Disclaimer: Must we go over this again, really it's getting redundant, oh
well, don't own them, not rich enough, can't kidnap them, they aren't real.
Elf: That's what they said about me, take hope dearheart, Jack Sparrow's out there somewhere.
Authoress: Thank you Oh So Nice Super Elf buddy, I shall write now with renewed vigor and happiness.
Elf: No problem, and it's just Sam, not Oh So Nice... oh well, call me what you want.
Authoress: K, (blissfully happy at new revelation, types with jolly speed)
Author's Note: I want to thank all my beautimous reviewers,
Cayenne Pepper Powder- Oh I love you you faithful persistent first reviewer, you make me happy. You get your very own elf friend.
Daughter of the Wind- It's coming, she's a hard bird to write. Thank you for reviewing. My Halloween socks with little bells are thankful, and they are rocking.
SugarNspikes- Glad you like it, I aim to please. Oh and for the record, I'm personally a Pringles gal, but Goldfish do rock.
On with the story.
Elf: Bout time.
Strange Bird
Chapter
"Cap'n, if ye don't mind me askin', where exactly would we be goin'?" Gibbs waited on an answer as Jack turned from the wheel of his ship and fixed him with his dark brown stare, "Well, for all you'll be needin' to know, we're goin' to the moon, but since you asked, we're goin' to make the acquaintance of a fellow pirate whom I'd like to meet."
Jack's mind's eye had already formed a picture of her, a brunette woman with intelligent and humorous brown eyes. A warriors stance with a laugher's gate, a nice mouth with laugh lines that could look terribly mean. All in all, a challenge, a fun one.
Gibbs watched as his captain's eyes got the look that said he was planning on causing problems, and gave up on trying to understand, "Alright sir, whatever you say." Jack wasn't even with him anymore, he was imagining what the best plan was for presenting the proper first image to this fascinating woman was, but he had enough presence of mind left to turn to Gibbs and reply, "Too right."
*****
In his head, his personal motto was simple, uncomplicated, not very wordy, just one sentence, "Don't let them hear you scream." But he found it more difficult with every lash, every lodging of the cats' nine tails.
The only way he hadn't broken until this moment was that he hadn't imagined what his back must look like. Every day, for minutes that stretched like decades, they brought him out to try a different method.
Oh, they weren't just persistent, no these bastards were down right stubborn. Every time they brought him down to ask him about their oh so bloody important question, he grinned at them through the bruised and blood covered skin that used to be his face and sent them a stinging remark.
Half the time he didn't know what he said, just as long as it sounded sarcastic and he kept grinning. But God, it was getting so hard not to scream, as the glass ridden leather once again stuck in his flesh, but he...
What was that pounding, and who was calling his name, "Cap'n, Cap'n Sparrow." Strange, everyone in this hellhole of a place just called him "pirate." But now they were gone, before his very eyes, the stone room was dissolving...
Jack sat straight up in bed, sweat coating him. "Capt'n Sparrow, are you awake sir?"
Captain Sparrow swung his legs off the bed, shaking off the memories, life happened, then you died. Make it worth while damn it. He picked up his hat off of his deck. Not a man aboard the Pearl knew about his past, not even Joshamee, his unofficial biographer.
Jack opened the door with a smart motion, "What is it Raines?" The small cabin boy looked at him with the slightest tinge of fear at his Captain's rough and gravelly tone, but he continued on reasonably calmly, "Sir, we've spotted sails in the distance."
"Good man, Raines, yer message is delivered, now return to your post." "Aye sir."
*****
This had gone quicker than he thought, he thought they would much farther ahead of them then they were, but sure enough, as the Black Pearl approached the ship ahead of them, they, or rather I should say Jack,(as the crew hadn't been filled in on the back story) saw the described banner being raised up the mast.
Black on red, like everything else on that bloody ship, including the captain.
All truth told, Captain Jack was a little disappointed, he'd rather been anticipating the chase and the negotiations that followed. It was a new challenge on the sea, something he enjoyed. Hopefully, the experience itself would make up for the lack of suspense.
When he saw their colors go up, her ordered his own flag (white sparrow over a black background) and the white flag of truce raised. This was just precaution, there would be heavy negotiations before boarding anyway, but it was nice to start out on good terms.
The Bloody Ruby was a vessel to rival the Black Pearl in size. A respectable ship, one a captain could be proud of. Hulls such a deeply colored wood, that they were almost a form of red.
Like the Pearl, she sported oars out of the hulls. Her sails were white, he'd expected crimson sails, but he wasn't disappointed. Her colors flew proudly on the mast, as though glad to represent such a ship.
But the crew on deck was a sight to behold. All of them obviously pirates, dirty, and bedraggled in the way of clothing, but each of them were sailors to be proud of.
Instead of milling about on deck spoiling for a fight, they were lined up on the side the Pearl was pulling up on, hands on their swords, prepared to defend. Jack would've liked to have them on his crew.
He didn't see a sign of the captain anywhere, he'd figured she'd be obvious, women usually were.
"We'd like to discuss a truce, aye?" Jack shouted out, characteristic slur in active, but understandable. Sometimes, he got sick of playing this part, but not when it was useful, like now, "I'd like to talk to yer captain. Not 'ere for pilferin' purposes, just a li'l chat s'all."
The Ruby's crew remained silent, and they didn't move an inch from their places. Jack brought his hands into the conversation, looking strangely reasonable while being oddly off kilter, "Yer training is impeccable, to be sure, but all I want is to be speakin' with yer captain, all by me onesies, savvy? So summon the infamous Miss Scarlet, or usher me to her, aye?"
"That would be Captain Scarlet, Mr. Sparrow, and I'd appreciate it if you'd use the title, this may be no tea party, but parlor etiquette is expected."
Jack Sparrow was struck silent, how ever briefly, for the first time in a while. While he'd been blabbering to the crew, the captain hims... excuse him, herself had appeared on deck, and she was an interesting specimen.
Her hair was long and brown as he'd imagined it, but it was also slightly curly, with natural highlights born of long hours working in the sun. Resting on top of the curls, which were partially tightly braided to keep them out of her vision, was a dilapidated, but noble tri-cornered hat.
Her dark brown eyes, like his, were rimmed in kohl, but the effect on her eyes was slightly different than the effect on his.
Where his caused his eyes to be outstanding and confusing while slightly mysterious, hers made them beautiful and starkly dangerous. But make no mistake, she was not a female bred for beauty. The beauty that made itself noticed was natural or enhanced by her piracy.
Sharp cheekbones with tanned sloping cheeks. Thick lips, dried by the sun and painted a deep red. She was tall, at least 5'11". Her clothes consisted of a crimson cotton waistcoat over a similarly colored shirt, wide sleeves and a wide collar, more than likely originally a man's. Regular cotton breeches tucked into black leather boots.
Around her surprisingly feminine hips rode a belt sporting a musket, a sword, and two daggers.
But the thing that offset her from being another woman with pirate dreams was the jagged scar leading from just below her bottom lip all the way down her throat and into her shirt.
"Captain Sparrow, as overwhelmingly attractive as I am sure I am, we and the Gods do not have time to wait while you catalogue my appearance."
Despite his pompous tendencies, Brookes had been right about one thing, her method of speaking was abstract. It was as though she was discussing the weather over brunch, only it seemed important to hear every word.
"I just want to be speakin' with ye Captain Free, don't get me wrong. I feel we could make an... alliance... you and I."
Jack tried to pitch her rhythm by cocking his eyebrow suggestively as he said this, though it wasn't too hard, as he looked at her, he could imagine kissing her, he could even feel her kissing back, strong and firm, teeth pressed against lips. But she seemed unperturbed, and for that, as much as it annoyed him, he admired her.
"Of course Captain Sparrow, you must forgive me, its been a long time since I've had a peaceful guest on My Ruby. Birds nor fish can blame me for losing some of my rules of behavior, you may come over at once, your company is most welcome. But please, manners demand that first we both promise peace among our crews, if you please."
Scarlet began to walk towards the edge of her ship, and she gestured for Jack to do the same. When he had, she made an offhand gesture to her crew behind her, and immediately three of them sprang to life like ancient statues resurrected and retrieved a gangplank.
"My Dear Fellow Captain, I would never be more 'appy than to promise such a thing. I've no intention of startin' a fight."
"That is simply marvelous Captain Sparrow, as I've already taken a British ship today, which I'm sure you've already seen, and it would be dreadfully tiresome to fight with another pirate ship. Though winning is nice, you are as well, and I'd hate to have to kill you, without sleeping with you first."
Jack was taken aback, on the inside anyway, outside his body manufactured that smile that was laced with innuendos, and screamed of dirty thoughts. Not only was she strange and oddly cocky, she had taken his very own trick and turned it on him...and it had worked.
He got his mind back quickly, "I too agree it would be a cryin' shame to lose such an opportunity, so meet me on the gangplank mate, and we'll shake on peace, savvy?"
Scarlet nodded her approval and with a light step boarded the gangplank as Jack did, to meet in the middle.
She extended a work hardened hand, a trait he noticed, she wasn't idle, and offered her promise, "My men won't fight unless attacked." Jack took her hand and fought back the slight attraction to give his promise, "The same goes for my men, if they aren't attacked they won't fight." They shook and both turned to their crews.
Jack was stern, indicating serious orders, "One of ye's starts a brawl, and I'll 'ave yer 'ead."
Scarlet turned to her crew and spoke only two words, but they meant volumes, "Defense only." They comprehended and stood still.
Jack followed Scarlet off her side of the gangplank and towards her cabin, "Jus' don't try to pull what ye did with Cap'n Brookes, peacock that he is." "Don't worry," she said, "I won't."
O.K, wanna see more, then please review, and here's a question, would you like to see some Scarlet point of view, I'm considering it, and I want your opinion, the elf will thank you.
REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW
Elf: That's what they said about me, take hope dearheart, Jack Sparrow's out there somewhere.
Authoress: Thank you Oh So Nice Super Elf buddy, I shall write now with renewed vigor and happiness.
Elf: No problem, and it's just Sam, not Oh So Nice... oh well, call me what you want.
Authoress: K, (blissfully happy at new revelation, types with jolly speed)
Author's Note: I want to thank all my beautimous reviewers,
Cayenne Pepper Powder- Oh I love you you faithful persistent first reviewer, you make me happy. You get your very own elf friend.
Daughter of the Wind- It's coming, she's a hard bird to write. Thank you for reviewing. My Halloween socks with little bells are thankful, and they are rocking.
SugarNspikes- Glad you like it, I aim to please. Oh and for the record, I'm personally a Pringles gal, but Goldfish do rock.
On with the story.
Elf: Bout time.
Strange Bird
Chapter
"Cap'n, if ye don't mind me askin', where exactly would we be goin'?" Gibbs waited on an answer as Jack turned from the wheel of his ship and fixed him with his dark brown stare, "Well, for all you'll be needin' to know, we're goin' to the moon, but since you asked, we're goin' to make the acquaintance of a fellow pirate whom I'd like to meet."
Jack's mind's eye had already formed a picture of her, a brunette woman with intelligent and humorous brown eyes. A warriors stance with a laugher's gate, a nice mouth with laugh lines that could look terribly mean. All in all, a challenge, a fun one.
Gibbs watched as his captain's eyes got the look that said he was planning on causing problems, and gave up on trying to understand, "Alright sir, whatever you say." Jack wasn't even with him anymore, he was imagining what the best plan was for presenting the proper first image to this fascinating woman was, but he had enough presence of mind left to turn to Gibbs and reply, "Too right."
*****
In his head, his personal motto was simple, uncomplicated, not very wordy, just one sentence, "Don't let them hear you scream." But he found it more difficult with every lash, every lodging of the cats' nine tails.
The only way he hadn't broken until this moment was that he hadn't imagined what his back must look like. Every day, for minutes that stretched like decades, they brought him out to try a different method.
Oh, they weren't just persistent, no these bastards were down right stubborn. Every time they brought him down to ask him about their oh so bloody important question, he grinned at them through the bruised and blood covered skin that used to be his face and sent them a stinging remark.
Half the time he didn't know what he said, just as long as it sounded sarcastic and he kept grinning. But God, it was getting so hard not to scream, as the glass ridden leather once again stuck in his flesh, but he...
What was that pounding, and who was calling his name, "Cap'n, Cap'n Sparrow." Strange, everyone in this hellhole of a place just called him "pirate." But now they were gone, before his very eyes, the stone room was dissolving...
Jack sat straight up in bed, sweat coating him. "Capt'n Sparrow, are you awake sir?"
Captain Sparrow swung his legs off the bed, shaking off the memories, life happened, then you died. Make it worth while damn it. He picked up his hat off of his deck. Not a man aboard the Pearl knew about his past, not even Joshamee, his unofficial biographer.
Jack opened the door with a smart motion, "What is it Raines?" The small cabin boy looked at him with the slightest tinge of fear at his Captain's rough and gravelly tone, but he continued on reasonably calmly, "Sir, we've spotted sails in the distance."
"Good man, Raines, yer message is delivered, now return to your post." "Aye sir."
*****
This had gone quicker than he thought, he thought they would much farther ahead of them then they were, but sure enough, as the Black Pearl approached the ship ahead of them, they, or rather I should say Jack,(as the crew hadn't been filled in on the back story) saw the described banner being raised up the mast.
Black on red, like everything else on that bloody ship, including the captain.
All truth told, Captain Jack was a little disappointed, he'd rather been anticipating the chase and the negotiations that followed. It was a new challenge on the sea, something he enjoyed. Hopefully, the experience itself would make up for the lack of suspense.
When he saw their colors go up, her ordered his own flag (white sparrow over a black background) and the white flag of truce raised. This was just precaution, there would be heavy negotiations before boarding anyway, but it was nice to start out on good terms.
The Bloody Ruby was a vessel to rival the Black Pearl in size. A respectable ship, one a captain could be proud of. Hulls such a deeply colored wood, that they were almost a form of red.
Like the Pearl, she sported oars out of the hulls. Her sails were white, he'd expected crimson sails, but he wasn't disappointed. Her colors flew proudly on the mast, as though glad to represent such a ship.
But the crew on deck was a sight to behold. All of them obviously pirates, dirty, and bedraggled in the way of clothing, but each of them were sailors to be proud of.
Instead of milling about on deck spoiling for a fight, they were lined up on the side the Pearl was pulling up on, hands on their swords, prepared to defend. Jack would've liked to have them on his crew.
He didn't see a sign of the captain anywhere, he'd figured she'd be obvious, women usually were.
"We'd like to discuss a truce, aye?" Jack shouted out, characteristic slur in active, but understandable. Sometimes, he got sick of playing this part, but not when it was useful, like now, "I'd like to talk to yer captain. Not 'ere for pilferin' purposes, just a li'l chat s'all."
The Ruby's crew remained silent, and they didn't move an inch from their places. Jack brought his hands into the conversation, looking strangely reasonable while being oddly off kilter, "Yer training is impeccable, to be sure, but all I want is to be speakin' with yer captain, all by me onesies, savvy? So summon the infamous Miss Scarlet, or usher me to her, aye?"
"That would be Captain Scarlet, Mr. Sparrow, and I'd appreciate it if you'd use the title, this may be no tea party, but parlor etiquette is expected."
Jack Sparrow was struck silent, how ever briefly, for the first time in a while. While he'd been blabbering to the crew, the captain hims... excuse him, herself had appeared on deck, and she was an interesting specimen.
Her hair was long and brown as he'd imagined it, but it was also slightly curly, with natural highlights born of long hours working in the sun. Resting on top of the curls, which were partially tightly braided to keep them out of her vision, was a dilapidated, but noble tri-cornered hat.
Her dark brown eyes, like his, were rimmed in kohl, but the effect on her eyes was slightly different than the effect on his.
Where his caused his eyes to be outstanding and confusing while slightly mysterious, hers made them beautiful and starkly dangerous. But make no mistake, she was not a female bred for beauty. The beauty that made itself noticed was natural or enhanced by her piracy.
Sharp cheekbones with tanned sloping cheeks. Thick lips, dried by the sun and painted a deep red. She was tall, at least 5'11". Her clothes consisted of a crimson cotton waistcoat over a similarly colored shirt, wide sleeves and a wide collar, more than likely originally a man's. Regular cotton breeches tucked into black leather boots.
Around her surprisingly feminine hips rode a belt sporting a musket, a sword, and two daggers.
But the thing that offset her from being another woman with pirate dreams was the jagged scar leading from just below her bottom lip all the way down her throat and into her shirt.
"Captain Sparrow, as overwhelmingly attractive as I am sure I am, we and the Gods do not have time to wait while you catalogue my appearance."
Despite his pompous tendencies, Brookes had been right about one thing, her method of speaking was abstract. It was as though she was discussing the weather over brunch, only it seemed important to hear every word.
"I just want to be speakin' with ye Captain Free, don't get me wrong. I feel we could make an... alliance... you and I."
Jack tried to pitch her rhythm by cocking his eyebrow suggestively as he said this, though it wasn't too hard, as he looked at her, he could imagine kissing her, he could even feel her kissing back, strong and firm, teeth pressed against lips. But she seemed unperturbed, and for that, as much as it annoyed him, he admired her.
"Of course Captain Sparrow, you must forgive me, its been a long time since I've had a peaceful guest on My Ruby. Birds nor fish can blame me for losing some of my rules of behavior, you may come over at once, your company is most welcome. But please, manners demand that first we both promise peace among our crews, if you please."
Scarlet began to walk towards the edge of her ship, and she gestured for Jack to do the same. When he had, she made an offhand gesture to her crew behind her, and immediately three of them sprang to life like ancient statues resurrected and retrieved a gangplank.
"My Dear Fellow Captain, I would never be more 'appy than to promise such a thing. I've no intention of startin' a fight."
"That is simply marvelous Captain Sparrow, as I've already taken a British ship today, which I'm sure you've already seen, and it would be dreadfully tiresome to fight with another pirate ship. Though winning is nice, you are as well, and I'd hate to have to kill you, without sleeping with you first."
Jack was taken aback, on the inside anyway, outside his body manufactured that smile that was laced with innuendos, and screamed of dirty thoughts. Not only was she strange and oddly cocky, she had taken his very own trick and turned it on him...and it had worked.
He got his mind back quickly, "I too agree it would be a cryin' shame to lose such an opportunity, so meet me on the gangplank mate, and we'll shake on peace, savvy?"
Scarlet nodded her approval and with a light step boarded the gangplank as Jack did, to meet in the middle.
She extended a work hardened hand, a trait he noticed, she wasn't idle, and offered her promise, "My men won't fight unless attacked." Jack took her hand and fought back the slight attraction to give his promise, "The same goes for my men, if they aren't attacked they won't fight." They shook and both turned to their crews.
Jack was stern, indicating serious orders, "One of ye's starts a brawl, and I'll 'ave yer 'ead."
Scarlet turned to her crew and spoke only two words, but they meant volumes, "Defense only." They comprehended and stood still.
Jack followed Scarlet off her side of the gangplank and towards her cabin, "Jus' don't try to pull what ye did with Cap'n Brookes, peacock that he is." "Don't worry," she said, "I won't."
O.K, wanna see more, then please review, and here's a question, would you like to see some Scarlet point of view, I'm considering it, and I want your opinion, the elf will thank you.
REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW