Fifty. [Pirates, 1sentence]
Wow. This is quite possibly the most difficult challenge I've done yet for 1sentence! This time I chose to write fifty sentences about Norrington/Gillette from "Pirates of the Caribbean". It's one story in fifty pieces, like always; the sentences are presented numerically and not chronologically.
I've chosen to give Gillette the first name Armand. Most writers call him Andrew, and I probably should follow suit, but I'm too used to calling him Armand!
Fandom: Pirates of the Caribbean.
Pairing: Norrington/Gillette.
o1. walking.
From his place atop the battlements, he watches the governor’s daughter and Captain Norrington walking together and he can’t quite figure out what it is he envies most: the possessive splay of Elizabeth’s fingers on her escort’s arm or their shared laughter or the light easy conversation of two people with nothing to hide.
o2. waltz.
He’s never been to a fancy party like this before; the alcohol’s gone straight to his head and the perfumed ladies keep inviting him to dance and the waltzing makes him dizzy, and then he stumbles straight into Armand Gillette’s arms.
o3. wishes.
“You could wish for anything,” James whispers, trying to spot a falling star of his own in the night sky, “anything you like,” but Armand knows that that wish won’t do him any good.
o4. wonder.
He’s noticed, of course, the weight of Armand’s gaze, the way the other man blushes and looks away every time the eye-contact is returned; it almost makes him wonder, but he always tries to turn those foolish (impure) thoughts away.
o5. worry.
“I’d heard you’d been killed,” breathes James, “I was so worried,” and then he’s gathering his friend up in a great clinging hug that leaves them both breathless.
o6. whimsy.
In his dreams there’s nothing to it: forget the rules just once he pleads and James smiles before kissing him.
o7. wasteland.
The fortune-teller looks down at her cards and calmly tells them both to fear death by drowning; James is shaken and Armand, trying to be reassuring, says “She only tells us that because it’s quite obvious we’re sailors.”
o8. whiskey and rum.
James takes another drink straight from the bottle; when he’s drunk he only regrets not having managed to capture Sparrow and there isn’t any room left to think of everything else he’s lost.
o9. war.
He’s well trained in the art of war but hopeless when it comes to love.
1o. weddings.
“Now all you have to do is work up the courage to ask for Miss Swann’s hand,” teases lieutenant Groves, who doesn’t notice how the others both flinch.
11. birthday.
At the governor’s birthday celebration, Lieutenant Norrington’s attention is completely monopolized by young Miss Swann (you’re the only friend I have in Port Royal, she explains earnestly, you and Will and he wasn’t invited); most people seem to find it adorable, but Armand can’t help a twinge of irrational jealousy.
12. blessing.
His lips flutter along with the familiar Latin phrases; later, he’ll tip his head back and the body of Christ will dissolve on his tongue and it’s somewhat ironic that their unconfessed sins together weigh so much heavier on James’s shoulders than they do on his own.
13. bias.
“You’re perfect,” protests Armand, and while James is pretty sure his lover is biased, he smiles sadly and accepts the compliment.
14. burning.
He can smell gunpowder and burning on the air - the aftereffects of the pirate attack on Port Royal - and in some secret place he’s glad for the interruption because having pirates to hunt is somehow far less terrifying than the waiting for Elizabeth Swann’s answer.
15. breathing.
James has fallen asleep and Armand’s just watching, thinking that he’d like nothing better than to be cuddled up next to his friend, listening to his heartbeat, feeling the warmth of the other man’s breath against his skin.
16. breaking.
“I’m going out of my mind,” James confesses in a raw, tired voice, “I mean I’m going quite mad and all I want is, it’s impossible and illegal and possibly immoral,” and his voice breaks so all he can do is reach out for Armand with shaking hands.
17. belief.
“No,” Armand whispers, “no, but I believe in love,” and he leans up to surprise James with a kiss.
18. balloon.
The sails of the Dauntless balloon in the win and the lieutenant is shivering in his sea-soaked clothes, thinking about how it’s all his fault the Interceptor is lost; he murmurs an apology, but James doesn’t seem to be listening.
19. balcony.
Let her drown, sir, he thinks, but what he says is “The rocks, sir, it’s a miracle she missed them,” with one protective arm outflung.
2o. bane.
Armand shakes his head, saying “No, James Norrington, it’s pirates that are your weakness and your poison, that’ll be your undoing, not me,” and they’re both thinking of Sparrow.
21. quiet.
After the hurricane, the world is far too quiet; Armand, James thinks, and he wakes up shipwrecked alone.
22. quirks.
It doesn’t help that every time Armand is trying to be serious, he does things like quirk his lips and flare his nostrils; James can’t help grinning or giggling and all seriousness is inevitably lost.
23. question.
Privately Armand thinks this hunt for Sparrow has turned from duty into something else, something obsessive perhaps, but he doesn’t ever question James.
24. quarrel.
Their worst argument comes when Armand insists that Miss Swann does not care for James at all but is rather his devotion to suit her own ends.
25. quitting.
“This can’t go on,” he says, finally, “It can’t; I’m going to ask Elizabeth.”
26. jump.
He watches the pirate captain fall into the sea and thinks maybe it’s time to take a leap of faith of my own.
27. jester.
This is what he’s become, then: nothing more than a jester in the court of Jack Sparrow the Pirate King and he’s only glad that Armand didn’t have to see him like this.
28. jousting.
Elizabeth was right; these pirates can’t be killed and he’s just been shot in the hat and he’s lost his sword and if by some miracle he manages to survive this battle, the first thing he’s going to do is apologize to James.
29. jewel.
“Miss Jewel says we’re never to let sailors go lonely, and you’re very lonely, aren’t you, sir,” asks the girl; there’s something familiar and endearing about her red hair and shy smile and for a moment the lie sticks in the former-commodore’s throat.
30. just.
“By remembering that I serve others, Mr Sparrow, not only myself,” James says coolly; Armand knows that this declaration of devotion to justice is intended for his ears as well.
31. smirk.
There’s something of a smirk on his inhuman face as he leans in, saying “you can delay it, cast off your sins, if you join my crew, will you serve?” and Armand thinks of sin of certain death of James and silently nods.
32. sorrow.
Elizabeth’s the only one to care for the story behind his fall from grace and he tries to tell her everything, an entire history of losses (losing Elizabeth losing Sparrow losing Armand losing himself); maybe it’s the rum or the unprecedented sympathy, but for the first time he allows himself to give into his sorrow.
33. stupidity.
He knows that falling in love is an act of boundless stupidity, but somehow it’s all worth it.
34. serenade.
I’d serenade you if I dared, reads the letter, because you deserve no less; always know - always! - that I love you.
35. sarcasm.
“Apparently not everyone appreciates your wit,” murmurs James, flinching at the sight of Armand’s black eye.
36. sordid.
It’s a curious thing, he thinks drowsily: he’d always thought there must be something sordid about sex, and he can’t help thinking of all the time he’s wasted on that mistaken impression.
37. soliloquy.
He’s spent hours rehearsing the words he’s planning to say, but then James smiles and he forgets everything.
38. sojourn.
They’re sailing to the ends of the earth searching for the man who dared to steal Davy Jones’s treasure; Armand grows new calluses on his hands and water lilies in his hair toiling with the rest of the crew of the Dutchman, thinking only that if he can get to James first, he can save him.
39. share.
“Come here,” murmurs James, “you can share with me;” he shifts over in his bunk offering half of the blanket and it is the longest night in young Armand Gillette’s life.
4o. solitary.
“You’re always alone,” Lord Beckett remarks dryly, “I’ve never known another man with such little interest in the pleasurable company of anyone;” there is a sad light in James Norrington’s eyes, but he doesn’t say a word.
41. nowhere.
He’s nursed back to health by people who speak an unfamiliar language; he doesn’t even bother to figure out where he is because it doesn’t seem to matter: his crew is lost, Armand is lost, all is lost.
42. neutral.
“You are a fine woman, Elizabeth,” stammers James and in the distance (just close enough to overhear) it takes every ounce of his willpower for Armand to stay still, quiet, expressionless.
43. nuance.
The lieutenant protests the immediate need to make plans of action and steers the commodore away from the governor and into his office; he kicks the door closed behind them and James laughs, saying “That’s hardly what I’d call subtlety, not that I mind,” and he gathers his lover up in his arms.
44. near.
He has no idea what James is saying, because the other man’s nearness is intoxicating.
45. natural.
By now James has become accustomed to his new lot in life; the dirt and drunkenness have become quite natural, but he still dreams of his lost love, is disoriented every time he wakes alone.
46. horizon.
“Here,” James murmurs, taking the new boy by the hand and leading him across the deck, “look out at the horizon, it helps with the seasickness,” and Armand manages a weak smile
47. valiant.
“My god,” James breathes and then he’s clinging to Armand there in front of everyone, never mind the scars and the barnacles, never mind Lord Beckett and Davy Jones, never mind anyone or anything.
48. virtuous.
“It’s like virtue is his middle name,” teases one of the other midshipmen (nodding towards James), “he doesn’t even look at the whores,” and Armand nods, feeling something irrational (like hope).
49. victory.
“God, Armand, no, don’t stop,” James gasps and this is victory enough.
5o. defeat.
He clings desperately to James’s shirtfront, cries “I love you,” but his words are swallowed up into the winds as the world ends in the middle of a hurricane.
I've chosen to give Gillette the first name Armand. Most writers call him Andrew, and I probably should follow suit, but I'm too used to calling him Armand!
Fandom: Pirates of the Caribbean.
Pairing: Norrington/Gillette.
o1. walking.
From his place atop the battlements, he watches the governor’s daughter and Captain Norrington walking together and he can’t quite figure out what it is he envies most: the possessive splay of Elizabeth’s fingers on her escort’s arm or their shared laughter or the light easy conversation of two people with nothing to hide.
o2. waltz.
He’s never been to a fancy party like this before; the alcohol’s gone straight to his head and the perfumed ladies keep inviting him to dance and the waltzing makes him dizzy, and then he stumbles straight into Armand Gillette’s arms.
o3. wishes.
“You could wish for anything,” James whispers, trying to spot a falling star of his own in the night sky, “anything you like,” but Armand knows that that wish won’t do him any good.
o4. wonder.
He’s noticed, of course, the weight of Armand’s gaze, the way the other man blushes and looks away every time the eye-contact is returned; it almost makes him wonder, but he always tries to turn those foolish (impure) thoughts away.
o5. worry.
“I’d heard you’d been killed,” breathes James, “I was so worried,” and then he’s gathering his friend up in a great clinging hug that leaves them both breathless.
o6. whimsy.
In his dreams there’s nothing to it: forget the rules just once he pleads and James smiles before kissing him.
o7. wasteland.
The fortune-teller looks down at her cards and calmly tells them both to fear death by drowning; James is shaken and Armand, trying to be reassuring, says “She only tells us that because it’s quite obvious we’re sailors.”
o8. whiskey and rum.
James takes another drink straight from the bottle; when he’s drunk he only regrets not having managed to capture Sparrow and there isn’t any room left to think of everything else he’s lost.
o9. war.
He’s well trained in the art of war but hopeless when it comes to love.
1o. weddings.
“Now all you have to do is work up the courage to ask for Miss Swann’s hand,” teases lieutenant Groves, who doesn’t notice how the others both flinch.
11. birthday.
At the governor’s birthday celebration, Lieutenant Norrington’s attention is completely monopolized by young Miss Swann (you’re the only friend I have in Port Royal, she explains earnestly, you and Will and he wasn’t invited); most people seem to find it adorable, but Armand can’t help a twinge of irrational jealousy.
12. blessing.
His lips flutter along with the familiar Latin phrases; later, he’ll tip his head back and the body of Christ will dissolve on his tongue and it’s somewhat ironic that their unconfessed sins together weigh so much heavier on James’s shoulders than they do on his own.
13. bias.
“You’re perfect,” protests Armand, and while James is pretty sure his lover is biased, he smiles sadly and accepts the compliment.
14. burning.
He can smell gunpowder and burning on the air - the aftereffects of the pirate attack on Port Royal - and in some secret place he’s glad for the interruption because having pirates to hunt is somehow far less terrifying than the waiting for Elizabeth Swann’s answer.
15. breathing.
James has fallen asleep and Armand’s just watching, thinking that he’d like nothing better than to be cuddled up next to his friend, listening to his heartbeat, feeling the warmth of the other man’s breath against his skin.
16. breaking.
“I’m going out of my mind,” James confesses in a raw, tired voice, “I mean I’m going quite mad and all I want is, it’s impossible and illegal and possibly immoral,” and his voice breaks so all he can do is reach out for Armand with shaking hands.
17. belief.
“No,” Armand whispers, “no, but I believe in love,” and he leans up to surprise James with a kiss.
18. balloon.
The sails of the Dauntless balloon in the win and the lieutenant is shivering in his sea-soaked clothes, thinking about how it’s all his fault the Interceptor is lost; he murmurs an apology, but James doesn’t seem to be listening.
19. balcony.
Let her drown, sir, he thinks, but what he says is “The rocks, sir, it’s a miracle she missed them,” with one protective arm outflung.
2o. bane.
Armand shakes his head, saying “No, James Norrington, it’s pirates that are your weakness and your poison, that’ll be your undoing, not me,” and they’re both thinking of Sparrow.
21. quiet.
After the hurricane, the world is far too quiet; Armand, James thinks, and he wakes up shipwrecked alone.
22. quirks.
It doesn’t help that every time Armand is trying to be serious, he does things like quirk his lips and flare his nostrils; James can’t help grinning or giggling and all seriousness is inevitably lost.
23. question.
Privately Armand thinks this hunt for Sparrow has turned from duty into something else, something obsessive perhaps, but he doesn’t ever question James.
24. quarrel.
Their worst argument comes when Armand insists that Miss Swann does not care for James at all but is rather his devotion to suit her own ends.
25. quitting.
“This can’t go on,” he says, finally, “It can’t; I’m going to ask Elizabeth.”
26. jump.
He watches the pirate captain fall into the sea and thinks maybe it’s time to take a leap of faith of my own.
27. jester.
This is what he’s become, then: nothing more than a jester in the court of Jack Sparrow the Pirate King and he’s only glad that Armand didn’t have to see him like this.
28. jousting.
Elizabeth was right; these pirates can’t be killed and he’s just been shot in the hat and he’s lost his sword and if by some miracle he manages to survive this battle, the first thing he’s going to do is apologize to James.
29. jewel.
“Miss Jewel says we’re never to let sailors go lonely, and you’re very lonely, aren’t you, sir,” asks the girl; there’s something familiar and endearing about her red hair and shy smile and for a moment the lie sticks in the former-commodore’s throat.
30. just.
“By remembering that I serve others, Mr Sparrow, not only myself,” James says coolly; Armand knows that this declaration of devotion to justice is intended for his ears as well.
31. smirk.
There’s something of a smirk on his inhuman face as he leans in, saying “you can delay it, cast off your sins, if you join my crew, will you serve?” and Armand thinks of sin of certain death of James and silently nods.
32. sorrow.
Elizabeth’s the only one to care for the story behind his fall from grace and he tries to tell her everything, an entire history of losses (losing Elizabeth losing Sparrow losing Armand losing himself); maybe it’s the rum or the unprecedented sympathy, but for the first time he allows himself to give into his sorrow.
33. stupidity.
He knows that falling in love is an act of boundless stupidity, but somehow it’s all worth it.
34. serenade.
I’d serenade you if I dared, reads the letter, because you deserve no less; always know - always! - that I love you.
35. sarcasm.
“Apparently not everyone appreciates your wit,” murmurs James, flinching at the sight of Armand’s black eye.
36. sordid.
It’s a curious thing, he thinks drowsily: he’d always thought there must be something sordid about sex, and he can’t help thinking of all the time he’s wasted on that mistaken impression.
37. soliloquy.
He’s spent hours rehearsing the words he’s planning to say, but then James smiles and he forgets everything.
38. sojourn.
They’re sailing to the ends of the earth searching for the man who dared to steal Davy Jones’s treasure; Armand grows new calluses on his hands and water lilies in his hair toiling with the rest of the crew of the Dutchman, thinking only that if he can get to James first, he can save him.
39. share.
“Come here,” murmurs James, “you can share with me;” he shifts over in his bunk offering half of the blanket and it is the longest night in young Armand Gillette’s life.
4o. solitary.
“You’re always alone,” Lord Beckett remarks dryly, “I’ve never known another man with such little interest in the pleasurable company of anyone;” there is a sad light in James Norrington’s eyes, but he doesn’t say a word.
41. nowhere.
He’s nursed back to health by people who speak an unfamiliar language; he doesn’t even bother to figure out where he is because it doesn’t seem to matter: his crew is lost, Armand is lost, all is lost.
42. neutral.
“You are a fine woman, Elizabeth,” stammers James and in the distance (just close enough to overhear) it takes every ounce of his willpower for Armand to stay still, quiet, expressionless.
43. nuance.
The lieutenant protests the immediate need to make plans of action and steers the commodore away from the governor and into his office; he kicks the door closed behind them and James laughs, saying “That’s hardly what I’d call subtlety, not that I mind,” and he gathers his lover up in his arms.
44. near.
He has no idea what James is saying, because the other man’s nearness is intoxicating.
45. natural.
By now James has become accustomed to his new lot in life; the dirt and drunkenness have become quite natural, but he still dreams of his lost love, is disoriented every time he wakes alone.
46. horizon.
“Here,” James murmurs, taking the new boy by the hand and leading him across the deck, “look out at the horizon, it helps with the seasickness,” and Armand manages a weak smile
47. valiant.
“My god,” James breathes and then he’s clinging to Armand there in front of everyone, never mind the scars and the barnacles, never mind Lord Beckett and Davy Jones, never mind anyone or anything.
48. virtuous.
“It’s like virtue is his middle name,” teases one of the other midshipmen (nodding towards James), “he doesn’t even look at the whores,” and Armand nods, feeling something irrational (like hope).
49. victory.
“God, Armand, no, don’t stop,” James gasps and this is victory enough.
5o. defeat.
He clings desperately to James’s shirtfront, cries “I love you,” but his words are swallowed up into the winds as the world ends in the middle of a hurricane.