I'm Trying to Find A Signal Fire

Pyralis was settling in to her role haunting the Plunder. Ok, no one had given her that role, she'd given it to herself but there was something comforting about sticking close to home. She'd travel, certainly, but for now she was getting used to her new existence, testing what she could do. Right now that included freaking out some sea gulls. They didn't seem to be able to see her but they could sense her and would shriek and scatter whenever she got too close. She'd watch their features stand on end, their beady eyes looking around for the threat they could sense but not pinpoint.

During this escapade she discovered another perk to her corporeal-less existence. She did not feel tired. She could literally keep running all she wanted. Inspired to just run she dashed across the beach, flying across it without disturbing sand or pebble.

The sun is steadily climbing, marking the early morning hours as the pirates slowly stir into wakefulness. Calico Jack has always been an early raiser so he is among the first to hit the black sands of the familiar beach. Long, gangly legs trot along the familiar stretch of sand as he ponders what to do today. Now that booze was readily available, it has been tempting to drink himself silly whenever he gets bored. But today, he stirs clear of the alcohol in favor of a clear head. Thoughts turn lazily through his mind when, suddenly, a group of seagulls ahead of him squawk angrily and scatter.

Pulling to a stop, he eyes the birds with confusion. They act like someone ran by them but there is no one else on the patch of beach besides him and he is a good distance off still. Brows knit together when a gust of cold air touches his side and sends shivers racing along his spine. Instinctively, Jack shies away from the icy touch and his gaze snaps to the area where it originates from. For a brief moment, a figure shimmers into existence before winking out again. The boy’s jaw unhinges and hangs open as he recognizes the wolf who had appeared.

Tail wags and his paws dance as he turns to face ghost, shouting, “Pyrlis? You’re… here!” He had almost said, ‘alive’ but that was far from the truth. A soft shimmering aura distorts the sand and the woman’s figure pulsates from within. The image starts out weak and falters often, sometimes showing the dead wolf as whole and health while others times showing bloody wounds that gape at him and drip. But Calico Jack doesn’t care about any of that because she is here. With a happy bark, he says, “Pyr! I have missed you!” It is true and he isn’t the only one that has. Since she died, it has felt as if the glue that held the pirates together had left them too.


"Calico Jack"

I'm Trying to Find A Signal Fire

As she ran a flock of seagulls that had been scavenging along the beach scattered into the air. They must've sensed something and she delighted in seeing them scatter. It was so hit or miss as to whether the living could notice her or not. She slowed to a stop as she spied the familiar form of Calico Jack. Ahhh, the young pirate showed so much promise and a part of her heart ached at not being able to be there as he grew up into adult hood.

Pyrlis? You’re… here!

Her ears perked up, tail starting to wag. "Jack!" she barked out a greeting as she trotted toward him. "I have missed you as well, I'm so glad you can see me. I'm not sure what is happening but it seems I have some more time before I fully crossover. How have you been?"

The experience of seeing Pyrlis as a ghost is surreal, wonderful, and scary all at the same time. She will always have a piece of his heart and, since her death, he has felt… lost. And, even more than that, it has also felt like the Pirates have lost their very soul. Everything has been different since they cast her body out to sea on a boat that they set aflame. Her body is gone, turned to ash and buried under the waves… yet, here she is, trotting toward him in all her ethereal glory. The worries and doubt that Calico Jack has felt since the funeral disappear and a bright, genuine smile erupts across his lips.

Jack gazes lovingly at her, his own tail wagging furiously in delight as his paws start to dance with joy. Pyr was an adult he trusted and loved almost as much as his own mother and, as she barks out a greeting, he cannot help but dip down into a play bow from the sheer excitement of the whole experience. As she calls his name, Jack quickly stands and closes the distance between them, wishing he could throw his legs around her and envelope her with a huge hug. But ghosts are incorporeal so he settles for standing close to her and basking in her ghostly presence.

As Pyr asks how he has been, the boy’s smile falters and he offers a sad sigh. With a shy smile he slowly explains, “Well. Physically, I am okay. But my heart has been aching since you… had to leave.” He avoids using the word murdered because he hates to think that her last moments of life were spent in pain and fear. With a shrug, he continues on, “The adults have been drinking more since the funeral. Many of them seem grumpier too but I don’t know if that is because they are mad or because of the hangovers.” He offers a chuckle, trying to make light of the uncertainty he has been feeling.

Icy blue gaze never leaves Pyrlis and, suddenly, Jack blurts out, “I don’t want you to go Pyr! Everyone and everything has been different since you had to leave! Please, you have to stay. You… you held us all together.” The words are heart-felt and the sorrow that colors his gaze is as deep as the ocean. Part of him knows that it is an impossible wish but the boy hopes that, whatever magic has kept her here, will allow her to stay and be a part of the Pirates. Mentally he kicks himself, realizes just how selfish the wish is that he has just voiced.


"Calico Jack"