Rainy Monday (Elissa)

[Terra Ashalle]

Rainy Monday

The rain battered down outside the walls of Amananthine. The cracked rock walls stood strong against the onslaught, unwavering in their strength. The city was dark and quiet. Everyone was inside in the warmth beside the few patrons bracing the rain for whatever reason. Blue eyes cold see the lights emerging from windows and she shivered, pulling a dark green cloak tight around her shoulders. The hood hung low over her pale face, rain dripping from the brim. She longed for the warmth but she coped, turning away from the houses and standing up upon the high walls. Guards stood post, but most seemed half asleep or hide away in the darkness in any shelter they could find. It was easy, then, for her to slip unseen down the walls, falling into a soft barrel of hay to brace her fall.

Silent as a cat, she moved swiftly through the streets toward the high walls of the estate. She could probably make do with smaller prey. But Terra never did things by half. She slunk deeper into the bowels of the city, eager to reach her mark. Under the cover of rain, it was easy going ough she found herself dripping wet and shivering badly. Quicker, quicker, little rabbit, she thought with a secret smile, eventually reaching the heart of the city.

Getting in was the easy part. A small but low window was left slightly ajar, probably by some poor elven servant who would be no doubt punished. Terra knew how these people worked. All high and mighty, living comfortably with no thought to the lesser people. They cared little why people like Terra stole - they cared only for power. That was why she risked her life stealing from the upper classes - because the poor already understood why she did it.

Slipping inside, she found herself inside a large panty adjacent to the kitchen. She glanced around. It was perfect, there was plenty of food here she could take without being found, but even Terra had a little sin within her. She needed money. Surely they wouldn't miss some shiny insignificant item. And if they did, she didn't give a damn. Slowly sneaking toward the kitchen door, she spotted an elf slave stirring a large pot. It smelled delicious, but Terra had to resist. The growling of her stomach sounded loud enough to hear but the woman never turned. Remaining as unit as she could, even holding her breath, the young elf managed to slip past the girl and into the halls successfully.

From their she moved swiftly but silently. Her quiet steps were her greatest asset. She managed to find a large bedroom, though she supposed to the ownersthis was one of the smaller rooms, by rushing up a set of stairs. She had narrowly avoided a set of guard by hiding in a closet on the way. It seemed luck was on her side, today! Inside she spotted a gold diadem - some sort of fancy tiara - and a thick chained necklace. Bingo! She slipped the necklace around her neck and the diadem on the head and glanced into a large golden mirror. She was soakin wet, her green cloak hanging sodden over her shoulders with dull, old armour barely able to glint under rust. Her bare legs bore leather straps keeping her sandals tight to her swift feet. Her blonde hair tumbled in wet rats tails over her shouldes, framing her face that was flushed with cold. She sneezed. Damn.

She heard voiced and she swore under her breath, pulling up her hood and quickly glancing around the room for some sort of hiding place. The wardrobe seemed as good a place as nay as she darted inside, slamming the doors shut and holding her breath. Her heart hammered. Had they heard her?

On a rainy Monday; a feeling inside me
Like the days of summer

[Elissa Vuronia]

Home is where your heart is, that’s what some people say. Its also your own personal sanctuary from the world outside, and a place to be safe and just relax. Or simply a place where you can just come and just spend time with your loved ones, to Elissa Vuronia her home in Amaranthine was the place where the wheels of her destiny began to turn. As the very heavens unleashed its sadness over the city the Vuronia stood proud against the watery elements, yet deep inside her humble abode guards of the Amaranthine watch braved the rain as they stood outside to do their best to protect the home of the city's noble family.

Erik and his band of guards sat around a oblong table which sat in the middle of a square room filled with posh paintings, decorated walls and carpet. He sat near the edge of the northern section of the oblong bronze wooden table which was adjoined with a red table cloth and a nice spread of foods, and goblets filled to the brim with fresh drink, just on the end of the northern section was a man in his late fifties dressed in posh clothes. To the right of him was a women in her early forties and garbed in a long velvet gown, sitting next to the woman was Elissa herself as she just recently returned home just because she missed them, yet the teenage noblewoman was given a hero's welcome and thus a banquet was held in her honor.

The teenagers garbs were a full length gown as she laughed in pure joy as Erik told a story of how he once fought against some darkspawn. He even impersonated a troll that roared in victory over its prey yet the guy soon regained his composure and sat down and placed an arm over his younger sister that made Elissa just hug him tight. Soon he continued to talk and happily expressed his feelings in utter happiness and joy while their mother and father began to laugh as well.

"By the Maker I swear by his good name that the troll was so slow I nearly feel asleep, I was standing just over here and the big guy just plodded over there towards me. Still don’t those horns looks familiar? They look just like a Qunari, the only difference is that the Qunari are strong and courageous warriors while those darkspawn behemoths don’t have a brain!"

Elissa laughed with her friends and loved ones but still they conversed quietly while eating some freshly cooked food and quenched their thirst with drink, it was a good thing her brother still retained his personality while still having still having honor in his very being. It was sure good to be with her family again but the call of Adventure and the cry of answers to life itself was still as strong as ever, however she ignored these callings and simply enjoyed the company of those her heart held dear.

Fredrosa andValencia soon stood together and held their goblets, the lord of the estate began to talk before those that had assembled before him.

"I would like to propose a toast to the safe return of my beloved daughter. Though it may only be a short stay, may she be watched over by the Maker! To Elissa!"

The guards, Erik, Valencia and Fredosa lifted their goblets in unison and drank to their hearts content. Elissa whipped away a single tear but was quickly comforted by her older brother who gently placed a hand on her shoulders, meanwhile an Elven servant was cleaning just outside Valencia's room when she heard a noise which startled her. As she went to investigate the elf found that floor was partly covered in spots of water, immediately she raced down the stairs and spoke to the Vuronia banquet.

"My lords and ladies! Someone else is here in the estate!"

Erik looked startled and immediately he stood bolt up right and gave out orders to his guards. The elf servant ran to safety while Elissa looked to her brother and wondered what to do, but the teenage noblewoman didn’t wait long to find out as Erik looked serious.

"Guards take up arms and follow me! Elissa guard our parents! No thief will steal from my own HOME!"

He said in anger as the guards followed their captain through key section of the house. Elissa stood near her parents as she watched her brother and the rest of the guards spread out to begin their search of each rooms.

[Terra Ashalle]

She heard footsteps fleeing the room and for a second she thought she got away with it. Sipping from the wardrobe, she peeked through the door the elven servant had left ajar in her hurry. The coast was clear, she just had to sneak through the halls and back toward the stairs...

Her heart almost skipped a beat when she heard voiced, however. She couldn't make out what they were staying, but she distinctly heard 'thief'. They knew she was inside. Now Terra knew she couldn't simply hide within the walls. She would surely be killed if caught. The only thing she could do was run or hide. There were pros and cons of both actions but she had no time to think so without hesitation, she turned and fled to the relative safety of the wardrobe. Thinking back, running seemed a much better option but in her panic, she had no time to judge on advantages and disadvantages.

In the confines of the wardrobe, she heard her heart hammering loudly within her chest. Hr breaths came out fast and loud and she thought maybe they would hear her. Part of her was excited and her fingers found her sword, but she was not a stupid girl. Though she could fight, it didnt mean she should. To fight guards was to die if she was outnumbered.

The steps got louder and she heard voices. They were in the room. "The floors wet. The intruder must be around here somewhere. You two, go check the other rooms. We will look around here." Oh damn. She heard them moving and watched through the narrow gap between the doors. A tall man was approaching. Before she could draw her weapon, the door was pulled open and the man thrust a hand forward, catching her long locks of hair. His sword found her throat and he called out to his men, alerting them. The guards regrouped and she found herself being led down through the halls to where smells of food wafted. The tiara still sat on her head and the ruby necklace was hidden under her cloak. Feeling the cold steel against her neck and the rough fingers in her hair, she had no choice but to be led like cattle to slaughter.

Thrust into a large dining hall, she found herself staring at a brunette woman. Her eyes were wide but Terra was not easily scared. No, she was busy thinking. She needed to escape and fighting was no option as one guard moved forward, tugging away her sword and shield to disarm her. She groaned. She needed to talk her way out of it. For now, though, she remained silent, trying to look scared so maybe the nobles would pity her enough to give her bread and let her go with a couple of lashes.

On a rainy Monday; I feel it inside me
In the hopes of one day

[Elissa Vuronia]

Amaranthine was usually a pretty well guarded thanks to Erik and his friends. Crime rate had indeed fallen but there would still be the odd murder or thief, even the Vuronia estate was closely guarded. However this recent break in by an unknown intruder simply told the guard captain he needed to step up security for not only his home but for the entire city, in the meantime his younger sister Elissa stood in front of her slightly scared parents as she let her sibling deal with the situation. Her ears could hear the focused voices of the guards and her brother who left no stone unturned to find and capture the intruder, if there was one thing she knew about Erik was that once something was on his mind he wont give in until he has sorted it out in his mind.

Elissa kept calm and focused while keeping her eyes out on her surroundings incase the intruder tried to run past Erik and the others. So far her return had been heart warming but now it was filled with an emergency as the estate had a break in by a thief, it was unheard of about how they just let themselves without even being spotted by the patrol. Why would someone even do that? To break into another person's home and steal their possessions? Or possibly even to commit murder? All she could do was leave it to Erik as he was a brother who very much take care of himself, after all the warrior taught the teenage noble everything that he knew.

She could hear a sudden struggle upstairs and one of the guards called out that they had finally caught the intruder. She sighed in relief and relaxed as slowly the guard dragged an elven girl down the steps who soon made her appearance known, she was dressed in a soaking wet dark green cloak. The girl looked young yet here she was wearing one of her mothers tiara's on her head, but that was quickly cleared up as one of the guards ripped it off the girl's head and headed it to Erik who was not a happy chappy. Erik nodded to Elissa to silently thank her and soon instructed he
r parents to leave the room.

With the parents out of the room Erik stared hard at the girl. But he soon his eyes gently narrowed as he walked towards this blonde girl and unsheathed his sword, careful he used his blade to push aside the left side of the green cloak and immediately took the ruby necklace from around her neck. Looking towards the evidence he sheathed his sword and soon spoke to the girl while Elissa stood just to the right of her big brother.

"Talk Elf! Why did you break into my home!?"

Elissa watched as Erik quickly began to interrogate the girl. But her face looked like it was filled with emotion and her eyes looked like they had a story that had to be told, she kept this in mind as she waited for the girl to reply.

[Terra Ashalle]

Terra wanted to growl like some deranged animal at the guards manhandling her, but she held it back under narrowed lips. Her eyes glared at the guards though she could hardly blame them - they were only doing their job to protect the nobles living there. A sigh escaped her lips as the parents were ordered out - she was a little confused as to why this guard seemed to control the owners of the estate. Maybe he was protecting them. The idea made her smirk and she stifled a laugh, hiding it under a cough. Afraid of little ol' Terra? There was a room full of guards and some teenager she assumed was someone important. She had no chance of killing anyone she doubted, especially since they had her sword.

The tiara was snatched from her head and the elf could only watch as the angered man drew his sword. Oh damn, right to the point? She winced, closing her eyes. She was taken aback when his sword pulled aside her sodden cloak, revealing the necklace. Tugging it sharply from around her neck, she could only watch as the man paced before her, questioning her.

Why was it people only saw her ears? She glared at him for that, almost forgetting her fake sorrowful gaze. "All due respect sir," She started, her sarcasm evident. She really hated being defined as 'elf'. It was all humans saw. "But what does my being an elf have to do with anything?" Her eyes, instead, turned to the lady. "Please, my lady. What would you do if you had nothing? Starve? I need money. I am desperate." Her eyes begged the brunette. She suspected the guard or whoever he was would care not one bit about the plight of some common elf, but she was young and Terra knew how naive the young could be.

[Elissa Vuronia]

Elissa watched her brother carefully as he was losing his cool as always. His patience was wearing thin which meant that it was only a matter of time before he something drastic, even his men were hoping their captain would keep calm. But luckily Erik quickly regained his focus and composure as he watched Terra like a hawk as the stolen objects sat in Elissa's left hand as she carefully made sure her big brother remained calm by placing her available hand on his left shoulder, she quickly removed it though as Erik sighed and soon looked over towards Terra and spoke.

"It matters not whoever you are, what does matter is that you committed a crime in Amaranthine and by my right as Captain of the city guards I hereby arrest you in the name of the law! If you wanted money then you should have asked first before taking what doesn’t belong to your grubby hands!".

Elissa had to act soon as her brother had evoked the full powers of his position in Amaranthine. It was his sworn duty to make sure crime was given justice, she heard Terra's plea which touched her heart. But Erik did a valid point as all the young elf could have simply asked for some money by knocking on the front door, the young teenage noblewoman finally stepped in front of her brother and soon whispered something in his ear. The dark haired captain nodded and quickly lowered his guard as Elissa soon spoke to Terra just out of curiosity.

"My brother speaks truly, all you could have done was just ask. But answer me this if you were desperately poor then how come you have a sword at your waist? And where did you get your cloak from? You normally seen someone who is poor to have a weapon at their side or a cloak to keep them warm"

[Terra Ashalle]

The elf glared up at the captain of the guard. When Terra had been but a child she had longed to guard the streets of Denerim, protecting the people f the city. As she grew older and her fascination grew greater. She soon came to realise that her kind was not welcome within their ranks. She would be laughed t for even suggesting such a ing, as she often was in her young years. Still she had trained, half to hide her status as a Mage, half to try and make a name for herself. Non of the mattered now for she was different. She lost her respect for the guard the moment they lay their hands on her mother. Humans thought they could take what they wanted from her people and the guards were no different. Why should she respect them, if they gave none in return?

If she was not desperate, she would have spat in the mans face at his words. he suggested to simply walk up to nobles and ask for money? Ever he was dumb as pig shit or this family truly was an oddity. She glared silently, instead turning to the woman. She did not wish to listen to his voice. It grated on her nerves.

The woman placed her arm on the guard to soothe him and with a whisper, he allowed her to take over. Good dog, [/i.Terra thought to herself, do as your master commands you. The teenager turned to her, asking about her sword and cloak. Oh she wasn't as stupid as Terra initially thought, then. She smiled. "The sword was my fathers, before a bunch of dog lords murdered him." She stated, leaving out the details. She glared a the guard, she would never trust a guard again she swore. Not after they did that to her father. "As for the cloak...Well I'll be honest shall I? I stole it." No point lying. It was obvious, anyway. "Look, you say I could have knocked on your door and asked, but have you ever met another noble before? If they say yes to one damn elf, a whole bunch more come asking. Nobody does charity. Nobody gives a damn about anyone but themselves. You have everything, lady. Family, guards, money...but you never look out into the rain and consider the old woman huddled in the cold, starving, or those without a roof over their heads." She doubted they would care for her speech. She prepared for a fight, if that was what came. Either way, she was not filling her stomach tonight, and she would rest under the pouring rain once again.

[Elissa Vuronia]

The worlds between the rich and the poor were very much different in life. For those who had everything had money, family, a house to sleep and seek refuge in while the poor had nothing except their own lives, they constantly struggled for food, water, shelter and even to survive in harsh conditions. The boundaries of these world was of course money, this elf was merely doing everything she could in order to survive. Can life truly be this cruel even to a young girl like her? would Elissa's journey to find her answer be something she would regret finding?

However she had not forgotten her brother's training, and that was to never let go of your goals. She was determined that somewhere in Thedas lied the truth and her answer to life, pretty soon Erik watched from afar and was pretty impressed with his little sister's question in regards to the girl's sword and cloak. And in a typical fashion the thief spoke her answer which made him just shake his head in complete disbelief, Elissa herself ignored her brother and listened to her words.

Truth lingered in the very voice of the elf which made the teenage noblewoman think. She seemed sincere and yet was honest about the sword from her father and even admitted to stealing the green yet wet cloak, it was amazing she had gotten a cold from being wet in the rain while a chill covered itself around Amaranthine. With a relaxed sigh Elissa immediately replied to the elf while the guard kept their eyes out for the girl to make any sudden movements.

"No...no I haven’t but you could have used your skills to make money instead of steal it. Look I appreciate your honesty her stranger but you have to understand, you stole from a nobleman's very own home and the law must be upheld"