Drabble - "True Freedom"

[veronica_rich]

Title: "True Freedom"
Rating: PG for violence
Characters: J/E, Will
Disclaimer: POTC. I do not own these characters. I make no profit off their usage.
Summary: Everything has consequences, even when you think nobody is looking.
A/N: Months ago, someone challenged me to write in only 100 words something dark and twisty. Many arcs came to mind, but I thought I'd experiment with the one I haven't seen anyone else tackle. (The OOC factor of this is yours to judge; I like to think it works *only* if ALL three characters shift a little to the left in characterization. And yes, I DO like O. Henry.)


She spotted him in the midst of carnage, Pearl’s deck buckling under cannonfire. “Will!” she yelled, hacking through bodies.

His otherworldly crew was touching fallen souls. “Elizabeth.” He smiled.

“Thank God!” They were losing. But his sword was still sheathed. “A little help?”

“I am.” She gaped. “I am merciful Death.” Calmly, he halted her interruption. “I would not presume to judge your destiny other than you have freely chosen.” He nodded toward Jack, gut being run through on a sword. “Just as he’s chosen his.”

“But my son is here!” Horrified, as enemy hands grabbed her.

“But not mine.”

Comments

[idle-curiosity.livejournal.com]

I like dark and twisty, a lot.

Will is keeping within the parameters of his station. He's not there to change things, he's there to be the ferrier of souls, leaving the outcome to be decided without his interference.

This is where the consequences of the choices Elizabeth and Jack made are playing out, since those choices led them to this end. It's very presumptuous on Elizabeth's part to think that the man she betrayed should now save her and her paramour from the pain of them. After all, there was no one to save Will from the painful consequences of their choices.

I like Dark!Will.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

You're correct that I was thinking that, but even more, I was thinking, if Will is as godlike and beatific as some feel he would be in that position - wouldn't he be above human concerns? He's seen so much death that individuals perhaps don't mean as much as they once did. (This isn't my favorite Will, but this is as much a possibility as J/E the way it's often presented in fanfic.)

Thanks for reading!

[thewolfmistress.livejournal.com]

Haven't you posted this fic on here before? I really remember reading it. It's a good one!

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I did for some betas, yeah. I changed a couple of words and concepts to make it even less OOC than it would've been, IMO.

Glad you liked the experiment. Can't say as I prefer this Will, but - well, if he's supposed to be godlike and above the human fray as some see him, I can't see where this would be outside possiblity.

[thewolfmistress.livejournal.com]

Considering all the other versions of Will I've seen--both in the wonderful, wonderful slash I've read as well as the terrible Sparrabeth you post links to--I don't see how God!Will is so strange an idea.

[delle.livejournal.com]

wow. that's painful. not that I don't like it, mind; but a dark dark twisted version of Will.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I've done that a bit lately, haven't I? I guess I'm getting tired of fics where Elizabeth can do as she pleases, even if it screws him over, and Jack can do as he likes - ditto - but Will is still the same loyal, good, kind man to both of them. Because that kind of behavior doesn't *deserve* loyal, good, and kind, IMO - not that Will wouldn't still be that way. But this is my own vision only.

Thanks for trying it out.

[justawench.livejournal.com]

That's not out of the realm of possibility, if you go the J/E route. And really, Will's outside the world Elizabeth lives in, so why should he be concerned with what happens there? I don't think it's OOC for him to not help because he probably has a long view of things now and sees death as the end for everyone sooner or later.

ETA: I also picture time being different for him so there's not much distinction between sooner and later.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Well, and if she married him but she's off gallavanting and having kids with other men (and I didn't have room in 100 words, but I presume this is not something they discussed and agreed to ahead of time), she's made her choice. She has no right to ask for the intercession of a man who wasn't good enough to treat decently, when that's the only way he ever treated her.

And you have an interesting point about timeflow. You know when he goes underwater in AWE and then comes back as captain? I sort of picture Calypso holding "school" for him to explain what's happened and what is going to happen - and the only way that could happen is if time runs differently for him and her than for the mortals upstairs.

Thanks for reading!

[venusinchains.livejournal.com]

I love this just as much the second time around. And I agree with justawench: time would probably move differently for Will, who's traveling between existences. He could be a completely otherworldly being in this AU.

The idea puts me in mind of Tolkien's Elves (crossover!), and the inhuman path they took to their homeland (or even the human path to Lothlorien, a displaced fragment of their homeland), where time passed more slowly for those within Elfland borders and more swiftly for all outside of it (if I'm remembering correctly).

Do keep up with the Dark!fic. It's gorgeous. :)

And the idea of a 'freely chosen' destiny sparks an idea to justify Will perhaps saving Norrington (in this AU). If Will's crew (which includes his dad) had altered someones destiny against their will (say, by using a pointy stick) when they are supposed to wait for someones natural passing to do their appointed job correctly - would Will be able ( be allowed by Calypso) to return them to the natural world? (Hey, it makes sense to me. :D)

[philosophercat.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I agree with that idea! ^_^

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I'll have to give that idea some thought (though anyone else who wants to go ahead and write it is welcome as the spring rain).

I'm no sure how I feel about dark!fic. I like Will's moral code. It's just that I can see how it could shift to adjust to his new condition - he's got to change a little, I'd think. Like this - that child is not his, there's no biological imperative to protect him. Elizabeth is not his wife, so there's no obligation to her. But that's taking Will in a place I only like every so often - if that makes sense.

[immortal-jedi.livejournal.com]

ok- very interesting concept.

And I think, that if this senario were to happen- Elizabeth cheating on Will- then Will might end up doing just this.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I think it's certainly a way for him to react that wouldn't lead to him growing tentacles - he's not neglecting his duties. On the contrary, he's right there to collect those souls as soon as they drop.

Thanks for giving it a go.

[porridgebird.livejournal.com]

I remember this! It's very real, and I can clearly see it happening. Well done.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

It was experimental. Thanks.

[danglingdingle.livejournal.com]

I don't see this as OOC at any point. I don't even see it as dark.
If Will has had to adjust to the task of Death itself, then this would be the realistic outcome. It would become too much for even Will to bear if he'd be taking everything as emotionally as he's done in his human life.

“I am merciful Death.”
...and suddenly I want to die at sea :)

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

...and suddenly I want to die at sea :)

We all do, baby - of course, without any of that nasty choking, swallowing water or anything. I like to think the ship would start to go down, and then poof! I'm on the Dutchman. :-D

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Wasn't easy to write and it was harder to post. But I think my boy can stand up to a bit of stretching if it's from a fan. *G*

[unseen-quill.livejournal.com]

I had to read that a couple times for it to truly sink in, lol. Definately of the Dark variety, but I like it. I also agree with everyone that it isn't all that OOC. Every person reacts to betrayal differently, and I really can see this happening. The woman he loves has turned her back on him, with the man he thought was a friend, at least to some degree. He's not truly bad at heart like Jones was, so this is the way he goes.

A question that pops into my mind? What does he do with them after he collects them? :P The whole journey to whatever is at the end of that boat ride. Talk about awkward, lol.

And I really like the fact that it's post AWE. I see so few of those, this is a treat. I've always liked seeing Will as Captain, how he changes, how he stays the same. It's impossible for something like that NOT to change him, especially after a long period of time. The only question is how alien it seems to any one person.

*Blinks* Damn, am I long winded or what? Sorry, lol.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

The thing is, my usual post-AWE Will doesn't change in this manner - though he does change, and becomes, for example, a man who needs two people to love instead of just one. (Which Calypso justifies, since she realizes if he's going to live forever, he needs *some* perks.) I like that Will - this one, I'm still trying to decide what I think of him.

Thanks for commenting!

[lise-ann.livejournal.com]

Karma is a bitch, baby! Very nice take on Will. I wouldn't necessarily call him dark, per say; but certainly it is a subtle way to get his revenge, simply by doing the job they condemed him to, and being there to see it all happening.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I like noble!Will from canon. But this got stuck in my head and wanted to be written, and ... hey, it's an experiment. Don't look for this guy to become my standard Turner. *G*

[restrainedchaos.livejournal.com]

Wow, Ver! I really liked that. You packed a huge punch in a small number of words, and I think that the OOCness is debatable - if you're going to skew the story to a J/E, who knows wtf could happen?

BTW, when I saw the description, I thought you went all Stepford Sparrabether, but I like what it ended up being - you should post it to pirategasm. And Sparrabeth comms!

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

if you're going to skew the story to a J/E, who knows wtf could happen?

That's very true. I think that may be what the Muse had in her tricksy little mind. (I think her name must be Calypso ...)

I thought you went all Stepford Sparrabether

I write many things, but Turrow's where it's at for me personally. (Which I'll be getting back to finishing that story now that this is out of my system, thank you very much! *G*)

[haldir-fancier.livejournal.com]

This is quite wonderful and dark and shivery. Will is the same, and he is different. He's got the same nobility, I think, but he is very different in that he isn't getting emotional about Elizabeth or Jack's fate. He's just doing his job, even if it's a bit vengeful. I like it.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

He's not getting emotional about ANYONE'S fate. I'm sure when Elizabeth left him for Jack (as I said above, my take is that they didn't discuss her finding another man before she just did it), she probably wasn't very emotional about her decision - so why should he be?

Thanks for reading!

[komandant-krech.livejournal.com]

Ooh, chilly -- me likes. And, not necessarily OOC at all (though I'm not especially a Will-specialist -- well, heck, I'm no character specialist at all, lol...). I can see post-AWE, eternally-CotFD Will accepting Elizabeth going with Jack, if that's what she wishes, or even encouraging her doing that, if that seems to be a good thing for her in her current situation (whatever it might be) but I don't see him (Will) being such a pussy-whipped martyr that he'd still run to her help in every instance. He has some more edge to his character, that's for sure.

I had to read this twice again and I really like this Will now O__O. A bit cold, actually; all business, matter-of-fact, no overwhelming emotionalism. Mmm, a powerful figure...

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you thought it had some value - I'm still trying to make up my mind. I mean, the Muse wants what it wants, and sometimes that just isn't what you want. :-)

(I'm working at the same time on the next part of my J/W and W/E story, and that's my regular Will whom I love dearly. I thought I might appreciate him more if I could see what he *might* become under different circumstances, yeah?)

[mistress-pirate.livejournal.com]

Even Will can only be pushed so far...and though I couldn't see him actively going against Jack and Elizabeth, I can see him taking this course of action.

This Will gives me the shivers, but I can't help but being sucked in by this story--especially in thinking of why this happened, and what happens next.

Wicked it is, and tricksy, but we like it precious!

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Will can suck me in- Oh, wait, that was out loud. Apologies.

It's sort of a frightening view of a largely decent man. But even decent folk have their lines of "don't cross." And having seen so many people die and know they go to a better place, by and large, he might very well have a different view of death than the mortals he meets.

(Love your avatar, BTW.)

[mistress-pirate.livejournal.com]

No apologies necessary. :) I totally understand. And echo the sentiment...

Glad you like! It was made by envision_icons.

[mamazano.livejournal.com]

Not sure how I missed this the first time around, but it does work well as an antidote. Will, charged with a task is honoring his duties well. Whereas Jones would interfere with the natural course of a man's life (or a woman's), Will stands by as "merciful death" and is there to guide their souls beyond this world.

The choices made, there is not much for Will to do about it, except his duty. It's an interesting lesson for Elizabeth to learn in the end, the consequences of her own actions.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Every action has consequences, and I don't think we see that much in some of the angsty or "message" fic in this fandom - it wants us to look at one side of things without taking into account the other side, and physics will teach you that every action has an opposite and equal reaction.

Thanks for reading!

[golden-helikaon.livejournal.com]

Ooo very good. I like the darker side of Will, and I like that he didn't interfere and left Jack and Liz to fate.

I'm sure I've read this before as well, but apparently I didn't comment.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I think you're going to accept the AU J/E that happily screws Will over and lies to him, you're going to accept the flip side of that as well. (And if you don't, that's not being very supportive of fandom.)

Thanks!

[pir8fancier.livejournal.com]

Chilling and very effective!

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

That was what I was trying to convey. Thanks!

[gryphons-lair.livejournal.com]

I see I didn't comment here, and I can't remember whether I said so in chat, so...

I agree, if Will gets screwed over by Jack and Liz the way so many recent fics seem to show him being screwed over by them, I can see him burying himself in his work as an anodyne and eventually taking this decidedly detached view of the whole world, not just Jack and Liz. It'd certainly be easier than agonizing over every soul whose life he could've saved and didn't.

And as Bill said in the latest segment of your J/W,E/W fic, Will isn't the genie of the lamp; he's not the Cavalry, riding in to save people. He's the mortuary officer, picking up the pieces afterward.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

He's the mortuary officer, picking up the pieces afterward.

I think so, with rare exception. I see stories where he charges in to save his cuckolding wife and the "friend" who shafted him with her - I just wondered what the other side might look like, if he were to become that detached a character.

[(Anonymous)]

Succinct and well-written and unsettling. Ah, gotta think about this. Not only is Elizabeth unfaithful, but Jack has managed to betray the man to whom he gave immortality ("The OOC factor of this is yours to judge; I like to think it works *only* if ALL three characters shift a little to the left in characterization.").

Alright then, given the sun rises in the West and Germany won World War II, I acknowledge that Will would stick to the Code and behave in such a fashion. I think. Maybe. There is a child though, who is not responsible for the actions of his parents. Greek gods are vengeful to those who do them wrong and to their children as well. So yes, Calypso could behave in such a fashion. However could canon Will let an innocent suffer? As your fic does not explicitly say what happens to the child, I will fondly believe Will saves him.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

As your fic does not explicitly say what happens to the child, I will fondly believe Will saves him.

I think this is my first "ambiguous" moment as a fanfic writer ... I want to savor it. *G* (Who knows? Will may have saved all of them - or none. I'll let you decide, I think. More fun that way.)

Thanks for taking the time to analyze and comment!