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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] 16	[color=9932cc][i][b]Conditions:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=9932cc][i][b]Location:[/b][/i][/color] Rose River Vineyard (Tasting Room)
[color=9932cc][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] Skill Check (Persuasion)
[color=9932cc][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] [i][color=dimgray]Familiar Stuff[/color][/i]
[color=9932cc][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
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[right][img]https://i.ibb.co/84xS62pB/Victoria-Alt-7-ss.png[/img][/right]
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	The wine was excellent. Aged amazingly, tinctured with just a touch of fortification. It was great. But by this time, Victoria was of the impression that every wine in this place was going to be amazing. To hear Lizbeth talk, every single one in this room, especially, was some innovative conquest of the market's expectations of flavor and ease of pairing. Hells, they might even have vintage exclusive magical powers, for all she knew. (Of course, Victoria genuinely expected [i]something[/i] from the brandy, but that was neither here nor there in the present thought process). In fact, as generally privileged as her upbringing was, Victoria felt that her palate might not adjust to common tavern wine for some time to follow. 

	Despite this, the wine was not foremost on Victoria's thoughts. Lizbeth's words about [i]doing something else[/i] while the others were distracted while the others were distracted, on the other hand, were. [color=9932cc]"Lizbeth, you're right. You saw the letter and you have been here for a long, long time. You're a smart girl. Maybe we can do something to help, but I do not wish to lie to you about this - maybe we cannot. But the letter mentioned your grandfather's name specifically, I think we shall have a better chance of figuring this out if we investigate his private study. Do you have the key?"[/color]

	A look of confusion, then realization, then defeat crossed over Victoria's face as Lizbeth spoke, revealing a harsh truth to her. [color=darkgray]"We were in a hurry to get Grandfather's body off of the lands before nightfall. His keys were still on him."[/color] Monsieur Arnaud L'Rose, following his untimely death, was stolen by Goblins (along with a few casks of wine), cooked, and eaten. All that was found of his possessions amounted to a handful of silver buttons. Victoria herself interred most of his bones, sans a half-blackened finger bone she held onto for her own reasons and whatever else was fully consumed by the Goblins' fire. They recovered no keys after their fight, and if they were anywhere, they were pressed into the earth somewhere on that roadside battlefield. So, with their resources and time, the available option was vandalism. If they even could do that effectively. Victoria has no spell useful here, and she could not persuade the door to open with sheer force of personality. Lizbeth spoke with a helpful, if muted tone, [color=darkgray]"There might be a spare somewhere. Grandfather did mention once that he had another study somewhere on the property. Well, if you can get in, I'll help however I can."[/color]

	Victoria sighed. [color=9932cc]"Thank you, Lizbeth. Between us all, I am sure we will figure something out."[/color] The Bard wasn't as certain about these words, and it showed through with her tone. 

	Meanwhile, out in the Wine Storage room, Medician Annick Floquet had her hands full attempting to lead Rens to the wine that she couldn't quite remember, but was sure she last saw [i]somewhere around here[/i], she swore. So long as they were looking, the older lady suggested that, [color=darkgray][b]"...maybe a little taste here or there wouldn't hurt, would it? I don't think I've tried that rosé yet."[/b][/color] She was not the overly charismatic type, but Rens was trying very hard to be accommodating. All at once, Annick gave a little shiver. [color=darkgray][b]"Oh, I'm sorry, Master Rens. It's just a little cold for my old bones in here. I left my shawl in the Tasting Room. I'll just grab it and be right back. Don't keep Lady Kathryn waiting on my account."[/b][/color]

	She didn't wait for an answer, but went jogging off with more vigor than a lady complaining about her "old bones" might have. She seemed in a rush, and it might be stated that she really wanted to get back to this tour as quickly as possible. With her shawl. Perhaps this was why she opened the Tasting Room door with a start, then carefully closed it behind her. Without addressing anyone in the room initially, she walked up to her folded shawl on the table and the smallish leather case atop it. True to her word, she pulled the garment over her shoulders but also took up the case, unfastening and unrolling it with haste. It was full of a series of small metal utensils; picks, lengths of stiff wire bent into "L" shapes and hooks, a tiny file, and the like. She selected two of these tools and hurried over to the door with the chunky lock, finally addressing Lizbeth, Kosara, and Victoria. [color=darkgray][b]"Of course Adventurers show up. [i]Of course[/i] something has been wrong about this place for a long time. You people think I'm stupid?"[/b][/color] She inspected the door, gave it a quick knock in a couple places, checked for anything unusual or off about it then inserted the picks into the lock. [color=darkgray][b]"First time I saw you,"[/b][/color] she continued, motioning her head toward Victoria, [color=darkgray][b]"...thought you might be involved."[/b][/color] Then she looked to Kosara, [color=darkgray][b]"Rest of you didn't seem much better either. Thinking different, now."[/b][/color] 

	Something behind or within the door issued a soft click, and Annick withdrew her tools. She put them away, tucked her kit within her cloak, and stepped away. [color=darkgray][b]"I know how this works. You're adventurers. You'll either fix this or die badly. If you fix this, I want a cut. There's always a cut. Keep me informed on everything here. Anything happens to Lizbeth, you'll never see me coming. Promise you."[/b][/color] The Medician started toward the door, giving a parting declaration of, [color=darkgray][b]"Miss Belmont, I still expect to see you for your regular training. And Jon - You didn't see anything. Not a damned thing. Understand?"[/b][/color] The door swung shut behind her, and she was gone as quickly as she arrived. 

	The security of the door now compromised, Victoria looked to Kosara, then to Lizbeth. Even once back to Jon, then immediately to the first two. [color=9932cc]"That was thoroughly unexpected. I shall be honest, I thought we might have to put this off, just to find the keys by the roadside. Interesting. Well, Kosara, would you like to do the honors?"[/color] Victoria smiled at her adventuring colleague, gesturing to the Study Door. [color=9932cc]"I shouldn't have all of the fun. It simply wouldn't promote fairness at all."[/color] A sly wink followed. Even for her confident bluster, Victoria was already reaching for a dagger and her instrument.