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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] Hayloft -> Silversmith's, exterior 
[color=9932cc][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A 
[color=9932cc][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] [color=black]Morty[/color]
[color=9932cc][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A 
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[right][img]https://i.ibb.co/8r6nxVw/Victoria-FC-11.jpg[/img][/right]
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	It was times like this that Victoria wished she had some sort of raincoat for her animated companion, Morty. Having just gotten the smoky, meaty guy tidy and dry, she now had to bring him back out into the elements. The tireless boar was ever the trooper, even if it didn't exactly have a choice in the matter. In any case, the soulless hunk of cured meat and bone followed with jerky diligence as Victoria crossed the street diagonally to their temporary abode. Victoria had her own, more mundane methods of combating the elements and keeping her gear in good condition, even if she didn't mind relying on multiple uses of Prestidigitation to cover for lapses in care and upkeep. Her violin, however, was another story. 

	The strangely invigorated Bard took note of Kosara's declarations of intent concerning things close to her own heart - clothing and visiting stores. Cliched? Yes. But she was a person whose non-adventuring career pivoted around public appearance and the ability to impress a crowd. Style was important. [color=9932cc]"My dear, that hat of mine is not the most suitable for heavy rain, but I should think you would look just lovely in one nonetheless. Perhaps if we reach someplace more cosmopolitan, I would treasure the opportunity to help you pick out a decent hat of your own. Bespoke, I imagine, to account for your lovely ah..."[/color] Words were selected with the intent of not making Kosara uncomfortable as Victoria continued with a flattering smile, [color=9932cc]"...lovely cranial accessories."[/color] Graceful gesture on her part implied that her subject was Kosara's horns. [color=9932cc]"I would rather enjoy a shopping trip after the book closes on this. Darenby had a couple of good merchants I wouldn't mind visiting again. Oh, and almost anywhere on the coast..."[/color]

	Victoria's thoughts of places more urban and the goods to be acquired there trailed off as they entered the Hayloft. She made quick work of acquiring her charcoal colored cloak, wrapping it about her and pulling the hood up, the action showing a brief glimpse of sheer, purple lining within. She adjusted the strap on her violin so that it hung at her side rather than her back - easier reach and less bulky if one had to move quickly - and debated going into her travel chest for additional weapons or goods. The decision was quickly reached that she was not the type to need a ton of arms and that her best weapon was her connection to the threads and notes magic around her. A good rapier never hindered matters, either. No, that was all she needed, Morty was good to go as well, and she needed to continue forward, now a little more comfortable in the weather. 

        Kathryn had made reference to the injury sustained during the tussle with Goblins, be it with some tact and complexity of emotion. While it was appreciated, she felt the need to wave it off for reasons both practical and of morale. Second guessing one's self and feeling doubt was a dangerous mindset to be in if walking into a potentially perilous situation. [color=9932cc]"We were all still figuring ourselves out. As a group, I mean to say. Let us not dwell on it further."[/color] She flashed a small smile and seemed settled on the matter. 

	The walk to the silversmith's place felt like it took longer than it actually did. Nerves, possibly. She was a little anxious to get into things proper. All the same, Victoria was glad that the group had all decided to come along on this. Even the new Dragonborn, though she wasn't sure what stake he had in this aside from the novelty of a mystery and a little adventure. It was reason enough, she supposed. The rain wasn't too intolerable and the drainage system in town looked to be doing a respectable job, so they weren't getting their feet soaked at the very least. But the environment that just a number of hours ago was festive and lively, full of cheer and celebration (admittedly with an undertone of something sinister, but we can't have everything, right?) was now grim and empty, even though the town had obviously not vacated. This put Victoria's mind at an unease. Expected, but not appreciated. When they actually approached the building of Monsieur Jacques Mallard, a worried look came over her. [color=9932cc]"Wait, I don't recall grabbing the paper. Did anyone get the note?"[/color] She was willing to cold-read the guy on the spot to try to persuade him to trust them, but really hoped it wasn't necessary. 
	
	Morty mostly followed along under silent mental command, expressing its nonexistent feelings on the circumstances by staring straight ahead, motionless unless called upon to do otherwise.