[center][color=c0c0c0][b][u]Slayer[/u][/b][/color]
Level 3
Day 2
Location: Tetris Castle Grounds
[@DracoLunaris] [@Guardian Angel Haruki] [@Nerevarine] [@Zarkun]
[b]Experience: [color=orange]|||||||||||||||||||||||||||[/color][color=black]|||[/color] (27/30)[/b][/center]

The atmosphere of malaise hung over the assembly after Peach's departure, and in her wake, silence took root and began to grow.  Having said all they could, the speakers retired to their seats in the audience.  In the quiet, respectful moments that followed, some of the attendees began to drift away.  By all accounts, the ceremony had finished; when the guests could well up no more tears, think up no more words, and spare no more minutes to the heavy affair, they went their separate ways.  After a short while, Slayer concluded that he'd been present long enough.  It did not do to dwell on death, after all.  

As he stood, he regarded the table of memories one last time whilst hoping that Mario's soul hastened off to a better place faster still than the funeral attendees returned to their own affairs, and spotted an unfamiliar child headed there.  Garbed in outlandish, garish clothes that seemed fit to make a mockery of this dignified assembly, the kid drew Slayer's ire, but he watched a moment longer before passing judgment.  Before his eyes, the child placed a bouquet of flowers and a bag of what appeared to be mushrooms among the other gifts and memoirs.  For a moment the vampire was nonchalant, but he broke down into a smile as gave a slight shake his head toward the ground.  [color=c0c0c0]”An immature mind but a good heart.  I wonder...such a colorful character must surely be a hero, perhaps called in to replace those who abandoned us in the twilight forest, but at such a young age...”[/color]  While Slayer ruminated, he seemingly did not notice Naija approaching him until she gave away her presence with a light cough.

He turned halfway, looking over his shoulder to see who it was.  Though once again sporting an altered appearance, the gentleman recognized Naija from her introduction the previous day.  She did not, it appeared, have much of an attachment to the idea of a consistent appearance.  Then again, she had given off the impression of an adaptable heroine, willing to make a sacrifice and alter her body to better do what's right.  In a roundabout way, Slayer could appreciate that brand of naivety.  He, meanwhile, would not be so eager to experiment with changing himself using elements from other worlds.  After witnessing Odin's monstrous transformation, playing riskily with the living, mutagenic corruption known as the Mugen Virus seemed downright foolish.  If it worked for Naija, however, he wouldn't hesitate to applaud her courage, so long as she remained free of evil's taint.  These thoughts passed as quickly as an autumn breeze, and Slayer pivoted around the rest of the way to face her.

As she spoke, he strode away from the funeral site at a leisurely pace, not just for his own sake.  Taking flight at a funeral stood out to him as a somewhat selfish act—hogging the spotlight.  If Naija didn't understand she was being rude, he couldn't blame her, but all the same he attempted to steer her in a different direction.  Once at a suitable distance, he fell backward into a sitting position, and before he could hit the ground his cape morphed into a winged chair that carried him upward so that he might converse with Naija eye-to-eye.  [color=c0c0c0]”Not at all, I could tell it was you.  I hope you don't mind me rising to the occasion?  I happen to have a touch of distaste for being looked down upon.”[/color]  He produced his pipe and puffed it once, a knowing look in his eyes and an easy smile on his face.  [color=c0c0c0]”I recall you from the meeting yesterday, with your interesting philosophies about heroism.  I kept quiet at the time, but for the record I do believe it hinges upon what actions one takes, not one's own views or others' views.  It does bemuse me as to why I was chosen for this ordeal, and not the hero of my 'world'.  I can only assume it was because of how much free time I had!”[/color]  Slayer chuckled through his nose.  [color=c0c0c0]”In any case, I assure you I did not feel awkward or misplaced in the silence.  A consummate gentleman, as I'm sure you're aware, takes any situation in stride, faultless in his bearing.  Enough about me, however.  Perhaps you'd like to tell me more of yourself?  If I'm going to be gallivanting around for much longer, I should like to become better acquainted with my allies.”[/color]

His focus slipped off the fishwoman and onto a bizarre bipedal red creature that had taken up a position not too far away.  He also identified the technological soldier who'd hung around the backlines in the last battle, who Slayer now knew to be named Varrock.  The man sauntered up to the animal, who did not appear to be any trouble, and demanded not just [i]who[/i] but [i]what[/i] it was.  The audacity of the inquiry provoked a wry [i]hmph[/i] from the vampire, and he motioned with his head as he remarked to Naija, [color=c0c0c0]”It would appear that our reluctant compatriot is taking the chance to mingle as well, though he seems to have opted for a rather abrasive approach.  Perhaps he hasn't quite grasped that anyone around here is an ally, and should be treated appropriately?”[/color]