She watched as the tall Demon stomped away, confused and a little taken aback by his abrupt departure. She pouted, unclasping her hands and staring fixatedly in the direction he had just stormed off to. The gate had opened to let him pass and small child couldn't help but stretch to get a better look inside the Demon's Lair.

She was able to glimpse him walking towards a group Demons (there were more!) clustered together around a large tent before her view was abruptly cut off by a very broad, very blue, chest. The gate slammed shut, sending dust flying through the air and up into her eyes.

She blinked rapidly, then let her gaze wander up,

and up,

and up,

only to settle reluctantly over the grouchy, stern features of the gate guard. Their eyes met, his hard and unyielding, and hers wide, frightened, and suddenly wary.

She looked down shyly, intimidated by his disapproving gaze, and scuffed a toe in the warm dirt. She glanced up at him through her eyelashes, noticing how he watched her. The young child bit her lip and looked away when he straitened himself and folded his arms.

He was going to yell at her.

Or beat her.

She hated when she got beaten, but she was too close to him to get away unscathed. The little girl sighed inwardly, resigned, and physically prepared herself. She quickly brought her hands up to chest, hunching her back and lowering her head. She shut her eyes tightly and bent her knees, knowing that any hit would send her sprawling.

She heard the dirt shift and flinched, hiding her face in her hands from the blow…that never came.

The girl peeked through her fingers at the Demon, relaxing slightly when she saw that he hadn't moved. She lowered her dirty hands from her face and frowned at him. He stood completely still, never moving from his position, only shifting on the balls of his feet. His crossed arms rose and fell with his breathing and he blinked slowly as he studied her.

His demeanor, though still uninviting, seemed softer and his cold eyes glimmered knowingly in the afternoon light. The young child uncurled from her protective position, watching him with hopeful eyes. Maybe he would answer the rest of her questions! She opened her mouth to speak but the Demon beat her to it.

"You have sharp eyes, little one."

His deep voice was dry and lacking humor; the statement phrased as an accusation. She winced and rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly, blurting out a quick "Sorry."

His eyes narrowed and he nodded to himself; suspicions confirmed. She shifted from foot to foot, hugging her waist before blurting out:

"You won't beat me will you? I just wanted to see if what the others' said were true!"

Her voice became earnest as she began to blab.

"If there were blue Demons at the Docks and I found out that you are blue but I wanted to know why so I asked the Other One by the banner and he said you were born that way but then he walked off before I could ask anything else and you aren't mad at me, are you? Please don't hurt me…."

She trailed off, lowering her head dejectedly and wringing her hands nervously.

There was a long pause.

"If you do not cause trouble, then you will not be harmed."

It was said so simply, so matter of fact, that the small child could not believe it to be anything other than the truth. She inched closer.

"M-may I ask you a question?"

"No."

She gasped, staring up at the Demon in surprise.

"But why?"

The little girl asked slowly, curiosity once again getting the better of her.

He looked at her pointedly, drumming his fingers impatiently as her intent eyes continued to watch him. He tilted his head, listening, before lowering his arms and addressing the little girl once more.

"It is time for you to leave."

"But-"

"Go."

She started, swinging towards the stairs leading to Lowtown. Laughter and loud voices could be heard, echoing softly down the main road. It seemed that the dockworkers were back and as drunk as ever. She would have to be quick to get away without being seen. She scurried hastily to the Demon, innocent eyes staring up at him imploringly.

"Can I come back tomorrow?"

He looked at her silently, stern face never changing.

She sighed, before turning to race away. The young child was halfway to the alley when the Demon spoke again.

"What are you called, little one?"

She paused, tiny face scrunching in confusion. What was she called? She wasn't called anything. She didn't have a name. Most grownups called her 'Girl' or 'Brat". And those were the nice names. One of the old beggars used to call her 'Sweetie'. It had always brought a strange fuzzy feeling to her chest. But he had died, so no one called her that anymore.

She rubbed her face, spreading more dirt on it.

Somehow, she didn't think that that was what the Demon guard wanted. She frowned, thinking hard. That wasn't the only thing that she had been called. What had the other Demon said? Oh, yes.

Grinning, she yelled out,

"I am Hissra!"

Then the little girl dove into the shadows of the alley, oblivious to the shocked Qunari she had left behind.