Disclaimer: *closed door with a sign reading: Out for business reasons. P.S. As of yet, no own Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl*
Authors Note: I hope you enjoy! Arr matey's, it's National Speak Like A Pirate Day! September 19th! Yo ho, yo ho! Drink up me 'earties, yo ho! (Or so it was the original day I posted it. *grins*)
Four-Sided Eyes
(a.k.a. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the fangirl)
Chapter 7: Etiquette and Bloodshed
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(Spriggit's POV…)
It was a dark evening.
But a very good one.
My crew and I had finally found a careless captain who had anchored just a short ways off Grenada's port. And the setting was perfect for our ambush. We would be free men within a few hours.
The exhilaration was unbearable.
My men eagerly rowed out in a few boats we'd 'commandeered'.
The ship ahead of us wasn't overly large and seemed like it could be a schooner. The night air was just chilled enough to send small shivers down a man's spine, but not enough to make a jacket necessary attire. One of the most irritating temperatures, or so I believe it to be.
Nearing the ship, my suspicion was confirmed. Our prey and prize was a schooner. It didn't seem to be in too bad of shape either. The captain was lax about guarding the ship, but did care about it's condition.
The Dilettante. Silly name, but it would serve us well.
I'll be a true captain once more…
Battles always did have a way of becoming a blur, but this one wasn't much of a struggle. Only three men on deck.
They wouldn't last very long against my crew.
The man who proclaimed himself to be captain didn't look like a fool…quite a large and imposing man. I assume women would swoon at the sight of him, but be he an attractive man or a hideous one, he would submit and become part of our crew or be thrown overboard.
Grenada wasn't too far away, he could easily survive the swim.
"Face me, coward!" the captain yelled and began a fierce attack on one of my men. Unfortunately, it was my crewman who was most skilled in swordplay…
Soon enough Captain Ken of the Dilettante was subdued, just as a pair of boots was running rather quickly up the stairs…I nodded to another crewman and he hurried over, holding up his sword to no doubt catch the fourth doomed crewmember off guard.
It turned out to be a lean cabin boy, and he was knocked unconscious rather easily.
"Loud enough to wake the dead," my crewman chuckled, stepping over the limp cabin boy and going down the stairs to check for any others.
With that threat taken care of, I strode over to the kneeling Captain Ken. His hands were tied behind his back and two men were restraining him. Even now, unarmed, he fought his fate.
I guess that rules out making him part of the crew. No doubt he'd feel that his pride was too 'insulted' to lower his rank.
"So, the famous Captain Ken…" I let the words slide off my tongue and smirked at my prisoner.
"What do ye want?" Captain Ken growled.
It sounded like he was in pain. That could be attributed to the gash at the side of his head, along with the numerous slashes on his arms.
He was beaten yet he still struggled…this captain amused me and I allowed myself to laugh. I'd heard of this illustrious Captain, and did not find myself impressed. I had been curious to sort out the numerous rumors, but not enough to take my effort to do it. Here the opportunity was, dropped at my feet.
"I've waited for this moment for a long time…and now that it's here, I find meself rather disappointed in ye. 'Brave and fierce', hmph! Tis a pity to see such a legend deflated… throw 'em overboard boys, and make sure 'e won't wake up ever again." I let out another deep rumble, and my crewmembers joined in.
I turned my back to the man, and started towards the helm. The other two crewmembers, both dead, were tossed overboard and now it was Captain Ken's turn.
He was dragged about halfway across the distance to the railing, before he put up another fight.
Foolish man.
"Ye'll suffer for this! I won't go down without a fight!"
I waved my hand behind me and my men drew their cutlasses.
Turning slightly, I saw that the indignant captain had stolen a cutlass from one of my men and was now facing off against two of my crew. Doing rather well…at least for a short time.
It felt wasteful to spend so much effort on one man. I was glad to watch my first mate come from behind the man and cut his head off. The annoyance had finally been dealt with.
Easy enough prey. At least my men had gotten some kind of amusement for the evening. They continued to laugh to themselves.
Glancing over at the stairs to the galley, I spotted the limp cabin boy.
"Drag that one off the deck," I gestured to the boy, "don't want his body to block the stairs. Now some of you get moving and check to see what stores we'll need to get to reach our next stop. The rest of you check the condition of the ship."
My crew hurried to the tasks, one picking up the boy and slinging him over his shoulder. It almost saddened me to see such a young lad killed. He just ended up being on the wrong ship.
My gain, his loss. Such was the world.
Walking up to the helm, I ran my hands slowly over it and let my smile grow.
At last…we were back at sea. Soon, at least by dawn we would be ready to get revenge for all of the wrongs done to us.
The Dilettante. I'd heard of it before… The usual gossip. My crew had heard conflicting stories about the sex of the captain and if there was witchcraft involved or just mistaken identity.
One story told of the captain being a small woman, slight in build, but very fiery. Formidable with a cutlass. But then there were also tales of a the man fitting the description of the self-proclaimed captain.
So I guess the puzzle was solved. The man probably just let his woman impersonate him, or something just as stupid.
Really, the mindless banter was quite irritating.
But either way, the Dilettante was mine and I intended to make the best of this opportunity.
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(Janette's POV…)
Day in, day out, the same monotonous routine.
Oh, how I tire of it.
I get up in the morning, bathe with a dish of water - how primitive - and then dress. After that ritual, I go outside and go to the 'galley' - strange name for a miniscule dining area -, eat breakfast, wander the deck, ignore the sailors, eat lunch, and then do much of the same before dinner. If only there was someone to talk to…my number of naps has been steadily increasing. As has my progress on the cross-stitch Mother insisted I take with me.
At least I had that to do with my hands while bored out of my mind on this floating prison.
Staring out at the endless ocean, I found my mind wandering. And the majority of the time, it would wander in the direction of the many books I'd read. Not that I was bookish or a shrew mind you.
Father had refused plenty of proposals to me. I of course had not agreed to any of the men previously either. They weren't worthy of my hand. I was a proper lady, and was waiting for the man with the right elevation in status. Of course it was helpful if he was attractive…and splendidly romantic.
But seeing as though none of the middle-aged men who asked my father for my hand fit all of those attributes, it was only proper that I snuff them as well.
Oh, the trials and tribulations I endure.
But those books continually came back to my mind. Exhilarating tales of capture and rescue, brigands and heroes. How I wished that a man could come and sweep me off my feet…
Not that I needed one, but it just would have been nice. And considering that all hope of me marrying above or even near my status was dying with this relocation, I thoroughly looked forward to my knight in shining armor.
He would have blond hair, that much I know.
And…blue or green eyes. Maybe a very pretty hazel.
He'd be tan…and oh-so-deliciously muscular…
I felt a blush grow on my cheek and I stopped that train of thought immediately.
This is no time to start having improper thoughts!
Glancing back at the sailors milling about and doing their various tasks, I remembered my location and reaffirmed the vulnerability of a woman who had her mind in the clouds. I was to be firmly based in reality. No more of this wandering mind…
Letting out a sigh, I felt a ping of desire to be someone who could have an adventure… but that was a far-fetched notion, and there was no need for me to feel that way.
I was a lady, Father would have a high position and I would be able to pick from the hopefully large selection of suitable noblemen.
I need to get off this boat…I'm losing my conversationalist skills if nothing else. I swear that I go days without speaking. A nod and a smile were all that was necessary as far as Father was concerned; he could babble to himself for hours, perhaps days on end, and not even notice that his audience was either bored out of their mind, had fallen asleep, or even was absent.
I gave up and slumped over on the railing, sighing heavily and keeping a dismal gaze out on the ocean.
The sun was beginning to set, and I smiled softly at the beautiful assemblage of colors that was arrayed before me.
This was perhaps the only thing that brightened my day. It was far too dark and gloomy in the morning, then it got too hot in the afternoon, but early to late evening… things were calm and the colors from the sunset were amazing. I could have watched them all day.
I think I want to learn how to paint.
Yes, that would be a good talent.
Then I could recall images such as this and bring it to life on canvas.
Another sigh escaped and I lowered my face.
I really am losing my mind…
A painter?
I am a lady. Respectable ladies throw parties and sew and ensure the public good. We do not paint or do anything outlandish.
But the desire to paint was still there…
Standing tall, I reaffirmed my resolve to keep my respectability. Even if all of the sailors around me were putrid, indecent, and unworthy of my attention, I would be a kind lady and give them their due respect.
It wasn't much that was due to them, but I would give them what they deserved.
But what exactly was that?
Sighing again, I felt my resolve melting again.
I need Mother…when around her I feel capable and know that all will be well. Father isn't horrible, just overly ambitious.
I am sixteen years old…and I still need my Mother.
What kind of a lady am I?
Obviously a very sad one.
Breathing deeply I started back for my cabin, and again made the resolution to be a lady.
The sailors had learned to stop trying to make conversation with me, thank goodness, and the trip was silent.
Reaching my cabin, I closed the door tightly behind me and sat at my desk, pulling out my etiquette book and lightly running my fingers along the print on the cover. "How to be a proper lady".
Sighing happily, I smiled and began the first chapter for the fifth time this week. Mother had done more for me than she knew. This book was my only connection to my future. And the people of my station, aside from Father that is. But even Father knew nothing of proper manners and how a lady should act. With this book and the tutelage of my Mother dearest…I would be ready to join high society in no time.
Though I fear there will be no high society where we are headed.
Oh dear…
Well, Mother and I will have to begin the high society. The community will be eternally grateful, I'm sure of it.
Nodding to myself, I delved deeper into the advice and guidelines listed in the blessed book before me.
You will never now how much service this book does for me Mother…
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My previous author's note:
*gasps in sheer delight* I got a review from one of my idols!! *almost swoons, then gains control and grins* Doomo arigato gozasi-*blinks* Whoops…Uh…thank you thank you thank you! I love you! I love Winn! *huggles rythmteck* Ah the sheer bliss! The joy! *lets rythmteck go* Er…sorry…I just…*blush* Anyhoo…keep reviewing everyone! Tell your friends, your neighbors, the good people who love PotC! Please!! The more reviews I get, the better I do! (Or so I'd like to believe.) I'm not meaning to delay the plot, I just have to get these other pov's in…otherwise things will be even more out of order than before…perhaps after I finish it I'll change the order and put more of Spriggit and Janette in the beginning…but until then…
