His Eyes....Like Gimlets!

[Strazio Rockwell]

　　Valerie watched as Jade wandered off, he was intent on following her as she proved to be a wonderful companion, but he needed time to process Strazio’s death. It wasn’t that he abhorred death, quite the opposite actually, it was that he knew the depths of rage that his pupil would traverse in order to get revenge. Strazio’s death could very easily be the catalyst that would set in motion another rampage similar to the one at Cherodill. The consequences of Strazio’s previous rampage would hopefully temper his fury. Valerie’s painted nails dug into the soft green flesh of his palms. Primehood had no doubt increased Strazio’s strength, perhaps even far beyond what Valerie was capable of stopping.
　　
　　No use worrying now.
　　
　　Now was the time to enjoy life with friends, he would worry about Strazio’s tantrum when it happened. Karkat had left the verdant mage to fetch Gamzee, and Jade had frolicked through a crowd of carnival goers. In the chaos of the fair Valerie had found himself painfully alone.
　　
　　“Jade?” he called out, a twinge of worry in his voice. “Miss Harley? Becquerel?”
　　
　　A regular flurry of greens and other bright summer colors, the plant mage stormed through the crowds. His green robes danced around his body, sending out scents of sunflowers and roses to mingle with the acrid scent of burnt popcorn. If he was in any place except for the Omniverse his appearance would stand out like an emerald beacon of curiosity, but in this place nothing was foreign. In the distance he spotted a familiar young girl with a pair of dog ears. Next to her was a gargantuan, quite possibly the largest man that Valerie had ever seen. The mage’s fingers once again bent and moved erratically, a symbol of his nervousness.
　　
　　He skipped over to the two and introduced himself in a cheerful tone, “greetings my friends!”
　　
　　Valerie smiled and looked up at the towering Solomon before continuing, “My name is Valerie and it is an absolute pleasure to meet you!” The foolish mage extended a hand towards Solomon in hopes of a handshake to seal their friendship.