Hello! Finally, a Violet update! I have a lot of fics going, so I'm doing mah best! School? What the hell is that? Anyway, yeah, so enjoy this chapter! As you can see from the chapter title, this chapter was partially inspired by the song "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson. It's a good song! Listen to it! Enjoy!
BTW, thanks to all my great reveiwers who are wonderful:tear:'-) Anyway, ENJOY!
Chapter 4: Breakaway
"Camelot!" all but Violet exclaimed.
"Apparently…" Violet replied. "It's not far from London, it seems… So… we could dock there and get horses and ride to the place on the map."
"Sounds like a plan, sweetheart." Jack said. "Only… we 'ave no money to buy horses."
"Well, er, you had told me earlier about a pirate's philosophy and all…" Violet told him. "We - we are pirates, after all… Let's steal them."
"You'd be alrigh' with that?" Jack asked.
"Well, it's an emergency… we have no other alternative…"
"Good, no worries, then." Jack stated. "Alrigh', London it is, then."
So, it was set. They were to sail to London…
One day, Violet went down to take food to Christine, Jack followed her, though she didn't know it.
"Here you are." Violet said politely, handing Christine her food. Christine took it without thanking her. "Erm, Christine? May I ask you something?"
Christine sighed irritatedly. "What?"
"Back in town… at Sunset Villa.." Violet said, "why did they make fun of me?" Christine's lip curled in annoyance. Jack watched interestedly, with sympathy for Violet. "Why did they laugh? What did I do?" Christine sighed again. "Please, Christine. I've always wanted to know."
"Because you're you, Violet." Christine snapped. "You're too polite and nice to everyone - we know you're hiding something. No one acts like that."
"N-no… I just… think everyone should be nice… I don't see the point to being mean and rude…" Violet replied meekly.
"Well, anyway, your parents were the town drunks - they're trash."
"B-but I'm not trash…"
"It's in your blood - the way things are." Christine stated. "And, look, you're too quiet. You let people step all over you. You let them make fun of you - you bring it on yourself."
"If I don't mean to…" Violet stuttered.
"Maybe this pirate can teach you something - maybe next time someone throws something at you, you won't just smile politely, pick it up, and give it back to them!"
"I didn't realize politeness was a fault…" Violet mumbled.
"Look, if anyone finds out that I'm even talking to you, my name will get dragged through the mud." Christine told her.
"Christine…" Violet said, "why must you conform…? Why must you do what everyone else does? How can you be an individual if you're just like everyone else?"
"I don't want to be an individual, I want to be accepted."
"Why would you want to be accepted by people who will never accept the real you?" Violet asked. "If you can't be yourself, then who are you?"
"Violet, this is why they all laugh at you." Christine added. "You say and do all these things… you're too different."
"But it's so much better than being all the same…" Violet told her. "I'm trying to breakaway from normality…"
"Look, I can never speak normally to you…" Christine said. "You're you, and… I have my reputation to think about. That pirate can never make me speak on friendly terms to you. No matter what he does, no matter how much you sleep with him, he can't make me compromise my social terms."
Violet's eyes widened. "I am not doing that…"
"What?"
"What you said…"
"I said a lot, what?" Christine asked, annoyed.
"My and Jack's relationship is purely platonic…" Violet told her. "Purely platonic."
"Oh, please." Christine snorted. "The way he takes up for you - don't lie."
"I'm not lying." Violet pressed. "I don't do things like that."
"That's not what Robert Townsend said." Christine replied, avoiding Violet's eyes.
Violet faltered. Jack watched with interest. Violet wanted to contradict, she wanted to speak up and stand up for herself, but the words didn't come. Violet looked incredibly hurt and Christine still refused to look at her. Her eyes started watering and she sniffled. She turned from Christine and started to hurry out of the room. Jack looked a little panicked and slipped behind the door so she wouldn't see that he was listening. After he was sure Violet was gone, he went down to speak with Christine.
"You are vicious!" Jack told Christine incredulously. "On this ship, you treat her with respect. Violet's a nice girl - a hell of a lot better than you. If I 'ear that you're mistreatin' her, I'll sell you to a slave trade."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Try me, wench." Jack growled.
"When Sunset Villa hears the way you've treated me, you'll have a price on your head so high, the King of England will want to go after it." Christine threatened.
"I'm shakin' in me boots, darling." Jack replied sarcastically.
"Oh, bite me."
"Rather not." he replied. "You know, I can even quit feedin' you - you can starve to death. You 'ave two choices: respect Violet an' be fed and treated as well as we can treat a prisoner, or you can keep bein' rude an' we can starve you an' sell you to a slave trade. Pick one." He turned and began to walk off.
"How much do you love this girl?" Christine asked incredulously. Jack stopped, but didn't reply. "Did she lie? Are you sleeping with her? Honestly?"
"No, I am not sleepin' with 'er." he replied firmly. "It's like she said: purely platonic."
"Then why do you take up for her like that?" she asked. "What has she got that you want?"
"…I take up for 'er because she's got no one else to do it. She's totally 'elpless. I don' understand why everyone looks down on 'er. She's honestly the sweetest, purest girl I've ever met - I think everyone's jus' jealous. The poor girl jus' needs someone to protect 'er - I couldn' possibly deny 'er o' that." He marched off. He decided to check on Violet to see if she was alright.
"Violet?" he called, knocking on her door.
"Erm, just a moment!" Violet called back - she definitely sounded like she had been crying.
"Violet, I 'eard what 'appened!" he called. "Please let me in!" After a moment, Violet opened the door. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. "Next time that Christine woman treats you badly, you tell me - I threatened 'er pretty well, you shouldn' 'ave a problem with 'er anymore."
"You shouldn't threaten people, Jack…" Violet told him, sniffling.
"Sometimes it's the only way to 'andle people like that, sweetheart." he said. "People like that who've never been taught that everyone is equal."
"…How much of that conversation did you hear?" Violet asked warily.
"Basically the whole thing." he replied truthfully.
"Oh, no…" she sighed. "So you heard about my parents, then…" he nodded. "Yes, the town drunks… they were terrible people… I've always tried my hardest not to be like them…"
"Well, I think you've succeeded in that endeavor - you're a wonderful girl." Jack said comfortingly. She blushed and smiled awkwardly. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Your new life on the Black Pearl is goin' to be better than you dreamed. Don' 'esitate to breakaway from normality 'ere. I'm goin' to cheer you on for that. Forget about Sunset Villa. …You're goin' to touch the sky, sweetheart. I promise. "
It took them three months to reach England, and Violet hadn't had anymore problems with Christine. She'd gotten better at sword fighting, but remarkably good at shooting. They'd researched more about Camelot and found something else that connected with the map. It basically said that Camelot would only permit four people to enter; if any more than four came, Camelot would be completely invisible to the naked eye. All in the four's company had to remain a good mile away in order for anyone to enter. So, Jack, Violet, Will, and Elizabeth were to venture on this quest.
Over the three months, Violet and Jack had grown closer. Violet had also grown closer to Will, Elizabeth, and Anamaria. She was starting to grow closer to Gibbs, but she was always uneasy around men. It was different with Will, though, because he was always with Elizabeth, and he seemed so very nice.
Violet had learned a lot about Jack's past, and he'd learned a lot about hers. It turned out that Violet's parents used to yell at her relentlessly for no reason and beat her for no reason as well. Jack's sympathy had grown for her, but that wasn't the only feeling that had grown for her…
They set out on their journey upon arriving in London, all on horseback. Violet shared Jack's horse since she'd never ridden before. She was feeling rather uneasy because she had to hold onto him to keep herself from flying off the horse, but she dealt with it. The ride was about two miles and didn't take as long as they thought they would to get there. They dismounted and made their way through trees until they saw something that made them all freeze: a dragon. An actual dragon was sleeping in front of the gates to Camelot. One of the horses whinnied loudly and the dragon awoke, looking around suspiciously; it spotted them.
"YOU THERE! ALL OF YOU!" it roared. "COME HERE! COME HERE OR I'LL FRY YOU ALL!" The dragon was green scaled with frills around its neck. It's neck was very long and it had huge, bat-like wings. The claws on its feet were as sharp as the sharpest blade forged. It's teeth were long and vicious-looking. His eyes were yellow with small black slits. It had two large horns on it's head, and spines running down its back. Its long tail had a several spikes at the end of it and looked lethal.
Jack started towards it and motioned for the others to follow. "Watch what you say around it - do whatever it says. Dragons are moody and won' 'esitate to roast you." he warned.
"How do you know?" Violet asked interestedly.
"I've read quite a lot, sweetheart." he replied, looking at the dragon. They stopped in front of it and Jack bowed. The others imitated him, nearly panicking at this sight. The dragon was huge - sixty feet tall at the least.
"WHO ARE YOU, AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" the dragon roared. Jack motioned for Elizabeth to introduce herself first.
"Er, I am Elizabeth Swann!" Elizabeth yelled politely.
"I'm Will Turner!"
"Er, I'm - I'm Violet Amourdoux!" Violet yelled, though her yell wasn't really that loud.
"An' I'm Captain Jack Sparrow!" Jack yelled. "We're 'ere to get the Sword of King Arthur!"
"OH, YOU ARE, ARE YOU?" the dragon roared. "AND YOU EXPECT TO JUST WALTZ IN AND TAKE IT, DO YOU?"
"No, not at all, we merely want to know how we shall go about gettin' it!" Jack yelled.
"WELL… YOU MUST PROVE YOURSELVES WORTHY!" it roared. "BUT FIRST… I get so bored here alone all the time what do you all do? Who exactly are all of you?" Wow. It sounded friendly now. It sank its head close to the ground and looked at them.
"Well, er, I'm the daughter of the governor of Port Royal in the Caribbean…" Elizabeth said.
"I'm a blacksmith…" Will told it, rather uneasy.
Jack piped in. "I'm proud to say that I'm a pirate - I 'ave no shame of that. I seek freedom an' adventure!"
"Well, that sounds very interesting!" the dragon exclaimed. "And what about you?" he asked, looking at Violet.
"I-I'm a painter…" she replied meekly.
"Ah, a painter! That's wonderful - you ever paint a dragon?" the dragon asked.
"N-no, but I've always wanted to!" Violet said, growing more excited about the fact that she was conversing with an actual dragon. "I've read so much about dragons! They're absolutely fascinating creatures! I don't think books do them justice! It's such an honor to meet one in real life!"
"Well, I'm glad to know it!" the dragon exclaimed, pleased. "I'm afraid I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Pyhrrus. Now, let's see here… you need the Sword of King Arthur, do you? Well, I like you all very much. I really do. There's two challenges to beat. A riddle and a battle. Because I'm so fond of you, you get to decide which you take first."
They looked at each other and all seemed to be urging Jack to decide for them.
"I suppose the battle." Jack told Pyhrrus.
"Very well, my friends. Good luck." Pyhrrus bid them and stood up on his hind legs. He completely towered above them now, more so than before. The drawbridge to the castle opened, and ten armored men ran from the gate and charged at them.
"Violet, stay out o' this." Jack ordered, concerned about her.
"I-I can fight." she said.
"This is a bad time to test it out, love, get back." he stated. She backed up, out of battle. She'd armed herself with five guns, all hidden in the ruffles of her dress, and brought extra shots with her. She wanted to help in some way, and goodness knows, ten against three wasn't fair. She released the safety on her pistol and aimed at one of the attackers' chests. They were so far away, but she had become quite a good shot - she had sharp eyes. She fired and hit the attacker square in the chest. Jack, Will, and Elizabeth didn't have time to marvel at her shot, they had started fighting already.
Jack quickly fought one off and slew another (not exactly on purpose, his sword just kind of stabbed the other attacker as he started to slash the first attacker). Will fought with three as Jack took on two more, Elizabeth fought with two as well. Violet aimed quickly with another pistol and shot one of Will's attackers in the stomach. She pulled out another pistol and shot one of Elizabeth's attackers. One of Will's attackers started to charge at her, but she pulled out yet another pistol and fired, bringing the attacker down.
Violet pulled out her last loaded pistol and shot one of Jack's attackers. Now, Jack, Will, and Elizabeth were all evenly matched, facing one attacker each. Violet reloaded her guns, anyway, which took up the rest of the battle time. After all the attackers were killed and Violet's guns reloaded, Pyhrrus sat down again in front of the gate.
"Impressive, I must say!" Pyhrrus said incredulously. "Those were tough soldiers! They've been here for hundreds of years, waiting for someone to challenge them… Anyway, the riddle now, yes?" They all nodded. "Wait… first, there's something I must know. You two," he said, pointing at Jack and Violet, "are you a couple? You would look awfully good together." Jack and Violet glanced at each other.
"Er, actually-" Violet began, but Jack nudged her.
"Dragon, Let. Whatever 'e wants - play along." Jack whispered. He raised his voice so Pyhrrus could hear him. "Actually, yes, we are." He put his arm around Violet's shoulders. She tried her hardest to act like it wasn't bothering her, and apparently doing a good job of it.
"Good!" Pyhrrus bellowed. "It's always good to see people together who belong together! …So, anyway, the riddle!" He thought for a moment. "Alright, this is a good one. You get this one right and the Sword is yours. Half life in the air, half life on the ground. One is silent, many make sound. When one dies another comes. Its home empties only when it succumbs."
No one spoke. They were all busy thinking about the riddle. Jack had no idea. Will and Elizabeth were almost stumped, but still thinking hard. Violet was seriously considering the riddle. She could figure it out… she had to… she was good for something and she wanted to show it. Pyhrrus had resolved to restlessly flapping his wings and scraping trees with his claws. It stayed silent. After about ten minutes of silence…
"Er, may I guess?" Violet asked politely. Pyhrrus perked up and looked at her hopefully.
"Well, someone's got to." he said. "Go ahead."
"Is it…" Violet began warily, "a… leaf?"
Pyhrrus stared at her. "A leaf?" he asked. "Is that your guess?"
"Y-yes…" Violet stuttered nervously.
"…Congratulations!" Pyhrrus exclaimed. "That's correct!" They all sighed in relief. "Go on ahead! The Sword is yours!"
They all exchanged glances, beaming. Pyhrrus stood up and cleared their way to the gate. They all hurried inside the gate to the courtyard and laid eyes on the Sword sitting on a stone pedestal. Jack rushed to it and picked it up.
"Oh, Captian?" Pyhrrus said. Jack turned around. "That sword has special powers. You can defeat anyone with it. It has incredible power." Jack looked at he sword in his hands in marvel. "You're going to need it. There's one more challenge…"
Just then, twenty heavily armored men ran out from the castle and into the courtyard. All their eyes widened and they prepared for battle. Jack was quick to charge into the fight since he remembered the sword's powers. He fought with everything he had. Will and Elizabeth fought as hard as they could, but more of the attackers' focus was on Jack at the time, since he had the sword. Violet did what she could, shooting, but it took so long for her to reload that she didn't have a big chance. She started to be attacked by the men and she pulled out her sword and started to fight. The fight was long, but they all came out of it with no terrible wounds.
Pyhrrus looked at them, impressed. "You are truly worthy of the Sword. Could you feel the power, Captain?" Jack nodded, somewhat amazed. Pyhrrus lowered his head to Jack's level. "The Sword has no power, Captain. None at all. You fought all those men yourself." Jack's eyes widened, realizing he could've easily been killed in that fight. "That's the key to life. Stay confident - you can do anything."
"Dragons really are the wisest creatures!" Violet said incredulously, smiling.
"Why, thank you." Pyhrrus replied. "Well, the Sword is yours now. I'll tell you what… This land is very large and quite empty… Have any of you ever flown?" They all shook their heads, with looks on their faces saying "Of course not! That's impossible!" "Well, do you want to?"
They all exchanged glances and decided. "YES!" they all cried.
Pyhrrus laughed. "Alright, come out of the courtyard, then." They obeyed and he lied down so they could climb onto his back. "Hold onto something tightly. You won't hurt me, so grab a horn or something. Jack sat down on Pyhrrus's head and grabbed onto one of his horns tightly. "I would suggest the women hold onto the men and the men hold onto me. And don't worry about falling. I have perfect reflexes - I'll catch you."
"Violet - 'ang onto me." Jack said, gesturing for her to come to him. She was so excited about actually flying, that she wasn't even uneasy at all. She sat down behind Jack and put her arms around his waist, holding on tightly. The same was with Will and Elizabeth.
"Alright, let's fly." Pyhrrus stated, and started to flap his wings, causing great amounts of wind. They gained altitude and Pyhrrus started glided across the land swiftly. They were all amazed at this experience. This was way too fun - they were all laughing and marveling at the sights. They soared high above the ground and Pyhrrus flapped his wings harder and they flew up into the clouds. They couldn't even see the ground anymore - it was just clouds. Pyhrrus kept flapping his wings, but stayed in place. Will looked back at Elizabeth and they kissed. This sight of clouds was the most amazing thing… Jack looked back at Violet and smiled, she beamed back at him.
"I told you you were goin' to touch the sky, Let." he said, and kissed her forehead. She smiled. Small, soft clouds hit them, like dreams hinting at their future. They could feel the clouds. They weren't solid at all - they were wet… Who knew!
Pyhrrus started to fly back to the ground, but flew incredibly fast, they were all having the time of their lives.
Pyhrrus landed on the ground and let them off. They were all out of breath and their adrenaline was rushing faster than it ever had. They all thanked him profusely for that privilege. Jack retrieved the sword and they readied their horses.
"You are my friends." Pyhrrus told them. "So, I'll tell you what. I want to see you all again. Take this." He swished his tail and brought it close to him; he pulled off a scale. "Take one of my smallest scales." (Of course, one of his smallest scales was the size of a large dinner plate) "Whenever you need help, I shall come to your aid."
"Thank you so much, Pyhrrus." Violet said. "I promise I'll paint you - I'm not likely to forget what you look like. Thank you for everything."
"It was my pleasure, my friends." Pyhrrus replied.
Jack retrieved the Sword and they bid farewell to Pyhrrus, and rode back to the Pearl.
When they arrived, they decided to try and figure out the Sword's clue tomorrow. Today, they were just going to relax for a while. Violet and Jack were on deck, talking. Jack kept staring at her and she noticed it. She tried to ignore it, but after awhile, she couldn't anymore.
"That was just such an amazing experience - Pyhrrus was fascinating…" Violet said. Jack gazed into her eyes and she gazed into his.
"…Don't look at me like that…" Violet told him.
"Like what?" he asked.
"…Like you want to kiss me..." she replied.
"Well, why not?" he asked her.
She stared into his gorgeous brown eyes and was unable to move. "Because… because I… I… I'm afraid I might let you…"
"Would that be so bad?" he asked, moving closer to her.
She thought for a moment. Her mind buzzed with possibilities. She fought a mental battle with herself. "You're still looking at me like that…"
"Like I want to kiss you?" She nodded. "Well, I do, sweetheart." She stared at him, battling her thoughts, but did not move. "Make you a promise. You can push me away anytime you want an' I will never get mad at you."
She still stared, unmoving, the battle raging in her mind. Finally, the battle ended and she came to a decision. She nodded. He smiled and leaned over and kissed her gently, placing a hand on the side of her head. But he wasn't about to make this a short kiss by any means; he deepened it and put an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. For a moment she was fine, but not long. She placed a hand on his chest and slowly pushed him away. He looked down at her, fearing he'd offended her or something.
"No, no, no, Jack…" she said, inching out of his grasp. "It's not you… And don't think that I don't want to… I just…" She looked up at him sadly. "It's me… I shouldn't have thought I could be involved with someone… I'm sorry…" She started to turn and leave, but he grabbed her arm.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
She pushed his hand off her arm and turned back to him. "You don't want to get involved with me, Jack… There's too much wrong… Far too much…"
"I'm not goin' to 'urt you, Violet." he told her. "I would never do that. Can't you trust me after all this time?"
"Of course I can… it really isn't you…"
"You can trust me, darling." he said, putting his arms around her. "I'm really not goin' to 'urt you - I promise."
"N-no, I know that, Jack…"
"I promise it doesn' 'urt." he told her. He leaned over and kissed her gently. "See? No pain from me, darling." She stared up at him for a moment. "You know me. You can trust me. You feel unhappy for one moment an' I'll fix it. An' if it turns out that this doesn' work, tha's fine. Whatever you want, Let. Pyhrrus was right - we should be together."
"I… I just don't know… My mind is telling me…"
"Ignore logic, love. Ignore it." he said. "Breakaway, Violet… breakaway from the past. It's all about you now." She still stared up at him, fighting an even larger mental battle with herself. She really liked Jack… but her parents would never let her… But this is a new life… Breakaway… Breakaway… "What do you say?"
She decided. She smiled and nodded. He smiled as well and leaned over and kissed her. She wasn't conflicted anymore. This was right. This was supposed to be. He deepened the kiss and she returned all of the emotion. This was right… Her old life was gone - she had to forget it… She had to breakaway…
Poor Violet. So many emotional problems. But we all love her, right? Yeah. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed that chapter! I'll have another one up soon, hopefully! I think it was about time that Jack and Violet got together, don't you? I think it was about time. I think so. I hope so. Anyway, PLEASE REVIEW!
Current addiction: The soundtrack to "Ray!" Oh, wow, it's great! For those of you who are Ray Charles fans, anyway. "I'm through with romance, I'm through with love! I'm through with counting the stars above!" :dances: WOO! Anyway, check it out!
