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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 (Cellar/"Study") 
[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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	[i]"Also where did you go when you vanished anyways?"[/i] The question hung in Victoria's mind like the knell of a temple gong from far too close. She didn't blame Kosara, not really, but her position until very recently was less than optimal, and required her to utilize her finite amount of tiered magic to repair. It wasn't usually her role to cast healing magic, and in fact many people tended to forget that she was a versatile spellcaster, even if she leaned heavily toward the less socially acceptable of the arcane arts. But it was a fair question, regardless of her personal irritation. [color=9932cc]"I went a few places."[/color] Her words were honeyed, even if their implications were not. [color=9932cc]"From my extremely recent travels, Kosara, I can tell you that the roof has less snow upon it now, and Kathryn's room has a new bloodstain on the floor."[/color] 

	Victoria silently willed her Raven closer to the building so that she might get a vision of the surrounding area. She allowed her vision to flash over to her Familiar for just a moment before redirecting her attention back to the here and now. Kathryn had asked her a question. [color=9932cc]"The dead guy... yes, much as I asked Toombes a few questions, I might ask a few things of our new friend, the corpse. I am afraid that I can't 'make the dead guy work for you', unfortunately."[/color] A brief pause and a light shrug later, [color=9932cc]"I don't have that kind of power. Yet."[/color] The Bard felt like she might be close, like a barrier was waiting to fall away and greater understanding give her the power she desired in that regard ...but not yet. 

	The idea put forward by Baronfjord, that Arnaud L'Rose was learning magic from The Prince as well as pursuing it for himself gave her some pause. It wasn't outside the realm of possibility. [color=9932cc]"I understand if my opinion on Arcana requires a little additional seasoning before it can be swallowed (considering recent misadventures), but I have seen a few examples of the late Monsieur L'Rose's lack of basic tutelage on the subject."[/color] If it was true, did that mean The Prince was teaching him wrongly on purpose? Victoria did not have enough information to make that kind of a leap. 

	When Lizbeth took the crystal shard from her and the redness within turned into grey ash and then vanish, Victoria gave a look of equal parts wonder and concern. [color=9932cc]"Lizbeth, dear?"[/color] she began carefully, [color=9932cc]"You should probably let me try to identify these things before we get too familiar with them. Is that alright?"[/color] She was inquisitive but hopeful, though she doubted that if the girl decided against it, she would stop her with anything related to force. Very deftly, Victoria popped open the end of the scroll case in her hand and peered inside. Quizzical eyes looked surprised for just a second before she reiterated, [color=9932cc]"Yes, we definitely need to take inventory and look more closely at things here."[/color] 

	Lizbeth's small speech about compensation washed over her again, very similar to the one from the other, objectively more legitimate study. She nodded. While there was agreement within her that they weren't going to rob a child heiress, a contract made with reasonable terms was something she was going to go along with, especially if the goodies were interesting or useful enough. She was an adventurer. And she was pursuing an end goal, even if she hadn't shared what that might be to her new adventuring companions. Money, magic, and equipment would be necessary to make that happen. Regardless, she kept quiet, simply letting her non-verbal response carry whatever message it would. 

	Then it occurred to Victoria that she still had information the others didn't just yet. [color=9932cc]"I apologize for my manners; it was been a ...[i]trying[/i] last few minutes... I caught a glimpse of magic behind this wall panel,"[/color] she gestured to the place she and Lizbeth were just cleaning out, [color=9932cc]"that circle, which I can only guess is a partial protective circle, I think,"[/color] and finally, she gestured to the desk nearer to the door, [color=9932cc]"either in, on, or under that desk. It resembled a bundle of different types of magic stored together."[/color] Her head swiveled over to the center cell to the side of the room, followed by a lingering exhale. [color=9932cc]"And I'm not certain, but I believe something is in there, too."[/color]