Disclaimer: *the two non-owning-potc-authoresses sneak into Sparrow's cabin and raid his rum supply, hiding it under the floorboards…giggling under their breath all the while…*
Authors Note: Here goes, the ridge is under us…the ride is about to get quick and kinda scary, surprising, whatever you'd like to call it. Yep…here go guys, the beginning of the end…or…*blinks* Were we already to that point? Either way, if you guys want to check out Kendra's future adventures I advise reading "Caught by the Past" by rythmteck, but…that's a sequel, so you'd have to read her story "Inconvenient" before it. *sighs* Would be a shame to be introduced to such a wonderful fic…tsk, tsk. But yeah, half of the time I'm writing Kendra's bit in CbtP…which me and rythmteck (Sarah) are co-writing. You should check it out. Way different format…but definitely awesome stuff. Just incase you had an urge to read another one…or two, or three…
Four-Sided Eyes
(a.k.a. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the fangirl)
Chapter 30: Enter Claudine
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Janette's POV…)
"Wake up Janette, time to get started."
What's going on? Blinking slowly, I sat up and saw Pierre…no…Kendra standing in the doorway.
"Time to start what?" I asked drowsily.
Kendra sighed and closed the door behind her. "Time to get me dressed."
I looked at her in confusion. She was already dressed. In men's apparel…but she was by no means naked. And she had been hard pressed to put on a dress previously. "Dressed? But you are already dressed."
She rolled her eyes. "Fine. I guess I have to tell you the plan or else you'll never understand it." Walking over to the bed and sitting beside me, she looked to the ceiling. "You remember that merchant we overtook a few days past?"
"Yes. It was awful."
It had been. So much clamor and those two poor men the pirates took as prisoners…
Kendra rolled her eyes. "Well, we told them to sail to Port Royal, after taking two of the crew hostage. And we're quite sure they followed our orders. It's the closest port and will likely give them aid. But Sparrow sent off a message for the commodore with them. To seek your ransom. Sparrow seems certain that the commodore will comply."
Ransom? But that would mean…
"But Father isn't heading to Port Royal…I…if I am to be released, I wish to be released to Father."
The pirate captain in disguise sighed and laid down on the bed, closing her eyes. "You're getting off the ship. That should make you happy enough. But here comes the part I'm not particularly fond of. I'm to go with you. And pretend to be your simperin' lil' maid."
"But…I haven't had a maid since I was ten-"
Kendra cut me off, growling. "Aye, but the Brits don't know that. And Sparrow's determined to have his plan work. If you were to be dropped off alone, things would be assumed that are…incorrect."
"What things?" What is she talking about? What difference does it make if I had a maid or not?
Opening her eyes, Kendra watched me for a moment, then returned her gaze to the ceiling. "You really are naïve, Fluff. Sparrow assumes he won't get half as much ransom if you're…per say…tampered with."
Tampered with? But…that would mean that… My cheeks flushed and I put a hand to my mouth. "Oh my…"
"Aye. But if you've got me as your maid, the Brits will probably think you're still a virgin and all. Which you are…right, Fluff?"
I nodded. This is all so unreal…I can go back to civilized society today? And… Kendra will be going with me?
"Are…are you going to stay with me?"
Kendra smirked and stood. "For a bit. I'll help you get settled in and probably slip away in the night. Sparrow thinks I'll be coming back to his ship, but I'm planning to head to Tortuga to find my crew. I'll do what it takes to get my ship back. And Sparrow has…lost his usefulness."
"You've been using Captain Sparrow all this time?"
Such a twist of fate would have been humorous had the situation not been so strange.
She shrugged and helped me to my feet. "In a way. Though this whole business has turned to be out to be more trouble than it's worth. And since I'll be slipping away, I put my things in with yours."
I nodded again and numbly helped her change into the dress, putting her hair up again. This time she protested far less, and did her best to help me with it. After finishing that, there was a knock on the door and Kendra answered it. A crew member and she exchanged a few words, then she closed the door again. Stuffing her clothes into the one trunk in my room and hiding her weaponry under the pile, she picked it up.
"Time to go, Janette. You ready?"
"I suppose."
Following Kendra out onto deck felt unreal. This whole situation still felt like a dream. Having been on the Black Pearl for so long, I'd grown accustomed to it. The sounds, smells - though I wouldn't mind getting away from some of the odors - and sights. The crew seemed hard at work, and Sparrow and a few of the other pirates stood by one of the railings. And…we were still in the middle of the ocean. What is all this about? They wouldn't be dropping us into the ocean, would they?
Kendra hustled me over, then stopped beside the railing. Taking one more step forward, I spotted the small longboat and tensed. We would be going out in that? I couldn't possibly row that…and…was this my death?
Captain Sparrow grinned at me and gestured to the boat. I stepped back and shook my head. He then looked to Kendra and they spoke for a moment. Kendra smiled and took my hand.
"Come on, Mademoiselle Graton. Nothing to worry about. The Brits will be here to pick us up soon. And if nothing else, I can row us to whatever spit of land is closest."
Nodding slowly, I allowed her to lead me into the small boat. I noticed a trunk of mine, besides the one that Kendra had added her belongings to. Two trunks in total.
The longboat was uncomfortable and creaky, but having Kendra there kept my nerves soothed. To a point.
The Black Pearl disappeared into the distance and my tension increased tenfold. I may not have enjoyed the pirates' company but at least there was food, shelter and all of the other basic necessities of life.
"Calm yourself, Janette. It'll be a wait."
I looked over at her and almost laughed. She was in a most unladylike position, leaning against the boat's wall, her legs stretched out on the bench, and her arms crossed over her chest. The poor girl…woman…really did look awkward in the dress. It's no wonder that she used the façade that she did.
Time slowly dragged on and the silence bore down on me. An eerie fog settled over us and the situation only became more uncomfortable and unnerving.
"Stay calm, I can't judge when we'll be picked up."
My hands were shaking by now and I crossed my arms, for a lack of anything else to do with them. "The British…will they…what will they do to us?"
Kendra shrugged. "Likely take us on and treats us like helpless damsels. You can play up the part as best you wish, but I'm going to go for…" she paused and thought for a moment. "I suppose as your maid it would be reasonable that I only spoke French as well." She looked over and smiled, no doubt in an effort to keep me calm. "How about we make our plan of attack? If nothing else, it'll keep your mind off things."
We would have to fight? I'm feeling more and more unsure of this plan by the moment. "I…I guess that would be all right. Though I do not wish to fight, nor do I think I would be of much assistance in such an instance."
"A manner of speech, lass." Kendra swung her feet around and rested her elbows on her knees, propping up her chin and smiling. "All right, so the British come. It'll no doubt be unnerving with the large ship they'll use. They'll call down to us, somehow get us onboard, and try to find out what they can. Likely, only a few will speak French. The higher ranking officers and such." Her grin had transformed into a smirk, and there was a mischievous air about her.
"So what do we do after that?"
"Well, it will depend largely on the Brits. Before I go any further, we'll have to decide on a name for me. Kendra is practically impossible to say in French…"
I could give Kendra a name? How wonderful!
"Oh! There are so many possibilities! Antoinette, Gabrielle, Geneviève, Josette, Isabelle-"
Kendra snapped. "No!"
"But…why not? They are such pretty names."
"Aye, it may be pretty for you, but I'll never be caught dead responding to 'Geneviève'."
I frowned. "You are no fun…"
She sighed. "It'll be Claudine."
"If you insist," I whispered. She is so strange…not taking such beautiful names.
Kendra's ploy to calm me was working a little, but I was still quite uneasy.
With a nod she continued, "All right, so I'm the maid Claudine…I guess I could've been found at sea before you. By the pirates. Lost my memory and such. And they stuck us together, seeing as how we're both women. I took to being your maid, and that's that." Biting her lip, she examined our surroundings. "You'd think the Brits would be here soon. If nothing else, they'd like the chance to attack an unaware Sparrow."
Attack? They could… "W-would they attack us?"
"Nay," Kendra laughed. "We're two defenseless lasses, right? The Brits will be courteous to the end. If it's skirts."
"Skirts?" What is she talking about? Was that a reference to the female sex?
"Oh, sorry," Kendra almost ran a hand through her hair, then stopped herself. "A term for women. Too used to people knowing what I'm talking about. If you want, you could take a nap. I'd keep an eye out and tell you if something happens."
A nap? But…could I really sleep in such a situation?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Kendra's POV…)
Finally she nodded off. Sighing and stretching out on the bench, I kept my eyes open for anything even remotely boat-like. This fog was not the least bit pleasant and it was doing little to improve my mood. Wearing this dress was not overly uncomfortable, just…strange. I'm sure I look odd in it, as I did before. If the Brits don't come soon, I'll start rowing in the direction that Sparrow pointed out. So what if Sparrow doesn't get his ransom money? He does still have the two prisoners from the merchant ship. His way of ensuring that the Brits pay the ransom. If nothing else, he can find a way to ransom them off. Besides, I want to be on something more stable than this longboat.
Slowly, as my eyes went out of focus from staring too long, a large shape began to drift towards us. I perked up and lightly shook Janette.
"Wake up, this could be the Brits."
"Really?" Janette sat up and rubbed her eyes softly. No doubt trying to wake herself.
"Aye, Mademoiselle. Took them long enough."
Janette dusted off her dress and went through the usual practices of feminine primping. Not like I was going to bother with it.
"Ahoy there!" a call went out. In English. Best not to respond…at least in English. Not if I was going to play this particular part.
Smirking, I gave a loud reply. "L'anglais!" If anyone on the ship spoke French… they're bound to respond.
Janette went wide eyed. "So, they are the English?"
I nodded and waited for someone on the ship to respond. Please…come on now… I know at least one of you would have understood that…
The ship only got closer and closer, and once it was nearly clear I spotted a wigged officer standing at the railing.
Now he spoke French. And I'm glad to hear it. Translating for Janette constantly tends to get annoying.
"Are you all right?"
I nudged Janette and grumbled at her. "Go ahead. You're the spokesman now."
Fumbling for a moment, Janette straightened herself and finally replied. "Now that you are here, yes."
The man nodded and set out orders for a rope ladder to brought down. Soon enough we were aboard the British vessel, the Dauntless, and the commodore - the supposed officer who had spoken to us first - had escorted us to his office. Janette was quite bewildered by all this, but knowing exactly what the sailors and the commodore were saying to each other truly helped to keep me informed. Am I glad to be bilingual. Our two trunks were also hauled up and the ransom money left in the longboat for Sparrow to collect it.
After being fully settled in for our ride back to Port Royal, the interrogation began.
"I am Commodore Norrington. I apologize for you having to endure such an awful ordeal."
"Your apologies are gratefully accepted," Janette smiled demurely.
Here, the girl is in her element. I'm glad at least one of us is.
She continued. "I am Janette Graton, and this is Geneviève." I tensed.
She did not just call me…oh no…she did. And now I have to follow that name or falsify our story. Great.
"I'm ever so grateful to see that you are both in good health. Geneviève, how did you come to be on the Black Pearl?"
I looked up at the man, and thankfully my surprise was mistaken as fear of some sort, no doubt memories I had supposedly experienced while aboard the Pearl.
Janette set her hand on mine. "A few days before I was captured, the poor girl was found floating on some wreckage. She's lost her memory. But I took her under my care and have called her Geneviève ever since."
Norrington nodded. "My apologies to you, Mademoiselle Geneviève."
I nodded. "Thank you, Commodore."
If nothing else…she will get a very stern lecture about breaking plans made previously…
Of all the names to pick…it had to be Geneviève.
The conversation continued onto less amusing paths, and just before I could no longer sit there demurely we had reached Port Royal. Thank all that is good for that.
And there, sitting by the docks was something I had so desperately missed.
The Dilettante.
I stared blatantly, and Norrington commented on how the pirate ship had been captured by his troops…and the pirates were in the prison, to be hung after their trials.
Spriggit…is caught…and I…can simply sail to Tortuga and pick up my crew… and…
My luck is finally turning around.
Being so preoccupied with my plans and having never ridden in a carriage before, I found myself at Janette's mercy. I can only hope she's kind…
Janette smiled as I looked quite uncomfortable sitting next to her and across from a man who I had realized was one of my many mortal enemies. A pirate hunter. His opinion of piracy and all that went with it was enough to confirm that. Especially since he was a British soldier, Commodore or not. And the Dilettante is sitting there…just out of my reach.
And now I have to watch what I say to Janette, because the good commodore happens to speak French. If I do slip up, I can either blame my memory loss or flee for dear life. Though…I'd have to sneak back to Janette to retrieve my cutlass, pistol and clothing. This could be bad…
The commodore had us brought to his home, a fashionable two story dwelling built within the last twenty years or so. It seemed in good condition, and was glad to see that a fall from the second story would more than likely not kill me. I just can hope I won't have to test out that theory…
I just want to get to the Dilettante…It would be wiser to wait till nightfall, but it's been so long…
As we sat in his common room, living room, or whatever you'd call it, silence had settled over us and as I began to slip back into my planning and scheming, an unbidden sound came forth.
The grumbling of my stomach. I instinctively put a hand to it and smiled weakly. Have to remember to speak only French…only French…
"It seems my hunger has caught up with me."
Janette nodded. "It would seem so."
Commodore Norrington only smiled and stood. "I believe dinner is in order. If you would follow me…"
So once again, I followed Janette who walked along merrily behind Norrington. I can't wait until this ordeal is over…Just until tonight…by tonight I can have things back as they should be. The Dilettante…my crew…
We were seated in the dining room and a few servants brought out steaming dishes…that smelled…simply delectable.
I was about to dig into my food, but Janette set her hand on mine.
"Now remember, Geneviève, you need to eat with grace if you are to become a graceful lady."
I could have killed her, then and there. No questions asked.
But knowing that such an act would not go over well with the commodore, I merely smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Mademoiselle Graton."
"You are truly welcome," she smiled and took her hand off mine.
And so dinner went. Me, focusing on not looking like a buffoon in front of the two far more dignified members of society, Janette, chatting leisurely with the commodore, and Commodore Norrington? He returned the conversation and did his best to include me.
I think I used every technique I knew of to stop conversation or to divert the subject. Unfortunately, he seemed far more skilled in the art of conversation.
"…I am pleased that you were not harmed by Mr. Sparrow's crew."
I nodded, really wishing to disappear into the shadows. "I was in no danger actually, it was Janette who needed to be worried about."
Oh no….did I…oh no… Curse my wandering mind.
To my slip of the tongue Norrington seemed intrigued. Or at least caught off guard.
Janette looked to me, forcing a bit of a smile. "Come now, Geneviève, what are you talking about?"
"Well," I looked to my plate, finding it far too easy to put on a passive expression, "I am surely no uncommon beauty. The pirates were not interested in…" I forced a blush, "certain things from me."
Thankfully Norrington left me alone after that, though he seemed suspicious. All the better that I leave tonight. I don't need to have the commodore keeping a close eye on me. This is all besides the fact that my ship is waiting out there for me… Finally dinner ended - I did enjoy the food, despite the conversation being, to put it lightly, unpleasant - and Janette and I were led to a bedroom on the second floor.
Great…I'd have to scale a wall. Not too bad though. I've done it before, I can do it again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reviewer section! Wow…just…wow. 18 reviewers…though some are people catching up, but hey, the more the merrier! You guys all rock! And…this is like 1 and ½ pages of review replies….even wierder…
dagzer: Well, here's your answer to the ransom bit. Poor Norrington, paying for two ransoms, even though he's really only getting one…though those poor merchants too. Hmm….
Phedre: Whew…much easier. Thanks for your review, and don't worry about not doing every single one. Whenever you can in awesome. But here's your new chappie!
novembergrl: Hope your computer gets better soon…and just review whenever you can. But yep, glad you liked the tension. I was sorta aiming for that…
Dark Cobweb: *accepts the rum and adds to her pile* Mission accepted. Here's your new chapter! And yep…Jack just takes what he can. (Give nothin' back!) Sorry… couldn't resist. *sniggers* Two in a row! Anyhoo…thanks for the continued support! And her name will come in time…
PED-sarah: Well, I think Kendra's wanted her ship the whole time…but yes, poor Kendra. She'll get him back though, don't you worry. *malicious grin*
MiseryLovesCompany: Yep, Kendra sure does enjoy the montage: "you get one advantage, and I get two, so ha!" If that made sense…good. But yeah…dresses are… er… interesting. When not forced, I will not wear dresses. Pants…I like pants…
Anaknusan: Here you go! And I'm glad to hear that people like Spriggit. He's an interesting guy, that's for sure. And well…I guess Norrington won't really get to see Jack… but he sure will feel his influence.
Cat Eyes1: Don't count on Will and Elizabeth. This stop will likely prove to be… quite short. And I get help with keeping Jack right. He is a tough guy to pin down sometimes. And I'm glad you liked the humor. One day Kendra in a dress pops into my head…and viola! Scene…*snigger*
Elsinore: You're not here yet…but…Thanks for all the compliments! *blushes* And I'm glad you think Spriggit is human. He seemed hollow to me at first, but after thinking about it, I think I have a feel for him. If only a slight one… And Kendra, eloquent? She'd be proud. *grins and cheers because of receiving the Elsinore seal of approval on fighting accuracy* Glad you so highly approve of the chapter you helped me with. Pink elephants, eh?
TheSiriusSparrow: My clone! I am…so looking forward to him. *grins* And yeah, Jack will find out in time…just you wait and see. *winks* Thanks for stickin' with me!
HealerAriel: Well, Kendra wasn't sure what to make of the ice cream, but after tasting it…*sniffle* she wouldn't share. But she accepts your apology, has forgotten it ever happened even. Yeah, but fickle Jack…
Curiosity Inc: Heya! Glad to have another follower! I mean…reviewer! But no problem, I don't mind over-used synonyms. Really boost my ego, they do. *grins* Glad to have ye aboard!
rythmteck: Yep…mean ol' Jack…can't blame him all the time though. She has been a thorn in his side…not to say that it doesn't go both ways…
sapphireskies: Second new reviewer! That must've been some caffeine…I mean, me? Deity? Now that's a new one…though…*grins* I don't think that's too bad of an idea… Thanks for reviewing!
Kristin: Heya Kristin! Wow…I'm glad you're enjoying my lil' dabblings! And you found it from my Xanga site, right? That's nutso…didn't even think anybody but Marian read it…Hmm…either way, keep it up! You read and review, I'll write 'em! Oh, and thanks for reading my self-insertion too.
BlueTrinity: Ahoy there! You're from rythmteck's list of reviewers, ain't ye? *squints, then grins* Yep! Wow…glad you came and read me lil' dabblings. Though…you should sleep, and…go to class. I don't want to be the cause of failing grades…so…I'm glad you're caught up and won't have to do that again…
Clover the Sea-Beast: You're under 5'3" as well? Weird! Cause I'm 5'3"… though yes…I don't think Jack has been crueler…and I'll get back to him about that sea-beast/sea-demon business…thanks for the review! Love the support!
black rose in winter: Hey! My fourth new reviewer…wow…if I keep this up… *starts to go into a daze then snaps out of it* You like my self-insertion? Wow…*blush* But, I can say that I certainly don't know what it's like to be doing French homework and reading about who I assume to be Captain Jack Sparrow…because well…my language of study is actually…Japanese. Go figure, huh? I um…slaughter whatever French I try to pronounce. I have an awesome friend, Ursula, who tolerates my endless demands and helps me with my French. (Or the lack thereof.)
RadioActiveSocks: You've got the best timing I've seen…I was just about to post, and viola! A new review. (Though ff.net chose not to put it up….so I have to post it again.) Hey! And a new reader. Plus, you came over cause rythmteck advised. That makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside…*blinks* Or that could be the cyber cookie I microwaved to bring out all the gooey goodness…*shrugs* Either way, great stuff! Man…I sure seem to have the ability to make my stories hard to put down… And I was glad to read your story. It's interesting to see what reviewers write themselves. Kendra's glad to have another admirer…though she's not particularly fond of being "adored"…she'd prefer…revered, feared, that and much more. Man…this is a long response, but I like doing it, so there. But I'm glad you caught onto the lie thing…I always like having little idiosyncrasies like that. She doesn't really lie, she just bends the truth is all. But…thanks for the cookie, keep reading, and here's your next chapter, enjoy!
By now you scallywags all know the drill. *grins* Just one little click and a few finger wiggles on the keys…all resulting in a much happier authoress…
