Drabble: "Birdwatcher"

[veronica_rich]

"Birdwatcher"
Rating: G
Pairing: W/E ... others, if you squint
Disclaimer: Belongs to Buena Vista and Bruckheimer. I derive no profit from this.
Summary: Post-AWE, Will's POV - response to "Fly" prompt at blackpearlsails, inspired by the screenwriters' allusion to a William Turner in history who studied avians.


Turner’s eyes opened as salt water swirled over them; oddly, he could see clear as a well-cast bell. Against the gray sky was an askew square of sail, ropes gathered to two figures.

He’d heard Swann’s protests to Sparrow’s insistence they leave, even as he was being anchored to the sea, over the rush of waves replacing the tympani of his own heartbeat.

He could stay Below, relinquishing all he’d loved, become the ghost of Calypso’s Will. Or he could remember Beckett and the awful ships, and defy the downward current.

Turner knew which would keep his two birds flying.

Comments

[venusinchains.livejournal.com]

Awww, you went and made me tear up. That's beautiful.

I suppose I haven't spent much time thinking about how much choice, or even defiance, might have been necessary for Will to remain and fight. (That damn curse never does get explained fully. Maybe he wasn't supposed to get that first "one day" until after his first 10 years.) But Will, being Will, could do no different than what you described here.

Thank you! :D

[captsparrow4evr.livejournal.com]

Very sweet and beautiful. I love "become the ghost of Calypso's Will" and "Turner knew which would keep his two birds flying." So much said about Will's character in such a small space.

[elerrina-amanya.livejournal.com]

This is just...wow. If I try to give my favourite lines, I'll probably end up quoting the whole thing—but hey, I'll do it anyway =)

For some reason, the almost throwaway simile clear as a well-cast bell really appeals to me and the ghost of Calypso’s Will is perfect on several levels.
I love the way so much is encapsulated in the final line; Will's "heart", his goodness and love for Elizabeth were his driving characteristics throughout most of the story, and now even when he has lost his physical heart, it's still his loyalty and love for his two birds that directs his decision. There also seems to be a sense that Will, who is now something a bit beyond human, is going to watch over and protect the pair of them...not exactly possessiveness, but an acknowledgement of the bonds between them.

Beautiful, thanks!

[ainsoph15.livejournal.com]

Your drabbles are always such perfection. And I love how it is Will's choice to act that gives everyone (his birds in particular, of course) their freedom. He gives everyone wings.

[the-dark-snack.livejournal.com]

Here's the Midnite Spank commercials we were talkign about last night:

[compassrose7577.livejournal.com]

A very touching insight of those final moments of the most pivotal person who gets overlooked the most, torn between the pull (and safety) of Calypso and the security of his beloved bird being carried away by another. I'm not so sure he would have seen the second bird as being quite so benevolent as a sparrow...sparrowhawk might be a better analogy, considering Will's trepidation towards Jack's intentions and character. But Will was hardly in a position to split hairs.

A very chilling yet inspiring moment.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

This was beautifully done, and a great use of the theme, too. Perfect Will.

[sharklady35.livejournal.com]

> I'm not so sure he would have seen the second bird as being quite so benevolent as a sparrow... <

Considering that Jack has just saved both Will and Liz, I am sure.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

One of the things you and I do agree on is that he looks out for his own even before himself. That's why he's my Squishy. *G* Thanks!

I really need a Will icon of my own; I seem to have a sad lack of them. :-P

[sharklady35.livejournal.com]

I've got to echo what everyone else said; this is a very effective portrait of Will's central nobility.

Here is a man worth waiting ten years for.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

considering Will's trepidation towards Jack's intentions and character

Depends on what you think I mean by "others if you squint" qualifier under Pairing, I suppose. I have different intentions than may be wholly acceptable for posting on blackpearlsails, even if I'm inspired by the prompts there on occasion. ;-)

Thanks for reading!

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Is that your way of saying Jack's a big ol' softie? *G*

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

That is some disturbing shit right there.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

He may not have the name for flying, but he was blessed with a brain and the ability to invent a way around it, yes. *G* Thanks!

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I figure Will basically died for both Jack and Elizabeth - he went to the ship to help Jack get the heart in the first place, then he stabbed Jones to save Elizabeth, and Jones stabbed him while Jack was diddling over his Dramatic Pause in stabbing the heart. If he's going to go that far, he wouldn't want it all to be in vain at the end.

Thanks for reading!

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you picked the two lines I liked, too. :-)

Thanks!

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Since Jones is careful to point out at the beginning of AWE that the Dutchman does as its captain commands, I figure if it's coming back topside with guns at the ready, it must be something Will wants.

Sorry I made you sniffle (not really!). Thanks!

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

He's certainly proven himself even before this part, IMO - as I told someone above, he basically died helping Jack and protecting Elizabeth both at once.

[sharklady35.livejournal.com]

When it comes to Will and Liz, yes. Though Jack may not have realized it himself, until that critical moment.

[compassrose7577.livejournal.com]

Never was made to be aware of any 'wholly acceptable' pairings on bps, but it's fun to see an inspiration, nonetheless.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Well, slash is a no-no. I try to tread carefully around that.

[ainsoph15.livejournal.com]

*has happy fantasy of Da Vinci!Will* :D

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

*has happy fantasy of discussing DaVinci!Will on AIM*

[tiamary.livejournal.com]

That did my heart good.

I would ask how big a sliver of the One Day Jack got, but this forum isn't the place. ::halo::

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Hey, that's why it links to my journal. You're free to speculate all you like. *G*

Thanks for reading!