(Untitled)

[bringmethatnpc]

Deep in a bayou near the mouth of the Pantano River, a wooden shack sits among twisted vines, high roots, and still, stagnant water. Moonlight illuminates the scene, and the shack is lit from within by what seems like hundreds of candles. A single lantern at the entrance beckons all those who dare to step over the threshold

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[turned_captain]

The left hand path, he said.

Will isn't surprised when the trees get closer and the light gets darker, and the fresh clean air is replaced with incense and musk and smoke. He is relieved however.

The silver plumb around his neck taps cold against his skin beneath his shirt, and he glances around urgently.

"Elizabeth?"

[try_corsets]

"Will!"

With such close quarters in the shack, it's inevitable that Elizabeth shoulders someone aside to reach Will, though she does not notice who bears the brunt of her haste. Her eyes are trained on those of her husband to be, impatiently searching for answers to questions that have not yet been asked. Weaving around a chair, she comes to an abrupt halt, stiff and still, and simply stares.

She's painfully aware of their audience.

[turned_captain]

He'd been so worried when she didn't turn up for her lesson. So worried it was all he could think of. Then he'd heard she'd gone, and finding her was the most important thing.

Now he's found her and he remembers the last time he saw her, as well as how he felt the last time he was in this shack.

How she mourned the death of the man she loved.

He stops, and doesn't approach her any further.

"So we're all here?"

[try_corsets]

A shadow crosses Elizabeth's face. The relief she'd felt upon seeing him had been the most honest display of affection, tangible or not, that she has allowed herself in weeks. His reaction leaves her feeling raw, and she closes that part of herself off to focus on the task at hand.

"One by one we've all returned," she answers tonelessly. "Except for Tonks and I. We unintentionally arrived together."

[turned_captain]

Will nods. "So I heard from Mal. He's offered to help us in Singapore."

He studies Elizabeth's face carefully, eyes moving fast in a still face."

[try_corsets]

"He'll be an asset."

Forcing a small smile, she casts a quick glance at Mal.

"Where did you go when you opened the door? He said you left together."

[turned_captain]

Will looks over his shoulder into the darkness he's just left.

"I had a meeting with Destiny."

[try_corsets]

"Destiny," Elizabeth repeats, as if hearing the word from her own lips would make it somehow more real, less difficult to accept.

Her brow furrows.

"What about?"

[turned_captain]

That's a good point, actually, and Will's own brow furrows as he attempts to work out what the conversation was about.

"He just wanted to make sure I knew what I was doing."

[try_corsets]

The answer unsettles her anew, even if she would be hard-pressed to explain why.

"The only person who seems to know what we are doing and when," her voice rises with annoyance, "is Barbossa."

[turned_captain]

Will glances past her - seeing Mal, Gibbs, a woman he supposes is Tonks, and of course Barbossa.

"He'll have to share if he wants us to help."

[try_corsets]

"He's said we sail for Singapore, where an acquaintance will provide us with what we need," she tells him, "nothing more."

It's a question, of sorts.

And Elizabeth... Even if that's all they learn from Barbossa until they are at sea, Elizabeth still intends to go with him. No matter his motives, Barbossa has died and come back to life, which makes him their best guide on a similar journey. In her eyes, there is no other choice.

A sad state of affairs, to be sure.

[turned_captain]

"Sao Feng," Will says quietly, "has a ship and a crew."

He doesn't mention that he also has apparently little reason to want to help Jack. Instead he returns his gaze to Elizabeth; not her face, but her figure and clothing as well, appraising her for well-being and for weapons.

[try_corsets]

She has her sword, but little else; the flintlock pistols she'd been practicing with were left behind. Once or twice since finding herself unexpectedly returned to the shack, she's privately mourned the missed opportunity to pack her things.

"Sao Feng." Elizabeth tries out the name, not bothering to hide her pessimism. "I find it hard to believe he will simply hand them over unless we have something to offer in return."

Her eyes graze over Barbossa and returned to Will. They are slightly unfocused, like she's purposely trying not to concentrate on his expression.

[turned_captain]

"Then we'll just have to offer him something, won't we?"

Will makes a decision, and pulls out one of his own pistols, offering her the butt. They'll do doubt have the opportunity to acquire more before reaching Singapore.

"How is Tonks?"

[try_corsets]

But what? her eyes ask.

Elizabeth blinks at the pistol, then accepts it with a small nod and tucks it into her waistband, feeling unmistakably better for its presence.

"Pregnant," she answers, "and stunned to be here, but she's hiding her concern well." It's admirable, really. "If anything, the door was just supposed to reappear."