A new body

The redhead took some time to process what had happened, slowly she turned to the man who was in front of her, now with less fear, less mockery and a certain gratitude in her voice.

"Y-you really... got rid of everything? All the photos, videos, everything?"

Moradin didn't answer immediately, he just smiled before sitting on the redhead's bed as if he were in his own home, pulled a small pipe from his pockets and, placing his thumb over the opening, lit it in what seemed like a magic trick.

"Everything erased, down to the last file. I took the liberty of getting rid of the physical media too. People will be suspicious, but they'll blame everything except an ancient god of unknown name. But listen, Renee, they'll try to produce more material, replace what was lost, they'll try to expose you again. And with that I think I can be useful. What I need from you will also be a way to help you."

Renee trembled. The stranger was right, people wouldn't simply accept the end of the evidence of their humiliations. They would try something new against her, especially Tracy.

"What do you want from me, anyway?"

Moradin took a drag from his pipe, exhaling a peculiar scent that he preferred with vanilla to tobacco.

"A god walking in a materialized form usually leaves an evident aura for any mystical being. The ice giants would easily locate me if they saw me passing by. That's why I want you to let my spirit share your body, like a shell. The implications for me are of little interest to you, I think. I'll only explain what you must be wondering now."

Renee was frightened; this whole description seemed more like possession than divine help.

"Is this... safe?" the redhead asked.

"For you, it's completely safe. You will still live normally; at specific moments when I feel it's necessary or when your consciousness is weak, I will be taking control. For you, it will be like sleeping and waking up renewed; what I do may be visible to you as a dream."

Renee seemed to like that, but another idea crossed her mind: "And what will people see when you take control?" Renee asked.

Moradin inhaled again, expelling a circle of blue smoke from his lips.

"You will see... but you will be stronger, more resilient, you will have my skills, powers, magic, and knowledge at your disposal. I won't use this in a very visible way or in a way that makes people suspect something very out of the ordinary. Or at least I'll try. If I go too far, just try telling me this mentally, you'll know how to do it by pure instinct. Oh, and if I get hurt in a possible combat, which is common when you assume a human body, your body will return to normal when your consciousness takes over again, but you shouldn't have problems with major attacks, or so I hope.

Renee thought for a while longer before wondering if Moradin would have access to her vision while she used the bathroom and did something intimate. She blushed at the thought, and was about to ask when Moradin spoke.

"Ah, another very common question, about privacy and intimacy." The god said. "I respect that, I won't be seeing, hearing, or feeling anything... private, if you understand me."

Renee breathed a sigh of relief.

"So? Any more questions, or do we have a deal?" Moradin said, extending his hand for a handshake. "Just think about it, when you shake my hand, I'll be in contact with you at least until I recover my pickaxe."