[Written] And the good south wind still blew behind

[abidinglaw]

I find that I am forgetting more and more of the old songs.

[He is forgetting more than that, in fact. In truth he doesn't know how long he has been here. Each day he forgets a little more. He is sure that if he puts his mind to it, he'll have to count the time in years.]

And it is true that no-one I knew from home would have accused me of wasting my time unduly with such things then, but I am certain I need not go into detail with any of you about the ways in which Luceti seeks to change a man.

Yet, change us it does. We would do well to take measures to ensure that these changes are for the better. There must be some among you who can speak on this matter.

And others still who know of a new song or two.

-James Norrington.

Comments

[written]

[abidinglaw]

It has put me into regular correspondence with pirates, for one thing.

[This is not a conversation that he sought to have with Hector Barbossa. Not now, anyway. Not directly. His reply, of course, is a non-answer. An overt statement of an evident truth.]

But then as you are so quick to point out, I have, as a result of certain circumstances, served among your ilk in the past. And yes, I may have picked up a song or two that way. I am not sure if I would say that I was a better man for that experience.

[He means to take a jab at the pirate, but writing the words down sets him to thinking. His tolerance of Jack Sparrow may have its root in an empathy whose seed was sown as a deck hand aboard the Black Pearl. He would be a fool to discount the possibility.]

[Written]

[applepirate]

[At least the Commodore replied - Barbossa was not even sure whether he would, seeing as he was more than aware of his opinion of the pirate.]

And I doubt you will say that you being acquainted with more pirates has been the most enlightening of experiences for you here?

[With Norrington's blind hatred of his ilk, Barbossa wouldn't really be expecting him to have changed his views in Luceti at this point, and to realize that they could actually be people too. People who didn't have to be crucified and brought to a "short drop and a sudden stop" upon any possible encounter.]

I was in the British Navy myself for a while, a privateer in the King's court, you know. I'm not sure whether you were aware of that, seeing as you were busy being dead at the time. [It was still fascinating to see the Commodore up and about in Luceti afterwards.] I cannot say it was an uninteresting experience, but in the end I was happy with sailing under my own colors again, you see.

[They did actually have that in common, and it was a peculiar thing for Barbossa to think about. They had basically taken a taste of what the other side was like.]

[written]

[abidinglaw]

No doubt you conducted yourself with all due deference and deportment.

I shudder to think.

[James doesn't take too kindly to the bandying about of the fact of his death, but a rogue is a rogue, and if he permits Barbossa to witness his anger than the pirate will have a potent weapon to wield against him.

For now, Barbossa has that weapon holstered. James is not about to load it for him.]

[Written]

[applepirate]

And no doubt you were a splendid addition to Jack's crew yourself, Commodore. Surely, you wasted no time betraying the poor man for the heart of Davy Jones as soon as you joined.

[Not that he had any guarantees he wouldn't have done the same in his position. Who knew what could have happened if he was around then?]

I will also have you know that I was a trusted advisor of George the Second while I was there and I was granted command of one of the mightiest ships in your Navy, the HMS Providence. [Though, of course, Barbossa would always a soft spot for the Pearl and he had just started to like being in command of the infamous Queen Anne's Revenge.] So I suppose that would mean that your king thought I conducted myself well enough, aye.

[written]

[abidinglaw]

[All of which might just as easily be a fiction as far as James Norrington knows. Hector Barbossa? Adviser to His Majesty King George the Second? The admiral would have difficulty imagining this man as the trusted anything to anyone of anywhere.]

You continue to call me Commodore, and you are quite mistaken. Strange, since you have quite outlived me. So know this - I died an admiral, and I have served as an admiral since.

[Never mind the fact that he gained that rank by betraying poor Jack Sparrow for the heart of Davy Jones.]

[Written]

[applepirate]

[In that case, Norrington would certainly be surprised, for it definitely wasn't fiction. However, there was no real way to prove it here other than Jack Sparrow vouching for him, but who would believe him?

It wasn't something Norrington could hear, but Barbossa chuckled a bit as he wrote the reply regardless.]

My apologies, I merely do so by force of habit, Admiral. You didn't quite stay an admiral for very long back home, you know.

[What Norrington said to him was still a curious thing to hear, which prompted a curious question.]

How is it that you still serve in this faraway place though, I wonder? There's no British king or governor that I can see here.