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."

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.