Season of Fall, Day 6, 513 AV
When it came to earning money, Lorick Trahern had only one rule: other people worked for it. He took it from them. Not always by force, but Lorick never believed in working for his Mizas, not when others were so willing to give it up. It certainly served him well in Ravok, at least until the Mizas ran out. But pretty words and a quick escape wouldn't serve him here in Nyka, not without more knowledge of the city and the people within.
The merchants of the Eastern quarter had already set up their shops by the time Trahern got there. He'd considered transforming into his female form but thought better of it. He could not maintain that form for very long, and it was critical that he saved his Djed for when he really needed it. Similarly, he decided lying at this point would not serve his purposes either. He'd rather save that for when he needed it as well.
As Lorick's gaze swept across the Eastern quarter, his ears strained to pick up any information that might lead him to quick Mizas. Lorick was not above conning a merchant or two out of some pocket money, but it was not a strategically maintainable position. Besides, that sort of petty trickery was beneath him. Lies like that were easily penetrated, and he'd only do it if he were certain to get away.
"The first trick is to obtain information," Lorick thought, as he moved toward the Flaxen district. The best places to gain information were either the taverns or the whorehouses. People only spoke freely under two conditions: while drunk, or in bed. Trahern had heard of the Theater's reputation, and decided that perhaps if he could lie his way inside, he might be able to gain some nugget or other that would land him work.
Finding a quiet corner, Lorick quietly began the transformation into his female model. It had become easier in time; at one point it took him nearly an entire Bell to get the details right, but this time he was able to do it much quicker. In his mind's eye he could see his father's mistress, her curves, her form, he could even hear her voice. It was necessary to remember these things, if he was to take her form.
He could feel the muscles in his body shift, slowly but not painfully. Legs grew longer and slimmer, hips grew wider and waist grew smaller. His height dropped a few inches, and he carefully morphed his face into the likeness of the woman he'd seen many times in his father's house, when his mother was not there.
Long, luxurious lashes appeared on his eyes, flowing dark hair streamed from his head, his lips reddened and his skin took on a golden complexion. Lorick could feel his bosom filling out, as his gender-neutral clothes now giving an enticing view. All told the transformation took only about ten chimes. He needed to do this faster, if he wanted to make use of this skill more often.
Stepping into the street, Lorick cleared his throat. Getting the voice right was always going to be a problem, but at least his model did include it. He'd remember hearing her enough times.
"Right," he mumbled to himself, more to hear his own voice (and adjust it if necessary) than anything else. The voice was acceptable. Perhaps not as high as he'd prefer, but still feminine. He could adjust the voice of the morphing model later.
Lorick took out the small steel mirror and looked into it. No, the nose was not the right shape. Putting a bit more Djed into it, Lorick reformed the nose until it was the small, pert shape he recalled. He gave a small, experimental twitch, and the new nose responded beautifully. Excellent.
Now it was time for him to get to work. Lorick took a deep breath, and strode out, making sure not to walk like a man. It took him nearly a season to realize that how one walked was a very important part of maintaining the model. Demurely putting one hand on his chest, Lorick made sure to carefully press against the door of the Theater and went inside.
