The saloon was under a canopy of musty air and cigar smoke, the atmosphere was gloomy and subdued, reason being that some of the drunkards had fallen to sleep. Josh Gibbs was enjoying the peace, taking a swig of beer from his tumbler he thought of how he would spend his fortnight of freedom. He did not notice Jack and Ruby-Rose stroll in and order two glasses of ale, bewildered by the silence they warily sat down at his table.

"Ah Jack, it's an odd thing to drink at a saloon again – no matter how many voyages I've been on, a return to port is always the same. It's as if pirates haven't had a drop of the good stuff in years" –

"I agree, still it's better than a brawl, I don't think I'm in the mood for a punch-up" Jack yawned, the hazy atmosphere was getting to him. He watched his first officer as he came face to face with the pirate princess for the first time. From the look on Gibbs' face Jack knew a leery remark was about to be expressed. Jack intervened before any potential offence could take place.

"Josh Gibbs I'd like you to meet an old acquaintance of mine Ruby-Rose Arlington. Be careful she looks sweet but she can bite" –

"Thanks for that Jack I'm sure he has dealt with worse, we are in a bar full of pirates after all" Ruby-Rose sighed begrudgingly.

"So you are the famous Ruby-Rose, great plunderer of the pacific?" –

"I am skilled at what I do, I would not say I'm a truly great plunderer – I just know which merchant fleets are the best" She gushed modestly, sipping the ale as it was not ranked as a favourite beverage.

"Oh come now, town like Shanghai and Tokyo are bursting with tales of conquests and how you disabled the H.M.S Intrepid: Masquerading as one of the crew and raiding the captain's lodging's no less" Gibbs' explained excited, revelling in his passion of story-telling.

The sparrows both shook their heads – Jack rested his head on his hand and started to regret making the introduction, Ruby-Rose giggled with embarrassment before composing herself, few pirates had started to stir and she was not about to risk her name being slandered.

"Contrary to popular belief I did not steal all that Master Benedict had – I merely stole the trinkets that were chunky and glittering with jewels" Ruby-Rose answered mockingly.

"Ha like a quick sea-faring magpie and why not I doubt another profession could be as rewarding as ours" –

"Here, here – Good philosophy Mr Gibbs, 'tis a rare gem to have our profession marvelled at for once. I wish both the Navy and the trade company would see it that way" Ruby-Rose pondered as she stared at her companions' wrists – Both scorched with the dreaded mark, shuddering she quickly turned away.

"Surely you don't fear them, young miss? Not with a record as daring as yours" Gibbs commended enthusiastically, Ruby-Rose tried to play down a legacy that was already infamous. Stating that a hangman's noose did not favour anyone but Gibbs was already in his eager storyteller mode and carried on regardless. Much to the girl's dismay Jack's first mate began the sonnet which had travelled just as far and wide as she did.

There is not a pirate I suppose

As cunning and quick and the wild Ruby-Rose

With garments of red colour and innocence in both eyes

She lands unsuspecting merchant ships a nasty surprise

There is an odd saying that goes

Davy Jones is in favour of the great Ruby-Rose

For she travels swift and determined in the plight

Of the greatest bounty, forever in her sight

A passionate flame flickers and glows

In the heart of every pirate there is a pining for Ruby-Rose

For every maiden that is fair and has manners so mild

There is the plucky Ruby-Rose both vigorous and wild

Joshamee Gibbs could have continued as there were many variations of verses to this odd sonnet. No-one outside The Oracle's crew knew the origin behind the poem that accelerated the progress of the pirate princess's legend. It began as a playful joke between herself and her two confidants Ana Maria Varens and Cristobel Chamberlain. Soon the whole crew were notified and as her notoriety grew so did the knowledge of the sonnet. Ruby-Rose had been subjected to perverse and insulting versions, where her character and very manner of her swindling were called into question.

"Please Mr Gibbs enough, the lass and I came in here to rest our weary heads and drink merrily without all the fuss of namesakes" Jack slurred as he drunk the large tumbler of ale a little too quickly than he intended.

"…and who is the one that is weary? Certainly not you, I've been tending to my ship since daybreak, what have you been doing all day?" –

"My dear Ruby-Rose I have been up and down this continent and halfway 'round the world to get the Black Pearl back, surely after nine years I can slacken a little" His reply almost scornful it was unintentional malice that did not go unnoticed. Needless to say Ruby-Rose was shocked and a little unnerved by it but did not press the matter further.

"My apologies Jack, I didn't mean to sound resentful let's not talk about the past okay?" Ruby-Rose sighed weakly if her mind wasn't preoccupied with bigger thing – namely the taking of the solstice – she would not have forgiven the rants of one bruised ego so readily.