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Challenge: Breath/Breathing
April 27 , 2005

James Norrington was adjusting to life on a ship. He no longer thought it strange when roused from his hammock in the black of night. He could box the compass. He had been to the masthead. Twice. He no longer flinched at the recoil of the great guns. He had met the gunner's daughter. Only once, but that was enough. He shot the sun daily at noon. He could hand and reef, though steering was still somewhat uncertain. Upon their return to Portsmouth, he found that the flat ground tripped him and the close air choked the breath from him.

By Felaine 
April 29, 2005

~ Luck ~
From the personal log of Hector Barbossa, Captain of the Black Pearl

Sometimes the lightest thing can foul your rigging.

Thought we were in luck, we did; three of the cursed coins in one merchant's purse. 'Course his being in London for the winter wasn't the fairest fortune, but it's not like we felt the cold.

That was our downfall, but it wasn't our fault. Who'd have thought some urchin'd ask his ma why he could see everyone's breath but ours? His ma jumps like she's been stuck and jumps into Pintel. Who jumps into the moonlight.

Well that tore it, curse the luck. Too crowded a street to kill 'em all; so it's back to the inn to regroup after settling our score with the brat and his mother, who caused all the trouble in the first place.

No harm done. Next time we'll wear scarves over our faces.

By Geek Mama
April 30, 2005

~ Heavenscent ~
A sequel to 'Sick of Love'

There was something odd about the light.

Jack stirred, and reluctantly submitted to waking. He took a deep, slow breath and could not stop the smile that tipped the corners of his mouth at the combined scents that teased him: vanilla and coconut (that jar of heaven-scented oil had rarely seen such heavenly use); Elizabeth (heaven-scented herself, truly); and the sea’s breath, lightly gusting through the window they’d left partially open.

Faint shipboard activity could be heard, and the Pearl’s sounds coalesced, tugging at him.

Elizabeth’s head lay heavy on his shoulder, her arm across his chest, her knee between his, her body warm all along his side.

Heaven.

Even if his arm was asleep.

Another waft of sea air, and he breathed deep again. Time to get up.

He opened his eyes. Hair the color of antique gold spread curling over her. Beautiful, though thankfully not long enough to hide other beauties: the dip of trim waist; the perfection of that rounded backside (had he put that mark there?); the strong, slender legs, the elegant ankles and fine-boned, pink feet. All of them delicious. A feast for the senses.

Heaven.

The breeze gusted again, more demandingly, and the Pearl sang in response. He turned his head: the light was odd, casting beams over the floor, making the tarnished tray and the crumbs from the half-eaten pasties glow like treasure.

So that was it.

All right.

“’Liz’beth?” he said softly. He stroked her smooth cheek very lightly with one calloused finger.

She stirred against him. Opened her eyes (wonderful! And calm, now. A wave of remembrance and satisfaction washed through him). Moved her head, so she could see him, her lips curving.

He said, gently, “Pearl’s calling me, love. Have to get up.”

She pouted and curled into him, but then looked around, and saw what was happening, heard the faint but boding resonance.

She looked at him again. “A storm?”

“Aye. Another one.”

She smiled at that. Her hand drifted over his chest. “I’ll come too, shall I?”

It occurred to him that, unthinkable as he’d considered it, his Pearl had a rival here. Or a match, maybe. A happiness too deep for words or smiles, in any case. So he said only, “I’d like that,” and kissed her, just once more.

Always just once more.

By Erinya
May 2, 2005

~ Pearl ~

By Jenthegypsy
May 3, 2005

~ Breath of the Sea ~

His touch was light and teasing, a reflection of the wind, and she moved with effortless grace just to please him. Soon he would leave her in the hands of another; but only for a little, he promised, not like before. Never again like before.

He returned as the sea gathered itself for a fury, allowing no other to hold her so long as the winds blew a gale. Together they battled the storms of nature and mind, he with curses and tears, until the skies cleared and the breath of the sea came light and teasing to them again.

~.~

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