Reann huddled against the wind as she made her way to Mistress Maria's pawn shop.  A good friend of hers, Castora, had told her about this place, that it had a way to... how did she put it, again?  "Ease away all your financial troubles, if you were truly desperate."  Well, she was certainly desperate, that's for sure.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, thanks to her good-for-nothing boyfriend and some sleazy banks he knew.  He had taken out more money than she could possibly repay, the first month's payment would have been more than a year's salary!<br/><br/>And so, she found herself wandering into the door of Mistress Maria's shop, her only possessions the clothes she wore - the banks had taken her home and everything else earlier today.  She glanced around for the owner, finding her with ease.  She shrunk back a bit from her presence - this was not a woman that was easily taken advantage of, she could tell.  She only hoped that Maria could help her...<br/><br/>She stepped forward and asked, "Mistress Maria, I am in desperate need of finances.  I was told that you could help me... unfortunately, all I have to offer in return is.. myself," she said hesitantly, finishing in a near whisper, her body almost shaking with nervousness.  She truly had no idea what she was getting into...