Author's Comment:Dear God, I should be hanged for the amount of time I took to actually post this chapter. Firstly, let me say that I was "on a roll" before I decided to take a "break." I then realized that the ideas I have flowing through my head come to a halt when I stop typing. So I had writer's block for another day and before I knew it it was like... a week I think. I APOLOGIZE severely, I really do. I promise you guys will never have to wait that long again...
Perceivably Problematic Pickles
"Ah, King Swann and Captain Sparrow, you have finally arrived!" exclaimed Captain Ching with a brisk Chinese accent. She of course as with all her statements put a great deal of emotion to it, and thus stood before the court waving her hand before them in excessive greeting. The plump woman then sat, as Persian Ammand, French Chevalle, and African Jocard turned their attentions to the two.
"We have been patiently awaiting your arrival…" stated Jocard.
"I'm quite flattered" Jack remarked with a toothy grin.
Jack's dark eyes wandered the room for a moment, his nose twitched slightly as he noticed Teague's being present. Teague however, did not even glance at them the slightest, giving Jack and the now observant Elizabeth the impression that the scarred pirate did not care of their presence or merely wished to stay unengaged. He clearly felt that whatever current fancy he had the ability to divulge in was far more important. Elizabeth's eyes then narrowed slightly, flickering from Jack and then Teague.
A lack of attention… or the inability to be attentive… how… familiar.
The lords sat for a brief moment in silence, causing Elizabeth to wonder the exact reason. She then realized that their glances were focused on Jack's arm (which was still gently wrapped around her waist), observing with curiosity the lack of space between the two. As with Villanueva the same puzzling question of the true relationship between them filled every mind in the vicinity, excluding of course the unengaged and seemingly uninterested Captain Teague. Elizabeth cleared her throat and politely glanced at Jack. He then threw her a sideways glance, and slowly realized the reason for her hinting stare and the awkward silence of the Brethren Court. His charming confidence once again returned to its former state as he raised his hands apologetically, his lips puckering ever slightly. He then discreetly winked at Elizabeth before swaying unsteadily away from her side.
Elizabeth's soft eyes narrowed as a questioning smirk came to her lips. She was at first puzzled at why she was not completely and utterly angered by the pirate's flirtatious "wink" and was equally confused at whether or not she should presently frown in distaste or grin in acceptance. Strangely enough, the latter had been done quite involuntarily on her part. The message of the wink was of course quite clear to her and she laughed silently to herself, realizing how strange it was that the two could now converse without actual conversation.
I agree luv, business before pleasure…
Her glance continued to follow him as he strutted away from her, beginning to tinker with meaningless objects displayed on rotting tables and drawers throughout the room. Those of the Brethren Court watched observantly in a still silence, many eyes flickering from Elizabeth's very obvious gaze of mischief to the seemingly drunken and discreetly flirtatious captain. Jack turned, throwing her a puckish yet charming grin. Elizabeth's eyes then wandered away in response, her grin only growing once he had noticed her stare in such a way. Teague glanced at the two in a sudden curiosity, wondering why the room was so exceptionally silent. His thoughts of course matched perfectly with those seated at the table. There was as those observing came to discover, a strange and new bond formed between the two. It was an unknown yet perfectly transparent relationship. Elizabeth made her way proudly towards the table, clearing her throat in preparation for addressing them properly as "Pirate King." All but Teague drew their attention to her, the scarred captain still continuing to watch Jack in curiosity, noticing with observant eyes the peculiar glances he was throwing the girl when her back was turned. Before the Pirate King could speak however, she was questioned first by Captain Chevalle.
"Ehg, where exactly is Monsieur Villanueva? I 'ad zought he had come with you and Captain Sparrow but he is not present at ze table."
"Ah, Villanueva!" Jack began with great enthusiasm, "Fanciful man! Wonderful parties! No taste at all for peanuts… and a terrible obsession with rats…" His lip curled slightly at mentioning Villanueva's "terrible obsession."
Elizabeth discreetly smiled at his comment, causing Captain Ching to gaze at her in curiosity. Captain Jocard stared at Jack, still awaiting an answer to Chevalle's question. Jack cleared his throat under the discomfort of the dark captain's serious gaze. Presently, the African Captain was at a lack of humor and had at the moment grown a dislike for the infamous Sparrow and his lax interpretation of the matter. There was as he percieved, no room for childish play.
"Had to scurry along n' fetch something I'm afraid…" Jack grinned apologetically to Chevalle.
"And Captain Barbosa?" Ching questioned Elizabeth.
"What about him?" Elizabeth frowned is puzzlement.
"He was to be retrieved along with you and Captain Sparrow!" stated Ammand as Jocard nodded in agreement.
Before Elizabeth could question them further she caught a sideways glimpse of Jack. Her eyes narrowed as she had noticed his lips had begun to suddenly twitch. At first she wondered if Villanueva had returned with his rodent, recognizing his expression keenly exact to the one he had repeatedly given while in the Spaniard's presence.
"I be present!" exclaimed a haughty voice behind her. Elizabeth then turned, realizing what or rather who, had been the cause of Jack's expression of disgust.
"Who invited you?" questioned Jack with a frown of dislike. Barbosa grinned at the captain with a snarl of equal loathing on his face.
"I'm quite impressed on how ya got here. But… disregardin' that… Unlike the likes of you Jack I be havin' somethin' ta offer."
"Would that in fact be my ship then?"
"I do hope ya bes' not be questionin' fer me ship."
"My ship!"
"Tis mine as I rightly stole it!"
"Who asked you to rear your big ugly head?" Jack slurred hoarsely, puckering his lips in dismay. Elizabeth cleared her throat, attempting to turn the two hateful captains' attentions away from each other.
"There are more severe problems at hand gentlemen than the Pearl!" exclaimed Elizabeth. Some of the Brethren Court stared at her expectantly; she then realized that she was quite unaware of what these problems were exactly. She sighed, realizing that Jack had never given her a suitable explanation of why they were in fact standing there in the first place.
"I agree with King Swann…" noted a familiar Spaniard accent behind the two squabbling pirates and Elizabeth herself. Jack turned warily towards Captain Villanueva, glancing in disgust at probably the only present being in the room whom he loathed more than Barbosa. The quoy on the Spaniard's shoulder "squeed" in fear of so many in the room. Jack flinched at the high pitched squeal, causing Elizabeth to frown with concern. Villanueva then placed the small animal gently down on a table, allowing it to wander off in content. Jack's dark eyes narrowed as he began to unsteadily follow the rodent, an expression of malice clearly taking over his face.
"Can we please be riddin' ourselves of the rat?" questioned Barbosa with a snarl, his eyes flickering towards the wandering Jack and rodent. Jack raised his hand in agreement.
"For once, I actually agree with ye mate."
"So you'll be leavin'?" Barbosa grinned, his eyes narrowing with glee. Jack frowned, realizing that Barbosa had actually been referring to himself as "the rat".
"Enough!" commanded Elizabeth in a reprimanding tone. Barbosa looked away, obediently keeping silent. Jack stuck his tongue out at the man quite childishly before returning to his stalking the drifting rodent.
"Captain Villanueva!" greeted Ammand, "The weather was not harsh for you?"
"Si it was Senor, but of course I traveled in expectantly good company. It was however quite terrible to discover that Captain Sparrow and Senorita Elizabeth's ship was destroyed."
Those at the table began to murmur in response to Villanueva's comment, finding it unbelievable.
"Quite terrible ta believe that she'd kill evn' Jack" commented Barbosa.
"Mmmm…" nodded Villanueva in agreement.
"Actually…" Jack began, turning his attention away from the rodent momentarily, "...it wasn't me per say the sea… woman… had believably attempted to put an end to, making it all the more rightly… believable." Jack frowned as Barbosa and Villanueva stared at him, not grasping what he had just said. Jack then titled his head towards Elizabeth, bobbling it with a flick of his brow.
The eyes of the Brethren then turned to Elizabeth, who still carried a look of confusion. She frowned, attempting to grasp unsuccessfully the matter at hand.
"Calypso has discovered our plan to seal her!" Captain Ching wailed in dismay. Jack's lip curled at the woman's shrill and over-emotional tone. He turned however, realizing the rodent was very close. At last his prey was near. He then grabbed it and hurriedly tossed it in a small silver mug. The small animal squealed wildly as he covered the cup with its lid, grinning at his masterfully capturing the rodent. His grin vanished however, as the lid began to suddenly shake with the animal's struggling attempt to be released. Quite luckily for Jack, the room had become very loud with the sudden yells of many of the Brethren Court, leaving the squealing and metal clashing of his capture unnoticed.
Elizabeth's eyes widened at her realization of their plan to attempt to re-seal Calypso. She assumed she had only been a target of the godess due to her being Pirate King. It did seem quite simple, a bit too simple, causing her to grow suspicious of what else lay in store for her. Surely, if she was aware she was to be pulled into such a stressing matter she would not have embarked on Jack's escapade in the first place.
"Jack!" she yelled over the noise of the Brethren Court's present squabbling. Jack turned to her, shoving the cup behind him as he grasped it tightly.
"MMmm Elizabeth?"
"Why didn't you tell me this was why you brought me? I wouldn't have bloody come!"
"Doesn' really give me much incentive to tell you now does it luv?" he grunted as he struggled to hold the creature within the cup behind him.
"You lied to me… AGAIN!"
"More like... alleviated you of the truth really..." Jack grinned smartly.
A gunshot suddenly sounded above them, causing everyone in the room to cease their quarreling. Teague's eyes flickered towards Barbosa, then returned to his commencing to place his guitar. Elizabeth turned to Barbosa as well, Jack turning away to his present prey. Clearly, he lacked the drive to even listen to the "scraggly-bearded cuttlefish". Barbosa returned his pistol to his belt, nodding in satisfaction as he had appropriately grasped the Brethren Court's undivided attention.
"We're not but humble pirates at heart… ta seal Calypso would be a task far too great fer me in risks" noted Barbosa, "We pillage, we plunder, and we don't be givin' a hoot…"
"Drink up me hearties, YO HO!" chimed Jack and Elizabeth in unison, Elizabeth though in more of a whisper. She grinned slightly, realizing how comical it was that she had done something along with Jack. They werebecoming oddly aware of each other in many ways. Her anger at him strangely enough had vanished once again with a simple smile. The two glanced at each other, a puckish grin crossing Jack's lips as well as Elizabeth's. Surely, Jack had assumed the very same.
"Will you SHUTUP?" questioned Barbosa as he glared at Jack. Jack walked over to the table in response, still grasping the covered mug in his hands.
"In my opinion, I find your whole view of the situation quite disconcerting mate…" Jack commented with a frown.
"Then how would ya be seein' it all then?" Barbosa questioned him with a snarl of incredulance. Jack stood for a moment, pausing in thought as the Brethren Court sat before him expectantly. Some anticipated great words of wisdom to leave his lips, but Elizabeth as well as Barbosa thought otherwise.
"A pickle… or pickles really…" Jack said simply, causing many in the room to stare at him in puzzlement.
"Perceivably… problematic… pickles… ey?" Jack then began to sway around the table, unsteadily grasping the silver covered mug with both hands so as not to let his prey be noticed. Elizabeth's glance began to follow Jack as he moved about the table. Oddly enough her admiration for the man's whit had grown immensely, including her sudden respect for him. Villanueva's eyes flickered from Elizabeth to Jack, he grinned thoughtfully before turning his attentions on the wandering pirate.
"More like pathetic cucumbers really… think about it… salty… shriveled." At this he began to turn an unsteady hand before him with a focused expression, attempting to picture a pickle in the air before him. Jocard frowned at Jack's wriggling hand, attempting to imagine with an extremely serious expression an actual pickle floating above him.
"Now, do you really think the sea woman would want more than one pathetically shriveled cucumber all at once? It's ill treatful gluttony if you ask me…"
The Brethren Court frowned in thought as Barbosa rolled his eyes dismissively, Elizabeth folded her arms with an expectant smirk. She knew quite well, that there was wisdom yet to be discovered.
"Now dun me wrong, a captain's nothing without his steadfast mates and a pretty ship… But as we all know from past experiences…" Jack waved his hand at Barbosa, "More than one sea-salted captain is one too many in... negotiations…"
Jack waltzed behind Elizabeth and placed his hands gently on her shoulders, speaking from behind her. She quirked a brow in curiosity, wondering what his plan was.
"Why attack all at once when you might jus' 'ave the chance to negotiate, seeing as there's more than one readied… pickle. Too many salties would be a bit much for her tastes I wager. I suggest, you allow only the ones needed to take a dingy to shore… as it were, and see if the footing's firm for the lot of us… savvy?"
Elizabeth turned to Jack, wondering who he was attempting to be "allowed" to follow this plan of his through. As he had his hands gently grasping her shoulders her first guess was only obvious.
"So ye'll attempt ta draw her out with a bargain if it works, and when tha timin's right she'd be sealed inta her bones?" questionned Barbosa.
"You're not as dense as you play out mate…" insulted Jack with a smug grin.
"Who would these lucky pickles be then Jack?"
"Seeing as I'm a foot above you lot in being on good terms with the… misfit maiden, and me needin' a leverage so to speak I'd say…" Jack's dark eyes narrowed with a grin, "…Captain Swan and myself."
At once, the table began to louden in outrage. Many found this a dreadful idea as it risked the welfare their "Pirate King" and their only hope to coming to an immediate decision. The action also eliminated any of their own chances of negotiating with the goddess themselves. It also gave the tricky Jack and Elizabeth a chance to attempt to chase their own ambitions. Elizabeth's eyes widenned in anxiety. What was he planning?
"Why must it be you two? How do we know you have no other initiatives?" yelled Captain Jocard over the noise of the brethren, finally causing them to hush in attention. Jack swayed his hands before him in attempts to inform them that he was not yet finished.
"I agree with ye mate, I wouldn't rightly trust meself, pirate and all… especially with the Captain King in my present company" he grinned quite smartly, "So by all means, we will all seal her but… not until the opportune moment… Think of it, with the lady out and about, who's to stop her from ending us all before the jobs done? So… I suggest, the captain and I get what we can from her and Nellie's your aunt, Bob's your uncle, the lady's done and the cookings waiting."
Jack placed his hands on his hips, proudly standing before them. "Let me lead you to the boons you, er... we all so rightly deserve mates."
Many of the Brethren Court mumbled words of resentment at having of all men Captain Jack Sparrow lead them due to the fact that he was not one known for being truly dependable. Barbosa grimaced in thought, Teague watching ever so closely Jack's expression. He seemed so sure of himself, surely there was more he himself could achieve, he did not seem so selfless and the scarred pirate himself knew better.
"If there is no further course of action which betters that of Captain Sparrow then I as Pirate King confirm this as our decision. Are there any objections?" Elizabeth said with a tone of authority to the Brethren Court.
"So, you will lure her out… and act like you want to make a deal with her, when actually we will seal her?" asked Jocard, attempting to confirm Jack's plan.
Jack rolled his eyes, waiving his hands unsteadily before him, "Yes… for those of you more unfortunately dimmer than most… yes."
"Where would we be carryin' out this business and how in fact will it be carried out?" questionned Barbosa. Elizabeth's eyes narrowed in thought. She remembered studying Greek mythology and a story involving Calypso and an island in Homer's Odyssey. There was an island where the godess lived… Ogyg… Ogygia..
"Ogygia… the island of Ogygia." Elizabeth's eyes focused on an unimportant spot on the table, her words causing a sudden cause for thought for those of the Brethren Court. Jack's brow quirked in interest.
"Ahhh, so you know of it then…" he noted, silently marvelling at her brilliance. Perhaps that was what captivated him. She had a way about her, an ingenious whit slightly similar to his own.
"Isn't it…"
"Hidden? Unreachable? Untouched by mankind?"
"…Yes.."
"Yes to the first, possibly possible for Captain Jack Sparrow for the second, and no to the third."
"Someone's actually stepped foot on that island? I thought… or… I read that it was suggested as a part of the…"
"Island of Atlantis?"
Teague suddenly rose from his seat, he then walked over to the table causing a silence to fall over those present. Jack became rigid at his nearing the table, grasping the covered mug in his hands.
"You're a fool boy!" Teague snarled.
"Tha's not the first time I've heard it…" Jack grinned sheepishly under the pirates hardenned stare.
"How will we be reachin' this isle? The weather's nought fer sailin' a kite…" questionned Barbossa. Teague had suddenly become attentive during this discussion, causing Elizabeth to believe that the pirate was only concerned in Jack's reckless decisions and the welfare of himself and his own crew.
"You may be open to risk it boy, but there's a risk on us as well" Teague stated with a curl of his lip. Elizabeth's soft eyes narrowed at this, wondering where she had seen this very curl before. Jack grinned toothily, attempting to hide his discomfort at the scarred Captain's reprimanding tone.
"Yes, I've already thought that out as well…" Jack pointed out, raising an index finger before him. "Let me take the Black Pearl as it is the fastest ship in the Caribbean, to the dreaded isle… you lot following after and staying close to the shallows. I'll beat ya to it, and send someone over to tell ye the water's smooth ey?"
"We'd be hanging on the word of a man who owes us all money! Clearly, you are not one to trust!" proclaimed Ammand. Chevalle, and Ching nodded in agreement, as Jocard grumbled in disgust. Jack cleared his throat at having his treachery resurface.
"Correction mates, I am trustworthy to being a pirate… and as with the exceptional, most are treatcherously whitty" he grinned smugly.
"I propose we have Barbosa come along as well!" Elizabeth stated. Jack's eyes widenned, wondering why she of all people would suggest such a thing.
Her interests were supposed to be his interests…
"With Jack and myself in the Pearl we will attempt follow out our part of the plan. Barbosa has no ties of loyalty to Captain Sparrow, thus he would choose nothing else but to keep a vigilant eye on Captain Sparrow and his ship. With the rest of the Brethren near the shallows the safety of land is available to you, as well as the ability to view danger from a close distance. If we are sabatoged, or there is an ill slip in the plan you are all able to view it from afar and are offered the ability to jump ship and escape to land."
Captain Ching, Chevalle, Ammand, and even Teague nodded in satisfaction though Barbosa seemed outraged.
"Tha'd be a fine plan but ye can't be bootin' me off my ship" Barbosa pointed out.
"Actually…" Jack began in a slurred matter-of-factly tone, "…the code states that a captain can be voted off by his… or her, crew as he.. she is a representation of them. The Pirate King is a representation of all pirates, and thus represents that."
Barbosa frowned in an attempt to absorb what the man had just said, along with those listenning in. Elizabeth of course had become quite familiar with his way of speech and understod him to some extent. Jack sighed, finding his ever moving mind at a higher level than those in his present company. Surely, he personally found his intelligence higher than all of them, excluding Elizabeth on occasion.
"More dimmly put, her word over yours mate…" Jack grinned.
"What be happenin' if I object to thar decision?"
"Ye'd be objectin' The Code then mate" Jack stated, puckering his lips in wonder as he eyed Teague. Teague suddenly grumbled, which Elizabeth found simliar to a low growl. Jack flinched slightly, his lip curling at his finding it odd.
Aaah, that's were she'd seen that curl…
"I honor the code…" Barbosa lied through a snarled grin.
"Well, there's that then! Let's feast… with drinking 'course.. more drink than feast I say."
"We must set out at once!" Jocard exclaimed, attempting to crush Sparrow's plans for self indulgence. Jack flinched at the dark captain's booming voice, almost dropping his captured prey in its metal mug. The animal squeaked slightly, though he clasped the mug tighter. Villanueva quirked a brow at Jack, wondering where the "squeak" had come from when Jack simply mumbled, "Hungry stomache."
"The boy's got the right idea. It's best we travel in the mornin' as we're not sure what weather or beasts the vix may throw us at night. Daylight is our only chance at survival." Teague stated grimly. The pirates nodded and rose from their chairs, representing their agreement in the action. No one seemed to question the scarred pirate's authority.
"You all agree on this then?" questionned Elizabeth to the Brethren Court, unsure what else she should say or do as Pirate King. They all nodded in agreement, with swift mumbles to each other.
"That's it then! Glad we could all come to an agreement!" grinned Jack happily as he wrapped an arm around Elizabeth. "Best we be gettin' along then dear" he said with a slurred tongue, more to Elizabeth and himself rather than those present. The Brethren Court payed no mind to the pirate as they began to rise from their seats, readying themselves to leave the room. Jack swayed unsteadily away towards the door leading Elizabeth under his arm but was blocked by Barbosa.
"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife" remarked Barbosa with a haughty grin. Elizabeth's eyes narrowed at Barbosa's words. Though she found their play harmless at times, she wondered silently to herself what those observing saw it as.
"She was wed under your dim assumed power mate, and truthfully you weren't captain of the Pearl at the time as I in fact was… Ergo, Miss Swann's marriage wasn't a marriage more than it was a mimick of a marriage… all your fault really as she remains… Miss Swann, mimickly marriaged"
Elizabeth's eyes widenned at first with outrage, wondering if Jack's comment meant that he was in fact attmepting to "covet his neighbor's wife." A peculiar question then ran through her thoughts: what if what he said was true? What if her seperation from Will was in fact meant to be as it was not an actual marriage? She remembered the two captains struggling over who would claim ownership of the Pearl. They had never come to a decision and the decision of captain was made only after Barbosa had stolen it, and then reset at this very meeting. She lifted Jack's arm from her shoulders and swiftly walked out the door. Barbosa frowned with curiosity at her silence as did Jack. It was usual of her to comment with gritted teeth at such a statement, though this time she had simply walked away.
"Ya did it now ya fool" Barbosa grinned, "Turned the woman against ye."
"For your information, I am quite knowledgeable of… women. This one being my specialty… and I know for a fact I have an ability to woo her from any misguided rampage or distraught." Jack of course left out the instance in which she had tricked him by burning his rum, and tying him to a ship to be killed by the Kracken. Two against many, the odds were in his favor… at least currently.
"Isn't who you've wrecked this time Jack… It's what you've wrecked."
"Then you don't really know us… do ye mate?" he questioned with a smug grin before leaving the room with an unsteady gate after Elizabeth, hurrying very quickly down the main hall of the pirate city.
Author's Comment: Yes, this chapter's kind of long but I had to attempt to reconcile Jack's whit and self-assurance in times of turmoil. DMC and AWE seemed to show him off as more of a lucky drunk bastard rather than the intelligent sneaky fox that he is. I always saw him as the work before play type of guy. Which made me admire him a little (and Elizabeth too I'm sure). He's a good balance...
Note: Barbosa at the end of this chapter attempts to bring to Jack's attention what Jack may have "wrecked" which is the relationship or bond of Elizabeth and Will Turner. However, Jack replies with "then you don't really know us..." stating in a way that breaking that particular bond between the two is inevitable, and Jack and Elizabeth have even "wrecked" it subconsciously (meaning made their relationship slightly stronger than her and Will).