[Current Balance: 11,644,278,200 R]
---AUGUST 19, 1714---
Morning arrived as it was now warm and bright in Havana.
Around 8 AM, Alaric and Kassandra emerged from their inn, having already enjoyed a... vigorous... start to their day, followed by a quick breakfast brought up to their room.
The inn they'd rented… or rather, the multiple inns Alaric had rented out entirely for his large entourage… was situated near Havana's bustling central plaza, marked by a large, ornate fountain.
As they stepped out into the already busy square, the vibrant energy of the Caribbean port city hit them. Vendors hawked their wares, colorful fabrics hung from balconies, the smell of roasting meat and exotic spices filled the air, and the sounds of Spanish chatter mixed with the cries of gulls from the nearby harbor could be heard.
"Right then," Alaric said, stretching slightly. "Anything catch your eye yesterday?"
Kassandra's eyes lit up. "Actually..."
What followed was less a casual stroll and more of a targeted campaign.
Kassandra, it turned out, had done some serious window shopping the previous day. She led Alaric from stall to stall, pointing out items with an enthusiasm he hadn't seen often outside of combat or... other activities.
Fine Cuban cigars (though Alaric privately thought his System ones were superior), intricately carved wooden figures, brightly dyed silks unlike those found in Europe, strange and potent-smelling spices, pearl-inlaid combs, sturdy leather goods...
Alaric found himself playing the part of the indulgent partner, nodding along, occasionally offering an opinion when asked, "Yes, that shade of blue does suit you", and mostly just handing over Reales.
Jonathan wasn't around to handle the transactions this time, so Alaric managed the coin himself, trying not to wince as Kassandra's pile of purchases grew steadily larger. She haggled fiercely at times as her ancient bartering instincts kicked in, but other times she simply saw something she liked and declared, "I want that one," looking expectantly at Alaric.
'Are all women like this when given unlimited funds?' he wondered with a wry internal smile, watching her excitedly examine a bolt of emerald green silk. 'Or is it just that she hasn't had the chance to properly shop for... well, centuries?'
He couldn't really begrudge her the enjoyment.
After about an hour, just as Kassandra was enthusiastically bargaining for a set of silver bracelets, the rest of their core group emerged from the inn.
The Kenway elders, looking refreshed, were accompanied by Reuben and Flavia that were still practically glued together… Thulani, who was a stoic mountain amidst the crowd, and Matteo Auditore.
Following them were some of the former slaves Thulani had freed back in Bristol; they now carried papers marking them as free men and women under Alaric's employ, a necessary item to navigate the complexities of colonial society, and thanks to Alaric's wealth, they were housed comfortably nearby instead of being relegated to the docks or slums.
Seeing Alaric and Kassandra filled with packages that were mostly Kassandra's, the others quickly joined the fun.
Linette and Eleanor immediately started admiring Kassandra's finds, while Bernard and Leonard struck up conversations with local merchants about tobacco prices and shipping routes.
Flavia, inspired by Kassandra, dragged Reuben over to a stall that was selling colorful fans and lace mantillas. Thulani politely declined any purchases for himself but kept a watchful eye on the group.
The shopping spree quickly escalated. His family, feeling emboldened after weeks at sea and the sudden upheaval, seemed determined to make the most of Alaric's generosity.
Fine linens, bottles of aged rum, navigational tools for Leonard, who had taken an interest in Oldgate's charts, embroidered shawls for the ladies, even a fancy new dagger for Flavia, who insisted Reuben needed a matching one... the pile grew.
Matteo Auditore watched his daughter's enthusiastic spending with a mixture of pride and slight embarrassment. He approached Alaric, who was patiently waiting while Kassandra decided between two different styles of leather boots.
"Alaric, lad," Matteo murmured apologetically, "Forgive Flavia's... esuberanza. She is not often afforded such luxuries."
Alaric just waved a hand dismissively, offering a relaxed smile.
"Don't worry about it, Matteo. Let them enjoy themselves. After everything back in England, they deserve a bit of indulgenza. Besides," he added, glancing at the growing mountain of goods being gathered by a few designated staff members, "sono solo soldi." (It's only money)
[Money Withdrawal: - 144,200 R]
[Current Balance: 11,644,134,000 R]
'A lot of money, though,' Alaric thought, doing a quick mental calculation. 'Still barely a dent, but Kassandra and Flavia together... they could bankrupt a small kingdom.'
He sighed inwardly but kept the smile fixed on his face. Spoiling the people he cared about, especially Kassandra, was a weakness he couldn't seem, nor particularly wanted, to overcome.
---
Two hours later, the shopping expedition finally calmed down.
Laden with packages carried by helpful staff members, the entire Kenway contingent made their way back towards the harbor where La Providencia waited, fully restocked and ready to depart for the final leg of the journey to the Delaware Bay.
Hundreds of the Kenway employees were already lining up patiently along the pier with their own modest purchases bundled with their belongings. Oldgate, respecting the charter agreement, wasn't taking on any additional paying passengers for this trip.
Alaric and his immediate group greeted the waiting staff with cheerful "Good mornings" and nods… then, much to the staff's continued slight discomfort, the Kenway fam took their place at the very end of the boarding queue once again.
The employees offered polite protests, trying to usher the Kenway family forward, but Leonard and Bernard, following Alaric's lead, simply smiled and insisted they wait their turn.
The awkwardness remained, but beneath it, a stronger sense of shared journey and mutual respect intensified.
'They aren't just employers; they treat us so well…' Where the thoughts of every employee. During this era, employers weren't really kind to their own people.
Minutes passed as the line shuffled forward. Finally, it was their turn. Alaric stepped onto the gangplank, pausing briefly as if checking his boot, and subtly planted another Hiraishin marker on the sturdy wood of the Havana pier. 'Just in case.'
He boarded the ship, followed by Kassandra and the others. Jonathan Hugh was already directing staff to stow the newly acquired cargo below the deck. On the quarterdeck, Captain Oldgate was overseeing the final preparations, ensuring sails were properly furled and the deck was clear for departure.
"Good morning to ye, lad!" Oldgate called out, spotting Alaric.
"Sup, Whitebeard," Alaric replied with a nod. He pulled out a fresh cigar, lighting it with a snap of his fingers and taking a long drag. "Ready to head out?"
"Aye, La Providencia's ready to taste the open water again," Oldgate confirmed, walking over. "But... you sure about this? You're stayin' behind here in Havana?"
"Yep," Alaric nodded, exhaling smoke. "Got a few things to look into. Already told the family yesterday." He glanced towards his parents and aunt and uncle, who were watching him with poorly concealed worry, though they respected his decision.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." He turned back to Oldgate. "Just need to stock your cabin first and leave your final payment."
"Ah, the cigars!" Oldgate's eyes lit up. "Good lad!"
"And the payment... put it in that new chest behind my desk, aye? Like to see that beauty get filled up proper."
Alaric grinned. "Consider it done." He gave a nod to his family and Kassandra, then headed towards the hatch leading down to the captain's quarters.
"And make it Reales this time, lad!" Oldgate shouted after him. "Easier to spend in these waters!"
Down in Oldgate's surprisingly tidy cabin, Alaric quickly fulfilled his promises.
[Money Withdrawal: - 3,000,000 R](£93,750 equivalent)
[Buy: Premium Cigar (Pack) - 10 R]
[Quantity: 100x]
[Total Deduction: - 3,001,000 R]
[Current Balance: 11,641,133,000 R]
He placed the hefty sum of silver Reales neatly inside the captain's new lockbox. Then, he retrieved the hundred packs of premium cigars from his System inventory, stacking them carefully on Oldgate's desk and shelves… enough, indeed, to last the captain a good long while.
(R18)
With his task done, he made his way back towards the great cabin he shared with Kassandra. He found her inside, packing a small satchel with a few essentials she might need if they were separated for longer than expected.
She looked up as he entered, a questioning look in her eyes. "How long do you think you'll be?"
Alaric walked over, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. "Honestly? Not sure," he admitted quietly before he walked over, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"Depends on what I can dig up here about Edward, or where the trail leads next. Could be a few days, could be a week. But," he added, turning her gently to face him, "I'll catch up fast. You know me."
Kassandra studied him, then a sly smirk curved her lips. "Weeks, huh?" she murmured, stepping closer, hands sliding up his chest. "That's too long to go without you…"
She pushed him back until he sat on the bed's edge, her voice dropping to a husky purr. "Guess I'd better give you something to keep me on your mind."
Before he could reply, she sank to her knees, yanking his pants down, freeing his cock. It was already half-hard, and she didn't waste time, licking the tip slow, teasing, then taking him deep into her mouth.
"Fuck... Kassandra..." Alaric groaned as he grabbed her hair, pulling tight as she sucked him off, sloppy and eager.
Her tongue swirled, lips tight, bobbing slow then fast, drawing low curses from him. She moaned around his dick, the vibrations making him twitch, her hands gripping his thighs as she worked him.
She went at it for a while, relentless, saliva dripping, eyes locked on his, daring him to lose it.
His hips bucked, but she held him there, sucking harder, deeper, until he was right on the edge.
"Shit... gonna cum," he growled, and she hummed, taking him all the way as he exploded, shooting cum down her throat. She swallowed every bit, pulling back with a wet pop, licking her lips, smirking.
"Goddamn," Alaric panted, but Kassandra was already standing, peeling off her pants and underwear, revealing her pussy, glistening with how wet she was.
"Look at you, soaked," he said with his voice rough and hot.
"Shut up and lie back," she ordered, shoving him flat on the bed. She climbed over him, straddling his hips, grabbing his still-hard cock and lining it up.
"Fuck, you're too big," she groaned as she sank down, her pussy stretching around his cock, "It's too good... I'm gonna cum any second."
She started riding him, slow at first, moaning loud with her hands braced on his chest. Alaric cursed, "Fuck, Kassandra," watching her tits bounce and her face twist with pleasure.
She sped up, hips slamming down, the bed creaking, her moans turning to screams. "Ahhh!" she shouted, cumming hard, her pussy clenching tight, twitching as she rode out the orgasm, juices dripping.
Alaric hadn't cum yet, his eyes hungry, locked on her. "Keep moving."
"Too sensitive," she whined, still shaking, but his face... fuck, that raw, starving look... made her obey.
She started again, slow, twitching with every move, moaning despite herself. Alaric grabbed her ass, spanking hard, making her yelp, then guiding her faster, harder. "Move," he said with his voice low, and she did, screaming as the sensitivity turned to raw pleasure.
"'Laric! Malákaaa!" she cried, moaning so loud the cabin walls seemed to shake, cumming again, her body jerking.
Alaric wasn't done.
He flexed his core, using momentum to make her ride deeper, faster, his cock hitting every spot. She was a mess, screaming, cumming over and over, barely coherent.
"Fuck, I'm cumming!" Alaric grunted, gripping her hips tight. Kassandra slid off quick, dropping to all fours on the bed, sucking his dick fast, desperate, her mouth became a wet blur going up and down.
He groaned, shooting his load into her mouth, and she swallowed it all, not spilling a drop. She kept going, cleaning his cock with slow, deliberate licks, moaning softly.
Panting, she looked up, sly but exhausted. "You love it, don't you?"
Alaric smirked, catching his breath. "Hell yeah. You sucking my dick? Turns me on like crazy."
Kassandra gave his cock one last, long lick, grinning. "From now on, I'll suck you dry every damn day."
His eyes widened, and his huge dick was already twitching, hardening again. He grinned, dark and hungry. "Then how 'bout you suck it again?"
She smirked, licking her lips. "With pleasure," she purred, diving back in, her mouth wrapping around him, ready to start it all over.
---R18 Finished---
Minutes later, a slightly flushed Alaric emerged back onto the main deck, adjusting his coat. Kassandra was knocked out on the bed, so he could only head out alone after locking the door from the inside with his Vulcan.
He headed towards the railing where the gangplank had been, ready to disembark. He looked up towards the quarterdeck and saw Oldgate leaning there, watching him with an amused glint in his eye, puffing away on one of the newly acquired cigars.
"Stocked you up, Whitebeard!" Alaric called up, shielding his eyes from the sun's glare. "Payment's in your chest too!"
"That's great, lad! Knew I could count on ye!" Oldgate grinned, taking a long, luxurious drag. He gave a mock salute with his cigar. "Well... see ye when I see ye, then. Try not to get yourself killed before I spend all this silver!"
Alaric chuckled and nodded. "Will do."
He walked to the edge of the deck. The gangplank was already gone, the gap between the ship and the pier widening slightly as the crew began casting off mooring lines. Without hesitation, Alaric took a casual leap, easily clearing the distance and landing softly on the sturdy wooden planks of the Havana dock.
He turned back to watch La Providencia. As the last line was cast off, Oldgate's voice boomed across the water, overriding the sounds of the busy harbor.
"Hoist the sails! Weigh anchor! Set course northwest! Delaware Bay awaits, ye dogs!"
The massive sails unfurled efficiently, catching the morning breeze. Slowly and majestically, the great galleon began to pull away from the pier, turning her bow towards the open sea.
Alaric watched her go, seeing Oldgate already back in conversation with his navigator, cigar smoke trailing behind him. A faint smile touched Alaric's lips.
'Alright,' he thought, turning away from the departing ship. He glanced around the busy Havana dock, then towards a shadowed alleyway nearby. 'Time to set up the distribution network before heading to Nassau.'
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