Zathon introduces himself to the vistani, accepting the offered meal as its best to be fed while on the road. He doesnt stray far from Ireena or Ismark however, acting as a bodyguard for the two of them. He is unsure about the offered jewelry as he knows objects are quite easy to locate via magic but since some of his siblings have already accepted them its a mute point. He loops a necklace around his belt, adding a splash of color to his white and black color palate.  

The old man nods at Anthony’s comment. He doesn’t talk further about the ‘multiverse,’ and he smiles as Anthony explains how the group got here, the skin around his eyes crinkling as he grins. “Not the most outlandish thing I’ve heard,” he chuckles, apparently unphased. 

Leaning in conspiratorially, he says in a quiet tone, “They say Madame Eva’s predictions are never wrong. What do you intend to do if you hear what you don’t want to hear?”

He leans back, waiting for a reply. “Many often leave here terrified or furious.”

Pulling his eyes away from their study of the people around him and seeing how his siblings are getting along, he speaks with a sudden seriousness, "I've got no reason to expect happy news." 

Then his dimpled smile returns. "I've never been a great dancer, but I'm not too much a stick in the mud to try if there's a patient teacher."

Several Vistani clap and cheer at Aoufie's performances. Soon, a few Vistani retrieve instruments of their own, and they join in Aoufie's songs as they weave together harmonies to Aoufie's melodies. They were also quite skilled at music, and soon, several Vistani start grouping into pairs to mirthfully dance, joyful laughter escaping from equally joyful faces as they spin about each other. 

The older man's face crinkles as he grins. "Ah, you have never truly lived until you have danced. Come, let us teach you!" With that, springs up with a surprisingly youthful vigor. Soon, Anthony is matched up with a Vistani woman in her early twenties who gives her name as Vanya. Her olive-toned skin is a nice contrast to her bright blue eyes set into a gentle face. A colorful shawl made of painted beads cover much of her dark, curling hair. She quickly begins teaching Anthony how to dance, and she's a remarkably good teacher. She starts you off with the basics, and soon, you join in with the rest of the Vistani dancing to Aoufie's songs. You quickly find that many of their dances involve changing dance partners a lot, but Anthony quickly gets used to it. 

After a bit of cajoling, even Ireena and a hesitant Ismark join in the dancing. They join in seamlessly; though obviously must have had dancing lessons or something of the sorts. Offers to join are extended to Zathon and Akyan. The latter of the mentioned elves has been free of children bothering him for a while now on the account of several floating orbs of light distracting the young Vistani. They laugh with glea as they chased the magical lights around the small clearing. 

They wolf eyes Kora for a moment, seeming to measure her up before it growls out in its guttural voice, "Yes, many manwolves in this land. Sometimes here, sometimes other places." As usual, animals were pretty blunt and simple in their speech. It cocks its head curiously before it says, "I never have met human that can talk. Do you serve Master as well?"

He is glad to see Ireena and Ismark having fun. Like them, they've had a rough time. Zathon accepts the offer to dance. It's a nice change from the usual air of this place, and it feels good to move in a lighter way.

Anthony is about as far from light on his feet as a person trying to dance can be, favoring one leg and outright falling on his rear a couple of times. But he knows some of the others are invested in a more professional aesthetics to risk looking silly, and he's down with taking one for the team in the interest of good will. So he laughs at his own fumbling, blaming it being distracted by the charm of his current dance partner. What he's a little better at is supporting a partner in swings and lifts. 

Zathon surprise him with his willingness to join in - but maybe it shouldn't have - and he gives the man a nod of sincere appreciation amidst the shameless, casual flirting. His attention occasionally shifted back to Vanya to whom he snuck in an occasional smile or wink. It was a little disingenuous maybe. But then if they were travelers, they were probably well used to glances that had no intention behind them. 

He'd make an effort to get partnered with Ireena at some point, dropping the dubious 'charm'. "It's good to see you feeling better. What's your read here? Anyone here standing out to you?"

At the conclusion of what he had the stamina for in heavy armor, not that he minded the workout, he ate, but politely declined drink, offering compliments and genuine gratitude. Speaking to his chatting partner from earlier,  "Hospitality is beacon in dark places and yours shines brighter than most. Thank you. If I don't get a chance to pay it back in kind one day, I'll try to pay it forward at least."

As well? The wolf's words sink in and with her distance from the party, she feels a chill.. what Master is he talking about?  She has heard so many names since Aoelwyn perished her head was spinning.  She looks over at the Vistani camp and finds to her surprise, some of her siblings actually dancing.  It almost makes her forget the predicament she now finds herself in.

"You say sometimes manwolves here, are there any in that camp now?"  she takes another glance towards the Vistani camp and then looks back to the wolf.  "We are newcomers to this land, which Master do you speak of and do you serve them?"

Akyan is not to keen on dancing. Being unsocial, he sees it as a frivolous waste of energy. Though he still tries to be polite in declining any offers extended, likely coming off as extremely awkward. On various occasions, he'd wished for people to treat him as though his heritage meant nothing, but currently, he'd feeling a bit overwhelmed by the friendly offers. In an attempt to retreat, he looks around for any of his siblings who are not currently dancing... Maybe now would be a good time to look for Kora?

With that thought, he tries to slip away in the direction he last saw the druid.

Perception: 13

I surely wish more days like this will be in our future where there is good food and better company. Though I do wonder whether this Madam Eva is worth seeing. Aoufie smiles genuinely as he keeps on playing. Though after some time he will humbly beg a bit of break as he looks to the sky relaxing. 

Jared watches the spectacle from afar, trying not to shake his head. A sudden desire to dance after seeing the dark things this land offers, does not suit him. He sits where he can see everyone but does not participate, though he tries to glance in the direction Kora ran off to, to see if he can see her. 

KORA

At Kora's questions, the wolf takes a step back, worry evident on its lupine face as it realizes that Kora isn't an ally. "Master will be mad I talked to you," it growls in its guttural voice. It tosses a furtive glance to the woods at its side, and it looks like its about to bolt away. Before it flees, Kora has a split moment to try to keep the wolf here if she would like. 

Surprised at the quick turn of events, Kora sees the worry and tries one last attempt, "He doesn't need to know.  Who is your master and do all wolves here serve him?"

She debates giving it another ration, but she doesn't know if food is going to be an issue or if it is worth continuing the conversation.  She thinks she has an idea on who its master is, but wants to confirm...  she's heard so many names these past couple days she isn't sure what to think.

KORA

And with that, the wolf bounds away into the forest, the sound of snapping branches underfoot fading the further it flees. Oh well, based on how things have happened so far here in Barovia, Kora was sure that she would end up meeting the wolf's master eventually.

Frustrated that she didn't really learn anything from the wolf, at least things didn't go bad.  She turns and heads back towards the sound of merriment and dancing, looking forward to seeing her brothers partake.

ALL

Kora eventually makes it back to camp just as the dancing begins to die down, the group of siblings and the Vistani both equally exhausted at their merriment. Just before the dance begins to die down, Anthony manages to partner up with Ireena. Though her face is slightly flushed, she has an eager grin splitting her face. "I can't believe Ismark doesn't like these people," she says quietly, slightly breathless. She nods at Anthony's questions before she responds. "I haven't noticed anything, but to be fair, I haven't really paying attention."

As the dance ends, the Vistani all clap and cheer for Aoufie and his fellow musicians. Several make comments that they haven't had this good of music for a while now. Shortly thereafter, wine is brought out for everyone to drink. They assure you that its not a strong mixture, and if questioned, they remark with a knowing smile and wink, "There's never not a good time to have some wine!"

As they drink, you notice how long the woman and her companion have been in the tent, supposedly with Madame Eva. When were they going to finish their meeting?

Anthony briefly regrets talking business rather than taking the opportunity to just enjoy Ireena's company, but it was probably better to subtly remind her that friendly and nice aren't equivalent terms. 

He declines any drink politely at first, if cajoled he'daccept graciously but not drink it.

Zathon accepts the wine, but he doesnt intend to go overboard with it or anything. He will eventually convene with his siblings as he glances over to the tent.

"They've been in there a long while," he says, gesturing with his cup.

Aoufie graciously accepts the wine and takes the time to savor each sip. Though he keeps the drinking to the minimum of 1 cup. "Thank you for your hospitality" I wonder does it normally take this long for a meeting with Madam Eva. Even though it is quite pleasant here we do have to move on eventually. He waits for Zathon's question to be asnwered as he drinks.

Anthony leans close and speaks under the conversation and music, keeping an easy smile stuck in place, pretended he's commenting on an attractive woman. "We're guests begging for an audience when we have nothing to offer and no reason to expect one. If you're asking what I think, I say play the game and expect to pay a price. My question is, are we willing to share the names of anyone we have questions about here? At some point we're gonna have to trust someone enough to ask questions." 

Then leans back tossing a wink at someone, reminding himself inwardly, "Slow your roll, Brother Anthony."

After the odd conversation with the wolf, Kora hangs back from the conversation and commaderie of the others.  She considers the words of the wolf and wonders if there were any manwolves among the group.  She tries to find the moon to see where they were in the phases and tells herself to keep an eye on this as they travel through these lands.

Finally she sidles up to Ismark, "So what is your big beef with these people?  They are warm, inviting and well... fun.  Everything the people in your village need more of."