Valdric paused for a long moment, possibly taken aback, before nearly<em>slumping</em>into the nearest chair.  His arms crossed out of habit, and a hand went briefly to his chin--or where his chin probably was beneath the mask--as if deliberating on something.  The man's uniform creaked uncomfortably as he turned between Seka and Darius several times.  The fact that he was squeaking like a bunch of mice seemed lost on him.<br/><br/><strong>"I am in search of people like yourself,"</strong>he said hesitantly, keenly aware that he was being scrutinized just as fiercely.<strong>"Though you are clearly not professionals, perhaps your paths still lie adjacent to my own.  Tombs, crypts, moldering catacombs, places deep beneath the world.  I seek those that would plumb those depths, though I do not seek personal wealth or glory.  I am looking for items of a peculiar make.  Artifacts, you might call them.  If you do indeed plan to seek such places out, my share of gold and gems would naturally be divvied up amongst the rest of your band."</strong><br/><br/>The man brought his gauntlets up to the collar of his tunic and made a show of unclasping a row of buckles hidden beneath the fabric, and after several metallic clicks lifted both the helmet, the mask, and the black shroud from his head and shoulders and placed them carefully on the table in front of him.<br/><br/>Surprisingly enough, Valdric did not have glowing red eyes or blade-like fangs, nor did he seem liable eat small children or kick puppies or whatever it was that nasty monsters were supposed to do in their free time.  In fact, he looked shockingly<em>normal</em>, if somewhat weathered.  His jaw was set with an easy sort of determination, chiseled lines meeting at a strong chin and coated with morning stubble.  He had a wide-lipped mouth that seemed perfect for smiling but clearly hadn't gotten much practice at it, an angular nose with just the slightest bump at the bridge, and slate gray eyes that seemed a bit less intimidating now that they weren't peering out from the eye holes of that damnable mask.  If anything the man just seemed extraordinarily<em>tired</em>, and perhaps just slightly on edge.<br/><br/>He made to grasp Seka's hands between his own, staring earnestly at the other man.  "If I must trade my body in order to follow at your side, then so be it.  I know of such things, and am willing to go to any lengths to appease you if it will aid me in the task set before me."<br/><br/>If anyone was watching the scene from afar, now would likely be the point where they began laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation, or slowly backing away.