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[h2][color=FF6C5C][i][b]Marita Bärbel[/b][/i][/color][/h2][i][b][color=FF6C5C]Human, Cleric, Level 3[/color][/b][/i]
[color=FF6C5C][i][b]HP:[/b][/i][/color] 18/18	[color=FF6C5C][i][b]Armor Class:[/b][/i][/color] 18	[color=FF6C5C][i][b]Conditions:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=FF6C5C][i][b]Location:[/b][/i][/color] The Infamous Pear
[color=FF6C5C][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=FF6C5C][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=FF6C5C][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A 
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	[color=FF6C5C]"Thank you for your accommodations,"[/color] Marita replied to Guido. Truth be told, she was more thankful that the halfling stopped the argument from going farther. She could easily see it lasting all night while getting nothing done. [color=FF6C5C]"I'll be able to handle my things, but if you had any paper or similar on hand so I could save this custard and bread for later, that would be great."[/color] She turned to address Victoria.

	[color=FF6C5C]"Victoria, before everyone retires for the night, I have something I would like to discuss with you in private. It'll only be a few minutes. The rest of you can go ahead and sort out bedroom arrangements. No need to wait for me, if that's fine with you, Victoria. I'll sleep on the cot so don't worry about who has to take that."[/color] Marita did her best to sound pleasant despite the lingering heat from the night's events, but who knew how effective she was at that even at the best of times.

	Caution was the first feeling to pass over Victoria. There were a very few number of organized churches, and by extension representatives therefrom, that requested a quiet conversation of her with something pleasant in mind. Marita did not belong to any of these. Curiosity came next, which for Victoria had the tendency to be the determining factor. Her life might have been very different otherwise. A polite expression colored her features as she responded, [color=9932cc]"Certainly,"[/color] in a warm, melodic voice. She nodded toward the empty section at the bar nearby, suggesting, [color=9932cc]"I'm not turning in for a while, and I could use another nightcap after ...all that... just earlier. Join me at the bar?"[/color] Victoria did not wait for a response, instead rising from her chair with her goblet and striding to the spot she had pointed out. This otherwise fluid motion was accented by a tiny pause, whereupon she looked to her gaunt, eerily still Morty, who she quietly bid, [color=9932cc]"Stay,"[/color] with a mischievous smile.

	Marita wordlessly got up as well, and took her bag. She gave Morty a look before following the bard to the bar, taking the left spot. She heaved a long sigh, the pressure of the group dynamic lifted from her shoulders. She looked down at the woodgrain of the bar as she waited for Victoria to take her seat and order, trying to properly organize her thoughts. After a long moment she looked the other woman in the eye before speaking.

	[color=FF6C5C]"I get it."[/color] Marita begins, her face reading more conflicted and perhaps a tad distraught rather than the various flavors of anger that had seemed to be the norm up until now. [color=FF6C5C]"Having to hide who you are and what you believe because the society you're in disapproves. Knowing that if word got out you'd become a pariah, little more than a monster. I know what you do, and personally, I don't like it. However, more important is the sanctity of faith. Even if you don't worship the names you threw out before, I imagine you still have faith in your music and your craft. What I'm trying to say is... I won't get in your way. As long as you're not hurting anyone or breaking the law,"[/color] the implication here being more towards the graverobbing end of things rather than necromancy as a whole if the local law dictates the practice unlawful, [color=FF6C5C]"you're free to practice your craft around me and I won't say a thing. I do have a personal request to ask though."[/color]

	Befitting her nature, Victoria kept her composure both personable and neutral. She listened politely, taking a small sip of her wine as Marita spoke. To her mind, the Cleric seemed to be projecting a bit. Or searching for common ground. Or both. But Victoria did finally respond, saying, [color=9932cc]"The names I spoke, I venerate. I learn from their teachings, or at least the storied word of them. And yes, there are many who find it terribly offputting. Many of these same people might specifically request my services when a loved one, or person of respect passes into the next world. I play music which can uplift the sentient soul and transform raw grief into a sense of wonder surrounding the mysteries of the veil between the tangible and the divine. I speak words of eulogy which bring acceptance and comfort, regardless of the faith of the departed. And I do so with the solid impartiality of graveyard soil."[/color] Another sip to properly wet her throat and she continued, be it with a bit more mercenary a tone, [color=9932cc]"And sometimes I am paid handsomely to do it. Now, I appreciate this olive branch - don't get me wrong. But what bothers you; indeed what bothers many, is the proclivity of my Art to manipulate the flows of life and entropy."[/color] The smile returned, and Victoria pointed at her porcine companion, near the corner of the room. [color=9932cc]"Like Morty!"[/color] Returning her gaze to Marita, Victoria evenly inquired, [color=9932cc]"So now that we better understand each other, what [i]was[/i] that personal request?"[/color]

	[color=FF6C5C]"It does bother me, and while I could bring up ethical or spiritual reasons for it, it's not really the point and I'm sure you've heard them all before. The request is that if you need to do this... manipulation for some reason or another while we're working together that you avoid doing it on humanoids. At least those that are mostly intact. To tell you the truth, when it's a person I think it's really [i]creepy and gross[/i],"[/color] Marita's voice cracked at that part. When she realized what happened, she cleared her voice and regained her composure before continuing. [color=FF6C5C]"Sorry if that was rude."[/color]

	Victoria couldn't help but giggle. [color=9932cc]"Humanoids... Hmm,"[/color] she started, this point giving her something to consider. [color=9932cc]"My ability to give animation to things once alive is limited."[/color] She gave a shrug, [color=9932cc]"For now, anyway. Morty there is about as good as I can accomplish. But, I [i]will[/i] compromise."[/color] It was something that she was comfortable doing, compromise. [color=9932cc]"The teachings of The Raven Queen forbid raising intelligent Undead, and the words of the White Book of Wee Jas strictly prohibit the animation of sentients unless their remains are lawfully obtained. I will adhere to those philosophies for the extent of this job. In addition to my personal limitations, this should be a good middle path nearer to your views."[/color] She gave a dismissive wave of her hand while taking another sip from her goblet, then declared, [color=9932cc]"Besides, Necromancy isn't just about walking corpses. Its about spiritual energy and life forces. I can close wounds. Obscure the senses of the Undead. Cause otherworldly whispers to flood the mind of the unwary. In time I can potentially do [i]so much more[/i] that has [i]nothing[/i] to do with an army of undead thralls. Anyway, I can abide by the terms above for now, if this makes you feel better. We [i]do[/i] have to maintain a working relationship, you know."[/color]

	[color=FF6C5C]"Thanks, I appreciate it."[/color] Marita's conflicted look melted away, leaving her looking far more composed. She didn't exactly appear happy, but she looked dangerously close to content. [color=FF6C5C]"And I am aware that Necromancy is a more nuanced school of magic than is commonly given credit for. I actually have one ready at my disposal at the moment, but your pet showed me that you were willing to use its most infamous tool at its disposal. I'm not sure how many others at the table are aware of it yet, but I didn't want a loud reaction to tip off the rest of the bar and potentially cause a far more immediate problem on our hands. If you have anything you would like to ask of me, I'm more than willing to hear it out. It's only fair, of course. Something other than not Turning something you've animated or suddenly casting something like Zone of Truth again, I've certainly learned my lesson there."[/color]

        [color=9932cc]"Ask of you?"[/color] began Victoria, clapping a hand on Marita's shoulder. [color=9932cc]"Let us ford that river when we come to it, hmm?"[/color] She wasn't sure if the part about tipping off the rest of the bar was supposed to be leverage, or caution. Benefit of the doubt might be in order. She ignored the mention of the Zone of Truth, instead changing topic to something with a built-in means of egress. [color=9932cc]"This place is getting busier. I don't know about you, but I feel a song's swift approach with wings of gossamer silk. If you will excuse me?"[/color] Victoria's eyes went to where she stored her violin, a performer's smile broadening on her mixed-sylvan features.

	[color=FF6C5C]"For the time being, let's just say that I owe you one. And go ahead, you talked a big game earlier, I'm interested to see how you really perform."[/color] Marita turned around in her seat to follow Victoria's position and crossed her legs. If she was as skilled as she claimed to be, the cleric would have liked to have a glass of wine to go along with it, but she had gotten this far into the night without touching drink, and it would be a shame to break that record now. Besides, Greggory was already paying so much for room and board tonight, the least she could do was not add to that further.