Edward Teach Claudine Saijo/Bond Story

*Blackbeard – frightening and violent pirate of the Caribbean. Unbeknownst to most, he was also a wise and cunning leader. From "Storm of the Caribbean."*

* Chapter 1
* Chapter 2
* Bond Level 15 Talk
* Bond Level 30 Talk

Storm of the Caribbean

 **Claudine:****(As Teach)**
"Did you hear? Everyone at the port thinks I was born from the Devil."

 **Claudine:****(As Teach)**
"Hahaha! My mother was as human as they come. She raised me like a proper pirate, much like the Virgin Mary raised her baby to be the savior!"

 **Claudine:****(As Teach)**
"Whatever the case may be, humans can be scarier than the Devil himself, am I right?"

 **Claudine:****(As Teach)**
"After all, what sends chills down a commissioner's spine aren't ghost ships, but rather this ship - 'Queen Anne's Revenge'!"

 **Claudine:**Huff, huff...

 **Mahiru:**Nice job, Clau-chan. That was a powerful performance.

 **Claudine:**I'm going to perform as 'the Devil's offspring' - Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. He was a nefarious pirate whose notoriety spans to the present day, after all.

 **Mahiru:**All for our own next play, "Storm of the Caribbean" - The 17-18th centuries saw different pirates - Anne Bonny, Bartholomew Roberts...

 **Mahiru:**But perhaps the most famous of them all was Blackbeard.

 **Claudine:**Exactly. Few people might know him by his birth name, but everyone has heard of Blackbeard. He really is notorious.

 **Claudine:**He was the true depiction of a Caribbean pirate.

 **Claudine:**Our play will revolve around his tumultous lifestyle as a true pirate, and as its lead I will definitely make it a success!

 **Mahiru:**And I will help you do it as Stede Bonnet, another pirate aboard Queen Anne's Revenge.

 **Claudine:**You're fired up as well, Mahiru. You did mention that you saw "Storm of the Caribbean" when you were younger.

 **Mahiru:**I did! The portrayal of Blackbeard left a big impression on me!

 **Claudine:**I remember being frightened of him.

 **Claudine:**He suggests shooting a fellow pirate while he's drinking with members of the crew... Ahem!

 **Claudine:****(As Teach)**
"It'll be a reminder of how scary I can be! Hahaha!"

 **Mahiru:**Yeah, that scene! It's based on reality too!

 **Claudine:**Shooting his own crew - he really was chaos personified.

 **Claudine:**The audience was transfixed by him.

 **Mahiru:**Everyone was on the edge of their seats not knowing what he would do next.

 **Mahiru:**I'm sure the real Blackbeard inspired the same feeling during his lifetime too.

 **Claudine:**I think so too... That said, I can't help but feel my portrayal of him still lacks that chaotic side. I need to work on it more.

 **Mahiru:****(As Pirate)**
"You sure are being careful! Are you telling me that you of all people are scared of this sea?"

 **Claudine:****(As Teach)**
"...! Try and say that again! I, Edward Teach, am not afraid of anything!"

 **Claudine:****(As Teach)**
"Huh? You're looking pale! Not so tough without your pals around, huh?"

 **Claudine:****(As Teach)**
"Hey, you! Something funny? You won't be laughing much with a bullet in your- Whoops, I shot him... Hahaha!"

 **Mahiru:****(As Pirate)**
"Gh... You're crazy! I won't forget this... I'm the...great...pirate..."

 **Claudine:****(As Teach)**
"Cat got your tongue? Speak up!"

 **Mahiru:****(As Spud Beard**
"I'm the great pirate Sput Beard! Don't mess with me!"

{{CharTalk|claudine|**(As Teach)**
"Spud Beard?! Don't make me laugh - I've never heard of a pirate of such name!"}

 **Mahiru:****(As Spud Beard**
"Let me teach you then!"

 **Mahiru:****(As Spud Beard**
"As tough as the soil they grow in, as unstoppable as their deliciousness - I'm Sput Beard! Remember my name!"

 **Claudine:****(As Teach)**
"Hahaha! Aren't you an interesting one! I'll remember your name!"

 **Claudine:**...And that wraps things up for today. Heh heh, what's up with Spud Beard?

 **Mahiru:**Heh heh. It's me we're talking after all. Anyway, did you get any inspiration?

 **Claudine:**Hmm... He's violent and rough; he acts before he thinks... Those are his best qualities as a character...

 **Mahiru:**He's indeed the Blackbeard we discussed earlier, but...

 **Claudine:**But he's not the Blackbeard I want to portray, right?

 **Claudine:**...I feel like I've grasped the bigger picture, but it still lacks something...

 **Claudine:**I want to take him a step further... Maybe try a different approach.

 **Mahiru:**A different approach- Ah!

 **Mahiru:**The West Indies were part of England, so maybe Hikari-chan could help us considering she used to live there.

 **Claudine:**Bonne idee! That's a great idea. Let's ask her tomorrow!

Crossing Rough Seas

 **Hikari:**I remember watching "Storm of the Caribbean" at the theater.

 **Mahiru:**You too? That's great! Well, actually-

 **Hikari:**...I see. So you came to me to find a different approach to Blackbeard...

 **Hikari:**Well, I can tell you that the version of him that you saw in the theater, and the one that I saw are complete opposites.

 **Claudine:**Are you saying he's not rough?

 **Hikari:**Not quite so. He was rough only when he fights Captain Maynard and dies.

 **Hikari:**He was portrayed more as someone with quick wits, who'd always ask his crew for advice before making decisions.

 **Claudine:**Wow, that's quite different then.

 **Hikari:**I guess it's because it was British theater.

 **Mahiru:**...? What do you mean?

 **Hikari:**Well, there are tons of documents on Blackbeard, and other resources that include a museum with what remains of his ship, as well as a castle where he used to reside.

 **Hikari:**From some of these sources, it appears that he was seen not as a violent pirate, but rather as someone wise and cunning.

 **Claudine:**I see. That image must have influenced his portrayal in the play as well then.

 **Hikari:**I think that's the case.

 **Claudine:**(A chaotic villain, as well as a wise pirate... Blackbeard's portrayal is complicated...)

 **Claudine:**Heh heh! I think it'll be worth matching these different approaches together in the directing, writing and acting of the play.

 **Claudine:**I'll come up with my own Blackbeard.

 **Mahiru:**Clau-chan, did you come up with something?

 **Claudine:**I sure did! Thank you, you two. I'll take both of your advice.

 **Hikari:**...

 **Claudine:**I'll put them into practice and finish up my Blackbeard in time for the play!

 **Claudine:****(As Edward Teach)**
"C'mon, drink with me! Today we have all these beer crates!"

 **Mahiru:****(As Stede Bonnet)**
"I know that we managed to take control of a Spanish ship, but aren't you being a bit reckless?"

 **Claudine:****(As Edward Teach)**
"Huh? If it isn't the great gentleman pirate Bonnet! Plundering ships wouldn't be the same without you!"

 **Mahiru:****(As Stede Bonnet)**
"Haha" I'm nowhere near you, Blackbeard!"

 **Claudine:****(As Edward Teach)**"Hahaha!" To think that even you'd call me with that name!"

 **Mahiru:****(As Stede Bonnet)**"I sure would. There's no one as terrifying as you- Huh? Why do you have your pistol out?"

 **Claudine:****(As Edward Teach)**"This? It's just to celebrate!"

 **Mahiru:****(As Stede Bonnet)**"You- Did you shoot your own crew?!"

 **Claudine:****(As Edward Teach)**"Unless I do this, they're going to forget!"

 **Claudine:****(As Edward Teach)**"It'll be a reminder of how scary I can be! Hahaha!"

 **Claudine:****(As Edward Teach)**"Well then, let's target this route next. We'll plunter and plunter until everyone knows my name in England!"

 **Mahiru:****(As Stede Bonnet)**"You're crazy, Blackbeard. You'd go as far as plundering ships from your homeland."

 **Claudine:****(As Edward Teach)**"I would too. I would attack my parent's ship if I could... The whole world will know of Blackbeard!"

 **Claudine:****(As Edward Teach)**"We shall butter up Governor Charles - all for the sake of plundering and freedom."

 **Claudine:****(As Edward Teach)**"He isn't so easily swayed by gold."

 **Claudine:****(As Edward Teach)**"Send him something worthy of his attention - either rare spices or tobacco!"

 **Claudine:****(As Edward Teach)**"I'll show him that I have no need of anything other than my freedom."

After the stage

 **Mahiru:**Clau-chan, your Blackbeard was amazing! You performed like a true pirate - rough and cruel...!

 **Mahiru:**But you didn't stop at that. You also showed that Blackbeard was wise and calculated his every step with calmness.

 **Hikari:**You perfectly balanced the Devil's madness with human cunning for your Blackbeard.

 **Claudine:**Heh heh. I'm happy to hear you say that.

 **Mahiru:**You were confident and bold, but also managed to let the audience take a glimpse of Blackbeard's intelligence.

 **Hikari:**I agree - especially when you cajoled Governor Charles with gifts.

 **Mahiru:**Yes! You really showed that Blackbeard knew exactly what was considered precious during this time! You were both rough and refined at the same time.

 **Mahiru:**No one could have managed to do what you did, Clau-chan.

 **Claudine:**It was a hard performance, but I'm glad you think I did well. I feel honored.

 **Claudine:**It was also thanks to your help too.

 **Claudine:**...Well then, are your cups ready?

 **Claudine:**...Hah hahaha! This is a night to celebrate!

 **Claudine:**Let's raise our cups! My fellow pirates from near and far!

 **Claudine:**Let's savor the best wine there is - the sweet aftertaste of a great performance!

**Hikari & Mahiru:**Yeah!

 **Claudine:**Blackbeard's stage may have come to an end, but our stage hasn't! Let's celebrate tonight and do our best at tomorrow's practice!

**Hikari & Mahiru:**Cheers!

 **Claudine:**Blackbeard really was the star of the age of pirates. His name is known today, and will always be known throughout the ages.

 **Claudine:**Blackbeard was portrayed as violent and rough in Japan, and as cunning and wise in England...

 **Claudine:**By mixing these two approaches, I was able to come up with a three-dimensional character that felt convincing.

 **Claudine:**I feel that when approaching a character, taking into account different cultures will greatly help building my next parts. Blackbeard's adventures turned out to be a treasure for me.