|ੈ⭒˚⋆🪼 ೃ࿔:･First off HELLO AHOY GREETINGS AND ALL THAT BS this chapter has been long overdue for months and im embarrassed it took this long lol, i decided to split up all 20k I wrote so far in two chapters for your reading pleasure. Next chapter will be posted Friday. P.S i know my art is shitty lol but i thought i might as well try to make her so you guys can comprehend how she looks lol. Ughhh this writing is so ragging since it took me months to write and my writing style has changed. WILL EDIT LATER|ੈ⭒˚⋆🪼 ೃ࿔:･
Summery|- Elizabeth wakes from her nightmare and is required by her father to attend Norringtons ceremony. Something in the air shifts and two new comers come into port and have seemed to have taken the governors daughter hostage
With a sudden gasp Elizabeth's eyes snapped awake into the suffocating silence of her room as if a bucket of water was thrown upon her awake in a chill. Her eyes were hazy as she took in the familiar surroundings of her room, everything in place. Beside her, her candle's gentle cooing light flaked and danced around the corners of her room surrounding her in moving shadowy appendages surrounding all around her. Her breath trembled in her throat as she let out a sigh of relief
In the warm safety of her covers
She hadn't been on that ship in a long time nor any ship for that matter as her father had decided for her it would be best if that was the last time she would be subjected to such atrocious things again.
Still yet, the memory lingered. She remembered that day like it was just yesterday. The sting of smoke in her lungs, the groaning of wood twisting as decks burned and masts withered surrendering to the flame, that stench of char and brine became permanently engraved into her brain chemistry
But yet...it became a smell she longs for with a forbidden curiosity
With a shaky sigh she shook of her dream, pulling her legs over her beds edge letting her blankets and covers pool and the coolness of the wooden floor nipped at her feet uncomfortably so if not for the late morning sun creeping through the cracks of her silk drapes. With one hand she reached for her candle on her bedside table, its light flickering and she opened the tables drawer. Sifting through old bits of paper, trinkets and knickknacks she had acquired over the years. She brushed against the back panel until she grasped at a small hidden knob and lifted it up. The false bottom lifted to reveal a hidden compartment
Inside untouched by time nor age was a small gold coin with a chain attached.
Even with years of collecting dust it gleamed and shimmered, catching the glow of the flickering light. Elizabeth casted the candle aside grasping the coin by its chain as she inspected it once again. 'Nothing really has changed..even after all these years'. She cradled it in her hands brushing a delicate finger against it brushing off the years of gathered dust tracing its far too familiar shape as she gazed into its hypnotizing face. No matter how long it had been since the last time she touched it, it had always been cold to the touch. Too cold...
A wave of memories came back flowing through her mind of that fateful night when she was aboard The Moon Stead with her father. Her father was hoping for brighter aspects after her mother died of influenza in England, shortly after he had set his site on a quaint yet steady port town of Port Royal. The trip was only supposed to be a week or two travel at most but then when they had stumbled across that ship wreck..she had been the first one to spy that boy she would soon learn the name of.
Will had been the only survivor of that accident after they had spent a whole day searching for survivors. She remembered when he had passed out on the floor of the deck she found his pirate medallion on his neck, she had been terrified of what the others would do if they found out he was a pirate. She had kept it so carefully hidden all these years, including from will. Even with her own fascination and curiosity she just wanted to leave his past in the past–where it belonged. He had a proper future now, a brighter and better future where he didn't have to be hung and quartered as process demanded. He could stay here, safe and sound within her reach..just as her heart demanded.
She pulled herself up from her bed and stepped into the mirror looking into her reflection with careful thought and brought it up to her neck and undid its clasp and reclasped it when it draped across her neck. The medallion's golden face shimmered and stood out against her white nightgown. She admired it details enraptured by its details all over again when a sudden knocking startled her interrupting her serene trance
Her father’s voice, gentle and cautious as ever, muffles through her door. Her breath caught in her throat, her body freezing. She sped back to her bed side knocking over a chain with a loud THUD
"Are you alright, are you decent?" his voice called out, Elizabeth shrugged on her peignoir and smoothed it over before tucking the medallion into her chest as she stuttered out a "Yes,..YES!" just before her father and her chamber mains coaxed in.
"Still abed at this hour? Its a beautiful day" Governor Swann expression softened the moment he gazed upon his daughter. The mains made their way through one going to draw open the curtains, letting the warm caribbean sun embrace the room and another maid carried in a rather sizable box. "I have a gift for you" He said, warmth in his tone and the maid presented the box to her, the governor removing the lip.She peered over and laid inside was the most beautiful dress Elizabeth had laid her eyes on in months. Soft floral patterns and delicate white lace trim
"Oh-Its beautiful!" Elizabeth gasped, pulling the dress out of its box admiring it to the fullest extent walking to the mirror, she could already imagine herself in it before she halted herself.
".....may i inquire as to the occasion" she asked, questioning her father's intention, a brow raised at her fathers impromptu gift.
"Does a father need an occasion to dote upon his daughter?" He said a teasing lite upon his tone. The reassurance seemed to settle her a grin spreading across her features as she eagerly went behind her changing screen, her maids following close behind.
"Actually, i..i had hoped you might wear it for the ceremony today.." her father began and Elizabeth sighed internally, preparing herself for what nonsense her father was going to ask of her. "Ceremony?" she pondered out loud.
"Captain Norrington's promotion ceremony."
Her head peaked out from behind the screens flap a glare fixed on her features as he stared harshly at her father. "I knew it!" she scoffed. Good lord above, her own father for years had been trying to set her up with James for years and despite her own stubbornness he had not given up. She knew all he wanted for her was what was best for her and the family's name future but she didn't need to be set up on tea party dates like some child. James Norrington was a fine man to be sure, any woman would be lucky to unite with him but...he wasn't the man for her. Her heart belonged thoroughly to Will Turner, no matter what duty called for. There wasn't anything to dislike about Norrington that was sure, he was handsome, a man of power and of wealth with a hidden shy tenderness that was unbecoming of a man like him but much like Will they were both stubborn till bitter end, both stuck in duty and fought for what was right. But she couldn't place her finger on why she just couldn't accept him no matter how hard she tried...it was as if fate wouldn't allow her. Maybe she just needed more time..
"Commodore Norrington, as he's about to become,-" her father added. "A fine gentleman don't you think? He quite fancies you you know" her father rambled as she continued dressing. Her chamber maid began hooking the corset behind her. Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat as the maid tugged at the strings of her corset. With each pull of the strings of the corset it felt as if a boa constrictor wrapped around her ribs tightening its hold on her with every breath she gasped out
"Elizabeth? Hows it coming" her father’s voice rang out, concern on his tone. "It's difficult to say.." "I'm told it's the latest fashion in London. A piece of home brought back to us." "Well, women in London must've learned how to not breathe in our absence-" she returned and let out another sharp gasp, her hand clutching at her chest as she tried to regulate her breathing. Before her father could voice his concern he was interrupted-
"My lord, you have a visitor."
She knew her father had commissioned something from Mr Brown the metalsmith but she knew Will would deliver it for him. She remembered the day when her father got Will an apprenticeship there and every so often Will would show her all the beautiful things he could create now. She remembered when she begged and begged Will and he eventually caved in and snuck her out from her terrace and they would wander around the empty streets at night and at the very end he would take her out to shore and they would walk all around the island. But after a while there were only so many times you could walk around the island and one would realize how small it really was. But as they aged Will turned to duty and maturity, he stopped taking out on those walks that she missed so much.
She finished dressing as fast as she could as her father went ahead to greet their guest. She was excited to see him once more. It had been nearly a month since the last time she had seen him and even then the moment had been brisk. She looked herself once more in the mirror making sure she was well fitted and taking a careful breath before she ascended the stairs.
And by the gods when Will saw her he was doomed. Heart wholly and willing
There adrift in the middle of nowhere somewhere in the caribbean ocean floated a boat
Well...to call it a boat would be rich even to call it a dinghy seems a bit optimistic but whoever whatever wanted to call it, it floated atleast...mosty though it seemed to float out of sheer stubbornness more than seaworthiness but in this small vessel resided two souls bound by hatred and love, torn apart more times than can be counted. Yet no matter the distance they seemed drawn back together yet like magnets as if tides themselves conspired to reunite them once more.
The man was of tall and tan stature, skin branded by the caribbean sun and hair of tangled chaos of locks,waves and beads. His eyes smudged in kohl and a hidden exhaustion behind an embering fire. They carried the weight of a man who stared too long into the endless abyss of the dark ocean and learned how to grin at what stared back. Those same eyes still glimmered even now- half drunken and in a far out daze from too much rum
....those eyes now had no business being so deep and disarming...even being able to coax even the most wily soul into temperance..
He held in his hand an amber bottle, swirling its contents in careful concentration and in his other he inspected a compass. It twitched and spun as if possessed, like it couldn't make up its mind on which way pointed north. He inevitably gave up on it before settling it down on the seat.
Opposite him sat a woman, her attire not much fashion of a becoming delicate lady but neither quite the crude rags of a common sailor but a bit of something more in between. A tanned colored poet shirt that was stained by the smell of the ocean but with a tinge of something soft, kinder than hard sea life. Something hibiscuousy..
Her trousers were practically fitted but were flayed at the side starting at her knee and were braided with ribbon and were hemmed with black lace. Her black aged boots seemed to see better days, edges nicked and broken in. She wore long black gloves that seemed to conceal every bit of skin available to the eye. But most of all the most unusual of her attire–was her hat. The thing was broad brimmed and flat topped, decorated with aging beads and opaque pearls bunches and strung on the hem in bunches. Her gaze obscured held secrets in the shadows
She sat across from him, her booted feet propped in his lap casually, naturally as if it was second nature, but it hadn't been that way in years...she couldn't believe she allowed herself to be wound up in this situation again. She was a fool to trust a bumbling idiot like him again but she'd admit she was an idiot long before for trusting him with something as important as that. For years she blamed herself for trusting him and allowing herself to be dragged down with him. She had convinced herself it was just this one last favor, get back the pearl and she was done. Done with this endless search and she was done with him.
She sighed humming to herself, her viola resting under her chin plucking at its strings that moaned pitchily. She played with the strings lazily absentmindedly humming a tune she once heard once upon a time when times were simpler, she tried to remember its origin but it became a faded memory long lost to time, a testament to the one who sang it once so many years ago.
The dinghy rocked with each gentle passing sigh of the sea, rising and falling in rhythm with the ocean's natural pulse. The brim of her hat shielded her eyes from the harsh Caribbean sun, her eyes slipped a glance his way as Jack still seemed utterly enraptured with his foolish compass.
They had been on this insignificant puny boat for days stuck at sea after they stole it from that woman in Tortuga. Actual food and water (that wasn't rum and wine) the boat already had ran out a while ago. But again it wouldn't be the first nor the last time her body would feel the bite of hunger or the claws of thirst but over the years its effects became dull but always she endured, she always had.
Her head tilted downward, brows pinched as she accidentally plucked a off-key note, the sound cracked through the silence like a spark to dry air. She closed her eyes, lips pressed thin then without warning the threw her head back letting out a scream that seemed too make the ocean itself pause her voice skiing through the stillness
"HOW LONG IS THIS GOING TO TAKE?!"
Jack jolted nearly a foot in the air, arms flailing like an ungraceful startled gull toppling backwards in a graceless heap of limbs and scattered items, his amber bottle that had been pacifying him the last few hours bouncing then toppling overboard.
He spluttered, coughing as rum burned his throat, his hand pounding twice against his chest as if to knock the breath back into him. "BLEEDING..Christ-!" he coughed his hand held up. "Woman-! Do you like to just terrify me or is this your version of some forbidden foreplay?!" She raised a brow plucking one last sharp note "Jack IF I were aiming for foreplay, you would already be dead."
Something snapped inside of her, his l taking a step towards him aid back attitude towards the whole situations made her want to throttle him. She stood up suddenly, waving around her viola bow in every direction glaring daggers at him.
"It's. Be. Days. DAYS JACK! Days of drifting and chasing your blasted compass that cant even decide where north lies! I'm sick of staring at the same patch of the sky, the same damned sea and your–" she waved a hand at him, her bangles jostling,
Jack blinked, a hand pressed to his chest feigning offence. "My face? Dearest, I'll have you know my face have been called a work of art my many a person"
She crossed her arms, not amused. "Hang you and hang your face. I've half the mind to toss that compass-and you- overboard and see which floats longer" she jeered. Jack sat up, brushing off his coat rum till dripping down his neck and he tilted his head with that infuriating smirk of his. "Now, now. There's no need for the dramatics darling. The sea always leads where she means to. We're merely...in the patient part of the odyssey."
"Patient part?" she repeated. "Well SHE hasn't been home for years" she snapped at Jack. "We've been floating in circles for days!"
Jack looked past her squinting into the horizon as if that might make her argument disappear. "You wound me, truly. I've got the situation well in hand"
Her laugh came out sharp and humorless. "You don't even know where your hand lays half the time, that’s is how we got into this situation in the first place." she said, her look souring at the memory that burned inside her and she turned her back on him. She swore on her own life after this whole journey after they got back the black pearl and when she got back what she wanted she was going to abandon ship. He survived on his own before he could do it again, she just needed to find a way to break the curse.
Jack's tone softened, just a touch standing up shuffling behind her. "We'll find it." he murmured, voice low, suddenly sober more than she had heard in a while. "The ship. The treasure. What I'm looking for is--it's out there, I promise. Your patience will be well rewarded"
Her expression faltered softly, just slightly as the wind tugged curls of her white hair loose from her bun. For all her fury and animosity towards him he knew how to disarm her. Her shoulders eased looking smaller now and her head tilted down.
"...You promised that before Jack.."
"Aye," he admitted, a small, crooked grin tugging at his mouth. "And miraculously, I've lived long enoug' to keep making them, 'aven't I? Besides you have your reasons to follow me so long-" He said his hand trailing down her arm down to her wrist and she instinctively pulled away from his grip and she turned from him.
"I'm not askin' you to trust me but believe in me long enoug' for your sake."
It was slow but he earned a sigh and a small exasperated simper and she leaned back muttering "You're impossible."
Just when he was about to respond to her reluctant admittance something had caught his eye that distracted him from her and she gave him a look. He climbed to the top of the mast and peered past the horizon line. He caught sight of exactly what he was searching for. Before she could protest he grabbed her by her wrist and hauled her up beside him in one smooth motion until they were both precariously standing on the swaying mast as the ocean stretched ahead of them when there just ahead of them a little sliver of land came into view
The arrow on Jack's compass shot straight and he grinned triumphantly and snapped it shut. "See lass? No reason to doubt me yet~" The wind whipped through her white hair and the sunshine caught her face as she clung to the wood of the mast behind her as she leaned forward.
'Hm maybe his luck hasn't run out...maybe there's hope yet..'
The island was lush with greenery and stone architecture that seemed to be the size of ants, you could see ships coming in and out of port. "Hmmp...I guess that compass of yours still works.." she hummed a lit on her tone, a slight knowing smile forming. Jack smirked, leaning closer, hand resting at her waist, making sure she didn't fall forwards. "Never a doubt in my heart."
Their little boat inched closer and closer. As they came into view, ships dotted the harbor. Merchant vessels, fishing boats, and grand navy ships gleaming in the sun. Seagulls screamed overhead, the cries sharp and hungry. Hair and clothes and sails whipping as they stood proudly over the doomed vessel. Then, with the inevitability of fate, water began to fill the bottom of their boat.
Jack leapt down from the crows nest onto the deck, his boots splashing, she watched him grab a bucket as he began trying to scoop out the rapidly filling boat as he shoveled water out of the hull and back into the ocean where it belonged.
"Damn-" Nixiaria murmured, tapping her chin. "Must've sprung a leak when you stole it."
"I didn't steal anything, just i temporarily borrowed it..without permission..BESIDES if it was anyone, you were doing all the stealing" He gestured dramatically. She rolled her eyes, she spied something as they passed by, a trio of skeleton trio tattered their bones rattling in the breeze as they hung from a jutting rock outcrop in the mouth of the harbor. Jack held his hat to his heart and Nixiaria took a bow in remembrance- an honor of those who died doing what they loved. Above their empty grins and clattering bones a weather worn sign hung as it shrieked in the breeze as an open noose waited for its next victim to come into its waters
[-PIRATES– YE BE WARNED-]
Jack squinted up at it, his fingers tapped the side of his bandana, a silent mention of absurdity of how overkill it was and Nixiaria shook her head, hands on her hips. Brow furrowing as he muttered, "Bit dramatic, don't you think?"
Nixiaria crossed her arms. "Takes one to know one."
They approached the port as other fishing boats and merchant ships pulled into harbor, loading up their ships with supplies for travels to come. Jack had given up at some point at shoveling the water out and joined her once again in the crows nest as they pulled into harbor. People and merchants alike stared as if the two were a pair of lunatics were a match made in hell
Well to some point they are..well were..
The ship began rapidly sinking into the harbor and Jack offered his hand to her and a roguish grin on his face and a slight raise of his brow as Nixiaria rolled her eyes from underneath the shadow of the brim of her hat and pulled away from him, not in the mood for his flirty antics, she hadn't for the past couple of years. Jack shrugged back and let her take her lead. With practiced ease and timing (or what others would call pure luck) they both stepped onto the dock as the miniature boat surrendered itself to the shallow water.
They strutted to deck and they carried on naturally without a care as the dockmaster stood stunned and sputtering "Wha- Hold up you two!" he demanded as the two froze, Jack turning on his heel as the dockman sped up to them. "Its a shilling to tie your boat to the dock-" They all turned to see the sunken vessel bubbling in the water, its use practically useless now. "-And i shall need the owner's name" he finished.
Jack held up a finger as he fished about in his pocket until he pulled out what he needed. He pulled out 3 small shillings as they clinked together "What do you say to three shillings...and we forget the names altogether?" Jack offered, placing the coins upon the page of the names book.
The dockman held the offer to himself for a moment giving Jack a suspicious look as the boy beside him shrugged his shoulders as if it was stupid to not take the offer. The dockmaster snapped the book shut and greeted the pair
"Welcome to Port-Royal Mr & Misses Smith"
Jack pressed his palms together in mock gratefulness, he flashed his partner a smirk, teeth glinting in the sun. He turned to her, extending his hand as if to take her like a proper lady. "Come along love, this way Mrs Smith" he crooned at her. She let out a dry airy snort, her eyes rolling beneath the brim of her hat. The gesture, the tone, the smug grin. How she despised it now, but it almost made her remember of a better time. Maybe if she forgot about that just for a second she could properly enjoy herself.
Jack's fingers wrapped around hers lightly, but possessively, as if the motion were habit more than chivalry. "Careful now," he teased under his breath, "-don't make it look like you're enjoying yourself."
"I'd rather dance in the gallows," she muttered, a laugh coming out as little more than a bitter breath. "Still playing the gentleman, are we?" she said coolly, Jack didn't miss the irony, nor the tremor she tried to hide in her fingers. His grip tightened, briefly — a silent plea, or a habit he didn't know how to kill before he released her.
"Force of habit, love," he said lightly, though his eyes lingered on her longer than they should have. "And some habits die harder than others." But Jack didn't miss when he released her and they walked side by side, her fingers brushing against every so often.
The town was alive with sound,buzzing and sounds of in-time drumming and flutes whistling, floating in the air. People all around gossiping behind fans and secrets shared underneath parasols at Captain Norrington's pinning ceremony, soon to be Commodore. It was more than that, it was a proposal-to the governor's daughter. It was key for this day to go as smoothly as possible, lest the town gossipers and upper espionage whispered to each other might actually be his undoing for he knew..
..slashed harder than sword
As soon as the ceremony was over, it was as if a sigh of relief washed over the people. Though as important as these things were, it was a celebration of course. Refreshments were served, champagne popped and delighted laughter of the upper crust as stories were shared by those who pretended to know him more than they really did. It was all an act for events like these, to nod along to whoever was talking, laugh at the right time and maybe you would gain a new new connection that would place you higher in society. He had never cared for these events but it being his own it was somewhat required of him to attend. He waited for the right time, watching Elizabeth talk to her father as she fanned herself until Governor Swann left her alone leaving them be so they could chat alone. He cut in, head slightly tilted down as he regarded her
"Ms Swann- might i have a moment of your time?"
She didn't want to admit it but it was nice to walk around again, feet against solid ground and not against the dizzying spell of the sea, but again they weren't here for touristy attractions, they were here on more business than pleasure. They made their way past the stone wall buildings and buzzing street people and towards the docks walking down the wooden steps, the smell of old water and aged wood filling their senses again as the old steps creaked underneath their feet as the sight of docked ships bobbing on the water. They both walked down the steps, Jacks hand guiding her down the stairs and they parted again as the stepped down and parted once again the wood creaking as they walked up to the docked boat when two in red army grieves rushed up in front of them abandoning their post
"This dock is off-limits to civilians!" The taller soldier ordered halting them.
"Terribly sorry, if i see one we shall inform you" Jack ordained then trying to move past them but again they blocked his path. 'This might take a while..'
Soft gentle melody of the orchestra floated gently on the wind as the haughty laughter of the upper espionage filled the air as men in white powdered wigs chatted with women in gaudy dresses and waiters served expensive champagne with the same poise one would serve royalty. The gentle melody of the orchestra floated gently on the wind in the background as Commodore Norrington took Elizabeth to the side away from the safety of the shaded area from where she resided.
He brought her out beside the bell tower as she fanned herself furiously hiding her soft panting behind her fan and to be honest the last thing she wanted right now was to be talked at by another man especially after the small debacle with Will-Oh I'm sorry 'MR Turner' since she supposed almost ten years of knowing each other wasn't enough. She had been dreading this convocation with the commodore especially since she knew of what he had hoped to ask of her.
"You look lovely Elizabeth-I apologize if I seem forward but..I must confess and speak my mind." He announced walking by her side. "This promotion throws into sharp relief that which I have not yet achieved..A marriage to a fine woman" he said gently as she turned to face him her eyes widening, it had felt like the wind had been knocked out of her, like a huge weight had been placed upon her and her stance begins to waver "-I cant breathe-"
"Yes, I'm a bit nervous myself" he unfolds as he looks away from her, his arms folding behind his back as he steps away from her to compose himself not noticing Elizabeth tumbling backwards, the short wall behind her catching against her legs as she reached out for somebody, anybody as wind rushed passed her face until her vision went black
The soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder in that clumsy way that those who never quite paid attention to their training were finally caught off guard.
"I'm sorry, if i see one i shall inform you immediately " Jack brushed off as he tried to step around them but they shifted to block their path and he gives them curious look. "Perhaps 'here some high toned and fancy to-do down at the fort ey? So how can it be two upstanding gentlemen such as yourselves did not merit an invitation?" Jack inquired, raising a brow.
"Well we have to make sure this dock stays off-limits to civilians" the taller one stumbled.
Nixiaria pushed past Jack "Well that's a fine goal really- but it seems to us that a ship like-" she said gesturing a gloved hand to a ship in the distance "..that makes that one- what is the word in looking for hmm... “-superfluous?"..small?" She commented, waving off Jack.
"Well miss, The Dauntless is the power of these waters true enough but there is no ship that could ever dream to match The Intercepter for speed." Mullroy introduced and Mugtrott nodded along.
"I've heard of one it's supposed to be fast nigh uncatchable-..The Black Pearl"
The shorter one snorted chuckling to himself as he shook his head. "There's no REAL ship that can match The Intercepter"
"The Black Pearl is a real ship"
"Yes, it is. I've seen it!"
The two quietly argued back and forth whether or not he'd actually seen it, the whole argument chased its own tail really.
When there was no end in sight she rolled her eyes from underneath the brim of her hat when Jack bumped her and gestured with his head towards the now unwatched ship, she shrugged and followed after him. Of course Jack instinctively went straight to the helm, his hands naturally finding the wheel with familiar ease that was pretty much muscle memory at this point while Nixiaria took her time and wandered the deck slow and deliberately sizing it up her footfalls silent with only a whisper of wood creaking.
It would be a hell of a job to set this one out to sea with only two people never mind getting out of port with the royal navy on guard would be a feat on its own, they done more with worse but it would be a a lot easier if just just had additional help...‘Tortuga wasn't too far away’ but in all honesty the thought of that place soured her mouth.
The booze and the drunkards were just fine even comforting at times hell even the off key loud music hat filled every tavern as drunkards sung off-key and their raucous laughter filled the air softened her rotted heart more than she cared to admit as she shook her head laughing at their tomfoolery. It was the company you would sometimes find yourself surrounded by when times were desperate and minds were hazy with rum flowing freely.
It was a relatively small ship definitely not fighting ready and it definitely was no pearl but no doubt it was fancy, small, pretty in the traditional sense. Clean varnished wood and fresh untouched paint. She was a clean and untainted thing much unlike well..the pearl and Nixiaria. Maybe that's why Jack compared them so much, they both represented something something he wanted but he couldn't decide which
He didn't linger on it. He never did. He wouldn't ever. Admit to wanting it, he just couldn't because it wasn't him. He was a man of freedom not to be tied down by wedding knots and fresh swept homes. He was everything traditional wasn't. He found beauty in the ugly and the grisly and found bother in the pristine and perfect
He watched her from the corner of his eye watching her survey the ship, her movement fluid and purposeful with practice ease. His hands danced idly along the wheel trying to scrounge up a plan on how to bring this ship out of port that didn't leave them running away from chains or a noose
"So," he said, voice smooth but carrying the faint weight of unfinished business, "next step—Tortuga. We pick up supplies, see if we can persuade ourselves a crew then we're back on the hunt"
She arched an eyebrow, a sly curl tugging at her lips. "Persuade, hmm? And you going all alone last time didn't quite work out so well, did it?"
Jack froze, hands tightening on the wheel. His mouth opened—and closed again. Clever girl. Always clever.
"I... that was different," he said finally, with a shrug that didn't quite meet her gaze. "Circumstances. Complicated. Besides, it's a job, not... not a... never mind."
"Never mind?" Her tone was dangerously light, like a dagger wrapped in silk. "Funny. You always seem to have a way of making things... complicated."
He leaned back, smirking, trying to mask the guilty tug at his chest. "Me? Complicated? Surely you jest. You know me. Simple man, simple pleasures."
"Oh, yes-" she said, stepping closer, voice dropping just enough to be a challenge, "-like a simple man leaving a lady behind while running off to play in taverns with... new friends. Since making ourselves new friends there ALWAYS lead to something great" she sneered sarcastically clasping her hands, the whole reason why they were in this situation in the first place.
Jack blinked. And blinked again. That hit closer than he liked.
"I—" He cleared his throat, words tangling in his tongue. "Like I said, never mind. Let's not reopen old wounds"
She twitched and jabbed a finger in his direction read to slay him with another accusation but she was so rudely interrupted by
The two soldiers stormed aboard, the sound of their boots thudding against the ship's wood deck cutting through the previous tension like a knife. Their muskets raised pointing at them switching their aim between Jack and Nixiaria. "You two don't have permission to be aboard!" Mugtrott warned as his grim tightened
Jack feighned a look of exaggerated innocence wide eyed and almost entirely unconvincing his hands raised in mock surrender laying it on thick. "Don't blame me it was all her idea, mad woman i tell you" he said mocking innocence and she shot a death glare at him that would've had him suffocating on the floor if she had her way. "Apologies," she said smoothly, placing a gloved hand over her chest as sincerely as she could feign repentance. "I simply couldn't help myself, just such a pretty boat-ship." she said, correcting herself holding up a hand as if making the distinction would soothe the whole situation.
"What are your names?" Mugtrott demanded.
They said in perfect almost laughable unison.
The guards froze for a long uncomfortable moment and they exchanged a deeply unimpressed look before turning back towards them. Mullroy narrowed his eyes."What's your purpose in Port Royal 'Mr and Ms 'Smith'?" One of the guards asked suspiciously. "-And no lies!"
"Well-" Jack began finally abandoning his station at the wheel as he strolled towards them at a maddening leisurely pace with one slow step after another. "It is my intention with the help of my associate to commandeer a ship, pick up a crew in tortuga, raid, pillage, plunder and pilfer my weaselly black guts out for the rest of eternity" He admitted quite too casually.
"I said no lies..." "..I think he's telling the truth-" "If he was telling the truth he wouldn't have told us."
The guards bickered amongst themselves talking in circles
"Unless," Nixiaria interjected mildly, stepping forward just enough to draw their attention, "perhaps you both know that neither of you would believe the truth even if it was handed to you outright." She gestured between them with both hands, palms up, her tone almost coy as if presenting them with a perfectly reasonable conclusion.
Her once fluid, graceful hands stiffened, gloved fingers curling into claw-like shapes at her sides as irritation flared hot and sharp. Every single time. Every time she opened her mouth, someone accused her of being a witch. 'You say one clever thing and it's all suddenly pitchforks and torches!!'
"Too be fair you do look the part" Jack interjected and all she wanted with to smack him upside the head for adding more full to the preverbal stake. With the toe of her boot sharply clipped his ankle to shut him up and he yelped.
"Ow—!" Jack hissed, hopping sideways and grabbing his leg. "Violence! Absolutely uncalled for—"
"Adding fuel to the fire~" she hummed warningly so only he would hear her.
"-Wicked wretched wicked-" He shot back
The guards recoiled slightly, already half-convinced their accusation had been correct. Jack, ever adaptable, immediately straightened and waved a placating hand.
"Joking! Entirely joking. Very unwitch-like behavior, really. See? Perfectly normal woman. Kicks like a mule, but normal nonetheless."
She shot him a look that promised further bodily harm later if he kept testing her. Fortunately—or unfortunately—the soldiers' attention drifted elsewhere soon after, the moment passing with only a few lingering glares and muttered suspicions. Before long, the tension dissolved into movement once more, the group finding themselves walking along the fort's stone paths as Jack, predictably, began filling the silence with one of his stories as they hung on every single one of his words.
"And then,-" Jack said grandly, hands waving as if painting the scene in the air, "-they made me chief."
The two guards stared at him, rapt despite themselves.
Jack launched into the tale with enthusiasm, recounting the time he and his crew had been captured by a tribe along the East India Trading Route. According to him, the natives had taken one look at his face, declared him the reincarnation of their long-dead chief, and immediately began preparations to kill him as any sane human would
"They were terribly torn up about it," Jack continued solemnly. "Very emotional affair. Dancing, chanting, elaborate headdresses quite flattering, really."
The guards exchanged confused glances. Nixiaria barely listened.
She'd heard this story before. Twice. Possibly three times. And while Jack relished every retelling, she was already thinking ahead about their next move, about escape, about how long it would take before these men realized they absolutely should not let either of them out of their sight.
She was so lost in thought that she nearly missed it.
A flash of yellow in the corner of her eye followed by a large splash that narrowly missed the rocks and the four turned their heads just in time to watch the water ripple along with a yellow hat floating atop the unsettled water
"Will you be saving her then?" Jack said, pointing out the obvious.
"I can't swim." Mullroy stuttered and Jack switched to Murtogg who shook his head and neither of them seemed ashamed by the fact. "By the gods-" she hissed, pinching the bridge of her nose squeezing her eyes shut, tearing off her frock and looking into the waters deep before something halted in her as if someone had glued her in place. "Pride of the king's army you are" Jack groaned out before shoveling his coat, hat and weapons into their arms. "Do not lose these." He said before she could process what he was doing he dived in, vanishing beneath the water's surface dark.
Even after he dove for a moment just a moment she couldn't move herself.
-Come back—where you belong-
Memories flashed unbidden: hands dragging her down, lungs contracting, the crushing weight of water squeezing her into submission.
Her fingers twitched. Jack hadn't resurfaced yet and that awakened her from her trance. "Gods damn it" she growled out under her breath furiously pulling off the rest of her coat then grabbing the rim of her hat and flinging it off to the side and diving in letting the water swallow her whole wrapping around her like a familiar velvet blanket. She saw Jack struggling to pull the girl up and over the waters edge but every attempt dragged them both back down as Nixiaria swam towards them both her eyes meeting his when a sudden pulse sent a full body throb shook her whole body down to her soul like as if the tides have changed, winds shifted
It wasn't until her eyes focused again and Jack came into face and reality sunk back in and kicked towards them and faced the girl pushing jack out of the way finding the front of the dress where the buttons closed at the front letting the buttons pop off and float down into the dark depths. Free from the extra weight they were both able to push up and break the surface where they were able to swim back to the docks.
Jack hoisted himself and the girl up and over laying her flat while Nixiarias pulled herself over with the gracefulness of a soaked cat, her fingers hooking into a ledge of a board with her now soaked gloves and she threw a leg over pulling herself up. Ugh she always hated that she cursed in her head, slamming her hat back out over her dripping head, her damp curls sticking to her face.
The sound of bootfalls treaded nearby as those two guards from earlier rushed by checking over the girl, one pushed her hair form out of her face tapping her cheek urgently trying to bring her back to consciousness.
Nixiaria demanded pushing the male out of the way, taking her knife strapped to her boot, and it flicked free with a sharp click. Without hesitation she dragged it over the front of the girls corset along the strings, each string popping one by one until she was finally able to release her and her constricted ribs.
The woman spluttered awake, Water poured from her mouth as she rolled onto her side, coughing violently, lungs fighting their way back to life
"I never would've thought of that.."
"Clearly you've never been to singapore"
Jack quipped with a light roll of his shoulders. Nixiaria let out a sigh of relief watching the girl cough back to life, her hand lightly touching her back softly patting it to help clear her up but then something else catches Jack's eye before Nixiaria. The medallion.. Jack eyed it, fingers wrapping around it lifting it watching its gold face shimmer with life. 'So it was real..'
The girl looked up at Jack, eyes lidded and dazed from her near death experience. "Where did you get that?" he asked bewildered. wonder and disbelief tangent in his voice
The sound of rushing bootsteps from earlier came back into ear range and the sound of a sword unshething when Jack looked up a silver blade was pointed directly at his throat. Behind the sword was no other than the commodore himself sharp and unamused to see this seadog fondling at his soon to be betrothed. Army men surrounded them with muskets pointing at them
Jack rose slowly, hands raised in exaggerated innocence. Nixiaria followed, movements deliberate, her shadowed gaze never leaving Norrington's face.
His eyes shifted between the three that lie in front of him.
The girl was swiftly pulled away, wrapped in a coat as the Governor hurried to her side. He took one look at them and could instantly read them to nothing but trouble, filthy, saltwater good for nothing pirates, and he wouldn't even mention the girl.
"Shoot them!" the Governor barked, draping his coat around Elizabeth's shoulders wrapping her tight.
"Father!" she exclaimed, her eyes going wide before turning to the commodore. "Do you really intend to kill my rescuers?" The commodore took pause, considering her words, and the woman behind them that he so wanted to please but damn it for he was in love. His jaw tightened, a moment passed before by his order he sheathed his sword begrudgingly and his men stood down.
"I believe," Norrington said stiffly, "that thanks are in order." He offered his hand.
Jack eyed it suspiciously, then took it only for Norrington to yank him forward and rip his sleeve back. The unmistakable P brand burned deep and thorough into his flesh forever marking him.
"Had a brush with the east India trading company did we- pirate?" His eyes switched over to his companion, taking her into view. The most peculiar woman he had ever seen..white curled hair
"And we decided to bring along an accomplice," he jeered, eyes switching between the both. "Hang them!" The governor demanded trying to pull his daughter away from this unwanted unpleasantry and the commodore gave him a curt nod. "Keeps your guns on them men, Gillette-fetch some irons, i want to ensure these two don't miss their date with the executioner" he ordered directing his men "You should keep an eye on that one, she causes the most trouble when you don't give her enough attention, a real Loki type" Jack interjected in a mock whisper, pointing not so subtly to his partner in crime. "NOT helping Jack" she hissed at him as a guard came up from behind and restrained her arms
Norrington just ignored him with a roll of his eyes and yanked his sleeve up further, revealing a tattoo of a sparrow flying free to the sunset.
"Well well well" his eyes narrowed in annoyed recognition
"Jack Sparrow, isn't it?" He sneered, dropping his arm.
"Captain, Jack Sparrow" he corrected smoothly. "And this is my ever fine quarter master piratess-" He introduced with a flamboyant wave of his hand. "Well 'captain' I don't see a ship at your command" Norrington replied coolly. "Well we were in the market as it were."
"She had said they'd come to commandeer one." Mugtrott added. "These are these are their effects sir-" "Told you they were telling the truth" Mullroy snipped before scurrying to hand the commodore their shared items and he inspected them carefully
"No additional shots nor powder.." he said flipping over Jack's blunderbuss, "-a compass that doesn't point north.." he added before unsheathing Jack's sword and flicking out Nixiaria's knife. "And two blades I wouldn't pick my teeth with. I was half expecting it to be made of wood." He mocked letting the items fall back into the guard's arms.
"You two without a doubt are the worst pirates i ever heard of."
But Jack gestured pointedly taking a moment to pause
"But you have heard of us"
Nixiaria felt the click of cuffs behind her and two guards began her arrest. "Search her!" A soldier ordered and a young soldier stepped forward. Arms stiff and eyes shy but brave and his uniform just a tad too large for himself, he swallowed.
"Miss as you are about to be placed under arrest if you have any weapons on you surrender them now if not i am compelled by duty to search your being." He stated voice wavering slightly as if this was the first time practicing those words outloud. "So miss i ask again, do you have any weapons on your being?"
Nixiaria tilted her head slightly under the brim of her hat before her rune purred out. "Several of course...it just depends on how thorough you are planning to be?"
The lads' ears flushed red before one of the soldiers barked "-Just search her Thomas!"
He stepped closer wishing the planks beneath him would swallow him whole. He started at her arms patting down her sleeves carefully, finding nothing of interest. He searched her coat pockets finding nothing unusual, just a necklace, a small matchbox that seemed full and some shells.
She had even turned for him, her hands above her head almost teasingly like she had nothing to hide, only her poet shirt lifted a tad across her midriff but there was nothing but a tattoo that looked like a handle but he couldn't discern it as it seemed to travel more below her waist band which he couldn't bring himself to search.
"Boots" the soldier prompted again and the young man crouched down patting down just below her knees until he reached her boots until he brushed against the hilt of her knife that was strapped against her boot that initially startled him. "It's-its just a knife sir." "Well remove it then"
He fumbled slightly before taking it off then moved to search her other leg. He went to stand up when the wind shifted again. The brim of her hat that usually cast a heavy shadow was thinned just for a second-and a second too long. And Thomas saw, though unclear and unworldly
T-they weren't human anymore
He froze, a soft broken exhale left his throat. She didn't smile, she just stared
Until the moment passed and his trance was broken he scrambled backwards hands looking up at her pointing at her with a shaking trembling hand his voice cracking.
"She's-she's- She's a witch!" He blurted hands, trembling eyes, shot wide and fearful. "She's not right! Her face, there's something wrong with her!" All eyes shifted towards her, muskets lifted to point towards her.
"Am I?" She asked, not threatening just enough to disarm and the young soldier went pale. Norrington stepped forward to conclude and end this ridiculousness.
"That will be enough," he said sharply. "Sir I swear- there's something unnatural" went to defend himself but the commodore cut him off with a stern look. "Don’t indulge your imagination with creatures of fantasy. It is just a woman who's poor decisions led her to this moment"
His eyes moved back to her again, studying her carefully. He had seen the soldiers' reaction and the raw biblical fear that came off him. He stepped closer to her, he tilted lower slightly to match her height, his voice lowered just enough so she could hear.
She held his gaze and for a moment no one moved, Jack watched the situation unfold he went to interject bringing the attention back to himself with a "Well, now that's not really nessa-" but with a smooth slow motion the commodore used the tip of his sword slipping it under the brim and pushing forward until the hat tipped over
What he saw had taken him aback, his hand losing his grip on the hat. It fell to the docks with a clatter, the soldiers gripped their guns tighter and the governor pulled his daughter closer. Elizabeth even as she stood behind the commodore she could see what had shook the men to their core. Her skin..she had never seen anything like her before..her skin looked so dull, so faint her skin tinged blue and grey, she looked so cold...her eyes...they were as grey as the deceased..so how was she alive?
Norrington's jaw tightened. "Cuff them-Take them both to cells, separate them." He ordered at last pulling himself together looking away from her captivizing gaze.
"What-..whoever she is doesn't change her fate. They both have an appointment at the gallows after their trial." He continued after a moment before grabbing Jack by his arm and dragging him over to the side as he instructed a lieutenant to cuff him and Elizabeth was quick to hurry after him quick on his heels
"Commodore I really must protest!" She urged before standing in front of him to block his path, standing defensively in front of Jack. "Pirates or witches or whatever not they have saved my life!" She argued standing firm against his path forcing him to stop in his tracks, catching the commodores’s eye.
Jack felt the final click of cuffs attaching to his wrists he let out a dramatic sigh of relief. "Finally." In a moment's notice he seized Elizabeth, wrenching her back against him, his forearm locking against her throat and his pistol pressed firm beneath her chin a collective gasp shattered the ambiance of before, everyone flinching noticeably.
"NO, Don't shoot!" The governor cried in horror only to be restrained. Some rose their muskets, others froze entirely while Elizabeth's breath became caught in her throat.
"I knew you'd warm to me eventually." He leaned in close, voice low and amused the commodore's eyes darkened.
"Commadore," Jack called lazily though his pistol remained firm. "My effects, and my hat if you please." There was a noticeable pause of stillness in the air before Jack ordered again more firmly. "Commodore." after a tense pause until an officer passed the items to Norrington and he placed Jack’s and her own combined items in Elizabeth's arms.
"Elizabeth-is it elizabeth?"
"Its Miss Swann," she hissed
"Well, Miss Swann then, if you would be so kind~"
Elizabeth glared at him with burning indignation, roughly fastening his baldric and harshly shoving his tricorn onto his head. His chains pressed firm against her neck preventing her from wrenching herself out of his grip as his pistol tapped against the back of her head.
"Easy on the goods dove" he murmured
“Sticks and stones dove. We saved your life, you save ours. Seems rather square to me. Now- I would greatly appreciate it if you would be ever so kind and return to me my alliance." All eyes shifted to Nixiaris until she was released by the soldier's grasp and shoved forward back towards Jack side. In one smooth motion she bent down, grabbing her candle decorated hat in hand and placed it dignified back onto her head, a smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth as she pocketed her knife once again. "Come come dearie we have a ship we must catch"
Jack turned Elizabeth slow but firm back towards the commodore still his grasp on her firm."Gentlemen..mi'lady.." he grinned eyes glittering. "You will always remember this the day you almost caught-
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