The lesson
Title: The lesson
Author: lilfluffykitten
Rating: G
Word count: 583 words
Characters: Gibbs and OC
Disclaimer: Disney owns all these characters, I own nothing of any worth… I'm just doing it for fun not profit!
Summary: An old sailor passes on some valuable advice.
A/N: Written for the raise_the_dead's Character Challenge. This month's featured character is Joshamee Gibbs.
Captain Bradshaw was old and tired and had been at sea for far too long. Years ago, back when he still had his pride and his ideals, he’d assumed he’d die at sea in the service of England. Apparently he hadn’t been short of foolishness back then either. Two days into this voyage and he was still finding it hard to adjust back to shipboard life after a comfortable three months on land. Three months of believing he’d never have to return to the stench of the bilges and the damnable pitch and roll of a ship in full sail. So, unable to sleep, he’d decided to take the air and was staring blindly out into the darkness, listening to the familiar crack of the sails and the muted voices of the night watch. For once the conditions were moderate, but it was bitterly cold and he was glad of his flask.
It was really too cold to be standing out here and he’d just decided to return to his quarters when he was startled by a light. One of the new recruits, second day at sea and still unsteady on his feet, was gingerly making his way towards him. The lantern, swaying almost as precariously as its bearer, threw the deck into shifting shadows obscuring the details of the newcomer. However, once he’d reached the safety of the rail, the light had steadied enough for Bradshaw to get a good look at him. It was one of the ship’s boys but, child or no, he still managed a decent enough salute.
“Lieutenant Andrews sent me to see if there was anything you’d be wanting, sir.”
Bradshaw almost laughed at that. He was under no illusion as to the impression he gave to his crew. Andrews was more than half convinced his captain would run mad before the end of this voyage, so it was hardly surprising his night time wanderings had been noted.
“Sir…?”
The boy was decidedly green about the gills, but beneath his pallor Bradshaw could see his sharp keenness. There was none of the dull resentment or outright terror usually seen in the boys sold into the Navy, this one had willingly volunteered. Bradshaw stared back out at the night; Lord he hated the eager ones. Still, the quartermaster would undoubtedly strap some of that out of him before long.
“Your name lad?”
“Gibbs, sir.”
“First time at sea?”
“Aye, sir.”
“Does it suit you Mister Gibbs?”
“Oh aye. My ma always said the sea’s in my blood and sailing under the King’s flag was an honest service.”
Bradshaw didn’t need to look at him to know what he’d see. A miserable looking guttersnipe, pale and sick but buoyed up by misplaced pride and anticipation of adventures and battles and exotic lands. He closed his eyes against the sudden pain of a memory from his own past; until, under tight control again, he turned back to the boy.
“Grow up Mister Gibbs. The sea is a fickle jade, uncaring and jealous. Like as not there’ll be a terrible death waiting for you and all you can do is try and outrun it as best you can. Obey the sea’s rules, do what you can to avoid ill luck and take your comforts where you can.” He took a long pull from his flask, “Heed my words, Mister Gibbs. Now off with you.” He cuffed the boy’s ear and sent him running.
It was a lesson Gibbs learnt well.
Author: lilfluffykitten
Rating: G
Word count: 583 words
Characters: Gibbs and OC
Disclaimer: Disney owns all these characters, I own nothing of any worth… I'm just doing it for fun not profit!
Summary: An old sailor passes on some valuable advice.
A/N: Written for the raise_the_dead's Character Challenge. This month's featured character is Joshamee Gibbs.
Captain Bradshaw was old and tired and had been at sea for far too long. Years ago, back when he still had his pride and his ideals, he’d assumed he’d die at sea in the service of England. Apparently he hadn’t been short of foolishness back then either. Two days into this voyage and he was still finding it hard to adjust back to shipboard life after a comfortable three months on land. Three months of believing he’d never have to return to the stench of the bilges and the damnable pitch and roll of a ship in full sail. So, unable to sleep, he’d decided to take the air and was staring blindly out into the darkness, listening to the familiar crack of the sails and the muted voices of the night watch. For once the conditions were moderate, but it was bitterly cold and he was glad of his flask.
It was really too cold to be standing out here and he’d just decided to return to his quarters when he was startled by a light. One of the new recruits, second day at sea and still unsteady on his feet, was gingerly making his way towards him. The lantern, swaying almost as precariously as its bearer, threw the deck into shifting shadows obscuring the details of the newcomer. However, once he’d reached the safety of the rail, the light had steadied enough for Bradshaw to get a good look at him. It was one of the ship’s boys but, child or no, he still managed a decent enough salute.
“Lieutenant Andrews sent me to see if there was anything you’d be wanting, sir.”
Bradshaw almost laughed at that. He was under no illusion as to the impression he gave to his crew. Andrews was more than half convinced his captain would run mad before the end of this voyage, so it was hardly surprising his night time wanderings had been noted.
“Sir…?”
The boy was decidedly green about the gills, but beneath his pallor Bradshaw could see his sharp keenness. There was none of the dull resentment or outright terror usually seen in the boys sold into the Navy, this one had willingly volunteered. Bradshaw stared back out at the night; Lord he hated the eager ones. Still, the quartermaster would undoubtedly strap some of that out of him before long.
“Your name lad?”
“Gibbs, sir.”
“First time at sea?”
“Aye, sir.”
“Does it suit you Mister Gibbs?”
“Oh aye. My ma always said the sea’s in my blood and sailing under the King’s flag was an honest service.”
Bradshaw didn’t need to look at him to know what he’d see. A miserable looking guttersnipe, pale and sick but buoyed up by misplaced pride and anticipation of adventures and battles and exotic lands. He closed his eyes against the sudden pain of a memory from his own past; until, under tight control again, he turned back to the boy.
“Grow up Mister Gibbs. The sea is a fickle jade, uncaring and jealous. Like as not there’ll be a terrible death waiting for you and all you can do is try and outrun it as best you can. Obey the sea’s rules, do what you can to avoid ill luck and take your comforts where you can.” He took a long pull from his flask, “Heed my words, Mister Gibbs. Now off with you.” He cuffed the boy’s ear and sent him running.
It was a lesson Gibbs learnt well.