<strong>Philip Redding - being altered by Maria</strong><br/><br/>Philip was panting and sweating by the time he exited the jungle and got near his run-down hotel once again. He wasn't sure at first what was wrong - something was sapping his strength and endurance, despite his long hours and years spent training himself, getting in peak physical condition. Could he have been poisoned? Perhaps - but that didn't explain the altered clothing and equipment at all.<br/><br/>He slowed his pace as he exited the humid jungle, taking several deep breaths and trying to assess the situation. He raised his arm to rub sweat from his forehead - and paused in shock, looking at his arm. It was so slender! So puny and un-muscled compared to his normal arm. He took a quick inventory of himself and confirmed that things seemed to be the same all over - his bulky muscles were gone, replaced by smooth, average-looking flesh.<br/><br/>Philip's head was swimming in confusion as he stumbled towards his room. He let his guard down, and didn't notice the woman waiting for him outside his room until he was mere feet from her. He reacted without thinking, grabbing the woman and pinning her against the door, then opening it as fast as he could and forcing her inside. She didn't resist at all - which was good, since Philip noticed after a moment that she was quite tall for a woman - or possibly he had gotten shorter - and she could have put up quite a fight.<br/><br/>Now that the two of them were in his dismal hotel room, Philip glared at the stranger. "Who are you?" he demanded, "What do you want?"