A/N: In the time line of Esprit de Corps, this would have happened before chapter 20.
Enjoy!
Pairing: Jack/Isabella
Word Count: 742
Prompt: Chaos
Solider of Chaos
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The Hellride was under weigh with a stiff breeze, which reminded the crew that it was the latter part of spring, and the time to except south-easterly winds once more.
They beat up against a strong head wind under reef topsails as far as the coastlines of Tortuga before slowing her down for the evening.
The men were all in good spirits, knowing that they were well on their way to promised immortality along with their most beloved pirate safe haven as they retired for the night below decks.
As Gibbs took First Watch up on the Hellride's quarterdeck, Jack and Isabella found themselves lounging upon the steps of the companion way that led to her bunk.
"Coming round Nassau, and nearing the anchorage, we saw two vessels in port," Jack began, finding that he had come into a strange habit of telling Isabella tales of his adventures just as she would find the urge to retire for the night.
"Firstly, there was a large full-rigged brig, and secondly, a smaller hermaphrodite brig – nothing entirely precarious about it, or so it seemed. The former caused the crew to suspect it to be The Pilgrim, but I had seen The Pilgrim before and there was no mistaking her with that," Jack said, holding a bottle of rum between his thighs as he held out his arms to illustrate the tale.
"Aye, so what was she?" Isabella asked curiously.
"Well, I was right in differing from the crew, for upon nearer approach; her long, low shear, sharp bows and raking masts told quite another story. Man of War said some of them or The Baltimore Clipper said the others, but after a moment, a broad flow of a beautiful banner depicting the coat of arms of our noble King George was visible from a distance."
"Not good!" she exclaimed, holding a hand over her mouth in shock.
"Precisely," Jack said, taking her hand in his. "I see things differently, Bella. And if it weren't for my sharp eye we would have been in the hands of His Majesty's Royal Navy within a matter of minutes. Nevertheless, in an hour, we came to anchor nearly three miles from the northern coast of the island, and took a longboat to shore. Within half an hour there was news of war in Europe."
"Everyone speaks of war in Europe," she said gravely, taking the rum bottle from Jack. "The face of war is scarlet, scaly, glazed, and framed in a clotted, filthy wig. One day, I'd like to hear a child ask their mother what war was, instead of preparing to find out what war really is."
"Then why is it that you've taken that name?" Jack asked, pointing a knowing finger.
"What name?"
"Oh, that silly little name you once told me. Miss Solider of Chaos..." he said, raising his brow.
She chuckled softly, taking a small swig from her bottle. "No one really calls me that. I was just trying to scare you away. I don't need anymore men in my life to make my decisions more complex. I'm complicated enough already."
"Making the simple complicated is common, and making the complicated simple is creatively uncommon. However, when you look closely at something so strange and so complicated, that's when you'll find its true beauty."
Isabella paused for a moment, bringing a hand to her chin. "Allow me to explore my ability to reduce the complicated to the simple," she said, placing the bottle beside her feet.
"Be my guest, Bella," he said, leaning back on his elbow.
She leaned back as well, meeting his gaze. "It seems to me that I intrigue you more than anything in this world. You see me as an alter ego, and you are drawn to me because I think like you, even if I am a woman. Now, with that being said, was this whole story of yours was concocted so you could learn the origins of my name, or because you just wanted to see if I was just as complicated as you are?" she asked, leaning into him. "You look at me as if wish to learn my mystery because I don't see things just as they appear to be, just like yourself."
He smiled, feeling his lips slightly part as she drew near, yet he offered no reply.
"No wonder all the young lasses like you," she whispered, smiling as she leaned forward to rise to her feet. "But, you will not have me so easily."
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