Stena takes Io's freakout as an opportunity to try and rip free one of the mandibles.

SoH: 6

(Sigh.)

Thom ponders for a moment on what Buppido says after Lex translates (I forgot about that!) and tells Lex to say back to Buppido "Perhaps."

"Only perhaps? You like their company so much you want to stay when I go?"

Galingal is unsure if there's no real response from Topsy because she's uncommunicative or because she doesn't speak the language. He tests the mask with his fingers while finishing with the potatoes seeing how much give it has against his face. If he does find something, he might be able to slip it between his face and the mask.

Otherwise, he's not going to do too much - one of his work detail companions is clearly gagged or injured and can't talk, and the other either doesn't understand anything he says or also can't talk.

Thom gently elbows Lex and says "Ok... ask him when he plans on leaving and how he plans on doing so, yeah?"

Can Thom get an idea as to Buppido's mental state? Thom thinks the prince (whether he's right or wrong is TBD!) is nuts, but he is trying to get an idea of Buppido's mental state to see if he should be included in a potential escape plan. 

Insight 12

Lex willingly plays translator for Thom and Buppido, adding on after relaying Buppido's first response to Thom, "He might be crazy." She then continues to give the messages back and forth without any comment.

Back at the cell, she also shrugs helplessly at Lia's strange written question.

(Can I make a "is Buppido crazy" insight check as well? 2)

(Hell yeah this'll be interesting)

Lia:

You try sending healing into yourself repeatedly as you are marched out of the slave pens, and feel it take hold as you step onto the rope bridge. It would seem whatever area of effect extends a short distance past the bars. ((Give me an Arcana check.))

Lia and Galingal: 

Lia, Topsy looks back and forth between you and Galingal in a bit of confusion after he addresses her.

She tentatively reaches out and touches his hand, folding it into a pointing finger, that she allows to rest on her little hand. "Topsy."

She pulls her hand free and rests her finger on the back of Galingal's hand, flashing Lia a questioning look.

Stena and Io:

Stena, as you grasp the mandible to snap it free, the beetle rouses a bit and chomps down on your hand, dealing 1 piercing damage, and clamping hold.

"Oh, man! Should have taken bets which one of us got bit first! Though my imaginary money would have been on you, no offense.", Jimjar says, pointing at Io.

One of the drow guards laughs maliciously, and nudges his companion as they sneer at Stena's plight. There'd be no being able to 'pocket' a mandible without being noticed now.

Lex and Thom:

Thom, you're having trouble getting a read on Buppido, the need for translation only making it tougher. But he's putting on an outwardly friendly, congenial demeanor, so if he's crazy, at least he's a pleasant crazy?

((Lex, I can't recall if I had you make a History check for derro, but let's go ahead and have you roll one?))

Lia’s Arcana check: 22 

Lia ponders the implications, but doesn't have any breakthrough realizations.

Stena's face reddens in anger as she looks down at the half stunned bug weakly trying to bite her hand but not causing any real damage.

She uses her other hand to help open the mandibles and pull her hand free and tells Io and Jimjar,

"Shut up and help me toss it in before it wakes up completely."

Which is probably the most she has said to anyone yet.

Strength(?) check to pull hand free: 18

((If it is athletics add 2. Keep them good rolls coming!))

Galingal nods at the feel of Topsy's hand and then opens his hands, fingers fanned out.

"Mute, blind, and foreign tongue," Galingal finally says. "We would not get far."

He resigns himself to finishing the kitchen duty in silence.

"Yeah, sure... ummm, let's see."

Jimjar STR check: 9

The deep gnome gets his fingers in alongside yours and cracks the mandibles open, the beetle toppling over the edge and getting pounced upon by one of the giant spiders. 

"You all right?", he holds your hand, looking it over. "Don't think it broke the skin, that's good!"

One of the drow doesn't seem to like you being so close to one another, and hollers something at you in Undercommon, gesturing for you to separate. Jimjar backs up.

Stena pulls back her hand and moves away from the gnome saying quietly, in undercommon,

"Thank you."

 While rubbing her lightly bruised hand.

As Lia leaves the cell for work in the morning, she tries repeatedly to heal to herself. When she gets to the rope bridge, it works, and she feels light, and warmth, and love… for just a fraction of a second… and then it’s gone.

Maybe there’s some hope though. There is good here, and magic… and hope.

Later in the day, she’s working, and Topsy tries to communicate with Galingal. She watches and understands the frustration. When topsy looks over at her, she doesn’t understand what she’s asking her with her eyes. But she understands the frustration she must be feeling, and the fear and loneliness.

Lia steps over to little Topsy, kneels down and gives her a hug. She hums a low, low, note that resonates through her chest into the little girl, a deep rumble almost like a cat’s purr. Reassuring.

Then she pulls away and holds Topsy at arms length, looking at her. She tries to make her eyes say ‘It’ll be okay’. But eyes can’t say that. She smiles with her eyes as best she can and nods.

History check: 18

"Are we just gonna forget that Jimjar just literaly opened the mouth of a beetle's mouth and he looks more rested then I do after resting for 2 days?" Io spoke so everyone around her could hear, then she got closer to Jimjar so only him could hear in theory at least but like before it was a bit too loud " Jimjar if you can break us out of jail not only you don't have to pay what you owe me but I even give you a coin, heck i think we all do" Her exictment was truly palpable

Stena looks furtively between Io, Jimjar and the Drow in the cell (or if this happens before they are back in the pen to the other Drow guarding them).

She makes a shushing motion to Io, but does listen closely to what Jimjar responds.

Lia and Galingal:

Topsy looks at Lia and says, "Topsy.", while pointing to herself. She then points at the two of them.

Lex and Thom:

Lex, you look back and forth between the cheerful derro and the somewhat surly half-elf with two rabbit pelts as a hat. Perrrhaaaaps it's not Buppido's sanity that should be questioned.

Io and Stena:

Jimjar shakes his head, "No, you won that wager fair and square, but I'll bet you TWO gold that we are out of here before feeding time the day after tomorrow?"

Galingal hears the word Topsy spoken. With the mask covering his eyes he can only guess at the context. He repeats it once "Topsy". 

He thinks for a moment. It doesn't sound like anything he's heard before. 

"Drow must be amused," Galingal says. "Lia can not talk. Other speak different language. I can not see."

Then he stops. Lia is the one who seems to be gagged, much like he has been blindfolded. Perhaps Topsy wasn't a word for something. Maybe it was a word for someone.

He points to where he thinks Lia is and says, "Lia."

Then he moves his hand to where he thinks the word Topsy came from and again says "Topsy."

Finally he points at himself and says "Galingal."

I suppose that's progress of a sort, Galingal thinks to himself. 

In a hushed voice he continues, in common, "Lia, if see scarred drow, tell. I try talk to him. Shadar-kai have language similar to most elves." 

"Lia. Galingal.", Topsy seems relieved that she was understood and was able to learn your names.