"You're right about that, Andy," Victoria said, her eyes now returning to their pupil state.

"Let's head back home, get some rest, and then we can put our heads together on this mystery."

  Andy smiled, and wrapped his arms around her, giving her a hot kiss as he blinked them back to the apartment.  He said softly "At least we can usually get away without being followed, right love?"

Victoria smiled as they appeared back in the apartment.

"It's one of the many benefits of being magically inclined," she said as she briefly sat down.

"I only need a few minutes, then we can start figuring out why there's Chaos magic lingering around."

Andy sat down, and cuddled her close, then kissed her temple.  He said "Take all the time you need."

Victoria laid her head on Andy's strong shoulders, sighing happily, now resting comfortably.

After a few moments, the young woman felt reinvigorated and refreshed. "Much better...I needed that."

  He rumbled with amusement, then said "Sometimes, it's the little things in life that. Make huge differences."

Victoria kissed Andy on the cheek, and made a "token" effort to get up from his strong arms.

"You always know how to invigorate me. Now, let's see what we can find out about this presence of chaos magic."

 Andy smiled, and held her close to kiss her lovingly before he rose, then gently set her n her feet.

Victoria smiled after the kiss, going over to her workbench. Incense soon filled the room, as she closed her eyes.

"The Forces of Chaos and Strife precipitated the conflict in the streets, as they push both Paras and humans to a state of war. The Champion is called away...protectors are still here...the beginning of new life."

She breathed heavily.

"Agent of Chaos, reveal yourself to me."

Both Victoria and Andy could see a shadowy visage of a head, but nothing more. An eldritch bolt shot out, hitting Victoria and sending her to the ground, though she was able to get up easily.

"Couldn't see...who...it...was.."

  Andy wrapped his arms around her, and rumbled "Whoever it is, he's going to have a major health problem if he hurt you."

Victoria got up with Andy wrapped around her. She stroked his cheek fondly.

"Thank you Andy. The bolt didn't hurt terribly. But whoever that was, they had some strong protection around them."

  He kissed her temple, then whispered "I will always protect you."

Victoria smiled at Andy.

"I have strong protection as well," she told them, then looking back at the workbench.

"As for this other matter, now we know that there is SOMEBODY behind this. Someone extremely powerful. Any ideas come to mind, Andy?"

  Andy shook his head, and said "Not off the top of my head, but I am no expert on mages."

"I'm not so sure it was a mage," Victoria said as she started thumbing through several arcane tomes. "Call me crazy, but there is much more to this. Someone wants this war to happen, for the sake of the chaos it will bring."

  Andy rumbled and said "Gods above and below, don't we have enough Chaos in Weston??"

Victoria closed her eyes, her hand shimmering with magical light.

"This city is a focal point for Chaos. We have to stop it before it boils over and envelops all in its path."

  Andy leaned against the wall, propping it up nicely as he rumbled "You know how this works, love.  Point me where you want objects destroyed or monsters slain, but you have to know where to point me."

Victoria nodded at Andy.

"Maybe it's time we pressed on some of our snitches in the magical community. I'm certain that there are plenty of favors owed to us."

  Andy nodded, and said "Lead the way, love.  We need information."

"Follow me then..."

Victoria closed her eyes, teleporting to an alleyway below, waiting for Andy to arrive.

  He blinked almost as fast as she did, his wry smile clear.

Victoria looked back at Andy, pointing at what appeared to be a sleeping hobo, and she then approaced him slowly.

"Watch my back. You know how jumpy these Changelings can be."

  He moved to stand behind her, his hands gently on her waist, clearly marking her as his own, even as he kissed her temple while she poked the changeling.

"Snitch..." Victoria said, gently nudging the changeling. "We have need of information....and you owe us."