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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] Coach House
[color=9932cc][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=9932cc][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] [color=dimgray][i][b]Familiar[/b][/i][/color] stuff, [color=black][b]Morty[/b][/color]
[color=9932cc][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
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[right][img]https://i.ibb.co/ZzgLdXRt/Victoria-Alt-8-ss2.png[/img][/right]
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	[color=9932cc]"Of course you may,"[/color] Victoria finally responded. It was true, she hadn't addressed the question. Maybe it was a oversight on her part. Or perhaps subconsciously she thought it wasn't so much a [i]question[/i] as it was a statement of intent, mentioned in a manner considered polite in this region. However, as Lizbeth asked it again (and in the sudden presence of Kathryn), the Bard felt it necessary to answer the question with an unusual moment of terse directness. [color=9932cc]"Lizbeth, I am not your keeper. If you wish to take mentorship from me on Arcana while I am still a guest of your vineyard, I accept. If you wish to continue learning how to fight from Kathryn, that is your decision. But I will not have you half-heartedly taking to magic under my care. I do not mean to speak ill of anyone who dedicates themselves to the sword - but one who walks the path of magic, [i]especially necromancy[/i], must prioritize their life in ways that would make a mundane appear mentally unwell."[/color] Victoria set her teacup down and locked eyes with the young, fairly dead-looking girl. An air of seriousness seemed to solidify around her features, enhancing her crystal-blue eyes and the deepening markings on her face; the tear-streaked darkness that usually accompanied Victoria's use of her signature magic. [color=9932cc]"Then there is the constant moral tightrope you must navigate."[/color] 

	The rest of the room had its own minor conversations going on, and even with Kosara sitting at the table with them, Victoria temporarily tuned them out with the intent of holding Lizbeth's rapt attention for another moment more. [color=9932cc]"Wizards acquire their magic through intense study and direct it with a sharp mind. Bards manipulate the flow of magic by untangling and reshaping the Weave through music, oration, or like performance. Our strength of personality and soul of artistic expression catalyzes it. But Sorcerers like you? Magic flows through you. Knowledge of Arcana and your personal instinct will help you get where you need to go, and like Bards, your confident sense of self dictates the eventual strength of your magic. An unsure or unclear mind is dangerous. Do you understand?"[/color] 

        She didn't especially wait for an answer, adding, [color=9932cc]"I am not a person who concerns themselves with ethic, nor the implicit moral implications of many of my abilities. I cannot teach you how to become a hero. I [i]can[/i] help you to understand yourself and survive."[/color] The intensity of Victoria's expression lessened and one could hear a faint ceramic sound as she reclaimed her teacup. The smile even returned. Victoria absently brushed a strand of hair off of her face, speaking in a much more genial voice, [color=9932cc]"Just as long as you can devote the same level of dedication to your magic tutelage, I see no reason why you cannot continue to learn soldiery."[/color] Hopefully, that put the question to bed and imparted a necessary sense of seriousness to the endeavor. 
	
        At the table, Kosara made her own suggestion concerning magic, which Victoria mentally weighed for a moment. Nodding in thr direction of the Tiefling lady, she agreed, adding for Lizbeth's benefit, [color=9932cc]"Oh, but certainly. Kosara's perspective on magic is very different from my own. You might take inspiration from her experience. Inspiration comes from many sources to one with an open mind."[/color]

        Though her expression was neutral, even pleasant, Victoria's mind was a tempest of concern. Whatever made Lizbeth into her present, permanent condition was related to the situation upon the land - practically a generational curse - that had already claimed lives and obviously wanted more. The chillingly striking Half-Elf took another, thoughtfully sip of her brandy-laced tea and pondered over their circumstances. Specifically, how Lizbeth fit into them.