Fic: 'Not Working'

[dwgm]

Some Jackish thought, directly post-AWE, this is a reply to a drabble challenge on Black Pearl Library...



~ Not Working ~

The food ran out before the rum, so that was all right, but the water looked like being next and he had to admit that wasn’t a good sign., considering the lack of wind. And the compass, the damned compass, had stopped working. Or started working. The wrong way. Again.

It was hot, too.

Not that he wasn’t used to heat, and scant rations, and even sailing the open seas in a dinghy, on little to no sleep. He was Captain Jack Sparrow, wasn’t he?

But the compass had stopped working.

A couple of nights previous it had been. The wind had failed at dusk, and the sea had lost her bounce. As the stars came out, even the swells faded, and finally there was little to choose between sea and night sky, adrift amid the light of diamonds.

Rowing was too much like work, particularly when one hadn't eaten in a day or two. Would've spoiled the stillness, in any case. Much better and far less complicated to lay back, snug, nursing his bottle, watching eternity at play.

Only, he fell asleep.

To sleep, perchance to dream, aye, there's the rub.

Despite his recalcitrant aid to navigation, he thought he'd rid himself of the habit of dreaming of her. Of improved scenery and infinitely better company. Bonfires and burning rum. The way he'd known she was trouble even before he laid eyes on her, slumbering Siren on the sea bed calling a man to his doom. The way she'd berated them all on his behalf, at one time or another, including himself. Of a kiss, reward and punishment, infinitely sweet, and bitter as death.

He was burning. Burning.

His eyes flicked open to a hot, windless morning in which the rum was gone, yet again.

Not the Locker, but so very not good.

He took up his compass and opened it.

A lesser man might have given in to despair at this point.

He was not, however, a lesser man. He settled, and pulled his hat down over his eyes, and cursed the bloody sun, and would have cursed bloody Elizabeth Swann, too... only she was Turner now, wasn't she? Captain and King. Though still that coltish girl dancing 'round the fire in her shift. That would never change.

Devils and black sheep and really bad eggs.

Bloody, beautiful Elizabeth.

He slept again, after a while, and dreamed again, disturbing dreams in which that distressing damsel transformed to a damsel in distress for no reason he could discern. He was muttering about it, and thrashing a bit, when the dream changed and the Flying Dutchman rose, magnificent and dripping, from the depths.

The dinghy barely shifted when the Ferryman stepped aboard and crouched beside Jack. A horrid chill swept through him and he croaked, “Dead?” But it was all right. Will shook his head, his strange eyes dark and kind, and his mouth formed words familiar and comforting, though they had no sound but the sea. ~.~






Many thanks to erinya for the beta reading!

Comments

[cacopheny.livejournal.com]

"Coltish" is such a great word. I likes it.

Also, huzzah for Will X3 I like him better dead than I ever did alive :: laughs ::

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I like him better dead than I ever did alive :: laughs ::

I must admit, I find his situation and the potential dynamic between him, Jack, and Elizabeth quite fascinating.

Thank you for reading -- very happy you liked this!

[sparrows-swann.livejournal.com]

Darlin, that was very well written! I quite like general Jack fic. But it's killin me now, what is Will saying to Jack???

I very, very, very much liked this one!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Sorry to leave you in suspense, for the moment at least, but I'm very glad you enjoyed this.

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

Poor Jack, poor, dear Jack! So nice that he has important friends. ;)

Despite his recalcitrant aid to navigation, he thought he'd rid himself of the habit of dreaming of her. Of improved scenery and infinitely better company. Bonfires and burning rum. The way he'd known she was trouble even before he laid eyes on her, slumbering Siren on the sea bed calling a man to his doom. The way she'd berated them all on his behalf, at one time or another, including himself. Of a kiss, reward and punishment, infinitely sweet, and bitter as death.
Oh, that's rather a large piece, isn't it? Started by highlighting the first phrase, but as I continued reading, it was oh, and this! and this! this too! and there it was, every bit, because it's all so gorgeous.

Wonderful work, as always, my dear.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Jack is certainly lucky to have such friends -- kinda balances out his bad luck, LOL! I'm so happy you enjoyed this! Thanks for letting me know.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Will shook his head, his strange eyes dark and kind

Nice phrasing. (I love him as much dead as alive ... but he was never in the way of anything I liked, either. *G*) I always wondered *when* it would occur to Jack that he had no food or fresh water for that long, long trip to Florida.

BTW, are you going to write any more of "Harry and the Pirate?" Curious minds and all that ...

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I always wondered *when* it would occur to Jack that he had no food or fresh water for that long, long trip to Florida.

No fooling. Jeesh.

BTW, are you going to write any more of "Harry and the Pirate?" Curious minds and all that ...

Actually, I have a six or seven chapter H&theP story outlined, but I need to finish that other one I started a couple weeks ago, first. Need to outline that, as well, so I have a better handle on it, now that the Muse is speaking to me again.

I really REALLY like Will as CotFD. Really.

Thanks so much for reading, and commenting -- and asking about the H&theP stories! I'm so happy you, and other readers, still enjoy those.

[ladymora.livejournal.com]

Verra nice, Mamma! I likes!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks, sweetie!

[erinya.livejournal.com]

Sorry I didn't have time to look over it a second time! I love this--and I really like the bit about the distressing damsel/damsel in distress at the end. Still think it cries out for a sequel, though. *pokes you*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

LOL! Well, maybe...

Thank you again for looking it over. I really did want to end it with that idea, though.

xo

[awickedwench.livejournal.com]

I've been dying for someone to write a fic about what happens when Jack sails off in that dinghy. This is perfect; really enjoyed it! Wouldn't mind knowing what happens from here.....(huge puppy eyes!)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I've been dying for someone to write a fic about what happens when Jack sails off in that dinghy.

Me, too, so I finally did (which is how I got into writing fanfic, actually). Very happy you enjoyed this! Thanks for letting me know. :)

[djarum99.livejournal.com]

Another sequel request from me - this is wonderful, and I'd love to see what happens between Jack and Will aboard the Dutchman.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'll have to think about that. Glad you liked this one, though!

[yoiebear.livejournal.com]

This is wonderful and I hope you do continue it.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I just might, just to see how it goes. I've very happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for letting me know. :))

[ophelivia.livejournal.com]

I don't care what anybody says Sparrabeth is the best. "Not the Locker, but so very not good." That was so Jack. Loved it.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I do enjoy the dynamic between Jack, Elizabeth, and Will.

[artic-fox.livejournal.com]

Great Jackish thoughts! You've captured him very well, especially Not the Locker, but so very not good.

Great job!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much!!

[captaintish]

This is lovely. I just read the previous comments, and I too really like Will as captain of the FD. I just wish Elizabeth wasn't tied to him. Although, technically, "till DEATH do us part" might indicate their not really married.

Yes, there is no way that Jack could get all the way to the Fountain in a dinghy. I addressed that in my latest story, too. I think maybe he'd try to get his ship back first.

And oh, is it true, more Harry on the way? *yay* Can't wait!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I too really like Will as captain of the FD. I just wish Elizabeth wasn't tied to him. Although, technically, "till DEATH do us part" might indicate their not really married.

It's arguable, certainly. The filmmakers really left it up in the air, kinda like a 'Choose Your Own Ending' story.

Very happy you enjoyed this. Thank you, as always, for letting me know!

[ladyxxliz.livejournal.com]

Loved this. I do hope you decide to continue. It's wonderful :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I may write at least one more scene -- we'll see.

[ditte3.livejournal.com]

wonderful story.I like it.And it was brilliant that you put a Shakespeare quote in it.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Ha! I tend to use those Shakespeare quotes all too often. Literate!Jack is one of my favorite things in life. *G*. Very happy you enjoyed the story. Thank you for letting me know.

[evilkath.livejournal.com]

Oh that was beautiful! I hope you update it soon, because I loved your poetic writing.

Great, really great. I hope he's not dead ;(

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! No, he's not dead, but he was in a very bad way there. Madness to go off on a lengthy voyage in an ill-supplied dinghy. But that's Jack for you. Good thing he has friends in high places.

[torn-eledhwen.livejournal.com]

Beautiful, as always.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks!!

[artaxastra.livejournal.com]

Yay for Will! And yes, Jack drifting around in his dinghy, being a bit mad and a bit drunk and more than a bit self destructive.

Rowing was too much like work, particularly when one hadn't eaten in a day or two. Would've spoiled the stillness, in any case. Much better and far less complicated to lay back, snug, nursing his bottle, watching eternity at play.

I love this paragraph. Would have spoiled the stillness indeed. And eternity at play is a great line!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

a bit mad and a bit drunk and more than a bit self destructive.

No other way to see it, really, what with everything that had been happening lately, and then heading out into the open ocean in a dinghy. And yay for Will indeed. I liked him before, but as CotFD a whole new and potentially amazing dimension is added to his character.

So glad you enjoyed this. Thank you for reading and commenting.

Love your work as always!

[(Anonymous)]

Long or short- Your stories show how gifted a writer you are. And you have Jack nailed as always. Enjoy your Harry stories, but can we look forward to some J/E goodness from you in the near future?.......sincerely, Rose.

Re: Love your work as always!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm very happy to know you enjoyed this, and that you thought Jack in character. As for J/E goodness, there's a multichapter one I'm working on, Devil's Own Luck, so yes, an update on that soon, hopefully, as well as another short piece connected with this one. Lots of irons in the fire. Thank you again for commenting!

[ethereal-mouse.livejournal.com]

Eeeee!

*loves*

I'm sorry I can't manage anything more coherent. This oneshot is beautiful and sad all at once.

It has even made me like Will. A little. *bites tongue*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I actually like Will quite a lot, and find him infinitely intriguing as the CotFD. Very happy you enjoyed the story -- thank you so much for letting me know!

[namarielorien.livejournal.com]

Beautiful tale of our dear Captain Jack! That compass has no chance of working right for dear Jack who can really never make up his mind what he really, truly wants. I love how Will comes to help him in the end, too. I love this whole story!

Ginger

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's just a little snippet that fits into the post-AWE universe that artaxastra has been writing, Outlaws and Inlaws. It makes so much sense to me, and she doesn't mind me playing in her sandbox. Very happy you enjoyed this glimpse of Jack. Again, thank you for letting me know.

[hope27.livejournal.com]

Oh, I just found this, and I am so glad I did! This is so wonderful!

As the stars came out, even the swells faded, and finally there was little to choose between sea and night sky, adrift amid the light of diamonds.

Gorgeous description! It reminds me of the beautiful scene in AWE when they were going to rescue Jack.

he thought he'd rid himself of the habit of dreaming of her. Of improved scenery and infinitely better company. Bonfires and burning rum. The way he'd known she was trouble even before he laid eyes on her, slumbering Siren on the sea bed calling a man to his doom. The way she'd berated them all on his behalf, at one time or another, including himself. Of a kiss, reward and punishment, infinitely sweet, and bitter as death.

A wonderful little summation of their history, and everything that still exists between them and always will.

He slept again, after a while, and dreamed again, disturbing dreams in which that distressing damsel transformed to a damsel in distress for no reason he could discern.

One of my favorite Jack quotes was his line about distressing damsels...

And Will showing up at the end, and Jack's question were so perfectly in character!

Wonderful job! :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

It reminds me of the beautiful scene in AWE when they were going to rescue Jack.

I thought Jack deserved some of that beauty, too, after having such a hard time for a while there.

I'm so happy you enjoyed this! Thank you for the wonderfully detailed feedback. I really appreciate you taking the time to do that.

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

Love your Jack - so consistent in his contradictions.

You know, this whole J/E thing is really starting to creep up on me. I may even have to write some het...

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I may even have to write some het...

Zounds!!

I was just thinking the same as regards slash, actually -- I find CotFD Will, and Jack's relationship with him, infinitely intriguing. That Jack Sparrow! The possibilities are nearly endless.

Very happy you enjoyed this, and thought Jack done well.

*scurries over to comment on another lovely 'Nut Out of the Locker'*

[choose2live.livejournal.com]

Finally got to have a look at this - and it's lovely! As usual, of course, but still. I have no problem fitting it into my mental landscape, either - it slides right into artaxastra's universe.

I really like the train of thought here. It flows, but is very Jack, rationalizing the least rational things and prioritizing things in his very unique way. Love Rowing was too much like work, particularly when one hadn't eaten in a day or two. Would've spoiled the stillness, in any case. How very Jack-like that is!

It's got a very dreamy, but still cognizant, feel to it - just right for someone who's been drifting for days aboard a dinghy, not so far gone as to be delirious.

I reached the end and wanted to see the next part, too - the J/W - and after seeing your comment to woolymonkey I might even hold out hope for it. ;-) Would love to see you experiment there.

Great job as usual!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! I'm very glad you liked it, and thought it sufficiently Jackish. I don't think I'll do the conversation (etc?) between Jack and Will as artaxastra's Cradle Tales contains that bit (right at the end -- "The First Tale continued", right at the end -- and cannot really be improved on, IMO. But I'm thinking of doing a little bit about the following morning, when he wakes up just off Shipwreck Island, which would reference the encounter. Will probably work on that tonight.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

[tanith75.livejournal.com]

Loved this. Poor Jack with his blasted compass problems returning again. I loved his description of Lizzie --


"Of improved scenery and infinitely better company. Bonfires and burning rum. The way he'd known she was trouble even before he laid eyes on her, slumbering Siren on the sea bed calling a man to his doom. The way she'd berated them all on his behalf, at one time or another, including himself. Of a kiss, reward and punishment, infinitely sweet, and bitter as death."

Beautiful.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

(LOL!! Love that icon!)

Poor Jack with his blasted compass problems returning again.

I figured they might, once he had time to sit and breathe for a while.

There was a set of icons posted the other day that inspired all the little glimpses of J/E. Actually I meant to do further description, but sometimes less is more.

Very happy you enjoyed this! Thanks for letting me know.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much!