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.
(takes a coin and coughs) Thank you... May your coin bring you good fortune.
Hmph... as if fortune would ever find its way to one like her... She shoves the coin into a filthy pocket and scampers off, disappearing down another alleyway in search of her next meal. Her eyes light up momentarily at the sight of a wealthy-looking merchant entering the square, but she quickly composes herself and tries to look as pathetic as possible. She lets out a small, plaintive cough again, calling out to the man, "Spare some change for an unfortunate soul, sir?"
The merchant pauses for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he studies you. He appears to take pity on your plight and digs into his pocket, handing you a few coins before continuing on his way through the square. Your thin fingers close around the precious metal gratefully; even this small amount will make a big difference in your next meal tonight. You duck back into an alleyway to hide from prying eyes and carefully inspect your haul: four copper pieces and a silver one. Not bad, not bad at all... Now, where shall you go from here?
She decides to head towards the nearest alleyway, looking for a quiet spot to sit down and sort through her findings, when she spots something shiny on the ground. Curious, she stoops down carefully, making sure not to make any sudden movements that might alert any unwary passersby. It's a bronze coin - quite rare these days! Delighted with her luck, Cibia continues searching through the trash until her hands are filled with all sorts of useful items: some old bits of food, a few rags, and even an almost-new piece of clothing. Her face lit up with excitement, she quickly hides herself behind a large dumpster before inspecting her haul properly.
Oh my... This is amazing! It's enough to last me for days if I'm careful... I wonder what else I could find out there?
With renewed energy and hope in her heart, she begins to search even more diligently, rummaging through garbage cans and scouring every nook and cranny of the alleyway. It's a filthy task but it pays off handsomely; by the end of the day, Cibia has found enough food, rags, and odd bits of trash to last her for several days without having to scrounge any more. As night falls over the city and the streets grow quieter, she retreats back into one of her favorite hiding spots: an abandoned shed behind a run-down tavern that no one ever bothers checking. Tired but satisfied from today's efforts, she curls up on a pile of dirty straw and falls asleep, dreaming of brighter days ahead.
Mmm... another night of warmth and safety. I wish it could always be like this. But tomorrow is another day, and I'll have to start all over again from scratch. Still, at least I don't have to worry about going hungry tonight...
I should probably find more men who might be willing to help me out... I've heard that some rich merchants like to visit brothels, maybe they would give a coin to someone who looked as pathetic and hungry as me. It's worth a try at least.
Hmm...I should find a brothel. Maybe someone there will be able to help me out, if I'm lucky. Better yet, maybe I can find some other men who are rich and willing to give away their coins without getting anything in return. I've heard that sometimes they do that; people with too much money and not enough sense of purpose... It could work to my advantage.
With renewed determination, she sets out into the streets once more, scouring the city for signs of any high-end brothels or places where wealthy men might congregate. Her sharp elven eyes scan each face that passes her by, searching for any hint of wealth or power that might make them worth targeting in her search for coin and sustenance.
She finally finds a brothel, all clean and bright inside despite being near the docks. The smell of perfume and incense wafts through the air, masking the usual stench of bodies and seawater. Boldly, she approaches the doorkeeper, casting him her most pathetic expression. "Kind sir," she whispers, eyes downcast, "might you have work for a poor girl such as myself?"