Drabble Series: 'An Execrable Business' (28/?)

[dwgm]

Another 550 words of the story, theme: "Adventure". 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

25. Greed 26. Advance 27. Challenge

And here's today's...

28. Adventure


~ An Execrable Business, continued...


Joe sat in the stern of the Jolly Mon, guiding her over the water toward the Black Pearl. The Pearl was the most beautiful ship in the bay, limned in gold in the wake of sunset, and Jack’s pride in her was just. The pirate sat a little forward with Nell close beside him, telling her about his ship, and about some of the men who sailed her.

“You’ll keep to the Great Cabin as much as you can ‘til they get used to you runnin’ about the ship on errands for me. Stay away from Barbossa. He’s too sharp, and ill-tempered besides. Bill’s your friend – I’ll introduce you straight off –and there’ll be others as we go along. You’ll do fine, no worries, love.”

Nell nodded with a smile, but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. Joe suspected she wasn’t entirely easy, now that this adventure was becoming reality, and she could hardly be faulted for that. The Pearl might be beautiful, but every inch of the ship was designed to intimidate, with a crew that was known all over the Caribbean, every man a fierce, successful pirate. How much of her reputation was enhanced by rumor and tall tales was debatable, but there was no doubt it had been established by the seeds of truth.

Joe suspected Nell was sad to leave his daughters, too. The events that had transpired in the short time she’d been with them had served to bind all their hearts. Nell would be missed by Constanze and Maribelle, and even by Anamaria, jealous as she was.

Ana had been very near tears when Jack had come to say goodbye, and might have given in to them if Nell hadn’t been there. Joe’s little one had expressed only brusque thanks for Jack’s queenly gift of a bolt of peacock blue silk.

“It’s for you and your sisters, but I picked it because it’s your favorite color,” Jack said, preening at having remembered.

“How beautiful you’ll be in it,” Nell had told Ana, crouching beside the bed and taking her hand. “I wish I could see you. But Captain Sparrow will do so, when he returns, which is far better.”

A look of understanding had passed between the two, and Ana’s fingers had tightened on Nell’s. But she had only choked, “Goodbye,” and loosed her hand and turned away, closing her eyes.

Nell’s own fingers now were keeping secret hold of the edge of Jack’s coat, Joe noticed, and she stared at the Pearl with wide eyes, the ship looming dark and enormous as they drew close, then closer.

But then a voice shouted: “Hey, you lubbers! Look lively! Captain’s comin’ aboard!” And a rope ladder was tossed over the side and lowered as a number of faces peered down at them in the gathering dusk.

With the ease of long experience, Joe luffed the sail and put the Jolly Mon right alongside the Pearl, and Jack got up (leaving Nell’s hand bereft), and went to grab the ladder.

Joe said to Nell, “Goodbye, little one. Take care.”

And Nell, standing, turned back to him, saying, “Goodbye. And bless you all!”

Joe watched her bravely go forward to the ladder as Jack called jauntily back to him, “See you next time! And thanks again!”



TBC...

Comments

[luvvycat.livejournal.com]

Ana had been very near tears when Jack had come to say goodbye, and might have given in to them if Nell hadn’t been there. Joe’s little one had expressed only brusque thanks for Jack’s queenly gift of a bolt of peacock blue silk.

“It’s for you and your sisters, but I picked it because it’s your favorite color,” Jack said, preening at having remembered.

“How beautiful you’ll be in it,” Nell had told Ana, crouching beside the bed and taking her hand. “I wish I could see you. But Captain Sparrow will do so, when he returns, which is far better.”

A look of understanding had passed between the two, and Ana’s fingers had tightened on Nell’s. But she had only choked, “Goodbye,” and loosed her hand and turned away, closing her eyes.

Poor Ana! But I love how Nell continues to be sympathetic and sensitive to Ana's feelings, and the subtle message she's giving her here: 'Yes, I'm going away with Jack, but he'll be coming back to you, without me ...'

Very sweet! Lovely chapter! Looking forward to more!

[p0wdermonkey.livejournal.com]

Catch-up reading in batches again. I love your patient, Jack-knowing Bootstrap.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

They're a great pair, as you know. ;) Thank you for reading and letting me know you're enjoying it!

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

Oh, that is just lovely. I fully understand Nell. They might be silly and funny and even cute... But they are all pirates the crew of the Black Pearl. ;-) Easy to forget that sometimes (apart from Barbossa, that is... you never forget how much of a pirate he is...)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Some are nicer than others, for sure. So happy you enjoyed this! Thank you for the wonderful comments. I really appreciate it.

[pearlseed.livejournal.com]

Just way cool-such a fine picture of the total ensemble. Man, loved it--how proud Jack was to have remembered her favorite colour--pretty man can be so sweet. thank you

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

He can be sweet (though it's probably best not to tell him in so many words). Thank you for commenting!

[stealmybike.livejournal.com]

This was a wonderfully sweet chapter that touched upon everyone's feelings from Ana to Nell.

“It’s for you and your sisters, but I picked it because it’s your favorite color,” Jack said, preening at having remembered.

Just a wonderful moment for young Jack. <3

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Young!Jack is always so much fun to write. I'm so happy you're enjoying this, too! Thank you for commenting!

[florencia7.livejournal.com]

"Nell’s own fingers now were keeping secret hold of the edge of Jack’s coat, Joe noticed, and she stared at the Pearl with wide eyes, the ship looming dark and enormous as they drew close, then closer." - That was SO lovely! Such a precious detail.

Wonderful installment! So exciting to finally set sail! And so sad to leave Ana and her family behind...

*waiting impatienly for more* :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

So glad you liked this! More on the way. Thanks for your wonderful comments. They are very much appreciated!

And btw, I'll have a surprise for you, later today! *g* I'll send you a link.

[mary684.livejournal.com]

The Pearl was the most beautiful ship in the bay, limned in gold in the wake of sunset, and Jack’s pride in her was just...The Pearl might be beautiful, but every inch of the ship was designed to intimidate, with a crew that was known all over the Caribbean, every man a fierce, successful pirate. How much of her reputation was enhanced by rumor and tall tales was debatable, but there was no doubt it had been established by the seeds of truth.

I LOVED this! What a wonderful description of Pearl and the men who sail her.

And Ana *le sigh* poor little one.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

So glad you liked the little bit of piratey description there. Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this. I really appreciate it!

[compassrose7577.livejournal.com]

Ha!! And "adventure" is the next prompt. Fortuitous for sure.

Nell is well-justified to have a few second thoughts. We all know (and I suspect she knows too, deep inside, at any rate) that Jack would protect her, but there are limits.

Fond farewells, probably never to see each other ever again, or might never recognize each other, even if they did. ('Course, Ana has the best odds of all, doesn't she?)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Yes, Ana wins just by being in the right place at the right age at the right time. Eventually. ;)