The sun was out, threatening to blind as it often was, but it hid behind a veil of clouds, peering out from time to time. There were no high winds, only teasing breezes, and the water rippled as calmly as usual. All in all, a more than decent day to relax. A day to say "fuck it", abandon all duties, and live freely for a few hours.
A workaholic like Jack rarely found those opportune moments to throw away the day's tasks, but it had been a slow night and an even slower morning. No one was doing work or being particularly useful (but honestly, what could one expect from pirates), and so he'd thrown in the towel and given up. Nothing more than three hours tops.
Stepping off the gangplank with a cigarette between his lips, the blonde paid little attention to his surroundings, uncaring of who decided to approach him and why.
Oh what an unfortunate day! What a glorious day! Dalit was practically humming as he made his way down docks and worn paths, grinning like a fool to those passersby that caught his gaze. He was, oh dare he, dare he say happy. For he knew!
Hands shoved in pockets, he continued down his way, intent and intently marching forward, greeting ships with wayward glances and smiles. He couldn't stay to speak with them, not even whispers. He had to see Ghost, to see her and grovel before the ebony goddess to HE.
And there! What luck! That annoyance standing there on the docks. The grin spread further across his face. Just the one he so desired to speak to. He laughed inside, fortune teller giddy and joyful, so joyful. "Just the person I needed to bother."
That face. The face that Jack had not intended on seeing again, except for what few glimpses he could catch of the man on the docks. While he appreciated enthusiasm, this one just reeked of desperation. Maybe it was because he'd never looked at Ghost the way Dalit looked at it-- like an opportunity for adventure. Something to be proud of. Meanwhile, he'd seen the ship as a way out, his only solution when it came to abandoning Emberlay and his family.
Instead of sighing like he really wanted to, Jack only stared for as long as it took him to pull the cigarette from his mouth.
"Just the person I didn't need to see," he shot back without much malice.
Dalit stilled in his steps in front of Jack, still smiling, still joyful. But he calmed then, now. He looked proud of himself. Eyes turned up, cast to Ghost before returning to the one that kept him from her.
"Your Captain said if I were to speak his name, you would consider my request." He had grown somber then, head down and shoulders back. He had shown too much and he berated himself. Another moodswing was coming upon him, rolling gently like the waves under their feet. He smiled softly.
Dalit looked up. "And I think after our last...encounter, you would humor me with it."
That smile wasn't returned, but the amusement was clear in those blue eyes. Humor him? It was a possibility. Jack tapped the ashes off the tip of his cigarette, and they scattered to the deck below. This guy really was desperate, but there was a difference between going for what you want and waiting for it to be handed to you. So yeah, he'd humor him.
For now.
"Maybe. So what is it?"
Maybe. Maybe, oh that was not a word Dalit was fond of. Maybe meant no, maybe was anticipation and mockery and it grated him. The shipfitter simply continued to smile. It was the only way he kept himself from sneering, from scowling.
"I simply desire to look Ghost over." And thus he spoke.
Vincente Carovere
That was his name. And that was spoken. That was his request. And that was pleaded.
With a look and a gesture toward the ship that haunted him, plagued him. He needed to see her, truly see her as was determined by his station.
Jack would have never considered himself an adequate tamer of his own emotions, but when the situation called for it and his own emotions couldn't take hold, his poker face was perfect. Not a bat of an eyelash, no telltale smiles. He pressed the cigarette to his lips and watched the older boy over the tip of it.
"What I want to know is," he breathed, taking a drag before flicking the stick away, which rolled off the deck and into the water.
"What took you so long?"
Dalit was not expecting the question and he found himself frowning, annoyed faintly at yet another obstacle that swept between him and his prize. He shrugged, a slight gesture in hopes of dismissing the words.
"I wouldn't say it took long. But if you must know, I was making sure what I said would be correct. No point in traipsing up here only to look a fool." He kept his words to himself beyond that. The snide comment wanted to slink out of his lips but he silenced it. The last person he should upset was the boatswain.
Well, for now at least. He was still on the dock.
And if that snide little comment had slipped out, it wouldn't have bothered Jack, who was more than used to people talking back to him. Taking it all in stride had become a skill. And maybe, on some level, deep inside, he felt he deserved it.
With nothing to hold in his hands, he stepped forward until only a few inches remained between them, arms crossing over his chest. "Afraid I'd laugh in your face if you gave me another name? You're not wrong. Consider yourself lucky, because you never would've had that second chance."
The boatswain allowed the slightest of smirks.
"Welcome aboard."
Dalit watched closely with ocean eyes, stormy as his emotions and contained. He looked amused suddenly. "I figured this was the only chance I would get. Always have to be careful about these things. Mistakes aren't welcome." The last sentence was muttered more to himself than spoken to Jack but still loud enough to be heard.
The shipfitter saw the smirk. He didn't care. His words were far more important. Welcome aboard. That was heavenly to him.
Dalit smiled faintly, looking pleased. Finally...finally, he was going to see the Lady that haunted his dreams.
A hand shot out to pat the shipfitter on the chest. "Assuming you have possessions to gather, I would suggest rounding them up," Jack offered, already moving past him. "Be back in an hour. I'll have to speak with the captain to make it official."
Before slipping away entirely, he pivoted on a foot, walking backward along the dock. "And don't go licking the ship in excitement."
Dalit managed a scowl as his chest was touched and frowned, watching him. He was quiet as he stared at the ship before turning with the sudden desire to trip him over the side of the dock. But no, he had to take care of business.