Hello! Look, I've got another chapter out already! Be proud of me! *snigger* Actually, I've got a week off work, so I'm planning to work particularly hard on getting more of this done for you guys. Is that alright? I mean, I wouldn't want to put you under pressure to review, or anything, but you know I do work faster when people do bother to point and click on that little blue button down there. *futile gesturing* Anywho, on with the story!
*~*~*
James woke with a start, shaking his head groggily as he tried to work out what had woken him. The ship pitched suddenly, throwing him from his bunk with a violence he was slowly becoming used to, and he heard the cry again, the shout that had drawn him from his dreams.
'All hands on deck!'
Wrenching open the cabin door, he staggered out and up onto the deck, with the others, gasping as icy water rushed up to meet them, warm and dry from their beds. Such was the pleasure of rounding the Horn. Peering through the darkness that cloaked the ships, James could make out a vast expanse of black covering the deck, and realised to his horror that it was sailcloth. Glancing up, he saw the broken horses flapping in the gale, the braces loose as the Pearl rode the storm.
There were men already up in the rigging, fixing that which had been broken, clinging on for dear life as the seas tossed the ship about from wave to wave, relentless, merciless as she chided them for taking this return voyage for granted. He moved to join them, climbing dextrously through the half secure ropes, tying off everything that came to hand as Gibbs continued to roar orders above the storm.
There was a shout from above him, and a figure tumbled past, scrabbling for purchase on the slippery rope. James grabbed for whoever it was, missing by mere inches, and found himself watching as the poor soul fell, hoping for someone to intervene. However, it was no seaman who saved the young man's life, but the Pearl herself, rolling on the up-current of yet another wave. Where there had been the raging waters beneath the falling man, now there was deck, and he landed with a thud on the canvas that had been stowed near the poop. He lay there, dazed, for a few moments, allowing himself to be dragged from the canvas and ushered below decks as James watched.
Another, more familiar voice cried out nearby, and he glanced up to find Harry clinging onto the yard with all his might, unashamed to sob in paralysed terror at the violence of the storm that raged around them. James' foot slipped suddenly as the ship swayed, leaving him to scrabble for a moment until he found purchase once again on the soaked rope. Glancing out across the yard once more, he could see Harry's toes slipping along the rope he stood on, his fingers trying to grip where there were no handholds for the young boy. And the yard was shaking, the braces still loose from the sail being ripped away by the force of the sudden gale. Harry's wails were barely audible above the howling of the wind, but James could see that the young lad was petrified.
As he reached out along the yard to grasp the boy's hand, cold fingers clasped about his wrist, and he found himself staring into Jack's grim face. The pirate captain was known to occasionally venture into the rigging, but never had he done so in the midst of a storm. He grimaced through the salt-water that dripped from his face.
'We need to secure the brace!' he shouted, thankfully clear through the deafening roar around them.
He pointed to where the yard was attached to the main mast, and James nodded, flexing his numb fingers swiftly before reaching out to clamber into place beside the shaking brace. He heard Jack shout out to Harry behind him.
'Lay out, mate! We'll get you down!'
As Jack slipped through the rigging as though he did it every day of his life, James watched, helpless, as Harry swung his leg over the yard itself, laying his body's length along the smooth wood. His fingers touched beneath the yard, and James saw the knuckles whiten as Harry clung on tighter than he ever had before. Jack gripped his arm.
'Ever done this before?' he shouted.
James nodded.
'Once,' he bawled back, 'on a calm day.'
Jack laughed, clearly enjoying the exhilaration of their predicament. He gestured to the yard, and down to where Cotton was clambering towards them.
'You fix it, we'll hold it,' he yelled, and there was no mistaking the tone, it was an order.
Something primal and automatic in James leapt up in response to that tone, and he nodded to the captain curtly, blowing on his fingers to try and force some feeling into them. Cotton's hand slapped onto his shoulder for a moment, until the mute man had gained his grip, and he and Jack Sparrow clambered a little higher, slipping their feet through the rope loops. With an exchanged grin, the two men promptly let go, hanging upside down into the midst of the roaring gale, their hands seeking purchase on the yard as James began to fiddle with the brace.
It seemed like an eternity to Harry, flat out along the yard itself. He had confessed to Marin his dislike of heights as they had set out from Port Royale, and she had assured him that one brush with a bad storm would set his mind straight on that. He didn't half hope so, provided that he survived this terrible storm. He had been among the first to venture into the rigging after the sail fell, staying out along the yard long after he should, transfixed by the motion of the ship through the towering waves. Then the yard had started to shake, and fear had taken over him, leaving him crying for someone, anyone, to save him.
Slowly the yard stopped shaking, and he ventured a look up towards the mast to find the captain leaning out towards him, reaching out to take his hand. He was still too far away, and so frozen with fear that he dared not move. As James and Cotton moved to continue their tasks, Harry shut his eyes, wishing it would all just go away. A voice cut through his fear, making him look up once more into the captain's eyes.
'Come on, mate,' Jack was shouting. 'You can do it! Just a bit further and we'll have you safe!'
Harry opened his mouth to refuse point blank and a wail filled his ears. Tears were streaming down his cheeks as he shook his head vehemently.
'I can't!' he cried, gripping the yard tighter as the Pearl hit another wave full on, the masts swaying deep.
Jack's features contorted into an attempt at an encouraging smile.
'Yes, you can,' he roared. 'Just a little bit closer, mate, and I'll have you!'
He continued to cajole the terrified child, until finally Harry began to move. Carefully, never very much at a time, he began to edge along the yard towards the mast, his hand reaching out to where Jack strained towards him, one hand firmly entangled in the rigging on which he stood. The captain's callused fingers brushed his for a moment, and he knew if he could just slip forward a tiny bit more, that practised hand would clamp about his wrist and he would be safe.
A jolt shook the ship as she crashed into another wave, and Jack was forced to grab the rigging to prevent himself from falling, even as Harry cried out once more. But he threw out his hand as soon as he was secure, and this time his fingers gripped the boy's arm. Jack hauled roughly on the cold limb, and Harry slid along the yard, grasping handfuls of rope and slipping his feet into the loops with relieved sobs. Jack wrapped his free arm about the weeping boy, holding him tight against the horror that was flooding him now the danger was past.
'It's alright, Harry lad, I've got you,' he murmured, though he knew the child could not hear him. 'You're safe now, mate.'
A shout drifted down to him from the foretop, where men were endeavouring to furl the last sail before returning to the relative safety of the deck. He bawled up to them,
'Frap it! Don't bother to furl the bloody thing, frap it! And get back down safe!'
With this order in place, he leant down to look at his young companion. Harry gazed back with eyes still wild from his shock. Jack gestured towards the deck, setting his free hand the other side of the frozen boy so that he was protected from falling by his captain's body. Slowly, almost painfully, they descended, Gibbs lifting Harry down from the ropes with a gentle smile. As Jack jumped down, he grasped Harry's shoulder, steering the boy towards the great cabin, where he had ordered Marin to stay within during the storm. She accepted the boy into her care willingly, having watched the whole affair from where she stood, her face almost pressed against the glass of the doors. Crewmen were sliding down the ropes now, their feet hitting the deck with relieved thumps, all turning to receive their captain's orders with grim faces.
Marin rocked Harry gently, uncaring that he was soaking her clothes, only that the boy had had a truly terrifying experience and needed care to calm himself. Harry was still sobbing, clutching at her as she held him. Carefully, she sat him down on one of the chairs, moving to wrap a blanket about the shivering boy as his tears continued to flow.
'Shh, it's alright,' she murmured, holding him warmly as he shook. 'You're safe now.'
Harry drew in a huge breath, trying to calm himself.
'I'm sorry, miss,' he managed. 'I . . . I'm being foolish.'
'Oh, don't be ridiculous,' Marin scoffed. 'I don't know many sailors who could go through all that without some fear. And this is not the finest weather you'll ever see.'
Her wry tone did what it was supposed to. Harry smiled reluctantly, sniffing as his sobs faded to sniffles. Gently, she dried his hair, pulling out clothes from a chest nearby for him to change into. As he ventured out of the blanket, she obligingly turned her back with a smile, only to have it fade as she gazed out onto the deck.
The men were staggering around, securing everything that could even be hinted at as loose as firmly as they could. The water lashed down on them, the wind whipping at their clothes and numbing their skin. She hated being left out, but Jack had been adamant in his refusal to let her take even one step out on deck during the storm, and as she watched, she could not deny that she would not like to be out in such conditions. Jack had been speaking with Gibbs by the doors, making sure she knew what was going on, when Harry's frightened yells had filtered down to them. She'd never seen Jack move so quickly. He had made straight for the rigging, clambering up to James' side with all the speed and grace of a cat.
There was another sniff behind her, and she glanced down to find Harry, dry and warm, staring out at the storm with a apprehensive expression.
'You don't have to go out there again, if you don't want to,' she said softly, reaching out to prevent him tumbling away as the ship lurched again.
Harry grinned faintly, pale from his experience, but his eyes were determined.
'If I don't go out now, I never will,' he said, just as softly as she had spoken.
Pride filled her as she looked down on him, pride that this young lad who had been such a terrible pickpocket had somehow become a good sailor. She grasped his shoulder.
'Are you sure?' she asked.
His grin became more confident and he nodded firmly.
'As I'll ever be,' he told her, reaching out to open the door.
Before he turned the handle, though, he turned back to her, wrapping his arms about his captain's wife in a heartfelt hug. Surprised, Marin's arms came up to hold him gently, falling away as he stepped back.
'Thanks,' he said shortly, his eyes dropping to her waistline. 'And, ah . . . congratulations.'
Marin stared after him as he slipped out into the rain, the door slamming shut behind him. How on earth had he known about the baby? She cast her mind back, and found her answer. When he'd come to inform her and Solomon that they were going ashore, he had seemed a little flustered. He must have overheard their conversation. She smiled gently. Maybe telling people wouldn't be as hard as she had thought it might, especially if Harry had mentioned his suspicions to someone.
Her attention was snapped back to the scene outside sharply as another wave crashed across the deck, knocking the men off their feet. A familiar hand slammed into the railing by the steps, the silver ring flashing through the water as Jack heaved himself back onto his feet. He grinned through the glass at his wife, and Marin couldn't help but laugh. No matter the situation, how deadly or frightening it may be, there was always something there for Jack to enjoy. And he did love the ocean.
*~*~*
Ildera: How's that for nautical action? Right, well, since I actually read that note ff.net have put up about no more A/N chapters *incomprehensible grumbling* I guess the A/N is just going to have to stay here, at the end of each chappie. Ah well.
Jack: Get on with it, love, I've got places to go.
Will: Ignore him, 'dera. He's just got this odd idea that Ioade and Kate are going to castrate him if he's late for Ariandir's reviews this time.
Jack: It's no laughing matter, mate.
Will: *trying not to snigger* I'm sure it isn't, Jack.
Ildera: *openly laughing* Definitely not. *cough* Anywho, let's get started. If I miss anyone, I apologise in advance, it's been a busy few days.
Will: anonymous - I'm assuming you're all the same person, though I can't be sure - yes, it was a horrendously long time before she updated, wasn't it? Shame on you, Ildera.
Ildera: *sweetly* Will, do you want to survive til the end of the story?
Will: *alarmed* Point taken. *back to review* As for Jack trying to shoot Marin, well, we only had two ways of finding out if the curse was still active - the moonlight, and whether or not you can kill the person. Jack just couldn't be bothered waiting for the moonlight to come out again. *shakes head at Jack*
Jack: *shrugs* Not my fault. *glances at 'dera*
Ildera: *sigh* They're so supportive, aren't they? *hugs Lucy back* Lucy, I'd never abandon you guys! Like I said, I've just be extraordinarily busy, but I will try and get more out this week, I promise!
Jack: *reading* JacksFoxyLass . . . I have a foxy lass?
Ildera: Just answer the review, I'll explain later.
Jack: Fair enough. I agree, it is - what was your word? - coolness that a baby is coming. But, bloody hell, can you imagine me as a father?
Will: God, what an image. !meghan!, are you happy Chapter 9 wasn't the end? It wouldn't have done well as an epilogue, would it? And 'dera's computer doesn't do upside down exclamation marks, so sorry about the inaccuracy of your s/n.
Jack: S/n? Hark at you, master technology.
Will: It's better than trying to open the bloody thing to find the demon that drives it.
Jack: That only happened once, under the considerable influence of alcohol.
Will: Jack, you're always under the considerable influence of alcohol.
Jack: Not always, mate. Anyway -
Ildera: Boys, please, for heaven's sake! *rolls eyes* emma436, MarsMoonStar, Siremaik, The Lonely Mouse, Ange, lilitalien dragon, Jingle Bells' Jack, The Noble Platypus, and Easter Bunny of Jo Jo Crayon, many, many thanks for your loyalty and considerable support. Remember, pestering me is the best way of ensuring I don't forget to update!
Jack: Ah, at least she's honest about it.
Will: Mind you, honesty in a woman is not always a good thing.
Jack: Yeah. 'Specially whores. I mean, you don't want one to roll over afterwards and blurt out the truth, do you?
Ildera: That's enough of that conversation, thank you.
Jack: You're such a prude, 'dera.
Ildera: It's better than being a slut, Jack.
Jack: *shrugs* I suppose so. But sluts have a lot going for them, as well -
Will: Ariandir! Hello, my lady! It's nice to see you haven't given up on our 'dera, thank you very much. But when are you going to reply to her email?
Ildera: Will, I can make my own pathetic pleas myself, thank you.
Will: Well, I thought you'd want to concentrate on this one. *hands over review*
Ildera: *reads* Oh God, Savy, what have I done now? Do I deserve to be glared at and threatened with the plank? I've produced two chapters in three days, and I've promised more. What more can I do? And while I remember, yes, the wench from Tortuga will be making an appearance, I've written her into my plan.
Will: *blushes*
Jack: *falls about laughing*
Ildera: Sparrow's Pearl, heya! Sorry about the long wait, love, work and all. The fics I recommended are 'The Sundered Map', by Ariandir, 'Cry', by Innocent Princess, and 'The Guidelines of Jack Sparrow', by DarkLady2. Okay?
Will: *still blushing*
Jack: *wheezing because he can't breathe*
Ildera: Dell-Doo, happy now? I updated! And Joe lost my disc so I had a lot of downloading and re-writing to do, but hey, I'm back in business, right? *glances at the men, sigh* I guess I should take these two home. See ya later, guys.
Will: *blushing*
Jack: *laughing*
Ildera: *sighing* Bye!
*~*~*
James woke with a start, shaking his head groggily as he tried to work out what had woken him. The ship pitched suddenly, throwing him from his bunk with a violence he was slowly becoming used to, and he heard the cry again, the shout that had drawn him from his dreams.
'All hands on deck!'
Wrenching open the cabin door, he staggered out and up onto the deck, with the others, gasping as icy water rushed up to meet them, warm and dry from their beds. Such was the pleasure of rounding the Horn. Peering through the darkness that cloaked the ships, James could make out a vast expanse of black covering the deck, and realised to his horror that it was sailcloth. Glancing up, he saw the broken horses flapping in the gale, the braces loose as the Pearl rode the storm.
There were men already up in the rigging, fixing that which had been broken, clinging on for dear life as the seas tossed the ship about from wave to wave, relentless, merciless as she chided them for taking this return voyage for granted. He moved to join them, climbing dextrously through the half secure ropes, tying off everything that came to hand as Gibbs continued to roar orders above the storm.
There was a shout from above him, and a figure tumbled past, scrabbling for purchase on the slippery rope. James grabbed for whoever it was, missing by mere inches, and found himself watching as the poor soul fell, hoping for someone to intervene. However, it was no seaman who saved the young man's life, but the Pearl herself, rolling on the up-current of yet another wave. Where there had been the raging waters beneath the falling man, now there was deck, and he landed with a thud on the canvas that had been stowed near the poop. He lay there, dazed, for a few moments, allowing himself to be dragged from the canvas and ushered below decks as James watched.
Another, more familiar voice cried out nearby, and he glanced up to find Harry clinging onto the yard with all his might, unashamed to sob in paralysed terror at the violence of the storm that raged around them. James' foot slipped suddenly as the ship swayed, leaving him to scrabble for a moment until he found purchase once again on the soaked rope. Glancing out across the yard once more, he could see Harry's toes slipping along the rope he stood on, his fingers trying to grip where there were no handholds for the young boy. And the yard was shaking, the braces still loose from the sail being ripped away by the force of the sudden gale. Harry's wails were barely audible above the howling of the wind, but James could see that the young lad was petrified.
As he reached out along the yard to grasp the boy's hand, cold fingers clasped about his wrist, and he found himself staring into Jack's grim face. The pirate captain was known to occasionally venture into the rigging, but never had he done so in the midst of a storm. He grimaced through the salt-water that dripped from his face.
'We need to secure the brace!' he shouted, thankfully clear through the deafening roar around them.
He pointed to where the yard was attached to the main mast, and James nodded, flexing his numb fingers swiftly before reaching out to clamber into place beside the shaking brace. He heard Jack shout out to Harry behind him.
'Lay out, mate! We'll get you down!'
As Jack slipped through the rigging as though he did it every day of his life, James watched, helpless, as Harry swung his leg over the yard itself, laying his body's length along the smooth wood. His fingers touched beneath the yard, and James saw the knuckles whiten as Harry clung on tighter than he ever had before. Jack gripped his arm.
'Ever done this before?' he shouted.
James nodded.
'Once,' he bawled back, 'on a calm day.'
Jack laughed, clearly enjoying the exhilaration of their predicament. He gestured to the yard, and down to where Cotton was clambering towards them.
'You fix it, we'll hold it,' he yelled, and there was no mistaking the tone, it was an order.
Something primal and automatic in James leapt up in response to that tone, and he nodded to the captain curtly, blowing on his fingers to try and force some feeling into them. Cotton's hand slapped onto his shoulder for a moment, until the mute man had gained his grip, and he and Jack Sparrow clambered a little higher, slipping their feet through the rope loops. With an exchanged grin, the two men promptly let go, hanging upside down into the midst of the roaring gale, their hands seeking purchase on the yard as James began to fiddle with the brace.
It seemed like an eternity to Harry, flat out along the yard itself. He had confessed to Marin his dislike of heights as they had set out from Port Royale, and she had assured him that one brush with a bad storm would set his mind straight on that. He didn't half hope so, provided that he survived this terrible storm. He had been among the first to venture into the rigging after the sail fell, staying out along the yard long after he should, transfixed by the motion of the ship through the towering waves. Then the yard had started to shake, and fear had taken over him, leaving him crying for someone, anyone, to save him.
Slowly the yard stopped shaking, and he ventured a look up towards the mast to find the captain leaning out towards him, reaching out to take his hand. He was still too far away, and so frozen with fear that he dared not move. As James and Cotton moved to continue their tasks, Harry shut his eyes, wishing it would all just go away. A voice cut through his fear, making him look up once more into the captain's eyes.
'Come on, mate,' Jack was shouting. 'You can do it! Just a bit further and we'll have you safe!'
Harry opened his mouth to refuse point blank and a wail filled his ears. Tears were streaming down his cheeks as he shook his head vehemently.
'I can't!' he cried, gripping the yard tighter as the Pearl hit another wave full on, the masts swaying deep.
Jack's features contorted into an attempt at an encouraging smile.
'Yes, you can,' he roared. 'Just a little bit closer, mate, and I'll have you!'
He continued to cajole the terrified child, until finally Harry began to move. Carefully, never very much at a time, he began to edge along the yard towards the mast, his hand reaching out to where Jack strained towards him, one hand firmly entangled in the rigging on which he stood. The captain's callused fingers brushed his for a moment, and he knew if he could just slip forward a tiny bit more, that practised hand would clamp about his wrist and he would be safe.
A jolt shook the ship as she crashed into another wave, and Jack was forced to grab the rigging to prevent himself from falling, even as Harry cried out once more. But he threw out his hand as soon as he was secure, and this time his fingers gripped the boy's arm. Jack hauled roughly on the cold limb, and Harry slid along the yard, grasping handfuls of rope and slipping his feet into the loops with relieved sobs. Jack wrapped his free arm about the weeping boy, holding him tight against the horror that was flooding him now the danger was past.
'It's alright, Harry lad, I've got you,' he murmured, though he knew the child could not hear him. 'You're safe now, mate.'
A shout drifted down to him from the foretop, where men were endeavouring to furl the last sail before returning to the relative safety of the deck. He bawled up to them,
'Frap it! Don't bother to furl the bloody thing, frap it! And get back down safe!'
With this order in place, he leant down to look at his young companion. Harry gazed back with eyes still wild from his shock. Jack gestured towards the deck, setting his free hand the other side of the frozen boy so that he was protected from falling by his captain's body. Slowly, almost painfully, they descended, Gibbs lifting Harry down from the ropes with a gentle smile. As Jack jumped down, he grasped Harry's shoulder, steering the boy towards the great cabin, where he had ordered Marin to stay within during the storm. She accepted the boy into her care willingly, having watched the whole affair from where she stood, her face almost pressed against the glass of the doors. Crewmen were sliding down the ropes now, their feet hitting the deck with relieved thumps, all turning to receive their captain's orders with grim faces.
Marin rocked Harry gently, uncaring that he was soaking her clothes, only that the boy had had a truly terrifying experience and needed care to calm himself. Harry was still sobbing, clutching at her as she held him. Carefully, she sat him down on one of the chairs, moving to wrap a blanket about the shivering boy as his tears continued to flow.
'Shh, it's alright,' she murmured, holding him warmly as he shook. 'You're safe now.'
Harry drew in a huge breath, trying to calm himself.
'I'm sorry, miss,' he managed. 'I . . . I'm being foolish.'
'Oh, don't be ridiculous,' Marin scoffed. 'I don't know many sailors who could go through all that without some fear. And this is not the finest weather you'll ever see.'
Her wry tone did what it was supposed to. Harry smiled reluctantly, sniffing as his sobs faded to sniffles. Gently, she dried his hair, pulling out clothes from a chest nearby for him to change into. As he ventured out of the blanket, she obligingly turned her back with a smile, only to have it fade as she gazed out onto the deck.
The men were staggering around, securing everything that could even be hinted at as loose as firmly as they could. The water lashed down on them, the wind whipping at their clothes and numbing their skin. She hated being left out, but Jack had been adamant in his refusal to let her take even one step out on deck during the storm, and as she watched, she could not deny that she would not like to be out in such conditions. Jack had been speaking with Gibbs by the doors, making sure she knew what was going on, when Harry's frightened yells had filtered down to them. She'd never seen Jack move so quickly. He had made straight for the rigging, clambering up to James' side with all the speed and grace of a cat.
There was another sniff behind her, and she glanced down to find Harry, dry and warm, staring out at the storm with a apprehensive expression.
'You don't have to go out there again, if you don't want to,' she said softly, reaching out to prevent him tumbling away as the ship lurched again.
Harry grinned faintly, pale from his experience, but his eyes were determined.
'If I don't go out now, I never will,' he said, just as softly as she had spoken.
Pride filled her as she looked down on him, pride that this young lad who had been such a terrible pickpocket had somehow become a good sailor. She grasped his shoulder.
'Are you sure?' she asked.
His grin became more confident and he nodded firmly.
'As I'll ever be,' he told her, reaching out to open the door.
Before he turned the handle, though, he turned back to her, wrapping his arms about his captain's wife in a heartfelt hug. Surprised, Marin's arms came up to hold him gently, falling away as he stepped back.
'Thanks,' he said shortly, his eyes dropping to her waistline. 'And, ah . . . congratulations.'
Marin stared after him as he slipped out into the rain, the door slamming shut behind him. How on earth had he known about the baby? She cast her mind back, and found her answer. When he'd come to inform her and Solomon that they were going ashore, he had seemed a little flustered. He must have overheard their conversation. She smiled gently. Maybe telling people wouldn't be as hard as she had thought it might, especially if Harry had mentioned his suspicions to someone.
Her attention was snapped back to the scene outside sharply as another wave crashed across the deck, knocking the men off their feet. A familiar hand slammed into the railing by the steps, the silver ring flashing through the water as Jack heaved himself back onto his feet. He grinned through the glass at his wife, and Marin couldn't help but laugh. No matter the situation, how deadly or frightening it may be, there was always something there for Jack to enjoy. And he did love the ocean.
*~*~*
Ildera: How's that for nautical action? Right, well, since I actually read that note ff.net have put up about no more A/N chapters *incomprehensible grumbling* I guess the A/N is just going to have to stay here, at the end of each chappie. Ah well.
Jack: Get on with it, love, I've got places to go.
Will: Ignore him, 'dera. He's just got this odd idea that Ioade and Kate are going to castrate him if he's late for Ariandir's reviews this time.
Jack: It's no laughing matter, mate.
Will: *trying not to snigger* I'm sure it isn't, Jack.
Ildera: *openly laughing* Definitely not. *cough* Anywho, let's get started. If I miss anyone, I apologise in advance, it's been a busy few days.
Will: anonymous - I'm assuming you're all the same person, though I can't be sure - yes, it was a horrendously long time before she updated, wasn't it? Shame on you, Ildera.
Ildera: *sweetly* Will, do you want to survive til the end of the story?
Will: *alarmed* Point taken. *back to review* As for Jack trying to shoot Marin, well, we only had two ways of finding out if the curse was still active - the moonlight, and whether or not you can kill the person. Jack just couldn't be bothered waiting for the moonlight to come out again. *shakes head at Jack*
Jack: *shrugs* Not my fault. *glances at 'dera*
Ildera: *sigh* They're so supportive, aren't they? *hugs Lucy back* Lucy, I'd never abandon you guys! Like I said, I've just be extraordinarily busy, but I will try and get more out this week, I promise!
Jack: *reading* JacksFoxyLass . . . I have a foxy lass?
Ildera: Just answer the review, I'll explain later.
Jack: Fair enough. I agree, it is - what was your word? - coolness that a baby is coming. But, bloody hell, can you imagine me as a father?
Will: God, what an image. !meghan!, are you happy Chapter 9 wasn't the end? It wouldn't have done well as an epilogue, would it? And 'dera's computer doesn't do upside down exclamation marks, so sorry about the inaccuracy of your s/n.
Jack: S/n? Hark at you, master technology.
Will: It's better than trying to open the bloody thing to find the demon that drives it.
Jack: That only happened once, under the considerable influence of alcohol.
Will: Jack, you're always under the considerable influence of alcohol.
Jack: Not always, mate. Anyway -
Ildera: Boys, please, for heaven's sake! *rolls eyes* emma436, MarsMoonStar, Siremaik, The Lonely Mouse, Ange, lilitalien dragon, Jingle Bells' Jack, The Noble Platypus, and Easter Bunny of Jo Jo Crayon, many, many thanks for your loyalty and considerable support. Remember, pestering me is the best way of ensuring I don't forget to update!
Jack: Ah, at least she's honest about it.
Will: Mind you, honesty in a woman is not always a good thing.
Jack: Yeah. 'Specially whores. I mean, you don't want one to roll over afterwards and blurt out the truth, do you?
Ildera: That's enough of that conversation, thank you.
Jack: You're such a prude, 'dera.
Ildera: It's better than being a slut, Jack.
Jack: *shrugs* I suppose so. But sluts have a lot going for them, as well -
Will: Ariandir! Hello, my lady! It's nice to see you haven't given up on our 'dera, thank you very much. But when are you going to reply to her email?
Ildera: Will, I can make my own pathetic pleas myself, thank you.
Will: Well, I thought you'd want to concentrate on this one. *hands over review*
Ildera: *reads* Oh God, Savy, what have I done now? Do I deserve to be glared at and threatened with the plank? I've produced two chapters in three days, and I've promised more. What more can I do? And while I remember, yes, the wench from Tortuga will be making an appearance, I've written her into my plan.
Will: *blushes*
Jack: *falls about laughing*
Ildera: Sparrow's Pearl, heya! Sorry about the long wait, love, work and all. The fics I recommended are 'The Sundered Map', by Ariandir, 'Cry', by Innocent Princess, and 'The Guidelines of Jack Sparrow', by DarkLady2. Okay?
Will: *still blushing*
Jack: *wheezing because he can't breathe*
Ildera: Dell-Doo, happy now? I updated! And Joe lost my disc so I had a lot of downloading and re-writing to do, but hey, I'm back in business, right? *glances at the men, sigh* I guess I should take these two home. See ya later, guys.
Will: *blushing*
Jack: *laughing*
Ildera: *sighing* Bye!