High Tides Takes Valerie and Clara to Rio
High Tides Episodes 30 to 33 send Valerie and Clara to Rio after Underground’s success, but Catarina’s luxury invitation leaves Clara suspicious.
In recent episode 30-33, High Tides pick up after Underground Tattoo’s festival success and show how quickly Valerie’s professional world is expanding. The studio is now booked eight months ahead, people are offering to pay her in dollars for tattoos in Rio, and Underground is dealing with more attention than ever before.
Clara never doubted Valerie’s talent, but another opportunity soon arrives with Catarina’s name attached to almost every part of it. A private gala in Rio, international surf brands, European artists, investors and access to Catarina’s yacht and penthouse suddenly place Valerie in front of an opportunity she does not want to ignore.
Underground Tattoo is busier than ever
Valerie is stunned by how much has changed after the festival. Underground is booked for the next eight months, and the studio is already interviewing a receptionist while trying to keep up with the new level of demand.
The success means more than a full appointment book. Valerie sees Underground gaining recognition outside Arraial, with people now willing to travel and spend serious money to work with her.
Clara celebrates that success alongside her. Valerie makes clear that she sees everything they have achieved as something they reached together, while Clara continues to give Valerie credit for the talent and work that put Underground in this position.
Gabby, meanwhile, is preparing to leave. She tells Clara that she plans to take a bus and then a flight because she needs to disappear somewhere for a while, and Clara encourages her to find somewhere peaceful and take time to breathe.
An invitation from Rio changes the next move
Another surprise arrives at Underground when a courier delivers an invitation from Rio. Valerie learns that she has been invited to a private gala attended by international surf brands, European artists and investors who specifically want to meet the artist behind Underground.
The invitation comes with considerably more than entry to the event. Catarina has also left her yacht available for the journey and offered her penthouse for the entire weekend.
Valerie is under no illusion about who they are dealing with. She calls Catarina a rattlesnake and suggests that the gesture could be another attempt to display her power or position Valerie as an artist she can claim influence over.
That does not stop Valerie from wanting to go. She tells Clara that she wants the investors to see her and also wants Catarina to understand that she does not have power over her.
Clara responds by telling Valerie to pack her bags. Whatever is waiting in Rio, they decide they will face it together rather than allow suspicion to take the opportunity away from them
Clara does not completely trust Catarina’s generosity
Once they are aboard the yacht and heading towards Rio, Clara admits that she still does not like the situation. She tells Valerie that nobody is this generous without a reason and makes clear that Catarina is the last person she expects to give something away without strings attached.
Valerie understands the concern but refuses to spend the entire journey thinking about Catarina. She jokes that Catarina may simply be jealous because she knows she will never tame Valerie or get the woman Valerie describes as the most spectacular woman into her bed.
The teasing gradually takes over from the business conversation. When Valerie asks whether Clara is still worried about the trap, Clara says she is more concerned about what happens if Valerie comes too close.
Valerie tells her to say stop if she wants her to. Clara makes clear that she has no intention of doing that, leaving Rio waiting a little longer while the two enjoy the journey.
High Tides Episodes 30 to 33 move Valerie and Clara beyond the festival and towards a much bigger professional stage. Valerie is ready to be seen, while Clara is determined to enjoy the opportunity without forgetting who arranged it.
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