Mark Andrews
Councellor/First Mate
Forgiveness is between you and God. It's my job to arrange the meeting.
Posts: 160
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Post by Mark Andrews on Jan 31, 2005 0:10:19 GMT -5
Mark could hear someone coming up the mast. He tucked his small notebook into his vest and sat up. Suddenly Eric's head popped up and he climbed into the crows nest. Mark looked at him with an odd look for a moment.
"Morning Eric. It's going to be a good day I think. I've been meaning to ask someone, but do you know where we are going? It seems we're just sailing to nowhere if you ask me."
Mark smiled a bit and looked out over the ocean. He noticed something in the distance to the East.
"What is that? Looks like a ship. What do you think mate?"
Mark said as he pointed to the object. He pulled out the spy glass and took a look.
"I can't tell what it is. But I'm pretty sure it's a ship."
He stood up with much effort in the cramped space.
"Should we tell Jack? Or wait and see if it goes away?"
Mark asked Eric with a smile on his face. Maybe after all this time they'd get some action.
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Post by Eric Jackson on Jan 31, 2005 1:32:46 GMT -5
*Eric raised a curious brow when Mark said he thought it would be a good day and didn't even know where they were headed. He opened his mouth to answer when a spyglass was pulled out and Mark was eyeing something that he was sure was a ship. Eric reached out and snatched the spyglass, aiming it in the direction of the object in the distance. Suddenly he laughed, shook his head, and tossed the thing back to Mark.* Mate that isn't a ship, it's an island. Jacks sailing to it, we should be there soon enough. *He stated, sitting back down and placing his hands behind his head, looking up into the greying sky.
He sat there silently for a couple of moments when he heard the word "bastard" muttered from somewhere down below. It had become a name he heard often from Evelyn and he assumed thats who it was coming from this time. He peeked his head over the edge to look down at her, grunted, and looked back at Mark.* As for where we're headed I haven't got a clue. Jack seems to though and thats good enough for me. Besides looks like a storm might be coming in so who knows where we'll be blown off to! *He explained, hoping that settled the guys questions.
He could tell Mark was lusting for some more action. Even though Eric had a past that would be pleanty of adventure for anyone he still always liked a bit of action himself. Or at least he did now that he had Evelyn, someone he could share in the drama with. Even if they were on ragged terms at the moment. He knew they'd find a way around it, they always did. Eventually he would tell her what was bothering him, but for now he wanted to remain up here in the crows nest, keeping his thoughts to himself.*
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Mark Andrews
Councellor/First Mate
Forgiveness is between you and God. It's my job to arrange the meeting.
Posts: 160
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Post by Mark Andrews on Jan 31, 2005 23:38:38 GMT -5
Mark sat back down in the nest when he found out it was an island. He looked up at the sky. Clouds were building up and darkening.
"So much for a good day...eh mate?"
Mark sat silent for a time, and thought his thoughts to himself. He turned and looked at Eric.
"You and I really aren't that different from what I understand. We've both had our share of hardships and good times. You are one of the few people on this ship that I truly trust. That's a lot coming from me. I'm slow to trust. I don't know you that well, but I can sense these things you know? You're a good guy Eric. Don't let anyone ever take that away from you. Because if you loose yourself, you've lost everything."
He was more or less describing himself and warning Eric of what happens when you loose yourself. Mark had changed and everyone knew it. There was a darker aura around him these days. He'd lost himself he knew...he only hoped he could find himself again before it was too late. He put his arms behind his head and closed his eyes. He wondered where the wind would take them next.
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Post by Evelyn on Feb 1, 2005 0:43:16 GMT -5
Evelyn gnawed her nails a bit again but soon touched skin and spat. She shook her head slightly again disgruntedly. She chouldn't help being in a bitter state like this. She'd have to fight her way through this one and it very well could last for a while. Evelyn was never good at fighting her own battles. At least the ones in her head. Toss her a sword or a pistol any day but Evelyn couldn't stand facing some of her demons. It had always been a weakness really, not being able to rid herself of them. She'd either be in great denial or would simply shrug them away, figuring dwelling on it wouldn't help.
It was what had become of her dreams of late. Evelyn had never truly thought of ways to free herself of them. They occured every night for so long that she figured there was no way to get rid of them. Night after night she'd wake, the same images, the same thoughts, the same pain. Sometimes it was worse than others, sometimes it was but a smell that came to mind, sometimes just a face, yet they all remained attached to the same nightmare.
Come to think of it, anytime Eric would try and help her through it she did seem to push him away. "Not your fault..." she repeated to herself sternly. That was just the way it was and he had to accept it. Finally, she found her hand digging into her sash and fishing out her small flask of rum. She took a long, hard, swig and cringed slightly as the liquid singed its way down her throat. She wiped her lips once, gave a sigh, stared idly into the contents of the swirling dark liquid again, and took another long swig. Drown it away...its what she was good at...
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Post by Eric Jackson on Feb 1, 2005 1:02:11 GMT -5
*Erics dark eyes shot towards Mark and lingered there for a long moment when the man said he was one of the few that he truely trusted. Eric remembered their prior trip, the way Mark had abandoned the trust of everyone when he was left in the jungle. It was afterall they were on this journey now in the first place trying to get the Pearl back.
Eric smiled back at him and gave a bit of a nod. He had lost him self a time or two but always found his way back. Glancing over the edge of the crowsnest down at Evelyn his smile grew. She was the real reason he found himself again. Without her he'd be one of two places, miserable or dead. Finally he sighed heavily.* You're a good guy too....when you're not blowing up ships. *He added. It still bothered him the guy had done that but he figured his reasoning was good enough. At least he was helping to get it back.
He reached out and gave the man a pat on the leg.* Well I better go back on deck. *He said and scrambled down from the crows nest, stopping right in front of Evelyn who was wiping some rum from her lips. For a moment he just stood there before finally he smiled a little.* So...uh....looks like we'll be going ashore for a bit soon. *He said trying to cut the tension between them. It was like trying to cut through a steak with a spoon, odds were it wasn't going to happen anytime soon. He wondered if she'd ask him why he'd been such an ass the past few days or if she'd just let it go and bring up another topic.
He wanted to tell her what was bothering him. He wanted to let her know how much it bothered him that she'd push him away from the one thing she needed the most help with. He never liked it when she didnt want his help. His love for her was so strong that he felt it was his duty to take care of her. The fact that she still refused him at times seemed to cut him though he wasn't sure why. He knew what her past was like, how much it hurt her to bring up. It had taken her years just to share some of the story with him. He doubted he could ever truely help her with it but he wanted her to let him try. The more he thought about it the more he figured he should just give it up. Thats the only way he was going to make peace with her again at the moment.*
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Post by Evelyn on Feb 1, 2005 1:14:36 GMT -5
Evelyn's mind swirled slightly and for a few moments had lost herself within them. Although her eyes peered straight ahead, unmoving, she did not take in the skies, nor the calls of distant gulls as they approaced the shores at the horizon. The smell of rum was all that consumed her at the moment. It tingled her senses and frowned slightly as she peered down towards it again. Taking another swig she heard a voice finally break through to her and she lifted her gaze to see him standing there.
She rolled her eyes immediately. Now he was going to try and make things better. She hated how he did this, pissed her off and then attempted to befriend her seemingly moments later without any type of explanation. His phrase was hollow, he was obviously testing the waters with her and for a moment she veered towards letting it go, allowing them to be on good terms again, but she knew that would never work. With her it was always a fight or a struggle. She could never settle with just being OKAY with things, at least between her and other people.
She supposed deep down she felt if they fought her for it, they wanted it more. "A struggle earns more than no effort could achieve." Her father used to say as he would work tediously over maps night after night.
"Yes, it seems so.Good thing too, I needed a bit of a change of company." She half spat and looked away. She wasn't about to ask him straight out, she'd remain a bit bitter. In her mind it was his fault anyway. He was the one who abandoned her that night, the one who fled while she was passed out drunk, the one who insisted on talking about things that would never change.
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Post by Eric Jackson on Feb 1, 2005 1:26:20 GMT -5
*Eric fidgeted a bit in his spot as Evelyn took her time answering him. However her reply was hardly what he wanted to hear, not to mention the way she quickly looked away from him. He frowned a little and his jaw clenched. So she was going to make this difficult, he was dumb to think it would have been any other way. He had been with her long enough to know she never just let things slide, she always had to give him a run for his money.
He grunted frustrated and ran a hand through his blonde locks, looking out towards the island. His eyes narrowed a bit and he glanced at her out of the corner of them.* You have a point there. *He stated bitterly. For a moment he wondered if she honestly wanted to get away from his company or if she was simply trying to piss him off. Sometimes it was hard for him to really tell.
He was about to walk away when he decided to give her a run for her money as well. She wasn't the only one that could play at this game...even if she was better at it.* If you're lucky there'll be a tavern there you can hide from me in. Seems like you'd prefer it that way. *He said in a sour tone, staring at her firmly.*
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Post by Evelyn on Feb 1, 2005 1:39:01 GMT -5
Honey colored, rather warm eyes turned fierce at Eric's words. She shook her head. Eric's words hurt, but she supposed she couldn't expect any less. He was never one to be the one to back down from her easily. He always had to drag it out with her. Rolling her eyes she spun around to face him. "Tavern? What's THAT supposed to mean, 'xactly, Eric?!" She asked, lifting a curved brow and curling her fists. Her eyes narrowed and she bit her lip as if keeping real nasty phrases from escaping her lips, at least for the moment.
"Y'know, what if I do? I bet tha's what you'd like, isn' it? Watch me wander off so you could get an excuse to act completely like yourself and wander into some brothel, eh?" she asked with a roll of her eyes. "And HIDE from you?" Evelyn let out a sharp laugh at his comments. She then let her body go a bit lax and leaned her back onto the mast and crossed her arms again. "Eric mate, I don' hide from anythin'. Don' flatter yerself with thinkin' I'd go out 'f my own way ta simply stay outta your way. You jus' make sure not ta cross my path until ye've dealt with problems you OBVIOUSLY have with me, savvy?" She stated with a deadly stare.
She snorted a bit but simply stood in front of him for a few moments expecting a full row and slur of words to come lashing back at her. She deserved no better she supposed, Eve had gotten used to these sorts of spats, but somehow whenever Eric uttered anything hurtful towards her, it hit somehwere different...somewhere softer...and try as she might she couldn't keep him from hitting that vulnerable piece of her...
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Post by Eric Jackson on Feb 1, 2005 1:52:03 GMT -5
*The fire that erupted in Evelyns honey eyes told Eric that his words had struck a cord with her. And though he figured he'd feel bad later on for saying them at the moment he didnt care. He wanted to see a reaction from her.* What do you think it means? *He answered, leaning against the gunwall and folding his arms across his chest. However when she retorted about him being himself and wandering into a brothel he looked shocked for a moment, then hurt, and then just pissed off.*
What the hell do you mean by that? When have you EVER seen me in a brothel? Dont just make up crap because youre pissed at me Evelyn. At least I wasn't lying. *He snapped defensivly. When she mentioned the part about not going out of her way he laughed annoyed.* Trust me, Evelyn I know you'd never go out of your way for my good. *He stated though he knew that wasn't true. There had been quite a few times she risked everything for him but that wasn't the point right now. He rolled his eyes and looked away as she gave him a deadly stare.* I am having a problem with you, Evy but you know what? Its your own damn fault. If you'd just stop pushing me away on the things I want to help you with the most it would make things a hell of a lot easier. *He said, his voice quivering with anger.
He stared her down for a long moment before finally looking away again and shaking his head. Maybe it was best if when they got to the island they did go their own seperate ways for a bit and cool down. It was obvious they weren't going to get anywhere right now.* Gah, just forget it. When we get to the island i'll split for a while. If it makes things easier then that'll be great. *He said and turned to walk away when he quickly spun around, not wanting to sound like he had just given up he had to think of osmething else to say.* BUT....this isnt over yet. *He said and turned again, walking back towards his cabin.*
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Post by Evelyn on Feb 1, 2005 2:07:26 GMT -5
Evelyn kept her gaze steadily on him as he retorted at her. She ran a hand through her hair in frustration, ruffling up her curls, and sweeping them back a bit. True, she had never had any notion Eric would ever do anything like what she had mentioned. In fact, his mother's past would probably keep him far from anything remotely related to that but she could care less really. It was hitting her she had nothing horrible to say about him and she was frustrated all the more by it. "Gah..." she gave a bit of a low growl and her throat seemed to swell.
Frustrated tears seemed to be forming, a small, crystal, bead gently running away from her and slipping down the corner of her eye. "Never go out of my way for your own good? Eric...yer bloody stupid sometimes, ya know tha'? Don' ya ever say I've never done anythin' for ya. If that's not a blatant lie I dunno what is." She had taken a few steps forward, inching herself closer to him, but stepped back as he spoke again. "My fault?! Oh God...what do you mean help? You know if anythin' all ye've done is dragged it on worse than ever. I, my..." she struggled to keep the words flowing as her throat thickened unexpectedly.
"My bloody past isn't something I need to fix, savvy? Its done...there's nothin' I, or you can do ta change it, ya hear? So...w,would..." her voice broke slightly. "Would ya bloody please stop trying to fix it?" Her voice was half pleading now but there was a sincere fire still burning in her eyes that she rarely directed at him.
As he began his walking off she crossed her arms and bit her lip, her eyes watering slightly, and she sniffled. "Yes, go you're own way. Perfect." She stated finally. Evelyn hated going after Eric time and time again. He seemed to find his way out of their arguments by walking off and honestly, she was starting to feel quite abandoned by him. Yet, she couldn't blame him. She'd probably do the same.
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Post by Eric Jackson on Feb 1, 2005 2:26:08 GMT -5
*All Eric had felt up to this point was anger but when he noticed a single tear escape Evelyns eyes he frowned and wanted to wipe it away, give up trying to win the argument and just let her know things were going to be okay. But he just couldn't, both were too stubborn for their own good and at times it made things far more difficult then they needed to be.
When she mentioned his statement about her never going out of the way was a lie he said nothing. He knew it was, it was obvious that it was. But he had to say something and at the time that seemed like the best thing. He'd appologize for it later if he needed to. Right now he was too upset to be truthful or even care for that matter.
He was about to say something again when she said something that cut him deeper then a sharp blade and for a moment his breath caught in his throat. Angry, hurt tears formed in his eyes and he fought to hold them back.* Im not trying to drag out your past....I know it cant be changed. Thats not what Im trying to fix. If you'd pay attention to what I say you'd know that! *He yelled angrily.* I just wanted to fix your nightmares. You fixed mine...its not fair I cant fix yours. *He said and continued to walk off.
He ignored her last statement however he did begin to walk slower. After a bit he realized his footsteps were the only ones he heard. She always came after him when he stormed off like that, why wasn't she doing it now? Was she really going to go her own way when they got to the island. He stopped in his tracks and glanced over his shoulder, pondering going back to her. If he did he would be admitting defeat but if he didnt he was afraid he'd hurt her further.* Bloody woman...does she know how to just be simple? *He muttered, turning and trudging back towards her.
When he got back to her he rubbed the back of his neck for a moment then shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels.* Im not going to stop trying, Evelyn. I cant, Im sorry. I dont like it when things are kept from me. My mother did it and now youre doing it and I dont know why. I know it hurts you, Evy....but you should be able to tell me and it bothers me that you cant....thats all. *He said, eyeing her curiously for her reaction. She still seemed rather angry, he wasn't sure what she'd do with his statement.*
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Post by Evelyn on Feb 1, 2005 2:40:00 GMT -5
For a moment, Evelyn could do nothing but blankly stare at the wooden, worn, floors before her. The ship swayed gently and she moved very little. His yelling continued and she shut her eyes as if that would help block out the screams. She didn't care what he said anymore, she'd had her fair share for the day. As he mentioned not being able to fix her nightmares she only frowned and buried her face in her arms, pulling her knees up to her chest, and just sitting there. She steadied her breathing, hoping it would keep her throat from swelling so much.
She swallowed hard and for a moment was happy to know she had helped him in someway. "Eric...ya knew 'bout my nightmares mate...ya can' expect ta change 'em...'m sorry..." she said in a feeble tone as if apologizing for his pain over something so small. "I don' mean to keep it from you...its not somethin' I hide ya know. Actually, I'm quite bad at it obviously, since you've been able to see it so much." She lifted her head from her arms and looked upwards at him as he towered over her, giving her an imposing feeling. He seemed so right, in his words, his meaning, his actions, she knew he was doing it for her own good, but she couldn't open that part of herself for him.
For a moment, she found herself completely gravitated towards him. If she could she would just forget about the argument and crawl towards him, he'd offer her shelter, she knew it. Even through hell she knew deep down he'd give her solace, that comfort she so desperately had missing from her life the moment her father was taken from her, but she felt unfit for him at the moment, she was in the wrong this time, and she felt unworthy when he had been nothing but good to her she had spat in his face, and she hated herself for it.
"I jus'...I can'...I mean if it were a bloody map...I could lay it out, if it were a chest I'd spill its contents before ya, really, I would." Her voice broke a bit and she stuttered slightly. Her eyes passed around the decks and she spotted some of the crew. She gave another groan, she hadn't meant to do this in front of them. Instead she resorted to burying her face back onto her folded arms again.
"Eric I'm so sorry...'m a bloody mess...you knew it...an'...I dunno..." her voice faded slightly and she, Evelyn Pearl, for once had no words left to say. It was a rare occasion, yet never seemed more appropriate to take place then now.
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Post by Eric Jackson on Feb 1, 2005 2:58:42 GMT -5
**Eric stood quietly as Evelyn spoke her mind to him. The lump returned to his throat and he kneeled down in front of her as she buried her face in her arms. He couldn't think of anything to say in return. When she said she was a mess Eric smiled a little and reached out, stroking her hair with his hand before slowly pulling it away again incase it was an unwelcomed touch.* Trust me, Evelyn, you're not the only one. *He said. His life had been a whole string of messes and she knew that. Everyone had their own closets that were long overdue for a dusting.
He shifted so that he was sitting down in front of her and he placed his elbows in his lap, propping his chin up with his fists. For a moment he simply gazed at her, wondering what else to say. As he glanced around he noticed the crew for the first time since the argument began. Some were starring others seemed to be minding their own buisness. Either way he didnt care, it wasn't them he was focused on at the moment. They should be used to these outbursts by now anyways.
With a heavy sigh he ran his hands over his face and let them come to a rest again in his lap.* I wont push you for it right now, Evy but someday....someday I want you to let me into that piece of you. *He said in a tone that stated he didnt want any kind of answer to that statement. As he glanced back out at the island that was drawing ever closer he rose heavily to his feet and looked down at her.* If you still want to go seperate ways when we get there I will. But personally....I'd feel better if I were with you. *He said, extending his hand to help her up if he wanted it. If she didnt take it that would be answer enough and he'd leave her alone. But seeing her like this hurt him. It wasnt often she showed her vulnerable side and when she did he knew it was because she was really hurting. Maybe he couldnt fix her nightmares, but he could at least make her happy. If nothing else he wanted to do at least that.*
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Post by Evelyn on Feb 1, 2005 3:11:53 GMT -5
Evelyn remained in the dark as he spoke to her again. The warm touch upon her head was a much needed one and she found it helped ease the immense swelling she felt deep down. Her eyes were now blotched with would be tears and she gave a sniffle before she was able to finally lift her gaze to meet his. There he was sitting in front of her and she almost wished they didn't have to do anything but sit there, just being in eachother's presence, without the complications. Just the rocking of the sea, the creaking of wood, the cool salty breeze, and them.
As he stated someday he'd like to be let into that realm she often barred from his presence she nodded slowly in unabated compliance. She figured if anything that would at least settle the argument for now and they could go on with their lives for the moment. Wiping her eyes with her sleeve rapidly she looked upwards as he stood and lingered upon his hand. For what seemed like an age she examined it thorougly. The hard lines that had creased it through wear. His plump, hard worked, hand was full of many things, defeat, acceptance, but most of all love, and that above all was the reason she reached out and took it.
Firmly grasping his, she felt him give her a gentle squeeze before hauling her up abruptly and she suddenly felt out of place being so close to him. Evelyn stood within inches of his face and her eyes darted towards his lips before meeting his eyes. Even then she wasn't able to meet them for long and had to tear them away, afraid something mysteriously, irrevocable might pass between them. Evelyn had never been one whom you could stamp anything permanantly on. She wiped her hands a bit, then again wiped her face before staring up at him. "Heh...bloody tree." She said simply, before unexpectedly swinging her arms around him and clinging to his waist. She needed this desperately, needed him now, needed something to respond to her. In her dark nights and hours she always had found some sort of solace in him. For a few moments she simply closed her eyes, awaiting that inevitable returned embrace. The thought had crossed her mind that he could simply go to push her from him, but Eric had never been that kind of man, and she loved him for it.
"Y'know Eric..." She peered up at him then, resting her chin upon his chest as she spoke and smirked merely slightly, deeming that if it had been her voice it would have been as light as a whisper. "Ya have helped me..." She then stood upon the tips of her toes and inched her lips close to his ear, cheek gently resting against the side of his face. "After my nightmares...I see you..." She said simply. It was all she thought she needed to say, the rest was unexplainable. Her arms only tightened around him, her head tilted onto his chest, and she breathed in slowly. He might not see it, but he truly had been helping her everyday, without saying a word...he had helped her more than he obviously knew...
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Post by Eric Jackson on Feb 2, 2005 0:11:31 GMT -5
*Eric smiled slightly as she nodded her head in refrence to her letting him in. Whether she meant it or was simply doing it to end things didn't matter to him, at least it was something. When she grasped his hand his smile grew and he gave her own hand, which was sizeably smaller then his a gentle squeeze and quickly pulled her up. They were on good terms again, he always liked it better this way. Evelyn was all he had in the world and it bothered him when she was angry at him.
He laughed when she called him a tree and rolled his eyes, holding her as she threw her arms about his waist. He looked down at her, his eyes wandering about her face before landing on her eyes again and he gave her a sideways smile.* Shrimp *He grunted. She whispered to him, resting her chin on his chest as she looked up at him.* What? *He asked and a second later she answered. A gentle warmth filled his brown eyes at her words, they were what he had been wanting to hear for days now. Maybe he hadn't helped her in the way he would have liked to but the fact that he helped her at all comforted him. He wanted to take care of Evelyn, watch over her. It was still a miracle to him that they were even together at all. Not just because they were polar opposites, but because of the fact that so many years ago when he was merely fourteen years old he thought she had died in the same pirate raid her father had. It had broken his heart though he had only known her a brief time before that. Then, to stumble across her again nearly a decade later and be with her the way he was now...it astounded him.
He pulled his cheek from hers and looked at her when she told him that after her nightmares she always saw him. Silently he stood for a long moment and when she rested her head on his chest he softly stroked her hair and glanced back out at the island.* And it'll always be that way. *He said. After a moment he grinned and looked back down at her. Eric had grown to be the type to crack a joke after a serious situation.* Well at least it will be if you stop throwing shoes at my head, breaking down the house door when you're being chased, picturing me in brothels, and punching women who have a crush on me. *He chuckled, winking at her. Then quickly added,* Nah, scratch that last part...she deserved it. *He laughed.*
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