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[h2][color=darkorchid][i][b]Victoria Belmont[/b][/i][/color][/h2][i][b][color=9932cc]Half-Elf, Bard, Level 3[/color][/b][/i]
[color=9932cc][i][b]HP:[/b][/i][/color] 23 / 23	[color=9932cc][i][b]Armor Class:[/b][/i][/color] 15	[color=9932cc][i][b]Conditions:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=9932cc][i][b]Location:[/b][/i][/color] The Infamous Pear 
[color=9932cc][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=9932cc][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=9932cc][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A 
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[right][img]https://i.ibb.co/2q8Wtkg/Victoria-FC-1.jpg[/img][/right]
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	In an action that hinted at possible distraction, Victoria glanced once or twice over to the kitchen. More specifically, to the [i]noise[/i] which came from the kitchen. She even stifled a giggle as the lady of indeterminable cultural background yelled at an unseen intruder to her sacred stove-room and hurled something heavy. Yes, they were about to get into some serious business, but that background show was a hair toward the distracting. But no, serious talk was about to start. Victoria put on her game face. Unfortunately, a Bard's game face is oft equally adventurous and mischievous, and she was not an exception to the usual cut and color of a traditional Bard - in [i]this[/i] way, at least. 

	The speech delivered by Sheriff Gregory Arbalest was one that she had heard before. A variation of it, anyway. The one given while she was a "guest" of the Fort's area of general jurisprudence was a lot shorter and even less detailed than what he was explaining here. Perhaps it was foolishness to attempt negotiations before the rest of the group was assembled; not because she might cut a better deal this way but because she didn't know what kind of a group with whom she was allying herself. It was a moot point now. here she was, here they were, and here the stuffy, older Sheriff was laying down the conditions of their little adventure. 

	So instead of giving a lot of attention to the words of the venerable man, Victoria took the opportunity to look around the table at the people she would be working with, pondering their mannerisms and giving thought to the actions of the very recent past. She got the distinct impression that, regardless of her grandiose entrance or the extra effort she put into being personable this evening there was the slimmest of possibilities that a couple of these people just didn't really trust her. Including the Sheriff. Probably [i]especially[/i] the Sheriff. It stood to reason that not everyone would greet someone of her ilk with open arms, and this was why students of the Requiem learned how to take care of themselves in the specific ways that they did. And this was assuredly not the chilliest reception that she'd ever had. All the same, Victoria made it a point to watch herself around these people until she was certain enough that [i]they[/i] could be trusted, and no amount of introspection nor insight that she could muster would be helpful in this regard right now. So there she sat, an optimistic expression asserted upon her face which was occasionally obscured by her goblet of mulled wine. 

	Sometimes, listening was almost as fun as talking. This was one of those times. The questions to begin their investigation seemed valid enough. She wished that she'd asked more of them, herself. But she figured that she would rely on strength of personality to bridge the gap to useful conversations whenever she got there. It was an option that had worked well for her in the past, so why shouldn't it now? But yes, they made points. There might even be a time crunch if these missing persons were still mounting in number. 

	Then on to the requests. She kept her mouth shut, having already made her request and having it agreed to. It was for a book, suitable for penning secrets arcane within, and access to writings of certain divinities or powers recognized locally, that she may seek Lore useful to her profession within. Most of the others had much less grand of requests past the initial payment, which she felt was admirable in its own way of not amazingly practical. But the other Half-Elf... Well, he sure had some brass ones, she had to give due credit. 

	[color=9932cc]"This..."[/color] she announced aloud, pausing a half-second to allow a daring smile to form, [color=9932cc]"...looks [i]very much[/i] like it's going to be a story worth the telling. And if we're not careful, some of us might even commit random acts of decency. Hmm..."[/color] Particularly looking over to the latest arrival, the Wood Elf, Naivara, she inquired, [color=9932cc]"Aren't you glad you got here in time?"[/color] with a wink. Victoria wondered if there would be time for a song or three after their meeting and supper had concluded. For that matter, she was really wanting business to come to a close; the idea of supper was looking very appealing right then. Then music. Music was always better if you were playing it from your soul, and not just to earn your keep.