Mi Pequeño Gorrión

Chapter 1

*(Note: Jack is 17 years old, one year away from defeating Armando(30), who is a famous pirate hunter and respected commander of the Spanish Royal Navy. Armando's father and grandfather were killed during a pirate raid on one of their navy ships, while escorting a merchant's vessel. Although Armando is passionate about being a Spaniard, he has never shown any interest in women, leading his loyal crew to suspect his sexuality. Fortunately, opposite of how it's looked upon on land, on the sea, same-sex relationships are not uncommon or looked down upon. When Armando eventually discovers that Jack is a male pirate, his crew does not object to their captain taking a male lover, as several same-sex relationships exist on board.

Jack has not yet earned the title of Jack Sparrow since he has not defeated The Butcher of the Sea. He goes by "Jack," unable to use his last name, which would reveal his identity as a pirate royalty. Jack's relationship with his family is complicated. His father, Captain Teague, raised him as his successor for Keeper of the Code and is very protective of him, but Jack never felt close to him since his father had to leave him with his grandmother whenever his duties called for it. His mother, an indigenous islander with mermaid ancestry, rarely saw him as her tribe never left their island. Jack's ancestry is a mix of pirate royalty and supernaturally gifted natives.
Captain Teague has undercover men in every port in the world, allowing him to keep track of his son's adventures and respond quickly to any perceived threat to his son's life. Thanks to his mermaid ancestry, Jack can hold his breath far longer than any other man and live on water more easily than those who have lived on it their entire lives, even though he can't breathe underwater without a true mermaid's kiss.)*

As the golden sun slowly rose above the horizon, its first warm rays pierced through the thick veil of the morning mist, casting a soft glow on the bustling English dock. Amidst the chaotic bustle of the busy port, a young man stepped out of the shadows. His name was Jack, a disheveled 17-year-old with beautifully tanned skin and a red bandanna tied low over his kohl-lined eyes. With a curious yet cautious gaze, he scanned the bustling dock, taking in the sights and sounds of the unfamiliar port.

The salty smell of the sea air mixed with the pungent odor of fish and tar, creating a unique aroma that filled his nostrils. Jack's sharp eyes darted around, taking in the details of the unfamiliar port. He noticed the tall masts of the ships creaking in the wind, the squawking of the seagulls overhead, and the indistinct chatter of sailors and dock workers, who seemed to be in a constant rush.

Despite the noise and chaos, Jack remained calm, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings with a mix of wonder and apprehension. The cacophony of the dock was overwhelming, but it seemed to mock his predicament and the new challenges he would face in this unfamiliar place.

Despite his unease, Jack straightened his dirty coat vest and made his way down the bustling quay. The weathered boards beneath his heeled boots creaked and groaned with each step, adding to the eerie atmosphere he felt walking away from the sea and into the port city. His mind raced with thoughts of his next move, his quick wit already devising ways to survive in this unfamiliar territory. While he was born knowing the innermost workings of ships, docks, and, more importantly, piracy, he had never felt comfortable walking away from his love of the sea onto any mainland. But he had little choice in the matter after his little boat marooned him here while on the way to search for his next adventure.

The first order of business was to acquire some coin. The dock was filled with unprotected pouches and wallets ripe for the picking, and so Jack set his sights on his first target. With a deft hand and a quick move, he snatched a hefty pouch from a passerby's belt and slipped away unnoticed. Money secured, Jack made his way up the slight hill to where he could see a bustling market in full swing, seeking a street vendor to pick up a quick snack to ease his grumbling gut.