Disclaimer: I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean, only Mary, Auburn, and the nameless… girl.
BUT IMPORTE (aka read this!): I LOVE YOU ALL BUT I DO HAVE SOME OFFENSIVE CONTENT AT THE END OF THIS CHAPTER (well, what others consider offensive. I personally consider it humorous). SO if you get offended at the aspect of sexual intercourse being called "f---ing", just skip the last part of this. I may be over-reacting but at least I'm giving fair warning, savvy? THANKS AND REMEMBER TO REVIEW!
Thanks so much for the reviews from caprisle and angelwingz21. But what I enjoy more than reviews is being able to put a long list of thank-yous in my chapters so review more!
Chapter Six: Jack Learns to Read and Mary Learns That There Are Many Facets to a Man
"Since I was taught with a Bible, you will be too." It was hard for Jack to keep a straight face, reflecting on the current situation. Mary stood before him, looking proud as a peacock and he was sitting at his desk, obediently listening. "Where's yer Bible, Mr. Jack?"
"Uhm… very good question, dear." He began rummaging around the drawers of his desk, finally pulling it out from the back of the bottom drawer triumphantly and dusting off the old cover. "Haven't had much use for it, I'm afraid," he added, unsticking the compressed yellow pages.
Mary sighed, walked over and opened to the first page. "The first book is called "Genius" and it's the story of how the world was made."
"Really now?"
"Uh huh."
"Where're the pictures?"
"There aren't none."
"What do you mean? Every good book has pictures."
"Well, this one don't. You have to make 'em up in your head."
"But if we have no idea what these people or places looked like, how can we make up a picture?"
"We use our imagination, I guess. You must have one of those."
Jack paused, holding a finger to his lips. "Y'know, I think I might have misplaced that awhile back."
"That's impossible, Mr. Jack! It's apart of yer head!"
"It is?"
"I think so…"
"Have you ever seen one?"
"They're invisdible, like the wind."
"But then how do you know they exist, luv?"
The girl paused, unsure of how to answer.
"You have faith. And the Bible teaches you about that too!" She replied proudly.
"Well then," Jack sighed dramatically, "I can't compete with the Bible then can I?"
So Jack received his first reading lesson. After he conquered the alphabet, which Mary quickly wrote in juvenile script across the top of the page, she explained how the letters made sounds and he was supposed to put the letters into words to make sentences. By the end of it all, Jack was able to fumble through the first page of the Bible with only minor difficulty.
"This readin' stuff ain't so hard t'all!"
"Told ya," Mary replied, proud of her teaching skills.
"Well then, Miss Mary, why don't you go get Mr. Gibbs for me. I need to speak with him a moment."
"Yessir!" After the young girl had scampered out, Jack tossed the holy book behind him carelessly and concentrated on his maps. With the strong wind out of the southeast, they were able to make great headway and were already up near the middle of the colonies. The captain hadn't dealt much with them but he wanted to make one last stop before heading out into the vast Pond where supplies wouldn't be so easy to come by. His thought process was interrupted by an abrupt knock.
"Enter!" He called.
"Y' wanted to see me, Cap'n?" Gibbs asked, closing the door behind him.
"Ah, yes. Gibbs, you know the colonies, aye?"
"Aye."
"Where's a good port to stop in?"
"Well, depends on the colours we be flyin'." The man paused. "From what I've heard, Boston seems to be a good port; can get almost anythin' there. Last I heard though, the people there were quite liberal and there's even talk of rebellion from the Crown."
"Then Boston it is." Jack replied with a grin. Gibbs moved closer and inspected the map over Jack's shoulder. They decided that it if the weather kept up, they could make port by the next evening.
"Men, welcome to Boston!" Jack announced as the port was still a faint sketch of land a few leagues away. "We'll be here a few days for supplies and such before we put all land to our rudder so enjoy it while you can!"
The men yelled varied replies before setting about their duties. Mary tugged on Jack's jacket impatiently. "Mr. Jack, where do I go?"
"You'll stay with Mr. Auburn while I go do captain-ie business and then we'll figure something out, aye? Maybe get you a new dress or whatever you girls like to do," Jack replied.
"Ooh really?" Mary squealed, gazing at her light blue dress, dirty and worn thin. "I've got to tell Auburn!" She ran off to find the boy before Jack could even give a faux-caring reply.
After they reached port a few hours later and docked, Gibbs distributed payment as each man left the boat, giving Auburn Mary's money as well. "Best get her a good hot meal and a nice room in an inn, Mr. Auburn," he muttered to the cabin boy.
"Aye, sir," Auburn replied, taking Mary's hand. "Come on, Miss Mary; let's see what this town has to offer, eh?"
Gibbs watched the two disappear into the crowds before turning his attention back to Jack, watching the captain as he haggled for a cheaper docking fee with an official. The name, 'Black' was thrown around a few times, making Gibbs grin. 'Black as his heart,' he thought. When Jack was done, the first mate approached him with a short report.
"Well Cap'n, the crew's off and I've got the list of supplies we'll be needin' right here, ready to be ordered and delivered back 'ere. Need anythin' else?"
"No, Mr. Gibbs, that'll be all. I'll be around the town if you need me," Jack replied.
"Aye Cap'n?"
The captain gave the man a cocky grin and sauntered off.
Gibbs chuckled knowingly and set off towards the many shops that lined the port's cobblestone streets, ready to get the supplies needed and be done with it.
"… And so I skewered him like a suckling pig." Jack finished grandly, taking a deep gulp of his mug of rum. How many the captain had consumed was debatable but it was an un-Godly amount for any man, pirate or not. The buxom brunette on his lap gasped, tracing the scar on his wrist that had prompted the story in awe with a spindly finger.
"Ye could 'ave died!"
"But I didn'," Sparrow replied with a grin.
"I'm sure ye have many tales hidden beneath these clothes," she whispered, breathing warmly into his ear. "I'd love t' hear 'bout 'em."
"Really now?"
"Ev'ry last 'un," she kissed a trail down his neck slowly, emphasizing each word.
Jack downed the last bit of rum in his mug and snaked an arm around the girl's tiny waist. "Fancy takin' a walk?" She nodded and stood, him following suit.
The captain led his guest out of the tavern and back to his ship, dazzling her along the way with his "heroic" tales from across the globe. Every word that spun off his forked tongue made her gasp and fret over him even more, every phrase drawing her closer to him in astonishment and admiration. He had her eating out of the palm of his dirty hand. Which is why, once they boarded his "grand" ship, he had no trouble whatsoever getting her to accept his invitation into his cabin.
"Auburn, why can't we stay on the ship tonight?" Mary asked as she settled into bed. The boy had found a nice, respectable inn to keep Mary at with a kind keeper who served good meals and gave them a decent fair.
"Ain't it more comf't'ble t' sleep in a real bed, Miss Mary?" Auburn asked, settling into a cot near her divan.
"Yeah but I miss the rockin' of the ship; it helps me get to sleep."
"Well, how 'bout I play ye a song? Do ye think that'll do it?"
The girl beamed. "Uh huh."
"A'ight then. Settle in and promise me ye'll sleep."
"Promise."
"This is a song me mum used t' sing t' me when I couldn't sleep."
Auburn set his pipes to his lips and began playing a soft and melodious tune. Mary eyelids immediately became heavy and she felt herself drifting off to sleep, the crashing of the waves echoing in the distance, intertwining with Auburn's lullaby in a haunting harmony.
Later that evening, however, a different noise awoke the young girl. The crashing of thunder and the crackling of lightning awoke Mary and she shook, hiding beneath the covers, terrified. Rain pounded against the windows forcefully like demons trying to break in. "I want me blanket," she whispered tearfully, knowing that the sheer size of it and the warm weight against her body would comfort her. Quaking, Mary slipped out of her bed and made her way out the door, careful not to wake Auburn. "Remember what Mr. Jack said," she reminded herself as she crept out into the late night, "Y' need to be strong, yer a pirate. Pirates don' cry."
The little inn wasn't more than a few minutes walk from where the Black Pearl was berthed and Mary felt comforted to see the dark massive ship standing proudly against the storm, faded black sails strapped tight to the masts. She noticed a light on in Jack's cabin and her heart gave a leap of joy. "Mr. Jack always makes everythin' better," she thought, running up the gangplank and over to the door. Noises coming from the other side of the door made the young lass stop a moment. She listened, ear pressed against the cold, wet wood. Loud groans and yelling could be heard. "Mr. Jack's in trouble!" She cried fearfully. The girl looked around quickly for something to use against Jack's assailant and saw a mop leaning against a railing, forgotten by a careless crew member. She dragged it back to the door, knocking the handle against it accidentally before turning the knob and giving a great heave, pushing it open.
"You stop hurtin' Mr. Jack now or I'll beat ye and throw ye to ole' Hob hisself!" She cried, rushing in to the cabin. Her eyes widened when she saw that Jack's "assailant" was just a girl, sitting on top of him, naked and sweaty, blankets gathered around her hips. The stranger screamed and drew up a blanket to cover herself and Jack started spitting curses at Mary left and right in his drunken state. Mary didn't quite understand what was going on but from the way Jack was yelling, he was livid at her. "I'm sorry!" she cried, dropping the mop and backing out the door. "I didn' mean nothin'!"
"Whoever ye are, get the bloody 'ell off of my ship! An' if I sees ya in the morn, I'll kill ya!" was the last thing Mary heard before she tore down the gangplank and into the cold, wet night, tears streaming down her face.
"CAPTAIN!" Auburn hollered urgently, running onto the Black Pearl early the next morning. "CAPTAIN!"
"What the bloody 'ell are you yellin' about son?" Jack asked, coming out of his cabin and rubbing his head, the reminisce of a massive hangover and hard fucking from the night before.
"It's Mary!" Jack's attention was suddenly more acute. "She's disappeared, sir! I watched her fall asleep meself and when I woke up this morn, she was gone!"
"Oh bugger." He looked at the young boy. "You have no idea where she could have gone?" He asked seriously.
"Not a clue sir. Happy as a clam, she was, last night. I played her a song and she was sleepin' peacefully and then, poof! Gone!"
"Well then, looks like we have a bonny lil' lass to find, don't we?"
"Aye sir," Auburn replied worriedly.
"Ask around, saying she's yer sister, aye? No needs to have suspicion arise. Remember son, where would you run if you were a six-year-old girl?"
"Aye Cap'n." The boy took off down the gangplank up the street.
Jack closed his eyes and shook his head. 'I knew there was somethin' familiar about that voice last night.' This was not good. 'Lady Luck is going to kill me! Or worse,' his eyes widened in horror, 'take my manhood!' He cursed himself before trying to think about where she could have gone hiding. 'I did promise her a dress today,' the captain remembered. He headed towards the seamstress's shop, hoping that his train of thought would be the same as Mary's.
