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“The tea… it does taste different now.”

Bragdus idly mused to himself as he sipped from the porcelain cup. Adjusting to the body of his former master Mormel had proven… awkward and there were still many things he was getting used to. Manipulating objects with hands instead of tentacles and having to move around using legs was far more exhaustive than he ever thought possible. Still the great irony is that he was most baffled by how different everything tasted.

Yet there simply was no time for him to reflect on this new physical form. He had made a huge gamble by swapping bodies with Mormel, an act that nearly killed both of them, but the payoff had been spectacular. Not only was he enjoying a newfound level of power and freedom but his swift actions allowed him to secure his long sought after prize.

“Specimen Zero.”

With a chuckle Bragdus glanced towards the locked door that led to his makeshift dungeon. Inside Kezrin was securely tucked away until he could obtain all the materials he needed to resume his experiments on her. Materials he needed as quickly as possible because her friends were no doubt stubbornly looking for her. In fact that demonologist Zurom and his elf disguised draenei friend Iceia very nearly stopped him from abducting Kezrin in the first place.

“Meddlesome tosspots…”

With a sigh Bragdus pushed the dinner he had been enjoying aside and slid out of his chair. Only once before had he been this close to success but that ended in disaster thanks to a rag tag group of friends. Even now Bragdus got shivers whenever he reflected on the scowling face of that elf Ellua as she struck him down during their duel. These were people Bragdus would not underestimate again.

“This is my second chance and I will not let them stop me!”

Overall, things were miserable.

No more running away.

That had been the mantra Kezrin had been repeating to herself lately, and so far, it hadn’t paid off at all. What had it gotten her? A week before, Moradinel had nearly sold her to a warlock, if not for Telirra’s intervention. That should have taught her then.

If she’d simply gone home the moment things had started going sour at the Homeland dinner, perhaps she wouldn’t be stuck in a dark cell who-knew-where. But no, she had to be stubborn and stick it out… even as the place started to fill with warlocks and their demons…

Kezrin shuddered, tucking her legs in close. The cell was dark, but it was silent. Her nightmares were never quiet.

The silence was comforting. The first few hours she’d been trapped, she’d been too tired and nauseous to really feel any panic. Being ill had strangely acted as a shield against the growing sense of terror creeping into her thoughts. Now she had to actively work on staying calm, relying on the skills she’d developed to push aside stray thoughts. It was easier to do in the silence with nothing to distract her.

She sighed, and not for the first time, tried to tell if Grit were nearby. She’d developed a sense for when the sand elemental was lurking nearby, but it was gone now. The goblin closed her eyes and concentrated on calling for him. “If you’re anywhere nearby, I could really use some help right now…”

There was a deep rumble in reply. Kezrin jolted up straight. That certainly wasn't Grit.

“Hello? Is someone there?”

Nothing. She fidgeted nervously. There was nothing but silence and the dark.

“Whether light or dark, we’ll always find our mark....” Kezrin hadn’t meant to say the words, but they slipped passed her lips without thinking. She sighed and curled back up into her corner. Her friends would find her.

”Anytime, anywhere…”

“Maxmiz was right, never give a dirty backstabber a second chance and especially not a third.”

Rhazin mutters to himself in the workshop at the merc camp he set himself up in, thinking back to his teacher from the days in the cartel. One who unlike him would’ve locked Bragdus in a lead crate, filled it with cement and dropped it into the ocean long ago. And that may be considered one of his nicer ideas by many in the gang. Yet these days Rhaz wasn’t into dealing out really severe punishments unless needed. Running the Boutique and Bar with Mormel reminded him he learned more than how to be a thug but also a businessman, proven in his attempts at negotiating between their current supplier, Trenetir. Those lessons he had to thank his dad for but right now the time for talk is over, least for multi-eyed body snatcher riding around in his wife’s body!

He frowns as the spanner nearly goes flying outta his hand, quickly looking around to see if anyone noticed, relieved that the others working round him act like nothing happened. Finishing a few last adjustments on several scopes, missile splitters, and various parts, he clocks out pondering whether to get a drink or two. Glancing to the tavern he doesn’t immediately head. Instead pulling out a list, checking off the last thing asked of him before given leave to fix the latest mess he was in. Gotta thank having a few favors from past jobs lying around when you need them.

“This time, no mistakes.”

Turning away from the tavern he instead heads immediately for the barracks and changes outta his work gear into his armor. Adjusting the pack on his back he says a few goodbyes to his buddies, wishing them good luck and save some of the trouble for him. He ponders getting a few to come, but right now with reports of activity in Highmaul they would be needed. Though no doubt they’d come running when needed, so just lucky he helped setup their way to contact and keep tabs on each other when needed. But right now he made his way over to the flight master and takes a quick flight over to Zurom’s garrison where he’d be staying for a while. Especially to keep his gal company while she’s stuck in that observers body.

“This time things are gonna stay fixed for both of them.”

Looking out at the sky as he jumps on the rylak’s back he ponders how Kezrin is doing. Hoping that she’s at least doing ok despite being wherever she was taken by Bragdus. A frown crosses his face as he lets the beast take the intended flight path, adjusting course occasionally. Inside he tries not to let the guilt of letting Bragdus stick around when he first reappeared eat at him. Yes he did it for Mormel, but he always suspected that the demon was up to something. This time he’s gonna let Ellua do what she does best with no complaints, after making sure everything else is secure.

Zurom sat in his new office inside the town hall of his garrison. in front of him where a three maps of areas of Dreanor. One of the North Eastern Corner of Frostfire Ridge, One of Auchindoun and its surrounding Zone and Finally one was to the entire Shadowmoon Valley.

While in Dreanor Zurom had is own plans but they would have to wait he left the maps out on the table but turned his attention to the matter at hand. He had failed to stop the abduction of Kezrin and blamed himself, he was right next to her and he still let Bragdus win. Zurom had a feeling Bragdus had not changed after all he had sided with Dar before in the past, saving that wretch from the payment of his crime. Zurom had enough of theses games packed his satchel with a 3-4 grimoires, two enchanted soul stones filled to the brim with fel magic and a old beaten up copy of the Lament of the Highborne. It was time Bragdus had paid for what he done, theses that refuse honor must answer for their crimes. "First Bragdus then we can get back to our original plan here, Glory to The Sindorei". With that her finished packing his satchel .

Nazxia however had other ways of preparing herself he was relaxing at the local tavern with a much, much, much more relaxed demeanor. "I just hope they do not kill that spider eyed tentacle ball before I get what I want out of him. Oh well if if they do he can come back, demons can not be killed for long on the plan of mortals.... actually that gives me an idea," Nazxia cackled to herself with delight as sure sipped a mug of badlands bourbon, she seemed to know what she really wanted but did anyone else?

‘Never question the items on the list.’

That had been one of Zenik’s rules when Renzly was growing up. The older she'd gotten, the more her father had excluded her from any of his work, except for doing all the legwork and the occasional 'odd job' that was easier to solve with a dagger than a spell. Not that she particularly cared to know the various uses of bone dust; it was enough that she knew where to buy some. The knowledge was coming in handy after being contacted by a strange goblin who needed some 'special' supplies.

The little shop in the corner of the Tanaris market had made some improvements to its facade since the last time Renzly visited; the cracked stone slab had been replaced, and a freshly painted sign hung above the door. The windows still boasted the same faded pictures of heavily made-up goblin women, however, and displays of various sized bottles of creams and lotions, except for one addition.

New Item: Ageless Beauty Cream
Made with Essence of Youngblood.

A bell announced Renzly’s entrance to the beauty shop. The inside was cool and protected against Tanaris’s dry heat. A dark-haired goblin woman older than Renzly's mother, yet stunning enough to make one believe youngblood might be real, graced Renzly with a smile from the sales counter.

“Come in, dear, come in. Oh! Well if it isn’t Ren. Long time, dearie.”

“Hey, Lolly. Business good?”

“On the up-and-up, I assure ya. A new day spa opened up and I’ve gotten an exclusive contract to provide their beauty products.”

“Sounds good.” Renzly leaned against the counter with a grin. “But you’ve still got time ta deal with us small time enterprises, ain’t ya?”

“What can I get ya, dear?”

Renzly slid a paper across the counter. It wasn’t the full list of materials that the mysterious goblin had given her, only the items she knew Lolly would have on hand.

It would take a few days to complete the entire list, and a couple of the more obscure items Renzly knew from experience that she would have to collect herself. At least none of it would take her to Dustwallow. She’d gotten rather tired of trudging through marshes.

“Hmm, hmm,” Lolly murmured. “Now, prices have gone up since the last time you’ve been by. And those vials are goin’ ta cost ya.”

“Can’t have gone up too much with how well you’re doin’. Can’t be hurtin’ for cash. And aren’t those vials made locally?”

“But with business doin’ so well, I got more people askin’ for my goods, plus the added cost of keeping those 'Hello Maggy' spies away. And the glass for the vials is local, but reagents ta enchant ‘em properly ain’t.”

The haggling went on for several more minutes. The final price was slightly higher than Renzly had gotten in the past, but not unreasonably so.

“Come back this afternoon,” Lolly said. “I’ll have everythin' ready by then.”

“Great.”

Renzly paused before leaving, struck by a sudden thought. “Hey, Lolly. I got one more item.”

“What’s that?”

“How much extra would it cost ta toss in a jar of pimple cream?”

“Depends. Ya interested in curin’ pimples, or makin’ them?”

Renzly grinned.

"Dang it" Swizelle thought to herself as she ported back to her small room in Booty Bay above the leather workers. "Every time I try ta do somethin' Zurom or the others can do it blows up in my face ... sometimes literally" Swizelle continued to think this was still she came up to the Boutique and Bar she had been running in Mormel's ... Absence. "At least I've been running' the store okay made a few sales been keepin' an eye on stock..."

Swizelle sighed "Maybe I just wasn't meant ta actually use magic for combat , I couldn't even freeze that other mage in place" Swizelle then summoned her twin elementals to guard the store while she opening it from the inside, she would run the store for a few more days until she needed to close it to visit Mormel. Swizelle juster hoped she would not deal with the angry supplier for the store one often called "sword elf".

Swizelle placed her her on the counter at the front of the store .... "on top of all of that I still gotta find time ta do my part time job at the Darkmoon Faire ...... urgh I learned magic so I wouldn't have to do real work!"

((well, I suppose Ditzy should get involved at some point >.> ))

Ditzy wandered around the apartment she was sharing with Mormel. Mormie hadn't been back for what seemed like weeks! Every night, Ditzy made sure to fix a nice dinner in her special apron, but Mormie still hadn't shown up.

Wait, Rhazie had disappeared through the portal! Maybe Mormie had gone after him! That would be good for them. Ditzy liked having fun with Mormie, but Rhazie was Mormie's husband, and things had been tense after Mormie and Ditzy had started having fun together. Maybe she should go find Rhazie! Yeah, he'd know where Mormie was.

Ditzy dashed out of the apartment, so engrossed with the idea of locating Mormie that she forgot to put some actual clothes on, turn off the stove, or even lock the apartment door.

((Yes, she is properly named >.>))

((You left the stove on in my house!? Ditzy... why? ;_; ))

“You asked who!?”

Bragdus’ jaw dropped as he stared dumfounded at Rimsala. However the undead goblin mage did not show any reaction to his clear disproval of her actions. She merely tugged lightly on her blue cowl as her eyes scanned Bragdus up and down. He gritted his teeth and shook his head as he sat there, the dark green skin of Momel’s body becoming noticeably more pale by the second.

While there was a part of Bragdus that knew he would regret seeking Rimsala’s aid the simple fact was that his allies were few and far between these days. Yet while he certainly could acquire the materials he needed for his experiments on his own that would necessitate him to travel into towns. More specifically to certain stores and social circles that he dare not visit knowing that the demonologist Zurom was hunting him.

No… Rimsala was a good middle agent in this elaborate process. Despite her death she had managed to reclaim much of her illusionary magic and her interests were very… forthright which made her easy to manipulate. Still… of all the people she could have asked…

“What? I’ve sorta, kinda worked with her before so don’cha worry pal. She’ll get what ya need.”

Rimsala was flippant in her response which caused Bragdus to further seethe with anger.

“Bollocks! You idiot! When I asked you to discreetly procure these materials I emphasized the discreet part. Employing the daughter of my former master is the complete opposite of discreet!”

Rimsala’s eyes slowly blinked and, even behind her mask, Bragdus could tell something he had said triggered her interest.

“I didn’t know Mormel had a daughter.”

“No my other former master you dolt! This really- Hey! Stop staring at my chest you lecherous harpy! My eyes are up here!”

As Bragdus yelled at Rimsala for her wandering eyes his “ally” reluctantly complied but chuckled as she did so. This sudden and uncharacteristic outburst of laughter caught him off guard.

“What’s so bloody funny? This is no joking matter! I need those materials and I need them now.”

“Just something about ya saying eyes.”

Bragdus buried his face in his hands and harnessed every fiber of his being to not turn Rimsala into a pile of ashes at that very moment.

“So are ya REALLY Bragdus?”

“Yes I’m really Bragdus!” Bragdus pulled his hands away from his face to look directly at Rimsala again. “We’ve already been over this and- Crickey! I said to stop staring at my chest!”

“Are ya totally sure ya are Bragdus?”

“Yes now shut your trap about that!”

“Hey ya wanna make out?”

“No I don’t! Now pay attention!” Bragdus loudly exclaimed before slamming a fist against the table that stood between them. “I need you to go out there and find me those goods from another source.”

“Why? I’m sure she’ll deliver the goods as promised an’ ya can get back at whatever nefarious scheme ya keep tryin’ ta pull pal.”

Bragdus finally gave up. He’d just have to see if Renzly would actually get the materials he needed. If not it would be up to him to secure them regardless of the risks. The fact that he was reduced to relying on Rimsala in the first place was immensely depressing. She was not even attractive to him anymore… not with all that rotting flesh. Of course she was clearly interested in him or, more precisely, in Mormel’s body but by this point he no longer cared about her creepy stares.

“Alright fine you tosspot. Just make sure that you are there to pick up these materials as soon as Renzly drops them off.”

“And in return ya’ll keep your promise pal?”

“Yes I’ll help you get your revenge.”

“And then we’ll make out.”

“I never agreed to that!”

12/07/2014 05:17 PMPosted by Mormel

((You left the stove on in my house!? Ditzy... why? ;_; ))

((Well, let's be honest, the first mistake was in letting Ditzy live in your house unattended. I'm sure the smoke and fire damage will be minimal. Your insurance was paid up before you went missing, right?))

((But... you can't blame the victim for the crime! :o Well hopefully Rhazin renewed our insurance while he was off at war... right? <.< ))

((I just know it was my job to watch the store if your house burns now it is not my fault))

“C’mon, ya stupid piece of wood!”

The rough wood threatened splinters as Kezrin twisted the leg of the cot back and forth. It was proving quite stubborn, but so was she. And she had plenty of time. Little by little, the leg was wiggling loose.

“Suprisingly well made for such a dump,” she muttered to herself. “Ow!”

She shook her hand, frowning at the pinprick of blood. “Maybe not so well made.”

Kezrin wasn’t sure just how much time had passed. Enough time that she’d gotten to know the details of her cell fairly well. The only thing of any use was the cot.

The first time she’d been kidnapped, she had been too shocked to fight back. Then she'd been knocked out and tied down to prevent her escape while the warlock did his work on her. She'd been returned home the same day before anyone could notice she was missing. This time, however, Bragdus seemed to be confident enough that he was taking his time getting back to her.

"His mistake.” Kezrin pulled her white handkerchief from her pocket, wrapped it around the wooden leg for protection, and began twisting it again. “I may not be able ta pick a lock or blow up and wall and escape, but I certainly ain’t jus’ gonna sit here and wait.”

With a satisfying crunching noise, the cot leg was pried free from the frame. She waved it in the air like a baton, testing the weight. It was a bit light for a proper bludgeon, but better than having nothing.

The thought of attacking someone made her stomach churn, even if she doubted she’d do any real damage. But considering the alternative.... No. She was not going to let him mess with head again. She wasn’t the same frightened young girl. She knew how the world worked and what was at stake. She’d often dreamed about going back in time to fix things, to fight back, just perhaps long enough to make a different. That wasn’t possible, but it didn’t mean she had to repeat her mistakes.

“All righ’ demon. I owe ya at least one headache in return for all the headaches’ you’ve caused me, and a Goldwick… not ta mention a Kanzelry… always repays her debts.”

Snow crunched under her boots as she paced. She may have been slow when deciding on how to manage her own affairs, but not when it came to something like this. She was a little embarrassed that she'd lost her temper that way at the dinner once she'd been given a head's up. She stared down over Wor'gol while her mind raced furiously. She'd torn the little tent she and Hex had taken up residence in apart to look for something she'd packed away and hadn't thought she'd need again months ago.

There was not a chance in the Nether she was letting that demon off the hook this time. Hells, she should have blasted him to damned bits when she'd caught him in Orgrimmar. Her breath escaped in a slow swirl of vapor as she let her breath out. The paladin reached down and patted the libram that dangled from a sturdy chain looped at her belt. The familiar weight was comforting. She'd failed her two charges in this- whether anyone would have officially termed Kezrin and Mormel that, it didn't matter. Ellua considered them friends, and her responsibility. Waiting for word from Rhazin was almost agonizing. Snow crunched a bit more. Whatever Bragdus thought he was going to be playing with- or up against- it was a whole different paladin than the almost broken one he'd met months earlier.

"There's not going to be enough left of you for Sargeras to glue back together for this, you rotten..." There were several colorful ways she could have ended the sentence. Instead, she paced a bit more, the snow starting to melt slightly under her path while she carefully fed and banked her fury, storing it for when it would be needed most. She'd check in at Acu's garrison in a while to see if there was a message. She ran a hand through hair that had gone from dusty, lifeless auburn to a rich gold. There had to be a message soon.

"Ok and things couldn't just get any crazier, least not in a bad way."

Rhazin mutterd to himself as he left Mormel and their latest surprise guest Ditzy to relax at the Inn. Honestly how did that gal even get here, cause she certainly has amazing luck to have gotten all the way to Frostfire let alone Zurom's garrison just to find him. Well thats something to think on later, as right now he had work to do. Thanks to the deal that was made with the newly risen Rimsala he now confirmed where Bragdus was hiding out. Only thing left to do while the others discuss the plan was to relay the info out to those that needed.

Looking round he pulls out the contact information Ellua gave him saying, "Yeah right now a drive would do me good. And maybe a drink that won't cost me a fortune." He shakes his head as he thinks bought the growing tab that Naz has hanging over his head. Heading over to where he parked his new bike, he quickly revs the engines and makes his way back out to Frostfire in the direction of where the paladin was making her temp home.

"Yeah time to finally fix this mess."

Bragdus still could not believe this turn of events. Everything started going wrong when Specimen Zero had managed to escape from her cell… while he was having a lovely breakfast of burgers with her. Well… maybe not lovely since the burgers had way too much spice on them but they still seemed to be hitting it off! Not in his wildest dreams could Bragdus conceive that Kezrin, his delicate wallflower, would be capable of such a brazen act as assaulting him with a makeshift club and slipping past his Voidwalker.

Yet Bragdus’ troubles only worsened as he gave chase. Just when he managed to recapture Specimen Zero before she escaped for good her meddlesome tosspot friends launched a surprise attack. Despite his preparations and efforts they eventually overpowered him before swapping his soul with Mormel’s. Now Specimen Zero was out of his reach and he was back in his old body with barely enough time to open a portal to the Twisting Nether before they detained him.

“How humiliating to have such a rabble gang up on me again…”

A thousand different scenarios played through his mind of how things could have gone differently but each time Bragdus reached the same conclusion. He simply did not have enough time or resources to properly defend himself. His whole plan from the onset was predicated on speed and, while it nearly succeeded, his opponents had managed to locate his fiendish laboratory sooner than he thought possible. No doubt Rimsala was their source of his location and in that moment Bragdus would give anything to wrap his tentacles around the neck of that promiscuous little rotting goblin.

“Bloody fel! If only I had a few more days…”

Still there was no point in Bragdus moping about what could have been or even contemplating vengeance. He had managed to escape intact and while he had lost much there would be time to rebuild. However, he would need to be more cautious and clever than ever before. Surely his enemies would not give him another period of respite and he must be prepared for their absolute worst. Fortunately he had an idea of how to counter any move they make against him.

Bragdus may have escaped from meeting his fate but for now he was out of the picture. It was time to continue the real reason Zurom came to Dreanor. Ner'zhul... the assault on The Shadowmoon Burial Grounds grew closer but first Zurom felt he needed a bit more power to face Ner'zhul the orc he referred to "The one who would be king".

Their was a chance that he could easily get the power. Lady Liadrin had sent for help with the Legion's attack on Auchindouin, an attack lead by Teron'gor. Archmage Khagdar had also wanted adventures to return to him with the blood of Teron'gor. So the course of action was draw, first he would take out Teron'gor in order to siphon some demonic power and then he would take the fight to Ner'zhul. Fitting that he would have to fight the person that in their timeline became the first death knight in order to fight the person that would become the Lich King. Like a simple game of chess he would have to take out a king to topple a king.

As Zurom planned his attacks on both Auchindouin and Shadowmoon from the Garrison's Town Hall, Nazxia began to relax inside the Tavern. She had a a martini glass full of Badlands Bourbon and she began to slip from her glass as she thought to her self. "Well that plan almost went the way I wanted it to.... to bad Bragdus had to be a coward and run away. I probably could have convinced them to keep him as a prisoner of war. I would have pitched the idea as poetic justice for is imprisonment of of Kezrin. Oh well I can easily go to the nether to find him myself might be fun to have myself a little home coming" Nazxia finished her drink. "But I am in do rush time is a thing mortals care about I can take my time getting what I want." She whispered to herself has she let out a small chuckle.

((A big thanks to everyone that was involved in this story arch and added to this thread :D I will try to get this story posted to the CC.org site sometime soon, giving credit to the authors of the posts like last time.))

12/19/2014 08:15 AMPosted by Mormel

((A big thanks to everyone that was involved in this story arch and added to this thread :D I will try to get this story posted to the CC.org site sometime soon, giving credit to the authors of the posts like last time.))

((Oh, wow, is the DotOrg still around? I think it had been hacked or was otherwise on indefinite technically hiatus last time I was active. We gotta promote that thing, if RPers are still using it!))

((Yes. Around last Spring Genevra finished bringing it back after it was hacked. While it currently does not see heavy use it is still a great tool for organizing groups and archiving RP stories.))