[CENTER][h1][color=brown]Brutrumukk[/color] & [color=CCCC22]Jub[/color][/h1]
[h2]& The Dungeon Master[/h2][/CENTER]

As the second hour ends and the third hour begins, Brutrumukk and Jub head for the Dragonfly Rides. They see huge lily pads rest on the surface of a pool glistening with phosphorescent algae. Giant dragonflies use the lily pads as landing platforms, buzzing loudly overhead with wings as brilliant as stained-glass windows, and alighting briefly to drop off and pick up excited passengers.

Near the entrance, a small, smiling tree turns your way and beckons you over. A red squirrel clings to its leafy canopy, peering at you suspiciously. This is the same tree that Brutrumukk, Jub, and the rest of the party saw during the first hour!

[color=brown]"Oi oi!"[/color] Brutrumukk called out in friendly to the treant and the squirrel he'd seen when he'd first arrived at the carnival. [color=brown]"Fancy seein' you two 'ere. This were you two 'ang about when you ain't getting people to catch fallin' seeds or givin' away wish grantin' dandelions then?"[/color]

Jub, still sat on Brutrumukk's shoulder, greeted the pair of friendly faces with a wave, though admittedly he was a tad distracted by the whizzing and buzzing of the dragonflies, eying them with a mixture of awe and slight apprehension. [color=CCCC22]"Good to see you again,"[/color] he said, still staring at the giant insects.

The treant answered Brutrumukk happily, "[color=green]Oh yes! We punch tickets for the Dragonfly Rides! Gotta do our part for the Carnival after all,[/color]"

He continues cheerfully, while answering Jub next, "[color=green]It's so good to see you as well! I hope you're enjoying your time here? Everyone here seems to be in a great mood tonight![/color]"

[color=brown]"I'm enjoyin' my time 'ere fer sure!"[/color] Brutrumukk exclaimed happily. [color=brown]"This place is amazin'! I've never been in as good a mood as I am right now outside o' times when I was knee deep in loot an' carnage!"[/color] Brutrumukk's jolly expression then fell away and was replaced with something much more serious. [color=brown]"Sadly though, there's someone 'ere what can't seem to 'ave a good time without ruinin' it fer everyone else."[/color] Brutrumukk continued. [color=brown]"There's a kenku about. A shapeshiftin' kenku what steals voices an' ruins shows with mean words. The git swiped Candlefoot's voice just as 'e was about to ask Palasha to marry 'im. Then the kenku 'ad the nerve to go to Palasha's show and yell mean things at 'er 'til she stopped the show and swam away. Jub an' I got Candlefoot's voice back, an' we managed to convince Palasha to finish 'er show, but the kenku escaped an' is still on the loose. So keep an ear open fer anyone speakin' in sounds. Keep an eye open fer anyone what's got blue paint on the back o' their head. An' make sure ya pass this on to anyone ya can. The more people what know to look out fer a villain, the better."[/color]

Jub took his eyes off the dragonflies a moment to look back at the treant. [color=CCCC22]"Indeed, this definitely one of the most enjoyable days I've had in a while,"[/color] he said. He did a sideways glance towards Brutrumukk as he spoke, as if he were going to add something, but then decided against it. Instead, he simply nodded along with what the bugbear was saying about their encounter with the heckler.

As Jub looks around the area, he catches a glimpse of something strange on one of the lily pads. It seemed to be a humanoid frog-like creature. But when he looks back to try and get a better look at it, it's gone. 

The treant and squirrel listened intently as Brutrumukk told them about the situation with Palasha and Candlefoot, and warned them about the kenku heckler. The treant spoke happily,

"[color=green]That's wonderful news! I'm so glad to hear that Candlefoot got his voice back [I]and[/I] he's marrying Palasha![/color]" 

The Squirrel speaks up a little more seriously, "[color=f9ad81]Thanks for warning us about that kenku, mate. We'll be sure to keep an eye out for that bloke! You will too, right, Northwind?[/color]"

The treant, Northwind, nods and answers the Squirrel, "[color=green]Oh, of course Red! I can't imagine Mister Light being too happy about this![/color]"

He looks around before he adds, "[color=green]I'm not really supposed to talk about this, but there's nothing Mister Light likes more than a sea of smiling faces—if the carnival's happy, he's happy![/color]" 

[color=brown]"I'll do me best to keep things 'round 'ere 'appy then."[/color] Brutrumukk said once Northwind and Red were done talking, a smile returning to his face as he spoke. [color=brown]"So, you two mentioned somethin' about punchin' tickets, yeah?"[/color] Brutrumukk continued as he produced his ticket. [color=brown]"Well as it so 'appens, I gots me a ticket fer punchin' right 'ere."[/color]

Once again, Jub had been distracted - this time by the strange frog-like figure he thought he had seen - that he was only half-listening to the conversation. [color=CCCC22]"Hm? Oh right, tickets!"[/color] The goblin fumbled around in his pockets before pulling out his ticket and presenting it to the treant and squirrel.

With the tickets presented, Northwind proceeded to punch both tickets, and once that was done, he gestured towards the dragonflies, "[color=green]There you are! Enjoy the dragonfly rides![/color]"

As the two approach, the Witchlight Hands guide them to a Lily Pad where a dragonfly just lands and the previous rider leaves. The witch light hand looks to the both of you and asks, "[color=fff79a]Oh, will you be riding together, or separately?[/color]"

Brutrumukk looked at the Witchlight Hand that asked the question, then at the goblin seated on his shoulder. [color=brown]"I'm leanin' towards goin' together, but either way's good by me."[/color] Brutrumukk told Jub.

Jub nodded in agreement. [color=CCCC22]"Together sounds good to me,"[/color] he said.

[color=brown]"Right right."[/color] Brutrumukk said before looking back at the Hand. [color=brown]"We'd like to go together if that ain't no bother."[/color]

The Hand nods as he answers, "[color=fff79a]Not a problem at all![/color]" He looks to Jub and informs the goblin, "[color=fff79a]You will be sitting in front of him,[/color]"

The Hand helps Brutrumukk and Jub situate themselves in the saddle of the waiting giant dragonfly. The Hand walks them through how to use the harness, "[color=fff79a]Now, just need to loop this through here, then--[/color]"

Before he could finish however, the Dragonfly's wings start to drone and beat quickly, sending the Hand down to the ground. Before anyone could say 'Widdershins', the Dragonfly takes off before Brutrumukk or Jub could actually secure themselves with the harness!

As things started to go wrong again, Brutrumukk breathing began to issue forth in rough, ragged huffs. First the kenku spoiled Palasha's performance. Then the kenku cast a sleep spell on him to escape. And now this stupid fucking Dragonfly wanted to take off before they were ready?! [b][i][color=ed1c24][u]FUCK! THAT![/u][/color][/i][/b] A terrible, bestial roar ripped free from the enraged bugbear's throat as the grip of his legs suddenly and painfully tightened around the Dragonfly, securing his place on the bug. As this happened, one of Brutrumukk's hands shot out and held onto Jub when it looked like he was going to fall off. Then, once Jub was safe, Brutrumukk clasped his fists together and raised them high above his head. [color=ed1c24][u][i][b]"YOU DON'T TAKE OFF UNTIL I SAY SO!"[/b][/i][/u][/color] Brutrumukk bellowed before bringing his fists down onto the Dragonfly with the intent to force it back down onto the lily pad it had tried to leave too early.

Jub hadn't been prepared for the dragonfly to take off like that, and would have definitely went crashing to the ground has Brutrumukk not grabbed and secured him back on the insect. Once Jub's life had stopped flashing before his eyes, he glanced back at Brutrumukk. [color=CCCC22]"Thank you,"[/color] he said, still trying to catch his breath. However, even though he had avoided falling, the frantic movements of the dragonfly were still a problem, and Jub held on tightly, hoping Brutrumukk knew what he was doing.

When the Dragonfly refused to land, Brutrumukk reached for his morningstar to teach the insect a painful lesson on why it should listen to what bugbears tell it to do. But before he could draw his weapon, Brutrumukk realized something. The Dragonfly had taken off because something had frightened it. Realizing also that his rage wasn't helping, Brutrumukk took a moment to let his rage subside and loosen the grip on his legs. Seeing that Jub was now trying to calm the Dragon fly, Brutrumukk helped out as best he could. [color=brown]"The bug's frightened."[/color] Brutrumukk told Jub as they worked together. [color=brown]"Not just from me though. I may 'ave made it worse, but something else spooked it first. That's why it took off."[/color]

Jub listened to what Brutrumukk was telling him before glancing back down at the dragonfly. Somewhat awkwardly, he patted the insect's head. [color=CCCC22]"It's okay, my winged friend,"[/color] he said, his voice taking on a more grandiose tone. [color=CCCC22]"Brutrumukk here isn't going to hurt you, and whatever is currently troubling you, I, Jub the Peculiar, will make sure it will no longer cause you no bother."[/color] As he saying this, he took a cursory glance around them to see if there was anything that was obviously upsetting the creature.

The Dragonfly's movements become less frenetic as the Dragonfly seems to calm down. The Dragonfly seems to move back onto its normal course. It now flies 20 feet high above the Carnival thoroughfare, moving in lazy figure eights. Brutrumukk and Jub can now relax and enjoy the ride as the Dragonfly flies above the carnival, as they are no longer in danger of falling off.

As they fly, the Carnival Mood visibly brightens. A lot of the carnival goers even smile and wave to Brutrumukk and Jub as they pass by. 

Eventually, the ride does end and the Dragonfly lands on the lily pad. As the Dragonfly lands, the Hand that helped them on runs up to Brutrumukk, Jub, and the Dragonfly. The Hand rubs the Dragonfly's head, as he apologizes earnestly to the goblinoid pair first, 

"[color=fff79a]I am [i]so sorry[/I] about that! I don't know what got into her! She normally doesn't just take off like that![/color]" 

He continues to tend to the Dragonfly and he comments, "[color=fff79a]Though, I am impressed you guys were able to calm her down mid flight. I'm so relieved,[/color]"

[color=brown]"Ah it weren't no trouble really."[/color] Brutrumukk said as he waved off the Hand's apologies and compliments. [color=brown]"Although, I think there may be a mystery 'round 'ere. I may 'ave made things worse, but I weren't the one what spooked 'er to begin with."[/color] Brutrumukk looked around suspiciously. [color=brown]"Yeah. This mess got kenku git written all over it."[/color] With that said, Brutrumukk once again hoisted Jub into the air to give him a better view once he noticed the goblin wizard was looking around.

Brutrumukk lifts Jub high above his head once again. Unfortunately, it seems that if the kenku was indeed behind the Dragonfly's scare, then they seem to be taking extra precautions. Jub is still not able to see the kenku, or anything that could have been a threat to the Dragonfly.

The Hand asks in confusion in response to Brutrumukk's words "[color=fff79a]Kenku git?[/color]"

He then speaks, "[color=fff79a]Well...I'll let the other hands know to keep an eye out for the kenku. In the meantime, I believe the Big Top Extravaganza is going to start soon...[/color]"

Jub scanned his surroundings from his new elevated position, but saw no trace of anyone, kenku or otherwise. [color=CCCC22]"No luck,"[/color] he said with a sigh, motioning for Brutrumukk to put him back down. [color=CCCC22]"I don't understand it. I can somewhat get him stealing someone's voice, but why heckle Palasha's show? Why sabotage the carnival? Is he just causing trouble for the sake of it?" [/color] Even as he was speaking, his mind was going over what the kenku had said earlier. It had been bothering him this whole time. The kenku seemed to know Jub had lost something and claimed it was something to do with the carnival. The kenku also had some sort of magical power, or at least strong knowledge of the arcane arts, which had allowed him to steal Candlefoot's voice.

In the midst of these disjointed thoughts, a conclusion was starting to form in the back of Jub's mind: had the kenku been responsible for what had happened to him eight years ago, stolen from him just the same as he stole from Candlefoot?

[color=brown]"Well whatever the git's reason is, I'm gonna enjoy mountin' its 'ead on a spike once I catch it."[/color] Brutrumukk said as he lowered Jub back onto his shoulder. [color=brown]"Either way, I reckon we've passed enough time out 'ere. Let's go see if this eggs-travee-ganza is as good as they say, yeah?"[/color]

[color=CCCC22]"Hm,"[/color] Jub responded. Seemed Brutrumukk wasn't really all that curious about the kenku's motive, which wasn't too surprising. The bird had given them enough trouble at this point that any reasons for his actions didn't matter, at least not to the bugbear, and had Jub not had extra incentive, he wasn't he'd sure he'd care that much either. He'd have to make sure he managed to have a word with the kenku before Brutrumukk finished him off... though given the kenku no longer had a voice, getting information out of him would be far more difficult. 

This was starting to hurt Jub's head. [color=CCCC22]"Yes, we should probably go see what all the fuss is about,"[/color] he said. [color=CCCC22]"With any luck, our feathered quarry may have had the same idea, and we can catch him when he leasts suspects it."[/color]

[color=brown]"Right then. Let's 'ead on over."[/color] With that said, Brutrumukk made for the Big Top... At least he hoped he was. Brutrumukk didn't have a map, so he was just heading for the biggest tent and hoping for the best.