Tia breathed deep of the sea's scent. It smelled of salt, new life, and ancient death all at once; a nostalgic scent that carried her back to days long past.
"I know some people like the smell of the sea, but you seem to be enjoying it a bit too much," the only other woman on the ship rudely remarked.
"I am not enjoying myself enough, actually," Tia corrected, sparing the young thing a sideways glance. "There is a whale fall right beneath us. I would like a taste of it, but alas, I am only human and I would rather not drown."
Tia didn't particularly mind that she let out a bit more emotion than she intended as she said that. Still, she changed the subject. "So what is the deal between you and the commodore?"
"One trip, maybe a little bit of danger, but I'll go home and retire rich," she claimed.
"I was referring to those looks that you keep sending his way. Especially the ones at his hind quarters," Tia smiled.
"What?" she blustered defensively. "I don't look at his- I haven't looked anywhere inappropriate."
"It's no use denying it to me. I have seen your eyes wander over to him almost as often as I have found them on my cleavage," Tia accused. When the woman's eyes flicked down at her chest and back up, Tia's smile widened and showed her teeth.
It was clear that the woman, (Anamaria! That was her name!) that Anamaria, very much wanted to deny it, but she clearly found it difficult to tell such an obvious lie right after being caught red handed.
"I've sworn off men," Anamaria settled on, looking somewhat vulnerable.
"Oh?" Tia took a half step closer.
Anamaria's eyes widened in alarm. "And women! I've sworn off romance!"
"A shame," Tia said with no real disappointment. "Why not make an exception for Norrington, then? He seems to be a dutiful and honest man, no?"
"They often seem that way at first," Anamaria snorted. "Besides, it's clear that he's head over heels for another woman already. He even went so far as to arrange this little rescue mission."
"Ah, but his love does not necessarily return his affections," Tia suggested. "When she breaks his heart, you could already be there, ready to accept him even as she rejects him."
Anamaria studied her. "That sounds pretty fucked up."
Tia laughed. The girl was more innocent than she seemed! "All is fair in love and war, no?"
"No thanks," Anamaria grunted. "I've got work to do."
With that, she marched off.
Tia decided that this trip might be good for more than just a reunion with the sea. It's been more than a little while since she played matchmaker.
…
"Are you sure that we're going in the right direction?" Norrington grumbled.
"It is a bit late to doubt me, is it not?" Tia asked in turn.
"There aren't any islands out here," Norrington spoke firmly. "Look! This map is barely six months old. The Cheribbean has been fully charted for decades! There's nothing out this way for hundreds of miles!"
"There!" Jack chose that moment to jab his grimy finger at the map, right in the middle of the stretch of sea they were sailing into.
"There, what?" Norrington knew he would regret asking, but did so anyway.
"That's where we're going," Jack confirmed.
"Nonsense," Norrington shook his head.
"He's not far off, actually," Tia leaned in. "Perhaps just a dozen miles to the east, or less. That is our destination."
"You must be joking," Norrington refused to give in to this silliness. "If he could just randomly poke at my map to find the island, then what did we come to you for?"
"Inspiration," Jack sounded sure of himself, which was complete horseshit as far as Norrington was concerned.
"What he said," Tia smirked.
"Oh, well in that case we'll just go there, yes? It should be possible to navigate there via the stars," Norrington called her bluff.
Instead, infuriatingly, she doubled down with a sagely nod.
"Unbelievable," Norrington shook his head and held his face with both hands.
"Belief is important. We will find what we are looking for-" Tia placed her own finger on the same spot that Jack denoted. "-right there."
Norrington looked between their smiling faces. "If we arrive too late, I'll sink this ship with all of us on it."
"I look forward to it," Tia replied. Somehow, she sounded like she meant it, too.
…
"Hey," Jack whispered to her after leaving Norrington by his lonesome. "You know that isn't really where Barbossa's hiding, right?"
"I know," Tia grinned. "It's where the rum is, isn't it?"
Jack didn't confirm or deny that, but he did send her a knowing look.
"I could use a drink, myself. I forgot to bring anything in my haste to board the ship and be off," Tia admitted.
Jack nodded with his eyes closed. "It's at least on the way there, right?"
"It's barely a detour, do not worry," Tia assured.
"I'll stop worrying when I'm drunk again. I can't believe he thinks it wise to board a ship with a bunch of sober pirates! You'd think he'd want every advantage he could get," Jack shook his head.
…
Norrington stared down at his plate. He doesn't remember how or why he agreed to this, but he was definitely regretting it now.
He would never admit it, but his delicate palate could in no way handle the heavily spiced dish in front of him.
"Dig in," Tia said after she finished serving Jack, Mr. Gibbs, then finally herself. "It's my own recipe. It has a bit of a kick, you'll find."
More than a bit. Norrington was already blinking away tears forming in his stinging eyes. Jack looked to be in similar levels of distress, but Mr. Gibbs started eating without an ounce of hesitation.
"Oh~" Mr. Gibbs practically moaned. "You know what? I'm glad you came aboard after all, Ms. Dalma. I didn't manage to find a good cook on such short notice. I thought I was going to be eating hardtack for two weeks. I think this jerk chicken is the best I've ever had."
"Thank you," Tia's smile actually reached her eyes this time.
Jack took the opportunity to try the chicken as well, then he nearly coughed up a lung.
"Problem, Jack?" Tia asked.
"No, no," Jack managed after chugging half a pitcher of water. "It's delicious. Maybe just a tad too spicy for my tongue is all."
"Really?" Tia tilted her head that gave Norrington the impression of a predator. "It's the most mild dish I made, though? Are you not going to try the rest?"
"Of course, I'll at least try it," Jack wilted beneath her judging gaze. "No, uh, no promises though."
"You can't waste good food at sea, Jack," Mr. Gibbs reprimanded. "I'd have thought you of all people understood that, after being stranded on that island."
Norrington realized belatedly that Tia was watching him now. Waiting for him to try something, daring him to speak a word against her cooking after she so graciously offered to do so.
Norrington used a knife and fork to cut a piece free from the chicken and place it in his mouth, with only a second's pause.
His world was rocked.
Mr. Gibbs was right. It was delicious.
Also, it set his entire face on fire.
Was this what Hell was like?