Disclaimer: *snuggles up closer to Sparrow* Wanna do something really fun?
Sparrow: *pries her arms off his neck and breathes* What would that be lass?
*giggles and whispers something in his ear, tensing*
Sparrow: What in the…there's no way I'd resolve meself to that! What are ye, daft?
Authors Note: Okie, this chapter's a bit…more dark. And there is a French line in there in italics…but the English is given later on for it. If you don't know what it is by the end of the chapter…I can tell ye later. Not earth-breakingly amazing. And when I retranslated it back into English…it took a weird form. So if anyone who speaks French could tell me the correct way…well…I would be happy.
Four-Sided Eyes
(a.k.a. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the fangirl)
Chapter 14: Scars of Honor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Jack's POV…)
Poor lad seems to attract all the wrong kinds of girls. Janette was about as beautiful as they come…but could use a small dose of reality. And this girl…at least I could speak to her without the use of an interpreter - truly an advantage when Pierre is the interpreter - but…she needs to have her blindfold taken off.
Now I can understand Pierre's distress at me suggesting that he keep the lass comfortable. How women talked so much…and about such nonsense.
That lad needs to hurry up. Really, how long does it take to walk a woman to her room, lock her in, and make sure everything's secure? Unless that gait of Janette's was not just her being tired but…drunk.
Either way, I really am regretting this situation I put myself in. Watching over this girl - Beatrice I believe her name was - for even a short period of time. She didn't even realize that I had failed to say much of anything during this entire conversation. I suppose she likes to hear herself talk enough that my lack of words doesn't bother her.
Looking over the inn, I was surprised by Pierre's choice. It seemed to be comparatively respectable, but there were more respectable inns in town. They could have been full…or Pierre had been here before. And then maybe he failed to have enough to pay for anything nicer. Or he's stingy…doubtful of that last one.
After discovering more details than I wanted to know about this inn, and waiting what seemed an eternity, Pierre came back down the stairs…but with two cutlasses drawn and pointed at a rather large pirate's back. Who was bearing a few scratches.
Pierre seemed a bit roughed up, but overall was in much better shape than the other pirate. He spared us a glance, and then it was impossible to ignore Beatrice's constant flow of questions.
"Now what is going on? Why does Pierre have…those awful things pointed at that man?"
I turned to look at her as soon as Pierre had stepped outside the inn. "Can't say for sure, lass. I only know that Pierre is a more resourceful cabin boy than I had expected. To know why exactly he's doing as such, you'll have to ask him. He should be back soon."
I nodded after she answered and waited eagerly for the lad to walk back in. He came back alone, and stared at the girl and I for a moment, as if his mind had not fully realized our presence until now.
But soon enough he took my place, and I was glad to get to me own business…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Kendra's POV…)
How can this twaddle be enjoyable conversation? How does this girl do it day in and day out?
Her mindlessness makes my own mind start to go numb…or that could be the large amounts of rum I'm consuming.
Very good point.
Pausing and glancing down at my nearly empty rum, I continued to drown out Beatrice's babble. Really should get some more of this rum…may not be the best quality, but it sure works well to keep my mind off the numerous problems sitting in my way. Or out of sight for the moment. Or asleep upstairs.
I just want to get back to the Dilettante… why do I have go through all this nonsense? Such toleration is uncalled for and unnecessary in a pirate. We can be patient, yes, but not this patient.
Unfortunately, her voice trailed back into hearing range. "…Pierre, really, are you listening to me?"
"Aye, I am." Nodding, I continued to gaze into my mug. "Ye been prattlin' on about fashion and unfathom'ble amounts a' work given to ye, and then…" I put a finger to my chin, looking thoughtfully up at the ceiling. "Oh yes, ye were jabberin' about yer excitement 'bout seein' me. If I may, ye can continue along that tangent. Seems to be the most interestin' to me. And I normally don't even like to 'ear 'bout meself."
Lowering my gaze, I was glad to see that I had frustrated her. Perhaps if she got frustrated enough…she'd leave me in peace.
I can only hope.
"How dare you!" she snapped, and crossed her arms over her chest, which I lazily noted was much larger than mine.
She must have noticed my gaze, and turned a shade darker, starting to get edgy along with angry.
"How old are ye, lass?" I inquired.
"Fourteen," she muttered. "And Father is trying to marry me off already. I know that most girls would dream of it…but I want to do something with my life before I start raising children and become a wife."
A sly grin came onto my face, unbidden of course. "We can only 'ope that you do it in the reverse order."
To this, she blinked in confusion. "Do what in reverse order?"
A chuckle came without permission too. Perhaps I really was getting a bit tipsy… not a good thing here. "If ye 'ere to be a mother, and then a wife…well…" My grin turned suggestive, I'm sure. Though my words could have sunken in too. Nothing else would have gotten that look in her eye in response. "I thought lasses like ye are tryin' ta' stay respect'ble and all."
"Why…I never!" Beatrice stood hastily, and I merely stayed where I was. I doubt she could do much harm to me, let alone would she have the nerve to. Sparrow's type of strumpets were one thing…this girl was quite another. "I fail to see how I ever saw you as respectable!"
I began to examine my fingernails. "I ne'er said I was as such. It was all ye own assumptions. Can only blame yerself, lass. 'Sides, ye should know by now that a lil' bit of rum in a man can make 'im less respect'ble by the sip. If ye don't like these turn of events, then leave."
She clenched her fists and my senses sharpened a bit. I was beginning to wonder if she really would try to apply fists to me. She hadn't seemed the type…but if people are pushed to a certain end, well, you can never tell.
"Well, lass?" I rolled my neck and put my hands behind my head, closing my eyes. "Ye're not me charge, and free to leave whene'er ye please. Good night to ye."
It seemed like ages passed before she finally sniffed haughtily and I listened to her feet patter softly away…only to pause again. She hadn't left. Please don't tell me she's going to come back my way…please no…
"Well, what 'ave we 'ere?"
Raucous laughter broke out, and I dimly heard Beatrice's voice reply, of course with a terrified hint to her tone.
She's on her own. I have no reason to protect her. Really, she'll be fine on her own.
Despite this, something within me prompted me to assist her.
But I can not. To do so would prove myself a gentlemen…and I am a pirate. Her fate does not concern me.
But…
A squeal. Sounds of a small scuffle. A scream cut short. More muttering and laughing from the men.
My nerves were dulled from all the rum…but I couldn't stand by any longer, sitting up and instantly spotting the perpetrators. Surely enough, Beatrice was receiving the beginnings of an assault. And from four men at that.
Don't drunken men have anything better to do? Really… how many girls can you ruffle up before it gets dull?
Beatrice's mouth was covered by a rather large hand, and her horrified eyes darted over to my advancing form, widening now. Unfortunately, the four men saw me at the same time. There went my hopes of catching them off guard.
"Leave 'er be," I growled, gripping both my pistol and cutlass. "Find a strumpet to slake your lust. This girl needs none a' this."
Two continued to work their way up the skirt of her dress, or her bodice, and the other two turned their attentions to me. Both had cutlasses, but fortunately not pistols.
"That so, lad? And why should we do as ye say?" one loomed over me, the stench of day-old rum pungent.
The other occupants of the tavern would not be any assistance, Beatrice was the least of their worries and as long as no blood was spilled, they could care less.
Why do I care?
A momentary look at Beatrice answered this.
Souffrir Inutile.
Enough girls have been forced and I have not prevented it…either by weakness or ignorance. Besides, given a slight twist in the situation…and it could be me getting groped.
After a cursory examination, I saw only one real solution. Especially if I was to get Beatrice out of this situation quickly. And speed was of the essence.
What I would give for Sparrow's help right about now…
Whipping out my cutlass, I slit the closest man's wrist, and he stumbled back, letting out a yell and holding his wound tightly. His companion reacted after a short delay, no doubt due to alcohol. He swung a fist at me, and I darted out of the way. I slashed his thigh, leaving him to stumble back a step…and then advance again.
I tried to back up quickly enough, and only found that a fist came soaring towards me. Needless to say, it impacted my jaw.
Over the midst of screaming - no doubt Beatrice - and the frustrated curses of the men I'd wounded, I lost my footing for a moment, but regained it and tightened my grip on my blade, advancing quickly on the man who had struck me.
My jaw stung, but it was a survivable wound. He hadn't broken it, thank the heavens for that. I ducked low to another fist, and swung my cutlass at the third man, putting a small crimson line on his arm. The first was still cursing and unable to really retaliate, unless he wanted to bleed to death.
At least I had lowered the number by one.
The two circled me, and I did my best to blink away the rum. It was just so hard to make my eyes focus and not slump on the floor and sleep…
Out of nowhere came another fist, and I spit up something, no doubt blood, as it pounded into my gut. My body reacted instinctively and stumbled back, but managed to balance again.
I heard laughing around me, and lashed out. As Pierre or not, I refuse to have my fighting mocked.
I'd killed plenty of men in my days…and I will not lose now. To filthy drunkards no less.
My blade found someone's gut, and slid across it. I focused on nothing else…and regained my dance-like fighting stances.
Or at least, that was how Kenneth and the crew had always said I looked when in a bloodlust…and surely, this was a bloodlust.
How it had come to this…it was probably built up. So many frustrations leave few options for outlets when playing the part of Pierre.
Piracy, pillaging, plundering, all of this had the least effect on me.
But raping had always been a bit more sensitive…
My breathing was rapid and my reactions instinctive. There was no time to think actions through. As long as it was a pirate attacking me, I would strike back…with fist or blade.
After an undeterminable amount of time I was left to stand alone, all of my opponents either keeping their distance or out of commission.
Glancing towards the door, I saw a small form slumped, and cowering. That would be Beatrice.
Blood. I taste blood.
Wiping my hand across my mouth, I sneered at the red smear across my skin. I spit and looked to my cutlass. This too showed the results of my troubles.
I bent next to a still figure and wiped off the blade, sheathing it and slowing my breathing more. One eye stung in particular, and thinking about it, I do believe that it will swell more.
Ice, I'll need ice for that. Can't show myself like this to Janette.
Fluff…
Janette…I'd almost forgotten about her. I really don't need to have another concern.
Scanning over the silent room, I felt my body's exhaustion start to settle in. Definite sign to get out of here. I turned to Beatrice and kept my expression calm.
"Now get lass, I don't need any more trouble from ye."
She whimpered and scampered off, nothing more than a blur of skirts and fuzzy memories.
Ice…need to get some ice.
I looked over the room again and walked over to the bar. "Can I have some ice?"
The man nodded and came back with a dripping bundled up cloth. "Free a' charge, lad. Tis an honorable thing ye did."
I took the cloth and pressed it to my eye, barely able to ignore the sting. "Honorable?"
He nodded, and kept his tone low. "I's seen far too many girls be taken advantage of. You were the first boy to stand up for a lass…mostly it is full-grown men who have the nerve to do anything. And most are too drunk to even swing a sword."
This man thought me honorable…a pirate…honorable?
Smiling softly and nodding, I murmured a reply. "Ye have me thanks."
I headed towards Janette's room, glad that I was given a wide berth.
Walking up the stairs was a challenge, but I would never admit it openly. Janette was snoring softly in her sleep, laying in an unnatural position, no doubt due to the rum.
Keeping a placid expression - it hurt my jaw less- I locked the door behind me and settled down on the chair by the door, determined to at least stay awake until all of the ice was gone.
Souffrir Inutile.
Oh yes…those words had chosen to show themselves without my request…
"Unnecessary suffering…" the words came out again. I tried to smile at the irony of it.
I could have let the scallywags drag her off and not received a scratch…but instead I put myself right in the midst of the frying pan. And I still feel it's burn…
Already my body was starting to stiffen and sting all over.
If I can just stay awake…just stay awake…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PED-sarah: Thanks for the continued support!
bmariezee: Hey! Wow…new fave author? *blushes* Honored, I am. But yeah… pity is the general feeling that will be had for Pierre…at least at this rate. Poor, poor Pierre…
HealerAriel: The secret will come out in time…and yes, Jack can only make things much, much worse…or does he?
Novembergrl: Oh? Similar minds? Must be great minds. *big grin* I look forward to more of your stuff…and how exactly your characters gets rather…unwanted affections pushed at them…those situations always do liven things up.
Keep the reviews coming, everybody! They really do brighten up my day!
