Today is a day filled with wonderful weather. No storms, calm winds, and nary a cloud in the sky. It’s a very peaceful night. As peaceful of a night anyone have at the sight of nearly a dozen vessels parked around a tower. Of the eleven ships, nine fly the same bck fg with an e fg underh while the st two ships fly only an e fg. All the ships are tied to the tower's base with camps already erected.

  “[Pirates]. Why is it always [Pirates]? Why ’t it be [Merts]? Hell, I’d be fih the Tower people too.” I whine as I sit on Myers' shoulder. “I really don’t want to have to hide and wait for them to leave. Why are they even here?”

  The old man lowers the spygss after a moment. “They are trading.”

  I raise an eyebrow. “How do you know that?”

  “They fly the Tiger’s eye.”

  “And that is…”

  “The e fg. [Pirate Captains] from the Gambino family fly the fg when they wish to trade. Those who trade with the family are respected a ued for some time.”

  I sigh. “Myers, you ’t just spew out names and expect me to uand what the fuck you’re talking about.”

  The old man gives me a grin with the full realization he’d dohis on purpose.

  “[Pirates] are generally disanized with a few exceptions. One of those exceptions are the Gambino [Pirates]. They are a blood-reted group of [Pirate Captains] numbering ihousands. They are anized, powerful, and the leader of the family sits as one of the Corsairs.”

  “Mafia. They’re a [Pirate] mafia.”

  Myers bobs his head. “That is a good way to describe them. They, unlike most [Pirates], have a stri code they follow. One such code is that they do not attayohey trade with.”

  “So if roach for trade, they’ll ignore us?”

  “So long as we do attempt to trade. I imagihey would not look kindly on us if we don’t offer them something worthwhile.”

  If I art of a Mafia with rules, I’d be kinda upset if said rules were abused too. Wait a sed!

  “Why do you know so much about them?”

  The old man closes his spygss and pces it into his coat pocket. “I was… tasked with hunting aroying a group of them. This involved a great deal of resear the family.”

  “How’d the hunt go?”

  The old man scowls. “Poorly. Their informatiowork exceeded my own at the time. The amount of wealth they possess allows them to have aework of spies- including ones in the nobility.”

  “I see. Well, I’m up for trade. We sell the runed ons from the castle and the give I got from the [Bounty Hunter]. Also whatever else Cillian chooses.”

  “Then we best prepare something e as a fg. I doubt they’d attack us if roach, but risks need not be taken.”

  “Agreed. I’ll go tell my crew.”

  With a pounce I jump off Myers shoulder and rush ihe ship.

  _________________________________________________________________

  The party is in full swing and Karson Gambino is partaking in excellent wine. A nice, dark red color that splendidly goes with his tie. Grinning, Karson raises the gss to see any impurities, only to grin wider when he sees none. He takes a sip slowly before returning his attention to the party and the guest of honor- his grandson Emmanuel Gambino. As of today, the kid starts his career as a [Captain] aboard the Destroyer Anadasta - a gift from yours truly. A costly gift, but a worthwhile one as a starting vessel. You ’t firoyers with thick hulls outside of those produced for military purposes.

  Just as Gambino is about to take another sip, he sees one of his men rush to him. “Boss, there's a ship approag. A frigate css.”

  Karson raises an eyebrow. Though he has the Tigers Eye raised, he also has the Gambino fg hoisted as well. That alone should deter anyone from approag. Hell, his calleon alone should deter even [Bounty Hunters] from approag. It might be better to just bst the ship out of the sky.

  “Does the ship hoist a fg?” He asks.

  “It does…” the man says with hesitation.

  “Well, spit it out then.”

  “The fg looks like an e b, boss,” the man says nervously.

  Karson frowns. The fact they have the colors of the Tigers Eye requires that he allow trade. But, besmirg the family by using an e b is a grave insult to the family that must be properly puhis is the reason the man before him is nervous.

  Karson shifts his gaze back to the vibrant party. Meat is being roasted over a fire, music is pyed by excellent [Musis], and his wife is happily dang with his grandson while father, mothers, aunts, and uncles watch. It is a beautiful and momentous day that Karson would prefer to end on a peaceful note.

  “Allow the ship to port. Have some meie it down. Then direct the [Captain] to me alongside whatever they wish to sell.”

  “Yes, boss.”

  As the man rushes off, another chuckles from his side.

  “Gramps, that’s abnormally nice of you. I’d think you’d set an example for yrandkid about respeg the Tigers Eye.”

  Karson smiles towards his adopted nephew. A bright man that married his daughter decades ago with a generally positive outlook on life. An amazing choice for his daughter. “Marco, I should have guessed you’d be listening in on my versations.”

  Marbins. “'t help it. You’re a stant font of wisdom. Speaking of wisdom, what's the reason for allowing the ship?”

  Karson leans into his chair and takes a sip of wine. “It’s oday and I’m happy. I’d rather avoid blood if I .”

  His Nephew grins. “If I bsp;is the significe there.”

  Karson chuckles. “Yes. I’m going to see what they’re to sell. If it pleases me, I’m willing to allow the insult to slide.”

  “Hah! If you allow the insult to slide, I’ll even gift the [Captain] one of my extra Tigers Eye fgs.”

  Karson rolls his eyes before refog on the party. His family is far more important. Always is and always will be. That is the Gambino Way.

  ___________________________________________________________

  When Myers said mafia, he fug meant mafia. The Gambino are wearing suits. Full-on bck with white striped suits and a tie. The only differeween them is that some of the [Pirates] have differing ties by color and pattern. When we are near, they quickly assist in tying dowimbergrove. As soon as we plop down the boardwalk, one of the well-dressed [Pirates] rushes to patiently wait at the bottom.

  With just a curshe [Pirate] has a club on one side and a triple barrel blunderbuss oher. This is mimicked in some way to all the others, though more often with hand crossbows instead of a firearm. Regardless, any fight against them is going to involve a hell of a lot of initial ranged damage.

  “Me, Cillian, and Irmgard will depart. Everyone else will stay on the ship.”

  hes clicks her legs in agitation. “You enter a of bees, Matriarch. Would it not be better t additional s in case they find you a threat?”

  “Bees don't sting uhreatened. A rge group of s is a threat in and of itself. Now, Cillian, did you prepare what yoing to sell?”

  Cillian grunts in the affirmative uhe weight of a bunch of sheathed ons on his shoulder.

  “Perfect, let's go then.” I hop intards arms and make our way down the pnk.

  Just as we reach the bottom of the pnk, I take a cursnce of the man while he does the same to us.

  Joseph Luo: Level 49 [sigliere]]

  The man frowns. “Where is your [Captain]?” He asks in what seems like annoyance. I’d even argue that he looks as though he is insulted.

  “Right here.” I wave a paw from my per Irmgards arms.

  The man's hand twitches towards his sidearm for a moment, but self-trol wins. He stares at me for a moment before slowly nodding.

  “You wish to trade with the Gambino family, correct?”

  “That’s right.” I answer.

  “Then follow me. The boss wants to see you.”

  We follow the well-dressed man deep into the Mafia den. We pass numerous people, tents, aually arrive at what looks like a backyard birthday celebration. There is music, food, dang, and even games. There are even children running around as well.

  We are directed to the er of the party where a shaven man sits behind a table with a gss of wine in hand. His cheeks are slightly red and he has a grin on his face.

  Right until he sees my group.

  The grin disappears and turns to a gre.

  Karson Gambino: Level 61 [Underboss Captain]

  The fuck did I do?

  Karsoends a hand in front of him.

  “Take a seat.” He orders.

  Immediately, several chairs are pced in front of Karsht across the table.

  Shit. He seems pissed. Did we e at a bad time or something?

  Wheake a seat, the man leans bad csps his hands. “ I offer you a drink? Food perhaps?”

  Alright. Maybe not pissed. Just very Mafia-like.

  I hop out ards p and onto the table. “Milk.”

  My words startle the man. His hand twitches to the revolver on his hip, but only twitches. The goons surrounding don’t have such self trol. Numered ons aim in my dire. I of course tinue grinning and making eye tact with Karson.

  A long several sed exge of stares has Karson raise a hand and wave at the goons.

  They quickly resheathe their guns and step back.

  “Apologies, my men get a bit jumpy when startled. Now, you said you wished for milk.”

  “Room Temperature if you have it.”

  He nods and g the rest of my crew.

  “Would your crew like anything?”

  Cillian licks his lips. “That wine you’re drinking looks quite good.”

  He then g Irmgard, but the woman shakes her head.

  Karson looks towards one of his men. “Get some warm milk and a bottle of the wine I’m drinking.”

  “Yes Boss.”

  As the goon rushes away, Karsourns his attention to us.

  “I’ll be ho, I very much wasn’t expeg to meet a [Captain] in such a form.”

  I don’t think anyone does.

  “Not a bother. I’m used to the reas. It’s not every day you meet someone of such superior species such as myself.”

  “Superior?” Karson raises a brow.

  “Of course.” I stand and walk around slowly. “Do you see this fluffy coat and the gray movements? This is not something other species ever hope to reproduce. And just so we’re on the subject, I’d like to also mention that I am one of the more superior spes of my feline kind- ahh. Introdus!”

  I rise to my back legs and do a heavily practiced bow.

  “I am Quasi Eludo, [Captain] of the Timbergrove, hero of many worlds, and the most fluffy sn to ever exist. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

  At my introdu, the man sittio him bursts out ughing. “I-I ’t.” the man spurts even while Karson shifts his gre.

  “Marco, trol yourself.”

  The man's ughter subsides to a slight giggle and a fervent grin. “Sorry, sorry, but this is hirious. Easily the most iing ing of age party I’ve been to.”

  I perk up. “ing of age party? Who's the guest of honor?”

  Karsoo quickly fet about Marco as he gives a proud smile.

  “I have just bought my Grandson a Destroyer. By the time he awakens tomorrow, he will be a full fledged [Captain] and start his career in service of the family.”

  Oh! Mafia’s love their families. Let's see if I get a bit in his good graces.

  “The Gambino family, right? I’ve only retly heard about you guys and it seems what I’ve heard is pretty correct. You guys resped love your family just as much as you love honor and loyalty.”

  Karson grins warmly. “Family above all is the Gambino motto. As for honor and loyalty- what man love family without both traits?”

  “Family above all. I like that. Who ed the term?”

  “Tony Gambino. The first Gambino and the one who got the family business started. My Great great grandfather.” he expiedly.

  o Karson, Marco grins as he realizes what I’m trying to do, but chooses to just watch for the moment.

  “Oh? Now that sounds like an iing story. Was it difficult for Tony to start the family?”

  “Ha. Difficult is an uatement. The amount of suffering the man had to endure for the family- I could go all night. But, I’m sure you don’t have the time. You’re here to trade, right?”

  “I am, but I’m fih waiting. I sell goods anytime, but listening to how a Mafia Boss came to be is something of a rare occasion.”

  For a moment, Karson's smile slips a little. He wants to talk about his great great grandfather and all of the man's amazing deeds, but something feels a bit off.

  “Actually, before you begin.” I raise a paw at the party, “Maybe have the children join us. I’m sure they’d love to listen to the deeds of the founder.”

  Karson blinks and g the running and giggling children. They’ve probably heard some of the stories growing up, but probably not from someone who’d met the guy in all his glory.

  “Yea. That’s a great idea.” Karson excims while Marco suppresses a snort.

  I give Marco a wink while Karson isn’t looking at me and the man starts ughing aloud.

  Karson g his Nephew, a the man's inability to not make a se. “Marco, what's gotten into you?”

  “I’ll tell you ter.” He says.