No wai! Yes wai! I'm updating! XD Hi everyone, I'm back. I'm sorry it's been so long since I've updated the story. However, I haven't forgotten about it. Thank you for bearing with a long gap between chapters! I hope new chapters will bring you laughs and a good mood. =)

A larger version of the poster of our drool-worthy bachelor is found on my profile.

Ball and Gossip

Heather:

I suppose the event meets my reasonably paramount expectations. Lavish decorations, service and entertainment are acceptably inferior to the balls at my family mansion. The Admiral is a reasonable man in issuing a ball invitation to me rather than to some general riffraff, he has yet to sort out, currently invading the mutually occupied mansion.

What I do deem rude is to be abandoned after half an hour of pleasant conversation in favour of dancing with Jade. I plant affable smile on my face however inwardly seething, pacified only by knowledge that a notable woman like me will not be left unattended too long. Just as the thought crosses my mind, Mr Obrien, wearing a spotty hat to win the worst hat of the Caribbean title, invites me to dance. Sadly, that's the only title he owns. I decline without as much as turning my head. Aside from dark blue eyes and muscular body he has nothing substantial to offer. He demonstrates such impudence, asking a woman of my status to waste my charm on him, especially with the Admiral present. I cannot flaunt inconsistent preferences, unless Mr Norrington's jealousy is to be tested, which I am too smart to attempt so early in competition.

Olivia and Jade are here as well. I prefer to be stuck in the same room with two sea slugs. Jade's beauty is enhanced by her expensive jewellery that mysteriously shimmers in the lamp light. I cannot be lost in that glow. I will compeat. The ball brings out my best qualities. As for our extra companion, I dread someone will find out that we've arrived in the same carriage. Luckily, Olivia is thrown by attendees' silent disapproval into a corner of the room where she bothers almost no one. I must warn the Admiral about her. This ball is a death trap enough.

It is not my jealousy. All eligible women, armed with undisputable proof that Mr Norrington is looking for a wife, are sizing him up like stray dogs unattended roast beef. Can they not fathom a simple fact that they weren't worthy to be among twenty five? They lurk in respectable proximity, batting eyelashes in a manner they deem seductive whenever his gaze accidentally lands on them. To remove them from view, I've paid a server boy to spread a short rumour that the Admiral is alone in the stables outside the mansion when he stepped outside to speak with Mr Groves. As expected, most of the mindless tweets and their mothers, who did not wish to be left behind their neighbours, rushed to the barn, full of outlandish hopes. My patience was tested until the boy appeared and signalled that he locked them inside. Let them flirt with the spiders. They should have focused their efforts on numerous eligible bachelors in attendance. Jade told me earlier that this ball is purposely arranged to introduce young ladies to young men. Well, the plan didn't work, aside from gathering far too woman in one place at once. I never knew so many lived in Port Royal until they all began to pine for one man. There must be hundreds of them!

Jade:

I fear modern society operates on a tribal principle where expectations of average foolishness and shamelessness are greatly exceeded in order to obtain the shiniest trophy the tribe can lay hands on or in this case the finest man. I must be the only woman in the room who maintains a shred of decency. The decorum line has been long crossed, accosted by ridiculousness when one man became an all wanted valuable. Granted, the upheaval is exactly what the town needed. Yet, there's no fairness in Mr Norrington being sacrificed so, for which I am truly sorry. I believe this is not an attempt to gain fame. He truly wants to find love. The proof is reflected in his firm choice to invite only three women to the ball instead of five as initially planned in order to dedicate more attention to each one, in contrast with the overwhelming first group date. His impression of our personalities cannot be other than scattered. I'm puzzled how he can remember anything about each one of us. I wouldn't be surprised should he with all due seriousness keep a set of written notes.

He is an attentive partner who owns undeniable charm and elegance even in the uncertain movements across the dance floor and he's quick to pick up the steps or perhaps recall them. Social occasions must have been part of his education, much neglected later on in life as he built his career at sea. Our conversation lacks frivolous flight, but I find well thought out approach to all subjects intriguing. He is an intelligent man who obtains respect naturally. Unless one's heart is taken, he is easy to fall in love with. Just when I allow such fantasy, an image of another man resurfaces and fills me with dread. Why can't he leave me be! I owe him nothing!

"Are you all right?" The Admiral's concerned voice breaks up the illusion.

"I'm fine, perhaps a little fatigued," I lie. "I must have overestimated my ability to dance endlessly."

He leads me off the dance floor as musicians play the last chord. I'm reluctant to deliver the Admiral into Heather's waiting hands, but much to my shame I'm relieved she will take his attention away from me. I pick up a drink to stand beside them without speaking and listen in awe how a woman, so candidly, can diminish another human being. I remain neutral, uncertain what to make of Olivia. Surely, there lies big mistake in her past, but she also fell victim to the boredom of local gossipers who increased her fault tenfold. I don't believe the Admiral holds such rumours in high regard, preferring to keep his own council. Much to Heather's disappointment, he departs to find Olivia.

Olivia:

People hardly changed in the past few years since I've attended the last ball. They're still full of idle curiosity, prevalent to every town located far from civilized world. I used to be one of them, leading a normal life, until one man changed everything. He left unforgettable mark and cast me outside this society. I wonder, have I willingly subjected myself to public scorn and agreed to this date because I have hope that a different man will change my life once more and allow me to re-enter this world. I wait patiently for my turn to learn more about him while he is trying to understand Jade and Heather.

I'm not disappointed. Within an hour, he attempts to navigate the ballroom towards me. A woman composed of frills and ruffles tries to faint into his arms, but he skilfully sidesteps to allow a different man to rescue the poor acting scheme.

"You are not enjoying the party," he states rather than asks as he reaches me. "What can I do to change that?"

"You've taken the first steps to do so," I counter, much amused having witnesses complex sailing manoeuvre around the ballroom. "However, as much as I wish to appeal to your sympathy, I was not entirely miserable. I tend to enjoy social gatherings, just not the unpleasant whispers."

"I cannot claim warm kinship with the gossip either."

He does not press for answers, leaving me with a choice. I decide to share my side of the story, more than confident that someone managed to put me in a bad light. I had an intimate relationship before marriage, never doubting my fiancées' word that we will be husband and wife. The invitations were sent, guests bought their gifts and then he was seen boarding a ship that departed for England. My brief narrative is dispassionate. The loss of love in the past no longer brings pain, only bitterness, which the Admiral sees as well.

"I admire that you are willing to move forward," he tells me simply, " and I believe you are here for a good reason."

I allow a first genuine smile this evening. I've shared polite, meaningless smiles with hosts and curious busybodies who only made attempts to be civil so they could pry and divulge a miss-worded sensation. This is different. Mr Norrington and I share similar experience. Had he not been deceived by his former fiancée as well? I always carried guilt after my fiancée disappeared, thus accepting public scorn like it was deserved. Looking at the Admiral, however, I strongly question whether a person disgraced according to social norms is truly disgraced. I don't think he is.

"Thank you for everything," I tell him truthfully. "It's been a long time since I've attended a ball, given that no would invite me or ask me to dance if I showed up for a public gathering."

"Then, I believe I will brave another dance for your pleasure," he said, offering a hand to lead me to the dance floor.

"Will you not be afraid for your reputation?"

"I believe my reputation will diminish in self-reflection should I miss this opportunity. I form individual judgements," his voice rises to reach Heather who is feigning conversation within a small group, while making tremendous effort to overhear us, "and I disapprove of those who spread vicious gossip."

Heather doesn't falter, but her pride must be stung.

James:

It must be my imagination, hopefully not a bout of graceless vanity, where an afflictive feeling of being closely observed is creeping up my back. The experience can only be compared to a day my crew has been searching for a missing sailor in jungle, unaware of one hungry python stalking me with elaborate dinner plans. Thus, the ball's closing, suffered first to last minute and deprived of a chance to depart with a convenient excuse, makes me happier than a bay full of first-rate ships under my command. Persistent suspicions that once again I've been set up, are confirmed as I adjourn to the carriage where Groves is waiting for me, grinning ear to ear.

I smile pleasantly as well, estimating whether HMS Victory's bow requires a figurehead shaped like my first officer.

"Tomorrow is the rose ceremony. I hope candle light and music haven't interfered with your decision which two women will leave tomorrow?" Groves postpones his demise with a question.

A credit must be given where it's due. The ball allowed me to learn enough about three women. However, I have many questions about the others. "I haven't made up my mind yet. Some of them bring up conflicting emotions such as Nessa. She's one of the kindest people I've ever met. Yet, I have trouble discerning what she believes in and whether she has any opinions at all or she always adapts to whatever others tell her."

Perhaps, I shouldn't have appealed to Theodore's sound judgement to help me determine who I may have overlooked unfairly. He quirks an amused eyebrow. "So, you prefer someone who will throw plates at your head and possess a thoroughly disagreeable, over the top opinionated personality?"

"I constantly put up with you, so it must be logical to presume that I prefer socializing with such people," I state dryly.

"You're too kind, thus it wounds me to claim that the plates part is slander."

"May I remind you about a certain fifteen pound vase that made an unfortunate collision with the back of my skull due to your effort?"

The days when Theodore felt guilty about that event are long gone and cannot be taken advantage of, otherwise I wouldn't have made this comment. "Circumstances led me to believe you were a pirate," he counters without batting an eyelash.

"Circumstances nearly led you to write in a thorough report that your commanding officer had been killed by a painted piece of the ancient pottery."

Theodore places a hand over his heart and composes the sombrest expression fit for a funeral. "May it rest in pieces," he declares.

"Tomorrow may bring more broken objects, hopefully without partake of my person in that process," I state the matter at hand. I don't believe such a short time is enough to fall in love, but everyone has pride. I'm concerned who will be offended by my choice or worse, hurt.