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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] Rose River Vineyard, Southmoor, and parts around
[color=9932cc][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=9932cc][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=9932cc][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
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[right][img]https://i.ibb.co/84xS62pB/Victoria-Alt-7-ss.png[/img][/right]
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	Victoria was listening in. Obviously, she was listening in. Supportive reasons might have included a desire to make sure Kathryn wasn't getting into any trouble with a lady who, despite having launched handily in to her middle years (for a Human), was an experienced soldier with issues involving trust. Or maybe it was paranoia. Victoria was not amazingly well versed in psychology; her ability to influence others came mostly from social skills, so she could only react, if it came down to an incident. Selfish reasons for eavesdropping were more straightforward: She was curious if any of the information was relevant to her inquiries, and she wanted to see if they spoke about her at all. As it turned out, there was just the one, passing remark that she was certain was a dig at her. After all, Victoria was [i]objectively[/i] the prettiest Necromancer that she'd ever heard of, herself.  

	So yes, Victoria listened. And she worked. It was quiet, indoor labor, they kind that one might do at a hum (unless they wanted to eavesdrop). Two things stuck out in their conversation. The first one being that she wasn't a huge fan of their new knives. She stopped for a moment, unsheathing her new acquisition. It was better balanced, harder, and sharper than just about any short blade she had held before. Moreso even than the one she acquired from her father, which was a perfectly serviceable item. It was probably best not to call attention to the weapon. She replaced it in on her belt near her first dagger and continued her work. 

	The second thing which caught her curiosity was mention that the Alhazred may have left things behind elsewhere in the realms. Perhaps that included knowledge which she might use to enhance her own abilities, so long as she could sort through the more unsavory bits and stick to the lore. Yes, Adventurers might have stumbled into something awful from years past, not knowing what it was until it was too late, but Victoria had skills that made her useful in identifying and/or avoiding the worst of these things. With a little luck and foresight, anyway. Short of making her way to the Southern Deserts and dressing herself in local attire and passing herself off as a sage of some type, present to both seek and share knowledge... Which honestly, didn't seem like such a bad idea, so long as their peoples were not engaging in conflict at the moment. 

	Victoria made a mental note. This could be a viable idea. She already possessed the requisite knowledge and might not have to be dishonest in the slightest. But back to the present.

	Once her upkeep work for the day was done, Victoria approached her mentor with a sense of personal interest, maybe even something akin to friendliness. [color=9932cc]"Medician Floquet? If you would be as kind, this does not relate to my work."[/color] A quirked eyebrow from the older woman prompted Victoria to continue. [color=9932cc]"I don't know if you know, but, the L'Roses apparently have an annual wine tasting event for the winter harvest grapes. I was invited to attend, and encouraged to invite someone, myself. The term for this in Ashhaven is a 'Plus One,' if you're not familiar. I haven't really gotten to know anyone outside of my group except for you and Annabelle, and I also have not expressed my appreciation for your patience and tutoring these weeks, so... Would you like to be my Plus One?"[/color]

	When it was time to close shop for the day, Victoria left with a sense of social accomplishment. 

	Returning to the Coach House and doing a bit of decompression was a high priority in addition to the other issues of the day. But whatever this was, it wasn't accelerating into something truly messy just yet. And there was more to look into with their new spoils. Upon checking over the clothing she set aside for herself (just the outfits she favored in particular, not the bulk quarter share she would claim out of general principle), Victoria chose a couple items and layered them with some of her existing articles of clothing that found fashionable and appropriate to the weather. It was around this point that she noticed the burial shrouds - the ones that were suitable for direct necromantic enchantment, had been gotten into. Moreover, one had been ...cut into... and while she could not, with any good conscience, lay claim to everything in the hopes of performing some grand act of creation or magic, it felt a little strange that someone already made and enacted plans for this fabric without further discussion. She eyed her companions suspiciously, but thought better of an inquisition, let alone a confrontation. Instead, the Bard quietly folded up one of the black sheets and one of the white ones, then stored them at the bottom of her belongings. There was more to these things, Victoria believed, than she had initially established. More study was required before they were reduced to scrap. 

	So far as Victoria was aware, she was ready for the wine tasting. Clothing was tasteful and gorgeous without being gaudy or overly formal, plus easy to move in, should the need call for it. Intentionally, the Bard decided to leave her rather militant, silvered rapier behind. Knives and magic would suffice, again should the need call for it. Additionally, this was a lighthearted social gathering. There was always pretext available to keep a musical instrument or two upon her person. She was interested to hear confirmation to her recollections about this region and its celebration of Frostval. For anyone unaware, she explained aloud, [color=9932cc]"A mostly Human celebration of gift giving in the coldest time of the year, when the days are shorter and nights have a firmer hold upon the land. Every land celebrates it a little differently, but it usually involves family and community, good will to strangers and travelers, and veneration of certain deities. We celebrate Frostval back home. Even the Elves there like to participate, if they are around - and they think most Human customs are silly."[/color] The very last part might have been an exaggeration. Victoria had an optimistic glow about her, like she was looking forward to the coming festivities. [color=9932cc]"So, who are we all bringing for our 'Plus Ones?' Or shall we keep it a surprise until we all arrive?"[/color]