[center][h3]Filia – Chinese Eatery[/h3][/center]

To Chao, Filia listened with rapt attention.  At the moment, none of the ridiculous or frightening strangers surrounding her mattered anymore.  Before her, veiled within this teasing waitress, lay the answers.  Even the wafting aromas of delicious dishes, including the surprisingly-appetizing meal served to Wario, failed to distract her now.  Hidden still beneath her hat on the back of her head, Samson listened with equal intensity.  As they came, the words pricked at the two like pine nettles, but to avoid missing anything they avoided dwelling on individual statements.  A few moments later, Chao finished, and Filia exhaled slowly, having not realized she'd been holding her breath.

She mulled over these new revelations in her head.  The changing expressions present on Chao's face hadn't escaped Filia's notice, but even with those extra hints, the schoolgirl couldn't help but feel that something important remained unknown still.  If a super-powerful being truly held control over this 'dimension', and the very City itself aligned itself against her, she and Samson would have to be very careful indeed.  Luckily, there was no duo more powerful.  “I guess we're up for it, then.”

A glance to her left confirmed both the presence of a serious-looking soldier man and some sort of squabble between the flying pony and a random red-haired maid.  Having her fill of information for the time being for now, and not committed to satisfying her hunger with so much commotion around, she got to her feet.  After saying to Kino, “Gonna go get some air,” and leaving her to speak to the maid, Filia turned her back on the Chinese place and headed back in the direction of the school.  On the way, a lock of hair slithered out from her hat and speared straight through a large piece of chicken in Chun-Li's lo mein, and pulled it into an unseen maw.

Once out of sight of the main group, Filia became aware of a smacking sound behind her head.  “Samson, did you take someone's food?”

[b]”Sure I did.  Did you see the thighs on the chick I swiped it from?  She doesn't need any more meat.”[/b]  Samson erupted suddenly from beneath the hat, hair flying in every direction like a cat stretching its limbs.  One tendril of hair grabbed the hat and stuffed it into the parasite's mouth for safekeeping.

Filia crossed her arms indignantly.  “Samson, that's so mean!  She looked really strong, too.”   Her train of thought derailed when a yelling noise greeted her from a nearby dumpster.  Instinctively, her hair bunched up into long strands like tentacles, ready for action.  “Uh, it's probably just another stranger.  We should let him out, right?”

[b]”Whatever, kid.  We can't trust anything 'round here.  Anyone could be this Viewer's toadie.”[/b]  Quietly, the pair approached the container of trash.  One strand of hair formed itself into a fist and knocked against the metal.  “Hello?  Anyone in there?”

[center][h3][color=yellow][b]DIO – Roanpur[/b][/color][/h3][/center]

An air of finality accompanied DIO as he stepped from the wall onto the ground.  Six feet and five inches of power surveyed the Overlord and Marchesa, one after the other.  The metal warrior, at least, appeared to acknowledge the vampire's presence, even betraying the ego he obviously held so dear to bestow upon DIO a nod of recognition.  Seeing this made him smile.  Here stood a creature that could be bent to his will, for if even the tiniest crack existed in a dam, sooner or later the water would begin to break through.  Even if the Overlord would not permit himself to become DIO's subordinate, he would still doubtless be of use as a partner.  Either way, if the Overlord proved himself worthy of respect, DIO would never betray him.  Too often did those unbound by typical morals turn against one another in pursuit of their own goals, never imagining that honor among thieves might prove the most stalwart of all.

Meanwhile, the woman had, of course, survived.  Furthermore, she'd prostrated herself and proclaimed her eagerness to serve...but not for DIO.  Evidently, his aura had yet to intoxicate her, and she focused more upon the armored behemoth.  Well, DIO couldn't fault her for that.  At first glance, a blonde man in yellow with green hearts as his emblem did not appear quite so commanding as a hulking knight in steel, to a strong will at least.  No matter.  DIO could practically taste the tension coming off her.  As she knelt, he simply strode, moving slowly but taking long steps, toward the better-preserved of the two corpses.  Using his nails, the vampire nicked himself, and allowed some of his precious blood to drip onto the body.  A moment passed before the carcass before him started to change.  The flesh, already sagging and wan, regained its lost vitality.  The wound that had been his undoing closed like a zipper.  Before a moment had passed, the huge man opened his eyes and bared fanged teeth to the world.  Effortlessly, DIO reached down and helped him to his feet, then turned toward Marchesa and the Overlord.  One hand behind his head and the other resting on his collar, he said, [color=yellow]”It is wise, is it not, to take advantage of every life to the fullest?  To flippantly waste strength, will, and ambition, is more tragic than a thousand deaths.  You both strike me as exceedingly gifted, and no gift is to small to be useful to me.  My followers are my treasure, but so too are the friendships I create.  Tell me: what precisely do you know of this city?  Of its layout, its intention, and those of the oh-so-grand Viewer who rules it?  This knowledge would be only the first gift I might give you.  Others -freedom from the shadow of death, respite from any wound, physical strength beyond compare, and above all the peace of mind that all mortals so desperately crave- await you.  Though I wish for your servitude, I would be no less happy to call you two...my comrades.”[/color] he purred.  Anyone, from most terribly gullible to most keenly acute, could sense the truth and conviction behind his words.  Every promise he made, he meant utterly.  Clearly, DIO desired absolute loyalty from those he worked with, and to do so would earn it however necessary.