(Pre-Show) The Park

[Strazio Rockwell]

"Still afraid of bugs?" a familiar voice asked the startled mage. Strazio looked up to see his two friends walking towards him, Dmitri the sniper and Sergeant Rumford. The sniper was wearing a casual outfit as he often did, a black leather jacket and camo colored cargo pants. Rumford did not follow his comrade's lead and instead wore light leather armor with Darkshire's emblem stitched into the chest. The prime flashed red with embarresment and responded "I mean, who wouldn't be the thing was the size of my damned fist. At any rate what ar eyou guys doing here?"

"We decided to come by and wish you luck" Rumford said.

"Yeah, Rumford here showed me your little application video for the abyss. Needless to say the people of the Moors are rooting for you" Dmitri sat down across from Strazio and lit up a cigarette before continuing "things have been changing in the Moors lately and I'm just glad we have champions like yourself."

Strazio raised an eyebrow "what's changed?"

Sergeant Rumford laughed "well for starters a bunch of primes got together and killed the Tarrasque."

"What's the Tarrasque" Strazio asked, stumbling a bit on the foreign word.

The sniper spoke softly through a cloud of smoke "Big ol' beasty with arms the size of houses, he's been on a rampage in the Moors for a while. Some heroes came by and finally put an end to the monstrosity. Ever since then things have been kind of quiet."

"That's great to hear actually! I'm glad I'm not the only one fighting for you guys."

Rumford laughed "that may be true, but I think you might become the champion we need. You're starting to become a fan favorite amongst those at Darkshire, after seeing your interview with the ONN reporter people are keeping an eye on you. Honestly I just hope you do well, people need hope"

Strazio smiled sheepishly, slightly embarrassed from the thought of becoming a figurehead for Darkshire. He looked over to Dmitri and asked him "how have things at the watchtower been? Nemesis hasn't come back has he?" The prime was slightly worried that he may have kicked a hornet nest by killing Nemesis, one of Dracula's headhunters.

"Just the way I like them, quiet. The new kids think the post is boring, but honestly I love it. We haven't seen Nemesis in a while, not sure what he's been up to but the less we see of that guy the better yeah? All the down time has given me time ot practice my guitar" The sniper told him while plucking a few strings on his air guitar.

"That's good to hear" the prime paused slightly "you should've brought your guitar, I would've loved to hear some of your songs." He loved Dmitri's upbeat music, it was a very nice change of pace from the sad and somber music of his world.

Dmitri flicked his smoke out onto the grass and shook his head "Sorry captain, I didn't even think of it. Next time you're at the watchtower I'll play you a song I made just for you friend."

The trio chatted in the way that old friends do. They spoke of current events and past ones, shooting the proverbial shit. They spoke for another hour before Rumford finally stood up and said his parting "well, it's time to get going, I have to run some training drills with new recruits. Good luck Defender of Darkshire" The sergeant shooks Strazio's hand and headed towards the exit. Dmitri stood up and shook Strazio hand as well "yeah, I should probably get back to the tower. Good luck man, I know you can win this thing."

A chill ran down Strazio's spine, something seemed off. He held Dmitri's hand a moment too long and the sniper asked "something wrong?" Strazio shook his head "No, thanks for the support. It really means a lot to me." He let go of Dmitri's hand and watched him walk away. Something didn't feel right, but the prime couldn't put his finger on it.

"Hey Dmitri!" he called to his friend.

The sniper turned around "yeah?"

"Stay safe, I want to hear that song when I get back!"

The sniper flashed him a cheesy grin and gave him a thumbs up "Thanks! I'll make sure I keep an eye out."