"Well since so many of you seem to be interested in me, let's turn it into a competition shall we?" Jessica says quite loudly, "We are in a pub, so why not a drinking competition? The winner gets to take me home." with a seductive pose and a smile
On the way to the table Jessica whispers in Trytton's ear "I want to place some bets, win for me and I will give you half."
Trytton shrugs again and places himself at the table, matching drink for drink.
He has been practicing and now is turning the rum to water as he swallows it. He does make sure to actually drink some so he looks like he is actually getting drunk
"I am sure those of you not drinking want some fun as well? Let's get some bets going!"
"I'll take the bets. House rules as always. All at the table counted clockwise." Nefti calls out. Then she counts through the guys, Trytton getting number 4. "Last one sitting on the chair defines the winning number. No getting back up."
"What if I want to put money on someone?" Jessica says with a pout
"Then you tell me the number and hand over the coins." Nefti replies with a smile.
"That chap there... What are the odds on him?" Jessica says with a sweet smile at the burlyest man at the table
"Well our last voyage went well... I am feeling generous. 5 gold on the weak looking fellow." she says pointing at Trytton
Betting five gold on the guy turns quite some heads.
Nefti has an intricate system of placing the coins on the table to keep an overview who bet on whom. The betting and drinking goes on and on and one after the other falls from his chair. The crowd cheers the remaining guys on and places new bets as their 'horse' leaves the competition.
As only two competitors are left - Trytton and a guy that looks more like a bull than a man it becomes interesting as they are both watched by a dozen pairs of eyes.
The pot with all the coins that won't win anymore is quite a stack now. But eventually the bull of a man get unconscious and his head falls face first on the table. As the rules say off chair someone gives him a nudge and he drops to the floor.
The ones who bet on Trytton are cheering, but the ones who lost now are angry. "Foul play!" they start calling. Especially Jessica betting on the winner from the start causes suspicion. Words lead to pushing and to fists flying.
Nefti bags the coins and retreats behind the bar.
Noonan presents the egg to the Parrot King and Pluck jumps up.
*SQWAK* Great Parrot King, we seek audience with The Hurricane King so these humans can become Free Captains of The Shackles. Would you please arrange a meeting for my fine human lackeys with the Hurricane King?
Jessica jumps behind the bar and starts to mutter to herself quickly
*SQWAKKK! That humie at Fort Hazard claims to be the Hurricane King. King of Storm? Sounds like King of Blowhards. Anyway, yer highness. My human sailors wanna meet him because they think he can make them special and all that. They have done a good job at getting plunder and a nice base at The Rock, so I thought I'd get them a gift by getting them an audience. SQWAKK!! Would you grant them the 'honor' of meeting their 'king' by getting Hurricane Boy out of his castle?
Estelle kicks her chair stool back from the bar, cracking her knuckles and doing a bit of stretching she smiles.
"Did ye do this just fer me Jessi? Go fetch the cap'n she won't want to be missin' out on this."
Estelle Wades into the bar brawl.
"SQUAAK! That sucker won't dare to come here. SQUAAK! But ye can get his lazy arse inta action yerself. SQUAAK! Ya tell em about yer humie wannabe pirates and they send someone checkin. SQUAAK!"
In the mermaid bar the rumble goes on. Estelle knocks out the first one. Luckily for her there are a lot more of them or this would be short lived fun. Trytton on the other side has quite a few of them pushing him around accusing him of cheating and asking what he has to do with that whore.
Nefti takes a cloth and wipes her bar. throwing a hard punch at everyone daring to intrude into her space. For some unlucky pals who got there involuntarily it is the last straw sending them to the floor. "Strange application routine you have to select your bed warmer. Has it done you any good in the past?" she asks Jessica.
Pluck flaps down to Noonan and they head back to deliver the news to the others.
Unless they are happening to be negotiating in the middle of a bar brawl then Noonan stats punching.
"Did you really think that was the intention?" A wicked grin as Jessica says as she jumps back over the bar and starts to talk over the crowd.
"There is no need to fight you lot." she says as she lounges against the bar.
"You see, that man there, our fiery headed friend over there, and myself are but a part of the crew of the Kraken. Captain Besmara has one of the most powerful crew's I have ever seen. Now you lot didn't all take Estelle seriously when she said we wanted to see the hurricane king. Now I would really appreciate it if some of you that are still able to walk in a small line would tell him that the captain of the Kraken, Captain Besmara would like to join the free captains."
One poor sod is fascinated by Jessica, falls on his knees and proclaims "I love you. I'll do anything for you. Come with me I'll bring you to the Hurricane King. Will you marry me?"
Two more chime in to the wooing of Jessica. "I can bring you there." one offers and "No, take me, I know the shortest path!" the last objects.
"So helpful..." Jessica says batting her eyes.
"Please simply tell me where he is. Or you can accompany me to fetch my captain and then lead us."
Jessica starts to make her way out of the bar and back towards the ship with a small retinue in tow. Climbing the gangplank she says "Captain, I have arranged you an escort to the Hurricane King."
"You got me an 'audience' already with the Hurricane King?" Besmara asks from her hammock.
"Unfortunately not. But these strapping lads say they will take us there. Then we can see how it goes."
"How about you go with them and tell me when you actually got one." Besmara replies. She is not interested waiting for god knows how long until this 'king' lowers himself to receive her. Not if she can instead lie in her hammock.
"Of course captain." Jessica says with a slight bow before making her way down the gangplank.
"Lead the way." she says to the 3 men.
After a short walk they arrive at the destination
After a short walk Jessica and her three gentlemen stand at the docks, lacking a boat to get over to the island where the Hurricane King resides. But the gentlemen outdo each other in helpfulness and organize a passage.
Once on the island Lucrehold and standing in front of Fort Hazard, you are 'greeted' by an half orc with a golden tusk. "Whaddayawant?"
"To find out who to tell that my captain wants to join the free captains."
"Ye have come to the right place. What ship is it? I'll tell the Hurricane King and come checking on you." the half orc replies.
"The Kraken, Captain Besmara. What is the procedure for this?"
"The Hurrican King receives only worthy pirates as applicants for Free Captains. So I'll see if he has heard of the ship and your Captain. And then he sends one of his crew - like me - to check if yer really worthy."
He is lying.
"B*~*+!%%." Jessica says, "I may be a pretty face but you won't fool me like that. Now should I ask the question again?"
"That's the only answer you get. If you don't like it you can f&*! off." The half-orc replies coming uncomfortably close.
Trying not to seem too affected by the orc's bullying Jessica says "Well you know the name of the ship, when will someone come?"
"In an hour or so." the half orc smiles. "And there is a way you can influence my opinion of your captain." He adds, grabbing her at her behind and pulling her close.
"I do believe there is." Jessica says letting herself be pulled. "But I only put out after being paid. After you pass my captain I am all yours." she says biting her lower lip
"Go tell your captain I'm coming." Tsadok orders, turns her around and smacks her on the ass to send her off.
Jessica bites into her lip harder to help her not turn around and tell the guy what to do with his member.
She hurries away back to Besmara, "That f@!+ing bastard." she says as she climbs the gangplank, "Some s&%% eating half-orc refuses to let us see the Hurricane King and says he is coming to give us a test to join." Jessica b$%@+es to Besmara
"Watch your mouth young lady. I guess I must teach you some manners. Come with me." Besmara replies and leads into her cabin.
Jessica follows, head hanging slightly, fuming about the half-orc.
There is still an element of excitement from what she Hopes Besmara might have in store
"Close the door and then stand there at the wall with your hand at the wall." Besmara orders while she searches for the cat o nine tails. "So you went out to get me an audience with the Hurricane King. Which I didn't ask for in the first place. And then you return and the only thing you got was some half-orc who will impose himself on me. What do you think shall be your reward for that?"
"I don't deserve a reward captain. I deserve punishment." Jessica says as she makes her way to the wall and stand propped against the wall. "If you would look in the bag I brought the other day, there may be something there that gives you an idea."
Besmara checks the bag and finds a whip in it. "That might work." she comments and lets the whip dance on Jessica's back.