Sabera Rex stumbled along the side of the tavern, knees shaking and hand feeling along the logs and clay between them. Rain fell heavily, drenching the earth so that every step was met with thick, gently sinking mud. She could barely open her eyes against the dagger-like droplets. Lips quivering, she felt her way along, hands sliding across a window pane and more wood before finding a doorknob.

Her finger fumbled with the latch for a moment before she finally managed to open the door. Warmth hit her, a welcoming wave. No one paid her much mind as she collapsed to the side of the door to regain her strength. No one bothered to offer her a blanket or coat as she brought her knees up against her chest, shivering. It took several minutes for her to gather the strength to stand and move closer to the great hearth, crackling with hungry flames.

She removed her cloak and flung it over a chair before sitting in another. Then, she curled her dark hair around her hand and squeezed the water out of it and onto the wooden floor. A small puddle formed beside the chair. A man at another table glanced her direction and she immediately glared at him with dark ocean eyes. Tight lipped and glowering, she turned her back to as many of the tavern patrons as she could.

Time passed again as she allowed her clothes and skin to dry. No one bothered her. She did not let herself appear to be the typed who wanted otherwise.

Warmer and dryer at last, she thoughtfully untied the pouch at her belt and dug two fingers into it. She did not empty the contents of the pouch but stared into it a moment before drawing the strings and tying it onto her belt again.

It’ll be a long night, she thought to herself as she leaned back and resisted the urge to close her eyes.

As she sat there a girl named Yukina came running in,where a tavern uniform,she took off her cloake and smiled to the owner."sorry im late,rain cauh me off guard",she said and looked to the girl by the father.She made her way over to her."excuse me miss?you look tierd,do you need anything?",she asked kindly.

With a heavy gaze, Sabera looked up at the girl. Until that moment, she had been able to sit there peacefully. A small fire burned in her chest but she carefully kept her calm. There was no reason to snap at the girl. "I'm exhausted and I could use some food... or spirits. Both or whichever. I have money, so get on with your job and there's a nice tip in it for you." She forced a smile and a wink, hoping to soften the edge to her words.

The girl blinked but nodded."im on it",she said running to the back as she made a nice meal. The boss looked rto her."Yukina ....you know nothing of this person why are you-",he stopped seeing Yukinas galre and sighed leaveing her be.

Yukina had grwon up mostly alone,she had grwon in a crule inviroment ,no one truely showed her kindness. But ,because of that she was always kind and caring to others.After a bit she came back to the girl with a tray full of food and a spritz.Walking over she set it on a table."here you are"

Sabera waited patiently, half-slouched in her chair. The fire felt amazing despite being almost too hot. She gazed out the window at the still pouring rain and sighed. She needed it to stop. She had already spent too much time in the tavern. She desperately needed to keep moving.

The return of the girl caught her off guard and she gave a slight jump. "Thanks girl." She grinned a little at the food, realizing how hungry she was. "Smells good." She reached into another pouch and pulled out several gold pieces. It was far more than enough. "Here, keep the change." She held out her fist, hiding the gold from view of other patrons. No reason to attract attention.

"really,thank you kindly",she said carefullytakeing it,hideing the gold from others sight.She got the change and put in her her change pouch.She then went about doing her wrk and stopped seeing a grop of men enter.She sighed as they sat at er tables and went over to them reluctently.

Sabera smirked, doubting many people in the small wilderness village saw that much gold in an entire month. She went about eating and drinking, hardly looking around until the men entered. No recognition passed through her expression and she continued eating. Still, she kept an eye on them. Her enemies did not like to show their faces, but they often sent others to do their dirty work. The men could very well be harmless, but she was paranoid all the same.

Beneath the table, her free hand fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. Perhaps it would be best to finish her meal and leave. The rain would soak her through. Yes. If she stayed, there may be conflict. The last thing she wanted was to have her face remembered. Hunching her shoulders a little, she quickened her eating pace.

Yukina went to the table takeing thier orders,looking at a few of them.She was nervous. Yukina,had a gift,she could read the thoughts of others. See thier true intentions.Thease men ,were not to be trusted. She got thier orders of drinks and came back .Setting the drinks down one of the men puled her close."hey girly,why dont you come with me to our inn",he said with a smerk.

Yukina stood,pulling away."im good thanks...i have work here to do",she said stareing at the man.

Sabera tensed a little as she watched the men pester the working girl. Hmph, they may not be enemies but they certainly are trouble, she thought. Fearing a little for the girl, she lifted a few fingers in the air and called out, "Hey miss... I have a request." Subtle enough. She raised a brow at the men, challenging them to interrupt.

While she tried to keep to herself, she was a peace maker at heart. Drunks and fighting brutes never sat well with her. So she interfered as much as she could while keeping a low profile.

One of the men taht was blocking Yukina stept to the side.
Yukina quickly went to her an smiled to her thankfully."yes?"

"They're trouble, yeah?" Sabera talked over a mouthful. "Have a seat. I want company. That's not a question." Her words weren't unfriendly but certainly lacked warmth. To the point and commanding. She motioned to the chair with her pinkie as she took a bite of bread. If the tavern owner complained, she would slip him some money to shut him up. For now, she was going to have a conversation and those men were going to behave.

Yukina stopped,then took a seat."okay",she said calmly."uh,thank you",shesaid again.

For a few minutes, Sabera would only look at the girl as she ate, slurping up every last bit and piece. Then, she would draw back her head and drink quickly. After setting the mug against the wooden table top, she smiled. "Well, that was quite good. Wanted to get that all out of the way before we talk."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "What's your name, then?"

Yukina smiled."Im Yukina ...whats yours?",she asked with a friendly smile.

"Hm..." Sabera instinctively bowed her head a little. "Yukina, it's a pleasure. I am Sabera Rex." She tapped the table with her fingers unconsciously, an old habit. "Tell me, are there rooms here or elsewhere in this village?" Yes, she had decided to stay. It was not an ideal decision but the weather was rough and so far there were no signs of trouble.

Of course, she did not notice as a tall, burly figure swept into the tavern, shaking his cloak angrily. Had she, she might have been asking Yukina where the nearest exit was. The man's boots fell heavily against the wooden floor as he stomped over to the nearest barmaid to demand, rather rudely, that she fetch him a drink. She complied with a quick, annoyed nod.

Yukina looked at the man then back to Sabrea.'the inss full,but i do have a spare room where I live",she said softly.

The giant of a man slobbered down the mug of ale in what seemed like an instant. The barmaid that had brought it to him grimaced and stomped off as he asked for another. What a disgusting brute, she mumbled to herself. He heard her and only smirked.

His eyes skipped from table to table until they settled on Sabera. Yes, that was the one. Dark hair, dark eyes, sinewy, and mean as a badger he was told. He was sure because there were no other women other than those that brought the ale in the tavern. And because he tracked her right to this very village. The tavern was a bit of a long shot, but he wanted a drink and where else would a stranger go?


“Splendid!” Sabera’s fingers curled into a fist. “I’d pay you for it, of course. Don’t dismiss the offer. I’m not an easy roommate.”

“I believe that,” the man’s booming voice fell on her ears unpleasantly.

She flinched. “Well, excuse me dear,” she said to the girl, drawing up and turning to face the man. “Can I help you?”

He laughed heartily. “I’m sure ya know our business. And I’m sure ya’d agree it’d be best to take it elsewhere.” He spoke somewhat slowly, his deep voice resonating off her eardrums.

She frowned.“So polite for such a stupid sounding brute.” She shrugged. “I’m afraid you and I don’t have business. I don’t even know you.” With that, she waved her hands as if shooing a child. “Go along, then.”

Not at all pleased by her answer, he moved his cloak to the side a little to show the hilt of his sword. “Now Ms. Rex, I know ya. Ya very well should know why I’m here.”

Bummer, he was a determined one. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she insisted.

His lips curled into an irritated grimace. He lacked patience. Hand closing around the hilt of his sword, he gave her another chance. “Rex…”

Yukina stared at the man after seeing te sword.She could see in his mind of how he would attack and looked around seeing a poker for thier fire,Yukinagrabbed it and prtend to fool arond with the fire,then looked to the man before she tok the now buring hot rod and slamed it into his ear.

The man's howl rumbled up from his throat. Sabera's mouth arched into a wide grin. "Well done," she said to Yukina and danced around behind the brute. He held his ear and continued to howl. "He seems a bit distracted, so... with all due respect, I think it's best you come with me." She waved for the girl to follow before rushing towards the door.

Other guests turned to see the action. For some reason, the effect of one howling men on a tavern full of drunks was most violent. A few fist fights broke out sporadically. Sabera dodged between them, edging along the wall best she could. Once to the door, she looked behind her to see if the girl was following.

Yukina glanced to the men she ad served who moved towards her ,she quickly followed doudgeing punches and such,and was glad she made it outside.