Pirates Return IC

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"Miss Surgeon," Alistair said, somehow managing to keep calm despite the knife shining and twirling. "I won't say a word -" the knife seemed to lower a little - "and not that I especially care, anyway. You have my word. Apologies for the intrusion, though."

Now that Alexa seemed to have calmed down a bit, he kicked his stuff into the surgery.
"Although," he added, "If you plan for her to go in that dress, I hardly think the secret will last very long."

 

Alexa glanced briefly at Daniel. "There is a comb on the table over there. As for clothing, Mr. Zheng is supposed to be bringing something." She turned back to the bounty hunter.

"As for the lass, there are other issues to be dealt with, and this is the easiest way. The secret must be kept until the Captain finds out."

Alexa's eyes narrowed. "What the Devil do you mean by barging in here and kicking your belongings into my surgery?"

 

Three Swords pulled the brake lever of the carriage "Slow!" He shouted the one word letting it ring out until the horses came to a stop. Swiftly, he leapt down from the carriage and moved to soothe the horses. He rubbed their necks and whispered calm into their ears.

Stepping away from the horses, he turned and made his way up the gangplank. Zheng followed a few moments later carrying the clothes Three Swords had ordered him to buy. "Alright, you can go drinking now." Abbot said as he moved toward his cabin with the clothes under one arm. He threw them over his desk and shouted, "Alexa, Matty, Daniel! Get in here!" he ordered.

 

Daniel heard the Captain's shout. He looked at his mom and at Matty. "Do you want me to go now, or do you want to talk to him first?" he asked.

 

Matty paled noticeably. She gulped as she got to her feet but moved to the door anyway. "I'd best go first, and get this over with."

The reactions from the crew were both astonished and crude, and reminded Matty why she'd kept her disguise for so long. Although they boded well for safety from recognition in town, they didn't make her any more brave as she knocked on Three Swords' door.

"Captain Abbot? It's Matty. There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about, Sir..."

 

"Matty?" Abbot said as the young girl spoke. There was a moment of uncomfortable silence before Abbot spoke again "Jesus Christ." he said shaking his head before finding feelings in his legs. He stared at her, wondering how she could have hidden this so well from him.

He had always thought of himself asa a shrewd person, observant and able to see through deception. "You should have told me, Matty - is that even your real name?"he asked.

"It's Matilda." shesaid shyly, twisting a piece of the dress around her finger nervously. Three Swords walked toward her, letting out a sigh as he stood before her.

"I ought to throw you in the harbour and leave you there when we leave." he said sternly, "but, honest to god, I don't know what to do with you." He paused as he took a moment to think. "You can stay," he said submissively, then he smiled, "I like the way you play your pipes. Now make sure everyone gets ready for this dinner. Take the clothes below." He said, indicating the footmen's uniforms and Alexa's dress.

 

Matty came back into the surgery, carrying a dark green dress and a blue footman's uniform. "Ma'am, here's the dress and uniform for you and Daniel."

Alexa took the clothes from Matty with a smile. "Thank you, lass." She handed the uniform to Daniel. "Lad, think you can get yourself into this elsewhere? I shall need Matty's help."

Turning back to Matty, she smiled wryly. "The kind shopkeeper included a corset, I see. I shall need your help getting the damnable thing laced up."

She went into her private area and pulled on the undergarments then called Matty in to help lace up the corset. As Matty did up the laces, Alexa cursed loudly and continuously, without repetition for the entire time that the laces were being tightened and tied.

Grimacing slightly she looked at Matty wryly. "Be grateful, lass. These are not the most comfortable things to wear."

Alexa pulled on the dark green dress, and smiled. "Well, I guess we match well enough." She quickly brushed her hair and applied some makeup.

"Shall we go meet the captain and others?"

 

Daniel went to his hammock in the crew quarters and changed into the footman's uniform. It was a little stiff and choked his neck somewhat, but he did think it made him look quite spiffy. He went up to the top deck and waited till everyone was ready. He saw his mom and Matty come up top too. He bowed almost mockingly low and said, "Shall I call the coach, my ladies?"

 

Matty giggled as she bobbed a curtsey in response. "Oh, I'd be delighted to accompany you, kind sir," she simpered. She took his elbow with the hand that didn't hold her flute, and they led the way down to the waiting carriage. The others soon followed, save for the Csptain. "What is all this about? Have any of you heard any rumors?"

 

Alexa hid a smile behind her hand at the antics of the two young ones. She shifted slightly, uncomfortable with the unfamiliar tightness of the corset, and the rustle of the dress.

She glanced around the deck, unconsciously brushing the fabric on her bodice, feeling the pressure of a sheathed dagger which she had hidden there. Taking a deep breath, she walked gingerly across the deck, taking care not to trip over her heeled shoes and the long skirts of the dress.

 

Abbot left his cabin after strapping on a double edged english longsword with a basket hilt, rather than his usual Cutlass'. He didn't like the blade that much - the sheath hung too low and you had to hold onto the hilt too stop it from tangling between your legs -but he was proficient enough in it to be able to use it effectively.

Walking down the gangplank, Three Swords noticed Alexa in the dress. She looked really quite pretty without burn marks in her clothes. He also noted that the Footmen's uniforms were better quality than his own clothes. Three Swords climbed up into the driver's seat of the carriage. Really it should have been one of the footmen, but since Three Swords doubted any of them had driven a carriage before so he took the duty.

He turned in the seat to face Alexa, "You should wear a dressmore often - it suits you." almost immediately after he shouted "Santiago, get your arse in the carriage!"

 

Ricardo cursed silently as he made his on deck; he had not realized just how fast time had passed while h had been… daydreaming, for lack of a better word, of Señora Alexa. Donning the clothes belonging to a nobleman rather than a pirate had reminded him of many pleasurable pursuits he had engaged with the many ladies of the court… pursuits he yearned to share with the redhead.

He had not yet reached the gangplank when he caught his first glimpse of her and froze:; he could feel his jaw hanging open as his eyes drank in the magnificent vision standing next to the carriage.

The deep emerald green of her dress sent her beautiful hair aflame, the tresses gathered at the nape of her neck with matching ribbons. The creamy skin bared by the generous cut, the way his eyes were drawn to her bosom, the full skirts flaring from a waist so slim he knew his hands would go around with ease…

The Captain’s call startled the Spaniard out of his daze; with another muffled curse he hurried down the gangplank, glad of the short cape that hung from his right shoulder; it would hide the effect she had on him, unlike his tight breeches would.

“My apologies, Captain,” he said smoothly as he reached the carriage, with a quick, stiff bow. Señora Alexa had already entered, as had someone else…. Ricardo concentrated his attention on the girl in a dress of paler green, for he knew that to be so close to the redheaded surgeon would be torture even without looking directly at her; her scent was enough, filling his head with heady lavender..

It took him a moment, but her recognized the girl; he raised a questioning eyebrow at the former piper-boy.

 

Alexa inclined her head at the captain after hearing his words. Looking up, she noticed Ricardo standing there, looking questioningly at Matty.

"Ricardo, meet Matilda, our piper."

Her eyes briefly travelled over Ricardo's body, taking in the combination of black boots, breeches and cape and the white embroidered shirt with elaborate ruffles. She took note of the simple black ribbon which pulled his hair back and smirked slightly.

"You clean up well enough, Ricardo."

 

Ricardo smirked, sheer force of will keeping his eyes trained to hers instead of wandering over her form. “Thank you, Señora, I am glad you approve. Unlike you, most of us do need a certain effort to appear… enchanting.”

He inclined his head, determined to not to gawk at he like some oafish schoolboy. It was not easy, but her eyes alone could have held him captive for an eternity. He had felt those eyes on him as he’d approached, and knew she had liked what she’d seen.

 

Alexa rolled her eyes at his comment. Her reply was mild. "You are fortunate, Ricardo, that this is a formal affair, or else that little scene of torture will seem like a walk in the park. And you would be the victim."

She turned her back to him, and addressed the captain. "Sir, do you have any idea why we have been invited?"

 

Trying to get an idea of how he looked in his outfit from his small shaving mirror, Jacques ran his hands through his hair, checked his trio of knives were safely tucked out of sight, and straightened his cravat for the fifteenth time. Wondering if he had time to retie the damn thing again, he realised he'd heard the horse and carriage pull up outside some time ago without taking in the sound, and headed out to meet it.

The others all seemed to be already in or by the carriage - Jacques climbed in alongside them. All were looking decidedly out of character in their finest - one member of the crew in particular. Jacques looked for a moment to make sure his eyes weren't playing tricks... His suspicions were well founded, then. Jacques was pleased at the thought that Matty seemed to have no troubles as to the acceptance of the rest of the crew.

"Hello Alexa, Ricardo, Daniel... Matty. A fine evening."

 

Matty didn't betray how much she enjoyed the reactions of the men. Perhaps among this crew she'd be safe, able at last to be herself... not that that self wasn't far closer to the ragged boy who had huddled in a prison cell a few hours ago, than to this - dare she think it? - pretty girl who was about to attend a party. Of course she'd be there as a servant and not a guest, but it was still her first real party.

She turned an eager ear to hear the Captain's answer to the question about the upcoming event even as she absorbed herself in polishing a few invisible specks of tarnish from the flute in her lap.

 

Zheng looked in the mirror he had shaved clean and admired himself in the clothes he had bought. The old, bloodied and ripped, lying on his hammock neatly. The new waistcoat was dark blue with similarlt coloured buttons. He wore a white tunic beneath it which disappeared to the red sash at the waist to his blue trousers. His trousers where slightly tighter than his last pair but he would wear them out. Adjusting the scabbard across his back he turned to look at the sword lying atop the pile of clothing. He smiled before sheathing it. It would be a cold day in hell before he left this behind.

He tucked the pistol from the battle in his right leather boot and looked once again in the mirror before heading towards a carriage. He could almost pass as handsome.

 

"Not much, Alexa," Abbot said, "Just guesses."

Abbot cracked his whip above the horses heads and the carriage lurched forward. The horses pulled the crew forwards, moving into a light canter. Three Swords negotiated the busy streets of the docks whipping at anyone that came too close to the carriage and soon they were out of the narrow streets and into the more open land beyond.

Three Swords spotted the manor of the Governor. It was a huge place with an even larger garden filled with some of the most colourful flowers throughout the carribbean. Three Swords found the gate open with just two blank eyed footmen servants guarding the opening. Abbot whipped the horses through without the footmen even bothering him.

"Footmen out - you have to walk alongside from now on." Abbot ordered and waited for Daniel and Zheng to jump down. Abbot carried on at a slower pace up the pebble path. until they reached the courtyard at the front of the house. "Zheng, Daniel - take the carriage round back then attend me at the dinner."

Abbot, climbed down from the carriage and helped the Alexa and Matilda down whilst they tried not to trip over the long dresses. One of the Governor's footmen approached Abbot, "May I take your invitation, sir. I will announce you to the guests. May I know the names of your crew so I may announce them as well." Abbot nodded and introduced each of the crew and then took the invitation from his pocket, handing it to the Footman. "Follow me, sir." The footman said and turned to walk into the manor.

Abbot walked behind the man and through the double doors of the house. They moved through a long hallway, filled with artwork and various sculptures of great value. Three Swords sized each piece up, wondering how much it would be worth to his fence.

The footman finally brought them to a large archway, through which he could hear music playing over the voices of the guests. Abbot walked through to find a large room with one long, broad table down the centre and a space for the musicians and a space in front of them should the guests wish to dance. Several were already whilst others sipped champagne from crystal glasses.

The footman walked into the room, hitting a small beater against a bell before he spoke.

"Captain John Abbot. His Quarter Master Ricardo de le Santiago. His Surgeon, Ms Alexa DeGrath with her ward, Miss Matilda Groves and his navigator Jaques Vendelin"

Abbot walked forward, casting his eyes around the room at the hiundred eyes that stared back. Three Swords turned to the crew "Go - 'mingle'." Abbot said.

 

Matty was astonished - not only had she assumed that she'd be at the party as a musician and not as a guest, she'd never imagined that anyone other than a king could live in a place even half so grand. As she gaped in awe at the lush surroundings, she suddenly realized that she had drifted away from the shelter of Alexa's side. She never felt this exposed, even in the crews' quarters on the Pale Horse

She took a glass of champagne from a passing tray and sipped it as she tried to make her way through the crowd to a convenient wall where she could observe the goings-on. Unfortunately, someone else had other plans.

"Miss Groves?" She turned at the question to see a young man in a stiff navy dress uniform holding out his hand. She gave him hers; as he bent over it she noticed that his brass buttons were so shiny that he had to have been newly-commissioned. "Leftenant Richard Cornwallis. Would you care to dance?"

This question was only a formality. Cornwallis took her glass and placed it on another tray, then steered Matty gently but irresistably out onto the dance floor. It was fairly easy to follow his cues, and balance developed by holding her feet in a rolling deck kept her from stumbling too often.

"So you've come from Freetown. What brings you here?"

"The winds, mostly. The Captain doesn't share such things with me." It was nothing but the truth, but Cornwallis laughed as though she were a court fool. Before he could do more than open his mouth, Matty quick asked a question of her own. Keep him talking, girl, so he can't see what kind of a fake you are.

"So tell me Leftenant, where will the navy be taking you?"