The scent of warm ocean air could be found everywhere, outside on the streets, inside inns and taverns, just about anywhere you found yourself. The scenery was beautiful - a paradise one should be lucky enough to call home. The women. Oh! The women. The women were beautiful, each more than the last. There was something special to be said about every single one of them, and the ritualistic tattoo they bore from adulthood made them all the more exotic. The atmosphere was warm and uplifting, pride twinkling in the townfolk's eyes as they welcomed you with adoration. Well, for most. The locals knew of Dinny and his crew all too well, and showed obvious disdain for their little group despite some of the members being born and raised there. It was good to be home.
Dinny joined his comrades at the corner table in the tavern they occupied, a pint of ale in one hand and one of his daggers in the other. Flopping down to his seat, he drove the dagger into the table for balance (and attention), drawing quick, irritated glances from the other patrons. "Alright, you scumbags!" he said cheerfully. "Let's get this thing started!"
The table snickered. "Hold on there, Din," another man of Thanti descent cut in. "You know we have to talk about what just happened. We all saw you."
The young bandit scratched the back of his head, grinning sheepishly. It was true. He may have attempted to court the woman at the bar, and he may have struck out. Badly. "I have no idea what you are talking about, Spade," he replied sarcastically.
"Struck out again," a larger Yoreiqi man mused, taking a sip of his drink.
"Oh, fuckin' fuck off Jarvis! Like you could do any better!"
"That's enough," the obvious ringleader interjected with a bang of his fist on the table. "While I enjoy talking about young Dinny's failed attempts at a love life just as much as the rest of ya, we got work ta' do."
"Right," the woman of the group, Regen, joined in. "So what's the plan, Boss?"
The boss, otherwise known as Rata, leaned in. "You know the plan. You'll have me say it again?" he asked in a gruff whisper. "Fine! You at least know the target? The royal family's flesh and blood, o'course! Cousin Ruby! Her ship sets sail for Connlaoth first thin' in the morning-"
"At least she thinks she will be going to Connlaoth. That's where we come in," the last member of the group, Markus, chimed in. "We've done the research. This woman does not know the crew operating her vessel. So, we are going to be the crew."
"D-Don't interrupt!" the boss barked. "That's right. We're gonna sneak aboard that vessel before anyone gets there, and take out the crew. From there, we're gonna take that broad-"
"We're going to take her and all of her valuables all the way to Serendipity," Dinny said with a confident grin.
"Damn tired of those interruptions-"
"Oh I just love to see you flustered old man!"
Dinny and Rata exchanged glares, one a bit more playful than the others. Regen extended her arms across the table as if to separate them. "Easy, boys," she said sweetly. "Let's get back to it. Boss, what are our roles?"
"Right," Rata nodded. "Roles. Regen, you will play host to our guest. Markus, you will steer the ship. That leaves you three on standby in case anything happens. One thing is for sure, keep Dinny as far away from the girl as possible. Din! Are you listening?!"
He wasn't. While the boss was yappin' away, a pretty young barmaid passed by their table - catching Din's eye. He stumbled out of his chair and followed her cautiously. "Hey..." he said innocently. "Have you ever been on a ship before?"
It was good to be home.