The Nexus

The night was long and cold; the rain fell heavily from the sky, and travelers either muttered bitterly how they were unable to travel or laughed merrily with other patrons while they partook of booze.

Alone at a table near the hall that led to the rooms, a cloaked figure sat, hood pulled over their head. They sat quietly, not seeming to care about the others around them. The visible feminine lips were in a soft smile, as the person faced away from the windows.

She had wanted to leave... being here for two nights already. Longer than she had ever wanted to stay, but she wasn't about to leave while it was raining. No, that wouldn't fair well for her at all. Instead, she sat here, waiting and listening. Then, when it was late enough, she would head to her room for the night.

The men around her spilled so many conversations from their lips, that she found herself quite amused with what she was hearing. In all honesty, though, she was listening for vital details that may pertain to herself.

"And then... and then 'e says to me -- That the King 'imself is offerin' 50,000 gold pieces to anyone who can find this silver 'aired man. And I says to 'im... You are a fool for believin' it! And then I kicked 'is arse!" The group of men nearby burst into laughter at the story, and the cloaked woman did as well, but subtly.

So they were looking for a man? The word was changing slightly the farther she traveled. Hopefully, once she reached the border, the would be looking for a raven haired half man that had slain an entire village.

"'Ey! Another mug!" the man shouted, as a barmaid passed him, and he swung a hand playfully at her rear. She seemed less amused than him, but made her way back to get him another drink.";

The djinn had taken refuge in the tavern for much the same reason. The rain, while not bothersome, was a bit more of a pain to travel in. He preferred a much clearer sight to his destination over muggy and damp. He had been seated at a nearby table, wearing far more conservative clothes in order to blend in. A gray tunic, light slacks and boots which seemed to work in keeping him out of sight. He listened to the rowdy tales of the bar men with much less enthusiasm, finding their tales ridiculous and over dramatic. He considered himself rather good at detecting lies, and from his stand point there wasn't an honest man in the place.

Eventually his electric gaze migrated to that of a woman, one who stood out amongst the unwashed masses. He studied her for a moment, from the comforting shadow of his chosen corner. Eventually he decided to leave the chair, boots clicking across the wooden surface of the floor as he weaseled his way through the crowd.

"All alone?" He spoke quietly, calmly no less. Golden bang fell effortlessly across the right side of his face, feathered ears noticed along with a straight line of floating tear drop jewels beneath. He was certainly no mortal, but precisely what he was couldn't be determined on first glance.

"I could keep you decent company, if that is what you are seeking. Unless one of these empty headed louts suits your fancy a bit more."

She could hear the sound of his boots hitting the floor over the laughter of the men. She pinpointed it out, because they were drawing to her. Lifting her stormy eyes to glance at him, she smiled to be polite. A gorgeous man, and she immediately felt she couldn't trust him. Maybe that was because, in this area, the finer looking men often were mercenaries, or bounty hunters, or something similar; their looks would easily throw off what they were, catching rough men off guard when they thought they could take them.

"I must say that I am not taken with any of these men," she said, bowing her head to him, before glancing around. That was true enough. Who would want any of these drunken males? "I also fear that I would probably be rather boring company to you, rather than you keeping me company."

There was a cup on the table, full of water, but it sat a good reach from here. She would reach for it, closing her eyes as she took a small drink. When she replaced the cup away from her, she pulled her cloak around her, to make sure the silks underneath did not show.

He found himself smirking at such a reply, lids falling half mast over his eyes. He stepped to the side and pulled out a chair just across from her, lowering himself into the seat. "I think I will be the judge of what is boring, miss. Besides, I think I could gain far more intelligent insight from you rather than any of these fellows." He tapped his fingertips across the surface of the table, a thought crossing his mind. "My name is Jihan. Yes it sounds a bit foreign, exotic, but my roots still rest in the area. You do not have to tell me your name if you do not wish to. But I think it would suit our interests in conversation much better if I at least gained a hint."

He leaned back and motioned one of the serving women over, ordering a glass of juice for himself. He didn't seem very interested in alcohol, it certainly never did himself any favors. "Anything you care for hmm? It is on me if so."

She raised a brow, when he gave his name and said he was from this area. That certainly didn't seem the case. "Really, you don't look exotic, or anything. I mean, you blend in with these men so well." She sat up straight, smiling still. She waved her hand when he offered to buy her a drink.

"I do not partake. I prefer to keep my wits about me." She closed her eyes, taking another sip of the water. Looking him over again, she decided to probe on his intentions.

"I am Tatiana. A pleasure to meet you. Has the weather hauled you up in here as well? Or is there another reason you are in the area?" Her fingers slid once across the wood of the table, as if she had seen some invisible crumbs there.

The djinn waved off the servant as she moved to go get his desired drink. He turned to the woman and smiled. "Tatiana...a lovely name. It is a pleasure to meet you." He glanced around the noisy tavern with uninterested eyes, mostly to keep watch for thieves or wayward drunkards. "Yes, the rain has kept me here for a day or two. I do not mind the rain of course, but traveling in it isn't too terribly safe. The roads become muddy and wagons get stuck far too often. If you are curious as to where I am heading, I can tell you now that I don't know."

He paused and leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. "A peculiar thing for someone to say isn't it? Everyone should know where they are going. But I have no prime destination, no goal, no end of the line. I simply go in the direction that suits me best, which rarely ever makes itself known. But what about you, what is your story then? Someone as delicate as you in such a rotten place like this, it seems a bit off."

She thought about this for a moment. Was it so strange? She didn't have a specific destination in mind, but she did have a goal. Just get out of the country. Even as her situation crossed her mind, she still smiled at him. Watching his movements. He really wasn't divulging much information. He was smarter than most men here.

"It really isn't strange at all," she would reply, before glancing beside her as two intoxicated men threw themselves into the chairs of the table next to her. She clenched her cup of water. "Do you have a specific line of work?" she asked, leaning forward a bit. She also listened as the two men next to her started arguing about nothing in particular.

The djinn frowned at all of the noise, shifting his gaze to the brawling pair with a less than enthusiastic glance. It was then he managed to snap out of it in enough time to hear Tatiana's question. "At the moment in time? Not really. I was previously an...escort of sorts." He allowed a slow smile to crease his lips. "At least that is the best way to put it. But I have since left the business to pursue other conquests. So one could say it has been a long time since I have gone out into the world at large. But what about you? Any specific talents you have?"

He grunted as the men began to get more rowdy and violent towards one another, one even bumping into the djinn as he sat in his chair. Jihan wasn't a violent man, but even he could become annoyed when he wanted to. "Perhaps we could find another spot that is a little less...intrusive. Although there isn't much to be had outside, thanks to the sour weather."

Talents, he asked, and she held her smile. She shook her head, and looked as the man was nudged by the others. She pulled her water close to her, and glanced at it. After just a moment, she was quick to agree with him. "Yes, we should go elsewhere," she said, bundling her cloak and standing up. She back away quickly, and ushered him to do the same.

Not but mere moments after they have both stepped away, one man threw the other onto their table, shouting profanities at him. Then, he began to throw punches, drawing the attention from the other men; all shouting and running over to join in the brawl.

Tatiana turned quickly, dipping into the hallway that would lead to the rooms.

Jihan moved to stand when the woman did, finishing off his drink before leaving the men to rumble. He rolled his eyes at their antics, one of the few things he didn't miss as a mortal man. He shuffled behind Tatiana as they slipped into the hallway, lids half mast as the noise reduced significantly once they door closed behind them. "Much better." He murmured, reaching up to touch at his feathered ears in hopes of ridding it of such awful ringing. "But yes as I was saying before...talents?" He smirked, obviously not going to let the top down until he had a definite answer.

She glanced at him over her shoulder, her expression fading a bit. Persistent, wasn't he? She cleared her throat, and began walking down the hall slowly. "I have no real talents," she said, glancing at the numbers on the doors as she passed them. "Other than cooking. I do like to cook, and I do make a fairly tasty meal." A soft laughed escaped her lips.

"If I may ask, what exactly are you? I'm afraid that I haven't seen many people like you in this area... yet you say you are from around here."

Maybe a bit intrusive of a question, or even rude, but she didn't mean it that way. She was just honestly curious. He didn't look like any other she had seen. She stopped at the end of the hall, in front of the door labeled with a '16', and turned to look at him.

Jihan followed along closely, pausing when they stopped in front of a door. He pressed his lips into a thin line and leaned back. At her question, he felt a brow loft before a slow smile creased his lips. "Bold, aren't you? But you cannot be blamed for having curiosity. Allow me to clear things up a little. I was from this area, when I was still alive." He took a step to the side and leaned up against a nearby wall. "I am what is known as a djinn, or as some would call me a genie. Although djinn and genies are different in several ways, but that is neither here nor there." He took in a slow breath. "But when I was still a mortal man, my family and I owned a farm some distance away, which I tended to and took care of. It is long since gone, but I visit the area for nostalgic purposes."

He looked at the door she was standing near, and then turned his attention back to her. "Is this the room you are staying in?"

Tatiana looked at him for the longest moment, not saying a word. It seemed she was studying him; taking him in. All the while, not changing expressions. She let out a slow breath, and said, "Djinn, I see." Oddly, she didn't seem so surprised when he said this. Instead, she would answer his question.

"Yes, this is mine. Hopefully for the last night." She didn't motion to open it though. Her lips pursed together, as she still seemed to be thinking.

"This is my first time travelling through this area. I am from a bit further north. Seems the tavern crowds seem to get a little rowdier the further south I travel." She seemed amused by her own thought.

Jihan crossed his arms, allowing her to take the moments necessary to filter the new information through. He then smirked. "I take it you've encountered supernatural beings in your time, which is why you seem so at ease. Either that, or you think me insane." He glanced off to the side. "The latter is not so far from the truth. But when you've lived as long as I have, I suppose a little mental instability mingles into the mix." He watched the door and then back to her. "The country is in a state of distress. The more the King rules in favor of his own interests, the more people find themselves out of work. It is easy for the men to drown themselves in drink when they feel hopeless or lost, they know not what else they can do. Its both sad and predictable."

He took a step back and crossed his arms behind him, golden bang bobbing when head canted to the side. "I cannot tell if you are deciding if you should let me in or not, or whether you are trying to silently shoo me off. I will not be offended by either, I am still a stranger to you. But I am not in the business of laying harm to others. Even djinn are limited to certain rules and codes of conduct. No my business sits in more...intimate territory. Not that I am giving you an invitation of course."

"I haven't encountered many of the supernatural variety," she said slowly, as she glanced down the hall behind him. "Rather... I find myself surprised that our meeting came sooner, rather than later. The time frame isn't always so clear to me." Her thoughts seemed to grow distant, as she became silent. She had thought she would be over the border when they had encountered, but... this made sense as well.

She shook her head, coming back into reality. "The King... yes. He has grown selfish as of late. There are reasons though. Outcomes he wishes to change. Though he cannot. Not this time."

Her hand rested on the door, and she looked at the number upon it. "Forgive me, but, I'm afraid that intimacy is not something I've taken part in, nor do I wish for it yet. But I won't be rude and turn you away for conversation. You may enter, if you wish."

The brass key was pulled from a pocket inside her cloak, and she quickly slid it into the keyhole, pushing the door open. Inside, her things were gathered as if she were ready to leave, and had been so for her entire time here. The only furniture that had seemed to be used, was the bed, though even the blankets and sheets there had been made to look almost as they had when she had first entered the room.

The blonde paused, canting his head curiously. "You speak as if you were expecting me. Is there something a bit extraordinary about yourself?" A slow smirk creased his lips, finding this new bit of information rather interesting. "Perhaps a bit of...future sight in your ability?" That thought did make him drift off into his own little thought bubble, if only because it reminded him of someone.

"Many of royal blood are not aware of what sort of power they hold, and how their choices ultimately affect those around them. It is the sad but true curse of the monarchy. Although in truth I do not consider myself part of it."

He cracked a smile and then released a quick, chipper laugh. "Admirable, but I have no need to take anything from you. If it makes you feel better, I am quite full at the present time. But even if I was not, I do not make it my business to be a forceful brute. I leave that sordid mess to our brawling friends in the tavern. But yes, allow us inside for the moment. If nothing more than for a little necessary privacy."

He stepped into the room following the woman, blazing pupils scanning over the immediate area and growing rather impressed with how neat and orderly it was. He was someone who liked things in their place, and eventually Tatiana would come to discover that. For now he moved to sit in a nearby chair, crossing his legs ankle over knee while lounging comfortably.

Tatiana made no effort to reply to him about the foresight comment he made. Not as if she were ignoring him, but rather, she did not hear him... or so it seemed. Making sure the door was closed behind them, she immediately made her way to the window, making sure it was sealed tightly as well, making sure not to glance past the curtains that covered it. There was a moment's pause, before she looked at him again, making her way over to the table nearby, unclasping her cloak and pulling it off, silver locks spilling out as she did, half drawn back.

The midnight blue robes she wore underneath were more apparent now, silk and velvet as they graced the floor.

"It is possible I was expecting you. Sometimes -- the visions are not so clear. But you may be weaved into the fate surrounding these lands. I saw an outline of a man, no details, I did not know his name, but I knew what he was. A Djinn," she said, sitting on the edge of the bed, and looking at him. "I know he will be a key point in bringing down this Kingdom, though, I have not sought the details. As you can see, that is why the King is searching for me. Take a glimpse further for the details.

"I may have, but the forboding feeling I receive from this vision is too great. I have strong reason to believe this is something that cannot be changed." She was watching him, almost as if she was waiting for a reaction.

The djinn waited patiently as Tatiana went about the business of checking to ensure the room was secure. He leaned back in his chair, a bit casual about the entire event. When she returned and took a seat, he gave her his full attention while she spoke. He then took in a slow breath.

"I do not favor the King, if that is what you are implying. I suppose I was never a bit supporter of the monarchy, especially in recent decades. The people suffer while the nobles live a life of comfort and luxury. Some would argue that they are supposed to do just that, as they were born into wealth and gluttony. But I do not think the fate of your birth should have anything to do with your course in life. It comes down to the luck of the draw and really, no one can choose whom their parents will be."

He paused for a moment and tapped two fingers to his chin. "I do not know if I will be a part of his downfall. However you are not the first of your kind I have known. Those with the ability to foresee the future are coveted indeed. We live in a world where many do not like surprise nor do they anticipate it. With that in mind, someone like you can ease their fears and doubts. But those like the King would have you for more than just that. He wants to avoid what is written, and it cannot be undone. There are cosmic rules that even I cannot break, and he is just as bound to them as myself. So perhaps he may capture you, no doubt if he places a bounty on your head to boot. He'll use the troubled economy to his benefit. What man in that bar wouldn't throw their morals away in exchange for a solid pouch of gold? In other words, you are not safe."

He pushed himself up to stand, crossing his arms behind his back. He took to pacing, as was customary when he pondered. He reached up to brush his bang from his face via two fingers, turning to face her once more. "Being a man of chivalry, I feel it is my duty to escort you to your next place of origin. Of course we are still far from the Kingdom boundary. But if we can manage to get out of the town itself, your chances greatly improve."

She understood every bit that he said. She could probably say she agreed with most of it. But she said nothing about it. Instead, she stood quickly when he said that he would escort her. If anything, that is the least of what she wanted.

"I appreciate the gesture, but I don't feel it would be in either of our interests to travel together. Not because of what is to come but... well, pretty faces draw attention. So if I am with you, wouldn't you think that my chances of being found are greater?"

She paused, finding what she said may have been seen as impolite to say. She bowed her head slightly to him, showing apology.

"Sorry, I didn't mean it quite like that. But also, I prefer to travel when it is dry. My foresight occurs when I glance at water. Tomorrow... Hopefully it will not be raining. And I can continue on."

The djinn couldn't help but laugh at her reply, head tilting. "This is why you go in disguise. We wouldn't want to draw attention to ourselves. However if you are insistent on going alone, I am not one to interfere." He glanced off to the side. "However I understand your concern even still. I suppose this is where I bid you a good evening then?" The male figured if she wished to go at it alone, he had no further purpose for the moment. Even he did not intend to stay within the Kingdom itself.