"Well if it's a story you're looking for. There's a story you'll get."
Saede looked uncomfortably around her, as if to make sure someone wasn't going to call her out for telling the story. I may as well tell the truth. But.. Maybe not all of it.
Saede took a breath. "Well, I used to live in Sunberth, as I said. I don't know if you've ever been to Sunberth, but it's not a great place." She took a quick sip of her wine and continued with her story. "In Sunberth there are really no laws. Nobody enforces them, and things that may be terribly illegal such as slavery or drug sale, are all free game in Sunberth. Anyways, when I was younger, I ran in a gang of thieves. We did some drugs, muggings and hired work for the greater powers in the area. I didn't get much out of it besides spear training and a bit of makeup skills. I was more backup, y'know? I was handy with a spear, and made sure nobody ever got close to me."
Not waiting for a response, she continued. "Anyways. This one time when we we were mugging some guy on the street, I realized just how wrong and terrible everything was, and I changed. As I stopped while my gang beat him, I saw how wrong it was to put others down to have to live, so I decided I wanted to leave. I pooled all my money together, and took some of the gang funds to buy supplies, and made my way out here. To a good city. Now I'm seeking to redeem myself for all the terrible crimes I've done, and to one day go back and bring some justice with me."
Saede looked up from her food, her plate now almost empty, and turned to view that a few more people than just Maia were listening. Damn! I bet they'll kick me out now as some kind of thug. She stiffened, and awaited what kind of reaction her story would have on the crowd around her. She shifted in her seat, ready to bolt if need be.