pirate_gibbs | Christmas on the Pearl

Christmas on the Pearl

The Captain's quarters are set. The large desk has been cleared of Jack's personal goods. The rest of the room is neat and orderly, as it tends to be (much to Gibbs' constant surprise). Whatever chairs can be found belowdecks have been dragged up by the first mate, creating a cozy feel.

The desk and the larger chests are covered with oilcloth, which serve as crude tablecloths. The ship's hodgepodge of dishes, cups and silverware, plundered from many ports and ships, sit near a selection of traditional holiday treats, from ham to mincepie. At the center of the desk, there is a crystal decanter with a gold nameplate saying "Captain Jack Sparrow", filled with red wine, surrounded by matching glasses.

And there is a small, sparsely decorated tree in a corner near the hammock.

It's Christmas on the Black Pearl. Welcome.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

"Mister Gibbs!" Wellard grins, reaching over to shake his hand. "I hadn't thought I'd see you any time soon- How are you? And Merry Christmas."

He looks back to Hannah, smiling. "Hannah, this is Mr Gibb's, Captain Sparrow's first mate. Gibbs, this is Miss Hannah Griffith, of Neptune California."

Mr. Gibbs gets a smile. "Merry Christman, Mr. Gibbs. It's very nice to meet you."

He does seem to know Gibbs and Jack well enough- and the Pearl as well. And his clothes are not too odd- at least when compared to what most people wear here at Milliways. The styles Wellard is used to (when not in uniform, which is most of the time now) is only 30 years past Elizabeth's time.

Wellard glances up to her, and gives Elizabeth a friendly smile and half-bow back. "Good evening, and Happy Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Captain Sparrow," she says, with a far cheerier smile than anything he saw at his last holiday party.

"I like what you haven't done to the place."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, lass. And you come froma place with a fine name. It's no wonder Mister Wellard found you." Sometimes things can actually bode well.

"How are you, lad? The seas are still being kind to you?"

"Thanks...I think" she chuckled, lifting a glass of rum in a wry toast.

Gibbs lifts his cup, gives a smile, and then lurches. "Oh my. It would seem that I may have had just a bit more of the rum than I should have." Yes, it is possible if very rare. "If'n you'll excuse me, I must lay down." Which he proceeds to do right there.

And she sipped from her glass once more, and didn't offer to help with the alcohol in his system. She'd inflicted enough upon the poor man...

So she simply slipped away as she'd come; quietly.

Wellard chuckles, a bit wryly, and motions to the window to indicate the lake and surrounding areas. "As much as they ever are here, with the seas being far off elsewhere." He shrugs, but the wryness fades.

"I'm doing well, though. We kept busy repairing the Pearl, and before that I've been working on building a ship of my own."

"Its much more real now, with everything back to normal." Wellard smiles at Jack.

"And... ah, well, of course, since we're not having to go undercover to keep an eye on everyone when they're acting odd- Well, I quite thought Hannah would like to come out for a bit of a party that's honestly a party."

"Much more better, aye," he agrees, with a wickedly brilliant grin. "And there's not a bit of that squashy tofu stuff to be found anywhere about."

"I have every faith in your reconciliatory skills," he says cheerfully.

"Don't know what you'd be thanking me for," Jack tells her, evidently wickedly amused by now. "Wouldn't be the same without you, luv."

"Tofu." It's very nearly growled, and Jack's expression is one of extreme disgust.

"See that you avoid the stuff, Lizzie. Can't say it would do you any good at all."

"'Course I am, mate. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow."

Jack grins right back at him, and keeps his hand in his pocket.

Sharp gaze noting all this as she approaches, Elizabeth unconsciously relaxes enough to return the smile and nod.

"Happy Christmas," she says. "Mr. Wellard, is it?"

There's not much about her attire to call attention to her own position in life; whether to be ornery or not, she's wearing the trousers, boots and jacket she arrived in. Much cleaned, of course.

Looking very skeptical, Elizabeth eyes him and repeats the unfamiliar word.

"And is that what was wrong with Will and Norrington?" Her chin juts out at a stubborn angle. "I thought they were having a joke at my expense. Honestly, it was like they had been possessed."

"Flattery it may be," she laughs, "but I thank you all the same."

For a moment, she does nothing but look at him. Finally, she nods and smiles, gesturing to Gibbs.

"It's good to see him again. And nary a word did he say about my presence on board. I do believe he is a little soft hearted when it comes to the season."

Wellard has had time to get used to the idea of women in trousers, thankfully due to Milliways.

He gives Elizabeth a nod. "Henry Wellard, formerly an officer on His Magesty's Ship the Renown, though considering times, events, and Milliways-" He smiles wryly.

"Its rather a bit complicated at times."

"Oh? And how have you mangaed to do that?" Gibbs is among teh sailors who's never had such a dream, but has nothing but respect for those than can make such dreams happen.

Elizabeth brightens.

"Miss Elizabeth Swann. My father is the governor of Port Royal," she tells him. "I did not expect to meet an officer in the Royal Navy this evening. Even a former one. Are you acquainted with James Norrington?"

"I've heard about you- or at least Captain Sparrow's mentioned you. Quite nice to make your aquaitence, Miss Swan." Jack did mention her and Will- but that is about all.

"Yes." Wellard nods. "Though only through here at Milliways- Mr Norrington served well before I did." He smiles wryly, and gives Elizabeth a slightly apologetic shrug.

"I arrived here from 1802, you see."

Jack couldn't have said much, Elizabeth thinks, or Wellard wouldn't find making her acquaintance so very nice after all. Frowning at her thoughts -- it's not as if Jack would detail the manner of his death to very many people -- Elizabeth allows herself to be startled at this latest revelation.

"1802," she repeats, slowly and clearly, as if it's the only way to process the information. "Things really are rather complicated at times, are they not?"

She blinks.

"Royal Navy. And yet you're friends with Jack?"

It's nothing but simple curiosity. With the exception of Norrington, she doesn't know many officers -- past or present -- who knowingly associate with pirates.

"I grew up reading stories about him- it was quite a surprise meeting Captain Sparrow here at Milliways, to be sure." Wellard smiles a bit sheepishly.

"Well- I rather left the navy on my arrival here, so there's no reason not to be- and even if that wasn't the case..." He shrugs, and grins.

"You read stories about Jack?" Elizabeth can't help smiling. "I'm sure that made him happy."

The pleased surprise in her smile shifts into wry amusement.

"I understand. There's a piece of paper ordering my arrest in Cutler Beckett's greedy little hands. I helped Jack escape the hangman's noose. Should I return to Port Royal, I doubt I shall be so lucky."

She doesn't seem particularly disturbed by this. It feels so removed from her current reality.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 11 of 13

Christmas on the Pearl

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Toasts

Re: Toasts

Re: Toasts

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals

Re: Arrivals