"I don't get it." he mutters, taking a quick look around to get his bearings. "Seems like no matter how far you travel, people insist on labeling everyone in some bullshit hierarchy."

He'd run away from his poor family to make a name for himself as a pirate, only to find that pirates still have a fucking role to perform. Would it have been the same if they'd made it to China? Probably. Is it really worse that they've made it here, instead? Time will tell.

He recognizes a building and leads Stede on, now realizing that if Stede leaves his place alone, it sounds weirdly dangerous for him. Maybe he fucking deserves it. Jury's still out.

"This is the one." he grunts as they approach his building, the doors opening to a large lobby with a lift at the back to take them to Ed's assigned flat.