[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/BjtZNtv.png[/img][/center]
[color=ed1c24]Location[/color]: Underground complex, Lab area, Stritzel's Estate, Western Kindeance.
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As Solomon slipped into the area in a shadowy flicker and soon knelt down beside Widernia to perform his work, Veronica quickly got out of his way and relinquished her role as the redheaded mage's lungs, her gaze a little glazed from the endeavor, as she idly licked the blood clean from her hands, tongue darting out to captured any crimson flecks on her lips. She wouldn't even pretend to lie to herself and say it was for cleanliness purposes, as she finished and redonned her gloves with newly pristine pale hands. She was [color=ed1c24][i][b]hungry[/b][/i][/color], but though what she had just imbibed was merely a drop in the bucket of her overall reserves, not even fit to be an appetizer, it helped take a smidge of the edge off.

She was holding her breath again to shut out the worst of the still omnipresent scent of freshly spilled blood, as she quickly collected her medical kit and sealed the remains of the healing potion back up, putting both back in her backpack and slinging the latter back over her shoulders. Those same shoulders sagged in a bit of relief at Solomon's positive prognosis, as the vampire leaned down to scoop up her scythe again, along with the mage's staff. With this treatment, Widernia would live... for now, just as long as nothing made things worse.

Veronica's eyes narrowed at the mage's words, her mouth opening to respond, before she paused, eyes widening.

It took her only a few wide strides to reach the corner leading to the larger area of the lab, and the sight beyond made her eyes widen in horror, as precious research and evidence burned merrily from a fire that [i]had not been there[/i] only a minute ago and was currently blazing a long trail across the floor, consuming a bookshelf and horrifically tormenting the large bear that was most likely a victim in all this. Veronica allowed herself to breath again for but a moment and recoiled at the thick, acrid smell of chemicals and smoke, along with the stench of burning flesh and hair, and she could only blame her prior ignorance on her bloodlust and focus on her medical task.

[color=ed1c24]"Wha-? [i]Who[/i]?!"[/color] Her lips twisted into a snarl, as she determined [i]exactly who[/i] through process of elimination. Solomon would never have done something as mad as set a chemical fire in an unknown mage's lab, which meant it had to be those two bears! Turning on her heel, a furious growl escaped the vampire's throat, as she strode back over to Widernia, mind whirling. Because [i]suddenly[/i], [i]they were on a fucking time limit[/i], and she didn't have [i]time[/i] to address the fools responsible or do anything [i]else[/i] for that matter with the time and care they deserved! The only ones here who could survive suffocation and toxic fumes were herself and Solomon. [i]Everyone[/i] else, friend, foe and the very one they'd come to rescue alike would perish, and [i]soon[/i].

[color=ed1c24]"[i]Careful[/i],"[/color] she said dangerously to the redheaded mage, her body stilled like a coiled snake, [color=ed1c24]"your continued survival is dependent on your adherence to our little [i]deal[/i], no matter how impromptu. As for what we'll do if you don't?"[/color] Her gaze tracked to the darkly swaddled man beside her, as her expression hardened. [color=ed1c24]"Sometimes, it's nice being friends with a necromancer."[/color] Slitted crimson eyes returned to boring down at Widernia, a promise of violence in them from someone that didn't have the [i]luxury[/i] to be patient. The mission and the lives of her team came first. [color=ed1c24]"You will aid us in life [i]or[/i] in death. In only [i]one[/i] of these cases, however... shall you do so [i]willingly[/i]."[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"Thanks to those fools, we don't have [i]time[/i] to entertain [i]dissent[/i],"[/color] she hissed out. Her grip tightened on the shaft of her polearm, and if her knuckles weren't already so pale, they would have whitened considerably beneath her glove. [color=ed1c24]"We [i]will[/i] try to save this lab and as much of its contents as possible, but we [i]have[/i] to prioritize lives first!"[/color] she barked. [color=ed1c24]"The longer you waste our time, the less chance that anything will remain!"[/color]

Her gaze snapped to Solomon. [color=ed1c24]"[i]Please[/i] tell me you can someone you can call that can handle that mess back there?"[/color] Her lips twisted into a grimace. [color=ed1c24]"Because if it spreads much further, we won't be able to go back the way we came."[/color] She jerked her head towards the yet unexplored tunnel. [color=ed1c24]"That must be the escape route. I don't know how far it goes or how long it'll take us to rejoin with the others, but it's going to be our only option soon. We can't take our injured through that inferno."[/color]