Tortuga: Roses and Thorns
Tortuga: Roses and Thorns
~Late Nights ~
“Late night Dani?” One of the girls called in a thick accent to another that walked down the way.
“Aye. You look as if you’ve had a bit of a run yourself!” She called back and they both laughed. Dani walked up the stairs of a wooden building waving to another group of people that she knew as acquaintances even if they weren’t friends. It wasn’t really a place or a business that you made friends in. You kept your distance if you were smart.
Reaching into her glove she found her key as she pushed open the heavy wooden door and went inside closing it behind her walking down a hallway. The sound of a squeaking bed let her know that one of the other ladies didn’t quite finish their night of working yet either.
Coming to her door, she unlocked the rusty lock and went inside closing the door locking it back up. It simply wasn’t smart for a working girl that managed to find a place to stay and pay her rent not to lock her door. Removing her shawl and gloves she put them on the dresser by the door, unbuttoning her small jacket and putting that on the dresser as well.
Striking a match she reached up and lit the candles on the wall before blowing out the match. However, she stopped realizing for the first time since she entered the room that she wasn’t alone. She hadn’t realized it before now since the door was locked and there hadn’t been a reason to suspect she wouldn’t be.
Suddenly she was snatched up off her feet with a hand over her mouth and an arm around her middle. Her hands tried to pull the large strong hand that was clutched over her face away but it was a useless attempt. Dani’s feet kicked in midair as she fought to set herself free. Shifting her weight, she managed to make her captor set her to her feet to prevent his dropping her completely.
Bringing up her foot, she brought her heel down squarely onto his foot. Reaching out she swiped her nails across his neck and punched him in the chest. His hand came up and caught her in arm, as he smacked her hard. It stunned Dani for a second, as the blow made her feel as though her eye was going to pop and stung worse than words could describe. Bringing her knee up she landed it squarely in his thigh right in the artery, and then slammed her shoulder into his middle causing him to fall to the ground.
It seemed to be enough to end the fight as the man just lay there for a moment looking as helpless as a turtle who had been flipped on his back. It was pitiful really. Dani was fighting to catch her breath as it took her a moment to recognize him from all the excitement. Standing straight up she swiped her hair back out of her face with a disgusted look on her face.
“Norrington.” Looking him over as she touched her face knowing that there was going to be a bruise around her eye where he had hit her just by the soreness that was already there. “You’re drunk. I told you not to come around here when you’re drunk! Didn’t I!” She hollered at him watching him writhe around on the floor unable to find enough balance to get on his feet.
Dani wiped her eye and mouth on her sleeve walking over and taking off her blouse putting it with her jacket. Reaching in her skirts she took out her coin purse and looked over her shoulder to make sure he was properly out of his wits before she hid her nights pay away. Taking off her boots and her over skirts off she put that aside as well and stretched her back feeling tired. It had been a long night, and she was properly irritated that she had been attacked by this man of all people when she came home. Taking off her stockings she put those with her other things. Hearing a thud she turned to see that James had nearly managed to stand only to fall back to the floor.
With a sigh, she shook her head and walked over lacing her arm under one of his using all of her strength, “Come on.” She said gritting her teeth as she helped him up off the floor. He was hardly helping her at all, and he weighed a ton. Finally with one good pull she managed to get him up onto her bed with a groan. “God . . . don’t you ever bathe?” She asked.
“When the mood takes me.” He muttered.
“The mood hasn’t taken you for a while has it.” She said unbuckling his sword belt and taking it off tossing it to the floor. Reaching into his coat and unbuckling the belt that held his pistol tossing that to the floor too. “Anything new I should know about?” She asked.
“No. Care to frisk me and be sure?” He said in a drab dry tone as he reached for a bottle that was beside the bed, pulling the cork and taking a long drink. Dani reached up and took the bottle from him replacing the cork and he gave her a look. Turning she reached for his feet and pulled off his boots one at a time and put those with his weapons. She started to walk away to go and find something to eat but he reached up and caught her arm. Dani arched a brow seeing the look in his eyes.
Putting her hand on her hip she looked him over slightly, “Going to pay me this time?” She said reminding him of the last fiasco that ended in a fight that made Tortuga’s usual party like atmosphere look like Sunday tea. Norrington opened his other hand holding two coins keeping his eyes on hers. “Steal those did you?” she said still quite irritated at how he first approached her, not to mention the hour since she had quit for the evening a while ago.
“Tell me . . . have you inherited a fortune I am not aware of to not only turn customers away, but to speak to them in such a manner?” He questioned never once letting go of her wrist. Dani clinched her jaw a little as she looked at him another moment.
Jerking her wrist away she reached down taking the coins from his hand and tucking them in a safe place so he wouldn’t be able to steal them back when she wasn’t looking. “You could show a little gratitude yourself.” She said walking over to a water pitcher and washing her face and hands. “I’m the only one who will put up with you and your violent ways, and with your melancholy moodiness.” Giving a sigh she unlaced her bodice before walking back over to her bed.
“Well . . .” Whatever else went on between them, and whatever else they were, she earned her wages. “You paid your pretty penny. What is it you’re wanting.” She said waiting.
“I hate it when you do that, Dani.” He said with a grimace. He motioned for her to come over to him. James moved to sit up and slide back further on the bed and Dani crawled over next to him as he pulled her to him. James leaned his head down to her bosom and started to nibble slightly, but then he stopped and his head started to lean against her chest.
Dani started to laugh as she could feel him almost collapsing against her. “Alright, just . . . you lay back.” She said reaching up and pushing him to lie back against the pillows. “I think you’ll just have to enjoy the show this time.”
Leaning forward she kissed his neck, pressing her breasts against his chest taking a deep breath so he could feel them against him. Her hands unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it open as her fingertips traced over his skin and she slowly trailed kissed down his chest to his abdomen. Norrington closed his eyes feeling her touches on his body just enjoying the sensations.
Dani rested her hands on his thighs as they began to move up slowly pressing her nails against him through his clothing over his hips. Norrington opened his eyes when he felt her unbutton his trousers to watch her. A shutter went up his spine when she wrapped her hand around his member releasing him from his confines and began to stroke him. Dani’s hands pulled his trousers further out of her way as she pressed her tongue against the base of his member and slowly with one long deliberate stroke tasted him from beginning to end.
She pressed her lips against the tip and began to suckle slightly at first and then stronger as she took his slowly hardening manhood into her mouth. James rested his hand on her head as she began her task. Dani vigorously began to take him in and out of her mouth, letting her tongue caress his member, teasing and play as it moved against him. At first, he moved a bit and made sounds of approval and pleasure but they became less and slowly stopped. It only made Dani work harder, until she realized that perhaps there was he reason he was so quiet.
Stopping her movements, she raised her head and looked at him. Narrowing her eyes a bit she reached out and slapped him trying to wake him up. But it was no use, he was completely out. The rum he had consumed won out, and had won the battle. “Bastard.” She said with a sigh. Pulling his trousers back up she covered him rolling him to one side of the bed. Then pulled the blanket over her, and leaned next to his ear. “I’m keeping the money.” Then she rolled over to the side of the bed she was on, and snuggled down to go to sleep.
~Before You Return~
Dani stood over the sleeping mess that hadn’t moved an inch since the night before and looked around. “For the love of . . .” She muttered. Leaning over him she smacked him a few times. “Norrington. Norrington wake up.” She said. “Wake up!” He groaned at first and tried to swat her away.
As much as she hated to do it, she took some water and threw it on his face. That got his attention and he sat up gasping for air wiping the water from his eyes spitting it from his mouth. Not satisfied that he was awake enough yet, Dani picked up a spoon and a metal pan and started banging them together. James thought his head was going to explode at the thundering noise and covered his ears as he hollered for her to stop. Finally, Dani was satisfied that he was awake. “Good afternoon.” She said dropping the pan on the floor.
Norrington jumped again at the horrid sound. “Jesus!” He yelled. “What is the MATTER with you woman!” He said his eyes wide. Dani felt as though it was one insult after another with him since he had come into her company last night, and pay back was only fair.
“I’m washing my linens today and I can’t very well do that if you’re in them. So please remove yourself from my bed, if you don’t mind.” Walking over she pushed him off her bed and started to strip her sheets from it, as well as the covers for her pillows putting them in a basket. James looked a little disoriented as he looked around putting his hand on his head with a splitting headache.
“What is that smell.” He said looking around catching a wiff of something he wasn’t familiar with. It was pleasant, but it wasn’t food. Dani rolled her eyes a little bit as she walked over pushing past him grabbing a few other odds and ends she intended to wash.
“Soap. I took a bath this morning while you were passed out.” She stated. Norrington leaned over and smelled her realizing that she was right, it was her. She smelled of Jasmine and lilac.
“Oh.” He said turning and looking about for his boots.
“You could do with a bath yourself. When the hogs are even horrified of being downwind of you, it’s usually a sign it’s been to long between baths.” Norrington looked about on the table beside the bed, and then underneath it, before looking on the dresser by the door. Dani sighed, “Look all you want you won’t find any. I took it out of here this morning.”
Norrington turned. “You what?” Dani reached up taking down a cloth deciding that was the last bit.
“I took any rum or other spirits I had out of here this morning. Far to many comforts I keep in my room for ones such as you I think. Especially when you were told NOT to come around here as drunk as you were last night.” Picking up her basket she started for the door but Norrington stepped in her way.
“How dare you! What gives you the right! What did you do with the rum that was here?” She looked at him hardly intimidated. Norrington was going to continue to scold but stopped when he saw a mark on her face around her eye. “What is that, where did that come from?” He questioned.
That he even pointed it out, and didn’t remember just made Dani’s temper flare and strengthened her resolve. “You.” She said pushing him out of the way and stepping around him as she made her way towards the door. When she stepped outside she stopped and came back to the doorway looking at him, “Your stench makes even those with no ability to smell’s eyes water James Norrington. Your filthy from head to toe. Remedy it before crossing my doorstep again. I’ve heard nothing but complaints and condolences all morning. Other residence of the building thought someone had died.” It was all she said before slamming the door.
Norrington looked a bit dumbfounded but then clinched his jaw that he had just been told off by a common whore. High priced or otherwise, she was still just a prostitute.
~Working Girl~
“Dani! Hurry up! All the high paying gentlemen will have their money spent before we get down there!” A voice called from the hallway. Dani was finishing getting dressed as she started to put her shoes on.
“Well go on then! I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes Jess!” She called back.
“Alright but don’t be long!” The sound of thundering feet went down the hall as Dani laughed a little to herself as she started to lace up her boot. But she stopped feeling a rock in the toe and sighed taking it off again and shaking it out. A knock came at the door and she put her boot aside getting up.
“Jess, I told you to go on. You’ve got to make your rent, I know. I’ll be along as soon as a I . . .” When she opened the door she frowned putting her hand on her hip. “Well, your not pickled yet seeing as how your standing on your own two feet and not swaying.”
Norrington stepped closer to her and looked her in the eye, “You owe me.” He said before walking past her and into her room. Dani closed the door and leaned against the wall crossing her arms. James sat down looking at her.
“I owe you do I.” She said, having a feeling she already knew what he was talking about. Wondering how he could remember that but he couldn’t remember nearly giving her a black eye. “Seems to me I gave you service already.”
“Do you honestly think I’m going to believe that?” He said crossing his arms as he looked at her.
“It’s not my fault you fell asleep. I did my job, it was you who drank yourself into a stupor so you couldn’t stay awake to receive your pleasures.” She said walking over to her dresser as she took out a comb. Walking over to the mirror she finished fixing her hair.
James stood from his seat and walked behind her looking over her shoulder into the mirror.
She could feel that he was already quite excited and aroused as his hard member pressed against her through his clothing as he moved against her slightly pulling her hips against him a bit more. “You’ve still been drinking.” She said looking at him as he roughly molested her.
“I’m not drunk . . . that was your complaint as I recall. As well as something was to be done about my hygiene.” That was noticeable. He wasn’t exactly a rose, but it seemed that he had at least gone for a swim or something in the ocean and made an attempt at washing himself. Soap hadn’t seemed to be employed but for the most part, it was a great improvement. His breath was still fowl from the rum he had grown a fondness for, but overall . . . he’d made an effort. As half committed as it was.
“What is it you want from me. The streets are swarming with gentlemen who have swollen pockets that I intend to empty. I cannot to that here. Collect your service in the morning when I return.” She said turning to go to the door. However he grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
“I’ll be your first tonight, Dani. Clean and fresh as you are now. Not the last in a long line of men. You already have my money, we will finish our transaction, now.” Dani looked at him another moment before pulling her arm away.
“Then be quick about it.” She said tossing her shawl aside and unbuttoning her coat. “I’ve no wish to be empty handed when morning comes.” Norrington took off his weapons and put them aside, taking off his jacket and boots. Throwing his hat to land on his other things, Dani finished undressing down to her bodice and underskirts and walked over to the pitcher of water washing her face and hands.
Wiping her hands and face dry she took off her blouse before walking back over towards the bed. Before she could fully remove it, she found herself snatched up much in the manner she had been the night before. “Ugh! James!” She said her feet kicking in the air as she finally managed to get her head out of the blouse and threw it away from her. They struggled for several moments, and Dani was fighting harder then before. This time however, James wasn’t nearly as drunk as he was before and his wits were about him. Dragging her over to the table, he flung her against it causing Dani to fall against it.
This was the violent streak that the other girls weren’t willing to put up with, perhaps there were some that might consider it from time to time, but there were other aspects of his person that those same women definitely wanted to stay completely clear from. “James!” She yelled feeling the edge of the table strike squarely into her stomach causing her to cough a few times.
Before she could try to stand up straight all the way, she found a hand at her shoulder blades, pressing her flat down against the table before sliding up and grasping her neck disabling her rather effectively. Standing behind her, James reached down and lifted her skirts finding her secret soft velvet womanhood. He slid his hand between her thighs and caressed her warm sex. Then, his hand moved down and clasped one of her thighs spreading them apart a bit wider as he stood behind her and released his throbbing manhood. Slowly brushing it against her warm sensual sex, teasing her entrance with his cock seeing her hips start to shift as her body grew excited. Pressing his tip against her entrance he pushed himself deep inside of her with one firm deliberate thrust. Dani cried out at the sensation as her hands reached to grasped the edges of the table for something to hold onto.
James finally released the back of her neck and took a firm hold of her hips under her skirts as he began to thrust himself in and out of her quivering body. He was gifted physically and larger than most. She was not used to having someone so large take her, much less take her with such rough and vigorous movements. His hips began to ram his cock harder inside her body, thrusting him deeper inside her, causing Dani’s body to tense at the sensation. She whimpered and moaned as her back arched and bowed in response. But Norrington held fast to her hips so she couldn’t retreat and moved faster and harder inside of her.
Dani’s breathing became labored and her body tensed tighter at the abuse it was reviving, and she bit her lip. Norrington became more determined and he leaned forward moving his hands to her sides to hold her in place as he thrust hard inside her with deliberate movements. Dani could feel her own body start to ebb over and she could barely move, frozen with shivering ecstasy that was causing her body to shake. James rammed harder into her until finally he through his head back reaching his own climax and released himself, with a death grip on Dani’s body so she couldn’t move.
The woman’s look changed at this and she frowned as she reached down and pried his hands from off her body. Pulling her skirts back down she turned around and smacked him hard across the face. James grabbed her hand irritated at her sudden reaction. “Why didn’t you pull out! You know my rules Norrington!” Reaching up she placed her hands on his chest and pushed him back out of her way. “What sort of moron are you!!!” She yelled.
Quickly she walked over grabbing the pitcher of water, a water basin and a cloth as she hurried behind her changing screen. Norrington flopped back on her bed feeling somewhat satisfied with their activities. “You pay, I work, you have whatever fun with me you want, but you pull out before you go shooting your jizz inside me you bastard!” She said still as upset as could be.
“Perhaps I wanted more tonight.” Norrington said looking up and reaching for the bottle that he had brought with him and took out the cork before taking a long drink and replacing the cork and the bottle.
Dani washed herself thoroughly, making sure that she was completely clean with soap and water, even her legs. Shaking her head she put the rag down and ran her fingers through her hair. “Why do you keep coming to me, James?” She said standing up and walking around the screen seeing him laying on the bed. “We don’t even like each other. All I am to you is a whore to be fucked at your leisure and to be treated worse then the animals in the street. All you are is a drunkard who used to be somebody who ended up here on Tortuga like the rest of us.”
“Don’t say that again.” James warned. “Never speak to me like that again.” Dani clinched her jaw and walked over to him sitting down on the bed next to him as she leaned over his body looking down into his eyes.
“The truth hurts, James Norrington. You slam my truth in my face every day you come around my door. Do you think I won’t show you a glimpse of yours when you’ve abused me beyond my point of tolerance?”
James hand shot up and he grasped her by the throat looking into her eyes, “My life was taken from me . . . you chose this life. Don’t presume to compare yourself to me in anyway, harlot.”
Dani reached up her nails bared to claw at his face for his rudeness but it was futile. Releasing her throat he caught her wrists and they struggled for only a moment before he sat up beneath her. Her wrist got free and she smacked him hard, only to have him smack her back. Dani’s temper flared and she started to attack again but he held her at arms length and started to laugh at her struggles.
“OH, you’re a mean one you are!” She roared at him throwing her arms down so he would let her go. “Regardless of what I do to survive, I’m human the same as you are! I should be treated as such!” She said pushing him away. Standing from her bed she reached up grabbing the bottle on the table pulling the cork and shoving it into his hand. “You’ve had your fun, now crawl back into your bottle and leave me alone.” She hissed walking away picking up her skirt to get dressed.
“I’m not finished yet.” He protested when she started to dawn her clothing.
“It’s all you’ll get from me tonight. I’ve already got a late start, and there’s money to be had a plenty on the streets. If it’s more pleasure you want, you’ll have to do it yourself.” She said pulling on her stockings and then her shoes lacing them up quickly. “I’m sure your more then capable. Most men are.” She grumbled. Pulling on her small jacket she buttoned it up looking over at him picking up her shawl. She sighed as she reached into her bodice. “Here.” She said taking out a few small coins. “Get yourself something to eat. Rum is not a food.” Dani placed the coins in his hand before pulling the shawl over her head and heading out the door slamming it behind her.
~Between Customers~
Dani walked along the sidewalk when she saw a familiar face. She smiled walking over to two women. “Hello Dani, how goes it?” One woman said with a thick accent.
“Not bad. Even with my late start my pocket is a bit heavy.” She said. “How about you? Any luck?” She asked leaning against the wall.
“Not doing so bad myself. Those merchant ships always bring in a good amount of hungry men.” All three women laughed knowing it to be true. “I had this one who spent almost his entire pay just on shagging. Can you believe that?”
Dani nodded, “You’d be surprised what I would believe.”
The other girl looked at Dani, “Hey, Jess says she saw that drunkard . . . Norrington heading towards your place. He hanging around botherin you again?” She asked. The other woman looked at Dani as well. Norrington wasn’t unknown to those in the area. He was quite a nascence and a troublemaker at times. The fights he started tended to break out into full-scale brawls and riots. Not to mention he did get rough with the girls once or twice, until Dani was the only one that would put up with him. He wasn’t always so violent, there were his melancholy states were all he could do was drink . . . and even just mope and sometimes in the dark, cry and sob. Although he would deny it until his dying day. To put it plainly, he was a complete and utter mess and had been since he first landed on Tortuga.
“He paid in advance this time.” Dani said crossing her arms. “It’s the only reason I didn’t have him thrown out of my window on his ear.” She said with a sigh.
“Why don’t you tell him to leave you alone? All the other girls have, and you know MacQueen and the boys would keep him away if you paid a pound a week.” The woman suggested. “Why do you let him come around you at all.”
“I’m not paying my hard earned wage to thugs like MacQueen! I have rent to pay! . . . besides . . . I can take care of myself. Just because he smells of a garbage scow, looks as though he wallows in the mud, and has the manners of a pig . . . doesn’t make him dangerous, Kelly. It makes him pathetic.”
Just then a man came up and tapped her on the shoulder. Dani looked behind her and gave him the once over to assess whether or not she would do business with him before looking at the girls. “I’ll see you later, aye?” They nodded and Dani turned taking the man’s arm as they walked off together.