the Dalaverse

So this is a fic about the rock-crabs, and Jack. But mostly the rock-crabs. Because I love them. Maybe it's a tad bit cracky...



Tide Goes In, Tide Goes Out


The rock-crabs didn’t often take an interest in those who found themselves stranded in the Locker. Most of them turned to despair rather quickly and that was quite dull to watch, not worth the journey from the seashore for any but the most curious of their kind. Other than themselves and the sand-lice they ate, there was only one being that commanded their attention, and She had not visited them for many years.

So when one young crab related what it had found on its zig-zag journey across the hot, dry sand-plain, its fellows hardly flicked a claw. Even though the man had brought with him a great black vessel; even though he talked to himself about various plans to escape rather than weeping and begging to be let free. For a long time, the crab watched the man alone.

It saw him sweep in grand strides across the deck of his ship, gesticulating at an invisible audience. It watched him lash out at nothing, now cursing his stranded ship and now stroking her hull and whispering her praises. Finally it watched him strain to budge the huge ship one too many times, and it started on a journey back home for one more effort to stir up sympathy in the rest of the rock-crab colony.

To its surprise, it met a large crowd of crabs along the way, resting in their protective state. It woke them abruptly, telling them of the man’s sad, impossible quest and asking them to help him feel as though he could accomplish any part of it. The other rock crabs waved their claws and informed it that She was coming back at last – they could feel Her presence in the waves lapping the shore – and it might be best to guide this strange creature to Her infinite mercy and wisdom. As one, the rock crabs scuttled at maximum speed to work their way beneath the ship’s sun-beaten hull. The thing was heavy and it took many rock-crabs to shift it, but their bodies were unbreakable and their will driven by instinct as well as intellect. She would reward them well for delivering such a prize, and it was the first intrepid rock crab that would have the honor of crawling onto Her tender palm.



Fighting vertigo, Jack peered over the bow at the roiling sea of small, hard, gray bodies on which the Pearl sailed.

“Knew you’d come up with something eventually, mate,” said the Jack on his right side, clapping his shoulder.

“Terribly clever of you, Captain,” added the Jack to his left, simpering.

Jack sighed and shouted down to his charioteers, “Oy! ‘F I give my solemn word to ne’er let a crustacean past my lips again, will some of you lot talk to me for a bit?”


Unrelated: I am never, ever going to get "Hoist the Colors" out of my head, am I?