Solo Darker Designs

[Matthew]

50th of Winter, 513 AV. It had taken much too long and way too much focus, but didn't all magic? The simple act of slowly spinning Djed from his lips had caused a dull throbbing to start in his head, and the throbbing had only continued as he weaved and stretched the shimmering strands. He had to use Auristics to fully see the shimmering Djed that he created for Shielding, and that only caused the ache to increase. He was extremely careful about the amount of Djed he burned from his inner being, making sure only to use the exact amount that was needed each and every time. At first he had wasted Djed, not using enough to produce the desired effect. He had learned over the years though, and now here he was. If anything, the harlot was extremely careful when it came to magic. He had chosen the safest disciplines that he could, and he still sometimes regretted choosing them at all. He wasn't so sure if he could have survived in Sunberth without magic, though. There was no use in complaining about it now. After producing the shimmering strands, he had then taken about a bell to correctly apply it. It simply involved painting the material over his physical being, but he also had to concentrate. He had paused to take a meditative state, and after calming himself and slowing his breathing, he had repeated one thought over and over. He had to task the Shield, and this was how he tasked it. With plenty of time and effort, all thought dedicated to giving the shimmering strands their purpose. He had meditated for that whole bell, lost in his own world as he had slowly rubbed the Djed over every inch of him. He was eventually covered, though the shield was thick in some places while being thin in others. It was still enough to deal with the rain though. Grabbing a cloak that he rarely wore, he had wrapped it tight around him and pulled up the hood. Stepping out into the freezing rain that blanketed Sunberth tonight, he had stopped and waited for a few ticks. Rain poured down and soaked through his cloak, but it never reached his actual clothes or flesh. It had worked. Holding his hand out, he watched as the rain appeared to hit his skin and slide over and off, but he never actually felt the freezing touch. This was the first time he had actually successfully tasked a Shield. How very interesting. Glancing up at the cloudy skies, he turned on his heel and stepped into the dark streets. He had an appointment tonight. He walked quickly through the dark roads, sticking close to the walls of local businesses and sticking to what shadows he could see. His head remained bowed as he moved, but he kept his ears open. He didn't want to attract attention, and he was just one of multiple dark shadows to creep alongside of run-down buildings. He did however want to listen, and listen he did. Listening was the first part of Intelligence. He always had to listen to the city, to the sickening heartbeat. He had to breathe in the stench and involve himself in it, soak in the veins and let the blood course around him. He listened to whispers and shouts, memorizing what names and facts he heard. It was nothing different that what he heard on most nights. Brega, the Hound, the Daggerhands, the Myrian, all things that had been rotating through the lips an ears of almost all the Sunberthians. He kept listening though, even as he stealthed through the darkened corners. He didn't stop listening until he saw his destination in the distance.

[Matthew]

He quietly slipped into the House of Happy Endings, throwing the hood of his cloak back and glancing around. A few of the girls saw him and smiled, knowing him by his face. He had something of a reputation among his fellow whores. There had been the threesome, which wasn't that huge of a deal in a whorehouse. But then there had been a threesome with a Myrian, and that had certainly turned a few heads. If anything, the noises that could be heard from the Scarlet Sanctum whenever Matthew was on duty certainly helped the rumors make their rounds. That was good. He even added to a few of the rumors on his own. Rumors were a part of Intelligence as well, and he needed as much practice as he could get. He would need it in the end, especially if anything ever went wrong. So far though, people only knew him as the whore. The [b]talented[/i] whore. Moving through the House, he re-opened his ears and listened. Many of the same rumors out there could be heard in here, though his name had now been laced into the whispers. Another interesting thing he noticed was the giggles about a handicapped customer. A ruffian who couldn't speak, apparently? Perhaps he had taken a hit to the head when he was young. He had enough of his wits about him to come here for pleasure, though. Shaking his head as if trying to clear his face and hair of water, he noted that water droplets actually did spray from him. That was a nice detail. While the clothes underneath the cloak wouldn't appear that wet, the rest of him did. His hair was obviously dry, but he could blame that on the cloak. It wouldn't fool someone looking for trickery, but it would fool someone who didn't think to look for anything. Glancing around the gaudy innards of the House, he eventually laid eyes on a familiar face. Isme was nearby, and she had just caught his eye as well. She gave him a smile and a wave, and he quickly headed in her direction. "Isme. A pleasure. Would you have more time to practice tonight?" He returned her smile, tilting his head and letting his eyes glimmer with heat. Even if it wasn't required, he still threw in a bit of allure. This was strictly professional. Making silent promises of horribly dirty things, he simply watched as she smiled and skillfully returned the promises with her own stare. Whores weren't often seduced. He had noticed that they sometimes appreciated the gesture. Isme quickly shook her head no, turning from a flirtatious smile to a frown. "No, I can't. Not right now. I was just purchased, by the retarded one." She tilted her head toward a rather tall brute of a man, waiting by the staircase with a dull sheen to his gray-eyed stare. His tongue was hanging out slightly. He must have been the one that was being whispered about. "But he only paid for a few chimes. I should be done quickly, then we can play." She winked at him, leaning up and planting a kiss on his cheek. He nodded and turned, heading to one of the couches in the common room. He kept that flirtatious smile on his face, tossing heated glances and a few playful winks here and there. The other prostitutes responded in kind, but didn't approach him. They were familiar with Matthew and what he was here for. He found his favorite couch in the common room, a plush one with barely enough room for two that was fashioned in a horrid shade of red and purple. He sat gracefully and lounged, watching and listening. That was the first step, always the first step. Watch everything and listen to everything. He just had to get skilled enough to pick out the useful information.

[Matthew]

Brega soon approached him, as he had expected. They had talked in private a few times. The idea was that Matthew was working for Ruby, trying to scoop up a certain amount of dirt on Brega or perhaps steal some of her business. In working for Ruby, he would work at the House every now and then and pretend like he was doing it behind Ruby's back. In reality though, this was just a ploy. He was a double agent, actually working for Brega. The owner of this House didn't have any other ulterior motive other than to use Matthew to net a few extra Mizas for her business. She didn't even see Ruby as a threat, which Matthew actually felt that he understood. He didn't see Ruby as a threat either. She was too focused, so much so that her vision had become narrow. Perhaps she was stringing him along though. Perhaps Brega was stringing him along. He wasn't sure. He was more weary around Brega, though. The woman intimidated him, and that was saying a lot. He usually didn't feel intimidation. He could feel it with her though, gnawing at the edge of his stomach. He almost instantly turned on his Auristics when she came near, zoning out for a moment so he could focus long enough to draw the Djed to his eyes. While it would take a bit more time and focus to actually flicker all the surrounding auras to life, he could multitask. Only a little bit would be required for now. He didn't know why he used the magic around her. It just made him feel better. The dull throbbing of burning his Djed returned, but it was a small price to pay for peace of mind. He had to remain cool and calm around Brega. This was another part of his Intelligence. Gathering information was something he had been practicing, and he came to trade information with Brega. It was nothing of importance, he had no doubt that Brega held those sort of things close to her chest. No, it was just practice for the both of them. They would try to find a new piece of gossip to surprise the other with, all while leaning close and whispering in each other's ear. It all looked very intimate to an outside viewer. Brega halfway on Matthew's lap, arm around his shoulders, lips lush on his cheek as she slowly and quietly spoke. He was half-turned so her breasts settled firmly to his toned chest, an arm around her curvy hips and a firm hand holding onto one side. A pleasured smile was on his own lips, their eyes staring into the other as they whispered. An act of seduction to mask an act of intelligence. How very smart of the pair. He had no doubt Brega had done it before. Brega was actually a very nice woman. She was a mother to some of the whores. He had no idea why he felt so wary around her. Ticks passed as they talked, and then suddenly Matthew realized something. His eyes suddenly sharpened, lashes rapidly blinking. Brega paused as well, eyes searching Matthew's, noticing that something was churning in his mind. Her stare asked the silent question, and Matthew answered as he rose. "Isme has been gone for more time than her customer paid." He was off, moving through the ground, swiftly making for the staircase. Brega was up in a hurry as well, heading in a different direction. She was a shrewd woman, and she could tell the situation might need back-up.

[Matthew]

Isme's wide eyes turned towards him as he burst into the private room. She had drool dripping from the corners of her opened wordless lips, and veins bulging from her neck to her temple. The large brute had his hands wrapped around her throat, and as he turned to survey the new guest, Matthew noticed that his tongue was hanging out. It wasn't a sign of lust. He was simply unaware that his slimy tongue was falling from his mouth. He was a retarded brute, in the purest sense of the word. Mute and dumb, but apparently smart enough to know how to kill a woman. Or perhaps he was just enjoying himself in a matter that Isme hadn't consented to? Whatever the case, it didn't matter. Planning and intellect blurred through Matthew's mind in the blink of an eye, the harlot moving forward in a few ticks. The brute seemed surprised, letting out a questioning sound before Matthew was suddenly atop him. Kaie's lessons blurred through his mind as he attacked, shoulders slightly rising and feet squaring to a stop, waist twisting as he struck out in a snapping motion with a curled fist. His beginner of a blow smacked the brute on the chin and the monster didn't even blink. He let go of Isme though and slowly turned, another questioning noise leaking from his throat as he reached a meaty hand towards Matthew. The harlot was lucky his reactions were just as slow as his mind. He moved, not at all familiar with what he was about to do. Hidden steel flickered from his body, a slightly long dagger blurring forward. He slashed haphazardly, the weapon horribly unfamiliar in his fingers. He had just started carrying one around. He had no idea how to use it. He was lucky in the fact that he managed to open a ruby red line across the brute's outstretched palm. The thug blinked, stared at his hand, then stared back up at Matthew. Then the harlot was suddenly crumpled onto his knees, and not a single breath of air was left in his lungs. He had been hit and he hadn't even seen it. Pain blossomed through his body and his lips gasped for air. Saliva dripped from his opened lips and black spots swam before his eyes. Isme screamed in the background and the giant brute roared with fury. His mind had caught up. He now percieved Matthew as a threat. Inside, Matthew ran from the pain and the darkness. He had to stay awake. Stay calm. The air will return. Do not panic, that is the first reaction. Never let yourself be taken over by a reaction. Quickly, move, he will strike again. His mind was well ahead of his body. He barely had time to begin carrying out his actions before a meaty hand gathered him up by his throat, lifting him into the air. He was dangling, choking, a hand lifting to grab at the claws locked around his neck. He reached for the Djed inside of him with some level of desperation, trying to surge it through his veins, trying to flood it to his eyes. He tried to use his magic, blue eyes sparking as the harlot attempted to send a Hypnotic flash at the brute. Either he failed or the brute didn't react to it. Isme was screaming again and Matthew was suddenly flying through the air, his quick mind filled with thoughts, plans, and tactics. It didn't matter though. It didn't matter at all. A sickening crunching sound echoed through his ears as he hit the wall, crumpling down to the ground. Nothing broken, he was just missing a lot of air and in a fair bit of pain. His medical mind quickly accessed his situation, summarizing his injuries in a blur. He wasn't broken, but he would break soon. His bones were creaking. He still had the knife, could he use it? He sluggishly lifted it, but it was quickly slapped from his hand. The brute was upon him. A boot slammed into his stomach, folding his body into the corner of the room. He was being beat to death.

[Matthew]

He crawled away, and the thug was more than happy to let him. It prodded him with his boot, nudging his groaning ribs and aching stomach. Something was going to get damaged on the inside, at this rate. He swirled his magic again, reaching deep within his stomach while the thug was confident, summoning as much of the Djed as he could and swirling it to his eyes. It took him a few seconds, but right as he managed to reach his dagger and grab the hilt, the sweet sensation of the buzzing Djed leapt to his eyes. He hissed, the magic actually managing to ease the pain a bit, filling him with a different sensation. Even in pain he still had the sense to moderate himself, focusing on just enough magic to send a single flashing image. The thug roared as an imaged danced before his eyes just briefly, giving Matthew enough time to stagger up and lunge out with his dagger. He didn't put much thought into the blow, knowing he had no knowledge about the blade that he could put to use. He just lashed out, praying he had enough time to make it before the thug recovered. A meaty paw outstretched, the blade puncturing the palm with a wet pop, also effectively bringing the blow a stop. Matthew clenched his teeth, realizing that his distracted attempt at magic had been far too weak and short. Isme cried his name in the background, but he knew it was much too late. The brute roared with demented glee and threw out a huge fist, aiming to smash Matthew's face in. His blow faltered and fell as a sword cleaved through his skull, suddenly ending his life in the mere blink of an eye. Brega stood tall in the doorway, arms crossed and eyes flashing with rage. Her hired mercenaries were both behind her and in the room, one of them being the source of the thug's sudden death. She gingerly stepped over his now cold corpse, cupping Matthew's face in her hands and whispering soothing words to him. "You did well, Matthew. I won't forget your bravery, and I doubt Isme will either." Even in the midst of all his pain he had half a mind to shoot her a sudden and flirtatious wink, groaning out about how she knew he liked a little pain with his play. She chuckled, patting his shoulder, soon moving on to check out Isme. The mercenaries cleaned up the mess, removing the body and even coming back to clean up the pool of blood that had been left. Isme was in tears, babbling thanks to both Matthew and Isme. No one was paying close enough attention to see the brief moment where all the pain, fear, and shock vanished from Matthew's face and was replaced by those cold blue eyes. The icy stare watched as the brute was dragged off, then vanished back into the previous expression as the corpse vanished from the room.

[Matthew]

A few days before... Matthew handed the killer-for-hire a small purse of coin, blue eyes studying the thing he had purchased. The brute couldn't speak, but apparently he understood money and requests for violence. He had used grunts to demand more money, but Matthew had promised him the rest when the kill was complete. It was only after Matthew had mentioned that the brute would be able to petch the whore before he killed her that the man seemed enthusiastic to complete his job. The harlot had given him the time and the place, instructing him on how purchasing Isme for a night would allow him a private moment to kill her. The mute had been all too impressed by the plan and had happily gone along. Perhaps he wasn't thinking straight. Perhaps he was blinded by lust for sex and blood. Perhaps Matthew's hypnotic magic was pushing his mind to the right sort of place. Whatever it was, the first event was now planned. It was a small detail, but a detail that would gain him some trust once it had been completed. He would need to act, to show as much pain and desperation as possible on his normally passive face. He would have to hide that it had all been planned from the start. He was just lucky the brute was slightly mentally challenged as well as completely mute. His unspeaking lips would never be able to betray the one who had betrayed him first.

[Zandelia]

Matthew :

Skills
Planning – 3
Intelligence – 4
Dagger – 3
Acting – 3
Tactics – 2
Observation – 4
Shielding – 1
Auristics - 1
Meditation – 1
Stealth – 1
Unarmed – 1
Brawling - 1
Hypnotism - 1

Lores
Shielding: Rain Ward Task
Ruby Vs. Brega: The Double Agent
Intelligence: Using Seduction As A Cover For Data Transfer
Rigging To Be The Saviour
Being Beat To Death For A Gambit

Other
Injury – Bruised Ribs – 7 days full recovery

Brega will now trust Matthew more, revealing more intimate but not 'dangerous' information about herself. Well done

Notes :

Beautiful Matthew, beautiful. Now this is the kind of shady dealing I like to see. Give me your brain. Keep it up!

Any questions about my grade? Feel free to PM anytime. Keep Writing!