Christmas on the Pearl

[pirate_gibbs]

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.

Comments

Re: Arrivals

[the_lioness]

Not even a few words for old times sake? Alanna will be heartily disappointed.

She arrives, late but entirely unapologetic for it, slightly out of breath. Nearly seven months pregnant with triplets, it's a miracle she made it this far. Or so she tells herself to feel better about the effort it takes.

"Gibbs!" she exclaims, flashing both captain and first mate a mischievous grin. "I'm ever so pleased to see you."

Re: Arrivals

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Miss Alanna..." Gibbs breaks out in a smile. "You're with child. And a large one at that!" He estends a hand to help. "It's good to see you."

Re: Arrivals

[the_lioness]

Taking his hand in both of hers, she smiles her gratitude and snorts softly.

"If it were but one, I'm sure we would break records. It's three, actually. Triplets. Goddess knows, I like a challenge. Though I'm afraid I would no longer be of any use, should another brawl break out in Tortuga."

At that, she winks.

Re: Arrivals

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Triplets? Good lord...and is your husband coming that I could congratuate him on his prowess?" It's always the man's contirbution that matters, right?

"I daresay, though, that even with that burden, y' would best most in Tortuga. It's a sorry place these days."

Re: Arrivals

[the_lioness]

"His prowess?" Alanna snorts and arches an eyebrow at her belly. "Only a man would say that to a woman carrying three excessively active babies."

She smiles, lost in her own thoughts for a moment, then waves a hand vaguely. "He's about. Now," she leans in, clearly interested, "what's happened to Tortuga?"

Re: Arrivals

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Only the usual. The Royal Navy and the bloody East India Trading Company is making it impossible to stand on your own these days. And even Tortuga is suffering the price. Oh, it's still as free a life as it's ever been there. But it's changing. Men no loger strive to be free. They strive to be...impressive." He saw little of Jack's strange party nights ago, but he could tell that many there would of that cut. Clearly, being impressive was the future.

"Mind you, I would still prefer to be at Tortuga and on the sea than here. Even if Jack is well and his ship is back."

Re: Arrivals

[the_lioness]

"I'm not exactly sure I would say he is well," she confesses softly, "but at least he has his ship."

Her smile is slow, but quite wicked.

"Must it be one or the other? My aim was always to be both impressive AND free."

Re: Arrivals

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"It could be both, aye, but your world is, I would guess, not mine. I would ever ventrue that it's no longer mine, either." That Alanna comes from a place unlike his seems to be less strange than it used to. A little, anyway.

Re: Arrivals

[the_lioness]

"No, it's not yours, I'm sorry to say." She smiles sadly. "Although there is a benefit to it. You and Jack could come sailing in our seas. Anytime you like, after the babies are born. I won't be going terribly far for the foreseeable future."

Surreptitiously, Alanna looks at Jack.

"How is he these days? What with winter and all?"

Of anyone, she trusts Gibbs to know his captain's moods.

Re: Arrivals

[futures_of_ash]

Rachel was there at Alanna's side soon after her arrival, a warm arm slung over her shoulder. Of all the people Rachel was hiding from now?

Alanna was among the singular exceptions.

Re: Arrivals

[the_lioness]

Alanna, for one, is quite grateful for that. More relieved than she's willing to show, she smiles and leans on Rachel, one arm curving around her waist.

"It's happy I am to see you," she tells Rachel. "Happy Midwinter, as we say at home."

Re: Arrivals

[futures_of_ash]

"I should have asked who else was coming, I'd have walked with you" for company of course, as Alanna had gotten herself there just fine.

"Merry Christmas was what I was taught. Did you get your gifts?"

Re: Arrivals

[the_lioness]

"I did," Alanna tells her, eyes shining. "They're absolutely perfect, and thank you so much. I've a gift for you, but it's in my rooms."

Murmuring a quick spell, Alanna spins the purple light of her magic into an image of a small sword.

"For our lessons, when I'm back on my feet."

Re: Arrivals

[futures_of_ash]

She eyed the image curiously, then nodded "That looks so much friendlier than the one I have" she noted. Was that relief in her tone?

Yes, probably.

"Do you know anyone who needs a sword? It's...shiny...but creepy."

Re: Arrivals

[the_lioness]

"I have one of those myself," she remarks, shaking her hand until the image disappears. "I can't think of anybody offhand, but you can leave it with me if you wish. It wouldn't be the first disturbing sword I've mastered."

Her brows knit together in a frown as she remembers Roger's sword.

Re: Arrivals

[futures_of_ash]

She shrugged slightly, careful not to dislodge Alanna's arm though "It's not magical or anything, was just in a pretty evil place full of evil people." she remarked.

"And it's lighter than it should be" she added after a moment.

Re: Arrivals

[the_lioness]

"It's amazing what evil people in an evil place can do with a perfectly normal sword," Alanna tells her. "Lighter? Yes, I'd like to take a look at it."

Re: Arrivals

[pirate_jack]

"Alanna-me-luv."

With a wicked grin, Jack leans in and kisses her cheek -- for once.

"Happy Christmas to you."

Re: Arrivals

[the_lioness]

"And to you," Alanna replies. "Or at least Happy Midwinter, for we don't celebrate Christmas at home. And if one considers to whom I am married..."

It's a joke, if her mischievous smile is anything to go by.

Re: Arrivals

[pirate_jack]

"Suppose you have a point at that," he drawls. "Where is the lad, by the by?"

Re: Arrivals

[the_lioness]

"Oh, he's around," is her vague answer. She promptly blushes and clears her throat.

Someone might possibly have gone ahead when she was supposed to wait.

"Did I thank you yet for the invitation?" she asks hurriedly.

Re: Arrivals

[pirate_jack]

"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."

Re: Arrivals

[the_lioness]

"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."

Re: Arrivals

[pirate_jack]

Jack grins, but there's an oddly fond light in the black eyes as he glances sideways over toward Gibbs.

"Much more to the man than people see at first glance, savvy? Might even deny it himself, come to that, but he's a good man, that one."

Re: Arrivals

[the_lioness]

"I trust him in a fight," she says, and really that's the best recommendation. "I'm glad he's here with you, Jack."

Biting her lip, she looks around his shoulder.

"Speaking of old friends, I see Elizabeth is here."

It's faintly questioning.