CHOCOLATE DESTINY

"Man, dese muhfuckahs don't know how ta quit, do dey?" exclaims Ali, impressed with the ghoul's resilience.

"Well anyways, Bararaum dum dum," chants Ali, invoking the power of Crunk on the ghoul's crawling torso.
[Get Low activates on the ghoul, immobilizing it]

Ali sends the Cook and Daliu Ayime to fetch some rags, ropes, and bandages to gag and bind the ghoul. One Coterie member helps him hold the ghoul down. He then slices off its hands and carves out its teeth, taking care not to be grabbed or bitten by the ghoul. The other two Coterie members keep watch.

"Why me? I didn't even fight the guards at the manor?!" she whispers to herself as she runs off in another direction to look for the monsters.

The ghoul appears to be unaffected by Ali's chant. After a few minutes of being clawless, toothless, and bound, it stops moving.

Skuld spots a speeding covered wagon with a ghoul latched on the back. It rips the canvas and clambers inside.

She runs after the wagon ,when she's next to it she tries to jump on.

Success. Skuld peers through the hole to see the ghoul grappling with two women, while a child screams behind them.

She climbs in, punches at the ghouls spine a few times, then tries to throw him out.

Amos ventures into inner Enarou as quickly as he cautiously can. He tries to observe the ghouls' movement patterns.

("Clearly they hunger for flesh, yet they ran past the gate guards. I have no clue what or who might be directing them to act strangely but maybe investigating their behavior will clue me in.")

Amos finds two slain ghouls, one dismembered by sword in a side alley and the other getting run over by carts in the street.

Skuld steps into the cramped interior and starts punching.

The member 'Corenat Rovarnus' has done the following action : Dice Roll\'d

'fudge' :

The tangle of bodies twists and turns, and one of Skuld's punches ends up hitting one of the women in the gut. In their brief lapse of concentration, the ghoul bites down on her shoulder.

As soon as the monster bites down on the girl, skuld forcefully rips the monster off her shoulder then jumps out the wagon dragging the monster with her.

Sinews and flesh sticks in the ghoul's teeth. Skuld and her opponent hit the cobblestones below with a hard smack, incurring several bruises on the living.

She struggles to get up to her feet muttering "I'm too old for this shit." When she finally gets up she draws her sword and stabs at the monsters skull until it stops moving.

Amos tries to save the ghoul on the road. Once restrained by cloth rags it might be a useful experiment subject.

Ali



Ali stares at the unmoving lump of flesh that the ghoul has become.

"Well, I was gonna have Lucas check dis monster out, but I guess it reached its limit," says Ali, as he kicks the torso absentmindedly. "I still don't know where the fuck dem monsters came from."

Suddenly a thought strikes Ali. "These ghouls can survive some nasty shit doe," he says, stroking his chin. "If I took one back to Daddy's Royal Priests, they might be able to craft da Potion o' Immortalitayyy." The Lil' Prince holds Zulfiqar up to the light. The prince's sword glimmers in his hands, as the swirling patterns on its surface grow ever so slowly, each new mark signalling the Swaggafid king's eventual demise.

Ali narrows his eyes. "Daddy is a stubborn old man, still healthy as ever, yet the ancestral blade of prophecy says he gon' die. Somethin' ain't right. Someone's tryna assassinate him. Dat's even mo' reason for me to slay one hundred princes. Those small-time faggots, in their toy-sized kingdoms, tryna hold back the Great Swaggafids? Not on my watch, nigga. I'll take all their fuckin' heads, search their kingdoms for da Potion o' Immortalitayyy, and bring it back to Daddy. Then he'll have no choice but to let me marry mah main squeeze."

Ali looks around and sees that all of his companions, besides Lee Gray, have disappeared.

"Where dat monstah-slayah at anyway? A.D. was screamin' somethin' to him, but he ran off, and now it looks like dey both gone." Ali throws his hands up in exasperation. "Shit, Nigga! I was just tryna kill a Baron, and now all hell breaks loose. It's about time to get to da bottom ah dis. Let's go, Graybeard."

Ali and his party follow the horde of ghouls towards their final destination, hoping to find a clue.

Daliu

Daliu Ayime pokes the fallen ghoul with the short branch that he acquired for self-defense. The rotten flesh succumbs with a nauseous squick. Daliu looks up at the Cook, a mixture of anger and confusion in his eyes.

"Will I ever become like this, father? A mindless beast destined to die on the street at the hand of some hero?" Daliu looks with scorn at the Lil' Prince, who stands resplendent in his swagg. "That hero trussed up the woman ghoul when she couldn't even stand. He carved out her teeth and sliced off her hands. Even an immortal creature would want to die at that point. He's so heartless, I bet he would throw us away to save his own hide. How can you stay with him, Father? How can you know that you're safe?"

The Cook shakes his head and grabs Daliu's shoulder. "My son, do not insult The Prince. He is a man that deserves our respect. He carries the bloodline of a Kingdom older than all these small countries combined. I have never followed a fool, and The Prince is no exception. It is true he would sacrifice us if necessary, but that is the way of things in the Desert Lands. All Swaggafid royalty are forced to spend their first 10 years in the barren desert, to weed out the weak. Those who survive treasure their life above all else. That said, let me show you something..." The Cook lifts his tunic, exposing a long white scar across his back.

"Back when I was a slave, my master would go hunting every week. When there was no game to hunt, he would force his slaves into the woods and hunt them instead. One day, my master was chasing me on a horse, and had slashed me across the back.

"The Prince's caravan happened to be passing through the forest. I had gained some distance on my master, so I ran up to the caravan and begged for help, pledging my eternal servitude to The Prince in exchange for protection. The Prince heard my pledge, and judged that it was good, so Ali (peace be upon his name) struck my master right off his horse. My master's army descended from the hills, surrounding The Prince's tiny caravan on all sides. He could have let them execute me, and continue on his way undisturbed. That would have been the LOGICAL thing to do. But the Prince is not a slave to logic, and he does not run from a fight he can win. So vast is his power, that he destroyed the army and sacked the castle as well. Many in his Coterie were hurt, but The Prince received the heaviest wounds of all.

"That is what it means to serve The Prince, my son. Your unquestioning loyalty, for his unmatched, illogical protection."

The Cook gestures at the ghoul. "I will never let this happen to you, my son. You are but a child, lost in this vast world. My body and soul, though pledged to the Prince, will always shield you from harm until you find your way. As The Prince protects me, I will protect you."

"No!" screams Daliu, throwing down his stick. He grabs The Cook's shirt and squeezes it tight in his fists. "I cannot accept this, Father! You should not give your life to The Prince, if he will not risk his life for yours. It's not right, it's not fair." Daliu sniffles and mumbles a plea to The Cook. "We could run away. We could leave this crazy life behind and farm the land, like my parents used to..."

The Cook looks forlorn, and a tear forms in his eyes. He kneels and pats Daliu's red hair. "My son...I did not know you were so unsatisfied with this life. I am sworn to The Prince for life, but I will do everything I can to find you another home when we leave this dangerous town-"



Daliu shakes his head. "No, Father. You are my only family, I could never leave you. If you must stay, then so will I." He looks at his father, his eyes burning with RESOLVE. "If you must risk your life, then SO WILL I." Daliu picks up the branch and grips it with both hands, raising it high above his head. "I will become stronger, Father. Stronger than you, and The Prince. Everyday, I will train this body until it can fight and protect you."

The Cook stands there, speechless at his adopted son's new-found confidence. But, however strange it might be, The Cook cannot deny the pure RESOLVE in Daliu's eyes. The Cook dabs his tears away and begins in a solemn voice. "My son, I am happy that you have chosen your path." He takes Daliu's branch away and replaces it with a sword taken from a fallen guard. "I understand your resolve. Now take up this steel and feel the weight of your decision."

Daliu and The Cook continue with Ali and the party towards the center of Enarou.

[Daliu will be training his strength, dexterity, and swordsmanship at all available times, and receives a boost to stamina due to his amazing RESOLVE]

After the monster is slain she drags herself away, dragging her sword in the ground mumbling to herself. "Why wont this world let me see them again..."

After a few moments she walks over to a nearby wall and sits against it, closing her eyes and resting.

Lil' Prince Ali, Lucas, Lee Gray, and of course Daliu Ayime arrive at the town square. People are moving faster than usual on this fine day. Skuld rests in a nearby street, with no ghouls in sight.

Amos wraps up the road-killed remains, getting strange looks from the passersby.

Realizing the creature was dead before he could even properly package it he abandons the body in the street and moves along trying find Ali.

After resting for a few minutes, she gets up and heads to another area after doing a quick search for aanymore monsters.

"Looks like we at da spot now, niggas," says Ali. He observes his surroundings, and the movements of the ghouls, and the people running from them.

Amos rejoins Lil' Prince Ali, who does not see much in the way of ghouls. The ones taken out by Skuld and Lucas account for most of the number that made it into Enarou.

A haughty woman dressed in elegant blue robes enters the square. As she approaches the Coterie, one can make out her high cheekbones and the insignia of a spotted wood thrush emblazoned on her shoulders.
"You are the man known as Ali, correct? I would like to hire on you and your cohort, if you are interested."

Seeing nothing she heads back to rejoin ali and the others.

Amos steps forward to speak:

"Yo' lady, I'm really happy for you, I'ma let you finish, but it sounds like you want us to do some bitch work for your spare change, probably related to protecting whatever assets you have left in town."

As she approaches Ali and Amos, Skuld sees the woman they are talking to, more specifically what she is wearing, then turns and leaves before the three see her.

"Great a merchant is here, and when there's one of them, militart guards are sure to be near." She sighs. "Guess I need to move on, and fast...although if i pick a fight with them, they could give me what I want." She mumbles to herself as she moves through the city.

Before putting any thought into the haughty woman's proposal, Ali does a very detailed, and completely necessary, appraisal of her hot/crazy index.

She is also wearing a silken brown shawl making her body more difficult to appraise, but Ali places her at (7 hot, 5.5 crazy) on the matrix within a +/-1 margin of error on both axes.

"What a bold assumption," she coos in response to Amos. "Ali, does he belong to you? May I buy him?"

Her crazy index ticks up to a solid 6.0

"I don't have a price tag and I certainly don't share the reverence of Ali's coterie."

She heads towards the exit of town, headong through the marketplace to lose anyone trying to follow.

(Would be best that I left, I don't want them to get caught up in my troubles, specially Ali could be disastrous for his country.)

Ali smiles. Finally, someone who can understand his lifestyle. The time honored Swaggafid method of maiden-appraisal delivers no conclusive results, but Ali has been starved of booty for far too long to care.

"Gurl, I got 1 problem, and only 99 bitches to satisfy it," he says, flexing his muscles as he swag walks toward the lady. He gets close enough for his impressive bulk to radiate body-heat, and his fingers toy with the edge of her shawl, slowly tracing their way up to the wood thrush insignia on her shoulder. "How 'bout you be my 100th?"

Daliu Ayime, however, is suspicious of this new woman. He prods Lee Gray, Amos, and Lucas. "Do any of you guys recognize her? She looks too rich to be a local merchant in my town." Daliu and Coterie scan the surroundings for any henchmen or allies of the robed woman who may be hiding in wait.

Gray whispers the origin of the woman into the ear of Daliu Ayime, careful not to draw attention to himself.

"Shes not a kind one, that's for sure."

Her eyebrows rise. "Interesting...I'm inclined to take you up on that offer, but I shall be leaving soon on an important business trip. Unless you would be willing to accompany me?"

The Coterie spots a man and a woman wearing buttoned-up jackets that bear the thrush sitting on a nearby bench. They give the occasional glance your way.

After spotting the henchmen, and hearing Lee Gray's warning, The Cook whistles a portion of an old Swaggafid marching tune, his voice blending in with the town ambiance.

Ali's ears pick up the familiar tune, which was universally understood within his Coterie to mean that "dangerous people were nearby".

His hands move down to the woman's back and waist: still seductive, but ready to crush her at any time. He slowly spins her around, scanning the background with his peripheral vision for the henchmen that his Coterie have alerted him to.

"Dat sounds like a mahvelous idea, my lady. I'm Lil' Prince Ali of the Swaggafid lands, as you seem to know. What can I call you? And what's a pretty little thang like you doin' here all by yoself?"

Coterie make no obvious moves, but prepare to protect their liege. Daliu Ayime's hand inches towards his sword.

Skuld reaches the western gate, before she leaves she takes one last look around for anyone suspicious thats following her.

"You've got some phenomenal timing don't you? Coming to a nowhere town plagued with refugees and now monsters. You had business here or something?"

She looks into his eyes and replies with a breathy drawl. "I'm glad you think so, my noble prince. My name is Estelle of the Hylosiklon line. I did not come alone, some of my most trusted family servants are accompanying me. As you and yours shall very soon."

Estelle glances at Amos. "You see, I am merely passing through this hive, on my way to greater and grander ventures. What little business I had here is finished. Although I should like to sample more of their tilapia."

@skuld: Divergence initiated https://churchofproz.forumotion.net/t1349-chocolate-destiny-maple-syrup

Amos whispers to Daliu and the Cook:

"Greater and grander huh, sounds like a villain to me."

"Da pleasure is all mine, Estelle of Hylosiklon," croons Ali. "And yo trusted family servants must be dose two on the bench ovah there," says Ali, pointing to the thrush-jacketed pair.

"Don't be shy. Come on ovah." Ali motions for both Estelle's henchmen, and his party, to come over to where he and Estelle are standing.

"Now," says Ali,"what are these greater and grander ventures you was talkin' bout?" Ali tries to coax more information out of Estelle, using a Social Perception check to draw good assumptions where solid information is not provided.

Estelle nods. The two walk over and stand to either side of her.
"What a sharp eye your highness has! I am bound for the capital city Domiente, to negotiate some very lucrative trade contracts with some of the high lords, and perhaps even the king himself. If all goes to plan, the Hylosiklon Group stands to make a great fortune, and valuable allies. We may even be able to help these poor wretches in Enarou."
Ali perceives that she is mainly interested in personal greed and gain.

Ali grins internally at the thought of beheading royalty, but decides that it's smarter to keep his Quest hidden for the time being.

"A just cause fo' a noble merchant group, mah dear lady. And why did you come to Lil' Prince Ali fo' help? I am known by all bitches, but I ain't never advertised fo' no contract work."

[Social perception check again]

Estelle slowly slides her hands over the Lil' Prince's impressive musculature.
"Why, isn't it obvious? You are a prince, a man amongst boys. True strength and courage are hard to find in the men of this day and age, and if there's anyone I could count on in these troubled times, it's you."
Ali gets the feeling she actually does not know very much about him.

"So you merely need added protection for your business in the big city?"

"Yes, dear pet. The road there is long and dangerous, and traveling there is much safer together."

"Again, not a pet. Not yours at least."

Estelle pouts. "Does that mean you won't be joining us? Don't tell me you actually like it here."

"Oh FUCK! There's a much more interesting lady I need to find, peace out lady."

Amos runs off to search for Skuld.

An imperious looking guard confronts Amos. "I am sorry sir, but double posts are against the law," he says, and confiscates one of them.
Amos looks all around town, but does not see any sign of Skuld.

"SKUUUUULLLLLLDDDDDD!!!!! WHERE ARE YOU!"

"Time milady," the male bodyguard prompts.
Estelle backs out of Ali's embrace and withdraws a timepiece from her robe. "Ah, I'm afraid duty calls. Make any travel preparations you need now, and meet me at the north gate in one hour."

Ali slaps her ass hard enough to leave a mark, establishing dominance. He then bids Estelle and her party farewell.

She squeals at the slap, and her bodyguards start, but she waves them down and they walk away.