ship, or rather at the Commodore on the ship, grinning inanely all the while. Will looked around desperately -futilely - for somewhere to hide the pirate. And Elizabeth grabbed Jack's arm and pulled him around to face her.
"Have you completely lost your mind?" She demanded.
Jack rubbed his ear. "No need to shout, luv." He said reproachfully, "I'm standing right next to you."
"Why in the world should you be pleased to see Norrington? In case you've forgotten, he is still obliged to have you killed."
Jack nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, but there is nothing we can do to avoid him in any case. This boat, while very pretty I'm sure, can neither outrun nor outfight that one."
" So we're going to do nothing?" Will asked incredulously.
Jack looked at him. "Does that look like the Dauntless to you?" He asked.
Will frowned. "No."
"So what, I wonder, would our dear Commodore be doing on a small ship, in the middle of nowhere."
Will looked blank. Elizabeth frowned.
"Maybe lookin' for someone who might not want to be found by the Dauntless. Like a certain, dashing pirate captain for instance? Just a thought."
"We can't be sure of that." Elizabeth protested.
"There is very little, Miss Swann," Jack said, swaying wildly, "That we can be sure of. But, since Norrington is almost upon us, my thought is that we might as well see what he wants. If the worst comes to the worst, we can always invite him over for a drink."
Elizabeth and Will turned, to see the unnamed ship pulling alongside them. They stood, close together, sharing a feeling of helplessness. Jack leant on the railing and watched as the man in charge - clearly Commodore Norrington now - moved directly opposite them, followed by two soldiers carrying a plank of wood.
"Permission to come aboard?" He shouted.
"The word you're looking for, mate," Jack said casually. "Is parley"
A look of annoyance fleetingly crossed Norrington's face. "Very well then. Parley."
Jack grinned, stood up straight and bowed theatrically, before ceremoniously stepping aside. Norrington and the two soldiers came aboard.
"Good day Miss Swann, Mr. Turner." Norrington nodded to each of them in turn. He then turned to Jack and looked intently, and pointedly, at him.
"And I do not believe I know you, Mr. .. ?"
Jack smiled slightly. "Captain. Smith."
Norrington all but rolled his eyes. "Smith? Really?"
"I'm rather attached to the name. And it's attached to me apparently." He leaned forward and said, confidentially. "Follows me around"
Norrington took a step backwards. "Very well, Captain Smith. There are matters that I wish to discuss with you, Mr. Turner and Miss Swann."
Will stepped forwards. "Would you care to go below then, Commodore?"
Norrington hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He glanced at the two soldiers who had accompanied him; they immediately came to attention. "Stay where you are." Norrington ordered.
The four of them sat around the table in the main cabin. No-one seemed quite sure where to begin; Jack had found an apple and was eating it with an air of nonchalance that was quite probably designed to infuriate.
Commodore Norrington cleared his throat pointedly, but failed to attract Jack's attention. "Mr. Sparrow .. I mean Mr. Smith."
Jack looked round. His feet were on the table and he was leaning so far back in his chair that it seemed likely, if the boat lurched, he would be sent flying backwards across the room. "Yes?" He said, eyebrows raised.
The other man was studying him carefully in a way that Jack secretly found disconcerting, although he made sure not to show it.
"Are you completely healed?" The Commodore asked abruptly.
"Thought you'd never seen me before?" Jack said head tilted on one side. Norrington continued to stare at him in silence. Jack sighed, "I'm fine, alright."
"Good." Said Norrington seemingly meaning it, to Jack's surprise.
"Now," Jack leaned back still further in his chair, "What is it that someone such as you would be wanting to talk to someone such as me about?"
"The Black Pearl."
Jack's eyes softened for an instant, at the mention of his beloved ship. Then he grinned, showing the Commodore all his gold teeth. "Is it that the Royal Navy is short of good ships? She's not for sale, mate."
"Nor is she in your possession." Norrington stated bluntly.
Jack winced. Waving his hands, seemingly meaninglessly, he said "Purely a temporary problem I assure you."
"Indeed. But it is also the Royal Navy's problem. The Black Pearl sacked the town of St Sebastian's nine days ago. There were only six survivors, the ones who managed to stay hidden. The rest were killed or taken as slaves."
Elizabeth gasped and her hand flew to her mouth. Will was pale, his eyes wide. Norrington ignored both of them, his eyes fixed on Jack.
The pirate, on hearing Norrington's words had closed his eyes. He remained motionless for a minute, breathing deeply. When he opened his eyes, they were entirely blank and expressionless. He said very softly.
"That's interesting."
"Interesting!" Norrington exploded. "There were over one hundred people in that town!"
"And no word or action of mine can bring them back. Doesn' mean I don't care about it. Doesn' mean I do either. But it's interesting because neither Anamaria or Gibbs would do such a thing."
"You're sure?" Will asked.
Jack nodded. He appeared deep in thought.
"It seemed as though they were looking for something. One of the survivors heard them questioning a man, asking where 'it' was. The informant didn't know what they meant by 'it'."
"Do you know who they were questioning?"
"A man by the name of Ferrer."
Jack nodded again, recognition apparent on his face. The other three watched as placed his hands together, almost as if in prayer, and leaned back still further.
"Any descriptions of the man in charge?" he asked Norrington abruptly.
"One. A tall man, with bright red hair and beard. Oh, and a scar on the left side of his face."
Jack's eyes went wide. He leapt to his feet so suddenly that the chair he'd been swinging on hit the floor with a crash. "That bastard!" He swore.
"Mr. Sparrow! Kindly remember that there is a lady present." Norrington exclaimed.
Jack ignored him, "That pig-swill eating bastard stole me ship and kidnapped my entire crew."
"Who did?" Will asked urgently.
Jack, picked up the chair and slumped down on it. "Captain Masters. Probably the most bloodthirsty pirate in the Caribbean. Worse than Barbossa was."
Elizabeth was puzzled. "Why would he want the Black Pearl?"
Jack shrugged, eloquently. "She is the best ship in the Caribbean. And Masters doesn't like me."
Norrington muttered "Who does?"
Elizabeth glared at him then turned back to Jack. "Why not?"
Jack looked at her. His eyes seemed darker than usual. A cold shiver ran up her spine although she didn't know why. "He doesn't like my coat." He said at last.
Elizabeth bit her lip at the obvious evasion, but decided not to press the issue.
"So what do we do?" Will asked.
"We go and get my ship back and make sure Masters gets what's coming to him" Jack said, as though it were obvious.
Will raised his eyebrows. "How?"
Jack grinned. "I know where they're going to be next." He looked at Norrington curiously. "You want to come along for the ride? It would be easier with two ships."
Norrington nodded after a moment. "Very well. But I, and six of my soldiers, will travel with you, to make sure you don't try anything."
"Like what?" Jack asked. Norrington ignored him.
"Now, Mr. Sparrow," He began
"Captain Smith." Jack corrected.
Again, he was ignored by the Commodore. "You will tell me everything you know about this matter."
************************************************************************
There we go, new chapter there. I'm trying to move the action on a bit. Please review it.
By the way, I put up another story in the midst of my bafflement 'Now, Until Then'. Would someone please read and review it? I mean, it wasn't brilliant but I'm kinda fond of it and it's got no reviews.
Cast of thousands: You really know how to sell a story, don't you mate?
Me: I'm hoping people are going to take pity on my pathetic act.
Cast of thousands: Your pathetic act is pitiful.
