A Rising Sun of Pursuits

[~~*Buffy Bloom*~~]

Jack frowned, and felt a tinge of jealousy at the exchange. And honour us with his company? Please God no. He couldn't bear his...company.

James blushed a little, and smiled, his bright blue eyes shining, "Well, I thank you for your kindness, and it would be my honour to join you."

Jack's mouth dropped open. B*gger.

~~

Evelyn blinked at Will's escape, she quickly followed him, "Will where are you goin'?!"

[~Charlotte~]

Will span around at her words in a rather Jack-esque manner...
"Erm...well you see...as I said. I once stole his ship and erm...his fiance too. So, Evelyn, right now I'm going to find us somewhere to stay which isn't really near....him."

With that he turned and rushed off towards where the harbour master was speaking with other crew members.

~~

Victoria gave a little clap of delight...
"Well then...we'll find somewhere to sleep and eat. Somewhere with real beds and food that doesn't consist of biscuits and rum." She gave Jack a mischievous glance and began to head off the ship, leaving the two men in her wake. She gave Evelyn a pleasant wave as she headed over to where Will and other people were stood.

[~~*Buffy Bloom*~~]

Evelyn looked completely baffled. What on earth was going on around here? And who the hell was this Commodore exactly? She shook her head and followed reluctantly.

Jack frowned and turned to join them, although he looked back to glare at the Commodore.

The rest of Evelyn's crew made their way down as well.

As they were talking, Jack felt someone tap his shoulder. He turned round only to receive and loud slap. He held his cheek with a confused frown, and turned to see who it was.

"You b*stard! You left me in that tiny dinghy!"

Everyone had turned to see what had happened. They all blinked.

Jack bit his lip, then smiled, "Ah! Ana Maria! Fancy seeing you here..." That whole 'can't get worse' scenario was complete twaddle.

Ana Maria folded her arms and glared, "I've been looking for you, lucky for me I wasn't the only one. She wants to see you."

Jack looked confused, "Who wants to see me?" Then it sunk in, "Oh."

[~Charlotte~]

Will and Victoria span around and watched the exchange between Jack and Ana Maria...

"Ana Maria!" Will said brightly...

"Who?" Victoria asked him indignantly, a little pang of envy hitting her in her stomach as she saw Jack's smile...then she spotted the Commodore and his men a few paces behind and turned away with satisfactory smile.

"Nevermind..." Will said, as he similarly noted the Commodore's presence..."Oh look! A bar! I bet they have rum!" He scurried off, nearly flying into Rory...
"Sorry!" he exclaimed, and raced past him and Evelyn into the shadowy doorway.

Victoria watched him go with a look of utter bewilderment on her pretty face. She turned back to Evelyn and gave a little shrug.

[~~*Buffy Bloom*~~]

Jack scratched his head, "So err...where is she?"

Ana Maria smiled at Will, then raised an eyebrow at his behaviour. She turned back and noted Jack's discomfort. "I'll take you to her."

Jack nodded, "Alright..." he knew what he was in for.

Evelyn stood with a blank face. She didn't have a clue as to what was going on. Who was the Commodore? Ana Maria? Who wanted to see Jack? And why was Will acting like an idiot?

Jack turned to face both crews, "Right men...aaand ladies, we err, we have somewhere to go. So...let's go." He waved his hands in a shooing motion.

Ana Maria led the way. Evelyn sighed and nodded to her crew, "C'mon then."

Rory came beside her, "What the hell's goin' on?

"Haven't a baldy." She went over to Will and grabbed him.

They walked along the harbour to a nearby fishing hut. It was quite isolated. Ana Maria walked to the door and turned to nod at Jack.

Jack pouted a little. Evelyn came forward, "I'll come with yer." She didn't know what was going on, but she figured she might find out more.

They both went in. The hut was filled with the strangest items. The aura was all very familiar to Jack.

A fascinating beauty emerged from the darkness, "Jaaack, I knew de winds be blowin' ye me way."

[~Charlotte~]

Will followed reluctantly and watched as the curious woman came out to speak to Jack. Once or twice his eye contact met with Commodore Norrington's and so he stepped forward to stand next to Jack and Evelyn, feeling profoundly safer. Here, he got a good look at the woman before him. She was an ethereal beauty...dark and mysterious. He waited, sensing that somehow she would be able to help them in their plight...

Victoria stood a little way back with the Commodore. Her frown grew as she saw Jack's familiarity with yet another woman here, and wondered suddenly who had suggested Portugal...
She stood regarding the lady and bit her lip nervously...there as something strange about her...

[~~*Buffy Bloom*~~]

Jack smiled, "Tia Dalma..." He moved over and sat down on a chair, "So, you have needs what require you to see me, aye?"

Tia grinned, but her eyes averted to Evelyn. "What a woman ye brought wit ye. Such fire..." she reached out a hand to touch her hair. "...such power."

Evelyn eyes twinkled with astonishment. The woman captured her attention immediately.

Tia looked to the young man next to Evelyn, "An' you...Willi-am...Tur-ner...you...have a touch o' destiny about you..."

Jack coughed, to indicate he wanted an answer to his question, but also that the conversation was verging on awkward.

"Ya know Jack, trouble been stirrin' in de deep blue, an' I know what calls ye, calls all of ye." she gazed at them all, her dark, knowing eyes penetrating them.

[~Charlotte~]

Will shivered involuntarily at her words. How had she known his name?
"Can you help us?" he asked, squinting his eyes as he looked upon her magnificent face...trying to not sound so nervous.

Victoria's lip nibbling had transformed itself into nail biting as she nervously watched the woman...she could tell there was something about her, and it made her uneasy. It was like she could see into the very depths of people...

[~~*Buffy Bloom*~~]

Tia looked back at Will. "It be a deat'-defyin' journey..." She meant it literally, "You be fightin' de very bases of life. An' ya know he be wantin' your souls. It will take you to anoda life beyant dis one..."

Jack frowned. "Another life? As in...after?"

Tia smiled and averted the subject now, "All of ye be needin' a safe place ta stay. Wit such conflictin' people, I'll take ye to a family bot' o' da sea, and de land. Bot' liberal...and royal."

Her words worried Evelyn. Death defying? Were they going to die? Or not? And how did she know all of this? She felt as if she knew exactly why, and who she was...but she couldn't put her finger on it.

[~Charlotte~]

Will looked at the ground and nodded. It was an awful lot to take in...he was fighting for his own salvation, and the salvation of his friends...Jack...Victoria and of course Evelyn. He gave Tia Dalma a smile of thanks and a small bow, which he felt she was worthy of. He looked at his Captain and flashed her a smile of reassurance.

Victoria stared blankly ahead, struggling to comprehend the woman's words. She bowed her head out of respect and turned away to hide the doubts and fears in her eyes.

[~~*Buffy Bloom*~~]

Evelyn bowed with great respect to the woman. She was in awe, as well as in deep confusion.

She smiled at them, but bowed back to Evelyn, "It be a pleasure ta meet anoda O'Malley Queen..." Evelyn eyes shimmered. How...? "Come wit' me..." Tia Dalma led them to the door, where Ana Maria and ordered carriages were waiting for them.

They all got in to the carriages, each one more confused than the other. It was quite a journey, but it gave them time to think.

They passed through a pair of large, iron gates. Once the carriages came to a halt, each of them got out to see a grand manor. Four people were waiting for them in front of the stairs. One of them, a man who looked the eldest, stepped forward, "Tia, I see you have brought our guests safely." He spoke brilliant English, but did carry a charming accent. He was a very handsome man, and was dressed formally. He bowed before them, "Welcome to our home." he gazed at them all, "I am Don Ricardo Oliveira Silva."

The other three walked forward, "And these are my sisters, Morela and Eliana, and my younger brother, Carlos." They all greeted them warmly. The two sisters were distinctive Latin beauties, and Carlos was just as handsome as his older brother.

[~Charlotte~]

Will smiled as warmly as he could, but exhaustion was beginning to creep through his veins...
"We are honoured Sirs, and ladies..." he gave a quick nod of respect, "And are grateful for you kindness." He looked to Evelyn and saw her expression. He felt that sensation again...and tried with all his might to reign it in.

Climbing out of her carriage, Victoria smiled vaguely as she saw the manor house and the stunning well dressed family before her. It reminded her a little of home and she gave a graceful curtsey before standing next to Jack.

[~~*Buffy Bloom*~~]

Evelyn gawped at them, they were gorgeous! God damn. A thrilled smile escaped her lips. What was that about latin lovers?

Ricardo grinned at her, "Why Tia, you never mentioned bringing such exquisite beauties..." he stepped forward and kissed her hand, his eyes still fixed on her as he did so. "What might your name be, my Lady?"

Evelyn looped a piece of hair behind her ear, "Evelyn, Evelyn O'Malley." she beamed.

Rory bit his tongue. This is just what he needed.

Ricardo smiled and nodded his head, "A pleasure, Senhorita O'Malley."

Morela rolled her eyes at his flirtatious manner, "Let us show you inside." she smiled and led the way in.

Eliana couldn't suppress her excitement, and started to ramble as they walked in, "There are rooms ready for you all, we've been expecting you. It is so wonderful to have so many guests. We do hope you enjoy your stay at our home!"

[~Charlotte~]

Will exchanged glances with Rory and rolled his eyes, following the group inside. He glanced around in fresh wonder at the grand house they lived in...stepping inside the cool home was a relief from the humidity outside.

Victoria smiled warmly at Eliana as she followed her into her home and said eloquently, "We're very grateful for this kindness...I cannot extend my thanks enough, on behalf of all of us." She looked down at what the stunning young girl was wearing....
"I do like your dress..." she said quietly, almost longingly...

[~~*Buffy Bloom*~~]

Eliana smiled, "Thank you! You have nothing with you? No worry, I can always lend you some clothes." She felt so excited, and instantly warmed to her.

Carlos' eyes were busy observing the young women that were to stay at their house. His heart was so often falling in love. Then his eyes fell on Evelyn...

Jack noted their surroundings. He felt safe here, but Tia had mentioned about both sides...what did that mean? They didn't look particularly nautical. They were nobles.

Morela moved forward to tell Ricardo that she would go check if the dining room was ready for them. He nodded to her, "Of course." He quickly showed them around the main areas, and where their rooms were.

After about half an hour, they made their way to the dining table. It was a grand room, and dinner was being served by a butler and several maids. Each person was seated.

Eliana pulled her chair forward, "Well, I assume you're all hungry." she smiled pleasantly.

Jack nodded, "Starving." he tucked a cloth into his shirt and dug in hungrily.