Rala's suspicions had been confirmed, much to her dismay there would be no revenge for her ally any time soon. In all her time one the gaurd she had never had to deal with portals and other dimensions. It made her nervous to think about something so anomalous. The older woman swallowed nervously before Cascade quickly quelled any fear with her bubbly tone.

The thought of a swarm of other young men and women just like the whimsical water genasai made her scoff, and she began dreading this job all the more. Cascade did bring something that intrigued the older woman. There were captives. Rala turned her attention to Leaves on the Breeze.

"Would you mind if I spoke to the ones you captured? I have experience interrogating rogues and thugs" she asked with a fervor, as if she was unimpeded by her wounds all of a sudden.

Aura was distracted by Cascade's lack of knowledge, thouugh she supposed perhaps it wasn't uncommon for a Genasi to be uninformed of there origins. In fact Aura was sure of the Genasi she was an outlier. Not many Genies would want to stick around and care for the children they produce and the even rarer ones who were created extreame elmental weirdness had even less to go off of.

"Half siblings? Do you all have the same mother or father or is it a mix?" She was trying to understand this strange place Cascade came from. "And they are all Genasi?" It took her a moment to continue to explain. "Oh, um, from what my father told me Genasi are created one of two ways. The most common being a Genie pairing with a material planer and the resulting baby is something in between them both. Hense the fact that there are four types of Genie and four types of Genasi. The other less common way is elemental surges doing weird things, I don't really understand that way very much. I was the result of a Djinn or air Genie and an elf, I beleive both Jormund and Flicker are also both the products of their respective elemental Genie. And if all your siblings are Genasi I am guessing you are the result of Marid, which is the Water Genie. Though I suppose I could be wrong about that. I am just guessing. I can try to answer your questions but my knowledge is limited."

She intentionally left out which Genie Jormund and Flicker were resulted from. She hoped Cascade didn't pick up on the fact that she mentioned there were four Genie and only mentioned two by name, but she doubted Cascade was that oblivious. "Anyway I think maybe we should save the interogation for when the others are awake? Unless you are really dead set on doing it now. Not sure anyone would find a heavily injured old lady very intimidating right now anyway." Her shit eating grin returned to her face as her attention shifted to Rala. She knew the woman hated not doing anything but she needed to finish resting, plus having the whole group together would make it so they didn't have to share the information with the other two later.

Cascade looked at Rala when she asked about the captives and she couldn't help but tilt her head in curiosity when she seemed to gain some passion about interrogations. She was about to say something when Aura spoke up.

When Aura asked about her half siblings, Cascade answered honestly, "Oh! We have the same mother. And yes, they are all genasi. Of course, not everyone in Zephyr is my half-sibling. That'd be weird,"

She listens to Aura as she explains about Genasi origins. When she mentioned the Marid, Cascade gained a look of recognition, and she answered her doubts, "Actually...Dad did say that Mom is a Marid, but he didn't go into any more detail than that. I never really understood what that meant, but it had to be special. Oh, Dad's a Half-Elf,"

She did take a moment to thank Aura for her willingness to answer her questions.

While Aura snarked back to Rala about not being able to complete interrogations, Cascade considered asking what she knew about Marids, but she decided against it. She couldn't help but laugh a bit when Aura teased Rala.

Heck...right now she was having a hard time coming up with any other questions regarding genies...

She chimed in on the topic regarding the captives, "Auntie Rala? What did you want to interrogate them about?" She was curious about what Rala hoped to learn from them, and she was concerned.

Those captives were enslaved after all, and she had to give them back their freedom in accordance with her oath.

Aura's smart remarks got a rise out of Rala, and she narrowed her eyes and scowled like a hawk glowering down at prey. She relented quickly, but she did he best to remind them she still had her edge. Aura was right though. She was in no condition to do anything, and the team could be imperative for getting information. She eventually nodded in agreement before Cascade butted in. She shrugged in response to the plucky paladin's questions.

"Anything. We barely know anything about this group" She admitted bluntly but quickly added to her initial explanation.
"I'd like to know how to free them if they're slaves, and maybe get some information on what they're even planning. I'm sure you all have your own questions" She added.

Leaves on the Breeze became visibly uneasy as Cascade pressed her for more information regarding what happened to the attacker who had left Plasm in the state they were now in. The tabaxi then breathed a sigh of relief when the water genasi's attention was drawn away by Aura's question. Eager to change the subject, Leaves was quick to answer Rala's question. "We have them working to fix the damage they caused at the moment." She explained. "Just head towards anything that was set on fire during the battle and you'll be sure find a few. They won't give you any trouble. They're pretty glad to be free of genie oppression and they have us to thank for that."

"I still think that we should wait for Flicker and Jormund just so they are there and we don't have to relay information to them, reguardless of the former slaves current mood about being... more or less freed." Aura took one last look at Plasm and shuddered, she hated to think what the patron did to the other guy. She hated to think the damage Plasm must have taken to get the Patron to react in such a way. The look was brief. "I want to get out of here, no offence but hospitals make me nervous, even make shift ones." To emphasis the point she shivered and stared walking out of the tent.

She turned back to Cascade briefly though. "How many siblings did you say you have? And all of them are Genasi? Your mother must have loved your father." She said a little confusion and also a bit of jealousy could be heard in her voice. Though she did not stop talking when she asked in an attempt to distract the other Genasi from insisting on talking to the former slaves.

Cascade was relieved to hear that Rala wanted to free the slaves as well, but she was even more pleasantly surprised to hear that they were already freed and are currently working on repairs.

Before she could say anything else, Aura already started leading the way out of the medical tent. Before she could say anything else, Aura asked her question about her siblings and commented about her parents. She answered, a little surprised by the change of topic, but her tone taking on one of pure joy and innocent adoration, "Oh! Yeah! Mom loves Dad very much, and she was so proud when I wrote to her and told her that Deep Sashelas chose me to be his paladin,"

She continued, "My half-siblings are all genasi. Let me see..."

Her eyes rolled upwards as she started thinking, counting the names she uttered on her fingers, "Uh...There's Trickle, Tsunami, Aqua, Brook, Swish, Azure, Current, Drizzle, Tear, Moana, Mist, Rain, Paddle, Pond, Drift, Sprinkle, Drop..."

And Cascade continues listing off names until someone stops her...

"...Tempest, Flow, Tide, Spout, Drizzle, Splash, Wash, Well, Drown, Rain, Streamlet, Rush, River, Bath, Whirl, Agua, Typhoon, Soak, Shower, Cruise, Sail, Spatter, Drip, Puddle, Creek, Douse, Liquid, Plash, Dewdrop, Stream, Deluge, Melt, Geyser, Fountain, Funnel, Cleanse, Monsoon, Mere, Tidal, Drift, Brine, Rill...."

Rala could tell that Aura was getting antsy about their prolonged stay in the medical tent. Heaving herself to her feet slowly as Aura started to leave she lagged behind and looked at Plasma briefly. It occurred to her they may never cross paths again. Rala lingered behind with a pained expression before she hobbled after the other two.

Aura and Cascade turned their conversation to family, a topic the stoic veteran was eager to stay out of. For the most part she paid the mingling no heed, instead scanning the crowd as they left the tent, he eyes adjusting to the light that stung her. Her attention returned to the conversation as Cascade continued to list off the names of her siblings. Rala looked at her as the list continued, utterly baffled.

"By the gods, Liira herself would blush at their passion" said with genuine exacerbation.
"Is your whole town made of your siblings?"

Aura was half tempted to let Cascade continue to talk but was glad when Rala finally said something. She smirked at the older human. "Don't worry I am sure you have that passion in your bones somewere." There was a clear teasing smile on her face before she turned back to Cascade.

"All, half siblings, no full? What did your mother sleep with every man in your town or did you all just happen to find eachother and make one?" She was half joking at that comment. "I am not sure what I would do if I found out my father had that many kids with other people. As far as I am aware it was just my mother. Though he doesn't talk about her much. Only that she was an Elven Princess or something but I am pretty sure he made that up so that he could give her an excuse to not want me." Aura shrugged as if a mother not wanting her child was perfectly normal. She knew her father was capable of taking on a more human looking form so she generally theorized that her mother had no clue he was a genie so when Aura came out blue...well she knew something was up. Though she never did get confirmation. "Either way, that's insane to have so many siblings."

As she finished speaking she heard a familiar screech above her and Hawk came to perch on her shoulder. She winced a little when his talons missed the leather shoulder pad she had specifically for the bird to perch on. "Hey there buddy. I have an idea to make you a little tougher if you don't mind me changing your form." There was a moment of silence as it seemed Aura was listening to something. "Perfect we can do it while Flicker and Jormund finish their nap, it will take me an hour anyway." She looked over at Cascade and Rala. "You two up for watching me make Hawk not a Hawk anymore. It will be super exciting I promise." The last part had just a hint of sarcasm as she pet the bird and continued to walk.

Upon seeing Rala hobble out and squinting her eyes in the light, she hurried over to Rala and got her arm around Cascade's shoulders. Cascade was fully intent on helping Rala, no matter what her complaints may be.

Cascade couldn't help but laugh at Rala's question, and she answered her, "Silly Auntie! Of course not! Didn't I say so earlier?" She continued, "Our Harbormaster, Gringam Oshwin Fnipperting Nackle Pearlywhite; He's a gnome! And Matches! He's a half-dragon! He's in charge of law enforcement. And there are many more in Zephyr who aren't genasi. Me and my half-siblings aren't the majority of the village,"

When Aura asked her question, and mentioned sleeping, Cascade tilted her head in confusion. She could only shrug and listened to Aura as she talked about her origins being the daughter of an Elven Princess.

Then Hawk returned, and when Aura suggested watching her turn Hawk into something other than a Hawk, Cascade asked confusedly, "Wait, what? So, you're going to force a God to assume a different form...? Wouldn't that be rude or sacrilegious?"

Aura opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again, she was about to respond sarcastically to Cascade's siblings not being the majority, but the next comment threw her off. She looked at Hawk and then back at Cascade. "First of all, god? No this is my familiar I have an enhanced connection with him cuz of this." She points to the chain that connects a small stoppered bottle and her belt. "Second, I asked him first and he said it was cool. Anything to make him more powerful. Where on earth did you get the idea Hawk was a god?" Aura couldn't help but be confused by Cascade's statement. Nobody had ever thouught her bird was a diety of any kind so this was definitly a new one.

Rala rolled her eyes at another one of Aura's snide remarks at her expense. The swordswoman grit her teeth to hold back the gnawing desire to snap at the Genasai. They where allies, there was no need for her to be hostile despite it being in her nature. Instead the woman merely scoffed and replied sharply.

"Not even in your dreams, Aura" She replied bluntly.

As the other two bickered Rala scouted the area once more, looking for any miscreants or people out of place. It was curious that the hawk could change shapes but Rala had dealt with enough mages, criminal or otherwise, to understand that this was likely a familiar. She had a respect for Hawk, such a small being doing their best just to serve another. She wondered what sort of deal the two had, but felt that now was not the time to ask. Cascade seemed to not understand how bizarre her village was seeming, and Rala too felt there were getting nowhere in explaining this to the cheery child. Perhaps Cascade knew, and kept their persona up merely to feel a sense of normality amongst more common folk.

Cascade tilted her head in clear confusion when Aura stated that Hawk was a familiar...because of a bottle and chain? How did that work? Aura and Rala may be able to see the hamster running as fast as the poor thing could in its wheel while Cascade wondered over those words.

She regained her easygoing smile when Aura explained that she already asked Hawk if it was okay and he agreed. She commented, "Oh! Okay, cool!"

When she asked where Cascade got the idea that Hawk was a god, she answered, "He spoke earlier over during that battle! He mimicked your voice expertly! And not to mention, wasn't he firing beams off too during that battle?"

Aura blinked a couple times. Knowing she was going to have to explain the whole "power from her father" situation to Cascade or she would never fully understand. Not to mention she would have to also explain how she and Hawk were connected. She took a moment to really think about how she was going to explain this. Cascade was pretty but it appeared she was just as dense, not everyone could be blessed with both looks and brains it seemed.

After a moment she decided to take the information one step at a time. "I am a Genasi yes? Specifically an Air Genasi. Like you I have a Genie parent, my father. He gave both this chain, which is what allows me to cast spells and have Hawk here, he also gave me this bottle which acts as my own personal vessel and the groups personal storage space. We will get into the bottle later it's not important here. This chain allows me to cast a spell that summons Hawk, as well as change his form if I so chose. It's the same spell all the bookish casters know to have animal companions. The biggest difference is I have a much stronger connection to Hawk with this than I would if I were simply to learn the spell the old fashioned way. This means I can see and hear through Hawk's senses at will so long as we are on the same plane of existance. That's how I managed to get the information about the enemy so easily. I can also mentally communicate with Hawk, which is why you might hear me talk to him like we are having a full conversation, it's because we are. Additionally I can speak through Hawk, which is what I was doing earlier in the fight to help you guys out. Finally I can cast certain spells through Hawk. Only spells that require touch but it's still helpful." She paused hoping that wasn't too much information for Cascade to take in.

Eventually she decided to speak up and once again encourage the Water Genasi woman to speak up and ask any questions she might have about what Aura had just explained. "Does all that make sense. do you have any farther questions? Ask now or forever be confused." She wasn't totally serious about the last part but knew it was better for Cascade to ask now than not understand later and Aura have to explain things to her again.

Cascade listened intently, absorbing every word of Aura's like a sponge would absorb water. While she may be dense, she is at least curious and eager to learn.

She answers Aura, "I guess that makes sense. So...your magic comes from your Dad like how mine comes from Deep Sashelas?"

She then seems to realize something and she asked, "So, you've met your Dad in person?"

Aura pursed her lips when Cascade mentioned her meting her father. "Uh, yea...He actually raised me." She seemed apprehensive to mention this to the other Genasi, the others hadn't taken that information the best. Aura was sure Flicker was still at least a little bitter about the whole thing. "My reward for knowing my genie parent is *not* knowing my planar parent, or any of my relatives, it was just me and my father." She shrugged. "Anyway we should get back to the others to fill them in and make a game plan." She was obviously looking for a way out of this conversation.

Cascade realized too late that she must have hit a nerve with her question about Aura's genie parent. She answered hesitantly, her cheerfulness replaced with awkwardness, "O-Oh. Sure. Let's get back to them,"

She then quickly gave an apology, "Sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up..."

Time passes, the party members who went to rest awaken free of exhaustion, and Aura turns Hawk into a pseudodragon. You all reconvene on the tail end of the morning and head to where the captured attackers are working to repair the damages and clean up the messes that they had made. Despite being captives, the attackers seem quite happy to be here.

With Hawk now in his pseudodragon form and the others finally awake they headed toward the where the former attackers now captives were working. Aura made note of the good spirits they seemed to be in as they approached.

"Oi! We would like to talk to you really quick." Aura called out to them as the group approached. "You seem...cheery." She noted as they stopped near the former enemies. Hawk, currently seated on her shoulder, squinting his little orange eyes at the captives suspiciously. Aura turned toward the rest of the group allowing whoever wanted to, to speak. She honestly was only here for the entertainment. She had no real questions for the former enemy, not yet at least.

Flicker remained behind the rest of the group during the interrogation, and was very pointedly not looking directly at any of the captives. They feared if they even glanced in their general direction, the rage they were currently trying to keep down would come rushing to the surface. While they had felt initially rejuvenated by their rest, the revelations afterwards now weighed heavily on them: only a few days after Arkisz had departed from their ranks, the team was now losing another a member, and under far, far worse circumstances. While they hadn't gone to see Plasm after learning the news, they knew that whatever must have been done to them was bad. They didn't know much about plasmoids, but given their biology, they could only assume that doing permanent and potentially irreparable damage to one was not an easy task. Whoever had injured Plasm must have made deliberate and concentrated effort to do what they did to her... and for all they knew, whoever had done so might still be here, hidden among those the highwaymen had captured.

It wasn't purely this anger that troubling them either. There was also guilt, and shame: of the members of their motley crew, Plasm had been the one Flicker had felt the least close to. Try as they might, the genasi could never feel entirely comfortable around the plasmoid. Obviously, they knew that they of all people had no right to judge someone for being 'different' or 'abnormal', but something about Plasm had never sat right with them. It wasn't just way she looked - at least, Flicker hoped they weren't that shallow - but the way she had interacted with the rest of world. There was some detachment there, an alien perception of things that had never sat right with Flicker. It had made previous attempts to connect with her incredibly awkward, to the point that they had eventually tried to keep any solo interactions with her to the minimal. Flicker had never vocalized these feelings to the rest of the group, but they were sure some of them had picked up on it. Even Plasm, oblivious as she could sometimes be, had likely noticed. Even after years of training and self-reflection, Flicker had never really mastered the art of fully masking how they felt.

The recognition of this prejudice on their part had always ashamed Flicker, and that had always been a part of them that hoped that with enough time and emotional growth own part, they might one day be able to overcome their discomfort and be able to start working toward building a genuine friendship with Plasm. Now, because of one of these attackers, that day may never come.

And it was because of this tangle of emotions that the fact that these attackers were slaves to another did nothing to absolve them in Flicker's mind: if the monk suspected even for a moment that one of them was responsible, they knew that whatever they did would not be pretty. As such, Flicker was keeping their distance.