Aya's brow raises curiously toward Sylyra, her attention shifting between the goliath examining her display case and the elf speaking with her monkey. The monkey scratches its head, spinning in a circle before sitting on its haunches, chattering at Sylyra all the while.

For Sylyra:

Sylyra can't help but glance at the female elf before continuing in Sylvan, "You seem worried about Aya. Is everything OK?"

Uragum stands up and shifts from foot to foot.  "So... how many people know of this ward?" He asks of Aya.

"Myself alone," Aya smiles, looking proud. "Well, and now you all."

For Sylyra:

Sylyra turns and smiles at the beautiful elf. "Would it be all right to offer your little friend a ration?"

OOC: DM, I'd like to add this monkey as a new wildshape for Sylyra. What animal should I add to his list? There isn't a generic "monkey".

"You're free to see if he'll take it. Hillocke is rather spoiled," Aya chuckles. She turns to the others and asks, "Now then, is there anything else I can assist you with?"

OOC: We can use the stat block of the Baboon for that shape.

Sylyra takes one of his rations and extends it toward Hillocke in his open palm. "This is for you, little one," he says in Sylvan.

"Well, it seems that is not correct.  That or you took the book and staged a theft.  You see," Uragum said as he leaned by the case and pointed to thr flawed spot of the spell.  "This was damaged rending the spell sequence useless.  I find it highly suspect that it was done by pure chance."

Hillocke sniffs at the dry rations, but pushes against Sylyra's hand, turning his head away from the offering. It hops onto the post again and back onto Aya's shoulder.

Aya giggles, placing a hand on Uragum's shoulder as she moves past him to look more closely at the display case herself. "I find you most impressive. I thought myself quite clever with the placement of these runes. You are correct, whoever took the book knew exactly what they were doing," she says.

Sylyra scowls and puts the ration away. "Who is Master Oriole?" he asks, referring back to Aya's welcoming comment.

"I beg your pardon?" Aya asks before realizing, "Oh! Master Openrael, you mean. He is the Head Curator of the library. He's a bit...obsessive when it comes to keeping track of the library's collection. I'm sure he's very displeased that a book of such value was stolen under my watch."

"It's interesting that you would assume Master Openrael believes you had something to do with the book's disappearance," Sylyra says coolly. "After what your monkey friend told me, and with Uragum finding what is clearly an intentional flaw in your protection spell, I can't say that I blame him. Why don't you tell us where the book is? Perhaps we can come to some understanding that will keep you from feeling the full brunt of Openrael's displeasure."

Insight check, please, as he accuses her.

OOC: Sorry for the delay, expected travel but unexpected chaos involved.

Sylyra Insight: 14

"I can forgive your ignorance of my career," Aya answers Sylyra with a wink, still smiling, "But I'm not so stupid after 300 years of life to believe that the short-term monetary gain of selling this book would be worth the inconvenience of losing its history and hypotheses, while also gathering the undue attention of Master Openrael."

"You understand, I believe," Aya directs to Uragum.

For Sylyra:

"Unless releasing the book brought something to you greater than gold.  Such as favors, prestige or a position of power with another organization," Uragum says as a counter.

"Gold is rarely the aim of an elf," Sylyra agrees with his wizardly comrade. Somewhere in his convoluted mind, he notes the irony in his statement. He takes enough steps toward Aya to apply pressure without being too threatening. "You're hiding something," he hisses, lowering his voice to keep the individuals around the room not involved in the conversation from hearing him. "We will uncover the truth." He flashes a grin. "That's why we've been hired. Again, I offer: Work with us, and the consequences of your indiscretion may be more ... palatable."

With the others in her group occupied in conversation, Briny decides to take a look at the layout of the room, walking around to look closer at any windows or doors that there might be, looking at the floor for any signs that furniture may have been moved, generally trying to tell if there's anything that seems out of place.

((not sure if you consider that more investigation or perception, but they are almost the same modifier))

Hex sees Briny taking a look around and follows behind her, aiding in her search. (Help action on whatever roll she'll need to do)

Sylyra Persuasion: 21
Briny Perception (Advantage-Help): 23

"I've told you everything I know," Aya scoffs. She sighs and moves a hand on the side of Sylyra's shoulder to look him in the eyes. "I would greatly appreciate if you would not lump me in with the stereotypes of our race. I assume that you, like myself, are here in Phlan because you don't share those same characteristics."

She says to Uragum, "My interest is in spreading knowledge of magic and the Weave; in tutoring and demonstrating what Mystra has given this world. That is it. And now, my most valuable asset in doing so has been taking from me."

"It sounds like your minds are made up. If you have learned what you came for, then I ask that you please leave so that I may return to my tutoring," she tells the group.

For Briny and Hex: