luvvycat ([info]luvvycat) wrote,
@ 2009-07-03 00:58:00
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Entry tags:drabble, fanfic, jack sparrow, norrington

Drabble Challenge: "Commandeered"
Title: "Commandeered"
Author: [info]luvvycat 
Characters: James Norrington, Jack Sparrow
Rating: PG13 
Prompt: Enemy
Word count: 100
Disclaimer: PotC is Disney's, not mine. *sniff*

 

"Ah, James... 'tis James, innit?"

"Sparrow…"

"That's Captain Sparrow t'you. My ship. My rules now." An arm draped his shoulders, voice pitched conspiratorial-low. "I'm not your enemy, mate…"

"I beg to differ…"

The arm tightened; silky-steel hissed in his ear, "Take it from me, ex-Commodore… Y'don't want to be my enemy. Just ask Barbossa. Oh, I forgot… y'can't— he's dead." Threatening gold flashed. "Savvy?"

Sigh. "Your point, Sparrow…?"

"Captain Sparrow. Now, Lizzie's taken pity on ya… asked me t'play nice. But you? Can you sail under a pirate's command? Or can you not?"

Reply grated through grinding teeth: "Aye-aye… Captain."

 


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[info]sunsetdawn20
2009-07-03 11:22 am UTC (link)
I really liked this. Great drabble. I love that dangerous streak in Jack.

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[info]luvvycat
2009-07-03 12:52 pm UTC (link)
I love that dangerous streak in Jack.

Oh, me too! I find it rather thrilling whenever we get a glimpse of that "dark Jack" -- the one who could coolly shoot Barbossa, or take down an entire shipload of soldiers and sailors without batting an eye to get his revenge on Cutler Beckett. (Can you say "collateral damage"?) ;-)

He hides so well behind that affable, slightly befuddled mask that one can forget that, underneath it all, he IS a ruthless pirate, sharp and dangerous as a well-honed weapon. Though he avoids killing unless absolutely necessary, the message to James here is fairly clear: "Don't give me a reason to want you dead, mate."

I really liked this. Great drabble.

So glad you liked it! Thank you so much for taking the time to read, and Comment!

-- Cat

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[info]kseenaa
2009-07-03 01:47 pm UTC (link)
I to really like that dark and dangerous streak in Jack. And this showed it crystal clear. To bad Norrington was in the receiving end. Oh well. I think he can give as good as he gets. And be a good pirate in the process!

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[info]luvvycat
2009-07-04 12:40 am UTC (link)
I to really like that dark and dangerous streak in Jack. And this showed it crystal clear.

Yes, I love that aspect of Jack's character as well! And how easily he can drop, in the blink of an eye, from the "wobbly-legged pirate" persona into "dark and dangerous" mode!

Of course, in terms of cinematic characters, I've always found the "bad boys" more interesting than the squeaky-clean hero! And Jack is (IMO) incredibly fascinating!

To bad Norrington was in the receiving end. Oh well. I think he can give as good as he gets. And be a good pirate in the process!

Yes, that famous Norrington rapier wit and barbed tongue. Glad to see that wasn't diminished by his descent into ruin and alcoholism. And I think you're right ... Norrington might have made an excellent pirate, if only he'd abandon his stark "black-and-white" view of the world, and let himself bend the rules every once and a while--venture into those "grey areas" between the lines.

Ah, but then, I guess he wouldn't be the Norrington we all know and love! ;-)

Thank you so much for your wonderful comments!

-- Cat

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[info]sharklady35
2009-07-03 03:09 pm UTC (link)
Yep; I can easily believe they had an exchange like that when Norrington first came aboard the Pearl.

A lot of pirates would've done far worse to a guy who'd tried to hang them, so Jack's really being quite restrained (though James would be well advised not to give him any further provocation...)

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[info]luvvycat
2009-07-04 07:58 am UTC (link)
Yep; I can easily believe they had an exchange like that when Norrington first came aboard the Pearl.

Yes ... Jack would certainly want to lay down the "ground rules", and let James know in no uncertain terms that he's on Jack's turf now.

A lot of pirates would've done far worse to a guy who'd tried to hang them, so Jack's really being quite restrained

Yes. Fortunately for James, Jack's not your typical pirate. More into manipulation than outright violence (though he is capable of that too, when pressed or provoked. In fact, he can be quite ruthless when he wants to be, or when circumstances leave him no other option).

Thank you so much for reading, and for the great Comments! :-)

-- Cat

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[info]jenthegypsy
2009-07-03 03:47 pm UTC (link)
♥ loves ♥

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[info]luvvycat
2009-07-04 08:08 am UTC (link)
Thank you kindly! So glad you enjoyed it! :-)

-- Cat

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[info]ophelivia
2009-07-03 06:08 pm UTC (link)
Oh that is EXCELLENT. I don't think the animosity between them is played up often enough and you captured it!

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[info]luvvycat
2009-07-04 08:37 am UTC (link)
I don't think the animosity between them is played up often enough and you captured it!

Yes, that whole cat-and-mouse dynamic (though Jack is sure to revel in the fact that, for once, he's the cat, and James is the mouse!) And I love that mutual snarkiness they have toward one another.

In fact, there's one nice bit in T&T's original script for DMC (that unfortunately didn't make it into the final film):

CLOSE ON: Norrington works on his hands and knees, head bare, scrubbing the deck with his wig. Jack's boots appear before him -- taps, then uses his toe to indicate a spot.

JACK
A bit of manual labor's good for you, James -- (leans down) It builds character.
Jack grins, and Norrington suppresses the urge to strangle him.
A bit of Jack, turning the tables, twisting the knife ... very indicative of the Jack/James dynamic! ;-)

Oh that is EXCELLENT.

Thank you so much for the lovely compliment! So glad you enjoyed!

-- Cat

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[info]sammistarr
2009-07-05 02:58 am UTC (link)
Oh, I love that little bit from the script! That is so neat--thanks for sharing!

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[info]danglingdingle
2009-07-03 09:09 pm UTC (link)
Just ask Barbossa. Oh, I forgot… y'can't— he's dead.

Good one!

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[info]luvvycat
2009-07-04 08:48 am UTC (link)
Just ask Barbossa. Oh, I forgot… y'can't— he's dead.

Good one!

Thank you! I figured this was just the sort of thing Jack would say, that sort of gallows humour that's such a part of Jack. (In fact, as I was writing this, I could actually imagine JD saying this line as Jack, and "hear" the cadence of his voice as he delivered it. I know it sounds a bit daft, but it's true nevertheless!) :-)

Thank you so much for taking the time to read, and Comment! Much appreciated! :-)

-- Cat

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[info]florencia7
2009-07-03 09:13 pm UTC (link)
"Threatening gold flashed. "Savvy?"" - ♥

Fantastic drabble!!

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[info]luvvycat
2009-07-04 08:51 am UTC (link)
"Threatening gold flashed. "Savvy?"" - ♥

Ah, yes ... we all know that look on Jack, don't we? Quite shivery! ;-)

Fantastic drabble!!

Thank you so much! I really enjoyed writing this; so glad you enjoyed reading it as well! :-)

-- Cat

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]sammistarr
2009-07-05 02:57 am UTC (link)
Oh, how I loved this. That mischevious side of Jack that is lined with something darker and edgier, but still relentlessly taunting the good former Commodore. The characterization is spot-on; great drabble, m'dear!

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[info]luvvycat
2009-07-06 02:56 am UTC (link)
That mischevious side of Jack that is lined with something darker and edgier, but still relentlessly taunting the good former Commodore.

That's one of the things I find most fascinating (and, perversely, most attractive) about Jack -- that darkness lurking just below the surface, and how swiftly he can tap into it, when necessary. Jack's veiled warning to James is precisely right: it would do well for him to remember that, underneath the mischief and the taunting, there IS a ruthless pirate, capable of killing a man, and it's best not to give him any provocation.

Oh, how I loved this ... The characterization is spot-on; great drabble, m'dear!

Oh, how wonderful of you to say so! Thank you for the nice comment regarding the characterisation! For me, that's the ultimate compliment, so you've made me very happy indeed! :-)

Thank you so much for taking the time to read, and post a Comment!

-- Cat

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Praise from Willofthewisp
(Anonymous)
2009-07-06 06:52 pm UTC (link)
Wow. Chilling. I love badass Jack. We have a tendency in fanfiction to downplay this side of him, remembering his honest streak and that, for a pirate, he's a pretty nice guy. But he is a nice guy who happens to be a pirate. And with James, this is a true battle of wills here, two very stubborn, very different people. You've captured their voices quite well in this short exchange. Love the callback to what a man can do and what a man can't do, too.

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Re: Praise from Willofthewisp
[info]luvvycat
2009-07-07 02:26 am UTC (link)
Wow. Chilling. I love badass Jack.

Ditto! ;-)

for a pirate, he's a pretty nice guy. But he is a nice guy who happens to be a pirate.

Yes. Though his preferred tool is manipulation to get what he wants, he does, on occasion, have to flex some pirate muscle, show that he can back up threats with action. He wouldn't have survived as long as he has without "walking the walk" as a pirate.

You've captured their voices quite well in this short exchange. Love the callback to what a man can do and what a man can't do, too.

Thanks! :-) In fact, I could practically "hear" their voices in my head as I was writing this: James' cool snarkiness, Jack's almost playful taunting, then dropping into a dangerous purr. (Or it could just be that I'm going insane!) ;-)

Thank you so much for the very kind comments! I'm so glad you enjoyed this drabble!

-- Cat

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[info]were_lemur
2009-07-07 03:58 pm UTC (link)
Wow. Excellent. Every word, every line, exactly what it should be; the voices are spot-on! I'd quote my favorite parts, except that would be the whole thing.

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[info]luvvycat
2009-07-08 03:02 am UTC (link)
Oh, my! Thank you for the exceedingly kind comments! They really made my day!

Every word, every line, exactly what it should be; the voices are spot-on!

Ooh! My very favourite kind of compliment! *pleased, and slightly silly, grin*

One of my highest aspirations in writing PotC fic is to keep the characters in character, and their voices "true"! I'm so happy to hear you feel I accomplished that!

I'm so glad you enjoyed this drabble. Thank you so much for taking the time to read, and Comment!

-- Cat

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[info]dreamboat_kicks
2009-07-11 11:51 pm UTC (link)
Great job with this! I like! <3

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