Eiris: He would have done if Sebastian hadn't been there. The Chantry angel on his shoulder as it were. It was satisfactory to write tbh, I did contemplate writing a flashback piece of Fenris actually finding him, but I had already finished the fiction and couldn't think of a good place to squidge it in.

Moonpriestess30: It reminded me a little of the scene from the Sherlock TV series where a bad guy is ''dropped,'' out a window several times and it always made me giggle.

Chapter 7 – One of those weeks

Evelyn had gotten dressed for the day and sat on he edge of her bed looking at her hands. She felt... numb. She knew that something awful had happened to her but she didn't want to think or talk about it. I hate the way that everyone is treating me, like they're treading on eggshells. I mean, yes something awful happened but it could have been so much worse... so much worse,... she thinks to herself. Isabela had already been in to see how she was, a few hours after that Varric came in to see as well. She frowns and wrings her hands, she felt too restless, staying here wasn't going to help. Getting up she peeks out her door and sees that the corridor is clear. Grabbing her cloak she wraps it around her shoulders and pulls up the hood. Corff had reopened the tavern today and so she was able to slip through the crowd easily and out the door. It wasn't until she was a couple streets away that she pulled down her hood and sighed heavily.

It was market day and still early so there was a fair bit of foot traffic around. Evelyn looks around, people seemed to be everywhere but no one was paying her any heed which sent a wave of relief through her. Maybe I should visit Merrill? She doesn't know what's going on... she thought as she walked through the crowd. A realisation hit her, she had promised to teach Fenris to read. Stopping in her tracks she mentally swore, she didn't mind at all. In fact she would quite happily teach him in order to distract herself from it all. Problem being, she was sure that he would think it was cancelled. 'Fuck!' She mouths, annoyed.

Her shoulder was caught by someone walking past, 'hey, fucking watch it!' He snaps as he looks back at her.

Evelyn mouths, 'sorry,' and signs it as well but his brow furrows.

'Are you doing some dirty elf swearing at me?' He says turning to face her. Oh, fuck my life are you serious? Evelyn mentally screamed as she shook her head holding up her hands in an attempt to calm him. I need to wear a sign around my neck that says, 'mute,' or is this just going to be my week of finding assholes?

Eve starts to back up through the crowd as he moves towards her, her heart started to pound and he didn't look happy. She bumped into someone who placed their hand on her shoulder and her body just froze, her breathing shallow and intense. Too scared to turn around to confront who had grabbed her she simply stood still. The nauseated and head spinning feeling hit her like a brick and for a moment she thought she was going to pass out. 'Is there a problem?' A familiar voice said bluntly. Within seconds she realised who had placed their hand on her shoulder.

'Back off, my problem ain't with you,' the man says folding his arms.

Fenris pulls Evelyn back a little as he steps forward. 'It is now. Leave before you regret any further actions,' he said coldly. The man looks at the weapon on his back and the tattoos that wound across his skin.

'Tch, she ain't worth it anyway. Just look where you're going, stupid cow,' he spits as he turns on his foot and disappears into the crowd. Evelyn hadn't even heard the end of the conversation as she concentrated on her breathing and trying to stop her hands from shaking.

Fenris looks down at Evelyn who was visibly trembling and then looked around the market, he couldn't see Isabela or Varric around anywhere which meant she was on her own. 'Come,' he says softly as he motions with his hand to the side of the stalls where it was a little quieter. Eve didn't move and he tilts his head to see her face a little better, noticing the tears streaming down her cheeks. 'Venhedis,' he swears as he understands what's going on. He raises his hands and pauses before mentally slapping himself. He didn't want to just grab her and move her, but she needed to be out this environment. Clearing his throat he slowly places his hands on the side of her shoulders, making her jump regardless. Evelyn looks up at him and he repeats what he said before, 'come,' he says quietly motioning with his head to where he wants to lead her. She inhales deeply and runs her hands over her face as she wipes away her tears and sniffs loudly as she nods and finally takes a step.

He leads her over to a wall where they were further away from the crowd and she could take a deep breathe. 'Sorry,' she signed with one hand as she wiped her eye with the other.

'You do not need to be sorry, but I am curious as to why you are out here,' he admits as he looks at her, he had let her go as soon as they got to the wall as he didn't know what was appropriate. Evelyn looks up at him and sighs.

'I got fed up of everyone walking on eggshells around me. It's all, 'are you okay? Anything I can do? Are you alright?' and shit like that. They have no idea what things I've been through. This is just... another thing to add to the list,' she signs with a heavy exhale.

Fenris nods, he understood what she meant. 'It is hard when they are clearly trying to help but they do not quite... understand,' he agrees. 'In truth I did not know what you wished to do, I know we made a … plan to see each other today. I was on my way to ask-'

'I'd really like to teach you. I feel restless and I don't want to think about last night. Is it okay if I use you as a welcome distraction?' She signs partway through his sentence.

He chuckles and nods, 'of course. Though maybe it would be best if you did not simply just vanish from the tavern. They will worry,' he points out.

She raises her hand and opens her mouth as if to say something but then closes it, 'you're right,' she signs her face taking a little bit of a pout. 'We're going to need an excuse if you don't want them to find out what we're doing,' she signs with a wince.

His facial expression hardens before relaxing a little, 'yes... it would be good to have a straight story. Isabela and Varric do like to twist things into unlikely situations,' he agrees.

'I've got it,' she signs and then clicks her fingers. 'You'll just have to follow my lead. Trust me?' Fenris playfully rolls his eyes as he crosses his arms and looks at her, making her beam in a grin. 'Okay, good, let's go back. Fair warning, I might cry.'

'Consider me warned,' he says with a raised brow. She seems to have brightened up, he knew why. Like all slaves she had grown the survival trait of repression. Ignoring things and shoving them to one side to simply carry on like nothing was wrong. Most slaves were good at acting, wearing a mask for protection. You either discovered and manipulated the skill or you broke, there was no in-between. The walk back to the Hanged Man was peaceful almost, Eve stayed close to Fenris and he could tell that she was anxious by the way she held herself. One arm was crossed over her chest and held her upper arm, her fingers digging into her skin almost painfully. 'We do not have to do this-'

'I'm fine,' she signs with one hand sharply and matter-of-factly, her tone clear. He nods, as he opens the door to the tavern and allows her to enter first. Isabela and Varric were at the bar talking to Norah.

'I'm sorry but I've not seen her this morning,' Norah says simply as she cleans a glass. 'There's nothing I can tell you Izzy, she had a wash this morning and that was the last I saw of her.'

'There's got to be someone who saw her- Fenri- Evee!' Isabela says as she turns her head to look who came in the door. 'There you are! Fucking glapdranks we were so worried, you just vanished!' She ran over and hugged her tightly. 'Don't do that!' Isabela scolds.

Fenris looked at Varric and he shrugged his shoulders, Isabela had been fretting since she realised that Evelyn was missing. 'Evee?' Fenris asks as Isabela drowns Evelyn in a mix of affection and annoyance.

'It's cute and it suits her, plus it changes her name enough not to be recognisable,' Isabela says as she holds her tightly. 'So, why did you go wandering off?' She asks Evelyn as she holds her at arm's length.

Evelyn looks at her, biting her lip. She fiddles with her fingers, twisting her hands as her eyes well up. With a deep inhale tears start to stream down her cheeks, 'I just didn't want to be here,' she signs, her hands shaking. 'I just keep remembering and I just wanted to run. I bumped into Fenris and... he said I could... ' she falters and covers her eyes with an arm.

'Oh, Evee,' Isabela says softly. Varric sucks in air between his teeth and looks at Fenris who didn't need to act to look concerned.

'I suggested that perhaps she spend the day away from here,' he supplies.

Varric nods, 'yeah, that's a good idea, hey, Broody,' he motions with his head to move to one side while Isabela comforts Evelyn. 'Would you mind putting her up for a couple of nights? I know it's the last thing you want to do but I think it would really help her. Please? I'll try to get her set up in a room somewhere,' he says tapping his chin as he thinks. 'I'll try to find her another job as well-'

'Do not go assuming things,' Fenris says simply. 'Do not make decisions for her, allow her to choose if she wants to stay or not.'

'Good point, but you don't mind having her?' Varric asks. 'I would ask Merrill but I don't really want to tell her about this whole thing. If Sparrow wants her to know, she'll tell her,' he says with a sigh. 'Alright Riviani, why don't you help her get a few things from her room and we'll wait here.' Isabela loops her arm around Evelyn's shoulders and leads her upstairs while Varric and Fenris move to the bar. Varric looks at Fenris, 'so...'

Fenris looks at him and crosses his arms, 'yes? Is there something you want to say?'

'Aveline said that the guy you brought in died a few hours after you... found him,' Varric taps the bar-top with a couple of fingers. 'Do you not think you went a bit hard on him?'

'Why? Because he was only watching?' Fenris says bluntly. 'A man who knows that a woman is going to be abused by his so called friends and does nothing about it? A man like that does not deserve to live. Do not protest his innocence to me, Varric. If I had not gotten there in time-' Fenris has to breathe in and clench his fist attempting to calm down.

'Alright, alright, I wasn't saying he was innocent. I just was trying-'

'Do not. There is nothing to justify his actions and I need not justify mine,' Fenris snaps and exhales as he clicks his jaw. 'I did not mean-' he says in an attempt to apologise for his harsh words.

'It's alright, Broody. We're good,' Varric pats his hip and orders a couple of drinks for them. After that brief conversation where they practically spoke over one another they took the mugs and supped them heavily. Evelyn and Isabela were taking a while but it was a good thing, gave Fenris a moment to calm down and apologise to Varric properly for snapping at him.

About half an hour later the women appeared. Isabela had let Evelyn borrow some of her more conservative clothing. Even though Eve's body type was a lot slimmer than Isabela she still looked sweet in the long dress and black corset that she'd been given. 'Okay, if you want I'll come up for dinner? I'll bring a bottle of wine and we can have a game of cards?' Isabela says as she leads Evee over to where Fenris and Varric were finishing their drinks.

'I'd like that,' she signs in reply, her eyes were a little red and she did feel better now that she was leaving. She had laid it on a little thick for Isabela's and Varric's benefit but it came from a real place. Smiling a little shyly at Fenris she held the bag strap tightly. She didn't have a lot in terms of possessions and clothing but the pirate had raided her wardrobe and given her some extra pieces. After giving Isabela and Varric a hug she leaves the tavern with Fenris.