Backstory Drabbles 5 - 8

[dwgm]

Here are drabbles for the next four prompts in LJ's hseas_challenge #4: Backstories. The first two are a hundred words apiece, and the last drabble combines two prompts in 200 words.


5. The mutiny


The sound of boots and a key grating in the lock roused Jack instantly. He struggled up, hoping he looked fierce and stoic in spite of his battered state.

But it was Turner.

Bill was silent at first, just passed in water and clean rags, then a packet of hardtack and a flask.

"Rum?" Jack’s smile cracked open the cut on his lip.

"Aye." Bill looked hangdog. "I'm sorry Jack. Won't say I told you so."

"Good," Jack said, wryly. He downed half the contents of the flask in one go.

He'd bloody be hearing enough of that from Teague.

*


6. The pirate’s gospel – a good man turning pirate


It's a fortnight before he's able to rest upon his back, but the first time he's left to sleep in silent shadow, the darling novice who's occasionally been allowed to read to him slips into the cell, tractless.

She sits on the bed beside him. "Señor."

"Pequeña, you shouldn't."

She shakes her head. His wrist lies atop the blanket in the moonlight, and she touches the scabbed letter, gently. "You will leave soon."

“I must.”

She meets his eyes. “I must, too.”

Later he considers it a good omen that so enjoyable a sin is his first as a pirate.

*


7. "Use your voice, my little bird..." – Elizabeth learns from her Mother
8. The first lie – the Governor’s daughter is honestly dishonest


"He didn't do it!"

Her voice seemed unnaturally loud and they all turned to stare, even the accused. Mother gaped, and Father's brow lowered.

"What do you mean, child?"

Elizabeth straightened. "Jemmy didn't kill the deer, I saw the man, he ran off toward the village. Jemmy only found it and was bringing it to you."

Father once more turned to the grubby stipling. "Is that so, Jemmy?"

Jemmy, twisting his hat with blood-stained, nervous fingers, didn't look meet Father’s gaze, but said, "Aye, sir."

Father was silent for an uncomfortable moment. Then he said to his steward, "It seems we may have erred, Simmons. You'll make inquiries in the village this afternoon." His eye turned upon Jemmy again. "As you were attempting to do your duty, you shall have a haunch of the beast as a reward, for you and your family."

"Thank you," Jemmy choked.

*

"Elizabeth," said Mother, when they were alone. "You lied to save that boy."

Elizabeth swallowed hard. "The punishment for poaching—“

“—is death.” Mother nodded. She drew Elizabeth close, and her voice trembled. "Lies may have unintended consequences, my dear. But I think, in such a case, one cannot but speak.”


~.~


TBC

Comments

[djarum99.livejournal.com]

Squeee! These are wonderful :-)

He'd bloody be hearing enough of that from Teague.

I love that Jack's thoughts turn to his father's displeasure - he's assuming he'll survive to experience it, and that's pure CJS :-)

“I must.”

She meets his eyes. “I must, too.”

So enjoyable a sin indeed - of course she must, and of course Jack did *g*

The third provides such insightful backstory on Elizabeth, her strength and sense of justice, her relationships with both her father and mother. Really beautiful work.

Thank you so much for writing these! And, happy shared birthday! I hope you have a wonderful celebration and that the day brings you all the joy you deserve ♥

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

A very Happy Birthday to you, too, tomorrow! I hope you're looking forward to some great times a la mode!

I'm so glad you liked these, I was hoping to get more done by our birthday, and you see I succeeded. Thank you so much for the quick feedback -- I really appreciate that!

*Birthday Hugs!*

[viva-lla-gloria.livejournal.com]

I really love your drabbles on Elizabeth's childhood. We've seen her relationship with her father in the movies but I think many of us also wondered up her mother. I'd like to think that her mother was quietly supportive of her "unladylike" strength.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. It is interesting to speculate on Elizabeth's childhood, and the factors that contributed to the woman she became. Like you, I think her mother would have encouraged her courage and sense of justice.

[pearlseed.livejournal.com]

The Elisabeth ones are hot! She's a pistol on a good day and her as a child
makes me helpless in love with her. The Jack one with Bill is sad, gosh whatever did he think while he was in that brig. The nun one...oh my!

[dragonfly (from livejournal.com)]

Loved them! Particularly the wee!Elizabeth one.

[felaine.livejournal.com]

That is so IC for Jack, he always believes he'll turn out okay.
IC for Elizabeth also, but I'm sure her father knew the truth.
Fun work.
Felaine

[luvvycat.livejournal.com]

Adding my "Squee!" (and Happy Birthday wishes!) to the chorus ...

Fantastic drabbles, each and every one! My favourite, of course, is #6. Poor, injured, bedridden Jack, being forced to succumb to the wickedly seductive wiles of a fledgling nun! (At least, that's how HE might relate the story ...) ;-) Actually, a very sweet vignette. And what girl (even an innocent novice!) could resist Jack's charms for long (even if he wasn't even trying to tempt her)!

#5 - Bootstrap DOES have a(n implied) point ... in your cycle of stories, Bill HAS repeatedly warned Jack about Barbossa (didn't Anamaria's father urge him to rid himself of Barbossa as well in "An Execrable Business"?). Poor Jack -- a sad rite of passage for a young pirate Captain, and a hard lesson for him to learn. Love that, despite being battered and bloody, he's still got enough spirit to try to look "fierce and stoic."

#7/8 - Lizzie's first lesson in man's (not always fair) laws of justice. So lovely, the rapport between Elizabeth and her mother here, and Mom's tacit approval of her lying for a good cause. Sort of presages her role in helping Jack escape the "justice" of the hangman's noose, years later ...

Again, hope you have a truly spectacular birthday!

-- Cat

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you ma'am! I'm so happy you liked these!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Wee!Elizabeth is always fun to think about. She's a great character!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

he always believes he'll turn out okay.

I know. Never a doubt. He is Captain Jack Sparrow.

Thank you so much for reading and commenting on these. I'm so happy you liked them!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you, ma'am, for the wonderful feedback and the birthday wishes, both! Yes, poor Jack and the novice. I'm wondering if I can do a longer story on that...

Must zoom, home from Disneyland now and we're getting ready to go out to dinner and Star Trek! Wheeee!!!!

[pearlseed.livejournal.com]

Happy tail end to your fine birth day!! And thank you for every kindness you have shown me--truly it will return to you tenfold--not particularly religious, definitely believe in the world, a better place with you in it!

[lolitalockhart.livejournal.com]

Ooh I love these! <3 I always love backstories.

[luvvycat.livejournal.com]

Yes, poor Jack and the novice. I'm wondering if I can do a longer story on that...

Oh, yes! Pretty please! *on knees, begging* I'd love to see this tantalising drabble fleshed out into a full story!

In fact, it had crossed my mind to plead wheedle cajole for suggest an expanded version of this tale. I'm so thrilled that you apparently had the same thought! :-D

Must zoom, home from Disneyland now and we're getting ready to go out to dinner and Star Trek! Wheeee!!!!

Sounds like a great time! Glad you got to do a ton of fun stuff for your birthday!

-- Cat

[sammistarr.livejournal.com]

I just sat down and read all of these (your other post as well), and I am still just grinning like an idiot. They are all so wonderful, and perfectly done!

(Happy belated birthday, btw!)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I always love them, too, which is why I couldn't pick just one, lol! Glad you're enjoying these! Thank you for commenting.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the birthday wishes, and for reading and commenting! I'm so glad you're enjoying these. :D

[breathless-dawn.livejournal.com]

These just make me so wonderfully happy :) I particularly liked young Elizabeth's first lie. You write her so well!

Fantastic work!

And happy belated birthday!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked these, and appreciate knowing you like the way I write Elizabeth, who is my favorite besides Jack. Thank you for the feedback, and for the birthday wishes! Both are very much appreciated. :)

[florencia7.livejournal.com]

I truly love them all!

#5: You always know how to create a perfect scene that tells the entire story behind it! Wonderful drabble, wonderful image of Jack at that moment. And Bill! And Jack's thoughts of Teague were perfect there!

#6: That was wonderful! ^^ I LOVED the last line!

#7&8: I love how you made that first lie noble rather than selfish. And I loved how Elizabeth's mum guessed the truth. Great drabble!

All of them were amazing!

PS. & just in case you didn't see your banner... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! :D I hope that you had a wonderful day! ♥

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I did see my banner, and as I said just now over there I thought I commented on that post. In any case, thank you again, that was so sweet of you!
Very happy you liked all these drabbles, too, thank you for commenting. More on the way!

[p0wdermonkey.livejournal.com]

I nearly missed those--they're great!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you -- I'm glad you enjoyed them!

[mary684.livejournal.com]

I love the how you write the relationship between Bill and Jack. There is so much unsaid below the surface, things that are only hinted at. It's really quite clever how you manage that in so few words.

Ah, the first sin of piracy. Whatever else would it be for our Jack? *g*

Nice moment between Elizabeth and mom -- makes you wonder what Elizabeth would have been like had her mother lived. A formidable pair, to be sure.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reading and commenting on this. I hope to have more done in the next few days, and I am very much looking forward to yours, as I said. Yay Pirates!