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9
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The albino thief was still unconscious when they got back to the wedding. Erik and Jack were met with another set of shocked faces, gasps and shouts, this time from the wedding guests. Jack walked down the aisle, his sword prepared should there be another problem with their captive, as Erik followed along behind dragging the strange unconscious man by the rope around his neck. They passed through the two columns, moving right up to the front, to the altar. Reaching Will and Elizabeth, they stopped and stood.
Will held Elizabeth close, trying to console his almost-wife. He turned his head and looked from Jack to Erik to the unconscious albino man, then back to Jack and opened his mouth. "How did you catch him!" He asked excitedly.
Jack rolled his eyes in amusement. He was enjoying this. "We're just... ah... naturally gifted, I guess," Jack replied, using a line Erik had given him once before because it seemed to fit in perfectly now. "Where do you want him?"
"What?"
"Let's just call him an early wedding present, shall we? He's bound to wake up at any moment, so I suggest you tie him to something before he gets away again."
Will nodded. "I see..." He said a bit reluctantly. He didn't want to tie anyone up, but he supposed that he had no choice. "Over there then, I guess," He said, pointing to a nearby lamp pole.
Jack looked at Erik and he nodded, dragging the man by the rope to the lamp pole. He wrapped the rope around the metal very securely and began to fasten it so that there could be no chance for an escape if the man awoke during the rest of the ceremony. As Erik was busy with that, Will mouthed something to Jack.
Jack stared at the boy in confusion and shrugged his shoulders, not having understood what he was trying to say. Will tried again, but Jack still could not comprehend Will's mouthing. The boy let out a great sigh and leaned forward in Jack's direction, pulling the pirate's ear to his mouth. "Do you have the ring?" He asked nervously. He didn't think that he wanted to know the answer, but he had to if he wanted the wedding to continue.
"Ohh," Jack said, finally understanding what the boy had been trying to say. "Yeah, sure, mate. I got it right here," He whispered, lifting his hand to Will's so that he could see the sparkling ring he had chosen for his fiance upon Jack Sparrow's finger. Jack laughed a bit. "I think it looks quite good on me, if I do say so myself, Mr. Turner. A bit fancy, nevertheless, I think it really brings out my eyes, don't you think? And guess what? It's a perfect fit!"
Will growled, snatching at Jack's finger. "Take that off!" He whispered, feeling very exhausted by all the events of the day. He just wanted everything to be over with once and for all so he could call Elizabeth his and they could live in France happily together, unbothered by Jack and his crew.
"Alright, alright. No need to get your panties in a bunch," Jack whispered, sliding the delicate ring from his finger and placing it in Will's palm.
Will looked at Jack, annoyed. He clutched the ring tightly, happy to have it back. "Who was that man?" He whispered, looking in the direction of the lamp pole on which Erik was tying the albino man against, then returning his gaze to Jack.
"We'll discuss it later. If I'm not mistaken, please correct me if I am, you have the little matter of completing this wedding, yes?"
Will nodded. "Alright. Later." He looked down at the ring in his palm. "Thanks, Jack."
"No problem, kid," Jack replied, patting Will on the shoulder. He saw that Erik was done and was already returning to him. They walked back to their original places, before the incident had occurred, and stood, eagerly awaiting the wedding to resume.
Elizabeth sniffed back the last of her tears, and adjusted her veil which had gotten slightly askew. Erik's brow knitted together in sadness, a frown coming over his face. His Christine had been crying. He hated it when she cried, it brought him so much pain. He wanted to dry her tears for her.
He felt himself slipping away and Jack grabbed him back the back of his jacket. "Please mate, no more of this. We've been through enough already. Just let the lady have her wedding in peace."
Erik gulped, wondering if he would be able to do such a thing, then he sighed and fell back into his spot in surrender. He didn't have the heart to ruin his angel's big day, even if it meant he'd have to watch her marry another man (It still was not in his head that this was not Christine).
The rest of the wedding followed through smoothly, with no more interruption. Will and Elizabeth were declared man and wife and when they shared their first kiss after being announced so, Erik felt a little part of himself die inside. He sulked to himself.
"Aww, mate. Don't worry. If it'll make you feel any better: you never had a chance with her to begin with."
Erik sulked more. "That doesn't make me feel better."
"Oh. Well, then. At least there's cake!"
"Cake?" Erik asked, looking up eagerly at Jack.
Jack rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "Oh, yes! Come along, my camouflaged confidant," he said, and they went off in search of wedding cake.
When the wedding was over, the guests returned to the Black Pearl to continue along with their chores amongst the ship. All of the hired help left shortly after, going back to their own lives in Paris. Will, Elizabeth, Jack, Erik and the albino man were the only ones who had remained.
Will approached the albino man who had interfered with his wedding. He wanted to show him a thing or two about proper manners, indeed. Show him with his fists. He saw the man was regaining consciousness after all this time and his pace slowed. He suddenly didn't feel as brave as he had some moments before.
"Wow, mate," Jack said, elbowing Erik in the ribs. "That must have been one mean blow that you delivered. He's only waking up just now!"
Erik rubbed his abdomen and forced a smile as they all approached behind Will. "Who are you?" Will demanded the man who was now awake. The man looked at him with his bright, pink eyes, but did not give in. "Who are you!" Will repeated again, infuriated. The man still did not reply and Will sighed in frustration.
"Don't get all worked up about it," Jack instructed, not wanting to see the boy tire himself over the creep. "We'll lock him in the brig. You'll get some answers then."
Will nodded, turning his eyes away from the albino man. He didn't even want to give the man the pleasure of his gaze, he was such scum he did not deserve such a privilege.
Erik moved forward, stepping in front of Will. He hovered over the man on the ground in a menacing fashion causing the man to shrink back in fear, then he moved over to the lamp pole and began unfastening his securely tied rope. When it was free, he tugged against the cord, bringing the man to his feet with a snap. The man let out a cry, feeling the rope dig into his neck.
"Let's head back," Jack instructed. And the five began back to the Black Pearl. Erik was certain to lead in the front, his grip on the man in his custody, not daring to set his eyes upon Elizabeth. If she were too close to him, he wouldn't be able to control his actions.
They boarded the ship, heading down into the depths of the vessel, to where the brig was located. There was a noticeable change when they descended into the pits of the Pearl; this area, which Erik had not seen before, was remarkably dark and dank. There were things dripping and strange noises all around. Erik observed it all with a great pleasure, wondering why Jack had not shown him this wonderful area in the first place. It was dark, wet and it smelled something terrible: it was home.
They arrived in a small room with barred cage-like boxes built into the walls. Erik cringed at the thought of being locked up in one of these. He did not even want to set his eyes upon them, but had little choice.
"Just in there," Jack ordered as they approached one of the barred confinements. Erik nodded and pushed the albino man into the jail cell, Jack slamming the door shut behind him with a bang. He fastened a large lock over the bars so that the man was encased without any means of escaping. The albino man looked around at his surroundings, frightened. Judging by his expensive silk attire, he was not a man who was used to foul conditions. But he'd have to get used to them because Jack was not letting him out anytime soon.
"Well, I hope you enjoy your stay," Jack said to the albino man, looking at him through the bars. "You're going to be in there until you can tell us the meaning of your rude outburst at these fine youngsters's wedding."
The man moved closer to the bars and spoke a muffled reply. Not one of them could understand.
"I see," Jack replied. "Well, suit yourself. Because unless you're ready to talk properly, you will never see the light of day again."
The man let out a muffled groan, Erik letting out a groan as well. He wished he could never see the light of day again. A thought suddenly entered his head. He would discuss it with Jack when Elizabeth and Will were not in their presence. Until then, he kept his silence.
Jack stood, staring at the thief, waiting for a confession of some sort. When it was clear that there was not going to be one anytime soon, Jack turned away, gathering up his peers and leading them away. "Let's return to the bright, unsmelling quarters of the above level, my dear fellows," he said, trying to emphasize the better conditions which lay above, hoping it would draw a confession from the man. Jack took one last glance at the man, knew his emphasis had done little, and prodded his company further in the forward direction.
They ascended to the upper levels of the ship, Elizabeth and Will splitting from Erik and Jack in separate directions. They arrived back in Jack's cabin, Erik waiting outside the door until Jack changed out of his horrid wedding tuxedo. When he had finished, Erik stepped back inside.
Jack smiled. "So, my disguised chum, the wedding is over, you've made Elizabeth as... well... as happy as she could be with the turn of events, and you assisted me in bringing down a pilfering oaf. You said that after the wedding was over you would leave, yet you are still here. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you've grown to like me and my ship. Hmm?"
Erik scoffed. "Why, quite the opposite, Mr. Sparrow. I simply cannot wait until I have debarked this floating farce and have returned to my lavished lair. And you! How could I have grown to like you? You're obnoxious, arrogant, self-centered, rude, pig-headed... shall I go on?"
Jack smiled. "Aww, you do like me and my ship."
Erik raised an eyebrow. "Certainly not. You will have your wish. I bid you good day." And with that, he turned on his heels and began down the corridor to the gangplank.
Jack followed after him. "But Erik!"
"I said good day!" He stomped down the wooden gangplank in heavy steps and continued to stride away quickly, wanting to get away from the man who had insulted him. Jack had insulted him by... well... stating Erik's true feelings. He supposed that he had grown to like Jack and his ship, both were not that bad once you got used to them. But he had told Jack that after the wedding he would be gone, and Erik was not one to go back on his word. He quickened his pace, feeling Jack gain on him, because if he let himself slow down and Jack would catch up, he might just give in and allow him to take him back to the Pearl. And that was unacceptable.
Erik reached the grate covering and pulled it open in one swift motion. He hooked his feet upon the ladder and descended until he could close the grate. He pulled it shut and it slammed down in its place with a loud, metallic bang. He looked up through the bars and saw Jack's face appear between the cuts in the metal.
Jack grabbed onto the grate and pulled upwards, but just in time Erik grabbed on, preventing Jack from lifting the covering off. They struggled against eachother, pulling the grate back and forth. Jack almost had it all the way up when Erik suddenly lost his footing and fell, grasping onto the covering and pulling Jack down with him. They both tumbled down the ladder shaft and hit the ground with a thud, landing askew on top of eachother. They both pulled themselves to their feet quickly, breathing heavily.
Jack rubbed his head. "Ow, that's my second time now," he said drearily.
Erik panted, looking at the fool, Jack Sparrow. His eyes turned to the ground to see the grate-covering all bent and out of shape due to the fall. "I'm not paying for that," he said glumly, pointing to the twisted metal.
Jack looked around the dark lair, removing his hand from his head and gesturing to the area. "Come on, Erik. Look at this place. Wouldn't you rather live on my ship?"
"No. My lair is perfect. I never want to leave it again."
"Well, that would be a waste," Jack muttered.
"What would be a waste?"
"Your impeccable talents, that's what would be a waste! Mate, whether you want to hear it or not: you are a good fighter! We make a good team, you and I, we captured that insolent thief as easy as pie."
"A good team, you and I? Easy as pie? Why?"
"Because we get along."
"We get along!"
"Like a mouse and its cheese we just get along."
"Like cuisine and a chef? A note and a song?"
"Yes! There's no other way to describe how we are, well there could be, perchance, by my mind's not that far!"
"A mouse and its cheese?"
"A strumpet on her knees!"
"Aha, so I see! A good team, you and me! We just get along!"
Jack nodded and patted Erik on the back. "Now you get it."
"I do, I really do!"
"Yes! So come back to the Pearl with me, please. You won't regret it."
Erik pondered on the proposition at hand for a moment. He let out a long sigh and looked around at his beloved home. "Oh, alright, I suppose," he gave in. He saw a smile come over Jack's face. "But I want to take care of several things while we're here before we leave."
"Sure, go right on ahead. You've made me very happy. I can just picture it now..." Jack said, spreading his hands in front of him in an imaginative way. "We'll be a team of crime fighting super heroes who pillage! Plunder!... and... sing?" Jack furrowed his brow, then shook it off, continuing. "Oh, Erik. We'll have matching costumes... and a theme song! It will simply be wonderful!"
Erik shuddered at the idea. What had he dragged himself into again?