Lighten Up Would Ye?

Is it just me or do others think we should have a Davy Jones category in here. there's a barbossa one (which I think should have more stories as well) but there's a lot of DJ out there too... how do we go about asking for that?

again, thanks for reading. :)

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(1.2)


I shook myself out of the initial shock and straightened out the deck of cards. Now that there were six of us, the game would go a little faster and we wouldn’t get as drunk, but I knew that already. It would take a few rounds to get things moving faster.

I felt another presence behind me and with relief I smiled at Bootstrap Bill, who’d moved from where he was before to seat himself just behind me, for moral support, if anything. He knew how nervous I got around the Captain and talked me through it when I needed it.

When the Captain looked at me with blue eyes blazing I felt like dragging Bill above decks and hugging him til his bones creaked.

“The stakes?” He inquired with a hiss.

I swallowed my trepidation and replied as best I could without mumbling. “Play until someone passes out, and keep playing til nobody can move. First one out scrubs the decks tomorrow. Last one ‘standing’ wins.”

I was sure he would balk at the ‘scrubbin’ the decks’ part of the bargain, as I doubt he would actually go through with it. The visual was almost enough to make me laugh aloud. Not that I thought he would be the first one out, no way, not a man as large as him, but it was a fun dream.

“Wins what?” He asked with a flick of his tentacles.

“Respect. Bragging rights. Other than that we didn’t decided fully.”

Davy appeared to think things over a moment, taking a puff of his ever-present pipe. The others remained silent, but slow smiles popped up from a few of the non-participating crewmembers, while the five other challengers sat there nervous. I for one did not want this contest to be about years of service, and I had a feeling Davy Jones would make this a requirement.

He surprised us all by saying, “Add on a four course meal to the winner and cooked by the losers and you have a deal.”

My mind automatically went to food. Fresh fruit, good drink, roast suckling pig, all set up on a table with candles and… and the sweet smell of honeyed bread…

I must’ve been smiling because most of the crew was as well; in memory of better times and MUCH better food than what little we were given.

“Done.”

Hell, he could get that every night if he chose, so it wouldn’t be much of a prize if he won… and watching him cook? I smirked before I could stop myself.

“Did you hear all the rules?” I asked, remembering that he came in around the explanation of the Piss Card.

“No, but I’ll pick it up along the way.” He said with certainty, and I had no reason to doubt him. He was very quick, and although I couldn’t see him as a schoolboy, I knew he learned things better than most, otherwise he wouldn’t be Captain.

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The galley went silent for a moment. I surveyed the room, noting where everyone was. Bootstrap behind and between me and Davy Jones. I spotted Jimmylegs hovering to the Captain’s right, next to most of the newer crewmembers, who stayed close to the participating Mr. Groesbeck, the annoying man who I nicknamed Shudders. He touched me whenever he had the chance, and it made me shudder in disgust… the name was actually Bootstrap’s suggestion after seeing it many times.

After a quick inspection by a non-partial party (namely Koleniko, who also shuffled the deck many times) the six of us brought our full bottles of rum up and set them on the table with an audible clank. I refused to look at Davy as he’d know immediately where the bottles came from and who took ‘em. As it was I think I heard a growl.

By way of the Dice, we determined who would make the first draw, and by all horrid luck, it was Maccus. Thankfully it wasn’t really an action card, and he tucked it away with a smirk.

Next up was Clanker, who drew a 2 and handed them to the new man, Shudders, who obligingly took two giant swigs from his bottle.

Hadrus drew an Ace, and made the rule that nobody could call anyone by their names or titles (in reference to the Captain) with the consequence of taking a shot of rum. I sat there trying to think of a non-insulting name to call Jones when Shudders drew his card:

“Ten, the Truth Card.” He announced with glee. He pointedly looked at me and I rolled my eyes. Snickers were heard around the room, and Davy Jones also turned to look at me, making that pop sound that always mystified me.

Shudders thought a moment before asking, “Isabelle, I’ve always wondered, how do ye bathe on this ship?”

“Bugger off!” Pure outrage…kill… kill! And by what right did he have to call me Isabelle? Only my mother called me Isabelle. Bastard. “Take a drink new guy, you said my name!”

Caught, he muttered something in Dutch before taking another swig of his rum.

“Answer or take something off, lass!” Clanker repeated my rules to me, and I groaned.

“Fine.” No way was I telling this lot, I’d have observers every time after. I ripped my bandanna off much to the loud disappointment of the males around the table. I acquired the colourful cloth from a merchant vessel coming from India and found it useful over the past few weeks. (That and it contrasted wonderfully with the blackness of my hair) Bill wouldn’t steal it so I left it in his safekeeping. With a grin I gestured to the Captain to continue the game.

With surprising nimbleness he picked the top card off the deck with his clawed hand and held it up for inspection. With a grin he showed us the Six.

“I overheard this part. Cheers, mates!” He picked up his bottle with his good hand and held it out. We all grabbed ours and clanked them together with an “Arrrr!” and took a big swig, slamming them down on the table at the same time.

My turn… I nervously reached and plucked the top card… Five. With a malicious grin I designated two to Maccus, two to Hadrus, and one to the Captain. I got glares from all three of em.

Being the first game, it passed quickly and without anybody passing out. Maccus handed out most drinks to me, as our initial bet was between the two of us. I learned that Clanker knew how to play flute and that Shudders didn’t know his letters. Only Hadrus had to take something off, and I couldn’t really determine what it was. Categories were all nautical; boats, famous pirates, sea-creatures. Hearing Captain Jones yell 'Piss Off' four times in an hour was worth the hangover I'd be sure to have by morning. By the end, all but the Captain had half empty bottles of rum and were starting to feel a little strange, especially Shudders and Hadrus (who, by secret pact of myself and Maccus, was destined to pass out first. We would make sure of that). Jones’s bottle was a little fuller than ours, but I noticed his eyes were a little glazed.

Things were going to get interesting now…