2nd Interlude: The Conspiracy

Sam laughs. These folks' chances of playing with her just went up a tick.

Sam whispers to May, "May, a little FYI, if you get another game of strip poker going again, you're on your own."

May raises an eyebrow at Sam's certainty but doesn't argue about it. May's pretty sure she could get Sam to play again if she really made a point of it so she pivots to Marcus instead. "No vorries Colonel, you are alvays a gentlemen and Nick vould never do that to you."

"Absolutely not, and neither would i. No matter how much May paid me."

"You're all heart," Marcus says to his squad. "Just no strip poker. Not on this ship. Understood?"

"Understood." She looks a little disappointed.

"Well Colonel, i don't wear any clothes to begin with. Which by the way, i should change at some point or i'll be kinda eye-catching in Emerald."

"We'll figure it out en route," Marcus says. "For now—"

"By the holy tenets, what is happening!?"

The Colonel is interrupted by a portly man who's flung open the doors of the captain's quarters. The crew immediately stands to attention, any previous traces of their tomfoolery now gone.

"We've thrown Marco overboard, Captain!"

"Uh? Again? Why?"

"He insulted the ladies, Sir!"

The sailor points at the squad, redirecting the captain's attention on them. In his early forties, the man's heavy cheeks shake each time he takes a step toward the rail, giving the squad a better view of the attire he wears; an elegant blue coat, a radiant white shirt, leather boots of the finest make and the biggest bicorn hat they've ever seen. He twiddles with his splendid mustache and welcomes the six Imperial agents with a big white smile.

"Mr. Riddle!" he exclaims while climbing down the gangplank. "What a pleasure to finally meet you!"

"The pleasure is all mine, Captain...?"

"Theodore. Theodore Oldturn."

The two men shake hands.

Sam stand at attention while her superior exchanges greetings with the captain of the Happy Frog.

Nick waits for the formalities to be over. Smirk does too.

May enjoys the sea breeze blowing in from the ocean. It's a better smell than the town, no matter how beautiful the architecture might be. Despite her grousing earlier she knows she'll enjoy the sailing part at least.

The captain then moves to greet the rest of the party, quite astonished by the women's beauty.

"My my! You ladies are among the most dazzling women I've had the chance to lay my eyes upon. Please rest assured; my men may be a bit rowdy, but under the sweat and the rags, they have gentle hearts."

"We never doubted it," Anne says with a grin.

"Well, we all do too. Except for Nick; he's an animal."

"He is," Anne confirms.

"Oh my, what did i miss?"

Nick starts getting flustered.

Sam's cheeks retain their normal color while she smiles and nods to Theodore. "That's very good to hear, Captain, thank you."

"If he is, he's our animal," she says when the others start ribbing Nick.

May follows this conversation with some interest and then starts elbowing Sam after her declaration. "May alvays figure you vere our animal. It isn't Nick that alvays talks me and Anne into strip poker. Or teases Smirk into revealing flustery facts about Nick to make his cheeks red like big cute apples."

"Hmm... she's right, you know," Anne says to Sam with a grin.

Colonel looks at Samantha with raised eyebrows, wondering if May is being serious right now.

"Why, i never do anything that deep down he wouldn't do himself. No seriously, Science."

Nick looks increasingly less comfortable. Fails to contain a frustrated sigh.

Sam's cheeks flush. "I--None of that is true! Anne, et tu?"

Knowledge Politics 23
All about Edward Fox

Konrad:

The sailors smile and laugh at the funny banter, although they try to do it in silence so as to not upset their captain.

"Not all of it is true," Anne admits. "But I've noticed the glances you've given Nick."

Colonel Riddle and Captain Oldturn listen nonchalantly to this exchange.

Nick glances at Anne. His capacity to look even more flustered spent, annoyance still rather noticeable.

"Oh yeah, what about you, huh?" she answers moodily. "I've noticed the comforting touches you've been giving our teammate lately."

Smirk's voice suddenly goes smooth and effeminate - "Nick, honey, need some comforting touches?"

Aspect raises his hands in a creepy fashion, but doesn't dare touch his summoner, who by now looks increasingly pissed off.

May is quite pleased with this turn of events and happily stays out of the trouble she stirred up by drinking some wine and then keeping her mouth shut. She makes no effort to hide this from anyone who's paying attention.