Ten Year Drabbles
Jul. 9th, 2013 03:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dwgm
...here are ten half drabbles, one for every year of Jack's search for the Black Pearl...
~ Ten Years ~
One
Relief, then rum-fueled fury, then grief, and back again. Repeatedly.
He’d been too sure of his charm, his ability to persuade. And he’d badly underestimated Hector.
But that was all right, he thought, carefully polishing the barrel of his pistol. Hector would soon know how badly he’d underestimated old Jack.
Two
The Black Pearl was gone.
There’d been rumors of violence, of mayhem, for months. Jack hadn’t known what to make of them. Not his Pearl! Had the old man been right about the curse?
But the rumors had faded, then stopped.
Searching was futile. Jack felt it in his bones.
Three
Revenge would come, but meanwhile sustenance must be had, and navigation kept him in coin and at sea. South to the Horn, then across the ill-named Pacific. In Singapore he found the means and will to rest a time and, in place of the ivory lost to scurvy, acquired gold.
Four
Sao Feng was a ruthless bastard, and Jack knew better than to poach on his turf. Not that it made any difference in the end. Lian and Park, precocious lasses that they were, knew what they wanted, and how to get it, too.
So much for Jack’s sojourn in Singapore.
Five
After weeks of perfect sailing, they rounded the Cape of Storms and headed up the coast of Africa. A month in the doldrums, a fortnight in the Bay of Biscay, then Corsairs had them. Sold to a vizier with rather peculiar tastes, Jack found the gentleman’s lady easier to manage.
Six
England was at war with Spain, but Jack had an ear for the language and throve under the tutelage of Sister Angelica, denizen of the convent where he’d taken refuge. She was fiery, beautiful, and a generous soul, and it seemed only fair that he reciprocate -- in a manner of speaking.
Seven
Strange how the Caribbean felt like home, and how comfortable the amenities of Tortuga. He’d coin in his pocket this go-round, enough for a grand night of debauchery. Yet the usual lasses seemed garish after catching sight of a newcomer in their midst, a shy English rose named Molly Hatter.
Eight
The Black Pearl was back from God knew where, but she was sly as an otter and slippery as an eel. The ascendant Scourge of Piracy, Captain Norrington R.N., was led a merry dance in pursuit, and Jack a merrier, trying to catch the one and avoid the other.
Nine
He’d almost forgotten Anamaria, it’d been so long, and she’d so thoroughly left behind the small, skinny girl he’d known back then. If his friend, her father, had still been alive... but he’d been gone these many years.
Needs must when the devil drives.
And besides, she had a boat!
Ten
“I know those guns!”
Jack’s heart leapt: The Pearl here, now, as well as the lovely Elizabeth and her piece of Aztec Gold.
No manner of luck. Ha! Why, except for the minor inconvenience of the gaol, and that recalcitrant canine, it was all coming together exactly as he’d planned!
~.~
*raises a toast to all piratey friends*
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no subject
Date: 2013-07-09 10:46 pm (UTC)What a marvelous collection of tiny delights! I love how you've ticked off the years and finished up so near the start of it all for us. Special delights:
the ill-named Pacific *loves*
Molly!!!
The entirety of Eight.
Ana's father...
*sigh*
no subject
Date: 2013-07-09 10:57 pm (UTC)It's been an amazing ten years, so much fabulous fanfic by so many great authors, and the canon scooting off in all kinds of unexpected directions. And best of all, you and all the wonderful friends I've made, online and off.
*Piratey Hugs*
no subject
Date: 2013-07-10 12:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-10 05:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-10 01:17 am (UTC)These are wonderful! I especially love 3 and 10. Thank you for doing this - it brings back fantastic memories. I really miss the heyday of this fandom and all the fun and fic.
*toasts with the best grog*
no subject
Date: 2013-07-10 05:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-10 02:37 am (UTC)'... in place of the ivory lost to scurvy, acquired gold.'
Such a succinct explanation for Jack's teeth!
'Sold to a vizier with rather peculiar tastes'
It's striking how many writers postulate that Jack has spent some time as a harem slave. A lingering influence from 'Don Juan DeMarco', perhaps?
'The ascendant Scourge of Piracy, Captain Norrington R.N., was led a merry dance in pursuit, and Jack a merrier, trying to catch the one and avoid the other.'
I just love this sentence. <3
I mentioned that I'd been looking forward to your challenge response. As usual, you did not disappoint. :)
no subject
Date: 2013-07-10 05:51 am (UTC)Succinct is usually my goal. So good to know I succeeded here.
A lingering influence from 'Don Juan DeMarco', perhaps?
Of course!
Many, many thanks for the detailed review!
no subject
Date: 2013-07-10 04:17 am (UTC)All lovely work and so sweet, love Molly Hatter, and Jack's attitude toward..well.. everything.
*hugs youj*
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Date: 2013-07-10 05:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-10 01:12 pm (UTC)Just WONDERFUL. I loved it :]
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Date: 2013-07-11 01:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-10 03:44 pm (UTC)Thank you for the lovely drabbles! They were perfect and Jack absolutely spot-on!
- sinningia
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Date: 2013-07-11 01:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-10 04:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-11 01:26 pm (UTC)Now that's food for thought. I'm so glad you liked them! Thank you very much for commenting.
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Date: 2013-07-10 05:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-10 04:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-10 08:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-11 01:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-10 08:52 pm (UTC)Drabbles are wonderful - gorgeous little nuggets of heavy, shiny gold!
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Date: 2013-07-11 01:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-11 02:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-11 01:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-07-14 04:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-10 04:57 pm (UTC)