Author's Notes: Sorry for the procrastination, I'm rather hesitant about posting because there are some absolutely vicious MSTers (Mary-Sue Torturers if you aren't familiar with the phrase) that scour these fics in search of a good Mary-Sue to tear apart and post on (and the hypocritical/ironic part? I just joined (one of these said) communities. How embarrassing would it be to suddenly see my fic on there? Oh well, best way to improve your writing, I s'pose.
I'll be using some Spanish throughout the rest of the story (most likely) but I'll always try to provide a key beforehand for those who can't make heads or tails of the language.
Tia – aunt
La niña de piratas – the child of the pirates
I hate to do that as it gives a lot of the story away but… sacrifice for your art. Reviews are encouraged!
Disclaimer: I got nothing to do with Pirates of the Caribbean.
Chapter Two: Mr. Cap'n
Its chest rose slowly, awknowledging it was merely in a deep slumber as Jack gingerly laid the bundle down on his bed amidst the messy blankets and haphazard pillows. He took a step back, pondering it a moment and was prepared to uncover the thing when he remembered his jacket and effects outside hanging on the damp railing.
"Well, no need for them to get rusty, aye?" Jack stated cheerfully, eager to escape his newfound burden. From there, the captain found every excuse to stay away from his cabin: checking the rigging, getting more rum, taking a quick inventory, making sure the galley and sleeping quarters were cleaned up. Each tedious chore he normally detested, procrastinated on, or handed off to another crew member Jack was suddenly was glad to take care of.
The first glimmers of morning licked over the watery horizon just as Jack emerged from below deck, exhausted. He knew he had missed his chance to find a lady friend. By this time all the creatures of the night would be retiring for the day.
'They never did look quite as enticing in the sunlight,' the captain thought with a sigh.
He leaned against the main mast of his beloved and gazed out at the beautiful portrait the morning was offering him. The murky violets and mauves of the awakening heavens gave way to a vermillion and then a rouge, almost rosy colour, not unlike the flushing of a virgin's cheeks. Eventually brighter, livelier colours made their debut as the globe continued to twirl: fiery and fierce oranges and gingers, energetic golds and finally blues so bright and true it was as if the ocean bent up and met the heavens without a seam. It was going to be a good sailing day, a perfect start towards a new treasure and adventure.
And part of that adventure awaited the good captain in his cabin. Jack sighed, enjoying the few moments of serenity he was given by his one true love. He stretched and gave a small yawn before heading to his quarters, opening the door, and peaking in to see what awaited him.
And there was a child; a small and delicate girl with hair the colour of polished mahogany, who was currently examining his cabin, one hand cupped under her chin in a thinking position, the other on her hip. She was young, naught more than six or seven years old, the last of her baby fat as evidence. Jack smiled at her demeanor which was one of the utmost seriousness and determination. About what, however, he had no idea.
"Good mornin', young miss," Jack called, stepping into the room. The child's dim pale blue eyes sprang from their inspection of the small book case in the corner to meet his dark brown ones. He stared back, unsure of what to do, nervous that she would scream of fright. Instead, she cocked her head to the side and examined him with the same serious expression that she had before.
"Good mornin'," she replied finally, her voice clipping the air like a fresh sail in the wind. Jack swore he heard some sort of accent in the short phrase but he couldn't place what it was.
'What are you supposed to say to a little lass who's been dumped onto your ship by a mythical… thing?' he thought curiously.
"You wouldn't happen t' know Lady Luck, would you, pet?"
"Who?"
"Short, young lookin' ghost-type thing. Blonde hair, pale, a pain in the arse most of the time…" he paused, praying that something wasn't going to come out of nowhere and hit him for that remark, "but always good to have around." He finished quickly.
"Lily?"
He paused. "Lily?" He heard the Lady called many things from port to port but Lily was a new one.
"Lily." She responded in a solid tone.
"How do you know erm… Lily?"
"Tia gave me to her; said that she was going to help me get home."
"That Tia be yer mum?"
"I don't gots no mum."
"Uh huh… where does this Tia live then?"
"In Cuba."
"Ye sure don't look Cuban." Everything from her hair and eyes to her only slightly tanned skin and endless freckles confirmed that.
"I'm not."
"Then what are ye?"
"I'm a lady."
Jack smiled and he was reminded of Elizabeth Swann. "A lady, eh? So ye don't -"
"And what're you?" She asked, cutting him off.
"Me?" Jack put a hand to his chest. "I'm Jack Sparrow. Captain, that is."
"Are ye a pirate?"
"Some call me that."
"So, are ye taking me home, Mr. Cap'n Pirate Man?"
Jack paused, holding a finger up to his chin in thought. "Young miss, I'm gonna do somethin' better. I'm gonna take ye on an adventure."
"Lily said that one day I'd meet a pirate."
"Did she now?" He grinned. The captain always relished the fact that the "infamous Captain Jack Sparrow" was a common name in almost every port. If a tale had his name in it, it was bound to be worth listening to.
"Yessir, and she said to be careful because looks were decieving."
Jack scoffed. "Well then, young'n, are they?"
"I dunno. Are you a girl Mr. Cap'n?"
Jack's jaw dropped in shock.
"'Cause you kind of look like a girl. And you have braids in your hair and I've only heard of girls braiding their hair."
"I most certainly am not a girl!"
"Then why you gots so much make-up on? 'Round yer eyes and such."
"Enough questions. You're too curious. Children should never be this curious. They should be seen and not 'eard, savvy? Now, will it be 'little miss' all the way or do you have a proper name to ye?"
"Mary, Mr. Cap'n."
"Got a last name with that?"
"I don' remember it. Tia told me once but in the village they always just called me 'la niña de piratas'. Tia only spoke broken Englishes and lots of Español."
"Then where did you learn to speak English?"
"Lily, mostly. Tia taught me what she could but most of the time I had to guess at what she was saying. I never did understand Español very well."
"Well, Mary, welcome aboard. I'm not quite sure what I'm s'posed ta' do with ye but I'm sure we'll figure somethin' out, aye?" He gave her what hoped came across as a comforting smile before turning to leave. His goal was to round up the crew and be on the open seas by midday. Weather so fine wasn't going to be wasted.
"Mr. Cap'n?"
"Aye luv?"
"Thank you."
Jack smiled. "Anytime, young'n. And ye know ye can just call me Cap'n or Jack or somethin' of that deranged sort, aye?"
"If you say so, Mr. Jack."
Sparrow shrugged, figuring it'd do for the time being.
"Wait!" Mary cried. "What am I supposed to do now?"
"Just stay here and be good."
"I promise, Mr. Jack."
"There's a good lass. Ta." With that and a flourish of his hand, Jack left to round up his crew and set sail towards Mary's home and his next treasure.
There you go, a bit more on his new cargo. What do you think? I'm trying to stay away from making her a mini-Mary-Sue and I hope that it's working. Please review it good, bad and ugly please! Cheers, Puck
