Persuasion/deception : 20

Parker continues. Looking Ardent up and down "If you allow captain i can take your um "guests" with the tainted cargo. You can get yourself together before those warships arrive and they wont be the wiser."

The flame swallows hard, then nods: "Right. Good work. Please take these civilians on board, I'll make sure to check in with you back in the harbour, for a full after action report."

At this point, you hear the schooner shout over to you: "Can we come alongside?" And you hear Ardent shout back: "Permission granted. We're on fire though, so prepare to cut lines quickly!"

With that, you see the schooner come closer, and three lines being thrown between the boats, pulling them close. The main deck of the schooner is five feet below the deck of the Empress, now increasingly filling with smoke. The twins quickly make their way on board, and under Dart's previous direction, four of the guards are helping to carry crates across, two at a time.

What do the three of you want to do?

parker gives an "after you" motion to Blair

I head over to our escape vessel after all the crates are on board. 

"You're welcome." Blair would breathe at the back of the Flames neck. "You owe me." She'd purr, helping herself to a grope before stepping away to her twins to make sure they were dressed and taken care of first.

 Blair would smile sweetly as if noticing him for the first time in his uniform. She'd take Parker's offered hand to help her onto the vessel.

once everything is aboard Parker would snap to and salute Argent

"best of luck to you"

then cross over to our boat while yelling  Cast off captain, lets get home

once a decent distance away   "now i got to get out of this getup, its so stuffy,  and he goes to the cabin to change back into his clothes

You cast off, but after about five minutes or so, you hear the captain call after you: "We got a problem. Whatever you did, they've just signalled the warships to stop us. We can outrun them, but if they open fire, there's nothing we can respon with, and the patrol boat might catch us too. What do you want us to do?"

Parker returns to the deck pulling his shirt on  Full speed captain, im no sailor so i have to go with your expertise just get us out of here

I nod in silent agreement. 

(Realized I never rolled for gold: 13)

Murph allows a small grin, and reaches up to perform a small sleight of hand parlor trick to cause a silver piece to appear in his hand, disappear, then one copper after another, five in all, flip off the opposite thumb in an arc right to the tall man's open hand. 

Sleight of hand: 6

"As you say, Ribbons. After you, right to your jeweler friend. I'm in a look-but-don't-touch mood but who knows what the rest of the night will bring."

He is ready to follow him down a level, watching the man's reactions and trying to get a sense of whether this is a short or long con.

Insight: 12

The whole way, his eyes dart about, looking for people taking an interest, anyone following them, really anything odd. He's expecting some kind of mild threat, but not enough for his hands to go to his daggers.

Perception: 9

The captain nods, and you see the first mate extinguishing the lanterns on deck, as two sailors unfurl sails that are entirely black. You all realise that this is probably an experienced smuggler, who has run a blockade more than once. You're all tense at first, but after twenty minutes or so, you start to relax, as there don't appear to be any ships following you through the fog rolling across the bay, and you can all start to make out the rough cliffs above the river to the left of you, appearing suddenly out of the fog.  Getting uncomfortably close, the captain gives a quiet call to weigh anchor, and between the crew and you, you help get the six heavy crates of goods onto a small skiff.

What do the three of you do once the goods are loaded up?

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Murph, you like to fiddle, and it shows as you make the coins appear at will. You can tell that Ribbons is amused, although you figure that level of dexterity and legerdemain is commonplace here. 

"Well then, straight to business, why not? I'm afraid though, I have to look to some other business up here, but Jasmeen will take you to where you need to go." As he says this, you turn around to see a lithe dark skinned half-drow with piercing blue eyes approaching at a handsignal from Ribbons. He gives her a few signals, and she responds with a nod.

You're still trying to take in the peculiarities of this space, but from the way the smiling man is being given a respectful berth, you figure that he must hold some authority and importance down here, likely running this place for the Guild, or maybe even being one of their kingpins. 

As you follow the half-drow woman, you notice several of the attractions that were mentioned by Ribbons, from bookies trying to get interest for the next fight, to Moonleaf houses with addicts desperately clinging to their pipes, their hollow eyes a shallow reminder of their existence above ground.
You also see some "reputable" businessmen however, choosing to pay a fee to the Guild to be able to sell their wares down here past the usual curfews in the city above: several dive bars and tap rooms exist side to side with butchers and bakers. You spot a gnomish tailor that seems to have specialised in sewing hidden pockets into coats. You see apothecaries selling tinctures and potions for every type of ailment from Baldness to the Blue Rot.

 When Jasmeen stops before one of the stands, you're surprised by how simple the shop before you seems. As you enter the small room, closed off from the main tunnel by a heavy door that can be locked, you see a room that seems barren, with only a small table and a wooden chair at the end of the room, with a large iron lockbox in the corner, and an old dwarf with goggles sitting behind the desk, working on inspecting a piece, his tools sticking out of a large and many-pocketed leather apron.

As you give him a brief glint of the green gem, he puts the ring he was inspecting away into one of the myriads of pockets, before clearing his throat: "Looking to buy or to sell?"

I guess we are to go with the goods?   Parker asks quietly

Both twins hung onto either side of Blair, whispering their updates in her ear. She sported a sly smirk the whole time, only wavering into her playful pout when Parker would hastily rush off to change out of sight. She had been half tempted to send them in to see if he needed some help. But he'd return almost as quickly as he had left, causing her smirk to grow into a grin. She'd lean in whisper something to the girls, causing them to giggle. Although the ride on the vessel was tense, Blair savoured the sense of excitement that accompanied the danger.

As the crates get loaded up, Blair would cast a pleased glance towards the Captain. She'd run her hands along the backs of Ebony and Ivory before giving their asses a gentle and encouraging slap to push them forward. With Blair's blessings, the girls were more than happy to comply. They'd pad their way over to offer to show the captain their appreciation. Should it be accepted and the Captain cast a return look to Blair, she'd hold her famous smile and give a wink.

Blair would finally step away from where she had been. Relieving her girls of their pouches prior to sending them off towards the Captain, Blair was carrying some hefty coin on her from a successful evenings work. She knew she would have to find somewhere comfortable to count and divi it up before she gets back. The handler will be collecting...

“Last I knew we were to stow them safely in one of the caves and then meet up with Magnus later.” I saw to Parker having changed into my regular attire and debarking the schooner. Thankful we were able to get away so easily. Wondering what consequences our actions will bring about. 

"Alright then i guess we should make our selves scarce then,  Thank you captain its been a pleasure

now how to get home he mutters as he leaves the boat

"Neither, actually," Murph says with a small grin. "May I buy you a drink from the tap room next door for a conversation, and some discretion?"

Assuming yes, he heads over, gets two tankards, and brings them back with a small deposit left behind for the return of the barkeep's property. 

He settles down and gently clinks glasses, looking the dwarf over. "Now, I'm hoping you have nimble fingers and a keener mind, for I have a puzzle for you. How would a craftsman such as yourself go about dividing a pair of stones linked and enchanted to each other, in such a way that the enchantment and function are both preserved? I have nimble hands and a bit of a tinkerer myself, but a jeweler's eye and knowhow... well, that's why I'm coming to you."

He takes a sip.

The dwarf's eyes seem to light up at the challenge you threw down: "Ye have that stone 'ere wit' ya? It certainly depends on 'a type o' enchantment placed on th' stones." As he's waiting for your answer, he quickly dips his hand into one of the many pockets, to produce a small set of folding goggles, which he unfolds and places on his nose. The whirring sound of the gears adjusting the magnifying lense over the occular devices is somewhat disturbing, particularly since the glasses now make the dwarf's eyes look huge in comparison to the rest of his proportions. Together with the goggles though, he's also produces a small piece of chalk and a set of compasses in his hands, ready to take measurements and give the stones a proper once-over.

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Blair, Parker, Dart, after you unload the crates and stow them in the hidden cave,  you return to the ship to First Mate Malyenka, asking you where you had to head to next, pointing out that the Gray Harbour was likely not an option for them tonight.

if you could get us inside the walls that would be great, or anywhere safe if that isnt an option

then in a lower voice to the first mate and the captain.   if you ever need papers or anything let me know,

Murph hands over one of the stones, and keeps the other in hand, watching the jeweler like a hawk, though seeming affable and curious on the outside.

Blair had been purposely keeping her distance from the boys to ensure that there were no unnecessary added suspicions that they were working together on this. Of course she wouldn’t go without her usual mischievous grin as she’d watch them, as well as the other crew members. The redhead enjoyed people watching, seeing what makes them tick or what they do when they don’t know they’re being watched, and when they do. And should her loyal twins still be close to her side, she’d send them out again to prowl the deck for any member willing to take the bait.

At the prompt of the First Mate’s ask, Blair would smirk playfully, “You can take me home with you, if you so desire.” Her boots would click as she’d step passed. She’d look back over her shoulder to wink before finding a safe spot to stand and lean nearby.