Disclaimer: *lounging in her chair* Yo ho, yo ho a pirate's life for me! *grins* My plan is perfect! Soon…maybe within less than a week…*nod nod* But for now…*face falls* I no own Jack or Will or Elizabeth or Gibbs or Anamaria or *deep breath* Norrington or anyone from "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl"! It's not fair!! *maniacal grin* But soon…things will change. *eyes glint mischievously*
Authors Note: Updated version of the chapter so the review replies are at the end now. Enjoy all! Nothing more to say about this, so…on with the story! Aye, avass! *grins*
Four-Sided Eyes
(a.k.a. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the fangirl)
Chapter 5: French fluff
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(Janette's POV…)
I hate boats.
Positively loathe them.
I had been ecstatic about Father's promotion, within propriety's reason, up until the realization that we would be moving to a Caribbean island hit me.
We would be traveling on a boat. From my beloved France to God-knows-where.
Then consequences: I would be confined to a boat full of disgusting, rude, unwashed sailors with no way to hide away. Unless I stayed in my quarters - I fancied that they would be miserably small and uncivilized - all day. And considering my past experiences with sea-sickness…that was also not preferable.
So here I was…stuck on an enormous floating conglomeration of wood…and had no way to get off. And once we were out to sea, I had no desire to even think about jumping overboard. Not only would my beautiful dress - that I was wearing for that day, all of my dresses were gloriously beautiful - be ruined, but I had never even dreamed of swimming, nor would I ever want to. I can only imagine how hideous I would look if I was to be soaking wet and still fully clothed. Let alone how very immodest I would be…all that soaking material clinging to me…
The thought was quickly forced away. Such thoughts were improper.
I was surely not implying that I wanted to be seen in anything less than proper attire. I was a lady of high standing, though only sixteen years of age, and knew the appropriate decorum. I would not dishonor my father - though at times I am quite sure he is insane - nor my mother's good name by my actions. I will continually do all within my power to be a noble lady. Even if I am to be stuck on a vile, undeveloped Caribbean island.
How fate cursed me.
Letting out a small sigh, I wandered my prison, hoping that the time would pass quickly. All of the sailors were either too shy to talk to me, far to ugly to consider talking to, or too vile and rude. There was no one to converse with but Father…and all he could think about was his new promotion and how grand life was to be in the Caribbean. I found it almost impossible not to roll my eyes - it would have been very unladylike to do so - and forced a small smile, excusing myself as soon as decorum would allow.
Oh how I detested this…
All of this.
The violent wind whipping my hair about me.
The constant stench of the salty ocean air.
The pestering gulls that were near every port…
And especially the lack of fine cuisine.
I know that Father had done his utmost to keep my taste buds well fed during this voyage…but this cook was simply not as skilled as the one that we had left behind. How unfortunate that the man could not have the will to either leave his bothersome wife and child behind, or force them to move against their will.
It wasn't like I wanted to be on this rotting ship.
At least I wasn't wasting gourmet food whenever the sea sickness returned to me. When I saw a particularly rough patch of ocean up ahead I would lock myself in my room. No need to let the sailors and everyone else see me in a most undignified position.
If only something exciting could happen…
Letting out a second sigh I leaned on the railing and stared at the setting sun.
"How I wish that I could be back home…"
Luckily no one heard my single vocal complaint.
For that hour at least.
Hopefully Mother's trip over will not take so long either. She had been forced to stay back, having several events to finish planning and her country to serve. She was a lady in the court and His Majesty had demanded her services for a short time longer than Father could stay. So the majority of our belongings were traveling with Father and myself, and the rest would follow with Mother. How dreadful…poor Mother dearest will have to travel all by herself and be surrounded by filthy sailors such as these.
How could anyone call their occupation a way of life? I suppose it could be a meager existence. They hardly make any income. And such physical labor…
I resisted shuddering at being coated in sweat as they were after particularly hard days.
How anyone could enjoy such a life was beyond my capacity of understanding… which I might add is quite large.
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(Spriggit's POV…)
The solitude of Grenada afternoons was highly overrated. The town was far too busy and I had been trapped in this particular location for far too long. Men such as I are meant to wander and be roaming free about the ocean.
Not trapped on the land in this pathetic excuse for a French colony.
Fear of losing my sea legs was one that I refused to show, but was always on my mind. I had been on the sea long enough that I would regain them soon, but having even the slightest disadvantage in sea-warfare is potentially lethal.
How I longed to be off this wretched island prison. My crew and I had been stranded here for the better part of a month. And though I do enjoy the land's amenities on occasion, that is only for a short time period. A man has got to have the sea in his veins; and mine had been going far too long without.
Despite having lookouts at all ends of the entire island, not one ship had been left unguarded enough for me to make my move. You'd think one captain would be foolish enough, or undermanned enough to give us at least one opportunity…
"Captain Spriggit!" a blessedly familiar voice called out, footsteps hurrying towards me.
Turning slightly, I was glad to see one of my men carrying a telescope and jogging towards me.
"Aye, sailor?"
He stopped a foot or so away, the smile on his face uncontrollable. "Ye know how we've been stuck 'ere for near a month, Captain?"
"Aye," I grumbled, "I already know that, hurry up and tell me what's got you smiling so wide."
He narrowed his eyes momentarily and lowered his voice. "Well, we found our ticket back to the sea…"
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(Kendra's POV…)
I awoke in my cabin, and looked around blearily.
What in the world is going on? Hadn't everyone been killed and the Dilettante been taken from me?
Shaking my head, I put the last of my captain attire on and opened my door, glad to see my crew hard at work and the dawn's early light not so harsh on my eyes. I always did hate the contrast between my quarters and the sunlight outside.
Taking a deep breath, I let the sweet smells of the Caribbean fill my lungs and started towards the helm. Kenneth, beautiful Kenneth, was holding it for me, and I hurried to his side.
"Good morning, Kenneth!" I cheerfully exclaimed.
He had not looked at me yet, perhaps he was absorbed by his thoughts. But his response was unexpected…
"What is it?" he growled, scowling over at me for a moment.
Kenneth was angry at me?
Why?
What had I done?
I was captain…so I slept in a few minutes. What's the problem?
Making a hesitant response, I took a step back to give myself space to dodge or react if things changed drastically. "Is…is something the matter Kenneth?"
His expression darkened again and I glanced over the crew quickly. They all had paused in their work and were also glaring at me.
What in the world was going on? I hadn't deserted them or betrayed them in the least…or had I?
Besides…this can't be real…can it? I'm so sure that I had last been on the Black Pearl and been posing as Pierre for Captain Jack Sparrow…
"You are being a nuisance, Kendra," Kenneth turned to me and gave me a look with such hatred and disgust behind it that my breath stopped short. "All you have done is trouble us. Having a weak woman as Captain has only slowed down our conquests. We are ready to be done with you. Men!" An unnatural light flickered in Kenneth's eyes…and he gazed down into mine.
The very marrow of my bones seemed to melt and I was frozen in place…unable to do the wise thing and take command of my crew…to assert myself and regain my rightful place of Captain of the Dilettante.
His awful words came out all the same…
"Throw 'er overboard, men!" Kenneth's eyes flashed again and his usually expressionless lips curled into an awful sneer…
"No…" It was more of a whisper than anything…and no heed was given.
I was harshly grabbed and still my body refused to respond…we crossed the deck…and then the railing…oh not here…not now…
We were in the middle of the entire ocean…and there was not even a small island for me to have the hopes to swim to and survive a few weeks longer…
It was now that I broke out of my shock and began to thrash and resist…but all the same…the hands let go, and I fell towards the gray depths below me…
Only darkness now…
Darkness…
"Wake up!"
I jerked upright and shuddered, my breath but a wheeze and a strange hand on my shoulder.
"Do ye hear me lad? Are ye all right?"
Numbly, I turned my head and saw a shorter man - still taller than me mind you - beside me. He looked to be the part of the average pirate…a graying scruffy beard following the line of his jawbone. He looked a little on the stockier side…and was dressed in a white shirt that had seen better days, a dull blue vest and looked rather…calming. At least from this standpoint.
"Ye all right, lad?" he asked, his eyebrows waggling a bit.
Nodding a bit, I found my voice. "I…I think so. What happened?"
"That's what I'd like to know," he stepped back, looking suspicious of me…or something. "I heard some screaming, and came down to see what the matter was. Ye was thrashing about in the cot and nearly fell out."
"I…I was screaming and thrashing in my sleep?" I asked quietly.
"Aye," he nodded and turned his head a bit to the side. "Were ye having a nightmare?"
Lowering my gaze, the images of my dream returned to me…"It was the culmination of some of my greatest fears. So, aye, it was a nightmare indeed."
The man watched me for a moment, then nodded. To what, I don't know.
"So, are ye Pierre?"
I dipped my head slightly. "Aye."
"I'm Gibbs."
Forcing a smile, I swung my legs over the side of the cot. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Gibbs. Would it be possible to get something to eat?"
"Of course," he headed towards the door, "right this way lad. Ye got a last name?"
I shook my head. "Nay, I was found floating on the waves at a young age. Got no more to my name than what ye see," I put on my belt, wondering when I had taken it off during the night.
"Aye," Gibbs nodded and led me to the deck, where Captain Jack Sparrow and another man were talking. Well…Captain Jack was talking and a striking yellow and blue parrot sat on the other man's shoulder. The other man wasn't saying a whole lot, but he was more than likely just waiting his turn to reply.
"Now Mr. Cotton-" Jack had started to speak, but his gaze jerked over to Gibbs and I and he smiled broader, cutting himself off. "Ah, there the lad is. Mr. Cotton, this is Pierre. Pierre, Mr. Cotton." Jack leaned closer and spoke a bit softer, his words directed only at me apparently. "He had his tongue cut out, and he trained the parrot to speak for him."
I nodded slowly. The nightmare still wasn't too far from my mind.
"Are you hungry, Pierre?" Jack asked, smiling in his usual intoxicated manner.
That was it, the man seemed to be constantly a little drunk.
"Aye, Cap'n." I nodded. "I'm starving. Where's the galley or should I row back to shore for something to eat?"
Jack sashayed over and patted my shoulder. "So kind of you to offer, lad. We'll just have to bring something back for Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Cotton."
Gibbs didn't look too enthralled by the idea of having to wait for his meal, but we couldn't leave the ship too undermanned. Especially since that could lead to someone taking advantage of the small crew…
A tear threatened to show itself and I instantly forced it back, smiling in a silly manner. "What are we waitin' for, Cap'n?"
"That's the spirit!" Jack laughed to himself and began towards the small boat.
I followed after him. There was no reason to stay and I was awfully hungry.
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Woo hoo! As many reviews as I now have chapters! Sweet! (Not that I don't have scenes written for advance stuff….and trust me, it's good. But…I should try and give individual responses to my reviewers. *sniffles* Since there's only five…. they're a very good group of five…and we may be small in numbers, (equivocal to Kendra being small in stature) but we're strong in might and spirit! *two thumbs up* Before I begin, I now own the soundtrack *starts to drool* I advise getting it, it's mighty inspiring and brings images back to me that I'm sure I would forget otherwise…*blissful sigh* And Captain Spriggit's POV is a little late in coming, but remember that these are not necessarily chronological…Jack's scene 1 will always be before scene 2...but Kendra's scene 1 and Spriggit's scene 2 may not be in the right order.
*blinks* And if that made sense…well…more power to you.
Anyhoo…
Here goes…
Banshee: Ultra tons of thanks! Getting that first review just made my day…I was really getting worried about my story…*sweatdrops* As everyone could tell in my author's notes…*eham*
Yoshiko-Rae: Nifty name! *grins* But thanks a ton for being my second reviewer! *blushes* And you called me 'Cap'n'! *gets all warm and fuzzy inside* Aww…shucks. Don't ye worry yerself matey, plenty more rum and fluff coming…infact. *grins* Look at the chapter title.
KawaiiRyu: I must also say I like the name. Not that Banshee isn't a very good one either…*looks around nervously, then continues* But sorry that things didn't work out how you thought they did…but I hope everything makes sense now. *looks over her reviewers* Since there are four points of view going on, things could easily get confusing. Just look at chapters three and four for example! Four is all about Jack watching 'Pierre' cry…and three is largely having Kendra try to get Jack to stay away from her as she cries…
Alex: (should it be lower case? *shrug*) Thanks for all the compliments. *smiles proudly* I'm glad my work can bring such joy and appreciation to my fans. *nod nod* Thank ye all very much!
the bountyhunter: Just remember…moderation in all things. *blinks* What? *scoffs* Heck no, give me more! But I'm glad you like it, love it and want some more…and guess what? You get more! And there's at least a few more chapter's worth of stuff here…I could maybe even get up into double digits. *gasps with sheer delight* With four view points and all…*giggles* And after this chapter all the characters will be introduced! Thanks again! But…about Will and Elizabeth…if the plot calls for them, they will be included. But I'm not so sure of my ability to play them out properly. I'm using the most awesome example of a Jack Sparrow representation, from "Caribbean Holiday" by Martian Aries (Hope they don't mind…*glances around* I love your work!) to get him right and I got a copy of the script. I really want to keep him in character. But…as far as I can tell, it's very doubtful Will and Elizabeth will be included. I might slip them in sometime, but I can guarantee more humor. Sorry about things being so sad…just had to get past that phase I suppose…
