[Şmøöţh Śăīłįñğ]

[26]

The purple female honestly felt rather cozy despite her current surroundings. Her father had arranged an outing for Aleena and Jules - much to their dismay. The teal hedgehog had a plan however; he had arranged a meet up between the two, Alumin and Reno in a rather run down tavern by the docks.

Before going in, Alumin had bought clothes he deemed 'piratey' enough for disguises. Aleena ended up wearing a white blouse with long, frill sleeves, black trousers, a corset belt and heeled brown boots that went up to their knee. Seen as Aleena would have to do a full change, the three males stood around her with their backs turned, ensuring no one could look at her or try anything.

Aleena wrapped her arm around the silver hedgehog's, becomming slightly nervous as Reno opened the door to the tavern. To her suprise, it was a rather quaint tavern. A fireplace was located on the right wall, stairs leading up to presumably the guest lodging rooms on the left. A bar was positioned in the very far right corner with a maze of table and chairs spaced around the room.

The four took their seats in the far corner, leaving one chair empty on their table. Alumin and Aleena sat at one side, Reno and Jules on the other end with an empty seat at the head of the table.

"Hopefully my father doesn't learn I crossed the border again." Alumin mumbled. Juled shrugged, uncaringly flicking his wrist at the silver hedgehog. "Even if he does find out, your uncle will probably lie you out of it, won't he?" He responded. Aleena tilted her head. "Aren't you staying with your uncle?" She asked. Alumin nodded "My father would go out of his way to punish me if he found out. He would definitley travel across the world." He reasoned. Aleena nodded. Her father probably would have done the same honestly.

Reno looked around the bar, as if looking out for someone, before looking back at the group. "What drinks do you guys want?" He asked. Everyone gave their drinks and Reno went up to order very quickly soon after. The three chatted to one another as they waited, an older man - possibly in his twenties - sat at the table.

He was red in colour, poising green eyes with unusual slit pupils. He styled his quills in a very unusual way, five quills with an upwards flick at the tips. Aleena merely stared in silence, shocked a man had just pulled up a chair at a table of young teens. "Sorry I'm late." The man smiled. Jules rolled his eyes "Punctuality, 'Nik." He reminded, mockingly, in a curt voice. The man gave him an unamused look.

Reno finally re-emerged from the bar. He set down the drinks and looked at the man with an unpleased frown before saying "You can get your own drink." And sitting firmly next to Jules. The teal hedgehog could only smirk at the seemingly out of character male.

An ebony female then suddenly walked up. She had bright blue streaks and round orange eyes. She leant against the man, giving the group a look over. "C'mon Robo, don't annoy señor celoso." She joked. She had a thick Möbico accent. "si esta celoso el puede salir." The man replied. Aleena couldn't understand him, but she could tell he wasn't quite fluid in his stuttering and unsure pronunciations. The woman just laughed at whatever he said. "The crew is ready to go by the way." She smirked, giving Reno a wink.

__________________________________

Shadow and Sonic had chosen to hide away on the balcony with the crew. They were discussing what they were going to do, and that wasn't something they wanted anyone to overhear.

"Good job we left the boat beneath here, huh?" Rouge pointed out. The crews boat - somehow not being taken by the navy upon Shadow and Sonic being kidnapped - had been parked just beneath the balcony. They could easily jump down - or fly down in Rouge and Tails' case - when they were ready. "I would honestly take you as being smarter, given your background, and yet you constantly disappoint me." Shadow stated. Sonic couldn't help but laugh at the chalantness of his husband. Scourge couldn't help but snicker too.