Sailing the Seven Seas *Starting/Not Accepting**

Turtle

"Soup's on!"
David lifted his head from his work and started jogging towards the eating area. But wait. He turned into the door that had been open previously, and closed it carefully behind him. Crew people thundered past for their meal.
Turtle got his knife out.
He quietly stalked towards the barrels stacked at the end of the room. Then his arm shot out, grabbed something from behind the barrels and pulled out the stow-away by his hair. The stow-away yelped his surprise, obviously shocked quite rudely from a deep sleep. Turtle put his knee in the stow-away's back and tied his hands with a piece of cord pulled from a barrell. He then turned the stow-away over, looked him in the eyes and tapped the flat of his knife against the prisoner's neck. He flinched.
"Aye, what're you doin' aboard, little bird?" he said. "Best get you to Cap'tn. And she will no be pleased," he added with a growl. He dragged the stow-away down the hall, now devoid of crew people, and slammed the door to the dining area open. Crew people paused, some with spoons half way to their mouths. The cook paled, looking at what Turtle held in his hands.
"Uh, Captain," he said, clearing his throat. "The cook has some things to answer to."

Jall Woodall

I had climbed out of the hold. It was difficult, but lock picking was something I had learned when I was kidnapped a while back. Now I was caught.
That poor cook. As I was pulled out from behind the barrel by a man called David, the cook whitened until she looked like a sheet of paper. Why did I hate myself for ruining this cooks life. She was nothing, a nobody.
Why should I care?

"Sir?" I said ,putting on my best manners.
David turned to me. "Boy, you'd better address your captain."
I turned to the captain. "Its not Grace's fault. I forced her to... I, I'm the culprit."
The captain raised her eyebrows. "Aye, I am under the belief of second chances, but the prisoner cannot go anywhere anyway." She did not address me, she addresseed the group who looked astonished.
"Make him walk the plank!!" One yelled. I became rigid.
She looked me up and down. "No," she said. "I say we make him suffer."
Then the captain turned to the crowd. "You'd best beware that anyone fratenizing with this man will be banned from this ship forever."
I looked at Grace, and then looked at the floor.

Jack

Jack watched the revealing of the stowaway from the dining hall's doorway. Jack did not ever go inside of the ship, but lingered in the doorways.

"Captain," said Jack sharply. Captain Davies glared up at him.

"What, Jack?"

"Give the boy to me," Jack replied, his eyes sparkling. The crew whispered among themselves, but the Captain only had eyes for Jack. Jack felt something stir within him. A familiar feeling. All eyes on him, waiting for further words. Jack pushed away the memory, and turned to look at the boy.

"Give him to me," repeated Jack. "And I'll make him work. Pay for his passage on our fine ship. Make sure he regrets it. He'll be under my watch, and will not be getting anything besides the necessities for life."

Jack stopped to turn his gaze back to the Captain. "It is only reasonable, Captain. We'll get some good labor out of such a fine specimen as he. And we can drop him off at the next sandbar we pass."

Charlie Underwood - Doctor

If there was one perk to having my hammock directly underneath the kitchen, it was the smells. This morning, it was Grace's breakfast soup, and I had to say, it definitely wasn't the worst thing to wake up to.

"Soup's on!" I heard her voice call faintly, followed by the pounding of multiple pairs of feet as most of the crew rushed towards the dining area, eager to claim their bowl. The ship was rocking gently, my hammock swaying gently with the rhythm - we had set sail, then? The Captain must have finished her business in Port Aurora. All the better, seeing as most of the crew was beginning to get restless after being anchored so long, myself included.

I swung my legs down onto the dark wood floor, pulling my discarded shirt back over my head and slipping on my boots. Best get breakfast now, before there was none left.

That thought spurred me into action. I crossed the room to the stairs and took them two at a time to the next level of the ship, making a sharp left at the top and continuing on through the narrow hallway to the door at the end. The door was open, and the sound of boisterous talking and the clinking of dishes could be heard. I ducked inside, noting that the Captain had already taken up her normal spot at the head of the table. Other various crew members were also seated around the large table, eating and enjoying a moment in which they could simply enjoy the company - if you could call it that, in some cases.

I greeted Grace with a small smile. "Smells great," I offered, taking a bowl and spoon for myself. She scoffed, but looked pleased. I turned and claimed a seat for myself, plunging my spoon into the thick brown liquid with gusto. I had hardly raised the first mouthful out of the bowl before there was an angry pounding of boots stopping in the doorway and all conversation stopped. I half turned - Turtle, with a stowaway, it seemed like.

"Uh, Captain," he paused to clear his throat. "The cook has some things to answer to."

The Captain seemed displeased about it, but took care of the ordeal quickly and efficiently. Jack's voice rose above the quiet muttering of the rest of the crew, asking that the boy be placed under his watch and command. The Captain stopped, considering it...

"Understand that, should he be caught dirtying the name of this ship again, you'll both be to blame," she said. Her way of saying yes. Across the table, her eyes met mine briefly, and the message was clear. I quickly finished off my soup and stood.

"Both of you come with me," I called over to Jack and his new charge. "I'll need to check him over before he starts working among the crew."

Captain Claire Davies:

The Captain was a smart woman, or so she'd like to believe. Many had told her she was, until the day she declared herself a captain. That was the day Captain Davies had become stupid. It was a man's job, people had said. They'd said it was a suicidal thing to do for a woman to become a pirate, let alone a pirate captain. But Clare Davies had ignored their words, and done as she liked. Which suited her just fine.
Jack's proposal was a good one, and the Captain knew that. For being insane, Jack had his moments of almost genius-like thinking, too. Clare's piercing eyes grabbed a hold on the captive.
She didn't even look when she reached over and grabbed the cook by the scruff of her dress, dragging her over by the captive, Turtle, and Jack.
The Captain's black boots echoed in the silent dining hall.
Clare Davies spoke, her eyes focused on the cook. "It should best be known that anyone caught fraternizing with this...piece of scrap without my permission will be kicked off my crew and ship. Forever."
The cook trembled and without hesitation, Clare Davies slapped the cook right across the face. "Consider this your warning, kitchen scum," Clare growled.
Some of the pirates sniggered; one or two gasped. Clare pushed the cook back into the table and knelt down to the prisoner, who Turtle had stiffly on his knees.
"You." She spat, her eyes like a stormy grey sea. "What's your name?"
"Jall..." The prisoner muttered.
Clare stood to her full height and looked at Jack. "Fine. Work the man like one of our own, but harder. No mercy for him, Jack. None at all. Two meals a day, scraps only. He shall sleep on the poop deck."
The pirates behind Clare erupted in laughter and sniggers.
Clare smiled lightly.
"Yes, ma'am," Jack said, grabbing the prisoner from Turt. "I'll get him to work right away."
And then the prisoner and Jack disappeared out of the dining hall with the doctor.
Clare turned to Turt and gave him a job-well-done nod. He blushed.
And as if there had been no interruption, the breakfast continued.

GRACE

I watched as jack took jall away. Poor soul, seeking him food would be twice as hard. and why do you care? Shut up subconscious. I do care, why, I am not sure. But i do. hm, the captain said scrapes for him, I'll just have to make more food, more food equals more scraps. While everyone ate I sat at the far end of the table, i lost my appetite. I quietly and unapparently put my hand on my cheek. I should be upset with myself for disobeying the captain, but i wasn't. What was driving me to help him more!?! Your stupid. Again shut up subconscious. I wonder if he'll be allowed off the ship next time we dock. Then i can get him some real food. Everyone finished eating so i stacked the bowls and started towards the kitchen. humming a little tune to myself.

Name: James
Position: Co-Captain
Age: 25
Personality: Patient, responsible, cautious. He tries to always keep a level head, because of which people will often come to him for help and advice. However he can be stubborn - if he sets his mind on something he will usually pursue it to the end. He is quite solitary and can often be found reading or sitting in silence, contemplating things. He is completely loyal to Clare and follows her every order.

Strengths: His loyalty, physical strength and skill with a sword. Generally level-headed.

Weaknesses: Sometimes his feelings for Clare can cloud his judgement. He can be very annoyingly stubborn.

Likes: Clare, food, water, swimming, the smell of salty air.
Dislikes: Busy towns, dirt, being bored, argumentative people.

Appearance:

Spoiler

Other: He's in love with Clare, but is currently being too much of a wuss to admit this to anyone, even himself.

Theme Song: (This was so difficult!!) All That I Am by Rob Thomas

Will hopefully post later today, but if not, it won't be until monday.

JEX

Jex laughed and put his hands on his hips. He was standing on the edge of the ship, facing the crew. He knew full-well that he was going to die today, but it wouldn't be by the sword of one of his ex-crewmates. No, Jex would much rather die by his own will. With Rosa gone, there wasn't really much left to live for, so why live at all?

He stared down the captian, grinning stupidly. It was strange to be taller than the captain, but when he stood up here, he towered over the man. It actually felt quite empowering.

"Don't you dare jump," the captain hissed, drawing his sword.

Jex winked, crossed his arms and fell backwards, only half-hearing the shouts of the crew. He hit the water with a splash and instinctively held his breath. Just breath in and it'll all be done. But Jex didn't breath in, he just couldn't bring himself to do it.

Instead, he swam up through the surface, taking a large gulp of air. He treaded water and waved at the captain before going into a backstroke. If he coudn't bring himself to breath in under the water, he would drown of exhaustion instead. Either way, he was dead.

Jex caught site of Tessa, a girl who had befriended him during the voage. Her eyes were sad, fearful even. She was holding something, though Jex couldn't make out what it was. She lugged it over the side of the boat and it fell into the water a few feet away from Jex. The girl had thrown him a piece of wood!

It was bobbing on the surface. He shouldn't use it... he wanted to die... But he found himself paddling towards it anyways.

A sharp pain flared in his right hip, working its way up his side. He cried out, eyes wide as he saw the blood pool around him. The captain was grinning wickedly. He had just stabbed him!

Jex's first thought was sharks, they would smell the blood. He waited patiently for teeth to clamp around his feet and drag him under, but none did. He pulled himself higher onto the board, feeling himself begin to lose consiousness. He was vaguely aware of the captain giving orders to the crew not to fire at him again, that he was already good as dead. Rosa forgive me. Were his last thoughts before he blacked out.

Captain Clare Davies:

Clare Davies did not like chaos; therefore, this morning had predetermined her mood for the rest of the day. She strolled the decks, barking orders, and threats came out of her mouth every minute or so. Being defied by one of her own crew was unthinkable, and the Captain felt that she should have done more about it.
Her object of hate at the moment was the cook, and the stupid prisoner the cook had decided to feed. Didn't Grace have any brains? she wondered. She'd made sure no one was to give the prisoner any food, yet the cook had. Clare's eyes were like the rocky gray cliffs of the North now; hard, sharp, and threatening.
She turned her attention to her beloved ship, strolling along the deck. It's freshly polished wood gleamed in the noonday sun, and the sail of the ship bellowed in the strong breeze that had Clare's blonde locks whipping around her face. The crew was still hard at work, with Ryker now sailing the ship. Jack had disappeared somewhere with the prisoner and the doctor, who was to check to make sure the bloody annoyance called Jall had no diseases on him.
Clare barked, "Quinlan! My sword."
Quinlan scurried over with the freshly polished sword, handing it to Clare.
"'Ere you are, Cap'tn," Quinlan said in his high, squeaky voice that had forever annoyed Clare to shreds.
Clare examined the sword and told Quinlan "good work" before sending him out to clean the poop decks. Aye, Clare remembered her days cleaning the poop deck, and shuddered, glad she wasn't burdened with that chore anymore.
Her only burden now was her brother, and father. And they were headed West to deal with that burden right now.

Ryker

I knew I was sheet white. That was.... I took a deep breath. Mela was looking straight down at her shoes, face white as powder, refusing to look. I squeezed her shoulder and looked straight ahead, not looking at the man in the water.

It was getting cold -Mela was smart to cover up- and buttoning the shirt up would mean constricting myself. I grumbled and pulled the tatters a little tighter around myself. Mela looked up, her eyes immediately shooting to the dark green cliffs, obscured by fog.

Her eyes glazed over, her lips turning down into a sad frown. Whatever she was seeing, it held meaning.

Quinn

God - Ow - damn!

I just fell and managed to whack myself in the face with the mop. Smooth, Quinn. At the very least I didn't spill the bucket. Groaning, I stick the mop in the water and smear it on the deck. Why do I have to do chores? Can't I learn interesting things, like ordering people around? To me that seems like the captain's job, so it's only fair the captain's apprentice learns as much.

Quinn, or rather Quinlan, quit whining. This has been home for months, ever since you ran away from your overly pressured ex-home. That's history now. I found Clare, and although she wouldn't accept me if I were a girl, [girls complain endlessly if they have to work] her way of living is a lot better than everyone trying to make me something I'm not.

***
Ah, almost done. The last corner in the back of the ship then I'm free...at least until the Cap'n finds something else for me to do. That's what I'm here for.

A splashing noise catches my attention. What is that? I go to the edge and lean over. What the...I look around until I see some rope, then I tie it to the bucket handle, stick the mop through, and hook it on the side of the Calypso. It might not hold me, but...

I grab the rope and leap over the side, falling until the rope runs out. Sliding lower, I crane my neck for a better view. The man I see is surrounded by red and holding onto a plank of wood. I continue scooting down until my face is sprayed with ocean mist. Reaching out, I grab his coat and pull him towards me. He's heavy; the rope contraption won't hold us both.

My solution is to tie the rope to him, climb back up the rope, then reel him in. Once we're both up, since no one's around right now, I carry him, the bucket, and the mop down to storage. I hide the man under cleaning supplies and old junk. I'll check on him later.

I'm going to first-person!

JEX

I groaned, forcing my eyes open. I was greeted by darkness and a sharp pain in my side. I winced, blinking a few times. Where was I? Wait...I wasn't dead? If I was dead, I wouldn't feel pain. But you have to be dead! Was I blind? I blinked a few more times, but nothing came into view.

I panicked, banging against foreign objects, trying to get out of wherever I was. I shouted, flailing my arms and ignoring the pain in my side.

A crack of light suddenly broke through. The light widened and I blinked a few times trying to adjust. "Would you shut the hell up?" A voice hissed. As my eyes adjusted, a boy with shaggy hair came into view.

"Where am I?" I mumbled, shielding my eyes.

"Hush!" The boy had quite the voice.

"Boy, just tell me where I am!" I demanded, voice lowered.

"I'm a girl you butthead!"

I smirked, that sorta explained the high-pitched voice. I winced again, trying to shift into a more comfortable position. My side was killing me.

Captain Clare Davies:

She strutted along the deck of her ship, eyes watching the horizon. The sun was fading, telling her the time was late afternoon or early evening. The crew was still hard at work, but most of the daily chores had been finished. Clare smiled lightly but it disappeared as the Doc, Jack, and the prisoner came out of the crew's quarters. The threesome walked over to her, Jack looking as insane as ever, the prisoner with downcast eyes, and Doc with a satisfied smile.
"Well?" The Captain questioned.
"He's, uh, pretty healthy," the doctor said matter-of-factly. "You might consider keeping him as one of the crew."
Clare raised her eyebrows. "No."
"Sorry," the doctor muttered.
"Jack, start putting this thing to work," Clare said, motioning towards the prisoner.
"Sure as heck," Jack muttered as the prisoner followed him over to the bow of the ship.
Clare turned away from the doctor and rested her hands on the wooden railing of the ship, breathing in deeply. The smell of salt filled her up, and she breathed out in utter peace.
This was home.

Ryker

"You do it!'

"You!"

"You're the one who wants to know!"

"So you're not curious?"

"Well..."

"HA!" Mela exclaimed triumphantly.

"What're you bickerin' on about?" Captain asked, standing tall over us.

Mela smirked. "Ryker wanted to ask you something."

I glared at Mela. "I was wondering where we were going, Captain."

"That's not of your concern."

Mela interrupted me. "But Cap'n, if we don't know where we're going, we don't know how to adjust the sails and such."

It was Captain's turn to glare, and my turn to smirk. "To the west." she said vaguely, and marched off. Mela sighed, disappointed, and slithered up and across the ropes, tugging the sails around until they were pulling us west. I did the same on the opposite side.

So much for an exact location.

Charlie Underwood - Doctor

The examination hadn't taken long. "Open and say 'ah', thanks. Been exposed to any illnesses recently? No? Alright then, do you have any open cuts or rashes or anything anywhere? No - good. Well, you don't have a temperature, and you seem healthy enough. He's all yours, Jack."

We brought him to the Captain. My half-joking suggestion that she make the boy a crew member was met with a raised eyebrow and a sharp, unamused, "No."

"Sorry," I muttered, dipping my head slightly in apology.

Jack led the boy away and the Captain turned towards the sea, resting her hands on the polished wood of the railing. I slid up next to her, putting a respectful distance between us while still being close enough to carry on a conversation easily in the whipping winds of the upper deck. Not that I expected to receive a conversation, as the Captain didn't strike me as being in a particularly talkative mood.

I could try though.

"Where are we headed?" I asked, noting that she hadn't ordered me straight back to work. Her posture was still stiff and tense, but she seemed more relaxed than she had moments before. I took this to be a good sign.