try_corsets | (no subject)

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It's an honest assumption that most people might find life at the end of the universe to be full of adventure and intrigue, or, at the very least, satisfying conversation on a daily basis. Not so for Elizabeth Swann. Indeed, she finds most days dreadfully dull, especially those that see Will having some sort of love affair with his forge. On such days, she does a great deal of sighing and wondering if her fiancé would really just rather marry his sword.

Today is such a day, but Elizabeth is bored with sighing, bored with her room and bored with staring at the bar's fireplace. And although she's not bored with thinking about Jack and their predicament, it's far too chilly outside for a good brooding session in front of the Pearl.

Her thoughts turn to a certain invitation issued on the only day Elizabeth will admit to enjoying herself at Milliways. Thus, at the customary time for tea in the governor's household, Elizabeth enters the staff corridor and goes about finding the flat belonging to the barman and his friendly wife, Nynphadora.

It's not difficult to locate, and she's soon knocking on the door: two firm knocks, precisely.

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Elizabeth returns the look, nothing showing on her face.

A long minute later, she exhales slowly and replies.

"We watched Jack go down with his ship," and although she thinks she's mentioned it before, it bears repeating. "After, we went to see a woman. Witch or priestess, I'm not sure which. Not like you," she adds hastily.

Not at all like Tonks.

"She asked us how far we would be willing to go to bring Jack back. To the waters at World's End, she said."

She nods, remembering what the young woman had said about Jack and the kraken. "But the waters at World's End are a bit difficult to get to when you're stuck at the end of the universe."

A jerky nod is Elizabeth's answer. Her mouth tightens.

"As soon as I saw Jack, I thought this was the place," she says. "But it's not. I don't know what's going to happen when we return. Or if we can take Jack and his precious ship."

The baby seems a bit cowed by the sudden somberness, and looks between his mother and Elizabeth with worried eyes.

"I wish there was something I could tell you t'make you worry less," murmurs Nymphadora, reaching over to grasp Elizabeth's hand for a moment. "But all I can say is-- yeah. I know how you feel. The helplessness."

"Thank you," Elizabeth murmurs. "And you have helped me worry less. Honestly."

Despite the knowledge that she would make the same choices again, Elizabeth feels guilty. Guilty over Jack, and guilty for the sympathy she's receiving. For just a moment, she considers telling Tonks the truth of the matter. What's driving her to bring Jack back. But, in the end, she's not sure she wants Tonks to look at her any differently.

After some consideration: "How does Bar work?"

Tonks still isn't satisfied that Elizabeth actually feels better; but then, this isn't the sort of thing one brushes off after a handful of comforting words.

"Magic," she replies with a small smile, and steadies Anthony as he pulls himself up into a standing position. "The spell that binds Bernard and Mike to her make her... a person in her own right, sort of."

"He'll have his sea legs soon too, I imagine," she says with a small, fond smile. "That must have taken a powerful magician. Bar."

It's still a little hard to believe.

"I haven't met Mike."

Tonks flushes a bit; Sirius cast the first spell, but it's Tonks' that's keeping both Barmen tied to the Bar.

"He's pretty brilliant. Bloody good joker, and he makes the best damn cookies you'll ever taste, though if you tell Bernard I said that I'll hex you."

"Your secret is safe."

Smiling, Elizabeth leans forward and whispers, "Sometimes I wish Will didn't have such a fondness for silly hats. I can't hex you if you tell, but its leverage."

She nods once, as if sealing a deal.

'Dora nods back solemnly, and then her face splits into a grin. "But we love 'em anyway, huh."

"It's an inescapable malady, I fear. At least it's mutually contracted."

Elizabeth may be unsure of her future with Will, but there's one thing of which she's certain: Will adores her.

"It's a nice feeling."

A pause, and then Nymphadora laughs.

"If a bit scary, now and again."

"Yes."

She clasps her hands in her lap, rubbing one thumb with the other.

"I hope I remain worthy of it," slips out.

Nymphadora hesitates, and then speaks. "I hope you don't think I'm being condescending, because I doubt I'm really all that much older than you are, but-- well, I've had experience with that sort of worry. And it won't do you any good. You just have to sort of, sort of throw caution to the wind and dive in headfirst." Anthony chirrups quietly, and she grins down at him. "Otherwise you'll get really twitchy and start second-guessing everything either of you does. And that gets pretty bloody annoying for everyone involved, after a while."

Elizabeth listens carefully, eyes darting to Anthony when he makes a small noise. She doesn't reply immediately, mulling over her own words.

"I don't think you're being condescending," is first and foremost. "I appreciate the advice."

There's a heavy but hanging there, and again Elizabeth wonders if she should just tell Tonks the truth.

Eventually: "I think I will throw caution to the wind and dive in head first. I intend to do that. But I don't think I can until we've done what needs to be done."

"Yeah. I get that."

Letting out a breath, 'Dora leans forward and refills both their cups. Anthony takes the opportunity to shimmy down off the couch and crawl beneath the coffee table to retrieve one of the toys beneath it, emerging a moment later with his Piglet. Beaming, he holds the little stuffed pig out as if introducing him to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth thinks she rather does.

"That," Elizabeth announces, "is a very handsome pig."

She pats its head, smiling.

"Did you get that in London?" To Tonks, she adds, "I can't imagine what it must be like now. Well. In your time."

"...Noisy. And very, very big," she replies after a moment's consideration. "It's very beautiful, but-- yeah, the technology, cars, all of it'd probably give you a fairly huge headache. You might feel more at home in the wizarding quarter, to be honest. Time sort of... passes more slowly, there."

"Occasionally, time seemed to pass at an impossibly slow rate in Port Royal," she says, smiling wryly. "Were you born there?"

London, the wizarding quarter... possibly both.

"Uh-huh. Went to primary school there, went away to Scotland for school, and then came back to London for the Academy. It's home."

There's a pause as she realizes what she's said.

"...Except for the bit where this place is home now, too." She laughs. "Anyway, tell me about Port Royal. I've never been to the Caribbean."

"I've heard Milliways has the weather of Scotland."

She tries not to say it derisively. Really.

"It's a riot of color. When I remember England, it's primarily in gray and muted tones. The Caribbean is bright blues and reds and greens. The water is so clear you can see the fish swimming." She smiles fondly. "Our house is up on a hill. I could open the shutters in the morning and catch a breeze, while watching the sun on the water."

"It sounds beautiful," she says wistfully. "Wish I could see it. Especially back when there wasn't any pollution, or oil tankers, or over-fishing." A beat. "And there were pirates."

"If the door opens and things happen as they should-"

She breaks off, shaking her head.

"If I'm ever able, I'd enjoy showing it to you."

'Dora smiles, and for all that it's small, it's reassuring, too.

"I'd like that. Really."

Then she gets to her feet, picking up the empty plate, and heads for the kitchen.

"I think Bernard hid some fudge in the pantry somewhere..."

"I'm not sure how I can still be hungry, but fudge sounds delightful."

She smiles at 'Dora's retreating back, then at Anthony.

"You know what would make your pig even more handsome? A pirate hat."

It's possible that, sometime in the next few days, the pig will find himself with one. Elizabeth will make sure of it.

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