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Post by Pirate on Nov 23, 2014 20:28:48 GMT -5
[Umm...nope. I figured they could develop their relationship and he could teach her self-defense and maybe sword play. What if they make port and she ends up in a situation again and it makes him decide that he needs to seriously teach her how to defend herself because she can't be helpless in this kind of life?]
Alice was startled awake when Jackson sat up, his actions jostling her. "Jackson, what's wrong?" she asked in confusion as he climbed out of bed, a little groggy from sleep. She watched as he left the room, taking a few moments to wake up before following him onto the upper deck. She crossed her arms over her chest, still obviously tired from not getting a full nights sleep as she shuffled over to them, stifling a yawn. She placed a hand on Jackson's arm, looking up at him. "You should be resting," she told him gently, having missed James saying the same thing to him.
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Post by Caebeeb on Nov 23, 2014 20:51:33 GMT -5
[That works.]
James glanced toward Alice as she came toward the men, furrowing his brows slightly as she said the exact same thing that he had just told Jackson. Jackson glanced down at the small woman, frowning slightly. "I'm fine. Would everyone stop treating me like fragile glass?!" he said a little tersely. James frowned, "Alright, Captain, where are we going?" Jackson glanced at the man, "South Portsmith, First Mate," he said, the first town that popped into his head. James' frowned deepened but he called out their destination and wandered off, concerned for his friend. Jackson cleared his throat, turning to Alice, "We need to get you some clothes that you can actually move in," he stated, gesturing toward her bloodied dress. He sighed softly, running the hand of his good arm through his clean hair.
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Post by Pirate on Nov 23, 2014 21:17:19 GMT -5
Alice flinched at Jackson's outburst, drawing her hand away. She had just been trying to help, but apparently he didn't want it. She was worried about him; did she not have that right? She looked down at the deck, a frown on her lips. When he spoke to her again, she shook her head. "I'm fine at the moment, thank you," she murmured, lifting her gaze up to look at him. "I'm going back to bed." The only reason she had left it was to make sure that Jackson was alright, but seeing as he didn't want her concern, she figured it was best to sleep it off. Her body ached from the previous day and it was protesting to her lack of sleep. She turned away from him and returned below decks to the back room, climbing into the bed and nestling under the blankets. Jackson's scent still lingered there and she breathed it in, sighing softly as she fell back asleep.
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Post by Caebeeb on Nov 23, 2014 21:23:29 GMT -5
Jackson saw the way she flinched away from him and he let out a heavy breath, watching as she retreated below deck. He heaved a sigh, relaxing his muscles and deciding to give her some time alone. He moved around the ship, speaking with his crew and giving them instructions, seeming a bit distant. Hours passed and they were nearing the city, the men tired and in need of a nice meal and warm bed. Jackson leaned against a railing at the side of the ship, watching the waves crash over each other and against the ship.
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Post by Pirate on Nov 23, 2014 21:38:54 GMT -5
Alice woke a few hours later, sliding out of bed with a sigh. She walked back up to the upper deck, hoping Jackson was in a better mood. She blinked against the sunlight, wincing at the brightness of the sun on open sea. She noticed Jackson leaning against the railing and she approached him, leaning against it beside him. "How are you doing?" she asked, looking up at him. "I'm sorry if you've already been asked that," she added in case he was still in a sour mood. She looked out at the water, a small smile touching her lips. "It's odd being out here again. But I think I like it now that it was my choice to come."
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Post by Caebeeb on Nov 23, 2014 21:46:55 GMT -5
Jackson glanced down at Alice when she came up beside him, offering her a small smile. "I'm fine. How did you sleep?" he asked genty, realizing that he'd been a little gruff earlier. He chuckled at her last comment, "The novelty of it will fade. We're almost to the next town. We can get you cleaned up." He smiled, placing a hand over hers before he headed away to direct the ship into the port.
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Post by Pirate on Nov 23, 2014 21:49:32 GMT -5
Alice was relieved when she was received much more pleasantly this time. "I'm better now that I've gotten sleep," she said, hoping that it might prompt him to go sleep. She nodded at his words, looking down at the waves when he walked away. She snuck a glance behind her to see him walking away before she looked out over the water again, waiting patiently for them to dock.
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Post by Caebeeb on Nov 23, 2014 22:59:57 GMT -5
As the ship docked, Jackson released his men to go do as they pleased, with the contingency that they met back at the ship in three days at high noon. The men left in a group, surely off to find food and women. Most of them were young, with ruggedly handsome looks. Jackson came over to Alice's side, "I think you should stay here while I go find you some more appropriate clothes. You might raise alarm if you go out in bloodied clothes like that. There should be some warm water below deck that you can clean up with and I'll bring you a change of clothes as soon as I can." He gave her a soft smile, leaning forward to press a kiss to her temple before he got off the ship.
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Post by Pirate on Nov 23, 2014 23:16:51 GMT -5
Alice looked up when Jackson approached her, offering him a smile of greeting. Her smile faded when he began to tell her to stay on the ship, afraid that he was going to just hole her up there every time they docked. However, she swallowed her protest when he mentioned her bloody dress. She couldn't blame him for thinking she might raise alarm. After all, she looked pretty torn up. She nodded at his words before grabbing his arm to stop him from leaving. "I do like dresses," she told him, hoping that he wouldn't bring her back only trousers. Although they were comfortable and easier to move in, she still liked feeling feminine. She released him to leave and descended below deck to wash up, scrubbing away the dirt she had accumulated on the cross country trek with Shane. Unsure of what to do with herself afterward, she sat down on the bed. Now that she was going to stay with them, she needed to invest in some books for her downtime. Otherwise, she would need to occupy herself with her thoughts.
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Post by Caebeeb on Nov 23, 2014 23:32:46 GMT -5
Jackson found a small local shop and purchased two simple, long dresses and a pair of trousers and a tunic. He also purchased a pair of short boots and a long overcoat. After paying for the items, he made his way back to the ship. After boarding, be limped below deck and found Alice sitting on the edge of the bed. "Here you go. Get dressed and then we'll go into town," he said with an easy smile before limping back upstairs.
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Post by Pirate on Nov 24, 2014 0:10:22 GMT -5
Alice looked up when Jackson walked in, thanking him for the clothes. She was relieved when he handed her dresses as well as trousers, glad that he had paid attention to her request. She nodded at his statement and changed into one of the dresses, frowning at the itchy fabric. She wasn't used to such cheap material, but she wouldn't complain. She was grateful that he had been thoughtful enough to buy her a dress in the first place. She walked to the upper deck, approaching him with a smile. "Thank you, this is a very nice dress." She tilted her head slightly as she looked up to him, growing curious. "Is there any way I can earn my own money? I don't want you to feel like you have to buy everything for me," she told him, hoping that she could be useful to him in some way.
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Post by Caebeeb on Nov 24, 2014 0:35:55 GMT -5
Jackson smiled when Alice came up to join him, glad that she wasn't covered in his blood anymore. The smile faded as he realized that it was a cheap dress in comparison to what she was probably used to, even though it had taken a small chunk out of his pockets. "I apologize for the quality," he said genuinely after her thanks, suddenly uncomfortable. He was certain nothing would ever be good enough for her. He was more than happy with the clothes on his back, but he doubted that she was. How would this ever work? He shrugged at her next question, turning to leave the ship. "I'm sure you can find odd jobs when we're docked for extended periods of times." He glanced back at her, quickly adding, "You don't have to worry about working, though." Helped her off the ship, grimacing at the strain it put on his wound. "Is there anything you would like to do?"
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Post by Pirate on Nov 24, 2014 0:46:59 GMT -5
Alice shook her head. "No, it's really lovely." She nodded at his words, wondering what sort of odd jobs a woman could really do. When he told her not to worry about money, she shook her head. "I can help. I don't want to be completely useless." She took his hand as he helped her off the ship, shrugging at his question. "I would like to get some paper so that I can write a letter to my father and ease his worries. And some books would be nice. Oh, and a hairbrush." She remembered how frustrating it had been to be unable to groom her hair properly. "But keep track of what you spend on me. I want to be able to pay you back." She offered him a small smile, pulling him to a stop. "Can I tell you something about myself? I think it might ease your worries to know. My parents died when I was young but still old enough to remember what my life had been like before I lived with the Marquis. I was a poor bakers daughter for what now would be considered half of my life. I understand that this life with you isn't full of luxuries and you may not be able to give me what the prince can, but I find more worth in the people I spend my time with than the goods they can provide for me." Finished with her little spiel, she gently squeezed his hand. "Don't worry about providing for me, I can learn to support myself."
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Post by Caebeeb on Nov 24, 2014 1:09:21 GMT -5
Jackson nodded his head at her small list, "That can be arranged," he said easily. Personally, he didn't really know how to read. Books were foreign objects to him. He could recognize a few words, but that was the extent of it. When she pulled him to a stop, he was a little confused, turning to face her. He furrowed his brow slightly at her story, seeing her in a bit of a different light. Gently, he reached out to push a strand of hair behind her ear. "I understand you are capable, but I should be able to provide for you. And I can." He gave a her a knowing nod, "And I am sorry to hear about your parents." With a slight smile, he kept his hand twined with hers and he led her into town, finding a book shop first.
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Post by Pirate on Nov 24, 2014 9:32:23 GMT -5
Alice smiled when he gently touched her, dropping her gaze from his as her cheeks pinkened. He made a fair enough argument and she nodded to communicate that she had heard him. She followed after him as he began to move, pleased that he still held her hand. When they reached a book shop, she stepped in and let out a satisfied sigh. She hadn't been in a book shop in a very long time. There were enough books in the Marquis's library to last a lifetime, so she never had the chance to go and choose her own at the store. Releasing Jackson's hand, she moved to the first bookshelf, running her fingers along the spines until she found one she recognized. She pulled it off of the shelf, a small smile on her lips as she flipped through it. Looking over at Jackson, she gave him a curious glance. "Do you enjoy reading?" She hadn't seen any books around the ship during her stay, but a ship wasn't the most ideal place to store books. Perhaps he found time when they spent extended days docked.
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Post by Caebeeb on Nov 24, 2014 23:40:22 GMT -5
Jackson smiled at the joyful way she bounced into the store and headed straight for the shelves, following in behind her. He watched as she pulled a book from a shelf, tilting his head slightly. However, when she asked if he enjoyed reading, the easy smile on his lips drooped. He glanced toward his feet, immediately ashamed in his lack of ability to read. He shrugged slightly, moving forward to grab a book and turn it over in his hands, "I suppose I would if I knew how," he said quietly.
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Post by Pirate on Nov 25, 2014 0:32:43 GMT -5
Alice glanced over when Jackson spoke, just barely hearing what he said. She frowned, setting her book back on the shelf. "Oh..." she said softly, suddenly feeling very insensitive for saying what she did. She moved closer to him, resting a hand over his. "Would you like me to teach you?" she asked, hoping she didn't sound condescending. She thought that reading was a good skill and she would love to help him by teaching him everything she knew.
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Post by Caebeeb on Nov 25, 2014 12:09:03 GMT -5
Jackson glanced down at Alice when she reached out to touch his hand, feeling rather stupid. He set the book back in its place at her offer, shrugging slightly. "You don't have to," he stated simply. He didn't like appearing flawed or weak in front of others, especially in front of her. She was expecting some man just as good as the Pronce and he fell short on numerous accounts. He was visibly uncomfortable as he turned back toward her, "Go ahead and pick out a few books," he said quietly, "I'll be waiting at the front." He gestured toward front half of the store before heading up there.
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Post by Pirate on Dec 3, 2014 12:21:19 GMT -5
Alice dropped her hand as he turned away, clearly uncomfortable with their conversation. She nodded at his words and watched him walk away, feeling awful for bringing something up that was clearly a sore spot. She sighed softly and turned back to the shelves, picking out a couple of books for herself and then finding one she thought was a little easier so she could start teaching him if he wanted her to. Being illiterate wasn't something to be ashamed of. It was fairly common among the lower classes. They didn't have the money to afford books or an education. She didn't look down on him for lacking that single skill. After all, she didn't learn to read until she lived with the Marquis. But she wouldn't force it upon him and would let him make up his mind of whether he wanted to learn or not. Reminded that she needed to write a letter to her godfather, she walked to the front of the store to find Jackson, noticing that he was standing near where they kept writing supplies. She took a few sheets of paper and a feather and inkwell, setting her items on the counter. She looked to Jackson, giving him a small smile. "I thought of a way that I could be useful for the ship. I can keep inventory for you and keep logs of our travels. It will help keep us more organized." Realizing they would need a blank book, she asked the clerk if they had any spare ones and he provided her with a leather bound journal. "It will give me something to occupy my self with," she said to Jackson, trying ease his discomfort in the book shop with an encouraging smile.
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Post by Caebeeb on Feb 5, 2015 12:22:44 GMT -5
Jackson kept a watchful eye on Alice as she moved about the store, a frown creasing his lips. He didn't like sympathy from others, especially a woman. He didn't want her to take pity on him because he couldn't read. He wasn't proud of it, but that didn't mean she needed to feel sorry for him. As she approached him, he eyed what she set down on the counter, glancing up at her face when she spoke. He gave an approving nod at her words, "That's a good idea." When she had all of her requested items, he pulled out a few coins to cover their cost before picking up the items and leading her out of the store. "Do we need to stop anywhere else?" he asked over his shoulder.
[That was terrible, I'm sorry. xD And sorry for being gone so long!]
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