A Different Haunted Mansion (D&D, see plotting thread)

[Deleted]

Helen's lips upturned to a smile upon catching Harzinon's attention enough for him to come towards them sooner rather than later. Hey, maybe she did have a bit of her old self still left after all these years, that was nice to know. She watched as Harzinon sat himself in front of them and planted her hands by her wide hips with a smirk when he commented that they were an unusual group. As a super among others that have incredible powers, being unusual used to be the norm for Helen until she was forced to blend in with the rest of the world. Helen decided to keep her commentaries to herself and glanced over at Elsa speaking, before raising an eyebrow at Basil when he began to speak. She decided not to steal a glance over to check to see if that innkeeper was watching this time. The stealthy super in disguise knew that if too many eyes were glancing his way, that man would surely know something was up.

When Basil mentioned the three-faced man and instantly accused Harzinon of being that man, Helen's auburn eyebrows rose in surprise. As strange as it was for her to admit, the passionate way that Basil spoke about it just now as if it were beyond a reasonable doubt was relatable. That was quite a heavy accusation; however, she was also that way when she never felt more sure about something and her husband was the same, and she knew better than to say something without arming herself with the facts. Helen glanced over at Mateo, who instantly tried to protect Harzinon from being insulted by such an accusation, which would make sense because they apparently needed him in order to get out of this place. Instantly, this reminded her of all the times she was called to the principals office when Dash would be accused of pulling a prank on the teacher without any evidence, and she had to defend him in order to protect his identity and keep his powers a secret. Helen gazed back at Harzinon, and instead she gave him a nod with a look of understanding. Even she had two identities that she had to maintain for the sake of society. If it was true that Harzinon needed three identities, then it had to be for a reason.

"Did you see him do this?" Helen softly asked Basil instead, her head still facing Mateo to make it seem as if she were talking to Mateo still from further away, though her brown eyes regarded the mouse in the cloak carefully. She didn't think he was wrong, but as a fact-based person, she preferred seeing the evidence before making any kind of accusations; She wanted to know the evidence and facts that he seemed to have gathered about this man having multiple identities. "Why don't you tell us exactly what you found?" She added, wanting Basil to just be upfront with what he saw when he had left the group earlier already. It was important that they were all on the same page.

[Elsa]

Harzinon raised an eyebrow at the white-haired woman’s careful explanation. She seemed to be deliberately dodging a proper response. He didn’t make any mention of it, especially as the mouse spoke up.

Harzinon’s eyes flashed. He glanced around; Larovik was off behind the bar, so there was no danger of the group being thrown out. Larovik had an unfortunate view on magic, which most of the town actually agreed with. There was a reason for it, though.

Thankfully, there wasn’t anyone close enough to hear the mouse’s announcement. ”Shh,” he admonished. ”I’ve never heard it phrased like that, a man with three faces, but I kinda like it; maybe I’ll include it in a later show. But if that knowledge got out, that I’m all three, it could ruin me.

“You found me out, which no one has done before. Harzinon is my real name, so let’s just stick with that.” Harzinon ignored the boy’s feeble attempt at explaining the mouse. Leaning back in his chair, he said, ”So what brings a ragtag group like you four into Ambroth?” To the white-haired woman, he added, ”You know the truth about me, so let’s not dance around the answer this time, hm?”

Elsa was stunned at being addressed in such a manner. She wasn’t one to insist on titles, especially when she wasn’t in Arendelle. She had half a mind to reproach Harzinon for his rather rude statement. But he had no real way of knowing she was a queen, and her power was restricted here, by the rules and the fact that no one knew of Arendelle.

Lowering her voice, she said, ”We don’t know why we’re here. Some... magic... brought us here, showing us a man with three faces and a manor. From what we can tell, it’s supposed to be Drestyn Manor. What do you know about it?”

((I’m just assuming that Helen told everyone about her conversation with Liluth, let’s say, on their trip back to the inn? The next few posts are going to end up being mostly exposition, and lol I wanna get past that quickly; we’re on page 5 and I don’t want to lose our going power. Best way to do that is to get to the manor.))

[Basil]

Basil was delighted, though not surprised, to find that his deductions were correct. This denoument had come off rather splendidly, though he would not admit it aloud. Bad form, and all that.

Did you see him do this?

The detective's eyes flickered toward the speaker, though Harzinon's admission made any reply from Basil superfluous.

You found me out, which no one has done before.

Hopefully, Basil did not appear too utterly pleased with himself.

Why don't you tell us exactly what you found?

"Only the disguises used by this gentleman to transform himself into, not merely a performer, but an entire troupe."

So what brings a ragtag group like you four into Ambroth?

Had Basil been dressed in his proper clothes, he would take offense to that remark. As it was, this costume was a bit threadbare, so he let it pass.

The mouse settled himself to take in Harzinon's explanation, paying the keenest attention so as not to miss a word.

<<It seems to me that our posts might be a trifle...light as we're waiting for Harzinon's explanation. Not much for us to do but react.>>

[Mateo de Alva]

Helen asked for the diplomatic, motherly type of response, and what proof Basil had of his claim, while Mateo still tried to figure out if, and how far, it mattered if the mouse were right. It didn't, he decided, not in this world and if that was perhaps how magic in this world survived and people made livings. Or he could have to say it was faked if magic was outlawed.

Still, Mateo wasn't that stubborn, he knew, especially once Harzinon admitted to it, that it was just a case of slight of hand. Oh, he was a little disappointed, just in the missed opportunities of magic talks, but not too bothered, so long as he could still help them. The young wizard looked a bit puzzled, and curious to this fact, as Harzinon mused over using the moniker of the Three Faced Man. Then...did he in fact know nothing about it?

Mateo grimaced a bit at the manner of addressing Elsa as well, but only because he also knew she was a queen and had all sorts of courtly manners, as she'd pointed out when first meeting him. For the group at large's sake he let it go, and as Elsa did as well, awaiting what, if anything, Harzinon knew and could tell on the Manor.

[Elsa]

((Per Helen's request, skipping.))

Harzinon eyed the mouse at his response. ”You must’ve snuck past me and into the back. Bruno wouldn’t have been looking down.” He wasn’t upset. In fact, it was rather amusing, in his opinion.

Turning his attention back to the younger woman—who seemed to be the leader--he said, ”In order to tell you what I know, let me tell you a story.

"Ambroth was once a prospering village. That was during the era of Lord Drestyn, a wealthy nobleman. He owned a large mansion just a few miles from here. His nightly feasts and parties brought nobles and other guests from far across the land.

"As time passed, however, fewer and fewer guests arrived. Several vowed never to return, speaking badly of Lord Drestyn and his feasts. As the visitors dwindled, so did the prosperity of Ambroth. Then the crops failed and a plague of snakes swept across the nearby farms. A former servant at the manor revealed that Lord Drestyn had made a pact with a demon or some foul creature which had brought the curse upon the village. Finally, one fateful night, in a fit of rage, the evil Lord Drestyn killed all of his servants and himself.

"That was twenty years ago..." Harzinon paused, glancing slowly between the four faces.

"Since then, many have talked of Lord Drestyn's treasure, but few have dared to enter the mansion. From outside, some claim to have seen strange sights moving within. Those brave enough to enter say the manor is haunted by restless spirits. A few even swear they have faced the ghost of the dead Lord Drestyn!

"I was planning to go see this manor for myself tomorrow because I too find myself drawn by its eerie past and the temptation of finding hidden treasure. It would also make a good story. If whatever magic brought you here showed you my faces and a manor, you may need to go there before you can return home, wherever that may be for you. Would you care to join me?"

Elsa considered Harzinon’s story. It seemed that whatever magic brought them here wanted them to go to the manor; but for what purpose? What were they supposed to do there? Find the truth?

With a glance at her companions, she said, ”I think joining you would be advantageous for all of us.” It was a diplomatic answer; she was revealing her thoughts without committing them to journey with Harzinon.

[Basil]

Basil's expression told how intently he soaked in every detail of Harzinon's story. A tale of multiple murders--how exciting! Too bad it had taken place decades before; there would scarce be any clues worth finding by this time. Even a search for hidden treasure might prove a worthy test of the mouse's abilities. But their goal was to find the way out of this place back to the relative normalcy of the parks.

”I think joining you would be advantageous for all of us.”

"Well said," replied Basil, leaving out Elsa's royal title as it would necessitate more explanations. "I concur. Although This could very likely be a trap laid for us, we have no alternative. Unless we plan to live out our lives here."

As for the tale of ghosts, spirits, or whatever, Basil would have scoffed at such things were he home in England. But here, well, it was certainly possible.

[Mateo de Alva]

Harzon's assumption that Elsa was the leader was not incorrect, or as far as Mateo went, and the wizard also had no problems whatsoever deferring to her in this as well as back in the parks; as a queen she had such rights and Mateo worked best in assisting. Not that he didn't and wouldn't try to help where could be, such as even just giving another consenting nod to the idea of joining forces.

After such was suggested. Before that, Mateo just took in the tale, and the more he did the more one thing was becoming clear. They were meant to be here. This sounded exactly like a problem needing the assistance of chosen few to complete. He had experience with those, such as Avalor's need of Princess Elena, though that had been more complicated that this.

And Avalor had never called for outside help such as Ambroth was. "We seem all but...stuck", Mateo added further by way of his agreeing to all there was to agree to, and in terms of them all perhaps, city included.

[Deleted]

The auburn haired ranger planted a hand on her large hip and listened attentively as Harzinon explained more on the story that she was given before. Although it was on the verge of something supernatural, a pact with a demon was familiar enough to Helen. She grew up with a family that was strict on religious beliefs that was all about avoiding temptation, but she wasn't as religious with her own family though; if a bad guy ended up getting killed for something nefarious that he had done, then Helen would have no remorse. She made sure to explain that to her kids as well: the real bad guys will kill them if they were to give them that chance.

"A treasure hunt? That's what this is all about?" Helen raised an eyebrow and shook her head with a small, wry smile at the thought of a treasure hunt. They got sucked in this mess away from their families just to solve a treasure hunt? Maybe 15 years ago, she would've jumped at the mission, but now Helen was more of the reluctant hero that just wanted to be with her family. She could be looking for a job at this point to prevent her family from being homeless again. Not to mention that it's been a long time since she had really had a mission like this, and Helen wasn't about doing something illegal unless she knew it was important. Even this place seemed to be illegal to use powers, just like her own home place.

Mateo and Basil were right though. Either way, they were stuck and there was no way she was going to make a living here when she had a family to get back to. "If it means gettin' back to my family," The superheroine in disguise said, only interested in doing this for her family, "I'm in." And for once, a tiny glimmer of confidence was shown in her brown eyes over her determined countenance. It's been a long time since she was given this opportunity. Was it possible she was getting her old spark back?

[Elsa]

Elsa nearly winced at Helen’s words. While a treasure hunt didn’t seem like something productive, she firmly believed that they had been brought to Ambroth for a reason. Getting to the manor was something they needed to do, and if Harzinon was going on a treasure hunt there, it might help if they had an extra set of hands. His knowledge of the history of the place could come in handy as well.

Mateo and Basil easily agreed with Elsa’s words, and it only took Helen a moment to add that she agreed as well.

Harzinon smiled at the four faces staring at him. ”Excellent. Will you be staying here at the Pixie and Dixie Inn? Or do you have other accommodations?” He didn’t really wait for their response. ”Either way, I definitely need a good night’s rest. Shall I meet you outside the inn an hour past sunrise?

He pushed his seat back, spinning it back to the table he’d stolen it from. ”By the way, I didn’t catch your names...?”

As she and her companions had not yet discussed their accommodations for the night, Elsa didn't answer Harzinon's question on the matter. Elsa put a hand on her chest and bowed her head slightly. ”I am Elsa.” Leaving out her title and of Arendelle was more difficult than she’d thought it would be, but she managed.

After Harzinon had retreated behind the door on stage, Elsa glanced at the innkeeper; he was bustling in and out of the kitchen, taking back dishes and occasionally serving a drink at the bar. The inn was fairly quiet, now. ”I was wondering the same about where we would stay tonight. I can easily craft a shelter for us, I was thinking, in the field outside of town? I don’t know what the cost of a room here would be, nor how much gold you all have. What do you think?”

[Basil]

Basil's eyes flitted from one to the other of his companions as they voiced their various opinions. They four were not bound to each other, save by necessity, and no one could be forced to accompany him on this visit to the mansion in question. But the mouse was confident that each would see the logic in his plan and fall in line.

By the way, I didn’t catch your names...?

Basil gave his readily, as there was no need for secrecy from Harzinon at this point.

I can easily craft a shelter for us

At this Basil started, though he endeavoured to minimize it.

"A shelter made of ice?" Why, they would all freeze, save, of course, the queen. "May I suggest we remain here for the night? We might as well spend what coin we have, as we'll not be needing it when we find the way back." How expensive could two rooms be? Surely not as dear as those back in the parks. As for himself, he would not even be charged, if the innkeeper thought he was a pet.

[Mateo de Alva]

Helen's words and assumption might not have been completely on, about a Treasure Hunt and all, but Mateo still smiled, and not in mocking her, just the unexpectedness off the sum up. But she was in, as she said, same as them.

Mateo still wasn't entirely sure what all this would entail, but it was seemingly the only way...back to the parks. Whether or not he would count that 'home' he wasn't sure. More familiar. Less restricting and dangerous.

As his court manners and position, and Elsa's own as Royal and current Leader of the expedition dictated, Mateo glanced to her off the question of their accommodations, they would have to discuss perhaps. She let it drop, though, and so did Mateo, simply nodding and giving his own name, "Mateo", before Harzinon left.

Then they did discuss. Mateo having to smile at Basil's tone, "It's sturdy and not cold, I've seen Q-Elsa's structures for myself", he slightly defended.

"And as long as our shelter wouldn't cause people to wonder about it, I'd say that was good, but...Basil might also have a good point", Mateo gave his two cents, and was not trying to make up for all the mouse had had to endure. He'd endured half as bad with the kicking

[Deleted]

Helen glimpsed over at her companions when they had asked about accomodations. They had mentioned talking about a place to stay, but it wasn't confirmed. She nodded when he asked if the meeting time was adequate. Helen was used to getting up early anyways for her kids in order to prepare them breakfast and get them ready for school. As everyone gave their names, noting that Elsa didn't provide her own title, Helen added her introduction: "And my name's Helen."

When Harzinon made his way to the door, Elsa thankfully brought up the accommodations in order to confirm where they were going to be staying. Helen raised an eyebrow with an intrigued smile when she heard that Elsa could actually construct a shelter out of her powers. At first, she immediately thought of some kinda igloo made of ice, and she was going to have to side with Basil on that aspect. Ice and her flexible powers didn't exactly do well together. However, when Mateo said that the structure wasn't made of ice, that intrigued Helen even more. Elsa could create an entire shelter without it being made of ice?! That sounded amazing! She couldn't wait to see that! Unfortunately, her logic that they had to keep hidden was what sadly prevented her from being able to get to see that. The mother of three supers was all about self-control and especially when showing powers was forbidden.

"As much as I'd love to see your shelter, Elsa, I think we oughta play it safe here with the no-powers rule..Trust me, I'm all for spending the night outside in the woods in a tent.." Helen smirked, glancing at the three to see what they thought of the idea. Somehow, the thought of spending time in the woods just sounded really nice for the ranger.. "But since we don't have a tent, how bout we just ask how much this place is to see if it's affordable? Besides, we wouldn't even have to scavenge for breakfast if we have a kitchen here.." Helen shrugged, not caring either way. Honestly, the superpowered mother was all for searching for food like she would at any grocery store and she didn't mind cooking the food either, but if they were among royalty, they might want food at a kitchen where they can actually choose for themselves and not be limited by what was available in the woods.

[Elsa]

Elsa felt like Basil’s concern was justified—for someone who hadn’t been in one of her structures before. ”Made of ice, yes, but it would keep any rain out, and it wouldn’t leave any of you feeling cold.” She was pleased to hear Mateo speak in her defense, and she gave him a reassuring and thankful smile.

”But no matter; Basil, you have made a good point. I will go find out how much a room here costs.” Standing, Elsa made her way to where the innkeeper was wiping down the bar.

Larovik watched the woman approaching. ”By th’ way, need a two gold pieces for th’ food.”

Elsa nodded, digging out the requested currency. ”How much do you charge for a room here?”

He lifted his chin to look at the woman’s companions. ”Fer three o’ yeh?” That mouse didn’t count. ”I can put yeh in a room with four beds for four gold. Jus’ one night?”

She inquired about two rooms—thinking one for her and Helen, the other for Mateo and Basil—but he told her it’d be more expensive. Elsa nodded again, withdrawing the money from her pouch. Basil’s thought that they wouldn’t need their money on their return definitely had merit. As long as they were able to find a way home in the manor, or after. ”Can we have two rooms, please, with two beds in each? And thank you,” she added, placing the coins in his hand. He grunted in response, holding out two keys, and Elsa took them before returning to her friends.

”We’ve got two rooms for the night. I feel like he’ll be happy to see us leave.” She handed one key to Mateo. ”I think I’ll turn in now. I’ll leave the room unlocked for you, Helen.” She glanced at the leather tag attached to the heavy key in her hand. ”I guess they don’t number their rooms like they do in the p—at home. It’s some kind of rune I’m not familiar with.” She showed Helen the rune, a vertical line with a diamond crossing the top half of the line. ”Good night, all, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

Finding the room was as easy as matching the symbol on the key to the one on the door. The key fit easily, and Elsa entered the small room. It was very modest: two single beds with a small table between them. The window was dingy. All in all, it was far below what Elsa was accustomed to.

She waved a hand, conjuring a nightgown for herself. Usually she would simply transform what she wore, but she worried that it wouldn’t be affected by her magic, and that she wouldn’t be able to replicate it in the morning. Better, she thought, to change her clothes manually, as opposed to magically.

[Basil]

We’ve got two rooms for the night.

"Splendid," replied Basil, though not too loudly. He'd forgotten all about his pique at being treated like a pet, though not about the need to conceal himself from the denizens of this place. Never mind; they would be gone in the morning, and good riddance. Perhaps Basil would fire a verbal parting shot at that loutish innkeeper if he was in the mood.

For now, he excused himself and made his way to the room Elsa had engaged, leaving the key with Mateo, as he shouldn't need it. Slipping easily under the door, the mouse found his chamber to be unprepossessing, but adequate. He could sleep easily enough under more adverse conditions than this.

Wishing he had a proper nightshirt, Basil performed his nightly ablutions, divested himself of all but his tunic, and, curling up upon one of the pillows, was soon deeply asleep, smiling gently as he dreamed of his own exploits.

******

Dawn was scarcely breaking before Basil was up and about. He could, unless thoroughly exhausted, set his brain like a clock to awaken whenever he chose. The anticipation of a mystery to solve set him humming as he washed and dressed himself, taking care to secrete his long knife where it would be hidden, yet easily accessible.

"It's time," he called to Mateo. "The game is afoot!"

[Mateo de Alva]

”As much as I'd love to see your shelter, Elsa, I think we oughta play it safe here with the no-powers rule..Trust me, I'm all for spending the night outside in the woods in a tent.."

Helen’s comment sounded like it could have been meant jokingly, or Mateo was just used to those kinds of comments from his friend Naomi, but the current Ranger was apparently serious.

Provisions was also a good point...

Elsa went to see about the rooms, the whole problem of one or two not even occurring to Mateo as something of negotiating. She was going to see if two rooms were available for what they had. Sharing with Elsa and Helen would have just been improper, Mateo unknowingly agreed with Basil’s would be thoughts on the matter.

”We’ve got two rooms for the night. I feel like he’ll be happy to see us leave.”

”No doubt”, Mateo smiled, and it would be nice to not be so...watched, if Magic and Basil talking were so frowned upon.

The young wizard took his and Basil’s key, with a nod, and glanced to it as Elsa pointed out the strange symbols...

Hmm...maybe in case people were illiterate? Mateo didn't speak this thought aloud, but it wouldn't surprise him, and no offense to the citizens, some in Avalor, like the humble stone mason, hadn't bothered to learn to read or write.

"Good night, Elsa", Mateo nodded and replied as she left. Basil left also like he could get in without Mateo, and the wizard suddenly realized he could. He stayed up a bit longer, though not all that long, given all they had to do in the morning, then turned in himself.

***

With such knowledge, Mateo still planned to be up before or at time with Basil, but this apparently didn't happen, and his bed ruffled head popped up at the mouse's cry.

It was on the tip of the wizard'd tongue to ask why Basil was in his room, when he realized it was not his room in Coronado Springs, where he'd been staying ever since Captain Turner went back.

Oh! Right!

"Ah, sorry!", the teen was up in an instant, with less of a routine and just changing and seeing his hair lay flattish once more, "What'd you say about a foot?, he asked Basil puzzled, then dismissed it, heading out with the mouse to see if Helen and Elsa were up yet.

[Deleted]

"Honestly? The sooner we get home, the better." Helen responded softly with a shrug as to whether the innkeeper was particularly thrilled about them staying. She couldn't agree more. The faster they leave, the sooner she could get back to her family. Helen smiled supportively as Elsa asked for information on their rooms, and managed to get two rooms, one of which she was sharing with Elsa.

The cloaked ranger tilted her head curiously at the symbols of the rune, noting the particular design having nothing to do with numbers like Elsa mentioned. Huh. Interesting. When Elsa decided to turn in for the night and suggested to leave the door open for her, she nodded but decided on staying up a little longer. The ranger wanted to get a good grasp on the maps in order to make sure they knew where they would be going in the woods just in case this Harzinon would mislead them in any way. Mateo seemed to stay up along with her, helping her figure out the rune symbols as well as the map she had purchased, though they mostly shared about their own experiences in each of their respective worlds without giving too much away to the listening ear. It was nice getting to know Mateo more this way, she only wished it could be more in depth. In a way, there was a lot more to the both of them than they were both letting on as far as skills and abilities were concerned, though they both knew that it was best not to talk about it in a place like this.

After a while, Helen decided that it was best to turn in to her room only to find that Elsa was in a night dress that was a lot like her own dress, and she knew that she couldn't have bought something like it at the store they were just in. With a careful exchange of whispers and gestures, she was impressed to find out that Elsa had conjured it up herself. Helen used her finger to transform into a brush to at least brush her teeth in the bathroom as best as she could with water since there was no toothpaste. Then, sighing with the wish that she had her robe, she decided to sleep with cloak on completely covering her.

In the morning, Helen awakened early as she was accustomed to as a mother and heaved a sigh with a frown upon seeing that it wasn't a nightmare after all. Well, with any hope, they were going to get through this and get out of this place. With that, she instantly got herself dressed in her ranger attire again, and then made sure Elsa was awake and ready before they would meet with the boys. "Hey, Good morning! How'd you sleep?" She asked of her team with a smile, hoping that they were relatively rested. Something told her that they had a long day ahead of them.

(permission to summarize convos by Maggie and Sage)

[Elsa]

Her conversation with Helen was informative, as Helen hadn't realized the scope of all of Elsa's powers. She had a feeling there were still some things she could do, that she hadn't considered before. She'd offered to conjure a similar nightgown for Helen, but the flexible mother declined.

~~~

Elsa, too, rose early--about the same time as Helen. While Elsa had no children of her own, she did consider herself a guardian for Lilo, and there had been plenty of other children staying with her since her arrival in the parks. She'd made it a point to open her suite to anyone in need.

She took her armor into the bathroom and changed quickly, stowing her crafted nightgown away in her pack. She emerged, glad that the night had passed quickly and without incident.

The ladies descended back into the main room of the inn, and Elsa turned over the key to the innkeeper. She handed him two more gold pieces, asking about breakfast. A quick question about Harzinon yielded no information, so Elsa figured he was still asleep. No matter, as they still had a bit of time before they were supposed to meet him.

Helen asked the question that had been on Elsa's mind. "I don't think I slept as well as I usually do, but I feel refreshed enough to face the day."

It didn't take long for the innkeeper to bring over plates with a steaming pile of scrambled eggs, another chunk of bread, and another bunch of grapes. It was sustenance enough for Elsa, and she started eating right away.

[Basil]

<<What'd you say about a foot? -- *snicker*>>

Basil led the way to the common room of the inn, more than ready to embark on the day's adventure. The promise of a mystery to solve was all he needed to preserve his equanimity, even before the loutish innkeeper, and he behaved himself admirably at breakfast.

To the polite inquiry of the young queen, Basil answered, "Like a top, thank you. Now, let's see if we have something nice for our breakfast, shall we?" The simple fare of bread and eggs did not daunt the detective; he would've made do with worse.

But where was Harzinon? Basil hoped they would not be forced to go in search of him, as the mouse was eager to be off.

[Mateo de Alva]

Helen's comment, and calling the parks home, wasn't lost to Mateo, and honestly...he sort of felt the same, despite the fact that the parks weren't home; they all had homes they had come from before being zapped there, and yet...he would feel the same relief when they got back that one would at getting home.

For Helen the feeling made sense, he later learned, more so than him anyway, she at least had most of her family with her in the parks. It was all touchy emotions, Mateo knew, but he replied enough to try to assure her to the resourcefulness of little boys and how her son was no doubt fine. Besides Mateo felt time wasn't felt "back home", and such instances as when family and friend's met here seemed to confirm it.

"I don't think I slept as well as I usually do, but I feel refreshed enough to face the day."

Elsa answered to her own inquiry on how they slept the next morning. "Same", Mateo chuckled, and gave a small glance to Basil, wondering if he'd call him out on it. Time arising aside, it was still true, and perhaps because of even. Breakfast was a bit humble by both Avalorian and the Park standards, but perfectly fine, and Mateo made sure Elss had from him the coin for his end to just pay in one fare.

[Deleted]

Helen smiled warmly upon hearing them answer to her inquiry as to how they slept. As a mother, it was always customary for her to make sure the rest of the people she was with were fine or taken care of. It was the least that she could do considering that she was feeling homesick and missing her family like crazy, but it gave her some measure of comfort that she can protect this team in the meantime.

Upon being given her plate of food, Helen smiled at the innkeeper appreciatively, "This looks great. Thanks for the meal!" Although Helen wasn't opposed to looking for food had they decided on camping outside by the woods, she still appreciated home cooked meals and especially ones that she didn't have to cook herself. As someone that used to be a stay-at-home mom, she wasn't used to having this kind of service back home with her family. Truth be told, Helen would have liked more vegetables on the plate to make it even more balanced with the protein of the egg and the fruit, as this was a veggie-less meal that Dash would've liked, but she wasn't opposed to it since it was cooked and prepared for her after all.

"You think Harzinon will be waitin' for us at the front?" The auburn haired ranger asked of her team as she finished her food, noticing that Harzinon was nowhere in sight as of yet. Perhaps he was waiting in the front and did not venture to meet them inside? That was the only explanation.

[Elsa]

Harzinon strode through the front door, his long legs carrying him quickly across the room to his new companions. ”Hey, you’re all awake already! Getting an early start?” There was still half an hour or so before when Harzinon had asked them to meet him.

He stood behind Helen’s chair, resting his hands on its back. It was pure coincidence that her chair was the one closest to the door. Giving a nod to them all, he said, ”I’ll meet you out front after you eat.” Patting the back of the chair quickly, Harzinon turned and left the inn to gather some of his belongings from his cart.

Harzinon’s breezy nature still unsettled Elsa a little, but she attributed it to being unused to such a person.

Elsa finished her plate quickly, impatient for them to be on their way. Assuring her companions that they could take their time, she dropped her plate off at the bar, striding outside to find Harzinon. She preferred to know the plan, no matter the situation, and she wanted to know if he had one.

She found him tying down a cart around the corner from the inn. She was still visible from the front door, so if Basil, Helen, and Mateo were close behind her, they would be able to see her easily.

Harzinon glanced over to Elsa, throwing her a lazy smile. ”Just tyin’ up my stuff. Larovik and Burgo will watch it while we’re gone.” After her straightforward question, Harzinon rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ”I was thinkin, just go and see what we see. If we find anything interesting, we’ll split the take.”

Well, it wasn’t quite the plan Elsa had hoped for. It was the bare bones of a plan. But she supposed that would be enough to get them through. They could always discuss further details at a later point.

[Basil]

At last! Harzinon made his appearance, to the satisfaction of all.

Getting an early start?

To this, Basil nodded pleasantly. Doubtless each member of the little company was eager to embark on what, they hoped, would be the road out of this place. But for the detective's part, the promise of a riddle to solve was at least as enticing. He'd've risen hours earlier, had it been necessary.

Though he ate with perfect manners, he did not dawdle over his breakfast by any means. Basil was more than ready to depart, and, after excusing himself to his companions, strode to the door with a cavalier nod to the innkeeper, whom he dearly hoped he would never have to see again.

I was thinkin, just go and see what we see

Sounded capital; Basil was confident he would be able to divine the way home if he could merely get to the place in question.

[Mateo de Alva]

The issue of Harzinon was not something Mateo had pondered too far just yet, finding with slight surprise at himself even, that he half expected that if the man said he'd be there, he would, no need to question that. It was how folks acted in Avalor, and even in the parks there was a measure of dependability to the Cast Members, even the ones less used to some of the more substantial problems from some of the types they got as Special Guests.

Before he could try to answer, and with allowing in that small doubt on if Harzinon would show, the man appeared to greet them in his own cheerful way. Mateo caught the slight flippancy to his nature, as well, but until it was a problem he supposed...well it wasn't exactly a problem. Still his court courtesy watched slightly as Harzinon rested his hands at the back of Helen's chair without even asking if being that close was fine before he walked off.

Elsa and next Basil then walked off after their guide to check on things, and rightly so, Mateo felt, in terms of Harzinon. He smiled to Helen as he finished up his own breakfast, "He's a bit, big personality yeah, but...all goes well, he'll be getting us home". Home slipped out of him too! In mentioning the parks.

[Deleted]

Speak of the devil. Brown eyes blinked in astonishment upon suddenly perceiving that Harzinon had appeared right behind her seat. What in the world?! She raised an eyebrow up at him, just about to address that, but he barely said a few words and he was already out the door. She watched as Elsa and Basil left outside, before glimpsing over at Mateo, who obviously noticed the look she had.

"He's a bit, big personality yeah, but...all goes well, he'll be getting us home". 

"Yeah, you're right.." The mother of three replied in agreement, then smiled at Mateo appreciatively at his reassurance. After she finished eating the rest of her breakfast, she checked and accounted for in her mind to make sure that everyone brought their supplies, as the mother tended to do for her kids when it came to getting them ready school, then waited for Mateo to finish eating so that they can both walk over to the rest of the team.

Once outside, the red-haired ranger planted her hands by her shapely hips as she watched Harzinon finished tying up some things. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at the whole 'split the take' bit that she caught him saying, not really caring to ask if he meant evenly or if he was being sly like that. "..And you get us home.." She added sternly as a reminder, making sure that Harzinon didn't forget to calculate that into his little treasure hunt adventure plan. She still didn't see a point in getting treasure that they probably weren't even going to be able to use when they got back to the theme park, but she decided to refrain from talking about it because she figured she wouldn't hurt the other team's sense of adventure. Helen's sense of adventure had dwindled since her retirement as a superhero, and she was only starting to get used to the idea here, but overall, she just wanted to get to her family faster.

[Elsa]

Harzinon threw a wink at Helen as she approached. ”Of course I’ll try to get you home. Wouldn’t be right of me if I didn’t. Besides, this may be a new tale I can tell for the North Bend Troupe.

“Well, since we’re all here, shall we?” He gestured off to the north. There was maybe a fifteen minute walk through the town—which was still quiet at this early hour—and then nearly an hour through fields before they hit the woods. ”Oh, I was also hoping to stop by the druid camp on our way. They usually camp right on the edge of the woods, so we’ll be passing right by them. I just want a quick chat with Linden about some artifacts I heard about. Won’t take long.” He glanced at all four faces expectantly.

Harzinon’s brief mention of magic items got the queen thinking about magic in general. Mateo, she judged, would be accepted for his magic. The innkeeper had reprimanded Mateo for the use of magic, but hadn’t seemed surprised overall about the presence of it—except that it was in town. So, was magic common here? Could she and Helen get away with using their abilities without seeming very out of place?

Elsa realized she should’ve discussed with Helen the idea of telling Harzinon about their innate abilities. If there was any kind of fighting—and something told her there would be—there was no way she could expect Helen to keep her stretching powers a secret from the stranger, and she herself would be using every trick she could think of. It was a little late now, though. She’d have to get Helen separate from the others at some point, for a quick conversation. Perhaps at the camp Harzinon mentioned. She was reluctant to agree to the stop, but she supposed they could spare a few minutes, as long as the rest of the group agreed.

”As long as it won’t take long, it’s okay with me. Please understand, we are in a terrible hurry to return home, and our only clue is the manor.”