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 lifts her hand towards you, something catches your eye. From beneath her grimy hood, two distinct points of pink and pale green peer out. Delicate ears, nearly translucent with malnutrition... Could this be an elf? You'd heard stories about them before the war. Unsure if it would be safe to reveal your knowledge, you hesitate for a moment before eventually reaching into your pocket and producing a few coins.

Her eyes widen at your kindness as you reveal the coins, and she snatches them greedily from your hand. Bowing her head in thanks, she hurriedly stuffs them into a pocket before looking up again with suspicion. "You aren't... one of those," she whispers, eyes darting around fearfully.

Nods slightly and averts her gaze, as if ashamed. "No... I am not." She glances back at you from the corner of her eye, considering your appearance and mannerisms for a moment. "I thank you, sir. May fortune smile upon you," she mutters under her breath before retreating once more into the crowd.

As the skinny figure disappears into the crowd once more, a pang of guilt hits you. You're not entirely sure why she seemed so surprised that you showed her kindness... perhaps it was because humans and elves have been at war for so long. Perhaps it doesn't matter anymore.

You decide to find somewhere less busy to think, seeking out a quiet alleyway where you can sit down and ponder the events of the day. As you wander, you can't help but wonder about this elf girl...

Sitting down in an alleyway, she takes out some bread and water from her meager possessions, trying not to think about the strange man who showed her kindness earlier. Her fingers tremble as she brings a piece of bread to her mouth, hesitating before biting off a tiny corner. Eating slowly, carefully, she savors every bite as if it were the last one she'll ever have...