The Uncharted Waters

[Daz]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It goes without saying that when time passes quickly, you barely feel it rush by. And when you have far less on your mind, you have the misfortune to feel every inch of it's dwelling. I felt every inch of it around me, as near-on half a year passed since all that had taken place came to an end. It was a confusing, and strange moment in my life. I felt as if when I looked back, I was looking back at another person, another girl, in another life. That wasn't me. I don't sail, I don't dare to leave this dirty town.. but nevertheless, I felt the need to go back. To stand out there again, in those dangerous waters. To feel that uncertainty and be thrilled by it, to be completely carefree about the trouble around me.
Everytime that I would sit beside the docks I'd simpley remind myself that it was a short-lived adventure, just a small dose of something that would never be mine, never suit me, it wasn't what I was meant for.. but if it wasn't, and if I were to trade these bloody maps forever and be alone and tired for the rest of my life.. what would be the point of it? Would I have really achieved anything?
It bothered me more than anything had ever bothered me before.. and staring across to the horizon gave me a hope that I hated myself for repressing. But I couldn't let go now, and besides.. all these men are brutes. I'll trade with them.. but sail by their sides? I'd rather not, Jack had seemed a saint in comparison to some of the Captains I had as frequent customers.

I stand there now, my back against a tavern wall at the other end of the pier, and I just wonder. I imagine, I torture myself mentally over all this.. not at all noticing the world around me for much longer.

[jarofdirt]

Captain Jack Sparrow stumbled onto the docks that spidered out from the edges of Tortuga, barely making it down the gangplank as he left the Pearl. His uneven gait, seemingly more agitated and spastic than usual, carried him to solid ground - where he immediately collapsed to his knees, oblivious to the people moving around him. Never had he felt so sick and so tired...or, oddly enough, so glad to be upon the shore. It was an uneasy thought, one he did not like in the least. And with the recent happenings that he had been involved with these past few months, uneasy was becoming much too commonplace for his liking.

To the casual onlooker, he may have appeared simply like another drunken pirate - such a common breed on this rock - or perhaps even a shipwreck survivor, with his pale and drawn face, his disheveled clothes and his signature hat askew upon his dreadlocked head. If one were to look into his dark eyes however, they would see the inklings of something that was rarely apparent there, something other than rum that was causing his uncharacteristic behavior. Fear.

Brushing his ringed fingers through the dirt below him, Jack took a deep breath, his mind spinning as he suddenly felt like a fog was being lifted from around him. The feeling of dread that had sat so heavily in the pit of his stomach now slowly disappeared and the severe lethargy was replaced by an unbound energy. He felt like he was half his age. At that moment, he could have kissed the ground, glad to be freed of the prison his ship had become.

Lifting his head, he swiftly got to his feet and headed into town, idly pushing his hat into its proper position. Keeping his eyes peeled, he watched the faces pass as he weaved through the crowd. He was searching for someone he had meet a short time ago, and was eager to find her again, and for more than just to see her pretty face again. No, this was a matter of life of death.

[Daz]

In my haze I don't at all notice the new vessel, nor do I notice a face that would be quite familiar to me if I were to catch a glimpse of it. Instead I take a step forward, standing out of my leaning position, and begin to head home. This afternoon has been slow, and I won't wait around for nobody.

[jarofdirt]

Jack headed into the tavern, what he thought would be the most likely place to find who he was looking for. He silently cursed the sheer number of people that were upon the island, thinking that it would take forever to find her: Cleo, the cartographer. It was she whom he needed so desperately now...he just hoped she was even here in the first place.

Making a quick inquiry at the bar, Jack was directed back outside, having been told that Cleo had already come and gone. With a twitch of his lip he headed back the way he had come once more, scanning the crowd. "Bloody hell..." he grumbled. Then suddenly he gave a soft gasp as he caught sight of her, her figure just ahead. Eyes wide, Jack practically shoved his way to Cleo, coming around to stand before her, his boots kicking up a small cloud of dust as stomped to a halt. "Darlin'!" he panted slightly, no doubt startling the woman. "Am I ever glad to see you!"

[Daz]

I had passed through the streets in the moments beforehand and had thought to myself about how much easier this would be with nothing to remember those days by, and how, to anyone else it could have been simple fiction.. this is why my face drops quite suddenly as I see him there, startled, aye.. but also a bloody mixture of confused, annoyed.. fustrated.. his face seems to quite infuriate me all of a sudden, and I glance back over to where the ocean lies to somehow get my bearings back..
I take a breath, frowning as my eyes dart back to him.. "Come to talk business, have ye?" I ask, as casually as I possibley can.. "I must say, luv.. it's been a while. Were ye quite satisfied with our last transaction?"

[jarofdirt]

A smirk came over Jack's face as he took a step closer, his eyes full of relief - and still, a small bit of fear. He didn't seem to notice her anger or annoyance as he waved his hands before him, as if dismissing her comment. "Aye, yes, love. Wonderful transaction an' all tha', treasure found an' gold pilfered. No worries there. But I need to 'ave a word, or actually, several words, with you. An' you can consider it business I suppose, though it is imperative tha' we discuss it regardless an' preferably immediately."

He tried to be as casual as he could as well, but he spoke fast and could not sit still, his eyes wide. He had not forgotten the time he kissed her - how could he? - and that, along with everything else, rattled distractingly through his mind. As if he didn't have enough to think about.

[Daz]

I watch him, not at all impressed by his rambling, messy speech.. "If it is to be business, and in which case, a discussion about maps, I will have to charge you a couple of shillings per minute and a bottle of hard rum." I barter.

[jarofdirt]

Jack winced, offering a shrug. Ever the shrewd business woman, she was. "Well if we talked as friends just for old times' sake would tha' come free of charge?" he asked hopefully. He was penniless at the moment, though he could easily pick a pocket if he really had to. He hoped she would let him skip that part however so they could just get down to the talking bit.

[Daz]

".. Friends?" I almost smile, but make sure that my face stays quite serious, "I am dreadfully sorry I gave you that impression. It was just a bit of good customer service, is all. Yer not as special as ye think, darling." I can't help but smirk now, my gaze glancing down to the dusty path beneath us.

[jarofdirt]

Jack looked hurt as well as surprised, but he managed to recover fairly quickly. His brows furrowing, he then shook his head slightly. "Fine," he managed in a somewhat strained voice, his gaze dropping momentarily to the ground before meeting hers once again. "Then 'ow 'bout I offer you some of the treasure your map led me to, eh? It's in the hold of the Pearl...but you 'ave to get it yourself," he added with a barely concealed shiver. "I'm not going back there for as long as I can 'elp it."