Jack's POV
Shouting and addled swearing; shotguns, wenches, pirates… rum! Ah the familiar air of pandemonium and drunken idiocy- paradise! "We've made it Mate!" I proclaimed as I sauntered into the center of all the chaos.
"Aye Jack," Gibbs replied."Tortuga!" Our fleet still hauled over his shoulder, and a bottle of ale clenched tentatively in his fist. Still making my way forward I slipped through a swarm of drunkards and continued through the chaos with a new prize in me hands- a bag of peanuts! Gleefully we made our way through the filthy overcrowded streets, weaving around and over the drunken men- well, most of them were drunk- who lay still on the ground. "So Jack, where should we start?" asked Gibbs as he clumsily hurried to my side.
"Well first we should get over to the Faithful Bride and grab a bite. Don't know about you Mate, but I could eat somethin' other than pickles," I said while briefly sniffing that bloody scent, still soaked into my clothes.
"And then we'll be gettin' underway?"
"On what?"
"The freeing of The Black Pearl, Jack. Ye said ye knew how to get her out didn't you?"
"Of course mate," I patted'im on the back as I swallowed another gulp of rum and peanuts. "Of course; but first, let us bask," I shouted as I tossed several peanuts in the air- catchin' two in me mouth (and, three on me face... 'It still counts'). Merrily we strode down the paths toward the Faithful Bride. Perhaps upon arrival I'll run into Giselle, or... Scarlet!... 'On second thought', I reflection as I placed me hand on me face. The familiar sting of a slap on me cheek. 'Best avoid that'...
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Balancing on a wobbly-legged stool, I rested me arm on the counter and took a swig of rum before stuffing another handful of peanuts into my mouth; their salty texture making the drink that much sweeter. All around me, the endless sea of noise and nonsense made the atmosphere even more comfortable, clearing my mind and allowing me to think over Gibbs' question. "So Jack, how'll we be gettin' our fleet underway? Ye said you knew how to get the Pearl out of the bottle," he asked while reaching into the sack and pulling out me precious ship. Holding it to me face I peered inside the bottle and watched as the Black Pearl rocked to and fro on the cloudy waves surrounding it. Little streaks of lightning flashed and small claps of thunder rattled the glass of the bottle causing my precious ship to tremble. I stared inside a moment longer before jumping back in fear as a sudden shriek and a ball of fur and teeth careening towards the glass.
"I hate that monkey," I grumble to myself as I place the bottle on the counter and take another swallow of rum. Taking another look at the Pearl and the full sack on the ground I turned back towards Gibbs and divulged my solution. "Well mate, there's only one way to get our fleet on the sea," eagerly he perked up and prepared to take in what I had to say. "We shall need a crossbow, an hourglass, three goats, one of must learn to play the trumpet, whilst the other goes like this," I declared as I wriggled me fingers in his face.
"I know a man with a goat!" Gibbs excitedly replied.
"Good, I know how to go like this," I said, wiggling me fingers a second time.
"But what of the other provisions?" he asked as he thought over my response. "Not likely we'll be finding anything else of necessity here, intact anyway." He said while looking around at the tattered and disheveled scenery around us. Validating his analysis, I thought over our situation and what else could be done to free me precious Black Pearl.
"You've got a point Mate," I uttered while picking up the bottle again. Then it dawned on me! Quickly I snatched out my prized compass and proceeded to open it. 'Hopefully this'll lead us to some undamaged items,' I thought to myself as I repeatedly whispered what I wanted most to the little trinket. Opening the compass, I held it before me and watch as the arrow began to spin. Alertly, I followed the little arrow with me eyes as it began to spin around the tavern before slowly coming to halt and pointing to the Black Pearl, still sealed in its bottled prison. Disheartened, I tried a second time as Gibbs, puzzled, watched me dizzily follow the arrow back to its original position. "Blast," I grumbled as I slammed the useless device on the counter and took another gulp of rum, followed by another handful of peanuts.
"So now what?" asked Gibbs, clearly aware of me failed plan. "Is there not another way to get'er out?" Silently, I thought over his question for a moment before I was struck with an idea. "Jack?" he asked again, before receiving an answer. "You know another way don't you?" a devilish smile plastered on his lips.
"Aye mate," I said as I leaned forward and began to elaborate. "The Oracle..."
Peyton's POV
Standing in the doorway to the Faithful Bride, I quickly fixed my hair and dress, making sure everything was in order before I entered. Walking further into the tavern, I inhaled the chaotic atmosphere and took in the vulgar, yet familiar scenery. Everywhere around me I could hear the shouting and swearing of drunks and ill-tempered seamen; I could see the filthy standards by which these fools elected to eat and socialize- and in the case of some, sleep. 'Three days of this nonsense and it still hasn't gotten any less annoying,' I thought to myself as I pushed this blasted hair out of my face and grudgingly tried to adjust this stupid dress. 'How could any sane woman subject herself to wearing such and impractical waste of fabric!?' With every step over the filthy ground, I found myself gasping for air and fiddling with the dress again, "Bloody corset..." As I continued to make my way through the tavern, I focused my attention on the men around me, listening to their conversations and judging their competency, trying to determine who would be the most useful. Growing dizzy and short of breath from this damned excuse for clothing, I stopped at a table in the middle of the bar and tried my best to catch my breath and loosen this wretched thing before I passed out on the floor. When unable to do so by hand, I quickly looked up and shot an irritated glance to the far corner of the tavern before taking out my prized cutlass and slitting one side of the dress's bodice, allowing my lungs to finally take in the proper amount of air they had previously been denied.
After finally catching my breath, I slipped my dagger back into my sleeve and prepared to continue my search. But before I could even take a step away from the table, a particular conversation caught my attention. Though I hadn't heard much, there were several words that solidified my interest and drew me closer to the origin of the discussion; one statement in particular greatly increasing my curiosity: The Black Pearl! Anxiously, I pushed my way through the swarms of filthy men and their low-standard wenches, ignoring their angered insults as I shoved them aside. They were of no use to me and I saw no point in wasting my time in an argument. Within a few feet, I paused and looked back to the far corner of the room before slowly directing my eyes to the battered bar and the two men that sat before it talking. Two men, filthy and worn in appearance; their clothes were torn and tattered, and the scent of rum emanated from their breaths as they spoke. 'Typical Tortuga residents, no doubt,' but then I focused on one of the men who, despite his unhygienic exterior, was adorned with several random pieces of jewelry and coins sewn into his hair. On his wrist I could make out the branded appearance of the letter 'P'- 'A Pirate!' Immediately, I looked up towards the back of the room and, with a discrete nod, I smiled before casually taking a seat at a table across the way from the men at the bar and continued to listen, waiting for the opportune moment to approach.
Jack's POV: (Happening Simultaneously to Peyton's POV)
"The what?" asked Gibbs in a delayed response. Naturally, there was a perplexed look on his face as I continued to smile and wait for further reaction.
"The Oracle," I repeated. "A mythological entity known for its abilities to renew, heal and resurrect... virtually anything!"
"Anything?" Gibbs asked in a skeptical manner, slowly reaching for The Back Pearl on the counter.
Casually I reached for the bottle and grabbed it first. I held it up in me hands as I turned and replied, "Aye Mate." There was a brief moment of silence before I placed the bottle to the side and continued. "I propose we use this Oracle to liberate the Pearl, as well as the rest of our fleet, and thus begin our reign as the 'Rulers of the Caribbean'! Commodore Jack Sparrow!... and, Gibbs." Taking him under me arm, I watched contently as a jovial smile began to grace his jowls.
"I like the sound of that," he said softly as he looked from our sack on the floor, up to me.
"As do I Mate," I agreed as I released him and turned me attention back to my peanuts. "As do I." We both basked in a contented silence and envisioned our future notoriety, until Gibbs returned us to reality.
"But Jack how are we to find this Oracle? Ye said yourself that it was a myth."
"Well," I replied as I shoveled a fistful of peanuts into my mouth. "According to legend, the Oracle resides on an uncharted island believed to be mobile, and never appearing in the same place twice: The Isla de Edén..."
As anticipated, the dull gaze of confusion returned to Gibbs' face before I pulled him closer to me and continued to elaborate. "We shall chase this runaway island and seek out the Oracle together; using its abilities to meet our beneficial desires, savvy?"
Slowly he nodded before opening his mouth with another of his many questions.
"But how in the blazes can we expect to find an island that's ne'er in the same place twice?"
Confidently, I reached into my pocket and pulled my compass out. "As you know Mate, one has their ways," I opened the little device and placed it beside the Black Pearl. "And I for one am not opposed to returning to traditional means of searching." I watched as he picked up the compass and ran his fingers over the trusty device.
"Aye," he sighed with a smile as he looked up to me and reached his other hand forward, trying to get at some of my peanuts. Naturally I pulled back in response, but only after graciously giving him one (a big one at that). "But how are we to begin our search without a ship? Even with the proper coordinates, we have no way to leave Tortuga."
Taking in his statement, 'As always, he looks too far into things' I smiled and took another swig of rum. "Gibbs," I sighed as I slid me stool closer to him and patted his shoulder. "After all of our years of loyal service to one another, it hurts that you still manage to forget one very important fact Mate," puzzled, he looked me in the eye and waited for me to continue. "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow!" Again, he smiled while leaning forward to pick up the sack, our fleet clinking and crashing against one another. I then reached over toward the counter and picked up the Pearl; hearing that wretched monkey's cries again, I proceeded to shake the bottle before turning back towards Gibbs, but before either of us could speak again, we were cut off by another voice.
"Do mine ears deceive me?" said a voice from one of the tables towards the corner of the tavern. Immediately Gibbs and I turned in the direction of the remark as the voice continued, "Or could I really be sitting in the presence of a Captain?" Trying to determine the flatterer's origins, I found meself awestruck as a young woman- one of the tavern's wenches, I presume- rose from a nearby table and came forward, an coy, yet elated smile on her face. "If I'm not mistaken I do believe that I heard someone say that Jack Sparrow was here in the Bride?"
Growing closer with every exaggerated step, I soon found it hard to take me eyes off of the lass. "Indeed ye heard right miss," proclaimed Gibbs as he proudly rested his hands on my shoulders and pushed me forward.
"Jack Sparrow, as in 'Captain, Jack Sparrow'? The Pirate Lord of the Caribbean Sea and captain of the legendary Black Pearl?" She grew closer and slowly reached forward to touch my chest. She fiddled with me hair for a moment, as I found myself unable to move- lost in the scent of her perfume. Her thick blonde hair rested elegantly on her shoulders, gently framing either side of her face. Her sandy complexion and lightly freckled face was made that much more opaque when paired with the bold palate of her dress. Almost entirely black, the beautiful gown enveloped her body, complementing every curve and line. Its gold and red accents, almost exploding off of the dress, seemed to intricately compliment her figure, thus making her even more... intriguing. Slowly she continued to grow closer until I could hear the sound of her breathing beside me, she then looked up and continued, "That, Jack Sparrow?..." she purred. Her large green eyes, mysteriously shaded beneath her bangs, seemed to stab the soul as she exchanged glances with me and Gibbs before placing her head above me shoulder for a moment.
"The one and only," I replied as she returned her attention to me and seductively bit her lip, the slight trace of a scar on the lower left side of her lips seemed to add a certain sense of... appeal, to her presence. "And who, if I may ask, might you be?"
"Peyton," she said softly, an alluring smile sliding across her face.
"Odd name for a girl?" inquired Gibbs.
"Named after, my father," she replied- a slight hint of hesitation in her voice. "But enough about me, I'd like to learn more about my infamous acquaintance," she giddily ran her fingers up and down my arm, giggling infectiously. "And may I say this is certainly a dream come true..." she looked over me shoulder again before placing one hand behind my neck and whispering in my ear. "Possibly for the both of us..."
"Oh, how so?" I asked as she gently walked me back towards the counter, leaning over me as she flirtatiously took the final sip of me rum.
"All my life I've been fascinated by pirates. Hoping, fantasizing, dreaming, that one day I might have the pleasure of actually seeing one," she paused and looked around the tavern for a moment. "A real one, before I die. And now, here I am with the most notorious pirate of them all..." She smiled again as she took one of my peanuts and placed it on my lips. "The... Captain Jack Sparrow," she said triumphantly.
"Well my dear," I said as I ate the peanut, and grabbed another handful. "Your prayers have been answered."
"Indeed they have," she purred as she took a step back and allowed me to stand upright. "But," she suddenly threw herself forward again and placed on hand on my face, those dark green eyes staring straight through me. "There is one thing that would make this night perfect..."
"And what might that be Love?"
Softly she caressed my cheek; her soft hands slowly moving down toward my neck. Still looking into her eyes I prepared to lean forward and complete the lass' day, when I noticed that her enticing gaze had intensified- making me want to lean forward even more; but out of nowhere, my intentions were denied as I heard the sudden sound of metal and a choking gulp to me left. Before I was able to turn in response I found myself startled by the sensation of cold metal to my own throat! "The Pearl, your crew and your compass! Then, perhaps we'll let you walk out of here with your head!"