Rose was about to say something when the situation seemed to diffuse itself, much easier than expected too. How odd. Rose comments aloud before looking over to the quiet "Little Blue." Friend of yours Cirrus? What was that all about?

(I was super ready to try a Charm Person)

While they pass Cirrus explains his use of the stone to Halia, "I understand that it was likely startling to receive such a strange call out of nowhere, but in my defense I was reeling from finding myself in a situation that I had never even thought was possible. I merely used the stone to try and prove that I truly was in the same world that I was born in." (he will later scribble that down, as those are also great lyrics) "However, the fact that my stone connected to you and not the Halia that gave it to me proves that my world is long gone. I apologize for the frustration I have caused."

(I was gonna suggest that we take turns driving the cart through the night but then I remembered that horses need to sleep.)

In response to Rose, "I knew her before my punishment. She was impressed by my ability to inspire the townspeople to arms against the redbrands, but she believed one or both of my friends to be Zhentarim, so she asked me to secretly report any suspicious behavior to her on this. I never did, I think she was just paranoid about us. I gave her the benefit of the doubt, though, and accepted her deputization. Her worries made me have doubts about Bastille, the druid who was traveling with us, and I was preparing to interrogate her using my magic after we finished our three-man-siege of Cragmaw."

Rose nods in understand and leans back in the cart to try and take it all in. Then a thought crosses her mind, though at first she was unsure if she should voice her concern given Cirrus' mood on the matter but eventually she does. So just a thought, do you think it's possible that this 'Bastille' exists in this world too? If so would that mean the town might be in danger from the Zhents? Even if they don't, if the town was worried about Zhents, does that mean the Zhents in our world also have plans for the town? The tone is Rose's voice suggests simple curiosity about how this entire world swapping seems to work more than any actual concern something might happen to the town, still if the town was in danger she would be obliged to aid them. And it's so strange that your sending stone works, even when another version of it exists in this world. But somehow it kept its magic and knew to connect to an alternate version if its partner. This is all so very interesting.

"I think if my friends were here, we'd have run into them by now. And I suppose the town could be threatened by the Zhentarim, but it wouldn't be from anyone I know."

Paavu cants his head to the side at the mere mention of Zhentarim involvement. Not from Cirrus' case, but Halia's mention, that is to say. Then he glances over to the other miners, and would scrutinize each in turn before letting his eyes settle on Halia once more. Why would someone like her possess such an item? And if the redbrands were such a problem, could she not have mustered such muscles before? Lark's tales, what few of them he paid active attention to, didn't seem to suggest much outside help.

And when more actively tuned in to Cirrus' explanation -- that he was requested to spy on his friends... Paavu faintly shook his head at that, and then cast his gaze downward, "hmming" in deep thought. Why would some leader miner guild or whatever she belong to suspect heroes she likely hadn't met before of being secretly Zhents.

Insight Halia: 12(PP 19)

Regardless of pieces come together, the Goliath grunts and just says, "A problem for later. Right now, we have other things. Business to deal with. We deal with them if they become problem later." He affirms. And on that note, signals Thunderhoof to begin moving onwards down the path.

(So, this was a hard one to piece together as far as go of the Insight check was. For now, let it be Paavu's attempt to get a feel for the type of person Halia is, and if her backtracking might be a prelude to something else.)

Gwen hmms at the entire scene playing out. But otherwise remains silent, having no knowledge of anyone really other than Rose, and having only just met everyone else, especially Halia. She had no input to put in at this time. Though she did find the entire encounter strange. However at Rose's comment she'd perk up Well there's a certain theory that explains like how the mind tries to fix and correct that which it doesn't understand by substituting it with something that it does to make it make sense. Which is why the unknown and incomparable tend to be horrifying for most. So by that theory... perhaps the stone, severed of its magical link with its true alternate, sought another source, and found the same one but from this world instead, and latched on to correct it's weave.

The group moving beyond them and eventually seeing the miners all shuffle back towards town. The going is relatively slow, but faster than before, since most of the weight was lifted from each persons back. Paavu mulling over his thoughts silently. 

The first three days go by without a single soul on the road aside from you. Each of you taking turns driving wen the driver wanted to rest, and camping out each night with your supplies.  The third day rolls around, and night is fast approaching , you all seek a place to camp, and notice it's the same spot the party (from this world) camped in the night before discovering cragmaw. Settling in to the nook, you all prepare for to settle down for the night. As usual, you all decide to have a three shift night.

As everyone settles in, Burgee offers to take first watch. He examines the staff that Paavu gave him. He missed the comfort of the old weather worn staff. But somehow this new one felt "right". He didn't understand it but it just felt like this staff had sought him out and was meant to be here, now, with Burgee.

For three days the meeting had gnawed at the goliath. Not at every waking moments, but enough for the goliath to realize the frequency of it. By time the third or fourth evening rolls around, he has assured himself of paying the woman a visit at some point, if only to dismiss concerns. Until then, Paavu spent the first hour before sleep, as he had done the previous few days, training Yue with their new bite enhancers using various twigs, bones, and even a log at some point. All to get her used to it, and even stop lockjawing accidentally. By the end of the hour, he felt confident in letting her use it battle proper. As well as his own ability to get it on her fast enough for an emergency.

"Mn. Little Blue... Cirrus. You take first watch with Burgee as well then. Rose, You and Gwen take second. Paavu take third with Yue. This agreeable?" He looks around for any dissenting voices. Hopefully with the matter seettled, he and Yue finish their pieces jerky dinner before curling up in a heap close to the fire. "Little Bird? No summoning small storms on watch." Paavu adds before sleep eventually claims him with an air of mirth behind the words.

Rose gladly accepts her watch along with Gwen, enjoying the fire and the time spent under the night sky. On especially slow nights Rose would take out the book she bought and start to read it, taking occasional glances along the edge of the camp for any danger.

Burgee let out a chuckle. "Agreed. But perhaps no curious wolves either my friend."

"I have no objections to this, my mountain born friend. Just you and me for a few hours, Burgee? Apparently first watch goes to the two Littles: 'Little Blue' and 'Little Bird'. Let me know if you have any song requests. I have a few tunes to demo, if you care to lend an ear. I will warn you, most of my art has taken a rather depressing turn (what with my current situation, you understand). If you'd rather hear some of my earlier work, I can do that too."

"A song is always welcome. I lived my life on the sea so many of the songs we sang told of dark times and dangers, but always the light at the end. And, if you are in need of a tale, I can recant how I found myself atop of a ships mast one night and awoke the next morning able to do this..." Burgee tapped his staff on the ground and a gust of wind blue through Cirrus' hair. And as the wind rushed through, Burgee lifted off of the ground momentarily. He let out a chuckle then sat back to trade tales for songs with the genasi.

Burgee explained that he got his name from the old sailors during his early life at sea. He'd lost his family when he was quite young and had to scavenge for what he could to survive. He'd been lucky enough to live near a sea port and found that ships crews were less discriminating that others so he began life aboard ship. As he longed for flight, he was always hanging off the top of the masts trying to "fly" and he picked up the name from the other sailors saying he looked like a flag flapping in the wind.

And he told of that night when he was around age 17, he was aboard ship and they ran into a terrible gale. He was up at the top of a mast trying to loose a hung sail and a bolt of lightning struck down at the mast, knocked him to the sea where he sank in the electrified waters and was thought to be lost. Burgee was churned to and fro and had terrible visions of raging storms and angry seas. He washed up sometime later on an unpopulated shore, but found tracks and paths that eventually led him back to civilization. But he'd notice a change. Little at first but more and more as time went on that he, somehow, could connect with the weave and conjure powers of the seas and storms. 

(posting)

Settling in for camp goes swiftly, and if any are available, tents are erected. And after an hour a proper camp has been setup. The night initially is beautiful. A rare sight, even up north, but along the mountain lines an aurora paints the sky with the brush of the divine. The cool air, is just perfectly crisp, unlike the night of the blizzard. The fire is warm, and the rations, though plain, are tasty. Gwen joining everyone before they all settle in for the night. The horses find enough shrubbery to eat from to be satisfied, and can eat to drink the snow. Slowly, clouds gather as Burgee and Cirrus take their watch.

A slight wind picks up, likely following the clouds in the sky as they overtake the beautiful view. Though it was obvious it wasn't a winter storm, so the chances of a blizzard were slim to none. And the weather didn't take a dip, though it did begin to rustle the trees and snow nearby. They traded stories as this happened, and the others took their rest. Gwen and Rose sleeping soundly, sharing each-others warmth. Paavu not being bothered but likely snuggled against Yue as well after their practice.  

Through all of the wind and their own chatter, three hours into the night both of them hear a rustling in the forest nearby. And trough it all Cirrus hears the sound of what he assumes to be a teenage boy shouting HELP! Help me! Someone, anyone!

In return forth story, Cirrus quietly (for fear of a grumpy goliath) gives a song inspired by his current situation:

When Cirrus hears the voice in the night, he will sit straight up, and ask Burgee if he heard it too. Regardless, he will stand up quickly, try to pinpoint where the voice is coming from, and blow a shrill range of notes to wake the others up. "Wake up! There's trouble! Someone's in danger! Follow me!" He will sprint off, fueled by the guilt of seeing the people of Phandalin massacred, hoping he can prevent a repeat. I assume trying to find the voice would be Survival? 7( w/ adv. in case someone can give me the Help action: 22)

(so 18, got it. but it would be perception again, unless looking at footprints etc, but with an 18 you're confident you know where it is generally. Like within a V area of your arms if they were straight out. Will wait for more posts before continuing.)

 Paavu awakens grumbling aside a growling Yue; both not liking having their rest disturbed. Noting the panic in Cirrus' voice however, the goliath's eyes snap open, and he soon hops up faster, putting on his helmet, and strapping on his shield at the very least. "What -- Where? Boy!" He shouts, but it's too late by then. Cirrus was off in the night without even a light to mark his passing. "Little Flower. Your Ladyship's blessing." He requests if she should awaken, hoping to get as much out of her before she too took off the genasi.

Short of anyone making some sort of mobile light source, the goliath stayed put, squinting into the dark for any signs of movement with Yue on edge at his side. Unlike the usual, he barks no other commands to the others. Either in trust that they knew their strengths well enough to act freely, or... ignore him either way to follow Cirrus understandably rushed actions.

(Spent effectively my free and man action strapping a shield on and getting ready, more or less)

Rose is currently dreaming of climbing the snow peaked mountains of the north. After what seems like an impossible take, a journey that has left her tired and exhausted to the very fiber of her being, she finally reaches the summit of the tallest peak. At the top she is greeted by Selûne herself, watching over the world below and casting her guiding light where its needed. Selûne turns to Rose to reveal the beauty of a goddess and says What where boy!? In Paavus voice. Rose's eyes go wide open as she wakes up, absolutely miserable for having been woken up from her rest. Rose rushes outside to see what's wrong and notices Cirrus has fled. When Paavu asks for her blessing she is almost tempted to deny him, angry at him for dating to impersonate the goddess when she remembers it was just a dream. Yes yes you all have my blessing. May Selûnes light burn away the darkness. Rose yawns and waves her hands and Paavu, Burgee, and even Gwen would notice they could now see in the dark, and those who already could can see further into the darkness. 

 Rose grabs her weapon and says We have 10 minuets and I'd like to not waste the blessing. Let's find him quick, no time for me to put on armor but I have my sheild and my hammer! Rose readies herself to follow the others to chase after Cirrus.

Quickly realizing how dark it is, Cirrus whips out a candle and lights it with magic. He calls out to the owner of the voice, "Who's there? I can help you! Where are you?"

Grumbling, Paavu snatches up at least his Yklwa, and with a curt command, Yue would continue to keep watch over the camp as the Goliath pads in at least the rough direction Cirrus ran off to. While grateful for the relative comfort of the new breastplate, as it made sleeping in it actual possible, Paavu had not expected the advantage to be used for a chase of all things.