Pirates Of The Caribbean Fan Fiction ❯ Mirror, Mirror ❯ Sunset ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10

 

For the next few nights, Ayse retired as early as she possibly could without arousing suspicion that she was up to something. It was there in her room that she and James dedicated themselves to researching the breakthrough that they had made together, and eventually, Ayse could manipulate the surface of James's mirror with little effort. By this point, Ayse was quite able to reach both her arms inside and touch James, though she realized that in his form, he would be naught but a cold draft of air - at least that was the best description she could think of.

“I think tonight we should try moving you,” Ayse finally suggested. “I've been reading some material on ghosts and spirits in what free time I have, and I've come to conclude that as long as you have some kind of vessel to inhabit, you should be safe.”

“I rather figured that,” James told her. “Now the question is how do I get from this looking glass to the one in my watch?”

“Well, I've had many thoughts on that, actually, and I think the safest way to try this is through using me as the bridge,” Ayse explained.

“If I heard you correctly, and I'm quite sure I did, are you basically proposing that I inhibit your body?” James confirmed, baffled.

Ayse smiled. “That's exactly what I am proposing. My theory is that if you can somehow crossover through me, then I can place you safely in the compact of the pocket watch for transport. If we're going to leave, I can't exactly go with a dressing mirror strapped to my back.”

“Yes, I know, but…how do you know it will work?”

“I don't,” Ayse simply said, “but I have a very strong feeling that it will.”

“And just how do you intend to go about doing this?” he questioned further.

Ayse picked up the pocket watch that once belonged to James and held it open in the palm of her hand. “I am going to hold the watch in this hand and place my other hand on your prison, and we will begin by doing what we have been doing. In order to transfer you, however, I think it will be up to you to get to me.”

“Have you forgotten the other problem we talked about?”

“Oh, what would happen if I can't see you?” Ayse offered. “I have not forgotten, and it is something I have taken into great consideration. Honestly, I hope it does work and I will be able to see you as plainly as I do now, but in the event it doesn't, my hand will still be on the glass so that you may return. It is a big risk to take, I know, but I have come to the conclusion that we simply must take it and hope for the best.”

James sighed. “It would seem that we will have to get used to this risk-taking as we are about to be put into a position where we will be taking many great risks on our endeavor.”

“Indeed.” Ayse placed her small hand on the glass. “Shall we begin?”

“Yes, let's.
Ayse manipulated the surface of the mirror, and she could feel James's coldness upon her fingertips. “Alright, James, try to move through me and focus your destination on the watch in my hand.”

James nodded and began to concentrate on Ayse and the watch. He could see the watch in his mind's eye and the path down her arm that he would take. As soon as he did so, James could feel himself somehow pull toward her and the particles of his spirit break apart and move down Ayse's warm arm, across her shoulders and neck and then along her other arm.

The hair on the back of Ayse's neck stood up as James became grey and billowy like smoke within the mirror's surface as he overtook her body. The sensation of his spirit moving over her body and using it as a guide sent shivers down her spine as her friend began to rematerialize in the small mirror inside the pocket watch. The fact that she could even see him was a good sign, and her face lit up. She excitedly watched his face reform, and Ayse then realized that she was literally holding James in the palm of her hand.

“James! I can see you! Can you hear and see me?”

He looked around and then out at her. “Yes…I can! It seems that your theories worked, Ayse!”

She smiled beautifully at him. “I had a feeling it would, James. I don't know how or from where, but I had the feeling.” She heaved a sigh of relief. “We have really been making some major discoveries, and I do believe that we can put our plans into motion very soon.”

“I truly hope so.” He paused. “Have you found anything out about your impending engagement?”

Ayse let out a groan. “I sent word of my acceptance yesterday morning, though I certainly hope to be gone by the time the actual day comes around.”

James nodded. “I see. I know you don't want to, Ayse, but your cooperation really will make things easier for the both of us.”

His female companion scowled stubbornly. “I'm only doing this for you. I wish it were anyone but Alston Bradley I am promising myself to.”

“Beware of what you wish for, Ayse,” James lightly joked.

Ayse shot James a spiteful look. “I swear if you weren't in this timepiece, I'd throttle you for that.”

“I don't put that past you, Ayse.”

 

 

Ayse held up the gown that Mr. Bradley had sent to her and frowned. Beautiful as it was, she lamented the fact that it had to be sent by someone she had no intention of wedding. It was a lovely shade of cobalt blue and made from the finest dyed taffeta with cream colored brocade and stomacher that was made of the finest lace.

“What a lovely gown, Ayse,” James remarked. “Is a special occasion coming up?”

“Yes,” she growled. “A ball. At the governor's mansion.”

James looked perplexed. “The governor's mansion? Has His Majesty sent someone to fill the late Governor Swann's position?”

“So I hear,” she sighed hanging the dress up so the wrinkles would fall out of it. “Apparently, the people of Port Royal are ignorant to the fact the Lord Cutler Beckett assassinated him as you told me.”

“I promise you that I had nothing to do with that…” James began.

“Oh, I know that, James. You may have made some mistakes, but you're not ruthless by any means.”

“And what are people saying about Lord Beckett's disappearance?”

“As far as I can tell they've counted him as lost at sea. I did see the wreckage of the Endeavour with my own eyes, after all.”

“I see…” he trailed thoughtfully. “So…this governor, I suppose this is an inauguration ball?”

“That would be correct, and my new…fiancé…intends to escort me,” Ayse said contemptuously.

“Well surely you can't turn down an invitation to one of the most prestigious parties that Port Royal society has to offer,” James pointed. He furrowed his brow. “It's a shame you're going with someone you want nothing to do with.”

“Isn't it?” Ayse agreed. She picked up the pocket watch and held it in the palm of her hands. She and James had decided to leave him in the glass of the watch permanently so that she would be able to carry him around when she needed to. “I rather wish it were you I was going with, if you don't mind me saying so. I am so very fond of your company, and I have no doubt that the both of us would have a splendid time.”

James ventured somewhat of an embarrassed smile. “I would have to agree, my friend.”

He stared up at her as she placed him on her bedside table and stood up to tie on an apron. They had only just discovered how to remove him from Ayse's dressing mirror and put him into the smaller, more compact glass of his watch. She couldn't see his full body now, and James had decided that in his form, it was a fortunate thing that he had no limitations to his size to make him uncomfortable in any way. But the sincerity in held within her cerulean eyes the other night had invoked certain feelings within him that he wasn't able to explain or even comprehend. Her genuineness toward him, whether intentional or not, was something James had thought much about, yet he realized that he should not allow himself to step beyond his current boundaries with her, lest he should complicate things even more.

She suddenly broke apart his thoughts as she turned and smiled at him. “Well, it's off to the daily chores, and now that I can carry you along, I shan't be lonely. Perhaps later we can get a breath of fresh air. I imagine it has been ages since you've even seen the sun.”

“It has indeed, Ayse,” James agreed. “Some new scenery would be refreshing.”

Ayse spent a good deal of her free time on the beach with him after completing her daily chores. There, she found a long, thin piece of leather that had washed up onto the shore. It was the perfect length for tying to the watch so that she could easily wear it around her neck and tuck it away under the collar of her low cut dress. Ayse had a feeling that having James around her neck would come in handy when the time came to leave Port Royal.

Ayse walked to a more remote part of the beach and climbed up onto some boulders scattered along the shore that had probably fallen ages ago, before anyone had ever inhabited Port Royal. She opened the pocket watch and put James in her lap as she watched the sun begin to sink below the horizon.

“Have you had a chance to retrieve my sword?” James asked.

“I did that yesterday, and I must say that it looks good as new. I paid Mr. Brown a little extra for his trouble,” Ayse responded.

“Hang onto that rapier, Ayse,” James told her. “I have a feeling that you might need it during our travels.”

“I had already intended on doing so. I have it hidden beneath the mattress of my bed where no one will find it.” She sighed. “I will return it to you when the time comes.”

“That time certainly seems so far away, doesn't it?” James asked. He sighed. “I can only hope that it will come and I can get out of this prison.”

“Don't start going all pessimistic now, James. You will get out of there as long as I have anything to say about it.” She turned him toward the sunset. “I think sometimes a person's life is like the sun.”

“How so?”

“Some periods in our lives don't mark the end but rather the beginning. A setting sun, for example, marks the end of the day but gives hope for the beginning of a new one. This period in your life, James, will be no different.”

James remained silent for a long while as he watched blazing pink, gold, orange, and lavender melt together as the reflection of the sinking fiery ball danced upon the waves of the Caribbean Sea. The bright beacon of the evening star appeared high in the darkening sky, and he couldn't help but marvel at Ayse's astounding perception. For someone so young, she wise far beyond her years, though he realized that beneath her humbled front was immeasurable strength and willfulness - the very same trait he had come to love in Elizabeth. The two were the same, yet, so very different all at once.

“Your wisdom never ceases to amaze me, Ayse,” he admitted softly. “You must have had some very good experiences to make you so insightful.”

Ayse smiled softly. “No, I simply had a good teacher.”

“Your father?”

“Yes. We are very close.”

“I imagine you have to be since you have no mother.”

“I think I would still be close to my father even if my mother were alive,” Ayse told James honestly. She fingered the side of his watch. “I do miss him very much.”

“I'm certain you will see him soon,” he reassured her. “Don't lose hope.”

“I won't. So long as I get letters from him, I won't lose hope.”