The door opened and Saji came in from the outside. The pub looked the same it always did, with its dim lighting and the low sound of music which came from somewhere in the back of the pub. To be honest Saji hadn’t even entered the back part of the pub yet. Most of the time she either followed Ji to visit strange restaurants and shops selling the weirdest things or she slept in one of the rooms on the second floor of the building.

Yet she had never entered the back part of the pub. She was curious as to what was located there, but up till now she hadn’t had time to look there. Everyday she would spend almost all of the day wandering around with Ji and returning dead-tired from the exciting things she witnessed.

Right now, sitting in the front part of the pub were the usual three guests consisting of Long Tian, Raja, Mr. Sherevile. Only the sleeping lady was missing from her usual seat. As for the rest, Tian had taken his human form which was the body of an Asian looking middle-aged man with the typical Chinese mustache every old chinese grandfather in every movie had to have. It was so generic that it looked good.

Mr. Sherevile looked as ugly as usual as he drunk his black tea while Raja was playing cards with Tian.

They turned around and smiled at Saji.

She moved further into the room, making place for Ji to follow her inside the pub.

“So, did you like the restaurant?”, Ji was in a good mood, humming some melody.

Saji nodded. “The roasted peacock was really good.”

Ji had been taking her to visit a number of restaurants these days and Saji had already adapted to the various strange and somewhat unusual dishes they served. She had to admit that everything she had tasted so far was delicious.

“You ate five-colored peacock?”, Tian suddenly interrupted a longing look on his face.

(The Fenghuang is a magical bird from Chinese folklore that is sometimes also called peacock or five-colored peacock. It is considered to be the ruler over all other birds and being at the same level as phenixes and dragons.)

“You bastard Ji don’t you feel you are favoring this girl to much? You have only met her for three days and, yet you have fed her dragon lizards, a flood-dragon and five colored peacock! We have been friends for almost forty decades and you have treated me anything like that!”, he really felt that Ji was treating him to bad. To favor some new girl more then a friend he had known for 400 years…

(Flood-dragons are lower dragons from Chinese-mythology that resemble four-legged snakes. They are less powerful then true dragons but have a chance to become one through lucky encounters.)

Saji had an awkward expression on her face, not knowing what to respond.

She had realized that those dishes Ji treated her were clearly rare, yet there was nothing she could do. Ji would always order such things for her and wouldn’t accept any objections.

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Mr. Sherevile put down his cup having finished his tea.

“If you are so desperate to eat five colored peacock I will treat you, but stop blaming the poor child!”, as always Mr. Sherevile spoke somewhat formal unlike Tian who would swear and talk however he liked.

Tian’s expression instantly lightened, a smile blossoming on his face.

“What are you waiting for, we go RIGHT NOW!”, he said excited, grapping Mr. Sherevile by his arm and pulling him from his chair. He rapidly transformed into his true form and coiled around the old dwarf. Then he shot towards the open door.

Mr. Sherevile only sighed, letting Tian drag him out of the pub onto the street. Then both were gone, only leaving Saji, Ji and Raja inside the room. The door slowly closed itself.

Ji shook his head grinning.

“After more then three thousand years he still is little more than a brat.”

Raja nodded his head. He also had a small smile on his lips.

Saji on the other hand was a little overwhelmed by the sudden development. Despite their age of multiple hundred if not thousand years these gods were very explosive and decisive in their behavior. They really did not resemble the wise and tranquil gods one would expect.

Ji cleared his throat and faced Saji.

“I am sorry to say this as I am your host and should entertain you, but I will have to take care of some business now and won’t be able to keep you around for the next few days. You have your talisman, so you can stroll around the city by yourself. If you need help just ask Raja, he will help you.”, he looked apologetic.

Raja nodded approvingly.

Saji frowned a little. She wasn’t really comfortable with the thought of being alone in the city. There was an unlimited amount of dangers lurking all around the endless rows of streets and alley. But she also knew that she couldn’t expect Ji to be around her all the time. Furthermore, he was right, she had her talisman and even though Saji wasn’t sure just how powerful it was, according to Ji it should keep her safe.

She nodded hesitantly.

 “I will have to trouble you Raja.”, she said to Raja. He smiled encouraging.

Ji also nodded, satisfied with her response.

“I will find you as soon as I am done with my business. Until then have fun.”, he exchanged a few more words with Raja and disappeared through a door behind the counter.

Saji sat down on one of the chairs, a light frown on her face.

She wasn’t sure on what to do now that Ji wasn’t leading her around interesting and new places. On her own it would be hard to explore this gigantic city.

“You should wait a few more moments, the arrangement that was made for you should arrive any second.”, Raja suddenly said. It seemed like he knew exactly what was going on within her head.

Saji was surprised and confused.

“What kind of arrangement?”

Raja shook his head. “You will see. Wait only a little more.”

She frowned but chose to listen to him.

A few minutes went by and she finished a cup of tea Raja had prepared for her. At this time the door to the pub slowly opened, letting in a gush of fresh, cold air. The typical noises of the city flooded the quietness of the pub.

A face appeared through the door frame.  Slender facial features, white hair, a pair black eyes surrounded by red eyeshadow and two strangely shaped eyebrows. He was handsome, but there was a mysterious, or rather strange presence around him.

The pair of black eyes scanned the pub and fell onto Saji. They seemed to recognize her as the person whom they belonged to instantly went into motion.

Before Saji could react, he had already reached her and stretched out his hand for a greeting.

“My name is Sha Tawa, pleased to meet you.”

Due to her surprise she blinked twice before finally reacting. 

“Saji… My name is Saji Revels…”, she answered somewhat awkwardly, wondering what that handsome young man might want from her. Of course, the handsome part was merely an observational fact…

“What might you want from me?”, without realizing she voiced out the question.

Sha realized the awkward situation he had created and became embarrassed.

“Well…”, he scratched his head, blushing a little . “I am supposed to help you go shopping…”