Colosseum - Spectator Thread

[Roger Smith]

It isn't readily apparent if he is just a bit lightheaded from his run all the way here still, or if it's something else entirely, but there is a distinct impression of being thoroughly appraised. It feels distinctly like someone is wondering if they might be able to kick his ass. If he is offended or upset in any way at this information, it doesn't show. His expression remains perfectly unruffled, and he merely holds up a hand in a "hold on a moment" gesture, taking a deep breath to try and steady his breathing. "Please forgive me...I had the unfortunate necessity of needing to, as they say, 'hoof it' to get here...I am still winded."

His need to catch his breath sated for now, he can only lift one arm in a lazy shrug, his smile giving away nothing. "You are correct on one count, and not quite so correct on the other. For now, at any rate. But I suppose that's neither here nor there." He diverts his attention for a moment toward the arena, and the matches taking place below. He leans forward intently, his shrouded gaze peering at each match in turn as his head slowly cranes this way and that. "Fascinating...." he murmurs. "...to be enthralled and so supportive and caught up in such a grisly spectacle." He throws up one hand in mock defeat, shaking his head in defeat. "Alas...it is the nature of the beast."

Turning back to Jade, his expression momentarily cracks at the mention of trolls. "Ah...trolls, you say? How odd... I never had the..." His expression twists up into something unpleasant, his smile faltering. "...fortune to reach anything approaching pleasant terms with them. It is quite interesting to see that not all of them are entirely unapproachable." He was blissfully unaware that he had already had the 'pleasure' of a short conversation with Gamzee. "A group gathering would be lovely, indeed. I shan't be going anywhere in the immediate future, so perhaps once this set of bouts are over we will have that chance?"

He brings one hand up over his face to stifle a chuckle at Jade's enthusiasm. "Ah, but it has been a long time since I have met someone so genuinely energetic and cheerful...or that actually wanted to know anything about me but how they might get me to leave as quickly as possible..." He trailed off, turning his head away with a wistful look on his face.

"Ah...but since you did ask, and with such sound logic, my name is Erik Whitman." He makes a gesture as of sweeping off a top hat, the imitation of a perfect gentleman. "A pleasure."