Racing The Night [Calico Jack]

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"