Topic: Of Sunrise's And Catfish

Ileen McGowan · Date: 2012-10-04 13:51 EST

Standing at the bow of The Pandora, Ileen sipped at her coffee and watched the sunrise as she had done countless times before. But this morning, the fandango of colors were different somehow. It wasn't the splatter of abstract art thrown against the back drop of the sky. It was not that. She couldn't place what it was, but it was in fact different.

The changing of the seasons has the air cooler, crisper, so much that she was wrapped in one of Jack's flannel's, just to keep warm. He didn't miss them much. Maybe he had just gotten used to the fact that she wore his clothing, even if they were yards too big on her smaller frame.

It would only be a few short weeks until they were up to their knees in ice and snow. She was already missing the taste of salt upon her tongue, and the spray of the sea upon her face. It was a black doom type of feeling. One that they would go through every year from now until the end of time.

While Jack was still sleeping, some of the crew were making their rounds from there and over to the Sloop. Their morning work well in hand. It would seem that the chaos over the last few days had finally settled down. The incident of the ruffians not even spoken about again after that night.

"Morning Captain..." Brought from her thought's, Ileen turned and Roth was moving by as Gerald continued to load keg's of powder from one ship to the next.

"Roth, it's good to see that smile back on your face. How is the Missus and the bairn's...?" Turning to lean on the rail and face him better.

"Ahhh, she is coming along, gettin' her strength back y' ken..." Even after all those year's, Roth still blushed when speaking about his beloved. "The boy's are running her daft again, so things are back to normal. She keeps tellin' me to take em fishin', so she can clean the floors. Ain't 'nough hours in the day."

"Tell ya what..." Ileen's coffee was dumped over the rail and she smacked the bottom of the cup to her palm. "Go take them fishing, I'll help Gerald with the rest of this and get him working on his other duties..." A tilted wink for the older man, Ileen went to walk by him.

"Captain, you don't have to do that!" Roth stammered.

"Sure, I do....just bring me back a fat catfish and we'll call it even..." A grin then, Ileen patted him on his shoulder. "Go on now, afore I change my mind..."

A belly laugh escaped Roth and he didn't have to be told twice. "Thank ya, Captain! I'll do my best...!" In a shot, the man was running down the gang plank and hitting the trails leading out to his house in record time.

Like a fine oiled machine, life continued.

Their life.

Captain Jack Morgan · Date: 2012-10-05 14:33 EST

It wasn't long after the crew showed up and started to get to work on the last bit of preparations for the coming winter. Once up and dressed, the pirate captain swaggered out of his cabin. Pausing to look around for a moment, seeing that the crew were fast at work.

He always hated this part of the seasons. Winter. Meant staying docked until it got warm enough to set sail again. Muttering a cure to himself before he spotted Ileen and Roth talking. With a smirk crossing his lips to what the pair talked about.

It was good to hear that Roth's wife was better now, before watching the male take off. Ileen said the same thing that he would of told the male. He would then swagger by the wench, pausing long enough to murmur to her. " See. I be telling ye that the crew still be respecting ye. " A swat to her rear, before heading for the gangplank.

Ileen might notice that the knave sot of a pirate just seemed to be a hair more serious this morning. Something was on the pirate's mind, and he seemed intent on taking care of it as soon as possible.

Ileen McGowan · Date: 2012-10-05 14:39 EST

The swat taking her a hair off guard, Ileen glanced towards Jack from watching Gerald trying to figure out the rigging joists. "Mhm, no thanks to you.." Jested in retorted kind.

A brow rising, it wasn't like him to take off so early in the day. At least not as of late. Not to mention, his features were tense....much too tense.

Following after him a couple of steps, she leaned on the rail and called down to him. "Everything alright, Jack?" She wouldn't have done so generally, but at the moment there was none of the crew close.

Captain Jack Morgan · Date: 2012-10-05 14:45 EST

Smirking at the swat catching her off guard, before stopping at the end of the gangplank. Looking back up to her, knowing under different circumstances she wouldn't of called out to him like that.

He pondered things for a moment. " Aye. Just be something that be needing to be taken care of. If ye be wanting to be joining me, then I'll be telling ye in a bit of a more quieter location."

Jeremy glanced over to Ileen for a moment, before moving over. "I can keep an eye on things if you want to go, Captain." Slide of eyes to Jack.

Ileen McGowan · Date: 2012-10-05 14:49 EST

Now, that was just odd. On many levels.

Sliding a look towards Jeremy, she gave him a nod. "Keep Gerald with you, please. Answer any question's he has and don't let him dawdle."

Jeremy gave her an amusing salute and smacked Gerald on the shoulder. "Let's get to it, mate..."

It wasn't but a moment and Ileen was walking alongside of Jack. "Lead the way, darlin'."

Captain Jack Morgan · Date: 2012-10-05 15:14 EST

Once Ileen moved up to his side, Jack started to lead the way away from the two ships. Remaining quiet till he was well out of ear shot of the rest of the crew. Now giving Ileen a side glance as he pulled out some rolled up papers, and handed them over to her.

"Neddy be stopping by the inn yesterday. She be giving me those papers, as well as be telling me that they be wanting the land her home be. I be telling her that we be handling it for her." Murmured to her as he'd let Ileen read the documents, as well as see how she felt best to handle the matter.

Ileen McGowan · Date: 2012-10-05 15:32 EST

Listening to him as she glanced over the paperwork, she turned it over and then back right side up. "Say's a private investor. This person's signature is one of those lawyer idgits."

Handing the stack back to Jack, she rocked on her heels a moment and shrugged. "Guess just go to that address they gave and talk to the man, let him know Neddy ain't interested. If he asks who you are, tell him you're her son. Or he may not talk to you."

Scratching at the side of her neck, Ileen found it rather strange someone was pining after Neddy's property. "S'been her's for as long as I've known her."

Captain Jack Morgan · Date: 2012-10-05 18:55 EST

Jack nodded lightly as he rolled it back up and tucked it back into his coat. With a glance to her as she spoke. That was one way to handle it, and probably better than threatening the guy. " Well. That be better than what I be planning to do." Admitted with a shrug.

" I think it be best to be letting ye do the talking. Be remembering. I be a pirate, I do be doubting that he be willing to be listening to me. " He kinda had a point there. "But if ye be thing that be our best shot, then I guess I be willing to be giving it a try."

Ileen McGowan · Date: 2012-10-05 19:12 EST

"Ahh hell..." The pirate had a point, a big one in fact. Wrinkling up her face, she looked down at herself. Clad in not so proper attire, the dirty and low slung cutoffs, not to mention the flannel with the sleeves cut off, were not going to make it any better either. We won't even mention the muddy boots.

"Hold on a second, wait here..." Before he could respond, Ileen was off running back to The Pandora.

A few minutes later, she returned to his side, hair piled upon her head, a winsome skirt hued cornflower blue with mad dashes of burgundy and a corset blouse with her not so ample lines of cleavage looking like tracts of land now, thanks to the tightener laces that she was still tying.

"This should be better." Least she no longer looked like she had just crawled from the hull of a ship. Which she had, but that was beside the point.

Taking Jack's arm, she gave him a devilish grin. "Come along, M'lord, let's talk to a lawyer." Then included. "Just look handsome and let me do the talking, aye?"

Captain Jack Morgan · Date: 2012-10-07 15:18 EST

Jack chuckled softly to her agreeing with him, more so that at the moment she looked like she had been playing around in the mud. He was just about to say something, but she had already took off back towards the Pandora.

Once she returned, all cleaned up and looking more like a lady, and less like a dirty covered pirate. He took a moment to look her over, before they turned to continue on. " I be doing that this once, but done ye be getting used to be doing all the talking." Murmured to her.

Ileen McGowan · Date: 2012-10-08 09:13 EST

As they walked through town towards the business district, Ileen couldn't help but wonder on the why's of this entire matter and came to the final opinion that Neddy was an easy target for some. She was quite certain the Solicitor and the investor made her as an easy mark for their own endeavor's.

Reaching to unfurl the parchments Jack held, to spy the name and the address, she glanced at several buildings and they cross the street. "I think this be the one, Jack.." They were standing in front of an old brownstone that had been converted into an office building. The name hung at the door read, "Max Slider, Attorney At Law" .

At that precise moment, the door opened and a woman bustled out onto the step's to fetch the morning paper and caught sight of Jack and Ileen standing there. "Can I help you two?"

The female they would find out later, was named Daisy and was Mr. Slider's secretary. Dressed in perfected finery, rich brocade fabrics donned her frame from neck to ankle and her hair was a shocking mass of inky black and positively flawless in it's tight bun. Rather stoic, her features were tight and held a regard of seriousness that bordered annoying.

"Yes, we are here to see a Mr. Slider about a business matter. Is he available?" Came Ileen's inquiry, holding no shred of laziness in her dialect.

Daisy quirked a brow and nodded. "Yes, I am expecting him in a few minutes. Do come in and have a seat, he won't be long." While she gave Ileen a smile, the one she gave Jack was a truer form of one, and she didn't hide the fact of her raking gaze taking the pirate in.

Captain Jack Morgan · Date: 2012-10-08 11:22 EST

While Ileen wondered on the whys of why Neddy was targeted. Jack pretty much already knew why they were targeting the woman. They seen her as a feeble old woman, who they could bully in to selling her property to them. Yet for now he would keep quiet, and let Ileen do the talking.

As they arrived at the law firm that had sent the papers, and nodded lightly to Ileen. "Aye. This be it." Murmured to her as the woman that worked their, Daisy opened the door. He just smiled at the woman, taking notice that she was eye balling him.

Once the woman lead them inside, he spared a glance to Ileen. Knowing she was glaring a hole in the back of the woman's head, but hadn't yet lunged at her. Not that Jack would of minded, but knew that would be a bad thing. "Look. I know ye not be liking the way she be looking at me. Just be focusing on the matter at hand." Murmured to the wench.

"Long as she not be trying to mount me. Don't be worrying about her." Yeah. There was an image that Ileen didn't need to have on her mind right now. Daisy trying to have fun with her pirate.

Ileen McGowan · Date: 2012-10-08 11:57 EST

Ileen just kinda stared at Jack and ignored the secretary. For now. Taking a seat, Ileen crossed her legs and found herself right on the edge as she reached over for the paper's. Best to have them in her hand when this individual came in, which he did at that moment.

The door closed quietly behind him, Mr. Slider was not what was expected. A man of very short stature, he was almost bald and his tie was much too tight around his pudgy neck. Carrying a large briefcase, papers were sticking out of it's sides and he moved straight for Daisy as if the other two were not even there.

"Good morning, Mr. Slider..." Daisy near crooning. "These two are waiting to see you."

Max nodded, glanced over his shoulder while his glasses fell down around the tip of his nose. "I'll get to them in a moment, I have to find my ointment first." With that, he went into the back office and shut the door.

"He'll be with you shortly. What are your names?" Moreso the question for Jack, Daisy could careless who Ileen was.

"I'm Ileen McGowan, this here is Captain Jack Morgan." Intentionally leaving out her own title of Captain, Ileen turned her attention to the closed door.

"A pleasure to meet you both. I am Daisy Reynolds. That's D..a..i...s...y. Reynolds." Her perfectly manicured fingers lacing, Daisy shot Jack a thousand watt smile and wonder what kind of treasure's he kept a secret.

Ileen was just about to turn on Daisy, when the office door opened and Mr. Slider stuck his head out. "Send them on in, Daisy dear."

Captain Jack Morgan · Date: 2012-10-08 12:15 EST

Jack would hand the papers over to Ileen, as he tried to ignore the way Daisy was undressing him with her eyes. Only to smile again when Ileen introduced them both. Taking note that the woman didn't seem to care that Ileen was there.

Brow then quirked to the old man that shuffled in for a moment. Not what he was expecting the lawyer to look like, before looking to Ileen. Still not saying anything just yet. Then back to Daisy as she introduced herself, trying not to just laugh in the woman's face at how she pronounced her name twice.

Thankfully. Mr. Slider stuck his head out just in time, with Jack moving to his feet. Waiting for Ileen to stand as well, before moving to follow her inside. Already picturing what would soon happen. Ileen was going to deck Daisy. Repeatedly once this business was taken care of.

Ileen McGowan · Date: 2012-10-08 13:01 EST

Once seated, Ileen found it best to get right to the point. "Name is Ileen McGowan, I am the daughter of Neddy Smith and here on her behalf, I think you are familiar with her. This is Captain Jack Morgan, serving as a witness to this conversation."

Max blinked as the fiery redhead was not going to waste anytime getting down to it. "The pleasure is mine, maam and sir. Can't say I'm familiar with the name, but that doesen't mean a lot. Do you have documents?"

Ileen set the papers on the desk. "It's in regards to an offer being made on her property, something she is not interested in and wishes not to be contacted again about."

Glancing over the top of his glasses, the cleavage there caught his attention and he made no secret of a light lick given his lips before finding Ileen's gaze. "Why are you two sitting here and not her?" It seemed a logical question.

"My mother is up in her years and finds it hard tending to such matters, nor do we want her to be taken advantage of. The point is, she declines your offer and doesen't want you to contact her again. The house has been in our family for many years, as has the property."

A slow nod of the bald head given, he leaned back in his chair. "I see. She's been offered a handsome amount of money, I would think the condition of the house would have her jumping to get out from under it." Tapping the tips of his fingers together, he looked between Ileen and Jack.

Captain Jack Morgan · Date: 2012-10-08 19:11 EST

Jack continued to play the role of the smiling idiot beside Ileen. Rather amusing at how easily he fell into that role. Playing the dimwitted pirate, as he looked between Ileen and Max. Leaving it up to her, as the two spoke.

Of course Max got a faint narrow eyed glare from the pirate as him eyeballing Ileen. Dropping it when the male looked at them both, only to nod lightly at Ileen's words. Nevermind that he was tapping a foot against the floor now. He really hated doing things the legal and polite way.

Ileen McGowan · Date: 2012-10-09 10:09 EST

"Sometimes, there are certain things that weigh more than the condition of a dwelling. Timber's may rot and decay, but what is held between those rotting walls in memory is as new and fresh as the first day it was discovered." Ileen gave the lawyer a pointed look and for a long moment, the two were in a visual squaring off that left no room for a blink.

Clucking his tongue, Mr. Slider began to rock in his chair and ran a hand across his now sweaty head.

Then for some reason, he swiveled his gaze to Jack. The man looked familiar, but Max just could not place him. Maybe at some point it would hit him in recollection, but for now he smacked a hand to the stack of papers and rose to a not so tall height.

"I will inform the investor, the property is no longer an option to purchase. However, that does not mean they will not contact her privately. I cannot stop that."

With that being said, the curve of Ileen's jaw tightened and she rose as well. "If I were you, I would stress to your investor to not contact my mother again. If they do, you will have failed in your job and I will make sure the proper steps are taken, assuring us you do not falter again." Clear, precise and to the point.

"I do declare, Miss. McGowan, assuming you are a Miss and not a Mrs., I do declare that you have voiced a threat in my regard." While Max did not stutter or stammer, there was a certain lilt in his voice that gave away his unsteady train of thought.

Captain Jack Morgan · Date: 2012-10-09 11:15 EST

Jack continued to remain silent as he looked between Ileen and Mr. Slider, as the battle of wills continued. Trying not to smirk that the wench was holding back her anger for so long. He was tempted to whisper something into her ear to set her off, but he chose not to do so.

Looking back to Mr. Slider again at the look he got, and was rewarded with another smile. Moving to stand when Ileen did, and finally broke his silence. " Ileen, do be a dear and let me be talking to him in private for a moment." Ileen would get that known smile of his.

It was the same one where he had either been plotting things out in his head, or that he was about to handle something his way. He was getting the feeling that being nice and polite just wasn't getting the message across. Jack would wait for Ileen to slip out of the room.

Guessing she'd have a word or two, maybe a few slaps to poor Daisy while she waited. Jack would then level his gaze on the poor lawyer, as he lightly pressed his hands on the desk. "Let's be clear on this. Ye be telling yer investors, that they be leaving miss Neddy alone. She be all the family that Ileen be having."

Now that the niceness was out of the way. "If either one of us be hearing some much as a peep that she be bothered. We be pressing charges against ye and yer investors on harassment charges. Further more, if we be seeing anyone on the property. They be getting shot fer trespassing on private property." Jack now leaned forward just a tad.

"And I be having no problem to be doing that, as Ileen be dear to me, and Miss Neddy be treating me like I be part of their family. Savvy?" Knowing Ileen she was probably listening in to what Jack was saying.

Ileen McGowan · Date: 2012-10-09 11:47 EST

So precise in the timing, one would have thought perhaps it had been done intentionally between Ileen and Jack....but it had not been. The dominoes were placed so nicely, now it was Jack's turn to knock them down with the skill only he had.

Ileen closed the door behind her and Max's mouth began to open with no words to follow.

The gaping hole not closing when Jack spoke, he suddenly realized who Morgan was like a light bulb went off above his bald head and the stammering commenced. "I....I....uh....well....I....there wasn't....um....any harm intended, Mr. Morgan....Jack...Mr. Morgan....Captain....just a business venture, yes....a business venture. Noone will bother the woman again. You got....my word." Sweating profusely by that point, he took a step back and nearly fell over his chair.

"Ignore....ignore the paperwork....burn it, shred it....do as you please. It never....happened..." It was too late to assume he was not on the pirate's bad side, that would have been straight ignorance. It was also safe to think that Mr. Slider would be watching over his shoulder now.

With her back pressed to the office door, Ileen heard the murmers of the Pirate and for some reason, her lips began to twitter into a little sardonic smile.

Daisy turned from her desk and was hoping it was Jack there. When it was clearly not, the secretary gave a 'hmph' and went back to what she had been doing.

"Sorry to disappoint you, lass." Considering it was clear in the woman's actions, where Daisy's hopes had rested. "He is quite nice to watch, is he not?" Rounding to the front of the desk, Ileen was picking at a corset thread that had been tickling her flesh and gave it a tug. Well, that might not have been a good idea since the thread got longer.

"He is in fact." Daisy responded, quite boldly. "Never have been able to understand why a man that looks like that, would settle for the likes of a commoner." Still bold, almost cheeky.

Looks like that? Is that what this was about? The way Jack looked or walked? That was rich, to an extreme.

"Tell ya what..." Ileen planted both palms there on the desk and leaned slightly, just a bit closer to the woman. "the next time....you're on your knees behind Mr. Slider's desk, his lack of manhood in your mouth, think of Jack....this is acceptable, as the only thing common in this room is that you are a common whore and you forgot to pick up the towel you kneel upon, from next to your employer's chair."

Daisy instantly gasped loudly and went ruby red flush from her scalp down to the V of her blouse. "Well...I....you....you BITCH!"

Maybe Jack heard Ileen burst out laughing. "Aye, but not a common one."

"Also, just a word of advice....if you decide to get brave and persue your fancy, you may reach your knees in front of him, but you will never rise." A lean taken near the door, Ileen grinned and awaited Jack.

Taking Ileen's word's to heart, Daisy jumped up and was in the bathroom a moment later, the door slamming and the sound of her sobbing heard.

Captain Jack Morgan · Date: 2012-10-10 11:51 EST

Jack smirked at poor Mr. Slider once the male figured out just who the male across from him really was. Seeing that the intended goal was reached, one way or the other. "That be good to be hearing." Turning on his heel to swagger towards the door, catching part of what Ileen and Daisy were talking about through the door.

That got him to smirk even more now, as he looked over his shoulder for a moment. "There do be on more thing. When ye be having your little trollop out there." Indicating Daisy. "Ye can be pretending that it be Ileen. Seeing how ye have to be paying a woman to be having anything to do with ye."

That got Mr. Slider to glare, but didn't say a single word. The look from Jack told him it would not end well if he opened his mouth. Opening the door and slipping out, with a glance to Ileen after she had her fun. "Ye be finished torturing the poor lass in what she never be having?" Winking at her as he moved to head for the door.

It was time to find Neddy and tell her that she wouldn't have to worry about anyone bothering her about her property anymore.

Ileen McGowan · Date: 2012-10-10 12:10 EST

Pressing from her lean on the wall, Ileen rolled her eyes and slipped under Jack's arm to hit the street before him.

"Damned woman, ain't got no more sense than to spread her legs instead of using her brain's to get anywhere." Then just had to include. "And then, set her sights on the likes of you for a taste. Feh." Taunting him in that way she had.

Bumping her hip to Jack's, she spiked him up a glance. "Neddy'll be happy. Want me to go with you to find her?" That was the next course of action afterall.

Entirely pleased that they had gotten somewhere to resolve the issue, Ileen was moreso pleased that Neddy had actually sought out Jack to make him aware of it. Perhaps, the pirate had become a bit of security for the old woman. Stranger things had been known to happen.

Captain Jack Morgan · Date: 2012-10-10 18:44 EST

Chuckling as Ileen nattered about Daisy, before looking at her for a moment. "Ye be getting worried that I might be taking her up on that offer? Or ye just be making sure that she never be thinking about trying?" Taunting her in return, as he knew how jealous the wench could get.

Hip bumping her back with a light nod on that. "Aye. She'll be happy now that she not be having to be worrying about that now." Murmured to her for a moment, then nodded lightly. "Aye. Seeing how she be coming to see me on this. She be expecting me to be showing up."

Looking down at the wench as they moved off to go find Neddy. With a smirk crossing his lips to the pleased look on her face, and in her eyes. He wouldn't admit that it had caught him a touch off guard that Neddy came to him. Then again, he did come to her aid once.

Ileen McGowan · Date: 2012-10-11 08:31 EST

"My love, just like you get offended when males be giving me the chicken eye look over and makin' comment's, so do I. It's a matter of respect. But if you wanna go after the likes of that, be my guest. I will step aside with the grace of a woman who will get revenge....truly." Looping her arm through his, Ileen's grin was holding an almost sadistic quality.

All teasing aside at that point, Ileen was glancing through the alleys as they reached the docks, expecting to see the old woman perched on a crate and eating a peach, but that was not the case. "Maybe she's out at the house..." Said finally.

"Aye, she did come to you. Which is not the normal for Neddy. After her mister passed away, her two son's pretty much left her alone. She ain't seen either of them in year's, from what she said." Which in Ileen's mind, was unforgivable, but for some it was just the way of it.

"Guess she sees through your wiley eyes and pirate smile."

Captain Jack Morgan · Date: 2012-10-15 15:36 EST

Jack tried not to crack a smile or smirk to her words, as well as managing not to start chuckling as well. Oh he knew if he were to even think of chasing one of the loose women in Rhy'Din while they were still together. She'd make his life a living hell.

Not seeing Neddy waiting for them at the docks. "Well. I not be telling her to be waiting on me to be hearing anything about it." Which was true. Jack just told her that Ileen and him would handle it and let her know afterwards.

"Aye. Lets be checking her home." Looking down at the wench as they both turned to head that way now. With him nodding lightly to Ileen telling him about her own sons. "That seems to be the way of some of the children in this town. They be forgetting the sacrifices their parents be making for them, to be trying to be giving them a better life."

Ileen McGowan · Date: 2012-10-15 15:52 EST

As they walked and talked quietly between each other, Ileen pulled a small pouch of hard candy from the V of the corset and sucked on one, before offering a lemon one up to Jack.

The afternoon beginning to cool, it gave a bit of relief as they walked up into the woods and headed towards the trail leading out to Neddy?s true home. His words of course striking a chord with Ileen, she grew quiet while her thoughts ran freely before they ever tumbled from her lips.

?True, and I suppose it?s an inward sacrifice to admit when you cannot care for your children and hand them off to people who can.? This of course, had been the case with Bridget and Ileen. Their birth parents could not keep the set of twin?s as a whole, but they also could not choose between the two of them or separate them. While it was understood, and long since had been, it never did change the fact that they had been discarded.

Neddy had been called many things, but given the pain in her eyes when speaking of her children, she loved them with all of her.

?It?s my belief, when children are brought into this world, your life as you know it, is over and their life is at your hands for molding and the most important.? Nothing else after that point really mattered. "After that, the rest is up to them."

Ducking beneath several branches, two wild rabbits scattered in front of them and from their placement, the roof of the old woman?s house could be seen.

Captain Jack Morgan · Date: 2012-10-16 11:26 EST

Gaze moved to Ileen as she tugged that small pouch from the V of the corset, quirking a brow for a moment till she offered him a piece of candy. Taking it from her and popping it into his mouth, as he looked around again. Letting her lead the way as she seemed to know where Neddy lived.

"Aye. I be understanding that be hurting parents, that want to be taking care of their children and can't. But at the same time it do be making the children be wondering if they be old enough to understand. Why they have to be living with someone else." Murmured to her.

"It be my belief, that ye be putting the well being of yer children first." There was a pause there. "But there do be some that not be caring enough to be don't that, and be letting their children run free." Just his point of view.

Moving now to duck the same branches as she did now, with a head tilt to seeing Neddy's home. It looked worse off than the cabin that Ileen and Bridget lived in. While he outwardly didn't show it, the pirate felt a pang of hurt to see the house so run down. Made him think of his own mother.

Ileen McGowan · Date: 2012-10-16 13:44 EST

From somewhere, could have been the woods, the loud snicking sound of a rifle was heard and echoed in the afternoon sun. "I dun tol' yew people's t' let mae be! Now git, afore I blow wha' yew momma b' proud o', to hell an' back!" Well, that distinct voice was of course, Neddy.

Footfalls coming to an abrupt halt, Ileen could almost predict Jack running smack into her, but it was that or get shot at. The old woman could barely see, but for some reason it was thought she was pretty good aim. "Neddy, it's Ileen and Jack....only us!"

"Wha'tcha bae sneakin' up on me for, lass! Jesus Christ on a crutch!" Muttering in an angry fashion, Neddy shuffled her way into the open and just stood there looking at the sawed off shotgun a moment, then peered over at Jack specifically. "Boyo...." All sweet and sappy, toothless grin appearing. "Did'cha bae takin' care o' things?"

The porch rounding the house was listing in a dangerous fashion, but it didn't stop the woman from taking the steps up onto it. Splintered planks lifting beneath her weight, she settled down into a rickety chair and leaned the weapon against the doorframe.

Sketching the pirate a pronounced bow, Ileen's arm swept in courtly fashion urging him towards the speaker of all that was unholy at the moment, with a rather disarming grin. "Your majesty awaits, M' Laird."

At the loud cocking sound, Jack being the knave pirate that he was, stopped behind Ileen, and peered around her. Totally looking like he was going to be using her as a human shield.

Part of him wanted to just laugh at the situation, the other half wanted to duck behind Ileen. Yet once Ileen spoke up and got Neddy to lower the shotgun, he flashed the woman a smile. Before he started to move forward, with a light shove to the bowing Ileen. He'd make a comment to her later on that bowing.

"Aye. We be taking care of those men fer ye. Ye won't be having any more problems with them." Waiting till he was standing at the porch to speak, so neither had to raise their voices to be heard.

Pulling a bottle from next to the chair, it wasn't your typical liquor bottle but a clear one filled with even clearer liquid. Taking a long swallow of it's contents, Neddy offered it over to Jack and wiped her chin.

(Written in collaboration with Captain Jack Morgan and Neddy Smith)

Ileen McGowan · Date: 2012-10-16 13:45 EST

"Buncha fools, I say. Progress they prattle about, progress m' bum. S'solid here, an' ain't no respect for someone's dwelling. Ain't th' best thin' to look at, but it b' mine." Ileen let the two talk for the moment and was making a round of the house. Sucking in a loud breath, Neddy nodded more so to herself than anything.

"Well, I thank yew, guess we bae even now eh?" A squinted eye up to Jack. "Y' remind m' of my boy, youngest one. He went off an' is fightin' som' war, I guess..." In truth, it was all for aires, her words. Neddy had no idea where the boys were. "I ain't got nae use for a home, y' ken? I just dun want t' let it go."

Jack nodded lightly as the woman spoke, before taking the offered bottle for a swig. He would then hand it back over to her, as he had to admit that was a strong drink she was drinking. More than likely it was homemade shine.

A side glance to Ileen as she moved around the old house, before focusing on Neddy again. "Aye. There be people like that in most ports that I be staying in, but ye got nothing to be worrying about. If they be giving ye any more problems. Just be letting one of us know, or if ye can't be finding us. Be letting one of our crew know. " A smile to her saying he reminded her of one of her sons. " I be thanking ye on that. " Mostly so not to be rude, before nodding to her latter words.

Then clear as the day is long, Neddy leaned forward and almost whispered. "So does tha' be meanin' you're staying in Rhydin? Boyo, dun let th' weights hold y' down from wha' y' know an' dream on. It's your passion for th' sea tha' is ingrained in y', makin' yew a good man." Then pressed back to hitch a thumb over a shoulder in regards to Ileen. "Damned two o' y' been touched repeatedly by th' wanderlust...dun deny y' call, would b' a waste t' do so." Not that he had asked her for it, but it was given nonetheless.

His brow rose a touch to that for a moment, with a spared glance to Ileen for a moment as well. Focusing back on Neddy as he spoke low as well. "Aye. I be staying till the winter months pass, then be heading back out on the sea." Mentioning that first, then onto Ileen. "She be unlike the others I be around. I don't be thinking she be running off on me." Still in that low tone of voice. "But it be nice that ye be worrying about that." He meant that.

Neddy chuckled. "Sh' ain't goin' nowhere. Dun seen too many b' trying after tha' one, y' b' the one bringing light to her gaze 'gain. Tha' dun go far for many, but wit' her it goes on for life." Rising, she caught her balance and footing met the top step to give his arm a pat. "Eh, worryin' won't change." Then spying Ileen, she was busy propping a piece of wood against a window that had it's panes all broken. "Dun worry about tha', 'leen, I'm goin' back into the city."

Ileen had a funny feeling she would be coming back to make small repairs, regardless. "I ain't long for this world, Jack..." That being the first time Neddy really called him by his first name and gave him a grin. "I'm tired an' th' Mister keeps callin' for me. I ain't left a huge mark in this life, but dun let them take it, let it sit an' rot if need be, just dun let them take it." Somewhere within, the woman knew the pirate wouldn't let it happen.

(Written in collaboration with Captain Jack Morgan and Neddy Smith)

Ileen McGowan · Date: 2012-10-16 13:47 EST

Jack narrowed his eyes on her for a moment. "If I be taking lessons from ye, then I be turning into a grouchy old man." He paused a step there on that. "She be reminding me of me mom." Admitting in a low tone, before eyeing her again. "Nay. Just be trading ye in for a young woman." Not likely.

Now see, this is where things just went sideways with the pirate and the wench. Nattering on about something absolutely funny and then tossing something serious into the mix. That was the case this time as well. When he paused, Ileen turned and looked up at him as only she could. "That is something to hold very close, Jack." Touch meeting his cheek, before it fluttered away.

Looking to her again with a light smile. "That be why I be having no trouble in helping her when she be coming to me fer help." Murmured to the wench, as he slipped by her a moment. "And the same be going for you, just don't be letting it be going to yer head." Looking over his shoulder at her.

Smacking his ass as he went by, Ileen started walking again and quirked a brow in his general direction.

"Well if it goes to my head, I will be the first to help you find my replacement. I think she should come equipped with a gag, considering how much you simply adore silence and tranquility." Feigning several coughs, she continued. "And let's not forget, she must come with knee pads to aid her in scrubbing your decks, dealing with your constant sarcasm, insults, belittlements, chastising and snoring!"

He looked over his shoulder at the ass slap, then couldn't help but smirk at her. "And I be finding ye a sad little male that be whipped, so ye can be ordering him around." Trying to contain a laugh now. "We might as well be facing that we not be leaving the other. Even if we be having moments, where we be annoying the other."

"And don't forget, our first daughter will be named after your mum and my sister." Giving him a saucy wink, she stopped just as she was about to pass him and mused up to him. "I faced it a long time ago, my love. You're stuck with me and I with you." Glancing back to where they had just come. "I see you with her and it makes my heart ache. Thank you for caring about her as you do."

"If we be having a daughter. I be making sure that she's not lightly you." Smirking at her, before chuckling softly. "Aye. I be the same way." Murmured back to her, then a glance to where they had just come from. "No need to be thanking me. She not be having anyone that be there for her. So it be fer me mom's sake that I be doing this."

"Your mum is proud of you. That much I know." Taking is hand, she gave him a tug. "Come on, we deserve some relaxation out at the cabin. Maybe we can go for a swim and I will be nice to you for part of the afternoon."

"I know she be proud of me." Turning to walk with her at the tug. "Aye. We do need some time off. " A pause for a moment. "And ye should be pampering me." And there was that prized Jack smile at her.

(Written in collaboration with Captain Jack Morgan and Neddy Smith)