The Ruinous Captain sighed from his position on the wall near the Master and his Constables, taking a drag out of his cigar and blew the aromatic smoke like the smoke shaft on the [i]Jackdaw[/i] into the air above from beneath his mask. As per usual, a Master can often raise more questions than they answer, even if one is lucky or unlucky enough to have business with one of the more "plain-speaking" Masters, as if such terms apply to them.

Regardless, Gideon was running low on patience, and was beginning to get bored with the situation. To hell with protocol, he thought, if he was invited for business, he figured he may as well be direct and their patron wouldn't be offended by such a thing. Worst that would happen is that he'd get tossed out and he'd find his own way back to Wolfstack and The Medusa's Head . . . or he could end up spending the night in the Constabulary, but as much as he had no qualms for giving a Constable or two a what-for, he'd also rather save himself the bruises. 

Stepping up and walking a few steps to hang around the sitting guests, some of whom he recognized from earlier as various people of more respectable standing than him, and keeping his eyes on the Constables presiding about, Gideon dispensed with the pleasantries.

"Look 'ere Master, grand as this whole business is, and a real show of your generosity (indicating the cigar), some of us are here for actual business moreso than a social call, if you understand my meaning."

He took a another drag from the cigar and spoke again, the smoke puffing out of his mouth as he did.

"Call me forward if you like, but if you're the one who did the inviting, I wager you know damn well I'm not much of a "masquerade"-goer. So kindly either tell us what you and your . . . peer? (glancing over at the more active Mr. Wines across the room before turning back) Want with us, or kindly allow me to excuse myself, take my leave, and seek other prospects. Because right now I hardly see what any of this lot want with me besides to look down upon as trash in the street."

[@Hekazu] [@Sofaking Fancy]