"I'll follow a short distance behind," Mizu says, figuring that it would be better to have him there in case the girl tries to make a run for it. Though, he'll still let Leeta do the talking. Hopefully she can convince the kid to listen to them... 

He gives a curt nod to Rixian then follows Leeta into the building, leaving a fair distance between them, and moving slightly to one side of her to make more of a barrier in case someone tries to escape. 

Stealth: 17

As soon as Leeta and Mizu enter the dilapidated building, they are bombarded with sticks and rocks. “Hey you! This is OUR house! And it is private property! Stop trespassing!”  Looking to the source, you see the red-haired girl along with three other dirty children standing amongst the rafters and the loft. They continue throwing things at the two intruders. "UGH!" The girl yells, "Why are you all following me!?" More sticks and rocks rain down from the rafters, pelting the party. The room has been lit with torches along the walls, so the place is relatively bright. While it illuminates the inside of the abandoned building, it makes seeing out a bit difficult.

Rixian hears the commotion inside the building before even looking inside the window. If he does look inside, he sees of this unfold. (The broken window is on ground level, the closed one was on the second floor.)

Cassian laughs at Mina's quip before answering cheerfully. "Many a bounty hunter has come this way my dear. It does not take a genius to guess why a stranger has come here." His smile fades a bit, "Yes. A strange story indeed." He glances to Kulogall, acknowledging the triton's question as he continues, "We've been here for a little under four months. I'm honestly embarrassed to say I haven't been able to gather much information. I'm sure you heard of the most recent disappearance? Angila the fairy?" He bows his head, "The poor woman, if only she had heeded her family's advice and moved farther into town. Maybe she'd still be with us." Shaking his head sadly, he looks back up at you. "I visited her home right after the incident, but I found no sign of anything amiss. There was no forced entry and no sign of any struggle. Granted, she was bedridden, but even her bedroom was empty. Bed made and everything." Sighing, he leans back in his chair, "It's all been similar with most of the other cases. Either they just vanish in the night, or there is a slight sign of struggle. Not only are the disappearances odd, none of the villagers seem to have a clue as to WHY these things are happening. Most of them have someone to accuse, but when I ask for proof they have none to offer. Some ramble about a curse, but where a curse would have originated I do not know." The entire time he speaks, the woman continues to stare at her plate.

A few minutes after you sit down, you hear the door swing open. The drow walks in, holding his hat in one hand and rubbing his temples between forefinger and thumb with his other. He looks frustrated. After he lets his hand fall and puts his hat back on, he looks up and sees the three of you. He scowls, then stares daggers at Cassian, who doesn't seem to notice. Instead the blond elf simply smiles, and nods a greeting to him. The drow sets his jaw, and stalks back over to the corner where you first saw him.

Lilyana brings you all drinks, as well as a nice dinner. She smiles at Cassian as she passes you your food and beverage, then rushes back to the kitchen. After a short time, she brings out another tray and delivers it to the drow...who periodically glares at your table.

Mizu looks up, face placid as the rocks and stick shower him and Leeta. What do these children hope to accomplish? He barely flinches as a rock hits the top of his head, blinking slightly as it then hits his shoulder before falling to the floor. He tilts his head for a moment, staring with his cool, but not cold, eyes as the urchins 'defend' their home. After a few moments, he sighs quietly before answering, "Fey are disappearing. We just wanted to make sure you were safe." His eyes move about the house, his expression not giving away his opinion of it. 

Then a stick lands in his hair, where it gets slightly tangled and fails to make its way down to join the rock from earlier. He pauses, then casually pulls it off his head and drops it to the ground, "Could you stop that?" He tilts his head again, fixing the red haired half-elf in his gaze. 

Whilst outside, Rixi actually fell asleep whilst he guards the broken window and front entrance... at least... until he hears a truckload of screaming and objects being broken as he suddenly jolts back to reality and hears Leeta and Mizu get pummelled by some small kids.

"What's going on?!" Rixi yells from the outside as he detaches his glaive from his back and readies it on his left hand just in case; So far he hasn't seen anyone jump out of the window yet, but he can already see the chaos unfolding from inside. And he isn't sure whether to barge in or not.

Having joined the others at the table, Rowarin happily starts to chow down on the food being brought, realising he has not eaten in some time. In between eating and listening to Cassian speak, Rowarin asks "By any chance, did you notice any peculiar scents or plant-life at Angila's home? We've just come from the blacksmiths and found a most peculiar thing."

Before Rowarin continues, he attempts to see if anyone in the room is reacting to his update.
Perception: 3

"So Yarrow noticed there was a strange perfumed scent after William disappeared. Upon our investigation, we noticed that there was some strange magical blood-rose growing in the cracks of the foundation of the building. At first Yarrow could not see the rose, it appears he had been charmed. But after we snapped him out of it, he could see the rose. What it means is still a mystery to us, was wondering if either of you have heard anything of the sorts?"

Rowarin turns to his companions, looking to see if any of them have the rose to show.

Kulogall nods to Rowarin as the explanation is made and the findings thus far.  He notes the behavior of the Drow as he returns.  He turns back round to Cassian, saying “What is up with the Drow, we met him earlier, big bundle of joy he is.  He seems to be glaring at you… or me….or all of us.  Do you know why he has a burr up his ass?”  Kulogall takes a big bite of steak and a deep drink of his ale.  He turns back to Rowarin, saying “Yeah, Yarrow had this glow around his head, he was charmed and couldn’t even see the rose or the plant, couldn’t smell it.  We think that others in town may be similarly charmed.  Have you seen any strange plants during your investigations?”  

Leeta thought she was being super silent and was very surprised to see that the kids seemed to have been aware of their presence all the time. 

- Hey, what the hell!? - she yelled when sticks and stones began raining on them.

With her highly trained reflexes, she's able to catch one of the rocks just when it was about to hit her head and throws it on the floor. But as much as she's good deflecting missiles, there's only so many of them she can catch, so she ends up looking for whatever cover she might find in the abandoned house. From there, she seconds Mizu's words:

- Stop this, please! We are here to help! We want to stop the kidnappings and wanted to check on you guys. We spoke to Lilliana at the Stonedog and she is worried for you, you know? Says you should come by to get some food so you don't starve.

If the kids seems to calm down, she adds:

- I am Leeta. This is Mizu and that one at the door is Rixian. As I say, we are here to help, okay? Can you tell us your names? 

Mina attempts to relax as she enjoys the meal bright to them, but finds it difficult.  The return of the discouraging drow does not help matters.  Cassian has been here for four months and has nothing to show for it?!  Her shoulders slump a bit at the thought.

 As the others have asked the questions she had on her mind, she turns to the woman that hasn’t said anything, and softly asks so that unless directly listening, the others can’t overhear, “I’m sorry, what was your name again?  Have you noticed anything about these disappearances?  Strange that it only seems to affect fey creatures and what we found at the blacksmiths was most peculiar.”

The red-haired girl signals for the others to stop their assault. "TCH! I'm as safe as anyone in this stinking town! Safer even!" She crosses her arms, "Lilliana's always worried about us. TOO worried even. If we stop by there to get food she'll just try to make us stay there forever and I'M not having it. Do I look like I'm starving? Hah! We are fine on our own!" She grins wryly, "Plus those grown-ups have no clue what's actually going on, so how is staying with them safer keeping ourselves safe?" She glances at Mizu, "HAY! Aren't you just a kid too? You don't look much older then me! And you want to figure out the kidnappings? Hmmm, well you'll probably be better off than the adults..." Seeming to make up her mind, she slides down one of the beams, then leans on it haughtily when she reaches the floor. "HEY HOT HEAD! Why don't you come in here instead of slinking around our window? It's kinda creepy!" She snickers then looks back at Mizu and Leeta. "My name's Twig." She points up at the other three, "That's Charlie, Sara, and Daisy." She gestures to a human boy, and a human girl who both appear to be around 12, and a halfling girl who look only around 9 or 10 years old.

"Plant growth? Hmm, well her garden was pretty overgrown, but I didn't think much of that. Though, now that I do think about it, I've noticed vines growing along the foundations of some buildings." He listens to the rest of what Rowarin has to say, then thinks for a moment. "I wasn't aware of anything like that, but I suppose if the villagers are charmed that could explain why I can't get any real information out of them. To be honest I kinda gave up questioning them and just started shadowing potential targets. Unfortunately, whoever's been doing this keeps slipping past me. I've also been trying to locate a red-headed orphan girl and her friends for a while now as of Lilliana's request, but that girl is slippery."

Rowarin doesn't notice anything off with the others in the inn.

He laughs at Kulogall's words, "Oh him? I've no idea. He just doesn't seem to like me much for some reason. I'm not entirely sure why."

The woman jumps slightly when Mina addresses her, "Oh, Uh. My name is Elenor." She replies. Then nervously glances up at Cassian, before turning slightly back to Mina, "Y-yes, very peculiar." She fidgets with her fork before setting it down. "You aren't scared? You are fey-blooded...so whoever is doing this might target you." She glances at Cassian again as she says fey-blooded, then looks back at Mina. Cassian seems to engrossed in listening to the others to notice.

Rixi grits his teeth when that red haired girl calls him a creep just for guarding the front entrance. Well excuse him! He's just making sure that no one suffers from a potenital spinal or arm injury should they take the chance to bolt for it. "How on earth should I know that you guys were gonna stay inside and not jump out that window?!" Rixi yells back as he slams his double-bladed weapon onto his back again and stomps inside, now that there's no need for being stealthy. "Daijo- uh I mean... You two ok? I saw a lot of stuff being thrown at you and I wasn't sure if should have intervened or not..." He asks Mizu and Leeta as he breathes. He then turns to the red haired girl... Twig she said? Plus Charlie, Sara and Daisy? The last one made him think about the beautiful elf archer who was also named Daisy. "As this girl said... I'm Rixian. Or Rixi. Just call me by either name. And we're not here to play games, Twig. We need to ask you..." He pulls out the withered flower from earlier. "Do you have any idea where this came from? Or why was this scented flower was growing at a shack on our way here?"

But... just saying her name... Twig...  some reason, it made him go back to the flower and its massive roots again; both were plants. But why was he thinking of that? 

Kulogall smiles and lifts his ale as he listens to Cassian, but mid way through his response he almost tunes him out, finding the information nearly meaningless.  Instead he cocks his head and regards Elenor, straining to hear her words, but keep his head and face focused on Cassian.  “Is she … scared of him, for some reason?  What is going on here?”  Kulogall regards Elenor and her manner regarding Cassian.  To Cassian out loud he keeps the conversation going and says, “I don’t know either, you seem to be a most likable fellow.  He was rather irritable when we spoke to him as well, perhaps that is just the way he is..”

Insight (re: Elenor, scared of Cassian?  Why?) : 18

- I think I'll survive... - Leeta replies to Rixian as she rubs her head, were one of the rocks - luckily a very small one - actually hit her. 

She sighed. She couldn't get angry at the poor kids. Just as expected, they were totally on edge, and no one could really blame them. But as much as they thought they would be fine on their own, was it really the case? Wouldn't be better with some adults taking care of them? Leeta wasn't entirely sure, but she knew that the kids would need a lot of convincing to get them anywhere else.  Well, that would be a matter for later. For now, they needed to gather whatever information they could share. So after Rixian asked, she added:

- Please, tell us what you know, and perhaps togheter we'll figure out what is happening. As it happens, there are people in town that have been enchanted, not sure how many yet. But this is definitely a reason why no one has been able to do anything about the kidnappings just yet.

Mizu takes in Twig's speech in complete silence, vaguely wondering whether or not these kids really thought throwing sticks and rocks would protect them from any actual threat. Then she accuses him of being "just a kid too" which causes him to blink and raise an eyebrow. There might not be a huge difference in years between them... if any, but in his opinion behavior and experience can be just as much of a barrier between youth and adulthood. Still, he can't expect this urchin to know that. At least she's shown some measure of intelligence and self-sufficiency, so who is he to judge her? 

Sighing, he says in response to her earlier questions, "You aren't wrong. I doubt you'd be any safer with... an adult, if the killer chose to strike." He examines the group for a moment, "Though, that doesn't mean you're safe alone either." He tilts his head, "What would you do if something actually attacked you with the intent to kill?" He doesn't sound like he's trying to pick a fight, or really like he's judging them. He's just asking, purely and simply. Though he does choose to ignore her comment about his age. 

When Rixian comes stomping in, he turns and looks at the paladin cooly. "You did right by staying at your post. We were in no danger." The words could come across as condescending due to his tone, but he more likely means it as an assurance, seeing how Rixian seems to be questioning his own actions. Then he turns his attention back to the children, waiting for their response in terms of the rose. 

Tilting his head again he adds to Rixian's words, "The adults we've spoken to have been under an enchantment, and cannot see nor smell the object he is holding." He doesn't say rose, testing to see if the kids can actually see what the fire genasi is holding. "If you have any knowledge of this, then you are already ahead of those searching for answers." 

Mina looks down, seeming to regard herself and then shrugs.  "You know, I never stopped to think about it.  But no, I'm not scared.  But then again I don't think Kulogall here would let me wander around alone."  She slightly elbows her friend with a smile.

"You know, it sounds as though your friend here doesn't have much to say that is of much use.  What about you?  Have you noticed anything around town?  Or even odd actions by others that seemed out of place?  There is definitely some enchanting going on with the disappearances and it doesn't quite make sense."

"HAHAH! You think that I would hurt myself jumping out a window? HAH!" Twig laughs loudly, "What would we do if someone came to kill us? Hahahah! We'd kill them first!" She emphasizes that last bit by pulling out what looks like a kitchen knife, then laughs loudly. However, she cuts of that laughter when the fire genasi holds up the flower. "Why would I know anything about some random person's house plants?" Then she turns to Leeta, "They are all enchanted! Huh, well that makes a lot of sense actually." She scratches her head, "No wonder they can't see the plant dogs..."

"Haha, you aren't to bad yourself." Cassian replies to Kulogall, "Hahah, that seems like the most logical conclusion." He rubs the back of his neck, "Though I don't like stereotyping, I just can't shake the feeling that there's something off about that drow. He'd been investigating this case for a long time...you'd think if he really cared about the citizens then he would jump at the chance to share information with others who are trying to help." He shakes his head, "Please don't take what I just said the wrong way. I'm not saying he's got anything to do with the disappearances, but he may just be the same as that dragonborn bounty hunter. Just in it for the money."

Kulogall tries to get a read on Elenor's behavior and gathers a few things. She definitely seems afraid, it's difficult to tell if she's afraid of Cassian, or afraid for him. However, Kulogall gets the feeling that it's a little of both.

Elenor gives Mina a small smile, "You are more brave than I then. I'm glad you have a friend to watch your back for you." She pokes at her food, and glances at Cassian again. "I try my best to do the same for mine." She says in almost a whisper. She pauses a moment before answering Mina's question, "Well, I tend to stay with Cassian. I don't want to let him out of my sight either, but yes I have seen the odd plant growth." Her voice grows quieter, "It seems to be more active near the woods."

Rixi is taken aback by the girl's rude response as he unconsciously grits his teeth. And...wait... plant dogs? This is new info that came out of the blue. What the hell is she talking about? 'No wonder they can't see the plant dogs.' That was the one sentence that struck a (literal) red flag in his quiet demeanour as he gasps. He stares at Leeta in both silence and shock whilst he struggles to contemplate her dastardly behaviour, her choice of words, her response to Leeta telling her that the flower's enchanted, her choice of violence; It sounds too familiar, almost like his inner demon that he has kept sealed ever since he came here. Could she be...? No... it's too early to assume. Though he doesn't have anything to say (or at least, he's keeping his mouth shut to avoid another misunderstanding), he eyes the girl's entire figure and body language, as well as the other three that are behind her...

But... Twig... the flower... plant dogs... He has some facts gathered; He's thinking of something... but he can't deduce big picture yet...

'Why would I know anything about some random person's house plants?' Because... your name... it's part of a plant, I mean, a tree, isn't it? Is that a coincidence or what?  Rixi assumes as he puts his free hand to his chin.

Leeta returns Rixian's look and accompanies it with a shrug. She doesn't understand either what Twig is talking about. Plant dogs? What the hell was that about? She doesn't like Twig's attitude, and thinks that the young girl my be trying to display self-confidence and strenght so as not to sare the other kids, as one would expect from the leader of this gang. But is this real, though, or just a façade? (Insight: 15)

In any case, she ignores the girl's attitude when she answers:

- Well, first of all: are you actually able to see what Rixian is holding in his hand? - she asks curiously. The girl had answered Rixian's question, but the halfling wasn't sure if she was talking about plants in general or if she was seeing it right there  - And also, what are those dog plants? We know nothing about them. Where have you seen them? And are you the only ones who can see them? Tell us everything you can, please.

Leeta also takes a look at her surroundings. Does this really look like a place where these kids could be safe? Do the have enough food to live on their own? (Perception: 17)

Mizu listens to Twig's laughing and responses with a blank expression. Vaguely, he's aware of Rixian's growing suspicion, and even more aware of the fact that Leeta isn't a fan of Twig's attitude. Personally, he's not really bothered by these kids at all. If they are capable, let them be. He doubts that they have anything to do with the disappearances based on Twigs reaction... what are these plant dogs she mentioned anyways? 

"Plant dogs? What do you mean?" he asks lightly. "We haven't encountered any such thing yet. Do you think they are responsible for the murders?" 

He crosses his arms, tilting his head further as his eyes take on a distant look. Clearly these kids know more than the rest of the villagers do. Is it just Twig who can see these things? Or can all the children here see them. What about the other children in town? Can they see the plants and these... plant dogs?

"Can your companions see these things as well?" He nods to the other children, waiting for a response from them instead of Twig. 

Insight: (to see if they are lying or otherwise hiding anything): 18

The mix of personalities between Cassius and Elenor is really throwing Mina for a loop.  She looks to the man and then back to Elenor, "So how long have the two of you been working together?  And the woods are where these funny roses are more abdundant?  Interesting.  Have you talked about them to Cassius?  He seems to be shrugging them off at the moment.  Honestly, they are the biggest lead we have at the moment."

"Actually, do you recall where you have seen this plant growth?"

Rowarin, sipping his ale and chowing down the remainder of his food, is contemplating the conversation being had.

"At the end of the day, we are all here to solve whatever is going in. Whatever his motives or methods are, as long as we are on the same page he won't get bother from me."

Rowarin listens to Elenor speak, and at the mention of it being worse by the woods, Rowarin thinks of what the next steps may be.

"It is getting dark now, so venturing out may not be a good idea. But I am liking the idea that we should probably go out to the woods at first light - see if we can find the same growth and perhaps gather more clues."