Backstory Drabbles 9 -12

[dwgm]

Finally finished the next four Backstory Drabbles for challenge #4 at hseas_challenge, with thanks, as always, to hereswith for the beta read.

The first four are here, and the second four are here.

And here are 9 through 12, a hundred words each...


9. Selling his soul – Jack strikes a deal with Davy Jones


Jack Sparrow considered himself fairly hardened, even at six and twenty, but it made his flesh crawl, Jones'...state. And the way the devil gloated so lavishly at the bargain they'd struck, too, as though in the blink of an eye Jack would be one of those poor, fishy sods that crewed the Dutchman.

Thirteen years.

But when Jack saw his ship, burnt black from stem to stern but beautifully intact and alive, he knew it was worth it.

Thirteen years. A lot could happen in thirteen years.

And what good was a soul, anyway, with a heart buried fathoms deep?


***


10. "It’s just good business" – Jack, Beckett, and the EITC


Slaves.

How had he thought he could reconcile himself -- his conscience, that scorned, inconvenient and undeniable entity -- to this reality?

Tight-packed, the black faces looked up at him. Men. Women. Children. A few yet capable of anger or fear, but most dull-eyed and hopeless, and sick with it.

And it wasn’t pity, or even the stench that made Jack’s stomach turn. He could still envision Beckett in his mind’s eye, the neat figure, the curve of the full lips, and the echo of words -- reasonable, soothing -- that were the whisperings of a serpent.

It's just good business, Jack.


***


11. A trail of broken hearts – there have been others before Elizabeth


"Captain Jack Sparrow!"

The woman bore down on them from the far side of the tavern. Jack grabbed Elizabeth's arm. "Time to go!"

Out the door and around the corner, but three more women were approaching. "Captain Jack Sparrow!”

Jack reversed direction, dragging Elizabeth along.

There were two more outraged encounters before they made it back to Elizabeth's quarters. Jack bolted the door and collapsed on the bed.

Elizabeth shook her head. "I suppose it's inevitable. You are Captain Jack Sparrow."

Jack drew her down and hugged her close. "There's times when I vastly prefer to be just Jack, savvy?"


***


12. Debts –Why is Jack indebted to the Pirate Lords?


"And I owe them all money."

“You owe them? For what?” Hector scoffed. “Don't tell me those scallywags funded one o' them mad schemes of yourn."

Jack shrugged. “’Twas after the mutiny. I needed a new ship, didn't I? Promised 'em untold riches from the Isla de Muerta."

Hector gave a bark of laughter. “So what happened? You had the compass."

"It bloody wouldn't work. There were two things I wanted more, and they weren’t on the Isla, not by that time.”

“The Black Pearl.” Hector nodded. “And the second?”

“Your death, of course.”

Hector's blood ran cold. “Of course.”


***

TBC

Comments

[madam-pudifoot.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love 12! Jack's never struck me as intimidating, but then, it must be a different thing for Barbossa. I can well imagine it'd put a chill in the bones.

Also adore 10 - it's refreshing to see another take on the slave incident. I like that Jack's hate for Beckett drives him more than pity. If there's something to get the blood boiling, it'd be that.

Thanks so much for sharing! The fandom's been a bit dead as of late, so I'm really glad to see you're still writing!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Jack's never struck me as intimidating, but then, it must be a different thing for Barbossa.

Jack's killed him once already, and Hector seemed pretty freaked when Tia Dalma threatened to return him to that state.

I like that Jack's hate for Beckett drives him more than pity.

There's what a man can do and what he can't do. Beckett thought he had Jack's measure, but it turns out Jack's a hard man to predict. ;)

I'm so glad you liked these! Thank you for commenting. Star Trek seems to have taken over my flist lately, but there are still a few of us piratey folk around, eh?

[sharklady35.livejournal.com]

Lovely drabbles, ez usual. And such variety in this batch; 9 is feasible, 10 is oh-so-in-character, 11 is amusing and 12 is chilling.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked these!

[ladymouse2.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I like those last two lines of #12! Its a model of a good drabble.

And #10 is almost as chilling for it's portrait of Beckett with his favorite phrase, the one he excuses every monstrous thing he does. And
>that were the whisperings of a serpent.< is so perfect, I laughed out loud to read it.

The other two were strong drabbles too, just these two struck the starkest.

So glad you are going on with these!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I am determined to finish all twenty prompts. I'm surprised it's going so well so far, actually -- 100 words with these kinds of prompts isn't exactly cake. We'll see if I can keep it up.

Jack probably heard that "It's just good business" malarky way past the point of endurance. No wonder he smiled as Beckett was being blown to bits.

Glad you enjoyed these! Thank you so much for commenting!

[pearlseed.livejournal.com]

"what good was a soul, anyway, with a heart buried fathoms deep? Ohmyword!! Do you have a clue how that line rocked me to the bottom of my heart? OMW! I can so see him standing somewhere, never admitting outloud, but his whole being just screaming that one thought. Lovely, Miz Geekmama--life's blood is his love for his Pearl.

"How had he thought he could reconcile himself -- his conscience, that scorned, inconvenient and undeniable entity -- to this reality?" Beautemous--what a good man--what a good man who cannot hide from himself no matter how much he would want to. Your Beckett (and I know I sorta almost said I would entertain the idea that good villians are a vile and disgusting necessity-and important, sure leaves a yucky taste in one's mouth!)is utltimo sleazy and too doggone bad his mum ever met his dad--Beckett...oh, phooey, I cannot say anything nice, so here's what. You are awesome, piratista, and this is more evidence of that fact.

Eleven is a hoot--there is something to be said for being a little more low key at times. Sounds just like our pirate!

Twelve is sad and wonderful. Jack's face when he shot Barbossa was so hard, so utterly determined to end that man who took his Pearl and harmed him. Jack is no Sunday pirate--he's capable of whatever is required to keep body and soul together and will not be denied in this pursuit. Very serious pirate facing one who knows he has brought fresh hell on himself.

Okay, I'll hush now--just ran in this p.m. and read and then had to deal with life--this helps me bear things I must endure. Thank you for the hard work and great insights.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Miz Pearlseed, your comments and enthusiasm are so delightfully encouraging. Thank you so much -- and for the piratista, too. We are all of us piratistas, no?

*hugs*

[artaxastra.livejournal.com]

Oh gorgeous! I love the second one particularly.

You always have such a talent for the sharp, twisted line, the one telling detail.

And what good was a soul, anyway, with a heart buried fathoms deep?

"There's times when I vastly prefer to be just Jack, savvy?"

Wonderful!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Those sharp, twisted lines, you know all about that, don't you? *g* Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I truly appreciate it!

[florencia7.livejournal.com]

YAY! I was so happy when I saw these! :D

9. I love the last sentence. The entire drabble is WONDERFUL. You capture all the shades of that moment, as it must have appeared to Jack, so perfectly!

10. So poignant - and such an important moment that changed so much... Great drabble!

11. Aww ^^ I adore this one! ^^ There is just something absolutely disarming about Captain Jack Sparrow wanting to be just Jack :]

12. This is fantastic. I love the seriousness, how threatening and unpredictable it is when it is Jack who is being serious. And Barbossa's cool acknowledgement - a perfect scene!

Wonderful work! All these drabbles are so beautifully written. I'm looking forward to more! :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your wonderful comments! So very encouraging to know you are still enjoying these.

*hopes for more Blaxton & Co. in the near future*

[p0wdermonkey.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes! Jack and bargains and reputations--and frightening poor Hector. I'm looking forward to more of these!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Very happy you liked them! Thank you for letting me know.

[luvvycat.livejournal.com]

Precious gems, each and every one of these!

9) But when Jack saw his ship, burnt black from stem to stern but beautifully intact and alive, he knew it was worth it.

And what good was a soul, anyway, with a heart buried fathoms deep?

Beautiful! Shows the depth of Jack's love for his ship. And quite possibly the best final line of any drabble, ever! :-)

10) And it wasn’t pity, or even the stench that made Jack’s stomach turn. He could still envision Beckett in his mind’s eye, the neat figure, the curve of the full lips, and the echo of words -- reasonable, soothing -- that were the whisperings of a serpent.

Great portrait of Beckett here, in a few well-chosen words ... cold-blooded, serpentine, reptilian. The man truly is a whited sepulchre: Well-groomed, soft-spoken, urbane and self-righteous on the surface, but whose inner soul is nothing but an amoral, corrupt, writhing pit of venomous snakes.

11) Poor Jack! So hard to be a living legend, particularly when one dallies as much as Jack has done! For all that he revels in his notoriety, anonymity would certainly be a blessing, especially when beset by a flock of old lovers intent on delivering a volley of sound face-slappings! ;-)

12) Brilliant! And, ooh, those last two lines! *shivers* Hector's not the only one who got chills!

Excellent drabbles, one and all!

-- Cat

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

How wonderful to wake up to these thoughtful comments this morning! I'm very glad you enjoyed these! Thank you so much for letting me know. :D

[breathless-dawn.livejournal.com]

Lovely, the whole lot of them! I particularly liked your last line in 9 and 10 gave me chills. Also loved "just Jack" in 11 and the explanation why Jack's compass didn't work in 12.

I really enjoyed these and am looking forward to the next installment :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so glad you liked them. :)

[mary684.livejournal.com]

So like Jack to not worry about tomorrow when today's matters are far more pressing, but this And what good was a soul, anyway, with a heart buried fathoms deep really takes it a level beyond rash impetuousness.

Nice connection between the first two -- Jones' state and Beckett's serpent's whisperings. Gave me chills, those two little bits.

I love the mad escape to find a bit of peace and togetherness. Elizabeth's a patient woman.

And oh, dear Hector, he's not forgotten about you! Can't blame Hector a bit for stealing the map and heading out to sea.

Glad to see these!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Can't blame Hector a bit for stealing the map and heading out to sea.

Yes, I can see Hector being as obsessed with immortality as Jack, after recent experiences, and Jack probably knows it.

I'm so happy you liked these! I'm working on the next set but the Muse is taking the slow boat these days (and RL is so very busy). Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I really appreciate them.

[djarum99.livejournal.com]

And what good was a soul, anyway, with a heart buried fathoms deep?

Oh, Jack. And yet, how could he not retrieve her? She was his soul, in that time and place.

How had he thought he could reconcile himself -- his conscience, that scorned, inconvenient and undeniable entity -- to this reality?

I can see that, Jack not understanding what it meant until faced with the horror.

I suppose it's inevitable

Yes, I suppose it is *g*

“Your death, of course.”

Hector's blood ran cold. “Of course.”

Jack can be a very dangerous man - I loved that scene in the cave, the look in his eyes.

Sorry to be late in commenting, and thank you so much for posting these to the comm! Wonderful as always, quintessential Jack ♥

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reading and for your thoughtful comments. Eight more to go, though RL is not conducive to writing at the moment. But I am determined to finish them!