Other than adding another character, I think this chapter is sort of
pointless. I couldn't avoid it, though. Hope I don't bore you to death.
***
Disclaimer: I only own Tori, Nick, Reph, Lyra, Darren, and James. I don't own POTC.
***
Boom!
"Everyone down!" yelled Gibbs.
The cannonball scrapped the side of the Pearl, showering everyone with water and debris. Tori was the first one up, grabbing the tiller to steady herself. "We're comin' towards the shipyard," she yelled to Gibbs, "For damaged ships."
"Good!" Gibbs heaved himself up along with the rest of the crew, "We're in danger of their cannons blowin' us out any minute."
"But don't we want ta come inta the main harbor?" Tori called.
"Anythin' we can get ta. Plus, the Pearl IS damaged."
There was another boom, though this cannonball missed the Pearl by a good ten feet. "Shouldn't we fire back at them?" Darren asked.
"Our efforts need ta be in getting' there. Tryin' ta fire would only slow us down."
Tori gave a cry. "Just around the corner, here."
The Dauntless had stopped. It wasn't going too close to Tortuga. It continued firing, however. Tortuga's shipyard came into view. The Dauntless' booms became fainter and fainter. "Drop anchor!" yelled Gibbs.
Darren and Reph quickly heaved the anchor overboard. Right at the dock, the Pearl came to a grinding halt. "We made it!" Tori lowered the gangplank.
The crew looked out at the mess of Taverns, street scum, prostitutes, and fights in the streets beyond the shipyard. "Tortuga, Tortuga, home sweet home," Gibbs muttered, rather fondly.
Nick just stared. He'd heard of this place but had never imagined this. Realizing that the other crewmembers were beginning to look at him, he quickly shut his mouth. Best keep it shut from now on. "Right," Gibbs turned back to the crew, "I'll find out what the best deal is ta have the Pearl's mast replaced in the shortest amount of time. Ya all are free ta leave, just make sure ta come back in three days time. I'll tell ya what's happenin' then. Ya're free ta spend the night on the Pearl, as I'm sure some of ya will, until the mast construction gets underway. See ya in three days."
The crew gave a cheer and unboarded the Pearl. Leaving, Nick felt sick. He was all alone in a dangerous place. Looking around, he saw Darren going off to the left. He was the only person Nick knew at all besides Reph and Tori who would no doubt shun him. Nick broke into a run to catch up. Darren turned, surprised to find him there. "Aye?" he asked.
He was much better-mannered than most of the crew. Nick wondered if that came from Lyra. "Can I.. stay with you?" Nick stammered, "I don't know my way around here."
Darren looked alarmed. "Hasn't Gibbs given ya a guide?"
Nick shook his head. "Probably slipped his mind," Darren continued, "Well, I suppose I'll help ya. Ya can hardly go wanderin' around here, alone."
He motioned Nick to follow and sent off again. Suddenly he stopped again, looking rather uncomfortable. "One condition, though," he told Nick.
"Aye?"
"If ya see anythin'... that is ta say anythin' havin' ta do with me and Lyra, ya promise not ta breathe a word."
Nick gave a sigh of relief. He was expecting something different. "I've already been keeping your secret," he told Darren.
"Ya knew?"
Nick nodded. "We must be more careful," Darren muttered, starting down the road again.
"Where are we going?" asked Nick.
"The Faithful Bride," Darren replied, "Most of the crew is bound ta be there. I was goin' ta meet Lyra, it's much more dangerous for her ta walk around alone here than any of us, but I'll find someone else ta look after ya, first. I was hopin' for some privacy here."
Nick nodded. This was understandable. Still, he wished he could follow someone he was slightly more comfortable with.
The Faithful Bride was full of fighting or gambling men and half- dressed women. The whole place stunk of rum and sweat. In the corner, quite a few crewmembers from the Pearl sat playing poker. Darren and Nick pushed through the crowd over to them. "Ahoy there, Darren!" A few stood up to greet him, the rest still musing over their cards. "Want ta join us?"
"Not now," Darren motioned to Nick, "I've got the kid, and he needs a guide. Any offers ta help?"
No-one spoke up. Darren gave an irritated sigh and slapped a sliver coin down on the table. All eyes turned to him immediately. "Anyone?" Darren asked again.
Nick tapped Darren's shoulder. "That's alright. I'll fend for myself. I'm not that young."
Darren shook his head. "It's not your youth that bothers me. You're not used ta this type of place."
A hand came up. "I'll look after the kid."
A slender, brown-haired man came forward. His hair was quite short, but matted. His eyes were gray and stormy. "Alright, James," Darren nodded, "This is Nick. Make sure he doesn't get inta trouble."
"I will."
James reached out a hand to take the sliver coin but Darren quickly pulled it away. "Payment, AFTER," he said, forcefully.
"Oh come on, Darren. Ya know ya can trust me."
"I don't want the kid ta get so much as a scratch," Darren replied, menacingly, "Once the job is done and I'm sure ya've done well, then I'll give it ta ya."
James gave a small growl. "How'd ya get that type of money ta just hand out, anyway?" he asked.
"I actually believe in savin' it," Darren said, coldly.
There was an awkward silence. The sounds of the door opening and a women's voice reached them. "Excuse me, but you haven't happen to have seen a man named Darren any where near?"
Followed by a man's deep grumbling, "No but I dare say there's plenty of others who will take ya on."
"I'm not looking for work, thank you very much," came the woman's voice, curtly.
"That's what they all say."
Darren was through the crowd in a flash. "Lyra!" he called.
Most of the crew had turned back to their game, by now. Nick strained to see where Darren had gone. He saw Lyra saying something and then Darren gave her a soft kiss (many men looked on with jealousy.) They broke apart and Darren led her back towards Nick and the crew. Nick quickly turned and pretended not to have seen them. "How'd ya know I was here?" he heard Darren ask her.
"I followed you but since you were joined by someone else, I didn't want to draw much attention to myself. I stayed a good distance behind."
They appeared in front of him, Lyra looking as beautiful as ever, her cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling. It caused Nick to wonder, yet again, how anyone could have mistaken her for a male. "Nick," she exclaimed when she saw him, "I was wondering about you. Do you have someone to lead you around? You could stay with Darren and I."
"I just found someone for him," Darren cut in, "I was hoping for some," he lowered his voice, "privacy."
Lyra's expression didn't change. She just nodded. "Who?"
"James."
"Oh," she said it politely but Nick could tell that she didn't think much of James. He hope he wasn't being looked after by a mad killer or something worse. (Of course, these were pirates so there wasn't much mortality about any of them.)
"Someone say my name?" James asked, turning around from the poker match he had gone back to.
"Just tellin' Lyra that ya were lookin' after Nick."
"Lyra?"
James' head spun around. "Ahoy there, luv," he called to her in a flirtatious voice.
"Hello James," Lyra said, icily.
No doubt, this was why she didn't like James. Darren didn't seem to think anything of it. Common pirate language was to call all females "luv" or worse. 'Like to see them try it on Tori,' Nick thought and then wished he hadn't thought it.
Not only was Tori considered part of the crew and therefore thought of as a male would be but it made him feel sick, thinking about Tori. "Well, I'm leavin'," Darren was saying, "James, remember ta take good care of Nick for yer payment."
With that he turned and left, followed by Lyra. Nick was left under the care of nearly a stranger.
***
I hate how everyone calls him "kid" but I can't really help it since it is part of their character. Um yeah, so to reviewers:
Reese Sparrow: Sort of. I didn't write this chapter before I read your story but I was thinking of having Ana whipped from almost the beginning of the story. It wasn't until I got to that part that I realized that I would have to tie her to something so it might as well be a cannon. So the answer to the question is yes and no.
VagrantCandy: I am going to answer that question because I feel like talking. What else would you expect Barbossa's son to be like? His mother is a prostitute and his father is an evil pirate. He was probably never loved as a little kid (which means we should feel sorry for him, too... maybe.) You're not "supposed" to hate Reph but it's the feeling I get towards him when I'm writing it.
Anmras: 'Course. Ana has to show her skill with a blade, sometime.
Sparrow Quill: Lucky bum. *Glares* The best I've ever gotten in theater was getting to hug my crush and he wasn't hot at all. Yeah, I'm quite lazy. I use "The Shadow" for every POTC fic I write that needs another pirate ship. (Which is only one other so far.) I have to say; it worked best for this one, though.
Arwen Turner: Uh yeah. That's nice. I'm not sure if I like the idea of someone being forced to read this but that's your thing. Oh yeah, *brightens up* I'm a LOTR geek. I don't speak Elvish fluently, yet, though. I'm still learning. But I'm more obsessive over POTC.
totallyObsessedwithLOTR: Sorry that your cousin is forcing you to read this *tear*. (Just between us, don't read anything that you don't want to.) Lol. Yeah, so if you read the story up to here, I commend you (hopefully you didn't get too bored. Especially with this chapter.)
zeldagirl436: This is my other story. This and Deleted Scenes from POTC are both mine.
TheSiriusSparrow: Um yeah. Unfortunately, I'm at a lack of words by now.
Karin: WILL! Okay, so this is probably getting annoying. I need him, though, to get through all my work. Hope you did well on exams!
Yakkorat: Something else: any ideas? A whip is about the only thing I could use (a belt?) Okay, so you're right (of course). There's a problem there. I know about a cat 'o nine tails and bullwhip so maybe all they had on board was a chicken whip or something (okay, sorry for the incredibly lame joke. I just had to say it.) I really can't have both Ana and Will half-dead. Overkill, don't you think? What about if I go back and change it to one or two lashes? Would that work? Also, considering that Ana has a stronger body than most people.
***
Disclaimer: I only own Tori, Nick, Reph, Lyra, Darren, and James. I don't own POTC.
***
Boom!
"Everyone down!" yelled Gibbs.
The cannonball scrapped the side of the Pearl, showering everyone with water and debris. Tori was the first one up, grabbing the tiller to steady herself. "We're comin' towards the shipyard," she yelled to Gibbs, "For damaged ships."
"Good!" Gibbs heaved himself up along with the rest of the crew, "We're in danger of their cannons blowin' us out any minute."
"But don't we want ta come inta the main harbor?" Tori called.
"Anythin' we can get ta. Plus, the Pearl IS damaged."
There was another boom, though this cannonball missed the Pearl by a good ten feet. "Shouldn't we fire back at them?" Darren asked.
"Our efforts need ta be in getting' there. Tryin' ta fire would only slow us down."
Tori gave a cry. "Just around the corner, here."
The Dauntless had stopped. It wasn't going too close to Tortuga. It continued firing, however. Tortuga's shipyard came into view. The Dauntless' booms became fainter and fainter. "Drop anchor!" yelled Gibbs.
Darren and Reph quickly heaved the anchor overboard. Right at the dock, the Pearl came to a grinding halt. "We made it!" Tori lowered the gangplank.
The crew looked out at the mess of Taverns, street scum, prostitutes, and fights in the streets beyond the shipyard. "Tortuga, Tortuga, home sweet home," Gibbs muttered, rather fondly.
Nick just stared. He'd heard of this place but had never imagined this. Realizing that the other crewmembers were beginning to look at him, he quickly shut his mouth. Best keep it shut from now on. "Right," Gibbs turned back to the crew, "I'll find out what the best deal is ta have the Pearl's mast replaced in the shortest amount of time. Ya all are free ta leave, just make sure ta come back in three days time. I'll tell ya what's happenin' then. Ya're free ta spend the night on the Pearl, as I'm sure some of ya will, until the mast construction gets underway. See ya in three days."
The crew gave a cheer and unboarded the Pearl. Leaving, Nick felt sick. He was all alone in a dangerous place. Looking around, he saw Darren going off to the left. He was the only person Nick knew at all besides Reph and Tori who would no doubt shun him. Nick broke into a run to catch up. Darren turned, surprised to find him there. "Aye?" he asked.
He was much better-mannered than most of the crew. Nick wondered if that came from Lyra. "Can I.. stay with you?" Nick stammered, "I don't know my way around here."
Darren looked alarmed. "Hasn't Gibbs given ya a guide?"
Nick shook his head. "Probably slipped his mind," Darren continued, "Well, I suppose I'll help ya. Ya can hardly go wanderin' around here, alone."
He motioned Nick to follow and sent off again. Suddenly he stopped again, looking rather uncomfortable. "One condition, though," he told Nick.
"Aye?"
"If ya see anythin'... that is ta say anythin' havin' ta do with me and Lyra, ya promise not ta breathe a word."
Nick gave a sigh of relief. He was expecting something different. "I've already been keeping your secret," he told Darren.
"Ya knew?"
Nick nodded. "We must be more careful," Darren muttered, starting down the road again.
"Where are we going?" asked Nick.
"The Faithful Bride," Darren replied, "Most of the crew is bound ta be there. I was goin' ta meet Lyra, it's much more dangerous for her ta walk around alone here than any of us, but I'll find someone else ta look after ya, first. I was hopin' for some privacy here."
Nick nodded. This was understandable. Still, he wished he could follow someone he was slightly more comfortable with.
The Faithful Bride was full of fighting or gambling men and half- dressed women. The whole place stunk of rum and sweat. In the corner, quite a few crewmembers from the Pearl sat playing poker. Darren and Nick pushed through the crowd over to them. "Ahoy there, Darren!" A few stood up to greet him, the rest still musing over their cards. "Want ta join us?"
"Not now," Darren motioned to Nick, "I've got the kid, and he needs a guide. Any offers ta help?"
No-one spoke up. Darren gave an irritated sigh and slapped a sliver coin down on the table. All eyes turned to him immediately. "Anyone?" Darren asked again.
Nick tapped Darren's shoulder. "That's alright. I'll fend for myself. I'm not that young."
Darren shook his head. "It's not your youth that bothers me. You're not used ta this type of place."
A hand came up. "I'll look after the kid."
A slender, brown-haired man came forward. His hair was quite short, but matted. His eyes were gray and stormy. "Alright, James," Darren nodded, "This is Nick. Make sure he doesn't get inta trouble."
"I will."
James reached out a hand to take the sliver coin but Darren quickly pulled it away. "Payment, AFTER," he said, forcefully.
"Oh come on, Darren. Ya know ya can trust me."
"I don't want the kid ta get so much as a scratch," Darren replied, menacingly, "Once the job is done and I'm sure ya've done well, then I'll give it ta ya."
James gave a small growl. "How'd ya get that type of money ta just hand out, anyway?" he asked.
"I actually believe in savin' it," Darren said, coldly.
There was an awkward silence. The sounds of the door opening and a women's voice reached them. "Excuse me, but you haven't happen to have seen a man named Darren any where near?"
Followed by a man's deep grumbling, "No but I dare say there's plenty of others who will take ya on."
"I'm not looking for work, thank you very much," came the woman's voice, curtly.
"That's what they all say."
Darren was through the crowd in a flash. "Lyra!" he called.
Most of the crew had turned back to their game, by now. Nick strained to see where Darren had gone. He saw Lyra saying something and then Darren gave her a soft kiss (many men looked on with jealousy.) They broke apart and Darren led her back towards Nick and the crew. Nick quickly turned and pretended not to have seen them. "How'd ya know I was here?" he heard Darren ask her.
"I followed you but since you were joined by someone else, I didn't want to draw much attention to myself. I stayed a good distance behind."
They appeared in front of him, Lyra looking as beautiful as ever, her cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling. It caused Nick to wonder, yet again, how anyone could have mistaken her for a male. "Nick," she exclaimed when she saw him, "I was wondering about you. Do you have someone to lead you around? You could stay with Darren and I."
"I just found someone for him," Darren cut in, "I was hoping for some," he lowered his voice, "privacy."
Lyra's expression didn't change. She just nodded. "Who?"
"James."
"Oh," she said it politely but Nick could tell that she didn't think much of James. He hope he wasn't being looked after by a mad killer or something worse. (Of course, these were pirates so there wasn't much mortality about any of them.)
"Someone say my name?" James asked, turning around from the poker match he had gone back to.
"Just tellin' Lyra that ya were lookin' after Nick."
"Lyra?"
James' head spun around. "Ahoy there, luv," he called to her in a flirtatious voice.
"Hello James," Lyra said, icily.
No doubt, this was why she didn't like James. Darren didn't seem to think anything of it. Common pirate language was to call all females "luv" or worse. 'Like to see them try it on Tori,' Nick thought and then wished he hadn't thought it.
Not only was Tori considered part of the crew and therefore thought of as a male would be but it made him feel sick, thinking about Tori. "Well, I'm leavin'," Darren was saying, "James, remember ta take good care of Nick for yer payment."
With that he turned and left, followed by Lyra. Nick was left under the care of nearly a stranger.
***
I hate how everyone calls him "kid" but I can't really help it since it is part of their character. Um yeah, so to reviewers:
Reese Sparrow: Sort of. I didn't write this chapter before I read your story but I was thinking of having Ana whipped from almost the beginning of the story. It wasn't until I got to that part that I realized that I would have to tie her to something so it might as well be a cannon. So the answer to the question is yes and no.
VagrantCandy: I am going to answer that question because I feel like talking. What else would you expect Barbossa's son to be like? His mother is a prostitute and his father is an evil pirate. He was probably never loved as a little kid (which means we should feel sorry for him, too... maybe.) You're not "supposed" to hate Reph but it's the feeling I get towards him when I'm writing it.
Anmras: 'Course. Ana has to show her skill with a blade, sometime.
Sparrow Quill: Lucky bum. *Glares* The best I've ever gotten in theater was getting to hug my crush and he wasn't hot at all. Yeah, I'm quite lazy. I use "The Shadow" for every POTC fic I write that needs another pirate ship. (Which is only one other so far.) I have to say; it worked best for this one, though.
Arwen Turner: Uh yeah. That's nice. I'm not sure if I like the idea of someone being forced to read this but that's your thing. Oh yeah, *brightens up* I'm a LOTR geek. I don't speak Elvish fluently, yet, though. I'm still learning. But I'm more obsessive over POTC.
totallyObsessedwithLOTR: Sorry that your cousin is forcing you to read this *tear*. (Just between us, don't read anything that you don't want to.) Lol. Yeah, so if you read the story up to here, I commend you (hopefully you didn't get too bored. Especially with this chapter.)
zeldagirl436: This is my other story. This and Deleted Scenes from POTC are both mine.
TheSiriusSparrow: Um yeah. Unfortunately, I'm at a lack of words by now.
Karin: WILL! Okay, so this is probably getting annoying. I need him, though, to get through all my work. Hope you did well on exams!
Yakkorat: Something else: any ideas? A whip is about the only thing I could use (a belt?) Okay, so you're right (of course). There's a problem there. I know about a cat 'o nine tails and bullwhip so maybe all they had on board was a chicken whip or something (okay, sorry for the incredibly lame joke. I just had to say it.) I really can't have both Ana and Will half-dead. Overkill, don't you think? What about if I go back and change it to one or two lashes? Would that work? Also, considering that Ana has a stronger body than most people.