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[h2][color=darkorchid][i][b]Victoria Belmont[/b][/i][/color][/h2][i][b][color=9932cc]Half-Elf, Bard, Level 5[/color][/b][/i]
[color=9932cc][i][b]HP:[/b][/i][/color] 33 / 33	[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] Southbound Road, Waypoint
[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] [i]Dexterity Save[/i] (taking the reins)
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[right][img]https://i.ibb.co/pfQwC4m/V-X-Background.png[/img][/right]
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	It was unexpected to Victoria that their more recent Dragonborn companion wished to engage in conversation with her, as they really hadn't spoken in any depth nor detail until that day. Of course, they were engaged in a pitched battle not too long ago and she had basically locked herself away for most of the time after that, so she supposed that this lack of socialization was more her fault than anyone's. Add to this the fact that, earlier that very morning Victoria had gone out of her way to show off her performance chops and make a grand, magic-filled appearance to their sendoff from the Avonshire Township. It was interesting enough to warrant some form of talk. Between this and Victoria's usual tint of vanity, that lack of expectation turned into surprise that he had [i]not[/i] attempted a conversation with her until just then. 

	The first item she addressed was on the nature of the seasoned, smoked pork she had in abundance for the trip to the L'Rose's vineyard. To this, there was a marginal amount of bush-beating with her response. [color=9932cc]"The seasoning and curing process is ...not local in nature. It was been put to motion following aging, and if you might forgive whatever bluntness you assume from the following - it has been subject to preservation as a side effect of magic performed upon it. This nuances the flavor, I've found."[/color] She gave a knowing but neutral smile and did not elaborate further. 

	She did not comment on the suggestion to play music for them while they set up for a quick meal, unsure as to whether she should feel insulted but willing to give the benefit of the doubt that Baronfjørd was well-meaning in his words. Music was her stock and trade, after a fashion, even if she wasn't [i]exactly[/i] that sort of Bard. At least not all of the time. 

        She was noticeably more open when the question of utilizing her [i]Phantasmal Steed[/i] came into the discussion. [color=9932cc]"To be quite transparent, that was only the second time I have summoned Mortimer."[/color] Victoria mulled over the name as she said it aloud, and gave a short pause afterward with an expression of continued consideration. Did that name work for this summons? Would it be specific to this one spell, or any such quasi-real/necromatic/summoned creature of approximate size and utility? If she used her [i]Note of The Dead[/i] ability on a skeletal warhorse, would it, too, qualify as "Mortimer?" In any case, those questions were not related to the topic at hand. [color=9932cc]"I cannot summon that creature like a true Wizard might. Instantly, I mean to say. I must build magical energies over time; for me, about ten minutes or so. And it will stay for approximately an hour, unless I dedicate another ten minutes."[/color] She paused again to reflect on how she might phrase the following, [color=9932cc]"And while it is an amazingly swift and tireless steed for that hour, our nameless draft mule here is inherently stronger, more capable in a harness, and does not require hourly magical upkeep. To put it simply, Mortimer cannot pull the weight."[/color] Victoria shrugged, [color=9932cc]"As a more positive comparison, the [i]Steed[/i] would absolutely outpace our mule unladen, and is marvelously easy to control. I don't really need reins."[/color] That last issue, ease of control, was important. Victoria was not exactly an amazing equestrian. Passable, perhaps. Unless she had a mental connection to a creature, undead or otherwise, she was far more comfortable sitting on a coach seat than atop a destrier saddle. 

        [color=9932cc]"Now, if you're positive you wish to try your hand at wagon driving on the second leg of our journey, I am agreeable. Have you had much experience?"[/color] Time would mark this initial attempt by her new companion as, to put it with a degree of levity, suboptimal. The Bard had a swift and startling time wresting control of the wagon back into line before it took an unfortunate path to setback. [color=9932cc]"Everything is fine,  everything is... Hmm. Perhaps we should pick this up again [i]after[/i] lunch, like you suggested initially?"[/color]

        Finding a place to park the wagon once they reached their temporary stop was easy. The place looked like it was designed specifically as a waypoint, or something similar. She had been to many like it as a child, having been raised in a mercantile business family and occasionally joining the odd caravan on safer, fully established routes. It was an interesting feature of her early education. When Victoria did bring the wagon to a halt, she called for her most recent student of wheeled travel to help a bit, much as Kathryn was doing for Lizbeth. [color=9932cc]"Kosara, dear, could you please see to our mule while I place our wheel stops and check for wear? I won't be but a handful of moments, and then you all simply [i]must[/i] try a pinch of my excellent chopped pork. It's to die for."[/color] A warm and inviting smile crossed her face as she looked up from her work, before she swiftly got back to it.

        Victoria gave notice to the group approaching from down the road a fair piece of distance away. They had passed and been passed by others on this road and she saw no reason to think theae people were any different, but noting them seemed appropriate. Perhaps she might scout them out a little bit. Or just use their presence as an excuse to explore newly acquired abilities. But they were still a good way off. There was time, and tasks to do at the stopping point.