The messenger presents you with a letter from Free Captain Tessa Fairwind, inviting you all to dinner at her townhouse this evening.

Everyone can make a History check to see what they know about this Captain Fairwind

Oh hey, I'm smart!: 18

Dani, you know that Tessa Fairwind is the captain of the Luck of the Draw and is one of the most powerful and popular Pirate Lords of the Diaspora, with many whispering that she is next in line for the Nebula Crown, either by acclaim from the Free Captains or by taking the crown from Bonefist. This is largely because Tessa Fairwind commands the second largest fleet in the Diaspora, has a history of pulling of improbable and incredibly profitable raids, and because she is a charismatic figure.

Dani tilts her head, still rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "Super popular captain. Rival to Bonefist. Giant fleet, great raids. This is totally politics." She makes a face as if politics are literally the worst thing she can possibly imagine. "Yuck. Thought I was done with those."

Jeff was just resting his eyes again, he swears. They'd flutter open when he'd hear Gin's signature singsong voice cheerily calling for her sister only to be responded with a loud 'go away'. A low chuckle of amusement by the exchange would leave his lips. He'd let out a long drawn out satisfied sigh from an almost endless night of lively entertainment and pleasant companionship. Slipping out from under the covers, the man would hum delightfully to himself as he'd stretch tall before relaxing a moment to rub his chest. Using a little dusting of magic to freshen himself as he went, Jeff would stride around in the buff collecting his belongings strewn all over at a leisurely pace. Eventually he'd find what he needed to begin dressing. With a final securing of his lucky belt buckle, the sorcerer excuses himself and quietly slips from the room to join the rest of his crew members as if he were there the whole time.

He's not smart, but he tries to impress: 1
(lol! He has NO idea what a Captain Fairwind is or what you're talking about. Thanks Books!)

Jeff just stands there with a wide grin giving Dani an enthusiastic thumbs up.

When Toni opened up the letter, Gin was right by her side peeking over her shoulder and reading along. If need be, she would recite the letter for the main crew members to hear (had the captain allowed her to, of course). At the name, Gin pursed her lips in thought...

Historyryry: 13

Regardless though, Gin trusts Dani's words first and foremost. "Oooh, a dinner! That'll be fun! What kind of politics do you think we'll get into?"

"Dinner." That was a word Jeff recognized. "That I could do." Nodding along with Gin, he'd add to her ask of what kind of politics they were getting into. "And what's our approach/stance on it?" He'd ask genuinely. It was good for him to brush up on table talk prior to going in.

Dani shrugs morosely. "Loyalty grabs. Power plays. Backstabbing and alliance creation behind backs. The usual sort of stuff."

Arcade tenses and has his eyes flash red as he hears about the potential dangers to his master, "I shall bring the proper weaponry to prepare for possible skirmishes."

Toni stretches, yawns, and scratches the back of her head. “A dinner huh? That sounds fun.”

at Dani’s mention of who their host is she will perk up, “She sounds hot. Do you know if she’s hot?”

Evening rolls around and you head towards Captain Fairwind's townhouse. Some of her retainers lead you all into a windowed dining hall with a view overlooking Port Peril. Set out on a dining table is a nice dinner and standing behind a chair at the head of the table is Free Captain Tessa Fairwind, an attractive half-elven woman with red hair. "Welcome and congratulations on successfully earning your letter of marque. Feel free to enjoy dinner and then we can discuss business."

Earlier: Dani does not countermand Arc's plans to bring weapons, though she does clarify, "Most conflicts at dinner parties are the verbal kind. The worst kind..." she adds under her breath before answering Toni with a "dunno" shrug.

Now: Dani looks moderately cleaned up, with her hair washed and in a braid, and her armor stored in a lovely copper headband. She is also wearing a set of clothes free of grease stains and smudges. The young woman a polite smile and nod, sits down neatly at the table, and starts summoning her mother's lessons back into her mind while she eats.

After you finish your meal, Tessa begins to talk business with all of you. "I have heard rumors that the Chelish Empire is planning another invasion of the Diaspora. Now I don't think that I need to inform you of how it would be bad for all of us if they were to succeed in this venture, but unfortunately I can't investigate these rumors, as I'm far too well-known for such subtle work. But you however, would be perfect for such a task. Being a newly established crew, you wouldn't attract undesired attention by doing this, and you've clearly demonstrated that you're a competent crew since you've obtained a letter of marque in such short time. If you were to do this task for me, you would have my gratitude and friendship, in addition to five units of plunder from my personal store."

"Verbal kind, huh?" Gin taps her chin in thought, then grins. "Thankfully you have Toni and I to take care of that part of things!" 

Gin dolls herself up for the occasion, putting on a dress that compliments her complexion well. She snaps some butterfly barrettes in her hair to pull back her bangs to help show off her eyes and her glittery pink eyeshadow. Another thing she missed about being a pop star was the dressing up! But pirates can have their fun too, right? 

Gin hadn't been exactly trained in dinner settings like this, but noticing Dani's change in demeanor, she quietly mirrors the engineers mannerisms. At a certain point at dinner, the lashunta looks over to Tessa, opening her mouth to say something, only to clamp her mouth right shut when they began to speak of business. She returns to her food as the captain explains what's happening and what she wanted them to do.

Her eyes lock onto Toni to see if her sister would be willing to do this job.

Arcade had dressed in his nicest bowtie for this dinner and proceeded to sit very still in his chair as the others ate. He was just happy to be included.

Earlier: Toni nods at Dani, “Talking is one of our specialties.” She chuckles, then coughs, cracks her neck then adds, “I think I need some time to get ready, BRB!” She quickly shits the door and sets about becoming presentable.

She puts on a frilly white lace up shirt, with the neckline laced up juuuust enough, putting a crimson velvet vest with little lightning bolts and pirate iconography in the pattern. She squeezed into some black leather pants and pulled her hair up and back into a little updo, a couple strands of hair breaking free...she couldn’t be too put together.

At dinner, Toni follows Dani’s lead but is starting to get used to this particular environment, enjoying the food but not going HAM.

NOW: Toni smiles at the Very important captain, leaning back, hands behind her head, “Tessa. I like your vibe, I like the job, and I would be very pleased to take it. With one added caveat, if I may be so bold...” she smirks, trying to look cavalier, “When we get back, I want to take you on a date. Deal?” She leans forward, one hand outstretched to shake on the deal.

Jeff cleaned up well. He wore a black military style tuxedo jacket with a tailcoat. It was beautifully made with velveteen fabric, metal buttons and embroidered black trim. He never bothered with heavy accents as he didn’t care to peacock. It was the girl’s show. They were excited and it was their night. He’d simply smile charmingly throughout the introductions. Though, his eyes would glint and he couldn’t help himself. Spotting Arc, he couldn’t up but approach the Warforged. He’d genuinely admire his bowtie, giving it a gentle adjustment. “Don’t you look dapper!” The man would gush. He’d then make way to his seat.

During the dinner, Jeff was a natural. He sat at many noble tables as arm candy. He’d wait for the one sitting next to him to arrive first prior to sitting, making sure to be a gentleman and helping them into their seat. Table manners were on point and the food was delicious. The charlatan didn’t go without entertaining those next to him with a share of conversation when it was his turn to speak. Otherwise, he’d enjoy the company of his team working their magic.

Earlier: Dani shrugs at Toni's comment, a little morosely. "Speak for yourself," she grumbles. "I could never get into the whole talking thing, much to my mother's displeasure." The quartermaster then mosies off to wash her hair.

Now: Dani gives Jeff a grin and thumbs up when Arc isn't looking, glad he's supporting the warforged's experiments in individuality. She also adds her own approval to the bowtie discussion, giving Arc a thumbs up of his own. While Toni asks Tessa on a date, she does her best to hide a smile while she watches the other captain for her reaction.

Tessa smiles and extends a hand back to Toni. "Deal."

Toni shakes Tessa’s hand, “awesome. Just have someone send the mission details to my Quartermaster, and we can set sail before dawn.” 

the captain enjoys the rest of the evening back at the ship, sitting in the dining room, looking around and reflecting how they got started in this pirate life. She plinks out a little diddy on a small, 23-string banjo-like Veskan instrument with a name she couldn’t pronounce. It reflects the quiet start of an epic adventure, full of bouncing, intricate rhythms that build the music up into an actiony jig (think pirates of the Caribbean or the RDJ Sherlock movies). The sound fills up the empty (?) space.