Chapter 12

Name calling

"Santo Domingo!" Raggeti called to the crew from the very top of the mainmast. "I kin see it!" As The Aaralyn traveled on the land could be seen by all of them. Their attention turned from looking up at Raggeti as they all began to line up at the side of the ship. Raggeti slide down the rigging to join them, but he spotted Pintel leaning against the mizzen, and went over to him instead.

"'Ey, we'll see that nice lady, what's her name? Oh, yes Rachel." Pintel squinted at him, ready to hit him again.

"Nice lady?" He questioned softly. "Nice lady!" He cried. He took Raggeti by the neck and shook him. "Last time I saw that 'nice lady' she hog tied me and was ready to throw me off a bridge!" Raggeti curled up as Pintel shook him.

"I thought- she- was- nice..." He said between breaths. Pintel stopped and glared at him eye to eye. Raggeti looked at him, very confused.

"She is going... to kill me!" Pintel spat, shaking Raggeti one last time and shoving him away slightly. Raggeti pouted and lowered his head, causing Pintel to twitch with the slightest bit of care. "Sorry." He muttered gruffly. Raggeti continued to frown though. "It's just that mad woman and 'er Spanish ramblin' friends..."

"We kin out run em." Raggeti said confidently. Pintel folded his arms across his chest.

"Oh sure, maybe ye kin. You have a hard time remembering I ain't as fast as ye." He grumbled. Raggeti was about to say something, but Pintel continued. "Unless ye'd like to carry me on your back." Raggeti took his sarcastic comment seriously and gave him a worried look.

"That might hurt me." Pintel wrestled himself away from Raggeti so he wouldn't kill him. He soothed his anger by strangling the hilt of his sword. That wasn't enough for him though.

"I gotta go strangle some un." He muttered, stomping off. He found himself a short, younger pirate and took him by the neck, strangling him furiously instead.

"Hey!" The man gurgled a bit and slumped from Pintel's hands. Pintel threw him against the main mast and continued off, leaving the him regain his breath slowly. As Raggeti went to go look for Estrella he walked past the man and shook his head softly.

"T'aint easy..." He said with a shrug. As long as he could remember, which wasn't too much, Pintel always liked to strangle people. Preferably him, but in some cases he'd get off easy. Before he could get to the aft, where Estrella was, the Bo 'sun shouted orders to the crew.

"Lie to and furl the sails. We're headed ashore." He boomed. As he made his way across the deck, seeing his orders were fulfilled he caught eye of Raggeti. He seized him by the throat, something Raggeti was getting tired of, and held him close. "I'll be needing to speak with your mate, no doubt." He shoved the frightful Raggeti away and finished. "The dead man..." As he walked away, Raggeti rubbed his neck worriedly. Dead man, think that means Bo 'sun wants to kill him....

He set off for the helm, perhaps he could tell the captain. Which... would get the Bo 'sun mad at him. Never mind he thought quickly, turning to head away from the captain. Estrella caught sight of him from the steps of the quarter deck and dashed after him.

"Edward, would you believe it?" She moaned, catching up to him. He shrugged. "Captain asked me that when we get free from The Dauntless that we, as you and I, let him a share in my father's wealth!" Raggeti sniffed a bit.

"Why? We'll 'ave plenty o' loot in the days to come. I want you to have your father's fortune, anyway." Estrella cast fierce glances back at Twigg, who hadn't taken his eye from her. She lightened when she heard Raggeti's plans though.

"Really? You want me to have it. Edward?" She asked, stopping him as they reached the gangplank to go ashore. He cringed at his name.

"Call me Jonathan, call me Isaac, or call me by my name now, Raggeti. Jus' don't call me that no more." As he said that Grapple and Mallet walked by. Grapple landed a blow across the back of Raggeti's head, sending the rest of the crew into rolls of laughter.

"Oh, Haha, Edwardian! Jus' git used ta it, we'll be calling ye it for the rest o pathetic little life now." Grapple sneered. Mallet shoved Grapple though, sending him a few steps back.

"Oh, aye, well I hear yer name is Rupert!" he accused. The crew was laughing fitfully now, and Raggeti covered his mouth, resisting the yearning to mock Grapple also. Grapple wasn't quite as amused. He swatted at Mallet, causing his hat to fly off.

"An' Yer name is Finnbar, from what I hear!" He shot back, landing Mallet square across the jaw with the back of his hand. Mallet stumbled backwards and threw himself at Grapple.

"Who told you that?" He shouted, taking Grapple by the hair and shaking him. Raggeti used this chance for him and Estrella, who wasn't enjoying this, to sneak away from the ship. They backed down off the gangplank, Raggeti having to muffle a few giggles as they did. He stopped when he heard the answer to Mallet's question though.

"Pintel told me." Raggeti choked his laughing and took deep breaths as their banter went back and forth.

"He told me too!"

"He's dead!"

Raggeti whimpered softly as the pair, along with a few others set off to find Pintel. Estrella was particularly happy, but she didn't show it, since she had to comfort her older brother, saying "They won't kill him over silly name calling, will they?" Raggeti gave her an uneasy shudder. "Okay maybe they will..." Raggeti looked even more pitiful after that.

"I'll be right back." He said, taking a step onto the gangplank. Estrella stopped him though.

"No, leave him. He'll be fine. Believe me, I think Twigg will take his side and put an end to this all. Come on, I'll buy you some real food." She took him by the arm and began to lead him into town, as reluctant as he was.

.....

Pintel was the furthest from 'fine' as the crew, including the Bo 'sun, cornered him below deck. Shaking, he reached for his pistol in his belt, but as soon as he pulled it out he clumsily dropped it. It'd be the death of him to take his eyes off the crew and get it, too.

"Uh, I kin explain?" He said weakly. There was a unison of growls among the crew. "Hey, hey look, taint my fault. I just... well I was in charge o' the books on The Black Pearl. I know all yer names and I ain't afraid to use em!" Pintel played the brave card and hoped they'd buy it. But with one withering look from the Bo 'sun he shut up.

"You." The Bo 'sun growled. "You told my name." Pintel laughed lightly.

"I s'pose you noticed..." Pintel chuckled sheepishly. The Bo 'sun was amused. "Uh, look Ashley... I, I mean, I really-" The Bo 'sun grew furious, and without a second thought landed his fist in Pintel's stomach. This was something Pintel had dreaded, and sort of knew was coming, for a while. So, though it hurt, he was quite prepared. Not enough though. He slumped to the ground, leaning his head back on the wall and clutching his stomach.

"I guess this ain't heaven, since... well that's the last place I'm gonna be welcomed to." Pintel panted weakly. "An' heaven is s'posed ta be light an glowy..." The Bo 'sun kicked him to shut up his meaningless ramble.

"Hey, all of you!" Twigg's amusingly Dutch voice pierced over the crew's laughter. "Git back to work." The men scattered, all running around Twigg to get back above deck. The Bo 'sun gave Pintel one last hateful glare and pushed past his captain.

"Well, that was interesting." Pintel mused as Twigg helped him up.

"You should probably leave for a while, let em cool off, eh?" Twigg asked. Pintel shuddered a bit though, not being able to decide what was worse, death by crew or death by wenches. He'd rather have the last thing he'd see be pretty wenches then the Bo 'sun. Of course, when he got above deck, there wasn't much choice, because the crew immediately tossed him off.

"Dare defy yer first mate, ey?" Pintel shouted back at them as he patrolled down the docks. As they growled back their reply Pintel waved them off, pretending he wasn't listening. "Yah, well we'll see how y'see when I-" He was interrupted by a pistol shot, and the bullet that flew over his shoulder. He stopped on a dime and turned around slowly to see Mallet shove his pistol back in his belt. "Fine!" He spun about and continued his walk, expecting another bullet more properly aimed. Luckily that didn't happen.

As Pintel found his way through the streets he received a few odd looks and overheard people whispering things like "Pirate" and "Corsair". He indulged it gleefully. Of course he was a pirate, and he had escaped jail already, so if he was caught he'd just do it again. There was no doubt in his mind he could, after doing so the first time. He spotted Raggeti down the road, and Estrella. Ah, me sweet lovely Estrella!© Pintel thought wistfully, grasping his heart. Estrella caught sight of him and stuck out her tongue girlishly. Pintel smiled and wandered over to them both. Raggeti was eying the fruit of a produce stand, something rare to him.

"Fruit!" Pintel cried when he saw it. He'd whistled sweetly and put his back to the stand. Without anyone noticing he slipped an orange under the folds of his shirt and another into Raggeti's hand. "Keep it down, yer sis'll kill me." Pintel whispered. Raggeti nodded and slide the orange into a pouch on his belt.

"You two..." Estrella looked at them carefully, then let it be. She was dealing with pirates, so there wasn't much more she could expect from them. Even if one was her brother and the other...never mind it.

"Ye should git back to the ship. I'm gonna take me matey ta the best tavern 'round these parts an' I don't really think you want to go there." Pintel slung an arm around Raggeti and punched his arm playfully. Raggeti pretended he wasn't too excited, but, truth be told, he hadn't been to a tavern in ages. (In other words, since before they were cursed)

"Oh?" Estrella placed her hands on her hips. "Well, I'm not heading back to that dreadful ship. I'll stay here." She planted a foot on the ground firmly. Pintel couldn't help a witty line.

"Well, you have fun then, poppit. I s'pose you have a thing fer fruit stands as ye'll be..." Pintel pointed to the ground. "Right there, the whole time." At that he led Raggeti off, leaving Estrella to glare him down from the back. She gave a fitful stomp then turned and took off down the street. She didn't get far, because she bumped into the back of an older lady. There were two others with this woman.

"Oh, sorry." She said politely. The older woman, smiled.

"That's alright. That ship out there," The woman pointed to The Aaralyn. "Do you know of it?"

"It's a pirate ship." She said simply. She didn't feel like beating around the bush on something obvious like there were pirates there. The older woman nodded to her friends, who were sitting on a porch to a small unknown tavern.

"Pirates? I knew it. I can't stand the brutes, though they're here often." The woman sighed deeply.

"I know." Estrella replied, taking a seat beside the other ladies. "My brother's a pirate. I think he did it just to annoy me." And so, Estrella spent her time talking to her newly made friends. Of course, Pintel wasn't having that great of a day at all. Especially when he got to the tavern...

As he and Raggeti neared the tavern, The Rumshop, Raggeti spotted some old friends. "Hey look! It's Rachel." He said it a bit too loud, and caught Rachel's attention from the tavern steps. Pintel stopped and began to walk the other direction, but Raggeti stopped him. 'I's alright, ye'll be fine."

"Hey look!" Rachel cried into the tavern door. A few ladies stepped out. "It's Pintel!" She folded her arms across her chest. "The bloody wretch! Get him!" The women took off down the steps of the tavern towards Pintel. He spun around, grabbing Raggeti by the arm and sprinting down the road. It was a wild, and very noticeable, goose chase, and due to Pintel's slow running and dragging Raggeti behind him, the goose was losing. Mainly because as they ran, more women joined in. As the ladies gained on him he turned a corner, looking back to see if he'd lost them.

"Uh, mate." Raggeti called. Pintel looked forward and saw the dead end of wall in front of them. He stopped short, sending Raggeti flying into the wall. Raggeti was knocked cold against the wall, and fell flat on his back. Pintel turned back around, backing up slowly as the women come for him.

"Last time you were here, you bloody wretch, you escaped us. Not this time though." Rachel pulled a rope from seemingly nowhere, as did her dozens of lady friends.

"Uh, look. Why don't we, um, talk?" Pintel felt himself hit the wall, knowing there was nowhere to run he tried talking, not his strong point. "I have an orange, if you'd like it." It was no use. The women, who were mainly Spanish so Pintel couldn't understand a word they said, closed in on him, and in a matter of minutes, had him gagged and roped on each limb. Raggeti barely regained enough of his conscience to see what was happening, but the sight of a short, Spanish lady hovering above him certainly woke him up.

"Hola, Raggeti." She winked sweetly, causing Raggeti to cringe as he sat up.

"Uh, Hola?" He replied nervously. He caught the other ladies' attention as he spoke.

"Oh, hi Raggeti. Nice to see you again." Rachel said, then turning back to tightening the ropes around Pintel's arms. She held one out to him. "You want one?" Raggeti stood up quickly and ran over just as one of the Spanish women was finished blindfolding Pintel.

"What are y'doing?" Raggeti asked. Rachel smiled triumphantly, but didn't answer him.

"Ready everyone?" Rachel began. "And pull!"

"Stop!" Estrella's voice came out over them. Raggeti took a sigh of relief. Apparently Estrella had seen them streaming through the town.

"What, do you want one too?" Rachel held out the rope she was holding for Raggeti to Estrella. Estrella swatted it away.

"As much as I'd like to, no thank you. Just leave him to me." Rachel dropped the rope and gathered up her friends.

"Alright, he's your problem now. Good luck... you'll need it..." At that she left from the dead ended street, giving a last farewell to Raggeti, which was nothing short of flirtatious. "Ta, Raggeti. Oh and I like your eye." She disappeared down the street. Estrella took a moment to clear that from her mind, then began to untie Pintel. She pulled his gag and blindfold first.

"Oh, dearest poppit! Thank ye for saving my life!" Pintel cried. She pulled him aside by one of the ropes before he could hug her, and began to untie the rest. "I can't thank ye enough." Pintel panted. Estrella rolled her eyes as she loosened the last rope from his ankle.

"Believe me, it was nothing." She muttered. Pintel looked her over carefully, for the first time realizing how much she really didn't like him. He looked at the ground sullenly, and Estrella had a hard time not noticing his despair.

"You alright?" Raggeti asked carefully, ever wary of getting on Pintel's bad side. Estrella wrapped the ropes around her wrist and let Raggeti do the comforting. It was not her place. Pintel shuffled past them both though, and looked up to see something that changed his mood. Not for the better unfortunately. He slowly backed up against the wall again and hid behind Raggeti, then realizing how stupid that was, hid behind Estrella.

"What is wrong with you? You look like you saw a ghost." Estrella said. She looked back down the street to see the Bo 'sun, Grapple, and Mallet on the opposite side of the road that crossed this. "Oh, it's just Ashley, Rupert, and Finnbar." Raggeti found himself giggling hysterically.

"Ashley?" He chuckled loudly. Too loud. The Bo 'sun turned and spotted them, motioning Grapple and Mallet over. Estrella sighed deeply.

"Must I do everything for you two?" At that she set off toward the other three. "G'day, Mr. Grapple, Mallet, and g'day Bo 'sun." Mallet scuffed his foot on the ground lightly, tucking his hands neatly behind his back.

"Ye kin call me Finnbar." He said, lowering his head. Grapple gave him a good kick and Mallet took off his hat clumsily. From back in the alley Pintel watched in utter shock, waiting for what the Bo 'sun would say.

"It would please me more to know your last names." Estrella said sweetly, giving another of her deep curtsies to them. Pintel pushed Raggeti's jaw back up for him, shaking his head also.

"Wonder if we could learn to curtsy like that..." Raggeti thought out loud, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Pintel whacked him hard across the chest, sending him sprawling back into the wall. Raggeti gave him an astonished and shaken look, not realizing what he had done wrong. Though, he never quite did anyway.

.....

Will had taken the leisurely pleasure of a nap in the rigging, which, although refreshing, was quite dangerous. Luckily he had tied a rope around his chest to the mainmast and weaved it through certain ropes, mainly footropes, to make the fall, if any, smooth. At any rate, he wasn't terribly high, but it was a cause for worry in Elizabeth. She had it in her mind he would plunge to his death and the ropes would snap. "I've been up in the rigging plenty o times, and I never fell." Jack reassured her. Anamaria was less helpful, by saying, "I knew some one who fell once. Poor man."

As an attempt to cheer the crew up, Jack neglected his chase of The Piercin' Pirate, and let down the anchor. It was about time for the crew to have some light hearted fun and swimming. Elizabeth wasn't amused by that though, having come close to drowning several times in the last two months. When Will came down he immediately tried to persuade her otherwise.

"Come, Elizabeth, you're on a pirate ship, not back at Port Royal in your fancy dresses." He said. Elizabeth took his unwitting comment scornfully. She looked as the men, and Ana, jumped from the side and bowsprit netting. "You'll be the only one left aboard but Cotton's parrot." Elizabeth smiled.

"I don't know. After falling from the fort, walking the plank, and getting thrown overboard, I'm not quite fancying swimming as I did when I was a girl." She said, turning her face from the water. Will took her by the chin softly and turned her to face him.

"I'll tie you a line." He said sweetly.

"Promise you'll knot it?" Elizabeth said in subtly flirtatious way. Will nodded and went to do so for her. Jack, Ana, and Gibbs pulled themselves up over the side, after listening to the whole conversation.

"How incredibly adorable." Jack cooed, shaking the water from his hair. Ana snickered, which she did to anything remotely 'sweet'. Elizabeth couldn't help but smile at them.

"Pirates...." She said, shaking her head at them. Ana squinted past her though.

"Jack, look." She cried, pointing over to the south. Jack walked to the other side of the ship and peered over the side at The Dauntless.

"What did I do this time?" He wondered out loud as the other three joined him. "It was probably that Lessont fellow. Doesn't like me at all. Can't see why not..." Jack fondled himself carefully, and Ana gave him a good smack.

"It doesn't matter now. They've got up their white flag, so we'll talk to them." Ana pushed away from the rail. "All hands on deck!" And at that the fun was over. The crew hustled aboard as The Dauntless grew closer. Now, mind you, everyone aboard The Dauntless had no idea about Elizabeth being on The Black Pearl. And I must say they wouldn't find out.

"Good day, Captian Sparrow." Lessont called once The Dauntless was anchored alongside The Black Pearl. Jack tipped his hat deeply to Lessont and Norrington.

"Ahoy ship, Vice Admiral, Commodore." Jack replied. Even from where he stood, Jack could see Lessont twist his face in disgust for him. Elizabeth, on seeing Norrington, took Will by the hand and started off.

"It's probably best Norrington doesn't know." She said when Will questioned.

Jack ordered a plank set down, and when it was he took not a second longer to cross. As a gesture of, um, gentlemanliness, Jack tipped his hat flamboyantly. "Though it took me thick day upon thick night, I have understood your orders." He said, hopping off the gangplank.

"Oh?" Lessont raised his eyebrows suggestively. Jack nodded.

"Privateering sounds lovely, dearly, but perhaps my crew may not be ale to follow this. Especially my dear friend Anamaria." Jack was leading up to something, Norrington knew. Lessont quirked his eyebrow quizzically and let Jack continue. "For as stated in the ever well known song Those who want to go Privateering, all who want to go privateering must be men with beards." His crew erupted in roars of laughter, leaving Ana and all the English men silent. An arrogant crew member broke into song.

"All who want to go Privateering, Must be Men

with Beards: Jan, Pier, Tjores and Corneel:

all have Beards, all have Beards. Jan, Pier, Tjores

and Corneel, are Men who have Beards, and will sail with us!"

"Enough of this piffle!" Lessont shouted. The crew grew quiet quickly. "Return to your task, Jack Sparrow, our business is done!" At that Lessont stormed off below deck.

"Excuse me, Captain." Norrington then set off after Lessont. Jack saluted and returned to the Black Pearl.

"Weigh anchor, let down the sails!" He called. Ana stopped him firmly before he could head to the helm and gave him a harsh look. He pretended not to notice, though it was sort of obvious what she was upset about.

"Hilarious." She finally said, shoving him slightly and heading amidships. His mustache twitched slightly and he called after her.

"I thought you'd think that."

.....