This week's chapter is dedicated to:
Starsplash: thanks a bunch!
LittleRockinDragon: Happy New Year and Merry Christmas to you too, belatedly of course…
Princess Amberly: 1) aww! I miss you too! The fact that I got you started in fanfiction is a huge compliment. Thanks! Oh, and come out of the fetal position and don't listen to the little voices in your head that tell you to burn things…
2) yes, an updation. Left? That would be a horrible ending to a story, no? I couldn't leave one hanging like that, it'd be like those horrible stories we had to read in 5th grade, it would be half a story, then you'd have to write the rest. But I digress, a fan club, for lil ol me? Sounds fun… any how, thanks for the compliments and encouragement. Wow, long response…
3) wow, 3 to respond too. Glad I could brighten your day, its gray and drizzly here, bleh. Love the personality, though I may change the eye color, since that is Katrina's and I want it to be unique, or not I haven't decided, if you are absolutely adverse to that, just let me know.
SarahKOM: 1) thanks, hon, I'll be sure to check it out.
2) yeah, I tried, but couldn't get Elizabeth to turn out quite like I hoped, though perhaps she will show a bit more personality in the next couple of chapters. Oh, and did you have a name picked out for your cameo? I'm guessing Sarah, but if it is different than that, let me know.
Kitty: yup, yours was the first of a growing list of cameos, hope you don't mind the liberty I took with the age.
AKAfredandgeorge: aww, thanks dearie. I was going for a chuckle or two. Oh, and does this so called hiding place include trips to the hot tub? Ahh! Hot water…
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Kipp grimaced at his reflection in the mirror, his face was pasty white and his hair was powdered white like those ridiculous government-minded men, and all of this because of a little girl that had a penchant for mischief. With a sigh, he poured a little water from the pitcher into the basin on the washstand and scrubbed his face free of the flour, brushed as much of the flour from his hair as he could then leaned over the basin and poured the rest of the water over his head. Kipp brushed and shook his clothes and checked in the mirror again, once again grimacing, flour still clung everywhere, he'd have to go back to his ship for a fresh change of clothes.
Coming down the stairs he could hear the others in the kitchen, chatting, heading in that direction he heard a very familiar voice. Coming to the door, he noticed it was the one person that shouldn't be there.
"Uncle Jack!" Everyone turned to look at Kipp. "You were supposed to stay on my ship until dark! You know how much trouble I could get in if you where caught? Not to mention they'd be more than happy to string you up!" Kipp said exasperated.
"Well now lad," Jack drawled, leaning back in his chair and propping his feet up, which was quickly reversed by a warning look from Elizabeth. "I would of stayed, but I had a need to see me friends, besides, you'd be in more trouble if'n the men currently inspectin, yer ship found me on board."
"What!?" Kipp strode powerfully for the door, but Sera caught his hand and shoved a cookie into it before letting him leave. He flashed her a quick, distracted smile and left for his ship. The conversation started up where it left off when Kipp interrupted, but Katrina did not join in, sitting quietly with her own thoughts. Since when did Sera willingly give anyone a cookie?
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Kipp stood at the foot of the dock for a moment, surveying the scene. There were definitely blasted powdered heads moving about the deck of the Huntress. Kipp stalked purposely up the gangplank and onto his ship.
"What is the meaning of this?" He demanded the first ridiculously powdered head he came across. "It is illegal to search a ship without the captain in attendance!"
The poor little man visibly shrank in front of Kipp's anger cowering. "S-sorry, just doin' me job."
"Under whose orders?" Kipp demanded, grabbing the front of the man's uniform to keep him from shrinking more.
"Mine." Came a calm voice from behind him. "I'd have thought you'd be glad to see your old classmate. Oh, and could you let my man go?"
Kipp turned around, there, standing on his quarterdeck was a man dressed in a navel officer's uniform, though void of a wig. With a crooked grin he dropped the man, who crumpled before getting up and tugging his uniform straight. "Hey, there Danny. Actually took the martial plunge, huh?"
"Unlike you." Daniel Norrington replied, straight as a plank in his military stance, hands clasped behind his back. "Though it appears you made something of yourself."
"What is the meaning of this search?" Kipp demanded again, hands on his hips.
"I loathe this yelling back and forth. Shall we continue our discussion in your cabin like civilized citizens of the king?" Daniel said in the same irritating calm and formal voice as before.
Kipp gave a short nod and headed for his cabin, and sat behind his desk, waiting for the other man to join him. He didn't have too long to wait. As soon as the door was closed, the officer lost his tight stance and gave a boyish grin. "Am I glad you came." He announced, settling himself in a chair across from Kipp. "how about some of that rum you always keep lying about?"
"None of that drawing room brandy that I'm sure you are usually fed?" Kipp raised an eyebrow while pouring to tumblers halfway full with the amber liquid.
The other man grimaced. "Don't remind me." He said while reaching for one of the glasses and swallowing a gulp with a grateful sigh. "This is real alcohol. Remember that time Professor Gaines found our secret stash of rum in the dormitories?" he asked with a grin.
"I thought he would have an apoplexy." Kipp agreed.
"Never heard the end of it that summer break. My uncle was furious."
"And mine was proud." Kipp retorted.
"How is your uncle, by the by?" Daniel asked as he propped his feet on the desk.
Kipp, eyed him suspiciously. "Fine as can be expected."
"I'm not going to turn him, or you, in, Kipp. And I really am sorry about the inspection. Following orders."
"Whose? I wasn't aware the navy broke their own laws."
"Laws change." Daniel answered. "I should probably get back on deck. Another ship was spotted earlier. Wouldn't want to miss the chance to aggravate a merchant captain." He shot Kipp a wink before straightening and leaving the cabin.
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"Katrina! Have you head a word I've been saying?" Katrina snapped out of her thoughts.
"What? Sorry Elizabeth, I wasn't paying attention." Katrina apologized.
"I noticed." Elizabeth laughed quietly. "I was saying that my father was having a small dinner party tonight. You, me and Will are all invited."
"Do I really have to go? I don't really know how to act in…" Katrina searched for the right word "genteel company."
"You'll do fine. And I'm afraid, yes we must go. And in proper attire. I've already sent word to Tanwen that we will need one of your dinner gowns earlier than expected. It should get here around five o'clock. Just enough time to change and do your hair." Elizabeth sighed. "I don't like these parties, they are usually full of stuffed shirts and gossipy women. At least you will be there to keep me sane."
"Great." Katrina replied sarcastically.
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Katrina squirmed on the carriage seat. "I still can't believe you squeezed me into this thing!" she complained as she rearranged herself, trying to get comfortable.
She was dress in an elegantly simple dress of china blue with matching slippers and gloves, a fan of French lace hung from her wrist and her hair was done in a deceptively simple up do. It was not her appearance or clothing that bothered her, rather it was one article of her attire that vexed her: her corset. She still could not figure out how she had allowed Elizabeth to put it on her. Finally deciding comfort, or a full breath of air was unattainable, she crossed her arms with a slight huff.
Elizabeth laughed lightly and Will grinned beside her. "You look incredibly like Sera when you do that." She said.
Katrina glared at her, which only made the two laugh harder, gaining a grin from Katrina. The carriage stopped in front of the mayor's hill mansion. Will climbed out. "Shall we?" he asked holding out his hand to help the ladies out. Katrina followed Elizabeth down and was surprised when Will tucked her hand into the elbow opposite of Elizabeth. "I'll be the envy of every man tonight, for I will be escorting the two most beautiful women of Port Royal."
"The sooner we start the sooner it will be over." Elizabeth whispered to Katrina as they climbed the wide flaring steps to the door.
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Kipp watched Sera with a close eye, he had agreed to keep an eye on her for the night. He chased her around the back yard until he was breathless, the child had an unmeasurable amount of energy, until now that is, she was nearly asleep on her feet. With a smile he tucked her into the little cot set up in one of the upstairs rooms. He made his way back down the stairs and helped himself to a little bit of Will's quality rum. Then sat and waited for the others to return home so he could get back to his ship.
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The dinner party was indeed dull. And the "small" diner party consisted of at least twenty five guests. Katrina's head spun with the faces and names that she was introduced to, though she, for the life of her couldn't combine two of them together correctly.
First came about an hour in the drawing room where she was sat between two women of middle age and they fed her every possible bit of gossip on anything and everything involving Port Royal society. Katrina kept a polite smile plastered to her face and was sure that in the morning her face would be sore from the effort. After that torturous hour dinner was announced, Katrina was famished, but afraid that any more than two bites would cause her corset to burst, either that and her stomach would push more on her lungs and make it impossible to breath. So she was down to toying with her food for most of the night, and the delicious aroma was nearly driving her mad. So it was with gratefulness that she answered the question directed at her by the aging man that was sat next to her.
"That is a lovely necklace my dear, I know my grand daughter would love one for her up coming birthday. Where did you come across it?"
Katrina fingered her locket, feeling some of the sadness washing over her, though not as strong as before. "It was my mother's, sir. And I am afraid I cannot tell you where she got it from. I have no knowledge other than that."
"Pity." Replied the elderly man. "Though it does not do your dress justice."
"Exactly what I told her." Elizabeth said from the other side of the table. "But she refused to take it off."
"Ah," the old man said, a knowing light in his eyes. "sentimental reasons. I know the feeling well. But you are too young to have such strong regrets that make you cling to objects so."
"Regrets?" Katrina asked, slightly bewildered.
"It is a locket, correct?" The man said, ignoring her question.
Katrina nodded.
"May I see it?"
"Well…" Katrina began, but saw the sincerity in the man's eyes, she slipped it off and handed it to him.
The old man turned it over in his gnarled hands. "Lovely craftsmanship." He commented. "May I?" he asked. Katrina hesitantly nodded and he opened the clasp. And his eyes opened wider with a gasp.
"What, what is it?" Katrina asked with a touch of worry.
"This portrait." The older man said. "I have seen it before."
This caught the attention of some of the people sitting within hearing distance and they all strained to hear the answer when Katrina voiced the question they were all wondering. "Where?"
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Yes, I am being evil. But hey, it's what I do. Yay! An updation 2 weeks in a row!
Kipp is quite protective of his ship, I wonder where he gets that from...
Quote:
I'm not sure if you could find it in the chapter, so here it is:
"Just doin' me job, milady."
Yes, I know the it doesn't say milady in the chapter, but would you really want to call Kipp, angry or calm that?
Reviews are as good as strawberry guava smoothes in the middle of winter. A little piece of summer…