pirates rpg 2

[Daughter of Almost-Evil]

As Susanna lead the pirates further into the town, she couldn't help but glance at her sword's hiding spot.

Looking suprsingly confident, she lead them round a corner. There, was a tavern. Little did they know, Susanna had actually stopped by for a drink the other day.

"I'm sure she's in there" Said Susanna pointing at the tavern"Buy yourselves a drink while you're in there" Susanna handed them some money for a drink.

"We can't stay, we have to get to our...meeting" put in Gabby

(I've got to go. I'll leave it to someone else to add on)

[~Kawaii~]

When Aimèe came back around she found herself lying in a bunk in the surgeons quarters. The room was darkly lit and cold, she could hear quiet voices from across the room, but she cuonld't figure out who they belonged to. Her memory was blank.

"Wha-" She started as began to sit up, but the pain in her head stopped her from going any further.

"Ah, you're awake!" Jack exclaimed, walking towards the bed. "How's your head?"

"Sore." Aimèe moaned. "What the hell happened?"

"You fell overboard. God knows why or how, but you did. You must of hit your head as you fell, this lad here saved you." Jack pointed towards Latimer who was hovering in the corner.

Aimèe blushed. "Stupid fish."

"Stupid what?"

"Nothing Jack, I didn't say nothing." She looked over at the man standing in the corner, "Thanks." She said glumly. "Though I probably would have saved myself."

"Stubborn." Jack whispered to Latimer as he pointed at his daughter.

"I noticed. You're wel- oh." Latimer cut his sentance short as when he turned to Aimèe he saw her curled up fast asleep on the bunk.

[Aladrien]

Quite far away from where the ship was sailing, there was a small Indian camp and a lady named Ehawee . Many gossips flew about this women, but she didn't have a care in the world. That is, until the day a growing pain in her right ribcage set her off. She was down and out within a matter of days. The pain felt as if someone was making slits between her ribs, almost like gills. She was curled up constantly. The most experienced of healers could not help the poor Ehawee , for they knew not of her condition. What she needed was someone mroe experienced with trading medicines etc. to diagnose and heal her. Not many ships like that came along though. Ehawee had nearly given up, wanting to die just to stop the pain.

[Athena]

Kira trudged regretfully down the street with Ana. She continually looked back and cast looks of longing in the direction of Susanah, Gabby, and the pirates.

"Do you mind telling me why you keep casting looks back there?" asked Ana impatienly, "I didn't know you were so close to Susanah"

"Susanah who?" asked Kira, "Oh her, nah, its just that, that they get t'go to a pub an' I don't. It's not fair!"

"Well we get to go to a church"

"Ah yes, the joy" said Kira sarcastically

Ana rolled her eyes, "Well it's not like you have to pray there, we just need to get the priest for Jose's sister"

"Why does she need a priest for that? Why does HE need a priest for that? Honestly, I will never understand people like him, them that are to rich have no concept of what t'do with themselves." Kira grumbled.

Ana smiled tolerantly at the small girl, "Aye, an' maybe thats so, bet lets not go around telling them that savvy?" Before Kira could say anything more they had reached a Church, Ana bent down and looked at Kira, "Do me a favor please, try not to do anything...stupid?"
************
Sorry, just HAD to put that in ;D

[Niphredil]

"We can't stay, we have to get to our...meeting," Gabby said, as she tried to free her wrist from the grasp of one of the pirates, Tom.

"Yes, that's right, we really should be going," Susanna said, "so if you'll excuse us--"

"Now, now!" said Tom. "What be your rush? We can't be stoppin' for a drink anyway, not until we've found that wench-- I mean, that young girl who is... so very special to us." He gave the money that Susanna had handed him back to her, and then spat on the ground. "An' we don't be needin' none o' your money neither." Goldie and Tom dragged the two woman into the tavern, and looked around the room for Nonna.

"Blast! Where is that girl!" Goldie said, tightening his grip on Susanna's upper arm. She gritted her teeth, and whimpered but didn't say anything.

"Stop it, you're hurting her!" Gabby said, kicking him on the calf.

"Ye'll pay for that!" he said, slapping her across the face.

"Look," said Gabby, "It's obvious that Nonna isn't here, and we don't know where she could be, so why don't you gentlemen just let us go?"

Tom laughed. "Nonna, is it? Tell me, lass, how is that you came to know what her name is? For I don't reckon that we told you."

Gabby paled, Susanna looked like she was ready to faint. "Her name is Nonna, then?" Gabby said. "Well, I didn't say Nonna, I said it's obvious that no one is here... or something like that... you know I can't even remember what I said just a moment ago?" She laughed a little, trying to play innocent and convince them she was telling the truth. Goldie and Tom weren't convinced.

"Well, anyway! As Gabby said, it's obvious Nonna or whoever isn't here, so we'll just be on our way," Susanna said. She pulled away from Goldie a bit, but he quickly yanked her back.

"I don't think so, missy," he said to her, "I think that ye and this one will be coming back to The Garnet with us! Yer other business will have to wait." Goldie and Tom dragged the women through the streets of New Orleans, and soon the harbor was once again in site.

[Daughter of Almost-Evil]

That second, something clicked inside Susanna. She lurched forwards out of Goldie's grip, Gabby kicked Tom, and the two women broke into a run.

With two glaring pirates behind them, it was hard not to keep looking back. As they ran round a corner, Susanna slipped into a hidden side street, pulling Gabby in with her.

They waited until the pirates had ran past and then started whispering
"The're going to tell,Thellen aren't they"Susanna gasped, trying to get her breath back

"Why wouldn't they, the two of us, leading them on a wild goose chase, and they know that we know about Nonna." Replied Gabby, equally breathless

Susanna opened a hidden pocket in her dress, out of it she pulled a sword

"Sheith sown on to the pocket" She explained

Susanna quickly shed the dress, to reveal mans clothes.

[Niphredil]

"Well, aren't we full of surprises," said Gabby. "So what's the plan?"

"We should get back to the Pearl, don't you think?" Susanna said, shrugging her shoulders.

"Yes, we should, but not yet," said Gabby.

"Why?" asked Susanna.

"Because, those pirates may know that we know about Nonna, but they obviously didn't know that we were from the Pearl. We can't let them find that out, we need to keep them distracted. And we need to find Ana and Kira, as well; those pirates have probably figured out that they were lying about knowing Nonna and they'll be looking for them. We have to warn them, and make sure that they get to the Pearl safely, with the priest," said Gabby.

"All right then," said Susanna, "you lead the way to this church, and I'll pray that Ana and Kira are still there."

Gabby and Susanna crept stealthily along the dimly lit streets until they came to a dark alley. "The church is there, across the street," Gabby whispered. They looked up and down the street, and then looked up and down it again. There was no sign of either Tom or Goldie, so they quickly ran across the street and ducked into the little church. They saw Ana and Kira, and a very sleepy-looking man who they supposed was the priest. Ana turned to Gabby and Susanna.

"What's happened to you two? Are you all right?" she asked them.

"Yes, we're fine," said Susanna, "But those two pirates, they know that we know about Nonna!"

"And we think they've figured out that you know about her as well, and were lying earlier," added Gabby.

"How in the 'ell did they figure we know about Nonna?" said Kira. Gabby shifted her eyes to the floor.

"That's not important now," said Susanna, "What's important is that you back to the Pearl with the priest. And quick." Ana and Kira nodded, and soon the five of them, including the priest, were sneaking their way through the sreets. Soon they were back at the docks. They hid behind around the corner of a building and, peeking around it, surveyed the area.

"Look!" said Ana, "there are those two pirates from before." Sure enough there stood Tom and Goldie, along with four others, and they were all talking.

"No doubt those two jugheads have told those other four jugheads about us," said Susanna.

"How are we supposed to get back to the Pearl now?" said Ana. Kira and Susanna shook their heads, while Gabby stared at the pirates, deep in thought.

"Susanna, Kira," Gabby said after a moment of watching them, "What do you two say to playing a little game of cat and mouse with our little friends over there?"

"What do ye mean?" asked Kira.

"I mean, we'll distract the jugheads, whilst Ana sneaks the priest up onto the Pearl," Gabby explained.

"And how would we go about distracting them?" asked Susanna.

"I'll show you," Gabby said, as she stepped out from behind the building. She strode right on up to the pirate Goldie, whose back was now turned from her, tapped him on the shoulder, and when he turned she punched him square in the nose. "That'll teach you for slapping me!" she yelled at him, and then she turned and ran away from him into town; the pirates looked around, bewildered.

"That's one of them! Go! After her!" yelled Goldie, when his wits returned to him.

"Oh, so that's what she meant," said Ana. Susanna ran after Gabby, and then Kira moved to follow, but Ana grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back.

"Ana! Let me go!"

"I don't think you should go, Kira," said Ana.

"But I grew up on the streets, and I live for this kind of thing," she moved to run again, but again Ana pulled her back.

Ana sighed. "All right, go. But we're shipping off again at dawn, so make sure the three of you get back timely," she said, as she let Kira go.

"I give you my word that we will return," Kira bowed to Ana and then ran off after Gabby and Susanna.

After Kira, Gabby, Susanna, and the pirates were well out of sight, Ana led the priest up the gangway to The Black Pearl.

[Athena]

Oh yes, this is most certainly right up my alleythought Kira, a slight smirk to her lips. She spit on the remaining pirate. The liquid rolled down his face and he turned around with a disgusted expression.

“What the bloody ‘ell?” he asked,

“Ya know, tis not very good language ol’ chap, y’need to min’ your matters an’ all, shame on you sah” said Kira, then she darted in and kicked him in an area that was especially painful to those of the opposite sex.

“An that’s for not bein’ a gentlemen!” Kira cried, the pirate exploded in a roar of rage,

“Jus’ let me get me paws on yew…” he lunged but Kira quickely ducked and began racing down the street,

“Only if ya catch me now” taunted Kira, turning her back for a moment and sticking out her tongue, she danced from one foot to the other, wagging her fingers in her ears.

“Stop that you varmint!” cried the pirate, “stop that I say!”

“My my, you are already getting out of breathe? But we have hardly started the chase” observed Kira, running and breathing easily. The pirate puffed along, scarcely able to speak. Kira darted into the marketplace. It was rather late, but the market was still filled with bustling throngs of people. With a sigh of resignation the pirate ran in, the Captain of the Garnet would have his head for garters if he didn’t catch the girl he was chasing. Privately Bob (for that was his name) thought that the girl was more trouble then she was worth and he wouldn’t mind giving up this instant the chase. In the midst of his reminiscing a light tap to the back interrupted him. Turning he beheld Kira running easily to the side of him,

“Bad form there” she observed, watching him run, “straighten up your back, head up high, breathe in deep, that’s the ticket, let that air fill those lungs, good, good, keep up the good work” with that she vanished once more into the crowd. Bob growled once more, he could tell that this was going to take quite a while…

[Daughter of Almost-Evil]

Susanna, currently being chased by a pirate, unnamed in her books, had a plan. She ran towards a corner and ran up the wall slightly and launched herself into a backflip. She landed behind the pirate, who was now trapped in the corner. She drew her sword and paced slowly towards him.

"You know, you don't mess with Susanna Barkes and her friends and get away with it" She told him as she moved the tip of her sword to his chin. "I wonder, do I spare you, slit your neck, or..."

She picked up a crate, and threw it at him, it hit him in the face and Susanna was pretty sure he was unconcious

He'd be out cold for at least an hour, Susanna thought, and started to walk out of the alley. She heard a gruff voice, and another voice, she was sure that it was no pirate. She ran to investigate, and there stood Kira and a pirate, named Bob.

[tancred]

As soon as Jose heard the gangplank drop, he rushed from Nonna's bedside to see what it was. It was Ana, and she had not failed in her mission to return with a priest. Jose's face brightened. "Good work, Ana," he praised. "I knew my squire would succeed."

The priest, a Jesuit by his attire, seemed rather tired. "Now what is all of this about this late at night," he asked. "It seems I am needed, yet I know not why."

"Thank you dearly for coming, Padre," said Jose. "Its my sister, Nonna. I believe she will recover, yet she feels the need for a priest. To be shrieved and recieve Holy Communion."

"Last Rites then," asked the Jesuit.

Jose gulped, not wanting to believe the situation was that bad. "That is what Nonna desires," said Ana, answering for him.

"Let me see the girl," said the priest.

Jose and Ana led the priest into the surgeon's quarters. In the light of the lantern, the priest beheld a beautiful woman lying upon a bed. Yet this woman also shook, and though she wore a shift, scars could still be seen along her arms and face. The cleric gasped, "Poor child!" He looked to Jose. "What has happened to your sister?"

"Pirates abducted my sister years ago, Padre," answered Jose. "They've tortured and ravished her who knows how many times. Curse them! I've only now found her, and rescued her."

The priest sat in the chair next to Nonna, and the young woman stirred. "Good evening, child," said the priest in a very friendly tone. "I am Father Bouchard, and your brother and friend say that you wish for Last Rites."

Nonna smiled. "Yes, Padre. Please. I feel my time is near."

"As you wish, Nonna," he replied. "It would be an honor for me." He turned to Jose and Ana, and said, "I will now hear her confession. If you two would give us some privacy?"

Jose bowed, and he and Ana walked out. They waited outside for almost forty minutes, and then Fr. Bouchard let them back in. Before Jose passed, the priest placed a hand upon his shoulder. "Be strong, Jose," he said. "I will be outside if you need me."

While Ana stayed in the shadows with her arms folded across her chest, Jose sat down in the chair next to Nonna's bed, and put his hand in her's. She was smiling now, and her face seemed aglow. She now had a Brown Scapular of Mount Carmel about her neck. She played with it with her free hand. "I kept mine. The one that father gave me. But the pirates took it from me. Fr. Bouchard gave me this one."

"I still have the one father gave me, as well," said Jose. "Never comes off. It is always good to wear one, but especially if one is ill or on death's door. Which is why I think you're being overcautious, Nonna. You seem fine. I am happy to have you back. As soon as I can, I will get you onboard a ship for Spain. It would be wonderful to see home again, wouldn't it?"

Nonna laughed slightly. "Silly Jose," she said. "I needed Last Rites for a reason. I am dying. My body is broken. I fear I shall not last the night."

"It can not be," said Jose in disbelief. He shook his head. "No, it is not so."

"It is," affirmed Nonna.

" Damn those pirates," exclaimed Jose. "I will get them for this!"

"No, Jose, no," chided Nonna. "That is exactly what I was worrying about. That you would want vengeance. Please don't. I don't want you to. I have thought long and hard about things. I've certainly had the time to! And I've spoken long and hard with Fr. Bouchard about it. All of that, and I am at peace with what has happened to me. You should be, as well."

"I can not," yelled Jose. "Those pirates killed Marcos and Momma. They caused the death of Pappa. The murdered Rose, my betrothed. And they've tormented you and used you terribly. How can I not hate them? How can I not avenge you and my family? Justice demands it! I demand it!"

Nonna spoke quietly, "Jose...do you love me?"

"Of course I do," answered Jose. " Do you need even ask?"

"And as you love me and are my dear brother," continued Nonna, "you would do anything for me? If I ask it?"

"You know that if it is in my power, I will do it," said Jose assertively.

"Then, you will not go after these pirates. Let me go to my grave in peace, knowing you are safe and in equal peace. Promise me you will not seek vengeance." She looked at Jose intently and held his gaze.

"I do not know if I can do that," answered Jose glumly. "However, for you, I shall certainly try."

Nonna smiled, and was happy. "Excellent," she said. "Please worry not, Jose. I go to be with Pappa, Momma, Marcos, and Rose. I go to God. We shall save a place for you." She winked at Jose.

Tears in his eyes, Jose lept forward, kissed Nonna on the forehead, and held her tight. Nonna wept tears of joy. Jose sat back down, yet still clung to her hand. "I love you, Nonna."

"I love you, Jose." She closed her eyes and smiled. A smile like none before. Radiant, joyful, peaceful, and unafraid. Jose did not leave her side for a long time. Not even long after her hand went limp and her breathing stopped.

[Mrs Dan Hawkins]

Calen watched Ana return with a priest in tow for Jose's sister.i hope to god nothings happened to that poor girl before Jose has had time with her , she thought .with a sigh she turned to face the ocean, breathing in that fresh salt air .Just that smell could bring back fond memories, she smiled closing her eyes , rembering.
Slowly she opened them again and her smile faded as her eyes rested on The Queen Of The Sea. She turned her hazel eyes away and this time they landed on The Garnet which was anchored on the oppsosite side of The Pearl to The Queen Of The sea, she frowned. This seemed like a bad position to be in , hadn't Jose's sister escaped from the Garnet and Jack himself had problems with it's Captain, plus they all had problems with the scum that had taken her ship.
Slowly the wheels in her head began turning and eventually a nasty thought entered her mind ......what if The Garent and The Queen Of The Sea were working together that would spell disaster for us all!
She turned on her heel and headed for the Captains quaters yelling "JACK!"

***********************************

James stood on deck his eyes fixed on The Pearl or to be more precise the small figure almost running across the deck.Calen.He couldn't tear his eyes away , she seemed to be having a small effect on him.
As the figure was out of sight James began to walk around the deck, he sighed it annoyed him greatly that he couldn't dock the ship .It just wasn't safe ,never trust the french he thought.If only they hadn't gone into french teritory he could be havin a word with Miss Turner right this second about their deal, he thought for a moment and then a smile formed upon his face. He called two of his men to him

"yes sir" they asked

"men i wish you to pay a visit to The Pearl and extented to Miss Turner an invitation to dine with me tonight upon this ship "

"may i ask why sir" asked one of the men

James gave the man a sharp look
"That is buisness between myself and Miss Turner, follow me"

James went to his quaters and handed the men a package

"Give this to Miss Turner as well" he ordered before the men took to a boat


*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

[Niphredil]

Gabby, Susanna, and Kira led the pirates on for a few hours; the eastern horizon had begun to glow faintly when they all, seperated though they were, decided that they should start heading back to the Pearl.

Kira had been playing with Bob the whole time, but finally as she started to make her way back to the docks, he got the upper hand when he chased her into a dark alley way which was blocked at the other end, and she found herself trapped.

"What ye gonna do now, missy?" He sneered at Kira, and stepped closer.

"Well, sir," she said, and she was going to continue but suddenly Susanna stepped around the corner, and seeing that Kira was in danger, she picked up a small plank of wood and hit Bob on his back, and he fell to the ground.

"Looks like I won't have to be doin' anything," Kira said, smiling at Susanna. "I think we need to be gettin' back to the Pearl, Susan," Kira said. Susanna nodded in agreement but as they turned to leave the alley, Tom, one of the pirates from before, approached them; he had seen the whole thing between Kira and Bob and Susanna from across the street.

"Well, well," he said, "Look what we--" but his sentence was cut short by the hilt of Gabby's sword conking him on the head. Kira and Susanna stood looking at her, astonished.

"I've been following Tommy-Boy here for the past hour," Gabby explained, "and he led me to you two. Now come on we have to get back to the ship; it's almost dawn." Just as Gabby turned to exit the ally, Tom regained conciousness and pulled out a dagger, and using his last bit of strenght he lashed out at Gabby, the dagger slicing a two inch gash just above her left knee. She fell to the ground, crying out in pain and gripping the wound, as Kira and Susanna jumped on Tom and beat him. After he was quite unconsious again, the two of them tied him and Bob up and left them in the darkest part of the alley. Gabby tied a strip of cloth around her leg to stop the bleeding, which luckily wasn't very heavy. Kira and Susanna each took one of Gabby's arms, and together the three of them managed to limp safely back to the ship. Once there, Gabby tried to go check in on Jose, but Gavin and Derek insisted that she see the surgeon first. Damien had to see her in her room, because as it was Jose and Nonna were still in the surgeon's quarters; he washed out her wound, which wasn't very severe allbeit rather painfull, and put a clean bandage on it.

"Now listen, Gabby," he said in that thick French accent of his, "I want you to stay off this leg for at least three days, you do not want this wound to open again. And try to keep it clean." And with those simple instructions, Damien walked off leaving Gabby sitting on his examination table, and Derek standing off to the side (Gavin conviently had somewhere as to be).

" Does it hurt at all?" Derek asked after Damien left. "Can I get you anything?"

"It's throbbing, and I'd love a hot bath... and some lavender scented soap. Too bad I can't get either on this ship," Gabby said, sighing. Derek, who was looking a bit sullen, suddenly perked up.

"Would you excuse me, I have to go see to something," he said, rushing off. Gabby sat quietly on her bed for a few moments before standing, shakily, and slowly limping her way in the direction of the surgeon's quarters. She knocked lightly on the door and called out Jose's name softly. No answer. She opened the door a crack and peered in; Nonna lay on the bed, eyes closed. She looked pale... lifeless. Jose still sat by her bed, holding her hand in his. He was mumbling to himself. Gabby didn't think he had even heard her enter. She listened closely and finally made out some of what he was mumbling.

"I have nothing left... nothing in this world...." he said. Gabby felt a lump in her through. "Jose, is she-- can I do something for you?" she asked. He didn't look at her. "Jose?" she asked louder, placing a hand on his shoulder. At the touch of her hand he looked up, startled.

"No," he said, "Just leave me alone with her." Gabby nodded her head, and trying to hide her limp she left the room. Once out, she suddenly felt dizzy. You need to lie down, she told herself. She limped back to her room, and slumped on to her bed. Just about 20 or so minutes later, there was a knock on her door.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"It's Derek. Could I come in?"

"Yes," she said. Derek opened the door, and came in toting a bucket of water... steaming water. Derek looked out of breath.

"What is this?" Gabby asked.

"Your bath, madame," he said, setting the water down. "I asked the cook to heat you some water. Which he did. For a schiling," Derek rolled his eyes. Just then they heard shouting, it sounded like the cook. "Where be that ruddy water I was boilin'!" he bellowed. "Ok, I left him a schilling," Derek confessed. "And I went and got you this," he said pulling out something small and round, wrapped in paper. "It's not lavender though, they didn't have lavender... I think the clerk said it was roses or something."

"What clerk?"

"The clerk that was selling fancy soap and perfume and all kinda of stuff out near the docks."

Gabby smiled, "You did this for me?" He nodded his head and smiled back at her. "I don't know what to say," she said, "Thank you."

"My pleasure," said Derek. "I'll leave you alone now." Soon Gabby had had her makeshift bath and was fast asleep in her bed.

[Athena]

Kira walked listlessly around the ship. She chewed on her bottom lip, here she was, back to being bored again. Suddenly she passed by a door, coming from the door it sounded like, could it be? It sounded like muffled sobs. Kira stopped by the closed door, gingerly she cracked it open, a loud CREAK sounded.

"Oops" she said, "I will uh, be goin' now...."

Jose raised a tear-stained face and looked at Kira. His hands were gripping Nonna's and his tears splashed down on her, and yet she didn't move. Instantly Kira understood.

"Senorita, if you wouldn't mind, I would like to be alone with mi hermana." Josel, inclined his head toward the door.

"No, I would mind!" said Kira, stepping more into the room and closing the door behind her. Jose stared at her, plainly confused.

"Your sister, hermana just died, this is the part where people go an' do something drastic"

"I can assure you that if I need a confessor I would have used the priest"

"Oh yeah, them" said Kira, rolling her eyes, "They are really good for confessing. 'Sides, what do they know about the pain of losin' a family 'member. Nothin' thats what, they just stay in them Churches, and live all chastly like. They never go out and live life, life life like it's supposed to be lived."

"Oh and I suppose you are really experianced in the ways of the world. You, who are but a niña, child. What do you know about death?"

Kira strode up angrily to Jose, "I never even knew my family, don't mock my pain nor think less of it since I don't show it to everyone." she grew silent, overcome and shocked by her outburst. Jose to grew silent, finally he cast his eyes down upon his dead sister. Grief haggerd him, casting deep shadows under his eyes and casting his bone structure in fine relief.

"She was a sweet girl" he began, "always in awe of me as I was the big brother..." Jose began to go on, telling Kira stories of Nonna when they were little. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks, and Kira's eyes were overbright, but together through the stories Jose shared they remembered Nonnas as she would have wished to be remember and they began to honor Nonna's memory.

[Lady Disdain]

She wasn't hungry. She hadn't been hungry in a long time. But eating was easier than looking at Him. Easier than trying to talk. Easier than determining why her heart pounded and her hand trembled at his touch.

It was funny how heavy the spoon was. A spoon was a little thing. It shouldn't be so hard to lift. But it was actually tiring her out.

She started to laugh, but the laughter took more energy than the spoon, so she fell silent once more.

Gavin watched her anxiously, his joy at her awakening once more replaced by fear. She was so thin, so weak. He remembered when he'd first seen her in Port Royal. She had been so beautiful that day. She was still beautiful, but it was a fragile beauty, like that of thin porcelain, not the healthy blooming beauty she had had before.

Her hand faltered. Even the spoon was too much for her to manage. Gavin ached to help her, to take the burden from her, but it was not his place and she asked not for his help. Her green eyes, so unnaturally large in her pale face, remained fixed on the tray in front of her, and nothing else.

When she had taken his hand before, he had thought... but no, he had been mistaken. It wasn't that she wanted him. She just didn't want to be left alone.

Of course she didn't want him. She must despise him. After all, he was one of them who had captured her, however unwilling a participant he had been. And more than that, he was just a common shopkeeper's son. No wonder she wouldn't look at him.

The hours went by, and the lovers - so eager to communicate and so utterly incapable of doing so - sat in silence.

[tancred]

By the time the sun had risen, Jose was making preparations with Fr. Bouchard for the funeral of his sister. The priest had explained to the Spaniard that there were really no graves in New Orleans; the ground was so soft and marshy, that any people buried would wash away with the Mississippi River after a short time of erosion and riverflow. This was actually to Jose's liking. This way, Nonna could be embalmed and placed in an above-ground tomb. Jose fully intended to return as soon as possible for her body, and to return it to Spain for proper burial alongside the rest of her family.

Waisting little time, a small procession walked somberly towards the cemetary. There was Jose, Emil, Gavin, and Will carrying Nonna on a makeshift stretcher. They were followed by Gabby, Ana, Jack, Kira, Susanna, and Gwen. The majority of the crew was readying the ship for departure later that day, and Damien had stayed behind to watch over Lydia and Aimee. Though noone noticed, the mysterious rescuer of Aimee, Latimir Baker, also tagged along at a distance.

Fr. Bouchard offered some prayers and some silent words of comfort. Each of the people present approached the body to show their respects. All were silent, save Jack. He said, almost to himself, "Nonna, you were a fair lass, and a much better person than me. You go to a better place. Death is never a good thing. May it never happen to me!" Ana secretly promised Nonna that she would watch out for Jose, yet said nothing outloud. The tomb was closed with a resounding thud.

As everyone walked back to the Pearl, Jose spoke with Gabby. "I never thanked you for helping in getting Fr. Bouchard to the ship," he said. "I thank you with all my heart. I know Nonna would be extremely grateful, as well."

Almost subconsciously, the memory of the night before and her wound caused Gabby to wince in pain. She stumbled slightly, and Jose steadied her. "Is everything alright," he asked.

"I'm ok, really," said Gabby, trying to lessen her plight. "Just a scratch." She smiled unconvincingly.

"A scratch," scoffed Kira. "Gabby got slashed in the leg by a pirate. Looking at it almost made me feel the pain!"

Gabby flashed Kira a scortching glance. A glance Kira shrugged off by quickly skipping ahead.

"You should have said something," said Jose quite shocked. "Your poor leg! Did you have Damien tend to it?" Gabby shook her head in the afirmative. "You payed a heavy price to get the priest for Nonna. I can never thank you enough! I am sorry if I seemed distant the past day or so. Please forgive me." As they walked up the gangplank to the Pearl, Jose kissed Gabby's hand. Derek looked on.