Kulogall smiles and says “Heh, you’re right Rowarin, I guess the main thing is getting to the bottom of this.”  As you are sitting there, Kulogall starts twiddling his fingers and poking his food with a fork, moving it around the plate like armies lining up on the battlefield, scooping a mouthful in every now and again.  He feels the conversation is … indirect … and he is starting to get bored with the perceived lack of transparency.  He twiddles his fingers and a direct line of his ale goes up in the air and then arches at 90 degrees, shooting into his mouth as he casually opens it, apparently a practiced bar trick.  He looks back at Cassius and says “Tell us more, about where you’re from, how you got mixed up into this mess, any other thoughts you have about it?”

Examining the girl, Rixian either can't see past her innocent child facade, or she really is just a bratty kid. Twig raises an eyebrow at him, then looks to Leeta. "Uh yeah, it looks like a red rose that someone ripped some petals out of." She sticks her pinky in her ear, "The plant dogs only come out at night, they seem to chase me and Telron around a lot and ignore the others most of the time... If any of the adults can see them, they haven't said anything." She takes her finger out of her ear and wipes it on her dirty pants, grins and gestures around the room, "We figured out that they don't like fire though. That's why we keep these torches lit all the time! Well, at night! We don't have to worry about anything during the day... at least I've never seen anything out during the day..." Based on the girl's body language and tone, Leeta can tell the girl might be a good actor, but she doesn't think this is a facade. Looking around the building, the halfling notes the torches on every wall and near every window. She also notes several bags piled in one of the side rooms, which looks to have been a dining room. She can make out some loaves of bread sticking out of one of them. All in all, the kids don't seem like they are in danger of starving. You also note that the girl has made sure to stand just far enough away from you to be out of arm's reach...

When Mizu speaks up, Twig puts her fists on her hips and gives the genasi a flat look, "Well duh! They've been targeting me and Telron! He's an elf and I'm a half elf!" He points at her left ear, "Sound familiar? It should if you've done your homework! And we don't know if the vanished are dead! So don't say it's a murderer! They could just be kidnapped!"

When he addresses the other three children he notes that Daisy, the young halfling who looks to be around 6, has fallen asleep. Sara, a human who looks to be around 10 is holding her while Charlie is still standing in the rafters. "Yeah we can see them!" He exclaims, then glances at Twig, "Uh...Twig, speaking of Telron...where is he?" So far, Mizu believes everything they said has been the truth, they don't seem to be intentionally hiding anything.

Twig pauses looking stunned, then spins around to face the other kids. "H-he's not back yet?! He should have been back hours ago! Why hadn't you said anything earlier!" Not seeing her friend she looks back at the group. She looks angry, but Mizu and Leeta can see fear in her eyes "I-I have to go find him!" She exclaims, and points a finger at you all, "Don't you dare try to stop me!" With that, she dashes towards the broken window, jumps through it and dashes out onto the dark street.

Elenor looks increasingly uncomfortable as Mina asks her questions. "Well...Uh. I've been his squire for about three years now." She glances at Cassian, who catches her look this time and listens with interest. "I noticed them around where one of the victims vanished. It was dark, so I suggested going back to the site in the morning...but...when we got back the roses were gone. I-I thought maybe I was just seeing things. But-I when we looked into the fairy incident, that's when I noticed the growth near the woods. I-I'm sorry I didn't bring it up earlier." She looks down at her hands.

"Elenor." Cassian says in a sympathetic yet firm tone, "I would think by now you'd be more comfortable speaking to me. I've asked you to let me know anything that you've noticed." He leans back and runs a hand through his long blonde hair, "Perhaps I've been to caught up with investigating the residents, to think I've missed something so obvious." He shakes his head, "Please Elenor, I know you want to get to the bottom of this as much as I do, and if you are really set on becoming a paladin you must learn to be more confident." He gives her a fond smile, "You have no reason to doubt yourself." Elenor responds with a quiet nod.

The elf glances back at Rowarin when the aasimar speaks up, and nods in response. "I suppose you are right about that. So long as he doesn't cause trouble he won't get any trouble from me." He glances at the drow, who seems to have stopped his periodic glare and has opted for finishing his food. He does still look around the room frequently though, and even has a slightly concerned expression. Cassian continues, "And waiting until morning is a good call. If you are heading to the woods, you could take a look at Angila's house as well. Perhaps I missed something." He glances at Elenor, "Her house is very near the woods, right off the old logging road. You can't... miss... it..."  He trails off as he get's a bit distracted by Kullogal. Blinking, he takes a moment to regain his composure and smiles at the triton.

"Well, the answer to those questions are very closely related." He says with a laugh tinged with sadness, "I'm not from Withermore, but I was born in a village that used to be very near here. It used to be on the other side of the forest, but it...well...it's not there anymore." The sadness grows in his eyes and he takes a moment before continuing. "I left that village many, many years ago to become a paladin and well, when I heard about Withermore's plight I just had to come. Especially when I heard that non of the surrounding cities are sending aid." He shakes his head and mutters, "Honor-less Cowards." Under his breath. "As for my thoughts? Well, you've all given me a lot to think about, but...well I just have this feeling that there is someone behind this. There has to be. Even if this is some kind of curse, someone had to activate it. Whether they did so intentionally or not."

"Nante kotoda? (なんてことだ?, What the?)" Rixi's so confused. Sure whatever the plant dogs are... I mean he can burn them with ease it seems. But... whatever facade Twig herself is trying to make him perceive isn't striking any lightbulbs. There's absolutely no sense as to what he's absorbing; Nothing can be pieced together except her name and the plant dogs. "So... one of yours got... kidnapped. Is that right? I don't like where this is going but- AH?!" He wasn't expecting to see Twig jump out unexpectedly though. Oh great. He was right. But it had to be when we wasn't guarding the place...

"HEY! GET BACK HERE! WE NEED TO KNOW-" he yells before he glares at the three remaining ones and points at them. Obviously during the time he expects it to happen is when he's standing in the wrong place. Again. "Urgh... Stay here. All of you. Don't even try to follow us!" He growls as he dashes out of the house and chases after the girl. If those weird plant dogs only chase after her and.. whoever that Telron is, someone has to scorch them to dust before she gets hurt. Or... is it...?

As he runs, he suddenly feels a burning pain in his chest as he groans and clutches it tightly. His 'curse' is slowly activating; His Shifter pendant turning from silver to dark red as he dashes to wherever she's going. His voice in the meanwhile lowers to a near, inaudible whisper as reality sort of whacks his handsome ash-black face. "You don't think... argh... s-she's... s-she's one of... urgh... one of the culprits...?" 

"Uh oh" was all Leeta had the time to think when Twig realized that one of them - and a elf, at that - was missing. That didn't sound good at all. She opened her mouth to say something when suddenly the girl jumped out of the window and ran off.

- Oh, sh*t! Wait for us, Twig!! - she exclaimed. She shared a glance with Mizu and Rixian, and realizing that the fire genasi was about to follow the girl, the young monk just decided to do the same. They couldn't wait any second, or the girl would end up disappearing along with her already missing friend. 

As she jumps out the window and runs after both Rixian and Twig, and the paladin poses his question she just says:

- Culprit? That one? She didn't strike me as that!  - then, realizing that Rixian doesn't look so well (is he already tired after running only for a few moments?) she adds - You okay??

(Leeta will use her action and movement, and a ki point to dash as a bonus action if needed, to chase after Twig and make sure they don't loose her )

Mizu grits his teeth when they realize that the elf child is missing. He won't stand by and let these monsters wreak havoc on this town. He's had enough of that in the past. So, wordlessly he takes off after Twig, leaping through the window behind her as if he's forgotten the existence of the door. 

If he manages to catch up with her, he'll say in an undertone, "We won't stop you. But we will help you if we can." 

Kulogall nods at the end, stating as a fact when Cassian says this last, “I agree, it seems too planned, there is something more to this rather than ill-tempered roses wreaking havoc upon a town.  We need to gather our strength and investigate the edge of the wood.  Perhaps not at night, though.”  

Mina backs off on her questioning of the squire as she is realizing belatedly that it is making her uncomfortable.  She listens to the others talk and keeps an eye on the drow.  She isn't sure what to think of him and if they hadn't pushed her away so forcefully earlier, she'd try again.  

She considers her fey connection to this as she hadn't before and tries to remember any lore or anything about a blood rose..

History?  11

"Good, then it's settled. Until morning."

Rowarin ponders a moment on Elenor, wondering if there is more there that remains to be seen, however both have been pleasant to speak with and providing some good intel. In fact, it's been quite refreshing... Rowarin thinks to himself.

"How about another drink before we call it a night then folks?" Rowarin raises his hand to gesture towards Bill, signaling more drinks for the table.

The two children who are still awake look extremely worried when the lot of you runs off, but they do not interject. Instead, the boy scoops up the younger sleeping girl and moves her away from the edge of the loft, while the other girl looks as if she's saying a prayer.

Clearly, Twig takes after her wood elf parent as she easily outpaces her three pursuers. You keep up with her for a while, but she slowly leaves you behind. Several yards ahead of you, she vanishes around a corner. Approaching the corner, you are immediately hit with a familiar sent. The sickly sweet smell of blood and roses only grows stronger when you round the corner. Looking around, you all get that sinking feeling in your gut. Twig is nowhere to be seen. Walking a short ways down, you find a small patch of thorny vines headed with a single deep red rose...

Meanwhile, back at the Stonedog, the others continue their conversation with Cassian and Elenor. The blonde elf nods to Kullogal's words, "Yes, morning would be safer. Especially for the lady." He smiles at Mina, who may or may not notice due to her checking on the Drow and being a bit lost in though. Currently, the drow seems to be frowning at something that he's holding underneath the table, after a few moments he sighs and sticks it in his pocket. Then he stands, giving the group one last glance, momentarily making eye contact with Mina. This seems to have been by accident though as he quickly turns away and stalks upstairs...presumably to his room. Unfortunately, Mina cannot think of any legends relating to a blood rose.

Cassian then turns his smile to Rowarin, "Sounds like you have a plan then! Elenor and I will continue our investigation as well. Perhaps we can share what we find tomorrow night?" He grins wider when the aasimar mentions drinks and raises his cup. "You heard the man Bill! Another round on me!"

Bill shakes his head, though you can see a small smile on his face as he pulls out a few bottles from under the counter and brings them to you. "Keep you coin this time Sir Knight. This boy happens to be an old friend of mine, this round's on the house." Rowarin sees a twinkle of hope in the mans eyes, as he glances towards the aasimar before turning away.

Cassian grabs one of the bottles and fills each of your mugs followed by his own. Elenor keeps her hand over her cup, silently signalling that she doesn't want any. "Haha! Looks like he gave us the good stuff!" Exclaims the elf, who then raises his glass, "To a successful quest!"

(Fairithillen sorry I didn't respond earlier but Rixi's pain isn't exhaustion from running. It's like something spreading around his body, like a thousand bullets to his chest)

"I'm fine... Damn it... She vanished inside... Urgh!" was all the agonized paladin could groan upon hearing Leeta's somewhat concern and the trio reaching the dark alley with the same rosey scent. His awful pain hasn't receded yet, which to him resembles a stern warning about what he can and cannot do to his upcoming enemy, and his pendant has reddened noticably but it's shade still remains fairly bright if anyone notices this, not that he even cares anyways. Right now, he has a bigger problem to deal with head on. And fast. Before anyone else falls for the same trap. 

But... As soon as the same scent he smelt triggered his sense of smell once again, his suspicions were proven. The girl must either be the main culprit... Or if not, one of the culprit's goons. His left hand begins to glimmer faintly in a faint red light as he moves in without muttering another word, though his face remains uncertain. That was the same rose that the shed contained back then. And... If the those weird dogs are nearby, let alone under her control... he thinks as he unconsciously marches forward whilst keeping his eyes peeled for... Huh? Under her control? When did this come up? Ugh. What is he thinking?!

Kulogall does not pass up the reserve, he raises his glass in a toast, saying “To a successful quest!  Be safe, and be careful, Cassian.  I would welcome that, let’s meet tomorrow at the same time to discuss how we fared.  And now we shall bid you good evening, it is time to get some rest before the hunt begins again.”  He turns to Mina and Rowarin and says “I need to use the restroom, pardon me…”. He stands and walks toward the bathroom in the tavern, when his back is turned to Cassian and Elenor and he has made his way down the hall, he points his finger back toward Mina and Rowarin sending to both a message “Where are the others?  They haven’t returned yet?  Should we try and find them?  Let’s move along unless you can think of anything else to ask Cassian….”

Leeta feels that something is really wrong with Rixian and that he's not as okay as he he says, but as they are in the middle of a chase she can't really spend much time thinking about it. Specially when they turn around the corner she's just vanished into and she's nowhere to be seen. "That girl is damn fast", was her fist thought, but then that sickly and already familiar smell filled her nostrils.

- No!! They can't have taken her!! It didn't take us so long to reach the alley! 

The halfling begins to look frantically up and down, searching for any trace, any clue ... anything! As she does that, she mutters "no ... no no no!! How could we loose her? Lilliana is going to be so upset!". Then she turns to Mizu and Rixian and exclaims:

- How can they be so fast!? How are we going to stop this if they are SO FAST!?

The ever cheerful young monk was clearly upset and frustrated. How could have they lost not one but two kids that night?

(Perception: 14 to try and find any kind of clue).

Upon finding the thorny patch of vines, Mizu freezes for a moment. His hands shake for a moment, whether from shock, fear, or anger, it isn't clear. Visions of blood race across his memory, and he clenches his fists and grits his teeth. Then he unsheathes the two sabers from his back and rushes forward to start hacking at the vines. He doesn't seem to hear Leeta's words, as his cutting quickly becomes frenzied, whether or not it seems to make any immediate change in the vegetation. Right now, he feels like cutting away the vines could reveal what happened to Twig, if not save her. Maybe they weren't too late? The smell clogs his nose, and he chokes as he wildly slashes at the vines. Memories of blood and bodies cause his blue eyes to appear less like ice and more like pools of water. Please, let them not be too late. 

Soma flies ahead, scouting in attempt to find any sign of the girl. 

Perception for Soma: 24

Mina sips the glass, enjoying the fine taste of it as she wonders what the drow is looking at under the table.  When he accidently catches her eye, she attempts a smile at him before he looks away and runs to his room upstairs.

Turning back to the conversation, she finds being part of it tiring and her mind wanders more.  When Kulogall leaves and messages them, it wakes her up.  Yes, I was wondering the same thing, something must have happened.  Let's move.

As Mizu viciously hacks at the small patch of thorns, thick red liquid splatters across the cobbled street and the smell of blood grows stronger. The scene looking more sinister when lit by Rixian's red light as the glow reflects off the plant's blood. Looking around Rixi finds no trace of the girl nor of any plant dogs. Leeta on the other hand, notices two things. Firstly she finds scratches along the cobblestones that are nearly identical to those the party had found on the floor of the smithy. She also notices that the rose is in the darkest section of the alley. Even at night, the moon casts some shadows and no moonlight touched the petals...at least before Mizu shredded them...

Soma sees nothing noteworthy in the groups immediate proximity. However, several yards away a faint shadow catches her eye before vanishing. She reports that it was moving in the direction of the forest.

Cassian nods to the triton, "Same to you friend. I look forward to our next meeting."

(It's looking like you three are going out to find the others? I'll let you talk amongst yourselves for now to figure that out. That way Gravy has a chance to post. :) )

Rixi's taken aback by Mizu's sudden, but mindless hacking of the branches as he sense his fear and instability just by looking at his body language alone. This doesn't look like him at all. That wasn't the calm and analytical person that he presented himself at the start. Even as the smell of blood and roses overwhelm his senses, it wasn't enough to make the paladin shudder unlike Mizu's sudden personality morph. Despite being someone he doesn't trust easily, Rixi actually felt like talking to that boy to slow down and start thinking straight before running into direct trouble... Was that young boy reminded of something dreadful? Did he go through some turmoil that was caused by a similar event or so? Is that why he suddenly became...?

Then again, he really can't complain. He was a hack-and-slasher in a way too; The way Mizu's acting right now, this was him before his oath's curse came into effect. "Uh... Omae (お前)... Urgh!" Rixi mutters before his social anxiety (plus his persisting pain) get the better of him as he withdraws. Maybe... just this once... he goes over as his orange-glowing hand morphs into a tiny red flame before he proceeds to burn the rest of what Mizu has yet to cut down, hoping that it would calm him a little. This feels wrong helping someone that he's supposed to fight... but  then again, Leeta's here. And Soma. And it seems like they both treasure him more than anything else including himself. So he has to resist. Even as the graceful Soma reports to Mizu, Rixi chooses to stay silent for the time being whilst he shuts away the urge to  try and pet the falcon. That must be where the girl is... I have a feeling that's where might have to fight her, and those... dogs... He once again treads lightly in the direction of the cut path, never mind that he's not really thinking about the other three that are with him; He's imagining that the rest of the Shifters are behind him or beside him, as if they're about to take part in this fight too. And this time, his Double-Bladed Glaive is now gripped tightly on his left hand without him even realising it.

As the flames burn, Mizu stops hacking at the vines. Instead standing with his sabers clenched tightly as he breaths heavily. When the path reveals nothing, no body, no clues, he can't keep himself from shaking as he realizes that his actions had been for naught. He shuts his eyes for a moment and lets out a long breath, realizing that he'd lost his cool. Now isn't the time to be acting like a frightened child. He can't let himself snap like that again. He just... he lets out a breath as Soma lands on his shoulder. Then turns to Rixi and Leeta, "S...Soma saw something heading towards the woods. We... should follow it." It takes a moment for his eyes to regain their cool composure, and for him to stop quivering. At least with the vines burned away the smell of blood also subsided. Yet he doesn't move until Rixian does, as if his mind is still wandering. However, once the fire genasi starts in the direction Soma had reported, Mizu promptly follows. He doesn't sheathe his sabers, instead keeping them ready in his hands.

Soma leaves his shoulder and flies ahead of them, circling high so that she is easily visible as she leads the way. Her white feathers make her fairly easy to spot even in low light. 

Leeta could have kept lost in thought about how quickly they had lost Twig, but turning to address Rixian and Mizu and seeing the latter in that state acts like the reality slap she needed to snap out of her own frustrated state. Never had she seen her best friend that way and though he ends up reganing his composure after there are no more vines to slash, she remains a little worried. Even more so as both genasis head towards the forest.

- But... but where are the two of you going? Are you really going to enter the woods? At night? Without the rest? Please, let's think this through.

She stops for a moment, trying to breathe in and out for a couple of seconds and finish calming her nerves. Just as the Skydancer had taught her to do.

- We've lost her. There's nothing we can do right now for her. If we enter the woods without the rest, and without resting, there's no telling what will happen. I personally think this is not a good idea. Listen to me: let's return to the kids, explain what happened, maybe convince them to go to the StoneDog with us (or that they let Lilliana go check on them!), and let's tell the others what happened. Don't you think this is better?

Rowarin takes a moment to realize the voice was Kulogall. Looking over, he sees him waiting, and Rowarin replies via return message, "Yes, I think we should go check. They should be back by now."

Rowarin will stand up, and say out loud "Well, I thank you both for your time, please have a good evening." 

With that, Rowarin turns towards the door and makes to leave with Kulogall.

As Rowarin quickly gets up and heads towards the door, Mina downs the rest of her drink and quickly picks up her pack and bow.  Hurrying to catch up with them, she says, "Hey now, don't run off without me.  I sure don't want to spend the evening with that Cassius.  Where should we look first?  Where we first saw that red-headed girl or any other ideas?"

Once outside she looks around to see if anything catches her eye.

Perception:  23