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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] Avonshire Township, L'Rose Hayloft 
[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/tpv4vyV/VicSS.png[/img][/right]
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	[color=9932cc]"...hair the night off?"[/color] mused Victoria, her face tilted slightly to the side on some confusion. This was a riddle of some kind, she assumed. It didn't make sense otherwise. Or at all, so far as she was aware. This was an eccentric lady who ran a business that had a complicated standing with the locals, and she was being funny. That, or the Madame knew something that Victoria did not. But as this grand puzzle did not directly concern her, nor their mission so far as she was aware, the aubergine Bard let it drop. 

	Seeing as the mood of the hour had the rest of the party moving elsewhere, Victoria went along with this. But not before a quick farewell. There was no sense in using a her more diplomatic talents to establish a useful contact if they were just going to leave unceremoniously. [color=9932cc]"Thank you so much, Madame Marcie! I am ever on the search for exciting venues to perform within! And a little money never hurt anyone, either."[/color] The sudden mental image of pouring a handful of silver pieces into a sock and sapping out some poor bastard suddenly sprung up unbidden. Then loading a gold coin into a sling and pegging a city guard at fifteen paces. Then force-feeding a captive coppers until their belly lay distended, preventing any movement that didn't result in a wet jingling sound. She immediately pondered never using that phrase again. If utilized properly, a little money [i]could indeed[/i] hurt someone. Waving, Victoria bid her, [color=9932cc]"I'm hopeful we'll meet again very soon,"[/color] and turned to join the rest of the party. 

	Morty remained out of sight, for the most part, until Victoria issued a mental command for the smoky beast to heel. Unencumbered by the errand cart it usually pulled when not utilized in a more martial capacity, it more or less trotted its stiff-legged gait behind and slightly to the left of its master. Victoria opted to walk next to their borrowed wagon until they made it back to the street containing Bob's Public House, the hayloft, and the heretofore unmentioned stable ran by a man named Fields. Mild puzzlement flashed over her part-sylvan features, a glimmer of what she thought might have been recognition. It would have to wait for now. 

	Perhaps establishing their base of operations first was the best idea. A nondescript place for them to retreat back to, if necessary, or plot their random acts of nefariousness whilst they sharpen their knives. Of course Victoria didn't think that this would be the case exactly, but bardic license was a thing. [i]Giving The Truth Scope[/i] was a popular descriptor, too. Actually entering the place was a sort of reveal - having expected a livestock barn with a loft they might use, Victoria was pleased to see that it was just a place to pick up and drop off hay whomever needed it, without the presence of animals whatsoever. They probably did good business with the stable across the way. Of particular note in this tidy little building was the block and tackle lift. This, Victoria went to immediately. 

	Getting her small pull-cart out of the back of their wagon was simple enough, laden down though it was with her travel chest and backpack. Both of these she placed on the lift, then making liberal use of the device to get her belongings to the floor above as the others saw to Lizbeth's comfort. She was a cute kid, Victoria had to admit. Even reminded her a little of a cousin. Lizbeth had seen more than a child her age should have seen and the wear upon her was showing. But call her selfish, Victoria used the opportunity of others being distracted to stow her gear. 

	Rather than make direct attempts to make the child feel better, Victoria addressed Cecily directly. Her words were soft, velvety, and filled with a sense of warm understanding. [color=9932cc]"Your father (in-law?)"[/color] She thought there was some mention of that earlier. [color=9932cc]"His bones did not deserve to be left where they were. I am not a Cleric and by [i]no means[/i] do I speak on a deity's behalf. That said, if you would please allow me, I believe I can give him a proper, even poetic interment. This is my profession when I'm not in a mercenary Goblin-hunting group."[/color] The last part was spoken with a lilt, suggesting a touch of humor to buffer against the crushing seriousness of he occasion. [color=9932cc]"If I have your permission, I will need to know your family's faith, that I may respect the scene accordingly."[/color] 

	Cecily took a few seconds of consideration before finally sighing and responding, [color=darkgray][i]"The family follows Chauntea, mostly. Growers, you know. But..."[/i][/color] She hesitated, as if a little embarrassed to continue, [color=darkgray][i]"...he wasn't very religious, but I think Papa L'Rose worshipped [b]Lliira[/b]."[/i][/color] Sudden seriousness came from Lizbeth, who locked eyes with her aunt even as the others tried to cheer her up. A conversation unheard might have passed between the two of them, and Cecily corrected herself, [color=darkgray][i]"No, you're right. It was [b]Olidammara[/b]."[/i][/color]

	The second Victoria heard Cecily respond, she went to gather the canvas-wrapped bones of the deceased. She paused upon hearing the name of the final deity mentioned, package in hand. The strangest look crossed her face; part surprised and part amused. She knew of this deity. This was not one she would have suspected to come out of Cecily's mouth. Victoria put on as diplomatic a posture as she could, her mind trying to recall the specific celebratory rituals of Olidammara and responding,[color=9932cc]"Interesting. Unexpected to be sure, but very interesting, Mrs. L'Rose."[/color] All smiles and reassurances, Victoria related, [color=9932cc]"I can help you. Truly, I can. We're going to need more wine."[/color]

	To Marita, Victoria asked quietly, [color=9932cc]"You're the godly one out of all of us, so... your input has a lot of weight, in my limited estimation. I can take care of this, if you want to start the investigation; we should be done before nightfall. What would you prefer?"[/color]