Thanks to everyone who read my story, you guys are awesome! It helped me finish this chapter, so all you people out there are giving me the power to go on. (I know that just sounded like I got that from a cheesy movie or something, but it's true.)
Disclaimer: I do not own POTC or its characters, but I do own Bella and Oliver!
Chapter Four
Two weeks past by and my lessons with Oliver continued, but they became more demanding. I was beginning to become sore and blisters were developing on the palms of my hands. Oliver did tell me though, that I was improving; which put a bright note in the agonizing practices.
One day when I was polishing up my parry, the short plump man named Gibbs came up to me. "Captain Sparrow wants to speak with you." He motioned me with his hand to follow him, so I did, but somewhat reluctantly.
I had no idea why Captain Sparrow wanted to see me, I was being a good girl…boy. I didn't talk to anyone and I did my duties. What more did he expect from me? Then in a split second that evil thought crossed my mind, what if he knew about me? No, no, he couldn't have, unless he has spies hidden about the ship. I thought to myself, trying to sooth my body. Which I just noticed now was shaking violently and my hands were becoming clammy. I wiped a bead of sweat from my brow before it reached my eyes. Then I glanced around, I felt like everyone's eyes were on me, like for some reason they knew what awaited me through the doors of the Captain's quarters. Maybe I was being paranoid, which seems to makes sense; because that happens to be on my mind twenty four hours a day. Don't touch your hair, it's too obvious. Or. That mans looking at you strangely, spit like a man. Whatever I find myself doing, I always think twice before actually doing it.
I'm constantly fearful of nothing and I am sick and tired of living in fear! This has to end now! So, when we finally reached Captain Sparrow's door, I straightened my shoulders and held my chin up high. I was to not be afraid of anything, I was Roger now and I decided that Roger is a brave and loyal boy.
Gibbs creaked open the door to allow me in, when I stepped in to the dimly lit room the door slammed shut behind me. I was stuck now, no turning back.
Captain Sparrow stepped out from a back room, "There he is… Roger, isn't that your name?" He asked, fiddling with an empty mug on the table.
I took one fearless step forward, "Yes sir, that's my name." I said, confirming his question.
Captain nodded, looking like he was mulling something over in his mind. "There seems to be an air of mystery about you Roger." This was a fact, and not one for me to answer to. "Do you have a history behind you Roger, one that you aren't entirely proud of?"
Now it was my turn to talk and Roger is a loyal person, so all I he could do is tell the truth. "Yes sir, but I wouldn't say that I'm not proud of it. I just like keeping it private, that's all." See a simple truth, without telling too much truth that would get me in trouble.
Captain Sparrow smirked, "You know who you remind me of?" He asked.
"No sir, who?" I asked, becoming more comfortable in the Captains presence that I took a sit on one of his big comfy chairs.
"Me." He replied, "Of course a younger version of meself." He paused and took a swig of rum from his now full mug. "I ran away from home, of course there wasn't much of a home for me. My mother died and my father…well let's just say he wasn't entirely there all the time. As a result I boarded a ship and left for the open waters, it was rough going for awhile until I got me own crew and ship. Now I can chase all the wenches and drink all the rum I want." He let out a bellowing laugh and clapped me on the back. "How would you like me to get you a dirty wench at next port, huh son?"
My face was glowing red with heat, not from embarrassment but from anger. Why do men think of women asobjects for them to play around with? Just because some whores betray women like that, doesn't mean it's true. I am one of those women and I think Captain Sparrow's intensions with us are totally revolting. "No sir, that is quite alright." I spoke through gritted teeth.
He circled back around the table so he was facing me, "Oh well your loss, but I didn't bring you in here to talk about past life and whores." He took another drink and continued. "I brought you in here to make a…deal if you will. I've seen you've been practicing your swordsmanship skills with Oliver and I think you are getting quite good."
My anger with him flooded away in one instant, he thinks I'm good with my sword. I was purely overjoyed, "Thank you sir."
"No need to thank me, thank Oliver for teaching you so well. Of course he gets his skills from his father…but that's a whole other story. The deal is I want you and Oliver to be my Scurry Rats." He pointed out bluntly.
"What's a Scurry Rat sir?" I asked, confused and generally worried about where this was heading.
He waved his hand in the air, "Oh it's just this name I made up for people who ran onto other ships or ports and return to me with objects. The only thing is, is these objects might be hard to get; which is why I need young, fast and excellent swordsmen to complete these tasks." He explained, giving me a smile.
"Umm, have you spoken to Oliver about this?" I asked.
"Yes, of course and his mother too."
This threw me for a loop, I didn't know women were aloud on ships. "I didn't know his mother was aboard." I stated.
"Oh yes, great woman. She is quite good with the sword herself." He emptied his mug of all its rum and slammed it back down on the table. "She's a hard one to miss, with the long brown hair and the fact that she's a woman. I'm quite surprised you haven't met her."
I didn't reply I was shocked that Oliver failed to mention this. Or did he and I just failed to hear it. On either accounts, this was brand new information and somewhat exciting. Another woman on board made me feel fairly relieved, maybe they will accept me after all if I chose to show my true identity.
"Well good Roger, I have some things to catch up on. So, if I have any further information about this Scurry Rat business I'll be surely to give it to you." He said, while getting up and then walked away from the table. Apparently this conversation was over and I was just told to leave.
When I left the Captain's quarters I found my way to my sleeping arrangement in the storage room. There I picked up my sword, which I keep securely hidden in the rafter above my hammock; I also envisioned fighting evil pirates and winning duel after duel after duel.
Then before I knew it sweat was running down my neck and I reeked of body odor. My arms and legs were throbbing along with a few blisters on my hands who decided to open up and bleed all over my sword.
That was defiantly enough for tonight, so I hid my sword back up in the rafter and trotted off to fetch some water. I brought three pails full back to my hammock where I stripped off my clothes and used one bucket to wash them. Then I hung them to dry, while I used the remaining water to wash myself. It has been a long time since I've actually felt semi clean. I poured water on my face and let it run through my tangled hair; I almost could feel all the sweat and dirt sliding away.
My water supply soon ran out, but my clothes weren't even close to dry yet. So, I curled up in my hammock for awhile, enjoying the sounds on the ship. The creaking, groaning and the splashing of the waves all seemed to intermingle and create one big musical noise that I loved to listen to, because it was never the same. Then I heard something that was new, it sounded like footsteps and they were getting louder. Which only could mean one thing; they were getting closer… to me.
I checked my clothes, they still weren't completely dry yet, but even if they were I wouldn't have time to slip them on. Now I had to hide, so I ducked behind rope and a stack of crates and waited for the unknown person to come and leave.
But when the footsteps reached the store room they walked around for awhile, but then they stopped and they stayed quiet for some time. Paranoid and rather curious, I poked my head around the corner to spy…Oliver. What was he doing here? I thought, but just as I thought this his head snapped in my direction and he spotted me. I popped myself back in my hiding spot, totally aware that I had nothing to cover myself with.
I heard Oliver chuckle, "Sorry to intrude, but I was just wondering if Jack talked to you about the Scurry Rats."
"Yes he did." I glanced around frantically for something…anything to cover myself with. No luck.
I heard Oliver take a step forward, "Did you agree?"
"Yes, but before we keep talking could you pass me my clothes?" I asked, sticking my hand up over the stack of crates.
Oliver snorted and shuffled around, then a moment later I felt a bundle being placed in my hand. Very quickly I slid everything on and buttoned every button, relieved to have clothes on again, I stood up. Oliver was swinging on my hammock, patiently waiting to continue our conversation.
"Sorry about that." I said, walking over to him.
He smiled, "Don't be sorry, I understand that you would want to bathe yourself."
I stood there awkwardly for a moment, not really sure what to say or do. I glanced at Oliver who was swigging his legs back and forth making the hammock sway dangerously high. "Is that all you came down here to ask me?" I asked, referring to the question he had asked me while I was behind the crate.
"Yes, pretty much and I also wanted to say that I think it will be really great. You are getting extremely close to mastering your sword." He beamed at me, I was glad I was making him proud.
"Thank you."
He nodded and continued rocking on my hammock; he looked like he was enjoying himself. Then he glanced at me, "What to join me?" He patted his hand on the hammock next to him.
"No, I don't think I should."
"Oh come on its fun." He said then he stuck out his feet so they hit the floor, which made the hammock stop swaying. "Come on, you know you want to."
I couldn't say no twice, so I cautiously sat down next to him on the hammock. Then he started swinging his legs, so I mimicked his movements. Then no sooner, the hammock started swinging violently and we were laughing so hard my stomach hurt. Our legs became independent from our bodies and they started swinging around crazily, bumping into things which would make the hammock take a sharp twist. At one point our legs tangled and we plummeted to the floor beneath us.
We lied there entangled for seconds completely silent regaining our breath, but before we could a whole new fit of laughter broke out between us. It was the most I've ever laughed in my life, as a result that next morning my voice was completely gone.
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