Red Cat Jenny

Oh Ill second that cheeky... For me...when I'm working...stay out of my way.

LOL you went to Arrrrbys? Ransom no matter where you are, you always look like you're in charge.

Thats too funny...my dad used to tell us how he tried and tried to teach his Hungarian mom to say "Veal"..theres no V in Hungarian just W. My swedish grandmother always calld me and my brother Yon and Yenny.. I am a total sucker for a man with an accent....eek!

Not a thing...

Early in the morning when the sun makes patterns from the tree outside and the curtain lace..and for a brief time..its quiet and peaceful. Something small yet from the heart..that says "I thought of you" pirates, balloons, bubble soap, snowball fights, toasting marshmallows and fireworks..yeah I'll never grow up my puppy when he's in "fuzz mode"

raid

bombs

Woah...you were? Now I have to watch it again! I love that movie..and yes every time I watch it I say "I forgot how bloody this movie is" lol I worked on the 4th. But the view from the tower with 360 degrees of fireworks and our indoor barbecue salvaged the day.

For mankind..what is the cure for cancer Personally.. When? What is outside of space.. what was the real truth about what happened in 1997 and the answer to round, which I have pondered my whole life.

Dude, thats messed up...you need a lawyer to nip this in the bud. We will keep eyes out for ya and as Blackjohn said, let the mods know if you are harassed in this forum.

The Captain's words were sobering and at the same time a reminder of the differences and yet similarities between them. Their worlds were not perhaps so different in some ways as they had seemed. She had traveled through the better and the worse side of humanity as well as through different lands over her young life. He surely bore more experience than she, but the change in his expression and carriage brief as it had been, hinted of scars he must bear from a life lived in and at the hands of others. This observance called to mind the scar apparent on her own self though hidden, which would always remain along with it's memory owing to a darker time. That memory consumed her briefly as it would when it escaped the place she kept it locked away. Still it was frought with the same sting which hadn't lessened over time. She sipped slowly from her glass but being concious of her station, did not drink deeply to ward off the feeling and placed it as slowly back on the table. Taking up the spoon Miss Ashcombe tasted the stew and savored its quality. The thought of rations becoming meager or spoiled unnerved her as the reality of her choice brought itself plainy to light. She had suddenly entered the war. The words repeated themselves. ..Steward aboard a fighting ship.. "Sir, am I to take up arms? I have no experience in.." He interrupted her query "Miss Ashcombe, every man and...woman aboard this ship, shall take up arms as becomes necessary. You will not be expected to join our Marines in the first line of defense..they are quite capable. However every member of this company shall contribute to the defense of the whole." She replaced the spoon to its rest and suddenly fearful of her limited skills was compelled to silence. Her eyes flickered to the stern windows at the thought of an unseen enemy. Captain Lasseter noting her reaction, took to his meal allowing his words to bear in her mind. He again prompted her to continue her repast and began to explain the purpose and way of things on a Privateer. It would do no good to have a Steward frozen by fear or doubt despite the ability and confidence she had shown. Recalling his own less experienced beginnings, he resolved that she should be studied well in her purpose aboard his ship as he had benefitted in the better of times.

Whoo!

Cat raised her flintlock an pushed her hat back some wit th' buisness end o' it. She grinned openly settlin against th' larboard rail. Laughing Red Cat shook her head at Nate an his antics which somehow did seem ta be blesssed wit' some mighty fine luck. "An ta think Mr. Durant...there ye was floatin by in tha' wee raft o' wreckage.." he just grinned wider an' she laughed agin. The canvas dropped an snapped an th' wind caught th' little sloop up and propelled her across th' waves at a fine pace.

Miss Ashcombe tapped a finger on her glass thoughtfully as she took in all that he said. His laughter indicated she hadn't insulted him. She hadn't intended to insult. It did not surprise her to find he had learned much in his years abroad, however his tale seemed most fortunate. She surmised he must be the son of a merchant Captain or some other businessman to have learned to read. Most likely before he set out. She smiled after too long a silence had passed between them and offered up the newly filled vessel in a small salute "Well Captain Lasseter, it seems then, that a life at sea has been most fortunate for you. Perhaps I shall learn more than musket fire while we are under way."

Miss Ashcombe smiled slowly, her attention on the ruby liquid in her own glass. While she would enjoy the casual parlay, a slight hair tingled at the back of her neck with the conversation turned back so close to her own affairs. She had hoped to draw him into some story of his whereabouts at the time of the vintages bottling. Perhaps talk of journeys far away and unimportant to the present.. She swirled the wine watching the rivulets cascade back into the pool of the glass and answered without raising her eyes. "One does not need to be of high station to have a natural.. appreciation of good things sir.." This was a statement she'd heard eavesdropping on a nearby conversation at one of her Uncles grand dinners. There were always those willing to make a game of judging and speculating on the motives and supposed secret lives of others just out of earshot. It was usually more amusing than the empty niceties traded in the name of propriety. Rather like finding an interesting book on a drab, rainy day. A question came to her then and she quickly answered the latter of his, interrupting the subject with her own query. "My Uncles plantation had a proper cellar stocked with the finest vintages of France, Argentina and Spain."She feigned pause breathing in.. " You speak of wine, of Shakespeare and Chaucer Captain Lasseter. Your accent betrays your country, but your position does necessarily not betray your finer education..were you schooled in France or England?"

Jenny smiled almost laughing in relief and met his toast with a brief raising of her glass, still waiting for her superior to drink before she did. She had worried momentarily that his invitation might have been to sit, but for a lecture about where she may have fallen short or failed somehow. She sat gingerly on the edge of the chair with no ready excuse for whatever knowldge or skills she lacked. There was no defiance in her for this, as he was not or at least had not yet scorned her or looked at her as so much chattle to be dealt with personally only out of necessity. In addition she had no defence, no training, no experience in serving on the crew of a cutter. She did posess enough skills and confidence to know she might live up to the task as learned. But surely things were different in this setting than on a large plantation where money and politics were the necessity of survival. Here she had supposed over her short time aboard, survival meant those things but also many others which would be more important. A company of people at sea would certinly face illness, enemy and the very ocean they sailed upon. She settled more comfortably grateful for the breeze which now brought certain relief and thanked the Captain for his generosity, reaching for utensil and the extra bowl Tjaak had supplied. As she dished a small portion of stew, cheese and fruit, she also thanked fate for his comment which gave them a topic for conversation. Captain Lasseter seemed a kind and fair man thus far, however, she knew little of her employer and benefactor. Murin McDunnough had told her some things about Captain Brand during their time on Martinique and though he seemed also posessed of an even hand, there had been something about him which unnerved her. Being a quick study of people Jenny felt that Captain Lasseter was likely genuine in his comportment but also knew that he WAS the Captain.. and though they were strangers to each other, it was she who was the stranger among them. Should he ask questions in innocuous conversation, she should still answer with caution. Assuredly he would listen carefully to all that was said. What was safe and what was not was unclear at this moment despite the feeling of security in such a small environment. Jenny surmised things could change very quickly if one were to fall under suspicion. Even if that suspicion was not made obvious. "1694..?"

Being later to bring the Captain's fare, Jenny stepped below and was met with a sea of faces. It seemed the whole of the ship was below crowding about the already cramped and heated galley. Her eyes widenened as the small space made the mob of hungry crewmen seem larger and twice in numbers than they did on deck in the open air. She froze momentarily until Tjaak mid grin at some joke or comment no doubt, met her eye and waved her forward with a large wooden spoon. Wielding the same spoon with mock authority and no small amount of humor, he shooed out the latest of his patrons making room for her to gather the tray and dishes necessary. His face was ruddy from the heat and beaded with sweat as he fought the hearth and the advancing tide of hungry men, but his mood was light and he spoke in a friendly manner to her all the while working around her clumsy efforts in order to keep the bread line moving. Jenny tried to work swiflty assembling the Captains meal. But the heat and the closeness of so many along with the jostling of Tjaak and the clang of the ladle every time it struck the edge of the iron kettle, caused her to feel like she was caught up in a storm. Taking pity on her Tjaak paused in his boisterous feeding of the men and steadied her dishes placing a fresh hunk of bread aside the meal. With a wink, he balanced one more wooden bowl upon the already weighed down tray "Now ye make sure to eat as well young miss..there'll be no more fire 'till breakfast" he paused looking skyward "God willin" With a laugh and a few shouts of "Make way, make way for the Cap'ns steward you lot!" he ushered her past the shoulders which seemed to close in behind her as the sea of men reclaimed the space hoping for a ration to go with their stew. Eager to escape the chaos, Jenny hurried as much as was possible laden with the steaming fare. She had kept her eyes to her work and her head down, too self conscious and a little fearful to meet the eyes which surely must have been upon her. Some comments were heard but only few and she tried not to let them penetrate her thoughts as she paused outside the ward room. Jenny set the tray down on the stair and shook out her skirts. She brought a small piece of linen from the waist of her garment where it had been tucked and wiped her face. The galley had been sweltering. She wiped her hands as well resecuring the cloth and smothed her hair before stooping to retireve the heavy tray just as Captain Lasseter answered her knocking. "Forgive me for kncoking sir, but the tray is quite heavy" before she could step inside he had borne it to the table and returned to replacing a ledger he had laid out there. "Thank you sir" Relieved that she had not to teeter on the stair and risk toppling all, she set out the meal waiting for him finish his task and sit. Once he was served, she would wait until he had eaten and take her meal to the stern bench. Hopefully there would be some small and merciful breeze to remove the heat of the galley which seemed to have followed her and cool the flush from her cheeks.

Jenny accepted the loaned item with a grateful curtsy. A book.. a welcome thing which would while away time filled with worrying when one was idle. Jenny read as often as time had allowed between her duties and schooling and always in the morning and evenings to her Uncle's children. The latter memory tugged at her emotions as holding the tome in her hands brough the familiar to light. However, she smiled warmly and thanked him. At the sounds of the change of watch, Jenny was also reminded the Captain had not taken his evening meal. "Will Mr. Whittinford be joining you for supper?" He answered that the Ships Master would be tending to his duties and a light fare would do for himself. "Very well then I shall return shortly.. and I shouldn't worry about the stories sir, I thank you kindly for the company the book will provide " She was going to add that that which the English, Spanish and Irish like himself found bawdy were simply a necessary part of life for the French, but it would have been improper to do so. She put away the book with her things stored upon the small chair in her space and exited towards the galley to bring supper.

Ward Room of The Lucy "Do some good deeds so that the devil, who is our enemy, will not find you unoccupied. For the devil does not take easily into his work those whom he finds occupied in good.. Take that as you will" Miss Ashcombe regarded her employer. He spoke the words with not so much drama, but with the simple conviction of one who believes firmly in what he has said and imparts this thought as knowledge to be passed along. She found it most curious to hear Captain Lasseter and Mister Pew speaking prose which stood out in contrast to their current purpose and surroundings. Delighting in this curiosity, a smile tugged at her and she spoke of her past. Hoping to prompt more. "..I have heard words similar when I lived as a girl in the Colonies. A man came from Boston and read many things in the village hall once. Wise words sir if I may" Some had seemed nonsense to her and some like a sermon. It was a beautiful Summer night in New England and her attention had drifted steadily to things other than the hard pews and musty room where the man droned on in what seemed an endless torture to a young child. Later she would find new and different meaning reading Shakespeare translated into French during her tutoring in Martinique. She waited for his reply

Jenny opened her mouth at once to speak, but paused, having little information. "I'm not quite certain sir, I believe a fight." Dorian's countenance changed "Fight?" amongst whom, Miss Ashcombe? were the men of the Navarra involved? " He waved the latter off realizing she would hardly be able to make the distinction. His expression changed "Were you present?" Jenny did not wish to conjecture on what she hadn't seen, nor speak ahead of the ships officer. "Sir I was not present. only nearby in the galley, there was shouting..Mr. Pew ordered me here, I believe he should be on his way with a man.." There was no more she could offer and Jenny glanced at the door expecting Preston to burst through. "I do not wish to speak out of turn sir, I wasn't there" Dorian focused on her a moment, should she have anything more to offer then turned to retrieve his coat, not wishing to appear too casually as he recieved what news was to come. "Very well Miss Ashcombe, please see them in when they arrive and... you may feel safe in reporting whatever it is you have seen or heard which affects this company. " Jenny curtsied. "Sir" and moved to the side of the table nearer the door to wait. Dorian shrugged on the coat and replaced the tin on its shelf. He continued to pack his pipe needing some small action to occupy his thoughts, forcing speculation out until all facts were brought before him. This business with the Navarra should not weigh so heavily with only a half day at sea.

Galley of the Lucy Miss Ashcombe had sought refuge in the company of Charlie Marsh, his kettles and his matter of fact manner which though rough about the edges, made him seem a simple and trustable soul. He knew his place, kept his opinions mostly to himself and he did not judge those around him nor feel judged by them. Charlie was simply Charlie. Ship's cook. He understood that though his job was not glamorous or even thought of when one took in the gleaming guns and sleek lines of the cutter, he was nevertheless a most important part of the company. Men whose stomachs were filled and who had their health were hard and steady workers. Charlie saw to that. He fed the belley of the beast and prided himself on it though his only boasting was under his breath to the iron cook pot when the temperature in the small kitchen required him to remind himself why he signed on. At the moment she entered, Tjaack had lingered past his watch stuffing his 6 foot frame into a corner out of the way where he worked a half full bowl of meat and continued his argument with Mr. Marsh. They had discussed some history between them now and again owing to their homelands and were locked in a debate over some ancient bit of fact likely distorted over time and tellings. Jenny stood by with a mug of hot broth and tried to follow the argument. As Tjaack emphasized a point he would interject words in Dutch and Jenny laughed drawing an odd stare from both. She quickly shifted her eyes to the floor and the debate continued only to be broken up by shouts from the berth forward. Immediately Tjaack dissapeared towards the fray. Jenny began to follow but Charlie grabbed her with one meaty hand and pulled her back within the galley drawing her further back past his aproned girth. Jenny stood quietly trying to peer past Mr. Marsh and listening just as closely as he. Once the situation quieted she peeked past the hearth and was summoned by Mr. Pew as he strode past flanked by a younger man. She glanced back at Charlie who jutted his chin in the direction taken by Mr. Pew "Go on then!" Ashe once again gathered her skirts and hurried to the ward room. There she found Captain Lasseter filling his pipe from the tin of dark tobacco which stood on the shelf near the cupboard. He turned towards her reacting to her wide eyed expression. Mr Pew had not yet entered nor the young man with him.

The Boatwright's Shop (Discussing the reproduction and use of 17th through early 19th century watercraft and nautical accoutrements The Boatwright's Shop also http://www.applegateboatworks.com/

If you're into GOOGLE EARTH, there are some awesome Nautical plug ins which let you chart your course, show buoys, charts, and other navigational information and even have Picsaweb links so you can preview many places you go. Once you plan your route, you can dump it into your GPS! see these links One Example Its terribly addicting once you get started

My gosh...she said squinting at the bright thingy in the sky...what IS that? Sun?

^ Time.... < If I came upon enough dubloons...I'd spend my time adventuring. All the wee nooks and crannies on the map and those uncharted. A boat, some rum, abundant sunshine, good company and a sense of adventure....weigh well over traffic, credit reports, social security numbers, taxes,working your arse off just to get a free day, user agreements, fine print, pin numbers, regulation signs, baggage fees, hours of operation, cable contracts, cell service areas, spam....frozen food..blah blah....siigh... V agan, pass on the Q