[b]Royal Blood- Rayne Walker[/b] 

After his calculated, precise speech, Rayne eased into a simple, almost effortlessly carried personality of polite nervousness while soaking up every detail of his surroundings that he could. While his fellow Blades' members introduced themselves, he paying close attention to the room itself. A man on a throne, a falcon with no revealed purpose, a notable absence of guards in the room and a silent girl standing in the shadows. There was a precision here, a method in the details, and this told Rayne all he needed to know about the Crown-Prince and what kind of game he played. The man was not only powerful; he was a strategist. Whether friend or foe to the Blades, he was a danger to Rayne Walker so long as he paid the chameleon-like pseudo-hero any attention.

Every detail ended up becoming a note of interest in Rayne's mind, the notes quickly becoming a long, detailed list of questions that needed answers. Why did the Crown-Prince keep his daughter at a distance? Why had the gargoyles not been activated by Xavier's father as he was being attacked? Why were there no human guards nearby? Could Xavier himself be responsible for these deaths? Were the murders personal or part of a larger political game? Few of these questions mattered, but one important piece of the puzzle needed to be addressed before any other. And after the shaky impressons made by his companions, Rayne was the one to pursue the solution.

Penelope was even more dangerous than her father. Her story, her current state, everything about this girl stood out to Rayne. As her father beckoned her to the table, Rayne was slipping silently from his simple mask to a more delicate, soft persona.

Knowing early in his quest for absolute power that just being a fighter wouldn't do, Rayne begun searching for truly heroic and wholly good people to lift the personalities of for his own sick use. After a few uneventful nights Soulwalking in the city guards of Renalta's capital, he set fire to the stable outside an inn and waited in the body of a nearby guard. His labor bore fruit, as the man entered the burning building and pulled out not only several patrons of the bar, but also a child. The way he comforted the kid, the kind and understanding compassion presented by the guard, was a perfect mask to wear when having to fake such silly humanity.

[i]Benevolent Guard.[/i] [b]"Crown Prince. I must ask for your permission to speak with your daughter."[/b]

[b]"...If you must."[/b] Xavier responds, his look cold and foreboding.

Nodding in silent thanks, Rayne quietly leaves his chair and walks to the other end of the table, sitting next the Penelope. [b]"Hello, Penelope. My name is Rayne."[/b] [i]Softer words, light as air.[/i] [b]"I work for the Queen's Blades of Renalta. Your father has asked us to help find and bring justice to those that brought tragedy to your house."[/b] [i]Bring her in with the story. Slip in Honest Farm Boy.[/i] [b]"When I was younger, I was the only survivor of a bandit attack, and as the only witness to such horrors, I was forced to retell the events of my terrible experience over and over again. So I understand the weight of what I must request of you, but please understand the importance of it.[/b]

[b]"Penelope, I need you to tell me everything you remember of what happened before, during and after the assassinations, in as much detail as possible.[/b] [i]Return to Benevolent Guard.[/i] [b]"Take your time if you wish."[/b]