Disclaimer: Sparrow: *pulls out his cutlass and points it at her nose*
Hey now…that's not very nice. *looks warily at the blade* Pointing cutlasses at people is generally considered a threat, or just plain rude.
Sparrow: *grins* Aye, but jumpin' on me back is generally considered rude too.
*blinks* Well…I suppose you have a point…
Authors Note: Wow! Two chapters in two days! Well…don't expect too much of this. I just finally am getting to the bulk of my already written scenes. But editing has to take place and well…the plot has to be refigured on occasion, but be glad I'm getting so proficient! After this I get to…*sighs* read more schoolwork. Yippie… But on the bright side, these are two of the scenes I was really anxious to get out. The first was tweaked quite a bit, but it was a bit er…Mary-Sue like…or was tending towards it. At least now it still fits Kendra…and the other one. *grins* Ah, the mental pictures and the laughter…
Four-Sided Eyes
(a.k.a. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the fangirl)
Chapter 21: Vexation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Kendra's POV…)
Untangling the rigging was a job for only the most patient sailor, if to be done proficiently. It took a keen eye and focus to ensure that the knots were not doubled or tripled by your efforts - it was easy to get distracted and only make them worse. And it's not as if I don't already have enough on my mind…
So, my question is this.
Why am I the one untangling the rigging?
I'd had it with Sparrow and Fluff. Meddling, mangy, cursed Sparrow most of all. Especially when it continually took me away from more important duties so I could translate their 'conversations'. More like flirting, I'd say.
And petty flirting at that.
And why did I have to translate for them? Really…does the dolt not realize that he's done much more harm than help to me? Can he not comprehend that he deserves to be severally punished for ripping away any chance I had at regaining the Dilettante? Well… I can still get her back, it's just going to take a lot more work to do so.
Why did Sparrow have to say so many compliments to her?
It made me want to be her-
Wait just a moment.
Where did that come from? Is that drug still in my system? Really…it's been there long enough. I don't need to be having voices in my head as well as a wobbly gait and strange dreams.
Why would I ever want to be like that dull bit of fluff?
Doe she even have any endearing traits?
Well…she looks the part of a woman. Acts like a spoiled brat, but what can you expect from French upper-class? Has much more hope of gaining a man's eye than I ever will. Not that I need to worry about such a thing. Fate had dealt me this hand… curse it for throwing my lot in with Sparrow, but I can't turn back time.
And she's caught Cap'n Sparrow's eye.
So?
I don't care for that mangy cur. He's only an irritant and a man who gets in the way of my progress.
Why should I care if they were flirting or even lovers or…
They could be madly in love and I wouldn't care! I'm not interested in him, and don't care the least bit!
But…
What was that?
My chest pains me.
Why is my heart clenching up…it couldn't be over that situation, could it?
Oh no. I will have none of this. There is no way I've gotten this far in life as I have and now I'll start simpering after a man…a daft, strange, agitating man at that.
Squiffy. That's what Sparrow is…just a squiffy.
Growling to myself under my breath, I continued to berate the fool in mostly French, sometimes English, releasing more of the pent up frustration that came without end. If only food was like that…
Sighing, I ignored my stomach and looked anxiously towards the galley. If I could but watch him prepare the food…perchance I would have the nerve to eat it. Maybe I'll just eat bits of Janette's food. Sparrow wouldn't be drugging her. That might be safe.
Still, ignoring the pain of my stomach, something else pained me…a longing of sorts. It was entirely ignorable, but if it stayed this persistent…the threat of me slipping and having it show was very possible.
Then…
Am I…?
Is this…?
Was I jealous of a possible relationship between Sparrow and Fluff?
Please not him…of all the mangy pirates in the Spanish Main to ever catch my eye…please not that irritating cur…
I felt my answer…
And regretted asking.
My knees weakened and my longing increased. My emotions began to grow out of control and my eyes were showing the telltale warning signs of tears.
Oh how this hurts…I need to regain control or else…very bad things will happen.
No…
I can't be…
Oh no…
I am jealous. And that means…
Sparrow's caught my eye.
Resolving myself to a sigh, and slowly regaining my composure, I tried to think clearly again. At least the emotions were reined in enough that such a thing was possible.
My days are bound to be even more miserable now. Sparrow and Ms. Fluff have yet to have their necessary daily conversation. This would of course require me, and I would have to listen to Sparrow say kind words to a woman…and I would have to repeat them to…to her.
I long for those words…I realize that now.
They have to pass through me no less.
Why? Is this my own personal curse?
To have what I desire - though this realization will still never become public if I can help it - be within my reach, but constantly slipping right through my fingers? And to top it off, it is a daily session of such agony.
Not that I normally am such a sap…it's just…something is missing. Can't place what, but…
Nevertheless, I can never admit this to Sparrow. He wouldn't know what to make of it. I'm still Pierre, a mere cabin boy to him. I know he finds me amusing, but nothing more. Let alone that I still need to get back at him for ruining my plans for revenge. He didn't know what he was doing…but to be dragged screaming and yelling - slung over his shoulder with my hands bound no less - was still an insult I should never have had to face. The degradation of it all.
And it's all for the best that I stay this way, small, confusing, and insignificant. The instant he knows… I fear all of my controls will be gone.
Besides, Sparrow couldn't have the slightest bit of interest in me. I am nothing more than a scrawny lad, and so help me, I will stay that way in his eyes.
And to top things off…I have to have my emotions go out of shape and start pining for the scallywag!
'Tis better to have love untold than known and become unrequited love, right?
And if this is no more than a petty phase…then no embarrassment will be had from it.
My next course of action?
Ignore and stifle this curse of incomprehensible emotion and keep all vestiges of my weaknesses safely concealed. Simply put on a smile, bear my burdens, and plan for my revenge and re-attainment of my ship, the Dilettante. Not to mention causing Sparrow to suffer as I have. Well, hopefully much more if I can help it.
The Dilettante…
There is the missing piece of my soul…
An aching even deeper than the one that Sparrow's careless touches filled - curse the bilge rat for making me covet them - went through my chest. Oh, how I miss it all…
This is my true pain, my true longing…
How long has it been?
Far, far too long. Her sails and particular groans are growing dim to my memory.
No! I will concentrate all the harder on her memory. If I am truly Captain Ken, then I will only be complete when at the helm of the Dilettante, my crew working about me.
And what of this silly fluttering and clenching of my befuddled heart? I have been without the Dilettante.
More than likely this frame of mind - or disease, I'm beginning to believe - is all the result of my need to be close to something, be it the Dilettante, or…a bleedin' pirate captain.
Not that being a pirate, nor a captain, is an insult, nay, nothing near it.
Considering especially, that I happen to be a pirate as well. Captain, too.
Sparrow, I guess, just happened to be a bit dashing, and was in accessible view. Not to mention resentful, irritating, and quite…well…a messdeck lawyer.
What a relief.
Now I suppose my heart can be at ease. I haven't fallen ill to some strange lovesick disease - a shudder wished to show itself, but I put a stop to that - I've simply become lonely, that's all. No need to fear me gaining another weakness, and a particularly foolish one at that.
A small chuckle escaped me. "And I was actually worried," I mumbled. "What a relief."
"What's that?" a voice which shook me to the core asked.
"Nothin', Cap'n." I returned my concentration to the awful tangle of knots before me.
He came closer - tough to do as he was practically upon me already…oh no, I will not get all warm and fuzzy at that thought! - and nearly breathed his reply in my ear. "Distracted, are ye lad?" His hand went past me and he lightly fingered the rigging. It had worsened under my eye…
"I guess," I lowered my face. "Been thinking of the Dilettante and the crew…"
He set his hands on my shoulders and I had to hold in a gulp. "Tis all right, Pierre. The pain will pass in time. Now, you just keep at your work and try to think of the future, savvy?"
"Savvy," I whispered.
He must have been grinning from his tone. "Didn't hear ye, lad."
So I drew in a deep breath and made my voice confident. "Savvy, Cap'n Sparrow."
"Good lad," he squeezed my shoulders and then let go, my will almost breaking as he walked away.
How I still wanted to follow him…and his warm hands.
Despite all my big words.
Clenching my fists, I made my resolution again.
I will beat this weakness. I am not a victim to a foolish whim. Besides, Sparrow wouldn't be loyal. He's a pirate captain notorious for his womanizing. I do not intend to throw my delicate - and quite demented I'm starting to think - emotions to his mercy.
At least I'm not gaining a fondness for Fluff…thank all that is good in this world for that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Janette's POV…)
It must have been a very cold day for those condemned souls…I had no one to speak to but the infuriating boy Pierre. A common and really quite boring name if you ask me. But…I had come to the decision that if I was to speak to anyone, it must be him. I had hopes in him learning propriety, but now…he's a lost cause. At least he's regained his sanity. Hasn't he?
Pierre was certainly acting like his regular self. And I was glad for that… otherwise I would not have been able to communicate with any of the crew, and eating the same thing for all three meals gets quite tiring. If not for him translating for me, I would have not been able to request a variety in my meals. But then again, him being here made it impossible for me to have an excuse not to talk to Sparrow daily. Oh, how I loathed the time I was forced to spend talking to the pirate.
He was currently employed in a very fitting job, considering how dull his name was. Scrubbing the floor of the boat of my captors. He must have noticed me, but was no doubt following that silly practice of his, trying to ignore a beautiful young woman such as myself. I twirled in my skirts for a moment, and his expression darkened, as he doubled his concentration on his task.
Impudent little boy…
I would have tapped him on the shoulder, but who knows if the boy would draw a knife on me…or that nasty looking blade he wore on his belt. Not to mention his pistol. There were times I swore I still felt that awful thing pressed to my back. I had no doubts in his ability to do awful things with those weapons. Plus, I would have gone against my standards and actually touched the filthy thing. Well…I had let him escort me away from those awful pirates…but that wasn't skin to clothing contact. I had merely slipped my arm inside of the loop he had made with his own, and allowed my clothing to touch his. And the other times, well, it was my only way safely out of the situation. There was nothing more to it.
It was true that even I was less than presentable, at least I was doing my best to be groomed. They seemed to be not even putting forth the least bit of effort.
So, with my loneliness building, and luckily no one else paying attention, I did a very unladylike thing.
I cleared my throat, in the most tasteful manner I might add.
He still refused to look at me.
So I buckled down and did it, again.
This time the boy merited me an agitated glance, but no more.
I waited a moment, and then did the awful thing a third time.
Nothing once again…
How rude! Was I not worthy of his complete and total attention?
But before I could work up my nerve to clear my throat - awful thing that it was - a fourth time, he practically spat out his reply.
"If you keep doing that I might break loose of my controls and turn violent. I do not recommend doing it again."
So, I put on a pout, an expression that had sent many-a-men to their knees begging for my forgiveness, and did my utmost to be noble to the undeserving pond scum.
"Rude words are surely not meant for a kind soul such as I."
A soft chuckle came from his throat.
"Whatever do you find amusing?" I countered.
This time, he paused and looked up at me. But his gaze…it seemed…almost devilish. Was he going to go mad again? Hopefully not… And his voice's amusement did little to soothe my shaking nerves.
"Your kind soul? You've done nothing but be ungrateful and can't even take an honest bit of fun at your expense. You may not use so many words of insult, but your very mannerisms insult us deeply. We may not be the most clean or 'civilized', we may even be what you would consider 'uncultured'. But that still does not give you the right to-"
I had taken quite enough of his crude words and his lies.
"How dare you!" My outburst surprised even me. I had not planned to be quite so loud…but showing my shock would only make me vulnerable. He stayed quiet for a moment, blinking and watching me closely, his soft brown eyes making me get more jumpy. "I have every right to look down on you filthy pirates! You have looted the vessel I was traveling on and have kidnapped me! Not to mention threaten me, toy with my already fragile nerves, and now, you dare to believe that you are in the right? Your kind is despicable."
"Aye," his pupils seemed to darken in some inside joke. "You can call us all sorts of nasty names, but do not forget your enormous amounts of liberties. We feed you well, you have a bed to sleep in…you even have the opportunities to wander the deck and be sure that you will not be molested. Would you rather be locked in the brig, fed one meal a day, or even be the thing which our women-deprived men receive pleasure from? Many other pirates could easily not be so generous, and not a one would feel a bit of guilt or shame. Despicable or not, we be stickin' to every code that pirates live by. Besides, don't noble French women have codes of their own to stick to? What about propriety?"
He rose to his full height, which was far below mine, and crossed his arms, still holding the mop, unaware of how ridiculous he appeared with it. But then again…that posture…the toned muscle in his arms…the strength in his voice, and that look in his eye? It reminded me of the way he had looked at the pirates back at that port… Who would dare to doubt his sincerity?
"What say ye to that?" He asked, looking smug and yet daring me to retaliate again.
The captain appeared out of nowhere, awful man, and he said a few stern sounding words to the boy. Pierre reluctantly turned his gaze to him, replying in a soft spoken voice.
I'd never heard the boy sound so nice…except for the day of my kidnapping, and when he had rescued me from those awful aforementioned pirates. He probably was just trying to keep me soft to him. How cruel of him…
The captain looked to me for a moment, then nodded to the boy, and bowed to me, tipping his hideous hat, wobbling off again. The lad gave me one more malicious smirk, and then returned to his mopping.
What in the world had gone on between them?
"Pierre?" I asked sweetly, hoping desperately that he hadn't been given permission to harm me.
"I don't be allowed to argue with ye anymore, Miss Graton. So please, do not pester me any longer. Good day, Mademoiselle." He nodded his head and turned his back to me.
Not allowed to argue with me anymore? Then…who will I speak to? No one else speaks any French! Well…I heard a few of the pirates try to utter a few words of my beautiful language, but it was all garbled and horribly mispronounced. So I dismissed all their pitiful efforts.
Really, you either speak the language or you don't!
But…how could my captor, captain of this cursed boat, deny me the one conversation I could have. Not that it would be more than an argument…but still! This entire world was so very unfair!
Cursed Captain Sparrow.
With a 'hmph', I turned in a flurry of wilting skirts and went back to my assigned quarters. They were even smaller than those aboard my previous vessel…but at least I had gotten over my sea-sickness from being out to sea so long.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reviewer Section: Hope you enjoyed the continually miffed Kendra and Pierre with the mop! *grins* Just can't get over that visual…*ponders* If anyone's an artist… I'd love to have that in a picture form. And seeing as though my e-mail is up on my bio…*whistles*
PED-sarah: Glad the confusion is gone. Jack is suspecting…but he can't quite figure out what his little enigma is up to. But time does have a way of revealing secrets…
AAR Rocks My Socks: *blinks and looks around* Hook up? Man…he'd have quite a bit of height on her…at least a foot and three inches…if not more. But Kendra and Sparrow having their own fleet…that would be a very scary thing to face. *shrugs* I'll take suggestions, just can't guarantee that they'll be used or not. I read yer story, and left a nice, long review. Hope you enjoy/ed it. *grins* How's this for a fast update?
KawaiiRyu: Glad you could finally get to my new chapter. And Kendra? Oh, she's got a few more tricks up her sleeve…*grins* Pay attention to the flashing eyes…they tell all. Or maybe not…*maniacal laughter*
Kittykat: *slightly befuddled* Well…you reviewed chapter sixteen so you may not read this one yet…but I'm updating again. And uh…hope your mom and sister don't give you too many strange looks. And well…you're not alone in laughing out at random times…*points to self* Guilty as charged. Really freak my roomie out sometimes… headphones on, reading a fic…and the strange laughter comes forth. Unexpected, as usual. *shrugs* Tis life.
SilverButterfly: Maybe a little loco…maybe a little acting…*shrugs* Maybe a mix of the two. Never can tell with them slippery little cabin boys…
