(Okay, at the courtyard, we might have avoided being seen until now, but if we stay there to discuss, we're gonna get found eventually, yes? Ann's actions are taken with those assumptions. Disregard this if the courtyard is a good enough place for them to discuss only for a few minutes.)

The moment her eyes spot Rowan, Ann expresses surprise and concern. Her eyes dart left and right, looking for a place where they can be hidden well, instead of their shaky situation where both are relying on luck to not be spotted.

Perception: 20

If she finds a good place, the knight will go over in that direction, gesturing at Rowan to follow and staying ever-focused.

Rowan's face, meanwhile, lights up with pleasant surprise when she spots the exact person she was looking for. She quickly and silently follows Ann wherever she leads so they can have a more private conversation.

Once they've found somewhere, she whispers, "Are we going, then? I understand if you don't want me to come, but I'd really like to."

Jormund and Bryn, as you talk in the tavern, Jared will walk up to you all and say "Morning Gents!  (cough, cough)  I've prepared a special rat hunting breakfast this morning! fried eggs on toast smothered with amphail white, our smoothest locally sourced cheese. Sure to delight any palate, and draw any rats out of their hiding places! What's the plan this morning?" 

Can you guys roll an insight or medicine check for me?

Ann's frustration is clear from her expression to her tone. "You should've stayed in your room... Yes, I wasn't planning on taking you, but just that you're here spells a huge problem. All just because I didn't exhaust myself out to stay up in front of your room, and it wouldn't be difficult to talk my way into her letting me go back to town, as well." After the rant, she sighs, feeling a bit of peace return to her mind.

Her eyes focus on Rowan again, showing no longer as much frustration as she did before, and instead, she looks defeated. "I cannot see forcing you to go back to your room as a helpful option. It's one more risk if they see us walking together around, and I can't remember a single time in the past two days where taking risks has gone my way." She sighs one more time, as the frustrations from the other day had also piled up in her mind. "Your skills might be more than helpful to our challenges, they could prove themselves necessary. I cannot convince myself leaving now with you isn't the correct path, let alone trying to convince you. I yield. I'll follow your orders, Miss Rowan, for the time being."

Bryn insight: 9

Quote from Pertuie >>

Ann's frustration is clear from her expression to her tone. "You should've stayed in your room... Yes, I wasn't planning on taking you, but just that you're here spells a huge problem. All just because I didn't exhaust myself out to stay up in front of your room, and it wouldn't be difficult to talk my way into her letting me go back to town, as well." After the rant, she sighs, feeling a bit of peace return to her mind.

Her eyes focus on Rowan again, showing no longer as much frustration as she did before, and instead, she looks defeated. "I cannot see forcing you to go back to your room as a helpful option. It's one more risk if they see us walking together around, and I can't remember a single time in the past two days where taking risks has gone my way." She sighs one more time, as the frustrations from the other day had also piled up in her mind. "Your skills might be more than helpful to our challenges, they could prove themselves necessary. I cannot convince myself leaving now with you isn't the correct path, let alone trying to convince you. I yield. I'll follow your orders, Miss Rowan, for the time being."

 I know I’m not involved in the conversation directly but was that first part, the rant, Ann’s inner thought dialogue or was that spoken out loud?

Quote from Zalmanni >>

I know I’m not involved in the conversation directly but was that first part, the rant, Ann’s inner thought dialogue or was that spoken out loud?

(As "out loud" as she can make it without attracting attention. So, basically, loud whispering. I know it is a lot of dialogue, but she really had to get everything out of her chest after the last unfortunate day, followed by a day that was already starting badly.)

Quote from Pertuie >>

Quote from Zalmanni >>

I know I’m not involved in the conversation directly but was that first part, the rant, Ann’s inner thought dialogue or was that spoken out loud?

(As "out loud" as she can make it without attracting attention. So, basically, loud whispering. I know it is a lot of dialogue, but she really had to get everything out of her chest after the last unfortunate day, followed by a day that was already starting badly.)

Ok, was I confused by the last part, seemed like Ann might have been talking to herself rather than Rowan since it used third person instead of second. :) Thanks for clearing it up. 

Rowan shrinks into herself as Ann begins to speak, staring at a distant point on the floor and twisting her hands in the fabric of her sleeves. "Sorry," she mutters once the knight has finished the first part of her rant. Once Ann has had a moment longer to finish her speech, she finally looks up. "I want to help." Her voice is quiet, but determined. "I know I can help. My mother wants me to hide away, to be weak and obedient, but I don't think I can anymore. I know it's asking a lot of you, but I want to come with you."

"I don't think you yet understand my issues if that's all you have to say..." Ann says, letting the frown on her face return. "The only way I can help you help me is sneaking out right now, which in itself is a huge issue." That's when she sighs again, making her expression saddened one more time. "I've already yielded. I'm taking you with me. But, do not mistake this as me simply doing it out of appreciation for you. Truthfully, I just fail to see other options. Your help will just be a convenient factor in a very inconvenient situation. Enough talk, though. Follow me." And, at this moment, Ann is prepared to start sneaking out of the villa with Rowan behind her.

So if Rowan and Ann try to sneak out of the manor, can you each give me another stealth check?

Bryn insight: 9

OOC: I forgot about passive insight, so the roll doesn't really matter for Bryn: 

Bryn and Jormund, as Jared comes out and greets you both with a plate of hot food and cheerful attitude, you still both sense that something is off with him. You both notice that his face is unusually pale, his eyes are bloodshot, and you notice several angry, swollen welts on his arms.

Vedui, as you head down into the mortuary's main room, you see that Mortium is already at work on the bodies of the couple found in the woods, and there are several others from the marketplace, as well as the body of the red cloak you killed while disposing of the rat swarms.  "Headed out so soon Vedui?  Should I expect you back today? I could use some help with these autopsies when you get the chance." Vedui, you notice that Mortuim is looking ill: he is even more pale than usual, and sweat is beaded on his forhead. Also his typically steady hands are shaking slightly as he is preparing his tools for the day, which strikes you as unusual. 

Vedui pauses nervously near Mortuim.  "I have a meeting this morning with Sir Henry, we are to discuss the current troubles.  Sir...did you see the priest?  You look very ill."

Worried, Vedui will check his pockets for a piece of Silver, and attempt to place his hand on Mortium's hand with the Silver touching, checking to see if their is a reaction..."You appear hot"

sleight of hand  16

“Are you OK Jared? You don’t look so well my friend. Let’s get you to the healers.” As he is saying it Bryn looks over at Jormund and nods to signal “Yes, we are going“ hoping he will back him up. Bryn then stands, both to accompany Jared to the healers and to imply that not going is not an option.

(If Rowan has a different plan, Ann is all for hearing it. In fact, she'd be thrilled to not have to resort to that. I'm just rolling this pre-emptively to speed things up.)

Stealth: 15

Quote from Burgen_Badluk >>

Vedui pauses nervously near Mortuim.  "I have a meeting this morning with Sir Henry, we are to discuss the current troubles.  Sir...did you see the priest?  You look very ill."

Worried, Vedui will check his pockets for a piece of Silver, and attempt to place his hand on Mortium's hand with the Silver touching, checking to see if their is a reaction..."You appear hot"

sleight of hand  21

 Mortium appears startled by the sudden physical contact, but otherwise doesn't appear to react.  He replies "What's that? Yes, I went to the priest last night, they bound my wounds and sent me home.  Although now the blasted bites hurt like crazy. Well, I suppose what do I expect from a bunch of filthy rats?"

Quote from Zalmanni >>

“Are you OK Jared? You don’t look so well my friend. Let’s get you to the healers.” As he is saying it Bryn looks over at Jormund and nods to signal “Yes, we are going“ hoping he will back him up. Bryn then stands, both to accompany Jared to the healers and to imply that not going is not an option.

 Jared will look at you quizzically for a moment, then shrug his shoulders. "Yeah, I suppose I haven't been feeling quite myself today.  I'll go over after the breakfast rush.  Those eggs aren't gonna scramble themselves!" <cough> <cough>

((Apologies, I completely missed the notification last time! Dndbeyond has been really weird about that lately. Anyways, Rowan wasn’t going to suggest anything else, so here’s that stealth check: 16))

((thats what I get for not posting lol))

"Mortium, I think if this persists you may need more than bound wounds.  Possibly a stronger blessing from the priests.  I will try to stop by the temple to see if others have had these same symptoms, or perhaps Sir Henry can help."

Jormund nods at Bryn.

Quote from Naveyman >>

 Jared will look at you quizzically for a moment, then shrug his shoulders. "Yeah, I suppose I haven't been feeling quite myself today.  I'll go over after the breakfast rush.  Those eggs aren't gonna scramble themselves!" <cough> <cough>

Jormund looks at Jared with the "mountain dwarf scowl", arms folded, and says, "Mr Talon, I think the breakfast must wait... unless you'd like all these fine customers getting a side of rat-plague... Now, let's rush over to the healers before everybody gets scrambled, eh?!"