Nuria tenses visibly when Breldo touches her, then tries to hide it by fiddling with her hair and looking towards the shore. "What are we going to do with them when we get to the dock?" She asks quietly.

Nuria may not notice it, but Breldo seems as uncomfortable extending physical empathy as she is receiving it as he rubs his palm on his trousers after patting her and steps away.

He figures that the Captain must have some sort of holding cell or the like, but he looks up to the dragonborn in response to her question.

Gilgamesh, gracious dragonborn as he is, does not comment on how awkwardly Breldo and Nuria's interaction comes off, merely briefly commenting "You did just fine under the circumstances," and, given her meek demeanor right now, does not seem to consider her any threat of going crazy as the sailors appeared to have been. A brief nod given at the question before he responds.

"We'll throw them in jail for a little bit while their heads clear up and get everything figured out. Whether they stay in jail after that, we'll figure out then. It's not looking good for them, in each case." he says, eyes averting back to shore. They'd be docking soon, seems like, the majority of boats already returned.

---

The man in front of Slick is not exactly fat. The opposite, really; quite tall and lanky, which doesn't seem to really befit the "noble" aesthetic he has going for the remainder of his robes, and no obvious jewelry... Which makes him a bit of an enigma. The smile seems friendly enough, of course, as Slick makes sure that the man is quite aware of his name in the coming speech, to the point the man tilts his head slightly. But when the hand comes in, he graciously accepts it, smile widening for a second as he even pulls himself in. Even if when he disengages it he looks at it with some confusion, as if something was left behind on it...

A quick look about the scene shows that while guards are relatively close, they're mostly preoccupied with the people that just arrived, and haven't paid much heed to what is happening. It would take just one shout, however...

"It is a pleasure to meet you Rick! The name's Maziar, advisor to the duke. Now you needn't worry, of course," he states, with a look that almost suggests he was looking right through Slick's thoughts of punching the man out cold and running, "I've merely caught an interest to what happened on that ship, and if you are merely one of the returning heroes, it's not like you could have caused it! No, no, I frankly couldn't care less what you were doing," he says, again with another dismissive wave of his hand, "I merely care on what happened on there. So, if I may bother you for just a second- What was your own impression of what happened?"

"Oh, and I did notice this pony man of yours, in fact. Practically alone on his ship, so you must be right on him having grown scared. Friends?"

---

Khond, mission complete, heads back toward the inn. It's in those hours of doubt where one isn't sure if one would call it "afternoon" or "evening", meaning that not too much people have flocked inside it yet. Partially also because a lot of people are likely still watching the ship... Though with the vessel now fully gone, excitement about it at least is dying down, and people are more starting to make it the subject of conversation,  postulating what it could have been.

Rick smiles widely and runs the hand that was just shaken back through his fur to re-establish base level slickness.

"Rick is most pleased to meet you Maziar, adivsor to the Duke! Rick was mostly just getting of the boat, which Maziar saw more keenly but Rick will gladly tell you all his saw during the rescue!"

Rick takes a beat to get his thoughts in order,

"When Rick got there, to the sinking ship, it wasn't sinking! It was full of holes, not big enough for Rick to climb through, but still bigger holes than Rick thinks is safe to have in a ship that you don't want to sink Maziar. Rick wasted no time in pulling a survivor onboard before Rick swam over to the not-sinking sinking ship and climb abroad, stopping a fight. Rick then helped check to see if there were people below deck in need of aid and was told, along with other rescuers, that people below had gone crazy! They said the people below should die for attacking the others but Rick thinks this is too much and went with the others below deck and found many sailors laying on the deck. Rick thought this was odd that they all died there but they were not dead! They got very angry when noise was made, Rick was quiet but someone else wasn't and they all got up and were very aggressive so Rick ran up to get help. After that Rick hopped aboard that tiny boat and came back with the rest because the ponyman had already left. Oh, and the sinking boat started sinking very quickly after Rick de-embarked."

Rick taps his chin to see if he is missing anything,

"Oh, Rick met a man on the boat that said a big storm blew in and lightning hit people and made them disappear. This Rick thought was pretty weird but he seemed like a good guy otherwise to Rick."

He'll point out the guy to the advisor if he is still within sight.

His eyes will narrow on mention of the ponyman,

"Where is the cowardly ponyman? Rick needs to have words with him, never leave a Rick behind! Oh, and Rick would love to be friends with you Maziar! Where do you live? Rick can visit sometime?"

Oren finally begins to relax a bit more, seeing that the rescued persons were all staying behaved at this point.

He moves over towards Gilgamesh and with a slight smile he states, "You might be seeing me around in a few days, I'm trying to figure out what I want to do in this town and I might be seeing if there are openings in the guard.    I could use a good job."

As Rick starts talking, Maziar gets... Very little chance to actually intervene. So his responses consist, for the most part out of simple "Ahuh," confirmations, the occasional "I see," and even a few "Really?"'s. But overall, does the man truly seem satisfied just by his exposition, not even interested in prodding into anything else but the events on the boat. For the most part, he does not seem too interested in probing further, likely figuring from what he said that he can collaborate the story from others, perhaps slightly less wordy people, himself. The mention of lightning making people disappear seems to almost make his eyes glisten with intrigue, and it becomes obvious that he intends to ask more... But with a redirection to the person Slick had met before, does the advisor seem glad enough to ask from the source later. The only proper response comes to when Slick finally seems to be finishing up, asking about the pony man, and if the advisor would like to be friends. The smile that had not wavered for a moment seemed to widen ever so slightly.

"Oh, I am a friend of the people! I would love to have your acquaintance at a later date, my good man, perhaps there is yet more you can share then? I practically live in the castle's library, so you'd best ask for me there. Just tell the guards you're looking for me and things will work out!"

"As for the pony man, however, I'm afraid I didn't quite care enough to catch the direction he left in. I believe vaguely that direction," he spoke, gesturing down the main road, "But I believe it shouldn't be too hard to find someone like him. It has been a pleasure to meet you, Rick," the man finishes, and even Slick notices for a brief second how the man's lazy smile droops just a bit. It never disappears, but it's obvious that for a moment he was considering if it was truly worthwhile doing what he was about to do next, and in the end, made the likely foolish decision.

"Now since you are in a big rush, I will not keep you much longer. But I am curious about just one more question. Given all you've seen, what do you believe happened? The series of events, perhaps..?"

---

Gilgamesh nods to Oren, giving him an appreciate smile.

"I see. I've only seen a little bit of you in action, but it was probably enough to say you'd make a fine guard. But I do not believe you are a local, are you..? How long have you been in Mezzra?"

"Nope, not local.  Though, my family and I have been here for six months now.  We came from Gerach's Pass.  A bit of trouble with some landslides there caused a good portion of the town uninhabitable.  So, we moved, so we could keep working and living."  Oren speaks in his best interviewing-for-a-job-professional voice and smiles that the man at least had an interest in giving him a job, possibly.

Khond heads for whatever the tavern has for a bar, "Bit early to eat, but a drink would be good, if there's any to be had?  I can get started on some music after that."

"No, Rick's not in a hurry! Rick will catch the tiny centaur, Rick is confident Rick can outrun it's tiny little legs."

Rick smiles and leans on something as he goes into full chitchat mode,

"Rick wonders if advisor Maziar needs an advisor? Rick will tell you what, Rick will be advisor Maziar's tabaxi on the street gathering the all tidbits and fuzziest about this ship thing. Once Rick's got something Rick will come up to the castle and Rick and Maziar can sit in the library and drink catnip tea and figure this out. Sound good? Probably best to give Rick a password so the guards know Rick is on Miziar's business!"

Persuasion: 24

"Rick will give friend Miziar Rick's thoughts on what Rick thinks happened, before Rick finds out what did happen for sure."

He holds up a clawed finger,

"First Rick thinks a storm hit the ship. Real lightning, real wind, real big waves tossing the boat like a ball of yarn between it's wet fingers."

Another finger,

"Second Rick thinks something breaks in the hold cus of the storm, something real bad that's a gas."

Another finger,

"Third Rick thinks people got real high. Super duper high. People closest to the hold, those crazy sailors Rick saw, got the most of whatever it was went crazy. Rest of them maybe a little crazy. They start killing each other."

Fourth finger,

"Finally Rick thinks the people up top locked the people in the hold down with the crazy gas. Most of the crazy gas probably floated away before Rick went down so Rick is fine."

Rick nods at Rick's correct assessment.

"Rick's seen lots of people do crazy stuff when they get high. The people on the boat aren't even on Rick's top ten crazy people on drugs doing crazy stuff list!"

He shudders at the thought but does look to his new friend's reaction to this assessment.

Gilgamesh nods to Oren. "I see, I see. Well, I would be glad to have you, but... Well, we'll talk more on shore. See if some strings can't be pulled."

---

Khond gets greeted enthusiastically by the bar owner, probably glad to at least have someone to talk to- Crowd is a bit thinner than usual, so if he can get started, all the better, and the tavern keeper asks what kind of ale he'd like to have. But they are only halfway in to their discussion when someone had apparently picked up on their conversation. And an 

"You're letting HIM perform?! Come on Busar, you know me! You know I can draw in a crowd for you! Besides, if anyone should be sleeping in the stables tonight... "

Standing beside him is what appears to be a young woman, or at least, he thinks she is one based on the voice; it was fair to say one could be reasonably confused between one way or the other. Medium long brown hair, a set of fine clothing that would admittedly belong more to a male courtier. The tavernkeeper flashes an apologetic smile.

"Ah, apologies. And sorry Kit, but I can't deny such a personality now, can I-"

---

Maziar listens, and let's out a victorious little laugh at Rick's earlier statement of inviting himself over for catnip tea. He seems positively enamored.

"I have never tried catnip tea, but I suppose there's a first time for anything. If you'd find out any more info, I would love to invite you over to my library, however! I admit, I am more than curious to figure out exactly what went down, for a multitude of reasons," he conceded, then listened attentively as Rick began listing up what he thought of his series of events. Judging by the slightly widening smile, does the man not regret asking the tabaxi his opinion after all. In fact, by the end of it has the smile widened into a big grin, hands giving a half applause.

"My, an astute conclusion! From what I've managed to glean from previous returns of the ship, that is mostly the same conclusion I've been drawing myself. At the very least, it's the one series of events that appears most logical. There are just a few things I can't make sense of... A bunch of people claiming a timeframe that doesn't work the main culprit, but a bunch of people that were on deck are presumed death, and it'd be a hell of a storm for even the bodies to be gone. I was also guessing it was a fire in the hold more than that something broke. About that, by the way. I've heard a few people about someone smuggling Ghurna root aboard the ship. Do you think it is that which could have caught flame? It's harmless enough, in my opinion, but too much of it can supposedly cause hallucinations."

The man finishes, considers for a moment... Then let out a soft sigh.

"But, yes, that all does sound correct. Almost a shame, no? You'd hope for something more... Exciting."

Once the boat reaches the shore, Nuria gets off as soon as she can. She has long since decided that she doesn't like boats.

"Rick will find out and let Maziar know what happened, if Rick is able! Then we, Rick and Maziar, will enjoy some delicious catnip tea with a bit of lemon!"

To Maziar's concerns about the timeline,

"In Rick's experience, people who are high shouldn't be asked for the time, day or year! Rick thinks everyone was exposed, so everyone is bad with time. Though Rick likes the fire idea, better than glass bottles!"

To the last point he mostly just shrugs,

"Maybe? Rick doesn't know much about ghurna root. If Rick finds some Rick can burn it and have someone else sniff it? Rick would get a volunteer, of course! What does it look like Rick wonders and how expensive is it? How much does Maziar think would need to burn to get a whole ship high?"

Rick pats his hand consolingly on Maziar's shoulder,

"Rick's been around, not much people haven't figured out yet. Rick agrees it would be more fun with magic, but Rick has learned we have to make our own magic! Rick will see you soon friend Maziar, maybe we can find something else exciting about the ship!"

(Can I get a deception check from Rick? And go ahead and give me a perception check too.)

Khond offers a friendly smile to the newcomer, as well as a slight bow of his upper torso, "A pleasure to meet a fellow performer, and I'm sure as a performer you understand that a traveler like myself often needs such opportunities to ease the cost of a place in the stables.You needn't feel spurned, either, as you're surely far from lacking.  I wouldn't oppose sharing the spotlight with an established and distinguished performer, either.  Of course, I don't mean to claim that our performances are suited to support one another, only a fool suggests such without knowing in detail each act and scene, but while one of us performs it would give the other time to eat, drink, rest their voice or catch their breath, and most importantly it will provide greater variety for the audience's enjoyment."

Perception: 5

Deception: 21

The newcomer scowls at the centaur, clearly in no mood to be appeased.

"Thank you, but I'm in no need of your charity."

She turns back to Busar.

"Fine then, at least give me a table and of couple of hours. I can make enough doing readings to pay for my room."

Nodding to Gilgamesh, "I understand.  I was not expecting a firm offer and I'm not in a huge rush.  Heck, I've been in the city for several months doing odds and ends jobs, I was just thinking it might be time to settle in to something a bit more permanent."

Looking back towards the sinking ship.  "This was the most excitement Mezzra has seen this year I think.  I'm sure it will be the talk of the taverns for the next few weeks trying to figure out what really happened."

Looking towards the people who had been on the ship, "Where was the ship coming from again?"

Khond shrugs off the scowl, "Well, can't deny your right to be upset.  It's the audience's loss, for certain."

"It is. But I'll be here waiting when you falter."

[To Busar] "What do you say, can you spare a table for the last true seer in Mezzra?"

[Turning back to the Centaur and indicating a shaggy crone drinking and laughing at a corner table] "You'll want to watch out for Effie. Six in and she can get a bit...handsie...and she's not terribly particular."

Nuria looks around the docks. Now that the ship ordeal is pretty much over, she's not sure what to do. She had been looking for a job....oh! She looks towards Oren. The dwarf is also looking for a job. With a slight bit of hesitance, she inches over to Oren. "Um-I uh...well. I might know of a job." She says timidly, "The person I was originally going to work with left, and the employer wants more than one person. We were supposed to meet them soon." She pauses, unsure of how long she was on the ship. Had she missed the meeting? "I-its an escort mission. I-if you are interested." She ducks her head again.