Jacky Tar

'Fore the Cat had a chance t' jawbone Roberts, I pulled him aside, "We've been given permission t' dock in the mornin'. We'll be dockin' at the pier o' the Navarro family; we're flyin' their colors now." I pointed t' the pennant overhead. "Stones knows the port an Dillard can help ye dock the Relentless." "Ransom an I will be joinin' Raphael Navarro fer dinner this evenin'. We'll meet ye at the docks in the mornin', as we'll be staying wit' our host t'night." "I trust after we deliver our cargo, the lads be needin' a little shore leave. I will be aboard t' give those orders." I excused me self, an left t' fetch a few bits o' kit an sundry items, from me cabin. When I returned t' the main deck I looked over at Red Cat, "If yer comin' wit' us, ye better get back in that boat." I pointed t' the jolly boat.

Aye, Red CAt this would not be yer first free drink, an I doubt it will be yer last. Ray a brandy fer the CAt, an a round fer Helios.

Patrick is too modest. I've never been t' PIP, but I've learned a bit, just by readin' how he prepares fer the event. I think everyone's attempt t' make the camps more authentic is very educational.

Evenin' Lily, I see the wizards o' bacon hav struck, again. I was wonderin' if William had any fruit pies in the larder?

Helios, a pirate far from home, says ye. We'd be more than happy t' swap stories wit' ye lad, when ever ye hav the chance. Might even break tradition here an offer ye the first drink.

I sniffed me coat, "Aye, a coat an shirt trade is order, fer me as well as that bath." I chuckled, "As far as the dress goes luv, I'm sure ye'd look better in it than me. I'll fetch it an a few other things, after I've had a word wit' Roberts." Everyone could see the conversation t'ween Roberts an Red Cat was beginnin' t' heat up.

Duck (These are fowl jokes...)

Barbecued chicken Benise Snoopy PoNP

Party lovin' Plunderin' Pirates! (Wot else...)

As soon as the word dress left me lips, I knew it was a mistake. "Nay luv, Ransom is goin' in disguise this time. The dress be fer her." I extended me hand once more, t' keep the Cat from fallin' as she climbed. She was shakin', so hard wit' fits o' laughter, I thought she might fall in the water. Ransom heard the remark an scowled at me.

I turned me head, "Fetchin' some clean clothes... an er.. a dress." She sobers up quick, I thought. "Why don't ye come aboard, I'm sure me new first mate would be glad t' see ye!"

"Look who's up!" I turned t' Ransom, "Yer right, I should o' knocked her out." I looked at the bewildered Red Cat an said, "Just makin' good on me promise wot I'd do, if ye had too much t' drink." "Would ye mind puttin' away that cutlass, while we board? I wouldn't want the crew t' be forced t' repel boarders an try t' shoot ye." Ransom an I turned t' climb aboard the Relentless.

I chuckled, "Most sailors bath little or not at all. Havana was indeed more civilized than most parts o' Europe. The bath house was a luxury not t' be missed an certainly required 'fore ye put on that dress!" While me back was t' Ransom, I knew she caught that last comment. We rowed, the Cat snored an soon we were back t' the Relentless.

Ransom in a dress, conjured up images of a very enjoyable evenin', but why now? "Aye, I hav that dress in me cabin." I picked up a set o' oars. "I think we should go t' the Relentless first, pick up the jolly boat, so the return trip will be under sail. We can pick up the dress an tow this long boat back t' the Rakehell." I could use some fresh clothes me self.

"Only one way t' find out!" I hoisted the Cat over one shoulder, an started t' carry her down the pier. I shot Ransom a look an said, "Hey, it's easier then draggin' her." The Cat went limp over me shoulder, thankfully she'd blacked out. Ransom helped me settle her into the boat. "Ransom, we only hav a few hours 'fore dinner. Would ye like t' help me get her back t' yer ship?"

Ransom an I were almost draggin' Red Cat from the cantina, an she was now drinkin' brandy straight from the bottle. "Gimme that bottle." I snatched the brandy from the Cat's paw. I looked at Ransom, "I think this counts as liquored up." I knew that meant I had t' make good on me threat. We started t' walk towards the remainin' long boat.

Nate an Dillard hav left the Cantina, an only Ransom, Red Cat an I remained. "Ransom, I see Nate is still havin' a problem rememberin' names. May I see the pistol." Reluctantly see handed it t' me, after I promised t' return it. Examinin' the pistol, I found the initials 'JC' etched in the stock. "Wot' was the name o' the captain whom Nate said he served under?" I handed the pistol back t' Ransom, an said, "Watch yer back wit' that one." "So, Red Cat ye'll be joinin' us fer dinner then?" She was still sputterin' an sippin' her brandy. Not waitin' fer a reply, I said, "There's an Arab bath house, not far from here. I think I'll clean up 'fore dinner." I turned t' Ransom, "Hav ye ever been t' one?"

All those in favor of Iron Bess's minimum garb standards fer women, say aye! (Now I see why Herself is most at home in the sea.) ... Aye!

I stood up an looked down at Red Cat, "As yer a guest aboard the Rakehell an not crew, I'll give ye the option o' joinin' us fer dinner. But that offer expires if yer liquored up, in which case I'll row ye back t' the Rakehell me self!" I turned t' Nate, "While were in Havana, I'm leadin' this little expedition. In the food chain around here, yer less then a sack o' apples. Now ye can hand that pistol o' yers t' Dillard and help get those provisions back t' the ships. If ye don't like those terms, yer welcome t' stay in Havana an fend fer yer self!"

"Not directly." I quipped. "Raphael will give us safe harbour." I turned t' Dillard, "I want ye t' return t' the Relentless wit' some provisions fer the remainin' crew. Take Nate wit' ye an deliver the ale an fresh provisions t' the Rakehell as well. Leave Nate aboard the Rakehell." Ransom nodded. "Dillard, Stones knows this port an can help Roberts dock the Relentless in the mornin'. I want ye t' remain aboard the Relentless t'night an help them bring her in t' port in the mornin'." "That leaves us one boat an one Red Cat." All eyes turned t' Red Cat Jenny.

I smiled back, "Aye, the dinner will be grand. Raphael Navarro has quite an appetite fer food an drink. He lives well an entertains well." "Actually, there are three Navarros. Raphael, our host fer this evenin'. Don Jose, Raphael's father. Lastly, Capitan Juan Francisco Navarro, Raphael's younger brother. Juan Francisco is the commander o' the Castillo del Morro, an sent that little boardin' party t' the Relentless." I took a sip o' me drink, "Juan Francisco is not quite as gracious a host as his brother."

"Nate bring yer rum over an hav a sit." "Now Ransom..." I paused an rubbed me forehead, "Navarro pays in advance fer some o' the goods we be carrin' this time. We dock an trade wit' Navarro an that keeps the Spanish treasury appeased. It usually keeps another Navarro, out o' our business." "As fer dinner, I'll be dinin' wit' Raphael Navarro this evenin' an would like ye t' join me." I paused, "I only ask that ye don't dent me skull til' after dinner."

scissors (beats paper...)

I stood as Ransom an company approached our table, "I was just tellin' Dillard we better not return t' the Rakehell empty-handed." I gestured t' the bottles o' champagne, dark rum an a vintage brandy, in the middle o' the table. Ransom still looked liked she'd come t' drop me where I stood. "I've arranged a trade fer a barrel o' ale fer ye crew, as well!" Her shoulders drooped a bit. "We had the good fortune o' meetin' Raphael Navarro, an we will berth at his dock t'morrow; from the Navarro docks we can unload our cargo." I slipped beside Ransom an pulled out a chair fer her. She sat wit' out respondin', an I said, "Ye hadn't fergotten that we hav business in Havanna?" She nodded. I opened a bottle o' champagne an poured a glass fer Ransom. I added a tot o' rum, which was dark as molasses, t' her glass. She stared at the bubblin' brew, an I said, "Where are me manners, did ye hav dinner plans?"

No such thing as common law marriage in California, Christine. So, live t'gether er not, makes no difference (as far as the law is concerned). Love does not always involve a long term commitment, like marriage or domestic partnership. Each person must decide fer themselves, how committed they are t' the other. Sadly, an often tragically, when one person says it's over... it is over. Is it worth the risk? I believe it is worth it.