Kassius:
"Ah, I'm so glad to see that the Contessa did not prevent you from adequately feeding poor Baxter."
Kassius says blandly, giving the druid about as much respect as Kibeti was giving Baxter the Badger.
The dwarf's cheeks colour but he says nothing.
OOC: Extra points for remembering that it was Contessa Invicta, the giant two headed flail that had possessed Kaskus.
Kassius:
"But what are you doing here? I remember that your group was no longer employed by Lavinia, even before the whole recent debacle.
"It seems that her ladyship had got it into her head that her security wasn't as good as it could be." (Perhaps due to the PC's telling her that so many times!)
"So she'd hired the Jade Raven's again, this time to keep her noble behind safe." The portly druid fishes a chocolate biscuit out of a pocket, divides it in two and gives one half to the giant badger that is now at his side. The dwarf munches on the other half.
"So I stop everyone coming into this place and make sure they're on the level." The dwarf doesn't seem to have even realised that he challenged the part on the way OUT, and didn't seem to be around as they made their way INTO the manner grounds.
Kassius:
"Oh, and pardon my manners, but how are you and your companions? Everyone recovering well I hope."
"Tolin and Zan are fine. Liamae seems a little shaken by the whole business. Fair enough too," says the dwarf as he shakes his beard to knock the biscuit crumbs out.
"Can't say I enjoyed having my brain invaded by that crazy bipolar weapon. I reakon we owe you one for saving us from that."
After finishing the conversation (and feel free to say more if you want), the party continue down to Pier Five and The Blue Nixie. The ship is much the same, but there is now a proper crew onboard and they are greeted by the new Captain - and it someone they know!
"Ciao belladonna and the rest-a! So good-a to see you all-a again!" The 'belladonna' is aimed at Angati, as it comes from Rodolfo the boatman, who helped you sneak about this ship in the first adventure. He is now Rodolfo the captain, as Lavinia has apparently hired him to take charge of The Blue Nixie, in the day's second incident of questionable employee selection.
Rodolfo's accent is still as thick as ever, his mane of dark hair is still slicked back against his scalp, but he as at least now dressed for the part and has lost his white singlet.
The party present a little from Lavinia ordering him to help them and depart with all haste for the Bay of Blood. The small Thyatian takes the orders calmly and soon the crew are running round the ship, making it ready to sail. Within the hour the ship is out in the open sea and heading east.