As they walk away, Rubin thanks you for your assistance. He gestures at the sad ticketseller. "Candlefoot here is a man of few words. His voice was stolen, so he is unable to propose to his girlfriend. You two seem to be pretty good at reuniting couples - maybe you could help him, too."

Candlefoot looks up at you with hope in his eyes. He nods vigorously, and flaps his hands up and down like wings, before looking sorrowful. 

It's been about 2 hours since you arrived at the carnival. You can stay here and try to get more info from Candlefoot or you can move on to another attraction if you like. 

I'd like to talk more to Candlefoot, certainly, but I guess he's going to need to write down his answers. I crouch down and write in the dirt:

CAN YOU READ AND WRITE?

I'll use Sylvan.

Candlefoot nods vigorously, and writes "YES" in the dirt, in both Sylvan and Common, having heard you speak both.

He continues in Common, since he has heard Phaalisse only speaking this language: "KETTLESTREAM KENKU STOLE VOICE. MAKING MISCHIEF IN CARNIVAL!" 

"Where can we find this Kettlestream? How did he steal your voice?"

Candlefoot crouches down and writes, "DON'T KNOW. KETTLESTREAM WARLOCK - MAGICAL DISGUISE." 

He sits back on his haunches as he considers what to write. "MY VOICE - I WAS PROPOSING TO PALASHA" He gulps back tears as he writes. "VOICE JUST GONE. PALASHA - GONE."

He starts to cry in earnest.

"It sounds to me rather like this Kettlestream had plans of his own for Palasha." I look across at Phaalisse. "And if he is making people disappear, perhaps he has something to do with Star vanishing. Where did you last see him and Palasha?"

Candlefoot looks back up at you and shakes his head a little. He writes "PALASHA NOT TAKEN BY KETTLESTEAM. PALASHA LEFT - EMBARRASSED AFTER PROPOSAL ALL FELL APART. PALASHA WENT BACK TO HER LAKE. KETTLESTEAM - SHE COULD BE ANYWHERE."

(sorry I mistyped Kettlesteam earlier as Kettlestream)

I turn to the human: 

So, anything can be anywhere. Where to next?

"All we can do is keep our eyes peeled," I say. "If we see anything that can help get your voice back and reunite you with Pasha, we will return to you."

I then turn to Phaalisse. "Back to the Big Top, or across the way to the Pixie Kingdom?"

Candlefoot smiles brilliantly at the both of you and waves his hand briefly. A shower of rainbow glitter cascades over each of you, forming the words "THANK YOU!" when it hits the ground. A few seconds later it disappears. Candlefoot waves goodbye and eventually sits down to wait for his next customers. 

I hate pixies, I say, vacuous happy little things that they are, so big top I guess.

Then Big Top it is.

You head towards the Big Top.

As you pass a large satyr with glitter-tipped horns, she declares, “Big Top Extravaganza tonight at midnight! Prepare to be delighted! Other shows all night! I'll be on just before the big show.”

She waves a hand and two wisteria plants grow from next to her, creating a fragrant purple archway framing where she stands. "Don't miss it!"

The roof of the Big Top reaches toward the night sky in three swooping peaks topped with spinning gold stars. Painted wooden panels on the tent walls whirl with colourful motion, displaying vibrant circus performances. The sound of music and laughter drifts out through the canvas door.

There is no obvious ticket booth, but a colourfully dressed dwarf stands by the doorway, peeking inside the tent every so often as fairgoers come in and out.