Wick clears his throat. "It's, ah, Ducky? Is now a good time?"

(No idea what kind of person Thuluku is. I'll be away much of today; if she needs persuading to grant passage... Persuasion: 18)

(Hmm. Good luck, guys!)

There is an audible click from inside the room, “That so? Sure... come on in.”

As the four of you open the curtain, you see a smooth, red-skinned woman in what can only be described as a casual admiral’s outfit sitting by a light in the corner. It would seem that she was drinking and enjoying a good book before you arrived. On her head, beneath a classic wide-brimmed feathered hat, various squid-like tentacles are styled to resemble hair. In her grip is a long, wooden object with metallic trimming. It resembles a crossbow of sort, yet doesn’t have any strings. Instead it has a pipe-like exit point and a wheel on its side. As literally all of you are magic casters, you also recognize some basic runes carved into the grip. She brushes a tentacle out of the way of her black eyes and has the object leveled toward Wick. “Come back to cheat me out of more of my winnings?”

Whether Wick actually did is up to him, but she thinks he definitely did!

Wick grins reflexively and leans against the doorframe. "Kuku, there's no need for all that. How and why would I cheat such a strong, intelligent, and dangerous person?"

He uses the hand behind his back to wave the others away- no need to make her feel threatened. At least, not while she has a gun pointed at him. 

"Now then, I was hoping we could chat. Just chat! Could you put your bloodletter away?"

Thuluku looks you over, “Talk... Aye, we can talk.” She releases the gun and it vanishes from existence, “There you go, little man, now you can quit soiling yourself. What do you want, Mr. Duck.”

As ever, she is nothing if not pragmatic and direct. Sensing that his usual approach will likely backfire, Wick matches her in kind.

"I'll shoot straight, Kuku. I've made a few new friends and they're in a bad way. We have need of a fast ship and..."  Wick clears his throat, "...a discreet captain. Do you know anyone who might fit the bill?"

(To the rest of the team: feel free to take any action as you see fit. I thought it would be wise for the wanted criminals to stay out of sight until we have secured passage)

Dahme'dre stays on the dock, but she lets Mondra'Goran into the ship with Wick do he can alert her at any sign of trouble.

She hums as she examines this vessel and compares it eith others on the docks using what knowledge she has of their workings. (If any, Arcana: (3)23)

It is worth noting, you guys are not on the ship. Wick and Thuluku are in the alcove room. However, you can certainly examine the ship with Mon.

You manage to find it easily enough, as it is pretty much the only ship of its kind. It is a massive sea-faring galleon adorned with various dragon-shaped heads carved into the side of the hull which all connect into a woman at the figurehead. Various runes are carved into the hull. You assume these are for ignition, as well as shielding. The sails meanwhile, seem almost ethereal from what you can tell. They may actually work like sails that catch those planar winds that hit your ship.

Alijurn is fascinated by the magical space ship. He leans over to Ashe. "When this whole thing blows over I am saving for one of these. I could start a proper agency with one of these." He straightens up, as if catching himself daydreaming. "But I will probably end up in a local townsguard somewhere, as per usual." 

Quote from Adaxter >>

As ever, she is nothing if not pragmatic and direct. Sensing that his usual approach will likely backfire, Wick matches her in kind.

"I'll shoot straight, Kuku. I've made a few new friends and they're in a bad way. We have need of a fast ship and..." Wick clears his throat, "...a discreet captain. Do you know anyone who might fit the bill?"

(To the rest of the team: feel free to take any action as you see fit. I thought it would be wise for the wanted criminals to stay out of sight until we have secured passage)

 The triton’s eyes narrow, drilling a hole through the gnome, “So, you’re in need of some help is that it. Well, Duck, I've only known you for a day and during that day, you may have stolen a large amount of money that is rightfully mine. Really, I’m not sure how to feel about you, especially now... but, I’m more than happy to help you and your friends. I’ll even do it for free. I’m a generous captain like that. How’s that sound?” Thuluku rests her chin on a hand.

 "It sounds suspicious..." Dahme'dre mumbles to herself as she regains her sight from Mondra'Goran and walks a further down the dock. "It really is a beautiful ship." Her fingers (her actual fingers.) trail along the smooth surface as she walks.

"Thuluku, all pretense aside, I'm genuinely confused. I'm a number of things, but I'm no petty thief. If I were, I wouldn't be so foolish as to seek a favor from the person I had just robbed. Assume for a moment that I'm telling the truth. What was stolen, from where, and when?"

Wick suppresses a grin just in time as he realizes what he just said. Honestly, though, he doesn't have to feign confusion. He knew that the Triton had a temper, but he had left the other day with the impression that she had at least grudgingly enjoyed his company.

"Something's up," he thinks to whoever may be listening. "This might not be a great idea."

Thuluku frowns, “Really? I’ll tell you what was stolen. My would-be winnings! I had you in check at least fifteen different times! You want to tell me how in the deep blue sea you managed to pull out a checkmate right when I was about to win?” Oh. It seems she isn’t malicious, just a sore loser.

Wick strains to remember that night, but it's a big jazzy blur. He shakes his head. "I know about as much about dragonchess as I know about sailing, Thuluku. I'm a lucky bastard, but not a cheat. If I helps, I would be more than willing to pay for my passage."

(Not sure if a persuasion roll is needed here. If it is...)

Persuasion: 12

Persuasion (if I get advantage for telling the absolute truth): 25

Staring through you once more, Thuluku sits back in a huff, muttering to herself, “Lucky, tch, barnacles is what that is...” However, she leans back in to the conversation, “Keep your coin, Duck. I wasn’t kidding about the free trip. I got my own reasons for it. That in mind, I want two things out of you. 1) I want a rematch  and 2) You’ll be paying in a favor for me. It ain’t charity.”

"Who said anything about charity?" Wick says slyly. "I like where your head's at, but I'm more in the business of having favors owed to me. What say we play for it? If you win, you name your favor. Lose, though, and you set us up in your best quarters free as air." Wick grins and offers a handshake, "Unless you're afraid I might get lucky again..."

She considers for a moment, seemingly conflicted, but seems to overcome it with a shrug. She shakes your hand, “Deal.” She gets up from her table, grabs a coat, and starts walking for the door, “I get homefield advantage.”

"I honestly don't know what that means, but okay! Mind if my friends join me? I could do with a drink, if you have it."

Wick let's the others know they're good to come in.

She’s already gone by the time you reply. Best get moving, or she’ll leave you behind! The group sees the Triton making her way down to the dock. Assuming you all follow after, Thuluku heads to the ship, where a gangplank extends down to allow her to walk up. Upon arriving, you see that her crew is busy setting up a table and a pair of tallbacked chairs into the middle of the ship. Thuluku takes a seat and crosses her legs. She snaps and a board is brought out, along with what appears to be custom-made pieces. She waits for you to take a seat, Wick, as a crowd of her crew looks on, murmuring about the game. Oddly enough, they seem pretty into it.

Dahme'dre follows the pair onto the ship and takes a seat where she can watch the game. Mondra'Goran drops into her arms and slips into the dark folds of her dress. Dahme'dre touches the crystal topping her staff, as she gives Cthulhu.. Err.. Thuluku a wink, granting her a Hex (Int), rather than giving Wick the benefit of her Guidance.

Stealth check on that cast, please!