Elizabeth sat in front of her vanity, all dressed and ready to go down to the ball. She stared at her reflection, alone in her room as she'd dismissed her maid to go help the kitchen. I guess I can go....My father probably told him everything. He probably even figured out I won't marry unless it's love and told the Commodore that. She thought as she sighed heavily. She stood and checked herself in the mirror to make sure her dress was in order. The material was a deep sapphire blue adorned with pearls an lace. It was a gift from her father to make up for that horrid affair at the promotional party. The top was form fitting but loose enough she could breath.

Satisfied she exited her room and made her way through the house to the ballroom. Standing on the upper balcony she looked down at all the people, easily spotting the Commodore by the door. Poor Norrington she thought as she watched him look around and gulp down a glass of wine. Elizabeth felt a bit bad knowing how much the Commodore liked her. Maybe if he wasn't so proper all the time and took some time to know her she could grow to love him. Turning she made her way to the grand staircase that led down to the ballroom floor.

((so how about this is my most favorite rp at the moment?))

James sat down at a table, looking at the engagement ring that was supposed to be Elizabeth's. It was his mother's and his mother's mother's...passed down to him for the next Lady Norrington. He sighed, but his breath caught in his throat when he looked up and saw Elizabeth. His heart beat was over-pulsing as he got up from his seat, placing the ring carefully back in the black velvet box and putting the box in his inner coat pocket, and slowly calmed himself down. James, you need to calm down. Be calm about this and just tell her, he thought to himself as he walked over to Elizabeth.

When he reached her, he tried not to get blown away at how handsome she was at that night. He sighed and bowed. "Miss Swann," he addressed. "Might I have a word with you? And don't worry, I'm not going to try again with the proposal," he assured her. He tried to keep a polite and kind voice on, but instead, it came out shaky and emotional. He hated that. Scorning himself secretly, James sighed and looked up at the sky so he wouldn't have to look at Elizabeth's beautiful face.

(( *giggles* I'm glad you're enjoying it. ^_^ ))

Elizabeth smiled at the guests as she made her way down the staircase, pausing to talk with the influential people of the town. Looking over she saw her father in the corner with a few of the visiting dignitaries. He saw her and gave a brief nod letting her know he was glad she decided to come after all. Finishing making her way down the stairs she stood at the bottom for a moment before the Commodore approached.

"Commodore, You're looking rather dashing tonight" she greeted him. Truth be told she really didn't like the wig he had to wear with his uniform. "Of course Commodore, perhaps we should step outside to the balcony so listening ears won't spread gossip?" She blushed a little at the emotion she heard is his voice. He really does care for me doesn't he? she thought as she waited for his response.

((I hope you are too...O__o))

James sighed as he ran his hands through his hair again nervously, so glad he didn't have to wear his wig tonight, and looked back down at Elizabeth and nodded his head as he led her out onto the balcony, far away for any listening ears period. "You can breathe perfectly fine right now, is that correct?" he asked her before he jumped ahead to what he wanted to talk to her about.

James let out a shaky sigh. "Your father had told me what all had been said," he told her. "I'm not asking you to marry me once again simply because I know you do not love me...but I just want you to know that...I love you," he told her as he let out a breath he seemed to be keeping in forever. "And I'm sorry if it seemed that it was an arranged marriage and I'm sorry I had asked you at the most inconvenient time," he said as he took out the black velvet box as he handed it to her. "My mother told me to give it to someone I love with all my heart. Therefore it is yours," he told her.

"Now, go and have fun I shall see you later," he said with a fake and sad smile as he bowed and turned to walk away.

((I'm going to bed now. I'll reply first thing tomorrow morning :P But you won't be on till eleven, huh? :P))

(( Yes. ^_^ *just looked at first page and saw mini banner* Nice! ))

"Yes, my father lived up to his promise not to buy anything from France." She smiled softly as they walked out under the stars. The breeze blowing through the trees was just a bit on the cool side but not too much so. It smelled of the sea, Elizabeth took a deep breath relaxing just a bit as they got out of earshot of everyone.

Elizabeth paled slightly as her fears were confirmed that her father had indeed told him everything. He must think I'm a horrible person.. she thought as he poured out his feelings and apologized for everything and when he handed her the box again and told her it was hers, she was speechless. Looking down at the box in her hands she couldn't help but feel bad. Here was his mother's ring, given to her, and she didn't love him...yet.

Making up her mind she reached out and caught Norrington's sleeve. "Commodore....James." She took his hand and put the box in it and closed his fingers around it. "It's true I told my father those things, however that doesn't mean I can't love you. It's just I feel you haven't really courted me as is proper for a gentleman to do." She turned and faced the balcony. "I can't rightfully accept that ring just yet. Perhaps if you were to invite me on a picnic sometime, or out for a ride in the countryside...." She hoped he wouldn't be too upset, she did respect him, just not know him well enough yet to love him.

((Sorry about how long it took me to reply tonight. Had some stuff to do tonight. I doubt I'll be on as I still have to work tomorrow and Sat night. I need sleeps :XD))

((Yeah, I buy banners for my RP's if they're fanfictions since I have no better use for my gold.)

James turned his head when Elizabeth caught his sleeve. He turned he head around and watched as she placed the box back in his hand. He sighed and took the box as he then stepped back to where he was standing a few moment ago. "Well, Miss Swann...what would you like? Me down on one knee or perhaps waiting yet another year for you?" he asked her. "Trust me, you don't want to love me...no one ever did and I'm sure ever will," he told her as he bowed and disappeared into the crowd of the ball within the dim light of the night at the fort.

He was so glad that he got to get that out all in one day, but he still felt so pathetically stupid. He felt the cold stab of regret stab through his heart for the first time in many, many years. He sighed as he sat down where he was sitting down before Elizabeth arrived as he looked up at the sky, noticing that clouds were beginning to form. Looks like there was going to be a storm tonight. They needed one.

After moments of sitting, he walked up the stairs so that he was alone on the fort's man walls. He walked back and forth and then rested his elbows on the fort's wall. He sighed as he looked at the ring and then put it back in his inner coat pocket. He feared that things were taking a turn for the worst.

((it's okay :P I understand how that can be XD))

Elizabeth turned as he said that she didn't want to love him and stood there floored and dumbfounded as she watched the Commodore walk back into the crowd. Just how dense could one man be? she thought as she sighed I just wanted to be courted properly and instead he acts as though I'm rejecting him. If I were to just outright marry him without anyone seeing him court me they might think something awful. I bet pirates don't have this problem. Sighing once again she looked up to the sky and saw clouds instead of stars. Figures, I can't even stare at the stars tonight. This is not a good night.

Walking over to a bench near the edge of the balcony Elizabeth plopped down, not caring who saw her. She wasn't quite sure why but she felt like crying. She noticed that the Commodore left the general party and went up on the wall, she could barely make out his outline in the torchlight. "Oh Commodore, it's not that I don't want to get to know you or anything. I've always just dreamed of how things would go since I was a little girl and this isn't it at all" she whispered while staring at the cobblestones of the balcony.

James sighed as he ignored looking down at the balcony, unable to take his mind away from the sky in fear that it would drift back to Elizabeth. She must think I'm a thick chap, he told himself. I'm pretty sure she wasn't rejecting me...but still...I want her happy, he then thought as he then turned away from the way to go back down to the party.

Once he was back down there, he turned around and saw that Elizabeth sitting on one of the benches. Oh, how badly he want to just walk over there and talk to her like two civil friends, but that would be impossible that night. He sighed and promised himself that he would try again with asking her to marry him. When was the next question.

Then Elizabeth's father had walked over to James once quests stopped talking to him. "Finally, I get to talk to you. What did she say?" the Governor asked James. James looked at him with a sad face but it also said I'm fine, thanks.

"She didn't say much, Governor. I told her that she didn't want to marry me, trust me," he told him as he sighed. "I'm going to turn in for the night," he then said

"Are you sure? There's still two hours-worth left in the party," the Governor said.

((2 bonus posts because I had to go pick up my check and do some errands and was waiting to cool down to sleep :XD))

Elizabeth kicked at a loose pebble and watched it bounce across the balcony and toward the party. She didn't feel much like celebrating anything anymore. Sighing she was getting ready to stand up when she heard two distinct yet faint voices. Looking up she saw her father and the Commodore talking together. Cringing she could only imagine what the Commodore was telling him. Unable to just sit and watch them she stood and made her way over to her father.

"I'm going to retire for the night father. The crowd is beginning to get to me." she had never been one for large functions where everyone wasn't seated at tables instead of pressed together. She gave him a brief kiss on the cheek before turning to head upstairs. She paused briefly next to the Commodore, almost as if she wanted to say something more, but decided that perhaps tonight and in front of her father was not the right time. She curtsied slightly before heading up the grand staircase and back into the mansion.

Oh what am I going to do? I think I messed things up terribly tonight. She sighed softly and held her head up. It was not proper for a young lady to walk with her eyes down when on her own in the house. As she was passing through the main hall she stopped in front of the painting of her mother. Looking up upon her kind face, Elizabeth wished she had gotten a chance to know her. Reaching up she touched it lightly, a tear running down her cheek.

((Ok, time for bed for me. See you again tonight. ^_^))

((:lol: Hope you're cooled down now!))

James bowed back to Elizabeth awkwardly when she then left. He sighed and smiled at the Governor as if nothing was wrong. "Well, I shall see you tomorrow, Governor," he said as he bowed and then left to be on his way to his own mansion.

Once he got home, a maid came to take his coat as she informed him there was fresh warm supper on the table. James sighed and looked down as he slowly picked at his meat and mashed potatoes. He wasn't really in the mood to eat that night, but he really did know that he had to eat something. He just stared down at his food. "I wander what it would be like to be a Pirate," he then said, not noticing he had spoke out loud.

The maid just nodded, somehow feeling the same way too. James sighed. "You may retire for the night," he informed the maid. The maid curtsied and hurried to her room, tired. James still sat there, motionless.

((alright, goodnight :)))

Elizabeth stared at the painting for what felt like forever. Shaking her head she looked around and realized it had only been a few minutes. Giving the painting one last look she continued through the mansion and up to her chambers where her maid helped her out of her ballgown and into her nightgown.

"Miss Swann?" Her maid inquired. "Are you alright?" the young girl frowned softly. She was genuinely worried about her mistress. She'd always treated her decently yet still made sure she followed proper procedure.

"Tis nothing, you may go to bed now. I know you've had a long night." Once the maid left Elizabeth opened the doors that led out to her terrace and stepped outside. Walking outside she crossed her arms and leaned on the stone railing. Looking out over the town and to the sea she sighed. The breeze coming up smelled of both sea and rain, and the railing was still damn from the brief storm that had rolled through while she was staring at the painting. Looking up at the night sky she could see the moon peeking out from behind the clouds as they chased each other into the night.

((Time to go to work))

Just in front of the mansion, James spoke with the Governor about plans to add on to the fort that he had come up with one hour after he had left the ball. The weather was just so comfortable and that was perfect enough. The Governor held up a candle as he spoke to James, highly interested in James' idea.

"I'm pretty sure it should be no problem, Commodore," the Governor said as he pondered about how the fort might look afterwards. "I see no reason why you shouldn't do it," he told him.

"But that would mean we would have to travel the Caribbean to Frankly Port for the supplies and helpers," James pointed out.

The Governor just nodded his head. "I'm willing to accompany you," he assured him.

James just nodded. "Alright. Tomorrow morning, I'll gather up a ship crew and some soldiers to come with me. You may bring two people with you, Governor," James said as he then bowed. "Goodnight, Governor," James said before he mounted his horse.

He lightly kicked his horse to make his horse gallop forward as he headed back to his mansion to finally get some sleep. He knew he had a big day ahead of him tomorrow and he wasn't so much as looking forward to it.

((How's work? xD))

Hearing a noise below her Elizabeth looked down to see her father walking out of the mansion. What is he doing away from the party? I haven't heard the midnight toll yet. She thought as she watched him closely. Soon a rider on horseback came into view. Must be a messenger, but at this late at night? As the rider got closer she realized it was the Commodore.

Surprised she moved over to where she was hidden in shadow and tried to listen in on their conversation. She couldn't hear much but thought she picked up the words "Caribbean", "Port" and her father agreeing to go. Is the Commodore leaving our Port?! I couldn't have done that badly. She watched the Commodore re-mount his horse and ride off. Worried about what was going on Elizabeth quickly went into her room and put a robe on. Satisfied she was properly covered she headed downstairs to find her father and see what was going on.

((It's hot in the lobby tonight))

Just as the Governor entered his house, he soon looked up to find Elizabeth making her way down the stairs to him. "Elizabeth, what are you doing still up?" he asked her as the butler took his coat and hung it up.

Back at James' mansion, he got out of his clothes and into his sleeping clothes ((I don't know what they wore back then to sleep for the guys...)) and he snuggled in his bed, so tired from the day. The maid re-lit his fire and added more wood as she bowed and left. James sighed and watched the fire, slowly-by-slowly dazing off into his sleep, thinking about Elizabeth and then dreaming about her.

"No James!" he heard Elizabeth's scream.

James leaped in front of Elizabeth as a bullet ran straight into his heart. The pain was immense but the reality of it was easily taken as a dream...or perhaps a nightmare. He fell to the floor, almost dead as Elizabeth ran over to him and knelt down beside him with tears streaming out of her eyes. "Oh, James," she said, crying.

And then everything went black.

James opened his eyes at the bright morning sun as the Maid drew the curtains open. "Good morning, milord," she said perkily.

James moaned in responce, obviously unable to get fully away. He had a big day ahead of him.

((I'm sorry to hear that :())

((I think it was a version of long underwear. Long sleeves and pants together with buttons in the front. 'least I think so. XD))

Thinking quick on her feet Elizabeth replied "I was just getting ready for bed and heard a rider approach. I thought there might be an emergency." Like pirates.. she secretly thought as she helped her father out of his boots and walked with him to his study where they'd be out of earshot of the servants. Pushing open the door she saw the servants had already lit a fire and placed her father's nightly goblet of mead on his desk. Sitting down in the chair across from his desk she tucked her legs under her and waited for her father's reply.

((Yea. Was 79 in here when I arrived. It's cooling down now.))

((oh...okay, thanks XD))

The Governor chuckled. "There was no emergency, my dear. Commordore just wanted to talk to me about plans. We have plans to add onto the fort and we need to get the supplies that they don't carry here and workers to help us out. Hmm...which reminds me. How would you like to travel with me across the Caribbean to Frankly Port?" he asked her as he sat down and let out a tired sigh. He was tired from a long day from preparing the ball and giving twice as much orders than he normally gives servants. "So no, my dear, there is no emergency," he assured her as he drank a little of his mead and took out some parchment to start writing out letters to reply back to letters he left untouched throughout the day.

((that's good, I'm glad))

(( No Problem ))

"I would love to sail with you father. I've always been jealous of you going to see all these wondrous sounding places and I've had to stay here." Elizabeth had always wanted to sail again after the one trip they made to Port Royale after her mother passed away. While she never told her father or anyone she thought she saw a pirate ship in the mists and had always wanted to meet one. After talking with her father a bit longer about the details she bid him goodnight and made her way upstairs.

Reaching her chamber she shut the door and hung her robe up in the wardrobe. After blowing out the candle her maid left on her night table Elizabeth crawled into bed. She had left the terrace doors open and her room was softly illuminated by the moon as the breeze played with her curtains. Both excited and nervous about the upcoming trip she slowly drifted off to sleep. Her dreams were erratic, going from the ball to Norrington to her father and back to Norrington again.

She found herself standing on the deck of a ship. The going was rough as the sea seemed angry, tossing the ship about like a toy. Looking around in a panic she couldn't see either her father or Norrington but could hear them shouting orders. Suddenly the ship gave a great heave and she found herself airborne. Looking down she saw the sea rushing toward her, spinning around in the air she looked up and saw Norrington reaching out his hand toward her and yelling her name. It was the last thing she saw before plunging into the waters where everything went black.

Waking up with a start, Elizabeth bolted upright in her bed in a panicked state. Looking around wild-eyed it took a few moments before she realized she was in her room and not on a ship. Taking a few deep breaths she calmed her nerves down as saw the sun was beginning to shine through the open doors. Birds could faintly be heard chirping in the distance, welcoming the new day. Sighing she swung her legs out of bed and got up, she had a lot to do today to get ready.

"Alright, congratulations, you have have been hired as part of crew of my ship," James said to a large group of random men. He then turned around to find the Governor making his way over to him.

"Good news, James. Elizabeth will be attending with us," he said with a large smile.

"Elizabeth? But...are you sure you heard correctly? A ship is no place for a woman," he said.

The Governor smiled. "She loves sailing!" he assured him.

James sighed and nodded, giving him his full very well then, she can go. The Governor sighed as the carriage with Elizabeth and all of their belongings they would need was arriving. James sighed as his heart began to beat fast. Four weeks with Elizabeth on the same ship...what has this madness come to? he asked himself as he watched Elizabeth exit the coach. He looked away, in fear that if he looked at her any more, he would faint at how shaky he was becoming and how fast he could feel his heart beating. He just sighed and walked up the bridge and onto the ship, already beginning to give orders so that they could get ready and leave already.

((I'm going to bed and I have a very busy weekend ahead of me))

(( Ok. Have a good weekend and I'll see you when you post again. Ooo...four weeks on a boat together, can't really avoid eachother. :XD ))

Elizabeth was busy all day making sure they'd have everything they would need for the trip. All the while in the back of her mind she kept thinking about the fact that she'd be on the ship for four weeks. Things could get very akward very quickly. I must be very careful. She went back up to her chambers to make sure her maid packed the right dresses. When living on a ship without your maids one tended not to wear very fancy clothes. Also, that last thing you wanted to do was ruin an expensive gown by getting it soaked with sea water. Satisfied that her bags were well packed she went downstairs to oversee the loading of the carriage as her father had gone ahead to the ship to let Norrington know she was coming along.

Once everything was loaded and the horses were ready she bid farewell to the house staff and promised to bring a trinket back for her maid. The ride to the docks was quiet and uneventful which didn't help matters. The entire time she kept thinking about how things went last night and her dream. What if it was an omen. I'd hate to fall overboard, it's not very lady-like. Plus I can't imagine it'd be easy to swim in a skirt. She thought as she looked out the carriage window and saw they were almost to the docks.

The carriage pulled up next to her father and Elizabeth got out. Looking up she saw the Commodore turn around to face away from her. Oh, this is not starting out good... she thought as she turned and faced her father. "I've got everything we'll need packed and left explicit instructions with the house staff. Things should be fine while we're gone." Normally when her father was out of the port Elizabeth was in charge of running the house, however with them both leaving she had to leave instructions with the head servant. Hopefully nothing major would come up while they were away.

((sorry this was so long :cry:))

"Ship sails in five minutes!" the captain said, warning everyone to get aboard and settled in.

James sighed as he walked up onto the main deck and peered out onto the ocean. Everything was beautiful and he just loved sailing. He had always felt free that way, so any chance he got to sail across the seas, he took it no matter what. The sky was clear and the ocean air was salty and fresh. He closed his eyes and took in the sent of the air and then let out a deep breath. He was so unsure on how this would go with Elizabeth on board, but he knew that whatever and however, things would work out whether she would grow to hate him all the more or if she decided she loved him, though he doubted that she'd ever fall madly in love with him the most. To him, it just seemed so impossible.

When he turned around, he then saw Elizabeth telling her servant where to put her things. He just looked at her and just, as usual, couldn't help but think about how beautiful she looked. The way she had her hair made her look all the more beautiful and natural. It was like a large permanent compliment. Then, The Governor walked up beside him and saw his face and followed where James' gaze settled on. Then he placed his eyes back on James.

James noticed the Governor's presence as he then turned his attention to him. "Well Commodore...are you going to at least try to get her interested?" he asked James.

James sighed and shook his head silently as he looked down and then back up at the Governor. "If she would ever love me the way I love her, then she would. I don't need to try for anything," he replied.

"But if you have a dream, then you should chase it," the Governor pointed out.

James gave the Governor a sad smile. "You can only chase a dream when it is in your grasp," he replied as he then bowed and walked away.

The Governor sighed and shook his head. He believed his daughter deserved the Commodore because the Commodore was a kind, great, and caring person. And the way he treats Elizabeth is how all men should treat their ladies.

James walked over to her, striking up what pride he could, and bowed. "Good morning, Miss Swann. I hope you are fine with the second to the best quarters for your trip across the seas and back," he said as he motioned towards the stairs that led down to rooms. He and the captain spoke and since she would be the only lady and including her servant aboard the ship, she could get the best quarters for sleeping in, next to the captain's. He just wanted Elizabeth to at least feel as much at home as possible on that ship, ignoring what had all happened the day before and the day before the day before.

(( It's ok, long isn't always a bad thing. ^_^))

Elizabeth hailed a sailor from aboard the vessel and inquired about their rooms. She found out from him that she had the second best quarters. The only better was the Captain's, and he deserved them. Blushing slightly she realized that the Commodore must've arranged it. Looking around she spotted his fathers old maid, the only one who would sail, and instructed her as to where all the luggage was to go. Satisfied the woman would get everything on board before they set sail, Elizabeth made her way up the gang-plank and onto the ship. A few of the sailors kept an eye on her thinking she was going to fall, chuckling in her mind at them she made her way up without any incident.

Looking around she watched the sailors get ready to get going. Soon the servant and a few sailors came on board with the luggage and she asked once again where everything went, giving her directions she watched as they headed down into the ship to get everything put up and secured for the journey. Four weeks....this is either going to go really well or really badly she thought as she looked up into the clear sapphire sky. Taking a deep breath she relaxed, either way she'd get to sail again. She loved being out on the sea, though normally it was just a small trip out with her father when they christened a new ship. Feeling the breeze tug at her hair, she wished she could let it down. However she had learned that when dealing with any situation where there was high winds it was best to keep it up.

Hearing footsteps approach she thought it was her father and turned to find the Commodore instead. Curtsying slightly she smiled and replied "Good Morning Commodore. Yes, thank you very much. I am looking forward to sailing again. Don't worry too much about me either. I've still got my sea legs and won't be in your men's way. I'd hate to be the cause of our delay to a new Port." She looked out over the vast sea and could only imagine what wonders the new port would have.

((Sorry I didn't post earlier. I've been off work the last two days and didn't log online.))

((Yeah...I had just watched Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End and I was inspired by good ideas...:eager:))

James smiled at Elizabeth. "I'm glad to hear that, Miss Swann. We'll still worry about you, though," he said with a friendly chuckle set in his throat, as if nothing was wrong and his heart didn't ache at the very sight of her. "But please, if you ever need anything, feel free to ask me. Even if its some pants and a blouse....a ship is no place for a dress," James finished with a smile as he adjusted his hat from the high winds. "Looks like it will be a windy day ahead of us," he said as he looked out upon the sea, smiling when he noticed that they were beginning to move.

James then looked back at Elizabeth. "I will let you go get yourself settled in your new quarters...I feel as if I'm keeping you from it, and I shall see you at supper or before," James then said as he shrugged his shoulders as he took off his coat and folded it over his arm, showing his blouse and nice vest that carved to his body perfectly. He bowed and walked up the steps to the captain to speak of him of a storm he heard about that might happen later on that evening. A storm was a serious matter when traveling across the Caribbean.

((It's okay :lol: You can't be on Menewsha every night.))

(( I should look those movies up and watch them again. *nods*))

"Thank you Commodore, and I'm sure I'll see you around before supper." Curtsying slightly Elizabeth watched as the Commodore walked off to speak with the captain. Shaking her head she went down the stairs to see that her things were put up properly. I guess the Commodore has never seen a woman who knew how to sail in a dress before. She thought as she imagined him having to escort the "proper" Governor's daughters across the sea. They had been invited for her birthday earlier that year and she knew the Commodore had to see them safely home. No wonder he must think no one could love him, I know those girls had nothing nice to say about him when they were around. she thought as she entered the quarters.

Looking around she gasped softly. The room was gorgeous! Everything from the carved wooden wall murals to the carved posts on the bed. She gently ran one had over the mural depicting mermaids and treasure that covered the wall opposite of the bed. This is beautiful, I must thank the Commodore for letting me have this room. She thought as she continued to look around. After making sure everything was set she changed into a special skirt she had made for sailing. It was made from hand-tooled leather, heavy enough to not embarrass her in high winds yet done elegantly enough to be fashionable. She then put on a brown blouse that matched the skirt well and made her way out and back up onto the deck, swaying with the ship so she wouldn't fall over. Not the most elegant thing I've ever worn but definitely the most practical for this journey. she thought as she made it onto the deck and felt the wind tug at her hair and skirt. Heading up the stairs she made her way up to where the captain was and looked behind the ship to see the Port shrinking in the distance.

((True, though some people expect you to be. :lol:))

((what's weird is we only have the first and third movie))

James walked into the ship's office as he turned his deep brown oak chair around to face the wall of windows that looked over at the port that was slowly disappearing in the background. He sighed and sat down, unable to stop thinking about Elizabeth. Maybe if he started over with her, she could like him more than she did now? He didn't really know, but at the moment, hope seemed to be the only thing he should feel rather than disappointment.

After an hour or two, the sun was beginning to set as a soldier walked into the room and knocked before he entered. "Commodore, supper will be ready in a half hour," he told him as he bowed and then left.

James sighed as he got up from his chair and placed it back where it was before and headed out of the office and onto the deck to check to make sure things were in order. He looked up at the sky and saw storm clouds slowly appearing. He then looked away and turned to make his way up the stairs to talk to the captain. After a while, he turned around to head to his quarters which was third best from the captain's quarters to get ready for dinner. He was glad that he wouldn't have to wear his wig. He would just dress in a simple blouse and vest and then his breeches and boots.

((yes, yes, very true))

(( Why don't you have the second? ))

After watching the Port disappear Elizabeth strode over and talked with the captain for a while. After learning all she could from him and impressing him with what she did know she went down to the main deck and helped the sailors out with some of the basic tasks like securing the sails and such. Once that was done she looked around for something else to do but couldn't find much so she went down to her cabin to read for a while.

A few hours later there was a knock on her door. Opening it up she found one of the sailors outside. "Pardon the interruption Miss Swann but dinner will be ready shortly." Bowing he quickly left and headed back up to the deck.

Looking through her clothes Elizabeth decided to stick with what she was wearing. It's not a state dinner or anything, plus I think I heard them say something about a storm moving in. I'd hate to ruin a good dress because of slipping in the rain. she thought as she checked her reflection in the mirror. Hmmm... Deciding to dress up a bit she donned her vest that matched her skirt. Much better. Not so rag-tag now she giggled to herself and headed out of her room to go see about dinner.