Dark of the Moon (10/?)

[dwgm]

More Dark of the Moon. Profuse thanks, as always, to hereswith. The rest of the story is here.



Trepidaciously, Letty followed behind Jack Sparrow, ascending the dim stairs up toward the light of an incongruously sunny and warm day. As he emerged before her, onto the black deck, into the fresh, breezy air, he turned and offered her a hand up the last steps. She took it, too readily.

“The captain won’t bite, lass. I promise.”

She glanced up to find laughter in his eyes, and flushed but did not smile.

Climbing up to stand beside him, she glanced around, nervously. There were a few men visible, the majority going about their duties, a group playing at dice in the waist, one grey-beard sitting in the sun near the bow, carving something. It was a very different scene from the previous night, when the ship and its crew had seemed like something out of a terrible nightmare. A vision of her poor husband being sliced open flashed across her brain, and she gasped for a moment, swaying.

Her hand was let go, and her arms caught firmly. “Letty!” Jack gave her a slight shake.

Recalled to the present, she quavered. “I forgot, for a little. When you were brushing my hair.”

His hands tightened. “You won’t forget. Trust me. And I’m sorry for it.”

She frowned, for she saw that he was quite serious for once and she could not help but think it odd that he, a pirate, would feel so. But she finally took a deep breath, and nodded.

“Better?”

“Yes.”

“Jack!”

Letty turned to see a man approaching, warm sympathy on his handsome face as he met her eyes. He was a little taller than Jack Sparrow, a little older, and far less piratical in appearance. Why, his shirt was quite obviously homemade, a sort of teal blue with black embroidery around the cuffs!

“Are you going to introduce me?” he asked Jack.

“’Course! Letty… er, Mrs. Granger, this is William Turner, esquire, known as Bootstrap Bill aboard the Pearl. He’s quartermaster here. Found me that dress you’re wearin’ actually.”

“It looks very well on you, ma’am,” said Mr. Turner, with a slight bow.

Letty knew this was untrue, but bobbed a curtsey anyway, eyes cast down.

“Reed’s cleaning the cabin,” Jack Sparrow said. “You havin’ a bite with us, Bill?”

“No, still accounting the swag – begging your pardon, ma’am. I’m sorry you lost your husband last night. Not to mention having to bunk in with this young varmint.”

“Eh?” said Jack, sharply. “None o’ that sauce, Mr. Turner, if you please.” Letty was startled at his tone, but her protector’s lips seemed to be holding back a smile.

“No sauce, just the plain truth,” averred Bill. “You tell me if he doesn’t treat you properly, ma’am, and I’ll have words with him.” He winked at Jack, nodded to Letty, and took himself off.

“Hmmph.” Jack scowled. “You’d think occasionally he’d remember I outrank him now.”

“You’re old friends?”

Jack laughed shortly. “Aye. Too old. Still sees me as wet behind the ears, when the truth is I’ve been on the Pearl near as long as he has. We’ve been through a bit, ol’ Bootstrap an’ me. Stories that’d curl your hair.” He eyed her. “But those are for later. You all right now? Shall we repair to the Great Cabin and enjoy a convivial meal with the finest captain in the Caribbean?”

“Is he?” asked Letty, somewhat startled at this encomium.

“Aye, he is. Until I make captain, of course.”

Letty couldn’t help being amused at his certain air. “Does he know of this plan, to step into his shoes?”

Jack Sparrow raised a brow. “Of course, lass. Now come on.” He took her hand, his own very warm and strong around her cold one. “Right this way, an’ steady as she goes.”

*

TBC

Comments

[drk-prncss.livejournal.com]

Okay, my turn... Squeee!!!! that is so awesome!!!! I love the incorporation of Bootstrap! It really shows the friendship that was described in the movie! you are awesome Mama!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Oh, I do like it when you squee!! Bootstrap (and his relationship with Jack) is fun to write, although, as with Captain Tobias, I've borrowed elements of his character from other authors. The bright colored shirt thing, in particular, is viva_gloria's -- although I was the one who suggested his wife made the shirts and he wore them for sentimental reasons.

More coming soon -- I started writing it this morning. :)

[drk-prncss.livejournal.com]

wOOt! Can't wait to see everyone in two weeks!

Tobias love!

[choose2live.livejournal.com]

I'm re-reading this now with, of course, familiarity with the Impverse (impofperversity) and I can't TELL you how delightful it is to see Tobias (aye, the finest captain in the Caribbean!) in here, and Bill's shirts!!! Just makes me all happy inside. :-D I can't get enough of Tobias; somewhere in the back of my head I knew you'd incorporated him into a story or two, but I'd forgotten which, and so this was (is!) such a fun (re)discovery.

Okay, I'm done commenting on eight-month-old comments. LOL

Re: Tobias love!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Didn't realize you hadn't read the Impverse Tobias before you read this. I've written some short things that feature him, too. He is just the best OC, and the perfect mentor for young Jack. It gratifies me no end that you appreciate him, too! Lizzie is brilliant, isn't she?

We were out seeing Happy Feet and just got home, so you are off to bed now, no doubt, but I do thank you so much for commenting here, and on AIM. Comments are never too late. :D

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

The Bill/Jack relationship is fun to write, although many elements of it and his personality are borrowed from other writers. I'm so glad you're enjoying it. I'm hoping to write a little faster now -- RL is slowing down, a little, thank God.

I hope you all are in good health and the job is going well. :)

[felaine.livejournal.com]

Trepidaciously
I love that word. Don't know if it's really a word or not, but it fits Letty and the situation perfectly, so it's a word now.

Well-done Bootstrap entrance, the homemade shirt and unpiratey (now I know that's not a word) appearance in contrast to Jack. It presents the relationship and both their characters very well.

Felaine

(borrowed your icon without permission, as you can see; love it)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Trepidaciously wasn't in Merriam Webster's but I Googled it and there it was, so I didn't make it up. I daresay they'll add it to the dictionary before long.

I picture Bill as looking like Will except with loud shirts (a viva_gloria idea) and a more tolerant view of piracy. Hard not to be influenced by virgo79's wonderful version of the character, too. Glad you liked him here.

You are certainly welcome to commandeer the icon! I love that one, too, though I don't use it that often.

[hereswith.livejournal.com]

Lovely, as I've said :-) It's nice to see Bootstrap again, I like when he's teasing Jack, and the bit where Letty remembers is very poignant, especially this: “I forgot, for a little. When you were brushing my hair.” I'm glad Jack is kind to her, at that point. And the dialogue is great, as always!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for commenting here, too. It's always fun writing Bootstrap, of course, and he has some more involvement in the story coming up. ;)

[berne.livejournal.com]

I'm really enjoying this! Especially like Jack and Bill's banter.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Love the Jack&Bill thing, too, and am very much looking forward to more of your Ten Tales!!! I'm glad you're enjoying this story. Thanks for letting me know.

[jenthegypsy.livejournal.com]

I'm being totally sporadic and inconsistent with my comments on this wonderful series, and for that I am very sorry. Please know that I am reading and loving every installment, even if I don't always let you know. Hugs - and the promise to let you know how Ireland was, eventually.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Sorry I didn't reply to this sooner! Thanks so much for reading and commenting -- I know you must be awfully busy with another move on the horizon. I'm very glad you're enjoying the story. *G* And I'm really, really looking forward to hearing about Ireland!

[requiem-unbound.livejournal.com]

*Holler to geekmama* :D
I haven't visited for a bit, so Hi! I got all caught up on Dark of the Moon and I'm waiting eagerly for more! I love the way you write young Jack and Bootstrap.
And I'm sorry to hear about your head counsellor's husband. I think such a giving man will be sorely missed.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy you like it! I was hoping to get the next part written early in the week, but it's not happening so the weekend, for sure.

Head Counselor's husband was a fine man, and will be greatly missed. He had a tough time for the last four years, but he bore it all with patience and dignity, and was always ready to help with anything his health permitted.

[honorat.livejournal.com]

*pops in for a mad moment* Yeah! More of Letty and Jack and now Bootstrap. *purrs*

I like how the weather is refusing to cooperate with Letty's mood or with her plight. Really, if it had any feelings at all it would have produced a nice cold drizzle.

Poor Letty having that moment of everything rushing back on her--but she got to see that little serious side of Jack which is well worth the price of admission. His reluctance to hurt anybody is one of his many charms.

Bill is quite the charmer too, here. Telling polite lies. And I love him calling Jack a "young varmit." I'm sure he was! Their sniping at each other is such fun. I hope we get to hear some of those stories Jack promises Letty.

Until I make captain, of course He's the protoCaptain Jack Sparrow already. *Snerk*

Good for Jack, amusing Letty. And amusing me. Good for you, too.

Oh, by the way, our virgo_79 has a dash in her name. The other one doesn't write PotC stories at all. I've messed that one up myself lately.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Bootstrap will appear again, shortly.

Glad you enjoyed this part.

And thanks for the heads up on virgo_79 -- TWO Virgo79's??? Who woulda guessed. Too bad the darn comments still aren't editable. :(

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

TWO Virgo79's???
Yup. Figured that out when I first sent her the invite to join BPS, cause I had looked for her here on LJ (for some reason I was having a ridiculously hard time finding her email addy at ff.net) and found t'other one, read a bit, and realized that was definitely not the person writing Weight. My reaction was much the same as yours. :)

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

When Letty remembers, and Jack steadies her and gives her a bit of himself and a moment of kindly meant honesty - that is wonderful (hmmm - I need a new word). And Bill Turner, pirate gentleman... Loving this story!

a sort of teal blue with black embroidery around the cuffs
*squeee* Bill's shirt, Bill's shirt!!! "A sort of teal" *collapses in laughing heap* Yes, I know you're playing in that universe, but had let those shirts slip my mind.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

How could you forget the shirts!?! That was a favorite detail of mine, and there will be more about them, anon.

Very happy you enjoyed Jack's moment of honesty, and Bootstrap Bill's brief appearance (but he'll be back!).

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

How could you forget the shirts!?!
Um... That's a *really* good question. I love the shirts, but somehow they always take me by surprise (though I sometimes see him in the yellow one when I'm reading tessabeth's fic even when she hasn't mentioned it). It's sort of like finding money in the pocket of those jeans you haven't worn in a couple of months.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Hee! Actually the shirts were viva_gloria's idea, from Navigational Errors and Mortal Hazards, although then they started using them in the jointly written An Alchemical Prescription too.

But yes, it's fun to forget those wonderful little details and then be reminded about them again. Like hidden treasure!

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

*groans*
You mean my brain has completely disappeared and Gloria decked him in that garish yellow shirt, not Lizzie? Guess I'm gonna have to start keeping notes.