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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] "Familiar Stuff"
[color=9932cc][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=9932cc][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
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[right][img]https://i.ibb.co/pvV54tD/Victoria-Alt-4-2.png[/img][/right]
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	Victoria was just a little disappointed that no one immediately jumped at the opportunity to sample her cured, smoky travel rations. The usual thought process following this might have been something along the lines of "more for me, I suppose," but considering they would be settling into a semi-permanent place for the next couple of months, or until the snows came and went, her preserved foodstuffs (now without its less mundane preservation) would not last until spring. Perhaps she might be less disappointed if she had a bigger appetite this day. [color=9932cc]"Such a waste,"[/color] she mused quietly, shaking her head.  

	Something which would not go to waste, as Kathryn was requesting it very cordially, was some of her wine. The internal debate of red versus white was a factor, of course, for about two seconds until she began to realize that pairing against travel rations and/or marketplace fare was a silly endeavor and just handed over a mid-quality blush. Victoria took a little satisfaction in the idea that Kathryn was coming around to wine. At least for now. Considering the place they were traveling to, the Bard had a fair amount of optimism. 

	After making sure the wagon wasn't going anywhere and unpacking just what was necessary for an expedient mealtime, Victoria took note of her new, burlap and linen wrapped companion. So much as she found such a beast useful, and even spoke to it sometimes as if it were capable of understanding, she knew that it was merely a tool given animation by wisps and tendrils of necrotic energy. Not that she wasn't grateful. But the other creature bound to her was different. The raven was sentient as well as useful, a spiritform made flesh to assist her in her duties, be they magical or non. No, [i]Mort[/i] wasn't the best name for it. It would do for now. Just not forever. 

	Focusing her mind back her original beast of burden, Victoria secured a few small bits of chopped pork from her rations and popped them into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully. [color=9932cc]"So a piece of him will always be with me."[/color] Her lilting voice was joined by a smile in short order. The little joke concluded, she made a quick and simple lunch by wrapping a piece of bread around a small amount of meat, a few crumbles of cheese, and chopped pickles. Crunchy autumn greens rounded things out, which Victoria was grateful for as the application of such things seemed beyond the standard diet of anyone in or near the Township. Yet as much as a more balanced, vegetable heavy diet appealed to her, she consumed it as quickly as she dared and in smallish portions. They weren't off the road yet. She did not wish to get too comfortable. 

        As Victoria finished up, she involuntarily devoted a spot of awareness to her raven. Yes, this might be an excellent time to explore a benefit of having a Wizard's (or more specifically a Bard's) Familiar. She smiled. There was something that Victoria hadn't done yet involving her raven - why, she could not tell - that she greatly wished to do now. Standing, Victoria wiped the corner of her mouth and exhaled a breath of intent into the world around her. 

	The great, black bird on top of the covered wagon fluttered its wings and glided to its master, seemingly galvanized to action by the excited look coming from Victoria. They locked eyes for the briefest of moments before the ebon avian took to the sky, circling to find an appropriate current to assist in its ascent. Victoria's smile turned into an expression of delight; one hand removed her particularly bardy hat to let the cold, midday wind flow freely through her red-auburn hair. A faraway look came over her eyes, as if she was no longer viewing that which lay before her but something at a nigh unconquerable distance. The Bard held her arms straight out to her sides and gave an un-nuanced, genuine laugh. [color=9932cc]"This is flying!"[/color] she exclaimed as [i]Mort[/i] circled and climbed ever higher above them all. [color=9932cc]"This is flying, and it is [i]glorious![/i]"[/color] She really had to find a new name for her Familiar. 

	Victoria was not completely without her sense of propriety despite the look of utter joy she currently possessed. She cleared her throat and set her feet firmly to the ground a little more apart from one another. Senses focused on what she could see from [color=9932cc]"Very well. I have excellent vantage from here, and the Raven's sight is [i]so much[/i] keener than mine. This is amazing. Truly amazing."[/color] Deprived of her own senses of sight and hearing, Victoria's voice issued forth a little louder than intended. It was something to which she would have to get accustomed. [color=9932cc]"I can see so far, and so clearly... I think I can make out the Township! That is... not why I'm doing this. Alright, there are a few tiny groups coming from smaller roads joining the main. They look like farm folk. But the group ahead of us on the main road - mostly Human. Maybe ten. Two Halflings driving a laden wagon. All of them have farming implements and a couple have hunting bows. They look emotional. Maybe angry, scared, or both."[/color] The words might have felt more final, or urgent, except that Victoria was still enamored with the sensations of flight. 

	Reluctantly, Victoria broke contact with her Familiar but kept it soaring above in case another look was needed. [color=9932cc]"We still have some time before they get here. Perhaps we should ready ourselves for an event."[/color]