Like the embers that burned in the end of the 'monks' pipe, was the fire too burning through the veins of the man calling himself Jintaru. Nomi could feel it on the skin of his bare arms as if he were standing before an actual fire. It was magnificent, a wonderful feeling coming from the shaven-headed man, but is words were still concerning for the blind man. Perhaps he really was speaking the truth and had 'killed' his old self in order to try and live life anew. A pity that the silver-haired man was still living and breathing to remind the poor pipe-smoking warrior that his past would never leave him. He would always be haunted by his nightmares, by his mistakes. However, the middle-aged blind man had felt as if his former comrade had been teased enough for one day. He didn't want to make the fool explode from anger so soon. Nomi needed the shaven-headed man before him alive and well, and preferable sane, for when he met with Ornestoro. The tricky part was going to be how the blind man would get an audience with the 'peddler of information' if Jintaru continued to refuse to ask for him. That was if this Ornestoro was as silent and as cautious as the 'monk' had described.

[color=teal][i]This is interesting. I doubt there is anyone else who knows about this scroll fragment... I have a couple of ideas where I could start to look, but I really don't want to walk back to Mor Sgaithatch...[/i][/color]
The blind man thought to himself as he watched the 'monk' clear his pipe and tuck it away into his belongings. The shaven-headed man's threat came as little surprise, what with how much he had been provoked and goaded. THIS was the man Nomi remembered. These words, these threats, that look in Jintaru's eye, the look of wanting to desperately kill someone, to kill the blind man. This was 'Jin Long'. Nomi smirked and remained silent, though there were several taunts and insults just dancing on the tip of his tongue. Instead, the silver-haired man just crossed his arms over his chest and allowed a smirk to remain present on his lips.
[color=teal][i]No, I must get an audience with this Ornestoro and my only key to him is sitting right in front of me.[/i][/color]
Nomi tilted his head a fraction, turning his left ear forwards slightly as he seemed to 'feel' something approaching. Pushing it to the back of his mind for the time being, he spoke up instead.
[color=teal]”What is it you consider 'work' these days? If the man I know is dead, then that sword by your side will be blunt and your ability to fire those arrows, useless.”[/color]

As he sat here 'watching' his friend stare back at him, a figure was approaching the tavern with a very unusual air about her. She carried a scent that both intrigued and wanted to make the blind man retch. It sounded like she had a hood or some type of cloak covering her person, but the silver-haired man could see through that as if it weren't even there. His brow tightened a fraction, any emotion of teasing or provoking the 'monk' had vanished entirely and was replaced with concern. A quick 'glance' at Jintaru told the blind man that he too had felt her approach. Nomi grinned again and he tapped a finger on the table before the 'monk' a couple of times to regain his attention.
[color=teal]”Whatever plans you have in mind for yourself, have to wait. It seems we're in the company of Miss Annaveya Kushrina. Do you know her?”[/color]
He asked with a lowered voice as his grin grew wider. This day was full of surprises! What on earth was someone like her doing in a place like this? And if she wasn't enough herself, there seemed to be someone else approaching the tavern as well. This chap, he was loud and full of himself by the sound of things. He smelt like he had drunk an entire tavern's worth of alcohol. As they both disappeared inside the tavern, the blind man returned his attention onto the 'monk' sitting at the same table.

[color=teal]”I'm not sure who that other person is who just went inside, but I doubt he's anything to worry about. Mind you, it feels like we might currently be surrounded. Can you feel them? Please tell me you have kept up with your training since the last war...”[/color]
Though it seemed his words may not have been fully heard, as a stranger had approached their table and placed down a few gold coins onto the table. Five in total, which the shaven-headed man took into his grasp. Weren't those the same coins he had given the kitchen hand earlier? The blind man placed his left elbow onto the table and he turned himself around fully to glance behind himself, the table and stool creaking softly as he shifted his weight about. Who knew what he was 'looking' for, but he soon returned back to normal and faced Jintaru once more. The boy was fast and seemed smart enough from the brief time Nomi was able to be near him. Had he been caught or attacked? It wasn't everyday you saw a young lad like him running as he was. Did someone think he had stole something and had reclaimed the 'stolen goods', returning them to the 'monk'? This was a setback. If Ornestoro was not going to be informed of Jintaru's visit, then neither him nor Nomi were going to get what they wanted.

Before he was able to say anything though, two gunshots rang from inside the tavern and visibly caused the blind man to wince and turn his head away from the sound. This entire area was peaceful, quiet and relaxed up until now. Now there was a general sense of panic and urgenecy spreading throughout each and every patron that eat and drank here. The group of three man nearby all ducked low and the elderly couple yelped and cowered at their table. It seemed the only two people who didn't duck for cover were the blind man and the 'monk'. Nomi had looked to where the sound had come from and was visibly flexing his hands to and from visits. A gun was a weapon for a coward, the same type of coward who would hide a dagger on his person. Nomi hated cowards. If you were going to be in battle, if you were to draw blood from your enemy, then it should be done with a blade in you hands and performed with the skill and knowledge of a man who dedicated his life to that very same blade. Or her life. Nomi had met his fair share of women who could handle a blade.
[color=teal]”Now what are you going to do, my old friend? Find the kitchen hand and leave the fool with guns to harm the innocent, or do you deal with the problem here and hope the boy isn't bleeding out in a ditch somewhere?”[/color]
Nomi smirked and he leaned forwards on the table, pressing both his elbows onto the wooden surface as he brought his face closer to the 'monk'.