AN (5/20)-Well, I'm done with my math already, and we have a substitute. This means I'll have about two hours today in school with which to write. Lucky you!
Chapter 25-Goodbye
Jack Sparrow laughed, laying his cards down onto one of the tables in the Pearl's galley. He reached for the assorted pile of valuables in the middle of the table as Mark cussed. Jack happened to be very good at playing poker, and he'd managed to conjure up a straight flush this hand.
As Jack pulled the assortment of coins, jewelry, and gems toward his very large pile, Kaman set his cards down, a large smile on his dark dace. The piercing through his cheeks made him look rather odd with a smile on his face. That was probably why the man didn't smile often.
"Kaman, mate, ye've got a bloody royal flush!" Whitey pointed at the former slaves hand rather excitedly.
Kaman just smiled. "I know," he said as he took the pile from Jack.
Jack smiled good-naturedly. It's not like he minded losing one hand. Besides, the whole reason they were playing five card stud was to kill the time. Calico Jack had steered the Pearl towards a very lucrative catch-a Spanish Galleon full of money and valuables stolen from the Natives of Central America. Not very many ships from there were full of gold anymore, but this one must've been in a very remote outpost, indeed.
Mark sighed, glancing down at his own pile of riches as they all anted-up. The brown haired man was rather bad at poker. Not that losing any of this ill-gained money had any real affect on what he'd received as his equal share. He just didn't like losing. "Right, I'm dealer now."
Jack, Kaman, Whitey, Viktor, Daniel, and Robert passed Mark their cards, quickly placing their antes in as well. Mark quickly shuffled, passing the cards out as fast as he could. Mark was extremely good at being dealer, and everyone had their proper amount of cards in a matter of moments.
Jack watched the others as they looked at their cards, instantly knowing Mark had nothing. Mark was really easy to read in poker. Daniel reacted as if he had nothing, but Jack had been tricked by him earlier tonight. The others seemed to have no positive or negative reactions to their hands, though, so Jack took a quick gander at his cards. He had absolutely nothing, but he did not let this show on his face. Jack was excellent at making people believe fallacies about him. His first tactic tonight had been to trick his crew mates into believing he had the opposite of what he really had. Now he wasn't going to give them any hints.
Robert, on the left of Mark, started the bidding. The price gradually began escalating, and Mark promptly folded, not even bothering to try and get a better hand by exchanging cards. After the card exchange, Jack still had nothing, receiving the two of hearts and the four of clubs in addition to his ten of diamonds, six of clubs, and eight of spades. Unfortunately, there were no winning hands that fit the unusual pattern of even numbers.
The amounts the others bet slowly began increasing as Robert and Whitey folded. Jack patiently watched Daniel pause for a moment, knowing the redhead was about to fold. It was just himself, Viktor, and Kaman now, and Jack knew he'd be able to bluff his way to winning.
"'Ave ye ever 'ad a tattoo, Jack?" Robert somberly asked, trying to sound as if he wasn't incredibly drunk.
"No, mate, I can't say that I 'ave." Jack grinned, putting his flagon to his lips and taking a large drink. It's not that Jack didn't like tattoos, but he'd never really had the ambition to get one while docked-he'd always been too concerned with women and alcohol.
Robert grinned, pulling the sleeve of his filthy shirt up. There was a large tattoo of an orca on his left bicep. The ink had a faint green hue to it. "It doesn' hurt much," Robert said, chuckling. "Not tha' ye really 'ave a problem wiv that."
Whitey grinned, touching Robert's tattoo with his slender fingers. "How much does somethin' like tha' cost?"
Robert shrugged. "I 'ad Daniel do it for me."
Everyone turned and looked at Daniel. Jack's dark brown eyes were full of curiosity and amusement as the man's face turned to be about the same color as his hair. "Eh, Daniel, 'ow would ye like t' give the lot of us a tattoo?" Jack saw the others nodding in agreement.
Daniel stuttered for a moment. "C-certainly. I'll go get me t-tools." With that, he quickly stood and went to his bunk. Daniel did not like being the center of attention.
Jack glanced over at Robert. "How'd ye learn Daniel did tattoos?" Jack was fairly ashamed with himself. He'd been sharing a cabin with the redhead for over two years, and he hadn't ever heard Daniel speak of his past.
Robert shrugged. "I 'appened t' see one o' these," he pointed at the spot on his arm where the orca tattoo was, "when Daniel was around. Mentioned tha' they were majestic an' that I planned t' get a tattoo of one. 'E mentioned tha' 'e knew how t' give tattoos, an' 'e gave me this fine specimen. Drew it 'imself."
Jack nodded thoughtfully. This was very interesting indeed, and not something he'd ever suspected the redhead could do.
A flustered Daniel returned pins, needles, ink and other necessities in hand. "Who's first?" he asked as he cleared a spot from the poker table and laid out the various instruments that looked very foreboding.
Whitey practically jumped out of his chair, eager to get the painful experience out of the way while still drunk enough to barely feel anything. "Me firs', mate," he slurred as he sat in the chair next to Daniel.
Daniel nodded, reaching for a scrap of paper with various designs. "Choose one, Whitey." Daniel's drawings were exquisitely detailed and each seemed to have someone's personality in mind. Everybody was in awe for a moment as they looked at the drawings. "I know tha' they're not very good, so if ye want somethin' different, jus' tell me."
Whitey shook his head, putting his finger on a very detailed drawing of a seagull that appeared to be made from wood. "I'd like tha' one, Daniel," Whitey said as he started preparing himself for the intense pain.
Daniel nodded, cleansing Whitey's right arm and grabbing a piece of charcoal to map the design onto the man's fairly pale arm.
Jack chuckled at some crude joke Mark made. Everybody had their tattoos except Jack, who was currently in the process of getting his. Kaman had chosen a rather whimsical picture of a fierce cat with a mane Daniel had drawn based on Kaman's description. Viktor had insisted on a goat in his heavily accented English, so Daniel had quickly designed one on his arm. It actually didn't look too bad. Mark chose a simple skull with a snake weaving into its eyes.
Jack had watched them as they tried to keep from wincing, inwardly laughing at each of their pained looks. He'd been keeping their moods up by telling nasty jokes, and they apparently felt as if they had to return the favor.
Daniel finished drawing the image of a sparrow flying over a field and was about to begin the painful process of poking the skin with ink-laden needles until Jack had a permanent picture on his forearm.
"Wait!" Jack said rather abruptly. Everyone in the room, save Daniel and Jack, started to snicker and mock Jack about not having any guts. Jack just grinned in response, pulling up his other sleeve. "Put it above me brand, an' change the field to the ocean."
A series of gasps were heard in the room as Daniel quietly nodded and cleaned the new area, hastily redrawing the sparrow with the ocean as the background. Jack did not say anything as the needle with bluish-green ink started biting into his skin.
The mood of the room had changed abruptly as each pirate cast curious stares at Jack's brand. None of them had realized he'd been marked this way, seeing as Jack was an expert at not letting it show.
"Wha'?" Jack asked as the needle continued to puncture his skin. Though his dark brown eyes had a faint sheen to them, his voice was steady.
No one said anything as they kept staring down at thelight P directly below where Daniel was placing the tattoo. Jack sighed, wondering why he'd decided to put the tattoo there. Now much of the respect they'd acquired for him would be gone. No one wanted to be in the company of someone who was branded-too much of a liability.
"We din' know you was branded," Mark said as he could stand the silence no longer.
Jack shrugged with his other arm. "If me own crew mates din' know, then there's not much of a chance tha' anyone else knows."
This seemed to satiate most of the concerns of Mark, Robert, Kaman, Viktor, and Whitey, for they had no clue as to how long he'd had it. The jolly mood slowly returned, but it was nothing like before.
Jack sat to Calico Jack's right, calmly lifting his mug of rum up to his face. The mood of the tavern was jovial, for Calico Jack had announced he'd pay for all the drinks tonight. The entire crew of the Pearl was inside the small tavern in Portobello. It'd been nearly three months since that horrid experience on the sea. Now that many looked back, they wondered why they hadn't rowed the large ship to Port Royal. But, due to Calico Jack's delirious state, many had forgotten the Pearl even had oars. Then, in their crazed half-starved state, it seemed impossible to get anywhere and most logical thoughts had disappeared like the wind.
Only Jack seemed rather melancholy as the raucousness increased. He knew Calico Jack's true motive-this was a goodbye. Though it meant he'd be one of the youngest captains ever, it still saddened him that his mentor was leaving. Jack didn't feel prepared enough to take over as the Pearl's captain. He was rather afraid he'd do something wrong and the crew would harbor resentment.
Calico Jack suddenly stood, clearing his throat. The cacophony quickly died, save for the few who weren't part of the crew. Calico Jack naturally had a lot of respect. He cleared his throat, waiting only about a minute until everyone's eyes were on him. "I've got somethin' t' announce."
The entire tavern quieted, the curious regulars to the tavern watching the majestic captain and wondering what he would announce after paying for everyone's drinks.
After a slight pause, Calico Jack continued. "I'm retirin' tomorrow." He gazed at each of his loyal crew members as many opened their mouths in surprise and gasped.
Anne Bonney's full lips curved into an incredulous frown. "Cap'n, ye mus' be joshin' us! The Caribbean won' be the same without ye!"
Many nodded their fervent agreements. Thinking of the Pearl without Calico Jack was like imagining life without a monarchy-impossible to comprehend. Mary frowned, reaching towards Calico Jack. "Please don' leave, Cap'n."
Calico Jack held his hand up and the protesting comments ceased. "I know tha' ye don' want me t' go. And I've 'ad a very good time wiv the lot of ye. Ye be the bes' pirates in the Caribbean, and proba'lly in all the Seven Seas." He grinned and the whole room erupted with hearty "Aye's. When the drunken company quieted again, Calico Jack continued. "Unfortunately, I be gettin' very old, an' I'd like t' live out the res' of me life on the profits ye've helped me get."
Jack was carefully watching Calico Jack, surprised that he was talking as if he'd been saving money. This was a very unusual confession-nearly every pirate spent all the money they stole once their ship had been docked for a day. Pleasurable company and alcohol was about all pirates spent swag on.
The drunken crowd uproariously agreed with this statement, various side conversations erupting like a zit on a teenager who bathed once a year. Anne and Mary almost looked ready to burst into tears.
Calico Jack put his hand up again, trying to quiet his crew. After roughly two minutes, the small tavern grew quiet and eyes were staring at Calico Jack, most of which shining with sorrow and amazement. Frowning slightly, the tanned captain spoke again. "I know tha' ye all will miss me, bu' I'm over 'alf a century old. I've been lucky so far, bu' I think me luck is runnin' out." His hand absent-mindedly touched his gut.
Jack was suddenly reminded of how close they'd come to losing Calico Jack. He hid the sorrow in his mind, wanting Calico Jack to remember him as a strong man. Jack had always tried to earn his respect.
"So, I plan t' leave the Pearl wiv someone who deserves 'er." Calico Jack paused, waiting for that statement to sink in. The whispered discussions quickly ceased, every ear perking up and listening to Calico Jack.
Jack saw Daniel looking at him, nodding his quiet moral support. Jack had not told the redhead he'd be getting the Pearl, but Daniel had started guessing details with increasing accuracy. His injuries had taught him to observe others with more reflection, and he could often tell what someone would say long before it was spoken. When Daniel had first used this technique on Jack, he'd been stunned into silence.
"Although ye all be upstandin' pirates, I did 'ave to choose someone." Calico Jack stared at each loyal crew member, resting for a long time on Barbossa. While many started whispering hasty congratulations to Barbossa, eager to get on the gruff man's good side, Calico Jack put his arm on Jack's left shoulder. "Jack 'as proven 'is skill many times over. I've chosen 'im to replace me."
The crew stared at Jack in stunned silence. None had heard of a twenty-one year old captain! It was fairly preposterous. Snide Shaine looked particularly hostile as he stared Jack over.
Jack felt his shoulder being lifted up as Calico Jack tried to make him stand. After Calico Jack offered a rather sharp word of encouragement, Jack grinned and stood, rather embarrassed to be viewed by so many at the same time.
Calico Jack prodded him after a moment of silence. "I think it appropriate fer ye t' say somethin', Jack."
Jack nodded, his mind quickly going over just what he could say. "Well, I feel inadequate t' take over the Cap'n's job. 'E's been one o' the bes' captains in the whole Caribbean. I'd be proud of meself if I accomplished 'alf of wha' 'e 'as." Jack grinned at Calico Jack. "'E was always willin' to listen t' some of us bellyache, an' 'e always 'ad some sort o' lesson t' teach us. If I 'adn' been on the Pearl, I might no' 'ave stayed a pirate."
Jack felt a bit disconnected with his mind. Jack was starting to get emotional, and it bothered him greatly. Moving his left hand in an unusual pattern, Jack stopped himself. No sense in being so sentimental in front of a crowd of drunken pirates. "Anyway, I don' rightly know why 'e picked me wiv so many fine men t' choose from," Jack said as he carefully glanced towards Barbossa. Jack was eager to recognize he still valued the older man, but he didn't want to appear weak, so he continued. "Bu' I promise t' be the bes' captain in the Caribbean, in mem'ry of Calico Jack's reign." With that statement, he hoped to gain the respect of others in the group.
Surprisingly, Barbossa started clapping after Jack stopped talking. "Ready for duty, Captain Sparrow," he said with an extravagant salute, nearly spilling his whiskey across his stained shirt. The rest of the crew, including Calico Jack, resolutely saluted and began clapping.
After a few moments of this, Jack raised his mug. "To Calico Jack, the bes' dam' pirate since Blackbeard 'imself!" Everyone stood and toasted to that, the sound of thirty or so mugs hitting each other resonating around the small tavern.
Calico Jack added, after taking a large swill of rum, "T' Jack Sparrow, the youngest captain in the Caribbean!" The inebriated pirates toasted this as well. Anne and Mary had quieted their female woes and were now quite thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Alteng-Thank you for the very helpful constructive criticism! I have fixed those rather embarrassing problems…anyways, your story is bloody brilliant, and I feel incredibly privileged to know that you're reading my insane works. Thank you for your thoughtful reviews for each chapter. I look forward to your next chapter!
Aliana Archer- Aye! Keep plugging and chugging and you'll eventually see this reply…in the next story, we will get to see Will, so I'm sure you'll enjoy that. Thanks for leaving your sentiments!
WaNdA- Thanks for the marvelous suggestion! I shall, once I get around to visiting the library-haven't done that for a long time. And thanks once again for the review! I like knowing someone actually reads the insanity I write!
Ms. Baldwin- Aye, Barbossa is very odd…and manipulative. Of course, Jack would never actually trust him…and, yes, documented evidence and first hand accounts do say that Port Royal was very bawdy. That's until it got hit by an earthquake and tsunamis…not much of a port after that. Of course I'll get around to explaining how it's different by the movie…no worries!
starwarsfreakford13- Frosted flakes are really good! I'm glad you enjoyed that last one…rather odd of me, don't know why I put it up…anyways, thanks for all the support you've given me! And for your prompt review each time I sporadically updated!
a- Well, I've been thinking about that, honestly. And, as of the end of this chapter, Jack is now 22. Birthday in there somewhere…
Kirby- Thanks for sneaking away during a time you shouldn't be and leaving a review! I can't wait until you put your own fanfic up! And you're so lucky…almost being out of school and all!
Meggumscat- Ah, so you'd rather a cookie, then? Well, I suppose you can have these Thin Mints I was saving…seeing as this is the last chapter. But there is an epilogue…I'll be putting it up tomorrow, because I'm getting really tired at the moment, and I was supposed to print the whole story up so Katie could read it…ah well. I'm sorry that this makes no sense...it will when you see the surprise...once Jeff stops playing the other computer.
Daisy- Yippee! A baseball cap! Just what I've always wanted! Anyway, there is something up Barbossa's sleeve, of course…crazy apple loving Hector-you'll see soon enough, in my next story…anyways, off I go to dance in odd patterns again! And I'll just leave you to puzzle over what I truly mean...
ChaosLightning13-That's quite alright. I understand when the computer/Internet is all moody…drives me absolutely bonkers. Barbossa is trying to gain Jack's trust, seeing as he knows Jack will get the Pearl. Of course, that will all change eventually, during a rather interesting conversation…but you'll have to wait a while to see that, you will. I thank you sincerely for sticking with me this long! I enjoy each of your reviews!
Bluekrystal1- Well, unfortunately, the meeting with Bootstrap won't be until the first chapter of my next story. But that should be up by next week, so no worries! Thank you for leaving another gem of a review, and for sticking with me to the end of this first chapter in Jack's life!
cheatachu82- Well, of course Barbossa is contradictory! That's what makes him so interesting…maybe he's bipolar…anyways, thanks for leaving a review on that really odd chapter…and I hope you enjoyed this last one. Though, I will be putting up an epilogue tomorrow…half written, it is.
DragonHunter200-That is Barbossa's sorry excuse…realizes that he needs to treat his future commander better. But that will change, as the intrigue increases! Anyways, thanks for the review…my reaction when my muse said the last chapter would be on cannibalism was the same…repulsive and cool all at the same time.
sunkist3208- Silly Whitney…anyways, I hope you like the tattoo that Whitey got. I was thinking of giving him an orange, but that didn't make any sense, so I had him choose something that fit his carpenter personality. Now, about that thing on me being slow to update? I've updated twice since you last did…and I want to read more of your story. Back to work, please!