The Challenge: Chapter 1

[likeahurricane7]

Title: The Challenge

Fandom: Pirates of the Caribbean; Sparrington

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I have no claim on POTC or the lovely characters who populate it, even if it seems that James Norrington has, somewhat disconcertingly, made himself quite at home in my head with no apparent plans to leave. Jack Sparrow has been dropping by at random

Comments

[likeahurricane7]

Happy to oblige.

[des_pudels_kern]

Great start! I find your Norrington slightly out of character, since he in the movies did strike me as a man of the navy out of conviction, and, at least in the first movie until the one day headstart bit, of at least propriety just as much as right and wrong

[likeahurricane7]

I think of Norrington as a man of very much naval conviction and damned-stubborn loyalties as well, so no worries there. I plan to explore that in depth, in the next couple of chapters; but I've also always rather liked the idea of a rather perceptive and practical Norrington who sees propriety as necessary to keep up the appearances of as a matter of decency, but with bendable rules so long as no one makes a habit or a spectacle of the bending in question.

[des_pudels_kern]

*cough*The only traditions in the Royal navy are rum, sodomy and the lash.*cough*
Not too big a fan of the lash (a flogging captain has his men's fear, not their respect, and he will never have a happy ship), but sodomy? so long as no one makes a habit or a spectacle of the bending in question.

[likeahurricane7]

I said propriety--not tradition. Propriety as in: what pleases politically and when out in society, usually whilst one is ashore and not necessarily anything to do with naval "traditions" of any kind; although the "bending" (pun not originally intended) as an acceptable private practice so long as no members of the general public find out about it: that would be along the lines of James' philosophy, I'd say.

And for the record: I'm not a fan of the lash either.

[smithkingsley]

Oh, guh. That is the most gorgeous thing I've read in quite a while. Their voices are just perfect, imo. It's lovely to see Jack deciding that the beautiful Commodore needs freedom, and James's reaction is just perfect: he's understandably wary, but also interested.

And that kiss! Wow, just wow. *melt*

Thank you so much for this. Reading it just made my day.

[likeahurricane7]

Thank you, darling; I'm quite flattered.

I did have some fun with James' voice in this one, if only for his droll quips, and also for Jack getting at least one sharp verbal riposte in as well:
“I do not subscribe to the idea of knowing my enemy in the biblical sense, so if you would please keep your gaze aimed at places above my waist..."

“Then I will hope that you might be inclined to make me something other than your enemy, as your eyes have been doing a bit of wandering, too, this evening."

The kiss was difficult to write, actually, in that I worked a lot at trying to convey the right mood; so I'm glad that it proved satisfactory. Thank you again.

[smithkingsley]

Those lines came out so well! Jack doesn't miss a thing, does he? Especially pretty green eyes checking him out, however surreptitiously. *grin*

if you would please keep your gaze aimed at places above my waist...

James has no idea how irresistible he is. Lol.

[porridgebird]

Late to the party, but better late than never! Very much enjoyed this first chapter! I love the verbal fencing between these two, and you've done a beautiful job with both their voices.

And the image of James sitting up in bed with that thin white sheet around his hips... that's going to stay with me a while.

Thank you!!

[likeahurricane7]

Indeed; I'm glad you like it. This has been one of the most difficult stories I've worked on, actually, and I'm afraid that I may never be satisfied with it on the whole (the plot and overall outline bother me for reasons that are mostly inexplicable) but I'm glad to hear that I've at least gotten the banter and character voices done respectably, as I had hoped to do.

And it was that image that started this fic, as I'm sure you can imagine, and the sheet itself becomes a bit of a theme throughout the following chapters, as you'll see.

You're quite welcome, m'dear.

[txorakeriak]

You know, the mental image of James lying in his bed completely naked, with only a sheet to cover him from the waist down, is mightily distracting. SDKFLJSD. I'm not surprised Jack didn't quite manage to carry out his plan as he had anticipated. ;)

Major compliments for your characterization - you really hit the nail on the head with both Jack and Norrington, and their dialogues are absolutely fantastic. I could almost hear them talk as I was reading this, and it put a huge grin on my face.

Excellent work! *applauds*

[likeahurricane7]

Isn't it just? ^_^

Thank you, darling. I'm thrilled to hear it, as twas my goal.