PotC Chinese Menu Challenge - Master List

OK, I've got one. 200 words including title. Sort of follows from these

Column A - A character in disguise (or a clever ruse, take your pick)
Column B - Sparrow and Norrington (who else)
Column C - hat, wig, kohl, ship

Hair Raising


James watched as set of booted French legs passed the knothole in their hiding place.

"Why did I ever let you talk me into this escapade Sparrow?"

Jack looked pointedly at the bulging pocketbook at James' side, filled with French correspondence and plans.

"Yes, but what good is it if we can't get it back to Port Royal?"

Another set of legs stomped past.

"Just takes a bit of disgiusin', mate. You'll have to leave that lovely coat behind. And the hat. Now give me your wig." Jack untied his headscarf and neatly spread it out on the floor as he spoke.

James watched Jack as he shed the most recognizable parts of his uniform. Jack carefully spat on a handkerchief and wiped the kohl from around his eyes. Then with a practiced motion, he removed his hair and neatly rolled it into the scarf with James' own wig.

James stared. "That's not your real hair?" he managed to croak.

"Course it's my real hair. Just no longer attached to me head. Comes in handy when a disguise is called for." He winked at James. "Now, let's get going. Misters Smith and Jones have a ship to catch."

Reincarnation ** Norrington, Swann, Elizabeth, Will ** apple

* * *

The tyres rustled over the gravel of the driveway, and Norrington was acting on autopilot for the last few metres. The radio went on playing whatever it was as he slumped over the wheel, coat bunching up uncomfortably around his shoulders. He'd shed the tie already, at least, and it was curled up around his briefcase like a venomous snake, glaring at him greenly from the passenger seat.

There was a loud rap at his window, and he fumbled with the slider for a long moment without lifting his head before the glass slid down with that annoying electronic whirr.

"There you are!" Swann said enthusiastically from the outside, his voice accompanied by evening crickets, birds, and children's shrieks from two streets down.

"There I am," Norrington agreed into the airbag panel. "Let me guess, you forgot to tell your secretary to send Groves the Nayland file. Sir."

"Nonsense," Swann replied cheerfully. Apparently he had changed into a knitted waistcoat with some thick embroidery and a different tie pin, that little touch of extravagant effusiveness permeating every aspect of his being. "We're having a barbecue tonight, as I hope you remembered!"

With a guilty start Norrington remembered that he had, in fact, forgotten all about it in the rush of the Nayland and Shields cases, which had exploded over the past three days, but before that he had thought about it long enough to buy a rather nice bottle of wine, that was now sitting in the pantry, getting which would mean leaving the car -- hell, standing up -- and moving all the way into the house, and then possibly changing and taking a shower, and bloody hell, Swann was still talking.

"--appreciates it greatly."

Norrington shook his head. "I'm sorry, I was... what were you saying?"

Swann actually looked acutely uncomfortable, which went with waistcoat but would have looked out of place in the office. "I really appreciated your help with young Turner's situation, James, and so does Elizabeth. She was saying to me this morning that she hoped you'd make it to the barbecue tonight, so she could tell you in person."

Norrington could have pointed out that Elizabeth saw him every day, on account of the Swanns living next door. He didn't.

Swann stood aside as he unfolded himself from the car and assembled briefcase, tie and newspaper into a heap. "Come over in an hour, James, we'll just be putting the steaks on."

Nodding, Norrington unlocked his front door, firmly telling himself that it hadn't been an order, merely a friendly invitation.

From the bedroom window he could see a corner of the Swanns' back yard. Elizabeth and Turner were curled up on the swing, feeding each other what looked like an apple.

He tried not to think about her licking juice from her fingers as he stepped into the shower.

Up from my cabin,
My sea-gown scarf'd about me, in the dark
Groped I to find out them; had my desire.
Hamlet, Act V, scene II.


Sea Gown, Norrington/Swann, PG

Sweet and Sour!

Sorry, couldn't resist. 200 words: Mystery Pairing (tho' obviously not for long): sword, wig, kohl+beads+goldteeth.

It was time to go.

Past time, really, but he'd lived the life so credibly that he'd even convinced himself. It was only natural, was it not, for a man to seek out civilised company? To be pleased to see a friend? To feel a flush of emotion (he'd called it pride) as Norrington had accepted from him the fine sword and the promotion it represented?

That pirate, with his kohl and beads and silly gold smile, had changed everything. Everything. The way James had looked at him, all helpless and open: not to be borne.

After the non-execution, after his own darling daughter had (thank heaven!) turned from James Norrington and made a different choice, he'd come home alone. He'd dismissed the servants and sat drinking smuggled brandy, thinking about freedom. Thinking about what he might want, and where he might find it.

He'd have to leave everything behind: his rank, his fine clothes, his library. James Norrington. The thought was strangely liberating.

Abandoning his wig, forlorn on its stand, and relishing the cool night air on his shaved scalp, Weatherby Swann slipped out of the back door and went to seek his fortune on the Spanish Main.

Re: Sweet and Sour!

also posted over on my LJ!

You Have Heard of Me?

Title: You Have Heard of Me?
Author: shrieking_ell
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: All for my own amusement. Own nothing related to POTC. Except the DVD. No profit intended or realized.
Feedback: Please. Criticism and comments welcome.
Notes: This is a short drabble for hellborne to cheer her up and encourage her to post more of her stuff here at LJ. Crossposted to pie_and_honour. Also fills the bill for a response to fabu's Chinese Menu Challenge (A=Unexpected reunion, B=Jack, Gibbs, C=rum, ship, pie) Double drabble = 200 words.

You Have Heard of Me?

I wrote one -- A storm at sea / Jack and Elizabeth / ship, a jar of pleasantly scented oil, and Pie!

My answer to the challenge can be found here.

I ended up with a large order. Pregnancy/childbirth; a four-character combo; sides of a ship, pistol, a bead, and an apple, to go. The story, therefore, is rather long, but still a one-shot.

Thanks for a lovely challenge idea, Mel!

Flight of Fancy

I managed to get one worked out, with a little help from Gibb's storytelling. Nice serving of Rescue combined with Will/Parrot/Rope/Sword/and a Ship.
Flight of Fancy

My entry for my own challenge: "Recipe for Disaster" (J/W/E, PG13), using using, among other things, a drunken confession; Elizabeth and Will; jewelry, pie and a wig.

Thanks so much, fabu, for posing this challenge - the menu was quite inspiring! My response is here. Column A: a drunken confession; Column B: Groves, Elizabeth; Column C: rum, corset, shackles, and a button.