Disclaimer: I don't own it dammit! I wish I did, you wish you did, but we
don't! *sob*
Slightly Hazy
Chapter Two: Reunion
"Oi!" A voice cuts into your previously peaceful slumber. " Ya'd best be wakin' up lassie 'afore the Cap'n decides ta continue on."
"Bloody hell." You mumble as you sit up and grab your boots. " Too bloody early. How far are we?"
" We can see the port clearly now."
You immediately run up onto the deck, narrowly missing a few sailors looking for breakfast, and look to the east. You smile as you see the telltale outline of Port Royal. It's been two years since you'd last seen Jacque. You wonder idly for a moment what she's been up to. No doubt drooling over Will Turner. You smile to yourself, thinking about all you have to catch up on and wondering what she'll think of what you've become.
"Port Royal ahead!" The Captain shouts. "All hands ready to dock!"
You turn to climb the mast before you realize that you're not expected to do anything, for once, and that this is the first time that you have no worries about sailing into a British port. You look up and casually observe the men tying up the sails mentally wincing as you watch them handle the sails. Stupid merchants, wouldn't know how to properly tie a sail, let alone do it quickly.
Turning away, you look off into the ocean, watching its serene reflection of the noon sun.
"Remind me why we have to wear these confounded dresses?" Elizabeth asks in an exasperated voice as she steps into her third petticoat.
"Why in the world would I know?" Jacque replies, thanking the stars that she wasn't forced to wear such constricting and heavy clothing.
"But you don't have to wear this." Elizabeth whines as she begins to unbutton the dress lying across the dressing screen.
"Yes," Jacque answers with laughter in her voice. "And you know if it was up to me I'd never make you wear that, but, you know as well as I that I was banned from all of your clothing choices." Yes, it was very interesting, to say the least, to see the Governor's reaction to Jacque's hand-sewn shorts and tank top.
"Come on Elizabeth," Jacque says as she pulls a fully dressed Elizabeth from behind the screen and drags her down the staircase. "You're going to be late for 'tea' with the soon-to-be Commodore Norrington."
Elizabeth, finding that Jacque dragged her to the carriage waiting in the drive, reluctantly steps into the carriage.
"What I want to know," she says with imploring eyes. " Is what has gotten you so excited today, Jacqueline."
Jacque looks up at her with mischief dancing in her eyes. "I need a favor, Elizabeth. Cover for me, I'll be out tonight."
Elizabeth, looking slightly shocked but extremely curious, nods. "I expect an explanation later Jacqueline, I want to know who he is."
Jacque smiles and signals to the driver before starting her way toward town. It's only noon, she thinks to herself before she decides that she has time to make a visit.
(A/N: I was sooo tempted to end the ch here, 'cause, as you'll find out, I love givin' you guys cliffhangers, but I decided that that was waay too short and I want to reach a certain part by the end of this ch.)
Jacque made her way down the crowded street without much commotion. Everyone in that district had become so used to seeing her there that the controversy in her presence had faded. Stopping at a heavily weathered oak door, she simply pushes it open, not bothering to knock. She steps inside and quietly closes the door behind her, shutting out the only pure sunlight that entered the room. Listening to the rhythmic pounding in the background, she removes the top layer of her yellow dress, revealing a light skirt and a plain crème top. She swiftly exchanges her matching shoes for some sensible black boots left under the table for that purpose. Carefully folding her clothes, she looks around the dust-filled, musky room, her eyes settling on a pounding shadow flickering on the wall. Not wanting to disturb his work, Jacque picks up the sword lying under the table as well.
Unsheathing it, Jacque fondly inspects the sword. It had been given to her as a gift for her 18th birthday, custom made to fit her hand and yet still be long enough to match a man's sword. About six months ago, she had begun to truly resent the life of a lady and yearned to do something fun, something athletic. Unlike the Governor, Jacque did not consider croquet a sport. One day, she and Elizabeth had come on one of their rare visits to see Will. They had arrived while he was in the middle of practicing his technique. He was so absorbed in his task that he had failed to notice the two girls. After tearing her eyes away from his damp shirt and gorgeously focused eyes, Jacque realized that swordplay would fill her longing. Two days after their visit, Jacque returned to the forge to beg Will to teach her the basics of swordplay. Will, whose only constant previous company was his inebriated master, quickly caved in to her pleas. Jacque had thus snuck to the blacksmith's shop as much as she could without allowing Elizabeth or Governor Swann to notice over the last six months.
Jacque, noticing that the steady sound of metal shaping metal stopped, turns to see a rather exhausted-looking Will Turner exit the forge, a stunning sword resting in his hand. Acknowledging her with a nod, Will quickly collapses in a chair while Jacque rolls her eyes and grabs a glass of water.
"You pulled another all-nighter." She states. Will nods as he gulps down the water.
"Just give me a minute," He says in between gulps. " I'll be up and ready to practice shortly."
Glaring at him, Jacque picks up her sword. " Oh no, you need to rest. I don't want you to pass out from exhaustion because of me. Can't you just vocally instruct me today?"
Will nods, motioning for her to begin warming up. " I thought that you said that you wouldn't make it today. Weren't you going to have tea with Captain Norrington?"
"No," She replies as she begins to parry with invisible enemies. " Elizabeth is having tea with Norrington. I." She pauses for a moment, before deciding to tell him an edited version of the truth. " I am going to meet an old friend tonight, but I thought I had enough time to practice for a little bit."
"An old friend?" Will asks, wincing as he watches Jacque's technique becoming steadily sloppier. This would never do, he thinks to himself as he grabs a sword of his own and walks over to Jacque, who is now struggling to complete her exercises properly.
" Jacque stop." He instructs as he stands in front of her. " Block my moves."
Jacque nods before taking a defensive stance with both her hands clasped on the handle with the sword straight in front of her. Will's first two swings were met, but when Jacque meets his third his sword quickly overpowers her own as Jacque finds the broad side of the Blade resting on her right shoulder.
"You need to defend your right shoulder with more power, as it is extremely vital in a swordfight. Your block should look like this." Will gently instructs as he demonstrates for Jacque.
Jacque, trying to duplicate Will's form, lets out a frustrated sigh as she fails to do so. Will, sensing her frustration and recognizing the problem easily, comes up behind Jacque and grips her hand holding the sword. Jacque stiffens, feeling Will's warm chest pressed against her back, but allows Will to guide her arm, showing her the proper movement.
"See, this motion allows your arm to steady the sword and provide support from behind." Will says quietly. Unable to speck, Jacque merely nods, as Will slowly releases her hand and steps back.
Turning around, Jacque smiles brightly, demonstrating the technique perfectly before looking back up at Will, who smiles softly.
"Perfect, Jac-" Will turns sharply as a loud clatter fills the shop. The tin pail that had been placed beside Mr. Brown's foot had fallen over, a sure sign that the man would wake up soon. Quickly, Jacque changes her shoes and slips into her dress, struggling to button it up. Seeing her struggle, Will goes to help her, only to find that his attempt to button only slowed Jacque down. Taking her sword and boots instead, he places them back under he table and turns to Jacque, who is now fixing her ebony curls, pinning them back into place.
"I'll see you within the next two weeks." Jacque says as she walks out the door.
Will nods, and can't ignore the sinking feeling that's penetrating his gut, telling him that something is going to go horribly wrong between now and then. Writing it off as a combination of hunger and exhaustion, Will heads towards the stairs, hoping that he can get some hard-earned sleep.
You grin to yourself as you watch a figure approach the dock from your hideout in the shadows. You easily recognize Jacque's bouncy curls as she takes off her shoes and socks and dips her feet in the water. Keeping your eyes focused on the blood-red sunset, you walk next to her and sit down as well. Hearing Jacque call your name, you turn to her with perhaps the biggest smile you've ever made plastered on your face.
"Jacque!" You exclaim as you get a good look at her for the first time in over two years. In her yellow summer dress with her hair elegantly pinned up, sitting with perfect posture, you see what a lady she's become, although, if the missing shoes, absence of petticoats, and visible calluses on her hands are any indication, she's still retained some of her stubborn, tomboyish attitude. Looking up at her face, you find that she is staring blatantly at the cutlass and pistol hanging from a sash on your right hip.
"Jac," You laugh. "Listen, I've rented a room at the local tavern. There we'll be able to talk for a few hours without having to worry about getting arrested. I'll even introduce you to one of my new best friends."
"Who is that?" Jacque asks, standing up and following you off the dock.
"Why, rum of course." You reply, with a laugh.
A/N: Ok, so this isn't where I wanted it to be, but there isn't an ounce of inspiration left in my body. So I'm ending it here, but at least I'm updating before the 15th like I said. In case you didn't guess, I know nothing about swords. Next time we'll actually enter the plot. Yes! We'll finally get to see Jack!! I'll try to have this up by next Saturday.
Please Review!
*pyrite*
Slightly Hazy
Chapter Two: Reunion
"Oi!" A voice cuts into your previously peaceful slumber. " Ya'd best be wakin' up lassie 'afore the Cap'n decides ta continue on."
"Bloody hell." You mumble as you sit up and grab your boots. " Too bloody early. How far are we?"
" We can see the port clearly now."
You immediately run up onto the deck, narrowly missing a few sailors looking for breakfast, and look to the east. You smile as you see the telltale outline of Port Royal. It's been two years since you'd last seen Jacque. You wonder idly for a moment what she's been up to. No doubt drooling over Will Turner. You smile to yourself, thinking about all you have to catch up on and wondering what she'll think of what you've become.
"Port Royal ahead!" The Captain shouts. "All hands ready to dock!"
You turn to climb the mast before you realize that you're not expected to do anything, for once, and that this is the first time that you have no worries about sailing into a British port. You look up and casually observe the men tying up the sails mentally wincing as you watch them handle the sails. Stupid merchants, wouldn't know how to properly tie a sail, let alone do it quickly.
Turning away, you look off into the ocean, watching its serene reflection of the noon sun.
"Remind me why we have to wear these confounded dresses?" Elizabeth asks in an exasperated voice as she steps into her third petticoat.
"Why in the world would I know?" Jacque replies, thanking the stars that she wasn't forced to wear such constricting and heavy clothing.
"But you don't have to wear this." Elizabeth whines as she begins to unbutton the dress lying across the dressing screen.
"Yes," Jacque answers with laughter in her voice. "And you know if it was up to me I'd never make you wear that, but, you know as well as I that I was banned from all of your clothing choices." Yes, it was very interesting, to say the least, to see the Governor's reaction to Jacque's hand-sewn shorts and tank top.
"Come on Elizabeth," Jacque says as she pulls a fully dressed Elizabeth from behind the screen and drags her down the staircase. "You're going to be late for 'tea' with the soon-to-be Commodore Norrington."
Elizabeth, finding that Jacque dragged her to the carriage waiting in the drive, reluctantly steps into the carriage.
"What I want to know," she says with imploring eyes. " Is what has gotten you so excited today, Jacqueline."
Jacque looks up at her with mischief dancing in her eyes. "I need a favor, Elizabeth. Cover for me, I'll be out tonight."
Elizabeth, looking slightly shocked but extremely curious, nods. "I expect an explanation later Jacqueline, I want to know who he is."
Jacque smiles and signals to the driver before starting her way toward town. It's only noon, she thinks to herself before she decides that she has time to make a visit.
(A/N: I was sooo tempted to end the ch here, 'cause, as you'll find out, I love givin' you guys cliffhangers, but I decided that that was waay too short and I want to reach a certain part by the end of this ch.)
Jacque made her way down the crowded street without much commotion. Everyone in that district had become so used to seeing her there that the controversy in her presence had faded. Stopping at a heavily weathered oak door, she simply pushes it open, not bothering to knock. She steps inside and quietly closes the door behind her, shutting out the only pure sunlight that entered the room. Listening to the rhythmic pounding in the background, she removes the top layer of her yellow dress, revealing a light skirt and a plain crème top. She swiftly exchanges her matching shoes for some sensible black boots left under the table for that purpose. Carefully folding her clothes, she looks around the dust-filled, musky room, her eyes settling on a pounding shadow flickering on the wall. Not wanting to disturb his work, Jacque picks up the sword lying under the table as well.
Unsheathing it, Jacque fondly inspects the sword. It had been given to her as a gift for her 18th birthday, custom made to fit her hand and yet still be long enough to match a man's sword. About six months ago, she had begun to truly resent the life of a lady and yearned to do something fun, something athletic. Unlike the Governor, Jacque did not consider croquet a sport. One day, she and Elizabeth had come on one of their rare visits to see Will. They had arrived while he was in the middle of practicing his technique. He was so absorbed in his task that he had failed to notice the two girls. After tearing her eyes away from his damp shirt and gorgeously focused eyes, Jacque realized that swordplay would fill her longing. Two days after their visit, Jacque returned to the forge to beg Will to teach her the basics of swordplay. Will, whose only constant previous company was his inebriated master, quickly caved in to her pleas. Jacque had thus snuck to the blacksmith's shop as much as she could without allowing Elizabeth or Governor Swann to notice over the last six months.
Jacque, noticing that the steady sound of metal shaping metal stopped, turns to see a rather exhausted-looking Will Turner exit the forge, a stunning sword resting in his hand. Acknowledging her with a nod, Will quickly collapses in a chair while Jacque rolls her eyes and grabs a glass of water.
"You pulled another all-nighter." She states. Will nods as he gulps down the water.
"Just give me a minute," He says in between gulps. " I'll be up and ready to practice shortly."
Glaring at him, Jacque picks up her sword. " Oh no, you need to rest. I don't want you to pass out from exhaustion because of me. Can't you just vocally instruct me today?"
Will nods, motioning for her to begin warming up. " I thought that you said that you wouldn't make it today. Weren't you going to have tea with Captain Norrington?"
"No," She replies as she begins to parry with invisible enemies. " Elizabeth is having tea with Norrington. I." She pauses for a moment, before deciding to tell him an edited version of the truth. " I am going to meet an old friend tonight, but I thought I had enough time to practice for a little bit."
"An old friend?" Will asks, wincing as he watches Jacque's technique becoming steadily sloppier. This would never do, he thinks to himself as he grabs a sword of his own and walks over to Jacque, who is now struggling to complete her exercises properly.
" Jacque stop." He instructs as he stands in front of her. " Block my moves."
Jacque nods before taking a defensive stance with both her hands clasped on the handle with the sword straight in front of her. Will's first two swings were met, but when Jacque meets his third his sword quickly overpowers her own as Jacque finds the broad side of the Blade resting on her right shoulder.
"You need to defend your right shoulder with more power, as it is extremely vital in a swordfight. Your block should look like this." Will gently instructs as he demonstrates for Jacque.
Jacque, trying to duplicate Will's form, lets out a frustrated sigh as she fails to do so. Will, sensing her frustration and recognizing the problem easily, comes up behind Jacque and grips her hand holding the sword. Jacque stiffens, feeling Will's warm chest pressed against her back, but allows Will to guide her arm, showing her the proper movement.
"See, this motion allows your arm to steady the sword and provide support from behind." Will says quietly. Unable to speck, Jacque merely nods, as Will slowly releases her hand and steps back.
Turning around, Jacque smiles brightly, demonstrating the technique perfectly before looking back up at Will, who smiles softly.
"Perfect, Jac-" Will turns sharply as a loud clatter fills the shop. The tin pail that had been placed beside Mr. Brown's foot had fallen over, a sure sign that the man would wake up soon. Quickly, Jacque changes her shoes and slips into her dress, struggling to button it up. Seeing her struggle, Will goes to help her, only to find that his attempt to button only slowed Jacque down. Taking her sword and boots instead, he places them back under he table and turns to Jacque, who is now fixing her ebony curls, pinning them back into place.
"I'll see you within the next two weeks." Jacque says as she walks out the door.
Will nods, and can't ignore the sinking feeling that's penetrating his gut, telling him that something is going to go horribly wrong between now and then. Writing it off as a combination of hunger and exhaustion, Will heads towards the stairs, hoping that he can get some hard-earned sleep.
You grin to yourself as you watch a figure approach the dock from your hideout in the shadows. You easily recognize Jacque's bouncy curls as she takes off her shoes and socks and dips her feet in the water. Keeping your eyes focused on the blood-red sunset, you walk next to her and sit down as well. Hearing Jacque call your name, you turn to her with perhaps the biggest smile you've ever made plastered on your face.
"Jacque!" You exclaim as you get a good look at her for the first time in over two years. In her yellow summer dress with her hair elegantly pinned up, sitting with perfect posture, you see what a lady she's become, although, if the missing shoes, absence of petticoats, and visible calluses on her hands are any indication, she's still retained some of her stubborn, tomboyish attitude. Looking up at her face, you find that she is staring blatantly at the cutlass and pistol hanging from a sash on your right hip.
"Jac," You laugh. "Listen, I've rented a room at the local tavern. There we'll be able to talk for a few hours without having to worry about getting arrested. I'll even introduce you to one of my new best friends."
"Who is that?" Jacque asks, standing up and following you off the dock.
"Why, rum of course." You reply, with a laugh.
A/N: Ok, so this isn't where I wanted it to be, but there isn't an ounce of inspiration left in my body. So I'm ending it here, but at least I'm updating before the 15th like I said. In case you didn't guess, I know nothing about swords. Next time we'll actually enter the plot. Yes! We'll finally get to see Jack!! I'll try to have this up by next Saturday.
Please Review!
*pyrite*