Woot. This one's fun I think. Not my favorite, though. (Hee! I loved Chocolate! That was a good movie and it has lovely JD in it!) I had this scene planned out and I have it written down already even though it won't come for another few chapters. I have most of the story planned out, and though the scene I wrote up already is pretty good, it isn't my favorite either. I'll tell ya when my fav is.
5 The Proposal
'A proposition? You do want something from me. I'll give you nothing, and if you must, steal it from someone else.' Will stated, rather unimpressed, and pressed on through the crowd in the street.
'You don't savvy.' Said Jack rather dully, and startlingly close to Will's ear, though he should have been at least three paces behind due to the masses. 'Tis nothing I can attain through larceny, quite the contrary, I need a good portion of your co-operation. Which I don't seem to be getting. Avast ye, William!'
Will stopped again and decided that he could patronize the pirate, then continue on his way. 'As soon as the words "treasure", "gold", "adventure", "curse", "rum", or "eunuch" leave your mouth, you won't have my ear anymore.'
Jack gave a twitchy sort of smile and tickled the air lightly with the tips of his fingers with delight. The smile quickly vanished, and he snatched the fabric on Will's shoulder. 'This be not the place to tell. Away with me to somewhere more s-s-suitable.' He said, pronouncing the "s" in "suitable" much longer, as though he was searching for the proper word.
'I will do no such thing, unless there is at least a third party present with us.'
Jack tsked impatiently and pulled more forcefully at Will's sleeve. 'I give you my word that this is in your best interest. Come, come, we will not be entirely alone together at any given time per se, and I'll not try anything if you don't.'
Will hesitated a moment. Jack was far from being an un-hasty man, but he wasn't one to take on such unusual urgency as this. Will gave in, and gestured for Jack to lead on. Will noticed that Jack did not carry his sword and scabbard at his side and his pistol was not obviously visible, which was also quite unheard-of from him, though Will had no doubts that Jack had a dagger hidden in his boot. 'Am I to know where you are taking me? I was on my way home when you made yourself noticed. Elizabeth is expecting me…..'
'Ah, I wondered when you'd mention the lass. She is well, yes?'
'Not that it is your business, or anything.'
'Right.' Jack said with a firm nod.
The two walked without passing any more words between them for several minutes, and the silence between them made Will feel oddly awkward. '….. Yes, she is well. And how is your….. ship?'
'In less than two pieces, thus far. It took three agonizing fortnights to bung those bloody holes compliments of your wonderful Commodore Norrington from the Pearl's go with his ship back with Barbossa and all that, not that you care, or anything.'
'I don't.'
'You should, though…..' Mused Jack. He scanned the shops and pubs and tills across the street, and cut suddenly across Will's own path at a near-right angle, and Will had to step back quickly or risk making harsh physical contact with the odorous pirate. Jack twisted to look sidelong at Will as he strode forward, and smiled again. 'It's in your best interest.'
As Will trailed almost unwillingly behind, almost because a part of him was intrigued as to what Jack considered to be in his "best interests", the pair passed into a slightly stagnant tavern and took a table. A well-shaped waitress came to tend their needs, Jack, of course, speaking only to her breasts.
'Two ales and a-'
'I don't want anything,' Will interrupted, looking pointedly at Jack.
Jack looked pointedly right back at Will. 'I wasn't getting you anything.' He looked back to the waitresses' bust. 'I suppose you'll have to come back later, love.'
Will was positive that it was good that Jack told her to come back later, because the waitress was beginning to get that telltale scowl that they always did when Jack didn't feel the need to lift his head entirely.
'Now, a man of business you are.' Jack sneaked a peek around the room, including the ceiling in his scrutiny for whatever reason. He leveled his gaze at Will and lowered his voice. 'I have heard naught but hearsay, but I have heard….. rumor in a region of more northern latitude, that a man seeks me ship and crew, or rather, the Black Pearl and her crew. Rumors that give me a certain inkling as to who the fellow is.'
'Does this have a point that includes me?'
'Hold yourself, I do have a point. On a slightly tangent subject, you were told your fathers story. Yes?'
'Yes.'
'Well then you'd also know that he was under the curse when Barbossa sentenced him to the briny deep.'
Will completely forgot to deny Jack his ear with the word "curse", and only stared at the man across from him realizing the implications.
Jack looked through his eyelashes at Will and spoke with considerable mysticism while wearing a quirky elusive smile. Pleased to have Will's rapt attention, he continued. 'Six years it's been since Bootstrap's….. banishment, and, being cursed and all, he'd only have to walk to shore no matter where he ended up, and no doubt he reached surface before our little adventure. And just to be certain you'll come along, waitress, some….. tea for my eunuch friend and a rum for me, thanks. Now, William, I have a date with a cave for some gold and treasure, no doubt. This is usually true anyway, though….. Have I still got your ear, lad?'
