[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/BjtZNtv.png[/img][/center]
[color=ed1c24]Location[/color]: Basement storage zone, Stritzel's Estate, Western Kindeance.
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There was a moment -just one- where Veronica inwardly tensed. The second guard was apparently more wily than his brazenly horny partner. Yet... in the end, it seemed her cover held. If only [i]just[/i], perhaps. Tucking her hair behind her ear and bowing again, makeing sure to give the two a proper eyeful of her cleavage with the angle, Veronica smiled shyly. [color=ed1c24]"O-oh thank you, sir! Of course!"[/color] She simpered to the second guard, her expression lighting up with faux joy and relief. She very carefully avoided looking at the door that had opened behind the guards due to someone unseen, as she bent over to fumble for her scythe, again ensuring her two suckers got a decent glimpse of pale thighs and her backside.

She didn't react, as a looming shadow grew into solidity behind the two guards, shadowy limbs reaching out to manifest Solomon's gloved hands over their mouths. An offensively powerful chemical stench washed over her senses, and Veronica was both fascinated and mildly repelled by it, watching the two guards quickly go limp in her fellow undead's grasp with barely a struggle. [color=ed1c24]"[i]Fascinating[/i]..."[/color] she murmured in appreciation, watching the retreat of the cloth wads back into Solomon's robe, as the guards collapsed bonelessly. [color=ed1c24]"Out for several hours, you say? Excellent. That was far easier than I was expecting, but we're not out of the woods yet. Still..."[/color] The vampire rolled her jaw in thought, taking hold of her scythe properly again and slinging it over one shoulder.

Her eyes snapped to the reappearance of Varya from the now open doorway, one brow rising. So, he was the invisible one and not the bears? Her gaze flicked to the slightly more distantly approaching bear sisters, as Varya quickly rummaged through the thugs' pockets. Interesting and useful. She would be sure to account for such an asset going forward. It was a nice feeling to have not one -[i]but two[/i]- comrades with exceptional stealth capabilities.

Listened to Varya's brief report, Veronica chuffed quietly, receiving the key to the door below and his subservient address with a familiar squirming in her gut. Or, well, the imagined sensation of such. Even now, when it only made sense for her to take command in something she was particularly experienced with, she couldn't help but feel somewhat uncomfortable being addressed as a superior, especially amongst people who were equally deserving of respect. She'd have loved to shoot down that sort of talk, but for now... it was useful. [color=ed1c24]"Thank you,"[/color] she nodded, gripping the key, [color=ed1c24]"your initiative is welcome. It seems the immediate path ahead is clear for now."[/color] She was tempted to scry the way ahead to double check, but she'd already done that recently. It was unlikely anything would have changed since and would be a waste of mana.

Of course, it was about this point that the bear sisters had finished arriving and were laying paws upon the haplessly unconscious guards. It took Veronica moment to comprehend exactly what they were doing, but once she did, an exhale of exasperation and reluctant amusement escaped her. Even so, as amusing as the concept of the bears lugging around their new captives in such a casually humiliating way was, practicality won out in Veronica's mind.

[color=ed1c24]"As funny as that idea is,"[/color] she chuckled, before her expression sobered, [color=ed1c24]"we're best off leaving those two behind. Live prisoners preferred, remember? Bringing them into battle will just risk killing them for no gain, and there's no guarantee anyone else we fight will be so easily and harmlessly subdued."[/color] She nodded to Solomon. [color=ed1c24]"As the good Doctor here claims, they'll be unconscious for a couple hours, plenty of time for us to have the luxury to not waste time securing them yet."[/color] She shook her head with an apologetic smile, eyeing the specific orientation the guards were held in. It almost raised a brow from her, as she somehow hadn't expected relatives of Cedar to go for something as ruthless as a meat shield. [color=ed1c24]"Leave them be. If you'd like some form of protection, why not try some of the crate lids around here?"[/color] She gestured to the crates dotting the storage area. [color=ed1c24]"And if those won't suffice? Well, there will surely be other [i]'Chivalrous gentlemen'[/i] to strap to your arms deeper in."[/color]

Glancing towards the door to the rest of the underground facility, she jerked her head leading and headed that way. [color=ed1c24]"Now c'mon, enough goofing."[/color] With that said, Veronica set off quickly down the corridor Varya had scouted prior. As she had seen before in her scrying, the pathway to Cedar led soon down a flight of stairs and then a deeper corridor, at the end of which was a door with metal bars. Hurrying over to it, Veronica produced the key found by Varya and made to unlock the barrier, glancing back to do a habitual headcount of her team before proceeding further.

Once they caught up, she lowly murmured to them, [color=ed1c24]"Same strategy as before, but this time I doubt we'll be as lucky as to get another set of idiots. We use the element of surprise to our full advantage. No hesitation, no quarter until the enemy is subdued. I'll take point, give them something to target."[/color] She eyed the blue-skinned elf. [color=ed1c24]"Varya, I gather your magic includes some form of invisibility? Then I'm sure you won't have any trouble getting closer while the opposition is distracted."[/color] She glanced at Solomon and simply nodded with a smirk; she was sure the lich would find the best places to employ his skills without her help.

To the twins, finally, she added, [color=ed1c24]"Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with your abilities, but I gather you're both mages of some stripe. I leave your utilization of them to your best judgement."[/color] She paused, an expression of concern crossing her features. [color=ed1c24]"If you're not used to life and death battles, similarly to your brother, I can only further recommend that you stay careful and don't freeze. Beyond that, I'll trust your judgement. So... good luck..."[/color] She turned the key and opened the barred gate, expression hardening, as the scent of blood seemed to be stronger now than ever. [color=ed1c24]"Let's save us a brother bear."[/color]