"A pleasure to meet you Mr. Sparrow." I said quietly and shook his hand again. His grip was firm and my hand seemed to be crushed beneath his grasp. Finally after a few awkward moments of looking at me, Jack turned to Will, who had been standing there observing.
"May I have a private word with you William?" Jack said through gritted teeth. Will nodded and Jack took him aside. I listened in carefully, pretending to inspect the letter but I was only able to catch a small bit of what they were saying:
"... No use to me, Will..."
"Wont have to stop... doesn't even know where she's going..."
"...her entire family...gone... don't help her..."
I realized that they were talking about me and I set the parchment down, no longer caring if they saw me listening in. I heard a small bit of what Jack said:
"...not on my ship... pull own weight..."
"Excuse me for interrupting," I said as sweetly as I could. Both the men looked at me. "I can pay you." I pulled out the large bag of gold coins. It was heavy and Jack narrowed his eyes at it. I gave him a nervous look, flattening down the front of my dress. "I can work as well, if you want me too... I can clean and-" Jack looked into my face and I silenced. "Please, Mr. Sparrow." I practically begged, though keeping my body erect, "I need this... I have to find my father. Ill do whatever you ask of me and give you the gold if you help me... please." My face must of shown what my posture did not, for I thought I saw a hint of sympathy in Jacks eyes but as quick as it came it was gone and he was regarding me like a piece of treasure once again. I felt uncomfortable but did not near William to show that I could take care of myself. Finally Jack sighed.
"Alright luv. I been looking for a bit of adventure." He said, "but don't make me regret it."
"Oh, I wont Mr. Sparrow."
"It be CAPTAIN luv." Jack said with a smile and I nodded quickly. I was acting like an obedient dog and it disgusted me, I scoffed at myself, and Jack and Will looked at me strangely.
"Sorry." I said and waited on the beach, right where the water ran over the sand like a river over rocks, peaceful yet fierce.
Checking to see that they weren't watching, desperate to keep my mind off my father, I slipped off my boots and stepped into the water. I looked up at the sky as I felt the cold ocean run over my feet and felt the sand between my toes. I made small circles with my toes in the sand, watching as the dirt was uprooted into the water, making it murky. There were rocks on the bottom of the water and I stepped onto each one. The water began to get deeper but the rocks stayed the same. I hopped along the reef like I was a child, never smiling, but enjoying it. The water got colder and I realized that I had gone out to the point of small waves breaking. The bottom of the ocean was no longer easily visible and I could feel the gentle break of waves on the hem of my dress. I looked back to see that Will and Jack were shaking each others hands, and Jack was getting ready to leave. Quickly collecting myself I ran back to the beach and pulled my boots back on, straightening the belts on my leg that held the knife. I hugged Will, promising that I would see him again. He smiled gently at me.
"Be careful, Christy." He said into my ear and I nodded.
"Will you give this to the opera owner?" I asked and gave him a slip of paper, explaining that I was going to visit a sick relative with my father and would be back as soon as I could. He smiled and nodded watching as I walked away. Carefully, I slipped into the rowboat and looked at the oars did the Captain want me to row? Feeling I had nothing to lose, I reached down and grabbed them. Finding it hard to position myself the right way. Suddenly I heard a chuckle and the rows were taken out of my hands.
"Ill do that luv." Jack said lightly and I scrambled out of his way. I didn't understand why I let my pride down around him. He seemed to understand.
Finally, a ship came into sight around a cliff. I ran my hand over the water, smiling slightly to myself. The cool water hit my hand with a gentle force. I looked out at the ship that was now in plain view and gasped in awe.
"Its beautiful Captain..." I said and Jack beamed.
"Me pride and joy luv." He replied and I sensed a feeling of happiness when his eyes meet the ship. At last, we pulled up next to the enormous ship. I looked to my right and saw that we were next to a worn but sturdy rope ladder. Silently, I grabbed hold of my bag and the ropes, praying that I wouldn't fall back into the rowboat. Finally, I scrambled over the ledge. The chattering that had been going on stopped immediately and I looked up to see eight men looking at me. I stood quickly and looked at them... not with fear... but with an untrusting eye. Jack may be kind to take me to find my father but these were pirates and were not to be trusted. Jack climbed up behind me and looked at his crew, who had all lined up in a line. He began to introduce the crew.
"Gibbs." A short, stout, oldish man with whiting gray hair, sideburns, and a beard. He smiled at me for a brief second before looking to the Captain.
"Mr. Cotton and Mr. Cotton's parrot." I looked upon a somewhat squinty man who seemed to be always frowning and his colorful parrot.
"How do you do?" I nodded to him. He didn't respond.
"Glenn Hemming, who prefers to be called Glenn." Jack continued and I smiled at the man with sandy blonde hair, cut around his face as if someone had put a salad bowl on his head, and bright blue eyes. He was built nicely and shook my hand warmly, something I didn't expect.
"Nice to meet you ma'am." He said and I smiled.
"Joe Hemming, who also prefers to be called by his first name, Glenn's older brother." The other man was of similar characteristics except for his hair was a bit darker, he had light brown eyes, and he had a larger build as far as muscles. His face was impassive as he looked at me but he shook my hand nonetheless.
"Ana Maria," a dark woman who regarded me with a look of disgust at the sight of my dress. She herself wore brown pants, a light shirt and a scraggly hat on her head, hiding her dark hair. I smiled at her, glad to see another woman on board but she just looked at me. I hurried to keep up with Jack.
"Henry Smith," a man with black hair that fell down to his shoulders and into his face, which was long and contained gray eyes. He smiled at me coldly but with lust filled eyes. He wore a crimson bandanna on his head and many knives on his belt. I made a mental note to stay away from him.
"Bill Cald," another with black hair though his eyes were light blue. He nodded as well and continued watching me as I walked with my head held high enough not to look snobby but to show that I had respect in myself.
"And finally, Sam Barol." This man looked younger than me, whereas the others looked older or about my age. He had bright white blonde hair and deep brown eyes. I smiled at him and he back before standing in front of the crew with Jack.
"Crew, this is Christina Ricci. She will be treated as a guest-"
"Captain!" I cried, feeling too much attention directed my way. I blushed and he looked at me, "I'm sorry, I can't accept all this 'treated as a guest' nonsense. Ill earn my own passage on this ship. I will give you the gold and my service." A few of the crew members sniggered and I held my head higher. "I only ask that I'm treated the same as any other." Jack regarded me with a confused expression before shrugging.
"Alright then luv. What can ya do?" he asked and I shrugged.
"Anything you ask." I replied, "If I don't know how, what better time to learn?" Jack smiled and turned back to the crew.
The truth is, I was happy to be on this ship. I thought it would be interesting, no matter how much pirates made my stomach churn with disgust. Perhaps this would change my mind.
"Ye may turn in." and the crew filed out, down into the crews quarters. I immediately regretted not asking for my own room when I saw Henry regard me with another lustful glance and finger his knife. Jack seemed to see it too and turned to me.
"Come this way." He said and I nodded, following him to a small door on the starboard side of the stern, next to the galley. I opened it, glancing at Jack and stepped in the door.
Inside, there was a room, not large as I was used to but not small either, with a bed, a desk with one chair, a wardrobe dresser, and a small table with a mirror and a washbasin. There was no window but I liked it that way. The blankets were black and I smiled. It seemed to be made just for me, as I noticed the mahogany furniture and the dark red and black tapestry that hung over the bed. I turned to Jack to thank him and saw him leaning against the door frame.
"Thank you, Captain Sparrow." I said formally and bowed my head. He smiled and I seemed to lose my nerve for a moment but quickly gained it.
"Yer welcome luv." He said shortly and walked out of the door, closing it behind him. Not bothering to take off my boots or dress, I threw myself onto the bed and fell fast asleep, my bag lying on the ground where I had dropped it.