Within the many years of exploring Shipwreck Cove, Jack had seen just about every foot of the island. When he had explored every one of the inlets and beaches, he started to explore all the dungeons. Jack always thought the abandoned dungeons were a whole lot more fascinating to explore. He liked to crawl through passageways and shifting through rocks to get to secret entrances. Sometimes, he found human remains and kept some of them to himself. Jack knew the maps of the dungeons by heart after exploring so many of them so finding a way out wasn't too difficult.

After a whole day of dungeon exploration, Jack went back to his roots and found one of the little beaches to rest at. He took off his boots to let his toes sink into the sand and watched as the sun set behind the island surrounding Shipwreck Cove.

When it started to get dark, Jack packed his things, put his boots back on, and started to walk back home. Jack walked quietly through the door to the Great Chamber and tip-toed up the stairs. When he reached the living area, he dropped his things and ducked.

"AHH!" Jack dove to the ground. All there was—was silence.

Jack then realized no knives were thrown at him. He looked up to see no one was in the room. No Teague, no Uncle Jack, none of the little cousins, not even Grandmama was in her rocking chair.

"Hmm...that's strange," Jack wondered out loud.

He picked up his things and went upstairs to his room. He then found a note attached to his door:

Meet me at

The Drunken Lady

-Teague

Puzzled, Jack made his way up the city, three quarters of the way up the tower of ships to The Drunken Lady, which had once been a Spanish treasure galleon Our Lady of Divine Inspiration (some witty pirate had modified this to "Our Lady of Divine Inebriation"). Jack had been there many times with Teague, many of the times in which he had to drag a drunk Teague back home in the middle of the night. Jack entered the tavern and scanned the place for Teague, and spotted him and Borya sitting at a table towards the back waving at him.

"Happy Birthday, Jackie!" They both cheered.

"Huh—wait! Me?" Jack looked around confused.

"Yes, you! When would I ever forget your birthday?!" Teague chuckled.

"Every year. Even I forgot when my birthday was and I can't even count how old I am anymore," Jack answered dryly and took a seat by Teague. Teague called over Marie, the barkeep's wife who often served the guests of the tavern.

"Bienvenue, messieurs!" Marie greeted. "What would you like to drink?" She spotted Jack sitting next to Teague. She bent over next to the table to Jack's eye level and smiled. "Bonjour, Jack! Would you like to order a chocolate milk?"

Jack opened his mouth to speak when Teague interrupted him. "Five shots of rum each for the three of us! It's Jackie's birthday today and he's finally having his first drink!" Jack's mouth hung open speechless as he stared at Teague.

"Ooh! The lad's very first drink! I'll bring that right away, monsieur!" Marie took the order and walked away.

"Ah—err...um...WHAT?!l" Jack stammered for a moment trying to regain his ability to talk.

"You're sixteen now so I thought that would be the perfect time to take you through the threshold into the life of drinking!"

Jack's eyes widened and he pressed his lips together as he looked over at Borya, who was also looking at him with the same expression, both knowing all too well that Borya had already been letting Jack drink with his crew for years. They burst out in laughter together while Teague looked confused. Just then, Marie came to the table with a tray of fifteen shots like how Teague ordered, sorting out the shots to five each for the three of them.

"Thank you, love. We'll keep it open," Teague thanked as Marie turned and walked away. He then turned to Jack.

"You're nervous, aren't you, boy?" Teague questioned, noticing Jack examining his first shot.

"Nope...not at all," Jack said sounding unsure.

All three of them held up their shot.

"To Jackie!" Teague announced.

"And to getting really drunk, da?" Borya grinned.

"Yes, yes. To me and getting really drunk," Jack said in all seriousness.

They all drank their shots. The older men cleared their throats whilst Jack hacked and coughed, trying to clear his own.

"Don't worry, boy. In time, you'll get the hang of it," Teague reassured, patting Jack on the back as he coughed.

"Ye-yes," Jack croaked with tears nearly forming in his eyes.

The three took yet another shot...and then another, then another, then another...

Borya had left back to his residence and the two remaining drunkards stumbled into Teague's favorite brothel, arm in arm as they supported each other. The inside of the brothel was decrepit, but also fancy with vintage couches and rugs, though a lot of them were blanketed in dust. The girls dressed in rather revealing dresses and the sailors were just regular old pirates, probably here for "business". They were all seated in couches, chairs, and some on the floor.

"Teague!" the brothel girls cried happily.

"Hello, ladies. We just got back from the tavern," Teague slurred as he threw a drunken Jack on a couch. He then threw off his coat and hat and put them on a coat hanger.

"I can tell," the redhead, Madam Lavina observed. She was one of the misses of the brothel as well as a particular one Teague was interested in. "What was the occasion?"

"It's the boy's birthday today and he's had his first drink!"

They both looked over at Jack who sat there on the couch bobbing his head back and forth, hard enough to where he was hitting the back of his head against the wall. Teague pulled Lavina further over to the side and lowered his voice to a whisper.

"Since it's Jackie's birthday,...well—um...How about you girls go give him some attention," Teague winked as he pulled out a few shillings from his pocket.

"Will do, Captain," Lavina winked back as she took the shillings.

She gathered the other three girls and they went over to Jack, who was still in a drunken state, and swooned over him. They cooed at how cute he was, pinched his cheeks, ruffled his hair, and gave him sandwiches and chocolates and Jack enjoyed every single bit of it.

"Aww! He is so cute!"

"Look at his little baby face!"

"He's so adorable when he's drunk!"

"Daww! He's so red!"

After a few minutes, the girls picked up Jack to take him to one of their rooms. Teague smiled as he watched the girls carry Jack up the stairs. It wasn't long until he heard one of the girls call his name.

"Teague!"

Teague got up from the couch wobbling a bit, and slowly walked up the stairs and into the room the girls were in. He walked in to see the girls looking down at Jack on the bed. Jack had passed out as the girls were undressing him. They had already undressed him down to only his shirt and breeches.

"What do we do now, Teague?" the blonde girl, Madam Claire, asked.

Teague sighed as he looked at Jack in dismay and replied. "Well, I already paid for the kid. If he ain't up for the task, I might as well take his place. I have a bit more experience anyway."

"Okay then!" the girls got up and left the room with Teague, leaving Jack on the bed to sleep.

Jack woke up on the bed barely dressed as he opened his eyes and turned his head a little to see Teague leaning against the doorway smiling.

"So Jackie, how was it?"

"How was what?"

"Your first time! It must've been great!"

Jack's eyes grew wide and he looked up at the ceiling. He didn't know what to say.

"You were one lucky lad, my boy. And four at once? That would have to be a new record, mate. And your first time too? I'm proud of you, boy," Teague praised, still smiling at Jack.

Jack tried not to let the tears well up in his eyes as he continued to look up at the ceiling. It was the first time Teague had ever praised him, or expressed being proud of him.

"I-I don't remember..." Jack quaked.

"Take my word on it. I'm heading downstairs to sing. Join us when you're ready to come down," Teague then left and shut the door behind him.

Jack tried to sit up, but when he did, it felt as if the room was spinning, or rocking as if he was in an earthquake. He could tell he was still pretty drunk. He laid back down, looking up at the ceiling again. He turned his head a little to the window. He couldn't have been out for anymore than a couple of hours since it was dark outside and from what he could hear downstairs, everyone else seemed to still have quite a bit of energy left. He could hear feet stomping on the ground as they chanted,

"Fifteen men on a dead man's

chest, yo ho ho and a bottle of

rum!"

Jack wanted to be down there so badly, but he felt he didn't have the strength to even get up. Jack spent the next thirty minutes or so listening to them sing down below. Feet stomped, people clapping, and the strumming of a guitar. Many of the songs he heard he had recognized from his adventures on the Koldunya.

Jack sat back up again, and although the room still felt like it was moving, he finally had the strength to get up. He put his boots on, tied his sash, put on his belt, and pulled his waistcoat through his belt so he didn't have to wear it.

Jack slowly walked down the stairs trying not to fall. He sat at the bottom of the staircase waiting for a sailor to finish his song.

"So here's a health to the

company and one to my lass,

Let's drink and be merry all out

of one glass,

Let's drink and be merry, all

grief to refrain,

For we may or might never all

meet here again."

Everybody clapped and cheered as Teague noticed Jack waiting.

"Jackie! You're here! Come join us, boy," Teague exclaimed.

Teague moved over a little to make room and Jack squeezed in right next to him.

Madam Lavina came up to Jack and handed him a tankard. "Here you go, Jack! Can't sing drinking songs without drinking!"

Just as Jack was about to take a sip, Teague's hand grabbed the tankard and pulled it away from him, with Jack's hands not letting go.

"Oh yes you can," Teague said. "You've had more than enough."

"No I can't!" Jack whined, pulling the drink back. "I can have just one more drink!"

"Fine," Teague huffed as he let go of the drink.

Jack happily took a swig and everyone started to sing again. He sat through a couple of songs he was too drunk to remember the words of, but he enjoyed the company as he sat there and listened, swaying back and forth.

"Alrighty, mates!" Madam Lavina announced. "This will be the last song for tonight, and I think you all know this one!" She took a deep breath and began to sing.

"Of all the money that e'er I

had, I spent it in good company.

And all the harm I've ever done,

Alas it was to none but me.

And all I've done for want of

wit, To mem'ry now I can't recall.

So fill to me the parting glass,

Good night and joy be to you all.

So fill to me the parting glass

And drink a health whate'er befalls.

Then gently rise and softly call,

Good night and joy be to you all!"

A smile drew across Jack's face as he remembered the words to this song. It was one of his favorites when singing on Borya's ship.

"Oh, oh! I know this one!" Jack squealed, almost spilling his drink.

Teague picked up the guitar sitting next to him. He began strumming and started to sing.

"Of all the comrades that e'er I had,

They're sorry for my going away.

And all the sweethearts that e'er I had—"

Jack chimed in.

"They'd wish me one more day to stay!"

Everybody began to sing along, waving their tankards up in the air.

"But since it fell unto my lot,

That I should rise and you should not.

I'll gently rise and softly call,

Good night and joy be to you all!

Fill to me the parting glass

And drink a health whate'er befalls.

Then gently rise and softly call,

Good night and joy be to you all!"

Teague continued to strum the guitar as Madam Lavina came up to Jack and pulled him up to dance with her. One by one, each of the girls and sailors got up and started to dance. Lavina and Jack slow danced since Jack was still really drunk. Jack looked at the tankard he was holding over her shoulder and began to sob.

"Aww! What's wrong? Don't cry!" Lavina consoled.

"I-I love you," Jack wept, still looking at his tankard.

"Is that you or the alcohol taking?" Lavina questioned.

"It's me talking to the alcohol!"

Lavina chuckled a little as she wiped Jack's face and sat him back down next to Teague.

Everybody began to sing again, dancing and waving their drinks. Jack swayed and waved his drink, letting tears fall down his face as he sang. He had no doubt this was one of the best memories he has ever had with Teague.

Teague and Jack stumbled over to the door to the Great Chamber. Teague then stopped and turned to Jack before opening the door.

"Now, Jackie. What do you say if Grandmama or anyone else catches us coming in?" Teague asked.

"I went to a bar, got drunk, and lost my virginity to four girls!" Jack blurted a little too loudly. Jack laughed and Teague slapped him across the face.

"Shh! No, you can't say those things!" Teague reprimanded. "Just act normal and let me do the talking. Savvy?"

"Savvy!" Jack giggled.

Teague pushed Jack through the door and they slowly made their way up the stairs, with each of the steps creaking below their feet. They walked through the living area Jack parted from Teague and went to the couch.

Teague looking around the still seemingly empty living area. Usually, some of the family would be there, passed out from drinking, yet none of them were in sight. He suddenly heard something rock. He turned around and found Jack laughing, completely on his feet jumping up and down on the couch. Teague panicked and pulled Jack off the couch by the arm.

Valerie then entered the room as Teague was trying to calm Jack down. "What in the bloody name in hell is goin' on here?!"

"Just go back to your room. You don't need to know what's going on here," Teague said as he finally got Jack to calm down.

"Hey, Valerie! Looking as ugly as ever!" Jack slurred as he put his arm on Valerie's shoulder.

"Wait. Is he drunk?" Valerie asked, scowling at Jack. Jack spaced out for a second and slowly nodded looking back at her.

"Yes, he is. Under my permission. Don't tell Grandmama," Teague responded under his breath as Jack walked away and disappeared into the kitchen.

"I won't tell if I get to watch," Valerie bribed with an evil smirk.

Teague let out a simple "No."

Jack moaned and whined and Teague walked into the kitchen to check on him.

"Let me tell you, I feel kinda light headed right now, mate," Jack drawled, pacing around the room.

"If you need to throw up, do it in a bucket, please," Teague grunted.

"I can feel it come up my throat," Jack went up to the wall and started to pant.

The three of them were quiet for a few moments. Jack's eyes widened and looked at Teague as he broke the silence. "I just peed a little."

Valerie cackled and Teague facepalmed.

"Oh god, boy. Do it outside!"

"I need help."

Teague grabbed Jack by the arm, quickly pushed him down the stairs, and pulled him outside to the back of the ship hulks.

"Go over there!" Teague pointed over to the other side and he and Valerie waited in front of the Great Chamber. After a couple minutes, they heard wailing coming from Jack.

Teague swung his head around the hulks and saw Jack, still on the other side facing away from him.

"I just threw up on my member!" Jack shouted.

Teague looked over at Valerie, who seemed just as confused.

"It burns!"

The sudden realization came upon them as Valerie's face lit up and Teague's face dropped into a horrified expression. Teague then rushed over to Jack while Valerie howled in laughter.