Jack: Luv, now yer quoting from other movies, I think ye may 'ave some issues that need to be worked out. Say! Why don't you take me 'home with you and we can 'ave a heart to heart, savvy?
Kat: I'm not even going to respond to that….
Paul: ehhh… things look a bit bad, so, uh enjoy the show!
Jack: luv, put down the shotgun, no need for any of that now…Finding Happiness: Chapter Four
Rebellion
It was about five o'clock when Kat walked up the steps to her home; before she entered she smoothed out her gown and brushed off the bits of sand that still clung to it.
"This must have been the best day I've had in years!" She proclaimed loudly as she entered the large foyer, slipping off her shoes she made way to the sitting room and relaxed in one of the luscious chairs there. Letting her mind wander she sighed deeply.
'Today was wonderful, with the exception of Thomas and his friend. I truly wonder what it would have been like to get to know that Paul fellow a bit more. He seams to lead a spectacular life…'
Just then reality and Ann walked into the room, seemingly furious.
"Katherine Angelina Berlin! The nerve you have to disobey me like this, I'm ashamed of you! And for all I've done for you, why look at the lady you could become! Why did you disobey me, I want to know this instant!"
Kat looked in shock at her mother and instantly sat up. "But mother," She started, "I don't know what I did wrong, could you please tell me, I think there may have been some confusion..."
"Confusion? Certainly not! And as if you don't remember, you were told to never be seen talking to that boy again. And here I'm told that you spent the whole bloody afternoon with him and some wench from the street!"
Kat sat there in shock not sure of what to say, what could she do? Her mother did tell her that; but it was years ago! Why must she ruin everything?
"Mother, be reasonable, that was years ago. He's a grown man, a member of the Kings navy! And that wench as you so spitefully put it is a wonderful woman!"
Ann stood there, the anger boiling in her head, " I don't care what you call him, a lady of your stature should never be seen with someone… someone like that!"
"Besides," she added in nonchalantly, "You will be leaving soon and there is no point in getting attached to friends that you wont ever see again."
A dull numbness came over Kat, trying to cope with what her mother had just said. Leaving? To where, and why had she not said 'we're leaving'? The slightly burnt skin on Kat's face drained of its color as she came to the conclusion of the matter.
"You've set up a marriage, haven't you?"
"Of course, you didn't expect to live here for the rest of your life, now did you?"
Kat asked sadly,
"Where does he live?"
"He owns a sugar plantation in
Jamaica…You are to wed at the end of this week…"
Kat's eyes flew wide open, and sadness in her was now replaced by an extreme hatred for her mother.
"And you just bloody expect me to marry a man that I don't even know, move far away and never return? Bloody hell no! I will not marry a man that I have never met!"
Kat was now standing and was eye level with her mother, seeing that Kat was not going to back down Ann raised up her arm and swung with all her might, slapping Kat clearly across the face, almost knocking her down.
"How dare you raise your voice at me! Was it not I who berthed you? Who raised you? Who taught you all that you know? Because of me you are able to be a lady of stature! And now you mock my ability to pick out a mate for you! I would never make you marry a man that you have never met!"
The last line startled Kat a bit, "You mean to tell me that I've met this man before?"
"Yes."
"Who is he?"
Kat was becoming a bit suspicious, not putting two and two together that quickly.
"I'm surprised you don't remember him, Kenneth Rodriquez, the man that you oh-so-rudely insulted today when Thomas introduced you to him."
If it was possible, Kats jaw would've dropped to the center of the earth, noting this her mother concluded, "And they will both be here for dinner tonight, so I expect you to be ready and polite to both of them. They will be here promptly at seven, so go and get ready."
And with saying that, her mother walked out of the room, leaving a shocked and furious Kat.
"I will not marry that bloody excuse of a man!" She muttered under her breath as she walked toward her room, a plan already forming in her mind.
A person would think that after a decade of solitude that one would be weak easily manipulated, well, for Katherine Berlin, a whole mountain of anger was about ready to explode.
"How dare she! Me marry that man! Why, he is not even a man at all, I would rather marry a bloody PIRATE! I will not live the rest of my life stuck in a stuffy house listening to gossip from other women who don't even care about me!"
Kat fumed, walking back and fourth about her room, scheming ways to get out of this situation.
"I was crazy to think that my mother loved me! Absolutely crazy!"
Six o'clock came around and she decided it would be best to at least give one more performance for her mother's sake. Calling a maid to help her get ready, she stated,
" Well, I suppose I can be polite. After all my mother did invite that pig-headed eunuch over for dinner…"
Drink up me 'earties yo ho!"Well Petunia, what say ye that we get ourselves room for the night." The Dark haired man coughed, slightly drunk. "I say it does look like it's getting dark out, aye lass?"
The woman giggled, amused by his words and walked toward the barmaid to get a room for them. The man sighed as she left,
"Some nice things ye 'ave here miss, some nice things."
His words slurred together almost harmoniously, giving the sign that he was very drunk. In fact though he was still very sober. Spotting a friend of his he waved him over to his table,
"Oi! Paul, over here lad! What news have you of this 'ere port?"
Paul walked over to his captain quickly and sat down across from him.
"Capin' there's few coats and swords here, I believe it will be an easy catch with few bullets." Sparrow looked pleased with this, his kohl rimmed eyes sparkled with joy, and an all to familiar smile crossed his lips. "…And one more thing capin', there be a good ransom involved as well."
"Aye boy, give me the details quickly I've… important matters to get to." Sparrow said raising his eyebrows nonchalantly.
"Aye sir, her name in Katherine Berlin. The daughter of Stephen Berlin, I'm sure you remember her. What say ye?"
A shock went through Jack as he heard the name of his old friend Stephen, he became uneasy and spoke clearly.
"No, mate." Paul looked confused.
"But capin' she's…"
"I will not have his bloody daughter aboard my ship! Understand?"
"Aye sir." Paul seamed totally lost, not understanding why his captain didn't want the girl aboard his ship. He thought about it for a minute, 'perhaps it has to do with Stephens riches? No, no, hmmm ghosts…maybe? No, no, that cant be it… Hmm maybe it is about the treasure.'
"Capin'…"
Jack looked at his second mate and made a frown, almost to noticeably.
"What is it Paul?"
"Did Stephen curse his treasure for those who try to find it?"
"No."
"Did the man ever threaten you not to take his daughter with some other type of curse?"
"Bloody hell no! Do you want an early death lad?"
"No captain, but I'd like to know why ye wouldn't want to on 'is daughter and get some gold out of it."
"Because, there is no gold in it mate. That bloody woman they call 'er mother is a sponge; she'd sooner 'ave a funeral for her daughter than send out a search party." Jack stopped for a minute, "Aye, either that or she'd 'ave the whole royal navy out looking for her. That woman was always moody, I don't want to deal with her or her daughter. Probably the same as her mum anyways."
"Jack, bloody listen to yerself, ya sound like land dweller. You could just let me deal with 'er. And if yer right, ye can keelhaul me till judgment day."
"It's Captain, and ye really are bloody set on us taking her in, then so be it. But, she is your responsibility, if I even have to tell 'er to shut her mouth, I'll stab you."
Paul laughed at his captain; Jack would never do anything like that, not really. But, he could be the most annoying and rude pirate if he was irritated.
"Aye, capin', that sounds good to me." Jack smiled quickly as he saw Petunia heading back towards him,
"Well mate, now that were square I shall be going, see you in the morning then, ta!" Paul laughed a bit.
"Aye." He said as he made his way to the door of the tavern.
'I'll head back to the ship then, I need some rum…'
Paul reached the Pearl at about six thirty, he supposed. There was still some light out and the men were just finishing their work for the day. He spotted Gibbs taking the rum down to the dinning halll and walked over promptly to help him out. When the last barrel was stored Gibbs said gratefully, " Thanks for tha help lad, I much appreciate it."
"Think nothin' of it Gibbs, glad to be of service"
"Aye. Lad, I suppose we better round up the crew and review tomarra's plan."
"I'll 'round 'em up." And with that Paul left the dinning hall to get the rest of the crew. Tomorrow would be an adventurous day.
Dinner al la modeDinner was going to be served at 7:00 sharp, but just before that time when the cook was finishing up her stew; an uninvited guest entered the kitchen.
"Miss your motha' will not be happy if she finds out you've been down 'ere. I wont say nothing, but that don't mean she wont find out. That woman is a crow!"
"Relax Becky, I'm not worried about what she wants anymore; if you can keep a secret, that is, I'll tell you something wonderful."
"Of course miss, for you, I can do anything."
Kat walked over to the stew that was boiling, "This is dinner right?"
"Aye." Then walking over to the herbs she picked through them, "Becky, where are the spices my father used to use in his food?"
"Oh, miss! You don't want to be doing that, the guests will be in pain for weeks!" Kat nodded in agreement, reluctantly Becky pointed out the jar, the spice inside of it was a mixture of dried red leaves, and some other indescribable things. Taking the jar Kat dumped it all out into the stew, and then mixed it fully in.
"There, and you can't hardly tell that it's there. Oh, Becky, don't be worrying about me, because you see, by the end of the night I will be free from all of this. By either death, or escape. I'm not too sure anymore. But I must be getting to the table, they'll be wondering where I am."
Becky waved her goodbye and wished her luck, silently praying for her safety.
The dining hall was as stiff as could be. When Kat arrived she found that her mother and their 'guests' were talking about the kings navy. Apparently they thought it to be a sad job. As it was, Kenneth voiced his opinions the strongest.
"It is a terribly wretched job, men are beaten, killed, it could hardly be better than piracy. Although without those mindless Dogs, we wouldn't be where we are; I'll admit that." Just as Kat entered the room, she noted how he emphasized the word mindless. Mindless my leg, by the end of this night I'll show you mindless.
Ann acknowledged her daughters appearance with a loud sigh,
"You don't plan to be late all the time now do you dear? Come sit with us, we have much to discuss."