Hunter Becomes the Hunted [Raven]

[Ash]

DATE: Frumentum 9:40 Dragon
LOCATION: Gnawed Noble Tavern, Denerim
TIME: Midday

"Your weapons look like they break, Human. Ash said, staring at the human merchant dead in the eye. She could see the fear begin to well up in his eyes, frantically looking away and trying to distract himself from her standing there.

"These are the best wares in town, Miss. Top of the line, I assure you!" The man tried to give her a smile, barely looking up at her. He looked as if he could be in his mid 50's. A touch of grey starting to line his temples; dark stubble covering most of his jaw and chin, rising up to above his mouth; slight wrinkles starting to form along his face, obvious ones around his eyes and mouth that showed years of smiling and frowning.

"Your 'wares' do not bring of any interest to me. They are useless. Good day." And with that, she sauntered off, saying no more to the man as he watched her walk away in confusion. "Humans. I'll never understand them," she thought to herself, looking around at the bustling marketplace of Ferelden's Capital. Watching the groups of people wait in long lines at different merchant stands, huddling and pushing and shoving, rushing for their turn. It just showed how more civilized the Qunari were as compared to them. It proved their need for Qunari control. They'd be better off.

Same with the elves. She looked over at the gate of the Alienage, studying at the colony the corralled elves created for themselves inside. How could they even live with themselves in such a place? Disease. Powerless. Poverty. The lowest of the low. She couldn't even imagine what could go on in there. Within in the Qun, they'd be treated as equals. Given a since of belonging. Given a place and purpose. Just look at her! She was an elf and she was considered very valuable amongst them. They didn't treat her as a 'thing' and keep her locked up in some makeshift city where she'd be treated as a slave.

It was why she also loved Rivain. They didn't treat others differently up there. Not like they did here at least. She couldn't careless when she noticed another human cast a nasty look at her, however. If they wanted to see her as an animal, they could go ahead. She did the same with them.

She didn't want to waste too much time lingering here anyways. She was here on business, she had a job to do, and she was going to do it. The Qunari needed her, needed as much information as possible. They knew about the happenings between Ferelden and Orlais, and it was her job to find out what was going on. Even if that meant going to into the Tavern and listening in on the nobles' conversations. Or even engaging in one, herself.

Ash pressed her again against the Tavern's door and pushed it open. The aroma of alcohol filling her nose almost immediately as she entered, watching the barmaids walk by and the people getting drunk at their tables. There was even a man towards the back shouting out senseless nothings in a slurred voice. She ignored him, mentally taking note of it and then proceeding to sit at a table of her own.

[Raven]

Frustation, rejection, Raven couldn't take much more of this. He had to find her, there was no doubt that she was still alive, but to make matters worse he had his former 'brothers in arms' hunting him down for supposed desertion. The black clad Elf scoffed as he began to walk, the ground smooth against his bare feet, a deserter, was he? No, just a man with sense unlike many of these brainless sheep, no one had a place here, they had no goals, only coin and pleasure did they desire. It sickened him.

"Excuse me, ser, have you seen this woman?" he asked a human with his partner's arm linked to his, showing at recent small sized portrait that he had of an Elven woman with long flowing amber hair. A look of disappointment spread across his pale yet handsome features, they had shook their heads, this had to be the twentieth time he had been let down today.

For a while longer he wandered and pondered, asking every human available if they had seen the woman in the picture. After many attempts, he struck an ounce of luck. Apparently an Elven woman had been sighted heading towards a Tavern and Raven soon made his way there hurriedly.

His fist near pounded against the door as he forced it open, he wasn't loud upon entering though his appearance did seem to catch the attention of many to the point of them toning down their voices. His eyes scanned the area for a moment before soon asking around.

[Ash]

"Hello, Madam. What may I get for you today?" A small woman appeared at her table. Fragile and tiny, she looked like she'd break in Ash's hands. Her large blue eyes were sunken into her skull, giving them a tired dark look around them. Her blonde hair was put up into a small messy bun with some hair falling around her ears, looking as if it wasn't in brushed in weeks. Only after she pushed a strand behind her ear did Ash realize the woman was an elf. At this point, it didn't surprise. By the looks of how they treated elves in this country, they all looked as if they'd been locked up in cages and fed bread crumbs for dinner.

It was sad, honestly. It just made Ash want the Qunari to take over even more. Give these elves a real life rather than the one they thought they lived.

"I will just take a glass of water. Thanks," Ash replied, noticing the shocked look on the woman's face. Was it so surprising that someone wasn't looking to drunk? Ash never really ever felt a need for alcohol or getting drunk. She never really understood the act, nor did she ever want to get involved with it.

That was when another showed up at the side of her small table. A man with scruffy hair and a smirk on his face as he looked down at her. He let out a low chuckle from under his breath, "What's a pretty small thing like you doing here? So fragile and... smooth..."

"Begone Human. I will not have any part of this." Ash retorted with a glare in her eyes as she stood up from her chair and met closer to his eye level.

"Mmmmm, I love them with spirit. It's so endearing. Now hush."

"I advise you to leave. I will not have any part of your foolish games!" She said, turning away from him to return to her seat, but when she did, she felt a strong arm wrap around her upper chest, forcefully pushing her against the man behind her.

"We don't want to cause a scene now do we?" He whispered softly in her ear as another approached the two. Another scruffy looking man looking down at her as if she were an object, most likely a friend of this other Bas.

"Unfortunately, we're passed that. She said loudly as she moved her head forward and then slammed it backwards against his head. He immediately let go of her, falling backwards against the table behind him, but the other in front of her began to approach her with his blade. She didn't hesitate to draw her bow, pointing the very tip of the arrow to the space between his eyes. He let the dagger fall to the floor as he held up his hands in response. She turned her head quickly to get a look at his fallen friend, finding him getting ready to get back to his feet for another round. Without taking the bow and arrow from the man's head, she began to move backwards off to the side to ensure that she had both of the men in her sights.

[Raven]

Raven was currently speaking with the barman regarding personal matters until, out of the blue, his Elven ears twitched at the sound of voices, rather drunken ones at that. Darkly lined eyes narrowed, squinting to a slight glare at the scene before him but remained discreet in his staring. Once those jade black rimmed eyes met the scene they widened very slightly, a deep and dark sickening feeling rose within him.

"Shemlen..." he growled softly, the bridge of his nose crinkled a bit as he let off a sneer and soon a smirk formed on those pale lips of his. He noted how no one helped the woman, who was clearly an Elf, a mesmerizing one at that. His bare feet, with only straps wrapped around them, glided across the creaky flooring soundlessy and swiftly. He knew not to go to the full extent of his ability, it was clear that this woman could defend herself, and to be honest, he found it rather refreshing as well as attractive.

She was now cornered and it appeared more men were beginning to join in, he knew what their plans were... one by one they would violate this beautiful creature - one of his own. A disgusted look appeared on his face before he stopped behind the two men, almost as if he were their very shadows, a single raven feather fell from his hooded trench-like cloak.

"That's enough, Shem!" his voice came harshly, unlike most Dalish, his accent was not thick, he sounded Fereldan but with a tiny drop of Dalish in his tone. The now four men turned to face him, their expressions surprised at first but then the arrogance returned.

"Weeeell, lookie here boys, looks like we got ourselves a hero," the man sneered, his so-called friends laughed alongside him "here to save the fair maiden, eh?"

Raven remained calm, cool, and collected, his eyes dare not leave those of his enemies, he seemed not amused at all and in the eyes of killers, death could be seen. He knew the men could see it as they faltered slightly, but their egos were far more important that their lives it seemed. He spoke in a professional yet somewhat amused tone.

"As beautiful as your so-called prey is, I have to admire your choice in women," the amusement then dropped from his tone "however... you have choosen a poor yet foolish approach, and I will not let you lay another finger on this woman!"

The humans merely laughed as if they had heard the funniest joke in the world. "Oh, begone with you, you knife eared scum, go back to your little mouse hole... we men have business to attend to!" the 'leader' said, before turning his back on him - a mistake.

"On the contrary," the dark Elf smirked, stepping forward "I see no men, only mice..." a within the blink of an eye, the human leader had already been bent forward with his arm twisted gruesomely as an audible spine shivering crack erupted throughout the room, Raven then leaned forward, whispering harshly into the man's ear "... and ravens prey upon mice!"

And with that, he threw the man forward into one of his friends, which then only caused two others to go for him.

And so it began.

[Ash]

This wasn't the first time that Ash had run into this kind of situation, only difference was last time they weren't drunk and knew when it was time to give up. These guys, however, seemed to be too ignorant enough to realize when they've been been overpowered. Alcohol would do such to a person, thus giving Ash's reasoning for drinking something like that. She was always on her toes, always ready for times like these. She wasn't going to let something inhibit her ability to defend herself and inhibitions.

She was only caught off guard when once more, someone else came into the picture. At first she would have thought that he was just joining in on the "fun" with the other two, but his words proved otherwise.

He was an elf; dark features, masculine body, Dalish accent. She could only wonder what such man would be doing here. He didn't look Dalish, maybe he had Dalish ancestry? Either way, that was besides the point.

She put her bow and and arrow down when elf grabbed the recovering man by the arm and then threw him forward into his friend. Both of the men fell backwards into the next table, only slightly recovering before they turned their focus on him. It was a wonder as to why this man had interfered. Was it just an act of kindness? Did he think she couldn't protect herself? Or did he know these men? Maybe they owed him something that was long overdue.

When the men began forward at the fellow elf, Ash immediately walked forward, raising her bow and pointing the arrow to the back of the second man's head, making sure he could feel the sharp tip against his scalp. "I wouldn't do that, if I were you." She waited for him to turn around, before returning the arrow to his forehead, "You have two choices. You can either leave now, cower home and lock your doors, or, you can stay and be killed." She made sure the glare in her eye said a million words, practically showing him what she'd do to him if he chose the latter.

He stumbled backwards, looking at the tip of the arrow and then back down at her, "L-look, I-I don't w-want any trouble!" And with that, he ran as fast as he could out the door of the tavern with his tail between his legs like a scared puppy dog. She turned her head to the man and the elf next to her, putting her bow down in a sign that she'd leave this one up to him.

[Raven]

Raven's eyes lay focused on the men before him, the way these pathetic Shem sweat when death came even within an a few meters of them make him see just how cowardly most of them could be. It was then they began to quiver and shake, he made note that the elven woman had one of her arrows just mere inches from the mans skull. As much as he thought to kill these men, it seemed not an option once he thought about it. They were clearly drunk... and stupid, but was there really any hope in saving one so intending to be foolish?

Edging his dark features towards the quivering lead man, Raven made sure not to gag at the smell of his breath, he kept his eyes focused on the man's eyes which almost caused him to quiver further as if staring in the eyes of Death himself. "It appears fate is fair to you today... I suggest you leave!" he growled lowly and without a moments hesistation, the men fled but Raven grabbed the lead man's shoulder before he could even step out the door, causing him to shriek almost a bit too femininely for his liking "... and be warned, if I ever see you harass one of my own again... Death will be certain."

The man then whimpered before bursting out the door, the room soon fell silent as eyes seemed to fall upon the two ebony haired Elves, this irritated Raven as he disliked such attention. "Go about your business, it is done," he said to the room almost a bit too irritable, before then turning to the Elf woman, his eyes scanned her carefully for any injuries yet made it known that he wasn't looking inappropriately - he had much more respect for women than those men did.

His gaze then fell upon her face, indeed she was beautiful, a gorgeous nightmare one could say, although appearances mattered not to him, her art in fighting was just so and admirable. "I apologize," he spoke in a somewhat professional manner, taking a nod of the head "it was not my intention to intrude, but it seems a kind such as you and I can get no justice in a place filled with shemlen, I hope that no harm has come to you... but I must say, you look like a woman who can easily handle herself."

There didn't seem like much to say after that, plus he wasn't exactly one for idle chatter so perhaps it would be best if he left it at that. With another nod, he then left her side and took a seat at an empty yet secluded table in a nice corner of the room. A woman came over to take his order and soon a goblet containing a strong red liquid was placed in front of him, he wasn't much of a drinker, but red wine had some satisfaction to it. He sat there silently, his eyes occasionally yet discreetly laying upon the Elven woman every so often.

[Ash]

If she had any previous questions as to why he had interfered, they were all gone now. She figured that this was a natural occurrence in Kabethari society. Elves sticking with elves, humans with humans, dwarves with dwarves. Was it natural instincts that told them to do such? The Qunari did it too. You kill a Qunari, you'll get yourself killed. And here was this elf that she had never met before, defending her honor and name.

Ash gave him a smile, yet still unsure of what to do or say. Was she supposed to thank him? Was that what they normally did? "I supposed a 'thank you' is in order. So, thank you," she said in a calm tone as she looked over at him.

And then everything returned to normal. He left to sit down at a table, and had his order taken. She looked back at her table to find her glass of water waiting for her at hers. Everyone around them had gone back to their business as if nothing ever happened. Normally, she would have done the same, but something stopped her and drew her to the male elf at his table. It was a while since she had a normal conversation with another, after spending so much time wandering the lands and eavesdropping on every conversation.

So she did. Ash grabbed her full glass of water from her table and then walked back over to the dark elf's table as she sat down on the other side. To be honest, she didn't exactly know what to say next, "My name is Ash."

[OOC: sorry for he awkwardness XD]

[Raven]

As he sat there with his wine glass in hand, Raven continued to gaze at the picture which he kept held in his left hand, lamenting deeply as his eyes danced along every detail. "How long has it been, lethallan?" he muttered before sighing as if almost defeated, but he knew his search would continue even if all he found was a body or bones.

It was then to his surprise that the woman he had defended earlier came over to his table and just simply sat down, he didn't remember inviting her but he supposed it didn't matter, it made a change in routine, he rarely spoke to anyone but yet there was something strangely interesting about this woman. She introduced herself and he, being a gentleman, thought it suitable to return the introduction. His former name meant nothing to him now and decided to go by the name he thought was worth having.

"A pleasure, Ash... my name is Raven," he said simply, but then he was stuck, he rarely spoke and idle chatter he was never fond of, it merely distracted him from what was important, he had to think and fast "I was glad to have aided you in such a time of need, although your fighting skills are unlike any woman that I have met, I do not doubt your abilities... those men did not deserve to lay their hands upon you... they are... unworthy."

Indeed, she was beautiful, some might've even thought she was delicate, but that was not the case - this woman held something so much more as were soon confirmed by his next words which he said with the utmost respect. "Shok ebasit hissra. Meraad astaarit, meraad itwasit, aban aqun. Maraas shokra. Anaan esaam Qun..." he spoke the words as if he, too, were of the Qun, the words were like poetry, meaningful yet beautiful, but wisdom far deeper than any other could be detected if only one would listen carefully. Struggle is an illusion. The tide rises, the tide falls, but the sea is changeless. There is nothing to struggle against. Victory is in the Qun.

He took another sip and already within those few short moments he had figured out what she was and the importance she held. "You have my utmost respects and admiration, my lady," he said softly with a nod "many dare not walk down the path in which you have choosen."

[Ash]

Raven. A majestic black bird. That of which lurks in the shadows. Fears nothing and wants nothing. Lonely and quiet, but independent and brave. Just by the looks of this man sitting on the other side of the table, the name seemed fitting. She knew of the organization of assassins that went by the name of 'Antivan Crows' in Antiva, but she had never heard of such a thing for Ravens. Was he a part of something similar? No, he didn't look like he belonged to anyone. Took no-one's advice except for his own; looked out only for his own safety.

Was it possibly a title given to him? Much like the titles that the Qunari used? Probably not. Though, the role he played today seemed fitting to his name.

"It is not unusual to me. I have ran into such incidents before, especially when in establishments made for... this kind of activity. I do not fear what would have happened if you had not interfered, but I still appreciate the thought," she said, while bowing her head every so slightly before returning her eyes to his.

What he said next in response, however, is what shocked her. She understood every word he spoke. It was the language that she was raised on. The very language of her people, what she was trying so hard to hide while she was here. What made him suddenly decide to speak it? Was he Qunari? It was possible, she didn't know every single elf in the Qunari. It would explain how he knew it. Or...

Did he know she was Qunari? But how? She had not told him that she was such. Did someone tell him what she was, and was he here spying on her? "You... know Qunlat? This is a sight that is new to me. How... How did you know?"

[Raven]

Raven wasn't at all surprised by the ebony haired beauty's reaction, he supposed that anyone would react the same way. He took another sip, his eyes semi-squinting as he merely observed her every feature, the hearts of humans were weak and she was what made them so, her beauty was a fine trait for a woman of her stature. However, a person's appearance mattered not to him, which was why he was not so easily swayed by fluttering wide eyes and luscious curves.

"You have the eyes and skill of a Qunari," he spoke softly, being sure not to offend her with his tone "I've read about them in books, I should even say that I have met a few in my travels, gaining few respects, but they are respects none the less, a strong and wise race."

Resting his elbows on the table with his fingers intertwined together, a small smirk appeared on his lips, a rather mischievous one at that - a habit he had picked up from his dear cousin. "Tell me, what do you seek?" he questioned, hoping she would understand what he meant "your name 'Ash' it means 'to seek', does it not? Rather fitting if you ask me."

[Ash]

She listened as he explained himself. She wasn't at all too worried at him knowing. Not as long as he wouldn't send a million guards after her. She was here on business, she needed to collect information, but if her identity was revealed... Well, that would defeat her purpose here. She would have failed her duty.

It was intriguing to hear how inspired he was by the Qunari, however. He had been studying their society for years, just as she had done the same for the outside Elven society. It wasn't often that you met someone this far south who was so interested in her way life. Not many were even in the least bit interested in the Qunari. They hated them. Looked at them with scorn and disdain. They despised what they did and what they believed.

"Why have you not joined us? We accept anyone who is willing to join." She hoped that she had not offended him, it was his decision after all. Well, as long as the Qunari weren't here. When they invaded, they practically forced everyone in their path to submit or die. But that wasn't Ash's job. Nor was recruiting anyone, but if she had come back to her land with a new recruit, she would be regarded highly with respect. It wasn't respect she was looking for, she wasn't looking for any of that. She was just merely proposing the idea to him, if he was that interested. He seemed to have great skill in his abilities with fighting. He was an elf, and a male at that. He could prove to be very useful among her kind.

But then he seemed interested in her. He mentioned her title, and seemed to know what it meant. Even those who were familiar with the Qunari ways, tend to not know about the Qunari titles. That they didn't have names and used titles instead for their job. Spies were popular amongst the Qunari elves. They were usually either spies like Ash or assassins like the wanted Tallis. Still, she was cautious to tell him what her job here was. It was dangersous. What if he was a spy for someone else? Ordered to find her and get information from her?

"It is a risk telling you that information. I know not of what you came here to do, whether it be a spy yourself, or just a passing traveler. But, I do not suspect as much from you. There is something about you that is... what you say, honest." Her fingers wrapped around the cup of water as she pressed it up to her lips, taking a quick sip. "I've only been sent to gather information. I understand that there is a war between the lands here. Is it for power? Wealth?"

[Raven]

Allowing the last drops of his wine to fall upon his tongue, Raven licked his lips briefly before leaning forward slightly to keep eyes level with her as well as to keep his voice down should anyone over-heard them. "I'll admit... joining the Qun is an attractive idea, but..." he paused, keeping sure his surroundings were safe before continuing in a low and hushed tone "... I have a matter to tend to at this present time."

Looking at her, she didn't seem all that much like other women, Elven ones at that, there was a strength to this one... and like all, a story was held within those dark eyes of hers, but it was a story he could not read. He wondered why she would join the Qun, did she lack purpose? Or had fate molded her path for her? Perhaps she had molded her own path. Still, she was intriguing... why a woman such has her would join the Qun was a mystery to him.

A mystery he had to--no, wanted to solve.

Upon her next words, a genuine humble look speard across that dark face of his. "Forgive me if it seems like I am prying, please do not feel as if you need to answer every question I ask," he said with a light smile, a woman came over to take his goblet, appearing quite flustered as she did as his stern eyes met hers for a split second before leaving the table in a hurry, Raven just merely grunted a small chuckle.

As Ash said that word honest, Raven couldn't help but feel slightly disgusted, he wasn't always so, though it seemed necessary this moment in time. "I do not care for matters that do not involve myself, war or not, people are in search of power and wealth everywhere in Thedas," his words word cold as his nose scrunched slightly with disgust "... it is not my duty to care nor fix their problems, like fat Dathrasi they feed and complain only when their meal is interrupted... they're blind only until they see that the world is suffering... but what do they do? They fight... invade other people's lands that have better crops, population, homes, and stock... and thus the cycle continues until eventually nothing is left."

Raven didn't care about the upcoming wars, there was only a mere few people that he cared about.