Just Another Day in Tortuga

[pirate_gibbs]

The two weeks since Spoon's unexpected arrival passed quickly, from Gibbs' point of view. Each day, they would explore the town and open whatever doors they saw. Some of the locals noticed that Gibbs and his friend were doing this, but they assumed that the pirate had his reasons (or that Jack Sparrow did, and Gibbs was acting on his captain's orders).

As they traversed the town, Gibbs would regale Spoon with tales of his career, and of Tortuga. Most of them were clearly lies, and all of them were completely true. They would also stop at many of the pubs, where Gibbs ran into many old friends, and even had the chance to introduce Spoon to Giselle, with whom Gibbs had "an understanding."

But as the days passed, there was an undercurrent of sadness beneath Gibbs' rum-fueled geniality. Each old friend brought word of more pirates and whores and old salts sent to the gallows by what people were calling Beckett's Terror, or Beckett's Folly. While Tortuga was beyond his reach, far too many of her occasional residents were not. Thus was Gibbs toasting to the memories of lost pirates almost every stop along the way.

Today, as the sun set and as a half moon became visible high overhead, Gibbs sat on the docks, watching the ships and the sailors. "See that one? We raided it just after Jack took the Pearl back. Didn't have anything worth taking, though."

Comments

[there-is-a-me.livejournal.com]

Spoon, for his part, hasn't been able to shake his combination of anger and sadness since he got here. He knows that when he gets back he's going to have to deal with more reassurances that it wasn't his fault, that he didn't mean to leave and got back as soon as possible. That it isn't her fault either.

Generally Spoon hasn't talked much since he got here. Not, at any rate, about home. He just wants to be there. Failing that he joined Gibbs in the pirate's toasts to the fallen.

"Huh. What was it carrying?"

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Hay. Bales of hay. Bound, I would add in retrospect, for the invasion force that Beckett was launching. The fool brought as many horses as men, I heard. Not sure what good that did him. Not sure what good any of his plans did him." The hatred and bitterness for the East Indiaman have taken root by now.

"I doubt many of these ships carry much of value. Or at least of weight. Not a one is ridin' low."

[there-is-a-me.livejournal.com]

Spoon grunts in acknowledgment of the pirate's assessment. The truth is, though, that Spoon would be a lousy pirate. He's a really, really good hunter...but if he had to make the choice of stealing or farming he'd be a farmer.

Two weeks seeing how pirates live was enough to burn away any and all romantic illusions. He thinks no less of Gibbs, but he couldn't do it and wouldn't try.

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"You've been quieter than usual today, Spoon. I hope that the air of despair about the town isn't gettin' to you. Beckett and his ilk are done for. Commodore Lyon has seen to that." That Gibbs notices Spoon's silence at all is remarkable, given how little he did till now.

[there-is-a-me.livejournal.com]

"I just want to go home." Spoon says quietly, "Want me farm, me goats, me woman, me parents. It's just not safe, me being here. Moon is coming."

The moon is always coming.

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"A week to go. I have some ideas where we can send you, but you're right. It's past time you returned to the Bar and to your world.

"Sad to say, Spoon, but I think you truly don't belong here." Not that many do, but everything about Spoon's body language seems alien compared to what is the norm. "Then again, there are days I doubt I belong, either."

[there-is-a-me.livejournal.com]

"I don't know that anyone does, really." Spoon says quietly, "It's a half-way point for people who want the ocean, innit? But, no. I'm not a sailor, I'm not a pirate, and I don't belong."

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Ah, but how much longer will the sailors and pirates belong, either? The world's changing. Starting to make its way from what I know to what you know, with the machines and the new nations and the French not being blood enemies. And for that to happen, men like me have to get out of the way." He pauses. "I'm thinking of going home. To Bristol. After we get you home, of course."

[there-is-a-me.livejournal.com]

"Dunno, Gibbs." Spoon says, shaking his head, "Dunno. Bristol might be a good place, at least to visit. Let you know if you really want it or not. Easy to romanticize a place you aren't."

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

Gibbs smiles a little. "Ah. You misunderstood me, Spoon. I meant we'd get you home from here, and then I'm going to go home from here. Now. By ship. Though..." He ponders it for a second. "Maybe someday. But first, I wnat to see the old home while it's still not that old."

[there-is-a-me.livejournal.com]

"No, no. I just didn't speak well. I think it would be a good idea for you to go visit Bristol...once I'm home. I can't take a sailing ship to England."

It takes months, after all.

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Yes. I think that wolves are bad luck." He's only half-joking. "And you'd get all wet and smelly as well. Sailors do have standards." Very, very low ones.

[there-is-a-me.livejournal.com]

Spoon snorts in turn, "Oi, wolves are plenty good. Wouldn't have dogs if not for wolves. And I don't have fur everywhere."

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Dogs are good luck. Sometimes. Better'n cats, at any rate." Gibbs gets to his feet. "Any pub you want to try tonight?"

[there-is-a-me.livejournal.com]

"No one in particular." Spoon says, cracking his neck and then standing up as well, "They're none of them the one I want to see."

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

Gibbs just nods. "Then we'll try The Mended Drum. Maybe Cummings is back from Port Royal and has some fresh fruit." They head along, the streets bustling as usual.

[there-is-a-me.livejournal.com]

"Sounds like a plan to me." Spoon says, watching every opening door for hints that he might get to go home, "I like fruit. No scurvy for me."

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Aye, that I learned young. It was a hard habit to acquire, since most of the fruit we had in the ships was foul, but if it makes you healthy, you do it." Unless it's quitting rum. There are limits, after all. "One thing I know I'd miss if I go to Bristol is the food. Fruit and fish the likes of which we never saw at home."

The tavern looms closer.

[there-is-a-me.livejournal.com]

"Yeah." Spoon says, shaking his head, "That's a fuckin' good thing about living when I do. Transport of food is faster and easier. Can get anything, if you're willing to pay for it."

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Anything...that's a pretty tall order. I think I'd just be happy with good rum, the occasional ham, an orange, and fresh bread. And the money to pay for it." Though the money would make so much else possible.

Reaching the tavern, Gibbs lets Spoon take the lead, but says nothing about doors.

[there-is-a-me.livejournal.com]

"Mum bakes. There's always fresh bread at home." Then Spoon nods, takes a deep breath, and with closed eyes he reaches for the door and opens it.

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

Gibbs gasps. "That isn't The Mended Drum." It's well lit. Clean. Smells fresh. Not a serving wench in sight. "It's Milliways." Gibbs doesn't go in.

[there-is-a-me.livejournal.com]

"Yeah." Spoon says, "Yeah, it is." And the weight off his shoulders is immense, "Mister Gibbs, it was fuckin' wonderful seeing you again. I'm glad you got your captain back. I hope that I'll see you again some time, but right now I want to go home."

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"By all means, go. Fine your Ace, and say hello to the sergeant. And with any luck, I'll see you there again." But not yet. He's not ready.