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Before Esther could agree with Liu’s suggestion, Vetreus just sort of made the choice for everyone that no, we were going to fight the big tree monster first before we did anything else. He didn’t do this through careful reasoning or solid logic, but by attacking the creature while it was distracted. And that seemed to work? Esther didn’t want anyone to get hurt, but it was almost anticlimactic how easily the creature was bested. They made it look even weaker than the stalkers.

[color=74c3a2]"That takes care of that. Good job, Griselda, you kept everyone safe."[/color]

Now all that was left was the shed. Since nothing had come out of it, Esther would have been fine leaving it alone, but it seemed like everyone else wanted to investigate. Everyone who was capable of speech anyway.

It did surprise Esther that Liu seemed so agitated. When the haughty noble was ribbing him before, he took it in stride, and seemed exceptionally well mannered. But his sarcastic tone didn’t seem quite in character for him. Had this last act pushed him over the edge? 

[color=74c3a2]"Hopefully he’s not that fast with the woman in his life."[/color] Esther said more to herself than anyone else as they approached the door. [color=74c3a2]"I’m going to pull the door open. Get ready."[/color]

Rather than let whatever was in there ambush them, Esther figured she could stand a good distance away and open the door that way. Then everyone could look inside without any surprises. Alternatively, whatever was going to ambush them had some ground to cover before they got attacked. 

Or maybe Zelda would run in there swinging his sword before she could conjure her spell. The children tended to play him bold and brash too. 

[hider=Actions] 
Actions:
Diminuendo: Magic E, Flexible Affinity F (Pulling door handle), Range F - Grade E  - 1 post cooldown - Ability E (2) + Catalyst E (2) +  Intelligence D (3) = 7 base effectiveness

CD E 0/1[/hider]