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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/kJ2BTjD/Victoria-HF.png[/img][/right]
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        It looked like the gang had all filed down, each giving a prime example of the personalities they wished to show to the world as if the table was a mosaic of differing psychologies. The study of the sentient mind was not foremost in Victoria's intellectual pursuits, but the actions which were to come in the days following would have a serious impact on the outcome of their venture. Social situations, as it were; a study in which Victoria was well versed.

        For starters, the irrepressibly positive nature of Kosara contrasted with the overall tone of the morning, which might have been a good thing, thinking about it. Victoria extended her morning greetings and answered her compliments with a perky, [color=9932cc]"Thank you!"[/color] while offering wordlessly to pass over what portions of breakfast were not within her ready reach. The cheese upon bacon upon cheese sandwich did warrant pause, as Victoria pondered how Kosara maintained her delicate frame with such a diet. A flash of envy caught her when the thought that it was possibly a benefit of Tiefling metabolism, even though she really knew nothing about the physicality of those whose bloodline was touched by the lower planes. For all she knew, her own hybrid Fey background might provide similar benefits, though Victoria was not about to indulge thusly just yet. Now, those [i]apples[/i], on the other hand...

	 Dreams of baked fruit were shuffled to the side when the "half-giant" who ruffled her hair stepped toward the table. Victoria offered a pleasant [color=9932cc]"Good morning! Bracing, isn't it?"[/color] in response to Kathryn's morning greeting. Indeed, the weather had turned to the chillier side of autumn, from the feel of things. Addressing the proposed plans of action, Victoria diplomatically responded (even as others had their own retorts), [color=9932cc]"Those are fine ideas. When we get to the township, of course. To add to your question,"[/color] she paused just long enough to dab a bit more honey onto her bread, then smile in appraisal of the sweet, amber goodness, then continued. [color=9932cc]"Do we split up to cover more ground in our own unique ways, or do we hit them all together?"[/color] Subtlety versus numbers. [color=9932cc]"This 'investigating' thing has layers, hmm?"[/color] Victoria broke into a grin and sipped from her tea. 

	In contrast, Victoria chose not to respond to Hugh's assertion that the party abandoned their letters, but she did take note. Personally, she did not find any more relevance in the letter, seeing as its purpose was to get her to Darenby. To that end, it succeeded. Unless their employer was suspect in some way, it just didn't seem to matter. More than that, if they [i]were[/i] going into this mission quietly, having a thing like that found on her person or in her belongings might aid in shortening her lifespan. Still, this wasn't her area of expertise, so with a shrug, Victoria extended her hand and took back her own letter. [color=9932cc]"I suppose one could prestidigitate it to ashes if necessary. Excellent firelighter, too."[/color] The letter found its way back into her hat. Then Victoria found her way to scrambled eggs before they grew cold. 

	She noticed that Naivara was also taking advantage of the hospitality of their hosts, so far as breakfast went. Between her and Kosara, she figured that maybe, just maybe, she was a little too concerned about her girlish figure, especially considering she had already given the thought to the day's travel. Yeah, she was definitely being uptight about this. It was time for a little palate cleanser, anyway. Leaning across the table, Victoria brandished a long, double-sided knife, deftly skewering one of the baked apples before settling back into her seat. The fruit still on the blade, she took a tentative bite and immediately issued a satisfied, [color=9932cc]"Mmm!"[/color] A puzzled look came over her for just a moment, then she quietly mused, [color=9932cc]"Cinnamon, I think..."[/color] The urge to take another bite, this one much more forward in nature, was heeded, and soon Victoria was urgently swiping up a cloth to catch what tried to escape from the warm, juicy apple before it was too late. She looked like she was enjoying herself. 

	Marita spoke, and though it was against her usual nature to take a firm side, Victoria found that she agreed with her. [color=9932cc]"If there's damage to be done with the letters, then it's already done. Either the meeting last night was a trap, or the job we just took is the trap, or this is all legitimate and there's something else influencing events. The only thing we need to worry about now is each other, and half of you had a good opportunity to kill me just last night, so..."[/color] She looked down at herself, noting that she was indeed still alive. Active, even. [color=9932cc]"So maybe we're all supposed to be here."[/color] She giggled. Forcing herself to stop, Victoria mused, [color=9932cc]"Or some assassin is playing a longer game. It's a little exciting, isn't it?"[/color]

	Further musing brought her attention to the dwindling platter of meat on the table. [color=9932cc]"I wonder... seeing as that's a dish of once-living matter, could the broader animating force of basic necrotic energy be used to manipulate the material here? Might processed meat products find utility, or even martial use among the students of The Grey Requiem?"[/color] A look of wonder spread across Victoria's face as she pondered aloud, [color=9932cc]"[i]Bardic Sausagekinesis![/i] It could work. It could."[/color]

	She barely paid Alastor any mind as he fled. It was completely out of nowhere, like a poorly timed punchline in a comedic play. But it did segue into something slightly more interesting, in the form of a representative of the Sheriff making her way to them, To her greeting, Victoria responded, [color=9932cc]"May Fate guide you to storied enlightenment,"[/color] with a smirk. A paraphrased quote from a deity from whom she drew some of her teachings, and in truth more parting words than a salutation. 

        News of a wagon drawn by a pack animal was also interesting. Did they expect the group to carry cargo or haul back the bad guys? Or a better question, [color=9932cc]"Can any of you teamster a wagon?"[/color]