Paid in full

[Salem]

Solo. Spoiler:There is a bit of gore in the end.

A little tavern like most of this shoddy corner of darkened moon lit streets. It was a neutral bar owned by a vampire, wizard and some other supernatural another. Salem didn’t really know or care for that matter. It sounded like a disaster waiting to happen he guessed. The place was outstanding however that looked so downgraded outside looked like it should be on television inside. Diamond lamb pieces overhead. Bright red carpet that looked it would cost hundreds per square foot. The bar was stained maple with a dark finishing lacquer. With a huge assortment of gambling tables. Oddly enough though the title of the establishment was,”BOG” weird right? Maybe go big or go home; that he would never understand. Salem found himself in the far right of this place of candy land dreams.

A merry band of misfits. Salem sat at this merry table of cards. The rules very closely relating to the human version of Texas Hold’em. The big difference was your reward and the stake. For starters you had to sign a contract of blood to join. The only rule that matter was simple bargain what you can’t lose. You bet with favors to give, debts to owe and riches to lose. Anything of meaningful value; and that meant anything from a piece of gold to a favor like making forged documents worth thousands. Salem’s gifts is what bought him a ticket into this game and he knew why he was really here. He could remake paper to look and be the exact same as the original. Even with magic beings would be hard pressed to call them fake.

He had kept it simple so far, and by simple yes he cheated by slipping a few potions in just a few drinks; totaling three out of the seven players. It helps when he can talk to people and in trap them with some good ol word play to intrigue them in conversation. Giving him the chances to enhance their physical features so to speak. Like Edward to his left would turn red every time he got a good hand. Or even; Lance on the far right that thumbed or looked at his cards to make sure he seen his cards right the first time. Something so simple changed their characteristics to give themselves away. Last but not least that having a sample from his cup of doom was Rachel who would toy with objects like a pack rat afraid to loss their stuff. They were not the real targets here. All players weren't superb at poker either. They just used let’s say less than standard methods to join this little gathering. What made the game more so enjoyable was the fact that a little bio of every player was made stating facts of wealth and talents/notable abilities even what they knew he or she wanted from another player. Giving each person valuable betting tokens if used correctly. Furthermore not even Salem was World Series worthy at this little game but he was decent at playing with people hands. So why not right?

Ah yes; right on time. Since he knew this game was half way over. Four plays had lost their most valuable items or skills that were already won. So there no point in someone betting back whatever reward they were to receive that’s dumb right? Salem had neither lost nor gained much of value at this point. SO far he had free tickets to a museum of Alerar, VIP tours awesome right? Yea know, his mind was prepping the stages and vale of his pot to pull out the big guns. He tried once beforehand but nearly lost it all. A “7” on the river helped him though. And now as he waits watching because he just folded this current hand of a “3 of hearts and a Q of spades”, not a fun hand to play when a possible straight or flush showing up in the early flop.

Would Salem get his desired treasure or would he be running for his life in next ten minutes spinning drinks, knocking out waiters and busting holes in walls in the next few hours. Only time could tell as he schemed his way to a prize he would beg to have if possible.

From his most recent adventures he spent time training and getting beat up a lot while his questions about his true family was never answered. Asita his previous teacher told him all elven race from way back when died in the demon wars. However, low and behold somehow with the divinity of gods unknown and without an actually answer Asita Astraga still lived… He would get his hands on a very rare amulet to track his bloodline down even if it killed him.

[Salem]

In order to explain his thoughts you had to understand one thing about Salem. He did see a line he wouldn’t cross to find his origins of his family. Every step he took he was lied to at an early age. No he doesn’t think his family was almighty or great. History as he was told about; the great power his family held and ended up killing themselves according to legend and all. Leave it to Salem to believe what he chooses. He wants to find his family to punch someone in the mouth. To scared and hiding from the world was not the answer to problems like that whatever they were. It could even be more so true that he is deranged and mental unstable. But why not allow his fantasy to run wild right.

Another hand had past and went and then following another. He lost that last one too. The next hand was dealt and it was looking good but not too good like home run type of deal. From his hand he had a pair of “8’s hearts and spades”. The flop was a six of diamonds, jack of clubs and an eight of diamonds. Everyone betted around with low prizes. As for Salem he threw in a sack potions. Some deadly some not so much; six total. Rachel a sack of silver coins, followed more money and then a pocket watch made of gold, with other odds and ends he didn’t even care about. What did strike him as useable was what this could turn out to be with the correct and proper raise. Not too much just enough to show he had a hand. It would be tricky this idea of his. Taking off his family ring and placing it into the center as the river came up. King of hearts; he knew it didn’t help him but the con to this shame job was selling the bluff. Betting an item closer to him than most knew about except one player at the table.

Now he was calling out his mark; Lucia Di Salvatore. Hell has no fury like a woman scorned right? She took the bait as she eyed Salem. Pulling out his dream piece; Scars of History. By using a blood of a being it can find even the most hidden things. Inside the amulet was a compass. The blood was using a like a tracking device. To explain more about the magic would take quite the amount of time.

Lucia Di Salvatore was a family boss of a wild range and trafficking group of money laundering along with many other ties to big operations that most likely deal with crime and so on. The big and bad type ya know? His goal with the one piece of jewelry.

The next few rounds of betting kept raising the pot and he went along with it because finally the eight of clubs was played as the final card. Yes, four of a kind. Salem didn’t even blink when pushed his items of won goods into the center. It’s kind of hard to lose with hand like this four of a kind. And like he knew he would win he did. He called for a lady to come so that he could sign out of the deal and be done. Giving over twenty percent rate of earth that he gained from the game to the tavern. Stuffing all the rest of the goods but the amulet in his pocket into his bag he jetted off running toward the front as he seen four men coming after him. Taking the bag of poisons he had betted either he threw them in the nearest wall on his way out. The truth about those were that they were sleeping agents made to be inhaled and put you out like a light. Plus, he needed that for his quick getaway. No one like being dead, Salem could agree with them line of thinking more so now than ever.

Running out of the huge wooden doors like a jail bird getting out of prison. He yelled throwing people aside. He knew he would hear about this from the people back home; news travel fast. He jumped the nearest high brick wall using his good springy feet. “He should play sports like those basketball games so many love”, he thought grinning wide. He would put some start players to shame. Jumping in the nearest taxi and sped off into the moon light. He knew he would have to leave Corone before early morning. And he knew just how. The nearest boat ride out.

[Salem]

But really be the easy. Toying with several thoughts run wild in his mind as he went through every possible way this could have panned out. So far Salem had been extremely luck tonight. He managed to beat his opponent with a four of a kind over a person with three if of a kind. Yea it sounds amazing but too unreal. Maybe if someone busted him up side his head with a baseball bat sure he would think clearly. He needed off this rock. Nearing the port after a twenty minute or so ride in the beat taxi. He couldn’t wait be heading back to Alerar. He paid the driver in silver. Not gold of course ecause well he was a cheap one. Heading off to the docks, he had already booked a ride now he just needed to pay the caption. Caption Jack… just kidding; Tuck ran this massive boat. He actually didn't even like a title put in his name was odd. Salem thought everyone searched for big titles to be attached to him why was Tuck any different…

Boarding the Free Bryd, as the ship was named; it sounded fitting for his idle needs for the moment.

“Knock.. Knock.. Knock..”, he rapped on the door in three quickly places marks of his fist. A tall and fairly built man came to the door. Holding out what remained of his silver coins and gold pocket watch won earlier this eve. He handed over the goods to the man.“We need to leave now… some bad and nasty dudes most likely will catch up with me”, his face pleading with the truth nearly gushing from him as sweat beaded from his forehead. With a sharp nod cap made a pretty fair amount of ruckus alerting his men to man their stations.

“MOVE FASTER SCALLYWAGS”, Tuck bellowed like the big man he was. His pipe waving in the arm as it hung on for dear life to his lips as he yelled. Running around like rats to find their cheese. It looked like a men had poured in from every opening on the ship and even some he couldn’t believe a guy could fit through.

Toying the amulet in his pocket as sat slowly eating and pecking at his bowl of soup. He couldn't help but think about how much closer he was to his goal. But the more thought about it was brought back to reality that not everything goes as planned. As the night rolled on and men played guys of skill with throwing knives, brute strength and cunning minds. He enjoyed the music played by an elderly man. Everything felt so peaceful at that exact moment in time. He even passed out in the middle of the festivities.


Hours Later…

“Make way; hoist the sails you drunken lot”, Salem had awoken to a very load and thunderous noise of cannon fair and rumbling feet running across the deck back and forth manning the various stations. Turk came to Salem. “Okay, how bad was this little issue of yuuurs?”, the slang in his speech made him grin for a moment. “Let’s just say I pissed off the wrong people”, Salem retorted. The cap knew no matter answer he would need to out run the ship or risk a reel fire fight with his men at too high a price.

Dumping tons of cramp into the oceans depths which Tuck was very unhappy about and kindly let Salem know it too. They did manage to out run the chasing vessel for the time being. But how long could they keep this up? Salem knew he had at least another fort night or two on this racking wooden death trap.


Would he swim with fishes or killed by a crazy lady?

[Salem]

It was a good morning as Salem could tell; no seasickness. He woke up leaned against the wooden hand rail. Having only his thoughts to occupy his time and thoughts; his mind walked through the events of the last few days. All playing up to his current point and time that lead him to sitting around on his butt. All of these events started with a conversation among friends or well as close to friends that he ad really. Finding his way out to Corone which was delighting in culture; it felt more mixed in culture and races. Nothing like back home in Alerar where it was nearly eighty percent at least elven races mostly Dark elf. Now he found even going back to the dump he found himself always wanting free from. No place like home huh? It was like having a chain on his leg pulling him back.

“You hungry?”, the voice startled him just a bit. He man with silvery hair handed him another bowl of soup just like last night.” Sorry but it’s all we have right now.” With a nod he took it as a generous gesture of a head nod smiling while doing so. “My name is Darius Lenora, also you should join the fun tonight.”

It kind of felt odd but he would of course join in. He couldn’t help himself but to test himself versus others in a game of skill. He needed to continue his work in fighting anyhow. So the time went all and through he went over the maps in his mind but now he needed something more so rel. Seeing would help with a better judgment he needed to make his final decisions. Going to tuck he asked for a maps of the waters and coast of Alerar. He scanned everything top to bottom asking various questions as he went about arrival times, raising and lowering tides of the ocean at various points. Finding out just after that they had hit a channel that followed a slip stream in the water that allowed for their heighted pace in movement. Giving it a rest for the moment as he done this clear tell night fall. Salem was a tired of searching his mind needed a break. He could feel he was on to something but for now he still had another day at sea before choices had to be dealt with.

The show was starting all over again. Tests of hand to hand had started off the evening. Salem went to Darius,’’ So why every night?”, his question struck strike to the heart of this repeated trial at arms. “Why not see for yourself”. IT was statement and his tone of voice was command. Odd for a cook he guessed.

Darius jumped up and walking over ending the match as a draw as he call me to the center of the rocking boat. Salem had gotten to use his change in walking because he constant sway of the boat depended on foot placement and steady legs. IT gave quite the work out. Handing Salem a pair of daggers that felt real and weighed just like his steel ones,” It will hurt but you can’t kill with them”. Then Darius’s face lite up, not Salem’s face for once. Something told him this would not go like it normally did.

The fighters squared up in the center of the deck. The water still freshly coating the wood making the deck slippery to say in the least. Salem held his daggers in a reverse grip out to his sides just like his opponent. Okay he thought… now he was worried back there would be no backing out now.

[Salem]

His gifted weapons looked and felt just like his own… WEIRD but he would fight to win. Salem and would circle each other. Sending out blows and blocking. The trading blows lasted for several minutes almost like Darius was toying with him. It annoyed Salem to a point he could not better express than by doing a dirty maneuver. Using his kinetic energy to invoke his springy feet to jump in arch over his opponent and aim for a blow to the back of the head. Just as he begun lift off Darius jump forward hooking his blade to Salem’s right ankle in a angle he though impossible as he felt it. Still pushing forward with hard yank he pulled and threw Salem into the deck with a hard face plant… LIGHTS OUT.

He woke up thirty minutes later and went at it again and again with the same result. After eight tries total; Salem was beaten up fairly well. His arms were swollen up and his ankle hurt just as much as his face.Salem had never felt so out matched. So he would continue this process over and over every night. But first he had to talk to Tuck.

He agree with the caption to join his festivities and hold off on his on dealings. He couldn’t help himself but to tag along with whatever he had planned. Working with pirate smugglers would be one of the wildest of rides of his young life. As per his agreement to work with and on as a ship mate of course he had to put in the work and time. Doing odds and end task with others learning how a boat works. Learning to tie various knots and a lot of pulling ropes; the days became long and hard.

But his rivalry with Darius continued to grow even to a point of friendship. At one point Darius asked him what this whole show was about but he refused to answer completely. Leaving out the whys and who’s he gave him the short and sweet about a wild night playing poker. In turn Darius told him about how he got into being a part of the crew. To him this was family. Blood was not what made a family. For Darius this was just an adventure nothing more. Himself and three others were along for the ride.

As time passed yes he still lost to Darius but still got better. He worked for the cap and done deliveries. His adventure went being just a week or so to nearing a month now. Would this change him or give his resolve to search for his bloodline a stronger desire. However, he begun to start talking with the other ship mates as well, he could understand why Darius stayed as long as he had. He himself was getting a soft spot for some but he friendship had started with Darius the word bromance felt right but very weird to even consider saying. Thicker than thieves was begin to said about those two. What adventure would be had as he took this turn in life; that he would never know but didn’t care.


Blood Vs Water

[Salem]

Even though all looked and seemed well; Salem felt like and outsider when it came to select crewmen. After what neared several weeks aboard the ship he began getting odd looks from others. This included his most recent friendship with Darius was getting treated a bit different. Although nothing out of the way was said or done to Salem yet he see the smiles were less and the enjoyment was less as when he first got here. Conversations would quit the minute he turned the corner. This went on for the next few days went tell on a dark night Salem was out and about …

“Its tomorrow night lad, everything is in order”, that was Tuck…

Huh he though what the hell was going on now. He kept at a safe distance continuing his best to listen in on what was going on.

“Boy… what in the blazes on yer doing”, a large yanked him up and pushed him out behind the cover of upper deck. “Boss he knows”, the tune was at best unpleasant. With a face of disapproval he walked to the lad and stood.

“You know I have a letter for your head boy…”,”What in hell did you rip off Lucia Salvatore… really?”
“I CAN’T EVEN FUCKING MAKE PORT BOY “, yea he was pissed. “ I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU DID BUT I NEED A WAY TO FIX THIS NOW”.
With a big huff he gave a yank to his tunic jacket and a pull of his black hat…

“You my boy have two days to figure this shit out”, Tuck turned and walked away.

Salem could have sworn he had gotten away and that this had defiantly thought she had forgotten or at least would have given up.
Hmm Salem sat there for next few hours he was screwed but at least he gets some excitement. Now he just had to figure this crap out. Darius came up later and Salem gave him the news with a grin. Darius sat there for a minutes,“I have to go see the caption”

Really what the crap was up now. Salem had no idea what was about to happen with all this going on. For such a smart guy he was drawing a blank and dear of friends were now being secretive Salem was beginning to chalk this all day up to wash. Heck maybe even his time on the Free Bryd oddly enough was the name of ship having no idea way he thought about just now…

“I GOT IT”, he was going to blow something up. His face looked like a young boy that was about to get in trouble by his parents.

[Salem]

Running like a fool after Darius to Tucks quarters; he banged on the door like a wild man with rabies.“CCAAAPPPP”, he yelled as it swung open. “WHAT BOY?”, the caption replied. “I have an idea”, he grinned. “How would like to be rich?”, he questioned to bearded man. “ That’s a dumb question…”, looking a bit perturbed. Salem laughed mostly to himself yea he had a point their that’s why he was a pirate he guessed.“Were going to raid Miss. Salvatore for all that she has”, Salem looked at both Darius and cap. Getting that look like are you retarded. “Hear me out, you can make portal while a few of us hit her for all she has.”; and his only reply he got was ;”How?”.

The plan was for Darius, Eric, Thompson and Salem to the smash and grab. Of course Thompson would be the one to make everything go boom. Darius would handle any of the fighting and Salem and Eric would do the searching and if needed Eric to pick the locks. Salem drew out the plans on a wide piece of canvas.

“That just might be crazy enough to work.”, the Cap noddle along with Darius. “So it’s a go then?”, Salem laughed and his pearly whites shined as his sliverish hair was tied back sternly fashioned to the back of his melon. So the prep work started right afterward. Grabbing the guys on board to set out jobs. There would be war tonight. Everyone loved the thought of a nice pay so all aboard paid very close attention as he went through every step of his plans.

Just as the night arrived to give the needed cover of the night Salem hid his bag. Course no one but Darius knew of his amulet which was in there as well along with other oddities. Laughable enough even his own planned scared him about but why not right? They would start from the west side of Corone and circle their way back around to the north as they opened what most would think was cannon fire on the island. Without there actually being any bullets that fly; nothing like a false sense of trust. The four would take a small pirogue boat to the shore carrying only the essentials, mostly being dynamite.

With the moon now shining high in the dark sky as the four landed on the swore. The four guys sprinted up the beach side. The dirt making a bit hard but life on a boat kept a man in good shape. All excited and ready to stick it to the out bat. Even though no one said it out loud everyone knew she had been causing the pirates life quite difficult as of late. This would make everyone that mattered happy. They roamed far and finally found the legendary size house. Tall and wide being made of brick; the fortress had high metal barred gates all the way around the perimeter. Also, you could smell a slight oder which told them there may just be some dogs out and about as well.
Time to get rich Salem thought.

[Salem]

After finding a good spot for entry he looked at the connection. Funny how much rich people love their money but buy cheap stuff that looks good. The wield connection of the bars to the frame were shoddy at best. He pulled from his pouch a small viel of orange liquid and dumped in on one of the connections on the lower part of the fence. Pulling on the bar as the acidic potion did its magic. He grinned as his mastery was at work. The bubbles founded all around the metal eating at like a kid with a peanut butter sandwiches. Yank… one last pull and the bar gave way. Using Darius to pull back the bar as everyone jumped through fence making for the house to hide for cover. Salem pointed at two guard which were easy to dispatch. With quick snap of the neck both were down. Darius was impressive with it Salem not so much he could tell the difference there which was a bit scary.

They had made it to the door. It was unlocked luckily for Salem. They split up Thompson and Darius to the left and Eric with Salem to the right. They hit the bedrooms first. Taking the most reachable objects of worth. Then the safes, Eric picking the two they found so far with ease. Both safes having a fair amount of gold coins with other oddities. But that wasn’t enough for Salem the goal was to make her life ease to be as it was.

BOOOOOM… BOOM…BOOM

The cannon rang out and Salem could hear the firing happening not too far away from where he was. “That can’t be right”, Salem spoke aloud. “We have to hurry”, he start moving through the various house quicker than beforehand. He knew that even though he had yet found a large stash of weapons, money or general high value loot there was something to be found here. Looking around he just started breaking stuff. Yea it wasn’t the smartest idea but he would find what he wanted. Another potion he drank it. To unlock his true sight which without the help of his potions he could never use his magic.

“That bitch”, he laughed. He walked over to a long book case grabbing the frame as he started pulling several books to find the key. One after the next just fell in the floor then… “Click”, it was music to his ears. The bookcase slid to the side. He walked in laughing. Now this is what it feels like to hit the jack pot. Jewels flooded this room along with painting of rarity he guessed. Stuffing his sack with whatever he could grab. But now it was time to go; on the way out running as he start hearing nothing at all…

“That’s not right. TIME TO LEAVE NOW BOYS”, he yelled. Dropping a huge and his last veil of clear liquid. Known as quick spread . It was like a huge jump start for fires. Salem threw a ball at the floor and watched flame jump high spreading quickly now. “ Leave the dynamite”, he said to Darius.

Salem didn’t care for riches or vast amount of gold. He would pay this women a visit even though he had not shared that piece of the plan. Throwing the bags over fence and leaving Salem could hear the rioting off in the distance. Busted huh he laughed to himself once more. Maybe his since of humor was a bit too much… maybe not. As they neared the small wooden boats they stowed the goods and pushed them off with a grin.” Sorry boys but this is where he part ways.”, that smirk in his tone pissed off Darius. Salem would never forget Darius Lenora, but the pirate’s life was not for him; yet he would never forget the time well spent.

Time for blood his mind screamed to him. Salem was playful, sweet, generous and even a child at times; but threating him was something he never forgive.

[Salem]

Yank, Salem ripped the jewelry piece from his neck and with a big windup he slung the amulet out over ocean depths aiming for the small boat. He didn’t make this decision lightly. However; in his mind at that exact moment so had changed in him. His idea and craving to find a family he hand ever met or known was a fantasy. The idea ripping him apart and killing him in so many mental and physically that it had become enough at this point. He now understood family is the people you have with you not your bloodline. Blood is thicker than water is true in his mind but the meaning was now so much different. Blood is what makes you family by the shared beating of hearts. Not the linage that your born from.

Turning away from the shore he headed to the rioting of the burning manner. Pulling both blades from their sheaths as he takes off in a dead run. Moving in a quick pace he steps out with long strides building up his momentum. Nearing the gate of the manner once more; he pulls the energy of his kinetic movement and uses this jump clear of the fence. His face was enraged showing his emotion clearly. He seen a women distraught and in contempt as she screamed in her own anger. He run with a battle cry springing from his mouth spewing out in a harsh tone. He would kill her and all that stood before him to stop his act and then he would just disappear yet again as a traveler adventuring out in the wilds of another place. Two stood in front the women in his sights to be dealt with. With quick movements and precision cuts. He laid the men to the dirt ever flowing blood spewing on to the ground. Then another came and just like the others he died dropping to his knees as Salem duck and dodge yet never stopping or slowed his pace. Cutting and slashing in cross motions causing deep cuts.

The women on her knees screaming to the gods as to why they did this to her. He would sheath one weapon being his right dagger. Calling forth a fiery of flames that danced in his palm. He grinned as he pulled on the energy of his ring. The flame grew in size rivaling that of a basketball in size. Normally he would throw this at his target but not today, not this time. Turning his blade to a reverse grip he would using to pin or catch one side of the women’s neck and keep her from pulling away. As Salem would press his blazing inferno rested in his palm. The scorching and burning of her sink burn to stink. As she went to pull away. The pain of causing her to scream and her voice to crack as Salem would revile in it. He would never let anyone forget the day they would threat to end his life in such ways that she did. Even to point that she would threaten others on his behalf.

Like most he never just up and decided to kill another. Believe it or not life meant a huge deal to Salem. Salem believes everyone was of worth in tell the day they proved differently. Back to the current happening, Miss Salvatore push and prodded and scratch and clawed to get away. With his flame now gone with his mark fresh on her skin she had left very little skin on her face. He had never made a flame like such before. Salem left these women with a third degree burn cover most of her face save her right eye and ear.

Standing up and with a quick flick of his blade he ended her agony. A single and final slash from the front to rear center of her neck; blood sprayed out painting the ground. Then he just left. No remorse for the watchers of this action, no blessing to her soul or even a grave for her body. Some parts of Salem believe he never did this because she threatened him but his new family. Others that would know of this would call him a monster. However; to fight evil one most endear it not embrace it. Such reason was why he joined P.A.L.E. just recently. He would ever allow that women to endanger another person or being while he lived.
And just like that Salem vanished.


OOC:If someone would please look at my previous thread here (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?28364-The-End-of-Blissful-Ignorance-%28Solo%29/page2) when able. It has been graded but I never received the xp or gp from it. Thank you in advance

[Philomel]

Name of Thread: Paid In Full (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?28517-Paid-in-full&p=241599#post241599)
Type of Judgement: No Judgement
Participant: Salem (http://www.althanas.com/world/member.php?17567-Salem)

Rewards:
Salem receives:
660 EXP
100 GP

[Hysteria]

GP/XP added