Drabble: 'What a Ship Is' (Elizabeth, etc. - G)

[dwgm]

This is for the 'Sail' prompt at potc100, though at blackpearlsails we've already heard from our new Drabble Mate, Ms. pearlseed, so my next one will use the new blackpearlsails prompt, 'Friend'.

In the meantime, exactly 100 words...



~ What a Ship Is ~

White sails on the horizon, billowing wide, catching the wind, drifting in and out of Portsmouth harbor, whispering of adventure: Salt spray, the endless swell; desert sands, fecund jungle; silk, spice, and sloe-eyed maids; cruel swordsmen, wise scholars.

She remembers sipping tea in the bow window of an inn, father conversing with tall officers, masters of those white sails she loved.

She’s no longer a child. The masters were only men, though some were dear enough, and she sips rum, now, more often than tea. As for adventure, she makes her own.

Adventure. Freedom. And black sails on the horizon.


~.~

Comments

[whensheflies.livejournal.com]

Perfect. This little drabble is Elizabeth in a nutshell. I loved it.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[pearlseed.livejournal.com]

And he is no doubt looking to her as well

As for adventure, she makes her own.
Adventure. Freedom. And black sails on the horizon.
This is just fine as frog hair donchaknow?!
The first bit so defines Jack's Lizzie and the last line drops me to my knees cos it's just how it is...been on my horizon for all these many years. Those black sails haunt dreams so completely. Lovely story, dearheart, just like herself indeed.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Those black sails haunt dreams so completely.

They do indeed. She's seen a lot over the years, the contrast between the little girl and the pirate king is, in some ways, like black and white.

Thank you so much for reading and commenting!

[pearlseed.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes, that was the other part...I truly adore the stories with all of Lizzie's life shown in clear view the stumbling steps that got her to the point where she...stole the gold, had a swordfight, stabbed a man, killed a man, loved a man...become her true sweet pirate self. Ah, she's a complicated ball of wax with her engaging smile and lord, when her eyes flash in anger. Now that's something!

[honorat.livejournal.com]

I love Elizabeth no longer having to live her life vicariously through the stories of men, but making her own adventures. It's always so good to see a bit of your writing.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth is just such a great character. Thank you for reading and commenting -- I'm so glad you liked this!

[sharklady35.livejournal.com]

Excellent! Liz's character arc in a nutshell. :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

She traveled a long way, didn't she?

Thank you for reading and commenting!!

[aletheiafelinea.livejournal.com]

I like the framing with white and black sails. Nice work. :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[anonymous-plume.livejournal.com]

Ooh, lovely.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! So happy you enjoyed!

[florencia7.livejournal.com]

Wonderful drabble & I LOVE how it starts with "white sails" & ends (continues!) with "black sails" :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[luvvycat.livejournal.com]

Such a wonderful drabble, and a such a beautifully-rendered and concise summation of Elizabeth's PotC story arc: her journey from child to woman, woman to pirate, pirate to Pirate King.

I can't help being reminded of those rum-runner's island scenes, with Elizabeth listening to Jack rhapsodise about what the Pearl represented to him. I think that may have been a moment of true epiphany for Elizabeth: the realisation that her life-long obsession with piracy was not just a young girl's dreams of romance and adventure and visiting exotic places, but a desire for freedom. In that regard, I believe Jack "got" her like nobody else did: not her father, not Will, and (perhaps, until that moment) not even herself! :-)

Great, great drabble, and one I enjoyed immensely! :-)

-- Cat

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I think that may have been a moment of true epiphany for Elizabeth...

I think you're right, though she didn't let that distract her from the task at hand -- that's the difference between her and Jack, I think. He drifts on the winds of chance, she tries to make her own wind. Maybe they both have a point. ;)

I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Elizabeth is such a great character to write about -- as you know! Thank you very much for reading and for leaving such thoughtful comments.