It suits you...

[downwithmyship]

Jack_: Please please tell me why I can't get the idea out of my head that Jack secretly enjoys being tied up. What is wrong with me?

Takhys: Norrington: *knew it*

Jack_: Jack: *shrug*

Takhys: Takh: ...wait, HOW did you know that?!

Takhys: Norrington: *opens his mouth and SNAPS it shut again* Rumour. Singapore. Enough said.

Willow_Kitten: Heather: Mmm, pirate sex.

Jack_: Jack: Right...right.. all rumors. >_>

Takhys: Norrington: *sighs* Since I'm going to hell anyway....did it at least get you to shut up?!

Jack_: Jack: No. Not really. I like to mock while I'm tied. S'half the fun... Er. Or would be...should such a thing occur, you see.

Mathilda: that's when you break out the gags, Norrington.

Mathilda: I'm just sayin'.

Takhys: N: Damn. Does -anything- (short of a gag) silence you?

Takhys: Head!Jack: Nothing you'd be willing to do.

Takhys: N: Oh shut up, I know you're not really Sparrow.

Jack_: J: Nothing you'd be will.... What he said! *wait...can't read minds..what?*

Takhys: Head!Jack: It's such a fine line between....

Jack: J: I'm fond enough of myself for both of us, mate.

Norrington: N: *curls up with a headache8 B|

Jack_: J: *pats curled up Norrington...perhaps a bit too hard..on the head* There there, James... Drink?

Takhys: N: Why? Why did you have to do that? *rib poke*

Willow_Kitten: Heather: Would you two just snugglefuck and get it over with?

Jack_: J: *is poked and pouty* Snug th' wha? Oh..right.. Ha! *pokes Norrington back* You heard the lady! *lols*

Takhys: N: B| I have no desire to be infected what whatever is wrong with you. *cough*Syphilis*cough*

Jack_: J: ... I got better. *pout* At least we know you've contracted nothing.. Would require certain actions on your part, eh?

Takhys: N: And yet, despite this proposal, I'm not tearing my clothing off in reckless abandon. *eye-rolling*

Jack_: J: I really doubt you're capable. Unless your clothing were on fire or some such thing. *flops down and sits against a wall* I was more amused than aroused. ... Interesting to see it's taken seriously, though. Note has been made, dear Commodore. *smirk and a laugh*

Takhys: N: *dry, so very dry* I'm glad to have brightened your day. Could I improve it further with a charming falsetto? *high voice!* 'Oh, Captain Sparrow! So manly in your walk and...*his voice cracks and he's left wincing*...no, I've tried before, I can't mimic Turner for long.

Jack_: J: .... *falls over laughing and lays sprawled on the floor* That...oh lord... you're funny when you want to be, you know. You should try more often..it suits you. *giggles...shut up*

((Yes…we suffer the brain worms… ))

Norrington: Damnit. The bastard has an infectious laugh. Yes, all right. Norrington will laugh along for a little while. A very little while. "I live only to serve, Sparrow."

Wait. Suits me? Fear the Raised Eyebrow of Naval Inquiry. "Elaborate."

Jack: Jack sets his hat behind above his head on the ground and makes himself comfortable. For now, he'll adress the ceiling and Norrington can just imagine what his actual attention would be like. "You live to serve. Interesting." He smirks and rolls to his side finally, propping up on his elbow.

"It 'suits you'. Meaning, it befits you far better than ...than....well, that damn way you go about acting most times. The things you 'don't' say are bloody copious. It's maddening. For you more than me, I'd expect." He shrugs a bit.

Norrington: "It's a habit I've acquired." You can just -tell- that even that is hard for him to get out. Ngh. Revealing too much.

Perhaps Sparrow has the right idea, find something to lean back on and just Don't Look. Does that make me Orpheus or Eurydice? "I am unaccustomed to finding myself among men I can talk with as equals."

Jack: It can't be giving away too much when it's what Jack already assumed. And Jack always assumes he's right about these things. Often til it's too late. "It's an annoying habit to break. Can be done though, and I wish you luck." It was easy for Jack, since he was never good at that facade for long.

"So, am I an equal, then? Or are you just willing to pretend and humor me?" The pirate is hesitant to say he has the same problem and that it's the primary reason he harasses Norrington to begin with.

Norrington: "I think I've been doing it for too long, Sparrow. I started when I was nine, you know." Biiiiig, stretch and flop. He really is far too tall for his own good.

"You are a captain, I am a captain, and this damnable place seems to for some form of demented 'fraternity' among the inmates. Who am I to resist the fickle ways of fate." Oh man, it's been one of -those- days. What happened to get him in such a loquacious mood?

Jack: "It takes proper motivation is all." What that would be for James, Jack has no idea. He's becoming more interested in finding out, though. Curiosity is the devil. He watches Norrington 'unfold' and tilts his head. Dear lord almighty, that's a long stretch of man. How he lives in ship's quarters, Jack will never know.

"Never question fate. Still, realize it always gives you options...if a bit absurd." And Captain Sparrow has almost always chosen the absurd. It was the only alternative to 'terrible' most times. He looks James over again. "Could you be more bloody tall without being some sort of oddity or giant?! Good lord..." He pokes at James.

Norrington: "Oh, I was well trained, heeled and 'properly motivated'. I still wear signs of it now." There is a lazy, wry chuckle before he squawks and flails from the poking.

"No rest, no respite from you, is there?"

Jack: Despite all signs to the contrary, Jack can take a hint. Bitter laughter aside, he's received enough 'motivation' of that sort in his own life to know to let it drop. He'll wonder and it will eat at him until he asks, but he won't just yet.

The squirming from being poked? Oh that he will laugh at. "No escape at all, I'm afraid. Not til I've tired of the game. Dreadful sorry to break it to you, mate." It's what draws people to him and what turns them against him, really.

Norrington: "A game, is it? Yes, I suppose it is. Everything else is so deadly serious, might as well have fun with it. Tell me, how do I win and what would be my prize? I demand a pineapple at least."

How is he that tall? How can he take up all that room? It's not fair really, breaks at least a half dozen rules of science. Rather like a cat, actually -- how he's able to sprawl and stretch over everything. Mmm, sunlight.

Jack: "Everything's only as serious as you take it, James. And winning? Winning is tricky, but if you're quite lucky you'll come out even. Just keep me amused is all." Jack grins; all cheekbones, gold teeth and rum heavy breath. He shifts a bit lower resting on his arm and sprawls a bit more. For a much smaller man, he can claim a LOt of space.

Then, of course, there's the sheer acreage Norrington takes up. Given the option between a clever, occasionally funny, and endlessly tall gentleman like James and the pissant, whining, Blacksmith son of a pirate ... Elizabeth chose Will? There is a great deal wrong with that girl... When Jack was passed up for Turner as well, it sealed it for him that she's clearly mad.

Norrington: "How am I to keep you amused? I'd make a poor wet nurse." Snort. There's an image. Norrington with children. "And I don't think you'd want to be kept as a child or kept at all."

It's a nice day -- good sun, faint breeze, nice hill overlooking the ocean. Why are they both here? Who knows, who cares. ...and yes, it's possible she's mad, but that doesn't mean he doesn't want her.

Jack: Well, now Jack has to think. Which, looks a bit like pouting and not knowing where he is for a moment. It's a less troubling thing than the devious look that comes over him when he does have a plan. "I'll not be kept. It's true. And you've not the breasts at all for a decent nurse or for many other fine forms of entertainment. You could tell me a story, though, eh?" If he'll be treated like a child, he can certainly play the part.

"Unless, of course, you'd rather we just have turns at impersonating Turner... I'll have you beat there, mate. No question." Really, he just wants to hear James talk like that again. It was the funniest thing he's heard in days. Also, as much as Jack likes Will (mostly as a substandard replacement for the boy's father) and as much as Elizabeth is out of her mind.... There's still a fair bit of jealousy.

Norrington: "Most of the best stories I know aren't suitable for bright skies and mild weather. Far more suitable for a cold, wet night trapped out in the countryside. Small, low buildings, filthy windows and stories to make the flesh crawl off your bones...not literally, well, not -always- literally."

That? That is a rather wicked grin. Saints preserve us, James is being a bastard and enjoying himself.

"I can try his falsetto and nearly best him with a sword, but that's all I can do to copy him...and all I want to do."

Jack: "..." Jack stares for a moment, altogether non-plussed about being not only refused, but refused in a clever fashion. He sighs heavily, as if dealing with a particularly slow child, and rolls over to get up onto his knees. He hovers over Norrington, forcing eye contact and...dangling dreadlocks, braids and all manner of trinkets over him.
"I'm frightened already, mate. Truly terrified." Dry, blank stare.

He finally lets himself grin again, laughing under his breath before he's even spoken. "Oh, I imagine there's at least one thing or two William has done or could do if he had the inclination... Things you'd more than gladly copy or take his place in."

Norrington: Rather like a horse with a fly, he shakes his head away from the dreadlocks. It doesn't really do any good. "You should be. Even if it doesn't seem like it now, I can be terrifying." A sharp look - standing somewhere between defiant and vicious.

"Oh? ...oh. Dear, I suppose it would be best if I left any tales of Young Mr. Turner's, ah, 'adventures of that sort' alone." Back to hiding behind formal manners. He's so very good at retreating.

Jack: The attempt at escape makes Jack laugh, but the deadly look Norrington gives him has the pirate back off. However, he's as intrigued as he is threatened. Likely more so. "Quite terrifying. I'm convinced. It only makes me wonder what criminals it is you use this sort of intimidation against. Clearly, not wanted pirates." He tries for all the world to look innocently curious, but there's a self-satisfied grin hidden at the corner of that mouth.

"Mr. Turner -it has been my experience- partakes in no adventures that are not... thrust upon him. I doubt the more private and disrobed sort are much different." He thinks to say more, but it involves the good fortune that Elizabeth is so forceful and that leads down a road of excitement followed by deep disappointment.

Norrington: "Let us leave the topic of Mr. Turner for now, hmm? It is enough to know that before my, ah, change of employment I wrote him a great deal of reference letters and in return...after my 'change' he offered me work." ....and should be eternally grateful that he wasn't stabbed, skewered or throttled where he stood.

Jack: "Ha! Did he? Ah, such a kind lad. Pity he hasn't much sense." Jack can picture the scenario in his head, he just can't make it end with Will alive. Otherwise, he'd be sure he was getting it right. "Fine then, no more talk of young William."

If Norrington is going to shoot down every idea, it's all going to get a touch boring quite quickly. Ah well, naught to be done but go back to simple harassment.

After a moment, Jack breathes a loud sigh and flops back down across Norrington. "Good lord, you're boring. Is it required, for some reason, to balance your brief moments of personality?" He rolls to adjust his position and actually face James as he lounges on the man... That, and mask the fact he's checking pockets.

Norrington: ACK. SQUAWK. How can he be so heavy and such a small pirate?

"Gerroff me." Shove! Thrash. Flop. "...and if you must know, I've a few coins, some thread, a knife and I'm not that happy to see you." Did James just grab his wrist? Tsk, tsk, not nice to do that to the good ex-commodore.

Jack: The flailing makes it all almost worth it. Captain Sparrow all but goes into fits of giggles as Norrington tries to wrestle free. "Come now, Commodore! It will all go more quickly if you stop in your fighting."

Jack doesn't generally like being caught at his pickpocketing, as he's rather proud of the skill. But the grocery list of available items tickles him. Or, it does right up until his wrist is seized. He may way more than he appears...even be stronger...but he's still not much match for the larger man, once caught.
"Oh... well then... Hands seem to have got away from me.... My apologies, mate."

Norrington: "...any comment I make to that wouldn't be, well, enough said there." He really does love to make these vague, almost suggestive remarks and then leave them half-finished and open-ended.

Despite being the Captain, Norrington's hands are still heavily calloused - a goodly scar running along the palm and around his wrist. Sparrow may be his usual flighty self, but James doesn't appreciate being 'trifled' with. "No trouble at all."

...he still hasn't let go. Probably forgot.

Jack: It's good that they both enjoy it. Jack likes to set these things up and see if Norrington will take it anywhere. See if the former Commodore will admit to knowing what's being suggested. When James plays along, it amuses Jack to no end.

And what strong hands you have, Commodore... Jack grins a bit more sheepishly, becoming both curious and nervous at once. "Ah...good to hear it..." He tries a little to twist free of Norrington's grip before questioning the good Captain.

"S'pose you're keeping that, then?"

Norrington: "I thought we already talked about this. I can't keep anything of you or yours. Perhaps I'll hold it in trust for a while? Ransom it back?" Uh-oh. Norrington is taking the offensive. When did he get such a nice, wicked grin? Someone has been holding out on you, Sparrow.

Jack: Well, good to know he won't be held prisoner. Though, this is altogether more intriguing now. James is having at his own game, and Jack is left guessing at the rules. To tell the truth...he's almost giddy. It makes his heart race and gives focus to the never-ending din of jumbled thoughts in his head. This is a challenge and a surprise...it's perfect.

Sparrow relaxes his arm, letting rough fingers rub over branded skin, and rests against Norrington. "And what would you have for ransom? It is a good hand... always been loyal t'me, at least. " Nervous fingers flex slowly as Jack keeps eye contact, impatient for the next revelation James will give him into the man's deeper nature.

Norrington: "Ah, but Sparrow, what do you have that I want, that I could need. Hmm? There's the question and the rub." Hmm, the brand. He almost forgot about that. What a curious thing to trace.

"I could ask for a button from your hair? What would you suggest I take?" Norrington would never and could never even consider making any comment about his ship. Even if he's tempted to ask for a short spell behind the wheel.

Jack: Anything Jack is not meant to have. Anything just out of grasp... It becomes instantly and completely the shiniest, brightest treasure he's ever set his eyes on. As work-worn fingertips run over the scar that set the course of his life, Jack thinks of things forbidden and hard to obtain that had never previously been given real consideration. Oh he'd joked openly and with himself, but never really thought of it. It wouldn't be like young boys and hot oils in Singapore. Nor a drunken evening with a cabin boy offering all he had for passage over seas. This wouldn't be like anything Jack has done...or would admit to being done to him. He would be the weaker, but by God, he would be in control...he's sure of it.. How the contemplation must show on his face. What the former Commodore must think..

"Each bauble and bead I wear is more fine luck than you've ever had, and each was set and braided by gentle and lithe fingers as I lay my head -most comfortably to be sure- in a more glorious bosom than I'll wager you've ever had hands on." Another weak and false attempt at escape as Jack grins and taunts. "What do I have that you want? What -dearest former Commodore- is all you've been after since the second of our meeting? Just because you can not keep a thing, Captain, does not strictly mean you cannot have it. Savvy?"

Norrington: "Oh, I 'savvy' very well, Jack. However, sad but true, I only play for keeps and so...I think, I should settle on something I can take away and put in my pocket."

"I am also a man who can never forget a slight. I want something that will make Turner wet himself with fright. For the next time I see him, of course." There. It's a nice 'safe' cop out of an answer. ...which is why he's still got one hand holding Jack's wrist and the other pushing back on his chest. Give an old man some breathing room, will ya?

Jack: "This... this, James, is what's so bloody wrong with you." The exasperated eye-rolling is meant to mask the pouting he certainly isn't doing. It's not rejection. Important not to see it that way. It's just that Norrington is clearly pent-up, repressed, and as daft as Elizabeth... Damn Turner for getting in the way of that perfect match. Still...has it gotten uncomfortable out here?

With a heavy sigh and an honest yank at getting free of his misused captivity, Jack sets about choosing one of the scalloped coins hanging from his hair. It takes work to remove it with one hand, but he manages it and holds it out for his captor. "Take it, then. Tell Will Turner that you've killed me. I believe they've some manner of society for those with that honour, by now. You've certainly put more effort into it than most who make the claim." He leans far back with James pushing him away. Jack is stretched to the length of his arm and looks both annoyed and bored.

The second interest is shown in his offering, it's yanked away and set between his teeth, finally bringing a smile to the corners of his mouth again.

Norrington: ...and as he grabs for the coin, it's snatched away. Oh, oh, booerns, Jack. That's cause for mutiny. An upsetting of the order of things...and in this case things refer to their order.

Norrington makes a rather frustrated noise (which might be a growl) and flips them. "Now, Jaaack, that's not very nice. I was being so good, so fair with you. Do I really have to besmirch my honour and fight dirty?"

Jack: Somehow, being put on your back has a way of setting things into perspective. James Norrington is a very tall, and surprisingly strong man. If Jack has misjudged what sort of game they're playing at...and that's increasingly seeming the case... he could be in very real danger. Logic would say that this startling realization should, by no means, make him more excited over the whole thing. Logic, however, has had little place in Jack's affairs for nigh on twenty years.

Please, Commodore, don't throw me in the brier patch... Jack stares up at the man who, given the chance, would have watched him twitch and shake at the length of the hangman's rope. He smiles and lets Norrington watch the coin slip under his tongue. "Sorry t'make things hard on yeh, mate, but... pirate." A small shrug and a soft laugh as Jack's tongue works the prize back up to hold in his teeth and tease in the light.

Norrington: Today's Fun Fact: James has an unusually predatory smile. Perhaps this is why he doesn't use it all that often? Wouldn't want to frighten young ladies and/or their husbands, now would we? "Oh, Jack." When did this become a first name basis? "Jack. Some how I doubt you could make anything hard on me." Challenge? Maybe.

Yes, he's watching his mouth coin very closely.

Jack: Oh no, frightening innocents with such a terrifying -and damn near to hypnotic- smile would just be wrong. Under the force and influence of such animalistic command and strength, Jack looks somehow smaller. A fragile, but still unflinching thing. Only the curve of his lips and the mad shine to his eyes give away that he's a danger at all.

You would think James would have learned not to brush so close to hurricanes, by now... Jack adores a challenge.

"Can I not?" The coin is hidden again. He's kept things tucked under his tongue or into a cheek for days at a time. It makes for a clever tongue. "Are we placing wagers?" A small tilt of the head and a bit of the neck bared to make for more appealing prey.

Jack's eyes slip closed, his breathing comes more heavily, and he bites lightly at a pouted lower lip. "Please, Commodore Norrington... You've captured me. Fair is fair and I've no plan for escape, save to beg you. Please... Return me to my ship and have anything you desire." The whole of his body arches up in a long, slow curve to graze his hips along the former Commodore's and back again. He moans, loud but timid, before opening his eyes and ending the act. Jack's grin says he's already won. He rarely doubts himself.

Norrington: ....and that would be James flopping forwards and -shaking- with laughter. "Do you need me to loosen your stays? Is your corset troubling you? Mercy, 'have anything you desire'. Have you been watching this teevee they have?" Jack may also have found that during his little giggle-fit and rant, Norrington's face ended up pressed against his neck.

Of course, when all is said and done, he's still flopped on top of Jack and there may be some evidence that Jack was successful in his endevours.

Jack: "Oh, do shut up!" Jack tries to sound offended when he can stop laughing himself. "And that 'teevee' may leave a bit to be desired, but it's mildly less boring than most people around."

Jack's hip movements are far more subtle now, as he's mostly proving a point...as it were... Of course, once you've started with this sort of thing, may as well continue. ... The warm breath against his neck isn't altogether unappreciated, either.
"Laugh all you like. I knew dramatics was what would do it for you."

Norrington: As it were. Hrm. "You know, Jack." He pauses, shifts and gathers his thoughts, "You know, Jack. I think we've spent too much time together."

James is just going to keep his face hidden, how's that? He always keeps it hidden -- usually with an impartial commander's mask but pressed against the crook of Jack's neck will do. He has to do this, his face is too expressive.

Jack: "Is that what we've done?" The pirate chuckles and brings his free hand up to play rather haphazardly with James' hair. "Odd. Most find they like me less over time."

How such a tall man with such a strong presence can be so damnably frightened of the world is something Jack will never understand. If Norrington wants to hide against him for now, then so be it. He won't be allowed to hide much for long.
"Look, mate, if you want it...it's yours. I won't deny you again. You've my word."
And Jack produces the coin between his teeth once more, holding it out as far as he can between his lips. Now it's more a test of what Norrington wants.

Norrington: "Not that I like you any more or any less, but that I'm starting to acquire -- perhaps by osmosis -- your tendency to get involved in Very Bad Ideas."

He's not frightened of the world, he's terrified of himself. Norrington has worked long and hard to make himself into what he's become and, quite frankly, it might not be possible to undo all that. "Just so you know, I'm only doing this to humour you." LIAR, LIAR, LIAR. A nervous shiver and he quickly (kisses?) snatches the coin away.

Jack: As long as he gets what he wants in the end, Jack never considers something a bad idea. He chuckles at Norrington, though. "If you like be no better now, then maybe this was a bad idea... You might kill me, eh?"

Or…not kill him. Yes. This was a good idea. It's surprising the things that have been done over the years to 'humour' Jack.
He presses up a little as James pulls away, just barely lengthening the time their lips are touching. An accident maybe? Surely..

Jack lays back, laughing softly to himself. "If it makes it better for you, Commodore, it's a bit like kissing Elizabeth Swann...second hand."

Norrington: He drops the coin off to one side and for a moment seems strangely content to stay in place. Curious, up close Jack doesn't actually smell all that bad.

...and then he speaks. Everything going taunt and angry, almost pushing Jack down and that? That was a growl. "I don't take seconds."

Jack: It's interesting. Just having Norrington close and no one is at anyone's throat. They aren't bickering or trying to one-up each other. Of course, Jack had to open his mouth and ruin it.

Jack strains to free himself and even looks a little frightened under Norrington's anger. He took it too far…but how else would he ever know where 'far enough' was? "Sorry, mate... Wasn' worth what it cost me, anyway... " He licks his lips as he thinks of his options for escape. "Yours was less cold...and you didn't even mean anythin' by it." There isn't a good way out if this gets ugly.

Norrington: Norrington has his head bowed, eyes closed tight and is busy counting to ten. Control. You have to get control of yourself. There's a niggling little voice that keeps reminding him that Jack always did want to know why James was so 'repressed'. Maybe it's because this is the only other option he knows?

Sitting up and off to the side, James turns and doesn't even look at Jack. "My apologies, Sparrow. I shouldn't have let my temper get the better of me." Great, we're back to the Commodore again. Damn you and your mood swings, James.

Jack: Sparrow watches his captor with the sort of rapt fascination and confusion that a child would have watching a clown remove the greasepaint. It's not as if he thought what he saw of Norrington was all there was, just that he never expected to see what lay underneath.

Covering his own frustration...and his relief as the fear slips away... Jack sits up as well. "Apologies? Every bloody time you get halfway close to doing somethin' you want, Jamie, you retreat. Don't apologize to me, mate. I'm sorry for you."

Norrington: "I...goddamn it, Jack." Pause. Scowl. "What do you -want- from me? I retreat, yes. What else can I do? I can't want anything, I shouldn't."

TENSE. TENSE. He's almost shaking with whatever he's feeling. That's his problem. It's always been his problem. He actually feels things. Perhaps he should have been an author - able to write, live fast, die young and leave a good looking corpse.

Jack: "For God's sake, James, why not? D'you have one good bloody reason?" And now, Jack is raising his voice. It isn't easy to anger him. He's been hard to get worked up for a long time now, but a lucky few still have the power to get under his skin, damn them. "What is it that denies you the right to wants and desires these days, former Commodore? It's not the King or his Navy!"

And Jack should have been born in a better time, when a whole ship's crew wouldn't be necessary for a life at sea. When he could sail alone and fund his adventures with small cons and pick-pocketing. There are a lot of 'should haves' in the world. All we have is what is...

Norrington: "I deny myself, Jack. That's what I've learned. That's how it needs to be." Sparrow is right - he doesn't have the Navy or his King here. Nothing but himself and that's part of the problem.

"Just go, Jack. I'm tired and, and if you stay I'll say more things I regret." Remember how tall he was? Did you also know he could cave in on himself and shrink down?

Jack: "Is that what you want, James? Then I'll go.." He certainly doesn't look like he's leaving. He looks like he's rolling a cigarette. Maybe it's a trick of the light? "If it's just what you're supposed to want -and I sympathize, mate, I do- I'm afraid I don't take orders from your ghosts."

"Do you know what the trick is to having no regret? It's not keeping from saying things...it's saying just what you mean not regretting what's said." Jack hasn't regretted a word since he left John Company.

Norrington: "I do, though. That's the trouble. I know my ghosts very well." He's just going to sit here with his head in his hands -- how's that?

"Did you know I'm branded? When I joined the Navy, they tried to cut it off to hide the mark, but it didn't work." Let's see if it works. If he can say what he wants and not regret it afterwards. "They said I'd come to a bad end -- actually, the precise words were 'a short drop and a sudden stop'. I haven't forgotten."

Jack: Jack should be more sympathetic, truly, but all he can do is roll his eyes at the man and nudge him to offer to share his cigarette...which may not be strictly tobacco.

"Branded. Right. So am I." The latter bit, though, does rather impress and surprise Jack and he just can't restrain that curiosity. "But what d'you mean they tried to cut it off?" Oh, he can imagine it, he just doesn't want to. "Whatever the cause, though...we're all due a bad end, Jamie. All ends are bad. It's what you do before it that matters."

Norrington: James will share. Blah. Everything in the Nexus tastes funny, why shouldn't the tobacco. "I don't smoke." He takes a drag and offers it back to Jack.

"My uncle didn't want his nephew to go off to school with a fresh brand on his back. It's there but blurred out enough that it could just be any scar. ...and now, well, I grew so much, all the rest of them stretched out and faded."

Jack: Jack shrugs and accepts the cigarette back, taking a long drag. It is somewhere close to 50% tobacco. That ought to count for something, eh? Captain Sparrow just likes being relaxed...despite arguments that if he were any more relaxed, he could not stand upright.

"Well, let us see it. If you're going to go on about the thing, I want some manner of ..visual." For as solemn as James is about all of this, it does nothing to stop Jack disrupting the somber mood to tug at the man's shirt. "Lasting marks like that. They do have a way of affecting a man, don't they?" More tugging.

Norrington: Bah. Hands! Quit with the grabby hands. "There's no pleasing you, is there? The things I do for you, Jack." Sigh. Such a long suffering man. Another scowl and fine off comes the shirt. Right above his heart is an old, warped and partially cut away mark for Newgate prison. Moreover, the rest of his front is unscarred, except starting at his wrist tracing up his right arm is a long, curving jagged tear. "That's from...from the wreck."

Jack: After the short lived 'eww' face has passed, Jack runs a finger over the still visible parts of the brand. He really has no sense of personal space. Or rather, no one else is allowed to have any.

"Rather odd looking thing, now, isn't it? ..." He looks over the rest of the exposed skin (well why not? it's right there) and tilts his head with a look of slight annoyance. "Seems you've been very lucky between a brand as a lad and ..recent unpleasantness, eh?"

Norrington: Thwapt. Hands! Hands should not be in places. "You've not looked at my back yet."

If and when Jack does get a good look, Norrington's back shows signs of very old (faded and stretched from growth spurts) floggings and a couple more recent bouts. We're not going to talk about those, now are we?

Jack: Well, since it's mentioned, he'll certainly go have a look now! "Can't be all that terrible."

Jack gets up onto is knees and maneuvers around behind Norrington. Ok, so maybe it does look a little worse than expected. Really, it makes Jack wonder what his own back looks like. There's a difference, though... These marks are mostly old. No one set a hand on Jack when he was a lad. "So... didn't always get off easy then." A brow arches as he sucks smoke deep into his lungs and brushes fingertips over one of the more recent scars. Those he has no story for... "Interesting..."

Norrington: "No, Jack. I didn't." At the touch he almost hisses. James isn't used to anyone actually touching him. It's...awkward. "They don't take kindly to a man when they're trying to get evidence for a court martial."

Pass the smoke?

Jack: "I don't suppose they do..." He laughs under his breath, but it's nearly bitter. Not a common sound from Jack Sparrow. Jack moves back to sitting next to James and offers over what remains of the cigarette. He knows what being punished, beaten, jailed and worse for a choice can be like. And there's a chance he's somewhat responsible for it happening to James...not that he'd change that.

"Still, you're alive." It's said as if it can wash away every horrible thing. And, for Jack, it often does. What it can't fix, he fixes for himself.

Norrington: "I am. That I am, Jack. And...", he takes a drag and gesturing by stubbing out the cigarette he continues, "...and I am thankful for that. It's take me a while, but I am."

Norrington wouldn't change it either. Letting Jack go was the right thing to do and he stood by that choice.

Jack: "Took me near on a year, mate. You're doing well." Well, that was odd and telling. Jack's bouts of openness still follow the logic that you can read his mind and fill all gaps in for yourself.

Still, it's a kind thing whether it makes sense or not. Jack gives James a friendly pat on the shoulder and laughs. "Think you spent less time holding up pub walls, as well."

Norrington: "I had the Nexus to explore. I've been trying to find a way home, it's kept me busy I suppose. Less 'pub holding'."

....and flop. James is back laying down on the ground. He really doesn't get enough time to stretch and unwind.

Jack: "Ah, yes. Well, that does give you the advantage." There's a short moment where Jack contemplates what would have happened, had he come to the Nexus rather than live in a rum bottle for a year, but it's impossible too much to imagine.

It's warm and bright and if James is going to leave his shirt off, Jack will follow suit for the sun alone. He leaves his shirt and waistcoat in a pile. The scars from floggings on Jack just about fit into the gap of time between Norrington's. As he lays back, the rest of his exposed scars are more recent and far more varied in source.

Norrington: "Does indeed." Norrington reaches out to almost touch a few of the scars - nasty pieces of work - instead he'll just hold onto the coin he won.

"...we're going to head back out into the Nexus sea soon. How's the Pearl treating you?"
Jack: He could have touched if he wanted. There may have been flinching, but Jack's in a very calm place right now.

"The Pearl is treating me as well as she ever has, and I'm doing what I can to treat her as well. Bloody kraken..." Jack frowns a bit and begins to pick at his nails. "I've no crew and no one to aid in repairs... Things are moving slower than I'd care for..." Which, is putting it lightly. Putting it more directly would require a rant or tirade he hasn't the energy for at present.

Norrington: "Mmmhmm." Have you (or anyone else for that matter) ever heard Former Commodore Norrington reply with a contend, half-listening hum? I doubt it. Then again, has anyone ever seen him laying back, shirtless on a grassy hill. The world is strange and the Nexus stranger still.

Jack: "Mmhmm?" Was...was he ignoring Jack? "Mmhmm?!?" That's not only unlike the Commodore (which is amusing) but something that gets right under the pirate's skin.

Jack sits up a little and rolls to take Norrington's former position and pin the other man to the grass. "That's terribly bloody rude, you know, Jamie. Just ignoring the plight of your fellow man." What is this…hypocrisy you speak of?

Norrington: He opens one eye, "Isn't it though? I thought I was supposed to be learning from you. To enjoy the temporal and fleeting nature of pleasure. Don't worry so much, luv." Yes, he can do a frighteningly good Jack impression as well.

James chuckles and arches his back, stretching and twisting, looking to all the world like a giant cat.

Jack: "I don't sound like that." Oh god, does he sound like that? And...Does James just sit around practicing that? Weirdo. "And do stop your struggling." Or...whatever that languid, slow, amazing thing your doing with your body is. "On second thought...don't."

Jack stretches out over James in case (in hopes) he begins squirming again. "Mimicry, contortion, sarcasm... One wonders what sort of things you get up to when left alone, Commodore."

Norrington: "I've taken up nude underwater basketweaving. Keeps the reeds supple." Damn, Jack is heavy. He'll just have to stretch again...and by 'stretch' we mean rub up against Jack in all manner of interesting ways.

"I am a man of many talents, and don't call me 'Commodore'." To properly emphasise that point, he'll turn and nip at Jack's collarbone. Clearly, that's the only sensible thing to do.

Jack: There's a second or two of blank staring before Jack cracks up. "There! When you set to it, you're funny!" His laughter is cut short by a gasp as James moves against him. He was...just clearing his throat.

Well...that shut him up. At least for a moment. "You bit me...You do realize that, yes?..." Jack leans down close. "And it's purely a show of respect, you bastard. Jamie it is, though, if you prefer." A nip to the collar deserves one to the ear, surely.

Norrington: "Hardly a bite. It won't even show, just --ah!--, a friendly nip." Wriggle. There's no point in trying to cover that, it wasn't a stretch, twist or anything else but a wriggle. Maybe a writhe, even.

"If there are no ships in sight, no uniforms anywhere near us, why should I be a Commodore? Jamie it is." Uh oh. Bad news. You remember that obsessive, driving need Norrington has shown before? Well, it's back. It seems that someone has finally, FINALLY made up his mind. Lord preserve us.

Jack: "Ah. Well, if that's all, then. No cause for fuss." An incredulous brow raise and a wry smirk. Then there's wiggling. Oh my... It would just be silly and irresponsible not to grind slightly, in response to that writhing.

"Jamie, you're an odd man. Let no one tell you different." He chuckles before tilting his head a little more and licking a line up Jamie's neck.

Norrington: "Never, Jack. Never." James has wandering hands and Sparrow has a body worth mapping out. Convenient, isn't it? Oh, oh, but that licking, that's enough to make him moan. To say the very least, it's been a while.

Jack: "As for me..." Jack breathes a small gasp and arches as rough hands move over him. "...I don't think I've yet been accused of normalcy in all my life."
The moan is appreciated and Jack smiles. "So, then, what now, mate? Seems we've set the game... But how will we know the winner?" He chuckles before leaning down to lick and kiss his way across he former-Commodore's chest.

Norrington: My, what interesting sounds James can make. He's already bitten his lip, trying to keep silent, but it's clearly not working. "...how, how do you think a winner is decided? I've never been a fan of first to the post. Something, more, hmm, egalitarian?"

Yes, even now, with his hands tracing along Jack's back, he can still use words like 'egalitarian'.

Jack: "No...no, certainly.. a race wouldn't do." Jack bites at the soft of James' belly as his hands work to find their way into the man's trousers...or work James out of them. "I should hope, Jamie... that we're both of us winners at game's end."

Jack sets his hand against the front of the other man's trousers, working his palm against James' cock through the fabric. He licks his way down the former-commodore's treasure trail, lifting his head at the last moment and smirking wickedly. "Of course, I am better... but it's cruel to judge such things."

Norrington: James is amenable, agreeable, and all in favour of being worked out of his trousers. Nasty, useless things, why did he ever wear them? "I should hope so. Winning is, ah, it's...oh, God, it's of, Christ, fuck, it's of paramount importance."

"I will..." This is when his voice cracks and he blushes a rather lovely shade of crimson, "I will concede that you may be better. Honestly, I don't know about you, but I'm...I'm not experienced."

Jack: Every reaction out of James now is remarkable and fascinating to Jack. He revels in this chance to see the former naval officer unrestrained and helpless under him. James is stripped down quickly with fast, clever hands as Jack's mouth -skilled in many areas- teases over hips, belly and thighs.

"Ah...well... it is possible then, that I have a good deal more experience." He licks his way up the underside of James' prick ever so slowly. "I trust you'll not think less of me for it, eh?" He chuckles -hot breath on damp skin- and then he takes poor, inexperienced, Jamie into his mouth. This is -it's important to note- one of the few things that keeps Jack somewhat quiet. He smiles as he works lips and tongue; having set the game in his own mind. He'll have to relax Norrington first.

Norrington: Let's be honest with ourselves. Does anyone really expect James to last all that long? Can anyone withstand a concentrated attack by Sparrow? Nevertheless, he'll put up a good fight. He'll grasp at the ground, winding his hand in fistfuls of grass, trying to stifle the whimpers and little, hungry mewling sounds.

"Jack! Sparrow, wh, what are...no, I...oh, God, Jack. Don't stop, please, please don't stop."

Jack: Who expects poor, lonely ex-commodore to last? Jack does. Oh, he likes to feel superior…he likes to win...but more-over, he likes his fun to last as long as it can. No need to stifle those noises, though. Those are marvelous...and useful.

Jack sets a rhythm and every now and again sucks firmly. A hand moves down to rub and massage James' balls, and Jack wonders if a woman's ever done that for the man. Most never think of it. It's all very dutiful work...seemingly very benevolent, he imagines. Then he pulls away a moment to wet his fingers with his mouth and grin. Oh, that mouth goes back to the same task he'd been at, but fingers travel to touch, rub, and -eventually- make entry in areas less explored.

Norrington: Quite frankly, at this point Jack could ask him to sell his grandmother and Norrington would gladly ship her off. James can be very, ah, vocal in his encouragement. Honestly, who knew that a former officer of the King's Navy would or could say such 'interesting' things.

His head back, spine arched, skin flushed and James alternating between biting his lower lip and babbling on. It's a very pretty picture. "Jack, oh Jack, your mouth, how ever, your mouth is, it's the, the most, oh, please, Jack, please, let me kiss you? Feel you? Everywhere? Anywhere?"

Jack: The pirate pulls away and sits up, wiping his lips and grinning with the sort of self-satisfaction generally reserved for cats. "Mm. Now, James.. How ever could I refuse such fine begging?" He moves his way up the extraordinary length of Norrington's body, working to undo and escape his own trousers as he goes.

Jack kisses the man who had worked so hard to see him jailed or hanged. And isn't that half of what makes it so sweet a kiss to claim? "Truly..." Kiss. "..fascinating things..." A little bite. "...come from your lips..." A rough finger to trace them, to tease Norrington into biting? And then another, openmouthed kiss. "..'least, when you don't stop yourself."

Norrington: Oh, poor, poor Jack. Let Norrington have a taste of anything and he'll follow it to the ends of the earth and beyond. "Next time, Sparrow, oh God have mercy that's good, next time, I'll pin you and suck you off until you beg. It's only, oh fuck me fair." A sharp, wicked grin and he nips at the offered fingers.

How's that for not stopping himself?

Jack: "Next time, is it?" Already planning a next time? And Jack isn't even done with this time. He moves his hips against Norrington's, keeping himself hard and keeping James well aware. "I had no idea.." Jack bites at James' lip and reaches a hand down between the two of them to work at stroking them both at once. "...that you made such plans. Will I be expecting it? Or..nnn..will it be a surprise?"

Norrington: "Very much, ah, ah!, a surprise. I'm a quick study." Now, if Jack's following along, that would be an admission of inexperience.

That's the trouble with Norrington, he's too focused on an all or nothing sort of mentality. Fearing that he'd be unable to resist, he's denied himself so much. "A good, good...God, that's good, a good leader is one with plans." He's tangled a hand up into Jack's hair, pulling him down for a hungry, possessive kiss.

Jack: The inexperience is no surprise at all. If Norrington had claimed experience, it would have taken time for Jack to believe it. However, he is eager to see just how quick a study the man can be.

Experienced or not, the man kisses magnificently. Jack rarely kisses the men he's with at all, but... he's certainly not pulling away from this. When he finally needs to separate for the sake of air, he's panting against James' lips. "How...how far d'you want to go here, luv?" Sounds almost better than 'how are you looking to get off?'.

Norrington: "I'm impatient. I'd..." Instead of answering, James just looks up and nods. Everything is mostly unsaid, but obvious. I'd not be comfortable suggesting anything. Perhaps the next time when I'm a little more sure of myself? Moreover, at this point, quite frankly, if you keep kissing and touching me, I won't really say no to anything. I'll follow your lead, Captain.

Jack: At the start, Jack had very concrete plans. If they were going to get into this, he was going to bugger James until he was begging for it and at least have that to hold over the man if this never happened again. Now? Now he's not just playing a game with his favorite former-commodore to torment. Now he's naked in the warm sun with a fabulous kisser who makes damn wonderful sounds and has already promised another go... Ah well. A plan's a plan, isn't it?

Jack kisses his way down Norrington's body and runs into the immediate problem of far too much leg to work with. He's used to much smaller men, and to be honest, rarely takes this position. Women are better for fucking if you can get them. He stokes James and kisses the man's thighs as he works to move his legs up and aside. "Good God, you're tall..." Then he returns to kissing and fondling to distract as he works rough but careful fingers into James.

Norrington: "Always ate my veg and drank my milk." James is very easy to distract and he's more than happy to be distracted. Or at least, that's the impression that one would get from the gasps and -detailed- encouragement.

His running commentary is cut short by a sudden yelp and his hips bucking up. Holy hell, what was?! ...and, okay, that, oh. Oh. "Jesus Jack, warn...w...oh, God, that's, it...don't stop."

Jack: The constant stream of directions, commentary and encouragement makes Jack laugh a bit. He's so used to being the one being told he's too talkative in bed. "If I warned you...it would ruin the surprise." And, in contrast to orders, his fingers stop.

Jack shifts position and leans down to kiss James along the collar. "This is your warning, mate..." A small bite as he uses one hand to guide the head in. Once he's pushed all the way in carefully, Jack begins setting a slow rhythm with his hips. He moans loudly and lowers his head to kiss along James' chest.

Norrington: It takes him a while to adjust - a fair bit of shuddering, gasping and a good, strong grip on Jack's shoulder. Every so often, Jack seems to ghost against something that makes -everything- burn white. That's nice, that's very nice, and that, that's OHFUCKYES.

Soon enough, James is almost biting his own lip bloody - trying to keep in the needy, desperate mewls. He's flushed all over and shivering.

Jack: Jack: Watching and listening for when he knows he's got it right, Jack adjusts his position and angle to the reactions as if he were tuning James. Once he finds that spot, he tries to hit it on every thrust.

It's a marvelous feeling and -good lord- James' vocalizing only makes it better. Jack uses one hand to take hold and stroke James in time to the movement of his hips. He pants and has to work at kissing as he gets closer to climax. "Oh...dear gods..."

Norrington: These last few months have let James spend a great deal of time in the sun, consequently the contrast between his skin, his scars and the dark flush is heightened.

It's been building, slowly, steadily, but even so, when his climax hits, it's unexpected. Forceful enough to make him toss his head back and shout.

Jack: It's only another few thrusts and Jack is shuddering and gasping through his release. He lowers himself onto James and lays breathless and spent atop the taller man. Warm, satisfied and content, Jack seems much smaller curled up and resting.

After a moment to get his breath, he reaches a hand up to push wet hair from James' face. "I knew there was more to you than you let on, Jamie... I'm rarely wrong." He grins, sure and haughty.

Norrington: "Mmmhmm." That's about the extent of intelligent conversation that can be had from James at the moment. He's going to linger in the afterglow for as long as he can; he's starting to worry how he'll react when all is said and done. Once this blissful lassitude wears off, he'll have to decide if this changes nothing or everything.

Jack: For the most part, Jack is happy just to lie on James and fall asleep. The sun is nice, there's a breeze, and there's a warm body beneath him. Jack Sparrow doesn't trouble himself with worrying over what comes later. He'll deal with that then.

Fin