Ahh. Im having so much fun writing this story! I hope your enjoying this as much as me. Thanks to all my reviewers!! And im sorry i kept forgetting to say what the girls name is! And she's ten, to answer a reviewer's question, and Jack's sixteen. Hmm...does that sound okay?
Disclaimer: I do not own pirates of the caribbean, they won't even let me talk to the owners!!!
Chapter Three: Ships Girl!
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Jack took me down to the docks, after i said goodbye to Nan. I was snifflin' an' hiccupin'. I loved Nan. Or Aunty Gooma. She was me real Ma. Not tha' whore that gave me birth.
Jack slung me pack over one shoulder, whislin' and lookin up at the sky.
"What're you doin?" I's ask him.
"Lookin' at the weather."
"Is it good weather?"
"Its alright."
"Oh."
We walks on. Im lookin around me, watchin the people goin by. Some young women are lookin at Jack an' giggling. I looks back at 'im, thinkin bird poop or somethin had fallen on 'im. But i's see's nothin out of ordinary, and look back at them girls.
Oh.
I look back to Jack. He see's them an' bows, asking them how their afternoon went. They giggle some mores. I watch as them say stuff to eachother, eyes wide.
Will i be talking to someone like Jack when im older?
I hope so. It looks like fun.
I walk up next to Jack, 'oping to find out more about what they're sayin. But Jack see's me, an' says goodbye to them. I don't want him to stop talkin' to them, but 'e pulls me away, tellin me i've got to learn to move my arse faster 'cause the Captain don' like slow people.
I ask him if the Captain might accept me sooner if i wiggle my arse to his face.
Jack didn't like tha'. He told me to be more respectfull towards me betters. Or else. He didn't tell me what that 'or else' was, so's i's bite my lip and force meself to be quiet.
I don' want somethin bad happenin to me if i can help it.
Jack looks over at me, and says he sorry. But ill have to learn to watch myself, or i might be thrown overboard. I shivered. Thinkin how i don' know how to swim, and the water's so cold.
And then we're at the docks.
Men are everywhere, carryin' cargo and supplies. There are some women there too, most of 'em hugging their husbands or sons or fathers goodbye. I silently wish all those men leavin a safe journey, i don't want those women havin to fend for themselves. Not the way women do in Tortuga.
And the ships! Ohh, the ships are so big and wonderous. I like to watch the sails movin' in the wind. Some of them were down on the dock, men sewing up big or little rips.
I figured i might be doin' some of tha' so i's look real hard, and watch them. There seems to be a trick to it, but Jack pulls me along before i can picks it up.
He pulls me down a long walkway, my sandals slap against it. They make a funny sound, so i's slap them harder. I notice the names painted on the ships' sides.
They sound like the names of Inns or Pleasure Houses.
The Red Lion. The Shadow Cat. Blue Rivers. Crouching Tiger. The Hidden Dragon. The Rum Boat.
And at last.
The Hungry Sphinx.
I noticed how alot of ships were named after cats. Jack's grip on me got tighter as we's got onto the Hungry Sphinx's gangplank. I's stumble a bit, more nervous than i's ever been.
Jack was greeted by some men, he nodded, not stopin' to talk. 'e took me directly to the Captain, who was standin near some barrels. He had a piece of paper an' was makin markings. I thought maybe theys was letters, but when we's stood in front of 'im i saw that they were just lines.
"Jack." The Captain greeted 'im.
"Captain. This here is Charlotte Conway."
The Captain, a man with lots o' whiskers and dark brown hair turned to me, 'is gray eyes locking with mine.
"A girl Jack?"
"Aye, Captain. Been goin on as a boy for a while, doin boys' work. Thought maybe you could use 'er."
"Women, even small ones be bad luck Jack."
"I knows letters." I says, jutting out me chin.
That got 'im. The Captain was silent, Jack was silent. I smiled.
" Ow does a girl know letters?"
"Been on as a boy for a whiles now. Worked for the Letter Man. 'e taught me letters and some numbers."
"Jack, you know about this lad?"
"No Captain."
"How old are you girl?"
"Ten, i's think."
"You think?"
"Don't rightly remember. But i was about five when Nan took me in, an' its been four winters since. So's i figure ten."
The Captain grunted. I looks at Jack. He shrugs an' scratches 'is head.
"Here."
The Captain shoves somethin into me hands. Its the paper 'e was marking.
"What does this look like to ye girl?"
I look down at the paper. At the top theres a crudely drawn barrel, with two wiggly things on either sides. Down below it are a bunch of sets of marks. Four in a row, one across. Four in a row, one across.
"It looks like counting sir." I says. "Four in a row, ands ones across. Five marks sir."
I look back up at the Captain, and see's that he looks impressed. Jack looks surprised too. I shrug.
"Your quick girl. Alright, we'll take ye on. But-" He says before me hopes get to high. "ye'll be on trial for a month or two, if we don' like ye, ye got off at th' next port. And thats all. Ye'll be on your own. Got it?"
I nod. Too happy to seriously take in his words. Buts i knows Jack did, and 'e won't be letting me forget it.
"Good. Jack, show her around. Get her settled, tomorrow we'll figure out the rest."
Jack nodded. The Captain turned to go, taking the paper from my hand.
"Where will she sleep sir?"
The Captain stopped.
"With the crew, set her bed up next to yours."
"Aye Captain." Jack looked relieved, ands i wondered if some o' the crew aren't to trust.
::::::::::::::
Jack shows me around, pointing out some of the things i's probably goings to be doin'. I meet some of the crew. One man, 'is name is Fig. Fig is an irish man, and 'e promised to teach me cards an' all the tricks of cheatin'. I like Fig.
I met the cook, a man named Mannie. He makes fun of Jack's name too, i thinks we'll get along just fine.
And then Jack showed me where ill be sleepin'. I've never slept in a room full of men before, i says. Jack says its gonna be interest'in. He says we'll get me some blankets later, but now its time to eat.
We heads back to the galley, ands i notices Jack still wearin his torn an' bloody shirt.
"Jack, you've still gots yur bloody shirt on."
"Aye, its me only shirt. Ill clean it later."
He takes me hand and leads me into the eatin area. Mannie see's us, and yells for all the men to be's quiet like. They all stop talkin' knowin Mannie doesn't yell unless its important. I start to feel a little sick, so's i push me face into Jack's arm.
"We have a new member mates! A sweet new member! An' if any o' ye don' like 'er, ye can take it up with the Captain, seein 'ow she knows letters and numbers, an' the Captain ain't gonna take it lightly if anythin 'appens to 'er!!"
So's the Captain had talked to Mannie. I felt mores safe after hearin' the warning the Captain 'ad sent to 'is crew.
Mannie looks over at me, an' i swallow an' step forward. The crew turns to look at me, ands i hear 'em start to murmer.
I hold me head up high, ands walks right up to Mannie, turnin to the crew.
"Me name is Charlotte Conway."
A few chuckles.
"I can defends meself. Ands i plan on bein' here for a while, so's when im older, don't go an' try anythin' funny. Ill hurt you real good in the worst place."
Out loud laughin' ands a small applause. I smile.
"C'mon Charlie! Take a seat!" Fig says.
That sick feelin' go's away, ands i sit down, next to Fig. Jack slides in on the other side o' me. I smiles at him, grabbing his hand and squeezin' real tight.
He leans down to me ear, and whispers.
"You did real good Charlie, real good."
I felt my little heart get big with pride.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::
Whoo! Third chapter!! Im really gettin into this story. I don't think i've ever done two chapters in one day. I hope you like it, and leave reviews!! They make me happy!
Disclaimer: I do not own pirates of the caribbean, they won't even let me talk to the owners!!!
Chapter Three: Ships Girl!
:::::::::
Jack took me down to the docks, after i said goodbye to Nan. I was snifflin' an' hiccupin'. I loved Nan. Or Aunty Gooma. She was me real Ma. Not tha' whore that gave me birth.
Jack slung me pack over one shoulder, whislin' and lookin up at the sky.
"What're you doin?" I's ask him.
"Lookin' at the weather."
"Is it good weather?"
"Its alright."
"Oh."
We walks on. Im lookin around me, watchin the people goin by. Some young women are lookin at Jack an' giggling. I looks back at 'im, thinkin bird poop or somethin had fallen on 'im. But i's see's nothin out of ordinary, and look back at them girls.
Oh.
I look back to Jack. He see's them an' bows, asking them how their afternoon went. They giggle some mores. I watch as them say stuff to eachother, eyes wide.
Will i be talking to someone like Jack when im older?
I hope so. It looks like fun.
I walk up next to Jack, 'oping to find out more about what they're sayin. But Jack see's me, an' says goodbye to them. I don't want him to stop talkin' to them, but 'e pulls me away, tellin me i've got to learn to move my arse faster 'cause the Captain don' like slow people.
I ask him if the Captain might accept me sooner if i wiggle my arse to his face.
Jack didn't like tha'. He told me to be more respectfull towards me betters. Or else. He didn't tell me what that 'or else' was, so's i's bite my lip and force meself to be quiet.
I don' want somethin bad happenin to me if i can help it.
Jack looks over at me, and says he sorry. But ill have to learn to watch myself, or i might be thrown overboard. I shivered. Thinkin how i don' know how to swim, and the water's so cold.
And then we're at the docks.
Men are everywhere, carryin' cargo and supplies. There are some women there too, most of 'em hugging their husbands or sons or fathers goodbye. I silently wish all those men leavin a safe journey, i don't want those women havin to fend for themselves. Not the way women do in Tortuga.
And the ships! Ohh, the ships are so big and wonderous. I like to watch the sails movin' in the wind. Some of them were down on the dock, men sewing up big or little rips.
I figured i might be doin' some of tha' so i's look real hard, and watch them. There seems to be a trick to it, but Jack pulls me along before i can picks it up.
He pulls me down a long walkway, my sandals slap against it. They make a funny sound, so i's slap them harder. I notice the names painted on the ships' sides.
They sound like the names of Inns or Pleasure Houses.
The Red Lion. The Shadow Cat. Blue Rivers. Crouching Tiger. The Hidden Dragon. The Rum Boat.
And at last.
The Hungry Sphinx.
I noticed how alot of ships were named after cats. Jack's grip on me got tighter as we's got onto the Hungry Sphinx's gangplank. I's stumble a bit, more nervous than i's ever been.
Jack was greeted by some men, he nodded, not stopin' to talk. 'e took me directly to the Captain, who was standin near some barrels. He had a piece of paper an' was makin markings. I thought maybe theys was letters, but when we's stood in front of 'im i saw that they were just lines.
"Jack." The Captain greeted 'im.
"Captain. This here is Charlotte Conway."
The Captain, a man with lots o' whiskers and dark brown hair turned to me, 'is gray eyes locking with mine.
"A girl Jack?"
"Aye, Captain. Been goin on as a boy for a while, doin boys' work. Thought maybe you could use 'er."
"Women, even small ones be bad luck Jack."
"I knows letters." I says, jutting out me chin.
That got 'im. The Captain was silent, Jack was silent. I smiled.
" Ow does a girl know letters?"
"Been on as a boy for a whiles now. Worked for the Letter Man. 'e taught me letters and some numbers."
"Jack, you know about this lad?"
"No Captain."
"How old are you girl?"
"Ten, i's think."
"You think?"
"Don't rightly remember. But i was about five when Nan took me in, an' its been four winters since. So's i figure ten."
The Captain grunted. I looks at Jack. He shrugs an' scratches 'is head.
"Here."
The Captain shoves somethin into me hands. Its the paper 'e was marking.
"What does this look like to ye girl?"
I look down at the paper. At the top theres a crudely drawn barrel, with two wiggly things on either sides. Down below it are a bunch of sets of marks. Four in a row, one across. Four in a row, one across.
"It looks like counting sir." I says. "Four in a row, ands ones across. Five marks sir."
I look back up at the Captain, and see's that he looks impressed. Jack looks surprised too. I shrug.
"Your quick girl. Alright, we'll take ye on. But-" He says before me hopes get to high. "ye'll be on trial for a month or two, if we don' like ye, ye got off at th' next port. And thats all. Ye'll be on your own. Got it?"
I nod. Too happy to seriously take in his words. Buts i knows Jack did, and 'e won't be letting me forget it.
"Good. Jack, show her around. Get her settled, tomorrow we'll figure out the rest."
Jack nodded. The Captain turned to go, taking the paper from my hand.
"Where will she sleep sir?"
The Captain stopped.
"With the crew, set her bed up next to yours."
"Aye Captain." Jack looked relieved, ands i wondered if some o' the crew aren't to trust.
::::::::::::::
Jack shows me around, pointing out some of the things i's probably goings to be doin'. I meet some of the crew. One man, 'is name is Fig. Fig is an irish man, and 'e promised to teach me cards an' all the tricks of cheatin'. I like Fig.
I met the cook, a man named Mannie. He makes fun of Jack's name too, i thinks we'll get along just fine.
And then Jack showed me where ill be sleepin'. I've never slept in a room full of men before, i says. Jack says its gonna be interest'in. He says we'll get me some blankets later, but now its time to eat.
We heads back to the galley, ands i notices Jack still wearin his torn an' bloody shirt.
"Jack, you've still gots yur bloody shirt on."
"Aye, its me only shirt. Ill clean it later."
He takes me hand and leads me into the eatin area. Mannie see's us, and yells for all the men to be's quiet like. They all stop talkin' knowin Mannie doesn't yell unless its important. I start to feel a little sick, so's i push me face into Jack's arm.
"We have a new member mates! A sweet new member! An' if any o' ye don' like 'er, ye can take it up with the Captain, seein 'ow she knows letters and numbers, an' the Captain ain't gonna take it lightly if anythin 'appens to 'er!!"
So's the Captain had talked to Mannie. I felt mores safe after hearin' the warning the Captain 'ad sent to 'is crew.
Mannie looks over at me, an' i swallow an' step forward. The crew turns to look at me, ands i hear 'em start to murmer.
I hold me head up high, ands walks right up to Mannie, turnin to the crew.
"Me name is Charlotte Conway."
A few chuckles.
"I can defends meself. Ands i plan on bein' here for a while, so's when im older, don't go an' try anythin' funny. Ill hurt you real good in the worst place."
Out loud laughin' ands a small applause. I smile.
"C'mon Charlie! Take a seat!" Fig says.
That sick feelin' go's away, ands i sit down, next to Fig. Jack slides in on the other side o' me. I smiles at him, grabbing his hand and squeezin' real tight.
He leans down to me ear, and whispers.
"You did real good Charlie, real good."
I felt my little heart get big with pride.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::
Whoo! Third chapter!! Im really gettin into this story. I don't think i've ever done two chapters in one day. I hope you like it, and leave reviews!! They make me happy!
