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	[u]Weather[/u]: The day is overcast and cold. Wind is behaving a little better and while there is plenty of yummy sunlight, the lion's share of it is blocked by thick cloud cover. It may seem just a bit dreary, but the snow is actually quite lovely.  

   	[u]Time[/u]: We have passed beyond first light and are stepping into full dawn. It is early.     

	[u]Ambience[/u]: The temperature has mellowed into something livable inside of the Coach House, thanks to hot food and the giving, controlled fire in the hearth. Maybe the kitchen has a little something to do with it as well. The occasion of the door opening might interrupt the constant warmth, but so long as it isn't for too long, the ambient comfort pours back into the gap. 

	The grounds themselves are, upon the surface, a picturesque blanket of untamed, ice-white glory, with the exception of the few areas someone has pushed through the snow to reach a destination within the grounds of the Rose River Vineyard. One can track a rather easy path from the open front gate of the courtyard to Master Urmdrus's workshop in the distance. The depth of snowfall here ranges from a foot to two feet deep, but drifts along the buildings of the Vineyard can readily double this, or more. Perhaps more dangerous is the leveling effect that the snow has had with the lower laying areas of the landscape - drifts have covered over holes and hollows, making the lower areas perilous. In some areas, one can barely see the tops of the frames and posts which hold the now dormant vines.

	The snow, while still a half foot deep at least around the Estate House, seems to have spared the area immediately around the worst of its ire, thanks to the wind from the previous evening and the higher elevation of the buildings. Access to the building is going to be a touch toward the difficult until things melt or are shoveled out. Otherwise, it's going to be an interesting and very chilly jaunt. In truth, anyone taking a step out-of-doors at all is going to be in for a jaunt that is both interesting and chilly. 
 

[center][color=darkgray][h2]*****[/h2][/color][/center] 
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	[color=darkgray]"Really?"[/color] There was an element of hope, even excitement in Lizbeth's voice when Victoria mentioned the possibility, however remote, that she might one day have access to a Familiar. She barely gave a thought to the idea that this was the first open conversation that she had about any potential ability she may or may not have had toward matters of this nature, merely skirting back along to the task she had at hand. In this case, it was tidying up the table after a warm, simple breakfast. Armor and weapons still on her person, trying to do so as expediently as possible so that they could get to physical combat training. Lizbeth was absolutely sure that she was close to some sort of breakthrough that might make her the equal of at least the Avonshire town guards. Maybe even one of the soldiers of greater Aquitainia, if she was able to keep up with a realm Knight and a retired Dwarf smith. 

	The mention of dreams from both Kathryn and Victoria did manage to set Lizbeth back from her outgoing personality a bit. She leaned a little closer and asked, [color=darkgray]"You have bad dreams, too? Do, um... Does something make you things you don't want to? When you see yourself in windowglass, do you look like you've died already? Do you ...[i]do things[/i] you're not supposed to be able to?"[/color] Suddenly looking a touch self-conscious about butting into a conversation, Lizbeth gave a quick, [color=darkgray]"I'm sorry, let me handle those dishes, okay?"[/color] and hurried about her work. 

	Continued discussion about the day's activities, per her request, brought Lizbeth back into the conversation. [color=darkgray]"Sure! I'd be happy to help. I'm not sure what you might need to see inside of the house proper; Grandpa kept to only a couple of places there at the end. One of them was his study. Mostly, it was that study. I rarely even heard of him going up to his bedroom anymore."[/color] She thought for a moment, [color=darkgray]"But I'll help however you need me to, sure."[/color]

	Kosara's end of the dream/nightmare discussion sounded a lot more of what Lizbeth might have preferred. Dreams of Unicorn rides were just the way for Lizbeth to spend some shuteye. [color=darkgray]"Oh. That sounds really nice,"[/color] she uttered, sounding a little dejected. [color=darkgray]"I've never seen a Unicorn before, except in a book. Have you?"[/color] 

	There wasn't much time for an answer directly, as Baronfjord has put in a request for more oatmeal. Lizbeth seemed happy to oblige. [color=darkgray]"Yeah! Did you want more toasted nuts or some raisins with that?"[/color] Maybe she waited for an answer, maybe she didn't, maybe she would rely on either raised voices or sharp, youthful hearing to get the message after the fact, but she had already grabbed the bowl and was hurrying to the kitchen to get out what she could to put into the bowl for her blue scaled guest. [color=darkgray]"How about some milk with that? It's still good!"[/color] The colder temperatures were appreciated for that task, at the least. 

	The morning had begun in earnest.