A lone figure slips through the shadows quickly and quietly following his mark.
The young woman walks seemingly oblivious to her surroundings. She is clothed in a shawl draped over her shoulders and a black dress that swishes softly around her ankles brushing along the stone ground. Her shoes make a soft almost inaudible sound as she walks. She is walking with her head down, shoulders drooping hugging the shawl to her and appears to be crying softly. She sniffles often and dabs her tears with a kerchief, black hair hanging at her back in a loose thick braid. Occasionally her shoulders would shudder with her efforts to take a deep breath to calm herself. She stops suddenly and looks around to get her bearings. She finds herself in the forlorn cavern near the small pond, a favorite place for many sad folks to stand and reflect on life's mysteries. A new set of tears flow with an audible sob followed by more dabbing and sniffles.
He makes his move. Looking both ways he sees they're alone. He slowly walks up behind her. His fingers flex and wriggle. He licks his lips anticipating the taste of ale that coin will buy him. "Y' really don' wanna do tha'."
He stops short. His fingers are so close to the pouch he can tell it's a soft leather and not cloth. His hand slowly lowers away from her small coin pouch recognizing her voice. He scowls at the back of her head, "y' think?"
"Aye." Hoolga raises her head and looks at him with her clear piercing violet eyes not a tear on her freckled smirking face. "Honestly now, do y' think you could be a bit louder in yer approach? I heardja comin' and I spotted y' when I came in t' the cavern."
He scoffs, "Did not!"
"Didja bring the list o' names? Or did they hear y' coming too?" A grin plays at her full lips.
"Aye, I have yer blasted list." His eyes drift over the low cut bodice of the dress she's wearing. He smirks moving to stuff the small slip of paper between her breasts. Her hand catches his within inches of her skin.
"Hsst, a guard is comin'. Y' best hide." Hoolga snatches the slip of paper, tossing him the small coin purse as payment. She adjusts her shawl over her shoulders and lowers her gaze back towards the water. Her shoulders shudder once again. As her sniffles and dabbing start he slips further in to the shadows closer towards the water and away from the approaching guard.
The undeniable clunk of plate boots against stone assaults her ears. She makes a show of wiping her tears with exaggerated movements and sniffling prior to shyly facing the approaching guard. With practiced moves, she slowly and deliberately lifts her head to see who approaches and gasps audibly mentally cursing her bad luck. "Ser Shadowdelve…" Her voice is a husky breathless whisper.
The Thief Catcher stops at the sight of her, the corner of his mouth twitches as he fights back his pleasure at seeing her. "Ms. Stoneheart, I'm surprised t' see ya out an' aboot this late. It aint safe fer a lady to be off wanderin' in this neck of Ironforge all alone."
"Yer right, o' course." She glances out at the water and back to Thief Catcher Shadowdelve, timidly stepping closer to him. "I like the water. It calms m' heart a might when sadness threatens t' overwhelm me." She tilts her head away, pressing a hand to her chest purposefully positions herself to turn his attention away from the hiding thief behind him. "Besides, if'n I may be so bold…" She smiles up at him her violet eyes sparkling as they capture his. "I was hopin' t' see you. I jus' didn' think it was goin' t' be so soon." She dabs at her eyes with her kerchief, turning away. "I must look a fright."
"Nonsense, Lass. Y' look as sweet as always." Shadowdelve boldly steps closer and takes her chin in his gloved hand. She smiles bashfully a look of relief evident in her eyes as she sees the thief make his way towards the cavern exit. "Tha's better. Now what didja need t' see me fer?"
Hoolga clears her throat and steps back a respectable distance folding her hands in front of her. Her eyebrows furrow appearing deeply troubled and lost in her thoughts. She pouts in frustration blurting out her question hastily. "How long does a woman mourn afore it be proper for her t' be seen with the man she fancies?" Hoolga pauses for a beat letting the words implicate themselves properly. Her eyes widen. She gasps, bites her lip and turns to walk away in horror. "I'm sorry… tha' was mighty improper! Oh, what you must think o' me!"
"Ms. Stoneheart…" Shadowdelve grabs her upper arm to stop her from fleeing. She purposely lets her shawl fall open as he tugs her to a stop thrusting her chest forward in an audible gasp of surprise. Predictably his eyes hungrily take in her heaving exposed cleavage missing her glare over his shoulder at the thief. He had stopped to watch the show rather than make his escape. "Mmmm, Lass, y' be a might temptin', if'n I weren't on duty and…"
"And…" Her voice is breathless as she leans in closer.
"And there is th' issue of me bein'-"
Hoolga wantonly presses her body to his. "No! Please… don' say it. I know it t' be true. It's jus…" She whimpers up at him. He wraps his arms around her holding her possessively close. He nuzzles her neck brushing his lips against her bare skin. She shivers involuntarily. She glares once more at the grinning man who backs away and waves.
"Hoolga…" His voice demands her attention. Her knees weaken as he finds that sweet spot behind her ear. His hand still grips her arm, the other grips her hair pulling her head back to expose her neck for his pleasure. His breath is hot on her bare skin.
Hoolga grips his arms to stay vertical leaning into him for support. "Yes…" Her breathless gasp is genuine. Her eyes fight to focus. She licks her lips trying to get the upper hand once more fighting the feelings his soft lips and beard illicit.
"I'll walk you home."