Since Sammy is not the best at long conversations, he tries to help the big panther doing something for him that he's good at. He quickly goes the same way the boy had disappeared, trying to think as a scared child in a multitude would.
Seeing Sammy head off after the boy, Vashrin decides that two sets of eyes are better than one and follows.
Accepting his set of foci back from Willow, Khalil opens his mouth to reply to the tiefling and the deranged pink festival bunny who has apparently decided to communicate through the dual vocals of her floppy ears. For the later, he was poised to mention something about pots and kettles, but then the boy draws the unexpected and momentary wrath of the tentacle wielding feline. The distraction and subsequent bolting of half those present forces him to the simply shrug and start to follow the others.
For just a second he stops and turns back to Willow and offers a quick tilt of his head. "Khalil Quietcrow." He says by way of a speedy introduction before hurrying after the others.
Willow whistles softly, calling for Bert, her old blink dog friend here at the carnival. "Time to help me find a kid, Bert," she says into the air, hoping Bert hears her.
She starts off in the direction the kid ran, keeping her eyes peeled.
Dirla's observations about Khalil made Nuruk's eyebrows furrow that much more. The boy was there the night that everything had happened, close by to them, but not close enough to remember. He was struggling to remember all the details of that night when Dirla snapped at one of the children who quickly took off running into the crowd.
"I'll stay here and peek over the crowd. Keep an ear out for my whistle!" Nuruk calls out to his companions and Khalil, moving to the building. He hops up, a clawed hand catching on the side as he uses his height to try and peer over the crowds.
Nuruk climbs up on the wagon and peers into the crowd, but the carnival has rapidly filled up and there is too much chaos to spot one little boy.
Karley trusts the others to find him -- she sees Dirlagraun's eyes, staring at the mirrored ball, lost in memory. She, too, misses Star. Dirlagraun barely notices the second boy tugging on his leg, asking where his brother went.
Sammy and Vashrin run off together in the same direction. Vash keeps an eye on the surroundings while Sammy takes a moment to mentally return to his childhood, putting himself back into shoes he'd long ago grown out of. Scared. Lost. In a carnival both amazing and terrifying... There! Sammy tapped Vashrin and pointed. Huddled between two tents, there was the boy, peering back in the direction he'd run with a worried look on his face.
Willow and the newly introduced Khalil ran off at an angle to the others, Bert teleporting suddenly to her side. He was indeed an old fellow, the bumps of his ribcage clearly visible and long tufts of grey fur sprouting from his long ears. He started sniffing around, then let out a warbling sort of bark and trotted off across the nearby bridge. Willow and Khalil follow, and the dog leads them to a heavily cloaked figure who seems to be trying very hard to avoid anyone's notice, the way they are dressed.
"Well done, Sammy." Vashrin says with a smile, overly amused by the whole situation. He then goes off to collect the wayward child.
Approaching with his hands open an in a non-threatening manner, Vashrin goes to the boy. "Hello there, friend. I'm Vash. You're not in any trouble, we just want to make sure that you are safe. It's Dirlagraun's job to look out for lost children here...he found my friend, Sammy, and I a long time ago. Come on back with us, I'm sure you're folks are looking for you."
Willow walks up to the conspicuously inconspicuous figure with Bert, looking slightly confused. "I don't think this is who we're looking for, boy...Doesn't look like much of a child," she says to the dog, gently patting him on the head. She stands up, raises her eyebrows at the heavily cloaked figure, and tilts her head to the side (much like Bert does).
"Looking for something? Might be that I can help you." She directs this question to the figure, fully expecting to be blown off, but her curiosity is getting the better of her.
Khalil slows to a stop as Willow and her canine companion approach the the cloaked stranger. The name given to him by his feywild companions suddenly becomes a little more clear as the black haired young man tilts his head to the side watching the stranger like a crow or raven peering at a curiosity. His eyes look for any sign that the individual might be dangerous even as he calls out his own question.
"Did you happen to see a young boy pass by? About so tall?" He asks his hand angled near his hip to match the boy's height. "He took a fright and we want to make sure he gets back with his mother."
Sammy smiles at the boy and offers his hand. A copper suddenly appears, dances between Sam's knuckles and disappears again behind his palm.
The boy looks up shyly. "He got scary." He rose, taking Sammy's hand and becoming distracted from his fright as he watched the coin disappear.
You both notice a slight movement in the shadows, about ten feet behind the boy...
The figure shook its head, and Khalil notices a long black beak peeking from under the hood. "No...no. Don't need any help...didn't see anything. Excuse me..." Willow recognizes the voice...but...that can't be right. It sounded just like Candlefoot, the kind, if strange, storyteller. But he was tall, and thin, and this figure was short and wide.
Vashrin smiles softly.
"I sure he didn't mean to scare you and even said as much before we came looking for you." he says to the boy glancing over the boys shoulder, trying to get a better look at the movement in the shadows.
Willow furrows her brows, moving to try to get a better look at the person beneath the hood. "Candlefoot?" she asks, tentatively - he definitely didn't look right, but this was a Fey carnival...
She positions herself in such a way as to be able to grab at the person if he tries to slip by and crosses her arms. "What's got you flustered, friend?" Willow asks, a slight air of stern authority slipping into her voice, like the kind she'd use on small children making a questionable decision.
Not suspicious at all. Khalil thinks to himself as he surreptitiously attempts to box the beaked fellow in between himself and Willow.
"Aye, 'tis a lovely warm evening with the bright stars twinkling above. What need to keep yourself covered beneath such a heavy hood?"
You swear , for a moment, you saw a strange little creature with bulbous eyes, right before it skittered away behind the tents. Sammy feels his blood run cold. Nuruk spoke to him of the creatures that assaulted Willow and himself. Could that be one of them?
The cloaked figure seems quite agitated to Khalil's eye, desperately wanting to slip away but seeing no clear way to do so without further assisting suspicion. The opening of the hood glances in Willow's direction seeking escape... Then freezes. Willow can see the dark beak and avian face of a kenku, who once more speaks clearly in Candlefoot's voice. "You... You know her. She speaks to you.". The kenku pointed at her holy symbol.
Willow's eyebrows shoot up almost to her horns with surprise. She had yet to meet anyone who also knew of The Dreamwalker. She fingers her holy symbol, holding it up to the kenku.
"Yes, I know The Dreamwalker. She speaks to me, sometimes... Do you know her?" Willow's voice softens to something a little more kind and gentle.
The Dreamwalker had appeared to her as a protector, and, determined to repay that kindness, Willow took on that role in the waking world to try to keep others safe.
Not Candlefoot, just his words... Willow files that tidbit of information away for later, just in case.
"Why so nervous friend?" Khalil says as it seems Willow and the kenku seem to have similar faiths. Then he notices the lack of gaudy butterfly wings or any other sign that the stranger paid to get into the carnival. Another carnical worker? He wonders, although Willow didn't seem to know him. If he's gate crashing, that would explain the nerves. But trespassers were not Khalil's concern, it was the boy who was in need, so he asks one last time.
"We really are looking for a young boy who took a fright and ran off. If you saw anything your help would be very much appreciated." He says trying to coax the stranger to cooperate.
Willow holds her hand up and glares at Khalil. "I don't think this one knows anything," she says, shaking her head. "Maybe the others have had more luck. Bert led us off track, despite his good intentions." She reached down and gives the blink dog a pat by way of apology for criticizing him.
She looks back at the kenku, awaiting a response.
Nuruk climbs down from where he was, settling beside Dirlagraun. He keeps the concern off of his face and hopes that his friends are safe out there in the carnival.
"I'm sure they'll bring the boy back soon. We just need to wait." He says, tentatively reaching over to pet the big cat himself. Red eyes continued to scan the crowd, looking for his friends or worse things.
Suddenly, the kenku's voice changes, and perfectly imitates Mr. Light's agitated voice, one Willow remembers quite well, though neither of them have given her the time of day since that horrible night. "Someone is going to find out about this! They'll shut us down!"
Then the deeper tones of Mr. Witch respond. "We agreed to this pact. Our hands were forced but our eyes were open. We let the Hourglass Coven take what it wants, and in return, we stay in business. That is what you want, right?"
Willow's eyes go wide in shock and she leans in close, pitching her voice low. "What's the Hourglass Coven and why are we in danger? And what does The Dreamwalker have to do with this?" Willow feels her chest tighten with fear, suddenly feeling much warmer than she should be on a day like this. "Who were you waiting for to tell all of this?"
Vashrin shoots Sammy a glance, confirming that he had seen the same thing Vash had seen.
Turning his attention back the child, Vashrin puts on a friendly face. "Let's head on back, um...Wow, that's rude of me, I never even asked you your name." he says, actually astonished he hadn't asked.
"Like I said before, I'm Vash and my friend is Sammy. Your mum is probably waiting for you already, so we should be on our way." Vash says, offering his hand to the child.
Sam stops dead in his tracks when he sees the peculiar face. The creature darts away through the tents, and something wakes up inside the boy.
"..."
He wants to shout at the strange beign, but of course, nothing comes out of his moutrh. Quickly, he turns to Vash and signals him to wait here, then he lunges forward to pursue the fugitive.
"The kid is safe with Vash" he thinks, and tries not to lose track.
Khalil listens. He remains quiet following the kenku's mimicking recital, unsure what exactly he stumbled upon here. He tries to recall ever hearing anything about an Hourglass Coven, but his mind is still rattled by the days confusing and quick moving events to really remember anything useful.
"Allowin, sir." the boy takes Vash's hand. "Can we get some candy first? Mum said we couldn't but I won't tell."
Sammy sprang into action, darting in the direction he'd seen the thing go. He swung around the corner, seeking it...nothing. There weren't many places it could hide, either. There was a wide stretch of grass, no crates or anything to hide in. The tent was firmly staked to the ground, and Sammy was unable to lift the bottom of it, so there was little chance the creature slipped inside. He peered at the top of the tent, but could see no sign of it. The frog creature had simply disappeared.
"I have no idea who they are, or what the danger is precisely," Candlefoot's voice said. "I wasn't waiting for anyone -- I was planning the best way to cause enough trouble to make the owners speak to me. As the Dreamwalker, she's stopped speaking to me, and I con no longer reach her. What of you? Does she still visit your dreams?"
Willow suddenly realized, it had been quite some time since the last visit. She could still feel her connection there, and still feel the Dreamwalker's power within her...but when was the last time she had visited her dreams fully, and spoken with her?
As a child, such visits had been frequent. She'd missed her father and her friends terribly when she left for the carnival, and had spent the first few nights in tears, burdened with this awful curse, unable to smile, and alone but for Karley. The Dreamwalker had soothed her, comforted her, and taught her to be brave. She'd appeared in person the first time, while they were in the Feywild. Ethereal grace made manifest, aglow with light, with long dark hair and dressed in an impossibly beautiful gown. She'd given Willow her symbol, and promised to be there whenever she needed her. Future visits had been in her dreams, always when she was at her lowest. In a way, she was the mother Willow never really had a chance to know.
Willow had noted the visits becoming more rare, but had assumed maybe the mysterious goddess simply felt less need to appear, now that Willow was grown.
Vashrin waits a bit to see if any comes of Sammy's pursuit of the frog-like creature.
Smiling as he turns his attention back to the youth, as they begin to walk back to the Lost Items wagon, "I think we might be able to arrange that, but only if you share with your mother."
"You can tell her it was all my idea." he adds with a wink, thinking a white lie was better than the outright deceit of not telling the mother about the candy at all.
On the way back, true to his word, Vash stops by one of vendors along the way to purchase a bit of candy for the boy and his mother.
Not particularly concerned with internal carnival politics or the machinations of the gods, Khalil steps back from the two and tries to spot any of the others who were searching for the boy.
"I just assumed that she didn't need to appear to me as often because I'm not a little kid anymore..." Willow replies softly, rubbing her temples while she thinks about the gravity of the kenku's news. She glances at Khalil, who appears to be on the lookout, and then back at the kenku.
"My friends and I have a bone to pick with Mr. Witch and Mr. Light. Perhaps we can merge our interests with you and all of us petition to see them?" She looks hesitant--the owners of the carnival had dodged her and Karley for years and it was very difficult to grab their attention. "There's a chance if we offer to look into it or take care of this somehow, they'll return what was stolen from us, and we can keep everyone and everything safe." She looks the kenku over, finally noticing what Khalil had minutes ago.
"Did you sneak in? I don't see the wings on you...unless you've worked here all this time and I have just been oblivious."
Sammy comes back with his shoulders low. He negates with his head, shrugging.
While they walk back to Dirla and during the candy stop, Sammy's eyes can't help moving on their own, searching for a glimpse of the strange from creature. Or maybe someone with a pig mask.
Trying to amuse the boy, though most probably trying to amuse himself, Sam points at him with his finger and slowly vocalises "From. Where."
"I did -- friends, you say? More than just the one? Gather them, and let us find somewhere to talk -- I have a plan."
The candy vendor has an assortment of strange confections -- jawbreakers that look like eyeballs called beholders, wobble fruit flavored gelatinous cubes, chocolate dragons that are enchanted to fly around at the end of a string until you eat them -- Allowin chose a bag of fruity candy called goodberries. "From Waterdeep, sir. Thank you for the candy!"
Vash and Sammy return to the Lost Property tent to find the boys' mother just returning, and a relieved looking Karley and Nuruk happy to see you.
"We had been trying to find a kid who ran off from the Lost Property tent. Hopefully, my companions found the kid. Let's see if they're back with the kid and then head on to somewhere more private. Sound good, Khalil?" She looks over at Khalil and nods at him, then beckons the kenku to follow her back to reunite with their companions.
Unable to spot anyone in the see of faces churning along the concourse and side alleys of the carnival, Khalil simply shrugs at Willow's suggestion. He hoped the others had found the boy. Based on his own experience and what little he'd already heard from the others, strange and dangerous things could happen to a young child at this supposedly fun, family venue.
He pokes a thumb toward the kenku as they walk back toward the Dirlagraun's tent. "Best get 'em some of these wings. " He says pointing back toward the ridiculous proof of payment fluttering from his own shoulders. "I'd rather not be accused of aiding a trespasser."
"You're certainly welcome, Allowin. Thanks for showing me where that stand was, I couldn't find it for the life of me." Vashrin says, loud enough that the boy's mother certainly would hear while ruffling the young boy's hair. "Quite the helpful young man you have there, Madam."
As the two wander off, Vash turns to his companions and Dirlagraun and says with a self-amused smile, "See, trouble averted."
A slightly more concerned look crosses his face as he adds, "Where's Willow and the farm boy?"
Sam shrugs. Once someone is home, it's very difficult to track them through the multitude. Hopefully, he thinks, Willow won't get lost. She works here. Better still, she lives here.
But very can be so unpredictable. He and his friends know well.
He decides to ask the new guy, Khalil. Using his index fingers from both his hands to simulate Willow's horns he lifts his shoulders inquisitively.
The lot of you gathered back together, having retrieved the runaway lad, plied him with sugar, and returned him to his mother. Willow and Khalil have brought back an odd new companion who seemed quite jittery, their crow-like head darting back and forth in the stuttering manner of birds as they scoped out the lot of you. "The friends you mentioned?" the kenku asked in Candlefoot's voice.
Dirlagraun pulls his wistful gaze away from the mirrored ball to see the boys off, apologizing to Allowin for the fright. He doesn't set the keepsake back on the shelf, though, still cupping it in one tentacle.
"These are them, yeah," Willow says, gesturing at all of them. "We should head to the Feasting Orchard for some food and privacy...I can run and grab a pair of wings for this one, though." Willow springs off to the front to tell Zorth one of them had ripped their wings roughhousing and she was going to cover a replacement.
Khalil breaths an obvious sigh of relief at hearing the boy was found and safely returned to his mother. While Willow goes off to get some wings, he takes a moment to rewrap the set of wood charms back around his wrist. There were likely still matters to resolve around his earlier experience, but for now he was glad for the kenku's presence and the questions and attention it would certainly bring. He gladly uses the time to gather himself and better observe these others whom the Three Sisters have deemed fit to weave into the tapestry of his life.
Zorth hands over a pair of wings as Willow hands over the silver. "Mutht be nithe, having a friend like you around! Remind me to take you drinking thometime!" he joked. She quickly rejoined the others, not even questioning it as Karley picked herself up off the ground.
Hearing your plans to head to the Orchard, Dirlagraun settles himself, placing the ball back on the shelf, his ears perking back up as he shrugs the sad memories off. "Be careful, you lot. The carnival can be an awful lot of fun...but you know better than any not to let your guard down."
You all walk along the path towards the Feasting Orchard. You pass by an odd attraction on your right, with a large sign declaring "Dragonfly Rides! One ticket punch!" You can see huge lily pads resting on the surface of a pool that glistens with phosphorescent algae. Giant dragonflies, easily three times the wingspan of a man, seemed to be using the lily pads as landing platforms. Their wings, vibrant as stained-glass windows, buzzed loudly as they came and went, picking up and dropping off excited passengers to give them a tour of the carnival.
The kenku was nervous, even with their wings. Every now and then they would stop and spin about as if expecting an ambush.
At last, you reach your destination. Music and mirth radiate from a large park, along with the scents of flowers, mead, and berry pie. A few stilt walkers pluck large ripe fruit from the trees, musicians strum, pipe, and drum, and a few guests already there are dancing or enjoying desserts about five times the size you'd normally see them served. The place hasn't nearly filled up yet, as it's not quite an hour into the festivities and most guests are still exploring. You easily find a large enough table, set away from anyone else. The kenku joins you, careful to choose a seat where no one could come up behind them.
After slipping away for a few minutes, Khalil returns to the group. His previously soiled coat is now damp but clean. A few drops of water drip to the grass as he holds the long garment slung across one arm. His demeanor is much more calm and although many questions still swirl in his mind, the moment of peace and quiet along the quiet stream was clearly a boon to the young man of the earth. The wooden trinket rattles on his wrist as he lays his coat out to dry after sliding onto the bench near the kenku. The weight of the gold carnival coin is heavy in his pocket as he eyes the tall sumptuous desserts being enjoyed by the other festival patrons.
Vashrin looks on at all the merriment with a fascinated amusement, although even he was beginning to wonder why the pleasantries seem to be such a distraction to him. He had waited for this day for eight long years, and now that it was here, he seemed content to revel in the frivolity of the carnival.
As the other find a suitable table in the orchard, Vashrin takes a seat next to Willow and eagerly waits to hear what the tiefling and the Karley had learned these passed years and how exactly the farm boy and the kenku play into all of this.
Dirlagraun's words are not lost on him and the Dragonborn takes a knee down beside the wise beast. Ruffling his head again, Nuruk spoke a soft voice.
"Not all things that are lost must remain so. I know you remember that night; I swore that I would remember. I am not just here to revel in the past. I am here to fix its mistakes." Hefting the greataxe onto his back once more before securing it, the serious words are diffused with a small smile. "Take care of yourself, friend."
The kenku had earned a look of confusion on his face; the crow-like people tended to mimic voices but he sounded exactly like Candlefoot. It was strangely too adaptive unless he had been around Candlefoot for many, many years. There would be time for questions as soon as they found someplace to sit down and relax.
His companions and new acquaintances settled at a large table in the back but Nuruk did not join them immediately. He instead approached the vendor there and ordered mugs of mead and delicious pies to be enjoyed. Using his strength, he would carry the platter back and settle it at the table beside them all before sitting in his seat. The wooden chair groaned but held up as Nuruk grabbed his mug and cleared his throat.
"My friends, I know we are here for a more somber purpose but...I feel we should enjoy these bright moments while we have them. We've all suffered the last eight years, one way or another, but now...we're all together. Old friends and new ones." The latter words being spoken of Khalil and the kenku. He raises his mug in the air, leaning forward to be able to toast them all. "To a new a day, a better day!"
"To a new day!" Willow echoes, raising her glass and clinking her mug against the mugs of any who would meet her in the middle.
She sits back, takes a drink of her the slightly effervescent mead (special to the Feywild version), and then clears her throat. She speaks quietly, leaning forward conspiratorially. "To summarize a few things...the years Karley and I spent here, neither of us was able to meet with the owners...constant rebuffs and redirections; distracting us with things children are easily distracted by. Karley can better tell you about her adventures, but I didn't leave the carnival much. I ended up becoming a performer alongside watching the carnival residents' children." Willow sighs and shrugs.
"As for our new kenku friend, there's some information that might give us some leverage for a conversation with the owners. I'm sorry, friend, I didn't catch your name." She looks apologetic, offering a gesture of apology to the kenku.
Sam is quite amazed at the sight of the man-bird. It seems the fair contains surprise after surprise.
Asking for food is some kind of a feat for him, so he does as usual - he waits until someone orders something he likes and points there making gestures to indicate he wants the same. Then he once more focuses his attention on the kenku as Willow explains he's got something to say.
Taking his cue from Willow, rather than the embodiment of chaos that was Karley, on what to drink, Vashrin sniffs at the sweet, slightly bubbly liquid. "Not quite as strong as what I've grown used to, but this will do..." he quietly mumbles to no one in particular.
Raising his glass to Nuruk's toast, he smiles, happy to be with his friends once again. When Willow echoes Nuruk's toast, Vashrin follows with "And certainly better!"
All these years, and the bastards refused to see you? While you were working for them? Unbelievable..." Vash says, shaking his head.
When Willow mentions what her role at the carnival had been, the half-elf's ears perk up a bit. "A performer? Of what sort?" Vashrin asks, genuinely interested in what manner of craft his friend had taken up in their years apart.
When Karley effectively blows off her accomplishments of these past eight years, Vash cocks his head and curiously echos, Astronautically training?" before adding, "I know words can be difficult for you my friend, but I simply must hear more about that sometime."
As Sammy struggles to order his food, Vash takes note and makes sure that his mute friend gets a bit of everything that comes to the table.
When Willow mentions that the kenku might have some valuable information, Vashrin gets quiet and pays his undivided attention to the ravenfolk.
The kenku peers at Karley momentarily, curious about her manner of speech, but then turns to Willow and bows its head. "My name is Kettlesteam," Candlefoot's voice said. "I know it can be difficult for your people to tell my people apart, but I am female. I...borrowed...this voice. If I get the chance to speak with the ones who run this place, I must be able to communicate more clearly than my people are usually able to, with yours." Kettlesteam sounded apologetic at that, but clammed up as someone approached.
A Witchlight hand, this one a plump older lady Willow and Karley knew simply as Mrs. Berry, approached with a bunch of empty platters. "Hullo my lovelies! Welcome to the carnival!" She laid plates, bowls, and mugs in front of everyone, and a number of covered dishes in the center for all to share. Not one had a crumb on it. Karley and Willow waited, knowing how this worked, watching their friends' faces. "Now close your eyes, my dears, and imagine your very favorite foods. Concentrate on them, picture them on the table before you -- anything and everything you wish!" She began to incant a spell.
Khalil sips from the glass of sparkling meade. He was no teetotaller, but neither was he a heavy drinker. That and the desire to keep a clear head considering recent circumstances kept him from overindulging on the tasty brew.
Feeling little concern for the kenku's choice of voices, because, after all, he'd never met Candlefoot before. He merely leans in close and listens to what the ravenkin has to say. Only to find the kenku's story once again set aside by other events.
When the platters arrive he smiles at the older woman and takes a few moments to ponder the covered serving dishes. On the farm he and Gorm often ate simple country fare. Stews and breads and whatever was fresh from the fields. Then he recalls his one and only trip to the Summer Queen's Court. The tables there were filled with amazing delights, constantly replenished by a bevy of fey servers and more than a little fey magic.
He can still picture in his minds eye a marvelous display of fruit filled chocolate truffles arrayed and built to former a marvelous tower of sweet delight. A platter of fresh berries and fruit from every corner of the Feywild and the mortal realms. Fascinating star fruits, sumptuous red raspberries and strawberries and huckleberries. Each as if they were just picked under the warmth of the noonday sun. Juicy and sweet and sprinkled with the lightest dusting of golden pixie dust. A dozen different apple varieties from slightly sour to honey sweet each partnered with thin slices of rich cheese or warm breads. Potatoes roasted in a light, delicate oil and spiced with rosemary, sage, and just a hint of early autumn air. There was so much more, but these are what come to his mind as he sits there with eyes closed, a slight smile upon weathered features.