Closed The lesser of two evils [Gregory]

[Daegron]

_

Spring 47th, 514AV
late evening

Whores. A precious gift from the gods. Quick, dirty, reliable and easy. What else would a man ask? The cowled figure was smiling wickedly as he approached the fine establishment that was hidden behind the door of this rickety building. The House of Immortal Pleasures was a little paradise of vices, where the seductive odour of naked skin was mixed with incense and oil. And the veil of smoke that hung heavy in it's lustful chambers carried the promise of satisfaction, of carnal delight. Yet as much as he'd love to indulge, he had a job to do tonight.

The details were vague;and that fact didn't really bother him. It gave him room for comfort and room to improvise. He knew very well that his impulsive self wasn't one to be contained into the restrictive nature of precise details. There was this whore in there, named Charlene, who was spending a bit too much time with a customer's cheating husband. That very wealthy and influential woman wanted the harlot to be taken care of; out of the equation, gone. And there were so many ways the Morpher could do this. His plan was simple. He'd spend a bit of time in the common room to try and spot her and employ her services. He only had one hint about her. Each of her eyes had a different colour. Once they would retreat upstairs, he had a few ideas. If she was nowhere to be found, he'd get access to the upper floor and pay some lucky whore to point the way to the room where she was working. It wasn't well thought out, of course, but Daegron trusted his instincts and skills.

It wasn't long till the chambers of pleasure welcomed him. Surrounded by luscious and perfectly sculpted bodies of pleasure slaves. There was something in there for everyone; vices were worshiped in this lustful temple, and whatever twisted fantasies one's mind could conceive were offered for the right price. We wandered around the hall, carefully looking for a sign of Charlene and trying to avoid any unnecessary distractions. A few ticks passed and he caught a glimpse of her. She clearly didn't fit in this place. Contrasting the barely dressed courtesans, she wore a long dark dress, leaving only her hands and neck bare and hiding the rest of her chubby form. Her face was sweet and innocent; not that fake innocence that was meant to attract the patrons with such fancies. She had a true and sincere aura of purity about her.

"Don't look around love... I'm all you want...I can be all you need tonight.."
A breathy low voice grabbed his attention. He barely caught a glimpse of Charlene retreating to the upper floor..
"Shyke!"
"Oh you like some dirty talk ? I can be very dirty" The harlot's fingertips run down his arm and she stroked his neck, giving him the shivers. She smelled like honey. He couldn't help but wonder if she tasted like honey too. Her gown was tailored to complement her lean figure and perky breasts. That petching siren would mess things up. He stared at her angrily. But her charms had already worked and he was already wanting her.
"Petch off" he hissed.
"Are you as tough on the inside as you are on the outside? " she inquired winking, and her hand caressed down the back of his neck. He thought he might as well enjoy her offer.
"As hard as it gets!" he growled with a joy he couldn't hide.
"Then why don't you come inside.....upstairs... I mean." she playfully said and took his hand. She led him towards the staircase, and he was unable to resist..



_

(edited a few typos)

[Gregory]

Gregory stood next to Charlene and her brother keeping watch as they were talking silently to each other in some cloistered of part of the immortal pleasures. Gregory was still wondering how somebody as innocent and friendly as her could be in any way related to that serpent off a mistress. Or how his mistress even found the heart to loan him out for her protection while they still found a place to move her towards. He didn't know why she was in danger and quite honestly he didn't really give a damn. His mind was busy enough with scanning the room for threats of all kinds. Finding threatening people wasn't that hard in this place. Everybody and his cat knew that the immortal pleasures whorehouse was a good place to find some scum if you wanted somebody gone. But finding somebody who was actively aiming for him to kill them. “Gregory.” He pulled his attention away from the crowd and looked at the man. His mistress' brother. “Would you please escort my sister and me to upstairs? She is tired and needs too rest.” “Yeah, sure. Lead the way and I'll watch your backs.” He grunted back. The man said his thanks as he helped his sister up and lead her towards the stairs. Gregory followed them. Keeping two or more steps behind her as he followed them upstairs. The few whores and people still walking around on the upper floor and not working behind doors gave them not more then a glance at the fact that two men were following a single woman. Gregory guessed they would have seen stranger things around here. They entered the room and Gregory closed the door behind him. Leaning against the wall right next to it, keeping his hand on his dagger in case of trouble. He just watched as the man helped Charlene into the bed and pulled up a chair next to it. Once again starting up a small conversation that gregory politely ignored. Wasn't any of his business and he had a job to do.

[Daegron]

_


"What am I to to with you.." he thought...
Her voluptuous figure was swaying and he could not help but watch her seductive dance in ecstasy. His pulse raced and his breath went uneven as she passed in front of a carefully placed lantern. Her gown was transparent for a moment and the sight of her delicious curves would make any man growl with pleasure.It was as if he was hypnotized by the gentle and wide motion of her hips. She would occasionally look back teasingly while leading him through a long corridor. The lighting was dim and the odours were stronger, almost intoxicating. Behind countless doors, he could hear muffled moans of pleasure, silenced cries of pain, laughs and whimpers and anything in-between.

She stopped and turned around to face him. Her expression was a sweet promise of sin. Her hands were swiftly wrapped around his neck and she leaned forward. AS her body brushed on his, he leaned closer, wanting to taste her lips. And so he did, feasting hungrily on her sensual kiss. And when his hand grabbed her thigh, he felt it. It was a sharp sting on his index finger that shook him from this pleasurable slumber that he'd chosen to surrender into. She was armed. A small dagger whose tip had just scratched his hand reminded him of what he had to do. And as painful as it was to leave from this magnificent slave's charms he had to do it. There was time for pleasure aplenty after the job was done. The kiss abruptly stopped and he pushed her violently against the door. It was the only way to break free from his urges. A thud and a groan. And then a surprised smile on her full lips.

"Much as I crave your body, love, I am not here to have fun.." he whispered with gritting teeth. The word "love" was filled with contempt.
"You will tell me where Charlene is. You will be rewarded for your trouble and you won't ask any questions or make a fuss about it. Not a single word to anyone, you hear me ?"
His tone was menacing and his angry stare was penetrating.
" She's unavailable honey...closed. I am wide open and waiting she responded with a playful wink. But there was a subtle hint of fear and a bit of hate in her tone, that Daegron managed to notice. It was clear to him that this harlot had no sympathy for the woman he was looking for.
"Where is she ?" he growled and placed a small pouch in her hand. She pointed to the end of the hall.
End of the hall, third door to your left honey... and please come back to me when you're done.. she said and snatched the pouch, retreating into the room.

As he walked down the hall, his chant began and grew. From a whisper to an angry growl with every steady step and each passing breath. And as the words flowed and covered the sounds of struggle that came from the rooms he passed by, he reached inwards and drew a part of his essence. And as his djed flowed around his body, through veins and bone, forced by the beating of his heart, he made the change. The bones in his arms condensed and hardened while muscles bulged and strengthened. Layers upon layers of dry skin were formed and spread all over his torso, arms and hands, till the surface hardened like the bark of a tree. His knuckles thickened and grew outwards. Like mountains they rose, tearing the skin, exposing white bony spikes.

By the time he'd reached outside the room where Charlene was, the jagged fists were ready. He'd sacrificed a bit of his agility to gain much needed strength. He may need to fight in there, and he was almost eager to. His chant stopped as he grabbed the door knob and pushed the door open. He was ready for anything, and careful; but what he saw in the room was very different than what he expected to see...


expensesa sum of 5 GM in silver coins deducted from ledger


_

[Gregory]

Gregory Caught the door handle as he saw it move. “Room is occupied asshole. Find another room to screw in.” He shot through the door. Much to his annoyance and fear of the two people he was supposed to protect. Whoever was on the other side of the door just continued. Gregory did his best to hold the doorknob for a while and keep the intruder out. But he was just too strong. Almost unnaturally so. He thought back to Miro, the frail man who punched with the force of a falling boulder. Was there another man like him on the lose. He knew that he couldn't win and let go of the doorknob. “What are you doing!? Don't let him in.” They both screamed in terror as they saw the humanoid creature standing on the other side of the door. Dry leathery skin. Bulging muscles and bony spikes were pushed through his knuckles. Gregory didn't think about his next action. He just saw a human opponent and his body moved in response. He took a quick step closer to the creature, getting face to face, though since the creature was a good eight inches taller then him it was more face to torso. He reared back his fist for a rather obvious punch aimed at the creatures face. Only to try and smash his knee straight in the creatures groin with all the force he had. Hoping to take him by surprise. As soon as he did that move he tried to back away out of the thing's reach. His mind already racing for a reason why this thing got inside the brothel. Why was a thing like that even here? Was it a hired monster to kill the woman? Could a monster even be hired? Greg pushed those questions out of his mind and got between his charges and the beast. Scowling at it with the most hateful and angry face he could muster.“You are one ugly vagik.” He said as he spat at the creature. “You got ten seconds to surrender and explain what the petch you're doing here.Or I'll rip your nuts off.” He wasn't entirely sure if the thing even had nuts to rip off. Or that he could even accomplish that task really. But he was willing to try. He cracked his knuckles. “So what will it be?” His two charges were huddled together a few feet behind him, having taken cover behind the bed.

[Daegron]

_


"Shyke !" he exclaimed as a wave of pain spread from his groin upwards, stopping the Morpher on his tracks as he tried to force his way through the door and into the room. That petching little bastard knew well what he was doing. It was a very good feint and a sly attack. If he hadn't covered himself with this ugly thick hide, then the full force of the blow would bring him to his knees. And if that bastard had a bit of a better aim and wasn't so eager to keep his distance, a pair of nuts would be pounded into mush. His opponent was short, unkempt, rugged and fast. Rage burned inside Daegron's mind; an aspect of his explosive character combined with the frenzied influence of his shifted Djed. His chant was growled louder, reminding of a torrent of incomprehensible curses as he moved into the room.

What was happening in the room was not something that one would see in a place like this. The short one was more like a bodyguard and the other two were not really doing what people in brothels do. What sort of a twisted play was happening ? Could there be more to it than the obvious ? Such thoughts stayed in the Morpher's mind for the briefest of moments. Things were going to get rough.

Behind the bed, Charlene and what seemed to be a well-dressed and chubby man were cowering, huddled together. The rest of the details escaped Daegron's otherwise keen eye, for now. Curses and threats were ignored and he walked forward, his hand running along the edge of a small table. A heavy bronze candlestick was on it, and Daegron's leathery and rigid hand was swiftly wrapped around it. It was snatched and then thrown straight to the man who dared to stand in his way. Despite the sheer augmented force behind it, it wasn't a very good throw; it's purpose was not to hit the man, but to get his attention while the Morpher would close the gap between them. With a series of quick steps, as quick as his heavy figure would permit, he followed the candlestick's path with his right hand raised for a crushing fist that threatened to pierce it's target's skull, while his right hand was clenched ready to block or grab any stray limbs that would extend his way...


_

[Gregory]

Gregory scowled as the creature just swore. Ignoring his threats. It could talk though, so it probably was a smart thing... Not something natural either. Was he fighting against a smart monster or some kind of twisted mage. But could mage's even get twisted like that? It wasn't a question he could mull over for a long time as the large creature threw a heavy candlestick at his head with a lot of force behind it. He managed to dodge it by moving to the side. The stick heavily crashing against the ground, splintering the wooden floor a bit as it scraped across. He didn't pay the piece of furniture any more attention then he absolutely needed. Eyes off your enemy meant it could get a shot in. Gregory saw the creature rearing up for a feint. He took a step back and let the punch sail past him He really didn't want to take a punch from that guy, judging from the force he managed to to throw and those spikes on it's knuckles. Getting a hit would most likely lay him flat on the ground at the very least. Either way, he didn't know if he could win against this guy just with his hands. It could take multiple of his punches and kicks. While he didn't know how many punches he could take from him. Probably a lot less then him. Luckily he just needed to stall him till reinforcements could arrive. He doubted this brothel was completely without security. He took a few quick steps backwards and grabbed a nearby chair, throwing it with all his might at the things legs.

[Daegron]

_


The spiked fist didn't land on it's intended target. Instead it flew right past the man's head, it's menacing arc barely missing the connection that could prove enough to end this little fight. Despite the seething rage built up inside him, Daegron enjoyed a good opponent and the chance he had, right now, to hone his more brutal skills, perhaps even work on his speed. But there was no counter-attack that followed, just another retreat. His opponent seemed to be intimidated by the terrible transformation and was trying to avoid a direct confrontation with the monster that he'd become.

A chair that was curiously pulled next to the bed, was grabbed and tossed at his feet. As if the short man was desperately trying to buy some time. Daegron's feet, unaffected by the earlier shift, were still quick and he managed to sidestep barely in time to avoid a damaged knee; the force of the throw was dangerous, but luckily just a chair leg painfully brushed against his left shin. That would leave a good bruise. The Morpher grinned wickedly at that pathetic attempt and the quick realization of an important detail. The supposed bodyguard seemed to have forgotten something about his charges; they were right behind him and he had no more room to retreat to or manoeuvre. He was cornered, just like the weaklings he was protecting.

The Morpher kept on growling his ominous chant as he stepped closer. The threats aimed at him previously seemed like a joke. His hands rose again in a guarding position and his fists were clenched. A couple of hits would be enough to dispose of this nuisance, and he was determined to take a few in return. His shaped thick skin would protect him. Even the man who was holding that whore close, desperately attempted to rise and confront him with his shaky knees and soft wealthy hands.

"Please, stop ! I have a baby!"

What was that? Charlene rose on her feet, and Daegron finally noticed her huge belly, now protected by her hands as she faced the attacker with more grit and courage than he'd ever seen before. Her voice was clear and echoed in the Morpher's mind, bringing the monster to a halt. The desperate yet fierce protection of a mother who was willing to do anything to protect her precious child. Something that even his own mother had never shown to him, the kind of love that he was denied. He was the hated little bastard, scorned by his own. But this little one had a chance to be loved and cared, and no matter how envious he felt about it, he could never take that love away from it.

Then, another thought crossed his mind. Why hadn't his opponent seized the chance ? Daegron was dumbfounded for a moment and the man could easily use it to turn the situation into his own advantage. But he seemed to be looking behind the monster's back. There was a familiar clicking sound and before he could turn around and see for himself, something scratched his leathery shoulder. The projectile was deflected by the hardened surface, flew past the bodyguard's head and barely missed Charlene, landing on the wall behind her.

It was a crossbow. And it's wielder disappeared behind the half-opened door. No, these were not guards or authorities; if they were, they'd enter and apprehend him. There was a moment of clarity in his head, unaffected by the morphing magic's twisted rage. Daegron's instructions were vague; they wanted her gone. But it was clear now that the mission was given to more people. And these people had murder on their mind. He wasn't one to just surrender and let others get the reward. He wasn't one to steal a life of care and love to a child. A strange idea was formed on his mind while hearing the crossbow's string being pulled back for a reload. He'd protect her. Very unlike him, but he'd make sure she disappeared, safe.

His gaze fell on the man who had confronted him mere moments earlier. He was quick and strong and he'd make a fine ally for now. Hopefully his duty or work was more important than this little brawl they had started.

"We'll finish this later, you and me... for now you need all the help you can find" he said to him, his voice was more humane at last, yet raspy as ever. He then turned to Charlene and spoke:
"You're lucky I found you first... we need to move, NOW"

He turned his back and came face to face with a man at the door, aiming a small crossbow at them, and trying to figure out whom to hit first; Charlene was safe behind the Morpher's wide shoulders. But was the short man fast enough to stop that new threat?

oocHe's yours, mate ! there's more waiting outside though


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[Nemesis]

Daegron

Knowledge :

Skills

Skill	XP
Brawling	+2
Interrogation	+1
Intimidation	+1
Morphing	+2
Observation	+3
Planning	+1
Rhetoric	+1
Seduction	+1

Lores

*A Job of Elimination
*A Mother's Protection

Micellaneous :

Injuries

*None

Loot/Expenses

*(on train with limited access to Internet - will update this bit soon!)

Gregory

Knowledge :

Skills

Skill	XP
Skill ???	+#
Skill ???	+#

Lores

*???
*???

Micellaneous :

Injuries

*??
*??

Loot/Expenses

*??
*??

____________________________________________

Notes

*I love your descriptions, Daegron - so thorough, I can really picture the scene!
*Shame this thread didn't get completed, it would have been interesting to see where it ended up :/
*Greg, if you decide to return, send me a PM and I'll update your grade for you.

Feel free to PM me with questions, comments, or concerns, if you have any.
Also, remember to either delete your grade request or edit it as 'graded'.
Thank ye!