2. Who dunnit ? Who killed Thunder ?

As Vespera turns the golden knob, she finds the door stubbornly locked, a barrier to the answers they seek. Undeterred, she steps back, her resolve unshaken.

With a determined expression, Vespera rolls up her sleeves, revealing the toned muscles of her arms. Taking a deep breath, she focuses her strength and agility, channeling the disciplined training of her past.

Bracing herself, Vespera positions herself in front of the door, her stance firm and unwavering. With a swift motion, she raises her leg and delivers a powerful kick to the center of the door, aiming for the area around the lock.

The door does no listen to Vespera and remain closed and locked.

Gicicero shrugs at Vespera failure. He pulls out some lock picks and tries to pick the lock .

Th second lock unlocked even more easily as the first one.

With a gentle hand on Gicicero's shoulder, Vespera offers a reassuring squeeze, acknowledging his success with a nod of appreciation. "Finesse prevails where brute strength falters," she remarks softly, her tone carrying a note of admiration for his skill.

Stepping forward, Vespera cautiously enters the wagon, her senses alert and attuned to any potential clues that may lie within. She moves with deliberate care, mindful of preserving any evidence that could shed light on the mystery surrounding Thunder's demise.

As her eyes scan the interior of the wagon, Vespera takes note of every detail, searching for any signs of disturbance or clues that might reveal the truth behind Thunder's untimely death. She moves methodically through the space, her movements fluid yet precise, as she follows the trail of secrets hidden within the confines of the ringleader's sanctuary.

Alas for Vespera as soon a she open the door a burst of yellow cloud is exploding and the door is falling down on Gicicero, beside a small head hurt (no hp lost), the yellow substance is covering the two heroes at the door. And progressing rapidly toward the other ones near the wagon.

As the door swings open, a sudden burst of yellow cloud erupts from within, catching Vespera off guard. Instinctively, she shields her mouth and nose with the hem of her cloak, her eyes widening in alarm as she realizes the danger they're facing.

"Careful!" she shouts, her voice muffled by the fabric as she tries to protect herself from the noxious fumes. Despite her efforts, she can feel the pungent odor seeping through, stinging her eyes and making her cough involuntarily.

Gray is eager to see what secrets the cabin holds, but apparently that will have to wait. As the cloud envelops his comrades, he attempts to avoid the fog.

Standing behind the others, Martha sneezes as she steps back from the cloud.

"What in blazes?" Waving a hand through what remains of the gases, Martha stands on her tiptoes to look over the others at what's inside. "Any of you know what these things are?"

Gray waves his hands to try and help clear the air, "Is everyone ok? I wonder if these plants played a roll in all the odd happenings . . . " He says as he tries to identify the plants without getting closer.

Vespera nods in agreement with Martha and Gray, her mind racing with possibilities. As she takes in the sight of the mysterious plants, she considers their potential role in the strange events that have plagued the circus.

"I'm not sure what these plants are, but they seem to have some significance," she says, her voice tinged with caution. "We need to proceed carefully. If one of them triggered that cloud, we don't want to set off the others accidentally."

Turning to Gicicero, she suggests, "Perhaps we can trigger them from a safe distance. Gicicero, could you use your knives to set them off? We need to be prepared for whatever might happen."

Gicicero nods to Vespera directions. He shoos the others out of the wagon away from the possible dust. He tries to get a better look at the pitcher like plants
if he doesn't know what the plants are here gets ready to agitate them. Instead of using a dagger an invisible hand appears and begins shaking the plants

"Wait!" Martha calls out. "Maybe we should get the Professor here to take a look at them too, before we start messing around with mystery plants. I bet there's something in his noggin that might help us figure these out."

"The plants will still be here, just hopefully empty of whatever that vile dust is. Then we can properly search Thunders room" Gray says as he steps away.