Closed Underestimated Target (Gauge Barlow)

[Amora Jade]

Season of Summer, Day 55, 513 AV Sunberth had been experiencing some very humid temperatures for the last week or so, making it difficult for many people to stay outside for too long. The lack of a crowd made if difficult for Amora to properly conceal herself after snatching a change purse or two off an unsuspecting victim. It didn't slow her down much though, she had an uneasy craving for more coin that could only be cured from dishonestly earning them. Since early morning she stalked the streets and alleyways in search for a change purse that would actually be worth getting into some trouble over. It has been awhile since she first sat down on the dirt against a wooden building. Many people had come and gone, but none had anything worth taking. A few were very intoxicated and put on a good show that kept her sitting in the same spot until the sun was nearly at the top of the sky. It was becoming more and more aggravating with each moment that passed, making her contemplate leaving without a reward for the day, until she saw a very well-dressed man enter the area. He was standing with a slight hunch, no muscle covered his bones, and he didn't appear to have anyone with him. Watching him, she began to become excited over how easy a steal this would be. The man had a terrible limp and coughed disgustingly every now and again. He had to have seen at least sixty summers and there was no way she could imagine that he could possibly defend himself. A change purse hung from the back of the belt that held his long coat shut. The coins were pressing against the side and the purse itself looked to be fairly heavy. Unable to wait any longer, Amora pushed herself onto her feet and dusted herself off. A small crowd of drunken people were passing by, it would be the perfect cover. Without another moment to spare, she forced herself into the crowd while they stumbled and stomped in the old man's direction. Once they were close enough she quickly reached her hand out and grabbed the purse, her heart racing with excitment. All she had to do was keep in this crowd until she could relocate behind a building. The plan was perfect, and it seemed too good to be true. That it was.. before she could take another step after gripping her greedy hand on the change purse, the old man grabbed her wrist with deathly force and pulled her away from the drunken people. His grip began to get tighter as he glared at her with his icy dead eyes. "How dare you, Scum?!" His words sent a chill down her spine and she lost her breath. All she could do was helplessly stare at him and contemplate her end. He had screamed something else at her, but she couldn't tell what it was due to the heart beat in her ears and the fact that he was speaking in a language she didn't understand. With his right hand, he reached into his coat and pulled out a short sword, placing it's cold metal against the sensitive skin of her neck.

[Gauge Barlow]

Gauge pushed open the door of the tavern, the light pierced his eyes forcing him to squint and lift his hand to shield his face. Due to the heat of the humid summer day. he was bare-chested, exposing his tattooed skin to the jubilant rays. Taking a drink from his half empty bottle, he took a stumbling step forward to greet the filthy city he had grown to love.

There weren't many people out; that was one of the first things he noticed as he pushed himself to move forward, and then came the shouting. Oh how he loathed the shouting, no doubt an argument between some merchants that were too afraid to settle their dispute like men should. The shouting ceased quickly, to his surprise. He was interested to see if innards had spilled on the dirt streets and he glanced over to see some old geezer with a beautiful girl in one hand and a sword in the other. It only took a moment for him to see a glowing opportunity, and perhaps some grateful companionship for the night.
Staggering a little, he trudged toward the two of his interested, inebriated, though not enough to complete impair his judgement and motor functions. The neck of the bottle was clutched between his fingers, closing the distance fast as he picked up into a light run. As soon as he was within arms length of the old man, Gauge swung the end of the bottle down with as much force as possible, a loud, hollow pop filling the humid air. The sound of glass colliding with bone was a wonderful sound. His assault clearly caught the old fool off guard, as he lurched over with pain, releasing the girl. Before he could retaliate, Gauge swung the bottle at the old mans skull once again, only this time the bottle smashed with the blunt force, blood gushed from the open wound it created.

Shards of glass protruded from the face that old, wrinkled hands clutched at desperately with agony. The dirty maniac held no expression upon his visage as he landed the last blow with the broken bottle to the old mans head, leaving long lacerations and possibly permanent damage. "Leave the fuckin' girl alone," was all Gauge spat out. Regret was instant to the geezers face as he turned to flee, to his own surprise that the violent man wasn't attempting to stop him. Gauge let the old man leave, satisfied with the brutalization scarred upon him. The broken bottle was tilted, gushed with blood and remains of facial meat for the rats to pick at.
Turning toward the girl, he merely asked, "You alright?"

[Amora Jade]

It had become obvious she was going to die, and she expected the metal of his sword to separate the skin of her neck at any moment. Bracing herself, she became ready for her fate. When the old man was struck, he pushed her causing her to fall to the ground. It took her a moment to realize that she was okay. Amora watched as he was struck again, it made her stomach churn and she jumped up to her feet and stepped back. The person helping her scared her more than the other man had and she just stared at him. There was a lot of blood on the ground, more than she enjoyed seeing. It made it difficult for her to keep her composure as the newcomer turned and spoke to her. He was covered in tattoos and had a pungent smell of alcohol. It always made her nervous to be around violent drunks, especially since there wasn't much she could do to defend herself. It took her a moment to respond, considering she was still trying to figure out what exactly just happened. "I'm fine.." Her voice cracked a bit and it was barely audible, she wondered if he could even hear her. She tried to take another step back, but she backed into a fence. Instead of running like the coward she was, she stood there frozen in her fear.

[Gauge Barlow]

Gauge stood silent for a moment, devoid of expression as he watched the girl back up into the wooden planks, squeaking in response to his question. He wondered if she was disappointed in the fact that he hadn't killed the old fool for harassing her. Wanting to bring a little light to his deed towards the perceived disappointment, he lit his face up with excitement, "Did you see that?!" He spoke rather loudly, with a small jump of excitement.

Wiping some of the sweat from the hot day off his forehead, he looked at the gnarly remains of the broken bottle, reminding him he had to get another to celebrate his nicely done act of chivalry (or what was to him, at least). Maybe she would forget that he hadn't killed the man and still be inclined to repay the debt.

[Amora Jade]

His shouting caused Amora to jump, and scared her a bit more. Of course she had seen it, everyone in the area had seen it. Even though she was in danger and he helped her, the fact that he could have easily killed him made her uneasy. Still, she didn't want to disappoint someone who could hurt her. "Yes... thank you." She studied him, looking to see if he planned to be violent towards her. At the moment he looked excited to have hurt that old man, and maybe even that he did actually help her. She had to be grateful, no one else would have dared to step in at her assistance. Calming down a bit she started to breath slower and fixed her composure.

[Gauge Barlow]

Feeling a bit more patient with the girl Gauge smiled and moved into her personal space, putting his left hand on the wooden fence. "You look a little stressed.." pausing for a moment to meet her gaze "why don't we go have a drink and talk about it?"

Gauge was doing his best at capturing her attention. Lifting his right hand Gauge used his brushed knuckles to lift her face up, speaking as dulcet as he could "What's your name?"

(OCC: Gauge is by no means charming in the normal sense. He's trying to use his intimidatingly violent act as a substitute for seduction, attempting to pressure Amora into doing what he wants, even though he's not being openly hostile towards her.)

[Amora Jade]

His sudden intrusion into her space had her even more uncomfortable than she was when she had a sword to her throat. Amora didn't enjoy being very close to people, especially those who she didn't know and frightened her. His breath smelled of the drink he had recently, and she knew he probably wasn't in his right mind. The fact that he smelled of alcohol and was suggesting that they go have a drink made her want to laugh, but she wouldn't dare with him so close to her and able to hurt her. His hand coming towards her face made her flinch slightly. Normally when someone moved like that they were about to grab her by the throat. "A drink sounds good.." After all, she hadn't been to the tavern in a couple days and was in some need of stress relief. "Jade... My name is Jade." Her family name is all she felt comfortable reveling to strangers, her personal name was only given to people she knew and had some level of trust for.

[Gauge Barlow]

Satisfied with her answer, Gauge grabbed Jade's hand. "Good," he remarked, his eyes promising the danger that would follow. Nudging the bloodied bottle out of their way with his boot, he led the way into the tavern, with Jade still in his vice grip. Once inside, the heat intensified dramatically; the sound of drunken chortled filled the dusty room. Looking about, he wanted the table he was at before he had stepped outside. He noticed another fellow had taken his place. With a sigh of annoyance, he marched towards the table thief. There were empty tables, sure. However, Gauge wanted that one, for an, albeit, stubborn reason that couldn't be justified in the real world.

Once Gauge was towering over the man, he lightly kicked the leg of the chair the man sat in to warrant his attention. "Leave," Gauge spat with authority in his tone. He was running out of kindhearted deeds for hand out, and this was certainly going to be his last. The half-drunk man looked up at Gauge with a goofy, toothless smile. "I think not friend," he whistled between his molded gums. Gauge's eyes turned to ice daggers as the man refused his 'request', his lips formed into a tight frown. With a hard, unblinking stare, he undid the metal clasp to his leather belt, wrapping several inches of its length around his fist, leaving the buckle some slack to dangle freely.

[Amora Jade]

Her fear boiled inside of her as the man took a firm, painful grip of her hand to drag her to the tavern. Amora was sure not to put up a fight in fear of her own life, she'd wait to do that after a couple drinks were in her system. Expecting to go in and just sit down at any empty table, she was surprised and terrified that he challenged yet another man. Having seen enough death for one day, she had to intervene. She stepped in front of Gauge and smiled at the drunken man at the table, "I'd really like to sit here, so if you don't mind" She motioned with her eyes for him to leave, hoping the slight seduction in her voice would convince him to do so. It might cause an uneasy situation for her with that man later, but at least it would keep him alive. The man laughed sickly and stood up, wobbling a bit, "Anything for you lass." He winked at her as he walked away, his voice sure that she'd return the favor later.

[Gauge Barlow]

Gauge glared at the drunken fool as he stumbled away, if he wasn't so invested in Jade he would have been more then happy to help with removing the rest of the mans teeth.

Taking his seat Gauge whistled at one of the bar wenches for drinks. Gauge stared intensely at Jade as the cheap ale where being delivered. "You don't look like a slave. So, you owe that old prick money, or do you just make a habit of getting your head chopped off?" A moment after he spoke the wench brought there drinks, Gauge eyed the busty lass and winked at her before taking a drink of the bitter ale and returning his attention to Jade. Leaning back in the crude chair he couldn't help but eye her as well.