Will took a moment to think. He’d be flattered to say the least. Awkward. He would definitely feel awkward. Unless… ‘Well, who’s sending me the flowers?’ he asked.
Elizabeth let out an exasperated sigh, muttering something about ‘it doesn’t matter
who.’‘Me. Let’s say I sent them,’ Jack said impatiently.
‘But why would you be sending me flowers?’ Not that he’d refuse them; he’d gladly accept anything Jack gave him.
‘Because of your engagement to Mr. Cotton’s parrot,’ he replied, his temper growing shorter.
‘What?! I’m not marrying anyone’s parrot!’
‘Fine! They’re from Barbossa, who is trying to win back your love from the parrot.’
‘I think I’d prefer getting roses from you for no reason,’ Will said, making a face.
‘You’re impossible, whelp.’ Jack decided to give up on the matter, but it did give him an interesting idea.
To the onlooker, dinner could be described as an ‘amusing scene.’ If not, strange. A young lady of high standing, a commodore adored by many, a talented blacksmith, and a pirate (that somehow knew when to use the proper utensil for each course), all sharing a table and being quite courteous to each other.
‘Oh, so you’re already awake,’ Elizabeth said when she saw Jack. ‘I’ll inform the cook to begin making breakfast. Any requests?’
Jack looked up from the now empty bowl; he had all of the fruit arranged in front of him, trying to decide which looked more appetizing. He thought for a moment. He couldn’t remember the last time he actually sat down for breakfast, let alone what qualified as a breakfast item. When in doubt, go with some form of alcohol. He was in the mood for that Chianti now. He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by Elizabeth.
‘Nothing alcoholic.’
He shut his mouth, disappointed. How did she know what he was going to say? Either she was psychic, or he was getting predictable.
He grabbed the orange Jack had just finished peeling.
‘Commodore! This man just pilfered my orange,’ Jack said in a mock accusatory tone. ‘Aren’t you going to hang him?’
‘You’re one to talk,’ replied the commodore. ‘Besides, I’m off duty.’
‘Well, you were certainly quick to do it to me. I’m honored you hold me to a higher
level.’
‘Are you sure it’s not a lower level?’ Edmund inquired, taking a seat and helping himself to some grapes.
‘Aye. Otherwise I’d be common riffraff like all the rest and not truly worthy of capture or the gallows,’ he replied.
Will, however, pretended not to hear her statement, glad to find something that he liked (really, really liked), but she hated. ‘Jack, this is Miss Marianna Suzette. Miss Suzette, this is Captain Jack Sparrow.’ He smiled at the shocked look she had.
‘You...you’re that pirate!’ She took a step back.
‘Aye, and I’m also a close, personal friend of Will’s,’ Jack replied, stressing ‘close’ and ‘personal’ as innuendos--Marianna was either too much in shock or too blunt to notice.
‘”F-friend?”’ she stammered. ‘Will, he’s a pirate!’
‘And a close, personal friend,’ Will replied, amused by Marianna’s reaction.
‘Miss Karns, I’d be delighted to show you to Miss Suzette’s home.’
/'That’s original,’/ Jack commented in an amused tone.
/‘I’m not the one naming myself after some bird.’/
/‘It was Father’s name. I’m entitled,’/ he said defensively.
Will decided that he needed to find out what language the two were speaking and learn it. He couldn’t help but feel as if he was purposely being left out of something important.‘
"Rules?" What rules?’
‘Get yer head lopped off, ye die. Get staked, ye die. Get disemboweled, ye die,’ he said, counting off on his fingers. ‘But I suppose those apply to humans as well. Yet another wonderful thing we have in common!’ Jack edged towards Will and was quite pleased that Will did nothing to show if he was uncomfortable.
‘Somehow I doubt that ways of dying counts as having something in common,’ Will said dryly. He was glad to see that Jack was acting like his normal (if it could be called that), perky self.
Will sighed, realizing Jack was right.
Jack grinned victoriously. 'Glad to see ye remember now.'
'Yes, well, next time I'm overcome with complete idiocy, then, by all means, stop me.'
'Ah, but I've tried that, and I've found that it doesn't work. Besides, I think I'm getting to like the idiot version of you much better.'
Will nodded, taken aback by Millarca's momentary motherly attitude towards him. 'But what of the hunter you just mentioned?' In response to Jack's disapproving look, he said 'If you ever want the chance to pretend you're a mosquito again, then you'll tell what's going on.'
'I like him. You should keep him.'
'Wha--! Jack!!' Will jumped off the bed, earning himself a growl from Zhemchug for dumping her off his lap. He ran up to Jack and grabbed his arm before he could open the door. 'Wait for just one minute! Can't you sleep on it first? Give it some more thought? I mean, this is awfully brash.'
Jack raised an eyebrow at Will. 'You're one to talk.'
'I believe I should have some say in the matter-seeing as how I'm the one being kidnapped,' Will snapped.
'I'm not kidnappin' you,' Jack replied. 'I'm just keeping you safe against your will.'
Jack turned to Will, looking slightly disappointed in seeing him. 'I thought you'd go see Lizbeth first,' he said. 'I was going to surprise you.'
'I've had enough surprises for one day, thank you,' Will replied. 'I still need to see Elizabeth before you kidnap.'
'It's not really kidnappin' if yer agreeing to come along, now, is it?'
'I'm not agreeing,' Will retorted, 'I'm submitting to my fate.'
'You two are so cute when you bicker,' Christine observed, clearly enjoying the show
Crimson Ways, Mamushi
"Late as usual, pirate scum! Come on, come on, get off your ships!"
There was a pause, and a dark-haired human stood up on deck. He looked long at the assembled horde before speaking.
"Beg your pardon, but would you gentle... beings be talking to myself?"
While they gaped in surprise he was joined by another form, who surveyed their forces with an ancient gaze.
Angrily, Will Turner turned to his Captain.
"I TOLD you we should have taken the north-bound river!"
"You're supposed to be working for us!" He yelled. "And where are the rest of your ships?"
"Oh," said the human, "Were those YOUR ships? Um... unfortunately we had to sink them. Sorry."
"SORRY?!"
"Come and fight for us," Aragorn urged.
"Why should we?"
Aragorn stared at him. "Because it's the right thing to do."
"Pirate." Jack reminded him.
Aragorn stared. Legolas met Will's eyes and sighed. "Because we'll pay you a great deal of money."
Many orcs fell to their attacks, but they were suddenly thrown back when a Nazgul mounted upon a Fell Beast swooped down and lifted Jack and Will up in its claws. The battle paused as it flew higher, and then let them go.
Jack tried to avoid Will's accusing stare on the way down.