Backstory Drabble 15

[dwgm]

Actually wrote another of that series of Backstory Drabbles, though my dear hereswith is on vacation so this one is unbetaed...

15. Fates collide - the turning points and choices that brought Elizabeth to her fall from the parapet and Jack to her rescue in CotBP.


The sun was high before he staggered from her bedchamber, gray around the edges. She purred, "It was good last night, Jack Sparrow."

He was pleased, but winced as he sat down opposite her, and swallowed hard before saying, "Always happy to oblige. Now… the Compass?"

It was her turn to wince. Aztec Gold. But the payment had been fair -- more than fair – and a bargain was a bargain. She got up to fetch it from the shelf.

As sometimes happened, shards of the future flashed behind her eyes. Barbossa's treachery. The Pearl lost. Hungry years. A coin in the hands of a girl. A girl...

Tia Dalma's eyes widened. She turned back to her unsuspecting guest.

An eager look was replacing the weariness, and he held out his hand.

She shook her head as she approached. "Jack. Darlin' Jack. Jus' remember, not all treasure be silver and gold."



~.~

Comments

[florencia7.livejournal.com]

So this is where that sentence comes from! Perfect :) The mystery of Tia Dalma and Jack, so full of trust and so innocently legend & adventure focused yet. Wonderful drabble!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

so full of trust and so innocently legend & adventure focused

Yes, that's what I was trying to say. Glad it came through. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!

[pearlseed.livejournal.com]

Ah, the devilish charms of the good Captain and Tia Dalma--now that was a heat lightening storm of a gathering. It's amusing that they had worn themselves out playing too hard. The places that man was schooled. Myohmy! The history he has, metaphysical and worldly, what an interesting life he leads.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Jack's all for adventure, for sure. I'm so glad you enjoyed this -- thanks for reading and commenting!

[sparrows-swann.livejournal.com]

Oh, I really like this one. You know, one of my absolute favorite scenes in DMC is in Tia Dalma's shack ("Jack Sparrow does not know what he wants!", "What vexes all men?" "A woman."). I think that scene speaks very loudly and I love it. So, I love this little backstory!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I,too, love that scene in the shack -- so much implied by their words and actions.

Praise from Willofthewisp

[(Anonymous)]

Tia Dalma has so many possibilities. I really like how you described her visions as shards and that they only sometimes happen. It limits her power, but it also makes us appreciate how smart she is because she can actually make sense of what she sees.

I like Jack swallowing hard before he speaks to her. He knows with her he's got to think before he says anything at all to her, knows there is usually a catch to the things she gives/tells him. But it's clear he took her words to heart, eh?

Very thought-provoking drabble.

Re: Praise from Willofthewisp

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm very happy you enjoyed this.

[woolymonkey.livejournal.com]

I totally buy Jack/Tia, and I love that he stole the 'silver and gold' line from her. Nice!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you!!

[djarum99.livejournal.com]

Of course Jack stole that line :-) I love the call back to Jack's "knowing" Tia Dalma (as well as his recollection that it nearly killed him :-), the sense of foreboding and that she regrets what lies before him, and the hint of J/E.

Thanks so much for writing these ♥

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I love the call back to Jack's "knowing" Tia Dalma (as well as his recollection that it nearly killed him

He had to admit he enjoyed it at the time, though. *g*

So happy you enjoyed this one. I'm keeping at 'em, though I'm not making any promises as to when I'll finish. Too flaky these summer days.

Thank you for commenting!

[luvvycat.livejournal.com]

The sun was high before he staggered from her bedchamber, gray around the edges. She purred, "It was good last night, Jack Sparrow."

He was pleased, but winced as he sat down opposite her, and swallowed hard before saying, "Always happy to oblige. Now… the Compass?"

Oho! So that's what Jack "bartered" for the Compass! Wicked Jack! Sounds like Tia really put him through his paces, though. (Is that how she tried to "kill" him, but he "enjoyed it at the time", as referenced in AWE?) ;-)

As sometimes happened, shards of the future flashed behind her eyes. Barbossa's treachery. The Pearl lost. Hungry years. A coin in the hands of a girl. A girl...

Oh, man! How different Jack's life might have been, had Tia only shared these premonitions with him! But then, of course, change one event, and the whole future unravels, and a lot of people's histories are rewritten (If Jack doesn't lose the Pearl, he'll never end up in Port Royal "shopping" for a new boat, and Lizzie falls and drowns 'cause there's no one there to save her, etc.). I guess withholding knowledge of Jack's future from him was the most prudent course, at the time, in her judgment ...

But, oh, think of the AU possibilities...! *evil grin*

GREAT stuff! Glad to see you're keeping at this drabble series! Love it, love it, love it! :-)

-- Cat

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Is that how she tried to "kill" him, but he "enjoyed it at the time", as referenced in AWE?

Seemed to be the logical explanation; their conversation is always full of innuendo.

The A/U possibilities inherent in Tia Dalma's choice are indeed stunning. :)

Thank you for commenting! I am determined to finish all of these, though it's going at a snail's pace at the moment. :(

[compassrose7577.livejournal.com]

"...not all treasure be silver and gold."

This is a catchy bit, isn't it? It was perhaps one of the first lines in CotBP that really rang in my mind, and seemed to reveal some of the painful wisdoms of Jack's hard lessons learned.

I'm with the rest. The shack was too perfect, in many ways a summation of the entire trilogy.

Always love a glimpse into what might have transpired between these two.

Good stuff!!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

t was perhaps one of the first lines in CotBP that really rang in my mind

It suggested a great title for your fic, for sure! Thank you for reading and commenting here, I'm glad you enjoyed this little glimpse of Jack and Tia Dalma. Their backstory is awfully intriguing. ;)

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

Still so young there, isn't he? Well, it is a start, isn't it? On a looong adventure.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Yes, Jack's not quite as savvy as he likes to think he is here. Thank you for reading and commenting!

[cbtreks.livejournal.com]

Nice drabble! I like how you capture two people's personalities in 100 words.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful compliment! I'm so glad these rang true for you. Thank you very much.

[hereswith.livejournal.com]

Oh, wonderful glimpse of the two of them at a different time, before everything. I too loved that it was Tia's line, the one about silver and gold, and the foreshadowing here. Poor young and eager Jack though, he doesn't know all that's in wait for him...

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Jack is good at rolling with the punches, thankfully. I'm glad you liked the glimpse of his youthful self. Thank you for letting me know!