Razz gives the fallen angel a look that’s half-wounded, half-mischievous. "I'll have you know that my number one goal at the vineyard isn’t to get drunk—though, after that last battle, the thought did flirt with me."

"No, I just figured we’ve squeezed this place for all the Strahd-juice it’s got. Time to find somewhere new to press for answers. We’re hoping the so-called 'Wizard' might know something about the tower—or the Abbot, if that’s another dead end."

He huffs and flutters a few feet away with exaggerated offense, only to spin around midair with a grin. "Now, if you’ll let me pretend we’re heading toward a fermented frivolity, I think we'll all be in a better mood when we get there."

The fallen angel nods at Garrick and Kessintra, seeming somewhat pleased with their answers, then turning to the tiny winged fairy fluttering around. "I don't see how I could prevent you from pretending things if that is what you want for yourself, but how will the rest of us be in a better mood when we reach the vineyard if you do?" He says, giving Razz a skeptic glance as he keeps following along. "I have seen nothing in this domain of dread that should bring about a good mood anyway. And I don't see how being in a good mood will help me accomplish what I'm here to do. " He adds grimly.

Razz flutters ahead a few feet, wings leaving faint traces of gold and rose-colored sparkles that shimmer briefly before fading like dreams on waking.

"Maybe nothing in this place wants us in a good mood, sure—but I’m not gonna let Barovia set the tone for my soul."

With a casual wave of his hand, he casts Prestidigitation, each wingbeat leaving behind a soft trail of glowing motes that mark the path forward.

"Every little glimmer’s a reminder there’s still a way out of the dark. And if everyone else forgets that..." He glances back with a grin, "...I’ll just have to be the one who reminds them."

Kessintra gives a slight smirk as she watches the angel and fairy's exchange. "At the very least, being in a good mood is one way of defying Strahd," she remarks with a shrug. Happiness isn't exactly her style and she can't fathom how Razz manages to maintain it. "So, Gairynzyl, you seem very curious about our methods. Tell us about yours. Have you run into Strahd yourself yet? I hope you don't expect to just fight him head on and win. What tricks do you have up your sleeve?"

"You make a good point Razz, but then again, don't you think those who suffer terrible anguish under the rule of Strahd might take offense if visitors seem ignorant to their pain? I believe it would be respectful to the locals to tone down the glimmer and glamour at times. That being said, I am quite aware I am not the one to bring about better mood, so if you believe it is needed to avoid despair then by all means..." The fallen angel says with a small smile. "Now tell me again, how did you get the idea to visit this vineyard?"

"No, I have not yet faced Strahd, and yes, if I thought I could defeat him now I would journey to his castle and be done with it, but alas, I am not what I once was, punishment for my sins you see." The fallen angel says with a wry smile to the drow. "As for my tricks, I still retain some simple magic at my disposal, but when those who would stand in my way won't listen to reason I would resort to my blade, not the shining beacon of hope it once was but it will still cut down evil with the fervour of past days." He explains with a weak smile. "You can count on me to hold my own once we face the minions of Strahd Kessintra."

Razz’s glow dims slightly, not in defeat, but in understanding. He floats back alongside Gairy, hands clasped behind his back, wings keeping a gentle rhythm as he flies backwards while facing the others.

"You're not wrong, you know. I don’t mean to mock anyone’s pain—especially not here. But I also know that in places like this, joy is rebellion. Hope is resistance."

He twirls once in the air before steadying, voice softening just a bit.

"So maybe I do tone it down sometimes. For them. But I won’t snuff it out. Because for some folks, a laugh or a flicker of light might be all that reminds them there's something better still worth fighting for."

He glances toward the distant road ahead, then back at Gairy with a faint grin.

"As for the vineyard? Kess mentioned it ages ago—back when we were still neck-deep in wolves and worse. We filed it away, thinking it might be a place of rest. Maybe some wine. Maybe a whisper or two about other threats in the area. And after last night..." He gives a shrug. "It felt like the right time to finally follow the cork."

"I think we understand each other Razz, thank you for indulging me." The fallen angel says with a polite bow of his head. "And where did you pick up the lead on this vineyard?" He turns and asks the dark-elven girl with a slightly scrutinizing look. He had almost always worked alone, and certainly not with neither flimsy fairies nor deceitful drow, he realized he had some adaptations to work with, surely fate had brought them together and finding a way to work efficiently as a team was perhaps part of his trials.

"We passed a crossroads with a sign for it on the way to pick up Razz and Ada," Kess explains, keeping an eye on their surroundings as they move, "It's a long story...A servant of Strahd's, Rahadin, took us to meet them. He's an old elf--strong too. You can even hear the screams of those he's killed around him; their spirits never rest. Be wary when you meet him." No if, when. "And I just thought it sounded interesting. 'The wizard of wines'. We are supposed to find a wizard, and it is near the tower we saw."

"I see." The fallen angel says with a nod. He wasn't sure he followed completely but it seemed the information had come through a servant of Strahd which made him wonder if they were manipulated by the old one in the castle. No matter, time would tell and they had to keep searching for answers, perhaps one of them were indeed to be found with this wizard of wines. "Do you know how far it is then?" He continues.

Ada follows along quietly, listening to the chatter of her companions. She is briefly amused by the interchange between Razz and Gairynzyl. The paladin thought the fallen angel had a point. Sometimes Razz's exuberance seemed almost too much set in such stark contrast with the dreariness of Barovia. At the same time, Ada thought she might've already given in to despair were it not for Razz's antics and his ability to lighten the mood. This place was so oppressive. It seemed to steal the very energy from your soul. If they were trapped here, they might as well make the best of it and try to remain optimistic and cheerful she supposed. 

"I'm interested to meet this wizard," Ada finally offers. "If anyone had knowledge about our foe, it would be a wizard I should think."

Kessintra gives a slight frown as she thinks, looking to Razz and Ada. "Well...it took about half a day to get to where you two were waiting, right? And we were in a carriage then..." Ugh, this certainly isn't going to improve Gairynzyl's view of them. "Well, if we don't waste any time, we can probably make it to the winery before nightfall."

“Alright let’s get moving then. While we walk, everyone start thinking of ways we can spend this gold to improve our chances here… any items, equipment, scrolls, or maybe even hiring some mercenaries. I’m not sure what will be available, but we should be prepared.”

Kessintra nods, crossing her arms as she considers. "What would help me most...Poison. Drow poison or even stronger stuff. The black market has to have something. Then I can do some real damage." Just like the old days...but it's for a good cause this time.

"I could perhaps get my halberd silvered. Silver is effective against not only vampires but werewolves and the undead I believe," Ada says as they walk. "Aside from that, I cannot think of anything apart from perhaps getting better weapons and armor for us all."

"Oh, that reminds me, uh...I well...stabbed a silver piece into Strahd when Garrick and I first fought him," a look of embarrassment crosses her features, "He did say 'ow' I think, but not exactly the results I was hoping for...Still, the silvering artisan I found only charges 75 gp per weapon, so there's no reason not to. And-" She pulls out her silvered shortsword to show them the designs around the hilt. There is a dragon flying over a small city on one side and what looks like a mage in a library on the other. "He said these symbols are common on weapons around here. Based on real places perhaps?"

"You all have of course been in this domain of dread longer than I but I have had the impression there aren't a lot to spend your gold on here. It's not like trade is thriving when the only contact with other places are through the Vistani. And I would suggest not using mercenaries even if you found someone willing to fight for gold. You would have to fight with a greater conviction  and resolve than what gold can buy if you want to stand up against the likes of Strahd." The fallen angel says grimly.

“You aren’t wrong, but I’ll take any form of advantage I can get here. Even if it means overpriced goods or a slight distraction from the big guy himself. We’ve been eavesdropped and followed too many times that even a short respite is worth its weight in gold.”

Still flitting just above the others with lazy loops and twirls, Razz glances over his shoulder at Gairy’s grim comments, a faint grin tugging at one corner of his mouth.

"I’ll admit, most shopkeepers around here don’t exactly sparkle with variety—but you’d be surprised what they keep tucked away under the counter for the right charm or coin." He tosses a wink toward Kess. "Especially if you smile like you're *not* plotting their downfall."

He flips once in the air before drifting toward Ada, peeking at her silvered weapon.

"Silvering’s smart. Might do the same for my mace—or maybe enchant my shield to glow like a mini sunrise. Morninglord flair and all that."

He gives Garrick a nod of agreement, more serious now. "Distractions are useful. If a coin can keep us from being swarmed by Strahd’s flying circus for just one more night, I say toss it. We'll earn more."

Then he gestures lazily ahead, wings keeping him aloft without effort. "Still, gold or not, I’ll take knowledge over coin any day. Give me a page of secrets or one whispered name worth chasing and I’ll feel richer than Vasili’s coin purse."

He pauses, glancing at Kess’s shortsword curiously. "Think those places are real? Maybe the wizard of wines knows where to start hunting down this library or dragon city. That’d be one fun detour."

"I wasn't aware Strahd had a flying circus?" The fallen angel says, giving the tiny winged fairy a skeptical look.