Pirate's Daughter

It was a warm sunny day in Tortuga. People bustled about and vendors shouted out their prices. The fisherman in the bay threw their nets and gulls squeaked as they flew over the town. One girl in the crowd had her mind set on something. A triangles hat sat on her head and her blue bandana rippled in the wind. The beads in her brown hair clicked as she strode through the streets, her brown boots clomping on the cobblestone. The girls brown eyes caught the stables and she grinned and sauntered over. She saw a burly man at the entrance and she waved. The man saw her and he waved back.
"Hey Max! Good to see you! By chance do ye got any pregnant Clydesdale mares?" She asked. Max grinned and folded his arms.
"Ahoy yerself lass! What are ye doing here??" He asked with a teasing tone.
"I've come to complete me puzzle!" She smirked nudging his shoulder.
"Oh really? I see. I've a few in the back, but if yer father ever knew ye were out here defying.." he started but the girl shook her head.
"He won't Max. I can handle him even so." She interrupted. Max sighed and gestured for the girl to follow him into the building. They went downstairs into the barn and the smells o filled the air and they went down the rows of horses. Soon they reached the maturity area and they stopped at the stall where two Clydesdales were.
"Here they be. This gray dapple is Moon. She's experienced mother and gentlest soul. This brown one is Abby." Max explained. The girl held out her hand and they sniffed her and went back to eating.
"Gentle indeed! I'll take Moon. No need to help me get aboard. I got this." Max nodded and opened the stall and she handed him the coin, a fur blanket and a food basket for his family. He thanked the girl and she left with her new mare. As she weaved through the crowd, her mind raced with anticipation.
' Dads gonna be mad but the is so worth it!' She concluded. When she got to the port docks where the Pearl was anchored, she stood tall and breathed deeply as she prepared for the crews reaction. She led Moon down the boardwalk and she could feel the crew glaring down at her and muttering under their breath. Mr.Gibbs, her father's loyal first mate came to the rail and crossed his arms.
"You've gone and done it again lass! You defied his orders once more!" He said shaking his head.
"Mr.Gibbs! I hardly like to put it that way!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with sarcasm as she walked up the ramp.
"Ye diso.." he started but she shot a glare at him.
"Don't!"she snapped. "I can handle him." Mr.Gibbs gently took the lead rope from her hands.
"Ye know the rules Lexi! No wondering off when we dock!" Gibbs said firmly but gentle. He nodded to two mates who came forward and she rolled her eyes but went down below with the two crew mates following her. She went to the lower deck and turned down the hall where the door of the brig was. The guard outside opened the door and the two crew mates left and the guard followed her in. The brig was a place of low light, damp space, and a single cell which Lexi went straight to the cot in the back of the cell and sat down on it. The guard shut the cell door and gave Lexi a look before he left the brig and the door shut behind him. Lexi shook her head and sighed. This wasn't the first time she defied her father, Captain Jack Sparrow. When he confronted her about her actions she sassed the whole time. It got heated sometimes but Jack would leave before it got too far or he would go too far. This time however she knew she wasn't gonna be able to purr or squirm her way out of the pit of consequences. The only thing she could do is wait. So she did and before she she knew it, Lexi heard the thud of the boots pacing the deck above. She sat up and went to her defiant posture with her back against the wall, leg propped up with her hand resting on it, and hat over her eyes with a smirk on her lips. She jumped slightly when she heard Jack shout and soon the door of the brig swung open and there stood her father looking every bit of pirate. He strode forward and grasped the bars.
"Lexi love, what have you done this time?" He asked.
Lexi snorted and folded her arms across her chest.
"Simple. Left the ship without permission and brought back a pregnant mare." She replied. Jack shook his head and chuckled.
"Seems the apple doesn't fall far from the tree with you darling." He nodded to the guard who unlocked the cell door and Lexi stood and walked out of the brig with Jack behind her. She went upstairs to the main deck and went to the railing. She looked behind her and saw they were far from port. She felt a tap on her shoulder and she turned back around and saw Mr.Gibbs grinning at her.
"Hope ye learned something while in there!" He chuckled.
"I'm sure you'd like to think that!" She giggled. "You didn't.."
"Oh no. Moons all settled in the stable down below ye made for her. Don't worry." He assured her. Lexi nodded and turned back to the open sea.
"Lexi! A word if you will?" Jack called. Lexi turned away from the rail and went to Jacks office. When she entered he shut the door and they both took a seat at his desk. He set his hat aside and took a swig of rum and set it down.
"Lexi, you know as well as I do that your behavior has been out of sorts lately. Defying me orders of staying put isn't helpful. You put the crew and yourself at risk everytime you sneak off." He said firmly. Lexi pushed her hat up and her eyes met his.
"It's the thrill of the risk, chance, and the chase that's the fun part of it all! It's no fun being cooped up in me cabin while you get to have fun!" She retorted.
"I know love but I do this to keep you away from the gallows, out of trouble, and away from all the bad things." He said taking a swig.
"Then let me come! That way you can at least keep me in line." She smirked.
"True, but you stay on the ship." Jack remarked. Lexi shook her head and leaned back in the chair.
" Figured as much. But.." she started.
"Enough Lexi. I don't want to hear you've snuck off  ever again. Otherwise you're gonna face much more than a quick spell in the brig. Do you understand me?" He interrupted. Lexi scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"Ugh!! Fine!" She groaned. "You're such a buzz killer." She muttered under her breath as she stood and turned to leave.
"Stop right there Alexis Sparrow." He said, his tone serious and brooking no argument. Lexi turned back around and glared at him.
"What??" She snapped. Jack's eyes narrowed at her defiant stance and stood.
"I'm serious. If you don't choose to heed me orders from here on, there will be serious consequences!" He told her.
"Alright! I get it!" She huffed and stormed out of the room and shut the door behind her. Jack sighed and sat back down. She was as stubborn as they come but her antics always got her in a tight spot. Lexi was a handful when she was younger and yet, still is even now. Jack took a swig and turned to his maps and his tasks.  Meanwhile Lexi had gone to the makeshift stable she had made. She got to the big wide door and opened it. Moon lifted her head and nickered to her.
"Hey girl. You all settled in nicely?" She asked as she gave Moon an apple. Lexi then sat down on a bench and brought out a book and opened it. Later at dinner, everyone was gathered around at the table eating, but Lexi wasn't there.
"Where be that girl?" Jack muttered as he ran a hand through his unruly hair.
"She be with that mare of hers!" A crewmate named Sally snapped. Jack shot her a firm look.
"Mind yerself Sally!" He said, voice tinged with warning. Sally scoffed but kept quiet.
"I must say, I think that mare will bring more responsibility." Will Turner remarked.
"Aye! I agree!" Gibbs chuckled. Sally rolled her eyes and started to retort but a voice stopped her.
"Enough of yer lip Sally!" Everyone turned at the voice and stopped what they were doing as watched Lexi walk in and glared at Sally.
"You dare.."
"I said enough." Lexi growled with warning. Sally pushed back her chair and stormed out of the room. Lexi took her seat next to Jack and everyone went back to eating and silence was all there was the rest of the meal. When Lexi finished, she threw down her napkin and left the room without a word. Will exchanged a look with Jack who shook his head and stood.
"Let it go lads. She's been scolded enough for a day." He said and he and Mr.Gibbs left the room.

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