Naomi nodded at the man’s observation of her gender and lack of title not changing anything about her being or not being a ‘lady’.  She paused when he started to lead her in the opposite direction the others had gone.  Nonetheless, she followed him across the broad square towards another part of the city.<br/><br/>“I am called Naomi” she said as she caught up with him.  When he introduced himself, she only murmured, “Pleased to meet you, Daemion.”<br/><br/>He was leading her towards a rather non-descript building she had passed a thousand times before but…she glanced to the opposite side of the broad avenue … from that side.  For some unexplained reason, habit perhaps, or her training,  she always walked on the north side of the avenue, which would explain why she “noticed” but did not “see” the Fireside Inn; the same way one “notices” but does not “see” a beggar in the street.  Now however, she was forced to “see” the Inn.  As she took in its ancient stone face and ivy covered walls for the first time she wondered why it was she never “saw” it before.  There was an air of mystery about it, including the sign over the door.  The script seemed off somehow, as if the painter of the letters had a vision that did not quite fit with the rest of the city.<br/><br/>When Naomi walked through the thick black oak door and into the Inn, she paused.  The hair on her arms and back of her neck stood up, which was a sure indication that something was not quite right.  She blinked several time to allow her eyes to grasp the visual sensation that she was standing in a place not meant to be held by the walls outside.  As if a portal had been opened and she stepped into a realm of “other.”  She was not afraid of visions.  Goddess knows she had her share.  Almost every night to be honest.  And she wasn’t afraid of Magick, but she did respect it; the same way one respects a weapon.  For Naomi there was any number of aspects of life besides just good and evil.  A weapon in the hands of someone with good intentions would, in most, but not all cases, triumph over evil.  Sometimes, however, it went the other way.  And sometimes, the good intentions ended up doing more harm than good.  Regardless, the result was always the same … people died.  Innocent people mostly, but death was always nearby anytime weapons were drawn or Magick was called upon and Naomi was now seeing the gray area of Magick.  That part of Magick not meant for daily consumption but for nights when the moon was bright and the heady scent of Jasmine filled the air.<br/><br/><em>“If you chew enough Jasmine petals,” </em>her grandmother had told her when she was a child.  “<em>You will see Fairies.” </em><br/><br/>She had not chewed Jasmine petals but there they were, sitting at a table as if nothing was more natural.  Fae.  Wings and all.<br/><br/>Naomi tilted her head and smiled.  She heard Daemion say something but it did not register and when a Faun approached to greet them, her jaw dropped open.  She quickly closed her mouth when the Faun looked at her with its huge brown eyes.  It was obvious Daemion was known here for the proprietor was most accommodating towards him.  When he offered her his hand, she took it gladly for the Inn was crowded with all manner of creatures.  Narrow passageways led in all directions as they meandered through the crowds and among private alcoves and lace covered tables.  An Elvin girl of considerable beauty was waiting at an alcove favored, it seemed, by Daemion.  Naomi had seen Elves before but never one this young.  She stood taller than most humans and had a sweet, disarming smile.  Daemion dismissed her politely and the Elf-girl faded into the crowd leaving behind a bottle of wine.<br/><br/>Daemion poured out two glasses of heavy red wine and sat back to await Naomi’s questions.<br/><br/>Clearing her throat and glancing around the inn once more Naomi frowned, tilted her head and asked the most obvious question that came to her mind.<br/><br/>“Who<em>are </em>you?”<br/><br/><br/><br/>