Disclaimer: *whimpers as she is bodily taken under the deck and thrown in the brig, tugging at her tied hands* Man…that's no way to treat a lady…*sees a pair of eyes across the cell and tenses* Who…who are you?
*another authoress peeks out of the shadows and smiles weakly* Someone like you…been down here a week.
*gasps* A whole week? Oh gah…we're gonna definitely have to team up and… *pauses, grinning to herself* Together we can escape…*her eyes flash mischievously*
*a similar glow comes to the other authoresses' eyes* Aye, that we can…
Authors Note: Normally I don't do the same character two pov's in a row…but I found it rather necessary thing this time around…*grins* No hurt me? I am putting these out pretty fast…so I sure hope I don't get any complaints. Well…not for that reason at least… Chapter 22! Amazing…I'm surprised Kendra and Co. have kept me going this long…wowzers…
Four-Sided Eyes
(a.k.a. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the fangirl)
Chapter 22: Squall
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(Janette's POV…)
Something about those clouds is not right…and the wind is getting much harsher than I like it. Then again, anything more than a gentle breeze to cool you is a bit more than I prefer.
The crew was starting to look a bit more anxious, as was the captain and Pierre. What do they know that I do not?
Surely something is the matter…everyone is moving around in such haste. As if…some disaster is impending. Well, the water is getting more choppy…and the wind is still picking up. Pondering this for a moment, a worrisome thought crossed my mind.
Is this the beginning of a storm?
Oh dear…it would make sense.
I've heard a bit of these ocean storms…and I really don't think I want to be here anymore. Not that I can simply disappear and be at home or on dry land. Oh, how I wish that were the case…I really do miss the land. We had visited that port only a week prior, and I was longing for steady ground once more.
I definitely did not miss the other piratical company though. I'd never seen so many prostitutes or drunken men in my entire life… and the thought of seeing it again made my stomach turn. Really, alcohol is truly a vile drink. And to think I had actually touched it…
Suddenly a hand clamped onto my arm and started to pull me along. Looking over quickly, I tensed as it was one of the crew - and not Pierre - who was doing so. He didn't bother to look at me, merely led me to my cabin and pushed me inside, closing the door behind me.
What is all this about? Really…this isn't a precaution for the storm…is it?
I did not have to wait too much longer before Pierre knocked and then entered, seeming slightly disgruntled. He's not going to turn mad again…is he?
"Get comfortable, Mademoiselle, we're going to have a long wait here."
"Long wait for what, Pierre?" I asked softly, hoping to keep his ire with me down. Though I really hadn't bothered him since the mop incident…and that was two days ago.
Pierre plopped most ungracefully onto the chair by my small table, leaning against the wall and staring at the ceiling. He continued to look irritated. "For the storm. Didn't you see it coming?"
"Well…" I tried to smile, but was not too successful, "I had assumed that those were symptoms of an upcoming storm, but I have not lived on the ocean for much longer than I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance."
"Ah," Pierre nodded slightly, his agitation lessening. "It'll be a long wait, Janette. So get cozy. You might even want to sleep. Could be a rough ride."
"Rough ride?" This does not sound pleasant at all…
He dipped his head again. "Aye. The Pearl be a big ship…but she's still susceptible to quite a bit of tossing from a storm. Think about it and ye'll get the picture."
I did. I just was not too fond of the idea, that's all.
Oh…Father, why? Why could we not just stay in France…
Perhaps I could come to understand Pierre now. But…why would I want to? Glancing over at him, he looked unassuming again. Small, young, and…troubled. His shirt had always been in sad shape, but it was becoming more raggedy by the hour, or so it seemed. The stitching on the upper part was quite good, but…why had it been necessary to stitch it up?
"Why are you here Pierre? To keep an eye on me?"
He nodded again. "Aye, and none too pleased. I told Cap'n that simply blocking your door with a board would be enough to ensure that you didn't run outside and hurt yerself…but he'd have none of it. Demanded that I keep ye company." He scoffed to himself and pulled his hat over his face.
At least the captain was looking out for my welfare…I think.
I waited in silence, but as the ship rocked more violently, I found my heart racing and it was difficult to stay calm. This room…it's not safe. Not that I believe any of the ship would be any more safe…but I certainly do not like being here.
Definitely not.
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(Kendra's POV…)
Curse that woman…I'd been stuck watching her. Again. Here we are in a storm…where I could be most helpful, and I'm making sure Fluff doesn't go running amok or go get herself hurt.
Not that I'd mind her getting a bruise or scratch or two.
Of course, this is forgetting that I'd have to be there the entire time as she moaned about how it hurt. I resisted rolling my eyes at the thought of having to translate. I can just see it now…
'I'm in pain, Captain Sparrow…I don't know if I can hold on without you near me…'
A shudder ran down my spine as I could only anticipate Sparrow doing as she asked.
Petty, frivolous woman.
Not even a woman, really.
Scanning her over as she stared at the floor and shivered in fear, I remembered that she was only sixteen.
Sixteen.
Life was much different for me at that age.
No doubt as she was refusing marriage proposals not rich enough for her taste and having men flock to her; I was scouting the Caribbean for ships to pillage and sharpening my skills with a cutlass.
It was only…seven years ago.
Breathing deeply, I smiled a bit at working my way up the ranks on my previous captain's ship. Surrounded by my friends and pseudo-family. They were as much of a family as I'd ever had…or will ever have at this rate.
"What are you thinking?" the sickeningly sweet voice asked.
I lifted my eyes to hers, and she looked away as she saw my scowl. My stewardship would not pick up on me daydreaming. But…I had been careless and allowed her to notice it. And she wasn't being accusatory. Merely curious if I judged her tone correctly.
"Just memories of the past," I said, leaning back and closing my eyes for a moment, crossing my arms over my chest and propping one foot up on the other knee.
She leaned forward a bit on the bed, I could tell that much by the soft creaking of the wood in the bed frame. "Would it be all right for me to know what the memories were? They just made you look so happy…and I haven't seen you happy for some time now. I truly don't wish to impose on you."
Warily I opened my eyes and examined her sincerity. Either this girl could scheme better than I believed, or she'd somehow been calmed by the constant fear of the storm or something…and actually cared enough to be nice. To me of all people.
I know for a fact that I haven't been nice to her.
And it had been intentional spiting half of the time.
"Just thinking about my old friends, that's all."
"Really?" she propped her chin up on her elbows and leaned on her knees, now her intent obvious. Looking closer at her eyes, I was surprised I hadn't seen the building fear she was trying to hide. She was trying to distract herself from the pitch and chaos of the storm outside. Did she want to become my friend? So help me, that will never happen. "What were your friends like? Where are they now?"
"I don't always twist words, Fluff," I closed my eyes. "Good pirates. A few of them are dead, the rest are separated from me."
My words had silenced her. Good. Didn't really feel like discussing the details of their…estrangement.
"Dead?" she whispered. "Can I know how they died?"
I breathed deeply. The less details known, the less gasps from her and unpleasant nightmares to recur for me. When did she gain a stomach for such morbid subjects anyway? Wasn't she the one who always talked about birds, flowers and propriety? Really… I'd translated enough of her conversations to know the basics of her usual subject matter.
"Cap'n Sparrow took me on only a short time before you. My previous ship was ambushed and not everyone was aboard. Those aboard were killed, and the rest were without a ship and we separated. Have to make a living."
"Oh."
I started to get restless. She was bringing back memories I'd rather not think about…and then was actually sounding sympathetic towards me. Hopefully she doesn't try to become empathetic or play my mother figure. A few scratches from my dagger, to keep her back only, wouldn't need to be explained to Sparrow. We can always say she lost her footing during the storm.
The last thing I need is someone trying to mother me.
"Have you ever cried about it, Pierre?"
What in the…?
That was sympathy! I could tell from the very tone of her voice. A solemn sort of sympathy - if there was another kind, I didn't know - but it was totally uncalled for. I was tempted to act violently, but barely resisted. It would give away the truth of that statement. But…how her words stung me…
My eyes eased open and I kept my gaze languid. "Mademoiselle Graton, I am a pirate. You are aboard a pirate vessel. I just told you my most recent misfortune, and you ask if I cried? Really, what do you take me for?" So I settled against the wall again and closed my eyes, keeping an air of nonchalance about me. Can't let her know that she's gotten to me.
"So, you did cry…"
Now, that was overstepping her bounds.
This time, I couldn't stop my eyes from snapping open and my face showing all the discontent I was currently feeling for her.
"What…Pierre? What has unsettled you so?"
Her sudden timidity really didn't impress me all that much…it's like repeatedly poking a venomous snake with a stick and then being surprised when the venom starts to flow through your body.
"My past is my business, and do not automatically assume that just because my crew and life was taken for me that I cried. What do you take me for?"
I must admit my voice was a bit harsh…okay, I was snapping at her. I had sat up and was nearly on my feet, my hand subconsciously clenching my cutlass handle. I had taken off my belt, hoping that I could go out into the storm and prove myself…there would be no need to lose my cutlass if I took a spill on the deck.
Besides, we would be salvaging, not destroying out there.
And why am I still in here and not assisting the crew?
Oh yes, the simpering bit of fluff before me. She needs a caretaker…and that role has fallen to me.
Like it always does.
"W-well, Pierre…" her voice was breaking. Amazing, I'd truly startled her. But then again, her eyes were glued to my hand, the one that was holding my cutlass tightly. "I…I only assumed you were a young boy. And…even if a boy is a pirate or not, grief can overcome even the people with the toughest shells."
"Tough shells?" My eyes flashed dangerously and I stood, still holding onto my cutlass, my mind not fully registering that I was holding it. "Do you think that I am no more than a tough shell with a soft interior? Some kind of weakness?"
"I…I-I only…Pierre, please…I am sorry. I…assumed wrong. I'll be quiet now, I am sorry."
She lowered her head and true to her word, she bit her lip and made not a sound. After a few minutes I calmed a bit and sat down, releasing my cutlass and again assuming my snoozing position. This time I tipped the hat I'd found a bit, keeping the pathetic girl across from me out of my view.
If she was truly perceptive, she would have known that she spoke not to a 'boy', but a woman her superior in age, and hopefully other aspects as well. Though…I doubt the thought of hiding one's sex would ever occur to Janette. It was not that she was entirely simple minded…more… now that I think of it, naïve. And I suppose I'm not much of a woman, not that I usually thought of myself as one anyway. I'm certainly not what Janette considers to be a woman.
A woman to her would be part of proper society, serving tea and crumpets…well, no, she'd serve a French dish I suppose. Crumpets was an English custom…
Great, now I'm confusing the two country's foods.
And to think, all of this agitation over one mere French girl…a bit of nonsensical fluff, more concerned with the condition of her dress than being careful around the pirates of the ship she was aboard. Yes, we had given our word, but the men could still disobey.
"Pierre?"
And there I was beginning to believe that she was actually going to keep her word and keep her trap shut.
"What is it now?" I muttered
"I know that I may have been unkind prying at your past, but I can't stand this silence. Would you let me tell you my past?"
She wants to get cozy with me again…why?
I resisted changing my blank expression. At least the part of my face that she could see, which would consist of everything below my nose.
"As long as I don't have anything else required of me but having to suffer through such frippery."
She was silent for a moment. Then…was she sniffling?
I tipped my hat up a bit and saw that the girl was dissolving into tears. Great…I don't like crying myself, nor do I have the desire to deal with a crying bit of French fluff.
"Janette, really," I forced the words, "I'm just feeling anxious to help outside. I'm under utilized-"
"Then by all means," tears began to slide down her cheeks, "go outside and help. I'm not keeping you here."
I closed my eyes for a moment. "I would, but Cap'n Sparrow thinks it necessary for me to stay here with you during the storm. I tried to reason with him…but he insisted. I'm…you are not the intended recipient of my frustration."
"Then do not bring it on me!" she quipped, her spine and tone hardening. "Go against Captain Sparrow's orders, see what I care!"
"But, Janette, if none of the men follow-"
"I don't care!" she sobbed, and got up in a flurry of skirts, hurrying out the door. The very door I was supposed to keep her from exiting.
Oh no.
There goes my head. And all freedoms I could possibly have hoped for. Here come the chores, and the chase.
After the shock passed, which took no more than a few seconds, I hurried after her, calling out her name. But the howling wind could be heard from even this far inside the cabin, and Janette was nowhere to be found.
Great…
So I began my frantic search for the whirl of skirts and the sobbing girl.
My first greeting from the storm was an earsplitting crash of thunder and flashes of lighting.
Always did have a way of unsettling me…but I can't focus on that. I have to find Janette before she gets herself hurt…or even killed.
Sparrow would never forgive me for that.
But no Janette would mean no competition, wouldn't it?
What? Not this again, I don't have time for nonsense!
But somehow…even the thought of being rid of Janette - which should have pleased me beyond the fact that Sparrow's tortuous translations would end - only worried me more.
She was not someone I desired the company of, but I did not want her death on my head…
I had nearly gotten all the way around the chaotic ship before I spotted her. She was clutching the railing, and the sailors in the nearest vicinity were too busy dealing with the rigging and keeping the ship in one piece.
I hadn't realized how bad this storm was…not until I was in the middle of it. My frame was strong, but a small person such as myself, especially being as light as I am… does not make for a good situation on a rocking, pitching ship with waves crashing on it and lots of wind and lightning and thunder about. I struggled to keep my footing, but made my way to her. She looked to me, and was frightened, obviously, but her fear had doubled when she saw me.
"I won't hurt you!" I yelled, hoping to be heard over the noise all around us. "Please, let me help you!"
She saw my worry and tentatively put out a hand. I took it and leaned forward, keeping myself out of the ripping wind as much as I could. Glancing back at her once more, I nodded and she released the railing, the two of us hurrying back towards the hopeful safety of the cabin.
We were halfway there, and suddenly she must have slipped, and started to slide away. I held tighter to her hand and strained against the elements. My senses began to swim a bit and I took a deeper breath. This is not the time for that blasted drug Sparrow slipped me to resurge again. I could've sworn I got it out of my system by now…
So help me, I would not lose to this storm. Janette and myself would get to safety. I owed that loyalty to Sparrow. And to my honor. I had said she would be safe, and I intended to do just that.
I ended up dragging her the rest of the way, but she didn't complain, at least not that I could hear.
My clothing was sopping wet already, and clinging desperately to me. Which did not help my temperature. No reason to give up yet though, I'd been through worse. What was a bit of cold clothing? Everyone else was soaked too.
The doorway was in reach; I picked up my pace and flashed a smile to Janette. She did not look very relieved, but some of the stress on her face lightened. Trudging onward, and sometimes being forced to sidestep because of the movement of the ship, we continued onward.
Janette really does start to get heavy after a bit…
My vision began to darken…
But that's all the more reason to pull harder.
I breathed deeply, ignoring that half of my intake was rain and my vision was becoming worse by the moment. I gripped her wrist - it had become necessary after the dragging began - and soon reached the cabins. I hung to the railing there and stabilized myself, pulling her to me, helping her to stand and then pushing her ahead of me.
She looked to me. The thought crossed me that somehow she reminded me of a soggy, frightened puppy. One very far from her element… Then her eyes widened more, this time in terror. Not for herself…but for me.
I felt it coming just before it hit, and barely managed to slam the door shut, keeping Janette safe, just as the enormous wall of water collided with me.
It hurt slamming into the wall opposite me, but then I stumbled back a step when it temporarily released me…and heard the ocean roar in some unknown rage…
My feet were no longer on the deck, I don't know how it happened, and then I was dragged back with the wave…towards the stormy sea.
The railing, I have to grab the railing!
My mind reeled, but just as I was to act, I saw Sparrow up at the helm…and our eyes met for a split second.
How powerful he looks up there…stoic and mysterious, holding the helm and keeping us all alive…
The blissful peace of unconsciousness began to surround me…
And then I felt the cold tendrils of the water pull me in…and all I could perceive was the immensity and cold of the ocean…
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Reviewer Time! Yeah!
PED-sarah: Don't expect these fast updates for too much longer…got a bit more written in advance, but after that…well…got to write it. Otherwise, it's all up here. *taps her noggin*
AAR Rocks My Socks: Janette is still going strong…well…simpering and all, but that's her essence, is it not? *blushes* Thanks for thinking that I keep my characters consistent…I am trying to develop them a bit more, but they won't lose their more… endearing traits so easily. I expect this to be the last really speedy update for a bit.
Kittykatt: I think I misspelled your name last time…sorry! Well…to be honest, I speak no French, and my attempts are cringed at. A friend is retranslating, so it will make more sense if you read it and actually look at the French…but yeah, I've heard that cussing in French is fun. And well…Kendra is a bit too passive aggressive right now to suddenly tell Jack: "Hey pal, I'm Captain Ken of the Dilettante, and those jerks were the guys who stole my ship and killed part of my crew. I want to get them back now! Oh, and by the way, I'm a girl who's been hiding as your cabin boy for all this time. *grins* Aren't I malicious and devious?" That's just…not Kendra. Sorry.
Novembergrl: *blushes* Thanks for the compliments…gosh… When will he figure out Kendra's true gender? *glances above* Hmm…seems that my crystal ball o' wonders hints at it being very soon. Getting back the Dilettante? More than likely… otherwise I think Kendra would have my head… And Fluff? Well…she's a bit jumpy right now…understandably. Keep reading and reviewing!
*grins* I love you all! Thanks for the continued support!
