So sorry it took so long! I'm sorry! To tell the truth all of August I forgot I had this story, and account. Should have reminded me... (Just joking...). I don't think it's my best, but it's something. Stoke is really hard to write about, but fun! I don't own anything but Maddie, and the plot. Review please!
Jack took a deep breath in, letting the seas intoxications flow through him. He loved the sea, and he loved the smell of a tavern off on a not to distant island. The smell of rum mixed with the salty ocean smell; here was where Jack truly belonged. Turning to his crew, he gave his usual speech.
"Ay gents, we be approaching Tortuga. Now since we have a new member among us, whos' name has currently escaped me, I will be briefly going over the rules. Stay behind an' your left behind. Have fun gents, an' keep your hands off me girls." He paused, then added as a side note "Try not to get killed too." He said this offhandedly. The crew cheered and waited to make port in Tortuga, where both the rum and women came plentiful, and often cheap.
Stoke looked around, and sighed, he hated ports like this, but knew he might as well try to enjoy it.
When they reached port most of the crew had departed their own ways, some never to be seen again, others to be spotted months, or even years later, with their own legend to their situation. Not knowing where to go, Stoke followed the majority of the crew, and Jack, to an old tavern. Stoke then found himself surrounded by drunks, women, and rum, in every combination.
All of the crew immediately went to their favorite tables, leaving Stoke to stand in the door looking dumstruck. He'd been all over the Caribbean, but had actually never took the time to set foot in a tavern. He'd never seen an atmosphere like this. People were drinking, having bar fights, finding women, gambling, and so much more. All while the band continued to play their music. Mustering some bravery, Stoke ordered rum at the bar.
The bartender slid the rum to Stoke, and he took a swig of it. Looking around, he noticed that a few women were staring at him. He gave a weak smile to them, which caused them all to blush heavily and giggle. Stoke sighed, and looked into his drink, decided it'd be wisest not to drink it all, and risk getting drunk.
"Fine looking lad like yerself isn't caught alone for too long." The bartender said, referring to the women that were making their way over towards Stoke. Stoke gulped.
'Hello there young man." The red head said. Stoke noticed that she seemed to wear a lot of red, and a lot of thick heavy makeup.
"Wot's a fine young gent such as yerself doing over here all alone?" the blond asked. Stoke took a drink of rum before replying.
"Evening Ladies" he tried not to laugh at that, they were more whore than anything, and he had no respect for them. "Hope both ye lovely ladies are enjoyin yerselves." He said trying to be polite.
"Yes, but it'd be so much more enjoyable if ye came to enjoy yerself with us." The redhead said slinging an arm around Stoke's waist. He quickly back up though, and right into an empty stool, falling over a bit.
"Tha's alright if ye don't mind. I ain't quite in the mood fer company as of now." He said, his voice cracking even more than usual. Stoke had been a sailor for years, yet he never felt so scared and well, freaked out as he was now.
"Aw come on luv. Just a round or two." The blond said. Stoke gulped, yet again.
"If it's all the same, I shan't be feeling up to it. Ye see, I'm engaged, and don't want to stray from her." Both girls sighed heavily.
"Ah, young love."
"How romantic."
"Very romantic."
"I remember when I was first engaged." The two started walking off, arms linked talking about their younger days, leaving Stoke able to breathe again. And that was how Stoke's night went, women hitting on him, and Stoke having to find a way to get out of their overly powdered grasps. Some were more persistent, while others just shrugged their shoulders and walked off. After a couple of hours of dogging women, did Stoke decided to explore the town. He told the bartender to charge his drinks on his Captain, and Stoke left the place, feeling a whole lot better.
As he walked, he decided that he hated Tortuga. There wasn't a single thing about this place that he liked. After ten minutes of walking, Stoke walked back to the bar he was first at and sat down at the dock's edge. Still on his first bottle of rum, he took a swig of rum. After a few seconds of sitting down, he heard some ruckus coming from behind him. Right as he turned around to look to see what was going on a figure fell into the water, and two girls were walking away, arms linked.
Stoke looked over the edge of the dock to see his new Captain coming out of the water. Stoke held a hand out to help him up.
"Thanks mate. Say do I know you?" Jack asked as he was hoisted up onto the dock. Jack layed spread eagle onto the dock, his lips moving slightly.
"Ay ye do know me, I'm in yer crew. Stoke, ye hired me today." Jack sat up.
"Good man, er boy." He pointed to the rum bottle in Stoke's hand, and Stoke passed it to him, allowing Jack another drink of rum.
"So tell me lad, what's a good looking gent like yerself doing out here, alone, and away from the ladies?" Jack asked. "Don't worry, the girls don't bite, much." He said as he took another drink from the bottle. Stoke shrugged his shoulders.
"Not me type. Sides, I have a girl back home, waiting for me." He replied, his voice still cracking. Jack just nodded his drunken head.
"Ay, yer one of them gents are ye?" Jack said. Stoke raised an eyebrow in confusion, not sure what "them gents" meant. Jack waved his empty hand. "Ye know, in love, wants ter get married, but scared still, so ye came out to taste yer last bit o' freedom." Stoke raised an eyebrow, turned looked out at the sea and didn't say anything. He thought for a moment, was he one of those people? Finally after a few minutes of silence, and almost all the rum gone, Stoke answered.
"No, I'm not one of those men at all. More like 'girlfriend's father hates 'im, an makes sure he never gets near girlfriend again' gent." He said not looking at Jack. Jack only nodded his head and fell backwards, passed out from the rum. Stoke rolled his eyes.