Trephine slips into the tavern behind a wide-shouldered gentleman who does not notice her. Nor does he notice what he doesn't have any more once she has passed from his shadow.
She looks cold and she shivers. Her face tightens characteristic of discomfort. Her brows are drawn together in dismay. She makes her way to the huge hearth and her shoulders tremble ever so slightly as her back is turned and the view is blocked. She deftly empties his slit-strung purse of all contents and tosses the evidence on the fire while appearing to warm her hands. Her wide floor-length cloak flares to block the view of her hands, but not her legs. Distraction.
Once the cracked leather is charred and turned to ash, she looks to all the world that she is being helpful, rebuilding the fire. She fusses a moment with the poker, looking slightly inept. She struggles a little with the heavy wood. She's just a waif coming out of the cold.
Straightening, she turns and heads for a dark corner, stopping only for a whispered word into the ear of the tavernkeeper. A gentle hand on his forearm, a nod, a tremulous smile and some downcast eyes earn her sympathy and a warm rum toddy in a cozy corner to herself. She pays generously and with gracious thanks from someone else's pockets.
She looks cold and she shivers. Her face tightens characteristic of discomfort. Her brows are drawn together in dismay. She makes her way to the huge hearth and her shoulders tremble ever so slightly as her back is turned and the view is blocked. She deftly empties his slit-strung purse of all contents and tosses the evidence on the fire while appearing to warm her hands. Her wide floor-length cloak flares to block the view of her hands, but not her legs. Distraction.
Once the cracked leather is charred and turned to ash, she looks to all the world that she is being helpful, rebuilding the fire. She fusses a moment with the poker, looking slightly inept. She struggles a little with the heavy wood. She's just a waif coming out of the cold.
Straightening, she turns and heads for a dark corner, stopping only for a whispered word into the ear of the tavernkeeper. A gentle hand on his forearm, a nod, a tremulous smile and some downcast eyes earn her sympathy and a warm rum toddy in a cozy corner to herself. She pays generously and with gracious thanks from someone else's pockets.