Completed [Tall Johnny's] A Re-Introduction

[Kreig Messer]

Spring 5th, 518 AV, 19th Bell It was strange to be back in his old home after so long. To even call it home felt odd upon his tongue, it had been years since he called Sunberth home. A lot changed, a lot didn’t, but overall Sunberth was still Sunberth. It was reassuring in a way, yet not. ‘Typical’ Kreig thought. To feel like an alien in his own city of birth, to still know how it works yet now that knowledge felt that of an observer rather than of one who lived and breathed the rotten air of this ruined city. Even if he looked like one of its people with his old, tattered garb and his own course tongue, inside he knew that he’d been changed by his experiences outside. One thing that hadn’t really changed about him, something instilled within him by Sunberth, something that was the basis of Kreig’s very being. His ears were struck by plethora voices coming from the stands; their cheering voices not simply one wishing the best of the competitors below, but a demand. It was a demand for their money’s worth, a demand for blood, a demand for one to be left standing and the other face first in the dirt and not necessarily breathing. He lucked out really, wondering what he’d do for a living while back in Sunberth. Tall Johnny held the answer. Kreig was no stranger to Tall Johnny’s establishment, having fought there a number of times. When he made his way to the Berth it was one of the first places he visited. It was one of the few buildings in Sunberth one could call proper. He had simply visited out of curiosity, but somehow that ended with him landing a place to stay, to store his possessions, and a way to make ends meet. All he had to was do what he did best; Fight. It didn’t matter if he won or lost so long as he did that. So long as he gave the gamblers and spectators a show worth every Miza spent at Tall Johnny’s establishment. Kreig ran his hand through his hair at that. Silently laughing that no matter where he went, it seemed people always like to watch a good fight. Syliras, Zeltiva, Kenash or whatever… they all had their little audiences wanting to see some blood spilled on the floor. His hands were bare as were his feet, a ratty pair of breeches was all that protected his decency. He could feel the dirt beneath, he didn’t have imagine the bodily fluids that spelt upon it. Suffice to say it was hundreds. “LADIES AND GENTS, YOU’VE ALL GATHERED ABOUT FOR ONE THING AND ONE THING ONLY: TO SEE SOME BLOOD!!!!” The voice was booming, someone to hype the masses and further increase their blood loss. Whoever it was did the job well as the an unanimous roar echoed around and above the caged bit. So much so that Kreig for a moment thought the metal fences actually shook for reverberation for a moment. “ Tonight we got a treat for you. Oh yes we do. On one end we got ourselves a so-called Son of Sunberth, someone who went petch off for so many years is now back in his hometown’s bosom. Anyone who remembers this brat will remember the messes he made. IT’S KREEEEEIG MESSSEEEEER” Either they didn’t care or they actually recognized him Kreig didn’t know, all he heard was more blood-calling cheers. He couldn’t help but grin; if they did happen to forget him well… he’d make it stick into their minds, just they wait. “ On the other end, you’ll know this fellow for his big steps, big gap toothed grin, his odor, and the very bodies he’s left strewn about on the Pit’s floors. ITS TRAVISSSS GROGHSIIIIIRE” Kreig’s eyes fell upon said brute of a man, for he was a man despite his height. Muscular and hairy, gap toothed and smelly and standing at 6’4” meant this man would go hardly go down easy, oh but what a sound would he make when he did. “ Will the so-called Son of Sunberth be one the many bodies Grogshire’s dropped to the Dust Bed? Or will Kreig cut him down to size?” As Kreig and Travis’s eyes locked, Kreig’s grin grew wider and wider while Groghsire’s focus became more and more menacing. His blood was pumping, his fists were itching, he only needed to hear the magic words…. “FIGHT!!!”

[Kreig Messer]

Travis moved, and by move what was actually meant that he moved like a runaway carriage carrying tons of lead-filled barrels. The titanic human feet quickly stomped upon the dirt, displacing it with each step as he closed the distance between Kreig and himself. Kreig’s eyes widened in shock, evidently Travis wasn’t the type to show off and simply opted to get right into the thick of it. Travis’s movement was quick, with it his arms were outstretched and ready to grapple or to throw a heavy punch with his meaty arms. Both potential actions were dangerous, unwanted, something that even Kreig didn’t have quite the confidence of withstanding and he’d fought Akalaks, Myrians, and a heavy set knight with a sledgehammer. In the briefest of moments, he saw Travis’ left shoulder shift and so he ducked quickly just as a heavy haymaker passed by over his head. Kreig felt a breeze pass over and most definitely not a gentle one at that ‘Oh yeah, ain’t lookin’ forward that. No Sera no.’ With what brief allotted to him, he shifted to the large man’s side and pulling something right out of his boxing training as in his crouched position as he bent his elbows and rotated his torso and hips to strike at the mammoth man’s right side to deliver a heavy gutshot. His knuckles connected with the hairy man’s side with a resounding impact, but whatever results Kreig hoped for didn’t show. Not even a flinch. ‘Petch, best pull-’ His thought was quickly interrupted as Travis’s left hand that had went for the swing now resting a palm upon Kreig’s cranium, then pressing it in a vice Kreig gasped out in pain as in an instant the heavy man lifted him by his skull with his left and with his right gripped upon Kreig’s pants and with a mighty throw tossed Kreig aside a good distance away. He plummeted and rolled upon the ground, landing upon his back and bouncing once or twice till he stopped and was upon his shoulder. Groaning in pain, he tried to move before Travis could come over to stomp him flat. The sounds of Travis’s footsteps said he hadn’t much time though, and so he rolled out of the way Just in time to avoid a meaty foot. In that quick moment as he moved to his knees he lashed out his leg to sweep Travis off it while he still had the giant even slightly off balance. His effort was rewarded as he heard a surprising ‘yelp’ from Travis who crashed onto his back with a loud thump. This allowed Kreig not only a single moment for his bearings but another opening to capitalize and he could grin even as his joints ached. Leaping onto the big man’s chest, Kreig threw his fists in a series of punches at Travis growling face. First he pulled his right fist, curling it up in a ball and bringing it down like a hammer twice upon Travis’s cheeks. Then he pulled back his left to do the same, getting one punch in but on the second he found a hand gripping his through, constraining his breathing as his owns fought at Travi’s arm. Slowly, Travis had Kreig off. Slowly, Travis had Kreig in arm’s length. Slowly, Travis had Kreig lifted in the air. Then in one moment, his left hand was upon Kreig’s face. In one moment, Kreig found himself slamming onto the ground headfirst. Pain shot through the back of his head, travelled down to his pine and into his back. In his mouth he felt the taste of copper, his own blood. Kreig, in his daze, thought one thing. ‘ This….is what I’ve been missin’ ’. Then he bit the skin between Travis’ pointer and thumb.

[Kreig Messer]

He bit deep and hard, Travis’s blood mixing with Kreig’s own as they gathered in his mouth. Flesh stuck in his teeth as Travis roared back grasping his wrist as he looked at the bloody miss between his two fingers. Shock, anger and confusion running through him and most importantly…. Briefly removing his attention from the one who angered him. ‘ Petch’s sake on a shaft, I ain’t ever goin’ man eater’ He thought as he got up to his feet, stumbling back slightly as his head dazed. Shaking it with that bit of flesh and blood still in his mouth, not wanting to swallow it as he had an idea for them. He was still of sorts though and so Travis had his attention back on Kreig as he stepped closer and loomed over Kreig. Travis made a mistake there and not capitalizing on Kreig’s moment of weakness, perhaps thinking smaller, younger man all but done. With his unhurt hand he gripped Kreig by the throat, ready to strangle Kreig to death. He deigned to give Kreig some final words “I’ll enjoy draggin’ yer petchin’ ass off an buryin’ it me self you skank petchin’ lil-“ In that moment Kreig spat out the contents in his mouth, blood and flesh flying out to land in Travi’s eyes. With a stinging pain he dropped Kreig onto his feet, blinded and grasping at his eyes leaving his abdomen open. Kreig threw his punches then, aiming a straight punch into Travi’s abdomen right into the solar plexus, the unprepared giant unable to brace off the blow as the wind was taken out of him. Then Kreig stepped to the side and rotated his elbow brought back in for a hook punch to the guts right to the liver. Then bringing his two hands together, he raised them up as Travis hugged his stomach in side with his form bowing over, slamming them directly over his head and for once the Giant was the one to kiss dirt. Kreig grinned, having the most fun he had in a while! Two opponents, willingly in a match potentially to death, risking permanent injury to each other with no one but themselves ultimately to blame! It was exhilarating and he relished it all like a bottle of gods forsaken wine! He brought his right leg back and struck at Travis stomach. And then again, and again, and again, until on the fourth strike he found that Travis had grabbed onto his leg, grinnig viciously as he moved up and flipped Kreig back onto aching gods damned back. “Oh shyke!” He let out as he landed and pain spread out through his spine. That was followed by a good stomping on his stomach, taking his breath as well as pushing out the contests of his stomach mixed with his blood. Obviously, Kreig’s digested food did not taste good a second time…nor did his stomach acid. As Travis brought down the second stomp, Kreig brought his palms together and dulled the impact though his hands hurt like a Hai prisoner who bent his rear. With no solid footing for the bastard, Kreig pushed back up and force Travis to once again be off balance and making the large man land on his bum. Shakily Kreig stood back up, threatening to go back down even as he emptied his stomach. As he wiped his mouth and lifted his head to see a fist flying towards him, about to knock his block off. ‘ Well bugger’

[Kreig Messer]

It was Ovek’s favor that allowed the hit to pass by however, as Kreig tumbled slightly unintentionally out of the way and Travis’s aim was off due to his still messed up vision assumingly. Kreig counted this blessing, as he stepped forward inside and close to Travis. The man’s very body hair nearly tickling his face, causing mischief to form in Kreig’s mind as his hands darted up and grand a couple handful of the body hair. With a sharp yank, Kreig tore off the hair from the giant’s body leaving pale skin behind that reddened from being forcefully bared of the dirty strands. Kreig let go of the strands part of him disgusted with himself for even grabbing that hair. Of the people who have the lower consideration for hygiene in Sunberth, Travis was definitely the one at the bottom. Still, it did its job as Travis paused in shock, stinging pain, and heavy dismay. Kreig used this moment to uppercut him right in the chin, knuckles connecting hard as the giant stumbled back his mind all a jumble. Oh yes, the audience would bet their puckers that Kreig would cash in on that. Kreig stepped forward, his left hand darting forward in a straight cross right point center on that tub of muscles petching face. He heard a satisfying crack as teeth broke and were forced loose, a fang embedding its point on Kreig’s knuckle before dropping loose. The tub still stood though he was about fall back, so Kreig’s hands darted around Travis’s head, forcing it back as he head-butted the bastard on his nose. Another satisfying crunching sound as cartilage broke and blood spilled. But Travis had his own defiance in his and he returned that headbutt right upon Kreig’s brow. In his daze, Kreig didn’t doubt that tomorrow, the next, and right after would be days he wouldn’t even budging from that mattress. He stumbled back now, his perception blurry but eyes sit on Travis as his nose let out a strange sound of distorted breathing, blood dripping his nose and mouth with whatever mucus and saliva. Kreig sure felt no better than how Travis looked. He was sure if he ever fall again he wouldn’t be standing right up, and with Travis about he wasn’t sure he’d be standing up ever. Kreig moved forward as did Travis, Kreig swung, as did Travis. Kreig’s fist met soft flesh, Travis’s didn’t. In fact at this point his vision was so blurry from the focused pain in his head. Travis’s form went unconscious, falling over to the side with a loud thud. Kreig was standing there, breathing heavily, sweat trailing down upon his brow, blood and vomit his mouth and he was even more blood was tracing down his forehead. The back of his head hurt, his back hurt, his gut hurt… Ohh the morrow was gonna being shyke-poor, but ohhh it would be damned worth it. “ GROGSHIIIIIIRE IS DOWN! YOU SAW IT FOLKS! GROGSHIRE HAS FINALLY DON A PEG!!! AND KREIG MESSER, HAS PROVEDHIMSELF AS SUNBERTH’S BLOODY SON!!!! GIVE IT UP FOR THE PETCHING SON OF SUNBERTH!” The cheers reached his ears, not all of ‘em good as plenty had bet against him. Those disparaging comments only made Kreig grin as he looked up, raising a fist as he looked like a vicious mongrel that just had a good piece of high-grade meat. “That’ll teach those daggercocked tossers to bet against me” He said, then immediately regretted it his head ached with the words leaving his mouth, he wasn’t if what he said was even intelligible. He turned his back, making his way out as he walked the way he came in. Once he was out of sight, Kreig rested his head against a wall. He was trying to gather his wits and not just ball over unconscious even though he really really wanted to. As the adrenaline drained from him, all his aches came at him at once. He fell to his knees, panting heavily. This was the price for his excitement, but it was worth it. In years this was the first time he felt himself breathing and all it took was a tussle. Bringing himself back up, his eyes fell to meet the gaze of the well-dressed form Tall Johnny. It felt gentle in a way, though Kreig was sure that was just him thinking it. The corner of his lips lifting to a gentle smile. “Well, well, Kreig. I see your bite and bark are still up to par. That’s good, I’m glad I took a risk upon you” Kreig said nothing, he couldn’t. No strength in him to do so anyway, just a nod. A burly form moved from behind Tall Johnny, one of the guards of the joint no doubt, setting himself besides Kreig and setting an arm over shoulders to give support to the fighter “Now, I take care of my people Kreig. Let none say otherwise, you’ve earned your bed, you’ve earned your pay, and I shall be sure to keep you up to par so that you may fight again. Now, lets see about bandaging you up shall we?” Kreig smiled wickedly, and took it as cue to pass out. Before that he cemented something in his mind, he didn’t know if Tall Johnny was as kindly as he seemed to act…. But the manmade clear that Kreig made himself an asset. And assets, Kreig knew, were to taken care of with utmost care. Another he cemented, and this was more important, was that he found it real god to be back home.

[Madeira Dusk]

Grades Awarded!

Don't forget to edit/delete your grade request!

Kreig Messer

Skills

• Observation: 2xp
• Intimidation: 1xp
• Unarmed Combat: 3xp
• Boxing: 3xp
• Endurance: 3xp
• Logic: 1xp

Lores

• Tall Johnny's: good to be home
• Intimidation: smiling to intimidate
• Endurance: withstanding pain
• Unarmed Combat: fight dirty
• Tall Johnny's: assets are cared for[/url]

Awards & Retribution


Notes
This was the first time I've had the pleasure to read one of your threads. And my first impression is damn that Kreig scary. Enjoy your grade you barbarian!

Don't hesitate to PM me if you have questions about your grade, or feel I've missed something.