[center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjEwNi4xNWM0ZTUuVG05eWFTQktZWGxsLjA,/vankours.regular.webp[/img][/center]

[color=00FFFF]“What is with these crows,”[/color] Nori thought to herself as she caught sight of one in the window.  Normally, she would chalk it up to her avian friends being curious creatures.  And what would be more interesting to a murder than an open window and sweet smells that beckon them forth.  Yet this one seemed to have a very peculiar interest in her, not the pie at the table or the food being served elsewhere, this crow was fixated on Nori.  She shifted side to side in her seat and the crow followed her as she did.  Was it the snacks she gave them earlier? Nori’s thoughts drifted from the conversation at hand even more so than they already were.  “Should I give it another gift?  What would it even want, I did not bring any trinkets or shinny stuff… Maybe some more food?”  They grabbed a nearby menu and looked it over.  [color=00FFFF]“I know crows like nuts and stuff, but I wonder if they would be okay wi-“[/color]

[color=saddlebrown]“This spooky girls’ friend…”[/color]

Nori’s focus was pulled back to the conversation by a finger pointed her way.  Spooky girl?  Nori knew the way she dressed could be abrasive, yes, but spooky?  Nori fixed her gaze on Jasmine as she continued listing off who Eleanor was to everyone, and Nori did indeed find that strange.  Who was Eleanor Black, why was everyone’s experience with her different, and what did this town have to do with it? Eventually, their gracious host unfurled a map and pointed out a spot that marked the next leg of their journey.  Nori began to look it over and had a question ready to ask, when a blur of motion in the window grabbed her attention once more.  [color=00FFFF]“Two..”[/color] Nori thought to herself as she slid back into her seat.  Two crows were now perched in the window.  Each one had their attention fixated on Nori.  

[color=00FFFF]“What is up with these guys,”[/color] she whispered under her breath, and forgot the question she wanted to ask.  

[center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjEwNi5lZjVkMDYuU205eVpHRnVJRVoxWTJoei4w/cavallo.regular.webp[/img][/center]

The discussion within the group about the skull, and their plans to avoid it, did not fall deaf on Jordan’s ears.  He was pleased that no one wanted to explore the skull area.  He had always headed words of caution when spoken by locals, so if they are afraid or concerned about that area Jordan wanted to stick well clear of it.  There was the issue of everyone wanting to go together as one big group.  They were all outsiders in a town that disliked outsiders.  If they traveled in one large herd that would be obvious to everyone in town.  Jordan wondered what would happen if they were discovered and someone mentioned that they all knew an Eleanor Black, each one different from the last.  Would they try and get them all institutionalized?  What would those facilities be like down here in the south.  Jordan looked towards the door.  Healthcare in general was rough down here.  He assumed that if he was institutionalized, he would much rather have it done back home.  Jordan shook himself free of his racing thoughts and returned his focus back to the group as someone suggested they split up.

[color=FF7F50]“I am inclined to agree.  We have a big group, and a lot of ground to cover, so it only makes sense that we split up and knock out as many of these points as possible.”[/color]

[center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjEwNi5iNTBiZmUuVDJ4cGRtbGhJRmRsYVhOei4w/melliora.regular.webp[/img][/center]

[color=f49ac2]“You all just love falling into the tropes,”[/color] Olivia said in a half-joking tone, [color=f49ac2]"The 'don't go in there', and the 'let's split up'.  If this was truly a horror movie we'd be playing into the antagonists hand."[/color]  She had continued taking notes of everyone’s conversations, making detailed notes on what they said and, more importantly, how they said it.  She was beginning to get a decent understanding of each member on the surface.  Each one was different and that was good, in her mind at least.  From their fashion to their personality, they all brought something unique to the table.  Olivia wanted to make sure she captured their essences as she wrote down more information about them.  She doubted she would every need to use these character snap-shots professionally, she figured it may help her understand these people better as time went on.

There was a question that gnawed at the back of her mind.  Something that pushed her to clarify exactly what made that area so cursed.  Did something happen there?  Has there been anything happening recently?  Was it something that originated there, or did it spread out from the city? She also got the feeling that this Jennifer was not telling them everything.  These questions demanded answers and Olivia wanted to get them.  

[color=f49ac2]“What did they say about that area?  What makes it cursed?  And by ‘this place’ do you mean this place,”[/color] she paused as she pointed to the skull marker, [color=f49ac2]“or this place,” she paused as she pointed to the whole of the city.[/color]