Heart of Gold {Azrael}

[arla]

As morning peeked in through her window, Arla opened one eye as the sun's rays shone upon her pale skin. Wasting no time, she sat up in her bed, stretching while sighing contently, today would be like any other day though there was always hope in her heart that something would change.

Quickly, she made her bed, had a quick bath and then got dressed in her usual merchant's attire. "Good morning, father!" she chirped ever-so cheerfully as she kissed him on the cheek as he sat and ate his breakfast of bread and cheese with a cup of water, Arla frowned at this. "Did I not buy food yesterday?" she asked, her innocent eyes held concern as well as slight regret due to her father having to eat such a small breakfast.

Shaking his head, he merely smiled. "No, love, but it's fine, I've grown fond of it," his words sounded so carefree as he went back to his breakfast while reading a book. Arla just sighed hopelessly but with a smile as she took her cloak from a hook along with her merchant's bag. "Well, hopefully I make enough coin today and then I'll be able to buy something wonderful for dinner," she smiled, tying her cloak around her neck and putting the hood up before walking out the door.

---------

It wasn't all that hard to sneak past the guard in the early hours of the morning, she was such a tiny thing though not tiny enough to be mistaken for a child, though barely noticeable in her green cloak. Instead of standing around waiting for customers to come to her, she went to them. She took out a fine piece of silk with various brooches pinned to it as she approached a couple. "Good morning, Messere! A lovely day, isn't it?" she began, her voice soft and kind "I couldn't help but notice what a lovely couple you and your lady friend here make! Perhaps you would like to present her with one of these fine brooches as a token of love?"

The man seemed rather embarrassed, though told her he had no interest in such things, though the woman's hopeful eyes said otherwise. "Oh, but Messere, this particular brooch matches her eyes, and to take any pressure off your shoulders, I'll give you a discount!" she smiled, acting upon her cunning. He soon gave in and handed her twenty silvers, and then she used her wit once more. "Oh, and I'll even throw in this lovely silk bag to keep it in for a mere five silvers," she spoke so politely, but her eyes held mischief.

Once the deal was done, Arla found herself twenty-five more silvers richer and the day had only just begun.

[Azrael]

Hearing shouting nearby Azrael groaned and rolled over. "Just a little longer..." He mumbled, opening his eyes very slightly, his mouth opening slightly as he realised where he was. The Chantry roof. How in Andraste's name had that happened? Gingerly climbing down he suddenly felt something hit his already throbbing head. "Drunken blasphemer!" The chantry mother was screaming, the broom in her hands crashing across the noble's head repeatedly.
"Ow! What did- Ow! I do?" The blonde responded, trying to cover his head from the strikes as he tried to piece together what had happened.
You staggered into the chantry last night demanded that I marry you to a goat! And when I refused you trashed it!" The sister continued to scream, her vicious attack not relenting for one moment. A confused look was plastered on Azrael's face for a moment, though it was swiftly replaced by one of surprise as he felt on open hand crack him across the back of the head, the unexpected blow pitching him head over heels.
"Not just any goat! You kidnapped my bloody prize goat you thieving bastard!" A farmer shouted from above him. Slumping down in the mud Azrael sighed.
"Never gonna try to outdrink Ulric again... My apologies..." Then hr noticed that the pair were more focussed on arguing over the farmer's language than his apology and so he beat a quick exit, only increasing his pace as he heard the crazed priest telling him to stop. What a brilliant way to begin his day...

Darting through the crowd Azrael didn't look back as he ran, the broom toting, shrieking harpy still trying to reach him. The one time he did look back he crashed straight into a young elf, sending the coins in her hand flying. "Dammit..." He whispered, offering a hand to help her up. "Help me hide and I'll pay you back what you just lost ten fold." He offered hurriedly, all too aware of the swiftly approaching woman behind him...

[arla]

Lightly throwing her coin pouch in the air and catching, a smile spread across Arla's lips, that is... until... she felt someone bump into her, thus causing it to drop on the ground. A look of shock appeared on her dainty features before going to reach down to pick it up, a few coin was now missing from it. "Ohhhhh..." she groaned in her usual soft yet feminine tone, not too happy over the loss of the coin she had just made. Why did things like this always happen to her?

She blinked in confusion the same time a light blush appeared on her cheeks, she was such a pure and well-mannered thing that even around the opposite sex she felt awkward. Not one to turn down someone in need, she immediately grabbed his arm, thus pulling him into an alleyway, realising she was against him she quickly squeezed out, standing in front of the alley to hide that he was there.

"You there! Elf! Have you seen a man run by? Tall with blonde hair?" the Chantry mother asked, rather rudely and impatiently, might she add. With a light smile followed by a giggle, the girl seemed so innocent to be considered a liar. "No, not at all, ma'am... though I think I might have seen him head for The Pearl, if you're interested in finding him," she smiled rather mischievously, which only caused the woman to shudder in thought of going to such a vile place.

"On second though, never mind..." the woman muttered, looking down her nose at the elven girl before grumpily trotting away from her. Merely placing a hand to her lips, Arla began to giggle at the event. Turning to the taller man, she smiled. "The deed is done," she spoke sweetly, though her lips curved in a rather noxious manner "... and I believe you owe me forty silvers."

[Azrael]

Allowing himself to be guided into the alleyway smirking slightly at the close contact. "Rather cosy in here." He remarked, the wry grin belieing his hangover. He fell silent however as he heard the priestess approaching, readying himself to get out as quickly as he could, although he struggled to suppress a laugh as he heard the Pearl mentioned. Waiting until the woman was out of earshot he emerged, a smile splitting his face almost ear to ear. "Oh very good! The look on her face!" He remarked, clapping softly. "Forty silvers? For THAT? That's almost insulting." He continued, reaching into his purse. "It's worth at least eighty just for the entertainment value." Removing his hand from the pouch he handed over a single gold coin. "That covers it right?" He chuckled for a moment before shaking his head. "Marry a goat, what on earth was I thinking last night..." He sighed, holding his head in his right hand for a second as the hangover finally hit full force. "Damn that dwarf..." Grimacing as he composed himself he looked at the elf. "Maker! I haven't even thanked you yet! The name's Azrael by the way." Slowly he extended a hand in greeting, ignoring that he felt like an axe was lodged in his forehead.

[arla]

Arla almost felt as if she was going to faint as a sovereign was placed in her hand, she blinked, looking up at the man, confused. "A-a... sovereign?" she questioned, scarcely believing what had just happened, she thought of the things she could do with it "oh! This will last us weeks... I can buy bread, fresh ham and eggs! Oh! Father will be so happy!"

Smiling that beautiful smile, she refrained from hugging the stranger with glee - perhaps she should do people favors more often. But then again, upon receiving the gold piece, she could help but wonder that surely this man was unlike most in Denerim, no one would ever spare such a large sum of coin unless they were... was he of high status? Surely, he couldn't be... not to offend him, but his breath smelt of alcohol.

He introduced himself as Azrael, which meant she was somewhat obligated to do the same. "Oh, my name is Arla..." she smiled, trying to be polite as she placed her small hand in his and shook it lightly. This man was a peculiar one.

[Azrael]

Azrael couldn't help smirking at the elven woman's reaction to receiving the sovereign. So easy to make people happy... He suddenly shuddered as he realised just how frivolous he was with money- he could easily spend what would feed her for weeks on virtually nothing, he'd probably spent a few silver just last night even. The world truly was messed up. He didn't let this discomfort show however and instead returned the smile. "A pleasure to meet you Arla." He stated simply as she shook his hand. "I apologise for how rudely I knocked into you and my current state." An ironic smile crossed his face. "Apparently I didn't make it home last night and ended up asleep on the chantry roof... First time for everything I guess." He shrugged as he tailed off, not overly phased by the situation. "Better than waking up naked in the guard barracks I guess." He laughed, still struggling with his throbbing skull. "So Arla, how about we get to know each other a little better over breakfast? I know a nice little place round the corner, my treat."