(Open) Between the velvet lies

[Albert Wesker]

While he had at first been more worried that his own standing out would make it difficult to keep a low enough profile to keep a proper eye out for that blasted highwayman he wasn't even really sure was going to be here to begin with, he soon became aware of something else that was a much more prominent problem: he wouldn't have any real way of spotting the thief even if he did show up. The only real defining feature he knew to look for was that gaudy purple cloak of his. And as well-maintained and clearly presentable as it was, it didn't seem to be quite up to the standards of the attire generally on display by the other guests.

Meaning he had no idea what to look for, and rendering his entire point for being here pointless. It was enough to frazzle him more than a little bit, and that, combined with the uneasy feeling he'd had nearly since his arrival in the Moors in general, and the unsettling atmosphere of this enitre gathering, he wasn't in the best of moods, all in all. The only thing keeping him around at all was the sullen reminder that he had nothing awaiting him if he left, other than more aimless wandering and searching for something to occupy his time with. Sticking around and at least trying to enjoy the festivities, and gathering what information he could about the new verse he'd ended up in thanks to his now pretty much pointless quest.

And so, with thoughts like that in mind, he slowly heaved himself back up out of his chair, loosening his tie ever so slightly, and rolling his shoulders before slowly ambling along the outer perimenter of the room to avoid getting swept up in things out of the blue again. As he went, one hand slipped slowly into the pocket of his vest again, the other dangling loosely at his side, swinging as he walked in a loose approximation of marching, though with a far cry from the actual precision if he had been in actual formation.

He unconsciously zeroed in on the refreshment area, procuring himself a drink as he went, declining grabbing a bite to eat just yet. He was growing more and more suspicious of this entire event the longer he hung around, and the more he observed the guests here, and just how many of them seemed to be...well...just plain off in a way he just couldn't put his finger on. Some of them reminded him, in an eerie sort of way, of the zombie Gecko Moriah could make with his Kage Kage no Mi. At least with the drink he could give it a cursory examination by scent before drinking to do his best and ensure nothing......funny was going on.

Well, aside from just about everything in his current surroundings.

As he went to turn his attention back to observing things in general, he overheard something that took his full attention, though only his eyes swept over to give any indication of his attention. Something about a beast the size of a building, demolishing villages and causing havoc in general to both sides of what he could only assume to be some sort of conflict. Its name was mentioned -- the Tarrasque, it would seem -- though the name meant nothing to the former Admiral. He filed it away, regardless, and turned fully to face the source of the conversation.

He took a practiced eye to both participants in the talk, studying them as best he could. Given his unfortunate lack of Haki, or being close enough to truly get a good measure of them he couldn't tell much. A rather broad guess told him they were probably both Primes....though he couldn't be certain. He listened in as best he could over the general noise, trying to catch what he could of what was said, and heard enough to rouse his interest in lending a hand. If no one had done anything yet -- or perhaps couldn't do anything, might have been more accurate, if the beast as as fierce as it was large -- and the man wearing the wolf mask wasn't going to find help in Darkshire, then he might as well offer his own aid.

After all, it would be a chance to do some good, and hopefully let him shake out some of the muck in the gears, so to speak, and getting his powers back on track. "Arara..." He slowly ambled his way toward the conversing pair, one hand still in his pocket. "...that sounds like quite the task there, taking down a beast like that..." He paused for a moment, as if debating whether he really wanted to help. "I didn't mean to interrupt, but...I thought I might offer my own help in taking it down, too."