Not A Drabble

[dwgm]

The Drabble Challenge theme at Black Pearl Sails this week is 'Jack the Monkey'. This is the second time we've done that theme, and Sparrow still doesn't like the little beggar...

~ Investigation ~

Having recovered somewhat from the treasure's blinding glint, Norrington gestured and said, "I take it that's Barbossa?"

"Aye," said Sparrow, grimly. He strode off, leading the way over rock and precious scree, and through the shallow water, and Norrington followed, though his lieutenants hung back, still apparently bedazzled by the vast hoard.

But when the two drew near the fallen villain, a tiny figure leapt shrieking atop it.

Sparrow started violently. "Bloody hell! The damned monkey!"

He went for the creature, but it darted away, scolding and circling, and Sparrow's face was a picture of surprise as Norrington calmly stooped and offered it a hand. The monkey hesitated briefly, then launched itself, scurrying to the broad shoulder. Norrington straightened, and the animal chittered in distress, wrapping skinny arms about its rescuer's neck. Despite the indignity, Norrington chuckled. "Barbossa's pet?"

"Aye, the little bastard."

"Now, Sparrow!" Norrington chided. "He seems quite tame. My sister had one, years ago."

"Did she? Not like this one, I'll warrant."

"Perhaps not entirely." Norrington drew his head back to look, and the monkey did so, too, studying the man in return. Norrington remarked, "He seems in good health. Very well dressed. Does he have a name?"

Sparrow didn't answer immediately, and Norrington turned to find the pirate scowling. The Commodore raised a brow. "Well?"

The scowl cleared, abruptly. "Name’s 'Hector'."

“Hector!” Norrington turned to the creature, which had become quite alert at the utterance. “Hector?”

The monkey cocked its head as though in inquiry.

Norrington gave a small, satisfied smile, and turned back to Sparrow.

"Well. The information you gave us, incomplete though it was -" Norrington made a casual gesture indicating the vast fortune heaped about the cavern "- seems to be born out by what we've seen so far. The animal can't survive here. We'll have to take him with us."

"Take him?" Sparrow exclaimed, outraged.

"You have an alternate suggestion?"

Sparrow ground his teeth. "I've a great many, Commodore, none of which involve preserving the life o' that worthless animal, so I'll save me breath. I can see you've made up your mind."

Norrington nodded. "I never doubted your powers of observation, Sparrow."

*

Somewhat later little Jack was being carried, shoulder high, from the cavern, one forepaw gripping the fine coat of his savior, the other fingering the medallion hidden in his pocket. He looked back at the pirate with the burning eyes, swaying along behind them, and bared his teeth in a toothy grin.

~.~




ETA: Since the internet is such a forgiving medium, I've changed a few lines of this story this morning. honorat made reference to one point that, the more I thought of it, seemed to render Jack OOC. I woke up thinking about this weighty matter, so I went in and corrected it. Makes more sense now. Should have asked her to beta this in the first place. Silly me.

Comments

[amy-leone.livejournal.com]

*shivers* I'm scared of that monkey...

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Me, too. Cursed monkeys are just the worst.

Thanks for reading!

[kahva.livejournal.com]

Ooooooooooh... You do realize that this begs to be expanded upon, don't you? Norrington doesn't realize he's got a cursed monkey... {fends off the bunnies} Go see Geek Mama, she's the one who wrote it!! Go to her!!!

Excellent work as always, love it! :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Those cursed monkeys can be so annoying.

Glad you liked this. As for expanding it...I'll have to consider that. Maybe for Mel's Halloween Challenge? Hmmm...

[honorat.livejournal.com]

Wonderful missing scene. I like the interplay between Jack and Norrington.

precious scree
I love this description of the piles of treasure.

Now I'm not sure how to interpret that monkey taking so quickly to Norrington when his last master was Barbossa. Does that say something about Norrington's character? Hmmmm. Norrie really doesn't want to get on Jack's next "People to Eliminate" list. Well, maybe the monkey is one of the innocents.

Jack, Jack, you should have lied about the monkey's name LOL.

"I've a great many, Commodore, none of which involve preserving the life o' that worthless animal,"

I'll bet he does. *Snork*

So what does a commodore do with a cursed monkey? When will he find out? My guess is Norrington is due for a few living nightmares.

Great "Drabble".

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how to interpret that monkey taking so quickly to Norrington when his last master was Barbossa. Does that say something about Norrington's character? Hmmmm.

Could be...! The idea of the monkey running to Norrington for protection from Jack was the first thing I thought of when the theme was announced, so I had to explore that a bit. There's something sort of similar in Heyer's The Grand Sophy, too...

Jack, Jack, you should have lied about the monkey's name LOL.

Probably. I figure he was a bit thrown by the horrid little beast's presence, and its immmediate rapport with Norrie. Or perhaps he had some ulterior motive for telling the truth.

So what does a commodore do with a cursed monkey?

That is the question. I may have to explore this further...

Glad you liked it!

[honorat.livejournal.com]

Ah yes! Charles redeeming feature is that animals like him. Well, I don't blame the monkey for trying to escape Jack. It would recognize a kindred spirit to Elizabeth who wasn't too healthy for it either.

And poor Jack--all his enemies having monkey's named Jack. *Snerk*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Originally I was thinking of the monkey messing with Norrington's wig, which wouldn't have endeared it to him. However, the set up where Norrington likes the monkey (to Jack's annoyance) seemed to be one that could be more easily expanded upon

And poor Jack--all his enemies having monkey's named Jack. *Snerk*

Yeah, that was amusing, but, as I said, I woke up thinking that no, you were right: Jack should have lied, and would have in this case.

Thanks for all the feedback. Should have just asked you to beta read in the first place. *looks sheepish*

[honorat.livejournal.com]

Hah! Jack naming animals after Barbossa again. He would! I liked both versions, but I do find the devious Sparrow amusing. Now Norrington has a little Barbossa of his own on his shoulder. Looking forward to the sequel. The Zombie Monkey and the Commodore!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for pointing that 'name' thing out. I woke up this morning thinking, "Gad! She's right! What possible motivation could Jack have for telling Norrie that? He's OOC in this!" Nice that one can edit things fairly easily on the internet.

Yes, I think the Zombie Monkey thing might be fun to write as a Halloween story.

[hereswith.livejournal.com]

Great! I love the interaction between James and the monkey here, as well as that between James and Jack, with James sort of defending the creature and, for example: Norrington drew his head back to look, and the monkey did so, too, studying the man in return. Poor thing, in a way, left all alone in the world... oddly enough, I rather like that monkey. Zombie Monkey for Halloween, though, that sounds like a plan ;-)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

So happy to hear from you! I'm glad you enjoyed the ficlet. And yes, 'Hector the Zombie Monkey' should be fun to write.

[rennie1265.livejournal.com]

Like the changes, makes it even better. And let us not forget that toothy grin at the end...

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yes, the monkey is no doubt up to something, hence the toothy grin.

[cymbeline.livejournal.com]

sneaky little monkey!

Norrie is probably wondering why Jack's all bent out of shape over a monkey...lol

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Norrie is probably wondering why Jack's all bent out of shape over a monkey...lol

Exactly. He doesn't associate it with bad stuff, like Jack does (and Elizabeth will!), he just sees a cute pet like his sister had.

Glad you liked it!

[elessil.livejournal.com]

Poor Jamie! Stuck with a cursed monkey and not even with the knowledge to mock Jack with its name ;)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Ha! Originally I'd written it with Jack telling Norrington the truth about that, but then decided there would be no advantage for him in doing so, which renders it OOC. And, yes, I think James is in for a bit of a surprise with the monkey.

Glad you enjoyed this. :)

[galadhir.livejournal.com]

Oh yay! I do like that. I would somehow never have figured Norrington as a pet-lover, but then I thought 'but whyever not?' and it's lovely to see the softer side of his character coming out. It's just a shame it isn't bestowed on a worthier recipient.

And thus the curse of the immortal zombie monkey was unleashed upon the Caribbean! Lovely!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Norrington as pet-lover: unexpected, maybe, but I don't believe there's anything in the movie that precludes it. I'm glad you enjoyed this!

[torn-eledhwen.livejournal.com]

Eeeurrrgh, that monkey ... Nasty little thing. Very nice drabblish, though!

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

Wonderful monkey fic! I love Jack's scowl clearing as he thinks of his little bit of revenge (and yes, did see the original in a comment left at BPS. You and honorat are quite right that the revision is more in character).

But oh, what mischief a cursed monkey can get up to in Norrie's rooms ... and office! *crosses fingers that plot bunny will demand GM's attention*

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Deb -- this was a fun one to do, and I had originally planned to continue it for the Halloween challenge. Maybe after Christmas I'll think about it some more. Right now I have ten request drabbles (or ficlets) to do, and the Secret Santa story. Cursed monkeys will have to wait. Glad you enjoyed it, though.