Fine by me - I was on prolonged holidays myself.
I’m still in. Moving forward, if I’m ever late to a choice I give you my leave to force resolution without me and approximate what I’d do - Harald isn’t exactly the most complex of characters on the surface so I’m sure the transition would be seamless 
I’m still on vacation, and having to type stuff slowly and laboriously on my phone. But otherwise still interested.
Very much still in.
If the 5th Edition game that I’m thinking about starting gets enough interest, I will bow out of this game for its own sake - 7 players is a lot.
I am still in. Probably going to be a little busy this weekend, but things will settle after labor day. Right now my actions stand as previously noted.
And it looks like the 5e game is getting started, so I will bow out. Had a wonderful time, guys!
I’m enjoying the game, but I can drop also if you want to get a better handle on things.
No, I’d be just as happy to have everyone stay, but I did want to provide an easy opportunity for a gracious bow-out if anyone was looking.
There are still PMs flying behind the scenes, but we can move on. Who’s going to meet the Valentes in the morning, given that Joseph won’t be there?
I’ll be there - with a nasty hangover.
Taye will be there also, though as an obvious foreigner and a loud-mouth he’s not suited for leadership. Just a vocal conscience 
I will be there, unless something comes up as a result of the last PM I sent.
aha, the plot thickens 
I’m assuming everyone except Joseph will meet the Doge.
In the morning, Joseph bids Taye farewell, but explains that he’s received an urgent letter from home and must return to Valencia. He gathers his belongings and hurries out to purchase passage on a ship headed westward.
Two guardsmen greet you at the door and hurry you upward to the library, where Marco Valente, his father the Doge, and Signore Alessio are waiting. Marco gets straight to the point: “I thought Signore Benevento was to meet us. Where is he?”
“Dunno. Ain’t seen him since yesterday. Didn’t want to meet the choice locals with me.
We didn’t scrag him over his share of the last job if that’s what you mean. Well darting sideglance at Giacomo I know **I **didn’t, at any rate.”
“I haven’t seen him since we parted ways.”
I would like to use my Perception skill to see if Valente or Alessio react to what Taye is saying. If Perception can’t be used that way then please use Bluff.
“At dinner last evening, Joseph appeared as usual to me. When we met this morning, however, he spoke of receiving an urgent message from some person named Correia and said he must leave quickly. As he left I believe I heard mention of Volpe? And de Porto? It seemed strange, but as he was beholden to none of us, I wished him farewell. He made no assurances on when, or if he would return.”
“Signore Benevento simply left? I see.” Marco Valente frowns deeply. “Will one of your number be acting in his stead as my primary contact with your band?”
Neither Valente nor Alessio react to any of your dropped names, but Doge Valente’s eyes flicker briefly toward Alessio at the mention of “Volpe”. At a nod from Marco, Alessio scribbles briefly on scrap of paper.
Harald crosses his arms and starts looking around, his gaze placidly going from companion to companion in the universal language of Somebody Else’s Problem.
Sighing deeply, taking note of the Doge’s nod.
"Taye is willing to take on the onerous burden of leadership. Though, to be fair, he should get a larger share of any profits. Only to spare my friends that chore of course.
And, in all fairness, I must say, Taye is here on personal business as well.
What say you all?"
Giacomo is curious about the nod, and has no desire at all to take on a leadership role.
“I am willing to follow your lead, my friend.” he says to Taye