Grey turned sharply on the thoughtless Barry, hissing angrily between his teeth, "And what do YOU know about that ship!?"

His eyes flashed warningly, and he appeared more tense than he had been in months. For a minute he stared awkwardly, and then relaxed just a bit.

No, no, it wouldn't do to let the crew see my emotions toward that half-wit Sparrow.

"Claudia," he said much more calmly, but with his eyes still fixed on Barry. "Prepare the ropes. We'll sail towards 'er," he motioned toward the PEarl with ajerk of his head, "in about an hour. We'll never catch 'er, so best just follow at a safe distance and find where she docks. Savvy?"

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"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air."

"Aye aye, Cap'n." Claudia said, muttering, "Idiot," as she brushed past Barry.

She expertly prepared the ropes, yelling occasional commands to other crewmates - "Trim that sail!" or, "Not so tight, lackwit, you'll break it!"

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Benjamin turned a claw-like grip on Barry, holding him firmly by the shoulder.

"We're going after that ship, which has that bloody runaway, and we'll get her back and be on our course." His grip tightened threateningly, and he coked his head a bit, smiling. "See?"

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"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air."

Benjamin let out a long, low growl of a sigh... and suddenly moving his hand to the nap of Barry's neck, grabbed it, and twisted it hard towards the the direction of the Pearl.

He then roughly shoved the 'scope against Barry's eye with his free hand, and bellowed "SEE?!"

((Aramel, you charrie is awesome, ROFLOL))

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"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air."

"You get it," sneered Grey. "Prepare to sail NOW! I'm going down to check on the prisoners."

Deftly Benjamin made his way down the slime-covered steps, holding his latern in front of the prisoners faces. He smiled with mock pity, nudging Maxwell with his foot.

"Ah, why look so glum, when ye're the father of such a fine wife, and such charming daughters? Take your Isobelle... now there's a fine girl. Up on deck with us. Charming lass. She catches my fancy."

Maxwell spat contemptously at the pirate captain. "Never." he said simply, protectively in front of his wife and youngest daughter.

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"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air."

Claudia paused her business to mutter, "Dimwit," in Barry's general direction.

Isabelle anxiously crept to the top of the steps belowdeck, and caught Benjamin's voice. She listened intently to him and the replies of her parents, chewing her lip fiercely - she had to do something!

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"None of your - oh!" said Isabelle, jumping up. "Nothing...I mean...nothing at all..." she told him, moving away. "I can't imagine what you mean."

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"Never? And I 'spose ye're all ready to bust out and do something heroic with these chains still wrapped round yer wrists?"

He laughed tauntingly, and then suddenly grew sober, as a fleeting image of something that daft Captain of the Pearl had done once. He shook it off, and turned back to them with even more malice in his eyes.

"Speaking of the lass, is that her voice I hear above me? Ye'll excuse me, I have other *guests* to see to." He laughed again, and sprinted up stairs just in time to catch Barry and Isobelle. He stared at them for a moment, and suddenly blew out... "WHAT is this girl being allowed to roam the decks like she's the Quartermaster?!!?"

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<center>
"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air."

"Oh aye, my fault!" growled Claudia. "What with getting this ship underway to follow that blasted...to follow it...I've no time to be chasin' after captives!"

Isabelle pulled away from Barry angrily. "I don't even know what a quartermaster is, and how am I supposed to do anything at all with these stupid pirates everywhere?!"

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