2. Who dunnit ? Who killed Thunder ?

Martha is able to scoop some pollen in a cloth, without any trouble.

Stowing away the cloth, Martha steps back and glances around the room a bit dolefully. "Guess that's the last time we'll see the boss's wagon like this now, huh." As much as the performances are about pomp and extravagance, the circus crew themselves don't have much room for wasted baggage. Thunder's caravan would probably be repurposed or used to give someone else an upgrade over their current home.

Vespera listens attentively to the responses of her companions, taking in their observations and concerns. As Gicicero stumbles out of the wagon, affected by the pollen, she moves quickly to his side, kneeling down beside him.

"Gicicero, are you alright?" she asks, her voice filled with genuine concern. She reaches out a hand to gently pat his shoulder, hoping to offer some comfort.

Turning to Martha, she nods in agreement. "You're right, Martha. It's a shame to see Thunder's wagon like this. But we need to focus on finding out what these plants are and why they were here."

With a determined expression, she looks around at the group. "Let's gather up what we can of this pollen and take it to the Professor. He might be able to shed some light on what we're dealing with here. And we should keep an eye on Gicicero, make sure he's alright."

She then helps Martha gather up the cloth containing the pollen and stands up, ready to lead the way out of the wagon. As they exit, she casts a last glance back at Thunder's once familiar space, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought of what they've lost. But she pushes the feeling aside, focusing instead on the task at hand: uncovering the truth behind the mysterious plants and the events that have unfolded in their wake.

A troubling thought nags at her mind—could these incidents be the work of druids, offended by something Thunder or perhaps the entire circus inadvertently did? The pollen, the plants, the rats chewing the nets, the vipers—all seem like elements of nature manipulated with purpose. Perhaps even the pollen got the ruffians and brawlers all riled up. It's a disturbing possibility, one that Vespera resolves to explore further.

You all can see most of the circus is sitting, sad and worried, near the fireplace they are lighting for the evening near Thunder's Wagon, and a lot of them look at you for hope and reassurance.

Martha taps Gray on the shoulder, and when the elf turns around, plops the packet of pollen into his hand. "Here, the pollen sample. Show it to the Professor and see what you can figure out when the two of you put your noggins together, aye? I won't get much more than a headache out of studying this, myself."

So said, the dwarf slips away to commiserate with the other crew over their lost leader, and to drink a toast or two in Thunder's name.

Gray gives Martha a nod of understanding, then goes to talk to the Professor "Thanks, the extra coin will help raise spirits. But we need to get to the bottom Thunders death. Can you assist me in figuring out where this plant comes from?" he shows the professor the pollen pouch

Gray tries to analyze the plant matter. before speaking up "For now, can you just keep this safe Professor?" gray ask as he hands over the pollen pouch "I'm not sure if it will be useful later, but we don't want it to fall into the wrong hands."

Vespera listens to the exchange between Gray and the Professor with a solemn nod, her mind ticking through the myriad of possible threats that could still be lurking around the edges of the circus. After the Professor receives the pollen pouch, she turns her focus back to the immediate needs of the circus and its people.

"Thank you, Professor, for your generosity," Vespera acknowledges the extra coin with a grateful yet distracted air. Her gaze sweeps over the saddened faces gathered around the fire, her heart aching with a mix of empathy and urgency. She knows they look to her and the others for reassurance, and yet, her duty calls her elsewhere—at least for the moment.

Turning to Gicicero, who is still shaking off the effects of the pollen but seems to be recovering, she suggests a plan. "Gicicero, let's take a walk around the perimeter. We need to keep watch, make sure no further harm finds its way here. Thunder's demise must not be in vain, and we should be vigilant for any signs of further mischief—or worse, the orchestrator of this chaos."

Her tone is both cautious and protective, a clear reflection of her dedication to safeguarding her makeshift family. With a final look back at the group, she strides toward the edge of the encampment, her senses heightened for any out-of-place noise or movement that might betray an intruder or unveil a clue.

As Vespera sets out with Gicicero, she feels the pull of the nearby forest to the southwest of the camp. The dense woods might offer not only a strategic vantage point for their patrol but also a brief respite from the heavy atmosphere back at the circus.

"Gicicero, let's head towards the forest," she suggests, her voice low and steady. "We can extend our patrol to the trees. It's possible whoever is behind this might have taken refuge there, or left some traces behind."

Gray will return to Thunders cabin before the plants get a chance to recharge. He just wants to pack up his personal things so they can be sent to his family.
When that's done, he catched up with Martha at the fire. "Maybe someone should say something? Try to encourage people or lighten the mood?"

Gicicero slumps off of the ground and turns to face Vespera looking completely in a different direction he gives a wheezy giggle, a thumbs up and starts stumbling in the opposite direction of Vespera.
Mid stride he stops and looks at a one of the signs, he pulls out his dagger and yelling angrily at the sign. "You Not Spose To Be Here! Go Away. We No Friends Any More! You Not Wanted! He stabs his dagger into the sign post...

No body even smiled between Thunder death and fear of a murderer on the loose who uses traps, not much was left for joy