(Preshow) Preshow Facility

[Erik Vrell]

Erik glanced around the preshow facility, in utter awe that he was finally in the danteverse. Valerie was no less impressed by the facility, although she was impressed in a slightly different way. The young girl looked around with a mix of curiosity and childlike wonder as opposed to Erik’s excitement over the facility he had only heard about. Erik’s amazement quickly began to wear thin as the girl tugged at his arm every few seconds, eagerly trying to show Erik towards something new and exciting. Although the girl’s excitement was cute and somewhat infectious, Erik had never been good with kids and couldn't keep up with the energetic child. 

“Who’s that over there?!” She asked, pointing to a group of primes in the corner of the room. 

“Competitors, I'd assume.” Erik replied.

“Oh. And what about them?” 

“That's Jak.” Erik said, a slight hint of bitterness in his voice.

“What's wrong? Did he piss you off?” The girl said, unphased by her own crude remark. 

“No, he just kind of ditched me when we were going to go racing once.” Erik replied.

“Do you want me to hurt him?” The half-zombie asked, baring her unnaturally sharp teeth.

“Uh, no thanks. Let's just sit down here, okay?” The psychic said quickly, trying to avert a minor catastrophe.

“When do I get to see daddy fight?” Val asked as she took a seat on a nearby chair.

“Well, when the tournament starts and he gets into a fight, I suppose.” Erik said, not too sure himself. 

“Are you going to fight daddy?” Valerie inquired, sounding a little apprehensive. 

“Well, I might have to.” Erik said, carefully gauging the half-zombie’s reaction. “But, then again, we might be fighting together.”

Val nodded slowly, not fully sure about how she should take that piece of information. Erik sighed quietly as the girl’s attention was grabbed by another competitor. She was spirited, of course, which was to be expected of Victor Wolfe’s child. Just like her father, however, being around her was surprisingly draining. Erik thanked the gods when he saw a flash of lightly coloured hair and the corner of a red eye. Victor had entered the danteverse, and Erik could reunite father and daughter. For completely altruistic reason, of course. 

“Hey, look, your dad’s going to the library.” Erik said, pointing the young girl in the library’s direction. 

“Daddy!” Val said as she leapt from her chair and sped towards the library, Erik in hot pursuit lest she tear someone in half in her excitement. The girl threw herself towards her father eagerly, the assassin a little surprised but not unhappy. 

“Apologies, lord Victor.” Erik said. “She's rather energetic.”

“Well, duh, she's a kid.” Victor said, a wry smile on his lips. “You were one once, too.” 

“I don't remember being so spirited when I was a child.” Erik mused before turning to the others who had joined Victor. The psychic bowed slightly to the assembled group.

“Greetings, I am Nobleman Erik Vrell of New Babylon. Victor’s, uh, subordinate.” The priest said, not wanting to make himself unnecessarily vulnerable in front of his boss. One Wolfe was exhausting enough, and the last thing he needed was an innuendo right now. 

Moved to library with Vic and Co.