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]

"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.