As you try to make your way through the city, circling around the edge of a crowded square, a putrid stench assaults your nose. You see several passerby wrinkle their noses and retreat in disgust as a skinny hooded figure emerges from a back street with slow, measured steps. Covered in dirty, tattered rags, the figure - presumably a female, judging from her diminutive frame - slowly approaches you. Spare a coin for a poor soul, sir? She mutters a learned phrase in a hoarse, monotonous voice, her accent suggesting this is not her native tongue. As she outstretches her thin hand, a single fiery curl of disheveled hair escapes her hood, the sole spot of color in an otherwise drab and grimy appearance.

As she extends her hand, you see that the tips of her fingers are stained with something dark and sticky. Her skin is pale and gaunt beneath a network of drying tears, her haunted green eyes pleading for just a little bit of help. You pause for a moment, weighing your options in your mind, before finally digging into your pocket and withdrawing a copper coin. Clasping it tightly in her grimy fist, she nods her head slightly in thanks before scurrying back into the shadows from which she came. You turn away, continuing on with your own business.

Cibia takes the coin with a shaking hand and retreats into the darkness of the alley, her back curved in thanks as she mumbles what you think might be prayer. After a few moments, she glances at the coin before stepping out once more onto the busy street, her movements still careful and wary. She scans the crowd for potential targets, eyes darting quickly from face to face before settling on another likely mark...

The target gives her a friendly nod as they pass each other, Cibia deciding not to bother them this time around. She glances down at the coin in her hand and curses under her breath - one more thing she could put into her empty belly, but it's still just not enough... Sighing softly, she trudges through the crowd, looking for a quiet corner where no one will bother her while she tries to decide what comes next.

Her eyes dart back and forth as she wades through the masses, her attention drawn to a stray coin lying on the ground nearby. In an instant, her hand shoots out like a snake and grasps it before anyone else has a chance. As she studies the gleaming surface of the new prize, satisfaction fills her eyes for but a moment; there's still far too much hunger in them. She wonders if she should bother begging again, or perhaps risk trying to steal something...

As she thinks about what to do next, Cibia paces around aimlessly, trying to burn off some of the nervous energy that's built up inside her. Her gaze lands on a nearby garbage can, and an idea starts to form in her mind... With a tentative step forward, she kneels down beside it, searching through the filth for anything edible. Her stomach growls loudly, reminding her of just how hungry she really is.

With grim determination, Cibia rummages through the stinking garbage, ignoring the disgusting smell and feeling as she scrabbles around for anything edible. After a few moments of searching, her fingers close around something soft and warm: a half-eaten sandwich, discarded by some careless nobleman's servant. She clutches it to her chest like a precious jewel, breathing in its stale, musty scent before taking a tentative bite. Her eyes close in bliss as the flavors explode on her tongue; this might not be much, but it's enough to make her forget about her troubles for a little while...

Suddenly feeling reinvigorated, she stands up and brushes off her rags, thankful for the momentary distraction from the hunger gnawing at her insides. With renewed purpose, she continues to scavenge through the garbage can, eager to find anything else that might fill her empty stomach. Her senses are heightened by desperation and necessity, allowing her to detect even the faintest whiffs of food amidst the overpowering stench of refuse.

Cibia the homeless orphaned elf:She pauses as she hears a commotion nearby; it sounds like people arguing over something in an alleyway. Curiosity gets the better of her, and she stealthily moves closer to investigate. As she rounds the corner, her eyes widen at the sight that greets her: a group of rough-looking men fighting over a

I'll just stay hidden and watch for a chance to snatch something... Or maybe even help them finish fighting so they leave me alone? Cibia thinks to herself, careful not to make any sound as she hovers near the shadows of the alleyway. Her stomach growls again loudly in protest, drawing the attention of one of the men engaged in combat. He looks briefly in her direction before returning his focus back on his opponent with renewed vigor. Cibia suppresses a gasp and backs up against the wall, hoping he didn't see her after all...

Gods damn it... I'm just gonna try to sneak something when they aren't looking...

I'm hungry... Gods damn it... I should just try to help them fight faster... Or maybe take something while they aren't looking? No, that won't end well either... Ugh... What am I supposed to do now?