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

[futures_of_ash]

Rachel chuckled at his comments, sound open and as cheerful as any flame "I know" and she did. Better than most.

"That doesn't answer my question though" she poked him gently in the side. "And I promise when you do, I'll go ask Gibbs the same thing"

She will, to. She was always curious about how people saw things...

Re: Toasts

[pirate_jack]

He grins at her, wickedly unrepentant-- but after a moment, he looks back up at the lantern.

"Too bright to be a star, savvy? But it puts me in mind of a special sort of star I saw once, a long time gone."

Re: Toasts

[futures_of_ash]

Rachel's gaze wasn't for Jack, or his lantern, but for the amber depths of the rum held in her hands. Stars...

Ah yes, Stars...

"What did you see, Jack?"

Re: Toasts

[pirate_jack]

"Was on the water," he says, still looking up at the lantern. "Becalmed, and no sound but the breeze whispering and the creaking of the ship under me feet-- not the Pearl," Jack adds swiftly, glancing briefly at her.

"I was the only one on deck, looking up at the sky, with all the little stars set like bright chips of diamond in the black."

A wry, oddly knowing smile twists his lips.

"Only seen something like it in one place since. Anyway, there I was, minding me own, when suddenly a blaze went streaking across the sky like someone'd fired a shot through the heavens."

Re: Toasts

[futures_of_ash]

Rachel set down her glass of rum on the nearest table and came over to lean beside Jack on the wall. Then she cupped her hands around a handful of light and spread her fingers wide...

There was a picture carved in flame and shadows, of a younger Jack, star gazing, the ship around him flickering in detail "Go on" Rachel begged softly.

She was a woman who loved stories.

Re: Toasts

[pirate_jack]

He flashes her an oddly enchanted, blithely brilliant smile as he notices the image, but continues easily,

"'S just what I did, savvy? Arrowed straight down the deck to the very stern so's I could get a better look. It went falling down toward a distant horizon, falling with wings of fire trailing out behind it, and if I'd not been looking at the opportune moment, I'd never have seen it land."

Re: Toasts

[futures_of_ash]

And the picture followed suit, showing a lithe limbed scramble across a sleeping ship, and breath held in wonderment as the horizon streaked then glowed...

After all, breathing would have broken the spell.

"It's the moments like that that matter" she agreed softly.