Razz relocates Hooty to him so he can help look around the area.

Hoot Perception Check: 22

Razz notices the chill voice and is curious how they missed him coming up on them and he thought Strahd was back at his castle.  Shouldn't it have taken him a lot longer to get here than this, especially if he's made over what Ada said?  I mean, she wasn't wrong...

"But you did suck Ireena's blood, at least twice now, right?" yells Razz at Strahd while flying up 10ft higher.

Kessintra freezes in place near the gravestone she is studying when Strahd's voice reaches her ears, unable to bring herself to look over for a moment. Why is he away from the castle? Hopefully he hasn't decided to take Ireena back already.

Strahd's piercing gaze gently falls on Razz. "But that doesn't make the name calling nice or right, does it? Not that you all would care, stealing my books and all. I hoped that you two would be better than that."

Kessintra reluctantly stands, feeling glad she left the also-stolen lute with Ireena. She watches the vampire closely while his attention is elsewhere.

Insight: 11

“There is no “better”, there is only the job. And right now the job is protecting Ireena and finding a way to end this curse… as you bid us to do. What are a few books or words in face of achieving that?”

His posture is all you need to see his confidence. He's much calmer than he was when you last saw him.

"Books and words I can handle. Betrayal, not so much. I'll give you one chance to prove me wrong. Bring my beloved Tatyana to me."

Kessintra averts her gaze, but begins moving towards the church to get Ireena. Defying Strahd while they are still unprepared is not an option she wants to explore, though guilt gnaws at her.

A strange suspicion passes over Garrick.. why would Strahd leave Ireena in their care only for him to take her back a couple days later?

”To ensure Ireena’s safety, prove you are really Strahd and not an imposter… what did you write in your letter you gave us when we left your house?”

"Oh, I like this game!" Razz says with enthusiasm. "How much did you promise to pay us when we protect Ireena until your wedding night?"  Razz has Hooty land on a gravestone not to far from him but stays in the air where he was.

Kessintra slows to a stop, frowning as she grows suspicious as well. She attempts to sneak around behind 'Strahd' while he is distracted by the others.

Stealth: 22

"I told Fiona not to bother you, 500 gold, where are you going Kessintra, and finally, bring me Tatyana."

"Ok, we will bring her to prove we have not betrayed you.  But I would like to know what you think we've done to say we have betrayed you? You had to know where our allegiances lie prior to hiring us", Razz says while gesturing to himself and Ada.

Kessintra sighs in annoyance but stays where she is. "Anyone who saw the letters could know that. What was the book you made Garrick give back?"

Insight: 2 -.-

Insight 3 -.-  -.-

"Razz, you act as if you didn't talk of killing me, of prophecies and readings that will help you do so. You act as if you didn't speak of hiding Tatyana from me. You even made Rahadin draw his weapon. Of course I think you're betraying me." With an irritated expression, he turns to Kess. "And of all questions, that's the one you ask? It was the Fairytale Misadventures of a certain character who may or may not be modeled after a rodent. If that isn't enough for you, I could always prove it through a bite."

Kess must begrudgingly admit that she's convinced. "Fine, I'll go get Ireena. But why are you dressed so...gaudy this time?" All the vivid colors and jewelry don't seem to match the Count's personality at all.

"Oh, is that what you are upset about, that your guy got upset because we were upset we didn't know the full details before accepting the request. I even told Rahadin that that was our fault for not asking more questions before accepting your request. The Morninglord seems to work in mysterious ways here so if I am to help you to further his goals then so be it. I have accepted your request and have done nothing to actively pursue your death or to do you harm. We have spent all day clean up the church. If you are used to the area, I am sure you can tell that even from here.  Are we to go round and round or can you tell us why you have come to get her so early when we are doing our job and have been keeping her safe? Do we mistrust you? Sure, but leaving out vital information would make anyone mistrust someone." 

Persuasion check: 18

(( I'm assuming that's the check I need to roll but let me know and I'll roll whatever ))

Chipper frowns at the appearance of Strahd yet again. Can't seem to leave us alone can he. he thinks. Strahd's knowledge of Ada's words does strike him though. Was Fr. Lucian not as innocent as seemed? The thought seemed wrong, yet perhaps other ways of eavesdropping would bear investigating. He waits to see what Strahd's response to Razz's words will be.

[[ self-note: if Strahd remains unconvinced, consider the case of "Ireena being in a church, presumably safe from you, lessens any perceived need of Van Richten to kill her" ]]

"Tatyana deserves the best of me, no? I'm afraid I couldn't last time because it was such short notice. Besides, our new arrivals deserve a good first impression." 

"You may not have acted on it, but you still enthusiastically discussed it. Despite all that, I'll tell you why I'm here. It turns out that our vampire hunter intruder was not van Richten. It turned out to be his protege, a vistana named Ezmerelda d'Avenir. She is youthful and for that reason perhaps more powerful, but she doesn't have the heart to kill a living human. Because there is no evidence that van Ricten has come out of hiding and you all are having troubling discussions together, I have decided to increase security and watch over her myself."