"Running with Forks"
Challenge from Thebrokenbiscuitcompany: "How did Ragetti lose his eye?"
"Give it back ya little blighter!"
Jack the monkey raced across the deck and leaped up onto the ratlines. A wooden ball was clutched inside his tiny fists. He turned and screeched back at the lanky pirate before climbing higher.
Pintel rolled his eyes as he heard Ragetti give an angry moan. The old pirate knew almost the whole scene by heart. He watched Ragetti scramble up the ratlines when a shadow suddenly crossed his vision. Elizabeth Swann paused, looking bemused at Ragetti. The bloody monkey was now at the crow's nest threatening to drop the precious eyeball.
"No, don't do it!" yelled Ragetti, being tangled into the lines. Elizabeth laughed softly.
"How did it happen?" she asked.
"Well the hairy beast grabbed it when he wasn't lookin', that's wot happened," said Pintel simply.
Elizabeth turned away from the ratlines. "Not that," she said, "I meant his eye. How did he lose it?"
Pintel raised his eyebrows at her. "Ever heard of mining your own business, poppet?" Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders and sat down on a wooden barrel.
"Just curious," she said.
Together, they watched Ragetti struggle up to the crow's nest. A snap of rope and a surprised yell made the two of them jump. Pintel and Elizabeth both looked up and saw Ragetti dangling upside down with his legs caught in between the ropes.
"Pint!"
"Ya got yerself up there, ya can get yerself down," shouted Pintel, hardly moving from his seat. He scrutinized Elizabeth, who appeared much more concerned. "Don't worry 'bout 'im, he's fine. Now, ya really want ta know wot happened?" Elizabeth adjusted herself on the barrel and looked expectantly at the old pirate.
"Alright then. This happened years back, back before we was on the Pearl. He was a right tiny thing." Pintel paused and became very serious. "Ya know how mums are always tellin' their kids not ta run with sharp stuff like knifes?" She nodded and leaned closer. "Well…the little sot found a real nice fork." Elizabeth gave a small gasp and covered her mouth in horror.
"You mean he…" she started to say. Pintel nodded his head in confirmation.
His face was very still, until he snorted and gave a bark of laughter. "Course he didn't lose it with no fork, he ain't that stupid."
It took Elizabeth a moment before she realized what the grizzled pirate was saying. "Well then how did it happen?" she asked impatiently.
Catching his breath, Pintel sighed and became more solemn. "We was in Tortuga one day when a fight broke out. It was real rough, almost had the whole bar fightin'. I tried grabbin' 'im, but I wasn't quick enough. Stray bullet came flyin'." Pintel heavily sighed. "He was only twelve."
The pair turned back to the ratlines. Ragetti had finally untangled himself and was now climbing down, grumbling along.
"He might not be so smart," said Pintel gruffly, "but he sure as hell never gives up."
A loud screech sounded from above them, along with a thunk of wood. A tiny ball rolled onto the deck. Ragetti's face brightened up as he reached down and replaced the missing eye. He tapped his head a few times before giving a grimy smile.
"I got me eye back, Pint."