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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] Interior B&B
[color=9932cc][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[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]"Yes,"[/color] spoke Victoria. Her voice was soft, even quiet, but clear and determined enough to provide verisimilitude for many a hardened skeptic. Her words were directed at Lizbeth, a clear answer to the simple question that she had posed just before. [color=9932cc]"We can help you, Lizbeth L'Rose. At least we can try."[/color] No promises, as was not her nature, except to make the attempt. It was a lot for Victoria. More than she had been willing to extend for anyone who wasn't a straight-laced elder Sheriff who had hinted strongly at continued incarceration were she to not accept an investigation contract. Admittedly, that thought was [i]more than a little specific[/i] to her situation, but she had other factors keeping her in Avonshire, now. One of those factors was asking her for help, point of fact. 

	Victoria gave as reassuring a smile as she could to the little girl, her crystal blue, almond eyes shining with certainty. She fixed her features with grim but elegant resolution. With a visage of confidence, the Bard turned to the rest of the group. Her lips parted just slightly as she summoned words to inspire and motivate to decisive action, but before a syllable could be uttered, the hollow smash resounded from near to the front door. Her plans derailed, it seemed instinctual that her silvered, slender-bladed sword appeared in her hand, drawn before she consciously registered its movement. Her other hand stretched out before her, palm forward in the manner of one who might spring tendrils of arcane energy forth into the world of the mundane. Victoria cleared her throat quietly, readying her voice to be used as a weapon as sharp as any dagger. With her voice, she could disorient, damage, even close wounds and more. Whatever was behind the door would have to deal with the full brunt of a supported and protective group of near-desperate adventurers. Even if they had only known one another for a short time, Victoria was confident in possibility that they might actually operate in a synergistic fashion when it really, really counted. Equally as much, she hoped that it would really, really count soon. 

	The Dragonborn's words to Lizbeth echoed her own wishes for the girl and she spared a nod in her direction for exactly this reason before turning her attention back to the front of the room. She watched as Kosara made her proclamation to whomever or whatever lay beyond the heavy, wooden portal, and began to open it. All the while, Victoria subtly continued the song she had started earlier in the Public House:

[color=9932cc]"This is the day that we stand up
This is the day we fight
We'll take our place, we won't give in
Our victory's in sight..."[/color]

	Conditions being met for a change of action from Morty, the burlap-swaddled minion trotted to flank its mistress and move slightly ahead. The animated beast stood quietly, its form braced to either begin, or receive, a charge.