Whereas the old 'Jack' might've found amusement in the commentary, a dark look flashes across the current one's face at the mention of someone gettting 'handsy' with Nivi. However, he refrains from either commenting or interrupting for more details, and instead devoted his attention towards the laid out map; all but fully allowing himself to lose focus on everything else to study its contents, and commit as much as possible to memory. At the added insistence on wanting Urwin as a friend, on the other hand, Jack finally looks up at Nivi with a raised brow, before turning to the aforementioned man, assuming he hadn't left the bar by then to handle other business elsewhere.

... Which fortunately wasn't the case! "If he's been your main supplier for some time despite the... bad blood, do you have any guesses at least on why the change of heart? Or is the matter of this supposed theft a more recent thing?" Jack asks of Urwin. Then once he has his answers there, he turns to the other party members, "The next festival wasn't meant for today, was it?  Or might we have a few days at least? I... I'm sorry if this already mentioned, but... well-..." He gestures to his head before throwing out a defeated shrug. "Because depending on how much time we have, we... could pay the winery a visit on our way to visit the camp for our other, uhm.. reward? And once we're out, I can maybe confirm a few..." Jack trails off midsentence as another thought occurs to him. "... Urwin." He looks over warily to the man. "The village of Barovia and this place are the only major settlements in these lands, correct? At least the only ones likely to have any n-nobles, right?"

Nivi smiles as Urwin speaks up and is forthcoming with her crew.  Need a nickname for him.  'Winewing'?  'Ravenous'?  Nah.  Got to be something better...

To JackV2, she responds, "Festival's today.  Least that's what Lu-lu laid out in his pitch for Beren.  You feeling all right, Shorty?  Have to head back to the Vistani camp just south of here beforehand to ask for the 'Treasure of Aht Urgan', but I'm thinking this Merlot Mage supplier's got to wait until after.  As for other settlements, thinking Smiley mentioned another village called 'Krezk' while she was dishing it out about us acting like we own the place.  Well me acting that way, anyway.  Think she might like me even more than old Lu-lu does."  She trails off looking at the others, then back at JackV2.

"Not for nothing, Shorty, but best I could tell yesterday, everything was a funny game to you.  Strahd biting back on the dusk elves and the entire town, our rescue of the kid out on the lake, Bubbles' accusation.  Now all of a sudden, your memory's shot, and you looked bent out of shape that Lu-lu smacked my rump... it's all good with me how you roll, but you sure you didn't take a solid shot to the dome?"

There is no hostility in Nivi's voice.  She just wants to know she can count on her crew.  And now that she has a job for them, she is having doubts...

Nevertheless, she and Shiv are ready to head out for the Vistani camp and the supposed 'treasure' when everyone else is.

Jack tried to effect a smile in response to Nivi's concerns, but it was a far cry from the day's prior barely contained exuberance. He finds himself then looking to the others, and if they too appeared curious to the point of being near insistent in just their looks(as far as he could tell at least), he'd feign a defeated sigh and shrug a bit.

"If only! But alas, no such easily rememedied problems is the source of my, eh... current state." He admits. "And seeing as how the matter of the whole visit to the winery is to be put on hold in any event, I suppose I can try to clear the air a bit. But be warned that most of what I have to say is me making assumptions to a degree about things, as I'm far from where I need to be to confirm anything." He confesses. Jack then closest his eyes and takes a breath, appearing to calm his nerves a bit more before gently folding his hands in his lap. "As you or two of you at least should well know, we Eladrin are, uhm... I hate to use the word prone to, so I'll say instead that we are some of the closest reflection of our dear father Corellon, patron diety and creator of the Tel-quessir, right? And as such, everything from our form to our moods can a bit more... mercurial than most mortal races. Especially for those that remain in the Feywild, and refuse to venture beyond its borders least the lose too much of their color... somewhat like myself." He explained.

"Because of our somewhat mecurial state of being, it makes us exceptionally sensitive to our environment, and most receptive changing accordingly. But not always for the better..." He bows his head. "When I..... When I went about the equivalent-" He grimaces. "Of a morning prayer, I felt the land for the first time. -Truly- connected with it since I've arrived here. And to put things at its simplest, something is... wrong with it. It feels... sick. Tainted, but.. not... not here, at least to some extent." He shakes his head. "Overall, the experience was so jarring that I could no longer stay in my Spring, and now I'm closer to Fall. And until the land is restored, I don't think I'll be returning to my more springily state any time soon. Not without a copious amount of drugs involved." He said the last part offhandedly as if it was a throw away joke. "I'll need to go to a place of natural power to really confirm anything. But such a journey can wait! So enough about me."

"For now, I presume we are to head to the burgomasters to sort out our role to things closest to come? Or would you all prefer to explore the town a bit and 'enjoy' the festivities for now, yes?"

Whether sitting or standing at this point (dependent on Olamoira's actions lol), Beren stays quiet for the most part. He gives Jack a surprised look when he walks about... his current state. Though he finds it odd that it took this long for reality to sink in for the elf, it does make his behavior the last few days make sense. Honestly, it's probably a good thing that he's grown more somber, it might increase his survival. Though, seeing such a change in Jack...well it does make Beren a little uneasy. If Jack's emotions are so effected by the land... well, likely he won't be feeling very upbeat anytime soon. 

He grimaces slightly at the prospect of 'enjoying' the festivities. He'd seriously considered taking whatever he decides to order for breakfast and staying in his room until needed. However, it would probably be better to head out before his 'showing', hopefully then he'd draw at least a little less attention to himself. 

With a sigh he orders bread and cheese for himself, paying whatever price Uwin asks before turning to his companions. "Personally, I would like to leave town as soon as Luvash has me...do whatever he's wanting me to do, and we collect our payment for it. We can head to the Vistani camp to retrieve the supposed 'treasure' while we are waiting for the blasted festival to start, and then make our way to the Winery directly afterwards if that is a job you all wish to take." He looks downwards slightly, "Unless there is a different course of action you wish to take."

Jack appears thoughtful for a second or two before faintly nodding in agreement. He then turns about long enough to quickly scarf down the rest of breakfast, before then ultimately hopping out of his seat and dusting himself off. Now that he stood up, it's even clearer the eladrin lost several inches in height in exchange of at least appearing more robust. "Then my friends it sounds as if we aughta get crack'n. Even if we got a few hours to kill in the in between time, this is a pretty big city, and the streets aren't exactly the most familiar to us. Who knows what we might get wrapped up in once things are in full swing around here." 

He furrows his brow and rubs his chin. "Yes... yes, better to be prepared." He mutters, then looks to Urwin. "Thanks again for breakfast, and our most sincerest apologies for the delay on making inquiries at the Winery. Rest assured that we will be on the case afore long." Jack went on to assure the man, and even reach over the counter to try and shake his hands for good measure. He then turns to the party once more -- or more accurately to Nivi. "Seeing as you have the map, mind leading us on? I think it was... the western gate that was closest. So, we aughta be heading that way quickly if we're to make the most of the day." He suggests, and would readily follow the crimson haired rogue out and about.

(Allowign for IC discussion, this is still mostly a player-driven scene. and time is 'normal' slow.)

Olamoira immediately sits at Beren's bidding, with a reverent bow to him. So she sits with the others, as if an equal, her posture deferent and quiet, her hood partly hiding her dark face, saying nothing for quite some time. But, she is watching Jack. Is every manner of elf a stranger, corrupted in some way? No doubt my kind have the darkest curse, but such suffering a mercurial nature must cause. Though we petitioned an evil power for our status, and drew the robes of a false security and prestige around our shoulders for our bloody deeds and disruption.

She makes no response to Urwin's affability, though she smiles at him in gratitude. Likely he doesn't see it under the shadow of her hood. But Olamoira has no money. My walk here is one of reparation and penance, not of feasting or pleasantry. Even in her youth she disregarded such things for the austerity and ritual of the temple, and whatever draw they might have had to her nature at one time, her senses have become so dulled to them from long meditation and torment that she barely feels a reaction to the smell of breakfast cooking. Indeed, the only sight which seems to delight her is the celestial Light pouring off of Beren.

While the other three discuss their options and tentatively lay out a plan of action for the day, she looks up, meeting each of their gazes momentarily before looking at Beren. "I am at your service," she says. "Lead, and I will follow."

Beren hesitates a moment, light flickering as he has mixed feelings about Olamoira's quick obedience. He hadn't meant to order her around, he just didn't want her standing behind them as if she was some sort of servant. Yet how can that be helped when she acts like a servant? After a moment he sighs, and then sits back down sharing his thoughts about the job in question. 

When Olamoira speaks up, he turns his mask to her and sighs, "I'm not a leader. I never have been." He looks away, light flickering sporadically as he tries to figure out what to say. "Stop acting like a servant. You are your own person, and that isn't something everyone can claim." He falls silent, the light behind the mask dimming drastically for a moment. Then he lets out another breath, sending a puff of light out the mask as the glow returns to its former brilliance. He doesn't look at Olamoira, or even Jack when he speaks up again. 

Then he realizes that the dark elf is the only one who hasn't eaten. Had she also refused the money Luvash had offered? Why? Did she not have money to spend? Or was she simply not hungry? If he's received the bread and cheese that he asked for, he breaks each in half before standing up. Hesitantly, he places the two halves on the bar in front of Olamoira, "There is no need to starve yourself." Then he turns to the stairs with his half of the food in hand, "I will return shortly." 

With that he heads back to his room where he eats the meager breakfast and does his best to mentally prepare himself for whatever the rest of the day brings. It takes him little more than 10 minutes to do this, after which he heads back down the stairs and rejoins the group. He doesn't explain his actions, and doesn't look to see if Olamoira took the food he gave her. Instead he just asks the group, "Are we ready for departure?" He looks to Nivi just as Jack had done, waiting for her to lead the way as she is the current map holder. 

Though Olamoira had listened without response to just about everything Beren has said to her, she thinks his continued protestations against her service probably need one. Humans are young, they see little but what is right in front of them... how to explain? 

"Once when I bound myself to servitude, I found myself a slave to what I would not," she replies, after thinking for a moment. "It was my own choice to sever my ties and leave... though there was little enough of me left to do so... but for what purpose would I walk free in the upper world? For my own sake? There is nothing for me there, and I have turned my back on what lies below. You have been blessed by the Divine power that I have sought, to beg forgiveness for my terrible crimes. To the aims of that celestial order do I bind myself in reparation, for by my own free hand, so stained with blood, I cannot better the world or lessen the taint of evil upon it. Only if I put that hand to the sword blessed, and then not I, but the celestial power I have made oath to, can right the wrongs of the world." Olamoira smiles brilliantly, and lifts her head so that her eyes are clearly visible underneath her hood. "That same celestial power has touched you, and you have a mission here, Beren... a mission to destroy evil... I wish to be a handmaid to that mission. I have much to make atonement for... please do not deny it to me." This last is the first request she has made of him, whatever he may have assumed about her postures of devotion, and her posture folds in on herself, her head lowering again, as if she just realized the audacity of what she is asking. To ask is to risk refusal... but it must be done, or I have no right to be retained.

Ola looks momentarily surprised at the bread and cheese Beren sets down in front of her as he departs. But she eats it without hesitation, with the same quick obedience that she sat down with.

Beren clenches his fists when Olamoira says he's been 'blessed by the Divine power'. It is not a blessing. It is a curse and that's all he's ever seen it as. If not for it, he would not be here. He would never have been taken by the Church. He would never have lost so much. But how was this drow supposed to know that? He won't offer up such information, as to reveal it would be to relive the past. It isn't worth it. So what should he do? 

"I did not ask for this. ...I did not...do not want it," he says hesitantly. He stops, taking note of her smile and gaze filled with... something other than fear. How can he allow himself to put an end to whatever happiness she gained from her delusions of the divine? Yet how can he let her continue thinking that he was touched by some god? It was not divinity that gave him this power. It was stolen and forced into him. Yet how can he explain that? He lets out a long breath, "If you think this is what you want, I will not take it from you. I understand a quest for redemption, and I will not ask you to reveal whatever blood is on your hands. All I ask is that you walk beside me as an equal. I destroy evil because that is what I am driven to do, not because some god asked it of me. This power you call divinity is naught but hell fire in my eyes." His hand momentarily strays to his chest, as if clutching an old wound, but he quickly lets it fall, "If you must follow me, do so as a comrade, not a servant." 

As Jack expounds about Corellon and the Tel-quessir, Nivi sincerely tries to listen but cannot help flashing back once more to her adolescence in Silverymoon.  Her long-winded tutor droning on as her sister Tara'ele listened raptly.  She catches herself beginning to fidget and instead grabs a utensil and begins popping the fruit she ordered for breakfast in her mouth, chewing methodically in a desperate attempt to keep herself focused.

"Um-hmnn.  That is very interesting, Shorty.  Something tainted with the land?  Never would've guessed it.  I mean, other than the swarms of zombies and other undead, wolves, werewolves, dark druids, barbarians, hags running a windmill called Old Bonegrinder, fog that only lets the Vistani out, ruled over by a nice guy in a dark castle who maybe enchanted the town drunk into trying to drown the Burgomaster's daughter and frame me for it."

Nivi winks at Jack as she ribs him, trying to take the sting out of her sarcasm.  "So Summer now, close to Fall for you, Shorty.  I'm partial to those months anyway so all good.  And you get your hands on a 'copious amount of drugs', you cut me in, yeah?  We crew together, we all get our beaks wet."

"Speaking of which," Nivi turns to nod at Urwin.  "The Wine Wizard's too far away for a day job, so we hit that after the Festival today."

She lowers her voice, speaking privately to the the party only as Shiv slowly blinks once on her shoulder.  "Vistani camp just south of town is what we hit NOW.  Same place I was chatting up Lu-Lu when you all first strolled up.  He was pretty clear about going there first.  'tomorrow before things get started, go out to the place we all met, and ask for the treasure of Aht urgan, you'll understand when you're there'.  Map I got's not a Vallaki map.  It's for the whole Barovia valley.  Vallaki's just a dot.  So it's no help getting us to any town gate, Shorty.  But I already know how to get to the Vistani camp."

Nivi is beginning to wonder how many times she is going to have to explain and repeat the obvious to her new crew when Olamoira and Beren start up.

She can't help but nod when the glowing masked man with the chest-ache asks the dark elf to be his comrade, not a servant, and suggests she eat something for once.  Nivi even slides a few pieces of her fruit over companionably, but something in Olamoira's words catches her notice, intermingled amidst the litany of holiness Nivi has already learned to tune out.  Terrible crimes... by my own free hand... stained with blood...

A warmth of recognition fills Nivi.  So my parents' dumb horror stories about drow bogeymen had something to them.  She looks Olamoira in the eye.

No accusation or judgement.  Only calm appraisal.  "So.  Prophet.  You are a killer."  Takes one to know one.  Though I seek no atonement.

(I will post a little tonight. Absolutely loving this character development!l)

Urwin had, of course responded to everyone's orders, particularly the ones that didn't require cooking. As they would obviously be faster and easier to fulfil. The fruit here looked like a lower quality version of what one might expect elsewhere. Rather than shiny, an apple would appear a few days old even when fresh. But the people here liekly ate them. Urwins smile seemed genuine enough. When not being spoken to he lightly tended to the tables inso far as to dust or rag-wash them, or cleaning the general area, he made sure he was available without seeming intrusive.

(And before I forget, i can't give a better map without it being the DM's version so if you see a spot on the map just circle it in MS paint and post from imgur and ask!)

At various points, particularly Moira's Urwin does seem to pay a bit more attention than usual as he pushbrooms the floor. Though he easily snaps back to attention when spoken to by Jack It's of no bother. One more day cannot hurt much. Besides, you made promises to the Burgomaster. Oh! and Arabelle is still upstairs but resting. Please leave her be for now, as you well know she's been through a lot. However I'm sure she would love to meet her saviors when she is well! There is, and yet is not a rush... i you all were not here, I would have no one to ask. The guards will nto leave the city without the burgomasters order and as much as Luvash understands keeping people happy ... he won't risk their safety to check on a single element of it.

(All in all everyones order totals about 1 gold piece total between everyone so just take out 25 coppers worth for each person eating.)

(Aww, I thought he gave Jack the lettuce for free! T

Where Spring Jack would have found amusement in the ribbing from Nivi, Autumn looked anything anything but. Although mild annoyance turns to confusion at the repetition of entirety of the plan from Nivi. For apart from everyone else finishing up breakfast and the 'odd' tangent Beren and Olamoira appeared to have found themselves in at one point, the plan seemed establish enough apart from figuring a way out of the town and its whole gate situation, as the town's exits weren't all too clear beyond the two... at least to him, from vague recall.

However, an initial attempt to open his mouth to speak instead gives way to a pause in thought and the Eladrin ultimately rubbing his chin in thought. "If time permits, then may yet shall see Arabelle again. For now-" Jack pulls out two gold pieces and slides them across the bar over to Urwin. "For the meal and insight into things." He then hops out of his seat and the doors; a measure of impatience getting the better of him for a moment. He would stop and look back, half-hopeful to see that in between words the others did spend some time quickly polishing their breakfast by that point. Although likely not given the course of Beren and Olamoira's conversation. Irregardless, if the others appeared to need more time, then apart from a tight smile in answer to any questions about where he was going, the Eladrin stepped out afterwards with the intent to look about along the road for any patrolling guardsman and call out to them, asking quite plainly for directions to the western gate! 

Jackception: 7.
(If needed to spot patrolmen moving through the area near Urwin's bar)

A comrade, not a servant. Ola muses for a minute on what the difference really is. Perhaps both of us have little enough sense of who we are, unfettered by the will of others to direct our destiny. Blessed? Cursed? If the same power drives us, how shall we be anything but comrades, however differently we may view that power's intrusion on our lives? So, she nods. "I will stand as your comrade. So we must be, if we are both servants of the Divine. Willingly or no," she adds, remembering his previous words.

The drow looks first at the offered fruit, and then at Nivi as the high elf makes her blunt observation. Revulsion crawls on Ola's skin at Nivi's seeming disregard of the horror of her crimes. "Yes, I was a killer," she says, a little coldly. "I have had the grace to repent of it." Though Ola obediently ate the bread and cheese, she doesn't touch the proffered fruit, as if unwillingly to take such intimate association with one who holds such crimes so lightly. "Know you this, young elf. The light can have no part with darkness. While I strive to leave behind the darkness, I keep my eyes on the light. The state of twilight is the state of readiness, of judgment. It is only a threshold, for one cannot live in both the light and the dark. But one can pass between them as one wills. Choose carefully."

For the first time that anyone present has seen, a hint of sadness touches Nivi's eyes, gone almost before it appears.  Her voice becomes less clipped and more melodic, closer to that of Niva'ele Farstrider of Silverymoon.  She nods slowly.

"Aye, you are a killer."  She repeats it in the present tense, as if Olamoira had not corrected her.  "Once one, then always.  Do not be so sure of whether and what I have repented, Olamoira.  Perhaps even I have less to repent than you?  None I ever slew were innocent and only one was helpless at the time."  She pauses again, studying the drow with a hint of sorrow once more.  "Or perhaps it makes no difference.  A killer is a killer."

"But know this, dark elf.  I will never stand in your way as you freely choose to turn towards the light, as would a tall tree, or a sunflower."

Her gaze turns towards Beren, then slowly back to Olamoira.  "Or a moth."

With that, Nivi takes back her offered fruit and, grabbing a final piece, saunters out the door after the impatient Eladrin, Nivi of he Dock Ward once more.

"Cool it, Shorty.  There a fire you have to put out?  I know the way."  She waits for the others to follow, ready to lead the way (along the main roads) to the western gate of Vallaki and just south to the Vistani camp where she had first met them the previous afternoon.

In response to Olamoira's agreement, Beren simply nods then heads up to his room with his breakfast, returning shortly. 

When he comes back, he finds the two woman below giving each other cold words, having just descended the stairs, he only caught the last snippets of their conversation. His gaze follows Nivi as she departs from the inn, but he looks to Olamoira once the younger elf is out the door. The light behind the mask flickers softly, but he remains silent. Whatever that conversation was about, it wasn't something he felt he had any business commenting on. After a moment he lets out a sigh--it seems he's been doing that a lot lately, or perhaps its a habit he's just started to notice. Giving a brief pause, he says, "I suppose we'd better follow them." 

Then he slowly but deliberately makes his way towards the door, glancing about the street when he exits in attempt to locate the two elves outside. 

Urwin watches as the tension rises to  a plateau  with interest. Most barkeeps were people watchers after-all. As Jack offers the two coins, he notes that Urwin draws a dagger, and marks them with a single scratch. Slowly setting down his broom.  as he makes his way behind the counter. Everyone seeming set on leaving, he prepared a rag to clean the newly messed dishes of their remaining spoils. Please take care everyone. Try to have fun at the festival, its likely the last celebration you'll see here. This town is unique, the rest of this place isn't so kind. I'm sure you think you have the idea, but.. as a friend.. I'm warning you to be careful and take what comforts you can as precious memories. his eyes don't fall on anyone in particular, as everyone begins to shuffle out the door.

The day itself is dull, more than enough light to see yet it was somehow depressing regardless. There were very few people about despite the daytime. Jack immediately looking for a guard to ask but there weren't even many of those. Perhaps the town wasn't as full as they thought? At first, Jack see's no one, but his eye catches one walking in the distance to the west, looking ragged and exhausted. Likely a shift swap, though whether coming or going was hard to tell. Jack making a break for the guard, as Nivi, then Beren, and very likely Moira (My joke about going to bed with Beren was just a joke! it was based on how you'd been acting prior! Plus i thought the idea comical..) 

Along the sides of buildings could occasionally bee seen one of the 'soulless' as the group now knew them. Those with dull robes, and of no real note... a body without a soul, though was that all there was to it? There were MANY houses along the path as Nivi led the way for atleast Beren and Moira, whether jack intended to follow suit or not on his guard was up to him. Regardless he'd end up seeing the same when he followed suit.

Many of the buildings seemed abandoned or derelict. As if this place had once been a great, flourishing place, until darkness had descended. There were almost no people wearing colorful garb about.. though you all soon found out why, as you saw festivities being prepared for a midday event, and many people were there. Even still the energy was far lower than it would be for a festival any of you might know of but it was the most alive you had all seen anyone as you passed by.

It took nearly a half hour but the gate came into sight, the only other thing of any real note being a massive church-like structure just north of the road. This slouching, centuries-old stone church has a bulging steeple in the back and walls lined with cracked, stained glass windows depicting pious saints. A fence of wrought iron encloses a garden of gravestones next to the church. A thin mist creeps among the graves even during the day.

For now (I assume!) Nivi pushed forward, the guards letting you all out easily enough and by the tail end of an hour you all find yourselves at the vistani camp and dusk elf homes once more. A single wagon near the top of the hill rests solemnly against the grey sky. A single Vistani man is there as well. Looking around. The dusk elves seem to be either inside their homes or out at present.

Jack would indeed eventually follow along after Nivi, if but to spare the sparse population the eternal struggle of having to deal with outsiders in any capacity. Once he does so however, it isn't long before he's side-eyeing Beren and Olamoira a bit. Not out of any clear malice or suspicion, but moreso he appeared a bit worried, if not guilty? Whatever the cause may be, it only holds sway on him for so long, before he ultimately occupies himself trying to better take in their surroundings and mark the passage through town.

"Hm... So not all hope is lost yet." Jack softly commented on in passing the church, before aloud for the group's benefit suggesting, "If there's time once we return, we should be sure to stop by the church as well. Odds aren't plentiful that good priest or whatever will be about today givent he festival. But, it couldn't hurt to stop by and maybe shore up on the sort of esoteric supplies only found there, if not get a better read on things happening around town from... a different perspective." At that, he quiets once more and continues to partially keep an eye on the church grounds as the party continued on for the gate until the strain and ridiculousness of trying to keep up the exercise leads to him abandoning it all together to focus again on the way ahead of him. 

If ultimately the group are able to carry on through and pass the gate without incident and carry on even further still to the camp, then Jack remained content with companionable silence. A stark contrast to the Eladrin of days prior, who couldn't help but fill most idle time with idle chatter and stories of one kind or another. When the group eventually reach the camp, Jack isn't surprised at the lack of visible Dusk Elves. Those that weren't no doubt out hunting for food, if not stay in for other task. Although silently he hoped in the latter case, such task had nothing to do with recent arrivals to the land of Barovia giving them funny ideas...

"Hmn....... Anyhow, I think that's our man over yonder. At least I certainly hope so, if not a wonderful conversationalist." Jack lightly jest as he at least continued on approaching the man, waving a hand in greeting along the way.

The soulless bother Nivi more than she cares to admit, as she finishes her fruit and finds the taste empty in her mouth.  Even the lowest beggars and pickpockets I have seen are not like these.  Even the depraved dragon cultists my family fought...

Having bid Urwin a friendly goodbye, she searches for something besides the soulless to focus on and finds it in the church.  Not in the way Olamoira or would focus on it, nor how Beren might in a different way, she is fairly sure.  No, Nivi's eyes linger on the mist among the gravestones.  The mist...

She remembers her old crew captain's right hand back in the dock ward.  The half-orc growling in his gravelly voice.  Enemy shows you their weapon, blade or feint or tactic, now you know to watch for it, yeah?  Got no use for a blind girl just like I got no use for a dead girl.

Blade or feint or tactic... or daytime fog, maybe Strahd's fog, like along the lake with the swarming zombies and the temporary bewitchment of Bluto.  Nivi's eyes travel from the gravestones to the church itself, studying the motion of the mist.  Does it pass out of the wrought iron fence and approach the church?  Does it probe the entrance or the cracked stained glass windows with the saints on them?  Or is it kept at bay?  Vampire can't enter uninvited...

Nivi's Perception:  27 (natural 20) (to discover anything about the nature, movement or extent of the mist in relation to the church.)

Making a mental note to investigate the church at a later opportunity and bemused at Jack's changed demeanor, she agrees with him nonetheless about the place of worship.  "Can't argue, Shorty.  Church in a land like this is worth paying a visit.  Even if we all got different reasons for it, most likely."

She leads the crew finally out the gate (if they follow) and south to the Vistani camp where she, like the others, sees the lone man.  Oddly, Nivi finds herself missing the dusk elves, for all of their strange (now understandable) sadness.  Shaking herself out of it, she turns to Beren.

"Here's the part where we ask for the 'Treasure of Aht Urgan', yeah?  Lu-Lu made it sound like you're the one to do it, Beren.  Because... well, you know."  She doesn't gesture to the glow emanating from the masked paladin.  She doesn't have to.