Log: Complete

[13-year-captain.livejournal.com]

When; Just after Tia Dalma's arrival (the day the kraken was defeated)
Rating; PG13
Characters; Jack Sparrow (13_year_captain) and Tia Dalma (tiaxdalma)
Summary; After a rather rough few weeks, Jack is happy to see a familiar and comforting face. Since she's soaked and wet with sea, Jack takes Tia onto his ship and they do some catching up.
Log;

((Continued from here)

Tia Dalma: Tia was ambiguous about the ship, as she was all watercraft, but had to suppress rolling her eyes at the name. She did not understand the fascination with the girl - yes, she saw her destiny when she looked within her, but it was one she'd seen again and again over the years. Someday, men would cease to fall for such girls, but apparently, that day was nowhere near. She shook her head to herself and wondered about the foibles of what would otherwise be such intelligent people.

Tia set her bag on the table and undid the overly fancy outer corset she was wearing, which was now fully saturated in water, as well as her overskirt, leaving her in what passed, in their time, as ladies' underwear. She had no qualms about Jack seeing her in such a state of undress - he'd seen her with much less, after all. She set them by the fire and settled down at the table.

"What brought me be the desire to see my old friend," she said, shaking out her hair and smiling mischievously at Jack. She explained, then, the tale of her escape from their own world - she was far more candid around Jack, having known him for so long - and he needed to know these things, after all.


Jack Sparrow: Jack loves a good story. He particularly loves those he's included in. This at least involves him, and so he's enthralled. Before it ends, however, his anger at Jones is double what it had been. "Bastard had no place wrecking your home." There are too many fond memories tied to that place for Jack not to mourn its loss.

He offers over the bottle as some kind of comfort to his friend and leans back on his elbows. "I suppose, though, that it wasn't so long a swim as I thought." He chuckles and reaches up to hand his hat on a pot hook above him. "A far better path to this place than the one I took. I should have made better arrangements, I think."


Tia Dalma: "Even if you not like it, this place be safe for you," Tia sighed. She knew Jack would be itching to get out (which she could do), get resurrected (which she could also do), and find the Pearl (she could, theoretically, assist in that, but it not being a living thing, Jack was mostly on his own, there) - but not even Jack Sparrow and his inane, mad, impossible luck could survive long when so much was after him. Davy Jones and his Kraken, along with the East India Trading Company, and no angels to save him... the outlook was grim, at least until certain things on 'the outside' worked themselves out.

But such discussions were for another time. Tia was never fond of too much business at once, and so she slid her bag over to her and opened it. From is she pulled another bag full of the oranges Jack request.. it seemed too big to have fit inside of her bag, but she removed more things - some of which she stuffed back in after inspecting.


Jack Sparrow: "It doesn't feel safe. Feels like prison." He pouts at her and takes a long pull from the bottle. He knows that she wouldn't say it if it weren't true, though. It just is one of those things he isn't going to understand and he hates those things. Soon, though, there's a bag of goods to distract him!

The oranges are good to see, but not exactly for him. He needs them to pay a debt. Other things aren't kept out long enough for him to get a proper look at. This is far too intriguing, so Jack sits up and leans towards Tia; his sticky fingers prying lightly at the opening of her bag. "What all else have you got in there? I am a very bored man... humour me."


Tia Dalma: Tia swatted at his hands before sneaking the bottle for a swig of liquor herself, and gave him his other prizes - opium, which Tia saw as a silly, diluted form of the potions she took to commune with the spirits, and coconut oil. There were a few other shiny things she might hand out later, but things had their places. "Kraken, storms, doppelgangers - how you bored?"


Jack Sparrow: The pirate has a good sniff at both of his presents. The opium he's especially pleased with. He's never made a regular habit of it, but lately he has pain in need of numbing and a world worthy of a little escape. The oil has a number of uses, none of them for right now. Still, he's glad to have it. Modern versions of things all seem so fake.
"You've a point, I suppose... Today has certainly been slightly more thrilling than I may have liked. And Sheldon has...added some interest to my time here. To be honest, I can't be sure if I like or hate how alike we are...but the differences are certainly interesting. ... " He stops himself mid-ramble, realizing how much he's probably adding to her fascination with his double. Damn. "He had some strange sort of opium used with a syringe. Pure evil, love, don't be tempted with it." He shudders, though it wasn't so bad at the time. One should probably just not drink that much on morphine.


Tia Dalma: Tia tilted her head and narrowed her eyes at the mention of the morphine - perhaps not as bad as the other injectibles she'd encountered in this world between worlds, but she still did not like it. "Avoid such things," she advised him with a nod, though it was probably unnecessary. She was indeed rather interested in Jack's so-called twin - the threads of the universe intertwined with all of the others, and in the fabric-like weave that made up every person's fate, a similar thread here and there across the span of time and space were to be found. It fascinated her when it happened, as it was very rare. And besides, she was very fond of Jack, so having a spare around could prove very entertaining indeed.

She reached up to push the matted locks of hair about that framed Jack's face, wondering on the bitterness he barely hid (from her, at the least). "This place so hard on your soul?"


Jack Sparrow: The advice to avoid morphine and other like chemicals shouldn't be needed. Jack knows already that it's not his sort of hobby. Still, if Sands offered and the boredom or ache was enough, he would agree quickly. Sands is like Jack's new poorly chosen conscience. He can use the other man's decisions to justify his own. For all the amusement he takes in having someone so like a brother to spend his time with, he knows how much he would revel in some strange new copy of Tia, so he can't help being jealous...even if he shouldn't.


Jack inclines his head towards the hand in his hair with a soft, if distant smile. "It's been a cell with no door or window, Tia. ... Though, perhaps it's improving." She's the sign of an exit he's been so hoping for. If anyone could free him, she would be the one. He frowns slightly, words begging at his lips and finally freed. Things he's had no one else to tell. "...I can feel death upon me. It feels strange and terrible."


Tia Dalma: "The strangeness you feel be death, yes," Tia said softly, and cupped Jack's face in her hands, her thumbs stroking his cheekbones in a comforting manner. "Jack, I can bring you back. But not now. Now is too much..." she trailed off and lowered her hands, shaking her head lightly. "So much be after you. After us all. And the heart be a world away from the man now, and I not able to predict him movements. You not survive long, and such a gift cannot be remade like patching a hole in a sock. Not easy, not free... can only help you so many times before the Fates not let you go."


Jack Sparrow: He calms under her touch and it's the kindest, simplest affection he's had in some great while. Tia's hands are warm and alive and her voice soothing. Jack has been made to wait for nearly every great thing in his life, but none of it has succeeded in making him a patient man. It has instilled in him, however, an understanding of the importance of the proper moment. He nods and tilts his head sharply, listening to beads and baubles shift together. "Then we stay here...til the opportune moment, yes?" He grins and chuckles to himself. "As long as the company's pleasant, I suppose I can live with it. ... Or not live with it... as it were. "


Tia Dalma: "Yes," she agreed, nodding a bit to confirm his inquiry. She stood, and went to check on her now dry clothing, returning to sit behind and wrap her arms around Jack in a companionable manner, leaning her cheek on his shoulder. "I thought to turn the girl into a cat," she said, sounding vaguely pouty, and she knew that Jack would understand she meant Elizabeth, "but it not bad enough." It was as much as Jack would get out of her - she wasn't about to admit she had missed him and worried over him.


Jack Sparrow: When Tia sits with him and puts her arms around him, Jack sighs contentedly. He leans his head on hers slightly, dreads and braids shifting. When she mentions her considered intentions for Elizabeth, his eyebrows go up and he turns his eyes towards Tia.

"A cat?" He ponders it a moment. "It would suit her, I think. Right, though. Hardly befits the situation." He's said as much as he cares to on how worried he's been over himself and he won't be expounding on his concerns over Elizabeth , either.


Tia Dalma: Tia reached one hand up and threads her fingers with the thick pieces of Jack's hair, idly thinking to herself that she offer to re-dread his hair in the future... seeing as it had been years (and his hair reflected that, she thought with a wince) it was a relaxing, quiet process and he seemed like he could use a few hours of such a thing. "Jack, Jack," she sighed. "What will we be doing with you?"


Jack Sparrow: The hours of work on his hair would be greatly appreciated. When convinced into a bath during one of the city's many curses, he had to call upon one of the girls he's befriended here to come redo the few braids of loose hair that he has and help string the few charms back in that he can or will take out. On average, Jack will not fully wash his hair without a woman present for that task...and he is entirely capable of doing it on his own.
The thing is, Jack likes being touched -particularly face and hair- so he grins and sighs as Tia's fingers work between the dreads (where possible). They have grown out a good bit.. "Mmmm.. Hard to say, really. I suppose someone best keep an eye on me and we should see that I'm kept entertained and out of trouble... Could be a dreadful lot of work. Not sure if any are up to the task."


Tia Dalma: Tia nuzzled and kissed Jack's cheek, smiling in return. She liked intimacy as much as anyone, but was far more open about it than most women - but picky, very picky. Sometimes it did not seem so, because sometimes she was presented with a grand selection, but other times, she went years and years without so much as a heated glance. Jack had a special place in her heart, and she was glad for this chance to be near him again. "Tell the truth, you not want to keep out of trouble. You just lonely." She kissed him again, on his temple. Her voice was soft - lightly teasing, but compassionate.


Jack Sparrow: Jack tilts his head to facilitate further attentions. The closeness and soft kisses are a fine thing, indeed, but so are less obvious things. Thing like the mysterious, yet familiar way Tia Dalma smells or the sure tone her voice always holds. It's all extremely comforting. Jack almost laughs at himself for how nervous he'd been going up river to her hut after so many years. She is one of the only people he'll truly trust...because her dishonesty is good and familiar.
"Truth?" He pouts slightly and tilts his head just so to offer up a bare bit of cheek to her lips...surely a coincidence of movement and not an invitation. "Outside of trouble, I think I may be terribly lost. Best to stay in familiar territory." He chuckles and takes a pull from the rum. "And I never stay short of company for long, you know that well as anyone... Most girls here are terribly young, though. Sweet enough, to be sure, but..." He shrugs. There's something missing. Pretty, young, willing...but none of them (at least thus far) have had what it takes to really draw him. In truth? None of them have been nearly dangerous enough in he right ways.


Tia Dalma: Tia reached out along Jack's arm to snag the bottle from him, and look a long drink herself. She stroked her fingers along his neck after she returned it, and kissed the bit of flesh he exposed, slowly. Jack never had a reason to truly fear her - her irritation at foolish men came and went easily; her true wrath was saved for offenders far beyond what Jack had ever done in his time.

"I am lucky, then," she said, a teasing smile in her voice, "because there seem to be many men about. Though young William still think I be a terrifying thing to behold."


Jack Sparrow: It would not take much of this sort of attention to lull Jack to sleep. If she added in enough careful storytelling to keep the pirate's mouth shut for a while, the task would be done by now. Jack smiles, small and gentle...a genuine smile and not something many earn from him. Bloody shame she has to go and ruin it.

At the mention of all the 'other men' in the city, particularly Will, Jack's face falls into a dejected pout. He shakes it quick, though, and trades it for mock-concern. "William is a good lad. He's brave, honest, and of strong moral character, to be certain... I fear, though, that he's a bit of an idiot. ... Possibly a eunuch as well." He nods gravely.


Tia Dalma: Tia laughed quietly. Jack's jealous nature had always amused her because of the way it manifested. All men were jealous creatures, but some expressed it differently. She stood and walked 'round to face him, and ran her hands down his chest, then up, once again cupping his face. She leaned in and nuzzled his forehead, sighing softly. "What would I do without such advice? Things I would learn in such terrible ways..." she stood back and tilted her head, smiling softly. "Your kitchen is impressive, I be sure, but certainly there be somewhere more fitting for rest... all this way to see you, takes much out of me."


Jack Sparrow: Surely Tia's laughter is due to Jack's remarkable wit. He grins proudly, though with a bit of worry that she might -and it's a slim possibility- be laughing at him. His head tilts back haughtily as her hands move over his chest. Ah, see? He is very clever and being rewarded. Damn... Wrong again. "Yes, well, it's best you stay clear of said 'terrible ways'. This is, after all, a wicked place." Not that this has stopped Jack from learning any lesson here the 'hard way'.
He looks about the kitchen around them and sits up little straighter, eyes cast down almost sheepishly. "Right. Not quite a fit place to bed, is it? ... Problem is..." A clever lie should fit here, but when he meets her eyes he remembers just how damn useless that would be. "... Sands is in my quarters, taking up my bed. Greedy git laid claim to it while I was otherwise distracted." By the kraken, actually. Jack offers a hopeful grin. "Now that the storms letting up, though, we could toss him, eh?" Jack doesn't have many reservations about hurling Sands out in the rain now that Tia's here to keep him company.


Tia Dalma: "Do not be so cruel," Tia said, still laughing a bit. "Surely in your big new ship there be other rooms." She leaned forward and pressed her lips quickly to his, still teasing him a little bit. She was curious to see this doppelganger, it was true, but she was much, much more interested in curling up with her dear original at the present time. Shoving someone out would result in time-wasting arguments, and most likely demands on her attention she was in no mood to grant.

Jack Sparrow: He pouts a bit at her arguments against booting his double, but then her lips land fleetingly against his and he is successfully distracted from the previous concern. What does it matter if it's his quarters or not? He gets to be in whatever room she's going to be in. "Indeed. There's a fair number of quarters and no one about to use them. ... You're welcome to choose any one of them you like." Jack hops down from the table to lead her through the narrow hall that runs below deck. Between every two guns of the forty-eight that line the two lower decks of the man-of-war, there's a room built to tightly sleep seven men. At least, that's how the space was built once... Things in the city have a way of suiting a person's needs more exactly, however.


Tia Dalma: Tia followed, after loading Jack up with her bag and skirt (chivalry is dead, indeed). She let him walk until she decided on a room that suited her, and stared at it for a moment. She mumbled something to herself, and then opened the door, revealing what was inexplicably a space far larger than the outside hallway and physics combined said could be there - it was plain, but comfortable-looking, with desk, a chest a drawers, and a bed. Perfect, really. Tia knew she could make modifications at a later time.

"I like this City," she said cheerfully, and flounced inside.


Jack Sparrow: Jack looked around the newly-modified room and did his best not to look completely shocked. He mostly fails in the task. "The city does seem t'have some benefits, doesn't it?"

He sets her bag down by the door and lays her warm and freshly-dry clothing across the end of the bed before sitting down next to it to give the mattress a test. Certainly nothing to complain about. Jack lays back, smiling, and taking up the majority of the space. "Not bad, really."


Tia Dalma: There was a small cluster of candles on the chest near the bed, but it did little to illuminate the dark room; it became darker as Tia pushed the door closed behind them. She padded over to the bed, crawled up next to Jack and half-laid across his chest. She peered down at him, her dreadlocked hair falling about her face. "Not at all..." she agreed with a smile. She leaned down and kissed Jack again, slow and deep. She pulled away after a long moment and rubbed her nose against his.


Jack Sparrow: Oh yes, kissing. Kissing is good. It's warm and distracting and he really had missed Tia over the years... It takes a minute for Jack's mind to shut up and just let him enjoy the moment. The pirate chuckles to himself at the innocent little gesture of rubbing noses.
Jack grins and sets his hat off to the side of the bed, his feet working to pry his boots off with just the use of toes to heel. "Mmm... I think I may like your room a bit better than mine. It's warmer in here."


Tia Dalma: "Of course it be warmer in here," she all but purred, pulling apart the front of Jack's shirt and running her hands across his chest. His scars and burns were no deterrent for her, but familiar, comforting things that reminded her of how very alive Jack was, and would be again.