The lakeside

[turned_captain]

Sometimes forging doesn't quite cut it.

Will didn't look for Elizabeth or Jack after what he saw on the Pearl. He's not looking for them now. He just doesn't know what to say. He does know, however, that he's become steadily angrier and angrier as he thought about what he saw. And more and more unable to focus on his work.

So he closes up the Smithy early and wanders out to the lakeside, staying away from the Pearl even though the ship stays in his sight at all times. Feeding and denying his sense of betrayal.

He needs to do something, and fast.

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[touch-destiny.livejournal.com]

She's been wandering by the lakeside quite a lot, wandering in the wet sand with her arms about herself, black eyes fixed on the little bend of lake that almost looks like horizon, until it is interrupted by the great calm mass of woods.

When Will wanders, hurt and anger as clear in his face as they had been the day she lit the candles and brought them to her home, her head snaps up and her eyes narrow, watching.

One hand, near a locket that hangs around her neck, goes very still.

[turned_captain]

He didn't know she was here.

Although, come to think of it, Jack may have mentioned something. Or Elizabeth. He's not exactly surprised to see her, but nevertheless, it's a shock to recognise her shape, and Will's first thought is her presence means something.

Will stills when he sees her, then approaches with the same feigned indifferent stride he uses for anyone, head held carefully high.

"Tia Dalma."

[touch-destiny.livejournal.com]

Her chin lifts, and she waits for him to come to her (they ever do, all of them, come to her in the end) with glittering black eyes and a neutral expression.

Something in her, at the sight of him, murmurs, and a little breeze sighs over the water to tug at her skirts.

"An' here we are, brought together again, William Turner."

It's partly a greeting, but it nearly sounds like a warning.

[turned_captain]

Will holds her gaze, faintly confused as ever but neutral with regards to how he feels about that confusion.

For all the others talk about her with awe and fear, Will can never find a reason to be scared of her, and that confuses him just as much. If anything, her presence is comforting. It makes his world seem closer.

"Were you brought here?"

[touch-destiny.livejournal.com]

She shakes her head; beads rattle in her hair. "I come here."

And not long after he did, but she has stayed much to herself, for all Will sparks her interest. It hadn't been time, but now the time is growing closer. A faint smile touches her lips while she observes his frank face.

So honest, so true.

"So did we all, but we cannot stay. There is work to be done beyond this place."

[turned_captain]

Will turns his head back towards the Pearl, as much to break her gaze as anything else.

"Bringing Jack back."

Turning back to her, his eyes dart over her shrewedly, both observing and affording him time to think.

"It's been too long here."

[touch-destiny.livejournal.com]

Tia Dalma nods, silent, and casts her gaze away from Will and towards the Black Pearl. Her eyes are wistful and the hand at her necklaces clenches, relaxes.

[turned_captain]

The subtle movement of her hand draws Will's attention, but whatever it is she's holding, it's hidden by her hand and he can't see.

"You know Barbossa is here now."

It's not really a question.

[touch-destiny.livejournal.com]

Another nod, but she glances back towards him, as if daring him to say more.

"But that was not of my doing."

Not this time. "He will not choose to stay long."

[turned_captain]

"I didn't choose to stay long, either."

It's daring, almost bitter. Will resents the implication he did choose to stay here rather than pursue his father.

[touch-destiny.livejournal.com]

Turning to him, she gives Will a long, gleaming look.

"No." She is never cautious, but with this young man, she knows she much choose her words wisely. "You stay here, where your heart lies."

Quickly, as though she thinks he might change his mind: "An' what would you do, if the door were to open and you be set free again, hm?"

[turned_captain]

His heart. Will resists the urge to look over at the Pearl again, for that's where he believe the owner of his heart is currently.

Instead his hand moves past the hilt of his sword to rest on the short knife he has slung against it.

"We bring Jack back."

And the Pearl.

[touch-destiny.livejournal.com]

The movement of his hand catches her eye, and she looks at him sharply before a pleased, coy smile begins to curve her mouth. Water ripples about her feet and her skirts sway, sand slipping beneath her steps as she moves towards him, looking up into his face as though reading something there.

"So loyal, so true," she purrs. A hint of wistfulness crosses her features then, as though something in his face or eyes or words reminds her of some other man, some other time so very long ago, but just as quickly it is gone, replaced by bright and wild delight, some decision made, some accord reached.

With finality: "Such is the destiny, then."

[touch-destiny.livejournal.com]

She begins to reach up to Will's cheek--but checks herself, and a small smile grows on her dark lips.

"Ah," she sighs, with the waves lapping up over the sand, sighing with her.