Comments | dis_acdmy_log: An apology, and a birthday present.

nocorsetsplease in dis_acdmy_log

An apology, and a birthday present.

Jan 05, 2011 17:01

Who: Elizabeth Swann and James Norrington
What: Elizabeth has come to apologize for disappearing, and all the while, offer James Norrington a peace offering/birthday present.
When: Backdated to January the 1st, during the afternoon.
Where: James' office
Warnings: Arguing, though probably just them both being giant balls of awkward. Maybe angst. ( ( Read more... )

r: james norrington, p: elizabeth swann

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nocorsetsplease January 7 2011, 16:43:21 UTC

When he opened the door, he looked so very worn. Instantly, she felt guilt begin to flood, as though she were standing in a room that were rising with water and it quickly gushed up to her calves. His eyes were pronged by wrinkled squints, hours spent looking at things in dim light. Circled and dark, they peered at her, and she had to swallow before she could say a thing.

"James," she croaked. Her voice sounded odd in her own throat, but she cleared it, hoping it will be a bit closer to confident and less shaky. The fact that he reverted to addressing her with 'Miss' accompanying her name also unnerved her a bit. He'd distanced himself with that short little word... and now she'd have to reach in order to get herself back to being a bit closer to him.

"I know you must be cross with me, and I understand. I-- I came for a few things, but mostly to apologize, but with a wish for you as well."

She hugged the present, heavy as it was, and adjusted her grip on it so she could, in part, balance the weight of it on her hip.

"May I come in?"

It was beginning to feel heavier, and she felt odd standing in the hallway. Perhaps if he would let her in, she would have a chance at saying all the things she needed to say, a place to set down his gift... which would leave her free to pace about, wring her hands and... well, say what she needed to, and reach out to him when the moment came that she could. But all that hung on the threshold of his office, based on his invitation or not.

destinyentwined January 7 2011, 23:33:31 UTC

"Of course." As he stepped back to allow her entry he glanced down to the gift in her arms. He looked puzzled at it, one eyebrow slightly raising. He couldn't think of what possible reason she would have such a thing when she had already given him a Christmas gift.

He shut the door behind her. "Please, have a seat." He was staring at the frame of the door for a moment, trying to let all of this sink into his head. "A wish?" What could she possibly mean by that?

He busied himself by walking to the fire and stoking it with the iron poker so the flames fought off the chill of the winter air.

nocorsetsplease January 9 2011, 00:03:48 UTC

She nodded and took a place on one of the fine chairs he had before the fire, setting the present to the side of her chair. One hand found its way to her chest, over her nervously rapid heart, over Jack's ring, still tucked away. Good. The other stayed in her lap until she lowered the other to it, and they wrung a bit in her lap as she crossed and recrossed her feet at her ankles. Perhaps as he busied with the fire he could hear the swish of her skirts.

"Thank you. Ah, but a wish indeed. Something one should get on their birthday. After all, it is a... birthday wish, one for hopes for another year, good tidings, and the like."

She smiled awkwardly at her own fingers before she watched him tend the fire.

"Hence the present."

destinyentwined January 9 2011, 01:35:28 UTC

"My..." His birthday? He truly looked surprised. He had completely forgotten it, how did Elizabeth remember? He turned to look at her, obviously completely taken aback.

"Elizabeth." His face softened a great deal from such a kind gesture. He was touched, despite the fact that she had left without telling him face-to-face. That she would think of him at all warmed his heart.

nocorsetsplease January 9 2011, 06:09:43 UTC

"You didn't think I'd forget it, did you?" A look of panic swept her face as she noticed his shock. "Oh James, I'm sorry I left with out telling you, truly. But I wouldn't forget your birthday! I couldn't!"

She rose from her chair and rushed over to him.

"No other may know this day at the Academy but I most certainly do. One shouldn't celebrate their birthday alone, even if they are a bit... upset with who they can celebrate it with."

destinyentwined January 9 2011, 07:27:42 UTC

"Well, I..." There's a hesitation in his voice as she approaches him. He set the poker back in it's proper place by the fire, swallowing as his eyes averted from her once more. Well and truly flattered, he found himself at a loss for words save for the most basic.

"I do not know what to say. Thank you." He had been so angry with her, but not the corners of his mouth were twitching in that faint smile.

nocorsetsplease January 10 2011, 20:08:34 UTC

She smiled. How could she resist when there was the beginnings of one gracing his very mouth?

"Well don't say it just yet. You've not even opened it."

She spun around to take up the gift and hoisted it into her arms to bring it back over to James.

"Would you like to? Open it..that is?"

She looked at him hopefully, the silver tea set she's gotten him snug beneath the wrapping.

destinyentwined January 10 2011, 20:16:11 UTC

"Of course."

He took the package, surprised at how heavy it was at first, then set it down on the coffee table in front of the couch. He bent over to open the wrapping, fingers working beneath the paper so it wouldn't tear. It unfolded relatively quickly and he lifted the lid of the box to reveal the set inside.

He took in a small breath between his teeth and carefully lifted up one of the sturdy silver pots. He stood up straight to examine it in the firelight, an impressed look on his face. "Elizabeth... this is absolutely stunning. How did you acquire such a magnificent set?"

nocorsetsplease January 11 2011, 18:41:36 UTC

"It's from Port Royal. When I went back for a few of my things and gather a few supplies for The Empress--under a guise, of course-- this was one of the things I could not resist bringing with me."

She walked over to his side, watched him admire the silver.

"You seemed in need of a tea set, at least, you were last I'd known. So, there you are. A right proper one for you to have a decent cup of tea with."

She smiled at him, softly. "Happy Birthday, James."

destinyentwined January 12 2011, 19:58:01 UTC

"Such a risk." He looks briefly troubles as she told him of her adventure. "I do wish you had allowed me to come with you." He worried for you, Elizabeth. Can you not tell? Every inch of his face practically screamed it.

"But I thank you. For the gift and for... remembering." A brief smile crosses his lips before his gaze lowers back to the beautiful silver. He then sets it gently on the table.

nocorsetsplease January 13 2011, 22:57:04 UTC

She could see the worry etched in his face, the creases beside his eyes, by his lips. It touched her, and yet she knew he could have done nothing.

"Oh, James. I took a few good men with me but it was all before... before I knew you were alive. I had no choice but to go on my own, for the most part. It was, yes, a bit of a risk."

She twiddled with her fingers a moment. "However I... I couldn't leave those things behind. When I was given The Empress she had not a scrap of...well... me in her. I wanted to make her my own with some comforts from back in Port Royale. Which, now, I've unfortunately lost to the Leviathan."

She looked up at him, watching him place the gift carefully on the table. "As for your gift... you deserve something of comfort here as well. Something... lovely and... of your own. I would like to think I know you quite well but I wasn't entirely sure and so I..."

She trailed off for a moment, looking at her toes. "...I thought you would like this the most."

destinyentwined January 19 2011, 06:08:52 UTC

He swallowed with a stiff look on his face when she mentioned the Leviathan. He read the reports of Berk in detail, several times, but the idea of Elizabeth facing such a beast wore on his mind.

"I say you know me well enough to give me very precious gifts." He meant that for the Christmas as well. The pocket watch was safety in his vest pocket, the chain looped on the outside for her to see if her eyes trailed that low.

He paused after he said that, his mind briefly thinking But perhaps not as well as I'd like. Such a selfish thought. He quickly brushed it aside.

"May I be so bold as to ask you to tea in my office tomorrow?"

nocorsetsplease January 20 2011, 02:08:32 UTC

She paused in her nervous fidgeting when he mentioned that she knew him well enough. It was a small comfort, enough to quell her anxious hands.

She looked up when he asked her to tea. She smiled and nodded as her widened eyes slipped into a comfortably lidded gaze as her lips spread into a smile.

"I think I should like that, very much."

She folded her hands in front of her, threading her fingers and squeezing them tightly.

"Though I intended, during this visit... hoping, really... that you would accept having dinner with me this evening as accompaniment on your birthday. I guiltily admit that I found, upon my arrival, that my skills in cooking are severely... lacking. But I would like the chance to be--" She paused to deepen her smile, a hopeful gleam in her eyes. "--someone to celebrate with."

destinyentwined January 24 2011, 07:27:45 UTC

"Dinner?" She was asking him to dine with her? It always threw him when she did something beyond the realm of normal propriety. It was so difficult to get used to the fact that they were in a more modern era, and she fit in so much better than he ever could.

He looked away with embarrassment as he felt the heat of a blush rise to his cheeks. Such a taller, older man, and this young lady could cause him to blush like no other.

"How could I refuse?" He couldn't. Not without sacrificing his happiness for the rest of that evening.

nocorsetsplease January 25 2011, 16:39:50 UTC

She nodded when he asked of dinner, her mouth still in a smile she could not seem to pull from.

That James turned away from her told her as much as if she had seen his blush. Oh, goodness. Now she's gone and embarrassed him! Though, if she thought about it, she could see exactly why. She'd gone and asked the sort of question reserved for men. Women don't ask men out for evenings, at least, none save Elizabeth.

"Excellent, then. Ah... would you like to meet me there, then? Whenever you think it is you'll be hungry..."

destinyentwined February 1 2011, 17:17:59 UTC

"Ah, meet you where? Is there a particular establishment that you favor?" He knew the lay of the Academy well, having patrolled it diligently since his arrival, but he had not the occasion to visit Traverse Town where most eating establishments were.

He was assuming they were going to such only because she mentioned her cooking skills were severely lacking. But he'd be damned if she paid for it, that would be the final straw.

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