In the Lost & Found, Chase is super excited to see Dirla again. Were it not for the bubble, she'd run straight up to the giant, tentacled, and winged cat to hug her—but she doesn't want to give up her ability to fly around the Carnival just yet. So, she maneuvers the bubble until she's floating right in front of Dirla and excitedly calls out, "Dirla!!! So happy to see you again! Do you remember me? I'm Chase! We met like... twelve years ago?"

The sorcerer suddenly recalls that the last time she was with Dirla—and some others—was when Scratch and Illuwen nearly fought about the elf staying in the Carnival instead of going home. That was also when Chase broke Candlefoot's window with a hammer. But she quickly pushes the memory aside. That was so long ago! And surely, everyone has moved on.

"How's Star? I bet she’s as big as you!"

Once their greetings are out of the way, Chase adds, "Say, Dirla, you wouldn't happen to have seen a kenku around, would you? We were told that a kenku is responsible for stealing Candlefoot's voice, and we want to help him get it back. Well, we're also helping someone else find other someone else, but that's a longer story. Anyway, the fortune teller told us we’d need to ‘search among the coals,’ and we've been cracking our heads trying to figure out what that means. Any clue what she might be talking about?"

Chase also glances around, then looks back at the big fey cat. "Is anyone here lost and looking for help finding their parents? Can we help?"

(ooc: I remember asking about Star a while back, and I believe Illuwen told Chase that the younger cat had disappeared? Not entirely sure ... and the forum search tool hasn't been working for ages :( Either way, happy to treat this as a memory gap on Chase's part)

Lex looks at Scratch and crooks an eyebrow with a bit of a grin - “We would do better with the others of course. But we are here. Perhaps we can put on a show.”

The gnome smirks at Scratch's question, "You can have as many people on a team as you can fit in the arena, but that'll make it more difficult to dodge the thunder."

While Chase is talking to Dirla, she is minding two boys. She looks up to meet Chase's gaze and says, "I'm sorry, I can't recall. The carnival travels all over the multiverse and I care for a lot of children during our travels. But it is always nice to meet new feline friends!" 

At the mention of Star you see Drila's face go from forced joy to silent despair. As a tear forms at the corner of her eye and trails down her cheek, Dirla cautions, "Some things go missing from the Witchlight Carnival and never come back. Star..." Before she can continue the older of the two boys picks up a mirrored ball from the lost property wagon and, in a rare moment of anger, Dirla snatches the ball back with a snarl and a flick of her tentacle, causing the boy to dash away in fright. Dirla gains her composure once again and turns around to apologize, but the boy is gone. "Oh no, I didn't mean... This is not good..."

Scratch grins. "OK, I guess Lex and I are ready."

Chase is saddened when it becomes clear that Dirla doesn't remember her—but even more so when she learns, yet again, that Star is missing. She freezes at the creature's sudden burst of anger—something the tabaxi never expected from someone usually so calm and kind—and when she regains her composure, Chase speaks to her carefully. "I'm so sorry, Dirla. How did it happen? Can we help?"

As for her own questions, Chase realizes this might not be the right moment to bring up the kenku and the coals again. She decides to wait a little before asking.

Scratch and Lex are given their thundersuits and begin preparing for the next match. Once they are suited up and the match is over it is their turn to step into the arena. The gnome calls out to the crowd using a booming voice, "What a wonderful display of strength! Unfortunately, our last contestants didn't have what it takes. Does the next team have the gumption!?" The crowd erupts in a cheer of support and anticipation!

(Lex and Scratch, please place your tokens in your starting position in the arena. Map updated.)

Looking around for the little boy, Dirla is visibly in a panic. "Please! Help me find Viro! I can't leave Allowin alone so I can't leave to search for him. I didn't mean to snap like that, what was I thinking..."

"Of course, of course! We'll help, right?" Chase replies, glancing at Illuwen. "We might be able to spot him more easily with these bubbles! Let's waste no time," Chase exclaims, chasing—quite literally—after the kid as fast as possible. He only just ran away, it can’t be that difficult to catch him, can it?

Not *really* knowing what to do, Scratch moves over close to a corner and hunkers down, preparing to jump if it looks like something's going to hit him.

He looks at Lex and gives him a courageous grin.

OOC: My token is placed.

Illuwen grimaces as Chase asks about Star. Hadn't he told her Star was missing? Thinking back on it, perhaps he had only mentioned Hurley. No matter now.

He turns to Dirla. "Keep an eye on the little one, we'll find... ah, what was his name?"

Lex waggles eyebrows at Scratch, crouches down, feeling a bit cramped in the Thundersuit, and prepares for what comes their way.

(Ooc: token placed)

Dirla responds to Illuwen, "His name is Viro. Their mother asked me to look after them while she went to fetch food and drink. If she returns and I only have one of her children it could be real bad..."

"Let's get ready to rumble!!!" the gnome shouts as 3 creatures are summoned into the arena with Scratch and Lex. A single panel on the wall begins to glow as it charges up for a blast.(Lex and Scratch roll initiative.)

Lex Initiative: 14

14 as well.

Chase notices the look on Illuwen's face after she fumbles the conversation with Dirla by asking about her lost kitten. The tabaxi gives him a sad, apologetic expression that clearly says, "Sorry, I forgot..." Her eyes drop for a moment, and her furry, triangular ears flatten back against her head in remorse.

Since there's no time to waste, she tries to look for Viro as best as she can. (Perception:  ... natural 1 😭)

As the panel on the wall begins to glow and charge up, Scratch makes the first move!

Chase and Illuwen spend about 10 minutes looking around for the boy in the immediate area to no avail. He's got to be around here somewhere... right?

Scratch draws his rapier as the three creatures appear. He assumes they are targets. He moves 15 feet to the one west of him and thrusts his rapier at it.

Attack: 14, damage: 7 piercing

Lex likewise sees the three floating creatures appear. He is at once fascinated by their appearance and then concerned by his position pinned by the two.  He turns to the one to the west and flashes a dangerous smile at it, as his teeth and nails elongate, dripping and smoking. He slashes at the creature, digging at it with burning acid.

Action: Cast Primal Savagery - Attack 19 - 3 acid damage

When they can't find Viro anywhere, Chase starts to panic. She turns to Illuwen, her voice rising. "Wh–wh–wh- what do we do?? Viro isn’t going to disappear forever just like Chandler, is he!? And all because I forgot what you told me about Star and asked Dirla about her!?"

She's so distressed she looks like she might pull her whiskers out.

"Don't worry, we'll find him." Illuwen tries to suppress the doubt in his voice, seeing the worry on Chase's face. "We know the good hiding spots around here, remember?"

Illuwen floats as low as he can, pressing his bubble against the ground, and starts searching under the boardwalks and caravans. (Perception: 11)

"Okay. Okay, okay, okay. You're right, of course," Chase replies. Then she takes a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm down and focus.

As Illuwen remembers all the hiding spots they used as kids, she tries to be as helpful as she can—for example, summoning her spectral hand to move crates or other things a bit, just enough so they don't block their view entirely. She even opens nearby trash bins… who knows, Viro might have hidden inside one!

As she does all that, she calls out to the boy, "Viro? Please, stop hiding! Dirla didn’t mean to scare you! Everything is fine. Come with us, will you? Please!"

(ooc: Would it be possible for Chase to help Illuwen so he has advantage in his Perception roll? Or can she roll herself again?)