Moonie's Ramblings

[Prof. Moonie]

 

[Prof. Moonie]

 

[Prof. Moonie]

 

[Prof. Moonie]

 

[Prof. Moonie]

SADIE-ADLER:
Edward “Blackbeard” Teach + holding his gun and knife in that sexy way

 

[Prof. Moonie]

 

[Prof. Moonie]

 

[Prof. Moonie]

 

[Prof. Moonie]

 

[Prof. Moonie]

 

[Prof. Moonie]

Izzy stood by the railing of the Queen Anne's Revenge looking across the water towards where Blackbeard and Stede were chatting aboard the Revenge. The muscles in his face twitched as he watched them interact. He jumped out of his fixation as a pair of arms wrapped around him from behind into a comforting hug.
"What the f*ck are you doing?" asked Izzy, glancing over to see Mary Anne place her chin upon his shoulder.
"Let it go, Z," she replied.
"Easy for you to say. You always seem to have a knack of making everyone love you."
"You could too if you didn't push everyone away," she retorted.
They stood there watching the pair on the other ship for a moment.
"You're really okay with this?"
"I will always be his wife," she said. "I wouldn't change anything about that. But when it comes to love, Stede and him have something that never existed between us. And... yeah... surprisingly I'm okay with that."
"But Blackbeard is-"
"Blackbeard is all of us, Izzy," said Mary Anne, cutting him off as she let him go and gently turned him to face her. "We've all had our role in creating that iconic image. Edward just happened to be the main actor of played the part. Hell, you know I've played the role of Blackbeard a few times myself."
Izzy looked down at the deck for a moment as if trying to find something to argue against the statement but eventually she saw his shoulders sag in defeat.
"What will become of us?" asked Izzy.
"We will carry on like we always do. You'll be his First Mate. I'll be his Wife. Nothing changes that when we step aboard a different ship. All that's happened is Edward and Stede have joined forces and will now be a double threat to anyone who dares cross their path. From what I've seen, you've already encountered such shenanigans."
"I suppose that's true," said Izzy, looking back up.
Mary Anne reached out to gently lay her hand on his arm. "Just like how when the two of us become a force to be reckoned with when we crossed blades together. Different players, same concept."
The corner of Izzy's mouth raised briefly in amusement at that.
"We are quite the team."
"That we are."

 

[Prof. Moonie]

 

[Prof. Moonie]

 

[Prof. Moonie]

"Boss," called out Ivan.
"Not now," said Izzy, in response returning to his conversation with one of the other crew members.
"Boss, I really think you should see this."
"What is it?" spat Izzy, turning away from the other crew member and stomping over to him.
Ivan handed over the telescope and pointed out in front of him towards the horizon. "There's a ship out there."
Izzy scowled as he whipped the telescope out of his hand and extended it out to look at the ship in ********!" said Izzy, lowering the telescope.
"Should we get prepared to fight?" inquired Ivan.
"No. We won't be requiring that," answered Izzy, handing the telescope over.
"Sir?"
Jim and Frenchie, who were standing nearby watching the scene, looked at each other in confusion before looking back at Izzy.
"Lower the sails, boys. Get ready to welcome an old friend aboard."
"Old friend?" echoed Ivan.
Izzy smirked at him. "You'll see."

It didn't take long before the other ship pulled up alongside them. The crew aboard the Revenge gazed in awe as the brig drew near them and eventually grapple hooks were thrown over the rails to tie them together. Jim and Frenchie's eyes were instantly drawn to the black flag whipping in the breeze upon its main mast - a white winged skull resting above crossed blades.
"Well, well, look at what the sharks dragged in," said a voice from the neighboring ship.
Everyone's gazes turned to the tall, slim woman who stepped gracefully across the railings and on to their deck before Izzy. Her long golden brownish-blond hair pulled back into a ponytail.
"Still alive, I see," said Izzy.
"Disappointed?"
"No," replied Izzy, then after a moment of silence and smile. "Proud, actually."
"Should be. You are responsible for making me what I am," she said, returning the smile. She glanced around at the others on the deck around them, seeing Ivan and Fang smiling broadly at her in recognition. "Good to see you are still sailing with some familiar faces." Her eyes then landed on Jim and Frenchie; her gaze lingered on Jim in curiosity. "And picked up a few new ones, I see."
"He's not the same man you knew," said Izzy, his smile disappearing.
The woman's eyes turned cold as her smile disappeared. "What have you done?"
"F*cking Stede Bonnet is what happened."
She turned to glare at him as if saying Really? You're going to blame someone else? before she turned away, confidently striding across the deck to head towards the captain's cabin. An awkward silence fell upon the deck after her departure and they heard the cabin's door open and close.

 

[Prof. Moonie]

"F*ck," said Izzy, his shoulders sagging.
"Who the f*ck was that?" asked Jim.
"That's the Sea Queen," said Fang, a hint of his initial glee at seeing her coming through despite the current concerned and confused atmosphere on the deck.
"The Sea Queen?" asked Frenchie, leaning forward to look around Jim at him.
"She used to sail with us," said Fang. "She's quite the lovely lady."
"Why is she called the Sea Queen?"
"Hmm, I don't really know. There's probably multiple reasons," said Fang, pondering over the question. "Maybe it's because she took to the seafaring and piracy life so quickly... and it always seems like the sea works in her favor. Or maybe it's because of Blackbeard and her being so close."
"Funny. I never heard him mention her before," said Jim. "Though honestly he hasn't said much about his past. So I guess that would make sense."
"Does she actually have control over the sea?" asked Frenchie.
Jim rolled their eyes realizing Frenchie was falling for another ridiculous conspiracy theory.
"And what's it to you if she does?" asked Izzy, strolling up to them.
"I... I was... just curious is all," said Frenchie, leaning back away from Izzy. "She seems cool either way."
"You better make sure you show her the same amount of respect you would show to Blackbeard and me. Is that understood?"
Frenchie nodded vigorously, not wanting to upset Izzy. Jim shrugged as if they couldn't care less. Izzy shook his head in annoyance as he walked away to address the crew members from the visiting ship crossing over.

"Blackbeard?" called out Izzy, stepping into the cabin. He sighed as he called out again, "Edward?"
A chuckle came out of the silence from the bed to his left. "He's not here."
"What? Where is he?"
"Like I would know," said the woman, leaning over to gaze at him.
Izzy took a step back seeing that she was wearing the reddish-fuschia robe he had seen both Edward and Stede wear in the past. He tried not to let his gaze linger more to see if she was truly wearing only the robe.
"He was gone when I came in here upon first boarding," said the woman. "I couldn't help but take advantage of utilizing the lovely bath I discovered. Quite the lovely cabin, this."
"It has its perks," said Izzy.
"So... who is this Stede Bonnet then?" she asked, shifting to lean against the frame to look at Izzy more directly. "I've heard quite a few tales about this Gentleman Pirate during my recent travels... but nothing will quite compare to hearing stories from someone who has interacted with him directly on a day to day basis."
"How did you-"
"Anywhere Blackbeard is, Mr. Izzy Hands is sure to be nearby. Don't act dumb with me. Spill the tea, Z."