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

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

The Pearl is much more welcoming this way than it was for the gala. More welcoming and real by far. Thus, Wellard is quite much happier to be arriving for this party- specially accompanied by one Miss Hannah Griffith.

Re: Arrivals

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"Mister Wellard! Welcome, and Merry Christmas!" Gibbs is quite happy to see the young seaman. "And I see you have a guest." He smiles at the (to his old eyes) very young woman.

Re: Arrivals

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

"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."

Re: Arrivals

[argyle_princess]

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

Re: Arrivals

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"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?"

Re: Arrivals

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

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."

Re: Arrivals

[pirate-gibbs.livejournal.com]

"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.

Re: Arrivals

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

"Lots of researching on how to build, and lots of sketching out the plans and going over them often." Wellard chuckles. "I've never done anything of the like before- and this is going to be a new sort of ship. I'll have to grab the plans so you can see them, one day." He grins.

"Its going to be a flying ship."

Re: Arrivals

[try_corsets]

Leaning against the port rail, Elizabeth overhears Gibbs's greeting and slowly turns to look at the new arrivals.

Wellard. She feels as if she should know the name. He's obviously well known to Jack's first mate.

Eventually, she wraps chilled fingers around a bottle of rum and saunters over, eyes cautious.

"Good evening."

Re: Arrivals

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

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."

Re: Arrivals

[try_corsets]

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.

Re: Arrivals

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

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."

Re: Arrivals

[try_corsets]

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?"

Re: Arrivals

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

"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."

Re: Arrivals

[try_corsets]

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.

Re: Arrivals

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

"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.

Re: Arrivals

[try_corsets]

"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.

Re: Arrivals

[pirate_jack]

"Hello, son."

Jack's grin is a touch wry, and he brings up one hand to touch his hat as he nods to Hannah.

"And I see you've brought the lass along again."

Re: Arrivals

[argyle_princess]

"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."

Re: Arrivals

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

"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."

Re: Arrivals

[pirate_jack]

"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."

Re: Arrivals

[argyle_princess]

"Tofu's not actually that bad, when it's not making people talk about mutual funds and all. But I can see where the experience might have ruined it for you.

"But this is much more better, I think, yes."

Re: Arrivals

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

"So the food is actually safe to eat this time?" Wellard grins at Jack, then chuckles at Hannah.

"I don't think I'd ever care to try it, after events here, really."

Re: Arrivals

[pirate_jack]

"Safe as anything, aye-- even the mince." Jack raises a finger to accent the point as he adds,

"And there's even something what's all spiced and mulled in the way of apple cider with cinnamon, might suit your tastes for the season." A beat, and he finishes,

"Even if it doesn't have rum in. 'Course, that just means it can be added to taste."

Or not, given Wellard's predilections, which Jack knows perfectly well. There's a reason the cider's not already 'spirited,' after all.

Re: Arrivals

[argyle_princess]

Hannah is shocked, just shocked, that Jack Sparrow would suggest contributing to the deliquency of a minor.

Except for the part where she's not.

"That sounds very festive."