soooo, that was…wow

It had been strange, terrifying, and unexcepted when the water had suddenly created a huge wave that crashed over the beach. Calico Jack had not been worried about his own safety in that moment because he had not been alone on the shore. Dulla, the kind woman had met before, had also been trapped with him and the pair had franticly attempted to outrun the rogue wave. But the ocean is a powerful force and, even with his attempt to knock the woman out of harm’s way, the water had claimed them both. As Jack floated below the surface, a stranger had dove into the water, in a misguided attempt to rescue him.

In the end, Jack had actually ended up helping the girl. Being a strong swimmer, he knew how and when to fight the water so, together, the pair floated calmly along, allowing the current to take them where it wanted. It was no use fighting when the current was so strong so the pair conserved their energy for now. By the time the pull of the water began to calm the shoreline is barely visible. Now, they have a chance. Carefully, slowly, he instructs Bramble on how to swim with the current so that she does not use up too much energy on the trek back to the beach and, when he is satisfied that she understands, he finally releases his hold on her tawny form. Gently, he coaches her along offering encouragement where needed as the pair make their way back toward land.

Calico Jack realizes that, in the hectic aftermath of the wave, the boy has lost sight of the Dulla and he turns his icy gazes to the water around them. Worry slowly starts to gnaw a hole in his stomach as he finds no sign of her. Questions and speculation begin to push into his mind but Jack is forced to put them aside as he continues to cheer Bramble on. After some time, the pair touch dry land and, while he is cold, the calico boy is far from exhausted. He helps Bramble up the beach to a spot where the ocean cannot touch her and instructs her to sit. Water clings heavily to their forms, making their fur heavy as fat drops plunk onto the sand under them.

Again, he turns his gaze out in search of Dulla, the boy hopefully scanning the horizon is all directions for any sign of the woman but finds nothing. Anxiously, the boy tips his head back and howls a call for her, weaving into the sound the fact that he and Bramble are safe and searching for her. Once that is done, he lowers his head and looks to the soaked girl with him. Lips wiggle into a relaxed grin as he bows his head slightly, showing her the fact that he is defaulting to her and not attempting to do anything uncouth since the pirates have a certain… reputation.

Attempting to show his submission, his tail betrays him and wags slowly behind him as he happily says, “You did great Bramble! Why don’t you stay here and rest while I go find and some kindling to start us a fire?” It isn’t really a suggestion since he knows they both the warmth to drive off the chill the water has left behind. Plus, while he searches for that, he can also try to find Dulla so she can benefit from the fire as well. The worry for the woman’s safety returns as he continues to gently smile at Bramble while he hopes the girl will allow him to leave her for a little bit.


"Calico Jack"