Beyond Boundaries

[Jacky]

I don't bother to react to her 'but Jack, um nothing', because it seems to me that we both realize the weirdness of our situation. I don't blame her for not knowing what to say, because at times I bloody well feel the same. I just shut my mouth completely then, wise enough not to let this hesitation shimmer through. Just that she doesn't, doesn't mean I have to get back at her for that.

So instead, I focuss on the question she asked me. Where did I get it?
My eyes wander back to the blade as I half-doubt whether to answer this question at all.
"Ten years is a long time, Scarlett. Lots of things happened." I say, remembering. "Some things I shouldn't be proud of, too." I look back to her face and smirk bitterly, "The person who made this dagger intended to kill me with it. That's how I came around it."

I suppose that all she needs to know. I leave the details; the fact that this man wanted me dead because I had murdered his brother. That he made this blade, cursed it, wanted to slaughter me. But also... that he then gave me the dagger instead. Because he believed I would 'compromise my sins' by using the weapon right, one day. So far, I still don't know what he was talking about back then..

[Lana]

I feel quite thankful towards him for having pretended that he didn't pay attention to my last words because, actually, I'm not sure of anything myself. I am here as a guest now, as just a part of the bargain with the Governor and... hell knows where I will be when the mission comes to its end. What if... what if I am forced to go back to that town? To that impossible upper-class life again?.. I refuse to think about it now, I'll have enough time for deciding later.

I listen to Jack's short story attentively, glancing at the blade occasionally. It could have killed Jack during these ten years. And suddenly I feel cold: I have never thought about this, such a possibility has never, never occured to me during all these ten years. I lived in the town, knowing that Jack Sparrow was sailing the seas somewhere. Or fighting, or looting, or going after treasure... or f*cking random whores. Anyways, I couldn't even suggest that he could have died.

Silly, he's a pirate - his life is one whole endless risk. He could have died a million times. It just strikes me now - when I started planning everything, when I put all this 'idea' into motion, I couldn't even think that Jack Sparrow could have died - and now I am holding one of the weapons that could have been the reason.

So? I shouldn't care anymore, it's out of my concern, - I lie to myself as usually.

"Thank you, Jack", - I say quietly, - "I'll try to use it well", - and these words sound weird, at least for me. I'm no one. I'm not a pirate. I am a goddamn GUEST! A guest aboard the best pirate-ship in the Caribbean..., - I think quite bitterly.

The dim light of the Quarters is making the silvery blade cast light-spots on the walls and I smirk slightly.
I remember the very first gift... it was a small pearl he found on the beach. A black pearl.

And I realize I still have the tiny stone in my bag.

[Jacky]

"Yer welcome." I tell her, more automatically than thinking about it though. I suppose it's for my own benefit to know that she has what might be the deadliest weapon aboard this ship. It'll bring some ease to my mind, maybe.

This afternoon, when the crew was 'testing' her, and Gibbs and I were watching the scene.. I felt anxious. Perhaps at that time I really wanted to tell the men to stay the hell away from her. But I realized it's no longer my place, it's not my responsibility or even my concern. I suppose giving her *this* is my way of compromising my lack of ability to secure her stay aboard my ship. Aye. I still want her to be safe, for some reason. I try and tell myself that the reason is merely the bargain I had with the governor, but that's absolute nonsense. What would I care about the fellow? The reason's not him. It's her. Scarlett herself. If she'd die in the first week after seeing her after ten years, where the hell would that leave me...?

I chase away these thoughts by following the shimmer of light as she moves the blade of the dagger. "Ye still know how t' use it, aye?" I ask, maybe just to keep conversation going.

[Lana]

"I hope so", - I smile slightly, still playing with the blade: I haven't held weapons in my arms for quite a long time, and I hesitate, I wonder whether I'll be able to remember any moves Jack taught me earlier. Jack, and experience gained in numerous fights as well - when I had what one would call 'full ammunition' - a sword, a pair of pistols and a dagger, always kept close to myself, because one's dagger was the last weapon, the last hope left when everything else was either lost or broken during the battle.

But I have to remind myself that I'm not a pirate anymore, therefore, I don't need either a sword or a pistol; and this dagger is merely for self-defense. Merely... Must be sharp... - if Jack called it lethal, only one stab means death - then this blade should be more than simply sharp.

I smirk and turn the dagger slightly, checking how sharp it is by pressing my finger. Though, as soon as I feel the cold touch of the steel, I glance at Jack: "What if... I accidentally cut myself?" - I frown slightly.

[Jacky]

My eyes were on her finger on the blade, but as she speaks they dart back to her fact. I give her a knowing kind of grin, "I wouldn't want to try it, if I were you." I advice her matter-of-factly, as if there is no doubt in the world that just a small cut would have one hell of a set of consequences.. regardless how small it is.

[Lana]

"Okay", - I smirk, immediately jerking my fingers off the blade, as if it were boiling hot - or freezing cold, which, in fact, seems to be more likely. I cast one last glance at the beautiful weapon and hide it safely, even though wearing a dress means having no pockets and no boots for pushing a dagger there, but I still manage to find a place for it.

"That's a... an expensive gift for someone who's a guest aboard the ship", - I say without thinking, because it might sound rather coldly-sarcastic. - "You're hospitable", - I smile at Jack, but I guess that one can feel the hint of bitterness - because I am only a guest, I don't really like this status.

[Jacky]

"Aye.. well, I suppose it's me capt'ns duty t' take good care of me guests, eh?" I agree, though each time either of us uses the word 'guest' if feels like the room gets either smaller or bigger - regarding the way you're coming from. It feels odd. It feels.. slightly wrong.
Maybe it's just unusual, and the wrongness will subside.
Maybe.
But unlikely.

Who the hell are we trying to kid?
"Scarlett," I glance back to her face, "I don't know how you spend the previous ten years, but I doubt you spend many of them protecting yourself with hand and feet. It's simple, this is oughta help ye do what will-power alone might not achieve." I shrug, "It's naught but logic. Savvy?"

[Lana]

"I... spent some of them fighting", - I say finally, after quite a long pause, and my face darkens at these words, so I prefer to change the subject: "But you're right, I haven't fought for quite a long time, so thank you for giving this dagger to me. It'll be sufficient for self-defense aboard the Pearl", - I glance at my hands, - "because I won't be involved into any other fights".

I say this long phrase somehow... automatically. I guess, I'm tired both physically and mentally now - only yesterday I was still in the mansion, and now I am aboard the infamous Black Pearl, in the Captains Quarters of the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow, holding a cursed dagger in the shields of my dress.

I sigh quietly. I have to stand up. Stand UP. Now. Right now. The light is dim, and the Quarters look warm and comfortable, and that's what I should avoid, I should leave this place as soon as possible, retreating to my cupboard - anywhere, but not here.

Glancing at Jack sideways, I think that he, too, might feel this 'wrongness' of the situation, the tension because we have to be playing very different roles.

[Jacky]

"It sounds like you regret it." I state, quite curiously now as I look at her.

(shorty, sorry But I was uninspired)

[Lana]

(nm

"Should it sound like I enjoy it?" - I raise an eyebrow, looking back at Jack.