Strumming the last chord of the song, Venali looks up at the small crowd surrounding her in the slums of Triscalli. Not much money gets given to her for the performance, but she appreciates every coin given. After today's performance, she'll have enough to buy a meal that night, a luxury most can't achieve in this part of town.

The people begin to disperse, and suspicious eyes catch Venali's as she thanks her donors. She tenses slightly, feeling the persistent cold stare of the Finisher. Surely they wouldn't take her money; she hasn't done anything illegal for her income. But they would spin any situation to satiate their destructive desires.

Venali collects her things as quickly as she can while trying to appear calm. Getting worked up made their job easier, she reminds herself. All she needs to do is leave; no extra steps are necessary.

But at the slightest movement on her part, the Ringman comes towards her with a bitter expression. As the man charges in between the flow of the crowd, Venali manages to pack up what little possessions she has. She walks away swiftly, but the Finisher gains on her quickly, reaching out to catch her. Venali tenses for the beating she is likely to receive for fleeing. Her senses heightened, Venali can feel the Ringman's hand brush her hair, and she readies for the tug—

"Pardon me, sir," Someone speaks up, putting themselves between the pursuer and the elf. "I want to report a crime not too far from here. Seems we have a rigged game one street over. He's been taking in money left and right."

Not letting this stranger's interception go to waste, Venali swiftly blends into the crowd to get out of sight. But, against her better judgment, she glances back at the man who just helped her. It is hard to make anything out between the human's clothes and hair, but the young elf catches the warmth of his taupe skin. He moved in such casual confidence, that you'd have thought the two were friends, but the confusion on the guard's face removed that possibility.

The Finishers were never kind to those in the slums. But, for some reason, the soldier eases his stature and looks to the area the man is speaking about. Venali takes the change in demeanor as reason enough to make her escape in secret.

Every year, the rules get worse for her people. Being an elf is considered too magical, much less being able to cast. She and her sister had been raised to never use their magic in public, for fear of execution. And that survival instinct is what has kept her alive this long.

Ten minutes pass, and there is still no sign of the guard. A sigh of relief escapes her lips after she changes into different clothes for security. Venali walks cautiously to the tavern, an almost haven for magical creatures. No one would let a Finisher drag someone out of the bar if they weren't destroying anything. It is the safest place she can think of going.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

She goes into the building, instantly put at ease by the jovial noises and the scent of food that seems to add warmth to the air. Removing her hood, the elf takes a seat at the bar and quickly pulls out the money for a full meal. It is only a few weeks until she meets with her sister and Venali is already preparing to be scolded for how much smaller she is now.

Taking her coin, the bartender slides over a full bowl of food and a pint of ale. Her mouth waters at the sight of the food as she dips her spoon in the broth. Immediately, Venali hastens her actions, desperate to fill the void in her stomach.

"That Finisher seemed to have quite an admiration for you." a voice beside her speaks. Her eyes widen in fear, only to find the same man as before. But this time, his obsidian irises are looking back at her. "It truly was a shame that such a dashing street thief had gotten in the way of his confession."

Offering the seat next to her, Venali chuckles lightly."You haven't heard? Elven women are a hot commodity, every one of those boys in blue would kill for one." The lack of a retort gives the fair-skinned elf some satisfaction. Venali grabs her stein and turns her chair to face him easily. "Street thief?"

Having recovered from his shocked state the stranger takes his seat and looks back at her with a knowing grin. "Dashing street thief, yes." Turning to the counter, he orders the same meal and pulls out his coin from an ornate purse, definitely not the quality someone would have in this part of town.

"Got another one, Adrik?" The bartender laughs heartily as he takes the man's money. "One day, someone is going to catch you in the act."

The man, Adrik, shrugs lightly before looking at Venali. "I told him that a street vendor was stealing. I didn't say that I wasn't... people just assume."

“I see. You took the threat to my life as a way to make a profit?" Venali's tone is light and playful. They both know better than to think she isn't used to Aydell's "Elven Hospitality" and the almost constant danger she faces.

As if taking a blow, the thief clutches his chest. “Of course not, my lady. I simply could not allow someone so grimy to touch someone as lovely as you.” He reaches out towards her with his free hand, barely maintaining distance to her soft skin.

"Fascinating to see such a handsome man coming to my aid when he doesn't even know my name."

Leaning closer to the man, Venali offers her hand for Adrik to take. He looks at her dainty hand and places a soft kiss on the back of it. "My name is Adrik. Adrik Marsk, since you wanted to know that name of the man who saved your life. But my life would develop such a void without knowing the name of whom I saved."

Venali chuckles slightly at his dramatic comment. It was ridiculous, but it is the kind that she enjoys taking part in. "Venali Dree is my name, but I think you could call me anything you'd like. "

"Hmm, your skills could use a little more work." He states, contemplating something unknown. But her confusion is soon answered as he displays her coin purse with his free hand. The human flashes a smile and shakes his head. "But you can always learn."

She chuckles as he displays his prize, "You have to have coin to need to guard it." She states as he opens the empty pouch. "But, if it's the act of deft hands you're judging, you aren't the only one capable, love." Venali produces the ornate purse the man had only moments earlier.

Tightening his grip on her hand, Adrik leans slightly closer to the young elf. "We're going to do great things together; I can feel it, Ms. Dree. If you wish to, of course."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world."