#they're holding back a lot about separate ways despite what is already present within the game files

[yngai]

i hope RE4R separate ways starts with ada sipping a mojito on the beach as she's rudely interrupted by an organization liaison who offers her the spain operation & she takes off her sunglasses, frowns & downs the rest of her drink, just as a fun contrast to leon's little edgy monologue about his really bad time under military service

[goldsainz]

# HIGH INFIDELITY — CHAPTER ONE !

SERIES MASTERLIST !

001. SUMMARY !

✯ no matter what you do or who you’re with, rafe is the thorn in your side that persists.

002. WARNINGS !

✯ drinking, rafe’s a bitch.

003. NOTE !

✯ the italics part is meant to be past, normal is present. not a lot of rafe in this part, but we’re building up the tension, bear with me guys. also this is short n’ sweet, but it was either this or waiting like a week sooo 🤗

word count : 3,1k

Summer is, without a doubt, your favourite season of the year—a time when everything seems a little brighter, warmer, and full of promise. But above all, it’s the chance for romance that makes it truly special. As the breeze grazes your skin, you're struck with all the endless possibilities for a breezy, passionate fling. Summer brings not just warmth, but the promise of memories waiting to be made.

Perhaps that is why this summer feels different, why you're filled with a sensation you are not used to. Because, in true you fashion, you cannot help but fall for the first guy that makes eye contact with you. It’s as if that single look, just a fleeting connection, has already set something in motion within you. It doesn't really matter who they are, you just hope they're decent enough that when the summer ends you won't wallow until the next one.

Despite everything you’ve always been told—that Kooks and Pogues live in separate worlds, that some lines are best left uncrossed—you can’t help but feel all that advice slip away in a single moment. A single glance across the bonfire, a glint of warmth and interest in his eyes, has you questioning every cautionary tale you've ever heard. 

He lifts his hand in a simple wave, and without thinking, you lift yours in return. He smiles, and you find yourself smiling back, helpless against the pull he seems to have over you. It’s such a small exchange, yet it sends a thrill through you. So simply, your heart is already in the hands of a Kook that probably doesn't even know your name.

For a single moment, just when you finally let your guard down and begin to lose yourself in the summer night, you feel a hard shove against your shoulder. The unexpected force nearly sends you toppling, and you stumble awkwardly to keep your footing. A quick flash of irritation floods your mind, and as you turn, you see the culprit—and, oh, if it isn’t the most predictable sight in the world.

It’s Rafe Cameron. Of course, it is. He moves through the crowd like he owns it, barely glancing your way, as if you’re invisible, or worse, just an obstacle on his path to whatever or whoever he’s fixated on. 

“Watch it, Kook!” You shout at him, your voice sharp, as you glare down at the mess now soaking into the sand, the drink he so casually spilled with his careless shove. Typical Rafe—he couldn’t just bump into you and keep walking; no, he had to leave a mark, a small reminder of how easy it is for him to disrupt whatever, or whoeever, is in his way.

There’s no point in trying to get Rafe to acknowledge his mistakes. He wouldn’t care, and honestly, why waste the energy? Annoyed, you make your way toward the drink stand, trying to shake off the aggravation and enjoy what’s left of the night. The makeshift bar is stocked with copious amounts of beer, a few murky-looking bottles of whiskey, and vodka that looks questionably watered down. You sigh, filling a red cup and trying to hold on to a sliver of the excitement you felt earlier. Maybe it’s time to call it a night, to forget the rude shove and, disappointingly, to forget the boy you shared glances with.

“Hey,” a voice interrupts as you lift the cup to your lips, pulling you from your thoughts. You look up, and there he is—the guy from across the bonfire, standing right in front of you, his expression soft but earnest. “I’m sorry about him,” he says, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

“Huh?” The word slips out, and for a moment, you forget all about the spilled drink, the scowl on your face, even Rafe Cameron’s entitled shove. The memory of the night seems to blur, leaving just this moment, this exchange. You’re left with that same rush from earlier, only more intense now, standing close enough to see the way the firelight reflects in his eyes. 

“He shoved you, right?” he asks, raising his voice slightly so it cuts through the noise around you. There’s a hint of concern in his eyes, and he leans in just enough for you to catch the faint scent of saltwater and something earthy, maybe cedar. “Or did I mistake you for someone else?”

“No, no,” you reply, shaking your head, a small, sheepish smile creeping onto your face despite yourself. “That was me, unfortunately. Rafe Cameron’s idea of saying ‘excuse me,’ I guess.”

He laughs, a low sound that somehow makes the rest of the chaotic night fade into the background. “Sounds about right,” he says with a shrug, like he knows exactly the kind of person Rafe is—and isn’t surprised in the slightest. His gaze lingers on you, though, holding a warmth and sincerity that feels like a stark contrast to everything you just experienced. It’s as if he’s actually seeing you, not just some girl who got shoved around in the crowd.

“So… can I get you another drink?” he asks, nodding toward your mostly empty cup. “You know, as a ‘sorry for my obnoxious friend’ kind of thing.”

"I don’t even know your name,” you say, keeping your tone casual, though you can feel a flicker of heat rising in your cheeks. Of course, you do. But he doesn’t need to know that. Not yet, anyway.

He raises an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes as if he’s caught on to your feigned innocence but decides to play along. “Is that so?” he asks, a grin curving on his lips. “Well, then. I guess that makes us strangers, doesn’t it?”

You bite back a smile, shrugging, as if the flutter in your chest is no big deal. “I suppose it does.”

He extends his hand, the light from the bonfire casting a warm glow on his face. “I’m Joshua, but you can call me Josh.” he says, as though you hadn’t already heard the name whispered among your friends a hundred times. “And you are?”

“YN,” you say softly, letting your name slip past your lips like a secret, as if saying it too loudly might break the spell of this moment.

“Well, YN,” he drawls, your name slipping off his lips like honey, rich and warm. Somehow, in the noise and firelight, it sounds sweeter coming from him than you’ve ever heard it before. “Can I get you a drink?”

You hesitate, just for a second, but then you nod, feeling a lightness in your chest that hadn’t been there before. “I’d like that, yeah,” you say, and suddenly, youre not so ready for the night to end.

As you lie peacefully on the beach, your head resting on Josh’s chest and the sun’s warm rays caressing your skin, a deep contentment settles over you. The waves roll in rhythmically, their soft crashing mixing with the steady beat of his heart beneath your ear. 

Josh’s fingers trace lazy patterns along your arm, a quiet gesture that says so much without a word. Somehow, these last days have passed in a perfect blur, each moment with him slipping effortlessly into the next. It’s as if the rest of the world has faded into the background, leaving just the two of you and the freedom of these warm summer days.

It hasn’t been more than three days, you’re sure. But in the rush of everything—of his touch, of the laughter, of the long talks that stretch into the night—it feels like so much more. It doesn’t matter, though. Summer is fleeting by nature, and relationships, much like the warmth of the sun, can’t last forever. You’ve always known that.

Maybe that’s why things feel so easy with Josh. There’s no pressure, no rush to figure it all out. You don’t need a lifetime to know that this connection is real, even if it’s only for now.

“I was thinking…” he whispers, his voice sending a shiver down your spine as it tickles your ear. “Why don’t you come with me to a party? It’s very casual.”

You turn your head slightly so you can look at him, feeling the heat of his breath against your skin. “Where?” you ask, curiosity piqued.

“Just… at a friend’s house,” he replies, his words vague, as though he’s trying to keep something hidden. You sense it, the hesitation, like he’s afraid the full truth will make you back out.

“Okay… whose house?” you ask, your voice a bit firmer now, wanting a little more clarity.

You roll your eyes and let out a dramatic groan, but there’s a smile tugging at your lips despite yourself. “Fine. But the second he crosses a line, I’m out. Don’t try to stop me.”

Josh raises his hands, feigning innocence, though there’s a gleam of victory in his eyes. “Deal,” he says with a grin, leaning down to press a quick kiss to your forehead.

“I’m serious,” you press, your voice soft but your gaze steady, locking onto his as if to underline your words. You want him to know you’re not playing around; Rafe has crossed too many lines before, and you’re not about to give him any more chances.

Josh’s grin softens into something more earnest as he takes your hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I know. And I won’t let him pull anything. I’ll be right there with you.”

You nod, reassured—well, mostly. There’s still a twinge of anxiety at the thought of walking into Rafe’s space. But with Josh by your side, it feels like a risk worth taking. You take a deep breath, pushing away the doubts, letting yourself focus on the warmth of his hand in yours.

You know you’ll probably regret being so compliant later, but in this moment, under the warm sun and the gentle pull of his charm, you can’t find it within yourself to care. Not right now, anyway.

The party is at its peak when you step inside with Josh, his hand a steady presence on the small of your back. People weave around, stumbling and laughing, drinks sloshing as they chug another round. The air is thick with the smell of beer and perfume, the music pounding loud enough to shake the floor.

Tannyhill is enormous, every inch of it polished and perfect. Compared to the flimsy house you call home, this level of luxury feels surreal, almost insulting—like you’re trespassing in a world you’re not meant to be a part of.

“You good?” Josh’s voice is low against your ear, his fingers pressing lightly, reassuringly, into your back.

“Yeah,” you manage, glancing around at the high ceilings and spotless marble floors. “Big house,” you mumble, trying to play it off, but Josh catches the edge of awe in your voice and lets out a soft chuckle.

“Sometimes I forget,” he says with a smile, “that this is all just… normal to me. It’s weird, huh?”

You nod, a small smile tugging at your lips. “A little.” There’s an underlying discomfort, a feeling of not quite fitting in, but with Josh beside you, you tell yourself it doesn’t matter.

As you navigate through the crowd, you spot Rafe across the room, casually leaning against a table, a smirk on his face as he watches the crowd unfold around him. His gaze shifts, and for a brief second, his eyes lock onto yours, his smirk turning into something sharper, something that sends a prickle of irritation through you.

Josh notices and gives your hand a squeeze, as if grounding you. “Remember our deal,” he murmurs, his tone playful but his eyes serious.

“Right,” you reply, taking a deep breath and letting it go, trying to shake off the feeling of being under Rafe’s watch. Tonight, you tell yourself, is about being with Josh, about experiencing his world—even if only for a night.

There are barely any Pogues here, you realize, glancing around at the faces in the crowd. Maybe a few who hover on the edges, those who toe the line between a bad season of hard luck and those who might actually crawl and beg to be part of the Kooks’ world. They’re the ones who keep their heads down, wearing uncomfortable clothes, trying to blend in without drawing attention.

You feel the difference even more now, the gap between you and this place, this crowd. Everyone here is effortlessly at ease, basking in the privilege that’s been theirs since birth. And yet here you are, standing in the middle of it all, aware of every sideways glance, every slightly raised eyebrow as you pass by.

“You’re sure it’s okay for me to be here?” you ask again, your voice low, almost like you’re bracing yourself for Rafe or one of his friends to notice you and kick you out.

Josh squeezes your hand, his expression softening. “Of course. They don’t care, really,” he says, his tone steady, almost casual, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

You wish you could believe him. You’ve noticed, over these past few days, how little Josh seems to care about the whole Kook and Pogue divide. He doesn’t see you as an outsider, doesn’t seem to register the tension that hums just beneath the surface. To him, it’s all irrelevant, a line drawn in the sand that doesn’t matter. It’s refreshing—and it’s blinding.

Because Josh’s indifference almost fooled you into thinking the world works that way, too. Like the Kooks and Pogues can just coexist, that the labels and histories are meaningless. But tonight, standing in this mansion with strangers’ eyes glancing your way, you feel the weight of it again, the silent reminders that you don’t belong.

He notices the hesitation in your eyes, the way you’re pulling back, and his hand slides to your shoulder, a gentle reminder that he’s here with you. “Listen,” he murmurs, leaning close so only you can hear, “I don’t care about any of that, and if anyone else does… well, that’s their problem. You’re with me.”

His words are a comfort, but they’re not enough to erase the uneasy feeling that lingers. You force a smile, hoping he can’t see the doubt flickering there, and nod. “Right. I’m with you.”

For the slightest moment you feel at ease, but almost like clockwork, the grating voice of Rafe Cameron breaks your reverie, pulling you out of your thoughts. “Hey, man,” he greets, slapping a hand on Josh’s back in that familiar, boy-ish way.

“What’s up, Rafe?” Josh replies, his smile wide, clearly used to this dynamic, his tone casual and easygoing.

“Nothing much, just trying to keep everything at bay,” Rafe responds, his voice dripping with indifference as he talks like you’re not even standing there. Like you don’t exist in this moment, and it stings more than it should.

“Cool,” Josh shifts slightly, turning toward you. “I’m sure you’ve met YN, hope it’s all good that I brought her?”

At that, Rafe finally looks at you. The weight of his gaze makes your skin prickle, and for a moment, you almost squirm under it. “Yup, all good,” Rafe says, his voice laced with something colder, something discomforting. “I said you could bring anyone… and you did.”

The way he says it is so backhanded, so typical of him. You can practically hear the unspoken judgement in his words, feel it in the way he looks at you, sizing you up.

You’re not surprised, of course—this is Rafe, after all—but the little jab only adds to the discomfort that’s been creeping up on you all evening. You force a tight smile, but it feels too small, too weak for what’s really going on inside. Still, you keep your eyes on Josh, hoping he doesn’t notice how the atmosphere has shifted, how Rafe’s presence has twisted everything just enough to make you feel smaller than you are.

“Well, enjoy the party,” Rafe says, his smile almost too practised, like he’s delivering a line he’s said a hundred times before. The kind of smile that doesn’t reach his eyes, that’s meant to keep things cordial, even if the undercurrent of judgement is thick enough to cut through.

“We will,” Josh replies easily, not missing a beat, his voice smooth and unbothered, as though none of the tension is hanging in the air.

Josh’s hand finds yours, his fingers warm against your skin as he gently pulls you away from the conversation. But as you pass by Rafe, you hear him lean in slightly, his voice just low enough for only you to hear. “Not too much, yeah?”

It’s a whisper, but it feels like a slap. You can feel your brows furrow instinctively, the words gnawing at you. You’re tempted, so tempted, to turn around and shove him and ask, What the hell is wrong with you?

But you don’t.

Instead, you let Josh lead you away, his hand tightening around yours in a subtle reassurance. The music swells, the noise of the party grows louder, but it all feels distant now, like a blur around the sharp edge of Rafe’s comment. You try to ignore it, try to shake it off, but it clings to you, sticking in your chest like a splinter.

Even as you move through the crowd, you know that this night isn’t just about the music or the people—it’s about the silent things too. The things you can’t control, the things you have to push past in order to keep moving.

And Rafe Cameron is the one thing you can’t push past, no matter how hard you try. The one who thinks he can push you down, who sees you as something beneath him, a reminder of everything he’s convinced he’s better than.

But if there’s one thing he needs to know, it’s that you don’t go out without a fight. He might have the money, the reputation, the home twice the size of anywhere you’ve ever lived, but he will not ruin your summer. 

He’s attempted to get under your skin before and failed. And you’re not about to let this be any different. The summer isn’t his to take from you, no matter how hard he tries. He’s not a force you’re willing to let derail everything good about these days. Not the warmth of the sun, not the nights you spend with Josh, not the taste of freedom you’ve felt since you stepped into his world.

You’ll be damned if you let Rafe Cameron, of all people, get in the way of that.

[tonsoffuckinsequins]

More (really really long, I have a lot of pirate brain rot) ofmd s2 thoughts only I care about:

One thing that I thought was handled somewhat poorly thematically this season was Ed's relationship to Blackbeard, and in turn how that affects his relationship with Stede. There were many highlights and good parts, but the overall cohesiveness of arc building that occurred in s1 is lacking.

There's a lot of words under this cut, but there was a lot to analyze.

So, there seems to be tendency both in canon and amongst fans to treat Blackbeard as a separate entity from Ed. There isn't anything wrong with this necessarily. However, it begets a conflict in which these two halves need to become whole for the Ed/Blackbeard arc to come to a satisfying conclusion. Ed's most coherent internal arc is acceptance of his *whole* self, not rejection of Blackbeard in favor of Ed. It feels like the season tried to do this, but in ways that weren't completely satisfying and were outside of the measure of quality I'd hold the first season to.

First, Blackbeard and the Kraken often get conflated within the canon of the show. However, considering Ed as Blackbeard confesses to not killing anyone since he killed his father, it appears that the Kraken is a more dark and worse version of Blackbeard, one more motivated by personal hurt and inability to cope with emotional pain and trauma rather than just the general need for survival brought on by a life of piracy. This is why Ed is afraid of the Kraken, not Blackbeard necessarily, because it's his darkest tendencies and what he believes makes him worthless and unlovable.

Ed is *tired of* Blackbeard, but *afraid* of the Kraken. They're not the same. Their relation comes from the notion that Blackbeard *leads to* the Kraken, with very little control from Ed.

The Kraken presents an even deeper insecurity than when Ed as Blackbeard leaves Stede with Calico Jack, although it's also possible the two are related - Ed is always afraid of an eventual return of the Kraken and what that means for Stede's acceptance of him despite the reassurances he received in the bathtub conversation after the Fuckery. "You were always gonna find out what I am" - essentially, even though Ed confessed to Stede about the Kraken and Stede accepts this part of him, he is still afraid that it will come out again and he will be rejected.

So, when we see Ed struggling with feelings of being unlovable in the gravy basket after literally being suicidal upon fully unleashing the Kraken, his worst self and worst fear, this makes a lot of sense. This is why The Innkeeper is one of the most successful episodes of the season, although there may have been some missed opportunity to incorporate images of the Kraken in the depths while Merman!Stede saved him (the merperson scene was already incredibly moving and romantic, though, so no complaints). He unleashed the Kraken, and Stede came for him anyway.

While the following episode, Fun and Games, is fantastic as an episode overall and Annie and Mary are entertaining foils to Ed and Stede's seemingly ongoing conflicting interests, it feels out of place as a means of developing Ed and Stede in *this* part of their relationship. It gives foreshadowing to some of the issues they will be experiencing in the future and as part of this season and possibly next, but doesn't speak to the issues they're experiencing *now*. Their issues *now* relate to the abandonment that Ed experienced while Stede worked out his own self worth and identity issues by going back to his family. Unfortunately, in place of Stede actually attempting to explain himself, we largely get a semi-generic love confession from Stede here. It's fine, beautiful as a confession, and it's something Ed needs to hear after all that he's been through, especially with only a vision of Stede as a merman for comfort. However, it's a missed opportunity, which happens throughout the season, for Stede to actually clear up the miscommunication that occurred. The conversation about whims is less effective than a conversation about Stede feeling like *he* was the downfall of Blackbeard/Ed would have been. Ed needs to understand that Stede loves *all* of him, not just Ed. His worry that he ruined Blackbeard is *part of that*,because Stede more than anymore understands Blackbeard as an aspect of Ed.

Still, the episode ends with a strong moment of development for both Ed and the Stede/Ed relationship. To watch Stede leave him again, even if it's to secure him a place back on the ship, then watch Buttons successfully complete his transmogrification spell, followed immediately by Stede returning for him is hugely powerful. It is a fantastic mechanism to show change as a general concept to Ed and challenge the beliefs he's still clinging to, and then apply them directly to his relationship with Stede. He watches a man literally change into exactly who/what he wants to be, then watches the entire situation with Stede play out the way he would have liked the first time. The selection is "Seabird" as the song here only adds to that. Good choices abound.

The Curse of the Seafaring Life does a great presentation of what the romantic resolution to the Ed/Stede problem is, intentionally or not. The scene with Ed in his little cat collar trying to get Stede to *ahem* captain him reveals a lot of what makes their dynamic work. Ed has trauma from overbearing and abusive men in his life, and Stede's "people positive management style" is essentially just what the doctor ordered. However, Stede's conflict with that is his own confidence in himself and his skills, of which he still has basically none. This is why his completion of the successful Fuckery at the end of s1 is so profound. He IS able to learn these skills and become a pirate captain like he wants to. Ed first starts falling for Stede when he is assertive and capable on the party boat, and again as he wins the duel with Izzy, and even to some extent when he tells Calico Jack to leave. Stede both needs protection (while he obtains the skills and confidence he needs and dreams of having) and is capable of protecting (through his emotional intelligence, even if he failed with that in s1e9). Blackbeard/Ed helps Stede obtain these skills and confidence, while Stede helps Blackbeard/Ed feel valued for more than just his capacity for violence. Stede's struggle with his "captain voice" in this scene is played off for laughs, but it really does highlight that Stede is capable as a means to an end - the end being protecting his crew, protecting Ed, etc. even if he struggles with confidence day to day. Ed needs this as part of his resolution of self, which is part of why he needs and wants Stede.

So, in this episode we essentially see Ed revert back to "just Ed" again, similar to when he and Stede are at the naval academy and after he returns to the Revenge. It makes sense that this would occur, because Ed has been Blackbeard (and the Kraken, in this instance) so long he needs some time to be Ed and reconnect with that side of himself. Now that Stede is back, he feels capable and safe to do this. This also makes sense and is an essential part of the arc of his reconciliation between his two "selves".

Then we get to the recreation of the "you wear fine things well" setup from s1. This callback is a brilliant choice and another one of the strongest moments from the season. The waxing gibbous moon in the background, still large and hopeful but not the romanticized fantasy setting it was, Stede now completely clad in the crimson color matching the piece of silk Ed gave away when he committed to being his worst - it all works. Even the addition of Ed's cat bell, signaling his intention to kiss Stede here when he didn't before, works so well.

Where it breaks down is when Ed asks to take things slow. I know, I know. It's a very popular moment, and it would have worked if the show had more time. But as it is, within the confines of the external forces on the show, Ed doesn't have this time. If this were a show with the budget it deserved and the time it deserved, it would have been a perfect writing choice. Here, and in the context of the following episodes, it eventually falls short.

That's because in the next episode, we start to see glimpses of the Blackbeard/Stede dynamic that reflect their strengths, which makes the scene in which they DO get more intimate make sense, even if it contradicts the prior request for slowness. For Calypso's birthday, while I think the idea of paying for a party to counteract almost killing a bunch of the crew is pretty weak overall, it's acceptable within the confines of the show and the amount of time they had. This party planning plus the unwelcome visit from Ned Low shows the Ed/Stede dynamic in all of its glory. Stede helps Ed with managing people and social interactions. When Ned attacks, Ed physically protects Stede. Then together they endure their torture, with their fantastic banter and chemistry front and center the entire time. Stede appreciates Ed's toughness and defiance (a defining feature of Blackbeard) while Ed is protective of Stede when he's being harmed by Ned. This is Blackbeard coming out in Ed in a way that's positive. And even better, it fits with one of the themed lines from the episode - "turn poison into positivity". His expression of violence is to protect those he loves - Stede, in this case.

We then see Stede's protective nature come out - this is how he achieves being a "real pirate". It's through his desire to protect Ed - not even physically, but emotionally - that he commits his first murder as a pirate. This is significant, because it indicates that he CAN rise above his insecurities and deficiencies in skill when needed to protect Ed. And that's because *Ed needs protection* - there IS a soft side that needs to be able to turn over burdens to someone else. In order to successfully integrate Blackbeard into his idea of himself, to reconcile Blackbeard/Ed, he needs to not have to be Blackbeard all the time, even when things are dangerous. He needs an equal partner. Izzy couldn't have been this for him despite his considerable skill as a pirate because he lacks Stede's emotional intelligence. That's what sets this pairing apart.

This is why it would make sense for them to come together (pun intended) after this moment - and why Ed's insistence that they take it slow is a hindrance to their progression. Yes, he's just finding out who he is. Yes he's trying to reconcile two conflicting aspects of himself. But the person who is the right one for helping him do that is here with him now. They've BOTH been craving this moment since they were parted in season 1, and boy have the fans craved it too. It's a good addition. The scene itself is both rough and tender. Ed is nearly swept off his feet by the force of Stede's love for him and then they melt into eachother. Stede being in "control" of this encounter makes sense for them as well, and lends itself to Ed being able to let go of control in a comfortable environment - unload the mantle of being a captain for a while.

It even makes sense that we see Ed try to completely shed his Blackbeard persona after this experience. By sinking his leathers, he's trying to shed Blackbeard completely. This could and is a narrative ploy - it's a mistake! He WANTS to shed Blackbeard and thinks that this symbolic action is enough. It's not. The audience knows it, and Ed needs to figure it out as well. He has to figure out that this is not as helpful as he thinks it is.

What happens from there in Man on Fire is where some of this development and the overall writing quality continues to weaken. Ed sees Stede start to get recognition from his newfound pirate status, which begins to antagonize his own fears of remaining attached to Blackbeard. This works as a means to tease the internal conflict to the surface. However, some of where this breaks down is the inclusion of Ed's prior request to take things slow. Instead of this being a conflict about Ed's fears, it becomes a disagreement over pace of the relationship. This feels superficial to an audience that deserves to see these two actually face their main fears, even if they don't communicate about them perfectly. Ed is not going to be able to perfectly articulate his problem here, but there were better options than "our relationship is moving too fast". Unfortunately, even putting Ed in Buttons' old jacket as symbolism of his want to change and transform can't really save this. He's not changing, he's regressing to the Ed that flounce about in a silk gown. This isn't and can't be Ed completely either.

Unfortunately Stede is somewhat out of character here as well. Stede has a tendency to be self involved and inattentive, but the idea that he would lose track of Ed after the night they had together is implausible, no matter how much he was being praised by other pirates. He has been solely and laser focused on Ed since the first episode of the season, and they've only been reunited for days. He's not gonna lose sight of him like that. Not the dude he watched come back from the dead, not the dude he jumped into the ocean for.

In any case, Ed deciding to become a fisherman as a solution to his perceived conflict with Stede's newfound fame and success as a piratr makes a certain kind of sense, especially if the season is trying to paint both of these characters as "whim-prone". I think it may be fine for the characters to believe this about themselves at this point, but Stede is not whim prone at this point. He has a much more established sense of identity than Ed at this point. He knows he wants to be a pirate and he wants to be in love with Ed. His whims are now things like picking up cursed suits.

I have my doubts about the viability Ed formulating a plan for self discovery that removes him from Stede. This is a man who was acutely suicidal without him. Instead of a conversation about leaving, and thus making Ed and Stede almost have an on-again off-again relationship style (something that undercuts Epic Romances, of which this is one), a better conflict may have been an insistence on Ed's part to quit piracy, thus placing Stede at another crossroads, or even having Ed almost insist on being a kept man aboard the Revenge and going back to the silk robe lifestyle.

He needs to figure out the parts of himself and Blackbeard that Stede needs.

In the final episode, when Ed goes off to be a fisherman, Pop-Pop tells him "if you were ever good at something, go and do that". The implication here is that Ed needs to return to piracy. This in and of itself is not a bad implication for Ed's arc. However, the way it's framed isn't strong enough to get the message across that Ed needs to approach his piracy from a place of love.

The thing Ed is good at, or should be at this point, is loving Stede. He has known he's in love with Stede through the entirety of the season, even when he was the Kraken. It's his love for Stede that keeps him going, even if it turns into a negative obsession. He was obsessed with the loss of the thing which has now returned to him. Being able to more accurately frame this as a return to Stede and the crew (that, ideally, he'd have made better reparations to) would better setup Ed's eventual return to Blackbeard as an aspect of himself that he has control over, rather than a fate he takes on unwillingly.

Unfortunately, because of lack of time and development and some unfortunate music framing choices , when Ed becomes concerned for Stede's safety upon seeing the destruction of the Republic of Pirates, it frames his final development within the season as returning to the Kraken. He doesn't face a fear about it, we don't see him decide that his skills as a pirate are something he can integrate into himself for the foreseeable future, there's no indication that he's taking this on willingly as a reconciliation and realization that these two halves of himself can exist to the benefit of those he loves rather than their detriment. The music that accompanied the initial introduction of the Kraken during the Fuckery, the song the Swede songs, plays lightly in the background as he grabs and dons his leathers and murders a couple British soldiers. It's a dramatic scene that's almost sad. It doesn't seem triumphant or like a real revelation.

This is bad framing of Ed vs Blackbeard vs the Kraken is then reinforced in the eventual death of Izzy Hands and the moment they share as he slips away. Izzy essentially claims responsibility for Blackbeard and the Kraken, even if Ed tearfully apologizes for his behavior as well. With Izzy telling Ed to "just be Ed", any indication that Blackbeard can or should be successfully reintegrated into Ed's overall view of himself is shattered.

It's unfortunate, since Ed was just as much a participant in the creation of Blackbeard as Izzy. To deny that is to deny Ed's complexity as a character and make him a victim of circumstance. He's not. He's smart, cunning, and a little unhinged. These are all things Stede loves about him and things the crew and audience love as well.

This unfortunately ends up impacting the ending of the finale, with Stede retiring from piracy with Ed even though it's counter to his narrative development. He had just achieved notoriety as a pirate, and while he would follow Ed to the ends of the earth, retiring would not be immediately appealing to him.

Basically, while there were very strong moments of characterization, theming, and building character arcs that build the romance, the second season was not nearly as successful in this endeavor as the first. Unfortunately this led the season to a much less romantic tone overall despite the actual physical contact between the two characters.

It's still a great romance, still a good show. But there were unfortunate unforced writing errors in this seasons arcs and characterization.

Also, Ed can't read. 😕

[serendipitybutterfly]

Well... Haha... Finally I'm going to post Hobi's birthday tarot reading. In my defence... It's been crazy for everyone since at least late February so... Yeah. But we're here to do this now and cheer for our sunshine Hobi! ☀ 💜

Okay... So let's look at these cards. I got a really interesting dual meaning coming through. The same cards are telling me about two separate areas of his life being his main concerns this year. Unsurprisingly, based on what I've seen since I started doing readings on Hobi, those areas are Love and Career.

If we look at the signifiers for this reading at the top, the reversed 6 of wands and reversed chariot, we can see that both areas are likely to be kind of disappointing in some way this year (the goals he has set seem further and further away... The things he wants to achieve and show the public seem impossible or he is told he can't do them)... Again, reversals are set backs, delays, blocked energy... So it's not that success isn't possible, but that events conspire this year to cause him some disappointments in these areas which will cause him concern. Getting through these disappointments with a positive mindset will be his challenge this year.

I will try to talk about these two main areas of concern concurrently because I believe the same cards are telling me about these two things at the same time. It also will hopefully stop me rambling on too much like I usually do (haha... 😭).

To start off with, the reversed 6 of pentacles and the 4 of wands are speaking to me of not being able to give his all to maintain a solid structure to something. An equal give and take is difficult or impossible and can lead to a break down of bonds or stability in relationships. Looking at the next two cards, the reversed 2 of cups and reversed Magician, the relationship and partnerships he wants are unable to manifest at the moment. The energy is blocked due to his current circumstances. I believe strongly that this refers to both his career (for example in terms of collabs with other artists falling through) and also in terms of his personal life and not being able to maintain romantic relationships... I am definitely feeling it's romantic relationships that are the main problem rather than friendships.

With the Star shining in the centre of it all and the 8 of pentacles reversed beneath it, I see two things. Firstly that he has a beautiful big dream and ideal when it comes to both his career and his love life but seems unable to work to reconcile them with each other so that both can materialise and coexist and secondly, that work itself, namely overworking or taking on too much obsessively, is the problem.

He needs to be more balanced in working towards both dreams because they're actually both just as important to him. This is already beginning to, or will soon, cause him more stress this year because the things he wants from his life don't seem to be working out in the time he wants them to and there's a sense of running out of time or losing time and wondering about his fate or destiny and missing the timing (despite the fact that he's still so young...). So he needs to be willing to also put in the work for his personal life.

With the 3 of cups and 4 of cups in reverse, I'm seeing that he needs to not let disappointments and worries about these things cause him to withdraw from his friends and offers to hang out, have some drinks, go to gatherings etc (obviously the corona virus is already proving to be a major influence here overall, right?). His friendships and being around other people will be a huge support and help cheer him up. It's also possible that through accepting offers to go have drinks or go to parties or celebrations he can make some of the connections he desires later this year. That's why he needs to be positive and not withdraw.

Lastly, the reversed 9 of cups and 3 of swords sets a pretty clear picture of the emotional and mental state he needs to work hard to get through this year. His dreams and wishes seeming to be blocked and getting disappointed at every turn is heartbreaking and he really needs to be strong to get through this. I also feel, and I've mentioned this before in previous readings on Hobi, that there is some strong energy of heartbreak (I literally can feel my heart aching with hurt feelings and sadness, as I look at the cards) that he needs to work through and get over before he'll be able to manifest the relationship he desires. He's still holding onto to that past too much... Letting it go is the key to unblocking this aspect of his life.

I also pulled two Oracle cards, one from my Angels and Ancestors deck, Heart Guardian, and one from my Earth Magic deck, Milky Way: Perspective. The message of the Heart Guardian card is 'Love and let yourself be loved'. That's pretty self explanatory and emphasises the message I got from the tarot that he needs to concentrate on healing his heart at the present. His heart is so guarded and defensive that he is actually blocking the love he wants from coming to him himself. He needs to let the past go and look forward with an open heart.

With Milky Way: Perspective, I get the message that he literally needs to have some perspective... He's a young man and he still has a lot of time to work and meet people and eventually meet 'The One' and get married, start a family... Etc. Because things seem stagnant at the moment, it worries him. But with some perspective, as if if looking at his life from a more distant, less emotional, point of view, he would see that this year is but a blink in the eye in the grander scheme of things and the things he wants from life can and will come with faith, hard work and patience. Actually, I do also get the feeling from this card and The Star that getting an astrology reading of his chart would actually be really interesting and useful for him so... Next time Hobi does vlive, can someone who can speak Korean suggest it? 😆

I also wanted to pull a romance angel card after all this because it seemed appropriate, but unfortunately I did not take a picture. I got the card 'Reconciliation', which says 'someone from your past is returning to your life'. Rather than going back to an ex though, the message I picked up is more that he needs to reconcile with his ex, forgive, make peace and move on... I'm not trying to pry into what happened, I make that very clear when I do these readings, so purely from the pov of his feelings alone he needs to get the closure he needs and put it behind him.

All in all, although this year may present some challenges and disappointments, by sharing and being open to help from friends, as well as being willing to let go and move on with a positive mindset, Hobi will be fine and look back on this as a year of learning and growing within himself. Let's send him all our love and support! 💜 💜 💜

Thank you for reading. May you all also be blessed with love and light wherever you go. 🙏 😘💕