[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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[color=ed1c24]"Better get summoning, then,"[/color] Veronica said to Solomon with a stiff nod, her scythe already shrinking in her grasp. Her eyes narrowed at Widernia, but she still let the mage retake her staff from the vampire's other hand. For a moment, Veronica remained tense, as the cages unlocked. And she didn't quite [i]un[/i]tense until both Cedar and Varya had made it out of their confinements.

Words of concern stopped before they ever passed her lips. This unfortunately wasn't the time for pleasantries. As long as they could at least move or fight, that would have to be good enough for now. She could spare sympathy after they all got out alive. Instead, she merely nodded at Varya's proposed role. [color=ed1c24]"That will do, thank you."[/color]

Her thoughts were flying, as the bellow of ursine rage rippled through the area. Glancing around her, her thoughts first turned to thoughts of [i]fight[/i] and then quickly turned to the far more reasonable [i]flight[/i]. At this point, they had too many injured, and the longer they stayed here, the more chance her team's lives would be endangered and the mission's entire purpose be undone.

At Widernia's final exhausted taunt, Veronica's eyes narrowed. Tucking her now fully shrunk scythe away, she stepped up to Widernia.[color=ed1c24] "Seems I'll need to carry you. Now's the time for you to focus on pacifying that bear. We'll be moving fast, and I'd hate for my grip to slip due to unexpected... interference."[/color] Instead of speaking immediately, however, the redhead mage seemed to ponder for a bit, before reaching to unclasp one of the necklaces around her neck and hold it out, an ivory affair, dangling from silver chains. Veronica eyed the object with suspicion but dared to take it, frowning. [color=ed1c24]"And this does?"[/color]

"Something to make your grip firmer." The mage huffed, not even trying to be cheeky anymore.  As everyone's attention seemed to be distracted by the sound of pounding and fire burning, Widernia pased again, taking her time to either planning something or calculating her options.

"Can any of you lot channel magic? Hold that ivory and whisper something to calm that... stupid piece of work. He obeys his master's wishes. He always does, and that trinket does just that. He hates me as much as he does to you all, so you must not fail."

[color=ed1c24]"I see,"[/color] Veronica murmured, regarding the amulet critically, her frown growing, before she finally made a decision. With her bloodlust currently this high an her full remaining concentration required to soon chart a path out of here, she couldn't afford to gamble on how much of her mana this magic item might guzzle. [color=ed1c24]"I'm-"[/color] [i]Thirsty.[/i] [color=ed1c24]"-low on mana right now."[/color] She handed the amulet to Cedar. [color=ed1c24]"Take it. You'll probably make better use of it than I on the move. If you don't have the strength for the task, well... I suppose Solomon could give it a try."[/color]

Eying the sister bears, she added. [color=ed1c24]"As for you two, focus on carrying Cedar, so he can work undisturbed. You're the only ones here strong enough to move him and keep pace with the rest of us, I bet."[/color] Saying so and stepping into Widernia's personal space, it would be with a bit of initially awkward shimmying that Veronica hoisted the mage into riding on her back, her hands both occupied with firmly clasping the redhead's thighs to keep her secure.

Glancing at the rest of the group, she waited until everyone seemed readied then moved to the corner that led into the burning main room of the lab, eyes squinting at the irritating smoke and heat of the blaze, as she picked out what looked like a safe route along the far wall. All the while, she could see Bartholomew still brawling with the titanic bear, whose injuries were now... simply horrific. [color=ed1c24]"Don't fight the bear unless you absolutely must! We're getting out of here first, making as straight a shot as we can! Cedar, we're counting on you! Solomon, I see a route along the far wall, but can you clear us a safer path?"[/color]