Sea of Love (POTC 2)

Chapter 1: The Key

1729
Annette's POV

The wind was howling, and the mist was surrounding the Black Pearl as we waited for Captain Jack Sparrow to return from his little quest of sneaking into a Turkish prison to obtain what he called a map that would solve our troubles.

I had climbed up the rigging, using a spyglass to look around the ship, spying for Jack. My feet have calloused over the years so the rope didn't irritate my skin like it used to when I was a kid. It's been about a year since I joined Jack on the Black Pearl, leaving my life upon Le Victorieux to sail with him through the Caribbean. For a while, it was the best decision I ever made. My life wasn't repetitive and controlled by my father. Recently, however, Jack's eccentric qualities has made him unreliable, cowardly, and downright dumb. I finally realized why he had so many enemies.

My English has improved significantly since becoming part of an English crew. The grammar was not my strongest suit, but I have caught on rather quickly. Although, I am not perfect. I still make mistakes. I had implored Jack and the men to correct me when I say something wrong, because that is the only way I will learn. Most of them are uneducated, so there was not much correcting going on. I managed to help myself by focusing intently on their sentences, and talking amongst other pirates at taverns that we port at, which I constantly did on Le Victorieux.

Since separating from with my legendary father, I've been able to make a reputable name for myself. The legend of 'Levasseur's Daughter' has become a reality throughout the seven seas, and everyone now knows the name: Annette Levasseur. Rarely do strangers ask me if I am Olivier's daughter anymore. I am happy that I have a name for myself now.

Throughout my adventures with Jack, I learned that my femininity was a great advantage. I earn the respect of other pirates by my leadership skills, not because they think I'm a man. And in fighting, I've learned that if they are deceived by my looks, the battle is half won. If I look sweet, they won't expect me to fight dirty. However, Jack taught me that intimidation is the greatest weapon. The threat of violence rather than violence itself. Jack has a fortuitous sort of brilliance when it comes to strategy.

Mr. Gibbs was drinking rum and started drunkenly singing around the ship, "fifteen men in a dead man's chest. Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum. Drink and the Devil has done for the rest. Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum..."

It was hard to tell where the sky began and where the water ended. Crows cawed all around, swarming the dark ship before flying away to the nearby island where Jack had swam to hours earlier. I had no knowledge as to what he was doing, but I stopped caring a while ago.

I clung to the rigging, scavenging the waters below in an attempt to find Jack so we could get out of there. My hands were still a little slippery after rubbing grease that was leftover from cooking on my forearms to sooth the irritated sunburns I recently obtained. I shoved my leather hat further on my head so it would not fly off in the wind, and I twisted one of my rings around my finger. A distant bell began to toll, which silenced Gibbs.

I wore a white shirt with puffy sleeves that I bought in Tortuga a while ago, paired with my beloved ebony coat and brown linen breeches. Over my shirt I lately have been wearing a black corset stay, which has been helping me feel more supported and I've broken it in enough so it isn't restricting on the least. When I wear my brown seaboots, partially bleached from the sun, my breeches are tucked into them. I have stolen some jewelry throughout my adventures, adding necklaces and gold hoop earrings to my ensemble. One of my favorites was the blue jewel that sat on my finger that reminded me of the Isla de Muerta. I had a satin lavender sash around my waist that held my pistol and a dagger. I started to wear silk stockings, but no one could see them from my long boots.