He Dreamed Of A Ship On The Sea

[byhisbootstraps]

Tortuga never changes.

Oh, it's a different blowsy whore offering to relieve him of his troubles and his last few coins, and it's a different pack of drunks shouting uproariously at each other, and a different poor sod sleeping it off in the pigpen, but nothing's really changed since the last few times Bootstrap Bill Turner was here.

Except, of course, himself.

Bill manages to put off the painted trollop, sidestep the developing brawl, and get to a corner table with his tankard mostly unspilled. He sits down, takes a drink, and hunches slightly over.

Another drink, maybe two, and then maybe he'll see if anyone in port is taking on crew.

Comments

[pirate_jack]

To one who knows what to look for, there's a few places set up for just such an approach -- a table here, a lounging first mate there with a scrap of paper at his side, and of course milling crowds all around.

This is Tortuga, after all.

Therefore, there's no reason to take any particular notice of the man who walks in the door, neatly sidestepping a boisterous brawl.

He settles his hat on his head and looks around the room -- and then black eyes brighten with a sudden pleased light.

"If it isn't William Turner."

[byhisbootstraps]

He looks up, and his own eyes brighten.

"Jack Sparrow, as I live and breathe!"

Bill rises to his feet and reaches across the table for the other man's hand.

[pirate_jack]

Jack's grip is firm as he shakes Bill's hand, grinning wickedly.

"Good to see you, mate."

He drops into a chair across from him and casts a wry glance around the room.

"Come a ways off course, we have."

[byhisbootstraps]

Ruefully: "Aye."

Bill offers his tankard.

"Though I didn't look to see you here. Jack, you're not signing on as crew somewhere, are you?"

[pirate_jack]

Jack takes it, and takes a swallow, before passing it back and catching the eye of a serving wench across the room.

"'Course not," he says, sounding affronted. "Come to find me a crew, savvy?"

[byhisbootstraps]

His eyebrows swoop down in puzzlement.

"Find a crew? But ..."

And rise, startled.

"You've gotten a new ship?"

[pirate_jack]

They're interrupted by the presence of the wench, who promptly plops down two tankards and plops herself shamelessly into Jack's lap.

After a moment and an exchange of pleasantries, she's on her way again, and Jack picks up the rum -- evidently unruffled, if not un-mussed.

"I've got me own ship," he says flatly, and black eyes are glittering with something nearly feral.

"The Black Pearl."

[byhisbootstraps]

"The Black Pearl," he repeats, and a slow-burning smile starts to spread across is face. "It's a lovely name."

[pirate_jack]

"She's a lovely ship," Jack tells him, grinning. "The fastest you'll find on any ocean."

Much like the last ship the two of them had sailed on together, actually-- the Wicked Wench.

[byhisbootstraps]

Bootstrap's smile goes a little wistful at that -- no other ship ever built could match the Wench for speed. And that's not mere hyperbole on his part; his father was a shipbuilder, and he knows.

"I'd like to see her."

[pirate_jack]

He jerks a thumb over his shoulder at the door.

"She's not far, mate."

[byhisbootstraps]

He tosses back the last of his drink, thumps the empty tankard down on the table and rises all in one motion.

"Lead on, then."

[pirate_jack]

Jack grins at him, then turns and saunters across the room to the door. He moves as though he's on the water, swaying back and forth, and somehow manages to neatly step 'round anyone who might be in his path.

The street outside is foul with mud and filled with stench, and Jack doesn't seem to notice it at all as he picks his way down to the port and the pier there, at the end of which rests a tall black ship with black sails.

"Here we are."

There's pride in his voice, and fondness in the look he directs at the vessel.

"The Black Pearl.

[byhisbootstraps]

And Bill ...

... stares.

It's the Wench. He would swear it's her, but for the color. No other ship ever built --

"Jack," he breathes, in awe and disbelief and delight. "Saints' blood, how did you ..."

He turns that look on Jack. "It's her, isn't it?"

[pirate_jack]

Jack's still looking at the Pearl, but at Bill's question he swings back around to face him.

"Now, William-- I'm Captain Jack Sparrow."

A beat.

"'Course it's her. It's me Pearl, me treasure from the sea. I'd never leave her all on her lone."

[byhisbootstraps]

Bootstrap's dazed smile starts to turn into something more certain.

"Captain Sparrow," he says, "I'd be proud to sign on with yer crew, if you'll have me."

[pirate_jack]

Gold flashes from a tooth as Jack grins at him, and he offers his hand.

"Put her there, William. We have an accord."

[byhisbootstraps]

"Well then."

Two hands clasp in a gesture as old as human memory.

"Orders, sir?"

[pirate_jack]

Jack throws back his head and laughs, then beckons grandly to the other man.

"Come aboard, mate!"

[bushel-o-apples.livejournal.com]

And as the two pirates turn and start their way up towards the deck, a shadow falls across them. The tall dark man stands in their way, hands balled into fists at his hips, black eyes regarding them and a knowing little sardonic smirk curling the corner of his mouth.

For a moment he bars their way, then the smile turns into a welcoming grin as he steps aside and flourishes the broad-brimmed hat off his head in a parody of a courtly bow.

"Captain Sparrow, welcome back to the Pearl."

((OOC: Sorry, I just had to do it, if only for the forebodingness of the moment. ))