[sup][color=lightblue]6 months prior[/color][/sup][hr][color=darkgray]

The tavern was alive with the sounds of people conversing after the long workday. There was an underlying thrum, almost like a heartbeat, alive/ Locals and travelers in equal measure were within the walls, drinks flowing to help alleviate all manner of woe and worry. Humans were the majority, but there were a few scattered elves and dwarves as well.

So when a Qunari woman entered the premises, along with a few others with her, the lull didn't die necessarily, but there were some questioning looks. Still, the people who worked there weren't about to turn down the gold spent, no matter who held it in their palms.

The Qunari woman made for an empty table along with her companions. After ordering a round for them, their conversation continued from before. No one was paying them much mind anymore, happy to get back to their drinks.

After some time, the voices around them quieted down. The Qunari woman looked up and glanced at the nearby patrons, unsure if something was happening. Soon, the quiet was filled with the strums of a lute. It started off slow at first, picking up as the meter went on. The Qunari woman clocked people's gaze and followed it to a corner of the tavern she hadn't noticed before. 

In the corner stood an elf woman. She held a lute in her hands that she was playing, fingers strumming the strings intimately. The elf had long, blonde hair that fell behind her and delicate features that some god had blessed her with. Her eyes were closed as she played, but eventually they opened to reveal silver eyes trained on the crowd in front of her. And when her lips opened, a decadent voice filled the room with song. It was no surprise that the people here went silent.

The Qunari woman watched in awe. She had seen bards before, of course. One did not travel as much as she did and not enjoy a performance here or there. The elf woman though, there was a tenderness here. Raw emotion from her lips.

And did she...was that....the Qunari woman could have sworn the elf had seen her. No, there was no mistaking it. The bard was playing for the crowd, but she was singing to her. The Qunari woman leaned back in her chair, a smile spread on her face. It had been a minute since she enjoyed the attention of anyone.

Eventually, the song reached its finale and, upon finishing, the tavern applauded. The elf woman gave a bow and proceeded to head off to the counter, more than likely to pick up her pay for the day.

The Qunari woman watched her a bit longer, but started to focus back on her table when she heard voices. She looked back to see two human men had approached the elf woman. From the look on the elf's face, they were not standard fans. The Qunari woman could sense trouble (as she so often did) and stood up. One of her companions asked if she was okay, and she ignored them. 

She approached the counter as if to ask for a refill when she could pick up more of their conversation. [color=white]"-and I can show you a real good time, pretty. Come on."[/color] The elf woman didn't look upset or angry or disgusted. Instead, her attention was elsewhere, much to the annoyance of the two men. The Qunari woman wanted to speak up, but was silenced when a new voice spoke up.  [color=#dfbbc0]"I am not interested. Thank you."[/color] Silenced with a few, simple words, the elf woman picked up the coin purse that was left on the counter and turned.

And that was when the Qunari woman saw one of the men grab the elf woman's wrist. 

[color=white]"Eyy, I wasn't done talking to ya'"[/color] The man slurred his words. Much to the Qunari woman's displeasure, the elf woman fell back a bit, but didn't attempt to free herself. She took a step forward when the elf woman spoke up again. [color=#dfbbc0]"Please unhand me before things get unpleasant."[/color] The Qunari woman stared in silence and the two men didn't much believe what they heard either. [color=white]"And what are you going to do about it, elf bitch?"[/color]

The Qunari woman heard something slam on the counter and there was a beat of silence. She looked around to see if someone had thrown something or had punched someone when she heard the man who had just spoken scream bloody murder. She looked and saw a knife sticking out of his hand that leaned on the counter. The man continued to scream and tried to pull the knife out, losing his grip on the elf woman. The other man with him stared at his friend and then concern turned to rage as he ran right at her. The elf woman spun, grabbing hold of the man's arm and twirled him around, sending him careening into the wall on her left. The stabbed man had finally pulled the knife out and was bleeding when he turned the knife on the elf woman and lunged. The Qunari woman could have sworn the elf turned invisible briefly, but in a fluid motion, the elf woman had disarmed the man and spun behind him, planting the knife to his neck while holding his injured hand behind him. [color=#dfbbc0]"I am going to let go of you now and you and your friend are going to leave. I suggest you find a healer for your hand and your headache. Do anything else and I will break more than just your wrist, starting with your manhood. Clear?"[/color] The man tried to fight, but found himself in an unwinnable predicament and, eventually, nodded defeat. The Qunari woman heard a crack as the man screamed and held his wrist. She fully expected them to round on the elf woman and try again, but credit where credit is due, the two men stumbled out of the tavern.

The elf woman picked up the knife and offered it to the tender at the counter. [color=#dfbbc0]"I apologize for the mess. You can take it out of my pay, if that's fair."[/color] The tender shook his head. [color=white]"Those two always cause trouble here and we've been looking for an excuse to ban them. Seems today is the day. Doubt they'd be back."[/color]

The elf woman nodded and stepped back from the counter and turned. The Qunari woman watched as she did and, again, could have sworn she caught her gaze. The elf woman looked at her and a hint of a smile appeared on her lips. The Qunari woman didn't need much more of an invitation as she got up from the bar counter and proceeded after her. [b][color=#39b54a]"Wait, please. That was....incredible."[/color][/b] The elf woman turned to face her now. [color=#dfbbc0]"The song or the aftermath?"[/color] Her words were laced with humor. [b][color=#39b54a]"Well, both if I am being honest. You handled them better than some of the men I've worked with. Name's Delilah,"[/color][/b] the Qunari woman said as she offered her hand. The elf woman took it, her touch warm and welcoming. [color=dfbbc0]"Giselle."[/color] 

[b][color=#39b54a]"Giselle, a beautiful name for a beautiful rose."[/color][/b] The elf woman stepepd closer to Delilah, her breath almost tickling the Qunari's neck. [color=dfbbc0]"If I didn't know any better, Delilah, I could swear you were flirting with me. Is it true what they say about Qunari and how they perform in bed?"[/color] The words came out hot and intense. [b][color=#39b54a]"Depends, did you want to find out?"[/color][/b] The elf woman leaned in closer, her breath on Delilah's ear. [color=dfbbc0]"My room."[/color]

[hr]

Delilah had made her way into one of the rooms of the tavern, a spacious affair that Delilah took to mean the bard had performed here before. The elf woman had excused herself but told Delilah to make herself comfortable. So Delilah had set her things down and proceeded to undress. [b][color=#39b54a]"Been a while, I am afraid. But I needed this."[/color][/b]

[color=dfbbc0]"Happy to help however I can. You must be busy."[/color]

Delilah had removed her top as she continued. [b][color=#39b54a]"Running the band I do gets exhausting, but worth it. They are knuckleheads sometimes, but they are mine. We travel a lot so there's hardly ever time to rest."[/color][/b]

Delilah heard the patter of bare feet behind her as the elf woman entered the bedroom proper. [color=dfbbc0]"You must have some stories to share."[/color]

[b][color=#39b54a]"Oh yes. We've seen it all. I remember one time a bit ago, or was it a few weeks...well it doesn't matter. But someone had hired an assassin to kill me. I'm used to it at this point. But I'd like to think of myself as a good reader of people so I was able to spot them pretty early on and foiled their little plan. Had to kill them, couldn't let the insult go on, and it worked out well in the end as I needed a new thrall to do some of the grunt work I didn't want to."[/color][/b]

Delilah heard the elf woman's footsteps approach as she continued, [b][color=#39b54a]"So, who hired you?"[/color][/b]

The footsteps stopped as Delilah turned to face the elf woman, who had unsheathed a dagger that, Delilah had to admit, was hidden nicely within the elf woman's undergarments. To her credit, the elf woman didn't appear taken aback. [b][color=#39b54a]"This isn't my first, nor do I expect it to be my last. We're at a standstill. I may not have my clothes or weapons but I can handle myself with the best of them. I also expect you can handle yourself well also. So, instead of brawling it out with one of us ending up dead on this nice floor, why don't we skip all that? I am sure your life is worth more than whatever the bounty is."[/color][/b]

The elf woman stood a moment, before she threw the knife across the room. [color=dfbbc0]"What gave me away?"[/color]

[b][color=#39b54a]"Well, admittedly not much. Your body language was flirtatious, but your eyes held something darker. Also, I was the only Qunari in here and I know from experience we aren't the immediate fixation of strangers, beautiful or not. Your name isn't Giselle either, I take it?"[/color][/b]

The elf woman shook her head. [color=dfbbc0]"I do not know who my employers are. They appeared one day wearing grey cloaks that covered their face. They had red markings along their arms. They claimed you were a murderer who had killed a nearby village and burned it to the ground with families locked in their homes. I take it that was a lie."[/color] It wasn't a question, more confirming the fact.

[b][color=#39b54a]"I won't pretend my hands are free of blood, but those I gut deserve it. If I had to wager, those people were the ones who attacked the village, probably in some magic ceremony or ritual."[/color][/b]

The two women stood in front of each other. The elf in a silky number and Delilah in nothing but her confidence. [b][color=#39b54a]"So, perhaps instead of getting sweaty and bloodied from trying to kill each other, we can occupy our time with something equally as entertaining."[/color][/b]

The elf woman smirked. [color=dfbbc0]"I take it you have something in mind?"[/color]

Delilah grinned. [b][color=#39b54a]"Oh, I think I do."[/color][/b]
[hr]
They laid there, breathless, sheets on the bed tangled in awkward angles. Delilah rested her arm over her chest. [b][color=#39b54a]"So, do I even get to know your name?"[/color][/b]

The elf woman, taking a few moments to catch her breath, spoke up, [color=dfbbc0]"Fleur."[/color]

Delilah nodded, [b][color=#39b54a]"Fleur. You certainly know what you are doing. I take it those skills are part of the job?"[/color][/b]

[color=dfbbc0]"Perks. I can do more, but we only just met."[/color]

[b][color=#39b54a]"Maker's tits, that wasn't everything? Great work."[/color][/b]

[color=dfbbc0]"Not so bad yourself."[/color] Fleur sat up and stood, her naked form for Delilah to take in again. Fleur strode forward, grabbing her discarded garments as she did. Delilah sat up now, taking her in. She had a few thoughts (when her mind wasn't being distracted elsewhere) and their awkward exchange was now a blurred memory. She had weirder requests and it wasn't like she didn't have plenty in her ranks who towed the line or morality. 

[b][color=#39b54a]"So, Fleur, how would you like a permanent job?"[/color][/b]
[hr]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/asL2gM1.jpeg[/img][/center][hr]
[sup][color=lightblue]present day[/color][/sup]

Fleur had arrived back from scouting the nearby area. She had given her report to some faceless entity that existed in the ranks; she couldn't be damned to remember his name. She settled herself in her little camp, wiping some sweat off her brow. Delilah and the others would be convening to discuss the next steps.

Fleur didn't enjoy the planning or the meetings or whatever. She wanted action. No, she [i]craved[/i] it. Sitting around idle made her tense, so she often found herself practicing on some test dummies or sneaking around to see if she could be spotted (no one found her yet. It was like the ultimate game of hide and seek). She also maintained her music, singing and playing her lute for others if they wanted. 

She proceeded to walk around, taking note of the air of concern that permeated everything. It seems she wasn't alone in her worry. Whatever was going to happen, it was not going to be pretty.

She wanted nothing more than to head back to her bed and close her eyes until she was needed, but she had a feeling she was going to be grabbed sooner rather than later. Still, she wouldn't make it easy. She proceeded towards where Delilah and the others were and snuck in, blending herself into the shadows. She crept along as she heard voices, some she recognized and some she did not (more so because they were men and Fleur did all she could to not speak to a man unless she absolutely had to). 

She heard her own name and paid closer attention. Seems she was to be useful and she did so enjoy hearing her name on Delilah's lips. 

Fleur left, heading back to her own little piece of paradise and awaited the word. She expected things to get very exciting, very quickly. So better she rested when she could.

[/color]