Swamped

There's a lot you could use help with. It's worth a quick conversation to see if they're willing.

You take your mask off to avoid causing a confrontation, and walk over.

"I wouldn't recommend getting too close," you start to say. Then you hear a rather loud noise as you get closer. It seems to be coming from your pocket.

The first thing you pull out is the seashell - that seems to be what's making the noise. And when you look at the clock inside, its hands are spinning wildly.

The unmasked person stares at you, and then at the shell.

"Who are you, and what is that?" they ask suspiciously.

"I'm a wizard, and I'm trying to figure that out." You back away a bit and the noise stops and the clock slows down. "I think it's reacting to whatever happened to that unfortunate fellow, though."

Which you definitely suspect you'll want to deal with. But not right now. Right now, your goal is to size up this person. Asking them a question would be a good place to start.