((No :cry:))

James sat down at the table with the other important people on that ship. The captain, Governor, and all they were waiting on now was for Elizabeth. When Elizabeth walked into the room, James jumped out of his seat and stood up to be polite as he watched the butler pull out her seat for her and then push it in for her. And then everyone said "Good evening, Miss Swann," at the same time.

"How are you finding your stay on this ship?" James asked as the gravy was passed to him as he poured some on his mashed potatoes and handed it to Elizabeth who was sitting right next to him. He looked at her and smiled warmly, unable to do anything else but that.

(( :hug: You can probably find it on eBay cheap. *nods* ))

Elizabeth got slightly turned around when the ship gave a great lurch and the lantern went out. Inching her way down the hall with her hand on the wall she got lucky a sailor was sent out to make sure everything was alright and he was able to get her pointed in the right direction. After thanking him she proceeded in the direction he pointed her and soon found herself standing in front of the door for the dining room. Opening the door slowly she saw everyone was already there and seated, they were just waiting for her.

Blushing lightly she walked into the room and took her seat. Thanking the butler after she sat down she was slightly surprised when everyone greeted her at once. Placing her napkin on her lap she put a few slices of roast on her plate before passing it left to her father. Turning to her right to take the gravy from the Commodore she answered his question. "I must thank you for the room Commodore, I've never seen woodworking like that before. I must find who did it and commission a piece." Smiling she took the gravy from him, their fingers just brushing each others.

((I don't order off line :gonk: But I'm sure I'll buy it soon for sure))

James smiled at Elizabeth and blushed a little when his hands brushed lightly against her's. "My father did the wood work. I only helped," he told her. "If he was still alive, I'd tell him how much you appreciate them," he said as he cut into his pork and took a bite of it and waited for the butler to fill up his cup with wine.

The ship sort of swayed to the side as rain began to fall and the wind began to pick up. A sailor entered the dining room and looked at the captain. "Sir, the rain and wind is picking up," he said since the captain told him to let him know when the storm was coming.

The captain sighed. "You know what to do, Jack," the captain nodded at them.

James' pulse increased. He hated being on a ship in the middle of the sea in a storm. He always had a fear of that. He hated it when he noticed he was sweating and his hands were beginning to shake. He closed his eyes and let out a slow and long sigh. You are not going to have another panic attack, James told himself.

((What's your full name because I'm turning this RP into a fanfiction book and I want your name as the other author. :)))

(( I love to order offline. *nods* ))

Elizabeth blushed as her hand touched the Commodores. She felt a touch of sadness when he mentioned it was his father that had done the work. "You must've loved him very much" she said thinking of her own father. He might get a bit stuffy at times but she loved him none the less. As she was eating she felt the ship began to sway a bit more, wondering if they had hit a rough patch of sea she found out it was a storm when a sailor came down to alert the captain.

Suddenly everyone in the room seemed to stop moving as Elizabeth remembered her dream from this morning. Oh this can't be happening... she thought as she felt the ship heave underneath her and everyone began talking at once. Setting down her fork she found she no longer had an appetite. Shaking in her seat she closed her eyes and tried to calm down, knowing she was looking pale. You can do this, it's just a coincidence... she tried to tell herself, not wanting her father to worry overly much.

((You are? o.o ))

((Mmhm. :) I am a writer and I need something to keep my going. And since this is my favorite RP...))

James opened his eyes and sighed when he finally was able to focus on something else. Elizabeth. He looked over at her to see her shaking with fear and her face turning paler by the moment. "Elizabeth? Are you alright? You're shaking like a leaf," he said with shock, concern, warmth, and fear as he placed a hand on her shaking hand.

"Elizabeth? Do you want to go to your room?" her father asked her.

(( Awww....:heart: I'll send it in a pm))

Elizabeth looked around wildly, not really seeing anyone until she felt the warm touch of another hand on hers. Startled she looked up to see the Commodore looking at her worriedly. "Oh! Commodore, you scared me. I'm sorry. I had a nightmare this morning about being thrown off the ship.." Looking down she blushed thinking she must sound like a little girl.

Looking over at her father she answered as calmly as she could "Yes Father. I think it might be best for tonight if I ride the storm out there." She nodded trying to stop her shaking.

(( Sorry with how long it took to reply, there's a storm here and it knocked out the net for a bit))

((Heehee :heart:))

James nodded. "I understand how that can be, Elizabeth," he told her in a voice that was just above a whisper. He was looking deep into her eyes. He really did understand how scary that could be and he also understood the fear of getting thrown off a ship. "I would know," he told her loud enough for only him to hear.

"I'll take her to her room, Governor. You're hungry and you haven't been able to eat any of your supper yet," James pointed out as he got up and outstretched his hand for her to hold onto. "I shall be back, Captain, Governor," James said with a bow. He hated to be seeing Elizabeth shaking and so afraid. He wished he could just hug her and tell her that everything would be alright. But I guess that's be the completely wrong thing to do. He was just going to take her to her room, stay with her until she was better, and then order a maid to bring him his dinner into his room. That seemed fair enough.

((awe...it's okay. :yes:))

(( ^_^ ))

Elizabeth blushed as she heard the Commodore would be escorting her to her room. Standing she held onto the back of her chair and leaned down to hug her father. "I'll be alright Father, once I'm back in my room with those lovely carvings I'm sure I'll calm right down. However the Commodore is right and you do need to eat. Please don't worry about me." She kissed him on top of the head before turning to take the Commodore's outstretched hand.

As they were making their way through the bowels of the ship it suddenly gave a great heave. Squeaking a bit in fear, Elizabeth let go of the Commodore's hand and instead wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his shirt while shaking like a leaf.

((No storms so far tonight though...))

((I can't get over how creepy your avatar is. How'd you get the skin?))

Commodore was shocked as the wind blew and the cold rain soaked through his coat, Elizabeth had clung onto him. He's been dreaming she'd do that, but not like this. He wrapped his arms around her as he pushed her forward so that he lightly opened up the door to her quarters with one hand and then they were inside the room, dry. She was still shaking.

"Oh, my dear Elizabeth, you're alright," he said in a concerned and scared-for-you voice. He went to quickly take a step away from her so that he could finally leave her, wandering if she was hating that he was there with her at the moment.

((I wish we had storms here, though))

(( Voodoo Doll Skin. Was a Halloween item iirc ))

Elizabeth was still shaking and not just from the cold rain. Looking up from where she had buried her head she noticed they were in her chambers. Blushing heavily she quickly stepped back from the Commodore. Oh my! I can't believe I just threw myself at him...This trip is going swimmingly so far she thought as she stood there dripping.

"I..I think I'll be alright. Would you mind staying for a minute? I-I'd feel better if you did" looking down and blushing again she quickly ducked behind the privacy screen to change into dryer clothes. She grabbed a towel and began to dry her hair first while thinking I'm acting like a school girl. What's gotten into me? The Commodore must think I'm a nut...

((I just wish it would cool off down here. I'm tired of the hot))

((Bet it costs like 10,000g))

James just nodded. "Anything you want, Miss Swann," he said, trying to go back to how he's supposed to call her. He sat down at one of the chairs as he took off his jacket and draped it behind him. He took out the bow in his hair and rung it out as he grabbed a nearby towel and dried his hair. He was beginning to freeze so he then stopped at taking off his vest. He sighed and looked up at the ceiling.

"Miss Swann, tell me this....why DID you come aboard? Do know that there are at least three storms during a journey across the Caribbean," he said as he rung out the water from his vest into a nearby bucket.

((I understand. :/))

(( Nope. It was a Halloween 09 item and it runs 350g ))

Having finished drying her hair Elizabeth left it to hang down as she peel off her leather vest. Hanging it over the screen she removed her blouse and wrung it out over a bucket before hanging it to dry. I'm so glad I thought to pack "rain proof" clothing she thought as she peeled the skirt off. Toweling dry she grabbed a simple cotton dress that would be comfortable for the rest of the night in the cabin.

At hearing the Commodore's question Elizabeth peeked out from behind the screen. Frowning slightly at him she replied "I'll have you know Commodore that the Only reason I'm upset is because of the nightmare I had this morning. I came along because I've always wanted to go to new port and I love to sail. I'm sorry if it's such a bother" she said before disappearing behind the screen to don her dress.

((I prefer spring and fall. What about you? ))

((O.o -blinks- Really? WOW!))

James just nodded his head. "Miss Swann, you are anything but a bother. And if you want to talk about the dream...I'm sure it'll make you feel better. I'm not going anywhere," he said. "Do you know that I have a fear of drowning? That's why I hardly touch the water unless something dear to my heart is included," he said.

Then he realized what he just said and groaned with unhappiness to his words that he had just said. He knew that Elizabeth would know that he took up his fear to save her life the other day. He sighed and got up. "I'll leave if you want," he then said, but then jumped when thunder hit.

((Summer because it's the most care-free season :)))

(( Yup. That's how much I paid for mine. *nods* Now it might go up in Oct because of Halloween..but I'm not sure on that. I wanted it because it was creepy :XD ))

Elizabet paused in getting dressed as the Commodore admitted his fear of drowning to her. But, if he's afraid of drowning...she thought about it for a minute before she finished tying the last ribbon in place and stepped out from behind the screen. Her hair was still down and slightly wavy from getting soaked in the rain while styled tightly. She saw that he had stood up and was ready to take his leave when a loud roll of thunder was heard and she watched him jump.

Walking over to him she placed a hand on his arm. "Commodore, I think you're a really brave man if you jumped in the water after me and faced your fear." Pulling on his arm and turning him slightly she said with newfound respect in her voice "Why don't you stay here for a while. I'm sure the captain and crew will be able to handle the ship quite well. They all seemed like they knew what they were doing." and maybe.. she thought I can begin to unravel the mystery of the Commodore. She had a feeling there was more to him than the stiff stance and rigidness of being a Commodore.

(( That makes sense ))

((If I can't get it in October, I'll pay anyone like 500g to 800g for it :lol:))

James pulled his body to face Elizabeth when she urged him to do so. He looked into her deep, warm brown eyes and smiled a little. "I didn't know what else to do and I didn't want to loose you so fast," he said with a slight smile. "And thank you, Miss Swann. You flatter me," he said.

When she had told him to stay, his eyes got a little brighter and he nodded his head. "As you wish, Miss Swann," he said as he grabbed his vest and jacket and put it over the line placed in front of the fire place as he placed in some firewood that was stacked nearby and lit a fire in hopes of warming up the room. Then he looked back at Elizabeth and saw how beautiful she was.

"How is it that you can look so beautiful no matter what state you're in?" he asked her with kindness, politeness, flattery, and amazement. Then his cheeks redened when he realized what had just come out of his mouth. Why does she have to be my weakness? he asked himself in agony at the firelight that was shining in her eyes whenever she looked at him.

((plus I get to see my girlfriend))

(( I'm sure you'll be up to 350g in no time. ^_^ ))

Elizabeth watched and noticed the Commodore seemed to relax a little bit after she asked him to stay. The ship was still tossing about but it didn't seem so scary in her cabin away from the top deck. I can't exactly fall off the ship from inside now can I? She thought as she watched the Commodore light a fire to help warm the room and dry their clothes. Once the fire was lit she added her own clothing to the line.

Going over to a cabinet she had found earlier she removed a bottle of light champagne that had been left in there. Wishing briefly she was at home and had ice she poured some into two goblets and set them on the table. Hearing the Commodore's compliment she turned to look at him and her face became a bit flushed with embarrassment. She giggled softly as she watched him begin to blush with what he said. "Oh Commodore, you're too much. But thank you" she giggled again unable to help herself at seeing the Commodore not act so stuffy. So there is a real person hiding in there.. she mused as she watched him.


((Ah ha! The real reason you like summer. :lol:))

((Believe me, with how many RP's I'm doing, I usually get up to like 300g per day. Sometimes I just donate to my girlfriend because she loves changing her outfit a lot :lol:))

James nodded a thank you as he took the goblet and took a sip. He was already starting to calm down. He sat down at the table and looked up at Elizabeth. "Well, it's true," he said in a serious voice as he looked her deep in the eyes. "Would I ever lie?" he then asked in a voice that was just above a whisper.

I know you have feelings for me somewhere deep in there, he thought to himself as he looked into her eyes.

"You sound as if I'm being too formal with you," he noticed. "Would you rather me call you by your first name and treat you like my most best friend in the world?" he asked her in a joking tone.

((Yeah ^.^;; Hey, I'm going to bed. Nighty night))

(( Well, save a few for yourself so you can have creepy skin. :rofl: ))

Sitting down Elizabeth looked across the table at Norrington. "It's not that I think you'd lie Commodore, I'm just not used to honest compliments. Everyone thinks they need to compliment me because I'm the Governor's daughter. I hate it sometimes." She then looked down into her goblet as she realized she'd just admitted something she kept hidden from everyone.

Elizabeth looked over at him when he joked about calling her by name. "It wouldn't hurt. Everyone calls me "Miss Swann" I do have a first name, but even my father doesn't call me by it much unless it's something important." She thought for a minute about how to word the next part so she wouldn't hurt Norrington's feelings "I do wish sometimes you wouldn't be quite so formal. I mean, I know you have to be sometimes, like public functions...but not when it's just you and I." She picked up a napkin and began to twist it in her hands, a nervous habit she had yet to break "I know being a Commodore is important to you..but..." She wasn't quite sure how to go on.

((Sleep well. I'm off work the next two nights but I'll try and get at least one post up each day. ^_^ ))

((Well, of course :)))

James just nodded his head at what Elizabeth had told him. He understood her completely. "Be glad you're not a daughter of the president," he then joked. "Don't worry, I understand," he then said. Really, he did. He just felt bad that she was unhappy that way. And since she had told him about her worry, now it was time to tell her his.

"Elizabeth...I can't break away from my habits unlike some people can. I don't know how to...NOT be formal...," he admitted. He had never told anyone that before, but he considered her as his best friend...since he didn't have many people to call him his friend at all, she was the closest to being considered.

((Alright. :)))

(( Wheeee! :eager: ))

Elizabeth looked up from her napkin slightly startled. "You don't know how to not be formal? Didn't you grow up playing with wooden soldiers and boats? Lead the kids around the neighbor on patrols to chase away the rats?" She looked at him unable to believe that really didn't know how to relax. Closing her eyes for a second she could remember sitting on the floor in front of her dollhouse all day. So many fond memories, until she turned six and had to begin "Lady Lessons". Oh how she hated those...

((Sorry for the short post, bit on the sleepy side. :sleep: ))

((What. O.o))

James looked away from her. "My whole childhood involving trying to get my father get his health back, helping him with carving wood, and training to be who I am now," he said as he then looked back up at Elizabeth. James could remember all the hard work he was forced into. But then again, it shaped him who he is now, and who he is is lucky to know that they have room to love someone such as Elizabeth. "Not many of us are happy to look back on our childhood, Elizabeth," he then said.

((It's okay. Maybe go to bed...?))

(( I dunno, I had just got home from hanging out with friends and was tired/exiceted. :rofl:))

Elizabeth looked at Norrington for a few moments. He really never did have a good childhood.... she thought as she felt her heart ache at that. Well then, we're just going to have to fix that aren't we? And I have the perfect idea. Going over the details in her mind she figured it would work. All she'd really have to do is ask her father if she could do some shopping once their business was concluded. Her father would probably agree, knowing how much she wanted to explore a new port, and send the Commodore along with as an escort. The hard part would be getting him to relax enough to enjoy his time in the port. Elizabeth sighed, it was going to be a long four weeks to get there...though maybe her being on the ship wasn't a bad thing after all.

(( I did after I made the post. *nods*))

((Yay for that! :squee: lol))

James just nodded his head and sighed. He listened to the outside and heard that the storm was beginning to calm down. It had been a long day for them all with getting the ship ready, setting sail, and not to mention the main part of the storm. But he was just glad that it was basically just light rain now. He sighed once again and got up from his chair.

"Thank you for the drink, Elizabeth. I am tired...so I'm going to retire for the night," he said as he walked over to the fireplace and grabbed his coat and vest as he put them back on. They were mostly dry, but still uncomfortable. He couldn't wait to change into something far more comfortable when he got back to his quarters, which was next door.

He bowed and left, hoping she wouldn't neg on him.

((That's good :yes:))

(( I love the mene smilies. :boogie: ))

Elizabeth stood and saw the lines in Norrington's face when he mentioned he was tired. It had been a harrowing last couple of days, from her falling into the sea to the ball to the storm on the ship. She watched as he donned his vest and coat again. While she wanted to speak with him more she thought it not a bad idea for both to rest and start again tomorrow when both were feeling refreshed.

"Of course Commodore. You must be exhausted with everything you had to get ready today. I am glad you enjoyed just sitting and talking. Perhaps we can do so again when neither of us is so rattled." She gave a soft laugh and walked over to open the door and find a soldier to go and fetch her maid. She was hoping the sea would be a bit gentler in the morn and they could have breakfast on the deck.

((:lol: Me too! :squee:))

James smiled and nodded his head. When he got back to his room, he quickly changed into some dry clothes and hurried under the warm covers over the bed in the room. The rain had left every inch of air on the ship shivering cold. And that night, he slowly fell asleep to the thoughts of Elizabeth in his mind. The way she looked at him, the way she smelled, the way she held his body, the way she can look beautiful no matter what. He was in love with her and he had a feeling it would be harshly hurtful to force himself to get over her. He knew he would have to sooner or later. The sooner, the better though.

When the morning sunshine hit the deck and shined through James' window in his eyes. He groaned and turned over on his stomach as he put one of his pillows over his head. He knew he had to wake up and eat breakfast before he dies of starvation, but he was too tired. After a good long five minutes of sitting there, he sighed and got up as he changed into his proper attire for the day. He walked out onto the deck and smiled. Everything looked so calming and beautiful. He saw the Governor motion over to him to come over. Apparently, they were having breakfast on deck this morning. He smiled and headed over to there.