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Post by Bosun on Jan 6, 2004 0:44:39 GMT -5
Latimer found he couldn't watch. He hid behind one of the larger tombstones, submerged in shadows, and fought the urge to weep because he knew the sobbing would be heard. Never once had he wished the Ortega girl dead. Granted, he had never stood up for her, but he was just a boy whom a shipload of pirates would turn on if he showed weakness. A mere boy. Barely seventeen, though the wear and tear of the sea made him look older. His eyes had long since lost that gleam of innocent mischief that may still have marked him a child had he not become a pirate. In all honesty, he never should have become one. Least of all should he have joined the crew of the villainous Albert Thellen. He shuddered, and a single tear leaked from the corner of his eye.
The crunch of a dead leaf being flattened under a shoe started him, and he shifted onto his feet, though remained at a crouch. Kira, sharp eared and ever curious, had detected the presence of someone other than the crewmembers, and whoever it was hid behind the gravestone. But as she lightly stepped around it, she found no one. Looking up, she saw only a figure running doggedly across the cemetery. Concerned as she was that someone may have been spying on them, she didn't think now the time to mention it. Now was a time to remember and appreciate Nonna. Besides, what consquence could occur form a stranger learning of a young woman's death?
The Garnet
Captain Thellen was quite drunk. Cartierre had pleaded with her to stop drowning herself in liquor, but she had ignored him and proceeded to finish the bottle of rum, besides another of fine red wine. She had even offered Marcel a swig of the latter, an indication of how out of her wits she was.
Now she was just coming to, the effects of the alcohol not yet worn off. She sat up in her bed- Cartierre had guided her to it when she had finally shown signs of weariness- and looked around blearily. There, swimming into view, was her faithful first officer, perched on the edge of a wooden chair which he had brought to her bedside. His eyes were lined with tired shadows, but he sat perfectly erect and alert. His spirits dropped a little when he heard his captain's voice was slurred.
"Hello there, Marcel... Is it still yesterday?"
"No, Captain, it's tomor- today. Morning."
"I don't remember sleeping," she murmured, tumbling out of bed abruptly. Cartierre quickly helped her up, but sat her down firmly on the bed before she could wander off. "Oh, Marcel, Marcel. I've been such a fool. Ever since the start of it." Marcel remained silent. If Carlita wanted to talk, he would let her. "I despised you all at first, you know that? Just like Nonna. Just hated you, loathed you, for daring to take us and the other girls captive. Ready to slit your throats, I was, just like her! We were so alike back then. We were friends as very young girls, you know. Used to play togethe from time to time. But I doubt she remembers that. She didn't even know I was on the same ship as her. I was... scared. Yes, Marcel, your fearsome captain, scared as a little maiden. Tried to stay far out of the way, far from her and from all of you. I so wanted to die back then, I was so digusted.
"But then there was Albert. For a cutthroat bloodthirsty scoundrel, I must admit he was quite charming. He took a shine to me. Talked of marrying me. And then... he told me about the compass." Her eyes gleamed, and Cartierra couldn't help but focus his gaze on her. Here was something he didn't know. "It would lead us to wealth beyond our wildest dreams. At news of that," Carlita let out a chuckle, "I found him much more appealing. He said he'd treat me as a princess. I was all for it... But you see, I wasn't so in love that I wouldn't miss the opportunity to keep that treasure for myself and no one else. When the ship next docked, I stole the compass and took off. Nobody stopped me. None of you knew about it. He wouldn't dare tell you it was missing.
"I felt like celebrating. Not only was I free, but I had a compass that would lead me to a map that would lead me to-" she sucked in a breath dramatically, her unfocused eyes gleaming with zeal- "all the gold of the lost city of El Dorado." She sighed, and continued forlornly. "I celebrated with a few drinks. Not wisest to have something impair your judgement when yu've got something priceless on your person.
"It was at a bar I met Sparrow." Her eyes came into sharp focus, and seemed to darken as with stormclouds for just a second. "I was charmed, and I think he was quite taken himself. We went to a private room in the tavern, had a few more drinks..." She groaned with remorse. "It's a lesson well learned, Marcel, I'm awfully loose in the mouth when I've had to much to drink. I go on and on and reveal heaven knows what information that no one else should know." Marcel still said nothing. It didn't matter what she told him; he would never repeat her words to another soul as long as he lived.
Carlita closed her eyes, looking close to bitter tears. "I remember it so precisely. Like a dream I can't stop from happening. I had idly put the compass on the dresser, and when I next looked for it, nothing was there. Of course I know now that Sparrow had swiped it, dropped it into his pocket no doubt thinking it to be a useless trinket that he could sell off for a few coin. I burst out it tears like the wretch that I was and spilled it all to him. Told him I had stolen the compass, where it lead, and what to... Why didn't I see the look of pirate's greed in his eye, Marcel? Why did I let myself fall into a drunken sleep while he slipped off with my ticket to freedom?"
Still, Cartierre remained silent. After a moment, Carlita took an unsteady breath to finish her story. "There was nothing left for me on land when I awoke. I crept back onboard the Garnet with no one the wiser to what I had lost, and Albert unaware of how I had betrayed him. He would not have believed it anyway. I was the only person he cared for. We were married."
"You were a beautiful bride," Marcel whispered, interjecting into the story for the first time.
She looked to him with a tired smile. "My faithful Cartierre," she mused. "The only one to defend my right to captaincy after Albert was killed."
"I knew you had the strength of a leader," he told her. It was as if he hadn't even heard what she said of her deceit and betrayal.
"And I reward those who show faith in me. As long as I am captain aboard this ship, you shall be my first mate."
A genuine smile passed over Cartierre's face, and lingered there as Carlita slumped back on her pillow, sound asleep. He leaned over and pulled the blankets around her, almost as lovingly as a father would tuck in his daughter. Then he sat back down on that stiff wooden chair and continued to keep his vigil.
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Post by Niphredil on Jan 11, 2004 2:37:56 GMT -5
Riggs and O'Neill made their way across Captain Hawkins' ship to one of the dinghies, Riggs carrying the package they were to deliver to Calen under his arm. Once they were seated in the ship and had rowed almost halfway to shore, the grumbling began.
"He's completely bonkers," said O'Neill, "if he thinks this Turner woman is gonna come to dinner with 'im!"
"Yeah, I know," agreed Riggs. "It figures we'd get posted on a ship run by a nutter like him. Chasing after a pirate, of all people."
They continued rowing. Their plan was to come ashore about a mile east of New Orleans and make their way to the port and the Pearl from there; they decided to go about it this way so as not to attract any unwanted attention (because seeing two sailors from a British ship coming to port in a row boat unfortunately would bring them attention). Upon reaching the shore, they changed out of their sailor uniforms and into some more ordinary street clothes, and hid their boat under some bushes so it wouldn't be found; then they began their short walk along the beach, until coming to the docks of New Orleans.
~*~*~*~
Derek tried to keep his mind on scrubing the deck, what he was supposed to be doing, but he couldn't help it; his eyes and thoughts kept wandering over to Gabby and Jose. Derek had always found it hard to concentrate when Gabby was around, but it was ten times worse when she was with Jose. The pair of them were standing at the bow of the ship, out of the way of the crew as they prepared the ship for departure. Jose stood behind Gabby, his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her should; her hand sat on top of his, their fingers entwined.
"You should go get some rest," Gabby was saying to Jose. "You've had a very trying day, and I'm certain you haven't slept for nearly two days."
"That's true," Jose said, "But have you not also had a trying day? You should be resting, too."
"Yes, I should, and I will in a little while," Gabby said, turning in his arms to face him. "I just want to stay out here in the fresh air for awhile. You go ahead."
"Very well," he said, "then I will bid you good night, my darling Gabby." He stroked her cheek and kissed her mouth, prompting a couple cat calls from some crew members in their general vicinity. At the sound of the first cat call, Gabby pulled out of the kiss, and blushing, looked down at the deck. Derek kept glancing at them the whole time, but when they kissed... that he could not bear to watch. Jose parted from Gabby, making his way across the ship and past Derek, and entering the door which led below deck.
Gabby stood a little while longer, gazing at the pelicans that were bobbing up and down in the water below. As she stood there, she thought about all that had happened, and all that could: with the upcoming voyage and the map to El Dorado... Jose. Suddenly she began to feel uneasy, but she didn't know why. She decided against telling Jose about her misgivings; he'd already been though so much these past couple of days. She told herself over and over that it was probably nerves, because of George and James and all the others people that were following them and most likely wanting to kill them; but she couldn't even convince herself of this. She wondered how she could possibly convince Jose.
Derek debated whether or not he should go talk to Gabby. Finally, he put his scrub brush down and waltzed up to her. She was staring at some pelicans.
" Didn't Damien tell you to keep off that leg?" he asked, startling her out of her thoughts. "You really should rest, you look tired."
"Oh, yes," she said, "Thank you, Derek. I was just going to go lay down, actually." They smiled, and looked into each others eyes. The only thing that drew Derek's attention away from Gabby were two men who had just walked up the gangway, saying they had something for someone named Turner.
"Oh no, what are they doing here," mumbled Derek. Gabby looked behind her and saw the two men Derek was referring to.
"You know them? Who are they?" she asked.
"Yes, I know them. They're a couple of sailors under Hawkins."
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Summer Sparrow
Captain Phoenix
"Pervy Pirate Fancier" Donut Count Today : 0 Glasses of Coke Today : 0
Posts: 805
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Post by Summer Sparrow on Jan 12, 2004 8:15:35 GMT -5
Ana who was standing over the tiller overheard this and made her way to the gangplank.
"Move aside ye dogs, who is it?" she asked the crew who had gathered around the two strangers, they were dressed quite sloppily but yet their faces were to clean to be pirates.
"They be sayin they have an urgent message for Calen!" one of their crew answered.
"Urgent aye?" Ana drawled and drew her curtlass, pointing it to the two men. "Search them!"
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(sorry I haven't been around guys! But I shall try to add from time to time, I'm very happy to see this rpg still going strong! Good job everyone! *claps*)
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Post by Niphredil on Jan 14, 2004 18:32:30 GMT -5
"So then," Ana said, "You say you have an urgent message for Calen? What is this message? Who sent you?"
"That's none of your business!" said O'Neill. Derek rolled his eyes as he watched the interrogation. He couldn't help but laugh at these two. Why on earth would Hawkins send a couple of fools like Rigg's and O'Neill to deliver an "urgent message"? They weren't cut out for this kind of thing. Derek sighed, and muttering an "excuse me" to Gabby he walked up to Ana.
"It's all right, Ana," he said, "I know these two. Trust me, they're harmless."
"You know 'em? So I take it Hawkins sent 'em?"
"That's right. This one's Riggs," Derek said , pointing at one, "and the other is O'Neill."
"Sellin' us out, aye Derek? Taking up with pirates, have you?" asked Riggs. "Hawkins won't be happy to hear about that."
"I'm not selling you out, I'm trying to help you get off this ship alive. Now what's this about a message?"
"We only talk to Miss Turner. Our message is for her alone." said Riggs.
Derek turned to Ana, and said, "Would it be possible to fetch Captain Turner up here so they can give her their message?"
"Very well. You there," Ana said to a crew member that was holding Riggs by the arm. "Go get her Captain Turner. Tell her there's someone here who wants to see her. And be quick about it!" The crew member hurried off.
There was an awkward silence as they waited for Calen. Gabby decided to go to her room and get some rest. Derek, of course, noticed her leaving, and caught her gaze as she walked--well, hobbled-- past him. He smiled at her. Riggs noticed this. After another few moments of silence, he finally spoke up.
"You sure you ain't turning pirate, Bennet?" he said.
"Yes, I'm sure. How can you even ask such a thing?" said Derek.
"Cause I saw that look you were giving that pirate girl," said Riggs.
"She's not a pirate," he said, defensively.
"Fine, then that pirate's whore! Why were you--" Riggs started to say something else, but was quickly cut off by Derek's hand clasping his throat.
" Dont' ever call her that!" Derek said through gritted teeth. He would've throttled Riggs right then and there if it weren't for someone behind him clearing their throat. Derek turned his head to see Calen looking at him and Riggs with one eyebrow raised.
"I was told that someone had an important message for me," she said.
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Post by Mrs Dan Hawkins on Jan 15, 2004 4:39:26 GMT -5
Derek moved away from Riggs and faced Calen in one swift motion, Calen just raised her eyebrow more . "well?"
"Captian Hawkins wants to see you"
"well tell him to look thru a telescope and he will see me fine"Calen replied with snort.
Riggs shifted the package in his arms.
"Captian Hawkins would like you to join him for dinner abord his ship t'night, and he sent this "
Riggs held out the package to Calen who stared at it before uncrossing her arms to take it .
"We'll be waitin at the dock for you Miss Turner"
Calens eyes went down to a slit at Riggs's words
"you might be waitin a long time" she said before turning on her heel and stalking off .
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
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Post by Athena on Jan 15, 2004 16:26:57 GMT -5
Gael strode down the deck, his boots thudding into the wood. His ponytail at the back of his head whipped back and forth in the breeze. With one hand he reached at his belt and unhooked a container, holding it up easily to his lips, he drank the last drops of rum from it smacking his lips loudly. Then wiping his tongue around on lips, he got the last drunks of alcohol. Sighing in disgust, he made his way down to the Galley where he hoped he could grab some food or drink. Once down there, his eyes spied upon the slight figure of a women, a very well proportioned women by his eye. He looked her up and down appreciatively, and then plastering what he hoped a charming smile on his face, he made his way toward her.
“’Ello pretty miss, can’t say I have seen you around theses parts eh?”
The women turned slowly around and Gael spied the small form of Aimee. He wrinkled his eyebrow,
“Y’ look somewhat familier, have I met you before? Well no matter, how would you like to see the scenery in my cabin? I hear it’s lovely at this time o’ night…”
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Post by ~Kawaii~ on Jan 15, 2004 16:42:09 GMT -5
Aimèe stood on the edge of the deck clutching the railing with one hand and rubbing her head with the other. It had been a while since the accident but her head still throbbed.
"’Ello pretty miss, can’t say I have seen you around theses parts eh?"
Aimèe jumped as a rough voice disturbed her thoughts. Gael, the mysterious father of kira who appeared from no where and who she thought had disappeared again stood infront of her, blocking her sunlight and stinking of rum.
"Y’ look somewhat familier, have I met you before? Well no matter, how would you like to see the scenery in my cabin? I hear it’s lovely at this time o’ night…"
She sighed, "For a start, it's day. Secondly, I may have a bad head, but I ain't stupid and I ain't blind either. And lastly, you smell worse then my dad." Aimèe folded her arms and tried not to giggle at the drunken madman infront of her.
"Aye lass, but I could show you things that you could never imagine! I got a-" His sentence was cut short as Aimèe cracked a heavy left hook on his jaw.
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Post by Athena on Jan 15, 2004 17:03:26 GMT -5
Gael spit out a loose tooth, his jaw throbbing where Aimee had hit him.
“Ow, well there was no reason to be doin’ that now, no reason at all…”
Aimee stared up at him, her arms folded across her chest and rolling her eyes,
“Aye, no reason to be doin’ that, no reason eh?” she asked, mimicking his voice Gael blinked his eyes rapidly, the slight form of a girl that had been in front of him suddenly transformed into a giant monster which was slowly becoming less and less lady-like. Gael tried once more to engage Aimee,
“Um, are ye sure lass, Aimee isn’t it? ‘Cause y’know, a beauty such as yours is wasted on these here idiotic pirate’s”
“Wouldn’t you yourself qualify as an ‘idiotic pirate’” Aimee asked sweetly
“Uh…” Gael’s tongue stalled as he tried to work through what she had said on his alcohol laden brain, “Um, is that a yes then?” he asked hopefully, deciding to forego working through the tough statement
“More like a no and get the hell out of my site” muttered Aimee, brushing roughly past him,
Gael stayed back and let her walk off,
“Yeah and the same to you!” he shouted, when he was sure she wouldn’t overhear. He stared aimlessly at his belt knife, “hmph, well she don’t know what she is missin’, and ‘sides, I like a lass with a bit o’ spunk. God’s, there has to be more then one female aboard this hell-hole of a ship, other then me daughter o’ course.”
When he mentioned Kira he winced, she was still furious at him and refused to see or talk to him. Sighing he prepared to go but then a tall and slim form walked into his view. For a moment he went cross eyed as he vainly tried to stare upwards. Abruptly his eyes refocused as he drunk in the form of Ana,
“Great merciful gods” he breathed softly, “Where in heaven’s name did ye come from?” Ana stared at him in puzzlement, “Uh, and ye are…?”
“A lonely soul who has just fallin’ in love”
Ana looked down disdainfully upon Gael, “Oh yes, I remember you now, your Kira’s father, the one who ran away from her, fancy meeting you here” she added the last scornfully with a curl of her lip.
“Kira who?” Gael asked puzzled, then realization sank in, “Oh right her, yeah whatever…. Oh goddess, did it hurt?”
“Did what hurt?” asked Ana, confused
“When you fell from heaven”
Ana gave a snort of disgust and abruptly walked off.
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Summer Sparrow
Captain Phoenix
"Pervy Pirate Fancier" Donut Count Today : 0 Glasses of Coke Today : 0
Posts: 805
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Post by Summer Sparrow on Jan 16, 2004 23:26:32 GMT -5
Ana, althought a bit annoyed, was still curious about Gael; can he be trusted? She hadn't had the time to know him besides the fact that he seemed to be a true pirate and the mysterious father of Kira. Poor girl, she hadn't seen her around today though.
Ana walked off to find Calen, she was curious to know about the package Hawkins sent her, as she was walking along she passed Derek.
'Did you see your friends off?" she asked
"Yes, I made sure they left unhurt."
"Aye, still having a soft spot for the Navy eh? Fancy Hawkins sending those two fools, but they seem really nice though." Ana answered with a laugh.
"Yes, nice, they also looked as if they'd be peeing in their pants when Emil yelled at them to go!!" laughed Gibbs, who appeared suddenly from behind her.
Derek couldn't help but wince, he was still a Navy by rank, and he doesn't like the fact the pirates think that all Navy Officers were wimps!
"Awww why the long face? Don't worry boy! You're not the same as them, I can tell." winked Ana and walked off to find Calen.
From all that has been happening she couldn't find the time to uncover the mystery of her map, that would just have to wait. She also haven't consorted with Jose about the other map they found, she made a mental note to find him later.
Ana found Calen in her quarters, the package from Hawkins still intact.
"Calen? Aren't ye goin' to open it?" she asked.
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Aladrien
Mate
"I love this guy. He's crazy!"
Posts: 47
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Post by Aladrien on Jan 17, 2004 0:17:16 GMT -5
Healer after healer would come in and out of Ehawee's hut. One had lit a small fire infront of her, but after he left, Ehawee had kicked out the fire. The heat wasn't comforting, but the darkness accepted Ehawee as it's own. She heard rumors of help on its way, but Ehawee ignored it. She felt as if no one could help her.
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Post by Bosun on Jan 17, 2004 1:58:03 GMT -5
"Gael, is it?"
Gael looked up with a wince... What fresh hell was this?
Jack took his silence to be an affirmative. Without so much as a change of expression, he sent his fist flying into the side of the Gael's face, sending the man reeling.
"Argh! Would people shtop doin' tha'!" he cried in his drunken slur.
"I hear you're that Kira girl's father. And as the father of a daughter, no doubt ye can understand the stress one would feel if his daughter were to be placed in a comprimising situation."
"Issat blood? Am I bloody bleedin' now?"
" Do I have to hit ye again, matey? 'Cause I have no qualms about it."
"I didn't mean naught by it! An' she hit me hard enough already..."
Jack beamed with pride. "Aye, th'lass can take care of herself. I'm still inclined to hit ye, mind. But seeing as I'm a mild mannered bloke, I'll let ye go if ye promise to never again be within the vicinity of Aimee Sparrow. Savvy?"
"Uh..." Gael was still nursing his thoroughly battered jaw. "Yessir..."
"We be pushing off soon, mates! Time and tide wait for no man! Maybe for a lady though, if time and tide were gentlemen," he added, tipping his hat courteously to Susanna, who was on deck.
The Garnet
Latimer stood on the deck, shivering though it wasn't very cold. He waited anxiously, every moment of bearing the burden of his message weighing his heart down further. Finally, Thellen made her appearance, Cartierre at her side as always.
"Mr. Baker?" One could tell she was tired from her husky voice, and her eyes were once more shadowed.
The boy had to blink and swallow before croaking out, "It's about Miss Ortega."
"So it should be," Carlita barked. "I'll not have my time wasted be irrelevent news."
"She's dead," Latimer whispered.
Instantly the expression on the captain's face changed. What was that look? Anger? Relief? Sorrow? Fear?
Her voice, however, remained stiff. "When did you find this out?"
"Within an hour ago. I witnessed the funeral."
"Funeral? Who in this miserable port knows the girl to give her a funeral?"
"H-her brother... I think perhaps he helped her escape fr-"
"So delighted that you could make that observation now, Baker, rather than during your watch of the ship!" she snapped. Her sarcasm burned him; he flushed and averted his gaze, his memories drawn back to days when he was a young boy and his mother would scold him. "Nonna is dead," Carlita repeated, her voice softening. "If that is all, Baker, you are dismissed."
Without waiting for him to go, she turned and walked away. Cartierre watched Latimer for a moment before following the captain silently. This left Latimer standing feeling more alone than he could recall having been before.
The Black Pearl
It did not improve Jack's mood, turning around and colliding with a stray lad.
"Who the hell are you?" he inquired, more in a tone of curiousity than of suspicion.
"Latimer Baker," the young man replied promptly.
"And what the hell are you doing on my ship?"
"I... wanted to see if your daughter had recovered yet, sir." A blush arose on his cheeks again.
"She has. She's punching people already, so that's a good sign. Anything else before ye push off?"
"I'd like it if I didn't have to push off. If I could... stay aboard this ship."
Jack's eyes narrowed in what was now definite suspicion. "Why's that?"
Latimer blinked and swallowed. "I'm a runaway. I don't want to go back to where I was." He looked up at Jack imploringly. "You wouldn't turn away someone this miserable, would you?"
Still Jack was skeptical. "Where're ye running from, lad?"
He couldn't tell Sparrow he was from the Garnet. He'd never trust one of Thellen's crew. "I'd really rather not say, sir."
Jack didn't pursue the subject. "Got any weapons on ye?"
Now was Latimer's turn to be suspicious. "Why?" He was met with an expectant stare... He sighed in defeat, and reluctantly nodded. "A knife at my ankle."
"Give it over, lad," Jack told him quietly. Latimer gave him a pleading look, but he was adament. "I'll not let ye be armed till I trust ye. And I won't trust ye till I know yer not a threat."
Latimer bent down and slid a knife from the side of his left boot, then offered it, handle first, to Jack as he straightened up.
"There's a good lad," Jack murmured, taking the weapon. "Consider yer asylum granted. But I best be having no trouble out of ye," he warned. Latimer nodded gratefully, and walked across the deck in a happy daze.
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Post by Athena on Jan 17, 2004 18:15:37 GMT -5
Gael sat, sadly staring out in the distance. At repeated intervals he would take swigs of rum and nurse his hurt jaw. With much melodrama, Gael did a long drawn out sigh secretly looking around in hopes that the other’s had noticed. Seeing how none had, he settled down more comfortable and drank some more, letting the alcohol soothe his wounded pride. As normally happed, Gael got into the lull of drinking and soon his vision was comfortably fuzzy and a warm glow was heating him up from inside. All his troubles seemed insignificant and he stared off into the distance with a smile on his face. Suddenly he became aware of a figure also standing beside him.
“Hullo” said Gael. Rising to his feet and raising his glass congenially, “I don’t fancy I have met you here before, er, uh, Daniel was your name right?”
“Derek actually” said Derek softly, his eyes looking sad
“Right right, Ferek, knew that” said Gael with a toss of his hand, “Now you lad looks like ye are in quite the mood for me ol’ friend Rum over here”
“No thank you, I am not quite in the mood for spirits”
“Well lad, spirits is certainly what y’need, you look positively purple”
“Ah, right” said Derek, but he took the offered glass anyways.
Some time later after both are good and drunk, or in Gael’s case, drunker
“And that lad, ish why I don’t eat thoshe rotten coconutsh no more” said Gael,
“WOW” said Derek, looking stunned, “I never would have thought about swallows that way”
“Exchactly” said Gael, readily agreeing, “Now, we’ve talked on numerous subjects, but letshe hear about your dashing love life, whoshe the lucky lady eh?”
“Um” replied Derek, flushing a little, “There is no lucky lady” “Shure there is” said Gael knowledlbly, stifling a burb, “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you making eyes upon Gabby”
Derek sighed, “Well if you can tell I suppose theirs no use then, ‘sides, what hope have I of ever getting her to go out with the likes of me!”
“Plenty” said Gael, his laughter and jokes stilled for the moment, he turned his eyes deadly serious upon Derek’s, “Don’t ever fool yourself that way lad, if you love the lass then go for it, don’t let anything stand in your way”
“Aye but there’s the rub” cried Derek, “She is with Jose!”
“Lad, love plays funny tricks upon people. Cupid hit you hard with his arrow, that much I can tell ye. If, If I had never gone for it, why then I would never have met Sarah”
“Sarah?” asked Derek, puzzled
“Aye, Sarah. She won my heart, an’ I was head over heels for her. Similer in fact to ye an’ yon Gabby over there”
“Wha, what happened?” asked Derek, none had ever heard Gael talk about his former life before.
“What happened. Why lad,, Sarah was the bonniest lass ye could have ever laid eyes on. Always laughing, an’ better yet she loved me, didn’t mind that I was a pirate. Right then and there we vowed to stay together for ever, to not let anythin’ part us. We never got married, scarce had the chance. At the most we had one, two nights together perhaps before I was forced off. Had to set sail once more. A pirates life is harsh lad, the sea tis a cruel mistress. I vowed to return yonder. In remembrance of my bonny love, I got a tattoo of the Jolly Roger, right here on me arm. And Sarah wept, we both wept together, Later in a year or so I returned, returned to learn of me love’s death! Other pirates had captured her, they had had their way with her, dirty rotten savages! I left, heartbroken, I couldn’t stand the pain. But I left before I learnt of me child, Kira, the only ‘membrance of her I have. I knew Kira was mine, none the least from the tattoo she has. But ‘cause she is a spittin’ image o’ Sarah. Exact replica down to her green eyes. Kira is a bonny lass, and the love of me heart now. She breaks me heart though, that she does her not lovin’ me. Not that I can blame her though, I would do the same in her shoes. She’s all that I have to ‘member Sarah from though. Lad, go for your bonny lass, don’t let nothin’ stand in your way. Don’t become an’ ol’ heartbroken pirate like me.” When Gael had finished Derek was astonished to see a tear trickling down Gael’s cheek, and a silence filled the air.
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Post by Niphredil on Jan 18, 2004 1:54:16 GMT -5
"Well I definitely do not want to end up like you," Derek said, after awhile of silence. "No sir. I should tell Gabby how I feel for her. But what if she doesn't love me? I imagine that would hurt even worse, but at least then I'd know how she feels... and what if she does love me, then what? Would she marry me? Where would we live? And what would Jose do?" He gulped, and waited to see if Gael had a response, but the older pirate just sat there, eyes open, apparently staring straight ahead.
"I suppose the only way I'll get an answer to my questions is if I tell her. I will tell her. Right now. I can't thank you enough for this talk sir, it's helped me a great deal," Derek stood up, extending his hand to Gael. Gael still sat there, eyes open and staring; he was motionless.
"Sir?" said Derek. Derek waved his hand in front of Gael's face. Nothing. Fearing the worst, Derek held his hand under Gael's nose. He was breathing. Suddenly a sound came forth, a sort of deep rumbling. Then Derek understood.
"He's asleep," Derek said half-aloud, chuckling to himself. He shook his head, and went stumbling in the direction of his own quarters. On the way, he passed Gabby's room. He hesitated a moment before slowly and carefully opening the door. Gabby was the only one in the room; the night was still young, and the other girls had not yet turned in. There Gabby lay, one hand upon her chest, the other resting beside her head on the pillow, her long wavy hair falling about her shoulders.
Derek edged closer to her and kneeled down beside her bed. He touched her face, tracing with his fingers her cheek, her jawline... her lips. Oh, for a kiss from her sweet lips. He played with the idea of kissing her, but then decided against it. I could never do that... not without her consent, he thought.
He had entered the room fully intending to wake her, right then and there, but now that he saw her, so peaceful, so breathtaking; he did not have the heart to disturb her rest. He stood up, still tipsy, and left the room, turning to look at her one last time before closing the door. Tomorrow,, he thought resolutely, tomorrow I will make my love for you known.
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Post by Mrs Dan Hawkins on Jan 18, 2004 16:07:26 GMT -5
"Calen? Aren't ye goin' to open it?" she asked.
Calen's head jerked up at the sound of Anas voice she had been so lost in thought that she hadn't even herd her enter the room and that wasn't a good thing to let happen too often.
"Why would i wanna do that then Ana?"
" don't ya wanna know what he sent?"
Just as Calen opened her mouth to answer Ana ordered her to open it .Calen sighed and did just that .In openeing it she found a load of tissue paper.
"see he sent me a load of usless paper"
Ana rolled her eyes"look under it"
Calen sighed and pushed the paper aside only to find a dress, her mouth dropped in surprise as she gawped at it and then at ana and back again.
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Post by Niphredil on Jan 19, 2004 21:38:51 GMT -5
Gabby awoke soon after dawn the next morning. She left Aimèe, Kira, and Susanna who were still asleep, and went above deck. Gabby had always been an early riser, due in part to her father. She always had to get up before dawn to fix him his breakfast, and start on her chores. She took a deep breath of the fresh sea air, relieved that she'd never have to make breakfast for that man ever again.
She looked around her. Several members of the crew were busily doing different chores around the ship. Beyond the confines of the ship, nothing could be seen except clear blue water. Peeking over the side of the rail, she could see a few dolphins riding the waves by the bow of the ship. For the most part all was quiet, but Gabby could faintly hear someone moaning, as though in pain; it was coming from the stern of the ship. Curious, Gabby slowly walked in the direction of the sound, and ascended the steps leading to the helm. There she saw Derek. He was pacing, and mumbling to himself.
" Derek," she softly called out his name. His back turned to her, he gave no answer nor did he give any indication that he knew she was there. She inched closer to him, and put her hand gently on his shoulder. " Derek?" she said again. He jumped and turned quickly, knocking Gabby off her balance. He caught her firmly in his arms before she fell.
"You shouldn't sneak up on a man like that," he said after a few moments, still holding her in his arms.
She raised an eyebrow. "You're one to talk about sneaking up on someone," she said. He gave a nervous smile, and stood her back up on her feet, letting his hands move from her back to her waist, and keeping them there. As much as she would've hated to admit right then, she rather liked the feel of his hands on her waist....
"You were pacing before, and... and you sounded worried about something. Is something wrong?" she asked.
"No, nothing's wrong," he said quickly.
"Oh, good, because--"
"Well actually yes, something is wrong... or rather, it's not wrong right now, but it could be wrong later... I hope it's right...." he said, his voice trailing off at the end. Gabby blinked, not knowing how to respond.
"Uh, well-- may-- maybe it you tell me what it is that could be wrong... or right--"
"I'd love you-- love to tell you what it is, but I'm afraid that what it is, is up to you," said Derek.
Gabby was puzzled. I know he's trying to tell me something, she thought, but he isn't making any sense. She was about to say this aloud when she suddenly felt someone pulling on her arm from behind. It was Susanna.
"Gabby, there you are!" she said, a big smile on her face. "There are dolphins! Come and see!" Before Gabby could object Susanna had pulled her away from Derek.
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