When they had finally arrived at Garin’s home, they were met on the porch by an extremely dark-skinned man, whose arms were crossed over his chest. The man looked them both up and down, then gave Garin an odd look. “Garin… who is this? You said you would be buying me a drink tonight, not a woman.”
“Oh… so your name is Garin!” Nadia clapped with a big grin.
“No drinks tonight, Javik.”
“You didn’t finish the job?” He gasped then, and turned to give Nadia a really good inspection. “Is this your mark? I’ll admit, she’s pretty… but it isn’t like you to choose a woman over your duties.”
Garin pushed open the door to his small house, and urged Nadia inside. “I didn’t-” He groaned. “She’s pregnant, it’s not like I have a choice in the matter.”
“Oh. That’s unfortunate.” Javik frowned, then pushed himself past Garin to walk inside.
“Heard of any other bounties being put up? I’d prefer a male… that way I don’t have the unfortunate experience of having two pregnant women in my house.”
“That would be interesting.” Javik laughed. “Let’s do that! How do we make that happen?”
Garin watched as Nadia’s eyes widened considerably at Javik’s words. “Don’t listen to him, he’s just a bumbling fool.”
“Says you.” Javik replied with a grin. “By the way, I’m Javik, nice to meet you. I’m a master of potions, and my shop is right down the road from here. I make a mean love potion if-oof!” He frowned suddenly and glared at Garin while rubbing his arm. “That hurt.”
“You deserved it.” Garin replied in irritation. “Like I said, Nadia, don’t listen to him. I’ve never even seen anyone buy his love potions.”
“They really do work.” Javik cut in.
“Says the person selling them in a city of assassins. Anyway-what?”
Nadia was grinning oddly. “That’s the first time you’ve said my name, I think!”
“I-It isn’t!”
“It is!” Nadia was beaming at that point, almost as if she was eager to hear him say it again. “You’ve never said my name before and you even told me you didn’t plan to!”
Garin sighed, “It’s nothing special.” He felt flustered, her excitement was just a little bit annoying and he wondered why she even wasted her energy feeling that way.
“I’m going out for a bit, Javik, show Nadia to her room.”
“Oh, okay.” Nadia glanced at Javik who looked slightly perplexed.
