Drabble Series: 'An Execrable Business' (25/?)

[dwgm]

400 words of miffed Barbossa, theme: "Greed". Many thanks to my dear hereswith for beta reading, editing, and excellent suggestions.

Previous bits...

1. Tortuga 2. Happiness 3. Festive 4. Last Minute 5. Calm 6. Truth 7. Bargain 8. Spook 9. Down 10. Wounds 11. Moon 12. Monsters

13. Beauty 14. Name 15. History 16. Service 17. Advice 18. Captain 19. Awe 20. Cross 21. "You've made a big mistake" 22. Heroism 23. Gold 24. Echo

And here's today's...

25. Greed



~ An Execrable Business, continued...

It still lacked an hour to dawn when there came a knock on the door of the Great Cabin, but before Jack had a chance to speak it opened and Barbossa walked in. Jack frowned, but he said, light enough, “Hector! Thought you’d still be abed. Have a drink with us?” Pouring another glass, Jack noticed that Joe was eyeing the newcomer warily. As well he might. Barbossa was a scary fellow.

“Haven’t been to bed,” Barbossa growled. He took the glass, tossed back the rum, and wiped his mouth. “Not to sleep, at least. What’s this I’m hearin’ about the Pearl sailin’ to England?”

“Your hearing is excellent as always. We’ll start taking on stores soon as it’s light. Might be ready to leave by the evening tide, if we can round up the stragglers.”

“I thought we’d decided against that course, seein’ as how we’d miss the whole season here.” Hector bared his teeth, a disturbing sight. “Bloody hell!” he exclaimed, sounding angrier as he warmed to his theme. “We’ll be fightin’ the hurricanes by the time we come back, and have nothin’ to show for it!”

Jack shook his head sadly. “Semper avarus eget, Hector, no doubt of a word.” There was no understanding in the narrowed eyes. Jack sighed. “Horace. The greedy man is ever in want. Look, there’s plenty that’re ecstatic at the prospect of going, or will be when they find out.”

“Well, I ain’t one of ‘em! But I’ll wager Turner is, and don’t try to deny it!”

“Why should I?” Jack shrugged. “But he’s not the only one, as you well know. And I’ve taken a fancy to the idea meself. Call it a whim.”

“You and your whims!” Barbossa spat.

Jack stood up, his patience wearing thin. “Aye, me and my whims. Seein’ as how I’m captain, my whims’ll carry the day. If you can’t live with that, you might look into alternative employment.”

Barbossa scowled. “I ain’t leaving the Pearl.”

Jack inclined his head. “Your loyalty is admirable. And who knows, p’rhaps we’ll contrive to combine business with pleasure. The Canary Islands and thereabouts have been good pickings in the past.”

Hector’s scowl faded. “Well. That might go a ways toward assuaging me greed.”

“I’d think so,” said Jack, pointedly.

Barbossa nodded. “Business and pleasure, then. Like killin’ two birds with one stone. As it were.” And he almost smiled.


TBC...

Comments

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

Oh, he is kinda scary Barbossa, ain't he? :-D But you write him very very well, I must say. At least he agreed to going. :-) Looking forward to more of this. It is alot of fun to read!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

He's very scary, and I'm glad he seemed so in this. Like Jack, he's younger and cockier here, and he has very mixed feelings about the Pearl's captain. A little more about that in the next section.

Thank you so much for letting me know you're enjoying this!

[aravah.livejournal.com]

This is wonderful. I love Barbossa, and you've done him proud in this snippet. I can't help but feel that it's not exactly going to be plain sailing though...

Great instalment. :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Barbossa is certainly a fabulous contrast to Jack, although they are both very sharp. So glad you enjoyed this!

[p0wdermonkey.livejournal.com]

I'm catching up in batches again, and what a batch! I do like your scary, greedy Barbossa confronting Jack and his "whim". Is that the smell of mutiny brewing?

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

There's certainly trouble brewing, but it'll be a while yet. So happy you enjoyed these last bits! More tomorrow. I'm rolling right along with the writing.

[stealmybike.livejournal.com]

Oh, I just love your younger Barbossa! Though the situation is starting to lead us to a certain chain of events that sounds all too familiar. ;)

Their conversation is great, love Jack quoting Horace (or any ancient poetry for that matter!)

Looking forward to more as always! :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

the situation is starting to lead us to a certain chain of events that sounds all too familiar.

Yes, Barbossa and Jack don't see eye to eye on things, much of the time.

Educated!Jack is one of my favorite things, and annoys Hector at the same time, which is always entertaining.

More tomorrow! Glad you're enjoying it. Thank you for commenting!

[florencia7.livejournal.com]

That was AWESOME! I ♥ Jack in this, his attitude was perfect, his every retort so wonderfully written! And Barbossa really gave me CHILLS - that was such a fantastic scene! Brilliant installment.

*is waiting VERY impatiently for more* :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Not Happy Barbossa is a bit chilling, you're right. Jack's more used to him. Maybe too used to him.

More in the morning! Thank you for letting me know you're enjoying it!!!

[mindyracal.livejournal.com]

Barbossa was one of my faves in POTC, but always got under my skin. Made me quiver with fear....
He must have always been a nasty hot head...lol

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

He must have always been a nasty hot head

I expect so, and he was probably a lot worse when he was younger. He's awfully fun to write, though.

[mary684.livejournal.com]

I can actually see Jack bristle and stand up a bit taller and eye his weapons to make sure they're in reach. Very nice! Barbs -- ahh, look what you've done with him. Mastery!

I've a big 'ole grin on my face, just love them together and you've done it perfectly. Can't wait for more.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Jack's wary of Barbossa, but not really wary enough, as the successful mutiny proved. I'm so glad you liked the two of them here! There'll be plenty more of that coming up, I expect. :D

Thank you for reading and commenting! I really appreciate it.