Romeo
*It was a warm evening inside the Hungry Wolf Tavern, and as per usual, Sir Rikard Van Dahl was having a grand old time. The man was absolutely massive - standing at a well-muscled six feet and eight inches, with a few crocodile scales peeking out from his shoulders, he cut an imposing figure. At the moment, he was draining a tankard of ale directly into his mouth, laughing and joking with the bartender all the while.

His eyes were a sea-green shade, his hair a tawny brown. He didn't speak like a nobleman, and his deep, rumbling voice contrasted greatly with the apparent youth of his face. But even so, the man was clad in steel armor of high quality, which bore the emblem of the Royal family on it. He was of course off-duty, but it was his prerogative to wear the King's colors as a member of the prince's household knights.

His hair was cut short, practical to fit into a helm or other headwear, and he carried with him a steel mace on his hip beside a dagger of plain make. The smile he wore extended to the corners of his eyes, and it was clear that he most enjoyed the current situation. He felt quite a bit at home here.*
Del
Ghorza wanted no- *Needed* A win. It's been a rough time for the female today and what is a better place to do that at the bar? The overly tall green woman pushed the door open, getting hit in the face with the smell of booze. 

*Perfect*

It's just what she needed. She breathed in through her nose and took in a big whiff of the familiar smell she's grown used to. Her eyes scan the scenery spotting the civilians who tried their best not to waste any liquor from their cup. She saw others who did the complete opposite and spilled it all over the ground. 

Ghorza walked inside and saw an empty table that wasn't too crowded. The Orc walked right up to it and jumped top, grabbing the attention from the fellow's below. Reaching to her side, she grabbed a stash of coins that were placed in a small bag with a dark brown ribbon to keep it shut. "Anyone up for a challenge? The winner takes all these coins." She shook the bag making it jingle, "All you have to do is best me in arm wrestling." 

Ghorza had a smirk on her face and jump down. She took a seat at the table she once was standing at. It didn't matter if she lost her money that night. They weren't hers to begin with. She did a man a favor by holding onto his coins while he lay in an alley unconscious not too far from here from a punch he had to the face. Ghorza placed her arm at a ninety-degree angle on top of the wooden table as she waited for her first opponent to step up. 

Her eyes scanned the room once more to see if she can spot any opponents. Her eyes stumbled across the gigantic man. She wasn't too pleased about a knight being here. It's supposed to be fun, not supervised. Her smirk quickly became sour as she stared at the green eye male. The female was not a fan of knights mostly due to the fact she has had communications with a couple in the past. Ghorza wiggled her fingers at the man in the hope he would step up to the challenge. It would be nice win for her to beat a knight.
Romeo
*The arrival of the orc woman was a shakeup, Rikard knew. She barged in, held up a bag of coins, and challenged anyone to arm wrestle her. If that was the way it was going to be, that was fine with him. One of the select few things that Rikard really hated in life were bragging and losing. 

To be fair, though, he didn't mind inflicting a loss on someone else. It was a favorite pastime. 

From his throat came a rumbling, reverberating roar that did not match the face of the knight as he stood up from his stool. He towered a good four inches taller than Ghorza, and he was just as heavily muscled. From the looks of her, he also had about a hundred pounds' advantage. If she wanted a good arm wrestling match, he was obliged to give it to her.

With a toothy crocodile's grin that **Did** Match the sounds coming from him, he strode over to Ghorza confidently.* "Are you sure you want to bet me here?" *He asked in a deep voice that seemed to echo through the bar on a low frequency.*

"There's a big chance you lose this. You can back out at any time." *He sat himself down across from her and made himself comfortable in his seat, placing one elbow on the table. He did not grasp her hand quite yet - he needed confirmation that he was going to get his match no matter what. This woman seemed fierce enough, but there was such a low likelihood of his loss that he wanted to make the competition honestly agreed to before pulling out all the stops.*

*Being a shapeshifter, he did have a few tricks up his sleeve.*
Asa
She glared at the man who sat across from her. *A big chance of losing?* She scoffs at that comment. "You did not have to come over here and *Mock me*," She said with so much disgust behind her words "I was the one who asked for a challenge did I not? A challenge that you seem willing to do. So how dare you come here and talk about my choices." Her nose began to wrinkle up. 

"I am here to give my all. To challenge you with all the strength. Besides, who said you were going to win? I have put up my side of the bet by placing these coins if you win. What do you place if I win?" She pulled her arm away from the tabletop and crossed it over her chest. 

He had so much confidence and it bothered her. It bothered her that he was looking out for her by saying she could back out of the arm wrestling. It bothered her that he was questioning her choice in action. Everything about this man just made her so... *Angry.* 

Ghorza knows that she is strong. She has done this countless times. Each time she gives it her all and each time she wins. "If you are so confident in your win then place a bet that matches your attitude. She pointed to his left toward the side of the match if she wins.
Romeo
"All right, just making sure is all. I can wager whatever you want me to. In this case, I'll bet you the same amount of coins in that bag. You win, you double your money. I win, I double mine. Now, let's do this." *He lifted his arm to grasp hers, interlocking his hand in her grasp, and her hand in his. Notably, he was quite strong - and quite a lot bigger than Ghorza. He had to give her this much - she didn't back down from a challenge. It made his blood pump a little faster.*

"Unless, of course, you have another bet in mind. I'm not giving up my mace, dagger, or armor, but if there's something else you want, just name it. We'll be reciprocal about it - if I win, you have to give whatever it is up as well. You want to up the stakes? This is how we do it." *The toothy grin on his face widened even further as he tightened his grip on her hand, the prospect of a challenge exciting him.*

*He had already downed a bit of ale, and this was his element. Contests in bars, a night out of fun - it was all his prerogative to enjoy, wasn't it? He could beat this orc woman at arm wrestling and claim the coins, then keep drinking through the night. Maybe he could even buy a whole cow at the end of it - he had been rather hungry lately, and with the ability to change into a crocodile, eating a cow was an option he could indulge.

It was time. What was she going to say? What was she going to do? He hung on to the next word.*
Asa
Should she up the bet? The woman sat there in silence in her thoughts about what she could do. Upping the bet didn't seem a bad idea. She could have double the amount of coins in her bag and a brand new dagger to include in her collection. On the other hand, if she lost the woman would lose everything. Even the dagger that might be able to prove to her father. 

"I started with this bag so I'm going to stick with it." She squeezes his hand tightly, "If you happen to lose against me then maybe, just maybe I'll bet all my winnings so we can play again." The possibility of her losing this battle wasn't low. She has beaten many men and women in the past all different shapes and sizes. He's not going to be any different to her. 

A person in the bar places their hand on top of the two and counts backward. She scooted to the end of the bench to get ready for what is about to be taken place. 

"*3*...
*2*...
*1*... Go!"

The bystander removes his hand causing the girl to tense up the muscles in her arm. Whatever happened during this she isn't leaving without something. She needed a win tonight and that is what is going to happen. "I'm sorry knight but you are going down."
Romeo
"Fair enough. I wouldn't want you to lose too much on the first try and be scared to come back." *He replied evenly as she thought it over. Come on. Get angry. There was too much at stake here - And there was no possible way he lost this. An orc was nothing against him - and this woman unfortunately was just another orc. No shot. As the countdown began, he leaned in, and when he heard to count of 'go', quite a few things began to happen. 

Firstly, Rikard's wrist slammed all of its strength against hers, trying to bend it backward. Wrist control was the first part of winning any arm wrestling contest. He strained every muscle in his arm to make sure that he would win the contest - a setup he had won many times before. Everyone thought that they would go up to the biggest guy in the bar and embarrass him at his own game, but every braggart had their pride. This woman was prideful enough to try him when she was entirely outmatched.

Secondly, Rikard's skin began to change, and his muscles quickly shifted his already overwhelming strength into a frankly unfair amount of leverage. Scales blossomed on his skin, he turned a dark and sickly green. His face elongated into a crocodile's snout, his teeth into a gaping maw of daggers, his hands into scaly claws under the gauntlets. His hybrid form was much stronger than he had been in base, and his base was already enough to handle the much smaller orc woman.

He made his push with confidence, rage, and no small amount of brutality. There was no contest he would turn down, and no woman or man he would underestimate.*
Asa
Ghorza underestimated her opponent. Deep down in the bottom of her heart, she knew she was going to win. She had done countless amounts of battles and dares, each one succeeding the last. She thought the was going to be the same but as she can see, Ghorza was proven wrong. 

Her arm began to lean toward her left side getting closer and closer towards defeat. She was getting frustrated. He warned her what would happen and she didn't listen. Ghorza looked up at him in shock and see a new person sitting in front of her. *No*, the same person in a different form. His shapeshifter form. 

She was pissed that she set herself up like that. She should have known better especially seeing how calm he was about the whole thing, to begin with. The veins in her arm started to pop as she tried her hardest to turn the match around. 

Unfortunately, no matter how hard she strived to win her strength was under matched. Her arm started to shake causing the woman to cuss under her breath. "Shit." It was at that moment she knew that she was going to lose the match.
Romeo
*The rush of competition had made his as excited as ever, and he pressed her hand down towards the table irresistibly, slamming it against the wood with an animalistic roar that consisted of a low, guttural rumbling. The crocodile in him was on full display as his chest reverberated with the sound and feeling of victory. 

It was always a high that never got old. The **Feel** Of it.

He lifted his hand from hers, inhaled a deep breath, took in his surroundings. Perfect. His hide began to change back to a more human shade. Scales were absorbed back into skin, claws into fingernails, and the teeth of a crocodile into the civilized face of something resembling a half-elf or a human. His snout shortened into a face once more, nose propped itself up.

He was back in his original guise. A man with a youthful face, yet still enormous. There was a deep sigh that left him - the feeling of coming down from a high into a satisfying afterglow was prone to making him entirely too relaxed - like a reptile sunning itself on a rock, Rikard sometimes basked in victory.*

"I *Did* Warn you, miss...? Actually, I don't think I got your name. I'm Rikard."
Asa
"Damn it." She huffed. She lost. Her first was lost to a shapeshifter. A shapeshifter knight to be exact. She wasn't too pleased about the situation that took place. She could have had that in the bag if he didn't transform into a crocodile in the middle of the bar. Ghorza stared at her hand in shock. There was a small burning sensation on the back of her hand from her sand going against the table. 

His words snapped her out of her zone and she look up at him with a slightly annoyed look on her face. A normal human being would shake hands and congratulate them for winning. It's a good thing she is not human then. The green skin woman stood up from her spot taking in his appearance. She noticed the small scales poking out of her shoulders. 


*'I should have noticed sooner.'* The woman thought to herself before speaking out loud to him. "Ghorza, " She picked up the bag from the table and slammed it into his chest. She was still a bit upset about her lost. "Also known as the person you didn't tell that you were a shapeshifter." She gave him an annoyed look on her face. 

Ghorza wanted to deck him in the face so bad. It was just itching in the back of her head to do that simple action for not being completely honest. Though, that shiny outfit was keeping him safe. Maybe she could do it it outside where nobody can see her.
Romeo
"Thanks for the cash, Ghorza." *He shrugged, taking the purse and placing it onto his belt. There was no huge issue with the fact that she was being a sore loser - only enhanced the feeling of the win for him. It was the sour sting of defeat and inadequacy that he hoped to stave off indefinitely - it felt as bad as it could be when you were on the losing end.*

"Listen, I thought you saw the scales. They're not exactly hidden, you know?" *He indicated his neck near the shoulders.* "And besides, is it a crime to be strong? You certainly are, and no one's blaming you for that." *He pointed out, happy in his win, but eager to smooth things over for the sake of peace in the bar. No one needed to suffer property damage for the sake of his pride or hers.*

"I think we got off on the wrong foot here. It's great to meet you - and I'm not trying to make fun of you, either. All's fair here. Where are you from? What brings you to the bar? I haven't had a good challenge at arm wrestling in a little while - most of these guys already know they've got no chance."
Asa
Chills were sent down her back at the male using her name. She should have just gone by a different name or better yet- not given him her name at all. That would have been much simpler. 

He's not wrong. No one is blaming her for being strong. Then again, for as long as she remembers she was strong. Seeing him become more boastful about his win just put her in a bigger funk. It made her just want to reach her hands around his neck and strangle him. 

He didn't help his case either by asking her ***So*** Many questions. She placed her hands against her hips and furrowed her brows. "I came to the bar to win. The rest is none of your concern." Ghorza wasn't a fan of people asking her questions. It meant that it was a step of becoming friends and that is something she does not want to do. Especially with Rikard. 

She sighs. This wasn't a good way to start her time at the bar. Though, the only way she could end the embarrassment is by erasing it. "You know what, by me, a drink and I'll tell you something about me." Ghorza wasn't in the mood to pay for it. Not because she lost her money but because he just gained some. Maybe she might get enough drinks to buzz out this entire time she was here.
Romeo
"All right, I'll stand you a few." *He nodded, stood, stretched out as far as he could. A few cracks were heard as he rolled his neck around. It was always nice to take it down when you were in full competition mode. No one needed to be all juiced up all the time. It was a weapon he could use in specific circumstances.*

"Pitcher of ale on me, please!" *He took a few coins from his newly earned stash, strode to his previous spot, and slid them across the bar counter to the bartender. He indicated an open spot next to him at the bar and waited for the drinks to come back. It would certainly be an interesting night, given that he had already had a somewhat interesting contest.*

"So, Ghorza, what do you want to tell me first? I don't want to rush anything, but I *Would* Like to ask about the choice of clothing. Pretty revealing, don't you think?" *He asked, nodding down to the bare midriff that he was presented with.* "Though it does look pretty good, I imagine it gets quite cold. Personally, I prefer warm weather and sun..."
Asa
Ghorza followed Rikard back to the seat he was once sitting at. She watched him order her a drink not surprised that he did so. He seems like a chatty man. She listened to him ask the question that was on his mind. But wished she tuned him out the minute he asked the second one. 

She needed that drink more than she thought. Her eyes bored into the back of the bartender's head trying to telepathically tell them to hurry up. She peeled her eyes off the person behind the counter knowing that it wasn't going to work and to the crocodile man... Or was he an alligator? She didn't know the difference between the two. To her, they were both green creatures that are meat like her. 

Such an unusual question. She tried her best how to answer that question the best she can but no matter how hard she tried to think her mind was blocked with frustration. So she did something that would help her clear her mind: She hit him. 

Was it on accident? Not. It felt great to place her and knuckles against his skin did just the trick to make some of that anger inside her be filled with amusement. "I said a drink for one question, not two. You had to pay for the other one somehow." She gently shook her hand, "As for the clothes, it's kind of hard to do where the place you live has clothes smaller than your calves."
Romeo
*At the impact of her fist against his face, Rikard felt the sting of Ghorza's considerable strength, and his head turned as he took the brunt of the blow. With a red mark on his cheek, he turned his head back to face her, chuckling all the while. It was a powerful punch, but not enough to knock him out of his good humor, it seemed.* "Well, that's not a bad punch, but I've had worse. Have you ever been hit in the face by the Iron Prince? I tell you, he's got it going *On*."

*He let the punch roll off his back like an insult, and continued to chat as if nothing had gone wrong.* "Have you found a good tailor in town? I think there are a few around Alynthi - there's lots of nobles who get things tailor made all the time, and if you have pelts, I'm pretty sure they can be made into sturdier clothes. I can also say that there are some good armorers who make plus-size weaponry and armor. I had this adjusted for my height, extended. But they do make sets that are perfect for any shape and size. You should check the capital market out - you'll find what you need."

*He grinned again, spitting a tooth and some blood on the floor. A new one grew in to replace it.* "I'm lucky I've got that kind of smile that never gets old, eh? Perks of shifting into a crocodile and not a lion. Lions can't replace their own teeth, but I can do it easy."