Randall digs into the food as well. Life at sea didn't really offer such fine fare most times and so the bard aimed to enjoy himself. "Ay! The crab as well. Kroop might be able to learn a thing or two from whoever made this," he added as he gulped down a cup of rum. He would save any serious conversation for when the Captain decided it was time to get down to business.
Com'mon! Join me soldier! Let's tap some of this Rum and see where the night takes us! You know...we could play 'the prisoner and jailor' if you wanna!"
Under different circumstances, the soldier would be happy to join you, however he is a bit gun-shy due to the other guards looking on.
This food is really delicious! The sturgeon is so flaky and moist, it's to die for. Please send my compliments to the chef!"
Thank you, if theres one thing about living on an island you get real good with seafood Lady Smythee quips
"Ay! The crab as well. Kroop might be able to learn a thing or two from whoever made this,"
Exchanging recipes is always a good thing
Com'mon! Join me soldier! Let's tap some of this Rum and see where the night takes us! You know...we could play 'the prisoner and jailor' if you wanna!"Under different circumstances, the soldier would be happy to join you, however he is a bit gun-shy due to the other guards looking on.
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He had been quiet for the most part as the moved to the dining quarters and were served food. Unlike the others he had no fear of them poisoning the food, by suggesting the hostage they had tipped their hand.
"The food is indeed marvelous, befitting the owner of such a fine redoubt....
He began offering a little half bow from his seat.
"As we mentioned we are beginning our reign here on these seas and all word is that this place is on a prime spot overlooking several bust sea lanes and would provide good wealth and hunting along it. The rumors also hold that you have run afoul of a certain pirate as we have. But i will put it simply. You have a fine place to set as a home harbor but no ships on the sea lane. We have a ship.. soon enough probably a fleet as we have captured and sold two already and are in need of a safe harbor. We can both benefit from a deal. Im not going to get into details yet, I would prefer to have some... sort of agreement that we can come to deal before i waste either of our time."
He began taking a drink from his flagon and waiting.
Captain with all due respect I will not give up sovereignty over tidewater rock...However I propose a marriage
Lady Smythee proposes a one year time period
At the Lady's offer, Randall nearly spits out his rum in shock. However, sudden recollection helped him to compose himself. Swallowing his mouthful instead, he then leaned over and muttered into that Captain's ear, "This one knows more about custom than I thought. She's proposing a marriage of convenience. There will be a certain amount of responsibility on the behalf of both involved, but each would benefit from the other's resources as well."
"An interesting prospect, and well thought out solution if you ask me" - Herzag pipes in, now drinking a large glass of red wine, more confident on the food and drink.
Rhialla leans back a look hovering between intrigue and violence glimmering in her eyes, the her lips hold a trace of a smile. She studies Lady Smithee taking in every aspect of the woman. "Every bit as smart as they said you'd be."
Her grin broadens as she looks at Percy.
"Wait, hold up, what happens if you guys are married and one of you goes kaput? I mean, does the other one get all the stuff?
Let us hope we will not have to cross that bridge Lady Smythee says
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Like Randall the rum he had been drinking didnt stay in his mouth, though he didnt spray it every. He had to half leap back to keep it from spilling down his shirt from his now gaping mouth. His eyes shot to Rhialla first, the most important obstacle to that little plan in his mind, after all he was of noble blood and mairrages of convienance and business still happened but...
"well since you are planning this being some sort of contract, then clearly there can be stipulations between the parties...and speaking of parties, in a contract there can be more than one. If you feel marraige is the only way an alliance can be arrainged and are intractible on that point then fine.... but you wont be marrying just myself, She is part of the plans too, no smart captain ignores the wishes of his first mate... So Randall would have to be in on it, and since pirating is dangerous business.. even more so when your lover is a cleric of Besmara My Quartermaster would have to be excluded from infidelity clauses. Do Lady Smythee have someone about I should exclude from such clauses.. i would hate for someone to accidently renige on the deal due to sloppy handling of... unsated desires or urges.... and I would certainly hate to have to draw and quarter someone after such beating and torture that would make stories of legend over something so... trivial."
He said raising a single eyebrow.
"well since you are planning this being some sort of contract, then clearly there can be stipulations between the parties...and speaking of parties, in a contract there can be more than one. If you feel marriage is the only way an alliance can be arranged and are intractible on that point then fine.... but you wont be marrying just myself.
No it will be you and i and you and I alone
She is part of the plans too, no smart captain ignores the wishes of his first mate... So Randall would have to be in on it, and since pirating is dangerous business.. even more so when your lover is a cleric of Besmara My Quartermaster would have to be excluded from infidelity clauses.
Do not concern yourself with infidelity, what you do is your business as is mine
Do Lady Smythee have someone about I should exclude from such clauses.. i would hate for someone to accidently renige on the deal due to sloppy handling of... unsated desires or urges.... and I would certainly hate to have to draw and quarter someone after such beating and torture that would make stories of legend over something so... trivial."
What you are getting is lordship over Tidewater Rock and access to it's resources and strategic position for one year. As a token of our union I am ready to bequeath you a dowry
"Not too shabby" - Herzag mutters.
"Sounds fair."
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He scowled, he paced back and forth for a moment, he glared. It was clear the large Chelaxian didnt like it one bit. After a moment he paused.
If you would give me and my crew a moment.
He began with a shallow half bow motioning for them to join him in a small tiny huddle just away from the table. Leaning closely in he spoke quietly.
"So whats everyones thoughts? Whats your thoughts?
He began looking directly at his lover Rhialla on the last part.
"After getting over the initial urge to shove my rapier in her neck....it makes sense. She knows the value of what she has....even though it's all she's got, it's enough that somebody will jump at it, and the person that does gets The Rock and a good shot at controlling the shipping lanes." Rhialla replies pragmatically. "Does it gall me...yeah a little bit, but as long as it's pretty clear that you'd be her husband, but you're still my man, it makes sense. Pirate laws are a bit different from the landlubber ones love. Technicalities don't often get in the way of living."
Randall was smirking a little as he joined the huddle, though he was trying hard to hide it. "Yes, a strange deal indeed. But the proposal sounds more like an alliance then some traditional marriage. So long as the Lady doesn't expect to boss us around, then I can see equal benefit."
"I would take it myself if I was the Cap" - Herzag shrugs - "But since I am not, I doubt she'd be interested"
Ok I am going to assume everyone is on board with this marriage. Lady Smythee leaves the dinner for a bit and returns with a breastplate and a telescope
Telescope Farglass
Ash is escorted back to the party
Ashlei ramble-hops into the dinning room her blouse askew and only one boot on. She sits at one of the fancier chairs and starts putting on her last boot.
"Hey now? So we came to an agreement?"
She smiles broadly at the captain while she slides her dainty foot into the leather footwear.
The celebration continues well into the night and you are all offered quarters on the second floor
Seeing that things are turning into a good party, Ashlei will challenge Herzag to a dagger throwing competition witha smile!
"Unless you're a lilly-liver'd OCTOPUS, of course!"
With deal struck and an alliance formed, Randall raised his glass and shouted, "To the new soon to be married couple! May it last as long as is beneficial by both parties!..." He was about to continue until he caught the glare from both his Captain and Rhialla. Cutting his toast off, he suddenly downed his drink, getting a refill before switching over to telling tales he had learned, taking care to avoid any stories about polygamous relations, which narrowed his repertoire slightly.
Neela: The kitchen staff will show you the recipesfor the meal that you ate tonight.
Herzag: the gauntlet has been thrown down!
Randall: Your stories earn you a rousing round of applause along with calls for an encore
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He did his best really to try and look well not murderously pissed during the initial part of the festivities... after all one of the main reasons he was a pirate now was to avoid being married off to some old chelaxian widow back home. . . but he could see how this was different... barely.
He did eventually relax... or perhaps it was the amount of ale and wine he was partaking, But he did smile more and glare less. Like the others he cheered a bit for Randall and his stories and even then smirked and quirked an eyebrow at Ashlei's challenge. He half wanted to ask about the boot, but also he wasnt sure if he wanted to know either.
Noting Ashlei's entrance Rhialla greets the wild swordswoman with a knowing grin, recognizing that "scratched itch" look anywhere. She could feel the simmering anger in her valiant warrior captain, realizing that the whole situation must feel like a velvet and lace trap to him, having escaped the noble life once.
It might well be, but a trap of convenience, and by Besmara she'd see it be as convenient for them as it was for the Lady Smythee. After all the former widow was making the smart play and having someone that cagey on your side when Hartigan held a grudge against you was a damn good move.
The first step would be getting Percy to relax, something she never had trouble doing....especially with quality wine around.
Seeing that things are turning into a good party, Ashlei will challenge Herzag to a dagger throwing competition witha smile!
"Unless you're a lilly-liver'd OCTOPUS, of course!"
"And why the heck not?" - the half orc grumbles, taking another look at the disheveled girl - "Think you can manage to keep your boots and blouse on though? Or are distractions allowed?" - he teases with a grin, turning around in a fluid motion, as if about to throw the dagger but instead twirling it around his fingers, and then up almost to the ceiling, just to fall between them both as he stares at Ash straight in the face.
"I'm ready girl"
Ashlei tugs her cleavage a little deeper and draws two daggers.
"Of course distractions are allowed! Unless you think there are rules or something? Some pirate you are Zig-Zag."
"DAMN! That was some good ale! I'll do better next time folks! I Promise."
Best executed shot of three throws? GM determines the winner?
It's whatever rules you two agree on, I'm going to settle back with a big ol mug of grog and watch what happens
Herzag laughs raucuously as Ash pulls the cleavage further down, and really, really cannot avoid looking, or maybe doesn't want to... He whirls around the woman, smelling her neck in the same movement he uses to retrieve the dagger stuck between them and throw it, his nose never leaving her disheveled, fiery hair.
It is not a good throw, but a better one than his counterpart for sure. Still the half-orc raises a criticizing eyebrow at it, then turns to look at Ash again, sniffing - "You need a bath" - he grunts - "Than one still beat ya though. Even with the smell" - and grins.
Ashlei ties her hair back with a quick knot, and winks at Herzog before turning around and running at the post opposite the target. Hitting the post running, she begins to move up the post and...
...sticks the landing after a simple back-flip as she throws her dagger!
"Crap!"
Herzag shakes his head, still smiling - "You are trying too hard" - he taunts, moving right after the girl at the same post, yet instead of running up, he grabs hold with one hand, pivoting around it and launching himself through the air like a whirling catapult.
From the whirl comes a single dagger.
"Was that two out of three" - Herzag winks back at Ash - "Or the best OF the three?"
Frowning, Ashlei flicks a stray hair aside as she casually walks up to the muscle-bound half-orc and smiles with a leer.
"You're not afraid of me are you?"
Grabbing Herzog (I'm not saying where!), she forcefully positions the man facing the target 15 feet from it.
"Now! Hold still sweets...if you can?"
Facing away from the target, she then places a dagger in her teeth and begins climbing the man like he's a ladder. Ashlei, takes careful steps to avoid the soft bits. Wrapping her legs around Herzog's muscled neck, she then quickly leans ALL the way back and aims for the center of the mounted target, hoping the half-orc can maintain his balance for a few seconds!
"Hey now! Stand still you lout! You'll spoil my aim with that thing..or poke my eye out!"
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This is great, loving the descriptions
"Hey now! Stand still you lout! You'll spoil my aim with that thing..or poke my eye out!"
"Less yapping lass! Just do it already!" - the half orc growls with a raised eyebrow, and a nod of appreciation as Ash's thrown dagger hits very close to center.
Again they stand face to face when she comes down from her 'perch' - "Nah, why would I be afraid of you?" - he chuckles - "Though... After that grab I'm sure now YOU fear me" - then bursts into laughter - "Right?"
She can see his dark black eyes scanning her for a reaction, his breath steady in spite of all the running, jumping and wordplay. For a split second he leans into her as close as he thinks the red haired woman will tolerate, then simply stops short and throws his third dagger, without even looking.
It hits the mark, but doesn't beat his companion's throw at all - "Meh, was still worth it" - he shrugs, and winks at Ash once he scans the result of his own throw.
"Ash wins!!" - he announces to those around them, retrieving their daggers and handing her the three she owns - "So she will be buying the first two rounds the next time we port!" - the half-orc adds with a loud laugh.
Smiling and laughing at the half-orc's good sense of humor, Ashlei hooks a pinky in his nose ring and pulls, kissing his forehead.
"Buying? Gladly! Especially for such good sport! Huzzah!"
She then thumps his chest with her knuckles and a leer.
"I'm not afraid of ANYTHING you have to offer crewman Zig-Zag."
Smiling and laughing at the half-orc's good sense of humor, Ashlei hooks a pinky in his nose ring and pulls, kissing his forehead.
"Buying? Gladly! Especially for such good sport! Huzzah!"
She then thumps his chest with her knuckles and a leer.
"I'm not afraid of ANYTHING you have to offer crewman Zig-Zag."
Good to know lass - though there is nothing to be offered. You have to EARN it!" - he chuckles, knocking his own mug to Ash's in a toast - "So you still have a LONG way to go" - and twirls the dagger in his left hand back into its scabbard - "And Weapons Master Herzag or Sir is fine Ash" - the half orc just keeps on laughing.
Agreeing with his assessment, Ashlei knocks her own ale back with his.
"Got it 'Weapons Master' Herzag. However, the day I call you Sir, is the day I swim in the ocean during a shark feeding-frenzy!"
"Deal!" - the half orc downs his drink.
You kids about ready to call it a night
While Ashlei and Herzag were off playing their dangerous game on the side, Randall regales tales of their journeys on the sea to some of the guards and others that might have joined, his voice growing louder and more boisterous the more he drank