...aw.

A very nice take on the history and the characters. You have the gift I've seen in only a handful of other authors where you write the bits we didn't see explicitly spelled out in the canon with such matter-of-fact detail that once read, the reader cannot imagine any other way it could have taken place.

Huh. I *like*. Norrington with a secret identity is something I would never have thought of but seems so strangely appropriate. But of *course* he would be good at it. *grins*

Oh, hey, someone else *did* notice that. I have the sneaking suspicion that they left Bootstrap's fate unclear on purpose for the movie's sequel...^-^

Very, very cool what you're doing with Jack's origin and the complexity therof. And the gift...wow. It must have taken a lot of thought to come up with something so very appropriate that the reader doesn't even realize it needed inventing.

The best part about this story is I can literally see it happening in canon, rather than the fun but nevertheless fanciful scenarios that show up in most fics.

Oh, I *like* this. Very nice take on Norrington and the 'after' of the movie.

James and Jack teaming up ought to give anyone who knows them both the willies. ^=^

Well-written, very nice characterization, and quite amusing as well.

Ha! Commodore Norrington sneaking out the window to play pirate. That was unexpected. I wonder what he'll run into. Good work.

Slithery is definitely a great word for Jack. The children may have been able to keep him from slipping off, but he still hasn't answered their questions. The mention of Bootstrap's fate has me wondering whether he'll turn up. Lovely gifts from Jack. I don't imagine there are receipts :D Another great chapter.

Another great chapter. I'm glad I finally had time to get to it. I do appreciate the detailed historical and military background you give to this story-the sense of reality is very good. Details that struck me were the reasons for shorthandedness in the Caribbean and the state of medicine at the time. Also the provisioning of the ships. Good naval action as well.

This is really, truly, absolutely fantastic! I love this fic so much!

I have arrived at Chapter 2 even while you were posting on my journal. How serendipitous.

It’s nice to see old friends like Murtogg and Mulroy show up.

Ha! I like how Jack thanks Norrington for removing the competition.

“might not be the sharpest blades in the rack” Such a funny metaphor.

Yay, Norrington calls Jack Captain!

I’ll be interested in seeing how the rather tense relationship between Jack and James plays out. That war between mutual respect and mutual antagonism is always fun. Though I swear I am trying to win you over to Will and Elizabeth in my movie novelizations :D

Now I’ll look forward to finding out who is the perpetrator of the dishonest piracy—as opposed to Jack’s honest version. Isn’t honest pirate an oxymoron! But a very Jack one.

I noticed your update over at BPS and have been waiting until I had time to read the whole story before commenting. So these may be trickling in as I get to them. You have an intriguing beginning here. I do like the title.

Lines I particularly liked are:

"it would not do to draw undue attention to a neck the Crown wished to stretch"

"a faint musical jingle and a raspy, not so musical, singing" That's definitely a giveaway for Jack. LOL.

"the Governor's headstrong daughter had slipped her jesses again" I like how you include Elizabeth as one of the hawks.

"how impolite it would be to lose two friends by trying to slaughter their damned pet pirate under Will's own roof" Jack as a pet pirate made me snort.

"sensibly keeping it away from the lassie" Jack's wariness of Elizabeth's rum burning tendencies is so amusing.

Beautiful description of Jack’s new sword and the sword fight.

Looking forward to reading more.

Like I said before... this is bloody awesome! I love reading about James and Jack, makes for amusing scenarios, eh? Your doing a wonderful job now all I want is for you too update! And soon!

Really great. Just really great. You musta done a fair amount of research.

AWESOME! i have to get off so ill read the rest later you can trust me on that! AWESOME

Yet another wonderful chapter! I love the way you write Jack, cos face it, he really couldn't captain a ship if he was a rum sodden lush.

Just one wee niggle, and feel quite free to tell me to bugger off. You might want to consider some kind of break for scene changes, cos muppets like me get awful lost awful quick!

Loved the story. Especially the characterizations of Jack and James. Great potrayals! I love how you've made them the central characters... lol, does it show that these are two of my favourite characters? With Anamaria, of course. :p

*adds to alert* Please, update soon! XD

Wow. I can't really think of what I'd like to comment on first, so I'll comment on the whole story. It is wonderful! I particularly like the idea of Norrington having a bossy secretary and the way that you have Norrington as not just an official but a human being with friends and a brain. Your Governor Swann is also very good; not the usual pompous aristocrat which most people see him as. On the whole, I can't wait to see the next chapter in this story!