Pirates of Ile de Torture - Part Three
Aug. 14th, 2003 12:55 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
niankhsekhmetHazards Of Being At Sea Too Long
Author: Captain Jack Sparrow
Date: 07-28-03 18:11
As Jack watched the youth disappear through the cabin door, he glanced sidlong at the appearance of his cabin. Everything was in it's place. " I'm going to like having a cabin boy. " He thought with a wry grin before leaving the cabin for topside.
Once on deck he lifted his nose slightly and sniffed the night air. Again he climbed into the rigging, and his glass confirmed his worst expectations. Barges, three of them. Hearing his booming commands, the men were clambering up into the rigging by the time his own feet hit the deck. They knew well the drill of 'strike and run' often their lives depended on it. In mere seconds they were heeling from the wreck of the rajah's barge and shortly had stretched every inch of canvas the Pearl would bear. The gray brooding sky filled with whispers and murmurs that filled their sails and sent them slicing through the waves into the sheltering gray from which they'd come.
Two of the barges gave chase, but the Pearl was designed for speed and had a good start. They feel off after a few hours hard running and the lads could continue their clearing and tending. The sunken rajah's barge had been small, but she'd stung like a wasp, two damaged tackles, ripped canvas, a bit of splintered railing. Fortunately there was no structural damage. Strange, the lads shhok their heads at the way of things, it was the little scuffles that sometimes inflicted the most damage. They'd taken on whole merchantmen, on occasion, with no more than a few warning rounds fired over a bow. Is it possible that these ships never heard of Captain Jack Sparrow and the Black Pearl?
Now that the danger had passed, Jack relaxed his stance a bit, when he noticed Ali returning from the galley. He watched as the lad retreived a hammock from Mr. Gibbs. As the boy turned, their eyes met and locked once again. A trickle of excitement ran down Jack's spine heating up his loins. " Morgan's poxed liver! " he cursed under his breath at his body's betraying response to the very sight of the lad. The sooner they put into port the better!
When Jack returned to his cabin he saw the lad struggling to secure the hammock. It was readily apparent that no one had bothered to teach the boy the simplest of knots.
He showed the lad a simple bowline knot by having Ali imitate Jack's finger movements, finally it was done. " And there you have it lad, Now get yourself some sleep. I like my breakfast served early, savvy? " Kicking off his boots, Jack lie on his bunk and fell fast asleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sparrow awoke with a start and a terrible tightening in his britches that burst with a fury, soaking the coarse material. Trembling, sweating and filled with a terror that he'd never felt before Jack rose from his bunk and softly padded to the hammock where Ali slept soundly. This dream rocked him to his core and it involved tasting the delights of his new cabin boy. But he didn't sample the lad as a boy, but took him as he would any other wench.
Jack, his fists planted firmly on his hips and legs braced almost reached out a hand to touch the lad. His dark brown eyes slid over the boy in leisurly possession. Ali's cafe au lait cheek looked smoothe as silk and probably felt the same. Blood surged under his skin and swirled through his lips at the thought. He hand moved on it's own, closer and closer still. He could feel the heat raidiating from the boy's skin " No, no, no! " His mind screamed as he pulled his hand away and opened the cabin door.
Once topside the spray of the sea cooled his burning flesh and calmed his turmoiled mind. He remained on deck till the sun broke free from the horizon with a feint orange glow. He neither spoke nor acknowledged the bustling crew till he felt a tap on his forearm. He flinched at seeing that it was Ali that wanted his attention. "Qua'btan, will you be wanting your food here on deck. "
Jack hoped that the boy didn't see him flinch. Clearing his throat, " No, I'll be eating in my cabin and be quick about it, boy. Savvy?"
When he was certain that the lad was clear of the passageway, Jack returned to his cabin. He quickly stripped and began washing himself at the basin when the door to his cabin opened.
The Hazards of Being a Cabin Boy
Author: Aisha
Date: 07-31-03 06:56
Aisha pondered the dark barbarian Qua'btan she brought the plate back to the cabin. Last night she had felt a warm presence above her, and through the dark fan of her lashes saw him watching her. The fingers of one hand almost reaching out close - close enough to where he almost touched her cheek once again,. She had listened to two heartbeats pound in her ears when suddenly the dark one turned abruptly and went out of the cabin. When the door closed in the latch behind him, she allowed her eyes to open. Did he suspect somehow? What was even surprising is that she almost wished that he would have. How long would it be that she could keep up this ruse? she thought.
As she made her way along the dark decks toward the cabin, Aisha pondered the mysterious man whose cabin she shared. Qua'btan Jack Sparrow was tough, lean, sinewy and slender rather than tall. Still he was nearly a full head taller than she was. In spite of all his bluster, Aisha sensed a roguish kindness. His blustering manner fascinated her rather than producing any sort of fear within her. Carefully balancing the plate of hot food in one hand she grasped the doorhandle with the other and entered the cabin without knocking.
As she shut the door and looked across the room she saw the Qua'btan in the rear of the cabin, naked as the day that Allah had made him, his back, thankfully she thought, to the door. Aisha’s face froze only for a split second but she willed herself not to look away or appear embarrassed. It was not until he turned slightly that she glanced at the rest of his lean, bronzed form. She could not fight off the suddden flushing of her skin as her eyes wandered below his waist. In an instant she had not only been able to see what Allah had so generously endowed him with, but realized that the Qua'btan was not at all like a barbarian! Often in the harem the conversation among her sisters and the other women was frank in describing the bodies of men and how Believers were circumcised, while barbarians, mostly Christians and other infidels were not. None of these observations caused embarrassment - for it is what each of them were born to and raised with. The Qua'btan jumped with a start at the unexpected entry of his new 'cabin boy'.
“Ali, you need to announce your presence,” Sparrow growled, grabbing a cloth he began drying his body.
“By your grace, Qua'btan, “ she said, placing the plate of food on the dark wood table, “ bitraj’ja - I hope that you will excuse me.” she performed the temennah, her right hand lowered then lifted to her lips then to her forehead. She fought down the waves of embarrassment and tried very hard to be as nonchallant as possible as he continued to dress. A boy would not be so embarrassed to see an adult man dress, and certainly there would not be the heat in their cheeks that she was sure made her café’ au lait coloured skin slightly pink and very warm.
“Well, you’re the cabin boy, make yourself useful....if you would be so kind, Ali.” Sparrow held out his sash that she had seen wrapped around his waist. The damask silk was of fine quality that had seen a good amount of wear.
Aisha came close and began wrapping from the centre of his waist and winding it round his body, she could feel the warmth of him, his scent, sweet and coniferous like the warmed amber of Mali and yet there was the smell of smoke from the battle the day before. She willed her fingers not to pause to long as she tucked and wrapped the fabric, tying a sultan’s knot and straightening the ends. Her own pulse was thundering so loudly a she barely heard the sharp knock at the door and the sharp voice of the First Mate.
“Cap’n Sparrow, “ came the voice that Aisha knew to be that of Mr. Gibbs, “We’ve just spotted two more corsairs behind us.”
Glossary:
bitraj’ja - I hope that you will excuse me.
Qua'btan - Captain
temennah - A very well known gesture of the right hand being extended out, touching to the heart, then lifted to the lips. Considered to by some to be a blessing and an act of deference.
Stormy Escape
Author: Captain Jack Sparrow
Date: 08-02-03 10:24
"Cap'n Sparrow, " came the voice that Aisha knew to be that of Mr. Gibbs, "We've just spotted two more corsairs behind us."
" Morgan's Bloody Liver! " Jack Sparrow cursed still dring off his damp body. " Mr. Gibbs, " he shouted. " Give 'er ev'ry bit of canvas she has... Where d'ya think yer goin' boy? " His voice stopped the lad from leaving the cabin. " Go on, fetch my clothes, I can't very well go on deck like this! "
Jack watched the boy scurry to his sea chest and fetch a shirt, stockings and britches. There was a strange look in the lads eyes as he helped the Pearl's captain dress. It was as though the lad were afraid of touching him. " Strange indeed ", Jack thought to himself. The lad couldn't possibly know about Jacks disturbing dream. Shaking off the thought he made his way on deck where Mr. Gibb handed him the spyglass.
Sure enough, there they were. Corsair vessels. And they didn't look the least bit friendly, " They mean ta have our gizzards for garters, Mr. Gibbs... "
" Aye Jack, that's fer sure. Should I break out the weapons? "
Suddenly, Jack caught of whiff of something in the air, he pivoted around, scanning the seas with his glass. When his eyes confirmed what his nose picked up, the sun quickly disappearing behind a bank of angry clouds, a wry grin curled his lips. "Nay, Mr. Gibbs... As my old mate Olin Winchester would advise, if the odds be stacked agin you, run. Run and live to fight another day! Alter course, due north right into the squall... "
Jack saw the momentary look of panic on Gibbs' face. The wind had come up, whipping the sea into dark churnning waves that rolled across the deck of the Pearl, making it impossible for sailors to cross from one side to the other without the use of ropes to keep from being swept overboard. And then came the rain. A strong steady downpour, punctuated with heart stopping rumbles of thunder, and lightning that danced across the sky in blinding flashes.
Each of the crew knew their job and right in the thick was Ali. For a split second, Jack's heart went out to the lad. He'd been valiently battling out the weather for hours alongside the other seasoned sailors. Like them, his clothes were soaked clean through. But he knew, that to be accepted as a part of the Pearl's crew, the lad must prove himself to be able bodied in the face of adversity. " Seaman Ali! " From behind the wheel Jack bellowed the command. " Up the riggin' with you and unfurl the topsials. We need more speed!"
Even though the waves were so fierce they sent a wall of stinging spray spilling over the rail nearly swamping them, relieved laughter bubbled up from the crew. From his position on the deck, Jack watched his progress, concerned as he clung to the ropes with one hand and worked the sails with the other. With that task finished, Ali swung hand over hand to the opposite side of the yard to work free a snaeled line until the knot was free. Then he swung back in a gracful arc, catching another rope in his hands and easily returning to his original position.
As the lad started down, Jack let out the breath that he didn't realize he'd been unconsciously holding. The boy had proved his worth before him and the crew.
"Is there anything else, Qua'btan? "
Because there were several swabs close enough to overhear, he simply shrugged, not wanting to expose the pride he felt at the lad's accomplishment. " Nothing Seaman Ali, go below decks and get yourself something to eat and await me in my cabin.... " Mr. Gibb's what's our progress? "
" We're pullin' away, Captain " Gibbs reported. "...and them ships seem ta be havin' a bit o difficulty in the storm! "
A smile split Sparrows face, " Very good Mr. Gibbs, we keep to the course then..." .
Shelter from the Storm
Author: Aisha
Date: 08-10-03 13:26
"Is there anything else, Qua'btan? " Aisha asked.
" Nothing Seaman Ali,” Sparrow shrugged, and shook his head, “go below decks and get yourself something to eat and await me in my cabin.... " Mr. Gibb's what's our progress? "
Aisha did not wait to hear Mr. Gibbs’ response, but made her way toward the Captain’s cabin, her clothing soaked and sticking to her, each step sloshing as she moved. Each limb feeling heavy and chilled.
Aisha had at the Qua’btan’s insistence had crawled up the rigging to tend the sails. The winds pummeled her and lifted her as she worked, to maintain her balance she wrapped her foot in the rigging. The sheer terror of the time she spent aloft, buffeted by the mistral wind was strangely exhilarating. Her own mind screamed as loudly as the winds and the waves did but she knew that she had to complete the task before her. Silently she prayed to Allah that she would not loose the tightly wrapped fabric around her head, but strangely it had held, and only when she had ambled back down next to the Qua'btan could she let out a long relieved breath. She had survived.
The dark cabin held a certain warmth to it, even in the storm. Objects had again been pitched about all around just as they had been after the Black Pearl’s Captain had taken her own ship. The dark barbarian Qua'btan would ask her to clean it up again. ‘But he is not a barbarian!’ she thought, ‘You’ve seen for yourself!’ she felt her cheeks become warm again at the memory of just what she had seen. Forcing her mind to turn elsewhere, she thought of the evening spent cleaning up his cabin as she recounted tales of her homeland Qua'btan had enjoyed the story as he had even helped her in her assigned task. And there were more stories, many, many more. If Aisha had not been shivering so much from cold, a smile might have crossed her face. She sat on the floor still dripping wet, feeling even colder when the Qua'btan entered. He pushed the door closed against the wind with a bang. He took off his hat and shook off the rain.
“We’ve lost them, Seaman Ali.” Sparrow huffed and then indicated his sea chest,”Rather than sitting there in a puddle, shivering, looking like a drowned Barbary rat, why don’t you fetch yourself a blanket from my sea chest?”
Aisha nodded and pulled herself up from the floor, her limbs shook and waves of nausea washed over her. At last she made her way to the Qua'btan’s sea chest and retrieved a heavy blanket that had been folded on the top. Wrapping it around her self and pulling it tightly she let her body crawl into its warmth. Would that there could be a brazier on a ship. She would have huddled by it until her chills subsided. But open flames on ships were not allowed, and so she contented herself to the blanket that wrapped around her instead.
“Did you get something to eat like I told you, Ali?” Sparrow inquired.
Aisha shook her head, “Lah, ya Qua'btan,” she said in her own language, then remembering herself, repeated in English,”No, Captain.” she said, “I was too cold to move and I am not feeling so well.”
With a smile curling his lips, he reached on the book shelf and procured a strangely shaped black bottle. The shape reminded Aisha of the bottle where one would loose the djinn. " Grab yourself some of those hard tacks laddie, " he said indicating the bread-like disks sitting near a bowl of stew, " ... and that there tankard..”
“Just watch your teeth when you eat it! You may want to soften it by dipping it in some of this rum.” he said as he poured it into the drinking vessel.
"Shu' haida? What is rum"? she asked taking the tankard back from him, never hearing the term before.
“Ah....its like medicine, Ali, my boy! It'll fix you right up!”
Aisha hit the hard tack on the table, two small black flour beetles scurried out from it across the table, and she tried not to wince. Taking the tankard that the Qua'btan offered, she gingerly dipped the end of it into the liquid. She sniffed it and then took a bite. The sharp taste of the rum bit like fire on her tongue trailing from her lips down her throat into her chest. The Qua'btan’s medicine was indeed warming, in spite of its foul taste and she told him as much.
“Foul? Are you sure that isn't the hard tack?” he asked sniffing the bottle.
“I don’t know. I’ve never had either before,” Aisha replied. Wincing she took another drink of the liquid by itself, letting it wash over and through her again. The warm fingers of its effect miraculously took away the chill. Within minutes a sweet sleepiness settled over her mind like the early fog that comes with sleep. She felt herself relax and the room and everything in it become softer. She looked across the table at the dark Qua'btan, who was dipping his hard tack in his bowl of stew. His eyes twinkled and a smile curved over his lips as he watched her.
“Ali, my boy,” Sparrow chuckled, “ I do believe you're drunk!”
Aisha did not respond, but felt everything go black.
For Tonight 'Tis Merry I'll Be
Author: Captain Jack Sparrow
Date: 08-11-03 08:18
Jack watched Ali with a wry grin and shake of the head. The lad was green, green and untried. He thought back to his own days upon the first ship he'd served upon and wondered if he'd ever been so naive.
“We’ve lost them, Seaman Ali.” Sparrow huffed and then indicated his sea chest,”Rather than sitting there in a puddle, shivering, looking like a drowned Barbary rat, why don’t you fetch yourself a blanket from my sea chest?” It was obvious that this lad was no thief. Not that Jack had anything of value to steal, but it was refreshing that the lad didn't arbitrarily rifle through his things.
“Did you get something to eat like I told you, Ali?” Sparrow inquired.
Ali shook his head, “Lah, ya Qua'btan,”<.i> he said in his own language, repeated in English,”No, Captain.” she said, “I was too cold to move and I am not feeling so well.”
With a smile curling his lips, he reached on the book shelf and procured a bottle of rum. " Grab yourself some of those hard tacks laddie, " he said indicating the bread-like disks sitting near a bowl of stew, " ... and that there tankard..”
Jack watched Ali knock the hard tack against the table amused at the look of disgust that crossed the lads features when weavels came scurrying from their former home. “Just watch your teeth when you eat it! You may wanna soften it by dipping it in some of this rum.” he said as he poured it into the drinking vessel.
"Shu' haida? What is rum"? he asked taking the tankard back from him, never hearing the term before.
“Ah....its like medicine, Ali, my boy! It'll fix you right up!”
This time Jack had to stiffle a chuckle that bubbled up from his chest watching the lads eyes widen when he tasted the pungetnt flavor of the strong drink. It was quite obvious to the Pearl's captain that the lad had never tasted anything of it's like before.
A mischivious glint sparkled in Jack's eyes, " Go on Ali, my lad. Drink up! " And to show the boy how it was done, up ended the bottle and took a couple of long pulls himself. " Ah woo wa wa.... Ha.................." was Jack's reaction as the amber liquid burned a path from gullet to gut. " That's some good rum Laddie! Good rum indeed. "
Bottle in hand, Jack sat crosslegged on the hard deck and motioned for the boy to join him there. Ali must have already begun to feel the rums effects, much to Jack's enjoyment, he waivered slightly, wrapping the coarse blanket around him and sat beside the captain. Jack passed the bottle. " Go on laddie, have at it! "
Ali upended the bottle imitating Jack's motion and swallowed. Immediatly the young lad began coughing, sputtering with eyes bulging from their sockets. Jack could no longer contain himself land let loose with gut busting laughter while clapping the lad good naturedly on the back. " There you go, boy! This'll make a man of you! Put hair on your chest! " And took back the bottle for another long pull, now enjoying the burning sensation and the lightness to his head.
Relieved that the iminant danger had passed, Jack began to relax. His rich barritone filled the cabin...
"Three Jolly coachmen sat in an English tavern,
Three Jolly coachmen sat in an English tavern,
and they decided,
and they decided,
and they decided to have another flagon.
Landlord fill the flowing bowl until it doth run over,
Landlord fill the flowing bowl until it doth run over.
For tonight 'tis merry I'll be,
For tonight 'tis merry I'll be,
For tonight 'tis merry I'll be.. tomorrow I'll be sober. "
Jack's eyes twinkled and a smile curved over his lips as he watched Ali over the course of the next hour. The boy returned a lopsided grin before upending the bottle one more time and slip down to the deck, curling into a comfortable ball beneath the blanket.
“Ali, my boy,” Sparrow chuckled, “ I do believe you're drunk!”
Here's to the maid who steals a kiss, and stays to have another,
Here's to the maid who steals a kiss, and stays to have another,
she's a boon to all mankind,
she's a boon to all mankind,
she's a boon to all mankind... for she'll soon be a mother.
Landlord fill the flowing bowl until it doth run over,
Landlord fill the flowing bowl until it doth run over.
For tonight 'tis merry I'll be,
For tonight 'tis merry I'll be,
For tonight 'tis merry I'll be.. tomorrow I'll be sober.
Leaning up against the bulkhead, Jack took one more long pull from the bottle and began sliding down to the deck where he fell into a deep sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Awareness came slowly to the Pearl's captain. First he noticed the pounding in his head and the stiff rise in britches, but more than that he felt a warm body wrapped within his embrace, pressed against the length of his hungering manhood. Jack's hands gingerly explored it's shape and contour, it's smoothness and heat of invitation.
His face felt the warmth of skin close by and his nose picked up the scent of arabian spice. With the keen sense of a blindman, Jack moved his head slightly and found his cheek brushed up against the softness of another. Tilting his head he found the curve of a tender neck and grazed his teeth against the warming flesh while his hands worked their way down through the material that prevented him from savoring the feel of skin against skin.
Finally, he was able to grasp a warm, firm, curved buttocks that his deft fingers kneeded and pressed closer against his groin. Heavenly sensations shot through his nether regions, an urgency to release pent up need drove him to seek the warm velvet recesses of a female counterpart.
Jack began to slide the clothing from the body that taunted him so, when suddenly ---
" AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! "
A shriek sounded that jerked Jack to full consciousness. His eyes shot open and he found himself face to face with the cabin boy locked in a passionate embrace. Jack's mouth opened and he himself let loose with an ear shattering "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! "
(This is all I have from Jack and I for now. Undoubtedly we will be doing more)
Author: Captain Jack Sparrow
Date: 07-28-03 18:11
As Jack watched the youth disappear through the cabin door, he glanced sidlong at the appearance of his cabin. Everything was in it's place. " I'm going to like having a cabin boy. " He thought with a wry grin before leaving the cabin for topside.
Once on deck he lifted his nose slightly and sniffed the night air. Again he climbed into the rigging, and his glass confirmed his worst expectations. Barges, three of them. Hearing his booming commands, the men were clambering up into the rigging by the time his own feet hit the deck. They knew well the drill of 'strike and run' often their lives depended on it. In mere seconds they were heeling from the wreck of the rajah's barge and shortly had stretched every inch of canvas the Pearl would bear. The gray brooding sky filled with whispers and murmurs that filled their sails and sent them slicing through the waves into the sheltering gray from which they'd come.
Two of the barges gave chase, but the Pearl was designed for speed and had a good start. They feel off after a few hours hard running and the lads could continue their clearing and tending. The sunken rajah's barge had been small, but she'd stung like a wasp, two damaged tackles, ripped canvas, a bit of splintered railing. Fortunately there was no structural damage. Strange, the lads shhok their heads at the way of things, it was the little scuffles that sometimes inflicted the most damage. They'd taken on whole merchantmen, on occasion, with no more than a few warning rounds fired over a bow. Is it possible that these ships never heard of Captain Jack Sparrow and the Black Pearl?
Now that the danger had passed, Jack relaxed his stance a bit, when he noticed Ali returning from the galley. He watched as the lad retreived a hammock from Mr. Gibbs. As the boy turned, their eyes met and locked once again. A trickle of excitement ran down Jack's spine heating up his loins. " Morgan's poxed liver! " he cursed under his breath at his body's betraying response to the very sight of the lad. The sooner they put into port the better!
When Jack returned to his cabin he saw the lad struggling to secure the hammock. It was readily apparent that no one had bothered to teach the boy the simplest of knots.
He showed the lad a simple bowline knot by having Ali imitate Jack's finger movements, finally it was done. " And there you have it lad, Now get yourself some sleep. I like my breakfast served early, savvy? " Kicking off his boots, Jack lie on his bunk and fell fast asleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sparrow awoke with a start and a terrible tightening in his britches that burst with a fury, soaking the coarse material. Trembling, sweating and filled with a terror that he'd never felt before Jack rose from his bunk and softly padded to the hammock where Ali slept soundly. This dream rocked him to his core and it involved tasting the delights of his new cabin boy. But he didn't sample the lad as a boy, but took him as he would any other wench.
Jack, his fists planted firmly on his hips and legs braced almost reached out a hand to touch the lad. His dark brown eyes slid over the boy in leisurly possession. Ali's cafe au lait cheek looked smoothe as silk and probably felt the same. Blood surged under his skin and swirled through his lips at the thought. He hand moved on it's own, closer and closer still. He could feel the heat raidiating from the boy's skin " No, no, no! " His mind screamed as he pulled his hand away and opened the cabin door.
Once topside the spray of the sea cooled his burning flesh and calmed his turmoiled mind. He remained on deck till the sun broke free from the horizon with a feint orange glow. He neither spoke nor acknowledged the bustling crew till he felt a tap on his forearm. He flinched at seeing that it was Ali that wanted his attention. "Qua'btan, will you be wanting your food here on deck. "
Jack hoped that the boy didn't see him flinch. Clearing his throat, " No, I'll be eating in my cabin and be quick about it, boy. Savvy?"
When he was certain that the lad was clear of the passageway, Jack returned to his cabin. He quickly stripped and began washing himself at the basin when the door to his cabin opened.
The Hazards of Being a Cabin Boy
Author: Aisha
Date: 07-31-03 06:56
Aisha pondered the dark barbarian Qua'btan she brought the plate back to the cabin. Last night she had felt a warm presence above her, and through the dark fan of her lashes saw him watching her. The fingers of one hand almost reaching out close - close enough to where he almost touched her cheek once again,. She had listened to two heartbeats pound in her ears when suddenly the dark one turned abruptly and went out of the cabin. When the door closed in the latch behind him, she allowed her eyes to open. Did he suspect somehow? What was even surprising is that she almost wished that he would have. How long would it be that she could keep up this ruse? she thought.
As she made her way along the dark decks toward the cabin, Aisha pondered the mysterious man whose cabin she shared. Qua'btan Jack Sparrow was tough, lean, sinewy and slender rather than tall. Still he was nearly a full head taller than she was. In spite of all his bluster, Aisha sensed a roguish kindness. His blustering manner fascinated her rather than producing any sort of fear within her. Carefully balancing the plate of hot food in one hand she grasped the doorhandle with the other and entered the cabin without knocking.
As she shut the door and looked across the room she saw the Qua'btan in the rear of the cabin, naked as the day that Allah had made him, his back, thankfully she thought, to the door. Aisha’s face froze only for a split second but she willed herself not to look away or appear embarrassed. It was not until he turned slightly that she glanced at the rest of his lean, bronzed form. She could not fight off the suddden flushing of her skin as her eyes wandered below his waist. In an instant she had not only been able to see what Allah had so generously endowed him with, but realized that the Qua'btan was not at all like a barbarian! Often in the harem the conversation among her sisters and the other women was frank in describing the bodies of men and how Believers were circumcised, while barbarians, mostly Christians and other infidels were not. None of these observations caused embarrassment - for it is what each of them were born to and raised with. The Qua'btan jumped with a start at the unexpected entry of his new 'cabin boy'.
“Ali, you need to announce your presence,” Sparrow growled, grabbing a cloth he began drying his body.
“By your grace, Qua'btan, “ she said, placing the plate of food on the dark wood table, “ bitraj’ja - I hope that you will excuse me.” she performed the temennah, her right hand lowered then lifted to her lips then to her forehead. She fought down the waves of embarrassment and tried very hard to be as nonchallant as possible as he continued to dress. A boy would not be so embarrassed to see an adult man dress, and certainly there would not be the heat in their cheeks that she was sure made her café’ au lait coloured skin slightly pink and very warm.
“Well, you’re the cabin boy, make yourself useful....if you would be so kind, Ali.” Sparrow held out his sash that she had seen wrapped around his waist. The damask silk was of fine quality that had seen a good amount of wear.
Aisha came close and began wrapping from the centre of his waist and winding it round his body, she could feel the warmth of him, his scent, sweet and coniferous like the warmed amber of Mali and yet there was the smell of smoke from the battle the day before. She willed her fingers not to pause to long as she tucked and wrapped the fabric, tying a sultan’s knot and straightening the ends. Her own pulse was thundering so loudly a she barely heard the sharp knock at the door and the sharp voice of the First Mate.
“Cap’n Sparrow, “ came the voice that Aisha knew to be that of Mr. Gibbs, “We’ve just spotted two more corsairs behind us.”
Glossary:
bitraj’ja - I hope that you will excuse me.
Qua'btan - Captain
temennah - A very well known gesture of the right hand being extended out, touching to the heart, then lifted to the lips. Considered to by some to be a blessing and an act of deference.
Stormy Escape
Author: Captain Jack Sparrow
Date: 08-02-03 10:24
"Cap'n Sparrow, " came the voice that Aisha knew to be that of Mr. Gibbs, "We've just spotted two more corsairs behind us."
" Morgan's Bloody Liver! " Jack Sparrow cursed still dring off his damp body. " Mr. Gibbs, " he shouted. " Give 'er ev'ry bit of canvas she has... Where d'ya think yer goin' boy? " His voice stopped the lad from leaving the cabin. " Go on, fetch my clothes, I can't very well go on deck like this! "
Jack watched the boy scurry to his sea chest and fetch a shirt, stockings and britches. There was a strange look in the lads eyes as he helped the Pearl's captain dress. It was as though the lad were afraid of touching him. " Strange indeed ", Jack thought to himself. The lad couldn't possibly know about Jacks disturbing dream. Shaking off the thought he made his way on deck where Mr. Gibb handed him the spyglass.
Sure enough, there they were. Corsair vessels. And they didn't look the least bit friendly, " They mean ta have our gizzards for garters, Mr. Gibbs... "
" Aye Jack, that's fer sure. Should I break out the weapons? "
Suddenly, Jack caught of whiff of something in the air, he pivoted around, scanning the seas with his glass. When his eyes confirmed what his nose picked up, the sun quickly disappearing behind a bank of angry clouds, a wry grin curled his lips. "Nay, Mr. Gibbs... As my old mate Olin Winchester would advise, if the odds be stacked agin you, run. Run and live to fight another day! Alter course, due north right into the squall... "
Jack saw the momentary look of panic on Gibbs' face. The wind had come up, whipping the sea into dark churnning waves that rolled across the deck of the Pearl, making it impossible for sailors to cross from one side to the other without the use of ropes to keep from being swept overboard. And then came the rain. A strong steady downpour, punctuated with heart stopping rumbles of thunder, and lightning that danced across the sky in blinding flashes.
Each of the crew knew their job and right in the thick was Ali. For a split second, Jack's heart went out to the lad. He'd been valiently battling out the weather for hours alongside the other seasoned sailors. Like them, his clothes were soaked clean through. But he knew, that to be accepted as a part of the Pearl's crew, the lad must prove himself to be able bodied in the face of adversity. " Seaman Ali! " From behind the wheel Jack bellowed the command. " Up the riggin' with you and unfurl the topsials. We need more speed!"
Even though the waves were so fierce they sent a wall of stinging spray spilling over the rail nearly swamping them, relieved laughter bubbled up from the crew. From his position on the deck, Jack watched his progress, concerned as he clung to the ropes with one hand and worked the sails with the other. With that task finished, Ali swung hand over hand to the opposite side of the yard to work free a snaeled line until the knot was free. Then he swung back in a gracful arc, catching another rope in his hands and easily returning to his original position.
As the lad started down, Jack let out the breath that he didn't realize he'd been unconsciously holding. The boy had proved his worth before him and the crew.
"Is there anything else, Qua'btan? "
Because there were several swabs close enough to overhear, he simply shrugged, not wanting to expose the pride he felt at the lad's accomplishment. " Nothing Seaman Ali, go below decks and get yourself something to eat and await me in my cabin.... " Mr. Gibb's what's our progress? "
" We're pullin' away, Captain " Gibbs reported. "...and them ships seem ta be havin' a bit o difficulty in the storm! "
A smile split Sparrows face, " Very good Mr. Gibbs, we keep to the course then..." .
Shelter from the Storm
Author: Aisha
Date: 08-10-03 13:26
"Is there anything else, Qua'btan? " Aisha asked.
" Nothing Seaman Ali,” Sparrow shrugged, and shook his head, “go below decks and get yourself something to eat and await me in my cabin.... " Mr. Gibb's what's our progress? "
Aisha did not wait to hear Mr. Gibbs’ response, but made her way toward the Captain’s cabin, her clothing soaked and sticking to her, each step sloshing as she moved. Each limb feeling heavy and chilled.
Aisha had at the Qua’btan’s insistence had crawled up the rigging to tend the sails. The winds pummeled her and lifted her as she worked, to maintain her balance she wrapped her foot in the rigging. The sheer terror of the time she spent aloft, buffeted by the mistral wind was strangely exhilarating. Her own mind screamed as loudly as the winds and the waves did but she knew that she had to complete the task before her. Silently she prayed to Allah that she would not loose the tightly wrapped fabric around her head, but strangely it had held, and only when she had ambled back down next to the Qua'btan could she let out a long relieved breath. She had survived.
The dark cabin held a certain warmth to it, even in the storm. Objects had again been pitched about all around just as they had been after the Black Pearl’s Captain had taken her own ship. The dark barbarian Qua'btan would ask her to clean it up again. ‘But he is not a barbarian!’ she thought, ‘You’ve seen for yourself!’ she felt her cheeks become warm again at the memory of just what she had seen. Forcing her mind to turn elsewhere, she thought of the evening spent cleaning up his cabin as she recounted tales of her homeland Qua'btan had enjoyed the story as he had even helped her in her assigned task. And there were more stories, many, many more. If Aisha had not been shivering so much from cold, a smile might have crossed her face. She sat on the floor still dripping wet, feeling even colder when the Qua'btan entered. He pushed the door closed against the wind with a bang. He took off his hat and shook off the rain.
“We’ve lost them, Seaman Ali.” Sparrow huffed and then indicated his sea chest,”Rather than sitting there in a puddle, shivering, looking like a drowned Barbary rat, why don’t you fetch yourself a blanket from my sea chest?”
Aisha nodded and pulled herself up from the floor, her limbs shook and waves of nausea washed over her. At last she made her way to the Qua'btan’s sea chest and retrieved a heavy blanket that had been folded on the top. Wrapping it around her self and pulling it tightly she let her body crawl into its warmth. Would that there could be a brazier on a ship. She would have huddled by it until her chills subsided. But open flames on ships were not allowed, and so she contented herself to the blanket that wrapped around her instead.
“Did you get something to eat like I told you, Ali?” Sparrow inquired.
Aisha shook her head, “Lah, ya Qua'btan,” she said in her own language, then remembering herself, repeated in English,”No, Captain.” she said, “I was too cold to move and I am not feeling so well.”
With a smile curling his lips, he reached on the book shelf and procured a strangely shaped black bottle. The shape reminded Aisha of the bottle where one would loose the djinn. " Grab yourself some of those hard tacks laddie, " he said indicating the bread-like disks sitting near a bowl of stew, " ... and that there tankard..”
“Just watch your teeth when you eat it! You may want to soften it by dipping it in some of this rum.” he said as he poured it into the drinking vessel.
"Shu' haida? What is rum"? she asked taking the tankard back from him, never hearing the term before.
“Ah....its like medicine, Ali, my boy! It'll fix you right up!”
Aisha hit the hard tack on the table, two small black flour beetles scurried out from it across the table, and she tried not to wince. Taking the tankard that the Qua'btan offered, she gingerly dipped the end of it into the liquid. She sniffed it and then took a bite. The sharp taste of the rum bit like fire on her tongue trailing from her lips down her throat into her chest. The Qua'btan’s medicine was indeed warming, in spite of its foul taste and she told him as much.
“Foul? Are you sure that isn't the hard tack?” he asked sniffing the bottle.
“I don’t know. I’ve never had either before,” Aisha replied. Wincing she took another drink of the liquid by itself, letting it wash over and through her again. The warm fingers of its effect miraculously took away the chill. Within minutes a sweet sleepiness settled over her mind like the early fog that comes with sleep. She felt herself relax and the room and everything in it become softer. She looked across the table at the dark Qua'btan, who was dipping his hard tack in his bowl of stew. His eyes twinkled and a smile curved over his lips as he watched her.
“Ali, my boy,” Sparrow chuckled, “ I do believe you're drunk!”
Aisha did not respond, but felt everything go black.
For Tonight 'Tis Merry I'll Be
Author: Captain Jack Sparrow
Date: 08-11-03 08:18
Jack watched Ali with a wry grin and shake of the head. The lad was green, green and untried. He thought back to his own days upon the first ship he'd served upon and wondered if he'd ever been so naive.
“We’ve lost them, Seaman Ali.” Sparrow huffed and then indicated his sea chest,”Rather than sitting there in a puddle, shivering, looking like a drowned Barbary rat, why don’t you fetch yourself a blanket from my sea chest?” It was obvious that this lad was no thief. Not that Jack had anything of value to steal, but it was refreshing that the lad didn't arbitrarily rifle through his things.
“Did you get something to eat like I told you, Ali?” Sparrow inquired.
Ali shook his head, “Lah, ya Qua'btan,”<.i> he said in his own language, repeated in English,”No, Captain.” she said, “I was too cold to move and I am not feeling so well.”
With a smile curling his lips, he reached on the book shelf and procured a bottle of rum. " Grab yourself some of those hard tacks laddie, " he said indicating the bread-like disks sitting near a bowl of stew, " ... and that there tankard..”
Jack watched Ali knock the hard tack against the table amused at the look of disgust that crossed the lads features when weavels came scurrying from their former home. “Just watch your teeth when you eat it! You may wanna soften it by dipping it in some of this rum.” he said as he poured it into the drinking vessel.
"Shu' haida? What is rum"? he asked taking the tankard back from him, never hearing the term before.
“Ah....its like medicine, Ali, my boy! It'll fix you right up!”
This time Jack had to stiffle a chuckle that bubbled up from his chest watching the lads eyes widen when he tasted the pungetnt flavor of the strong drink. It was quite obvious to the Pearl's captain that the lad had never tasted anything of it's like before.
A mischivious glint sparkled in Jack's eyes, " Go on Ali, my lad. Drink up! " And to show the boy how it was done, up ended the bottle and took a couple of long pulls himself. " Ah woo wa wa.... Ha.................." was Jack's reaction as the amber liquid burned a path from gullet to gut. " That's some good rum Laddie! Good rum indeed. "
Bottle in hand, Jack sat crosslegged on the hard deck and motioned for the boy to join him there. Ali must have already begun to feel the rums effects, much to Jack's enjoyment, he waivered slightly, wrapping the coarse blanket around him and sat beside the captain. Jack passed the bottle. " Go on laddie, have at it! "
Ali upended the bottle imitating Jack's motion and swallowed. Immediatly the young lad began coughing, sputtering with eyes bulging from their sockets. Jack could no longer contain himself land let loose with gut busting laughter while clapping the lad good naturedly on the back. " There you go, boy! This'll make a man of you! Put hair on your chest! " And took back the bottle for another long pull, now enjoying the burning sensation and the lightness to his head.
Relieved that the iminant danger had passed, Jack began to relax. His rich barritone filled the cabin...
Three Jolly coachmen sat in an English tavern,
and they decided,
and they decided,
and they decided to have another flagon.
Landlord fill the flowing bowl until it doth run over,
Landlord fill the flowing bowl until it doth run over.
For tonight 'tis merry I'll be,
For tonight 'tis merry I'll be,
For tonight 'tis merry I'll be.. tomorrow I'll be sober. "
Jack's eyes twinkled and a smile curved over his lips as he watched Ali over the course of the next hour. The boy returned a lopsided grin before upending the bottle one more time and slip down to the deck, curling into a comfortable ball beneath the blanket.
“Ali, my boy,” Sparrow chuckled, “ I do believe you're drunk!”
Here's to the maid who steals a kiss, and stays to have another,
she's a boon to all mankind,
she's a boon to all mankind,
she's a boon to all mankind... for she'll soon be a mother.
Landlord fill the flowing bowl until it doth run over,
Landlord fill the flowing bowl until it doth run over.
For tonight 'tis merry I'll be,
For tonight 'tis merry I'll be,
For tonight 'tis merry I'll be.. tomorrow I'll be sober.
Leaning up against the bulkhead, Jack took one more long pull from the bottle and began sliding down to the deck where he fell into a deep sleep.
Awareness came slowly to the Pearl's captain. First he noticed the pounding in his head and the stiff rise in britches, but more than that he felt a warm body wrapped within his embrace, pressed against the length of his hungering manhood. Jack's hands gingerly explored it's shape and contour, it's smoothness and heat of invitation.
His face felt the warmth of skin close by and his nose picked up the scent of arabian spice. With the keen sense of a blindman, Jack moved his head slightly and found his cheek brushed up against the softness of another. Tilting his head he found the curve of a tender neck and grazed his teeth against the warming flesh while his hands worked their way down through the material that prevented him from savoring the feel of skin against skin.
Finally, he was able to grasp a warm, firm, curved buttocks that his deft fingers kneeded and pressed closer against his groin. Heavenly sensations shot through his nether regions, an urgency to release pent up need drove him to seek the warm velvet recesses of a female counterpart.
Jack began to slide the clothing from the body that taunted him so, when suddenly ---
" AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! "
A shriek sounded that jerked Jack to full consciousness. His eyes shot open and he found himself face to face with the cabin boy locked in a passionate embrace. Jack's mouth opened and he himself let loose with an ear shattering "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! "
(This is all I have from Jack and I for now. Undoubtedly we will be doing more)
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
I have three or four copies of tales of..
Date: 2003-08-14 01:37 am (UTC)yeah..
decent