Arty Fox

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: N/A Action: Lying to Jon (Deception) : 6 Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 4/5

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The silence was always the worst part.

"Truly, I am sorry Jon." As last night, the words simply weren't enough against the shock and grief Jon must be going through.

At that moment BlackBerry instead focused on what he could do to help Jon, and lent a hand pouring out the feed and bulk to the horses. But he was aware of how little time he might actually have especially given that Jon had not seen either Kathryn or Lizbeth that morning. Worry tied his stomach into nervous knots. His cruel imagination happily provided visions of ghastly magics leaping from the shadows of a nefariously decorated study.

The rattle and bang of containers made BlackBerry jump, shaking the offending images from his skull, only to spin around and see Jon wrestling a large box but otherwise unharmed. He let out a snotty sigh of relief. BlackBerry came back to Jon to help put away everything and apologise again for not being able to stay longer to help clean up.

"On that note then I must be off. But what I can do for you now is assure you, Jon, that myself and the others; *The Ones Who Answered*, are already working fiercely to resolve the matter." BlackBerry responded to Jons worries as best he could, again tried to bring some bravado and confidence into his voice to lay those worries to rest. "And to make sure you are all safe and well. It is simply the least can do after we were welcomed here."

Jons final point however, caught BlackBerry off guard by the door and he silently cursed his short shortsightedness. The Letter, the Guests, Young Lizbeths strange turns, all of it, it all clawed at the back of his throat begging to be released. He looked out upon the land and the sun struggling to move into the sky to warm the land in the same way BlackBerry's own thoughts struggled to organise themselves into what to say. He lay his hand upon the door frame and in that bracing chill his fingers began tap, tap, tapping.

"No. Nothing at all. " Blackberry lied then pried his fingers off the door frame. He tried to smile, reassuringly, believably through the shame washing over him. "So I shall be off now Jon. Things to do and all that as you well may already have guessed, spoken of even. Ah, I shall get of your hair also. Good day!" He swiftly turned on his heel and walked in measured and controlled steps away from the stable trying to get away from the guilt settling on his shoulders.

BlackBerry crunched his way back down the path, back towards the Estate House, with his eyes resolutely locked on where he was placing his feet next. As he was running around in his mind after himself, (trying to reassure himself that telling Jon his employer had made a deal with an undead patron would have been the absolute choice) he then became away of the sound of heavy footsteps crunching rapidly through the snow and getting louder.

"Ah!" BlackBerry cried out seeing Lady Kathryn jogging towards him with Young Lizbeth perched on her shoulder. "There you both ar-ah!" The rest of the sentence was left behind by Lady Kathryn grabbing BlackBerry and hooking him under her arm without even the good graces to slow down. "Lady Kathryn! Is all-oof-what ar-good gracious-Could you at least pretend I weigh anything?"

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Estate House -> Stables Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 4/5

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BlackBerry had been right to assume the rumour mill had already been working hard even in such a short time. He grimaced, almost winced when the conversation drifted towards the events of last night. Somewhat surprised by Jons chipper and conversational mood, having half expected the man to be tired after the festivities that evening; if he recalled Jon had been a big fan of the drinks on offer. BlackBerry enviously tried to recall the taste of the wine himself.

"Yes you are quite correct; Young Lizbeth is to be staying with us for a time. I would wager the young Squire-In-Training had been asking so as not to waste even a moment of precious daylight for her training." BlackBerry squirmed against the half truth, thinking more that Young Lizbeth had been entrusted with them out of safety rather than the girls own requests. "I have no doubt you have seen also how she wears her armour with such pride as a robin in winter. The pair suggested they would be out this way this morning and so I came to find them."

As the pair continued, the snow rising above their ankles as they descended the hill, he listened and nodded politely as Jon talked about his time there and of Monsieur L'Rose which he sorted neatly into the picture he was building of the man; currently one which any malicious deeds, possibly of bad decisions but made with the best of intentions, certainly without any clear signs of anything overtly evil (like blood sacrifices but the Hidden Warehouse did suggest otherwise).

"Well I suppose I am simply curious about the man." Another half truth burned his tongue. "Do say though if I am overstepping, I understand his recent passing did come as quite a shock."

Even saying that, guilt tugged at BlackBerry's mind like a flag pulled wildly in the wind. 'Ruffian', the word was unfair to Toombes, a victim of something he could never have dreamed of. They were coming up to the stable now. BlackBerry's eyes danced madly trying to follow the thoughts and worries running through his mind. He worried for Jon, for the other workers on the estate, wondering how many if any knew of the possible danger lurking nearby? How many more victims could there be lying hidden beneath the snow? Beneath his cloak his fingers tap, tap, tapped his thumb.

"Well...there is...one or perhaps two other things." The horror of what he was about to say made BlackBerry stop in his tracks. He himself had warned Cecily not to mention the specifics of last night to anyone and yet he was about to tell Jon. BlackBerry felt that he owed the man, felt that if the truth came from someone else then he wouldn't have been able to look Jon in the eye. The man had been a good tutor to him and had likely taken more time than he should have done to make sure BlackBerry got the best knowledge from his work.

There were no good ways to tell someone about a death, even less good ways to inform someone of an 'un-death' of someone they may have known, and worse still to have to do so with another sneeze tickling the back of your nose. "I was able to find Toombes last night. I am so sorry to say that something else found him first and...there was nothing to be done." He kept the specifics hidden thinking 'vague danger panic' would be less disastrous than 'undead danger panic', the former could be written off as monsters or beasts while the latter...

The sneeze arrived to unceremoniously destroy the moment despite BlackBerry's best efforts to stifle it. "Worry not though Jon, I can assure you we shall not allow any further harm to anyone else." He tried to put some bravado into his voice, standing as tall as he could even weighed down by blocked sinus's. "While I do not wish to alarm you, or strictly speaking not wishing to alarm you further, I do urge you to stay on guard until we are certain the danger is dealt with. And if you see or hear anything strange then please do notify myself or one of the others, do not risks either for yourself or anyone else."

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: Cold Location: Estate House -> Stables Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 5/5

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The wait for an answer had been worrying, and BlackBerry momentarily wondered if he should try another entrance. But he had nothing to fear once the labourer opened the door to him looking so tired that Blackberry could only assume there had been other celebrations elsewhere during the night keeping her awake. He thanked her and then waited politely trying hard not to let off another sneeze.

Blackberry was relieved to see Jon safe and sound, and even possibly in high spirits. An eye-ridge raised in confusion at this point, wondering what exactly Cecily had told Jon, or if Jon had worked it out himself that something very bad had happened last night. He then worried about what he would say? How could he explain it? How could he explain to Jon that Toombes was sadly no more. Guilt and anxiety tugged at the edges of Blackberry's smile as he greeted Jon.

"Oh! oh, well no reason really. I simply wished to make certain you were well and comfortable after the evenings festivities. I trust you enjoyed yourself?" Blackberry had not been expecting simple pleasantries this morning. But he dutifully followed after Jon, stomping behind in the mans footsteps through the snow, to the end of the patio where he stopped and turned to look back at the Main House.

"Would you happen to have seen Lady Kathryn or Young Lizbeth about, per chance? It is no trouble if not, only I had offered to help them with a-" Another sneeze caught him off guard. once he had wiped is nose, he continued, "With an errand so I shant be able to lend much of a hand today. But if I may accompany you back to the Stables. I should indeed wish to hear how the rest of the evening went on." BlackBerry reasoned silently that accompanying Jon to the Stables would take hardly any time at all, and then he could go to the Study to join Lady Kathryn and Lizbeth. He wondered if they had found anything.

Following after Jon, BlackBerry could almost feel the grains of sand working against them all and if not careful they would all drown beneath it. Despite the cold, his sneezing, and the weight of the dampening blankets weighing down his shoulders, BlackBerry still managed to move with surprising jittery speed. As they walked his gaze kept drifting round with the fear that something may be lurking just out of sight over a wall or a snow bank ready to leap out and attack them.

"I must say I can see why Madame L'Rose suggested we stay for the season for if we had been caught elsewhere when this snow arrived I do not dare think of the outcome." He put himself between Jon and a particularly suspicious mound of snow. "If I may ask Jon, for I had intended to ask previously, but you have worked here for a while have you not? How was Monsieur Arnaurd L'Rose?"

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: Ill Location: Coach House (Downstairs) -> Stables -> Estate House Action: Trudging Bonus Action: Sneezing Reaction: N/A Ki: 4/5

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Stepping out into the courtyard BlackBerry realised that earlier he had failed to appreciate just how deep the snow had gotten during the night; it blanketed all in view and even managed to climb over the low courtyard wall, and was now attempting to clamber over the Coach House itself. Despite this the courtyard was still easily passable with only a small layer of snow with a pathway from the door to the gate carved through it. He gave the sight beyond the wall a hateful sniffle and retreated further into the rudimentary cloak of blankets. He'd deal with the trouble of getting to the Stable House in just a bit.

BlackBerry wondered if Kosara was enjoying all this snow or if the novelty of it had worn off, remembering her mentioning the desert had very little rain so likely very little snow as well.

His first task for the day was to check on Old Boy. Once he had managed to brush away the brittle ice and snow encasing the door, he found the mule lying quite happily on his bed with the only sign of discomfort being annoyance that BlackBerry would dare open the door and let all the warmth out, but this was quickly remedied with a tasty carrot BlackBerry had snuck out from the kitchen.

"My Apologies, Old Boy. With the weather so disagreeable today I shall not take you out today. On the morrow however I believe you deserve a good long jaunt somewhere." BlackBerry explained as he refreshed Old Boys water and feed.

While BlackBerry worked, Old Boy, got up to stick his head out the door and assess the situation for himself. After several moments of hard thinking and deliberation he then turned around and returned to his warm bed of hay which BlackBerry had just finished putting back together in a comfortable pile.

With Old Boy sorted and safely tucked away in his stable, (and reading the note which had appeared on the Coach house door from Lady Kathryn, they must have just missed each other) BlackBerry turned his mind to the next task of finding Jon. Anyone watching from afar would have seen a lone blue figure trudging through the snow, trying to follow the already made trenches as far as they would go towards the stable house. They would also have heard every so often a loud sneeze, 'Achoo!' ringing across the landscape.

BlackBerry was relieved to find the snow become shallower and shallower as he progressed upwards towards the Stables lying in the same direction as the Estate House. Worryingly though, there was no sign of Jon when BlackBerry arrived, searching the stalls and rooms for the man and calling his name offered no results. Somewhere between worry and fear, BlackBerry then remembered last night asking for Cecily to keep her guests at the Estate house just in case.

Arriving at the Estate House, BlackBerry looked more dishevelled and deflated than he had done at breakfast, now weighed down the blankets he wore which had been greedily soaking up the water from the snow he had waded through along his travels. Under the awning of the Estate House he took a moment to rally himself as best he could, wiping his nose, make himself appear at least somewhat presentable. He planned to join Lady Kathryn and Lizbeth in their investigation in the study but first he still had to check on Jon.

He nocked on the front door, and called, "Madame L'Rose? Are you there?" He managed to stifle a sneeze before continuing. "I simply wished to see if all was well, and to ask if Jon is still with there if he had attempted to return home last night?"

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: N/A Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 4/5

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BlackBerry had seen Lizbeth leaning in towards Lady Kathryn as a hushed conversation between the pair snuck below the main talking points of everyone's plans for the day. He narrowed his eyes at Lady Kathryn over the rim of his tea cup after her stammered response to his question, but found nothing of note in her words and so left it at that, feeling a sigh of relief escape him that all was well in the end.

"The tea is marvelous as it is, thank you, of course in no small part to your efforts, Young Lizbeth. I shall however help myself to some more porridge in a bit." He sniffled and wiped his nose as politely as he could. BlackBerry had to raise his already loud voice to make sure she could hear him after already dashing into the kitchen
"Do not trouble yourself worrying about me; it is just a cold is all. And anyway you have your training to focus on."

Even saying this, he was thankfully for the refilled bowl of porridge presented to him now ladder eith nuts and berries and steaming in the frigid air Victoria, in her earnest to summon her hourse, had let into the room. BlackBerry shivered and retreated back under his blankets against the cold breeze.

"Please take care on the roads Victoria and Kosara" BlackBerry called to them over his shoulder and the biting morning air. "Do make sure to take a Stone with you please before you leave. There is one in my room on the table should you wish to take it with you."

When the others had left and BlackBerry was alone in the tap room. He quietly enjoyed the extra helping of food and tea which had been handed to him while inspecting the marvelous scabbards and broch he had been gifted. If he hadn't thought they were handsome, now with a chance to properly investigate the craftsmanship he could only marvel at the skill Master Urmadus must have to twist and carve the insect hide into shape. He found the broch as well to be a very fine piece, quickly putting it on to hold the blankets around his shoulders, decorated with a simple though no less recognisable image of an Ankheg.

The next hour BalckBerry spent tidying up as best he could; moving the remains porridge off the heat, cleaning his plate, putting away those that had already been cleaned, tending to the fire and then finally, as a bit of reassurance equipped his shortswords on either side with the new scabbards. BlackBerry did spend a bit of time in front of the looking glass marvelling at the new scabbards, a deep green hanging from leather straps without getting in the way of his movements and as he turned this way and that. The old scabbards lay abandoned atop his neatly made bed somehow with an air of jealously.

Now with all his affairs for the morning in order BlackBerry rallied himself once again to face the outside world of snow and ice, and stepped out to start the day sniffling and sneezing all the way.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: Ill Location: Coach House (Downstairs) Action: Perception 5 Bonus Action: Sneezing Reaction: N/A Ki: 4/5

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BlackBerry settled down in his seat without any complaint especially once Lisbeth had placed a warm bowl of fresh porridge in front of him. He wasted no time in ladling a few spoonfuls of honey into the oats.

"Thank you graciously, Young Lizbeth. I shall endeavour to thank Master Urmdus sometime today should I get the chance." He eyed the gifts and marvelled at how handsome they looked. Never in all his days he would have thought one could turn bug shells into such fine and intricate items.

The frail fiery limbs vanished from the world. He had been using them to help him dress earlier and beneath the smothering headache his concentration was about to go. Most importantly though, as had been drilled into him since he was a child, it was rude to display such abilities at the table. There was an audible sigh, followed by a sniffle, when BlackBerry started eating and the porridge quickly got to work warming him.

On the topic of dreams he added to Lady Kathryn, "Nothing too worrying I hope?" He recalled then that Young Lizbeth had been sleeping in Lady Kathryns room last night.

A buzzing sensation at the back of his nose distracted him, he grabbed the dishcloth and managed to catch the sneeze. "Kosara, I would happily take you up on such an offer, but it is simply a cold so I would not wish to trouble you. Simply staying warm and perhaps even some more porridge after this will suffice." He genuinely was already feeling a little better just for being up and about, and the warm room and porridge had taken some of the snottiness from his voice. "I would also not wish to tire you for in case any danger should arrive while you and Victoria are in town. Even more true if word from last night has spread." BlackBerry grimaced with regret for putting his worries out into the world the moment the words left his mouth.

"Victoria, if I recall from last night you mentioned speaking to Medician Floquet about her time during the War. May I have the Teapot please? Thank you. With any luck she may know something" BlackBerry put aside the now empty porridge bowl, despite his cold he had demolished his helping with vigour, and poured himself a steaming cup of tea (two spoonfuls of honey). "Myself, I shall be visiting Jon to make sure he got home safely and to see that no one else suffered any attack or scare." He took a sip of tea and let out another sigh as equal appreciative of the warmth as he was tired from being ill. "Once I am feeling able to of course. I do wonder as well of any tale or rumour of another place buried or forgotten as was the store room that was found."

BlackBerry sneezed again.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Coach House (Downstairs) Action: Sneezing Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 4/5

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It was the sound of movement and conversation from below which awoke BlackBerry from his dreamless sleep. He gave a low pitiful groan, blearily looking through the darkness of early morning, and then promptly sneezed a few times. BlackBerry gave another groan as he turned over and pulled the duvet and blankets up over his head in an effort to hide away from the cold morning which had invaded his room.

Muted chatter from below and the general sounds of life, and people entering and leaving continued to rise up even through the mattress and blankets. Meanwhile BlackBerry, hiding within his little cocoon, felt like he had been hit by a wagon; a tight invisible band had wrapped around his skull, snot filled his nose making it hard to breath, and something small tickled his throat making him cough. He had a cold and knew it was all that time last night running back and forth in thin robes which had done it.

Time was not on their side however, he reasoned, and there was too much at risk to delay their plans any further. Selfishly, he also thought downstairs would be a lot warmer than hiding in his bed with a now stone cold bed warmer. So BlackBerry with monumental effort pulled himself up and then sat on the edge of bed to recover. It took BlackBerry what felt like an age to ready himself for the day and put on his clothes with frequent pauses to sneeze, cough, and sniffle, not necessarily in that order. But he did survive the ordeal. Just.

"Good Morning All." BlackBerry said with his voice thick with snot when he entered the main tap room. "I trust you all slept well, and are ready to begin our investigation anew?"

Over his jumper, robes, and scarf, BlackBerry had also taken and wrapped around himself two of the thicker woolen blankets from his bed. A spectral arm feebly pulled the door closed behind him, while his actual arm stayed out of sight and safely warm within the blanket he wore.

"Would anyone by chance have a spare handkerchief please?" He sniffled pathetically.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 38 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: Sleepy Location: Coach House (Downstais) -> Bed Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 2/5

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BlackBerry was taken aback by the saltiness of the dessert bread, trying hard not to pull any faces, and quickly learned to take Kosaras advice when first offered. He put down the fork and reached out/asked to be handed the honey and jams so he could slather a generous helping of each across his serving. BlackBerry, weighed down by general exhaustion and the memory of now healed wounds, sat in silence happily eating his now palatable sweet meal as the conversation moved in a similar sleepy manner around him.

He had to admit that the salty bready desert stuff did work a lot better with something sweet slathered atop than on its own. "This is delightful, Kosara. You must simply teach me how to make these."

When Lady Kathryn offered to Lizbeth to stay in her room it gave him pause, but he quickly shut his mouth against any argument, and he only hoped she would be able to watch the girl for any strange behaviour. Despite Lady Kathryns attempt to reassure him earlier that Lizbeth may simply just be acting strange without any magical implications... BlackBerry couldn't quite shake the worry that something else was going on.

"It is not 'Adventuring Loot', Young Lizbeth. It is evidence for the investigation." A prideful part of BlackBerry tiredly pointed out. "By all means, once all things are settled or otherwise it is simply not longer pertinent to-to-to-" Blackberry buried his face into his elbow then promptly disappeared behind a flash of light with a 'A-CHOO!', and then another, and then a third just for luck, finally followed by a small sniffle. "Bless me. On the note of investigation I recommend we strike while the iron is hot. Which is to say we should ask around and check over the study first thing before all else. Perhaps before or after lunch, Young Lizbeth you could put your training to show and demonstrate all Lady Kathryn has taught you thus far?" He added the last part to hopefully not extinguish Lizbeths enthusiasm for her training (certain Lady Kathryn would disapprove of such a thing even by accident) but he was still worried that if they delayed too long then someone else might get into the Study before they had a chance.

In some way it was lucky as now everyone was starting to take their own leave for bed leaving only himself, Kosara, and the remaining dessert breads in the taproom.

"Gracious me." A yawn escaped him as he too felt the siren call of sleep, and at this point he wasn't going to argue. "Thank you again, Kosara, for such a delightful meal. Make sure you do not stay up too late, I do hope you have a restful sleep and I shall see you in the morning." He took a moment to grab a candle and lit it by one of the others.

BlackBerry scurried as fast as he could outside, hunching with his back to the wind to protect the flame, and then up the stairs to the safety of his room. As quickly as he could he washed his face (the water from the pitcher was freezing cold) and peeled the now dry but no less dirtied and bloodied robes making a metal note to wash the in the morning. His to-do list for tomorrow was growing rapidly. By candlelight he turned hi attention to the wounds on side and was reassured to see, aside from a few flakes of dried blood which he cleaned away, Victoria and Kosaras spell work had done a marvellous job closing up the injuries. He would have to see about learning such spell work himself sometime.

While the room itself was still cold the bed itself was thankfully warm and toasty thanks to the warming pan. After another round of sneezes, again each momentarily lighting up the room in flashes of blue, Blackberry blew out the candle and settled himself into bed. Under several layers of blankets and sheets, with the warming pan somewhere past his feet, BlackBerry wondered if he would even be able to sleep tonight after all the excite, plans, and questions the evening had revealed.

Barely a minute later he was soundly asleep and snoring away.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 38 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Coach House (Downstairs) Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 2/5

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"Truly, Lady Kathryn. I do hope some rest will be all that Young Lizbeth does need. But with all the strangeness about I fear it unwise not to at least keep an eye on Young Lizbeth for any ailment whether it be Mundane or otherwise." He returned his focus back to Victoria and thanked her with at least some of his worry fading from his voice. "Thank you kindly Victoria, that is all I can ask for."

With that people started to break away for the time it would take for Kosara to put together their marvellous meal, and BlackBerry found himself at a little bit of a lose end and not sure what else to do. He settled then for taking care of the crockery from the just finished meal; carrying the bowls, plates, and cutlery into the kitchen in a few trips (dodging under a jar of something floating by). This was then followed by a much loathed dash outside to gather a bucket of water from the well which BlackBerry briefly wondered about the buckets Master Urmdrus had borrowed. Once again back in the kitchen he found a cloth and then found a corner next to the fire, then set to work cleaning and scrubbing the plates.

Kosara, either in spite of or because of her dancing around the kitchen, surprisingly managed to whip together their desert before BlackBerry even got half way through the washing up. But even being witness to the process, he wasn't too sure what it was Kosara had made but so far nothing she had made so far had been anything other than delightful.

Retaking his place at the table, Blackberry eyed the Wand and Amulet with suspicion.

"Heals Drunkards and Finds Magic." He said while pulling one of Kosaras pancake-bread-treats onto his own plate. "That is what the piece of paper in the book from the study had said, so that is one mystery solved in record time I am pleased to say. One would suppose the Amulet could be of some use if one is trying many a product in one day?" BlackBerry didn't sound that convinced by the suggestion himself but it was the only thing that came to him. He cut a small piece of the plain pancakey-bread on his plate using his fork, for now curiosity was outweighing Kosaras warning. The piece was carried up to his mouth but stopped just shy when another though came to BlackBerry. "But why would Master Arnaurd need to find Magic? Aside from the events of this evening, and some day prior, which I would argue for both to be disqualified from the conversation for now....I daresay the only place here which has seen some Arcane Influence would have to be the buried storeroom."

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 38 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Coach House (Downstairs) Action: Eating Bonus Action: Thinking Reaction: Worrying Ki: 2/5

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BlackBerry set down the Little Black Book closed on the table and took up the spoon for his meal instead. It was delightful, simple but warming both from the freshness of it being made but also from the various spices and herbs Lizbeth had used. The girl clearly had a gift. Sadly the topics of the evening meant BlackBerry couldn't focus for long on the delightful meal. After taking a moment to thank Lizbeth for the food, and Kosara an extra bit of healing magic to ease his wounds, he returned to his meal. A slice of toast was then into the broth and he chewed thoughtfully with his eyes settling upon the Little Black Book while the conversation continued around him.

The Little Black Book, and even the folded paper within, had annoyingly yielded very little at first glance. All written in the Common tongue he had seen little more than wandering prose of a paranoid mind though some pages seemed more structured with actual paragraphs, words neatly crossed out and replaced, comments in margins, and rough diagrams with question marks next to them. Similarly, the piece of paper held several drawings he recognised to be runes also repeatedly crossed out and redrawn in places sometimes overlapping and across each other. It all meant something but he neither the patience nor energy at that moment to fully explore the idea.

"You are most welcome of course to stay with us, Young Lizbeth. I would imagine that you Aunt had such a thought as well." He assured her as bowls were being gathered. "I do believe for tomorrow it may be best you aid Lady Kathryn with the initial investigation. You are of course the heir of the Estate, so we shall need you expertise in the grounds both within and without the buildings. If we start in the Study, as has been agreed, we should then create a list of all that is found; Madame L'Rose has no key, and an old rumour of unknown peoples going where they should not does make one worry."

It was as he was pushing the Little Black Book back towards Victoria, that he added to Lady Kathryn. "Most unfortunately, our dear Prince did not in fact leave a return address. Even if he did the weather would greatly slow communications, and would likely cost a great sum as well." He added, clicking his tongue. "Even sending letters to the coast, at such a time of year as this, did not come cheap. Ah! Victoria, if you would allow me to bend your ear for a moment please?"

BlackBerry rose from the table with significant ease compared to when he had sat down earlier, and then with eyes dancing anxiously, asked only half-seriously. "Might I ask how you know the soil is from a Graveyard?"

Only half listening to whatever Victorias response may be, Blackberry watched for Lizbeth to exit the room and then, then looking up the ceiling, waited for the familiar creaking of floorboards above. When he heard them he let out a small sigh and then, pulling his gaze back to Victoria he whispered her his worries.

"My apologies for such manner, Victoria. However I must ask of you something which may unsettle Young Lizbeth if she were to over hear. Earlier this evening she mentioned hearing whispers, and on occasion, feeling nothing at all." Sounds from above drew his attention upwards fora moment before he continued on. "Perhaps such a comment could be attributed to a memory and a nightmare changing place but given more recent events....I fear it would be prudent to investigate further it what way we may. Which is to ask if you Victoria may keep an eye on Young Lizbeth for any strangeness in her sleep?"