Dark of the Moon (22/36)
Apr. 18th, 2006 10:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dwgmA little more Dark of the Moon.
[22]
Letty slept peacefully that night, so it should have followed that Jack did, too. However, on waking in the dark just before dawn and his call to watch, bits of his dreams wove through his memory, fleeting, vivid and full of his troublesome cabin mate. Only, in the dreams, she hadn’t been troublesome, precisely.
There was that smile she’d given as he smoothed her hair, just last night. And there was that look of combined laughter and shy admiration, the one she’d worn the other day, when he’d been recounting some of his more daring exploits. Eyes wide, pretty blue as the seas hereabouts; the breeze tugging strands of pale gold from her braid that drifted about her face; nose and cheeks pink from the sun, lips a deeper shade: coral maybe. And then there was another dream, something darker, a rhythm of drums and thumping blood, of controlled force and delicious surrender, and was that fierce need returned to him, just for a moment, surely he’d not mistaken it?
Oh, he’d take advantage of that, given the least chance! And he had an idea it would be worth all the trouble, too. Take it slow, that’s what’d work with her, the kind of slow Bill and Tobias had teased him about that first night. He was well practiced in taking it slow, thanks. Lord knew he’d had enough opportunity, with all sorts of girls and women. Who was he to deny them what they wanted, when it was exactly what he wanted himself?
You need to be wise for the both of you. The admonishing words echoed and, moreover, held the resonance of truth. Bill should know, certainly, his idyll with the staid Mary having been the stuff of high drama. It had ultimately turned out well for the two, or as well as could be expected. They loved each other, that was beyond question, though Mary had to share Bill with his other love. It was Mary’s tragedy, the same one that’d been reenacted by women throughout history, every time man laid down the plow to follow the Siren’s song.
The sort of love that was between Bill and Mary wasn’t in the cards for Jack. He enjoyed the easy, superficial banter of a flirtation, or the headier excitement and comforts of an affaire, but when it came down to it his heart and mind were given to one lady only: the Black Pearl. He was hers. And, someday, she would be his.
And the pretty little Widow Granger, for all her seeming innocence and theatrical flights, had an odd streak of practicality, too. A flirtation, aye. An affaire, perhaps. Jack had chosen to play knight-errant, protecting her from harm, but she knew what he was, and that he and his captain would soon be contacting Mordecai Huff regarding suitable compensation for said protection.
Jack frowned. The idea of ransoming Letty held little appeal for him, though the captain seemed set on it.
Later that day, when he and Tobias were going over Bootstrap’s accounts in the Great Cabin, Jack casually broached the subject.
Tobias lifted a quizzical brow. “Growin’ fond of ‘er, are you lad?”
Jack chuckled. “Aye, a bit. She’s surprising, in certain ways.”
His mentor grinned. “Oh, that kind are, don’t I know it? But be careful how you handle ‘er. Make sure she understands the rules before you go playin’ that game. As for the ransom, think Jack: the more Huff has to pay, the more certain he’ll be we’ve guarded her proper, neither used or misused her in any way. Don’t have to be entirely true. Even if you bed her, the girl won’t say anything as long as you treat her well – which I’ve no doubt you will. So where’s the harm?”
Jack saw the logic in this, and yet, against all reason, he still could not like the scheme. But he did not tell his captain. He’d not disappoint John Tobias for the world. And besides, there was every chance that something would occur to him, something that would allow him to avoid disappointing Letty, as well.
*
TBC
[22]
Letty slept peacefully that night, so it should have followed that Jack did, too. However, on waking in the dark just before dawn and his call to watch, bits of his dreams wove through his memory, fleeting, vivid and full of his troublesome cabin mate. Only, in the dreams, she hadn’t been troublesome, precisely.
There was that smile she’d given as he smoothed her hair, just last night. And there was that look of combined laughter and shy admiration, the one she’d worn the other day, when he’d been recounting some of his more daring exploits. Eyes wide, pretty blue as the seas hereabouts; the breeze tugging strands of pale gold from her braid that drifted about her face; nose and cheeks pink from the sun, lips a deeper shade: coral maybe. And then there was another dream, something darker, a rhythm of drums and thumping blood, of controlled force and delicious surrender, and was that fierce need returned to him, just for a moment, surely he’d not mistaken it?
Oh, he’d take advantage of that, given the least chance! And he had an idea it would be worth all the trouble, too. Take it slow, that’s what’d work with her, the kind of slow Bill and Tobias had teased him about that first night. He was well practiced in taking it slow, thanks. Lord knew he’d had enough opportunity, with all sorts of girls and women. Who was he to deny them what they wanted, when it was exactly what he wanted himself?
You need to be wise for the both of you. The admonishing words echoed and, moreover, held the resonance of truth. Bill should know, certainly, his idyll with the staid Mary having been the stuff of high drama. It had ultimately turned out well for the two, or as well as could be expected. They loved each other, that was beyond question, though Mary had to share Bill with his other love. It was Mary’s tragedy, the same one that’d been reenacted by women throughout history, every time man laid down the plow to follow the Siren’s song.
The sort of love that was between Bill and Mary wasn’t in the cards for Jack. He enjoyed the easy, superficial banter of a flirtation, or the headier excitement and comforts of an affaire, but when it came down to it his heart and mind were given to one lady only: the Black Pearl. He was hers. And, someday, she would be his.
And the pretty little Widow Granger, for all her seeming innocence and theatrical flights, had an odd streak of practicality, too. A flirtation, aye. An affaire, perhaps. Jack had chosen to play knight-errant, protecting her from harm, but she knew what he was, and that he and his captain would soon be contacting Mordecai Huff regarding suitable compensation for said protection.
Jack frowned. The idea of ransoming Letty held little appeal for him, though the captain seemed set on it.
Later that day, when he and Tobias were going over Bootstrap’s accounts in the Great Cabin, Jack casually broached the subject.
Tobias lifted a quizzical brow. “Growin’ fond of ‘er, are you lad?”
Jack chuckled. “Aye, a bit. She’s surprising, in certain ways.”
His mentor grinned. “Oh, that kind are, don’t I know it? But be careful how you handle ‘er. Make sure she understands the rules before you go playin’ that game. As for the ransom, think Jack: the more Huff has to pay, the more certain he’ll be we’ve guarded her proper, neither used or misused her in any way. Don’t have to be entirely true. Even if you bed her, the girl won’t say anything as long as you treat her well – which I’ve no doubt you will. So where’s the harm?”
Jack saw the logic in this, and yet, against all reason, he still could not like the scheme. But he did not tell his captain. He’d not disappoint John Tobias for the world. And besides, there was every chance that something would occur to him, something that would allow him to avoid disappointing Letty, as well.
*
TBC
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Date: 2006-04-19 03:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-19 03:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-19 03:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-19 04:34 pm (UTC)You think so? I'm never sure about it. When I first started reading PotC fanfic I'd find myself thinking about certain authors: "Yeah, enough with the thinking, let's get to the good stuff." There's definitely a fine balance to be struck -- give the audience too little introspection and they sometimes have a hard time relating to the characters. But too much will bore them.
However, after the upcoming Shore Leave in Cartagena chapters there will be more introspection. Those bits will likely be shorter though, like this one.
Tobias is such a fun character. I wish
Thank you so much for commenting here, too. You're the best.
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Date: 2006-04-19 05:06 pm (UTC)That's our rationalizing Jack, all right.
Interesting chapter with the evolution of Jack's thinking about his unintended prize.
Felaine
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Date: 2006-04-19 05:18 pm (UTC)Thanks so much for the feedback -- I'm glad you found the little excursion into Jack's thoughts interesting. Always working problems from all angles, Jack is.
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Date: 2006-04-19 05:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-19 05:55 pm (UTC)Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
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Date: 2006-04-20 01:38 am (UTC)in the dreams, she hadn’t been troublesome, precisely
Uh oh!
something darker, a rhythm of drums and thumping blood, of controlled force and delicious surrender
Things are heating up, I see. And guh!
Oh, he’d take advantage of that, given the least chance!
I’m sure he would. Always takes what he can, does our Jack. But this is one place where he can’t give back what he takes, so he’d best be careful.
I think Bill might have been a little overly optimistic that Jack has enough wisdom in this area.
Bill should know, certainly, his idyll with the staid Mary having been the stuff of high drama.
Now you really should be forced at cutlass point to write THIS story.
his heart and mind were given to one lady only
Yes, the epic love between Jack and his ship--*melt*
she knew what he was
But does she really know what that means?
Make sure she understands the rules before you go playin’ that game.
The way these pirates play fast and loose with the human heart puts a chill in the bones! What the head knows has precious little to do with what the heart feels, and poor Letty isn’t some lightskirt who expects nothing from love.
the more Huff has to pay, the more certain he’ll be we’ve guarded her proper,
Pirate logic! LOL. Reminds me of a customer back when I worked at a printing press that put out cattle sale catelogues. One farmer had three different pictures of the same bull on the same page, each for a different amount of money and the customers always bought the higher priced bull. Ha!
there was every chance that something would occur to him,
Jack always has faith in his last minute luck, doesn’t he? I hope he’s right.
Excellent work, mate. And now on to that long *mmmmm* chapter at Cartagena! I love that word. I could say it over and over again. Cartegena. Cartegena. Yep. Fun word.
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Date: 2006-04-20 02:01 am (UTC)Hmmm... might take a crack at it, eventually. I'm all agog to see what they have Bootstrap Bill doing in the movies. We haven't seen him yet, and know so little about him, really, but what a great character! The fanfiction he's inspired! As far as interesting characters go, I think he's runs second only to Jack.
Loved your Three Bulls story -- yes, that's pirate logic all over.
Glad you liked this. Thanks so much for the comments! Now, on to Cartagena...
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Date: 2006-04-20 03:07 am (UTC)That story goes right along with the one customer who had a wife in the United States and one in Canada who didn't know about each other. I met some VERY interesting people in that job!
Wheeeee! Cartagena! (just had to say it one last time)
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Date: 2006-04-20 09:18 pm (UTC)Your young Jack just kills me. He's adorable. Such a lovely mixture of extreme competence and extreme incompetence, the way you're writing him, and I love the Bill relationship, the older brotherliness of it. And I confess I love seeing Tobias too. He's more yours now than mine, it's great :)
There's something very calming about this story, when I'm all skittery. Thank you. XXX
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Date: 2006-04-20 09:46 pm (UTC)He's a little different than in your fics as I'm sort of crossing your version with
Oh, he's extremely competent at sailing, and piracy. Not so experienced dealing with the inconveniences of unforseen captive females. Remember the grimace before he dove in after Elizabeth? He was remembering...
I feel the same way about it. I'm struggling with some difficult RL stuff and this is my escape (and I want to escape far too often. *sigh*). You're very welcome. Thanks so much for letting me know you're enjoying it.
Any chance of some new JS/JS any time soon? Not that I'm nagging...but...!
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Date: 2006-04-20 11:16 pm (UTC)I know, I'm loathsomely glass-half-full. I can't help it. Sorry.
I don't know about JS/JS. My darling co-author is also in a difficult RL place right now. So it's... you know. Hard to be in that headspace. Which also sucks. I miss 'em.
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Date: 2006-04-20 11:27 pm (UTC)Oh, dear, I was afraid of that. Perhaps some Sees and virtual hugs? What do you think?
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Date: 2006-04-20 11:34 pm (UTC)I think hugs are definitely indicated. Many of them, from all corners of the globe.
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Date: 2006-04-20 11:51 pm (UTC)Will send hugs, etc. ASAP. Also prayers, healing vibes, whatever. RL is very hard, sometimes.
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Date: 2006-04-22 07:09 am (UTC)You can call me-- I left my phone number on your answering machine-- or email me at cacopheny @ gmail . com
Thanks ^^' Sorry to bother!
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Date: 2006-04-22 01:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-22 01:58 pm (UTC)Delightful phrasing! Those little tendrils sliding in beside thoughts of morning chores - love the way you've worded Jack's memories/musings, especially: something darker, a rhythm of drums and thumping blood
(mmmmm... dancing Jack)
It's great how you've got it all going 'round and 'round in his head; the very practical nature of
Oh, he'd take advantage of that, given the least chance!
and
Who was he to deny them what they wanted, when it was exactly what he wanted himself?
almost arguing with memories of Bill's admonition.
A flirtation, aye. An affaire, perhaps.
Have a sense someone's playing with fire - perhaps more than just one someone!
There is something very sweet about his not liking the idea of ransoming her.
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Date: 2006-04-22 02:15 pm (UTC)On one level, he feels as though he actually won her and should be able to do what he likes with her. But on the other hand, he sees Tobias's point, the piratical practicality of taking profit wherever possible. I probably should have spelled that out even more clearly in this chapter, but hopefully the implication is enough.
Thank you, again, for the lovely, thoughtful comments.
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Date: 2006-04-25 10:14 am (UTC)That he can do as he likes since he won her is quite clear (and emphasizing it at this point might have been too much - didn't he say something of the sort to Bill a few chapters back?), and of course the notion of profit has its own rational appeal. It just seemed to me that there was a nagging feeling of not being happy with ransoming her because of something inherent in Letty ... perhaps just that he's beginning to appreciate her as a person rather than merely a prize.
Couldn't help notice small conversation above - think G would appreciate a few more virtual hugs? </small?
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Date: 2006-04-25 01:37 pm (UTC)Oh, good. Because yes, that's the most important point, of course.
I just finished writing part 23 and it's long, about eight pages, and I'm not sure it's working the way I want it to. Bah. May have to do considerable tweaking.
I expect virtual hugs would be much appreciated. At least, that's how I always feel.