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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 (Main Thoroughfare) -> Coach House
[color=9932cc][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] [i]Bardic Inspiration - Kathryn[/i]
[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/84xS62pB/Victoria-Alt-7-ss.png[/img][/right]
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	Victoria eyed the details of the situation after her show of divinative Necromancy and how it was affecting those around her. So far, no one was calling for her death via beheading by divine smite nor set ablaze with purifying fire. She counted this as a positive, more or less. Her arcane connection with the dead and cultural practices thereof was her bread and butter, just as much as music and dance, but it did tend to annoy the squeamish and enrage those who considered themselves holy. Still, Victoria said her peace on the subject and announced her plans openly, that others may figure out what they might do around them, and she intended to stick to that. With no mob of townsfolk with pitchforks and torches immediately nipping at her heels, priority went to getting out of the cold and finding out what happened to her Morty. 

	The latter carried with it practical purpose, too. [color=9932cc]"I must locate my thrall. I left weapons and, more importantly, my ritual materials with Morty. If I can get to them, I can make sure Master Toombes cannot be touched with undeath again for a good while. I'm starting my search where I left him last, at the Coach House. Excuse me."[/color] The words were stated with certainty and calm, as an older sister who would brook no effort to convince her away from her chosen path. [color=9932cc]"Lizbeth, if you would care to join me on the walk back, I will set up some nice, warming tea for us both. But I must hurry now."[/color] She didn't bother attempting to explain further, merely setting off in the direction which provided the least resistance in returning to their seasonal abode. If she followed, she followed. 

	One thing did give her pause. Even softened her recent demeanor which was as slate grey and icy as the weather around them. Kathryn approached her and complimented her magic, which admittedly was a bit of an ego boost. It was rare that she got personal accolades from others concerning her work with corpses. For just a second, she thought that the sudden buttering-up from the tall and strong woman was her way of segueing into her real reason for speaking with her - she wanted something. But that thought was cleared away as Victoria was aware of her interpersonally suspicious impulses, and she liked to think that she had some to understand Kathryn a little bit better since that first evening at The Infamous Pear. She wasn't the type to try to use her purely for what she might be able to do for her. That, actually, was a little more of Victoria's game. The Bard's face, still faintly colored by the utilization of her Art, softened almost immediately. She nodded her head to the affirmative, but her words seemed to refute this nonverbal bit of communication. [color=9932cc]"Lady Kathryn,"[/color] she began, then corrected herself to the title that she remembered her adventuring associate used first. [color=9932cc]"[i]Ser[/i] Kathryn,"[/color] Victoria said warmly, extending a hand to gently lay a hand upon her arm in a friendly, supportive manner. [color=9932cc]"You are a woman with a huge heart and a swordarm that makes every other warrior envious. You're an accomplished and genuine lady, and you already inspire people around you in ways I cannot. Mark my words, songs will be written about you, Kat."[/color] Victoria winked at her, as if hinting at a secret as yet unrevealed. Even allowed herself to blush slightly, and in a calculated coquettish display, averted her eyes while turning her head to the side slightly. A softer voice issued, [color=9932cc]"You don't [i]need[/i] 'magical music stuff' to be successful. I believe in you, Kathryn. [i]I believe in you.[/i]"[/color] her smile broadened and voice returned to something less intimate with a final, [color=9932cc]"I've got to take care of something myself now. I'm confident you have this handled."[/color]

	Victoria's smile became something more sly when she turned her head and resumed her walk away from the scene. While she hadn't used music, specifically, in the exchange of words, she did infuse very syllable, every glance, touch, nuance of the conversation with the very magics that she said Kathryn didn't need. The warm boost of confidence would be very real for the Lady Knight, as would be the any result which came of it. And if her opinion of the Bard happened to become more favorable in the process, all the better. 

	Fine yet sturdy boots crunched their way up the path and back in the direction of the Coach House. There were things to do, and things for which Victoria had to prepare besides. The trip back was uninterrupted by undead ne'er-do-well, merely by the increasingly unpleasant weather that might have been described as an actual storm at this point. Reflecting, the Bard was quite satisfied that she had already dismissed her Familiar, lest the bird have to deal with this. But once back, Victoria was greeted by an interesting surprise. Morty, the dear, sweet, brainless beast of burden, had stopped directly behind the closed door of the common room of the Coach House. It was the first thing she saw upon arrival. [color=9932cc]"You mean to tell me,"[/color] she started with annoyance, addressing the smoked, cured swine directly, [color=9932cc]"that we might have had a crisis because you [i]don't have thumbs[/i]?"[/color] An annoyed sigh turned into a chuckle as she ushered herself inside, plucking her sword from Morty's jaws as she entered. That, and her pack containing her ritual materials, also under Morty's careful, if thought-deprived watch. [color=9932cc]"Water for tea. Ritual materials for [i]Gentle Repose[/i],"[/color] she reminded herself. And because she wasn't entirely heartless, she did put on enough for everyone. Even broke into her personal stash, as she insisted on getting the best in the region for herself. Maybe they'd appreciate.