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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] Exterior B&B -> Interior B&B
[color=9932cc][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] [i]Perception[/i] Check
[color=9932cc][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] [color=black][i]Morty[/i][/color]
[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]"Yeah. Poor idea,"[/color] sighed Victoria. The fact was that all of her stuff was still there, tucked away in a backpack and a chest, both neatly stacked in a charming little errand cart which was ordinarily pulled by her formerly dead porcine companion. Also, lots and lots of local wine. Their little hideaway was not remotely the sort of accommodations that she preferred, but it was warm, comfortable, and had an elevated position where they could rest with a touch more discretion. But so mach as Victoria did not want to give too much in the way of agreement with the Cleric, a grudging acceptance of Marita's assessment. If the rats were spying for the bad guys, letting them see her return to all of her goodies in their safe(?) little loft was not the best of ideas. Even though Victoria agreed, she absolutely did not have to like it. [color=9932cc]"On the other hand, in a pinch I don't strictly [i]have[/i] to be seen..."[/color] She flashed a quick but prideful smile. [color=9932cc]"...as tragic as such a thing is. Though it will limit my versatility of spellcraft later in the evening."[/color] 

	The second option, that being a wholesale slaughter of as many rats as possible, was also interesting. Victoria wondered how many rats constituted a "swarm", for the purposes of re-animation with tiny wisps of necrotic energy. She would have to let go of the husk that was Morty, a tough, smoky creature that served her well (at least for a while yet), and the tradeoff would be something less defensive and utilitarian. Thought provoking in the potential use of the creatures' corpses. Responsible even, given the neutral Necromancer's unofficial credo: 

[center][i][b]"Reduce, Reuse, Reanimate"[/b][/i][/center]

	Jovial a thought as it was, it did very little to keep Victoria's spirits up when the first scream sounded. Things were happening elsewhere in town; expected things, and not too far away. Her ability to detach from this was put to the test, owing to a couple of key points, which included that she was somewhat familiar with a few of the people in this town. Many were okay folks and she didn't wish any harm upon them. It sounded very much like harm was being visited upon someone, however. Victoria internally applauded the pragmatism of the group in what seemed like an unspoken collective decision to not go running off, instead sticking to the task at hand to assist their friends and allies. Luckily, one such ally had just revealed herself in the doorway of the Bed & Breakfast. 

	Instinctively, Victoria noticed that something was off about Lizbeth. She seemed different or disconnected somehow. But Kathryn seemed to be making connection with her, so the Bard did not attempt to interfere. She was a little jealous actually, as she thought she might have some sort of greater understanding of the young girl, but this passed. Training her senses upon the surroundings as she entered the building, V held a breath and pressed her hat to the side of her head, as if to amplify her ability to hear more clearly. Maybe it was useful and maybe it was not, but it served to demonstrate what she was doing and, with her very uninteresting abilities of perception, every little bit was going to help. In this instance, she picked up something, but her announcement was interrupted by hearing more screams outside somewhere. Finally, she pointed up to the ceiling, pointing out a small amount of movement as the ceiling let it be known in the quiet voice of well-structured carpentry that something was standing upon it. 

	[color=9932cc]"The guests are upstairs?"[/color] she whispered in almost imperceptible volume. Lizbeth responded with a silent nod in Victoria's direction. Guests were here, but Aunt CeeCee was gone. How many did that make that were missing, that they personally knew? The question did not rest easy in Victoria's thoughts.