The nameless dinghy floated into the Tortugan harbor. Things were quiet during the day, as many of the port's occupants were still in a drunken sleep. Reaching the dock, Roux jumped out, waking the duck.

"Where're you going?" Asked the duck, his tones filled with sleep.

"To find a crew," She retorted, tying the securing ropes around a support. She turned back to the fowl, continuing. "I know it's hard, but do us a favor. Stay here, and try not to do ."

"Can I talk?"

The girl paused, thinking. After a moment, she answered. "Aye, won't matter none. They're drunk as hell anyway, a talking duck will seem normal." She said, referring to the town's people. The duck pondered this response. Humans truly were strange. Roux stood up, bidding farewell to her companion, and walked toward the town. Not that it looked like one.

The streets were nearly deserted, save for the forms of several drunkards passed out on the ground. She walked in their direction, stepping around them. She tripped only once, when one of the men grabbed her ankle. She stood back up, turning to the intoxicated man, and dug the heel of her other boot into his wrist, at which her ankle was released. She continued her search, stopping at the clock tower to check the time.

"Half past One. Someone has to be alive at this hour," she muttered. At that moment, she heard the not-so-quiet musings of another life form behind her. The girl rather hoped it was human. Turning, she watched as a younger girl passed by, holding a map and talking to herself.

"Now let's see. If I'm here, then that means." She proceeded to trace a route with her finger. Roux wandered over, unnoticed. Being a good five inches taller, Roux glanced at the parchment over the girl's shoulder.

"Where you off to?" She asked, slightly curious.

"Here." The shorter girl pointed, seeming unfazed by Roux's sudden question.

"Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Oh, I live here." The girl responded matter-of-factly.

Roux blinked, but said nothing. It was then that she noticed the words on the map were upside-down. She chose to comment. " map's topside- down."

"Oh! So it is!" The other girl laughed, turning the page right side up, then promptly flipping it over. "There." Roux was silent, opening her mouth to speak, and then closing it again. After a few moments, she ventured a question. "Are you by any chance, a navigator?"

The girl turned in surprise. "Why yes, I am," She stammered. "How did you know?"

Roux just grinned and shrugged (A/N: in a Jack Sparrow-like way). "I guessed."

"Ah." The girl said, understanding. "Well, don't get me wrong, I'm a great navigator, if I say so myself. I'm just not so great with maps." Roux certainly hoped that was the case.

"Well lass, what's yer name?"

The girl muttered something undistinguishable.

"Hmm?" Roux prompted.

The girl responded. "Sparrow. S'what everyone calls me." She uttered quietly.

"Sparrow it tis then." Roux continued. "So Miss Navigator, Care to join a crew?"

Sparrow brightened. "Whose?" She asked eagerly.

"Mine."

Sparrow smiled, but continued her questioning. "Your occupation on the seas?"

"Pirate."

The smile faltered as Sparrow thought this over, then returned brighter than ever. "Gladly." The younger girl said, without hesitation.

"It's a deal then." She turned and started walking, taking her usual long, fast strides. Sparrow on the other hand, nearly had to jog to keep up. Roux noticed, and slowed her steps to match those of her new crewmember. Sparrow smiled gratefully.

"Know anyone else who'd care to join a pirate's crew?"

"! I'm sure he'd be glad to get off this rock. I'll bring him 'round."

Roux nodded. "Bring your things as well. We'll cast off at half past 3."

The shorter girl nodded. "I'll meet you at your ship?"

"Aye. Ye'll know it. It's the smallest there." The two parted ways, and Roux went off to get supplies.

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By three, the Captain had returned to her boat. A pile of provisions stood near the end of the dock waiting to be loaded on. There were several loaves of bread, a half-barrel of water, a full barrel of rum and an assortment of apples and oranges. Roux pondered briefly if the boat would hold all the supplies, plus herself, Sparrow, and a possible crewmember, let alone float. A highjacking of sorts was definitely in order.

Roux came out of her thoughts in time to see her crewmember approach, flanked by another. As she came closer, Sparrow caught sight of her captain, and grinned. Her companion merely nodded. He was tall, about 6'1" Roux would guess, a scant 3 inches taller than her own 5'10". His nationality was unconfirmed, but if his black shoulder-length hair and dark flashing eyes were anything to go by, she'd say he was of Spanish or Italian decent. Full blooded most likely. He also looked to be several years her senior. By the time she had finished her analysis, both were standing in front of her.

"I'm glad ye've decided to join us after all Sparrow. Ye'll make a fine navigator." Roux said with a smile.

"Us?" Sparrow looked around for the other.

"Yes, we. Quack?" She turned, calling to the duck. The saffron fowl waddled over to them.

"Yes Captain?" He asked an air of self-importance already about him.

Roux grinned. Turning back around, she introduced them. "This," She gestured to the waterfowl, "Is First Mate Quack. Quack, meet Sparrow, our navigator. And this is." She turned her gaze onto the man.

"Mikhayl." He spoke with a thick Spanish accent. Roux took the opportunity to examine him once more. His mannerisms told her that he had lived on the streets for many years, and trusted no one. Except, she noted, First Mate Quack. She hadn't missed the flash of recognition in his eyes when he was first introduced. These observations took place in a matter of seconds. After storing this information away, Roux spoke.

"Are ye wishin' to join a crew?"

"Aye." He responded.

"Well then, isn't this your lucky day? I have an opening for a second mate." She smiled. "Now then," She turned to her craft, "About this boat."

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Disclaimer: I don't own Sparrow, or Mikhayl. They belong to their respective owners. I do own Roux and First Mate Quack. And Tortuga, well, it owns itself.

A/N: Some of you readers may be wondering why I don't just make all these stories into one, and I'll tell you why I won't. My reason is simple. All of these stories are short stories, and though they contain the same characters, they aren't meant to be put together. Get it? I hope so. However, my collection of short stories does have a name. It being 'Adventures on the High Seas saga'. Like it? Hope so. Please review! ^^