"That's adorable," Kessintra observes as she absentmindedly studies the tablecloth, "You don't usually see bats and ravens together."

Rahadin lazily looks over. "Really? They're both quite common in the castle."

"Most birds like to come out in the daytime. I guess it doesn't matter much around here," Kess murmurs, finally gathering the courage to walk over to Ismirk and Ireena. She keeps her voice low as she speaks. "Is she...well, not alright obviously, but does it seem to be a spell?"

Insight: 7 lol

Ireena looks down while hyperventilating and squeezing Ismirk's hand. Ismirk responds, "No, not a spell. Just... everything. I'm surprised she hasn't been charmed by now." 

"Not charmed..." Kess murmurs thoughtfully. Would it be kinder, she wonders, to make Ireena blind to the horror around her like Gertruda? "He really thinks she'll just change her mind in time." She frowns at Strahd's thought process before her expression softens. "We'll find another way. You just have to hold on until then, Ireena."

Seeing that her words have no effect, Kessintra gives a sad smile and turns away. Perhaps she is doing more harm than good. She returns to Rahadin, steeling herself to continue Strahd's 'night of glee' if only to earn the vampire's trust.

"Ireena seems a bit...drained from all the excitement. It may be best for her to retire early with the aid of her brother."

Persuasion: 22

Rahadin looks at Ireena in her terrified state, then, with a conflicted expression, says, "I will send someone to ask the master. I hope he'll agree." 

A vampire comes into the room, and Rahadin tells them, "Go to the master. Ask if Tatyana may retire for the evening with her brother." The vampire nods and leaves. After a few minutes, the vampire returns, saying, "Not with the brother." Rahadin turns to you. "I'm sorry. Would you like to send her to her room alone?"

“I will send my snake construct with her, surely a mechanical being may accompany Tatyana to keep her safe for your master”

Rahadin looks down for a moment, then looks up and says, "That's a risk I'm willing to take. Your mechanical pet may accompany her."

Kessintra feels a small sense of relief that Ireena won't be entirely alone at least. She gives Striker a pat on the head for good luck.

Moving over to Ireena, I tell her that Striker will accompany her and will protect her, but if she gets in over her head, to instruct him to return to me immediately.

To Striker, I instruct it to follow Ireena’s commands until told otherwise by me.

Ireena nods. "T-thank you." Ireena stands up, commands Striker to follow her, and follows two vampires out of the room.

[[ Sorry for the delays. Got behind with Christmas et all. ]]

With the plan to keep watch over Ireena in action, Chipper wonders about some possible reconnaissance. Though the number of vampires in this place is a tad concerning. He glances at Kess and then asks Rahadin, "Might there be a privy somewhere to use?" Hoping to steal away for a few minutes.

"Of course." A vampire comes and guides you out of the castle the way you came in, then makes a u-turn to the right, through a gate to a rather large stable with an outhouse on the side.

Kess follows the vampire alongside Chipper, making sure to pay careful attention to the route so she can add it to the map later. She looks into the stable curiously.

Perception: 17

The stable has three sections, two holding the black horses and one holding the carriage. There's hay and water for the horses. They seem to be well cared for.

Kessintra approaches the outhouse, leaning in close to Chipper for a moment. "So, what's the plan?"

"Usually privies aren't so close to the animals." mutters Chipper quietly, annoyed at being led out of the castle. Leaning in to answer Kess' question he says, "Perhaps one of us would be able to get a chance to stroll around while waiting for the other to finish up? Depending, perhaps I could create an illusion of you if the vamp looks away, though beware of the various sentries."

[[
Possibly a Silent Image of Kess to "hold her place." Could use Minor Illusion for her voice, though gets a tad janky to pair. Since would need to cast Minor Illusion with a 6 seconds of silence and then speaking so that he'd be able to use his action to get the Silent Image talking. Either that or possibly a disguise self similar to one of the vampires, though then the voice becomes a tell. (Not to mention if that vamp is seen elsewhere.)
]]

Kessintra nods, looking around to take note of any vampires she can see patrolling the grounds and walls.

Perception: 4 -.-

"Ladies first, I suppose?" She murmurs, before reluctantly heading into the outhouse. While she is in there she will update the map.

((First option seems good with or without voice. Disguise self seems fine as well as long as it isn't anyone important.))

You can see a few vampires walking up and down the walls of the castle.