Backstory Drabbles 13 & 14

[dwgm]

RL has been very full, and the Muse is struggling out from under the debris -- some of it confetti, some of it sawdust. I finally got two more of these Backstory Drabbles done for hseas_challenge #4 and thought I'd post them so y'all would know I'm still alive. My dear hereswith looked the first one over (several times), but the second is not only 150 words, but unbetaed, though hopefully OK.

The first four are here, the second four are here, and the third four are here. Six to go, after these two...


13. The New World – Jack’s adventures in the Colonies pre-CotBP



Thin morning light caught the wink of gold half-hidden in the elflocks strewn over the pillow.

"Jack… is this a wedding ring?"

One kohl-smudged eyelid rose. "Maybe."

Elizabeth frowned. "What does that mean?"

Jack frowned, too. His eye closed. But after a moment's hesitation he spoke. "Maybe I gave up pirating for a bit. After the mutiny. Maybe lighted in Boston, took up drawing maps again. Maybe got leg-shackled, too. Only maybe she was too good for this earth. She and her son.”

Elizabeth felt a creeping chill, and whispered, "Is it true?"

The edge of his lip quivered. "Maybe."


***



14. Freedom above all else – Elizabeth’s/Jack’s first taste of freedom.



"Jack, do you remember on the island, when you told me a ship was freedom?"

"I did?"

"Yes. Of course you did. Don't you remember?"

"Well..."

"Jack! You don't remember?"

"Not precisely. Seems a bit... romantic for me. High-flown, as it were."

"It was romantic! Very much so!"

"Was I making up to you?"

"You were… attempting a flirtation."

"Ha! That would account for it then."

"Hmmph."

"So… your point? And purpose?"

"It's just that I feel that freedom, too, today, and every time I set foot on a ship. I did even as a child on the Dauntless. I agreed with you, though I couldn’t tell you that night. Oh, Jack. Was it just one of your stories after all? "

“ ‘Course not. Usually don’t go emoting about such things, however.”

“Well, you did. You really don’t remember? Any of it?”

“I remember you burned the rum.”

“Oh, Jack!”


***

TBC

Comments

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

*squee* (and *hugs* as well - good to see you!)

took up drawing maps again
Yes, I do like that Jack. And the second one is especially delightful! Just when it threatens to be a grand Serious Moment, what with talk of emoting and whatnot, he retreats behind that flaming rum. Beautiful, as always.

Know I haven't said it lately, but I love having this icon of my Gampie's rug - thank you again.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

That rug makes a great icon! Your Gampie's work is famous, seen all over the world now! Very cool.

Thank you so, SO much for reviewing, and so quickly, too! I didn't even know if the second one worked, except in my head, lol! But I woke up hearing them converse this morning and had to write it down. You know how it is. Hopefully I'll be able to get in the groove and knock out the last six this coming weekend -- staying home with the pups, so they don't freak out at the fireworks.

*big hugs back*

[viva-lla-gloria.livejournal.com]

These are fantastic! The first one is so sad - but I do love the idea of Jack having that kind of life, at least for a little while. And the end of the second is brilliant and so very Jack! ;)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I do love the idea of Jack having that kind of life, at least for a little while.

I don't think he'd be happy over the long term, but I could see him being so disgusted with his circumstances after the mutiny that he'd be open to trying something completely different for a while.

Thank you so much for letting me know you enjoyed these! I really appreciate it.

[viva-lla-gloria.livejournal.com]

"I don't think he'd be happy over the long term, but I could see him being so disgusted with his circumstances after the mutiny that he'd be open to trying something completely different for a while."

I agree, and I think that's part of what makes that drabble so bittersweet. It's hard to see Jack mourning what once made him happy, but where it would have worked out in the long run is doubtful.

[were-lemur.livejournal.com]

I love both of these -- the first is so sad, and the second, with Jack desperately trying to escape the whole dramatic moment thing, is just so Jack.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

He tries awfully hard not to reveal too much, but generally fails with Elizabeth. Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed these!

[ladymouse2.livejournal.com]

Oh, lovely! More Geekmama drabbles in the series...I was starting to suffer withdrawal symptoms!

These are textbook good, saying a lot by inference in a very small space, implying whole stories. The idea of Jack quitting the "sweet life" for a while after the mutiny and taking up both cartography again and a wife and family in Boston is a startling but valid notion. I like that cartographer lurking in his background from T and T's remarks after the first movie. I too suspect he'd not have been content over the long run as Will might have been had he had the chance for the life he'd wanted with Elizabeth. Jack is "leg-shackled" to the sea and his Pearl before ANY woman. But he didn't have time it seems to tire of his sedentary life, it was ripped from him by tragedy so at this far time, he can't quite tell Elizabeth outright. Very poignant.

And the last one works just as well. I love how he sets Elizabeth off a bit by claiming not to recall his words about the Pearl, Lizzy still somehow determined to have at least some of that dreamed of romance of the sea.

And then his evasion into mentioning the burned rum is all Jack; he slides past a sentimental statement, brings up a debt and teases Lizzie into the bargain!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your wonderfully detailed comments! I know drabbles aren't quite your thing, but as you point out, a whole story can be implied and left to the reader's imagination.

[ditte3.livejournal.com]

cute.:)He's so Jack.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Yes, he is! Thank you for commenting -- I'm glad you enjoyed!

[p0wdermonkey.livejournal.com]

Those are lovely, especially the first. Normally, I'm allergic to married Jack, but this is subtle enough to pull it off--the wedding ring buried deep in the hair, the rebound from the mutiny, yep, works for me! *sniffle*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Glad the possible glimpse of Jack's retreat into domesticity seemed feasible. Ten years is a long time, all kinds of things might have happened.

Thank you so much for commenting!

[artaxastra.livejournal.com]

I love the first one, and the way we're left not knowing if it's true or not. It might be. With Jack you'd never know. Or you might find out ten years later by accident. You capture that ambivalence so well.

I like the second one too, with his insistance that maybe he wasn't emoting, when Jack generally emotes about everything!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Jack generally emotes about everything

True, but that doesn't usually involve revealing what's in his heart. I think that's where Elizabeth is truly different from everyone else.

I'm so happy you liked these. Thank you for letting me know.

[sharklady35.livejournal.com]

Here's me seconding the view that #1 is sad and feasible, #2 is most amusing, and geekmama is still the best drabbleist around.

> “I remember you burned the rum.” <

He'll never let Liz live that down...

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

> “I remember you burned the rum.” <

He'll never let Liz live that down...

Not likely.

Thank you for commenting and for the lovely compliment!

[florencia7.livejournal.com]

These are both FABULOUS! It's so wonderful to see you writing again! :D

Your fantastic grasp of the characters always makes your fics so wonderful to read, and this post is no exception. Jack and Elizabeth's voices ring so true in these. Jack's complex truths and Elizabeth trying to decipher his thoughts, track down true events in the maze of all his real and imaginary legends...

Beautiful drabbles! *saves to memories*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your very flattering comments! I truly appreciate them. I hope to have more time to write, now that things are calming down somewhat at work and at home. I'm so glad you liked these drabbles!

[pearlseed.livejournal.com]

Ever the opportunist, our Jack--she must have been a lovely intrigue, big heart to bring Jack to her, hold him. He speaks of his time with her so completely, for him, really feel "creeping chill", such heartbreak. I'm with Miz Ladymouse, it's the Pearl for Jack, but...any port...

The island story remembered is delightful--he sidesteps well til he knows her destination. And she is equally determined to have her romantic heart fulfilled. They are a pair! And I'm glad you've writ this for sharing!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed these, and that they worked the way I'd hoped they would.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for reading and for leaving such thoughtful comments. I'm so glad you liked these. Jack's past is certainly fun to explore in fic -- everyone has their own ideas about the possibilities.

[nanabanana75.livejournal.com]

So glad you have returned to us! And I hope real life has mellowed enough for you to continue writing. So many of our top writers have left us. And then I saw this, which made my day! Loved them both, but mostly the first one. Do you think that some writer (hint) could take that one a step further and write a piece about Jack's time with wife and son in the colonies? I know, I am a greedy gal. Never enough Jack and Liz for me! Thank you so much for the wonderful drabbles.........yours, Nan.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

So many of our top writers have left us.

It is certainly quiet lately, but I think things will pick up again as PotC4 approaches. As for writing about Jack in the colonies, it's definitely a thought, might have to try that one of these days. Thank you so much for reading and commenting here -- I'm so happy you enjoyed these drabbles, and I truly appreciate the feedback.

[luvvycat.livejournal.com]

Wow! Gorgeous pair of drabbles! Honestly, Jack and Elizabeth must have the most interesting "pillow talk."

"Maybe I gave up pirating for a bit. After the mutiny. Maybe lighted in Boston, took up drawing maps again. Maybe got leg-shackled, too. Only maybe she was too good for this earth. She and her son.”

Oooh! *shivers* Poor Jack, providing this is true (never a given with Jack Sparrow).

And Jack ... how many layers he has! Peel one away, and there's always a lot more beneath it! A constant mystery, to be explored and discovered! Lizzie sure has her work cut out for her! Life with Jack may not exactly be easy, but it surely is interesting (to say the least!).

Drabble 14 is classic Jack Sparrow! Hiding his rarely-glimpsed "romantic" side behind a prurient purpose (i.e., seducing Elizabeth on the island). So like him, to not admit to any perceived "weakness."

And he certainly knows how to push Lizzie's buttons, and deftly change the subject, with the mention of the rum! He'll never let her live that one down, will he? :-)

Fantastic drabbles! A real treat! :-)

-- Cat

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Jack and Elizabeth must have the most interesting "pillow talk."

I would think so indeed. *g* And pushing buttons is a Sparrow specialty.

So happy you liked these! Thank you for your thoughtful comments!

[berne.livejournal.com]

Ooh, lovely. I especially like the first one; cartographer Jack makes me happy, and I like the unexpected note of melancholy.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! So happy you enjoyed them!

[djarum99.livejournal.com]

Sorry to be commenting so late!

I loved both of these, the sadness and ambiguity of the first (it's believable, in true Jack-like handwavy fashion, and I'd love to hear more of the "maybes") and their banter in the second.

Thanks so much for writing to the prompt ♥

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I'm still determined to finish all the prompts. Thank you for commenting! I'm so glad you enjoyed these.