Chapter Text
It was safe to say you never had the intention of being stranded on an island. Then again who ever does, especially on one with such a reputation as Tortuga.
During the day the port was fairly quiet, a welcomed surprise. Though the stench of rum and sweat stayed pungent in the air, it was almost pleasant. Locals bustled about doing daily tasks while markets opened for passing travelers, and a fairly pleasant breeze would blow through the town. At night, however, is when the island came to life.
Singing and yelling were constant company along with the smashing of glass, scrapping of chairs and clinking of glass. It was truly a place briming with energy and, to what you can discern half the time, joy. Though with the amount of men thrown out from taverns may prove otherwise.
Regardless, in the very short time of being here, you were able to navigate and make some coin by providing services to the locals.
The whole reason you got into this mess in the first place was due to your desire to pursue your dream, something you're starting to doubt was worth doing. It wasn't common for women to get a proper education, much less so in fields of science. Yet through your fathers connections, and final acceptance that you were far past marrying age, you were sent an acceptance letter to shadow a man by the name Doctor Fernst. A professor and practitioner of medicine who had been impressed by a research paper you wrote.
Without delay you packed a light bag and boarded a passenger boat. All was well until an unplanned mutiny led to you being stranded in the most hectic and morally questionable port of all the seven seas. This time with nothing more than the clothes on your back, a purse with no coin and a broken house crest dangling from your ever present necklace. Safe to say luck was well against you.
Reminiscing on your woes you walk into a busy tavern loud with clatter and stuffy from sweaty heat. Finding the man you were looking for you head towards the bar.
"Mr. Eastwood, medicine for you," you say, taking out a small, tinted bottle with a note tied to the neck of it. "You'll need to take three drops every morning and evening for the next two weeks."
"Aye, appreciated lass. Here's ye payment," he says, taking the bottle and in turn placing a few coins in your hand.
The exchange done and coin safely tucked in your purse, you turn towards the nearby bulletin board only to overhear a nearby conversation.
"And what makes ye a good addition to the crew?"
"I can tie a knot. And me last job said I'd do good scrubbin' decks." A lanky, hunched man replies.
With a sturdy nod and beaming smile a pepper bearded man replies, "Aye, that would do. Welcome to the crew! Be by the docks come early mornin' 'morrow."
The new crewman smiles in excitement and scurries away with his hat in his hand.
Intrigued, your boots resist the sticky floors as you head on over to the table, the bearded man looking up from the paper in front of him.
"Aye, I don't require services lass," said the man.
"And I'm not here to offer any," You smoothly take the now occupied seat across from him. "I take it you're looking for a crew?"
He eyes you before shacking his head. "Aye, but with no interest in bringing a woman on board. Best be on yer way," he says dismissingly, looking over your shoulder. "Next!"
Not deterred from the mans lack of interest, you adjust your dress to be more comfortable.
"So where are you headed?" You place both arms on the table, leaning forward in interest.
"None o' yer concern." He states sharply, "Now off ye go. Your stubbornness won't do ye good here."
"Now I disagree with that, it's gotten me this far. Port Royal? Singapore? London?"
He sighs at your pestering. "What good does it do knowin' where we're headed?"
"Well, what may interest you may in turn interest me. I reckon I can be just as much an asset as the man you just brought onto your ship, perhaps even more so. I would bet my purse you don't have a medic on board, and that may be of value to you, wouldn't you agree?"
He raises a brow at that, "A medic? And what makes ye so certain you'd fair well on a pirates ship?"
"Sheer determination and wit of course," you state with a smile.
He gives you an unamused look. "I mean no disrespect lass, but you're clearly not made for the sea. Go find work fer someone of yer stature. "
You cock your brow at that, heart beating a bit faster in fear of losing this opportunity, though you do your best to keep nonchalant. "Now what does that mean? You won't even let me prove my worth. Come now, at least give me a chance to impress. If within a weeks time you believe me useless you're more than welcome to kick me off-board."
He groans at this, "Let me guess, yer wealthy father is marrying ya off but ye ran away and found yourself on Tortuga looking for freedom."
You find yourself chuckling at the amusing assumption. "Is that the usual story you hear?"
He doesn't respond. Huffing you continue. "Look, I'm just trying to get a ride out of this port. Though I understand the concern just think of what you'll get in turn. Any wound I can patch, any illness I can cure, and all concerns you have can be addressed by a professional." You knew that you weren't that skilled, but the man didn't need to know that, he just needed to be convinced.
"So yer a miracle doctor help'n pirates from the kindness of yer heart?" He leans back, humorless in tone. "Aren't there navy men ye'd fancy instead? " He asks unconvinced.
"As pleasant as that'd be, when was the last time you've seen navy ships docked?" You asked, your eagerness sullen by recounting your reality. The silence was loud as you sigh and lean back, hand out to gesture towards him.
"Look, all I ask for is passage on the ship. In turn I'll help your crew until the inevitable time comes where we part ways. No strings attached nor hard feelings. What say you?"
"Mr. Gibbs," a voice comes from behind the man, " perhaps we make an exception for the lass."
Mr. Gibbs swirls to look behind him. A man comes from the shadows, a hat crooked on his head with red, freckle riddled cheeks. His deep brown, kohl set eyes set on you as he walks with swagger in his step.
"But Captain, you know the rules. No women on board, it's bad luck,"
"As much as I am one for rules," he says sarcastically, "perhaps we'd do some good with fair company, don't ye think?" he then gets to the table, leaning a bit forward as his eyes roam your semi-exposed chest before trailing to your eyes, a smirk growing on his face.
"Now, what is the fine lass's name?"
"(Y/N)," You answer, eyes following his movement as he reaches for a bottle of rum that was on the table.
"(Y/N)? A fine name, I take it after someone else?" He says, hand going for an open bottle on the table.
You nod. "My grandmothers name."
He nods at that before he sends you a big grin, the jewels in his dreads glimmer in the warm light. "Well then Miss (Y/N), cheers to our union," he then takes a swing from the bottle, holding it out to you next.
"No thank you," you lift a hand to pass. He only shrugs, "more for me then," he then takes another swing before looking at the man with the mutton chop beard.
"Mr. Gibbs!"
"Aye Cap'n?" says Mr. Gibbs, alert for his orders even while clearly unhappy.
"Be sure ta head into town and buy supplies for the doctor. Stow it upon the inceptor come 'morrow." He then winks over towards you with a small courtesy.
"If you'll excuse me, I have a few ladies vying for my attention." His smirks and waves to three ladies sat at a table further away, tankards in hand as they giggle to one another when they notice his looking.
Without waiting for any response he was well on his way over, almost tripping over his own feet in the retreat.
Taking that as the sign to leave, you stood and excused yourself, making way out of the pub and towards the miraculous postal office that somehow was at the port. There you quickly wrote and send a letter addressed to Doctor Fernst, informing him that you would be delayed but would be sure to come back with stories.