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: Toasts

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"We...it's more that they took us on. I'm still not sure how they found us. But Pintell and Ragetti are harmless. If you give them an order, they'll do it. Both are actually quite capable sailors. And while cannot swear to it, I think that Ragetti feels remorse for his role in the mutiny." It's a shame that Gibbs wasn't privy to the two other pirates' conversations.

"All that said, though, we aren't particular. It's hard times, being a pirate."

Re: Toasts

[futures_of_ash]

"People are rarely harmless, Gibbs" Rachel noted. For all that she cherished people? There were very few she trusted. "If they come here I can check them out for you, make sure they don't have anything else in mind for you and Jack..."

Then she shook her head softly "Strange. I'd think more people would want to be..."

Re: Toasts

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Check them out?" He thinks he understands this turn of phrase, but is not sure how she would do this.

"I think that while many envy the life of the pirate, few are bold enough to try." Whichis to say, most are smart enough not to. "But it's also that times have changed. The Royal Navy has made a priority of bringing about the end of piracy in the Atlantic. And the East India Company is, if what I hear in Tortuga is true, is intent on making it come under their purview."

Re: Toasts

[futures_of_ash]

"People have a very hard time lying to me" she chuckled softly, a sound like velvet along the spine.

She was sad though,the very air seemed to shiver with the emotion at the tale of being hounded out..."I can't help with that" she admitted. "And in my last world, there weren't any sea pirates that I knew of...the world was just getting to small I think."

She let her gaze travel upwards to the ceiling though, and beyond that the stars. "Pirates need places to get lost in..."

Re: Toasts

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Aye. And while I think Jack thinks this is a good place to be lost," Gibbs says rather thoughtfully, "it's not. Any more than our seas have been."

Re: Toasts

[futures_of_ash]

"No" she agreed "It's a place to heal"

Or not heal, depending on the severity of wound.

"And a place to find new paths" she admitted after a moment. "There are greater places than earth to find, worlds of oceans and stars..."

Re: Toasts

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Did you meet Alanna? She's offered to let us sail on an ocean on her world, after she has her babies. I would guess that Jack would be there in an instant." Gibbs is not sure of such things yet, though.

Re: Toasts

[futures_of_ash]

"I know Alanna" she answered, her smile bright as a summer's day and chasing the shadows away for a moment.

"Jack looks for freedom, Gibbs. The chance to sail and never stop...when and if the time comes, then I guess you get to decide if you love it that much as well, or would prefer waters you know."

Re: Toasts

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"He hasn't found it, you know. Miss Swann told me that I'm destined to go back to the place we left off at and go on a quest to bring him back. To life. And our world. Whatever this place is, for him it's not freedom yet." He's a little surprised to be saying this to anyone, least of all a stranger so young. But Rachel has that way of making people talk, doesn't she?

Re: Toasts

[futures_of_ash]

"I know" she agreed. One could tell by standing near Jack that his story wasn't finished yet. No, not even close.

"But would it be worth having if it was so easy to find?" she offered in kind, flame drowning the emerald in her eyes for a moment.

Re: Toasts

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

'Not for Jack, no. And he's had his opportunities. Had he wanted, all those years he was without the Pearl, he could have found a crew and a ship and started over. But she's all he ever wanted." And Gibbs finds himself smiling.

"And maybe that's all we want, too. T' see Jack bein' Jack."

Re: Toasts

[futures_of_ash]

Rachel listened solemnly to Gibbs's realization before nodding "You know, I think you'd do well in Alanna's seas, and I don't think Jack could ask for a better first mate"

Re: Toasts

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

He smiles. It's not a soft smile, but it's genuine. "I think it might be interesting to follow him there. Assuming Alanna gets us some charts. There are some things I'm not foolish enough to do."

Re: Toasts

[futures_of_ash]

Truth was rarely gentle, so there was no need to smile softly...

"She tends to think of things like that. And if she forgets, tell me and I'll blackmail her with withholding flying lessons or something"

Re: Toasts

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Flying..lessons?" Gibbs feels a little of his hard-earned run-generated calm fade.

Re: Toasts

[futures_of_ash]

"Yeah, so she doesn't go nuts when she's bed bound. It's less stressful than walking outside...and a happy Alanna is good for everyone" she noted off hand.

"So she'd probably rush the charts to you then"

Re: Toasts

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"You can fly?

"Are you some sort of witch?" If he hadn't found her so calming, if he didn't know how close she is to Jack, and if he weren't scared to death of witches of unknown power, he'd be a lot more angry. Or scared.

Scared.

Re: Toasts

[futures_of_ash]

Something in her gaze sharpened, weighing his response. And...to set him at ease, she stepped away slightly, gave him room.

"Yes. And no, I'm not a witch. I don't have a magical bone in my body. I'm just...very very different than most." it was offered...apologetically.

Sadly.

Re: Toasts

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Like so many of the others here." It will take a fair amount of time to get used to this place. And maybe Miss Swann is right in wanting to be back home soon. "I meant no offense, Miss Grey. I just have no trust in magic, and never thought anyone could fly.

"Or could teach anyone else to fly. Though Alanna does seem the kind to do as she pleases."

Re: Toasts

[futures_of_ash]

"If it helps at all, it's not actual flying, but me moving myself and others with my mind. Its' genetic, a heritage thing" she sighed.


"And the lessons are more like her learning how to handle flying when I'm there, cause I can't teach others to actually fly unless they're quirky like me."

It did neatly answer the question of how the Pearl got free of the lake for a day though...

Re: Toasts

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Ah." A pause, followed by another. "Twould be a lie if I said I understand what you mean. But then, it may be why you and Captain are friends. Never could keep up with him, either." And Gibbs lets a little bit of a sly grin come to his face for just a second.

Re: Toasts

[futures_of_ash]

"And it doesn't help that I seem to be good at confusing people" she offered wryly.

"He needs the people he trusts to keep him grounded though, and you do that. Thanks"

Re: Toasts

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"I just do my job." And it really is a job, when all is said and done. Pirate or not, it's full time work, keeping up with Jack. "But I would be remiss in not accpetig the thanks of a pretty young lass. Even one who is on fire and flies."

Re: Toasts

[futures_of_ash]

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

Re: Toasts

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

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.