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"Thank you very much, my dear. Now, I'll be finished with my belongings momentarily and I'll be upon deck within a quarter of the hour. See that the hands are at thier stations when I pop ondeck, will you?"

*Smiling at her, his eyes gleamed with content happiness. Midnight had always brought out the best in him and now her presence alone made him feel as though not even the Boadicea could sink his spirits. However illogical it seemed, he hoped that she might always remain there at his side.*

"Oh! Midnight!! Midnight, my dear.. before you go, there is something of utmost importance I must speak to you about. I had rather hoped to save this until a more proper moment, a little more ceremonious really, but I must insist upon this moment, for there is little time to spare. My point in all this is...'

*Your stumbling, Old Man. Get on with it!*

'.. Well, until this point, I've had the most supreme luck in the way of my officers. But though they are fair and seamanlike in everyway... there is something missing, a certain flare that I've seen on only one of my Acting First Lieutenants. That Officer was you, Miss Midnight.

Long ago, I met you upon a crickity old harborfront. At that time you seemed fit to burst with anticipation and excitement for adventure and the glory of a well trimmed ship. Though that was so very long ago, I still see it in you today. In short, I should like to present you with this token of my gratitude."

*Turning, he unlocked his davenport desk, opened the top and pulled a canvas parchment packet from one of the cupboards. Turning back with the packet in his hand, he smiled fondly at the rolled up parchment and handed the lot to Midnight: the elegant seal set in deep red wax staring at her.*

"Do you know what this is? Go ahead and break the seal."

*Watching wide-eyed as Midnight turned and exited the room, Jack chased after her as far as the doorway. Stopping as the door slammed in protest to it's abuse, Jack slouches is depressed frustration. She had not understood. It was vital fro her to open that letter, but it was of no importance. He would have her open it once he went on deck.*

"Damn her feminine ways. Stubborn and obstinate. Oh hell and death..."

*After he'd collected all his things, or at least the things that he wanted to keep to himself or none other, Jack closed and locked the lid to the final chest. Packing his spare uniforms and small personables into an arms chest, he placed it on his bunk. Going to the hidden door behind the tapestry in the corner of the cabin, he unlocked the timepiece mechanism that operated the odd vault. Heaving the chest into it's hiding place, Jack went to close the heavy door, but stopped short.

There upon the backside of the door, was his wall of memories. Up until this point, he hadn't been able to remember any of them, but as his eyes laid sights upon the familiar sketches of old crewmen and tidbits that he'd collected, the years seemed to catch up with him.

Midnight at Midnight in Port Royal; Catryne off Tripoli; John's Captaincy; Ares and her Guncrew; Kubain tending to his shattered baots; Kope..., Quasan tangled in his signal flags; Destiny's awkwardness at not having to cook at Midnight's dinner party, Aeoess and her Cat, Reginald and his feets off of Tulon, Jaden's arrival aboard, Myere and his failed attmept at learning English. These things and many many more where all there laid out before him in a sort of shrine to the ship's company. They were all there. These were his crewmen... nay, his family.*

"Lucky Jack shant go down without one last fight..."

*Shutting the door, the mechanism shut fast. Grabbing his pistols, he shoved them into his belt, grabbed his heavy calvery sabre, fastened it onto his side and bolted ondeck.*

"Never mind manouvers... always go straight at 'em."

(|Continued on the Quarterdeck|)

-: Descending down through the companionway, Jack knocked on the cabin door knowing full well that Midnight was within the cabin chamber, likely dawning naught but wardrobe she was born in.

Knocking gentley once more so as not to startle her, Jack waited for a response. Turning the knob, he turned his gaze to the doors hinges so as not to impeat her honour. Cracking the door open no more than an inch, Jack spoke softly into his own cabin. Up until this moment, he'd never realized how much his demeanour changed when he addressed his old shipmate. It wasn't because of how long they'd known each other, but more because of the fact that she was a woman - a real woman. :-

-: "Ha! Is there a plan... Of course there's a plan. There's always a plan. Not a very good plan - but a plan nonetheless..." Jack stood there with a look of stupidity on his face, going over what he had just said trying to make sense of it all, just incase he was questioned further on the subject in the near future. He was nervous about what was to come of course, but he wasn't allowed to show it.

As he stood there finishing his previous thoughts, he could feel Midnight's presence drifting somewhere off to his right. She was always sucha comfort, but at this moment, she was silent. He wondered if there was something on her mind. She seemed to be in deep thought.. so maybe there was something troubling her. :-

-: Smirking, Jack gazed down bashfully. Lifting his eyes from the gorund, they came to view Midnight's own beautifully deep and thoughtful gaze. Opening his mouth to speak, nothing came for a moment, but after a moment of not knowing what to say, it came to him at last.

"Heaven forbid, I shant let it happen. Yet, if the unhappy event does come to pass and we find ourselves divided with endless oceans between us, rest assured my dear, sweet Midnight... I shall find my way to you. Hell or high water." A moment of silence passed, not a sound was heard. Turning, Jack took a step forward, enveloping Midnight in his embrace. Bowing his head, his lips whisper in her ear. "Keep a weather eye on the horizon and stay the course. Look for me by the call of the raven, I will come by the breath of the wind." With that, he tightend his embrace, holding her for a moment, showing more emotion that usual. With that, he sighed contently, looked at her and smiled... and then he was gone. :-

Destiny opened the door to the Captain’s cabin and stepped through. Daintily, she began arranging and folding his uniforms neatly into the drawers, and hanging the coats in the armoire. Turning about the cabin, she began packing his memorabilia into the cabinets that lined the room. Of the Captain’s many swords mounted on the wall, she selected two of them to bring down. One was a formal dress sword, and the other one was the one that was his favorite, figuring that whatever he had planned, it would ease his mind just a bit knowing that he had an old friend by his side.

She went about the cabin again, collecting the items he had requested. When the chest was packed and shut, she and the crewman picked it up between them, and started back to report to the Captain.

*she looked up from her pacing, as if being interrupted*
What.....I mean, Yes?
*she smiled a half-smile, and stood straight*