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Taishe retrieves his cane.
"Yess, Let uss dress more, comfortably, for an evening stroll. Meet at entrance to Dockss in,... one turn of hourglasss?" He asks the others.
Taishe makes sure to bow and quietly thank the Halfling 'For mosst Exssellent meal' as he prepares to leave.
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Having remained silent, and relatively unobtrusive during the entire diner, while availing herself of an excellent meal, Nahuatl ti listens to the exchanges, studying the personalities and proclivities of her relatively new companions.
A native of Opal, born and raised in the Driftwood District, the young Zapatec woman hand only recently started her forays to the Opal Explorer's Guild as the time of year made pearl diving less successful. Joining the evening’s group of colorful companions, she sits back, letting the more sociable members discuss matters with their new patron while considering the task.
As they prepare to part, and make preparations for the night’s work she breaks her silence for the first time that evening, running her fingers through her flowing cerulean hair.
”When we begin, I would prefer to be with those going aboard the boat. You’ll not find a better swimmer should it be needed, and I can handle myself if needed without making too much noise.”
Already the possibility of a night swim leaves her invigorated, and ready to embrace the adventure.
Narl apologizes when Lady Lavania gets upset.
“My apologies Lady Lavania. Sometimes I get ahead of myself spending too much time with my books and not enough in polite society these days.”
Narl of course stands when Lady Lavania gets up to leave nodding to her in apology when she gives him the look.
“Well I for one plan to stay in there clothes better to look like a gentlemen off for a stroll than one dressed for combat to help alleviate suspicions especially if we are going to be the group on the dock as the rest head towards the boat by water. I think time may be of the essence here so let us not waste it if we are ready let us be ready.”
Taishe tilts his head at Narl. As if trying to get a different view.
"An asstute idea. Might I ssuggesst that we go by in small groupss? And not in large clump? In order to attract lesss attention? All we need iss to asscertain how much night guard they have. Not provide reason for them to increasse it." The kobold offers.
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As they prepare to part, and make preparations for the night’s work she breaks her silence for the first time that evening, running her fingers through her flowing cerulean hair.”When we begin, I would prefer to be with those going aboard the boat. You’ll not find a better swimmer should it be needed, and I can handle myself if needed without making too much noise.”
Already the possibility of a night swim leaves her invigorated, and ready to embrace the adventure.
Taishe starts. The kobold prizes himself on being observant, and prides himself on being constantly underestimated by others. But the Zapatec woman had managed to remain so quiet throughout the evening that even he had forgotten her presence.
He nods to Nahuatl, accepting and approving of her idea.
Taishe tilts his head at Narl. As if trying to get a different view.
"An asstute idea. Might I ssuggesst that we go by in small groupss? And not in large clump? In order to attract lesss attention? All we need iss to asscertain how much night guard they have. Not provide reason for them to increasse it." The kobold offers.
“Capital idea friend. Care to join me for a stroll down the wharf two gentlemen out for their evening constitution? Your keen eye and intellect is likely to see many things others may miss. Between us we should be able to sort out the current situation. We should figure out a local ship and attempt to board Lavinia’s under the idea we think it is another? Perhaps even asking about booking passage and the like and see how alert the men are aboard the ship?”
Taishe strokes his mustache-tendrils, and nods his appreciation of Narl's complement.
"Ah, so. Perhapss approach ship nearest to Lavinia's. Asking for Ssailors to settle dispute we have on which sship dessign iss fasster? Allows for reasson to be looking at sship?" Taishe offers. Always looking for the opportunity to learn new things, he looks forward to spending time with his educated acquaintance.
The kobold turns to the others.
"Musst ssugesst that not all go by ship tonight." He indicates the minotaur, who has already bluntly said that he does not do 'Sneaky'.
"Iss wisse to have some who have not been sseen near ship. Tonight we look. Meet in morning at kaffe shop near Guild. Cannot formulate plan without proper information."
Taishe bows to the group, then indicates that Narl should precede him through the doorway.
"Thiss one confessess looking forward to sstroll after dinner. Do I recall you mentioned you were trained in navigation?" He asks as they exit the house.
"Perhaps we should gear up and meet by the waterfront in an hour?" Tragon suggests. "Plenty of folk in Opal carry weapons - I've usually got my swords about me. But if we make a big show of amassing along the harbor, we'll draw attention. Maybe meet by a tavern, and head out in groups from there?"
Kora shows them to the door, and bids them good night, and good hunting. The sun has set and the stars shine out over the dark heavens. Selene, Arcaia's main moon rises out of Turquoise Bay, all ocher and white. Aquallis rises high already, the small blue ball like a small coin in the night sky, faintly glowing
"While otherss change attire, Narl and I shall make firsst passs. Let uss meet at,... Stolen Crown? Not TOO closse to dockss. And otherss make their passsess in turn. Agreed?" Taishe offers.
Tragon nods in acknowledgement of Taishe’s proposal. He makes his way to his tiny rented room in the half-orc enclave, careful to avoid soiling his fine clothes on the filthy streets. He changes out of his new finery, stowing the garb neatly in a chest, and dons his comfortable clothes - including his chain shirt beneath a loose tunic.
He considers a moment whether to leave his swords, but determines he is better off with them - after all, he is scarcely ever out and about in Opal without them. If anything, should he encounter any acquaintance in town while unarmed, they would remark at the omission. He should naturally enough resemble the mercenaries and mariners that are no uncommon sight on the streets of Opal.
Thus arrayed, he sets back out to meet the others at the Stolen Crown.
Heading back to her home, Nahuatl-ti strips out of her clothing, beginning a brief ritual of announcing her body with water, preparing herself for any dangers that might be encountered this night.
Once finished, she quickly dons a simple wrap skirt and halter, slipping on a pair of sandals and picking up her spear and dagger, before wrapping herself in a heavy dark cloak and heading toward the docks.
"Time to get to work!" Brion finishes his meal and leaves, making his way home for change of attire.
Corvidae strides out of the meeting with purpose, heading straight to her home and quickly changing back into her distinctive armour. She feeds Diablo some meat scraps while there, and leaves him again. While he is easy to take into battle, as he simply flies off to avoid danger, a stealth mission is another matter entirely. His training can only do so much, and even though tonight isn’t necessarily as stealthy as the real mission, she does not want to risk him being too noisy.
All done, she straps Nightshade back to her hip, and heads out to meet the others at the Stolen Crown.
"Hrm. Good thing I wore armor, innit?" Norveg falls in with Taishe and Narl. "Oi'll walk wif ya to the general vissinnity, mates, then look for a dark nook to keep watch from all noit. Can't get watch change times wif a walkby."
"Nuvver thing," he says as they walk, "Who's gon' git them rowboats, anyways?"
Taishe nods at Norveg's chatter.
"Mosst asstute obsservation. And with a bottle of cheap rum, one would not even have to hide. Can ssit in plain ssight. Although that may invite being, what iss local term again? Ah yess, 'Rolled for loosse change'."
The kobold hisses a chuckle.
"Ah, jusst sso. Thiss one iss not againsst 'borrowing' of ssmall craft if needed. To rent one iss to leave trail that can be traced. We should assk patron if she hass one we may usse. Although besst to avoid craft with owner markingss."
"Never figgered you for a larcenous turn uv mind, Taishe," Norveg grins, clapping the kobold on the back. "I fink this is the beginnin' uv a beeeeyoutiful frenship."
Taishe shrugs.
"Best way to catch thief, iss to think like thief. But catching thief iss much preferred to being caught thieving."
Taishe taps a claw on his chin.
"Wisse Kobold once ssaid that. Ah yess. Wass me!"
The kobold hisses another chuckle. Clearly amused.
Is it possible that chocolatl is intoxicating to kobolds?
As the trio travel along to the wharf Narl makes small talk but in his mind he is looking for a spot to discretely cast Mage armor just before before they take their stroll in case they run into trouble when asking questions about the boat and talking with the gents aboard. He lets both his companions know what he is looking to do and also to be on the look out for him.
They then make their way to the wharf where they know the ship to be berthed. Then starts strolling like two gents on their evening constitutions chatting about what ever local politics are and the like.
Lavina let them know that the Blue Nixie was docked along the Arturo Pier. It is one of the larger piers in the harbor, jutting out into Turquoise Bay a considerable distance. It is about three wagons wide, and there are usually at least a dozen ships docked there.
The early evening dusk is refreshing, and the smell of salt air is refreshing as the three head out along the dock. There are several groups walking and looking at the many trading vessels at the pier, it isn't an uncommon thing for Opallines to do. Sailors from a dozen nations walk the pier as well. Some staggering as their day liberty ends and they head back to their berths.
The three walk out the quarter mile the pier juts into the bay, but no ship tied up is named the Blue Nixie.
The Stolen Crown is a rollicking dockside tavern. Sailors drink the many distilled liquors that Opal is famous for combined in many fascinating combinations. A large dragon head is mounted over the hearth, a tin crown affixed to its head
Norveg hails the nearest staggering seafarer on the pier. "Oi, mate! Whar's tha Nixie? Oi was s'posed ta have a berth aboard next voyage!"
Taishe turns to look at Narl. He raises an eyebrow ridge.
"Mosst unexpected development thiss iss."
Hearing Norveg hail a barely-vertical seaman, Taishe turns back and points out another ship to Narl, carrying on their pretend discussion about ships and sails.
Tragon arrives at the Stolen Crown and looks about for the others. I must be the first one here, he thinks to himself.
He heads to the bar and considers what to order. The last thing he wants is to get drunk on his first job. But he also doesn't want to draw attention by loitering in a tavern without a drink. "I'll have a cider," he says, dropping his copper on the bar.
He seeks out an unoccupied table to wait for the others, and to serve as a meeting point for those out surveilling the ship.
The barman hand Tragon his hard cider. He finds a decent table far enough from the bar, where the most roisterous drunks are parked. 13 Spider arrives and comes over
Cradling an Opalline Punch, 13 Spider sits
“So we just wait here, yeh?”
Tragon takes a sip of his cider. He is in no hurry to finish it. ”Probably best. We’ll see who else rendezvouses here and arrange who is going out and scouting. Good way to compare notes.”
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As the sailor looks to pass by Norveg without answering, Norveg grabs their arm in the midst of one stagger and swings them away from the water. "Oopsie, mate, nearly in the drink there. Wut 'appened to the Nixie, eh? It was a payin' job fer me, 'spected they'd sail tomorra."
As the sailor looks to pass by Norveg without answering, Norveg grabs their arm in the midst of one stagger and swings them away from the water. "Oopsie, mate, nearly in the drink there. Wut 'appened to the Nixie, eh? It was a payin' job fer me, 'spected they'd sail tomorra."
The tipsy sailor staggers, and then rubs his eyes. He's a Theranan, dressed in the blue tunic and pants that country seems to dress their sailors in. He looks down his aquiline nose at Norveg
"A thousand pardons, small one! I did not see you there! For a moment I thought you were an incarnation of Karnikott herself!"
The sailor chuckles drunkenly at his own wit
"The Nixie isn't on the pier, she's out in the harbor"
He points vaguely to the dozens of ships moored out in the calm harbor waters.
“Hmmm, seems we have a bit of a complication my friend. Let us Gentlemen inquire about the Nixie and see where she is moored if she’s not here. I think there is something afoot here and other groups looking for the same thing we are. Let’s ask ask where it is moored and then report back to our companions at the Crown eh?”
"Aw, roit, they'll probly be sendin' a lighter out tomorry wif supplies and us late sailors. Don't wanna spend a copper piece they don't have ta hirin' us for one extra day, am Oi roit mate?" Norveg chuckles conspiratorially at his fellow underpaid salt. "Fanks much, an' take care, ma fren."
With a wave to his new friend, Norveg staggers his way back to Taishe and Narl.
"Better 'n' better. Nixie's moored out in the harbor, away from pesky guards. Nobody's goin' on or off... 'ceptn us," he chuckles quietly to the pair. "Off to the Crown to meet the others, eh?"
“Still wonder why someone would do that unless trying to stay away from prying eyes while they ransack that place. “ he shakes his head. “Don’t want to get ahead of myself ... but certainly something feels off.
“I don’t think we should wait to get out to the boat my friends.” He says in a hushed conspiratorial tone
At Narl's statement he raises a single claw.
"Ah. Jusst Sso. Not unusual for Harbormasster to move ship. More unusual for harbormasster to do sso and not use open berth for another ship. Or to move ship without owner's crew. Ssomething iss, how do you ssay? 'Feelss Off', yess."
He places a clawed hand on Norveg's shoulder.
"Noble cleric iss right. Night iss young. Give time for whoever iss on ship to grow weary. And for uss to find a sskiff, yess? Time enough to meet friendss at Sstolen Crown." He grins a reptilian grin.
This entire job with the ship just became, much more interesting.
"Roit. Stolen Crown it is." Norveg trots off to the establishment in question. Once inside, he stands on tiptoes peering around for Tragon until the far taller Narl leads the way to their friends' table.
"Nixie's at anchor in the 'arbor at one of the moorin' buoys," he briefs their fellows. "Don't know where. We'll need to liberate a skiff or two and row out there - unless one of ya can turn inta a fish and find 'er."
"Hmm. We can't scout much if we can't see the ship," Tragon says. "If we all crowd on a skiff, we'll look like a landing party. Maybe just a few folk can head out and spot where she's anchored - act like we're on other business, you know."
Tragon's brow is creased in thought.
Corvidae enters the Stolen Crown at the same time Norveg, Taishe, and Narl are sitting down with Tragon and 13 Spider. She heads over to them and catches Norveg's statement about the Nixie. She slides into an empty seat and nods to those already there.
"Seems we have both a problem and an opportunity. Not knowing where the boat is is going to take some wrangling to correct, but once we do, it means that it will be ahrder for anyone to come to the aid of whoever is on board if things go sour."
Ordering a drink and then sitting down with his compatriots.
"Now if I remember correctly our friend Nahuatl ti is very adapt in the water. Perhaps she could take a swim out there and do some reconnaissance of the said boat? Then we all plan accordingly. I do have a spell which would assist us getting closer to the boat unseen with an obscuring mist. Alas I did not memorize it for today. But we could muffle the oars with some cloth. Now not sure about the moon this evening. But anyone have some other ideas?"
Norveg shakes his furry head. "Nah. Best have a couple row out lookin' fer the Nixie's mooring. Maybe a worker-type to row an a dandy ta look like a late passenger bein' rowed to his ship? Swimmer'd be even better. Find 'er and come back so we kin figger a plan from there."
"I can do that." Nahuatl ti says quietly, coming up behind the group, having approached in time to hear the conversation. "I can investigate the harbor, unnoticed in the water. If the ship is there, I'll find it."
Enveloped in a heavy black cloak, the young woman brushes a lock of her snow-white hair out of her eyes.
Taishe smiles,
"Ah. Mosst excellent idea. Sswimmer much lesss likely to be noticed than wandering boat."
"The resst of uss can spend time 'procuring' sskiff or two. And be ready to go once Nixie iss located?"
”I agree, a lone swimmer is much less likely to attract attention.” She turns to Nahuatl ti. [b]”Will you be safe in the harbour by yourself? I’m sure there are just as many dangers underwater as there are on land.”
She motions the serving girl over and orders a red wine.
The party knows that although the occasional aquatic menace manages to get through, that Turquoise Bay is the home of a Merfolk clan who have an agreement with the city for mutual aid and defense.
"I can do that." Nahuatl ti says quietly, coming up behind the group, having approached in time to hear the conversation. "I can investigate the harbor, unnoticed in the water. If the ship is there, I'll find it."
Enveloped in a heavy black cloak, the young woman brushes a lock of her snow-white hair out of her eyes.
Taishe bobs his head to Nahuatl.
"Then we place trust in your superior water sskillss."
The kobold turns to the others.
"Sso,... Who knowss besst place to obtain sskiff for evening joyride?"
He asks, all but rubbing his claws together in anticipation.
Corvidae looks in Norveg’s direction...
”I agree, a lone swimmer is much less likely to attract attention.” She turns to Nahuatl ti. [b]”Will you be safe in the harbour by yourself? I’m sure there are just as many dangers underwater as there are on land.”
She motions the serving girl over and orders a red wine.
"Yes I will safer than most. I am actually quite at home underwater, but thank you for the concern." she says with a smile. "I should get going."
Bidding the others farewell, the heads out into the night, keeping to the shadows as she makes her way to the docks, staying in the shadows when possible, until she finds a secluded spot to enter the water.
Shedding her cloak, she folds it and secures her spear across her back, before silently slipping into the water.
As she submerges herself, her companions, the small blue ringed octopus wrapped around her shoulder, dislodges himself, swimming alongside her.
"Someone otter stay 'ere to meet 'er whilst the rest find boatage," Norveg says. "Boats can meet up where tha Nixie was supposta be."
Taishe strokes his 'mustache' tendrils thoughtfully.