Chapter 4: Rum and Taxes
Jack and Celeste left the pub, Jack carrying all the boxes, Celeste carrying Jack's rum resentfully. Celeste reflected on what she'd done that day and made sure she'd done all that she'd needed to do.
'Let's see...pistol...bullets...swords...hat...clothes...' she'd gone to the tailor shop earlier and gotten them to design her some Jack-like clothes A.S.A.P. They'd be ready by the end of the week. '...knife in the back... Got it all.' They made their way back to the Black Pearl and situated themselves in the dining room; each at either end of the dining table, facing one another.
"Rum, darling?" Jack offered, pouring a glass of rum for himself. He acted as though he'd never even said that remark back at the pub.
"Certainly not. I don't drink." she replied coldly, remembering what he said he was going to do with the rum. Jack shrugged and took a swig of rum. "You know what I really can't stand?" Celeste asked spitefully.
"Wha', love?" Jack asked, not really paying attention.
"When people underestimate me..." Jack stopped in mid-drink, moved the glass from his mouth, and set it down on the table, knowing his mistake, "...and mistakenly misjudge me." She glared spitefully at him.
"Wha' do you mean, darling?" he asked, faking innocence.
"Don't 'darling' me! And you know what I mean, Jack Sparrow!" she heard Jack mumble a 'Captain' under his breath. "'Playing pirate,' am I?" she stood up and slammed her fist into the table. She calmed her voice a little now. "If I am, then duel against me again."
"Oh, darling, I--"
"Come on, what are you afraid of?" Celeste pressed.
"Darling, I didn't mean that." Jack reasoned regretfully. "I just... 'ave a reputation to keep up. You know 'ow it--"
"Oh, and I don't need one at all!" she yelled. "That was very rude of you, Jack Sparrow!" Jack mumbled another 'Captain.' "I'm serious now. Duel."
"It's a waste of our time an' energy, love."
"Scared you'll get beaten by a girl again?" she taunted.
"I let you win las' time." Jack sighed.
"You didn't even know it was me!"
"I wasn' abou' to make a scene with a civilian."
"Jack, you are a selfish man." Celeste stated angrily. "A selfish, ignorant, rude, stupid man!"
"Show some respec' to your captain, aye?" Jack replied calmly. It only made her more angry. Not taking her seriously was a serious mistake.
"Come on, Jack, if you're so great, prove it." Celeste egged.
"Fine." Jack agreed calmly, smiling. "Anything to get me back to me rum."
"On deck in ten minutes." Celeste stated and stormed out.
Ten minutes later, Celeste and Jack met up on deck. The crew was still down in the dining hall eating dinner. Celeste had dressed in the outfit she'd first fought Jack in: brown pants, knee-high boots, and a loose white shirt. She had her two new swords, while Jack had his long sword. Celeste also wore her new red had and tucked her hair into it all except for two long strands in the front. The shining blades of the swords gleamed in the moonlight.
"Why don't you count off this time, Jack?" Celeste suggested bitterly. She stood about five feet from Jack.
"One," Jack counted, feeling slightly foolish, "two--" Celeste swiped at Jack's right arm, Jack barely blocked it. "I didn't say three." he smirked.
"I thought pirates didn't play fair." Celeste stated simply. She swiped with both swords at Jack's waist. He jumped back and swung his sword at her shoulder. She blocked it with both her swords; she leaned back from the force of the strike. She pushed Jack's sword away from her with her swords. She swung overhead with her left sword and then the right and repeated it for at least five more strikes; Jack quickly blocked them. Suddenly, Jack swung overhead at her, she blocked it with one sword, but fell over from the force of it. Jack chuckled softly.
"Wha'd I tell you?" Jack smiled confidently. He had his sword pointed at her neck, inches away. She leaned back on one hand.
"Miss something, Jack?" she asked, a smug smile on her face. He looked down and saw that she had the tip of one of her swords pressed against his lower stomach. His eyes widened for a moment, in surprise.
"Don' want that sword to slip, love." He moved his sword away from her and sheathed it. She sheathed both her swords as well. Jack helped her up.
"Am I still playing pirate?" she asked.
"Well done, love." he congratulated, shrugging it off.
"Yes, I figured." she stated. "Thank you." she laughed and pulled off her hat; her hair fell on her shoulders. The tiny bit of blond in her hair was illuminated by the moonlight. "You meant what you said back at the pub, didn't you?" Celeste asked sincerely. "Just tell me."
"No, darling, I didn't." Jack sighed. "I 'ave a reputation you know."
"The truth." Celeste said, looking him in the eye. How could he lie now? To those eyes?
He sighed and looked away from her. "At the time, maybe."
"I thought so." she sighed. "Well, at least you're not lying to me." Her eyes widened; she'd just remembered something. "What about that 'maybe if she's lucky' crack you made?" she demanded. "The truth, Mr. Sparrow."
Jack looked around nervously. "Er... maybe... at the time."
"And I suppose the excuse for that would just be: 'Pirate.' Right?" she asked. Jack opened his mouth to answer, but she cut him off. "Well, just so you know, it won't work. I don't drink and I have morals." she turned her nose up at him and folded her arms across her stomach stubbornly. "Why would you say something like that?!"
"Er... reputation...?" Jack shrugged. She stepped up to him and slapped him hard across the face. Jack recoiled, grabbing his stinging jaw. She stormed over to the door to the stairs.
"I suppose I deserved that." Jack admitted, rubbing his face.
"Aye, that one you deserved!" she assured. "Do not ever say anything like that about me ever again! Because no matter what you do, Jack, all you can do is dream." she said bitterly as her lip curled and she shot him a spiteful look. Wow, if looks could kill... Poor Jack...
"I-I'm sorry, darling." he told her, as if saying, 'Well, sorry, nothing I can do,' instead.
"I'm sure." she replied sarcastically and bitterly. "Anyway, I'm glad this happened. Do you know what this proves?" Jack shrugged. "We're equal." she stormed through the doorway and slammed the door shut.
"Ouch." Jack muttered, rubbing his jaw, his brow furrowed.
* * *
The next day, Celeste woke up and put on a pretty blue dress. She took Jack's gun from her dresser drawer and headed up on deck.
"Morning, Captain." she greeted, but she didn't sound mad.
"Mornin', love." Jack greeted. "You cheered up fast." He had been leaning up against the mast, looking out at the city, but his eyes were fixed on her.
"I still don't forgive you for that atrocious remark, but... you'll make it up to me. I'll make sure of it"
"Hm." Jack replied thoughtfully. "Anyway, you sure do sleep a bloody long time. I was up nigh three hours ago."
"Here." Celeste tossed him his gun. He caught it.
"Me gun!" Jack exclaimed. "Ah, me gun! I missed you terribly, Genevive!" Celeste raised an eyebrow. "What?" Jack asked, seriously not knowing why she was looking at him like that.
She shook her head. "You're insane."
* * *
A black-haired girl walked cautiously down the street. Her hair was cut in bangs and she wore a purple frilly dress, yet it was fairly old- looking and worn. She thought she heard footsteps behind her and hastened her speed. She looked back but saw no one. She was looking back and continuing to walk forward, not looking where she was going.
SMACK! She ran right into an old white-haired man dressed in a brown suit.
"'ello." he greeted.
"Sir!" she exclaimed. "Wha' a surprise! I were jus' on my way to pay ya."
"Oh? Well then, you can do tha' righ' now." he stated staunchly.
"Oh..." she mumbled nervously. "Yes... O' course." she started to open her purple purse when she looked past the man and down the street. She gasped. "Oh my goodness!" she yelled and pointed past him. He turned around to see why she'd yelled and she took off. She dashed at all speed down the street to the left of her.
"Guards!" the man yelled. "After 'er!" Guards that were stationed nearby immediately ran after her. She sharply turned a corner. There were houses to her left and a gray brick wall to her right which ended at the start of another brick wall running left (north) a ways down.
The guards quickly caught up to her, making a half circle around her. She wasn't even remotely athletic so catching up to her was no challenge to the guards. She ran to the end of the wall; they backed her into a corner and pointed their bayonets at her. The old man pushed his way in and stood in front of her.
"Where d'you think you're goin'?" he asked angrily. "Your rent an' taxes are late."
"Well, a-as ya know..." she stuttered, out of breath, "business is slow as o' late. Ou' o' town folks are my main customers..."
"Go ou' an' get a real job, then!" the old man suggested cruelly.
"This... is all I c'n do." she stuttered. "'s not easy paintin' all day 'n' all nigh'! I-I got talent, I do!"
"A talent for gettin' yourself inta trouble!" the man stated coldly. "You're evicted. Everythin' you 'ad belongs to me in lieu of your rent."
"But-but I was gonna pay ya!" the girl cried.
"Your taxes mus' be paid. So pay me now."
"You cant evic' me, sir!" she pleaded. "I'd've no place ta go!"
"Your problem, not mine." he retorted cruelly. "Now pay me, or it's to th' gallows you'll go!"
"'o-onestly... I lef' the money on th' dock this mornin'! Tha's why I were runnin'. Goin' down to get it, I was!" she explained hesitantly. "If you'd tell these guards ta get away fr'm me, I'll go 'n' get it!" the man thought for a moment.
"Okay, guards, back off a little. But not much!"
"Thank ya." she said and started walking north towards the docks. She looked back hesitantly.
"An' no tricks!" the man commanded. She faked a smile and decided. She held her breath and started running again, headed down the docks.
* * *
"...and so I said, "It's not like he's your brother or anything!'" Celeste explained to Jack who was looking past her and down at something in the city. "Jack? Are you listening to me?"
"Erm, sorry, love... but that's a rather strange sight." He nodded towards the black-haired girl running down the docks. Celeste turned around to see what Jack had nodded to. They both went to the ship's railing to get a better look.
"Don' see that everyday." Jack stated.
"Couldn't be..." Celeste said absently. She ran over to the gangplank and ran down it to the docks. "Angelina!" Celeste called to the girl. She looked over and veered towards Celeste. "Hurry! Get on the ship!" Celeste commanded and Angelina obeyed. She ran up the gangplank and to the railing of the ship, looking over. Celeste stood on the gangplank and blocked entrance to the ship.
"Halt!" Celeste commanded to the guards with her hands firmly planted on her hips. The guards slowed to a stop as they reached the bottom of the gangplank.
"Miss, there is a criminal aboard your ship!" a guard exclaimed. "We must capture her!"
"Angelina?" Celeste asked skeptically, pointing over her shoulder at Angelina with her thumb. "What could she possibly have done?"
"It's not 'er ship, it's my ship." Jack mumbled, still standing high up at the railings.
"You can't get on my ship." Celeste said stubbornly.
"It's my ship!" Jack called down from above; she ignored him.
"But--"
"No one's given you permission to search my ship!" Celeste accused.
"It's my ship!" Jack yelled again.
"According to the Constitution--" Celeste stopped. "Oh, darn, this is the bloody Caribbean! I forget..." the guards stared at her. "I'm an American." she shrugged, smiling.
"We must get that woman!" the guard commanded.
"How much money does she owe?" Celeste sighed.
"Twenty-five shillings."
"That's all?!" Celeste asked, irritated. "You would go this mad over twenty-five shillings?! That's why you wanted to trespass on my ship?!"
"It's my ship!" Jack yelled once more.
"Shut up, Jack!" Celeste ordered. "Now," she began calmly to the guards, "here you go." she pulled twenty-five shillings out of her purse and handed it to the head guard. "You will never treat my friend so rudely over something so bloody stupid ever, aye?" the guards nodded and began to march off. "Wait!" she called. They turned around. "You and... you," she pointed to some good-looking guards in the front, "no, not you, you! Yes, you! Both of you have permission to get on my ship." she smiled. The guards marched off.
As she strode up the gangplank, she heard Jack yelling: "It's my ship, and no you don't!" She got back up on deck and went to Angelina, who was leaning against the railing and still rather out of breath.
"Angelina!" Celeste exclaimed. "How have you been? It's been ages!"
"Not too grea' obviously. I got evicted from my 'ouse." Angelina replied sadly. Celeste gasped.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she cried.
"Thank ya for payin' my taxes anyway. I'll pay ya back as soon as I can." Angelina thanked gratefully.
"Oh, don't worry about it." Celeste told her. "Anything for a good friend such as you."
"Thank ya, mate." Angelina replied. "By the way, who is, er..." she nodded at Jack.
"Oh, right. Jack, come here!" Celeste called. Jack eyed Angelina suspiciously and sauntered over. He looked at Celeste.
"You're an American?" Jack asked.
"Yes." she replied.
"You never tol' me." Jack said.
"You never asked." Celeste stated. "Now, Angelina, this is Jack. Captain Jack Sparrow! Famous pirate who's going to help me get the bounty on Bartholomeu Santara!"
"That's keepin' it quiet." Jack mumbled sarcastically. "Secrecy is your business, love."
"Jack, this is Angelina. A very good friend of mine from ages ago."
"Er, nice to meet you, Cap'n Sparr -- CAPTAIN SPARROW?!" Angelina exclaimed. "I've 'eard tons o' tales 'bout you! Your're amazin'! Incred'bly pleased ta meet ya, sir!"
"Pleasure to meet you too." he replied, surprised at her reaction. He took her hand and kissed it. "I'm very flattered that you've 'eard of me." he told her proudly. "It's good to know that some people know 'ow to show respect." he shot a glare at Celeste. Celeste glared back at him for a moment, but quickly blew him off.
"So, do you want to come with us?" Celeste asked Angelina. "You've got nowhere else to go, and this bounty thing should be fun!" Jack chuckled.
"Darling, darling." he chuckled. "You're new on me ship, I know, so I'll let you off on this. But I am the captain an' you shoul' really ask for me permission first, savvy?"
"Oh, I hate this captain thing." Celeste complained. "Alright then, Captain, let her come?"
"No offense on you, love," he warned Angelina and then looked back at Celeste again, "but... more burden?"
"None taken..." Angelina mumbled sarcastically.
"Oh, come on, Jack!" Celeste cried. "She got evicted from her house! She's got nowhere to live! Don't be so cold!"
"You're enough burden on me, darling." he told Celeste.
"What?!" Celeste protested.
"Come, come, darling..." Jack chuckled. "You can't do anything on this ship."
"I-I can!" she retorted.
"You just stand 'round all day." Jack said.
"I-I just..." Celeste stuttered. "You-you haven't told me to do anything!"
"Aye, you 'ave a right to be 'ere." Jack explained. "Our deal. But..." Celeste glared at him. He didn't mean to rile her, but...
"Fine." she started in a sarcastic voice. "Then we'll just leave poor Angelina here to die and rot!" Angelina looked panicked. "What say you, Captain? Sound fun?"
"Don't talk to me like that, darling." Jack sighed. "I am your superior, so--" With that, Celeste slapped him hard across the face. He staggered back from the force of it.
"Don't you ever say that to me." she stated angrily. "You'll treat me like what I am. Your equal." He clutched his jaw in pain. "Remember that next time you feel like saying something exceptionally stupid. Because I'm not afraid to do that again."
"Apparently." Jack muttered. Celeste turned from him, grabbed Angelina's wrist, and pulled her off the ship.
* * *
Celeste and Angelina went into town and walked into a dress shop.
"Sorry about Jack." Celeste explained. "He's usually very nice and only says stupid things about five times a minute instead of ten."
"Hello." a voice from behind them greeted. They turned around to see a very good looking man in a military uniform. "Have I met you two before?" he asked. "You look awfully familiar."
"No, sir." Celeste said, stepping forward. "I am sure I would remember you."
"And what are your names?" he asked.
"Celeste. Pleasure to meet you." she held out her hand for him to kiss, but he ignored her.
"And you?" he asked Angelina.
"A-Angelina..." she hesitated.
"Ah, enchanted to meet you." he replied and kissed her hand. "I am Lieutenant Williams."
"N-nice ta meet ya..." Angelina stuttered.
"I am having a little masquerade party tonight at my manor. Care to join me?" he asked.
"A party?!" Celeste exclaimed excitedly. "Yes! We'd love to come!"
"Great. Ask any of the guards for directions to my manor and they will give them to you. Around nine o' clock?"
"Yes, sir!" Celeste confirmed.
"Miss Angelina, would you be interested in being my guest?" he asked.
"O-okay..." she hesitated, being very shy around men.
"Oh, and," he looked at Celeste, "bring someone if you like." He walked out.
"Hmph." Celeste snorted, insulted. "But... ooh!" she exclaimed. "I've heard of Lieutenant Williams! Wow..." she paused, suddenly looking distressed. "Oh, no! I've got to find someone to go with!"
The next few hours were spent searching for those two guards that Celeste had taken an interest in earlier that day, to see if they'd heard about the party and if they'd be going. Celeste figured she could work the conversation around to them asking her. Her asking them would not be proper, you know. They'd found both of them, but there was a flaw in both. The first one they found was not interested, and the second was married. Darn. Well, back to the Pearl...
Please review!
Jack and Celeste left the pub, Jack carrying all the boxes, Celeste carrying Jack's rum resentfully. Celeste reflected on what she'd done that day and made sure she'd done all that she'd needed to do.
'Let's see...pistol...bullets...swords...hat...clothes...' she'd gone to the tailor shop earlier and gotten them to design her some Jack-like clothes A.S.A.P. They'd be ready by the end of the week. '...knife in the back... Got it all.' They made their way back to the Black Pearl and situated themselves in the dining room; each at either end of the dining table, facing one another.
"Rum, darling?" Jack offered, pouring a glass of rum for himself. He acted as though he'd never even said that remark back at the pub.
"Certainly not. I don't drink." she replied coldly, remembering what he said he was going to do with the rum. Jack shrugged and took a swig of rum. "You know what I really can't stand?" Celeste asked spitefully.
"Wha', love?" Jack asked, not really paying attention.
"When people underestimate me..." Jack stopped in mid-drink, moved the glass from his mouth, and set it down on the table, knowing his mistake, "...and mistakenly misjudge me." She glared spitefully at him.
"Wha' do you mean, darling?" he asked, faking innocence.
"Don't 'darling' me! And you know what I mean, Jack Sparrow!" she heard Jack mumble a 'Captain' under his breath. "'Playing pirate,' am I?" she stood up and slammed her fist into the table. She calmed her voice a little now. "If I am, then duel against me again."
"Oh, darling, I--"
"Come on, what are you afraid of?" Celeste pressed.
"Darling, I didn't mean that." Jack reasoned regretfully. "I just... 'ave a reputation to keep up. You know 'ow it--"
"Oh, and I don't need one at all!" she yelled. "That was very rude of you, Jack Sparrow!" Jack mumbled another 'Captain.' "I'm serious now. Duel."
"It's a waste of our time an' energy, love."
"Scared you'll get beaten by a girl again?" she taunted.
"I let you win las' time." Jack sighed.
"You didn't even know it was me!"
"I wasn' abou' to make a scene with a civilian."
"Jack, you are a selfish man." Celeste stated angrily. "A selfish, ignorant, rude, stupid man!"
"Show some respec' to your captain, aye?" Jack replied calmly. It only made her more angry. Not taking her seriously was a serious mistake.
"Come on, Jack, if you're so great, prove it." Celeste egged.
"Fine." Jack agreed calmly, smiling. "Anything to get me back to me rum."
"On deck in ten minutes." Celeste stated and stormed out.
Ten minutes later, Celeste and Jack met up on deck. The crew was still down in the dining hall eating dinner. Celeste had dressed in the outfit she'd first fought Jack in: brown pants, knee-high boots, and a loose white shirt. She had her two new swords, while Jack had his long sword. Celeste also wore her new red had and tucked her hair into it all except for two long strands in the front. The shining blades of the swords gleamed in the moonlight.
"Why don't you count off this time, Jack?" Celeste suggested bitterly. She stood about five feet from Jack.
"One," Jack counted, feeling slightly foolish, "two--" Celeste swiped at Jack's right arm, Jack barely blocked it. "I didn't say three." he smirked.
"I thought pirates didn't play fair." Celeste stated simply. She swiped with both swords at Jack's waist. He jumped back and swung his sword at her shoulder. She blocked it with both her swords; she leaned back from the force of the strike. She pushed Jack's sword away from her with her swords. She swung overhead with her left sword and then the right and repeated it for at least five more strikes; Jack quickly blocked them. Suddenly, Jack swung overhead at her, she blocked it with one sword, but fell over from the force of it. Jack chuckled softly.
"Wha'd I tell you?" Jack smiled confidently. He had his sword pointed at her neck, inches away. She leaned back on one hand.
"Miss something, Jack?" she asked, a smug smile on her face. He looked down and saw that she had the tip of one of her swords pressed against his lower stomach. His eyes widened for a moment, in surprise.
"Don' want that sword to slip, love." He moved his sword away from her and sheathed it. She sheathed both her swords as well. Jack helped her up.
"Am I still playing pirate?" she asked.
"Well done, love." he congratulated, shrugging it off.
"Yes, I figured." she stated. "Thank you." she laughed and pulled off her hat; her hair fell on her shoulders. The tiny bit of blond in her hair was illuminated by the moonlight. "You meant what you said back at the pub, didn't you?" Celeste asked sincerely. "Just tell me."
"No, darling, I didn't." Jack sighed. "I 'ave a reputation you know."
"The truth." Celeste said, looking him in the eye. How could he lie now? To those eyes?
He sighed and looked away from her. "At the time, maybe."
"I thought so." she sighed. "Well, at least you're not lying to me." Her eyes widened; she'd just remembered something. "What about that 'maybe if she's lucky' crack you made?" she demanded. "The truth, Mr. Sparrow."
Jack looked around nervously. "Er... maybe... at the time."
"And I suppose the excuse for that would just be: 'Pirate.' Right?" she asked. Jack opened his mouth to answer, but she cut him off. "Well, just so you know, it won't work. I don't drink and I have morals." she turned her nose up at him and folded her arms across her stomach stubbornly. "Why would you say something like that?!"
"Er... reputation...?" Jack shrugged. She stepped up to him and slapped him hard across the face. Jack recoiled, grabbing his stinging jaw. She stormed over to the door to the stairs.
"I suppose I deserved that." Jack admitted, rubbing his face.
"Aye, that one you deserved!" she assured. "Do not ever say anything like that about me ever again! Because no matter what you do, Jack, all you can do is dream." she said bitterly as her lip curled and she shot him a spiteful look. Wow, if looks could kill... Poor Jack...
"I-I'm sorry, darling." he told her, as if saying, 'Well, sorry, nothing I can do,' instead.
"I'm sure." she replied sarcastically and bitterly. "Anyway, I'm glad this happened. Do you know what this proves?" Jack shrugged. "We're equal." she stormed through the doorway and slammed the door shut.
"Ouch." Jack muttered, rubbing his jaw, his brow furrowed.
* * *
The next day, Celeste woke up and put on a pretty blue dress. She took Jack's gun from her dresser drawer and headed up on deck.
"Morning, Captain." she greeted, but she didn't sound mad.
"Mornin', love." Jack greeted. "You cheered up fast." He had been leaning up against the mast, looking out at the city, but his eyes were fixed on her.
"I still don't forgive you for that atrocious remark, but... you'll make it up to me. I'll make sure of it"
"Hm." Jack replied thoughtfully. "Anyway, you sure do sleep a bloody long time. I was up nigh three hours ago."
"Here." Celeste tossed him his gun. He caught it.
"Me gun!" Jack exclaimed. "Ah, me gun! I missed you terribly, Genevive!" Celeste raised an eyebrow. "What?" Jack asked, seriously not knowing why she was looking at him like that.
She shook her head. "You're insane."
* * *
A black-haired girl walked cautiously down the street. Her hair was cut in bangs and she wore a purple frilly dress, yet it was fairly old- looking and worn. She thought she heard footsteps behind her and hastened her speed. She looked back but saw no one. She was looking back and continuing to walk forward, not looking where she was going.
SMACK! She ran right into an old white-haired man dressed in a brown suit.
"'ello." he greeted.
"Sir!" she exclaimed. "Wha' a surprise! I were jus' on my way to pay ya."
"Oh? Well then, you can do tha' righ' now." he stated staunchly.
"Oh..." she mumbled nervously. "Yes... O' course." she started to open her purple purse when she looked past the man and down the street. She gasped. "Oh my goodness!" she yelled and pointed past him. He turned around to see why she'd yelled and she took off. She dashed at all speed down the street to the left of her.
"Guards!" the man yelled. "After 'er!" Guards that were stationed nearby immediately ran after her. She sharply turned a corner. There were houses to her left and a gray brick wall to her right which ended at the start of another brick wall running left (north) a ways down.
The guards quickly caught up to her, making a half circle around her. She wasn't even remotely athletic so catching up to her was no challenge to the guards. She ran to the end of the wall; they backed her into a corner and pointed their bayonets at her. The old man pushed his way in and stood in front of her.
"Where d'you think you're goin'?" he asked angrily. "Your rent an' taxes are late."
"Well, a-as ya know..." she stuttered, out of breath, "business is slow as o' late. Ou' o' town folks are my main customers..."
"Go ou' an' get a real job, then!" the old man suggested cruelly.
"This... is all I c'n do." she stuttered. "'s not easy paintin' all day 'n' all nigh'! I-I got talent, I do!"
"A talent for gettin' yourself inta trouble!" the man stated coldly. "You're evicted. Everythin' you 'ad belongs to me in lieu of your rent."
"But-but I was gonna pay ya!" the girl cried.
"Your taxes mus' be paid. So pay me now."
"You cant evic' me, sir!" she pleaded. "I'd've no place ta go!"
"Your problem, not mine." he retorted cruelly. "Now pay me, or it's to th' gallows you'll go!"
"'o-onestly... I lef' the money on th' dock this mornin'! Tha's why I were runnin'. Goin' down to get it, I was!" she explained hesitantly. "If you'd tell these guards ta get away fr'm me, I'll go 'n' get it!" the man thought for a moment.
"Okay, guards, back off a little. But not much!"
"Thank ya." she said and started walking north towards the docks. She looked back hesitantly.
"An' no tricks!" the man commanded. She faked a smile and decided. She held her breath and started running again, headed down the docks.
* * *
"...and so I said, "It's not like he's your brother or anything!'" Celeste explained to Jack who was looking past her and down at something in the city. "Jack? Are you listening to me?"
"Erm, sorry, love... but that's a rather strange sight." He nodded towards the black-haired girl running down the docks. Celeste turned around to see what Jack had nodded to. They both went to the ship's railing to get a better look.
"Don' see that everyday." Jack stated.
"Couldn't be..." Celeste said absently. She ran over to the gangplank and ran down it to the docks. "Angelina!" Celeste called to the girl. She looked over and veered towards Celeste. "Hurry! Get on the ship!" Celeste commanded and Angelina obeyed. She ran up the gangplank and to the railing of the ship, looking over. Celeste stood on the gangplank and blocked entrance to the ship.
"Halt!" Celeste commanded to the guards with her hands firmly planted on her hips. The guards slowed to a stop as they reached the bottom of the gangplank.
"Miss, there is a criminal aboard your ship!" a guard exclaimed. "We must capture her!"
"Angelina?" Celeste asked skeptically, pointing over her shoulder at Angelina with her thumb. "What could she possibly have done?"
"It's not 'er ship, it's my ship." Jack mumbled, still standing high up at the railings.
"You can't get on my ship." Celeste said stubbornly.
"It's my ship!" Jack called down from above; she ignored him.
"But--"
"No one's given you permission to search my ship!" Celeste accused.
"It's my ship!" Jack yelled again.
"According to the Constitution--" Celeste stopped. "Oh, darn, this is the bloody Caribbean! I forget..." the guards stared at her. "I'm an American." she shrugged, smiling.
"We must get that woman!" the guard commanded.
"How much money does she owe?" Celeste sighed.
"Twenty-five shillings."
"That's all?!" Celeste asked, irritated. "You would go this mad over twenty-five shillings?! That's why you wanted to trespass on my ship?!"
"It's my ship!" Jack yelled once more.
"Shut up, Jack!" Celeste ordered. "Now," she began calmly to the guards, "here you go." she pulled twenty-five shillings out of her purse and handed it to the head guard. "You will never treat my friend so rudely over something so bloody stupid ever, aye?" the guards nodded and began to march off. "Wait!" she called. They turned around. "You and... you," she pointed to some good-looking guards in the front, "no, not you, you! Yes, you! Both of you have permission to get on my ship." she smiled. The guards marched off.
As she strode up the gangplank, she heard Jack yelling: "It's my ship, and no you don't!" She got back up on deck and went to Angelina, who was leaning against the railing and still rather out of breath.
"Angelina!" Celeste exclaimed. "How have you been? It's been ages!"
"Not too grea' obviously. I got evicted from my 'ouse." Angelina replied sadly. Celeste gasped.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she cried.
"Thank ya for payin' my taxes anyway. I'll pay ya back as soon as I can." Angelina thanked gratefully.
"Oh, don't worry about it." Celeste told her. "Anything for a good friend such as you."
"Thank ya, mate." Angelina replied. "By the way, who is, er..." she nodded at Jack.
"Oh, right. Jack, come here!" Celeste called. Jack eyed Angelina suspiciously and sauntered over. He looked at Celeste.
"You're an American?" Jack asked.
"Yes." she replied.
"You never tol' me." Jack said.
"You never asked." Celeste stated. "Now, Angelina, this is Jack. Captain Jack Sparrow! Famous pirate who's going to help me get the bounty on Bartholomeu Santara!"
"That's keepin' it quiet." Jack mumbled sarcastically. "Secrecy is your business, love."
"Jack, this is Angelina. A very good friend of mine from ages ago."
"Er, nice to meet you, Cap'n Sparr -- CAPTAIN SPARROW?!" Angelina exclaimed. "I've 'eard tons o' tales 'bout you! Your're amazin'! Incred'bly pleased ta meet ya, sir!"
"Pleasure to meet you too." he replied, surprised at her reaction. He took her hand and kissed it. "I'm very flattered that you've 'eard of me." he told her proudly. "It's good to know that some people know 'ow to show respect." he shot a glare at Celeste. Celeste glared back at him for a moment, but quickly blew him off.
"So, do you want to come with us?" Celeste asked Angelina. "You've got nowhere else to go, and this bounty thing should be fun!" Jack chuckled.
"Darling, darling." he chuckled. "You're new on me ship, I know, so I'll let you off on this. But I am the captain an' you shoul' really ask for me permission first, savvy?"
"Oh, I hate this captain thing." Celeste complained. "Alright then, Captain, let her come?"
"No offense on you, love," he warned Angelina and then looked back at Celeste again, "but... more burden?"
"None taken..." Angelina mumbled sarcastically.
"Oh, come on, Jack!" Celeste cried. "She got evicted from her house! She's got nowhere to live! Don't be so cold!"
"You're enough burden on me, darling." he told Celeste.
"What?!" Celeste protested.
"Come, come, darling..." Jack chuckled. "You can't do anything on this ship."
"I-I can!" she retorted.
"You just stand 'round all day." Jack said.
"I-I just..." Celeste stuttered. "You-you haven't told me to do anything!"
"Aye, you 'ave a right to be 'ere." Jack explained. "Our deal. But..." Celeste glared at him. He didn't mean to rile her, but...
"Fine." she started in a sarcastic voice. "Then we'll just leave poor Angelina here to die and rot!" Angelina looked panicked. "What say you, Captain? Sound fun?"
"Don't talk to me like that, darling." Jack sighed. "I am your superior, so--" With that, Celeste slapped him hard across the face. He staggered back from the force of it.
"Don't you ever say that to me." she stated angrily. "You'll treat me like what I am. Your equal." He clutched his jaw in pain. "Remember that next time you feel like saying something exceptionally stupid. Because I'm not afraid to do that again."
"Apparently." Jack muttered. Celeste turned from him, grabbed Angelina's wrist, and pulled her off the ship.
* * *
Celeste and Angelina went into town and walked into a dress shop.
"Sorry about Jack." Celeste explained. "He's usually very nice and only says stupid things about five times a minute instead of ten."
"Hello." a voice from behind them greeted. They turned around to see a very good looking man in a military uniform. "Have I met you two before?" he asked. "You look awfully familiar."
"No, sir." Celeste said, stepping forward. "I am sure I would remember you."
"And what are your names?" he asked.
"Celeste. Pleasure to meet you." she held out her hand for him to kiss, but he ignored her.
"And you?" he asked Angelina.
"A-Angelina..." she hesitated.
"Ah, enchanted to meet you." he replied and kissed her hand. "I am Lieutenant Williams."
"N-nice ta meet ya..." Angelina stuttered.
"I am having a little masquerade party tonight at my manor. Care to join me?" he asked.
"A party?!" Celeste exclaimed excitedly. "Yes! We'd love to come!"
"Great. Ask any of the guards for directions to my manor and they will give them to you. Around nine o' clock?"
"Yes, sir!" Celeste confirmed.
"Miss Angelina, would you be interested in being my guest?" he asked.
"O-okay..." she hesitated, being very shy around men.
"Oh, and," he looked at Celeste, "bring someone if you like." He walked out.
"Hmph." Celeste snorted, insulted. "But... ooh!" she exclaimed. "I've heard of Lieutenant Williams! Wow..." she paused, suddenly looking distressed. "Oh, no! I've got to find someone to go with!"
The next few hours were spent searching for those two guards that Celeste had taken an interest in earlier that day, to see if they'd heard about the party and if they'd be going. Celeste figured she could work the conversation around to them asking her. Her asking them would not be proper, you know. They'd found both of them, but there was a flaw in both. The first one they found was not interested, and the second was married. Darn. Well, back to the Pearl...
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