Kairo leaned against the bar, arms crossed, a slight smile on his lips as he observed Linai as she made an intricate drink. The liquid shifted colors, drawing in onlookers. A patron in a plain suit tried the drink, his expression turning to one of surprise and delight. Customers began requesting "whatever Linai's mixing up.”

Kairo took order after order and, along with them, handfuls of copper nodes and silver moons.

As she chatted and mixed drinks, Kairo noticed a small, shimmering crystal around Linai’s neck. It almost looked like a Kynik crystal. His forehead creased with worry. It had to be a fake.

Kairo's pride in Linai's success now mixed with concern. He didn’t think she’d ever mentioned anything about any kynik training, and she’d definitely never shown him any sort of license or training certificate.

As patrons enjoyed Linai's drinks, oblivious to the crystal, Kairo pondered its implications. He needed to decide how to handle this revelation but chose to observe for now, his gaze returning to the glowing stone around her neck. It was a fake, just jewelry intended to make her look rich. It had to be.

A foolish choice, one that could draw the attention of Gann’s guards, but nothing that would have any serious consequences.

Kairo's attention fixed on Linai as she prepared a complex drink. The liquid swirled in the glass, captivating nearby patrons. As one man, dressed in dockworker’s clothes, took a sip, his eyes widened in surprise.

"I can see sounds," he blurted out, his voice tinged with amazement. The tavern grew silent. Heads turned toward the speaker, curiosity on their faces.

Kairo's brow furrowed. The Kynik crystal's presence was concerning enough, but now, a drink that altered senses?

The man set his drink down slowly. “What's in this drink?"

“Just a little something I threw together,” Linai said.

"I'm Inspector Sonn Adamma from the Gann Guard," he said, his tone harsh.

Linai's confident facade wavered under Adamma's gaze.

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Kairo felt a need to defuse this situation. He stepped forward, a reassuring smile on his face.

Inspector Adamma leaned on the bar, his gaze sharp. "What's in this drink that causes such effects?" he asked.

Linai, steady and composed, replied, "It's a blend of herbs and spices from my travels, nothing more."

“Inspector,” Kairo said.

“I’m talking to your bartender.”

“”But-”

“Leave us.”

Kairo edged down the bar, but kept an ear open.

"These... travels of yours," Adamma continued, "where exactly did they take you?"

"Across the continent," Linai said. "I've learned from various cultures and their unique ingredients."

Adamma paused, mulling over her words. "Interesting. And there's no use of magic in its creation?"

"Absolutely not," Linai assured him. "Just natural ingredients and a bit of creativity."

“Do you understand that lying to an inspector is in itself a crime?”

“I’m not lying!”

Kairo watched the exchange, his unease mounting. Linai's calm response didn't quell his growing doubts. The Kynik crystal and the inspector's reaction to the drink raised too many red flags. His trust in Linai teetered as he pondered the possible implications of her using magic.

The inspector got up and started wandering around the room, focusing on little details, like the kynik dust lights, which were all bought from legal vendors, and the drinks of other patrons.

The tavern's buzz resumed, but Kairo felt a lingering uncertainty. He wondered if bringing Linai on board was a mistake. He felt to stressed watching the inspector wander about the room. Kairo stepped away from the bar.

#

In his quarters, Kairo paced, his demeanor far from the calm, warm presence he showed his patrons. His usual steady hands now clasped together, he occasionally glanced out the window.

The room, once his haven for reflection, echoed with his worries. He sat at his desk, intent on thinking clearly about the night's events, then got back up again. Then he sat back down.

Forehead in hands, Kairo mulled over the evening. The inspector's shocked expression, Linai's calm reply, and the flash of the kynik crystal at her neck played in his mind. He recognized her talent and the buzz she'd brought to the tavern.

Kairo was haunted by the threat of government scrutiny. If Linai used magic, even harmlessly, it could jeopardize the Glember Inn. The idea of his hard-built establishment caught in a scandal over illegal magic use was intolerable.

He massaged his temples, burdened by his role as the owner. Protecting his tavern, staff, and patrons was paramount. Kairo knew difficult choices were imminent. Balancing talent with legal and safety concerns was tricky.

Standing, he needed to act to protect his tavern.

Closing the tavern briefly crossed his mind, but he dismissed it. It would raise suspicion and harm the Glember and the community. A diversion was an option, but it was fraught with risks and unknowns.

Kairo's mind lingered on Linai. He needed to prevent further questioning until he understood the full implications.

Reluctantly, Kairo decided to talk to Linai. He needed to know more.