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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 (Taproom) -> Upstairs Bedroom
[color=9932cc][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] Spellcasting [i](Prestidigitation)[/i], Class Feature [i](Enthralling Notes)[/i]
[color=9932cc][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] [color=black][b]Morty[/b][/color], [color=dimgray][b]Nox[/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]"Music again,"[/color] muttered Victoria, surprised that someone like herself would ever use that phrase in a negative manner. Of course, it wasn't the music itself, just the possible meaning behind its presence. To that end, she simply did not know. But it felt off somehow. Herself notwithstanding, a normal person would have much rather kept themselves inside and warm. Another, hopefully unrelated mystery that she could not convince herself was truly unrelated. 

	Seeing that Baronfjord was still in the Taproom, not having moved on to get a night's rest, she declared in a somewhat softer tone of voice than she used when last addressing the blue fellow, [color=9932cc]"I appreciate your presence with this task tomorrow. I understand it's grim business, but I honestly believe that it will lead to more solid answers."[/color] With that, she grabbed what personal belongings she might require for the evening from her errand cart and made for the exit. She was to follow the example of the Mosswaters and retire to the bed she had claimed for herself. As she neared the exit, Victoria called out a cheerful sounding, [color=9932cc]"Someone, do rouse me for my turn at watch. And as I have my hands a little full, I might consider it a favor if someone were to move a chair or two upstairs. I much prefer 'sitting' sentry to 'standing' it. Thank you all, and goodnight."[/color]

	Victoria took to the stairs with some amount of care, seeing as they were still rather covered with snow. The movement of Tarace and Barbal did knock quite a bit from it, but it was still potentially a hazardous climb for someone with their hands full. A quick mental note had Morty following behind her, albeit not so closely as to impede any misplaced footfall and cause a tumble. Victoria had quite enough of falling for one day and didn't care to repeat it. Before long, the Bard found herself upstairs, giving pause for just a moment to view Urmdrus's work on the door before entering her chosen room. 

	As she was the first one up there, it seemed like the polite thing would be to establish a fire in the smaller, upstairs hearth. It was simple enough to arrange larger and smaller bits of wood (which had been neatly stacked by the service staff of the Vineyard, she was happy to note), and an even simpler task to invoke a tiny thread of magic to ignite it in just the right places to get a nice, controlled fire established to chase away what remained of the room's chill. From there, it was a collection of mundane nighttime rituals that one may go through in preparation for rest. She retained her black, silken undergarments, things which were immeasurably comfortable and still allowed for a modest, mostly covered appearance. Tendrils of lesser magic served to freshen her clothing and have them smell faintly of lavender, while repeated use of the same magic warmed the blankets on her bed. It was a lovely, simple trick that she picked up early in her travels - the application of [i]Prestidigitation[/i] for a myriad of personal tasks involving comfort and personal hygiene - even if it felt just a little like a cheat, in some way. Still, this didn't stop her from enjoying the benefits of being a talented, charismatic spellcaster who practically emanated versatility and presence. 

	Morty stood near to, but not blocking, the door to the bedroom. The animated creature stood with Victoria's hand bell clamped in its jaws, standing orders awaiting the required stimuli to make the porcine companion make a lot of noise. Of course, it would change location if needed to suit the needs of the watch cycle. It was nothing if not loyal, being practically an extension of its mistress's will. Victoria made sure to whisper enthralling syllables of necromantic power to maintain her thrall for another good amount of time, that her smoky guardian may do its appointed task without the risk of de-animation. 

	Victoria herself slid into her magically warmed bed, hoping to get some rest before it was her turn at watch. Her gear lay neatly within reach, along with a stylish yet functional set of clothing for the next day, and her ankheg armor. As she lay down, Victoria gave a longer look at the sectioned green chitin, still bearing the black mottling of the necrotic energy with which she killed it. A grand set of armor, exceeding her previous set of leather armor not just in protective quality, but in the fact that is was amazingly customized by the older Dwarf who made it. Being able to wear it underneath normal clothing without it affecting her ability to move made it worth more to her than armor which, objectively, would have more raw, protective ability. But that was never really her style, anyway. That was a fine set. She would have to do something more substantial to thank Urmdrus at some point, not that she knew what that might be right at that moment. 

	The low light and crackle of the fireplace did as it does, helping to lull her into a more productive rest despite the stresses of their situation.