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| Nautical 'Gaffes'; {Jack & Sao Feng -- 1743} | |
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| Topic Started: 1 Aug 2008, 02:51 AM (232 Views) | |
| Sao Feng | 1 Aug 2008, 02:51 AM Post #1 |
Pirate Lord
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The deck slowly rose and fell below his feet, and Sao Feng didn't have to work hard to summon a glare at the fellow who stood before him. He stood surrounded by his men--a strangely attired man with long and ratty hair, which had clearly not seen brush nor soap in a long while. What was curious about the man was not his appearance...in terms of physicality, but rather his appearance on board the vessel--how he came to be there. Defying all convention and logic the man had mysteriously appeared, just literally appeared. "How..." Sao Feng turned from the man he was glaring at to Tai Huang, "how did he come to be here?" Tai Huang shook his head, clearly as unsure about how he came to be there as his captain. "He was poking around, don't know for what." Sao Feng frowned and spared a glance back at the mysterious man, before he lowered his voice, "next time there is a man who shouldn't be here just poking around on the ship, don't sit around and do nothing, remove him!" "Will do," Tai Huang said, nodding, done with his part for now. Sao Feng returned his attention to the curious newcomer. This really was trying his patience. Honestly, over the last few decades nothing but the strangest things had been occurring. Story-like things. Stories weren't new--those were always around, but odd things that...well...things like mysterious men showing up on his ship with no visible means of getting there. Unless he'd stowed away. What he needed now though, was less speculation and more hard facts. Know thy enemy. If he turned out to be one, he'd be all set, if not...no one is more dangerous or suspicious than a friend. "Perhaps then, you will be able to tell me who you are, and what you are doing on my ship." (ooc -- if any of this is too much, or doesn't work, I'll be happy to edit, Jack) Edited by James Norrington, 17 Aug 2008, 08:16 PM.
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| Jack | 6 Aug 2008, 08:44 PM Post #2 |
selfish desire cloaked in romantic fictions
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It should have been a fairly straightforward business. Didn't people stow away all the time? Of course they did. Jack himself had done it at least... twice. And he hadn't been caught, either - until now. Well, a 50/50 success rate wasn't bad. He could probably have picked a better time to be discovered, though... It was one of the main facts of life that the best way to travel was by ship, and no one knew this better than Jack. However, for reasons he didn't care to contemplate at the moment, he was currently between ships - which meant one of three things. He could pay for his passage (which he sometimes managed) or work for it (which he tried to avoid) - or he could stow away. So long as you took some supplies to last you the first day or two, it worked fine. Of course, it was best to prepare yourself; find a ship going your way, preferably a large one, with a captain who didn't have a reputation for being overly cruel - just in case you did get caught. On his first stowing-away, Jack had followed this basic logic, but now... Suffice to say he hadn't had time to plan before leaving port. The nearest ship had had to do. Jack would have been happy to have used it as a temporary hiding place only, but it had not been in the cards; the ship sailed, and Jack made the best of it. He wasn't absolutely sure where to look for the Pearl anyway. Maybe trying so hard to find it was the wrong approach; maybe this ship would take him exactly where he needed to be, by pure luck. All right, Jack didn't really believe that - but he tried to all the same. Luck had been on his side before -... Well, before. It had to return at some point. Unfortunately, that point was decidedly not now. It was silly of Jack to have got himself caught, but he blamed it on the fact that this was a Chinese ship, with a different layout than he was used to, and different customs and watches for the crew. He probably should have stuck it out another day - it was not as if he'd never gone without food before - but, well, he hadn't, and that was all there was to it. Other circumstances, other priorities, other plans. While being taken to the fearful leader, Jack did his best to gather from the crew what he could, to decide on the best approach - but time was short, and this crew wasn't very talkative. It was with next to no preparation, therefore, that Jack found himself before a pirate captain (oh, they were pirates; that much, he had gathered) of stereotypically gentle nature. Jack was as good as dead, and he knew it - but Jack was at his best when he had nothing to lose, so he stared back at the other captain with unnatural equanimity, occasionally glancing around, eyebrows twitching up in a show of harmlessness, which was as close to deference as Jack managed to get. "Perhaps then, you will be able to tell me who you are, and what you are doing on my ship." "More than happy to," Jack said, attempting a smile. "I was hoping we might form an alliance of sorts. A man of your reputation and a man of mine could do great things together." Jack actually had no idea who this man was, and the last thing he was interested in was an actual alliance - but a little flattery would at least buy him time, and hopefully give him a chance to find out what the man opposite him might want. Meanwhile, Jack opted not to share exactly how he had come aboard unless pressed. |
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| Sao Feng | 9 Aug 2008, 07:05 PM Post #3 |
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Pirate Lord
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"I was hoping we might form an alliance of sorts. A man of your reputation and a man of mine could do great things together." Ah, he was wondering when things would dissolve into that. It seemed that every single conversation he had with others now inevitably became this. People, most people, seemed to assume that as a Pirate Lord an alliance with him was quite a coup, which, he would without any trace of pride admit it was. They furthermore thought that he would be quite willing to make an alliance with them even if there was no immediate or visible benefit for him to do such. What these people must have been drinking to assume such, he did not know, but it had to be good. Of course, he'd never really had that problem with all that until he had become a Pirate Lord. His Lordship-status had to be the worst kept secret of the Brethren Court and all pirates. Most pirates knew who he was--that he was a pirate lord, and it only seemed to encourage meetings, stowaways, nobodies showing up, people claiming to be distant relations...people claiming to be his children. There needed to be some sort of no-visitation list he could get on. But once again...a stowaway. He'd have to make a note to find out what it was this man had gotten a hold of to drink--at the very least he'd get something pleasant out of this meeting, even if the rest of it was going to be a waste of time. "An alliance? I'd have to know who I am potentially going to have an alliance with first. A name, as opposed to flattery will do more to assure that I don't throw you overboard." |
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| Jack | 13 Aug 2008, 10:28 AM Post #4 |
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selfish desire cloaked in romantic fictions
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"An alliance? I'd have to know who I am potentially going to have an alliance with first. A name, as opposed to flattery will do more to assure that I don't throw you overboard." The threat wasn't nearly as surprising as the man's claim that flattery wouldn't help. Jack couldn't decide whether to feel disappointed or worried - the latter not so much concerning the threat as because of the intelligence displayed. Well, the man was a pirate captain, and that tended to entail at least a little intelligence... and sometimes a lot of it. Jack regarded himself as a prime example, hushing the voice in his head that reminded him (as if reminding was necessary) that he'd lost his ship. Meanwhile, Jack was thinking it would be only fair, if he was to share his name, that his host would do the same thing. Unfortunately, Jack only had milder methods of persuasion on his side, not to mention that he had claimed to know who this man was. To be fair, that might be true. There were only a few local pirates around here with anything near the power that this man seemed to have - but Jack didn't consider other pirates a great area of interest, and he hadn't been in these waters for some time; for all he knew, everyone he had heard about was dead. "Well, in that case..." Jack strove to act like the effective death threat had been more of an invitation that he was graciously accepting. "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow." He accompanied his introduction with merely a cocky smile, trusting it to speak for itself (and if it didn't, at least his fellow captain should presume it did). Warming up to his own legend in spite of (or perhaps because of) this lack of details given, Jack began to feel more like he really did have every right to be here. With not much else to do, he looked around, still thinking hard, trying to stay one step ahead. The other captain's proclaimed dislike for flattery notwithstanding, it was still one of Jack's weapons of choice, and if applied correctly... "Lovely ship you have here. I've heard about the things you've done in... Batavia, was it? Exemplary case of good, solid piracy." |
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| Sao Feng | 15 Aug 2008, 11:55 PM Post #5 |
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Pirate Lord
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"Well, in that case...I'm Captain Jack Sparrow." An odd look came over Sao Feng's face briefly, before it vanished completely. If there was one thing Sao Feng was going to do it was to not show his hand before it was called. Or at least that would have been how he would describe his actions then if he were the sort to play cards. Even if it was about a century too early. Sao Feng had heard of Jack Sparrow. But he wasn't about to admit it. Not because he thought it might irritate the other pirate, that never would have occurred to him as a reason, but rather because people had a tendency to underestimate you if you played at being ignorant. And being underestimated, while insulting, was less hazardous to one's health and advancement. He knew that first hand. He had become a pirate lord after all. "Captain who?" he asked. "Lovely ship you have here. I've heard about the things you've done in... Batavia, was it? Exemplary case of good, solid piracy." "The Empress," he said, "is not for sale. And was not there when I was in..." he paused before saying the name, "Batavia." Whatever that has to do with anything. He was beginning to think that this stowaway had him mixed up with someone else. "Though I believe you are mistaken," he gestured to the men surrounding Sparrow to disperse, "I am hardly a pirate." He smirked, "I am a businessman. I only operate on the seas, and with goods that were not initially my own. My cabin," he said starting to walk aft, expecting Jack to follow him. "I take it you are in...the business?" There were several reasons to move the discussion to his cabin. One being who two escorts who were there; They tended to have a distinct effect upon men, and he was hoping that perhaps if there were any issues they may be able to get any information he needed out of the pirate. The other reason was that it was far more comfortable and private. And having a conversation on the main deck was not something he really wanted to do. Even though few of his crew spoke English. "I always find it good business to state what my business is to the host. Tell him why I am there, otherwise one risks insulting the host, and then one can never tell what the host might do. Like throw him overboard." |
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| Jack | 18 Aug 2008, 03:07 PM Post #6 |
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selfish desire cloaked in romantic fictions
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((LMAO! The 'century too early' cracked me up. I thought cards were much earlier, though. Shows what I know.)) Jack's smile faded when the other captain didn't recognise his name. He made a mental note to undertake a venture or two in these parts when he got the Pearl back. There was more than enough to be taken in Asia, after all. The problem was more that one had to avoid making the impression that one was intruding upon the local pirates' territory. Matters like that were taken much more seriously around here than they were most other places. That, and there was the East India Company, the existence of which Jack didn't care to be remembered of. "The Empress is not for sale." Now it was Jack's turn to hide the shock of recognition, closing his mouth that seemed to have opened of its own will. The Empress - Sao Feng? Jack was in so much trouble; Sao Feng wasn't exactly known for his kindness and tolerance. But then, the potential profit Jack could get out of this meeting was also bigger. Some money, a ship and crew - there was practically nothing Sao Feng couldn't give him. There was only the minor issue of persuading him to give it. "I am hardly a pirate." He smirked, "I am a businessman. I only operate on the seas, and with goods that were not initially my own." Jack gave his host a bright smile to show he understood the game - and indeed he did. Jack himself had never seen any point in denying the illegitimacy of his actions, but that might have something to do with the way he had got into piracy in the first place; since he had been more or less forced to become a pirate, he would be so outright and without shame, refusing to acknowledge the career switch as the punishment for which it had been intended. That said, Sao Feng had a point. There wasn't much to divide a pirate from, oh, say a merchantman, except that a pirate captain answered to no one but himself. All that was required in return was a ruthlessly selfish approach to life. Jack could do that. "I take it you are in...the business?" Jack followed Sao Feng aft, considering the invitation to his cabin a sign of personal victory. "Indeed I am. Know everything there is to know about the business..." "I always find it good business to state what my business is to the host. Tell him why I am there, otherwise one risks insulting the host, and then one can never tell what the host might do. Like throw him overboard." So much for having won Sao Feng over... Jack involuntarily glanced at the sea, slightly choppy and seemingly endless. "Couldn't agree more. It never does to abuse one's hospitality." He had spoken without thinking, automatically agreeing with something it couldn't hurt to agree with - but then he realised this meant he needed to explain why he was here. "Which is why I was about to tell you of the things I had in mind for this alliance of ours." Jack had no problem with feeding Sao Feng a realistic proposal - and he might even live up to part of the agreement. The only question was how much he should tell Sao Feng of the truth. There was no harm in telling part of the truth, at least, even if Sao Feng had apparently never heard of him; it would be awkward if Sao or any of his crew should suddenly remember hearing of Jack's more recent exploits, and besides, the truth was easiest to stick to. The truth was also fairly harmless, not overly ambitious, and therefore hopefully unlikely to get Jack killed. Unfortunately, it was also more than a little embarrassing. But with a little spin... "Opposing forces have most regrettably taken possession of my ship. I want to take it back, but for that I need another ship - which you are in a position to provide. In return, you will get a percentage of all plunder I acquire during my first year back in business. Say... five percent?" |
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| Sao Feng | 22 Aug 2008, 04:23 AM Post #7 |
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Pirate Lord
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(ooc -- well, cards aren't too early--they do have quite a few games now like whist and stuff--and pique or something? Can't remember the name but it's like a forerunner to poker, but when I originally wrote it, I was referring more to poker....ish. Not very clearly written. This is why RPing with alcohol should be limited to specific threads.) "Couldn't agree more. It never does to abuse one's hospitality." Sao Feng smiled, "I am pleased that we are of like mind." With Sparrow now agreeing, he'd have to explain himself much better, or continue to dodge around the situation. The first one was preferable, but the second one was oft associated with the man's name. Word was that he was the cleverest pirate out there. Sao Feng snorted. He didn't seem that intelligent, more like a bumbling fool, but maybe that was the sort of impression that the man wanted to cultivate. Underestimating and the like. That left a bad taste in Sao Feng's mouth. The last thing he wanted to think was that Sparrow was anything like himself. He prided himself on being a gentleman pirate. Well, gentlemanly to a point. There were a few he'd shown an ungentlemanly side to. But he'd like to think his reputation was that of a gentleman pirate. After all, who were you if not your reputation? That was the only thing that would survive him past his death, and all many would ever know of him. "Opposing forces have most regrettably taken possession of my ship." Sao Feng reached up to rub his head. That he had not heard about. And that could explain why the fellow was now on board the Empress. He wished to take her as his own ship. That was not about to happen. Although...how one man thought that he could accomplish all that was beyond him. It was a fool's errand. "I want to take it back, but for that I need another ship - which you are in a position to provide. In return, you will get a percentage of all plunder I acquire during my first year back in business. Say... five percent?" "Hahahah," Sao Feng laughed, "you are a funny man, Sparrow. Five percent? Do you think me mad? If you are the sort of captain who loses his ship once, how am I to know that you would not lose her again?" He shook his head, "ships are like women. Once they get a taste of other men, more successful men, they are unimpressed with those they had before. If you lose her again, how would five percent of your plunder be worth anything to me? Especially if you are not even a captain for a year?" |
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| Jack | 25 Aug 2008, 08:41 PM Post #8 |
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selfish desire cloaked in romantic fictions
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Jack grinned when Sao Feng called him funny, hoping it was a good sign, even though he knew better (or at least suspected worse). That hope was soon crushed. The next moment Jack thought he was unseen, his grin disappeared, his face suddenly extremely serious. It was one thing to haggle over price, another to meet with serious resistance. Hopefully Sao Feng's attitude was only a negotiation technique. Jack might still be able to persuade him even if it wasn't, but he'd hate to pay too high a price, or even just promise to pay it. Getting someone's expectations too high tended to make excuses for not holding up one's end of the bargain more difficult, and reunions less pleasant. "ships are like women. Once they get a taste of other men, more successful men, they are unimpressed with those they had before. If you lose her again, how would five percent of your plunder be worth anything to me? Especially if you are not even a captain for a year?" Barbossa a more successful man than Jack? The very thought was preposterous. Laughable, even. Jack itched with the need to say as much, but admitting he knew something about his enemy could only invite unwanted questions. Besides, there was no need to become defensive. The Pearl wouldn't get over Jack that easily - not after what he'd done for her. Or... would she? Going with Sao's comparison of a ship to a woman, Jack might as well give up now. But the Pearl was not like that. She was more than a mere woman. And Barbossa - well, if his way with women was anything to go by, Jack had little to fear. "A higher percentage, then - say, ten. And perhaps a contingency plan?" As they reached the door to the cabin, Jack leaned against the wall beside it, giving Sao Feng a cunning, almost seductive look. "There has to be something you want that I can provide for you." ((No, I didn't mean it like that. But I like it.  I know - really, really short. (Not in that context, either.) Sorry - still museless, but trying to keep going for fear of it getting worse if I don't.)) |
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| Sao Feng | 20 Sep 2008, 05:20 PM Post #9 |
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Pirate Lord
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"A higher percentage, then - say, ten. And perhaps a contingency plan?" Sao Feng gave Sparrow an unreadable look before he pushed opened the door to his cabin and entered his sea-borne sanctuary. It was a rather decadently-furnished room, with couches with finely hand-embroidered cushions, and rich wall hangings, fine tables set to display delicate china, and a pair of twins currently lounging in room, one lounging on a couch and the other sitting on the floor speaking softly with her sister. It was a highly unpractical room for a vessel at sea, but Sao Feng saw it as a way to show how successful he was that he could bring his luxuries with him when he left Singapore. If his men could have figured it out, he had dreams of setting up one of his vessels to be a mobile bathhouse, complete with luxuries quarters, to entertain allies, friends, and officials willing to pay well, with good food, drink, and steambaths. "You'll have to do better than ten percent," he looked at the girls lounging around, "shi hou cha." The girls started getting up and scrambling for china tea set, and Sao Feng gestured for Sparrow to follow him to a low sitting table, with cushions placed around it. "What do you mean, by a contingency plan?" (ooc -- sorry about the lateness of the reply, but at least it has the twins in it, yeah?  )
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| Jack | 25 Sep 2008, 10:02 PM Post #10 |
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selfish desire cloaked in romantic fictions
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((Logically, the twins make it count for twice as much.)) When Sao Feng opened the door, Jack expected to see something along the lines of a regular captain's cabin, if naturally in Chinese style. He was not prepared for something so luxurious. There had to be enough fabric in there to make dresses for a dozen women - and what a fabric it was! When the initial shock was over and Jack's mind began functioning again, his first thought was that he would pilfer some nice things and spruce up his cabin the moment he got the Pearl back. But there were other, more decorative items than just the fabrics. For a moment, Jack wondered if his eyes deceived him. He had never been of the opinion that the Chinese all looked alike (as evidenced by these women on the one hand, and Sao Feng on the other), but this... If they weren't twins, they were undoubtedly related. Such a nice accessory... Maybe he could get one of those as well. "What do you mean, by a contingency plan?" Jack tore his eyes away from the twins, habitually feigning innocence and disinterest in them, just in case. One never knew - Sao Feng might be their father or something similarly incommodious. "An alternative that will ensure you get something you want, even in the extremely unlikely event that I will not sail my ship the whole year." What that would be, Sao Feng would have to decide for himself; Jack didn't want to give him any ideas. Jack didn't suggest another percentage of the profits either. Let Sao Feng make an offer next; that way Jack would get a better idea of what to promise him. It also had the nice side-effect of not making Jack seem too eager. If he kept increasing his offers without Sao Feng making counter-offers, he might as well give the man his ship, and his life in servitude, neither of which Jack was eager to give up. Meanwhile, Sao Feng had led him to a low table. The cushions surrounding it looked wonderfully comfortable to Jack, who had spent the last fews days and nights far away from anything remotely soft. Deciding to enjoy this oasis of luxury while he had the chance, Jack sat down without waiting for an invitation, giving a contented sigh as he wriggled himself into an agreeable position, folding his legs and squeezing his boots into the small space between himself and the table. |
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| Sao Feng | 28 Sep 2008, 08:27 PM Post #11 |
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Pirate Lord
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"An alternative that will ensure you get something you want, even in the extremely unlikely event that I will not sail my ship the whole year." "Hmmm..." Sao Feng said, considering the offer. The ability to have Sparrow in his debt was incredibly appealing, and there was a chance that they could strike some sort of deal that would be beneficial to himself, at some sort of small risk to himself. And nothing truly beneficial in life could be gained without venturing into uncharted waters. But there was an amount that had to be haggled over first. "I want a third of whatever you make, if I aid you," Sao Feng would have insisted on half to begin with, and eventually work his way down to a quarter, but starting with half full well could have been one of the worst insults that he could come up with. There was still that contingency plan, "And...in the event that you do not succeed, you must either be able to pay me up front now. It would not do for one of my investments to die before I am able to recover any sort of compensation for the failure. "Since you come to me for assistance, bereft of a ship, I do not know what you have that is of any value. So therefore, you will have to make me some sort of appealing offer." The twins returned, bearing hot water with tea leaves soaking in them, and poured for the two men. Jiele, one of them, leaned over Jack, purposefully giving him an eyeful of her bosom as she poured for him. "So what do you have of value that is worth a ship?" |
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| Jack | 7 Oct 2008, 09:59 PM Post #12 |
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selfish desire cloaked in romantic fictions
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((The twins' twins! It's practically a breast octopus.)) While Sao Feng was slowly formulating his counter-offer, Jack paid close attention, but he also looked around, taking in the scenery and generally enjoying the location for all it was worth. After all, he didn't know how long he would be enjoying it. Things were going well enough, but there was always the chance that he would end up in the brig, or worse. Jack managed not to fill in the details of what 'worse' might be; the lesser of a myriad evils, and all that. Just because he was smart enough to know that things might go wrong, that didn't mean he had to assume the worst straight away. Jack had experienced several worsts, which, he had decided, excused him from thinking about them too much. Besides, he had lived through them. That was what mattered most. Among the pretty things to look at, the twins were not the least. They had disappeared temporarily, but soon came back with what presumably was tea. Jack's thoughts on that were cut short as one of the twins poured him a cup, leaning all the way down to the low table. 'Pity it isn't rum' never made it to the realm of consciousness. Jack felt like he had never been that thirsty. "So what do you have of value that is worth a ship?" Easy enough to answer, but Jack would have to lie about it, and that was more difficult, if only a little. The one thing he had of any value was his compass, and he was not about to give that up. Firstly, because the compass increased his chances of finding the Pearl a thousandfold. And secondly, because he just didn't want to lose it. But even regardless of those points, Jack couldn't seriously consider offering his magic compass to Sao Feng. If that was the best he had to offer, and he had it on him now, why would Sao Feng help Jack at all, when he could simply kill him and take the compass without the surrounding fuss? No, the compass was definitely out of the question. But perhaps... "The legendary treasure of the Isla de Muerta," Jack said lightly. He picked up his cup of tea and gave it an unsure look (he couldn't remember the last time he'd had tea) before blowing, once, at the hot liquid within. Looking at one of the twins - he thought it was the one he had seen the most of, but who could be sure? - he smiled at her, trying to convince himself that the rare treasures he supposedly had lying around were surely more than enough compensation for his inexperience with tea, and Chinese customs in general. After all, there was one thing everyone in the world did exactly the same, if you didn't count the many variations on the theme, which Jack was trying hard to avoid doing, but twins certainly stimulated his creativity... What was his point again? Ah yes, the treasure. "I happen to know exactly where it is. Forgo the yearly percentage, and I'll give you a quarter of the treasure as soon as I have my ship back." |
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| Sao Feng | 19 Oct 2008, 07:30 PM Post #13 |
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Pirate Lord
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Sao Feng wasn't entirely sure if Jack Sparrow was off his rocker. The Isla de la Muerta again? Rumour was, that he had already sought that prize before, and that he had lost his ship as part of that endeavour. It wasn't that Sao Feng didn't believe in the treasure--he was far more open to the possibility of supernatural creatures and items than many men of the world, he simply did not believe it right for men to interfere in matters such as those. The age of those supernatural beings was over, the age of men was here, and only a fool would mess with relics and risk upsetting that balance. That was the whole reason he kept locked away a certain map that he did, otherwise he'd have been after the treasure it contained the clues to, himself. "I happen to know exactly where it is. Forgo the yearly percentage, and I'll give you a quarter of the treasure as soon as I have my ship back." "A quarter," Sao Feng said. He didn't know how much treasure was there. There were rumours that there was more than just the cursed treasure at that location, and while that other treasure may be of interest, he had no desire to have the treasure of the Isla de la Muerta. There was also the tiny issue that he didn't trust Sparrow to not try and cheat him out of the quarter. Nothing against Sparrow, but that was simply how pirates operated. It was how they all operated if they were worth their salt. "Then you would have no issue if my ship was crewed by my men. For I should hate to see you try and make off with my portion of the treasure?" (ooc, ick, sorry for shortness) |
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| Jack | 28 Oct 2008, 07:32 AM Post #14 |
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selfish desire cloaked in romantic fictions
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"A quarter." Was Sao Feng really accepting Jack's offer, just like that? Not that Jack was complaining, but he figured there would be a catch sooner or later. Of course, a quarter might be more than enough - Jack had no idea just how big the treasure was. Truth be told, he'd be glad enough to give up the whole thing if it got him the Pearl back, but a crew didn't tend to be so easily satisfied. And of course Jack would have no objections to having his cake and eating it too. Or... eating three quarters of it. "Then you would have no issue if my ship was crewed by my men. For I should hate to see you try and make off with my portion of the treasure?" Jack gave Sao Feng a look that implied the question was insulting. He didn't say anything of the sort, though; he knew better. Sao Feng wasn't stupid, and neither was Jack. Not protesting at all had been out of the question, though; it stood to reason that there would be mistrust, but he at least had to get it down to a level where regular mentions of it were no longer deemed necessary. Although the reasons for the offer were bad, and the consequences would be as well, Jack couldn't deny that there were certain advantages. It just so happened that he didn't have a crew lying around, and he wasn't sure he could get sufficient good men around here. However, having a crew consisting entirely of Sao Feng's men was asking for a mutiny. Sao Feng would take his ship back, and the whole of the treasure, and the Pearl as well, if he got half a chance. "As you wish. But I will have to pick up some crew along the way - to serve on the Pearl. Replacements," he specified, looking at Sao Feng with a dark sort of amusement that he thought the pirate might appreciate. Regardless of that, Jack's statement was true: the Pearl's current crew couldn't be expected to survive entirely, and those that did survive might not want to serve under Jack again. He'd need more crew. That they could be allies against Sao Feng's men if there was to be any trouble, well... that was a bonus. Jack picked up his tea cup, waving it around as he thought out loud, without spilling a drop. "We can sail to Tortuga, pick up some men, find the Pearl... take the Pearl, and sail to the Isla together. There, the treasure will be divided fair and square, after which your men can take your ship and your treasure right back to you." Taking a careful sip of his tea, Jack shook his head a little, contemplatively rather than in denial; the plan was simple yet rewarding for everyone involved, and he was rather pleased with it. There was only one problem of consequence, but perhaps Sao Feng could help with that. He seemed like a man who heard a lot of things, and it was now in his best interest to aid Jack. "All we have to do is find the Pearl." |
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| Sao Feng | 1 Nov 2008, 10:17 PM Post #15 |
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Pirate Lord
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"As you wish. But I will have to pick up some crew along the way - to serve on the Pearl." Sao Feng sipped at his tea, trying to give nothing away. If one were so inclined to do so, that comment could be read to mean that Sparrow suspected him of wanting to have his crew there simply so that they could overthrow Sparrow once the treasure was acquired. An insulting implication, were it not true. But Sao Feng would be lying if he said the thought had never occurred to him. Honour amongst thieves...was never really true, neither amongst thieves, nor amongst their sea-faring brethren. Despite what all the stories said. Although the stories were useful for their propaganda and recruiting purposes. "Replacements." "Of course," Sao Feng said neutrally, putting the cup back down, "I would hardly want to cause you to be stranded somewhere when I recall my crew, and my ship." Not unless I could profit by it... "We can sail to Tortuga, pick up some men, find the Pearl... take the Pearl, and sail to the Isla together. There, the treasure will be divided fair and square, after which your men can take your ship and your treasure right back to you." "That sounds acceptable," Sao Feng said, drawling out the last word. "Of course, I feel obliged to offer that if you give your consent, my men could help you acquire back your ship, get the treasure, and then take you and your ship to Tortuga, where you could find your crew members. We'd hate to lose you any more precious time with your ship by delaying to find recruits. Besides, I'm sure it would be far easy to recruit new members, when the story of how Jack Sparrow triumphed over his former first mate hits the street." Sao Feng didn't realise until the words were already out of his mouth that he might have tipped his hand...or at least the hand that he was claiming to have had. He had before already pretended that he wasn't familiar with the story of Sparrow, and played dumb, admitting the bit about the former first mate...didn't sit well with that previous story. Hopefully, Sparrow wouldn't notice. "I do have a ship to sail, however," he said, quickly, standing, "and I'm sure you could use some freshening up, before dinner, when we drink to our 'alliance.' " He looked to the twins who were in the corner, hopefully they would do to distract Sparrow from what he had just admitted. "Please prepare our guest a bath." |
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| Jack | 2 Nov 2008, 11:17 PM Post #16 |
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selfish desire cloaked in romantic fictions
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Busy figuring out a way to avoid accepting Sao Feng's suggestion, Jack almost missed that last comment - and even when he heard it, he had to recall what he'd said before thinking anything of it. No, he had managed to bypass mentioning his first mate - and Sao Feng had definitely claimed never to have heard of Jack Sparrow. In a way, this proof that he had been lying was an ego boost - Jack knew Sao Feng had to have heard of him! - but, more than that, it was worrying. Sao Feng was clearly not a fool, but this suggested that he was even more calculating than Jack had imagined. The Chinese pirate really was a force to be reckoned with, which made his avowed cooperation somewhat less of a cause for exultant joy than it might otherwise have been. "I do have a ship to sail, however," he said, quickly, standing, "and I'm sure you could use some freshening up, before dinner, when we drink to our 'alliance.' " It wasn't what Jack had had in mind, but he would go along with Sao Feng in any way that he could, avoid causing a fuss unless the subject was worth it. If nothing else, this freshening up would give him some more time to consider how best to deal with Sao Feng. Some general affirmations where possibly lying was not too great an offense; some 'deciding of the best strategy along the way'... Sao Feng was clearly a stubborn man, always wanting to have things his way - well, let him be. Once Jack had a ship of Sao Feng's, and got it and its crew away from the big man himself, he would probably be able to get things his way a lot easier, without unnecessary and pointless arguing. "Please prepare our guest a bath." Jack's eyebrows shot up as he followed Sao Feng's look to the twins. Bathing aboard a ship was practically unnatural, a water-filled bath forming a sort of anti-ship within the ship - but all Jack could think of was how much the twins would be involved. *** Getting undressed had been strange - not that Jack was in any way embarrassed about his body, but to get naked while the twins remained dressed made him feel a little exposed all the same. At least they stayed with him, taking his clothes and folding them neatly. It was the first time Jack's clothes had been folded in ages. Though he had never admitted it even to himself, the past couple of years had been rather monotonous, always searching for the Pearl, and precious few distractions, barring a few very bad ones. Since meeting with Sao Feng, things finally seemed to be getting on track again, both in getting the Pearl back and as concerned all the small delights the world had to offer. Even if the man was dangerous, and his support questionable, Jack could allow himself to imagine success would be his at last, and to relax and enjoy the ride for the time being. All things considered, taking a bath was a small price to pay. One of the twins walked away with Jack's clothes and hat, and Jack, being quite attached to some of his garments, and already feeling naked, protested. It was no use. The girls either didn't speak English, or they didn't care what Jack thought because they had a job to do; when Jack made to follow the one making off with his clothes, the other simply stood in his path, smiling kindly and saying something that Jack didn't understand. With a sigh, Jack gave in and turned to the bath. It was probably best to not wander around the ship naked, anyway. When Jack had lowered himself into the bath, he was surprised to find the second twin standing next to it. "I don't suppose I can convince you to join me?" he asked, smiling in the most charming way he knew how. Getting no reaction, he lowered his hand in the water by way of a demonstration. Immediately, the girl walked off, disappearing from sight, which caused Jack to frantically try to turn around in the slippery bath, at which he failed miserably. "It was just a suggestion! No insult intended, I promise. Please -" Then suddenly an arm came up from behind him, a hand brushing along his chest with something soft and wet, and Jack relaxed as if by magic, sinking back into the bath. *** "Jack?" The girl's accent was wonderfully entertaining, and Jack wished he had been able to teach her more than his name and 'rum' (which, from his hands-and-feet explanation, she might or might not believe to mean 'water' or 'mouth'), but he'd had other things on his mind - and those particular words, he didn't want to risk teaching her, unsure as he still was about what the twins were to Sao Feng. Sure, he had sent them to wash him, but, for all Jack knew, that might be normal and quite innocent in Singapore. He was more than happy to accept whatever the girls gave him, and to guide them in a certain direction whenever he could, but he didn't want to risk upsetting his cutthroat host if it could be avoided. The girl spoke again, and while Jack didn't understand the words, he deduced from the fact that she was holding a large piece of cloth that his bath was over. "Very well," he sighed. Water ran off him as he stood up, soon soaking the cloth the girl gave him. With a frown of distaste, Jack looked at his fingers, wrinkled like an old man's. "Always knew bathing was bad for you." The second girl returned just as Jack stepped out of the bath, carrying some clothes that were definitely not his. Panic overtook him. His hat in particular was a large part of who he was, and he didn't want to give that up for no reason. "Where are my clothes?" Jack asked, frustrated because he knew full well that he wouldn't get an answer. Remaining silent, the twins tried to wrap a long Chinese garment around him, but Jack pushed them away and twisted out of reach, droplets of water flying from his dreadlocks. "No, my clothes. Mine - my hat, my..." Upon seeing the twins stare back at him uncomprehending, all hope left Jack, and he groaned. "This had better pay off." |
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| Sao Feng | 15 Nov 2008, 06:48 PM Post #17 |
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Pirate Lord
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Li Mingya and Li Mingyou had giggled initially upon first seeing the Western pirate. Everything about him seemed so exotic and foreign--his hair, mannerisms, his clothing. He was much much different from all the men on board, and much different, in a very attractive way, from their primary employer, Sao Feng. They usually did not enjoy the trips away from the bathhouse, but they had both decided that this exciting opportunity to see the man made it all worth it in the end. Li Mingyou had not been careful about her roving eyes when she saw Sparrow, seizing the opportunity of tea to fully drink in the form of his figure. She had a good idea of what he would look like de-robed, and she wanted to test her guess against the reality, but she knew better than to say that aloud in the presence of the Chinese Pirate Lord. Li Mingya smirked at her sister's obvious attraction to the man, and decided that if her sister wanted him, she would have to do her duty as the elder twin, and make sure that she seized his attention all for herself. When serving tea she had deliberately given him an eyeful of her bosom, and received a dark and nasty glare from her sister who had not missed her actions. What excited both of them more however, was the opportunity for bathing the man. Both of them fervently hoped the man knew some Chinese, because neither of them knew any English, and it was a lot easier to get men to hit the right spot when you simply could tell them whether or not they were getting it. Li Mingya repressed a satisfied smirk as Sparrow undressed before her but her sister made no such attempt. Li Mingyou took his clothing and folded it, and took it with her, to go mend and clean. She was understandably upset that Li Mingya would be the one who would get to stay with him and bathe him (and try to take the chance to slip in with him, if only to deny herself that chance). As she left she shouted out a command that Li Mingya should be partaking of an intimate act with a goat, and it made her feel marginally better about cleaning the man's clothes. She wrinkled her nose in disgust at them. They were smelly and dirty, and she dropped them as quickly as she could, hoping that by holding them for a few minutes that she did not herself smell like them now. Though if she did, that bathtub had more than enough room for two... Li Mingya was stuck stopping Jack from pursuing her sister (because she wouldn't give her sister that satisfaction), and suggested to him that she would be quite happy to console him because her sister was not available. Unfortunately...the man either didn't understand what she said, or was not interested, which caused her smile to fade, and her to roll here eyes when he finally was not looking at her. Men were men were men, and language should never be a barrier when it comes to convincing them to sleep with you. "I don't suppose I can convince you to join me?" Li Mingya wished she knew English. She really did. She stared at him blankly trying to figure out what he wanted. When he lowered his hand into the water, she huffed, and went to go get a cloth to clean him with. What a baby! She didn't mind washing him, because it would irritate her sister, but all men should be perfectly capable of cleaning themselves. She didn't know what he was shouting after her, but assumed it was him berating her for not cleaning him already, or for being too slow. She should be extra rough with him for that...but she just couldn't bring herself to. She wondered if he would mind if she got her hair all straightened out and cleaned...or cut it all off for him. *** Li Mingyou returned just in time to get an eyeful of Jack removing himself from the tub, before her sister covered him with a cloth. She had given up on cleaning his clothing, and was considering burning it to get rid of whatever treasures whatever vermin had left behind on it. She had gone for Sao Feng's clothing, knowing it would be slightly too large for the other pirate, but it was at least clean. She ignored his speaking, she couldn't understand him anyway, and allowed her sister to assist her in dressing him. Not really or nearly as fun as undressing him, but it was the next best thing. Li Mingya looked at her slyly and suggested that with Sao Feng sure to be indisposed for several more hours...they could make use of his bedroom. Li Mingyou stopped to give her sister a glare, which quickly softened and she laughed. She nodded her assent, before they were interrupted by Sparrow's ranting. The two looked at him in surprise and then at each other and smirked. The each took a hold of him and guided him from the room to Sao Feng's private bedchamber, hoping that the pirate might finally get the hint. |
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3:52 PM Nov 19