Author's Note: Months later, it's finally time for chapter seven. Feel free to beat me, for I have been a bad author. Also feel free to thank AWE for getting me back into my pirates funk. Also feel free to be angry at AWE for what they did. (I won't post spoilers, but if you've seen it you know what I'm talking about.) Did you cry? 'Cause I did. Opening night was awesome, there were at least ten people dressed as pirates (myself included).
In other news, there're a few updates about this story. The first is that I've gone and rewritten/reedited the previous chapters. No big changes, just small tweaks and such. Overall, I believe my writing has evolved quite a bit since the first chapter of the story, a fact I'm both happy and displeased with. Either way, this will continue until its conclusion, you can be sure of that. Another thing is that this story is now definitely determined as Pre-Curse, Half-Chest and No-World's. That is to say it is set after Curse of the Black Pearl and halfway through Dead Man's Chest, excluding the end of that movie as well as the events in At World's End. Which is obvious, but it required saying anyway.
Also, I intend to write two more Norrington stories when the time comes, one Post-Curse (No-Chest and No-World's), and one Post-World's. I'd also like to write some Davey Jones snippets (concerning his relationship with You Know Who), and maybe even a tiny bit of of Elizabeth/Jack. (I still don't like Will, and the third movie didn't change that for me. Though at one point I seriously thought him and Jack were going to kiss, which made me excited.) I must also get on that Gillette story I began writing. To whom it may concern, I do plan on finishing "Acquaintances at the Faithful Bride", but first I have to work out an actual plot (what it's currently lacking). I have, however, reedited all current chapters of that story as well.
Other than that, I'd just like say that I'm glad to be back, and I hope you're glad to have me back. Please enjoy the belated continuation of Promise!
"Window Shopping for the Drunk and Surly"
Eyes cracking open, Juliana winced in disdain as the harsh crowing of roosters clawed at her ears. Cursing any deity who would listen, she slowly rose from her bed and held her head in her hands, feeling a headache begin to seep past her eyes and into her temples.
"Fan-bleeding-tastic," she groaned, tossing her sheets aside. Opening her window, she winced as the bright morning light flooded the room. She stumbled back, temporarily blinded, and swore loudly.
Shaking her head, she allowed her eyes time to adjust to the light before exiting the room. Noticing a crumpled heap on the sofa, she assumed the form beneath it to be James. Deciding it was his fault for her staying up so late into the morning, she chose to give him a similar awakening as punishment. Pulling the blanket back over his head, she couldn't help but pause.
My, but he's handsome, she thought as she beheld the man before her. He looked so much more peaceful and complacent asleep, and much lovelier beardless. She had half a mind to wake him an entirely different way, but before she did something she would perhaps regret, his short eyelashes began to flutter open.
"Bloody woman," he growled, yanking the blanket back over his head. Juliana suddenly remembered not to judge a book by its cover.
Huffing, she marched over to the windows and threw them open, allowing sunlight to blanket the room in harsh white rays. Returning to the enveloped man, she quickly pulled the quilt completely off of him. "Bright and early, James! We've places to go!"
Her charge clutched his eyes, grasping wildly for the blanket. Seeing that she had it in her hand, he squinted menacingly. "Damn it, woman!"
Juliana found she was growing weary of that moniker. "My name is Juliana. You'd do well to call me by it."
"And you'd do well to leave me be!" he responded.
Juliana shook her head. "No such luck, James. You can't live in those clothes forever. Now get up, for we've lots to accomplish before nightfall."
Grumbling and hissing curses against Juliana and her mother and her mother's mother, James slowly rose as the resident "bloody woman" went about preparing breakfast.
"Where the hell are we going?" asked James, irate and still unaccustomed to the sun's glare.
"Oh, for the love of God, I've had just as much sleep as you, but you don't see me parading about as if I've a giant stick up my arse," she scolded. "Now look smart, as I've no interest in being chucked from any shops today."
"Fine, but you haven't answered my question," James hissed. He was beginning to discoeer that skirting inquiries was one of her many irritating talents.
"We're going to get you some proper clothes," she replied. "And do try to adopt a more stately tone while we're in market."
James leered, and yet couldn't believe he was currently in Tortuga. Around him he heard no gunshots being fired and saw no men scampering about, flinging ale in every direction. Rather, they were in a relatively composed marketplace, where the most commotion being caused were people haggling over prices. Everyone looked respectable; there were no surly whores or raucous blaggarts to be found. James wondered if it were only like this on this morning, or if it were like this every day and he had simply been too drunk to remember. Reluctantly, he was forced to assume the latter.
A bell rang harmoniously as they entered an average looking shop. Within it were rows upon rows of tunics, shirts, breeches, vests, belts, and simple dresses. The owner, a short, podgy man with a merry air about him, approached Juliana, eyes dancing cheerily. "Why, by my stars, if it ain't Miss Bryar herself!"
Juliana smiled, giving the man a friendly hug that made James bristle. "Good morning, Mister Reed! How is business?"
"Business? Piff puff, Juliana! Don't tell me you've come here just to talk about business!" The man named Reed laughed.
Juliana smiled. "I'm afraid we have, to some extent. This is my f-"
"And who's this young man, hm?" Reed interrupted. Juliana rolled her eyes and smiled, as if accustomed to his interceptions. "Don't tell me you've gone and gotten yourself promised! Men all over Tortuga will be weeping tonight!"
James glared at the wall, trying his very best to keep from pummeling the old man. Men all over Tortuga?
Juliana, painfully oblivious, chuckled. "Oh, you've such an imagination Reed. The only man who'd weep is my father, or rather he'd be rolling in his grave."
"So you're not spoken for then, lassie?" inquired Reed, though his tone was more fatherly than gentlemanly. Not that James had noticed; in his ears, everything the man said was laced with innuendo.
"The day a man claims me is the day the fish start flying and the gulls start swimming," Juliana responded jokingly.
"Ah, you say that now, but you can't live on your own forever."
"I beg to differ," she grinned, but changed topics. "In any case, we've come for your wares." She motioned to James. "Pardon my rudeness. James, this is Patrick Reed. Reed, this is James."
"A pleasure to meet you!" James' fingers were ceased by Reed's own small, pudgy ones in an enthusiastic handshake. "Any friend of Juliana's is a friend of mine!" James forced himself to smile, but wasn't sure if his attempts were successful.
"We'll just be looking around, Reed," Juliana said, wandering over to a table lined with shirts.
"Very well, I'll be in the back should you need anything, m'lady," Reed gave a regal bow and disappeared behind the counter.
James, stick straight with suppressed rage, ambled over to Juliana. "A little cozy with him, aren't you?"
The woman shrugged. "He was my father's close friend. After he died, Reed helped keep out of the brothels. He's like a second father."
James thought about that for a moment. "Is that all?" he asked nonchalantly.
Looking up from the various shirts, she regarded him quizzically. "Yes."
He nodded. "Good."
Juliana rolled her eyes. "Men," she muttered.
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. Hurry and pick some things out. Unless, of course, you'd like to take your time while I go in the back and talk with Reed," she suggested. James didn't reply, but was quick to go about looking at the merchandise. Juliana grinned knowingly, before she wandered off to browse the dresses.
Not many minutes later, the bell tolled again and laughter was heard as three women entered the shop. Reed quickly surfaced from behind the counter, giving the ladies a warm smile and saying he'd be there to welcome them in a moment. Curious, James glanced over and was easily captivated.
All three women were wearing rather expensive gowns: one teal, one gold, and one green. Their hair was set in curls, either done up extravagantly or left down to flow past their shoulders. Their cheeks and lips were painted with rouge, and pearls adorned each of their necks. One by one, they returned his gaze before turning to each other, giggling behind their fans and whispering, occasionally glancing back at him.
While they were gossiping, Reed had drifted over and was now offering a bow to each of them. "Miss Simpson, Miss Ire, Miss Jacobs, what a pleasure it is to have you visit. Might I ask why you've decided to grace my humble shop with your presence?"
The blonde one in the teal dress, who appeared to be the leader, curtsied and gave the man a gracious smile. "Hello, Mister Reed. My dear brother, in the next shop over, asked that we come and inquire if his order is in."
A light seemed to go on in Reed's head as the realization struck him. "Oh, of course! One moment, m'lady," he said, rushing back behind the counter and returning with a package wrapped in paper. "Here it is, Miss Simpson, just received it yesterday."
"Thank you, Mister Reed," said Miss Simpson. Meanwhile, Juliana leaned over ever so slightly, following their conversation. "Might I ask something of you, if it isn't too much trouble?" she whispered.
"Of course, Miss!" replied Reed, sounding rather humbled.
The blonde smiled in appreciation. "Might you introduce us to that man over there?" she asked, motioning with her fan. It was directed at James, who appeared to be obliviously perusing some breeches. Juliana suddenly felt a cold chill run up her spine.
Reed gave the lady a curious stare, but quickly acquiesced. Beckoning James over, he announced them to each other. Juliana watched out of the corner of her eye as he bowed most respectably.
I didn't teach him that, she thought, confused.
The ladies all giggled and curtsied, fanning themselves more rapidly. "A pleasure to meet you, James. My name is Heather Simpson, and these are my good friends, Miss Patricia Ire," she motioned to the brunette in the gold dress, "and Miss Winnifred Jacobs." She motioned to the dirty blonde in the green dress.
Leering at nothing in particular, Juliana tuned their conversation out of her mind, returning to browsing the dresses. After a few minutes of mindlessly flipping through fabric, she overheard them speak of leaving.
"Alas, I'm afraid we must go," said Patricia wistfully.
"Yes, your brother will be waiting, Heather," added Winnifred.
The blonde seemed saddened, and sighed dramatically. "Unfortunately, Winnie is right."
"I do hope we meet again," said James, before leaning down and kissing her hand.
I most certainly didn't teach him that, remarked Juliana with contempt.
"But how?" wondered Heather aloud, seeming to think for a moment before smiling. "I know! My father, the governor," she stressed the word, "is holding a small party in a few days time. Oh, won't you come?"
"You may bring a friend if you like!" added Patricia. Heather glared at her for a moment, but swiftly masked it with another smile directed at James.
"Yes, I suppose you may. Please, say you'll attend," Heather pleaded, looking especially hopeful.
Her father's the governor of Tortuga? Fine, upstanding gent he must be, Juliana thought spitefully. No wonder she's so calculating: any daughter of a man who runs a pirate port can't be very innocent at all.
"But of course," replied James, kissing her hand again. Juliana suddenly felt the insatiable urge to break something – or someone.
"Splendid!" exclaimed Heather. With elegance, she withdrew two pieces of stiff paper from her purse and handed them to James. "All that you need to know is written there. I must be going, but I will see you at the party!"
"Absolutely," he responded, answered their curtsies with a bow. The three women waved goodbyes, tittering away as they exited the shop in a scuffle.
"What fortune!" rejoiced Reed, who had been silent during the exchange, all but forgotten. "I dare say you've captured the heart of the governor's daughter!" The shop owner shook James' hand again, laughing heartily.
Juliana cleared her throat. "We'll be paying now, Reed," she stated flatly.
"Of course, of course!" Reed quickly took the pile of clothes James had set aside and wrapped it, reciting the sum. Juliana paid, grabbed the package, and handed it forcefully to James. He had to keep himself from stumbling as she did.
She sauntered towards the door, her gait swift and unquestioning. "Step to, James. We've plenty left to buy today and thanks to your idle banter, not much time to do it." The bell tolled as she waved a quick goodbye to Reed and left the shop, stepping impatiently into the busy street.
"Women," James grumbled, yet grinned all the same.