tampered | Log:Complete

Jack is the only person Sands is letting see him today. Left to his own devices much longer and he would be hurling things at anyone that tried to come over. Including his personal assistant or nurse. Opening the door he stands there in combat boots and an ugly robe. It's the first time his visitor's verbal identification wasn't demanded through a closed door.
A gun pulls his robe down on the right side as it weighs down his pocket but it's been in there all day and he's forgotten about it.
After a moment he turns to make his way back to the couch without a word. Faking normalcy is hard over the computer and nearly impossible for him in person.

As soon as Jack enters the cat runs to him and feverishly rubs against his legs meowing. El is out of food and water.

"'Let myself in?' I don't see why not, and thank you for the hospitality and charm, you do go much too far out of your way, mate."

The despondent way Sands is behaving isn't right at all. It makes Jack remarkably uncomfortable. Uncomfortable enough to look to the devil-cat for some normalcy. The pirate leans down -rattling the two bottles,to which the necks are clutched in one of his hands- and pets El.

"Your cat's acting weird, Shel. I'd argue you'd traded personalities somehow, but you've never been quite this affectionate." The cat meows loudly, now that he has someone's attention. "Does 'e 'ave something to eat somewhere? I wouldn' worry. myself, but I fear without his normal diet, this one shall move on to consuming souls before long."

Sands doesn't really hear the words. Jack is just making noises and when he's done the agent nods. The clinking of glass gets his attention though. Jack has alcohol. Sheldon drank the rest of his an hour before.
Jack is the only one that calls him 'Shel' besides his mother. Otherwise the question would have gotten another soft nod.

"Yeah. In the kitchen. El- leave him alone. Fucking cat." A hand motions the thing away from across the room then moves his hair behind one ear.
The apartment is just starting to smell. He hasn't showed or let anyone in to clean out the litter box. Sands no longer notices it and it's hardly detectable with all the cigarette smoke anyway.
"I was thinking- we should draft people from the circus. Give Jones the people that's never set foot on a fucking ship."

With a direction for his search, Jack sets the bottles down (one of rum and one of sherry) and heads to the kitchen to hunt down something to feed the animal. Convenient of cat food to have a picture of a cat on it, really. The pirate can read, he just doesn't bother when things should look like what they are.
He pours food into El's bowl and now they're best friends as far as the cat's concerned (though the opinion will probably be short lived). Jack fills the water dish as well before reclaiming the bottles and heading to the couch.

Jack notices the smell of the flat. It's not that terrible, by pirate standards, but far worse than Sands usually allows for. Still, he says nothing of it as he sits on the couch and sets the bottles on the coffee table.
"From the circus? Ha. Oh, that may even be too qualified. I do like how you're thinking, though, mate. The less useful experience thay have, the better. I made no promises on their quality. Only that they'd be standing."

When Jack makes the short trip to the kitchen Sands vaguely wanders where he went but just doesn't care enough. Except he didn't hear where the bottles were placed. And he was listening for that.
With the pirates return the bottles also make their sounds. His head, that was pointed off to the side as he thought his own thoughts, turns to stay steadily on that sound.
His tone of voice is back to normal. Maybe a little strange since the facial expression isn't nearly as cheery.

"What if I bring a one armed midget? Do we even have to make sure these people look competent or can we shove them in a burlap sack and deposit them on the deck?
What's that?" He points to the bottles in front of him.

"They have to be alive. Aside from that, they have to sign on to the crew. Sobriety or mental condition at the time of the signing, however, is not a worry. Long as they can leave an X on the line, it's fair." Not that it seems terribly fair. It seems exactly like the sort of press-ganging and outright kidnapping the Navy got up to in Jack's time. That makes Jack ill to think about...so he chooses not to.

Happy for a quick shift in subject, Jack grins at the bottles.
"That? That is a full bottle of rum and a bottle of sherry...if you were feeling more formal. ... I've not had much call to entertain, of late." No women who need to be plied with wine, and Tia likes rum just fine. There's also been no call to feign a station higher than his own or hold formal negotiations worth drinking over. They're small and fairly unnecessary things, but Jack misses them.

"You're saying Jones wont look at some wheezing gimp I bring as long as he can make an X?" Sands becomes a little more animated now that they're talking business. When talking his face stays on those bottles waiting to hear the sound of them open and pour into a glass.

"As long as we're planning then it wouldn't hurt to bring back old traditions."

"Best that they not be dying, lest we be asked to replace them when they knock off before the deal's done."
Captain Sparrow smiles a bit at the suggestion of old traditions and goes to the kitchen to find two glasses for them as he talks.
"That is the only stipulation however, and it is not anything akin to strict. If he has a problem with the choices, honestly, I couldn't give a toss."

Jack sits back down and pours the sherry, offering a glass to Sands; tapping the side with his nail to note the distance for him.
"Twenty men with at least a few months' life in them and my side of the accord s fulfilled."

"That makes it even easier. I really expected him to stand there checking scalp and teeth of any poor shit I brought aboard." Sands has taken to sprinkling his conversations with nautical words now. At least when Jack is around.
He reaches forward for the glass and settles back down with it looking much more aware.

El comes in from the kitchen licking her lips. She rubs over Jack's legs several times before curling up on her own side of the room.
"Tomorrow we'll coerce a few of the citizens who will be.. less missed then others."

"Jones has a ship with no crew and he's desperate. He'll take what he's given, as there's chance of him lucking onto a sinking ship in these waters from which to recruit for himself. He's in no position to refuse anything that can so much as crawl onto his deck." Jack chooses not to concern himself with the fact that he doesn't have enough crew to move his own ship, let alone two. Yet, he won't refuse the return of his Pearl and he'll pay any price to have her.

He drinks from his glass and watches the cat circle his feet with a wary glance before the beast moves a safe distance across the room.
"The less of a fuss their disappearance causes, the better. I don't typically make a point of concerning myself with how highly the public thinks of me, but it's a bit different when simply weighing anchor and setting the port far behind me is not an immediate option."

"...Though, it would be a lovely one." Jack tilts his head, glass still near his lips after another sip. "What plans are there for this war, eh?"

"I guarantee the age old tradition the military has of kidnapping and forcing into combat is ot lost on the agents of my time. We'll have no problem that can't be rectified."
He's once again downplaying this. What they are doing can cause an angry mob to come at them when they have no way of escape. But Sands will meticulously think everything through except his escape- choosing to get out when the getting is good.

"Have you ever fought a war, Jack? It's a lot like armed robbery."
His attention turns to the sound of music outside. Abandoning even his drink he goes to the window to listen.
"It sounds like a carnival."

"I'll have to take that on faith for now, mate. Between the two of us, however, I do believe we may be able to make away with twenty citizens and come off none the worse for it."
Sheldon's downplaying of the risks does not go unnoticed, but Jack has faith in the man's abilities, even if he lacks complete trust in the man himself. His methods are far different than Jack's in most cases, but Sands knows how to play people. How to keep them so enthralled with words and the gestures of the right hand, that the left is free to do as it pleases.

"I've never been part of a grand battle. No more than three ships and never a battle on land. All the same, Sheldon, I do know the difference. I only ask who we have as our allies and what points of attack, if any, you've got in mind for ..."
There is music outside. It shatters Jack thoughts and pulls him up to go look from the same window. The sound is haunting and the colours like bright candy.
"A circus... Jesters, beasts, and gypsies. The whole lot. ..." The violin is commanding, as are the words issued out over the music. "..Fancy going out to get a bit closer?"

"A few of the angels, possibly V, Ran, and a few hired guns. If other angels are brought in Ran will head them up and you, Captain, will be my distraction for the big number. I need a man who can hold his own in battle long enough to keep them busy. Or at least interested." He turns and moves to face Jack, suddenly very close. A long finger comes up to motion to the pirates eyes.
"They say the Egyptians wore the liner so that the Gods would see and favor them."

Making a sharp turn he heads to the back of the apartment.
"Gypsies. They were thought to be Egyptian. That's where the slur came from." He keeps talking as he goes down the hall then is gone for a long while.

Oh, he was right. Sands certainly does know how to play people. Jack grins at the importance of his position and the note of the favour of the Gods. He's heard that only once before, and he does like it. Still, Jack knows when he's being flattered. For now, he'll enjoy it and drink his sherry. This will not stop him from wondering if 'distraction' might be the same as 'decoy' and fodder for the cannons.

Jack arches a brow and watches Sands go, tilting his head and leaning to better see down the hall. After a few moments, he becomes impatient and steps into the hall to look down it's length. "Shel? Where'd you get off to? We're going to miss the bloody thing!" Soon, he'll just leave without his twin.

He's meticulous in his own way with costumes. Taking great care into looking like he's who he needs to be yet with bad taste. A person who turns enough heads so that he's passed by as anyone trying not to cause attention to themselves. Sands enjoys hiding out in the open.

It takes him a little longer to put something together now. When he emerges he wears a black broad rimmed hat pulled low over his sunglasses. Something a hick jazz singer might sport. His normal black clothing are changed with fancier duds. Still black yet with a western design in white on the shirt. A size too big it billows around the gun straps on his torso. It's buttoned halfway down so he can easily reach inside for the glocks.
A belt of ammo is at his waist but it looks more decoration then anything without sight of the guns.
If anyone has gotten near the lean and dark gypsy boys running their captured mustangs in the moonlight of the east he's well recognized as one of them.

Sands happily changes his race like a pair of shoes. An advantage of being mixed french and indian.
"Yeah yeah- give me time to put my face on."
He's ready to go now and signifies this by walking past the pirate to the door- holding it open for him.
"What are you waiting for? Lets go."

When he's passed up and treated like he's the cause of the delay, gives a small exasperated snort and makes his way out of the held door.
"And just how long is it that you've been a woman, mate? Could have just tossed trousers on and been done with it." Not that there's much chance of confusion with the way Sands' shirt hangs open. Since he can't be seen, Jack takes advantage of the situation to look over the exposed skin. He vaguely remembers when his chest looked like that; a little less muscle and far fewer scars.

Jack's boots make more than enough sound to be followed, so he has no qualms about taking the lead as he hurries down the hall and to the exit, almost like an excited child.
"There were girls and young men, near nude, wearing the suits of a deck of cards. I do want to see that closer."
It takes a lot of restraint to hold the door out to the street open and not just leave Sands behind.

"I'd rather not anyone see me leading people to the docks not to be seen again, Jack."
Sands has knife scars on his upper arms that can't be seen. Painful teenage years and the small faded ones from boyhood. None of which are visible. Another striking difference between the two would be that Sands doesn't have a single tattoo.

He strides quickly out of a need to keep up and also his own excitement. It's strange, he thinks, to be this thrilled with the noise outside. Perhaps it's the boredom of the city. Whatever it is they both hit the door and Shel takes his twins arm leading them both into it. He doesn't want to loose Jack but has his own plans as well. Heading straight to the largest grouping of people they both squeeze through so that Sands can also enjoy the partial nudity.

Now that he understands the change of dress to be a tactic, Jack understands a bit better. The clothes themselves make little sense to him, but that's just a problem he's had since day one here.

When Sands takes hold of him and tugs him along, the pirate lets himself be led. He presses close, even, as they shove slow through the crowd. Catching onto the plan quick, Jack laughs under his breath and joins in on the 'accidental' groping. Somehow, when this comes to include having his arm low around Sands' hips rather than on his arm, it seems less accidental. Jack doesn't much care, though. And 'ooh!' they're handing out free drinks and drugs (most of which, Jack does not recognize.) Still, it's free, so he begins filling his pockets with whatever he's given and drinking anything handed to him as he laughs and pulls Sands closer.

Having slipped into a depression low enough to hospitalize him if he were in his own world, the sudden change to elated should be noticed. But it's not. Sands doesn't question why he's so happy now even when he finds himself loving the crowds he would otherwise think of as cattle- making mooing sounds as he pushed his way through.
The hands on him from invisible strangers feels wonderful, and Jack's arm around his waist is nothing but right. This faceless mob surrounding him would have given him a panic attack any other time.

Drugs and condoms are pressed into his free hand and in his pockets. For a man who still insists the cat eats first just in case the city is out to poison him- he's uncharistically trusting in accepting these chemicals.

Riding the wave of people he holds on to Jack, laughing, as they finally get pushed out of the throng like a bit of stray seaweed. Ending up pressed against a wall with drink in hand he laughs between sips.
"Jesus! Lemme catch my breath. We're going back in." His breath is forgotten by time the words are out and he pulls Jack along with him to rush the crowd again.

Right now, Jack feels he has more in common with Sands than ever. The sudden loss of his own worries goes wholly unnoticed, but that's hardly even odd for the pirate. He loves a crowd. Not any crowd. Never a mob. But a thick gathering of bodies in celebration has never been anything but thrilling for him. He's never understood why the English don't have more festivals that call for this sort of interaction. The 'heathen' natives of far off lands certainly always seem more joyous and free.

More than he loves a crowd, Jack loves this crowd; jubilant and passionate men and women, losing garments, pressing to strangers, laughing and reveling. As he and Sands move through them, Sparrow leans close to those they pass, slides fingers over bared skin, and whispers lewd suggestions and sweet promises in the same breath.

Out of the thrall and leaning on a building, Jack laughs as Sands does, letting his hand move more lightly over the other man's side as he uses the time to take larger sips from his drink. "Of course we're going back. That was bloody fantastic..."
He barely finishes his words before he's being pulled again. Jack laughs loudly and pours what's left of his drink down his throat. It's strong and warm, a warm that spreads and stretches and reaches down low. The idea of exploring a body so like his own is seeming more and more enticing as the touch of Sheldon's hand seems ever more warm and intense.
Jack moves closer to his twin, wrapping his arm around again. One to keep -to take home and enjoy- and the rest of the assembled are all for them to sample.

The magics are making it hard for him to think and hard for him to say no. But if he had any idea of what Jack was thinking it would sure as hell change his plans for the night from running around giggling mad and grouping to shooting Jack Sparrow dead center in his hand.
El's brother did that to the mariachi once and Sands liked that story the best.

Fortunately for the pirate, Sands is fucking clueless. It's crowded, they are having a great time, and everyone is touching everyone. He doesn't think his twins intentions are innocent, but certainly not a 'I want to take you home and ravage my own body' kind of thing.

A different sound catches his attention the moment he steps back into the crowd. He stops and goes back, his head turning to the side to hear it again. Sheldon heard the sweetest most beautiful laugh he has ever heard in his life.
Obviously something must be balanced.

Pressing his back into Jack he reaches up and behind him to grab his friend's jaw and point his face toward the target.
"Jack. Tell me what you see."

Having been told he's an excellent lay -though never in quite so polite or eloquent phrasing, except for by whores looking for an extra few pennies- Jack can't help but want to know for himself. He by no means intends to take advantage, he just wishes to impress upon Sands what a marvelous idea this is.

He's planning to do just that, and feels sure there's some hope of success when Sheldon's hand is on his face, but he's just playing 'seeing-eye-pirate', it seems.
"Where? The two gents wrestling to the death on the cart? They're a bit bloodied for making out detail. I'd say one is surely taller than the other, and ..." The angle his chin is held at is corrected and he knows what he's meant to be describing. "Right..ah... Small girl. Surely not much over ten, if a day. Hay coloured hair just past the shoulders...seems to ringlet at the ends. She wears a long shirt that all but covers the skirt beneath it. Seems barefoot. I suppose she came out in a hurry as well, eh? Didn' take half the time to pretty herself that you did."
Jack leans around to try for a better view through the shifting crowd.
"Strong dimples, but one more pronounced than the other... Christ, I love that, don't you? Girls with just the one? ... Eyes wide as anything and green, so far as I can say from here. She'll be truly lovely in six years or so, no doubt of that at all."

Jack went on describing the girl because he likes speaking and because Sheldon asked. It isn't til after that he wonders why it was necessary.
"Why d'you ask? Tha's not what you're after in a girl, is it, mate?"

Sands doesn't mind the long drawn out description. In fact he's very pleased with it. He craves detail after all and knowing everything he can about the girl works for him. He likes to picture faces and expressions while he talks. It makes it all easier.
Ignoring Jack's question all together he asks another one.

Sands may not look suspicious but there is something in his breath that gives away how much he's looking forward to this.
"Now. Find mommy, daddy, or anyone around her that gives a fuck about two strangers coming to call."

The accelerated breathing and the number of questions coming from Sands have Jack wary, but he's far more curious. He wants to know what's going to happen. He wonders too strongly what his 'evil' twin might have planned.

His arm is over Sheldon's shoulders as he leans in against the man to try his hand at subtlety. Though he speaks near Sands' ear, Jack fails almost completely at whispering, only achieving a stage whisper.
"There's a woman nearby of the same sort of complexion. Most likely the girl's mother. She seems a bit taken with the show and with ogling one of the male performers in particular.... Lord... I think that may be Jan."

Subtle enough. Or more likely he doesn't care right now. Sands is busy working after so much time without a shadow to throw. He throws Jack.

"Go over there. Flirt with the mother and keep her turned away from me."
Sands turns his head to the side.
"Go now."

Jack sneers at the order. Not only has he been ordered to do something, but he's been given an order while he was rather enjoying himself. "I don' know what it is your up to, Shel, but not t'do anything too terribly stupid, eh?"

With that, the Captain moves away from Sands and takes a few of the pills and various other free candies from his pocket and approaches the woman. He excuses himself for interrupting her enjoyment and offers a smile that makes her not worry terribly about it at all. He plays off even more ignorant than he is and asks that she please explain all of the free gifts to him, laughing over her answers and moving closer -touching more- the more relaxed her responses become. It doesn't take too terribly long before she seems unaware that she has a daughter.

After a while Sands wanders over to the giggling child to stand beside her. His face is pointed at all the action while a coin appears in his hand. It rolls over his knuckles back and forth. Back and forth. The giggling quiets and he's only sure she's still there because he didn't hear her leave. Then the coin seems to disappear into air. He smiles out the corner of his mouth when the girl gasps.
Opening his palm to her it's there again. Large and shiny.
"Take it. It's for you."

The girl stares at him open mouthed before awkwardly taking it. Once she does he gives her a version of that Jack smile. But this one holds warmness and approval instead of sex. Moving back a step where he is more hidden he starts a conversation.
"See my brother talking to your mommy? He's a pirate. Do you wanna meet him?"

His hand comes up to wave at Jack and encourages the little girl to do the same.
"Wave to mommy. So she knows you're okay."
When hearing her turn and softy call out 'Hi, mom' he puts his hand down stepping deeper into the shadows.

A hand to her hair and admiring, honeyed compliments dripping from Jack's lips. The atmosphere, the ease of the afternoon, the aphrodisiacs and mind altering substances passed about like halloween treats...it all combines and aids and Jack knows he can lay the act on as thick as he likes and she'll still sink deep into every word. So long as he has her eyes on him and all she knows of him is what he tells her, this woman is his. He doesn't even have to want her. The power makes it worth it. A few more minutes and he'll have the hem of her skirt up around her waist in some dirty alley...

The child's voice breaks his concentration and he turns to see who's speaking. Jack gives the girl a short, sharp grin and only half catches Sands disappearing behind her. Good. With any luck, the mother saw nothing at all and best to keep it that way.
"Is that your girl, Alice, darling?" Names are important. They make the girl feel special. Now to bring the topic around. "Must be terrible having to look after such a small, sweet thing all alone with nary a man to give you leave of your duties or tend to your needs. And you do have needs, don't you, sweet? Such a young thing, left to her own in the height of her life. Only a woman's strength could see through such hardships... and you are a fine and strong woman, Alice." His dirty fingers run through her hair and she only manages '...just a minute, sweety. Mommy's busy...' before she gives her lips up to Jack.

The child hasn't a doubt in her mind now that her mother waved back (though it was fleeting). Too far away to notice her mom's eyes never leaving the pirate.
Sands kneels down beside her then, making her turn and miss the more adult fun going on with the friendly Jack.

"Do you like pirates, sweet heart?" He lightly touches her hand then. Just for a beat.
"Yes." She's shy, having never met this man but her mother obviously knows him and it's okay. So she answers.

"How about the parade? Are you having fun?"
Another yes, less shy as the conversation goes on. Sands keeps asking her yes questions and every time she is to answer he touches the same spot on her hand.
He gets her talking about the parade and laughing. He's good with children. He likes them at times. But doesn't really consider them people. More like interesting pets.
After a few minutes of this touching trick he asks her the important one.
"Would you like to come see my pirate ship? Mommy said it was okay if we hurry back."
Now before his hand even reaches her she's saying yes.

Sands takes her tiny hand and leads her away. "Is my friend coming, sweetpea?"

Jack's hands -thieving, spidering things with minds all their own, it seems- have done a fine job burrowing up and under the poor, lonely mother's shirt. He's playing her like a familiar instrument and listening for how well tuned she may be when he notices Sands and the child over Alice's shoulder. ...Bugger. He's being left behind... But then Alice is grinding up against him and maybe being left alone with her won't be so bad.

His eyes slip closed after he watches the little girl tug at Sands' shirt sleeve to give him the first 'no' answer of their conversation.

That puts him off. Sands can guess why Jack isn't coming with them and he quickly gets the girl's attention back on him.
"That weirdo pirate. Is he kissing her?" Sands makes a yuck face and she laughs nervously before turning back to the scene.

He laughs and messes her hair up, flipping Jack off above her head.
"Lets go see that pirate ship!"
Sands says it loud enough for Jack to hear him and leads the girl away by the hand. She tries to look back but he's already asking more questions and touching the hand held in his as they walk away.

He may not know exactly what it is Sands has planned -he may not even want to know- but Jack fails to see why he shouldn't gain something from it. One hand moves up to tangle in Alice's hair as he does, indeed, kiss her quite deeply. He pulls those dirty-blond locks aside to see if his twin's taken his leave yet. Jack opens an eye just in time to see Sheldon give him the bird and catch where he and the girl are off to.

"Let's put a bit of distance between ourselves and this crowd, eh?"
And with very little plying, he has her pulled away to the dark of an alley and both of them bare below the waist.

It's a quick and dirty thing, but all the satisfaction Jack was after. Alice seems, for now at least, to feel she was wanted. With the moment passed, however, she takes notice of her missing daughter.

"Fear not, darling. Stay here and enjoy the parade. Ask about for anyone who may have seen your little dear. I'll go search for her and return to give word every hour until she's found. Trust me." He meets her with a solemn and innocent gaze from brown, doe eyes and she nods. Jack kisses her softly and takes his leave, hoping very much never to see her again. He's done here. Time's come to find what Sands is up to on his beach.

Sands and the girl are sitting in the docked row boat telling stories. They have a collection of shells between them and never does he let a long silence pass. He keeps her talking about every little thing. Her mother, her school, her favorite shows. He twists his questions so that she only says positive things about this night and negative things about her home. Her mother makes her do chores and nags her. Homework is stupid. Everyone treats her like a baby.

She's warmed up to him and laughs at all his bad jokes and tries to impress him with tales of how grown up she is. And she does feel grown up. Sands doesn't talk to her like a kid half the time. Then without warning he'll be slightly patronizing. It's then she works harder to get the adult rapport she was enjoying. It makes her talk more.

Still a bit suspicious of Sands' motives, but with his every concern now pleasantly dulled with liquor, drugs and afterglow, Jack makes his way down the dock in a slow swagger.
"And just what are we chatting about, eh, darlings?"

He crouches down at the edge of the dock, tips of his boots extending out over the water, and leans against a pole that rises through the boards. Jack would very much like a cigarette, but hasn't the materials to roll one where he stands. More's the pity.

"Jack, this is my friend Lucy. She's your new girlfriend's daughter.
Say hi to Jack, Luci. If him and your mom fall in love-" His voice takes on a sigh that even sounds sincere.
"She's going to move in with him and then we can all live on the Flying Dutress like I told you."
Leaning in close he whispers to her. "And I think it will be soon. Your mommy sure loves Jack."

Lucy looks down at her shoes smiling. This is the best thing that can happen to a ten year old.
"How come you're not a pirate and your brother is?"

"Cause! Jack got the ship. You know- Even though it's not official yet... would you like to come pick out your room?"

Her eyes open wide. "No way!! Lets go!" She looks to Jack to get in the boat so they can be there as soon as possible. Hardly containing herself she's almost bouncing.

The pieces of this plan fall together in his head and Jack's smile becomes a brittle thing. It's little more than a mask now as he reels in horror behind it. What he did to Lucy's mother, the way he used her and tossed her aside, was common practice for the pirate. It was easy and meaningless and he shall never feel remorse over it. What Sands is doing...what he'll now have part in doing, or risk this getting even worse...this is both cruel and monstrous.

Sure. Jack will make an honest woman of the single mother he fucked roughly in a dirty alley and they'll all live happily ever after... Sands may be better at this game than Jack is, even.
"'lo, Lucy... Fancy a life at sea, do you, sweet?"

Lucy's eyes light up with fairy tale images of pirates and she nods emphatically. It makes Jack wonder how much he can forgive himself for if it gets him what he wants. At least all of his senses and thoughts are so nicely dulled. He steps down into the boat and takes his position at the bow, facing the pair of recent friends. His hands take to the oars slowly and he begins rowing.
"And will you sail under a pirate's command, luv?" And Jack earns more nodding and a passionately sure 'uh huh.'

Sands has never seen the Dutchman. The lucky bastard never will, either. But because of this, he can't understand Jack's worry of how quick that little girl is going to scream and run once there. He half hopes she does. That she breaks free.

Sands can't see Jack's horrid realization and has no idea he's having an attack of conscious. Because the thing Sands just can't see in his twin is his goodness. Jack may be a bastard but he's one that will go out of his way to save a life. When the mood hits, the stars aline, and his judgment is off. Thinking the pirate is more like him then he really is- Sheldon makes game out of the child's fate. As if it was a challenge of gross out on the playground.

He whispers in the girls ear a while, the same laugh that condemned her rings out over the lapping of water under Jack's ores. Then she starts to sing a song the agent taught her while Jack was fucking her mother in an ally.

"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, and loot,
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot,
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho."

Somewhere in the middle Sands gives her a little push and she settles herself beside Sparrow, looking up at him with awe. He's beautiful and exciting to her and she can hardly believe her luck. Small hands come up and start braiding a lock of his hair as he rows and she sings.

Those small hands and her small voice are soothing, but in a terrible way that knots in Jack's stomach when he'll let it. Jack's mind rolls over a dozen possible scenarios: He could tell Sands right now what a sick, insane plan this is and have the agent turn on him..maaybe even put a gun on Lucy, he could let this go on and hope to God that he can set it right later or forget it all somehow, maybe he could push Lucy from the boat and count on her knowing how to swim, since most know how to here...

Sands doesn't know what the Flying Dutchman looks like... The thought comes back to him, and it may be all the hope he has. Certainly all that Lucy has.

Jack smiles at Lucy and tells her to help him row. All this amounts to is her tiny hands on the oar as he does all the actual work. And it's with this balance of the work that they make an odd, wide circle in the waters as Jack joins in her singing for the second round.

When they stop, it's at the side of the Black Swann. Jack prays silently that this will work.
"Two seconds, eh?"
He takes hold of one of the ropes hanging over the ship's edge (one which had once held a longboat aloft at her side) and climbs his way to the deck, boots walking up the rough wood side of the ship.

It takes a few minutes before he makes it to the deck and tosses down a better ladder. Jack then slides down the rope he used to scale the ship and lands heavily in the row boat, rocking it against the side of the Swann and making Lucy giggle.

When the pirate suggests that Lucy help row to her fate Sands laughs softly, approving. He's happy Jack is getting into this and they are all having a wonderful time. The passive excitement from the circus has worn off with their distance, mostly, now he lays back with his arms behind his head singing 'row row row your boat' as he contemplates Jack's touching back in the crowd. Nothing in particular. Just notes it for the first time now that his mind has cleared of dancing bodies and cotton candy.

He pretends to be amused right along with Lucy at the motion of the ocean but Sands dislikes water and ships. As Lucy takes the ladder ready to climb up he stops her with his hands on her shoulders.
"Ah ah. Pirates first."

Turning to smile at Sparrow he tries to get a message through. "Is the crew ready for our visitor? I want them off the deck for now."
Attacking Lucy with tickles she squeals, letting go of the ladder and leaning backward into the agent trusting him not to let her hit the hard bottom of the long boat.
He notes that as well. Using his one arm to both hold her up and tickle her side, the other signals to Jack by pointing to the girl, up deck, and them miming writing.
Jack, go get the contract and get the scary looking pirates off deck.

His concern is for some peg legged, toothless, scurvy ridden, sailor to sour the deal. Sands has no idea.

((sorry! I am working all day today like yesterday and by time I got home I was so tired I could not do a thing for the three hours I got to spend at home before I had to go back to bed and start over. Fucking bullshit.))

Listening to Lucy's laughter and shrill little cries and knowing full well what Sands has in mind for her, Jack feels truly ill. He tries very hard to rationalize it. He tells himself Sands has lost his mind, that perhaps it was the circus or perhaps the loss of clarity and control the agent even worried himself over is far worse than Jack thought. The pirate thought he'd found a twin and a like spirit as well...now he's either wrong in that, or being right is a terrible thing.

"He's right, darling. Best, always, to let the Captain move first until instructed otherwise."
Jack feels almost sure that he has Sands well fooled so far. He'd thought to carry Lucy aboard himself and leave the agent in the boat, but with Sands giving the girl instruction, it's best not to raise any undo suspicion by arguing it.

On deck, he goes to his quarters and searches through the stacks of paper and boxes full of maps and scrolls. With a quill and ink, he makes some quick revisions and adds a few lines to his variation of the Articles that he shall have her sign. The code itself falls closest to Bartholomew, but now contains these additional rulings:

XII: Those who would sign the Articles before their sixteenth year shall live on shore and serve only at the Captain's bidding til such time as they are of a proper age. It shall be to them to board their Captain's ship whensoever it makes port and see to the Captain's wishes.

XIII: If at any time we should meet another marooner (pyrate), any man that should sign his Articles without the consent of Captain and Company shall be subject to the punishment the Captain sees best fit.

Sparrow scrolls the parchment and tucks it into one pocket of his coat, setting the ink and quill into the other. Then he goes quickly to the gunwall to lean over its edge.
"Up you come, Lucy, darling. Quickly now."
He watches her climb with small, unsteady hands, and hangs over to help pull her up.

He hopes this will all be forgotten in a day's time or more. He hopes Sands will come to his senses. For the only other thing to worry over is just what the agent will do to the wicked sailor who's ruining his plans.

((I figured as much. No worries. Hope you feel better after work today.))

It would have worked too if it weren't for those pesky kids. Sands kept the girl talking in the boat while Jack was gone.
Sands: "...Forever. We should even rename it something more with the times. Rainbow. Or Sparkles."

Lucy covers her mouth laughing at the ridiculous suggestion and even more so that it came out of the mouth of an adult man.
"What's the name now?"

Sands: "The Flying Duchess. Butress. Something. Horrible isn't it?"

Lucy: "I like the sails."

Sands is wondering what the fuck is taking Jack. "Yeah? Me too."

Lucy: "The pirate ships on t.v don't have black sails."

Sands: "..."

When the traitor comes back Sands seems none the wiser. As Lucy climbs up he stands to 'help' her making sure he comes up right behind. Once on deck he smiles at the rotten pirate while speaking to the girl.
"What are you waiting for Lucy? Explore all you want. Touch things. Have a party. We have to discus the next raid."

Lucy is gone faster then a speed freak on fire. As soon as her footsteps fade Sands grabs his twins shirt and pushes him back into the mast.
"Jack. This is no time to screw the pooch."

((My computer is fucking up all over the place.))

It was a perfect plan. He would have her sign and send her off below deck or to his quarters while he took his laughing madman of a twin back to his flat to sleep off whatever's come over him. In the morning, Jack could simply return Lucy to her mother and all would be well.
Women are terrible luck and traitors..even the small ones.

Jack hits the mast hard and coughs, not expecting his game to be so quickly given away. His hand finds a belaying pin and rests on it as he speaks, wanting something to bludgeon Sands with, should it come to that. Going for his sword or his gun would be too obvious.
"Sheldon! She's a child. To begin with, she's unfit for any crew. Both small and female. That issue aside, she'd be given the lash every time her wee hands fail at the tasks put before her. She'd be worn down to the bone inside of a week. Most likely dead. And that would be if she's quite lucky. For the alternative is a hundred years of service, in which time she'll lose all sense of soul and self and become more sea and ship than girl... I'll not do that to an innocent, Shel. I will not. ... This is madness...you know that don't you?"
On the off chance the man doesn't understand, Jack's hand closes more tightly on the pin, sliding it up from its hold as slow as he's able.

((that blows))

He sighs, leaning into his twin in order to speak into Jack's ear. He has no idea the man is wielding a weapon and planning to brain him with it. Sheldon is sure that the pirate will see it his way with a little tenderness sprinkled with threats. He's being extra nice about it after their last confrontation where Sands had his ass handed to him. Using Jack's method of flirting and the unspoken promise of sex against him, he goes about explaining why his plan is much better then this letting her go nonsense.
"It's too late for that, Echo. We just kidnapped a little girl and had her alone for over an hour. What do you think they'll assume, humm? Who would believe you're the good guy here? Has anyone ever given you the benefit of the doubt in your entire life?
Oh. But you have friends here don't you? They'll believe you. They might even stand in the way when the angry mob comes for you. They might even die for you.
No one will believe you. No one will believe her. No one will want to.
And no one saw me take her. Who do you think the prime suspect will be when mommy's head clears, Jack?"
Sands smiles sweetly laying a kiss on his cheek.

"I chose her to be balanced out and I'll do that no matter what your decision here. And if Jones doesn't do that for me then I will find her myself."
Sheldon's lips brush against Jack's ear as he whispers the last bit.
"And I can make her think it's you doing it."

His hand comes up to stroke the side of Jack's face. Because he wants to see the uncanny resemblance eveyone goes on about. He never had the guts to ask. Now he can kill two birds with one stone.
"Now. You're going to get that girl and put her back in the long boat. Take her to Jones because you're out of options. Take her because letting her go at this point is the equivalent of taking a monkey wrench and shoving it straight up your ass. She needs to be disposed of and you need your ship back.
And then you're going to hop right back in that boat and find Mommy. Bring her as well. Because no mother worth her salt is going to leave her child on that ship. You wont even have to lie to get her John Hancock. But before you do that- fuck her again. If you get her knocked up it will count as three. And twins run in the family! Maybe you'll luck out.
Then we'll go back to the circus. Weren't you having fun? I was."

His real plan being to get Jack so wasted he's unable to take what Sands is pretending to offer. His thumb passes over his twins lips a moment before he turns is face to meet them with his own. A light kiss to seal the deal. How can Jack refuse himself?

Everything Sands says is painful. It stings with the cold, calculated and heartless way the man strings together motive and threat and it hurts like hell because, half the time, he's exactly right. Then there's touching... A warm body pressed to Jack's, soft lips brushing his face, and softer versions o his own fingers on his cheeks. An hour ago, Jack had wanted this. Now the way his own body reacts -for it's a traitorous thing and doubly so with the mix of chemicals that were in his drink- and even the slightest proximity to the man he had, until now, thought of as a brother...it all makes him nauseous.

Sparrow's rough hand tightens around the pin, turning it over and securing his grip for what he knows he has to do. He licks the taste of Sands' lips from his and relaxes as much as he can against the mast.
"No way around it all, is there, mate? Pity...I really was enjoying that parade. Naught to be done for it now, though... I'm sorry, Shel. I've made a mess of this. I just really do wish this wasn' necessary."

If he's lucky, Sands even thinks that the pirate is talking about the plan to give Lucy to Jones. Maybe he is, on some level, but mostly it's the unfortunate need to see his friend's head clubbed roughly until the agent is unconscious. Jack raises the belaying pin high and grits his teeth as he brings it down with all the force he can. He doesn't want to kill the man, but he can't have Sands getting right up again, either.
"'m sorry, Shel..."

There are a lot of things Sheldon doesn't know about his twin. Among those is the fact that Jack Sparrow has already given up everything in order to keep another man's decisions from making a monster of him once in his life. It's only harder now because he likes Sands.

Sands watched body language more then anything else when he could see. he counted on it a lot. Since that's gone now- when he has that insight once again with touch, he counts on it more then anything else. This is what fucks him over.

He not sure at all if Jack is talking about trying to ruin the plan or refusing to go along with it in the first place. All he has time for is to open his mouth with the purpose of continuing his 'pep talk' in the hopes it's just the man realizing they have to do this. Close enough to feel Jack's arm raised he knows that's not it at all. The pirates last apology seals it. He put himself in close proximity to the man once again during a disagreement. He usually learns his lessons the first time too...

Sands moves to the side reaching for his gun but it's much too late. Jack is just as fast and has a head start. The crack on the skull hits him about three inches behind his temple as he tries to get out of the way. It sends him to the deck, falling on his side. A second jar to the head as it hits the wood floor. The first blow stopped him from protecting himself during the fall.
That's just a bump but the first hit cuts his scalp open. Not enough for stitches though it bleeds a good amount. Even without eyes he's seeing little birdies fly around until that familiar darkness takes over.
Not the first man passed out cold and bleeding on that deck.

Left breathing heavy from the tension of the moment, Jack drops the wooden club to the deck. He pulls some rope loose from where spare is stored against the mast and cuts a few lengths to bind Sheldon's wrists and ankles before lowering him to the longboat.

He moves through the ship calling for Lucy until he finds the small girl. He puts her in his quarters and tells her to stay there, providing her a bit of soft coal and some parchment to draw on and asking that she make maps for him of the City as her first job on crew.

Locking Lucy there, Jack rows Sands to the dock and hoists him over his shoulder to carry the agent to his own apartment and leave him here bound. The pirate trusts his twin to be smart enough to free himself, given time.

When he returns to his ship to collect Lucy, he finds the girl standing in his chair, putting every effort into drawing all of the things she's seen in the city. Copying the large nautical maps already laid out before her, she's even added a compass, though the directions are irrelevant. Jack smiles warmly at the girl.
"Very well done, lass. I'll be in your debt for this..."

She beams up at him happily and rejoices in the praise. "Mommy says I'm very good at drawing."

"She's very wise, your mum." Jack replies, and takes quill and ink to parchment once more. He rolls it tightly when he's done and seals it with wax before handing it to Lucy. "This is very important, luv. I need you to deliver this to another Captain for me, savvy? He might seem scary, but he's very funny looking and he talks a bit weird. He's like something from a fairy story, really. You'll be fine. Cross my wicked, pirate heart. Besides, you're very brave, yes? Nothing to scare you." He grins broadly and she grins back, setting her hands on her hips and nodding. Very brave indeed.

Somehow, as they approach the Dutchman -with it's scyth of a bowsprit and reaper figurehead- some of that bravery seems to fade and the girl is clinging to Jack's waist. "Don' you worry yourself, poppet. Tha' wreck of a rig's jus' filthy, is all. Needs a decent cleaning. And what harm could that ol' reaper do? He's naught but bones -and broken ones at that, I must mention- no meat at all to help in a fight. I imagine you could knock the tosser out in one blow." He ruffles her hair and Lucy giggles timidly. She misses Jack's brother who left so suddenly for home. A shame he gets seasick so easy.

Sparrow takes Lucy to Jones' deck quietly and kneels beside her. "D'you trust me, luv?" The girl nods emphatically through her nervousness. "Good. Then know that I'm trusting you to be brave for me. ... I need to go fetch something for Captain Jones. But I will be back for you. You trust me?" The girl looks on the edge of tears and her nod is now very slow and shaky. "Be brave, Lucy. And give him that letter. And I swear to you, I'll be back." After a moment of thought, Jack unties a bit of black netting and ribbon that wraps his right wrist and ties it around Lucy's small arm. It wouldn't mean much to anyone else, but anything Jack keeps has meaning. "I'll be back for that, if for no other reason." And he kisses Lucy's forehead as he condemns her.

He can hear her sniffle as he heads back down to the longboat, but she doesn't cry. She's a brave girl, and doesn' cry. Soon, Jones will find her and his note. If she weeps then, Jack would never blame her.

Clutched in Lucy's hand is a short and direct notice to the Captain:

Captain Jones,

I am quite sincere in keeping to my accord with you. As proof of my dedication, I leave this girl in your possession until such time as I trade twenty able men for her return.
Do not think me incapable of condemning souls to your ship. Not for an instant.

Her name is Lucy. She wishes to live on a ship. We are granting her that.

Sincerely,
Captain Jack Sparrow

Back on his own ship, Jack shall drown himself in drink and smoke himself into oblivion. If he must be a monster to save that girl from Sands, than best that Jones be the first to fear his madness.

Log:Complete

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Trolling

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Distraction

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The Beach

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Yo Ho, A Pirates Life For Me

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We both go down together

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