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	[u]Weather[/u]: The snow is practically nonexistent now, an event which arrives concurrently with the sky clearing considerably more of its cloud cover away. The cold outside feels sharper, more crystalline, but with less of a penetrating, lingering effect. The wind now gusts lightly, causing what few flecks of wintry precipitation remain to dance and settle with quiet grace.    
  
   	[u]Time[/u]: Conversely, the Righttime Is The Nighttime. Go figure. 
 
	[u]Ambience[/u]: The night sky opens somewhat, revealing a host of twinkling stars and a prominent moon, beaming down soft, cold light upon a now fresh, white landscape. The view might be considered breathtaking from vantage, were it not for the knowledge of underlying uncertainty and horror. 

	Inside, the Taproom remains the very vision of comfort, relative to the exterior. Warmth, the feeling of security from walls and barred doors, comfortable furnishings, and the little luxuries that make life bearable are present here, along with a warm, if darkening hearth light. Per usual, the alcohol selection is top notch, featuring fine local wines, a few imports, a somewhat full cask of ale, and another cask of totally not cursed brandy. Prepared foodstuffs are available, but the pantries and larders of the Coach House contain enough unprepared and/or preserved items to maintain a household for a decent stretch of time. 

	Books and papers recovered from the hidden study remain on one of the tables, written in Common by a bold hand. Next to it, in a place of prominence, lay a single sheet of paper, a pen, and decent ink in a small bottle, set there for a specific task assigned to the party. 
 
[center][color=darkgray][h2]*****[/h2][/color][/center]

	Lizbeth could only listen to Victoria with horror, then discomfort, then a slow dawning of understanding. No, she didn't like it. Yes, she was capable of putting it aside for the purpose of saving her family vineyard as well as herself. The reality of what her Bard friend really was hit her in much the same way that her own personal identity - or what it had become - did as well. When it came down to the question the use of the Hayloft back in Avonshire, Lizbeth mentioned in a quiet voice, [color=darkgray]"I don't think it would be a problem, but, it's going to be cold in there, isn't it? The brazier might help, but... Sure, I mean, if you want. I don't have a problem with it."[/color] 

	She then turned her attention to Kathryn, who had put a direct conversation in her line of sight. [color=darkgray]"I don't know if I should go or not. Or even, if I was really invited to go. Mademoiselle Belmont was supposed to be teaching me about Arcana before my second martial practice with Master Urmdrus in the evenings. But I started training with you first, so... I guess I'll go wherever you are going. Besides, if we all go into the Township, we'd be leaving Mademoiselle Kosara all by herself here. That's probably not very nice."[/color] 

	Seizing upon the opportunity to do precisely as threatened and call it a night, Barbal Mosswater rose and tended to his and Tarace's dishes, then rather sarcastically offered a solution to the pressing issue of sleeping locations with, [color=darkgray][b]"Heh heh, Master Baronfjord, if it makes you feel better you can bunk with us. O'course, I sleep in the nude. But I [i]almost never[/i] sleepwalk, so you're probably safe. Yeah, so, we're going to head on up. Pleasant night, everyone."[/b][/color] Though he did wish everyone a pleasant night, his continued presence was due to consuming the brandy, which was supposed to guarantee the opposite of that. Nevertheless, it was a good time to turn in, and so he and Tarace made for the door, to brave the exterior stairs of the Coach House. 

	On the way out, Tarace, ever the polite one, requested, [color=darkgray][i]"Oh, hey, I know there's a lot going on right now, but if it's okay with everyone, could you please act on your plans with the bear (living or otherwise) after we leave? Is that okay?"[/i][/color] He smiled, nodded his head in a hopeful affirmation, and followed Barbal to their arranged room. 

	The brief moment that the door was open revealed a much improved, though still quite frigid, state of the weather outside.