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.

(with her best fake sad voice) No... I mean... food, mistress? Food would be nice... she sniffles delicately and swallows hard, her sunken eyes begging for anything...

You pause, considering her request for a moment. She might be lying, of course; beggars often are. But then again, perhaps she truly is in need of sustenance. Taking a deep breath, you fish out a coin from your pocket and drop it into her extended hand. "Here," you say, "but only if you eat it right here."

Cibia the homeless orphaned elf's eyes widen with surprise and she gives a tiny smile, momentarily forgetting to hide her pale green teeth behind her lower lip. "Oh... t-thank you, mister..." Her voice trails off as she looks up at your face expectantly, waiting for further instructions.

She gulps down the coin with an unnatural speed, as if afraid it would vanish. "You can call me Cibia..." she murmurs, lowering her gaze once more. "I... I really appreciate this." Her voice is small and fragile, hardly audible above the bustle of the crowd. Then, without waiting for your reply, she turns to disappear back into the alleyway from which she came.

"Take care then, Cibia." You call after her before turning away yourself. The coin you gave her was hardly much, but perhaps it'll help her get by for a while. As you make your way through the city once more, you can't help but feel guilty for not doing more for someone in such dire straits...

Cibia stops, pausing just before disappearing into the alleyway. Her shoulders slump and she shrugs, as if to say that even a little bit can help. Then, she glances over her shoulder at you with a small, tentative smile and hurries away. You soon lose sight of her amidst the endless stream of people on the city streets.