Drabblish: 'An Execrable Business', continued...

[dwgm]

Another 400 words of An Execrable Business, with thanks to hereswith for looking it over.

1. Tortuga
2. Happiness
3. Festive


~ An Execrable Business, continued...


Jack was right about Martha Whitby. In fact, having gone out to the small back garden for a bit of air, Martha was most happy to see the visitors come through the gate, well lit by moonlight.

“Captain Jack Sparrow, as I live and breathe!” she exclaimed, and smiled to see the smug grin of satisfaction. Jack had taken command of the Black Pearl two years back, when John Tobias had passed, God rest his soul, and was very young to be the captain of a pirate ship, with such a sweet face under his flash accoutrements that folk were apt to forget his well-deserved title. Well-deserved it was, though. Even Robert said Jack was a pirate’s pirate, canny, courageous, and full of the devil. And a lady’s man, too!

“Martha, my love!” he said in that voice that told you he truly meant it, at least at that moment. “Do I detect a certain glow about you?”

Martha chuckled. “Aye, and a certain thickening of the waist, too, you rogue, though I didn’t think it was quite that noticeable just yet.”

“Only to one who’s very familiar with your assets.”

Martha pursed her lips. “For shame, Jack! What a thing to say, and me in a delicate condition. I’ve never played Robert false, not even with you.”

“A thousand pardons,” he said and, putting his hands together, he bowed contritely. “Robert is the most fortunate of men.”

“Get on with you! Not that it isn’t true, think on. But who’s this lad? A squeaker off the Pearl?” She eyed Jack’s young companion with sudden interest. A very pretty lad – pretty as Jack, which was saying something. If she hadn’t known Jack was a lady’s man…

“No. Acquaintance of mine is all, in need of a wash before partaking of one of your fabulous meals, if you’d be so kind.”

“Of course! Lord, it’ll be grand as a holiday, having you to supper again. When I think of some of those evenings, when Tobias was still alive!”

A shadow touched Jack's mobile countenance, but he smiled, too. “Nothing to beat ‘em,” he agreed.

“Ah. You miss him that much,” Martha said, deeply sympathetic. “Well, well. We were privileged to know him and that’s the truth. But come! You just wait here and I’ll go fetch a cloth and towel for this youngster.” And Martha took herself off to the pantry.



TBC…

Comments

[pearlseed.livejournal.com]

Love the gentle way he can be with someone for whom he feels affection and nice touch to see how he felt about Tobias--always liked that relationship. As pretty a lad as Jack--that really must have been a hell burden in that day and age. Perhaps more freedom in one way. This new person is a sweetie and I bet supper with Jack looking to impress, well, that would be delightful twice, the now and then the memory. Special spot in my heart for Jack being a grumpus though--can't resist him throwing his little hissy fits.
Thanks for more story.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

can't resist him throwing his little hissy fits.

I expect there will be some of that in future bits. I'm so glad you're enjoying it! And it is fun to refer back to Tobias, etc. -- and Bootstrap and Barbossa are still aboard at this point, too. :)

[aravah.livejournal.com]

This is great fun. Love the banter between Jack and Martha. Can't wait for the next instalment. :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

More banter coming up later today (it's being edited). I'm so happy you're enjoying it! Thank you for letting me know.

[dharma-slut.livejournal.com]

Oh, how lovely! Please, don't let your muse feel constrained by the drabble length, all right? I'm eager to see where this will go. And two years ofter Tobias' death, Barbossa is still First mate-- isn't he?

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Please, don't let your muse feel constrained by the drabble length, all right?

I won't -- maybe I'll have time for longer bits on the weekend. But I want to post at least a little each day, to get back in the habit of daily writing.

Yes, Barbossa is still First, and Bootstrap Bill is still on the Pearl, too! Fun revisiting all this.

More soon. Thank you for letting me know you're enjoying it!

[stealmybike.livejournal.com]

This is really great! I love Martha's character here, she seems to sweet and considerate ... I know this sounds odd but she reminds me of Mrs. Lovett from Sweeney Todd (without the whole making people into meat pies kind thing).

Even Robert said Jack was a pirate’s pirate, canny, courageous, and full of the devil. And a lady’s man, too!

Love this description of Jack here, says a lot about him with very minimal words, which is fantastic.

“Only to one who’s very familiar with your assets.”

Is Jack making up his own legacy again? lol ;)

I'm excited to see where this goes!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

More's coming later today. I'm so glad you're enjoying it! Thank you for the detailed comments -- it's good to know what's working! It's been a long time since I wrote on a daily basis, and I'm really having fun with it.

[nanabanana75.livejournal.com]

This is a very good story! And it would be, as you are a natural at writing. Looking foreward to the next chapter.
Am taking a shot in the dark here: but is she Jack's daughter by any chance? Or am I reading the "little things" in each chapter way wrong?........Nan.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying the story so far. But no, she's not Jack's daughter, this is pre-mutiny and he's very young, only 25 or so.

[djarum99.livejournal.com]

Wonderful chain of drabbles, creating a really intriguing story. I want to know more about your OC, and I love young Jack ♥

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Can't help loving young Jack. I'm so glad you're enjoying this! Thank you for commenting.

[florencia7.livejournal.com]

"“Martha, my love!” he said in that voice that told you he truly meant it, at least at that moment." - This is such a perfect observation! ^^

Fantastic drabble. I love your Jack!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Jack is just the best, bar none. I'm so glad you're enjoying this! Thank you for commenting!

[mary684.livejournal.com]

I love how Jack charms Martha here -- the banter is so sweet, a real comraderie between the two of them. The economy of 'mobile countnance' is especially good. I'm so happy you are writing a bit each day and sharing it with us! Sweet little story, I'm enjoying it.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Martha is a fun character, and I'm enjoying writing her again in this. Thank you for commenting -- I'm so glad you like it!

[compassrose7577.livejournal.com]

We all knew that Jack could be a gentleman.... when he remembers.... when he wants to. It sounds as though he's been a gentleman a couple of times, already, at least according to Martha.

It's gratifying to see him with acquaintances and old friends. It's rather tiring to see him functioning so often in a vacuum. More OC's all around! It's certainly a way to refuel things.

Good stuff!!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

when he remembers.... when he wants to.

Mostly when there's something in it for him - but not always. Good man, in spite of himself.

I do like the OC's, as you know. And Martha is a fun character.

Thank you for all the comments! I really appreciate it!

*throws kisses eastward*